Trip 30: Rokudo Mukuro

A/N About the calling, since the Cerve family isn't in the Mafia, they will call Elleira as Master.

I noticed how in the past few chapters, the story has reached in a stagnant point. Like it doesn't move forward at all. I am sorry about that, I should've noticed it sooner. The thing is, i don't get any motivation to write this anymore. I have another plot in mind that has all my inspiration, and i just kind of don't want to continue this story. But I will continue even if nobody will read it. I mean, just abandoning things doesn't suit me.

Btw college started, my life ended. So sorry for the late update. I guess all my readers are used to it by now... haha... OTL I'm so sorry...

I wave at the boy with a smile. He approaches me with one of his own mischievous smile that seems to be permanently fixed on his lips.

"You called, Master?"

It takes me a few seconds to digest what he just called me as. I mean, I know I am technically the Cerve family's head, but until now, only Grey called me like that. Besides, having a cute shota call me as Master feels really weird.

"Ah, yes, ehm..." What's his name again? I don't think Cerve nor Grey told me about it, and I certainly don't want to call him as Mukuro without being certain that he really is one of that man's previous lives. I mean, who said that people of striking resemblance from different eras are necessarily the reincarnation? Besides, anime characters and real life people are completely different. It is a wonder how I managed to identify Giotto, really. As for this boy, it was just a hunch. Still, I hope he is Mukuro, even though his personality doesn't really have anything alike to that cunning man. After all, now that I don't have my power anymore for some obscure reason, I need strong allies.

As if understanding my dilemma, the boy's smile widens, "I don't have a name yet."

"Why is that?"

He narrows his eyes in contempt at the world in general, and answers me lazily, "I still haven't found a name worthy enough."

...Out of all the reasons, misfortune of the past, trauma, isolation, it has to be something like this. What a cocky kid. I bet he's going to get along just fine with my narcissist husband.

I offer him a seat and give him a few cookies, to which he refuses gracefully, "Then how about Rokudo Mukuro? Do you like this name?" I ask him carefully, not missing any of his reaction, "Mukuro is the first name, by the way, since it's a Japanese name."

He looks taken aback by my sudden suggestion, and frowns slightly, "It has a nice ring to it... What does it mean?"

I bite back a victorious laugh at the idea that this boy likes this name, "Rokudo means Six Path, and Mukuro means," I halt a bit to observe him, seeing that he doesn't show any sign of dislike, I continue with the harder part. I mean, who in their right mind would like to be called as - "skeleton".

Seeing his widened eyes, I internally slap myself. I knew it. Who would like to have such strong taste? Only that twisted maniac, maybe. Sigh, looks like this boy probably isn't one of the past lives of Mukuro. Even he is, he might not have the same warped taste.

"You said Japanese, right?" The boy asks me seriously, the mischievous smile I thought was permanently glued on his lips drops to a thin line when he sees me nod in affirmation. A frown appears between his eyebrows, giving his young feature a mature look. He leans forward and stares at the floor thoughtfully.

After a few seconds, he looks up, his expression grave.

I frown at that. Is this name actually some kind of trigger? Did it bring up some bad memories? I sure hope not. According to Grey, Cerve found him in an orphanage or something. I hope nothing bad happened to him there.

"Do you know a lot about yōkai?" He suddenly asks me out of the blue.

Before my brain could process on what he just asked, he begins to ask me all sorts of questions concerning Japan, especially about Japanese monsters.

I am sorry kiddo, but big sis here doesn't know a thing about folklore monster tales.

We ended up having a long and deep discussion, well more like monologue, about various kind of yōkai, how they look like, what are their preference, how they kill, etc. At the end, I almost don't know how to talk properly because of information overload. Honestly, this kid actually crammed everything in my head.

It looks like we've got a weaboo here.

The good thing though, is that he happily accepted to take on the name Rokudo Mukuro. Not only that, he enthusiastically showed me an illusion (much to my surprise, since nobody ever told me that he could) of a monster he concocted. Even though the illusion is still unstable with some part a bit transparent, the fact that a 9 years old kid (he told me his age) was able to make one by self study is truly amazing. He has a lot of potential, that's for sure.

I ruffle Mukuro's hairs with a smile, effectively making him stop talking and staring me in a freaked out way.

He is a talented child, and he has a kind heart, still innocently kept, untainted by this world's darkness. Unlike that warped Mukuro, this little one never knew the true horror of the Mafia.

Hah. I smirk bitterly. Who am I kidding? I don't know about the true horror of the Mafia either, but that's because Giotto and Cerve both did everything to shield me from it. Yet I am an adult, and I am ready to plunge in this darkness. But Mukuro is still a child, and I even planned to drag him down with me in order to protect what's dear to me.

I sit back in my chair and look absentmindedly at my hands, the hands that will probably be dyed in red soon, "Mukuro, go back to the Cerve mansion."

I can't see him, but I could feel vibes of displeasure spilling out from his direction, "Who do you think you are to order me around? Calling me on a whim to meet you, then brush me away just as soon. Don't think because you are the Master, you have to right to do as you please."

I close my eyes, still avoiding his eyes.

With a scoff, Mukuro storms out of the room, probably due to my refusal for further explanation, leaving me sitting alone.

"Master," Grey's calming voice calls me back to reality. I didn't even realize when he came in; G's frown would be so deep if he knew that. "It is time to rest."

I nod at him and stand up, frowning slightly at the static feeling inside my legs for sitting for too long.

"Grey, I wanted to use Mukuro, that child's ability to help me." I spill out everything to him, believing the butler wholeheartedly, "He will be a great illusionist one day, but now, if he does show talent in that direction, I fear that he would be targeted by Daemon. And I couldn't possibly ask Daemon to teach Mukuro, even if that man is such a great illusionist; if would be too cruel, if war breaks out."

I really needed to talk to someone. It's painful keeping everything to myself. Giotto obviously isn't an option, just like the rest of the Guardians.

"It is wrong to do so, isn't it?" I ask the butler with a bitter smile, "It's not like I absolutely need him to help me. But you see, I panicked. Suddenly knowing that I don't have any power is terrifying."

"Master, you just have to practice more-"

"I know that."

I know that. But I don't have time to practice more. I don't know when Daemon will strike, and sitting back all by myself, watching my friends fight for our peace just doesn't fit right with me. I want to be of help too. I don't want to drag anyone down. Yet just when I thought that I might have a trump card, I end up losing it, realizing that such power was never so easily obtained.

I don't want to any of them hurt.

I don't want to be the useless one.

I want to stand beside them too.

I don't want to be kept safe, away from them, all alone.

I widen my eyes in shock. That's it. That's what's being bugging me for so long. I don't want to stand behind, I want to be able to offer my help to. But that's impossible with my current strength. So I began planning everything all by myself to gain power in order to not be left alone, yet everything I did was to push others away.

I stifle down a self mocking laugh.

It turns out I was the one to blame. Nobody said that I can't fight in the front too. I was the one who stepped down subconsciously, yet felt pained to be left alone, so I decided to put everything on myself without consulting anyone. I even wanted to manipulate a child into helping me.

Besides, Giotto told me before too, that I should rely on him more, instead of always over thinking and putting all burden on myself.

That being said, Giotto might be hurt by Daemon's betrayal, but it's not the first time anyway, and I believe he's strong enough to get over it.

I have to trust them more, and I have to trust myself more too.

"Grey, I am going to see Giotto." Beaming at the butler and earning a smile from him, I immediately rush out.

Although the moment I open the door, a huge monster's head floats by, followed by a few smaller monsters that strangely resemble kitchen utensils.

Normally, I would've have screamed at the unexpected spectacle, but thanks to G's harsh lessons and the fact that the smaller monsters are actually pretty cute looking, I just stand by and look at them passing by.

The gang of monsters, obviously illusions, makes a turn and soon disappears from my view.

Okay, that was weird... Well, life must go on. I have more important things to tell Giotto, got to hurry.

Strangely, the monsters keep coming after me. At first, they would float past me and disappear to God knows where, but reappears after a few seconds. I try to ignore them, but after a while, they start to get in my way. And when I say that they get in my way, I mean that they literally get in my way.

I kick off yet another frying pan like demon that's dragging the hem of my dress, slowing me down considerably. When I am done throwing the frying pan fella as far away as I could, I see with helplessness that the huge head, obviously the "leader" of the monster pack, is blocked my way by expanding itself.

I deadpan at the scene before me.

Who's bored enough to do that? Who has enough time to waste? Who can make up illusion?

"Mukuro, please, just let me through."

The big head's form wavers a bit, but stubbornly stays in the same place.

...Fine.

I turn away from the illusion and run away. It's not like there's only one way to go to Giotto's office. Besides, I doubt Mukuro's 9 years old legs can keep up with my almost 22 years ones.

And thus begins the circulating rumor of Mrs. Vongola being haunted in plain day, I mean afternoon. But that's another story.

Opening the door in a swift movement and closing it just as soon, I collapse on the floor in Giotto's office.

"Elleira?"

I smile tiredly at him, "Hey dear, I am back to scolding you about this morning."

"Oh really?" He gives me a knowing smirk behind his desk.

I purse my lips in annoyance, "Okay fine, actually I am being chased by a giant head and kitchen utensils, and I am still not really over this morning's trial as well as the fact that I somehow lost my power, but all of that is not important right now."

"Then what is?"

I inhale deeply and look him right in the eyes, "Giotto, remember when I said that you were a background character from a story in my world?" Without letting him time to reply, I continue so that I could finish before my bubble of courage pops, "Well, since I've read that story, I kind of know what's happening, what happened, and what will possibly happen..."

Giotto whistles in amazement, but catches my disapproving frown and smiles sheepishly.

"A-and so," I continue on a calmer tone, "I think that Daemon might betray you and support Ricardo as the Second."

The expected disbelief did come from the blond, but it was for a completely different reason, which caught me off guard.

"I didn't think you'd actually know of Ricardo. That's amazing."

Eh?

Giotto straightens his back with pride, "I might not look like it, but I am actually really smart. From the moment you told me that you read a story that had me as a back ground character with that careful voice, I knew that you undoubtedly know a lot about us. After all, I am Vongola Primo."

I frown in confusion, he doesn't even make sense. But then again, he does have the hyper intuition, the ultimate cheat sheet for life.

Grinning, he pushes his seat back and gestures me to approach him.

"Now that you've finally said it, I can tell you something too." Giotto blinks playfully at me, "I've being planning with Cerve to secretly train you on how to become a better leader. That being said, it hasn't started yet."

I narrow my eyes in suspicion, "And why is that you guys are being so secretive about it?"

"Well," the grin stretches larger, "I've been waiting for you to tell me everything. Remember?" Giotto suddenly ceases to grin, "No more secrets. You promised."

So in the end, I'm at fault. This sure doesn't feel great.

Pinching my cheeks, the grin reverts back and Giotto begins to tell me all about their plan, including the preparations against Daemon's possible treason. I must add that as expected, these two are way more organized and elaborate in their prep works than me. I mean, I feel like everything I've been doing and all the self imposed stress feel like jokes now. There is no way I can complain either, since I am the one who hid things from them first.

And unsurprisingly, it turns out I'm really overestimating my capabilities for any scheme making. Well, now that everything is in Giotto's hand, I'll just lean back and relax, since I don't know how to help anyway.

Man was I dumb for even thinking that I could be on par with Daemon. It was unrealistic to begin with, fighting on intellectual term with a skilled illusionist who has all the mental he needs... Seriously what was I even thinking back then? I'll have to be careful not to get cocky over some small gain, just like that nonworking power of mine.

As for Giotto and Cerve, I just hope that they will be ready for any changes that might occur.

"By the way, how did you communicate with Cerve without being seen?"

Giotto laughs lightheartedly and taps his head.

Wait, is it what I think it is?

I stare at him for a few seconds before grabbing his shoulders hastily, "Giotto, let's protest against his ghostly harassment."

"Don't you mean haunting?"

"Hey, harassment sounds more serious."

"WHAT?!" Cerve wraps his arms around his chest protectively, "Stop making me feel violated!"

"I am the one who should say that!" I roar back, not losing to his volume, "Stop copying me!"

"Haha." And of course there's Giotto on the sideline laughing at us- wait what?

"You are supposed to help me!" "Do something about your wife!"

I glare at Cerve, he's glaring back too, obviously discontent that we spoke at the same time.

"Come on guys, let's not waste our time on details." Giotto pats my head and rocks me gently.

"He got in your dream without my permission. It is harassment. I am not going to just let that slip so easily."

"Well excuse us for actually planning out productive things while madam ever so casually fools around."

I gasp sharply. That's it, this bitch is going down.

"Let's me go at him Giotto!" I pounce forward in an attempt to, I guess, do some facial damage to the ghost (is that even possible?), yet my movements are firmly restrained by a certain blond behind me, "Let. Me. Go."

Surprisingly, Giotto lets go after a few seconds of reflection.

...Now this is just awkward. I mean, I didn't really want to actually jump on Cerve and start an actual, legit, and brutal full-on physical fight... I really am not strong and would seriously appreciate hiding behind people, or, in some case (like this one), act all tough and look like I am brave enough to engage in a fight and need someone to stop me from doing so, when really it's just so that I can act it out without getting physical. I mean, let's face it, who is going to get hurt? Probably me... more like definitively.

Damn his intuition, always knowing where it hurts the most.

Giotto merely grins sheepishly as reply to my reproaching glare.

"Cough, let's stop this nonsense."

Cerve gawps at me, "What! You were the one who- you know what, I am too old for your shits."

Before I lose my calm and end up embarrassing myself once again, Giotto holds me tightly in his arms. He then recalls to us what was the real goal of this meeting, which I actually tossed it away pretty fast.

"So, first thing first." Cerve plops on a couch he created by a snap, "You can't come to the Cerve mansion. Well, not yet anyway."

Not that I had any intention to do so, but just the fact that he's mentioning it again makes me actually want to go. You know, reverse psychology, or more commonly called the "curiosity killed the cat symptom".

"Elleira, listen to Cerve." Giotto knocks my head in warning, "Don't even think of going there. We have set that place as another headquarters in case of emergency, and it would be best if you don't go."

"Why?"

"Because somebody might carelessly bring in Daemon."

"Shut up Cerve, nobody asked for your opinion."

"Hey, pay respect to your-" Cerve halts and leans back on his couch seeing Giotto's wonderfully directed glance full of authority, "Whatever."

"Can you two please be civilized to each other long enough for us to at least put the big lines clear?" Giottos sighs helplessly at our antics, "Elleira, stop picking at everything Cerve says." He immediately covers my mouth before I could say anything, and turns to the red head, "And Cerve, please just hurry up and no sarcasm please. I know we are all a bit nervous and irritated at the current situation, but that's not a reason to take it off someone else. So let's just hurry up and get over with it for today, alright?"

Seeing that Giotto won't back down, and knowing what if we continue trivial arguments, it would never end, I stare at the man opposite to me, and nod at him defiantly. He sneers and nods back.

"Good." Says the happy peacemaker.

"Now, back to my first thing first before that somebody cut me off-" Cerve waves off Giotto's warning glance in annoyance, before continuing, "Alright, so seriously, both of you don't come to the Cerve mansion. You might unknowingly bring in some object that could be contaminated by illusions, thus creating a possibly medium for Daemon to get hold of our internal structure and plans. Also, you, my dear Elleira, aren't mature enough to be able to make sure those guys back home don't blow anything up."

"Excuse you?" I stare at him, offended that he actually chose to insult my maturity, which honestly isn't that great, sadly, but he didn't have to voice it out loud that's for sure.

"Elleira." Giotto pats me in warning.

"No you don't understand." Cerve sounds like he actually mean it, "I told last time that they will bully you, right? Well they will make you do their works unless you are strong enough to fight them off."

"What? But I thought I am the head of the family now. Shouldn't they at least, I don't know, help me or something?" What kind of crazy family I have inherited accidentally, I don't know. And at this instant, I don't even want to know.

"Yeah well suck it up. Life doesn't work that way." Cerve then frowns deeply as if recalling a particularly dark past, "Speaking from experience, nobody there likes to be bound to someone weaker than them, those pretentious little- anyway, you will be bullied, that's for sure. After all, they have the past generations' blood in them, so they are kind of potential successors. And believe me, even if the blood of another world might be not expressing in most of them by now, they wouldn't even need their power to crush the current you."

Now I feel extremely threatened. Is it too late to quit being the head of crazy potentially homicidal (to me) bunch?

Wait hold on, "you said that they are all potential successors?"

Cerve shakes his head knowingly, "Don't even think about it. Nobody wants to be the Head, too many responsibilities." He frowns once again, that same frown as if he wants to kill someone but doesn't have anyone suitable enough to act as the victim, "That's why I said they will bully you into doing their works."

Poor Cerve, it looks like he was unfortunate enough to experience that.

And poor me too, I somehow got dragged in this mess.

"Anyway, now that you know what awaits you there, you wouldn't be stupid enough to go, right?"

I shake my head wildly, not even picking at Cerve for insinuating that I am stupid.

"Good. But don't worry too much about it for now. Like I told you before, my little Victor is substituting you until you are ready. So chill." Cerve mumbles some more about how proud he is of Victor, and then gets serious again, "By the way, what your husband told you today, about our plans, were all false." Cerve states lazily, "That should teach you to be more careful of eavesdroppers."

"Cerve, don't scare her." Giotto pinches my frightened expression away, "Elleira, let's avoid physically talking about anything concerning what's going on over there, alright? We will do it in the dream, if you want."

I ponder for a bit, thinking about ways Daemon could use to get information. And as expected, I am an easy opening. There's no telling how he'll pry information out of me, just like he did before. Besides, because of me, the illusionist now probably knows that Giotto and Cerve have their eyes on him. That's a disadvantageous situation. So, "If I don't know anything about the plan, would it be better?"

Cerve averts his eyes and plays with his fingers.

Why am I even asking the obvious?

"Will you be bothered?" Giotto ruffles my head gently with a concerned expression.

"Not really, I'll be less stressed that's for sure."

And so, we've reached an unanimous consensus that I won't be part of the plan, unless needed to play a role.

With this, one matter is solved.

Now, as for the sudden inability to use my power, Cerve reassures me with a careless wave of his hand that it is normal occurrence. He explained that the reason I was able to manipulate water on the island was because it is a place that can boost my power.

Now guess what, outside the isle my power is reduced. Simply put, on the island I have a +1, but outside, it just went down to -1. That's why I was unable to do anything...

The real question is, "Where did the 0 go?! Don't just go from +1 to -1 what is this where is the transition where is my 0?!"

"Dafuq girl." Cerve mumbles, giving me a weird look.

"Don't mind Elleira, it happens all the time."

I ignore Giotto and proceed with my next question, "Is there a way for me to use my power under this condition?"

"A lot of practice."

No way. That's such a great revelation. How did I not think of that before?

"Hey. Don't internal sass me."

"Would you rather I voice my sass out then?"

Cerve looks away in annoyance.

Giotto gives me a proud smile and ruffles my hair.

"By the way, what do we do with Mukuro?"

"Who's that?"

"The kid you sent me."

Cerve keeps silent for a few seconds, then buries his face in his hands, "You're such a weaboo. He's only an innocent child, and he's pure Italian. Can you like, not?"

I could feel the exhaustion just imagining explaining everything, but seeing Cerve's twisted expression of pity toward the "innocent" Mukuro and contempt toward me, it probably would be best to tell him about that kid's future as Tsuna's Italian mist guardian with a Japanese name.

In the end, Cerve has an even more twisted expression, not that I know the reason, or even want to anyway.

And so, our discussion ends with a constipated looking ghost fading away.

Although before he goes, Cerve gives me a proposition that clearly makes Giotto stiffen in alarm, "You could go back to the island to train, if you want. You're not of much help here anyway."

And they wouldn't need to constantly make sure I don't unintentionally leak information out, or be seized as hostage.

"Elleira?" Giotto asks me softly, yet I can still feel his nervousness.

"I won't go, don't worry." I squeeze his hand reassuringly. At least not now.

"Ah, before I forget." Giotto taps his forehead as if he just remembered something important, "No offence indented, but Elleira, your image amongst my subordinates aren't that good. Let's say many of them view you as a spoiled brat- I mean lady."

Well at least you could have wiped that bright smile off before saying something like that, "What's new."

An expected hug envelops me, followed by Giotto's laugh tinted voice, "No, I mean, you could use it to your advantage."

This catches my attention. Turning an unfavorable situation to my advantage?

Giotto smirks slyly, "That, you'll have to figure out by yourself. That could be a good preview on how to become a better Head of a chaotic family. I think you'll need it."

I raise an eyebrow at that statement.

"One last thing," Giotto continues, his eyes are now slightly closed, hiding away all emotions, "What you see might not necessarily be the truth."

After a few days, Grey finally lets me visit Mei. Apparently, her condition aggravated during the trip from the Cerve mansion to the Vongola. And surprisingly, or should I say not so surprisingly, it was because they were ambuscaded. It is obvious who directed the ambuscade, but none of us is dumb enough to mention it.

Sadly, for some reason still unknown to me, Mei has become very silent. Maybe this is how she really is, and the shy "Maria" is merely a character she created to get closer to me. But it doesn't matter. She is my very first friend in this world, and from the way she shielded me that night, on the boat, against both Roven and that assassin, is enough for me to trust her.

I don't know the reason why she kept silent ever since Roven got captured, but I don't dare ask. It was obvious, from the well hidden disgust in her eyes I saw that night, that she doesn't want to work for that man. I fear that my questions might trigger some bad memories up. After all, knowing Roven's cruel nature, I wouldn't be surprised he mistreats his subordinates.

That is why I try my best to fill in the silence, wanting to make Mei feel as comfortable as possible. I just hope that she gets better.

"So at one point, Giotto told me to hold my fork-" I pause slightly in my mimic, then make a concerned expression sensing carefully the sudden irregular twitch from our locked hands, "Mei, are you alright? Do you want to rest a bit?"

She shakes her head slightly, and takes away her hand to comb my slightly messy hair with an almost unnoticeable smile.

I smile back as brightly as possible, and squeeze her hands once again, "I'll let you rest now. Let's talk again tomorrow?"

Getting Mei's slight nod as approval, I leave her room and close the door softly.

"Master," Grey steps forward and bows to me, "was your conversation with Lady Mei pleasant?"

"Yes, thank you."

Just as I am about to arrive to my room, Carmela, the maid who has previously guided me to Daemon's office, comes to me with a message, "Milady, Master Daemon wishes to see you."

What a great timing, that Daemon. I thought that he would give up on his persuasions for me to join the Cerve family's force with the Vongola. After all, from our last conversation, Giotto and Cerve clearly said that Daemon eavesdropped my conversation with Giotto. The probability that he heard everything is high, so I doubted that he would want to try to persuade me further when he clearly knows that I wouldn't accept.

Then what does he want now? Is he just trying to mess me up, or he doesn't know as much as I thought?

"Is it urgent?" I ask Carmela as calmly as I can, making her frown for a split second before revert back to an empty face.

"Master Daemon wishes to see you."

Is there a way to tell her that no, I have no intention to see to the illusionist, much less talk to him without making my image even worse that what it already is? Cerve did tell me to get along with the servants, but how am I going to do that when most of them think I am a spoiled brat, as Giotto puts it. Well I admit I was acting pretty much like one, but I am trying hard to change now.

Man, I really am not good with any kind of subtle talking, which definitively Daemon's forte. That man is just too good a misleading people it's incredible. I honestly don't think my blunt way of talking can even get any advantage face him.

Ah really, if only Giotto would stop acting all mysterious when the situation clearly doesn't allow it, and just straightforwardly tell me how to turn the table on a seemingly bad state-

Wait, hold on a minute.

Daemon has an evasive, misleading way of talking whereas sometimes I can be as blunt as humanly possible.

What if, what if I-

"Milady, Master Daemon wishes to see you." Carmela calls me once again, halting my train of thought. This time, her voice is slightly tinted with irritation.

Irritation? She must be, considering I've been spacing out right in her face, thus blatantly ignoring her presence. Communication barrier? I caused that. I must look like such an annoying brat to her right this instant-

"No, I mean, you could use it to your advantage."

Hah… I see, that's what Giotto meant.

I get it. I finally get it.

Why clash head first on something Daemon excels at? If he is evasive, then I'll take him on directly, as bluntly as possible. After all, I am a spoiled brat.

Smiling at myself, I shrug casually towards Carmela, then walk away under her incredulous stare, "Not now. I'm not in the mood. Maybe later."

I can see the exact moment Carmela's emotionless expression cracks.

Shrugging indifferently, I walk past her frozen body.

"Well done, Master." Grey whispers with a slight laugh.

I raise my eyebrow at him playfully, "I am an annoying brat after all."

Grey nods with a smile and retreats after seeing me go in my room.

I crash on the bed, thinking of my new discovery. Now that I've found a way to act that suitable for me, there is no longer need to try to be someone I am not. If they end up viewing me as an irritable person, then be it. If Daemon really is planning to replace Giotto with Ricardo, then our days in Sicily won't be long. There is no harm in been criticized for a few months, or years. I'll have Lampo and everyone anyway. Why should I care about what the servants say?

Well, I guess I'll take a small nap, then go meet Daemon. I wonder how he would react when he face my new way of approach?

Burying myself in the covers like usual, I detach my hairs and discreetly taking out the slip of paper Mei put in my hair.

"Nufufu, I thought you would be more concerned to help the Vongola family than this." Daemon narrows his eyes at me, "It's been weeks, and you still haven't replied me. I would have thought you are not concerned for our dear Boss' family's wellbeing if it weren't for the fact that I know you two's…" He halts a bit and spits darkly the word, "love."

I lean back on the couch, and take my time to drink my tea before slowly answering him in a lazy voice, "Hey, can't a woman have her mood swing in peace?"

"…" Daemon stares at me calmly, tries to say something, but remains silent.

I ignore him and continue to play with my tea. Hey, I have a lot of spare time now that I no longer have to worry about making any preparation against the illusionist before me, so might as well sit back and relax.

"Is this your final answer?" Daemon finally says softly after a while.

I look up from my tea, give him an inquiring glance, then turn my attention back to the brownish liquid, "Please articulate, I might not look like it, but I'm pretty dumb when it comes to reading between the lines. So unfortunately, you'll have to say it loud and clear. Otherwise," I put down the now empty cup and sit back with half closed eyes, "I might make false assumptions of what you truly want to say."

The illusionist lets out a low laugh. I patiently wait for him to stop.

"G really is a good teacher, isn't he?"

I shake my head and give him a judgmental look, "Unless you like to be constantly yelled at, then I guess he would be perfect. But hey, if that's how you like it, then I am not going to judge."

This time, the silence longer than the last one.

"What is your answer to fusing Cerve and Vongola's forces?" In the end, the blue haired man gnashed his question out.

I make "So that's what you meant" expression, then look at the ceiling as if I am truly considering the possibility of such plan. Then after a few seconds, I shake my head, "Sorry, I might be the Head of the family, but nobody would listen to me in the family."

Hearing this, Daemon lets out a low chuckle.

"Everything you say, Mrs. Vongola."

A/N In Japan (China too, idk about other asian countries), the last name (family name) is placed at the beginning whereas the first name is place after, hence Sawada (family name) Tsunayoshi (first name). It's the same for Mukuro. Rokudo is the last name, Mukuro is the first name. So like, if anyone pairs these two up, here's your backup, since Japanese rarely call people by their first name unless being very close. Yet Tsuna called Mukuro at their first meeting. If anyone is like trying to convince me otherwise, I'm sorry but there's definitely something fishy between the two.

Btw, about why I've decided to make El give Mukuro his name is that, well, the dude is a pure Italian why does he have a fucking japanese name. Even though canon Mukuro technically had other lives before, the name should beginning somewhere right?

It's so easy to write sassy Elleira.

-Welcome to the Future 2-

A/N Since you guys seem to like it, I did another one. Send me ideas because I really don't know what else I can write about their future.

This is happening before 10 years, when they first arrived in Japan.

"Gio, look!" Elleira brandishes a piece of paper up proudly, "What do you think about it?"

The blond merely presses his lips together and looks away. Wrong move, bro, wrong move.

"At least act like you are interested!"

Giotto scratches his head, at a loss on what to do. The last time he complimented her, she got mad because apparently the praise wasn't, according to her, sincere. So when the same situation happened again, he opted to give her a few remarks, only to receive an even greater outburst. So now, the third time, doing nothing seems like the only option left.

"Say something!" Elleira roars in anger, her nostrils flaring dangerously as she glares at her husband.

Giotto ransacks throughout his brain for words, and finally settles for, "You got better...?"

Unfortunately, it seems like this is a bad answer. She stomps her foot on the ground - not a good sign - and the water from the small puddles outside starts to agitate dangerously. Definitively not a good sign. The droplets from the leaves are falling menacingly, and instead of joining the earth like it should be, it gathers together and slowly creeps its way near the house. Now, that would be the sign to run.

Without further ado, Giotto gets up and runs inside, makes a sharp turn around a corner, continues his mad dash, opens a sliding door and plunges in the covers, "Don't wet the blankets! It's the raining season now, we don't have a lot of sun! Don't wet the blanket!"

The water halts before him, and retreats back slowly much to the blond's relief.

Seriously, he doesn't understand why his wife is in such a bad mood. This is the second time today, and still over trivial subjects, just like the past few weeks. He gets the impression that her mentality has reverted to one of a five years old kid. She gets easily angry, would use her power randomly, is more stubborn than ever, won't take a no for an answer, won't take a yes for answer, sleeps everywhere, cry over meaningless things, eats a lot, etc.

Giotto narrows his eyes. Menstruation?

He quickly shakes this possibility away. Thanks to his intense care such as diet strictly based on healthy food and no sleeping late, also a few warnings to not over eat snacks at unearthly hours, he managed to (finally) make her irregular periods regular. So no, it can't be possible...wait hold on, the last time was about one month ago, so maybe it actually is because of that.

He slowly gets up cautiously, keeping alert of his surroundings so no surprise splash of water would hit him in the face.

A plan quickly forms inside his head. The solution is in the kitchen, he has to get the milk for Elleira before someone is hurt (definitively him).

Giotto ducks his head low and creeps to the window. To the count of three, he open it in a swift movement and jumps out, certain that no surprise attack would be waiting for him outside. Hyper intuition sure comes in handy.

He quickly makes his way to the kitchen, careful of the water around him as adrenaline rush in his veins, excitement pumps in his heart. It's being a while since he last felt such intensity. Two years of peace and he almost forgot about the blood and schemes of the past.

Suddenly, a swift movement from the corner of his eyes catches his attention. It is common knowledge that whatever moves this fast is suspicious. Without thinking, he dashes even faster forward, makes a sharp turn behind a tree and the very next second, smirks in victory knowing that he just escaped the seemingly unavoidable fate of being splashed.

Although the very next moment, a tingle coming from his guts warns him of the next attack, but he wisely chooses to stay on the spot, signing in resign, knowing that if he isn't hit, this would never end.

With a wave of her hand, Elleira drops the huge water sphere encircling Giotto. It splashes on the ground and the broken droplets scrabble away, leaving a dry clothed blond standing there as if nothing supernatural happened.

"My baby Ellie..." Giotto approaches cautiously his wife, still a bit wary that her temper would storm back, "Do you want some milk?"

She shakes her head with a slight frown, "I am tired."

Giotto breaths in sharply. No milk? Really? No milk? Why no milk? Why? He doesn't think he can handle her if she doesn't at least drink one bowl of milk first.

Not wanting any unnecessary problems, he approaches Elleira and hugs her gently, one hand finding her head naturally to pat her and the other her waist, "Just drink a bit? A little bit? You always liked milk."

"Well I don't like it anymore!"

Noticing that he rubbed her the wrong way, the blond immediately pats faster and shushes his wife, "Alright, alright. No milk."

Giotto looks up to the grey sky and internally lament on his sort. He doesn't understand why his usually cheerful wife suddenly became so violent in a matter of only a few weeks. Well, he did spoil her a lot, but that shouldn't be the cause to such sudden change.

Maybe she is sick?

Giotto narrows his eyes. He smiles immediately after so that Elleira wouldn't notice anything. Gently lifting her up, he carries her back to their bedroom all the while shaking his head slightly at her non-stop yawns.

Fortunately, Elleira already felt asleep before they arrive to the bedroom, thus saving a lot of trouble for Giotto, since he doesn't have to rock her to sleep. Using this chance, the blond quickly runs down the hill, where their mansion is located, to the town's doctor.

After much saliva wasting (and whining - the blond made himself a whiney reputation amongst the town folks), Giotto finally convinced the doctor to leave his medical herbs alone for a visit - something that happens way too frequently to the said doctor's liking.

"Now what is wrong, youngster? I don't have time to waste on yet another paper cut from your wife."

"Sorry about that time." Giotto wipes the sweats away from his forehead, "But I swear, this time it's entirely different."

The doctor stares impassively at the young man before him. He has learned, from experience, to automatically filter out some things and ignore some actions from the blond. For example, if the latter panics and makes a scene, then it's not important. That being said, it doesn't mean it's not extremely annoying and embarrassing to watch a fully grown man act like a spoiled 5 years old.

However, this time, despite the younger man's constant talking (which is sometimes just as unbearable as his whining), the doctor noticed a considerably serious tone and expression from the blond.

Maybe something really is wrong? Thinking about this makes the doctor fasten his pace.

Giotto, on the other hand, almost cries out of joy when he notices that his company decided to (finally) walk faster. Truth to be told, if it weren't for Elleira's strict order to not show his dying will flame to anyone from the village unless absolutely necessary, he would've have already picked the doctor and fly back home.

Much to Giotto's outmost joy, they finally arrive to their destination.

The doctor walks in and almost sighs at the sense of familiarity surrounding him. Honestly, if it weren't because this couple has protected the village numerous times from bandits, he wouldn't waste so much time going back and forth just to treat a small paper cut. That being said, nobody in the village really mind that their only doctor somehow got monopolized by a whiney man. Rather, they enjoy seeing their usually composed doctor sigh in annoyance each time Giotto comes, or more like crash in.

The only comfort the doctor can get away from each visit, is seeing the blond man who always drags him away out of his own will, be scolded by his wife for bothering him. It is funny, really.

Elleira is still sleeping when they arrived. Without further exchange, the doctor begins the examination. When he finishes, the doctor frowns slightly. If he isn't wrong…

"So? Is she fine?" Giotto asks after seeing the older man's expression change. Despite his hyper intuition telling him that there is nothing to worry about, the young man is breaking into cold sweats.

Well, the doctor muses to himself almost bitterly, she does have some condition going on there, but it's not important. The one who isn't fine is him…

"Doctor!" Giotto yelps once again, this time waking Elleira up.

She glances around her unfocusedly, then subconsciously nudges toward Giotto, who gently takes her in his arms.

"Gio, stop screaming like a goddamn duck for a change." Then, Elleira directs her gaze to the doctor, trying to sound energetic and fails, "Good day, Kojima-san."

The doctor nods back. He then writes a letter, gives it to Elleira, and strictly tells her to read it only after he is gone far away enough.

"Giotto Vongola," hun-hum, when she calls him by his full name, shit is going down, "what did you do this time to make Kojima-san look so done with everything?"

Giotto opens his mouth, considers his chances of getting out in one piece, and finally decides to play his trump card, give the intense puppy eyes.

Elleira sighs in defeat, ruffles her husband's hairs, and reads the letter.

Everything starts off normal in the letter, a few complains here and there about how annoying Giotto is for always disturbing his free time, some gossips from the village, and finally, on the last line, states that "By the way, you are pregnant. I will give you further details about diets, good habits, exercises, and such tomorrow, along with introductions to some midwives that I am going to gather today."

The couple stay silent for a while seeing this unexpected announcement.

"Elleira?"

"Yeah?"

"It says here that you are pregnant."

"I… believe so…"

"…"

"…"

After a while, Elleira squirms uncomfortably as she feels Giotto's muscles become tenser and tenser, "Gio?"

"Shut!" The latter answers her in a nervous whisper, "Move veeery slowly."

"Relax Gio."

"I can't relax!" A muffled scream makes way to her. Unable to hold it down anymore, Elleira break into laughter much to a certain blond's panic.

"So," Wiping a tear away, Elleira asks gently in her lover's ear, "how does it feel to be a father?"

"…I want to cry." He pauses a second, then adds, "And laugh. Laugh and cry. I don't know which one."

Feeling the tremors from Giotto's chest, Elleira smiles and wipes away his tears, "You are already doing both."

The next morning, Giotto accompanies Elleira to the village, as requested by the doctor.

By then, everyone knows that the couple is awaiting their baby. Gossips sure is powerful, doctor Kojima muses playfully to himself. He only asked the midwives he knew if they would take on the job to take care of Elleira and teach the couple cautionary aspects during pregnancy, but he sure didn't expect the whole village to get the new overnight.

Thanks to that, it wasn't hard to spot the late couple. Find where everyone gathers, try to squirm in, and they are there.

Unsurprisingly, Giotto is bragging about his future status as a father to every living soul. Elleira is just quietly listening to her husband laugh crazily and sometimes shake her head at his antics.

Upon spotting the doctor, the ex-Mafia Boss waves frantically at him, making the latter just want to turn on his heels and go home. Of course he didn't do that, simply because before he could, he was pushed forward by the villagers.

"Doctor, doctor, doctor! Elleira is pregnant!"

…No shit I did the diagnostics.

"I guess we will be seeing each other really often from now on." The blond adds cheerfully, receiving a pat from his wife to calm down.

"…How about I just live with you guys." The doctor states helplessly. He's had enough of all the walking back and forth the hill. And this pregnancy will probably make him double, or even triple the visits.

Surprisingly, the one who always so enthusiastically drags him home, is the one who opposes the most. With an almost disgusted expression, Giotto waves the doctor away, "What, you want to be the third wheel? You don't like it anyway, so just go back to crushing your herbs or something."

…That's it. He'll make the blond pick medicinal herbs for him for every single visit. Every. Single. One.

A/N Well that was a fun extra to write. There might be some inaccuracies, such as the doctor's reactions and all. Because I am pretty sure in that period in Asian countries (especially China, Korea, Japan, idk the rest), women's chastity is still pretty severe. So idk if a male doctor is allowed to examine a woman without some kind of screen or thing to separate the two? Idk something along the line. And I really am not sure if outsiders would be kindly accepted (Giotto's European feature make him stand up a lot). So please just ignore the details and just read it for the lolz.

So here you go, finished writing everything by 3am. Ahaha I have no life. Well, now that I did this, I'll do my cal assignments. College is really hard I wanna cry.