OpalescentGold: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Heart
This is how she notices.
Shadow
Noriko first categorizes Dokuro Chrome as Mukuro's. The timid girl with her averted eyes and air of isolation follows the Mist around like a shadow, perpetually half a step behind the blue-haired teenager and willing to cater to his every whim.
From then on, it's not hard for her to dismiss Chrome from her thoughts as she does Mukuro.
On hindsight, it's not an incorrect conclusion. Merely an incomplete one.
Attachment
It surprises Noriko when she catches on to how attached Mukuro is to Chrome. It's a gradual realization, for both Mists are sneaky, sneaky, sneaky, but she is not so unobservant, despite her reservations.
Perhaps it's in how he comes to her aid whenever it is necessary. Perhaps it's in the softness of his gaze whenever it happens to fall on her. Perhaps it's something else, something deeper, something more primal.
It doesn't quite matter. Noriko is still struck speechless for a good minute or two when the realization hits.
Resemblance
It isn't like the others. With them, it's obvious. It's a direct hit to the heart on first sight, it's the sun's light after an eternity in the darkness.
With Chrome, it's different.
Rather than a bomb exploding in her face, it's a small light, flickering and dancing and growing ever stronger while she's not looking until it's a supernova in her peripheral vision.
Noriko realizes the same way.
Smile
The day Dokuro Chrome smiles, really, truly smiles while standing with Haru and Kyoko and I-Pin and Bianchi, Noriko almost trips over her own feet.
She knows that smile, lovely and kind and sweet.
Once, Elena was Cynthia's foster sister, after all.
Link
Elena was Daemon's tie to sanity. She was his reason for joining Vongola, she was his connection to the world.
When Elena died, so did Daemon, in all the ways that mattered.
Chrome is Mukuro's darling. She is his reason for cooperating with Tsuna, she is the one he cherishes above all.
History loves to repeat itself. Noriko is half tempted to kill Chrome and Mukuro herself before everything comes crashing down like dominoes.
She can't bring herself to do anything though, disregarding the rules set in place for the Judge.
Despite everything...once upon a time, Cynthia loved Elena and Daemon.
Noriko...doesn't know if she still does.
(Oh, but she does, and she just doesn't want to admit it.)
Crush
Noriko takes in the way Chrome blushes when she looks at Mukuro and the softness in Mukuro's smirk when he directs the look at Chrome.
Kami-sama, anyone with eyes should notice.
Still, in this time period, their relationship is close, dreadfully so, but platonic for the moment. Not quite verging on romantic, not truly.
She wonders how long it will last. Can last.
Boycott
When Kyoko and Haru have had enough with being locked in the dark, when Chrome and Bianchi are exasperated with the rules set down, Noriko takes a neutral standpoint.
That is, until Kyoko and Haru decide that they're going to boycott.
The Choice begins in just a few days. This is not the time for this.
Noriko sets her jaw and steps forward.
Chrome
This is how she worries.
Friendly
Reiki Noriko is anything but friendly towards Mukuro.
And as a result of that, Chrome can't bring herself to like the other girl for all that Noriko doesn't ever turn that dislike on Chrome.
Actually, it's more like Noriko doesn't really ever notice Chrome in the first place.
That's okay. Chrome's used to not being noticed, but Mukuro is her savior and her anchor, and Chrome can't forgive Noriko if she means Mukuro harm. She doesn't like to hurt other people, but she will if she has to.
Occasionally though, Chrome finds Noriko watching her, and there is something in those otherworldly blue eyes that says Noriko knows exactly what she's thinking.
And strangely, it's almost as if the blonde approves of her mindset.
Powerhouse
"She's not what she seems," future Mukuro murmured to her. "She's not who she seems. Darling Nagi, do try and keep my younger self from getting into trouble with that one. It'll be for the best."
Chrome believes in Mukuro's strength. He was the one who saved her, after all, the strongest person she knows, except perhaps Boss.
But this is Mukuro's future self so...
Chrome keeps an eye on Noriko and doesn't understand. Yes, Noriko is Boss' best friend and a major part of the family, but even Boss tries to keep her from fighting. Is she really that strong?
True, there was that incident with Xanxus and the Varia, but...
Intervention
Kyoko and Haru are sick of being kept oblivious of everything that is happening, and Chrome is inclined to agree with them even if it means a fight against the boys.
Then, Noriko cuts in, bright and firm and an echo of that terrible, terrible power that enveloped her back on the battlefield of the Vongola Rings.
"They're at as much risk as we are," she says, speaking directly to Boss though her words address them all. "They deserve to know if they're to risk their lives."
Kyoko and Haru go pale. Ryohei grits his teeth. Tsuna's eyes widen.
Chrome doesn't understand. It's clear that Noriko cares little for anyone else other than the famiglia - and even that is a stretch for the Mists - but more than that, not even the Sun protests when Boss explains everything to the girls.
Why is Noriko's word worth so much?
Advice
"Chrome-chan." Noriko smiles, soft and gentle. "Be careful."
Silently, Chrome nods.
The Choice Battle is finally here.