A ringing phone wakes up Gokudera in the middle of the night, leaving him understandably annoyed.

"Look Phoenix, you're fun to talk to but you need to figure out the time zone differences."

"I do wonder why whenever I call, you think it's Phoenix."

"Reaper. Go away!"

"Well at least I can see that you and Phoenix are still being as stubborn as ever. I had hoped that while I was away you two would realize a few things, but apparently that is not so."

"We're not stubborn. There's just nothing for us to figure out."

"Of course there isn't. I have some new information you might like to hear concerning our little birdy, would you like to hear it?"

"Sure, I'm listening."

"Are you positive you want to know? The last time I told you anything about her past it almost broke her. In fact I am surprised that she didn't break considering that she has reverted back to her...weaker self."

"...Just tell me, damn it."

"Now, you must remember that I don't tell anything without proper compensation for my work. But don't worry; you won't have to lie her this time. Although this should be so much harder for you."

"Try me."

"I want you to break Phoenix's heart, to crush her soul. Do whatever you have to, just break her."

"Now why the fuck would I do that?"

"Well let's just say it will make your little Vongola look better to her. It might even rekindle her trust in the Vongola. But I need that deal before I tell you."

"I'm not gonna hurt her, Reaper. You know better than anyone that I would never do that? Never again."

"And you don't love Phoenix?"

"NO! I don't!"

"Are you sure?"

"YES!"

"Fine, what would you be willing to do for this information?"

"Anything other than hurt Phoenix. Much preferably something that has nothing to do with either Phoenix or Juudaime. Or his family. But anything other than that."

"Can't be done, you need to do something to further my studies...and as I could care less about Tsuna outside this job, it must be to Phoenix...and it has to hurt. Understand?"

"I'm not gonna do shit to Phoenix! Take me instead. I'll undergo whatever you were gonna do to Phoenix. I don't give a fuck. Just...as long as you don't have me do anything to anyone."

"To anyone or to Phoenix?" Gokudera growls and Reaper laughs. "Hmm...here's my deal, I want you to either give Phoenix a hug or a kiss on the cheek. Whichever you choose it has to last for more than thirty seconds."

Gokudera face-palms himself. "You do know that I live in Japan and she's all the way back in Chicago, right? A-And...a hug doesn't sound so bad. I haven't hugged a woman in a long time though."

"She's not in Chicago anymore. She has been following you around for days now, didn't you notice? She has her own people and they have been keeping my men away from you and your friends. But Phoenix has taken it upon herself to keep you safe."

"You're shitting me, aren't you?"

Reaper sighs.

"No I'm not shitting you. So do we have a deal?"

"Yeah, I guess, but it won't be for another few days since I'm not exactly gonna be in Japan anymore. I'm...I'm going to be out of town."

"You just don't get it. She is following you...everywhere. She's probably watching you now. If you find her tell her I said hello would you? And ask her why she's not returning my calls."

"I don't understand why the fuck she would do that! And she's probably not answering because she hates you. I don't blame her either."

"Why are you so blind to the fact that she has feelings for you? Although I'm not sure if she knows it yet..."

"I'm tired as fuck of you saying that she has feelings for me. She doesn't. She just probably just sees me as a replacement for her little brother."

"BLIND!" Reapers voice suddenly changes, a Mexican accent coming through. "That is what you are! Completely and totally BLIND! See you as a replacement for her brother? For Nicky? Do you even understand what you just said! Here is this perfectly wonderful girl who had been flirting with you for days now and has taken a personal interest in your safety. A girl who has every reason to hate your family and yet still decided to help you protect its next boss! And you think she does all that because you are a replacement for her brother!"

Gokudera is taken back by Reapers sudden change in personality.

"Look, I don't understand what you're implying but I know it's not that deep. Phoenix doesn't view me in any other way. And why are you acting like such a fan boy anyway?"

"Phoenix was and is my younger sister. And she is truly happy for the first time in years. Now she's stubborn as all hell so she would never admit it, but I have known her long enough to know when she likes someone."

"She doesn't like me like that! She just...she...sees me only as a friend. AND THAT'S ALL."

"Listen, Hayato, Aydan...she doesn't act like she does around you around anyone else. Not even her friends."

"She said she doesn't have any..."

"She does have a few. They are her team, but even with them Aydan acts more...reserved than when she's around you...Just think on our deal."

Reaper hangs up his phone leaving a confused Gokudera sitting on the couch.