{???, ???}

"They don't belong there," the white-haired male pouted, purple eyes staring into his companion's black ones. "Not sending them back was a mistake." He paused before shaking his head, "No, allowing them to come in the first place was an error." He declared, unusually serious.

"Then what about me? Us?" the raven head retorted, a challenging glint in his eyes. "You too, don't you think we should be dead?"

Yucca paused, lips pursed he let a frown adorn his features at his counterpart's remark. "Altering the future comes with a cost," he said, ignoring the previous question. "I may see its course when I get closer to my end, but to grasp it fully requires more time. Even Ran-chan has problems doing so."

Koro looked at the younger male unimpressed. "I lived without knowing it my whole former life. It doesn't matter."

Yucca didn't answer, his lips forming a tight line as he glared at the other.

"Even without those, we can survive." Koro reassured, "How many time do you think we escaped death's clutches?"

Yucca sighed as he let a small smile form on his face.

::

{Millefiore main base, ???}

Sitting up from his laying position, Yucca stretched. A small yawn escaping his lips as his half-lidded purple eyes scanned his room. Blinking a few more time to chase the sleepiness out of his system, Yucca pulled his cover aside and got out of his bed.

Making his way to his dresser, he pulled out his custom-made white spell uniform. Embroidered on his chest, next to the white spell crest was a small yucca flower made out of creamy white threads. Discreet, Yucca had added it after his younger brother's request, to make it more unique, or so he had said.

Gently rubbing the flower with his forefinger, he combed his hair before exiting his sleeping quarters.

A bit less than two weeks passed since their encounter with the young Vongola. Since then, nothing happened. Although Yucca guessed something was brewing behind the scenes, this on both the Millefiore's and Vongola's side. It was the calm before the storm as they said.

Walking down the immaculate hall with confident strides, Yucca cheerfully beamed to those who greeted him, nodding his head in acknowledgment.

Finally reaching his destination, Yucca allowed himself to stop in front of a particularly imposing and well-guarded door, letting his eyes trail on the hibiscus engraved design he sent a grin the guards' direction before pushing the door open, not bothering to knock. He allowed himself to apply more force than usual as he unlocked the door. His hands coated themselves into an orange light as he forced it open.

Ran had requested to see him the previous day. It wasn't a simple barrier that would stop him. Especially not one that specialized against body hoping. Although, he had to question why such a field was, created. Dismissing the issue, he entered. It was a problem for the future him, no use dwelling over it.

"Ran-" he called out before stopping midsentence at the scene in front of him.

On the usually spotless floor were splatters of blood, the furniture was more or less in place as glass shards adorned the whole office.

Scanning the room in mild surprise, Yucca's eyes, momentarily settled on Rokudo Mukuro's figure. The illusionist's heterochromatic eyes met Yucca's purple ones for a second, smirking for a split second the Vongola's mist guardian disappeared.

Not moving an inch, Yucca's purple irises flickered to Byakuran's face who was glaring at the spot Mukuro was.

"Ran-chan," Yucca called out once again, voice softer as he made his way to his little brother. "Tell me, what happened?" he tried to coax.

Byakuran snapped his head in his brother's direction, his purple eyes glaring at him as a small pout adorned his face.

"You just ruined my fun, nii-chan," he whined childishly. "And I was so close to ending this game too," he added, a regretful expression adorning his face. Although looking at him, Yucca couldn't help but notice the blissful glint in Ran's eyes as he envisioned the idea of killing the Vongola's half mist.

"Is that so?" Yucca questioned, an amused smile on his face as gently cradled his brother. Gently rubbing his hair, he dragged him to the sofa where he sat after discarding the glass shards. "I'll make it up to you, okay?" he coaxed as he squeezed the younger male into a hug.

Letting himself get pampered by his brother, Byakuran hummed, small purrs escaping his lips as his brother's fingers combed through his white locks. "You better, Yucca-nii," he agreed with a smile. "Because of you one of my toys escaped," he added in a whisper.

Eyes closed in contemplation, Yucca hummed. "Don't worry. I'll find you a new one," he reassured absentmindedly.

"Good," Ran answered with a smile. "Yucca-nii-chan is the best!"

::

{Vongola base, Japan}

"If you die, we'll be in trouble," the cloud guardian had muttered before carrying Chrome to another room.

Few minutes prior, Chrome's condition had worsened. Erupting into a coughing fit, the young illusionist felt herself coughing blood before fainting once more.

The reason behind her coughing fit? Her organs disappeared, or more so their illusions vanished from her system. Only one conclusion came to the Vongola's minds, Mukuro had lost. Why? How? They didn't know, but given their current situation, they had to act quick.

Taking their time wasn't allowed anymore, what happened only confirmed the hypothesis. From now on things would surely get worse.

Full of resolve, Tsunayoshi made his way out of the room. A beautiful orange flame shone on his forehead he turned to face the others.

"We only have five days left. Don't waste even a moment of it," the young boss ordered, brown eyes shining with determination.

"Of course."

"Yes, sir!"

In five days, they would launch their attack on the Melone base.

::

{Millefiore main base, ???}

Standing in the training ground, soft pants escaped Yucca's lips, sweat beaded on his forehead as his eyes remained solely focused on the white haired's face.

Byakuran who stood on the opposite side of the field settled his breathing pace. A feral grin adorned his face, as a spark of whitish orange flashed through his purple orbs.

"Let's use them," he whispered somewhat excitedly. "The flames, it'll be funnier."

Straightening, Yucca's smile didn't falter. "Go ahead. We'll take you on." He challenged, a spark of orange flashing through his eyes before melting in a dark purple shade and going back to its usual violet color.

"I'll kill you," Byakuran muttered under his breath before charging at the raven head.

Koro smiled before taking daggers out of his cuffs and engulfing them in purple flames. 

Purple and orange flamed clashed against each other.

The cloud and sky would go at it for a moment before the purple flame melted into another shade of orange, making the raven head's attack pattern change accordingly.

Relentlessly clashing against one another, the two adults went at it for a few minutes before the gap in strength started to show up. Slowly being pushed back, the raven head hardened his resolve.

His orange flame ignited itself once more. "As expected of Ran-chan," he muttered before gripping his daggers tighter.

"That's right, come at me, come at me!" Byakuran cried joyfully, a crazed smile on his face as he charged at his brother for another brawl.

Not calling out for their box weapons or "secret arts," the two men fought. Gleefully enjoying the feeling of the battlefield, although they had to admit, compared to the real thing their fight was severely lacking.

::

"It's my win!" Byakuran chirped happily, as he straddled the older male's waist. He held a knife to the raven head's neck while the other held their gloved hands in place.

"Byakuran-sama!" A voice called out from the field's entrance. "Your office has been, repaired," he announced voice clear as he waited for his superior's instructions.

Humming Byakuran stood up before dusting off the non-existent dust from his suit. "I see, you can take your leave."

Voicing his agreement and bowing once more, the white spell member made his way out of the training ground.

"Hmmm... I should probably call Sho-chan," Byakuran mused as he stretched a bit. The knife from before dangling at his fingers' end he gently put the blade down on the weapons stall before turning to face his brother. "What do you think?" he asked the smile never leaving his face.

"You should take a shower," came Koro's flat reply.

::

"Byakuran-sama!" came Shoichi's worried voice through the screen.

The reason for his worry calmly sat on a couch, munching on his marshmallows without a care in the world, Byakuran calmly related his fight with his ex-assistant or Rokudo Mukuro.

Gulping his sweets down, he laid his thoughts on the case to Shoichi.

"...Since Mukuro managed to send them information about that, they will be coming after you no matter the cost," he hummed purple eyes lazily staring down on Irie's figure.

As Irie didn't answer, Byakuran continued, "I was thinking about sending Yucca to you," he stated. "I'm pretty sure the two of you got along pretty well last time right?"

Shoichi slightly tensed up at the raven's name. "Sending me your cloud?" he muttered. "You are too kind, Byakuran-sama," he stated before pushing his glasses up his nose's bridge.

"But I don't need reinforcement," he declared confidently "I will handle this, personally. I will engage them directly and take possession of the Vongola rings," he affirmed, his gaze unwavering as he stared into Byakuran's purple orbs.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Sho-chan."

With one last closed-eyes smile, Byakuran cut the communication off. Leaning back in his comfortable couch, he gobbled up a marshmallow before letting his head fall back, an eager laugh escaping his lips.

"I can't wait, I can't wait..." he whispered excitedly, a Cheshire like grin adorning his lips as his thoughts drifted back to Shoichi's bold declaration earlier.

::

A few days later.

"Say, Yucca-nii-chan, would you come with me to greet Sho-chan later on?" Byakuran asked, laying on his brother's lap as he carefully played with their raven locks.

"Later..." he murmured deep in thought, "I guess I could. Does he need something?"

At the question, Byakuran's smile stretched, turning somewhat more sinister he chuckled. "Nope, I only want to make him a surprise!"

"Then we'll come by again later on."

Humming, Byakuran allowed himself to relax a bit before going back to check on his real guardians.

::

{???, ???}

"Koro-chan," the white head called out from his spot, "what do you think Ran-chan is planning?" he inquired, head tilted to the side.

The raven's eyes narrowed. "Last time we went to the Melone base, Irie was... restless," Koro pondered. "It would be more no surprise for him to betray Ran."

"Now that you mention it, that's true," Yucca murmured in realization.

"Ran is... clever," Koro admitted. "He must have known or guessed as much."

"Then, Koro-chan, do you think he guessed about us too?" Yucca asked dumbly, his purple orbs entirely clueless, on the matter.

"I've been wondering about that too," he admitted. "I wouldn't be surprised if he did, and I'm sure he's suspicious of me, at least. But I don't think he is a hundred percent sure either." he mused.

"It's as if he couldn't see through us, as if his vision was blurry and he couldn't see all of our future. He seems rather unsure every time it concerns us."

"I suppose it's better this way, anyway. Don't you think so too?"

Yucca nodded. "Guess so," he muttered. "Anyway, do you think Bel-chan liked our gift?"

::

{Millefiore main base, ???}

Getting out of the shower, Koro gently dried his hair. His purple eyes stared into the mirror for a few seconds as he let his gaze flicker to his raven locks.

Should I dye them? He wondered, thoughts drifting back to their conversation with Ran before he shook his head in denial.

He should get ready to join Ran, he asked for their presence earlier in the morning, standing him up wouldn't do. Putting on one of his spare black outfits, he went to the meeting room.

Not bothering to knock, he met with the sight of Byakuran's guardians. Sending a nod and quiet smile in their direction, he turned to face the monitor Byakuran was facing.

"They are the true Millefiore Family's guardians," Byakuran stated. "The real six funeral wreaths."

So it's that time already, looking around the room, Koro could feel the adrenaline in the guardians' veins pumping. They couldn't wait to fight for their boss it seemed.

As Byakuran told them about his plan regarding the choice battle, Koro neared the communicator. The teens must have seen him since their eyes widened in mild surprise and denial.

Koro could see it, the tint of betrayal in their gaze. He didn't take note of it and only smiled before letting his grin drop at the sigh of the arcobanelo. A flash of guilt went through his eyes before disappearing as he turned to face Byakuran. He didn't like it, remembering this mission with the Arcobanelos.

"Ran," he called out, gaining the male's attention, who only hummed. "Don't play around too much. Preparations aren't going to take care of themselves alone," he reminded.

As his gaze flickered to the purple-eyed male, a flash of disdain passed through Byakuran's violet orbs before vanishing. "Hmmm, you're right." he agreed the grin never leaving his tattooed face. "I suppose we'll see you later in ten days!" he said playfully before ending the communication.

"Now," Byakuran said, voice serious as he turned to face his guardians. "Should we get ready?"

Thus, the Melone Base invasion was skipped. This chapter was a bit unorganized I think. It isn't impossible for it to be a bit changed one day. One day.

Next chapter will revolve around the choice arc!

Thanks for reading, until next time^^