Ding! Dong!

"Tsunayoshi Sawada, Hayato Gokudera and Takeshi Yamamoto. You are being called by Dino-sensei in the faculty for urgent matters relating to your families. Please come to the faculty immediately. Thank you."

After the announcement, everyone has looked on the trio. The said trio stood up and left the classroom in a hurry.

Dino stood, waiting. His back leaning on the white wall near the door, his arms were crossed, one of his index fingers was tapping rapidly on his arm, and he looked uneasy. And then, finally, the trio has arrived. Before anyone could make their remarks or comments, he had said it. "Mukuro Rokudo is here. Do you know about this?"

Chapter 10: Freed

Two hands were up in the air. Everyone in the classroom looked at them who raised their hands.

"Oh. Ummm... Thank you for volunteering for the program then. See you tomorrow for the orientation about the mentorship program." sensei thanked. "Goodbye class. Wait for your next teacher."

Sensei left the classroom carrying his belongings. Students have started to gather around the back where the two students are. With all of their eyes filled with curiosity, they encircled the two men and looked at them as if they are pups pondering what is in their master's hand.

"Mukuro-san, can you handle the program? I'll take your place if you want!"

"I thought you'll only tutor Lala-san. What made you change your mind?"

"Speaking of Lala-san, will she be okay with your choice, Xerion-kun?"

Those questioned rang in their ears. It was a pain in the ass. A real pain. And not only a pain in the ass, but everywhere.

"I'm just trying to help out as much as you've helped me, Kufufu."

"Yes. Me and Mukuro has the same reason for joining."

"Where is, Lala-chan?" Mukuro asked as he looked at Xerion with a playful smirk.

"She has a fever," he answered with a stern tone. "Later, I'll be going home early to take care of her."

"Kufufufufu. May I come along?"

"Please ask permission from the prefect first. Or better yet, stay away."

"Why should I stay away?"

"Because you have caused a lot of trouble ever since you came here, her fever is one of them."

"Please let me give my most sincere apologies to my dear Lala-chan."

"Of co-"

"Personally."

"I shall see what I can do." Xerion scowled.

Meanwhile

"What? Mukuro Rokudo is here?" Tsuna questioned anxiously. Gokudera sent a death glare to Dino. Takeshi looks uneasy. Dino, well, he was serious as well.

"Maybe it has something to do with that engagement with Lala-san." Tsuna said.

"But for him to be in the flesh already? I thought the agreement was Mukuro will be free a month before their wedding." Dino replied.

"That Mukuro Rokudo broke the rules." Hayato said.

"Why won't we investigate then?" Takeshi asked with a grin.

"That sounds good, Yamamoto." Dino replied to Takeshi with a bit of light on his face. "Let's get planning?"

"Can't we ask Lala-san's sister about this?" Tsuna asked. "Her sister told me I can ask her about this arranged marriage thing."

"Whatever the boss wants." Hayato said.

After Class

The day was boring, dull and plain for everyone. Grey clouds enveloped the sky leaving no opening for any sun, but no droplets descend yet. A young woman sitting on the wooden bench of a playground stared at the sky. For a few minutes, she anticipated rain. The playground was empty and silent.

Lala-chan, I wonder if you're okay…

"I wonder if Tsunayoshi…" she whispered to herself. "Well, speak of the devil…"

To her right, she saw Tsuna with the others and Dino Cavallone, standing. She stood from her seat and leaped toward the group like a child. Her sailor uniform skirt and hair bounced gently at every step she made. Finally, when she was a feet away from Tsuna, she stopped and giggled.

"The richness of the rain made me feel safe and protected; I have always considered the rain to be healing - a blanket - the comfort of a friend. Without at least some rain in any given day, or at least a cloud or two on the horizon, I feel overwhelmed by the information of sunlight and yearn for the vital, muffling gift of falling water." She recited to them. "Why, hello there."

Suddenly, it rained. The group looked at her, baffled. Smiling, she leaped back to the bench she was sitting on, grabbed her umbrella, and opened it. Instead of using it to cover herself, she just held it to her side while leaping and bouncing her way back. The group was already holding their umbrellas above their heads.

"Shouldn't you all be in school?" she asked twirling around. Her long black hair spun along with her body. "Is there something you need with me, strangers?"

"Cut the crap, Francoise." Hayato ordered. "Why do hell did you free Mukuro Rokudo?!" The young woman stopped and looked at them intently.

"Stay calm Gokudera." Dino said.

"Dino-san is right." Tsuna added.

"We can't have a wedding without a groom right?" she answered. "More importantly, we can't have a wedding without love! Love is very important in a wedding right? And I'm sure this is what Daemon-sama would want to happen."

"Are you crazy?!" Gokudera exclaimed. "Mukuro Rokudo is dangerous!"

"What happened to Chrome-chan?" Tsuna added.

"Well, someone has to atone for the sins Mukuro Rokudo did." She replied. "Ne, Dino-san. I thought you were gonna help me with Operation: Make Love Bloom!"

"W-well…" Dino stuttered. "I just can't let Mukuro Rokudo go free. He's a murderer! What if he dominates the school? What if he starts a massacre?"

"Stay calm minna-san!" Takeshi said trying to cool down the situation. The rain poured harder.

"Well, first of all… I'm not crazy and I know Mukuro-sama is dangerous. Chrome-san is undergoing recovery now. Lastly, Mukuro Rokudo's life is in my hands." Lillian answered finally putting the black umbrella over her soaked head. Her tone becomes serious and firm. "One wrong move and he goes back to Vendicare. But that doesn't mean the engagement will be broken. When Mukuro got out, we settled things fast and clearly."

In the black limousine, Mukuro stood still wearing his straitjacket and the cuffs on his wrists and ankles. Two men in suits escorted him in. On the other side of the limo, Lillian sat there with a sinister grin and looking at him with adult eyes.

"Remove those restraints." She ordered. "Hurry."

They followed her order. Hastily, they removed the cuffs and the straight jacket and then walked away. Mukuro walked in and closed the door. "Let's go then." she said, "Mukuro Rokudo. Do you know who I am?" The limousine started to moved. After a few months of being imprisoned, he knew not anything about the road ahead of him. Mukuro saw the streetlights giving a shed of light on Lillian's beautiful face.

"You are Lillian Francoise, if I'm not mistaken." he answered with a smirk. He rested his arm on the door and rested his cheek on the palm of the hand. His other arm lay on his crossed legs. He wore his straitjacket but it was not restricted. The belts of the straightjacket hung loosely around his body. And he wore white pants, as white as his strait-jacket, and there are also belts loosely hanging around. "You are correct." Lillian answered, smiling. "I'm so happy that you know me."

"How can I not know you?" he asked. "You're the one who gave me freedom. I ow-"

"Do you think what I'm doing is free? I am doing this for the Francoise family."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you fallen in love? Fallen so hard that you want to marry the girl? Then have children and grow old together? I know you haven't yet since you're only 16. Oh well… The main point is, can you have an everlasting marriage without love?"

"I do not know. Political marriages seem to last long. Kufufufu."

"They do, but... I want your wedding to be grand and full of blossoming love!"

"Kufufu... My wedding?"

"I'm sure you're aware that you're Daemon Spade's descendant. Do you know the story of Daemon and Elena?"

"Enlighten me."

She let out a deep sigh before starting the story. "This happened during the time of Primo. Daemon attended a ball and there he met Lady Elena. The details about the story are unclear but here's what I know. At the moment he saw her, he fell in love. Elena then introduced Daemon to Primo after some time being together. With Daemon being head over heels for Elena then, how could he say no? He joined the Vongola. The Vongola was created to protect the weak and innocent. Daemon did his best to do the mission of the Vongola. Elena fell more in love with the Daemon she saw. One day, Primo has gotten the whole 'being one of the strongest mafia family boss' thing in his mind that he went crazy. It started wars among other families. As the others thought Daemon was rebelling against the Vongola, he was actually just continuing what the Vongola started. In a war with an unknown family, Daemon had just returned to protect the headquarter. When he got back, he saw Elena... dying."

"You want me and 'Elena's descendant' to continue what they started.?" he questioned with an ominous tone. "How about if I trap you in a never-ending nightmare, Ms. Francoise? Everyone in the mafia world is well aware that I do not want to be part of their world."

"I knew you'd respond like that." she replied with a smirk. She brought out a plain white cell phone from the pocket of her coat which was lying on the seat and showed it to Mukuro. "One press of the green button, and you return to Vendicare at anytime and anywhere. Dare cross me and my sister, you'll face a worse future." He looked at her, fuming.

"Very well. But, I will not agree unless you decide to agree with one of the terms I want to propose." he said. "Kufufu. What do you say?"

"Let me hear about it."

"Kufufufu. Proposal One. She goes to school with the other Vongola. You'll let me enroll there and pay for all expenses. Proposal Two. She'll have to live with me but you'd have to cut all connections with her. I'll allow you to send letters once a month or so. Choose wisely."

"I choose proposal one." she replied without even batting an eye. "You might take away my sister's purity and innocence. Or worse... her freedom!"

"Kufufu. Well, may I ask you a question?"

"Whut?"

"How come you're not the descendant of Elena?"

"This may sound weird but, the pendant chose her. A pendant that has been passed down from one generation to another."

"Kufufu. We-"

"You know by doing this, you already accept being engaged with her. And also, if you don't like this and try to run away, I'd still get my way."

"Kufufu, how petrifying. Well, where do you intend to drop me off?"

"To my home? We need to prepare you for Japan." she answered. "Good luck with your life in Japan. Also, by doing this, you are now putting Chrome under my tender loving care~!"

"Very well. I do not need her anymore since I have gained my freedom. Kufufu."

"That's how it is. Now, I have to go." she said. "I still have a lot of things to do, Tsunayoshi. Good day." Lillian walked off. Tsuna and the others sent their own ways of saying goodbye. Suddenly, she stopped and turned around. Once again, she looked like a childish teenager again. With a big grin and sparkling eyes, she shouted:

"Dino-kun! I love you! I hope to marry you someday!" then she ran off like a child. Dino stood, frozen and in shock. He was aware that Lillian has feelings for him. They shared the same feelings since they were children! But, business is business. Lillian is not fit to be his bride. The trio looked at the blushing Dino before walking off. Dino finally snapped into reality when he realized the young Vongola trio has gone.

In an apartment unit

"Lala-sama." Xerion called. "I'm home. I've brought along Mukuro Rokudo with me." Silence. Lala didn't reply to him. Xerion then looked at Mukuro and gestured him to follow.

The unit was average sized. It can accommodate at least two people. The floors were wooden and annoyingly noisy and creaky. The walls, coated, with a white hue, along with the ceilings had a few specks of dirt and scratches. The doors were coated with white and or brown tinted paint, depending on what the room is, and the newly replaced doorknobs sparkled with shininess. The first thing you'd see when you come in is the western style living room and kitchen. On the left, white door and a small sigh hanging on the door, and on the right, a black door also with a small sign hanging and to the most right corner is another white door, which is the bathroom.

"If you feel that you need to use the bathroom," Xerion started. "It's the white door on the right. Lala's door is the black one. I'll go make some snacks, please go ahead, Mukuro-sama." Not one bit was Xerion please about Mukuro visiting. Besides the fact that he disobeyed his mistress' order and Mukuro might get her fever but Mukuro was with Lala. Alone! A dangerous murderer who wants to destroy the mafia world by controlling the strongest mafia boss is with his beautiful, nice, and innocent Lala. The thought of him being alone with her makes his veins pop and makes his stomach turn. He imagines a chibi Mukuro with horns, a tail and a trident scaring of a cute chibi Lala who's dressed up as an angel.

Mukuro smirks at Xerion, gives a small thanks, and heads to Lala's room. Xerion just smiled. In his mind he thought the moment was: His smirk meant he's going to touch her lady parts. That 'thank you' probably means he thinks I've let him do it and will later tell Lala that I let Mukuro do such frivolous things! And he couldn't control himself so he hurried to her room. Surely, he is going to use the time – approximately three minutes – to do all of those horrid and frivolous things. That sly bastard. In addition, I can't go just entering, Lala might… Just, damn.

Xerion sighed and hastily, he went to the kitchen and made tea, took out some biscuits from the wooden cabinet, put them all on plates and trays and he's ready to go! He hurried to Lala's room, but of course didn't make it obvious that he was in a hurry, nonchalantly, he entered the room with a smile.

"Here's some tea and biscuits." He informed as he put the tray on the small table located at the right of Lala's small bed. In her room were two beds. The small table mentioned earlier was located between the two white one-person sized beds covered with bedspreads. The floor was wooden as well, and the walls and ceilings are white. The curtains covered the three feet window, leaving the room dimly lit.

The atmosphere around the room was negative and tense. Lala was sitting up on her bed, smiling at Mukuro while looking at him with loving eyes. Mukuro positioned a chair next to her bed and sat. Mukuro, one of the most evil people in the world, was slightly blushing! Meanwhile, Xerion stood by the door, back straight, chin up, chest out, stomach in, and always put on a smile. With curious eyes, Xerion set his gaze on Mukuro. He wondered what made Mukuro blush. Was it Lala's way of looking at him?

The couple just stayed silent while looking at each other. Not so long, Mukuro smiled at Lala and put his hand on hers. When Xerion was about to interrupt them, the phone rang. "Excuse me." Xerion said before leaving. For safety, he kept the door slightly opened. He walked pass a few furniture of the living room and stopped by the door where to phone was located. The phone was yellowish white and glued to the wall. He picked up the ringing phone and started, "Hello. This Xerion Baron, guardian of Lala Francoise. Who is this and how may I help you?"

"This is Saiya Utaime." She replied, "I called to inform you something. It's something that sensei didn't mention earlier about the mentorship program."

"Ah, yes. What is it, Saiya-san?"

"You won't be handling students in group or pairs or an individual, I think that was mentioned? Sensei said that you'll be teaching a class in a different school or a lower class in Namimori Middle."

"I thought you were going to mention the real purpose of the mentorship program. If I am not mistaken, it was prefect Hibari Kyouya who has thought of program. Anyway, thank you for the call. I will inform Mukuro-san about this. Anything else, Utaime?"

"E-etto… I kno-"

"Good day. Ta-"

"Wait! I'll tell you!" she exclaimed. She sighed before explaining. "Hibari-sama said that there were other schools wanting to destroy Namimori Middle. By sending a few students to other schools, he thought that it would develop good relationships and avoid violence. Also, most of the participants are intelligent, charismatic and strong. So, if a problem arises, the ones who joined the mentorship program are the ones to counter it, avoid, turn it around whatever. If problems still consist, Hibari will personally take action. So, to summarize, he did it for good relations and for our safety. Xerion-san, please don't spread this around."

"Of course. But, I need something in replace for keeping my mouth shut."

"As long as I can provide it."

"Give me all information and history you can get from Hibari Kyouya and Mukuro Rokudo. If I'm not mistaken, your family is, somewhat, in good terms with the Private Police Bureau, correct?"

"How'd you-?!" another sigh came out. "Fine."

"Thank you for accepting this negotiation terms. See you tomorrow, Saiya-san."

Private Police Bureau. Xerion thought when he hung up the phone. I never thought I would have to get some help from you devious bastards.

Private Police Bureau. The people behind investigations, evidence searching, and cleaning up. No one knows of the organization except for a few politicians. The PPB was one of the most cunning yet honest investigatory team. The organization had lawyers to back up offenses, 'police' to arrest those who oppose them, and those who clean up the dirt left by politics and rich people. Their moralities and laws were not decided by the governing leaders and the laws itself but by greed and orders from their king.

Even though the PPB had done something ruthless to Xerion's past, he couldn't be more thankful for it.

The butler had returned to his mistress' room. He saw the lovely couple chatting while holding hands. Xerion mentally scoffed and thought, Tch. Hormones.

"Mukuro-kun…" Lala started. "When we get married, will Xerion-kun stay with us?"

"Kufufu. It depends… But, if you want, then we'll add him to our family."

"How much do you love me?"

"Well, I keep on hearing that love cannot be measured. So, I do not know. Kufu…"

She giggled. "Does the amount of 'fu's you add to your laugh mean anything, Mukuro-kun?"

"More Fu's mean I'm happier."

"Can I call you Mu-kun?"

"Of course. Kufufu~"

"How's Chrome?" she asked, her tone not as gentle and soft as earlier. Mukuro's expression turned sour.

"I lost all communication with her after being… Kufufufu…" he answered taking a few seconds before continuing. "Before being freed."

"How does it feel in Vendicare?"

"It feels hopeless, damp, alone, silent and… "He traced off and muttered something to himself. Mukuro held her hand tighter and looked at the joined hands lying on the white mattress.

"How about you, Lala?" he asked. "How much do you love me?"

"I really don't know. There is someone who I love but… he… Well, 'hate' isn't the right word. He thinks I'm a phony. I'll just put it like that." His smirk crept on his lips. He stood up and pulled Lala into his arms, embracing her.

"I'll protect you from him." He said with a smirk.

"What are you saying…?"

"It seems you love him more than me. Well, I will be leaving Lala. I need to see if Ken and Chikusa are okay." He pulled away from the hug and kissed her hot forehead. "Please get well soon." Then he left.

"Xerion… Mu-kun is so lucky…" she said, turning her body around to face her butler. She looked at him with sad eyes and with a sad smile. "He's free from worries. I still have a lot of burden on my shoulders."

"I think he is just a lucky man." Xerion replied, looking into her eyes, concerned. "Is there any actions do you want me to do?"

"N-nothing. Wake me up when it's time for dinner."

"Very well. Sweet dreams."

A/N: Hello! This is SMY Stories officially announcing that… The Love Continues will be on hiatus until further notice.

We'd love to thank you for your support! Thank you for the 1500+ views, faves, follows and reviews.

Until we meet again! For now, we will concentrate on our current stories, Hello! How Are You (Hibari x OC story ), and My Dearest ( Shogo x Akane. Psycho-Pass ). Read it, ne?