Sasagawa Kyoko inhaled, trying to calm her nerves. Her golden eyes looked out the window again, trying to lose herself in the landscape. She was currently on her way to her target.

After meeting Reborn, she had walked out with more questions than answers, but the hitman had assured her that she would get all her answers soon.

Her mission, Reborn had insisted, was to assassinate Don Rittoro of the Settera famiglia. Her shock only lasted short, her feelings of revenge and repayment exploding from deep underneath. She accepted without hesitation. The bastard would pay for everything he had done. Her resolve was already set in stone by the time she climbed into the sleek black Mercedes and drove off towards the man's mansion.

She had had a couple of assassinations in her past, and while she was partially still regretting it, the bastards deserved it. Reborn had always made sure to give her jobs she would not regret so much in the end.

At last, she now understood the hitman's reasons for not allowing her to leave. She was the perfect agent for this mission. Her cover was flawless, and while her relations with the Vongola famiglia were apparent on the Underworld's gossip tables, they were just that for the large public. No one knew more, she was just considered a masterless spy- a wanderer. She should not have many problems with Rittoro. The man was sly, but without that shadow's help, she was sure he was pretty much helpless. It did help that she had met him a couple of times before at random events.

While Tsuna wasn't the jealous type, he had warned her in all seriousness about the guy. She had waved him off, not seeing his point. There were nothing but good old spy techniques in there.

Her car suddenly skidded to a halt, signaling the end of her journey. Stepping out of the vehicle, she was greeted by two bulky men that were obviously some random underlings sent to greet her.

Smiling politely, she allowed them to guide her to Rittoro's office.

The mansion was big, displaying as much wealth as it was humanly possible. The wait was not long, the ornate doors swinging open to reveal yet another luxurious room. The spacious place did not give the woman any sense of comfort in that moment, rather she was feeling more out of air here.

Shaking her head, Kyoko steeled herself, for she would not allow herself to fail. Rittoro was smiling back at her warmly, gesturing to take a seat on the comfy armchair. After she was seated and coffee was brought, the doors closed once again, leaving the two in an amiable, if a little tense, silence.

"What brings you here, Signora Kyoko?" The black haired man asked politely, his fingers crossed, supporting his chin. He was quite surprised the woman had come to him personally. She had always been a though mouse to catch. Fleetingly, the don reminded himself to watch himself. Her past with the Vongola was enough reason.

"Ah, I was just doing my errands when I've heard the most juiciest gossip."

Her honey eyes twinkled with unsuppressed playfulness. She looked like a kid on Christmas Day. "About the Decimo being dead... is it true?"

Rittoro blinked. Surely he did not expect her to be so open about this subject. He had always thought that the Vongola Decimo had her under his thumb, but it seemed she played him well.

Releasing an acrid smile, he answered. "Yes, your information may be very well true." An idea was slowly forming in his head and he liked it very much. If he could make her his, then he would have one more powerful weapon to reign with.

"I am sorry if I assume wrong, but I suppose I should offer you condolences for the loss of your boss...?" His green eyes looked at her intently.

Kyoko giggled, "Ah, no. Such thing does not affect me." Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned in, mirroring his position. "It was just a way for me to waste time."

Rittoro concluded that he liked that smile. Not the polite one, but the unmerciful one. Never before had he seen a mafiosa with her head on her shoulders like this. Granted, the number of women in the mafia, while it was steadily growing, was still very small, so most of the women that were threatening were either crazy or simply lunatic.

"Well then I suppose you would consider my proposition."

Kyoko did not even blink, waiting for him to continue.

"Become an associate of the Settera famiglia. With our ever growing alliance and connections, a resourceful spy as yourself is more than needed. Of course, the rewards are limitless."

His eyes twinkled and Kyoko understood immediately what that reward was. And she almost vomited.

'That was close.' She refrained her eye from twitching and breaking her cover.

The fair haired woman stood up from her chair, walking slowly towards the man in front of her. Her finger slid along with her on the office table, her eyes probing all the documents on it. Not many interesting things, Rittoro was not stupid. She seated herself on the arm of his black leather office chair and whispered in his ear in a seductive voice.

"Gladly."

Rittoro smirked. His plans were advancing even faster than expected. His mind went to his priceless bounty and he made his mind then and there to risk it for once.

Rittoro Settera was a man that did not like to take risks. He valued strategy and intelligence more than pure, unadulterated luck. He had learned throughout his life that luck was not on his part, so he had to rely on real deals. It had taken him almost a year to accept the Shadow's offer, but it had brought him more good than bad. He felt that luck could be finally on his side this time around.

Reaching behind his neck, he pulled the golden chain around it by the key, opening it. Lifting the chain into the air, he watched the woman's eyes go wide when her caramel gaze landed on the stolen Vongola Ring. Their surface shined in the dimming sunlight, casting a deformed shadow to fall on the table.

Kyoko looked speechless and the man did not blame her. It was not every day you see the Vongola Ring in reality and so close.

Opposite to his thoughts, Kyoko was actually trying to contain herself from jumping and killing the guy, but her efforts proved fruitful when she came across as shocked. Thanks God for this, at least.

Suddenly a small vibration from her ring informed her that everything was set and the operation could really begin. Just in time.

Swinging her body upward, she straddled him, pinning him to the chair. She noticed fleetingly the chain dropping to the table. Extracting a small knife from her thigh- carbon fiber -and swiftly cut his artery.

The woman jumped back just in time to avoid blood spilling on her. Grabbing the Ring from the table, Kyoko cast one last look at the dead man, before she closed the door.

Walking back to the front door- after dealing appropriately with the henchmen- she concluded that she did not regret it at all.

The guy had it coming.

Hana whistled, making her way out of the Settera famiglia territory. She smiled knowing that Kyoko had probably finished the job by now. Her best friend became a sort of a legend in the world of mafia women, and she held all kinds of admiration for her.

Of course, the young, black haired woman would not allow herself to fall behind.

Reborn smirked as he saw the auburn haired woman enter the mansion, a determined expression set on her pretty face.

"I assume the mission was a success then."

The hitman did not need further confirmation than the small glare sent his way. It seemed all his students were becoming more fearless and bolder around him. And he did not like it. At all.

"Did you know this, Reborn- san?" Her voice wavered with uncontained emotions. The woman lifted her hand, showing the dangling Vongola Ring.

"Hm, I had a nagging feeling. I sent you to verify. It was a hunch." The boy shrugged.

Kyoko frowned. "A hunch?" She accentuated. "Your hunch sent the others more than ten years into the past!"

Kyoko knew she was probably screaming. At her tutor. The demon tutor from hell. But she did not care. He had sent Gokudera and the others without first verifying his hunches and now they were stuck there.

"How are they going to come back?!"

Reborn's beady eyes did not let anything out. "I don't know. Shoici said that two Vongola Rings cannot exist at the same time and one will have to return to our time. But now..."

The rest of the sentence did not need to be said. Kyoko bit her lip so hard it almost bled. If only she could somehow find some kind of clue. Her mind reeled with this unsolvable puzzle for most of her ride back. Even now, she could not find any exits.

"Maybe the exit you are looking for is quite the opposite of freedom." The hitman said randomly, black eyes watching her intently from under the rim of his fedora.

Kyoko frowned, wanting to ask what he meant before it suddenly clicked. Her earlier talk with the guardians came forth. Bright eyes widened when the seemingly impossible answer became as clear as day.

Clutching the ring tightly, she said, "I'm going."

The woman did not wait for any sort of answer as she dashed away back, to the car.

Reborn sighed, starting after her. It seemed he always needed to take care of his stupid students.

The car ride had been silent, its three occupants not finding anything to discuss in light of past events. Their only focus now was finding the place they were looking for.

The snowstorm outside calmed down enough for the two massive, iron gates, granting access inside the mountain, came into view. Their ride stopped in front of the jagged, rock stairs covered with snow. Kyoko shivered when the cold wind hit her face, but continued on towards the gates.

As if sensing their arrival, two Vindice guards materialized, their voices as hollow as always.

"State your business."

"We are here to see Vongola Decimo." The golden brown haired woman thanked the gods her voice did not waver.

The guards paused for a moment, as if surprised, but quickly regained their composure. "Vongola Decimo is dead."

The statement did not bring Kyoko any more pain. She knew better now.

"You have the body, you told the Storm guardian so."

The Vindice seemed to falter for a moment. "The body is already in a locked up place. Leave."

Caramel eyes narrowed, Reborn smirked and Haru grinned.

Kyoko lifted her hand showing the chain. The zombies watched the ring dangle for a couple of moments, before the gates began to open behind them.

"Follow us."

The prison was cold and damp, the dim light obstructing the view around you, which was both a good and a bad thing.

The various hallways were lost on Kyoko since they passed the second corner of the fourth hallway to the right of the left side of the prison. The large expanses had wooden floors that creaked more than not, and the atmosphere was either damp, silent and creepy or damp, loud with screams of agony and horrifying.

The wait was long, but finally, they stopped in front of an elevator door, and descended to the lower levels of the prison.

It did not take long for the Vindice to locate the place, so Kyoko's anxiety increased tenfold when the guard pressed a couple of buttons. The sound of metal scraping against metal was insufferable, but their attention was diverted elsewhere. In front of their eyes, a lone cylinder container was coming into view, its shining light making their eyes hurt.

The tube stopped its ascend at half of its height. When all movement ceased, and her eyes managed to get used enough to distinguish the form behind the light, Kyoko's breath almost stopped.

A turf of brown hair floated inside the water tube, followed by a peaceful sleeping face, bright chocolate eyes hidden from the world.

The Vindice pressed a couple of buttons, making the tube release a hiss. The water level began descending until it could not be seen anymore. A second guard moved to face them.

"It will be ready immediately."

With that, he disappeared, leaving his companion to watch the trio with a critical eye. Kyoko tried to stale her nerves, but it did not help her jumbling thoughts very much. Clenching trembling fists, she looked as two guards rolled in a metal bed, the brunette laid on it.

"He looks like he's in a deep sleep..." Haru whispered from beside her. Kyoko could only pray that it was the case.

"Vongola Decimo," the Vindice began, "has asked us to guard him."

Three pairs of eyebrows shot up in surprise. The brunette's actions were even more confusing now. If he wanted to be guarded, then it would have been more simple to give the order.

"His reasons are confidential."

"Was he shot?" Reborn's eyes glinted in the neon light.

"Yes."

Kyoko's mouth pressed in a tight line. "Is he okay now?"

"Physically, yes."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The hitman frowned.

The Vindice did not look too happy to talk, but Bermuda must have given the order, since the zombie opened its mouth.

"The Decimo has grown attached to the Ring. It happened to all generations of Trinisette holders. His consciousness has found a way to withdraw completely from the body in the event of mortal danger. This is the power of the Trinisette."

"So you are saying that Tsuna's mind entered the Vongola Ring?" Reborn frowned, clearly not fully understanding.

"Yes. As you've seen, the first generation's flames are in the rings. It is the same case. When a boss dies, his flames go directly into the ring. This way, the memories of past generations are preserved and safety is fully granted."

"But Tsuna did not die." It was Kyoko's turn to frown.

"That is for the famiglia to decide. We have fulfilled our part of the deal. The Vindice has kept the Tenth generation Vongola boss alive until the ring will be returned."

"Kyoko, place the ring on Tsuna's hand." Reborn ordered, moving closer to the bed.

Kyoko followed, her hand fumbling with the right way to put the ring. Lifting his white, limp hand, the woman almost burst into tears. He did not deserve this.

All this shit he had endured with his head held high.

Carefully, she slid the two rings. When she was sure they were in the right places, Kyoko placed the hand back down, stepping away.

The trio waited with baited breath for the next few moments, anticipating any move from their boss. But there was none.

Kyoko almost turned back to scream at them and lose all hope, but a flash of brown-orange was all it took her to freeze in place.

Empty light brown eyes gazed at the ceiling, their owner attempting no other movement.

"Welcome back, Vongola Decimo."

The booming voice of the guard was only a fading echo in Kyoko's ears. The woman's gaze did not dare stray from the mafia boss. She studied his expression for any changes but there were none. His gaze was blank. No emotion, no movement.

'Please don't let that smile be gone forever.'

"Tsuna- kun..."

Dark and wet. That was his first impression of the world. The dark grey, cracked ceiling was the most confusing thing for him at the moment.

How did he get here? Where was he? What happened?

His ears picked a loud echo in the distance, his brain barely registering the words.

'Vongola Decimo.' That's me, I think...

'Welcome back.' Welcome back... from where?

Where was I?

Fleetingly, he remembered faces, blood, a gun.

He was ambushed in Palazzo Vecchio. He was shot. By him.

Who is he?

He saw Rittoro meet with someone. Byakuran was telling him something important- his expression was grim and worried. He saw himself speak with the Vindice. In front of his eyes, all nine bosses materialized.

"Tsuna- kun..."

His eyes widened, heart beating wildly. He saw him, he saw his face.

Maniacal laughter exploded in his ears and he screamed, throwing away whatever was on him. He needed to get away from there, from him.

"Tsuna- kun calm down!"

When did Kyoko get there? She was in danger!

Wild orange eyes looked around in search of her but stopped short when two cold hands touched his face, keeping him from moving his head.

Caramel eyes looked into his orange ones, soothing his worries.

"Tsuna- kun..." The woman began slowly, "Please calm down."

Her voice was soft yet commanding. Tsuna willed himself to calm down. His eyes searched around him as much as he could move them in her grip, but he did not find him.

Kyoko was worried, but at least Tsuna was responding to her. Now that he was calmed, she permitted herself to step back and inspect him more closely.

Her breath hitched when she saw his chest wrapped in bandages smeared with blood. Looks like he was not completely healed yet.

"Let's gear him up. We better return to the manor." Reborn crossed his arms, nodding in Haru's direction.

The brown haired woman nodded back, taking out some clothes from a bag.

"We don't have time for that, Reborn."

All heads in the room turned towards the brunette. He tried to sit up on the bed with Kyoko's help.

"I remember what's happening." Tsuna winced when the movement made his wound ache, but continued on anyway. "I'm going."

"Not until you explain yourself." The hitman looked furious and impatient, a dangerous combination.

The don released a tired sigh, willing the pain to lessen.

"All right, let's talk."

At the sound of his words, his three friends stepped closer, forming a circle around him. Their faces were painted with worry and eagerness for answers, or just blank, in Reborn's case.

The man opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

"What do you want to know?"

Haru chocked and Kyoko fixed him with an incredulous stare. Reborn's hand twitched to grab his gun and paint his student's face a nice shade of red.

"Everything."

Tsuna gulped- whether from sensing his tutor's rage- or something else.

"Let's start from the beginning then. I'm not even sure when it started. I've been at war with him for such a long time..."

The brunette trailed off, his eyes glazed with memories. "I knew something happened when the Settera famiglia suddenly became so powerful. I started a small investigation on my own, but didn't manage to find much. One day, Byakuran burst into my office. Normally, that would end bad," The boss chuckled, "but the expression on his face was so grave, that I immediately asked for details. Apparently, people from a parallel world entered ours."

"Impossible." Reborn interrupted. Tsuna lifted his head to meet the boy's gaze and smiled a humorless smile.

"Byakuran said his parallel self made some device that allowed them to pass. You remember when we were in the future... We fought with that Ghost, who was Byakuran from a parallel world, but that guy was only pure energy. This people are real." Caramel eyes sharpened. "I believed him, but I still had my reservations about this. It wasn't until a party some months ago, that I accidentally passed Rittoro and a man clad in black. I knew instantly that Byakuran had been right all along."

"How?" The hitman demanded, "I've seen him too, his face was hidden."

Tsuna shook his head, "That time he did not have a mask. Thankfully, Rittoro had not seen me, but I have the feeling the Shadow did. After that, I received the alliance invitation, though the answer was clear in my head already."

"Why? Who is that Shadow man that you are so scared of, Tsuna- kun?" Kyoko furrowed her brows, trying to make sense of this.

The man's smile turned rueful. "It's me."

Three pairs of eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"The one that came from the parallel dimension was me. According to Byakuran, that dimension is a direct mirror to ours. I killed him there and stole the device. And if my intuition is still correct, my guardians came with me."

Tsuna paused, prompting silence to overtake them.

"Ever since then, I kept an eye on the Shadow, and Rittoro consequently. That's why I sent Onii- san on that mission in Mafia Land."

Tsuna sighed, grabbing the clothes offered by Haru, "One thing is for sure," he rasped, "they did not come here to make flower crowns. They are here to cause chaos."

"And chaos they caused." Reborn crossed his arms over his chest. "Your guardians are in the past."

It was Tsuna's turn to look incredulous, but nodded nonetheless.

"Wasn't that your message to them?" Haru asked, referring to the bloody message at the museum.

"No, it wasn't."

"What-"

"I wrote that they should protect the famiglia. What did you think it said?"

Another silence suggested that his message was not correctly understood.

"So it wasn't written in Kanji?" Kyoko asked hesitantly.

"No, it was in Italian." Tsuna accentuated, his eyes dancing between them.

"Gokudera fucked up." Reborn snorted, shaking his head incredulously.

"We- well the message was pretty messed up, so I'm sure it couldn't be readable." Tsuna tried to defend his right hand man.

"Did your other self shoot you and take the Vongola Ring?"

Chocolate eyes narrowed, "Yes, but he had his own ring."

Kyoko nodded. "Your ring was with Rittoro."

"What about Maurizio then?" Haru asked, her wide, brown eyes confused. "Hayato said the Vindice told him that he was the one who killed you."

The brown haired man nodded. "He tried. It seems like my evil self was not the only one who wanted me dead. He killed Maurizio before killing me."

The two women cringed, and Reborn snorted. His student was becoming more and more popular with assassins these days.

"Then you should go clean this mess up, Dame- Tsuna."

The man nodded, starting towards the exit, but paused, turning his head to look at back at them.

"What did you think the message said?"

"All roads lead to the past." Kyoko recited, having been told the message in her meeting with the guardians when they arrived back from Palazzo Vecchio.

Laughter filled the room. Tsuna held his stomach, trying not to open his wounds again.

"I am not even nearly that poetic."

a/n: tadaa, another chappie up. One left to go (probably tonight). I want to finish this story until I leave for vacation- which is tomorrow(uhuh).

i hope everyone liked it! ^^

any grammar or spelling mistakes you spot pls come tell me

Reviews and feedback are appreciated! :D