Oh my god. I feel terrible. I haven't updated in ages but today is your lucky day. I'll be updating more these days 'cause I have a month holiday. YAY! On with the story, okay?

Chapter 4: Metal

Chrome looked at the small almost circular red mark that occupied about two centimeters of her neck. She hadn't really thought about it last night but it seemed that when Mukuro kissed her neck it definitely left a mark. She didn't know what it was but it didn't look like it was going to go away. Perhaps she should consult Mukuro but then rejected the thought. Considering the fact that the kiss he gave her last night was mostly likely the cause of it she didn't want him to worry about it.

Chrome sighed as she closed the compact, the mirror folding away with a quick snap. Despite the fact that she clearly didn't want to ever leave Mukuro's side ever again she still had her doubts. The sound of his voice, the sight of his face… Everything about him made her melt and she couldn't help but want to be near him. It was those traits though, it was those traits that made her wonder if it was all still an act.

"My, my, Chrome. You have something on your neck." Mukuro came behind her and touched her neck; he smiled behind her as she jumped almost a foot into the air, "Do you know what it is?

"I'm sure it'll go away, Mukuro. It's probably nothing." Chrome replied quickly, she turned to face him properly and he dropped his hand. Mukuro almost laughed, she completely misinterpreted his question. Even if she was 17 now, she was still his cute little Chrome.

"Kufufu, Chrome, it's not me that is curious as to what it is. I'm wondering if you know what it is." Mukuro chuckled at her suddenly red face as he moved his face closer to her's. Even if it was inherited, he would never tire of the redness that overcame her cheeks every time he came near her.

"Um… Mukuro… I…" Chrome somehow managed to stumble out. She couldn't possibly say she had no idea what the mark was.

"It seems my Chrome doesn't know, I'll tell you." Mukuro smirked at embraced her before she could even say a word. His arms wrapped effectively around her upper back and her head. Mukuro could feel her yelp as he did so, "It's a love bite. It means that no one else can touch you. It means your mine."

Chrome blushed even deeper and somehow she knew Mukuro knew it. Chrome closed her eyes as she remembered she had something to do today. She sighed as she returned the affectionate gesture Mukuro was giving her.

"Boss, the girl you're looking for… I found her."

The same man from the Vendicare prison with his long silver hair still pulled into a high tail. He stood in front of a tall almost large looking man who was sitting a long wooden desk that was overflowing with many papers.

"Good job, Gin." The supposed boss replied, "Sayuri always thought she was dead but I always knew that her corpse was a bit too gruesome."

Gin laughed as his Boss said those words, "It's true that that man does have a love for slaughter themes."

"It's such a sad thought that she'll have to be brought back to a house where her mother has died." The man looked almost thrilled at the idea.

"Died, you say? You had her killed. What a cruel husband you were." Gin smiled at his Boss, "Did Sayuri-san know you were in mafia, Boss?"

"Of course not. After her first divorce Sayuri needed to keep up appearances so she was so desperate she didn't even need to know my background when she married me. All she cared about was that I was rich – how I got the money she didn't give a shit." The man smirked at his subordinate, "The only reason I married a selfish woman like that was because of her daughter."

"I'm surprised though, Boss." Gin said, "I didn't expect you to be able to predict the Vongola Mist guardian would take an interest with that girl."

The man chuckled at it, "Her body was unique. Of courses he would take interest in a girl like that. The way she just naturally steered people away, even though she was such a kind girl, was nothing short of a phenomenon."

"You're such a cruel man to both your daughter and your wife." Gin seemed to enjoy their suffering, "Did you know your precious daughter doesn't go by her given name anymore?"

"Well, she's still my daughter. She'll go by the name I say she will." The man rustled around his desk for papers and finally pulled out a single sheet, "According to this document, she's still alive and supposedly under my care. It's not like she can really put up a resistance."

"Hmm… I wonder whether Sayuri-san ever knew about that. She really is such a poor woman." Gin said, his tone not even hinting at true sincerity.

"That's what she gets for being Platinum." The man commented, fishing out a front page article and handing it to Gin.

"'Platinum, world famous actress, loses to cancer'?" Gin read off the newspaper. He continued down the page and saw words that caught his eye, "'hiding her illness flawlessly she managed to impress directors until cancer finally took its toll on her.'." Gin laughed at the sentence, "You really pulled some strings, Boss!"

"Well, it's not like it would look good on my image if it said 'Platinum killed by husband – a Mafia Boss', now would it?"

Chrome looked up at the huge billboard as she walking down the street. 'Platinum, a death that will plague the entire planet" the sign read. Chrome sighed as she continued to walk until she reached her destination. She just made it as the funeral ceremony ended. It was surprisingly small because only those that were invited could come to the famous idol's funeral. Using her illusions flawlessly Chrome was able to make it through without any problem.

During the ceremony Chrome could see the dark clouds looming in the sky. It was ironic. It was almost as if the skies were crying with the death of such a loved person. All present had grief stricken faces but Chrome could see through them, all that saddened them was the loss of a future business associate.

How superficial.

As soon as the ceremony ended everyone filed out almost as quickly as possible. Chrome couldn't even see her father or her stepfather present. As soon as everyone had left and she was sure of it, Chrome dropped the first class illusion she had up. She sighed at the scene and walked over to the grave. On the cold stone the name "Sayuri Akesaka" was printed out perfectly on it. Chrome touched the stone and underlined the name, underneath was words of endearment and love to her.

Chrome took one more look at the grave. It was overly extravagant with a large angel sculpted on it. She stood up and her eyes drifted to the much smaller grave beside it. It was a simple grave, only the words "Nagi Akesaka R.I.P" were printed. No sweet words, no words of love, no nothing. It seemed people wanted to put her mother's grave next to her's but little did they know the corpse that buried was only an illusion Mukuro had created.

Chrome could remember the day when it was her funeral. It was almost too clear. Mukuro had held her hand gently as he allowed her to see her own funeral after he had taken her away. The sun had shone brightly and Chrome had heard children laughing the distance. As they lowered "her" body into the ground Mukuro had covered her eyes, protecting her from any tears. Chrome had seen only one person at her funeral. Her mother. No tears of sadness, no look of grief, no words of anguish… there was only a smile that her hindrance had disappeared.

When Mukuro saw Chrome had witnessed the smile he embraced her. It was the first time he truly embraced her and she was glad for it. After her mother had left Chrome saw a small black cat curled up against her grave. The cat had had a small chip in its left ear and a bald patch near its tail. Chrome had recognised it. It was the same cat she had rescued from the truck.

During the time Mukuro had taken Chrome through the six realms slowly teaching her about the different worlds he had experienced Chrome never knew the cat had stayed by her grave everyday and never left. Chrome never knew that the cat had died by her grave because it never left her side. Not until this day.

On the other side of Nagi's grave was a small pile of dirt and a stick planted onto it, Chrome walked past her own grave and squatted at the makeshift one. A collar with a small bell attached was looped around the stick. There was no name tag and Chrome recognised it immediately. The same cat she rescued was nameless despite its bright red collar. A sheet of yellowing paper was stuck firmly onto the stick, "My cat was saved by Nagi Akesaka and she loved her a lot. She stayed by Nagi's grave everyday and eventually died. I hope she and Nagi play together up in heaven. R.I.P Aki.".

Chrome felt the tears welling in her eyes as she read the note the cat's owner left behind. The owner must've loved Aki a lot. Chrome stood up, her head bowed as she stared at the small grave. If only she had returned, then she could've saved Aki from death. The clouds finally burst open in a flurry of rain, drenching Chrome in its wake. Chrome felt like it was the sky's way of showing her, they were not crying for Sayuri the Platinum but Aki the cat.

A gust wind flew by and Chrome heard the bell ring with it. A few of her tears were carried off by the wind along with the sound of the bell. Chrome could almost feel the ghostly feeling of a hand gently intertwining with hers and a hand covering her eyes, just like the day of her funeral.

It only took a few moments for Chrome to realise that it was not a mere ghostly memory that gave her those sensations but the real Mukuro that was holding her.

"Mukuro…" Chrome whispered to the man holding her, "How did you know? I thought I threw the newspaper away."

"My precious Chrome, you can't hide something like this from me." Mukuro said softly into her ear, "I didn't wish for you to see something like this. I didn't wish for you to be reminded of your life from before."

"She neglected me before but she's still my mother." Chrome said quietly, her hand tightening around Mukuro's, "I had to come."

"Humans really are horrid creatures; Chrome, there is no need grieve over them." Mukuro told her, "Black doesn't suit my cute Chrome."

Chrome bit back a sob. Her short black sundress was now dripping with the rain, "I-I… Mukuro… I can't help it. I can't help but feel sad for her death. Both my mother's and that cat's."

"Didn't I tell you death is not an ending? It's merely the beginning of another cycle." Mukuro reminded gently, holding her even closer to him.

"Don't you find it ironic, Mukuro?" Chrome suddenly said, her question and tone startling Mukuro, "My mother is the beautiful metal Platinum and I'm just the plain metal Chrome."

"I do find it rather ironic." Mukuro said smoothly, "Your mother was a superficial metal that was only used in jewellery where its true lustre would be outshone by gorgeous gems. However, Chrome is a metal that when polished can truly shine and has the potential to be something colourful and beautiful in everyone's eyes."

Chrome's hand squeezed his hand and tears flowed down past his hand. His answer had touched her all the way down to the centre of her heart, "Mukuro… Thank you… Thank you for taking me away from that superficial life and taking me to this one. Thank you for making me Chrome."

Mukuro smiled and even though she couldn't see it Chrome knew it. Her hair stuck to her face and his hand because of the heavy rain but neither minded. Both of them had their clothes wet and clinging to their bodies but they didn't mind.

Right now, everything felt perfect.

"What do you mean you pieces of shit couldn't find her at the funeral!" Gin shouted at men gathered in front of him, "What kinds of Mafioso are you guys!"

"B-but captain!" One of them shouted, "We looked everywhere! There was no girl that went by the description you gave us and no one looked like person in the photo!" He held up the small photo of Nagi that their boss had given to them as reference.

"You absolute imbeciles!" Gin yelled, "That picture is of her when she was fourteen! She's seventeen fucking years old now!" Gin wiped his brow in frustration, "She's a world-class illusionist, dammit! She can fool even Vendicare! Only three people out there can do that! She's wanted! Of course she would put up an illusion to disguise herself! Do you guys have any idea who you're dealing with?"

"But Boss said that it would be easy!" Another one of them argued, "He said she was going to easy to deal with!"

"Well, Boss was assuming you guys were complete idiots!" Gin growled and the subordinates could only cower in his presence.

"Give them a break, Gin." A feminine voice came from behind. Gin turned around to see a woman with dark yellow hair and stunning grey eyes that held a playful look, "Not all of them have a modified eye that can see through all illusions like you."

"Well, hello Gorgeous." Gin said as she approached, it made her smile.

"My name's not 'Gorgeous', as much as I'd like it to be. It's Amber, remember?" She said as she poked his forehead with a well manicured finger, "Why don't you go find the girl Boss is trying to find yourself, Gin?"

"That might not be such a bad idea, Amber." Gin commented, "It's better than leaving it to these fools. Try not to miss me, Amber."

"As if!" Amber said so quickly they sounded like one word, "I sure as hell didn't miss you when you went to investigate her in Vendicare." Amber laughed and playfully put a finger to her chin, "Though… I wouldn't mind a goodbye kiss."

"I'll give you something to look forward to then." Gin said as he headed off.

"Dickhead!" Amber shouted after him.

"C-Chrome! M-Mukuro!" A voice from behind broke them both out of their reveries. They let go of each other only to face the current Vongola Boss.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi, what are you doing here?" Mukuro asked coldly, his usual playful smile in place.

"He followed me." A threatening voice said. Chrome's eyes drifted to the source only to see Hibari Kyoya leaning against a nearby tree.

"Kyoya! How did you know…?" Chrome gasped. If they were caught here she didn't want to think what would happen.

"I know who you are, Nagi. Do you expect me to believe that you would completely fine in such an event? Especially after you returned back to that lying bastard… Why a herbivore like Sawada Tsunayoshi would follow me is beyond my comprehension." Kyoya glared effectively at Tsuna. He also seemed to notice the glare Mukuro was sending him and he didn't seem to mind.

"Only Chrome can get Hibari-san to react like that." Tsuna stammered, "I-I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"If you are here to separate me from Chrome, I will let you experience real hell." Mukuro smirked and Tsuna doubted he was joking.

"I-I'm not here to do anything like that!" Tsuna quickly stuttered. It was hard to believe that he was the Boss of a feared organisation such as Vongola, "I just wanted to make sure Chrome was okay. It's good to see you two are fine."

"Kufufu, Sawada Tsunayoshi, you really are a foolish little boy. An enemy stands in front of you and don't even raise a hand." Mukuro comments, though he can't say he isn't glad he doesn't have to release one six realms on him.

"Mukuro and Chrome aren't my enemies! You two are my guardians!" Tsuna voices out quickly.

"Guardians? Since when have I associated myself with the mafia?" Mukuro questioned as he sent a hardened look at Tsuna.

"Mukuro, Boss doesn't mean to offend you… he's just saying what he feels…" Chrome interjected.

"Give it up, Nagi. Rokudo Mukuro isn't the type to listen to reason. He just recklessly does whatever he wants to." Kyoya said belligerently causing both him and Mukuro to have a glaring contest in which sparks flew in all directions.

"My, my, I don't seem to understand what you are talking about? Is it some new hobby to talk gibberish, Hibari Kyoya?" Mukuro taunted. Both Chrome and Tsuna could see the fight that was about to instigate.

"Mukuro! Kyoya! Please don't fight here!" Chrome begged, hoping her plea would somehow prevent mass destruction.

"If it's what my Chrome wants then I will not defeat you today, Hibari Kyoya." Mukuro smirked, his signature laugh following.

"I wouldn't have lost, Rokudo Mukuro. However, Nagi would only be tormented if I defeated you here." Kyoya remarked.

Tsuna sighed and thanked the lords that there wasn't some sort of giant explosion or a huge battle occurred where the dead were supposed to be sleeping. One; he didn't want to deal with ghosts and two; the damage repair/compensation was going to take a huge chunk out of his account. He was glad Chrome was there. Chrome seemed to be the only person able stop two of Vongola's most dangerous men.

"Boss, what are you going to do with Mukuro and me?" Chrome inquired, her boss wouldn't lie to her.

"I'm going to try and get a pardon for you two. I always thought Mukuro wasn't meant to be there. I'm not the boss of Vongola for nothing." Tsuna said confidently. Chrome could see the essence of the boy she met three years ago but she could also see how that boy had matured through the years.

"Kufufu, are you sure Sawada Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro asked sceptically, "I know some very unpleasant humans. They can lie without a problem. Are you merely just trying to get Chrome and I to lower our guards?"

"I-I… I'm not lying! Mukuro, Chrome, please believe me!" Tsuna said sincerely. He knew Mukuro wouldn't trust him but he truly wanted to help them out.

"Mukuro, Boss isn't lying… I can tell." Chrome answered.

"I can't believe this little brat is Vongola Decimo." Gin appeared at the scene, smirk in place. Chrome gasped and Mukuro's arm twitched into a protective place in front of her. Gin laughed as he saw Kyoya and Tsuna, "Nice to meet you, Vongola Decimo, Vongola Cloud guardian. I am Gin of the Delvario family. I work part-time with Vendicare and your Mist guardians are quite wanted, Sawada Tsunayoshi-sama."

"For now, Chrome and Mukuro are under my care. I won't let you take them away!" Tsuna declared making the illusionist duo smile slightly.

"I would never dream of it Sawada-sama." Gin mocked, "I merely need Chrome. Give me that girl and both of them will be pardoned. Seeing as I do have some excellent connections with Vendicare. Both Rokudo Mukuro and Chrome can get off without a problem."

"What does the Delvario family want with my Chrome?" Mukuro said threateningly, his mismatched eyes never left Gin's figure, just in case the sly looking man decided to pull a fast one.

"The Delvario family doesn't want Chrome, per say… more like they want Akesaka Nagi." Gin smirked at Chrome making her clutch onto dripping Mukuro's shirt out of instinct.

"Enough talk. You're crowding. I'm annoyed today. Leave now or I'll bite you death." Kyoya threatened though Gin didn't move an inch. Lightning seemed to strike in distance, befitting the electrical situation.

"My, my, I didn't mean to offend the Vongola Cloud. I'll leave right away but only if I can take Nagi with me." Gin said before suddenly running at Chrome at an alarming speed, "Even if I have to kidnap her, I just need her bring her back to the Delvario family."

Mukuro's red eye turned to the number '3' and suddenly long anaconda sprouted from a rip in reality. It attempted to lunge itself at Gin but he dodged it expertly.

"I won't fall for the same trick twice, Rokudo Mukuro! Your precious Chrome already pulled that on me." Gin said triumphantly.

"It's not the same." Mukuro said simply before Gin escaped a quick attack from a tonfa, barely by a hair.

"This is going to be difficult if I'm in such a disadvantageous position." Gin commented only to turn around to see a blast of Sky flames that Tsuna had sent at him. It was one of Tsuna's latest attacks and Gin seemed like perfect target practice.

"It's troublesome if Nagi is taken away now." Kyoya said to the now injured Gin, "It's not like I'm doing this for Vongola. I'll bite you to death next time for sure."

"This sure is going to be tiresome. I won't make the same mistake as my idiotic subordinates but four against one is a bit out of my league." Gin said before a silver ring on his finger lit up.

They couldn't see properly with all the rain but the flame ignited as Gin smashed his hand into the ground. A large explosion occurred bits of the ground and dirt flew in all directions. When the Vongola guardians and boss opened their eyes, Gin was gone.

Chromes' single eye went downcast, feeling guilty, "Sorry, Boss, Kyoya, Mukuro. It's all my fault. I don't know why but it seems that when I was living as Nagi that I was somehow connected to the Delvario family."

"C-Chrome…" Tsuna stuttered out, "We don't care about whom you were but Chrome is Chrome now! I will protect my friends."

Chrome blushed at the humble statement but it only made Mukuro want to kill the current Vongola boss, "Sawada Tsunayoshi, I do hope that you are not trying to seduce my cute little Chrome." Mukuro had his trademark smile but Tsuna could tell he was pissed.

"M-Mukuro!" Chrome gasped, trying to get the older man to calm down, "Please don't say embarrassing things like that! Boss means well!"

"Nagi." Kyoya cut in sharply, "Are you going to return to the Vongola or are going to continue hiding like a herbivore?"

"That's right!" Tsuna exclaimed, relief was washing over his face, "Kyoko-chan and Haru really miss you! I-Pin too! They would love you to come back!"

"Sorry, Boss. Please tell Kyoko-chan, Haru-chan and I-Pin-chan I'm really sorry. Mukuro and I will just keep to ourselves for now." Chrome apologised, she took a deep breath and apologised once more, "Sorry, Boss."

With that both mist guardians were gone, fading away with a dark mist.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi." Kyoya said curtly, Tsuna could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, "For following me, I'll bite you to death."

"Hibari-san, you really are still scary!"

Wow, I think this chapter really sucked. I'm running low on fuel and I'm having massive author's block. Anybody have any cures? It doesn't flow that well anymore. Sigh… I thought I had this chapter in the bag but the bag ran away.

Anyway, review if you think it's good or crap. I don't mind. Jeez, I'm going to go to bed now. I hope you guys enjoyed the update though! I know some of them are out of character and Gin seems to have some sort of bi-polar disease (not really). Anyway, hope you liked it!

Next Chapter: My Princess (may change) yeah this chapter I'm probably going to run low again. Sorry! I'm saving the juicy stuff for later.