This chapter is basically the introduction to the story… The plot will deepen by the next chapter…

"I'm also the new order in your town."

"You must be talking in your sleep. Namimori does not need two sources of discipline."

"I agree completely. I will become the new order, so you are unnecessary."

…

I don't remember when it all began… but since the first meeting… I was captivated by his presence.

Chapter 1- Cynical Amity

Everyday it was the same feeling… the feeling of suffocation. Even as Tsunayoshi finally accepted his position as the next head of the Vongola family and took pity as to freeing me from my imprisonment… still I felt trapped. In the end, I was made into merely a puppet… to do the biddings of the Vongolas. How ironic it sounds. Me, Rokudo Mukuro, who viewed this world as a chess board for my game, was forced to become one of the pawns.

I couldn't go on like this… everyday… every order I took… every mission I was given… I felt humiliated…

………

"Do you really think you can just waltz out like this?"

His eyes were hidden behind the shadow of the familiar hat he always wore. This Arcobaleno, Reborn, was one of the main reason Mukuro was tied down to the Vongola family. Even after 5 years, the illusionist still had to admit his powers alone were no match for the child who sat in front of him.

A sly smirk formed on his thin lips as he stared straight into the other's eyes. "Well, technically, I am no longer the mist guardian, Chrome is. And now that Chrome is capable of sustaining her own life, I should no longer be kept here… Sawada and the rest will have no objections I'm sure… they might even be glad to finally get rid of me."

Reborn didn't look as though he was taking him seriously… he kept more interest in Leon then at the male who stood in front of him. "Technically, you were named as Tsuna's mist guardian… Tsuna might be too soft hearted and let you do whatever you want, but I'm not like that. You are to stay here, Rokudo Mukuro."

A small frown came on his face… however the smirk was still kept in place. "Don't be so unreasonable, Reborn. I am grateful Vongola has given me back my freedom but I repaid that debt with five years of my service. It is about time you let me go on with my life… Besides it isn't as though I am plotting against Sawada anymore and dear Chrome has agreed to stay and fill in the spot as the mist guardian."

"Indeed you have…" replied Reborn with a bored look. "Alright you can leave then… but in turn you will have no connection to this family."

Mukuro raised one eye brow… this was just too easy…

"Hmmm… but I wonder… who will fill in your place… Chrome might be strong but she is still no match to your skills… If something happens to Tsuna, then the whole family would be in trouble. Especially the guardian would be put to risk… including Hibari."

Mukuro's smirk disappeared and his eyes narrowed… so… he knew all this time…

A smirk came upon Reborn's lips as he looked up at the other. "Yes, I knew of your interest to Hibari Kyoya… isn't that why you always volunteer first on the high rank missions? It is usually either you or Hibari… Even knowing his skills, you still didn't want him to be put into serious danger…" he paused, letting the words sink in. "I know how much you hate the Mafia family… but you put up with it this long because of the cloud guardian. I'm giving you the chance to leave… but just as a reminder… Protecting Tsuna… means you're protecting Hibari Kyoya as well."

"Mukuro-san!" came the voice as soon as he closed the door behind him.

Mukuro turned his head to the side to see Ken and Chikusa heading towards his direction; as usual, they were overly pleased to see him. Even after all these years, their loyalty to the illusionist didn't waver.

Ken stopped as he got close to the other male. "Are you leaving? … Did that Reborn…"

"No," he said firmly as he started to walk down the hallway. "I'll be staying a little longer."

Ken tried to hide the smile. Of course he knew well aware of how much Mukuro-san desperately wanted to leave this place but when he told him and Chikusa, how they were to stay along with Chrome, he secretly hoped Reborn would refuse the request.

The two followed silently, half a footstep behind the illusionist… until he came to a sudden stop.

Ken looked passed Mukuro to see what had caused the other to stop.

"I've been looking for you."

As Ken opened his mouth to say something back, Mukuro raised his hand, signally him to stop. "We only been apart for couple of hours, Kyoya, I didn't think you would miss me so much," there was the usual smirk on his lips,

Hibari remained emotionless as ever, unaffected by the other's statement. "Don't make me laugh, Mukuro. I want a match… here and now."

Mukuro let out a mock sigh as he stepped closer. "Why can't you drop it, Kyoya? Haven't I admitted defeat several times already? Why can't you be satisfied and leave me alone with these useless challenges?... or…" he raised his hand and lightly touched the other's cheek. "… do I sense an ulterior motive?"

The cloud guardian slapped the hand away, backing up with a disgusted look on his face. "I'll bite you to death if you continue with your sickening jokes, Mukuro… and your half-hearted surrendering won't be enough to satisfy me."

The illusionist let out a soft laughter as he stepped even closer. "What if I'm not joking?" he whispered into the other's ears.

In matter of split seconds, tonfas were hurled harshly towards his face, and Mukuro dodged it by mere inches. As he stepped back he saw the other raise the weapon once more.

He turned around with a small smirk. "I'm in no mood to play with you today, Kyoya… maybe another time…" he said in his usual smooth tone of voice. "Why don't you go look for that dog that usually trails Sawada."

Kyoya dropped his hands to his side, silently disappointed of Mukuro backing down. It wouldn't be fun if the other didn't fight him properly and he wasn't planning to attack when his opponent had his back turned.

"Let me guess… you're here because Mukuro rejected your callenge."

Hibari followed in, silently watching as the other almost tripped over the flat surface. "Well now I find it completely waste of time."

Dino looked back at the other, the usual grin on his face. "Yea well I gave my subordinates a day off, so yea, it is useless to pick a fight with me. I'll probably just hit myself with my own whip on the first few seconds… But you know, Kyoya, it is rather disappointing that you would only come to see me if Mukuro wouldn't train with you."

"Deal with it," he replied coldly as he sat down on the living room couch.

The Chiavorone boss let out a small sigh as he sat down opposite the dark haired man. "You really don't care how much pain this actually causes me, do you? I confessed my feelings for you multiple times and every time you give me a cold rejection… and just as I am about to get over you, you show up on my door step… Not to mention the fact only time you come to see me is when Mukuro rejects your challenges."

Hibari just stared at the other's eyes; there was no sign of affection or sympathy. It was true that the blonde male had confessed to him many times throughout the years but each time, he never even considered returning those feelings.

"I couldn't care less about what you think of me," he replied with the same emotionless tone.

"Should I tell you why you always reject me, Kyoya?" he said as he leaned back on his seat.

The dark haired man stayed silent, but his eyes held a questioning look.

"… because even with all the denial, you secretly have interest in Rokudo Mukuro."

Mukuro opened the door quietly, careful to not make much noise. As he thought, he found the girl sleeping when he walked into the room. He sat down at the foot of the white bed, lightly brushing away the strands of hair that fell onto the other's pale face.

Chrome opened her eyes slowly, staring up at the mist guardian. "Mukuro-sama?" she whispered. "… had things gone well with Reborn-san?"

Mukuro smiled softly as he looked at the girl. "Not exactly… but I will be staying here awhile more. Don't worry, my dear Chrome… it seems like we won't be departing any time soon."

However instead of being joyous as he predicted, a sad smile came on the young girl's face.

"I'm sorry…"

"It's fine Chrome. This isn't your fault…"

"I'll bite you to death."

Dino kept his smile, even though the situation was nerve racking. "Kyoya… think about it. When I said I liked you, you gave me a rejection without a second thought… but when it is Mukuro, you just let him go on flirting with you. Not to mention the fact when Mukuro doesn't have time for you, you come back to me since you know I have feelings for you. It isn't the fact you like me, it is just that you need a fall back. But seriously, I have to admit, the mist guardian is quite attractive… he is well known to be a smooth talker and he does have charisma that most don't have. Besides I head that he told you he liked you and you didn't even give the usual flat out 'no'."

Hibari's eyes narrowed as he glared as the other. "That was plainly a joke. I didn't have to reply to that idiot because he wasn't even serious in the first place. He said that to catch me off guard."

Dino let out another sigh and the other stood up to leave.

"Well since this became another waste of time, I'll be on my way."

The cloud guardian didn't even give the other a chance to speak as he headed towards the door.

Seriously… Him and Mukuro… what a joke. It would nearly be impossible for them to actually be together. They would have their hands on the other's throat let alone carry on a proper conversation.

Mukuro walked out of the room, closing the door lightly behind him with a small sigh. He knew Chrome would probably need more then just simple encouragement. She was now capable of sustaining her own life with her own illusions and slowly Tsunayoshi was looking into the organ transplant… however, it would be a lie if he said it was that simple as it sounds. Chrome was in need of more rest then others and because of the continuous use of illusion, she became more tired quickly then other.

He was lost in his own thoughts as he walked down the silent hallway and wasn't able to see the person around the corner before he bumped right into him.

"I'm sorry," he muttered as he straightened up once more.

"It's fine…" said the other in a silky tone.

The illusionist looked up to see a man in completely white suit that matched with the silver hair and pale flawless skin. He had to admit, he blinked a couple of times trying to determine if this person was actually human. He had an aura about him that made him seem superior… and maybe even intimidating… but at the same time, alluring. And although he had a grin on his face, his eyes looked rather cold and calculating.

"Who…?" Mukuro asked as he continued to stare at the other.

"You must be Rokudo Mukuro, Vongola's mist guardian. I was told many stories about you…" the man smiled as he held the other's gaze. "My name's Byakuran… the boss of the Gesso family… I came here to have a talk with Reborn and was on my way of leaving."

"Is that so." he replied simply. "Well then, Byakuran-san… let me not hold you up…" One thing Mukuro hated about being Vongola guardian, was the fact he held a position lower then the boss. This also meant that around the other Family's boss he had to keep somewhat of a polite/friendly tone… which he hated doing.

"I think I might have seen you before somewhere… although we never spoke to one another," he said as he looked at the other up and down. "Did you not used to have shorter hair?"

Mukuro's eyes twitched at the statement. Who was he to say about the appearance of others? This man might be the head of the family but what did his own look have to do with anything?

"My reason for the length of my hair is a private matter, which should be quite obvious." he replied with a hint of warning; like poison hidden in the bright red apple.

Byakuran gave a small laugh as he took a step closer. "Don't take it as an insult, Mukuro-kun. I was merely commenting." he raised his hand lightly running his fingers through the other's bluish black hair. "You have a beautiful face… I was just disappointed you decided to cover it up with this hair."

Oh how he wanted to kill this man right there and then. It took basically all of Mukuro's strength and self restraint to not raise his trident and point it at the other's throat.

"You have talent from what I heard… what a pity you became merely a Vongola's puppet… let alone became a guardian of a mere child." there was amusement in the other's voice and a smirk on his lips.

That was it for Mukuro. He was already pissed off at the fact he was stuck being the mist guardian… he did NOT need a reminder.

"Well Byakuran-san… much to my delight of your interest to me, I do not think my hair length is of your business. Also if you have any problem with the way I look, why not avoid looking at me all in total? Completely rid yourself of my presence… it wouldn't be all too difficult. I would hate to be a bother to you and it would be the quite the sorrow at my end to not see you anymore… however…"

His voice held both dramatic and sarcasm… he made a fake expression of dismay, a mock sadness, as he lightly touched the other man's hand, "Shouldn't it be a mutual feeling that we are not meant for each other?" Of course inside the illusionist was starting to feel sick, but he continued anyways. "This is not a fairy tale with love at first sight and a happily ever after… nor are we Romeo and Juliet. I simply cannot 'throw away my name' of Vongola to be by your side,,, but is it not tragic that makes it more romantic?"

With that he walked passed the other who now had a shocked look… he only stopped to turn back to say dramatically… "It would have never worked out between us."

Rokudo Mukuro knew he went a little overboard with his words but he wanted to see that look of surprise on the other's smug face. It wouldn't be a lie to say that the man, Byakuran, annoyed the hell out of him for some reason… well at least he probably wouldn't have to see him anymore.

Byakuran stood there, frozen to the spot, trying to process everything the other had said. The other's words amused him to no end… actually everything about that mist guardian was alluring to him. No one had ever been able to say such things in such a way to him… even his Shou-chan.

"Really… what a pity you are part of the Vongola family... Rokudo Mukuro-kun…"

to be continued...

Preview of the next chapter:

Mukuro: What mission?

Reborn: Hibari Kyoya would be involved in the secret mission to invade the Millefiore base. He's the strongest out of all the guardians and…

Mukuro: … no… give that mission to me.

......

Lal Mirch: Rokudo Mukuro is announced as dead…

Hibari: You can't decide that when you have no prove.

Reborn: Even if he isn't… if he is captured… he is good as dead.

……

Byakuran: How do you feel Mukuro-kun? to be betrayed by the Vongolas?

Mukuro: …

Byakuran: Even when you say you are not one of them… you secretly had faith in them… didn't you? Should I let you in on a secret Mukuro-kun? about Hibari Kyoya?