Reborn smirked in amusement as his student wailed in embarrassment at having all his close kept secrets being announced to public by the two skulls on his palm.
"You have skullitis," Reborn announced ominously as Tsuna passed him. Tsuna's eyes widened when he saw Reborn in his death reaper costume. "I see that you are going to die."
"Wha-?! Stop screwing around, Reborn!" Tsuna exclaimed, throwing out an arm.
Reborn shook his head with a tsk. "If only I am, young man," Reborn said forlornly. "What a pity, dying so young." Just as Tsuna was about to speak, Reborn looked up at him, eyes flashing in the sun. "But," Reborn paused dramatically. "Not all is lost. There is one who can save your life."
"I don't have time to play with you, Reborn," Tsuna huffed, not buying Reborn's act. He turned to walk away.
"Oh, I'm so embarrassed," the skull said, choosing exactly this moment to speak. Tsuna flailed in surprise. "I get sick on the swing-set."
Reborn smiled as Tsuna traced the voice back to a skull on his stomach, where there evidently wasn't one before. "Skullitis is a disease where skulls appear all over your body, announcing all your deep secrets until you die of shame," Reborn said casually, watching as Tsuna still struggled between denial and belief.
As the skulls blurted out yet another embarrassing secret of Tsuna, Reborn saw that Tsuna finally believed him.
"Wahh!" Tsuna cried, clutching his head. "What should I do?!"
Reborn's lips curled upward, finding great amusement in his student's dilemma. Just as he was about to tease his student some more, a bee flew across Reborn's line of vision, buzzing with a message.
Zzz-zz-gone-zzzz—zzz-he's-zzz-gone-zzz
"Find a man named Shamal," Reborn answered rather automatically, tone no longer teasing or amused as he held out his finger for the bee. "He's in Namimori."
"How am I supposed to find him!?" Tsuna exclaimed, not yet noticing how rapid Reborn's mood changed.
"Figure it out on your own," Reborn said, eyes intent on the bee. He lifted his eyes for a brief moment and smirked his customary smirk at his student. "A future mafia boss should be able to do at least that."
"For the last time, I'm not going to be a mafia boss!" Tsuna shouted, but by the time he looked back at the spot where Reborn was, he was already gone.
Xxx
Reborn had asked the insects and animals in Namimori to keep an eye on Urameshi.
Zzz-zz-gone-zzzz—zzz-he's-zzz-gone-zzz
Where have you last seen him? Reborn inquired.
The bee paused for a moment on his finger, before its wings began to beat and the bee lifted itself into the air. Reborn quietly followed to the woods near the Namimori Shrine.
Zzz-zz-here-zzz-last-zzz-zz-here-zzz
Reborn's eyes flicked around, briefly scanning over everything in his surroundings. The bee buzzed, more restlessly than before just as Reborn was about to observe everything in greater detail.
Reborn look down at the black and yellow insect, having enough experience as a world-renown insect and animal interpreter to realize the reason behind the action. Reborn lifted his finger a little, gesturing the bee to go.
"Thank you," Reborn murmured lowly, watching as the bee fluttered away to obey its nature of returning to the bee hive to serve its queen.
That was the main difference between Shamal's ability to control his trident mosquitoes and Reborn's ability to communicate with insects. While both can manipulate insects to an extent, Shamal can actually fully control his mosquitoes. Reborn, on the other hand, asked favors from those who he can communicate with. While the insects and animals usually oblige Reborn, the favors Reborn ask of the insects and/or animals could be overridden by their natural instincts, which was why Reborn preferred doing some of the more basic legwork himself. [1]
Reborn stepped into the woods, following the faint but distinct residue energy of Urameshi, which was a strange mix of nature and power. He came to a halt as the residue concentration increased exponentially, then – nothing.
Reborn looked around once more, extending his senses out to catch any wisps of Urameshi's energy in case he used some kind of technique to hide his energy. But there wasn't even a trace of his energy. Nothing in the surrounding indicated Urameshi had outside help in concealing his energy either. It was as the bee had said – Urameshi had somehow managed to literally disappear.
What did he do? Reborn wondered, stepping forward so he was right in front of the massive concentration of energy Urameshi last left behind. Whatever it was that he did, it required a lot of energy.
Why now? Why did Urameshi choose to leave now? Was it because Reborn confronted Urameshi regarding his stay at their last meeting? But no, Urameshi gave no indication that he was bothered.
This disappearance was unplanned then. Some sort of emergency? There was no need for Urameshi to come out into the woods here though. He could have always used a car or a plane if he needed to travel.
So it was either because Urameshi needed somewhere that could conceal him from doing whatever he did that enabled him to disappear, or it was because Urameshi could only 'disappear' in the surrounding of the Namimori Shrine.
While it wasn't unheard of that shrines hold some kind of power, Reborn could scarcely imagine Urameshi's power stemmed from any energy that was considered holy. Not only was Urameshi anything but holy, but there was something rawer, more untamed in Urameshi energy that contrasts the common belief that shrine energy was serene and smooth.
No, being around a shrine probably wasn't the requirement. Urameshi was concealing his abilities then. That actually made sense in his mind. Reborn would have wondered why, but there wasn't enough information for him to arrive at a conclusive statement.
As Reborn left the surrounding of the Namimori Shrine, a third option suddenly occurred to him. It was a chilling thought. What if Urameshi didn't choose to leave but was forced to, and whoever it was compelled Urameshi to meet he/she at the Namimori Shrine?
It was paradoxical of how the theory was believable and not at the same time. On one hand, it fitted all the information and answered all the questions Reborn had thus far. On the other hand, however, the theory put into question everything Reborn did know about Urameshi.
Urameshi was as strong (if not stronger, although this would be something Reborn wouldn't be admitting any time sooner) as Reborn, the greatest hitman in the world. If someone was strong enough to threaten a man like Urameshi into silence, then just how powerful would such man/woman be?
Reborn didn't know the answer to that, but one thing was certain. He would have to get to the bottom of this issue.
Xxx
The first place Reborn went to after he left the Namimori Shrine was the restaurant that Urameshi was previously working at. While Reborn had considered going to check Urameshi's apartment first, from what he had seen last time, Urameshi didn't personalize the apartment at all. Reborn doubted Urameshi would suddenly decide to leave a trail of hints for Reborn to follow.
"Yusuke?" Matsumura asked, blinking in surprise. He smiled at a customer who was leaving, uttering the customary, "Thank you for coming, hope to see you soon" before turning back to Reborn. "He resigned a few days ago."
Reborn blinked in surprise, not expecting this answer at all. "Oh, I see," Reborn said, mind racing. "Do you have his contact information? I went by his home, but no one was there and I have an emergency I need to contact him about."
Matsumura looked at Reborn sympathetically, which was not the reaction Reborn was hoping for. "Yusuke does that sometimes," Matsumura said. "He explained it off as wander lust after missing work within the first three weeks of working here. Now thinking about it," Matsumura mused to himself, "I'm kinda surprised Yusuke bothered telling me he was going to quit at all."
"Do you see him as irresponsible?" Reborn asked, curious. He wondered how Urameshi act around other people.
"Not at all," Matsumura answer promptly. "My daughter and I are thankful to him. Without his help, our restaurant wouldn't have lasted last month. It's simply that, how should I phrase it, Yusuke seems too big to be limited to a small restaurant like this, don't you think?"
"Yes," Reborn said and in a way, Reborn did understand what Matsumura was talking about. It wasn't like Urameshi stuck out like a sore thumb or anything; he didn't. When he worked at the restaurant, he appeared to fit in just like any other waiter. Yet it was also undeniable that there was a subtle difference within Urameshi that prevented people from grouping him with others. Whether it was the power that was hidden within Urameshi's lean stature or was it due to something else, Reborn wasn't sure.
"He didn't say when he'll return," Reborn stated, turning his attention back to Matsumura.
Matsumura shook his head. "He didn't. If you're trying to find him, my only advice to you is to wait. There's no way to contact him. He doesn't even have a cell phone, after all."
"…"
What? Reborn thought.
Xxx
Reborn returned to Tsuna an hour and a half after his dame-student contracted skullitis. Two hours was the time limit Tsuna could go untreated before he died of skullitis, after all. While Reborn did want Tsuna to find Shamal himself, it would be rather stupid to risk the heir of Vongola dying of a disease that was rather easy to cure especially with the help of Shamal.
Reborn returned to Tsuna just in time to see Tsuna's famiglia running around trying to catch Shamal. Reborn tilted his fedora down to hide his smile. A good boss always had a famiglia willing to go out of their way to help their boss. It seemed like Tsuna fulfilled that part of the requirement at least, despite still being rather 'dame.'
Reborn watched as Tsuna attempted to go into Deathperation Mode without the bullet. He had seen Tsuna activate it at the restaurant before, when Urameshi had ruffled him enough for the flames to break through. Would it happen again?
Tsuna's clothes tore as he gone through the initial stage of the Deathperation Mode. His eyes turned wider and deeper, overall making Tsuna seem more wild. Just when it seemed like he would succeed, a stray comment made by the skull on his hand broke through his mind, reverting Dame-Tsuna back.
Hm, it seems like entering the Deathperation Mode without the bullet is too much to expect from Dame-Tsuna for now, Reborn thought, keeping his observation in mind.
Tsuna squatted down, arms around his bent legs as depression set in. Tears leaked from his eyes. "I'm going to die as Dame-Tsuna!" his dame student exclaimed remorsefully. All in all, it made a very pathetic picture, especially for the future boss of the Vongola family.
Oh, well. That's what Reborn was there to fix, after all. And Reborn would fix it all, in due time.
Reborn glanced up at Shamal standing beside him. Teasing time was over. "Shamal, you do recall that you owe me several of favors, don't you?"
Shamal sighed and scratched the back of his head. His student didn't notice, still bemoaning about his fate. "How did I know this was coming?" he said. He glanced down at Reborn. "Just saying, I still don't like treating men."
"Of course," Reborn said, smirking. "Or this wouldn't have been a favor at all."
Shamal simply sighed again, before raising his voice so Reborn's dame-student could hear him. "Fine, fine," Shamal said, attracting Tsuna's attention. "I'll heal you."
Tsuna blinked, his water work not yet stopping completely. He sniffed. "R-really?"
"Yes," Shamal said, bringing out his mosquito. "Go, Angel Mosquito!"
As Reborn watched the overly dramatic aftermath of Tsuna's recovery from the Skullitis Disease, the Bovino child popped up from the side.
"Die, Reborn!" Lambo cried, rummaging through his hair.
Reborn had no doubt Lambo was trying to find his inferior grenade again, so Reborn didn't even bother looking as he made a move to coolly bat away the weapon that was coming his way. It was only when its shadow fell upon him – too big to be just a regular grenade – that Reborn finally noticed something was off.
Reborn looked up just in time to see the Ten Year Bazooka heading towards him.
Reborn's eyebrow twitched minutely, at both himself and Lambo. It was too late to dodge the bazooka now. He would just have to wait for the five minutes to be up.
Inwardly, Reborn berated himself for letting down his guard. While Lambo truly didn't exude any killer intent and he was relatively harmless, Reborn should have realized it was the Ten Year Bazooka that was heading towards him.
Although judging by the stupid cow's budging eyes, it seemed like the child didn't intend to throw the bazooka at him either. The stupid cow probably hid too much things in his hair and in his hurry, he threw the first thing that came into his hand, which happened to be the Ten Year Bazooka.
I'll definitely teach him a lesson when five minutes is up, is the last thought Reborn had before he disappeared in a puff of pink smoke.
Xxx
Reborn concentrated on the senses he could use, starting with his hearing, since the pink smoke was still in the way of his vision. There was the sound of water running. Reborn was inside then. Either Reborn was performing a hit, he was in one of his safe house or he was at someone's – most likely Vongola's – headquarter.
Leon on Reborn's fedora twitched.
Someone was in the vicinity, and he or she was approaching Reborn.
The smoke cleared just in time for Reborn to see who it was. He couldn't stop the minimal amount of surprise from flashing across his face.
"Urameshi Yusuke," Reborn said, as the man came out of the bathroom. Now that the smoke had cleared, Reborn recognized where he was. He was in one of his safe houses in Sicily. Question was why was the man that Reborn was searching for the whole time was here.
Surprise flashed across Urameshi's unguarded face as well at the sight of Reborn. Strange. Urameshi was in Reborn's safe house, but he didn't except Reborn to be here?
"Reborn," Urameshi greeted as he got over his shock, amusement evident in his voice. There was something else there that Reborn couldn't name as well. Something familiar. "I see the Ten Year Bazooka got you."
Reborn was about to quip back with a clever remark when he froze. That was right. He was hit by the Ten Year Bazooka. So, "Why are you exactly the same ten years in the future?" Reborn demanded, warning bells ringing loudly in his ears as he gazed at Urameshi Yusuke.
Urameshi, who looked exactly the same ten years previous and ten years later.
Urameshi raised an eyebrow and scratched his head. "Eh, that's something I can't tell you," Urameshi said, and Reborn instantly had his Leon-gun in hand.
"Whoah, chill, Reborn," Urameshi said, raising his arms in the universal sign of surrender. "I can't believe I forgot how trigger happy you were some years ago." Urameshi paused. "Actually, you're kinda trigger happy now as well. Just not around me as much."
"Explain," Reborn threatened.
"Hell no!" Urameshi exclaimed and instantly, two shots rang within the house. Urameshi sighed, not looking even the least frightened at the two holes that appeared in the wall, centimeters away from his head. "I'm so going to blame you when you get back from the past and demand about what happened to your wall."
"If I know myself well, the future me would understand the necessity of taking care of a threat," Reborn said, not letting his guard down in the least.
Urameshi huffed and crossed his arms. "So now I'm a threat?"
"Ten years may have passed, but I find it hard to believe I would suddenly believe you are an ally."
"It's not sudden," Urameshi argued. "Like you said, ten years did pass, ya know."
"Yes," Reborn agreed, watching as Urameshi raised an eyebrow like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like he knew Reborn well enough that if Reborn was agreeing so easily, a 'but' of some sort must follow. It ticked Reborn off for some inexplicable reason. "Which is why it is entirely suspicious that you look like you haven't aged at all."
"That question again?" Urameshi said, sounding exasperated. "Aren't you bored of that question?"
"I'll stop asking when you give me a straight, satisfactory answer," Reborn said.
"I did," Urameshi answered. A smirk crossed his face. "Sometime within the next ten years."
Reborn fired again and this time, Urameshi finally did something Reborn expect. He glared. "Stop putting holes in the wall, would you?"
Another shot rang out. "This safe house is mine. I'm sure the future me would understand."
At those words, an amused look crossed Urameshi's face. "Are you sure you know yourself as well as you think?" he asked.
"In the end, he is still me. Of course I do," Reborn replied confidently. Yet he couldn't help the thread of unease that made its way through Reborn's mind at Urameshi's question. After all...
Urameshi smirk widened. If Reborn didn't know better, he would have described it as teasing. "You're wondering why I'm here in your safe house, aren't you?"
Reborn scowled. He was used to being the mind-reader of the group. The only one who knew him well enough to guess Reborn's thought pattern was Timoteo, the Vongola Nono. "You're trying to change the subject," Reborn stated.
A smile crossed Urameshi's face, and the same emotion that Reborn couldn't identify before appeared again. "I'm not going to answer that question, since you're going to find that answer in your own time. So how about I give you some fortune telling instead?"
Reborn could tell Urameshi meant every word he said. He really wasn't going to answer his previous question regarding Urameshi's unchanged appearance, no matter how Reborn threatened. Reborn's time in the future was almost over, and Reborn gained more questions than answers.
Which was exactly one of the reasons why Reborn hated going into the future. Everyone was as cryptic as hell for the sake of not ruining the future and refused to reveal anything, even when Reborn threatened them.
Reborn glanced at Urameshi and held back the urge to question him some more. Instead, he pointed the Leon-gun at Urameshi and said, "Answer."
The smile on Urameshi's face widened. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Reborn swirled around, trying to sense where Urameshi had disappeared to, when he sensed a presence right above him. Urameshi knelt down with speed he had never display in the past and lifted Reborn up.
Reborn made a move to press the trigger, but that was the exact moment when Leon transformed back into a chameleon. Reborn only had a split-second to glance at Leon in shock, before Urameshi leaned in and whispered, "This is why," and pressed a chaste kiss against Reborn's cherubic cheek.
The last thing Reborn saw was Urameshi's smile – a mixture of amusement, fondness and affection, Reborn thought, finally placing the emotion he saw flash across Urameshi's countenance multiple of times – before pink smoke engulfed him.
Xxx
Reborn returned back to the past to shocked looks.
He concentrated on them, instead of what happened in the future.
"Where is the stupid cow?" Reborn demanded darkly. Leon transformed into his gun as Reborn had asked, and Reborn soon had a Leon-gun pointed threateningly at his student. Reborn refused to think about why Leon had undone the transformation in the future, and instead, he focused on the missing Bovino. It was all his fault.
"Hiiee! Reborn, don't shoot!" Tsuna exclaimed, waving his arms around.
Reborn fired a warning shot, his dark mood not alleviating in the least. His dame-student flailed. "Answer me."
"A-a man told Lambo to run," Tsuna answered shakily, clearly frightened. "A-a-and to not go near you for the n-next few days."
Reborn fired again. "Who?" he demanded, even more alert than before. Why did a mysterious stranger tell the stupid cow to run?
"H-he," Tsuna said.
Reborn's patient grew short. "Who?"
"He said he's YOU!" Tsuna shouted very loudly, panting in the end with fear.
In contrast, Reborn had gone entirely still. Tsuna had said 'a man.'
"Shamal, explain," Reborn demanded of the silent doctor.
A smirk was on his face and Reborn would have liked to wipe it off, only that if the future was really as he had inferred, then Reborn didn't think he would able to attack him after he delivered the news.
"It's as your student had said, Reborn," Shamal said, and Reborn didn't need to be completely sound in mind to know the emphasis was on the alias Reborn had decided to use after turning into an Acrobaleno. "I guess congratulation is in order."
Reborn didn't want Shamal's congratulations. He just wanted the freelance assassin to finish answering his question, so Reborn could confirm his theory. Before Reborn could bring bodily harm to Shamal, the man smirked particularly widely and finished his answer.
"Ten years in the future, your curse would have been removed."
Reborn didn't think he would have been able to move even if an assassin came after his head. In Reborn's state, even Lambo would have been able to take Reborn out with a well-aimed grenade.
Even with that knowledge, Reborn didn't move. He couldn't.
After all, it wasn't often that Reborn was told within the next ten years, he would cease being an Acrobaleno.
[1] Okay, why am I comparing Reborn's and Shamal's ability to control insects? Actually, Reborn can control insects?
Yes, apparently he can. According to Reborn wikia (which I use very, very often), "Reborn is world-renowned interpreter in both insect and animal languages as he has various insects for henchmen." Once I saw that, I thought it was an extremely useful ability, since there are insects and animals everywhere. Question is why doesn't Reborn use them more often? From what I've remember, I think Reborn has only been seen once using that ability in canon. Why so little times?
There can be several of reasons, but I got my version of the interpretation by nitpicking at the word choice "interpreter". Meaning he can communicate with the insects and animals, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he can control them. It explains why Reborn rarely uses them (since their nature/instincts would sometimes override any favors Reborn may ask of them and that's leaving too much to chance) and it also explains why Shamal is the notorious assassin whom uses Trident Mosquitoes instead of Reborn.
***About the future: Please remember that they found all this out through a Ten Year Bazooka. Ten Years. There's going to be ten years before any of what I hint at happen and I intend to fill out those ten years gap with as much friendship/family as possible. So nothing is going to change, and there's going to be little to no hints of romance for a long time and even then, remember that this is not romance focused.