Author's Note:
Sorry for the late update, usually I try to update with a new chapter every Friday but I fell sick last week. Thing's are getting interesting in this chapter! I don't want to spoil anything so that the only thing I'll say!
Chapter 3: A Fated Encounter.
I'm... not quite sure what happened. It's been two hours since we left school. The sea of orange that was the sky had already been replaced by an ocean of stars and shadow, with the moon bearing down on us. I walked with my hands supporting my head, their posture resembling that of one takes when he is lying down. We somehow entered the Shopping District, its night enchanted by the sounds and light of Bazaars and the shops that remained open after dark. As the three of us walked down the street leading to the Residential District, Gina would sometime draw us into the shops to do some window-shopping.
"Hey Amato, how do I look?" Gina asked as she tried on a pink floral hat that, in my opinion, is a bit on the frilly side. She looked really cute.
"It looks.. nice." I said, trying hard to not ruin that smile on my face to nervousness. Gina's reaction changed to one of surprise then to anger complete with blushing cheeks before turning away to look at more clothes.
Suddenly, I was given a quick, sharp, shove into my ribs. It came from Sergio. "Don't you know the right way to complimenting girls!" He whispered.
"Ow!" was the only response I could squeeze out. What, there's a 'right' way? My confused look is only met with him giving out a loud sigh.
"I can see why all those set-ups before failed..." Sergio whined as if all hope is lost.
"What?" I asked again, my voice dragging on, before giving it up as we walked on.
"What do you mean I can't buy it?" A sharp female voice suddenly boomed from behind me, it had a strong but child-like tone to it.
"Please child, if you want to buy something, come back here with your parents and I'm sure to sell it to you." The shopkeeper explains in an apologetic tone, albeit calm. Huh, I turned around, but I cannot seem to locate where that other voice came from...
"I want that Espresso! And I'm not a child!" The voice screams out once again, like a kid who screams for her toy. I almost felt like I went deaf for a second there. I did, however, realize that the voice is actually coming from below my eye level, which was weird cause I consider myself pretty short.
Looking down, I caught eye to a strange sight. In front of me, stood a short girl, well, shorter than me that is, in white robes with orange linings. Her hair was lush and dark, and she had a peculiar mark under her left-eye. Well, that's not important. What was important, was that she was angry, and it was causing quite a scene. Since I was standing so close to her, the eyes of the public naturally turned and stared at me.
"Where's her parents?" Some auntie in front of a store not far from the commotion questioned.
"Is that guy her brother?" A few others decided.
"She can't have coffee, she's just a kid!" A pair of adults agreed.
I think I hear the crowd chanting already, gotta do something.
"Uh, I'll buy it... I'll buy it for her, kind sir." I reluctantly tell the shopkeeper as I handed him a few euro coins. "Right, uh... let's just... go somewhere to sit.." I mumbled as I led the girl away from the crowd with me. It felt really strange, and she gave no resistance, even though I'm a complete stranger. I think she is just too distracted by the coffee.
I find myself wondering in the darkness as I close my eyes and assess what has happened. After the incident, I turned back to the store and found out that Gina and Sergio walked off. I can't believe it. I wonder where did they go? The park I brought the stranger into was a block away from the bazaars and maybe because of how crowded the Shopping District was, the park was devoid of people.
"Ugh.. I can't understand why uncle-Reborn likes this so much..." A familiar voice whined and pulled me back.
Oh, right. I opened my eyes to see the sight of myself and the girl sitting on the bench in the empty park. The cold wind blowing agaisnt my skin is enough to make me run straight home. I guess it has gotten quite late already. But, I cannot leave this girl alone, right? I will need to get her home first.
"Um.. Thanks for helping me out back there..." The girl gave out in a soft tone, avoiding my eyes with blushing cheeks. Suddenly I felt all fuzzy inside. She looks upset though, maybe angry, annoyed?
"Ha, you're welcome. Where are my manners, my name is Amato, Amato Zanna. Oh, what was that about you not being a child back at the store?" I ask automatically after feeling a bit relaxed because of her reactions. "And what's with that pacifier around your neck?" I continued as I observe said object. A peculiar-looking object, even for a pacifier. It was orange like the setting sun, and had glow that almost suggest a mysterious power. And, it was big.
The girl looked concerned for a split second here, before giving out a sigh and looking determined.
"My name is Aria. I am actually..." As the words dragged slow, her cheeks slowly blushed. "Nineteen."
What?
...
"You're nineteen?" I shouted out. No way. I am only fourteen years-old. She is kidding right?
"I'm surprised you didn't laugh..." She tells me with an uninterested tone.
"How can I? I'm too surprised!" I explained. Well, it is hard to swallow...
"And..." She continued, her voice rising in volume, that got my attention back. "This is the proof of the boss of the Arcobaleno." She declared, as if proud of her title and position.
Arcobaleno... "Rainbow..." I muttered as my thoughts wander. Where have I heard this before?
Ka-Chik.
It was then that I felt it. This primal emotion that has existed ever since we humans have came to feel. One which forces us to survive and evolve, to adapt and change. I felt fear. As the cold metal barrel came into contact with the back of my head, all thought and action froze save for one: Survive. I do not actually know how long the whole thing happened for but it felt like an eternity. It certainly was not like anything that happened this morning. Although, it does remind me of the bullet I dodged. Another thought began surfacing across my mind, constantly nagging for me to fulfill it: I must get Aria out of here!
I got to no time for planning, the hit-man gave no request, so he must be planning to kill me. Before I know it, I turn to the sides to throw a roundhouse kick at him, aiming for his vital areas, specifically his stomach. At times like this, I am glad I have a black-belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. Well, I try not to use those skills unless really necessary. As expected, he was no thug, as he effortlessly jumped to the sides with speed and, dare I say it, grace. A quick glance at his face shows a suave-looking guy in a suit. Mafia, no doubt, with blond hair and a serious-look in his eyes. His hair was pulled back, in a very neat fashion, reminding me of Sergio's hairstyle.
As I recovered from the strike, I threw my body to place a shield in-between the guy and Aria. I couldn't stop to catch her reaction to what was happening but I don't suspect it's a pleasant one.
"Run, Aria! Get away from here!" I yelled, as loud as I can. A quick turn to check on her revealed a very unexpected look of surprise on her face.
Then, the words that came out of her was a shock to me indeed.
"Gamma, you can stop it with the drama now." She ordered, her child-like tone completely vanished. Even more confusing was that the hitman followed her orders, lowering his gun as soon as he heard the words. What exactly is happening here?
"Wait, Wha- He- Hey, Huh?" I blabbered out of control. Could you blame me? My life as well as hers could have been taken just a split second ago!
"Hmph." The guy called Gamma replied to me together with the stink eye, that alone was able to make me shut up. Upon a closer look, he seemed younger than I thought, about twenty years old? As he made his way towards Aria, he took one of her hands and knelled before her, surprising me again.
"My lady, I apologize for my actions, but I could not take the risk." He exclaimed apologetically. Well, let's just say Aria surprised me even more.
"You idiot!" She roared as she smacked Gamma in the head. "You don't go pointing guns at people when he 'might' be a danger! You looked like you would've pulled the trigger back then!" Aria continued, occasionally signaling an apology towards me. Gamma unexpectedly was thrown off-guard, and showed emotions on his face for the first time since he arrived. He looked surprised, then embarrassed as he looked at me, as if hit by realization, before returning to his emotionless visage.
"I would have." Gamma replied nonchalantly. His stone-cold look makes me believe that he would have. Scary.
"We need to go." He announced shortly, still holding Aria's hands and helping her up. A true gentleman, if he is anything else. As they walked down the streets, Aria looked back to wave her goodbye.
"Bye, Amato!" She gave out as they disappeared into the between the blocks. She looked happy. Good. I guess that must her guardian or something. It definitely looked like it was someone she was close to.
A few minutes later, I got back with Sergio and Gina as I finally found them after scouring the Shopping District. I wasn't surprised that they hadn't gone home yet. In the end, due to Sergio's constant nagging and pushing. I.. bought a hat for Gina. Coupled with that Espresso, I used up all the allowance I have for this week. Well, it was sorta worth it to see Gina's smile when I got it for her. When all was done, we decided that it was time to go home. That was when I remember the curfew Kiera set for me. I had to be home by Nine, and it was already Ten.
Darn. It.
Behind the dark alleys of the streets of the District however, a group of people had gathered. One of them had a hood over his head. The robe was of a soft grayish-purple color with golden lining, embroidered with designs of clouds and wings. Standing with him or her was Aria and Gamma with a few other guys in suits.
"How is he, Boss of the Arcobaleno?" A familiar voice came from the hood, sounding concerned.
"He is a worm." Gamma replied almost immediately.
"Gamma!" Aria immediately cut him off, her eyes telling him that she had it for his actions today. "He helped me out, and protected me when I was but a stranger to him." Aria explains in a gentle and caring tone. "He would make a fine Boss." She declared, almost happily.
Suddenly, Aria's eyes turned to one of sadness.
"But, he will have a long and painful path should he take up the title..." And with those last words, Aria and Gamma bid their goodbyes and made their way into the limousines parked on the road close to them, with the guys in suits following their steps. As the limousines drove off, the hooded figure was left alone. The figure stood motionless for a few seconds before murmuring but a word...
"Amato..."
Suddenly, as if sensing something, the hooded figure dashed off into the shadows...
Huh? Uh, well that's it for this chapter! Did you guys enjoy the cameo appearances? If you do, or don't, please tell it straight to my face in your reviews!