The Empire

by TricksterThief

Reborn didn't know what he expected from the Future. But what he got, wasn't what he had imagined in the slightest. cross-post on ao3

2. Chapter 2

The Empire

noun. [em-pahyuh r]

1. supreme power in governing; imperial power; sovereignty:

2. supreme control; absolute sway:

3. a powerful and important enterprise or holding of large scope that is controlled by a single person, family, or group of associates:

Arc I: The Sentinels

XX

Chapter Two: Who Are You?

XX

Hibari Kyouya glowered around the room, his flames coiled tight in his core and itching to flare wildly, but to also connect with the young version of his Sky. But the Sawada Tsunayoshi in the room was different from the Sawada Tsunayoshi he remembered at this age. He felt more like he had in the latter half of High School than he did in Middle School, but at the same time not.

"Kyouya," Stella murmured from her place at his side, a warning note in her tone. It told him that her Sky would explain later, away from prying eyes and ears. He grunted irritably, but subsided from his train of thought, storing it away for later. His eyes flickered over to where Reborn was sitting, eyes narrowing slightly. The baby was looking at Stella and her crowd with a suspicious and dark gaze, and he could feel the hitman's flames itching to flare and smother.

If the Sky Woman didn't deal with that soon, he would. He would not allow for the baby to drive a wedge between Sawada Tsunayoshi or any of the others between the Sky Woman and her crowd. They were packs that were aligned and made each other stronger and he would not allow that to be broken in any way. "Kyouya," Stella murmured again, tone faintly exasperated. He twitched sending her an irritated glare, to which she stared back, wholly unimpressed.

It was in that moment that Bianchi burst into the room, expression frantic and searching. Her eyes landed on the form of Reborn and tears sprung up as she cried out, "Reborn!" Fuuta followed in her wake, a calm smile on his face with an exasperated looking Marianna next to him. Jessica had kept Gokudera in the infirmary, though his wounds weren't overly serious, just so he wouldn't have to see his sister, and had stayed behind with him.

Tsuna blinked cautiously at Bianchi who hadn't seemed to change at all except to get more passionate. Tania had a long suffering look on her face, while Adele was wrinkling her nose at the display, smile looking more condescending then carefree. Fuuta's face brightened up considerably upon catching sight of Tsuna (wheredidyougo - he wassostill - thiscouldn'tbehappening - itcan'tbetrue - the petals of the white flowers washed him out - ohgod), saying cheerily, "Cool! I'm taller than Tsuna-nii, now!"

"Desist at once, Scorpion," Stella suddenly snarled, eyes flashing from behind her glasses, while an ominous aura was gathering dangerously around Hibari next to her.

Bianchi's teary face instantly vanished into a taunting sneer, arms tightening in her grip around Reborn, "Hoh? And what's a kitten like you gonna do?" Lal Mirch looked at the redhead incredulously, wondering what the hell the woman was doing. Didn't she know the power these women held? Even Reborn was looking at Bianchi with a slight incredulous look.

Stella's nostrils flared, bristling like an angry cat and her fingers flexed like she was unsheathing a set of claws, but Hibari's aura swelled and filled the room easily. He brandished a tonfa, expression darkly blank, and stated, "If you crowd any more people in here, I'll bite you to death."

Tsuna flinched back, not because of the threat, but because his flames had sparked and were trying to coil around the older Hibari. A hand on the middle of his back between his shoulder blades startled him, and he looked up reflexively, relaxing when he saw it was simply Tania. Her expression was deceptively mild, lips twisted in a half smile, "Kyouya (Tsuna balked at that), come with me." The heavy aura saturating the room slowly eased back, and Hibari's tonfa vanished from sight. Then Tania turned to Kusakabe, still with the deceptive mild look on her face, "Please explain and Stella (her eyes narrowed slightly) behave."

The redhead ran her hand up from its place on Tsuna's back to his neck, giving it a brief reassuring squeeze, before she jerked her head at Hibari and the two left the room. Tsuna noticed as the two were leaving that Tania's expression turned into a poisonous smile that Tsuna had only ever seen once in his life. It had been his mother's expression when she had found out that his father had given the kids alcohol and she wanted to know how did he ever think that was a good idea in her house, hmm? A shiver crawled down the teen's spine and he realized he didn't envy Hibari-san one bit.

Tsuna was dragged from his thoughts on the terrifying expression of Tania's face, by Yamamoto flopping onto the couch next to him, throwing an arm casually on the back of the couch behind Tsuna. Tsuna relaxed into the other teen's side, turning his attention to Kusakabe, who was about to explain about Hibird and how it connected. Stella had draped herself across Marianna, who was seated on the couch next to Tsuna and Yamamoto, and was still glaring daggers over at Bianchi, who was still hugging a vaguely resigned looking Reborn.

Adele had lounged out on the couch Kusakabe was on, her calves draped over the man's lap casually. Gianni and Fuuta shared another couch in the room, and Lal Mirch had commandeered one of the chair's for herself. "Let me start with Hibird," Kusakabe started, leaning back against the couch, and absently rubbing one of the legs on his lap. "We set it to flight due to a request from Kurokawa Hana. She requested one for the purpose of a "rescue" for Sasagawa Kyoko.

"Being with Tania-san, of course, meant that Sasagawa-chan didn't actually need rescuing, but Kurokawa thought it prudent an SOS signal go out to you guys anyway. Kyou-san authorized it, and made his way to the shrine so Stella-san could meet up with Tania-san."

Reborn's eyes narrowed, darting a glance over at Marianna and Stella, and then back to Kusakabe and Adele. "So, what is your organization about?" he asked, curious despite his misgivings over the unknown women that seemed to be popping up from everywhere he turned and with allies no less.

Kusakabe smirked in wry amusement, "To put it simply, we're a secret underground Foundation formed from the Disciplinary Committee of Namimori Junior High." Tsuna face palmed, wondering how he could possibly think that the organization could be anything else.

"I heard about this from Tsuna-nii," Fuuta mused, brow furrowed a bit in thought. "Under the Foundation, Hibari-san had been traveling all over the world to research and investigate the boxes."

"The Boxes?" Tsuna asked, confusion evident. Those were the things that Lal Mirch had used, right? From what he understood they were the way everyone fought in the Future now basically. But they weren't massed produced, and every one box was different from the next, with none the same.

"Kyouya will know more about them, so you'd be better off asking him directly," Stella answered, apparently finally dismissing Bianchi as insignificant and was no longer glaring at the older woman. Marianna had begun running her fingers through the purple locks belonging to the Cloud User on her lap, a calculating gleam in her eyes, though her lips were curled in her calming smile.

Kusakabe nodded in agreement and added, "Kyou-san intends to stick around for a while, but that's all I have to report."

Fuuta took over here, not even letting Bianchi start off as that would bring Stella's attention back on the woman, and then they'd never get any explanations done. "We've been gathering information on the Millefiore stationed here in Japan," he started a mild smile on his face. He held up two fingers and continued, "The Millefiore have a total of seventeen squads, but among them, there are only six captains of Rank A and above. Furthermore, out of the six, two are currently in Japan."

"That must be Gamma and Irie Shouichi," Lal Mirch mused, leaning forward slightly and brow furrowed in thought.

Fuuta's mild smile was only slightly condescending to the statement of the rather obvious statement. "Hmm, correct," he allowed, voice light before continuing on. "This is definitely unusual. Something very crucial here has gotten their attention."

"That's still a mystery though," Bianchi tacked on idly, looking wholly unconcerned on a rather potentially dangerous subject. Fuuta let out a silent sigh, already feeling Stella's attention return with a vengeance on to the assassin. Surprisingly, the purple haired woman remained silent, however, simply giving Bianchi a narrowed eyed gaze. Fuuta eyed her for a moment, realizing that the Cloud knew something, but wasn't willing to say it.

"But, we also have good news!" Bianchi continued, ignoring the piercing gaze of Stella easily, and absently poking the squishy material of Reborn's special suit. "We've located the entrance to the enemy's hideout!"

Tsuna cocked his head to the side, his widened eyes the only indication to his shock. Yamamoto was the one who voiced everyone's surprised thoughts, though he had a wide grin spread across his face, "The enemy's hideout? Really?"

Fuuta's mild smile matched the Rain Guardian's wide grin easily as he hummed in agreement. "It was right under our noses and we missed it," the boy continued, shrugging his shoulders in a 'what can you do?' manner. "Like us, they're underneath Namimori, but it's the Namimori Station Underground Shopping Mall."

"The Station has an underground...?" Tsuna started, looking confused. He didn't remember there ever being an underground shopping mall.

Fuuta shook his head, cutting the question off, "The construction began ten years ago, and was only completed three years ago."

"Didn't Haru mention something about it?" Yamamoto laughed, tapping his fingers idly on the couch, and Tsuna's mouth popped open in an 'o' before he nodded, clearly remembering when she had mentioned the project. It had been shortly before they had all been forced into the future actually, the brunette mused, intuition sparking suddenly. Something wasn't right about this entire situation.

Tsuna glanced over at the other women lounging in the room and found Stella looking at him with a lazy gaze. She cocked her head to the side, eyes narrowing the slightest bit, and Tsuna quickly turned away. Stella gave off a very scary vibe, one that screamed predator, and he for one didn't want to poke a sleeping dragon, like Bianchi seemed to. "This information is of great significance," Lal Mirch was saying, as Tsuna returned his attention to the conversation. "With this, we can carry out an attack."

"Attack?" Tsuna blurted out incredulously, looking at the scarred woman like she was crazy. "Gokudera-kun's still injured, and we're not nearly strong enough to go attacking the enemy's base right now!"

Before Lal Mirch could retaliate, Reborn interrupted, "Indeed. In our current condition, we have no chance of success. On the other hand, the enemy must also be trying their best to find this hideout and finish us off. In other words, it's a competition to see which side can recover first to launch an attack." The hitman turned to look his student in the eye, face serious as he finished, "And, the key to victory lies in how strong all of you can get within a short period of time."

"Which can start tomorrow," Marianna stated calmly. "Jessica will have Hayato's wounds healed by then, and while he'll still be a little sore and tender, as long as he takes it easy for the first couple of days, he'll be fine."

Stella let out a yawn, stretching lazily before she rolled off the couch gracefully, running a hand through her short hair idly, "That's my cue to leave." She waved a hand lazily before sauntering out of the room in the direction Tania and Hibari left in and in her wake, Kyoko and Haru entered, holding I-pin and Lambo respectively.

Fuuta's face split into a happy smile, "Kyoko-nee! Haru-nee! Lambo and I-pin, too!" The two kids perked up excitedly, Lambo turning away from where he had been peering over Haru's shoulder after Stella. The boy immediately made grabby hands at Fuuta, a pout on his face.

"Ziana Stella didn't give me candy, Fuuta!" the boy whined, once settled in one of Fuuta's arms, and for once not paying attention to Reborn, who had shot him a piercing glare that signified he had done something to annoy the hitman. "She always gives me candy!"

Reborn wasn't sure he wanted to know the implications of one little sentence, because it didn't paint any pictures that were simply feasible. It was one thing with Yamamoto and Crepuscolo being together (married? dating? simply lovers?), that could be explained as meeting on a mission or some such story. But Stella? An obvious Cloud, staying around the Vongola enough that Lambo was always given candy when he saw her? (and the boy usually did return with candy whenever he had used the bazooka, but he had assumed it had been one of the girls or even his student)

Not to mention he called her Ziana, which, while the specific dialect was still frustratingly illusive to him, was clearly the word aunt. (he was also sure that somehow if he thought about Lambo long enough he was sure to get the answer on what dialect the Italians around him were using, but even the thought of it made him cringe away)

"I'm sure she'll give you two candies when she sees you again, Lambo," Fuuta laughed, eyes sparkling mischievously as he did. Getting Lambo to call Stella Ziana had been a great idea. The Cloud always cringed whenever the kid used it within hearing distance for her, but didn't say anything about it, because if she did Lambo would get obnoxious about it. And Stella hated obnoxious people, kid or no. It was the reason she gave Lambo candy every time he saw her, because if she did he would leave her alone and he would be quiet. (Those had been the enforced conditions on Lambo receiving candy from her. He would only get candy from her if he was quiet and didn't bother her.)

"Tania-san said to come tell you all that dinner was ready," Kyoko interjected with an indulgent smile, and as if on cue Tsuna and Yamamoto's stomachs growled in unison. Marianna let out an airy laugh, getting up off the couch with a languid stretch and hauling Adele up off of Kusakabe, who sent her a thankful smile. The teens stood as well, and the group all began making their way to the kitchen, worries set aside for the moment.

Tania was in the kitchen already, talking with Stella, who was looking rather grim. "...already? I didn't think they would...," the redhead trailed off as the group entered the kitchen, her face closing off faster than the blink of an eye, and Stella sent her a sharp eyed look. Tsuna bit the inside of his cheek, whether to stop himself from saying anything he might later regret he didn't know.

"Caru miu, the boys are going to start training tomorrow," Adele said, promptly breaking the steadily rising tension in the room as she flopped down into a chair at the table, leaning back and balancing on two legs of the chair precariously.

Tania's face relaxed marginally, and she leaned against the wall she was next to, folding her arms under her chest, "Really? Has Jessica cleared Hayato?" The group began moving around to get a chair and some food that was steaming on the table, mostly keeping one ear on the conversation.

"Sì," Marianna answered, shifting a glass of freshly poured milk over to Yamamoto absently, which the teen accepted happily enough if a bit bemused going by his smile. "She said as long as he takes it easy the first couple of days he's good to go." Adele was making a plate of food for Hayato, and Reborn noted that it was all things the teen liked, and he wondered again who these women all were.

Tania looked like she wanted to say something to that, but refrained, shaking her head instead. Tsuna was pretty sure he knew what she was thinking. Gokudera was not likely to "take it easy" unless someone was keeping a close eye on him, and forced him to take it easy. "Adele," the redhead started, rubbing the bridge of her nose slightly as if it would help rid her of her headache.

"Already on it, zita," the blonde responded airily, lips curled in what looked very much like predatory grin, but Tsuna definitely wasn't going ask why. Reborn, however, had no qualms on asking what the hell the two were talking about.

The hitman raised an eyebrow coolly and asked, "Already on what, exactly?" Tsuna immediately felt like crying when he caught the look on Stella's face. The woman did not look happy with his tutor questioning the other two women. In fact, she looked downright murderous.

Adele, however, simply took the question in stride, "Oh nothing much. I'll just be helping make sure Hayato takes it easy the first few days. Heaven's know he won't without someone paying attention." Stella scoffed under her breath, muttering something too quiet to hear, but made Tania's lips quirk slightly in humor. Tsuna was sure he didn't want to know.

Reborn looked like he wanted to interrogate the Rain more thoroughly, but Stella's murderous aura had him refraining. The only reason Tsuna knew Stella was pissed off, was because he was looking at her face, but he was slightly awed when he realized that she had only focused her aura directly at Reborn, leaving the rest of the room unaffected. The Cloud curled her lip and spat, "Damn, but I forgot how much of a suspicious bastard you were." She narrowed her eyes dangerously, a faint purple sheen appearing behind her glasses and she hissed lowly, "You better watch yourself, Ren-Reborn. You go too far and you'll wind up dead again."

Abruptly, Stella turned on her heel and left the room, and Tsuna cautiously peeked over at his tutor's face. The hitman's face was seething for all of a second, before he did something and a mask of fake calm settled on his face. If Tsuna hadn't seen the change, he never would've guessed that his tutor was angry. He fought back a shiver and returned to his dinner. He had the feeling that things were going to explode soon, and it wasn't going to be pretty.

XX

For the past thirteen days the boys had been training both together and individually. Adele had been with Gokudera for the first couple of days, making sure the teen was in fact taking it easy and wasn't about to reopen his wounds, but once those days were up she had vanished, and they had only seen her during mealtimes if that. Marianna had popped up randomly during the training, a calculating look in her eyes as she simply observed, occasionally offering tips. Otherwise, much like Adele, they didn't see her often unless at meals.

Tsuna had been working strictly on strengthening his Hyper Mode Flame, usually on one-on-one training that mostly consisted of him getting beat up, but he could feel the rising strength, so didn't complain that much. There had also been the fact that he had sensed Tania watching his sessions, though he hadn't seen her at all. In fact, Tania had been missing in action for a while, not even showing up at mealtimes, but Marianna and Adele had both reassured him that she was simply working on something. Stella had left the Base, according to Adele, and wouldn't be back for a while yet.

Yamamoto and Gokudera had been receiving training on strengthening their resolve, and also their Flames, working on endurance and purity (at least that was what Lal Mirch had said). Marianna had suggested the boys work on learning how to actually fight together as a team, but Reborn and Lal Mirch hadn't taken the suggestion (which Tsuna felt was both stupid and petty). So, when they weren't doing individual training, Tsuna pulled his Rain and Storm Guardians with him and set about muddling their way through how to actually fight together as a team.

It was surprisingly difficult, and they weren't making much progress, which was frustrating all of them, even Yamamoto. Tsuna had realized that so far they never had fought together. In all of the battles they had encountered, they had all basically been one-on-one matches. Just look at the Ring Battles! It was hard for them to figure how they were going to train to fight together since they didn't have a teacher and no idea where to even start. Yamamoto had suggested they ask Marianna since she had been the one to suggest it, but Tsuna had shot the idea down.

"We only ever see her at mealtimes now, and I just know Reborn will do something if he finds out," Tsuna had said, looking frustrated and confused. "I don't know why he's against this, but." He hadn't continued but his friends had understood and agreed it would probably be best they tried to figure things out for themselves.

But now that their individual training was done, Lal Mirch had announced they would be doing something new. So it was with an uncomfortable stomach that Tsuna made his way down to the Training Hall. He didn't know why, but he felt like something not necessarily bad, but something was going to happen. Yamamoto and Gokudera greeted him cheerfully enough when he entered the Hall, and Tsuna smiled, pushing the feeling away for later.

He nudged shoulders with Yamamoto, and curled his fingers around Gokudera's elbow briefly, greeting them happily, "Morning!" One thing the training together they had been doing had succeeded in at least was that the boys were more comfortable touching each other. Nothing big, usually just the brushing of hands, nudging shoulders, or even an arm around shoulders like Yamamoto was prone to doing, but from how they were before, it was a huge improvement.

They didn't even notice they were doing it anymore, the gestures now just considered normal. The friction between Gokudera and Yamamoto once hot and burning had cooled considerably, and there was no real heat to Gokudera's words and insults anymore. Tsuna wasn't afraid to seek comfort or give comfort and didn't shy away from touches any more. Yamamoto was more comfortable expressing himself truthfully, though it was limited to just the two for the moment.

The three teens had grown closer and their bond was now significantly stronger, and not just limited to Tsuna only.

"All three are present then," Lal Mirch started, arms folded in front of her and eyes narrowed in a considering gaze. She had noticed the casual touches between the teen's but didn't take much note of it, having not known them for any real length of time to notice anything truly different. Reborn, however, knew better. "As I've mentioned, you'll be starting a new training course today. It's called the Individual Assault Training Program. Now that you all have a better grasp on your Flames, we can move onto actual assault."

"Like with the Ring Battles, you'll each get your own home tutor to train you," Reborn announced. He would have gone on to announce who would be training who when the door slid open and Tania, flanked by Marianna and Adele and Hibari behind her, entered the Hall.

Tsuna's earlier feeling returned with a vengeance and he tensed subtly. Yamamoto and Gokudera noticed immediately and shifted closer to their Sky, unsure what had set Tsuna off but prepared to protect him anyways. "Hibari," Reborn greeted flatly, correctly assuming it was the man who had informed the women what was going on and had brought them down.

The man eyed the hitman coolly, and returned evenly, "Baby."

"You may not like it, Reborn," Tania began, face coldly blank and drawing everyone's attention to her almost immediately. "But you don't know how they all trained and got to where they were, or even that much about the fighting in this era." Reborn bristled up in anger, his flames screaming to be released and smother the usurper and show her her place. But the anger and suspicions had been building for a long while, and just waiting to boil over completely.

He didn't know these women. But they were here and familiar with the Vongola with no explanation, and it didn't make sense. They didn't provide any answers, and this woman, this Sky, took over like it was her right-

"And who are you to know how they all trained? Actually, just who are you? What right do you have to any of this? You aren't Vongola, so who are you?" Reborn asked, cutting his train of thought harshly before he got too lost in the burning of his flames.

Silence fell over the Hall, and Tsuna realized this was it.

Tania's eyes narrowed and then burned an intense orange as her flames rose to the surface, coming off her in visible wisps of orange fire, and she seemed to draw herself up to her full height like she hadn't been standing straight already. "Who am I?" she repeated slowly, voice dripping with venom and Tsuna noticed that a flame was even flickering to life on the woman's forehead, without the aid of a Dying Will Bullet or Pills.

"I am Tania Laganà," she started, and Tsuna caught the widening of both Lal Mirch's and even Gokudera's eyes at the name. "I am the head of the Laganà 'Ndrina, and so the head of the 'Ndrangheta. We are allied with the Vongola Famiglia as by the request of the Vongola Decimo, and Arcobaleno you might be, but you have no right to demand anything from me."

Reborn felt like he had been drenched in icy water. How desperate had his student been to ally with the 'Ndrangheta of all crime syndicates? The relationship of Yamamoto and Crepuscolo was one thing, but it would have been no cause for an alliance of all things. The 'Ndrangheta was worldwide and the most powerful crime syndicate in Italia. Powerful Vongola might be, but the 'Ndrangheta had been there longer and was bigger and had more fingers in pies then Vongola did. Though it was a bloody mess of constant 'Ndrine wars and power shifts, it still held the title of most powerful in Italia.

And she had just said she was the head of the 'Ndrangheta. That meant that somehow in the future she had managed to get all 'Ndrines to agree to stop their feuding and wars, and unite under one 'Ndrina. Evidently her's. She had the most powerful crime syndicate in the palm of her hand and she agreed to an alliance with his student? What could she have possibly gained from such an alliance? What was she after?

The hitman was pulled from his thoughts, by a scoff, and found Tania's flames had subsided, though her eyes were still glowing orange. "That is who I am, Reborn, and you would do well to remember so," the redhead said coolly, eyes still narrowed dangerously. "Accept the fact that we have more knowledge at this point in time than you. Make your plans, but understand that if I don't like it, I will overrule you."

Reborn slowly nodded his head in acquiescence. He would allow it for now. He needed to gain more intel on them now, which should be a hell of a lot easier now that he actually knew just who they were. He had to find out what the exact terms of the so called alliance were, and hopefully he could prevent his student from doing the same move again. Maybe he would be able to help avoid whatever situation had made his student so desperate he would agree to such an alliance.

"Who did you have in mind for training who?" Reborn allowed, eyes narrowed in silent warning. He may have backed down for now, but it was not over by any means.

Tania met his gaze head on, eyes burning with her will and saying that she knew it wasn't over, but she wasn't about to make it easy for him. "Adele will be working with Hayato, while Marianna works with Takeshi," she announced, the orange glow of her eyes finally fading, and her posture relaxing into a more languid state.

Lal Mirch furrowed her brow and questioned, "If I'm not wrong, Crepuscolo is a Mist, and Ferraro is a Rain, are they not? Wouldn't it make more sense for Ferraro to train Yamamoto as they're both Rains, and have a Storm, like the Scorpion, train Gokudera?"

Tania quirked an eyebrow at the woman, but it was Adele, who snorted rudely. "All of you Sicilian Mafians are the same," the Rain scoffed, lips curled in a slight sneer. "Because obviously only Rains can understand Rains, and so forth. It's a load of bullshit. Seriously, you people just love to stereotype your Flame Users."

"Adele," Tania said blandly, before the blonde could get even more worked up and shift into an actual tirade. The Rain wrinkled her nose, but refrained from continuing, eyeing the offended Lal Mirch with a gimlet stare. "While she was rather crass about it, Adele is right," Tania continued dryly. "That kind of thinking can get you killed, but it's not the full reasoning for those pairings. Marianna has trained with and simply taught Takeshi for most of his career. She knows his style, strengths, and weaknesses, better than most if not all people. The same goes for Adele."

Reborn narrowed his eyes at the little nuggets of information the redhead had just dropped. Her words helped build a timeline with other little slips from her Guardians. "And who will be teaching Tsuna?" he asked lightly.

"I will for the start of the baby herbivore's training," Hibari cut in flatly. "The Sky Woman will take over, if he survives." The Cloud User gave no one time to react before he lunged at the teenager, who flinched back, narrowly dodging the tonfa, and barely managing to leap back and away from the following strike. Reborn cocked his gun and fired a bullet at Tsuna, nailing him in the head. The flames that swelled forth were brighter and much more intense than any of the past dwellers had ever seen Tsuna produce before.

Hibari was unfazed, used to a much higher output and more pure flames from both the Sky Woman and his own Sky. "I'm going to pry open all of your abilities," Hibari announced coolly, flexing his flames and attacking anew.

Tsuna frowned, realizing for the first time that he felt somehow incomplete. His flames burned, but something told him this was only a small amount of the potential they carried. His distraction cost him, however, and before he could react, Hibari's flames pulsed and multiplied at such a rapid rate he couldn't keep up with it. His eyes widened as the flames solidified and encased him completely in a neat little ball.

The ring on Hibari's finger shattered and he began explaining nonchalantly, "It's the globe of Needle's form. It's an airtight sphere molded with the Cloud Flames, making it completely impervious. It's impossible for him to break through the sphere with either his physical strength or his flames." He placed a hand on the sphere, subtly feeding it more flames, and continued, speaking directly to Tsuna, "It's airtight, so the oxygen within the sphere is limited. If you don't get out quickly, you will die."

Gokudera let out a loud keening noise, and Yamamoto placed his hand on the back of the other teen's neck immediately, face dangerously blank. "What is this supposed to accomplish?" the half Italian demanded, leaning into the hand on his neck automatically, shoulders relaxing slightly.

Hibari's eyes narrowed at the movement, recognizing it from his own fellow guardians and wondering what had caused the sudden intimacy that had taken his Rain and Storm until after high school to acquire. Filing it away for later investigation, he allowed a smirk to pull at his lips and responded, "The weak will be buried; that's a given. To begin with, even if I had a reason to kill Sawada Tsunayoshi, there is no reason why I should let him live."

Both of the teenager's eyes narrowed, but to Reborn's surprise neither of them reacted negatively to the man's words. "We should begin our own training then, Hayato," Adele purred with a smile that showed too many teeth. Gokudera eyed her warily, but shifted over to the golden blonde woman, touching Yamamoto's elbow lightly. The other teen removed his hand from the silver haired boy's neck somewhat reluctantly, eyeing the spiked sphere with an uneasy expression.

"Come, Takeshi," Marianna murmured, eyeing the teen with a calculative gaze. Yamamoto gave the sphere one last glance before he nodded and followed after the pale blonde determinedly.

Tania stared at the sphere silently, leaning back against the far wall and keeping her face blank. Her Tsunayoshi had passed the Vongola Trial, and that had been after the seal on his flames had been eroded away completely after about ten years of existence. His mind and emotions had been irrevocably changed, but still he had managed to pass the Trial. But now... She had broken the seal five-ish years early, and Tsunayoshi was already showing great leaps in his emotional and mental health.

Would it make passing the Trial easier or would he ultimately fail instead?

Unseen by the others in the room the ring hanging on a chain around the redhead's neck pulsed faintly, a flicker of orange flashing briefly. Tania looked down at her chest with a light frown, bringing her fingers up to touch the ring under her shirt. It calmed with a quiet murmur, and Tania turned her attention back to the sphere Tsunayoshi was in. Something had happened.

Tsuna panted quietly, eyes drooping and each breath was becoming even more painful. He had tried to up the purity of his flames, but to no avail and he wasn't sure what else to do. The Vongola Ring was a solid weight around his finger and there was a sudden flicker before with a brilliant burst of light memories slammed into Tsuna's mind.

-kill him - please give me a chance! if i die my child and wife..! - screaming somuchblood ohmygod - flames painted the sky blood red and smoke billowed like some kind of omen of death - you have to protect these Ta - i love you - there was an ambush - eradicate them all - cold voices cold eyes - callous and arrogance - this isn't what i wanted - anything but this - plEASEHELPME -

"...What?" Tsuna blurted, eyes burning with tears from the assault and the amount of feelings and images poured into his mind. -i think you are worthy of these rings, Gio- iloveyoubutwecan'tdothis - imsorry -

"The Vongola's past sins." Tsuna jerked at the sudden voice that echoed all around him and his fingers clenched into fists automatically. Figures in suits and orange flames covering their eyes like a masquerade mask, flickered into existence in front of him. They were lined up on either side with one figure at the head. "Murder. Revenge. Betrayal. An insatiable thirst for power," the voice of one continued, figure broad and intimidating in stature. "This is the bloodstained history of the Vongola Mafia."

-betrayal - howcouldyoudothistome? - you were my- you'retoosoft - you'veruINEDEVERYTHING -

A different figure, this one closest to where Tsuna was still kneeling on the floor, picked up the train of words, "You, Holder of the Vongola Sky Ring. Do you really have the resolution-"

It was the figure standing at the head that finished the question, "-the resolution to inherit these past sins."

Tsuna stayed quiet, staring at the figures with wide eyes and a pale face. - PLEASEHELPUS - so brutal - GIVE ME BACK MY SON - NO MY EYE WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY EYE - screams blood so much death - what has my dream become - why has this happened - please come back - ican't dothisonmyown -

Tsuna's lips trembled. He never wanted to become a mafia boss. He never wanted any of this. Why was this happening to him? Why did he have to inherit the blood of Vongola?

Tears pricked his eyes and he struggled to hold them in, unwilling to show weakness in front of the shadowed figures around him. "Stop it," he muttered, as the screams and blood echoed around his mind, and he slowly gripped his head as best as he could while wearing his mittens. There was a burning in his chest that was building in intensity the more the screams and cries and ohmygod - i trusted you - how could you betray me us like that - did we really mean so little to you? - you're just like your father - cold and unfeeling - you'll paint your path in the blood of innocents - i never wanted this to happen - imsOSORRY - PLEASEFORGIVEME ILOV-

"STOP IT!" the scream tore from his throat without him even registering it. The tears had broken free and were streaming down his face, and he could feel his body trembling from the weight of information and the sheer amount of bundled and frayed emotions. This wasn't just the Mafia Vongola's Past, he realized distantly. It couldn't have been. It was showing the birth of the Vongola too.

Tania's fingers tightened around the ring around her neck, biting the inside of her lip to stop her from flaring her flames in response to Tsunayoshi's distress. Her knuckles turned white from the force, and Kusakabe murmured quietly, teeth clenched around the toothpick in his mouth, "The oxygen is nearly out. Both his mental and physical states are reaching critical levels..."

"This won't achieve anything!" Lal Mirch suddenly burst out, turning to Hibari with a furious glare. "He's just going to die in vain! Cease this training at once!"

Hibari eyed her coldly, and said, "It was you, wasn't it?" Lal Mirch jolted at the seemingly non sequitur, eyeing the man warily. "You instructed Sawada Tsunayoshi to fight with the ring on his finger." He shifted, folding his arms across his chest and continuing to eye the woman coldly, "That was the right thing to do, but whether or not he can become the Sawada Tsunayoshi that you hope for? He has to be tested under extreme situations."

The Cloud User turned his gaze back on the sphere and added as an afterthought, "There hasn't been one so young to face the trial in Vongola History, though."

Lal Mirch gaped at him. She couldn't believe this man was the Cloud Guardian of the Decimo. He seemed too callous and uncaring about the state of his Sky then any Cloud she had ever met or even heard about. Even the aloof Alaude of the First Generation had been documented to having showed care and even worry over the Primo. Hibari, however, honestly looked and acted like he could care less what could happen to Sawada Tsunayoshi, even if it was the younger version of his Sky.

Had he even actually Harmonized with either Sawada?

The former Arcobaleno swallowed, and chanced a glance over at Reborn, but the hitman was completely silent, face utterly blank as he stared intensely at the sphere. What do you possibly hope to achieve doing something like this? she wondered, switching her gaze back to where the Laganà Boss was leaning against the wall. The woman was clutching something under her shirt, but her face was completely wiped of any possible emotion. Do you people intend to alter Sawada's personality completely? Lal Mirch wondered, unsure how she felt about that.

Tsuna squeezed his eyes shut, chest burning even hotter than before and he felt like he would honestly throw up. "Stop it," he repeated, gritting his teeth and clutching his head even harder. -imsorry imsorry imsorry - please dont leave me - i promise no matter what i will always lo- you are worthy - the Rings are special Gio- how could you do this to me? - screaming somuchscreaming - the mansion was burning - wherewasshe? godno please not this - there was so much blood - im sorry, but she's dead, Dae-

"Do not turn your eyes away. This is the destiny of the successor to the Vongola," a different figure said, voice deep and gravelly. "This is the purpose of the live you were given."

Tsuna clenched his jaw and spat, "I refuse." - iloveyou - please protect the Rings, Ta- her laughter was the brightest thing he had ever heard - hair like fire in the sunlight - iloveyou butwecantdothis - im sorry - dont leave me please - "I could never be so cruel. Not like that."

"That is the price we must pay for the power we wish for," another figure responded, voice utterly flat with no inflection of tone whatsoever.

Yet another of the figures continued, voice soft and with a tenderness that was only half fake, "If it's great power you want, you must also have the resolution to inherit our great history."

- screaming blood fire death - this wasn't how it was supposed to be - please spare my life i have children - whaT DID YOU DO YOU KILLED MY MOTHER YOU BASTARDS - SPARE ME PLEASE I BEG OF YOU - blood stained hands and salty tears - the callousness of arrogance and believing you are GOD - I HATE YOU -

"I refuse," Tsuna repeated, tears now just dried tracks on his cheeks, and he was breathing heavily, throat hoarse. He glared up at the figures, the burning in his chest growing to almost painful levels. "You've ruined the purpose of the Rings. I DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF POWER!" he shouted. His throat throbbed at the abuse, but he couldn't pay any attention to it. They had bathed the Rings in blood and filth. - i love you - hair like fire in the sunlight - smile shining bright and laughter that made happiness bubble up inside him - he wanted this to last forever - protect the Rings Gio- i love you i love you i love you -

"If you want me to inherit such mistakes," Tsuna panted, tears pricking his eyes anew at the bittersweet love that told a story that was probably lost to time. "Then I will destroy the Vongola!" The burning in his chest burst and flames flared around him so intensely, he had to close his eyes, lest he be blinded completely. The warmth encased him in a bubble of fire, dimming to a low glow that danced around him cheerily enough.

The figure at the head stared in shock at the flames, recognizing the flames as something completely different than the other figures. Just as abruptly as they had appeared, the flames vanished, but not before a tendril reached out for the head figure and brushed against him lovingly. "...Ariana?" the figure whispered, unheard by anyone.

Tsuna stared in confusion, his vision blurring as his strength left him. Where had those flames come from? They hadn't been his own, so how...?

The teen slowly fell forward, but was startled when instead of hitting the ground, one of the shadowed figures caught him. He jerked, eyes snapping open and stared. "Nonno?" he blurted, not sure how he was feeling. Knowing the man had placed a seal on his flames -wherewasthewarmth- and had caused him damage and almost death because of it, but at the same time having warm memories of kind eyes and soft hands.

To distract himself from his conflicted feelings, he turned his attention to the other figures, eyes widening at the diversity of characters, before they landed on the figure standing at the head. The man was blonde haired and his eyes a warm golden color, but the air around him was what made Tsuna really stare. It was warm and welcoming, promising protection and safety, but had the underlying threat that any harm come to those under his blanket of protection would be met with death.

- iloveyou - he wanted this to last forever - i must protect the Rings - they're all i have left of her -

"Your resolution has been unequivocally accepted," the man announced.

E'la nostra ora incisa sull'anello.

Our hour was engraved on the ring.

Tsuna could only stare and listen as the man continued to talk in his lilting voice, that strangely reminded him of Tania-san, "To flourish or to perish, it's up to you now, Vongola Decimo." His gloved hand flared to life with orange flames, and the Vongola Crest appeared beneath Tsuna, making him startle and stare as the other figures disappeared into wells of Sky Flames. "...I have been waiting for you. Now, it's time for you to inherit the proof of the Vongola."

Tsuna stared as with a blinding flash of light the flames all converged in on him.

"What happened?" Lal Mirch shouted, jerking back and away from the spiked sphere as beams of light suddenly burst forth and a great cracking noise wrenched through the air. "What's going on?"

"Kyou-san, what is this?" Kusakabe exclaimed, holding an arm up to cover his face as a startlingly heavy pressure swelled in the air.

Hibari remained unmoved, but his eyes were glittering as he responded, "The Globe of Needles Form has been broken." His flames purred beneath his skin, relishing in the explosion of Sky Flames that burst forth as the sphere shattered completely, the Cloud Flames making up its form being swallowed in the wake of the flames. This is what he remembered. It wasn't quite there yet, but yes, Sawada Tsunayoshi would definitely grow into the Carnivore he knows, his Sky.

The smoke dispersed, but the bright orange flames did not, spreading and filling the hall and in the middle of it all was Tsuna, flames glowing on his forehead, and hands encased in a new pair of gloves. Tania let her own flames leak out in response, relishing in the purity and strength of the teen's flames. It wasn't quite at the level of the Tsunayoshi she knew, but it was no doubt that he would reach that level soon, if not surpass it. The ring around her neck pulsed faintly once again, and Tania curled her flames within herself once more, quieting the pulse before anyone could notice it.

"He's passed," Reborn announced, and Lal Mirch couldn't quite hide her amazement.

"I didn't expect this configuration to result from the trial...," she murmured, struggling to keep her own tattered flames from flaring and reaching out for the Sky Flames permeating the room. There was no doubt that Sawada's Sky Allure was almost ridiculously strong, and it was a miracle the kid hadn't harmonized with every Flame he had met, Latent or Active.

Reborn hummed quietly and responded lowly, "I was only half-confident myself. Though in all honesty, I couldn't think of any way to let Tsuna power-up rapidly, other than the traditional trial." Lal Mirch, raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, and if it hadn't been for the fact that she was standing next to the hitman, she would've missed his muttered, "...Tsuna. Very impressive."

"Wao," Hibari murmured, a smirk crawling across his face. He pulled a box from his pocket, and continued, Tsuna's attention having turned on the man almost instantly, "You're finally starting to resemble the you I know." His flames purred in anticipation, threatening to come off him in waves and run wild completely. The teen still had some way to go before he reached the level of his older self, but this him was brimming with potential.

The Cloud User glanced over to Tania, who was still at her place against the wall, face carefully blank. "Are you taking over, Sky Woman?" Hibari asked, flames flickering from the ring on his finger in hope for getting a battle instead of being asked to walk away.

Tania eyed him calmly for a second, before she merely inclined her head, "Go ahead. I'll cut in when I feel like it." Reborn shot a glance over at the redhead, wondering what she was up to. He still didn't trust her, even if she was an ally of the Vongola Famiglia, and it irritated him not to know what the hell she was planning. Especially since it concerned his student.

An unholy expression lit Hibari's face and with a flare of flames, the box opened and tonfas coated in purple flames appeared in the man's hands. "Then let's begin," he announced, voice practically giddy with the chance for a fight, even if it ended up one sided. With his words he unleashed most of his killing intent, the bloodlust filling the room and making Tsuna and Lal Mirch flinch back.

"There are no rules in this fight," Hibari ordered, and Tsuna merely nodded, falling into a ready stance. Tania turned her attention away from the battle, instead turning to where Fuuta and Lambo had snuck in to watch their boss. She sighed through her nose and walked over to the kids, raising an eyebrow at Fuuta, who gave her a sheepish smile in return.

Lambo perked up at seeing her, however, a wide smile threatening to split his face as he greeted happily, "Soru Tani!"

Tania's face softened and she crouched down so she was eye level with the five-year-old, a soft smile curling her lips, "Hello, il meu carusu tauru." Reborn watched them from the corner of his eye, frowning. The brat had called the Sky sister, and he knew for a fact that Lambo thought of Tsuna as his older brother, though he would never say it out loud. There was also the fact that he clearly remembered the brat calling Stella aunt. This alliance wasn't looking much like an alliance to him, but he couldn't figure what else it could possibly be.

"Lambo, do you have your Ring?" Tania asked gently, easily picking the child up when he made grabby hands at her. He blinked up at her, hand inching up to his nose to pick it, but the redhead easily moved his hand away before he could.

"Lambo-sama doesn't know what you're talking about," the child announced, giving her a narrowed eyed look that was probably meant to be suspicious. Reborn felt his eyebrow twitch at the grating voice, but Tania merely huffed out a little laugh.

"Your present from Tsuna-nii?" the redhead asked again, using different words to get the child to actually understand what she was asking. Lambo looked confused for a second, before understanding brightened his face and he began to nod furiously.

He shoved a sticky hand in his hair and rummaged a bit, before he pulled out the Vongola Lightning Ring triumphantly. He beamed up at the redhead, showing the ring off in the palm of his hand, "Lambo-sama has been protecting it like Tsuna-nii and soru Tani asked Lambo-sama too!" He puffed his chest out proudly, and Reborn narrowed his eyes. When on earth had the brat been told that?

Tania pressed a kiss to the boy's cheek affectionately and praised, "Questo è il meu carusu tauru! We knew you could do it." The five-year old's cheeks flushed at the praise, his smile turning bashful. Tania hefted him up a bit further in her arms, adjusting her weight. "But can you do something else for me, bamminu?"

Lambo peered up at her curiously, for once not just yelling that 'The Great Lambo-sama Can Do Anything!' or something along those lines, but simply waiting quietly for the woman to continue. Despite what most of the teenagers (and Reborn) thought, Lambo knew when there was a time and place. He had known before everyone that something wasn't right in the future. But unlike the others, he also knew that soru Tani and zita Stella, and all the other women would do something about it.

He knew he was annoying and obnoxious, that he was still just a kid, but in the future? In the future there was Tsuna-nii and soru Tani, who never treated him as just a kid. They had entrusted the Ring to him, and it was his precious gift and he would protect it forever and ever until they said he didn't have to anymore.

There was a reason he had refused to give the Ring up during the Battles. He may have failed at the time, but he was determined to never fail again. The Ring was Important.

"You need to be even more careful in protecting the Ring, okay? There's someone really bad who wants to take it away and get rid of it forever," the redhead continued, and Lambo had a horrified expression on his face at the thought of someone trying to get rid of his precious gift. "In order to protect it even better, I've got something special planned, does that sound good?"

Lambo nodded vigorously, "Lambo-sama will protect the Ring forever and ever!"

Tania smiled indulgently, but knew it was the truth. Tsunayoshi may have wanted to keep Lambo out of the fighting as much as he could, but she knew it wasn't feasible. And she would be damned if she left the boy without some way to protect himself and the Ring. "Donata left some videos for you to watch," she explained, a fond smile on her face at the thought of her own Lightning Guardian. "She can't come here herself, but the videos will help you, sound good?"

Donata Calabrò was a woman of many talents, and harnessing the attributes of Lightning Flames was one of them. She had taught Lambo before, and the videos had been her own idea. She was often out of the country or elsewhere and so wasn't always available to teach Tsunayoshi's Lightning Guardian in person. So she had decided to create videos for the boy to watch and learn from himself, and then he could show her what he had learned whenever she got back.

Shamal had been generous enough to film for Donata, not even needing to be threatened to do so. Hayato had nearly laughed himself to death when he found out, only able to choke out whipped at the time.

So, just like before, Lambo could learn from the videos rather than Donata in person, since she was needed in Calabria more than Japan right now.

There was an explosion of Cloud Flames against Sky Flames and Tania called out, "Kyouya!"

The Cloud User twitched, but stopped any more attacks on the bruised and battered Tsuna. "I've changed my mind," he stated calmly, no hint of irritation visible. "The Sky Woman will take over, and when you're stronger, we'll fight again." Tania rolled her eyes silently, and made her way back over to the group, Lambo still on her hip since she knew he would refuse to leave if she tried to hand him back over to Fuuta. Said teenager was trailing along behind her, interested in knowing what was going to happen next.

"Now then, you herbivores," Hibari started, ignoring the fighting flames still in the air. "Do you know how the boxes came about?"

Tsuna blinked from his spot on the ground, blindsided somewhat by the non sequitur. He glanced over at Tania, and her lips quirked up the slightest bit. She shifted Lambo further up her hip, and pulled out a rather non-descript looking box, "These boxes originated from an idea to create weapons modeled after life forms found in nature, such as plants and animals, by a biologist called Geppetto Lorenzini. He made a set of 343-volume plans, but the designs in those plans were over-technology, meaning it just simply wasn't possible to build them based on the technology of the time.

"Regarded as an empty theory, nobody wished to collaborate with him, not even the secret society he was a part of. After his death, that same society simply placed his plans in a warehouse, where they remained hidden for centuries. At least until they were discovered by three inventors a part of that same secret society: Innocenti, Koenig, and Verde.

"The three found that the flames emitted from the Mafia Legacy Rings were the optimal source of power for the boxes. This cleared many of the technological problems they had been facing and they managed to build a prototype within five years. Besides the original 343 Boxes based on living things, they also researched and developed new boxes, such as the storage box, or boxes containing tools or weapons.

"Unfortunately, until recently, they sold many of the boxes to the Mafia at very low prices, thinking only to fund their own research. Now, two out of three scientists are dead. Verde and Innocenti. Granted, I question Innocenti's death, if only because there was no hard evidence that the body found in his home was in fact him."

Lal Mirch raised an eyebrow at that and then wondered, "What about Koenig? It was said he slipped underground and continued to construct boxes and trades them as a weapons dealer."

Tania gave a rather bland smile, "Hmm. I wonder." The former Arcobaleno narrowed her eyes at the other woman, not for the first time wondering just what it was the woman was hiding.

"If you were to question for what reason the boxes were made," Hibari interjected flatly, catching Lal Mirch's attention. "Nobody can give a substantial answer. The true architect that has made the boxes to what they are now is neither Geppetto, nor any other remarkable scientists. It was simply coincidence."

Fuuta's mouth dropped open and he parroted, "Coincidence?" Tsuna blinked again, and wondered just where Hibari was going with this explanation. Knowing the history or whatever of the boxes was more or less in line with knowing more about the future, but the reason why they were created? "So, they somehow or another created it?" Fuuta continued, confusion evident.

"That's what it means," Kusakabe answered, and then continued with a more elaborate one, "Many of the big discoveries and inventions of our world were due to coincidental happenings near the inventor, leading to a flash of insight. For example, the apple that led to Newton's discovery of Universal Gravitation, or Nobel's discovery of Dynamite due to a sample of loam he had that was soaked in nitroglycerin. Of course, none of these miracles happened just due to the coincidences, but the person himself must also have the aptitude and knowledge to understand it. Still, such coincidences don't happen that easily."

Hibari grunted lowly and continued, "But everything about the development of the boxes involved coincidences happening at a most unusual frequency."

"What do you mean?" Lal Mirch questioned, frowning silently.

Kusakabe shrugged his shoulders and said blandly, "That's what we're investigating."

"The more we find out, the deeper the mystery," Hibari added quietly, almost as if to himself. He then shifted his stare to the still crouched form of Tsuna, "Remember this, Sawada Tsunayoshi, the Sky Flames can open Boxes of all the attributes, but it cannot draw out all the powers of the boxes of other attributes."

The two fighting hedgehogs in the air, took that moment to let out a piercing noise as if in agreement to the man's words. The one that Tsuna had released from the box screeched as it inverted in on itself and was crushed by its own spikes. The teen flinched back, and then turned wary eyes onto his Cloud Guardian (he'smineminemine-you don't get to touch him or I swear to God-). The man narrowed his eyes faintly and added, "Listen to the Sky Woman, and fight me again, Sky."

Then without another word he turned on his heel and left, motioning for Kusakabe to follow behind. Tania crouched down in front of the tired form of Tsuna, who looked as if he were about to collapse, and said, "First lesson, Tsunayoshi."

He blinked at her blankly, the flames on his forehead flickering as they grew dimmer. Her lips turned down slightly and she flicked a finger at his forehead, directly on the flames. They sputtered and then flared to life, making Tsuna jerk slightly at the sudden surge of adrenaline. He panicked slightly, but was stopped by Tania gripping his chin and forcing him to look at her. Her face was a mask of calm, eyes burning with an inner fire.

Lambo had gone to Fuuta willingly enough when she had given him a stern look, but he was obviously pouting where he was cradled in the young adult's arms. Reborn was watching her with a narrowed gaze, wondering just what she was up too.

"Don't let your flames vanish so abruptly," the redhead ordered, fingers still gripping his chin and preventing him from looking anywhere but at her. "Letting them go from your system so harshly is more damaging then most realize. They are a part of you. You don't want all of that energy to leave you behind so abruptly, or you'll only feel exhausted and bruised."

Tsuna blinked at her, brow furrowing in confusion. "But then how-?" he started, but he trailed off when she smiled calmly and flared her own flames to life. The orange flames licked their way up her body slowly before it focused on her forehead and burst into life. It was only her hand on his chin that prevented him from gaping unattractively at the level of power and skill shown so easily.

"Relax," she intoned softly, and the teen found himself obeying without a second thought. His shoulders slumped and his breathing evened out slowly (he hadn't even realized he was breathing that fast), and his eyes were trained on Tania's. "Feel your flames. Don't think, just feel."

Tsuna closed his eyes and let go.

Tania remained where she was, even as the teen's flames expanded rather than contracted. The flames were gentle and spread through the room like a wash of water, and Fuuta basked in the feeling. Even Lal Mirch felt herself relaxing her tense body at the flames. Tsuna breathed in, and the flames receded back into him. He breathed out, and they expanded again, but remained closer to his body, rather than filling the entire room again.

The flames continued to expand and contract with the teen's breathing until finally they expanded only just about an inch away from his body. "Okay, now take it in," Tania said evenly and softly, keeping her voice gentle so as to not startle the teen from his state.

Rather than jerking at the sudden voice, Tsuna breathed in one more time and the flames on his forehead slowly shrunk down until it simply blinked out of sight. He opened his eyes carefully, exhaling and feeling a little like he was drunk if he were to be honest. His body felt like limp noodles, but he didn't feel like he was about to fall asleep instantly with a bone deep exhaustion. He peered at Tania in slight awe as her own flames blinked out of existence.

"Good, Tsunayoshi," the redhead smiled, letting her grip on his chin go. "We'll work on you getting faster at that, and tomorrow we'll see about you igniting your flames without the pills or a bullet. For now, sleep." The teen almost immediately conked out. While he hadn't felt like he was about to fall over, he had overexerted his flames and that had left him tired. The redhead caught him easily as he slumped over, snoring lightly.

She huffed out a little laugh, before she hauled him up onto her back, and then looked over at Reborn, inclining her head and indicating she wished for him to follow after her. "Fuuta, take Lambo to the video room and get him started on Donata's videos, kay?" Fuuta grinned and gave her a cheeky salute, before he left the training room in the opposite direction the woman and Arcobaleno were leaving in. "Lal Mirch, you can come with if you wish, or do whatever."

The scarred woman paused slightly, before she started after Tania and Reborn, rather than Fuuta and Lambo. Tania barely refrained from rolling her eyes; she had a feeling she knew what the woman wanted to ask from her, and she more than likely wasn't going to like the answer.

XX

"So, ask what you want, Lal Mirch," Tania started blandly, leaning back in her chair with an easy grace. The trio had moved to one of the side rooms after Tania had placed Tsuna in a bed, and now the redhead had opened the floor for an interrogation of herself.

Lal Mirch started slightly, but pursed her lips and then asked, "Ferraro took down a Black Spell General easily. If all of you can do that, why haven't you done anything to stop the War?"

Reborn narrowed his eyes, and realized that was a good question. Of everything he's seen so far, the women all had the power to easily stop battles, so why hadn't they? He turned his direct attention to the Laganà Head, and found her to be looking rather pensive.

"Have you ever wondered why no one's seen Byakuran in action, yet he still managed to take over the Sicilian Mafia, and thus Vongola?" the redhead queried in return, but didn't let Lal Mirch answer as she continued. "Yet somehow he hasn't managed to take over the 'Ndrangheta or Camorra. Why is that? It can't just be because of me and my Guardians, or even the size of either syndicate. Can you answer that question, Lal Mirch?"

Her gaze was piercing and Lal Mirch found herself swallowing dryly. "The reason for not doing anything to stop the War isn't because we can't," Tania began again, voice flat and expression blank. "But because we chose an enemy we know rather than one we didn't. Byakuran is very much like a Hydra; you cut off one head, another grows in its place. Tsunayoshi and I both agreed that it would be better if me and my own stayed away and out of sight until there was an opportunity to cut out the heart rather than the heads.

"The rules of the Alliance between the Vongola and the 'Ndrangheta were never divulged to the masses. In fact, many didn't even know there was an alliance, so when Byakuran waged war on the Sicilian Mafia, my people were able to fade into the background. Instead of showing our hand, we decided to watch and investigate."

Lal Mirch furrowed her brow, as much as she didn't want to admit it, everything the redhead said made sense, but it didn't stop the rage and hurt over Colonnello. "Investigate?" the blue haired woman asked somewhat sharply. "Investigate what?"

Tania raised an eyebrow coolly, folding her arms over her chest and answering, tone edged with warning, "Byakuran. There was no way in hell that man came out of fucking nowhere with the power to overthrow the Sicilian Mafia. That's not even taking in the factor of the sheer technological requirements for the radiation that disrupted the Tri-Ni-Set, that he somehow managed to infect the air with. There should have been some kind of warning to his coming of power, instead he pops out of nowhere and fucking murders Tsunayoshi. There's no way in hell I'm gonna not investigate."

The longer she had talked the harsher her voice had become, but what was truly terrifying was the fact that her voice never got louder. Reborn clenched his jaw at the reminder of his student's death, but his anger over the fact didn't stop him from noticing the sheer amount of grief in Tania's voice at the mere mention of the brunette's death. He would also have to question her more on the odd tone and word choice for the non-Tri-Ni-Set radiation she had used.

However, at that point he decided it would be better to open a new line of questioning, since she was being so forthcoming. "What kind of Alliance was it between the Vongola and the 'Ndrangheta? What exactly did it entail?"

There was a beat of silence where Tania's face morphed into one of utter confusion and she stared at the hitman with incomprehension. "...Marriage...?" she answered slowly, voice tilting at the end in a slight question as she got a sudden sinking sensation in her stomach.

Reborn narrowed his eyes at her, not liking the fact that she was looking at him like he should have known that. "A political one?" he queried somewhat idly.

She was looking at him with utter bafflement as she blurted out in askance, "What? No. We weren't stupid!"

Tania was beginning to realize that the whole reason Reborn had been acting so fucking hostile wasn't because he was being obstinate, but because he literally did not know what he should. Somebody should've already told him about the "Alliance" and just what that meant! Marianna should have- and there was the issue, the redhead realized, fighting the urge to slam her head against the table repeatedly.

Marianna was first and foremost a Mist, polarized or not.

Granted, she had probably been distracted by other things at the time, but by the time she had realized that she had forgotten she had decided it'd be too entertaining. Tania would have preferred if the blonde had picked a better time to pull something like this, but it really was all about the timing for the Mist.

"So," Reborn began slowly, face set in a total deadpan of incredulous disbelief. "You married out of love."

Tania sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration, and ruffling the short locks in the back. "Yes," she answered shortly. "I would not - will not - settle for anything less." She looked the hitman in the eye at this, face set in a steely resolve of truth, and Reborn found he could actually believe she was telling the truth.

But there was still one matter in which he needed clarification if he was actually to believe it as the truth. "Then why hide it?" he asked seriously. He wasn't talking about now in the future, but the alliance. She had stated that the alliance had never been divulged in both detail and there actually being one to any of the masses (which could mean anyone, really). That meant they had hid the fact that she and Tsuna were married.

Tania let out another sigh, rubbing her forehead this time and closing her eyes. "You have to understand," she began. "I was considered very young when I united all the 'Ndrinas together under the banner of Laganà. It was only just after I had that we decided to marry. We had been discussing it for a while even before the unification, but it wasn't until after that we finally did. I will never regret marrying Tsunayoshi, but the timing was very much a mistake.

"We couldn't possibly make the marriage public in any way; it would have destroyed all of my work and effort for the unification. The 'Ndrinas would've seen the marriage as the Sicilian Mafia trying to take over rather than that of simply a marriage. To them, it would've been entirely political, with me as simply the poster child, rather than the leader. It would've been disastrous. The fallout would have been worse than what the 'Ndrangheta already had been.

"So we decided to keep it a secret, only telling those close to us. By the time things had settled enough with my people where I could inform them of the marriage, Byakuran came to be and we made different plans. Our marriage would remain secret and me and mine would pull back."

Reborn hummed, "I see."

And he did. The political nightmare it would have been if they had revealed their marriage right after only just unifying the 'Ndrangheta would have been catastrophic. The feuds and wars fought between just the 'Ndrinas would've spilled over and the Mafia would've been thrown into complete chaos. The Vedince would have been hard pressed to shut it down before it bled over into the civilian world. Bitter resentment would have seen to the decimation of the Laganà and more than likely the entire Sicilian Mafia, before they turned on each other.

So. His student had gotten married (out of love) to the woman who united the 'Ndrangheta. How the hell had the brat managed that?

"Honestly, you should've already known all of this," Tania muttered irritably, looking entirely frustrated with the fact. "Marianna or Yamamoto should have filled you in when you first arrived and didn't appear to be leaving any time soon."

The hitman soaked in that little tidbit of information and felt his eyebrow twitch. "Then is there anything else I should know?" he asked dryly.

She wrinkled her nose at him and shot back irritably, "How the hell should I know what you actually know or don't?"

"Humor me," he responded flatly.

The redhead narrowed her eyes at him, briefly flicking her gaze over at Lal Mirch, who was watching them with somewhat wide eyes and a vague bafflement, and then promptly lent back in her chair. Her lips slowly curled into a smirk and she raised one finger, "Well, Shamal is currently with his wife, Donata, my Lightning Guardian, in Calabria keeping a low profile." She raised another finger, enjoying the choked noise from Lal Mirch and the wide eyed shock of Reborn's expression. "My Storm Guardian, Carmen and her husband are also in Calabria protecting Iemitsu and Nana. Marianna and Takeshi got themselves hitched shortly before me and Tsunayoshi, while Adele and Hayato did the same at some point (though their story of how changes whenever you ask)."

With each little fact she said, the redhead raised another finger, while Lal Mirch was gaping a little at the sudden influx of information, and Reborn was lamenting his choice in Guardians for his student. "My soru, Palmira, is currently underground with the Varia, and married to Dino of the Cavallone. Jessica, on the other hand, is best not to talk about relationship wise, and you should, in fact, probably stay away from her altogether unless absolutely necessary. I think that's about it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know." Then, dryly she tacked on, "Anything else you want to know?"

Reborn fought the urge to repeatedly slam his head onto the table, and instead rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What kind of training are you planning for Tsuna? And will the breaking of the seal have any adverse effects?" he asked, deciding to shelve any and all other questions until he could wrap his head around the various marital ties between the Vongola Guardians and the Laganà 'Ndrina, and the fact Shamal had actually settled down in marriage. That wasn't even taking in the fact that apparently his other stupid student got married too.

Tania smirked at him, looking entirely too amused at his aggravation. "The seal breaking has increased the amount of flames Tsunayoshi has access too, which is both good and bad," the redhead started, notably not starting with what she was going to teach the teen, making Reborn glower at her slightly (her smirk only widened further, showing a hint of teeth). "If we're not careful Tsunayoshi could easily burn up and I mean that literally. His body isn't used to the large amount of flames he now has and until he adjusts to that, he will not be doing any fighting."

Lal Mirch looked like she was going to object to that, but Tania's face had grown serious and she pinned the woman with a lethal glare. "He won't be fighting; do I make myself clear?" Tania repeated, leaning forward just the slightest bit. "I will not have him dying on me because you want to rush. His training so far has been toeing the line, and I'm putting a stop to it now. His completion of the Trials has made it pertinent that if he expends himself out now he's liable to just shut down."

She leaned back, face impassive, but eyes glittering with a steely resolve. "Right now, he's at a pivotal point in his development. He needs to learn how to access his flames without the crutch of pills (her lips curled in a sneer, as if the item in question had personally offended her) or a bullet. Until that point? He's not fighting. Not with his flames at least."

"Oh?" Reborn queried, wondering just what this woman was thinking.

Tania rested her chin on the palm of her hand, leaning on the table and hummed. "Tsunayoshi's weak physically. He can take a beating, but without his flames, his attacks are about as harmless as being hit with a feather," she stated bluntly, and Reborn pursed his lips to stop the snort of laughter from escaping. "While we're working on better harnessing his flames, I will be training him in hand to hand combat as well. It will help him get stronger physically, and if he ever gets in a situation where he can't use his flames, he won't be defenseless."

"And this will be enough?" Reborn asked. It all sounded so simple and nothing like what he had in mind, or like any of his usual methods. He twitched slightly when the redhead stared at him silently, gaze piercing yet shuttered and face a blank mask. The Sky was disturbingly good at keeping her emotions and thoughts hidden and it was unlike any Sky the hitman had ever met, who usually showed some kind of emotion to help their manipulations along. Oh, he had no doubt that she was just as manipulative as any other Sky, but he had yet to figure out just how she worked her Harmony Factor.

She wasn't like Tsuna, who didn't even realize he was doing it, as it was unconscious and not evident as it was pure intent. Nor was she like the Nonno had been; kindly grandfather with a ruthless streak a mile wide; you didn't even realize you were being manipulated. Xanxus hadn't developed his brand of manipulation, to filled with rage and grief and the Wrath was stronger than the Harmony. Iemitsu was similar to the Nonno, hiding behind a mask of stupidity and devil-may-care attitude, when he was actually a callous killer, and had no problems destroying someone emotionally (just look at Nana and Tsuna, his mind whispered tauntingly).

But Tania. She was controlled; didn't show anything she didn't want to. And that was dangerous. It wasn't like Luce (had to control everything-shesawthefuture-of course everyone should dance to her tune - she knew best - angerhurtwhydidyoubetrayusme). She was contained, yet somehow he got the feeling that he was still dancing to her tune, but he couldn't figure out how.

Her lips curled in a thin smile (no emotion - in control) and she answered, "It will be. It sounds simple and easy, but just learning to control your flames goes a long way. I refuse to be observed for the first few days, they are the most critical, but after that feel free to come watch." With a grace that reminded Reborn of a serpent or perhaps a python, the redhead stood, eyeing the two for a moment. "That's it for now, I'm going to go check on Marianna and Adele, but it's best that you don't bother any of us these first few days."

She inclined her head at them and then left the room, steps silent. Reborn probably wouldn't realize it until later that she had mostly given him superficial information. She only stated relationships, not how they happened, or really when either, and she had easily steered the conversation away from Byakuran and the inconsistencies surrounding the man. He hadn't even asked why Tsunayoshi had entrusted the Vongola Rings to her, or how they were destroyed.

Either he had forgotten about the question in the face of everything else, or he didn't think it really mattered at this point in time. To be honest, she wasn't so sure that the latter was true. If the group that had destroyed the rings originally found out they existed once more, who's to say they won't strike again? If they had to worry about some unknown group on top of Byakuran, it'd be a massacre.

And she hadn't mentioned it earlier, but Byakuran had been toeing the borders of Calabria. Nothing big, but Carmen had been worried. To her it seemed like he was testing the waters. One of the major mysteries around Byakuran was the fact that he didn't actually do anything with the underworld aspect he had taken over. Oh, he took it over, but mostly things had stayed the same, if a bit more active in the business side of things.

The biggest things he had done was hunting after the Vongola Rings and disrupting the Tri-Ni-Set with the radiation that killed the Arcobaleno. With both of those actions (though the former was more consequential) the man had successfully put the world off balance. But it was because of those actions that Tania realized something bigger was going on. The only part missing from Byakuran's vendetta were the Mare Rings.

And she had the gut feeling that he was in possession of those rings, even though they had been missing since Luce became the Sky Arcobaleno. (wrongwrongwrongsoemthingsnotright- whathappened- they need to be protected- i have to find them wherearethey -wrongwroNGWRONGWRON- MUSTPROTECT) Tania's stride stuttered just the tiniest bit, but she ignored it and there was no one around to catch the miniscule move.

Unseen, a light glow of orange pulsed from the ring hidden under her shirt.

XX

"What is it?" Jessica asked flatly into the phone, leaning back in the chair in the kitchen, feet propped on the chair across from her. Kyoko and Haru were making dinner under the Sun User's supervision, but only Kyoko was comfortable in the brunette's presence. (she was familiar - warm and caring - Ryohei) Haru, however, couldn't bring herself to relax near the woman, whose emotionally flat face gave her the creeps and sent shivers running down her spine.

The teen knew she was safe or Tsuna-san would have never trusted Jessica to watch over them, but there was something about her that just sent the brunette girl bad vibes or something. Her smile never reached her eyes, her eyes never smiled, and there was brittleness around the edges that reminded her of her dad after her mom had died. It made her uncomfortable, especially with the way the older woman watched them sometimes.

Haru wasn't sure how to name the emotion in the green eyes that watched them occasionally with an intensity that made her cringe. Something inside her shied away from the watchful gaze, almost as if to protect itself, and that made her subconsciously wary of the woman. (unbalanced-scorching warmth-not good not good - get away before you get burned - getawaygeTAWAYGETAWAYGETAW-)

"-making me nervous."

"...That's not comforting," Jessica returned neutrally, shuffling some of the papers in her hands absently, not really paying attention to any of the words printed out. "What of that other thing Tania asked about?" the Sun User asked, mindful of the two girls in the same room, who were more than likely unconsciously listening in.

"...He's planning something. I'm just not sure what, but I have the feeling it's not going to end well. Donata's been getting twitchy over it, and becoming overly territorial." There was a pause on the other side of the line, before the Storm Guardian continued in a quieter voice, "I'm getting restless myself. Having Tani overseas without us with that big of a threat out there is grating on my nerves. Having Iemitsu here isn't helping either."

Jessica frowned, fingers twitching in an aborted move of clenching tightly around the papers in hand. "...Just bear with it for a little longer. I'll see if I can get Tania to do something, but right now is really not a good time," she finally responded after a somewhat stilted pause.

"Why is that? What's going on exactly? There have been some really disturbing rumors floating around the underground," Carmen warned, and Jessica's frown deepened. That wasn't good. It was bad enough the Millefiore knew about the kidlings coming back in time, the rest of the world didn't need to know it too.

"Quell those rumors, Carmen," the Sun snapped sharply, fighting to reign in the growing unease building in her stomach, and not missing the flinch Haru did at her tone of voice.

"Roger that."

There was a click as the Storm User hung up, and Jessica ran an irritated hand through her bangs, letting out a gusty sigh. A steaming cup of tea was placed in front of her, and she glanced up at Kyoko who smiled at her worriedly. The brunette eyed her for a moment before giving her a thankful smile that barely twitched the corners of her lips. She hummed as took a sip, noting that the auburn haired teen had subconsciously infused the tea with her unfurling Sun Flames. "Thank you, Kyoko."

Haru shot her an unreadable look, but Kyoko's smile lost some of its worry as she chirped cheerfully enough, "You're welcome!"

The door to the kitchen slid open with a hiss, and Tania stepped through the doorway, a small frown on her face. Her eyes moved to Kyoko and she said, "Tsunayoshi won't be joining you for dinner." The girl pouted somewhat but nodded, jabbing her elbow none to gently into Haru's side to stop the other teen from spouting something no doubt rude. Kyoko was not so oblivious to notice the vicious jealousy the brunette held in regards to Tania-san, and she wasn't going to stand for it.

Kyoko liked Haru as a friend, but she could admit that the girl got ridiculous over the stupidest things. Like the whole Mafia thing; Haru believed it, but didn't seem to take it all that seriously, and it made Kyoko frown. Adele had not sugar coated her words when she was explaining things; the blonde had stated bluntly that they were currently at war. A passive one at the moment, but that could change in a second, and to Kyoko that was all she needed to strengthen her resolve.

She still remembered the blood coating her hands (Tsuna-kun was bleeding ohgod there was blood it wasn't stopping what was she supposed to do ohmygod-) and the battle that had raged above her head, and she wasn't going to allow herself to ever be that helpless again. Even if it meant simply staying in the base and out of sight if they were ever attacked, or even in general, she would do it if it meant that her boys would be able to not worry.

But if there was a chance that there was something she could do, she would take it with both hands and never let go.

Something deep inside her flared to life, warmth flooding her entire body, and she noticed that Tania was looking at her with serious eyes, and Jessica had a small, sharp, but proud smile tugging at her lips. Haru was simply giving her a somewhat gimlet stare and rubbing her side sulkily. Tania inclined her head slightly, silently telling the teen she would speak to her later, and out loud saying, "Reborn and Lal Mirch will join you here in a moment, but I need to speak with Jessica."

"Okay, Tania-san!" Kyoko chirped brightly, ushering Haru back over to the preparations for dinner, and thus distracting the brunette from the two older women leaving.

Jessica gave Tania a pensive look and said blandly, "Carmen called." The two had reached one of the currently empty offices and Tania settled on top of the desk in the room, while Jessica leaned against the arm of the couch pressed against the wall.

"How is she?" Tania asked quietly, flames swelling to life and settling around the room in a warm cocoon. Jessica relaxed into the warmth, her tattered flames soothed by the Harmony.

"She's getting restless. Byakuran has started pushing forward against our borders, but we haven't lost anyone," the brunette answered, fiddling with the end of her braid, having pulled it over her shoulder as she talked. "Donata's told her that Mukuro is planning something, and it's probably something stupid, but she doesn't actually know what it is he's planning." Jessica paused here, and then added quietly, "Iemitsu is making Carmen uncomfortable, especially with you being over here in Japan, rather than in Italy with her."

Tania winced, closing her eyes and running a hand through her hair roughly. Jessica grimaced, unhappy with making her Sky feel guilty, but knowing it needed to be said. "I'll give her a call," the redhead murmured, chewing on her lip in frustration. "Do you-" she stopped, frowning sharply, and Jessica narrowed her eyes.

"Do I what?" she queried sharply.

Tania shot her an unreadable look, before repeating, "Do you mind working with Lambo, and if they wish, Kyoko and Haru, with their flames?"

Jessica slowly raised an eyebrow, before pointing out blandly, "Haru's flames are actually still latent, Tania."

There was a pause, then: "Just Kyoko then."

Jessica bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing loudly (though it was something she hadn't done in a long time - the memories were too painful - too fresh still). "Are you holding a grudge against the younger Haru for what the older one did?" the Sun User asked drily, lips twitching in an effort to hide her smile.

Tania pursed her lips, studiously not looking at her friend, and muttered, "It's not my fault that woman can't take no for an answer." There was another pause and the redhead added petulantly, "Besides, she makes Tsunayoshi uncomfortable with her crush (the word was spat derisively and with great indignation)."

Jessica bit her cheek again and managed to get out, "Are-are you jealous, Tani?" Tania's shoulders tensed and she crossed her arms, an uncomfortable look crossing her face as she turned her head to the side. The Sun User noted the woman's embarrassment and wisely subsided for the moment (it wasn't going to stop her from telling Adele and Marianna when she saw them next, though). "I don't mind working with Lambo and Kyoko with their flames," Jessica answered the previous question easily enough.

Tania turned back to her, posture still stiff, and asked softly, "You sure?"

"I'll just be designated babysitter," she responded with easily, some of her old cheer coming back.

Instead of the intended smile the brunette had been going for, Tania blanched, grimacing and spitting out, "Sorry-"

"It's okay," Jessica interrupted, smile fading into something sad and regretful. "I truly don't mind, Tania. It... helps being with them." Tania pursed her lips, but nodded jerkily in acquiesce. But the guilt gnawing at her stomach would never fade, and would only continue to eat at her all of her life. She needed to get away, even if only for a little bit. She needed to be with someone that didn't bring all of her mistakes to the forefront and throw them in her face.

Abruptly, she got off the desk and said, "I'm going to dine with Kyouya tonight. When you see Marianna and Adele send them my way please." Jessica nodded easily, watching as her Sky left the room without so much as looking her way. She wished she could soothe away the pain, but there was that tiny, tiny, selfish part of her that did blame her Sky for the death of Sku-NO. She wasn't going to think about it. She just - just couldn't.

Tania wasn't sure how she managed to make it to Kyouya's part of the Base, but she did and Kusakabe took one look at her and had her seated at one of the low tables and a steaming cup of tea placed in front of her before she even realized she was there. Mechanically she took the cup and brought it up, the familiar scent invading her senses. Slowly, she relaxed and her turbulent flames eased back into their calm state.

Kyouya sat across from her, eyeing her coolly over his own cup of tea, his flames spread over the room and making it his territory. It was an all too familiar setting and it allowed for the redhead to relax for the first time since Tsunayoshi's-

She ended the thought before it could finish, soothing the jolt in her flames. She sucked in a breath, before releasing it slowly from her nose, eyes closing and flames unfurling like a flower blooming in the early morning rays. Kyouya's flames prevented her own from leaking out into the rest of the base, where it would no doubt wreak havoc with its high purity and unsettled state. The Cloud User didn't even so much as twitch at the sudden wash of Sky Flames, and Kusakabe was left untouched from his spot just outside the door.

This was not an unusual happening for the two, especially after Tsunayoshi's death. While Kyouya was a Classic Cloud, and Stella a Polarized Cloud, the two were alike enough that Kyouya gave Tania the same security and calm that her own right-hand did. It was something that a lot of people didn't get at first, especially if they had no idea that Stella was Tania's right-hand. Some had even murmured that the Sky and Cloud were lovers, but that wasn't even close to the truth. (Tsunayoshi had laughed so hard he had nearly choked, Stella hadn't been much better.)

The two had simply grown familiar to each other because of their respective lovers.

It wasn't until Tania had finished her tea that she pulled out her phone to call her Storm Guardian, ignoring the narrowed eyed glare from Kyouya. Carmen answered after the second ring with a hopeful, "Tani?"

Tania grimaced slightly, but responded evenly, "Carmen."

There was a pause, then a sigh, before the other woman pouted, "I suppose this isn't a call to tell me that Donata and me can come to Japan."

"Sorry," Tania answered, lips twisted in a frown. "Jessica let me know what was happening. I need you to have our people start pulling back slowly, only leaving the bare minimum to take care of our investments. When you spread the word, switch with Donata."

Carmen made a confused, but faintly hopeful noise, "Switch?"

Tania blinked and then furrowed her brow, refraining from pulling the phone away to look at it incredulously, "Yes, switch. I should've had Donata and Shamal watching over Iemitsu and Nana, not you. Donata can ignore the man for a longer period of time than you, and Shamal's an unaligned Mist, so better equipped to flat out refuse. You can do it, but I know you don't like body guarding someone, Carmen, especially if its someone like Iemitsu."

"Ah, she told you that, huh," Carmen muttered, somewhat embarrassed.

"I should've known it would happen, so I'm sorry," Tania replied easily, ignoring the guilt churning her stomach at failing her Guardian in something so simple. Carmen simply made a noise in response, and Tania continued, "If Mukuro needs help, use the Ring."

There was a shocked silence on the other end, before Carmen blurted out, "Wait, seriously? I thought we weren't going to!"

Tania rubbed her forehead, leaning forward on the table, and saying tiredly, "If you can avoid it, do so, but if you can't, try to make it not overly obvious, please. If you can't, you can't, but at least try." She paused, lips pursed, and Carmen made an inquiring noise through her shock. Tania stared down at the table pensively and added, "If you do use the Ring - see if it - if it resonates."

"You don't think he-?" Carmen started, cutting herself short before she even finished, stomach rolling with nausea at the very thought. If he really did - it would be - it was - dear god -

Tania grimaced, and admitted reluctantly, "It's a theory I'm considering, and is unfortunately looking to be true the more I find out."

Carmen sucked in a harsh breath. "Oh...kay. Okay," she exhaled noisily, before inhaling sharply and then letting it out again. "Okay. I'll try to be discreet if I have to use it - but Tani." Carmen paused and then continued more quietly, concerned, "Donata is really worried over whatever she thinks Mukuro is planning on doing - chances are I will have to use the Ring - and - well…"

"Chances are you'd have to use the Ring in a rather spectacular way," Tania finished tiredly. "I understand - just if you can."

Carmen hummed, "Got it. Ciao, Tani."

"Ciao, Carmen," Tania ended the call, staring at it silently for a moment and gathering in scattered thoughts. After a minute, she straightened and turned to look at Kyouya, who was calmly sipping his tea, eyes closed. At her stare, however, slate grey eyes opened and he returned her gaze with a vague resigned look. She narrowed her eyes and then said lowly, an undercurrent of true fury to her tone, "Tell me everything, Kyouya."

"As you wish," he murmured in return, setting his tea down.