The first time their watches rang to signal the start of the battle they had slowly left the airship, just casually walking around through the city.
She would rather not have anyone try to destroy her airship just to get to her. Sure, she didn't expect it from any of the Arcobalenos but who knew what their representatives would do?
A few meters ahead she actually spied Iemitsu but the man got pulled back by Lal before he could charge towards her.
Leilani shrugged. Honestly, if they had asked she would have handed the watch to them.
"Enma? You want to go eat ice cream?"
"Huh? But… But the battles?"
"Well we are here. We are wearing the watches… that's all that's necessary, right?"
"But.. don't you want to try winning?"
"No. Honestly the first person that asks me for the watch gets it handed to them."
"But…?"
"It's the same as if we were fighting and losing, right? I'm not sabotaging. I'm just playing by my own rules. Ah don't mind. If you get attacked you can naturally fight back. I'm not asking you to be a punching bag. I just don't want to search for conflict."
He looked unsure at her but she just tilted her head "So… Ice cream?"
Before he could agree the Varia burst into their street.
Mammon floating over them "I'm sorry Skull. But… if I take you out you will get your wish."
Leilani shrugged "I don't fault you. I was the same in the past, remember?"
Enma and the Varia had already started fighting.
The witch just sighed. She really hadn't wanted to endanger Enma. Honestly Ice Cream would have been better but it's not like she could change it now.
She did understand Viper's train of thought though. The mist wanted to win this desperately and taking Skull out would be the closest to what Leilani herself wanted if she wasn't allowed to not participate.
Leilani didn't move, just calmly looking at the battle in front of her. At least she was calm until she saw Enma getting thrown to the ground, Squalo over him already lifting his sword to slam it down.
This wasn't what she had signed up for. Not even a bit! She had agreed to participate and she had agreed to take Enma but she under no circumstances had agreed to let someone die on her behalf!
She already knew that she couldn't use her flames to the full extent without harming the pacifier and at that realization she did the one thing she hadn't expected she would even attempt "Present Please."
Her body shot up immediately, she felt the curse lift of her temporary, her flames and magic rising up immediately and her own altercation still staying in place as she had never let go of them.
But it didn't matter at this moment, her hand shot out a completely overpowered Protego slamming into place. Electric green flames hardening in front of Enma and letting the sword crash into them.
She wasn't calm though and the Expeliarmus shot straight towards Squalos hand, severing the sword from his mechanical prosthesis as it flew away.
Her magic, still twirling around her in relief of being free, went further, a shockwave just blasting over the whole street, throwing the Varia back completely.
But Leilani's eyes were drilling into Viper, her eyes still burning with flames "Killing my Representative isn't on the table, Viper" she hissed out.
The miser stared speechless at her, completely focused on the display of flame strength and control that Skull was showing.
Skull had always shown extraordinary things with her flames but… this? In her full glory? Her full strength? This was different.
The timer rang out and Skull slowly shrunk again but the cloud still didn't stray her eyes from Viper "I can understand your desperation and I know you're surrounded by Murderhobos but don't think for a second I won't crash this complete thing if you or anyone else attempt this Bullshit again. We were told not to fight ourselves but I swear to you I couldn't care less about the pretty little delusion you build in your head if it means you will kill my representative."
Leilani immediately turned around, running to Enma to check up on the earth.
The next time the watch alarmed them that the fight started she plainly sat down in the middle of a plaza, challenging anyone to try.
If any of them thought she would allow them to kill Enma she would make sure they took her words for real this time. Even if no one took her words seriously about the whole trap they were in she would make certain that her last challenge would be heard. She had warned them.
She had agreed on their behalf, because of their wishes but all of this wouldn't matter if they crossed her boundaries. She would completely crash the Battles and no one would be able to stop her.
Enma was nervously sitting next to her, throwing cautious glances at her the whole time.
It wasn't any of the arcobalenos though that disturbed them. Instead she suddenly found herself in front of the Vindice.
Leilanis magic was thrumming through her as the bandaged Baby jumped in front of her.
Enma was scrambling backwards.
Bermuda's voice was almost pleasant but deeply riddled with a warning of danger "I don't think you will give us your watch?"
"Oh I'm glad you ask actually." Leilani, not really faced by their presence as Dementors were still way worse, calmly unclasped her watch and threw it at the stunned Vindice. "Enma, dear? Would you mind handing your watch to those gentlemen?"
The earth was stuttering more than ever before "B-But-"
Leilani smiled at him but reached for his wrist to get it herself "You did very good. But it was Reborns plan to involve you. Not mine. Never mine." and with that she threw the Boss watch at the bandaged Toddler "You've got my other ones already?"
"Yeah?"
Skull nodded at the completely confused Vindice "Then I wish you a good time. May you get what you are searching for."
She simply pulled the shocked Enma by the hand "Let's get the ice cream now, alright?"
She knew that Enmas frantic texting probably meant that she would get a visitor soon but it didn't faze her much. Way more focused on her chocolate ice cream.
She didn't even look up from it when she felt Reborns flames as he sat down across from her "Skull."
"Yeah, Senpai?"
"You gave away your watch."
"Indeed that I did. They asked."
"You have to get it back."
"Why?"
"You have to participate."
"Why?"
"Skull…"
Leilani pulled out a small piece of paper out of her pocket and scooted it over to the hitman "Text me when you know where everything will happen."
Reborn froze for a moment before picking up and unfolding the note. "That is your phone number?"
"Yeah. Don't give it out. I'm not participating but that doesn't mean I will stand aside when he screws you all over." she finally looked up "I warned you. I told you what I think about this and I made that clear.
Even with Vipers actions I'm not holding it against them but I won't play this little game like this. Still I'm not willing to let you run into all of this alone. I'm not willing to be that ignorant."
"I have a plan."
"Then I hope it will work out. Otherwise I dare say you are majorly fucked."
"Doesn't that include you too?"
"Well.." She lifted another spoonful of her ice cream "He can certainly try but… there is no chance in hell he will succeed." The grin she was donning was a grimace, almost a caricature and seeping out of the determination in her eyes Reborn could feel a wisp of her way too strong sky flames.
Leilani looked down again, her spoon tapping against the glass bowl "Have you tried the ice cream here? It's very good."
The hitman had placed the note in his suit jacket, his eyes on the little sky that was calmly eating her ice cream "Skull… Who are you?"
Leilani looked up, a crooked but slightly sad smile on her kips "Skull, just Skull. Nothing more. Nothing less."
She turned around, nudging the teen next to her to eat his ice cream.
Reborn himself just slowly waved at the waitress and leaned back with a sight while he waited for his espresso. He really prayed that Tsuna would manage it. That his student would be able to lift the curse. He was afraid of what Skull would do otherwise and something in him told him that it wouldn't be good, far from it.