(xii)

Atsuko sighed in frustration, biting down on the eraser of her pencil.

Canon.

From the looks of it, they were going by the manga timeline, not the anime - as the anime had decided to disclude the topic of Yamamoto's - Takeshi, he asked us to call him Takeshi - suicide attempt.

It made sense, really. Atsuko vaguely recalls the anime essentially glossing over Yamamoto's recruitment and entirely ignoring the existence of two whole arcs. The manga had felt so much more real. It is real.

Thankfully, most of the fanfiction that she remembered worked off of the manga plot line. There were many common points in each work - Kokuyo, Ring Battles, Ten Years Later, the Shimon, the Arcobaleno battles.

Atsuko wrote them all down, creating a rough, makeshift timeline.

Before anything too drastic, the Daily Life Arc started the plot off, she thinks. She doesn't know. She writes it at the top, anyways.

Who was introduced first? Tsuna, then Reborn. It's always them. But who else? Kyoko, Ryohei? Atsuko thinks she remembers his highness showing up to terrorize his subjects, the sadist, but she might be thinking of the wrong episode. She remembered the anime best.

Hayato was in the second episode, definitely. Then came Yamamoto. In the space next to Daily Life Arc she writes down the names in order, putting question marks next to the ones she wasn't sure about.

She knew Bianchi wasn't around yet, and she's pretty sure Dino Cavallone (oh Kami, another mafia boss) hadn't come marching in yet either. She doesn't know about Lambo - when does I-Pin show up? - or Fuuta either. She can't ask, but she needs to know.

She needs to know how long she has to figure out a way to keep Ryohei safe from Mukuro's cronies.

After all, the fact that an actual serial killer's henchmen left Ryohei alive is probably just dumb luck, unless Mukuro had ordered them not to kill anyone.

That… might be possible. After all, Mukuro's vendetta only really applied to mafiosos and if it wasn't actually confirmed that someone was in the mafia, then perhaps he might spare them.

But then again, the guy doesn't actually seem like the type for mercy and Atsuko distinctly recalls some of his other henchmen attacking Kyoko and that Haru chick - another player whose position Atsuko was yet unsure about.

However, she also recalls that those two were under the control of another, creepier serial killer that was just along to be used and disposed of as necessary, so that may not have actually been Mukuro's will.

Or it was, because any person who could have killed that many people as a nine year old has got to be seriously unhinged.

Suddenly, her whole make friends with pineapple-boy plan seems a lot stupider and a lot less feasible.

Oh well.

But really, as of this moment, Mukuro is the most powerful player in this fucked up life that Atsuko found herself in, aside from maybe Hibari (and even then, they're both powerful in completely different ways and right now? Mukuro's power is much more useful).

There's also Reborn, but Atsuko's fairly certain that he won't interfere unless Tsuna's absolutely not going to make it out of the fight alive. The man may be the most powerful Sun Flame user in the world, but he has a job to do and beyond that he probably couldn't give any less of a shit about what happened to everyone else.

Conversely, if she can convince Mukuro that their goals align, or perhaps put him into a situation where he's indebted to herself or Tsuna, then there's a good chance that he could be very helpful in her end goal.

Keeping the people she loves alive.

It doesn't actually matter if she survives this whole mess, if she can make it through the whole plot line. What matters is that people like Ryohei, Kyoko, the club members, Tsuna and Hayato make it out alive.

Atsuko already died once. She can die again - she is living on borrowed time anyways. Them? They, on the other hand, are beautiful and filled with life and fuck, she loves too easily, these people that consider her to be their friend, family.

She loves them too much to give them up to death. Herself? Not so much. There is nothing that is not worth sacrificing for their lives.

Her life, her knowledge, is nothing more than a tool to be used for the sake of preserving theirs.

She is theirs.

Furthermore, it's not like Atsuko can truly live without them, without these people. They are the reason why she gets up in the morning, why she opens her eyes and takes deep breaths even when something in her mind is whispering that she shouldn't be breathing at all.

Hell, she's pretty damn sure that the first time she smiled after the memories finished settling in - much to her parents' concern - was when Ryohei had pinched her cheeks and pulled them up into a smile because he had been extremely curious about what your smile looks like a few weeks into their friendship. She had been so caught off guard by the gesture that she had burst into laughter and for the first time in this life, couldn't stop laughing for a good ten minutes.

He created her smile. Her happiness.

Oh, god, how she loves Ryohei.

But that is besides the point. To be frank, Atsuko already knows that she can't manipulate Mukuro, in spite of the necessity of such an action. She's terrible at people - Ryohei is the one who can do people. He has a blinding smile and effortless compassion, infectious energy and just the right amount of charisma.

If he wanted to, he could probably have the whole school, hell, even the world, down at his fingertips with that smile.

So instead, Atsuko will rely on all that she has - honesty and information. Maybe, just maybe, if she can make a connection with him…

Well, he was the one to save Chrome, after all. He can't possibly be that bad if he saved her, took her in and taught her.

Probably.

The clothes that Nagi had chosen for her father's viewing were quite nice, Atsuko decided as she moved the chosen articles to their designated room for the mortician to deal with later.

It was a plain, business-casual type of ensemble - nothing too fancy, but nonetheless something suitably appropriate for a funeral of the expenses paid by Nagi's family.

Atsuko had recently had the displeasure of meeting the woman, Takeba Rika, of whom somehow managed to produce Nagi, of all the sweet fluffs.

Somehow.

Atsuko found that she quite liked speaking to Nagi, who had an aversion to being referred to by her last name. Atsuko could understand why.

Atsuko had always wondered about why exactly the woman was paying so much for the funeral of a former lover when she couldn't even be bothered to treat the daughter that she had produced with him with basic human decency, but then she had the utter joy of listening to the woman go on about how her "beloved butler" deserved nothing but the best of services.

God, how this gaudy woman made her sick. And the way that Nagi had shrunk back every time that the woman directed a smugly dismissive sound in her direction?

The emptiness of those brilliant amethyst eyes in the face of this disgrace to the human race?

Fuck, Atsuko almost wants to kill the woman for her pretentiousness. Maybe then, when the woman is in hell or whatever terrible second life she gets shut into, Nagi would finally smile.

When she was alone, Nagi was usually fairly put together, aside from vague hints in her eyes and body language that something wasn't quite right about her, but in the presence of this monster?

God, she looked broken. So broken. Like an empty porcelain doll, with cracks in the surface of that flawless and delicate beauty, worn edges to otherwise exquisitely crafted clothes.

Atsuko knows that she should probably stop collecting people. She loves too many people and she wants and needs to protect all of them so bad, so she shouldn't get anymore, she shouldn't, but -

"Do you prefer tea or coffee, Nagi-san?" Atsuko asks as she returns to the reception room, internally hitting herself over and over again with her newfound affection for the future Chrome Dokuro.

Nagi's eyes widen in surprise for a moment at the question, taken aback. "Um… coffee, I suppose? With sugar and whipped cream…?"

Atsuko nods to herself. Yes, that makes sense. Sweet and soft in the beginning, accompanied by a strong aftertaste. It fits. "I see. My lunch break starts in a few minutes, so I was wondering if you would like to accompany me, Nagi-san?"

"Ah…there isn't anything else on my agenda today," the younger girl admitted, her cheeks flushing a light pink. Truly, Atsuko thinks, it must take a hardened villain to ever be cruel to such an adorable creature.

It's like being mean to Kyoko, just somehow less advisable, as Nagi will likely be able to bring the offender to their knees with just a snap of her fingers in the foreseeable future.

"... may I ask why?" she asked shyly. Atsuko sighed, fixing the girl with a stern stare. "You don't need to ask permission to ask a question, Nagi-san. We're peers - it's utterly unnecessary. As for why… well, I've been in need of more female friends. My life's just a huge sausage fest these days, really."

Nagi's cheeks darkened at Atsuko's use of such vulgar language and Atsuko had to bite back a chuckle. So cute. "I see… um, I will remember that."

"Good. Are you in, then?"

Nagi bit her cheek slightly, then nodded. "I've never really gone out with a friend before," she admitted, before catching herself. "Um, that is, if that's what we are -"

"No," Atsuko interrupted her. "You've got it right. We're friends."

"Ah… okay. Good."

Where was Ryohei and his camera when she needed them, really? Honestly, the bastard was always there to take embarrassing pictures of her (not that he would actually do anything with them, of course - they just made for vaguely entertaining empty threats that made Atsuko wish for the sweet, sweet embrace of death) except for when she actually wanted him there.

"In that case, just sit back and relax for a few minutes. I need to finish some paperwork before we can go."

It's just too bad that Nana's bakery-cafe isn't open on the weekends. Atsuko is sure that Nagi would have loved it, as it is her go-to for hot food on sick days, but ah well, it can't be helped.

Instead, Atsuko leads the younger girl to a smaller cafe in the shopping district - not too popular, but Atsuko happens to like their cinnamon buns quite a bit. Kyoko favors their chocolate cake.

"So," Atsuko began as they sat down with their orders. "What would you like to talk about?"

"I-I'm not quite sure," Nagi admitted shyly. "This is all very new to me. What do girls normally speak about when they meet like this?"

"Um…" Honestly, how the hell was Atsuko supposed to know? It wasn't like she had very much experience with this either - her life is a veritable sausage-fest and she wasn't sure if the conversations between sisters in all but blood consisted of the same topics as those with regular female friends.

Well, she did have a few conversations with Kurokawa every now and then… "Boys?"

"I see… no offense, Atsuko-san, but I wouldn't have taken you for the type to bring up such a topic."

"None taken. Honestly, I just said the first thing to come to mind - I really don't know what I'm doing here either," Atsuko admitted freely, shrugging with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Nagi's lips quirked up into a small smile. "Ah… perhaps we could speak about other people in general…?"

"Gossip?" Atsuko teased, leaning forward. "I never would have taken you for the type, Nagi-san."

"I'm not," Nagi said, her pale cheeks turning to a lovely shade of light pink. "But… I'm curious. About your other friends. You… you talk about them, sometimes."

That's true enough, Atsuko supposes. Her friends are often a go-to topic on the rare occasions when she's speaking to someone she genuinely likes outside of the group. They're just… her everything. Sure, she can talk about shows and books and other things that she appreciates, but…

"Sure," Atsuko agrees easily. "What would you like to know?"

"Um," Nagi says, biting her lip thoughtfully, "- what is it like, being a part of something like that?"

A loaded question, Atsuko thinks. But not a bad one, or one that is particularly hard to answer. "It's pretty annoying," she answers, taking a sip of her cappuccino. "They have way too much material to tease me with. And they get hurt often too, what with boxing being a combat sport and all. There's also the fact that I can't even remember the last time that I got to sleep in…"

Atsuko paused, feeling her lips twist into a grin without her permission. "But I've also never felt lonely with them around - even if they are all a bunch of over dramatic idiots. I can be quiet and not feel discluded, I can say whatever I'd like and not feel as if it's out of place. It's a good feeling. I'd even go as far as to say that it's worth dealing with His Majesty all the time."

Nagi was practically drinking in Atsuko's words, as if just by listening she could feel all of these things for herself. "... His Majesty?"

Atsuko nodded gravely. "His Royal Highness, King of Namimori, Hibari Kyoya. God, that man is so awful. The absolute bane of my existence."

The younger girl tilted her head slightly, curious. "You seem to feel very strongly about this person…"

"No I don't," Atsuko denied vehemently. "That man is utterly terrifying. And he knows it, the evil dictator that he is. I don't want to be anywhere near him, ever, but no someone insists on meeting with club representatives every month and approving any changes himself. So I have to report to that sick bastard, who could totally kill me whenever he'd like, which would be fine if that wasn't such a damn painful sounding death, while he just sits there watching, all stupidly pretty - like I'm some sort of cute little sideshow -"

And really, wasn't that ridiculous? While she was perfectly happy remaining an herbivore in Hibari's eyes, god that man is terrifying, there is a part of her that wanted to kick him off his high horse - the part of her that's sick of having to beg a high schooler for budget approvals, of having to perform to some asshole's expectations on top of their own.

Nagi nodded along in small, soft movements where necessary and Atsuko found that she couldn't quite read the younger girl's expression. "Pardon the interruption," she said - is that amusement? " - but I was wondering about when the first date will be taking place?"

"What."

Nagi took a sip of her drink, her perfect posture the epitome of obliviousness to Atsuko's utter and complete shock. "The first date, Atsuko-san. That is what people do when they feel so passionately for each other, I believe?"

Atsuko stared at the other girl in horror. No, no, no… "You're not…"

"I'm not what, Atsuko-san?" Nagi asked, blinking her terribly innocent-looking (not) eyes.

"No."

"Please be more specific, Atsuko-san," she said and oh, Atsuko knows that glint in her eye.

Atsuko buried her head in her hands and let out a silent scream and prayer for death and pretended that she didn't love the tinkling bell of Nagi's laughter with all of the soul left in her.

"I can't believe you actually did it," Atsuko said, quite frankly awed. Ryohei hummed thoughtfully beside her, regarding Takeshi with a sympathetic gaze. "Are you sure this is what you want to do, Takeshi? This is an extremely big decision to make."

Everyone know how much Yamamoto Takeshi loved baseball, after all. The passion he put into it, his devotion to baseball practices and to the wellbeing of the club.

"I'm sure," Takeshi said, his functional arm slung around Tsuna's shoulders, much to Hayato's chagrin. "Baseball's great and all," he said, casually, too casually, "- but I think I'm ready to move on. I'm not really much use right now, but I'd really like to join the boxing club!"

Ryohei and Atsuko hadn't really known what to expect when Tsuna had texted them, asking them to meet him, Hayato and Takeshi at Takesushi. Takeshi had formally introduced himself to the boxing club a week prior, declaring himself to be something of an unofficial cheerleader.

After all, it wasn't realistic to be able to be in two sports clubs at the same time, given practice schedules and physical limitations. No one expected him to be able to join the boxing club, or rather, to choose another club over the one that he had poured his blood, sweat and tears into.

But then again, no one really knew what to expect from Yamamoto Takeshi anymore, these days. Not after the arguably happiest kid in the entire school decided to try and kill himself.

So perhaps it wasn't all that unexpected that he would quit the baseball club. And really, he just looked so happy joking around with everyone at the boxing club, being introduced as Tsuna's friend, bantering with Hayato. He fit, really - Atsuko would be a fool to deny it.

"I think it's a great idea, Takeshi," Tsuna reassured the taller boy. "Even if you can't box right now, you're a really great cheerleader!"

Atsuko and Ryohei exchanged a look. Tsuna wasn't wrong - Takeshi had been the one to get the crowd roaring in Tsuna's favor during that fight with Mochida.

"Haha, you think so?" Takeshi asked, rubbing the back of his neck, as if he wasn't quite sure how to respond. Hayato snorted. "Just take Juudaime's praise, idiot."

"I mean," Takeshi trailed off, ignoring Hayato's comment, "- I don't know if boxing's really my thing, but…"

"Oh, stop it," Atsuko cut in sharply. Takeshi's gaze immediately captured her own, assessing her. Atsuko supposes she hadn't made the best impression before, that one time when she had been with Tsuna. "You don't need to actually box to be part of the boxing club," she continued and his eyes widened just a tad, but his form relaxed at her words. "Cheerleaders are always good."

Functionally useless, sure, but good.

"Atsu's extremely right," Ryohei agreed. "Boxing with us is great, but if you just want to help out around the club then that's extremely fine too. The more the merrier, right everyone?"

Tsuna nodded enthusiastically and Atsuko took a moment to be awed by how far he's come in just a few months. Sure, he still hasn't shaken off his characteristic anxiety, nor does he go around making friends with everyone he sees, but Tsuna's confidence really has bloomed. "See, Takeshi? I told you there was nothing to worry about."

"Mm, yeah. Sorry for doubting you like that, Tsuna."

Atsuko wonders about how differently the suicide attempt went from canon. If there had been some kind of change. She couldn't recall Takeshi ever acting so...wary, in the anime. But then again, she didn't recall all that much about Takeshi, except that he's going to be Tsuna's pet assassin at one point or another.

Yeah, she probably shouldn't be trying to predict anything about him - not when it was still pretty possible that this kid could just turn around and kill her for being a nuisance to Tsuna or something.

Atsuko never really got the impression that Takeshi was actually all that much better than Hayato in how far he would go for Tsuna's sake, after all.

Maybe it was better that Takeshi be a part of the boxing club. It would go pretty far in ensuring that he's loyal to more than just Tsuna, which could only be a good thing at this point in time.

Lost in her musings, Atsuko barely registered the renewal of Hayato and Takeshi's banter until Ryohei softly elbowed her side. She looked up at him, taking in his curious expression. She shook her head slightly. "Just thinking."

Ryohei frowned thoughtfully. "Do I need to get out the spray bottle? I'm extremely not sure if I liked that expression on your face."

"No," Atsuko hissed. Excuse him. She is trying to plot here. For his sake. Because someone loves Tsuna too much to not be part of the mafia. And because they seem to be collecting dangerous people like some kind of weird boxing orphanage these days.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Extremely sure?"

"Oh my god, yes, dying would be better than getting sprayed by that damn - Ryohei!"

A/N

Hey everyone! It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm a very, very busy university student as it turns out and worse yet, I actually have a social life. So, unfortunately, fanfiction has taken a bit of a backseat in that regard, though I am giving my Naruto fic (which you should all totally check out, hint hint) my full attention. But the good news is that this isn't abandoned, and niether are my other KHR fics, though I may or may not be not updating Clouds in the Sky out of spite for all of the "please update" reviews I've been getting for it - I lost inspiration for it for a reason and even if I do feel that I'm in a better place to be writing for it now, I don't like being rushed like that, sooo...

Anyways, please tell me what you guys think about this chapter!

See y'all next time~