In a weird twist of fate, the one that got along best with Creed/Rosethorn was Hotaru's unofficial Mist/stalker, Daemon Spade.
If anyone understood the depth of obsession Creed had, never mind the naturally twisted mindset of a Mist, it was the treacherous Mist Guardian of the first and second generation of the Vongola.
Hotaru drew the line at Creed learning that annoying laugh Daemon had, and strictly reminded them both that they were only allowed to troll the Ninth generation close to insanity so long as they never allowed it to come back to her.
She happily turned a blind eye to the tricks and nightmares they inflicted on CEDEF save for Lal Mirch (and that only because they semi-respected Fon and Reborn). Iemitsu was a particular favorite target of them both.
Though what she really hoped for was for Sven to return. By this point she was almost certain Hayato was his reincarnation, but unlike Creed he was still asleep.
Hayato for the most part was fairly loyal and was already making progress towards potentially harmonizing with her, though it would go much faster if he were Active instead of just Inactive. She wasn't going to push it, besides she had no idea how to wake her old friend and second partner up.
(He would likely get a good, long laugh at the fact she had been reborn a girl.)
As it stood, she didn't need to worry about it.
Because that particular issue would solve itself in the most unexpected of ways on top of proving she apparently had some sort of weird attractant effect on powerful and slightly deranged Mists, or Mist-secondaries.
Seriously, how did she keep drawing them in? It wasn't like she deliberately went looking for the psychos and obsessive types!
The attack was sudden, it was unexpected, and the side effects of it still gave her headaches.
On an unrelated note, Sven was sort of awake though the merger wasn't as complete as it had been for Creed or Train.
Hayato had been out getting groceries, as it was his turn to get them (Hotaru or one of the other tenants on her floor would cook, but someone was always elected to do a mass purchase of groceries) when he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his side, barely enough to really cause bleeding but still quite painful.
His last sight was that of a male about his age, possibly a little older with mismatched eyes and a weird pineapple hair style that looked far too much like the weird ghost that hung around Hotaru.
He even had a similar creepy laugh as Daemon did.
"Kufufufufu..."
In the depths of Hayato's mind, something stirred...and it was not happy at the situation.
With Hotaru and the others
"...Do I have some sort of weird catnip effect on Mists or something, because this is literally the third time I've drawn a deranged bloodthirsty illusionist right too me that has developed a weird obsession," asked Hotaru.
"You know at his point I'm genuinely beginning to wonder the same thing," commented Reborn. "Once was an oddity, twice is coincidence, but three times with nearly identical levels of obsession and a habit of going straight for the highly traumatizing and terrifying attacks? Even for a Sky that's pretty odd."
"And what have you done to Hayato?" demanded Hotaru, distinctly annoyed.
"Kufufufu... You should be more worried about what I'm planning to do to you."
Hotaru stared at him, mostly for the laugh. Her eyebrows twitched rampantly. His appearance she could ignore as a weird coincidence or odd throwback to Daemon, but that laugh on top of a Mist Flame?
"Dammit Daemon, you could have mentioned that you knocked someone up while you were possessing people!"
Daemon's ghost appeared with a mildly offended look at that comment.
"For your information my ability to possess people does not extend that far," he remarked.
His appearance alone had the two behind the younger Mist gape in disbelief. Mostly because the ghost was a dead ringer for an older version of the boy with the kanji in his eye...well, except for the outdated clothing.
"Then how the hell do you explain why this one looks almost identical to you, right down to the same Flame type and laugh?" she demanded.
Daemon looked at the teen who was very confused and more than a little wary, then at her.
"I dismissed Hayato's resemblance to G as a coincidence and the fact that Fon and his son Kyouya look like black haired, Asian versions of Alaude...but this is getting ridiculous. If I didn't know any better I'd swear someone was trying to recreate the Primo's generation," said Daemon, just as confused.
"Considering what Byakuran commented on, that would not surprise me in the least," sighed Hotaru. "Which means if things fall into the same pattern he mentioned, you three are on run from the Vindice and the man behind you is a patsy."
Seeing the shocked looks on their faces, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Right, I think I can solve this without having to deal with a bigger headache than the one I have, but you're not going to like it. Then again you were the ones who attacked Hayato so you can consider this a bit of karma. Daemon... why don't you show the Mist exactly how one is supposed to use that trick of yours without the toys?"
Daemon's grin was wicked... unlike Giotto, Hotaru was a true hit man. Just because she was very laid back and often acted like a lazy cat didn't mean she was above being a little creative when it came to punishment.
The Mist had no chance to defend himself, and certainly hadn't encountered someone who could pull the same trick he could.
"Mukuro!" cried out the blond in alarm.
"Nufufufu! Little firefly, I do believe we've found the perfect solution to our issue," said Daemon.
"Why does this not surprise me," sighed Hotaru.
The icy-hot feel of the Vindice filled the air, and Hotaru turned to look at them unimpressed. She had never really understood the fear of the 'zombie cops' as she liked to call them, unless it was an ingrained reaction to fearing something you didn't understand that was far stronger than you were.
Hotaru stood before the Vindice without a hint of fear.
"Before you arrest them, perhaps it would be wise to hear their side of the story? I have the feeling you weren't given all the facts about what really happened and I doubt you'd want your reputation as an unbiased watch group tarnished."
The Vindice stared at her, mostly because of her audacity. Still, waiting a few moments to hear the other side of the story would cost them nothing, as it wasn't like they could escape anyway
Daemon released Mukuro, at least enough to make it clear that if he tried anything he was screwed.
Mukuro glared at her for it, but kept his silence.
"So...why did you kill the Drago famiglia?"
"They were going to use us the same way the Esterneo did," Mukuro bit out. "They actually thought I would let them treat my minions like disposable cannon fodder for their famiglia, so I destroyed them using their strongest fighter."
"The Esterneo was wiped out,"said the Vindice.
Mukuro snorted derisively at that.
"I wasn't born with this eye...they had to pay for the hell they put us through, and you filthy mafioso weren't going to care so long as it was kept in-house."
That made the Vindice pause.
Daemon whispered something to Hotaru, which fit in line with what Byakuran had told her about her alternate's Mist guardian. An idea formed in her head about how to resolve this and get Daemon a new body to work with.
She really didn't get the whole "Skies can have only one Element of each type" deal.
"What about a compromise, since this seems to be more of a case of a famiglia biting off more than they can chew for not doing their background research?" asked Hotaru.
"What sort of compromise?"
"Mukuro hands over the possession bullets, and I take them under my Sky. If things don't work out one of us can always kill them and put them out of their misery... Reborn is rather notorious for being immune to Mist illusions after all and he's my Sun. However if he acts as my Mist, with the agreement that I also take in his two minions, then he'll be the Vongola's problem and not yours."
That made the Vindice look at her hard.
"You are a Cloud, not a Sky."
Hotaru cheerfully brought out her full flames.
"I am a direct descendant of Giotto and we've been building up strength so that I can challenge the current heir into a Ring Battle over who takes the mantle of Decimo. I still need a few more Guardians, but once I have the full set I can legally challenge the heir."
It was how Daniela got her spot...she was named heir and kicked the ass of her cousins (all men) who tried to challenge her claim.
"If you fail, we will arrest both you and your Guardians."
"Fair enough," said Hotaru easily.
With the ability and power levels of her current Guardians, never mind the fact that Daniela's rings already accepted her claim, there was very little chance she was going to fail. Federico was aware of what was going on (Xanxus made sure of that, besides he wasn't really interested in that much paperwork), but he wasn't going to go easy on her either.
Mukuro was not pleased by the entire agreement, but he handed over the bullets in his possession as well as freed Lancia. He was positively pissed about the fact he was forced to serve as a Guardian under a filthy mafioso.
Which was why Hotaru waited until they were home before dropping a different agreement with him.
"First off, I know you want to see the underworld burn for what happened. However logistically that's out of your reach because as long as there are laws, there will be people all too willing to break them for greed and other ridiculous reasons. However I can offer you a much more appealing alternative. One that won't get you arrested again."
"What could you possibly offer me?" Mukuro demanded.
Her smirk was positively evil.
"How about the ones who supplied the Esterneo and all those stupid enough to back them financially for their experiments. Or better yet, those that profited from them?"
Mukuro went ramrod straight, as did his minions.
"What?"
"It's one thing to go on a complete massacre of people who have wronged you, or were just born into the wrong family. However it's another thing to create a noose and let them hang themselves with it so that the Vindice won't come after you. While the first seems more satisfying, the second still lets you walk free and tells people not to screw with you or you'll completely ruin them. Besides, if you do it right then you'll take out the weaker players and save your strength for the rest."
Seeing she had his full attention, Hotaru elaborated.
"How do you think a famiglia would react if their money was suddenly gone or their secrets were exposed to their enemies in a way that set the wolves at their door? Except they aren't given a chance to breath and start to feel the pressure of a stronger, more cunning force trying to destroy them completely?"
Reborn walked in on that.
"I sense chaos at an unprecedented scale and I want in."
Hotaru grinned at him, allowing Reborn to sit on her shoulder.
"Here's a hypothetical scenario. A famiglia is in sudden dire straights because a hacker or very determined individual made off with their money and has been methodically taking chunks out of their influence, leaving them exposed. And every time one of their allies tries to assist, they get attacked as well in a way that leaves a message, or worse, they realize they're next on the list. Suddenly they're surrounded by all sides as other families realize an opportunity to seize more power and start chipping away at them as well. Now they're in dire straights, enough to make major mistakes that could easily make them just another fallen famiglia no one wants to associate with."
Reborn's eyes glinted.
"That sounds positively devious and terrifying."
"Now imagine word spreads that a former member of the Esterneo famiglia is out for revenge on anyone who helped them, and suddenly they start getting very sloppy indeed. This member is already dangerous enough that he wiped out two families almost down to the last man and is a very powerful Mist."
Mukuro was definitely interested now.
"Add into this scenario that the same Mist is also the Mist Guardian of the Vongola Decima, which means he has the backing of the entire Vongola to help him within reason, since his Sky is perfectly happy to assist him in cleaning out the trash out of the underworld," said Hotaru.
She hooked at thumb at Rosethorn, who was radiating enough malevolent bloodlust to make even Mukuro wary of her.
"Imagine having someone like her assisting you because she's bored and because I asked," said Hotaru.
Mukuro stared at her, before he started laughing.
"Kufufufufu... I think this might be a wonderful working relationship... Boss."
"To sweeten the deal I'll throw in the same protection for your friends. You clearly work well with them and I see no reason to separate you from your allies. If anything we can train them up to be even more effective in helping you destroy any former allies of the Esterneo."
The two behind Mukuro shared a look. This person didn't seem as bad as they originally thought, even if she did have that ghost possess Mukuro.
Hotaru was nice and gave them the apartment next to Hayato's. Chikusa was actually rather adept at wiring, and mechanical things, so Hotaru put him in charge of the small garage attached to the complex as well as electrical maintenance. Ken was put in charge of the rooftop garden and the strays that collected up there.
As for Mukuro... Hotaru cheerfully tossed him in Mammon's direction for training in how to use his Flame as well as how to completely ruin someone, so long as the Mist Arcobaleno got a decent cut of the cash he stole.
The amount of "Kufufufu" she heard from her new Mist was almost as headache inducing as keeping Creed on a leash.