Chapter 10 – Sparks Fly

Previously…

Kakashi loped up to the large wooden gates of Konohagakure and approached the seemingly innocuous Chunin gate guards; Kotetsu and Izumo.

Though shocked at Kakashi's clearly worn appearance, they knew better than to point it out. More than one pitiful ninja had been scared to tears by the Copy-nin for a lesser reason, and so, let him pass peacefully without interrogation.

Kakashi paused momentarily to take in the hubbub of the village and eye the large red tower furthest from the entry gate. The Hokage's Tower.

Ever the procrastinator, Kakashi decided to pay a visit to his usual haunt first – The Memorial Stone – and disappeared with a minor application of chakra and in a small flurry of leaves.

There, next to the name Obito Uchiha was Ohara Rin and just below the names of his teammates and a little to the left, were the engravings for Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

He'd stared at this very spot so often it had become habit that made him notorious in his lateness village wide.

For it was here that the last shreds of his humanity lay. Well...here and with the little blonde...wherever she was.

He absolutely had to find her.

Understandably, Verde had many questions.

Click. Slide. Click.

Oh he could make educated guesses, sure, but for a scientist of his calibre it simply isn't in his blood to settle for anything so fickle as guesses.

And so, today was the day they would at last be getting proper explanation around the happenings of that day. Directly from Checkerface – or Minato Namikaze - or whatever the hell he went by now. For a scientist such as he, there was no better way to consider something, than directly from the source.

Click. Click. Click.

Verde's eye twitched.

Across the room his fellow Arcobalano, Reborn, was very deliberately and very noisily cleaning his gun simply to aggravate everyone in the room as they sat in a relative silence. That Troll. His Chameleon, Leon, perched nonchalantly – also miniaturised – on the rim of his black fedora: a silent observer to the chaos his partner was evidently revelling in.

Whoever said animals were incapable of showing expression, clearly had never met this particular creature – the living embodiment of schadenfreude, indeed.

Honestly, Verde tried his hardest NOT to be in a room with the lot of them due to the inevitable migraine they tended to induce but sadly, just this once, it was a necessary evil. He placated himself slightly by stroking the scaled head of his own familiar, imagining his pet Crocodile devouring the little sadist…fedora and all. Ah yes, he smirked, now there's a happy place.

So there they sat.

The seven strongest of their generation, reduced to mere toddlers. Legs not even long enough to dangle over the chairs they sat upon, chubby fingers grasping at teacups almost as big as their heads. Such an absurd sight was borderline comical if he didn't happen to look exactly the same.

His ruminations were rudely interrupted by a knock at the door, followed by a sequence of irritatingly repetitive – and completely unnecessary - lyrical knocks, which quite rapidly punctured his illusion of calm.

Verde supped his tea with closed eyes, willing for calm and awaiting the usual barked order from Reborn for the 'lacky' to get to the door. When no such order came and the knocking continuing, he looked about to see those beady black eyes staring at him expectantly. The nerve.

Was it too late to go back to the humdrum of his daily experimenting? Oh to be far, FAR, away from anything or anyone wearing fedoras, strutting around with guns, or infecting him with stupid.

Quickly growing irritated, both at the needless incessant knocking and at the hitman's' increasingly amused expression, – has he mentioned that Reborn is a Troll? - He dismounted from his chair to get the door.

Stretching up to grasp the doorknob, (and wasn't that a kicker, him - the tallest of the Arcobaleno -needing to stretch to reach a mere door handle), he was just twisting the handle, when the door was abruptly thrown open. Of course this resulted in him being imminently flung from the entry, tumbling like a panda, landing in a heap upside down against the opposite wall.

He didn't need to hear the snickers coming from the table in the other room to know just how ludicrous he looked. Madonna! Their stupid was infectious!

Huffing, he hastily attempted to right himself, when his vision was obscured by a waterfall of gold and a pair of large concerned cerulean eyes.

"A-are you alright?" The young girl asked softly, patting down his lab coat.

He sat slightly stunned, not just from his recent fall but that his notoriously grouchy Crocodile, Keiman, was actually allowing someone unknown even within his proximity, let alone close enough to touch him. That spoke volumes about the little girl's character and so, he silently observed her as he allowed her gently straighten his rumpled clothing.

"Ah I see you've met Verde, Naru." Minato said peering down bending at the hip. "What're you doing on the floor?"

Verde stiffened at the voice of Checkerface, quickly pulling out of the haze brought on by the warm little Sky and suddenly very alert. Keiman hissed menacingly showing his teeth, while his spiked tail swishing across the ground in agitation.

"Dad, it's your fault you know! You knocked him over!" Naruko pouted.

"…Indeed. Why bother knocking at all…Checkerface?" Said a clipped voice from behind cocking his gun with an ominous flourish.

"That's a dangerous thing you're pointing at me….Reborn."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pull the trigger." Reborn hissed with narrowed eyes.

Leon (the Chameleon), having morphed into the green gun, felt a spike of fear from the young Sky child as she looked from one to the other and couldn't help but want to sooth her. He quickly ceased his transformation, scuttled over his masters' arm, leapt over the tall blonde man launching himself into the Sky child's arms. He managed all of this within moments of the gun being pointed.

Surprised, Naruko scrambled to catch the flying reptile and bring him up to eye level. She eyed him for a moment as she cradled him and cocked her head to the side as if listening to something, fear long forgotten.

"Ah, I see. So, your name is Leon? Well, it's very nice to meet you Leon." Naruko said kindly as her eyes flashed an amber hue.

'She can understand him?' Reborn thought, eyes glinting in interest.

Before Reborn could properly process what had happened. His familiar had done the unthinkable and was actually - dare he say, snuggling with the Sky child, seemingly pleased to have someone other than Reborn to talk to.

Snap.

Visibly startled, Reborn looked towards the source of the noise and very nearly growled in disdain. Verde, that conceited little nerd was busying himself photographing his shocked expression and judging by his enthusiasm he'd been caught looking quite undignified. Tch.

Slightly exasperated at his weapon-come-pet, Reborn rolled his eyes and preceded back to his espresso muttering darkly to himself about target practice.

"Well, ah, before explanations I suppose introductions are in order..." Minato said nervously suddenly back under the scrutiny of the room's occupants.

Still holding onto the little Chameleon, Naruko gave her father a firm prod in the ribs which seemed to shake him out of his stupor. Smiling, he cleared his throat.

"Ahem, well Naru, these are the Arcobaleno - from the left then, Vip-"

"-Mu! It's Marmon now." Said the cloaked infant that was floating in mid-air. "If you want to know the name of my snake familiar, it'll cost yo-"

"-Fantasma? Nice to meet you both!" Chirped Naruko.

"How did yo-?"

"-I just know!" She shrugged, eyes flashing orange.

Marmon gaped. "Is nothing sacred anymore?! First Reborn, now this shrimp!"

"Calm down Viper. You're just upset 'cos you can't swindle any cash – have some shame, you money grubber, cora!" Exclaimed a blonde camouflage-wearing toddler.

"Mu! It's Marmon!"

"Whatever you say Viper."

"Naru, meet Collonello. Collonello this is my daughter, Naruko." Minato said, placing an arm behind her back to nudge her forwards slightly.

"Nice to meet you, cora! This is Falco!" He said gesturing to the strong looking falcon on his shoulder.

"H-hello," Naru stuttered, slightly intimidated by the sizable rifle casually slung across Collonello's small shoulders. She waved shyly at Falco, who fluttered his wings and fluffed his chest feathers but remained on his Master-come-perch. Collonello didn't bat an eye, so used to the weight of the large bird.

"Ni hao Naruko, I'm Fon and this is my companion, Lichi." Said the infant dressed in the red Chinese qipao to the left of Collonello. Lichi chose that moment to leap from Fon's shoulder to Naruko's head and make himself comfy, wrapping his tail snug around her neck. If Fon was surprised at the actions of his monkey friend, it was well hidden behind a serene expression.

Although he was calm, Naruko could sense an intensity in his gaze but still, she smiled and politely returned the greeting whilst petting the little chimp.

"Hurry up and introduce the great me!" Shouted a squeaky voice from the further corner of the room. In fact, strangely enough, the owner of said voice was currently stood facing the corner of the wall and if he hadn't spoken up, he may as well have been part of the furniture.

"Don't mind him, Skull's just the errand boy." Said the fedora wearing toddler.

"Oi! Shut up Reborn! I'll have you know I am the Great Skull de Mort with his faithful pet Oodako!" He shouted raising his fist and striking a pose. Though both Naruko and Minato sweat dropped as Skull was still facing the wall. A small red tentacle waved shyly at the little blonde Sky from on top of Skull's helmet.

A gun was cocked. "What did you just say, Lackey?" Reborn said in a silky voice, eyes promising something sinister.

"N-n-n-nothing Reborn-sama!" Skull shivered.

"You wouldn't happen to be implying there's something wrong with my hearing, now would you?"

Skull, if possible, forced himself further into the corner the large purple helmet he wore skittering against the wall.

"…Like I said, a lackey through and through." Said the smug voice of Reborn, gun clicking once again and disappearing.

"Ahaaa, yes the helmet wearing guy is Skull and…well, he needs no introduction, but this is Reborn, Naru."

"Greatest Hitman in the world, at your service – for a price, of course." He said tipping his fedora.

"Mu! How come Reborn can charge!" Marmon said, arms crossed and cloak fluttering madly.

The other just rolled their eyes, well used to this scene. It was Reborn after all; he plays by his own rules.

"Hello Reborn." Said Naruko's soft voice.

"And you've met Verde of course Naru." Minato said gesturing to the green haired toddler with the glasses.

"Hi Verde, I hope you aren't hurt from before?"

"Humph, as if. Though as compensation you should allow me to study you." Verde said, pushing his glasses further up his nose as regally as a toddler could.

"Study? What for?" Naruko asked head tilting.

"For Science of course. Was the lab coat not enough of a giveaway?" He smirked as Naruko blushed a pretty pink.

"Now, now Verde she probably couldn't tell from the way you were getting intimate with the floor," Leered Reborn over his coffee. "Some genius you are." He said which made a vein pulse on Verde's temple, and his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"B-but Reborn, that wasn't Verde's fault! It was-". Naruko said coming to Verde's defence.

"-Indeed, that was yet again the work of Checkerface. Now as amusing as it is to watch a five year old so valiantly defend Verde's honour, I believe you've procrastinated long enough Namikaze." Reborn said setting his cup onto the table with a decisive clink.

"Alright," said Minato. "But where is Luce?"

At his question there was a sudden increase to the tension in the room. Naruko looked questioningly at her father.

"…She's dying." Reborn said, eyes shadowed, and mouth set in a grim line.

Minato cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair before collapsing into a nearby chair. He reached into his pocket – slowly enough to not antagonise the trigger happy infants – and pulled out a metal chequered half-mask and set it on the lacquered table. He then clutched his hands together on his knees until his knuckles whitened.

Moments of silence later a small delicate hand entered his vision and he looked up to see Naruko was reaching out to him in unspoken support. He grasped her hand in his larger one like a lifeline, taking comfort in her warmth before steeling himself.

Minato explained everything to them, from how they came from a different world, how he was thrown into a different timeline. He told them of Konoha and bloodlines and intuition, not stopping until his voice cracked. All the while Naruko held onto his hand in silent comfort.

His heart thundered as he explained how and why he used the Arcobaleno as he did, that he knew the cost of doing so. He was grateful that in this time no one interrupted him, for he wasn't sure if he could continue if he stopped. Words were spewing from his mouth in an unstoppable tundra and not being able to look any of them in the eye any longer, he clamped his eyes shut tight.

His eyes remained shut even as his explanation drew to a close. Because of this he missed the twin looks of the two most volatile Arcobaleno and Naruko eyeing them nervously.

In a flash both Collonello and Reborn had launched into the air and kicked Minato in the face.

"Dad!" Naruko shouted in alarm as she was unable to prevent her father from crashing backwards. The flimsy wooden chair unable to take the force of the fall, splintered like matchsticks through a woodchipper. Several of the chair limbs shot into the air only to add to the Minato pile-up.

"It's okay Naru, I deserved that." Minato said with a groan. Limbs twitching, he rolled to the side while holding his abused face.

"I'm alright." He said when he felt panicked hands pulling at his arms.

Naruko gaped when he finally moved his hands from his face. Already bruising black eyes squinted back at her when he was able to sit up. Blood was dripping from his clearly broken nose and his clothes in disarray.

From somewhere behind her she could hear Reborn clicking his tongue, muttering something about not doing enough damage but she chose to ignore him in favour of de-splintering her father. She managed to get him to stand on his own, albeit unsteadily, while guiding him into another empty seat.

When they felt a second spike of killing intent, the familiars flew, leapt, and slithered their way in between their masters and Naruko and Minato. They made it very clear that no one was to harm the little Sky.

Leon had helpfully morphed into a box of tissues so that the little Sky could tend to her father. Reborn glared at the little beast in betrayal until he saw the tell-tale shaking of her small hands. Leon's tongue darted out to dab at the tears that dripped down her cheek.

"I – I know that with just this your revenge won't be enough, but please, he's all I've got." She sniffled turning towards them abruptly, eyes begging.

"Naru…"

"That's right. It won't ever be enough. A black eye in exchange for a cursed existence is meaningless." Verde scoffed glasses flashing. "However…If there was a way to change us back to how were once and save Luce, then I believe that the both of you are the key." Naruko's watery eyes widened in hope.

"Th-then you won't hurt him anymore?"

"Tch. Make no mistake, we all want a piece…"

"But?"

"Grr. We'll keep him in one piece, cora!" Collonello grumbled folding his arms, being so close to Checkerface was making his skin itch. A pair of arms disrupted his bellyaching bringing him into a warm hug.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Naruko cried as she clung to him for dear life.

"Oi! C-cora!" Collonello couldn't remember when the last time he'd received any kind of affection was – were hugs always this warm?

Snap.

"Damn it, Verde! Quit taking pictures!" Said a red faced Collonello. Reborn snorted, noticing that although falcon-boy was clearly embarrassed, he wasn't removing himself from the hug either.

After that it was as if the ice had truly broken. Minato, whilst recovering, was quietly observing the interaction through puffy eyes. Even with his (currently) poor eyesight he could see that Naruko was unintentionally charming the Arcobaleno in the way that they were gathering around her. Even Skull had stopped hiding in the corner, coaxed nearer by the siren of Sky Flames.

Reborn joined Minato at the side of the room, a fresh espresso appearing from seemingly nowhere and the two sat in silence.

"I can't forgive you," Reborn said suddenly startling Minato. "But looking at her…I can at least understand why you did what you did."

Minato nodded but remained silent.

"Will you work together with Verde to fix this? Us?" he said quietly.

"…You would let me?"

"Humph, at this point it'd be a task to separate them from the little Sky. But you are more of a fool than I thought you were if you think I wouldn't take full advantage." Reborn said taking a sip from his drink. "Did you bring her here on purpose?"

"No, not for the reason you are thinking." Minato replied shaking his head. "She doesn't know anyone here; everyone and everything here is new to her. She's still recovering from the abuse she suffered in Konoha…so I want to heal any scars as they appear. Even if I'm responsible, there's no one in this room who feels more guilty about what was done, than Naruko. I'm hoping being here, meeting all of you will set her on the road to recovery."

"She's been through a lot." His fedora cast a shadow over his eyes.

It wasn't a question.

"…What she's been through, I wouldn't wish on anyone…least of all my 5 year old daughter…I won't go into the details."

"You don't need to; I can see it in her eyes. Those are old eyes."

"…"

"So you want us to help her?"

"I want you to help me train her. I can't do it alone." Minato said looking directly into Reborn's eyes.

"Train her? Are you serious? You're asking the Arcobaleno, the strongest in our fields across the globe, to train you five year old? Don't make me laugh Minato, we aren't babysitters, she'd be dead before her sixth birthday."

"C'mon Reborn, I guarantee she'll surprise you, " Minato replied, eyes colouring amber. "We need your expertise in searching for her Guardians."

"She's not yet at the age where needs Guardians yet – when she's 20-"

"She doesn't have that long Reborn!" Minato whispered feverishly.

Reborn beady eyes zeroed in on Minato's tense expression, sighed and set his cup down on the saucer.

"Explain."

Minato could be seen murmuring to Reborn off to the side, ignoring the curious glances, their conversation unknown to the rest of the room…except of course the wily scientist whose mobile listening device had scurried away and placed itself neatly under Minato's chair.

Verde was quietly listening in whilst his attention was seemingly on the small blonde, his mind already whirring over the implications of their discussion.

A deadline hmm, how interesting.

"So basically, you're playing dimensional tug-of-war with her soul? …You're making it very hard not to hit you again." Reborn grumbled rubbing his temples.

Minato started sweating nervously but didn't move away.

"Fine, we'll help," he barked. "But you had better keep your end of the bargain and get to work giving us back our adult forms…or else!"

"Reborn~!" Minato wailed, ugly tears streaming down his battered face. "I could hug you!" he said sobbing and wiping his snot in the crook of his elbow.

A gun was suddenly cocked and planted on the sobbing man's forehead.

"Try it and see where it gets you!" Reborn menaced causing Minato to gulp and back away hands up.

The gun however vanished as soft footsteps approached.

"Finished your conversation?" Naruko asked sweetly, before being jerked to the side and used as a pseudo shield.

"Naru! Protect me from the mean hitman!"

"Wha-! Dad why is your arm wet? Is that snot?! Gross! Let me go!" She struggled.

Fantasma leapt up and twisted, morphing into her snake form before whipping the pitiful blonde on the ear forcing him to release their Naruko.

Lichi, meanwhile, chose that moment to pluck the little robotic listening device from under the chair - and before Verde could react - delivered it straight into the hands of Fon, with a cheeky grin.

Fon and the rest eyed the device with blank expressions, before turning to Verde, who shrugged.

Reborn shook his head at the pitiful display of subtlety.

Naruko giggled as she petted the crafty monkey for a prank well executed. It was strange having the little beasties clamber for her attention, but it filled her with warmth.

"Have you decided on a name yet Naru?" Minato asked.

"Hmm, not yet."

"What about Asuka, cora?" Suggested Collenello.

"Asuka?" Naruko said sounding out the syllables. 'To fly, huh?'. "I like it!"

"Sawada Asuka, huh? That has a nice ring to it!" Minato smiled.

"Leave the documents to me Minato, I know a guy…or three." Reborn said guzzling his coffee.

"Thanks Reborn, that would be great!" Naruko – Asuka exclaimed with a blinding smile.

Pulling sunglasses out of nowhere he replied, "No problem, Asuka. Hop to it Viper!"

"Mu! Reborn! It'll cost you!"

"…'Till next time Asuka."

Reborn quickly checked his watch before vanishing into a swarm of bugs, much to Viper's obvious annoyance.

Asuka's blue eyes watched as her new mentors, left one by one after promising times and dates to meet for her new training. Their familiars reluctantly leaving her side from where they were cosied up in a dog-pile of scales, tails, and feathers on and around her.

She was happy that they'd had this meeting and gotten everything out in the open. While she was positive the Arcobalano didn't completely like them, - her father at least - they were no longer enemies in their eyes.

Along with the promise of tutoring from hell and a few not-so-subtle cackles…she most definitely had her work cut out for her in the near to distant future, but she couldn't be happier.

She was surrounded by people, (and animals), who were looking out for her and had her best interests at heart. Gone was the misunderstood loner child. Now, she had her father and all of the Arcobaleno as her allies.

Maybe, just maybe, she could get used to having them around.

She was also pleased to see that her father's shoulders stood taller than they had on the walk to the meeting place. A burden shared, is a burden halved – or so they say, she mused.

Though this wasn't to say that they were completely out of the woods yet. They still needed to find a way to reverse the effects of the, now named 'curse of the Arcobaleno' and deal with the whole successorship of the Vongola, not to mention the impending deadline of finding her Guardians before she would be unceremoniously tossed back to Konoha.

So, Asuka did the only thing she could. She took a deep breath, grasped her father's hand and put one foot in front of the other. Her father's answering smile said more than words ever could.

Yes, she'll be fine now.

A/N: - As an apology for taking so, horrendously long releasing this last chapter, I thought I'd make it worth your wait and add a bit of a side story. Hope you enjoy. E.

Chapter 10 ~Side story~

Keiman wasn't the cutest of animals, he would readily admit.

But what he lacked in cute and cuddly, he made up for in smarts. Heaven knows he needed them more than the average familiar, due to his partner being rather …lacking in the common-sense department.

Keiman knew his partner, Verde, wasn't a social creature and liked, as much as him, to spend time just sitting and thinking – even more so now that he was miniaturised. He would observe Verde's tall silhouette against the brightness of his many computer screens typing away furiously, muttering about the decline of humanity and their lack of technological advancement yadayada - much like any modern-day maniacal overload. Now though, his shoulders seemed to stoop in a defeated kind of way, totally unlike the Verde he'd come to know and respect. Oh, not to worry though, Keiman wouldn't let him wallow in self-pity for too long - just long enough to come up with a solid plan of action.

It was rather fitting, he thought, that the unapproachable, unfriendly, pride-ridden genius of the Arcobaleno should choose a crocodile for his partner. At least Keiman appreciated the irony.

So it came as quite the surprise when, all of a sudden, his lab coat toting human, wearing an odd expression – annoyance crossed with an underlying glimmer of hope - said he was to meet with the rest of the Arcobaleno. Of course Keiman, intrigued, decided he just had to tag along.

It was worth it, he decided.

He watched in barely concealed amusement as the little hitman played Verde like a fiddle, dark eyes glinting in merciless mischief. Let it be known that a bored hitman, makes for a sadistic one. A condolence, he supposed, was that if Reborn should go too far, then at his present size Keiman wouldn't even need to chew him on the way down, fedora and all.

He trooped loyally behind Verde as he went to answer the door, more to keep a closer eye on him than anything else. True to form, Keiman tried very hard not to roll his eyes when Verde was flung overhead and into a wall, he really should have been expecting it at this point.

He observed the young soft human child approach Verde, immediately dismissing her as a threat. This little one wouldn't harm Verde, Keiman could tell.

The other blonde human, however, wasn't quite so opaque. He approached far too close and far too quickly, so Keiman decided that he needed to give him a warning.

A baring of his many, many teeth and a short (but menacing) hiss later, - look rabid, LOOK RABID - and voila, instant separation.

Yes, being a crocodile was much better than being fluffy.

That being said…

He was quite surprised his little display hadn't scared off the little human child, even more so when she absentmindedly scratched his scales in. Just. The. Right. Place.

Never had he put much stock into being petted. Believe it or not, someone willing to pet him was a rarity indeed. Though as he crooned and nudged into her tiny hand for more attention and as she applied the perfect amount of pressure, even massaging the sensitive soft skin between his scales on his snout. Well…perhaps there was something to be said about lying in the lap of attention, he thought blissfully.

Leon liked to think of himself as being fairly laid back. Not lazy but laid back in the sense that not a lot could surprise him anymore - he was not the young, green in the gills Chameleon he once was.

Together with his partner Reborn, he'd travelled the world, seen both the best and worst that humanity had to offer and later blazed their way through bowels of the underworld, coming out on top.

It didn't take Reborn long to become infamously known as the best hitman in the world.

Many thought Reborn inhuman – a gun for hire, killing machine…Well, they're not completely wrong. Contract killers though they were, Leon liked to think that they at least had a conscience.

As per the law of the mafia, Women and children were off limits, they were to be respected and cherished above all else. Punishment for those not abiding this rule was most severe and made even the strongest of men quiver in fear. Such is the infamy of the mafia law enforcers – the Vindice.

He and Reborn followed this particular law religiously, there was nothing worse in their book than a harmer of women. Should they happen upon anyone ignoring said law, well… they liked to dish out a bit of their own brand of punishment before the enforcers arrived on the scene. Such fun.

Of course, he'd noticed Reborn becoming that tiny bit more vindictive over the years. For the most part, the ass kicking's were well deserved and left them both feeling refreshed. There was something about their screams of terror that was music to the soul. Leon decided he too had picked up on a few of Reborn's more sadistic quirks in particular - just a smidge.

Reborn, he knew, liked to think of himself as a bit of ladies' man, but Leon knew the truth. Reborn wouldn't have been approached by even half of these women, had Leon not been there. Yes, it's true, he sighed - Leon had them lining up with his delightfully springy cute, curled tail and - if it wasn't too bold of him to say so - his adorably large eyes. Yep, they were a team, Reborn and he.

But minus that smug attitude of his and the 'I do what I want, when I want' spiel, Leon knew deep down that Reborn was lonely. Reborn was nothing if not an enigma – always had been. Leagues ahead of his piers growing up with a knack for reading people. Needless to say, he took to the rather solitary life of being a hitman like a duck to water.

Unfortunately, this didn't mean he understood people. Being socially inept of sorts, together with his achievements only drew more of a line between him and everyone else and painted a target on his back.

Most of the time, Leon spent his days perched upon the rim of Reborn's black fedora - it wasn't a particularly comfortable spot for him, but it sure beat trying to nest in Reborn's hair.

Ever since his tall, moderately handsome partner had become toddler sized, his hair had become deceptively hazardous to Chameleons – like lying in a porcupine den. Suffice to say neither were impressed with the changes brought on by that day.

Things had been growing a little stale before the event-that-shall-not-be-spoken, Reborn could probably have guessed it from his expression alone. How Leon wished, he'd buried those thoughts. He was sure Reborn would have taken the mundane over this any day.

So when a call came through from an unknown number and Reborn answered in his usual monotone, neither were expecting to be rushing to Japan of all places for a meeting with Checkerface himself.

Leon was happy to be meeting up with the rest of the Arcobaleno and Co, more so for Reborn as he shared an undeniable likeness with the others, though Reborn would never admit it (even to himself) upon even pain of death. Leon decided he would observe the room as his partner did what he did best and caused as much passive aggressive chaos as he could. Leon wasn't about to rescue anyone and so, let Reborn have his fun. It did make for such wonderful entertainment after all.

His large yellow eyes were drawn to the small child with the golden tresses, watching as she instantly went to assist the Lightning Arcobaleno. Leon was mesmerised by the soft looking waves atop her hear and imagined himself sitting upon such a fine throne.

It wasn't until his partner pointed his weapon form at the so called Checkerface, did it become apparent that they had scared the little Sky child.

Sensing opportunity, Leon launched himself into her arms to introduce himself – and closer the nest of the gods. Surprisingly, she - Naruko, could understand him! Oho, he would love to see the moment when Reborn realised his secrets were no longer safe. Such fun!

Leon was quite enjoying his snuggle.

Naruko was warm and soft and smelled of something menthol, unlike Reborn who was the total opposite. Not that he was much of a hugger in the first place.

She would trail her nails ever so gently in circular motions over the curve of his spine. Back and forth, baaaaack and forth.

Needless to say, Leon soon grew sleepy under her ministrations.

…

Much of the meeting Leon had missed, wrapped in a cocoon of bliss by, who he now dubbed, the golden-haired goddess. For only a divine being could woo one such as he!

He could feel Reborn's eyes from across the room - but Leon, now belly up, tail flexing in delight - couldn't bring himself to care. Such is life in the lap of luxury.