Lapse 2


"Desperate times call for desperate measures. And when desperation hits sometimes the most dangerous of decisions are made."


-47 years ago-

The building was dark. Not even the faint light from the moon and the outside lights could pierce the thick miasma that decided to take residence there in the abandoned amusement park. Each step echoed in among the hallways only to get swallowed in the cracks that stood out in the walls.

"How sad," Mercy couldn't help but comment as his eyes supplied both what the building once was and that of its current state. The two images sat in front of his eyes, the currently overlaying the sepia duplicate of the past. "To think humans would desert such a place with such soul and leave it for the elements and otherworldly to claim it."

Every presence of every person to have stepped into the building left faint impressions and vibrations of energy. If enough were to amass inside the walls that absorbed them, then the location would gain a soul of its own. It was the most common cause of supposed hauntings, rather than simply a vengeful human spirit, though that occurred on occasion.

Mercy, like Giotto, could sense those souls. But this one was also tainted by an outside source. A particularly hostile human caught in the web of a slow death but being too negative to simply lay down and pass on. So instead he was turning into a demon.

While such jobs could usually be left to hunters, they were an unreliable bunch. They only really took jobs that other humans gave, and even then it was because they would get paid. As grand and holy as some hunters tried to make themselves off to be, they were no different than any other human. If anything some were worse, refusing help if the pay wasn't to their standards. This was one such case.

Mercy normally wouldn't get involved, but he knew this human personally. It had been his land that the human ended up during his visit to Hell courtesy of the humans experimenting on him. While Mercy couldn't actively help, he was able to help to some degree. But now that the man was free and left festering in his pain, the young demon thought it only right he come personally.

"Mukuro!" he began to call out as the miasma thickened to an almost suffocating level. Or at least it would have done such to a human. For Mercy, it felt like walking through a refreshing shower. Proof enough that no matter how decent a being he was or attempted to be, he would always be a demon at the core. A creature that revelled in darkness. But such depressing laments of his existence were better saved for later.

"Mukuro!"

"My my, does my ears deceive me? Did a king of hell really come to comfort little old me?"

The voice that chuckled from down the hall would have sent a lesser soul shivering. Mercy though wasn't as weak as his human form suggested and he prided himself on his observant nature. From that he could catch the slightest tones of sorrow dripping in the other's tone.

Without even pausing to gather himself, the demon rounded the corner and came face to face with the more cloying of scents. Blood and illness lingered on the air, making his face scrunch as the taste of aged copper hit his sensitive tongue catching the air.*

Golden eyes locked on the two bodies that laid across the floor at Mukuro's feet, said man's back leaned roughly against the back of the sofa. Upon closer inspection, it became obvious that their deaths were the cause of their bodies giving out slowly thanks to the many experiments done to them. And, despite Mukuro's faint laughter, the wet spots around the collar of his shirt suggested he was mourning the deaths of his friends.

"Why Mercy. So nice to see you again. I would stand and welcome you to my humble abode, but as you can tell I'm not exactly in the best of health for that,"

"I know what's going on and so do you,"

"Oh? And what do I obviously know?"

"That you are becoming a demon," At those words, the purple haired man's heterochromatic eyes sharpened, locking onto Mercy's own vibrant orange and searching for any sign of a lie. Once he got his fill of the truth that radiated from those unnatural orbs, he slumped back.

"I am, huh? I wonder why just me though,"

"You wish your friends were coming with you,"

Mukuro immediately opened his mouth to deny it only to close his mouth a moment later, as if suddenly changing his mind.

"I guess there is no point in me lying to you. Kufufufaahh.** We finally got free only for them to turn around and die not even a few days later. Fate is truly unkind to those it hates,"

"If you like I can revive them…" Mercy mumbled lightly, unable to bear the psychotic but rarely melancholy man look as though he lost all the fight in him.

In return, Mukuro's eyes flashed for a moment.

"They'll be demons though… as a high rank demon, if their souls are still in limbo I can contract them to serve me, effectively making them demons… But they could never regain their humanity.."

"KUFUFUFUFUHAHA! Mercy-dear, you shouldn't say that like it is a bad thing. In my time among your kind, while cruel, their cruelty did little to surpass that of humanity," Mukuro moved to wipe the tears that spilled from his eye at the sudden bout of laughter, "Now then, if you will revive my friends we can now leave this hellhole. The sooner we are free from Earth, the sooner I can start my new life as your guardian,"

-Present Day-

The building was much like the one all those years ago, but replacing those battered walls of stone were ones of plaster whose white paint still gleamed freshly. The carpet underfoot was firm, but of a rich dark beige color.

At Mercy's side Reborn walked with a brisk pace, eyes only locked ahead and gun out fisted in his fingers. Like all those years ago, the demon could also see the echoes, by they chose to hug the floors alone thrumming like a photo taken in motion. According to the report he spotted over the hitman/hunter's shoulder, this building has been abandoned for many years before someone decided to buy the property and gut it. Only the skeleton of the original building was left untouched in all the work.

But, unknown to Reborn was the deep seated darkness that seemed to permeate the structure. It was obvious this place had happily been adopted by some of the free demon population and made as their home for quite some time. Part of Mercy couldn't help but feel bad for the demons who were forced into a frenzy as humans marched in and claimed their home.

"Humans are the worst kind of parasites in this world. They leach from it without a single thought for any other life or creature besides themselves," The familiar words of Mukuro thrummed in his memory as Mercy recalled the man who was human only in species. His own kind made sure to stamp all over whatever humanity he may have had before.

"OI, IDIOTA MERCY!"

[Pause! Below is a very colorful phrase courtesy of a demon who had his ear screamed in. For anyone sensitive to coarse language, you have been warned.. (Also I don't want anyone getting pissy about the use of deggo. It was only used as an insult by a pissed off demon so please don't flame me for using it)]

"What the fuck you cockass motherfucked!? That was my goddamn ear!? I know you think you are a bad-ass deggo, but for fucks sake, screaming in the ear of a being whose hearing is more sensitive than yours*** is a dick move!" Mercy screeched as he clapped his hands over his ringing ears. He was distantly aware of Reborn staring at him with wide eyed but he didn't care. That freaking hurt.

Sadly he wasn't able to mourn his ear for much longer as a nearby wall decided to pick that time to be smashed open by a few pissed off demons.

"This may be the time to name me…"

With a crash, Reborn immediately went on guard, his eyes roving distantly over the pathetically useless demon. Said demon was spouting crap about names. And, while Reborn knew next to everything about demons and how they worked, he himself had not had any personal experience in summoning. But he was pretty sure things such as that weren't necessary.

"Just stay behind me if you can't find," Utter the raven with a huff as his fingers snatched the small wrist and pulled. The movement was right in the nick of time as the demons that came through the wall picked that moment to burst through.

Holy-water filled rounds dispersed the shadows, but for every part that withdrew another came for. The twisting mass of demons that were beginning to join together let out unholy shriek after shriek as they were hurt. Yet all it simply did was spurn their anger.

"Reborn! You have to name me and finish the contract! This is beyond you!" Mercy called out from his place behind the hunter. The high soprano of his yells and the words themselves prompted the narrowing of Reborn's dark eyes in annoyance.

"Tch. You are a pretty pathetic demon aren't you? If I am so overmatched, why don't I just throw you into them and let them have your way with you while I run instead?"

"R-Reborn… I-I… uh... I didn't mean it that way, Idiot-Hunter. If you weren't so arrogant you would see that no matter how skilled you are there is no getting over the disadvantage you set for yourself. You are simply not equipped to handle this many demons. The reports dissuaded you into not packing heavy for this job and while I know you keep spares in your car, you are in no place to be able to go get them," As Mercy spoke, his tone became darker and more sly. Each word the panic and almost pathetic attitude that started his words melted away into the calmness born of experience. That in and of itself caused Reborn to turn his onyx eyes onto the young demon.

"So then what do you suggest, Pathetic-Mercy?"

"I suggest you do what I said earlier and finish the contract with a name,"

Now that repeat of the name thing left Reborn slightly at a loss. If it was used again, it must be important. But sadly, he would have to learn this now while fighting off a surging mass of combined demons.

"Okay speak. How is it relevant and how do I do it?" Another round of shots went off as Reborn shifted his position, one eye fixed on the demon behind him and silently prompting the individual to explain.

"Well it completes the contract by giving the power a special word or name to use to prompt the activation of the contract. Each name manifests the demons power in a different way. You didn't pick one, so my power is sealed as part of a safety device made to keep other demons from trying to kill their contractor before the contract is completely set,"

Now Reborn wasn't an easily impressed individual, but the speed at which the demon explained why still keeping it understandable earned his praise. But soon his mind was brought back to the mass of demons, his gun clicking to signal the end of the clip. His lips thinned and his expression soured as he found himself backed into a corner. The gun was sent flying at the mass as he drew another from his coat.

"So I just have to pick a name right?"

"I guess? I don't know how the naming system really works,"

The hitman snorted at that, before adding darkly, "Not very useful know aren't you?"

"Well why should a demon know how humans pick names for our kind anyway?" The young demon was quick to call Reborn out, his expression only really able to be explained as a pout as he stepped back in tangent with Reborn's own movement.

"Fine. Let's see, what names do I know off the top of my head…" Another clip was emptied into the creature, only giving him a minute to think as he reloaded and took aim back at the shifting dark shadow that was slowing but not stopping.

"Just pick one,"

"Fine. Tsunayoshi. There,"

Well that name, spoke in the most uninterested tone did the trick. Though it did bring a wrinkle to the nose of the demon.

"Why that name?"

"You look Japanese and my last boss had a particular fascination with Tokugawa Shoguns. I could have always picked a girl's name,"

[Wow Reborn. You made that so anti-climatic.]

"Okay, well whatever works," Mercy, or Tsuna, responded to Reborn's words with a grin that wasn't exactly pure as he touched the blazing orange contract that came to life on his collarbone, "What's your order's boss?"

Reborn twisted to stare at the demon.

"What do you think they would be? Maybe destroy the demon,"

"You're no fun,"

"I'm going to shoot you…"

"Fine," Tsuna spread his arms, twisted orange magic glowing upon his fingertips as he uttered a few words in a language that wasn't exactly human.

"Exite custos grandinem venti tempestatis in fine.

Red quasi lux caeli flammis coruscantes metus deorsum.

Creaturarum, sanctus dicetur, non plenarie malevolentia.

Manus in manu imbre consurgens.

Alium autem tutorem qui de caelo.

Flammam hyacintho.

In momento et venite ad me.

Nominis invocarem nomina data.

Turbine et a pluvia.

Gokudera, Yamamoto, Conjuro te." ****

The orange flames touched the ground and ignited as Tsuna directed his hands below him. From that a portal of swirling gold appeared, only to sprout from it two flames. One of red, the other of blue.

Amidst those two flames materialized two boys who looked roughly like human teenagers, save for the more demonic additions. A japanese boy with eyes of flinted gold and black forked horns like those of a chinese dragon tipped in a velvet-like covering. A tail much like a dog hung free from his clothes while his ears edges were serated in a feather-like fashion.

The other had hair of an unnatural silver, eyes a luminescent green whose pupil was slitted. Ears and two tails of a cat decided to act as his inhuman features. Yet both were smiling faintly as their eyes flickered toward the demon behind him.

"You ready, Sword Freak?" The silver boy asked his partner, his own hands lined with explosives.

"Yes. Let's go,"

And the two with synchronised movements charged forward.

Omake! Demonology with Mercy!

Mercy settles on the desk with his legs crossed.

"Okay today we will be covering names in anticipation of the next chapter.

"Demons by nature are fluid creatures in many aspected. Race, gender, and appearance are constantly changing for demons. While some prefer one over the others, they have to be prepared to change it after a moment's notice. This has to do with names.

"Each time a demon is contracted by a human, they gain a new name. While they may be required to introduce themselves to some extent, these pet names are usually replaced by a name chosen by the contractor. This name both acts to bind the demon to them and unlock their power while simultaneously shaping it. Think of it this way. A demon's power is like electricity and a name is like a wire used to direct and control the electricity, giving it a function.

"For each name a demon has a different form born from the release of their powers while also gaining so strength from their connection to the human. It is next to unheard of for a demon to have the same form for different names, but they may have similar aspects. In fact there is one aspect that will stick with a demon no matter what their form or name may be. This aspect acts as an identifier.

"Now, despite their fluid nature, demons do in fact have a true form. That true form is under their true name. It is said if a human gets ahold of a demon's true name, they can have next to an unbelievable amount of control over that demon. It comes from the fact that the human is then tied to the core of the demon itself rather than the individual chunk of power categorized under a name.

"Keeping with the electricity theory, instead of possessing the simple appliance or set of appliances, the human has control of the entire power station.

"So once I receive a name from Reborn, I will have more access to my abilities but he will also have more control over me. A double-edged sword if you will.

"Anyway that is all. Thank you for having me."


*Mercy's tongue is structured much like a snake's, allowing enhanced sense of smell when he "tastes" the air. He usually only uses this though when tracking.

**For anyone who is confused it is a mixture of his signature laugh "Kufufufu" and "Haahh" which is the sound made when you sign.

***Roughly as sensitive as a dogs.

**** Come forth in the throes of wind and hail my guardian of Storm.

Like a flash of red decorating the flames of the sky that blaze beneath.

Of the creatures not holy nor of complete malevolence.

Hand in hand, you rise with the rain.

Another guardian who speaks of the sky.

A flame of blue.

Both in a flash, come to me.

Your names I call, names I granted.

Storm and Rain.

Gokudera, Yamamoto, I summon thee.


Razenshia: Well you will see their reaction eventually. And yes, I had fun writing that bit. He himself won't fight until he really has to. But when he does, it should be pretty good and definite truth that he is high ranked.

As for pairings, there probably will be. I can write any of them save for G27 just simply because that one has always be a little strange to me... I may in the end make a poll or something, but that will start after the introductory arc.

X3: You will see how Nagi works when I get into the first story arc. But Chrome will definitely be there. I can't leave poor Chrome out.

Sakura: It will pick up even more and hopefully my writing will improve once I get past the tedious introductory arc.

CatunaCaty: Gracias. Lo siento por los errores. Tuve que usar traductor Google. No hablo español. Solamente inglés, francés básico, y algunas japonés. ^. ^ "

luwiluwi: Thank you. And it really depends on you people. Even if this one isn't completely finished, I am plotting out a really long detailed one I plan on making that will likely be completed no matter what. I am just waiting until everything is set up and also planning on searching for a beta for it. If you know anyone interested...

sarahgri99: Yeah it hurt. To him it was probably like being given tetanus shots all over his body. But they didn't kill him. To kill a high level demon like him, you would definitely need more than bullets. Both things are explained to some degree in this chapter's omake, namely the second. But some things can be taken for the first.

Foxluna: Well now he has Yamamoto and Gokudera, so I'm pretty sure some of that will end. But even if it doesn't, I think Reborn will be in for something bad if he keeps it up and managed to finally piss off Tsuna.


Author Note!:

I apologize for any crappiness in this writing. I know I am not the best, but I keep on trying. I am still a little rusty in certain aspects, but hopefully it will get better as I keep going.

But at any rate I got this far. In the background I have been working on a better version of this same idea. For that one it will be slow going and none of the chapters will be posted unless I am 100% pleased with it, but don't worry. Even if I do start getting more ground with the other, I will keep this one up for those who enjoy it.

Anyway remember that I feed on reviews. So review and I will see you next time!