Special thanks to jessicalee94, yukixsnow, snowxbutterfly, deadly-chronicles, Mockingjay Rose and Featherain for the awesome reviews!

Dedicated to: Mockingjay Rose, my 100th reviewer! Sorry, Yuki-chan, you don't count!LOL

Kiri to Kumo

Interlude Two: In which Kyoko ruminates about her mental tenant, Mukuro had some fun and Hana getting suspicious.

Kyoko always thought life was simple. She had a simple childhood where everyone adored her and took care of her. When she entered Middle school, she was the school idol and revered by everyone. Queen of the Namimori social life, she controlled the information flow in the town; she was the first to know anything from her links around Namimori.

She knew what she wanted in life: a nice husband with good social standing, a good social life and a career where she can have some control on the society.

Then a man named Rokudou Mukuro came into her well-planned life.

The once simple, peaceful life in Namimori had never been seen so dark. Mafia, cruel experiments, assassinations, illusionary worlds…the girl never thought how scary the world looked before. And it was all because of Sawada Tsunayoshi.

And to repay the kindness the boy had given her (apparently the boy once was ready to die so she wouldn't be killed) and help him, Kyoko agreed to help Mukuro.

Who would have thought her mind would now be the playground and temporary apartment space of a sycophantic psychopath

Namimori Chuu.

Kyoko was diligently writing down notes when she heard a soft whisper by her ear. And judging from the lack of reaction around her, she deduced that someone else was trying to catch her attention.

This is so boring, dearest Elena. Why can't you just skip the class?

Kyoko inwardly sighed as she tuned to the mental conversation poking in her head. I can't. I have to maintain my reputation as a studious girl, Mukuro-san.

Then create an illusion. Come now, my dear Elena, it's a beautiful day outside and we're stuck in this horrid class.

I can't. Hibari-san and Tsuna-kun will notice. And didn't I tell you to stop calling me Elena?

Ku fufufu, why ever not? Elena is a fitting name for a girl who give a chance in freedom in this dreary place they call prison.

... Never mind...

The last class for the day had just ended and most of her classmate had went home, leaving her behind to wait for Hana, who had class duties that day. Reading through her maths notes (they had a test for tomorrow), she noticed that Tsuna was awkwardly standing in front of her.

"Can I help you, Tsuna-kun?" She tilted her head, staring curiously at him.

"Um, uh, I was wondering if…if you want to do some revision with me at the library? The…uh, two of you, I mean." The brunet looked everywhere but the auburn-haired girl.

"Are…are you asking me out on a date, Tsuna-kun?" Kyoko looked down as Mukuro's gleeful laugh echoed in her mind.

Ku fufu, it seems that the little Vongola pup is growing up. Hey, Elena, let me play for a while.

Just don't scare him too much, Mukuro-san.

"Uh…something like that." Tsuna laughed awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Ku fufu, so you're asking me on a date, Tsunayoshi-kun?" Tsuna stared with horror as Kyoko's right sienna eye turned red with the kanji one on it.

Hana, who was cleaning the whiteboard, stared as Tsuna quickly backed away, staring at Kyoko with something akin to horror.

"Mukuro!" the brunet yelped.

"Gomen, Tsu-kun." Kyoko twirled a stray hair around her finger. "But I promised Hana-chan I'll go out for ice-cream with her."

"Uh, um, okay!" Tsuna quickly ran out and Gokudera, who threw a threatening glare at Kyoko of all people, chased after the young brunet.

At Greatest Cake Cafe

Kyoko stared in delight at the vast selection of ice-cream in front of her when she espied something she hadn't saw before in her last visit to the cafe.

"Oh, look Hana-chan, they even have pineapple-flavor ice-cream! Maybe I should get that one."

E-Le-Na~~

Kyoko giggled to herself but got a chocolate ice-cream instead.

There was something wrong in Namimori. And it all had to do with Dame-Tsuna. Kurokawa Hana frowned as she watched Kyoko yet again giggled again to herself as if she knows something Hana didn't. Ever since Dame-Tsuna so-called tutor came to Namimori (she still couldn't believe the little brat was Dame-Tsuna's tutor…then again, it was Dame-Tsuna.)

She also noticed some major changes in some of her classmates. Gokudera Hayato, punk delinquent and genius of Namimori was latching more tightly against Tsuna, even yelling at people if they accidentally said something wrong to the boy. Yamamoto, meanwhile, was also another one with some major changes in his life. A guy that only breathed, spoke and basically lived baseball. But after Tsuna saved him from his failed suicide quest, Yamamoto began to take more interest with what life …and Tsuna has to offer.

Hibari was another interesting change in Namimori Chuu. After his accident and his short stint in hospital, the prefect had changed as if into another man. There were also some rumors concerning a ghost circulating around him, heck some students even claimed that they see a purple haired girl wandering around the school, chastised some of the rule-breakers and actually frightened one of the bullied into not going to school for days.

She didn't know what was going on, but she was going to find out. She hated not knowing something when all the people she seemed to associate with knew. And now that Kyoko was into whatever Tsuna's little circle (attentively dubbed) doing, Kurokawa Hana was determined to get the truth.

"Is everything all right with you?" Hana asked, noticing the odd look in Kyoko's eyes for what seemed to be the umpteenth time that day. As if she was somewhere else with someone else.

"Eh? Yes, why?"

"You've been strangely preoccupied lately."

Kyoko shrugged. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind," she replied. A soft laugh echoed in her mind. Looks like Mukuro decided to listen in after all.

"Oh?" Now was her chance. "Does it have to do with Sawada, by any chance?" She aimed a cheeky grin at the blush on Kyoko's face. Bingo! "It does, doesn't it?" she asked. "What did Dame-Tsuna do this time? He's been acting weird, too, hasn't he?"

"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked sharply.

"Sawada is…weird…different—I don't know. But I know there's something off about him. He likes you so I thought he might tell you what's going on."

"You shouldn't pry into things that aren't of your concern." Hana blinked in shock. Did Kyoko just reprimand her?

"'I was just curious, that's all." Hana said back defensively as she drew back, staring warily at her. Why did she get the feeling that the Kyoko in front of her wasn't the Kyoko she knew?

Aren't you going to tell her, Elena dear?

No. She shouldn't involve herself in the mafia world. I want Hana-chan to at least get a normal life.

Kyoko was chilled by Mukuro's departing comment.

Oya, how lyrical. Do you seriously think a girl that is involved in Sawada Tsunayoshi's little group can escape unscathed from the mafia world? How naïve you are, my dearest Elena.

"-ko? Kyoko?" The auburn girl blinked and stared back at Hana, who was looking worriedly at her. "Are you ok? You looked…scared for a minute."

Hana watched as Kyoko abruptly stood up, grabbing her bag. "Gomen Hana-chan, I just remembered I had to do some errands. Bye." The black-haired girl watched as Kyoko left the café, frowning.

Something was clearly going on.

Done. Sorry if a bit lame. The chapter is more focused on showing some of Kyoko's other side of things. Sort of.

Review.

Interlude Three: Where Everyone tries to help Gokudera figure out about Haru, Bianchi threatens his adorable brother to get a move on and the delinquent genius finally gets it.