Dancing With A Corpse

(II. Forgotten Friend)

By: Riku~
Pairing: Mukuro x Reader

Disclaimer: Nyaaa, I don't have that pineapple prince so as KHR ^^ and you of course, but I do own the plot~

Warning: OOC~

Beta-ed by: Aku Sakura

A/N: U-P-D-A-T-E-D! Yay~ finally I can post this one~ ^^ enjoyyy~

The illusionist smiled as he wandered inside the Kokuyo building, humming a tune in amusement. To think he could see you again, maybe with more injuries covering your body, was a happy thought. He smiled, praising himself for guessing right. You were there, sitting in the same place as yesterday when he found you.

"Oya... You come again..?" He knelt down, wanting to see your bloody form clearer.

You trembled, but lifted your face, "U-um... Do y-you... Mind?" It was the same man who approached you yesterday. The same man that made you feel strange just by looking into his eyes.

He chuckled darkly, "No... You can come here anytime you want."

"Thank you... This is the only place I can find peace..." You gave Mukuro a sad smile, but still gratefully thanked him for letting you come anytime you wanted.

You could feel that the boy in front of you was observing you, probably taking interest to your scars and bruises which were pouring blood. "A-ahaha... I-I fell from the floor." Then you immediately looked away from those bi-colored eyes.

"You're bad at lying aren't you? Who did this to you..?" He touched your swollen eyes.

You gasped as his ghostly cold touch landed on your skin, then hissed as he cupped your cheek, and brought your eyes to his. Your cheeks were now darkened to a crimson red. His eyes were asking the same question that his lips had spoken before.

"M-my... Father..." Your chapped lips finally let a voice out as he caressed your bloody arm, wanting to know how badly beaten up you were, "U-umm... You'll get dirtied by the blood if you keep touching..."

He paused his touch and gave you a gentle but mischievous smile, "Perhaps you could tell me why he did this...?"

'So beautiful...' Mukuro thought, still observing.

You saw his eyes and you knew you couldn't just shut your mouth. His eyes were telling you to tell him. "W-well... My father is unemployed and he's too stressed to find jobs, so he drank beer everyday to release his stress. He said me and my mother were a burden... S-so, he hit me and sometimes my mother as well..."

Mukuro hummed in pleasure, 'Such a simple matter,' he thought. "Why don't you run away?" He asked, knowing he could break your mind as he had done with many before.

"I don't have a place to run to, because where my mother is - that's my home..."

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You were awaken after you felt someone caressing your cheek with something wet, "U-umm..."

A voice answered, "(Y/n)-chan... How are you feeling today?"

You were confused by the voice; you didn't remember hearing this voice yesterday. "W-who a-are...you?"

"Ah, I'm sorry... I'm Chrome... Chrome Dokuro... I didn't get to introduce myself yesterday..."

"N-nice to meet you...Chrome-chan..." You attempted a smile. The smile went wider as you heard a giggle, probably from Chrome.

"I'm in charge of taking care of you, so don't feel cautious to ask me anything (y/n)-chan..." She touched your hand.

"Chrome... Why are you wiping me..? Should I just go to the bathroom considering it's been 3 years since I've bathed..?"

"Ah, I'm sorry... I was the one who wiped you everyday before you awoke. J-Just kind of a habit... U-umm... Do you want... To take a bath?" She asked gently. You could hear the rag being dropped into water, probably a bucket considering the small echo it made.

You nodded and she answered in a cheerful but shy tone, guiding you to the bathroom and helping you to shower. You were glad to have someone helping you - otherwise you would've hit something on your way there.

"Chrome-chan..? Can I... Meet Mukuro Rokudo?"

"Ah, Mukuro-sama? Why would you want to meet him?" The purple-haired girl was surprised from your sudden question as she helped you wash your (h/c) hair.

"I want to thank him... For letting me stay here, even though maybe I'm only a nuisance..."

"N-no!" Chrome paused, realizing she was too loud. She quickly reverted back to her usual tone, "You're not a nuisance... Y-You're a friend..."

"Thank you..." You smiled cheerfully, sighing in relief as the warm water caressed your scalp. "And about Rokudo-san? Can I meet him?"

"I-I'd have to ask Mukuro-sama first..." She grabbed the sponge and started scrubbing your back.

You asked her for the sponge too and brushed your cleavage while asking, "Chrome? Why did you add '-sama' after his name? Is he your master?"

You sensed her shaking her head, "Mukuro-sama saved my life..." Replied Chrome before pouring warm water over your body, cleaning the bubbles there. You didn't know why, but for some reason you had a feeling that she was blushing.

"Hee... So he is a kind one... I wonder what kind of person I was..."

No answer came, and you tilted your head only to see nothing nor hear anything. You were scared that she might have left you alone in the bathroom so you tried to call, "C-chrome?"

Still no answer, you were shivering now, feeling strange in the unknown mansion. Actually, anything you did felt strange. Talking with your former friends was like talking with strangers. Even when you woke up on the very same bed like yesterday, you still felt like the bed was different.

You panicked, "Chrome..? C-chrome..? I..."

"Is everything alright, (y/n)-chan?"

Finally, the very same voice as the one you had longed to hear appeared, "Chrome! Thank God. I thought you left me..." You sighed in relief.

"I-I would never leave you... U-umm... Mukuro-sama said it was okay for you to meet him... I'll take you to his room after you're dressed."

You nodded in agreement and thanked the girl as she guided you back to your room and helped you dress. You felt confused when you couldn't figure out how she could get permission from Mukuro and yet still not have left your side as she had stated earlier. Had she lied? But coming to think of it, you don't remember hearing her footsteps. And if this was a mansion then surely it would take longer than that to reach wherever Mukuro was, get his permission then return. Even if the room was only next to the bathroom.

You decided not to linger on the thought for any longer and followed Chrome to wherever Mukuro's was.

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A sound of your throbbing heart echoed in both of your ears as Chrome took you to Mukuro's room. The way he talked scared you...

"Mukuro-sama, should I leave?" Chrome asked the man who was sitting behind his working table, leaning his chin on one of his gloved hands.

You realized that you were inside Mukuro's room now as you could hear his creepy voice. You were then guided to a seat by Chrome.

"I'll call you when we are finished, Chrome... Grazie [1]."

Chrome bowed and left the room, leaving just the both of you and Mukuro inside.

"So... What brings you here, (s/n) (y/n)..?" He began and chuckled when you suddenly squealed after hearing his voice. You hadn't realised that you were sitting right in front of his desk. His creepy voice was scarier hearing it this close.

"Umm... I t-thought it was impolite to not thank you for letting me stay until I regain my vision..."

Yes, that was what Sawada had told you - to stay until you could see again and you could choose when you wanted to leave. You really didn't want to trouble anyone for taking care of you, but everyone was being very kind.

"Kufufufu... I don't mind letting you stay... But it indeed is a troubling matter if you can't regain your vision in a flash..."

The Mist Guardian stared at your twitching form. He was glad to have you conscious again, but the fact that you had lost all your memories left a displeased feeling lingering inside him. He knew that he shouldn't tell you anything. He could only wait for the time when you remembered it yourself. The thought made him clench his fist.

"...I-if you... Find me troubling, you can always...umm... Tell me to leave..."

Mukuro's eyes twitched, "Kufufufu, if I tell you to leave, where you will go?"

"Akhh... I-I... Haven't thought about that... Uhh..." You gasped and covered your mouth in surprise, feeling dumb for not thinking about your destination when you leave.

You were surprised when he suddenly laughed after a few seconds of silence, "Kufufu... Fuwahahahaha! Don't be so hesitant. Kufufufu, I'm not going to make you leave. Kufufufu..."

The man noticed that you maneuvered your head down and a blush appeared on your cheeks due to the embarrassment. He smiled in amusement. God, how much time had passed since he saw that blush in your cheeks. He couldn't bring himself to unglue his eyes from your fragile self - the one that he adored so much.

Realizing that you wouldn't bring up a new conversation, Mukuro finally said, "Oya, are you scared? Kufufufu... You are trembling and your face is showing fear."

"N-no... I'm just... thinking what should I do when you really kick me out, considering there was nothing in our relationship to make you keep me in this mansion."

"Kufufufu, I do know you... Since ten years ago." Mukuro shook his head, disagreeing with what he just said to you. No, no, he mustn't bring up that topic, he must change it. Otherwise his sacrifice won't be paid.

He replaced your voice just when you went to speak up, "My apologies for telling you this, but I'm busy now since I have a meeting in another minute. Perhaps you can go back to your room? I've arranged Chrome to take care of you, along with my other subordinates, so you can ask them anything you want."

Your sudden move made the man in front of you a bit surprised, but he didn't show it. You stood up suddenly and bowed your head at him, "I'm really sorry for taking your time! But I do request your time again in the future... E-excuse me!"

After quickly lifting your body up, you maneuvered your feet to turn around as you remembered the door was about 10 steps behind you. But unfortunately, the chair's leg prevented you from walking away as it became an obstacle and made you fall. Oh God, you know it'd hurt to be kissing the floor and how it'd be an embarrassing act to fall in front of the owner of this mansion.

You waited and waited for the hard feeling on your face to come and were prepared to hear that chuckle or laughter of Mukuro, but you never felt the pain nor heard the laugh. You found something was circling your waist. After clearing your mind, you knew the something which was circling your waist was not 'something', it was an arm. A big arm that you knew was not Chrome's.

"Kufufufu, be careful could you? I haven't even told Chrome to get you... I don't want to hear complaints for letting you kiss the cold floor..." He said, whispering slowly right beside your ear. You shuddered as red began to rise in your cheeks again.

You could feel his large hand helping you straighten your body and when you felt something touch your palm, you could manage to hide the embarrassment as you realised the hand was a delicate one - meaning Chrome was back, "Excuse us, Mukuro-sama." She said before she slipped her hand into yours.

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Chrome, being one of the Kokuyo Gang and one of Vongola Guardians had never heard of the question you had just asked nor had she thought about it. She knew helping a friend was a kind thing to do, but to accomplish your wish... "T-Touching me..?"

You quickly responded after making yourself comfortable in the bedroom, enjoying the breakfast which Chrome had brought to your room right after you returned from Mukuro's. "Yes, I want to know what you look like by touching your face, so I can imagine your form. How's that?"

The female Mist Guardian sighed in relief; she realized you meant to touch her face, not touching in the inappropriate meaning. Chrome smiled. If that was what you wanted, she would be happy to oblige. How could she reject your wish when you were her best friend ever since the first time you'd met each other?

She nodded with a small smile, "That's fine by me..."

You smiled in return and reached out your arm, trying to locate her face. You smiled in relief as you felt her hand gently grab your wrist and guide it to her face. At first you hesitantly touched her skin, but as you swallowed the lump in your throat and forced yourself to proceed, the action became easier. You felt her soft skin and moved your hand to find fabric on her face. Then you brought your other hand join in to feel her face too.

"Do you... Wear a bandage or some kind of eye patch on your right eye?" You asked, still caressing.

"Yes, I have a problem with my right eye." She kindly answered, enjoying your touch. She had longed for your soft touch on her face like you usually did back then. You had pinched her cheeks softly and then laughing after telling her that she was still a pretty girl even though she only had one eye. [2]

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FlashBack

"Don't worry Chrome, you'll get stronger." You smiled at the girl beside you, hugging her knees and buried her head there, bandage covering her head and a band-aid was stamped on her hands. You knew she had had a bad day.

"I-I'm useless... I... E-even t-troubled Mukuro-sama..." She cried.

You sighed and placed your palm on her cheek, erasing the tears, "No Chrome, don't cry." You inhaled the surrounding air, "Ahaha, see, if you cry I'll start to cry too." You wiped your teary eyes with your other hand.

"I h-hope... My right eye can see too one day..." She wished softly.

"I hope so too... But you're still pretty even if you only have one eye. Believe in yourself..." You smiled gently at your best friend, caressing her swollen, teary eyes and pinching her cheek softly like you usually did to her when you both were opening your feelings to each other

End of Flashback

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You hummed in understanding and stilled on your way to caress Chrome's face. She had a small face and big eyes which would make her a cute and pretty one. You could imagine her doll-like appearance. You placed your right hand on her cheek and the other one to her hair which you found was very smooth and long, but then you stopped your touch after you felt something wet on your hand.

"C-chrome? Uh, um, are you crying? D-did I touch somewhere that made you hurt?" You panicked and attempted to free her face from your hands only for her hand to stop the effort. From her tight and trembling grip, you knew she was crying.

"N-no... (y/n)-chan, I-I... Really missed you so much. I'm... R-really glad that you finally woke up. You know... I... Uhh..." She couldn't hold it anymore as her voice broke.

Without any reason, you felt that you wanted to cry too, "C-chrome... D-don't cry... That makes me, uh, want to cry too for no reason... So pl-", You hiccupped, losing all of your hold to the liquid at your eyes and letting it flow, staining the bed sheet and your peach-colored summer dress with colorless water. [3]

After letting all of the water flow out, the both of you stayed silent, enjoying the calmness of the room. But after a while Chrome finally said that she must go for a while since she must prepare lunch for you. After you nodded, she quickly made her way to the kitchen. When she arrived right in front of the door, she paused and turned back to you, saying something that made you blush and confused.

"You know (y/n)-chan... Umm... You are still beautiful as ever even if you can't see, s-so... mmh... P-please believe in yourself." She closed the door slowly, smiling to herself for managing to say the same thing that you had said to her.

You couldn't help but smile, hugging yourself and felt a deep composure inside your heart as you found that words were so nostalgic... And warm.

To Be Continued

[1] Thank you

[2]&[3] I cried when writing this part, seriously. QAQ damn my imagination + help from Mukuro's sexy sad voice in Kienai Negai... *hides behind tree* (Aku approves of this) ;)

A/N: Ahh! T-this chapter... TTwTT I don't know what I should say... Noooo... and there were only 69 and 96 in this fic who were talking to Reader-chan! But I like this one~, showing a little bit of your memory with Chrome, aww, I hope I don't mess with her character...anyway~~ Review please~ XDD thanks~

B-R/N (Aku): Had to hold back tears as I read this aloud to myself. Why you so sad for? Listened to Toshinobu Iida (Mukuro's Seiyuu) throughout the whole beta-reading~. Oh how I love your voice, *fangirl eyes*.