The fight between Leon and Reborn
Summary: Reborn hated Leon. He hated Leon and everything the green Chameleon represented. Yet all Leon wants is to be accepted. So Leon will fight with everything he has to be accepted by his new master. Reborn on the other hand, not only has to deal with seeing that horrible Chemeleon every day, but he also has to get used to his new body. But slowly over time, they become the perfect partners.
Note: This story is not about the Arcobaleno, just Reborn and Leon, but this is the best place to start.
So where shall we begin? At the Start or at the End? Well, just like in Romeo and Juliet, everyone knows the ending to this story already. It ends with an adult in a baby's body, ruthlessly training a student with a green chameleon that seems to know his every wish and desire. But the question is: do you know how they got there?
No? Well, let's start where we are supposed to then- the Beginning,
In fact, we're going to start a little earlier than the Beginning…
Reborn is the world's best Hitman. Fact.
Everyone knew it, everyone feared him because of it. Many challenged him for the spot, but none came near. Reborn was untouchable, unbeatable and unrivalled. He had never failed a mission before, and no one expected him to. And he did it all alone. No back up was needed, they would just be a burden. Just a man and two CZ75 1ST guns. And that was all he needed. No one else, no other object and certainly no other animal.
Rightfully so, when the man with the Iron Mask came to him asking for Reborn to be something called an Arcobaleno, he was suspicious. He had heard of the position before, when he had been reading Vongola history books. It was always connected to the Vongola and another Family only ever referenced as the Mare. No amount of research could find out who they were. If it wasn't for his first-hand knowledge of the Vongola dying will flames, then he would have assumed the man a lunatic and totally ignored him.
But he did know what they were. He'd never used them, nor even knew what flame he had, but he knew they existed and how strong they were. And apparently there was another set, the Mare, out there that were just as strong. He even knew what the man was talking about when he said that Vongola had control over Time, in the form of Generations. Practically no one other than him knew that Nono had met Primo before, during his succession trial. In fact, he had met Primo, very briefly once before. It was during a major crisis for the Family, and Primo was reassuring Nono's Will. Reborn had burst into Nono's office to warn of an attack when he had seen Primo. The blond Boss had nodded at him before disappearing in Flames. He had sworn not to tell anyone about his experience.
So if that was true, then this other information about the Mare controlling Space in the form of Dimensions was most likely true too. And this man in the Iron Mask was asking for him to become part of a team to look after both, to make sure that the balance was kept between them and that the rings were never held by one person or group alone. Vongola rings were to stay Vongola and never be held in Mare hands, and visa-versa. But to maintain control, these people needed to be powerful, hence why he was chosen. These people were the I prescelti sette, and the best people in their chosen field.
But even with all of his knowledge, he was still suspicious. The final straw came in the form of a vision, as mystical as it sounds, that showed him what would happen if the balance was not kept. It was all too real for it to be anything other than the truth, so finally he gave in. Apparently it wouldn't even affect his daily life, he could keep doing what he wanted, and only act if worse came to worse.
Before the man in the iron hat left, he gave the Hitman a piece of paper with a time, place and date for the first group meeting.
He didn't tell anyone what was going on. He liked his secrecy after all, and no one needed to know what was going to happen to him anyway. The location was a mountain side villa hidden by trees in Italy. He sat in those trees for a while before the allotted time watching those who arrived. The first was a woman, clearly pregnant, who was humming a happy tune to herself. After her arrived a man in red, Chinese by the look of it. Reborn could tell this man was trained and deadly, merely by the relaxed aura the man had. No one walked around like that unless they knew that no one could harm them. After him arrived some idiot in leather and a helmet. Reborn really wondered what was wrong with the man. As he walked up to the door, he seemed rather scared and jittery. Yet as the man got to the door, he took a deep breath, slammed the door open and shouted out what seemed to be a threatening introduction and demanded that they all bow before him. Yep, and idiot alright. There had to be something more to the man though for him to even be here in the first place. Next to arrive was what appeared to be a scientist. He was rather sceptical of his surroundings but still entered the house anyway. Next to arrive was someone in robes, their face covered by the hood. There was a pause before the next person arrived. Reborn saw that it was another female, yet from the clothes she wore, she was in the army. COMSUBIN if he remembered correctly. She would be tough then. He could see the outlines of guns under her clothes. She was very wary of her surroundings, looking over them with a trained eye.
So now that everyone else was there, Reborn decides to make his entrance. He'd scouted out the villa earlier and knew that there were no security measures or cameras. He slips silently through the back entrance and through the shadows of the house, towards the only room with the lights on. Back against the wall and in total shadow he listens to the conversations going on inside.
"Would anyone like some tea?" asks one light female voice.
"I would love some, thank you very much" again a light voice, but slightly accented, slightly hesitant Italian. Judging by the accent it was the Chinese man.
"I demand some tea too!" a whiny voice, "ahha… um… please" The idiot once more.
"Can we get on with it; I have some very important work that I'd rather be doing" this voice was deep and slightly snarky, as if he believed he was better than the rest.
"Hmp, I'm losing money just sitting here." Oh, that was interesting. A woman's alto, but deep enough to pass as a high pitched man. Most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It must have been that person dressed in robes then.
"Shut up. If you're here then at least do a good job or just leave and go home." Her voice was gravely and slightly raw, signs that she shouted a lot. This would be Little Miss Army then.
The first woman, who must have been the pregnant woman, laughs. "We can get started as soon as our shadow joins us." Reborn can hear the sounds of the others stiffening. They all look up to find Reborn lounging against the door frame, gun raised, resting against his cheek yet pointing at the ceiling. "Would you like to sit down?" she asks, gesturing elegantly to the empty chair to her right.
"I'm fine here thanks" he replies, using his other hand to lower his fedora down. The woman shrugs before offering him tea too. "How do I know it's not poisoned?" Reborn is amazed when she just shrugs the comment off with a laugh, not offended at all.
"Now that we are all here, why don't we introduce ourselves? We are going to be working with each other so it's the least we could do. I'll go first. I'm Luce, head of the Giglio Nero Mafia Family." Her, a Mafia Boss? That was interesting. Giglio Nero: Neutral Family, rather peaceful, interested in their turf and their turf only. Nono once said the Family has the uncanny ability to be out of harm's way before it starts.
When no one else goes next, the Chinese man speaks. "I'm Fon, part of a Chinese martial arts Clan." That would explain the peaceful aura; most likely one of those only fights in defence types.
"Gyahahaha-ha-ha. I am the Great Immortal Stuntman Skull!" The idiot stands up and poses, fully expecting them to know who he was. Well, none of them cared. Luce was kind enough to clap though.
"Immortal? Che, I highly doubt that. It's not scientifically possible" scoffs the scientist. When Luce looks expectantly at him, he sighs, just wanting this to be over and done with. "I'm Verde, a scientist and inventor"
Luce moves her gaze along one seat. "You're going to have to pay me to know that information" the woman in robes says. Luce though, just keeps on smiling.
"Either introduce yourself, or I'll do it for you" the woman says, rather threateningly, yet still with a sugar sweet voice and smile.
"Fine. I'm Viper, a Psychic and illusionist" Reborn suspected that the woman meant the Flame type of illusions too rather than the smoke and mirrors kind. Her control over Flames was most likely her reason for being chosen.
When eyes turn to the next woman she answers straight away, knowing there was no getting out of this. "I'm Lal, Leader of COMSUBIN"
And finally, all eyes turn to the man in the doorway. "I'm Reborn, Worlds Greatest Hitman" Ha, you should have seen the Idiots face when Reborn said that. Whilst Reborn was going to give them that, he wasn't going to say anymore. His name and reputation could easily be found out- not that he could be linked to any of the crimes he committed of course.
"Good. Well, it's nice to meet you all. I'm assuming that you all know why you are here?" Says Luce. The others all nod. "We are going to become the next generation of Arcobaleno." She explains. "We are here to keep the balance of the world at peace. Whenever the existence of time and space are threatened, we need to be there to solve the problem, or to watch over those who fix it."
Did this… Luce, know what she sounded like saying something like that? Too bad she really meant it and it was all true. Becoming a Saviour of Time and Space was not a title Reborn expected to ever have, nor to ever say. They all sounded like a gaggle of 7 year olds acting in some play or staring in an anime.
"We are only expected to interfere if things get very bad. In addition, we must keep an eye on the Clam and Sea rings. The Clam rings are currently in the possession of Vongola Mafia Family, and have been ever since the Family came into existence. The Sea Rings are currently in the possession of the Mare Family however they are currently dormant. They have been dormant for quite a few centuries. The Sky Mare ring will awaken once it finds its rightful owner."
"So that man was right? We just appear every now and again? We might never even be needed to do anything?" Asks the Idiot Skull, with some rather useful questions.
"That's right. Everything is business as normal until something happens" Luce replies. She didn't say anything about not being needed though. "However when something does come up, it's top priority"
There is a quiet scoff from the scientist and the psychic at this. Neither seemed the type to drop their work. For Reborn it would depend on what was going on at the time. Knowing him, he'd just finish the work quickly and move on, no problem.
"If there is a summons for Arcobaleno purposes, you must attend." She states firmly. The others just say quiet, not contesting the order. Verbally at least.
They talk for a little longer. "I think that will be sufficient for our first meeting. I'll see you all next time"
What they didn't realise was that two people were watching them and everything they did at this meeting and the ones that would follow. The two watchers didn't confront each other, preferring to stay as far away as possible. One of them was the orchestrator, the man with the iron hat and mask. He watched them and wondered if they were going to be as boring as the last group of Arcobaleno. Then again nothing threatening had happened to force the last generation into action. He had a feeling this time was going to be different. He was more interested in what disability to put on this group this time. For the last Generation, it was to increase their Phobia's and give them new ones. The fear of fire, of being touched, of fighting, of insects, of technology, of the dark, of diseases. He's bestowed these upon each of them and heightened them significantly. He was being rather mean to the Sky Arcobaleno by giving them a fear of flames, since this would include the physical appearance of the Dying Will Flames. And of course, the Sky Arcobaleno still had the shortened life span, that hadn't changed even if the people had.
But what to do this time?
The other watcher was a pawn, a player and piece in the game of the first, one doomed to play for all eternity. However he did have certain perks in return. Immortality was one of them, if it could be called a perk. He also had stronger powers than the rest of them. The only downside to being a pawn was that with each new generation of Arcobaleno, his cursed changed. He would have killed Iron Mask if the man had given him the fear of the Dark. It would have hindered his work. Instead, he had been cursed with the fear of needle, which had affected his work but not as much. He got around that though by giving those jobs to subordinates.
After a few more meetings the fateful day arrived. That day was eventful even before the 'big event'. For a start, when Luce arrived, it was clear that she had given birth. The baby was not with her though, which was a good thing. The second interesting thing that happened, was that they all found out that someone was crazy enough to love Lal. As they were half way up the mountain, Reborn had had enough of the feeling of being watched- he didn't particularly want anyone to watch whatever ceremony was going to take place either- and decided to speak up. The man who appeared seemed to be following Lal and wanted to take her place. It was clear to everyone that they had feelings for each other, even if both sides pretended otherwise. Lal hid it behind her tough exterior whilst trying to fight blushes at the boys flirting. The boy, who was called Colonnello, must have loved the woman to be willing to swap places with her. It was that or some strange Knight Complex. After a fight, Lal sent the boy away, but Reborn was sure that the boy wouldn't be far away. When Luce looked at the pair, she seemed rather sad, as if knowing that they couldn't be together.
When they arrived at the top of the mountain, Iron Mask was waiting for them, a broad smile on his face. He looked like he was enjoying this, which made Reborn suspicious. What was about to happen that was smile worthy? Iron Mask didn't say anything, no one did. He just turned and walked to the middle where there was a stone podium and a box. Standing behind the box, he spread his arms as if presenting it before flicking one hand to call them forwards. He took the lid off the box and moved backwards , out of the way. The group all formed a circle around the box before peering inside at its contents. They were…
Pacifiers?
What the hell?
From his viewpoint, the eternal player couldn't see what was in the box, but knew what must be in there- their symbols. In that box would be 7 different coloured symbols that identified them as Arcobaleno. He fingered his own one hidden under the swath of cloth he was wearing. He had only looked at it once, before nearly passing out. It was a clear crystal in the shape of a syringe, symbolising his Cursed fear of needles. Each of the previous generation of Arcobaleno had one, in different colours of the rainbow, all in the shape of their Phobias. Iron Mask had found it funny, and used it as a way to remind them of his power over them. However since he couldn't look into the box from here he didn't have a clue to what it was. Although after changing curses this many times, he wasn't really bothered. His subordinates would help him through it; they were made not to judge him.
No one noticed Iron Mask disappear, too focused on the box. Although the Player did see the sarcastic wave in his direction Iron Mask gave him. Luce however, didn't seem confused nor surprised at their shape, and even gave a little smile. Reborn assumed that it was to do with Luce's new-born Aria. Now though, he knows different.
"Well everybody, let's get this started." She says smiling at them all and placing her hand into the large box, hovering over the orange one. Reborn felt a distinct pull towards the yellow one, so hovered his hand over that one. As soon as everyone else had chosen, Luce smiles "Here we go" and grabs her one.
There is a bright blinding light, forcing Reborn to close his eyes, but even then all he can see is white. He hears a laugh, loud, happy and long. Reborn recognises that laugh as the laugh of an ill deserved winner, like someone who had just watched their enemy fall into their trap. A pins and needles type of feeling covers his whole body but the pain escalates. Reborn grits his teeth and bears with it, never shouting out or making any other sound- although he doesn't think he's capable of making a sound at this point.
For a moment, the pain fluctuates, becoming less and the light dims briefly, before coming back full force. Reborn would question that if he could think past the pain. But he can't. And at some point he passes put.
Iron Mask watches on in glee as the ceremony is interrupted; that fool Colonnello pulling Lal away from the box and taking hold of the blue pacifier himself. He's even happier to see that Lal is still affected by his chosen curse too. As the light fades and the New Arcobaleno are presented, he stands in the middle of the unconscious ring and laughs once more, proud over his latest victory. He leaves behind his present for them all before taking the box and leaving them there.
When Reborn wakes up, before he can assess the damage to his body, the first thing he sees is a very large green face and two large eyes, practically an inch away from him.
And that's when the shouts of surprise begin.
Right, this chapter was just to lay the foundation and once again, this story is not about the Arcobaleno at all really, just about the relationship between Reborn and Leon, who shall be arriving properly next chapter. Also, I made Luce give birth before this since I don't think it's possible for her to give birth to a healthy baby when she herself is not much larger than said baby. If Aria shrunk too whist in Luce's womb, I don't think she would have grown up correctly.
This is roughly based upon the flashbacks in the Arcobaleno Trials Arc. However, since that's in the anime only, I decided to change it.
Hope to see you all next chapter.
Phantom Hitman 1412
First Published 25 April 2012
