Chapter 32: The Night Before the Raid
'Only one day away…" Kouga thought as he walks along the hallway. As he searches his pocket, he bumps into Tsuna who is running down the hallway to the right causing Kouga to unconsciously drop the item from his pocket.
"Gomen, Kouga-san!" Tsuna apologizes as he runs off.
'Why is he in a hurry? The infiltration is not till tomorrow.' Kouga shakes his head and then notices his item is missing. He panics and looks all over the place and asks Kuroko and Haru if they saw it but the two shake their heads.
"Where the heck is it?" He questions as he is back to square one. He runs so fast that he accidentally bumps into Yuuri who is carrying some laundry and the collision causes the clothes to fall everywhere and the two teens fall with a thud on their back.
"Ite…" Yuuri grunts as she gets up. "Hm? K-Kouga-kun?!"
"Y-Yuuri?" Kouga looks at her as she begins to blush.
"W-w-whey are you here?" The girl stutters.
"I was looking for something that I dropped earlier. I looked everywhere but I still can't find it."
"The redness dies down as Yuuri remembers picking up something earlier and takes it out. "Is this what you're looking for?" She asks, showing the amulet that she gave to Kouga before the Sky Battle.
"AH! That's it!" He shouts and puts his hands together. "Sorry! Even though I treasured it."
"I know." She replies, causing Kouga to look at her. "Viola-chan told me."
"VIola did?"
"That you kept it safely in your pocket."
"Souka…" Kouga trails off and retrieves the amulet. "I'm going to do my best tomorrow…" He pauses thinking that Yuuri doesn't know about tomorrow.
"Tomorrow's an important day to return everyone to the past, right? Everyone already knows that. But…"
"But?"
"I'm worried that you, Tsuna, and the others might get seriously injured."
"Did you see our future in your dream?" Kouga asks and she nods after a moment. "It'll be alright. Me, Tsuna, and the others are coming back alive."
"Don't do anything reckless." She tells him right after startling Kouga as she confuses at what she said.
"Onii-sama!" The two turn and see Ruki and Viola walking up to them. "It's time for dinner!"
"The girls made a feast for tonight," Viola adds.
"Ruki, Viola," Kouga calls as he stands up with the pile of laundry in his arms along with Yuuri.
"Ah, that's right! We made a lot today."
"I can't wait!" He says as they go to the dining room after dropping off the clothes in a different room.
Yuuri immediately helps put the food with the non-combatants as Kouga and Ruki are standing by at the table with Tsuna and the others.
"Finally, tomorrow's when we'll raid them. Are you ready to do it?" Reborn asks.
"U-un." Tsuna nods.
"Yeah!" Yamamoto replies.
"Of course," Kouga says.
"Hai," Ruki replies.
"Just leave it to us. Those guys in Millefiore, watch me destroy them." Gokudera declares.
"In that case, let's eat a lot as provisions for tomorrow!" Reborn states.
"Here! Sorry for the wait!" The girls announce with Kuroko and Haru holding the handles of the roasted meat on the hot plate and Yuuri stands in the middle with her arms out.
"Uwa! That food looks great!" Fuuta exclaims. "Haru-nee, Kyoko-nee, Yuuri-nee, thank you!"
"You're right! There's so much!" Tsuna agrees.
"You guys have outdone yourselves." Kouga complements.
"That's good," Yuuri says.
"We made this for you all to enjoy," Haru says.
"Well, everyone, please eat," Kyoko tells them and they all start to eat the food.
"Eat that as well, Tsuna, Kouga!" Reborn tells the two, causing both of them to see Bianchi holding her Poison Cooking cake and causing them to pale. "After all, Bianchi made it for both of you."
The two immediately move away from her and plead, "I-I'll have some later. Much later…"
"Are you saying you won't eat my love-filled cooking?" Bianchi questions darkly.
"E-eto…" The two begin and Tsuna begins to cry.
'There's no way I can eat poison cooking before the operation!' The brunette thought.
Meanwhile, Lambo stuffs himself with the plate of food before he chucked and picks up the food.
"All of this is now Lambo-san's!" He declares.
"Lambo, you shouldn't eat everyone's share!" Fuuta reprimands.
"You stupid cow! Let go!" Gokudera tells him as he tugs the plate away from Lambo.
"No way!" The boy shouts, pulling back in causing the two to have a tug of war when Bianchi slides behind her brother with the same cake she was offering to Tsuna and Kouga.
"Hayato," She calls, causing Gokudera to jolt in fright, "have some of this."
Letting go of the plate, Gokudera immediately hides behind Fuuta, getting away from his sister, and exclaims, "I don't want it!"
Yamamoto, Ruki, and Giannini continue eating while Bianchi chases after Gondera behind them as he keeps telling her that he doesn't want it.
"This is really good!" Yamamoto exclaims.
"You're right." Ruki agrees.
"Yeah, makes me feel really good," Tsuna adds.
"There's still a lot more," Yuuri tells him as she and Haru pass cups of water to the combatants.
"You better eat all of it!" Haru exclaims.
"I wonder if onii-chan and the rest are having fun," Kyoko asks.
"Huh? That reminds me, what happened to your brother?" Kouga asks.
"Since it was the occasion, I invited Hibari-san and Kusakabe-san, but…" Fuuta tells them.
"All the grown-ups are apparently going to party quietly and mellowly… so they said, 'no thanks.'"
"Also, I don't think inviting Hibari here would be a good idea," Kouga states.
"T-That's true…" Tsuna agrees, paling at the thought of having Hibari they will be bitten to death by the adult perfect.
Having the feeling of a dread pass, the group continues to merrily eat the feast until the food is gone with stacks of plates on the table.
"Ah, so full, so full!" Yamamoto exclaims, rubbing his stomach.
"Everyone really ate a lot." Haru points out as she carries a tray of cups of tea and Yamamoto grabs one.
"It was really good!" Tsuna exclaims.
"I'm really happy that Tsuna-san thinks so, too." She states as Tsuna grabs the other cups while Gokudera's box animal licks its plate clean and then yawns.
"What now? Sleep time for you?" Gokudera asks and tries to grab it, but the storm cat avoids him as it jumps off the table and runs from its owner before it starts to sleep.
"It really ate a lot." Fuuta points out with an irritated Gokudera.
"What's with it?!"
"It's just like its owner." Yamamoto compares.
"You're right, Yamamoto-san." Ruki agrees.
"What do you mean by that?!" The bomber shouts at the two causing the others to laugh. "Come over here, Yakyu-Baka, Chibi Mitsurugi!"
"Ah, Lambo-chan!" Haru calls as she spots Lambo sleeping on the floor next to the storm cat. "It's bad if you lie down there. You'll catch a cold." She reaches out for the boy when he tours his body to the side.
"Lambo-san is busy. Thanks for the food…" Lambo sleep talks.
"Lambo-chan."
"I-Pin-chan as well!" Kyoko points out as she carries the little girl in her arms.
"They ate so much they fell asleep, right?" Yuuri points out.
"Well, it's already bedtime for the kids," Gokudera states.
"Yeah, that includes Giannini-san," Tsuna says as he looks at their technician sleeping away as he hugs a wine bottle with his tie around his forehead, while Fuuta tries to wake him up.
"It's time we close the party," Reborn tells them.
"That's true. We have to prepare for tomorrow, too." Kouga agrees and starts bringing the plates to the sink with Tsuna helping him as the girls start to clean them.
"Here, this is all of them," Tsuna tells Kyoko as he and Kouga pass the last stacks of plates to her.
"Thank you, Tsuna-kun, Kouga-kun," Kyoko tells them.
"Now leave the rest to us," Yuuri tells the two as she and Haru take the stacks from them.
"Please go and rest," Haru adds.
"Eh? But…"
"Wouldn't it be hard with just you three here?" Kouga asks.
"It's alright!" Haru exclaims.
"We'll just clean up a bit and finish up tomorrow." Yuuri finishes.
"Tsuna-kun, Kouga-kun, both of you and others should go and get some rest. Tomorrow's an important day, right?" Kyoko asks.
"DO your best, Tsuna-san!" Haru cheers.
"You too, Kouga-kun," Yuuri adds.
"Both of them look at each other and smile before stepping back.
"Thank you, Shizuki-san, Haru, Kyoko-chan," Tsuna tells them.
"Well then, good night," Kouga says.
"Good night." The girls reply and the two go out of the kitchen and walk down the hallway a bit where they meet up with Gokudera, Yamamoto, and Ruki.
"Ruki and I put Lambo and I-Pin to bed," Yamamoto tells them.
"Both of them are completely asleep," Ruki adds.
"Thanks. Well then, it's about time we do the same." Tsuna decides.
"Yeah. Plenty to eat and then plenty to sleep." The Rain Guardian agrees.
"After all, tomorrow is the day," Kouga adds.
"It's about time, Juudaime," Gokudera says and Tsuna nods.
"I can't really word it well, but, I'm counting on you, Gokudera-kun, Yamamoto, Ruki-chan, Kouga-san!"
"Just leave it to us!" Yamamoto says giving the brunette a thumbs up.
"Let's go finish this in an instant and return to our Namimori!" Gokudera exclaims.
"Let's do this, Tsuna," Kouga tells him.
"Yeah." Tsuna nods.
~Later~
Kouga is sitting on his bed looking over the things he received during the meeting for the operation and remembers Giannini's words.
"I'll explain the equipment I've given you for the attack on the enemy base. First, the Vongola Rings." He begins to recall back to the meeting room with him, his sister, Tsuna, Gokudera, Yamamoto, and Reborn along with the adult Ryouhei, Kusakabe, Bianchi and Lal, and Giannini who is standing in front of the large screen that shows Tsuna's ring with a clear cover over the Vongola emblem. "I've put a special cover on them so that they won't be detected by the enemy. I called it the Auto-Mammon Chain Ring Cover. It is a long name, I know. Basically, when you're not using your ring, the cover will automatically close and seal its power."
"Wow, that's great." Yamamoto cheers with him and the past Vongola members look at their rings that have the cover.
"So we won't have to wrap and unwrap the Mammon Chain every single time." Gokudera summarizes.
"A sneak attack's also a race against time. It's very useful to be able to avoid wasting precious seconds." Lal comments.
"You're welcome. Next, please put on the radios in front of you." Giannini asks and everyone who is participating puts on their radios. Tsuna's has the shape of white headphones with a red 27 on the side as everyone else's are black radios. "They're hands-free, so you'll be able to communicate with one another even in battle." The screen then shows the radios with different number frequencies before everyone begins to match the same number of 112. "With just a single touch, you can change the frequency being used by both parties, so there's no worry about being overheard by the enemy. It will automatically match frequencies, so you should be able to hear each other's voices clearly."
"Juudaime, can you hear me?" Gokudera asks through the radio with Tsuna holding the mic that is attached to his headphones.
"Yeah, loud and-"
"Extreme test!" Ryouhei shouts through the radio and the room, causing everyone to cover their ears with Giannini collapsing on the ground and Gokudera on the table. "Well? Could you hear me too?"
However, the bomber slams his fist on the table and glares palely at the adult boxer. "Way too loud, idiot!"
"My ears hurt…" Yamamoto groans.
"Actually, if your voice is that loud, there's no point in using the radio." Tsuna points out.
As everyone recovers from the radio test, Reborn gets on the table and walks up to where a bundle of clothes is. "I have one more present for you. A shirt made from threads created by Leon's body that are resistant to Dying Will Flames."
"Leon?"
"Like that time during the Ring Conflict?" Kouga asks.
"Yeah, though he's in rough shape after making enough for all of you."
"The said chameleon comes out of hiding to show his very skinny self to everyone.
"Thank you, Leon," Tsuna tells him, causing Leon to blink and move his tail.
"Now you're all set. The rest, Tsuna, is up to you guys."
"Onii-sama?" Kouga looks away from the new items and down to see Ruki is still up. "Is everything okay?"
"Don't worry, Ruki. I was just remembering what happened earlier. Now let's hurry and sleep for tomorrow."
Ruki smiles at her brother. "Good night, onii-sama."
"You too."
"Both siblings lie on their bed and sleep through the night until they hear something scratching.
"What is this sound?" Kouga questions.
"I don't know," Ruki replies and both of them come out of their room to see Tsuna and Yamamoto out of their rooms.
"Did both of you hear that?" Kouga asks the two.
"You guys too?" Yamamoto asks the siblings.
"Yes," Ruki answers.
"What is it?" Tsuna asks as they look around the hallway. "Where did it come from?"
"I think it's that." Reborn points in a direction to see Hibari walking to them holding something.
"It was so tired and out of it, it entered my room," Hibari says.
"Hibari-san! And Gokudera-kun's cat?" Tsuna exclaims seeing the future perfect is holding the storm cat as it scratches on the wall trying to not go back to its master.
"Wha—! I thought it was back in its box! What are you doing, Uri?" Gokudera shouts at his Box Animal, Uri.
"Uri?"
"Yeah. That's his name, Uri."
"What kind of name is that?" Kouga questions.
"Uri!" The bomber calls out to it, but the storm cat immediately scratches his face. "Stop it, Uri!"
"It still isn't used to him…" Tsuna sweat drops with blue lines and Kouga nods in agreement.
"Hey, you all right?" Yamamoto asks.
"G-Gokudera-kun!"
"Why couldn't Uri get used to you?" Kouga questions.
"That's right, Gokudera-san." Ruki agrees.
"Nights should be quiet," Hibari states, causing the five to flinch and look at him. "You know what happens when you disturb things, right?" He questions brandishing his tonfa at them.
This causes them to pale and panic inside.
"Hey./You…/ Calm down./That's right./I'm sorry."
The future perfect then yawns with his hand covering it and turns back around. "I'm sleepy. Next time."
"W-wait, Hibari. Th-thanks. I'll pay you back sometime." Gokudera tells him.
"I'll wait, but I don't expect much, Gokudera Hayato."
"'Don't expect much'?" Gokudera repeats angrily with his veins popping on his head.
"Hey, Hibari-san!" Tsuna calls out. "Tomorrow… Let's do our best together."
"No." Hibari declines and walks away. "I'd rather die than join you, or even fight with you. 'Cause I'm strong. Night."
"See ya."
"N-night…" Reborn and Yamamoto reply.
"What a jerk," Gokudera grumbles.
"Good night." Tsuna and Kouga also reply.
"Have a good night," Ruki adds.
"Hibari never changes no matter how many years pass, huh?" Yamamoto points out after he chuckles.
"To be honest, I expected that kind of answer from him," Kouga states.
"Let's go back to bed," Reborn tells them.
"I'm terribly sorry for the trouble." Gokudera bows apologetically at Tsuna.
"I-it's fine. Gokudera-kun." Tsuna tells his Storm Guardian.
"No. Any trouble he causes is my fault for not raising-" Uri goes back scratching Gokudera again, interrupting what he is about to finish.
"Okay, see you in the morning," Yamamoto tells them and goes back to his room.
"Get to bed already," Reborn adds, also going back to his room.
"Good night, everyone." Ruki greets.
"Let's do our best tomorrow, Tsuna," Kouga tells him before he and his sister go back to their room.
"Yeah, good night," Tsuna replies and pushes the bomber back to their room. "You too, Gokudera-kun…"
"I'm sorry…"
After finally putting Uri back in its box, they all go back to sleep once more for a few more hours until- *BOOM!-!*