A/N: After finally have some time to open my notebook, I decided to update this one. You know why? Well, see below ('Reply to:'). And oh, enjoy the story! The next chap going to be the last one I think hoho

Anonymous review, reply to:
Kyouki: thanks to your feedback about too much "Kufufufu" in the fic, I SO badly want to fix it right up. But then I think, 'if I fix it, it'll be seen as an 'update' right?' And I just think that readers will say, "What? So it's just an erasing of "Kufufufu" and not an update? WTH?" So I promise myself to fix the "kufufufu" after I update a new chapter. What you said keeps ringing in my head, so I'm sorry that it took so long. THANK YOU for your feedback! Hehehe XD

Sara-chan: thank you! And sorry for the late reply and the late update T.T

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! 5 & 6 year-old setting

Warning: genderbend (fem27), writing stuff

Agony

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Previously…

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.

Tsunahime was worried. No, that was an understatement. She was completely devastated seeing Mukuro's condition lately. He'll always go and gone randomly and sometimes he'll flinch or even silently growled, as if there's a terrible wound on his body. Now, she didn't know anything about him but although he tried to fake it, she could see right through him; pain, that's what he felt right now.

"Mukuro…" Tsuna softly whisper, afraid to add his misery. The older boy looked over her. Her lower lips almost trembled when she saw his eyes; they were slightly flinching and tense. "A… are you alright?"

"…" his eyebrows turned into a quick frown before the usual smirk appeared; but not the same feeling as it used to be. "Kufufufu, I'm alright. Why would you ask me that?"

"I'm not that stupid Mukuro!" Tsuna exclaimed in exasperation. "You're hurting and I could see it! What's actually happening to you?"

"…" Tsuna's heart sunk as he looked away silently. "It's none of your business."

Tsuna didn't take his cold words to her heart, but she was more terrified in thinking that she couldn't help him. She, by now, already knew that sometimes he'll say things he didn't really meant, and this was one of it. If only he knew how much she cared for him…

"Mukuro… I can't stand looking you in so much pain," Tsuna grabbed his arm softly and looked at him in the eye. "Please, just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Just don't… take it all by yourself; I'm here… and I'm your friend."

Mukuro's eyes widened, for quite a moment before he looked down to the smaller hands that hold on to him. What could she do? All he wanted was to see her happy— no, at least not in suffering. How could he told her that right now his body was being experimented by some adults; being injected for being a weapon; or that he was just an object to be tested for the sake of the "family"?

His consciousness has gone to his body stronger every now and then and he was feeling every bit of the pain inflicted to his body. It was bad, but it's not because his power was weakening. In truth, he desired to be in his body completely every now and then, because he wanted to break free; wanted to settle the reality soon.

But he couldn't leave her all alone— nor did he want to. He has loved her company, although he wouldn't admit it to her or himself, and find her presence to be a relief to the nightmare. Her smile is what made him trusted that there's still goodness in the world. In his world, there's nothing but death, fear, and despair.

But he knew that soon enough, he'll have power—power to take back what was his. That's why he'll endure the pain and suffering for now… until he get that power and take revenge to the adults. They've done something to his eyes, but they're not even satisfied. Right now they were waiting for a new drug that would give power to his eyes; something they looked forward to. And what he also looked forward to.

"Mukuro, are you listening?" Tsuna asked, slightly shaking his arms. He realized that his mind has wandered. But that brown orbs kept persistently looking at him.

"There's nothing wrong with me, little rabbit," he answered. "I'm just waiting for something."

"Waiting? For what? Why would that inflict so much pain? Y-you should stop, Mukuro!" she exclaimed.

"I'm waiting… for freedom," Mukuro said solemnly under his breath. Tsuna was taken aback by his words. She felt wrong suddenly. "And for that I needed power."

"Mukuro… is that…" Tsuna bit her lip and finally looked another way. "Is that really necessary?"

"Kufufufu, it's something that you won't understand little rabbit," Mukuro said. "Because we lived in too different worlds."

"But… we're here," Tsuna's grip tightened.

"But we wouldn't want to stuck here forever," Mukuro answered, as if scolding her. "You wouldn't want that too."

"…" Tsuna was dumbstruck in silence. Of course she wouldn't want to stay in this world of nothing too. But that didn't meant he has to be the one who was suffering… "I-"

Suddenly, a pang of pain struck him. It was as if a knife just stabbed him. Only that the pain was gathering around his right eye; as if the pain was crawling from every cells of his body to his eye. 'Damn, is it time already?' Mukuro asked in his mind. He wanted to be glad to finally receive the power but… He groaned; the pain has been so overwhelming; it was much more than what he expected. His hands hold on to his face; closing on his right eye.

"M-Mukuro?" Tsuna asked, panic. Why… what has happened?

Pain. Pain. Pain.

"Mukuro!" Tsuna tried to shout out—to find an answer. Heck, she was trying to find a clue of what she should do. Mukuro was in a clear agony; she has never seen the six-year-old suffered so much. In the midst of the frenzy, she didn't expect his hand grasped her wrist.

Tsuna's eyes were locked in his gaze; there were pain, but a strong feel of urgency. In the short silence, Mukuro finally spoke up hoarsely, "I promise… I'll get you out of here."

"…!" Tsuna's eyes widened. Why would he say that? "W-wait Mukuro! What do you mean?"

As if ignoring her cries, he slowly withered in a purple mist. He was leaving; the realization came with a bang on her chest. Surely they would meet again? Just like they used to? Here…?

Tsuna bit her lip, and her hand grasped his hand tightly, as if trying to pull him back to this world. She has so many too ask, so many things she would want to say to him, but… but right now… Tears starting to fell from her eyes, "Then promise me Mukuro—we'll meet again! We'll meet again and spend time together like we used to and… and-"

The last thing she saw was his smirk— or smile, she couldn't be sure, before he completely disappeared. She was alone again. But this time it was more painful. Like something treasured; a part of her has been snatched away and she would never get it back again. Her shoulders shook violently as she covered her face with both her hands. Tears were falling like heavy train; an echoing agony as they dropped to the floor.

"Why…? Why, Mukuro?" she whispered to herself, gathering herself together. But it was no use; it's gone.

With Mukuro…

Pain.

The word echoed in his mind, shaking his soul. It was terrible; as if every pain in the world gathered and burdened his eye. But he could feel the effect already; he suddenly felt strong. But ironically, on the same time, he felt like he was about to break any moment. The pain's not retreating but he knew that he was about to achieve that power.

His consciousness completely back in his body and he felt another remorse of leaving the small brunette behind. He bet she's crying right now, he thought between amusement and regret. But the moment was not long-lasting, as his body returned in great force; now it wasn't just his eye that was hurting— it was his entire body. He felt as if fire was running through his pain; is this the drug they've been talking about?

Then he heard himself screamed in agony. His small body was trying to get away from the binds that held him down to the cold seat. No, he wouldn't give up. He wouldn't stop after going this far! He-

Mukuro!

A voice called. Strangely he felt a momentary peace—he was still struggling, yes, but he felt another wave of strength coming. He felt as if warmth wrapped his hand. Then he saw the brunette's worried face in front of his eyes. Her lips moving; calling his name. His mind hadn't got the time to wonder why as sweat starting to pour out and a sudden urge came over him; he has to succeed. Control it, control it!

He mustered up all his energy and strength to tame the incredible new source of power and within minutes, finally everything settled down. His clothes were soaked from his own sweat and his body was loose from the tense experience. But his consciousness was slipping elsewhere; to another world. Within short moment, he was back and he opened his eyes slowly—white. But this 'white' was different.

"Ooh, looks like this time it was a success!" he heard a voice exclaimed happily. He then saw many men in white coats towering over him.

"Oh my, this is something worth celebrating for!" Another one said as he fixed his glasses. "We'll have to test its power soon! I can't wait to see what it's capable of!"

"Yeah, we should conduct a simulation. Maybe make him fight the other children and-" the lab fell into silence when a trident struck his chest. The red slowly spread on his white coat as he fell to the ground. The others were shocked even further when they heard the sound of binds snapped. Mukuro was now on his feet.

"Kufufufu, so this is the new power that I've been craving for?" he asked to himself before he snickered lowly. He breathed out in contentment, "Not bad."

"Y-you!" one doctor pointed a finger at him before falling down the next second; a big slash of wound was on his chest. All eyes then gathered on Mukuro who pointed his trident dangerously.

"Kufufufu, finally; after waiting for so long," Mukuro exclaimed before a grin spread wide on his face. "You'll get what you deserved."

"W-wait-!"

The words went unheard of as Mukuro launched his attacks. Red starting to color the white room; staining them. It didn't take him five minutes before he finished what he always dreamt of. Finally—he's free.

Suddenly he heard the soft sound of footsteps. He was about to strike again but paused when he saw the familiar figures; a glasses boy with bandage on his head and a blonde boy who has wide eyes. They were both looked stunned and confused to see the sight of the lifeless adults that have tortured them all this time.

"Kufufu, as I thought, this is a world not even worth taking; it'd be best to destroy it all," Mukuro said as he looked down toward the body in front of him. He then faced them, "How about it? Do you want to join me?"

"…!" Mukuro wasn't surprised to see them speechless. Instead, his mind has flown back elsewhere. Now, it was time for him to gain more power—more power to fulfill his promise to the brunette.

He looked at his hands; now his hands already stained with blood. There was no turning back now. He has to be ready if she one day call him a monster—he has to be ready if one day he'll have to forget the bonds they once shared. It was already more than friendship, it's…

Mukuro snickered before he walked toward the door. The two figures eyed him in admiration and confusion as he walked away. "Let's go… to that new world."

A/N: Next is the last chap! Probably. Hoho. Thanks for your reviews and support, alert and favorites! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally, a BIG thank you! XD

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

Q: So… what happen here?
A: You must've realized it but I will make it clear just in case. This chap tells about how Mukuro finally destroy the Estraneo. Sorry if it's not really clear.

Q: Who are the boys that Mukuro meet at the end?
A: You guessed it! :3

Q: Why's the battle scene was very short? No, it's not even reached two paragraphs summed up!
A: Well… umm… sorry about that. Cause I guess it's not really necessary?

Q: So, Mukuro underwent two operations on his eyes?
A: Yeah… I just realized that I've mentioned Mukuro has mismatched eyes in the first chapter, a result of the first surgery so it would feel wrong if I change it. So, this second operation (here in this chap) just about a new drug that'll give even further power to Mukuro's eye.

Q: At the last part of this chap, what's Mukuro's up to? Is he leaving?
A: Yup, will be revealed on the next chap hehe

Q: Isn't it too fast? The previous chapter just talked about Mukuro seeing Iemitsu and Tsuna's physical body, and now his dilemma's already finished?
A: Yeah, because I didn't want this story to be overly long. Hehe?

Q: Can't Mukuro just visit Tsuna's mind again? Although he's already return to his physical body completely he still should be able to do that right…?
A: Yeah, but… well, will be explained on the next chap haha