I'm sorry that this is a rather short chapter, but I'm still glad that I had unexpected expectations met! :D Ahh, the life of mine still hath proven it's bounties, but I digress.

In all, I'm still trying to make life a bit better ;w;;; but I hope this chapter fulfills your need!

As usual, I do not own KHR.

Warnings may include cursing, sexual innuendos, and other assortments. Including some character angst.

Poll results yo: (Must read: you guys have until chapter 6 for me to finalize Haru's lover aka her 'ohhlala' partner. The poll is on my page, if you didn't know)

Sawada Tsunayoshi - 5 votes (it's probably because he got da booty)

Daisuki Aoba - 3 votes

Hibari, Ashichi, and Fon - 2 votes

Gokudera and Yamamoto - 1 vote

Reborn - 0 votes (poor Reborn ;w; )

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As soon as Haru told them about having close relations with the Vongola, (purposefully leaving out the 'I have a crush on da boss because he got da booty' part) the group had to take a moment to let them suck in the information. However, there was one emotion that hung within each and every friend of Haru.

Rage.

Pure, unadultured rage.

It started with Kagami, who knew her situation with Tsuna, but to think her adventures with the brat had caused her life to be endangered on a daily bases made him see red. And the fact that that boy had no feelings for Haru made his heart churn at the thought. If he wasn't convinced of stealing Haru away from Tsuna before, then he is now more than ever.

Ashichi followed second, however it took some time for him to realize it. It wasn't until he looked down at his hands to realize that his nails had dug into his skin, creating red angry marks, did he realize that his rage was taking affect. He tried to calm down, but the images of his precious boss, his idol, the person he cares a lot about, was in these sorts of danger without his knowing, without his protection, had him seething out a dark aura.

Megi had to close her eyes after what she had heard, she closed them because she didn't want to see. She didn't want to accept the fact that the person she calls her sister had been dealing with the low-life scum of mafia; and the Vongola mafia, no less. Megi had to hold back her emotions, her thoughts of how Haru had coped with all these events. The girl knew Haru was strong, but she never would've thought this was all happening behind her back.

Aoba, the last one, had to walk out the room after Haru's tale. He took it quite well, considering his family had been involved with the mafia for a long time, but the Haru he knew was in this mess had him cancel out. He gave up. He stopped all his thought process, left the room, and immediately pulled out a cigar. He lit it up, hoping that everything that had be revealed to him was just a dream. If it was, he would love to wake up, because there was no way that this girl, this happy-go-lucky woman was in the world of ruthless, pathetic, unmerciful men.

Haru and Reborn pensively looked at the others. For Haru, it was nerve-wracking, seeing as she had predicted this outcome for a long while. She knew her friends wouldn't take it too well, considering she had hidden her private life away for such a long time.

Reborn, on the other hand, found it to be amusing. In his eyes, they were not angry at Haru, but at themselves. For not being there for Haru. For not protecting her, or simply just being there. Their flames were slowly lighting up, but it wasn't enough. He needs to train them before they could access their flames. And that's not the only thing interesting here; it seems they have all taken a liking towards Haru. Reborn had to hold in a chuckle; looks like his student is going to have some competition.

"How long...?" Asked a voice. It was small, and it wavered in the small living room. Haru had to look down to realize it was Megi, her eyes closed, that the voice belonged to her. "How long has Haru been suffering? How long did Haru must go through this all by herself?"

Haru swallowed, hoping to hold back her feelings, "A... about a year and a half..."

Haru could already feel the tension in the room thicken. A few minutes passed, and Aoba returned to the room, sighing at the tensed group.

"So, about this trip...," Aoba said, earning a glare from Ashichi and Kagami.

"You dumbass! Is that all you were thinking about?" Kagami hissed. Aoba simply huffed and flipped the bird at him.

"No," the green haired teen walked over to Haru and sat next to her, "It pissed me off that Haru had involved herself in the mafia. And it upsets me even more that I wasn't there by her side."

"You ass-"

"Shut up, you dickweed, and listen," Aoba hissed, "I'm saying that although it pisses us all off that Haru had gone off along in these events, but we can't change the past. We can't control Haru."

"A... Aoba-kun...," Haru silently muttered, thankful that Aoba had understood her. The teen turned to her, a ferocious flame burning in his eyes that nearly left her breathless.

"Haru," His voice was rough, "I can't help but think this was a very stupid mistake; getting out of the mafia world is no easy task, and considering your personality and the story you told us, I highly doubt you'll be wanting to separated the world anytime soon. At the very least, I ask that you have me by your side when these things happen, Haru."

"H-Ha-hi," Haru's face turned red, blinking quickly in hopes to cover her blushing face. Kagami glared, placing a hand on Aoba's shoulder to slightly push him to the side.

"Like hell," he cursed, "If there's anyone that should be with her through thick and thin, it should be me!"

"All I hear is an idiot rambling," says Aoba, lifting his pinkie to scratch his ear. "Ah, is there a pest in here? Should I kill that pest for you Haru?"

"You bitch!"

Ashichi coughed, interrupting the two glaring teens, "I'm the same with Daisuki-san. If you're going to continue your activities with the mafia, at least let me be there for you, Mistress."

"A-Ashichi-kun," Haru stuttered, her blushing face evident. Megi pouted, turning herself around to face Haru.

"Harururi doesn't need to be protected by boys when Harururi has me!" The girl yelled, causing the other boys to frown at her.

A moment passed as Haru tilted her head down slowly, biting her lower lip. Her shoulders began to shake as she realized how slow she was for not telling them sooner. For not trusting them sooner. Hell, they were her friends, the people she loved dearly and cared for, along with this school that she had grown fond of. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at everyone.

"Alright," She spoke, "I... I hope you guys are prepared. If we fight, we fight together."

'About time,' Reborn thought, smirking to himself as the group hollered in joy as their boss, their Mistress, began to laugh at their boisterous attitude.

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The training plan went like this: each person was assigned to be trained by one Arcobaleno, which greatly surprised everyone. Megi was trained by Collonello, Ashichi was trained by Fon, Kagami was trained by Skull, and Aoba was trained by Mammon. As for Haru...

"...you'll be assigned with a special person, Haru," Reborn smirked. Haru tilted her head cutely.

"H-Ha-hi? Then who trains Haru then?"

Reborn causally smiled, "You'll see."

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Haru was confused as she replayed those words over her head, humming softly to herself as she made her way home. Today, she didn't sneak away from her school like normal, but instead hung out with her friends. It had been a long while since she had lunch with them, and for once, she thought that it was slightly better than being near her Tsuna.

She pulled out her keys and unlocked her door, kicking off her shoes as she made her way through the hall. The girl then proceeded to go upstairs until she heard a faint humming coming from her kitchen.

'Ha-hi? Papa isn't home from his trip yet, desu,' feeling cautious, she carefully sneaked through her living room and silently into the kitchen.

There. Right there. Humming and wearing her own cute apron.

"Mama..?"

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YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA

NOOOOO IDEA

(Okay, maybe /one/ of you did, but that's not the point)

AS I WAS THINKING THROUGH THE STORY, HARU'S MAMA CAME INTO MY HEAD AND I NEARLY HAD A HEART ATTACK. LIKE A FREAKING BOLT SHOT THROUGH MY HEART.

and yeah sorry I'm just so-oh god

Review readers, as I recover from the shock and proceed to type up the next chapter

Fight with your Dying Will!