Trip 25: Deal

A/N Do I fail so much as a writer? What I meant is that the potion makes Giotto and people surrounding him appreciate Elleira enough to not kill her on a whim. Whether the potion's effect wears off or not doesn't change the fact that he likes her in the first place because he's drugged, and seriously though, since the potion makes him love her, if it wears off, he might despise her... just saying... I want to cry so much... is there really nobody who understood? OTL

Btw I didn't notice that chapter 3 was replaced with something else, sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks to Inthetownoftrolo though, I replaced it back and corrected some mistakes. Jfc my eyes are bleeding from the over amateurish writing like omg is that really me?

I have already lost count of time since the moment we arrived on this island, but I do know that at least a few months must have passed since the night on the ship.

We never really thought about leaving this island by ourselves. Sure, with all the tools and woods there are here, we could build a boat and try to find our way home. But if we think deeper, looking at this vacation like house and island, the link with Cerve, we figured that he is going to come get us when the time is right. And since he is still taking his time, well we are just going to wait.

Of course we don't just sit down and do nothing all day. Thanks to Giotto's very bad way to teach me how to act like a true lady, I somehow managed to control the power inside me to at least not wash everything away except him.

Well, I never managed to create the white light beam again nor the huge wave that probably sank the ship, but it's alright. I guess that at that time, my anger did it for me. This is reassuring, because I'd rather be weak than have a power I can't control that will hurt my loved ones again.

Right now, the only concern crushing my heart is Cerve's potion. The vision I had leading to the discovery I made was too shocking for me to even be able to hide from Giotto. He knew right away that something was very wrong with me, but he still chose to wait. For that, I am grateful yet guilty toward him.

But for now… "Giotto, you know I have no patience with this kind of things." I sigh softly, looking at the multiple tableware before me, "Can we stop now?"

He purses his lips in displeasure, "After washing me out for the umpteenth time, you say this now? And your manners are still horrible."

"Well at least I asked you nicely. I could've just wash you out from now on until you quit first."

A frown appears on Giotto's forehead, "You changed Elleira." He lowers his gaze on the table, his golden lock sliding down to hide his eyes, "You used to be so gentle before."

I stare at him indifferently, waiting for the right time.

"But..." He presses his lips together, then suddenly jumps up with a huge smile, "This new side of strong Elleira is making me all tingly! Ouf!"

I wipe a sweat away from my forehead before breaking into a smile. It looks like I can freeze the water now. It is still very fragile, only able to become slippery enough for Giotto to fall before turning back into a puddle of water, but this is good enough I guess.

"Oh come on, don't be like that." I gently kick Giotto's behind to make him get up, but he only rolls over to his side and ignores me.

Seeing that this big sulking blond has zero intention to move, I decide to leave him be. It's not the first time anyway, so I am not really worried. Besides, I know that I didn't really hurt him. He's not that frail either.

I've decided to stop Giotto's ridiculous and useless etiquette lesson this morning for a better alternative; learn things by myself. Not that it is wrong to learn how to behave like someone of this time, but he is just a horrible teacher. I don't even think he wanted to teach me properly in the first place, consider the high number of times I had to slap his hands away to where they should belong... Of course, he has being in a fool mood since, but I won't change my mind just to make him happy.

A soft whimper makes way to me from behind. Almost instantly, my body freezes, my feet unable to advance as if they are rooted in the ground.

Damn it.

I curse internally before turning on my heel back to Giotto.

"Seriously, how old are you?" I ask him with a slight frown. "Don't answer me you big baby. This is a rhetorical question."

Giotto closes his mouth in what seems like a disappointed expression before leaning in and hug my leg, to which I fail to evade, "But I just wanted to be with you..."

I look away, trying to hide the blush forming on my cheeks. As a grown man, how can he be so cute? This is illegal.

...Well, I guess it won't hurt to bring him along with me either...

Walking down the stairs leading to the basement with Giotto, I can't help but sigh at the genius who built this place. Every time I come down here, I am always hit with amazement and admiration. This place can't even be described as a mere basement anymore. It took me almost three whole days to fully explore it, and I can't confirm if there are secret passageways here.

Walking down one of the descending corridors, we arrive before a beautifully crafted wooden door. Behind it is a huge library. There's a fountain right in the middle of it, pouring out crystal clear water in the air. Multiple chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling, lightening the whole place from day to night. There are also shining crystals placed in lamps that are fixated on the walls so that no place is left out unlit.

Strangely, when we first discovered this library, the books are all in good state and clean as if there's someone cleaning this place every day.

Walking between the rows of books, I start to search for anything that has information about potion and plants. One way or another, I have to know about what Cerve fed to Giotto. Something that can not only control him, but also the people around him… did everyone drink it too? Cerve only told Grey to make Giotto drink it after all, so I am not sure, but if it is so... just how powerful that potion must be, to influence so many, starting from Giotto as the center?

Cerve must have some kind of power too, just like me. If I can apply my own case on him, it must mean that he was also thrown out of his world because he was too powerful, and that power of his is yet a mystery. Could it be mind control? The medium is the potion that he uses to bind people's mind and feelings at his will. Maybe, it isn't impossible. After all, Mukuro can do it, so does Daemon that I am certain. Then maybe something else…? Either way, I will ask him about it when we will meet, and I have a feeling that I will not wait too long.

"Giotto, can you get that book for me-" I eye the hand on my mouth, and then look up to Giotto who is holding me close.

He gently shakes his head, indicating me to stay put, and scrutinize the library's entrance with caution.

Soon, even I can hear the approaching footsteps. Judging from the sound of it, there must be at least two people.

Giotto pulls me with him. We both creep deeper inside the library.

I look at our intertwined hands, calculating as fast as possible the safest way to get away.

Giotto doesn't have his Vongola ring, I don't think it is safe for him to go fight someone who managed to come to this island without it. If I am truly a person Cerve values simply because I am from another world, then he must've set a lot of barriers to isolate this place.

It is not that I don't believe in Giotto's strength, I am only envisaging the worst. He can't fight without dividing his attention to protect me. I know my capacity, so I know how weak I really am. I could only do some sneak attack on Giotto with water because he let me, not because I could finally freely control my power. Even that night on the ship, I blasted Giotto away because he had no intention to dodge anyway. There is no way I could hurt him in normal circumstances. That blast I made was powerful, but that is all. I can't control it, I can't bend it, not to add I can't even make it right now.

If only… If only I am stronger… I have to… I must… I need… power…

A gentle squeeze on my hand pulls me back. Giotto gently pinches my nose with a reassuring smile, soothing my agitated nerves almost instantly.

I smile back.

That is right. Nothing is set in stone yet. Who knows, maybe it is Cerve himself who finally remembered that he ditched us on this island. I have really become pessimistic.

Giotto pats my back, something flashes in his eyes, but I couldn't understand it.

"Hello? Where are you guys?" It turns out that my last guess is right. "I am Cerve, nothing to worry about, haha..." His voice trails off with an awkward laugh.

I look at Giotto. He nods slightly and we walk out of our hiding spot.

Cerve doesn't look too different since the last time I saw him, but knowing what he did makes me want to throw a punch at his face and wipe that stupid grin off his lips.

Giotto squeezes my hand again.

"So... hey..." The red haired man waves awkwardly at us. I huff in irritation and look away.

"Greetings, Cerve." Giotto answers back with a smile. He then pulls me with him toward the two, "I believe you are here to bring us back?"

Grey, who has being silent all this time, bows respectfully to us. "It would our pleasure to bring you back home, but we must finish something here before, on this island." He leaves the end of the sentence on hold, his red eyes traveling to me. He looks much paler compared to the last time I saw him.

"I refuse." I stare at them both and answer coldly. There is no way I am going to do as they please, not after knowing what they did in the first place. Even though their action were good intended, I don't want to forgive them so easily.

I am just too afraid of the outcome. I don't want anything bad to happen again. I can't lose anymore.

Cerve steps forward in panic, "B-but you didn't even hear me out!"

"I don't want to." This said, I look away to avoid the man's pleading eyes. I can't soften my heart, not after what has happened. This is the Mafia. If I want to survive and to protect the people I care for, I must abide to their rules, and the first step to that is to know how to refuse.

Feeling Giotto's hold on me tightening, I look at him in confusion. He merely smiles back as if nothing is wrong.

"Cerve, would you be kind enough to at least tell us what we must do here?"

I stare at Giotto in shock. Why would he want to know about anything concerning Cerve? Isn't that man the cause of all? I don't understand.

"Well," Cerve scratches his head sheepishly, "it still has to do with the... you know... my inheritance and all..."

I roll my eyes and mumble darkly. I suppose the 'all' includes me succeeding him and taking care of his family. Why would I even do that? Why doesn't he just dump everything on his own family member? What if there are, and I am sure there will be, people who are against me, an outsider taking being the head, and they will organize a coup? I sure don't want to get in such mess. Too troublesome and dangerous.

"Could you please precise further on this matter?"

I don't understand, why is Giotto asking about what Cerve and Grey want? He doesn't look like he is interested, yet...

My eyes travel down to our intertwined hands.

I know he is doing this for me, but I can't understand why. Even so, this is my fight. I have a hunch that one day or another, I will have to do whatever Cerve has planned for me. Today is only the first step.

I can't let Giotto get dragged in this, not before I clearly understand the whole situation. It's too dangerous.

Just as Cerve is about reply Giotto, I hurriedly stop him, "I will do it, whatever you wanted me to do." I let go of Giotto's hand and walk toward the two, "But you have answer some of my questions first... I want to have a private talk with you, Cerve."

He stares at me in disbelief before beaming all the while nodding frantically as if fearing that I will change my idea the next second.

I look back at Giotto with a small forced smile. He nods back, staying behind with Grey as I exit with the red haired man.

We walk in silence in the basement's hallway. I follow the man with clenched fists, trying to fight down the anxiety that's building inside me. He, on the other hand, tries to start conversation almost at every five minutes, to which I always ignore.

He leads me to a room a bit further away from the library, and closes the door once we are inside.

"What did you want to talk about-" He quickly ducks my strike and grabs a cutting board beside him in defense.

I advance toward him steadily with the frying pan I conveniently grabbed a moment ago. How lucky, we are in a kitchen.

"What happened to you hair?" I ask him halfheartedly, "Did you dye it red?"

He eyes my "weapon" cautiously, backing away at each step I take, "Red is the natural hair color. Seriously, you can still see a bit of brown on the tips even though I cut the hair."

I nod absentmindedly, still keeping my smile on. It's not that I want to smile, on the contrary, I am furious right now. It is just that I don't know what expression I should show this man, the man who drugged Giotto but by doing so probably saved me from death, the man who let me see Mrs. Greenhill and her daughter, the man who came from another world just like me...

I...

I can't hurt him...

The frying pan I've being gripping on falls on the ground, creating a loud clang.

I don't want to hurt him even if I can, which I can't in my current strength.

"Did you know when I will come to this world?"

He hesitates a bit before answering me, "...Yes."

"Did you tell Roven to take me in?"

"Yes... I-I am sorry, I never imagined that it would turn out that way..."

"Why did you tell him?"

"...I dreamed of your arrival including you being recruited by Roven when I was still alive. That's how people like us know about our successor..." He pauses for an instant, looking as if he is searching how to formulate his words, "I can't change the future... I don't want to take any risk. I never thought that it would lead to- I am sorry."

I close my eyes and slowly bury my head in my hands.

He acted because of some dream. It makes me all gloomy to know that. What makes me feel even worse is that I can't even blame Cerve. He just did what he thought to be the best thing to do. If it were me, I would probably do the same.

In the end, I just wanted to push all my negative feelings onto someone. It's unfair, I know, but I can't help it.

"Sorry." I mumble softly, my head still buried in my palms.

"...Say what?" The out of the place joyous tone makes me look up, only to see Cerve beaming at me.

...Never mind, I am still pissed off.

"So," I pick up the frying pan and put it back to where is was, "mind telling me everything?"

The smile freezes on Cerve's lips. His eyes are wavering, looking everywhere but me, "H-how about we finish everything on this island first, then I will tell you?"

I stare at him. Well, it's not like I have much choice here. From the look of it, Giotto and I are put in this place to avoid problems back in Sicily, but it also has to do with whatever Cerve has planned for us. I bet we won't leave until I agree. Well, maybe not that forceful, but I have a hunch that I will return here sooner of latter, so why not finish with it once and for all right now? Besides, now I can make Cerve agree to certain conditions, whereas in the future, maybe I won't be able to make a deal with him. For now, I absolutely need him to agree on giving me the antidote. Who knows, maybe he might refuse.

Well, since it's a win-win situation for me, I don't see why I would refuse his request.

"You just nodded your head right? You are accepting this right?"

"Yeah, on one condition though."

I can pinpoint the exact moment Cerve's smile drops down to a grimace, "Can I hear the condition first?"

"Well, the same goes to you; tell me what you want from me."

There are three kinds of worlds. The first kind has a very low tolerance to energy, so it maintains its balance by rejecting the "unusual", in other words, anything, including human, that are too powerful for it to stand. The second one keeps its balance by creating a cycle of energy that never dies down; the energies created are used to renew the consumed ones. The third one has a very low productivity, so it needs external power to maintain its balance. This is why creatures living in this kind of worlds has to offer their force, even if it's minimal, in order to exist.

I once lived in the first category, then got kicked to the third category.

According to Cerve, everything started with a deal made between the First, this World that is our host, and the Demon the World has created as a representative to guide people like us who came from another dimension.

Blood Ritual was the name of the original deal.

This agreement was created to benefit both the World and people like us. Since this World needs power in order to maintain its balance, it welcomes people that are rejected from other Worlds. We, on the other hand, need a place to stay. It is a win-win situation.

Every generation of new successor coming from another dimensions must renew the deal with the said Demon in order to maintain his or her right to stay.

Apparently, that is what I am going to do on this island; form the Blood Ritual with the Demon.

"Okay, nice story." I mumble darkly. Well, I sure didn't expect that. This is going more and more in the shounen manga's direction. "So in short, I have to shake hand with the Demon?"

"Ehmm," Cerve frowns uncertainly, "actually it's a contract by blood, just like the name states..."

"...You didn't get my joke, did you?"

"..."

I roll my eyes in exasperation. What more did I expect from an old man who has already died, but refuses to pass away so he is staying in his great grandson's body? Still, what a pervert. He could've stayed somewhere else, like that huge book he carries with him all the time or something.

Ah, that's right, Cerve is now telling me about his own situation.

He was once a music composer in his own world, but got rejected like me. When he arrived there, he was welcomed by the Seventh generation's men. Apparently, the Seventh was also dead at that time, and she was waiting with irritation for Cerve to arrive so that she could get pass on. According to Cerve, she was a very easily angered lady, so it was hell for him back then. Still according to Cerve, even though he was an exemplary student, he still got his ass kicked.

"What do you mean by student?" I cut his flashback, "You never told me anything about that."

Cerve blinks in confusion, "Yes I did. Remember when I called you as 'my disciple'?"

Ok wow, so I am supposed to catch that kind of subtlety?

"Whatever, continue."

So the thing about being a student is just to master our own power so we can offer our maximum to this world. The past generation pass on their experience and their fortune to the younger one so that it would be easier for them to start a life here instead of starting from scratch.

According to the writings, the First was a free lance assassin before she came, so it was pretty easy for her to start a new life, not add that she has the Demon's aid.

"You keep referring to the Demon, who is he anyway?" I once again cut Cerve with a question.

He looks at me in puzzle, "You don't know yet? It's Grey."

...How the heck was I supposed to know?

"Also, you keep talking about power, but I still don't get what I am supposed to do."

"There is not much you have to do," Cerve answers seriously, "After we bring out your full potential, your existence is enough to pay for your right to stay. Of course, it won't have any repercussion if you use your power, on the contrary, it can lessen the energy needed from other pillars of this World."

Pillar? So there are other people apart from me who are offering their energy...

I frown slightly at the thought, something just crossed my mind, but I can't quite catch it. It must be important, but I can't remember it...

"Well," Cerve's voice pulls me back from my thought, "from the looks of it, your power is 'water'."

I nod in agreement.

The man flicks a crimson strand away from his eyes proudly and winks at me, "I can feel that we are going to get along."

I respond him with a flying spoon to his face.

"Why?!"

"Maybe because you drugged Giotto?"

The man tenses in shock before looking away quickly, "I-I don't know what you are talking about."

"Then you can be sure that I will 'accidentally' make a lot of trouble for you."

"I-I..."

I ignore his hesitation. I still have all the time I need to pry whatever he is hiding, no need to rush, "Tell me why you said that we will get along after knowing that my power is 'water', because I sure don't feel anything close to getting familiar with you."

Cerve scratches the back of his head sheepishly, "Well my power is to control plants, so I guess we could get along? You know, plants need water..."

I grunt in agreement. Well, he sure needs me to succeed so that he could pass on. Although, I wonder where he would go? Get in the cycle of reincarnation? I mean, this is the world where Mukuro will be born, and since he said that he passed through all six paths of reincarnation, that's probably where everything will go through.

I want to stay with Giotto, and to do so, I guess I have no other choice but to make the pact with Grey the Demon.

"I will take your place... but you must give me the antidote."

Cerve looks down, his eyes shadowed from me, "You must have seen us in dreams... So that's your condition?"

"Yes."

He looks up and stares at me sternly, "Are you sure? You know what I gave him."

My heart squeezes painfully. The suppressed fear and grief rush out, unstoppable, violent.

I don't want to lose Giotto. I don't want him to love me under the influence of a drug. I don't want to live in the shadow of a such big lie.

"Yes, please give me the antidote."

I believe in him.

"Elleira." Giotto greets me with a huge smile when I step in the library.

The antidote... I believe in him.

"Giotto, I am going to succeed Cerve." I stroke his cheek, carving his smile in my heart.

Believe in him.

He wraps his hand around me, hugging me tightly, "Alright. I will be beside you, always."

It will be alright.

"No pressure having the Sixth head of the Cerve family being your wife?"

"None whatsoever."

Everything will be fine.

I smile at Giotto and drag him with me to the ceremony room.

We will be fine.

Cerve leads us to where the Blood Ritual will take place. We walk in complete silence, no one bother to start a conversation.

After much turn in the basement that resembles more an underground labyrinth than anything, we finally arrive to our destination.

My breath hitches for a second before the amazing view.

The starry night illuminates faintly the fairy like landscape. Fireflies are dancing beside us, careful to not be too close. The moon makes the pristine water reflect it's shine. The flower buds on the ground are about to burst open, but are still being gently restraining by an invisible force.

Hold on, I've already seen this place before...

I look around and notice a large boulder where the water seem to be flowing out. Isn't this place where the kitten led me to?

"Little Master, please follow me." Grey smiles at me and walks toward the large rock.

I look back at Giotto, a little bit intimidated by this atmosphere. He nods at me, giving me all the courage I need to continue.

Following Grey, I notice the stairs circling the boulder. We climb together, and soon, we are on top. I step in the clear water that seems to welcome me, noticing strange looking symbols shining softly on the rock's surface and wondering, just like the first time I came here, where did the water come from.

Grey knees down before me, his expression showing peace and warmth even though he looks sick. He tends a hand toward me, to which I offer mine.

"My Master," He closes his eyes and places the back of my hand on his forehead, "by the Blood Ritual, the First's original contract, I swear on my Creator's honor to never betray you, to never lie to you, to always remain by your side.

"Please, accept my deepest respect and loyalty. By your blood, by your soul, we shall form our contract. By my blood, by my soul, we shall be bound together until the end."

With this said, Grey lets go of my hand and remove his glove.

I kneel down before him. In a synchronized movement, we put our hand on the surface of the rock, just like Cerve told me to.

I can't feel any pain, but the water beneath us is slowly dyed in crimson.

At this moment, the flowers bloom all together, illuminating brightly the night.

"Nice to meet you, my Master."

I smile at Grey, seeing that his face has taken color joys me, "Nice to meet you, Grey."

A/N Had a huge writer's block I am so sorry guys...

Also please tell me if there are any bug, I can't keep track of them all I am so sorry but I will make modifications if ever there are... I try my best not to make any of course.

I wrote it like that because I noticed how weird it is that the khr world needs people to, in a way, feed the tri-ni-set stones in order to keep the balance of the world. Also, the fact that the Shimon ring can rival the Vongola rings, part of the tri-ni-set that is the foundation of the world, is weird. I mean, if it can rival Vongola rings, then how come it's not part of the trinisette? There were no information whatsoever about it, so I took the liberty to write. So basically, I am solving the manga's bug... hope you guys don't mind.

So hey, I explained everything in this chapter. But honestly though, I don't like it that much... Mukuro is going to appear soon, probably next chapter or the one after.