Reina sat in the crowded airport just watching the people pass by. There was something calming about it, the rush of sound and colors that came with crowds. It helped her lose herself; at least for a moment. She glanced down at her ticket for her flight time; she still had a few hours to while away before takeoff.
"So, this is what you do after a job?" a man's voice mused in mild amusement, "I must admit, I thought you would be doing something much cooler than sitting in an airport…"
Reina shot an exasperated look from behind her dark glasses at the man reclining next to her.
"What do you want?" she snapped, tucking her ticket away quickly in the hopes that he hadn't seen the destination.
"Hey, no need to be like that," the blonde chided, "just wanted to give you a heads up, that's all."
"Well, get on with it, I have a flight to catch."
"Yeah, in three hours," Guy noted under his breath.
Reina got to her feet quickly with the intention of telling the nearest security officer that this man was a terrorist of some kind. It was as if he could read her intentions and he caught her wrist before she even took a step in any direction.
"Now, now," he said calmly as he pulled her back down into the seat, "let's be mature about this; no need to be drastic. There's no need to throw these nice people into a panic."
"Fine," she said through gritted teeth, "who or what do I need to look out for? And while you're at it, let go of me."
"There's a local mafia famiglia looking for you, or at least someone like you," Guy started as he released her, but he kept his hand close to hers in case she tried to make another get away.
"What's that even supposed to mean?" she groaned, letting her head fall back against the seat cushion. "There's been someone looking for me for as long as you've known me, what makes these people any different?"
"Well, for one they somehow managed to infiltrate the Association."
"Yeah, nice job handling that by the way," Reina cut in snidely.
"And," Guy continued in a mildly irritated tone, "they've managed to fly under the radar for the past few years. Not just ours, but the governments' and even those of other famiglias."
"Why do I doubt that?"
"Believe whatever you want, but the fact remains: no one knows anything about these people other than the fact that you're number one on their list."
"Well, it's nice to know that someone wants me…"
"We want you," Guy said softly after a short pause. "The offer is still open, like it always has; all you need to do it accept it."
"You know I can't," Reina sighed just as softly.
"Can't or won't?" he probed, turning to look at her. "We both know that it's just your stubborn pride that's keeping you from saying yes, so shove that aside and do what's best for you! There's nothing for you wherever you're going; stay with us," he tried to reason.
"Oh yes, because you know me so well," she snorted as she stood up, signaling that the conversation was over. "Do me a favor and never contact me again; that's what's best for me!"
"We won't let you go so easily," Guy's voice floated over the din of the crowd.
Reina whirled around to give him a piece of her mind, but he had been lost in the sea of people.
Reina stood in the street staring at her house as the streetlights began to flicker on. Guy's words echoed in her mind, and she shook her head violently to clear her thoughts for a moment. The structure really needed some work, especially side that faced the Sawada's; it looked like there had been multiple explosions set against it. Maybe she should sell it after she fixed it up… It's not like she ever actually used it.
"What're you thinking about?" she didn't even flinch when Reborn asked the question, she had been aware of his presence for quite some time now.
"The future," she said distantly as she did a mental list of all the things that needed to be updated or fixed. "How much do you think I could get for this place?"
"¥32,000,000 if you fix it up," the infant answered, "but where would you live?"
"Dunno," she said with a shrug of her shoulders, "somewhere with work, but I'm just thinking aloud right now," she admitted with a wave of her hand, "Pure speculation is all."
"You could work for the Vongola," Reborn offered after a pregnant pause, "we're always looking for people of your caliber."
"I was kinda hoping for a different kind of work," Reina admitted softly with a wry smile. "Thanks for the offer though."
"Give it some thought," the Arcoballeno advised as she heard his small footsteps headed for the Sawada's. "Keep your options open."
That night Reina sat up in her bed just staring out the window. Things were starting to move fast for her, possibly too fast for her to keep up. If she were to try to drop off the map, where would she go? Operatives were everywhere. Maybe she would go back to China… but would they welcome her back? It had been so long, and if she remembered correctly, they weren't all that eager to accept her to begin with. She groaned loudly and let herself fall back onto her mattress. She closed her eyes tightly and prayed for sleep to take over and block out these thoughts.
"You will look after her, yes?" a dark haired man asked the bald man in orange robes.
"We do not usually accept females of any age," the bald man admitted, "Have you tried an orphanage?"
"Despite your claims to be shut off from the world, you must know that it is not safe for girls on the streets," the dark haired man accused. "To ask me to leave her at an orphanage for any length of time is like asking me to throw her to the dogs!"
"But she is not even one of us! How could you expect us to welcome her into our order?"
"I am not asking you to make her a nun, just let her stay on your grounds while I am away."
"I am truly sorry, but you ask too much," the bald man sighed as he began to close the heavy wooden gate. "I wish you luck in finding a home for her."
The thudding of the gate seemed to reverberate for forever and a day. The man sighed heavily as he turned away. He placed an apologetic hand on Reina's head and mussed her hair affectionately. Reina pushed his hand away and held it in her smaller one and squeezed it an attempt to reassure them both. The streets were not something that appealed to either of them.
"Wait," the two turned back when the bald man called out to them. "We have an extra room she can stay in. You have done much for us in the past; it's the least we can do to begin to repay our debt to you, Fon."