A/N: You know, no one's going to believe me now when I say that a story is finished… -.-;
Ah well. This chapter is dedicated to SG-1agnus and isis80709 who wanted to see everyone else's reactions to Harry/Hibiki. This also includes Harry/Hibiki's confession of what, exactly, he's doing in Japan, since Reborn is paranoid, seemingly to the point of making Mad-Eye Moody look tame. He's just less obvious about it. XD
NB: Prior to this, Reborn has no knowledge of the wizarding world, nor does most of the mafia. There may have been rumors, but I think that there has been some spell-enhanced omerta-esque thing (with cloaking devices/spells) for years. Otherwise, I am quite sure the secret would have gotten out (money and other things can easily convince a person). The reverse is not necessarily true – the wizards just don't care so long as it doesn't interfere with their plans and believe themselves to be superior because of their versatility. The wizards also haven't been keeping very good tabs on the mafia for the past 400 years or so (since the time of Giotto). Depending if I write another chapter or not, this will come into play.
Warnings: some language, there may be some Ooc-ness on behalf of Reborn, but I don't really have a precedent for how he'd react in a situation like the one with Harry/Hibiki. If you want me to change a reaction, PM me or leave a review! See below on how Flames will be used.
Disclaimer: Still don't own either. You can give ownership to me for my birthday if you'd like! XD
Key:
"Harry" is English
"Harry" is Italian
Harry is a note
FLAMES WILL BE USED IN BULLETS TO UNLEASH TSUNA'S DYING WILL
Chapter 3: Explanations, Expectations
After picking up the ingredients for some simple fried mackerel (1), Hibiki provides Reborn transportation to his home.
Although it would have been cheaper to stay above his dojo, Hibiki needed the distinction between work and home. Having lived the past few years as a workaholic, he figured some space was needed (even if he generally only utilized that space during the weekends). Besides, running the dojo was practically a vacation compared to dealing with pompous, prejudice politicians. Despite having met a few who Hibiki could count as friends, the vast majority had left him with a constant, unpleasant image of oversized brats. Dealing with them as brats would be easier, Hibiki found, since there's no need to be quite so careful with their egos. Their parents' egos were an entirely different matter.
Turning down a side street that had multiple small, cookie-cutter houses, Hibiki walks up to a light yellow home that stands out slightly due to its color. There is a small path that leads to the front door, accented by the placement of a small garden and diminutive shrubbery.
Pulling out a key, Hibiki quickly unlocks the door and steps inside.
"This is more home-y than I thought a constantly traveling diplomat would be allowed to keep," Reborn says calmly, with slight undertones of suspicion and surprise as he observes the hallway, sitting room, and kitchen, all visible from the doorway.
Hibiki slips off his shoes and shrugs carefully with his right shoulder, before replying, "Well, I got out of that a few months ago, thank God. Kids are so much easier to deal with than politicians. Plus I don't have to wear a suit."
Reborn studies the man as he's set down on the counter while Hibiki begins to make the mackerel. Yes, this man would not want to be confined, much like him.
"Hm."
Continuing to watch Hibiki's movements, Reborn notes that his grace is unnatural even for a martial arts teacher – this man has fought in battles. Reborn doesn't remember seeing any scars that night (2), but then, that was seven years ago and even the memories of the world's greatest hitman become blurry with age and constant recall.
~IiI~
Setting a plate down in front of the adult trapped in a child's body, Hibiki places his hands together and says, "Itadakimasu."
Reborn performs a similar action.
Dinner is quiet until Reborn begins his interrogation.
"So, why did you leave the British diplomacy?"
Hibiki freezes slightly, which Reborn picks up on. The jade eyes darken to a deep leaf green with memories that seem to be unpleasant. A part of Reborn actually regrets asking that question that invokes such a negative reaction from the man. But that part is very, very small and easily ignored.
A bitter laugh escapes the previously content man. "You had to ask one of the hardest questions first, didn't you?"
He shakes his head. "Fine.
"Essentially I had the equivalent of celebrity status among certain groups for reasons that should have been attributed to my mother, but were instead focused on me. I entered the Foreign Service as a way to escape that attention, since it was predominantly focused in Britain. However, for years, whenever I returned from a successful negotiation, the press would mob me. My closest friends, who I had once considered family, turned out to be after my fame and fortune or believed that settling down would cause my problems to disappear.
"However, there are too many bad memories I associate with Britain, so I left with the help of my best friend's younger sister, who I'd been pretending to date for the past 12 years, and another close friend, who got me here. I already had connections in Japan, so I made a new identity and thought to live my dream of teaching.
"So, tell me, Mr. Hitman, why are you here?"
That is enough to send Reborn into action, whipping Leon, in gun form, at Hibiki, who remains passive.
"What do you know?" Reborn's voice is cold as he trains Leon on Hibiki.
With an enigmatic smile, Hibiki replies, "Reborn, anyone with ears has heard of the "mafia game" that's occurring in Namimori. Also, you think all of my contacts are legal? You're not that naïve. Much of the world's governments are controlled by the underworld – most of which can be traced back to Italy if you have the time, money, patience, and means."
Reborn's glare intensifies. A shot streams past Hibiki's face, a single line of red marring his cream cheek.
Now it's Hibiki's turn to glare. "Really? This is my favorite couch! Do you honestly think I'm going to be a danger to your familia? I have no interest in becoming involved with the mafia. I was simply curious as to where I'd heard your name before, Sun Arcobaleno."
Another shot is fired at Hibiki, this one to kill. It's reflex by this point. Reborn doesn't know who Hibiki is, but to have some of the mafia's deepest secrets spilled from the mouth of a foreigner is disconcerting to say the least. Especially since the man was supposed to be clean – Reborn had checked him out himself.
Dodging the bullet, which really shouldn't have been possible at such a close range (not that it would have done much besides release Hibiki's Dying Will – Reborn was really caught off guard if he forgot to change the bullets (3)), a red light catches Reborn in the chest. The last thing the Arcobaleno hears is a weary sigh from Hibiki.
~IiI~
After what can't have been more that a minute, Reborn awakens to find his body paralyzed. Glaring at the jade-eyed man, there is nothing more he can do than plot evil, sadistic vengeance.
Said man just smiles before a grim expression returns to his face.
"Merlin, I didn't want to have to do that. You're just going to force me to tell you everything aren't you, consequences to my life be damned."
The glare says it all.
"Fine. By the Rings of the Vongola, by the graves of James Potter and Lily Evans, what I am about to tell you is the absolute truth." With a flash of bright green light that Reborn identifies to be the color of Lightening flames, the room was still once more. A sigh of relief escapes Hibiki as he mutters about demanding, paranoid hitmen.
With a glare that makes even Reborn feel a miniscule amount of fear, he begins the tale.
"Twenty six years ago, a mad-man under the assumed name of Voldemort attacked a small family…"
~IiI~
By the time 2 o'clock AM tolls on Hibiki's clock, the majority of the story is outlined. While Reborn knows that some parts have been omitted, particularly large parts of the 4th year at the unnamed school, he knows that he'll get no more out of the other man.
At some point the poison (4) Hibiki had administered to keep him paralyzed had worn off and Reborn had settled in the chair that he'd been lying upon, quite entranced by the story the other told. Now, though, it was time to rest. The others, Tsuna in particular, would be wondering where he'd been all evening.
Shifting to get up as Hibiki does, he's surprised when wiry arms lift him from the seat.
"So, now that you've satisfied your paranoia (I hope – I thought Moody was bloody paranoid) let's get to bed."
Carrying the hitman, Hibiki climbs the stairs, before turning on the landing.
"There's a guest room if you'd like to use it." He opens the door to an obviously unused room with a bed that's covered with dust.
"Er, maybe not. Um, I guess you can sleep with me then." Reborn just smirks. Hibiki rolls his eyes.
"It's not like I'm going to do anything. Seriously, you were great in bed, but I'm no pedophile."
The master bedroom is sparsely furnished, everything packed or easily packable, leading credence to Hibiki's story as both a continuously traveling diplomat and his year on the run. With very light cerulean walls, the room is peaceful, but cold from the lack of personal belongings.
"Now that you've finished observing my room for nonexistent threats, I'd like to sleep. I still have classes on Sundays, you know," an amused, sleep deprived, and slightly annoyed Hibiki states.
"Hm."
"Whatever. Good night, Reborn."
"…Buonanotte, Harry. (5)"
~IiI~
Reborn awoke the next morning to find himself cuddled to Harry's chest. Checking the beat up clock on the nightstand, Reborn notes that he has to leave to wake Tsuna up for his training. Glancing at the Brit, whose face is marred with a frown from the removal of his "stuffy toy," Reborn can help the slight smile that graces his face. Placing a soft, chaste kiss on Harry's – no it should be Hibiki's, unless they're alone and Reborn can tease the other man, - brow, Reborn hops off to leave a quick, uncharacteristic note. The man has earned his respect by explaining all that he's able to while not giving away his organization during Reborn's interrogation. As much as it annoys him, he is more impressed. It seems like he's found a good partner, and this time he's not letting go. Despite his previous ideas of not becoming attached, Hibiki is unique and a puzzle can't be put away before it's solved.
~IiI~
Hibiki wakes when Reborn leaves, but refuses to leave the bed until his usual wake up time, 30 minutes later. After quickly showering, he makes his way downstairs to eat breakfast, when he finds a note on the table.
Hibiki,
Go to Tsuna's house at 4 PM.
Reborn
Sighing, Hibiki mutters, "No shit, Sherlock. It's not like I had anyone else over last night Reborn." Then the actual content of the message penetrates his brain. He groans.
"There goes my afternoon."
~IiI~
"R-reborn! Why are we all meeting?" Tsuna stutters after a particularly traumatizing morning.
"Indeed! Why is Jyuudaime wasting his time with the Yakyū-baka (6)!"
"Haha. Maa, Gokudera, calm down. I'm sure the Baby has something important he wants to tell us. What if Mukuro is back, trying to take over Tsuna's body again?"
"No~! Jyuudaime, I'll protect you from Mukuro by bombing him to death!"
"Maa, Gokudera, I didn't say he was here, just that it could be something like that." A fight proceeds to break out, as usual. Tsuna just responds with, "Hieeeee!"
"Hn. Carnivore, why must I be here?"
"A strong person is coming. You can fight him."
"EXTREME! This must be a very EXTREME person if Reborn thinks they are strong!"
"Merlin's saggy left – Reborn! Really! I am not at your beck and call to fight your students!"
The entire group turns as one to stare at the newcomer.
"Eh? Hibiki-san? Why are you here?"
Hibari attacks before Hibiki begins to respond to Tsuna's question.
Hibiki sighs as he dodges Hibari's tonfa. "Hibari. You fought me yesterday. Must we go through this AGAIN!"
In a lightening fast move, Hibiki slams his hand against Hibari's solar plexus in the span of less than a second when the Cloud Guardian's guard is open.
While the teen is propelled back, Hibiki sighs again.
"Look. I'll fight you again tomorrow, K?"
Hibari considers, and then nods, putting his tonfa away (or at least out of sight).
"Great… Now, Tsuna, I'm here because that midget," he dodges the shot, "left me a note to come here at 4 PM after a night spent catching up."
Tsuna nods, but Gokudera narrows his eyes.
"How do you know Jyuudaime and Reborn?"
"Tsuna? Him I know because he dashed into my dojo one day about six months back to escape some bullies. I gave him a cup of tea and we talked. He's come back a few times every week except recently, presumably since he's got you lot to deal with.
"Reborn I know because of a one-night stand in Italy about seven years ago, when he was actually taller than me."
The looks on everyone's faces after that were priceless. Gokudera looks slightly disturbed at someone who was willing to so bluntly state a one-night stand for what it was. Yamamoto is just shocked. Tsuna looks like he's going to die from shock and exposure to the concept of sex. Ryohei doesn't seem to quite get it, but is also surprised that someone who Reborn knew isn't trying to kill one of them for once. Hibari is shocked as well, if the widening of his eyes is anything to go by and the fact that he's nearly slipped off the windowsill, but is trying to cover it up. Lambo couldn't stay in the room long enough to meet Hibiki and Chrome was with communicating with Mukuro
With a snigger, Hibiki says, "Well, now that I've destroyed their minds, I'm leaving. Send Chrome by sometime Reborn." And with that, he walked out.
Wow, I've doubled the story length...
So, those are everyone's reactions, though most are more to Hibiki's statement than anything else. *Snicker * I couldn't help but make Hibiki say that – their reactions were too good!
If you want more, let me know. The big question, if there is to be more, is how involved should Harry/Hibiki be in the mafia? Leave a review or PM me with an opinion!
Notes/Translations:
(1) It's really, really yummy, but I'm not sure exactly when it would be considered "in season" so if it's more of a winter dish, sorry. It's not winter – it's probably more along the lines of summer or fall, even if that doesn't align with the cannon.
(2) They're glamoured.
(3) Reborn manually inserts the DW bullets, I know, but I also figure that he could will them to change, since they're in Leon.
(4) Reborn still doesn't know about magic, he thought the stunner was a weak Storm attack.
(5) Google Translate: Good night.
(6) Yakyū-baka: Baseball Idiot
Please leave a review!
~Illusion~