High school came with new challenges. Don't get me wrong, school was the easy part. The hard part was becoming stronger as a group. Romario was still dead set on the fact that I was our fighting strength. He was not getting any stronger in my eyes. According to Reborn, he was getting stronger in proportion to the famiglia but I was unable to notice because I was growing abnormally fast.

What a bunch of bullshit.

Koge and Alpha were both devoted to serving me and life was getting boring. Sitting in class, I stared at the board without a single complacent thought. I hadn't forgotten my goal. I wanted to be the strongest. I came here to fight and prove my strength.

Recently, the Cavallone Family had jumped to being in the top ten of Italy's mafia families. Although, the number ten spot meant we were barely in there. We still had a long way to go if we wanted to become number one but Dino was now saying complacent things like "top ten is fine" or "don't worry about getting to number one, we don't need it."

I sighed. Dino was not the type of man to desire a number one position. He wanted to protect this family and nothing more. We got to the top ten and now, our enemies were numerous but cowardly. No one dared to step in Dino's path when we arrived at mafia events. But it wasn't enough for me.

After school, I did my daily routine…

My mundane daily routine was suddenly less mundane. My eyes widened as I spotted a familiar figure in the halls-Superbi Squalo.

At the same time, he spotted me. He looked a lot different than when we first met. His hair was getting long and his eyes no longer carried the same fire of an undefeated warlord. He was now… someone who had tasted defeat. His glare was now twice as fearsome and the killer's aura leaking from him made people walk around him.

But why was he here? I was ordered to stay away from him because he was being punished for some sort of crime. He was removed from school for the last year and a half so why was he here now? Was he allowed to come back?

"You…" I called as he approached me. I suddenly realized how odd it was for him to be here. I should be on guard, "What are you doing here?"

He sneered and brushed past me without looking back.

Stunned, I watched him go in silence. Something had clearly hardened Squalo and he wasn't over it. My mouth suddenly felt dry. He had invited me to go fight with him. Whatever had humbled him, I could've had a chance to fight that enormous power too.

Why didn't I go with him…? I should've gone with him. If I had gone, I might've been so much stronger. So why didn't I go with him?

"Kira!" Dino called, drawing my attention away from Squalo, "Hey, let's go. We've got to be dressed for tonight. We're finally participating in a high scale mission with the Vongola Guardians. This kind of chance doesn't come around every day."

"I know." I murmured, "I'm surprised they even asked us. We're so far beneath them it's not even funny."

"We've got you!" He was grinning like the goofy kid he is, "You even the odds for us."

"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes at him when he gave me the cheesiest thumbs up, "At the very least, let's learn something from them."

At the gates, Koge held the door for our limo and grinned, "Big day, huh?"

"You're coming with us." I snorted at him when he feigned horror, "We can't operate without you."

"It's my honor."

Returning to the Cavallone estate, no one bothered to disturb us. Dino and I got dressed and reacquainted ourselves at the doorway. I gave him a once over. His messy hair didn't match the fancy suit but he was much bigger now than I remember him. His suit seemed to outline his growing figure nicely.

"Wow." He smiled at me shyly when we made eye contact, "You… Uhh… You look great."

"It's uncomfortable and doesn't suit me." I grumbled, glancing away for a moment to keep from turning colors, "It.. Uhh…"

Honestly, it looked better on him but when he stared at me with those expectant eyes, I couldn't really say it out loud.

He looked pretty disappointed when I turned and continued on my way without looking back. Damn kicked puppy look.

We continued to the agreed location in silence. The Vongola Family was running this operation and we were ultimately just there for backup. Despite what I had said to Dino and Koge, I knew I could match up. If Xanxus and Squalo were the best their famiglia had to offer… No, there was someone who defeated Xanxus and Squalo. I'm sure it was a close match though, right?

Arriving at the designated location, I realized something extremely important. Reborn was with the Vongola Family. We were here on Reborn's call.

I cut Romario off when he tried to take Dino's side, "Alpha and I will flank Dino today. You and Koge can wait in the car."

Romario shrugged, "Sure. Meet Reborn-san in the lobby first. He'll lead you guys up."

Dino didn't miss the sour look on my face as Romario turned and retreated exactly as ordered. He was about to call me out on it but he saw me reach for my headset and he blinked his eyes ten times in confusion before realizing I really was wearing an earpiece.

"Koge? Can you hear me?" I muttered, the crackling of my in-ear was only there for one moment, "Alpha and I are ready."

"I've got heat sensors on the entire building, boss. There's quite a few people already inside." Koge's voice was monotone as usual. Missions were a time to be calm and when Koge was behind the monitor, there was no one else more reliable, "Alpha, do you hear my voice?"

"Yes."

Dino elbowed me-hard, "What gives? Where's mine?"

I shoved him back into place and gave him a shove towards the building, "You don't get one and neither does Romario."

"What the-?! Why?" He looked genuinely offended, "You don't trust me?"

"Your poker face needs work." I grumbled, "Look at you. If you get potentially terrifying information from outside while we're in there, you're going to look like a fool. We don't want that. And Romario knows. He told me it would be better this way too."

I'm as disturbed as Dino. Honestly, Romario was trying to protect Dino in all the wrong ways. Romario should've been angry when I removed him from Dino's side. He was Dino's right-hand man and yet, he refused to own up to his responsibilities. Romario is weak and he is content with being weak.

Entering the lobby, Reborn's eyes narrowed. His eyes swept us over twice and he sneered, "Left Romario and Koge behind, did you?"

"Koge is here." I grumbled, almost smiling at the thanks Koge muttered into the in-ear system, "Romario is in the car. Oblivious as usual."

"Well this family isn't your responsibility." Reborn shushed Dino when he tried to protest, "I haven't asked you yet but are you loyal to the Cavallone Family or are you loyal to Dino?"

I hesitated. I came to Italy chasing strength. In fact, I came to Italy chasing Reborn's strength. I was only with Dino's family as… a gateway. They had brought me here and offered me a place to stay so I worked for them.

"I suppose I was loyal to Domenico's kindness and in turn, I'm here to return Dino's kindness." I worked for my right to stay with them and nothing more, "I'm not loyal to their family as a whole and that seems good enough for now."

"You're not going to be a child forever, Hibari Kira." Using my full name, Reborn's tone sent chills down my spine, "If you won't be loyal to the Cavallone Family, then where do your loyalties lie? You should do everything with your dying will. If you were going to die tomorrow, where would you be standing now?"

It's true. I'm in high school. In a few more short years, I'll be an adult and then what? I'll still be with Dino to repay my debt? No, I worked until now so I could stay out of debt. I have no debt to repay and everyone knows it.

I glanced back at Dino and seeing the look on his face made me stop thinking. He was scared. Reborn's words made Dino doubt my unconditional existence. He thought I was going to walk away and never look back.

"I would still be here." I said, "I have no doubts. This is the highest scale mission I've ever been on and really, I came to Italy to test my strength. There are no better opportunities."

"Then I pray it stays that way for Dino's sake." He huffed and turned, gesturing to the door behind him, "Let's go. They're waiting for us."

There was no time for doubts so then why was Reborn mentioning this now? We were already here together and without Romario. Reborn was definitely trying to ruin us but… Why would he undo everything he's been training us for..? I can only assume he wasn't trying to ruin us but whatever his intention was meant that we were being played… AGAIN.

At twelve, I couldn't really see how manipulative Reborn was but I'm no longer twelve and even if I was blind I'm pretty sure I would be able to see the giant sign reading "manipulator" hanging around his neck. What's he getting at?

Joining the big name mafiosos, I noticed Squalo standing there too. I was baffled. Squalo seemed equally surprised to see us there too.

"Sq-Squalo?" Dino hissed nervously, "We can't compete with Squalo. Why were we invited? Are we the suicide squad?"

"Calm yourself." I growled, motioning for Alpha to put his body between Dino and his classmate, "You might not be strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Squalo but I am and I'm sure Alpha is too."

Timoteo smiled when we joined the table and he chuckled when I shoved Dino into the chair that was meant for him, "Welcome Don Cavallone. I do apologize for calling you on such short notice but I was looking for more manpower and Reborn recommended you."

Professionalism was a cloak that Dino only wore when he was sitting at these tables. He was getting really good at it.

"We don't have much to offer you but we brought our best." He told the old man, "We're grateful for this opportunity and we intend to try our best."

Koge's voice buzzed in my headset, "No abnormalities. The chance that this is a trap for us is pretty much zero at this point, boss."

I glanced warily at Alpha who nodded his agreement. Satisfied, I turned my focus to the briefing. We were gathered to make a large scale hit. We would be just one squad in a twelve squad attack against the current number two family. They were traitors to the Vongola Alliance and were being punished as such.

If this mission was successful, the Cavallone Family would move up to number nine. I had no doubts about our chances at success. The Vongola Family supplied ten attack forces. The current number three family was supplying just one force and the Cavallone Family was the last group.

Our location was a warehouse that seemed to thrive at night. Apparently, this is where the bodies of the Vongola Family members that were being secretly backstabbed ended up coming for disposal. Our job was to retrieve the corpses of the fallen alliance members and annihilate the traitors in the building.

At one point during preparations, we were loading up squads in the Vongola Family provided vehicles and I ended up coming face to face with Squalo again. I grimaced when he sneered at me. Clearly, he had some resentment. He was with a small squadron. I assumed they were his team but they regarded him as equals.

"Ara~" The flamboyant male beside him came to a halt with a gun in his hands. He spotted our awkward exchange and grinned, "Squ-chan, you have a girlfriend?"

"Piss off!" Squalo roared, spinning on his ally and then pausing when he saw the gun, "What? You're giving me a gun?"

"Heavens, no!" The unnamed mafioso tossed the gun over his shoulder and some of his lackeys scrambled to catch it, "Don Vongola tried to arm us all. I tried to refuse but he said it came with the car keys."

"Then what are you waiting for? Start the car!" He barked, sending the man skipping on his way. Literally skipping, "Feh."

I hummed, earning another glare, "Are you the Vongola Rain Guardian now?"

Squalo's eyes widened. The last time I saw him, he had declared, "The next time you see me, I'll be the official Vongola Rain Guardian."

That was a few years ago now.

Judging by his expression, the answer was no.

Alpha approached us and paused mid-breath when he saw me with Squalo. He snarled at Squalo and pulled me away, "Milady, we're ready to move out."

"Then let's move." I grumbled, turning to go.

"Kira!" Squalo called, hardly waiting for me to pause before saying, "Meet me on the roof tomorrow after school. Let's spar."

I didn't answer. I didn't have to. I knew he believed I would be there. I never walked away from a challenge and I would never walk away from sparring with Squalo. I was thrilled.

"Milady… That's Superbi Squalo." Alpha grumbled as if I didn't know, "I believe he's dangerous."

"And so am I." I said shortly, "Get in the car."

He couldn't protest any further. The warehouse hit was way too easy. We stormed in and we stormed out. As per our unspoken deal, Romario and Koge dealt with gathering the bodies of the fallen while Dino, Alpha, and I took care of the combat. It was way too easy.

And they meant for it to be easy. When we returned to report in, Reborn smirked knowingly and said, "Told you."

Timoteo then smiled and sighed in faux-distress, "Why did I bother to bet against you, old friend?"

They were treating us as if we were not their equals. They gave us the easy parts. While Dino and the rest of the Cavallone Family celebrated, I was fuming in silence. On our way out, I saw Squalo's squad returning. They had taken twice the amount of time and they came back with wounds, bruised and battered. They were a combat squad.

Squalo's bloodlust-glazed eyes landed on me and I felt the shudder ripple down my spine. He smirked at me briefly and I could almost hear the blood pumping adrenaline through his veins, "Come with us next time!"

I was thrilled at the invitation. I opened my mouth to accept but Dino was already pulling me away. Squalo didn't seem to care. He was bumping shoulders with his squad and heading into Timoteo's office to make his report which would definitely be more exciting than ours had been.

Dammit.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

I met Squalo on the rooftop for sparring as promised. We didn't talk but it felt like we had a whole conversation. Squalo was much stronger than our last session years ago. It was insane. I was not growing at the same speed. Today, Squalo was stronger than me without a doubt. Before, we were the same level.

I could feel the disappointment in his blade growing each time he swung and my frustration with myself only grew. My life was restraining me.

I returned to the Cavallone estate for training. I brutally beat down the members of the Cavallone Family's fighting force and only stopped when I realized I had Dino's skull under my foot. These guys were too weak.

No one was a challenge and they weren't growing. Frustrated, I stormed out. Feeling the cold of the night air stinging my skin, I took a deep breath and took a seat on the grass. Looking up at the night sky and counting the stars, I felt my chest squeeze. Why wasn't I getting stronger? How could I close the gap between us?

I felt Dino approaching me from behind. He made no sounds but I knew it was him. He was trying to gather the courage to speak.

I glanced back at him, "What is it?"

"That's my line." He sighed, taking a seat in the grass beside me, "You seemed more angry than usual."

"... I lost." I admitted, recognizing my defeat was not the problem. The problem was that I didn't understand how to correct it.

"To Squalo?" He chuckled, "That's not shameful at all, Kira. He's in another class altogether. How can you expect to compete with a monster like him?"

I was furious. Dino might not be the type to care about how strong he is but I do and he knows it.

"Do you know the name of Squalo's squadron?"

"... The Varia?" I didn't know much. All I knew about them is that they were an independent assassination squad under the Vongola Family.

"Yeah." Dino nodded, looking up at the stars before saying, "They're scary people, Kira. Squalo's the interim leader to a squad full of assassins that are so good they have their own compliment. Normal compliments like 'excellent' or 'super strong' don't do them justice so the whole mafia world dubbed their skill level 'Varia Quality.'"

Varia Quality. I think I've heard about it before during school. We go to a mafia school and Varia Quality is the highest compliment one can receive.

I guess he didn't think his words made me feel better cause he kept going.

"Did you see the guys he was with? They're all famous in our world."

The flamboyant boy is famous too? I couldn't believe my ears. I rolled my eyes at him in disbelief.

"Seriously! I'm serious!" He leaned in real close and whispered, "The guy with the colored hair and the sunglasses is Lussuria. They say he's the only one in that group to beat people to death. Everyone else uses weapons but not him! He's a master of muay thai."

"Hmm." I nodded, "He didn't look like much but … He was able to talk to Squalo like an equal."

"That's because they're basically equals!" Dino grinned, "Are you finally getting my point? Those guys are on a whole different level from us. Don't compare yourself to them."

"That doesn't make me feel any better, Dino." I elbowed him, "If he's Squalo's equal, I'm weaker than both of them and I can't accept that."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't come here to be weaker than them."

Dino sighed and gave up on convincing me that Varia Quality was impossible to achieve. He simply said, "Well take it easy on us cause the rest of us don't mind being weaker than Squalo."

And that's how it always has been. The Cavallone Family doesn't consider strength to be the most important and that's how it's always going to be. I pursed my lips and said no more.

I could no longer say I felt comfortable working with Dino or Romario. How could I trust them on the battlefield when I knew they weren't trying their best to arrive on the battlefield as my equals?