Gokudera came home to a ringing phone. He knew it couldn't be Phoenix because she had told him the night before that she wouldn't be able to call him until much later, something to do with a sewer pipe. So there was only one person it could be.

"Reaper."

"Ah Hayato. So good to hear your voice again."

Reaper laughs and Gokudera nearly hung up on him then and there.

"What do you want Reaper."

"To know if you've told our little birdy that the Vongola killed her family yet? Because you really should tell me when you do, I would love to see her reaction. But if you don't do it soon I will tell her and I won't be telling her that daddy was gun runner. Let's see if she works with you after that."

Gokudera grinds his teeth.

"Don't you fucking DARE! I haven't told her because I haven't proved it yet. I don't believe the Vongola would kill her mother or brother for something her father did. There's just no way in hell they'd do that. You can't...You can't fucking tell her!"

Gokudera could feel the worry start to form in his chest. If Reaper was telling the truth then he was going to tell Phoenix his version of how her parents died...and she might believe it.

"I told you I was holding something back didn't I? Would you like to know what it was? But you have to swear on your bosses' life, on his very blood, that if I tell you this, you will tell Phoenix that the Vongola killed Mommy and Daddy and little Nicky. Just in case you couldn't figure it out, Nicky is her little brother. If you go back on this promise then I will tell her...and then I will watch her self destruct. Or kill you all and then herself."

"I'm not gonna swear anything on Juudaime's life! Neither will I lie or hold back information from Phoenix if I know the truth. Just tell me damn it!"

"I'll only tell you if you swear to tell Phoenix that The Vongola killed her parents and her brother. I won't tell you anything if you don't. But how about instead of swearing on Tsuna's life, why don't you swear on your own life? Well do we have a deal?"

"Fine. Deal. Now tell me the truth. And I mean the whole truth."

Gokudera pulls out a note book and sits at his table, ready to write down whatever Reaper says.

"The Vongola only killed her father, as you guessed. But there was a second family in Chicago and they didn't want the Vongola in town so, right after the Vongola hit-man left, two men from the same family and shot Mommy and Nick. Can you guess the name of the second family?"

Reaper laughs.

"Tch, you sick fucking bastard! And her whole life she followed you. She devoted her life to becoming a hit-man for your family when she doesn't even know that your Family killed her mother and brother!" Gokudera growls. "Asshole."

"Now before you go running off to tell Phoenix remembers our deal. You swore on your life to tell Phoenix that her whole family was killed by the Vongola."

"Sure, whatever you say."

Gokudera smirks and looks over what he had written.

"Fine tell her the truth. I guess I'll just...blow up the school...in the middle of the school day...with the kids and girls and Tsuna's mother and maybe even Tsuna himself inside..." Reaper pauses for his words to take hold. "Or you could tell her what I told you to tell her and all those peoples lived. So what do you say, one girls trust (And possibly love) or all those innocent lives? Your choice Young Hayato."

"I'M NOT GONNA FUCKING TELL HER! I'm not gonna tell her anything, so don't you dare hurt anyone!"

"Unless you tell her, I will hold to my promise to blow up the school. And none of that "Come to my house" bull either. You tell her over the phone so I can listen in. Who is more important? Tsuna or Phoenix? What are you willing to sacrifice? Your bosses' life, or the trust of on person? Make your choice."

Gokudera sighs.

"I-I'll tell her once she tells me she's done with whatever it is she's doing...she said she'd call." Gokudera grinds his teeth again. "But don't...don't even go near Juudaime."

"There we go. That wasn't so hard now was it? And I can't promise to never go near Tsuna. It is my job to kill him after all. But I will leave all those innocent people out of it. The kids, the girls, the mother, I will spare them all a horrible and cruel death for your good choice."

"Good. I'm gonna regret this, I know it, but...things have to be sacrificed in order to prolong Juudaime's life. Just so you know, I fucking hate you."

"Wow, a middle schooler hates me, whatever will I do with my life!" Reaper laughs his cold laugh. "Everyone hates me kid. Everyone except Phoenix and once you tell her, she'll be back on my side."

"I'll tell her but...I just hope she makes the right choice and sees through my lie Even if you have her on your side, you won't win, Reaper. Trust me on that . You. Wont. Fucking. Win. I'll find away, and so will Juudaime."

"Find a way to win or find a way to keep Phoenix with you...or to protect your boss? Because you can only do one of those things." Before Gokudera can respond the phone Phoenix gave him rings. "You should probably check that."

Reaper hangs up and Gokudera hesitantly picks up the ringing phone.

"You missed out on one hell of a party Hayato."

Phoenix laughs and Gokudera bites his lip.

"Phoenix...there's something...no. Nevermind."

"What is it? Another crack against my bad humor?" Phoenix laughs and when Gokudera doesn't join in she stops quickly. "Hayato, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I told you...it's nothing."

"I can't tell her. But I have to tell her...Reapers listening and I...I have to tell her..."

"Dude you're acting off. What's wrong? Come on you can tell me? I won't laugh...wait, did something happen? Is Tsuna alright? Did Reaper get him, because if he did I promise you Hayato I will get him back and he will be fine I swear it!"

Gokudera smiles slightly and sighs.

"N-No, nothing happened to Juudaime. It's just...something Reaper told me."

"Oh this is a Reaper thing. He lies Hayato. That's what he does, that's what he's good at."

"I just...we need to talk. I don't care if what he's told me is a lie. I just want..."

"Hayato stop it alright. Just..." She sighs. "Just tell me. Please. I can help...or try to anyway. What's going on? What did Reaper tell you? Cause if it's about my...ability...I...I can't help that! I never could! It...It's just something that happens in my family...I have no control over it!"

Gokudera bangs his head against the wall.

"I...The Vongola..." He sighs. "Reaper is threatening to kill Juudaime and his family. I don't think I can stop him. I'll do whatever I can, but I can't risk putting Juudaime's life in danger. Phoenix...I'm sorry. I'll tell you if you want, but first, I just want to say that I'm sorry."

"What's wrong? What are you apologizing? What the hell Hayato! This isn't like you! Tell me what!"

Gokudera lets his head drop in his hands.

"The...fuck. I can't even fucking say it. It's not true. It's...not...I'm just gonna get this over with. The Vongola...they...they were the ones who killed your family. That's all I know."