Clear to cloudy
Target 24: A good start?
Kotsu and Ren are sitting at home looking at two letters Reborn handed them after coming home from Rinoka's house. "Um… what's this mister Reborn?" Ren asks happy as always.
"It's something very important. Come on! Open it up!" he demands and the two slowly open it up. Inside is a letter addressed to them with a stamp resembling the Vongola insignia.
Kotsu reads his: 'Dear Kotsukiba Niruo or Kotsu as they call you. This is Neo Primo talking. As I'm VERY sure you've already noticed I have chosen you to be my official successor. However I get a feeling that the high council won't be so understanding. Therefore I'm sending you this letter to officially appoint you to my successor. With it follows a sky ring. I know you're a cloud user, so this is mostly a symbolic gesture. Kind regards: Neo Primo' He picks out the ring putting it on his finger. It's a metallic color with a glass case in the middle which has the Vongola insignia inside it.
Ren has gotten a similar letter from Primo. 'Dear Ren Niruo. I, neo primo, hereby appoint you as your little brother's sun guardian. I'm certain you've seen particular dangers approach your little brother. With this sun ring I give you, it is now your job to protect your little brother and fight alongside him and his other guardians. Best of luck: Neo Primo,' He reads grabbing the yellow ring with the gem carved into a three dimensional model of the vongola's insignia. "Sorry whoever you are. But this game isn't really for me," he says laughing putting the ring back. Kotsu looks at the letter.
"Reborn. What's a guardian?"
"Your guardians are the six people who're your closest protectors. They're the people whom you'll have to entrust your life," Kotsu looks at Ren, not knowing what the sun guardian does but he DEFINITELY doesn't feel like putting his life into his brother's hands. At least not when it comes to a fight.
"H-hey Ren… could you um… be nice and… keep that ring. J-just in case you know…" He says and Ren just smile grabbing the ring again.
"Sure. If you say so. Let's see how it fits," he says putting it on. As soon as it's firmly tucked on it suddenly lights up with a sparkling yellow flame and he jumps back. "Woah! WOAH!" he says trying to put it out with his hand but it keeps burning. However after a few tries Ren realizes something. "Oh… it's… not hot… just… comfortably warm… this is a cool trick!" He says moving his hand through the flame.
Reborn steps up for once looking dumbfounded. "H-how? Most people take YEARS to learn how to activate their flame," he says looking curiously at the young boy.
"Well um… I guess that makes me kinda special huh?"
"Well that's enough Ren. Turn it off,"
Ren blinks a little before looking to the flame. "Um… how do I do that?"
Reborn is once more not sure what to say. Usually he has to teach people how to ACTIVATE it. But never how to turn it off again. That usually comes when they no longer focus on activating it. "Nevermind. You two get packing," He simply says and Ren just heads off like it's no big deal that he has a flame on his finger.
Kotsu looks after his older brother. "So… If Ren became one of my 'guardians' then… who're the other five…?" He can't help but wonder as he also approaches his room to pack. However the door of his house opens as he's about to walk up the stairs.
"Nii-san! Reborn-san asked me to come!" Tsugemora yells doing a salute as soon as he sees Kotsu and Reborn comes up to him without a word handing the young student another envelope. Tsugemora almost trembles as he slowly opens it, not being able to blink. "D-d-d-dear Tsugemora Gagliardi… I, Neo Primo, h-hereby appoint you as the thunder guardian of Kotsukiba Niruoooo…" He slowly trails off before suddenly falling backwards passing out from sheer happiness. Kotsu manages to catch him in the nick of time before the young boy shoots up headbutting Kotsu right on the chin without the younger of the two feeling a single thing thanks to pain immunity. "NII-SAN! Pinch me! Am I dreaming!?" He yells and Kotsu slowly sits up rubbing his now sore chin.
"Pinching you wouldn't do anything though…" Kotsu argues and Kotsu's mother comes out of the kitchen to greet Tsugemora.
"Why hello Tsugemora. I hear you go to Kotsu's school now as well. How wonderful. Do have a nice trip and make sure my little darling is safe," She says and Tsugemora salutes as he gets up.
"You can count on me miss Niruo-sama! As the OFFICIAL thunder guardian of Nii-san I promise NO harm will befall him!" He assures and Kotsu's mother jumps a little.
"Oh my… More of that exciting game you are playing. How intriguing," She says clapping her hands in excitement and Kotsu realizes something hearing him say it out loud. Wait a minute… if his guardians are the closest protectors that means… Tsugemora is now going to be a permanent fixture in his life. Oh no… that might end up in disaster… or maybe… just maybe… it'll end up being REALLY amazing.
Kotsu silently prays for the latter as he heads upstairs to pack his clothes and toothbrush and everything, while Tsugemora happily waits downstairs.
-NII-
After packing everything and having a little chat downstairs Kotsu's mother has finished dinner. Cotton sits on the table nom-nom-noming on a rice ball looking at all the suitcases. "What are those things Mortal-kun?" She asks and Kotsu looks back at them.
"We're going to go away for two weeks. A fieldtrip with the school," He explains and Cotton laughs.
"TIAHAHA! Finally Cotton-heika can have her palace to herself!" She yells out and everyone chuckles at her childish innocence. However Jute and Reborn share a quick glance with each other.
"I really hope you boys will have a good time at the camping trip. Do you know what kind of groups will be made?" Kotsu's mother asks and Ren smiles.
"I'll definitely want Lil' bro and Tsugemora on my team. And Reishiro of course," He says and his mother giggles.
"You two have always been quite close. I'm glad to hear you're still friends," She says and the rest of the dinner quietly moves along with some small talk here and there.
-NII-
The next morning Kotsu wakes up from a horrid dream where he was being tortured by Reborn at the camping trip. "Geez… I really hope it'll just be a… normal field trip…" He says to himself getting dressed. He quickly scoffs down some breakfast and after saying goodbye to his mom, Jute and Cotton they're off.
After a quick walk to the school, meeting up with Fumie on the way there're a ton of buses on campus. Seems like it doesn't matter which bus you take so Kotsu decides to go along with Ren, meaning everyone he knows are now in the same bus. Reborn looks around spotting Rinoka, much to his pleasure. Looks like that old man had a little bit of common sense after all. Everyone is quickly seated and most of the students look like they're about to burst with excitement.
Ren sits down next to Reishiro who's blankly staring out the window. "Yo!" Ren says and Reishiro lazily looks back at him.
"Ah! Ren… what're you doing here…?"
"We're going on a fieldtrip. You know that right?"
"Ah! Soka…"
"Now everyone! Please remain orderly while we drive!" One of the teachers say and everyone quiets down slightly, still not able to hold in their excitement.
Kotsu has found a comfortable spot next to Rinoka as it would seem the back corner is occupied by her. "So um… are you excited about… the field trip?" Kotsu asks a little shyly, seeing Rinoka a slight nod before looking to him as if she's about to say something, but she can't get it out. So she just looks out the window fidgeting with something on her finger. "I-It'll be fun… I'm sure of it…" Kotsu tries before realizing that talking isn't really the way to go.
Tsugemora sits alone on the bus swinging his feet, happy to get to spend time with Kotsu, but… He looks to his side where Fumie is sitting blocking his exit to his seat. "Geez… why does it have to be YOU?" He asks with a slight pout.
"Hey! Not nice! I'm your senpai now! So treat me right!"
"Not happening. The only girl I'll treat right is Nii-san's girlfriend! And YOU are NOT his girlfriend," He says crossing his arms.
"You're unbelievable…" Fumie says looking the other way.
-NII-
After a long drive out of Namimori they arrive at their destination. A large resort for everyone right at the edge of Tokyo and everyone scrambles to get their things and put them in their assigned rooms. Kotsu lays down on his bed wondering what exactly he'll be doing here. However it doesn't take long before they all have a meeting in the main hall. "Listen up everyone! Today you're all free to go wherever you please. Just make sure you're back before the curfew," The teacher says and everyone once more split up. Kotsu sees the usual group of Ren and Reishiro along with Fumie and Rinoka approach.
"Hey Lil' bro! Wanna come with us?"
"U-um… sure…" He tries before Ren grabs him and pulls him along. He's quite surprised to see Rinoka there with them too. Seems she's trying to make new friends as well… even if those friends are completely crazy… as the little group of five approach the entrance Kotsu notes Tsugemora closely following behind like some kind of creepy stalker.
"Um… Tsugemora… you can… just come join us if you want…" Kotsu says and the little group look back at the bodyguard who gets a little flustered.
"Y-yes Nii-san," He says almost annoyed he got caught. He glares at Ren who just smiles seeing him join them.
The group get on the metro chatting. Reishiro looks almost confused that Ren is talking to so many people. "Um… Ren… who're all these guys…?"
"Well they're not all guys. Rinoka and Fumie are girls. And this is Tsugemora and my little brother. You've met them before remember,"
"Ah! Sokaaa… Mini-Ren and the Kid…" He says and Tsugemora gets a little grumpy grabbing at Reishiro who doesn't even seem to realize.
"Oi! I'm NOT a kid! I'm Nii-san's bodyguard! He would NEVER have a KID as his bodyguard,"
"Nii-san… you mean Ren… he has a little brother right…?"
However before Tsugemora can end up… attacking the confused boy Fumie grabs Tsugemora's ear. "Don't be a jerk Tsugemora-kun," he says pulling him away and the young bodyguard doesn't exactly react but she's still strong enough to pull him away.
"Hey! Stop that. It's annoying!" He tries but she just ignores him.
Ren notes the shy girl who's just been standing at the side being quiet. "I think those two seem pretty chummy eh Rinoka?" He asks her referring to Fumie and Tsugemora who're fighting amongst themselves.
"C-chummy? I-I-I-I d-don't k-know much about that…" She says hugging her notepad which she's still carrying. Almost like she's afraid Ren will see its content.
"You don't…? I thought girls were good at spotting these kinds of things," He says confused and Reishiro is suddenly behind Rinoka without her noticing. Quite odd seeing how big her personal space is.
"What's with those drawings you have…? It's like… boys… doing… weird stuff…" He says before looking at Ren. "We aren't going to do that right Ren…?"
Rinoka blushes harder than she ever has before, checking and double checking that her drawings are hidden properly. Which they are. "H-h-how d-did you s-s-see them?!" She desperately tries making some distance attaching a bit of attention, much to her own dismay.
Reishiro tilts his head in confusion. "What do you mean…? they're right there…"
"I think those drawings are very private Reishiro," Ren adds in putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Ah! Sokaaa… sorry about invading your privacy. They were just so pretty though…" He adds and Kotsu just laughs nervously seeing how he's all tangled up with these crazy people.
-NII-
The subway arrives at their stop and they all get off Ren stretching happily. "We're here! Tokyo!" He declares looking around like he's looking for the best place to do some exercise.
Reishiro scratches the back of his head. "This doesn't look very different from Namimori… are you sure we're in Tokyo Ren…?"
"Of course! We had that long bus ride here remember!?"
"Ah! Sokaaa…"
Kotsu looks around at all the billboards and pretty lights. Even for a subway station it's quite expansive and colorful. He never imagined you could advertise for SO many things in one place. Tsugemora is instantly in front of him however. "Don't worry Nii-san! I will protect you from any intruders!" He says and Rinoka also seems to be keeping close to Tsugemora.
Fumie sticks close to Ren mostly because this is her chance to get closer to the boy. "hey Ren… mind if I walk close to you like this? People might get ideas…" She says walking right beside him with Reishiro on his opposite side.
Ren just laughs. "People can get whatever ideas they want! Doesn't make them true necessarily right?" He says and Fumie gets a little bummed out as she was hoping he'd at least be a bit flustered, but alas… he is Ren Niruo.
-NII-
After getting to the main station above everything is much more colorful than before. Lots of large glass panels in the ceiling and the sun is shining. "Woooah…" Ren says looking up and Reishiro copies him doing the same blowing his tuft out of his face so he can see better, but it just falls right back in the same place.
"Woah… there's a guy up there…" He says pointing and Ren sees him too for once.
"Yeah… who IS that?" He asks and Kotsu's eyes widen looking up. He pushes everyone out of the way as the person crashes into the ground right next to where Ren would've stood. "Are you okay?" Ren says running up to check on him much to Kotsu's dismay as he's fairly certain that this person CANNOT be friendly. His older brother holds out his ringed finger, which is still burning with his sun flame.
"Target acquired," A robotic voice says from the little crater he created before an arm shoots out grabbing at him. Ren pulls back just in time and he steps back, quite afraid of this person now.
"H-Hey now…" He asks and the person stands up not seeming encumbered from falling a great distance. He has short dark purple hair and an almost robotic perfection to his skin. He's also completely naked but doesn't have any private parts to speak of and simply has small lines running over where his muscles are as if to separate them.
"Initiate… elimination mode," He says in a robotic voice before his arm transforms into a giant laser canon pointing it to Ren. Specifically at his hand with the ring.
"W-wha…?" Ren starts, panicking a little as he's never seen something like this before.
The boy fires his arm laser, sending a wave of purple flames after Ren, much like the ones Kotsu shoots from his fork. Ren holds out his hands as if to shield Reishiro and Fumie, however the laser flies right over their head. The robotic boy looks seeing Tsugemora using his wire to pull on his arm. "I sensed no flames from you. However it is clear you are an enemy as well…" He says before seeing Tsugemora's green ring as well. "Indeed… enemy identified," He says before his back splits apart revealing a rocket booster and he shoots off pulling Tsugemora with him.
"Tsugemora!" Kotsu yells everyone frightened as he currently has no way of turning into hyper dying will mode.
Tsugemora suddenly comes hurling into the ground right next to Kotsu and Rinoka the latter tucking at Kotsu for her life. As Tsugemora hits the ground two little pills come rolling out. "Nii-san… Reborn-san gave them to me… they're for you…" He says and Kotsu has no time to think as the boy lands in front of the two of them holding out his hand.
"Weak…" Kotsu picks up the pills before pushing Rinoka back behind him. The boy fires his laser at max power and it hits him dead on.
"Bro!" Ren yells seeing his brother hit by the laser.
"Why're we yelling…? He's standing right there…" Reishiro says and Ren looks seeing the smoke disappear.
Kotsu is standing in his hyper dying will mode holding his fork out like he just fired the rocket boosters. "You… Attacking while there're innocent people who have nothing to do with this right here. I'll make you pay. So prepare yourself," Everyone looks at Kotsu's calm face especially Rinoka who's standing right behind him.
The boy holds up his other arm and it folds into a sword with a purple glowing edge. "Boss ring identified. Kotsukiba Niruo. I will destroy you,"