Reunion

After seeing their rooms, they got from Skull why Juri chose to live here.

Despite being 'dead', she wanted peace, quiet and comfort after a rough day at school, so with her sponsorships, she requested a residence the way she wants it, and because her 'whims' are quite cheap, she was indulged. The price to pay, was commute. She otherwise, would stay in a rented flat in London on school days. Free day, she's here in her fantasy home.

But her house is a mystery.

A dead zone to signals.

The arcobaleno recover their sapped strength here.

Where's the pipes in her bathroom and kitchen sink? Where's the wires for her TV? And warm wind is mysteriously blowing into her house from the windows!

The water in her faucets are cozy-warm...and her bathroom has bottles of essential oils for a good soak, after a shower. Three arcobaleno can share a tub at a time, giving Aria time for solo bathing. Mammon also would rather bathe solo.

And dinner, was really amping it up the fairytale theme.

There's cottage loaf per person, a 'bowl' of meat stew because it was a medieval version of soup plate and an actual bowl of soup. Two of which delicious! What kid her age, can cook to this level?! Oh, and a peeled orange, with signs that seeds were plucked out at that. That's nice of her.

And so...

'I have already contacted your professor, Juri.' said Reborn. 'We'll have a discussion after classes. He has yet to reply though, so I'll be checking your machine again later.' Juri merely nodded. 'What do you usually do on your free day, other than stay here?'

'...watch all those and learn how to express.' said Juri. 'A classmate recommended all those films, while Velvet-sensei recommended me some anime. He says they'll force out extreme emotions but none worked so far, even the horror movies Flat-san swore he couldn't sleep a week and afraid of the telly.'

'Ah. The Ring?'

'Yup. He swears by the Japanese Version. The American Version has less impact. But I'm not affected one bit.'

'Try smiling.' Aria encouraged. Juri used her fingers to force a smile on her lips. The Arcobaleno went...blank by this effort. 'N-not that way dear...' she sweatdropped.

Hopeless...

xxx

That night, Juri watched some anime, before going to sleep. She watched Prince of Tennis with Reborn, Skull and Fon. The others went upstairs, groggy from a heavy dinner as they had tea and canapes beforehand. Plus the strong influx of energy into their pacifiers got them on Cloud Nine!

'Juri, where did you go to school before?' Reborn asked her. If things went well, this girl will be his student.

'In Miyama Junior High School in Fuyuki. Legal Guardian Kotomine Kirei, the local priest. Guy found murdered but thanks to his ties in the west and some insurances he made, I ended up with the Archibalds. Didn't last long in my freshman year there as a result. Continued the rest here.'

'Did you enter a club?'

'No. I went straight home every day.' said Juri. 'I never had lives like the tv people.'

'Why is that?'

'People avoid me. I'm fine with that.' said Juri softly.

'Aren't you lonely?' Fon frowned in concern.

'Lone...ly? What's that?' Fon inwardly sighed. She really can't feel.

'Then what if someone endangers your life? You don't feel fear?'

'Oh, I just kill them.' the Arcobaleno choked at her casual way of saying such a horrifying thing as that's exactly how sociopaths talk. 'There are many levels people can be a danger to you. Slight injury. Moderate. Severe. Then there's type of intent. I retaliate accordingly according to both assailant's intent and legal laws...but if you intend to kill me, just expect to be killed back. Its certainly within my means.'

Well, that's one thing to be grateful for, she understands limits of ethics, morals and laws at least!

'What made you think that way?'

'...I was often mistaken as heiress to some wealthy family due to how I dress when going to school so I get kidnap attempts once every few months...or sell me off to some Black Market Studio for Underage Porn for Pedophiles...I simply let them take me, so I can kill the whole organizations there when we arrive. Trojan Horse Style. I often cause my sponsored family headaches when I ask them to pick me up in a warzone as I have no means to go home as I have no idea where am I.'

Wow. That's...one way to lower down circulation of a type of porn and lessen down Human Trafficking...but can she really do it?

'I'd like to test your martial skill.' Fon decided.

'OK. Outside.'

'S-senpai...this level of confidence...makes me really want to believe her.' Skull croaked out to Reborn as Fon and Juri went out.

'She speaks with absolute certainty that's for sure...' Reborn frowned. 'Time to see if she can walk the talk.'

And so?

Indeed, Juri can walk the talk.

This was because Juri knows how Servants fight and watching the Fifth War in action gave her time to adjust to their speed and see hi-speed actions as she utilized her magic to help her understand. And she knows how to exploit Reinforcement well to fight Fon on even terms. Because had she fought on her own strength, at her current level at her fight with Fon, her bones would have been broken. If she fought like a Servant, how will she explain why Fon died at her hands? So she used only enough to evenly compete with him.

But still, she was envious. He's so strong on his own merits while she had to rely on magic. He was at his peak strength as an adult male, preserved by his curse somehow. What curse can baby-fy adults? Again, curses are not her forte...she really should study it sometime soon...to be a first-rate mage, you gotta know plenty while still keeping danger from yourself.

Even with a cursed baby body, Fon is indeed, a master of martial arts, and it shows.

This is why she works hard on P.E classes to up her own abilities without relying too much on Reinforcement, aspiring to reach her peak physical condition.

She had watched how Rider fought Saber Alter to give herself ideas of how to fight through a mirror while she and Illya headed for said cavern on foot. Rider was her inspiration that led to her deciding to be a close-combat fighter, and it paid off now.

From upstairs upon hearing that fighting, the other Arcobaleno watch.

But.

Only Aria can see what they could not.

"...what are those glowing lines on her body...?" and she understood as it helps Juri withstand Fon's strength in sparring. She could see the flow of energy in those lines on her body.

Soon, the sparring was over.

'Mm. You are indeed very skilled.' said Fon as both stopped. 'You're indeed, very safe.'

'...it was hard work.' said Juri. 'Either that or do what porn stars do.' Fon choked at the idea.

'Y-yes, just kill them.' not even he, will condone child porn and he himself will gladly kill them, given the chance.

xxx

By the time their Prince of Tennis marathon ended, there's finally a reply from Waver.

We have discussed the matter with the family
regarding the situation, thus will accommodate
you in my employer's mansion.

We will meet at the British Museum after school
hours. I own a black Mitsubishi Eclipse with plate
number xxx-xxxx.

Please bring your own car or rent one.

Following that, was Juri's exam grades for English, Math, Science, Geography, History, French, Religious Education, Computer Science, Art, Design and Technology, Music and PSHE. And a Japanese Language subject as she was originally Japanese to begin with, she can't neglect her mother tongue...

'Oho! These are rather impressive marks!' Reborn can really respect these grades. She's less trouble than Dino at least in the future.

Juri just could not tell them that Waver took modernity so seriously.

He hopes for his students to do a better job blending in with humans. He makes them all swallow jewels containing knowledge of education from top-class human schools from all Key Stages in Britain, then makes them take exams publicly which they must ace, so they can legally exist as the El-Melloi Faction forges records and memories to make it look like they went to this and that school, complete with being there for class picture-taking and yearbooks! This way, they have places in both worlds instead of limiting themselves to one world and culture only.

They thus arrange field trips for this.

Considering all students were rich, its plausible to go with 'home tutor for safety' till 'old enough to go out' excuse.

Going all the way to college. By the time they're at Year 12 or Senior High School, they would be asked what College Courses they like so they can take the corresponding jewels. Really convenient!

That, and jewels containing knowledge of modern technology that is both for convenient usage, but also a way to know which are threats to Breach of Mystics laws like CCTV cameras and phones with cameras incase someone sees and records them in action! And for older students of age, how to drive different types of cars, boats and aircraft. They can even fly planes if need be!

Such is the resource reach of El-Melloi Faction with their current resources.

The reason it claims to be Impoverished, is because Reines must pay the astronomical debt Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald owed to a number of people, including his own father-in-law by borrowing their Mystic Codes, Mana Furnaces and Spirit Familiars. However, the debt was passed to Waver so she can focus on reclaiming what was stolen from the family by rivals and enact revenge with prejudice. So far, she reclaimed 1/4 of what was stolen from the clan by hook, crook or downright murder.

She once offered Waver a few winning Megalotto Tickets enough to pay the debt off as there's no way he can pay all that in his entire lifetime. Really, can he pay the amount of money Lion King made worldwide in 1994? Hell no.

Waver VERY RELUCTANTLY accepted her help and thus, won enough money to pay at least, 1/4 of all those debts in the short time she was with the class. Oh, and he paid back Melvin too.

xxx

As early as 3 am in the morning...Juri was up cooking breakfast and well dressed. The Arcobaleno, always alert due to threats on their lives heard footsteps by the hallway smelled food. But...this early?!

"WTF, it's 3 am!" they all thought.

Then again, it's Monday. School Day.

She did mention pick-up commute...

Groaning at the ungodly hour, they very reluctantly got up, fixed themselves and took turns in the bathroom to wash their faces and brush teeth before going down.

Yup, she's already cooking.

'Juri, why so early?' Colonello moaned in dismay.

'Pickup will come at 4:30.' said Juri. 'Along with Skull's bike.' if Juri didn't have guests, she wouldn't be up this early either. Ugh. Alas, she has to keep things realistic.

'Oh...'

'I prepared Indian Chai for a wake-up pick-me-up. It's on the table so pour out some for yourself. Its pretty strong but healthy.' so they poured out for themselves and by the taste alone, they tasted the black tea, some sweet spices, herbs and honey.

Yup, they felt the kick of the chai soon enough.

If they thought last night was simply healthy hospitality, breakfast proved them wrong.

'You're a rare teenager who takes health seriously. Most teenagers would rather prefer...unhealthy things.' said Aria in admiration as breakfast was large Baked Sweet Potatoes and there's two per person with its own dipping sauce made of homemade spice blend, perfectly-made french omelettes, and a bowl of vegetable and mushroom soup. Go, Grow and Glow respectively. This time, its a small bowl of mixed berries.

'I'd make a joke of my Design and Tech class if I ate junk.' said Juri. 'Junk food at a young age, makes one a stunted lackwit growing up.'

'Shame, not all families think that way and prepare favorites for fussy eaters.' Reborn snorted. They all had to eat the baked potatoes last as its still hot! But hey, the sauce is to die for! Yum!

Once breakfast was done and Aria helped with dishwashing, they waited for pick-up time by the freeway as Juri re-applied all her Bounded Fields on the sly. Soon, there's a car slowing down their way and out came a pair of butlers.

'Young Miss, on behalf of young master Weins, we have delivered the customized bike and will drive you to school.' they bowed in perfect sync even, before going to the back and took out a wooden crate containing Skull's bike. 'We will also collect the bill.'

OK, a rich dude fixed Skull's bike if two butlers came to deliver and pick up Juri? And they're incredibly handsome!

'I'll get my checkbook...' Skull took out his checkbook and wrote a cheque and gave it to the butlers.

'Payment received.'

'Juri, your friend is rich yet does bike maintenance?' Lal blinked owlishly.

'Yup. Melvin-san owns latest bike models and he is capable of doing his own tuning and customizing while still adhering to legal laws. He's very...particular with how he wants his bikes with speed and turns, so Skull-san's bike should be well-souped.'

'Ooh!' now Skull hoped the money is worth it if Juri is that confident with the guy's skills.

Soon, they left the Freeway on cars, Arcobaleno unaware Juri's cottage vanished, replaced by an illusionary field of wildflowers.

xxx

London...Clock Tower, Yumina Faculty...

Juri woke up after being taken there by the butlers, so she can start her day in school.

Meanwhile...in Italy...

Vongola's boss and CEDEF Boss received phone calls from Reborn and Lal respectively regarding Juri. Naturally, the Varia is also informed through Mammon with him calling Squalo who was in shock, and put Mammon to task to keep an eye on the meeting.

Understandably shocked, the two bosses immediately got Fenice ready for a quick flight to London at around 1 pm after clearing up their desks as much as they can.

Thus, upon end of school hours, with Juri telling them beforehand, 'Come at 6:30. P.E is last subject and it takes two hours.'

'Wow, longest P.E even in English History?' Skull raised an eyebrow.

'...everyone in my class are rich kids. P.E is martial arts class and improvised weaponry.'

'WTF?!'

'Class ends at 5:15 but there's a 15 minute shower, dressing up and then that drive to British Museum...'

Well...makes sense...

So they did things to kill time till getting picked up at the British Museum. They rented a car for a day, sleeping in a hotel for one thing as Juri woke them all up at 'fucking-shit-o'clock' and ordered Room Service for their lunches, and an early dinner as they need all they got for that meeting.

This is going to be a long day and they know it.

xxx

Archibald Mansion...

Their guide was Waver himself, accompanied by a black-hooded girl and Juri.

'Welcome.' in the parlor room, sitting on an armchair where the family head should be, is Reines El-Melloi Archisorte.

The mafioso noted her beauty, as well as her eyes that showed foxiness and shrewdness at a young age. Her good looks are just too dang damn-near impossible for a human to have yet she has such beauty. She was clad in high-quality silks with dye to match in deep blue, dressed between a cross of aristocratic preppy.

Then again, Juri was an asian beauty herself, with mixed ethnicity.

'I have heard an interesting development from my regent, that one of my family's sponsoreds have quite the tale.' said Reines.

'Its quite generous of your family when normally, most aristocrats wouldn't bother.' Timoteo commented, rather amazed with the idea.

'Eh why not? They are future members of my clan anyway. We choose talent to sponsor and nurture...and upon graduation, we put those talents to good use as mutual benefit. And past graduates are now in high-ranking positions in three years after proving their merits, enriching both themselves and their sponsors.' Reines said smugly.

'Juri is among our cream of the crop, regardless of ailment as it didn't stop her from reaching excellence worth the penny. She still attends counseling though as she's rather a unique case our therapists never encountered before, she's basically Patient Zero.' she said as she waved a hand and the disguised Trimmau went to get a tray containing a large yellow envelope, before leaving the room.

'But first, I want proof that she is indeed, one of yours.' Reines quipped. 'I have prepared my own way of paternity check next door, all I need is fresh blood from the one claiming to be family, and Juri herself. Juri was a kidnap victim by some unknown italians, and brought to us here for her safety as her previous guardian got murdered. So what have the CIA found out about it?'

'They're kidnapping specific children. Most notably those with ties to influential italians.' said Reborn. 'Don Timoteo is related to Sawada Iemitsu through their asian family branch. Juri is a family heir candidate thus noteworthy to kidnap to force the family's hand.'

'I see. Same old tale,' Reines yawned nonchalantly, making Iemitsu frown at her seemingly uncaring way of seeing it. 'I've lost count how many attempts I got on myself either that its as normal as breathing. If not kidnapping, its murder by poison to replace me as family head.' now they choked. 'Well, with my guards, they're fertilizer for my roses.' yeah, its not lost on them. 'All our sponsoreds aren't exactly defenseless either, or I would shame the Archibald Name.' she said as Trimmau was back, pushing a cart containing medical paraphernalia for paternity test.

'I see...then Juri, what would you want to do?' Timoteo asked Juri kindly. 'Your parents would want you back home.'

'...my education is paid for till graduation day of Junior High. I would like to finish it as much as possible.' said Juri. 'Then I suppose, re-adjust myself to Japan when school lets out. British Vacations are June 20-Sept 1.'

Soon, Trimmau was back with the medical goods.

All that's needed is blood and whatever was on the bowl...results showed immediately.

'...match.' Waver mused. 'Juri's indeed, Iemitsu Sawada's daughter.'

'Yet she's still enrolled in school I can't take her home yet.' said Iemitsu unhappily. Juri clearly intends to complete her already-paid-for school years because hey, it's a waste...

'Now now, there's summer vacation.' Waver reassured him. 'British and Japanese Summers are at same season. Only, Japanese Classes are longer than ours, so Juri has the entire longer British summer with you and your wife. There's also Christmas Breaks on Dec 23 - January 3.'

'Alright...I'll tell your mother that things will be alright soon.' Iemitsu told his daughter with a sad, strained smile. 'I just wonder how to break out your trauma to her though...she's just as traumatized years ago from your kidnapping.'

'Ah...that would be quite difficult as I have no memory of things I should know, as it was three years old when it all began.' said Juri, in her usual uncanny manner.

'...I request need-to-know records.' Iemitsu asked Reines who had Trimmau give it to him. 'Sigh...I have a long discussion with my family after this...'

'We'll get through this together, Iemitsu.' Timoteo told him. 'For now, we'll go to Japan to talk with Nana about this.'

With that, they left the Archibald Estate...with Juri in tow, heading for the hotel the Vongola are staying in.