The dwarves and Hibari organised a search party after they discovered Chrome's disappearance. Mukuro found her later, sitting on the ground, her stunned gaze fixated on the body hanging from the tree by its neck, blood dripping from the wound.

Tsuna's hyper intuition saved her from the painful explanation.

They carried both Yuni and Chrome back to the cottage. The dwarves examined the corpse while Hibari tended to the distraught Princess. He changed her into one of his shirts and wrapped a blanket around her, letting her weep in his arms.

He did not ask her to say anything, but her whispers between sobs allowed him to piece the whole story together.

"I was there but let Yuni die…"

"I shot the right side of his chest…"

"He lied. He said he forgot to mention only his left side could be affected… He t-tricked me…"

"He was laughing at me…"

"How could he just l-leave after doing all that?"

"I c-couldn't save Yuni…"

A funeral was held in Namimori a few days later. The reconstruction of the village stopped as everyone grieved over the death of their precious child.

Misaki and Takanori sprawled themselves over the coffin while they cried in anguish, calling Yuni's name over and over. Tatsuo took much effort to pull them away so that the coffin could be prepared for cremation.

The dwarves, Hibari and Chrome stayed at a side further from the crowd of villagers. Chrome bit her lip as tears continued flowing, regret and guilt overwhelming her heart.

'It's my fault…'

She could not feel any warmth even through her and Hibari's interlocked hands.

'It's my fault…'

The dwarves exchanged worried glances at Chrome's disconsolate state.

'Kaa-san said a princess should live to help the people, but I couldn't do it. I'm not worthy of that title. I'm not worthy of that kind of life. I'm not worthy of being Kaa-san's ideal princess…'

Hibari already knew what negative thoughts were cycling in her head.

'I don't deserve to live…'

Hibari cast a knowing look to Reborn who nodded in return.

'It's my fault.'

Night fell over the silent cottage.

"She didn't touch the food I left at her door," Tsuna reported somberly.

"She didn't respond to any of our calls either," Gokudera added.

"She's definitely extremely upset," Ryohei remarked.

"Maybe we should give her some space," Yamamoto suggested.

"It may be dangerous to leave her alone for long," Mukuro said.

"No way. What if she starves herself to death? We have to save my idol!" Lambo cried.

Tension thickened in the air.

Chrome could not really hear the dwarves' muffled arguments as she locked herself in the room she and Hibari shared.

She sat on the cold planked floor, staring at the knife in her hand. She was in another one of Hibari's shirts, and she lifted it to see the patch at her stomach. She remembered Yuni was injured at the waist, elbow and finally, her throat. She thought she should be the one receiving those cuts instead.

Hence, she reached the knife over to her waist, 'Maybe I should cut my wrist too…'

But before she could do anything, she heard a cough. Startled, she turned around and spotted Reborn emerging from the dark corner beside the door, "Konbanwa, Princess".

"R-Reborn-san…"

"I was here before you came."

Chrome went quiet. She noticed that she had subconsciously moved the knife to her wrist.

"You are going to bleed too much if you cut yourself there," Reborn said.

"I-I…"

Reborn sat across her and she squirmed under his watchful eyes even though he was much smaller than her.

"Well, I can't really interfere with your decision," Reborn began, "But don't die in vain, Princess".

"I-I wasn't—"

"You were going to. I can read your thoughts."

She could not deny it anymore.

"If you must, die like your father did."

Chrome flinched.

"He died for you."

Indeed, she had held a grudge because he remarried to another woman. But it remained a fact that he died protecting her from that very same woman.

"Don't waste Hibari's efforts either."

Chrome's heart pumped faster at the mention of the hunter.

"All this time he had gone out of his way protecting you, so the best thing to do to repay him is to stay alive."

Tears welled in her eyes again as she slowly let go of the knife.

"If you want to talk to him, he's at the beach," Reborn offered.

She nodded, thanking him profusely.

That was what she exactly wanted to do now.

Chrome found him seated on a large rock, playing a harmonica. The tranquil melody reached her ears as she stepped out of the woods. Her sandals left soft prints on the sand as she headed toward the rock. Hibari seemed too focused on the harmonica to not notice her yet, or so she thought.

His lips left the instrument and he placed it aside before giving her a short glance.

She stood erect, "You knew…it was I?"

"Hn. Come up here," Hibari ordered and Chrome quickly rushed forward, carefully heaving herself onto the rock.

She sat still beside him but fidgeted when he kept staring. She scrutinised herself again before blushing. The top few buttons were undone, showing off her cleavage and a glimpse of her black brassiere. Plus it was obvious she did not wear anything over her underwear.

"I-I'm sorry! I should have worn a yukata…" she was stopped in fixing her attire as Hibari placed a hand over hers and moved them to her lap. His eyes gazed over her long beautiful legs which skin shone smoothly under the moonlight. He could have fun touching them, but now he needed to do something else.

"Did he speak to you?" he asked. Chrome blinked and thought for a while before it dawned on her who he was talking about.

She nodded and muttered, "Did you ask him to?"

"He volunteered," Hibari clarified.

Chrome knew now was the right time, "I'm sorry". She bowed her head, bracing herself for any reprimand from Hibari.

But he said nothing.

He moved closer and unbuttoned her shirt, pulling it wide open and allowing him to see her stomach wound clearly. He brushed his fingers over the bandage, "Still bleeding?"

Chrome blushed redder at the exposure, "Y-Yes, but it's all right".

"Don't ever hurt yourself again."

She nodded, head bowed again. She was not that naïve to be unable to read between the lines. She understood what he was actually referring to.

The big shirt slid off her shoulders but she did not fret about it. After all, it was only Hibari she was showing her skin to.

She leant in until their lips lightly touched and Hibari responded surprisingly gently. He pressed her slightly downward, supporting her by her back.

Soft lips continued their little game until they became plum red. Forehead to forehead, eyes closed, Chrome suppressed a purr as Hibari stroked the underside of her chin.

She was going to remember everything of that night, how his hands roamed her body everywhere before finishing up with his mouth, shocking her with indescribable pleasure.