A/N: Uuuff… holidaaay! *drop* btw, Happy Chinese New Year! And also, enjoy the chap! XD

P.s. I edited the usage of "Kufufu"

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR

Summary: When things seemed worst, when there seemed to be no hope and blank, having a playful and dark illusionist didn't seem so bad; at least that's what the brunette thought. 69xFem27!

Warning: genderbend (fem27), writing stuff

A Fine Line

"In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word."
- Walt Whitman

Previously…

…He glanced and saw her closed her eyes. He slowly did the same and felt the growing swirl of emotions inside of him; why did he felt so warm?

A smirk emerged on his face. Looks like a trip to reality won't be so bad.

He took back what he said.

A pair of mismatched eye opened in a snap. The faint presence looked at his surrounding; noticing the white room was empty. He could smell the strong scent of medicines which quickly threw him nausea. An annoyed and disgusted expression came to his face.

"Hm, at least it's not as noisy as that hellhole," he said, reminding himself of the place his "real body" was at right now. His eyes then caught a figure on the lone bed. He heard soft beeps from the machine connected to the small girl's body through the tube. She looked like fast asleep, despite the tubes and the oxygen mask. His eyes narrowed, not liking what he saw. This was the real body of the little rabbit that always with him for the past few while.

Mukuro walked towards the bed, the silence make the air felt even tenser. Mukuro looked down at her body and frown—too shallow; her breathing. It was like she's not breathing; only sighing every now and then. And too pale for her fair skin. It was like she bathed herself in make-up powder, only slightly better than that. Mukuro barely touched her fingers but he felt it was downright cold and stiff. Why, was she losing blood?

Mukuro's gaze looked around, catching the small desk nearby, hoping to find some clues of what happened. But the only thing he found was a picture of three figures; a laughing woman and a grinning man carrying a small girl who looked rather startled for the camera shot. He scoffed when as he took in the picture, recognizing the girl immediately. She was like that since she's smaller; no wonder she's so naïve.

Suddenly he heard the door behind him slid open. It didn't really scare him, for he was only a walking consciousness in that place; no one would notice him. He spun and saw two figures approaching; one was a depressed-looking blonde man, while the other was an older man with white uniform. Mukuro's eyes narrowed; doctors. And adults. The two things that was in the six-year-old most-hated list.

The older man stopped first by the bed side. Mukuro's eyes carefully watching his movement. If he did anything that could harm the brunette, then he'll do something about it. He may not be able to lay a finger on the doctor's body, but he still could destroy the old man's mind with his illusions. Then he saw the doctor softly reach out his hand, touching her forehead then her wrist. Hers looked so small compared to the doctor's hand.

Why did he felt so in pain to see her in this state?

"How is it doc?" the blonde man asked with furrowed eyebrows. The doctor turned on his heels, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry Sawada-san, but… there's still no improvement," the doctor said, closing his eyes sympathetically. The blonde man clenched his fist but managed a normal, stern voice.

"I see…" he said, not looking at the doctor. A silence. Even Mukuro was watching.

"… You know, you can exchange guard time with the nurses. The security here was also undoubtedly guaranteed too," the doctor said to him. When he didn't get any response from the other figure, he sighed before adding, "Sawada-san, you haven't gone anywhere since she's took in here. You also lacked sleep and haven't eat much; your health will be on the line too if this went on."

"It's okay doc, despite I'm looking like this, I'm stronger than I look," he shrugged before glancing at the figure on the bed. "And… I can't lose her; not her too."

"…" The doctor sighed but nodded. He slowly walked away, patting the blonde's shoulder on the way in means of encouragement. Mukuro silently watched the door closed once again. He only took his watch from the door when he heard the soft screech of the chair nearby. He was right now standing on the opposite of the adult; on the other side of the bed, eyeing him suspiciously.

The hand of the man softly touched the brown locks. Mukuro noticed how it was; like he's afraid of touching her, breaking her; as if a touch would shatter her to pieces and slipped away from his grips forever. Mukuro was rather surprised when he heard a soft but sharp inhale came from the man. He kept stroking her hair, hoping to comfort her. The five-year-old remained still.

"Tsu-chan… hang in there, daddy's here…" he whispered, almost in a shaky tone. Mukuro noticed the slight trembles, the shaky tones. It was really deep and immense; the stranger's sadness and bitterness. Mukuro wondered how long exactly she's in this condition, now it seemed to be an important thing although he never gave attention to it before. What happened in the first place anyway?

It's the first time he saw something so grief but yet so dear. It's such a rare sight in the world he's in. The mafia world allowed little tears although there should be seas of them. Mukuro's small hands clenched into a tight fist. Thinking back about where his real body was, he knew that someone was dying; the children in his family—Mafia family.

Mukuro's mind focused on the light beating of the machine once again, reminding him of her presence. He took another glimpse at the petite brunette before his consciousness slipped away to the other world.

"-kuro, Mukuro!" a girl's voice called out to him loudly, snapping him back. Mukuro's eyes caught a pair of caramel's ones who filled with worry before it changed into relief but annoyance. "Geez, don't scare me like that!"

"Kufufufu, you were worried about me? That was unexpected," Mukuro groaned slightly as he sat down. The process of slipping his consciousness wasn't as easy as turning your palm. Tsuna, who kneeled beside him, pouted as she looked another way with a slight blush.

"W-well of course, because you're my friend…" Tsuna said before her eyes showed another feeling. Then it changed again, "Appearing out of nowhere and then disappear out of the blue… you don't know how worried I was!"

"…" Mukuro stared at her. Hard to believe that her real body was now in the state of sleeping, coma, and was in the midst of near death. Mukuro let his arm rest on his leg, stretching the other in a relax posture. "Hm~ I'm visiting some interesting places."

"Eh? What places?" Tsuna wondered before her mouth formed an 'o'. "You must've meant other people's minds right?"

"…" Tsuna's bright smile replied with an intense, quiet stare. Her happy posture fell when she felt like his eyes scanning her, no, more like trying to figure her out. There's something he knew but kept it hidden from her. There were times Tsuna felt that he was an adult, seeing his carefulness and mysterious form instead of a six-year-old boy; and this was one of those times. Tsuna's eyebrows turned into a mild-frown.

"What?"

"… Nothing," he replied before a smirk played on his lips. "Just thinking how different you are when you're asleep and awake."

"…!" Tsuna blushed at his sudden comment. She was speechless for a minute or two but his smirk grew wider. "Y-you… T-that's… You never even see me asleep!"

"Kufufufu, believe me I have," Mukuro said, poking the real truth behind the playful statements. He looked at her eyes again and knew some curiosity but trust shot back at him. What's even more amusing was her reddening cheeks. He's about to tease her but his lips pursed into a frown instead. Reminded of what happened minutes ago.

Honestly, Mukuro wanted to tell her the truth; she deserved it, but even more than that, he didn't want her to know. He knew all too well the pain of loss. The pain of having hard walls blocking your exit light. The pain of being alone and helpless. It was only by then that someone has to break that wall himself, punching it with all his might to see the light once again. But, really, should he open her eyes to see walls surrounding her?

Then a realization struck him. Earlier, he only saw the man who claimed to be Tsuna's father, but where's her mother? He did remember the woman on the picture who resembled Tsuna a lot; with her brown hair and eyes, not to mention their smiles. As if struck by lightning he remembered his first meeting with the smaller girl; her demand about her mother's condition. Could it be…?

Lost in his mind, he secretly bugged Tsuna. Mukuro has never been this thoughtful. Well, on second thought, he never had been this silent. These pauses in their talk were the first for Tsuna either and she's bothered with it. What's exactly on his mind right now? Not long after, Mukuro's mind drifted back to her and he's startled to see her bewildered expression.

"… Oya, is there something strange on my face?" he asked, earlier question forgotten when he saw her expression didn't change.

"You're acting rather strange today Mukuro… you're scaring me," she gulped, almost squeaking. A silence before Mukuro stifled a laugh when he saw how she was truly scared and worried at the same time. The air in the room proved it.

"Hm, you're one strange little rabbit," he said, rising one eyebrow at her. Tsuna frowned at him.

"I thought I was the first one who said you were acting strange," Tsuna protested. Mukuro snickered amusedly once again, relieving Tsuna. She sighed and a smile appeared on her face, 'thank goodness; I guess he's still the same Mukuro I knew after all… my intuition's playing on me.'

"You shouldn't say that to older person," Mukuro's eyes regained its composure.

"… You're an exception," Tsuna said shyly but a small smile stayed on her lips. The pink blush also hasn't disappeared. Interesting.

"Hoo, what a funny thing to say little rabbit," he said.

"You're only a year older than me!" Tsuna protested. He was only six-year-old of a boy! Mukuro cocked his eyebrow, as if challenging her. All his stressing thoughts forgotten as he thought about how to toy her and saw her reactions.

"Kufufufu, but I'm far superior than you are. Watch," he suddenly tilted his head downward toward his hand that rested on the white floor. Tsuna's eyes followed his and also stared at the white floor below them. Tsuna about to point out her victory but something caught her words.

Her eyes went wide when she saw a rushing wave of sand started to pour out from below them; as if going to sunk them in. She gasped in surprise before she looked up, to confirm what's happening. Her mouth gap open when the scenery was no longer what it was before; no, it wasn't that white room anymore. She inhaled when what lay upon her was a beach, a very peaceful beach. In the distant she could see the sun about to set down.

Tsuna stood up, admiring the view. She walked slowly toward the sun, feeling the cold water softly stroke her foot. She inhaled, breathing the scent of salt water and nature. Mukuro saw her spun with a smile on her face.

"You're definitely acting odd today," Tsuna said and looked back at the sun, watching a few seagulls flew in distance. Her smile rose, "But I guess you're just that unpredictable."

'Speak for yourself little rabbit,' he smirked but didn't voice it. He was feeling rather calm seeing her like this. Anxiousness, however, came to him at the thought this was all going to disappear. No more of that laughter, no more of this world of dreams, no more warmth. He wondered if she ever expected it coming—that one day they will stood in their own ways; one day they'll have to forget about this bond ever existed.

Mukuro watched her as she exclaimed happily, claiming to find a beautiful clam. She was still so innocent, perhaps even naïve. She didn't know anything about the hardness of life. Or she really did? One never knew about someone's true capability in handling pressure.

Mukuro looked up at the palm tree that swayed from the light breeze. At least he's strong, that's what he thought. But he knew that he hadn't winning in his life. He still has issues with his Mafia family. If he closed his eyes, trying to slip his consciousness back to his real body, he would find himself in the middle of the night, waiting for the screams from the other side of the wall to stop. And then find the child who screamed lifeless the next morning.

He closed his eyes, trying to forget about everything and just went with the flow. The seagulls make noises to each other, calling out. A troubled feeling swelled up in his chest, hidden by the white clothe he's wearing. He has to make a decision soon; for time has to move forward, and his weren't so far ahead.

A/N: I just realized… this story set when Mukuro's six and Tsuna's five… it's quite odd to see romance at this early of age… LOL. Well there were still some chapters to go to do about that. Anyway, thanks for reading! And thanks for all the faves and alerts and reviews that you gave! Thank youuu! *bow, bow*

Questions frequently asked by readers (or I will if I'm one)

Q: So short!
A: Yeah, it really is!

Q: So, so, so Mukuro still hasn't know anything about Iemitsu being the CEDEF and all?
A: perhaps not. Because well, he's still a small boy here. And he hasn't out in the mafia for too wide like in the cannon right now (teenage) so perhaps he still didn't know. Or at least still didn't realize that Iemitsu was the head of CEDEF

Q: Mukuro's somewhat being soooo thoughtful here? And over Tsuna too?
A: Well, children are most likely more… what's the word? Easy to open up to each other (not really…), innocent (not quite hitting it too…) or… whatever, well you get the point. And Tsuna's his first "friend" or at least someone he accepted. Moreover the background he's in right now…

Q: Soooo, what do you mean with Mukuro's background?
A: If you read the parts when he say "his real body" and the explanation about what happening around his real body… yeah, you realize the event right?

Q: "Real body"?
A: yup, they (Tsuna and Mukuro) was in their "mind world"; their inner part instead of their body. What "real body" here meant is their vessel. Like, Tsuna's real body was laying in coma, yeah.

Q: Why were there so many age details? Like "six-year-old boy" etc?
A: Because when I write this, I tend to forgot that they were, in fact, still little children of these ages. That's why, in case to help the readers not forget about this, I put in those words a lot LOL

Q: How long this story going to continue?
A: I have the details of the next parts until the finish actually, and I predict it'll be only one or two more chapters to go. But who knows if it'll change?