khr ain't mine

Thanks a lot for the reviews, guest-san XD. Ghost town is actually a thing?! This, I gotta see. I was thinking hey this seems like something interesting to write on, when it came up to me randomly.

Leave or die and live huh? Fufu, I'll be looking forward to your reaction when the plot deepens. But for now, its introductions. Also, Iemitsu's not in the know on his death and further explanations are coming up probably as a short entry with the main story, whatever fits the situation.

Reborn f*ckery isn't over if this author has anything to say about it(lol)

As usual, feel free to give your opinion on the fanfic via comments or point any errors (It helps for an author without any proof readers)

Hope you enjoy the story :D

So onwards!

Chapter 4

The Grim Reaper and his maid

When Reborn thought the town was strange, he definitely hadn't seen anything yet. Because the slightly curious look the two had laid out at him wasn't the extent of the start of a hostile meeting and was actually far from it.

When he took a step towards the door near the decrepit building, a red carpet was rolled at him as banners and confetti popped. A poor fanfare was attempted by some ratty teens who looked a bit flustered at what seemed like an elaborate last minute plan as they stumbled around with an instrument they seemed to barely even play leading to an uncoordinated mess as the main character was descending into the scene currently hoisted by an expressionless maid as the young adult glared at the players at their supposed incompetence

"Mukuro-sama, we did not know we would be playing the bugle and trumpet. Wasn't the plan supposed to be a smoke bomb entrance?" the teen with glasses softly spoke.

"It can't be helped, he showed up earlier than expected." the heterochromatic eyed teen replied sending the other player into a seething rage towards the hitman.

"It's all your fault, pyon! Even though we had prepared so much for a grand entrance; you and that baseball nut just had to ruin it for Mukuro-sama! You better apologize immediately!"

"Ha?! Like I'd do so, you guys must be apologizing to me for showing a half-assed version of something you planned!"

Reborn really didn't take in the entire situation yet, but the sudden accusation made him counter it by instinct.

"It's not like we planned it especially for you, b-baka!" the golden-haired teen screamed, his ears blushing a bit.

In what universe did he do something to garner such a tsundere response in such a short time and why was it with this predicament?!

"Calm down, Ken. We did get our sources that this man is a bit of a queen. It makes sense that he would be this picky about the way he's received." the teen blew bubblegum as he nonchalantly commented.

Reborn shot the teen a glare at being referred to that way, aiming to shoot that informant if he'd ever see him.

"Kufufu, we decided to use the smokescreen for a later occasion, one more worthy for its debut. We'll disguise it as landmines so when they step on it, they'll add on to our appearance."

What kind of warfare is this? A catwalk gone wrong?!

"Chrome. Guide our guest inside. We can't have our discussions outside forever, after all."

Reborn looked at the quiet attendant who slipped past his guard to slightly surprising him when she tried to fulfill the latter's' request. Well it was easy to get distracted when facing such a flamboyant group, but it really was no excuse.

The others seemingly vanished and were probably waiting at the meeting space, but the level of coordination of these acts was akin to those of illusionists. Chrome calmly opened the door to the lavish interiors of that did not belong to that of a broken down house. It was like a Faberge egg!

Sensing his confusion, Chrome answered,

"Mukuro-sama, Chikusa-san and Ken-san chose this house since it was the most desired house in Namimori, but were disappointed to see that this was the house that was most popular."

He was guessing that Chikusa was the bespectacled teen.

"Then why not just return it and select another one?"

"Mukuro-sama said that he would not do so."

"Why?" he couldn't stop the exasperation leaking into his voice.

"Because it was the most in-chic place here, apparently. Plus 'The looks of jealousy from the people is worth every single cent.' if I paraphrased Ken-san's interpretation of Mukuro-sama's explanation.

Besides whatever we want, we can just remodel the insides to suit our needs."

"It seems like if the house popular for its haunted, dying impression is changed to that of a mansion, it seems like it'd lose its value."

"We don't really get many visitors from the rumors here.

In the beginning, it was just a few things here and there, but by the time we realized it we went a bit too far, hehe." Chrome cutely laughed in embarrassment, but Reborn looked at the vast arrays of chandeliers, gold roses, designed carpets and curtains, heads of hunted animals?!

There was even a random bronze statue of a bear biting a salmon! You think you went a bit too far?!

"Those look like hunted animals, but they are trigger mechanisms for traps or secret switches to other rooms."

"Why?!"

"Mukuro-sama had got a bit hooked on some mystery games Tsuna-san brought over some time ago, so it was inspired on that. Plus, he thought it would be hilarious if some unsuspecting fool got caught in them."

"Where do you even get the money to install these?"

"Hibari, the mayor also asked this on inspection and Mukuro-sama had a new installment just to answer the question." she said pressing over one of the hung masks, which lead to a small room with only one thing inside it, a golden, hung, beheaded head of a teen who he did not want to guess... but most probably he was 100 percent correct in his assumption.

"...He showed the mayor of Namimori, a gold trophy head of him?..."

"Hibari was honestly rude. Even though someone spent the time just for providing an answer to their question, he had to fling a tonfa at Mukuro-sama. The one with chains, even. And I heard he hated using those." Chrome had the gall to be appalled.

"...I can understand why the mayor has a grudge to your master..."

"Oh my, you sure are Tsuna-san's guest. You have the same level of such an understanding sentiment even for such rambunctious people. But, I must warn you to be a bit cautious.

The world isn't a place to nurture such naiveness."

He, the world's greatest hitman got advised by an apparently cursed maid who got acquainted with him for something close to an hour.

"It's not likely that the mayor would warrant that extent of mistrust."

"That's not true. That guy is black-hearted." Chrome said, looking at him darkly.

It seemed like it would be biased to properly listen what a group thought about their enemy, so Reborn didn't take the implied warning to heart. Right now, he was neutral after all.

"He's one of the main culprits for Namimori's ridiculous belief. Though it's not like we oppose entirely against what he stands for...

He tries to normalize the various circumstances of the people in our circle. But Mukuro-sama and I are with Tsuna's stand on the state of Namimori, even if the rest say otherwise."

"What do you mean by Namimori's belief?"

"...It might be better for us to tell you directly than let you be influenced by Namimori's inhabitants.

You see, the people who live here will tell you that they are dead and the town is deserted."

"But that's not possible!"

"That's what we say too, but the arguments the other side have said is pretty strong.

They say that once they've arrived here, they can't get a means of communication with the rest of the world. They don't know where this place is, and they don't even know that a site like this exists. Everyone else converted says they're dead and it's psychologically difficult to oppose the mass.

But for some reason, without any communication, they're able to satisfy all their needs except for that of external interactions. Even the wounds they sustain get treated overnight.

Plus, there's the fact that it's hard to keep track of the people who actually live here. It's like some people who go missing may stay missing or just randomly integrate back to society like it's nobody's business.

That's just to state a few. But it's hard to explain away these when it's such a detailed plan or more likely, an aimed propaganda."

"That's..."

Before Reborn had a chance to seriously contemplate the implications, they reached something that looked like a throne room.

Sitting on the throne was Rokudo Mukuro who sat on a golden throne as his eyes met his.

"I see that Chrome has been giving you a good guide until here. Great work.

You may return."

The attendant curtsied and walked to the side of the young adult who merely looked on to the hitman, prompting him to speak. Looking at that, Reborn felt surprised since he thought the guy was just an ore-sama with a king complex. But that utter willingness to hear someone out seemed to point at something different.

"It's a rather fancy place you got. I was partially expecting to see a rose garden any time soon." he sarcastically quipped.

"The rose garden's in the underground basement with a thorn garden at the overground yard."

No, isn't it supposed to be the opposite?!

"I'm aiming to create the most aesthetically pleasing abode both to Namimori's tastes and to my own."

"Why do you even try to cater to the town's tastes?"

"I'd rather die than them calling me tasteless." he spat out disdainfully.

"Anyway, you must be tired being walked all around town and then the mansion. How 'bout I get you a seat?"

That's... awfully considerate of him. But when he saw the incoming monstrosity, the very armchair used by all mainstream psychologists, the chaise longue. He was expected to sit on that?!

"I'll refrain. Thank you."

"Why does everyone say that? I've chosen it hearing about it providing a soothing experience to let all your worries go out the window."

Yes, through the psychologists' ears. He didn't want to be the one on the patient's side when there was one who fit the part much better. Plus, he was the one with the qualifications of a therapist.

"I'm used to this, don't mind it.

I'm wondering, who actually maintains the place?"

"Hmm? Chrome, Ken and Chikusa."

"...The whole place?"

"Yes?"

"It seems like it's too much for three people, don't you think?"

"That's true, in the end only Chrome works in the house when the others go hunting for information and getting deals with our patrons."

His eyebrows twitched at how the other made the scenario more unmanageable.

"Don't you think you should help her out a bit? Or at least hire some people to do so?"

"Why on earth would I do that?" he sounded so genuinely confused that it left the hitman slightly confused too.

"Then how do you maintain this place every day?"

"Chrome cleans up very well, I assure you. She's our best sweeper."

"I'm good at cleaning up" she stated bluntly.

"I mean, maids are qualified for expertise cleaning, but still... this seems to be excessive..."

"We don't have maids. I've never mentioned about hiring people."

"Isn't that her role? The cursed maid and you being the grim reaper?"

Mukuro smiled maliciously as he said,

"Don't tell me you believe the nonsense they've spouted at you? What fool would willingly cosplay every day? The circumstances behind this town's actions have been magnificently tailored by that two bit con artist and egomaniac."

I don't think the mayor would like to be called an egomaniac by you.

"Isn't it too early for you to be just swallowing what everyone's been saying? This is still real life, and everything has some logical reason generally speaking. If you value your freedom, I suggest you don't take the side of the majority so much. You won't be able to escape if you do so.

It's another matter if you say you'd rather live here."

"Isn't that a bit high handed for someone who's apparently playing right by the system?"

"We're not planning on leaving unlike an outsider like you. You're just here for a vacation, right?

If you stick your nose too much, you'll end up seeing too much to ever be able to return.

If I have to give some credit to this town, I'd give it some credit towards their notion that strange things happen here. The worst has happened because of one peculiar habitant here, whose name my dear Tsunayoshi would never give us."

"You're saying like as if you're one of the victims of this."

"That's because we are, or more like I am. The ones who stay here are utter fools...

I would attest to that. Since this town is susceptible to curses. Rather than Chrome being cursed, I am that target."

"I thought that you claimed to be one of the saner ones."

"Don't put words into my mouth and stop interrupting me. Even though I am being so gracious and spelling it out for you. Even though rumors on us are something you would hear about sooner or later."

"Oh, what on earth have I done to receive this benevolence." Reborn drawled, expecting the usual good grace of Tsuna.

"It's because, you'd make an excellent pawn." he smiled deviously, and a chill ran through Reborn as he felt like he was right inside the other's territory. It wasn't like he couldn't physically get out of the situation, but the selective flow of information which seemed like the aim of the man in front of him could leave him at a disadvantage since he was losing the war on intelligence.

He didn't even know if what he would get would reflect the actual situation, and he would be personally given the first impression from a side that opposes the leading force in the town, something that would be hard to erase, effectively putting him at Mukuro's hand, albeit via force

How did he even get into this situation? Could it be that Yamamoto was orchestrated into getting him to visit this guy first?

"Relax. The world's greatest hitman, Renato Sinclair would never be at a disadvantage, right?"

Reborn narrowed his eyes.

"How about I let you know why people consider us both having those roles? It's a rather troubling incident, but I've been bestowed with the unfortunate curse to possess death's touch. Maybe a demonstration would help?"

Chrome brought a vase of fresh flowers and placed it on the armchair which wilted the instant the illusionist touched it.

"A magic trick like this is rather distasteful, and I'd honestly be troubled if you say to test it on a real person just to prove its legitimacy. That puffing demon bird is persistent enough as he is right now.

This touch is capable of killing any living being, and if you fancy, Chrome can lead you to the basement where the graves of all dead beings foolish enough to get touched lay. Mind you, the counts are somewhat distressing.

As for why Chrome's considered a cursed maid, it's because she's unfortunate enough to be right at my side for the longest with her family completely dead."

Chrome bristled a little at the last statement. Reborn kept a note on that while he pieced together his observations so far. It made sense that this 'young lord' kept high pedestals, mostly gold furniture with a distinct lack of wood and other natural material, even wearing shiny polyester clothing. It's because he would risk chances of interaction with something 'living'.

"If it's just metal you'd need for minimizing damage, you don't need all that gold. It's pretty garish."

"And go for steel? I wouldn't like living in a metal cage, so I might as well go for being royalty.

Plus, nothing pisses that demon more than using exorbitant goods."

Rather than as an extra, wasn't that your main agenda?!

"I think you would need to rearrange your view on this a bit. I think the reason why you seem to take this little skirmish between the prefect and I so light-heartedly, is because of the way Yamamoto Takeshi put it. That guy's neutral and tends to shift view points based on Tsuna's position.

I'll tell you something pretty good, you've been manipulated beautifully to remain neutral in this fight. It's because Takeshi wouldn't want an outsider meddling in. Lambo must have hinted a bit at his possessive side, and you must have seen it first hand. So I wonder, exactly why do you believe so genuinely in his words?" he asked innocently as the hitman scowled when the awareness kicked in.

"You see, the show of this glittering gold tells Hibari Kyoya, Namimori's beloved dictator, that he's not the only one in control. That's why it frustrates him to no end, mainly because he knows that I wasn't born into power.

And let me ask you, my newest pawn piece... where exactly did this gold come from?"

"...Now that we have this little mono e mono, what are your demands?"

"I don't have any particular issues right now. Gokudera Hayato would be coming for you in a bit, so I suggest you get ready."

It was such a sudden upheaval from the conversation's flow that Reborn couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated at being swung around to the exact beat of this heterochromatic young adult.

"Why's this person coming?"

"Have you forgotten? We're still in the midst of the tour. Hasn't Yamamoto told you that after visiting us, you'll have Gokudera, the loyal dog of Tsunayoshi take over your tour?

I have no intention in purposefully putting a dent in his plans, and I think I've played with you enough for one day."

The sheer amount of patronizing made Reborn feel like he should just headshot this guy and t-bag his corpse.