Phoenix was avoiding her phone, she knew that Gokudera was calling her but she refused to pick up. She didn't want to talk to him.

"I hate him. I hate his family. I hate his weapons. I hate his fighting style. I hate everything about him. I hate Hayato Gokudera."

But no matter how many times Phoenix repeats this in her head; the feelings just wouldn't go away. Her phone rings and Phoenix throws it at the wall.

"GO AWAY!"

The red-haired girl hadn't left her apartment since Gokudera told her how her family really died and that was three days ago. The girl's answering machine beeps, all her cells messages went through her machine when she was home. Soon Gokudera's voice fills the apartment.

"Phoenix, I get that you don't want to talk to me and you don't have to. Just...please, hear me out. What I'm about to tell you is completely the truth." The boy pauses for a second. "The Vongola...they didn't kill your family. They only killed your father. He double crossed them and dealt out illegal things. He was a gangster, Phoenix. And that's why they had to take him out. They had a valid reason! As for your mother and brother..." Gokudera sighs. "The O-Loughlin's didn't want the Vongola in town, so as to put the blame on them; they took out the rest of your family right after the Vongola left. We had nothing to do with it Phoenix. Nothing. This is the complete and utter truth." Gokudera pauses again, possibly to see if Phoenix would pick up. "I wanted to tell you this right away but...Reaper was threatening to kill off Juudaime's family. I had no other choice. But you were right, he lies. He lied about knowing where Juudaime was living and about and about where his family was and everything. He lied about everything. But that's all over. He had me tell you the lie in order to have you distrust me so that now he found out Juudaime's location, he's gonna take him out. And he knows you don't trust me anymore, meaning you're not gonna help us, so...we're alone on this. I understand if you still hate me. But Phoenix...no, Aydan, don't blame the Vongola or Juudaime. They had no part in the massacre of your family. It was the O-Loughlin's. I swear it on my life." Phoenix leans over and picks up her phone, taking a deep breath. Gokudera's voice comes over the line filled with surprise. "Phoenix!"

"So what you're saying is that I should trust you even though you admitted that your family killed off my family? God, life was so much easier when everything was black and white. Then I had to meet you! Now I'm unsure about everything..." Phoenix closes her eyes. "So the Vongola killed my dad, but not my mom or Nicky. They were killed by the O-Loughlin's, that's what you're saying."

"Yes, but Phoenix, you have to understand that your dad wasn't the good man you thought he was. I bet he was a great father. I don't doubt that. But his actions...they were what led him to his downfall. I'm truly sorry it had to happen, but that's how it is in the Mafia world. You of all people should know that better than anyone."

"Just hold on alright, don't give me anymore new information. So my dad was in the mob and to make sure the Vongola didn't come to Chicago the O-Loughlin's killed my mom and brother. And you lied to me about it because Reaper lied to you. But now you're telling me the truth?"

"Aydan, I swear it on my life. No...I swear on Juudaime's life." Phoenix blinks, Gokudera swearing on Tsuna's life. "I wouldn't ever do such a thing normally, but...I'm being sincere and I'm being honest right now. And I need you to believe me. I am telling you the truth. Please...Believe me."

Phoenix is quiet for a second.

"And you think I hate you?"

"Of course I think you do. I don't blame you either. People usually hate me anyway..."

"I don't hate you..."

Phoenix mutters.

"You should...I'm stupid. I was used by Reaper. And right when I thought I could be your equal...Tch. I guess the age difference really does have something to do with our skill level."

"I was fooled by Reaper too you know. He told me he didn't know anything about my family's murders and I believed him. We don't have that big an age gap and skills are always changing, improving. You could never be my equal because you are better than I could ever be...I don't think I can hate you...You saved me."

Phoenix smiles slightly.

"He used us both, but it's up to us to stop him. We know what he's like, so we have to do something about it. And I...I'm better? No, no I'm not. This is coming from the girl who can use strong psychological tactics that even I've never thought of using. Though...how did I save you? I feel like I haven't done much but get myself stepped on and used by some asshole."

"You did save me. You got me out of the O-Loughlin's, convinced me to switch sides. That is probably the best thing anyone has ever done for me. I know how to break people, but you know how to give them a chance. All I know is fighting and how to break a person in to giving me what I want, you have something so much better than that."

"I...I don't know what to say. T-Thanks, I guess. But it was really Juudaime who taught me all those things. Not even a year ago, I was the same way as you, but it was him who gave me a chance and helped me turn my life around. I'm just glad I was able to do something he'd approve of."

Phoenix places her hand over her eyes.

"I don't know if I should punch you, kill you, or hug you. You sir are a conundrum."

"Wow, I didn't know you knew words that big."

Gokudera laughs and Phoenix rolls her eyes.

"That's it, I've decided. When I see you, I'm punching you." She laughs. "You are evil! I am a poor girl with a hangover and you mock me!"

"H-Hey! It's not my fault you're stupid enough to get yourself wasted."

"No, you were just the one who told me that I have been working for the cause of all my pain over the last eleven years. Which I never thanked you for...Should I thank you? Seems kinda backwards...you cause me pain then I thank you...Ow, it hurts to think with a hangover. Stop it!"

Gokudera laughs.

"Oh shut up, it's not my fault! But...I guess we're both grateful for what we do for each other...I don't even fucking know."

"What did I do for you? Besides completely and totally go off the deep end on you."

"You...You give me someone to talk to. I don't wanna bother Juudaime with some of the things I tell you and the other guardians are all idiots. So...I guess...Thanks..."

The two teens spend the rest of the day and most of the night talking, both glad to have the other back. They talked about nothing, Phoenix asked Gokudera how school was going and Gokudera asked her what her life was like outside the mob. But the time they said goodbye, it was almost as if none of Reapers lies even existed. Almost.

"They killed my dad...they killed him..."