AN: This is my first full AU! KHR fan fiction. Sorry if the characters seem occ as I am taking liberties with them since I am using their 4-5yl! Self. Sorry for the long wait! Here's the first Chapter, Rewritten, not much has been changed though. I appologize for how long this has taken.
Disclaimer: If I owned Khr, Hibari and Chrome would have been together a long time ago…
Red
Chapter 1: Home and the People that come with it.
Red is the color of fire and blood,
so it is associated with energy, war, danger,
strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.
Chrome quietly murmured an apology to the sky as she ran for shelter in a nearby cottage. The doors slammed shut as the thin red hooded figure entered the old building, while murmuring another apology to the owner of the home she invaded. Pulling back the crimson red hood that covers her, Chrome loosely combed her fingers through her chest length purple locks, her fingers danced through her hair as she observed her surroundings. To her surprise, the house was abandoned, judging by the conditions of the curtains, furniture and the amount of dust that had settled everywhere in the home. The only sign that the house was once inhabited were the few plates that were still in their racks, collecting more dust. Walking around, Chrome pushed one of the doors open, coughing lightly as a cloud of dust puffs into her face. The room obviously once belonged to a young girl. The walls were a pale cream; a pair of lavender curtains hung on a metal pole above a dirty window. Catching her reflection in the window, Chrome self-consciously brought her hands to the black eye-patch covering her right eye, reminding her of the reason she was out in the forest in the first place.
Flashback:
Chrome, stared blankly at her parents as they argued about their decision regarding her future right in front of her, completely disregarding her and her opinions, not that she could say much anyways. Chrome inwardly sighed; she should be used to it by now. She held back a cringe as her parents continued their arguments.
"It's your fault for not watching her, now she's damaged. How are we going to get her married off now!"?
"How is it my fault? She's seventeen; she should know how to take care of herself! It's her fault for wanting to save that mangy cat. It doesn't matter anyways; the Cordell's agreed to the marriage already, they can't pull out unless they want to lose face."
"Still! People will call us bad parents!"
"We could use this to our advantage."
"How?"
"We can say that we raised her to be compassionate so..."
"Ahh... I get it, clever, very clever, no wonder I married you..."
Chrome ignored the rest of the conversation, opting to quietly get out of her seat, her parents still ignoring her. Making her way down the hall Chrome smiled gently at the maids, who were sending her sad glances. They adored the little girl, she was polite and caring, unlike the other children living in the house. Other than Chrome, the family had two other kids and they where brats, it was a blessing for any of the servants to work under Chrome. You don't work at all.
Chrome smiled as an elderly lady opened the door to her bedroom. Getting off of her bed, she helped her sit down. Ignoring the protests, Chrome poured the granny tea. Settling down on the seat Chrome continued to smile at her personal maid and only friend.
Smiling gently back at the young girl, the elderly women's smile slipped off her face as she recalled the rumors she had heard on her way to work. Setting down the tea cup with a soft click, she turned her attention back to the girl.
"Is it true m'dear? That that horrid banshee you call Mother, marrying you off to that oaf, what's its name...oh he's so horrid I can't even remember his name!"
Chrome adored Mrs. Briheart; Mrs. Briheart was the grandmother Chrome always wanted. The two of them were close, allowing Chrome to call her Granny. She always knew how to make Chrome feel better.
"It's true granny, I will be married by next month."
"... But you can't! You're still a child."
"Granny, seventeen is hardly a child, but yes, I do not want to marry him."
"Come to my house, I'll find a way to get you out of this."
The plan did not go very far, one of Chrome's step-sister had overheard the conversation and told her mother. Mrs. Briheart was forced to quit and to never come in contact with Chrome ever again. Mrs. Briheart had managed to give Chrome a present before she left. Inside the package was a red hood, a letter and a new eye-patch. That night Chrome cried as she read the letter.
Dear Chrome,
Since, I have been fired, I am moving back to Vongdon to live with my nephew. In the parcel are a red cape and an eye-patch. If you ever decide to leave or if you need help, come visit me, there will always be a spot for you in my home.
Love,
Granny
Early in the morning, Chrome was gone.
End flashback.
Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Chrome explored the rest of the cottage. The cottage was bigger than a normal one, containing two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Though there wasn't a living room, there was a small kitchen attached to a decent size sitting area. Chrome smiled contentedly, she was going to make this place new home.
A few months have passed since Chrome started living in Vongdon, with the help of Granny and her nephew; they managed to fix the cottage. The cottage was still the same, minus the dirt and damage. Chrome took a job as an assistant to the local doctor, Lussuria. While Lussuria was eccentric to say the least, he was a good teacher to Chrome. Chrome was well liked in Vongdon, her sweet quiet personality made it hard for people to dislike her, the local fisherman Squallo, while very very loud, had taught Chrome how to set up traps and take care of her hair. The blacksmith and local weapon master Xanxus, while he terrified Chrome, had given her a set of kitchen knives (that never seem to get dull), a pair of silver blades and basic self defense lessons, all while telling her that she needed to learn how to defend herself so she wouldn't be like the useless trash on the street corners (Chrome has no idea what that meant but she took it to heart anyways). The town troublemakers Fran and Bel liked to often drop by with an occasional "gifts" (Chrome wasn't sure what they gave her could be called that) that ranges from various throwing knives and dead animals to random pieces of jewelry that looked like they had been broken off from something valuable.
After a long albeit slow day at work, Chrome decided to stop by Granny's home for a quick visit, only to find that Granny had left town to visit an old friend of hers. Slightly put off, Chrome bids Granny's nephew good-bye and began her trek home. Chrome pulled back her hood as she walks into the Nami-woods. The breeze in the warm summer air calms her as she leisurely makes her way down the path. The filtering sunlight dances on the floor of the forest, the light illuminated and highlighted the foliage and undergrowth of the forest. The coolness of the shade relaxes Chrome's tired body. Shuffling slowly on the path Chrome adjusted the basket she carries. The trip home was peaceful; the only sounds were of the rustling leaves and tweeting of the birds. Quickly reaching the front of her home, Chrome reached out to unlatch her front gate when a soft growling stops her. Quickly glancing around her surroundings, Chrome slipped her hand into the basket, gripping one of her throwing knives lightly. Chrome watched as a huge black wolf emerged from the forest. The wolf was limping, one of its paws was twisted awkwardly and the wolf was also bleeding in several places. Feeling sorry for the poor animal, Chrome took a cautious step towards it. The large animal stiffened as it notices Chrome's approaching figure. Lifting its massive head, the wolf curled its lip back, sending Chrome, what she assumed to be a warning snarl. Slowing down her movements even more, Chrome comes to a halt two feet in front of it. The wolf tilts its head and regards Chrome with a hostile but curious stare, no longer snarling. Sensing that the wolf had calm down enough, Chrome spoke to it in a soft voice, trying to further calm down the wolf and her racing heart. Holding out her hand, Chrome began to walk towards the animal again.
"Shhh... are you okay wolfy. Come here, I won't hurt you..."
A soft growl is the only response Chrome got, slowly reaching back into her basket as to not agitate the creature even more, Chrome searched for a cloth and a bottle of antiseptic. Chrome felt silly, talking to an animal that obviously didn't understand her. This time when Chrome reached out to the wolf, it didn't growl, taking this as a good sign, Chrome poured some antiseptic onto a cloth and brings it closer to the wounds, her hands quivered during the whole process.
"...Please don't bite me; this...this might sting a bit..."
Chrome jumped a bit in surprise when the wolf lets out a growl at the contact, but made no attempt to hurt her. Slowly Chrome repeated the process until all the wounds were clean, checking the wounds once again for any signs of infection and finding none, Chrome reached back into her basket for the bandages and ointment, uncapping the ointment and rubbing it onto the wounds, Chrome wrapped the worse and bigger wounds, as they were more likely to cause problems, using the rest of the gauze she made a makeshift cast for the wolf's injured paw. By the time Chrome finished the sun was setting, Chrome smiled gently at the wolf and stands back to admire her work, the wolf returned her smile with a blank stare, Chrome face flushes as her stomach growled. Standing up, she unlatched her gate and walked inside, suddenly remembering that the wolf might also be hungry, she glanced back at it and blinked in surprise when she saw nothing there but the glinting of a silver ring. Picking it up, she admired the elegance of the design, quickly slipping the ring into her dress pocket she walked back inside oblivious to the pair of grey eyes watching her.
A black blur barreled through the tall front gates of a huge mansion. Men dressed in black uniforms can be seen rushing from the building and lining up in the mansion's front foyer. One of the men had a particular hairdo. The man's massive column of hair swirled out in front of his face, like a unicorn's horn, the mass of hair managed to stay erect and defy gravity, even through the vivacious bowing he did, the man was holding onto a black robe. Rushing to the wolf, he quickly draped it over the body of a young man standing in its place, tying the robe around the young man; the man with gravity defying hair started to give orders to the other men.
"You please go to the kitchen and get the food ready for Hibari-san...and you get the dining hall ready for the guests. Hurry-up, you don't want him to be angry. Do you?"
The men hustled to do their jobs. Hibari ignored the bustle around him as Kusakabe led him to his room. Hibari's thoughts were on the red hooded girl he had met in the woods. She had piqued his interest, as no one has dared to approach him in his wolf form. He snapped out of his musing when Kusakabe asks him a question.
"Kyouya-san, do you need assistance with your wounds, can I get you anything for them?"
Hibari waved his hand dismissively.
"Herbivore, if you haven't noticed, I am already bandaged."
Kusakabe simply nodded in reply. Though he was curious as to who had helped Hibari, he decided not to ask questions. Giving Hibari a respectful bow, he exited the room and gently closed the door behind him.
Hibari slipped off the black coverlet and placed it on the bench in his bathroom, inspecting the bandages in the mirror; he noted that they need to be changed, un-wrapping the bandages and throwing it into a nearby waste bin, Hibari sank into the warm water of the half-pool size bath tub. The heat from the bath soothed his aching muscle, Hibari washed off the blood and dirt, the caked blood stained the water red, and reminding him again of the girl he met. He recalled her touch, the feel of her soft hands and the sound of her soft voice. It echoed in his mind, the phantom touches triggering a pleasant feeling as he remembered the way she had stroke his fur as she was cleaning his wounds, her scent a soothing vanilla. His eyes darken as he recalled her soft body, subtle curve and erratic breathing as she had leaned against his wolf-form, bandaging his wounds. Growling in frustration at his sudden herbivorous train of thought, Hibari abruptly stood up and threw the nearest object, which happened to be a shampoo bottle, at the wall. The bottle broke at the contact, its contents dripping down the wall and onto the floor with soft plops. Letting out another growl of frustration, he submerged his body into the water to calm himself down. After a few moments, Hibari got out of the large marble bath, walking out of the bathroom and into his bedroom, he grabbed the towel hanging by the door, drying himself off, he wrapped the towel around his waist, entering the huge walk-in closet next to the bathroom; he raised an eye-brow at the clothes that were laid out for him. Shrugging it off, he donned the clothes, and straitens himself out in front of the mirror. Hibari adjusted the dark blue armband on his left arm, buttoning the white trench coat he secured a blue belt around it, the blue standing out against the stark white of the uniform, dusting off his also blue pants for the last time; Hibari fastened in two golden clam cufflinks. Just as he finished, a knock on the door resounded through the room, entering quietly, Kusakabe announces that dinner was ready, pausing slightly, he ponders on how to announce his next words.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi and the other are here to...uh... discuss your job..."
He stopped as he sees a feral smirk crosses Hibari's face. He could tell that Hibari was irritated. Hibari smirked as he swiftly exits his room, pulling on the white military cap with the signature Vongola clam on the front; he made his way down the hall and to the dining room, the feral look never left his eyes. The doors of the dining room opened with a loud bang, signaling the beginning of an interesting dinner meeting. Ice grey eyes clashed with hetero-chromic ones.
The atmosphere was thick as the occupants of the room observed the interaction of their two most volatile guardians.
Sawada Tsunayoshi gulps as the two oppressing killing aura of Hibari and Mukuro filled the room, though Tsuna is the leader of the Vongola empire and stronger than both of them, the two of them still scared him more than he would be allowed (by Reborn) to admit. Clearing his throat, he tried to divert their attention from each other.
"So how was your mission Hibari."
Tsuna instantly regretted his decision as Hibari redirects the glare towards him.
"You should know Herbivore, that next time you send me on a mission, make sure you give me CORRECT information..."
"Hiieeeeee!"
"Oi! Watch what you're saying to Jyuudaime!"
"Kufufufu... Are you that pathetic to be unable to defeat those weaklings?"
Hibari twitched at the comment and turned towards Mukuro.
"I wasn't the one who had to sleep with a certain red hair banshee of a fan girl to escape."
Mukuro's expression darkened at he was reminded of the incident. A shudder runs through his body at the memories.
"That was a mistake, that woman, if you could call her that was a mistake. Anyways way don't you tell us why you came back smelling of a woman...no a young girl, her scent is to clean to be that of a women…she's untouched isn't she."
Mukuro's smirk was back on his face as Hibari stiffened at the comment. His glare at Mukuro intensified as his hands drifted towards his weapons.
"Herbivore bastard what scent are you talking about...?"
"Oya Oya, don't tell me you can't smell it. Behind the stink of the alcohol and ointment there is definitely a very female scent."
Now that Mukuro mentioned it, Hibari could smell the faint smell of vanilla coming off of him. Truth to be told, Hibari hadn't noticed it, but he wasn't going to let Mukuro have the satisfaction of knowing that. Glaring at the curious stares of the other members at the table, he lets out an inaudible sigh.
"I met her in the woods; she was the one who bandaged me."
His answer catalysis multiple counts of sputtering and jaw dropping. Though he didn't say it, Hibari had implied that he, that he, THE Hibari Kyouya had let someone, help him. Hibari and help did not go in the same sentence. They all leaned forward, expecting more.
"That is all."
Several disappointed sighs and head thuds echoed around the room. Mukuro pouted in disappointment, sensing that the conversation is over, everyone returned to their meals. Tsuna smiled to himself, thanking Kami that a fight did not break out...he thanked to soon.
Tsuna watched in horror as a slice of pineapple flies in slow motion through the air and lands on Hibari's plate. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered why he brought Mukuro in the first place.
Somewhere in the woods, Chrome hears the distinct sound of an explosion. Shrugging it off as sleep deprivation, Chrome went to sleep, not noticing the amethyst glow of the ring and the soft pattering of rain on her bed of white daises.
AN: Well there's the first chapter. Reviews and any Criticism are welcomed!
