Chapter 23
Chapter 47
"Jack."
"Yeah Gia?"
"Why is Jager crackling?"
The Platinum haired Vindice asked slowly as two sets of eyes moved towards the Vindice's Strongest Warrior who was currently in the process of making a Mad Hatter seem sane.
"Considering this is Jager we're talking about.."The rouge Vindice spoke slowly an unnaturally serious look in his eyes that had Small Gia standing at attention; leaning forward to better hear whatever wisdom the other was about to part with, " I'd rather not know."
Crash!
The once storm couldn't help but smile beneath his bandages as he observed the twitching form on the floor.
"Verde-Senpai."
The green haired mad scientist couldn't help but mentally sigh as the purple hair Cloud's voice reached his ear- honestly why was the cloud suddenly so focused on him? Even if Skull offered to aid him; the other really couldn't do that much- despite the welding tool roaring in his hands, "Yes Skull?"
"I found something to help you."
For a moment emerald eyes blinked behind safety goggles before a child's hand darted out from beneath the machine the Cured Lightning Arcobaleno was working on- making a clear 'give me' motion- only to feel something light and smooth be placed in his hand. Judging from the texture it appeared to be some type of ...
Notebook paper? Maybe Skull had written down his idea since it was something so ridiculous even the stuntman fount himself too embarrassed to actually speak it?
Pulling his hand back, Verde held up the wielder to use as a torch.
For an awkward moment silence filled the Greenette's Lab before Verde spoke rather bluntly, "Skull, this is the Suicidal Hotline Number."
The silence seemed to grow as Verde's genius mind sprung into process:
Was Skull trying to tell him something? Was this some great secret the other finally wished to tell someone? When he thought about it, the stuntman always did smile and laugh everything off while taking Reborn and Colonello's abuse as though he was used to it... Was this what people called a silent cry for help?
"I know."
Oh, Science, what did he do?! What did he say?! Why of all people did Skull choose to come out to him?! Everyone knew he was the socially adept person... Wait maybe that was why Skull came out to him.. Skull knew he didn't understand these things- yet wanted to inform someone - yet thought he wouldn't care which meant.
The Cure Cloud Arcobaleno was even worse off then he originally believed! This was likely a last chance thing and if he ignored it the next time he saw the purplette would be in a coffin being placed six feet in the ground!
Sure he didn't like Skull- the other was always too loud and obnoxious- but he didn't want him dead therefore he had to think of something- he couldn't just let the other leave with such a mindset- but what?
Skull, unable to take the awkward silence that had filled the lab, slowly began to make his way towards the door, "Well... I'll just...go... It was nice talking to you Verde."
The purple haired stuntman never made it to the door as he found himself tackled by a green blur of a missile with wild- so unlike his usually utterly focused and determined- eyes.
"Don't worry Skull, Science will save you!"
After all- in Verde's mind- with enough time, observation, theories, tests, and studies; Science could fix anything.
"Huh?!"
Maybe giving Verde that number wasn't the best idea, Skull decides as he found himself standing- dressed within an almost identical uniform to the Vindice- within the harsh snow outside Vendicare next to the Mad Scientist who utterly refused to let the Cloud leave his line of sights.
"Now remember," Verde spoke bluntly giving the purple haired stuntman a look, "Leave the talking to me."
Without waiting for a reply, the Cured Lightning Arcobaleno knocked upon the heavy gates of Vendicare.
For a moment a heavy silence filled the air- only pierced by the drumming echo of what had been a rather soft knock- before the door parted slightly and a tall Vindice peered down at them with a lone visible goldeneye. It took Skull a moment to recognize this Vindice as Jager though by time he did so the other had already spoken before even Verde could breathe a word.
"Cute," He mumbled softly even as he dropped a severed head into Skull's arms- causing a shriek to leave the Cured Cloud Arcobaleno as he dropped it into snow as bandaged hands vainly attempted to wipe the blood off his arm- and closed the gates in their face.
"I thought you were supposed to give children candy on this holiday," Vincentius spoke after a moment of watching the Vindice's Strongest Warrior walk away without batting an eye.
"You are. Unfortunately, Jager has always been a little unstable without Bermuda to ground him," Jack confessed with a soft sigh, "Why do you think we forbid him from helping take care of Teddy?"
Goblins CLOSE and Hoard Selves Inside Gringotts!
By: Rita Skeeter
Azkaban Overthrown!
By: Michael Wood
Known Death Eaters Disappearing Without a Trace!
Foul Play or Heroic Cleanup?
By: Susan Midas
Jack couldn't help but sigh as the rouge haired Vindice placed down His Lord's Daily Paper.
He knew Bermuda planned to recreate Magical London with that Mare Brat's aid but honestly he hadn't expected things to escalate- He blamed Jager, the man had deemed himself in need of a distraction and had taken up the task of tearing down Magical London in Their Lords' Stand- to this point just yet.
It doesn't surprise him thought, Jager has always been very thorough when it came to his work.
"PIPIPI?"
Crimson eyes darted to the bulkier Vindice as Jack shook his head, "No, Let Jager have his fun." Gods know they didn't need that Cloud Instinct directed towards them for getting in his way.
"PIPIPIPIPI."
"If only we were that lucky."
Unfortunately, there wasn't a soul in that backward society that could lay a hand on the Bastard Mare- let alone murder him- and they all knew it. If the silverette's Death was suspicious Bermuda would investigate it with an unrelenting attention- sometimes it didn't pay to have a Leader so dedicated to Law- until the Truth unfolded before him.
And it would; it always did.
"PiPiPi."
Huh, now that was an idea. If it succeeded they would be one step closer to regaining their Lord and if it failed... Well, no skin off their back.
"Beeerrmmmuuuuddddaaa-Chan!"
Itachi couldn't help but stiffen- swiftly lifting Amara from the ground least it be an sudden attack- as he silver blur barrel from seemingly out of nowhere onto to impact against the Demonic Infant- causing them to roll a good ten feet -before taking to the sky.
For a moment, all the Uchiha could do was blink- mouth gawking slightly as the blur becomes visible enough to identify as a silver-haired teenager with wings- An angel? They actually existed?- which was cuddling the Creepy Bandage wrapped baby tightly against his chest.
"Byakuran-kun." Bermuda speaks softly in greeting at the same moment blue eyes brighten with excitement, "Bermuda-Nii, you never said you knew an angel!"
"I know no angels/Bermuda-Chan's a Jealous Lover~ He doesn't want anyone to steal me away~"
"Lover?"
Innocent blue eyes blinked up at the two who had spoken in synch with one another.
"Yes, I'm Bermuda-Chan's Lover~/ You are not my Lover."
For some reason, Itachi found himself believing the Demonic- blackmailing, manipulative, Unholy, Slave driving, Sadist- Infant over other Angel.
"Fine, Bermuda-Chan's not my Lover," the Silverette haired angel pouted while resting its head against the Demonic Infant's hat,"But only because his Undead Hell Hound tries dismembering me every time we have a date together."
"We've never had a 'date' Byakuran-Kun."
"Of course we did! What do you think you were doing every time we ate cake together?"
"Accepting a Bribe."
"Oh, my heart~"
"What heart?"
"YOU DID WHAT?!"
Small Gia couldn't help but take a step back- eyes darted swiftly to his fellow Vindice who had done the same- in an effort to place more room between himself and the furious golden eyed Warrior who appeared to be attempting to murder them twice over with his glare alone.
"We..," Jack coughed for a moment as he licked his suddenly parched lips, "used the scroll on the Mare Bastard."
"You," Jager spoke with a voice with such a calmness it that reminded the torture expert of the eye a storm- a rather bloody and violent storm -that would wipe out entire countries within the few short moments it lived, "Used the scroll; the same scroll that made our Lord disappear might I remind you; on that Marshmallow Bastard?"
"Yes?"
Jack answered hesitantly with a hint of confusion as to why the other seemed to upset. He wasn't the only one; Small Gia himself couldn't figure out why Jager seemed upset- after all, he was always going above and beyond when it came to assassinating the Silverette while staying in Bermuda's careful restrictions. Maybe he was upset they found a loophole and beat him to it first?- over the matter.
"You do realize," Jager spoke slowly, his lone eye narrowed dangerously as Night Flames surges beneath his skin, "You just sent that Marshmallow Bastard to where ever Bermuda may be. "
"Of cours- Wait.... What?!"
"You just sent that Marshmallow Freak- who almost murdered Lord Bermuda once- directly to him while he's in alone and completely Isolated within an unknown location that none of us can reach!"
If Byakuran was honest, the first time he catches sight of the two children Bermuda-Chan had somehow- most likely illegally- acquired he wants to laugh.
For standing before him, is none other then a ten year old future mass murderer with a Suicidal Issues that become intertwined with a rather strong Brother Complex and a rather adorable toddler Jinckuriki who- despite being broken in millions of pieces and glued back together to fit the image of what certain people believed 'Uzumaki Naruto' should be- would one day save the world.
Or at least he did in the few worlds where this one collided with their own; though the blonde aways seemed incapable of getting along with The Vindice on anything that could be considered remotely friendly as his pesky morals clashed with Bermuda-Chan's Justice. It would be rather interesting to see how the Vendicare Madness effected those poor damned souls when there wasn't a chance to escape; not even through Death.
Smiling the Silverette teenager allowed his feet to gently touch the ground- smiling his best smile at the naïve souls before him. What? They thought he was an angel; what type of horrible person would he be to break their delusions?- as he kept a tight grip on his precious little bundle of misery, "Hello, my name is Gesso Byakuran. Thank you for looking after Bermuda-Chan."
Naïve sky blue eyes stared upwards at him as though he was the greatest thing in the world- a look that was usually only directed upon him by Yuni-chan- causing the Silverette to mentally preen.
He knew an angel.
Amara couldn't help but stare at the creature holding Bermuda-Nii -as he had taken to mentally calling the other- against its chest while seeming to puff itself out; much like some of the boys he knew do when girls were nearby yet the blond didn't pay it much attention as his childish mind raced:
Bermuda-Nii- while a bit strange at times- had been the first person to ever aid- let alone acknowledge him.
The Infant had appeared out of nowhere like a vengeful shadow that brought swift justice upon the ungodly sinners who had been determined to 'finish the Fourth's Work'-whatever that meant- that night in the alleyway.
Then- as if that was not enough- the other had granted him acknowledgment, food, sheltered, a home, a friend, wisdom that he had not have to pay in blood for first, a purpose and now...
Bermuda-Nii knew an angel.
Which could only mean that Bermuda-Nii himself was an angel!
A vengeful angel- who brought swift justice to the ungodly- but an angel none the less.
After all, everyone knew Angels would never befriend a Demon and the Silver-haired Angel had claimed he was Bermuda-Nii's best friend.
Sky blue eyes couldn't help but stare at the bandaged infant- trapped within the other angel's hold- in utmost reverence.
Chapter 48
"Bermuda-Nii," Amara spoke drawing the Night Arcobaleno's attention onto the four-year-old, "When I grow up will you marry me?"
"No."
"Is it because I don't have a ring? If so I can get one from the candy-"
"No."
Bermuda's spoke bluntly cutting off the toddler's frantic words only to be meet by misty eyes much to the Night Arcobaleno's confusion. What had he done wrong now?
But why-" Amara began only to be cut off by the Silverette angel as he floated above the blonde's head.
"Silly Amara-Chan, you can't marry Bermuda-Chan. He's already married~"
Sky blue eyes widen, Someone else had already married his angel?
They couldn't! He wouldn't allow it!
Bermuda-Nii was his angel and suppose to marry him so they could live together and be happy forever!
What if this other person- probably some hideous troll and a big bully that liked to push Bermuda-Nii around- attempted to steal his angel away from him and locked him up in some tower like that storybook Itachi-Nii read to him?
What if the evil troll made Bermuda-Nii cook, clean and slave away for him?
What if he was planning to kill Bermuda-Nii and devour his heart like the one woman from the stories?
"Don't worry, Bermuda-Nii, I'll save you!"
The blond haired toddler declared- already imaging himself slaying this Great Evil like one of the Ninjas in the stories- as he latched himself firmly onto the bandaged infant.
"I'm going to kill you." Bermuda finally spoke once the toddler had fallen asleep -clinging to the Vendicare Warden like a leech- only to be answered by a Cheshire Cat smile, "No you won't."
"Oh, what makes you say that?"
"I'm holding a cake. "
"..."
"Itachi?"
"Yes, Tou-san?"
"Is there something you wish to tell your mother and I?"
Slowly the Uchiha heir placed down his chopsticks granting his parents a concerned as Sasuke leaned further into his side, "No, I do not believe so."
"Are you sure?" His mother- no not his, he was His Father's, the Clan Sacrifice; and Sasuke was her's- questioned, her dark eyes boring into him as though attempting to look into his very soul to locate whatever it was she was currently after.
"Positive."
To be honest, he was clueless as to what brought this sudden onslaught of attention about- maybe Shushi had started some rumors concerning him but it wouldn't be the first time- as they usually only paid him attention when they wanted their 'Perfect Heir' to spend more time in Private Lessons or to show off their 'Family Genius' at the sparse few social gatherings.
"Itachi," His mother spoke after a moment of silence, "What I'm trying to ask is: Why do you have a baby with you?"
For a moment, another awkward silence filled the table as soulless eyes locked onto the bandaged infant sitting on his other side. Oh, right.
Itachi had forgotten he had invited the strange infant for dinner- he really needed to lecture the other on properly caring for siblings as the Uchiha Heir wasn't certain his heart would be capable of walking in on Amara playing with a live explosive tag again- before turning back towards his parents.
"Bermuda-San isn't a baby," Itachi speaks bluntly ignoring this parent's obvious confusion, "He's the Shinigami Incarnated."
It was the only thing that made sense in the mind of Uchiha Itachi, unfortunately, his poor naïve parents- who like many other's falls for that infantile form- doesn't seem to agree as his Father's sputters and his mother straightens with a stern lecturing tone, "Itachi!"
He doesn't apologize despite his parent's insistence- nor will he take his words back- he knows the truth after all while they are blind to what lies beneath their very noses.
Honestly, he's not sure if he envies or pities them for their ignorance.
"Maybe we should set a playdate up between Bermuda-Chan and Sasuke-Chan?"
His mother suggests with a bright obvious to the sheer terror that appears in his older son's widening eyes.
"No!"
Itachi didn't even hesitate as he swiped his younger- precious, naïve and oh so innocent- younger brother from his pillow and lunged out the nearest window- curling around the younger to protect him from any stray shards of glass- by time his parents rush to the window and stick their heads out, there is nothing but strands of glass shards upon the Earth below.
"Itachi-Kun, is that coffee?"
"It is," Itachi spoke slowly- almost hesitantly- as dark soulless eyes observing the Demonic Infant that -had he not been wearing bandages- the Uchiha Heir was certain would be staring rather intensely at the cup of coffee in his hands, "Do you want some?"
By time noon fount, Itachi- rather ragged and worn down- fount himself within the ceiling rafters of the Third Hokage's office as the Kage took a slow steady breath before focusing upon his most trust and loyal Ninjas.
"Would someone kindly explain to me exactly how half of the village ended up in Flames today and the other half looking like a neon nightmare come to life-" Hiruzen questioned slowly as he felt his eye twitch dangerous upon watching his crystal ball float out of the open window, "-And who or what decided to cut off the Gravity!"
"I thought we were going to keep the Brat away from him."
Small Gia mumbles softly as the platinum-haired Vindice popped an eye back into its socket while the other observing the Vindice's Strongest Warrior as he carried around his Chibi.
"We were," Jack's muffled voice was the only answer as the rouge Vindice glanced up from where he was attempting to stick his own arms back onto his body with his teeth, "At least until Jager deemed us 'Unfit' to watch a goldfish, let alone an actual child."
"PiPiPu?" Big Pino's severed head questioned as it's seven hands skittered across the floor towards its direction- reminding the torture specialist of a spider gliding across glass- and his legs slowly wormed their way back towards the man's body.
Jack shook his head, "Alejandro got off with a 'If I find out you had anything to do with this you'll be next' warning since he was with the brat at the park when it happened. Last I saw him, he ordered his Gingerbread to help me look for my other leg in the lower levels while Jager dragged him to the kitchen. "
For a moment an unnerving silence filled the room only to be broken by the Vincentius' hesitant voice, "You don't think Jager ate him...Do you?"
"Nah," Small Gia waved his hand dismissively, "He probably feed him to the brat."
"But didn't you say he gave him a warning!"
The rouge haired Vindice blinked at the rather pale Alexi before shrugging, "Yeah but... When we first created Vendicare, I broke protocol," The rouge could easily recall that day: he had been charged with getting a prisoner- a Mafioso who had a tendency of kidnapping children to rival Famiglia's, torturing them while recording the 'sessions' before killing them; all of which were in the most gruesome and slowest ways possible- to his cell... The man never made it there alive, "Since Bermuda was busy, Jager was left to deal with the issue. He gave me a warning...right before he ripped off arm and used it to punt me out a window."
Honestly, sometimes Jack believes the Mafioso got off light considering what Jager had planned, though Jager didn't really care that he killed him. Only that he killed them before he was inside his cell and therefore Legally sentenced where all 'accidents' couldn't be held against them. As none knew they had the Mafioso it was easy to cover up Jack's little 'mistake' without anyone investigating the matter.
Once he managed to drag his corpse back into the door, Jack had then found himself getting a first-hand experience of what Bermuda suffered through- while he usually laughed and mocked- even time the Golden-Eyed Vindice decided to teach the Night Arcobaleno something...
Personally, Jack fount he would rather be dismembered and eaten by one of Alejandro's pets then allow Jager to tutor him on anything.
"Jack?"
"Yeah," The rouge answered absentmindedly as the voice pierced his memories.
"I fount your heart."
"Huh, where?!"
A crimson eye darted around the room in searching for the missing organ as Vincentius pointed a bandaged finger towards a corner of the room were some type of minute alter had been built by...
Wait a moment, weren't those the cookies he baked for the Brat yesterday? Where they...
"You Fuckers, stop eating my heart!"
"Can I keep you?"
For a moment a the sniffling of a toddler stopped as a pair of sea-green eyes glanced upwards at a small infant wearing bandages, a top hat and a cloak despite the unbearable heat.
"You," The child spoke hesitantly a gleam of dim hope appearing in his eyes, "you want me?"
Someone actually wanted him? This wasn't a trick or another plot to lower his guard?
"I would not have asked otherwise." Fine, he might not have asked period but he had promised Itachi-kun he would try not to cause an international incident in exchange for the Uchiha Heir and the Blue Fish looking after Amara-Chan while he was gone.
"Bermuda-San?"
"Yes, Itachi-Kun?"
"Why is the KazeKage in a Cell?"
For a moment silence filled the air as a bandaged head turned towards the direction of the Uchiha Heir, "Oh that.."
"Yes," Itachi gritted out- ignoring his amused partner while resisting the urge to beat his head into the nearest wall- as a soulless eye twitched, "That. Bermuda-san, what part of 'Please do not cause an International Incident' translates into 'Please kidnap the KazeKage and throw him into Vendicare' for you?"
"First of all,"Bermuda spoke a serious tone to his voice as he prepared to defend himself, "I kidnapped no one-" This time at least. After all, he did give his word and his word- the Vindice's Words- were Law. "- I arrested the KazeKage for attempted assassination of a toddler and the child came with me willingly."
"Child!"
Seeing nothing wrong, Bermuda patted what Itachi had originally believed to be a bag but now realized to be a toddler dressed in full Vendicare uniform- with only blood red hair and a sea green eyes visible- that was sitting at the foot of the Vendicare Warden's chair, "Itachi this is Gaara; Vendicare's newest Vindice. Gaara this is Itachi-kun, he'll be your friend alongside Amara."
Wait a moment...
"Isn't Sabaku no Gaara the name of the Kazekage's youngest son?"
Oh Kami, please tell him Bermuda did not kidnap the Kazekage's son.
"Yes, though he's also the toddler the KazeKage was attempting to assassinate. Which is why we're changing his name to Vindice de Gaara. Originally I wanted to change it to Jack JR; maybe even Junk-" Please don't, no child deserved such a name in Itachi's opinion, "but the child likes his first name as his mother gave it to him."
He needed to fix this.
Somehow-someway-Itachi had to get the Kazekage out of the cell the Demonic Infant had thrown him in and back to Suna. Konoha needed Suna, they were Allies and relied upon one another; it was his Duty as a ninja to retrieve the Kage at all costs but...
It was also his Duty as a Vindice to uphold the Law- A Law the Kage had broken when attempting to stage a four-year-olds death- to the utmost of his ability no matter who or what was upon the other side of those unnatural chains. If he freed and returned the Kage he would be breaking Vendicare Law but if he didn't he would be breaking the Laws of Konoha and its Treaties...
So no matter what he did, Itachi would be breaking some Oath- some Law- so which one mattered more to him:
To Konoha was he was the Uchiha Heir and Pride, The Perfect Shinobi, the Perfect Weapon and Child Genius or Vendicare were he was just Itachi-kun, a brother, a friend, Just Itachi and a Vindice surrounded by the other growing insanity and chose of one Bermuda von Veckenschtein?
"...I cannot believe I'm going to do this."
Bermuda-san's obvious insanity must be contagious.
"So, Itachi-Kun, how would you like to meet the other children?"
Other... "Children?!"
"What?" Bermuda spoke as he tilted his head on its axis as an obvious sign of contemplating confusion, "You didn't really think I would spend a whole week in a desert, did you?"