Chapter 33:The many faces of the Moon at Night.

Thank you guys so much for your contributions. They were awesome and helped to improve the plan I already had. There hadn't been that many reviews for a long time. Sorry that I didn't reply to them all like I usually do, but it was hard to really. One of you even guessed a plot point I was going to introduce. I actually suggest looking at the reviews for that chapter and see what you all think of each other's reviews. They are kind of the same and kind of not. I got the general consensus that both would kill, but only if there is absolutely no other option and it was to protect those important to them. There was differing opinions on how they would handle it, and on how sure all of you were on whether they would kill or not. Some people were sure that Kaito would over Shinichi and some thought it was the other way around. Some of you also thought KID would over Kaito, and with the way I've written them as two separate people it could happen that way. It was really interesting to read.

So all shall be revealed soon.

Since a reviewer asked about Hibari's missions, I decided to write these ones too. Hope you like them.

Welcome to the Vongola Database

Access Code Accepted

Now accessing restricted file: Cloud Formations

Cloud stays active during both the Day and the Night, meaning he kept himself busier than the rest of the Guardians. Nono had heard about Cloud's strange behaviour concerning the town of Nanimori but he didn't have a clue as to why Cloud would act like such. Neither did Decimo, for there had never been a suitable moment to talk extensively about the topic. So both were and were not surprised when Cloud exhibited the same behaviour in the new town near the Vongola Mansion, since it was Cloud, but Not Nanimori.

So Cloud was Patrolling and keeping the town following the rules as well as taking on any missions Nono handed to him. Nono could only ever send one Watcher to keep an eye on Cloud, since anymore, and they would be bitten to death for crowding. As expected Hammerings were easy for him, since it was the exact same as when he was patrolling. However, Cloud started and ended his Hammering sessions the same way every time he did them. He'd enter the room and press his tonfa tightly against the target's throat, stare then straight in the eye (which was frightening enough) before telling them "I'm going to bite you to death for-" and whatever crime they had committed. Afterwards, just like Sun did, he prompted Kusakabe to unbind the target. Apparently having the target bound was not to his liking and made them less than herbivores in his eyes; he liked it better when the prey could fight back. Not that the prey ever lasted that long. The lack of weapons didn't help either. So once the prey was collapsed on the floor, suitably bitten, Cloud then ask them "Why were you bitten to death?" If the target didn't reply, or said something other than their crime as stated earlier, Cloud gave them further punishment. Due to his experience, Cloud was very good at dealing injuries without the target passing out.

Lucky them.

This was the way that most adults spoke to little children who had done something wrong, once again showing Cloud's superiority. It made sure that the prey knew why it was being punished, lessening the chance of a repeat offence.

Squeezing was something Cloud found interesting at first, since it tested his skills. However, the first few times resulted in Cloud's patience running out and biting the prey to death, but he was slowly getting better. There were many reasons he was good at squeezing. Firstly, his reputation was already spreading around Italy. And it was even more well-known on the Island of Sicily. And with each and every successful Patrol and Hammering it grew and grew. However, often, the prey refused to give over the information Cloud needed, and physical blows like Cloud handed out were not that effective- everyone was used them. So he'd lose his patience, and then we come to the true reason why Hibari is good at Squeezing…

Kusakabe does it.

After Cloud throws a fit and storms out, going to find a roof in the sun to lay on, Kusakabe takes over and finishes the mission. But this was nothing new to Kusakabe, he had been doing it this way for years. Back at Nanimori he was the one who found out any information Cloud may have needed. He also interrogated the victims afterwards to see why they were doing whatever had caused them to be bitten. Cloud didn't just deal with naughty school children. No, he also dealt with Gangs and other criminals. There was a reason that Nanimori had the lowest crime rate in Japan. So both of them had a lot of experience in dealing with people like this and had developed a routine system to handle them with. Kusakabe was very adept at using the wounds Cloud had just inflicted to make the enemy spill what they knew. A poke at a bruise, a push against a fracture, throw dust into an open wound. All of these things and more could create more pain on top of what Cloud had already caused. Add this to the right combination of words, questions and prompts and the prey was singing like a songbird.

Or did you really think Cloud had the patience to worm information out of someone who was weak? Some targets did break before Cloud's patience did, generally those who knew of his reputation, or had seen it's results, as well as those with a low pain tolerance (also known as those wanting to live another day.)

Clouds come and go as they wish, sometimes there full force and other times hardly noticeable.

Now accessing Restricted file: Harsh Breeze

"These adults are so unfair! They are supposed to be the grown ups yet they are more childish than I am. I'm never trusting anyone older than me again!"

Adults were never fair, never giving the Young Storm a chance to prove his worth. Family after Family took him in for a laugh, as entertainment, or to make him do the dirty work that no one else wanted to do. The Young Storm was even beaten by drunken Mafiosi, angry Mafiosi or even used as a human stress ball. But all throughout his treatment, he was determined not to break, to show his worth. And eventually after many harsh years, he finally found one that was willing to give him a shot. He didn't care if they were only giving him this chance as a form of entertainment, a joke within their ranks, he was going to do it and prove them all wrong. He was going to do it better than anyone had done it before and make them drop their jaws in amazement.

He was so determined to prove to everyone around him that he was an adult that he took on these missions, not thinking about the consequences. It was his determination to succeed, his need to prove to someone that he was worthy of keeping, that he was an asset, and the fear of being thrown out and all alone once again that drove him forward into doing these gruesome acts at the age of 12. He didn't have time to ponder over the ethics of what he was doing, there was no time to consider that he was about to take a finger, or even a life. In all honesty, he was too young to really understand what he was doing. He could never think of the people left behind, what effect harming this man may have on the target's life, on his own life. He just did what he was told, aiming to prove himself useful. He wasn't just some in-the-way Bastard son. No, he was Gokudera Hayato, someone to be respected.

Targets laughed when a child entered the room, only the very smart were wary. Most considered it a joke. It fed the anger, the bitterness and the drive, changing him from the sweet pianist that the Poison Scorpion used to know into the Smoking Bomb. It turned gentle winds into a harsh breeze, setting up for the storm to were his tool of choice, making him individual. There was just something about the spark traveling down the fuse, there was something about the satisfying sound of the explosion and something about the wind through his hair that the Young Storm loved. Any who thought the smoking child was weak soon learnt how wrong they were. Dynamite was an effective tool, even if they were only fake ones with real fuses attached. When Squeezing Young Storm would place a fake dynamite on the target's lap and light the fuse. Those who knew of his reputation quickly split what they knew, not wanting to die. Those who did not played a game of Chicken, seeing who would break first. The Young Storm quickly learnt that stepping out of the supposed blast range and acting as if bracing for impact fooled the target into thinking it was a real live dynamite on their laps.

For Hammerings, his newly created mini-bombs were the perfect choice. Since the aim of a Hammering was to harm not kill, he had needed to tone down the destructive power of his Dynamites. In addition to this, they were created due to Storm's need to cut down on supplies. He made his own of course, not trusting any Adult to make or supply them for him. So making them smaller actually made the materials last longer. These provided enough fire power to burn and even fracture or break some bones. Burns would be a pain in the ass to heal, and broken bones would put the target out of action- even possibly affecting them for life if it was set wrong- so no one forgot a punishment made by him for a long time. Burns often scared too, adding in a visual reminder. At a suggestion from one of his Family (When Young Strom had gained a reputation) he signed his work. Storm did this through a cigarette burn on the target's cheek, easily visible and hard to hide behind hair or jewellery. Soon everyone could tell who the Smoking Bomb's victims were.

So now you must be wondering whether this Family ever pushed him into the next step: Execution. Of course they did. It was his first mission actually. Once again showing how childish adults can be- sending a child to kill- just for the game, to hope to see the child break down and cry so they could laugh at him. But that never happened. Storm's drive was too strong and he did what he had to do. To be honest, it was an act of survival, just like in the jungle. If Storm didn't kill then the Family would throw him out and he'd be as good as dead.

So add all of this together and Storm is the second bloodiest Guardian after Mist. His hands might be covered in even more blood than Mist depending on how many people Mist killed during the Estraneo incident and in the time afterwards. Considering Mist's stint in prison they might be equal. Plus the current Storm ends up fighting a lot of delinquents due to his attitude, as shown during G's Inheritance Test. Cloud comes in a close third, since he has not killed yet.

All Storms start off as Gentle Winds.

Now Accessing Restricted File: Cyclonic Windstorm

To Storm's horror, he found himself reverting to habits over 7 years old. After he witnessed Juudaime signing his X mark on his targets, Storm followed his Boss's example and reinstated his old mark, changing it slightly into a more Storm-looking zig-zag mark. Many Mafiosi remembered him and his reputation spread through the Underground like Wildfire. Smoking Bomb was back. A lot of people had wondered where Smoking Bomb had gone since he literally disappeared over night. Many assumed that he'd been assassinated, yet the odd report and sighting kept the rumours alive.

It was hard to say if the Storm had grown harsher or softer over time. Storm had spent quite a bit of time away from the Mafia. In addition he had spent a lot of time with Sky who hated fighting and anything of the kind. Storm had made a great effort to change for his Sky, becoming softer in a mafia sense. Storm was no longer harsh but just. His combat ability was as brilliant as ever, improved through practice, age and evolution of his weapons. Yet his personality had changed, all because of Sky. But as he thought of what Sky was doing, the pain he knew this precious Sky was going through, he became harsher and harsher, hating the people who had done this to his Saviour. Slowly the hardcore child he used to be came back.

But it hurt so much. Just like Sky had said, he was trapped here once again, trapped in the place he hated most. He didn't want to be doing this type of thing. Giving them a punch in the face for their stupidity, yes. He had a temper after all, and a fight was a good release. But analysing and planning all of the different ways to harm somebody into giving up information was not what he wanted to do. It was a waste of his genius. But it was what Sky needed. He'd take on all the blood in the world if it kept it away from Sky. If it meant that Vongola was never targeted, that Sky's precious people would live another day, be kept safe, then he would do what was necessary. Sky was going to change the Mafia and he was going to be right by his side. For they had promised, and they had a goal; to once again watch fireworks and have a snowball fight. And how could they do that if one of them was dead? It wouldn't be the same without any one of them. And yes, loath be he to admit it, but it did include the Ahoshi, the Yakyuu-baka and the damn Hahi-Onna. It even included his Aneki too.

The Winds of a Storm were the first to protect the Sky, always there even when all was peaceful.

"There's going to be more training today, so get out of bed already"

Shinichi jumps and rolls out of the bed, not wanting to get hit by the famous 10-tonne Hammer. He blinks whilst laying on the floor, and turns to look at the clock beside him. Damn, only 4 hours sleep. Is Reborn trying to kill us? Yawning he gets up off the floor and glares at the baby.

"What training will we be having today?" he asks.

"Well get dressed and find out. Unless you want Kaito to see you like that?" Trust Reborn not to give any information away. Grumbling silently to himself, he goes to the drawers and put a t-shirt on to match the PJ-pants he was already wearing, before pulling on a dressing gown.

"Will this do?" he asks the baby. He didn't want to get dressed if he didn't have too. The baby nods and jumps over to Shinichi's door, and opens it to reveal Kaito dressed in a similar outfit. Both men guessed that today was not a day of physical workouts and training.

Reborn nods at the pair and walks into Shinichi's spare room. Whilst Kaito had turned his into a KID lair, Shinichi had turned his into an information room. He had a few computers and laptops in here, along with other computer accessories. There were case files here, both from the Police and from the Mafia, kept well away from each other. There were maps on the walls, bookshelves filled with books, manuals and handwritten notebooks. Kaito smiled when he saw this, since he didn't expect anything else from Shinichi.

Reborn jumps on a chair and then up to the main computer, kicking the mouse to wake the computer up. Shinichi leans over and types in his password before leaning back to let Reborn work. It wasn't long before two very familiar faces were peering back at them, looking a lot more rested that Shinichi and Kaito were.

"Good morning!" smiles Shoichi brightly. Both sleep-deprived males glare back, causing Shoichi to take a step backwards. "Err- what's wrong?"

Reborn gives them both a kick to the head "Wake up already. It's not his fault I woke you guys up at 1 in the morning for this." Both rub their heads before taking a seat where they could still be caught by the camera.

"Oh, I forgot the time difference!" Shoichi gasps. "It's time for breakfast here."

"It's alright Shoichi. We're going to have to get used to this. It's just been a long couple of days that's all" consoles Shinichi.

"So are you going to be teaching us, Shoichi?" asks Kaito, since that could be the only reason for talking with the mechanic.

"Oh that's right, Reborn asked me to teach you guys hacking. I know that KID can, but I'm not sure about you Shinichi." Everyone looks at the Detective.

Said detective looks back at those staring at him. "I can actually. I've had to use it a few times to stop computers blowing the world up" No one could tell if Shinichi was being honest or not. Although Kaito would guess he was. Conan had gotten into some interesting situations.

"That'll make this easier." Smiles Shoichi. He spins on his chair, looking at someone outside the camera's range of view. "Spanner you can take the first three levels off the list then." They can hear a quite hum of agreement and some typing, before Shoichi turns back to the screen.

"Hello Spanner" say Shinichi and Kaito. A hand appears in the side of the screen to wave back at them before it continues its work. Both boys quite liked the mechanics. Both sides were smart enough to attempt to keep up with the other. Spanner could also help with their gadgets, like adjusting Conan's gear to fit Shinichi, or gathering materials KID might need for a new trap or prank device. Plus, the mechanics were certainly the calmest of the bunch, and not as weird as the rest of the household was. They could be considered normal compared to the rest.

"Well, we'll be teaching you some more advanced techniques then." Informs Shoichi, typing on the keyboard infront of him. "On the computers you have, I've installed all of the programs that you'd need. They have false names and are password protected to stop anyone who might randomly find the computer from using the software." He gives them a moment to find the programs and to log into them. "Okay then, so we'll start with hacking into computers, just to check what you know, and them we'll move onto websites, forums and the like. After that we'll work on getting around different levels of security programms and the such. By the end of it, there shouldn't be anywhere you can't hack into."

"Shoichi, a question" says Kaito, stopping the man before he can start the lesson. Shoichi looks at the screen and nods for Kaito to continue. "Why are you teaching us this? You can guess what we'll be using it for can't you?"

Shoichi take a moment before giving them a soft smile. "I know perfectly well what you'll be using this information for. However, you'll be using it to help keep Vongola safe right. It's not as if you'll do anything bad with the information you'll gather. So as long as you'll be protecting Tsuna and the others, and anyone else you come across, I'm happy to teach you this. So if that's all, let's continue"

Both men think about the answer before concentrating on the lesson Shoichi and Spanner are providing.

Many hours and cups of coffee later, the lesson finishes. Kaito never wants to see that many numbers and letters ever again.

"Kaito rest up. You'll have another mission tonight. Oh and aren't you running a bit late?" and with that Reborn walks off and out of the room. Kaito takes a look at the time and jumps up.

"I had better get going. How I wish my Sky flames would let me fly, it would be so much easier." He whines, walking out of the room too.

"Hm, what's Kaito late for?" asks Shoichi. "If I'd known I would have stopped earlier."

"Oh, just one of his magic shows. He won't be late, but just perfectly on time, assuming nothing gets in his way. And even if he is late, he'll just turn it into part of the show, like sitting in the audience and asking where he is. The audience would turn to look at him, not having realised he was there, and start cheering, assuming it's part of the show." Explains Shinichi.

"haha, that sounds like him. How's everyone holding up your end?" he asks, turning serious. Shinichi notices the hand resting on the mechanic's stomach.

"Well, they are doing as well as can be expected I suppose. Tsuna's been in a bit of a state though, nightmares and such. But the others have been helping him through it." Both mechanics look sad since they can't help with that. They aren't chemists who could create sleeping pills.

"And what about Lambo? He's not taking them is he?" asks Shoichi, he'd always had a soft spot for Lambo.

"No he's not. He's doing his best to keep everyone together actually. He's not as much of a brat as I first thought." Shinichi smiles at the memories of what he's seen Lambo do so far.

"That's good to know" sighs Shoichi. "Well, we'd better go now, the maids have come to see if we're still alive since we missed breakfast. We'll speak to you later" he waves before pressing the disconnect button.

"Why are you sending me on one of these missions Reborn? Surely Vongola has enough hitmen, or even enough Guardians to cover this sort of thing." Says Kaito, looking over the mission folder. His voice was deep and serious for once, not at all playful.

"Yes, Dame-Decimo does have enough people to do so. But what happens if he has a high profile person, or someone they have an alliance with, or even one of his own men that needs to be interrogated or punished? Since you two aren't known to be affiliated with Vongola yet you would be the only ones able to do this for him. His Guardians will be too recognisable." Explains Reborn, sitting across from him in the car. Reborn had decided to work on Kaito first for a reason: he had never heard of Kaito, nor KID, nor the Magician harming anyone. Shinichi made it sound like some kind of rule KID had, but Reborn was sure that was not the case.

"And before you ask, no my mist flame can't do the same as Mukuro's. It's not strong enough to enter that deep into a person's subconscious. My illusions are tiny anyway." Kaito quickly explains, looking over the folder at the Hitman. Reborn nods, expecting that outcome.

Kaito stands outside the door of the interrogation room and takes in a deep breath, layering on the new mask he needed. Kaito and all of his personas were actors. They tricked and fooled everyone around them. Mask over mask went on, changing his personality into whatever he needed. And this time would be no different. This was just another character, another part in the play that was his life. This was a new mask he had to put on, so it took a little longer than usual. He didn't want to harm the man if he could help it. But there were other ways to get what he wanted, and fear was one of them. By acting like the scariest character he could create, maybe he could scare the target into releasing the information he needed.

Reborn watched with open fascination as the mask slowly went on. He could watch the process on Kaito's body. His body language changed, opening up and making himself seem larger and care free, his lips twisted into a confident sneer, his fingers started to twirl a jagged knife covered in blood spots. He took out some sort of red liquid from a pocket and flicked it onto his white suit. Of course the Monocle and top hat were gone, as was the blue shirt. Instead, it was just white slacks, a black shirt, open to reveal his chest, tie nowhere in sight and the white jacket, along with the banded black mask Reborn had given him. He opens his eyes, and Reborn sees the sharp and scary look in them, very similar to Xanxus's eyes, but blue instead of red. In fact now that Reborn thought about it, he could see a lot of Xanxus in Kaito's appearance now.

"So Hitman, let the hunt begin" says Kaito looking down at Reborn. Reborn was surprised to see the look of bloodlust in Kaito's eyes. Exactly the same as Hibari's.

So was that what Kaito was doing? Using the scariest people he knew as a base for this new character. Maybe a trip to the Varia Castle was in order then. Whilst Kaito may have seen a recording of the ring battles, Reborn suspected it wasn't quite enough for Kaito to copy it perfectly enough to use it. But this had also given him a new perspective of KID's phrase let the show begin. Maybe Kaito thought of everyday as a show, like being on a stage. If so, had they ever seen the true Kaito, or just all of the characters he acted as? Did Kaito even know who was the actor and who was the character anymore?

Kaito, or whatever character he was playing now, walked down the hallway a bit before turning back around to face the right direction. Taking a deep breath, he lets out loud deep laughter. Only Kaito knew this was based off the laugh of Snake. "Gyahahaha, So where's the next pathetic human that needs to be taught a lesson? I hope he lasts longer than the last one. My suit isn't covered enough to my liking yet. Oy this one had better be interesting, you know I kill all of the boring ones." As he shouts this, he stamps down the hallway. As he gets to the door, he kicks it down, laughing once more.

"Oh, so this is the little piggy I'll be talking to today eh." He stares at the man, noticing the wide open eyes that are quickly hidden away. So this man was a tough one, a hardened Mafioso. Might take a bit of work. Kaito walks up to the man, spinning the knife in elaborate patterns. The whole time he had a shark's smile on his face, nothing like KID's at all, but slightly like Belphegor's. He gets right up close to the man's face, noses only inches apart. The man has no choice but to stare into lust filled dead eyes, getting a close look at the deranged grin. "So is this little piggy going to squeal, or shall I turn you into bacon just like I have with the rest of them tonight." He sees a flash of fear in the man's eyes, so he tilts his head, still smiling. "That's right, you are little piggy number 10, and that's tonight alone. I'm hoping to beat my record, so be nice and co-operate, or else I might just have to… speed things up a little" Of course that was all lies, but the target didn't know that.

Hmm, what else is scary?

He straightens up and starts to walk around the man. The target tracks him with his eyes for as long as he can. After one complete rotation, Kaito steps back away and puts a hand to his chin as if thinking. "Hmm what to do with you? Maybe make you into a pin cushion?" Kaito throws the knife in his hand and the target closes his eyes, preparing for impact… which never comes. When he opens his eyes again, Kaito is nowhere in sight.

"Over here" he whispers into the target's ear from behind. The target would jump if the restraints would allow it. "Gyahahah" Kaito laughs at the reaction. "Say little piggy, how much do you like animals?" The target doesn't have a chance to answer before he can feel the scales of a snake slither along his throat. "Do you like him, he's my pet snake, Klaus. I haven't fed him in a while though, and he bites when he's hungry. I don't let him bite me of course, his poison would kill me quicker that I could shout for help. But I love the thrill of keeping him, the adrenalin rush since I could die at any moment. It's such fun, don't you agree"

The target certainly did not agree as the snake wound around his throat, tightening up. Sweat could be seen running down the side of his face. Yet the hardened eyes didn't show much fear. Maybe he isn't scared of snakes? Hmm, Shinichi's ability would be able to tell me, I'm sure. What else, spiders maybe? Reborn recognised the snake as one of Mukuro's. So it must be an illusion then. He was sure that Kaito didn't keep pets apart from his doves.

Kaito removes the gag the man has on to stop him from shouting. "So little piggy, going to squeal yet? Or do you want to spend more time with me?" The man shakes his head, he wasn't going to give anything up. Kaito sighs, pretending not to like the answer. And he really didn't. He didn't want to resort to actually harming the man just for information. And then the shark's smile comes back full force. "I'm glad you said that. I don't even have a memento from you yet" and he draws a hand downward, presenting the 'bloodstains' on his suit. "Don't you think red is such a pretty colour? It looks so nice against the white. I'm hoping to have a red suit by the time I'm done tonight. Blood works very well as a dye, so I'm glad you are offering your own to help. Such a good little piggy"

Damn, what else can I do?

"You're not going to get far like this. Tighten the snake up for heaven's sake"

He both did and didn't recognise the voice in his head. Since it was in his head, it was his voice, but he didn't recognise the intonation, nor the feeling that came with it. But he did recognise the feeling, he just couldn't put a name to it. He felt like this whenever he met Snake, so maybe it was KID he was hearing. But as he watched, his illusionary snake did tighten its grip, slowly cutting off the target's air supply.

"Ahh, you're turning the same colour as a little piggy now. Did you like the name that much?" Kaito laughs once more. "To squeal or to be butchered. That is the question" Kaito says, looking up at his knife, before looking down and sidewards at the target. "Or maybe the better version is to breath or not to breath, that is your choice. So what's it going to be?" The target nods his head, pleading to cooperate. Kaito nods and places a hand on the man's shoulder. The illusionary snake crawls up his arm to sit around his neck like a necklace. Of course, the illusion had left no bruising. The man was not harmed apart from a shortness of breath and the feeling of being scared. Kaito steps back and away from the target to give him space. He could also observe the man's body language to tell if he was lying or not. Hmm, maybe it would be better for Shinichi to take these missions, he can tell if people are lying to him.

"So your amoeba of a Boss, Why is he aiming for Vongola? I don't really care, but a job's a job and they pay very well. When Decimo explained the situation to me, I told him that it'd be better for me to kill you all, but he insisted that I didn't. Pleaded even. A rather compassionate man actually. And No, I ain't talking about the Old Man, I'm talking about that young one, the soon to be Decimo. So your Boss is targeting him and I wanna know why. Tell me and I might think about following his orders and letting you live to squeal another day." He wasn't supposed to show his connection to Vongola, so pretending to be hired on help was the best.

"Why, because Decimo is nothing more than a weakling brat who isn't fit to rule. Someone like him is only going to lead the Alliance into destruction. We'll become so weak that the rest of the Mafia will just chew us to pieces. Someone like you should know that. Surely you can see how weak Decimo is. Won't your suit look even better with his blood on it?"

He's going to harm Tsuna. I can't let that happen. Tsuna will change the mafia for the better, he's not going to make it weak. If he can't see that then he's just plain stupid.

"That's right, he and his Family are going to harm Boss, so shouldn't we do something about it?"

If he harms Tsuna, then who's going to help me protect my mother and Aoko, who's going to help me destroy the organisation looking for Pandora? Who's going to help Shinichi and look after Shinichi's important people? Tsuna doesn't deserve this. I will protect him.

"You dare try to recruit me to your cause?" asks Kaito, a threatening aura pouring off him in waves. Reborn couldn't tell who that belonged to. It could be anyone- Xanxus, Mukuro or Hibari, maybe a mixture of all three? He raises his knife in the air, pointing it at the man's throat. "Decimo is just and righteous. He does not deserve to be harmed for his beliefs. And I won't let you nor your Family harm him. I think my suit shall be red enough by the time I'm through with you." Of course he didn't mean that, it was just another pretence. He just needed the target to fear harming Decimo. But he was running out of scare tactics. He'd never had to act like this before. KID was always a gentleman, Magician was always bouncy, Kaito was all about fun. He'd never had to induce fear into the Audience before.

Kaito saw the man blanch, so maybe he was afraid of getting harmed. Maybe he was scared of what this Character could do to him. But the question was, could the Actor fulfil the role? Kaito closes his eyes and takes a steadying breath in.

"I'll do it then"

That strange feeling he'd been having comes on full force. He could feel it now, it wasn't KID like he first thought. He watches helpless as his body moves without his consent, knife flicking to rest in his palm, palm moving to hover over the target's hand. What was going on? It felt like when KID was in control, but this presence was definitely not the thief.

No, he knew what this feeling was. It had been creeping up on him over time recently. Whenever he had placed on his serious Mafia mask, this is what he had felt like. This was the guiding force behind the sinister smiles, the bloodlust lit eyes that were all an act to scare the enemy. But it was just another mask, it wasn't real! This was a character he was playing. Wasn't it?

This was the mask Reborn had noticed, that had worried him during their talk a couple of nights ago. This was the most serious he had ever seen Kaito, even KID wasn't like this.

"How naive you are my Civilian Persona. Don't you know what I am? I'm that feeling you've buried right down deep. I was born the moment you realised that Snake was the one who killed your father. However, I've been suppressed for a very long time. But now I'm back. I've been back for a while, ever since the moment you set your heart on joining the mafia. I'm the side of you that is in the Mafia, who is set to live in the darkness and do what needs to be done. I'm the side of you that is loyal to Boss. I am the one who will hunt down information, hunt down justice, hunt down safety and protection. I hunt criminals.

I am you. I am Hunter."

"Hunter? But don't hunters kill?"

"In the moment I was born I would have. I was the part of you that wanted to kill the man who killed your Father. A life for a life. But that soon passed, for you, well we, are not the type to kill so easily. It is not your wish to see anyone die, no matter how deep down you look, therefore, I do not want to kill either. Like you said earlier, Boss has enough people who are willing to. But it's Boss's wish not to kill, so I won't. But harming people is a different story."

"Really? It is?"

"Yeah. Most people say you don't like to harm people, but that's not quite true. You never go near the Taskforce close enough to harm them since you fear getting caught. Yet KID shoots his card gun at people, even little Conan who is his favourite. KID has fought off a child with a sword before, he's thrown a jewel at an enemy which smacked him in the face. You harm the Taskforce, intentionally or not, through the tricks and traps you lay for them. They've had many a scratch or sprain or bruise during a heist of yours. You've let it out more once I've been around though. Look at the fake heist with Vongola, you electrocuted Cloud, kicked footballs at the lot of them, and you've even fought every one of them before. And don't forget the Game with the Chiavarone Boss, that was me who pretended to kill the Boss. That was funny, the looks on their faces. Made them wake up that did. You say your rule is that no one gets hurt but you know that in this world that can never be true. That rule only applies to the fairy tale of Phantom thieves in white and Police in Black. If you want to pretend that all of these injuries have been self-defence, then go ahead. I can even call what I'm about to do self-defence, since we'll be protecting Boss and all he represents, including the safety of our important people.

I've been affecting you from the moment you decided to put on the mask, so let me take over and finish the job."

"You're not going to kill him like you've been threatening?"

"*sigh* No I am not. Boss has ordered that no one kills until he has, and I'll follow his orders to the letter."

"So if Tsuna said to jump off a cliff…"

"He never said without the glider or the grappling hook attachment of the card gun."

"If he told you to die?"

"Then you'd never feel me again. But Boss would never say that and you know it."

"God you sound even more loyal than Gokudera."

"Haha, well it's Storm's job to disobey him every now and again, as it is mine. As a Guardian we are here to guide him and share the burden are we not? But enough of this. Kaito give me control."

"Fine. I can't see you at the moment, but I'll assume that you'll catch me" Just like with all of the others, Kaito turns around (since he hopes he was facing Hunter as he was talking) and falls backwards.

"I will. Now, let the hunt begin"

Opening his eyes, as usual, no time has passed. Hunter mentally stretches, getting used to the body he now controlled. "So little piggy, are you going to tell me more about these plans of yours? I'm ever so interested." The man shakes his head, once again not willing to tell this mad man anymore. Why would he if he's not going to join them? "Too bad"

Taking out his card gun he shoots a card at the man, it explodes and the target starts coughing. It was a whole lot of pepper gas. The target's coughs were hoarse, his eyes were burning red and watering and his skin was turning blotchy. Changing the magazine with ease, he shoots another card, a glowing green one. The target gasps as electricity pluses through his body. One more card change and this time a bright red card flew the distance, exploding infront of the target. The piggy's already sore eyes were harmed further by the bright light, his ears were attacked by the high pitched sound of the explosion. His burning skin was scored by the cuts the shrapnel caused and soon burned even more when the remnants of the pepper gas entered the wounds.

"Gahh! I'll tell you. Make it stop!" he shouts, the pain quickly becoming too much for him.

"Nope, you tell me what you know first, and then I'll take the pain away. Be a good little piggy and Squeal." Hunter grins once more.

"We are planning an attack on Decimo in one month's time. He were going to invite him to a dinner like most bosses have to keep up good relations. We were going to kill him and any who were with him then. That's all I know, so please make it stop!"

Hunter takes a look behind him to Hitman, who nods, saying that that was enough information. "Night night then." And he shoots a glowing blue card. The target gasps, not expecting another shot to be taken and breaths in the blue gas. Within moments, he's fallen asleep. Hunter walks over and takes out a permanent marker. On the piggy's cheek, he doodles his Symbol, to let everyone know who had done the job.

"And there you are Kaito, happy with that?"

"That wasn't as bad as I thought. Your bark is worse than your bite."

"Well of course. I'm not going to harm them if I don't need to. Playing with them and scaring them is a lot more fun. Mafioso build up a resistance to pain, so it's not the best option, but sometimes it's the final push you need. You can deal with the rest. I'm tired, I'm not used to being awake this long."

"Oh, just leave me to clean up. Thanks." Kaito replies sarcastically. "Where are you anyway?" All he could see was pitch black

"Just hold out your hands. Good night Kaito. And tell KID to stop fussing, no one is going to recognise his Card Gun, it was covered in an illusion the whole time. God, such a Drama Queen."

"Haha, he can be. Let real life begin" laughs Kaito as he feels Hunter fall backward into his arms.

Opening his eyes, he stands back up and turns around, walking to where Reborn is by the door. He leans down and offers the baby his shoulder. "So was that alright? I'm telling you now, I don't want to do that too often. It's not my style."

"I know. I just wanted to check. But it wasn't you doing that anyway. It was someone else. So who is it?" Reborn lowers his fedora, stopping Kaito from seeing the emotions in his eyes.

Kaito stiffens slightly. "Haha, Reborn, what made you say that?"

"You have never said let the hunt begin before. If it was KID then it'd be let the show begin. Plus, you felt different. Even when you dress up in disguises, like as Conan's mother, you always feel like you or KID. But this was different. So who was it?"

Kaito sighs, he'd forgotten that Reborn was so damn observant. "He called himself Hunter. Apparently he's my Mafia side and is nearly as loyal to Tsuna as Gokudera is. God where do they keep coming from? I'm not mental I swear!"

Reborn laughs. "At least you finally noticed it. I've seen glimpses of it for ages now."

"Really? So I wasn't just imagining the change then." Muses Kaito. "Ne, Reborn. I have a question"

"You can ask but I might not answer" Reborn smirks and Kaito half laughs, more just a huff of breath and a movement of the shoulders.

"Are you going to make Shin-chan do this too?" Kaito is quite serious, no matter how nonchalantly the question was asked as.

"I don't need to. You are talking about the man who kicks footballs, or a globe, or a helmet, or whatever else is available, at criminals. You are talking about the man who resorts to trickery and needle injected drugs on an almost daily basis to solve cases."

"Hmm I never thought about it that way before. Conan was a rather violent child. He even kicked those footballs at KID. I can't remember how many monocles he's cracked." Kaito ruminates. "Any way, let's go home."

"Geez Boss. You didn't have to do that" says Kaito, a fond smile on his face.

When he had arrived home, some whim made him enter through the main doorway like everyone else. Of course he remembered to re-dress as KID. And there waiting for him was a bundle of covers. Tsuna had wrapped himself up and fallen asleep in his throne waiting for Kaito to return home. Walking over to the sleeping teen, he gently shakes the boy's shoulder. "Oi Tsuna, wakey wakey."

Blurry eyes half open and Tsuna sleepily smiles at Kaito. "hmm, Kaito welcome back home" He pats Kaito on the head like he does to all of the others, and reaches forwards for a hug. Kaito stands there and accepts it. But when it lasts longer than it should, Kaito looks down and finds that Tsuna has fallen back asleep leaning against him. Laughing gently to himself, he picks Tsuna up and carries him back to Tsuna's bedroom, tucking the boy in.

Walking back outside, he lights his flame and opens the passageway into his part of the building. Trudging up the stairs, when he opens his door, he is met by the sight of Shinichi reading on his sofa, two steaming drinks before him.

Kaito smiles. "Those drinks are still hot. How did you guess when I was coming back?"

Shinichi turns the page of the book before picking up Kaito's drink and holding it out to the magician, eyes never leaving the page. "Baka, I could tell when you entered the building." Hearing Kaito's footsteps coming closer to him, he says "So how did it go?" as he looks up. When he sees the 'bloodstains' he nearly drops the mug. Kaito catches it before it can fall and takes a well needed drink. "K-K-Kaito, what happened? No… wait" Kaito looks at Shinichi and notices the detective's eyes change to black, analysing him. "That's not blood" he concurs, his eyes changing back to normal. "It's ink?"

"Yeah, it is. Totally washable. In the morning, you'd never even know it was there. I was playing a bloody maniac today to scare the shit out of my target. Seemed to creep the man out. And to answer your question, it went… fine I suppose. Just an information gathering, some group who's going to kill Tsuna. I got what I needed to though. We can plan around it" Kaito informs quickly when he sees Shinichi's reaction. "And I didn't even touch the man to do it, just shot a few cards at him"

"Hmm, well as long as you are alright. And what was with the pause before fine?" Of course Shinichi would notice that. Why was he surrounded by observant people?

"Well, there's someone you are going to need to meet tomorrow morning."

I know Kaito is a little OOC here, with the Hunter and all. But let me emphasise this… It was all acting! I had originally created him quite a few months back when I had decided that Kaito would kill. The Hunter is his Mafia persona so hunts out other things like information, justice and criminals instead of birds. So well done to the Reviewer that guessed I would create a new persona for this side of his life. A lot of you said KID would kill over Kaito since KID was more serious, so this is just the next step. I hope that you all get that this isn't really Kaito, it's just another persona he's created so he wouldn't have to hurt anyone. Although looking at a few MK chapters, He's not afraid to hurt people. He threw the Blue Birthday at the guy who wanted it, smacking him in the face. He also fought with Hakuba over a gas mask, and constantly shoots cards at people, although they don't generally hit. And he fought Yaiba off with a sword.

All Kaito and Hunter ever do is act and bluff, like I said, they won't kill. Pretty hard core acting though, maybe he's watched one too many gore and mafia films, ne? Plus, none of you had any objections to Kaito's cards when they were introduced. There were no knife wounds, or anything like what the others have been doing, so it is toned down. No fingers were lost in the making of this chapter.

Whenever I think of Storm in terms of symbolic weather, I always think of it as wind as you may have noticed from this and past chapters. For all of the other components of a storm are covered- the clouds, rain and thunder. The wind also goes with Gokudera's nickname of Hurricane Hayato, which is a powerful and destructive wind. All four attacking at once, or in combination (if you could get Hibari to crowd that is) would truly be called a storm.

During Hibari's part at the top of this chapter, I say that Nono and Decimo don't know why Hibari loves Nanimori so much. I am going to address that (or at least make a guess) but I haven't found a relevant place to put it yet.

Oh, and Hunter is not the new person I was going to introduce. They are coming in two chapters time.

Well, I hope to see you all next week where the Crack Maze arc will start to draw to a close.

Phantom Hitman 1412

First Published 16 May 2012.