Chapter 33. Fixing the problems

[It wasn't a surprise for her to know her father didn't want her and wanted to abort her. It hurts but she already knew that from the start. But it was still painful to clearly hear it and understand it. It was a relief that her mother never wanted to abort her. However she couldn't feel happy about it. Because she learn a more terrified truth.

She was killing her mother. She saw how her mother cough out blood in the beginning of the memory. She instinctually knew it was because of her. Her mother was coughing out blood because she was hungrily absorbing her mother's flame. It terrified her to see her mother was starting to be covered in blood…similar when that scary thing attacked her mother and hurt her… Does this mean she hurt her mother the same way as that scary thing?

Her parent's argument did scared her. It was natural to be afraid to see her parents fighting with each other. However she was shocked what her father was saying. Her mother was going to die because of her. She didn't denial that. Instead she thinks her father was right.

She was always feeling the urge to absorb her mother's flame. It was getting stronger the more she grows. She just saw what happened when she absorbed her mother's flame. She could finally understand why her father was always angry when she tries to absorb her mother's flame. He was right. She should be abor…]

"Wait, wait!"

Mukuro quickly grabbed his daughter's shoulders and made her stop…thinking that.

"Oya, oya…"

Mukuro fell speechless. He never imagine watching that memory will make this new problem.

"Just how selfless are you?"

Mukuro couldn't understand. He knows his daughter has a very strong will to live and fought for her life every time. Her wish is to be born someday and be loved from her parents. However she was willing to die if she was a danger to her mother's life. Mukuro couldn't describe how he was feeling about this. Disbelief? Sadness? Irritation?

"…Foolish and naïve girl."

Mukuro couldn't help but say this word again at the irritation and anger he was feeling toward her. He could see she was immediately hurt at his words. Felt being unloved. However Mukuro had enough of her acting foolishly selfless just like her mother was.

"I called you foolish and naïve because you are acting like one! Just like your mother who was always so selfless she would give up anything if I asked her to! Do you think that's a good thing? No, it's a foolish and naïve act! Why can't your mother or you put yourself first?! Why can't you two just stop making choice of hurting yourself?! Can't you two just be more selfish?!"

[She was stunned at her father's words because he sounded so…sad. Also unlike in the memory she found out about the meaning of 'foolish and naïve girl', it didn't sound like he was mocking her. Instead it felt like he was saying this because he cares her.]

"Don't you ever dare think about that again! It's not your place to feel guilty about something that is cause from natural instinct!"

[How could this not be her place to feel guilty when all of this was caused because of her?]

"You're just a baby!"

Mukuro yelled as he felt something snap inside him.

"You're just a baby who isn't even born yet! Why should a baby feel responsible to problems the adults made?! If there is someone who should be responsible and work to find a solution it's the parents not the child! You exist because we had…did things which will have you and the problems which follows is our problem to solve not you! You're just a baby! You should be an innocent baby who doesn't know all of these complicated things and stop being matured already!"

He was yelling at his daughter but honestly he was really yelling at himself. Realizing that he wasn't seeing her as a baby the whole time he met her. He knew she was a baby but couldn't accept it. Not just because she was always in her teenager appearance but because he didn't want to accept he had a baby.

It scared him. That he had a baby. An innocent, small and fragile life. It was much easier for him to treat her as a young teenage girl than a baby. However because he treated her as a young teen, it affected his daughter to mature quickly than just being a baby.

Seeing a matured young child was bitter because it meant the child's life wasn't easy. However a baby who was trying to think rational far more advanced than she ever should be? It felt like he had been abusing her this whole time even when he wasn't trying to.

"…I'm sorry. You're just a baby and I didn't treat you as one."

As Mukuro finally accepts his daughter in front of him was a baby, it immediately made a change. Nagi was no longer a 13 years old teenager but a small infant, just like the first time she met her mother. Nagi seemed surprise that her appearance suddenly changed into a baby and tried to turn back into a teen form. She felt too weak and fragile at this form. However she froze when her father suddenly embraced her.

It felt different when she was embraced to her father in her teen form. This felt more right to her. Mukuro started to gently smooth the baby's back while still embracing her. Honestly it was awkward and new to him but he wasn't going to avoid it anymore. While trying to comfort his baby girl, Mukuro starts to explain the problem which started everything.

"Every baby absorbs their mother's flame during the pregnancy. It isn't known why yet. But the baby absorbing their mother's flame is a natural thing. It gets dangerous when the baby has power flame because it needs to absorb enormous amount of flame. Nagi you don't have to feel guilty about that. It's…just a natural thing and most of all you can control yourself from stopping it. You know…I was proud of you when you stop absorbing your mother's flame for the first time. I know it was difficult to suppress your instinct but you did."

"Nagi, although there are some dangerous risk, it is a gift that you have powerful flame. Without it, Chrome, your mother could never been pregnant. There is hope that we can have our baby because you have powerful flame. There wouldn't be any hope in the first place if you didn't have powerful flame. So don't blame yourself about it. Your mother's not going to die. I'm going to find a way whatever it cost, so don't worry."

"I love you and your mother loves you."

Mukuro could feel a part of his shirt getting wet because of the tears falling from Nagi's little eyes. Soon she starts to cry. Mukuro gently smooth her back until she calms down.

Chrome placed her hands at her head because of the painful memory she just remembered. The moment she confessed her pregnancy to Mukuro and how they argued when he wanted to abort their baby. She could remember it like it happened just now. She could feel the same emotions she had at that moment. It was painful to remember this again. But while remembering it, Chrome could suddenly see things more clearly because she wasn't overwhelmed with her emotions this time.

At that time, she was just too overwhelmed with despair and shock that Mukuro wanted to abort their baby. It was her first and only chance of having her own baby and he wanted to get rid of it. However seeing it now, Chrome realized things which she couldn't see at that time.

Mukuro wanted to abort their baby because she will die. That was the only reason why he argued with her. Chrome realized Mukuro never rejected their baby for any other reasons. Like he never want to be a father or like doesn't want the responsibility. He was only desperate for her life and Mukuro had a reasonable reason to it. All the pregnant women died during the pregnancy when they had a fetus with powerful flame. Mukuro didn't tell how he knows this but Chrome could guess it must have been related with the Estraneo Famiglia.

Chrome knew her life is in danger because Mukuro told her. But it didn't seemed like she was truly taking this seriously until now. She already experienced her illusion organs failed because of the sudden lack of flame inside her. There was a warning of danger but even after she learned about it…she did nothing during this whole time.

"…Nothing. I've been doing nothing."

Chrome murmured as scolding herself. If the pregnancy is a danger to her life, then that also means the baby is also in danger. She experienced how dangerous her pregnancy could be when her baby refused to give her flame to her anymore. Chrome couldn't forget how helpless she was at that time while her illusion womb was quickly getting weaker. She was only lucky because for some unknown reasons, her baby's flame just suddenly erupted inside her and she was finally able to use it to strengthen her illusion womb again before it was too late.

"It's going to slowly weakens you and eventually kills you even before it can be born!"

Chrome could hear Mukuro's angry words he once said to her. What was her response? She said she didn't care. That's all. She'll die if that's how it's going to be. Chrome clenched the blanket hard. What is she an idiot? If she dies then her baby would die with her! And she was doing nothing about it than just falling deep into her depression!

Chrome was mentally and emotionally broken that it wasn't her fault to get ill with a serious depression. However Chrome didn't want to make an excuse to herself. She was currently very angry with herself. Because she didn't do anything and was avoiding everything, that it eventually ended up hurting her daughter and almost caused the miscarriage.

For the first time after she broke up with Mukuro, Chrome felt like she was finally breaking the chain of her depression. She was now having a strong will to survive the pregnancy and everything will have to change now to do that.

She can't just stay in Erica's house like this. She needed to find answers why the baby absorbs the mother's flame during the pregnancy and also find a way for both of them to survive. She can't do this alone especially when there really isn't much time. She'll have to end her hiding and contact with the Vongola again. Chrome frowned a bit at the uneasiness she felt. The reason she was hiding from the Vongola in the first place was because she needed to hide from Mukuro.

Which means she'll have to face Mukuro sooner or later. Chrome was honestly afraid about it. He'll probably still wants to abort their baby and Chrome didn't want to go through that hurtful argument again. Or face the danger that he might force the abortion against her will. Chrome wish she wouldn't have to face that.

There was one last lotus left to see. However Mukuro had a feeling this one will be particularly more difficult than the others they went through. The lotus in front of him was very much wounded. Mukuro never seen this much wounded lotus in Chrome's subconscious. This could mean it had the most painful memory in Chrome's life.

Mukuro looked down at Nagi who was clenching his shirt with her tiny hands and burying her face into his chest. She was also trembling in fear. Unlike the last two lotus which Nagi still wanted to touch even though it was wounded, Nagi was refusing to touch this one.

"Nagi, I don't know what happened between you and Chrome…but you saw how everything was a misunderstanding. Whatever your fear is, this one is going to be a misunderstanding too."

Mukuro gently said, trying to calm his daughter. However Nagi buried her face deeper into his chest, still trembling. Mukuro let out a sigh. She was too scared to touch this one and by the look of this badly wounded lotus, it must be a very painful memory for even Chrome. Mukuro couldn't even guess what memory this one has. What could ever happen so terrible that this memory was giving enormous pain to both of them?

"It's all right. It's okay to be afraid. But after you see this one, I'm certain the pain your feeling right now, will be gone."

Mukuro tried to comfort her and convince her at the same time. He waited patiently while continuously comforting her. Finally after a long while, Mukuro could feel she was a bit ready. She was still afraid but was finally able to make a small courage to face it. Mukuro carefully touch the lotus while holding Nagi in his arms. Nagi clenched her father's cloth as hard as she can. She could feel her heart pounding very hard as the memory starts.

Chrome couldn't take it and got up from the bed again. It was 3 A.M. and very dark outside but Chrome knew she won't be able to sleep tonight. Even if she tries, nightmare will haunt her all night. No, the nightmare was already happening even when she was awake right now.

Chrome let out a painful mourn while tears were starting to fall from her single eye. Why is this happening tonight? She kept remembering painful memories even though she didn't want to. All of those memories were the ones she wish she could forget. But this one, which was currently playing inside her head was the most painful one.

"Go away."

No, no! Don't say that! Chrome yelled inside her head. Unlike the past when this happened, Chrome could clearly see her daughter's confused and hurt expression by being rejected from her. Her daughter didn't know what to do. It hurts so much because Chrome could now see her daughter wanted to approach her so much but couldn't because of her rejection.

"Stop wishing for someone to love you! Your father never wanted you to even be born and never loved you! Your mother stopped loving you because she thinks you aren't worth it. She even just wanted you to die! Haven't you ever learned…"

"No, stop! I didn't know it was you!"

Chrome yelled while covering her ears with her hands. She didn't want to hear what she was yelling to her daughter. It hurts more to realize her words will make a terrible misunderstanding to her daughter. However how hard Chrome tries to stop her memory, it won't stop.

Inside her head, it started to replay the moment when she finally realized she have been yelling to her daughter. Chrome's body started to tremble. Chrome was heartbroken again to feel her daughter slapping her hand away and hear her daughter's painful and angry cries.

[Why do you hate me so much? I don't understand! What did I do so wrong?!]

"N-No, you didn't do anything wro…"

[You said you loved me! Why did you lie!]

"I-I lov…"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Chrome started to apologize to her daughter. However her apologizes were just useless echo right now. Chrome started to cry heavier as she faced the mistake of ignoring her daughter's desperate calls at the past.

[I called you… I always desperately called you… I just wanted to meet you but you always rejected me…]

"I didn't mean to. I didn't know it was you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

[Why did you have me if you didn't even wanted me?!]

Chrome couldn't take the pain of hearing that from her daughter. Her body lost control and collapse at the small table next to her bed.

Clank!

The glass cup with water fell to the floor with a large clanking sound. Broken glasses were shattered everywhere. The broken glass felt like a reflection of her broken heart. It was dangerous to sit at the floor when sharp glasses were everywhere, but Chrome couldn't get up. Although it was only a memory, it gave Chrome enormous pain and guilt once again.

"Chrome?"

The door suddenly opened and Erica came in. Although it was 3 A.M. Erica immediately woke up when she heard Chrome suddenly crying in her room. She rushed when she heard the glass broke. Erica was speechless for a moment. Chrome was sitting on the floor as if she collapsed and she was crying. Broken glasses were shattered everywhere on the floor. Erica didn't have a clue what was going on in this middle of the night.

"Wait, don't move."

Erica stopped Chrome as she was trying to get up. Erica immediately remove some glasses with her hands which were nearby Chrome. While carefully removing the glasses, Erica sensed Chrome was staring at her. She could see Chrome still crying that it really concerned her.

"Are you all right? What's wrong?"

Erica carefully asked. She wish she could wipe away the tears from her daughter face but Erica hesitated. After Chrome revealed she knows what Erica said outside of the ICU 10 years ago, Erica felt she has no rights to even try to be a mother again. But Erica really wanted to help her daughter right now, even if she rejects her again.

"I-I had…I didn't meant…"

Chrome started babbling because of her unstable state. Although her memory ended, Chrome was still trapped inside it. She never meant to ignore her daughter's calls. She never meant to hurt her in any ways. She was so sorry, she wanted to apologize to her daughter but her daughter was now rejecting her. Her daughter's rejection and anger towards her hurt so much. Chrome felt like she was going to go crazy. She made a huge mistake and she can't find a way to fix it.

[Why did you have me if you didn't even wanted me?!]

Chrome suddenly heard her daughter's angry yell in her head once again. It hurts so much to hear that from her daughter. Her daughter blaming her for even having her. It hurts so much that Chrome wanted to die. She failed as a mother. It was…

"Why did you have me if you didn't even wanted me?!"

Chrome froze as she suddenly remembered at that same day…she yelled the same exact words to her mother Erica. A sudden chill went through Chrome's body. She realized how much a cruel word it was to yell at her mother. Yes, Erica was an awful mother 10 years ago but now…Chrome could no longer denial Erica was her caring mother again. Even though how much Chrome tried to push her away, Erica always carefully approached her again, taking care of her, although how much Chrome hurts her.

Chrome could now see her past actions in a different point of view. Tears started to fell heavier from her single eye.

"Chrome what's wrong? Are you all ri…"

"I'm…sorry…"

Erica was stunned for a moment. A word she never expected to hear from her daughter just came out.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you… I shouldn't…say those words to you… I'm sorry I kept…rejecting you…mom…"

Erica's purple eyes widen and she was lost of words. Her daughter called her mom again. Tears started to gather in her eyes at that single word. Without even realizing herself, Erica stretched her arms to Chrome, trying to embrace her. Chrome immediately buried her face into her mother's chest.

Erica started to tremble as she finally embraced her daughter in her arms. Erica couldn't hold back her tears anymore when she felt Chrome hugging her back. Both of them couldn't remember when was the last time they ever really had this kind of warm and accepting family moment. Erica was now starting to cry harder than Chrome, embracing her harder.

Mukuro let out a long painful sigh. It hurts because he was affected at Chrome's emotions but it was painful to see his Chrome…showing so much hate towards herself. Also Mukuro never seen Chrome in so much guilt and pain when she noticed she had been yelling those words to their daughter. It was actually a shock to learn what happened between Chrome and Nagi. How much things could turn twisted and disastrous even though both of them love each other so much.

Mukuro carefully looked down at his daughter who was still clinging onto him with her small hands. However she wasn't trembling anymore. Instead she looked…confused. She happened to know too many things in such a short time, which it seemed like she was having a hard time processing it.

[She was confused. Although she seen the lotus memory, it actually made her more confused. She did learn her mother didn't meant to hurt her but…she was having a hard time understanding everything. There were many questions inside her little head. She looked up at her father, wondering if her questions could be answered.]

"What's confusing you? I'll answer it."

[…Who is Nagi?]

[In the memory her mother was angry toward Nagi not her. But isn't she Nagi? It confused her. Also in the previous memory her father called her mother Nagi. But didn't her father told her, her mother's name was Chrome?]

"…Nagi was your mother's name in the past. Your mother changed her name into Chrome after she met me. So your mother actually has two names and…I often still calls her Nagi. You look so much like your mother when she was young that she mistaken you as her past."

Mukuro carefully explained. However a part of him couldn't help but wonder if he should let her daughter think her name is Nagi. It wasn't really a given name, just happened to become her name… Mukuro wasn't against it since 'Nagi' was a special name to him and it did suit very well with his daughter the more he looks at her. However he didn't know if Chrome would like it. Just a moment ago he saw how much Chrome shown hatred toward her past-self 'Nagi'.

[Why was her mother so angry with herself then? Why did she hate herself so much?]

[She couldn't understand that. Why hurt herself like that? Yelling to herself that her mother doesn't love her anymore and her father never wanted her. It felt so wrong to do that and she couldn't understand it.]

"Your mother didn't have a good childhood and got hurt from her parents and…me…countless of times. It became a scar in her heart, sometimes still giving her pain. Also when people get older, they sometimes hate their young-self's…immature moments. Because they regret those moments. Wondering if things would have been different if they did a different choice."

[Why did she think it was you who was calling, when it was me?]

"Your mother didn't know you could call her. Nagi your…special. During the pregnancy, parents can't talk or meet with their child like we do. Also your call is very small and weak because you're a baby. I usually talked and met your mother in the illusion world, so it was obvious for your mother to think it was me."

[…Why did she rejected your calls? Why was she also angry at you?]

At that question Mukuro couldn't help but let out a small smirk. It shows how much little and innocent she was. She already saw how he fought with Chrome about the abortion and yet, she was asking why her mother hates him.

"She's angry because she's afraid I might hurt you. And your mother was right. I did tried to…kill you. Also I betrayed her and hurt her the last time we met. You should know…I'm not a good person."

Mukuro didn't know if Nagi was agreeing with his words or not but he could sense her questions were now all answered. She was now much calmer and relaxed comparing the moment they entered into Chrome's subconscious. Mukuro let out a sigh. It's been quite an exhausting night. Both of them should really get some rest now. Mukuro could see Nagi's little eyes already half closed a long time ago. But before they leave Mukuro looked into Nagi's eyes and said in a serious voice.

"Your mother loves you, so meet your mother next time."

It was dawn and the sun was starting to raise. Chrome and Erica were together all night, not sleeping. Chrome told Erica what was really going on all night. Because Chrome fully opened her heart to Erica and accepted her as her mother again.

"You can meet your daughter in this illusion world?"

"Yes…"

"You can hear other's voices in your head?"

"Only Mukuro-sama and my baby…"

"Because of this mind connection you explained?"

"Yes…"

Erica was actually having a hard time dealing with this. It's not that she didn't believe in Chrome. It was the opposite. Erica really believed in her. She already learned this world was hiding a lot of secrets, especially in the mafia world. However learning so many things which she never imagine it could be possible or real, in such a short time, Erica needed time to process and understand what she learned.

Chrome told her more about her current condition. How she was actually infertile because she had illusion womb, but was pregnant by a miracle. How she fought with Mukuro because he wanted an abortion. Realizing that Mukuro was using her as bait and that eventually caused the ambush in her guest room. Also got kidnapped to Tigern but was able to run away. Her decision to leave the Vongola Famiglia and the mafia world. And more.

'This explains a lot…'

Erica could now know why Chrome was suddenly hiding from the Vongola Famiglia and that man Rokudo Mukuro. Why Chrome was dangerously injured when Erica found her outside of Rango Famiglia's mansion. Why Chrome would sometimes shout in the air to be quiet. Her sudden strange behavior of being extremely guilty at something.

Erica's felt sad and worried when she heard Chrome yelled at her daughter in the illusion world and hurt her with words. Although it was a mistake, it almost lead to a miscarriage. Erica knows the pain of guilt for mistreating her child…it was painful to know Chrome felt the same thing. It was something Erica wish Chrome would never knew…

"Eri… Mom…there's also something I need to tell you…"

Chrome hesitated. She needed to tell this to Erica. Because Erica's her mother. However it was more difficult than Chrome expected. A part of her wanted to leave this to another time, but hiding away her problems won't help anything. She already learned that.

Erica patiently waited. Her head was already having a hard time dealing with all the things she just learned. However what Chrome was trying to say next seems extremely important. She could see Chrome opening her mouth and closing it again. Finally after a few minutes, Chrome finally started to talk.

"There's a reason why Mukuro-sama wanted to abort our baby…"

Erica didn't really want to know why that man didn't want Chrome's baby. Erica had a very low expectation toward him. It was probably something like he just didn't want the responsibility to be a father. Or maybe he doubts the child wasn't his. The typical reasons why men denial their baby.

"I might…die…during the pregnancy…."

"…What?"

Erica asked as if she couldn't understand what she just heard. Chrome never seen her mother so stunned and dumfounded like this. Chrome was actually feeling sorry toward her mother. Chrome knows how much this would hurt her mother.

"W-What?! Why?!"

"…It has to do with my baby having powerful flame. Although I'm able to be pregnant because of my baby's powerful flame strengthening my illusion womb… Mukuro-sama told me, a fetus absorbs the mother's flame during the pregnancy and needs more flame if the baby has powerful flame. My baby's flame is much powerful than me that…she'll absorb my flame until I die…"

"Is there a possibility that…he's lying or telling something he wasn't sure?"

Chrome carefully shook her head. Although Mukuro was a man who could lie so easily and fool everyone, Chrome could know this one wasn't a lie. She never saw Mukuro showing so much fear and...

"…He was desperate."

Chrome got nervous as Erica lowered her face and was quiet. She couldn't imagine how Erica would react now. She was scared, like how a child would be waiting to be scold from its mother. Would she be angry that she wasn't telling this huge secret the whole time? Would she agree with Mukuro of aborting the baby? Chrome could feel her heart pounding hard as she imagine what her mother will say any second now.

"…What…do you plan to do? Is there anything I can help you?"

Erica said in whisper, but loud enough for Chrome to hear. Chrome looked at her mother with a surprise. Chrome never imagine Erica would react like this. Supporting her. Erica made a hollow small laugh noticing why her daughter was surprised.

"You're never going to abort your baby no matter what… You've already left the Vongola Famiglia because of that… Even if I oppose you to have the baby, you won't listen to me anyway. Then…all I could do now is…help you."

"Are you...all right with that?"

"No, I'm not!"

Chrome flinched at Erica's sudden outburst. However Chrome could only just lower her face as she could see her mother's tears gathered in her eyes and feel her pain from her voice. Erica took a few deep breath as she was trying to suppress her emotions.

"How could I be fine? For 10 years I've lived in guilt and sorrow of losing you. I couldn't stand myself for neglecting my child until she died. You won't know how shock I was to see you at that party. I kept telling myself you were dead so it can't be you but…I just couldn't stop wishing and hope it was really you…alive and grown up to an adult."

"…"

"I never felt so happy and relief in my life to know it really was you and you were alive all this time. Although it hurt every time you rejected me…even if you don't want me in your life anymore… I was truly thankful that you're alive…"

"Mom…"

Chrome didn't know how to react to this. It was something Chrome could guess and know, since they have been living together for weeks now. However it was the first time to hear it directly from Erica. It felt so awkward since they never had this kind of honest moments before.

"But then you're suddenly telling me you might die during the pregnancy? How can I be fine with this? I've thought you were dead for 10 years and just a few weeks since I learned you were alive…I might lose you again."

"Then…why are you still trying to support me?"

"…"

Erica didn't answer immediately. Instead it looked like she was hesitating to tell this or not. Erica finally opened her mouth again after a few moments.

"I know how painful and lonely it is when everyone around you tells you to abort the baby but you won't. If there was at least one person on my side, it would have been a huge comfort just for that."

"…What?"

"Nagi, I never told you this because you were young and it was nothing good to know… Your father and I…never wanted a child. Both of us agreed not to have one. We were just satisfied of being married and both of us had dreams that a child only seemed to get in the way. But one day…when I was playing an important row in the film, I suddenly happened to know I was unexpectedly pregnant. Everyone I knew told me to abort you. They were all just thinking for me…it was an important film in my career and they all knew I never planned to have a child."

Chrome remembers her parents fighting when she was young. Before they divorced, they fought every night yelling at each other. Chrome remembers that time when her father yelled at Erica that he never agreed of having a child and Erica refused to abort her when everybody else said to… It wasn't a surprise to Chrome. However there was something else that made Chrome wonder.

"Why did you still have me?"

Chrome was only curious. When she was young, Nagi knew how much being an actress meant to Erica. It made Chrome wonder why Erica still had her when it was an important moment in her career and that she never plan of having a child.

"I just…want to. Although I didn't plan of having one, it felt so wrong to abort you. Also when I realized I had you…my thought just changed that I want to have you. I don't know if it was because of motherly instinct but at that time, my career actually didn't matter to me anymore. And I didn't regret my decision."

Erica remembers the moment when she would rub her large belly when the baby kicked. She would gently talk to her baby. Erica also remembers the moment when she gave birth and hold her baby for the first time. Although it was difficult to raise a baby, it was also a great joy and happiness to see her growing up.

Erica wonders herself why she changed so much. She was willing to give up everything for Nagi and she loved her more than anything. But after her success of being an actress again and immediately being famous…everything suddenly changed. She valued her career as an actress more than anything and started to think Nagi was getting in her way.

Erica couldn't understand. After her success, she was suddenly obsessed of being famous and gaining fortune. It was her dream to be a famous actress but it was carried out too much. Erica sometimes couldn't believe how much parties she went that she barely even came home. She wasn't really that much of a party person in the past. What a surprise how much a person could change after being famous and rich. Her pride and greed completely changing her. It felt like it was controlling her.

"I know it's selfish of me trying to be your mother again after all the things I've done to you. You don't have to forgive me but I want you to know I'm truly sorry for everything I've done to you. At least I want to help…"

"No…"

Chrome suddenly cut Erica's words. Erica was stunned. It really hurts to still be rejec…

"I forgive you."

Sudden tears started to drop from her Erica's eyes. Erica actually couldn't believe what she just heard. Chrome approached her stunned mother and carefully embraced her. Chrome buried her face in her mother's chest just like when she was little. It felt awkward to do this after such a long distance time and when she was now an adult. However Chrome could feel that same comfortable warmth she felt whenever she hugged her mother when she was young.

Chrome noticed if she wanted forgiveness from her own daughter, she should forgive her mother first. It was wrong to ask forgiveness when she couldn't forgive. Especially when it was the same mistake.

"I forgive you. I'm thankful for you taking care of me even though it must been difficult… I'm sorry I kept rejecting you even when you were just trying to help me…"

Chrome could feel her mother hugging her hard. She could feel her mother suddenly starts to tremble and cry. Chrome stayed still, also feeling her own tears dropping. Chrome could feel the pain from her past, finally healing. Also Chrome didn't realized until now but she was happy to have her mother back in her life.

Mukuro realized he was suddenly back in the illusion world. He let out a small sigh feeling very tired. He was an exhausted… Mukuro looked down in his arms. He was still holding his baby girl. She also looked very tired. However Mukuro narrowed his eyes as he noticed something was wrong.

Nagi was currently feeling a strong urge of absorbing flame. Mukuro noticed the mistake he made. Although they really needed to enter Chrome's subconscious to solve the misunderstanding Nagi had toward her mother, Mukuro didn't consider she would have to continuously use her flame to stay inside there.

'It's been a week since she hasn't absorb any flame.'

Mukuro just realized it already past a week. He was too focus on trying to convince his daughter to listen to him that he forgot about this. Also she was surprisingly very stable for the past week. But now she was in her limit.

Mukuro couldn't let Nagi absorb Chrome's flame. Although he knows she needed it, it was still too dangerous. Until he could find a solution he still had to stop Nagi absorbing her mother's flame. Also Nagi was currently refusing to absorb her mother's flame after learning she could kill her mother by absorbing too much flame.

But unless she fulfills her urge of absorbing flame, it would be a matter of time until her instinct took over her. Mukuro immediately started to give his flame to his daughter. However he realized it wasn't enough. She needed much more flame. She wasn't just feeling the urge to absorb flame. She was currently lacking flame right now. She used too much flame today.

Mukuro woke up from his bed. He felt dizzy as he sat up. He too was now lacking flame and his health was currently awful. However Mukuro ignored his current condition and got out of bed. He didn't have any time to waste right now. He needed flame. An enormous amount of flame.

The Kokuyo gangs couldn't understand what was happening right now. In the early morning, their leader Mukuro just suddenly called all of them to his room and absorbed their flame. All of them were now lying on the floor with lacking flame. They didn't know Mukuro could absorb flame until now. They also wonder why Mukuro was suddenly absorbing a lot of flame. However none of them could ask why because they didn't have the strength to do it.

Mukuro hold his tongue not to let out a tsk. It wasn't enough. Although his body was filled with enormous amount of flame, Mukuro could know even this wasn't enough. However absorbing more flame will be dangerous to himself. He needed to find a way!

Mukuro's eyes suddenly caught the Hell rings placed on the corner of the floor. He suddenly felt like those Hell rings were whispering to him. If he uses those Hell rings he could strengthen his flame. Hell rings are one of the most powerful Mist rings existing in this world. They are dangerous but most illusionist gladly take that risk because Hell rings can give enormous power to the owner. Mukuro himself already took a lot of advantaged from the Hell rings, especially when he hunted down the remaining Estraneo Famiglia members.

The whisper in his head seemed to get stronger. He knows how powerful the Hell rings are because he had used it for years. He needed to strengthen his flame right now and what other options does he have? There haven't been any problem from using those Hell rings except for once…

Mukuro roughly shook his head, immediately erasing the thought of even wearing those cursed Hell rings. He felt a cold chill that he just considered to wear those again. That one time, when his mind got corrupted to the Hell rings…he almost killed his daughter. And maybe…he was already influenced by the Hell rings many times at the past but he just didn't realized it. He can't risk of hurting his daughter again.

But this gave Mukuro an idea how to strengthen his flame right now. He needed a ring. Not just a ring but a very powerful one. Luckily he was in the Vongola Head quarter. The Vongola rings were one of the most powerful rings in this world.

Tsuna was tried. He couldn't remember when was the last time he really had a rest. Every day was stressfully the same. He would use the Vongola Famiglia's power as the boss to find Chrome. However it was never successful. He can't find where his friend is or even a clue if she's even alive. Tsuna also commanded to find evidence of the Rango Famiglia having a connection with Chrome's kidnapping and the relationship with the Estraneo Famiglia. However that was also currently unsuccessful.

Tsuna let out a sigh and pulled out the Vongola Mist ring from his pocket. He was keeping the Vongola Mist ring with him all this time. He wanted to give it back to Chrome. Although he had two Mist Guardians, it was Chrome who helped him as his Mist Guardian and stood by his side with the rest of the Guardians for all these years. While Mukuro just vanished for 10 years. Tsuna felt so helpless even though he was the boss of the strongest and largest Famiglia.

Bang!

"Vongola!"

The door suddenly opened with a bang and Mukuro came inside. Tsuna frowned. Why did he came here? Mukuro was the last person Tsuna wanted to see right now.

"Give me the Vongola Mist ring right now!"

Tsuna suddenly felt like his patience toward Mukuro cut off. Ever since they return to the Vongola Head quarter from the Rango Famiglia party, Mukuro seemed unconcern toward Chrome. That really made Tsuna angry. Chrome was kidnapped because of Mukuro in the first place. But instead of searching Chrome, Mukuro was reading documents related to the Estraneo Famiglia's, when Tsuna tried to meet him. Even after that day, Tsuna didn't heard once he was trying to search for Chrome or even shown any concern for her.

And now the first thing Mukuro finally came to him is for the Vongola Mist ring? A ring was not just a ring in the Mafia world. It was a symbol of their status and power in the Famiglia. Asking to give the Vongola Mist ring was the same as Mukuro was trying take the Vongola Mist Guardian position from Chrome. Mukuro was trying to take away what was Chrome's.

"I had enough with you Mukuro!"

Tsuna went into his hyper dying will mode. His X-gloves were burning with Sky flames. Even before Mukuro could say something, Tsuna immediately throw a punch toward Mukuro with a fast speed using his Sky flame.

Thank you for the review

Tsukikami02

Maashiro

Guest(anette)