KHR Fic: Ordinary World (6/12)
Oct. 12th, 2009 05:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
asaelSo, this fic will probably be 12 chapters, or at least that's what my outline says right now. It might end up being more or less, but I'll say 12 for now. So I'm halfway done! Yaaaay.
Ordinary World (6/12)
Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Mukuro-centric, slight 8069, 8059, 6918 in this part
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
The hospital was busy today, but Mukuro didn't care. He hardly noticed. His mind was on other things.
It wasn't that he had really been worried about Chrome. He had always known that she could create her own organs if she concentrated and used the odd power of the Vongola ring. Mukuro had known she'd manage that eventually, and he was strangely proud that it had been that soon. Perhaps it was just the idea of having an ally - someone besides Tsuna's little coterie, someone who knew him as well as she did.
Once again, the room was being guarded by Gokudera, but this time Ryohei was there as well, sporting a big grin. Mukuro smiled slightly in return, and Tsuna (who of course had come along, always worried about things he shouldn't be) started asking questions about how Chrome was doing, when she'd woken up.
Mukuro ignored the answers and slipped into the quiet hospital room. No one made a move to stop him, which he appreciated, since he really didn't have the energy to argue with them right now. Chrome was there, sitting upright in bed with pillows supporting her. She looked about as tired as Mukuro felt, but she was no longer attached to the machines that had previously been keeping her alive.
When he came in, she was looking at the flowers one of Tsuna's female friends had brought her. She turned when she heard his footsteps, eyes widening just a little. Chrome's emotions were difficult for most to read, Mukuro knew, but it had always been as easy to him as understanding his own. Even now, with their connection broken, he could clearly see the mingled fear, sadness, and relief written across her face when she saw him.
"My Chrome, you're finally awake," he said with an easy smile, and she only said, "Mukuro-sama," in her soft voice.
Mukuro walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed, and knew from the surprised look in her eyes that she saw his weakness. Not all of it, not the bone-deep weariness that made the world spin when he moved, that increased with every step he took - that at least he could still hide, if barely. But she saw more than the others.
It wasn't a surprise to him. They had been almost the same person sometimes, before.
"Mukuro-sama, what happened?" Chrome asked, worry clear in the set of her mouth.
He smiled again, and told her of the loss of his powers, told her what little he knew. If she regained enough strength to use her illusions freely, Chrome would be a valuable resource to him. Even if she didn't, it would be good to have someone he knew was on his side.
She listened quietly, and if she realized he wasn't telling her the truth about the depth of his weakness, she didn't let it show. After he was finished, she bit her lip and asked, "But they've been kind to you?" Her eyes, like Ken's, went to his arm.
Mukuro had almost forgotten about that. It was an inconvenience, yes, but much less of one that this weariness and less painful than his headache. And his broken wrist, at least, he had no doubts about the origin of. It was actually somewhat comforting, and he smiled at Chrome. "They've been very kind."
"I'll do what I can to help you," she said, voice quiet but determined. "I'm not well yet either, but with this ring I might be able to fight when I am."
His eyes fell to the Vongola ring. So Chrome had felt its power as well. That was good. With her current strength, she knew that she could do little more than keep herself alive and awake. If she learned how to use the power of the ring, however, she could do much more - and it seemed as if that would become necessary soon.
"Good," Mukuro said. "Do what you can, my Chrome." He knew she understood.
There was a comfortable silence between them until Chrome spoke again. "You're free now." Her voice was subdued but hopeful, and she smiled a tiny smile.
"I'm free," Mukuro said, and smiled back, but the words meant nothing.
***
The next day, Mukuro woke feeling better. Perhaps it was because he'd been told that Chrome would be leaving the hospital soon, but Mukuro knew it was more likely that it had simply taken his body some time to recover from whatever backlash he'd suffered during that fight.
He was still tired, just not utterly exhausted anymore. Reborn said that he should return to school so the teachers wouldn't become suspicious, and Mukuro agree, though he was rather certain that it was really because Reborn had something to do today and didn't want to be stuck at the Sawada home serving as an interim guard for Mukuro, as he had been the day before.
Either way, Mukuro went to school, accompanied by Tsunayoshi. The boy was quiet, but rather more friendly than he'd been before, and Mukuro wondered if Tsuna felt more sympathetic because of his visit with Chrome. The Vongola heir was too easily swayed.
By the time Mukuro reached his classroom and sat down, he was beginning to think this had been a bad idea. If he hadn't been able to sit down, he wasn't entirely sure he would have been capable of remaining upright. It was true that he no longer felt like he might fall asleep any second - instead, he felt like he might collapse or pass out.
It was not a feeling Mukuro likely. He'd hated this powerlessness, this weakness, from the beginning, but at least he'd been in control of his own body at first. Now, he felt as weak as a kitten and inches away from losing consciousness - which would be extremely embarrassing, and would definitely alert Tsuna and his goons about Mukuro's declining condition.
He ignored the few students who tentatively tried to speak to him, instead focusing on trying to make it through this day. He had to think of some kind of solution, because there was no way this could last, but he couldn't manage it right now. I have truly become pathetic, Mukuro thought, and smiled a twisted little smile.
When his class filed downstairs to gym class, Mukuro slipped away. He generally didn't participate anyway, as it was ridiculous, and he knew that today it would quite simply be impossible for him. He didn't even feel up to his usual lies and arguments with the teacher, as entertaining as they were.
He couldn't stay in the classroom. Instead, Mukuro found one of the supply storage rooms and went inside. It was dark and crowded with boxes of paper and pens, maps, and various other pieces of educational detritus - perfect, really. Mukuro's legs were going weak beneath him, and he supported himself on one of the tall stacks of boxes.
The dim lightbulb above him flickered and went on. Mukuro turned in time to see the door swing shut behind one Hibari Kyoya, and cursed himself and his weakness. He hadn't even heard the door open. If he had been in the mafia world, instead of playing pretend-normal with Tsunayoshi and his friends, he'd be dead a hundred times over by now. It was disgusting.
Maybe he'd be dead now. The look in Hibari's eyes was not kind, was not even cool neutrality. It looked as though whatever fragile truce they'd had because of Mukuro's powerlessness was over. Mukuro wished that it had come at a better time - he might have been able to enjoy it if it had.
"Kyoya," Mukuro said, and smiled. He wouldn't show his weakness to Hibari, not when he was sure that Hibari was looking for it. Hibari's eyes narrowed as he looked Mukuro over, and Mukuro wondered if he could see the extent of what Mukuro was hiding.
"You fought," Hibari said, coming nearer, and Mukuro couldn't help laughing. That was it? Hibari was angry because of an accidental fight, because Mukuro did something to keep himself alive?
"Not really," Mukuro said when Hibari's mouth thinned in displeasure and he realized he ought to respond. "I don't think anyone could really call that 'fighting'." He didn't know what Hibari had been told, but Mukuro was fairly sure that he'd come to his own conclusions based on that - presumably just assuming that Mukuro had done whatever would irritate him most.
Mukuro just hoped he'd be able to keep himself together until he could convince Hibari to leave. On one hand, it wouldn't be so bad if it were Hibari who saw his weakness - the boy was not prone to the pity that was so common among Tsunayoshi's friends. On the other, Mukuro didn't know what he would do if he saw contempt in the eyes of one who'd always looked at him with challenge before. That would be falling too far.
He shouldn't care what Hibari Kyoya thought of him but, inexplicably, he did.
Or perhaps not that inexplicably, Mukuro thought when he met Hibari's angry eyes.
"So you were lying," Hibari said, "is that it?" He took another step towards Mukuro, and Mukuro wondered if he'd end up with two broken wrists. He imagined being bitten to death was not quite as sexy as Mukuro might hope.
"I wasn't," Mukuro said, thankful for the stacks of boxes behind him. His knees were almost too weak to support him, and while he wished he could attribute that to Hibari's proximity, he knew that wasn't the case. "It was a fluke, an accident. I killed someone, but I doubt anyone could really say that I fought."
Hibari looked at him, clearly trying to decide whether to believe him or not. "You're a liar, but this time you might be telling the truth," he finally said, and stepped back slightly. "If you could fight-"
"Naturally I'd fight you, darling," Mukuro drawled mockingly. He knew he was overdoing it a little, but he felt lightheaded. Was the room getting darker? He needed to get Hibari out of there.
For a moment, Hibari's eyes searched his face. His frown got deeper, but Mukuro almost thought he saw confusion in those grey eyes.
"Good," Hibari said abruptly, breaking whatever spell they'd found themselves under for a moment there. He turned on his heel, walking to the door. "You're worthless now, but you owe me a fight." He looked back at Mukuro. "And then I'll bite you to death."
Mukuro managed a smile in return, but from the strange look in Hibari's eyes he feared it was rather more sickly than he'd intended. The world was spinning, and he wasn't sure he'd sound at all normal if he tried to speak.
Finally, finally, Hibari left the supply room, door swinging shut behind him. Mukuro relaxed. He'd managed somehow, and now all he had to do was make it through the rest of the day, fix this weakness somehow, and utterly destroy whoever had done it to him.
It sounded easy, he thought, and felt his knees begin to fold. Blackness covered his vision completely. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was the sound of the door opening again.
***
He woke in the school infirmary.
His head and his arm both ached again, and he wondered distantly if he'd hit them when he fell. Looking around, the infirmary was empty - except for Yamamoto Takeshi, smiling and sitting on a folding chair next to the bed Mukuro had been placed on.
"Hey," Yamamoto said, grin widening when he realized Mukuro was awake, "you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mukuro said out of reflex. He wasn't fine, not even a little, and he'd known that the moment he woke up. His head ached, his arm itched, and his limbs felt too heavy to move. He wanted to close his eyes again and sleep for a million years. Maybe he'd turn to dust - that wouldn't be so bad.
"Good! I was really worried when Dr. Shamal told us you were here." Yamamoto's eyes were indeed dark with worry, and the way he looked at Mukuro gave Mukuro a sharp instant of insight - but he didn't have time to think about it, because Yamamoto was still talking. "I'm gonna help you get back to Tsuna's house, but he said he wanted to talk to you first. I'll wait outside, okay? If you don't think you can make it make, I'll call my dad for a ride."
"I can walk," Mukuro said with a smile. He'd manage it, even if the only thing keeping him upright was sheer willpower. He couldn't let himself be that weak.
Yamamoto relaxed a little and stood up. "Then I'll go get Tsuna." He returned Mukuro's smile and left the infirmary, Mukuro watching him go.
Yamamoto was a strange boy, he thought, and then focused his thoughts and strength on whatever the Vongola heir might say to him.
***
Leaving the infirmary, Yamamoto smiled and nodded at Tsuna, who was standing outside the doors with Gokudera. "He's awake, you can go on in."
Tsuna smiled back, a shaky little grin, and went in. Tsuna had really changed a lot, Yamamoto thought to himself, but deep down inside he was the same old Tsuna. He didn't have anything to worry about from Mukuro, though, not right now - Mukuro had looked so pale and weak. He wondered why they hadn't noticed anything sooner.
Yamamoto felt eyes on him and looked over, catching Gokudera's gaze and responding with a grin. Unsurprisingly, Gokudera scowled back, but this didn't feel like his usual grouchy nature. Was he actually angry?
"Hey, what's wrong?" Yamamoto asked, and though his smile didn't slip at all, he felt more worry creeping up on him.
Gokudera's scowl got angrier. "Nothing," he said, which meant for sure that there really was something. Yamamoto had learned that much, at least. The question was, did it mean "Leave me alone, I don't want to talk about it" or "I want to talk about it, so keep bothering me"?
Sometimes Yamamoto wished that Gokudera had come packaged with a cheat guide or something.
He decided not to pursue it, mainly because he didn't want to argue with Gokudera right now. The other boy had been getting more and more short-tempered recently, and Yamamoto was kind of worried. "You didn't have to leave class and come all the way down here, you know!" He grinned. "Me and Tsuna could've handled it fine."
For some reason, that just made Gokudera look even angrier. "You didn't have to come down here either."
Yamamoto blinked. "But I've gotta help Mukuro get back to Tsuna's place. He's pretty weak."
"No, you don't. You could ask Ryohei to do it, he hasn't got practice today either," Gokudera said, watching him.
"But I want to help Mukuro," Yamamoto said, confused.
"Fine!" Gokudera snapped, anger and something else in his voice. "Then help him, I don't care!"
Yamamoto had no idea what was going on, but he could tell there was no way for him to win - whatever that would mean in this context. So he just laughed uncomfortable and backed off, letting Gokudera be alone.
He never liked it when Gokudera was mad at him, but these days it seemed like everything was wrong between them.
It was easier to just not think about why that was.
***
Mukuro saw the nervous determination on Tsuna's face when he came into the infirmary, and it was all he could do to keep from rolling his eyes. The Vongola heir desperately needed more of a backbone, or at least the ability to hide his feelings better.
"Mukuro," he said, walking over to stand by the chair Yamamoto had just vacated. "Are you okay?"
That seemed like a ridiculous question, just as Yamamoto's had been, empty pleasantries that were pointless when the answer was so obvious. "I'm as well as could be expected, I suppose." He smiled at Tsuna's expression. "What did you think I'd say?"
"You should've told us something was wrong," Tsuna said. "We could've helped you."
Mukuro ignored the voice in the back of his mind that said Tsuna was right, he should have revealed his weakness sooner. If nothing else, it would have been less embarrassing than collapsing at school. "I was planning to fix it before it became a problem," he said lightly - or tried to. Even he could hear the weariness in his voice. "Unfortunately, it seems like Ken and Chikusa are dragging their feet."
"You don't have to do everything on your own," Tsuna said quietly, just looking at him. You're one of us. We'll help you."
"I'm not one of you," Mukuro said, and nothing more. He met Tsuna's eyes, too tired to argue any more than he had.
Tsuna met his eyes and bit his lip, and Mukuro saw him holding things back. He was sure that Tsuna had had one of his little lectures on friendship and sharing and being honest prepared, but it looked like the Vongola heir had realized that Mukuro didn't have the energy or interest to sit through another one. It was true, Mukuro would not have felt in the least bad about turning over and falling asleep if Tsuna had started on that track.
All he said, in the end, was, "I'm going to see if I can get Dr. Shamal to help us figure out what's going on, okay? Yamamoto will help you get home, and then you can rest. Do you need help getting up?"
"I'm not on death's door, Tsunayoshi," Mukuro said, a slight curl to his lip. He loathed being treated like glass, even though he kind of felt like it right now. With an effort, he sat up, and then managed to stand. He was dizzy and his legs were still weak, but he could support himself and he was sure he could walk - though it might be a good idea to have Yamamoto nearby after all. Just in case.
Tsuna watched him carefully as they walked to the door, and so Mukuro made sure to show no further weakness then he already had. Outside the infirmary, both Yamamoto and Gokudera waited - Mukuro was amused for a moment at the idea that Gokudera had thought he could cause trouble for Tsuna in this state, but he quickly realized the real reason. Yamamoto crossed the hall to Mukuro and smiled at him, and it didn't take a genius to see the jealousy in Gokudera's eyes.
That on its own was rather amusing too, but Mukuro really didn't have the energy to enjoy it or to needle Gokudera. The fact of the matter was that he did need Yamamoto's help, on the nearly unthinkable chance that he collapsed again on the way back to Tsuna's home. It was a sad day when Mukuro had to ignore things like that - but he had enough difficulty walking that he didn't want to focus on much else.
The four of them parted without saying much of anything, just some chatter between Yamamoto and Tsuna about getting home safely. Gokudera had, apparently, only come to see what would happen. Mukuro couldn't help wondering if he were the kind of person who poked a sore tooth just to see if it still hurt. Why else would he go out of his way to see something he knew he wouldn't like?
The walk home was more difficult that Mukuro wanted it to be. Though he'd walked the same path plenty of times already, it felt longer and harder than ever before. Yamamoto walked with him, matching his irritatingly slow pace, and kept up a stream of one-sided conversation that Mukuro actually found somewhat comforting. He wasn't even pretending to pay attention, of course, but it was strangely kind of Yamamoto to act as if Mukuro wasn't in such a sad state.
Mukuro's mind flashed back to his realization in the infirmary, and he thought of how disappointed Tsuna would have been. Not about Yamamoto's feelings for Mukuro (and him not realizing before could only be chalked up to this sickness, or whatever it was) - no, while Tsuna might have been confused, he doubted the boy would have been disappointed.
But if he'd known that Mukuro's first thought had been, How can I use this?... well, the Vongola heir might have given up on redeeming Mukuro. He valued his friends so much.
The oddest part was that even Mukuro felt a little bad about thinking that.
He didn't have the energy for introspection at the moment, though. He didn't have the energy for much of anything.
Somehow, Mukuro made it to Tsuna's house. He bid farewell to Yamamoto at the gate, noting once again the concern written across the Rain Guardian's features, and dragged himself inside. One foot in front of the other. It wasn't so hard, and if he kept telling himself that it just might come true.
Up the stairs and to the spare room he'd been given. Tsuna's mother was out, thankfully, and the children with her. Mukuro felt his legs shaking as he finally made it to the room, and he didn't even bother to undress before unfolding the futon and laying down - he wasn't sure if he'd have been able to stay upright for even one more minute.
He didn't have time to assess his energy reserves, make himself comfortable, or even think. The moment Mukuro's head hit the pillow, darkness swallowed him.
Mukuro slept.
previous chapter | next chapter
Ordinary World (6/12)
Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Mukuro-centric, slight 8069, 8059, 6918 in this part
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
The hospital was busy today, but Mukuro didn't care. He hardly noticed. His mind was on other things.
It wasn't that he had really been worried about Chrome. He had always known that she could create her own organs if she concentrated and used the odd power of the Vongola ring. Mukuro had known she'd manage that eventually, and he was strangely proud that it had been that soon. Perhaps it was just the idea of having an ally - someone besides Tsuna's little coterie, someone who knew him as well as she did.
Once again, the room was being guarded by Gokudera, but this time Ryohei was there as well, sporting a big grin. Mukuro smiled slightly in return, and Tsuna (who of course had come along, always worried about things he shouldn't be) started asking questions about how Chrome was doing, when she'd woken up.
Mukuro ignored the answers and slipped into the quiet hospital room. No one made a move to stop him, which he appreciated, since he really didn't have the energy to argue with them right now. Chrome was there, sitting upright in bed with pillows supporting her. She looked about as tired as Mukuro felt, but she was no longer attached to the machines that had previously been keeping her alive.
When he came in, she was looking at the flowers one of Tsuna's female friends had brought her. She turned when she heard his footsteps, eyes widening just a little. Chrome's emotions were difficult for most to read, Mukuro knew, but it had always been as easy to him as understanding his own. Even now, with their connection broken, he could clearly see the mingled fear, sadness, and relief written across her face when she saw him.
"My Chrome, you're finally awake," he said with an easy smile, and she only said, "Mukuro-sama," in her soft voice.
Mukuro walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed, and knew from the surprised look in her eyes that she saw his weakness. Not all of it, not the bone-deep weariness that made the world spin when he moved, that increased with every step he took - that at least he could still hide, if barely. But she saw more than the others.
It wasn't a surprise to him. They had been almost the same person sometimes, before.
"Mukuro-sama, what happened?" Chrome asked, worry clear in the set of her mouth.
He smiled again, and told her of the loss of his powers, told her what little he knew. If she regained enough strength to use her illusions freely, Chrome would be a valuable resource to him. Even if she didn't, it would be good to have someone he knew was on his side.
She listened quietly, and if she realized he wasn't telling her the truth about the depth of his weakness, she didn't let it show. After he was finished, she bit her lip and asked, "But they've been kind to you?" Her eyes, like Ken's, went to his arm.
Mukuro had almost forgotten about that. It was an inconvenience, yes, but much less of one that this weariness and less painful than his headache. And his broken wrist, at least, he had no doubts about the origin of. It was actually somewhat comforting, and he smiled at Chrome. "They've been very kind."
"I'll do what I can to help you," she said, voice quiet but determined. "I'm not well yet either, but with this ring I might be able to fight when I am."
His eyes fell to the Vongola ring. So Chrome had felt its power as well. That was good. With her current strength, she knew that she could do little more than keep herself alive and awake. If she learned how to use the power of the ring, however, she could do much more - and it seemed as if that would become necessary soon.
"Good," Mukuro said. "Do what you can, my Chrome." He knew she understood.
There was a comfortable silence between them until Chrome spoke again. "You're free now." Her voice was subdued but hopeful, and she smiled a tiny smile.
"I'm free," Mukuro said, and smiled back, but the words meant nothing.
***
The next day, Mukuro woke feeling better. Perhaps it was because he'd been told that Chrome would be leaving the hospital soon, but Mukuro knew it was more likely that it had simply taken his body some time to recover from whatever backlash he'd suffered during that fight.
He was still tired, just not utterly exhausted anymore. Reborn said that he should return to school so the teachers wouldn't become suspicious, and Mukuro agree, though he was rather certain that it was really because Reborn had something to do today and didn't want to be stuck at the Sawada home serving as an interim guard for Mukuro, as he had been the day before.
Either way, Mukuro went to school, accompanied by Tsunayoshi. The boy was quiet, but rather more friendly than he'd been before, and Mukuro wondered if Tsuna felt more sympathetic because of his visit with Chrome. The Vongola heir was too easily swayed.
By the time Mukuro reached his classroom and sat down, he was beginning to think this had been a bad idea. If he hadn't been able to sit down, he wasn't entirely sure he would have been capable of remaining upright. It was true that he no longer felt like he might fall asleep any second - instead, he felt like he might collapse or pass out.
It was not a feeling Mukuro likely. He'd hated this powerlessness, this weakness, from the beginning, but at least he'd been in control of his own body at first. Now, he felt as weak as a kitten and inches away from losing consciousness - which would be extremely embarrassing, and would definitely alert Tsuna and his goons about Mukuro's declining condition.
He ignored the few students who tentatively tried to speak to him, instead focusing on trying to make it through this day. He had to think of some kind of solution, because there was no way this could last, but he couldn't manage it right now. I have truly become pathetic, Mukuro thought, and smiled a twisted little smile.
When his class filed downstairs to gym class, Mukuro slipped away. He generally didn't participate anyway, as it was ridiculous, and he knew that today it would quite simply be impossible for him. He didn't even feel up to his usual lies and arguments with the teacher, as entertaining as they were.
He couldn't stay in the classroom. Instead, Mukuro found one of the supply storage rooms and went inside. It was dark and crowded with boxes of paper and pens, maps, and various other pieces of educational detritus - perfect, really. Mukuro's legs were going weak beneath him, and he supported himself on one of the tall stacks of boxes.
The dim lightbulb above him flickered and went on. Mukuro turned in time to see the door swing shut behind one Hibari Kyoya, and cursed himself and his weakness. He hadn't even heard the door open. If he had been in the mafia world, instead of playing pretend-normal with Tsunayoshi and his friends, he'd be dead a hundred times over by now. It was disgusting.
Maybe he'd be dead now. The look in Hibari's eyes was not kind, was not even cool neutrality. It looked as though whatever fragile truce they'd had because of Mukuro's powerlessness was over. Mukuro wished that it had come at a better time - he might have been able to enjoy it if it had.
"Kyoya," Mukuro said, and smiled. He wouldn't show his weakness to Hibari, not when he was sure that Hibari was looking for it. Hibari's eyes narrowed as he looked Mukuro over, and Mukuro wondered if he could see the extent of what Mukuro was hiding.
"You fought," Hibari said, coming nearer, and Mukuro couldn't help laughing. That was it? Hibari was angry because of an accidental fight, because Mukuro did something to keep himself alive?
"Not really," Mukuro said when Hibari's mouth thinned in displeasure and he realized he ought to respond. "I don't think anyone could really call that 'fighting'." He didn't know what Hibari had been told, but Mukuro was fairly sure that he'd come to his own conclusions based on that - presumably just assuming that Mukuro had done whatever would irritate him most.
Mukuro just hoped he'd be able to keep himself together until he could convince Hibari to leave. On one hand, it wouldn't be so bad if it were Hibari who saw his weakness - the boy was not prone to the pity that was so common among Tsunayoshi's friends. On the other, Mukuro didn't know what he would do if he saw contempt in the eyes of one who'd always looked at him with challenge before. That would be falling too far.
He shouldn't care what Hibari Kyoya thought of him but, inexplicably, he did.
Or perhaps not that inexplicably, Mukuro thought when he met Hibari's angry eyes.
"So you were lying," Hibari said, "is that it?" He took another step towards Mukuro, and Mukuro wondered if he'd end up with two broken wrists. He imagined being bitten to death was not quite as sexy as Mukuro might hope.
"I wasn't," Mukuro said, thankful for the stacks of boxes behind him. His knees were almost too weak to support him, and while he wished he could attribute that to Hibari's proximity, he knew that wasn't the case. "It was a fluke, an accident. I killed someone, but I doubt anyone could really say that I fought."
Hibari looked at him, clearly trying to decide whether to believe him or not. "You're a liar, but this time you might be telling the truth," he finally said, and stepped back slightly. "If you could fight-"
"Naturally I'd fight you, darling," Mukuro drawled mockingly. He knew he was overdoing it a little, but he felt lightheaded. Was the room getting darker? He needed to get Hibari out of there.
For a moment, Hibari's eyes searched his face. His frown got deeper, but Mukuro almost thought he saw confusion in those grey eyes.
"Good," Hibari said abruptly, breaking whatever spell they'd found themselves under for a moment there. He turned on his heel, walking to the door. "You're worthless now, but you owe me a fight." He looked back at Mukuro. "And then I'll bite you to death."
Mukuro managed a smile in return, but from the strange look in Hibari's eyes he feared it was rather more sickly than he'd intended. The world was spinning, and he wasn't sure he'd sound at all normal if he tried to speak.
Finally, finally, Hibari left the supply room, door swinging shut behind him. Mukuro relaxed. He'd managed somehow, and now all he had to do was make it through the rest of the day, fix this weakness somehow, and utterly destroy whoever had done it to him.
It sounded easy, he thought, and felt his knees begin to fold. Blackness covered his vision completely. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was the sound of the door opening again.
***
He woke in the school infirmary.
His head and his arm both ached again, and he wondered distantly if he'd hit them when he fell. Looking around, the infirmary was empty - except for Yamamoto Takeshi, smiling and sitting on a folding chair next to the bed Mukuro had been placed on.
"Hey," Yamamoto said, grin widening when he realized Mukuro was awake, "you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mukuro said out of reflex. He wasn't fine, not even a little, and he'd known that the moment he woke up. His head ached, his arm itched, and his limbs felt too heavy to move. He wanted to close his eyes again and sleep for a million years. Maybe he'd turn to dust - that wouldn't be so bad.
"Good! I was really worried when Dr. Shamal told us you were here." Yamamoto's eyes were indeed dark with worry, and the way he looked at Mukuro gave Mukuro a sharp instant of insight - but he didn't have time to think about it, because Yamamoto was still talking. "I'm gonna help you get back to Tsuna's house, but he said he wanted to talk to you first. I'll wait outside, okay? If you don't think you can make it make, I'll call my dad for a ride."
"I can walk," Mukuro said with a smile. He'd manage it, even if the only thing keeping him upright was sheer willpower. He couldn't let himself be that weak.
Yamamoto relaxed a little and stood up. "Then I'll go get Tsuna." He returned Mukuro's smile and left the infirmary, Mukuro watching him go.
Yamamoto was a strange boy, he thought, and then focused his thoughts and strength on whatever the Vongola heir might say to him.
***
Leaving the infirmary, Yamamoto smiled and nodded at Tsuna, who was standing outside the doors with Gokudera. "He's awake, you can go on in."
Tsuna smiled back, a shaky little grin, and went in. Tsuna had really changed a lot, Yamamoto thought to himself, but deep down inside he was the same old Tsuna. He didn't have anything to worry about from Mukuro, though, not right now - Mukuro had looked so pale and weak. He wondered why they hadn't noticed anything sooner.
Yamamoto felt eyes on him and looked over, catching Gokudera's gaze and responding with a grin. Unsurprisingly, Gokudera scowled back, but this didn't feel like his usual grouchy nature. Was he actually angry?
"Hey, what's wrong?" Yamamoto asked, and though his smile didn't slip at all, he felt more worry creeping up on him.
Gokudera's scowl got angrier. "Nothing," he said, which meant for sure that there really was something. Yamamoto had learned that much, at least. The question was, did it mean "Leave me alone, I don't want to talk about it" or "I want to talk about it, so keep bothering me"?
Sometimes Yamamoto wished that Gokudera had come packaged with a cheat guide or something.
He decided not to pursue it, mainly because he didn't want to argue with Gokudera right now. The other boy had been getting more and more short-tempered recently, and Yamamoto was kind of worried. "You didn't have to leave class and come all the way down here, you know!" He grinned. "Me and Tsuna could've handled it fine."
For some reason, that just made Gokudera look even angrier. "You didn't have to come down here either."
Yamamoto blinked. "But I've gotta help Mukuro get back to Tsuna's place. He's pretty weak."
"No, you don't. You could ask Ryohei to do it, he hasn't got practice today either," Gokudera said, watching him.
"But I want to help Mukuro," Yamamoto said, confused.
"Fine!" Gokudera snapped, anger and something else in his voice. "Then help him, I don't care!"
Yamamoto had no idea what was going on, but he could tell there was no way for him to win - whatever that would mean in this context. So he just laughed uncomfortable and backed off, letting Gokudera be alone.
He never liked it when Gokudera was mad at him, but these days it seemed like everything was wrong between them.
It was easier to just not think about why that was.
***
Mukuro saw the nervous determination on Tsuna's face when he came into the infirmary, and it was all he could do to keep from rolling his eyes. The Vongola heir desperately needed more of a backbone, or at least the ability to hide his feelings better.
"Mukuro," he said, walking over to stand by the chair Yamamoto had just vacated. "Are you okay?"
That seemed like a ridiculous question, just as Yamamoto's had been, empty pleasantries that were pointless when the answer was so obvious. "I'm as well as could be expected, I suppose." He smiled at Tsuna's expression. "What did you think I'd say?"
"You should've told us something was wrong," Tsuna said. "We could've helped you."
Mukuro ignored the voice in the back of his mind that said Tsuna was right, he should have revealed his weakness sooner. If nothing else, it would have been less embarrassing than collapsing at school. "I was planning to fix it before it became a problem," he said lightly - or tried to. Even he could hear the weariness in his voice. "Unfortunately, it seems like Ken and Chikusa are dragging their feet."
"You don't have to do everything on your own," Tsuna said quietly, just looking at him. You're one of us. We'll help you."
"I'm not one of you," Mukuro said, and nothing more. He met Tsuna's eyes, too tired to argue any more than he had.
Tsuna met his eyes and bit his lip, and Mukuro saw him holding things back. He was sure that Tsuna had had one of his little lectures on friendship and sharing and being honest prepared, but it looked like the Vongola heir had realized that Mukuro didn't have the energy or interest to sit through another one. It was true, Mukuro would not have felt in the least bad about turning over and falling asleep if Tsuna had started on that track.
All he said, in the end, was, "I'm going to see if I can get Dr. Shamal to help us figure out what's going on, okay? Yamamoto will help you get home, and then you can rest. Do you need help getting up?"
"I'm not on death's door, Tsunayoshi," Mukuro said, a slight curl to his lip. He loathed being treated like glass, even though he kind of felt like it right now. With an effort, he sat up, and then managed to stand. He was dizzy and his legs were still weak, but he could support himself and he was sure he could walk - though it might be a good idea to have Yamamoto nearby after all. Just in case.
Tsuna watched him carefully as they walked to the door, and so Mukuro made sure to show no further weakness then he already had. Outside the infirmary, both Yamamoto and Gokudera waited - Mukuro was amused for a moment at the idea that Gokudera had thought he could cause trouble for Tsuna in this state, but he quickly realized the real reason. Yamamoto crossed the hall to Mukuro and smiled at him, and it didn't take a genius to see the jealousy in Gokudera's eyes.
That on its own was rather amusing too, but Mukuro really didn't have the energy to enjoy it or to needle Gokudera. The fact of the matter was that he did need Yamamoto's help, on the nearly unthinkable chance that he collapsed again on the way back to Tsuna's home. It was a sad day when Mukuro had to ignore things like that - but he had enough difficulty walking that he didn't want to focus on much else.
The four of them parted without saying much of anything, just some chatter between Yamamoto and Tsuna about getting home safely. Gokudera had, apparently, only come to see what would happen. Mukuro couldn't help wondering if he were the kind of person who poked a sore tooth just to see if it still hurt. Why else would he go out of his way to see something he knew he wouldn't like?
The walk home was more difficult that Mukuro wanted it to be. Though he'd walked the same path plenty of times already, it felt longer and harder than ever before. Yamamoto walked with him, matching his irritatingly slow pace, and kept up a stream of one-sided conversation that Mukuro actually found somewhat comforting. He wasn't even pretending to pay attention, of course, but it was strangely kind of Yamamoto to act as if Mukuro wasn't in such a sad state.
Mukuro's mind flashed back to his realization in the infirmary, and he thought of how disappointed Tsuna would have been. Not about Yamamoto's feelings for Mukuro (and him not realizing before could only be chalked up to this sickness, or whatever it was) - no, while Tsuna might have been confused, he doubted the boy would have been disappointed.
But if he'd known that Mukuro's first thought had been, How can I use this?... well, the Vongola heir might have given up on redeeming Mukuro. He valued his friends so much.
The oddest part was that even Mukuro felt a little bad about thinking that.
He didn't have the energy for introspection at the moment, though. He didn't have the energy for much of anything.
Somehow, Mukuro made it to Tsuna's house. He bid farewell to Yamamoto at the gate, noting once again the concern written across the Rain Guardian's features, and dragged himself inside. One foot in front of the other. It wasn't so hard, and if he kept telling himself that it just might come true.
Up the stairs and to the spare room he'd been given. Tsuna's mother was out, thankfully, and the children with her. Mukuro felt his legs shaking as he finally made it to the room, and he didn't even bother to undress before unfolding the futon and laying down - he wasn't sure if he'd have been able to stay upright for even one more minute.
He didn't have time to assess his energy reserves, make himself comfortable, or even think. The moment Mukuro's head hit the pillow, darkness swallowed him.
Mukuro slept.
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Date: 2009-10-12 09:50 pm (UTC)I hope he gets his powers back soon or at least, get use to this lifestyle. I think Mukuro needs a big hug. D;
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Date: 2009-10-15 10:56 am (UTC)I think Mukuro needs a hug, too. But I don't think he'd accept one from anyone. D:
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Date: 2009-10-13 03:34 pm (UTC)anyway, thanks for writing and thanks for sharing! ♥
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Date: 2009-10-15 10:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-15 04:54 pm (UTC)He's on the cover of this week's chapter! :DDD (the page that lists the rankings, at any rate)
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Date: 2009-10-13 10:54 pm (UTC)I love how you portray Mukuro in his weak state. Very creative. =w= And the little interactions between Mukuro and Hibari sent sparks of happiness through me. LOLOL Looking forward to the next chapter. ;w;
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Date: 2009-10-15 10:58 am (UTC)Obviously I loooove writing Mukuro and Hibari together, so I'm always looking for excuses to do it. XD Hopefully the next chapter will be finished before TOO long, but I have other fics I promised to do first... sigh.