When she fell unconscious, she felt inexplicably calm. Even as her memories came back on fractal at a time, even as her mind overrode with close to ten years of memories. She watched them like a cartoon. Suddenly, as her memories loaded in her mind, she felt complete. A void she had never known existed was filled, but she still couldn't wake up.

A warmth stayed with her through the darkness, enveloping her from the tingling feel of a gentle hand rested firmly on her fingertips. She recognised it fast enough, and realised it was always there.

He was always there.

She recalled, that her father had a similar role. She remembered the nightmares driven off by the quiet melody of her father's clarinet, and a large hand that would card itself through her hair.

Her father was dead, and she remembered every bit of it.

She remembered the Vongola and now it wasn't just second-hand hatred.

She loathed the Vongola.

They killed her father for something he didn't do. They killed her family.

But…

Towards Tsuna…

She-

Her thought would drift, but soon it would return to him. In a way, it was a surprise, but she had a feeling that she had always known. Right from the when he asked that question, she knew.

"Will you go out with me?"

She knew that towards Tsuna she had always-

When she woke up, it was to dual coloured eyes.

Tsuna had pulled up a chair, eye flickering towards Mukuro momentarily. Mukuro smirked, but stayed silent as Tsuna returned his gaze towards her. His initial surprise had long melted off, leaving an odd yet fit mix of gentle patience and hardened determination. Molten lava rippled, regarding her, showing her that he would listen as long as she needed to say something.

She sent a look to Mukuro, hesitating before she sighed relentingly.

"Fine." She murmured, and Tsuna took it as a sign to sit. He dumped his bag on the floor and dragged a seat next to her bed. Almost mechanically he dropped his hand to hers and the familiar warmth clutched her fist.

Did he come everyday while she was asleep?

She took a shaky breath, her fingers twitching.

"I wanted to trick you into letting Mukuro take over your body." Tsuna's eyes widened a fraction, before he fell into a thoughtful countenance. He didn't look that surprised. "I thought it would eradicate the mafia faster."

He was silent. Her chest tightened and a bile rose in her throat. She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but no sound came out. Tsuna's eyes were dark as he pulled his hand to his lap, the warmth dissipating to frost. Her chest hammered, and the silence rang.

His voice was shaky, yet it echoed thickly through the fog of silence.

"I...see."

Tsuna's body was still, his features melted of any discernible emotions. She watched him, waiting for him to up and leave.

After all, she was aiming to kill him. Who wouldn't be terrified to be near her?

Tsuna looked up, startling M.M with his sudden motion. She hesitantly met his eyes, her own widening in surprise as he gave a grin.

"Thank you."

His smile became softer.

"For telling me."

He looked away, and for a moment it looked like his features had fractured. Before it repaired itself and he took her hand again.

"I...'ll go back home first. I have to do something."

He glanced momentarily at Mukuro, who smiled deviously. He turned back to her with a resolute frown.

"Take care of yourself."

Her chest warmed, and she turned away, a pale flush tinting her cheeks as she mocked glared at the brunet. He gave her a playful grin, before grabbing his bag.

She watched his back as it absconded the room, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

Well fuck.

Tsuna slowed to a pause as soon as he was sure he was out of hearing range from M.M. His fists shook and his eyes set aflame.

Letting out a audible breath, he leaned himself against the wall, covering his orange eyes as he struggled to get his head in gear.

Thoughts about M.M's revelation swirled in his mind.

Yeah, he knew about the Vongola's history. Knew it better than anyone who didn't live through it. But in a way he had dismissed it, simply thinking that he would change it. Now it was different.

The heaviness of knowing that the Vongola had done something so disgusting to someone he knew only just struck him. Earlier he was simply too worried to think about it. First about how it'd affect M.M, then about M.M's hospitalisation, but now the thoughts made themselves known.

His brain hurt, before a memory surfaced and he paled.

Iemitsu grinned cheerfully to his wife as she gently patted the final bandage she had wrapped around his arm, watching fondly as she bounced off to 'prepare a homecoming feast'. He glanced up momentarily as he heard the soft thumps of M.M going up, turning his eyes to his son. Frowning, he beckoned Tsuna to his side.

Tsuna's lips pulled into a hesitant frown, but obediently followed the instruction and grabbed a seat to sit on.

Iemitsu's eyes were narrowed.

"I still don't trust her."

Tsuna paused, before his eyes flashed a vibrant orange.

"I remember I told you that she's under my protection-"

"And you better hope that she doesn't do anything that may cause the future Decimo harm."

Tsuna's chest froze, and he clenched his fists, hidden from his father.

Of course that's what's he's worried about.

He shook the thought off. Turning hard eyes to the CEDEF head, he felt a bile rise in his throat as he regarded the blond with slight reservation. He opened his mouth, before wavering. He gathered his wits, and turned, almost challengingly asking.

"And if she does?"

Iemitsu glanced away, before he scowled.

"Then we kill her."

He knew the man was serious.

He had to protect M.M.

He paused, standing straighter, accidentally knocking into a nurse who had coincidentally walked by and approached him to ask if he was okay. Faking a smile he waved the guy away. Said smile dropped off once the nurse left, and he hovered a hand over his chest.

He felt strange. The only thing he could place close to it was protectiveness. Like when he saved Kyoko in the future, or when he defeated Byakuran after he had caused Yuni and Gamma to die, or when he jumped down the building to save Yamamoto when he fell. But it wasn't the same. It was different. Stronger.

He shook his head.

It must have been because M.M had been staying at his house for quite some time. This unfamiliar feeling must have stemmed from that.

It was nothing.

...It was nothing.

Oops, sorry for the late update. Loads of things happened during the slight hiatus. My computer had literally broke into two. I got a new one which keeps double typing. And now my phone's power button does not work.

See how electronics just love me?

Sarcasm aside, I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter. A lot of deliberation was taking place over the two, three weeks we haven't updated and it just so happens that I have been having a lot of tests for the past couple of weeks.

Anyway, please review, and if there are any problems with spelling, continuity, and grammar, don't be afraid to tell any of us.

Thanks, bai~