Chapter 4: Hello Goodbye

This chapter takes place a few months after 'Cantarella'.

iPod: Chikusa

Chikusa paced the hallway anxiously. The iPod had turned off after playing Cantarella for a few months, no matter what he and Ken did to fix it. But just yesterday it had turned on again to Hello Goodbye by the Beatles. Personally, a Beatles song seemed to fit neither Mukuro nor Chrome, but there was no sense in sweating over that fact. At least Hello Goodbye had a positive outlook.

After Chrome was dropped off at her parent's house, Mukuro had taken the Ring of Mist and returned to Italy as head of the Estraneo Family, perhaps one of his greatest surprises. After he had killed off many of the top adults as a child, there were practically no objections as he claimed his position. And now, he had come to Chrome's town in hopes of making her part of the family. When Ken asked why he had to go through the pains of erasing Chrome's memory, he told Ken that he simply wanted to win fairly. This answer only stirred up more questions. But here they were at Chrome's house with Mukuro talking to her parents in their living room.

"I must thank you for welcoming us into your home so openly," Mukuro said.

"It was nothing," said what sounded like Chrome's mother.

"But let's cut to the chase," Chrome's father steered the conversation into Mukuro's hands like a professional sucker. "It's about Nagi, isn't it?" Mukuro laughed.

"Indeed. She's very charming, you know?" A faint rustling of clothes indicated that Chrome's parents were now fully engaged in the conversation. Chikusa peeked into the room.

"Before we get any farther, just where have you come from?" Chrome's father said as her mother left.

"I'm in the Italian mafia." Chrome's mother stopped in alarm on her way out.

"The mafia? What a unique profession." Chrome's father was alert with fascination.

"Thank you. I lead a small family by the name of Estraneo. Have you ever heard of them?" Any idiot would. Mukuro's return to the mafia had caused a huge ruckus.

"Estraneo? Weren't they the ones who tried experimenting on their own children?"

"Yes." Mukuro's eyes flashed and his fingers twitched in a way only a few could notice.

"I also heard that there was an accident in which nearly everyone died, excluding the children, who then spent the next years in peace until you came?" No one dared try and investigate the Estraneo base for fear of the children attacking. Mukuro returned, and was now restoring the family for unknown reasons.

"My family's had tough times. But I've been helping it back up, and we've never been stronger." Mukuro smiled. "Were I to successfully court your daughter, she could be accepted into the Estraneo family. Of course, in-laws and anyone else eligible would come along as well." Chrome's mother gasped. Her father thought, and finally nodded.

"Go ahead." The greed in the man's voice was like a sore thumb.

"Dear!" Chrome's mother was shocked. "He's a criminal—"

"A good enough criminal for us." A certain tone in his voice silenced his wife.

"Thank you, sir." Mukuro rose and left with a subtle bow. He glided out of the room and headed straight for Chrome's school. Chikusa tagged along. "Chikusa."

"Yes?" Chikusa replied.

"Tell me everything you could find out about Nagi while I was dealing with that pact of morons." Chikusa had searched Chrome's room and permanent record.

"Chro—Nagi has been a very bright child. However, she's had a reputation for violence against her peers. She loves animals, and works at the local pet shop." Very un-Chrome like. They reached her school. Walking to her classroom, Mukuro stopped and exchanged glances at Chikusa. He's nervous. No way… "I'll go in and get her."

"Thank you." Chikusa knocked on the door as Mukuro adjusted himself so he could have a good view of the classroom without being noticed. In the room, children were silently reading books and taking notes while the teacher jumped awake at the sound of a knock.

"Come in," he grunted, rubbing his eyes lazily. "Who are you?"

"A visitor. I've come on behalf of the Estraneo family." The class whispered in astonishment. "Is there a girl by the name of Nagi in this room?" All heads turned to a small, purple haired girl.

She put down her book and said, "Eh?" She didn't seem different at all. In a bad way.

"My boss would like to talk to you." He pushed up his glasses. She froze for a second, then meekly followed him out of the room.

iPod: Mukuro

She doesn't seem different at all, Mukuro thought as he watched the classroom.

"You're doomed," a voice from behind him was startling. "You think Nagi's that feeble? It's a giant test. When she first meets someone, she'll act like that to see what kind of people they are." He turned around to see the one person he never wanted to see again.

"Oh? How interesting," he mused. "And when she finds out why I'm here?"

"You'll wish you never came." The boy in front of him smirked.

"Takes one to know one. You may have been here longer, but my chances are much better with her parents on my side, Hibari Kyoya." Hibari flinched. "How's Lanchia?"

"Lanchia?"

"Yes, him. I heard that you and M.M recruited him into your little group."

"He's very happy to be out of your clutches."

"And the Vongolas?"

"It's been rough with Mist Guardians. Right now they think I'm looking for you."

"On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is she now?"

"Ranges from eight to ten." An amusing challenge? Not likely.

"Alright, cut the crap, Estraneo big shot," Nagi approached the two. "I know why you're here. And I don't care what my parents told you, but I'm not falling for you."

"Big shot?" She's more like an eleven. "Do you honestly think I sucked up to your parents for the sake of getting their good side? I could've come into your life, unassociated with those idiots and you'd have no problems with me. But it's much more fun letting your parents think they have control." This phased her for a moment.

"Don't flatter yourself like Hibaka." She glanced at Hibari. "Nothing will work."

"Kufufu~ . You have no idea, Ms. Nagi." He smiled even more, much to her frustration.

"You have a weird laugh. And why are your eyes different colors?" So says a kid with purple hair and eyes.

"A result of the experiments." Hibari was long gone now, safely out of Nagi's wrath. "Come. Let's take a walk." he grabbed her hand as he spoke. She attempted to elbow him. Mukuro remembered her attacks and blocked them off easily.

They headed for the park. For the whole time, Nagi was exactly what she had originally been described as. Mukuro had an idea.

"You've been lying, haven't you?" he asked. "You act like this as much as you want, but you're just like how you acted in the classroom." Nagi took the bluff.

"So?" she retorted. "What's it to you?"

"You don't want to live like this." he peeked into her mind for more information.

"Get out." Nagi kicked him out mentally.

"How did you know?" The had arrived at the park.

"I just did. You have no right to invade people's minds."

"Why do you take this so easily?"

"I had a friend who could do that." She climbed onto a swing. "Just what makes you so great anyways? Yeah, you were a lab rat. At least you were given the ability to escape your Hell." Mukuro stopped her swinging.

"You don't know Hell. It's not school, it's not a lab. It's much worse." He leaned in closer to her. "Don't lie to yourself."

"I'm trying not to." There. Now she was spilling everything. "I really am trying to become myself." She got up and made a break for her house. How very amusing.

iPod: Nagi

As Nagi ran to protest her parents, she tried taking shortcuts to throw the Estraneo jerk off her trail. But as she turned and twisted, she realized that the road were different and were now leading her into a circle. What?! Too late. She stopped running, and the momentum sent her flying into the path of a bus.

"You should be more careful, Nagi," Mukuro caught her just in time. How did he know she was coming back?

"How'd you make those illusions?" He laughed that disgusting laugh.

"How did you know they were illusions?"

"They lead me in a circle and were full of turns I didn't remember."

"So you lead suitors to this park and ditch them to complain to your parents? You might claim to hate them all you like, but you'd be nothing without them." The words cut through deeply. He held her tighter. "You really are an interesting kid." She broke free. Not knowing what to say back to him, she returned to the swing set. "What happened with you and that other kid?" Was there jealousy in his voice?

"He appeared, tried to act all cool and I rejected him in record time."

"I don't believe that." Why could he catch all her lies?!

"You really wanna know? Fine. We tried dating and it failed. The end. Why do you care anyways? I hate him now." She thought fast and came up with a solution. "Did you two know each other from before?"

"Yes." She noticed a glint on his right hand.

"Is that why you wear the same kind of ring?" It was her turn to ask questions now.

"Yes. You're very smart." She recalled how he enjoyed Hibari's nickname.

"Are you two rivals?" He nodded and grinned. "Why were you talking in the hallway?"

"None of your business." I'm involved in this, aren't I? No wonder the story of how I lost my eye makes any sense. "You're getting awful close to the truth. Now my game will be ruined."

"Not so fast. I'll play along, then, too. I can't wait to see the look on your face when I win." It really would be a nice face without that smile of his.

"I highly doubt you'll beat me, Nagi." it was only then that she realized he had her in his arms again. Mukuro smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "You've already taken a liking to me. Your cheeks scream out that fact." Nagi's face was from her mother.

"It's something I inherited." he found this funny and placed a hand on her head. Jeez. Why is it now that I actually see this guy? He's huge.

"It's a nice blush on you." Mukuro commented. "Would you like to get something to eat later tonight? I can pick you up at around 7." He's kinda cute…

"Eh? But I just met you!" And I would like to know more about him.

"Even better, then. We can get to know each other." I just can't let my defenses slip.

In the end, Nagi gave in with an, "I'll think about it." She had tried her best to sound reluctant. But no amount of resistance stopped her from finishing her homework in record time. Nothing could've stood between her and wearing one of her best shirts (emphasis on shirt, not blouse or dress), either. And Mukuro picked her up right on time. They ate at a small café that she had never been to before, though she could see a good number of her classmates there. The food wasn't fancy or anything, but it still tasted better than most of what she ate with her parents.

When she got home, Mukuro left her with another swift peck before she could even react. She dashed up to her room to avoid her parents and plopped down in exhaustion on her bed, weighing over the day's events. He was a strange man, unlike the others her parents suggested. Independent and a bit tricky, she was flustered and rather taken back. But that only pushing her forward to becoming attracted to him.