Hi. My name is QueenRaven04 and some of you previously know me as RavenHimeSama - writer of GA fics. I know, it's been a while but I have a very dominant KHR addiction these past few months and I can't get it out of my system that I just had to write something. So. Here it is.

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Do You Believe in Reincarnation?

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A smile forced itself on his wrinkled face as he observed the chaos that was happening on the massive lawn of the Vongola Estate. Said chaos was supposed to pass as a normal birthday party – normal that means, the civilian type of normal and not the Vongola-slash-Mafia type of normal.

In his lifetime and dealings with the Vongola, no type of explosions nor death threats within the Family radius ever surprises him anymore; because as what his observations told him, these types of occurrences within the Family, especially ones that involve the Guardians meant everybody in the Family is breathing and healthy – emotionally and physically at that.

He watched as the Tenth Generation Vongola Guardians and the Varia decide that it was the best moment to start the main dish of the day. The ever traditional, Vongola Style food fight. Of course, when the two words 'Vongola' and 'Style' were added before an action, one should expect that whatever that was meant to happen was anything but close to their type of normalcy.

As he continued to observe from his hidden position, he concluded that none of the parties involve will live to tell the tale of the fight – especially of one Poison Expert was in charge of the food that they will use.

You might be wondering if whose birthday everybody celebrated. Simple. It was Decimo's birthday.

Oh no, young Tsunayoshi hasn't succeeded the Vongola throne yet. He was still under the Ninth Boss' wing to train and prepare for his up and coming inheritance ceremony when he turns 20 the next year. And that explains why the Tenth Generation was in Italy.

He had always admired the next boss. From Tsunayoshi's heart that was kind and accepting to the firm resolve of wanting to protect the people that he loves – it made him remember of his own pupil who grew into a man that exceeded his expectations.

And that admiration managed to wake the soul in him and reminded him of his mission towards the Vongola Famiglia. To serve not only as the loyal metal craftsman and historian of the Famiglia but also as the mentor and advisor every Vongolian Boss should seek.

After all, it was Talbot who made Giotto, the Great Sky of the Family, control his flames and strengthen his resolve.

And he was willing to teach everything he knew to the next Boss. He was willing to be a mentor again.

"I believe that position is currently occupied old man." A strong, protective, almost threatening voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He didn't turn in surprise nor did he give away any signs of it. In contrary to what everybody sees, his reflexes or intuition were still far from being rusty and Talbot already sensed Reborn walk towards him ever since the food fight that the hitman initiated, started.

"That idiot that was going to succeed as Vongola Decimo already has a mentor." A smirk in his voice, "So I believe you should just remain to your blacksmith job."

Talbot let out an amused chuckle. The arrogant air that surrounds the Sun Arcobaleno did suit him when he is in his adult form after all.

"I can see that, Reborn." Not that it will stop me of course. "Anyways, I believe you wanted to ask me something, Arcobaleno. Do get on with it."

Reborn was not surprise that Talbot knew his intentions. This was a man who lived hundreds of years surviving the Vongola and its challenges. This was a man who was believed to mentor the greatest boss the Vongola Family ever had.

And this is the man who has eyes on his pupil. Reborn thought. Of course. If one can't see the wealth of potential within Tsunayoshi, then one must admit that he was a fool or just be ready to meet a parade of misfortunes coming at his way.

Anyway, Reborn proceeded to lean on a tree and said, "It is common knowledge to the family and in our world that Vongola Secondo was the one who took the reign from Primo. Though we all know that it was Spade's doing. Correct?"

Talbot wasted no moments of silence and answered a quick yes. "And the Vongola Primo who knew about Spade's betrayal and ideologies still resigned early and let him ran the strings through Secondo." The old man listened to the hitman well, all the while welcoming the flash backs that reminded him of his own pupil's emotions as he encountered one heartbreak after another. "My question is, why did Primo go to Japan after resigning so early? What made him let go of his reign and allowed Spade's influence to stain the clean name of the Vongola?"

Talbot gave a tired nod that fit naturally in his old man image. He might be a blind man but he was gifted with a vision no one else managed to possess.

He looked at the mess the Tenth Generation of the Vongola and the Varia made before deciding to ask the hitman a question that will oddly fit in their conversation.

"Before I answer that question, tell me Sun Arcobaleno Reborn," He moved slightly so he could face the hitman as he said the next line, "Do you believe in Reincarnation?"

Surprise, especially in his line of work, never works for him anymore but what Talbot asked him surely made a bow on one of his refined eye brows. "Reincarnation?" Reborn repeated. "A curious case, but no. I don't believe in such phenomenon but you tell me, Talbot. You have lived enough years to probably witness one."

"But won't you make an exemption when you see and compare the Vongola of the past and the future?" Talbot asked in a riddle and Reborn knew that. He wanted the hitman to see his point while using the First and Tenth Generations of Vongola as examples. "Perhaps. But Reincarnation is not the topic I wish to indulge in this conversation with you, historian."

The old man laughed and wanted to pursue the topic but decided otherwise. Such talks could wait unlike his situation where he should decide to play with the hitman; it could probably cost him his head – not that he could though.

Nonetheless, he answered as one would expect when inquiring from a historian.

"That history was never touched before, hitman but it was one of the greatest, most vital one in our history yet I wonder why no one inquired for deeper information." Talbot sighed as he readied himself in explaining the fall of Vongola's Great Sky.

"Yes, you are right in saying that Giotto did know about Daemon Spade's betrayal and ideologies in making Vongola the strongest, most feared Mafia Family in existence but let me tell you, boy, Giotto was more than ready in facing the challenges thrown at him. His Vongola Hyper Intuition helped a lot on those moments and so did the rest of his Guardians. But nothing could have prepared my pupil to the tragedy that befall on him."

"Tragedy?" Reborn wondered. The only tragedy he knew about the First Boss was when he was betrayed by his Mist Guardian.

What was this tragedy Talbot was talking about?

"Now, I would like to request that this history would remain between us until some brave soul asks again, Arcobaleno, for this one is personal in that man's heart." Talbot said with a sad smile dancing in his painfully, wrinkled face. "No man could actually take the hurt likewise to what my pupil had to endure, that was why no one from the First Famiglia ever talked about it after they moved and started a new life after Giotto resigned as the Vongola head. Do you swear to remain silent of this matter until the need arises, boy?" Talbot asked.

Reborn could only nod.

The curiosity of what happened overwhelms him.

"She was an enemy's daughter you see, the cheerful Allegra from the Gaetano Famiglia." Reborn frowned upon hearing the topic.

Could it be that Primo already had a family and descendants that passed his knowledge? Is Tsuna's succession being challenged then if there is another descendant out there with the Vongola Blood flowing on his veins? Moreover, was Primo's tragedy, like Daemon's, was caused by a woman? If then, then Reborn ought to be more careful towards the fairer sex.

They seem to be the bearers of destruction to a man's soul.

"She was a lively woman who indeed lived up to her name as the Happiness of the Gaetano town." Talbot smiled as Reborn observed, he seem to be remembering the woman as a comrade and an equal of his pupil if the raw emotion could tell only tell the hitman. "Her hair flowed in lovely brunette tresses, and her eyes twinkled of expensive amber… Giotto would talk nonsense about her during my visits and I could tell that he really was in love with the young miss.

"Of course, the Guardians who knew about his feelings, G and Asari Ugetsu, warned him of the consequences but he paid no heed to them and secretly courted the Miss behind the Gaetano Don's back." Talbot explained.

"A rather cowardly act, if I must say." Reborn said.

"Correct. But it was the only way Giotto could have expressed his love towards the maiden without anyone's head being sliced off. A cowardly act indeed but a rather safe one." Talbot said as he recalled the days where he witnessed the green boy inside his well refined pupil. Seeing the First Boss like that was part of the rare and beautiful momentary visits he did with the Family and for a moment there, he was rather happy for his student.

Until…

"The day came when Giotto announced to the three of us that he was to be married with Allegra Gaetano." To this, Reborn heard Talbot's shaky chuckle. It was as if the mentor was still amused and impressed of his student's decision to suddenly marry. "I remember Asari Ugetsu's words when we heard of his plan, Giotto plans to get married but Vongola Primo plans the how part of it. The three of us certainly found it smart that he chose a moonless night to marry. Giotto was a romantic while Vongola Primo was a Mafia Don who planned not to be seen during the occasion and again, succeeded to be safe."

Reborn let a small, amused smile bloom on his face.

He certainly respected the man who founded the Vongola, but hearing Giotto's mentor talk about his follies made the hitman think of his own wards – the Tenth and succeeding Vongola Guardians. There was still a big amount of to be paid off if he would compare the strengths of Vongolr Primo to Dame-Tsuna; of course the latter was quick to adapt and climb levels but after hearing Talbot, Reborn was reminded that even Giotto was prone to being human and even fell in love with a woman whose famiglia was an enemy to his own.

He made a mental note to check the background of any female Tsunayoshi will choose in the future. The boy already got over his silly crush with Sasagawa Kyoko and Reborn will make sure that his ward, his student – his son will not suffer the same tragedy Giotto managed to pull at himself.

"So the marriage happened." At this, Talbot was quiet for a while. As if hesitating if he should continue or not.

"To tell you the truth, their love story and marriage was more or less, almost akin to that of Abelard and Heloise*, have you heard of their love story, boy?" Talbot asked before he moved his body slightly so he could face the party again.

"Yes." Of course, Reborn thought. Theirs was witness to the tragedies of love. It was actually Bianchi who told him about the love story since he was a big fan of love stories just like how Tsuna was a big fan of the Mafia.

"They continued to live their secret life as husband and wife through letters and brief meetings under the moonless sky. But then, even if two people could hide their love to the world, the result of their union will eventually be the one to give them out."

Reborn frowned. So, there wasn't just a girl…

"Yes. Allegra got pregnant however, Gaetano Don believed that she has given her virtue outside of marriage. If there was one thing I would praise in Gaetano, it would be his love for his daughter. He was a forgiving father and accepted her mistake. With that, the secret of Giotto and Allegra was safe."

"If Gaetano was a loving father as you say he was, then why didn't Allegra and Primo just told him their feelings? Surely, if their emotion is pure enough he would give his consent?" Reborn asked. Talbot nodded and took his question into consideration. "Touché, hitman however, if there was a stain in Gaetano's soul, it was his vengeful trait that made him a feared Don. You see, one of the guards under Giotto accidentally killed Gaetano's mentally disabled son – reason enough for the Don to have revengeful spirit towards the Vongola."

"I see." Reborn could only nod. "So, he eventually found out." It wasn't a statement. It was a guess. His heart wanted to believe that Gaetano never found out but his hitman self knew otherwise.

"Yes he did. But not before Allegra gave birth to a son and young Luca reached the age of five." Talbot explained.

Luca de Vongola.

"I met him twice," Talbot smiled, and looked at the party again. "He was such a charming boy with his mother's brown hair and brown eyes. Though sometimes I knew his eyes would turn a golden hue whenever he encountered a storm of emotions." The hitman knew the description almost sounded familiar.

"How did Gaetano found out?" Reborn asked – wanting to know the end of the tragedy Talbot was talking about.

The old man however, stopped for a moment – as if taking the time to verify the memory if it truly happened or not. And then he sighed, knowing he had no other option but to say it out loud and make the nightmares real again.

"The Gaetano Don had his daughter and grandson followed. And the next thing I knew about what happened to Allegra and young Luca was that their heads were sent to Giotto in a cheap bag of sack."

Reborn have seen men mourn. But to imagine the invincible Primo mourn was hard.

The hitman knew a lot about the Sky flames and the few people gifted to such a rare element. He knew about their ability to accept anyone and anything that comes in their way, but surely there is a limit on how accepting and adaptable they could be right? They were humans that suffer hurt. It was hard enough to imagine the Vongola Primo to suffer such pain, but when Reborn imagined his sons, Tsuna and Dino suffer such lost, he knew that no law would bound him in destroying the source of it.

To lose a wife and a son…

It was probably akin as to losing all of his guardians at the same time.

"The pain was unbearable especially if he can't let it out. He can't kill and he will not dishonour the memories of his wife and son by slaying the father and grandfather they both knew. It was the tragedy that even his Hyper Intuition could not save him from. It was the time that Giotto realized that their world has darkened and it was time for him to step down. I guess he just couldn't bear being in the same world as the one who took his wife and son from him." Talbot explained and the only thing Reborn could do was nod.

He has seen invincible men who all surrendered to one weakness or another. Men like Xanxus whose weakness was the betrayal of a father and his ignorance to the truth. Men like Dino whose literal weakness were the loss of his men. Men like Hibari Kyoya whose weakness was the recollection of one, specific defeat. And men like Tsuna who's weakness was also his strength.

But a family's annihilation could bring considerable damage to a man's soul. Because there were also men like Reborn who will never admit their weakness because, truth to be told, he didn't have one. But only look at his wards the wrong way and he will bring you down.

"Have I satisfied your curiosity, hitman?" Talbot asked and Reborn could only nod – emotions were still swaying back and forth before he let his logic take over.

"They say, the souls that Resurrect are those who haven't finished their missions from the previous life. Do you believe that, Sun Arcobelano?" Talbot asked as he walked towards the forests' clearing.

Reborn scoffed – finally seeing why Talbot asked him about Resurrection earlier. "Are you telling me that Primo wasn't able to finish his life mission before and Resurrected now as Dame-Tsuna?" He smirked and mentally laugh to see that the once refined and respected Vongola Primo has resurrected as an overly clumsy boy that was going hailed as Vongola Decimo in a year's time.

Talbot stopped his walk when he was in front of the hitman and shook his head in amusement. "Alas, you were not gifted by the vision just like mine. You were rather given the strength and the accurate scheming and logic. You will not see the things that I see, boy."

The hitman frowned. "What do you mean, old man?"

"You have to use the brain of yours to discover who's who now, Sun Arcobaleno. I have given you the details and it's time for you to groom him well so he could take what was rightfully his." Reborn knew Talbot sometimes talked in riddles. But he certainly hated how he talked in clues when all he wanted was a straight answer.

"But I tell you this, hitman, for I have seen it a million times whenever Decimo succeeds." Talbot turned to leave. Though he did give the last clue to Reborn so he could know who's who.

"Primo is proud and he certainly smiles at the kid."

It didn't take long for him to realize the answer. He was, after all, the greatest hitman in the world. He knew the hidden message and now, he found the resolve to do his mission again. He will make Tsuna a splendid Mafia Don and he will do it right – although Tsuna will be Eight Generations late.

After all, Giotto is a proud father and certainly smiles at his son – the one who should have succeeded as Vongola Secondo.

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END

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Abelard and Heloise - this is one of the famous love stories in the world since it the lovers, after the separation, was forced to make do with love letters as their only sense of communication. It was said that the two only reunited in death. They are currently resting in the Pere Lachaise cemetery.

And to those who did not understand the ending, it means the Tsuna is the Reincarnation of Primo's son, Luca.

Until next time, Ciao!