Chapter 2 - Shock, surprise and fear
Hibari POV

The place I lived in is not magnificent or fantastic but it was practical and sufficient. It was all I needed.

Mukuro eyed my apartment suspiciously.

I opened the door to my apartment and Mukuro gaped. His jaw dropped and his eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets as he starred at me.

"You didn't lock your door?" he exclaimed.

"There's nothing worth stealing anyway," I replied. That was a fact. I lived simply and did not have a need for many things. The only thing precious to me was the tonfas and my little friends. Everything else was unnecessary. It could easily be bought again and replaced. I had more than enough money to spend from collecting rentals and some other part time job being with the Disciplinary Committee offers. Not that anyone has any objections to it. I am part of the mafia after all. Earning some pocket money would not be a big issue.

The illusionist shook his head not able to believe what he saw or heard. Either way, I was not the least bothered. He will just need to get used to it.

When we removed our shoes and entered the door to my living room he scanned the surroundings. I did not bother about him because I started rummaging through my kitchen drawers for bird seeds for Hi-bird.

"Hibari, Hibari," the yellow fluff ball chirped happily when he saw me return. I smiled, momentarily forgetting a certain illusionist. Hi-bird landed on my head and made itself comfortable in my hair. His like nails poked my scalp and sometimes it hurts but still, it feels really good to have him with me.

Just then, Mukuro decided to make his presence known by laughing that annoying laugh of his. No matter how many times I hear it, I will never get used to it. I hate that laugh of his because it reminds me of the time where he had beaten me and practically damaged my pride at Kokuyou Land. I suppressed the slight shudder creeping up my spine.

"I didn't know the high and mighty chairman of Namimori Discipline Committee kept such adorable pets," he teased. I was not surprised and surprisingly, I was unoffended by such a remark that was meant to show my weakness. Perhaps being with them for so long has made me more of a herbivore. I scowled slightly at that thought.

Nevertheless, I did not deny anything. It was true that Rolls and Hi-bird were cute anyway. I merely shrug the comment off by saying "You do not know many things." After all, I do not consider them to be my weakness. They may be little but they are strong.

Mukuro was frozen with shock. His face looked comical at that instance however, I did not laugh. He had assumed that I was not the kind to admit such things or had simply assumed that I was a blood thirsty person who wanted nothing more than to fight with him all the time. Such people bore me.

Either way I was not concerned. Humans are such creatures after all. It is to be expected. This illusionist is no different. Everywhere that I go, there will always be people who will judge me for who I am, who I am supposed to be and even how I am supposed to behave. I got tired of living the life other people want of me. That was the reason for the Disciplinary Committee. Instead of having people control my life, I fought to live it the way I wanted to live. Now, it is their turn to fight for the life they want to live. The only ones to do that were the Dame-herbivore and his company. They are the only people worthy of my respect and attention.

When I finished pouring the bird seeds Hi-bird started to peck at them immediately. I felt a little guilty for making the fluff ball starve. However, I kept my face straight, not wanting to give the illusionist a chance to pass another snide comment.

Then, I heard the sound of stomach rumbling. Startled out of my thoughts I started searching for the source of the sound and realised that it was my own stomach begging for attention.

Mukuro raised an eyebrow at me. "You hungry?" he asked.

I blushed a little at the noise my stomach made again and nodded. To be honest, I did not realise how hungry I was. I thought back about the meals I had eaten for the day but could not seem to recall having one. Seriously, my body had to betray me and embarrass me in front of my rival.

Mukuro chuckled and offered to go out to buy something for us. I figured that he had not eaten either. Looking at the time I suspected that all the shops in the vicinity would have been closed and told him to wait in the living room while I whip up with something for the both of us.

He looked genuinely surprised but still nodded enthusiastically.

When I was sure he would not cause trouble in my absence, I headed for the kitchen and pulled out some ingredients I could find in the kitchen. I guess rice with soup would have to do tonight. However, I wasn't too sure how much I should cook for I have never seen the illusionist eat anything. For a moment I wondered if illusionists even need to eat. After all, they could very well fill their stomachs with illusionary food right? Well I would not know that for sure and as a host, it will be impolite to allow my guest to starve. Rolling up my sleeves, I immediately got to cooking.

After twenty minutes in the kitchen I managed a decent pot of miso soup and some rice with some tempura prawns and vegetables. It was quite a lavish spread for me considering I only cooked ramen or donburi when I was by myself. It was only occasionally that I cooked for Rolls and Hibird to enjoy something other than cloud flames and bird seeds.

The illusionist saw the meal I made and uttered his thanks before we ate in silence with Hi-bird still cosily nested in my hair. Sometimes I wonder how he manages to stay up in my hair for so long without falling off. I suppose birds have their ways of staying in high and unstable places seeing that they build their homes on flimsy tree branches.

Halfway through my meal Rolls decided that he wanted to come out of his box. Although boxes were not allowed in this time I had threatened the red haired bespectacled boy to make one. I had fused Roll's spirit from the ring to the box. Although Roll's form is unstable at this state, it can choose when it wants to come out of the box. That mere thought made me a little proud to know that my box weapon was strong.

I guessed that something like that would happen. After all, it must have been the prawn tempuras that Rolls wanted. It was my favourite and since box weapons take after their owners, it was Roll's favourite too. He looked at them longingly while his flames flickered. I sighed and gave him my share of prawn tempuras. It looks like I will not be eating any prawn tempuras soon. He ate them quickly and before I could warn him, he had chocked on a tempura.

I dashed to the kitchen and hastily poured a glass of water, ignoring the mess I made. Rolls was already blue by the time I returned to the living room. I quickly forced the water down his tiny throat. Finally he gasped for air and I let out a sigh of relief. I had not realized that I had been worried about him. No matter how strong Rolls is, he was still like a child and needed constant supervision.

Mukuro watched the entire process calmly and continued eating. When Rolls was breathing properly again I glared at him angrily. He shrunk back in fear and whimpered. Honestly, he gave me quite a scare but I am not the kind to cuddle and sooth. Making me so worried over such a trifle matter, naturally I would be angry.

I held my glare for a few minutes while Rolls shivered uncontrollably. Then I reached my hand out to Rolls who slammed his eyes shut. I patted him on his head lightly and chided "Chew before you swallow next time! The tempuras won't run away." The words came out of my mouth harsher than I would have liked it to sound.

Rolls reopened his eyes and looked at me. Before I knew it, he started to cry. I was startled and panicked a little. Had I been too harsh on him? Mukuro on the other hand remained calm and picked up the last half eaten tempura, giving it to Rolls.

Almost instantly, Rolls stopped crying. It reminded me of a crying child whose mother used sweets to stop his tears. Although I disapproved Mukuro's way of spoiling Rolls, I remained silent. I watched Mukuro sooth Rolls and soon Rolls had finished the tempuras and returned to his box, fast asleep.

I continued my dinner as if nothing had happened while Mukuro eyed me throughout the rest of our meals. I did not want to admit that he was better than me when it comes to handling with people or even small creatures like Rolls. Even if he was the man who defeated me mercilessly, he was still more loving than I was.

Once we had finished eating, I told him "Take a shower then go to sleep. You need to go to school tomorrow."

Mukuro chuckled at the mention of school. I glared at him. He explained "I'm not a student. I'm not even human. I've never been to school and I don't see why I should start. Besides, I don't see how this is a concern for you."

I felt a little guilty for bringing the matter up but I brushed it aside. Being firm about culture, I decided that Mukuro certainly has to learn some manners, human or not human. Besides, I already knew that he did not attend school although he registered as a student in Kokuyou Middle. Seriously, I have no idea what this person does if he does not go to school.

"If that is so then what are you going to do? Return to that gang of yours?"

Mukuro seemed to fall silent at that. He seemed almost... Sad. Now that is surprising for me. I never imagined him to be capable of feeling sorrow, only hatred. To see him look so vulnerable, I cannot help but feel we might be similar in some ways.

"They... They are happy where they are. I have no right to take that away from them," his voice wavered.

I merely stared at him, curious to know more. He took the hint and continued.

"Chrome is with the idiot sun guardian and his sister. She is happy with her new found friends. Ken and Chikusa are at the swordsman's sushi place helping out with exchange of food and lodging."

I just huffed. Like that was any surprise for me. I cannot understand why this herbivore made such a big deal out of it. If he wanted to see them he could always do so. After all they were all in Namimori where I controlled. Moreover, he is putting up at my place. A strange person this is. Besides, I am sure that they will be more than happy to see him around. They all seemed very close. He worries over nothing, truly ridiculous in my point of view. Anyway, it is not my business so I will just keep out of it and let him sort this out himself.

"Whatever," I announced, "go take a bath. I'll do the dishes. Don't forget to blow your hair dry before you sleep. I don't care what you do so long you don't disrupt the peace in Namimori."

He looked at me almost gratefully as I cleared the dishes. It took a while before I heard the shower running. Mukuro seemed like a small child and the thought of it made me smile. Then I remembered myself who did not have a childhood and sighed heavily. If it was possible, I would like to have some memories of the past where I can look fondly at. Then again, what kind of past did the illusionist have? Was it similar to mine?

Brushing aside that disturbing thought I quickly finished drying the dishes before searching for extra mattresses and blankets.

Only then did I realise I had forgotten to hand him a towel before he showered so I grabbed one knocking at the door. I have been forgetful lately and it must be due to the upcoming kendo competition. I sighed when I remembered the pile of work waiting for me to see to at school. It looks like I will be spending yet another night in the office.

"May I enter?" I asked. After a while the shower stopped. I wondered what was going on for there was no answer or noise. Just as I was about to knock again the illusionist opened the door, still dripping wet and in his birthday suit. "Care to join me?" he teased.

I flushed several shades of red when I saw him nude. Out of natural reflex I hit him then threw the towel and ran. Damn that perverted pineapple of an illusionist. Has he no shame? Then again, he was not exactly human so perhaps it was understandable. However, as the chairman of Namimori Discipline Committee, I cannot condone such behaviour, human or not. What kind of an idiot comes out in front of his enemy in the nude? I simply cannot understand that person. Has he no shame or whatsoever?

I sat on the futon in the living room waiting for him to come out, tonfas on the table, as I silently listened to the ticking of the clock. Finally, after 248 seconds, he came out fully dressed. The clothes were slightly too small for his broad frame but that was the least of my concerns now. Right now I just want to bite the pervert to death!

I snapped my head towards his direction and gave him one of my deadliest glares. Hi-bird who had been resting in my hair all this time chirped and flew to my study. I could get down to business now.

Wordlessly, I grabbed hold of my tonfas and lunged at him. He dodged my swing but only barely. I smirked. As much as I had expected it, it annoyed me. Why can't he just stand still and allow me to discipline him? It would have been so much easier for the both of us I'm sure. Nevertheless I will bite him to death and teach him a lesson.

The bad thing was that – It was easier said than done when your opponent was a pineapple haired illusionist.

He put his hands up in the air as if surrendering but still never stopped evading my attacks. This gesture just acted as a fuel to my annoyance and I became even more determined to bite him to death.

"Whoa, chill! What's gotten into you?" he mused. I am positive that by now, I have exceeded my past record for annoyance level. If anything, I would be close to going on a rampage and it may end up as a massacre.

Then in a sudden fluid motion, he swept me off my feet and I fell forward towards him. He broke my fall by grabbing my wrists while my face nested in his torso. I was shocked at the sudden outburst of speed and my mind was still catching up with reality.

The awkwardness of my position hit me like a tsunami when that bastard teased "Getting a little cosy are we?" I could hear the smirk and mischief lingering in his voice. I swore there was a smirk on his face and it will be a permanent one if I don't get off him in the next instant.

Suppressing the blush that crept up my neck, I scowled as fiercely as possible. Suddenly, I did not have the desire to teach him a lesson anymore. I just wanted to take a shower and go to sleep. So much for the promise, I already regret the decision I made to allow him to live with me even if it is a temporary thing.

Mukuro smirked as if reading my thoughts and that annoyed me to no end. His smug look made my blood boil and for what reason I was angry at him, I totally forgot. All I knew was that this man is dangerous, very dangerous. There was something about this man that differentiates him from all the other herbivores. It was as if he was actually much stronger than he seemed. It felt like a wolf in sheep's clothing. What exactly was he hiding and why? Suddenly I felt extremely uneasy, this was going to be a lot tougher than I initially thought…

If I wasn't careful enough, this person might actually discover the very thing I that I wanted to hide…

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Author's Note: Sorry about that… I'm not going to right yaoi but there might be a dash of shonen-ai. It is to be maintained at T-rated but forgive if there are some crude words. Also, please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for the ending because I know I'm not really good at it…

Lastly, thank you for reading ^^ Please do drop me a review as well~ Reviews are nice

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