A/N: Once again, I'm so sorry for the long wait! I've been so incredibly busy with my studies, especially now that I'm readying myself for my mock exams that I have to focus on. I hope that doesn't deter you! I've also been kinda struggling with writing this story considering I absolutely did not come up with a plot when I starting writing this. So I had to literally spend days thinking of what should occur for this story, which then causes me to sidetrack and write other things, haha!

But other than that, I can't thank you guys enough for your amazing support! The amount of favourite, follow, and reviews has made my jaw draw during the period I was absent and I can't thank you guys enough. You guys are one of the driving forces for my will to write, haha!

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

He was five when he realized that there was a reason the kids in the orphanage called him a demon-child. That it wasn't just limited to his appearance alone. It was the fact that he healed in such an abnormally high rate, that the kids grew fearful that there was something different about him that they couldn't understand. That no matter how many rocks and pebbles they threw at him, no matter how many times he bled, he was always bouncing back by the next day free of injuries. A freak, they would scream at him before running away to complain to the Sister taking care of them. A freak and a demon.

If Skull had known that it was due to his Dying Will Flames back then, then he would have been less inclined to believe he was the monster they had made him out to be. That the purple flames he'd discovered when he was a child hiding under the darkness of the church were some atrocity that he had to hide. They were breath-taking. Brimming like the amethysts and lepidolites he would steal under the night sky, complimenting each other in their shades of beautiful purples. Comforting him when no one else would. At least, not until Agate and the rest came along.

And it was through his career as a thief that he eventually found out his flames were much stronger than the others. That what he was capable of wasn't normal. That his flames saturated his anatomy, enhanced it, and accelerated his molecular structure beyond their intended purpose. That the main job of Cloud flames was propagation, the ability to increase and multiply various things. A fact that surprised him at first as he stared at the informant that looked intrigued with him. Basic knowledge, the bartender had said as she leaned forwards on the mahogany table top to eye critically at Skull in his Cheshire get-up.

"If you're telling me that your flames are powerful enough to affect your anatomy,"

the blond bombshell drawled seductively. "Then you're quite a unique one, aren't you?"

The way she had said it emphasized something more than the sultry leer that was aimed at him. Information, her eyes seemed to say with an air of a self-satisfied fox, on him. It was a loss on his part as he had only grinned at her skillset in guise of flirtation.

"And you're a sly on." Skull had mused in turn.

The blond straightened back up to continue cleaning one of the glass cups, a change in attitude from the saucy look to a shrewd one, a feat that Skull admired greatly as she huffed.

"You need to learn the world ain't a fair place, boy." She replied, raising her brow at his fancy regalia.

He snorts, "Don't I know it."

Contrary to popular belief, Skull hadn't always had purple as his signature colour in his persona as Cheshire Cat. He had actually gone out in mostly black and whites rather than the black and purple theme he wore today. It was only after the leak of him being a Cloud user and a powerful one at that, that the mafia grew interested to the point of being a nuisance. As the first thing that comes out of their mouths instead of angry indignation when they see him steal their jewels was, "Is it true that you're a Cloud?"

The discovery that you can get a muscle cramp from twitching your brow too much was a discovery that Skull was not proud o Especially when his achievements as a well-established thief was becoming overshadowed by his status as a Cloud. In the end, there was no point in hiding what he was, and there was only one approach that he could take in his position.

Being truthful.

It was better than having a bunch of people pry like vultures—so he announced it, boldly. Appearing before a banquet with a devious grin on his face as he blew a kiss at the startled face of his targeted woman. Her diamond necklace being swirled around with his finger as he thanked her. Having only a moment to smirk at the embarrassed Donna before flipping away from the clasping hands of her subordinates that realised what was happening. Tearing away the latex mask mid flip as he gave a high-pitched cackle. There was nothing they could have done by the time he threw the smoke bomb onto the floor other than to watch helplessly as he escaped with his new steal.

But what they could do was observe. Observe as a purple flame burst out amongst the distortion as the white smoke increased in size, covering the entirety of the room in matters of seconds. The heavy, heavy fog weighing them all down before they registered that this was no ordinary smoke from the way their sights wavered, but a sleeping gas. And combined with Cloud flames, it had a devastating effect. Leaving individuals to slump left and right at the ground it covered, and even if the Storm users in the room were trying to burn it out of their systems, they were too weak to do so. He had only confirmed the use of Cloud flames by switching the colours of his uniform after that event. And for the people that were still sceptical, they were given a warning threat of disembowelment for idiocy, and a swat to the wrist as sympathy for being an idiot.

It was an era that still displeases Skull, more than the Giglio Nero period. To think, it was all caused by his early blunder with that sly bartender. Safe to say he learned to keep his mouth shut after that and a new perspective on how the underworld regarded information. It's no wonder Viper has such a successful career a head of them despite the tear-jerking payment in return.

That's probably how the hitmen knew too and why he was so disappointed.

Cheshire Cat was without doubt one of the most sought out Cloud users in the Mafia. Skies been lining up for a chance at harmonization whenever they could, but it never works, of course. If Skull had been Reborn, he would have been disappointed too, to not be able to work with someone so powerful and talented in his field in the underworld. Chased by Skies alike, yet unable to harmonize. People like Skull was not in the picture in terms of the Mafia. He was essentially a nobody that happened to stumble upon a group of people that was far from his league of interests, with a background that must seem, at first, ridiculous compared to the rest.

Skull gets that, he does.

But that doesn't mean he has to like it.

"Lackey, pay attention." Reborn said, breaking Skull from his thoughts as dark eyes looked down at him from where he was crouched behind the side of the building. The gun in his hand held low, but ready, and no doubt ready to shot him.

"Fine." Skull grumbled.

The hitman whacked his head.

"Senpaaaaaaai!" He whines, rubbing his head with both of his hands to soothe the pain.

Reborn sneered, "Disrespectful brat."

A snort from the side made him turn tearfully at Lal leaning against the wall with a shotgun held against her chest.

"Troublesome." She says with annoyance. "This is supposed to be our first mission, but here I am, saddled with babysitting an idiot."

"H-Hey!" Skull squeaks, but Lal's glare made him quiet.

Skull slumped from where he was still crouched, rubbing the back of his head when he glanced critically at her from beneath the mess of his curls. The military woman was eyeing the building Fon, Verde and Viper had disappeared off too with a frown on her lips. Tapping a finger against her arm in waiting. Her body was coiled to spring into action if anything were to go amiss with the mission. A simple one, really, as the only thing they were required to do was steal information from some underboss creating trouble in the local area.

"A quick in and a quick out," Luce had explained to the unimpressed group. "Since you'll be working as a team from now on, you need to get a feel for each other."

The way she had smiled and said 'team bonding exercise' with flowers practically shooting out from behind her was an instant defeat to the world's strongest as they finally started to cooperate. Impressive, as seconds ago they were all voicing their displeasure and protests, mostly from Verde who was adamant that he had to finish his newest research project. That's why Skull was appointed as their gateway driver and why he was sitting outside with Reborn and Lal.

A terrible combination, really.

"When are they done?" Skull asks after a brief moment, only to be whacked again.

This time by Lal.

"Shut. Up." The soldier hisses. "Even my apprentice was less noisy than you, maggot."

Her apprentice, Skull thinks as he rubs his head again with a whine, having caught the softening of her eyes when she mentioned them. Ah, young love, the thief couldn't help but think as he giggled to himself.

Reborn hummed, perking Skull's interest as the tone was laced with both amusement and irritation, an odd fusion as Skull looked up at him curiously. The hitman was looking towards the building, a brow raised while still maintaining an impassive profile.

"Looks like Fon brought company." At his words, both Lal and Skull snapped their heads towards the courtyard of the mansion.

It was Fon, running peacefully towards them with a serene smile, closed-eyed to hide whatever he was feeling at the moment. Which was quite jarring as Skull watched beyond the gracefulness that was Fon towards the enraged horde chasing at his back with their guns ablaze. The gunshots echoing deafeningly into the air.

"What the—"

Skull didn't finish his sentence when Viper appeared in mid-air next to them with Verde stumbling forwards with cursed mutters. He adjusted his glasses when he caught his balance.

"What happened!" Lal barked as she shot down a few of the guards when Fon graciously ducked.

"We got the information." Viper informed with a frown. "Though, we weren't expecting the alarm in the files."

"Verde didn't see it?" Reborn asks and shoots, hitting someone without even looking.

That show off.

"I'm a scientist, not a damned hacker!" Verde snaps, green eyes staring disdainfully at the armed men coming at them. "Find me when you need a chemical that'll kill someone without a trace, or an invention that'll wreck devastation, but not as a hacktivist."

"Dully noted." Was the hitman's dry response as he downed five more in quick succession before loading with Lal covering fire.

"Lackey." Skull yelped when the hitman dragged him up from behind his collar. "Start the car."

"B-But Reborn-senpai—"

"Now." At the cold demand, Skull nodded furiously as he ran for the car.

Unnoticed by them, there was a glee steadily growing on his face as he went for the SUV that contained six seats for all of them. Impractical for the chase that was bound to happen as he launched himself to the driver's seat, but this was Skull, no vehicle was impossible for him.

The smile was descending to Cheshire-like madness by now before Skull coughed, getting a hold of himself as he buckled up to start the car. Instead of waiting for him to drift over there like the fabulous driver he was, they were already closing the doors of the vehicle. Skull pouted at their distrust in his abilities, but felt a great deal better again when he noticed that none of them decided to put on their seatbelts.

Oh boy, he thinks. Oh boy.

"Let's go." Lal orders and Reborn shots one last man before he closes the door.

Skull grins.

The car reversed, nearly sending Reborn crashing against the headboard if he hadn't caught onto his seat on time. Something that was highly disappointing to Skull. On the other hand, the muffled curses behind him was more than enough to satisfy him before he swiveled the car around to aim straight for the road, and rammed it. Glancing once at the mirror, he was unsurprised by the cars chasing them, and ignored the loud yell from Verde when he sharply turned to the main highway.

"Wanna see something cool?" Skull chimed innocently when he screeched into the highway.

Nobody could respond other than to make a sharp noise when he did it anyways.

When they returned to the mansion, Skull refrained from purring sweet vengeance in their faces as he hopped out the car. An overwhelming urge to bow too, but that would have been too telling that he was Cheshire. He ignored Reborn's motionless figure at the front seat and opened the sliding doors for the others.

"Come on, we're here!" Skull shouts with excitement and tries not to giggle hysterically at their various degrees of shock.

Lal was gripping the side of the car with such a death grip that her hands were practically white. Fon, who had been sitting by the door, didn't look any better with his frazzled appearance. Though he composed himself rather impressively while brushing his robes out. Viper was leaning their heads against window, hiding their face while Verde searched blindly for his glasses, cursing.

"Did you guys have fun?" Luce spoke up from a distance and Skull beamed as he turned around.

Luce was standing by the doorway with a warm smile on her face. The sapphire blue of her eyes twinkling knowingly as she tilted her head down a bit. Skull delighted upon her attempt to hide the flash of a grin before he ambled up to her like a puppy for its master while he practically sparkled.

"People chased us! It was terrifying, but Skull-sama saved the day!" Distantly, he heard the rest shuffle out the car, and Luce waved them over when she caught sight of them.

"Let's get inside first," She smiled brightly. "I made some snacks!"

As if that fuelled Skull, he rushed inside, catching the fleeting mutter of 'what the fuck kind of driving was that?' before he disappeared inside. By the time the rest reached the kitchen, Skull was already gobbling down a cookie like his life depended on it, happy noises erupting from his stuffed cheeks.

They all sat down quietly.

"I," Viper begins causing everyone to look at them from their places on the table. "Am not payed enough for this."

A cricket chirped, then—

"Everything's too cheap for you." Reborn comments dryly as he eases into his seat.

Luce giggled as she set down plates and napkins for them all and Skull leaned forwards on the table with his head resting on his knuckles, "What does Viper do anyways?"

They all regarded him with a careful look.

"It'll cost you." Viper finally says.

Skull groans.

"But the Great Skull-sama doesn't have the money right now!"

"Double the price next time then." Skull slumped with a pout despite knowing the truth.

But why did Viper have to be as stingy as they were rumoured to be, Skull bemoans.

Luce shook her head amusedly.

"Viper's an informant." She says freely while throwing Skull a quirked brow, and he returned it with a subtle glimmer of his eyes.

"Really?" Skull questioned.

Viper groaned with dark mutters underneath their breaths, slumping further in their seat moodily. There was only clinks of glasses and plates as everyone sat and ate, most likely thinking back to their mission and taking it in. Skull would have been content to stay silent and eat jovially at the cookie when someone coughed into their fist.

"Skull." Fon began and Skull looked up curiously.

The brown eyes of the martial artist were kind and flickering with regard as he tipped his head at him, "Good job out there."

A crumb dropped from the side of his mouth as Skull blinked. And taking in the gratitude in Fon's eyes with a front of bashfulness and a background of wariness, Skull beamed at the martial artist, flushing from head to toe while rubbing the back of his head.

"Aw, it's nothing, really. I hardly did anything other than to drive."

Fon chuckled politely as he raised his tea, "You did more than enough, Skull. And I'm sure the others appreciated it too."

One eye slid open to direct towards the quiet group as Fon zipped his tea slowly. When Skull turned towards the rest, it was like they all made it their own personal mission to avoid his gaze as they continued to eat. But Skull saw the way they didn't deny Fon's claims. Heck, even Reborn was remaining tight-lipped as he closed his eyes to drink his espresso.

Luce looked absolutely delighted.

"Will you look at that." She smiles with starlit eyes. "You're already getting along."

It was like her words was a catalyst as everyone gave her a dubious look. Verde even going as far as rolling his eyes as he pulled out a notebook to jot God knows what on it. And as Skull looks at the individuals that seemed to want to keep a distance from each other, he can't help but wonder what their next missions would be like.

Cheshire swung himself out the vents with a grand flourish. Landing onto the darkened roof with sharp clicks of his heels with a grin when he heard the alarms blaring in the background. He laughed, the sound of his arms-length cape fluttering in the air when he took off at the sound of security getting closer. The thrill of the chase exciting him as Cheshire leaped to the next roof without fear as he gripped the gemstone tighter in his gloved hand.

The gentleman thief looked at the gem in his hand, at the black opal that twinkled with an explosion of colours underneath the moon. The kaleidoscopic range of colours shimmering in a manner that was absolutely gorgeous to the thief. Jesus, Cheshire couldn't help but think, this one is just a beauty isn't it?

Cheshire's glad that one of the famous collectors decided to pass by this town during his next stunt show or else this would have slipped right by him. Sweet mercies, Cheshire Cat hummed cheerfully as he ran with a new spring to his steps.

He jumped to the next building, using the flag poles jutting out from the side to catapult himself further, using all sorts of acrobatic skills he learned from the circus to scale the building quickly. Cheshire huffed once he grasped the edge of the roof, exhaustion finally catching up to him from the strenuous climb before he managed to pull himself to sit hazardously at the edge. He breathed, tipping his feathered chapeau hat to enjoy the night chill on his face better as he stared up at the cloudy moon.

Cheshire exhaled, staring at the view before ruffling through his vest for the black opal he hid during his run, and held it out towards the moon in scrutiny.

"Woah." The thief couldn't help but admire, staring bedazzled at the chromatic colours glimmering across the black surface.

"For such a small thing," Cheshire says as he twists the gemstone between his fingers. "You sure are a grand one."

The thief grinned, "I wonder how much you'll sell for."

His hidden eyes looked towards the gem as if waiting for a reply, and by receiving none, Cheshire laughed while tucking the gem closer. Admiring the shifting colours and the way the continued to sparkle in hues that leaves him breathless. Beautiful, he thinks, of the colours they portray. In the end, keeping the black opal was no use to him despite it being so gorgeous. A shame.

A low chuckle escaped him as he stared down at the gemstone, feeling oddly nostalgic.

To him…the gem reminded him a lot of—

Cheshire froze, grip tightening around the gem that sat innocently between his fingers with wide, befuddled eyes. Entranced by the psychedelic gem that switched constantly between colours with each shift of his fingers.

Amethysts shone through the mask.

"There's no way." Skull de Mort uttered softly.

He thumbed the gem in his hand.

"…Right?"

.

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.

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(In the end, nobody was there to judge when Skull kept it for himself.)

A/N: Well? Did you guys like it? If so, I'm glad! I can't wait to post the next chapter when I have the time and hope that you'll be patient with this writer, haha!

(Ps. the story with Spy!Skull? I spent hours and days to write it and I didn't have any progress at all TAT It makes me want to melt into a puddle with how terrible it was. So if you're still waiting for it, I don't think I'll be posting it anytime soon unless it becomes better. Which seems like a hopeless fruition by now. Terribly sorry!)

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