Mukuro settled into his nook, satisfied that the fruits and drinks he'd bought were enough to sustain his energy. Now that he was able to work in the flesh, he wasted much less energy due to distance. However, he couldn't chance his energy levels dropping too low. His dearest Chrome might suffer needlessly if he no longer had the strength to send her the power for her illusionary organs. After all, much like he, she required a medium to create the very things that kept her alive. Mukuro was that medium despite their great distance apart and in return... In return, she anchored him so that he could step into Limbo at will.
Mukuro had to smile to himself. It was one of his own little secrets that Tsunayoshi wasn't the first person he'd bound himself to. His dearest Nagi was. He'd paid a high price to be granted a Chain from Giotto. That price had been worth paying, though. If it hadn't been for the two of them being bound together, Tsunayoshi would succumbed to death many times over by now. It had been pure chance that he'd been near death on his Family's operating table when he'd met her in Limbo. He'd instantly seen into her mind and had felt a kindrance that he still couldn't explain. That feeling, along with the knowledge that he had been so close to finally finding Havik, had been what sent him to contact Giotto in order to beg a boon of tying them together so that they both might survive to continue their lives. Once bound, he'd been able to supply Chrome with her needs until she'd been strong enough to pull him back into life, as well.
Without Chrome, there would be no Mukuro. Without Mukuro, there would be no Chrome. The little Arcobelano was mysterious in his depths of knowledge, but he'd been correct. Chrome couldn't create her illusions without using Mukuro as a medium and she didn't yet have the strength and control to power them without conscious thought. Mukuro would find himself unable to return from Limbo without Chrome. It was even possible that his multitude of trips from this life into Limbo would rebound upon him without her and he would be pulled into Limbo against his will.
Mukuro closed his eyes for a moment and sent his consciousness along the very Chain that bound them. It was through that Chain that he could reach her regardless of the distances between them. It was also through that Chain that he was able to contantly lend her power and control to supplement the amount that her frail body already held. He smiled to himself at the surge of warmth that met him when his mind reached its destination. Chrome opened her mind to him in absolute devotion and trust. Mukuro allowed his mental fingers to merely brush up against her open barriers for only a moment before pulling away slightly in satisfaction.
"Kiyoshi is coming along quite nicely, my dearest Chrome," he said, projecting the sound of his voice into her mind.
"Thank you, Mukuro-sama," Chrome thought back. "Did you need something?"
"Just checking in," he answered warmly. "I will be distracted for a time, so I wished to know if you were currently capable of sustaining yourself."
"I'll do my best," she replied earnestly through their link.
"There should be no need," he chuckled into her mind. "I am simply warning you in preparation for the worst. The place I need to enter has a mysterious quality. It's protections are somewhat unfathomable from outside."
"Be careful, Mukuro-sama," she pleaded quietly.
"Do not worry for me, my dearest Chrome," he soothed. "I'll take no chances unless I have first seen there to be no other options." Giving a mental wave in farewell, Mukuro pulled his consciousness back to himself and reached down for a piece of fruit. Crossing such a distance wore him out tremendously, even with the aid of the Chain. Yet, he couldn't run out of energy at this point. Not until after he'd determined whether Tsunayoshi was inside the Church or not.
The first problem he could see was how to get in. Reconnaissance seemed the most needed at the moment since he didn't have so much as a layout of the facility. The problem was that the Priests would probably sense his probes. Perhaps though... Perhaps if he did the same as he had with the bird, he might be able to see within the walls without alerting anyone. Father Robert hadn't sensed his grasp on the creature until several minutes had passed in its presence. As long as he kept the creature he choose moving, it was likely he could search the whole place without being discovered or otherwise forced out. The problem was in the choice of creature.
Anything too exotic would create more attention rather than less. So he needed a creature that could pass through without being commented upon. A bird would gain notice indoors, so that was out. A snake would gain instant fear and would be dealt with. A rodent would be taken care of by the multitude of cats--
Mukuro grinned widely before trying to decide which kind of cat to call. It had been a long time since he'd had to deal with felines. Their minds were somewhat difficult to handle, but the challenge only increased Mukuro's amusement. Remembering the other cats that he'd seen walking around the Church in hopes to be fed or taken in, Mukuro summoned a Siamese which was nothing like them. The reason being that if it was seen, it was quite possible that it would be ignored as a pet instead of a stray.
"What do you want, nyah?"
Mukuro blinked at the creature he'd summon and paled slightly. He recognized the spiritual aura around the cat he'd called for, although he'd not intended to bring her to him.
"Oh dear," he murmured with a sheepish chuckle. "Forgive me. I didn't intend to summon you of all creatures."
"Well, I'm here, nyah," the cat grumbled, stretching with a lazy yawn as if Mukuro had pulled it away from the middle of a catnap. "And I'm awake and I'm bored, so I guess I can forgive you, nyah. But don't expect me to help you without some kind of payment, nyah." Mukuro grinned widely, unbelieving of his luck. He'd intended to simply summon a simple, brainless beast, but instead he'd gotten something far better.
The Gatekeeper Symphonia, who apparently was vacationing from her duties by walking through the State of Animals.
"Even if I was needing help finding a certain Gatekeeper turned Flamekeeper?" Mukuro inquired nonchalantly, knowing how badly Symphonia wished to see Havik. Symphonia's ears pricked up and her tail began to curl in excitement that she otherwise tried to hide.
"You're still searching for Havik, nyah?" She asked.
"I have found him," Mukuro corrected with a small smile, offering his lap to the creature. Symphonia pounced into it in joy while Mukuro summoned a ball of catnip to tease her with. She began purring and batting it around despite herself, although Mukuro didn't doubt that she was still all ears. "I have gained my wish, my dear. Havik's soul is bound to mine. He will be mine in the next life."
Symphonia stopped playing and looked up at him with a sad expression.
"You know that its not meant to be, nyah," she said solemnly. "He is a Flamekeeper, nyah. There is no next life for him to go to, nyah. After this life, he will guard the Gates on the other side with the others, nyah."
"I know," Mukuro whispered mournfully. "He doesn't know that yet, my dear, nor will I tell him. He has enough burdens in this life to think of those that will come after."
"Then why, nyah--?"
"Because," he replied quietly. "I will pass through the lake and stay there with him. Guarding the Gates on the Flamekeeper's side will be our next life together. It is not so different than the life we had before. It will be enough."
"If you say so, nyah," Symphonia mumbled nonchalantly. Mukuro grinned and scratched her ear, making her purr once more in absolute bliss.
"But right now," he said, turning the subject toward the current predicament. "I was needing a pet to enter into this place and track down his location within. I am worried as to his current state and wish to know his status. He has hidden himself away after entering these walls and there might be a clue as to where he went still inside."
"You're an idiot sometimes, nyah," she said with a withering look before pouncing up his chest to place a paw on his nose in a scolding fashion. "You've been bound to him, nyah. Use the Chain, oh great one, nyah. You should be able to track him in an instant, nyah."
"Kufufufu," Mukuro chuckled, knowing how obvious the suggestion was. "I do not wish to wake that which is currently sleeping. Tsunayoshi used more than merely Clouds to bind us. He has used the Storm to leash me, as well."
"Ouch, nyah," Symphonia commented in sympathy before lowering her paw once more. "Havik always did seem to stay one step ahead of you, nyah. Alright, nyah. I'll help, nyah. But no going digging in my head, nyah. If you do, I'll change paths and haunt you for the rest of your life, nyah."
"Perish the thought," Mukuro chuckled playfully. Using the lightest of touches, Mukuro laid a mental hand on top of her outter barriers so that he could simply 'read' her rather than affect her. She hissed in warning when he pressed a little too hard for her comfort, so he backed off a small amount before finally settling in place. The Siamese gave another elongated stretch and nodded at him before lithely jumping out of his lap all together. Within a moment, she was gone.
Sitting back against the wall of his hiding nook, Mukuro summoned two hellhounds to watch him. He absently gave orders to protect, knowing that the two large dogs had enough brains to understand and obey. Then he closed his eyes and willed himself to see what Symphonia was seeing. Like always, seeing through a beast's eyes was disconcerting at first. By the time he could make sense of it, Symphonia had already managed to weasel her way inside the building.
"Don't let the Priests catch you," Mukuro warned, sending her the mental image of what had happened with the bird. He felt assent in return before Symphonia once more turned her attention to her task. In effort to help, he also sent her a image of her target. She paused for a moment to assimilate all of it. How Tsunayoshi looked. How he smelled. The feel of his aura and his spirit. Every identifying marker that she could possibly use to track him, he sent in effort to make her job easier. Symphonia seemed somewhat surprised at the level of detail he was able to send, but thankfully didn't comment. Instead, she put her nose to the ground as if she were a dog and Mukuro could feel her mental hands carefully reaching out to search. Knowing that her range was shorter than his but that it was also much harder to sense, Mukuro left her to it while he kept watch out of her eyes for any possible interference.
It took nearly thirty minutes before she slowly began to enter an area that obviously wasn't on the official floorplans. He had time to be even more grateful that he'd summoned a cat when the corridors grew dark due to the lack of windows. Her night vision was quite useful in dodging the shrouds hanging down in the hall, all of which felt like they were laced with some sort of energy that would react to the slightest touch. With an ease that only a cat could show, Symphonia bounced down the stairs that followed while completely jumping over the stairs with pressure sensors inset into them.
"Are you sure you're going the right way?" Mukuro inquired doubtfully when the stone corridors disappeared and a dark, fogged cave appeared before them. He felt her bristle in irritation that he'd even ask before summarily ignoring him. Her instincts and abilities said that Tsunayoshi was this way, therefore, he had to be this way. Although, she didn't particularly like the sound of water that grew louder as she passed through the ancient cave.
She paused next to one of the many stalagmites lining a smoothed path through the cave when it abruptly opened into a large cavern. Light glittered from everywhere through the steam rising out of the large Great Bath inset into the center of the room. But that wasn't what was so surprising. Their combined attention was drawn to the hundreds of lit candles stacked three and four deep along the walls, along with another three or four rows on the altar inset into the walls. Curious, Symphonia inched herself into the room, still unable to see her actual target.
Then they saw him. Mukuro was positive this time. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that the man they were looking at was Tsunayoshi. Even so, there was something very different about him. Not just in the way he seemed to exude calm, but in even the way that his mess of hair had been cared for in a manner that Tsunayoshi himself had never bothered with. He was kneeling down in a small side cave, wearing robes much like he'd seen on his counterpart in the Church above, praying at an altar of some sort. Shrine, he mentally amended, seeing the setup was that of common Japanese practice. Mukuro's heart skipped a beat at the small picture of Iemitsu that he saw when Symphonia got closer. Then, Symphonia froze when Tsunayoshi's head popped up in surprise over something before slowly turning to look into the area behind him. As quickly as only a cat could manage, Symphonia once more ducked into the shadows of a carved stalagmite.
"Father Robert," Tsunayoshi called curiously. "Is that you?" Symphonia began mentally cursing while Mukuro chuckled to himself. There was no hiding now. Hundreds of years worth of experience exploded in an instant. Slowly, with a paw slightly raised as if she was injured, Symphonia limped out of hiding.
"Meow," she answered, before collapsing as if she was completely famished. Tsunayoshi's eyes widened before he rocked backwards and gained his feet with a grace that Mukuro was left gaping at. Hurrying forward, he carefully scooped the Siamese into his arms and carried her over to the small, modest cot that was probably his own bed. Symphonia peeked out of one eye while Tsunayoshi worriedly began caring for her, obviously believing her to be nothing more than an injured and malnourished beast. Before she could fully come to terms with the unquestioning kindness that Tsunayoshi was displaying, she found herself comfortably placed on a pillow in the center of his bed with a small bowl of food and water carefully set beside her.
Lifting her head slowly, she ducked her head over to drink and eat as if she really were the maltreated cat she was pretending to be. Tsunayoshi smiled warmly at her, openly relieved when he showed enough strength to manage that much. Although, his warm smile turned into one of apology when she ducked her head down to munch on the rice porridge that he'd given her instead of meat.
"I'm sorry I don't have any fish for you," Tsunayoshi murmured, kneeling down next to the cot. "I've been Fasting a lot, so this is all I have to offer. It's a good thing you found me today, though. If you'd come tomorrow, I wouldn't have anything at all for you." Mukuro shot her a spike of anger in realization while a wave of guilt passed across her mind. She was eating Tsunayoshi's only meal!
"There isn't anything I can do about it now," she thought back at him. Then she froze as Tsunayoshi reached out and softly petted her. Mukuro groaned at the euphoria that started to cloud her mind when she began to lean into the gentle caresses.
"Focus," Mukuro snapped as she began purring.
"Go ahead and eat," Tsunayoshi encouraged, once more pulling his hand back. "You need your strength--"
"Tsunayoshi...?" A voice called into the cavern.
"It's the Priest," Mukuro warned with a mental hiss, recognizing the voice. "You must hide." Taking the cue, Symphonia forgot that she was supposed to be playing the invalid and darted under the shrine to hide. When she peeked back out from under the altar-cloth, Tsunayoshi had surprise on his face before slightly shaking his head over the cat's miraculous recovery.
"I'm here," he called in return, once more gracefully finding his feet. Turning, he patiently waited as the Priest entered the cavern with several nuns in tow. The nuns immediately began setting down their burdens as Father Robert directed before the Priest himself slowly approached.
"We've brought you more as you requested," Father Robert explained softly. Tsunayoshi nodded and looked over to where the nuns were continuing to set down candles of the same sort that lined the walls.
"Thank you," he replied quietly, bowing his head slightly at the sight. "Right when I think I've finally reached the end of the list, so many more names and faces rise up. I..."
"I understand," Father Robert soothed, placing a hand on Tsunayoshi's shoulder. "Would you like me to stay here and pray with you?"
"I'll be fine," he replied with a gentle shake of his head. "I can't ask you to share my burden in this anymore than I could ask you to share the one I hold outside these walls."
"How much longer are you going to continue this?" The Priest inquired mournfully, making Mukuro's ears prick forward alongside Symphonia's.
"For as long as it takes," he answered. "It's gotten easier, though. I don't feel like there's something crushing my heart anymore, but... I still feel incomplete. That feeling won't go away until I've finished what I started."
"I see," Father Robert replied in sympathy. "Well I brought you something that should help. It took me some time to get permission to give it to you."
"What is it?" Tsunayoshi asked in open curiosity. Father Robert smiled widely and reached into his robes. He smiled even wider at Tsunayoshi's look of surprise when he pulled out a Rosary and offered it to him. "What's this?" He inquired as he took it.
"It's the Sky Rosary," Father Robert explained as he also handed over a small scroll. "Giotto left this with our forefathers several hundred years ago and we have been guarding it ever since. It was created by the Father of our Order in order to help Giotto in times of spiritual need. You are the first to come to us that truly seems to be worthy of it, so the Council came to an agreement to give it to you. Your determination to atone is a source of hope for all of us, Tsunayoshi."
"I'm not trying to atone," he corrected gently. "There's no way to atone for the things I've done because I'm going to have to do it again in the future. I'm just trying to let out what's in my heart so that I can understand it a little better."
"Still," Father Robert soothed. "Praying for those who have suffered is a step in a very positive direction. The fact that you refuse to light only one candle for all and you wish to face each soul individually is a very brave thing to choose to do."
"I didn't finish the Reckoning," he murmured in reply. "I was too weak. I asked for it to stop before I'd faced all my demons. I don't regret stopping it because I had my reasons at the time, but..."
"You lament the fact that you did," Father Robert finished in understanding. "Very well. I'll ensure you're left in peace until you've finished what you feel you must do. But, I wish you'd at least eat. A person is not meant to Fast as often as you do. One meal every three days is not healthy, Tsunayoshi."
"I have my reasons," he said solemnly, firm in his desire to continue. "Although," he mused. "I'd appreciate it if you could send some fish down to me."
"I'll have the cooks prepare some immediately," Father Robert replied with a wide grin. "I knew you had to be--"
"It's not for me," Tsunayoshi chuckled, looking back at where Symphonia was watching from. "I had a small visitor. Seems a cat has come to keep me company and she seemed somewhat hungry herself."
"A cat?" The Priest asked with a raised eyebrow, following Tsuna's gaze. Mukuro hissed once more in warning, but Symphonia was already ducking back in hiding.
"I thought it was Mukuro for a moment," Tsunayoshi continued while Symphonia quaked in fear of being caught. "But you said that this area is protected."
"That's right," Father Robert replied in thought. "After that bird and the fog I told you about, I increased the barriers around the Church. Nothing possessed should be able to cross our boundaries."
"Thank goodness you didn't try to do more than link with me," Symphonia thought with a mental sigh. "I don't think he can sense you since you're watching passively right now." Mukuro agreed, but made no mental reply. If he did, it was possible he'd go from passive to active in the Priest's senses. Needless to say, that would probably end up with Symphonia covered in holy water and he once more having his grip ripped away from his helper's mind.
"I can't really explain, but I get a feeling that there's something special about it," Tsunayoshi murmured, making Symphonia freeze in place once more. "The cat, I mean. I can't really explain, but it's like I've seen it before or something. I got a strange sense of deja vu when I first saw it."
"Perhaps I should..." Father Robert murmured. Symphonia and Mukuro both tensed up, preparing to make a run for it if needed.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Tsunayoshi soothed. "It's just a cat. If it was a dog, I might be a little uneasy, but I don't mind having it down here with me. I don't think it's a threat."
"If you're sure," Father Robert replied. Symphonia sagged in relief and once more dared to peek her head outside. The two had walked into the main part of the cavern while they were talking, although Symphonia hadn't noticed since his voice could still be heard in perfect clarity. Mukuro's eyebrows flew up at the sight of him being disrobed at one end of the Great Bath, obviously about to enter with the nuns at his side.
"I think you've seen enough," Symphonia commented playfully as Tsunayoshi's robe fell from his shoulders. Mukuro gasped in surprise when she shrugged off his mental touch with an ease that only a Gatekeeper could. His consciousness snapped back to his body, leaving him gaping for a long moment that she'd dared to cut the link at such a delightfully interesting time.
Then he had other things to worry about when he realized his guardian hellhounds were being used as seat cushions by a very impatient Storm Guardian and a very pissed off Varia leader.
"Well, look who's finally decided to come back to his fucking body," Xanxus spat angrily, seeing Mukuro sitting up from where his body had sagged over.
"I'll have to remember to summon better watchdogs next time," Mukuro replied, staring at the two whimpering dogs underneath Gokudera and Xanxus respectively.
"Chico," Gokudera said with a Spanish accent, leaning forward with a cigarette in his hand. "You gotta lotta es'plainin' to do."
"I can't believe I let your ass talk me into this," Xanxus growled.
"Kufufufu," Mukuro chuckled, enjoying himself immensely. "You look so sumputous like that, though." Xanxus glared at him, trying to stab him to death with the daggers he put in his deadpanned expression. The reason why he wasn't happy wasn't hard to see, especially considering how Gokudera kept openly wishing for a camera despite being in the same predicament. To taunt him a little more, Mukuro began humming 'Three Little Maids' under his breathe, making Xanxus turn red in rage.
Talking them into dressing as nuns to sneak in was a small amount of payback for butting their noses into his plans. He got the rest of that payback when he slipped down a side-hall to hide when he noticed Father Robert walking down the hall. He was already well hidden by the time Father Robert noticed the two 'nuns' and moved to intercept. He grinned widely when Xanxus once more turned around to complain to the Mist Guardian about the choice of disguises and paled upon finding the Priest where he'd expected Mukuro to be.
"Oh shit," he mumbled in shock while Father Robert simply raised an eyebrow at him and crossed his arms in open displeasure. Gokudera looked over at his shoulder from where he'd been trying to pick a locked door and paled when he saw the reason for Xanxus' curse. Two hands flew forward and grabbed them by the ears before they could do so much as yelp. Mukuro was forced to cover his mouth to hide his chuckles while they were dragged away.
They would be fine decoys.
Satisfied that the Priest's foresight had been dealt with, Mukuro bowed his head like a proper nun and shuffled his way in the direction that he knew Tsunayoshi was. One way or another, he would succeed where Gokudera and Xanxus failed. He would make his way to Tsunayoshi's side and verify how he was doing in person.
And maybe help him Bathe if all went well, Mukuro grinned to himself.
