Author's Note: So here we are again. I would like to apologize, again, for the late update. Hahaha, it was my graduation day last week so I was kind of spending some time with my friends and family since I'll be going to a city this holy week. Or maybe not…I don't know. By the way, since it's summer vacation already, I would be pleased to announce that this story…will be finished this May or maybe June…..Gomen ne, you see I'm gonna be a freshmen college this coming school year and we all know that college is a busy gig.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Reflection

"With all do respect, Vongola the Ninth, I wish of no service shall be handed onto me on my plot to save Chrome and kill my brother." Mukuro favored so professionally.

The Ninth gave the young illusionist a calm father's smile "I wish I could follow your plead as a father is to a son. But as a grand relative to Tsunayoshi-kun, it is in my will to give whatever help I can hand for him and his guardians."

"Dammit that Sawada Tsunayoshi!" Mukuro looked away in exhaustion.

"I beg your pardon?" Iemitsu, who was standing right beside the Vongola boss, talked back after hearing a negative phrase at his son from the boy.

"Kufufufu….why did I even placed my hopes on Sawada Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro comments "He told me, he promised me that he'll do whatever it takes to protect Chrome and the others. And now…now look at this! Ken, Chikusa, and M.M. were all imprisoned back at the laboratory together with me and Chrome has been captured by my notorious spoiled brother. In any time soon I bet, he'll take his attentions in making Chrome he's bride and might as well lead us into a trap."

"Mu….Mukuro-kun…Tsunayoshi-kun did gave his best to protect Chrome." The Ninth tried giving comfort.

"Kufufufu…..best? So letting my underlings be imprisoned with me and letting Chrome be captured with Kyouya-kun was the best thing that Sawada can do? That's worthless! He has no right to become the next leader of the Vongola family if these are his actions towards his subordinates! He has no single chance!"

"NO! You're being fogged by what you see of my son's work." Iemitsu answered "You have no idea how hard it was for him to watch over Chrome being guarded by the prefect he well respects and fears the most. You have no idea how hard it was for him to do nothing, while knowing that his friends are in grave danger. You have no idea how much it hurts to hear bad reports about your friends being caught up into troubles. And bottom line, you have no idea how much pain he is going through right now"

"Pain?"

"My wife kept on calling me every now and then of my son's behavior. She told me how absent-minded he is right now that he can't even eat a single grain of rice nor study anything for school. Don't you see? The situation of Chrome, Hibari Kyouya, and Kokuyo can't leave my son's mind. He's worried sick about everyone!"

Guilt, pity, and amusement were all mixed up as a bowl of confusion in Mukuro's head. He felt guilty after knowing the behavior of the up-coming Vongola boss. He pitied him for keeping his worries about their safety. But it also amused him; a boy such as Tsuna could easily attract a humorous attention towards Mukuro. It was rare for the no-good boy to act so calm and lifeless. But for his friends, maybe his actions are at the right order.

"Kufufu…very well then. I guess there's no way I could possibly stop you from doing what you desire" Mukuro said, finalizing his proposal "I shall save Chrome as soon as dawn rises, with or without your guidance as long as I can rescue her and give Shichirou a ticket to the underworld myself."

"Just a moment there Mukuro-kun" the Ninth unnecessarily stopped the illusionist "If I were you…I wouldn't kill Shichirou."

"Oya? Why wouldn't you?"

"Listen to me closely. I am asking you as an old person, begging you to follow my advice." The Ninth stood from his chair, appearing a serious stare at Mukuro "Shichirou is the ninth boss of the Estraneo famiglia and therefore, he's also a part of the Mafia organization. If you kill him, you might as well end up in a deeper tank that no one, not even the most powerful creature that ever lived, may break you out of there."

"Kufufu…am I actually hearing this from the Ninth Vongola boss? From what it seems, it appears to me that you do not wish for me to go back to prison,"

"It is not only I, Mukuro-kun. We all know that Chrome doesn't want you to go back there and so as Tsunayoshi-kun."

Mukuro paused, thinking over what the Ninth have just told him. But won't it be the same? He'll surely be recaptured as soon as everything is over. So what's the point? Mukuro just wanted to take his revenge for kidnapping his most precious treasure; and Shichirou wanted to avenge his parents' death, which he still loves.

"Let me decide on my own whether to follow what you suggest or to ignore it like I always do to others." Mukuro answered "I shall bring my vessel back too me as soon as the sky awakens, this is where this conversation ends!"

"This isn't where it all ends just yet!" Hibari, swiftly slamming the door open, interrupts the finalized conversation "It is my responsibility to guard and protect that pathetic little puppet of yours. Therefore, it is also my responsibility to save her."

"Kufufufu….don't over-act on this one Kyouya-kun. You can't save Chrome. From how we all looked at it; you can't even save yourself from Shichirou" Mukuro teased "Which reminds me, are you here to give me your thanks for rescuing you?"

"I don't owe you anything. If you would like me to give you my thanks, I'll bite you to death first as quick as possible!"

"Kufufufu…pitiful child, you don't even give a single penny to someone like me. Mortals like you belong to the underworld."

"Oh? You're challenging me?" Hibari smirked, bringing out his tonfas from his sleeves.

"Kufufu…it would be a pleasure to pour out my stress over you!" Mukuro swings his trident out.

"STOP! Nobody will be spilling any blood!" Iemitsu ran between the two boys, halting their fight "We won't get anywhere with arguments. There's no point on quarreling with each other in a time where rest is needed."

At the words of the external advisor, both of the young lads dropped their guards down, hiding their weapons from the adults' sights.

"Kufufu…very well then. I guess there's no way I could possibly stop you from doing what you desire Save her in any possible way as you wish, and I'll save her in my own path." Mukuro said, finally ending the conversation as he left the area.

"Hibari-kun…if you are to save Chrome….are there any services that we can give you?" the Ninth offered as soon as Mukuro left.

Hibari gave the Ninth a glare, but was a little surprise that the old man didn't show any fear towards the teenager. The Ninth kept the same father's smile, the same smile he gave to Mukuro earlier….and to Tsuna most of the time. He took his conclusion from his eyes that this man can be more than trusted.

"I've never asked help from herbivores before. Though just this once…I'll need a chopper and someone to navigate me back to that base." The prefect favored.

"Then it shall be given to you as soon as morning rises. Rest for now. Save your strength for your mission tomorrow." The Ninth said.

Meanwhile….

"You're not Mukuro-sama, are you?" Chrome theorized after meeting the person who her brother appointed earlier.

"Kufufu….sadly I'm not, Chrome-chan. I'm his elder brother…you can call me Shichirou-sempai…or just Shichirou if that doesn't make you that comfortable."

"No, no….it's alright. You're Mukuro-sama's brother…there is no single right for me o call you by just your first name."

"Kufufu…how adorable! I like you already!" Shichirou mused, making the shy girl blush innocently.

"Uhm…so…you're this family's boss? And…you're also my brother's leader." Chrome tried to open up a new topic as best as she can.

"So you have heard? You don't need to be afraid of me Chrome-chan." Shichirou smiled gently, approaching the female illusionist as he sat beside her on the bed.

Chrome's cheek slowly began to turn red as the Estraneo boss' face grew closer to hers.

"Kufufu…you're so cute I could harass you already." Shichirou teased, creasing her cheeks tenderly "But…I can't do that. Mukuro-kun will be mad."

"Mukuro-sama?...do you know where Mukuro-sama is? He's been missing for days and I can't seem to conta…" Chrome asked, but was immediately cut off by Shichirou's lips.

Of course as a timid and naïve girl, Chrome blushed even more with her eye terribly wide open from the surprise kiss.

"Your lips…their so soft." Shichirou whispered at her ear-shell, making her shiver "Chrome-chan…I want to kiss you again."

"No…I…" again was she cut of from his cold lips.

"No! Please stop!" Chrome continued resisting, pushing him away. Yet his force was stronger that he was able to push her back lying down on the bed.

He began creasing her leg until it was high enough to reach the bottom of her skirt.

"STOP IT!" Chrome yelled, slapping him so he won't continue further more "Please don't…I can't …..I don't want…." She began crying as her whole body shivered in fear.

Shichirou froze for awhile, admiring her so innocent purity as she wrapped her arms around a pillow from the bed.

"Kufufu…okay then. I guess I'll have to wait." Shichirou stood as he head to exit from the room "Chrome-chan…I like you….I really do." He smiled as he turned back before leaving.

This left her confused, at the same time, embarrassed. She didn't know what to say or what to do.

Soon, morning came in a quick rush. The entire teams assigned to accompany both cloud and mist guardians were all ready.

"Hibari-kun, your navigator is already aboard the helicopter." The Ninth informed by the time Hibari finally stepped out to begin his mission.

"Where's Mukuro?" Hibari questioned.

"Mukuro is already ahead. You should go on as well. Good luck!" and the young prefect entered the helicopter after the Ninth's wish.

As soon as the chopper was high enough to fly to where the location is, Hibari slid in as he awaits their arrival.

"So …you've decided to save her huh?" a familiar voice was unexpectedly heard from the front seat.

"What are you doing here Bronco?" Hibari glared furiously at the Chavallone boss, who was beside the pilot which was none other than Romario.

"Didn't you ask a navigator? Well, you have yourself a navigator." Dino smiled with his thumbs up.

Hibari remained out of response. He could care less about the Bronco being his guide. What he cared about at this moment was Chrome's safety.

"Nagi….wait for me…"

"INTROUDER ALERT! INTROUDER ALERT! INTROUDER ALERT!" the alarms beamed red everywhere inside the entire base.

Soldiers, guards, and other assassins were all preparing for the surprise ambush as they grabbed every armor and weaponry they can get to defend their units.

Mukuro and his gang began their attack as they slew a hundred already; surpassing every man out of their way like a common insect blocking a view.

"These guys are boring. They're already beaten up this easy!" Ken complained, mocking too much.

"You're too greedy-proud Ken." Chikusa commented.

"Though you really have to agree with him Chikusa; Shichirou's men are nothing but weaklings." M.M. added.

"Kufufufu….now, now my underlings. Let us not be too lofty." Mukuro laughed "after all, we didn't came here to have fun with my brothers place." He said as they carried on forward and slew every single man that approached them until they found where Chrome and Shichirou are.

Meanwhile, at the main entrance landing deck of the base, Hibari's chopper finally arrived.

"Looks like Mukuro did a good job cleaning up the place." Dino praised, looking around the landing platform which was completely empty.

Hibari, who seemed to be annoyed, gave his self-proclaimed tutor his ignorance as he stared away with disgust of the illusionist's work.

"So…I shall once more be in your opposing side." A female voice echoed somewhere within the open area.

"Where are you herbivore?" Hibari questioned, brought his tonfas out of his sleeves while the Chavallone boss did the same.

Suddenly, a woman with a very long red hair emerged from a dark corner, swinging a heavy line of chains in circles above her head as her weapon while lightning flames continuously burst out from it.

"Rosso…Calibri?" Dino uttered in shock at his familiarity as he caught sight of the woman.

"You know her?" Hibari questioned.

"Well…I…she's my…she was a friend." Dino scratched his hair at his back head with a happy blush.

"Enough with the talk you two! If you wish to pass…you'll have to go through me first!" Rosso positioned herself, feet planted firmly on the ground with a face so serious "Dino Bronco, Hibari Kyouya….I am your opponent!"

"Bring it on herbivore. And this time…I'll surely bite you to death!"

At the same time, Mukuro and the others were already lost somewhere inside the towered floors. They were all starting to doubt the directions where Mukuro is heading, but he knew that somehow he was being led to the right path.

"Are you lost? Good! Cause' this is your dead-end!" a voice unnecessarily broke out as they came across a wide open area, which seems to be a battle arena.

"Who's there?" M.M yelled as she and the other two guys searched the room for the anonymous person.

Just in, a blonde man, with a large silver cross-spear as his weapon, suddenly jumped somewhere from the ceiling.

"You!" Mukuro mouthed in shock at the sight of this familiar man.

"You have no need to pronounce my name. We're all here for revenge." Hiroshi swung his intersected-weapon, setting himself firmly on place to ready his first blow "If you would like to see little Nagi again…you'll have to defeat me first."

"Oya?" Mukuro smiled, fetching back his normal playful self to set his mood to fight his vessel's eldest brother.

"Rokudo Mukuro…I am your opponent!"

Next Chapter:

Hibari Kyouya vs. Rosso Calibri

Rokudo Mukuro vs. Yuuto Hiroshi

Author's Note: So yeah, it's gonna be a heck of a battle for the next chapter…By the way, I was planning to give this story a bonus chapter since it's about to end. Maybe the bonus chapter would be focusing on Estraneo's past. So yeah, I guess I'll try working on that huh?

So, before you go, please give me a review…pleeeaaasssseeee….

P.S. "How to survive a Vongola Female guardian life" will be updated within a week or two…..XD