A ringing phone pulls Gokudera out of his sleep and he glares at his alarm clock.
"Who the fuck is calling me this early?"
The silver-haired teen rolls out of bed and picks up his phone.
"What?"
"Wow. You know you should be a little bit nicer to me since I am the one who's holding Phoenix's life in my hands."
"Just shut the fuck up. I know she's fine. We talked yesterday."
"Oh did you now. Did you tell her how worried you were? It was almost cute. You know Phoenix might actually appreciate that quality, she's so old-fashioned sometimes."
"Shut the fuck up. It's a male tendency to want to protect a woman. It's instinct. And I already told you it's because I see myself in her. And Jesus, NOT LIKE THAT! I just mean that she's life a reflection of myself. That's the only reason why."
"You know you might actually have a shot with her, she does love a man who plays piano."
Reaper laughs.
"I TOLD YOU, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! And I don't even play the piano anymore." Gokudera sits up straighter. "How the fuck did you know I used to play?"
"I know a lot about you Hayato. After Phoenix's little stunt, you were all added to the list of people to kill and I take my job very seriously. I learn everything I can about the mark. And as fun as this may be, and let me assure you this is fun, I must return to my job. So tell me...is Phoenix staying with Tsuna, because that would make my job much easier. Take out the mark and the traitor all in one go." He laughs again. "I might even take out anyone else in the house at the same time as well; you know just to keep the boredom at bay. Your sister looks like a fun opponent."
Gokudera feels his anger rise.
"Screw with my head all you want, but don't you DARE go near Juudaime's home. And I'm not even going to worry about Aneki. She's a tough girl, she can handle you."
"You didn't answer my question. Is Phoenix staying at Tsuna's home like you asked her to? Did she listen to your advice or did she decide against it. As for your sister, didn't you know, I can't feel pain. Her poison cooking won't work on me, and then there are the kids to think about, after all...who will protect them?"
An uncharacteristic worry takes hold in Gokudera's chest.
"Aneki might not be able to beat him...Reborn's there but would he fight?"
"She's not at Juudaime's house. So leave them out of this!"
"Damn. Well it looks like I have to stay her just a little longer than planned. You know for someone who acts so uninterested, you seem to have a big heart. What with how much you seem to worry about the kids, even Lambo who you say you hate. And do I even need to go into the Phoenix issues again? No? I didn't think so. I think that big heart of yours will be you downfall...thank you for giving me all I needed to defeat you."
"I am uninterested. But it's because of Juudaime that I've learned to care. And now that I have, I can't let him down. I have to protect my Famiglia, whether I like it or not. Tch. There's nothing wrong with caring, damn it! You think it'll be my downfall? YEAH RIGHT! Keep dreaming creep."
"Once again the Vongola chose to live in a happy dream land. Caring only causes you pain or gets you killed. If you don't believe me ask Phoenix or better yet think on your own past, think of your mother. If you never cared would her death hurt you as much as it does? So you should trust me when I say, your bleeding heart will be the death of you. Phoenix's plan was to kidnap someone to use against Tsuna correct? Well I think I might just modify that plan for you. Now who to take..."
"Caring is what has made all of us survive for so long. Of course I fucking cared about my mother's death! It's only natural!But after that, I STOPPED caring and it wouldn't have mattered if I lived or died. Now it's different. Juudaime has taught me how to care again and that's what's driven us to win our battles and to survive. And you won't get your hands to take ANYONE. Juudaime wouldn't allow it. And neither will I."
Reaper laughs loudly and Gokudera grits his teeth.
"Caring gives you strength? Don't make me laugh. For now you are strong only because of luck. Do you know what had let me survive for so long? Forgetting my heart, learning how to give up on emotions. If we, the people who have lived in hell every day, even for one second let our emotions over come up we will be driven mad. If you give it time even Phoenix will begin to slip. Those memories will begin to haunt her and they will destroy her. I only hope I am there to see her fall."
The man laughs again and Gokudera takes a deep breath. Reaper is clearly a psychopath and Gokudera was too tired to continue to argue.
"Running away from your past won't give you strength. It won't help you survive. You have to face your past and overcome your fears and that's how you'll learn to live. How to survive. Phoenix won't be brought down by her memories. The Vongola will be there to support her. Juudaime will be sure to help her and to calm her. We'll all be there for her because we've all been there before. You can keep hoping and wishing to see her fall, but it's never gonna fucking happen."
Reaper laughs loudly and for a long time, when he finally stops Gokudera can hear him panting slightly.
"Oh, you've known Phoenix for what? A week? Two? I've known her for nine years and she has never been able to confront her past. The moment her nightmares return she will fall back into darkness. Her past is much darker and painful than anything any of you Vongola brats could even imagine. So don't talk to me about you being able to comfort her. You can't."
"You're talking makes me feel like I'm playing a bad version of Kingdom Hearts..."
Reaper chuckles.
"This of course brings me to a few questions. Does Phoenix consider herself a part of the Vongola? Does she think that you are her family? Or does she still say 'your family' and 'your boss'? If she does then," Reapers voice becomes singsong. "You can't save her."
"I don't give a fuck whether she views us as her Famiglia. She's an ally, and she trusts us as much as we trust her, that's all that matters."
"You talk about saving her and helping her stay sane from her memories, but you don't care if she thinks she's part of your family? Now why do I doubt that? And who said she trust you? Did she ever actually say she trusts you? Or did she say that she would help you? Because with Phoenix, they don't mean the same thing you know. She trusts no one, she never has, and I highly doubt she ever will after I'm through with her...if she lives that is. Phoenix isn't as simple as she seems."
"I never claimed that she was simple. I just don't care how she views us. She's helping us, and that's all the assurance we need. Whether or not she wants to join us, it's her decision. We won't judge her or force her if she doesn't. And just fuck off, you won't hurt her. Not if the Vongola can help it."
"What does your Boss think, hmm? Does Tsuna consider her apart of the family? If he does, you have one messed up boss. How do you know that Phoenix actually changed sides? She could still be working with me? Let me guess, she's dropping hints about her past and acting a little weird. You see she's used that to gain someone's trust before killing them before, it was interesting to see him plead with her before she killed him. 'I thought we were friends. Come on Aydan, this isn't you!'"
"Juudaime considers her a friend. And that's all he needs to view her as. Tch, I...I trust she wouldn't do that. Even if she did, I'd have no other choice but to defeat her."
"So you would kill her? Even against your bosses order? You just might get my approval yet. But I don't think that you would get the chance to fight back. I am sure by now that Phoenix has already told you about my…little power. But did she tell you that I'm not the only one who isn't entirely human? Now she can feel pain, unlike me but her ability is ten times more useful than mine. And if she switches sides you won't be able to do anything."
"You don't scare me. Neither does she. I can and will take out anyone who threatens Juudaime's life. Ally or not. And I don't need or want your approval, Reaper. I'm a hit-man as well as a right-hand man; it's my duty to protect my Boss' life."
"Wow, normally when I bring up her powers the response is, 'Well what can she do?' You just say, 'I'll kill her.'" Reaper laughs. "And even if you don't want it you are gaining my approval, maybe even my respect."
Gokudera hangs up the phone and throws it down on the table. He runs his hand through his silver hair and sighs, looking at the small cat sitting on the couch.
"Uri...I need a drink." The cat meows and jumps off the couch, walking over to the fridge. "I said, I needed a drink Uri. Not that I'll feed you."