Sorry for not updating this story… I actually kind of lost my muse for it and it's just recently that I've gotten it back, and I've started writing this chapter since then but it's so unsatisfying that I ended up redoing, rewriting and re-editing everything, until I came up with this chapter [which is still quite unsatisfying]. So therefore, this is officially on works again. [Yes, took me too long to have my muse for this story back… Gomen]
For that special multi-chap Omake about the Arcobaleno's past, I still plan on doing it. However, not now as I still need to work things out and plan it out further, because I have lost my initial plan at the very back of my mind and I'm still trying to dig it up.
Thank You everyone who reviewed, alerted, faved and read this story. Hopefully, you guys are still lurking somewhere out there.
I don't own KHR nor the cover photo used.
Excuse the errors, I am lazy.
~Voyage of the Rainbow and the Clam~
Dino Cavallone swore that if only he's got a grab on some shrinking powder or some sort of invisibility gem, he would have already used it. Seriously, even that wizard Harry Potter's invisibility cloak would be of great use, if such thing really does exist.
The blond mafia don just wanted to be as far away from Xanxus as possible. That deadly look and scary aura coming from the Varia leader just sends shivers down to every atom existing within his very being.
"Trash if you don't start explaining now, I'll shoot." Xanxus pointed his X-guns
"Can you at least lower the killing aura?" Dino nervously asked trying to negotiate with the assassin. Seriously, the air is just so suffocating that he can hardly breathe.
"Trash start talking right now or the only thing you'd smell is my shoe"
Dino wondered if the boss is making a joke. If Xanxus does, he failed miserably. The joke, if you consider it as such is just over the top, corny.
"I told you they've been sent to the past, during Primo's reign."
"Who thought of such actions? The prince is curious, ushishi"
"The ninth. He thought that the current present is far too dangerous, the future could suffice but by that time the damages might already be incurable and we might have already lost much of our resources and the possibility of our allies and us being dead hadn't gone unnoticed."
"VOOIII! So the past is the best option?"
"Primo's era is the best timeline. It has been decided by the ninth and CEDEF before Iemitsu was found dead."
"But why the Arcobaleno? We could have done a better job babysitting those brats" Fran stated in monotone.
"VOIII! SHUT UP FROGGY! YOU'RE A BRAT TOO!" Squalo waved his sword angrily.
"Ushishi, the mighty prince agrees. Frog-chan is a brat"
"SHUT UP YOU PSYCHOTIC PRINCE! YOU'RE BRATTIER THAN FRAN!" Squalo announced, earning a frown from said prince.
"Ushishi…" Belphegor raised several knives, ready to attack his commander.
"Shut up scums!" Xanxus threw a wine bottle at his rain guardian. Squalo who managed to dodge the bottle (as always) yelled angrily at his boss. "YOU SHITTY BOSS! WHY AM I THE CONSTANT VICTIM?"
"I feel like it, now shut up Trash."
"Now Boss, Squ-chan, we have a matter at hand." Lussuria reminded as he stared at Dino, who by that moment had been secretly trying to free himself from the rope that bounded him. Yes, the Varia had him sitting in a chair, hands on his back and tied with a rope they had picked on the way (how the rope ended there, no one knows but Fran said it's convenient and everyone else, agreed)
Seriously, do they really have to get information on him this way? They could've just ask him questions like the normal people they are...oh wait, they're not normal.
"Tell me, why the Arcobaleno?" Xanxus had his X-guns facing the blond mafia boss.
"Something about the hidden secret of the rainbow, lying somewhere in the past" Dino stated "That's all I know, aside from the fact that they are to assist the First generation on training the kids. Can someone untie me, my hands are getting numb."
Lussuria thankfully did his request.
"How come we haven't been informed?"
"They plan too, but the Mansion was attacked all of a sudden and the only way to save the kids is for an impromptu trip. Heck, even the kids themselves have no idea they're going on an unscheduled field trip."
"What about the old man and his guardians?" Xanxus can't help but ask. Even if he acted like he doesn't, he does care for his adoptive father. Everyone knows the fact, they just won't point it out cause it's Xanxus. The only ones who does where Reborn (cause he's that great) and Tsunayoshi (everyone knows, Xanxus won't lay a finger on his favorite brat)
"Nono and his guardians and the remaining CEDEF members are currently in a safe house. They'll be in contact soon."
"What other information do you have?"
"Three other Familgia are now against the Vongola. The Bovino had been attack but thankfully, being alerted most of them managed to escape… and we found another hidden base of the Estraneo, however when we arrived there was nothing left but a destroyed lab. It was as if they've known we are coming and decided to destroy all evidences we can use against them."
"Those scums…"
"Boss" Levi entered the room, holding a wine bottle. "I know you're thirsty, boss."
Xanxus took the bottle, stared at it indignantly and threw it to his unsuspecting victim, Squalo. Still managing to dodge, the swordsman glared at his boss. "VOOIIII! SHITTY BOSS!"
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"Today, we'll be starting your training." Giotto stated in a certain tone, stating that he is not okay with having kids train at an age where they should've been playing around. Still, he knew he's got no other option left. "First, you have to show us what you guys can do."
"We've already anticipated that you'd ask the kids, so we graciously decided to help." Reborn smirked as he tipped his fedora. Colonnello grinned "It took Reborn and me a few hours to get things done; seriously we didn't even sleep for this."
"Oh, you did not? I did." Reborn smirked.
"What? Unfair, kora!"
"What did you two prepare?" Asari asked. Reborn motioned them to follow until they arrived in an empty field.
"I see nothing…" Lampo yawned before sarcastically commenting "Are you sure you guys escapees from a mental ward?"
"Are you fucking kidding us!?" G yelled, cursing the two teens.
"G, Language." Asari reminded "There are kids here"
"Shut up, Asari! Hayato's already got a foul language! and I bet that Daemon look-alike has one"
"Doesn't mean you have to stop being a role model to the others"
"Kufufu~ I have a name and it's Mukuro" the boy twitched in annoyance.
"Tsuna, what's wrong?" Giotto looked at his descendant who had a wary look on his face. Tsuna simply, trembled with fear.
"It's an empty field, of all things why an empty field!" Tsuna clutched at Giotto, hiding behind his ancestor.
"Why, what's wrong with an empty field? Why is Tsuna wary of an empty field?" Cozart asked, looking at Enma for answers only to see him and surprisingly, Hayato backing away from the group. "Eh?"
"Brat, where the hell do you think you're running off to?"
"Away from the field; where else pinky!?" Hayato glared
"It's just an empty field!"
"Within an empty field lies the unknown!" Hayato pointed out, glaring at his ancestor. However, three seconds later he stopped, walked towards Tsuna and started banging his on the earth floor. "I'm sorry Jyuudaime for trying to run away without you!"
"It's okay Hayato, I forgive you" Tsuna smiled as he helped his friend stand on his feet.
The first generation was about to ask why some have been acting, strangely so nervous for just training in an empty field.
Takeshi's smile had slipped out of his lips and a cautious look in his eyes.
Lambo is on the verge of crying his heart out.
Ryohei is now acting different, far from his EXTREME self.
Kyoya trying to look calm, but a tint of worry twinkling on his seemingly uncaring eyes.
Mukuro chuckled nervously while Chrome hides beside him.
Shoichi clutched his stomach and sweating cold sweat. Not a single surprise there.
Spanner looking indifferent as always, seriously the kid is weird.
"Come on, don't be a sissy." Reborn grinned evilly making the first generation back away from him. The boy apparently has some sadistic tendencies, basing on the few days they have known them. Seriously, who in the right mind would electrocute or throw bombs at someone that needed to be woken up? Even G, won't do that to Giotto.
And Giotto wished he wouldn't
"I hope you two didn't get too overboard this time." Luce stated as she stared at the field.
"What's the point if we can't have fun?" Reborn smirked sadistically. The first generation, aside from Alaude and Daemon, backed away further.
"Reborn!" said man shrugged at the person who called his name. "Don't worry Luce, we'll just step in if something goes wrong."
"Listen brats, Kora! No using of flames and pineapple-twins, no illusions. You can use your regular weapons, special ones hand them over to Skull." The adults watched curiously as several boxes were handed over to Skull. What kind of weapon are inside those things? Nails? Marbles? Blackmail material?... if only they knew.
"We'll be evaluating how good you've all become. I want 93% improvement since we last did this activity! Failure to comply will result in immediate level up with their training and trust me, I'm getting really bored."
The kids faces paled at the 'getting really bored' part
"What the hell! It's just an empty field!" Lampo shouted loudly and stepped nearer but was stopped by surprisingly, Verde. "I won't take another step if I were you."
"Ready brats! Your goal is get a flag that represents your flames!" Colonello raised his riffle in the air, making the first generation stare at him suspiciously. Just where the hell did that riffle came from? They never saw him nor them carry weapons at all. Speaking of which, didn't he mention about the kids having weapons.
Well they've seen the twins trident, Kyoya's Tonfa and Takeshi's bamboo sword but the others?
"Excuse me" Cozart tried to get Fon's attention, who by now have been dubbed by the first generation as the 'calmest and sanest' amongst the teens.
"Yes, how may I of help?"
"Tell me, where did that weapon came from?" Cozart asked, pointing at Colonello's riffle.
"Ah Cozart-san, The weapon had always been there. You guys just aren't focusing enough and that's the reason you missed seeing it." Fon stated calmly "Sometimes it's rewarding to pay more attention around you."
"What do you mean, exactly?" Giotto who overheard can't help but ask.
"Exactly how your interpretation will be." Fon stated calmly.
Giotto and Cozart both fell silent.
"What are you still doing there? The kids are about to start" Mammon who got their attention then hold a hand out, palm opened. "Now that I've gotten your attention, you must pay me for not making you guys miss this wonderful opportunity of seeing a great act."
"Is she always like this?"
"No..."
"Well that's a relief" Giotto sighed
"...sometimes she takes it to a whole new level."
Giotto can't help but jaw drop.
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"Nono, we've received news fro Dino Cavallone. He spotted Varia Assassination Squad had been spotted at the Japanese branch. They've been given description about the trip and are now waiting further instructions." Oregano gave her report "Also, we've managed to contact the Shimon Familgia and their current boss wishes to talk with you as soon as possible"
"What about the rest of our allies?"
"Bianchi is on her way with I-pin, Fuuta and Ryohei's younger sibling. They seemed to have picked two estrange girls on their way, both having lost their families from Estraneo's attack on their town." Nono grimaced at the news, two other children being burdened to live a life they weren't meant to. Just when are the Estraneo going to stop with their evil doings?
Nono just hopes that the trip to the past will result to them finally beating their Enemies.
"Prepare to contact the current Shimon boss and tell Dino Cavallone to be here with the Varia. We'll be having further discussions"
"Yes, sir"
"Oregano..."
"Sir?"
"How is he doing?"
"Basil's stable but still unconscious. The doctor states no threatening damage to his brain but his body will take time to recover. Also, the news of Iemitsu's sudden death may greatly affect him"
"We can't blame him, Iemitsu had been like a father and had cared for him more than his own parents ever did"
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
So this is what Hayato meant when he said that within an empty field lies the unknown...
And they just happen to know now what unknown meant.
The first generation stared wide eyed at their predecessors dodging bullets and knives (Tsuna seemed to be the constant victim, his girly shrieks echoing from all over), trying to break free from a cage (Even Asari can figure why Takeshi is still keeping a happy face while being trapped inside a cage with a Hyena that seems to have not eaten for days), being chased by wild animals (seriously where did those animals came from and why the hell is Ryohei asking them for a boxing match) Falling down a pit full of snakes (Kyoya glared at the snakes, attempting to tame the 'herbivorous' creatures), slipping in mud puddles (Mukuro slipped three times in a row, much to his ultimate horror)
More so, the conversations between the teens are just starting to freak them out.
"Well, there goes another explosion, kora! Music to my ears!" Colonello over-excitedly shouted as he watched. "How many bombs are there again?"
"About a hundred? I lost count at ninety-seven" Reborn admitted as he tilted his fedora. "I wonder who will be the lucky brat to step on the fuse that will detonate all bombs."
"If one of them dies, wonder if I can take the body back to my lab." Verde fixed his glasses. "They'll be good experiment material."
"Organs sell really well in black markets. I can even put up a bid and earn millions" Mammon added while counting the amount of money she got from Giotto and Cozart.
"You people are sick." Lampo noted the teens.
Reborn smiled 'sweetly' "Oh, you have no idea and just so you know,we we're all born sane unfortunately it never stayed that way" Lampo shivered at the thought.
"Can you stop this now? They'll get hurt" Giotto asked as a dagger from nowhere managed to graze Tsuna's shoulder, resulting to a small cut. Small drops of blood started to drip. "Tsuna!"
"It's just a cut, you fret too much." Skull pointed out.
"It's not simply a cut! Why would you have them train like this! You could have them killed!" Giotto shouted angrily, glaring at the teens.
"Oh shut up! Do you think we wanted them to live like this!?" Lal retorted back, shouting at the first generation boss. "If we had a choice of not dragging them into a dark world, do you really think we wouldn't have chosen that?"
"Lal's right. None of us ever asked for this but what can we do? Life is cruel" Fon stated, a shadowy aura invading his usually calm one. "We really wanted to protect them as much as we want to but the thing is we can only do nothing more than so much."
"The only thing we can do now is to prepare them for the inevitable. The real world is a much cruel place than what they're experiencing now, there no one might come to save them and they would have to fight people on their own without having to rely on someone else. We aren't training them for our own sick enjoyment, we do that because we want them to survive." Luce added "They're the only positive future we have left."
The first generation contemplated at those words before Giotto held a hand out in front of Luce. "How about we help you achieve those goals then?"
Luce smiled as she accepted the hand. "That would be nice."
"For now, let's continue watching the kids."
with Tsuna...
Boom!
"Hiiiieeeeee!" Tsuna shrieked like a girl as a bomb exploded just a few inches from where he had been standing. He run forward only to have hundreds of crooked knives thrown at him from somewhere he can't detect. The boy wondered if his Bel-nii had been with them secretly. He stepped to the left...
... only to hear the sound of a time bomb that is about to explode. He managed to jump out of the way just in time.
He run forward while giving a quick glance behind him, not giving attention to where he was going.
Then he stepped on a banana peeling, fell face-flat on the earth floor and lost consciousness...
The first generation sweat dropped.
with Kyoya...
The young skylark remained standing from his position, glaring at the 'herbivorous' snakes that are hissing their way to him. The boy just scoffed and intensified his killing aura.
The snakes stopped.
Thinking that he's winning, Kyoya let out a smirk...only for the ground to quake a little and out came a giant snake. Unfazed, the carnivorous look on Kyoya's face grew stronger. Look's like he'll have fun biting a giant herbivorous snake to death.
with Ryohei...
"BOX WITH ME TO THE EXTREME MISTER CHEETAH WHO CAME TO ITALY FROM AFRICA!" Ryohei pumped his fists in the air.
The Cheetah just walked pass him, there's a beaten up wolf from beside the kid. Free food without having to hunt for it, the Cheetah thought so...besides the kid is too loud (apparently yes, the cheetah thought of it)
"EXTREME CHEETAH! THAT WOLF IS BEATEN UP NOW AND CAN'T BOX WITH YOU! LET'S HAVE A MATCH INSTEAD!"
with Lambo...
"Gyaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" The young boy tripped on his own feet, causing him to wail around while slumping on the ground. "Lambo-sama is in pain! Gupyaaa!"
He stopped for mere seconds. Reached out into his hair. Grabbed his pink grenades...
...and instantly threw them all over, causing added explosions.
"Lambo-sama will defeat his enemies! Die enemies, die! Gyahahahahaha"
with Takeshi...
Takeshi fell on a pit trap... he laughed and climbed his way out.
Takeshi stepped on a muddle...he laughed and even jumped at the puddle couple of times.
He got chased by wild animals (that had kept on coming out of nowhere)... he would stop, smile at the animal and laugh while mentioning 'tag-your-it' in passing.
He stepped on a bomb that exploded... he mentioned 'Hayato and Fireworks' and then, laughed.
Every single time he would fall on a trap, get chased by wild animals, shot with knives and bullets, step on a bomb.. he would laugh!
What the hell is wrong with this kid?
with Mukuro...
He just stood from his spot, not moving and watches with amusement at his siblings demise. If only he's allowed to use illusions, he would have added more fuel to the fire. He's so really enjoying the show right now,
...that is until green slime got poured all over him (again from out of nowhere), making his clothes slimy and the color of goo. As if the mud wasn't enough torture yet.
He screamed in horror.
with Chrome..
The girl shyly moved forward, fidgeting once in a while. Comparing to most of the boys (aside from Hayato and Takeshi), she actually managed to go further.
"Sorry, Tiger-san" she shyly walked away.
"Sorry, Lambo-kun"
"Gomen. Gomen. Gomen."
The adults just hoped she'd stop apologizing on every single thing she bumps into, especially when they're inanimate.
with Enma...
Enma glanced warily at all direction, closed his eyes and run like a mad-man. Afraid to open his eyes, thinking that if he did...doom will sure to follow.
He fell on a pit full of worms.
He should have just kept his eyes open.
with Hayato...
He's doing pretty well evading all traps here and there, not even using his dynamites even once in the process. He would make it to the flags and get the red one and He's done!
Until Tsuna fell unconscious.
"JYUUUDDDAAAIIIMMMMEEEE!"
with Spanner...
Say, if Takeshi would laugh at everything he encounters, Spanner has his own reaction too... he would put up a nonchalant face with everything. He's been bombed, chased by a hungry Chimpanzee, shot with purple-ish goo, stepped on a rope that bonded his feet and got chased by a giant wheel of cheese.
..still he kept a nonchalant face.
That is until he dropped a strawberry lollipop in a pit field with razor sharp kunais.
Eyes widening by a fraction, he found a new goal. MUST RETRIEVE LOLLIPOP!
with Shoichi...
After the first bomb he had so graciously stepped on, which thankfully for some technical difficulties didn't blast off.. the young red-head clutched his stomach nervously...
...and refused to take another step forward.
Back to the teens and adults...
The first generation just don't know how to react...so they just left their mouths hanging open.
"If your mouths catch flies, don't blame us." Verde mentioned in passing as he took a good look at the 'empty' field. "I say you two have gone easy on them." He gave a smug look at Reborn and Colonello's direction.
"We did not, Kora!" Colonello retorted back.
Reborn 'tschd' and raised his Leon-turned gun and shot the air several times. He spoke in a threatening tone "If you brats don't stop fooling around in three...
Tsuna instantly went conscious...
Takeshi stopped laughing...
Mukuro stopped his 'tantrums'
...two"
Kyoya knocked his snake opponent with his tonfa and actually listened.
Lambo stopped crying.
Spanner ditched the lollipop.
Hayato with a guilt-stricken face, stopped trying to reach his boss.
...one"
Chrome looked more determined than she already is.
Enma's wary face got wiped out, being changed with a 'Reborn-is-scary' look.
Shoichi still clutched his stomach nervously but he managed to stand up. Brave little boy he is.
Ryohei let the poor Cheetah go, the animal ran off somewhere.
"Good brats. Now focus or..." Reborn smirked evilly, the fun has now officially started.
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"I see, we've been worrying where he had run off to. Thinking the worst, we thought he had been kidnapped or probably already dead. Thank you for saving his life." Eduardo, the ninth boss of the Shimon thanked Nono with gratitude. "The other kids would be relieved hearing the news."
"We apologize for having him dragged on the trip"
"It's fine, if the founder can teach him properly, the Shimon would have an even brighter future. Besides, we all know he'd be safer there"
Nono just nodded.
"Scums what about the meeting?" Xanxus yawned as he sat at the primer seat that was supposed to be occupied by Nono. The ninth just let it pass and occupied the one at the left.
Inside the meeting room is a few members of the secret council Nono created. "We'll start the meeting."
* Spanner's flame was never mentioned or the fact if he even have one. So I just chose, I think Lightning flames fit him the most.
I hope this would make up for the year [shamefully admitting] of absence for this story.
I'm out.