Hi hi!
OMG 100 follows from ONE chapter!? I'm sooo happy!
God I really hope this chapter lives up to the expectation… Well I really hope it does cause I sprained my wrist writing this. Yes. You heard right.
I honestly don't know why it happened but I swear to god it's true. I'm wearing a special glove and all!
haha I practice the art of extreme fanfiction-ing.
Where was I? Oh yes.
I so hope you enjoy this chapter and please tell me your opinions~~
Maybe it was a bad idea to have gone East. Not that Reborn would ever say it out loud. But it had been a pretty rash decision on his part.
It had been around a week and a half since his little 'almost drowning because of a certain stupid purple idiot' incident (which he made sure to afterward to punish said purple idiot) and there were no signs of land in sight. Apart from Skull, none of them were used to very long times at sea. Meaning they always made sure to take short journeys on boat, even if meant a longer time to their overall end destination. Everyone was getting irritated, even the ever calm Fon was starting to lose patience. Food was getting low and hunger would not be the best thing for them to face right now.
"Reborn-sempai are we there ye~~t?" The purple idiot whined annoyingly making the hit man's eyebrow twitch oh so subtly in irritation.
"Shut up lackey." The elder growled which was accompanied by the sounds of gunshots and yelps.
"Oi kora! Your scaring all the fish here- how is my beautiful Lal going to eat tonight if we don't have anything to serv- ow!"
"You stupid student! It will take a hundred years more training for you to even think about trying to protect me!"
"So there is a number kora." The blonde gave a triumphant smirk as the bluenette blushed violently.
"I-idiot! And you haven't even caught a single fish- God you are useless!"
"Will you desist your useless flirting for one second? I am trying calculate our current funds and more importantly my share of the gold."
"I am in agreement with Mammon. This bickering is disrupting my experiments."
Soon the voices all were drowned by each other as they once again descended into a mass of loud shouting and fighting. Fon who was trying to meditate could faintly feel a migraine forming in his head. His attention moved to less headache inducing ideas and turned to watch the blue waves rolling lazily in the water. The martial artist thought back on the memory of a certain brunette mermaid. The Chinese noticed that the other raven-haired male was also afflicted with similar thoughts as he too was looking at the tempestuous sea. In fact ever since that incident everyone of them will time and time again look into the sea and sometimes they swore they saw a glimmer of orange, a splash that didn't belong or a faint tinkling laughter which was from no mere wind.
Tsuna was having fun watching the humans interact with each other on the strange floating thing known as a 'ship'. Honestly the brunette thought it was a very fancy large piece of driftwood.
He was curious of everything they did- the black scary thing that the human he saved (and so politely backstabbed when the opportunity arose, the teen thought a little bitterly) always seemed to hold and threaten others with. The strange pieces of paper the cloaked human always seem to be... Counting? The way the long haired human wearing the strange colour just sat at random times of the day for hours- like seriously what the hell is with that?! And just anything the green haired male seemed to be fiddling with was amazingly intriguing to watch.
However no matter how interesting or how curious the merteen was, Tsuna was still very wary on actually approaching these people. For good reason though. The brunette didn't understand why they tried to attack him so suddenly and even if he was confident enough to be able to escape a second time- Tsuna felt a little shy in actually meeting these people. It was kind of pathetic really that he still felt rather timid around strangers but he did. However as he watched these colorful two-legged creatures the sunset coloured merteen noted an increase in internal fighting as well as longer intervals of consuming their rather bland looking substance which the male assumed to be their food. They seemed to also consume fish but however were not very good in hunting them with their thin pieces of wood and even thinner rope. It seemed a little like one unfortunate cycle. The humans wouldn't eat, they get hungry, they get irritated, they fight, they get hungrier. Tsuna wondered why they were starving themselves. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try talking with them again... You know in a few more days. Damn his dame-ness.
Three weeks. Three freaking weeks at sea. Three freaking weeks drifting about in the middle of nowhere with people he rather shoot than spend another second with. If the looks of annoyance and anger on the others faces were any indication then they too seem to share the same murderous thoughts. 'That would be a laugh- the Seven strongest people in the world killed by friendly fire in the middle of the frigging ocean.' Reborn thought morbidly. Not to mention they were all starving. At the moment everyone was attempting to fish or scavenge the waters for any edible substance as their food source has run dangerously scarce. While the hitman was quite the picky gourmet at this rate he would be satisfied with anything even- and it physically disgusts him to admit it- instant coffee.
Again a glimmer of orange catches his eye and distracting him from his hunger. Recently he had found himself unconsciously looking out into the horizon waiting for a glimpse of the beautiful merchild who saved him. As the world's greatest hitman he could sense the creature's presence nearby and as each day passes the brunette seemed to be a little closer than before. He didn't know why he found himself relieved the mermaid hadn't left, even when the other held every right too but he did. Maybe it was curiousity or quite possibly a lingering guilt or even a little sadistic desire to tease the teen (the shocked face the mermaid made when he shot his gun at him was simply delightful). It couldn't be anything else after all and even then the guilt option seemed a little unlikely as well. A slight growl of his stomach woke him from his thoughts as he felt himself holding his stomach as if trying to silence the undignified sounds coming from him. Shit he hated living on a boat.
"Kora. You too huh?" The blonde laughed wearily as he sat down by the edge of the boat next to the already annoyed hitman.
"Shut. up. Colonello."
If the soldier heard him he sure didn't show it. Throwing his head back to look at the sky as he leaned slightly backward the blue eyed male proclaimed to the heavens. "I would sell my soul just to get a piece of fish to eat kora!"
"A-ano, I don't really need your soul but I can get you some fish if you want."
Reborn blinked. Colonello abruptly looked down to the source of the unknown voice dumbly. All the others who were absentmindedly listening suddenly whipped their heads in order to also see the source. Tsuna unused to all the attention shyly sank a little deeper in the blue depths so only his wet brown hair and caramel brown eyes were seen. "W-well if you promise not to hurt me anyway." He gurgled underwater but they all somehow still caught it.
"I will pay you three grand." Mammon piped up breaking the silence. The brunette responded with a cute tilt of the head as his brow wrinkled in confusion.
"Grand? What is this grand you speak of?"
The indigo clad individual couldn't respond. To him money was everything and some more. Someone who didn't understand its value was unthinkable. The only female of the group stepped up for the now rendered speechless male.
"You'll really help with our food problem?" She said with a disbelieving snort and raised eyebrow. "What's in it for you huh brat?"
That the teen understood. Of course they too would be just as suspicious to the other party. Honestly he had no ulterior motive nor a reason to even help, in fact their previous interaction would make anyone assume that the creature was stalking them for revenge. Which he wasn't. Tsuna just didn't want the most interesting thing to come into his life to die. However his intuition seemed to warn him that if he said that the people would definitely not take it as the compliment it was. Really humans were strange. The merteen just shrugged, his tail swishing in the water glistening as lights reflected off the scales. "I guess I'm getting a little hung-er-ee too. So if you all stay put I could hunt a little extra for you."
The group of humans looked at each other in silent conversation. The brunette waited patiently for their decision, subtly trying to read the almost stoic poker faces to gain some sort of insight. Truly these two legged ones were very complex. Finally the one with a tail for hair turned to the half submerged creature with a calm smile. "We would like it very much if you could do that err... Mermaid-kun." Tsuna liked this human's politeness. Though he can't help but remember at the back of his mind how scarily swift the man was and the strength in his grip.
"It's Tsunayoshi." He affirmed mimicking the politeness he had received.
"Then I'm Fon. One of the fastest individuals and highly trained in martial arts." Fon gave a bigger smile as he then gestured to the now surrounding humans.
"This is Mammon, the greatest Illusionist in the world" Still speechless the cloaked figure just nodded toward the creature.
"Skull holds a body that defies human laws in terms of endurance, defense etc. He is one of the best divers in the world."
At the introduction the leather clad man puffed up arrogantly "They say I'm hated by the Grim Reaper and even Neptune himself!" The merteen swished his tail in wonder at the strange textured coated human in awe. "Wow! Neptune has never hated anyone. You must be amazing!" The brunette complimented honestly. Neptune was powerful and as tempestuous as the sea he rules but it was rare for him to hate anyone. Of course the man traveled more than actually staying in one place so Tsuna wasn't really updated in the guy's hit list.
Skull paled at the compliment. 'Wait. Neptune was real?!'
Fon paled a little as well as the others, it was barely noticeable to all but Tsuna himself however the teen just passed it off as a human thing. "*cough* Well this is Lal Mirch the only female of the group. Former boss of COMSUBIN and one of the strongest soldiers in the world. Colonello over there is also a former member and expert in handling various weaponry." The female snorted rather un-femininely. "That's probably the only thing he was good at." Colonello put his hand to his heart rather dramatically in reply. "Kora! I'm hurt Lal."
"Over there eyeing you up is Verde. He's considered the smartest person to date. Some even call him Da Vinci's reincarnation." The brunette didn't know who this Da Vinci human was but he sounded great. If this human was as a genius as Tails (though he knew the names of them now it was still hard to stop calling them by their nicknames) said he was, Tsuna found himself getting excited at all the answers he could get to his questions. "I am not 'eyeing him up' as you so eloquently put it." Verde grumbled. "It is called observing."
"And this..." The martial artist continued. "Is Reborn. He's-"
"Chaos." Obsidian eyes much like the depths of the ocean immediately pulled in chocolate ones. "Reborn. The greatest hitman in the world." Tsuna couldn't help but shiver slightly as the deep voice seemed to vibrate through him as he could practically hear so many complexities in that one sentence. Pride. Seduction. Arrogance. Curiousity. Suspicion. And a soft edge that subtly seemed to ask for forgiveness.
The underwater dweller smiled at them all, trying to memorize each name to each unique face before wordlessly sinking into the ocean's depths.
Now it was time to eat.
A few minutes later and forty meters under sea level it occurred to the teen that he didn't know what humans actually ate. Shit. And he did such a dramatic exit too.
Mermaids ate anything. Literally anything and everything. From algae to fish to sharks to shipwrecked sailors to the shipwrecks themselves. And something told him that humans don't exactly share the same diet of see food. As in if you can see it, you eat it.
As he was in the midst of panicking, caramel brown eyes caught sight of a flash of silver. Turning his eyes lit up at the sight of a school of large silver fish about a meter in length and oblivious as hell. He knew this particular species held no trace of poison, just sharp teeth and an admittedly very fast tail. Of course not as fast as his. A spark of orange and all his scales shimmered like tiny flames itching to burn and attack as he sprang toward the school like the predator he is.
*grumble* *growl*
"Dammit where is that shrimp?! I'm starving!"
"It's only been a few minutes since he left. Expecting Tsunayoshi-kun to have enough food for seven people including himself is a bit much."
"But since the boy isn't technically human do you think he would know what well we can digest?"
A short silence immersed the group. Then-
"Lackey you eat the food first."
"I agree kora."
"BU-" Skull silenced himself as he caught sight of a shadow that was slowly getting bigger. He looked up at Reborn and Colonello who was intimidatingly right in front of him and took a huge step back. Before the hitman could even raise an eyebrow or the Comsubin soldier could open his mouth a rain of long silver fish fell down on them. All there was were stunned silence and the sound of fish flapping desperately around the boat. Then a tinkling laughter penetrated the quiet. There the half fish, half human male was rolling on the deck laughing his scales off.
"Ahaha- I'm *gasp* so sorry- haha- tripped *wheeze* your faces -Hahahahaha- hilarious *gasp*"
Apparently some of the laughter was infectious. Fon covered his mouth with his sleeve. Mammon tugged his hood to hide his amusement, wishing absentmindedly that he had a device to capture the moment. Verde was smirking as he actually began planning such a device so moments like this could be forever engraved and remembered. Lal Mirch was trying really hard not to laugh at her drenched student but couldn't suppress the chuckles escaping her lips. Skull couldn't hold back any of his laughter and did so outright directly in front of his very unamused, fish covered sempais.
"What..." Dark eyes narrowed as long fingers picked up a failing fish from his wet spikey black hair. "Is this?"
Tsuna smiled his most innocent smile that could have put Angels to shame if not for the cheeky glint in his shining wide honey brown eyes.
"Lunch."
"Kora! This is the best meal I had ever!" Bright blue eyes twinkled like the sea's waves on a hot cloudless day as he turned to the smiling half submerged mermaid. "You are totally forgiven for before." The sudden change from loud and childish to serious with the last statement made Tsuna laugh lightly as his tail splashed in the water in gentle satisfaction. He really did love humans. How different they were since his first meeting a few weeks back. Food somehow provides trust between individuals. What a strange exchange. Maybe that strange saying he had read once was right. 'The fastest way to a man's heart is through the stomach.' Though why anyone would feed a human just to take their heart is beyond him. Personally he preferred the head or a limb. Less chewy.
"Not a bad catch brat." Lal commented gruffly through bites of darkened fish, though the brunette noted the tone to be relatively light indicating a good mood. Tsuna was honestly more interested in the fish rather than the compliment itself. The fish or Barracuda as they called it was no longer silver and well -normal after they brought them in their underground wooden cave they called 'downstairs'. The skin was darker and not as smooth and wet, the flesh no longer pink and bloody. What really stood out was the smell. It was not anything the male had ever experienced, it wasn't 'fishy' though it wasn't a bad thing. Just different. Oh how both his curiosity and instincts were screaming at him to snatch this unknown substance to taste however he had just established a relationship with the humans and wished not to overstep any boundaries he knew nothing about. He wasn't really as starving as he claimed to be before, he was hungry but he was always hungry. The only reason he ate was to stave off starvation- because once at that state hell breaking loose would be an understatement to what would happen. But studying the strange preparation of fish, the aroma somehow made his mouth unconsciously fill with saliva. It was a little unnerving to be honest how this white meat made him react in such a manner.
"Do you want to try some?"
The voice was deep, gravely and filled with an overwhelming curiousity much like his own that the merteen had to turn to the voice. There was the green haired male with the funny decoration on his nose. His name was Verde if he remembered correctly. "Ah- no I'm fine! I wouldn't want to impose..."
Despite his denial his traitorous excuse of a body said otherwise, his tone clearly suggesting a want to taste, his body language showed signs of pouncing the meal in the scientist's hands any second, brown eyes only staring at the said dish while his tail kicked the water impatiently, scales practically shimmering with impatience. While Verde was not the most social of human beings even he could recognize a lie that bad. Raising his eyebrow in amusement he cut a small part of his cooked barracuda and offered the piece on the edge of his fork for the creature.
If he wasn't there right now he wouldn't have believed mermaids of all things existed. He would have scoffed at the delusional fool who told him such nonsense and send him far away from his old lab in Germany. But he was here now and they do exist so the only logical thing was to observe the other. To research him. Information was the scientists bread and butter. And Tsuna was definitely the highest form of that. Just his presence intrigued and confused him. And the green haired male appreciated how the other seemed to share the same sheer curiosity as he from what he could tell. While he prided himself of being apathetic for the sake of science Verde found himself wanting to become better acquainted to the other, surprisingly not just as a subject but possibly someone in which he could hold a... Friendly conversation. Never had he held a feeling like this with anyone, not even his companions who while interesting enough he found uncouth and irritating- especially Reborn- and that feeling of distaste was mutual to say the least. No. The mermaid was quite quiet, he held an almost childishness demeanor yet his wide honeyed brown eyes revealed a glint of maturity and wisdom that came from experience and age. Not to mention the creature held a charisma, a charm that couldn't be put down but swayed even the most stubborn. 'Fascinating.'
Tsuna looked at the offered meal with excitement and suspicion. However his ever burning curiousity won over and coyly he lifted himself from the edge of the deck to try the meal. At the sound of the water falling of his lithe figure being pulled out of the blue ocean's clutches the chattering and consumption of food stopped as the rest of the group watched the scene play out with a little shock. Verde of all people was doing something nice? Verde?! Did they actually die during the storm and reincarnate in some hell on earth parallel universe!? What was next - Reborn wearing a pink fluffy dress while Mammon willingly gives all his money to charity?!
As Tsuna lifted himself to slide up on the ship next to the scientist eyeing the substance in the other's hands with hungry intrigue. However the merteen was quite confused on how to consume the food in a socially acceptable manner. "What is the social protocol for this situation um- Verde-san?" The green haired male quirked his lips up slightly in bemusement.
"Just consume the food like you normally would Tsunayoshi."
Honestly Verde was expecting the other to take the fork and eat the cooked fish on it like any normal person would. So it was quite the surprise when not only did the younger looking male not do those things but he instead cupped his surprisingly warm hands around his wrist holding the fork (he absentmindedly noted how small and delicate those fingers wrapped around him were) and proceeded to eat both fish and metal utensil. There was a particularly disturbing loud crunch. Followed by more noises that reminded everyone of bones being grinded to a mulch. Very different to the vision of the rather thin dainty figure chewing cutely and happily savouring the taste of the new food in his mouth.
The silver stick wasn't bad. Crunchy but not gravelly like sand nor crackly like the the reddish rust found on anchors. In fact it was strangely smooth and a little oily on the tongue. The humanised fish was possibly the strangest- though not unwelcome sensation he had ever experienced. It was hot. Not like eating a fish on a particularly sunny day when the water around them was hot but the fish itself was exuding heat which was amazing in itself. It was oily on the tongue and there was surprisingly very little saltiness to what he was used to. A little plain. But it wasn't bad. Tsuna wouldn't mind another bite if offered anyway. Then again he wasn't the most picky.
With an audible swallow he finished the last of his meal. Turning to look up at the scientist the brunette gave a shy smile of appreciation. "T-thanks for the meal."
Verde found his heart suddenly beating at a fervored rate at the sight and his cheeks warm slightly. Somehow he wanted to see more of that enticing smile and that urge could for a second almost consume his current curiosity of the mermaid's dietary intake. He would have to run some experiments on himself to determine the cause of such strange abrupt symptoms.
Tsuna noticed the other was looking at him strangely, actually as he began to become more aware of his surroundings he realised the rest of the humans had stopped their own activities to watch him. With the amount of stares his way he began to feel a lot more self conscious and vulnerable- especially more so when out of water. He furrowed his brows delicately in confusion at this response. 'Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?'
The long haired male was the one who answered his unspoken question coughed slightly. "We *cough* didn't expect you to eat the fork."
'Fork? Did he mean the shiny stick? Well that didn't make sense. Verde offered him the food and he took it right?' His brow furrowed deeper, uncomprehending what he did wrong. The human he saved- Reborn seemed to read his mind ('Shit did certain humans have the ability to read minds?!'), picked up his own fork and kneeled in front of the creature. "This." A smirk was found on the hitman's lips and a smug twinkle of amused condescension in those attractive eyes of darkness. It was possibly the first of many times Tsuna felt the urge to punch the smug face in. "Is a fork, it's used to pick food up to eat Dame-Tsuna."
"How did you know I was called that!" The brunette shouted before quickly clasping his mouth with his hands like he could take back the words that had already escaped his mouth. The sadistic smirk only widened in response making the merteen shudder slightly. Then he realised something.
"Wait. You need something to hep you eat? Could you not use your hands?"
The hitman snorted but before he could comment on the brunette's question Fon ever the peacemaker stepped in. "Well Tsunayoshi-kun forks are used so it's more hygienic when we eat."
"Hygenic?"
"So we don't get sick kora!"
"Don't interrupt you loudmouth!"
Once again the group devolved into noise and fighting. Colonello teasing the angry blushing Lal Mirch. Skull piping up and earning himself a few punches and insults from the soldiers. Somehow the indigo coloured human stumbled and tripped over the pile of paper the cloaked one had been counting rather obsessively before hand. Mammon screeched something in another language- Italian?- and Verde quickly rushed over to save his containers filled with funny bubbling liquids and strange contractions from a future in the scrap pile. Fon was just there in the middle of it all trying to soothe the fighting duo. Tsuna and Reborn just watched by the sidelines, one smirking in amusement and the other giggling at the scene, happy the humans were once again so energetic and lively. The duo found themselves just enjoying each others company and presence as they watched the chaos unfold.
It was so nice. The feeling of the salty wind and big expanse of blue sky caressing his whole body. Basking in the direct warmth of the sun as shadows of the white masses in the sky moved slowly. The noises of humans on the deck, fighting, laughing (mainly on the blonde's end) and more lively bickering. Then a calming presence of the human dressed almost in black he saved balancing out the various colours of his companions. While he felt a little more uncomfortable with the other Tsuna found himself thinking of those eyes, the voice. Reborn was like a riptide, drawing him in whether he liked it or not. He didn't understand the feeling but right now he was satisfied with now. He would have given anything at the moment to keep everything the same, to pause time and the inevitable.
However time didn't stand still for no one and he knew that better than most as his tail began to ache as he began drying out. Apparently on the surface he dries out much quicker than in the underwater library. Made sense of course since the library was cool whilst here was hot. With a sigh he began edging toward the edge of the boat. The shifting of his lithe body and his scales sparkling like dancing flames as he moved under the light caught a certain yellow pacifier holding hitman's obsidian eyes.
"What are you doing Dame-Tsuna?" The insulting nickname rolled off his tongue like honey. Yes it definitely felt right to the hitman when he saw the subtle irritated twitch of the other. Tsuna was interesting, amusing, entertaining. And there was nothing that Reborn appreciated more than entertainment that didn't piss him off. It was right up there with high quality espresso and beautiful women. 'Speaking of beautiful…' Reborn's eyes couldn't help but let his gaze run down that thin rather attractive body of the merteen. The smaller male had almost creamy white rather soft-looking skin which was strange considering him living his life in the water. However it only added to his ethereally angelic features. Soft fluffy gravity-defying chestnut brown hair framed slightly chubby (but not in a bad way, in a endearing sort of way) face. Large honey brown eyes that seem to hold faint sparks of orange whenever the light hit a certain way and a beautiful array of emotions dancing in those sparks. Really the brunette was rather bewitching he did have to acknowledge and he was grateful for him saving his life but Reborn was well aware that whilst his appearance seemed to make one think of human Tsuna was anything but.
The tail and that scene of him eating before was enough proof he isn't human. A monster.
Even his companions seemed to finally recognise this as well. Tsuna was not like them. Humans fear of the unknown and Tsuna to them was definitely the definition of unknown. Yet there was something that attracted them all to him, Reborn had to admit. however he couldn't put his finger on what it was. But looking at the peaceful scene and hearing the sound of soft laughter like the tinkling of raindrops and splashing waves the hit man couldn't help but appreciate the moment.
"I-I have to go back into the sea." The younger-looking male mumbled softly but loud enough for the raven haired gun-toting hitman's sharp ears. Reborn could hear a faint tinge of remorse at those words but he chose not to voice it. Suddenly a cheeky idea entered his mind. With his usual smirk the man wordlessly picked the half human creature up bridal style earning a rather unmanly high-pitched squeak of surprise and slight indignation. Unexpectedly the merteen was not as heavy as expected despite the whole giant fish tail deal.
"W-w-what are you doing Reborn?!" Tsuna squealed still in a high pitched voice as he struggled slightly embarrassed at being lifted up, he didn't know why but it felt very intimate being so close like that. The hitman smirked inwardly noting how the other reminded him of a flailing fish out of water when he struggled. he also noticed that the other's skin and scales seem to be a little drier and duller than before. It didn't take a genius to figure out that"s why the other had to go back to the ocean. However he made sure to let none of his revelation show on his face instead with a dark smirk and childish glint in his eyes. "What are you talking about Dame-Tsuna? I'm simply helping you." He purred, sending a strange shiver down the brunette's spine which Tsuna promptly pushed away the confusing sensation. Instead he focussed on the sudden feeling of weightlessness as the taller male promptly threw him overboard making him give out a rather undignified yelp.
It was terrifying second of nothing followed by a few even more terrifying seconds of falling before the half-human finally was caught by the arms of the ocean. Immediately all his drying cells of his body as one gave a sigh of relief as it came into contact with the salty liquid. Just to make sure he swam a few flips underwater to see if anything in his body was damaged during the whole 'being unceremoniously thrown in like a sack of leftovers' thing. Caramel brown eyes looked up underwater to glare at the crouching human leaning to watch his swimming figure. Suddenly the merteen was struck with a rather petty but satisfyingly vindictive idea to get back at him.
Reborn watched the mermaid he so carefully released swim quite elegantly in the crystal clear waters, chuckling darkly at the recent memories. Scales and gills shimmering and sparkling with each slight movement. It was quite enthralling to watch. Suddenly the submerged male paused for a second in his current actions and seemed to swim down quickly into the depths. Intrigued the hit man couldn't help but lean forward to see what the mysterious creature was up to.
At a startling fast pace that Reborn barely registered Tsuna was there, large powerful strokes of his tail propelling him upwards breaking the surface in a graceful back flip that a trained gymnast would be envious of. The raven haired trigger happy male would have admired the sight a little more if he hadn't been purposely splashed in the process completely soaking him from head to toe. He had now lost two very expensive silk suits in one day. Whats worse is that he looked like a soaked cat, his lack of amusement evident on his face as he got splashed again as the other dropped back into the water.
The large splash caught everyone's attention to witness the whole scene much to the hitman's displeasure. Skull who apparently forgot his last beating snorted in hilarity, breaking down as he gasped for air during his laughing fit. Colonello too soon joined him on the ground. To add salt to the wounds Tsuna again mockingly did another flip in the air however making sure not to splash anyone on the deck before making a strategic retreat when his intuition flared up and he caught sight of a certain drenched human pulling the scary object from his jacket.
Annoyed as Reborn was at that moment, not to mention murderous as he narrowed his eyes searching for the swimming merteen that will be his future dummy for target practice, a faint whisper of a smile brushed on his face. Never had someone actually defied him in such a way- and succeeded. The kid had balls he'd give him that. Maybe the unexpected companion they inadvertently picked up wouldn't be so bad. As he caught sight of a glimmer of the entrancing scales that seemed to hold dancing flames his pacifier around his neck pulsed unnoticeably.
A single living jewel so very well hidden by the ocean's cloak strayed from the group. Alone and vulnerable and no longer under the Sea King's protection the jewel's lusting curiosity leads him on.
For the first time the jewel bathes in the Sun.
For the first time the jewel meets with the sky and all it's Element's it holds.
A Rainbow greeted the little jewel.
And he was happy.
But at what cost is happiness?
Was it truly worth what was sacrificed?