A Contract to Destroy the Mafia

Chapter 2: Queen's Removal.

Tsunayoshi stretches out, moving each muscle and limb carefully. It had been a while since Mukuro had possessed someone. Mukuro takes stock of the form this new body is in: A few scratches, a little dehydrated from the crying which had also brought on a headache, and rather low on energy due to hunger. Oh well, all of that could be easily fixed. Tsunayoshi walks around the room, each step surer than the last. As he is walking around the room, Mukuro noticed the horrible and tell-tale disfigurement on Tsunayoshi's face. Sure it made for a great Halloween look, yet the scars under Tsunayoshi's eye would surely give the game away, especially to the Arcobaleno. In addition, Tsunayoshi's eye was red too. The Estraneo really hadn't thought this through. Then again, they never thought anything through- him destroying them with their own power was proof of that. But again, that was easy to fix, just a small fixed illusion would do the trick. It would even be small enough for the others not to notice the Flame Radiation.

Looking back in the mirror, he gives off his usual smile, one that did not fit Tsuna's face. Everything was perfect now. With good enough acting, no one would be able to tell the difference.

Mukuro looks around him and realises that this is a perfect 'I told you so' moment. He had told Tsunayoshi so many years ago that the Mafia was not worth it and would only bring heart break to him. And he was right. He knew from experience. For even now the Mafia still had its claws in Mukuro's heart and was ruthlessly tearing it apart- or at least what little of his heart he had left.

First it was the Estraneo. The Mafia Family that was determined to become on top through any means necessary, moral or not. Not only had the Estraneo taken away from him any chance of a normal life, they had also taken away the only woman he had ever loved. He would always remember her body lying on the operating table, more blood laying around the room than flowing in her veins. The only thing he would ever thank the Estraneo for was for giving him the power he needed to change everything. The power to destroy them with. It was a rather ironic moment, he had thought at the time, killing the Estraneo with the power that they themselves had given to him.

Secondly was harming Chrome. Sure she was just another pawn, but she was his and he protected what he deemed as his. He wasn't going to admit that maybe he loved the feeling of her flames, how warm and comforting they could be. He wasn't going to admit that he had become attached to the loyal girl who had placed her life in his hands. He wouldn't care if the Mafia had harmed anyone else. They were just disposable toys that he had been amusing himself with whilst waiting for the right time.

And finally the Mafia had harmed Tsunayoshi. Tsunayoshi was rather like Chrome; A pawn and a tool that had somehow become a natural part of his life. The boy was an amusing pass time and had brought a lot of amusing toys with him, the Skylark being the main one. Tsunayoshi was like the Pied Piper, but instead of drawing rats to him, he drew interesting people and situations. So interesting in fact, that Mukuro had even forgotten about his goals every now and again.

But all that had changed this year.

5 years after meeting Tsunayoshi, Vongola Nono had finally decided to bring Tsunayoshi to Italy to start his proper training. Mukuro was more than happy to, for once, follow orders- or at least do which ever missions sounded interesting- since they involved harming Mafioso. Getting information out of them, punishing them for their crimes, Mukuro enjoyed it all. It was just the starter for things to come.

And it relit the fire of hate inside Mukuro.

As he had shot the silver gun with the Estraneo's Possession bullet in it, the sound reminded him of a gun starting a race. This gunshot really did signal the start. And he was going to win.

Now to deal with his body…

"Heeii! Ken, Chikusa come quick, Mukuro's collapsed!" Tsunayoshi shouts, his voice still stupidly high pitched for his age. There are more than just two pairs of feet running towards him, but he half expected that. This would be the first most of the family had heard from Tsunayoshi in the past few days. He unlocks the door and runs into the corridor, still screaming that girlish scream of his. When the man gets close enough, Tsunayoshi grabs Gokudera's sleeve before pointing to the prone figure on the bed; it was a habit Tsunayoshi had developed recently- grabbing the Storm's sleeve in reassurance. "Gokudera it was horrible. We were talking about Chrome being in the hospital and I mentioned how Mukuro wasn't looking too good and then he just goes and collapses. It's all my fault, I shouldn't have sent Chrome all alone like that!" Tears begin to form in honey brown eyes as he looks up like a smacked puppy at Gokudera.

He watches as Ken and Chikusa rush past, ready to do their part of the plan. "Oi, What have you done to Mukuro-sama?" asks Ken, standing protectively in front of Mukuro's body.

"Hey, it's not Juudaime's fault you stupid mongrel!" defends Gokudera, standing in front of Tsunayoshi.

"S-S-shouldn't we take him to the infirmary?" stutters Tsunayoshi, peeking around Gokudera's back.

"Hn, as if we'd let you look after him. We can do it fine enough ourselves, byon." growls Ken, Chikusa nods in agreement.

Chikusa turns to face Mukuro's body before whispering "How Troublesome," and starts to pick him up. Ken soon joins in and they carry Mukuro's body between them.

"Ah, shouldn't we be helping them?" asks Tsunayoshi to Gokudera. The bomber watches the pair, eyes wary for any attacks the pair might make when Juudaime was vulnerable.

"Don't worry Juudaime, they can look after the Pineapple Weirdo well enough. I bet he just needs rest from worrying over Chrome. I'm surprised the Bastard has a heart big enough to care for someone other than himself. Chrome is a good influence on him."

Mukuro wants to punch Gokudera for both comments, particularly the pineapple one, however he knew Tsunayoshi wouldn't do that. Instead he would do this: "Gokudera! Don't say that. That's really mean. Of course Mukuro has a heart. He just doesn't show it. He saved Ken and Chikusa from the Vindice after all" Of course that wasn't really true, the tools were just placed better outside the prison. They wouldn't be of much use imprisoned like he was.

"Hn, whatever you say Juudaime" grunts Gokudera. He turns away from the retreating pair and takes a good look over his precious person. "Talking of collapsing Juudaime, you don't look to good either- forgive me for saying so. What type of right hand man am I to let you get in this kind of state? Please allow me to correct my misdoings!" Gokudera bows to Tsunayoshi. Internally, Mukuro smiles smugly, letting out a small mental Kufufu~. It felt rather good to have the Bomb Brat bowing to him. He could get used to that image. Why Tsunayoshi didn't like the power it gave him Mukuro wouldn't know.

But of course Tsuna didn't like the power of elevation, he preferred to be thought of as an equal. So as sad as it would be to not have the bomber bowing to him anymore, he knew what needed to be done- what Tsuna would do. "Gokudera, please get up. It's not your fault." Gokudera does as he's told and stands up.

Flicking open a pocket watch, Gokudera closes it with a decisive snap. "Juudaime, I do believe it is time for Lunch. Surely you shall feel better once you have had something to eat." This was something Mukuro had watched grow over time. Gokudera had been growing into his self-given role of Right Hand man (although Mukuro was sure some forceful words and kicks in the right direction had been given) and had slowly learnt to become more forceful in voicing his opinion and suggestions when it came to Tsuna. As Tsuna had grown older and spent more time with the rest of them, he had slowly started caring less and less about himself. Tsuna had had to make sure Lambo got to sleep alright, that Ryohei didn't spend all night training, that the Mechanics actually ate, that Mukuro and Hibari didn't start a fight, that Hibari was still alive since he didn't live with the rest of them. Tsuna made sure that everyone else was happy and cared for, not once thinking about himself. A waste of time in Mukuro's opinion; if tools couldn't look after themselves then what was the point in having them?

So after a few choice words whispered in the Storm's ear, Gokudera had realised that he had to be the reins on Tsuna and make sure that the boy looked after himself too. However Gokudera had had to battle with his own feelings of loyalty towards Tsuna and find a balance comfortable for him that was both respectful yet forceful. He wouldn't dare order Juudaime to do anything, yet in a way that was what he needed to do. So he had ended up with carefully worded suggestions and stern looks.

Of course this worked the other way around too and Tsuna had learnt how to change Gokudera from follower into friend. He too knew how to word himself around Gokudera to make sure that Gokudera followed his wishes without becoming fanatical over them.

"Sure Gokudera. However there is something I would like to do first." Tsunayoshi says, looking sideward and down at the carpet.

"Of course Juudaime. What would you like to do first?" asks Gokudera, straightening up and listening intently for anything that may sound like an order from Juudaime.

Tsunayoshi plays with his fingers nervously whilst looking anywhere but at Gokudera. "I would like to… to go and… I need to check… To see if… if she's…" Mukuro hated stuttering- his enemies stuttering was fine, but not his own- but once again he had to forcefully remind himself this was Tsuna he was impersonating. The boy who needed a good kick up the backside to do almost anything that wasn't defending.

Gokudera smiles sweetly down at his Juudaime, and lays a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "Alright Juudaime. We can go and check up on Chrome"

Even the Mafia Hardened Storm sheds a tear at the state their sister is in. There are bandages on her arms and a mask over her face. Her torso is strangely untouched, with just a few bits of gauze and bandages acting more like plasters. The reason for this was simple; Chrome didn't have any internal organs to have hit and bleed internally. Bullet wounds to anything below her lungs were purely skin wounds like a puncture, no different to a very large cut. She looked so small, propped up into a sitting position against the pillows.

"Can I have a moment alone please?" Tsunayoshi says. Gokudera pats him on the shoulder before respectfully leaving and closing the door behind him.

Mukuro walks over and brushes a hand against Chrome's cheek, to which she doesn't respond. His Mist Flames slip into her mind, like interlocking pieces of a puzzle, like two cogs that had worn each other away until they fitted perfectly. It was simple, effortless.

There they were standing in the middle of an endless grassy plane, both clothed in white. The scene was rather reminiscent of their first meeting for Nagi was still lying in the hospital bed, a show of how tired she was, even mentally.

"Mu-Mukuro-s-sama?" she whispers, finally waking up. Noticing that he's here 'in the flesh' she gets up off the bed and walks towards him.

"How are you feeling Nagi?" He asks.

Nagi shivers before wrapping her arms around herself. "I hurt, Mukuro-sama. My body hurts."

"Kufufu~ well that is to be expected, my Brave Nagi. But do not fear, those men won't be harming you again. Our little Mafia Boss made sure of that." He ignores the widening of her eyes as she gets what he's hinting at and instead asks her another question. "You did very well in handling yourself, so would you like me to stop the pain? There is no need for you to feel pain whilst I am here to stop it. What else are illusionists for?"

For pain and torture and mental breakage of course.

Nodding in answer to his question she looks up at him. "If it would not be an inconvenience Mukuro-sama, I would like some help getting back to sleep." She no longer had Flames to work with, having exhausted them during the attack on her.

With a tap of the ever present trident, a doorway appears to his right. He bows mockingly at her, extending a hand in its direction. "It's of no inconvenience at all my dearest Nagi. I hope you enjoy this particular dream."

She doesn't take notice of his tone, she never does due to her blind and unwavering faith in Mukuro. Instead she walks forwards and through the doorway without missing a beat.

Once she is gone and the doorway collapsed, Mukuro laugh to himself. "Kufufu. Oh it's of no inconvenience at all."

Opening his eyes from the internal conference, he smiles, resisting the urge to laugh out loud once more for that would alert the Bomb Brat that something was up.

He wanted to laugh for now nothing stood in his way; the only people who could stop him were trapped within his Mist's Carnival. His illusions would fool everyone else if his acting was up to the task. However Chrome would have noticed his presence in Tsunayoshi and alerted the others, if not directly fought him herself. But now with her gone, there was no one else. The only other illusionists he had to worry about were Mammon- who wouldn't care as long as she got paid- and Fran, who was his student, and again wouldn't care what happened to Tsunayoshi.

So that was it. All the Chess Pieces were exactly where he wanted them.

The Game was ready to begin.

Phantom Hitman 1412

First Published 17 August 2012