After his last conversation with Phoenix, Gokudera was understandably concerned about his newest ally. Every time they talked she was just barely able to talk before some new danger attacked her and the people she was with.

"God damn it...why can't she just come here." Gokudera asks himself on night as he comes into his apartment. "She could stay with Juudaime and she'd be safe and we could finally know everything we need to."

Gokudera drops his bag on the table when his phone rings, it wasn't the black on Phoenix had given him but his normal one. Gokudera sighs and flips it open, not even bothering to look at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Ah young Hayato Gokudera. I'm sorry I haven't been in contact with you, I've been busy hunting down your girlfriend and figuring out my plan to kill your little Boss."

"She's not my girlfriend!" Gokudera growls into the phone. "And she won't be so easy to catch."

"You see the fact that you overlooked the threat to Tsuna's life and focused on Phoenix that kinda supports my 'girlfriend' theory. But you couldn't have possibly fallen for a more ruthless person."

"Tch. The only reason I overlooked your little "threat" is because you can NEVER harm Juudaime! You'll never be able to even put a finger on him. Phoenix doesn't have the protection Juudaime does AND SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND! Whoever she was in the past, it doesn't matter. I've killed a man with my bare hands; I killed my own cousin as well. I'm not better than she is, so her life as a hit-man doesn't bother me. I was also devoid of any emotion until I met Juudaime. All it takes is just one person to turn your life around. Many would think me suspicious for becoming Juudaime's right-hand man after trying to kill him, but no one thought that. So I can't judge Phoenix."

"You misunderstand me, when I say ruthless, I mean cold blooded. She killed a man in front of his youngest son, the only parents the child had. She has probably told you about me, that I am an evil, unfeeling, murderer, but in truth she is the one who is unfeeling. She has not shown a single emotion since we were 18 and now she has a conscience. I find that suspicious don't you?"

"DON'T TRY TURNING ME AGAINST HER! You're the enemy, and she's the one who's trying to help us. We have no reason to believe YOU."

Gokudera can feel his anger rising. This man, this...Reaper, was trying to turn him against Phoenix and for some reason, this pissed him off.

"Did you know that the Vongola killed her family? They shot her parents and little brother and left her in a closet for a week. She doesn't know of course, but if she did do you think she would still be on your side? Although I do have to thank your family for killing them. If they hadn't then Aydan would never have become Phoenix...or rather I would have never turned her into Phoenix. So here's the deal, you give me Phoenix and I'll leave Tsuna alone."

"The Vongola wouldn't do something like that. I promise you they wouldn't. Until recently it's been discovered that someone has been disguising themselves as the Vongola in order to commit such tragedies. But it was never truly the Vongola. For all I know, it could've been your own Famiglia that killed off her family. And how dare you exploit someone in their time of weakness. Turning her into an assassin after having her family killed...Tch. I hate assholes like you. But you know something? If it's a deal you want...THEN YOU'RE NOT GONNA FUCKING GET IT! Juudaime will see to it that Phoenix is safe. Try and defeat us, I assure you, it'll never happen"

Gokudera looks down and finds that he had been clenching his fists so tightly; his nails had cut into the palm of his hand. His anger only grows when Reaper responds calmly, acting like nothing had even happened.

"Yes, it was the Vongola. I looked it up when I joined my Family and the poor little redhead who would become The Phoenix, well her family was murdered by the Vongola." Reaper laughs" Although if it makes you feel any better, I doubt they knew she was in the closet. And I didn't exploit her; she fell to this world herself. She wanted to kill the men who killed her family and I just made sure she stuck to it." Gokudera hears a chuckle. "Will it be Tsuna keeping her safe, or will it be you that stops me from cutting her head off?"

"Wow, didn't know she was a ginger..." Gokudera shakes his head and clears his throat. "I still don't believe you. The Vongola would never do something like that without reason! And just what the fuck are you implying? We'll all be there to protect her and to support her. And we'll be together when we kick your ass!"

"Yes, she's a ginger. That is why she was originally called Phoenix, because her head looks like it is on fire when she fights. Oh and they did have reasons...her father was Vongola, a weapons dealer. But he double crossed them to keep himself out of jail. Something else I...forgot to tell Phoenix when I was trying to get her to join the Family. Nothing works better on bleeding hearts then a cold blooded murder of loved ones." Reaper laughs as he hears Gokudera's angry breathing. "As for what I am implying, I think you know. Your feelings for Phoenix are more than you let on, right?"

"But why the fuck would they kill his wife and son! That just doesn't make sense. You're not telling me something I know it!" Gokudera pauses to take a deep breath. "And fucking please, the only person I care for is Juudaime. No one else. I just...I see a lot of myself in her. She's someone I can relate to. But that's all damn it!"

"Of course I'm not telling you something! Why would I give you my greatest weapon? You would just run and tell Phoenix. But you would spin it so that Tsuna isn't the bad guy, so that your family is left unharmed in her eyes. In other words you would lie to her. And I must say that I would almost believe you if you did not keep reacting the way you do. Just as you can tell that I am holding something back, I can know you are not saying what you truly thing, what you truly feel."

Gokudera grinds his teeth hard enough that his jaw begins to hurt.

"Tch. I would never lie to her. Not when I know exactly what she's been through. If Phoenix found out then I'd let her make her decision. But I wouldn't lie to her or use her like you did. And Juudaime ISN'T THE BAD GUY! You lying, cunning, douche-bag! Don't think you know what I think or how I feel! No one does! So just fuck OFF!"

"Oh look, there is that wonderful reaction again. All you're doing with your arguments is convincing me that you like her more than you let on. Tsuna is weak, not finishing off Reborn to save the world during the trials, tsk tsk."

"Juudaime isn't weak. His compassion and the kindness he shows towards his allies and friends is what makes him strong. Someone like you could never understand a true person's strength"

"He would rather have the world end then defeat a friend. In that regard he is similar to Phoenix. I mean, if she had the will to fight me, to truly fight me...well then her blood wouldn't be staining my best blade. Silly girl would rather take and take a knife in the side then fight me."

"Hmph, she'll go against you. Trust me she will. And if she doesn't, then I sure as hell will!"

"Maybe not in the happy dream land that you Vongola live in, but in our world kindness only gets you killed. And I said her blood is presently standing my blade, as in she already tried to go against hm. I can send you a picture of her bleeding on my floor if you don't believe me." Gokudera felt his stomach drop, the certainty in Reapers voice made it impossible to dismiss his claims. "Who knew a single stab to the left side could produce so much blood? Oh yeah, I did." Reaper laughs. "Aw, she's glaring at me, so cute. She'll be dead soon at the rate she's bleeding, want to say something before she dies?"

"You wouldn't fucking dare...LEAVE PHOENIX ALONE! It's us you want, isn't it! Damn it! I told that woman to wait for us!" Gokudera prepared his weapons. "Tch, you won't succeed. I'll make sure of it!"

He runs out the door, making for Tsuna's home.