Scar Tissue

Title inspired by: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR.

Author's Note:

Relationship improvement and character development for both, Chrome and Hibari. I thought I would never live to see such a thing XD Also, something about Chrome's past is revealed. Oh, angst :D

My dearest thanks to Audriel, KHR LOVER, Merisela, Marabou, P3achi3, DatAnzKidx and Subtle Quip

Audriel – Once again thanks for pointing that out and for your comment^^

Merisela – Thank you :) And it wasn't a writer's block. Just that meh-I-currently-hate-this-fic-feeling. But I pulled myself together and it's all fine now.

Marabou – You make me cry. In a positive way of course. Thank you so much!

Subtle Quip - I am truly honoured. My heartfelt thanks!

Thanks for reading. I truly appreciate it

Hibari didn't like surprises most of the time. It wasn't the part of being surprised that actually bothered him but rather the unexpectedness which caught him off guard and ridiculed his sense of alertness. Ephemeral magnanimity of fate. Oh, the irony.

Furthermore, he believed his aversion to change was born out of this particular disposition and its associated unpredictability. Thus making him wary of any kind of alteration and hence his fondness for meticulously elaborate strategies ('schemes' would not do; that word was reserved for the cunning Rokudo Mukuro only) and many contingency plans.

Establishing this way of thinking in early years, Hibari Kyouya, now about fifteen years older and wiser, started to wonder whether or not he could tolerate surprises.

Finally deciding that it would take him another fifteen years to reach a conclusion, he, instead, settled on surprising others.

He should have been happy.

After all, things were going well for him. Just the way he had planned. Yet a persistent frown tried to creep over his face, to take over his features and those pale grey eyes narrowed to slits. Standing in front of Sawada Tsunayoshi's office, he was able to hear the Sky's boisterous accusal and the aloof counter which was easily parrying the vocalised attacks off.

Pregnancy. Abandonment. Father.

Ah, they were already filling the room with those keywords, air satiated with discontent. Certainly not wasting a second, weren't they? No useless blather and usual rambling, no time wasting. Straight to the point.

He should be happy.

But he definitely wasn't. No, though Hibari had basically planned everything to turn out like this, he, in all honesty, would have preferred to speak to Sawada Tsunayoshi first. Plainly because it would have been easier and the baby had previously promised to keep the herbivore in check if he decided to have one of his... herbivorous moments. However, everything was more complicated now.

True, facing that other man was, in hindsight, unavoidable but, and the Cloud started to muse, the sooner the better was not applicable in this case. In fact, these matters were meant to be discussed with level-headed reasoning and, contrary to this, that bane of life was a (if not the) master of agitation. The change of Sawada Tsunayoshi's usually judicious voice was proof enough. And yes, the former prefect already execrated the sheer idea of spending more than five minutes in the same room as Rokudo Mukuro.

Because.

That face. That smirk. That very person.

As if on cue, the door opened and Hibari sighed, already annoyed by the temporarily surprised stares he received. The drawled 'Hibari-kun' didn't help controlling his temper and he noticed a prickling feeling around his eyebrow, obviously some kind of twitch. The hastiness from ten years ago. He really wanted to bite someone (namely a certain illusionist) to death. Besides, he could see how the Mist's mind began to conspire; concocting schemes and devising plots. Same old, same old. Nevertheless, it was him who had the momentarily advantage, the elements of surprise were working in his favour. And, like always, Hibari would use this personal benefit to launch an attack because he was that kind of person and old habits die hard. Especially if Rokudo Mukuro was involved.

Therefore he simply said, "Don't even go there, Rokudo Mukuro." And, since that smug smile was still there, he added, "Don't try to mess with my mind. I know about the pregnancy." A faint gasp echoed through the room, somewhere from the back. Tilting his head to look at the puzzled Vongola heir, he cleared his throat, crossed his arms and straightened his posture.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi," the brunette awoke from his reverie and nodded slightly, "I am the father of that child."

Cataclysm. Crash. Crash and burn.

Delivered with a frightening placidity, that sharp-tongued sentence came like a bombshell, spoken calamity. Subsequently, silence crashed over them, only the Arcobaleno appeared to be unaffected (well, most likely because he wasn't one to be ever truly shocked and they already discussed these matters during Chrome Dokuro's birthday celebration). Whereas the Sky opened his mouth and closed it again before reiterating the whole procedure once more, the Mist just continued to smile at him, though it seemed a little too forced and a little too frozen. Who would have ever thought that those herbivores could be this entertaining, his own mind provided deridingly.

His eyebrow twitched, again.

"How... when...?" And he was genuinely surprised to hear Sawada Tsunayoshi, probably even amazed that the man had not only regained his voice but also managed to ask a question... of sorts.

"Hibird. After the Mareggiata attack." Sadly, Hibari expected him to understand his cryptic message (which made, by the way, perfect sense to him) but all he received was that irritated, soulless stare and a gaping mouth that seemed to be anatomically incorrect. Mentally rolling his eyes, he appended a lame 'While you were talking to the doctor. The one who showed you her records'. And, because the Shichi Fukujin felt either pity or sympathy for the Cloud, the Mafia successor closed his mouth in comprehension and resulted in a slow nod. Be that as it may, the pineapple bastard was still smiling.

"Yet you didn't say anything?" Despite the way it was asked, the statement clearly wasn't a question and that reproaching undertone of his was almost dripping from each and every syllable.

"I thought she had the guts to tell me." Hereupon, a tenuous cough escaped the confines of his own lips when he realised the unintended pun concerning the contents of her stomach. A faux pas that wouldn't occur twice.

Also, there were more important things to talk about, dwelling on trivial things was pointless. Ignoring the three other people in the room, he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his dark cinder trousers and looked back into the hallway, eyeing a particular dark corner. A yawn arose but he suppressed it.

"This is about you, too. So stop hiding and join us."

If the poor Sky had been baffled before, he was downright overwhelmed by confusion now. Additionally, his mouth started to resume the previous strange motions de novo. Pathetic little herbivore. The Italian raised an eyebrow in interest, creating a perfect arch on his forehead. The baby: As composed as ever. Hibari shook his head in utter annoyance and fixated his attention back on the sombre corner at the far end of the corridor. A few seconds passed until someone, dominated by hesitance, crept out of the darkness with timid steps, leaving the safety of the shadows.

Chrome Dokuro looked extremely troubled, skin pale and her lower lip was reddened, prolly due to constant biting. She shambled towards him with her hands in front of her smooth thighs, fingers interlaced. Notably, she couldn't even look him in the eye and when she entered the office, followed by him, she felt trapped, face and posture even more downcast. The abashed, humbled expression worsened when she peeped at Sawada Tsunayoshi and she hung her head in shame.

"I-I'm sorry, Bossu. I-I didn't mean to..."

"No, it's okay, Chrome. Don't!" Arms were flailing around and his flabbergasted face was once again gone, replaced by that sympathetic grin that didn't quite reach his eyes (he desperately wanted to make her feel better, didn't he? Even though he struggled so hard to comprehend everything right now). "This concerns you and Reborn should have never..."

"Mhm, it wasn't my idea, Dame-Tsuna."

He blinked while the small male elegantly readjusted the black fedora and crossed those tiny legs. Then, Sky's accusing view was suddenly cemented on the skylark, basically trying to bore through his flesh and stare right into his soul (if he had something like that, which... he doubted).

"Me neither." And now the older man did yawn, hand covering his mouth and eyes shut tightly. "Try again."

Since there weren't any other suspects left, the Vongola leader harrumphed and slowly, very slowly, turned his head towards the Italian bastard with the content smirk. Displeased firmament challenged exhilarated fog.

"Guilty as charged," warbled the man and, with a quick jump to the left, evaded the book (about the history of the Vongola famiglia) directed at his occiput. In response, a simple 'Kufufu' left his lips.

"Spill!" An acidic warning. Yet Chrome Dokuro was the only one who was affected, inconspicuously flinching from the causticity of the demand.

"Well, there's not much to say. I wanted to find out how knowledgeable and informed you are before talking to my. Cute. Little. Chrome." Again, one of his protracted, affected drawls.

This time, it was more difficult to dodge for not only another book was thrown at him (with best regards, Tsunayoshi) but also a whole chair from Hibari. However, much to the other males' dismay, he managed to avoid both objects and chuckled softly in response. Chrome Dokuro gave him a bleak look which was defined by languor and desolation and he stopped his expression of amusement. Instead, he folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Okay, enough games." Astonishingly enough, the man was suddenly serious, voice laced with an unusual grave heaviness, "It is the truth, however."

Huffing, it was the Vongola successor who redirected their conversation while walking around his desk to stand next to the female.

"I do have another question." Harshly sucking in air, he continued, "How is it even possible for Chrome to become pregnant... given the circumstances of her existence?"

A nonchalant shrug.

"If we proceed on the assumption that all her illusionary organs are practically functioning like real ones, it's not that inconceivable."

"I fail to see what you mean."

Sighing, Rokudo Mukuro tilted his head and rested one gloved thumb on his lower lip while his index finger brushed lightly against his chin.

"I'm saying: When I gave her those organs, I recreated them all. Every single one that had been missing, and they've always been working like yours and mine, with no exception. However, now that she's using her own power to sustain them, she must have adopted my previous 'template'... of a sort. Hence her ability to conceive." He glanced at the attentive woman and smiled sympathetically. "You never bothered to mull over these matters, did you?"

"I saw no need to do such a thing." And she shifted uncomfortably. "Before."

She said those words in honest, naïve purity, revealing the lack of self-preservation, that general unconcern and a saddening indifference to her own existence.

And while Sawada Tsunayoshi was determined to teach her the importance of self-esteem, Hibari wondered if she was talking about the past rather than the present. Because her petite hand was currently lingering on her stomach, her lips curled up ever so slightly and, somehow, she didn't seem to be as plaintive as before.

Staring at the males, Chrome tried to calm her nervous heart which had decided to flutter in an unswervingly manner. Today, she had thought before, was the day to come clean. But, much to her surprise, things, like they always did, decided to take a different path. Life was like that.

Still.

When the former prefect had not only confessed to be aware of her pregnancy but also noticed her hidden self behind that corner, she had been smitten with astonishment. Especially since he didn't appear to be angry or disgusted.

He presented a sober point of view. Mother-to-be was awed.

In a sense, she also had been glad, almost relieved, when Hibari-san had called out to her (ever so observant, ain't he? She had even concealed herself so Boss wouldn't notice, his Hyper Intuition fooled by powerful illusions, perfected after the encounter with the Millefiore Mist Guardian. Though, she wasn't sure whether Mukuro-sama had been deceived but she highly doubted her skills were good enough, she wasn't that great of an illusionist in comparison to him... yet). Because his interference meant no more hiding. And, to be frank, she had become sick of it.

Plus, this could possibly herald the start of a new age.

Gulping down some saliva, she looked at the curved moons of white flesh underneath her fingernails. A quick glance was directed at the skylark before returning its attention back at her frail digits. Maybe he had implied something else when he had accused her of ignoring him. An underlying meaning? Or perhaps she was just thinking too much.

All to sudden, someone touched her arm.

Her head jerked up and she stared into Boss' eyes. "You're spacing out." No reproach, merely an observation. "Mukuro just said that you have to be exceptional careful. If your organs fade away, even if it's for nothing more than a split second, your baby would die."

"Ah, but I don't want that to happen!" Stating the obvious. Withal followed by a promise. "I won't let that happen!" And she put on her resolved face, lips pouted in resolution and hands clenched to fists until they started to pale. The perfect moment for Mukuro-sama to intervene.

"Of course not. But it would be probably safer to have a backup."

"And you can provide such assistance?" questioned Reborn-san who had been extraordinarily quiet up thus far. As for now, his interest seemed to be awakened and he piped up with a versed expression which looked fairly odd on his young face. Mukuro-sama grinned. In return, the Cloud shot a leery glare at him.

"Certainly. I offer you to maintain half of the illusion. In that case, even if one of us is unable to keep her organs intact, the other one can instantly take over. So, let me take care of you."

Boss squinted his eyes.

"You're being awfully amiable," he vied.

"Atoning for my sins and amending the wrong," the illusionist corrected. "Besides, it's not like I'm doing this for you and suchlike, Vongola. This is only for Chrome."

Words like a switch.

Almost as if he had cast a spell over her all of a sudden. Charmed by his alluring promises, she, by instinct, stepped forward, closer to her former master. Visceral behaviour, almost a remembrance of the past. That faithful yet stupid heart of hers. It had forgotten that it was exactly that time the young Guardian dreaded to be reminded of.

After all this time, her most prominent memories were:

Lost, abandoned, deserted in a foreign country by the man she had trusted most. Completely stranded without the security that money provides. No home, no friends. Eighteen years of age, barely legal.

Nevertheless, in her current trance, she almost blocked all these used-to-be-important and now-petty yesterdays out and advanced another two steps (scarcely aware of Boss' stagnation and Hibari-san's not quite fully developed sullenness). Simply because for now, all she wanted was to return to a past where Mukuro-sama's soft words eased her soul. He smiled and she longed to be Chrome Dokuro, the anagram. Slowly reaching out for him, she craved to be Nagi once more. Because the youth, the naïvety was oh so tempting.

Until it suddenly struck her. Stopping dead in her movements, her one-eyed vision fixated on an almost white scar gracing her wrist. Pale and innocent. And the once vessel recalled the circumstances of its origin. How she had received it during her trip to Italy, young girl that had been too keen on rescuing Mukuro-sama from the Vendicare prison and too reckless to protect herself. Even now, she was occasionally suffering from the then-obtained damage, a light form of the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Blinking, she lowered her arms and looked up.

Was she really going to trust him again?

What would have happened to her if it hadn't been for Boss?

Just what was she thinking?

Once her frantic flimsy heart calmed down, a realisation wormed into her mind.

Wounds from the past can't heal. They can scab and dry and get somewhat better but scars will never heal entirely nor will they disappear and wasn't her lost eye evidence enough? Wasn't it already past time for her to ultimately learn from all the blatant mistakes?

A steady smile spread over her face.

"No, thanks. I'm going to protect my baby on my own."

Boss whistled in approval and Reborn-san cleared his throat, "I think Dame-Tsuna mentioned it before but it's very unlikely that the Vongola members won't insist on supporting you."

Wordlessly thanking the Arcobaleno, Chrome bopped her head and reminisced about a saying she had heard once: To get back one's youth, one has merely to repeat one's follies.

And, while it had been her real father who had fancied Western authors and had quoted Oscar Wilde (et alii/aliae; Nagi remembered him as a wise man) once in a while, she needed about nineteen years to understand its meaning.

No, she didn't want to be young and naïve anymore. Didn't want to have her mind eased by Mukuro-sama's fairy tales. This was her resolution. Though, it was still nice to see that the male Mist accepted her decision with grace. In the twinkling of an eye, all the built-up anxiety, the stress from the previous month and her nervousness descended from her exhausted mind and was replaced by content relief.

Overwhelmed by peace, her vision turned black in the next second.

She was warm, cosy even.

A pleasant feeling. Shifting her head to the side with a muffled moan of drowsiness, she heard an amused cackling. It chimed in her ears and, yawning and mumbling and semi-conscious, Chrome opened her eye curiously. Her head was currently pillowed on someone's lap, dark hair fanned out and tired body secured on the leathern couch. Cordial brown eyes watched her.

"I... fainted?"

Boss scratched his cheek.

"Obviously. No wonder though. You had a lot of stress lately."

Still drugged with sleep, the Mist sat up and noticed the black jacket that was sprawled over her frame, keeping her warm and sound. The smell wandered into her nostrils, intoxicating her mind (Fresh like pine scented water and intoxicating like the poisonous aconite which meaning...) Viciously shaking her head, Chrome regained her senses.

"Where are the others?"

The brunette contemplated her question.

"Reborn left. He mentioned some unfinished work. I kinda ordered Mukuro to gather some more information on the Mareggiata. As for Hibari-san... I asked him to bring you a glass of water and, astonishingly, he complied."

With glowing cheeks and lone eye wide, she giggled.

"Do you think it was okay for me to decline Mukuro-sama's offer?"

He leaned against the back rest and crossed his legs to sit in an Indian style position. Imitating his actions, she also brought her legs up but instead hugged them close to her chest and rested her head on the knees.

"Mhm, I don't know. Frankly, I would have done the same thing."

"He was my saviour."

His gaze wandered towards the window whereas his mouth stayed silent. She continued anyway.

"We were like a family. Not only the two of us but also Chikusa and Ken. And I was so hurt when Mukuro-sama left me, severed our connections and abandoned me in a foreign country. Still, I can't force myself to hate him."

"Ah, today is a nice day. In fact, the sun decided to shine."

He was rewarded with a confused look.

"Chrome, negative feelings are like snow. Even the strongest rancour will eventually melt and give way to something else, something positive. So please, don't force yourself to adopt such fleeting sentiments. Instead, concentrate on happiness or love. Particular since the latter is said to be everlasting."

A forlorn smile ghosted over his features and the illusionist felt incredible sorry for him.

"Bossu, do you still love Kyok-"

"Water."

Dumbfounded, the duo turned towards the door where Hibari-san was standing, obviously impatient and with a glass of clear water in his hand. He marched over to them and thrust his arm forward. Chrome accepted the drink with shaking fingers. Sky wasn't really sure how to react either, so:

"Uhm, I think I should... err, call Gokudera-kun. You two... sort these matters out, will you? And don't overdo things. Chrome might be still tired." He smiled and fled. Fled. Practically running out of the room. Oh, how she wished to follow him. The cushions of the settee shifted and her reaction was a small gasp when she noticed it was only Hibari-san who sat down.

"You should have told me."

Wondering what she was supposed to answer, Chrome unconsciously began to wring her hands, glass of water nearly spilling over. Of course she should have known that hiding things from him had been futile.

"You don't have to feel obliged to anything."

The steadiness of her own voice caught her off guard and it took a while until she was able to proceed with her absolution.

"I won't hold you responsible for what happened nor will I expect anything from you."

"Naturally. You are a herbivore after all," he probed his chin on the palm of his hand, "I wonder what kind of breed that child will be."

Breed? Filled with indignation, she whirled her head around to flash her eye at him but she froze when she realised that he wasn't as serious as she had assumed.

"A joke? You were joking, Hibari-san?" choked the dark-haired woman (it was hard to tell since he wasn't one to laugh or smile; haughty smirks his only expression of amusement).

"Apparently, I am capable of such things. Despite what Sawada Tsunayoshi and the bucking bronco do think, I am still a human."

"Oh, you know about that too?"

His eyes narrowed in annoyance and he tilted his head to face her without lifting his chin from its position.

"Those idiots place bets on me. Plus, the Italian isn't really subtle about it. I'll humour them for now but their punishment will be severe," Hibari-san deadpanned and she resisted the urge to laugh. However, she fell silent when she perceived the look in his eyes. "As for the child," he formulated and she held her breath, "I am the father. And I take pride in carrying out my responsibilities."

The air rushed out of her lungs. Her fingers curled around the glass and she concentrated on the clear liquid, a sudden feeling of thirst constricted her throat. Taking a large sip, the Mist traced the bottom side of the object before resting it on her thighs. A gentle shiver slid over her spine. She buttoned up her woollen cardigan and pulled the black jacket over her legs.

"Thanks."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Not only for the jacket but also... but also... for your decision. And your patience. And your... birthday present." And though she still considered said gift to be a tad inappropriate, it made much more sense now. Moreover, she felt somewhat closer to him. Even if he momentarily couldn't understand why she was regarding him with such a happy expression. Fastening her grip around the glass, Chrome stood up and walked over to the window. Water was dripping from the outer windowsill, snow melted by the rays of sunshine. At present, the whole garden was nevertheless covered in white layers but Boss was right and, in a few months, spring would come to thaw the frozen countryside.

Truly, positive emotions should sprout and bloom.

"I will not accept Mukuro-sama's offer but I forgave him long ago."

The former prefect replied with a dissatisfied grunt. Rolling her eye, the female turned around and leaned her back against the glass surface of the window. Peeping at Hibari-san's lean form, she would have loved to confess her flourishing feelings for him but. Too early. Too hasty. Too stupid. Maybe she should settle for his acknowledgement for now instead of chasing him away with 'herbivorous' attachment. A sigh escaped her lips and she ambled over to him. For a second time, his eyebrow decided to travel up while its owner stared at the outstretched hand before him.

"Let's go back to Boss. He must be worried. But then again, he always is."

Rather than taking her offered hand, Hibari-san stood up and strolled towards the door. Chrome followed him and he was surprised when her cool fingers latched on to his hand. He gave her a warning stare, however it was obviously ineffective because she tightened her hold as she walked alongside.

Letting her have her way, he stuffed the free hand into the pockets of his pants and wondered why this kind of crowding wasn't as bugging as it used to be.

Hibari didn't like surprises most of the time. And, often enough, surprises didn't seem to like him as they came with an applaudable unpredictability and at unpropitious moments.

And yet, at the end of the hallway, he was indeed surprised to find Chrome Dokuro's hand still interlocked with his. Wao, those coming fifteen years were already promising to be exceptionally long.

Hibari knew it all along? How anticlimactic, yes, I'm aware of that. But it was planned to turn out like this ever since I started this fic, sorry! Next chapter: Hibari's love rival will be revealed.

Reviews and constructive criticism make me happy.