Chapter Nineteen
Tsuna kept his eyes at the window. He can feel the tension in the air. All of his friends are there, even Shamal is present. He already received some earful lectures from Hayato and Kyouya (the latter repeatedly smacked him by the back of his head and hit him with his tonfa). And he knows Shamal will be the third one. He had apologized to them, but he knew it wasn't enough.
He isn't that insensitive to act like the fact that he went missing for two hours isn't a big deal. Because he knew he'll fuss too if one of his friends do that stunt. He'll be a liar, a hypocrite, if he says that.
"You broke almost all of your bones, had a concussion and was barely alive when you got here in the hospital, Tsuna. If it wasn't for your flames, you're good as dead." Shamal deadpanned.
Tsuna gave a small apologizing smile, thumbs playing each other. "When I slept after we talked, I had a replay of what happened but in a form of a dream. It wasn't that severe but my intuition was catalysing it."
All of them tensed up.
"When I woke up, I knew I had to see the lady so I went out." Tsuna looked at his hands that were resting on his thighs. "I felt so useless, you know. Seeing her like that. Did the accident got her? Why is she missing some organs?"
The five watched him rub his wrist, and it made them frown and scowl in worry.
"Why is she suffering like that? Did she do something hateful?" Tsuna felt teardrops on the back of his hands. "I don't think she did."
"Don't you remember what happened, Tsuna?" The brunet shook his head at the doctor's question. The latter sighed. "You yanked her with her arm and met her with a hug halfway. You turned her around so you could receive all the impact. And when you two went flying, you switched again and let your body cushion her fall. It explains your scratches at the sides and back."
"But why...?" The brunet asked in a soft voice.
"She already doesn't have organs when you met her." Everyone looked at Shamal. "She was using her mist flame to make up the missing parts. Her other eye is also blind. I think she caught up with an accident in her teen years."
"So it's not Tenth's fault." Hayato uttered.
Shamal shook his head.
"What can I do to help?" Tsuna inquired.
"You still want to help her?" Shamal asked incredulously.
"Shamal-san, it's the least I can do. I know her situation and I want to help. I can't just abandon someone I already saved. If I can save her again, I'll do it a thousand times if I can."
"Pray that she gets stronger for her flames to work again." The doctor replied, giving up after seconds of seeing Tsuna's eyes flashing orange.
Tsuna gnawed on his lower lip, brows knitting as he thinks.
"I have a proposal to make, Tsunayoshi." All of them looked at Mukuro who was leaning by the door, away from the skylark who is by the window. "It may become a great help for her."
Tsuna's heart fluttered with hope. "What is it, Mukuro?"
"Sky flames have harmony factor, Tsunayoshi. Since you're the only sky here among us, we came up with the idea that maybe you can make her flame burn brighter with your flame as an agent."
"'We'?" Takeshi murmured.
Mukuro smirked. "I used my flame to enter her mind."
"Wow." Tsuna exclaimed in amazement.
"Of course, mist flames are linked to the mind of the user and can fool ones senses with illusion." Shamal said with a sage nod.
"But how is she? Is she in pain?" Tsuna asked, eager.
"A little weak, Tsunayoshi. Struggling a little for her flames to form organs."
Tsuna sighed. "Thank you."
"Maybe she's the problem?" Lambo pointed out with caution. "Dying will flames are caused by resolves, right? What if she can't manifest her flames in stronger intensity because she doesn't have any resolve?"
The room fell into a silence.
"Try it, Little Animal." Tsuna looked at Kyouya. "It's worth the shot. Besides, you can also talk to her if you want. Piney can do his magic tricks."
"Kufufufufu. They are illusions, birdie-chan. Not magic tricks."
"Same difference."
A tick mark appeared on Mukuro's temple.
"Maa. No fighting." Takeshi tried to pacify.
"I'll do it." Tsuna responded. "When are we doing it?"
"When you feel better." Mukuro replied, smirk going for softer edge.
Tsuna took a deep breath. "Past midnight."
"Deal."
Nagi idly watched the sky from her window. She's waiting for Mukuro. The man's presence is a great company. She doesn't feel hostile despite the different eye colors he has, the intimidating aura she feels from him and the scary smirk that plays on his lips that one time. Nope. Not even the way he laughs doesn't scare the hell out of her.
She unconsciously smiled. Mukuro briefed her of what flames were. She can remember the way his tone changes whenever he describes the flames and gives examples in a form of his friends. She can see the happiness radiating from the man despite the revulsion he expresses. She can feel the sense of home from their group. The acceptance, warmth and belongingness.
She envies him.
"Mukuro?"
"Relax, Tsunayoshi. I'm not gonna pull you somewhere you won't want to go."
"That is so not reassuring."
"Kufufufu. You hurt my feelings, Decimo."
"I did not. You're joking."
"Yup. I kid."
Nagi watched as two persons materialized in her mindscape. There he is, Mukuro in his fine glory wearing regal clothes she once saw in the internet. His hair is in a crown-like shape that she wonders if its always been like that. She even questions what Mukuro would be like if he has his hair down.
She shifted her eyes to the person next to him. The man is a little shorter than Mukuro, just below the ears. He has this anti-gravity brown hair, brown eyes and cute cheeks. He's wearing hospital clothes and seems in a little pain with the wince and grimace that were flashing on his face. She racked her brain for any encounter when she felt familiarity in the features she identified. Then, slowly it hit her.
He's the man who kept her safe.
Her eyes widened and was about to stand when their eyes clashed. She stilled. Not because of fear. Not because she felt hostility from the man. But it's because of the pain she saw. The sadness, self-hate. The struggle and loneliness masked with genuine smile and happiness. No. He's not faking it. He's depressed, but he can still smile and joke around. He's suicidal, but he will function well and appear fine. A person who survived this cruel world with sheer will despite how empty he is.
But despite everything he experienced, Nagi can feel the acceptance of everything that may come and go. He promises home, warmth, and protection. The affection of family and the empathy that he can offer. Even the understanding every person in the world would need.
How can he be like this? What happened to him?
Nagi found herself hugged by the said man. No. She didn't pry away nor tried to struggle or push him away even. She hugged him back and let out a sob. God. She didn't know she was already crying.
"Shh..." The man consoled. "It's okay... You're safe. Not even them can take you."
Nagi flinched when she heard yelling from downstairs. Her eyes widened when she realized that she let out her fear. The brunet covered her ears just as her mom started to yell profanities. Then with Mukuro's help, the place they're in changed to the garden.
She started to panic, but a hand was patting her back while an arm is hugging her. She can hear him humming softly as if wanting to fill the silence with something not annoying. Knowing what to do, she slowly let herself relax and sag at the man's embrace.
"Oh. I like that flower." The brunet suddenly motioned.
Mukuro sat beside them. "What flower?"
"That red one?"
Nagi looked too, searching for the aforementioned red flower. "Camelia."
"Wow. You're good at flowers?" The brunet awed.
She nodded.
"Amazing!" Brown eyes sparkled as the brunet exclaimed the praise. Pure amazement is shown on his face that made her blush. "What does it says?"
"It means unpretending excellence, you're a flame in my heart in international flower meaning." She answered, recalling what she had read in the past.
"Noble death back in the era and a show of love here in Japan." He added before smiling at her. "Thank you."
"My." Mukuro breathed with a smile as he took a handkerchief from his breast pocket and handed it to the indigonette. "Making a lady cry is bad, Tsunayoshi."
"E-Eh? I'm sorry!" The brunet apologized with panic.
Nagi shook her head as she dabbed the hankie on her eyes. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."
Mukuro laughed and brushed her hair. "This is Nagi, Tsunayoshi. Nagi, this man is a sky flame user, Tsunayoshi."
"Just Tsuna is fine. My name is really mouthful to say. Don't get an example out of Mukuro. He really likes my name to the point that I have to correct him all the time whenever he says my complete name." Tsuna requested before smiling warmly. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Tsuna-san." She remarked.
"Sorry about the hug. You were crying and it's an automatic response of mine to hug people when they cry. Though I was punished for it when I did it to my ex-roommate."
Mukuro's eyebrows shoot up before they wiggled suggestively. "Oya? I didn't know Tsunayoshi is a pervert."
Tsuna's mouth slacked at the statement. "I didn't mean that!"
"But it's what you implied."
The brunet flushed. "I-! I didn't! Mukuro! Don't say things like that!"
Rokudou pouted. "I'm just pointing it out."
Nagi giggled when Tsuna winced. "Mukuro. Please."
Mukuro gave a slow smirk. "You're so fun to tease, Tsunayoshi."
Tsuna sighed. "Of course I am. I know I'm that expressive."
"Kufufufu. Not cute at all."
"Anyways." Tsuna gave Nagi a smile. "I'm sorry. Mukuro is quite a character. But he's not as creepy as stalkers. Just a little above them."
Nagi giggled. "That's something."
Mukuro watched as the two converse about him. He doesn't mind that he's the topic. To see Nagi so worry free is nice. He doesn't want to see a nervous lady. It reminds him of the children in their famiglia years ago. She reminds him of Ken and Chikusa.
He mentally sighed. He can still hear the two's bickering when he called them awhile ago to check on them. It became a habit since Tsuna kept on pestering him about calling them. He tried to lie once, but it didn't work since the brunet has hyper intuition in him. So much for a lie detector. Sometimes, Tsuna will greet the two. And yeah, they like Tsuna a lot and the others. They haven't met Takeshi, but he knew they'll like him too.
After all, same people stick together.
"You ran away?" Tsuna queried, gaining Mukuro's attention.
Nagi gave a weak nodded. "If you call it like that, then yes. They don't care anyway, so I went out."
"So where do you live now?"
"In an apartment by the back street."
Tsuna's mouth went agape in shock and horror.
"What is it, Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro questioned, alarmed with the negative reaction.
"It's where shady people go and stay." The two looked at him in question. "I know because I used to work there as a server. I get information from there regarding some events and news about the underground. They don't give a dime if you're rich, a girl or a child. Even if you're an oldie, they'll trip you off."
"It's okay. I use my mist for concealment." Nagi assured but Tsuna shook his head.
"Once you wake up and stable, you're going to live with us." Tsuna finalized. Mukuro's and Nagi's eyes widened at the sudden decisiveness. "It's better safe. Besides, if something happens to you and won't be able to sustain much flame to make your organs, we can always rely on Mukuro to keep you up while you recover."
"Tsuna-"
"Nagi. It's in the will." Tsuna took her hands and cradled them with his own while staring straight in her purple ones. "The stronger the will, the stronger the dying flame. I know you experienced a lot. So much that it became unbearable. But I admire you. I admire your strength. For accepting your insecurities and weakness. Faults even. You're much stronger than anyone else in this space we're in, Nagi. And I want to protect that. Even Mukuro want to protect that."
"B-But I'm not good with people."
"You don't need to be sociable to interact. Just be there and it'll be okay." Tsuna smiled. "Your presence is more than enough for us to feel at ease. That you're within our reach."
"Tsuna." Nagi's tears began running. "I don't know how to repay you if I accept this."
The brunet shook his head. "I'm not expecting any payment, Nagi. I just want you to live. To see the color of this world despite the things it done to you. To realize that things maybe cruel, but there are still people out there who can offer you a shoulder to lean on when you want to cry, a hand to hold for reassurance, an arm to clutch when you're afraid and a voice to guide you on what to do when you're lost. Your parents weren't the best, we can be sure of that. But not all people in this world are like them."
"For example is you." Nagi supplied.
Tsuna shook his head with his head hung. "We can't be sure of that."
Nagi looked at Mukuro, but the latter had his lips pursed into a tight line. When the mist noticed the querying gaze, he shook his head. The lady interpreted it that Mukuro doesn't know what Tsuna is saying.
"Tsuna." Nagi called. Tsuna lifted his head. "I... I don't know what happened to you in your past." The brunet's eyes widened. "But I know what I saw in your eyes. I know what they mean and I know how they feel. If we're ranking up the most martyr among the three of us, I'll say you're the top one in it. My pain..." She took a deep breath. "My pain is nothing compared to yours. My pain is physical. Yours run deep and serious. I don't even know if I will be able to handle such things if I was in your shoes, but you are the strongest person here. Not me. Not Mukuro but you."
Tsuna shook his head.
"Tsunayoshi." Mukuro spoke. "I was able to get a tiny glimpse of your mind when I was projecting us here."
"What did you see?" The man questioned snappily, paling and sweating bullets.
"People. Six people with different flames."
Tsuna sucked air. "Oh God."
Nagi immediately pulled the man close to her and hugged him tight. The one they need to protect is him. His smiles, laughs. His character and his mind. Especially his mind. Nagi tightened her hold on him. She knew he's genuine. That his will is so strong. But the stronger the will, the greater the damage it causes to the mind. The strive to do the task right, to do it quickly and to do it with positive results... It's painful. Too much stress. Too much harm.
Mukuro put a hand on Tsuna's shoulder. He remembers what he saw. How Tsuna held himself back as those six people turn their backs on him. He can already figure out who those people are. And it makes him angry and thankful at the same time. Angry because they dared to leave a person like Tsuna, and thankful because if they didn't leave, he and the others won't meet Tsuna.
Tsuna didn't cry. No. He kept it in. He didn't let them pour. What Mukuro saw was inevitable. It can't be helped. And he promised to tell them things that bothers him anyway. So it's okay.
(But that phrase was becoming more like a mantra to him than just a saying.)
"You know," Tsuna stated as he gazed at the sky in Mukuro's mindscape. "I sometimes wish that I lived in a different world. Like I met you two first before everything happened to me. Or I met Nagi in much nicer way than this."
"I agree." Nagi agreed.
"Kufufufu. If I want to exist in a different world, I want to be a king that rules the world."
Nagi faced Mukuro and looked at him with fake amazement. "All hail Mukuro-sama!"
Mukuro laughed louder and straightened his clothes. "That sounds better."
"Wait till the others heard of this." Tsuna chuckled.
Mukuro smirked while Nagi snorted.
"We should wake up already and start with the process." The brunet suggested.
"Yeah." Mukuro agreed.
"Mukuro-sama should rest first though. You used too much flame." Nagi said.
Tsuna thought for awhile. "You're right. I'll make Takeshi knock him out."
"Tsunayoshi. That's not nice." Mukuro pouted.
"But will it be okay?" Nagi asked with uncertainty. "I mean I'm the reason why you're hurt and cried after seeing my state. Won't your friends be mad that I made you exhausted without even trying?"
"Oh they'll understand." Tsuna assured with a bright smile. "After all, birds with the same feather flock together."
"Eh?" Nagi blurted out that Mukuro only laughed at.
"Besides, they'll love to have a new friend. They'll love you, Nagi. I already love you. Even Mukuro loves you."
"Thank you."
"If they won't, then it's their lose. I'm not leaving you behind. I promised and I'm not one to break promises."
"I'll second that." Mukuro chirped.
"You're rather talkative in this plane, Mukuro. You should often do that."
"Hmm? But puppy-chan and birdie-chan will get mad."
Nagi smiled at the way the two interacted. They radiate home and there's no space of being out of place. Seeing the way they smile, hear their laughters and teasing. She wants to protect those things. Protect this kind of scene. And protect them.
"I want to change my name." Nagi said, making the duo look at her. "Will it be okay?"
Tsuna nodded. "It's okay. So what's the name?"
Nagi blinked for a second before replying. "Chrome."
"That's one unusual name." Tsuna commented.
"But unique in it's own way." Mukuro contradicted. "Any surname?"
"Hmm... I haven't thought that far yet." Nagi replied.
"Dokuro?" Tsuna suggested. "It's derived from Mukuro's last name. And it fits since both of you are mist."
"Chrome Dokuro." Nagi said out loud before grinning bashfully. "It has a nice ring in it."
"I know right." Tsuna agreed. "But why Chrome though?"
"It's a French word where Chromium was derived from. Chromium is a kind of metal. It can be mixed to other metal as a cover and makes them look shiny." Nagi smiled. "I know I don't know them yet, but seeing the two of you, I want to protect this relationship as long as I'm with you."
Tsuna beamed. "We'll protect each other!"
Mukuro took Tsuna's arm and tugged on it. "We should go. I can hear puppy panicking again."
"Okay." Tsuna nodded. "Okay, Chrome,"
Nagi, now Chrome, smiled. "Yes, Tsuna-san?"
"we'll see each other again outside."
"Yes."
(A sudden connection was made.)
Mukuro chuckled as they went out. Tsuna didn't see it, and he did. He saw Chrome's mindscape change into something bright. Instead of just an indigo color, a mix of orange and darker indigo was visible in the horizon. And he knew what that meant.
"You're such an amazing person, Tsunayoshi." Mukuro voiced out.
"Hmm? The one amazing here is you, Mukuro. Thank you for letting me meet Chrome." Tsuna expressed with a smile.
Mukuro only laughed. Chrome doesn't need to tell Mukuro what she thinks. Because he can read her just fine. And he agrees. Tsuna should be protected as he protects them the same way.