A/N: F-finally… first story to reach 100+ reviews… 0_0 I'm so happy! Thank you for always reviewing and loving this story, minna-san! It really means a lot for me, uwwaaa! And congratulation for Msdgirl who is the lucky #100 reviewer! Cookies for you made with love from the both of us! ^^
Now, let's get to our Chapter #7 of 'Never Again'~! Dundundundun!
Chapter #7- Burden and Determination
"I'm sorry miss but it looks like there's a traffic jam ahead." The taxi driver said monotonously.
"WHAT!? We have no time for a freaking traffic—" The brown head screamed in irritation at the driver but was cut off by the sound of the door opening as the orange head ran out towards the hotel.
"Kyoko-chan!"
Haru called out as she decided to follow her, all the while ignoring the screams of the taxi driver for them to pay up. Kyoko searched in her pockets and brought up her phone, dialing a number as she brought it up to her ears.
"Giannini-san! Where are Hibari-san and the others now?"
"According to the Vongola radar, mist and cloud flames are detected close to your location, Kyoko-san. Turn around the next corner and you'll see the hotel they're staying at."
Giannini explained and Kyoko gave a 'thanks' before flipping the phone close and following what his instruction. However, she never expected to find a destroyed building instead as her eyes widened when she saw people screaming out of the used-to-be-hotel and two figures fighting on the hotel roof if you look really closely. Haru caught up with her friend soon after and stood rooted in place as her jaws dropped at the scene, police cars and the sirens of an ambulance could be heard miles away.
"This is unit 2 calling unit 3, we have a witness stating that there were 2 suspicious men running wild in the hotel. One was apparently holding a tonfa and destroys anything that disturbs his fight. The other suspect had pineapple-like hairstyle and had been constantly scarring the victim's minds with illusions. Evacuate everyone within a 500 meter radius, over. "An officer spoke to the intercom as he tried to calm down a woman shivering in fear as she chanted 'pineapple-illusions-tonfas-bite to death...' repeatedly, being the victim of witnessing the battle at close range.
"Great..." Haru breathed out sarcastically. "Out of all people we're asking for help, it just had to be the worst pair of guardians in the history of mafia."
"Tsu-kun is going to faint when he sees this..."
Kyoko sighed as she moved a hand up to her temples before both girls made their way past the screaming crowd and into the hotel. Kyoko could feel her eye twitching as she saw the broken down elevator and the long flight of stairs leading up to the roof at the fiftieth floor. Haru gaped as she started spewing string of curses in different language that would've broken her boyfriend's record.
"O-Once we save the octopus head...*wheeze* I'm gonna...*wheeze* KILL him for this..." Haru gasped for air as her legs wobbled at the last flight of stairs. Kyoko took a few seconds to catch her breath as sweat trickled down her temples before she finally slammed the door open, the open wind blowing against her.
"Hibari-san, Mukuro-kun, we need your help!"
The orange head said as loud as she could in between the sounds of metals clashing but failed to catch the attention of both guardians. The skylark brought up his tonfas and landed a blow on the mist guardian's gut, causing him to cough roughly. Hibari clicked his tongue as the figure he hit dissipates to purple mist but waste no time to turn around and ran towards the image of the pineapple head that was starting to form on the middle of the roof. The mist guardian cackled creepily as he tapped his trident to the ground, pillars of flame appearing under the ex-prefect's feet. Hibari dodged the attacks and lunged in for a hit to the illusionist's face but was blocked by his trident, the sounds of metals clashing once again.
"Die, herbivore." The cloud guardian growled dangerously, ignoring the trickles of crimson trailing down over his right eye and cuts on his tattered suit.
"Kufufu~ and yet I'm still here, alive and well after what you've said dear skylark-kun."
Mukuro smirked at the skylark who was then glaring back at him. Though, the pineapple head's breathing was short as the bone over his lungs was crushed by the tonfas earlier. The two soon started exchanging blows once again as they failed to notice the orange head with dark auras starting to surround her.
To say that Chrome was shocked would be an understatement as the purplenette saw the destroyed building that was once a five star hotel. She took no time to run up the stairs as fast as she could and finally arrived on the last flight of stairs. All her stamina training had somewhat paid off.
"Haru-chan!" The female illusionist called as she saw the brown head leaning against the wall with a ragged breath.
"C-Chrome-chan you have to stop the both of them."
Haru spoke as she pointed to the door to the roof. The female illusionist looked at her worriedly but nodded and went on her way through the door. The purplenette first saw the two guardians and froze when she heard two gunshots from the orange head. The bullets grazed their cheeks as she finally caught the attention of both guardians as they paused to look at her.
"W-What's happening here?!"
Chrome exclaimed as she took in the scene before her and glared dangerously at the two guardians. Both of them were badly injured and avoid looking at her violets. The purplenette frowned as she noticed her boss's fiancée holding up her two guns. She knew Kyoko hated using her weapons even though she practiced so hard on it and swore to only use it to protect her loved ones if they're ever in danger. Kyoko turned her head to the side and saw the purplenette, relief washed over her as her legs finally gave in and she dropped to the floor.
"C-Chrome-chan..."
The orange head chocked out as her honey browns brimmed with tears. The purplenette immediately ran towards her and kneeled down to hug her friend, the guns dropping to the ground.
"I-I'm so glad you're h-here..." Kyoko said as she sniffed.
"Kyoko-chan...what's wrong?" Chrome furrowed her brows as she asked worriedly.
"Tsu-kun...everyone...they've been k-kidnapped..." Kyoko muttered and the purplenette's violets widened immediately.
"Please...save them!" The orange head pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks. The image of her famiglia in the cave flashed through her mind, they were either unconscious or hurt...
Chrome gritted her teeth as she felt her anger rising up at the people who dared to hurt her famiglia. She snapped her head to the two guardians and hissed. "Both of you, stop fighting...now."
The two guardians merely glared at each other one last time before bringing their weapons down.
Chrome turned her head back to the orangenette as she gently patted her head. It's kind of weird for the purplenette though. In the past, it was her who was always being comforted by the two girls but right now, seeing the usual happy-go-lucky and cheerful Kyoko flashing such a painful expression and crying like there's no tomorrow, she know that she will never, ever, forgive those who dare to kidnap her familgia and hurt her friends.
That night, the trio along with the girls stays in a small cave in the forest, with a protection illusion that was casted by Mukuro and Chrome. They decided that it was the for the best not to look for other place to stay since they could be targeted anytime. After dinner, which consisted of some miserable pieces of fish, the girls tried to treat Hibari and Mukuro's wounds…..which didn't seems to be like a simple task…
"Hibari-san! Please stop being stubborn and let Haru and Kyoko-chan treats your wounds desu!" Haru exclaim as she tried to rub some ointments on the stubborn ex-prefect's wound. However, the raven head just turned his head away before the piece of cotton could touch his skin. Haru growled in annoyance as she had to stop the urge to kill the cloud guardian. Kyoko on the other hand tried to calm her friend down as she squeezed a piece of cloth and stretched the ex-perfect's bloody arm. She ignored his piercing glare as she start cleaning his arm.
On the other hand, Chrome was grumbling when the piece of white cloth in her hand turned red after cleaning the pineapple-head illusionist's wounds. She immersed the cloth into a bucket of water next to her. The blood started to wash out of the cloth then it travelled into the water like virus. Soon enough, the bucket of clear water was as red as the red sea. She stared at the water in disgust and moved it to aside as she dipped a piece of cotton into a bottle of ointment.
She pressed the piece of alcoholic cotton on his wounded chest not-so-gently as Mukuro slightly winched at the cold feeling. The purplenette titled her head to look at him, her anger had disappeared and was replaced with worry as she immediately jerked her hand away from his wound.
"S-sorry, I'll be more careful!" she assured him, and with practiced grace pressed the cotton back against his chest once again, making certain to apply less force.
Hibari slightly twitched his eyebrow. He did not like how Chrome is acting in front of the pineapple illusionist though he knew that she was just worried that she might hurt him. Although the girls didn't notice it,the skylark could see the way how Mukuro tried to hide his cunning smile behind his calm and collected mask.
That damn pineapple herbivore….
"Chrome." Hibari's lips curled into a smirk as he called the purplenette. The girl turned her attention towards the skylark as she blinked her eyes innocently to him.
"I've been nice enough to let Sasagawa and Miura to treat my wounds, don't you think that I deserved a…reward?" The cloud guardian muttered almost slyly at the male mist guardian.
"Euhm… a good morning k-kiss…?" Chrome nervously asked. She certainly didn't like it when the cloud guardian asked her for a reward.
"I've already got that… almost every day."
He purposely said the last sentence a bit louder for his rival to hear. He could see how Mukuro's face start to darken and he could felt the dark aura slowly emitting around the male illusionist. Kyoko and Haru sweat-dropped. Sometimes, they seriously think that Chrome is still as naïve as ever because it seems like she hasn't noticed the aura that was screaming 'I'LL KILL YOU!' from the two rivals who hated each other with burning passions.
"How about… uhm… I-I make a hamburger steak for you once we're back…?" Chrome's face was blushing madly as she managed to stutter out what she wanted to say. Well, she might not be a great cook like Kyoko or Haru… but her cooking skill had improved after ten years and… at least her dishes won't kill a person like Bianchi's poison cooking…
SLAM!
Chrome slightly flinched when she heard a loud crash coming from the pineapple-head. She turned her attention back to the male illusionist and noticed that he had just punched the ground and there's a slight crack coming out from the hard rock ground. The bandage around his hand start to get dirt and she could see blood slowly seeped out from his just-bandaged-and-treated hand.
"Idiot! What do you think you're doing?!"
The purplenette reprimanded the bluenette. However, Mukuro turned his head away as he pouted like a childish kid. Chrome sighed as she rubbed her temple. She was seriously slowly getting pissed off by the male illusionist's childish behavior.
"Here! Let me treat it!" She growled as she grabbed his hand. However, the illusionist pulled his hand off as he closed his eyes.
"I'll be fine. I just need a rest right now." He muttered stubbornly as he leaned his body down and tried to make himself comfortable on the hard surface.
Grunting, the purplenette insisted, "At least let me disinfect it and change the bandages. These ones are soaked thanks to your idiotic actions."
Sighing in defeat, Mukuro nodded propped himself up on his elbows.
Skillful fingers started to unwound the bloodied bandages with practiced ease, tossing them in a discarded heap once they were fully removed. She dipped another piece of cotton into the bottle of ointment as he situated himself, allowing her to properly clean his wounds.
Mukuro felt warmth creeping up his features as the purplenette gently and ever so lovingly help him to replace the bandages on his wrist. Her every touch resembling a fire that warmed his icy cold hand as the female illusionist was focusing on her work. Mukuro absently gaze at her features from her long, flowing purple hair, strong violet eyes to those pale lips that shut tight as she tried to mask every emotion she had for the pineapple head. Strangely, the male illusionist felt a pang of hurt and regret as he realizes...that he wasn't there when she grew up into a fine soldier. She trained days and night to be the skillful illusionist she is today without his guide. But most importantly, his Nagi had turned into a woman who could defend her own pride...
And he couldn't be there for her all this time.
Kyoko stared deeply at the orange flame of the bonfire in front of her. The flame is illuminating her honey brown orbs and they started to slowly look like the lightest brown you would ever see. It made the girl seem so surreal.
A sad memory starts to flash in her mind as she gripped the helm of her shirt tightly. It was the day when Tsuna protected her… and almost lost his own life.
"Tsuna-kun!" the orangenette exclaimed in worried as she ran into the medical room. Her eyes widened when she saw a certain brunette lying on the bed, his chest covered with thick bandages and there's an oxygen mask on his mouth.
The Vongola Decimo opened his eyes slightly and saw his girlfriend looked at him worriedly. He pants a few times before trying to force a smile on his face.
"Kyoko-chan…" The brunette breathed out weakly.
"I'm glad….you're fine." he muttered out and all sudden, the orange head lunged herself towards him. Tsuna winched slightly at the stinging pain of his back but decided to ignore it when he heard soft sobbing came out from the trembling girl.
"You almost died! Bianchi-san told me that it was a miracle you managed to survive! W-Why did you protect me? I can't fight or even protect you like onii-san and the others… I'm just a burden for you!" she exclaimed as more tears start to running down from her eyes. Her grip around him starts to tighten as she was scared that she might lose him anytime.
His fingers slowly made their ways to her teary face as he caressed her face gently. Tsuna rubbed her tears away as he stared into her eyes deeply.
"You're not a burden for me, Kyoko-chan…" he said out softly. "Please stop crying…it hurt me even more than my injuries to see you crying like this."
Ever since that day, Kyoko swear to herself that she won't become a burden to her fiancé, her brother and even her family. She had been training hard along with Haru with Lal Mirch all these years, there are even a few incident that causes them to stay in the hospital for months. The brunette and silvernette had convinced them not to do such dangerous trainings but the one look from the girls manage to shut them up. They've sworn not to be a burden and protect their family no matter what.
"Kyoko-chan…" Haru and Chrome looked worriedly at the orange head. She was acting out-of-character and it almost broke the two girls' heart to see the pained look on her face.
"In the end… I'm still a burden for them…huh?" she muttered out suddenly as she started to laugh bitterly to herself.
"What do you mean, Kyoko-chan? You have been trying your hardest!" Haru tried to comfort her best friend as she sat next to her, gently panting her back.
"Haru-chan is right, Kyoko-chan. Stop blaming yourself." Chrome added up. She glanced back at the two boys who were bandaged like mummies behind them. Ah… you can't blame Chrome for doing so. The two rivals won't stop trying to get on each other's nerve and Chrome had no choice but to take up a few real illusionist bandages and make them into mummies.
'Don't you even dare to tear the bandages off.'
Her glare sent the meaning of her words to the skylark and pineapple illusionist before she turned her attention back to her best friends. She placed her hand on the orangenette shoulder, trying to comfort her.
"You know… Kyoko-chan…" she said softly, glancing at the two boys to make sure they are not peeking on their conversation.
"Just like you, I….I'm always think that I'm a burden for bossu and the others. However… there's times when I'll start thinking to myself that I don't want to be a burden anymore and I want to protect them. That is the reason why we became strong… b-because…" all sudden, Chrome didn't know why but she start to blush madly. "Just like the pineapple pervert…"
A certain bluenette who pretended to be asleep slightly twitched his forehead.
"Although he had abandoned me for all these years… but there's some times that I'll still be worried over him and felt like I wanted to protect him with all I could…"
Mukuro felt a mixed feeling of happiness and pain. He felt happy to know that the purplenette still cared for him and perhaps, he could have a chance to get her back. The other emotion was because he could never forgive himself for using her as a tool all the time when she was still there with him. He sighed for the one last time before trying to drift himself into sleep. He couldn't even get his feelings across properly…
Chrome sighed as she looked at her friends who had all fallen asleep. It was already late at night, but the purplenette couldn't sleep. That is why she is now wide awake, staring at the twinkling stars on the sky.
She stared down at her Mist ring as she remembered the time she saw the MMS sent by Ken and Chikusa for Mukuro.
Chrome looked at the unread MMS curiously. There are 12 unread messages by the same numbers that she didn't seem to recognize and 1 MMS that had Ken and Chikusa's name written on the screen. She glanced at the sleeping illusionist for the one last time before decided that she will read it for him.
"Mukuro-sama!" the short video was start with Ken who greeted Mukuro loudly. Chrome even had to lower it voice so it won't disturbed the sleeping bluenette. She looked over to see Mukuro slightly moved a bit in his sleep but he did not wake up. She sighed before continue watching the short video.
"Mukuro-sama, we're very sorry but it seems like we have run out of plans to help you to distract M.M." Chikusa cut off Ken as he said. Chrome's orbs immediately widen when she heard what Chikusa had just said.
"Kakipi is right, Mukuro-sama. M.M had come here a few days ago and once she noticed you weren't around, she predicted that you would be either at Japan or Italy, byon! We're sorry we can't help much!"
To tell the truth, she was still a bit troubled with the incident that night. Many questions were still running through her head. She had been always wondering to herself, why he had abandoned her; the one who was always so loyal to him but he still kept her, the one who never really seems to care about him and tried to steal him away from her? She would never understand what was in the pineapple head's mind.
"Who's there?" she asked suddenly, pulling her weapon out as she pointed into the darkness. She had just heard some footsteps just now.
A tall figure slightly chuckled before he flicked his fedora.
"Chrome, you have improved more." The figure said in amusement. Chrome lowered her trident as a smile start to spread around her face. This voice… it belonged to…
"Ciaossu, the world greatest hitman had arrived." The tall man, with side curly-brow smirked to the purplenette.
"R-Reborn-san!"
To be continued.
Ending Note: There you go, readers. Is this chapter satisfying the 6996 fans? ^v^" I mean, you all are craving for more and more of their moments so I decided to wrote as many as I could in this chapter… now, please be patient to wait for another 2 chapters!
