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Chapter Text

The Hibari family is a name known by every Namimori citizen: protectors, enforcers of discipline, the strongest. This was a fact hammered in her since young. Hibari Kana, eldest daughter of the Hibari family, next-in-line to inherit the clan from her father. 

While the clan has made waves in Japan, its roots remain in their motherland in China and as such, Kana had been travelling to and fro the two countries ever since Kyoya has been born. Her little brother, born seven years after her, but is hers to protect. From the moment she laid eyes on Kyoya, she knew then and there and no matter what happened, she will always be his nee-san, protecting him–his freedom, his life, and all that he wants to do. 

Kana’s young age is of little concern to her Chinese masters–all the more easier to mould, they will say. She weathered the relentless training, long hours of lessons, from dawn to dusk. She is aware that between herself and her brother, the traditionalists will always prefer a male to inherit the triad and that is why she has to put in double the effort to perfect herself. Without imperfections, without giving anyone a chance to nitpick her behaviour and mannerisms. An heir fitting for the clan. 

Kana is willing to do all this, if it will give Kyoya the freedom he desires. The Hibaris are a bunch of people who hate being restrained; of all the values they put pride in, their own freedom is at the utmost top. Her father killed all who tried to tie him down to the triads and sought residence in Namimori, creating his family and rules of his own making. He left Japan once, and never came back. Kana found out later that he died–for his wife. So that the elders will leave her alone and away from the main house. Her mother was in her last trimester then, carrying Kyoya, and when she finally gave birth to him, perhaps the swelling grief of losing her husband was too much to bear, so she passed not long after.

Kana loves her parents, but she thinks they are a naive couple. 

Two orphans, a newborn boy and his seven-year-old sister, left stranded in the land of Japan. Of course the vultures will come looking for them. If her parents were united in death, then the two Hibari siblings will be united in life–Kana swears to protect Kyoya, and if she must follow every order from the elders, then so be it. 

At least until she comes of age, at least until Kyoya is old enough to fend for himself. 

It goes on like this, for the next few years, little Kyoya grows up as Kana watches over him; from the cradle, to when he starts toddling around, to when his first words are not “Mama” or “Papa” but “Nana!”

Phonics are a hurdle for the one-year-old Kyoya, thus Kana settles for his ramblings and merely pats his head in a praise well-done. The nickname doesn’t last long, and soon enough, Kyoya has a better handle on pronunciation and takes to calling her “Kana-nee,” and sometimes it is “Nee-san,” but never the way the elders call her “Young lady.” For all their performative respect, Kana knows she is merely a caged bird. 

It is worth it though, because Kyoya greets her with a smile each time, bandages her wounds, and hugs her to sleep. It is worth it, because her brother can stroll freely in the gardens, feeding the koi fishes, taking naps under the sun. 

And it is not much of a sacrifice when Kana learns all that she can under the greatest masters: how to hold a sword, how to detect and build immunity to poisons. It will be beneficial for when she takes Kyoya out of this place, these will be useful skills to teach and protect him. 

Thus, when Kyoya asks if he can follow her to classes, Kana allows it. As long as her brother is given the choice to do what he wants, she will grant it, in spite of the glint that the elders get in their eyes, and Kyoya lies panting on the ground but he is smiling. It truly runs in the blood then, their prowess at fighting. Like a fish to water, Kyoya breezes through training and when the time comes for him to choose his choice of weapon–he glances at his sister first, before taking his pick. The tonfa is chosen. 

It’s a long-lasting tradition. When children of the main house turn five, a small ceremony is held. It is a similar process held when they are infants, meant to determine which path of life they will lead.  An array of instruments is laid across them: a book, to represent intellect; a small dagger, to represent combat; a tea cup, for the ladies if they choose to serve. Kana has chosen the dagger, and Kyoya follows in her footsteps by picking his weapon of choice. Both siblings are prodigies in what they do, as expected of the Hibari bloodline, and Kana watches the rapid improvement in her brother’s training, surmising that perhaps she can bring him out of this place in a few years. 

Herself, on the contrary, as she is heir and the eldest, has five arts to master. The sword is a given, although Kana has a preference for the way of assassination by using chopsticks hidden in her hair; martial arts follows behind; archery, albeit more for ceremonial purposes than practical ones; the sword dance, as she is the young lady of the house; education of everything and anything that can be written in the books. Waking up before the sun has risen and sleeping after the sun has set, a structured, rigid schedule that allows for minimal breaks in between. Kana grits her teeth and bears it, because, at the end of the day, if she can pat her little brother’s head and ruffle his hair, it’s all okay.

Kyoya is a smart child, and by the time he is six, idle chatter becomes non-existent and he communicates with the different intonations of a “Mn.” Only when he is alone with his nee-san in the privacy of their rooms does he talk quietly of what he learnt, of the tranquillity of the gardens and the pretty birds that freely fly in and out. “Soon,” Kana promises, kissing his forehead as they settle in for the night. 

In spite of all that, soon never comes fast enough. It is only when Kana turns seventeen and Kyoya’s ten that the elders allow them–Kyoya, that is–to leave the main house. She brings him back to their birthplace, and settles in the Hibari household left behind by their parents. It is a well-maintained place, given all the helpers, and now that Kyoya has returned, life is brought back to the gloomy place. 

“We’ll take care of the young master,” the old granny, Tsubaki-san, bows down. Kana hurries to dismiss her submission, and introduces Kyoya to the old staff who never left. Her father’s staff, those loyal and have had their lives saved by the Hibari patriarch, remained in hopes to serve the next generation, and true enough, as Kana talks to them, their eyes light up with emotion. 

Tsubaki-san is one of those, and she helped with the delivery of Kyoya back then. A teary mutter, “He looks very much like the old master,” and Kana has to swallow down her snarky rebuttal of how she and Kyoya are alike in looks–much too alike, as if they are twins–and that her father is at least useful for passing down his genetics in the aesthetics department.

Her stay in Namimori is a generous one week, meant to settle Kyoya down and accommodate his schedule and schooling, and Kana takes the opportunity to relax. Here, there is no need for sharpened chopsticks tucked into her hair, no need for her to watch her words and composure, no need to worry about Kyoya’s safety. Mostly. Namimori may be a land of retired mafiosi, but the Hibaris are a name considered to be one of their own, and so, when they return, it is a welcomed return. 

Kana enrolls Kyoya into middle school in hopes that he can experience the life of a normal teenager. It’s a high order, but she lives in hope.

“Take care of yourself and this place,” Kana instructs, “I’ll come back whenever I can.” A hug goodbye, and Kana returns to China. 

Kyoya takes her words to heart, and Namimori is ruled with an iron fist. Take care of this place, Kana-nee had said. Kyoya rids the streets of gangsters the next day, and establishes the Disciplinary Committee in the following week.  

When she turns eighteen, Kyoya travels back to China to attend her coming-of-age ceremony. It is perhaps the only time he will willingly return, and the permanent downtilt of his lips show as such. In Kana’s eyes however, it looks more like a pout. 

There, a showy procedure takes place: Kana performs each of the arts she has been taught to the members of the clan and the nearby public, proving her worth as heir and as a Hibari. She has to defeat each and every one of the elite guards, and then, dressed in the traditional Chinese hanfu, perform the sword dance. Eighteen years of age have turned the young lady into a beautiful woman, and the tilt of her hips and flutter of sleeves easily charms the audience. 

Perhaps too charmed, Kyoya notices the sleazy grin from the heads of other clans and the not-too-quiet murmuring of how his sister will make a good bride. He glances their way and takes mental note of the faces, before looking back at his sister’s performance. Stupid herbivores, his sister will kill them all before they can even utter any intention of making her a bride. If anything, the partner that his sister chooses to marry will have to join the Hibari family, not the other way around. Masking a derisive snort, Kyoya nearly rolls his eyes at their behaviour. His sister may be dancing with the wind, but each swing of the sword can be deadly, if she wants it to be. It's her favourite choice of weapon, after all.

Archery may simply be just for show, but Kana manages to hit the bullseye with all the arrows she has drawn. An approving nod of head comes from the elders of the clan, and the crowd disperses not long after. 

The last and final act to mark Kana’s coming-of-age and her inheritance is held behind closed doors. The emblem of the clan–the immortal dragon representing power, strength and wealth–is to be etched into her skin. It is tradition for notable clan members to bear the mark of the dragon on any one part of their body; some choose the arm, some have it on their ankle, Kana decides to ink it onto her back. 

Large and overbearing, a reminder of the weight she carries on her shoulders. It fits along the curve of her waist and ends right below her nape. The hours pass slowly, and Kyoya snoozes by her side throughout it all, protecting her unarmed back. It is in part defiance and part humour, but Kana accepts the yukata that Kyoya has prepared, and lets him tie the koshihimo around her waist. 

She steps out of the room with Kyoya by her side, as official heiress of the triad. 

Years later, Kana returns to Namimori again, and her arrival coincides with the ultimate harbinger of chaos: The Greatest Hitman in the World has arrived in Japan.

Chapter Text

The first place Reborn visits upon stepping foot in Japan is not the Sawada residence–but the Hibari’s. Each place has its own set of rules, and Namimori follows the word of the Hibaris.

He doesn’t know too much about the workings of the Chinese triad but Fon, and by extension, the Hibari’s, are a force to be reckoned with. Thus, the last thing Reborn wants to do is to offend and have them coming after his head. No matter that he will be able to handle them, it will simply be a hassle to. Moreover, niece or not, he surmises that Hibari Kana will be as territorial as Fon is; she must be, having been brought up by the elders of the Hibari clan themselves. 

He’s right. 

Standing at the foot of the entrance to the Hibari house, he doesn’t need to knock on the door–already, someone is waiting to guide him in. The house is a typical, old-fashioned Japanese house: a genkan at the entrance; tatami flooring; translucent shoji that serve as partitions between the rooms. 

Despite his light-footedness, the wooden flooring echoes his footsteps and Reborn wonders if the architecture of the house is designed for such a purpose. Simultaneously transparent and opaque, there is no difference if an assassin were to come from within or outside the house. 

In the middle of the hall, a high stack of cushions is placed opposite the older Hibari sibling, who greets, “Reborn-san, please take a seat.” 

His presence in Namimori puts a disturbance to the peace, and it will be reasonable if he is attacked first and negotiated with after, thus, the polite mannerisms are a pleasant surprise. There is no need for such considerations but he appreciates it nonetheless. The elevated chair that puts him at eye-level with Hibari Kana. The set of tea that is not yet brewed, separated in its elements, to imply that his drink hasn’t been tampered with. Of course, the water could have colourless poison, the tea leaves scentless with toxins, but he will give them the benefit of doubt. Otherwise, where’s the fun?

Quietly observing the way Hibari Kana dismisses the aide to brew the tea herself, Reborn has to admit he is impressed by the way he has been treated and allows, “Please just call me Reborn.” 

“Reborn-san,” she ignores his request, placing a cup before him. “What is the reason for your presence?” 

He notes the way Hibari Kana raises her cup to take a sip of the tea first, and Reborn has to push down the quirk of his lips, amused. If it all goes well, he would love to make friends with such a person. 

He copies her actions, acknowledges that the tea is finely prepared, before following up with an explanation for his visit. Prolonged stay, he corrects. As much as he can divulge, he talks of what he can, until Kana has taken on a contemplative look and their cups sit empty. 

“I’ll pay a visit to the Sawada household soon,” she says at last. 

It puts an end to their conversation–and Reborn is surprised to realise that the sun has already set, he hadn’t realised how quickly time passed with how comfortable he was. They say a parting of goodbyes. 

It’s time for chaos. 

Kana’s morning peace is disturbed by the scream of a young adolescent boy. Sawada Tsunayoshi, Reborn’s charge, is roughly two or three years younger than Kyoya. Innocent and weak, a fledgling. Vaguely familiar in a way that she does not remember. 

Well, as long as Kyoya comes out unscathed, she won't interfere with matters of the Vongola. Although, knowing her little brother, unscathed is not likely, and she changes her mind: as long as Kyoya is a willing party to the Vongola shenanigans. 

Regardless, she pays a visit to the Sawada household while the young ones are occupied with school, purposely so that she does not have to make acquaintances with them. The Hibari clan is notorious for their independence; a meeting with one, if not the strongest, mafia family will only bring trouble. Kyoya’s foreseeable attachment to Reborn is explainable; for herself, on the other hand, it is not. It’s troublesome, mostly.

In any case, Sawada Nana is an unassuming, naive lady and Kana is only here to ensure that is indeed so. The food, of course, is an added bonus. Kana makes sure to send over a few bottles of the good wine before she leaves the country.

The little Sawada is like a chick, freshly hatched from the egg, stumbling here and there. It would be adorable, if he wasn't going to be the incumbent Vongola boss. But that's a problem for Reborn to dwell on, and Kana has more than enough on her plate already. 

Plus, the way Kyoya has taken to attack Reborn at random is hilarious. Kana doesn’t see the harm in it, what with Reborn trying to pull Kyoya into Sawada’s sphere of influence, and it does take time off her hands to handle other matters since Kyoya’s no longer asking her for spars every other minute. If it can get on the hitman’s nerves, that’s even better. 

Why kill two birds with one stone when you can kill multiple?

“Kyoya.”

“Mn.”

“Are you not going to talk to me?”

“...Nee-san.”

Kana gives a fond smile at his grumpiness, and accepts the plate placed before her. So cute! Her brother is adorable, upset by her upcoming trip back to the main house, but is still putting the extra effort to cook her favourite dishes for dinner. 

She should give him a reward for being so patient with her lack of visits, and so she casually mentions, “I should be able to stay for a longer period of time in my next visit.” 

When Kyoya heaps another scoop of rice onto her plate, Kana can no longer muffle her laughter, and peals of giggles resound.

She has the unfortunate luck of meeting Reborn a few more times before she leaves, and in each, Kana is endlessly amused by the slightly rattled demeanour of the hitman. If he’s going to bring the mafia into the foray, then she’s definitely not going to make things any easier for him. Her little brother does love a good fight, after all.

Reborn’s polite mannerisms are a pleasant surprise. Kana has heard about the man, and the number of people Reborn treats with begrudging respect are few and far in between. Is her brother that big of a catch as a guardian? Or is Reborn eyeing for an alliance with the Hibari clan?

As much as she wants to say it’s none of her business, it is. The clan and Kyoya’s inclination aside, her uncle will also likely support Reborn’s faction. In fact, by affiliation to the Arcobaleno alone, they are already involved. It’s best for her to cut losses and jump on the bandwagon.

That’s not to mean she will stop Kyoya’s aggression towards Reborn. Why would she do that?

Chapter Text

They may be oceans apart, but Kana has her ways of getting updates about Kyoya’s daily happenings. Although Kyoya texts her often, his succinct messages tend to leave out too much information in between. Patrol today, and Hamburg steak for dinner, or Bought a pair of shoes–what can she infer from this? 

With eyes and ears all around Namimori, she learns about Kyoya's day-to-day happenings, his frequent, unintentional bouts with the school's boxing captain, and the shtick of classifying people using animal biology. 

It's a worrying trend, given Tsubaki-san's confusion over her so-called omnivorous status, but that's what happens when you leave an adolescent kid on his own. It's her fault, Kana supposes. 

With no shortfall of surprises, Kyoya takes a liking to the Vongola heir. Reborn must have had a hand or two in it, but for all that the man tries, nobody can force a Hibari to do something they don't want to. So, Kyoya is hovering near the Sawada kid. 

Hm. 

The triad doesn't need any more heirs after her, anyway. 

Kyoya is prone to the seasonal flu, and it's adorable how grouchy he gets when he has to stay at the hospital–mostly because he wants to avoid Tsubaki-san's mother hen tendencies when either of them falls sick. 

It's all the more adorable how Kyoya chooses to stay after word gets around that the Sawada kid is getting admitted to the same hospital. 

When Kyoya pulls strings to have Tsunayoshi in the same room, Kana nearly laughs her head off. She decides then that she must see at least one such occurrence in person, and plans her trip back home.

As much as she would like to spend time with Kyoya, there are things to do and errands to run while she is in Namimori. Nonetheless, knowing her brother, if she does so first thing upon landing and doesn't visit him first, Kyoya will be grumpy for days. Days. 

It's a bit cute. 

Ergo, instead of going straight home, Kana makes a detour to Namimori middle where her brother will likely be at this time of the day. It's a bit awkward, an adult like her walking into a school full of young teenagers. 

There are students, a group bearing red bands with pompadours…? patrolling the place. Oh, Kana remembers now, aren't those kids under Kyoya's charge or something? 

"Excuse me," she says, walking up to them. 

The kid turns to look at her and pales rapidly. She's not quite sure why. 

"Where's Kyoya?" Kana asks, looking around the vicinity. For all that the school is government-owned, its facilities are in good condition, the floors clean, walls unmarked. That's good.

Maybe it's because she's a stranger, it takes a while for the kid to find his voice, still staring at her with wide eyes. Pompadour-head points, replying with a stutter, "Hibari-san should be patrolling the classrooms." 

Already walking towards the pointed direction, Kana waves, "Thanks for the hard work." 

It's easy to find him given how class is in session and there is only one person walking down the hallways. 

Kana greets softly, "Kyoya." 

Who turns, surprised. There's little that shows, but the tells are there–and Kana has always been very good at reading her brother. She walks up to him to ruffle his hair, almost smiling. "I came by to say hi first. I will be away for a bit so don't worry. Be good, okay?"

Kyoya nods, silent. 

Patiently, Kana waits. 

Then, he says, softly, "Yes, nee-san."

The urge to tease him nearly overcomes, but even then, Hibaris have a pride to keep. Kana turns her head, stares at the rest of the peanut gallery–who frantically disperses, pretending as if they weren't staring out the classroom windows a minute ago–and forces down her laughter. 

Errands are run, work is done, the day goes smoothly and quietly. 

It’s the calm before the storm. 

“The Varia are coming,” Reborn says in lieu of a welcome.

A welcome gift! It’s not a surprise, but the speed at which things are happening is faster than she expected. The elite assassination squad are a force to be reckoned with, it’s a name that she has heard of in passing, mentioned in fear and awe by some of the triad’s members. She’s not an aggressive sword fighter, the notoriety of her battles are but a pebble in the pond, and it is why she has managed to stay under the radar of the Sword Emperor thus far. The peace was good while it lasted. At the end of it, with Kyoya being courted as a Cloud guardian, she must make the necessary arrangements to defend her own territory. 

“Is there really nothing that I can offer to change your mind?” 

“Don’t be greedy,” Kana replies. The rejection goes unsaid. 

The other welcome gift: Reborn has been persistently trying, on the Sawada kid’s behalf, to court her as a guardian. 

As if having one Hibari is not enough. She nearly scoffs, Kyoya may not be the finest warrior yet, but she is confident that he can hold his own against one of the Varia’s. Not to mention, the Sawada kid is young, too young for her to have as a Sky. She’s not a babysitter, and one Kyoya poached is enough. 

Which is why she throws out the indiscreet envelope in her personal mail, its weight suspiciously heavy with the metal inside. She chucks it into the trash without care. The Vongola can deal with the aftermath, it’s not her business. 

Kana doesn’t budge even as the Young Lion of the Vongola barges in late at night. Sawada Iemitsu, barring his foolish facade, is a name that one does not mess with. She’s heard of the horror stories, of the strength that comes with having two Arcobalenos working with and for him–it’s the only reason why she hasn’t slammed the door in his face. While she has remained silent, her impatience must have shown on her face. 

“Ah, don’t look at me like that! Do you know how hard I had to dig through the trash to retrieve the ring?”

“You shouldn’t put such an important thing in the mail in the first place.” 

“You won’t answer any of my calls.” 

That’s true. Still, it does little to dissuade her firm stand. Iemitsu must know this, as he cuts to the chase, cheery demeanour clearing up to a serious one. He has one half of the Vongola lightning ring outstretched in his hand. 

“The alternative is the Bovino.” 

It is the perfect choice for the position of lightning guardian, but with the way Iemitsu is hesitant with revealing this, the candidate is likely not the one she had in mind. 

Futilely, she tries, “The elder Bovino?”

“...No. The youngest one.” 

At least Iemitsu has the remorse to look away at her judging stare. Even Kyoya, at five, has not had to fight to the death against an elite assassin. The young Bovino, she’s heard, has had a keen affinity to Lightning flames and the ability to withstand literal lightning strikes. How the family found that out, she doesn't want to know. Kana wavers; she’s not stupid enough to take the ring just yet, the significance of the ring on her finger will bring too much trouble, but that doesn’t mean she can’t work her way around it. 

Maybe she’s growing soft.

“Let’s negotiate,” she says, and turns to walk to the guest quarters. 

By daybreak, Iemitsu leaves the Hibari household with his pockets significantly emptier, his thumb reddened, and a few strands of hair turned grey. The lightning ring is absent from his pockets. 

Reborn’s smug smile is getting on her nerves.  He has not stopped looking her way, as she steps into the arena meant for lightning battle. Of all the hands he’s played, this comes close to the top of the list, second only to the fact that the Bucking Horse was called in to train Kyoya. She understands the need for diversity in training, but she could have used another weapon, or something.  

“It’s only temporary,” she says loudly as a reminder, to all present. She ignores Tsunayoshi’s grateful stammering in the background to consider the opponent. 

Honestly, she had the intention to take the lightning ring–temporarily, until the Bovino child is old enough–when she heard of the candidate of choice. The money and favour was simply duped from Iemitsu, not that the man realises it. Furthermore, it’s a good opportunity to have a good fight with the mafia’s strongest. Strength that comes from practice and all that.  

Interestingly, the Sword Emperor has perked up at the sight of the double swords strapped to the left of her waist. It’s clear he wants to see the extent of her abilities, but they’re not each other’s opponents, and she doesn’t want to become an enemy of the Varia. 

An invitation for a friendly spar on the other hand… 

As it is, the heated glare that comes her way is burning. And it comes from all sides, too. Kyoya’s supervision from the rooftops is granted, she did promise to have dinner with him in an hour’s time–and Kana has never once broken a promise with her little brother. She’s not sure why the Varia head is staring; it’s only natural to want to balance the playing field, if Xanxus has an opinion about her actions then he can come down from his lofty perch to say it himself. Even Iemitsu seems unusually interested in her fight. 

Before she gets any more distracted, Kana makes quick scrutiny of the Varia’s lightning. She has never needed to unsheathe both swords, the last time she had to wield the double swords was for the clan’s inheritance ceremony, where it was a fight of one against a hundred of their strongest warriors. This current match is graciously one-against-one. Kana dwells on it as she runs her hands over the two sword handles strapped on her side; To go all out, or keep it restrained? 

She’s harping on the decision as Leviathan continues his monologue to the audience, and ultimately decides to take things easy. She has to attend dinner on time after all. 

When all’s said and done, Kana resheathes her dripping sword–just lightly stained, really, she pulled her punches–and completes the two halves of the Vongola lightning ring. Kana has only just thrown the ring back into Iemitsu’s hands when she narrowly dodges the shot of Wrath flames directed her way. 

An attack from the Varia boss, loosely speaking, to gauge her capabilities and strength. The game of cat-and-mouse lasts for barely seconds when annoyance starts coming off her in waves. From the periphery, Reborn can be seen getting ready to shoot Tsunayoshi with a Dying Will bullet and the tension stifles. 

“I don’t have the time for this,” she announces, swiftly making an exit and leaving the chaotic mess of the battle behind her.  

A few days after the lightning battle, Kana finally meets Reborn’s infamous first student. 

It’s the opposite of love at first sight. Hate at first sight? Something marginally less intense, or she would have been pointing the tip of her sword at the man’s neck already.

In spite of his bumbling acts of clumsiness, much like Tsunayoshi’s, to be honest, Dino Cavallone had the insight to save the life of the Varia’s Sword Emperor. It’s a wise move, because, if he had not done so, countless of vengeful sword masters keen on taking the title would have come for Tsunayoshi’s young Rain instead; and in true mafia fashion, saving someone’s life means you have their favour in your hands. A favour, whether it be the Varia’s favour, or the Vongola’s, that is priceless. 

An insanely clever political move, really. All the same, it makes Kana dislike the man more. The crux of it is the pettiness that comes from being overtaken as Kyoya’s tutor. Worse still is the way Dino Cavallone behaves, all casual and cuddly with Kyoya as if he’s the older brother instead. It’s definitely getting on her nerves.

Reborn’s gleeful schadenfreude is the absolute worst. 

The tenacity of Tsunayoshi’s young guardians are a pleasant surprise. By the end of the week, Kyoya is sorely upset with the lacklustre battle he had. 

Calculating the maths of the matches would mean that the win is solely in Tsunayoshi's hands, but, well, the Varia have a zero failure rate for a reason.  

The hidden, underhanded final battle is unpleasant, though not unexpected. It has her cursing all the way to the battleground, irked with the shackle on her wrist. 

Death heater is a familiar poison. It’s not missed, in any case. The streaming television is having a free show with her running litany; it’s probably left uncensored, but Kana has little care about it at the moment. 

“Those damn pink bitches,” she mutters, as she knocks down the lightning tower with gritted teeth. Then, because she holds grudges, the ring is kept comfortably on her finger. Which leaves the Leviathan a groaning mess. 

“I’ll give you the antidote later, stop whining.” 

Lugging around an immobile adult man is not ideal, but Kana has to make do with what she has. From afar, Kana can see her little brother standing shakily to his feet. It allays her worries, allowing her attention to be directed fully onto the other Varia members.

Admittedly, she has not had as much experience dealing with illusions–much less so one the quality of the mafia’s strongest–thus the sight of the Varia’s Mist user hovering in the air leaves her head spinning. Her grip on Leviathan tightens while her vision blurs. 

When trapped in the field of someone who’s more skilled, it’s best to cut her losses and leave things to the experts. It’s a bit demoralising to escape from battle, passing the baton to a high school girl, but hey, Iemitsu must have chosen her for a good reason. Furthermore, isn’t this the whole point of the battles? The winner takes the crown, or in this case, the Vongola rings? 

It’s probably the way she’s using Leviathan as a meat shield, since the moment Kana steps out of the gymnasium, the illusions stop pressing onto her mind. The slightest bit apologetic, she changes the way she has been dragging Leviathan, putting the man on her shoulders in a fireman’s carry instead. Nonetheless, she takes a mental note to ask for illusion training from someone once the battles are done. 

Speaking of which, wasn’t there one more person among Tsunayoshi’s guardians?

Chapter Text

For all that she is up for waking up early and training before the morning sun rises, Kana is actually very fond of sleeping in. It's a joy to rest. Taking naps is even better. 

It is a thrill to be able to do so, given all that she has going on, so trips back home are always a vacation of some sort. Or at least, she plans it to be. 

Therefore, it's an unspoken rule in the Hibari household: no loud noises in the morning. 

Being woken up by the incessant doorbell is not peaceful at all. Unfortunately for her, Kyoya is out on his morning patrols, something about the morning air being good for health, and the household staff, after one very memorable assassination attempt, know better than to blindly open the doors. Oh, they are well capable of handling it, Kana made sure of that, but the image of Tsubaki-san, old and wrinkly, opening doors when Kana can do so herself leaves a sour taste in her mouth. Plus, they're hired for house chores, not to open doors and greet guests. (Reborn, as always, is a special case.)

So, opening the door only to be greeted by a bouquet of roses is more than sufficient to leave her speechless. And of all people, she would never have thought Dino Cavallone would be on their doorsteps. 

She knows the Hibari genes aren't something to be looked down on. Whether it is physical skill, or simple aesthetics, they are quite frankly blessed with both. 

Kana is very well aware of the way highschool girls stop to stare at Kyoya before scurrying out of his way; and if not for his sullen reputation, definitely, there would be a mountain-full of love letters in their mailbox. 

Maybe it is because she has been a caretaker for so long, that she doesn't quite realise that Kyoya and her have the same face. Forgotten, rather. They look nearly identical. Of course, she has softer features and longer hair, but there is no doubting they're siblings. Much like Kyoya, her reputation precedes her–that is, the dripping bloodbath that follows when someone dares cross her path. 

Wait, is this meant for Kyoya? 

"For you," Dino says. 

Ah, there it is. Then, the audacity to ask first thing in the morning (Kana is not a morning person), "May I take you on a date?"

Either the chilling stare on her face or Kyoya's impending footsteps is warning enough, because Dino hurriedly pushes the bouquet into her arms to pull out his whip, blocking a resounding smack from a metal tonfa. 

"No wonder Kyoya finds you so annoying," Kana says. She yawns, rubbing sleep away from her eyes, and tells her little brother, "Breakfast in ten, kid." 

It's funnier when Kyoya glares at the vase of roses on the table. 

"The flowers did nothing wrong, don't let them die for nothing," Kana explains, and pours another cup of coffee into her empty mug. She sets the plates and bread and eggs, having decided on western cuisine for today, and says, "Thank you for the food." 

Almost sighing, Kyoya repeats, "Thank you for the food." 

In hindsight, she realises that it is likely her status and the power she holds, whether as a potential guardian or whatever, that makes her very attractive as a partner. 

Nevertheless, Dino Cavallone is a very annoying man, and she wholeheartedly agrees with Reborn who comments, "That was pathetic, baka-Dino." 

She's not sure if Reborn is referring to the morning's encounter (that bug sitting on the tree bark is not a bug) or the way Dino tripped while walking, but she agrees. 

It also makes her decide to avoid the general area of the Sawada household for the duration the Cavallone entourage is in town, and perhaps the bad luck started off that morning, because it continues. 

She turns left because one of the Cavallone bodyguards is on the right, skips a street because Dino’s right-hand man Romario happens to be talking on the phone in the one before, and to top it off, a red-haired kid comes running–barreling–towards her, frantic and mumbling. 

She could have avoided it, yes. But there's moving traffic behind her, and the kid is harmless. Well, at least she thought so. 

Clearly, as she catches a toy grenade in one hand and the kid by his jacket hoodie in the other, she needs more training. It’s her fault, honestly. 

Then, in a smoke of pink, the world changes around her. 

It's fun, she supposes. Interesting, to say the least. 

There's so much to unpack but first things first: why is she in the Varia mansion? It's definitely the Varia's, given the meticulously manicured garden outside, shaped to look like a replica of the team's symbol.  

A cursory glance around the room she's in shows no Varia regalia in sight, but it's evidently her room, given all the personal items. She's seated on a bed, too. There's no Varia emblem on her clothes in the closet, the significant absence of the Varia ring on the nightstand; though there are two rings with high-quality jewels in shades of purple and green respectively. It's a bit stupid to only make the realisation now: she has affinity for being a Cloud or Lightning guardian.

Kana knows about the Ten Year Bazooka. 

Once, Reborn mentioned it, and another time, she witnessed the Bovino child getting himself…exploded? Displaced by time? Transported? Five-year-old brat turns fifteen, takes one look at her, grinned, and tried to hug her. Reflexively, she kicked him into the wall. Very reflexively. Afterwards, with the crying teen babbling away about how "Kana-nee is so mean" and whatnot, Kana endured the whole five minutes of babysitting. Kyoya wasn't this difficult to handle. (But, well, they have never been a pair of normal siblings.)

Anyway, the Ten Year Bazooka was meant to last five minutes. No more, no less. 

That was what she understood, and that is not happening. It is slightly worrying. 

"A war," Kana says dryly. 

Of all people, Xanxus is debriefing her, alongside Squalo. Just days ago, the man attempted to blast her head off with Wrath flames. And she would have expected, don't know, Leviathan? Explaining the past ten years to someone who is supposed to be thirty-something-years-old but is actually in their twenties feels like a job for him to do. Explaining concepts to a child, but adult version. 

She's not complaining though. 

"Where's Kyoya?" she asks first.

Squalo answers, "Kid's in Japan, in the Vongola's hideout. I'm dropping by by boat, you can tag along." 

"A boat? What, you're going fishing?" The rib slips out, somehow strangely familiar, but before Kana can start judging Squalo on his choices, she refocuses. It's making her very curious, after all. Why is she so familiar with the Varia?

To Xanxus, she asks her second question, "Am I your Cloud?"

The man pauses from his sip of wine. He shifts from a slouch to a straighter position. Squalo, peanut gallery, fidgets. He's not really fidgeting, it's barely a shift in movement, but for someone of his calibre, he might as well be. 

"Are you finally accepting?" Xanxus says, tone flat. 

And in that, she figures out multiple things: she is not the Varia Cloud; Xanxus has been, for the lack of a better term, courting her; for quite some time too; for reasons, she has not accepted but is comfortable enough to reside in their quarters; and she gets along surprisingly well with the others too. 

Regardless, the question is not for her to answer, and at her silence, Xanxus continues, knowing the same. "The triads had a bit of disagreement early last year. Arcobaleno Fon left a long time ago but we all know they keep track of him. When he started cutting their strings, the elders got anxious, so they tried to tie you down."

Xanxus snorts, as if it's a laughable thought. "They didn't take so well to both their assets leaving the nest, and as you were helping the brats out, things got a bit messy."

War, Kana remembers. She nods to show she's following the conversation. The picture is easy to guess now that Xanxus has explained most of it, but she maintains her silence, letting him finish speaking. 

"Destroying a criminal syndicate isn't so easy for one person. The Trinisette radiation was doing damage to the Arcobaleno as well. Eventually, we the Varia stepped in." Here, Xanxus pauses to look at her. 

Kana would like to believe her poker face is top-notch. It doesn't show anything but a blank canvas, but the conclusions she's forming in her head–from what little she knows about the man before her, and the people he works with–is ugly. She doubts her future self would have so willingly let herself be caged once more, but what does she know in this future that's not hers?

"It's not–it's a mutually beneficial transaction," Xanxus says lowly, voice gruff, yet somehow mellow. "I offered you the position before and you rejected it. This time, I simply asked that you place the Varia's requests as a priority." 

A priority that gives her a room to live in. That looks well lived in, disregarding the fact that she has a habit of carrying her valuables–including Kyoya's baby photos–with her. 

Kana frowns. There's a lot to do and unpack and she dearly misses her brother. At the top of her list is learning how to fight with Dying Will flames. 

Turning towards Squalo, she says, "I'll join you on that fishing trip." 

She probably didn't misread that minute tightening of the wine glass. On a whim, right before she leaves the office to head for the training grounds, Kana decides to mention, "And Xanxus? You should already know that I don’t do things I don't want to."

The fishing trip is as awful as she imagined it to be. Kana arrives in Japan, wet and miserable. At least Squalo looks like he's had a good time?

Chapter Text

There was a period of time where Kyoya had his rude and rebellious phase, as all teenagers do. 

Kana remembers the day starting off difficult, and then just snowballing from there. She woke up to period cramps and stained clothes; then, training became arduous and she got beat up, over and over again; by the time her lessons were done, the rain came without warning, and Kana had to walk back home, drenched. 

With bruises forming on her face, matted hair and an intense sullen look, she returned back to their shared room and was immediately greeted with: "You look so ugly."

"...We have the same face, you brat."

That was then, but clearly, fond memories prevail because as Kana is escorted by a surprised and flustered Kusakabe to where Kyoya is, her little brother takes one look and greets very warmly, "You look so ugly."

Like clockwork, Kana replies, "We have the same face, you brat." And she must have looked as miserable as she felt because in an uncharacteristic display of affection, Kyoya brings her into his arms for a hug.

He's taller than her. He's also older than her now, and the absurdity of the situation brings tears to her eyes. 

Her arms tighten and dampness seeps onto one shoulder. Faintly, the hand that’s around her trembles ever so slightly–and Kana realises that Kyoya must have been as shaken as she was. 

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles, “I’m here now.” 

He says nothing, an unwavering pillar of strength. 

"Kyoya." 

"Nee-san."

Unintentionally, Kana laughs. It really is quite funny how Kyoya, now older and taller than her, is treating her the same way he would with her older counterpart. She loves this kid. She reaches out–and she needs to stand on tiptoe to do this–ruffling his hair, before sitting across, warm cups of matcha on the table. 

As they always do. 

It eases her, the way he behaves the same as his younger self does.

Now that she is at home with Kyoya by her side, she recognises that her past few days were spent entirely tense–a taut rubber band, stretched to the point it might snap. Perhaps that's why Squalo has been particularly cautious during their journey here. Nothing against the man, but that's just the way Clouds are. 

Clouds. Dying Will flames. She knew they were powerful, to an extent. Watching the little Vongola Sky run around with flames on his forehead and hands is an example more than enough to show the strength of it–but this. 

A bit in awe and curious, Kana watches Kyoya light up his own ring with a density of pure Cloud flames so strong it nearly shatters the ring. Going by how he has spares ready, he probably breaks them often. 

Ten years brings little change to Kyoya apart from his height, therefore, it's easy to spot the small, worried frown he has on his face. 

Kana waits. Kyoya will tell her when he wants to. 

They spent a good few hours just accommodating Kana's receptivity to flames. Getting the ring to light up is easy, controlling the output is not. 

In classic Hibari style, Kyoya pokes at her, "You're weak," and her two rings burst into a firework display of green and purple flames. 

He nudges next, "You're weak if you can't control it too," and Kana has never known annoyance greater than this.

“Come,” Kyoya orders, using that mannerless speech of his. 

The training room is nearly demolished after an intense bout of practice using flame-coated weapons, and Kyoya decides that there is no else fit enough to train his sister, thereby proceeding to hoard the room for the rest of the day. 

It's actually very fun, if Kana's being honest. If she's being extra honest, Kyoya's subtle praise ("You don't need as much training as the rest") has her grinning wide.  

By the time they're aching and sweaty, laboured breaths coming out at a quickened pace, Kyoya admits quietly. 

"You're not supposed to be here."

Kana agrees, not understanding why he's stating the obvious. 

"No," Kyoya shakes his head. 

He has never been able to lie to her since young, and not now. He explains in lengthy detail the plans of a faked death, their last line of defence, one man's foolish, brave hope. It's all or nothing, played on the scale of a world and its universe. 

Beneath all that, Kana sees the stress that her brother carries, the burden of knowledge, the impracticality of his decision. Rationally, Kyoya wouldn't have agreed to such a risky move when there are always alternatives available. So why? 

"The baby Sky…" Kana thinks aloud, and Kyoya nods lightly in admission.

He looks at her in the eyes and also admits, gravely, "Not only for him. Nee-san, I haven't seen you in a year." 

"Why not?" 

Turns out, the triad are like cockroaches when it comes to deaths; it's the reason for her stay at the Varia's; it's more help that she realised, and more than she expected. Where's the equivalent exchange Xanxus was talking about? 

One year of fighting. One year of waiting. Kyoya who has a room, her room, clean and ready for whenever she is able to return home. Kana feels a little like crying again. 

It's obvious Kyoya has missed her too–she knows she has, even if it's only been one week and ten years–and so she apologises, indulges him with a dinner promised for later, and continues asking questions, and continues talking. 

"Have I changed a lot?" 

Kyoya shakes his head, his fringe falling onto the tip of his eyelids. Kana pats it back. 

"Shorter temper now. Pretty. Strong." 

“Am I married already? And to whom?” Kana asks, a par-for-the-course question given that she would already be in her thirties; whether or not she’s interested in having a romantic relationship, it would not be a surprise if she is married given her ties to the triad, or as a Hibari. 

At this question, Kyoya downright scowls. That’s also an answer, and she can’t help the laughter that comes out. 

Gokudera Hayato is the next person she approaches. 

As much as Kyoya has helped her with training, he's a pure Cloud and isn't well versed with Lightning flames. And for some reason, the Bovino baby is here as well and for all that he is the rightful Lightning guardian, she can't possibly ask Lambo for training therefore the second best option is the baby's tutor himself. 

Who is, frankly, a genius. 

Kana eyes the spread of papers and array of box weapons on the table. With all five rings on his hand, Hayato looks crazy–crazy strong that is. 

In a move that is sure to make Kyoya a little upset, Kana offers hand-to-hand combat lessons in exchange for Lightning flame lessons. Or better yet, to be taught how to use multiple flames at once. She's not picky. Either is fine. Both is best. 

Hayato sneers, doubtful, "Let's see how good you are first." 

It's a little difficult to hide her smirk after that. 

Expectedly, she wipes the floor with Hayato. To be fair, they have a significant difference in age and hence, experience. She's confident that the kid will give her a run for the money in years to come. For now, she's collecting her winnings. 

"Pay up," Kana says. 

Hayato glowers, saying nothing as he leads the way back to the library. 

Acting on the knowledge of how her Kyoya will react, Kana starts preparing bribes–that is, a well-cooked dinner–to placate him. To her neverending pleasure, this older Kyoya is actually much more benevolent than she thought (and sorry for having thought bad of your temper, younger Kyoya, but it is the truth). 

In fact, he supports the idea, although he doesn’t explicitly say so, it’s implied. 

“When he’s not playing babysitter, Gokudera Hayato is difficult to defeat.” And wow, if that’s not high praise coming from Kyoya. With a small, amused smirk, he continues, “But that’s the older one, not the herbivore now.” 

There it is, the usual Kyoya she knows. All the same, it’s plenty of information to work on, and if Kana plays her cards right, she can just kick start that talent early.  

"He'll give you a good challenge by the time I'm done with him," Kana decides. 

As if agreeing, the two small boxes she has, innocently sitting in her pockets, shakes and chimes.