Author's Notes:
Again, thank you for all the reviews and alerts and favorites! Knowing that so many people like the story makes me smile every time! :)
And I forgot to mention this in the previous chapter, and it's probably already obvious, but I want to say it anyway. Reborn here, as well as the other Arcobaleno have returned to their original forms after Tsuna and co. have found a way to break the curse. (although the recent chapters crushed that hope of mine -weeps-)
Anyway, I present to you, Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The dim light of the moon illuminated the forest, allowing the figure walking around to see the small dirt path that led to the designated destination. After walking for a few more minutes, pushing away branches and leaves that strayed along the dirt path, he finally came to a small clearing where an old abandoned warehouse stood.
Not bothering to inspect the perimeter, the figure entered the old building, avoiding old, dusty boxes and rusting machinery with the aid of the dim moonlight that entered through the broken windows. Bending over a little to evade a large spider web, the figure stopped and stood facing the back wall of the building where a large, collapsed generator laid. A long, dusty white cloth draped over the left side, casting a dark shadow on the other side.
The figure didn't move, waiting, searching for the presence of another human, a small piece of paper held in his right hand. Seconds, minutes passed by and still no one came. The figure tilted his head, starting to get bored and was thinking of heading back when he froze and let a smile grace his lips.
"It seems you finally decided to show up."
The figure spoke, casting his eyes over the shadowed part of the generator. "Why don't you come out and show me who you are? After all, you did call me out to such a far, desolated place." He called out, his voice smoothly flowing from his lips as he continued to stare into the dark shadow.
To any, other normal person, they wouldn't be able to tell if there was someone hiding in the shadow, however, to the figure standing in the middle of the warehouse, it was apparent that someone was indeed there. And even if the person standing there didn't come out, his presence was enough to tell the figure that he was there.
Seconds passed, however the person didn't move from his place and the figure standing in the middle was starting to get impatient. "It seems that you still won't show yourself to me. I even came all the way here, it's quite rude, you know." He chided as he took out his weapon and sent an attack on the shadowed part of the generator.
As his attack reached and pulverized the right side of the generator, he finally felt the presence move and jump away from the cloud of dust that formed from the explosion and landed on top of the boxes piled near the window. The figure looked up at the man; aside from the hood that hid his identity, the light of the moon coming from the windows behind him casted a shadow, further concealing the face of the man.
"I apologize. I was just thinking of whether I could trust you or not."
The figure's eyes widened as he heard the man speak. That voice... no, it wasn't possible... but the familiarity...
"Although you really don't have a choice. Either way, you will have to follow me whether you like it or not."
The figure was intently staring at the man now. That voice, there's no mistaking it, it was-
"Oh? And how do you know that I will actually follow you, choice or no choice?" he questioned, his eyes never leaving the man. The man remained silent for a few seconds before a ghost of a smile graced his lips.
"You will help me, because in the end, you will benefit from it."
"Benefit?" the figure raised a brow. "And pray tell how I'd benefit from it. Whatever it is you plan to do." he spoke, and the man's smile grew, knowing that he now had the figure's interest piqued.
"I have a deal for you." He started as he hopped down the boxes and landed in front of the figure. "If you follow and help me with my plan, I'll give you want you want." He offered, as he now looked up at the figure.
The figure stilled for a moment, obviously weighing the pros and cons of his offer, before dropping his fighting stance and stepping closer to the man.
"Oh? And what is this deal you're telling me about? Care to enlighten me?" the figure asked, obviously intrigued by the man in front of him. At hearing this, the man's smiled turned saccharinely sweet, as if he hadn't just been threatening one of the world's most dangerous Mafioso.
"So you'll help me."
The words came out more as a statement than a question. The man tilted his head upward, allowing the figure to catch a glimpse of the face hidden beneath.
The look in the figures eyes was enough of an answer for the man and he couldn't help but laugh, as he stared at the taller man standing in front of him, a dark look shadowed his sharp eyes. Now that everything was set in place, he could now start his plan.
He would get his revenge.
The aromatic scent or brewed coffee and pastries wafted through the air as customers entered the small cafe located in the corner street a few blocks away from the underground mall of Namimori.
"Welcome!"
Tsuna greeted as he turned to the door, hearing the small bell attached to it tinkle as it swung open, before entertaining the customers and leading them to one of the vacant tables. It had been a month since he first started working in the small cafe.
He had been looking for a job and saw an ad about working part time in a cafe. Having no means of income, he had eagerly applied the next day and was ecstatic at being accepted. Ever since then, he had continued to come to work always on time, except for that one morning where he had accidentally bumped against that tall man. "...Yamamoto-san, was it?" he muttered as he walked back to the counter to place another order.
"Tsunayoshi-kun"
Tsuna turned to see the manager, a middle-aged man with a kind smile, looking at him. He sauntered over to the bar where the manager was before the manager spoke "Could you go to table number five and get the customer's order?" he asked kindly. "Is there something wrong?"Tsuna asked as he turned to table number five where a dark haired man wearing a suit and fedora sat, arms crossed and was looking around the cafe.
"Well, you see," the manager started "it seems none of the other staff would go near him saying that he kept on glaring at them whenever they would take his order. And as you can see, I can't exactly leave the counter at the moment and handle the problem itself." He said apologetically and gestured to the counter where the baristas walking about and mixing the drinks that were ordered. "We've got quite a lot of orders today." The manager added.
Tsuna turned back to look at the man sitting at the table who also turned to look at the counter, where he was, and smirked before looking out the window. "What if he still doesn't order? Should I ask him to leave?" he asked and the manager thought for a second before smiling back at him "No, probably just another one of those grumpy customers we have every now and then. I'm sure you could handle it just like the other times." He answered calmly "If not, then just come and tell me and I'll handle it." He added before going back to the beverage he was mixing.
Tsuna nodded, eyes still directed at the man on table number five "Okay." He said then headed on to the table, avoiding chairs and tables on the way. Taking out a small notepad, he stopped about a feet away from the man
"Good morning sir." He greeted, but the man didn't seem to notice, either that, or he was ignoring him. "Can I take your order?" he tried to get the man's attention, speaking a bit louder than usual so that he was sure the man heard him.
After what seemed like decades, but in reality was just mere seconds, the man finally looked up from the black fedora he was wearing and sent a glare at him.
Tsuna flinched and wondered if the manager guessed right, this man didn't seem like those other grumpy ones that they would have sometimes. Moreover, judging by the way the man dressed, dark, crisp suit, perfectly knotted tie and black fedora hat, he'd say that the man was probably one of those rich, upper class people who would rarely come to such a small cafe as this one.
"Can I take your order?" he repeated his question and tried to suppress the urge to flinch again when the man's glare intensified, as if he was scrutinizing him, and instead, stood his ground.
"You want to take my order." The words came out more like a statement than a question and Tsuna once again questioned his manager's observation. This man wasn't the grumpy type of customer, this man was something else. The vibes that the man seemed to radiate was more like from someone who held a high position or authority and was angry at being questioned. He wondered silently if the man was, by chance, a food critic or something similar since he seemed to be observing the cafe earlier.
Making sure that his smile was still in his face, Tsuna answered. "Yes sir, I want to take your order." He said in a relatively nice way, his eyes remained on the man in front of him.
Seconds that felt like decades passed between them as the man kept his eyes on the brunette, the glare still there but Tsuna could see that there was something else in those eyes, something different, calculating. It was as if the man was analyzing him. And for some strange reason, something compelled Tsuna to stand his ground and just wait for the man to answer, so he did just that, even though deep inside he wanted to cower back from the intensity of the glare the man was giving him.
Another second passed before the glare lessened and the man crossed his arms and leaned back on the chair, dark eyes peered up at him from the black fedora hat on his head. "What's the cafe specialty?" he asked and Tsuna blinked at the sudden change before remembering the question. "U-Um, well, the cafe's specialty depends on what day it is." He started "Since today is Friday, the cafe's specialty is..." he spared a glance at the menu board propped up on the wall behind the counter. "Ristretto.*" he answered.
"Then I'll have that." The man answered and Tsuna quickly brought out his small notepad and scribbled on the order. "Um, is that all, sir?" he asked, glancing back at the man who sent another glare at him.
Flinching again and letting out a small 'Hiiee!', he quickly muttered "R-Right, um, your order is o-one Ristretto." He fidgeted as he repeated the order. "Y-Your drink will be served shortly" before hastily returning to the counter to give the order to the baristas.
Obsidian eyes followed the brunette as Reborn continued to watch the young man's movements. A smirk made it's was to his face as he lowered his fedora. Leon slowly came out from its hiding place behind the fedora and landed on his shoulder. "It seems the backbone that dame-student of mine grew years ago is still there despite the memory loss." He said, remembering the way his student stayed in his place even though he could see the brunette wanted to cower back from his glare.
Years ago, Tsuna wouldn't have been able to stand up to him like that. It was only recently that his student was able to stand his ground like that, whether Reborn was serious of just teasing him. Leon flicked his tongue, seemingly in agreement before returning back to its hiding place behind the fedora.
Although, based from their interaction earlier, it's certain that Tsuna indeed has no memories of them and, most likely, himself. Even though Yamamoto had already confirmed it the first day they arrived in Namimori, he wanted to see for himself it what Yamamoto said was true. It wasn't that he doubted the Rain Guardian's observation, however he knew his student in ways that his Guardians would never understand.
Seeing those brown chocolate orbs fill with nothing but curiosity and a bit of wariness, probably from his glare, and no sign of recognition at all Reborn was now certain that the assumption Iemitsu gave them was true. Even the brunette's actions didn't give Reborn anything to say that the brunette was only pretending, meaning that Tsuna really has no memories.
The smirk on his face faltering the smallest bit; almost unnoticeable, as Reborn continued to watch the brunette walking around the cafe and taking orders from the customers. "It seems like my plan is the most appropriate action to take after all." He uttered to himself as he silently sat by the window and watched his dame-student trip and shriek like a girl.
Author's Notes:
*Ristretto - it's a type of espresso that has a finer texture and lighter color.
I'm not that satisfied with how this chapter ended. For some reason I'm just not. And have I mentioned how hard it is to write Reborn? No? Then let me repeat. . . . So he might be a bit OOC here (and probably in the following chapters too). If he is, my apologies.
As always, please R&R.