AUTHORS NOTE:

Whoa. Haven't written one of these in a while... Story is still the masterpiece of Amano Akira. I'm just dipping in my toes every once in a while.

For those who waited and read and wondered how the story would continue on. I give a warm hug to all of you. Thank you. Enjoy.

Chapter 19:

AVERE AMICI AI PIANI ALTI

Deep in the man sits fast his fate

To mould his fortunes, mean or great.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Fate

Reputations are a mixed bag of blessings and problems for most people and it is doubly true for one known as the number one hit man in the world.

Truth be told, if asked, Reborn would be the first one to gleefully declare that everyone that ever met him hated him after only knowing him for fifteen minutes and conversely no one who had stayed with him for an hour could stop themselves from loving him despite knowing what a hard-ass he was. No one who has ever known Reborn could tell definitively what it is about him that made them stay. Or refuse to give in to commit murder on his frankly annoying ass.

Reborn is famous in certain circles and has been for quite some time. Hs reputation as a hit man is unassailable. His record as a tutor to the select few is legendary. He belongs to certain societies and yet stands apart from it at the same time. It is this clear dichotomy awarded to his rarefied circle that allows Reborn to act in ways no one else could or would.

He wasn't someone a person could casually introduce-no, Reborn was something you encounter and wish ninety percent of the time you hadn't, something you experience and if lucky, live to tell about it. He wasn't someone you impose upon-he was someone who grants you the privilege of being imposed upon; the questionable honor of being the object of his not inconsiderable focus. He wasn't so much as an acquaintance so much a force of nature akin to a natural disaster one that the unlucky few have had to survive.

He was known to all those in the know to be headstrong and willful as a prima donna. He had a set of rules that he operated under which seemed to be based on the principle of creating as much psychological trauma as humanly possible within the shortest time frame given. It's impossible to predict exactly what goes through his head most of the time since what others covet he dismisses as inconsequential and what are benign things to most appear sacrosanct to him. He's gloriously amoral in some aspects while annoyingly fastidious about others. This duality of his increased even more over time and especially so when he started accepting assignments to 'upgrade the upbringing of future Famiglia heirs'. That is—everyone agreed unanimously—when he hit stride in annoyance and creative torture running. And he has never looked back.

Case in point when he undertook the training for the Cavallone brat. He knew it would be entertaining, if mildly predictable. A diversion that was profitable as well as educational for both him and his rather unfortunate toy-du jour. Sure the brat was a pampered wimp but he knew the business and was exposed enough to it at least have an idea of what kind of leadership in a Familigia entailed. He was born in La Cosa Nostra and its mores and unspoken rules were part of his genetic make-up.

The pay was more that acceptable being the same amount as a small nation's GDP and he never had to suffer even a moment on trivialities since the Cavallone Famiglia employed a full-time staff that was relegated to Reborn's beck and call the moment he agreed to whip the future Cavallone heir to shape. Surprisingly the Cavallone brat had an unknown knack for the financial game and so directed most of his energy towards hauling his Famiglia's debt-laden, antiquated ass out of the red and firmly into the black so dense he would be able to afford a cadre of Cavallone heirs by the hundreds had he been so inclined. He trained the brat to ensure that his future was firmly set in to flex his financial muscles in any direction he might felt inclined to.

Timoteo's chosen, however, was guaranteed to be entertaining to be sure. A challenge; one that would test all of his prowess and skill, that much he was certain.

A complete and utter innocent…untainted, untrained, unfettered by expectations, prejudices, or intrigue…new blood that had never even heard of La Cosa Nostra…A boy raised and reared in suburbia. Heaven help the boy.

But he was also a mixed bag of damaged, dangerous, idiotic and innocent that it was taking Reborn a considerable effort not just to chuck the smug doddering fool of a Don out of his fortress of a mansion and unto his flat wrinkly ass for a beat-down that would go down in the history books.

The boy was a literal paschal lamb led by a wolf into the hyena's den. It was like bringing a new-born sheep to rabid jackals for a play date. He was all fluffy haired, doe-eyed, dewy complexioned clumsy idiocy complete with lambent eyes the color of autumn leaves and a nose that was as cute a snootle that Reborn would bet people will fall all over themselves to allow to boof them into submission. The boy was disgustingly adorable and defenseless he felt like swearing every time the boy would blink in his direction. It was all he could do not to shoot someone.

Today would mark the second month of Reborn coming into the Sawada household and he felt the need to fine-tune his main training menu. The boy has healed in all the ways that matter. The stage has been set and now, he needs to create the world in which his chosen would thrive. But before that—he needed tempering. There was so much that Tsunayoshi Sawada needed before he was allowed out into the wide, wild world. There wasn't time to dawdle and he still had to do all the proper things he needed to accomplish the near-impossible task of transforming a quivering prey into a roaring predator.

Looking at his watch as he climbed up to his charge's room, he timed it well enough to ensure maximum impact and with a light kick to the door, he ensured his charge's shock and watched bemusedly as the boy shrieked like a banshee before falling unto the floor in a cotton-quilted mess.

"Reborn! I told you to quit kicking the door down! Mom will have a cow if you break a door again!"

Reborn smirked as he watched the boy struggle out of his clothed confinement before throwing a book unto Tsuna's lap and waited for the boy's reaction. The book was a thin hardbound volume that was part of his brain-conditioning repertoire. It was a first edition copy of Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

Tsuna looking flushed and bewildered after fighting his way out of the sun-warmed duvet covers felt the thump of an object landing on his lap. He looked down, noted the aged book and reverently smoothed his fingers across the clearly valuable copy before lifting his head to blink at his Tutor.

Reborn drew in a breath and waited some more. He started listing every gun model he knew as he counted down the time it would take for his idiotic charge to start asking questions so that he could begin his lecture.

Alas, Tsuna merely tilted his head a tiny bit, fluffy hair falling softly against plump cheeks and blinked anew. Reborn spied Leon blushing as the chameleon perched on his shoulder and felt the most uncharacteristic urge to coo. A second later he grabbed his partner stuffed it into his inner jacket pocket and felt for the assuring weight of the custom-made stiletto that lined his jacket and sighed in relief as the cold feel of steel cleared his end of the most idiotic of impulses.

What a dangerously appealing dumb-ass. Hmm…wonder if I could weaponize that disarming idiocy? Bet the enemies wouldn't know what to do with such an attack.

Giving out a sigh, he rummaged around his pockets and drew another volume. This time the book was clearly newly bought paperback and bore the more familiar characters of kanji. He gestured for the book in the boy's hand and did a quick exchange.

"Reborn, what's this?"

Reborn gave his student a smirk so full of derision Tsuna felt like checking in the mirror if he had a cone over his head that read 'Dunce'.

"That peanut, is a book."

Tsuna gave his smirking tutor a look tinged with such outrage much to the hit man's bemusement.

"Reborn, I know I'm slow and that I'm no good but I am not quite at the level of stupid that you seem to mistake me for."

"Oh?"

The cock of that eyebrow almost drove Tsuna to swearing but he held his composure with enviable ease. The urge came and went like the tide whenever he was with the sadistic baby and he has long learned to roll with the punches. He focused on the book in his lap as he muttered absently leaning against his bed and began turning the first few pages.

"Contrary to popular belief I know that I'm not completely an idiot. Just because I couldn't join any other club due to people who couldn't be half-assed to give me the chance or the time of day doesn't mean my IQ is dropping at a rate that's visible to the naked eye."

Reborn snorted before wagging an imperious finger in front of his student's chagrined visage. Tsuna noted the unholy gleam in those obsidian orbs and wondered anew what hellish information drove his tutor to newer heights of pleasure.

"That's not really true now is it Peanut? You're not being completely truthful when you say no one wanted you to join their club. From what I gathered, you received a rather unexpected and highly prized recruitment notice from someone."

Tsuna wondered if it's possible to commit suicide via book-driven trauma or at least concussion. He was closely considering the possibility when Reborn gave him one of his 'looks'. He snorted and turned away from the probing gaze.

"So I received one and it happened to be the Disciplinary Committee and no Reborn, despite knowing you for months I haven't reached that level of reckless abandon yet. You could be assured that I found ways to entertain myself. Reading happens to be a pastime that doesn't require I dodge punches or be turned into an errand boy."

"The Disciplinary Committee, huh? That's a big deal Peanut." Reborn cackled and added. "Not peanuts at all."

Tsuna gave in finally to the urge to roll his eyes and snorted inelegantly while rubbing his head in clear agitation. "Yes a big deal of pain in the butt. Or just pain, period. Apparently Hibari-senpai pointed out those new recruits needed to know what to look for in victims and the do's and dont's of spotting troublesome herbivores. He said I would've made a very effective teaching material."

Reborn whistled in a clearly taunting tone, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You managed to turn him down though. That's something."

Tsuna scoffed as he read through the book's preface, grimacing a bit on the parts that he was sure he's going to need a dictionary for. He liked reading but something of this caliber was clearly not any average young adult reading list. His answer when it came was an odd combination of chagrined disbelief.

"I was plagued by high fever and high as a kite on cough drops. I couldn't even remember how I managed to get to school without passing out in the streets or getting hopelessly lost much less how I got involved with those guys. I was out of my mind when he made the offer and somehow I manage to string together enough words to mean no. I was too drugged up and too sick to be afraid."

Reborn waved a tiny hand in a clearly dismissive wave. "Worked didn't it? Who cares if you were out of it for most of that dialogue?"

Tsuna conceded his point. When he noted Reborn relocating to one of the sofa's that may now be found in his room, he took it as a silent albeit undeniable order for him to serve coffee as soon as he was able. Shuffling towards the small table in the corner that housed a coffee maker of all things, he plugged in the machine after dealing with the grounds and filters as he has learned after weeks of instructions from the hit man held at gunpoint to ensure that he would remember as thoroughly as possible. Tsuna allowed himself to agree that the lesson, as frightening and nerve-wracking as they may have been at the time, was surely effective.

"Uh-huh. That's what I tell myself too. That's also the reason I run the other way when I see him or any other member of his committee. I don't want to run the risk that he'll remember that I actually disagreed with him."

After sometime passed, Tsuna carried over the tiny cup that Reborn often used in his room when drinking coffee. He also prepared a cup for him though his was more a milky caramel with a faint sweet scent hue due to the cream and sugar he normally needed to add to tolerate his tutor's chosen brew. He sat across from his tutor and waited.

Reborn took a meditative sip of coffee before picking up the conversation once more much to Tsuna's exasperation and discomfiture.

"So what exactly did you say to him? I admit to being mighty curious about what argument allowed you to finesse your way out of a conversation that involved the self-proclaimed 'Demon of Namimori'."

Tsuna cleared his throat in clear mortification before looking down at his own hands cupping his mug. Running a contemplative finger along the rim, he murmured quietly.

"That's the thing—I don't really remember. Not a single thing." Tsuna closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, his gaze was contemplative. "All I know was that he gave this terrifying chuckle that still sends a shiver down my spine every time I recall it and then he walked away. At least that's what my nightmares for weeks showed me. I swear that voice is imprinted somewhere inside my brain because every single time I catch a glimpse of Hibari-senpai or just his silhouette I would hear it like it was yesterday."

Reborn gave a delighted chuckle as he toasted his clearly ill at ease student. "I've said it before and I'll say it again—that boy is a very interesting character. You should keep him company more."

Tsuna nearly goggled at the suggestion, hyperventilating at the mere suggestion. "Are you nuts?! That's—I am not baiting Hibari-senpai into hunting me down! I don't want an early death and besides I already have you to torture me at home! The last thing I need is more torture and worse, more situations where I have to face danger on a daily scheduled basis."

Reborn shrugged. "Your loss, but I am determined to rope that boy in somehow. I just need to work something out in the wings and then we'll see."

Tsuna groaned aloud, slumping "Gods help me then."

"Indeed."

Reborn drank another mouthful before noticing that the boy was wincing as he shifted on the petite armchair that faced him but like always he barely made any sound despite the clear pain bracketing the sides of his mouth. Frowning he recalled similar instances when Tsuna would be in clear discomfort but he would remain stubbornly silent, choosing to simply endure until whatever plagued him passed or Reborn made a move to address the matter.

Sighing, he placed the tiny cup on the coffee table that separated him from his student. Keeping his head down for a minute, he contemplated anew the myriad ways Tsunayoshi displayed the depths of damage he received over the years. Reborn knew it would take time before he could break his charge's habit of concealing his wounds and aches.

Lifting his chin, he pinned Tsunayoshi with a dark look and was gratified when the boy's eyes widened with alertness. His words, when he spoke was soft with an edge that only someone blind could miss.

"You're stiff."

Tsuna blinked before scratching his head sheepishly. "Ah? Oh...well, a bit. I'm not used yet to the exercises and well...my body isn't the best..."

"How long now?"

Reborn's voice became infinitely softer and Tsuna's intuition twanged at him. He looked at his tutor carefully before replying.

"How long what?"

"Since you've been feeling the strain? How long has it been since you've been in pain Tsunayoshi."

Tsuna cringed and was chagrined when he realized what he has done. He was acutely sensitive to people's tone and how their emotions could be clearly felt even whenever they spoke. It helped him over the years to identify threats that would mean the difference between verbal insults and physical threats.

"I-i...it's nothing Reborn, I'll take care of it-I have medicated plasters, ointments and things—I could ask Yamamoto what he uses when he trains and-!"

The constant barrage of words screeched to a halt when Tsuna noted the moue of disappointment that curled his tutors tiny mouth. It would seem that his tutor was bringing out the big guns. It was 'The Pout' ™ and Tsuna shuddered at the sight.

"Seems I've been neglectful of my duties. You're slipping back into that accursed no-good persona again."

"No! T-that's not it! I just-I didn't want to be a bother...you're busy and I don't want Mom to worry after I've vanished on her for days on end..."

Reborn's tone when he spoke was cold and even and Tsuna panicked at the disappointment that he could clearly sense in Reborn's words.

"Tsunayoshi...what did I say about this idiotic tendency of yours?"

"Huh?" Tsuna blinked. "Uhmm...that I shouldn't have it?"

Reborn's tone has lost much of its frigidness when he chided, "Clearly you haven't complied with my instructions. Perhaps you need a refresher."

"A r-refresher? No! N-no Reborn I'm fine! I'll tell you! I'll tell!"

Tsuna shrieked, rising from his chair to make a run for it when he found his face coming close to the floor in a terrifying free fall he couldn't even remember starting. Closing his eyes in instinctive panic, he felt his nose brush against the cool hardwood floors and cringed at the cold sweat that's now building all over his trembling body.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll do better! I promise!"

Reborn gave out a chuckle that made Tsuna quiver in dread.

Nothing good could possible come when Reborn laughs that way. NOTHING.

Reborn hummed in contemplation as he watched his charge dangling like a newly caught, mummified trout—complete with gaping mouth and bulging eyes. His own obsidians one narrowed in sadistic glee.

"Indeed. No worries, I have someone in mind who could aid your deplorable condition and perhaps straighten that crooked spine of yours that you've clearly traded with a seahorse in a mistaken belief that it somehow suited you."

"Someone? Who?"

"Maybe two someone's, if I could swing it. Don't worry your empty head over it Peanut, they'll come here soon enough."

"Oh good...hey! My brain is not empty!"

"Of course it isn't! I've already placed something inside and no wonder it's been rattling all over the place no?"

Reborn jumped down from his chair and moved towards the door. Tsuna stared at his departing back and a second later screeched.

"Reborn! Get back here! You can't leave me hanging here! Reborn!REBORN!"

A week after that night, Reborn informed him that he will be welcoming a guest and instructed Tsuna to simply part the curtains that framed the doors that led to the balcony, sit himself on one of the armchairs inside his room and watch. Skeptical as he was always with whatever nonsense his tutor has concocted in his rather questionable arsenal of instructional aides, he acquiesced and did as the man instructed.

Five minutes after setting on the chair, Tsuna's intuition pinged and he stared at the far left corner of his balcony…eyes darting here and there seemingly following something that flashes at the periphery of his vision. For a time, he really wasn't quite sure what exactly it was that he was seeing or even if he was really 'seeing' something especially when his brain constantly reminds him that all there is are electric cable wires, lamp posts and the seemingly empty rooftops of their neighbors.

And yet he was certain that something was out there. Something that's coming closer and closer. There was something emerging from outside his balcony and Tsuna couldn't for the life of him find the words to describe exactly what it was that he was supposed to be seeing.

The figure was vaguely human-shaped, lithe and nearly impossible to distinguish from the dark shadows outside unless one paid it clear attention. It moved…no…it undulated across the rooftops, swinging from tree branches and electrical polls like a well-trained, boneless mass…one moment compact as a small lump then strangely elongating until it resembled a thin reed-like line of black that slipped and slide its way across the rooftops landing without a sound unto the polished floor of his balcony all while remaining concealed from any revealing light.

Glancing at his stoic-faced tutor who was nonchalantly sipping yet another cup of coffee and chewing on a pistachio and white-chocolate biscotti he had dunked therein, he wondered anew what utter madness his life has sunk to. While his gaze was on his tutor, his ears picked up a faint click and he turned to look at glass doors that clearly showed that someone has gained entry into his room.

A sweeping glance around his room revealed no intruder; the room was seemingly undisturbed sans its original occupants. And yet, intuition triggered something inside Tsuna to look up at the valance that usually framed the curtains in his room despite the absence of any wind that might induce movement from the hanging pieces of fabric.

Amber orbs met glittering amethyst.

"Reborn..."

"Yes Peanut?"

"Is that—him?"

Eyes the color of sun-struck citrine moved along the sinewy lines of the shadow until they allowed themselves to be spilled on by the lit lamps inside his room. The long lithe frame retreated and curved and ostensibly wrapped around a far more compact and familiarly-shaped form.

"Here I am! I am Skull! Bow before my majesty!"

A small body wrapped in incongruous black leather; zipped and bolted in random patterns as it crisscrossed the minute outline. Skin pale as the purest snow peeked from the edges of the heavily worked leather as hair dark with the oddest sheen of violet glimmered from atop a head tilted in a blatant display of curiosity and pride. Black lipstick stained the tiny mouth shaped in a clear grin, the amusement and liveliness evident from the glimmering amethyst orbs.

"Is he a bit touched in the head?

Tsuna whispered from behind a cupped hand, casting looks between the smug, clearly preening stranger and his equally smug if stone-faced tutor.

Reborn reached up a hand to twirl his signature side curl, familiar smirk curbing his lips. "Well he frequently does stupid tricks that hurls him at breakneck speeds and without proper safety equipment most of the time so I guess the better question would be exactly how many times is he allowed to hit his head before it permanently scrambles what little brain he has left."

Tsuna wanted so desperately to groan out loud and berate his tutor for bringing him another weirdo but he pushed through, consigning the remainder of his sanity to four winds.

"Does he working for the circus or something?"

"I have it on very good authority that he has had dealings with Cirque de Soleil once when they offered him a spot but he doesn't like working for reputable companies. He prefers carnivals and state fairs I'm told. He's predictably cheap that way. Unless there's a possible threat of death via unsafe and shoddy construction, he will not consider being employed by them."

Tsuna glared at his tutor. "That's-! That doesn't make sense!"

"He's a daredevil thief of some renown and an Arcobaleno to boot. Neither of those things could guarantee that he is of sound mind or that he ever had it in the first place."

"What?!"

"I'm told he's what's called as an adrenaline junkie nowadays so it just stands to reason he wouldn't be the most reasonable of personalities. No worries, Peanut, you'll be perfectly safe with him."

"What do you mean safe with—argh!"

The rest of Tsuna's words vanished as he felt his stomach contracting. Looking down he saw something fleshy, red, and suctioned wrapped around his torso and before he could make heads or tails of his current situation, he was lifted and pulled out through his balcony by the slimy cold wriggling appendage that decided to abscond with his person. All that was left was his high-pitched bellow: "REBORNNNNN!"

Once the echoes of his charges screams faded, Reborn offered a cup at the clearly chuffed fellow at his side.

"Ah...well safe as houses and all that I'm sure. He does have a harness right?"

Skull who was about the reach out for the steaming cup of coffee paused, looked up and then a dismissive shrug. "Well I was going to take it away but I thought you might take exemption to that so I decided to just chuck it and go au natural on the kid. No worries, my little Red knows what it's doing."

"Indeed. Skull." Reborn gave the other Arcobaleno a nod.

"Long time no see Big Brother Reborn."

Reborn waited for Skull to settle into one of the armchairs and take a sip of the excellent brew Nana had thoughtfully prepared before retorting.

"I see you've settled with a Famiglia finally."

"Yeah well they give me toys and settle the bills so it's no hardship to hang around once in a while." Skull snagged a biscotti from the plate on the coffee table and dunked it cheerfully into his filled cup. "So, what am I here for?"

"Are you giving me attitude already brat?"

Skull sputtered, nearly choked on the biscotti as he hastily replied. "N-no! Not at all Elder Brother! I was just wondering how I may be able to offer my assistance to you."

"I see. For a moment I thought you grew enough backbone to sass me. That would've been…unfortunate."

"Don't I know that." Skull muttered into his cup

"Did you say something?"

"No! Just tell me what you want Big Brother."

Reborn stared at Skull for a moment or two, delighting in the squirming figure that was clearly discomfited by his gaze despite being subjected to it many times before. A beat or two later, he spoke.

"You can begin by giving that teaching that brat stretches."

Skull was clearly bracing himself for whatever manner of madness the sadistic Arcobaleno in front of him might possibly devise but it took him a full minute before he could process what he heard. When he did, he exploded in a predictably shrill volume complete with a livid visage and arm waving.

"Stretch—you brought me here all the way from the depths of Russia where not even Baba Yaga could've found me just so I can teach this brat Yoga?!"

Reborn checked his suit for splatter then straightened his cuff with enviable nonchalance. When he spoke, his tone could even be mistaken for being indulgent if not for the fact that a stiletto shone from between his fingers, twirling hypnotically as he flipped them around.

"Now, now Skull…If I could find you, I guess that means you're doing a piss-poor job at hiding then—Baba Yaga notwithstanding. Now, why don't you tell me why you've poked your head out of hiding just when you've claimed you've hidden from the Boogeyman for so long? So much so that it took me only a minute of poking around before I found a means to communicating with you."

Skull gulped as he waved his hands frantically in denial. "Who said anything about hiding?! I wasn't hiding! I just said was a hypothetical statement that's all! Wasn't hiding from you at all!"

"Skull, Skull…" Reborn tapped the stiletto rhythmically against the rim of his cup. "After all these years you're still a lackadaisical liar. Who would've believed—the greatest thief and daredevil of the century is an innocent baby incapable of stringing up a half convincing lie to dupe a naïve teenager from the depths of suburban hell."

Skull glared at Reborn and gave out an irritated huff. "I have duties and responsibilities now! I had an assignment in the area okay! I can't just poof off because you hailed me for a lark!"

Reborn tsked and the stiletto flashed before embedding itself between Skull's splayed legs, lodging closely to the Arcolabaleno leather covered crotch and the thick fabric of the chair, causing Skull to pale.

"A lark? Am that flighty? Are you really talking back to me now Skull? With that tone no less?"

"N-no no-god no! I was-was just surprised! I'll do it! I will do anything you want me to do Big Brother Reborn! Just tell me what you want!"

Reborn hmmed. "Better. Stretch him out and find a good conditioning routine for him to follow after you leave. Teach him how to walk properly will you? His posture is atrocious and he has never been acquainted with grace." Reborn snorted as he poured himself a second cup of coffee. "I need you to fix that abominable shuffle he considers to be coordination— he has the same level as a drug-addled sloth that's been beaten an orangutan with a stick."

Skull blinked, incredulous at the image, "That bad?"

The Sun Arcobaleno sniffed as if offended by the mere memory of it. "Its positively disgraceful. How could he ever hope to charm anyone when he walks like a drunken toddler I'd like to know."

Two days later…

As usual, Skull emerged from somewhere inside the room without visible means of egress or entry with the same splay-footed grace that seemed oddly fitting despite his shortened stature.

A touch of a hand against the back of the chair, he somersaulted over to land in a stylish sprawl against the cushion, head tilted in just the right way to appear impish as a model poised for a high-end editorial photo shoot.

Pale lips wrapped around a stick of Pocky, he munched as he delivered his verdict to the awaiting Tutor.

"Your boy is out of whack. Like majorly out of whack. And I don't just mean the I've-never-exercised-and-everything-hurts way." Skull patted his tight leather ensemble and produced a box of the chocolate delight seemingly out of nowhere. He stuck a new treat between his lips as he continued his rant. "His nerves and muscles have atrophied and strained but they don't seem to be the type that's been worked to the extreme, ya know? His bones are also kinda brittle in some parts-like they've been stressed out in some way or made to bear quite a burden for some time."

Skull flashed an assessing look but seeing Reborn's tranquil disposition he realized that the man was simply using him to confirm his assessment. Shrugging off the nagging feeling of unease that shot through him, he nibbled the stick between his teeth before picking another and continuing on.

"I don't know what that kid has been doing for most of his life but he has the coordination of a geezer that's recovering from arthritis. He needs treatment...maybe massages and medicated baths ya know? The kind made from woo pills and whatnot. Eastern medicine might realign his meridians and shit. And maybe some kind of acupuncture—the really, really good kind."

Reborn suddenly lifted his gaze and pinned Skull with it. The dark obsidian orbs no longer glimmered with amusement but rather reverted to the deep intense gleam that usually ushered in death and destruction on a scale that massive couldn't even describe. An atavistic chill run up Skull's spine, reminding him why despite being skilled as he was at trickery and stealth he never retaliated against the Sun Arcobaleno.

There had always been an unspoken taboo within the circle regarding the Arcobalenos. They were an existence separate and defined—held above and beyond the mores and rules that governed the world—be it the mediocre world of law or the Underworld.

And within the circle of the Arcobaleno themselves, there is a clear divide that each and everyone honored and acknowledged. There were only three rules: One, the rules regarding specialties and the unspoken rule of never infringing on each other territory and expertise. Two, the bloodline of the Keeper is sacrosanct and must be given due respect and deference. And the third rule: DO NOT PISS OFF THE SUN ARCOBALENO. If you do it, then you're on your own because none of the others would help, mediate or interfere.

Death and Destruction lay that way. Madness and Hell comes running to join in the fun.

"Acupuncture huh? Hmm...that reminds me-where's the shifty, squint-eyed bastard anyway? You heard anything from the usual scuttlebutt you coast through?"

Skull didn't know that he's been holding his breath ever since the shadows crawled its way into the Sun Arcobaleno's eyes and only realized it when he heard Reborn speak again, breaking the silence and allowing him to take a tremulous inhale of breath. Wiping away the cold sweat the gathered in his palm on the legs of his trousers, he furrowed his brow trying to recall the necessary information but came up blank. Scratching his head, he gave a shrug at Reborn.

"Hey Elder Bro, if you want Fon-ge you'd be better of asking that money-grubber shaped rugrat. That one channels information floating through the ether like a damned sieve. The only problem as usual is that he charges through the nose like his info is the godforsaken manna from heaven."

The reminder incensed Skull who had had to frequently purchase information from the parsimonious bastard. Reborn merely smirked.

"It's just money Little Skull—it's there to be used. Don't tell me you haven't had those nest-eggs of yours tucked away around the world just waiting for you to get an itching to spend it on the latest death trap disguised as a vehicle you've scented from whatever grease monkey you hang around with."

"Hey hey now! No dissing my rides there elder bro! Those are precision machines okay? And besides, I use money—I'm not like that grubby Miser that hoards currencies and gold bullions like a damned nesting dragon."

Reborn waved a hand imperiously at the still riled Storm Arcobaleno.

"Fine, fine. Just find where that squinty eyed Buddha wanna-be is. I need him to fix this brat's condition and I refuse to consider that eccentric goat-lover. The less I see of that annoying cryptic bastard the better my blood pressure will be."

"So you'll settle for the tot-shaped smiley bastard instead?" Skull quipped grinning madly.

Reborn smirked. "If Fon irritates me, I can take a few potshots at him and he'll simply wave away the gesture and ask me for some kind of antique tea or something. He's very tolerant that way. More to the point, that smiling squinty eyed Buddha bears no grudge, so we're always good. Now, be a good boy and find a way to send that squinty-eyed fool down my way."

Skull scoffed but gave a short nod. "Fine, we'll allow me to skedaddle outta here. I have things to do and well they don't pay the bills unless I actually do something ya know?"

"I expect so. I'll be seeing you around Lil Skull. Do get me that information from the Miser as soon as you can."

"How soon is that?"

"Well I want it yesterday so I guess youre already late. Time's a-wastin' Lil Skull.'

"Fuck a duck—the hell Reborn! Give a guy a warning will you!"

In an out of way teahouse just outside the town of Namimori

Taking inspiration from the teahouses of old, the establishments construction followed a more minimalist if a bit austere look with building built with simplistic lines and excellent materials. The surroundings however broke from the mold by being lush and colorful even while restrained with an expert hand. An ancient bamboo grove formed three virtual walls that encompassed the tea house, allowing the customers to walk through a wisteria laden walkway leading straight into the entryway.

The wooden teahouse was divided into small private rooms that opened up all around the available views, allowing the guests to feast their senses to the scent, sight and sound of the bamboos and flowers…the gentle susurration of leaves, the occasional burst of petals that fell from the lush bunches of purple hued wisteria and of course, the soothing taste of first grade tea and accompanying exquisitely created seasonal wagashi.

Inside one of the best room the teahouse offered a small figure sat upon the soft cushioned pads; his back straight as a board but lacked any discernible stiffness. Instead the entire being exuded a sense of gentle elegance and nobility as if the relaxed posture and the graceful movement of small hands as they lifted the tea pot to pour out a green-gold stream of hot tea into delicate china was a choreographed dance that the viewer was bestowed the honor and privilege of seeing.

A soft puerile voice, milky and notably feminine broke the symphony created by the wind, leaves and pouring tea.

"Shifu…"

The slow slurp of tea sounded for a moment before an equally soft though deeper voice, tranquil as the very surroundings answered gently.

"Go…"

Title Translation: AVERE AMICI AI PIANI ALTI = Having Friends in High Places