Silence.

Total silence was the only thing exchanged between Hibari and Chrome as they headed for the Disciplinary Committee Lounge. A couple of students were passed - A look was given from the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, to the faintly blushing new girl trailing behind him, finally to the paper bag that the tall young man carried a bit gingerly...Both of the students who saw them hurried past, aware of and downright frightened by the implications this gave rise to.

Hibari's mind normally worked smoothly, finding a solution to any problem...Now, however, his mind struggled to grind out a way to solve this. If these feelings I have for her are true, he thought to himself. Then what kind of ramifications could it have for my school...? Sighing heavily, he felt a bit of relief at sight of the Disciplinary Committee Lounge's door right ahead; this brisk two minute walk had felt excruciatingly prolonged.

Meanwhile, Chrome was gazing over her own thoughts on Hibari...What does he...Think of me? She knew that Hibari had seen her as a complete nuisance, at first; what she didn't know was whether he still thought of her as such. Chrome knew how much Hibari loved Namimori Middle School, and didn't want to put him in a situation where the female Mist Guardian was obstructing his protection of the school...But when he had said those words at the end of yesterday...Chrome felt like, for the first time, Hibari accepted her as a person. Fully as a person - Not just prey, or a puppet for Rokudo-sama...

Suddenly, the thought of Mukuro Rokudo made Chrome bow her head a bit lower...I don't think Rokudo-sama likes Disciplinary Head-san very much...He probably wouldn't approve of this...As that thought entered her mind, Chrome heard the faintest of whispers. So transient and fleeting, she couldn't even be sure if she had heard it or not. Then, she heard something unmistakable.

...Kufufufu...

Shocked, Chrome didn't notice that Hibari had stopped. She nearly walked right into him, but was broken out of her thoughts as she felt his hand on her shoulder. Looking up, Chrome found Hibari looking down at her with a sort of...Perplexed look. "What has got you so unfocusd, Mist Guardian? Is my presence that easy for you to dismiss...?" Deep down, Hibari was aware that such a comment was quite unneeded - But the displeasure he felt had sharpened his tongue, and he knew there was no way he could take it back now.

The Cloud Guardian expected Chrome to wilt at the biting way he had phrased his question. Chrome's actual reaction filled him with a mix of discomfort and...Another sensation which he couldn't place his finger on. She blushed slightly - Embarrassedly? - Looking down and shifting, and said, "Well...I...Was just thinking about...Someone...Who might not...Want...Me..." Hibari sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her - It was entirely clear where this was going.

"Say no more," he half-muttered. "You needn't worry about that." Hibari had merely intended to silence her annoying prattling about him - But when Chrome looked up to him, her faintly increased blush and glimmering eyes told another story. Crap in a bucket, Hibari thought in a way notably unlike himself; Does she think I was...Comforting her, of all things? Then, a more disturbing thought arose - Was I trying to comfort her...?

Deciding to nip this small encounter in the bud, Hibari opened up the door to the Disciplinary Committee Lounge. He said curtly, "Luckily for you, after a slight incident involving a restroom based in-school prank in one of the larger halls, lunch has been extended so that the janitors can try to get the mess cleaned up...As well as for the Disciplinary Committee to properly discourage future pranks." He gave a brief, mirthless smirk at that thought; then, his scowl was back. "Enter. You will wait for me to return before eating."

Allowing Chrome to enter first - Listening to her quiet, polite thanks for that - Hibari looked down the hall. Something...Felt off. Hibari always knew when his school was in danger...For instance, although he had never told anyone: Back during the conflict with Varia, everytime the school was damaged and Hibari wasn't present, wherever he was, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee suddenly felt a great sadness. Soon to be consumed by a great anger.

Yet, this particular feeling of apprehension...Had last occurred not too long ago. A feeling of Hibari's muscles readying for him to strike an opponent, the back of his neck prickling, his fingertips itching...It would have been an exhilarating feeling, were he not fully aware what this could be telling him. It had actually come in less than a week's warning of that particular danger. And that particular danger was...

"People are going to die if that transpires again," Hibari breathed through clenched teeth. Whirling, he entered the lounge and had to willfully keep himself from slamming the door. Heading over into a small room adjacent to the Disciplinary Committee Lounge, the Cloud Guardian disappeared from view.

Gazing after him for a few moments, Chrome turned her attention to her surroundings...She was sitting in the center of a large leather couch, in front of a sizeable coffee table. On either end of the coffee table were a pair of well-cushioned chairs, and a window with the royal purple curtains drawn provided the only light. Finally looking down at the box in her lap, Chrome thought about the chuckle she had heard...There was no way...Was there?

...Chrome-chan...Freezing up, the female Mist Guardian was too stunned to say anything. The unmistakeable voice continued quietly. Only three words: ...This is...Permitted... Chrome blushed hotly - Was he saying...? Suddenly, a pressure on the couch beside her made Chrome jump, turning to look with a shocked expression.

Blinking, Hibari stated matter-of-factly, "You are a very jumpy creature." Reaching into the paper bag, he continued. "I will allow you to eat now. However, if you make a mess, you will pay entirely for the cleaning, and you will get three days of detention." Withdrawing a hamburger from the bag, Hibari took a sizeable bite.

Nodding, Chrome opened up her box and began eating...Hibari idly noticed the differences in their eating habits. Whereas he himself took large, almost angry bites from the hamburger, Chrome ate the potato chips she had brought quite daintily. Both were quiet eaters, though.

As well, Hibari took note of how - Even though he knew potato chips for being despicably messy food - Chrome didn't even get a crumb on herself, let alone the couch...

...He took out the second hamburger and began eating.

All was quiet again.