When he brought his Family to a small town in Japan in hopes of losing their tail in a neutral ground, he didn't expect a harsh welcome that would greet him once he reached his hotel rooms.
They were already down to nine people- if one were to bother counting him. So, when the assassin killed two more and injured three (himself included) of his subordinates, Vernon decided it would be easier to hide in a less conspicuous yet safer places.
Hospitals.
He needed to choose his target carefully, though, and ordered one of his subordinates to find a crowded hospital with no new employee and interns whom had worked less than two years.
The choice landed them in Namimori General Hospital.
He had hoped seeking asylum on said building will be enough for his subordinates to contact their allies for back-up.
Vernon had never thought the small town would pack a number of assassins, as far as he knew, the town wasn't even on a map. They had only found it after talking to one of his trusted contacts on Mafia Land for Godness sake.
But, there was no time to ponder why a small town such as Namimori could house a large amount of Mafioso in broad daylight, carefully blending with their surrounding civilians.
He knew that these mafioso knew that they were part of the underworld, yet none of them attempted to rouse the peaceful atmosphere in the town.
He could feel himself breath a little easier.
It was surreal how this place could be so peaceful, yet housing so many dangerous individual around. It was as if there was some sort of guardian that carefully watched over the town from any illegal activities.
(He was then introduced to Hibari Kyoya's famous steel tonfas later when the teenager paid him a visit to 'warn' him. Apparently, he had violated a number of rules set in the town by bringing hostiles into the area. Thus, bringing the wrath of Demon of Namimori right down his own life. No one seemed to worry about the teenager's apparent violent tendency. They said it made them feel safer.)
He was lulled in a safe blanket of security, and for once- he felt safe.
.:I'l'I:.
It was a surprise that, one day, he had the most curious visitor.
It was a boy who looked no older than nine, standing there in his doorway and looking at him with such intensity that he couldn't help but feeling vulnurable. It was such a ridiculous notion to assume the boy could evoke such weakness out of him.
But if one where to look at those - dare he say it - menacing caramel orbs, they'd be a fool to disagree with him.
His face held the innocence of any child he'd ever seen. But, those eyes...
It had taken him a moment before gathering his composure and beckoned the boy to come closer.
He almost wanted to face-palm when the boy approached him without hesitation. Honestly, where were this kid's parents? Had they not taught him 'stranger danger'? What would happen if he was someone else?
Sure, he's the boss of a small Family, and he might be nicer than most mafioso, but he's still mafia.
The boy soon began asking him about his lights.
He didn't understand what the boy meant, but he decided to play along.
"Ah... so you can see them. Tell me, what colour are you seeing now?"
He didn't expect much from this little visitor, but when the little boy said that he sees orange light, with hint of red, and the fact that it's apparently sparkly, Vernon had grown very concerned.
As far as he knew, his flames were dormant. Everyone in his family knew it was there, thought he could never manage to have them manifest into the physical realm. And to have this little boy see it was a shocking surprise.
Only the Arcobaleno, Vongola's Don and his Guardians, powerful mist flame user, and the Young Lion of Vongola could detect a dormant flame. Much less see them.
And to have this ten year old boy approach him because he could see them... it was worrying.
So, he took a gamble; he could leave the kid ignorant to the flames and make him approach dangerous individual in curiousity that will very well land him with bigger problems.
Or he could tell him how much he knew about those lights the kid was seeing was actually Dying Will Flames.
(And erase his misconception about having the Lights as sign of being an Angel. How ironic it is to have an innocent ten year old to approach a buff-mafia-men and asks them whether they were Angels or not.)
He knew he would regret it one day, but he couldn't let this boy be ignorant of their world if he could carelessly approach him without caution.
.:I'l'I:.
Unbeknownst to Vernon, he indirectly shaped young Tsunayoshi's future into what he shall be known as.
...
Blacklight.
...
It will be a name that would make any active flame user cower in fright.
.:I'l'I:.
AN: Just so you guys know, I'll be writing interludes with other character's POV and Tsuna's POV on normal chapter. That's why you don't see Tsuna's sinister quotes at the end c: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter too!
If I have any typos, please, please tell me. Because I can't use any grammar correcting keyboard or something.