Prologue

The night was dark, only the stars and the moon were the only source of light at this dark and dreary place. Although there were a few street lights lit here and there. The night was cold and windy, the trees swaying side to side but it didn't faze the assassin one bit, who was standing in the shadows, watching silently and carefully with keen eyes aimed at the streets.

The assassin was a girl who clothed herself in a black and red. She wore a rather interesting kimono. Of course it was black and red but it was a little gothic and had a somewhat modern pirate twist to it. Although it might sound odd, it actually suited herself and therefore became her work outfit. Also being practical, she wore a simple black pant along with wearing matching red and black shoes. A full black porcelain mask (She alternates between a full mask and a half mask depending on each situation.) covered her face, keeping her true identity a secret. Crimson eyes peered down below through her mask, giving anyone who watched her the chills. Some of her straight long black hair framed her face while the rest were pulled back into a bun, adorned by two simple black hair ornaments.

The assassin had her hands occupied by two hybrid weapons. Engineered (the idea was hers though) by someone who owed her a big favor (more like she threaten the poor person after she had saved their asses more than she should), they were made to shift into three forms at will; fans, swords, and guns. They were made in mind in utilizing her abilities to the maximum. Currently, it was in the form of two steel fans, both still deadly since the edge of the fans were as sharp as a knife.

The assassin still stood there in the shadows, weapons clenched tight, waiting for someone or rather something. There was a loud caw, signaling that something was getting closer. She raised her arm, waiting and surely enough, a raven landed on her hand softly, keeping it's sharp talons from harming the girl. She shifted her gaze once she felt one of the other ravens landing on her shoulder. Both of the ravens looked at her, staring at her with their beady eyes. It would be unsettling to other people, being watched by such creature but the assassin simply raised her hand and petted them both fondly.

They endured her petting for a moment before reminding her of the current situation. They launched themselves into the air, then flying toward the direction they found the target in. The girl smirked behind her mask and went after them. She launched herself into the air then nimbly jumping roof to roof like a rabbit until she saw the ravens perching at a one of the old warehouses. She landed quietly on the roof, leaning over the dome glass, to take a good look at the ground below, calculating her moves. After a few minutes of thinking, she opened the window of the dome slowly, not making a sound. Quiet as a cat, she entered the building, descending to the floor safely with grace.

The girl straighten from her position and scanned the ground to look for her target. She tched, from her angle, she couldn't even see him. She moved quickly across the walkway in order to get a better view. Her current mission was save this kid from a rich family (with the least amount of scratches) and kill those that took him. According to her sources, the leader of this group was actually a low rated mafia boss. Anyhow, the man thought that the quickest way to earn money was to, of course, kidnap the boy and demanded ransom from the boy's father.

Typical. She quietly scoffed. You would think that this man would have brighter ideas but no, he had to go the old fashion way. Honestly, they were many other ways to take money but this? This was just classic. This mission was going to be easy anyway but first, she's got to find the boy and remove him from harm's way.

The assassin scanned the floor again and when she finally spotted him, her eyes narrowed and her lips curled in disgust. Her target was currently sitting in a chair, of to the side from the circle of men that were supposed to be watching him. The poor boy was tied up, gagged, red rimmed closed. The boy had bags under his eyes. There were two dried trails of tears on his cheeks, indicating that he had cried during his ordeal. Also, he was scared shitless. Really scared due to the fact that those dried trails were just a little fresh, which meant that the boy recently shed tears.

Anger bubbled inside of her. Children should never be means of ransoms because those that come out alive, experience trauma. They shouldn't ever experience such things. It was ironic though, since she went through a similar ordeal, except darker. Bloodier. The assassin shuddered as some of the memories of her past began to rise. She shook her head, getting rid of the memories she never want to see, pop up again. She had a mission to accomplish and that was to save the boy. Her lips drew up in glee at the second part of the mission. She was certain that these bastard were going to get what was coming at them.

In blood.

And oh was she going to enjoy this.

The girl looked around and to figure out who the boss is. There was light coming from the office that caught her attention. Ah, that's must where the boss is, no doubt trying to get the ransom money from the boy's father. It was a good thing that the blinds were closed and that the guy was busy. Now it was time to make her move. She whispered to the ravens about her plans, gesturing to the boy in the chair and up at the roof, telling them that she needed them to get the boy's attention and keep him quiet so she can move the boy unnoticed.

They nodded, showing that they understood her plans. They flew off quietly, one of them landing on the boy's shoulder to keep watch on the men, the other landing in front of the boy. The raven on his shoulder softly pecked his cheek, waking him up. He slowly opened his eyes, expecting one of the men teasing him but saw instead two ravens. He opened his eyes wide in surprise. Birds never come close to humans unless they were pets...

The ravens looked at each other in amusement as the boy's brain had finally caught up to him. One of them turned toward the girl, keeping it's gaze on its owner. The boy followed the bird's gaze, wondering what it's looking at and figured it out when he saw a pair of crimson eyes from the shadows looking at him. He could barely make the outline of her body but still, he was raised with hope that whoever who this person is, they're here to save him. The boy watched as the girl lifted her arm out of the shadows and raised one finger to where her lips should be. The boy quickly nodded his agreement. The assassin grinned with amusement. She couldn't blame him. She understood his desire to get out of there fast and back to his family.

Then she smirked and raised a hand. A large gust of wind and dust blew into the building from all the openings. The air came through the cracks, the windows, you name it. The wind rushed in like a mad men, making everyone blind. The boy was of no exception. He quickly closed his eyes and mouth as tightly as possible, hoping the dust won't get into them. The assassin made her move. She swooped down as everyone was distracted, landing near the boy. She quickly sliced through the ropes at the boy's hands and feet. After she freed him, she flew through the same window that she entered from and jumped two buildings over.

"You can open your eyes now," she said softly as she set the boy down. The boy quickly opened his eyes with shock. He didn't expected a girl to come save him. That's kind of embarrassing but considering that she managed to escape without a scratch from those men that kidnapped him, he let it fly this time. After all, he's glad to even be alive.

"Stay here with Mio and Mao". She pointed to her ravens. It wasn't a question. It was an order. The boy nodded but quickly grabbed onto her sleeve as she turned to finish the second part of the mission. His grip loosened as he saw her crimson eyes narrowed at him.

"What are you going to do?" the boy ask shakily. Her crimson eyes soften a bit at the boy and just petting his head just a bit.

"You don't want to know," she said coolly but her eyes grew darker. The boy gulped and quickly released her sleeved. The girl sighed. "I'm going to kick butt and I want you to stay so I know you're safe." Ha, kicking butt was only putting it nicely.

Without further adieu (and before the boy could say anything *cough*), she went back to the building, the boy watching her jumping across the rooftops again before disappearing back in the building to finish the job.

The assassin sighed as she entered the building the same way she had came through a couple times. Now that he was safe, she could kill with little mercy. She took a glance at the men that were still blinded while their boss was still inside, oddly enough since there is a large commotion outside, possibly rampaging and shouting to the phone. She sighed. She should have just killed them while they're distracted but, due to all the stress that she has been experiencing lately, she wants to play around a little before ending their stupid lives. With another flick of her wrist, the little mini storm she created disappeared as if it never had happened.

The men rubbed their eyes after the gust of dust ended. "What the hell was that?" one of the murmured. Some of them shrugged, thinking that it really was nothing. Stupid really. She thought as she continue to bide her time.

"Don't know but that was really creepy," another said. Some of them murmured in agreement. They turned to look for the boy, to see if he was still there. Unfortunately for them, all what was left of the boy was an empty chair and cut rope. He was gone, body and all. Their eyes widen with fear.

Shit.

That freaky gust of wind was a distraction! They groaned as realization hit them. They were in so much trouble. The boy was their bargaining chip after all and without him, well, no boy, no money. How are they going to break it to their boss? Where is the boy? By the time they reached a decision, it was too late. The door slammed open to reveal their fuming boss, wondering what the hell was going on.

It only took the panic stricken faces of his men and the empty chair beside them said everything.

"Where is the boy?" the leader growled. The men panicked as they tried to come up with an answer. How they were going to explain the disappearance of the boy? "Find him!" he shouted angrily. The men rushed to follow his orders, beginning to search the warehouse. The leader grew irritated and he looked around the warehouse, hoping to find the culprit but to no avail. Deciding to finally introduce herself, the girl chuckled loudly enough from the shadows to draw everyone's attention.

"Sorry boys," she purred. "He's gone". She giggled as she threw a needle at one of the men. The needle pierced through his throat. A critical hit. The men watched with fear as their comrade clutched his throat to try to take out the large needle but to no avail. The leader grew pale with fear and in anger.

"Who are you?!" he demanded, looking around for the source of the sound.

"Scarlett," she simply replied. Those that knew her name, paled. Ah, Scarlett, the Red Butterfly. A skilled assassin that could blend into the environment with ease and was known to kill. In silence. It was said that she had mysterious powers but not many were alive to find out. Those that knew, well, it was only very close people that knew.

The leader finally found the crimson eyes that had been looking at all of them mockingly from above, eyes chilling and unnerving. Her eyes looked like blood and they were boiled with rage. Scarlett was sitting on the rail with glee, her legs were swinging back and forth, her eyes promising death.

"Shoot her!" he shouted as he pointed in her direction. Scarlett laughed gleefully, quickly dodging the bullets with ease before throwing one of her needles into the light switch, condemning the men into darkness. The only source of light they had now was the moonlight from the windows.

They're sitting ducks.

Now that they are easy picking, Scarlett takes a little more time to play with them (god, it's a good thing she isn't into torture, although better not speak too soon). She's making sure that they're getting what's coming for them. She plans to get the men paranoid, making them piss in their pants, sweat while she kills each of them, one by one. The only sound that comes from her is the sound of dead bodies hitting the ground.

The men tried to shoot her but because of the meager light they have to work with, they miss their target every time. They're afraid to turn on the lights because they have enough brains to realize that it makes it easier for her to kill them if one of them goes out and ventures out to flip the switch. Ah, but she's getting bored, considering that the dull sound of bodies hitting the floor are faster. Although Scarlett laughs wickedly as the leader of this shit starts to get paler and paler.

The leader turned and twisted, searching for the girl, gun in hand ready to shoot at something that moves. Scarlett is sort of amused how much determination this guy has to kill her although, it's almost time to end her fun. She flicks her hand toward the leader's direction.

Another needle, longer this time, lodged into gun, causing the gun to explode on impact as the leader reflexively pulled the trigger. He cursed, dropping his gun before whirling around to see those same crimson eyes again and with a sword at his neck. For a few moments, the whole area was in complete silence. He swallowed nervously, heart pounding, realizing that this was going to be the end.

"You know," Scarlett said with a bored tone, "It's too bad you couldn't do better, but you don't get a second chance." She slit his throat with a single swipe from her fan, delivering the final blow. Blood sprayed her outfit from his throat as she watched the man clutch his throat, falling to the ground. "Bye-bye," she giggled as she watch the light in his eyes died, mouth opened with a silent plea. Tough luck.

She smirked at her handy work as she looked around her (she has good night vision in case you guys didn't know). Lovely, lovely, blood painting the floors all over the place. Well, now that her work was done, it was time to get back to the boy... Scarlett didn't take another look back as she disappeared the way she came.

The ravens looked at the boy with amusement as he fiddled with his shirt nervously. Their staring was causing the boy uneasiness but it was understandable. Not many like to see birds that are black as night, watch them with their beady eyes, as if they were messengers of the dead. The boy continued to fiddle and walk around, not aware that the girl was behind him.

Scarlett glanced at her birds as she petted them, telling them silently to knock it off. They complied but they huffed as their little source of entertainment was ruined while they basically baby sat the boy. She tapped their beaks, reminding them to behave just for a little longer. Then they can wreck havoc like they usually do.

"Time to go, kid," Scarlett said, startling the boy, never mind that she was a kid herself (a fourteen year old teenager but to most adults, a kid is a kid). The boy turned around sharply and stared at the girl, eyes wide with shock. She sighed mentally before taking the boy (more like dragging) by the hand. It was time to go back.

"Don't move make a sound," she warned. The boy nodded quietly. She gave a nod to the ravens. The ravens jumped from the building onto the ground. They began to transform, growing larger, the beaks and talons becoming sharper, longer, deadly. Their entire body was expanding. After the transformation finished, there in the streets were two large ravens the size of cars (they can control how big they can be. The largest size they can be is the size of a house. Other notes about them will be on the bottom of this page.)

Without warning, Scarlett yanked the boy off the building. The boy closed his eyes tightly as he tried not to make a sound, thinking that they were about to fall to their deaths. He didn't opened his eyes until he felt the wind blowing through his hair. That was odd, he thinks and he slowly opens his eyes to find that he's actually flying on the back of a large raven with Scarlett sitting behind him, holding onto strong feathers so they won't fall off. Only for the safety for the boy of course. He trembles because he's still afraid of being thrown off this bird.

Scarlett can actually fly so there is no need to be worried about falling however, she doesn't want the boy to panic or else it would cause even more problems that she doesn't want to deal with. As they fly higher and higher to blend in the dark, Scarlett silently admires the view of the twinkling lights of the city below them. The boy that she's cradling gasps at scene as well, forgetting his fear, admiring the view with her. Well, as long he's isn't bother her, this if fine.

She looks over her shoulder to make sure the other raven is still there. After she sees the other raven, she pats the raven she's currently riding on. The raven takes the cue and gets ready to fly even faster. Every part of its body grows tense before flying faster like a rubber band that's been pulled tight then released. The boy grips onto her sleeve tighter as they pick up speed.

Scarlett smiles behind her mask because one, who doesn't love the feel of going at a accelerated speed? The good thing is, at the speed they're going, they're getting to their destination sooner. Now where is that damn house?

The boy's parents waits nervously in garden of their house along with the other servants. The mother of the boy sat in her chair, wringing her hands nervously, wondering how long would it take Scarlett to rescue her child (hey rescue missions can be a delicate process!). The father was walking back and forth, trying to release his anxiety. The atmosphere was tense.

The announcement of Scarlett's arrival was marked by a sudden gust of wind and the two monstrous ravens that suddenly landed in the garden. The mother stood up as the father stopped pacing, all waiting with a bated breath until they saw Scarlett with a boy riding on one of the ravens' back.

She did it. They all thought, relieved.

Once Scarlett and the boy slid down from the said raven's back, the boy began to run back to his mother. "Mamma!" the boy cried, running into his mother's embrace. His mother cried, along with some of the other servant, in relief that her little boy was safely back into her arms.

"Ciao everyone," Scarlett greeted smoothly as she walked up the stairs. Her ravens had shrunk back into their normal size, both of them perching on top of her shoulders. They glared at the other humans as if asking 'What the hell are you lookin' at?'. (They hate humans in general except Scarlett. They were abused animals to say vaguely. How Scarlett became their owner is another story that will be mentioned later.)

"The kidnappers?" the father of the boy asked, wanting to know what happened to them. Although he should clearly know the answer since there is evidence of their end splattered all over her outfit but then again, her clothes are black and red so it's hard to tell. A chilling laughter came from the girl before she settled her crimson eyes on him again. Her eyes were cold. It took some effort not to shiver under her gaze.

"Eliminated," she said coldly, the temperature dropping a few degrees. Well, it was either let them live and cause more stupid trouble or nip the bud early. After a few seconds of silence, the father cautiously went down to her and offered his hand.

"Thank you for bringing my son back, Ms. Scarlett," he said. Scarlett eyed his hand in silence to make the man sweat a just tad in awkward silence. Then she took his hand and shook it back. Her raven's looked at each other with an amused glance before staring back at the other people with a beady stare, making them squirm a bit. Scarlett internally laughed and mentally shook her head. Well, at least they're not raising havoc so it's okay for them to have some fun.

"And the money?" she asked. Sure she rescued the boy and all but, a deal is a deal. After all, her services were to be paid and they were not for free. There wasn't such thing as a unpaid hitman. It would be just stupid, otherwise how else do you make good money by killing?

"Already been sent to your account," the father replied. Good, she thought, and if he had cheated her out of the money she deserved from saving his son, well let's just say he would be knocking on death's door.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Scarlett said releasing his hand. The father was quiet for a moment before ordering his head servant to come before him and Scarlett. There was a murmur in the crowd of their audience before it parted a path for the head servant to go through.

"Yes Master?" the butler asked politely as he reached the father and Scarlett on the stairs.

"Would you please lead Ms. Scarlett to the door?" the father asked. The butler bowed from his waist then straighten.

"Of course, Master," the butler said and did what he asked. "If you would follow me, Ms. Scarlett." With a final small bow toward the father she climbed the steps as she followed the butler. However, the mother of the boy stopped her before she could take another step into the house.

"I wanted to thank you for saving my boy," the mother said with a genuine smile as she clutched onto her hand boldly. There was a long silence before Scarlett gave a curt nod after the mother released her hand. She turned to look at the boy she saved who was hugging (more like clinging) on his mother's waist. Slowly, she reached over to ruffle the boy's head, who pouted a bit after she messed up his hair. Then she turned around and continued to follow the butler out the door, never once looking back.

Once she exited the mansion, the butler bowed and bid her goodbye then closed the door. She sighed a little as she walked toward her motorcycle that had been parked in front of the house. "Another hit completed," she said as she straddled her motorcycle and put on her helmet. "Let's go home." The engine purred as she turned it on, her ravens already airborne. Then she left the mansion just as swiftly she had came.

Scarlett rode on her motorcycle for several miles, relishing the feeling of the speed and the wind whipping through her. Her ravens following her from the sky. After a while, she pulled to the side of the street and parked, popping her helmet off. She had a little phone call she had to make. Scarlett rummaged through her clothes until she found what she was looking for, pulling out her phone. Scarlett opened it, dialing a number familiar.

"Hello?" a male voice asked. Marcus was just someone she went to when she wanted a hit. She was a part-time freelance assassin, usually doing other hits for her famiglia or sometimes small favors that she didn't mind doing once in a while (although those she does favors for, they usually owe her sometime type of favor back).

"Ciao, Marcus," Scarlett greeted. "The job's done."

"Excellent," he replied. "And how was it?"

"Boring," she said flatly. "And dreadful. The man had no imagination. Really? You have get money by ransoming a child. How low could you go? Doesn't matter anyway. Slaughtered them like the pigs they are. Oh, could you also make sure the money has been sent properly?"

Marcus chuckled. "Of course, Scarlett."

"Good," she purred. Ah, money. What can she say? It can make the world go round.

He laughed, a little amused that she would always go straight to making sure the transaction would go through. There would be hell to pay if she wasn't paid her due. "Let me know when you want a hit."

"Will do," she responded and ended the call. She paused before contemplating dialing another number. She actually dreaded this call ever since she was left a message that she needed to call back as soon as possible. Scarlett sighed again. It's better to get over this now then later. She dialed another phone number again then put the phone next to ear. Scarlett waited there silently as the phone continue to ring on the other line. Then at last someone picked up the phone. This time an old man had answered the phone.

"Hello?" the voice said.

She paused, she hadn't heard his voice in a long time. It's not like she never kept in touch with the old man, but they only communicating through letters to prevent the emotional scars from reopening again.

"How's papa?" she asked, barely keeping her voice calm. She heard a sigh on the other line.

"He's-" there was a pause "He's doing fine. We have been monitoring his vital signs and he's been eating the usual amount." There was no change. She though sadly. She hasn't heard her father's voice for years either. Scarlett can still see her father sitting in a wheelchair, silent. Unmoving unless needed. She shook her head harshly, it was time to get to the point.

"You said you wanted to talk, Jiji," Scarlett said, dreading the news.

"Yes, Sora." She smiled sadly at the sound of her true name. "I need you to come back to Italy a week from now. It's important." The tone of voice left no room for any argument whatsoever.

Sora sighed and closed her eyes. It was inevitable after all. She wanted to avoid going back to Italy due to bad memories over there but now, she had some bad memories over here in America as well. "I'll be on my way," she simply replied.

"See you there, Sora" he said and hung up. She sighed again as she closed her phone and tucked it into her clothes. It was time she head back. After all, she couldn't go against Vongola Nono, her grandfather Timoteo.

Sheesh. Glad you guys read this thing and I hoped it was enjoyable.

So I'm going to explain some things in the story that I hope will clear some misunderstanding. Ok considering that this story takes place in the Hitman Reborn world, logic is out the window.

Sora, aka Scarlett has the ability to control wind and hides many weapons throughout her body. (Ex. The needles that she has are usually in her hair.) She's basically what I call the modern ninja

Sora means "sky".

Mio means "Beautiful Cherry Blossom". Mao means "Dance Cherry Blossom". There are other translations for these two names but I chose this one.

Edit: I'm sorry this is unbeta'ed so I'm trying my hardest to make it very interesting and grammar free

BTW: I no longer gave Sora, Mio and Mao the power to transport because I thought "Really? Transport? Nah, won't flow with the story later on" So I deleted it. Sorry!

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS OF REBORN! just so you guys know