asael

Aggy made me post this! :(

Tsukimi (3/6)
Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Mukuro/Hibari (in this part)
This part is NOT WORKSAFE!
one | two | three | four | five | six

The man was young, too young to really be called a man. Or maybe that was just the way he looked - soft skin, big eyes, an innocent face. His skin was pale, around the bruising, though Hibari couldn't be sure whether that was entirely natural or if it was because he'd been dead for at least a day. Specifics like that were really a job for the crime scene investigators, anyway.

Hibari wouldn't have cared particularly - and didn't, really - except that this was the first murder victim he'd seen on his beat since he came back to the city. Things were peaceful in this part of town, compared to the rest of the city, which was currently caught in a not-so-cold war. Mukuro's influence, he assumed.

So it was strange, he thought, to find a body like this. The boy had been brutally beaten, and the marks on his wrists made it seem as though he'd been bound before death. The bruises were placed with almost clinical precision, as though whoever had done it had had some kind of a plan. Hibari thought that someone in this city had too much time on their hands.

His partner ambled up next to him, frowning at the body. "I called it in, they'll be here soon. Too bad, huh? He looks young. Had his whole life ahead of him."

In Hibari's opinion (the only one that mattered), Yamamoto was too softhearted. He was the kind of police officer who'd rescue kitten and climb trees to get children's kites. Hibari would admit that he seemed competent enough when it came to actual work, but he still considered Yamamoto's kindness a waste of time.

"I doubt he was all that innocent. If he got caught up in something and ended up like this, he was weak," Hibari said, no sympathy in his voice. It was self-evident, after all. In a place like this city, the strong survived and the weak died. That was the story of the human race, carnivores and herbivores.

"Hey, hey..." Yamamoto said with a laugh, one that Hibari was too familiar with already. "We're supposed to protect the weak, you know." He shook his head with a smile. "That's why people join the force."

"No. I'm here because someone needs to keep order. Otherwise all you foolish herbivores will run around causing trouble because you're too stupid to do otherwise." Hibari had no interest in protecting the weak, it was simply something he was forced to do occasionally because of his job. While he hated having a partner, Yamamoto had turned out to be convenient. For some reason the brainless lambs of the city found his idiotic smile reassuring, and so it was easy for him to take care of the inconsequential things like injured children and crying women, leaving Hibari free to attend to more important matters.

Yamamoto laughed again and shook his head, the way he always did when Hibari said something like that. "Anyway, it's weird to find a body here. I wonder if Mukuro knows about it."

Hibari's attention focused on Yamamoto the instant he heard that name. It had been almost a week since his meeting with Mukuro, and he hadn't gone back to the building. Nor had he mentioned it to anyone. In fact, he tried to not even think of it - but that had proved annoyingly difficult.

Unaware of Hibari's interest, Yamamoto glanced over at him. "You think we should tell him? He'd be pretty pissed about a murder on his turf, I think."

He'd wait for a good moment to interrogate Yamamoto about this. Still, Hibari scowled, already feeling his temper rise. "If he didn't dump the body himself."

"Nah, something like this isn't really his style. Besides, he'd never leave a body in his own neighborhood and he'll be angry that someone did." Yamamoto looked like he was thinking, which in Hibari's opinion was a rare occurance. "We ought to tell him, even if he already knows."

"You'd give confidential information about a murder investigation to a criminal?" Hibari's frown remained. No wonder this city was so pathetic.

Yamamoto shrugged. "Yeah, why not? He'd probably help us catch whoever did it. Mukuro's not a bad guy or anything."

"He offered to sleep with me in exchange for helping his... people out if they needed it," Hibari said. He wasn't sure what reaction he'd been expecting, but was nevertheless unsurprised when Yamamoto just laughed again.

"He must really like you! I mean, if he offered himself. I didn't get that much, just an invitation to that place he's got... Mukuro's a pretty funny guy."

Hibari tried to ignore his curiousity. It's not as if Rokudo Mukuro was worth his time, no matter what incredibly embarrassing dreams Hibari might have had. Still, there weren't many things that interested him, and while he'd never admit it aloud, Mukuro was one of them. If nothing else, the man had gotten under his skin. "He tried to make a deal with you?"

"Yeah, back when I started working this beat. I guess that was a couple years ago now... and I've been in to see him a few times since then, when something happened," Yamamoto said, apparently unconcerned by the laws he was breaking. "I mean, he usually already knows what's going on, but it never hurts to be friendly."

"How friendly?" Hibari asked, and regretted it the moment the question passed his lips. Clearly the only solution to his problem would be to kill Mukuro - then there would be nothing left to think about.

Yamamoto didn't seem bothered, just laughing with the usual dopey smile on his face. "Not like friendly friendly. I've never even, you know, done anything at his place - with anyone. My boyfriend would kill me. Just, you know. This is his turf. Stuff like that -" he waved a hand at the body, half-submerged in a drainage ditch, sightless eyes gazing up at the sky - "it's smart to let him know about. He'll want the guy caught as much as we do, and he's got a lot of resources."

Murders were bad for business, Hibari supposed. But more important than that, why had Yamamoto not said anything before? He'd just allowed Hibari to walk into that place. Hibari felt like a fool, which made him want to tear Yamamoto's throat out. Instead, he just looked at Yamamoto, holding back his anger. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

Yamamoto either didn't notice Hibari's anger or didn't care, because he just shrugged, smile firmly in place. "I didn't think it was a big deal." Hibari gritted his teeth and thought of murder, and Yamamoto blinked at him. "Why? Is there something you want to know?"

It was an effort that he was very unwilling to make, but Hibari pushed aside his homicidal impulses in favor of learning more about Rokudo Mukuro (another target of those impulses, and other ones that he didn't even want to think about).

"How long has that place been there?" was his first question. Hibari wasn't sure exactly what kind of information would be useful in his dealings with Mukuro, but as it was, Mukuro knew far more about him than the other way around. Hibari hated being put at such a disadvantage.

"The place itself... I don't know, a long time. At least twenty years. Mukuro's not the first owner. I don't know much about the lady who was in charge before, either - that was way before my time." Yamamoto paused for a moment to listen to the crackling voice from the radio in their car. "Sounds like they'll be here in just a few more minutes." He grinned at Hibari's expression of frustration.

"They're lucky this guy is already dead," Hibari said. It was true that the force had a lot of work since Byakuran's arrest, but Hibari still thought they were slacking off. Sawada didn't enforce discipline well enough. He nodded curtly at Yamamoto, a cue to continue.

"Oh, right... yeah, I guess he took over maybe eight years ago? Before the Millefiore showed up, anyway. And the whole Japanese thing - you know, the kimono and stuff? The lady who ran it before him had this whole story about how she was a former geisha. So maybe it's a legacy or something." Yamamoto shrugged.

Hibari doubted that was the case. The chances that Mukuro had inherited ownership of the brothel in a peaceful manner were slim, in his opinion. More likely he'd kept the kimono and Japanese theme because they amused him. Then again, who knew why Mukuro did anything?

Still, he couldn't quite believe it. Eight years ago? Mukuro looked like he was around the same age as Hibari, his mid-twenties. He'd have to have been a teenager when he took over the brothel. On top of that, he acted as if he knew Hibari, when Hibari doubted that was possible. He'd been away from the city since he was a child, and apparently Mukuro had been busy with other things.

He was on the verge of asking another question when he spotted lights in the distance, coming closer. Yamamoto noticed them too, and straightened from where he'd been leaning against the side of their squad car. "Looks like it's time to get back to work. Hey, I don't know much more, but we can talk about Mukuro later if you want." He looked at Hibari, eyes a little too keen, and Hibari scowled. He really didn't want the entire force to know he was interested in Rokudo Mukuro, and Yamamoto was too talkative - and Hibari hadn't meant to show his interest so openly.

"No. What a waste of time," Hibari said, and looked away. He was silent for a moment, listening to the sirens coming closer. "But I'll be the one who tells him about this."

It would have been hard to ignore the grin Yamamoto had after hearing that, but Hibari's solution worked well enough. He simply pretended Yamamoto didn't exist until the other cars pulled up and they both had even more work to do.

***

It was late that night before Hibari went to see Mukuro. Apparently he wasn't expected this time, because he was left to cool his heels for almost half an hour before the blank-faced receptionist let him go upstairs. He didn't rate a guide this time, either.

The halls were quiet, though considering the time of day, Hibari doubted that the rooms behind the doors he passes were empty. Luckily, he heard nothing and therefore could easily ignore whatever business was being transacted.

He pushed the shoji door to Mukuro's room open without knocking. Mukuro had been informed he was coming, after all - Hibari had heard the receptionist's half of the conversation downstairs. And sure enough, Mukuro was just where Hibari expected him to be: lounging on an embroidered cushion on the tatami, kimono arranged artfully around him.

Hibari could admit privately that it was an attractive sight, but there was no force in the world that could have made him say it aloud. Besides, the effect was ruined by the annoying smug smile on Mukuro's face, which only made Hibari want to bite him.

And not in a sexy way, either.

(Probably.)

The lacquered tea tray was set to one side this time, instead of between them, which was fine because Hibari had no desire for tea this evening. He sat on the other cushion, facing Mukuro, and waited.

He didn't have to wait long. Mukuro laughed, looking at Hibari, and said, "I was starting to think you wouldn't come back. What brings me this rare honor?" His eyes were studying Hibari intently, but Hibari didn't blink. He wouldn't allow Mukuro to get the upper hand this time. He had come here for a reason, and no amount of knowing smiles from Yamamoto or smoldering looks from Mukuro were going to change that.

"There was a murder," he said. "We found the body this morning, not far from here."

"I know," Mukuro said, and smiled. It was a tight-lipped smile, and somehow he managed to convey a world of displeasure in those two words. "I'll be looking into the matter on my own. I'll let you know if I find anything."

There was something insincere in his voice, but frankly Hibari wasn't sure whether that meant anything or whether it was just Mukuro's way. Silence fell between them for a moment, until Mukuro smiled again.

"But that's not all you came here for... right?" His smiled was once again knowing, smug, and entirely irritating. Hibari scowled and opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly Mukuro had crossed the distance between them. His lips were next to Hibari's ear, his hand on Hibari's thigh. "Did you think about our conversation?" Mukuro said, breath ghosting across Hibari's skin.

Of course he had. And he'd been thinking about coming back to this place, but it had felt like it would be letting Mukuro win. Now he was here, and he hadn't only come for Mukuro, so he hadn't lost anything. Hibari could do as he pleased with a clear conscience.

And that was as far as Hibari bothered thinking, because Mukuro's hand was moving up his thigh. He gripping Mukuro's wrist, ignored the faint gasp, and pulled the man off balance so Hibari could kiss him hard enough to take his breath away. If they did this, it would be at his pace, not Mukuro's.

Even so, he could feel Mukuro smile against his lips and hear that soft, pleased laugh. Hibari bit his lip hard, not sure if he was trying to punish Mukuro or please himself - not that it really mattered.

Mukuro had gotten his hand free somehow and was making quick work of Hibari's pants. That Mukuro could apparently unbutton and unzip someone's pants with one hand while at the same time pressing rough kisses down their neck didn't surprise Hibari at all, though he didn't have any desire to think too hard about it.

Things were moving a little too fast for Hibari's tastes, but he couldn't convince himself to slow anything down - Mukuro had straddled one of his legs, kimono falling rather askew, and was busy slipping a hand down his pants. The kisses and bites Hibari pressed to his lips didn't give him pause, not even when Hibari began to let his mouth move downward.

He pushed Mukuro's kimono off his shoulder with a rough movement. Kissing down Mukuro's neck, he bit none too gently at the tender place where Mukuro's pale neck met his shoulder, and was rewarded with the first unguarded sound he'd gotten from the man: a choked, breathy gasp. Hibari smirked and leaned close to see if he could tease out any more noises - then he saw Mukuro's body for the first time in the dim light of the room, and froze.

The last time they'd met, Mukuro had let his kimono slip off his shoulders, slide open just a little, and flash some leg. He hadn't done it this time, and Hibari hadn't really thought there was any particular reason - he didn't know Mukuro very well, after all. What was normal for the man? But now he knew why.

Mukuro was covered in bruises. They were at least a couple days old, because some of the smaller ones were already fading, but there were plenty that were still very dark and ugly - purples and blues, not the kind of thing Hibari thought he would see on a man like Mukuro. He knew he only saw a fraction of the whole - the only parts of Mukuro that were bare were his shoulder, part of his chest, and one long slim leg, but none of them were unmarked. Hibari couldn't look away.

Noticing Hibari's sudden lack of movement, Mukuro pulled back a little, blinking lazily before smiling as he realized what was going on. "Perils of the job. Do they bother you? Close your eyes." He paused for only a moment to adjust his kimono so the bruises were covered again, but Hibari was not comforted.

Perils of the job? It wouldn't surprise Hibari in the least to discover Mukuro enjoyed rough sex, but he was a police officer. He knew what those kinds of bruises looked like, and if they were just from his 'job' - well, Hibari didn't think sex that rough could be particularly enjoyable. And why would Mukuro allow a client to do that to him? And why was he doing this now? It must hurt to move, much less have sex.

Mukuro, having removed his hand, trailed it down Hibari's belly, but Hibari couldn't react - his eyes were on Mukuro's face, and he caught the faint flash of annoyance on Mukuro's face. It all fell into place easily enough, and Hibari felt anger rising within him. If anything, it made him more aroused, but though he was not and never would be a kind man, he also didn't have it in him to hurt Mukuro when the man was already in such a bad state.

That didn't mean he would be nice, though. "You really are a whore," Hibari said, unable to keep the anger from his voice. "You don't even want me and you're doing this." He caught Mukuro's wrist. "You'd go through with it too, wouldn't you? Even though all you're thinking is how soon you can get me out of here."

"That's not all I'm thinking," Mukuro said with a tight little smile. He didn't seem to feel the need to deny what Hibari said, and that only made Hibari angrier. "But you're right. I'm rather fond of you, and on another day, I'd be more than happy to give you an evening you'd never forget. But I'm afraid you've caught me on a bad day." He wasn't moving, though, still perched half on Hibari's lap, forcing Hibari to look up to meet his eyes. "I don't see why that's a problem, though. Like you said, I am a whore. I'll make sure you enjoy it even if I'm not in the mood."

"Get off me. I'm not interested in used goods." Hibari knew as he said it that it was probably going too far, but he couldn't bite back his anger. Mukuro thought he was the kind of person who wouldn't even care about his injuries? Who'd just take whatever he could regardless of his partner's state or lack of interest? Hibari had a strict code of discipline, and he had his pride. Maybe Mukuro was used to that kind of person, but that was no reason for him to assume Hibari was one of them.

"Oh, please," Mukuro laughed, lightly and cruelly. "You talk big, but you still want me." He moved his hand down, deftly freeing Hibari's hard cock from his pants and underwear. "And you wanted this when you came here." He stroked, and the sensation sparked up Hibari's spine and straight to his brain. He gritted his teeth, and was about to push Mukuro away when Mukuro made the first move.

A quick move, an adjustment of his weight, and Hibari found himself on his back on the tatami, Mukuro pinning him down mostly by virtue of his long limbs. Mukuro's lips were on his neck and his hand moved unmercifully, surrounding Hibari's cock. He laughed again, nipping at Hibari's skin, and Hibari tried to control himself.

"See? It's obvious you want me, or else you wouldn't have come here. Does it hurt your ego that I don't want you?" Mukuro was murmuring in his ear now. His voice was low, and while the words only made Hibari's anger stronger, the tone sent a spike of arousal through his gut. Hibari barely kept from thrusting into Mukuro's clever hand, not that it mattered. Mukuro wasn't drawing this out at all, and Hibari was already finding it difficult to breathe steadily. He couldn't say anything.

"Don't let it, Kyoya. I want you. I was hoping you'd come in a few days, when I was all better and I could do everything... all the dirty little things I've been thinking about doing to you, with you. You just chose the wrong time to come back, that's all." Mukuro kissed Hibari's ear and did something incredible with his hand that made Hibari gasp, regardless of his attempts to control himself. "And then you had to go and say those things to make me angry..." He sat up just a little, enough so he could look at Hibari's face.

"You want me. Even now, when you're so furious with me. Disgusted with me, too. I'm not as bad as all that... don't forget this, Kyoya." It might have been a trick of the light, and Hibari knew he was in no state to trust his senses. But when their eyes met, and Mukuro kissed him, Hibari could have sworn there was something else there, something besides the anger. He just wasn't sure what, and a second later he couldn't think about anything at all.

"Don't forget how much you want me," Mukuro said, and with one last languid stroke of his hand he sent Hibari over the edge. Hibari didn't cry out, barely made a sound when he came, but it wasn't because of control - it was because he couldn't think of anything but the pleasure. He was only barely aware of Mukuro's weight, Mukuro's eyes on him, and while he knew both those things should bother him, none of that mattered. Nothing mattered for one brief moment.

He came back to himself breathing hard, muscles relaxing and a feeling of lazy pleasure spreading through his body. It didn't last - he wouldn't let it last. He didn't want to spend any time sorting out the tangle of confused emotions inside him, and so he fell back on the most familiar one. Hibari's anger came back with a vengeance, and hearing Mukuro's breath and smelling his scent only refined it to a sharper point.

Hibari pushed Mukuro off him roughly (and later, he would try not to think about how easy it had been - how he could have done it before if he'd really wanted to), and stood. He didn't say anything, and now Mukuro was silent too. He could feel Mukuro watching him still, from where he was sprawled on the tatami, but he didn't look that way.

With quick, jerky movements Hibari cleaned up as best he could, zipped up his pants, and left. It was because he was angry, he told himself, and surely Mukuro was used to that kind of thing anyway. He tried to lose himself in his anger and forget the things Mukuro had said, forget how good it had felt and forget how for a moment after it was over, all he could think about was how much he wanted more.

It worked, to a point. He left the building without looking back, without wavering in his anger. But it burned that he was running away from Mukuro again, and most of all, it burned that he couldn't wipe the sound of those words from his mind.

"Don't forget how much you want me."

That was impossible.

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