{Vongola base, Japan}

Koro stood in silence. His purple orbs scanned the rubbles around him in calm contemplation before settling on Squalo's left forearm. His nose scrunched up in disgust as he made his way closer to the rain's limb, the sword still tied to the cut off member.

Koro's gaze flickered to his hands for a second, checking if he wore his usual black leather gloves before he tentatively extended his right arm to the lone limb.

Silently taking the sword out of the ground, he walked closer to his ex-rain counterpart. Crouching down next to the listless silver head, he laid the sword (and hand) on their right.

His left hand reached to the older man's neck, feeling his pulse to check if he was still alive before breathing a sigh in mild relief.

Squalo was breathing. He is alive. A small simper made its way to Koro's face as he felt his tense body relax at the realization. It disappeared as soon as it came, being replaced by a perfect poker face, Koro took his phone out.

A small payphone which had for particularity to only be utilizable once before needing a recharge. Flipping it open, Koro dialed an international number on reflex, not even glancing to check if the contact-info was correct he went back to giving Squalo his whole attention.

Koro scanned the ruins around him, a map the Decimo showed him once coming to mind as he tried to put the pieces together and understand where he was within the now destroyed base.

Comparing what he saw was left of the infrastructure from the sky, and where he currently was, he managed to approximately guess where the infirmary should be. Slowly taking hold of Squalo's body bridal style, Koro let his cloud infused hand get in contact with Squalo's severed arm.

The cut of hand laying on top of Squalo's unmoving body as Koro held the flip phone in the crook of his neck, waiting for his contact to answer.

::

The infirmary was, to say the least, unorganized. Files and medical furniture laid on the floor, the bed sheets looking no better. Some were torned while others looked wrinkled or stained in blood.

From the sight of it, Koro understood the teens and their comrades had better things to do the week before the choice game. It only showed how invested they were. The thought brought a genuine smile to Koro's face.

Laying Squalo on the cleanest looking bed, Koro contemplated the idea of Zakuro's arrival creating rumbles and therefore making fall most of the furniture. It only proved how strong the redhead could be if he wanted to, the idea brought a frown to Koro's features.

Putting his still in-waiting flip phone on one of the low tables, Koro searched for some bandages and antiseptic. Although he wasn't Lussuria, Ryohey or Daisy for all it mattered, him not being a sun didn't mean he could provide others with "basic" first aid. Well, as "basic" as an assassin's first aid was.

Bottle of antiseptic in one hand, cotton, and bandages in the other Koro went back to Squalo's side. First taking the Varia coat off, all the while stealing glances at his still beeping phone a small frown on his face.

Sighing, Koro started to clean the arm with one hand, the other infusing Squalo's severed limb with cloud flames to keep the cells going and dividing themselves.

::

Click

"Yes hello, Varia delivery speaking!" A cheerful voice came from the small phone on the counter. Koro who had just finished cleaning the arm and severed hand snapped his head in its direction. "How may our service be of use to you? Are you perhaps admitting your adultery to us?"

Koro dismissed the questions, his right hand grabbing the phone before placing it in the crook of his neck, the speaker near his ear as he answered the cheery voice with as much fake cheerfulness as he could muster. At the moment, it was nonexistent.

"Luss," came Koro's voice, no warmness whatsoever in his tone as he went straight to business. "I need you there, right now," he stated seriously, his hands working on maintaining Squalo's cells alive in his severed hand while the other was applying antiseptic to the severed sections.

"My, my, Yucca-chan. I didn't know you swung that way darling." Lussuria answered chuckling. "I'm sorry, but you're not my type honey. Try bodybuilding and we'll talk about it later yeah?"

Koro sighed, his face damped in sweat as he worked his hardest to keep Squalo's member from rooting and the shark from dying on him. "Luss, I'm not joking," he said sternly.

"I'm not either, Yucca-chan."

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Koro's voice went an octave lower. "Luss, ou- your vice-commander is trying to die on me. Why would I call you otherwise?"

There was no answer. Koro didn't take any note of it, going back to nursing Squalo as best as he could he waited for Lussuria's brain (and maybe the whole Vaira who was probably eavesdropping) to process the information.

"Haha, very funny Yucca," Lussuria answered wryly, the usual -chan dropping as stress started to build up within the green-haired sun guardian. An awkward silence settled on the line as neither Koro nor Lussuria said another word.

Finally, from where he stood, Koro heard muffled whispers, nervous laughter all of these mixed in some shouts. He didn't say anything as a much rougher voice called him out."Trash," Koro didn't have to think twice to know who it was.

"Boss," he whispered back, almost inaudibly, a bit destabilized by the voice of his "previous" Boss. Although, from the low hum he received he guessed the scarred male received his greeting.

"The Scum is dead?" Xanxus shot impassively, not troubled it seemed by the news.

"Ah," Koro collected himself, clearing his throat he answered. "He isn't, not yet at least," his eyes went to Squalo's pale face before continuing. "He fought against Zakuro," Koro didn't delve in who Zakuro was, assuming the Varia already knew. "To allow the kids and Yuni to escape. He lost his left hand. Zakuro severed it before I could intervene. I picked him up when he was laying on the floor before Zakuro executed him."

"Where are you?"

A light smile came Koro's face as he answered his Varia's boss in a much softer tone. Although it still held as much intimidation and power as before, those who knew the purple-eyed male knew he was relieved by the answer he received.

"We are in the Vongola's underground base. I shouldn't stay for long. I'll probably be out by the time you make it. Squalo should be awake," I hope, went unsaid.

"Hn."

They hung up.

::

{???, Italy}

Xanxus stared at the phone in his hand silently, wearing his perfect poker face he mused over the newly received information. Around him, the guardians waited with batted breath for their Boss' next words.

"So... Which one of you trashes is taking up the scum's job as our main strategist?" he muttered.

Chaos ensued as the Varia fought for the new post and promotion.

::

{Hotel room, Japan}

"Where were you," Purple eyes met each other, a still silence settling between the two adults before the youngest one broke into a smile. "Yucca-nii-chan," he called out in a sing-song voice.

Yucca answered with a smile of his as he strode toward the younger male who laid on a couch comfortably. Engulfing his younger brother in a hug, Yucca buried his nose in his brother's white locks, inhaling his scent.

"So?" Byakuran spoke up, waiting for the older's answer.

"I went around Namimori," he admitted tiredly. "Visited the neighboorhood, it's been a long time since I last was there."

Byakuran hummed, leaning into the older male's embrace.

"I caught a glimpse of the Vongola too," he muttered, making the white head perk up slightly. Sensing his brother's reaction a satisfied grin settled on Yucca's features. "You're such a good boy, Ran-chan," he coaxed gently brushing his brother's white locks. "Letting your prey time to breath and hope before crushing them."

Byakuran chuckled, neither denying nor agreeing to the statement as he waited for his brother to conclude.

"I'm going to fall for you, Ran-chan," he muttered lovingly.

"Sure, then you won't ever leave me again, nii-chan!" Ran answered cheekily.

A peaceful silence settled between them. None spoke, only basking in the feeling of each other.

::

"Say, Ran-chan?" Yucca tentatively called out, his brother still laying in his embrace. "How come the wreaths aren't back yet, do you think they got lost?"

Ran hummed, snuggling into his brother's warmth he kept his napping posture as he answered. "I sent them away," a yawn escaped his lips. "To pick up Ghost."

Yucca's fingers which combed Byakuran's white locks momentarily came to a halt as he tilted his head to the side childishly. A questioning hum slipped through his lips as he went back to his stroking gesture.

"Ghost..." he whispered, testing the way the name rolled off his tongue. "As in, Yurei?" he wondered aloud. "Ah, Yurei-chan is it then, right?"

Byakuran nodded. "Right," he muttered, his voice muffled by the older male's shirt.

A satisfied smile crept up Yucca's face, replacing his previously peaceful expression as he went back to spoiling his brother.

But Ghost, how come a sense of familiarity emerged from deep within himself when he thought of this unknown guardian?

Yucca dismissed the thoughts, refocusing his whole attention on his brother. After all, in the entire world and universe, to Yucca, nothing was more important than his dear Ran-chan.

::

A chuckle escaped Byakuran's lips as he listened to his subordinates' words. The lemonade's ice cubes tinted against the glass. "So, Mukuro managed to get out of the Vindice in Ghost's stead is what you are telling me?" Byakuran repeated lowly, the smile never leaving his lips.

"I'll make another deal with the Vindice," He stated before tightening his grip on his lemonade drink. In an instant, the glass shattered. "Get Ghost out of here!" he ordered, letting his frustration slip out.

Muffled cries of agreement came through the speaker before the communication was cut off. Byakuran slumped onto his couch, waving his hand dismissively at the maid who tried to hand him another lemonade. The mess of the previously broken glass already washed away by the same maid.

"Bring me some of this 'La Mauny' rum instead," he ordered, his hand extended as he waited for the maidservant to bring him the ambered colored alcohol.

Not a second later, the drink rested in his hand. Gently, the liquid swayed from one side of the glass to another, the two ice cubes producing light tinting sound as they met each other.

Byakuran took a sip of the alcohol, savoring the flavor before he started to dial a new number. "Leave," he ordered.

In the now silent room, alone, Byakuran waited for his call to be answered.

Oh, how much pleasure he would take making those Vogola pests cry and suffer for making it all so complicated. He didn't want to go to such length, only make small Yuni regret her choice. But now, now he was going to crush them.

Physically and mentally.

As for Yuni, even broken he would find a way to fix her. He still had some time, once she was in his possession making her bend to his will wouldn't be a problem. Only a negligible waste of time.

But when the world is in within your reach, waiting a second or two wouldn't kill him. After all, compared to the time he took to conquer every dimension, this was nothing.

::

Koro sat at his desk, his daggers out as he religiously polished each one of them until he could see his reflection.

Yucca's exchange with Byakuran replayed in his mind as he tried to decipher who specifically this Ghost person was. Who they were to gain access to the lightning mare ring as one of Byakuran's funeral wreaths, and why or how did they manage to get the Vindice's attention and be taken in by their group.

It was most troubling, the fact that he never heard of the lightning guardian. Nor he nor Yucca had ever learned about him, only unlikely rumors here and there, but nothing tangible enough to satiate their- no, his thirst for knowledge about the unknown.

Yucca's only focus was his brother, only Koro cared about learning what surrounded them. Maybe Yucca would one day become more conscious of his surrounding. Koro wished he could see this day come. In a way, Yucca was similar and different from his former students. He only hoped for the best for him.

::

{???, ???}

In the vast landscape, Koro found himself fluttering his eyes open. When was it, the last time he came to this place?

His pitch black orbs scanned his surrounding before resting on a crouching figure not far from him. He stood up, walking closer to the white head who hugged his knees and kept his eyes closed in, Koro guessed, mild denial.

"Yucca," he whispered, extending his hand to the teen. "Come on. We already went through this."

Yucca blinked his purples eyes open before childishly glaring at Koro and huffing, his head snapping to the left as he refused to meet Koro's piercing gaze.

Koro sighed before forcefully grabbing the younger male's arm and pulling him up, so the two of them were now standing.

Yucca didn't protest, sending Koro a reproachful stare he pouted slightly before shaking his head. "I don't wanna! I don't like him Koro-chan! He hurt Ran-chan!" he whined, throwing a small tantrum which Koro ignored.

"Kufufufufu, if it makes you feel better, I don't like you too, Yucca-kun."

::

"...Well, it's easy, you only have to deny his existence, Koro-kun," Mukuro explained, leaning on his seat.

Koro frowned, to deny his existence?

Perhaps sensing his confused mind, the illusionist smirked. "Kufufu, well you aren't as well versed in the domain as me I guess," he mused. "Since you created him out of guilt and conviced yourself of his existence, you only need to stop believing," he explained.

"Easy, right?" 

Dun dun dun, Ghost is coming! And the final battle is approaching!

Also, Koro and Mukuro's conversation plays an important role in the ending, just so you know.

Thanks for reading, until next time^^