A Light Within The Darkness

It's been eleven years since that childish dream was made and six since my parents death; five since I discovered who I was reincarnated as and eight years since I've joined the mafia. I was now nineteen and known throughout the mafia as Viper. I was feared. My power over illusions surpassed that of my father's long years ago. No one knew of my true identity because of the cloak and illusions that hid my form. I was known as the most powerful illusionist throughout the Mafia world and many bosses have begged me to join them, but none of them had enough money for it. So they simply paid me for the most complicated jobs. I easily overcame each and everyone of them. The simplicity of it all made me yearn for something more, though whatever I yearned appeared to be out of my reach.

My life in this world began peaceful but later grew cold as I walked deeper into underground world. Though I soon discovered just as there is darkness within light, there is light within the darkness. It almost made me panic when I witnessed the innocence that remained even in the most dreaded area of the mafia world. It was midnight in Italy the streets appeared to be abandoned as I was finished with my last assignment and walking home when I witnessed it.

A child, no older than nine stood before a group of mafioso members shakily pointing a gun at them as he defended a barely conscious man while screaming hysterically "I won't let you kill daddy" It almost reminded me of my past life, before I was killed, but instead of the man I saw myself as my brother defended me preventing my parents from beating me anymore. Unknowingly a whispered word escaped my my lips "Yu-chan" for a moment I stood frozen, staring helplessly at the scene taking place. "listen kid, your father's a traitor we're just doing our job so step aside before we kill you" I wanted to help so badly but my body wasn't listening as the boy went hysterical "no daddies my daddy and he's supposed to stay with me"

I wanted to cry. God what was I doing. I could hear the helplessness and desperation in his voice, but as I saw what appeared to be the leader lift up his gun reality snapped at me. While swiftly casting an illusion over him, I shot him in the head. Before anyone could react I quickly took down the rest of the mafioso. It was bloody and I almost regretted acting like such an amateur when I turned to the child that fainted when he saw the blood, but decided it was better this way. Those men deserved a bloody death for threatening to kill a child. As for the child, life is unfair. Sometimes you just have to deal with life's surprises. Walking towards the child, I picked him up as I checked the pulse of the kid's father. Dead. This is going to be hard on the kid was the last thought I had before I called a mafia's version of 'clean-up' before heading home with the kid.

As I walked through the woods, I made my way to my pay-free cabin. It was silent. The only sounds that could be heard was the crunching of leaves, until I reached my destination. The cabin was simple. A small bedroom with a connected restroom; A kitchen and a dining table in it. Nothing much, so without a glance at my surroundings I made my way to the single bedroom, as I quietly slid the door open while making sure not to disturb the brat in my arms when I placed him on the bed.

While thinking back to kid's deceased father, I faintly wondered what I was going to do with the child. I couldn't leave him alone and I couldn't leave him to foster care; after all, with how desperate the Estraneo family is for more test subjects he'd probably fall prey to them in the orphanage. Italy was the heart of the mafia and this kid reminded me so much of my little brother that it was almost nauseating, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. What if he was reincarnated here along with me. Though I quickly banished the thought out of my mind, how likely was that, but I decided to let the kid make the decision when he wakes up. It was his life and I couldn't just drag him around, I'm not his mom or anything like that.

With that in mind, I left the bedroom and decided to make myself some coffee so that I would be awake when the kid gets up.

It was one in the afternoon till I finally heard the ruffling of sheets. Man ten hours, the kid knows how to take his time sleeping. I stood up when I heard the bedroom door open. I have to admit the kid looked like a baby kitten it almost made me smile at the cuteness radiating from him. He had wavy red hair that reached his chin and green eyes that reminded me of the forest outside while looking about four foot three in height. He looked like the spitting image of Matthew, it was almost scary their similarities.

Breaking out of my morbid thoughts, I glanced towards the kid as he spoke "hey lady, where's my dad" I couldn't help the pity from showing as I responded bluntly "your father's dead." okay I admit that maybe I shouldn't have been so blunt and maybe laid down a bit more softly to him, but what's done is done; Though looking at him as he cried for his deceased loved one, I felt it pull at my heart strings. Walking towards him, I pulled him into a hug while he clung onto me. I was such a softy. I mean I've killed people, murdered a multitude of families, sold addictive drugs, helped human trafficking all so I for money; but when it comes to a random kid crying it's like the person that did those things never existed as I comforted the child in my arms. I really was such a softy.

Five minutes into his crying, the kid fell asleep. Two hours into his sleep I decided to wake him up. There were more important matters to attend to than wallowing over a dead person. For instance, what he was going to do from here on out.

I may sound heartless saying this but death was natural and just like natural disasters, you just have to deal with it. Life is tough and it never plays fair. It doesn't wait for anyone to get over their grief so you have to adapt to whatever life gives you because every once in while they're going to give you something to cherish.

While looking down at the awakened-now crying- child, my eyes softened as I bent down to eye level, my eyes still hidden within my hood, and spoke the most honest words I have ever spoken in years "look brat, I'm not going to say everything's going to be okay or that your dad's watching over you or anything like that, I'm going to be blunt with you. Life might get hard or better, I don't know, but what I can tell, no what I can promise and even swear to you is that if you come with me I'll find a family you can proudly call your own. I'll teach how to protect your family with just a simple resolve. You just have to promise me never to wallow in your miseries, you have to promise me that you'll learn from everything life throws at you. Learn from what happened yesterday."

Looking at him expectantly, I heard him mumble something that almost made me smile "what I don't think I quite heard that, care to repeat it" while rubbing his eyes he turned his head away from me, as he spoke more clearly than before "I promise" Though he quickly looked back at me with annoyance written on his face "and my names not brat, I have a name you know so call me by it" while standing up, I looked at him with barely hidden amusement "well I would, if I knew it" blushing slightly he revealed his name "Alessio" defender, how ironic. Though it made me smile this kid was going to do good in the mafia, I just need to make sure he doesn't go over the edge while there.

Looking at him, I smiled " nice to meet you brat, you can call me master from here on out" His reaction made me want to laugh, it's been so long since I've been this happy. His face twisted into a scowl that greatly resembled a pout "what, but why?!"

"because it's a sign of respect and from this day on you'll be my apprentice" I responded easily. Scowling(pouting) Alessio conceded "fine...master" Nodding at him I decided " alright lets test out that resolve of yours, right now" panicking he hurriedly questioned "wait, what?! Right not?" I nodded in confirmation as he continued in a panic "b-but I don't have anything on me to defend myself!" while running forward as he ran out the door, I spoke before attacking him "it's called improvising".

Now some may think I was going a bit hard on someone who had little to no fighting experience but I say is fuck off. This is necessary in order to find where my new students combat level stands. You see there are many types to this. The worst type is Dame in which the student knows nothing and will most likely lose against a chiwawa type opponent by tripping over thin air. The next type is the average joe, where the student would lose against a dalmatian. Next is a natural, in what appears to be the average joe while is in reality someone who can get a few lucky hits against an average mafioso. While these are only the three most distinctive types, there is such thing a thing as an in-between. I just need to find out where he falls in so that I can train him properly.

Though I guess I can admit just this. His high pitched screams are pretty funny " AH! Are You Trying To Kill Me!" yup he's fitting himself nicely into the dame-type "No I'm preparing you for the mafia" I stated calmly as I dead-legged him. While watching as he crumbled to the ground, I smirked. No wonder reborn was known as sadist when teaching, it was fun playing like this. Smirking slightly I casually commented "If you don't stand up soon I'm going to have to change your nick-name from Brat to no-good" The proud glint in my eyes went unnoticed to the child as he got up with a glare of determination "that's not going to happen because I'll show you what I can do"

Even though the outcome didn't change, the proud glint in my eyes was undeniable as I carried him back home; after three hours of endless training. It was actually surprising how long he lasted. From what I had observed he had little to no training at all, but his determination kept him from giving up. It was admirable since I expected him to faint from exhaustion within the first hour of our training, but he exceeded my expectations. Smirking slightly as I entered the cabin I couldn't help but think how lucky I was. My first student and I can already see the bud of a successful hitman.

It's been four years since I had taken Alessio as my apprentice and I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud. He had already gathered quite a few family members and was repeatedly exceeding my expectations. I don't think there's anything else I could teach him. While walking down the streets of Bourges, I decided to meet with my student. Turning a corner I glanced up at the house that I was met with. It was fairly large, but not exceedingly so, containing a driveway and a pool in the back while four types of cars sat in front. In other words expensive. It irritated me with how much the brat spent on useless things. While ignoring my irritation, I entered the house. As soon as I entered I was met with yells, the idiot boys were fighting over a controller. Walking over to them, I smirked slightly as I slammed my fist on each boys head

"Is that a way to greet your an honorary guest, Aloys?Anton?" I asked only to be greeted with incredulous looks.

(Both Aloys and Anton were twins and of German descent. My student had met them during one of our visits to Germany. From the story that Alessio told me, he had found them being beaten by some mafioso. Being the 'hero' he was, he rushed in to save them only barely make it out with their lives. I almost beat him then and there until he begged me to train them as well, so that they could join his family. Instead of beating just him I beat the all three of them and then patched them up while muttering fesso under my breath. A week later, I found myself training them alongside Alessio)

"More like unwelcomed" I heard the two blonde idiots mutter, but I decided to let it go this time. After all there were more important matters on my mind "look brats tell me where my idiot student is, I need to speak with him along with the rest of the family" While taking note of the seriousness in my voice, the kids answered "he's in his office. Do you want us to gather the others?" I nodded my head to them in confirmation as I watched them leave before heading down a hall to my student's office.

Entering one of the doors, I glanced around the room only to find my student sleeping at his desk. Muttering insults in my head I went to wake up my student. Grabbing the Gun hidden in my sleeve I shot it just an inch above his ear, "Idiot-student get up before I decide to torture you for ignoring an honorary guest" I smirked in amusement at the yell of panic/surprise I was met with "ah! master what are you doing here" Even after four years, my student still acted like a dame. While his skills may have increased a great deal, his attitude is relatively the same. A my amusement ceased as I was reminded of why I had come to meet with my student. "Idiot-student calm down I'm still waiting for your family to meet with us" as if on cue the door opened as nine people gathered inside the relatively large office.

"ah nice to see you all again" I said pleasantly as each of them took their places around my soon-to-be-ex student "why did you want to meet with all of us Master?" Alessio asked in wonder. Man I'm just going to be blunt "I'm here to announce that I'm officially the ending your apprenticeship" I guess that was too blunt from what the reaction I received tell me "What?! but why? was I not a good student? If so I promise I'll do better! but please don't end it" Alessio said in a panic as the other members glared at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. Do better? He's already exceeded my expectations! There's no need to do better if I can't teach him anymore because there's nothing more more I can teach him. " Alessio, calm down. I'm not ending your apprenticeship because you did anything wrong. Quite the opposite actually. You exceeded any expectations set for you. There's just simply nothing more I can teach you" looking each of them in the eyes, I pulled down my hood and smiled "I'm actually quite proud to have been able to teach each of you"

This was the first time they ever saw my actual face, so I guess my beauty surprised them into silence, or something, because they just stood there like idiots. While lifting up my hood, I covered my eyes "so now that my job is done, I'll be heading out. I just received a job that is paying me good money" I couldn't help but giggle insanely in my head. Even before I died I understood why mammon loved money, it was because there would come a day when you would really need it. The Arcobaleno trials was a perfect example of that. Money made the world go round. I waved goodbye as I cast an illusion around myself. While heading to my private plane, I couldn't stop the small smile from creeping up my face. I really was a softy.

Author's note:

Now I would like to thank all the comments you guys left me in my last chapter. It was all really helpful and encouraging. So Thank You.

Oh and to one of the commenters yes she, now he, does here I'll explain

when I wrote "As I nodded to my dad in understanding "I promise" though on in the inside I was panicking because this seemed so eerily familiar to what I had remembered just minutes before" He was referring to the flashback he had about his little brother in his last life...and later his suspicion is confirmed when his parents talk about the types of dying will flames. I guess with my style of writing you should for hints rather than the "OMG I'm in KHR" those types of lines make the story seem rather bland and simple...well I mean that's just my opinion though…

anyways there you go… alright so…

Cindy Out~