Between a Kiss and a Lie: Xanxus

by Il.mio.nome.e.Chrome.Dokuro

Chrome Dokuro was known throughout the Mafia world as the weakest of the Tenth generation Vongola Guardians but just a few weeks with her as Mammon's temporary replacement and the Varia could plainly see this was untrue despite her soft spoken ways. What could possibly be hidden between her kisses and her lies? Rated T plus plus for swearing, gore & sexual themes later on. TYL! X96

21. Chapter 21

Title: Between a Kiss and A Lie… Xanxus version

Theme: Scars

AN: Don't expect regular updates. Sorry If I can't give out a proper author's note, everyone. I have been very busy and very upset regarding work and personal issues. I have done everything I can to write this chapter up quickly; I apologize if you guys think the plot's going too slow and for any spelling or grammatical errors I have made here. This chapter just wouldn't quit till it's done so it's pretty long. I am also changing the title as to avoid any more confusion and so the story can be read as a stand alone piece. PLEASE ENJOY!

This chapter is dedicated to nougamis.

ADVANCED HAPPY BIRTHDAY, XANXUS-SAMAAAA!

Guest: Thank you very much for the review and I can't promise you a scene like that but I still hope you will enjoy the rest of the story. ;p

Nougamis: Hi. First of all I want to tell you that you are one of the reasons that I wanted to post so quickly. Your review… wow I was stunned and beyond words. You have pointed out everything that I have struggled to breathe life into this story. I too am an avid Chrome fan exactly because of all the reasons you have pointed out. For me her development would have been awesome had she been given the proper notice and importance. She was the only girl in their generation that actually made sense to me. Haru too for that matter had she not been so darn annoying. Thank you so much. Your review had single handedly inspired me to write this whole chapter. It was refreshing and enjoyable and makes the lack of sleep worth it so I dedicate this chapter to you, my friend. *hug*

Indyctator: My lovely, Indy. As always your reviews never cease to amuse and reenergize me. Love ya, babe, don't be down and keep your chin up. PM me of you need anything you know I'll always be by your side. ;D

Everlasting97: Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts, they make me happy and tells me your guys are still interested to know what will happen. It's true things are getting more intense so stay tuned for more!

Yuuki12397: LOLOL No, I do NOT want you dead. Don't worry your wishes will come true come the 7th part of the series. ;p

Guardian1992: Aww thanks! *hug* I was thinking I wanted my room to be like that lol; I'm so happy you're keeping tabs and leaving me your thoughts; it helps a lot like you have no idea. Keep on reading okay?

Aya: thank you so much for waiting and leaving me a review. 0096? Ironically enough I've got a one shot in mind… We'll see okay? *hug*

NyaDC: *BIG HUG* It's okay, friend, I feel ya. Lol Thank you for leaving me your review, it reenergizes me to hear I made you happy. Lol more sexual tension! Lol

BlackAngel'sWrath: *hug* I'm so happy I made you happy.

Minekoanime: lol nearing the end? Umm…. I don't know… there are still some plot holes to cover. I'm honestly relieved you're still reading this, though. I'm hoping to get 3396 out around after the big reveal but we'll see. Thank you so much for the review, it inspires me hehe. Love ya!

SimplySinful21: Again please forgive me if the story seems slow… ;_;

sparkling apples: lol don't be silly, your reviews invigorate me and inspire me. They make my work worthwhile lol. I truly hope you enjoy this new chapter as well.

Angelazzy: I WISH I COULD HAVE UPDATED SOONER SO I COULD HAVE MADE YOU HAPPY LIKE LAST TIME AGAIIIIIINNN! *sobbu* But I hope this long chapter is worth it. Please enjoy. *bow*

ariados26: please be patient! I promise it'll all come together! Thank you and please keep reading!

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.

Chapter Twenty One

'Hate is just a special kind of love reserved for those who sucked.'

It was almost the Varia creed.

This was a philosophy that had stuck in the Varia Storm Guardian's mind ever since his Boss uttered the words some ten years back when they gambled with fate and Sawada Tsunayoshi. These past few days the words echoed in his mind over and over like the daily toll of a church bell and the Prince the Ripper knew exactly why.

Belphegor had always thought Xanxus was an otherworldly being. Even as a prince he felt their difference right off the bat the moment he set eyes on the man.

The man was a force of nature, something a Prince like himself cannot command and someone with half a brain would not dare challenge. Although the Varia Boss was peasant-born he was not someone one could call peasant-like. He ruled an empire that no other kingdom on earth could ever touch. A realm of fire, war and chaos and deep, deep darkness. Belphegor found himself reveling in it and before he knew it he would do anything not to be expelled from here. Who needed Heaven when he could revel in Hell?

Had his parents and older brother been alive he was sure that they would all have sneered at him for willingly following Xanxus. Royalty should never have to bow to commoners; especially commoners of unworthy birth. Sometimes he regretted killing them, really. It would have been fun watching them try to defy the Boss. He knew that had they been alive and he was forced to make a choice he would always, always choose Xanxus. His family would have been fools not to see the greatness of the scarred man. In the Prince's mind Xanxus was beyond human, beyond royalty.

He was a god.

The God of War.

The only status that could overpower true royalty like him. It was the only thing that salvaged his pride when Xanxus beat him down that day when he came to the Varia to challenge them and force them to let him join the group. One look filled with condescension and Belphegor knew he had already lost. There was no way he would win and he was proud that it was Xanxus who had managed to cow him without even drawing a drop of blood.

There was no shame in losing to a god.

Practically raised in the Varia he had acquired a new set of morals that allowed him to think in ways that would have been considered disturbing by any normal standards but he personally did not care. He actually reveled in it all. As long as he stayed with them he would be allowed to wreak as much chaos as he wanted without a crown and a royal upbringing holding him back. Without the dictates of society telling him what to do. Xanxus was a large, looming shadow and Belphegor thought about himself and the other Varia officers as poisonous weeds. They would die in the sunlight but would flourish in the darkness of that shadow. A dark Sky that would embrace them all.

Xanxus was not just their Boss; he was their religion.

A lot of people called them crazy but the blonde prince did not care. Unlike the lowly plebeians content in their redundant normalcy he actually understood. Only a person of royal blood— a genius— could wrap his mind around such a deeply thought out philosophy wrapped up in such crude words.

'Love' did not compute; and that was just fine with the forsaken aristocrat. 'Love' was not for ones born of royal blood. Arranged marriages were made not for 'Love' but for convenience.

It was convenient for the aristocracy to marry for procreation.

It was convenient for royalty to arrange marriages between cousins— even siblings— to keep the blood pure and the throne within the family.

So what if they bred monsters into their gene pool?

So what if the heirs were not what one would consider of sound mind?

In the end siblings fought and the stronger one would continue living in order to continue the blood line building up perfection with every generation that passed until that strength went beyond commoner comprehension. Until it went beyond commoner thought.

It was only fitting; normal was for peasants, after all. They were only meant to look up and be stepped on by people who were stronger; history has proved this to be true all throughout its bloody, gory pages. His family had no reason to doubt this.

So it was understandable that Belphegor was under the impression that 'Love' was nothing but pointless rubbish and agreed with his Boss' philosophy wholeheartedly. 'Love' was too troublesome. It forced one to care despite, above and beyond what you were willing to sometimes give. ThingS like that bored the Bloody Prince quickly.

Now Desire...

Desire was something Belphegor knew very well. He indulged in it whenever it suited him and it was easy to forget when he was done. It also did not require a lot of reason to feel desire.

Desire was all about getting anything one wanted, whatever it was anytime one wanted it. For a Prince this was vital and so he understood why Xanxus rebelled against the Vongola to acquire the title of Decimo. In fact he was awed by that Desire; amazed at the way Xanxus' obsession scorched at anyone and everyone around him. He guessed such was a god when he desired something. In the Varia it was universally understood that Desire was synonymous to pure unadulterated want of the rawest kind. It easily blew over the other pathetic emotions like 'Love'. 'Love' paled in the face of 'Desire' in his opinion. 'Love' would lay down and die when unfulfilled, quietly festering into a fatal weakness. But 'Desire' destroyed everyone in its wake until it was fulfilled or it would die trying. If unfulfilled it would try to take down the world with it. Or at least that was how he saw it when Xanxus desired something.

And now it seemed the 'God of War' desired a woman.

From the shadows of the nearly deserted hallways that led to the communications room Belphegor chased the slight figure with his eyes. She had been called from Xanxus' office by a peasant subordinate who said she had important, secure calls waiting for her all at the same time. To make it easier on her servers and to make sure she received the calls in the best possible and most secure frequency she decided to come to the communications room herself, making sure to tell the commoners to clear the room out. Belphegor followed her discreetly mainly because he was bored. Wherever the little duchess went these days excitement was sure to follow.

The contrast of light and dark emanating from her made her quite fascinating— addicting even, as he had found these past few months observing her. One could get drunk just by watching the way she moved. He would have been disappointed in his Boss had he not at least looked twice at Chrome Dokuro.

It was not so hard to figure out that his Boss desired the little duchess. It took a while for him to notice the attraction but that was only because he was much too interested in her himself. Though Belphegor had a grand intelligence quotient of 194 his emotional quotient would be close to below average compensated only by the brilliance of his royal mind. In fact, within the Varia he had been the one most lacking in emotional intelligence. It took a while for him to piece everything together. How Xanxus would react every time the little duchess was not within sight; how the scarred man followed her every move with his eyes. The dead giveaway came around the time after the little Mist Guardian risked her life in aid of the Varia Boss. How Xanxus would snarl and growl at anyone who even tried coming near the woman. At that point he knew that Xanxus considered her his possession and Belphegor was happy. It would mean that the expiry date Reborn gave them would be useless and he would have all the time in the world unwrapping the mystery that surrounded the female Vongola Mist Guardian. There were still many things about her that he did not know, things she did that he could not figure out.

Like how she could act so understanding and warm towards them— the Varia— despite the sarcasm, the threats, the insults and the condescension? How she managed to be exceptional without being so loud about it? How she could not care for glory or money or even acknowledgement like she should be? His assessment of a younger Chrome Dokuro made him peg her for a person who would do anything to prove she was not just Rokudo Mukuro's puppet. Having such a faultless character irked him and wounded his royal pride. Surely she had some flaw? No one could be that perfect. No one should be that perfect.

Normally he would mistrust her but the first time he had observed her back in Spain he had seen how far into the dark she would reach into to get what she needed. She had no problems getting her hands dirty if she had a goal in mind. It fascinated him how she was like a porcelain statue; a robot going through the motions and yet at the same time so human it... it actually made him hurt. Like when she actually dared stand in their defense in front of the 9th.

Also, contrary to Squalo's belief he was not as oblivious to the workings of the Varia's administration as the shark thought; he just didn't care enough to take care of all that because it was not princely. There was no way he would not have been able to take notice of the fact that even after heavy attacks from Trinidad the Varia remain unassailable. He would be a moron like Levi to not be able to see that she had made sure they were still untouchable in the eyes of everyone else. She had made sure their reputation was safe.

It made Bel think highly of her. It made him sit up and take her words seriously in a way that he had only done for the Boss; in the way he had only done for Squalo. Making him actually feel something other than apathy was an accomplishment in and of itself. At first this made him angry. He felt violated and the fact that it had been by someone he considered weaker than himself was a great insult. Why… he had been ready to kill her.

She was saved only by the Boss' fascination of her. She was saved by this because it never occurred to the Varia Storm Guardian that watching gods obsess over something living and breathing and tangible would be so much fun.

Observing the gruff protectiveness the Boss surrounded her with... The frustration his Boss vibrated with at the distant way the woman held herself despite being held in the Varia Boss' arms almost all the time while recovering from her wound… Belphegor had never known such entertainment.

He realized he was witnessing a celestial event just by watching the 'God of War' court the 'Goddess of the Underworld'.

Belphegor could find no other moniker that was more fitting to classify the kind of power she emitted.

The way she blended into the darkness despite her moonlight pale skin… The way her pink lips and blushes breathed life into an otherwise sickly pallor. The way she glowed with power despite her silence.

It was as though Thanatos himself had been born unto her.

This also proved something to the blonde prince.

Like people of the aristocracy gods are only naturally attracted to other gods.

How else could she have caught Xanxus' eye?

Yes, to Belphegor Xanxus was no more human than he was a peasant and while most people would say he was insane he had no need to care. Varia was a world of its own, after all; Xanxus allowed them to make their own rules. This way of thinking allowed the Ripper Prince to forgive himself for being made to feel human by the little duchess. After all…

…There was no shame in indulging a goddess.

Eyes hidden behind blonde bangs watched the little duchess from the shadows as she stood in front of the communications panel, the place deserted as per her instructions. He was amused that she seemed to still be perplexed by how all the Varia subordinates had suddenly taken to obeying her requests the way they did when any of Varia's officers spoke. Levi and the rest of the Varia executives had made it very clear that she was to be recognized as a part of the squad. She still hasn't realized that she was already being inducted fully to the group.

He watched her plug a flash drive into one of their computer's front ports. His eyes narrowed underneath his golden bangs wondering if she was trying to betray them; if the fool decided to shed her wings and risk falling from Xanxus' grace. Do something stupid like relay their location to an ambush party or steal secrets from their servers. His suspicions were allayed, though, when a familiar holographic, transparent green screen rose up from the port, a green infra light projecting it from the flash drive and the computers assisting it so that the screen grew to about the size of a seventy inch flat screen television.

"Computer," her soft voice floated in the solitary, dimly lit room like a lonely feather. Belphegor had long decided that he liked her voice. Though it held the proper and elegant speech of his mother's it also had none of his lady mother's chill. Chrome's voice was... akin to a pillow stuffed with a swan's downiest feathers even if she spoke neutrally. It was another part of her mystery, that. How despite her obvious nobility she acted with such gracious modesty. And though he was unused to such tenderness Belphegor found himself lazily indulging in it as much as he could. "Open speed dials 2, 3 and 5."

"Affirmative." Came the monotonous, disembodied female voice of the installed hardware echoing in the walls. "Dialing… Connected."

"Computer, conference call; four way."

In another second the faces of Gokudera Hayato, Hibari Kyouya and Basil pulled up on the large screen divided in three equal spaces each and every one of them seemingly sitting comfortably in their respective offices.

"Chrome-dono!" Basil immediately called out, almost standing out of his seat behind the wooden desk in his office in worry. "I've heard about Venice; are you alright?!"

"Dokuro," came Hayato's growl, slamming a palm on the top of his table angrily. "It's about damn time! And what the hell are you guys doing calling her the same time I do?!"

"Now, now, Hayato-dono, isn't this better?" Basil tried calming the Storm Guardian down.

Hibari remained silent, his blue gray eyes watching the female Mist Guardian with the same unnerving intensity that Belphegor had always associated with the man. The Bloody Prince stiffened at the sight of those sharp eyes, reflexively clutching at a handful of his knives and anxiously stared at the Cloud Guardian. He couldn't help it. He would never admit it even on pain of death but Hibari gave off the same aura as Xanxus, an aura that demanded respect from him. The aura that said they were beyond human. The blonde assassin knew that Hibari Kyoya was descended from royalty himself… Warlords of a land that wove its history on blood and a strict code of honor. But there was something about the dark haired man that made him just a little bit out of his princely league as though the Skylark was a step away from godhood himself. Something Belphegor resented but never dared cross. He was smart enough not to do that, after all. Only Xanxus had ever faced the Cereberus of Namimori in battle with a smile.

He approved of the fact that the female Mist Guardian remained steadily unfazed by it by that aura. The Skylark had his fingers tented over his mouth as his elbows rested on his own dark wooden desktop while he stared directly at the female illusionist and never once did Chrome display a trace of concern.

"My apologies," she nodded to them all slightly in a respectful greeting like she did with the Varia Boss. "I was not sure how you would want to proceed after I sent you a copy of the list so I waited for you to contact me."

"Of course; thank you for the trouble, Chrome-dono, this was a good idea! It would also allow us to agree to one plan."

"Hmp!"

"…"

"You've all had enough time to assess the list?" was all she said and again the blonde prince approved that she dismissed the trivialities to dive right into the heart of the matter even though he found this a little boring.

Were it him in her position he would have taken the time to at least tease his Vongola counterpart. The silver haired peasant always did turn into a pleasant shade of puce when upset.

"You've given us four damn days; the hell do you think I am; stupid?" the bomber snarled, his green eyes glaring off the screen; its color somehow managing to separate itself from the light of the holographic monitor.

As he had come to expect of his little duchess she completely disregarded the irate bomber's mood and seemed much more anxious about her goal. "And?"

Belphegor grinned even more fiercely. He understood the other Storm Guardian's frustration at her less than fiery reaction. The little duchess just refused to be baited. If it weren't for the fact that he had seen her cry just four nights ago he would have been sure she was a porcelain statue.

"I have had our agents investigate them all," Basil replied, still formal but his usually good natured face grim. "Phone records, bank records, even their emails everything. Their connections to La Justicia Pasada has been confirmed and we have gathered enough intelligence to make it undeniable."

"The Tenth is already studying the situation and he will want all the proof you can send him," Hayato grumbled in discontent, eyes distracted by the Mist Guardian. "He'll need time to make a decision."

"Once he sees their faces he will know." Belphegor felt his grin twitch into a slight frown at the confidence in the female Mist Guardian's tone. It was as though the Sawada brat could do no wrong in her eyes. "The Varia wants Trinidad for themselves," Chrome added making Belphegor feel curiously proud that she was being so assertive on their behalf and regaining the prince's good humor. "They will not be very happy if anybody else interferes with that man."

Hayato turned his cat green eyes at her, their light glinting sharply in disapproval. "That will be his decision; not theirs."

The blonde Ripper bristled silently at this; his grin turning thirstier at the thought of cutting the peasant bomber open.

"Hayato," Bel stopped at the strange tone in her voice; a tone she had never used on any of them. It was a tone of supplication. Like the ones children used to appeal to a parent. Or the kind a woman used to beg a lover for his consideration. The kind of tone people who are comfortably familiar with each other used when they spoke with one another. "You know he will take the Varia's desires into consideration; there's no need for a skirmish."

Eyes blinked behind blonde bangs as the bomber's glare softened in grudging admission before the Varia Storm Guardian's eyes. "They'll have to present their case themselves."

"He's mine."

Evey single one of them turned towards the Cloud Guardian who spoke for the first time.

Chrome was the one who broke the silence first. "You have my condolences."

It surprised Bel that Hibari didn't even bat an eyelash when he responded to her words. "The Spanish herbivore is mine."

"Hibari-san—"

Something flammable and cold sparked in the former prefect's eyes even though his expression remained stoic. "I will not allow them to steal my prey."

He was our prey first! Belphegor wanted to protest but kept his silence. Even through a holographic screen the Skylark's anger was practically audible.

"I promise you nothing."

Her blunt refusal to offer him reassurance that he would get what he wanted earned her a narrowed gaze from the Cloud. "Omnivore—"

"You know I can't and won't stop you from doing what you want," she cut his warning growl off; still lacking any trace of fear. "But I was thinking of handing you bigger prey."

At that the dark haired man perked up and narrowed his eyes at her in interest this time. He waited.

"I think you noticed that in your copy of the list there are three spaces that are blank." She continued.

Belphegor saw the realization gleam in the former prefect's eyes and the smirk that followed was bone chilling. "Wao."

Indeed, Belphegor thought, frowning at this implied favoritism in the little duchess' part.

"I am sure that you will be able to have an idea by the time the Alliance meeting comes around," her complete trust and fate on the Skylark's abilities was plain and unquestionable and again Belphegor frowned. "Hibari-san. I'm sure you have been speaking with Mukuro-sama.

"…He has given me interesting information."

"About?"

"You'll know when I'm finished."

"…I see."

"More importantly, Omnivore," the Cloud Guardian's voice was soft but commanding. "What are you doing staying at a carnivore's nest?"

Belphegor's brow lifted at the sight of Gokudera Hayato stiffening in his place.

"I am on assignment," was Chrome's calm answer. "Reborn-san's orders."

"That baby only enacts orders from none other than Sawada Tsunayoshi himself. Why would that man want you away from the Iron Fort? And why was I not informed of your whereabouts the moment they moved you?"

"That's none of your business, Hibari!" Hayato shouted, his fist slamming on his desk. "This is between her and the Vongola's Consigliori! Besides she's a Guardian! She has a duty to follow orders!"

"I am the Vongola's Consigliori," Hibari growled at the Storm Guardian softly, menacingly. "Or has Sawada Iemitsu suddenly felt the need to invoke his powers all of a sudden without the knowledge of the rest of the Guardians?"

"You! Just shut the hell up already! You've got no idea what you're—"

"Please, that's enough."

The men stopped, her plea resonating like a gunshot in a quiet night and Belphegor had to wonder if she even knew the kind of effect she had on these men. Did she even realize that other men who had dared interfere with the arguments between such men have been shot down or beaten?

"Chrome-dono…" it was Basil, his face apologetic. "I am merely concerned for your safety. There really is no reason why you should be assigned to the Varia like this. Forgive me but to me it is like… you are being punished. Also if you are being kept away from the Vongola Mansion then does that mean there is a threat to the Vongola Decimo's security? Weren't you assigned as his bodyguard just this yea—"

"That's enough, damn it!"

"Hayato." Green met violet and the calm in the latter gaze forced the bomber to take deep breaths, his hand clenched tightly on top of his desk. Chrome kept speaking. "Basil, I appreciate your concern but I need you to stop worrying about me.

"Hibari-san, I understand why you wish to be informed of the inner workings of the Vongola; as the Cloud this is your duty; however your requests can only second the orders I receive from the Boss and the Outside Advisor. Anything else you want to know you will have to work on it yourself," Hibari frowned at this but remained silent. "In any case, whatever decision that was made is made for the good of the Family. I have agreed to obey my orders; there is no reason to mistrust those orders or the Varia. Unless you both think that I am untrustworthy?"

"NO! Of course not!" Basil yelled, practically standing from his seat. "Chrome-dono has my complete trust!"

Chrome lifted her head and gave Basil a small, gentle smile but there was a quiver to it that Bel absolutely did not like. She then engaged in another staring contest with the Skylark, their eyes communicating something that was only privy to the Mist and the Cloud. If Belphegor were to read between the lines it would seem the Skylark was trying to break down the duchess' with his own force of will but the duchess held herself fast and firm. Totally unshakeable.

Finally, Hibari broke the ensuing silence. "Trinidad is coming to Milan in five hours."

"WHAT?!" Hayato yelped.

The Skylark's defeat was reflected in his change of topic and the Bloody Prince almost cackled in glee although he had to wonder what sort of hold the purple haired Mist Guardian had over the man to make him respect her enough to not pursue the topic any longer.

Hibari now had his arms crossed over his chest and continued to speak. The only thing that did not please Belphegor was the fact that the Cloud Guardian's steel blue eyes were staring directly at Chrome Dokuro, completely ignoring the existence of the other two men who were on the line with them. "He was invited by that herbivore that you punished to pressure the Italian government into supporting his bill. The one that will allow the government to freeze all accounts and monetary assets of any don or doña suspected of heading a Mafia syndicate."

"He's greedy," Chrome agreed, seemingly recovering and thoughtful now. "He wants to stay in his seat of power for now; he knows he's not popular enough to gain support for the presidency."

"That may still change once the Mafia hunt becomes successful."

"The press conference will be their stepping stone."

"We can stop the press conference from commencing," Basil offered, joining the conversation. "Vongola is not without resources in the government, after all."

"You'll only put their careers at risk needlessly, Basil," Chrome turned to the sandy blonde man apologetically, elegantly tilting her head to the side. "The people on the list I sent you all have influences in both the government and military sectors; they will be waiting for us to make a move via our own connections in the government. If they find out who our allies are then they can pool their strength and strike at us from that end."

"Damnit," Hayato gritted his teeth. "We need more time! Why the hell did you wait this long to tell us about this, Hibari?!"

"..." the Skylark ignored the bomber as though he were nothing important and not the current Vongola Decimo's right hand man.

"Damned, Skylark, don't ignore me!"

"I'll take care of it." Hayato stopped and turned his scowl on their female Mist Guardian. "Hayato, tell Haru to send me her Black Ledger; the one for the Italian chapter."

"You don't have to do anything; I can—"

"As you said we have no time and your position beside the Boss at this point will present a strategic stalemate in the Alliance. We need them to think that this issue is so inconsequential that the Vongola Decimo's right hand man does not even need to leave his side. In the meantime, please think of the best way to keep doubts from clouding any of the other Families." the woman cut the silver haired man off; soft but reasonable. "It's fine, Hayato, I'll take care of this. Focus on protecting the Boss. This is what you have me for."

"The HELL you say—"

"Hayato," she cut him off with a small smile. "It's okay."

Hayato stared at her for a second looking stunned and breathless before he scowled; the muscle in his jaw jumping as he glared at his desktop as though trying his best to hold his explosive temper in check.

"If I may be so bold, what are you planning to do, Chrome-dono?" Basil asked curiously, eyeing the confrontation between the two Guardians avidly.

Chrome's gaze turned to the sandy blonde man's portion of the screen. "A few things I'll need CEDEF's help with, if that's alright with you, Basil?"

Basil did the best dogeza he could while sitting behind his office desk in CEDEF headquarters. "I am yours to command."

"Then I'll leave everything to you;" Hayato sounded anything but pleased. "I'll have the stupid woman send you the Ledger immediately. I want a detailed report on whatever the hell it is you're planning to do as soon as possible."

"That goes without saying."

"I mean it, Dokuro," Hayato snarled quietly. "I want to be in on every single detail."

She merely nodded at the silver haired man. "Then it's decided. I will buy the Boss more time; Basil will assist me on this. Basil, I'll let you know the details later, I need to contact some people first. Hayato will continue to intercept and deal with any problem that comes directly to the Iron Fort and Hibari-san...?"

"I've already sent Kusakabe out to clean up Japan's political system," his eyes sharpened like blue tinted blades in the dim light of his office. "Starting with Namimori."

Bel couldn't help but wish he were in Japan to see the carnage he knew the Cloud Guardian can enforce.

The little duchess was unfazed and uninterested in the man's violence and merely nodded. "Then we will deal with the rest during the Alliance meeting."

"Fine."

"Let me know when you have your plan mapped out, Chrome-dono."

Basil's panel blinked out first, Hibari and Gokudera lingered. Both men were glaring at each other, waiting for each other to cut their lines off first.

"Go away, Hibari, I still need to talk to her!" Hayato finally growled.

Hibari frowned in displeasure but his eyes turned back to the woman who kept looking on at them with a trace of expectant confusion.

It was a while before the Cloud Guardian spoke. "You are in danger."

Chrome blinked and Belphegor perked up, his grin nowhere in sight. "Eh?"

"That Pineapple-herbivore has been following leads for a while now; do you have any idea who it is that wants you?"

She met the question with a thoughtful frown. "Trinidad seems to be interested in me."

"The idiot Pineapple has been following leads of this group since a year before, it can't be him." Hibari continued; his voice holding no traces of concern despite the persistence of his questions.

Any other woman who prided herself as an active, fully functioning Mafioso would have been offended and would probably think she was being underestimated but Chrome's response was one of true gratefulness. "I'll be alright, Hibari-san; I'll be careful. Thank you for telling me."

"Hn," the Skylark scowled in displeasure. "If you see Yamamoto Takeshi try not to be too surprised by his sudden show of attention. He had just had an… epiphany of sorts."

At this she tilted her head to the side and blinked in complete confusion this time but Hibari just allowed his eyes to linger on her face for a few more moments before his face blinked off the screen as well leaving Hayato the only one who was still speaking to her and Belphegor couldn't help but feel irritated by the fact that Gokudera had not left the line so he forced himself to keep to the dark a little while longer.

"Damn Hibari," the silver haired bomber grumbled at the spot where Hibari's face must have been displayed on his monitor. "I'll get him one of these days that snooty bastard."

"He's just worried, you heard what he said," Chrome replied defending the Skylark. "You know he's always been like that."

"What? A bastard?"

"No; a friend."

"Tch! ...Have you heard from Reborn yet? When is he going to take you out of that psycho ward?"

Belphegor decided he was going to have some fun with the Vongola Storm Guardian the moment they met again. The bomber was just asking for a customized knife buried in his back.

"I'm fine, Hayato," Chrome insisted calmly, serenely; either oblivious or deliberately ignoring the slur in the green eyed man's words. "The Varia treats me well enough. Besides you know very well that had Reborn been back he would have met with the Boss first, not me."

"Well enough? The fuck are you talking about?!" he growled back, pounding a fist into his desk, his eyes sparking wildly. "Then what the hell is up with that bruise around your neck?!"

Reflexively, the woman's hand reached up to her neck. She had not been wearing her Varia uniform, probably because she knew the Family's right hand man and Foundation leader would not take kindly to the sight of her in it and decided on a black blazer with a pin striped white and indigo lining inside so when she folded back the hems of her sleeves the contrast was striking in and of itself. Her thigh length skirt was of the same material and color. Tucked into her skirt and underneath her blazer was a cream colored dress shirt with a black silk necktie. Her trident was still kept shortened and hanging in the special holster at the small of her back and her old boots with the chrome skull at the edge kept everything from being too formal and dressy.

In short, it did not do anything to hide her delicately pale, bruised neck.

Instead of looking battered though the hot blush that crawled up said neck and onto her cheeks only made her look seductive. The innocent surprise on her face even more so. Belphegor was willing to bet that had Xanxus been there he would have howled and growled and killed something over the fact that she would dare show such an alluring face to another man. The Prince himself couldn't help but feel like having her exposed in such a way was indecent somehow and fought the sudden urge to bury her away from the eyes of others. To be the only one who had the right to behold her.

"This is nothing." My, my... were her lips blushing too? Belphegor was amused by her prudish embarrassment. "Just an occupational hazard."

"Like hell it is!"

"I'm fine, I promise," Chrome replied soothingly, her hand covering her neck in an almost possessive gesture. "Besides it was my fault. I… hurt Xanxus, Hayato."

Green eyes widened and the bomber's jaw dropped. "What the hell did you do?"

But she merely shook her head and wisely divulged any other information. "I'm fine."

"Dokuro—"

She straightened and gave the hot headed bomber a small but warm smile. "Thank you for your concern, Hayato but don't worry about me. You should only concern yourself with the Boss' safety and keep doing a good job."

Now it seemed it was the Vongola Storm Guardian's turn to blush because his pale face now smoked bright red on the screen as he sputtered. "Sh-shut up! A-anyway, just make sure you get the Varia to present their claim to the Boss properly!"

"…You mean they will need to be at the Boss' birthday party on Tuesday?"

"Yeah."

"Is that wise?" Concern shone on her face, a touch of sadness lingering beneath it breaking her neutral expression lightly. "Kyoko-san… Kyoko-san might not like—"

"She'll need to get used to it if she wants to marry the Tenth; did you know they just had dinner in Verona the day you were in Venice?" Belphegor found it impossible to miss the spiteful satisfaction on Hayato's voice when Chrome flinched minutely at his words. "She was a good distraction; it allowed me to keep the Tenth from coming to Venice to meet with that rat."

Belphegor tilted his face to the side like a curious bird when she said nothing and merely bowed her head low, hiding her expression from him using the veil of her purple hair. "Thank- thank goodness he's safe..."

There was a slight hitch in her voice when she spoke that the blonde Ripper did not like. It was as though she was... breaking? Surely not. What's there to cry about? Also what was that guilty look that flashed across Hayato's face just now? What was he feeling guilty for?

Belphegor's brain churned. Something about the way the silver haired bomber used his words when he mentioned the Decimo's dinner date with his fiancée sounded deliberate. Too deliberate. Deliberate in a way similar to how his royal self used his knives to wound and end lives.

"A-anyway, I wanted to update you about Irie and Spanner's results." The green eyed arsonist said; a little awkwardly and seemingly unable to look her in the eye anymore.

The words sparked interest in the woman who lifted her face and watched the Decimo's right hand man with all the interest of a person who had long been waiting for answers. "What did Shouichi have to say?"

"They've managed to recreate the chemical compound that makes the weapons coated with them resistant to Dying Will Flames." Hayato told her.

Relief flooded her face. "That's wonderful. That means they can develop a way to counter its effects on our people."

"I wish it were that simple," the bomber sighed, combing his long, delicate pianist's fingers through his hair in frustration. "They can only make it work on objects but not on people."

Chrome blinked and some of the hope in her eyes died down. "But… they have at least made progress, right? I'm sure they would be able to think of a way to find what's missing."

"They think they already have," Hayato replied curtly. "But they need something to test it on."

"Eh? What is it? Maybe there's a way for me to help." She offered immediately.

Hayato scowled at her. "They need someone who has been exposed to the compound before. Preferrably someone who has had prolonged exposure or multiple contact. They… They said they wanted to do the experiment on Xanxus."

"No."

Belphegor didn't even notice it but that one word shot like a bullet of ice and ricocheted all over the room. Coupled with the sudden fire in Chrome's eye and the aura of chilling intent surrounding her the little duchess had suddenly impersonated the blonde prince's moniker for her.

The Goddess of the Underworld…

Even the bomb brat turned wary eyes on her. "Dokuro…?"

"If what you say is true then you will want that chemical compound introduced in his body; do you have any idea how much that hurts, Hayato?" she hissed at him, her stance stiff and unforgiving.

There were no longer any traces of the cool and composed young woman who had just settled the dispute of two of the most powerful men in the Mafia world just a few minutes ago. Belphegor's nostril's flared like a panther scenting fresh prey as this usually distant, aloof woman burned in the face of her protective instincts and for the first time in a long time the Varia Storm Guardian felt… envy. Envy that he was not the focus of her wrath.

"What's the matter with you?" Hayato growled back at her. "It's not like we need him to do this out of some sick fetish we need him to cooperate because it's necessary! Without a way to counter the compound we'll be sitting ducks out there! Experimenting on Xanxus is the only—"

"Over my. Dead. Body."

The silence that settled between the two Vongola Guardians reminded Belphegor of a mausoleum's song. A locked sort of silence that would not even allow air to pass through. Suffocating and cold; isolated and dark. Like an Edward Allan Poe story that spoke of a tell tale heart.

The silence was broken, however when the little duchess broke her angry eye contact with the silver haired Storm Guardian by closing her eyes, relaxing her shoulders and inhaling a deep, deep breath. It took her ten seconds before she exhaled again and by that time, she had effectively doused her arousing fire into a semblance of her cool, cold self.

"If it's an experiment they want then let me talk to them."

"Dokuro—"

"I'll take care of it," she cut him off with a warning glance of her eye. "There's no need to involve Xanxus and trouble him until Trinidad is free for execution."

"…You better not be planning to play the hero." The silver haired right hand man of the current Vongola Decimo narrowed his eyes at the woman much like a cat assessing prey, not fighting her anymore on her decision. "You hear me, Dokuro? The last thing I need is for you to go on a self imposed suicide mission."

"I won't."

"Dokuro!"

"I won't. I promise." And then she smiled. Just a little tilting of her lips but it lit up her face like the glow from a firefly. "You know me long enough to know that I can handle myself, Hayato."

The sight was enough to leave any man breathless.

"…Fine." Hayato agreed grudgingly after a few moments, still clearly reluctant. "Then let me get on with the other agenda."

The little duchess nodded and Belphegor waited eagerly, wanting more of the female Mist Guardian's emotions but to his disappointment, the young woman reacted in the complete opposite.

It was as though she had suddenly shut a thick door on her emotions and locked it from the inside. "The Boss' birthday party…?"

Belphegor blinked. What is this atmosphere all of a sudden?

He had once tortured a man half dead in the middle of Nevada's vast wilderness. He had sliced his legs off and waited far enough away to hear the man's desperate and hopeless cries for help. Those cries echoed again and again getting more frail and thinner as the night wore on before fading into the evening of nothingness five hours later. This tense, hesitant atmosphere reminded him of those frail, lonely, hopeless cries.

Gokudera's eyes flashed and gritted his teeth. "As a Guardian there's no choice but to let you attend the Boss' birthday but I'm warning you now in advance. Don't do anything stupid. Stay as far away from him as you can. Do you hear me, Dokuro?"

Her gaze became empty. Like a candle's light snuffed in the dark. And all of a sudden Belphegor wanted nothing more than to kill Gokudera Hayato for robbing her of that light.

"I understand." Was her quiet reply.

"…Make sure you do. Over and out."

She stood there motionless for what seemed like a long time staring at the now empty holographic screen. As twisted and heartless and sadistic as he was he could still sense the loneliness and the sadness emanating from her very soul. The fight had been bled out of her, the fire had been doused. But why is it that far from transforming into a lowly peasant harboring very human emotions she instead grew in front of him as an existence much larger than before? Just like the way Xanxus did as he lay defeated on the ground after the Vongola Rings rejected him? After they learned the shameful story of his past?

Why is it that even after defeat instead of dying and embracing their mortality they seem to have been reborn anew into something much bigger than life…?

Belphegor wanted to know. He took a step out of the shadows, his hand reaching out wanting to see, wanting to feel, wanting to figure it out for himself.

But the cold, gripping presence of another froze him where he stood.

"Touch her and I'll kill you, trash."

It was just his voice; whispered and barely a sigh but it was like an icy fist that had suddenly grabbed at his heart and had started squeezing the life out of it and Belphegor felt as though he were suffocating. Breathing had become a chore. He could even feel cold sweat dripping in between his shoulder blades. It almost felt like someone had stabbed him with a lance through the heart from behind.

"Wait at the hallway for her and escort her to the roof deck. We leave for the island in thirty minutes."

The suffocating sensation left as soon as it came and Belphegor had to turn around only to see the disappearing hem of Xanxus' Varia coat trailing after the Varia Boss like a cloak as he left as quietly as he came.

How long had the man been there behind him? Why had his princely self not notice?

Instead of fear Belphegor was filled with euphoria at the incident.

His Boss was truly the coolest. And after what he had just seen the Varia Storm Guardian was confident that the decision that will be made tonight was the right one.

When he finally slipped out of the shadows to the surprise of the female Mist Guardian the blonde prince could barely keep himself from holding back his cackles.

/*****/

"Voi, Leo! Good morning!"

"Good morning, Feliciano; how's the wife?"

"Ayayay, still big with the kid."

"Good God, man, how many is it? Seven?"

"It's a man's duty to reap his seed, my friend; I'm doing the world a favor!"

"Stupido, what kind of favor is leaving more of you behind?!"

The two police officers laughed as they parted to enter their offices. Captain Leonardo Guerrini, in particular, nursed a tall cup of coffee as he sat behind his desk at the precinct.

Looking at Captain Leonardo Guerrini of the Italian police department's organized crime division one would not have thought he had anything to do with the Mafia.

A good man; married his childhood sweetheart from their hometown of Sienna and had two children by her. At work he was well respected, well liked. He knew how to do his job and he knew how to do it well. Never been involved in a single dirty deal in his ten years on the force. In fact, he had only been involved with the Mafia for the past four years. Why? Because of a then certain eighteen year old Decimo who just happened to have saved him from being framed by another colleague who decided it was a great idea to get a cut on a drug operation back when he was just a lieutenant. Everyone on the force knew he was a favorite pick for a promotion back then and he guessed his old partner had become jealous and greedy.

Roman had been partners with him for five years and so he had trusted the bastard with his life. So when he investigated the drug cartel that was holding the operation he was shocked when his leads told him there was a leak in the force itself. He didn't even realize Roman had plans of framing him until someone walked up to him as he had been heading home in the middle of the night and told him they could help. Suspicious he was ready to reject the information and any 'help' they could possibly offer him but instead of slickly telling him she had an offer he can't refuse she merely handed him a manila folder filled with documents and a flashdrive before disappearing back into the shadows from where she had come from. Upon opening the folder a small insignia on the only letterhead told him which Famiglia she had come from.

Vongola.

At first back then he was determined to throw it away but he frowned when he saw Roman's profile on the same page as the letterhead. Putting the flashdrive in his computer he had been shocked at all the incriminating evidence he had found. Not only did it reveal everything he needed to bust the drug cartel legally but it also revealed Roman's plot to incriminate him and claim the cash. It was planned in a way that would taint Leonardo's reputation, get arrested for being a dirty cop and lose his chance to a promotion and have Romano reap all the rewards.

He remembered sitting in his office for hours in shock before his wife knocked on the door worriedly. That day he burned the letterhead himself, took the rest of the evidence down to the precinct and made the arrest on Romano himself.

The Vongola sent him a care package consisting of a basketful of olive oil, good old fashioned Italian bread and assorted cheeses. And a card with a small Vongola insignia that only said 'Thank you'. Since then he had a silent and secret relationship with the so called most powerful mafia Famiglia in the world. They would often send him tips and incriminating evidence and instructions on how to carry out the arrests and operations. They never offered him bribes and Leonardo took that to mean that whether or not he would use their information was his decision; something he was grateful for. Whoever it was that the Vongola had sent to deal with him knew him well and knew he would be insulted at the very idea of being bought off. And every time he did use their information the same care package would be sent to his house.

Today seemed to be another such day.

He had just come in to work, greeting co workers left and right with a large cup of espresso in his hands and intending on digging some dirt on some foreign group that have been causing disturbances in the country lately. A bunch of jokers wearing Kevlar and sporting guns and not recognized even by the elite and secretive COMSUBIN has dared chase other suspicious individuals in the streets of Venice. If it was a new mafia Famiglia out to make a name for themselves then he would have no problems crushing them all where they stood. The problem was he had no idea where to start looking for their identities since the bastards had disappeared just as suddenly as they appeared.

Sighing and consigning the upcoming migraine this was going to give him to the devil he sat down in his office and booted up his computer. When he checked his email he saw he had several emails he had to check. One of them, though, caught his eye more then the others. Why? Because it's subject was 'Dad…'. He blinked at that; he would have thought it was one of his sons sending him the email for whatever reason; it happened occasionally when they had plans they couldn't talk about in front of their mother. However his children called him Papa. He clicked on it, opened it and prepared himself for the worst. He almost spat the coffee he had just sipped at the screen.

Subject: Dad…

Attachments: 1

Paulo Dela Torre.

Shaking, he set his coffee cup down on his desk and glanced carefully at the email address that sent the message to him only to notice that it was not his son's email address. It was only different by one letter that he didn't notice it until he double checked. Which meant… Leonardo opened the attachment. Documents popped in cascades all over his screen. Along with it were a list of names.

"Well, son of a bitch…" Captain Guerrini muttered as he filled his eyes with the documents.

He knew without having to guess that this was sent from the Vongola. He had received some of these emails with vaguely similar content before. For a time he thought he was just being used to further their interests but whenever he checked his own sources and did his own investigations he had found that every single detail they had sent him was accurate. There were no twisted truths or shady business. If the Vongola was profiting from these people being arrested then he did not know how and much though he hated the thought of abetting criminals like them he could not deny that the people they wanted to put away should be the major concern for the people of Italy. And this was a major example.

Still, though, the Vongola cannot be serious in entrusting him alone with this kind of responsibility. It would bring his credibility into question; not to mention his purpose for suddenly pursuing so many people all at the same time. Divulging these many names involved in so many illegal activities within the Italian government would probably mean they wanted these people arrested or questioned immediately and he can't do that alone without looking like he was just doing this to make a name for himself all of a sudden.

"Captain Guerrini, are you there?!" Leonardo looked up to see a fellow captain barging into his office with a tablet in his hand and was hollering in disbelief. "The email?! Did you get one too?!"

Leonardo looked behind his colleague only to see a majority of the precinct all wearing the same expressions of disbelief and confusion and had to resist a smirk. So this was the plan. The more people in the department knew the more impossible it would be to suspect anyone of being in the Mafia's payroll. And because of this a lot of the rookies will want their little piece of the pie and this would be a great opportunity without stepping on each other's toes. Genius.

"Don't just stand there;" he commanded as he got up his chair. "Start working!"

Again he checked the list and winced at the sight of all the important names involved in whatever it was that had made the Vongola this angry. He was going to have to go straight to the Secretary of Defense. It was going to be a very busy day.

/*****/

Lal Mirch watched Trinidad's limousine leave the Spanish consulate through the sight of her favorite Falcon sniper rifle.

Perfect.

She had only been in Milan for the day because of a favor from Iemitsu asking her to tell some loyal friends of the Family to keep their heads down. These particular Family members were borderline civilian so they did not have access to the technology the other Family members enjoyed. The CEDEF leader was worried the sudden stir about Mafia members would render these precious, anonymous informants in trouble so he sent her personally. And that was then she heard of the juicy gossip about Trinidad in the country and after a few hours of staking out the Spanish embassy her patience was rewarded.

Opening the comm link in her ear without taking her eyes off the limousine she got in touch with headquarters.

"All done, Lal-dono?" Basil asked, as polite as ever.

"Who cares about some random errand Iemitsu had for me Trinidad's right here! Should I engage him now?"

"Please do not! Chrome-dono has requested he be free to leave Italy!"

"What? Why?!" the former COMSUBIN instructor snapped angrily. "We're this close, Basil. If we get rid of him now we'll be saving ourselves a lot of trouble!"

"She has requested to hold off any and all attempts on Trinidad's life," Basil tried to calm the woman down. "Come now, Lal-dono, she's just following standard procedure. Getting rid of him in Italy would not do any good since Spain would just want him back. She is merely trying to prevent an international incident."

Lal's left eye twitched at the fact that she couldn't even talk over that reasoning and gritted her teeth.

She was close. So close. Like a hunter sighting a deer in her sight after days of tracking it down. One little shot was all she needed and everything would end. They would be rid of the rotten worm once and for all. Sadly she knew Chrome was right to tell them to hold back and allow the bastard to get away.

It was not that simple when dealing with politicians. A great amount of finesse and diplomacy was needed. Arranging for them to be completely and absolutely guilty before killing them was one of the requirements to taking them down completely and not have the Mafia blamed. Have them judged before the court of man before they faced the sentence of Mafia law. It was a tried and true tradition and a well known tactic. The public wouldn't care about a convicted man, after all. In their eyes, a guilty politician was as unsightly as a common thug.

Damn it.

She was so looking forward to dealing Trinidad the final blow especially after she had seen the video of the Floris Family's execution. When she found the link she literally saw red and the only thing that kept her from personally kicking the bastard's ass was Chrome's email a few hours later with a list of all the people they were supposed to get their hands. Lal was both annoyed and pleased with her former student's brilliance.

The failed Arcobaleno knew all these people. Most of them had contacts within the military itself and so must have made it possible for them to move the military and its resources without any problems. Paulo Dela Torres' position in the senate would have covered for them if anything went wrong so the 9th's lawyers would not have been able to touch them. As far as the legal system was concerned, the military was clean. Only a criminal investigation unit within the military would have been given a right to accuse them of anything.

If they made one reckless move then it was all over.

"Fine;" the scarred woman sighed. "Have you heard from the Iron Fort yet? Has Sawada issued any orders?"

"Nothing from Hayato-dono as of yet. However, the Tenth Generation has sent us an engraved invitation for Sawada-dono's birthday party next week. Master wants you to come back and prepare for it."

Lal scowled; she already knew Iemitsu was going to have her accompany him to that damned party which would mean he was also going to force her into a damned dress. Well at least Colonello wasn't around to see it. "Fine; how about those geeks in the lab? Any word?"

"Not yet; I suspect that if they do have something by now they must be keeping it to themselves for a reason."

"Those eggheads," Lal fumed. "When I see them at the party I'm going to give them a piece of my mind."

Basil sweatdropped on the other line. "Lal-dono, please calm down? You know Irie-dono has a rather... sensitive disposition."

"Oh he'll be sensitive alright," Lal replied with a vindictive gleam in her eye. "I asked for results a month ago and every time I call to get an update they gave me nothing. I'll slap him around so hard his face will puff up like a damned balloon. I'm coming home, Basil. Over and out."

With one last bloodthirsty look at the Spaniard's limousine Lal turned away, coal black trench coat over her clothes and all and disappeared into the crowd of people who made up the city of Milan.

/*****/

"No rush, Ramon, let them wait."

"Of course, sir."

Proud was the only word Cornelio could call himself right now as he settled back into the rich Corinthian leather that made up the seats of the government issued limousine the Spanish embassy had given him.

With the arrest of an entire Mafia Family he had instantly managed to acquire the unwavering trust of his country's congress and countrymen. Sure they were small and hardly significant but that did not matter to the general public. As far as anyone else knew there was one less power hungry group in the world.

His fame became instantaneous; his existence widespread and now he was hailed by law enforcers as the 'Messiah of the New Generation' especially by organized crime divisions worldwide. All because he had managed to crush a bug under his foot. And now he had spent the rest of the week being invited to other countries to give his speeches and share his knowledge and strategy on how to catch the criminal vermin that made up these syndicates. This week the country that had issued the invite was Italy itself and Cornelio it would not be long now. He had long ago established firm footholds in the Italian government to ensure their cooperation once this moment came and it would all only be a matter of time before all the Mafia empires crumbled at his feet.

There have been no attempts in his life so far and he regarded this with a sneer. The whole Mafia community must be quivering in terror at the mention of his name now. He could not help but feel smug. They should now know their place.

Pasha and the rest of his security detail however did not trust the sudden lull of mafia activity around him hence the motorcade and Spanish flags on the hood of his government issued car when he left the Spanish embassy that evening to get to the press conference arranged personally by a good old friend and one of his contacts in the Italian government.

No one can touch him now.

Briefly, an image of Rokudo Mukuro flashed through his mind and he paled in fear for a moment before his face went red with rage. The next time he saw the illusionist again, the man was dead. That man and Xanxus were cut from the same cloth and Mafia or not the blue haired man was too dangerous to leave alive. And by doing so he knew he would be doing her a favor and free her from the clutches of the demons holding her in thrall.

The thought of Chrome Dokuro calmed his mind. The memory of how she entered his mind and snatched what she wanted like a thief exhilarated him. He could still feel her guilt and hesitation and gentleness even as she put him in his place that day. She had abilities he just knew she did not want and now that he had personally met Rokudo he understood why she was utilizing her God given gifts in such a way. It was Rokudo's fault. That Hell spawn had corrupted her. Twisted her mind and used her as a devil's instrument. But one meeting told Cornelio that the male illusionist as not able to taint her soul. She could be saved. And he was just the man to do it. And when he had her heart... the possibilites would be endless.

Cornelio's mind went back to Chrome Dokuro's existence and he closed his eyes. He was convinced that she was driving him insane.

She was an elusive one, as expected of a top class illusionist. He had done research on her kind and was horrified to find out that she could use an ability that was similar to witchcraft. That alone should have repelled him however, as he continued to find out more of her history through his own sources within the Mafia who had turned on the Famiglias he had found out that she would not have become the way she was had it not been for the possession of Rokudo Mukuro.

The memory of her gentle gaze... the sweet plaintive look on her face as she shielded Xanxus from him... What else but an angel could have that kind of kindness; what other creature but an angel could bestow that kind of mercy. He was sure that with her by his side she would be able to take him to the heavens away from the chaos of the world and be delivered by God's grace. There was no other way... Only she possessed the wings to carry him higher. Surely God had sent her from the heaves to aid him… It was only through an unfortunate state of events that led her into the arms of the devil. It was up to him to snatch her back and reintroduce her into the life. He was sure Fernando only wanted her only for her power and perhaps she knew that. Perhaps that was the other Spaniard's mistake. An angel would be able to sense greed and would refuse anyone with an avaricious heart who wanted to control her. No, his amethyst angel would stay out of reach… waiting for his chosen hands to get a hold of her wings and—

"We're here, senator."

Cornelio blinked and realized his chauffer had already opened the door for him. As he got out he wryly noted how he seemed to lose track of time whenever he thought of that woman. Was he in love? Perhaps he was. Well then if that was the case then that would only sweeten the pot even more, he thought as he stepped out of the limo.

"Thank you, Ramon." He let himself out and stepped onto the red carpet, already feeling and hearing the flashes of cameras and questions by the reporters held back by the Italian police's security.

"Cornelio, my good friend!"

The Spanish senator looked up to see his Italian counter part walking over to him from the hotel's entrance with open arms; a grin so wide on his face Cornelio wondered how face has not been ripped off yet.

He greeted his college classmate with a warm hug and a smile that turned even brighter as both he and Dela Torre turned towards the cameras and reporters with their hands clasped in a tight handshake; his other hand on the Italian senator's shoulder in a gesture of tight alliance before he led the Italian senator over to the press conference tables to answer questions from the reporters.

"It's nice to see you again, old friend!" Paulo greeted him heartily, giving him a hearty slap on the back. "How have you been?"

"Oh the usual," Cornelio replied casually. "Not that different from college really."

"Ayaya, you naughty dog, you!" the Italian senator started waggling his brows. "Still very popular with the Spanish señoritas, I see."

Cornelio chuckled. "Not as popular as you are with your Italian beauties, Paulo."

Paulo laughed out loud. "Just don't tell my wife!" His face then turned serious. "Thank you; you have no idea what your appearance here means to me."

"I keep my promises," Cornelio flashed another charming smile at the random flash of a camera as he patted Paulo on the back. "Have you managed to meet the Vongola Decimo?"

Paulo scowled. "He was supposed to meet with me earlier this week but he cancelled at the last minute. I'm pretty sure it's because of a woman."

Cornelio smirked at the sneer Paulo had hidden beneath a hand and he gave him another reassuring pat on the back. "The more distracted he is the better for us. Evil is smug and they can be as confident as they want to be. Eventually, their vanity will be their downfall. What news of our other friends?"

This time, it was Paulo's turn to smirk. "As the executives ordered they are scattered around the different government branches in the law enforcement and judiciary department; our assets from the police were the reasons why this press conference was possible; I had them put pressure on the other departments and made a lot of noise in the media. We tried staging a few... incidences. Strangely, though the local riff raff don't seem too eager to work with us. Their loss, though, not ours."

"Of course they would hesitate," Cornelio rolled his eyes at his Italian counterpart. "They're part of that filthy circle. If they are found out there would be no where for them to hide. How about using your police officers?"

"Well... That..." Paulo fidgeted; they were nearing the table facing the chairs where several reporters were already waiting. "No one wanted to volunteer. They were quite concerned about their... families. You know how the Mafia could be?"

"Don't I?" the Spanish politician scowled, remembering the day he witnessed Santiago's death.

"Don't worry," Paulo told him with an oily smile Cornelio was too busy remembering that dark time to notice, though. "Justice will prevail."

At their secret call sign Cornelio turned over to Paulo with a grateful smile and nodded. "Let the wronged have their vengeance."

Had Cornelio been a little bit more jaded he would have figured out that Paulo was merely using his idealism to secure his own political career but he had been college friends with the Italian and Paulo had listened to him rant about his ideas of vengeance and his hatred of the Mafia. At first Paulo had always seemed bored; merely listening to him because Paulo had not exactly been very popular himself since back then. But eventually his ranting attracted other people with outstanding family backgrounds and credibility. And the the first members of La Justicia Pasada was formed before they even graduated. Seeing people who actually believed him and who were willing to support him aroused his courage and made him double his efforts to succeed. They all did. As far as he was concerned there was no taint of doubt in his mind for any of the members who founded the movement with him.

Paulo led him to comfortable chair on the right of the podium where the microphones were all set up before walking up to the pulpit himself and greeting their excited audience. Cornelio was pleased that the reporters all seemed eager to hear what he had to say. It was a good sign.

"Good evening," Paulo started as he beamed at their audience from the podium set up in press conference room, trying to be as charming as he could since they were being broadcasted live all throughout Italy. "I— Paulo Dela Torre am throwing my full support— even sacrifice my career as a politician in order to support Senator Trinidad. Hence I am currently urging our government to approve of my bill to seize all accounts and assets of every don of every Mafia Family we discover. As you know our friend here from Spain is visiting to aid us and our boys from the Organized Crime department in regards to our generations old problem. The Mafia."

There was uproar with the reporters as each and every one of them excitedly tried to throw their questions at them all at the same time.

Senator Dela Torre smirked at them all smugly and Cornelio allowed him as he merely sat back and relaxed, allowing his old college classmate to bask in the spotlight. He had known Paulo as unimpressive but ambitious so he knew the man could at least impress this crowd. If it had not been for Paulo's influence and contacts then he would never have been able to get that modified Boeing in Italian airspace and attack Varia's fortress. If it had not been for Paulo he would not have had the contacts and assets he needed to keep tabs on the major Mafia families and their various activities.

Yes, Paulo can handle this at least.

He listened as Paulo continued to rattle on about the bill he was pushing and inadvertently hinting at his next reelection while speaking to the resporters. How his proposition to give the senate the power to seize all Mafia don and doña's assets upon suspicion of criminal activity would be beneficial to the government and the population of Italy. Personally Cornelio cared nothing for the immense amount of wealth and power that came from the filthy Mafia. All he lived for was their demise.

"Now, now, I would love to answer all of your questions but I think it would be better coming from the man himself," Paulo chuckled at reporters and smoothly gestured towards his Spanish counterpart in a sign to take over the floor. "I present to the people of Italy our good friend! The one they call the Modern Day Messiah! Senator Cornelio Rivas Solano Trinidad of Spain!"

Cornelio sent his applauding audience his most charming smile as he stole away from his day dreams and into the man the public saw him as; he waved to them politely before taking the podium from the other man.

The Spanish senator now proceeded to speak in fluent Italian. "I am honored to have finally met the charming citizens of Italy; I confess that this is the first time I have set foot on these lands and so far I find that the men are strong, the children are kind and the women are truly beautiful."

Cornelio nodded as the audience ate up his lies. In truth he hated this country. With its loose codes and its even looser morals. If they were as upright as they thought themselves to be then they would not have allowed such an infestation like the Mafia live past the age when they would have been so ingrained in their society that it was difficult to weed them out from among the ordinary people. Still he kept his smile up and waited for them to quiet down.

"I have been quite fortunate that my good friend and your senator, Senator Dela Torre has given me this chance to help your police into ridding this country of the criminals who feed on your hard earned money and makes a mockery of your lives as good, honest, hard working individuals." he was answered by a few murmurs of agreement. "I myself have fallen victim to their abuse and their cruelty as well. The way they had ended the life of my friend and his family! I have seen what they can do and I shudder at the damage they can do to anyone else! So I swore to myself a long time ago that I will do everything in my power to save all humanity; all the good people of this great nation and mine from the wickedness that is the Ma—"

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

Paulo's outraged voice caught Cornelio's and everyone else's attention and they all turned to the seat on the left of the podium to see him surrounded by what seemed to be... policemen.

"What is going on? Who are you?!" Cornelio demanded as Pasha and the rest of his security surrounded him protectively. "What are you doing to Senator Dela Torre?!"

"Captain Leonardo Guerrini, Italian police, sir. Nothing special here, just a routine arrest." a man wearing a tan coat answered him shortly before jabbing his chin towards the purple faced Italian senator. "Senator Paulo Dela Torre, we have evidence that you have endangered the safety of the Italian government and have committed a capital offense. We have orders to take you into custody. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. You have the right to an attorney…"

"LIES! I'LL HAVE YOUR JOBS FOR THIS!" Paulo screamed, still resisting the law enforcers even as his face turned pasty white.

Captain Guerrini sighed and jerked his chin at another police officer. "Cuff him."

"Unhand me! How dare you!" It it took two policemen to get his hands tied in plastic twine.

Cornelio could only stare at this, stupefied; not knowing what to do.

"Paulo... I-is this true?" Damn it! How could they have possibly have known?! Surely there must be a way to salvage this situation or all his plans will fall apart! "They are lying, yes?"

"YES THEY ARE!" Paulo struggled in futility. "NO! I am— I am being framed! C-Cornelio, help me!"

"We have evidence, senator, as well as witnesses," Guerrini replied to the Italian senator's defense. "It will be very hard for you to weasel out of this one."

"Witnesses?"

Cornelio's face curled in anger. "Paulo... How could you?"

"NO! Cornelio, I don't know what they're talking about! Please!"

Cornelio went puce with rage and betrayal mixed with confusion fueled his anger as he condemned his erstwhile friend. "May God strike you where you stand!"

As soon as those words were out of his mouth something strange happened. Paulo stopped struggling, his eyes went wide with terror and he suddenly crumpled to the ground.

"NO!" he started screaming. "NO! PLEASE! I ALREADY TOLD YOU EVERYTHING I KNOOOOWWW! AHHHHH! PLEASE STOP!"

"Senator!" one of the police officers rushed and tried to get him to come back to his senses only to pull back in horror at the sight of his mouth frothing. "Damn it!"

"Someone get a doctor!" the detective with the trench coat yelled over the crowd.

The Italian senator was now struggling against his bonds and screaming as though he were... being flayed alive.

Cornelio could see the ground start to get slippery wet with the man's own urine and no matter how much the police tried to calm him down, nothing could be done. Senator Paulo Dela Torre had gone mad.

"Senator, we should leave." he vaguely heard Pasha mutter beside him and felt himself being ushered out of the hotel.

His second in command sat in the limousine with him and as the vehicle passed and joined the rest of Milan's evening traffic his shock started to thaw and was replaced with rage.

"That stupid, stupid fool!" he pounded his fist in his seat as Pasha sat across from him expressionless. "The press conference is ruined! What are we going to do now?!"

"Please calm down," Pasha started. "We can still make it; if we deny any connections with Senator Dela Torre and use our other Italian assets we could—"

RING RING RING…

"Hello?" he glanced at the caller id and Cornelio's eyes widened as he recognized Fernando's number. "Fernando! Where the hell have you been?! I have been trying to contact you and now Paulo is being—"

"I told you to stay away from the Vongola's allies; that you can do whatever you want with the Varia but to leave the others alone for now," Fernando's deep voice cut his rant off and made Cornelio still. "But you never listen."

"T-that was necessary! We were moving too slow and we needed a demonstration of our pow—"

"You now have have the strongest Mafia family in the world after your beating heart; this would have been a lot more easier had you just stuck to the plan," he heard Fernando sigh in exasperation. "Had you acquired Señorita Chrome for me first and stuck with the original plan this would never have happened."

"ROKUDO MUKURO ATTACKED ME FIRST!" Cornelio shouted into the phone, spittle flying as he yelled. "What was I supposed to do?! Let them do as they please?! If that is so then what in the world had we been trying to be so strong for?!"

"I told you to be patient," Fernando told him coldly. "I even allowed you your little games with Xanxus to try and keep you calm but you ruined it all. How are we going to take her away from the Vongola now, you fool?"

"We can set things up and speak with her again! I am positive that once she realizes what a monster Xanxus is she will turn her back on him!"

"…Did you know that all your Italian assets are now frozen?" Fernando's tone was quiet now. So quiet it made Cornelio stop breathing. "Did you know that the only reason you are not about to face an inquisition once you come back to Madrid was because those same assets are now frozen because of crimes totally unrelated to our cause?"

"W-what?" The senator's brows furrowed in confusion. "H-how can that be? All of them? No, it must be a coincide—"

"Coincidence?" the Spanish Mafioso mocked him. "Did you know that Chrome Dokuro had just left Venice four nights ago? And yet— coincidentally— not even a week later— every single seed you have planted in the Italian government have been arrested and effectively immobilized."

"F-Fernando, I don't understand… What is going—"

"That's right, you understood nothing," Fernando cut him off. "I already told you to be wary of her. She may not look much but she is not the Vongola Mist Guardian for nothing. Instead, one small taste of her power and you became greedy."

Cornelio sneered. "Don't act like you don't want the same thing! You were ready to give up your own Familia for her and I know why. That power, Fernando… The Vongola does not even seem to understand the kind of power she holds."

"That is because the Vongola are arrogant and their current head is weak," the sneer on the other Spaniard's voice was evident at the mention of the Vongola Decimo. "He does not even realize what his own Guardian had done for him."

"Done?" the senator scowled. "Fernando, what do you mea—"

"Farewell, mi amigo," Fernando's voice turned from dark and bitter to mocking once more. "This may be the last time we speak again. Don't even bother trying to pull me down to your hell with you. If the Vongola wants to keep the peace, they will not dare suspect me. Adios."

Cornelio was left with the sound of the dialtone in his ear.

"Sir? Are you alright?"

Cornelio glanced at his chauffeur from the limousine's rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of his face. He was as white as death. "Just take me to the embassy. And I want a plane out of this godforsaken country immediately!"

"Yes, sir."

Cornelio tried to call Fernando's number again. But the number he dialed was no longer in service. He threw the phone on the seat across from him with a curse.

The silence echoed in the luxurious limousine like a boulder falling into a pond.

/*****/

The sound of surf and wind and the distinctive smell of salt caught Chrome's attention and seduced her eyes to turn towards the sea just below the window she was standing in front of. The evening was deep enough to produce heavenly bodies but the clouds that night were so thick that it held no hope of stars. It made her melancholic but it also comforted her in a way. This was an atmosphere she was more than familiar with; the dark isolation of loneliness. The soothing peace of a safe darkness. It helped keep her mind away from her last conversation with Hayato…

Again her heart welled with agony and she had to swallow hard several times to keep the lump in her throat down. The night was not over yet, her work was still not done. Although Basil had managed to do what she needed him to do in just a few short hours she knew that she needed to keep the public interested in the arrests until the Boss made a decision. But with even all her might she knew she could only keep this up for a week tops. There was still much to do.

She allowed the fine smell of the sea soothe her. Allowing its dark and dangerous mystery to surround her and give her energy. This was probably her biggest difference to the Boss' other Family members. Where the others looked to the light for strength she tended to turn to the darkness. It was another reason why she should keep her distance.

Her mood a little better she opened her eyes and peered at the brightly lit coast of the island to her left. The bright lights crawling all over and lighting the beaches below in flames of brightly lit sand.

Devil's Island was a much livelier place than the name implied. The Varia and her had arrived a little over three hours ago while the rest of the Varia officers went about the business of meeting and greeting the guests to what she thought was a conference to inform them of Varia's plans for Trinidad. Chrome was given a room off the back of the high class casino the conference was supposed to be held so she could finish and oversee the chain of events that she set into motion the moment she left Venice with Xanxus.

Like Mafia Land it was carefully hidden from the eyes of the public and passage is restricted to people who were specifically invited. It was littered with casinos, hotels and several other pleasure ridden facilities including a promiscuous and highly accommodating escort service. Having had S level clearance to such information she knew about the place, of course but this was the first time she had ever been invited to the Varia's prime territory. Whenever the Boss was invited over Hayato or Takeshi or both would accompany him…

"Lady Chrome?"

Chrome turned halfway towards the unfamiliar voice who called her name just in time to hear a menacing growl from her feet and a flash of white glow in the darkness to shield her from the potential harm. The female Mist Guardian took pity on the quaking man who entered her presence without proper warning and laid a soothing hand on the Liger's striped mane.

"It's alright, Bester; I'm fine." The ferocious box animal did not back down but the stripes that made him all the more menacing and dangerous receded leaving pure white fur. Chrome rewarded the liger with a smile and a pat before cooly looking up at the seemingly astounded Mafioso. "Yes? How can I help you?"

The man was dark skinned, wearing a mohawk and muscular; wearing the usual dark suit and tie that was common for most Mafioso. If she remembered correctly this man was the one who managed Xanxus' hotel here on the island as well as his other affairs. His name, however, escaped her at the moment. He sketched a hurried, respectful bow when she addressed him with a silent nod. "B-Boss Xanxus says he wants you at the party."

"Eh?" Chrome straightened, ignoring the overgrown feline's tail as it swished and caressed her hand. "I thought there was going to be a meeting with Varia and the rest of its allies there?"

"That's right, Lady; they are all about to start the meeting." The lone man said.

Chrome's brow furrowed in confusion. Lussuria explained to her that this was a meet up of all the dons loyal to Xanxus and that this was an ocassion where each and every one of them renewed their vows of loyalty and paid tribute to the Varia Boss. When they landed she distanced herself from the party thinking she would not be welcome to such an event being since she was a Tenth Generation Guardian. "Then I shouldn't intrude."

The man swallowed. Hard. "P-please, Lady; the Boss said if you don't show up he would make me swallow my spine."

Chrome barely held back a sigh. Really, Xanxus made the most outrageous demands. "Alright. Come on, Bester."

The mafioso who had come to fetch her bowed to her respectfully as she passed him by, Bester following her faithfully and haughtily as though he were the owner and her the pet. The box animal reminded her so much of Xanxus that it made her smile and run the back of her hand over the silky white mane tenderly. As though against its will and better judgment, Bester let out a gruff purr.

Her smile faded however as worry invaded her thoughts.

It had been three days since she had seen Xanxus; they have not been able to see each other since they returned from Venice not even during dinner. She worried even more when Bester made it glaringly obvious that he was left behind to tail her every second of the day. And while she enjoyed the comforting presence of the Sky Liger she thought he would serve his master best by being with Xanxus. She didn't understand why the Varia Boss thought she needed his box weapon at her side when he knew she would neither run nor be able to use it. When she asked Lussuria just told her he had gone to see someone and the only thing that kept her from following him was Levi's absence as well which meant that wherever it was that the Varia Boss went he was not without protection.

She missed him, she had realized after the second day of his absence. She missed him and it was not because she eventually found out that the man had the entire eastern tower room renovated for her use out of his own pocket. No, she missed him because this was the first time in a while that she had not been within touching distance of him after she was shot and her body which always felt chilled yearned for the blazing warmth of his presence. She hadn't even realized she had grown used to being held so close to his chest when he carried her around during her recovery. Or when he allowed her access to his body, massaging his pains away until he fell asleep beneath her. It was not like she had not touched a man before but the heat his skin emanated was... different from other men. She had touched Mukuro-sama, Boss and Hayato and while they were warm with life and were special in their own way Xanxus was... something else.

Mukuro-sama's skin felt cold like hers. Like touching marble or a statue of glass. Only the friction her skin made against his gave it a spark when he held her hand or kept her close.

Boss' warmth was peaceful. It was as though touching him made her calm down instead of the other way around.

Hayato's warmth was turbulent. Chaotic. Confusing. Only calming after she had soothed it.

Xanxus' warmth however... She closed her eyes at the memory of it, pulling the feeling out of her own memories. Xanxus felt as though he had a fever. It was akin to touching fire. Whenever she touched him she felt like she was being thawed.

And far from hurting it actually made her feel... free. Like she could breathe again for the first time after being imprisoned in ice for so long. She wondered if Squalo and the others felt the same way whenever they were with the scarred man. If so then she understood why they could never leave him. In her case when Reborn finally comes back like it or not she would have to leave.

She was going to miss them all.

Only the mohawk haired mafioso opening the double doors for her told Chrome that she had reached her destination. He bowed low and she nodded to him gratefully before straightening her back and chin and walked in the crowded room. As soon as she did all talk stopped and every single person there turned to stare. She kept on a neutral face but inwardly Chrome couldn't help but feel self conscious.

Was there something on her face? She was pretty sure she hadn't had anything to eat since lunch so she washed and brushed her teeth properly before they left the fortress.

Maybe it was her clothes?

There were no other ladies present so all the men there wore different styled suits and tuxedos most of them dark colored although there were the exceptional teals and reds. She didn't think her black blazer with the sleeves folded back along with the sleeve of her indigo undershirt to reveal a quarter of her bare forearm, black tie and black skirt covering half her thighs looked out of place. She always wore this style at the Iron Fort along with her usual boots and she thought she looked like a proper subordinate. Was it the trident she was wearing slung across the small of her back perhaps? We're they afraid of it?

Bester walked ahead of her and growled at the assembly as though daring each and every one of them to touch her.

Perhaps they were staring at the box animal? Silly her, it must be that.

Or maybe…

"What is she doing here?" she heard someone hiss from somewhere in the crowd.

"Who does she think she is?"

"Is that who I think it is?!"

"The Mist Guardian..."

"Not just any Mist Guardian; it's the weak one."

"The weak one; she doesn't belong here."

Last option then.

It was like déjà vu all over again.

Men with killer eyes stabbing at her with their glares as she walked alongside the members of the Varia, condemning her for the ring on her hand and the name she carried.

But Chrome was with Xanxus and the rest of the Varia today and she would be damned before she shamed any of them.

She shouldn't really be surprised. Like Gennaro many disapproved of Sawada Tsunayoshi as Vongola Decimo. Many thought he was too weak, too timid, too tolerant. If they only knew just to what lengths he would go to ensure their safety…

"Silence!" Chrome blinked and turned to see who it was that dared defend her in this room full of haters and her gaze widened at the sight of none other than the Sulis Boss standing in her way. "Show some respect! This is the Lady Chrome Dokuro!"

Chrome blinked at the Gennaro Sulis. That was the last thing she had ever thought the man would ever do for her.

"Lady Chrome," he greeted, his voice as rough and gruff as the last time she heard him even as he knelt on one knee, head bowed and hand on his heart. " It is an honor to meet you again."

"Signore Gennarro," she greeted softly, blushing a bit in surprise at the complete 180 his attitude had taken. It was true that he seemed a bit more... accommodating when she left Venice four nights ago but she thought it was because Xanxus was there. "It is a pleasure to see you again."

"Grazie, Lady."

"I hope you have been well," she couldn't help but smile down softly at him. "Everything is still alright in Venice, I hope?"

He looked up and seemed stunned by her regard. "Everything has been done as you ordered, Lady; there have been no mishaps since then."

"That's good," she replied with a nod. "It would be best to keep everyone safe."

"Lady, your concern gladdens my heart." the minor Mafia Boss reached out to touch her hand but a menacing growl and a flash of colors stopped the man.

In a split second Chrome found herself surrounded by animals. Very familiar box animals.

"Ushishishishi."

Chrome blinked in surprise at Mink hissing on her shoulder at Gennaro after chuckling. A flash of green and blue made her look behind her to see Livya floating at her back. Her head turned back around and saw Squalo Grande Pioggia circling the air around her head like a shark scenting prey. Pea-chan squawked sternly at Gennaro on her left, his tail fully spread out and Bester, of course, snarling and showing all his teeth in front of her obviously wanting to tear Gennaro apart.

The other guests could only gape, gasp and step back at the scene. It cannot be mistaken as anything else. It was bizarre, unnatural and utterly impossible but the reality glared at them at that moment. It was obvious that all the Varia's box animal weapons had stepped in to protect her.

"Stop!" Chrome couldn't help but blurt out, releasing her own box animal and using Mukurou to surround the poor Mafia Boss with a barrier of Mist just in time to save him from Bester's jaws. The female illusionist was sure they made quite an awkward picture.

And there was an explosion of muttering.

"Woman," the familiar baritone made the female illusionist's heart sing in her chest. She didn't even realize that she had missed his voice too. "Come here."

The familiar, gravelly voice seemed to have stopped even the flow of time for everyone in the room as the sinister aura that came with that voice slipped through. Chrome herself tilted her head, searching for the voice's owner but unlike the others in the room who felt as though they have been turned to ice, the moment she saw the figure of the Varia Boss sitting on the far end of the drawing room settled on a grand chair fit for a king. For everyone in the room the sight of the Varia Boss must have inspired fear and awe. For her, the sight of him alive and well made her heart flutter in relief.

Hayato's words returned to her. About using Xanxus for experiments. A fierce protectiveness exploded in her heart at the very thought. She was not going to let him be hurt by anyone. Not if she could help it. Xanxus deserved better than that. He was not a good person… he had killed a lot off people heartlessly, brutally… But his heart, though withered and well hidden was there, beating deep in his chest and bleeding color into his eyes.

He was warm… Just like the blood helping his heart beat…

Forgetting everyone else around her and vaguely noting that the box animals have returned to their owners Chrome almost ran to his side but forced herself to keep a steady pace. As she came near she noticed that the other Varia officers were all already there surrounding him.

Squalo was on his right just beside his armrest. Levi was a little behind his left. Lussuria was at the bottom of the dais where his chair and side table was and Bell was sitting on the middle step leading up to their Boss.

A small smile appeared on Chrome's face at the sight of them all together in their Varia uniform so strong and ruthless. As she came closer it almost felt as if... as is she were coming home. Even though she was not wearing her own Varia ensemble. It almost brought tears to her eyes, the joy they brought her just by being here.

Stopping at the foot of the elevated dais with Xanxus looking down at her with seemingly bored crimson eyes, his chin on the back of his hand and his legs crossed she allowed a bit of her joy to leak out through a small smile on her lips and the light in her eye before she put a hand in her heart and bowed her head to the Varia Boss humbly and paid her respects.

"Xanxus-sama."

Xanxus felt his chest vibrate with that same emotion he remembered the first time he heard her say his name. And still, after all this time, he felt himself sit up a little straighter; his heart clench a little tighter and his thoughts drain of anything and everything but her. But now, instead of angry confusion he now understood it for what it was.

Awareness. An acute awareness that someone he wanted was calling out his name and his instinctive need to respond to it. To come to her when she called. And it was all he could do to keep himself in that damned chair instead of getting to his feet and going to her side the way Bester and the other box animals did when they thought she was in danger.

"Woman," she raised her head and when he met her gaze Xanxus felt as though his heart would burst. Because there was no longer indifference in that gaze like before. Right now that gaze shone with amethyst joy when she saw him. And he had to grit his teeth hard to keep from destroying everything and everyone around him so it would only be the two of them left alone. So he could bask in her joy in private. It took his supreme resolve to pull out the words he needed to say and keep his mind on the task at hand so he could get his plans moving. "Stand with me."

She looked up, surprised at the command and opened her mouth to try and humbly protest but then she was reminded of the glares behind her and the people who already thought of her as unworthy. If she refused she knew that she would not only be embarrassing Xanxus she would also be admitting that she was not worthy to be here and that would acknowledge that her Decimo was also unworthy.

Curbing her own modesty she lifted her chin and ascended the five steps that took her to Xanxus' left and sat at his feet, her gaze staring down at the lot of them daring them to remove her.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Xanxus-sama." was all she said.

"Hn." the Varia Boss grunted, pleased that she chose the perfect place to position herself.

She was silently telling everyone in the room that although she was subservient to him she was still above everyone else. Other women in her position right now would have gloated; smirked down maliciously at the men who dared insult her openly just now promising revenge and retribution. She merely sat at his feet coolly; beautifully showcasing those impossibly long, flawless legs she had left exposed tonight... Like a silk laden queen looking down at the court she was gracing. There was no question that she was worthy. And this was the perfect time to emphasize that point to every single person under his protection.

Squalo glanced at him and caught the edge of that crimson stare and took it as his que. "VOIII! We'll begin the Vongola Style Birthday celebration right now!"

Chrome gasped, her eye widened into saucers before she turned it to Bel who was waving from the step below her.

"Ushishishishi~ Curious, mi piccola duchessa?"

The female illusionist blinked and nodded once.

"What is today and what is the Roman numeral for it?" the Bloody Prince gleefully whispered his riddle.

It only took a moment and realization hit her like a splash of ice cold water. Her eye turned towards Xanxus with her heart in her throat and a feeling of hurt, shame and disappointment flooded her chest.

How could she not have known it was Xanxus' birthday?!

"To start with the gifts…" a man, obviously a lower ranking Mafia Boss, stepped forward with his right hand man and bowed to the Varia respectfully with a smirk. "I shall give out the order to have a politician disappear for you. My boys found out he's working for La Justicia Pasada this morning and I'll be more than happy to give you his head."

Chrome's breathing stop. They couldn't possibly be referring to…

"Ushishishishi~ Your 'boys' didn't happen to get this information from the news, did they?" Belphegor asked, his tone mocking.

The minor Mafia Boss swallowed hard and took a step back. "I-it's all over the news! T-the point is that we need to take action!"

"He's right!" another minor Mafia Boss exclaimed from the middle of the assembly. "We need to teach those bastards a lesson! How dare they operate under our very noses?!"

"We can't let those fucking government employees think they can run circles around us!"

"Yeah!"

"YEAH!"

"Wait." Chrome's voice was cold and struck like a whip in the dark and unexpectedly, the Mafioso in the banquet hall stopped and stared at her in surprise, not expecting her to speak. She pierced them all with a cold, amethyst eye trying to hide the sudden panic that was starting to bubble up in her. "You will do no such thing. Not until the Vongola Decimo says otherwise."

The men sneered at her. "Stupid woman! How dare you speak out?! You're a nobody!"

"Don't you flash that ring at us!"

"That means nothing, you fake!"

"Sawada Tsunayoshi is not the real Vongola Decimo!"

"Sawada Tsunayoshi is the one who ordered that the men arrested for having had connections with La Justicia Pasada be held down for the time being. They are bait and their arrests are part of a bigger plan! A plan being formulated that will not end up in more deaths and loss of businesses!" Chrome stared them down. She was used to the insults but if these people interfered with her plans and attacked the politicians being investigated by the police then blood will run through the streets of Italy. She took her trident, elongated it and stood up, her flames glowing dense around her. "The Vongola Decimo is currently planning retribution for all the assaults of these people against the Vongola, particularly the massacre of the Floris Famiglia.

"You might have no faith in him but I do!" Chrome slammed the end of her trident on the floor, power sparking off of her like a dense cloud. "And I will not hesitate cutting down anyone who will interfere with these plans. So take my warning and stand down."

For a moment all the angry mobsters in the room seem to have realized the difference between her and them. That she was not just a woman spouting nonsense. That despite her weakness she was nonetheless a person of power. She was about to breathe out a sigh of relief but it was cut off by the defiant shouts before her.

"HA!" another man spat at her feet even though his knees had started shaking. Like all the other men there it was not easy to accept that this pale skinned woman held such power. It must be an illusion created to fool them! "Make me, bitch!"

"Boss Xanxus, do you even hear this slut?! Are we just going to let these brats run the Vongola to the ground?!"

"Voi! Shit for brains," Squalo growled, suddenly standing beside Chrome, his eyes and voice bloodthirsty. "Do you even know who the fucking hell even found out about those fucktards being allied to La Justicia Pasada in the first place?!"

The question silenced the group, confused until another Mafia don spoke up. "Why… Isn't it you, Boss Squalo?"

"Wrong." Surprisingly, it was Gennaro who spoke and everyone turned to his calmly seated form nursing a thick glass of bourbon. "I was there in Venice when Lady Chrome extracted the information from Dela Torre. She put the fail safe into his brain too. From now on the bastard gets to relive the torture she put him through whenever someone says the word 'God' in his hearing."

Disbelieving and confused murmurs littered the entire hall; incredulous and skeptical. Who could blame them? They knew nothing about what the Tenth Generation Mist Guardian could do. Had it been the male Mist, the Storm, the Rain or the Cloud it would have been different; they have all showed their skills and have made names in their world. The female Mist, however, was an unknown variable. Not even worthy of a second glance.

Chrome blinked. She didn't know Gennaro knew about what she did to Dela Torre. And then she remembered the man was in the same room as her and Xanxus when she… interrogated the man.

He saw her surprise and lifted his glass of bourbon towards her in a toast as he smirked at her in a friendly manner. "I saw the press conference earlier. I've been wondering why the good senator couldn't remember anything after you were done with him and why you allowed him to walk. I figured it out after Trinidad renounced him in Milan in the middle of Dela Torres' arrest. Touché, my lady."

The rest of the Varia turned towards her in wonder when she slowly dissipated her flames but kept her trident ready at her side. Her eye too had turned back to its darker, more sincere color. And then she spoke in another attempt to pacify the people around her.

"Gentlemen," her voice was calm but cold and reasonable. It was the tone she reserved for hard negotiations. She made sure the proper amount of respect was there and hoped her appeal would be heard. "I understand how you feel; the Floris Famiglia was a friend to the Shimon which is a valued ally to the Decimo. You can rest assured revenge will be given to honor them. But at the moment we need to remain as an entity apart from the politicians held by the police. This way the police will leave our businesses alone and not stop us because we are trying to turn a political scandal into a gang war. I am not asking you to cower; I am not asking you to run away. I am merely asking you to be patient."

Silence met her words; she actually presented a good point. If they left things to the police for now they would not fear persecution from either the government's side or La Justicia Pasada's side. Business can continue as usual. There was no need to worry.

But prejudice did not die so quickly.

"And why should we trust a Vongola Guardian?!"

"Yeah! The only one we obey is Boss Xanxus!"

"Your words mean nothing here!"

Chrome felt hopeless as she listened to their roars. She knew she would have no problems taking care of all these people here but it would take too much work and there was no guarantee of complete obedience. If she used her powers too much she knew something was going to give.

If only the Boss was here… She was sure he would have been able to fix everything. To put everything in harmony as an all encompassing Sky…

"Woman," the din turned quiet when Xanxus spoke and Chrome looked up at the still sitting Varia Boss. "What is this bullshit? And on my birthday too."

Chrome felt her blood had frozen even as shame colored her face. Oh how could she have done this to Xanxus?

She came over and stood before him with a bow of her head. "I am so sorry, Xanxus-sama! Please wait just a little bit longer!"

"You really think these scum will listen to you?" he drawled, staring at her with those wine red eyes; questioning her… Doubting her… Her chest gave out a painful sting. She did not want this man doubting her abilities to protect him. "Think again. They're not the kind who'll listen to just anyone. They follow the Varia for a reason. Why do you think that scum Gennaro suddenly took your side? He's obviously seen the kind of power you hold back in Venice."

"Please do not worry," she allowed determination to seep into her voice. "I will do everything in my power to stop them from causing you trouble."

"Cause me trouble? What are you talking about?" Xanxus sneered at her. "These idiots wouldn't be able to cause me trouble if they tried. They are nothing more than insects that I can crush any time I wanted. It'll probably irritate that brat that is your Sky, though."

Chrome didn't know what to do. She was so confused and a little bit frightened. What Xanxus said was true, after all. He didn't need to worry about war; he flourished in war. But the Boss… her Boss… It would trouble the Decimo greatly if she couldn't keep this under control. The Boss had sacrificed too much making sure there would be no wars left in the Mafia world. She would be damned before she failed him.

Ice crawled from her heart straight to her head and settled in her eye to make it a hard, unforgiving jewel sparking with her will. "I'll kill them all if I have to."

"You can't do that," the Varia Boss sneered at her. "You know better what kind of trouble you and the other brats will have if you did something that stupid. Vongola Guardian or not you'll be hunted down. The other brats along with you by association if they don't participate in the fun."

He was right; it was a big risk. She needed to calm down. She needed to fix this. If she didn't things will not go well for a lot of people. "What do I have to do?"

Xanxus' sneer fell off his face as he stared up at her; even the Varia around them stopped and stared at her in wonder. Chrome did not care if she shed her ice in front of these people. It was like Venice all over again; the threat to the ones she loved the most overwhelming her sanity and consumed her until the only thing that would satisfy her was the elimination of its danger.

It took a while before Xanxus managed to yank himself back on track; his smirk now dressed in malicious unholy glee. "There's another way."

"Say it." She hissed between clenched teeth. "I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"Yes."

"…Even if you become bound in another contract?"

"I'll do anything to keep my Family safe."

The scarred man smirked triumphantly and held his left hand, palm up beside him. Lussuria handed something to Squalo and the silver haired swordsman— still stunned by the scene the female Mist Guardian had shown them— handed it over to the scarred Italian. Chrome watched and saw a small black box covered in velvet resting in the previously empty hand.

"You keep that in mind for later, Dokuro; because there's no way in hell you'll be able to back out of this now." Xanxus wasn't even fazed. In fact, he looked absolutely thrilled.

Xanxus flipped the small box open and took something out of it before grabbing Chrome's left hand. Before the female Mist Guardian could register what was going on she felt something cold and solid slip right onto her fourth finger. The feeling of curiously warm metal burned into her flesh…

And the feel of a secondary Flame rising from within her.

The banquet hall was completely silenced as the unexpected booster made her Cloud Flames lash out from her left ring finger. Her wide gaze stared at the sudden outpour from her hand as she stepped back from Xanxus in alarm, afraid of harming him. It took all her courage not to scream in fright. She had used and trained with Hibari to control her Cloud Flames before when Lal-shishou discovered it but even back when she was still untrained she had never seen it lash out this powerfully, this destructively before. It felt like a broken faucet; the water streaming and pouring out of it uncontrollably, wastefully. Wanting only to consume.

"LISTEN UP, SCUM!" Xanxus' rough, booming voice suddenly enveloped the entire gathering as he stood up and addressed the entire assembly. Chrome would have looked at him if she wasn't busy trying to control the sudden outpour of power trying to lash out and destroy anything and everything that was near her. "FROM TODAY THIS WOMAN IS UNDER MY COMMAND! A PART OF VARIA! ANYONE WHO CROSSES HER CAN CONSIDER THEMSELVES DEAD! SO IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO DEFY HER JUST STEP ON FORWARD! CAUSE I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SHIT HIS BRAINS ARE MADE OF!"

Finally Chrome managed to pull the Cloud Flames back into her skin and the effort left her panting and flushed and kneeling at Xanxus' feet, her right hand clutching the wrist of her left that now bore a symbol that made the guests take a step back in shock… and then bow before her. While the other members of the Varia watched her with a mixture of pride and smugness.

Chrome, in the meantime didn't know what to feel.

Because at that moment, right there on her hand, was the unmistakable sight of the Varia's Cloud Ring.

/*****/

A.N.: Please Review…? (T_T)