Chapter 7
Enter: Fuuta, Ken, Chikusa, Mukuro
Yuri bit her lip and looked down at the jumpy figure. It was Fuuta. The ranking boy was shaking slightly in fear. He sat on the pathway and looked up at Yuri, his face brightened immediately.
"Yuri-nee!" he chirped, clearly happy to see her. Fuuta jumped up off of the ground and hugged her waist.
Yuri happily hugged back. The two had met at the Sushi Restaurant, Yuri was serving his table along with Nana and the other residents of the Sawada home. Yuri took a liking to Fuuta, mainly because he was cute.
"Fuuta, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at Tuna-kun's?" Yuri asked worriedly. It was getting pretty late.
"T-there are some people chasing me, they're after her ranking book." Fuuta looked up at her, eyes watery. He looked like a small animal in need of help.
Yuri's fist clenched while she scowled deeply. "Who was it," she muttered darkly, making it sound like a demand rather than a question.
Fuuta stiffened slightly at her instant change of mood.
"There he is!"
Yuri and Fuuta snapped their heads up towards the voice. Running towards them were three teenagers wearing blazers and trousers that were a swampy green colour.
Kokuyo students! Realization dawned in Yuri's eyes. "Fuuta, let's run!"
Fuuta nodded meekly in response as Yuri held his hand. They began dashing swiftly and started panting heavily. Fuuta was still quite young and strained his little legs to stay ahead of the gruff-looking teenagers.
Why did she skip PE? Yuri hung her head in shame, trying to keep her eyes on her feet just in case of any invisible rocks. But there was no time to think of such things. Yuri's eyes were serious and her face was calm, all traces of panic and childishness were gone. They seemed to be ahead of the Kokuyo students but couldn't stop. Yuri looked over to Fuuta, he was sweating profusely. Damn, they couldn't go on much longer.
"Fuuta," Yuri whispered hurriedly, "let's turn here." She didn't wait to see if he would follow her order, she knew he would anyway. The two turned into an alleyway as the Kokuyo students kept running straight, narrowly avoiding them.
Fuuta instantly calmed down and tried to catch his breath, Yuri wasn't as naive however.
Yuri was thinking of a way to get back home safely. Why was Mukuro attacking so quickly? Was it time already? Damn. What could she do now? Yuri couldn't let them capture Fuuta when she could stop them. But, she couldn't mess up the plot line either. Yuri decided that she just had to wait and see what happened next. Yuri sighed, what an exhausting day.
"Thank you, Yuri-nee!" Fuuta smiled cutely, Yuri couldn't help it but hug him.
"Aw, anything for you, Fuuta," Yuri said as kneeled down and hugged Fuuta again. This time, she rubbed her cheek against the top of his head affectionately.
"Ooh, what do we have here, byan?"
Yuri tensed. Only one idiot she knew of used 'byan'.
"Ken," a quieter voice said, "let's just do what Mukuro-sama asked." He looked towards a whimpering Fuuta.
"But, Kakipi," the first voice, Ken, whined, "what about this girl, what do we do about her?" Ken frowned and sneered at Yuri, which earned him a nasty glare that could freeze the sun. He looked away.
Chikusa watched Yuri with mild interest. Yuri scared away Ken with a glare; normally Ken would scare away others, not vice versa. "Let's take her with us." As Ken opened his mouth to protest, Chikusa explained, "If Mukuro-sama thinks she's useless, then he will dispose of her."
Yuri felt a growl forming from the back of her throat. "What makes you think that I'll come along quietly?" she asked rudely, hugging Fuuta closer towards her. On the bright side, she would get to see Mukuro…and annoy him.
"Then we'll knock you out first." Chikusa pushed his glasses up, as they were slipping. He pulled out one of his yo-yos and as he swung it, needles shot out. The needles glinted eerily as the light from the moon shone brightly. The sharp and small tips were coaxed in a peach liquid.
Yuri tried to dodge but she remembered that Fuuta was still under her arms. If she dodged then Fuuta would be hit. "Shit," she cussed as she was hit. The peach liquid was a sleeping toxin. Yuri grimaced in realization as darkness overwhelmed her.
oOoOo
Tsuna walked down stairs and into the kitchen. "Good morning," he muttered sleepily.
Nana, Bianchi, Lambo, I-pin and Nikoru were sitting around the dining table, looking at a few posters. Dino already left early in the morning.
"Good morning, Tsuna-kun," greeted Nikoru. She wasn't as cheerful today, after all, it was starting. The posters on the table were proof of that. The Kokuyo Arc had commenced. Nikoru sighed exasperatedly.
"Ah, good morning, Tsu-kun," Nana greeted her only son brightly. It was a wonder how she always remained lively even in the mornings.
Tsuna walked over to the fridge, grabbed a carton of milk and gazed curiously at the posters. Nana and Reborn explained what had happened during the weekend.
"I'm worried that you'll be attacked too, Tsu-kun. You're in Namimori Middle as well," Nana said, smile slipping a little.
"No, it's probably someone who has a grudge against the Disciplinary Committee," Tsuna murmured.
How wrong he was. Nikoru frowned, but ended up laughing at the attempts to teach Tsuna made by I-pin and Lambo.
"Well, let's head to school," Nikoru suggested after several moments of relaxation.
"Okay, I'll be leaving now!" Tsuna called out and left with Nikoru. Reborn was walking along the fences.
As the trio reached the school, they met quite a sight. The prefects of the Disciplinary Committee were guarding the gates on Namimori-chuu, looking as menacing as possible.
"I wonder if someone really does have a grudge against the Disciplinary Committee," Tsuna murmured and stared at the prefects.
"That's not it," a deep voiced replied.
Tsuna started. "Geh, Hibari-san!"
The trio turned around and gazed at Hibari with mixed emotions.
Tsuna, though obviously frightened of Hibari, did not show any outward proof of it.
Reborn watched impassively as Tsuna's unofficial Family member made an effort to speak more than one word presently.
Nikoru started slightly as Hibari's cold gaze drifted to her. Despite the fact that Nikoru knew Hibari wouldn't do anything to her, as long as she kept to herself, his blank stare unnerved her somewhat.
"Herbivore, where is your friend? As part of the Disciplinary Committee, she shouldn't be late." The corners of Hibari's mouth twitched downwards.
Nikoru blinked, caught off-guard at the topic. "I'm not sure," she answered truthfully. "Yuri should be with Yamamoto-kun, since she lives with him." Nikoru tilted her head to the side quizzically.
Hibari didn't have time to reply as whirled around, tonfa out, and hit Shamal across his front. A girl squealed loudly and ran away.
"Doctor Shamal!" exclaimed Tsuna.
Nikoru was too busy taking her iPhone out to pay attention to what was taking place around her. Since Hibari had mentioned Yuri's absence, a sense of foreboding crawled up Nikoru's skin. Just to make sure Yuri hadn't simply slept in or gotten lost again, Nikoru decided to text her boisterous friend.
"I felt an evil intent. It must have been her imagination," Hibari said without an apology and walked away. He paused and felt his neck, a mosquito flew past him, but he payed it no attention and continued walking.
Tsuna sighed in relief while Shamal and Reborn were quietly muttering to each other. As the Namimori school anthem popped up, Tsuna looked around in search of it. He blanched when he discovered that the anthem was Hibari's ringtone. Tsuna shook his head incredulously. He couldn't believe how…loyal Hibari was to the school, despite his outward apathetic appearance.
Hibari informed the teenagers - though Nikoru had too much on her mind to register his words - that the attackers had gotten to Sasagawa Ryohei.
As they walked towards Namimori Hospital, Nikoru sighed. Yuri wasn't picking up her phone, nor was she replying to the text messages. Just what was Yuri doing…?
Tsuna, Nikoru, and Reborn entered Namimori hospital and went up to Ryohei's room.
"I want that guy's punch in the boxing club so bad!" Ryohei roared vehemently, seemingly forgetting the fact that he was in a hospital. Stuck in bed or not, he was full of energy. Tsuna laughed tentatively while Nikoru gave him a look of disbelief.
Kyoko entered, thanking Tsuna and Nikoru for visiting her brother. Ryohei smoothly told his little sister that he was simply climbing a bathhouse's chimney. Nikoru raised both eyebrows. What was even more bizarre than the excuse was the fact that Kyoko actually bought such a lie. Now Nikoru knew why Yuri didn't like Kyoko as much as she would have. Nikoru sighed. Yuri loved cute things - especially people - but hated stupid people a lot more.
The trio exited the hospital room in order to allow the siblings time for themselves. Tsuna and a fellow Namimori Middle student were worshipping Hibari as though he were God. Nikoru smiled and was a bit miffed at their antics. Reborn was too busy thinking to reprimand Tsuna.
"Ah! What is that?" Tsuna crouched down while Nikoru was still standing. Something green was wiggling on the floor.
"Leon's tail was cut off," Reborn stated as he held it in his hands. "This occurrence…is ominous."
Kusakabe was rushed in on a gurney by the doctors and nurses. Reborn tossed the continuously changing Leon to Tsuna and ran to get something off of Kusakabe. Nikoru took Leon and started playing with his shape-shifting forms.
"There's no doubt about it, Tsuna, they're after you. This is a countdown." Reborn was deathly serious. "Take a look at this," he handed Tsuna a sheet of paper, "this is Fuuta's."
"EH?" Tsuna shrieked loudly.
Reborn explained to Tsuna about the vow of silence called 'Omerta'. Leon suddenly changed into a mini-Fuuta, which caused Nikoru to jump. It was weird seeing Leon's chameleon eyes on Fuuta. Nikoru held back a shudder and handed him back to Reborn.
"If number four is Kusakabe, then Number 3 is…" Tsuna's eyes dashed as he read the sheet of paper. "No way!"
"You and Nikoru go. I have to check something out," the baby hitman dismissed curtly and left.
"We have no time to waste, Tsuna-kun." Nikoru ran towards the stairs. "Let's go!"
Tsuna nodded determinedly and stumbled behind.
oOoOo
Yuri groaned softly as she sat up. She brought a hand up and clenched a fist full of blue hair. "Ouch, damn, how long was I out for?" she muttered, not expecting a reply.
"Kufufu. Is Sleeping Beauty finally awake?" a voice asked mockingly.
Yuri sighed exasperatedly with a face that read 'oh, God, take me now' and looked towards the illusionist. Mukuro was sitting on a green couch, his elbows on his lap and hands connected together in front of his mouth.
There were grunts and battle cries outside, signalling that Hibari must be arriving already. Oh well, there was nothing to do but wait. Yuri sat cross-legged and stared at the ground, ignoring Mukuro completely. Huh? Wait, what? "Why am I still in my maid outfit?" Yuri murmured quietly with a scowl.
Mukuro smiled at Yuri's irritation. "Ken and Chikusa brought you here like that. You were already wearing that maid cosplay." He smirked at Yuri's attire.
Yuri huffed impatiently. "It's not a cosplay!" she declared angrily and stood up, fists were shaking by her sides.
"Oya, oya. Feisty, aren't we?" Mukuro arched an eyebrow.
Yuri stared at Mukuro. "Pervert," she whispered almost inaudibly.
Mukuro's trained ears heard Yuri's comment perfectly. His smile became a tad bit strained. "As if I would take an interest in you," he taunted.
Yuri glared at Mukuro but it turned into a pout. "Bastard!" She ran towards him, fist ready to punch, when somehow, she tripped over an invisible rock and fell flat on her face.
Yuri winced and clutched her nose in pain, hoping that it wasn't deformed. She turned over so she was now sitting with her feet were stretched out in front of her. Yuri got up on her feet, but it was a bad move to make. Yuri immediately sat back down and grabbed her ankle.
"What's wrong, Ojou-chan?" Mukuro asked.
Yuri paused and idly wondered if she heard worry penetrating Mukuro's voice. Yuri shook her head in order to dismiss her crazy thoughts. Maybe she hit her head too?
"I think I sprained my ankle," Yuri ground out between clenched teeth.
Mukuro's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. He did not want to hear her complaints about the pain. Women. Mukuro fought the urge to roll his eyes at the thought of M.M.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Yuri gave Mukuro a large grin. It was fake, but he didn't need to know that.
Mukuro frowned and kneeled down so that he was at Yuri's level.
As a reflex reaction, Yuri quickly folded her knees closely to her chest. "What are you doing?" she asked, suspicion in her tone.
"Confirming if you really are alright," he replied nonchalantly and leaned closer towards Yuri's left ankle. He wrapped his hand around it.
Yuri cringed slightly at the extra pressure placed onto her injury.
Mukuro grasped Yuri's ankle as though trying to squeeze it.
Yuri, unable to stop herself, hissed in pain. "W-What are you doing?" She tried to keep the stutter out, but it, unfortunately, didn't work.
Mukuro loosened his hold but her ankle remained throbbing in pain.
"Look, you're not alright." Mukuro smirked smugly.
Yuri glared at him, which earned her another excruciatingly tight squeeze. Yuri couldn't hold the scream of pain back any longer and let it out. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Unfortunately, Hibari chose that inconvenient time to make his appearance.
Footsteps came closer as the Kokuyo student, who was 'guarding' the room the duo were in, grunted and collapsed in pain as Hibari took a strike at him with his tonfa.
"What are you doing?" Hibari demanded icily while glaring at Mukuro. He turned his gaze to Yuri.
Yuri really didn't want him to me in that pathetic form. Well, there went her chances of becoming a prefect.
Mukuro stood up, but he pressed onto Yuri's ankle to heave himself up.
A tear of pain slid down her cheek. Sadistic bastard. Yuri tried to muster up a scowl, but failed as the pain caused her to feel defeated.
Kuraihana Yuri hated pain; it was actually her biggest fear.
"Kufufu. Isn't it obvious?" Mukuro glanced briefly in Yuri's direction. "We're busy," he smirked deviously.
Hibari's eyes narrowed in anger. After all, the man who has been beating up students from Namimori was suddenly leaning towards a slightly shaken student wearing a maid outfit…
Yuri decided it was time for her to kill the mood. "Rape," she accused, loud enough so that the other occupants of the room heard.
Yuri was met with incredulous and slightly irritated stares. Inwardly, she was smirking like mad, but on she maintained a blank face outwardly.
"Harming the students of Namimori is intolerable. For that, I will bite you to death," Hibari stated monotonously while spikes formed all over his tonfas. He directed an icy glare towards the direction of Mukuro.
Oh! Yuri nodded in understanding. That was why Hibari's Box Weapon was a hedgehog. It made sense now. Ugh, she was getting slower. Damn you, Nikoru!
oOoOo
Nikoru sneezed as she rubbed her nose. Hmm, was she catching a cold?
"Are you alright, Shirobara-san?" Tsuna gazed worriedly at Nikoru, which caused him to trip slightly.
They were on their way to Namimori-chuu. Wasn't this the bit where Haru, I-pin and Lambo managed to capture Tsuna? Nikoru blinked as she tried to recall what exactly happened in the episode.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Nikoru gave him a reassuring grin. "Oh, you might want to watch out."
Tsuna furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, having no idea what Nikoru's mildly-stated warning meant.
There was a strange sound behind them, as though someone was firing from a canon or bazooka. As Tsuna and Nikoru ran, they glanced back. A huge net was about to fall upon them. Nikoru quickly ran towards the right, while Tsuna was caught.
Nikoru dashed towards him and ripped the net off, never missing a beat. Haru gave a strange explanation as to why they shot a net at Tsuna. Nikoru sweat-dropped at the weird reason, but it was the thought that counted, right?
"Tsuna-kun, how about we try to call Gokudera-san? You have his number, don't you?" Nikoru gazed expectantly at Tsuna. She already knew that he did, but wondered how he got it. After all, from what she knew, Tsuna didn't have a cell phone.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Tsuna agreed.
Nikoru gave Tsuna her iPhone, but he simply stared at the hand-held device.
"Uh, what's wrong?" Nikoru asked, confusion clear in her voice.
Tsuna looked away, as though embarrassed. "I don't know how to work it," he muttered softly while looking at the ground dejectedly.
"Oh!" Nikoru exclaimed in realization. Not many people knew how to work the iPhones at first, but after a while you got used to it.
Nikoru laughed happily. "That's nothing to be ashamed of, Tsuna-kun," she told him softly with a smiled. "Most people don't know how, including Yuri…" Nikoru trailed off, reminiscing about the time Yuri had almost smashed her iPhone in anger and confusion. "So, what's Gokudera-san's number?"
Tsuna snapped out of his depression with a grin and obeyed.
Nikoru placed the phone against her ear. After several beeps, Nikoru sighed dejectedly. "No luck."
Tsuna groaned but stopped instantly as two girls from a different middle school walked by. "Could it be…?" Tsuna-kun stared wide-eyed as they finished talking about how a Namimori-chuu student was fighting against a Kokuyo one.
"It could, let's check it out anyway," Nikoru decided. If they hesitated even more, then Gokudera would be in trouble…and the plot-line would be messed up.
The two began running once more. Worry was obviously plastered on Tsuna's face.
Nikoru ran ahead as sweat began to form on her brow. Running was good exercise, after all. Nikoru hadn't gotten the chance to run so much in ages, it felt refreshingly good. A grin slowly spread across her lips and she looked over at the tired Tsuna. Nikoru's happy mood appeared to be contagious since Tsuna's lethargy suddenly vanished as he smiled too.
Their cheerful atmosphere disappeared abruptly once an explosion resounded. The smell of smoke wafted towards Nikoru's sensitive nose, she started coughing vehemently.
"Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna shouted frantically. He relaxed as soon as he saw the aforementioned boy.
Besides a few scratches here and there, Gokudera seemed absolutely fine. "Tenth! What are you doing here?"
Nikoru stared blankly as she was being so blithely ignored. Oh well, she tended to blend in with the background easily. Yuri always forgot that Nikoru was right beside her, as Nikoru was constantly reminded. Maybe it was because she was quiet and didn't draw much attention to herself…
Gokudera was quite happy to see his boss, so much that he seemed to ignore his surroundings altogether. Gokudera knelt down and explained to his boss about the current situation and how the enemy was 'killed'. Tsuna and his right-hand man looked at the spot where there was a giant scorch mark.
"You saved me a lot of trouble," a quiet, deep voice said. Chikusa.
Tsuna and Gokudera snapped their heads in the direction of Chikusa. Nikoru grimaced as she took in his appearance. Chikusa looked half-dead, the sleeves of his Kokuyo uniform were torn and blood was splashed here and there. Chikusa gripped his yo-yos, one in each hand.
Nikoru's eyes widened, noting the sudden jerk of the hands gripping his weapons. Chikusa was about to throw the needles onto Tsuna. Nikoru knew that Gokudera would loyally jump in the way, but she couldn't just stand there and watch without doing anything.
"Look out!" Nikoru tackled Tsuna-kun down out of reflex. An audible 'thud' and 'splat' was heard.
"Tenth, please run," Gokudera pleaded, his voice hoarse and dry. He collapsed as the needles seeped into his skin, drawing blood.
The rust-like smell of blood made Nikoru nauseous. Her nose always picked up even the slightest smell. All that blood was too much, and so Nikoru fainted from dizziness. Damn it, she can't do anything…she was so useless. The last thing Nikoru heard was Tsuna's panicky voice and the sound of footsteps.
oOoOo
Yuri used her wrists to heave herself up so that she could sit on the couch. She watched as the two S&M combination fought each other relentlessly. If she could even call it a fight, that is. All Mukuro did was use his illusions and rant on and on about Sakura-kura while Hibari swayed left and right during the explanation.
Yuri hummed to the tune of Sakura Addiction - a fitting theme for the scene in front of her - which caused Mukuro to stop in the middle of kicking and hitting his bloodied-up opponent. It seemed more like a bitch-fight than a normal fight, but meh. That was just Yuri's opinion.
"Ojou-chan, what are you doing?" He gazed at Yuri with his bi-coloured eyes.
"Hmm? Oh, just humming since I kinda forgot the lyrics," Yuri laughed awkwardly.
"No, aren't you worried about what I'm doing to your…boyfriend?" His mouth thinned slightly at the word in disgust.
Yuri supposed that he dislike using such an intimate term. After all, the leader of the Kokuyo gang that escaped from the impregnable Vindicare prison saying the word 'boyfriend'? Wow, that sounded really…weird when Yuri stopped to think about it.
Yuri began laughing as though there was not tomorrow. "No, Kyo-chan is not my boyfriend." She rubbed her sides which hurt from laughing so much.
Mukuro continued staring at me as though Yuri was a freak, which she probably was. This girl didn't fear him at all. That was…strange. Everyone who took one look at his eyes knew that he was to be feared. Mukuro idly wondered if he had a superiority complex.
But the girl only looked at him warmly, as though she wanted to befriend him. That was an alien feeling for Mukuro. The girl also gazed at him with slight pity. Why would she pity him? Did she know of his past? No. It was not possible.
Hibari instantly glared at Yuri for her comment. Of course someone would be misled and think that he and the girl were in some sort of relationship, especially with that insufferable nickname she gave him. What a ridiculous idea. Hibari would have scoffed if he didn't want his indifferent mask to be shattered.
"Kyoya is like a cloud; always drifting away freely, never letting anyone or anything restricting him." Yuri gazed at Hibari reminiscently. "He's just my senpai…and I am his servant," the last comment hit her like a pile of bricks and a gloomy aura surrounded her body.
"So, you're just going to continue watching me beat him up?" Mukuro smirked evilly at Hibari.
"Just not the face, please!" Yuri begged.
Mukuro raised a well-defined eyebrow at her request.
Yuri clarified, "Well, I have to look at his face every single day, so not the face. Everywhere else is fine though." She flashed them both a smile. If looks could kill, Hibari would be murdering Yuri over and over again.
"Kufufu. Now, where were we?" Mukuro asked rhetorically. He looked down and began brutally kicking and hitting Hibari again.
Yuri secretly took a picture of Hibari's bloodied-up form with her camera. It made great blackmail.
oOoOo
Huh, why was it all black? Oh, her eyes were closed. Where was she? Was she in the hospital? Ugh, Nikoru hoped not.
Nikoru's ears picked up the sound of cheerful laughter. It must have been Yamamoto-kun.
"Yamamoto Takeshi, what's so funny?" a low-pitched, yet feminine, voice asked.
This was where Yamamoto tried to answer Bianchi's question. That must have meant that Nikoru was in the school's infirmary. Nikoru's eyes flew open, as soon as she got up, the conversations halted.
"Shirobara-san!" Tsuna called over to her. Nikoru was on the opposite side of Gokudera's bed.
"Nikoru-chan!" Doctor Shamal ran over to her with his lips puckered up.
Nikoru placed her hand on his forehead trying to prevent the perverted man from coming any closer. Fortunately, Bianchi hit him with the gift basket meant for her brother.
Tsuna shook his head in disbelief at Shamal's antics before turning back to Nikoru. "Thank goodness you're okay! Yamamoto helped carry you and Gokudera-kun to the infirmary safely. But what happened to you? All of a sudden, you fainted," Tsuna wondered innocently.
"Oh, um, well you see," Nikoru wasn't sure on how to start. "Whenever I see or smell a lot of blood I get light-headed and dizzy. My nose picks scents up easily, so there must have been too much blood for me to handle," she shrugged nonchalantly.
"Eh? No way!" Tsuna screeched disbelievingly.
Nikoru wouldn't believe it either had she not been the person in question. A member of one of the biggest Mafia Family was afraid of blood? That was too unlikely. Nikoru sighed and walked out of the infirmary with Tsuna.
"HIII! I shouldn't have gone; I just got in his way." Tsuna squatted down and clutched his head.
"Tsuna-kun, don't be too hard on yourself," Nikoru comforted him gently and ruffled his hair.
"There's no time for regrets, Tsuna." Reborn jumped down from the sick-looking Leon. He explained to us about Rokudo Mukuro and the jail break.
"So we're fighting against the mafia?" he asked, pulling on his brown locks of hair.
"It's the opposite; they were thrown out of the mafia," Reborn stated mysteriously.
"What am I going to do?" Tsuna was frightened.
Reborn read out the letter, written by the Ninth, sent to Tsuna. "P.S. If you refuse, you'll be treated as a traitor and will be kille-" He didn't get to finish reading it out, however, as Tsuna fled while screaming that it had nothing to do with him.
Reborn disappeared after him. Nikoru sighed and recalled that this was where Tsuna made a speech about how he hated Mukuro. Nikoru hastily ran after them. But first…
oOoOo
"Oi, Mukuro," Yuri began as Mukuro took a seat next to her, "why did you lend me those bandages?" she asked, tapping her newly bandaged ankle.
"You seemed to be in pain, even though you tried to hide it," he stated airily. What was he supposed to say? Oh, I'm trying to get on your good side so that I can extract information about the Vongola out of you? That would certainly go real well.
"I see." Yuri had a feeling that it was an attempt to distract her from her previous question, but she might as well play along. "Hey, why are you keeping me here?" The question had only come to her mind recently. Stupid, really.
"Considering how you fought to protect that boy so much, I figured that you were somehow related to the Vongola," he explained. Well, she wanted to know why, and Mukuro decided not to beat around the bush pointlessly.
"The Vongola Family…why are you so interested in it?" Yuri questioned with feign interest. She knew that it wasn't one of the greatest questions to ask, but she decided to play the role of a proper, curious hostage. Besides, by getting Mukuro to retell his past, he was sure to open up to her later…right?
"Kufufu, it seems like I was correct. You do know of the Vongola." Mukuro smirked victoriously.
"Yeah, yeah." Yuri waved it off, not even bothering to deny it. "So, why are you interested?" she repeated.
Mukuro grimaced while anger flashed in his bi-coloured eyes. "I loathe the mafia. After the experiments our 'Family' did on us, I felt hatred to all Mafioso," Mukuro explained, feeling completely at ease despite the coldness in his eyes.
"I destroyed the lab equipment and massacred the scientists. Unfortunately, Vindicare decided to lock us up. I, along with Ken and Chikusa, have escaped so that we could find information on the Tenth Vongola Boss." Mukuro looked to Yuri as though suspecting her to admit that she knew of Vongola Tenth.
"I see." Yuri pointedly ignored the look he was giving her. "However, why do you want to possess Tsu- ah, the boss?" She cursed her slip-up as she was sure that Mukuro noticed.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How do you know of my plan to take over the Vongola Tenth Boss?"
Yuri blinked. It was time to use her awesome bullshitting skills. "It's because I'm awesome."
"You're awesome?" Mukuro repeated dubiously. He was secretly questioning the girl's mental stability.
"Why thank you," Yuri said cheerfully with a smile. She took the hesitant question as a compliment.
Mukuro wisely chose not to rectify his mistake and answered Yuri's previous question. "I want to possess Vongola Tenth so that I can start a war within the Mafia and, ultimately, possess everybody in the world." Mukuro unleashed his signature laugh, albeit in a darker tone.
"Hmm," Yuri hummed thoughtfully. "But what will you do once you have reached your goal? If you possess everyone, then what will be the point? You'd be lonely forever," she stated with a blank face.
"You hate the Mafia because of that one Family that wronged you? How do you know that not all families are like that?" Yuri asked rhetorically as Mukuro stiffened slightly. "You may think of Ken and Chikusa as tools, but they cherish you; you set them free from that hell-hole. If something happened to them, wouldn't you be upset?
"Instead of creating chaos and misery, why don't you join the Vongola and help other children who are in the same situation as you were?" Like Chrome… "The Vongola plan on saving others, not abandoning them. By taking over the world, what will happen to humanity, to the children that are suffering?" She left it at that.
Although she only said that because she wanted to enlighten Mukuro, Yuri inwardly wondered why Akira Amano never brought this reasonable logic up. Probably because she was an idiot, a dark voice inside Yuri muttered. She shook her head to clear all cynical and sardonic thoughts…for now.
From Yuri's perspective, Mukuro looked shocked - well, as shocked a mass-murderer could look. He was completely still and his eyes appeared far-away, as though carefully analyzing Yuri's sensible words.
Yuri always wondered why Mukuro did these things, such as taking over the world. People like him that wanted world domination never thought of the consequences, which was basically every villain Yuri knew of.
Yuri hated it when she became profound and calculative. Nikoru called it her 'Inner Yuri', stupid imagination-less best friend who ripped that title off from some random anime.
Fortunately, since she vented her irritation at the illogical situation, Yuri was much calmer now and returned to her typical nonsensical self. Huh, Mukuro had said that wanted to possess all those people…
"Wait, EVERYONE? Including women and young girls? Wow, you are a pedo~!" she sang, killing the solemn mood. Woops, she got distracted too easily. When Yuri talked about one thing, she thought of another. She wondered how long it would be til Tsuna came- Hey! A yellow bird! Damn, she did it again.
"I am not a pedophile." Mukuro was smiling innocently but his voice maintained an icy tone.
"Liar," Yuri accused instantly. "Why else would you kidnap a cute little boy such as Fuuta and a stunning young girl such as me? Hey, where is Fuuta…?"
"I'm not lying. As for the boy, he is somewhere around us. A stunning young girl…? I don't see one." Mukuro's eyes surveyed the decomposed room as in search for the aforementioned girl - which was another reason why Akira Amano was so thick: Why would anyone want to rest (let alone live) in a abandoned building where mold and other bacteria resided in? Idiot.
Yuri wasn't sure if Mukuro was being sarcastic or not, but she didn't get the chance to ask him for Chikusa walked in, all-bloodied up. His glasses were gone and his clothes were tattered. In short: he looked like he was just raped…by crazy rabid fangirls. Yuri shivered. Those girls were scary.
"Chikusa, is that you?" Mukuro asked the obvious. He received a faint thud in reply. Mukuro appeared slightly stunned for a moment but soon composed himself. "Oya, did we get a 'hit'?"
"Is Kakipi here?" Ken walked in and saw the unconscious Chikusa on the ground. Ken began drooling, eying the badly injured boy gleefully.
"Ken." Mukuro's voice was firm, causing Ken to stop commenting about how 'delicious' Chikusa looked. Cannibalism? "There's no way Chikusa would return empty-handed without information on the Vongola. Let us wait until he wakes up."
Yuri chuckled haughtily. "Fufu, so be a good dog and obey your master." She smirked deviously. For some incomprehensible reason, she felt really evil, and - dare she say it - sadistic. Stupid random mood swings.
Ken snapped his head in Yuri's direction and released a feral growl. "So, it's you. I'm surprised Mukuro-san didn't get rid of you yet," he spat rudely.
"Yeah, we just had a conversation about that. I'm currently your hostage, how fun," she drawled sarcastically. Yuri gazed at Chikusa - he was simply lying there without anyone else noticing.
"Mukuro-san, why are we keeping this maid a hostage?" Ken asked in a whining tone.
Yuri froze. Ken didn't just call her a maid, now did he? "Who's a maid, you stupid mutt?" She directed a heated glare in his direction as he sent one back. Yuri swore she heard electricity crackling in the background. Meh, it must have been her imagination. "My name is Yuri, not maid," she said coolly with a scowl.
"Keh, like I care," the stupid mutt scoffed.
"Hmph, fine," she huffed in anger and walked towards the half-dead Chikusa who wasn't getting any medical treatment so far.
Yuri kneeled down by his side and turned him over so that he was now lying on his back.
"What are you doing? Don't touch Kakipi!" the stupid mutt yelled like an impatient child.
"Don't make it sound like I'm raping him," Yuri replied in annoyance. "And you were the one yakking on about how appetizing he seemed - as if you were going to eat him! Besides, I'm going to bandage him up, seeing as you two aren't doing anything," she emphasized the fact that they were just sitting/standing there and not treating their comrade.
Yuri pulled out the first aid kit that Mukuro gave me to use on her sprained ankle. It was fine now, thanks for asking. She popped the cap of the antibiotic cream open and used a cloth to help spread it over the cuts.
"Ojou-chan, what are you doing?" Mukuro was watching intently from the couch. "Why are you treating Chikusa; aren't we your enemy?" Insert suspicion.
She sighed, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice, "No, the question is: why aren't you treating Bakodo-chan? Isn't he your nakama*?" At least Mukuro cared about his comrades later into the series. "Besides, you guys are the Vongola's enemy, not mine." After cleaning the cuts, Yuri began wrapping bandages all over his body.
"But aren't you nakama with the Vongola?" He wanted to stress the word 'nakama'. "What will you do once we destroy them?"
Yuri rolled her eyes. "You seem so sure that you will defeat them. Overconfidence will lead to your defeat."
Mukuro shrugged off her warning, paying it no mind. He was sure that he would crush every obstacle standing in his way.
"And I'm neutral," she answered. "Just because you're Vongola's enemy, it doesn't mean that you are mine. I deem people whether they are evil or not, if they are then they are my enemy and I won't allow anyone else to get involved.
"Okay, I'm done patching him up." Yuri dusted her hands together. "Baka-Ken, pick up Bakodo-chan and place him onto a bed, GENTLY," she told the stupid mutt who was currently busy playing with- Hey, wait! Was that her camera? "Oi, give that back!" She ran towards him, trying to snatch her camera back.
Mukuro sighed softly, preparing himself for the upcoming headache.
oOoOo
Once Nikoru returned to her temporary home, she heard commotion upstairs, most likely from Tsuna's room. She walked up the stairs and saw Sawada- ah, Mama, standing in the door way.
"Stingy Tsuna!" Lambo accused. "Mama, Lambo-san will help with the shopping!" He was probably planning on reaping in the rewards. "I'll go buy candy with the reward!"
Nikoru chose that moment to walk in. "Tsuna-kun, are you ready?" she asked and readjusted her bag.
"Huh? Ready for what? Could it be…?" His giant brown eyes bulged. "Shirobara-san, you're not going too, are you?"
Nikoru only nodded in response.
"You can't get involved with-" he looked towards Mama, who was smiling obviously, "-the mafia," he whispered quietly.
Nikoru grinned. "Too late. Once I officially joined your Family, wasn't I already involved?" She chuckled amiably. She got him there.
As Tsuna bowed his head in defeat, Reborn called I-pin and whispered into her ear. Reborn was prepared to help Tsuna's Family if they were in danger, and Nikoru was prepared also.
She subconsciously ran her hand against the small side-bag that she bought along with her work money. Nikoru was wearing her usual, comfy attire; jeans, sneakers and hoodie.
Nikoru looked through her bag to double-check that she had all her essentials. Meanwhile, Reborn was molding Leon into the shape of a ball and explained to Tsuna the situation with the Dying Will bullet.
"Yo, Tsuna!" Yamamoto had arrived, stopping Tsuna's little breakdown. "Sushi and tea - a little present." He grinned and held up two bags.
Tsuna sighed slightly at Yamamoto's thick-headedness whilst Nikoru smiled happily.
"Yamamoto-kun, I don't think we're going on a field trip," she said with an amused smile, voicing out exactly what Tsuna was thinking.
"Yamamoto Takeshi, are you picking a fight with me?" Bianchi asked accusingly in a cold voice as she walked up to him. "Are you saying my bento isn't good enough?" She held up the bento which was emitting purple-mist.
Nikoru ignored their tiny argument and turned to Reborn. "What about Gokudera-san?" She stole Tsuna's question yet again since he was distracted with Bianchi and Yamamoto's argument - seriously, did people just not like Yamamoto or something? First Gokudera and then Bianchi. Maybe it was just a sibling thing…
Reborn answered, saying that Gokudera was outside. Gokudera was near the gate, looking back and forth. He seemed like a suspicious person. There was a hint of pink on Tsuna's cheeks, and Nikoru gazed at him. Outwardly, she was curious as to why he was blushing slightly. Inwardly, her Inner Fangirl went crazy at the 5927 moment.
"Happy that he's better?" she began conversationally.
"Yeah. He looks more energetic than I thought he would be, which I'm glad for," Tsuna said with a small smile etched on his lips. "I thought his wounds would have killed him." His smile fell a little as he remembered Gokudera's injured body.
Nikoru frowned apologetically as an awkward silence fell between them.
"Shirobara-san, will you be okay? You seem uncomfortable when you're near blood," he said softly once the two were descending the stairs.
Nikoru's body tensed slightly. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Don't worry, I'm prepared this time," she stated with determination blazing in her eyes.
They reached the front of the house where Gokudera was. He scratched the side of his head where the mosquito bit. Once he spotted them, he began feeling the gate post and Tsuna explained that he talked Bianchi into hiding her face.
"You're such a kid, Hayato," she told him seriously. The squirrel outfit kind of ruined the effect.
Gokudera paled.
Nikoru held her laughter in. She was sure they wouldn't appreciate her laughing at them. But it was so funny! Honestly, it was as though the two were a comedy duo.
"Now that we're all here, let's get Mukuro," Reborn told the group once they had assembled.
Tsuna was shaking slightly in fear, Nikoru noted with a concerned frown.
As the quintet reached the abandoned compound that was once Kokuyo Health Land, Tsuna informed them that he had been here before. The thought of a little Tsuna made Nikoru blush slightly, but she soon paled at the sight of Bianchi's Melting Sakura Mocchi.
Ken would be watching them nearby.
They traveled deeper within the Kokuyo Gang's hideout, when Yamamoto spotted a footprint.
3…
2…
1…
Ken jumped out and everyone tensed. He aimed for Yamamoto which caused him to fall back. The earth beneath Ken crumbled and the baseball-player fell into the flora and fauna exhibit which was buried underneath.
"Are you okay, baseball-idiot?" asked Gokudera.
Nikoru paused when she realized Gokudera's obvious worry, despite the insult. What friendship, Nikoru acknowledged with a smile.
"I welcome you here, Yamamoto Takeshi," a voice resounded from within the shadows. "Kakipi's still asleep, and I've been bored without any orders. That maid has been getting on my nerves, too." The sound of footsteps echoed.
Nikoru blinked. Did he just say maid? It seemed like she was the only one who noticed or paid it any attention.
"And, then my prey comes along." Ken stepped into the light and out of the shadows. "I'm super happy," he stated in a dangerous tone and stuck his tongue out.
Yamamoto laughed merrily, cutting through the serious mood. "You're almost like a dog. Are you playing pretend?" he guessed cheerfully.
It wasn't a game, Nikoru thought with a tiny smile. Tsuna and Gokudera must have been thinking of the same thing for their faces held a look of disbelief.
Ken, once again, lunged at Yamamoto, this time he placing a set of teeth into his mouth. "Thanks for the food!" he cried out and broke Yamamoto's bat with his sharpened teeth.
Yamamoto exhaled calmly once the surprise wore off. "I see. In the Mafia game, we're not allowed to hold back, huh? Those are the rules," he deduced, deathly serious. His usually warm eyes turned cold and serious and the air around him became stifling. That soon changed, however, as Yamamoto asked if Ken had changed 'outfits'.
Ken began explaining how his cartridges worked. He calmly changed into a new one, 'Kong Channel', he liked to call it. In addition to the strength he received via Kong Channel, he also gained fangs.
Once Ken changed to Wolf Channel, Nikoru made her move. Ken was running all over the place while Yamamoto tried to dodge. She silently reached into her bag and unwrapped a piece of raw meat. Nikoru threw it down the pit, aiming at the edges which lied in the darkness, a little away from the cautious baseball-player.
Reborn watched her for a while, but soon turned his attention back to the fight. After all, the hitman was planning to throw Tsuna in there.
Ken had seemed to have caught the scent of raw meat with his enhanced smell and quickly ran to it, devouring it greedily. He mustn't have eaten in a while…or he was as greedy as Yuri.
"Hey, girl," Ken began, breaking Nikoru out of her daydreams of a gluttonous Yuri eating all that food in one go… "You're the one who threw the meat down, weren't you?" At her nod, Ken seemed to have grown more feral. "Do you have any more?"
"Eh?" She wasn't prepared for that. "Ah…no." Nikoru sent an apologetic smile in his direction, trying to lessen his anger. It didn't work. Maybe bringing meat was a bad idea…
Ken seemed to get an energy boost once he ate the meat. It was meant to keep him distracted, but Nikoru didn't plan on him eating it so fast. Nikoru was stressing out - what if he really injured Yamamoto this time?
Reborn, noticing the strain and anxiety on her face, spoke up. "Nikoru, if you're so worried, then you go."
Nikoru's breath hitched in her throat as realization hit her. Didn't he say that to Tsuna right before he…oh, no.
Nikoru screamed with fright as Reborn unceremoniously shoved her down the dark hole. Was it merely a coincidence that she was horribly afraid of heights, therefore scared of falling from the aforementioned height? At least she landed on her back, unlike how Tsuna landed on his face…
"Reborn! Why did you that?" Nikoru heard Tsuna panic.
"Be quiet and watch," replied Reborn, signaling that there was no room for arguments.
"Ow," Nikoru muttered and got up. It looked like she would be replacing Tsuna for this scene… She sighed aloud while rubbing her sore back.
Nikoru stood back and watched the two men settle the fight. She winced as when she heard the sickening crunch of Ken's teeth against Yamamoto's arm. Using the handle of his katana, Yamamoto knocked out Ken with one hit.
"I'm so sorry, Yamamoto-kun." Nikoru clenched her fists regretfully. "To protect me, you sacrificed your arm, even though I'm a complete stranger…" she trailed off, thinking of how she just got in the way instead of helping. Useless, so useless.
Yamamoto laughed, surprising Nikoru. "Don't worry. I can still play baseball with this little scratch." He smiled and flexed his fingers.
She sighed in relief. "Thank goodness…" Nikoru smiled back and ran over to him. "Can I patch it up for you?" she asked, looking at his bleeding arm.
"Eh? Can you handle the blood though?" he asked in reply, surprised and a little wary. Even when he was injured, Yamamoto still worried if everyone else was okay.
Nikoru smiled warmly, both at the amiable worry and the fact that Yamamoto remembered her situation with the red liquid. "Don't worry; it's not that much blood. I can handle it," she assured with a nod.
As Nikoru tended to Yamamoto's arm, she recalled what she saw when passing Ken. Peeking through the Kokuyo student's blazer was a shiny, black camera. Strange.
Edited date: 15-09-10, 04-10-10, 06-01-11