"WHAT?!" Most of them yelled in surprise, except Reborn, Hibari and Ryuuichi. Ryuuichi's mouth was slightly agaped at, eyes still wide. The last thing he would've expected was that Byakuran wants him. That never ever crossed his mind before. Not even once. Yet, not only him, but the others were taken by surprise when the Marshmallow Freak did. 

Hibari, of course, didn't took it well. He growled and was very close to snarling at the man as he had his tonfas out, ready to attack anyone there as he stood in front of Ryuuichi protectively. By anyone, it meant any single one of them. Even the Arcobaleno. No one would be taking the teen anyone on his watch.

Reborn shadowed his eyes under his fedora, hands gripped on his gun quite tightly. His eyes narrowed into a harsh glare towards the Milliefiore, more pointedly towards Byakuran. Briefly, he wondered when did he gotten so protective of the teen. He hadn't realized that until the moment Byakuran declared that he would take Ryuuichi away if they lose. That wasn't going to happen. And never will. Whoever does that would gain a ticket to hell from Reborn, and a meeting with Satan himself. Not to forget the bloody torture that would promised onto them.

Hell hath no fury from the strongest hitman after all.

The Cavallone boss, although having similar reactions as the others, he was no doubt angered. Ryuuichi, even though not the one from his era, was still considered one of his family, and his family. His hands curled into a fist, trembling lightly as he walked closer to Ryuuichi. Gokudera blew up. No doubt he did, as he had done the same thing as Hibari did. Tsuna looked disbelieved. 

Ryuuichi finally gotten his bearings again, slammed shut his mouth, eyes narrowed. He lowly growled out. "Why?" 

Byakuran had already expected it simply chuckled, as though something amusing had happened. "'Why?' you asked? Well, isn't that obvious? It's because you interest me! More so than your older self!" 'And I've been wanting to get my hands on you for a longgg time now, Ryuuichi-kun~' The last part wasn't said, yet it was clearly heard by most of them. 

The teen scowled hard, suppressing a shudder courtesy of the unspoken words and stomped down the urge to turn away from the violet eyes. Even though Byakuran wasn't as dangerous as Reborn, he was still dangerous. The fact that he was wanted by the man had his warning alarm off, something that hadn't happen for a long time. He harden his eyes, his fists tight til his knuckles were white before he slowly loosen it, face turned indifferent, surprising all of them slightly.

"Bring it on then" His dark brown orbs glinted challengingly. Byakuran smirked. "Well, let's begin, then~ Time waits for no one after all~"

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The battle finally started. The Cervello had became the judge, much to Tsuna and the others' dismay. Squalo had somewhat sneaked into their base unit and was found out by Kikyo. Those who weren't participating, on the other hand, were all moved to a spectator area, both Vongola and Milliefiore separated. 

They had all settled on one spot and was all focused on the monitors as it begun. Ryuuichi had been frowning the whole time as he stood in between Dino (, Reborn, who was sitting on Dino's shoulder) and Hibari, arms crossed as his hands clenched and unclenched. He's irritated. Very. Though, since he knew the outcome, his nerves had cooled down a little. But it didn't help much. The blonde man sweated at the aura the teen was emitting, and slung an arm around Ryuuichi, pulling him closer. The teen was quite thankful as tension slowly eased away. He finally sighed, finding that there's no point in brooding it any longer. He huffed in resignation and focused on the monitor.

Tsuna, Gokudera and Yamamoto were all already on the move, driving the two-cycle engine bikes. The silent bikes' silencer was one of Giannini's pride. Ryuuichi was impressed at it too. He had actually tried riding it once, and it was awesome. Briefly, he wondered if his inventions were in market, though not as though Ryuuichi wanted to buy it. He doubt that he had the money for it. 

Suddenly, tiny tubes were launched from the Base. It was so small that they had to scrunch their eyes to see it. Those tubes had Sun flames, which were Shoichi's. They were decoy to buy them time from being found by one of the real Funeral Wreaths. Kikyo, Saru and Torikabuto split up, going to the decoys. 

They certainly had planned a lot. Even the girls could see it from the monitor. Their formations and whatever they does were so systematic and to the point. Well, Shoichi was the one who had created Choice along with Byakuran. 

Gokudera and Tsuna were told to be on standby, which the bomber skit his bike to a stop while the brunette stopped his normally. Tsuna then launched something, which was a dummy according to Shoichi. "Okay, evasive pattern F. Attack once the enemy is in sight. Yamamoto-kun should turn left after one block, then move three blocks to the intersection. Use intercept pattern B." 

Spanner then informed Tsuna that an enemy was on his right as he guarded up at that, shoulder tense. It was Torikabuto. The real Funeral Wreath had spotted Tsuna in Hyper Dying Will Mode in the air, and immediately shot his mist flame from his ring towards it. But, it wasn't the real one. It was the dummy that the brunette had launched earlier.

Ryuuichi fleetingly wondered how did the... Creature not realize that it was a fake one. He should be able to see through it. Then again, the dummy might not be an illusion. A loud impact had cut him off his thoughts as he refocused on the monitor again. The girls were surprised to see him flying whilst Ryuuichi sweated a little. Did he just saw lasers shooting out of the brunette's eyes? 

Torikabuto was thrown towards one of the building, and it wasn't even damaged. Cervello then arrived, explaining why. Those damn skyscrapers were all coated with Lightning's hard factor, which was practically so hard that crashing towards would damage it. 'Well, if crashing wouldn't damage it, burning the heck of it sure do. Oh, and stabbing through it too..'

All in all, Ryuuichi wasn't exactly amused by that. Something black suddenly burst out from Torikabuto and rushed forward towards Tsuna in strips form. They turned into sea snakes coated with lightning flames. As for Torikabuto, his freaking body had disappeared, surprising the awaken Lambo back to 'sleep'. Ryuuichi cringed at the disgusting sight, but didn't turn away. Though, it was illusions. So strong that it fooled the machines, according to Squalo anyway. 

The snakes then straighten themselves, rushing directly towards Tsuna that had the teen moving away. The snakes pierced through the buildings as it followed him. Somehow, it managed to 'cut' the building into halves, which the upper half slid down. "Don't stand there stunned, Tsuna!" Reborn said, as though the said teen could hear him. Perhaps it was Tsuna's Hyper Intuition but he immediately snapped out of it right after Reborn finished his sentence.

He hurriedly moved away when snakes rained down on him. He was then caged by the snakes, forming grids around him. "Repe Serpente di Mare" The other gasped, frowning and worried. Ryuuichi simply smirked wordlessly and it didn't dropped until Tsuna opened his box weapon.

"Leone di Cielo ver. Vongola!" Ryuuichi internally squealed. "It's so cute" Although his sounded as if it was nothing, there were obvious hints of excitement in it. Might he add that as cute as it looked, the cub is deadly in a way as well. Then, he suddenly remembered his boxes but immediately threw it out the window for it gave him headache since he still hadn't figure out how to properly open it. (He obviously don't want to get another bite mark on his arm again.)

The cub roared, causing the grids to turn into breakable solid, which Tsuna escaped easily. He rushed forwards to the real Funeral Wreath, when the windows of the building behind the creature cracked and shattered, more sea snakes came out. "Let's do this, Natsu." The cub growled in agreement.

"Natsu. Cambio Forma Modo Difesa." ('When did Tsuna learnt Italian again..?') The cub changed. Just before they were able to see what it was, The sea snakes stabbed him from all direction, making a ball of spikes. Ryuuichi and Reborn was the only one who was grinning, or smirking, while the others were shocked. 

"With the Vongola Boxes, the box animals themselves become weapons. They're Box Weapon that were specially modified by the Vongola." Dino eyes widen a little. Now that he thought about it, Tsuna did said something before he was stabbed...

"And those weapons are from the original Vongola Family. In the case of Tsuna's Leone di Cielo, it takes the form..." The ball of spikes started glowing in bright orange. ".. Of the Sky which shines onto all and envelopes all. Vongola Primo's cloak, Mantello di Vongola Primo" And Tsuna broke out of it, a black cloak with orange flames on the bottom adorned on his shoulder.

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Right after Tsuna, it was Yamamoto's turn. His enemy was actually Saru, who turned out to be Genkishi. The dude hadn't died when Tsuna had burn him with X Burner. (The brunette did let him off) The teen took that fight with him as a revenge, which he had won easily despite the man being the 'second' strongest swordman. He, too, didn't killed him but Genkishi still died, by Kikyo's hand. 

Byakuran hath abandon him.

Tsuna had anger slowly building up in him, as he rushed to where Milliefiore's target, Daisy was. How could Byakuran do that? How could he play with someone's trust and loyalty? Tsuna's eyes harden as he went faster, only to be trapped in an illusion. Torikabuto, who was supposed to be dead, was still alive and had cast an illusion on Tsuna, making him running in circles. The brunette gritted his teeth and tried to find his way out of it.

Yamamoto was on his way to where Daisy was too, and had head straight to him as told by Tsuna. 

At the same time, Gokudera readied himself to fight Kikyo when he saw him. He only managed to get Uri out of his Vongola Box, and engaged hand combats with Kikyo, him on defense. Just as he was about to use his other box weapon, vines had sealed off his box weapons. Kikyo immediately went straight to where Shoichi and Spanner was.

The traps installed didn't help either, so they resorted to the last plan. They had the base turned into a vehicle and started running away, though it was a futile attempt. 

And, Yamamoto managed to break the barrier, and had gotten Daisy. Kikyo, on the other hand, had managed to hit the base and it crashed. Shoichi gotten out of the base, head bleeding and ran. Tsuna was making his way to Shoichi was, but it was too late as Kikyo had hit him, rendering him unconscious.

The two of them were taken down at the same time. The others presumed that it would be a draw, but...

"I still can't die?" Daisy suddenly revived, his sun flame flared from the target marker. 

Milliefiore had won.

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As they were rushing down to where Shoichi, Tsuna and Gokudera was, the man had explained to him about everything.  How he met Byakuran, how did Byakuran turned into what he was now, everything. The moment Ryuuichi was beside him, he had Gokudera moving away and immediately lit up his Sun ring, healing the man. 

"Ryuuichi-" "No, shut up and let me do it, " He then gestured to the others, signalling him to continue, and he did. Shoichi explained as horror slowly grew in Tsuna and the others, especially the brunette, until Byakuran and the real Funeral Wreaths appeared.

"Yep, you lost. It's too bad, Sho-chan, considering how well you knew me. In the end, you couldn't defeat me in any world. Time to keep your promise. I'll be taking all the Vongola Rings, and Ryuuichi-kun" The said teen growled while the others tensed up when Kikyo wondered how to deal with them. 

"Hold on! You also promised us something." Shoichi gritted out. "You should remember... When we played Choice for the last time in college and I won. But you had no means to pay, so you said the following: 'The next time we play Choice, I'll give you the handicap of naming any condition you want.' I'm going to hold you on your word! I request a Choice rematch!" 

"Hmm, sorry. I don't remember that ever happening." His eyes widen. It was a lie, he knew it. Byakuran would never forgotten about a match. And it wasn't as if his memories are bad. Shoichi tried to persuade the Marshmallow Freak, trying to get him remember it but the man still denied that he had ever said those words.

"I'm telling you that it never happened. Can't agree to something that never happened. As the Milliefiore Boss, I formally refuse"

"I object" Their head whipped to the source of voice, and eyes widen. Ryuuichi locked eyes with her for a brief seconds before frowning. There's something akin to recognization, and knowing in those blue orbs. Why, he doesn't know. It was as if she knew something.

"Byakuran." She started, walking towards them while the pacifier looped around her neck glowed in bright orange. Reborn's own pacifier was glowing too. "As the boss of Millefiore's Black Spell, I hold half of the authority to decide." She was smiling, as if this wasn't a dire situation, but those who knew her well, understood why.

"Yuni.. Damn you.." Byakuran seethed. "Yuni is speaking at her own will.." Tsuna was surprised. He was so surprised that Yuni, a girl, was the other boss of Milliefiore, that he felt like his jaw had dropped onto the floor. Milliefiore, was originally from Gesso Family led by Byakuran and Gilgo Nero Family, led by Yuni.

"You've grown, Yuni" The said girl smiled, as she replied cheerfully to her 'Uncle' Reborn, which surprised most of them, Tsuna having the most. "What? You know her, Reborn?! I mean.. You're her uncle?! She's calling this infant her uncle?!" Reborn immediately shutted him up by bending his finger the way it should be while Ryuuichi simply just sighed at the reaction. He had stopped after deeming that Shoichi was alright already, feeling fatigue.

"The granddaughter of an acquaintance of mine." When Gokudera finally pointed out the necklace around her neck, Tsuna finally realized that she's one of the Arcobaleno, specifically the Sky. Briefly, he wondered why she wasn't an infant like the rest of the Arcobaleno.

"Nice to meet you, members of Vongola" The way she smiled had Tsuna and his guardians, minus Chrome and Hibari, blushing a little. Even Lambo for some reason. Much to Haru's ire. Then, Byakuran's chuckle had brought their attention back to him. "You've gotten me. Man, this is a surprise. You look so much better. I see that you've recovered, Yuni-chan."

The girl's soul was supposed to be 'broken' by Byakuran. Though, unknown to the man, she had hid somewhere else the whole time, safe. "Byakuran. It appears that I can travel to another world, just like you." That had somewhat threw the man off, but he said nothing. "Back to the topic in hand. As the boss of Milliefiore's Black Spell, I approve of a rematch with the Vongola. Because the promise between Byakuran and Irie-san regarding the rematch was actually made" 

Ryuuichi blinked as she spoke with much determination. He could actually feel it. It was hard to describe it, but it's there. He believed that the rest could feel it too. "I'm glad that you're healthy now," 'Lies' "But Yuni-chan, you don't have the right to interfere with my decision. I might consult with you when I'm not sure, but you're just number two. I hold the ultimate authority in making decision. Discussion's over."

"Indeed. I understand. Then I withdraw from the Milliefiore Family. Sawada Tsunayoshi-san. I have a favor to ask. Please protect me" 

Tsuna was sweating bullets as he blabbered. "P-protect you? But you're the boss of Black Spell!" Yuni then took out clear pacifiers. "Not only me, but the pacifier of my comrades too" 

Ryuuichi sweated at that as he watched both Yuni and Byakuran spoke. The Marshmallow freak seriously hadn't expected it, had he? Fortunately. If he knows about everything, then s would happen. Literally. Knowledge, is after all the key to every thing. Strength may be important to, but it would always be the second one. Though, knowing too much would probably make someone go mental.

His eyes widen, slightly impressed when the pacifiers glowed. "Soulless pacifiers will never reveal the meaning of their existence" To be honest, Ryuuichi didn't really understood that, but he felt attached to it for some reason. He didn't know what, but the attachment to that measly one sentence was there. It was strong for a few seconds before it dulled into nothing, which was why he couldn't understand it.

"I see. So that's how it is. You're amazing, Yuni-chan. I definitely need you. Come, let's make up, Yuni-chan" He scowled when the man walked towards the said girl, but stopped when she told him to stay away, the light slowly disperse. Byakuran was acting more crazy than he actually was. 

"We can no longer leave our souls with you!" The damn smile on Byakuran's face was so damn evil-and weird- that Ryuuichi felt like stabbing at it. Well, not literally. "What kind of nonsense are you saying? If you're going to take that and run, I'll chase you to the end of the Earth and take it back. Let's return now. Come back to me" Ryuuichi stood up onto his feet, hands clutching on his bow as he gripped it tightly as Byakuran moved nearer to Yuni. 'We'll be running..' 

A sudden gun shot had grazed Byakuran's hand that was reaching out to her. Yuni immediately ran towards where Tsuna and Reborn was. "Don't push your luck, Byakuran. I don't give a damn who you are. If you lay a finger on the Arcobaleno Boss, I won't stay quiet" For some reason, Ryuuichi felt that Reborn meant to say 'I would personally pull you down to hell'. 

"Playing the knight in shining armor, strongest of infants, Arcobaleno Reborn?" 

"Byakuran-sama. Rest assured. We will soon bring Yuni-sama to you." Kikyo, Torikabuto and Zakuro flew up, flames ing them upwards. Kikyo had threw sharp plant shoots coated with Cloud flames at a high speed, which were all destroyed by explosives, courtesy from Squalo. "Voiiii! You get to deal with me! I've been itching to let loose!" Hibari was beside him, poking him with the end of his tonfa saying that he was on his way.

Ryuuichi simply sighed, but shot a few arrows towards them, purposely missing them. He gave them the stare, sending a silent message of 'Sorry but you'll die no matter what'. "Ryuuichi?! Not you too!" If this was anything else, he would have laughed at the brunette's reaction. Seriously, how did he overreact so many times and would still be overreacting was a mystery.

"Now, let's calm down, Kikyo-chan. Yuni-chan's been more or less asleep for a long time. She must be upset after awakening from her long slumber" The real Funeral Wreath did as told, as Byakuran went back to persuading Yuni to go back to him. As if she would. "Then how about this, Yuni-chan? I worked very hard to earn the precious Tri-Ni-Sette I was suppose to receive after winning Choice. But if you return to Milliefiore, I'm willing to return the Vongola Rings the Vongola Family" 

Ryuuichi frowned. So he would still be taken away? Not a bloody chance. As he had known, Yuni rejected and along the line of her short speech, Choice is considered invalid, to everyone's surprise. And for the sake of the world, she had chose to abandon her Family, the Black Spell. Ryuuichi knew that it pained her to do so, as she had no choice. She rather sacrifice herself, but in this dire situation, it wasn't possible. Tsuna, after consideration, which wasn't that long, had taken Yuni into their protection. 

The three real Funeral Wreath, who were all on standby was about to attack them when Squalo's explosion exploded again, creating a smoke screen as he rode on his box weapon, which was a shark coated with Rain Flames, rushed towards them. Ryuuichi helped carry Shoichi, as they ran, leaving Squalo, Gokudera and Hibari to buy them some time.Briefly, he felt that he was forgotten.

But, the narrowed stare and those silent words that he heard showed otherwise. "Yuni-chan, Ryuuichi-kun, I won't let you go." 'You both are mine'

The teen suppressed a shudder and fasten his pace. For now, let's just run away.

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A/N= Yeahhhh.. I skipped quite a lot of episodes on this, lazy to describe all. 

I got too fed up on writing them that I kindda, just went through with it. 

I don't really have much to say on this Chapter, somehow. 

About Yuni, well, she did knew about a few things about Ryuuichi, so yeah.

The next chapter would be the last chapter for the Choice Arc... And probably the prologue for the next Arc, the Inheritance Succession Arc. Yeah, that arc would be more interesting because I wouldn't be elaborating much on what happen on Tsuna and the other's Trial. It would be more focused on Ryuuichi. Fortunately *sigh* [P/s-They would be appearing (Obviously)~]

[I apologize for any grammars, spellings, etc.etc. mistakes]