Pinkie's Part: So sorry for the lack of updates to this story! My muse is slowing down, and I have not had the motivation to play hide and seek with her. I apologize once more! I have started a new story as well, with our favourite couple to boot! That one seems to have more of my attention as of current- so if you're waiting, check that one out!

Enough of my rambles,

Onward!

xx Pinkie

Chapter: There Is a Silver Lining

Shadows overlapped in mass quantites as trained eyes viewed the many still bodies of assailants awaiting their arrival. As they waited, their faces were pulled taunt, and small beads of sweat rolled down their panic-stricken faces.Halls were filled with silence, save for the gentle click of ammunition being loaded into automatic weapons. A certain black clad hitman fought the urge to click his tongue at the obvious annoyance of a failed ambush. A nod of a head signified cooperation as a red robed man hid his smile behind his sleeve.

Quick as lightning did the shadow strike. The butt of his pistol colliding with the low portion of assailant's head.

Fon fought the urge to cringe, for the men who fell under Reborn's grasp. Black suited men lay scattered on the ground and Fon stepped gingerly over their haphazard forms. He raised an eyebrow in surprise as some of the men were found to still be breathing. He shot the hitman a questioning glance, and almost immediately did he regret it.

"Tsuna doesn't like killing much...some of them seemed to be forced into doing this- that's why I let them live. Only for him."

Reborn stuffed his hands into his suit pockets, and shuffled down the expansive hall, the grey lighting doing nothing to help lift the mood. Fon followed quietly with his disicple- thinking it better to let the man sulk.

(I'llComeKnock-Knock-Knocking)

A gentle cough vibrated through a small frame, and worried orange eyes glanced down at the petite girl clutching to conciousness in his arms. Tsuna continued forward, his resolve burning brightly in his eyes, and his temperature flaring- keeping the small woman warm. His inner beast rumbling low in his chest- his need to fight rising as the girl fought the infection in her body.

Off in the distance, the muffled sounds of gunshots was heard. The brunette male found his eyebrow hitching high as his footsteps quickened. His irritance was evident on his face as he pushed forward, his conciousness waivering slightly- but he fought on.

He felt so tired, he shook his head to try and rid his body of the exhaistion. He kept moving, his heart set on getting Chrome out of this nightmare.

(ShowYouResolve)

Reborn cursed under his breath, whipping Fon and his apprentice behind a wall as bullets whizzed passed them. His obsidian eyes narrowed dangerously as he did his best to fend off the opposing bullets with his own. He dodged to the side, keeping Fon pinned to the wall with his gaze.

He clicked his tongue in disagreeance as he watched the assailant try to attack his weaponless aquaintances. He darted out, the drilling sound of his shells hitting the floor the only thing on his mind- that is until a piercing cry of pain awoke him from his frenzy.

The final body dropped with an unpleasant grunt as Reborn turned, gun raised in finality- toward the sound. Cradled against Fon was the small girl, I-Pin, her face twited in pain as her hand clutched her shoulder, the unmistakable crimson color flooding over he fingers. Reborn let out a displeased sound as Fon lifted the girl gently and glanced at Reborn.

"Get her out of her.. she's a good close combat fighter, but- never being fists to a gun fight Fon.."

The chinese male nodded and swiftly took off towards the way they came, knowing that the path to the exit had been paved clear to the frenzied hitman. His thanks ringing in the silence as Reborn rubbed his face in irritance. He would get everyone out of here alive. Hell be damned if he didn't.

He pulled his cellphone from his pocket, dialing a number he hoped he would never have to use.

"Kufufu...do you need me now, hitman?"

There was a responding grunt, and Reborn suddenly felt a little dizzy. Materialzing in front of him, was none other than Mukuro- a cocky grin on his face as he stepped towards the irritated Arcobelano.

"Enough chit-chat...time to use that tracker. We save your woman, and mine."

The blue haired male made to create a retort, but shrugged off the thought after seeing the resolve in the hitman's eyes. He smirked, mirroring the same cocky look that Reborn would usually hold.

"Lead the way- you gun toting maniac."

Reborn smiled widely, "My pleasure."

(CreatingBonds)

Chrome stirred in Tsuna's hold- a familiar presence causing her to fight her exhaustion. She peered up at the face of her current protector, and felt a flush rise on her cheeks. The face that had been seen as innocent was now set in a firm expression- one promising pain if crossed. She blinked, before reaching up and tugging on a torn sleeve.

Her violet eye was met with two smoldering flames. A gentle smile urged her to speak, and in doing so, her request was granted. Tsuna settled the two of them on the ground. Their forms hidden by a corner as he let Chrome gather her bearings. The bleeding of her eye had halted- and for that he was entirely grateful. He peeked beneath the makeshift bandaged and fought a wince. He closed one of his eyes in sympathy before covering the wound once more. He balanced himself on the wall as he kept a look out. He blinked in surprise as he took a startled step back.

How had he not heard the footsteps?!

He glanced over at Chrome, his expression begging her to hide herself. She nodded weakly, a small smile on her lips as she gathered her strength and cloaked herself in her illusions. She blended into the wall, pulling her legs closer to her body as she watched Tsuna worriedly with her one good eye.

Tsuna prepared himself for the worst as he braced against the wall, his gaze narrowing as he summoned his flame, his rage rising as he waited for the proper moment.

As soon as he felt that the estimated distance between him and Chrome was short enough, he darted from his hiding place. His fists raised as he allowed his flame ridden weaponry to crash into the face of his enemies. Guttural protests were all that remained as he fought.

He saw no faces as he surged on, his flame picking up heat as his hands were covered by fire coated gloves. His firey gaze and flickering forehead flame gave him the appearence of a demon- and many of the newfound enemies fled at the sight of him.

Once the halls were quiet once more, Tsuna felt himself calming. His inner beast sinking back and laying dormant as he sank to his knees. He breathed heavily- only to have his breath hitch as he felt something press into his spine.

"Oya- seems I found a kitten."

He turned his head hesitantly, his eye closing in exhaustion as the familiar voice registered. The blue haired male who had assited in his kidnapping stood before him, his trident pressed into his back, daring him to make a move. Tsuna felt his throat clench as he saw Chrome cradled in his other arm. An expression of relief and comfort on her face as Mukuro slowly began to back up, a cocky smirk on his face. Tsuna looked down in utter defeat, his heart wrenching at losing the one person he thought he could protect in this hell.

"Good Luck, kitten..."

Tsuna blushed at the seductive tone, his intution flaring that something big was about to happen as the small summer breeze from his subconcious began to blow. He paused in his feeble steps towards Chrome as the other male disappeared, a creepy laugh resonating.

"Dame-Tsuna..."

He felt his heart stop as he looked up- his eyes swimming with pent up emotion as he felt his world caving.

The one person he wanted to be strong for- the one person he cared for more than himself, the person he- he let Reborn down. Tsune bit back a strangeld sob as tears began to pelt down his face. What a cruel illusion...

Reborn watched as the smale male seemed conflicted. The many emotions that flickered across his face confused him. Tsuna pulled his arms in, his body shaking as he tossed his head side to side in disbelief. The hitman was not one for sentiment, as he strode towards his lover and knocked him roughly on the head.

The satisfying familiarity of Tsuna's yelp comforted him as the other looked up at him. So many words flooded Reborn's mind as he stared into those defeated honey eyes.

"I-is it really...y-you?" The voice cracked in a lsight hiccup as hands outstretched to touch the hitman. Reborn smirked, his obsidian gaze softening as he let those shaking hands touch his face, he wanted to comfort the other- but his pride would not allow it at this point in time; though his mind swam with everything he wished to say.

"You mustn't feel little, bambino di piccolino...mi leone- You are the light of many, and the smile that is stretched upon expressionless faces. Never forget your worth; I can't count the reasons why I adore you. Not a star filled sky can accompany the heart felt words I would grace upon you. My sky- my only flame, and you will never be extinguished. You ignite the determination embedded within me, and I burn for your eyes only. I accept all of these emotions with open arms."

But none of these words left his lips, as he clutched this precious person in his arms. He looked into those misty, honey-glazed eyes and felt his throat clench tightly.

"Idiota- Do you have any idea, how worried I've been?"

Reborn cut off the cheeky retort with his lips. The silence settling in as Tsuna responded shyly to the kiss. The heat from the Italian man was scorching, and though he had been kissed roughly many times by the same man- the passion behind this one was something he could get used to.

There was a small pause in their reunion as Tsuna pressed his forehead to his lover's chest, relishing in the sound of the man's heartbeat. That is, until something ruined it all for them. A striking white light blinded them all momentarily as hyper active laughter echoed in the hallways.

"Such sweet words- ne~ are the lovers happy? I'll take away all that positivity!"

Reborn snarled, pushing Tsuna behind him- resulting in the smaller male to wrap his arms around the hitman's waist. The resolve he had displayed had tired him out as he sank to his knees. At least Chrome was out of this hell, and with her beloved- now he had to face his own.

The devil himself clad in white, a malicious grin splintered across that manic face.