Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn Belongs to Akira Amano
The Confusion and The Mist
Hikari stood leaning against the door. She could still feel her heart beating rapidly as it could. She just didn't know why she was feeling so nervous. She shouldn't be nervous when someone looked in the eye. That wasn't normal. She remembered the way Hibari looked at her. There was something very wrong with that situation. Why was he staring at her with such intense eyes?
She tried to calm her breathing. It was just stupid. She was reading too much on the situation. There was just an awkward atmosphere since she was giving him her thanks. That was all, nothing more. But there was something on those blue gray eyes; she couldn't just pinpoint just what it was. The more important question was why did she suddenly feel self conscious?
There was a knock on the door. That effectively snapped her out of her little world.
"Hikari? Something wrong?" Hiroshi was worried about his sister. She had never been the emotional one. But now she looked very restless or flustered? He had to know what was wrong.
"Nothing…" Hikari replied when she was sure her voice was stable. She opened the door and saw her sibling staring at her oddly. Hiroshi gave a questioning look. She just shrugged and headed down stairs while Hiroshi followed behind. Haruhi was sipping tea when she noticed the two come down.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I… just felt something weird that's all." Hikari said as pulled one of the chairs and sat down. There was a mug full of tea on the table. She gratefully took a sip. There was another noise as Hiroshi also sat down to drink tea. For a few moments there was a comfortable silence.
"Now tell me, how did you two know …Dinosaur-san?" Hikari asked with a serious face.
Suddenly Hiroshi burst out laughing. "Dino became Dinosaur? That's truly hilarious."
"I can't remember his name." Hikari was a bit embarrassed.
"Well he isn't that much of a remarkable person to remember anyway." Haruhi rumbled. That made Hikari raise her eyebrow. How odd. She hadn't muttered any curses at all!
"Funny how you are saying that." Hiroshi sneered at her. He got a glare in return but not that he was scared. On the contrary he seemed quite contented to have riled an emotion like that from his twin. "Wasn't he your high school crush?"
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Haruhi stood up making a harsh noise as the chair fell back. "He wasn't my crush!" Even though she fiercely denied it, her face indicated something different. She was beat red.
"Huh! As if I'd believe that!" Hiroshi narrowed his eyes as he looked at his fuming sister. "Who was the one who always talked about him and made me irritated?"
"That's not true!"
And somehow the twins started their bickering with each other. Hikari sighed and sipped her tea quietly. Maybe she shouldn't have asked anything. But she gathered some information after seeing their fight. It seemed that they went to the same high school and apparently he was the guy Haruhi liked. She didn't want to admit it though. Hikari was sure that was the truth. Besides she was looking cute.
After a few minutes she finished her tea and noticed her siblings were still at it. How their argument which started from apparent love life ended up in being about their chosen careers Hikari had no idea. Sometimes she wondered if it was a good thing that she was a bit emotionless than most people. She sighed and looked at the clock on the wall. It was still early before the mist battle and there was plenty of time before it was night fall. She decided she would just walk around aimlessly. Maybe that would cool her head and she'd be able to think why she felt so awkward.
Hikari got out of the chair and turned around to see her siblings still talking about some things that didn't make much sense to her. She decided it was high time she exited this place. As she was heading towards the door her siblings noticed her going out.
"Where are you going?" Haruhi asked.
"Don't know." Hikari quickly got out of the house and started walking without any destination in mind. Anywhere is better than being in the middle of them.
"And do you know how weird that felt?" Hikari said with a huff as she recited her odd encounter with the Disciplinary Chairman. There was no reply. Just a blank stare.
There were people eying the scene with speculative eyes. Some were thinking if the girl was sane or not. They quickly passed her by and acted as though they hadn't seen anything.
"Mommy look! That Onee-chan is talking to a poll!" An innocent child pointed at the odd scenery before him. Hikari turned around to see a boy who looked no older than eight staring with his big brown eyes. The mother noticed this and quickly dragged the child away.
"Don't go near those types of people Ao! They are not normal!"
Hikari just watched silently. After they left she turned towards the spirit of a young woman who she was actually talking to. She seemed to have died in an accident few days ago. She was calling for help. The spirit couldn't speak but Hikari had decided to have a small talk with her anyway. At broad daylight and in the middle of the road while people were passing by. Not that it bothered her that much.
"I supposed you are getting bored. I wonder why no Shinigami's came yet." Hikari looked around. Oddly people were decreasing around here. She shrugged. Her eyes were a bit softer than before. "I'll help you then."
"Amamiya Hikari."
Hikari felt a shiver run down her spine. She turned around to see a very annoyed Hibari. Why was he there? And more importantly why was the road practically deserted of people?
"Something the matter Chairman-san?" Hikari asked. She was avoiding his eyes. She was very confused as to why she reacted that way and didn't want to meet him before clearing her head. But here now he was standing before her with an impassive look. She didn't know what to do in this situation.
"You are disturbing the peace." He nonchalantly replied.
"What? Is standing beside a poll against the rules?" Hikari was truly confused as she couldn't find any fault in this matter. She was looking at the ground. It was very interesting indeed.
"Talking with a poll in the middle of the road is causing disturbance to the people." He said in matter of fact way. There was silence and Hikari couldn't find anything to retort or say.
"I…see. I was just talking to the spirit of a girl who died. I was about to let her be free." Hikari replied truthfully. She accidentally looked at his eyes. There was nothing in them now. But she still felt uneasy. "Besides isn't this helping Namimori to become a better place? Free of ghosts and all?"
Hibari was contemplating her theory. There was truth in it.
"I see. Continue with your work." Hibari said and walked away as though she was one of his diligent workers.
"Are you going to watch today's match?" She suddenly asked out of the blue. Hibari was already leaving. He stopped and turned around to face her. Hikari felt the awkward atmosphere return with vengeance. Her cheeks were coloring up.
"Why?"
"You don't get to see powerful illusionists fight all the time you know." She provided information without trying to shutter. This was not good. Maybe he would be interested in coming? Wait, why did she want him to come? Something was definitely wrong with her. This wasn't like her!
"No. I have to bite the bucking bronco to death." Hibari said and started walking away. Hikari didn't even notice that. She was far too preoccupied with her thoughts and panicking. He did stop a bit further away and gave a side glance to see Hikari still pondering over something. He smirked and then he was gone.
Hikari was so absorbed in her inner conflict that she didn't even notice Hibari leaving. When she did notice however she was standing beside the poll with only the spirit looking blankly at her.
"What's wrong with me?" She asked and the spirit gave her a quizzical look. She suddenly felt the urge to see Mukuro. He was oddly someone who she could to talk as they had similar past. He was always talking in riddles and filled with lies. But he was still a comforting presence. Right now she couldn't but she wished to. But that can't happen now. She looked at the spirit and gave a smile.
"Oh well I should do something today that I know why I did it."
Hikari was truly confused. She just couldn't understand her feelings. That was something very odd for her as she liked to think she was able to understand human emotions but now she wasn't so sure anymore. Why was she so hung up in making Hibari watch the match? Better yet why the hell should she care if he didn't come? This was getting weird. She would have to have a talk with Kiki and Rica. And soon too.
Currently she was eating a chocolate bar and heading towards the gymnasium. That was where she felt energy radiating the most from. And not so surprisingly Hibari's aura wasn't inside. He must be around somewhere. Maybe she should look... no this was getting way out of her hands. Feeling irritated she opened the door of the gym with a bang.
There was an eerie silence as the occupants of the room stared at her. They thought the guardian of mist had come.
"What the! It's the weird woman! Can't you come in normally?" Gokudera was very irritated.
"Hello to you too Hayato-kun." Hikari greeted him even though he obviously hadn't greeted her.
"Ha ha Hikari-senpai you seem well." Yamamoto was cheerful as always. Hikari couldn't say she disliked him; it's just sometimes his easy going nature irritated her. He was tolerable.
"Amamiya-dono, thou should have stayed to recover." Basil said with his archaic speech. Hikari raised an eyebrow at that. She was confused about his identity. She did remember seeing him before. But first…
"Which century are you from and why are you talking like that?" But before the boy could answer Ryohei suddenly decided to intervene.
"AMAMIYA why are you extremely not wearing any bandage?" he asked with his loud voice.
"That's not important." Hikari said and noticed Tsuna looking worried. "Nothing is wrong Tsunayoshi-kun. I'm fine." She then looked at the new kid. "You are who?"
"I'm Basilicum. From the Vongola External Advisor Team." He introduced himself.
"I see. So, who's the guardian Reborn? I couldn't figure it out." Hikari decided not to ask what Vongola External Advisor Team was. She didn't care anyway.
"Does the guy even exist? This Guardian of Mist?" Ryohei asked. They were thinking about it. This didn't look good for them.
"This isn't good. The enemy is already here." Yamamoto said and they looked over to the other side. Xanxus was sitting on his chair as though he owned the place. Levi was standing next to him like the loyal person he was. Belphegor stood near with Gola Mosca behind them.
Tsuna and the others started talking but Hikari found her thoughts to be drifting. There was no one she could think of who suited the position of the mist guardian. This was quite frustrating. She looked at the man who sat on the chair…what was his name again? Xan? Something along the lines. He was looking utterly bored. There was just something sinister about him. His aura, the energy he radiated was just dark. Then the robot looking thing. There was something disturbing about him. A warped energy. It sent shivers down her spine. Suddenly simultaneous gasps snapped her out of her own calculating mind. She turned towards the door to see…the tongue flicker and the guy with the bar code on his face coming inside. There was a shadow of a person behind them.
"Calm down you guys." Reborn said as Gokudera had already pulled out some dynamites. "They brought the Guardian of Mist."
"What are you saying Reborn-san! Those guys are…" Suddenly realization came to him. "T-then could the Guardian of Mist be…."
"Yeah, if they're bringing him…" Even Yamamoto seemed tensed. The experience wasn't a pleasant one for him too. "Could it be…"
"I can't believe it. Is the Guardian of Mist Rokudo Mukuro?" Tsuna was feeling panic. He was very afraid of the said teen.
"No." the other person replied and came to the light. It was a girl wearing the Kokuyo Middle school girl's uniform. She had bluish hair with violet colored eyes. An eye patch was on her right eye and she was holding a trident. Mukuro's trident to be exact.
"My name is Chrome. Chrome Dokuro."
"Eh?" Tsuna was surprised to see a girl.
Hikari was probably the only one who was a bit happy that she was the mist guardian. That meant Mukuro was the mist guardian as well. She was his vassal after all. She was also pleased that there was someone new who joined who wasn't annoying. But when she had asked him he didn't say anything. He lied to her!
"Chrome Dokuro?" Basil was a little taken back by the name. Well he shouldn't be feeling odd. His name was not exactly normal either.
"Who's this girl with the Extremely weird name?" Ryohei asked.
"One of your friends Tsuna?" Yamamoto looked at his friend for confirmation. Tsuna was startled but before he could say anything Hikari decided to interfere.
"Chrome-chan, I didn't think you'd be the Mist guardian." She said surprising everyone except Reborn. Hikari had a slight suspicion that he knew about the fact that they were acquaintances. Not that it bothered her because whatever Reborn thought or wanted to do he would do anyway. She wasn't Tsuna who was worried about that.
"Hikari-san." Chrome acknowledged her. "You came to watch."
"Eh? You know her Hikari-senpai?" Tsuna asked with surprise. "Then… she isn't Rokudo Mukuro?"
"Don't be fooled tenth!" Gokudera suddenly stepped in front of his boss in a protective manner. "That's Mukuro! Mukuro is possessing her!"
Hikari couldn't blame him for being paranoid. "That's wrong. She isn't Mukuro. Tsunayoshi-kun should know." Her words pissed Gokudera off very much.
"What's with you? Are you in league with him? You are aren't you?"
"Excuse me? How the hell did you get into that conclusion? I don't think you should jump to a verdict without even giving her a chance. What in league with him? Are you saying I assist him or something?" Hikari really didn't like being accused. "Besides who cares if she's Mukuro-kun?"
"Yeah and let her stab us in the back! That's definitely…."
"Not Rokudo Mukuro!" Tsuna said effectively stopping Gokudera's rant. Hikari smiled. She knew he would be able to tell.
"Eh? Really?" Gokudera was startled when his boss suddenly defended the odd woman. Chrome looked grateful. "Well it seems that way!" Tsuna flailed his arms. For some reason he felt that.
"You defended me?" Chrome said and approached him. "Thank you boss." She said and promptly kissed his cheek causing various reactions. Gokudera and Ken looked ill and the others had a comical sweat drop. Hikari just raised her eyebrow. That was interesting.
"What the hell are you doing?" Being pissed Gokudera tried to strangle the girl while Yamamoto held him back. "Get away from the tenth!"
"A greeting." Chrome replied as if it was normal while Tsuna was red.
"What's the big deal Hayato-kun? It was just a greeting. It's not like she was doing something illegal unlike you." Hikari shrugged.
"What?"
"Didn't get what I mean? You stalk Tsunayoshi-kun anyway. She just kissed him and she's a girl too. That's totally normal."
"YOU!" Gokudera now wanted to strangle her and Yamamoto once again held him back. "Let go of me baseball idiot!"
"So, what are we going to do? Are we going to let her join us? I'm extremely confused." Ryohei asked them.
"Of course not!" Gokudera immediately said. "This strange woman…" That hit the nerve of the two Kokuyo gang. Ken got out one of his cartage and snarled at his direction.
"I can't let that slide, byon!" He licked his lips. Chikusa didn't say anything. He just pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose and pulled out his yo-yo. He wouldn't let it slide either.
"Come at me if you're gonna!" Gokudera was also ready. He would be ready to defend the tenth any time! Hikari sighed. These people…
"Ken, Chikusa, calm down. It's not something for you to decide." Chrome told the trio who were all ready for battle. She the turned to face Tsuna and made a sad face. "Boss, am I unfit to be your Guardian of Mist? I want to fight as your Guardian, but if you say no, I'll obey."
"That's a little sudden. I-It's an important matter." Tsuna was utterly confused. He didn't know what to do. This was all to complicated for him. Reborn sensing his student's hesitation decided to nudge him further. He jumped on to Yamamoto's shoulder. He tilted his fedora downwards.
"But Chrome is the only one who can fight as your Guardian of Mist."
Gokudera couldn't believe his ears. "R-Reborn-San, you too?"
"Well then Tsunayoshi-kun it all comes down to what you think. We can't take the decision for you." Hikari added. Tsuna was in deep thought. After a while he seemed to have made a decision.
"All right then, it's up to you." He said firmly. Hikari was a bit surprised. He was changing. It was subtle but he was truly changing. She supposed after the ring fight she had to go through with it.
"Are you sure, tenth?"
"I can't put it to words but I feel like it has to be her." Tsuna said with conviction.
"Thank you." Chrome gave a soft smile. Suddenly there was a flapping noise and Hikari was a bit surprised to see another baby who was being carried by a seagull.
"Colonello!" Tsuna seemed to know him. There was a blue pacifier around his neck. He must be one of the Arcobaleno.
"Master! Shouldn't you be sleeping with Kyoko?" Ryohei asked.
"That's what I'm doing. But I needed to know if the kid was an Arcobaleno or not." He baby replied. The name went from Hikari's one ear to another.
"Hmp. Looks like another stupid-looking one has joined you. I'll make you look even more stupid during this fight." Marmon said with a huff.
"By the way isn't Dino-san coming today?" Tsuna asked.
"He had urgent business and went to meet an old friend." Reborn replied.
Suddenly Hikari remembered her sister who was grumbling going together with him. They couldn't be on a date could they? It's the middle of the night too. What were they doing? But then again she had taken her coat and doctors equipment too.
"We will begin the battle soon." One of the Carvello women said. "Will each Guardian of Mist step into the battle field?" The other asked.
"Yosh! Let's form a circle." Ryohei said with enthusiasm. Hikari gave a heated stare. "Are you mental? Again?"
"O-okay…" Tsuna was uncertain but decided to go along with it.
"No. I'll be fine. I don't need it." Chrome said as she prepared for her fight. The others were a bit taken back.
"Not so friendly…" Yamamoto commented.
"What's with her?" Ryohei was a bit upset.
"Shut up." Hikari said with annoyance.
"I'm going." Chrome said and headed to the center of the field. She stood in front of her opponent.
"This time the battle field is the entire gymnasium. You may use anything within." One of them stopped and the other started. "This field does not have any special devices; please remember this."
"Eh there's nothing?" Tsuna was surprised.
"You don't need anything extra for the Guardian of Mist battle. Confusing the enemy by making nothing into something and something into nothing, not allowing them to see the family- the illusion of deception: That is the duty of the Guardian of the Mist."
Suddenly a cage like thing fell on top of them. Enclosing them inside.
"The spectators are for this match is within that enclosure." One started and paused. Then the other started talking. "It has inferred laser system just like the storm match, so please be careful."
"Now, the Mist match, Marmon Vs Chrome Dokuro battle start!"
When the woman said start Chrome didn't waste any time. She quickly ran closer and spanned her trident. Then she slammed the end of it on the ground making a wave. Suddenly the ground broke and everyone was falling. Everyone started panicking.
Marmon seemed somewhat pleased but wasn't intimidated. He jumped through the falling pieces and went near Chrome. Marmon's head turned into a black hole and then blue tentacle like things started squishing her. The floor returned to normal.
"Too weak. This won't even make a show." He said.
"Oh no!" Tsuna was very worried now. But he didn't have to worry.
"Who are you talking to?" Chome said as she appeared behind him. Everyone couldn't believe their eyes. Instead of Chrome Marmon was squeezing a box of basketballs.
"Eh? The woman turned into basketball!" Ryohei exclaimed. Gokudera was rubbing his eyes.
"What's going on?" Tsuna was confused as well. Hikari was amazed. Now she was wishing if only she had the ability like Haruhi!
"It's an illusion." She said. She knew but she still fell for it. How humiliating.
"That's right, Kora!"
"It's a battle of tricks each creating an illusion to deceive the other. You aren't able to see these types of fights all the time." Reborn informed them. Tsuna seemed to be thinking about something. Suddenly he remembered.
"Mukuro's first path of hell!" He suddenly exclaimed. Hikari was a bit confused.
"Tenth! She's really Mukuro!" Gokudera wouldn't budge from his theory. He said it with surety. Tsuna didn't say anything back.
"I'm glad that you have some skill. I can use 'it' to my heart's content in front of you." A chain fell on the floor under him. "Let's go Phantasma." When he said the frog's skin started breaking and from there an egg emerged. Then the egg became some yellow serpent. The serpent became a snake and made a halo above Marmon's head. He then started levitating. There was an Indigo colored pacifier around his neck. It was glowing along with the other Arcobaleno's pacifiers.
"An Arcobaleno." Hikari was very much surprised. For a few moments everyone was stunned by the events that unfolded before them.
"He's floating?" Tsuna was stunned. "He's an arcobaleno too?"
"He's Viper of the indigo pacifier. They say he is the magician with the greatest psychic ability among the Arcobaleno." Reborn said.
"Psychic? You mean Psyonic? That's so occult!" Gokudera was having a hard time believing.
"You know an actual Shaman who can see ghosts but can't believe in psychics? Really now you need treatment Hayato-kun." Hikari sighed.
"Shut up weird woman!"
"I heard he went missing. But why didn't my pacifier glow until now, kora?" Colonello wondered outloud.
"I don't understand, but it seemed like he blocked the pacifier's functions with that chain." Reborn speculated. He was accurate too.
"A side effect of a research that doesn't concern you. Unlike you, I don't lack the determination to break this curse." Marmon said spitefully. This effectively confused Hikari very much. Arcobaleno curse? She wasn't the only one.
"What's he talking about?" Tsuna asked.
"Not good. Against that idiot a normal magician won't stand a chance, kora!" Colonello said being a bit worried.
"Don't underestimate her, Colonello. Chrome isn't just any magician." Reborn told them.
Chrome was a bit startled at first. But she quickly regained her composure. She looked determined to win. "I can't lose to anyone."
She ran towards the floating arcobaleno and used her trident to slash him. But it was no use. Marmon was flying and she was trying to make a hit. "If you can't fly then swinging around that stick will do you no good."
Chrome jumped quite high and slashed bit he dodged again. "That's useless." Marmon taunted. She didn't falter. Suddenly the area surrounding Marmon changed and several snakes wrapped themselves around him. "This isn't an illusion." The snakes prevented him from floating again.
"Nice going!" Ryohei exclaimed.
"It seems to be working." Basil added. Gokudera was suspicious. "Summoning beasts like that…"
"Mukuro's skill! The path of the Beast!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"Tenth that girl is definitely possessed by Mukuro."
Hikari decided not to say anything this time. Somehow she then would end up saying the truth. She was having a bit fun. It was like watching a video game. A good one. Mortal combat like? Chrome quickly tried to strike when he was unable to fly away. But his pacifier suddenly started glowing. With an energy blast the snakes were thrown aside and Chrome was pushed back.
Chrome didn't seem too intimidated by that. She spanned her trident and slammed the end f it to the ground. Suddenly from the ground pillars of fire rose up instantly heating up the gym. One of them directly hit him.
"Yay! She did it!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"Not yet." Reborn had to dampen the mood. Hikari looked at the pillars. They looked nice. Thank god they weren't ice pillars. She had enough ice already.
"Your illusions are certainly first class." Marmon said as he emerged from one of the fire pillars. It seemed that he wasn't that affected. "If even for a moment I had felt that the pillar of fire was real, I would have been burnt to a crisp." Chrome looked worried. "Thus, your weak spot is an illusion as well!"
Suddenly the whole surrounding changed to a freeze zone. All the fire pillars turned into ice pillars and there was unbearable cold. Hikari gritted her teeth. She hated snow and consecutively she was forced to be in the cold for two days already.
"This is pissing me off." Hikari muttered.
"An illusion takes over your perception as in your brain and takes control over the five senses. The domination becomes stronger with the power of the illusionist, and chances of falling for the spell increase. However when an illusionist gets their illusion countered by an illusion, it means they have given up control over their perceptions." He just snapped his fingers. Suddenly Chrome's body started freezing up. It stopped midway to her waist.
"How does it feel? The power of the accursed arcobaleno? Now show me your true form. Because no matter what you do it's useless." Marmon then mover his finger. Chome was suddenly scooped up and slammed to the wall. She was hit hard and her trident fell away from her.
"This is bad." Hikari said. No one replied. They were silent and just watched. Chrome quickly crawled to the trident.
"That weapon seems to be very important to you."
"N-No…" Chrome protested. Against what Hikari couldn't understand. Suddenly the trident shattered to thousand pieces. Following that Chrome started coughing violently. She fell down on the floor. Ken and Chikusa looked paler than normal. Hikari turned to see Chrome's stomach caving in. It was as though nothing was there.
"What?" Hikari was astonished.
"Hiii!" Tsuna was clutching his hair.
"She's caving in!" Gokudera said being horrified.
Marmon looked surprised as well. "What's wrong with his girl? Is this an illusion?" Watching the girl gasp he suddenly understood. "Seems like the girl has been living off with illusionary organs. It's un believable."
Everything made sense now. Hikari was finally able to put two and two together. The reason why Chromes spiritual energy was tangled with Mukuro's! He must have been the person who created those illusions. He was very powerful for an illusionist wasn't he?
Suddenly Tsuna felt an odd sensation. He didn't feel so good. Just then fog surrounded Chrome's body. Hikari looked with interest.
"The mist is covering the girl's body!" Ryohei pointed out.
"The girl is simply using the last bit of her strength to hide her ugly copse. It's something female magicians often do."
"He's coming." Tsuna suddenly said grabbing everyone's attention. He was clutching his head.
"What's the matter Tsuna?" Reborn asked seeing him behave so oddly. Tsuna didn't seem to hear him though.
"Tenth!"
"Tsuna what's the matter?" Yamamoto asked. Tsuna was gripping his hair tighter. "He's here!"
"Who's he Tsunayoshi-kun?" Hikari asked. She had a slight suspicion about who it was. She remembered an incident that occurred during the summer festival.
"I may sound weird to you but… a few minutes ago I felt a strange sensation. It was as if Mukuro was here. You should be careful." Tsuna said and rubbed his head with his hands. "It's not like I'm trying to be all knowing or something…"
'Maybe he can sense him?' Hikari asked herself. 'Must be because of his hyper intuition.'
"Mukuro, Rokudo Mukuro is coming!" He said and looked straight ahead at the place where Chrome's body was.
"Ku fu fu…."
Marmon was a bit confused. "Hmn? A man's voice?"
Suddenly something was slammed on the ground and the floor suddenly broke. The force hit Marmon greatly and he was slammed to the ground. The surrounding fog cleared and in the middle of it standing was Mukuro. Looking smug as ever. Hikari thought he looked cool for some reason.
"Ku fu fu fu…You all seem lively as ever, little Mafiosi." Mukuro said and looked over to the Vongola family. Ryohei and Basil looked confused as they never met him.
"Rokudo Mukuro, there's no mistake." Gokudera said. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't startled. "He was safe after that." Tsuna added. He felt a little relived inwardly. He was worried something bad had happened to him.
"It's been some time. I've come back, from the edge of transmigration." He said with a smirk. Hikari just happily waved at his direction. Mukuro glanced at her and tilted his a head a bit to show that he noticed her. Everyone else was too surprised by Mukuro's sudden appearance to notice such gesture. Reborn did notice but decided not to say anything. For now.
"So, that's who the real Guardian of Mist is! Kora!" Colonello said. Reborn just smirked. Marmon slowly got up. He started levitating again. There were many thoughts that came to him. suddenly he remembered where he heard that name before.
"Rokudo Mukuro? I thought I'd heard that name somewhere before. I remember. About a month ago someone tried to escape from Vendicare prison. His name was Rokudo Mukuro."
"That impregnable Vendicare prison?" Lavi was surprised.
"Again!" Tsuna and Gokudera had an almost comical expression.
"But he failed and was thrown into the lowest level of prison, where even light and sound couldn't even reach him." When Marmon finished there was a pause. Ken and Chikusa looked annoyed at their own predicament. Everyone else was just speechless. Hikari felt bad. She knew how it felt to be alone in the dark. It was a horrible feeling that she didn't want to feel again. Certainly didn't want others to feel the same helplessness.
Mukuro however didn't look so sad. In fact he looked very amused. "Ku fu fu…I see that the Varia's intelligent network, the prided Vongola's assassination squad, is pathetic. In reality I am here."
Marmon sighed. "You're certainly a pain. All right. let's make it clear. You're an illusion warped around that girl aren't you?" Suddenly a heavy blizzard started.
"Why the hell everything has to be so cold…" Hikari muttered. She looked at Mukuro to see his whole body freezing over. "I never want to be frozen ike that."
"He's completely Frozen!" Ryohei exclaimed.
"So, that Mukuro was an illusion?" Gokudera was finding this hard to believe. Tsuna stared. That was an illusion but not an illusion.
"So let's unmask you." Marmon's face turned into an iron hammer. "Although what's really going to be shattered is that girl's body." He then headed for Mukuro's frozen body.
"A metal hammer?" Yamamoto exclaimed.
"If he's hit by that!" Tsuna started to panic. "He's body's going to break!" Hikari ended the sentence. She was a bit worried too.
Suddenly from the ground vines shot up and grabbed Marmon. There were lotus flowers there too. The icing surrounding Mukuro vaporized at an accelerated rate. It was gone just in a few seconds.
"Ku fu fu…who is an illusion?" Mukuro asked as the vines squeezed the Arcobaleno with force.
"Who is that?" Belphegor asked. He was amazed a bit. Only a bit.
Colonello couldn't believe it. "He's dominating that Viper."
"That's Tsuna's Mist guardian. Rokudo Mukuro." Reborn said with a smirk.
"It really is him!" Tsuna exclaimed. "But what happened to the girl earlier?" Gokudera asked being confused.
"You can't think of Chrome and Mukuro as two separate people. Because as Chrome lives Mukuro exists. Because Mukuro is here, Chrome can live."
"I don't understand." Tsuna was more confused than before.
Mukuro walked a bit closer to Marmon. "Now, what will you do Arcobaleno? You're going to be an annoyance if you plan to take your time." Marmon got angry. His pacifier started glowing and the vines were undone and they fell on the ground. "Don't get so elated!"
There were suddenly many Marmon's in the air. Mukuro seemed unamused. "So, weak hearted." His right eye's kanji changed to a four and it started glowing. He pinpointed the real one and used his trident to slash it. Marmon barely dodged.
"That glowing eye! His combat skill, The Path of The Demon!" Tsuna informed.
"What? An illusionist who can use martial combat? That's blasphemy! I won't accept the transmigration of souls either! A human repeats his life over and over again! That's why I collect money." Marmon said and the snake above his head stretched and it started glowing and spinning. Suddenly everything started to become blurry.
"Viper's using all his powers." Colonello said as he was floating thanks to his bird. He held on to Leon who was attached to Reborn. "That's probably his only choice." He replied.
"Ha ha! An avaricious Acrobaleno? How amusing. But if you are comparing desire, I won't lose!" Mukuro said and slammed his trident on the ground. There were pillars of fire coming from everywhere now. Hikari was feeling faint. A disgusting feeling swirled inside of her. She clutched her head and noticed that everyone was feeling it as well. Even the enemy.
"Illusionary poisoning is beginning, kora!" Colonello looked at the people. They were all clutching their heads. "Yeah. They've been hit by illusions that directly go to their brain for so long." Reborn knew they couldn't handle it for long either.
"Where did you learn this ability to make illusions this powerful?" Marmon said as he avoided being hit by another fire pillar. Mukuro just chuckled. "In hell."
"Don't mess with me!" Again the whole area became icy. Hikari was breathing heavily. The pressure was gone. Only a bit. Then she looked at Tsuna and the others. It seemed like he was in pain.
"Tsunayoshi-kun?"
"It feels like my head's splitting open!" He said and clutched his head. "Something's coming into my head." Hikari was at a loss for what to do. He seemed to be in immense pain. After a few minutes he looked up. "Mukuro…"
"What did you see Tsunayoshi-kun?" Hikari asked. Tsuna looked at her. "He…"
"Mukuro-san!" Ken exclaimed in worry. Everyone looked to see what happened. It appeared that Mukuro was stuck inside some kind of bag and was being squished by the snake. Ken and Chikusa looked ready to pounce at any time but they couldn't. They were shaking. Angry at their own predicament. Hikari was crouched near Tsuna. She stood up.
"Hey, tongue flicker and barcode guy." She called out. The two of them looked at her. "He'll win." She said and looked to see what happened. Everyone was surprised as she said it with confidence.
"How the hell do you know?" Gokudera asked. Hikari looked at him. "I don't know."
Suddenly the bag thing blasted and Mukuro stood with vines surrounding him. "Fall and then wonder." In his hands were the two pieces of the mist ring.
"He won!" Basil said with disbelief. Hikari smiled. How nice. Mukuro turned towards the two pink haired women. "I put these two rings together, correct?"
"Yes." The Carvello women couldn't believe it.
"I'm not done yet!" Marmon's voice ringed in the air. Mukuro turned around. Marmon materialized in the air by rebuilding himself from the illusionary disappearance. He was panting. This was very hard for him it seemed. "I play around a little and you think you've gotten the upper hand. I have yet to begin showing my real power!"
"You must realize." Mukuro was standing behind him in a second. Marmon turned around but Mukuro was standing on the ceiling. "If you have an illusion countered by an illusion, it means you have given up control over your perceptions." He smirked and the snake that swirled above Marmon suddenly wrapped itself tightly around him. "Stop it Phantazma!"
"Now, show me this power." The illusionary world started breaking down. The place where Marmon stood suddenly disappeared. Tsuna almost fell but Yamamoto saved him. Hikari was clinging to the floor as well. She obviously didn't want to fall in.
"Ha ha! How does it feel Arcobaleno? This is my world!" Mukuro said as he was falling down after him. Then he turned into something and made Marmon swallow it. After swallowing it Marmon started to get bloated.
"You lost because of one reason, and only one reason. Because I was your opponent."
Suddenly Marmon exploded with a blast making everyone speechless. The smoke that the explosion created cleared and the area returned to normal. Mukuro swiftly landed on the floor. "Is this enough?" He asked as he showed the complete mist ring in his hands.
"The Mist ring is in the possession of Chrome Dokuro. The winner of this match is Chrome Dokuro." The Carvello women declared.
"That Viper was…" Colonello was saying. Belphegor added. "In pieces. Usi shi shi…"
"T-that's! Y-you didn't have to go that far!" Tsuna told him. No matter what he didn't want to see people dieing. Hikari looked at her boss. One of the many reasons she liked him. His spiritual energy was always calm and soothing. This seemed to have amused Mukuro.
"And you still show sympathy for your enemy. You are naive to no end, Sawada Tsunayoshi." Mukuro gave a side glance at his direction. He then turned to look at Xanxus. "Let me say, there's no need to worry."
"Eh?"
"That baby ran away. He'd saved enough energy for him to escape from the start. He was a shrewd Arcobaleno."
"Gola Moska, after the conflict kill Marmon." Xanxus said after he shifted his leg on his chair. Mukuro smirked at his direction.
"You are the embodiment of the Mafia's darkness, Xanxus. Even I feel awe from the dreadful scheme you have in mind." Xanxus narrowed his eyes. Reborn didn't know what they were talking about but he did notice the change of expression.
"I don't have any interest of sticking my nose into that. But I'm not a good person. But a word of warning: you shouldn't toy with the other smaller, weaker candidate."
"Eh?" Tsuna didn't know why he said that.
"Ku fu fu…" Mukuro turned around and walked the direction of he spectators. The laser system was demolished. And finally they could come out. He stood before them. Ken and Chikusa had already surrounded him.
"Mukuro-sama!" Chikusa exclaimed.
"Amazing!" Ken jumped in joy. "You're so strong!"
"How dare you come here?" Gokudera said as he already had a few dynamites. Ken didn't like the fact that. "What?" He growled at him.
"Oy! Gokudera!" Yamamoto tried to stop him.
"H-Hold on!" Tsuna tried to stop him too. Mukuro chuckled. "You should be that cautious of me. I don't intent to become friendly with the mafia. I became your Guardian because it would be a more convenient way to take over your body, Sawada Tsunayoshi."
"I don't see the point in your nonsense talk. It's not like you can actually do it." Hikari said a she sighed. Everyone looked at her direction. "What? Why are you staring at me for? It's the truth anyway."
"Oya, Why are you gong to stop me? Hikari?"
"Me? I don't have to. But that was pretty amazing. I can honestly say you are the most powerful illusionist I have ever seen."
"Naturally."
"I guess I was right about you. You really were the one. But you lied when i asked you."
"Ku fu fu… I didn't lie. I simply didn't confirm it."
"True." Hikari brushed her hair that fell on her eyes to a side. Mukuro went near her. He pushed some strands of her hair away. Causing Hikari to be very surprised and flinch. She stared with wide eyes. What the hell was he doing?
"Your… hair…it's grown a bit longer." Mukuro pulled his hand away. Hikari felt the familiar heat rushing to her face. She tried her best to act normal. "It looks better."
"Wha! What are you doing?" Hikari's voice was a bit shaken as she forced herself to say it. It wasn't that noticeable but Mukuro did notice.
"Oya oya, I just thought it would bother your eye. I am a bit happy. It seems I will be able to see you wear it after all."
"This isn't for that!"
"Eh?" Tsuna exclaimed. He couldn't understand what was going on. Hikari and Mukuro were talking like old pals who hadn't seen each other for a while. Was he imagining things?
"I'm a bit tired." Mukuro felt his eye lids becoming heavy.
"Mukuro!" Tsuna called out. He looked at his supposed boss's direction. "Anyway…thanks..." Mukuro smiled and closed his eyes. He was falling. But as Hikari was standing close to him, his body fell on her. Before Hikari could push it away he returned to being Chrome. Now she actually couldn't throw her body like that could she?
"What? He turned into a woman!" Ryohei exclaimed. Reborn just looked at Chrome in Hikari's arms.
'Mukuro pushed himself. He used a great deal of power to materialize himself. He won't be able to come to this side for a while. And it seems he has taken an interest in Hikari. This is getting a little complicated.' Reborn thought as he looked at Hikari. 'But it could be fun.'
"Was that an illusion or is she the illusion?" Gokudera asked. Then he looked threateningly towards Hikari. "You! Weird woman! What is with you and him?"
"That is not the issue here." Hikari said with a sigh. Seeing that Tsuna was about to ask something she decided to answer before he did. "Don't worry Tsunayoshi-kun. Her organs are fine."
"Chrome's organs are functioning properly thanks to Mukuro's powerful illusions." Reborn notified him. Tsuna sighed in relief.
"Man she's so easily tired byon." Ken scowled. "That's why humans are so…"
"Yeah and you are an alien aren't you?" Hikari said with clear irritation. "Hayato-kun you can give them to the NASA."
"What did you say?" Ken growled at her direction. Chikusa started walking away. "Ken, let's go." Ken hmped and started walking away.
"Are you abandoning her?" Tsuna couldn't believe it.
"When she wakes up she'll be able to walk. I don't plan on giving that girl my attention. She's not Mukuro-san after all." Ken said as he walked away.
"And I wondered why I disliked him." Hikari muttered. Then she looked at the boys. "Now anyone a bit help is very much appreciated."
"Ha ha! I'll help." Yamamoto said as he took one of her arms around him.
"Each side now has three rings and one ring is in our possession. So, we will continue the conflict. Tomorrow is the long awaited final battle between Guardians, the match between Guardians of cloud."
"It's Hibari's turn." Gokudera said. He didn't like the guy.
"Hey Xanxus what will you do? If Hibari wins tomorrow, the ring count will be four to three. Even though you have the sky ring it will make Tsuna's side the winner. When that happens you better keep you promise and give up all rights as a successor." Reborn said.
"Of course. I will respect the spirit of Vongola and honor the conditions of the duel. If Mosca loses the cloud match, I'll hand everything over to you." Xanxus said smirking. He didn't look fazed at all in fact he looked confident. Hikari found that odd. Was this the expression of a man who could lose any moment? No…
"That means only one left!" Basil said.
"I don't want to admit it but if that guys fighting…" Gokudera trailed off.
"Yeah he's extremely dependant when he's an ally!" Ryohei exclaimed.
"He is. But why does the leader look so confident?" Hikari asked. Reborn smirked. She really was observant than most people, sometimes anyway. Then he looked serious.
"It means he's certain that Moska would win." Reborn told them.
Hikari looks at the man again and he looks back. Somewhere in her mind a voice echoes that yes, she had seen a similar type of eyes. But where she couldn't remember.
She was looking at the mirror. Her hair did seem to have grown quite a bit. She was so busy with training that she forgot to cut her hair. Her spikes were so odd looking anymore. They were a bit downwards. Hikari brushed her hair. Should she cut them? Because she can't handle long hair. She looked at the mirror once again. No, she'll let them grow for now.
She looked at the hair pin. It was silver colored. It was long as a chopstick. At the edge there was a flower wired on the pin. The flower seemed like a lotus with blue and red stones as it's petals. There was a bell hanging on one of the petals. She would have to have at least shoulder lenth hair to wear this!
Hikari sighed.
I'm sorry everyone that it took so long! I hope this chapter wasn't so bad. I hope you enjoy and tell what you think. Thank you:
ReaderWorm101, novellanite12, starred, tuwas1, 10th squad 3rd seat, MikaUchiha666, LuciansLycanNightShade, PhoenixRage92, TheFayRa
And Anonymus
khr lover and laciecloud9
For reviwing!
I already have the whole plot in mind but you can give sugessions. And khr lover-san asked a question. The answer is...he heard it. He alreay knew half of the story though.