Chapter 15
Chapter 29
"Bermuda?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"Why is Jager crackling like a Mad Man?"
"Because he's a Mad Man."
He's surrounded by idiots.
Of that Hibari, Kyōya is certain as he listens to the Omnivore dubbed Sawada Tsunayoshi and his pack plot to rescue Harry Potter from the darkened halls of Vendicare and the clutches of Bermuda von Veckenschtein. Again.
They couldn't possibly be that dumb, right?
It was rather obvious to the dark haired teen who they were looking for -and last he checked the other really didn't need to be rescued from himself- seeing as it was common sense. After all, he may not have seen the other's true form long but from he did see; Bermuda von Veckenschtein was identical to the description of Harry Potter -Though maybe not so weak, soft-hearted or a pushover. Let alone a Golden Boy- in looks if not personality.
Yet everyone changed with time and if his theory is correct; The Night Flame user had plenty of time to adjust himself into what he had become for the sake of his pack.
Still, it's frustrating having to listen to their countless plot- knowing no matter what they'll fail and he'll once more end up spending months away from his beloved Namimori due to their own stupidity or plan refusal to even consider the truth- that is doomed to failure. Sometimes the Cloud finds himself tempted to scream the truth at them while beating the idiots upside the head with his tonfas, yet he holds his silence.
It wasn't his fault they obviously lacked two brain cells to rub together to come up with the obvious nor that they never bothered to ask for his opinion. If anything this is a prime example of why they need True Carnivores like himself -seeing as even the infant, yet not a true infant, carnivore was rather obvious in his own ways seeing as he couldn't even tell his real pack from his cub's pack- to protect them from the other predators lurking both in and out of sight.
"-and then -"
He's tempted to sigh, yet Kyoya resists the urge as he stands and silently makes his way out the door- though several glances his way, none try to stop him- He's already been away from Namimori too long. Who knows what type of scum was trying to steal his territory as they further delude themselves.
The-Boy-Who-Lived-In-Vendicare!
By: Rita Skeeter
That's right folks, you read it correctly: Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, was recently discovered residing within the darkened halls of Vendicare!
Boy-Who-Lives-to-Defy-Death! Credits Marshmallows.
By: Reba Johnson
You read it correctly Wizards and Witches; when asked how young Harry Potter- having been assumed dead since his accident with the Veil of Death- survived not only the falls but the Vindice; the Savior credited Marshmallows of all things.
The Vindices' Mortal Weakness: Marshmallows?
By: Johnathan Ryder
After spending years within the clutches of the Vindice's 'care' Harry Potter shares his secrets to keeping alive and sane within a "Hell on Earth".
"I'm going to kill him."
A soft chuckle was the only answer to the golden-eyed man's statement as the teenager nestled into the elder's side glanced up at his fuming companion- Bermuda could feel the elder's Night Flames raging beneath the caramelized skin; just waiting for a reason to reach out and annihilate everything around them- as a hand reached upwards softly brushing against the other's cheek instantly drawing the other's attention to the younger of the two.
The Vindice Warden didn't bother to say a word- words were never needed; just a waste of breathing when it came to Jager- as his own Flames reached out to smooth and pacify the other's while his hand continued to caress the elder's cheek with a rather unnatural single-minded focus. Okay, maybe he had a slight issue when it same to Jager being whole and well- or as well as they could get- and being capable of feeling smooth skin under his fingertips without having to worry about accidentally knocking the other's jaw off.
It wasn't hurting anyone or anything though and he could stop anytime he wanted to... Bermuda just didn't want to. Not when that nagging voice was always whispering in the back of his mind- constantly pointing out this could be nothing more than another dream- even after these last few years.
The younger was disturbed from his thoughts by a strong hand pushing slightly against the small of his back -had Jager always been that close? He thought there had been more room between them- as another wrapped securely around his waist.
"I believe I know a way to keep us both preoccupied," The elder's tone was like silk- sending a slight shiver down the younger's spine with its unspoken promises- as a familiar smirk twisted onto his lips, "Something we can both enjoy."
"Oh? That sounds...interesting."
Deep chuckles seemed to vibrate through the golden-eyed man as he leaned in closer-eyes focused upon the slightly parted lips that would be his prize- to the point he could feel His Lord's breath upon his own lips before-
Sheeeiiiirrkkk.
The sound of an alarm pierced the air- all but deafening him- swiftly followed by flashing red lights which could only mean one thing: Another Prisoner was attempting to escape.
God Damn It.
A soft curse lips through His Lord's lips as annoyance flashed through inhuman emeralds, "They're doing it on purpose." Yet even as he spoke those words the younger's grip on his shirt- when had His Lord even grabbed him?- loosened as the younger slipped off his lap, stretching as he took a step back to grant the golden-eyed man his own space.
Though the golden-eyed man didn't say a word- eyes too focused on the pale skin visible before him- Jager swore if that was the case; he would kill the bastard behind it. They would have a special spot on his Personal Hit List right before Byakuran of the Millefiore Famiglia.
"Jager."
"Yes, Lord Bermuda."
"How did we get dragged into this madness again?"
A heavy sigh left the older as golden eyes followed the chaos playing out before the two Vindices, "Honestly, Lord Bermuda; I don't have a clue." Though he couldn't see it, the elder could feel the infant-sized Chibi- residing upon his shoulder- slump slightly in on himself.
"I was afraid of that."
Honestly, Bermuda thought he was long done with battle to decide the Fate of the Earth when Giotto died though he could now see that was a foolish hope- Apparently all the psychos were just waiting for Giotto 2.0 to come of age before finally deciding to crawl out of the woodwork once more- as he watched the Earth itself open beneath The Ex-Arcobaleno's feet causing the darkness beneath to swallow them whole.
"I don't suppose we could just pretend we didn't see that and leave them?"
Oh, how Bermuda wished to do just that yet he knew they couldn't, they were duty and honor bound to at least attempt to arrest the culprit for daring to break Their Laws, "Unfortunately not. Whoever is behind this has not only involved civilians but they have also broken Omerta with this blunt display of Flames for the world to see." It was going to be a nightmare cleaning up the aftermath of this disaster.
"I was afraid of that."
Yet even as he spoke, The Vindice's Strongest Warrior found himself moving closer to the edge -and the dark abyss below that had swallowed both the Ex-Arcobaleno and Vongola- before jumping into its waiting embrace without so much as a second thought. Neither of the two could feel the harsh icy wind- as it collided against their bandages- slowly warm the further they fell.
One minute turned to two. Then two into three, yet they continued to free fall deeper and deeper into the abyss that surrounded them.
"Luna started trapping prisoners into video games. I had to remove her from the Guard Shift since the prisoners were beginning to enjoy her sessions."
"Jack accidentally created an army of living Furbies down in Mexico. Last I heard they had started to colonize an old abandoned city near the gulf."
Ten turned into eleven and eleven into twelve.
"Two of Alejandro's Gingerbread Dolls have eloped and asked me to marry them. I'm unsure if I qualify as a Priest and last I checked I'm not actually supposed to have a shotgun while wedding them though."
"I caught Small Gia and Big Pino watching a recording of the London Branch Malfoys reactions to the fact even the Weasleys have more money than them. You should see it sometime."
"Shadowheart sent me a 'Thank You' letter. Apparently since his 'discussion' with Riddle; he's been making a fortune off of those sent to 'make an example of him'. I'm thinking about ordering a raise for his entertainment value alone."
Twenty came and went yet they continued to fall without showing a sign of ever stopping.
"What I don't understand is why we just don't warp to the bottom-"
"Jager, the sooner we get there the sooner we have to deal with Vongola. I'm not sure about you but I'm rather enjoying the constant freefall over that headache."
"...On Second thought, I don't suppose you know a way to slow us down further?"
"Byakuran-kun started a cult worshiping marshmallows."
"Marshmallows?"
"It has a rather large fan base."
Though Bermuda couldn't see it, he can all hear the bafflement in Jager's words; "If that's the best the Magical Community has to offer, How are they not extinct by now?"
Bermuda could only shake his head, "They like using infants as living shields when danger approaches."
Exactly thirty minutes after they first jumped into the abyss, there was a soft thud as Jager's shoes gently touched down onto the green grass below. Golden eyes glance at the grass below- taking in the slight imprint and bent strands- before disappearing into a flash of Night Flames.
When the two finally stumbled across Vongola Decimo and His Guardians, Bermuda is half tempted to warp back to Vendicare. After all, nothing- not even their Duty and Honor- was worth dealing with both Vongola's Decimo and Primo; the later of which had somehow acquired his own physical body outside of the ring completely separate from the former's.
He was never going to live this down.
Of that Bermuda was certain as he woke within a rather dingy looking cell with a massive headache and no Jager in sight despite the last thing the Vindice Warden could recall was sitting upon the elder's shoulder.
"So they got you too."
The familiar voice cuts through the silent throbbing of his mind causing Inhuman eyes behind the shield of bandages as they glance towards 'The World's Greatest Hitman' as the other pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on. Of all the Ex-Arcobaleno to end up with...
"Unfortunately," though the Vindice Warden doesn't want to acknowledge it there's no point in deluding himself from the obvious:
He- like the rest of the Ex-Arcobaleno- had official been kidnapped.
"I'm surprised they managed to reach you," the Hitman wasn't the only one, "Usually that Guard Dog of yours never lets anyone close enough to so much as breathe the same air."
Though Reborn couldn't see it, a scowl twisted onto Bermuda's lips as the toddler sized Vindice floated off the ground- Jager was not a dog, Thank you very much, the golden-eyed man was just extremely loyal and maybe a bit overprotective- choosing instead to focus upon the cell around them. Honestly, it wasn't all that impressive in the Warden's opinion. It held a medieval design to it- stone floors and wall with shackles, chains, even a torture rack in the corner yet no door or windows. Most likely it was concealed from the inside.- with a few modifications in ancient runes, wards, and suppressants which were probably meant to keep them trapped inside.
He had seen better-
Bermuda allows his Flames to flicker to life- ignoring the rapidly glowing patterns that begin to appear on the walls, floors, and ceiling- as he summons his chains. His small hand tightens on a piece of chain as he faces the closest wall followed by the sound of the air being cut in half as a corner of his chain darts forward.
"It's not going to work, I already trie-"
BOOM!
-and if they wanted to actually hold him, they were going to need better.
Slowly Bermuda turned his head from the crumbling rubble- that had once been a wall- in favor of glancing towards Reborn, whose jaw was almost touching the floor- God, what he wouldn't give for a camera- before seeming to realize he was being watched and quickly snapped his mouth shut.
"I'm sorry. Did you say something, Reborn-kun?"
The first thing Jager notices upon waking is the lack of weight upon his shoulder; more specifically the shoulder his Lord always resides upon.
He is alone.
He does not have to look to know His Lord is gone- Missing, Taken, Kidnapped. Stolen out from beneath his very nose- as his Flames scream for blood the golden-eyed man finds himself all too eager to spill. His Lord- His Life, His Reason, His Purpose, His Bermuda, His Everything- is no longer at his side and someone will pay dearly for it.
Even if he had to dye the whole world red to ensure it.
Elsewhere, Bermuda cannot stop from visibly shivering as a sense of 'Someone's pissed off Jager. Run for your lives' dread fills the Ex-Night Arcobaleno.
"Is something wrong?"
"Jager just woke up."
Spinning on heel, Bermuda swiftly began heading in the opposite direction the two had previously been set upon causing Reborn to tilt his head slightly as he watched the other, "You're heading the wrong way."
"No, I'm taking the Scenic Route. "
"Oh? Why?"
"I'd rather not get caught in the crossfire."
"Crossfire?"
The Ex-Night Arcobaleno didn't bother answering the Hitman as he continued floating away- If Reborn wanted to prove the suicidal tendencies that were on him. Bermuda would take no part in it by foolishly placing himself between Jager and a soon to be corpse- ignoring the other's calls and curious looks directed at his back.
If he's honest, Reborn couldn't quite explain why he followed the Vindice Warden instead of continuing onwards with his original plan by himself like he usually would have done.
Maybe it had been curiosity?
Maybe it had been his instincts screaming at him to get as far away from the previous direction he had been traveling in as possible?
Or maybe it had even been his Flames? Soft whispers telling him not to allow the other to leave. To stay close. To just reach out and grab the Vindice before the other could leave him behind. Whatever the reason, Reborn couldn't quite help himself as he found his feet moving- following the black cloak that fluttered behind Bermuda's small form as the other floated further away- before his mind could make its final decision.
It was a tactical decision, the hitman told himself as he attempted to question the other, He could keep a better eye on the Humanoid Monster if he was actually with the other instead of on the other side of the forest. He could build a better profile on the Ex-Night Arcobaleno this way. He would ensure the bandaged toddler didn't harm any from Vongola; or its allies, should they cross paths with them. No matter what His Sun Flames claimed or demanded it was all Tactical- nothing more, nothing less- Otherwise he would never permit himself to be within a hundred feet of Bermuda von Veckenschtein.
Later Reborn would find himself thankful he deiced to follow the Vindice Warden as he stared at a crimson dyed corpse filled yard with a burning inferno background that had been the Famiglia's underground Headquarters. No matter what anyone else would claim, Reborn would swear on his Life, He did NOT flinch the moment a blood-soaked Jager all but materialized next to Bermuda- with Hellfire still clear in his eyes as strong arms swept the smaller into a firm hold as the elder of the two muttered softly to the Vindice Warden- with the Famiglia Don looking as though he was dead within the golden-eyed Vindice's chains.
Bermuda, on the other hand, didn't seem to even notice- let alone care about- the blood smearing onto his own bandages and clothes as he reached out a small hand; gently placing it against Jager's cheek in a soothing gesture.
Chapter 30
Mutant Marshmallows Attempt to Eat Hogwarts Students!
Prank Gone Wrong or Assassination Plot?
By: Rita Skeeter
"Jack."
"Yes, Bermuda?"
"Why did you send Byakuran-kun a pack of homemade marshmallows?"
"This is why we don't leave Jack in charge. "
Bermuda could feel his headache building as he stared down from his throne and towards his sheepish Redhead Guardian- who looked as though he was just waiting for the floor to swallow him home- while half listening to Jager's ranting. Not that Bermuda could blame the golden-eyed man, coming home to a mass of drunken prisoners sprawled across the hallway- as though they were attending a teenager's wild party and not in prison for unspeakable crimes- wasn't the Vindice Warden's idea of a 'fun time' either.
"Jack," The Ex-Night Arcobaleno finally spoke up; cutting off Jager mid-rant while drawing the attention back to himself, "First of all; you have half an hour to clean up this mess and return all the prisoners back to their cells. Afterward, I expect you to locate Jager; so he may get a full detail report on how this happened and where exactly the rest of the Vindice have disappeared to. Then you are to report directly to me, so I may decide your punishment."
Bermuda had half a mind to get the other fitted for a prisoner uniform so he could throw the rouge back into his personal cell but on the other hand... Jager did claim he needed some aid in less than savory chores that had been building up over the years... Maybe he would mix the two together?
Prisoner Jack on Community Service had a nice ring to it.
Though wither or not the other Vindice would be joining the redhead would solely depend on where they were hiding out and what they were doing that was so important they couldn't check in on Jack at least every half hour. Though if Bermuda discovered they had so much as an indirect hand in this...
"Yes, Bermuda. I shall see to it right away. "
Inhuman eyes watched the rouge all but flee the room before drifting back towards a rather frustrated looking Jager- who kept clenching and unclenching his fist as though resisting the urge to strangle someone- as the elder paced a small corner of the room while mumbling darkly to himself about rather creative ways he wanted to torture -if not outright kill- the redhead 'menace'.
Somethings, it would appear, never changed.
"Jager."
"Yes My Lord?"
"How do you feel about accompanying me out for dinner tonight?"
"Absolutely.. Not."
Shadowheart deadpanned as he stared across his platform towards the 'respected' Wizard before him with a clear 'Try me and I will end you' gleam to his sharp eyes, "The Potter Vaults are Sealed. None, except Lord Potter, may have excess to them nor may funds be transferred from them into any other account unless a potionless, spelless Lord Potter, himself, is here to oversee any and all transactions."
Twinkling blue eyes narrowed slightly- which most likely have gone unnoticed had the Warlock been facing any being other than a highly trained goblin- as the man's joyful tone pierced the unsteady silence, "Surely that's not necessary. Harry Potter is a very busy boy; far too busy to make such a trip. Which is why I have a permission form sign by young Harry himself for the completion of previously said transactions."
For some reason, Shadowheart highly doubted that yet he still held out a clawed hand for the slip of paper.
Its a rather official looking document -well worded so there were plenty of loopholes for those receiving the money to grant themselves more should they play their cards right- yet there is one thing that sticks out the most: The signature.
Harry James Potter
By all rights, its the Boy Hero's signature... From when he was in his fourth year, that is. The shaky signature before him was nothing like the one Bermuda von Veckenschtein nor Byakauran Gesso was known to sign with.
For a moment, Shadowheart just stares at the forgery- riippp- before swiftly shedding it into pieces. "Unacceptable. Harry Potter will show up in person within the next two hours or these transactions will not be accepted; let alone completed."
"Harry doesn't have the time for such tri-"
"Listen here, Albus Dumbledore; If Harry Potter does not find himself standing before me within the next two hours I will take it as a sign you fully intended to steal from my charge. Should that happen I will personal close all your accounts for a full head on audit; so I suggest Lord Potter makes the time. Next!"
For a while, everything seemed to smooth down for a bit - Oh, don't get Bermuda wrong; Vongola was still a nightmare that caused far too much paperwork in his opinion- but at least they were no longer sinking islands every other day which in turn allowed The Ex-Night Arcobaleno to catch up on his paperwork.
"Lord Bermuda?"
"Yes Jager," He does not bother to glance up from his paperwork as his quill moves over parchment with a well-practiced ease. They really needed to see about investing in computers or something.
"Why do you insist upon wearing that pacifier?"
There's something bitter in the other's tone that causes the Vindice Warden's quill to still as inhuman emeralds glance towards the older from behind the safety of bandages before slowly drifting down the to weight around his neck; his pacifier.
"Because,"the word slips pass his lips as he stares almost hypnotically at the swirling dark flames that consume the artifact, "I don't know what will happen if I take it off."
It's nothing but the truth.
For so long that pacifier- and the flames trapped within- had supported his very life to the point Bermuda fount himself nervous to even consider taking it off. What if he took it off and lost his Night Flames? What if he took it off and died? If that was the case; the other Vindice would swiftly follow him into their graves; so he does not dare to risk it. He does not dare to risk them.
"You do not know the worse shall happen." Jager, like always, could read him like an open book; knowing instantly what plagued his mind.
"I do not know it shall not."
"We could try-"
"No," Bermuda cut down the other's suggestion swiftly before it could ever leave the elder's mouth, " I will not gamble your lives just to take off a necklace, Jager."
He might not be 'pure' like he once way, but he is still their Sky. No matter Bermuda would give it his all to protect them from anything and everything. Which included cursed artifacts that may or may not kill him - and in turn slowly kill all the Vindice once their stored Night Flames ran out- should he dare to consider taking it off. While he would enjoy not having to wear a constant reminder of what Checkerface had done to them and countless others; Bermuda dared not risk it. If it had been just his life on the other hand... Well, that would have been another story altogether; but it wasn't.
A heavy sigh leaves the elder, "Nothing I say will change your mind?"
"Nothing."
"And If I try to remove it from your neck myself?"
"Then I shall remove your hands, myself, as you will obviously have decided you no longer have need for them."
"Very well, Lord Bermuda, but if you change your mind-"
"I won't. "
Not unless he was absolutely certain they would not find themselves at risk, right alongside him.
"...So, how was your time with Reborn?"
Of all the subject, Jager could pick... Slowly Bermuda allowed the quill to touched down on parchment once more -only when certain Jager wasn't going to fling himself across the room and attempt to forcibly remove the pacifier from his neck- before humming softly as the trademark sound of soft scratches filled the air.
"It went well enough. "
"In other words, He still hasn't figured it out."
"Correct."
"-and he calls himself the 'Word's Greatest Hitman'. How can anyone miss something so obvious? Does he not listen to his Flames at all?"
"Most likely not," Bermuda cannot help but deadpan as he continues on with his work. While Bermuda wasn't flashing his Flames, the Vindice Warden hadn't exactly been hiding them either this past year; instead allowing them to the cautiously surface every time his path crossed with Reborn's own- He didn't want to scar or force His Sun's Flames into fully accepting a Bond with him; this was something Bermuda wanted the Hitman to choose himself, not be forced into- yet despite that the other seemed rather obvious concerning the matter.
"Are you sure we can't just kidnap him for you?"
A soft sigh leaves the toddler sized Chibi, "For the last time, Jager. You may not kidnap Reborn-kun. If he comes it shall be on his own terms, not ours. "
"... You do realize we are more likely to turn to dust before that idiot figures out the truth."
"Then we'll turn to dust. "
"I was afraid you would say that."
It does not take the humanoid known as Checkerface long to discover the resurfacing of Harry Potter in Magical London. It takes the white-haired Earthling even less time to discover that is not Harry Potter.
That is not His Grandson.
That is not His Lilly's son.
He does not know what Byakuran is up to nor does he care.
For if Byakuran is here; his Grandson is still with the Vindice.
The time for playing nice is over. Either the Vindice would return to him his Grandson or he would tear Vendicare down around them; brick by brick.
"Where is he?"
"Where is who?" Bermuda cannot help but ask as his eyes focus solely upon the figure in his doorway.
"Do not play dumb with me, Bermuda von Veckenschtein," The white-haired humanoid all but snarled like a wild beast as he slowly entered the office. His icy emerald eyes never leaving the figure observing him from behind the desk, "Where is my Grandson?"
"Grandson?"
Checkerface was a grandfather? Scratch that, Checkerface was a parent? Who in their sane mind would allow a creature like that near any child?! Just the thought should be illegal- Hell Bermuda was already considering making it so- considering the other's rather bloody history involving children; more specifically Child Skies.
For a moment, silence consumes the room as the humanoid stares down the toddler sized Vindice. He didn't know... Bermuda did not know he had a grandson and he -being the genius he was- had just stormed into Vendicare demanding said grandson... Fuck.
"That doesn't matter," He all but growls in an effort to cover up the urge to bash his own head through the nearest wall, "Just tell me; where is Harry Potter?"
"Harry Potter has already been returned to Magical London."
"You and I both know Byakuran Gesso is not Harry Potter. Where is he?"
The only warning Checkerface had was a small twitched of a bandaged finger before -BOOM!-the area he had just been standing upon was violently vaporized by intense Night Flames; that just barely missed dragging him along with it.
"Tch."Bermuda was no longer behind his desk- instead of floating in the air before it- as the rattling of a Night Flame covered chain filled the otherwise silence of the room, "I missed."