Chapter 7
Chapter 13
The first time Bermuda meets the imminent Arcobaleno's known as Small Gia, it's during a tavern brawl that has somehow turned into a deadly dance of death. The platinum-haired Rain is crackling like a psychopath as he darts through the crowds- the glint of steel coming from his knife as he rapidly guts over patrons- and further colors himself crimson with blood.
He should intervene, Bermuda is aware of that, yet he cannot help but watch as those silver eyes alight with fiery fanaticism as the Rain eviscerates another man before spinning on heel to face another while extracting his previous victim's viscera.
Beautiful.
A part of the Vindice Warden wonders if the man is another stay- after all, he has to keep Jager on his toes somehow- yet he never quite gets the chance to ask. The dance is over and the performer has taken his bow before making his way to exit the stage. The Night Arcobaleno follows but by time he turns the corner the Rain has gone missing.
The second time Bermuda meets Small Gia the platinum haired man is The Rain Arcobaleno and with the current eras Lightning Arcobaleno; Big Pino. Regrettably, they do not meet for pleasantries but rather the Vindice are there on business. The Vindice understand anger- especially at Checkerface- but the Law is the Law and they will uphold it till their bodies turn to dust in the wind.
"Rain Arcobaleno Small Gia and Lightning Arcobaleno Big Pino, For breaking Omerta, Killing sixty-eight civilians- "
The Night Arcobaleno half listens to Jager speak while the other half is busy observing the two Arcobaleno- who's fear and rage was saturating the night air surrounding them- in thought. The two are rather impatient, the emerald-eyed Chibi decides as both Arcobaleno share a look before charging forwards in a vain hope to catch The Vindice off guard.
Its the wrong move on their behalf, Jager has been in a horrendous mood as of late- no thanks to Jack- and was ecstatic to have willing volunteers to take his frustrations out upon. A one-sided bloodbath wouldn't even begin to describe the results of Jager's temper.
Bermuda wisely decides to keep the fact The Rain was his Guardian to himself for the time being.
When one thinks of Vendicare they likely think of a literal Hell on Earth: Fiery pits, unspoken horror, sadistic torture, devils disguised as bandaged Gentleman, agonizing unbearable pain and bloodstained walls.
Growing up, Small Gia had heard whispers warning- as Malfoys do not gossip- of the creatures that lurked within the darkness and it had only gotten worse once he joined the Mafia-His parents had stared in open horror when they discovered he was a squib with Flames instead of magic, there eyes darting nervously to and fro as though expecting something to appear and slaughter them all- and learned his childhood boogeymen were quite real.
In a way, Small Gia wasn't disappointed; Vendicare was everything he ever imaged though apparently someone had forgotten to mention it was an asylum as well and they were allowing the craziest patients to run the prison.
"Catch that Basilisk!" A blue-haired Vindice screamed as he chased after a twenty-foot look, newly hatched King of the Serpents, followed moments behind by a furious dark haired Vindice with a lone goldeneye. "Alejandro, I told you not to steal that egg!" A sheepish look crossed the other Vindice's face but he didn't bother slowly down- wither he was actually chasing the basilisk or fleeing the other Vindice was the real question. "Sorry Jager, It was just so adorable I couldn't help myself!"
There was a baby watching him, a rather creepy Vindice Baby, it didn't say a word instead just staring silently from the other side of the bars. For a moment Small Gia allowed himself to wonder how exactly the Vindice had managed to produce said baby before wishing- not for the first time he arrived- for enough magic to Obliterate himself. He really could have done without the mental image of two of the Vindice going at it.
"Has anyone seen my legs?!" A redhead dismembered Vindice guard questioned while dragging himself across the floors by his chain- a set of arm that was likely his own clutched between gritted teeth by their bandages- only to be answered by a pink-haired Vindice, who if not for the golden eye, Small Gia would never have recognized. "Yeah, drag that sorry corpse you call a body over here an I'll shove them up your ass!"
The golden eye Vindice was glowering at him, what he had done to deserve such a thing Small Gia would never know, but it was rather unnerving none the less. "Can I help you with something?" "Stay away from Lord Bermuda." Lord Bermuda? His confusion must have shown- or the other was aware of some private joke known only to the two- for the redhead Vindice behind the golden eye one started laughing.
The platinum-haired Arcobaleno could only watch as his sanity slowly slipped further from his grasp with every passing day. Silver eyes slowly moved onto his cellmate and fellow Arcobaleno, "We need to get out of here. Now."
If they stayed much longer, both Arcobaleno were certain they would lose what remained of their already fragile sanity.
Later, the two would eternally regret ever setting a foot outside of the safety of their cell- ignoring the whispers and begging of the others- as they finally understood why the older prisoners insisted the cells weren't there to keep them in but rather keep the Guards- and their shenanigans- out.
His Lord was purposely picking out the craziest person he could find of every era and welcoming them into his sky, of that Jager was certain.
The first menace might have been a coincidence- an unlucky one at that- The second might have been a twist of Fate, but three times? Surely even His Lord's luck couldn't be that bad...then again it was His Lord but Jager refused to believe it was all a fickle of fate.
Oh no, Bermuda was somehow behind this as well; the younger was likely doing it to get under his skin and if Jager was honest, it was working. Taking a breath, the golden-eyed Vindice forced his annoyance down. What did he care if His Lord fount another stray?
The Stray was a prisoner and therefore would stay within their underwater level- due to the recent escape attempt that had set off a multitude of semi-threatening pranks- and be well out of Jager's sight. Out of sight, Out of mind. As long as the Stray stayed down there, Jager would do utmost best to pretend this new nuisance didn't exist.
Of course, he was still going to have to have a firm talk with his Lord about his choices of Elements; they needed someone else with a bit of sanity in their Sky after all.
Within the confinements of his office, Bermuda shudders softly as an icy shiver of 'He's going to kill me' dread races down his spine followed by the fierce urge to hide away for all eternity.
For the first time in millenniums, a humanoid creature known as Checkerface fount himself stuck within an impasse.
It was almost time for the current eras Arcobaleno's reign to end yet he could not collect the flames nor pacifiers unless all where there; unfortunately the Rain and the Lightning were currently imprisoned within the lowest level of Vendicare.
Vendicare -What the hell had those idiots done to get themselves locked within that hellhole?- the source of countless of migraines for The 'Last True Earthling' and the current obstacle prolonging the invertible. Originally the humanoid known as Checkerface had been confident that he could sneak into the Hell on Earth, grab the two Arcobaleno and get out within being noticed in the slightest only...
Well, reality had a rather cruel way of beating down one's expectations.
Acromantula, Basilisk, so-called pranks that almost removed his head, Mothering Dragons who had not been pleased when he appeared in the midst of their nest, a furious- and terrifying though he would never voice it- Night Arcobaleno that had almost removed both his heads while making Checkerface wish he was back with the angry dragons. Bermuda von Veckenschtein, it would seem, held quite a grudge.
Checkerface had only just escaped that confrontation with his life by their skin of his teeth.
And no, no matter what anyone said he was not afraid of one of his victims-he had almost killed the other once before, he had no reason to fear a lower lifeform- he just decided he didn't want that pacifier back. It's not like he needed it anymore anyways. Yet none of that mattered, he had to figure out how to retrieve the Rain and Lightning from the darkened halls without setting a foot within them.
Maybe he could- be merciful and allow the other Arcobaleno to hold onto the pacifiers a bit longer- wait until the end of their sentences?
The Vindice could not hold them forever, right?
...Who was he kidding? They would merrily hold the two Arcobaleno for all eternity if only to spite him. No, he could not retrieve them- It wasn't because of he afraid of the emerald-eyed baby waiting to tear him limb from bloody limb. He was just too busy that's all- so maybe someone else could if supplied them with the right assistance.
He had collected plenty of Flame artifacts over the millenniums- surely he could spare five for a short amount of time- and it wasn't as if the current Arcobaleno had much to do anyway.
In the end, Checkerface ended up having to rescue all seven Arcobaleno as the Vindice didn't take too kindly another suicidal idiot who shall not be named -coughAlejandrocough- breaking into Vendicare; the Arcobaleno couldn't help but notice how the blue-haired Vindice glared at the other three or how Checkerface kept them firmly between himself and a rather creepy Vindice Baby.
They never quite get a chance to question it before the world seemed to shift before their eyes from the halls of Vendicare and to an open field. Checkerface doesn't bother drawing the retrieval of the pacifiers out- he knows the Vindice are already upon his trail like starving wolves upon a carcass- and strikes the moment they solidify upon the ground.
When Bermuda and Jager finally return it is in a sour mood- Checkerface having slipped through their fingers once more- and two new Vindice held by the elder's chains. After all, Small Gia had once claimed he and Big Pino were a package deal and Bermuda refuses to hurt his Element by permitting death to take the Ex-Rain's companion.
"Jack, Alejandro. Go back to the clearing and grab the other five. We're going to have a lot of work to do if we want them all bandaged before they wake again."
Bermuda is aware of the looks of disbelief as the redhead and Blue haired Vindice grant him as they realize exactly what he is applying- what he has done- but he ignores it. He had offered them an opportunity to continue on living- Jager was always at his throat about finding saner company and it would be nice to have more aid on tending to the lower levels of Vendicare- and they had accepted. The Night Arcobaleno is not sure why the two are surprised; Jager had just shaken his head when the loyal man had discovered what the emerald eye Chibi was determined to do.
After all, he is a Sky- even if it is a Night Sky, therefore, Guardian or not- he'll welcome and accept them all.
He's tempted to murder them all.
A heavy sigh leaves Jager as he enters His Lord's office unannounced.
"Celina is going to need her arm reattached." Celina, the last generations Mist Arcobaleno. A rather quiet and dedicated brunette who bravely- or rather stupidly, in the golden-eyed man's opinion- attempted to help Jack with his Paperwork, only for the monstrosity to bite her arm off at the shoulder; literally. Jager had stumbled across the two locked in combat with the creature, taken one look, then walked away.
The soft scratching of a quill on parchment ceased as a soft sigh left his Lord, "She tried helping Jack with the paperwork again, didn't she?"
One would think after the tenth time she would have learned how hopeless it truly was.
"I'm afraid so, Lord Bermuda." Jager allowed a brief moment of silence before continuing onwards, determined to plow through his report as quickly as possible.
"Vincentius managed to accidental lose his lower half in a wormhole. Thankfully Alejandro discovered where Vincentius' other half went before his pet spider could devour it. " Vincentius- a man with hair as dark as the starless sky yet clear white eyes- was the last generations Storm. He was rather determined man and capable of one hell of a shot- as long it was from a handgun. For some reason he seemed incapable of using any other weapon- yet had a sanity rate as low as Jack's own. He had lost his lower half while attempting to see if he had enough Night Flames to make it to the surface of the moon.
"Small Gia and Big Pino decided to open therapy sessions for the prisoners," It was going as well as one would suspect when a Torture Expert and a Mad Inventor team up for anything, "I've caught them dragging Prisoners into 'mandatory' sessions."
Maybe they should look into therapy as a new form of torture seeing as so many of their prisoners seem to be utterly terrified of it.
The golden eyed Vindice could all but see the misery waffling off His Lord and he wasn't even a third of the way done with his report.
"A brawl has broken out in the kitchen over who gets to eat the last piece of your birthday cake-"
"WHAT?!"
Jager could feel his bones creaking dangerously under the pressure of His Lord's Night Flames as the quill snapped within that toddler-sized hand.
Huh, it would seem he wouldn't get a chance to kill them after all. It was nice to see Lord Bermuda still appreciated his cooking though.
A moment later, Jager found himself standing alone in His Lords office; the echoes of screams that followed would have fueled his Patronus for years had the golden-eyed man known the spell. A new rule was added to the Vendicare Rules and Regulations that night:
Never touch Lord Bermuda's cake least one wishes to suffer a fate worse than death.
Talbot has left Vongola.
To be honest, Bermuda's not surprised in the least, though he wonders what took the weathered Weapon Turner/Inventor to do so.
Everyone who had been alive during The Cheeky Brats Reign- not that there were many besides the Vindice and Talbot himself- could see had far the Famiglia had fallen from their original purpose which had drawn the other in. What does surprise Bermuda though, is finding the craftsman outside the Gate of Vendicare requesting sanctuary from them.
Originally, The Vindice Warden had gone out into the snow to rebuff the elder man's request- they were a neutral party after all- but fount his words dying on his lips at the sight of Talbot's dark blue eyes; or rather what should have been them but instead of dark hollow pits in the man's skull- there's still fresh blood running down the other's face now that Bermuda was close enough to see it. Taking a breath, Bermuda speaks words he knows Jager will tear into him for later.
"We accept your request, Talbot. Come in before I change my mind. "
Jager's not at that pleased but he doesn't say anything as Bermuda orders him to guide Talbot to the Medical Wing.
Talbot is with them for all of a month before Vongola is overstepping their boundaries, their status as 'Most Powerful Mafia Family' inflating their egos past the point of sheer ignorance. Bermuda finds himself highly unimpressed as he stares upon the threatening letter- for that was no request no matter what the Famiglia insisted- all but demanding they return Talbot into their care. He's more inclined to kiss Checkerface then actually comply with their demands.
"Jager, I think its time we send Vongola a message."
While Vongola may be the strongest Mafia Famiglia, but they are Vindice. Their word is Law, they are the nightmares that lurk within the shadows, the horrors untold. They are demons and devils alike. Vongola wasn't even in their league and it was time the Famiglia was reminded what happened when one overstepped their boundaries and into The Vindice's Domain.
The Night Arcobaleno could feel the shift in the air as bloodlust filled the room's atmosphere.
Yes, they are The Vindice and they do not tolerate threats.
Later, the Mafia would recall just why they feared the Vindice when one of their Greatest Famiglia: The Vongola is all but reduced to rubble and ash in a matter of minutes.
Though it tarnishes their Pride; the Vongola their lives are worth more than their pride and cancels all Hits and Retrieval Mission concerning Talbot. Talbot stays in Vendicare for another six months just to be safe before finally leaving Vendicare; at this point in time, the craftsman is certain the prison is actually a bedlam but keeps such thoughts to himself. He owed them that much- and oh so much more- for all that they have done for him.
Sometimes Bermuda feels like a collector of rare, exotic antiques that had been broken and diminished by reckless one could call Ex-Arcobaleno 'rare, exotic antiques' that is. Though if that was the case, Checkerface is a horrid collector. The humanoid toys with the 'antiques' until he breaks them- leaving those he used and betrayed within the filth to die- only for Bermuda to pick up the pieces and place them back together.
He's not the best collector, Bermuda would acknowledge that.
Antiques were supposed to be shelved within the confinements of glass and steel- to ensure their safety- only to be allowed out when dusted or being shown off to friends and family- yet the emerald-eyed Chibi does the exact opposite. He bandages his Collection to keep it hidden from the sights of other before allowing them to wander into the unspeakable dangers of the world. He encourages their anger, their violence and their special brand of chaos that constantly ensures his life is interesting.
The Night Arcobaleno watches as his collection tears themselves apart- and sometimes he tears them apart himself- for slightest of offenses yet never intervenes.
Yes, Bermuda considers himself a collector- he knows he's not the best owner- but he doesn't want to be an owner. He doesn't want to be Lorded above them, not when he can walk beside them and be apart of the chaos that inaugurated this abnormal family.
Though none could see it, the Vindice Warden allows a soft smile to twist onto his lips as strong arms extract him from where he had been residing upon his throne, only to deposit him onto his favorite perch- coughJagercough- as the air is saturated with the usage of numerous Night Flames and unspoken excitement.
Chapter 14
Nothing is quite as terrifying as a woman scorned.
"Jager," Bermuda cannot help but fidget slightly as he speaks into the phone- it had been so long since he had last seen one he had completely forgotten how to use it, "I think I've been kidnapped."
"WHAT?"
Too loud, too loud! Cringing, the Night Arcobaleno holds the device away from his ear as a sharp ringing pierces his head.
Obvious to what is going on within her living room, a young woman 'Please call me Nana' is smiling as bright as the sun itself as she prepares a feast for her newfound child, while daydreaming of the life that lied before them. Never did it once cross the brunette woman's mind that she couldn't keep the toddler she had encountered outside the local café.
"What Famiglia dares?!"The golden eyed Vindice is all but snarling, "Tell us and we'll retrieve you now, Lord Bermuda."
"About that Jager, you see-"
Within the halls of Vendicare, Jager cannot help but stare in open disbelief at the device called a phone wondering whether or not he had heard correctly.
Bermuda von Veckenschtein: the Founder and Warden of The Vindice and Vendicare, The Night Arcobaleno, the shadow that the Mafia feared, The strongest person Jager knew had been kidnapped by a civilian woman- who was barely old enough to be considered that- with no training what-so-ever. A heavy resigned sigh left the golden-eyed man as he voiced the only reason he could think for such an impossibility to have to happen.
"She offered you cake, didn't she?"
"..."
"Kekeke!"
"...Jager, please slap Jack for me..."
"It will be my pleasure, Lord Bermuda."
Smack! Crash! Though he couldn't see it, Bermuda was certain Jager had just knocked the redhead through another wall that he would no doubt go to have to replace later.
If anyone had ever told Jager that Lord Bermuda would one day be held hostage by a well-meaning civilian woman he would have thought them insane. Yet here he was, staring down at the various pieces that had once been a certain Redhead menace and no Lord Bermuda in sight.
"Are we certain that woman is a civilian?" There was concern in Alejandro's tone as the blue-haired man picked up the severed head that continued to divulge profanities at the world in general.
"Unfortunately." Jager, himself, had tripled check just to be sure. Though it was a terrifying thought the young- and rather dangerously obvious- woman was just another civilian who didn't even have an arrest record and likely would have been just another face on the Vindice's radar had she not managed to accomplish what many considered impossible by kidnapping their Lord before proceeding to tear Jack into iota sized pieces with a dull kitchen knife.
If the Mafia heard of this their reputation would be no more than dust in the wind.
Maybe they could recruit the woman?
If this 'Nana' worked for them so word would never be capable of spreading and Lord Bermuda could have another qualified caretaker to help Jager- as it was rather painfully obvious the brunette wouldn't hand over Their Lord without a rather violent skirmish- take care of the emerald-eyed Chibi.
Taking a breath, the golden-eyed Vindice began the track towards his office- leaving Alejandro to properly organize the complicated puzzle that was currently Jack- while wondering on exactly he was going to word this Treaty in a way that wouldn't have him going the redhead menace.
Somewhere in Namimori, a young brunette woman couldn't help but smile as she watched her child manage to eat his chocolate cake without dirtying the bandages that hid the young one's face. Such a tidy child. Now if only she could convince the Little One to call her 'Mama'.
Bermuda, though aware, chose to ignore the woman's star-eyed stare in favor of savoring his cake, he had a feeling he wouldn't be seeing any for some time to come once Jager finally managed to collect him.
He was not jealous. Nope, not him.
Bermuda could feel the scowl forming beneath his bandages as he watched Jager interact with Nana, his silky words having the woman all but swooning other the bandaged man. The Night Arcobaleno could see the allure within the woman's eyes as she flushed darkly, soft giggles leaving her plump lips in response to something Jager had spoken.
Taking a breath, the emerald-eyed Chibi glared at his slice of cake, finding the usual delicacy tasting rather sour for a change.
He wasn't sure why, but Bermuda didn't like how well Jager and Nana were getting along. It made something in his chest twist with a harsh bitterness and a strange desire to throw the rather naïve woman into the darkest pit he could find. He couldn't understand why though. Bermuda had seen Jager flirt with plenty of people in his lifetime- the golden-eyed man had been a rather well known Casanova before Checkerface's deception and betrayal- and not once had it ever bothered the younger. Yet now...
He loathed every time the brunette would 'accidentally' brush her hand against Jager's while serving tea, how her beauteous face would flush when the dark hair Vindice managed to slip in a rather smooth comment followed by a delicate smile that would lighten up the whole room. Nana was a beautiful woman- Bermuda would acknowledge that- in both looks and personality, she had a sense of air around here that naturally attracted others around here alongside a kind heart that openly accepted anyone and everyone. If she had Flames, Bermuda was willing to bet she would be a Sunny Sky.
Bermuda felt threatened.
It was ridiculous, the Night Arcobaleno knew Jager was loyal to him and him alone yet he could not help the traitorous whispers in the darkest corners of his mind. After all, who would choose a cursed baby with questionable sanity and a heart full of vengeance over a bright, cheerful young woman who was obviously interested- with a heart full of love and kindness?
Just the thought alone had the Vindice Warden's small hands clenching tightly into fists; his nails managing to pierce through his bandages and deep enough into his palms to draw blood.
Honestly, no sane person would choose him over a woman like that.
Bermuda could feel the Night Flames flickering beneath his skin as he takes a deep breath, hoping to calm his nerves before he explodes. The Vindice Warden doesn't hear the faint rustle of cloth behind him- far too focused on keeping his Flames inside- but he does take notice when a pair of arms lift him from his spot at the table and hold him against a firm chest.
"Lord Bermuda, breathe."
From her place in the Living Room, Nana cannot help but smile as she watches Jager-kun slowly calm the little one with soft whispers and a gentle yet firm grip. There's no doubt in her mind that the bandaged man would be a great father once granted the opportunity. In her mind she could already imagine the three of them forming her ideal family; though they would eventually have to grants Bermuda-kun a sibling or two so the Little One wouldn't get too lonely.
If Jager's honest, he enjoys the raw look of jealousy within His Lord's body language.
Originally, the golden-eyed man had allowed his flirtatious side to the surface in hopes of charming the woman enough he wouldn't have to suffer Jack's fate- he rather liked being in one solid piece after all- at least until he noticed the covetousness in His Lord's posture. From there, his purpose had shifted from survival into stirring up Bermuda- who thoroughly deserved it for the number of headaches he had caused by staying around this woman instead of warping home- just to witness more of that green-eyed monster lurking beneath the younger's skin.
If nothing else the younger had patients, having sat just in hearing distance for a good hour before Jager had finally caught sight of clenched fists and a brief surge of Night Flames. He had acted instantly- he knew better than to allow those flames to fester unless he desired Namimori to become nothing more than a pile of burning rubble- swiftly crossing the room and gathering the Night Arcobaleno within the safety of his arms.
"Lord Bermuda, Breathe. "
The golden eyed Vindice has just calmed- the truth has come out causing Night Flames to stop pulsing with the desire to eradicate everything in their path- His Lord when a shiver of dread rushes down his spine. For the strangest of reasons, Jager has the sudden urge to gather His Lord and run as though his undead life depended upon it. It's only when he turns his head slightly to see where they feeling originated from and meets a set of chocolate brown eyes- looking at him with a distant yet rather familiar gleam to them- that the elder man realizes maybe it actually does.
By time Nana snaps out of her daydream, both Bermuda and Jager are gone.
She takes a look outside, at the sun setting on the horizon, before putting it off to the obvious Father-Son duo not wanting to burden her and heading home for the night. A soft giggle leaves her at the thought, Silly men, she would have happily put up with them for the Night. After all, they had to get to know each other properly before the wedding. Within the darkened halls of Vendicare, Jager cannot help the shiver that rushes down his spine as he tightens his grip on His Lord, who was no doubt already plotting revenge.
Maybe if he didn't take the other's cake away they could call it even?
Years later, Sawada Tsunayoshi would find himself baffled as to why The Vindice's Strongest Warrior would go through unimaginable pains to avoid his Civilian Mother like a plague. When he finally learns the truth, the brunette would be incapable of hiding the pure horror in his eyes upon learning that Jager could have been his Father and Bermuda his Brother had his Mother's original plans ever left the metaphoric drawing board. Nana, obvious to the utter horror of both her son and husband, places a hand on her cheek as her face flushed and her eyes gain a distant gleam.