Ryuuichi sweated, tensed up when Ghost started walking. Ghost, although quite harmless in a way, was literally a ghost. Any attacks does little to no damage to the glowing giant. He briefly peered up at the rest of the Real Funeral Wreaths, they were all edgy. Not only them, the others were the same. Especially after Belphegor's attack that simply went through the giant. 

Ghost wasn't an illusion. Mukuro and Fran confirmed it. When Levi's flame had passed through the giant too, Basil suggested to use multiple flames of element with Gokudera and Ryohei, which they complied. (Ryuuichi knew it was quite a bad idea, but said nothing about it.) They injected their flames into their boxes, and their box animals came out. Uri ran forward, towards Ghost as Alfin and Garyuu supported by shooting Uri with their flames. And a matured leopard with Rain, Sun and Storm flame flaring.

"Solarstorm Fang!"

The sheer amount of flames were impressive and when Uri and Ghost collided, dust flew about and flames crackled about. When their sight cleared, Ghost was still strolling like he wasn't attacked a few moments ago, a transparent shield around him. Uri, who turned small again, was unconscious as it fell down. 

Ryuuichi gritted his teeth, when green tubes shot out of the shield, shooting towards them. He quickly dodged one that almost hit him, jumping away. He looked up just in time to see Bluebell shrink and disappeared. He grimaced at the sight and quickly looked away, eyes focused on Ghost and the tubes. If he's careless, he might die. Xanxus shot it, but his flame was simply absorbed into the shield, surprising the man. 

The flames from the others' rings were out too, even when they didn't do anything. Ryuuichi was the only one who didn't, but he could feel a strong suction tugged in him. He was slowly getting more suffocated. He distantly noticed that Mukuro go off into the forest as he watched Kikyo and Zakuro, and of course, the others dodging the tubes. One demonstration is enough, after all.

He breathed in and out deeply, trying to get his breathing stable, and managed to smirk a little. It won't be long until Tsuna come. And when he does, Ghost would be nothing but a ghost. Ryuuichi frowned, feeling getting more uncomfortable. He jumped away again, looking behind just in case the tube decided to turn around and shoot him from behind.

"Ryuuichi!"

He jerked a little at the call and turned around, to see another tube shooting towards him. He realized just a split second later that he won't make it on time to dodge the tube. He cursed himself and tried nonetheless. Just as the tube was about to hit him, he was pulled back by the arm, the tube missing him by a hair. He stumbled back and hit a chest.

His eyes were wide as he sighed in relief and turned to his savior, only to find a scowling Hibari glaring at him. He sweated a little at that. "U-umm.. Thank you" Hibari narrowed his eyes at him before grunting. The prefect let go of his arms, but stayed close to him. He occasionally glanced at Ryuuichi as he cautiously watched the tubes that was still shooting out of the transparent shield Ghost has.

Ryuuichi blinked at that, but had his attention took away when he heard Tsuna's voice. The brunette was listening to Ryohei's explanation of their situation here. Ryohei wanted Tsuna to take Yuni away from there as fast as they could, but Tsuna could never. Not to mention Yuni had said that she would not escape any more. Though, more on the fact that leaving anyone behind dreads him.

Tsuna clenched his fist tightly until his knuckles turned slightly white. He wanted to go help them, but he couldn't leave as Yuni might in danger if he do so. But not helping them on the other hand....

"Sawada-san. Please go. I have Uncle Reborn here." Yuni smiled so earnestly that Tsuna was surprised. How was she able to smile in this kind of situation confused him. How was she able to stay optimist, was an incredible feat that Tsuna might never manage. He couldn't decide, but Yuni's reassuring voice somehow convinced him. 

He, with a very glad and tinted with slight fatigue, thanked her. "But that's too reckless! It's the same as throwing your life away!" Fuuta protested. Reborn's eyes were shaded by his fedora as the Arcobaleno told him to decide on his own. It's his own life after all. Tsuna knew that he might just die if he were to go. He knew very well that he would be getting himself killed. Though, he honestly rather die helping his friends rather than anything. If he were to die saving his friends, he would gladly do it, but he will never leave his friends to die for him, or Yuni. No. Never.

He glanced at Yuni, Shoichi, Haru, Kyoko, I-Pin and back to Reborn and Fuuta. He closed his eyes and turned, opening them again, eyes burning. His mittens were on, two blue pills on his palm. He swallowed them, feeling something akin to calmness takes over as orange flame flared on his forehead, mittens turned into gloves.

"Wait here, everyone" His fist clenched, Sky flames burst. His narrowed, orange eyes aimed for only one place at the moment. The battle site. "I'm off"

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While they were waiting, or rather, Ryuuichi was waiting for Tsuna's arrival, Yamamoto, Dino, Kusakabe and Romario appeared. Yamamoto managed to save Gokudera and Ryohei when the tube curved back towards them, though his flames were through his sword. 

It was bad. Very bad. Ghost's flame had started to crackle and with that much amount of flames from all of them, it would straight jump to Yuni. Definitely. 

"I won't let that happen!" They looked up to the sky upon the voice, and saw a Hyper Dying Mode Tsuna flying towards them. Ryuuichi could briefly see orange flames being towards Ghost even though he was still quite far away from it. And then, the brunette went into his Zero Point Breakthrough: Revised stance. The green tubes shot upwards towards Tsuna, latching onto his being as they each others' flames. 

Tsuna rushed forward and clashed with Ghost's shield, not stopping on absorbing flames. The impact shone brightly, blinding them. At that, Ryuuichi gasped and fell onto his knees. He was breathing heavily, shoulders heaving as he desperately trying to in oxygen. It was as if he was hyperventilating, yet he wasn't. He felt more light headed as the 'suction' got stronger, temporary losing his hearing. All he could hear, or feel, was very muffled shouts, and vibrations. 

He was getting more and more weaker as each seconds passed. He dug his fingers into the ground, gritting his teeth in pain. 

Similar to the others, Hibari was momentarily blinded by the bright light, much to his dismay. When his sight cleared, he could see the brunette and the giant in the middle. That was when he noticed Ryuuichi was on the ground, when the teen was supposed to be standing beside him. He would probably never admit but he panicked a little when he saw the small shoulders moving up and down in quite a fast pace. He quickly knelt down, placing a hand behind Ryuuichi's back.

"Oi. What's wrong" Hibari himself was surprised at the concern laced in his own voice, but dismissed the thought and focused on Ryuuichi. The teen couldn't hear him, he knew that. He also knew that he couldn't breathe, seeing how hardly he was trying to air into his lungs. What he didn't know was what caused him unable to breathe. Ryuuichi was as though he had a bad case of asthma. His mind flew through all his memories about first aid as he tried to get Ryuuichi look at him.

Ryuuichi felt a pair of hands cupping his face and tilting it up. He saw Hibari. The prefect's lips were moving, as though he was talking but he couldn't hear it other than the annoying rings. He winced, peering it Ghost and Tsuna for a moment before black spots appeared in his sight. He felt weaker, his arms couldn't hold him up and he slipped, almost falling face flat onto the floor if not for Hibari holding him up. 

Although he felt as though he was going to die courtesy of the suffocation, he managed a small, weak smile. Tsuna was already winning, and when the vibrations finally stopped, he knew the brunette won against Ghost, absorbing it. The suction finally stopped. He closed his eyes, finally feeling oxygen getting into his system and filling his lungs. He could feel his senses finally working again. 

"Oi, small animal" He snapped his eyes open at the voice and found himself in Hibari's arms. His eyes widen for the nth time that day and wanted to pull away, but his strength haven't return, much to his dismay. (He secretly wanted to stay like that though) "S-senpai?" He muttered softly, mildly aware that no one noticed their position, fortunately. Hibari was frowning very hard, Ryuuichi would say. He blinked a few more times.

"What's wrong?" Hibari helped him up, steadying him when he almost fell. The prefect mildly aware that the teen could breathe properly again, but he was still worried. He had never seen the teen like this before. Although it was slightly interesting, but Ryuuichi was as though in pain, and Hibari didn't like that.

His eyes widen at the realization. 'Me? Worried? About him?' He frowned even harder.

Ryuuichi winced when he stood, his head was hurting a little as dizziness took it's place before disappearing as soon as it appeared. He shook his head lightly. He thanked Hibari again, but the prefect was somehow lost in his own world. He slowly moved away from Hibari's grip when he finally snapped out of it and let him go. Ryuuichi raised an eyebrow at that but paid not much heed. 

He wondered what the hell had happened to him. Was it because he wasn't wearing his ring, and the flames in him were when Ghost and Tsuna absorbed flames which caused him unable to breathe? There's a high possibility, but there wasn't anything solid to prove that. He narrowed his eyes, feeling annoyed for some reason.

"Wow, I'm so impressed. You actually defeated Ghost" They looked up and saw Byakuran, with his ever so annoying smirk. "I'm glad to see you're doing well, Tsunayoshi-kun" The said brunette gritted his teeth and glared seethingly at the man. The man, who cause all of them so much pain, the one who killed their loved ones. 

"This is a crazy lineup here. The boss of the Cavallone Family, the Vongola's independent assassination squad, Varia, the Vongola's outside advisor's team, and Mukuro-kun, along with the other Vongola Guardians. And of course, the ever so powerful Ryuuichi-kun" 

Ryuuichi tensed up at that, glaring at the man. There was absolutely no reason to mention about him. Absolutely no. Ryuuichi seriously don't get why would they even remember him in these kind of situation. Seriously, no. Don't. (Too bad for him, his presence attracts attention. And trouble. A little. Much like Tsuna)

"I'm so thrilled to see the Vongola's strongest members assembled here. Though, I must say that you have a peculiar taste, Tsunayoshi-kun. Just look. Mukuro-kun and Xanxus-kun. You're working with people who once tried to kill you. That's pretty insane." The one who should be labelled as insane is Byakuran himself. He, actually wanted to dominate the world for the sake of it and his power. And the fact that he regard most as a game? Ryuuichi was pretty sure that was more insane.

Xanxus, hearing that, menacingly retorted in a low voice. "Let's get this straight. I ain't working for Sawada!" The man shot Byakuran with his gun, not once looking at him. Next was Mukuro, as he used one of his hell ring and veins with eyes shot out of his ring and towards Byakuran as well. Mukuro was not pleased at all to be grouped with the Mafia by Byakuran. Absolutely not. 

"I see. Sorry about that" There was a shattering sound, and when the dust surrounding Byakuran disappear, they could see him still up in the air, with not even one speck of injuries. "Anyway, you all seem pretty tired. What was with that pitiful attack? Can't really blame you though. Since Ghost absorbed most of your flames. You're all out of gas" 'Well, except for Tsunayoshi-kun and Ryuuichi-kun'

Byakuran felt a sudden thrill of excitement (and slight fear). He wanted to fight Tsuna and Ryuuichi, and finish them already. More so towards the latter one. When he was done with all of them, he will claim Yuni and Ryuuichi. He would break them, and make them into his puppets who could do nothing without him. (The sadism streak in him was triggered at that, especially when he knew that one of them would put up a whole lot of struggling)

Xanxus and Mukuro, of course, wasn't happy about being looked down, and challenged Byakuran back. The already irritated Hibari, too, joined in. 

"Everyone get back. He's mine!" Tsuna intervened. The three said nor did anything to protest. They knew their limits, even if they didn't want to admit it, and when the brunette was like that, they just couldn't say no. The Skies have their own battles after all. Byakuran seemed to be amused at that as he laughed quite gleefully. 

"Do you know why I chose this time to show up, Tsunayoshi-kun? Because my body and spirit are finally ready"

"I've been ready for a long time" In a blink, Tsuna flew up and round house kicked Byakuran behind him, surprising the others at his speed. He didn't let Byakuran rest and grabbed the man's head, kneeing into his face. He then rushed forward again, attempted to punch Byakuran, only to have his fist stopped by a single finger. 

Tsuna was shocked at the strength. He was stopped by a finger. One, finger. Who wouldn't be surprised. Not to mention that he couldn't even overpower it. 

"Oh? What's wrong? That's the best you can do? Then it's my turn. White Finger" Byakuran's Mare ring glowed once, and a streak of transparent light pushed Tsuna down to the ground. The impact had caused a crater. Tsuna stayed on the ground for a moment, face down, before he pushed himself up, pushing back the pain.

"Can't have you dying from that. I've only used a tenth of the flames absorbed by Ghost"

And then, a pair of wings with small, rainbow sparks flowing down of its feathers. They were created by the flames Byakuran had absorbed. 

Tsuna gritted his teeth. When he had absorbed Ghost and he couldn't feel the flames of his comrades, he had somehow guessed that they were with Byakuran. His intuition with rang at that moment proved otherwise too.

Upon the sight of the wings, Ryuuichi somehow felt an absent feeling behind him. He rubbed his neck, getting quite uncomfortable at that. Frowning lightly, he shifted all his weight to another leg, eyes never leaving the two that were fighting. The flames, that Ghost absorbed, were transferred to Byakuran. Although it was impossible for this feat to happen without physical contact, Ghost wasn't just any being. He was Byakuran himself from another parallel world. From the one world that was utterly destroyed by the man just to bring his other self to this world, just because he thought that things would be easier to do if there were two of him. 

But as a consequence, Ghost became a mindless being. How ironic that Byakuran would be gladly to sacrifice himself, or his other self in this case, for the sake of dominating the world, when he would be the one ruling if he succeed.

'If he managed, that is. Like hell it would happen anyway'

The others could believe it. Logically, it was, after all, impossible. Though, Byakuran is the Mare ring owner. One of the pieces of the Tri-Ni-Sette. Miracles happen with it.

"These wings are more than simply flames. They're a symbol of sorts. It's a proof that I've become greater than human"

("Heh" Ryuuichi blinked, looking around. He thought he had just heard an amused scoff, from an unfamiliar voice. He raised an eyebrow when he realized there weren't anyone else, nor did anyone noticed the voice. 'The heck?')

"What are you talking about?!" "Are you trying to say that you're god?!" Dino and Squalo were angry at that as they spoke up in rage. "A god? Byakuran-sama is meant to be worshiped as a devil." Kikyo, with pride so full that they could literally hear and see it, explained. 

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what you use or what methods you use, I'm going to take you down!" Byakuran smirked, amused by that as Tsuna spoke from his spot in the crater. "That's the spirit, Tsunayoshi-kun" They both lit up their ring with a strength that had all of them, even Yuni and the others, wavered. The pressure was frigging high, and heavy, in a sense."I came here to play, so you better entertain me."

Tsuna flew upwards, punching the man in the guts again and again but the man did not seemed to be bother by it. Heck, Byakuran even said it tickles, much to Tsuna's chagrin. Realizing that his attack did no damage to the man, he backed off. "Finished already? That's no fun. You can play with my pet" Byakuran's ring glowed, the pressure rising, before a dragon appeared on his hand. "White Dragon"

The brunette scowled. It was a box weapon, he noticed that when he saw a box dangling on a chain. His attention were taken back onto Byakuran as the man his hand with the dragon out, the creature flying towards him and roared. He quickly called out Natsu and into combat form. Natsu changed into the mantle just in time to defense against the dragon. Tsuna gritted his teeth at the strong impact.

Byakuran raised his hand up and the dragon returned, Natsu changing out of his form. "Well? Isn't this dragon box weapon amazing? I'm the only one who has one. But even then, I was holding back most of my power. The next one will go right through you" The man's hand glowed again.

He his hand out again and the dragon went towards Tsuna and Natsu. Natsu growled, but Tsuna remained unfazed as he coaxed his partner not to fall for it. When the dragon hit him, he used Zero Point Breakthrough: First Edition. The dragon then froze in ice. He then flew towards Byakuran again, having Natsu going into Cambio Forma Modo Attacco. A gauntlet formed on Tsuna's right fist.

(Ryuuichi wasn't exactly surprised at the new move from Tsuna, but he, internally smirked when the others, including Byakuran and Tsuna himself, thought that it was the brunette's full strength. That, was simply an understatement. Well, they would just have to realize that themself later on)

Byakuran didn't dodge or anything, in fact, he stayed static as Tsuna, infuriated, threw the punch. With a simple clap, the attack was cancelled. "White Applause" 

An attack that could shatter any attack. What load of bull, Ryuuichi would say in the past. But seeing it first hand, he knew that the attack was very powerful. And it brought a moment of dread. He worriedly gazed at the devastated brunette who was taken aback by what had just happened, before Tsuna was punched down to the ground.

Byakuran followed, his flame-wings flapped as he landed. At the same time, Tsuna pushed himself up "You try hard, Tsunayoshi-kun. But.." The man reached out, a giant transparent hand appeared and gripped Tsuna tightly. "You can stop now." He tighten his grip. Tsuna groaned out loud at that.

The man laughed, mockingly said. "Tsunayoshi-kun, you're so powerless. I could crush you just like that." He tighten further, crushing the said teen even more. Tsuna shakily gripped the giant hand with his free hand, in attempt to pull it off but he felt weak. It was as though his strength suddenly left him. Fatigue was getting onto him. 

"I was expecting you to put up more of a fight, but this is no fun. You're are, right? That the size of the flames from your ring is the size of your resolve. Your resolve to return your buddies to the past must be weak?" 

'Weak? Weak?!' How dare he. How dare Byakuran say his resolve is weak. How dare, the man who brought them this much anguish, say that? He had absolutely no right to say that. Nor would he ever have. He, of all people, have no right to place his own judgement on him. 'No. I'm not done yet!'

Rage, and a full blown determination bubbled in him as he pictured his friends, his family, in his mind. 'I'll defeat him and send everyone back to the past!' His ring started to glow. Streams of orange, Sky flame flared off. 

"The pressure's a little higher. I'll follow suit then" Byakuran's ring too shot streams of flame. Upon that, Tsuna rose his own up higher. Byakuran didn't back up from that challenge, and did the same. Strong currents of sky flames shot out, causing a slight vibration. The flares had most of them back off, pressure too much for them to handle, except for Ryuuichi who stood perfectly fine.

There was a pull. It wasn't like the one from the strong, suffocating suctions. It was more a coaxing like pull. There was this foreign warmth. Ryuuichi could help, but moved forward slightly.

And then was a sound of bell. Byakuran, Tsuna and Yuni, unsurprisingly, were encaged in this transparent, orange sphere as the bell continued to resonate. Their rings were reverberating. But surprisingly, Ryuuichi, too, were encaged in the same sphere, the ring around his neck, the same ring he had no idea about, fallen out from the collar of his shirt and was flaming in orange.

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A/N= A-ahahahaha.. Sorry. Another cliffhanger ^^ll

Right, I won't explain much about this chapter except for one.

Since Dying Will Flames are the energy waves that convert itself into high-density form of flames, and its somewhat the life-force in ones body, it practically means that Dying Will Flames are in the person itself. Hmm... For the others' case, their flames were absorbed through their rings and/or weapons despite not doing anything during the fight with ghost, they would feel physically weaker and worn out. But for Ryuuichi's case, since he didn't wear any ring that time, felt something in him .

It's like something out of it's core. Although there's a possibility his flame seep out without even using his ring or weapons, he's different. Hmm.. is this confusing? It feels like very confusing, even for myself.

Anyway, the point is, Ryuuichi's flame is like his core. And there's a few more things about this, but will explain it later on. Wow. I realized that there will be a lot of explanation after this. *sweat drop*

[I apologize for any grammar, spelling, etc.etc. mistakes]