A/N: Don't own.
Beware, POV jumping!
Continues right after chapter 14.
End of chapter 14:
"Harry, this is Fon, a member of the Chinese Triads and a comrade. Fon, this is Harry, my Sky." Reborn just couldn't help himself.
He was well aware that Fon would have sensed Harry's Flame type even when he had first seen him, distant as though it might have been. A Sky of Harry's purity was like a beacon to Flame users like them.
But this was the first time Reborn got to introduce his Sky. Harmony was something he had sought for years, and now he not only had a Sky, he had Harry.
He damn well deserved to show a little smugness every once in a while.
Chapter 15
My Sky?! Reborn had said my Sky?
Fon could practically feel his serene façade slip. The façade that he had spent years perfecting, right along with his absolute self control and his reputation of unshakable calm. At Reborn's statement however, for the first time in years, Fon could actually feel his eyes widen in surprise, as he – for a moment utterly speechless – simply stared at the World's Greatest Hitman.
Going by Reborn's smugly satisfied expression, Fon's reaction was also exactly what the Sun had been aiming for. The Sun sure loved creating drama wherever he went.
Even when he had first seen Reborn in the presence of this Sky a few days ago, Fon had immediately discarded the thought of this possibly being Reborn's Sky.
But apparently Reborn had harmonized. Reborn had a Sky.
Almost involuntarily, Fon's eyes snapped to the Sky in question.
Only to be met with large green eyes staring right back at him.
This Sky who could not possibly have passed his teens yet - looking almost endearingly harmless in his slightly too large dark grey sweatshirt, halfway curled up in his chair - appeared entirely at ease sitting right next to the oh-so-very-feared World's Greatest Hitman.
A Sky strong enough to pull in the World's Greatest Hitman himself.
This certainly was not what he had been expecting to find when he followed Reborn's trail to London.
Though, forcing his amicable mask back into place, Fon felt anticipation vibrate through his Flames. This Sky would definitely stir things ups in the world of organized crime.
Still, he let nothing of his thoughts show on his face, as he bowed slightly in his seat and greeted Reborn's Sky politely, "Zǎoshang hǎo. It is nice to meet you."
With curiosity shining out of his eyes - having watched him ever since Fon had walked into view, never losing sight of him - the young Sky responded smoothly, "Nice to meet you as well."
Fon's reaction was priceless, Reborn decided smugly.
It had been years since Reborn had been able to get a visible reaction to anything from Fon. Seeing the unflappable man's eyes actually widen slightly in surprise – it was minimal, barely visible, but there nonetheless – was more than a little gratifying.
It actually took the Storm a few moments to recover – still much too quickly in Reborn's opinion – regaining his legendary calm and offering a polite greeting to Harry whose interest in the proceedings shone clearly out of his eyes even as he returned the greeting politely.
His Sky's curiosity truly was endless Reborn thought cheerfully to himself leaning back in his seat with a smirk. It would definitely bring them trouble on numerous occasions. Occasions that Reborn was all too willing to sort out for the both of them.
Harry was feeling slightly nonplussed.
Meeting an actual friend of Ren's was definitely not something Harry had expected for today. Well, his Sun had said comrade, but that was probably as close to the word friend as Reborn ever got.
Though 'comrade' - as in someone who Reborn had fought with, would rely on if necessary - certainly appeared to fit as well, as Harry couldn't even doubt the Chinese man's capability. Just the power practically radiating from the man... Even the brief flaring of the man's Flames earlier when he had announced his presence had made Harry's Flames surge abruptly.
And there was something else as well. Something other than the man's Flames. Something imposing, towering, formidable tugging at Harry's senses. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
It had been easy to pick the man out in the crowd. With his foreign features and his exotic embroidered red clothes this man stuck out like a sore thumb from the drab background of British city life of pale faces, grey suits and black umbrellas. And the fluid way he moved…
Everyone's attention should have been focused on this man. But even as the people around him had parted like the sea when the man walked past them, they hadn't actually seemed to be affording the man any sort of additional attention.
That had to be some kind of trick. A trick Harry desperately wanted to learn.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts by the man's polite greeting, which Harry returned easily, his magic near buzzing in excitement at meeting someone else like this – so self-assured, capable, powerful. Someone so clearly very interesting.
The Chinese man had apparently decided to entirely ignore Reborn's previous statement, going for banal smalltalk instead as he stated serenely. "It is good to see you, péngyǒu."
Harry almost wanted to grin when he felt Reborn's smugness turn into slight irritation at the man regaining his composure so quickly. Not that Harry had actually been able to tell that there was anything off about the Chinese man's reaction in the first place. He was just going by the smug satisfaction that had practically been pouring off of Reborn after the introduction.
Despite the grouchiness Harry could feel along the bond, Reborn replied casually. "Yes, quite. Though unexpected."
"Unexpected indeed." Fon nodded placidly.
Reborn relaxed slightly at that. So, Fon's main purpose for being in London wasn't actually to track down Reborn. He still wanted reassurance and asked lazily. "What brings you here?"
"Business relations."
Fon's easy reply answered all of Reborn's most pressing questions - business relations, meaning that while Fon's presence here was indeed due to a contract, their meeting itself was not actually covered by it – but at the same time gave Reborn only the bare bones of information.
How delightful, Reborn thought cheerily, leaning back in his seat and getting comfortable for an intense game of words, something he so very rarely got to indulge in with a conversation partner who would be able to entirely keep up.
Sitting at Reborn's side, Harry listened entirely fascinated as the conversation quickly gained layers and sub-layers within and underneath the words actually being said. All the while appearing like a polite back-and-forth between vague acquaintances. About the stock market, of all things.
Even though Harry could pick out the layers beneath the words, he still was unable to entirely pick most of them apart. Though he definitely understood the not so veiled threats being bandied about on both sides.
Their interactions definitely gave weight to the word 'comrade' that Ren had used to introduce Fon.
Harry was sure that he was missing quite a bit – possibly most - of what was actually being said. But he was also quite content to just listen - happily sipping his tea, relishing in having found something to focus his not inconsiderable curiosity on.
Fon noted to himself that this meeting was actually going surprisingly well so far. Especially considering the rather volatile situation, what with the presence of the young Sky, newly bonded to the World's Greatest Hitman.
Now though, Fon was about to ruin the surprisingly relaxed atmosphere at their table. He had been planning to tell Reborn about the suspicious happenings in the Mafia World even before pretty much stumbling across him in London. Reborn having recently harmonized put a far more menacing spin on Fon's assumption that there was someone with far too much knowledge and power – and complete disregard for others' safety - searching for Reborn.
Especially, as Fon wasn't entirely certain just how well this Sky might be able to defend himself. He had certainly noticed that Reborn hadn't actually mentioned a Famiglia affiliation during the smug introduction of his young British Sky.
British. Just like the additional passenger that the Corocos had brought with them to their compound.
At this point, Fon had put most of the clues together. Starting with Reborn looking into a situation that involved Flame activation technology and ending with Fon finding him in the presence of a young, unknown Sky with Flames of ridiculous purity.
The only explanation how a Sky like this – young, unaffiliated and powerful - could possibly have evaded the notice of the world of organized crime was, if he simply had not been active before. Additionally, this Sky simply did not feel like Mafia - Fon just wanted to take a moment to bask in the mixture of pure Sky Flames and untainted Qi curling in the air around them.
If he were to guess, he would say that Reborn had probably found the young civilian Sky with recently and forcefully activated Flames in the hands of the Corocos, freed him and after erasing their tracks – read: erasing the Corocos compound from the map - took the Sky back to Britain. Somewhere along the way they had harmonized.
It was no wonder Reborn had decided to disappear from the Mafia World for a while. A newly formed bond to be settled and a civilian Sky to be taught before Reborn could even consider returning to the sink-or-swim world of organized crime.
Wǒ de tiān a, Fon did not even want to imagine the unfathomable destruction the Sun would wreak upon the world, if something – anything - were to even threaten Reborn's Sky.
So, he would warn Reborn about the current happenings in the Mafia World and then, Fon decided, he would offer his support. If only to help protect the young Sky from whoever was apparently pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Still, it was regrettable that he was about to ruin the surprisingly relaxed atmosphere at their table, Fon thought even as he leaned forward in his seat, immediately bringing the entirety of Reborn's focus onto himself.
Fon made his way back into the city as he considered the events of the day. Finding Reborn with his newly harmonized Sky certainly went beyond anything he had been expecting.
He would have liked to continue their discussion, but Reborn and his Sky had a prior engagement and Fon had to get in contact with the Triads to keep them somewhat in the loop. Well, for now he only intended to tell the Triads that the much sought after technology was currently in the possession of the World's Greatest Hitman himself and therefore simply 'liberating' it as planned was not actually an option.
As Reborn's involvement was already widely known in the Mafia, word would reach the Triads soon anyways, if it hadn't already. And considering who currently had the technology in their possession… The Triads would definitely prefer bargaining with Reborn before even considering making him into an enemy by attacking outright.
Conveniently, his contract only required Fon to report in regards to the technology itself. He had no plans whatsoever to reveal anything about Reborn's Sky or even about having left Italy.
Especially, as he definitely had enough topics to distract his employers with. Like the incompetence of their informants. Fon let his serene smile widen a bit. He was already looking forward to that discussion in particular.
He would be meeting Reborn and his Sky again tomorrow at a different café, too cautious to meet at the same place again. Although, the Sky had seemed amused when they had discussed their meeting place for tomorrow, muttering something about 'vigilance' under his breath.
Fon had to admit that he had been surprised - and quite gratified for Reborn - that the Sky had apparently kept up with their conversation, even reacting with amusement to some of the jibes Reborn and Fon had thrown at each other.
Despite his endearingly harmless appearance, his bearing and ability to read the situation lent credence to the intently focused look in the Sky's eyes that was anything but harmless. Taking the ridiculously pure Flames into consideration and going by Reborn's obvious smugness, this Sky – Harry – probably also measured up in most everything else a Sky was supposed to be.
Fon ignored the slight twist of longing in his own chest at that thought. Reborn deserved a Sky, a true Sky.
And Fon had felt something else from the Sky, in addition to his Flames and his Qi, mixing, intertwining, to the point of the lines between these usually clearly separate energies blurring. Something that Fon had only felt a handful of times before, when he had been studying the most obscure forms of martial arts, while traveling through the most rural parts of his country, where true shamans still practiced their craft.
And the feeling had never been anything like this. Then, it had been barely there, teasing at the edges of his perception, weak but still poignant in its difference to Qi or Flames. With this Sky, it was something different altogether, the strength of it right up there with the Sky's Flames.
This Sky, the young Sky who had bonded to the Strongest Sun and whose Flames had been tentatively coiling towards Fon from time to time, this Sky had magic.
And wasn't that just something.
Reborn kept Harry tucked underneath his arm the entire way back to their apartment.
Even though Fon's presence hadn't really bothered him as much as he had assumed anyone's presence would have at this point, someone having found them at all – having another Flame user, a potential threat, so close to his Sky - had his Flames on high alert.
Additionally, Fon's suspicions about there being someone pulling strings from behind the scenes - someone who Fon had not been able to identify at all, someone who apparently wanted to find Reborn no matter the cost - certainly fueled the need to keep his Sky close.
Despite the increased alertness he could sense from his Sun, Harry decided that he had had a great day so far. He had met someone from Reborn's life, someone so very incredibly interesting. And who also clearly deserved Reborn's apparent trust just going by the fact that Fon had sought them out just to warn them about a possible threat.
Harry might not have gotten all the nuances of their conversation, but he had definitely understood that there was something going on in the Mafia World that pertained to his Sun. Someone was looking for Reborn and going by their methods they had no compunctions about putting everyone else in harm's way to get reach their goal. So, that someone might then try to pose a threat to Reborn. Which was laughable and unacceptable at the same time, Harry thought irritably.
They still had about two hours until they were supposed to meet George at the joke shop, which should give them enough time to discuss everything that Harry was certain he had missed in the multi-sub-over-under-layered conversation earlier.
Harry's mood immediately lifted at the thought of seeing George today, even though their meeting would be pretty short as George was planning to leave for Spain right after. George would be traveling to various cities in Europe over the next week or so to look for potential locations for the opening of another joke shop outside of Britain.
Based on George's letters, Harry had surmised that the redhead had thrown all of himself into his work as soon as Harry had started his treatment at St. Mungo's - just as Harry had feared - and even more so when Harry had disappeared entirely. With all the additional work George had put into the shop - and with people still feeling an increased need for anything joyful in their life now that the war was over - the joke shop was doing better than it ever had before and George was looking to expand further. Harry also knew that George simply needed to see something that didn't constantly remind him of the war, of losing Fred.
Harry forced his mind away from that train of thought.
The point being, that their meeting was on a pretty tight schedule with George leaving for at least a week, first to Seville, then Lisbon and then possibly Palermo and Paris to check out the competition there.
But Harry was so looking forward to introducing George to Reborn. Oh, did he ever anticipate that meeting. The Wizarding World won't know what hit it, Harry thought gleefully to himself.
Reborn couldn't help but grin down at his Sky who was nearly bouncing in excitement where he was tucked into Reborn's side.
He knew that Harry was excited about meeting George later on. His Sky had become increasingly agitated each time he had been forced to push back their visit to the joke shop, clearly worried for his friend. Reborn was also looking forward to meeting someone from Harry's life who had actually stuck by his side through all the crap that had been heaped on his little Sky.
Reborn was still planning to make his displeasure regarding the treatment of his little Sky at the hands of various people in the Wizarding World known. He could use an ally in that, if only to make sure Harry didn't 'forget' to mention anyone who might have been involved.
And based on Harry's stories of the twin redheads, Reborn had a feeling that he would not have any problems getting George on board. No problems at all.
Reborn did nothing to suppress the sadistically vindictive grin spreading over his face. A random pedestrian walking in their direction flinched at seeing his expression, quickly crossing the road to hurriedly walk past them on the other side of the street.
Good instincts, Reborn thought magnanimously.
Arriving at their apartment, Reborn – as usual – prepared something to drink for them while Harry – also as usual – cooed over Fawkes and Leon as though he hadn't seen them for weeks. Both of their companions preened under the attention heaped on them from his adorable Sky.
Reborn watched with amusement. There really wasn't any reason for the pretend separation anxiety, especially since Leon had been hiding on his person the entire time. Well, Reborn also wasn't going to comment, since in his humble – and completely unbiased – opinion, Harry cuddling with their companions was just about the most adorable thing to ever grace the face of this earth.
Settling on the couch with their drinks, he was soon joined by Harry - Leon returning to his usual spot in one of the window alcoves to soak up the sun and Fawkes disappearing to places unknown as he was wont to do - who leaned against one of the arm rests and after a moment of hesitation, settled his legs across Reborn's lap. Reborn certainly had no problems with this arrangement and wrapped a hand around one of Harry's slim ankles.
He noted the way his hand easily wrapped around the entirety of Harry's leg, with room to spare. His Sky was still far too skinny, he observed, his thumb drawing small circles on Harry's shin where it was tucked under the leg of Harry's pants.
It was wonderfully calming. Reborn did nothing to hide his smirk at the blush spreading over Harry's cheeks, who immediately took to hiding behind his tea cup but did nothing to remove his leg from Reborn's grip. Relaxing in the comfortable silence, Reborn was glad that they still had some time before they had to leave again.
Fon had been fine with cutting their meeting short and Reborn knew that the Storm would be getting in contact with the Triads, if only to let them know that the much sought after technology was currently in Reborn's hands and therefore non-retrievable. He trusted Fon to keep anything regarding Harry out of his report.
Reborn knew that there were some aspects of today's conversation that Harry couldn't have understood simply because he lacked the background knowledge of the Mafia itself. So, after relaxing in silence for a while, Reborn started explaining the intricacies and implications of today's revelations as Harry listened intently, rarely throwing in a comment or a question.
Reborn had been relieved that nothing in Fon's account had even hinted at the list of potential Flame users. If even Fon didn't know of the list - especially after digging specifically for information regarding the Corocos situation – it was unlikely anyone else had been able to find out about it.
Not that the list itself actually existed anymore. After confirming that Harry's name was actually on it - and thereby giving it validity - Reborn had destroyed it. Well, after memorizing every single name on it of course. It never hurt to have something extra to bargain with.
However, even now they were no closer to figuring out how the list had actually been compiled or how Harry's name had ended up on it. Especially, as only a very limited number of people had had access to Harry over the past year, almost all of whom were wizards and thereby incredibly unlikely to be involved in the non-magical Mafia in any way.
Additionally, Reborn was certain he was missing some piece of vital information regarding the list. The Corocos goon had told him that they had only tried the technology once, before immediately moving on to Harry. It seemed incredibly unlikely to Reborn that they had picked a Sky of Harry's purity by coincidence on their second try. Especially, as the Corocos had traveled to another country to specifically pick Harry up beforehand. It was far to organized to be a coincidence, meaning they must have known somehow that Harry might turn out unusually powerful, but there had been no indication of that on the list at all.
Harry was aware of all of this, so Reborn felt no need to mention it again. Instead he concluded with, "Although pretty much everyone in the Mafia World will be interested in the technology, most groups will be try bargaining instead of attacking, as the small fries will not actually dare mess with me and the big players are mostly interested in maintaining the current power structure."
When Reborn paused, Harry easily added. "But the groups in the midfield have a lot to gain by coming after us."
Reborn took just a moment to appreciate the natural us in that sentence, before agreeing. "They'll probably pool resources with other groups to increase their chances. And depending on the group they would have no problem with just forcing Flame activation in anyone, hoping to hit the jackpot with someone truly strong. Someone like you."
Reborn knew what was coming, but they lapsed into companionable silence for a while, before Harry stated. "So, we might need support."
And it pained Harry say so because he hated having to rely on anyone - with the sole and fairly recent exception of his Sun - but Harry was also very aware that he was currently near useless where Mafia matters were concerned, so he would damn well make sure that they had some decent support, as his Flames and magic were urging him to do.
Reborn wanted to frown in irritation at the truth of that statement.
He knew that Harry wasn't weak, but he was also aware that his little Sky was a magical fighter. And while Harry had the Flame power to beat out most everyone else, he had used his Flames for the first time only a few days ago and couldn't possibly know how to use them effectively in a fight yet. Which made his Sky vulnerable, even more so as he could not actually use his magic in any Mafia matters due to the Statute of Secrecy.
And when the Mafia found out about Harry… Just attaining a powerful Sky like Harry would be enough to bring out even the most influential players of the criminal underworld as well as the most unscrupulous. If gaining control of this Sky would thenalso mean gaining leverage over the World's Greatest Hitman… It would be calamity.
Add in the new and entirely unknown threat that Fon had brought to his attention… Reborn's Flames were urging him to accept Fon's not so subtle offer of support. If only as additional protection for his Sky, Reborn thought.
At least he knew that he could rely on the Storm, trust him not to stab him in the back and to keep his word of protecting Harry. If he had to rely on someone, Fon was actually the best possible option he could possibly think of.
Something Harry had clearly picked up on as well, going by his next question. "Fon is a friend?"
Reborn considered for a moment, before explaining. "We have a pretty solid alliance and I know that I can rely on Fon for information and support during jobs. Most importantly, I trust that he will never betray me directly, which is about as much as you can trust anyone in our circles."
Harry was clearly fascinated. "How did you meet?"
Reborn relaxed back into the couch, resuming drawing circles on Harry's shin. "We met during the time I spent away from the Mafia to erase my name. We were both pretty young, still teenagers. Considering that I ran into him, while he was just finishing a hit it wasn't all that hard to figure out that we were both involved in organized crime."
Reborn grinned at Harry who was watching him with bright eyes. "We might have indulged in some less than verbal disagreement, before we decided to leave each other be." He drawled.
Harry couldn't help but grin at that.
With an answering smirk, Reborn continued. "We ran into each other again about a year later, when I was still avoiding the Mafia itself but he had been starting to make a name for himself. I joined him for some higher ranking jobs, though even now no one is aware that we know each other beyond maybe running into each other by coincidence."
"So, you work well together?" Harry asked.
Harry had clearly realized from his comments that Fon could probably keep up with Reborn in regards to influence and power.
"Fon actually has a unique standing in the Chinese Triads, holding the position of a neutral enforcer, with no defined loyalty to any particular branch but the power to bring most of them to their knees." Reborn considered for a moment. "Fon actually prefers subtlety to force for achieving his goals and after taking the position of enforcer, he has kept a low profile. Though if he wanted to he could easily claim the title of the Strongest Storm."
And Reborn definitely meant that. He had never seen anyone use Disintegration the way Fon could. Reborn had witnessed the Storm literally disintegrate entire buildings and on one very memorable occasion even an entire forest. There had been nothing left after. Nothing. Not even a pile of dust. It had definitely been impressive.
It had also been the day Reborn decided to avoid ever truly angering the Storm.
"Strongest Storm…" Harry mulled over that assessment even as he thought of the strange feeling he had gotten from the Chinese man and hesitated slightly, not entirely certain how to even put it into words. "There was something else, other than his Flames…"
Reborn marveled at Harry's instincts. Fon had absolute control over his Qi and his Flames, so for Harry to still feel not only the man's Flames but also his Qi was quite the feat. Reborn steadfastly ignored what this might mean for their compatability. "In addition to his Flames, Fon is a master of several martial arts and he has an insane amount of Qi with legendary control."
Qi? Harry had no idea what to make of that, but before he had a chance to ask how Qi fit into the picture between magic and Flames, Fawkes suddenly re-appeared on the back rest of one of the dining chairs in a burst of flames. With a letter in his beak.
Immediately, Harry was up and reaching for the letter, absentmindedly stroking over Fawkes' feathers and trying to ignore his anxiousness at the thought that only very few people knew to call Fawkes in order to get in contact with him, namely his lawyers, his healers and George.
He quickly scanned the missive. It was from George. Who was letting Harry know that he had already left for Spain.
Because the Order had shown up at the joke shop.
To discuss some sort of new Order business.
And George had just turned around and left.
Harry gnashed his teeth in frustration.
Fred had died fighting for the Order. For anyone to approach George with anything that included even a vague mention of the Order was just another example of apparently no one realizing just how incredibly lost George was. How helplessly he was floundering after losing his other half. And how close they still were to losing him as well.
Before his treatment, Harry had done his best to be there for George, if only to just give him the simple comfort of another presence close by – something George had never ever been without as long as his twin had been alive - but even then he had known, it could never possibly be enough.
Harry felt Reborn step in close behind him and for once he refused to feel self-conscious when he leaned back into his Sun's chest who reacted immediately by curling an arm around Harry's waist.
Reborn read the letter over Harry's shoulder, though showing no outward reaction to the contents. He was definitely getting sick and tired of any mention of Order members at this point. These people were continuing to pop up as the main instigators of most of his Sky's anger and pain.
And Reborn certainly hadn't forgotten that it had been the adults closest to Harry who had failed him the most. Before, during and after the war. He knew how very resentful Harry still felt about the actions of the Order after the war, content to entirely ignore Harry after he had done what an entire world had demanded of him, but then feeling entitled to make uninformed decisions on his behalf, which had put his Sky's health in serious danger and even put him in the hands of the Mafia.
Oh, Reborn had not forgotten at all.
Harry almost felt like popping over to the joke shop to confront the Order members. Or rather to unleash Reborn on them, Harry thought vindictively. Despite spending a lot of time with George after the war, Harry sure as hell had never run into anyone else from the Order who might have been trying to support George.
He breathed out harshly in frustration. "How dare they? How dare they even consider calling on George whenever they feel like it?"
And now George had already left for Spain. Harry couldn't even send him a letter with Fawkes before tonight, because he had no idea whether George might already be meeting with one of the realtors right now.
Reborn didn't even try to placate him, resting his chin against Harry's temple, as Harry took a deep breath trying to calm his temper. His anger gave way to irritation.
"And what in Merlin's name could this Order business possibly be about anyways?" Harry huffed. "The Order's purpose was to fight against Voldemort when the Ministry wouldn't. But the war is over. Voldemort is dead. The Order has no reason to have any business anymore at all!"
Harry was sure that this 'Order business' somehow pertained to him or one of his many ridiculous titles. It always did in some way.
He rambled on in irritation. "So, not only is there something happening in the Mafia that we will have to deal with, but now the Order is up to something as well?!"
Reborn couldn't help his grin as he watched Harry rant on. His Sky was adorable, all fluffed up like an angry kitten. Not that he would ever be mentioning this thought out loud. He enjoyed Harry's kitten glowers too much to risk him trying to stop throwing them around.
With Harry's fury mostly abated, Reborn squeezed the arm around Harry's waist whilst eyeing the delicious picture his Sky made – with those green eyes blazing up at him and the slight blush on his cheeks that Harry seemed to be incapable of suppressing at even the slightest provocation. Reborn grinned wickedly, "Well, you did give me fair warning when you said that I wouldn't have to worry about boredom while having you around, lovely."
A/N: I am so so sorry for taking so incredibly long to update! Life has been insane these past few months with the move, the new job and learning a new language...
I've actually had most of this chapter written for quite some time, but then I spent months (months!) just editing and re-editing and not getting anywhere. At one point I rewrote the entire chapter hoping that might help. The dialogue between Reborn, Harry and Fon alone reached about 15,000 words at one point but that seemed a little excessive just to establish their dynamic. Of course, now I'm kind of worried I might have removed too much. And I'm not entirely sure how well the three-way-POV sections worked out... Feedback is very welcome :)
This chapter was actually supposed to include a lot more plot, but since I've been struggling to get past this segment I decided to upload this part for now (I'm still not really happy with it), hoping that I will then finally be able to focus on the next part. I hope you still like it, despite it pretty much covering only the meeting with Fon and hinting at things to come :)
Thanks to anyone who pointed out any mistakes in the previous chapters. Comments on my English or any other foreign languages I try to incorporate are always welcome! And special thanks to Amarante96 and DarkMask09 for their help with the Chinese in this chapter!
Zǎoshang hǎo (good morning)
Péngyǒu (friend)
Wǒ de tiān a (Heavens above!)
Interlude review responses:
Igneous passed the 1,000 review mark with the last chapter! Thank you so much! Your amazing reviews kept bringing me back to spend whatever time I could on writing!
To everyone who asked or speculated: I'm not commenting on the Arcobaleno arc yet and I don't want to give too much about Harry's Guardians away, but I will say that Harry is definitely not going to bond to all the Arcobaleno and in this story specific conditions have to be met for a wizard to activate his Flames, so no sudden influx of wizarding Flame users… (just as a hint ^^)
To bloodyredfox & NanashiSora: Thanks for the review! I have plans for Tsuna and everyone else, though at the speed I am going currently, who knows when I will actually get there…
To Mirage & 2Kay7: Thanks for the extensive reviews! Still, can't answer most of your questions, though it should be obvious from this chapter that the confrontation with the Order is coming closer and R&H will soon appear as well :)
To Fire Dolphin: Thanks for the review! Teddy will definitely play a role, though it will still take several chapters until I get there.