"This… doesn't seem normal."

"No, no it does not."

Timoteo looked at the bloody writing on the walls. Ganache and Coyote were with him. There had been members of the staff reporting strange sounds coming from this part of the mansion - an older section, thick with dust and rarely used. Of course, Timoteo wouldn't usually bother with something that seemed so small; the Vongola Mansion was old, strange sounds were bound to come about. But then one of the maids had claimed to have seen a dead body, only for it to disappear when she got close, Timoteo decided to come over himself - and of course, he was accompanied by his guardians.

They didn't find a dead body, but they all agreed this seemed worse.

For Every Soul Vongola Has Silenced

A Drop Of Blood Spilled

Until You Have Been Bled Dry.

"I'm no expert," Timoteo said, dabbing his finger on the red and bringing it to his face, experimentally sniffing it. Yes, definitely blood. "But I'd say this looks like a ghost or a haunting."

"Maybe that's just what he wants you to think." Coyote folded his arms, reading over the words again. They were in perfect Italian and didn't look like they had been painted on with a finger. Instead it was in more of a loopy, almost pretty calligraphy if it wasn't for what the letters said.

"I doubt anybody could've gotten in. Not impossible, of course, but I doubt it." Ganache said. It wasn't like this was the first time they'd come across spirits. There was, after all, the Vongola rings. And you definitely don't kill as many men as they had without one or two coming back with a vengeance. Still, there hadn't been any deaths over here - at least not as long as their generation had been around.

"Even if it is a spirit, it hasn't done anything to us yet. I can't be a terribly strong one." Coyote added.

"Just to be safe, I'll send for an esper immediately." Timoteo said, beginning to turn around. He had a meeting to attend soon.

"Wait, Tim," Ganache was still looking at the message, "Could I ask a favor of you?"

"What is it?" The Ninth asked.

"I know it's dangerous to leave a spirit lying around, but Coyote had a point; it hasn't done anything too bad yet." Ganache turned around and faced his two friends

"It clearly has a vendeta against us-" Timoteo started with a sigh.

"No, of course it needs to be exorcised," Ganache agreed, "But I haven't seen by nephew in years. He currently is running a business: Spirits and Such. I've never seen him use any esper abilities, but even if it he isn't one it'd be a nice excuse to get to see him again." Ganache mused.

"Family is important." Timoteo nodded. "Alright, send for your nephew. I'll admit, I've been curious to know how the kid's been getting along."

oOo

Reigen looked through his emails. Things had been slowly recently - not too slow that he was worried, but slow enough that he was constantly checking his email for what else may come. Things had been good recently. Perhaps there was something to the saying 'any publicity is good publicity', considering that despite how quickly things had gone downhill after his shameful display on tv and the incident at the press conference, Spirits and Such was doing well. A lot of people sent in email accusing him of faking the display at the press conference, and each one he vehemently denied. The crowds in front of his house and buildings, looking only to shame him, had now vanished and been replaced by actual customers

Bottom line, things were good.

"Master, there's a bird out here."

If the bird would just stop tapping on the window.

"I know Mob, just ignore it. It's been trying to get in all day." Reigen flapped his hand. The tapping continued and when Reigen looked over Mob was still standing at the windowsill, looking out at the bird.

"Master, it's holding a letter."

Now that caught Reigen's attention. He pushed himself away from his desk and walked over next to Mob. The bird was still there, tapping at the window, and it looked at Reigen with sharp and intelligent eyes that made the man recoil a bit. There was indeed a letter clutched in its beak, as well as a string of beads around its neck

"Mob, you'd tell me if you knew magic was real, right?" Reigen squinted at the bird. Mob nodded. "Can't you just, grab the letter with your telekinesis?"

Mob splayed his hand out, and the familiar sort of crystalline-indigo of his aura surrounded the letter. The bird let go of it and cawed insistently. Reigen opened the window a bit, but that was all the bird needed, quickly nudging the window open farther and slipping in, landing on the chair for client and still staring at Reigen. Reigen sighed and left the window open - it was a nice day, and there was no need to close it when Mob would need it open to put the bird back outside in a minute.

"Here." Mob floated the letter over to Reigen.

The man inspected it, admittedly a bit surprised and disappointed when the hogwarts seal wasn't on it. It took him a moment to place the seal that was, on it, because though it was familiar it had been a while since Reigen had last seen it. The two crossing shotguns, the clam at the stop, the bullet in a shield in the center, a ton of loops that had absolutely no meaning as far as Reigen could discern.

"Oh." Was the only word Reigen could formulate when he finally realized what it was. Mob looked at him questioningly or - or, well, as questioningly as Mob ever looked - but Reigen didn't offer a reply, simply breaking the seal and folding out the letter.

Dear Arataka Reigen,

On the behalf of the Ninth Leader of the Vongola, your services have been requested. A spirit has made its presence known in the Vongola Mansion, and we desire nothing less than the best in his field to come and take care of this matter for us. We are to understand that you have the best esper of the century, and thus would like you to be the one to do so.

On April 8th, at 12:00 pm there will be a private jet waiting for you in Seasoning Airport. You will be brought directly to the Vongola Mansion to deal with this threat. You may bring anyone or anything you feel you may need. Your stay here will last as long as it needs to.

We are willing to pay for any sum that you require.

Sincerly,

Ganache III, Lightning Guardian of the Ninth Vongola

P.S. It's been too long since I've seen you! I can't wait to see how big you've gotten, Arataka!

There was even a lightning flame, crackling gently, at the bottom of the note to authenticate it.

"Well," Reigen licked his lips, staring at the letter still, "It looks like we're going to Italy."