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Fandom: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Summary: Start of another of my 'what was going on off-camera' stints; Mukuro's activities during the Ring Battles, starting with the negotiations with Iemitsu.
Warnings: Nothing rating worthy. Mukuro is a little lawyering SHIT.
"That shouldn't be possible. He's in the lower levels of the Vendicare."
"Well, it apparently is, and not too big of a surprise if you think about it - he's already done a few things that were supposed to be impossible with possession techniques.". And that was leaving out that he'd already left an invitation, before the other two had come back as if they were on a mission.
"All this while they've got him... That's a bit terrifying. You think he'll be able to do what we need through puppets?"
"If anybody can do it, it's him."
".... And you'd trust him? With what you'd said in your report about what he was trying to do..."
"Have I ever been wrong about something like this before? Just call it instinct and trust me on this one."
"If you say so.".
---------------------------
Iemitsu hadn't made it in the door before there was a warning rattle of needles off the doorframe and a pair of gleaming eyes in the dark.
"What do you want?"
"Well, I was in the area, and figured I'd see how-"
"Just cut the crap and tell us what you want."
"You two can contact Rokudou somehow."
"I don't know what you're on; he's in the Vendicare."
There was another voice in back, in the dark; a young girl, woken up by the voices. "Who-"
"Chrome. Stay back." Chikusa moved to be more directly between her and the door.
"Listen, if he can hear you… we came to negotiate - we need his help."
"Why would we help you-" Ken's snarling was cut off by something that was almost like a faint change in air pressure to the more sensitive in the room, the girl stepping forward with a hand on Chikusa's shoulder, a brief signal that had the rain user stepping aside for a frail young girl in a borrowed shirt, hospital patch still covering her right eye. 'She' gave a slight glance to the side, which Chikusa answered with glance out the windows and a faint nod; a shape up on the rooftop of another part of the Kokuyo complex, likely a sniper in case things went badly.
'Chrome' pulled a chair in front of the windows, giving a slightly more obvious look at the perch before sitting down in the simple auditorium chair, back to the windows.
"I suppose we have nothing to lose in humoring you to hear you out for now."
Iemitsu had followed that look, and shifted uncomfortably, a frown flickering across his face briefly. "Rokudou Mukuro.", he nodded in acknowledgment.
"So what is it that you want from us, Vongola?"
"There's a succession conflict; in order for Tsuna to have a chance to pass it, he needs a Mist Guardian for the challenge."
Mukuro's smirk spread a little more insufferably amused. "And you want me at your son's back for this?"
That got a twinge across Iemitsu's composure that needed a second to school back. "We don't really have any other options that aren't already under the control of the other side, and even if we did, you might be the only one actually capable of this; Xanxus's Mist Guardian is one of the most powerful illusionists in the underworld."
Tactically smart, that; it indicated their nebulous internal enemy was playing information control, blinding them, nevermind who had the advantage in the general power struggle if they were getting away with it. "And if this challenge is won, then they can get in the deathblow to take over." 'His' eye dropped from Iemitsu to studying Chrome's fingernails. "Why, exactly, should I care who's in control of your Mafia? It's more Mafia either way, and the death of the ones behind us ending up in the Vendicare, at that." While he didn't shift posture, the eye flicked back up. "Or do you want me to believe it was purely accidental that there were medics and other agents and support waiting just outside our fences when Tsunayoshi came after me, hiding in fear while you sent a group of children to fight your battle for you?"
That was a good count of three, there. "Tsuna's been asking about all of you, and because of that and requests made by Reborn, there's already an indefinite stay of execution on your behalf. If you help us with this, we might even be able to negotiate a release eventually."
The one visible eyebrow arched; this wasn't Iemitsu's idea at all, it was Reborn acting on Tsuna's behalf. "So you're offering protection in exchange for my cooperation." Ken, to the side, gave an audible growl.
"If Xanxus wins this, the only reason that stay of execution will hold is to try and figure out what the Estraneo did, and the request to leave the others be for now will disappear with it." Iemitsu gestured to the side, towards Ken and Chikusa. "The Vendice aren't omniscient; we just haven't told them that we know where you all are."
The growl dropped in pitch; Mukuro raised a hand, motioning at the other two to stay still. "And what would the terms be, then? We go stay where you can watch us on leashes like good little dogs?"
Iemitsu shifted his weight, not moving from where he stood. "You'd be under Tsuna's authority, and for the time being, if Tsuna's not making direct orders, it's currenly up to Reborn to interpret what he wants. Reborn's terms are that, so long as you provide assistance when needed as fitting the Mist Guardian's post, you get to set any other terms."
Mukuro smiled; Iemitsu was just the messenger, and didn't like it. "Are there any restrictions on these terms I might set?"
"…No."
Definitely just the messenger.
Ken's disbelieving grumble was clearly meant only for Mukuro, but audible anyway. "You're not seriously thinking of agreeing to this, are you?"
There was a faint shrug to the 'girl's' shoulders as the only answer to Ken. "Kokuyo is left alone. No surveillance, no observation, no agent of yours within five miles for any purpose other than if you need to contact us or at our request; any communication is to be done via the Sun Arcabaleno or walking up to the front gate directly and waiting to be acknowledged. Ken, Chikusa, and Chrome are to be placed under protection, off-limits to any harassment that the Vongola have the authority to prevent, and any acts of self-defense or attacks on hostile elements are to be treated as such and left alone. Chrome is to be treated as interchangeable with myself for all intents and purposes, including those involving any benefit from this arrangement. I am to be given full independence and discretion on how to approach my side of the agreement, with no oversight, questioning, or expectation of reports; information I might uncover is to be shared at my discretion and times and manners of my choosing. I contact you, you do not contact me. Anyone affiliated with me at all, now or in the future, is to be left alone similarly, and neither questioned nor challenged by anyone of yours. Ken and Chikusa are to be treated as under guardianship, with no actual responsibility to any of this; any involvement they might have is to be purely at our discretion. In return, I will treat Tsunayoshi as under my protection for as long as those terms are respected."
The small flicker of an eyetic as Iemitsu was lapsing harder into a very schooled diplomatic composure only made Mukuro's smile worse. "Those terms are acceptable."
"Then I suppose I consider this an acceptable arrangement - but understand that the safety and independence of these two is my chief concern; I will ensure Tsunayoshi's safety to the best of my abilities, but if theirs is threatened, that will take priority." That there was one half of the room currently lost in silent disbelief was obvious, but Ken and Chikusa both knew not to speak up and argue, at least until the outsiders were out of the way.
"I will take personal responsibility for making sure they aren't harassed or harmed by anyone we have any control over; it will be the least I can do if you're helping Tsuna."
Not a very impressive offer to Mukuro, but at least it was a show of good faith… and if anything happened it meant a target to make an example of, as he was sure this was being recorded and others would be aware of that wording. However, if it also reflected on the Arcabaleno, that would be something possibly worth more. "In that case, I believe it is in our best interests to accept your offer; I have less quarrel with Tsunayoshi and his tutor than anyone else, here, and I do owe them for their intervention with the Vendice." He was well aware of the Arcabaleno's offered olive branch, and curious to see how far that went.
There was a moment as tension left at least part of the room - Ken and Chikusa weren't thrilled, but were still quiet and staying out of the way; somewhere in that pause, Iemitsu had a moment of watching the two others, who were distracted from keeping an eye on him by gaping at Mukuro, Chikusa glancing sideways at him before taking an unconscious step to put Ken between himself and Iemitsu. "All right. Leave it to me. I will take guardianship of the two fugitives, Kakimoto Chikusa and Joushima Ken."
Mukuro folded 'his' hands in 'his' lap with a faint chuckle. "I'm very curious though… all of my abilities have been taken from me. Even by borrowing this unique girl's body, I can only stay here for a short period of time." If he was going to do this, he certainly wasn't going to tip his hand at all to people that were probably being watched and might blow his ability to interfere, particularly not one that seemed to be a bit of a blunt instrument.
"…That doesn't matter. I want you to be Tsuna's Mist Guardian, Rokudou Mukuro."
A little too fast of a transition; maybe part of it was some kind of unneeded sympathy twinge, part of it desperation to settle the deal and remembering that he needed to engender goodwill; Mukuro didn't trust Iemitsu at all on this, nor did he think that 'goodwill' was a solid thing, but the head of CEDEF being here alone with one sniper did point towards truth to their story of the state of internal affairs.
And he was holding out a half-piece of one of the famed Vongola Rings, part of the original source of the family's power.
Mukuro stood up and walked over to accept it, taking it out of Iemitsu's hand with as little actual contact with the man as possible. 'He' studied the ring, the emblem and band split neatly in half, twirled it around the tip of Chrome's finger, and held it up, running just a small amount of power through it; the flame echoed back to him amplified, an indigo shimmer over even the half-piece. It was warm to the touch, in a way that suggested more of a living thing than just absorbed heat from being in a pocket. "Is there anything else?" The one eye glanced up, a pointed hint; he'd agreed to cooperate, but that didn't mean he wanted the company.
"…No. Thank you for your assistance." Iemitsu bowed, turned, and walked out; once he was out, Mukuro looked over his shoulder to confirm that their sniper had left.
There was silence for a few minutes, leaving more than enough time for Ken to watch out the window and make sure they were alone; Mukuro-in-Chrome's body returned to the chair, sitting heavily, already starting to feel tired. He slipped the ring on Chrome's finger, testing it; it did, at least, help stabilize the possession, although he didn't want to push it too far.
"You're really gonna go through with this?" Ken looked between Mukuro and the door, crouched next to it; Chikusa sighed, what passed for relaxing, and moved to lean against the wall.
"Right now, we don't have many options; using them as a shield might give us a chance." 'He' leaned back, Chrome's shorter frame at least enough that sinking in the chair made it easier to rest against it. "They're desperate; they can't afford to break their word right now, and in the long term, this puts me in a position to have control and influence over the great Vongola Famiglia without having to force it; I may not need to possess Sawada if I can use this position from within." Mukuro smiled faintly. "Trust me; I don't trust them - but this will prove very useful." He held up the hand with the ring, which had already altered itself to fit snugly on Chrome's small hand.
Summary: Start of another of my 'what was going on off-camera' stints; Mukuro's activities during the Ring Battles, starting with the negotiations with Iemitsu.
Warnings: Nothing rating worthy. Mukuro is a little lawyering SHIT.
"That shouldn't be possible. He's in the lower levels of the Vendicare."
"Well, it apparently is, and not too big of a surprise if you think about it - he's already done a few things that were supposed to be impossible with possession techniques.". And that was leaving out that he'd already left an invitation, before the other two had come back as if they were on a mission.
"All this while they've got him... That's a bit terrifying. You think he'll be able to do what we need through puppets?"
"If anybody can do it, it's him."
".... And you'd trust him? With what you'd said in your report about what he was trying to do..."
"Have I ever been wrong about something like this before? Just call it instinct and trust me on this one."
"If you say so.".
---------------------------
Iemitsu hadn't made it in the door before there was a warning rattle of needles off the doorframe and a pair of gleaming eyes in the dark.
"What do you want?"
"Well, I was in the area, and figured I'd see how-"
"Just cut the crap and tell us what you want."
"You two can contact Rokudou somehow."
"I don't know what you're on; he's in the Vendicare."
There was another voice in back, in the dark; a young girl, woken up by the voices. "Who-"
"Chrome. Stay back." Chikusa moved to be more directly between her and the door.
"Listen, if he can hear you… we came to negotiate - we need his help."
"Why would we help you-" Ken's snarling was cut off by something that was almost like a faint change in air pressure to the more sensitive in the room, the girl stepping forward with a hand on Chikusa's shoulder, a brief signal that had the rain user stepping aside for a frail young girl in a borrowed shirt, hospital patch still covering her right eye. 'She' gave a slight glance to the side, which Chikusa answered with glance out the windows and a faint nod; a shape up on the rooftop of another part of the Kokuyo complex, likely a sniper in case things went badly.
'Chrome' pulled a chair in front of the windows, giving a slightly more obvious look at the perch before sitting down in the simple auditorium chair, back to the windows.
"I suppose we have nothing to lose in humoring you to hear you out for now."
Iemitsu had followed that look, and shifted uncomfortably, a frown flickering across his face briefly. "Rokudou Mukuro.", he nodded in acknowledgment.
"So what is it that you want from us, Vongola?"
"There's a succession conflict; in order for Tsuna to have a chance to pass it, he needs a Mist Guardian for the challenge."
Mukuro's smirk spread a little more insufferably amused. "And you want me at your son's back for this?"
That got a twinge across Iemitsu's composure that needed a second to school back. "We don't really have any other options that aren't already under the control of the other side, and even if we did, you might be the only one actually capable of this; Xanxus's Mist Guardian is one of the most powerful illusionists in the underworld."
Tactically smart, that; it indicated their nebulous internal enemy was playing information control, blinding them, nevermind who had the advantage in the general power struggle if they were getting away with it. "And if this challenge is won, then they can get in the deathblow to take over." 'His' eye dropped from Iemitsu to studying Chrome's fingernails. "Why, exactly, should I care who's in control of your Mafia? It's more Mafia either way, and the death of the ones behind us ending up in the Vendicare, at that." While he didn't shift posture, the eye flicked back up. "Or do you want me to believe it was purely accidental that there were medics and other agents and support waiting just outside our fences when Tsunayoshi came after me, hiding in fear while you sent a group of children to fight your battle for you?"
That was a good count of three, there. "Tsuna's been asking about all of you, and because of that and requests made by Reborn, there's already an indefinite stay of execution on your behalf. If you help us with this, we might even be able to negotiate a release eventually."
The one visible eyebrow arched; this wasn't Iemitsu's idea at all, it was Reborn acting on Tsuna's behalf. "So you're offering protection in exchange for my cooperation." Ken, to the side, gave an audible growl.
"If Xanxus wins this, the only reason that stay of execution will hold is to try and figure out what the Estraneo did, and the request to leave the others be for now will disappear with it." Iemitsu gestured to the side, towards Ken and Chikusa. "The Vendice aren't omniscient; we just haven't told them that we know where you all are."
The growl dropped in pitch; Mukuro raised a hand, motioning at the other two to stay still. "And what would the terms be, then? We go stay where you can watch us on leashes like good little dogs?"
Iemitsu shifted his weight, not moving from where he stood. "You'd be under Tsuna's authority, and for the time being, if Tsuna's not making direct orders, it's currenly up to Reborn to interpret what he wants. Reborn's terms are that, so long as you provide assistance when needed as fitting the Mist Guardian's post, you get to set any other terms."
Mukuro smiled; Iemitsu was just the messenger, and didn't like it. "Are there any restrictions on these terms I might set?"
"…No."
Definitely just the messenger.
Ken's disbelieving grumble was clearly meant only for Mukuro, but audible anyway. "You're not seriously thinking of agreeing to this, are you?"
There was a faint shrug to the 'girl's' shoulders as the only answer to Ken. "Kokuyo is left alone. No surveillance, no observation, no agent of yours within five miles for any purpose other than if you need to contact us or at our request; any communication is to be done via the Sun Arcabaleno or walking up to the front gate directly and waiting to be acknowledged. Ken, Chikusa, and Chrome are to be placed under protection, off-limits to any harassment that the Vongola have the authority to prevent, and any acts of self-defense or attacks on hostile elements are to be treated as such and left alone. Chrome is to be treated as interchangeable with myself for all intents and purposes, including those involving any benefit from this arrangement. I am to be given full independence and discretion on how to approach my side of the agreement, with no oversight, questioning, or expectation of reports; information I might uncover is to be shared at my discretion and times and manners of my choosing. I contact you, you do not contact me. Anyone affiliated with me at all, now or in the future, is to be left alone similarly, and neither questioned nor challenged by anyone of yours. Ken and Chikusa are to be treated as under guardianship, with no actual responsibility to any of this; any involvement they might have is to be purely at our discretion. In return, I will treat Tsunayoshi as under my protection for as long as those terms are respected."
The small flicker of an eyetic as Iemitsu was lapsing harder into a very schooled diplomatic composure only made Mukuro's smile worse. "Those terms are acceptable."
"Then I suppose I consider this an acceptable arrangement - but understand that the safety and independence of these two is my chief concern; I will ensure Tsunayoshi's safety to the best of my abilities, but if theirs is threatened, that will take priority." That there was one half of the room currently lost in silent disbelief was obvious, but Ken and Chikusa both knew not to speak up and argue, at least until the outsiders were out of the way.
"I will take personal responsibility for making sure they aren't harassed or harmed by anyone we have any control over; it will be the least I can do if you're helping Tsuna."
Not a very impressive offer to Mukuro, but at least it was a show of good faith… and if anything happened it meant a target to make an example of, as he was sure this was being recorded and others would be aware of that wording. However, if it also reflected on the Arcabaleno, that would be something possibly worth more. "In that case, I believe it is in our best interests to accept your offer; I have less quarrel with Tsunayoshi and his tutor than anyone else, here, and I do owe them for their intervention with the Vendice." He was well aware of the Arcabaleno's offered olive branch, and curious to see how far that went.
There was a moment as tension left at least part of the room - Ken and Chikusa weren't thrilled, but were still quiet and staying out of the way; somewhere in that pause, Iemitsu had a moment of watching the two others, who were distracted from keeping an eye on him by gaping at Mukuro, Chikusa glancing sideways at him before taking an unconscious step to put Ken between himself and Iemitsu. "All right. Leave it to me. I will take guardianship of the two fugitives, Kakimoto Chikusa and Joushima Ken."
Mukuro folded 'his' hands in 'his' lap with a faint chuckle. "I'm very curious though… all of my abilities have been taken from me. Even by borrowing this unique girl's body, I can only stay here for a short period of time." If he was going to do this, he certainly wasn't going to tip his hand at all to people that were probably being watched and might blow his ability to interfere, particularly not one that seemed to be a bit of a blunt instrument.
"…That doesn't matter. I want you to be Tsuna's Mist Guardian, Rokudou Mukuro."
A little too fast of a transition; maybe part of it was some kind of unneeded sympathy twinge, part of it desperation to settle the deal and remembering that he needed to engender goodwill; Mukuro didn't trust Iemitsu at all on this, nor did he think that 'goodwill' was a solid thing, but the head of CEDEF being here alone with one sniper did point towards truth to their story of the state of internal affairs.
And he was holding out a half-piece of one of the famed Vongola Rings, part of the original source of the family's power.
Mukuro stood up and walked over to accept it, taking it out of Iemitsu's hand with as little actual contact with the man as possible. 'He' studied the ring, the emblem and band split neatly in half, twirled it around the tip of Chrome's finger, and held it up, running just a small amount of power through it; the flame echoed back to him amplified, an indigo shimmer over even the half-piece. It was warm to the touch, in a way that suggested more of a living thing than just absorbed heat from being in a pocket. "Is there anything else?" The one eye glanced up, a pointed hint; he'd agreed to cooperate, but that didn't mean he wanted the company.
"…No. Thank you for your assistance." Iemitsu bowed, turned, and walked out; once he was out, Mukuro looked over his shoulder to confirm that their sniper had left.
There was silence for a few minutes, leaving more than enough time for Ken to watch out the window and make sure they were alone; Mukuro-in-Chrome's body returned to the chair, sitting heavily, already starting to feel tired. He slipped the ring on Chrome's finger, testing it; it did, at least, help stabilize the possession, although he didn't want to push it too far.
"You're really gonna go through with this?" Ken looked between Mukuro and the door, crouched next to it; Chikusa sighed, what passed for relaxing, and moved to lean against the wall.
"Right now, we don't have many options; using them as a shield might give us a chance." 'He' leaned back, Chrome's shorter frame at least enough that sinking in the chair made it easier to rest against it. "They're desperate; they can't afford to break their word right now, and in the long term, this puts me in a position to have control and influence over the great Vongola Famiglia without having to force it; I may not need to possess Sawada if I can use this position from within." Mukuro smiled faintly. "Trust me; I don't trust them - but this will prove very useful." He held up the hand with the ring, which had already altered itself to fit snugly on Chrome's small hand.
