did notice the numbers of thugs milling around the house thinning out recently. Then again, Kaoko was another force to contend with

if she'll ever reach Kaoko's level in the future...

...knew he was forgetting something, now that he's read Kaoko's latest e-mail to him. He calls Chrome up.

just typing a message to Takeshi when the phone rings. Caller ID tells her it's... Squalo. She answers "... how was vacation, Squalo?"

Not a vacation at all. You been keeping yourself busy, girl? Viper says that he's been sending you marks to check out. >D

... no. I haven't been checking my mail for some time now. I thought you were my "handler", not Viper ¬_¬

If it wasn't a vacation, where have you been? An assignment?

HAHAHA, well. I've been... occupied.

Anyway, when I get back, I hope to see you with a few more kills under your belt.

...Intoccabile tells me you're living with her and Cavallone's brat.

... fine, fine. I'll check my mail later.

Umn. The Boss' place was already too crowded.

Hou.

Well, that arrangement makes it easier for both of us. Intoccabile's made herself my supervisor, after all.

why Chrome isn't attaching herself to Mukuro though, given the way the girl used to act.

So how did that wild kid take your breach into his territory? I never got to ask. >D

He only brought it up once, and that was way back in Italy. I doubt if he'll bring it up again.

Heh. Odd of him to be so... tolerant. Cavallone must be keeping him occupied.

grudgingly impressed. For now. He still hasn't been able to test the Vongole's Cloud Guardian in the way he'd want to yet.

merely says "Mm." And wonders if Dino-san was still in Kyouya's room. "He has his hands full with Dino-san."

pauses, and frowns at something, as if she just remembered something important she had to do...

"... I'll have to call you back", and clicks her phone shut.

blinks, then shuts his own phone with a little laugh. At least that girl's an interesting one.

quickly punched in a message for Takeshi: "Dino-san told me about the training hall. I'm sorry I wasn't there for the repairs...

paused for a moment, and added "... do you know where Hibari-san went? But anyway, if you're with the boss, I'm going to their house now"

re-reads the message one more time before hitting the send button and clicking it shut the second time

...really glad he put his phone on silent. He's, uh, kind of busy spying on Tsuna & Hibari right now. x_X

checks the message from his hiding place. He smiles & texts Chrome with, "No worries, he and the boss are with me."

adds "Let's train again sometime~!" before clicking send. He goes back to watching his two friends talk.