No matter how much time passed by, Squalo would forever remain loyal to his boss. Even with the eight years since the Cradle Affair, he hadn't stopped searching for ways to free Xanxus; it just so happened that, after all this time, his hard work had finally paid off and he could finally, finally carry out his plan.

Ever since their attack on the Vongola, Varia's presence around the Vongola Mansion always caused alarm and suspicion. It was understandable, but Squalo knew he had to come up with a way to get around that, because if he were to be seen heading anywhere that wasn't Xanxus' resting chambers or the Ninth's office…

Well, it would probably only cause a repeat of the massacre that had caused this situation in the first place.

Squalo did well at ignoring the loathing glares being sent his and Tsuna's way, but he ignored it all and instead muttered to Tsuna, "You know what to do, brat."

Tsuna nodded. He closed his eyes as he prepared himself for what would soon be happening; no matter how long he had held the title of Varia Cloud Guardian for, he would still never be able to hurt someone with as little care as the rest of the Varia.

Mammon sat on top of Squalo's head with an illusion hiding her from everyone else's knowledge. She knew she could have easily concealed all of their presences, but even though only an expert could see through what she casts, she didn't want to take the chance of being seen through as it would only lead to further gunfire.

"Those rings are down near where Xanxus is." Squalo was quiet, knowing he couldn't be overheard. "As soon as you get them, make sure no one sees you with them. If you get caught, leave no survivors."

Tsuna nodded. It made much more sense for him to go off alone since he could get away with the excuse of being lost and separated from Squalo, but if the long-haired man were to dare try such a thing, he'd be killed on sight – at least by now everyone was used to him going down and checking on Xanxus, so they gave him that much...

"As soon as we get down the stairs, take the left. There'll be guards. Take Mammon with you so they don't raise alarm."

The brunet reached out and grabbed the illusionist. He held her against his chest as he forced his emotions to harden; this was what he hated about being in the Varia, but Squalo had saved him from a life he never wanted to think about again, and so Tsuna would forever remain fiercely loyal to the other.

"Squalo, do you really think this is going to work?"

"Yeah, it has to. Just don't fuck up." Squalo glanced over his shoulder now that they were descending the staircase to get to the bottom chambers. He knew they were still being watched, so he sighed. "Mammon…"

The Arcobaleno knew what was needed of her; she cast an illusion so Tsuna could slip away unnoticed, although to the onlooker it would appear the Cloud Guardian had never left Squalo's side. They parted ways in silence, Tsuna leaving to gather the Vongola Rings while Squalo went straight to continue to his boss.

Squalo hadn't waited long for Tsuna to return to him with a black box in hand. He accepted it, and a large grin crossed his face as the blood that clung to Tsuna's hands stuck to his own gloves. He opened the box, revealing the Vongola Rings he knew so much about, before he placed them by Xanxus' side. He turned to Tsuna as the usual blackness of the chamber lit up.

"You should get out of here for now, brat; Xanxus is going to be pissed."

Tsuna didn't need to be told twice; he turned around as the sounds of the ice heating up filled the air with every intention of waiting for the other two around the corner; no way was he going to subject himself to Xanxus' wrath so soon.

~~XX~~

It had been easier than anticipated to escape the Vongola Mansion with a severely weakened Xanxus in tow, and Tsuna knew it was all thanks to Mammon and her incredible illusions. Shortly after the Cradle Affair, the Varia had been relocated to their own living quarters to avoid another massacre, but that only made things easier in the long run; without the nosey Vongola subordinates around, the Varia were free to cover up everything that had happened that day without being noticed.

"Ushishishi~ Boss has returned~" Bel's obscured eyes watched happily as the now-scarred male slowly made his way to the head of the table in their meeting room. He dug one of his knives into the hardwood, unable to keep his grin off his face; with Xanxus back, things were going to get exciting again.

"Voi! Shut up, Bel! The boss wants to spea – Voi! The fuck was that for, asshole?!" Squalo rubbed his head where a bottle of wine had just smashed over it. He growled, but he knew to otherwise shut up; he could push the boss' patience, but even he knew where the line lay.

Xanxus' angry red eyes observed his subordinates, drinking in just how much time had changed them all. "Our mission hasn't changed, scum. Destroy the current Vongola and we will remake it in our image. But first, there's something we need."

"What's that, Boss?" Levi looked ready to jump at the chance to get whatever the man needed; his eagerness was all too clear in his voice.

"The Vongola Ninth." Xanxus narrowed his eyes at Squalo now. "Trashy shark, get the paperwork approved for the Mosca. And then get the Ninth. Alive."

"Ushishishi~"

Tsuna looked to his right as Bel's laughter sounded right next to his ear. He cocked his head to the side when the blond grabbed his arm and tugged on it.

"Boss is back, and so is the fun~" The Varia Storm licked his lips. "Wanna be my partner for this one, Tuna-Fish~?"

The brunet offered a smile to his friend. "Maybe, Bel."

Bel continued cackling away to himself, and Tsuna allowed his smile to drop now that the older male's attention had drifted from him. Eight years had certainly changed him, and the only thing that had remained recognisable about him was the fact that he still smiled sincerely for his family. He didn't enjoy everything he had to do in the name of Varia, but it was a home for him when he had none, and how could he let Squalo down in declining the offer of a position when the man had given up so much for him?

Tsuna closed his eyes as he forced himself to remain calm. He wasn't going to like this mission. He held immense respect for the Ninth Vongola, but if it were his boss' commands, he would just have to block out every memory and emotion attached to his good relationship with the old man.

It wasn't impossible, however hard it could be to cut ties with someone important to him, after all.