Sorry for the long wait and long chapter! . I needed to do more research AND I went on vacation for a week. I hope you still enjoy it anyway!
I haven't asked in a long time but REVIEWS PLEASE! I really appreciate any feedback!
If I never saw Kureko or Leoko ever again, thought Reborn, it would be too soon.
The three of them were standing in the hallway, dressed formally and waiting for the girls to go to dinner. Leoko had been pretty mad when they came to pick him up, but he perked right up after Kureko filled him in on what happened in the factory. For two hours, Leoko and Kureko have been teasing Reborn nonstop. Tsunade managed to escape their mocking remarks when Keiko hauled her into their room to get ready (though Reborn wasn't sure who had it worse), but Kureko and Leoko had only doubled their taunts against Reborn.
Now, Reborn was regretting his decision to leave his permit and his guns at home.
"You know, right now, behind this very door," said Leoko slyly, pointing at Keiko and Tsunade's room, "a certain someone is in various stages of undress."
Reborn groaned and began banging his head against the wall, trying to drown out the sound of Kureko and Leoko's laughter.
"Don't mess up your fedora, Reborn," said Kureko, trying to contain his laughter and failing miserably, "Of course, it won't matter later when you won't even need to wear it or any—"
I've changed my mind, thought Reborn, managing to ignore Leoko and Kureko for a split-second, I don't have to defeat the Black Hunter if it means I can die right now.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Reborn spun around and forced a smile on his face. "Hey Leoko," he said, "You know how you said someone behind the door was undressed? How do you know it's not Keiko?"
Leoko stopped laughing and thought about it. "Hmmm, you're right," he said thoughtfully, "It's ok though, we all know Kureko has already seen it then."
"Says the guy that has seen so many girls that even if you had all the fingers in the world to count with, because we both know you can't count any other way, you wouldn't even be able to get through half of them," retorted Kureko.
Reborn watched the two begin to argue and let out a sigh of relief. It worked, he thought, relieved, I knew if I got Leoko to needle Kureko, they would stop bothering me and argue amongst themselves. He leaned against the wall and smirked. I might as well enjoy this change in subject while I can.
After several minutes of Reborn watching Kureko and Leoko fling insults back and forth, Kureko finally caved in.
"You know what?" said Kureko, surrendering, "It doesn't matter anymore." "What does matter," he said, raising his voice over Leoko's gloating, "is why Keiko and Tsunade are taking so long. We're going to be late."
Kureko knocked on the door. "Keiko-chan?" he called out, "What's taking so long?"
The door opened a bit and Keiko poked her head out. "Sorry Kureko!" she said, donning an apologetic smile, "It looks like we'll be a little while longer. Why don't you guys go ahead? We'll take a taxi later."
"Ok then," said Kureko, "We'll meet you there."
That's strange, thought Reborn, it's been nearly two hours. Even Keiko normally doesn't take that long.
Keiko flashed one more bright smile and went back into the room. Before the door fully closed, Reborn, Leoko, and Kureko heard sounds of struggling and Tsunade's frantic voice yell, "You are not coming near my face with those tweezers!"
"It seems like Tsunade-chan isn't cooperating with Keiko's experimentation," said Kureko, amused, "That's why they're taking so long." He chuckled. "Tsunade should know that it's useless trying to resist Keiko. Keiko's going to get what she wants." Keiko paused, and then slowly turned around to face Reborn with a huge grin.
Reborn groaned inwardly. "Not again", he muttered.
"Unless of course," said Kureko, looking at Reborn mischievously, "you go in and save her. I have to warn you though, she may be in various stages of—"
"I'm going to the lobby," said Reborn loudly, attempting to drown out Leoko and Kureko's laughter once again.
This is going to be a long evening.
When I get back to Tokyo, thought Tsunade, I am writing a strong recommendation to recruit Keiko into the Interpol.
Tsunade had been the top in her class, combat skills well above the level of her teachers, observation skills as sharp as the blades she used to dominate her silent assassinations class, and her stubbornness always got her first in the interrogation endurance class.
But never, in all her years, has she met a person as stubborn as Keiko.
"Yes!" exclaimed Keiko, "I'm done! How do you feel, Tsunade?"
"I feel as though I just went through an extreme torture session," said Tsunade flatly.
Keiko giggled. "Don't be silly," she said cheerfully, "How would you know how an extreme torture session feels like?"
Because I've been through five, thought Tsunade, then again, compared to those five, this is much worse.
"Well, all of my hard work has paid off," said Keiko contently, "You look beautiful now. Of course, you looked pretty before, but now, you're just perfect." A sly grin replaced her usual peppy smile. "Which is exactly how you want to look for Reborn."
Tsunade groaned. This again, she thought.
In addition to being forced into a chair and having her face remodeled several times, Tsunade also had to put up with Keiko's constant jibes regarding Reborn for the past hour. The only time Keiko stopped teasing her was when she decided to empty the whole bottle of makeup remover on Tsunade's face and start over, which was why they took so long.
"Whatever," grumbled Tsunade, "Since you've given me your seal of approval, can we please go now? We're nearly 15 minutes late."
"Awww, I just can't get over how cute you are!" squealed Keiko. Tsunade blushed and muttered a 'thank you'. "But you're right, we should get going," said Keiko.
Tsunade got up and walked to the door. She opened it and looked back to see Keiko watching her with an astonished expression. "What?" asked Tsunade, confused.
"Are you sure you've never worn geta or a yukata before?" said Keiko in awe, "Because you're walking as if you've been wearing them all your life."
Actually, there was a tradeoff at a traditional Japanese party that I needed to intercept, though Tsunade, because of that, I had to learn how to run and climb in this outfit for a maximum of five hours to maintain my cover.
But of course, I can't tell her that.
"No, never," said Tsunade, "I guess I learned by watching you walk around the room. I'm a pretty fast learner, you know."
"More like a natural," exclaimed Keiko. She grabbed her bag and hurried over to where Tsunade was waiting. "We need to hurry, we're going to be late you know! I bet Reborn is dying to see you!" Having said that, she grabbed Tsunade and started dragging her to the elevator.
This has happened so many times that it's starting to feel normal now, thought Tsunade wearily.
It's going to be a long evening.
How much money does Reborn have? thought Tsunade, slowly taking in the elegance of her surroundings.
The restaurant was simple, yet elegant. Separated into private rooms by solid bamboo walls, the entrance of the rooms were formed with silk curtains embroidered with beautiful golden designs. On the inside, there were sunken mahogany tables surrounded by high quality tatami mats. Multiple sophisticated paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, lighting the restaurant in a dim, yet warm, glow.
You obviously need to get a private reservation at this restaurant, and it wouldn't be cheap, thought Tsunade.
"Tsunade-chan!" shouted Keiko, "Come on!"
Ah, Keiko figured out where the others are, thought Tsunade, hurrying after Keiko, cringing as people turned to look at them, I just wish she wasn't so loud about it.
Keiko walked to a room near the back of the restaurant and flung open the curtains. "We're here!" she sang.
Kureko's mouth fell open, Leoko froze with his tea halfway to his mouth, and Reborn promptly dropped his chopsticks.
What are they staring at? thought Tsunade, shooting a confused look behind her, then it hit her, Oh, they're staring at us.
Keiko was wearing a dark aqua blue yukata adorned with small golden flowers, a black sash wrapped around her waist. Her silky black hair was pulled into a beautiful flower bun with small jeweled pins dotted all around it. Keiko's eyes were lined with dark eyeliner and her eyelashes seemed longer with her professional use of mascara. Along with her smile that seemed even more dazzling with her pink lipstick lips, she was stunning.
But if Keiko was bright and bold, then Tsunade would be subtle and graceful. As a result of all her protests, she had barely managed to get Keiko to agree with a simpler look (though it also resulted with a lot of makeup remover being dumped on her face).
Her yukata was a pure white that darkened to dark pink at the edges. Small sakura blossoms graced the edges of her sleeves and coiled around the base of her yukata in a thin swirling line, ending at the pink sash wrapped tightly around her waist. Tsunade's hair was a twist on her normal simple ponytail with her soft brown hair twisted into wispy locks and pinned up in a simple updo garnished by a black rose flower arrangement. Her face was dusted with a bit of pink blush and her small lips had a glossy shine.
And of course, she wore the gold necklace with the black rose pendant.
Time seemed to freeze for a second, then Reborn and Kureko quickly stood up and left the room in a hurry.
"Where are they going?" asked Keiko, puzzled.
Leoko, shaking himself out of his daze, smirked and said, "Well based on the way they clutched their face and the small drops of blood, I would say they both got nosebleeds and headed to the bathroom." His grin widened, "Which means," he said slyly, "that the three of us are alone for the time being."
"I'm going to the restroom too," said Tsunade flatly, spinning on her heel and leaving.
"I think I'll go wash my hands first," said Keiko, ignoring Leoko's protests, "Why don't you get the blood cleaned up and finish your tea?" She smiled and hurried after Tsunade, leaving a very disappointed Leoko behind.
"I think it stopped," said Reborn, gingerly wiping his pointed nose with a paper towel.
"Mine is still going," said Kureko, panicked.
Reborn chuckled. "Just tilt your head back and pinch the bridge of your nose," he said, amused, "It'll stop the flow of blood to your nose."
"Thanks," said Kureko, taking Reborn's advice, He turned towards Reborn. "You know, if my nose began bleeding because Keiko looked absolutely amazing," he said slowly, "that means you reacted to…"
Why does this keep happening to me? thought Reborn, burying his face in his hands. "Kureko, I've already told you that you're misreading this," he said wearily.
"Oh, I don't think I am."
"Yes, you are."
"You really like Tsunade, don't you?"
"Kureko, I—"
"Come on, I know you do."
"Seriously, I—"
"Do you?"
"Please stop."
"Not until you admit it."
"There's nothing to—"
"Admit it."
"Kureko—"
"You know it's true."
"AND SO WHAT IF IT IS?" shouted Reborn.
Shocked at Reborn's sudden outburst, Kureko fell silent.
Reborn slumped his shoulders and looked away. "I know it's wrong," he mumbled, "I mean, she's just an informant and personal feelings are just a hindrance to our business."
Kureko placed a firm hand on Reborn's shoulder and turned him around so that they were face to face, startling Reborn.
"Listen to me, Reborn," said Kureko, his tone suddenly serious, "The business isn't going to your life forever. Right now, it seems fun, it seems to be the ultimate experience, it seems to be a way of life, but will it stay that way? You need to ask yourself, this temporary fame, this temporary fortune, this temporary thrill, is it really what you want?"
Kureko…thought Reborn in shock, is that what you really think? This business…it's given so many things to enjoy in life. The unbeatable thrill when successfully defying the law again and again is the real allure of the business, the money and fame are just an extra plus. It's like a drug that I rely on daily, I can't just quit.
But…he realized, Kureko's right, this whole operation can't last forever. The thrill I rely on won't be provided by this business forever. All these temporary things…
They're not what I really want.
The silence ensued for another moment, then Reborn smiled and shook his head. "Thanks Kureko," he said softly. Kureko unclasped Reborn's shoulders and smiled back. "I'm glad you listened," said Kureko.
Reborn began walking towards the door, then he paused. "Oh and by the way, Kureko?" he said, turning back to face Kureko.
"Hmm?"
"Your nose is still bleeding."
Kureko watched a red drop drip down from his nose. "Oh shit!" he yelled, quickly grabbing a paper towel and pinching the bridge of his nose, "You go out first, I'll be in here a little while longer."
Reborn chuckled and opened the door to leave—and nearly tripped over Tsunade.
"Re-reborn!" stammered Tsunade, flushing dark red, "I-I'm sorry, I was just waiting for Keiko-chan. I didn't want to be alone with Leoko"
Reborn felt his heart jump and his pulse race. This feeling, he thought, it's almost the same as…as…
As the thrill I constantly crave.
He looked down at Tsunade. Could it be that she, thought Reborn, that just seeing her, gives me the same thrill I get when I successfully pull off a transaction?
"Reborn?" said Tsunade, looking at him with confusion in her honey-golden eyes, "Are you ok? Is your nose still bothering you?" She reached up and touched his nose without thinking. Both of them froze, then they flushed pink and Tsunade quickly withdrew her hand.
"S-sorry," muttered Tsunade.
Reborn stared, and then he smiled at her with an expression no one had ever seen on his face before. "Come on," he said, gesturing towards their table, "I'll go back with you."
I think I know what I really want, thought Reborn as they walked back, I want something—
or someone
—that can give me a thrill for the rest of my life.
"Looks like Reborn finally faced his feelings," said Keiko, watching the two with an amused expression, "You did a good job, Kureko."
Kureko chuckled. "Yeah, but we're not quite done matchmaking yet," he said.
Keiko's smile dimmed slightly. "You're right," she said, slightly disappointed, "we still have to get Tsunade to accept how she feels as well."
"Oh, I don't think it'll be that hard," said Kureko confidently, receiving a confused look from Keiko, "Once Reborn realizes he has something what he wants, he won't stop until he gets it. He just needs a moment to take action." Kureko's smile widened, "And I know exactly how to get that moment."
Things are really heating up now XD! I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out, but it's going to be interesting!