A/N: Hi everyone! I can't believe I'm back with a KHR story! No matter how disappointed I was at the series since the Future Arc, I still have an undying love for Reborn, so I thought I'd write this Reborn story before he is forgotten! So here it is—my last KHR story!

Important Stuff:

-Since Reborn's age was never clearly stated in the series, I'm going to just say that Reborn is about 22-23 years old at his first appearance in this story.

-This is set before the start of the KHR series. I don't intend on using more than one or two KHR characters in this story besides Reborn. Don't like don't read.

-This story crosses over with several Hollywood movies, but I don't believe that you need to watch them to understand.

With all this said, enjoy!


Home Is Where The Heart Is

Japan Arc

Part 1

"Hey Tsuji! Another round of beer for everyone!"

"Yes, yes! Coming up!"

The middle-aged waiter named Tsuji walked past me while mumbling complaints. They mostly had to do with how much liquor we order but never end up paying, but neither him nor the bar owner had the guts to say anything about it. Why do these people fear us? That's because we're the most famous, most powerful, most dangerous yakuza in all of Japan—Crazy 88 led by none other than the Underground Empress O-Ren Ishii.

Yes, O-Ren Ishii, the fearsome Chinese-Japanese-American assassin who ran a whole yakuza by herself in the movie Kill Bill. I should specify: the movie Kill Bill from my world.

In case you haven't guessed it, I seemed to have been transported into this world after I choked on a well-done steak in my previous world—the world of superficial peace, plummeting economy, skyrocketing tuition for higher education, English becoming the universal language, and Barack Obama as the president of my home country. Sadly, those facts were pretty much the only things I remembered from my past life; not my family, not my name, not what kind of person I was, which is the reason why I've refrained from calling that world the 'real world' now. Since I've been in this Kill Bill world for so long, it has all become very real to me.

How do I know that this is the world of Kill Bill, you ask? Well, for some reason, and I think it is because I used to be a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino in my past life, I remember all of his movies. The moment that I began to be able to comprehend things after my rebirth, I recognized the name of my baby sister, Gogo Yubari. Now, that's a major twist in the story! And one to my dismay as well. Our deceased parents have always wondered why, starting at the age of five, the older daughter had a look of despair in her eyes.

If you hadn't watched the movie Kill Bill and you were in my situation, you would think that Gogo was just a normal, cute, little sister. She had fair skin and straight, pitch black hair that even other Japanese girls would envy. With a little sister that cute, I truly didn't want to believe that this Gogo Yubari was the killing machine that I was thinking of. Then again, how common is the name Gogo Yubari?

"Gogo, you wipe that side of the table, and I'll wipe this side!"

Just to be sure, I tried to discipline Gogo from a very young age. I gave her educational books, taught her how to do chores, and watched Disney cartoons with her all the time in hopes of preventing the young girl from turning into the killer that she might become in the future.

However, nothing was looking good. It seemed that before I realized what happened, Gogo had already acquired her quietness and emotionless face. She often looked at people with a glare. I was very worried that she might turn bad, so I tried to keep an eye on her most of the time, and she acted normal enough. She wasn't getting bullied at school nor was she bullying other kids. But maybe she was just acting nice because I was around.

A long time passed, and the day that ruined my life came along. Gogo was eleven and I was thirteen. Never before that did I know that our parents were involved in dirty underground business. Gogo Yubari's past was never explained in the movie. It so happened that our parents owed the yakuzas a big amount of money, and since they weren't able to pay them back, the yakuzas decided to come and kill them.

Gogo and I hid in the closet when they barged into our home. We watched through a small crack as the yakuzas decapitated our parents. The image made me want to hurl, so I removed my hands that were loosely covering Gogo's eyes to cover my mouth. Gogo scooted closer to the closet door to peek. O-Ren Ishii was there as well, and noticed our presence very quickly. She ordered her men to get rid of us. I panicked. I know that O-Ren Ishii's gang is not to be messed with, and I know that I wasn't able to do anything even if I was a skilled swordsman or fighter, let alone a thirteen-year-old. But when I looked down at Gogo, and saw her big, innocent eyes opened so wide from shock, I decided that I had to protect my little sister.

I grabbed the dagger that our parents shoved into my arms right before the thugs came in, and watched carefully. One of O-Ren Ishii's men came towards the closet. And when he got close enough, I burst through the doors and leapt toward that man. And I swung the dagger down.

I felt the dagger go into the man's skin. As my weight pulled me down, I held on to the dagger for dear life. It appeared that I had dragged the dagger down from the man's shoulder to stomach. Blood splashed out and all over me.

Through my field of vision, soaked in redness, I saw O-Ren Ishii's astonishment. But soon, that astonishment was replaced by a pleased look.

O-Ren Ishii took us in that day. She liked the way I injured her man, and she liked the expression on Gogo's face when I did. I never got to see that face, but one of O-Ren Ishii's men later told me that it was the happiest, brightest smile he has ever seen on a kid who had just witnessed death. I later realized that Gogo was probably the reason why O-Ren Ishii wanted to take us in. O-Ren, who has killed many men at a young age in vengeance for her father, numbed by the sight of death, has probably saw a reflection of her younger self in Gogo.

Of course, I intended to reject O-Ren's invitation. However, Gogo was more than eager to accept it. I couldn't believe. After all those years of trying to steer Gogo into the right path, she still went to O-Ren's side. For a moment, I thought about parting ways with Gogo, but that was just a passing thought. For one, no matter what she becomes, Gogo was the only family I have left. Secondly, O-Ren wasn't the kind of woman who leaves without taking what she wants.

So there you have it. Gogo and I were taken into O-Ren's care and trained by her personally. It has been six years now and to be honest, I'm still not used to it.

"What took you so long in the restroom, Momo?" a man with a deep scar running down the side of his face asked me as I sat back down at the big table, next to O-Ren.

I glared at the man. Everyone knows that I'm not a good drinker. Even just beer can get me wasted easily. "I was just throwing up everything in my stomach, no biggie," I said.

The man and a few others laughed drunkenly. It's sometimes annoying that these people make fun of you for your weakness to alcohol, but over time I found out that they were good-natured. I looked to O-Ren, who sipped her sake slowly with a smile on her face. On her other side, Sofie Fatale, O-Ren's lawyer, second-in-command, and best friend, giggled at me as well.

It was times like this that made me feel slightly more normal. The gang often visited certain underground bars and nightclubs in town after a big job is done. Everyone drinks and even O-Ren is in a good mood whenever a gathering like this occurs. Other customer may not like it; a group of yakuzas wrecking havoc in a bar. A lot of them finishes their drink quickly and got out. Other ones who stay are either ignorant, or dumb, or too drunk to notice that they're amongst the most dangerous yakuzas in Japan.

"Hey, Momo, look over there!" the man with the scar said to me again, pointing at the bar. "Your sister is getting hit on by a drunk guy!"

I looked over to see Gogo, who was getting drink at the bar, and next to her was a really drunk guy. He looked like a normal, middle-aged, salary-man. His eyes were filled with lust as he got close to Gogo and tried to spark a conversation. The look in the guy's eyes disgusted me and I wanted to go over there and slap him. But just when I was about to get up, Gogo spoke back to the guy.

"Do you want to fuck me?"

The man first had a surprised expression, but then started to laugh.

Gogo slammed her fist on the bar table, making the glasses on the tables quake. "Don't laugh. Do you want to fuck me, yes or no?"

The man was taken back by Gogo's seriousness. He swallowed slowly and answered, "Yes…"

Just as the man gave his answer, Gogo unsheathed her dagger and stabbed the man right in his crotch. The man yelped in pain, and stared horrifyingly at Gogo's face. I couldn't see Gogo's face from this angle, but I'm sure that she had her bloodthirsty look in her eyes.

"How about now, big boy?" Gogo asked, turning her dagger around and around in the man's bleeding crotch. "Do you still wish to penetrate me? Or… is it I… who has penetrated you?"

Gogo pulled out her dagger as she finished her question, and blood came out along with the weapon. It made a disturbing spraying sound and splattered all over Gogo's skirt and legs.

I shuddered at the sight. Some of the members chuckled and applauded Gogo's actions. Gogo looked over and smiled fiendishly. O-Ren gestured for her to clean herself up a bit in the restroom, and Gogo nodded and went. Sometimes I feel useless as Gogo's sister; she doesn't listen to me at all, but follows O-Ren's orders like a machine.

"Momo, look at your sister. Even at seventeen years of age, she's getting all the attention from the men," one of the female members leaned over toward me. I scooted a little bit away; she reeked of alcohol and I can hurl again any time. "Don't you feel a little jealous? I mean, you guys basically look like twins! Why does she get all the spotlight?"

Like getting hit on by middle-aged Japanese pedophiles? No, thanks.

"Don't say that. Momo is going to be embarrassed…" Sofie said sweetly, but it hurt more than it helped. There weren't many females in Crazy 88, and the prettiest ones by far are O-Ren, Sofie, and Gogo. It's true that I look like Gogo, but for some reason, I guess I just don't have the sex appeal that the other three has.

Or maybe it's the ridiculous haircut O-Ren had me get. O-Ren Ishii must have some sort of obsession with Japanese school girl outfits. She insisted that Gogo and I wear school girl outfits instead of the plain black suits that other members wear. Gogo's style is the winter uniform complimented by her long, jet black hair. I, on the other hand, was forced to wear the summer uniform, with a bowl haircut like Japanese school girls in the 80s.

It wasn't fair. But could I complain to O-Ren Ishii? No, she would decapitate me. Besides, it might have been a punishment for my never catching up to Gogo in fighting strength.

"Hey! Hey, look! A hot guy!"

"Oh, it's a foreigner! I wonder where he's from!"

Some of the girls started to make a ruckus when the door to the bar jingled open. Out of curiosity, I stretched my neck to see the newcomer. Mostly because I was surprised that this guy didn't run for it at first sight of the inside of this bar, especially since the bar area was all bloodied thanks to Gogo. On the contrary, the man who walked in looked unfazed by everything. He walked nonchalantly towards the bar and ordered a drink.

After he sat down at the bar, I was able to get a clearer look. He was, indeed, very handsome. Very tall, slim, and he was wearing a very expensive suit. He looked to be a foreigner, but I couldn't tell where from. His eyes were almost not visible as they were hidden in the shadow of his black fedora.

And then, I noticed that O-Ren was staring at him as well.

"O-Ren, that man is…"Sofie whispered behind O-Ren.

"The freelance assassin Reborn… what is he doing in Japan?"O-Ren said calmly but with a tone of confusion.

I was surprised that O-Ren knew the man. But with O-Ren's status, I guess I shouldn't be so surprised.

Assassin, eh? No wonder he isn't scared of this atmosphere. He must be quite skillful too, if O-Ren knew about him.

"Momo," O-Ren put a hand lightly on a shoulder and said, "Go to that man and invite him over for a drink."

Damn it… why couldn't she send Sofie for this? I'm not good at communicating with men… but I have to follow O-Ren's orders. So I stood up and took a deep breath. It's okay, I'm with the most powerful yakuza in Japan; this guy should know better than to mess with me. I flattened out my skirt and put on a "Gogo face" before I strutted toward him. When it's about yakuza business, I always imitated Gogo's facial expressions so that I could fit in.

As I got closer to the man, I could really see his face under the fedora now. He was more than just above-average looking. Way more. Which made me more nervous.

"Mr. Reborn," I said, trying to keep my face as cold as Gogo's. "O-Ren Ishii-sama wishes for you to join our table and buy you a drink."

The man turned his face toward me slowly, and looked at me straight in the eyes for a moment, and then looked me from top to toe. I tell my brain not to make me blush, but I doubt that it was working. For a long while, he didn't answer me. I felt extremely awkward.

And then I realized that this foreign may not understand Japanese. Good thing I still retained my English language skills from my past life. I repeated my invitation in English for the man.

The man raised his eyebrow slightly, and one side of his lips curled up into a small smirk. He stood right up and walked past me. Before he was completely out of my hearing range, I heard him mutter something under his breath. Maybe I didn't hear correctly, but whatever he said didn't sound like English or Japanese. Maybe Spanish? I don't know.

I turned around and found the man sitting where I was before, next to O-Ren. He and O-Ren chatted up instantly, and they were speaking Japanese together! He spoke it perfectly too!

Suddenly I felt like I was tricked and, as a result, embarrassed. If he understood me the first time, why didn't he answer me! Did he not want to speak to me? Because I'm a ridiculous Japanese teen with a bowl haircut?

Gogo came back from the restroom after a while. And before even noticing that I was by myself at the bar, she went over to O-Ren. The man named Reborn noticed her, and O-Ren introduced Gogo to him. He and Gogo exchanged a few words civilly.

I had to fight the urge not to smash the glasses on the bar table. Why? Why only me?!

In frustration, I stumped out of the bar to get some fresh air. A few members noticed me, but none said anything.

I walked further and further away until I found a park. No one was in the park at this hour, and there was a peaceful quietness. I looked up at the sky, but was disappointed at the small, starless space. I sat down on a bench in the park and relaxed. I don't get to relax very often, being in a yakuza and all. I have to say that, even after six years of training and real-life battle that included countless murder, I cannot get used to it. I still feel sick in the stomach every time I had to take someone's life. I envied Gogo sometimes for actually being able to get enjoyment out of it. But most of the time, I get scared at that thought because I know that my conscience would not allow me to kill someone out of enjoyment.

I wonder why I've been reborn into such a place. I don't belong with Gogo, or O-Ren, or Crazy 88. I'm not made for that. But I've already been involved too deeply…

My thoughts became blurred as exhaustion took over. While holding my stomach to keep warm, I went in and out of sleep on the park bench.

After what felt like an hour, I felt a new presence next to me. I looked to my right. It was the foreign assassin. He didn't appear to be drunk or the least bit tipsy. He looked down at me with some sort of smirk, and I shivered. Whatever he's thinking, I have a feeling that it wasn't anything good. But if I learned anything from the yakuza, it's that if you lose at imposition, you lose at everything.

"What do you want?" I said as coldly as my voice allowed.

I heard him laugh through his nose. He walked closer to me, and I noticed that he was holding something behind his back, so I panicked. A weapon? What is he going to do? No, if he was an acquaintance of O-Ren's, he would know better than to mess with her people. Why doesn't this guy say anything? I know he understands Japanese.

He stopped right in front of me, and said something in that foreign language again.

At this, I snapped and glared at him.

"Are you trying to make fun of me?! What are you trying to pull?! I know you speak Japanese! If you don't have something important to say, then stop wasting both of our time! I'll let you in on something: I've got a bad temper!" I blurted out the first words I can think of as fast as I could, and hoped that he doesn't notice my shakiness. Meanwhile, I reached my hand toward my waist for the scabbard.

Eh?

Where's my katana?

"It's my first time seeing a member of the yakuza run out of a bar without her sword."

I looked up at the man as he spoke in his perfect Japanese and his fiendishly low, smooth voice. The moon behind him darkened his face, but I could still his smile clearly. And this time, I realized that he was not simply attractive as I thought before. That smile was teasing, sadistic, and most of all, fear-inducing.

He moved the hand behind his back to the front; he had my sword. My sword, custom made for my height and build, looked like a child's toy in his hand.

"How surprising that O-Ren would keep such a weakling at her side…"

I reached for the sword unconsciously, but he pulled it away.

Hearing a dreadful click, and feeling an icy cold object pressed on my forehead, the only thing I thought was: "Nineteen years. Ah, what a short life…"

The man was still smiling as if he wasn't pointing a gun at a teenage girl, and I have just noticed that he had very interesting sideburns.

"Now, you can either follow my orders, or I can send you on a trip to Sanzugawa*."

So what I want to know is…

Why do assassins and the likes always do this?

No matter if it's this man or O-Ren Ishii…

They give you a choice…

BUT THEY WOULD KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE ANYWAY! WHAT'S THE POINT OF THAT!


To be continued


A/N: So how was that? Review please!

*Sanzugawa: Japanese mythical river that separates the living world and the world of the dead. Basically the Japanese version of the River of Styx.