Chapter 24
Chapter 49
"Isn't this illegal?"
Amara questioned hesitantly as he glanced upon the Silverette angel floating above his head with a confused look only to be rewarded by a large smile and bright mirth filled eyes.
"It's only illegal if Bermuda-Chan finds out~"
"So, if Bermuda-Nii doesn't find out..."
"Anything is legal~"
"-the kid currently ripping out his spine next to Byakuran-Kun is Kimimaro-kun. I picked him up in Kiri after I slaughtered his kin when they decided to resist arrest-"
To be honest, Bermuda knew he had been capable of dealing with them without having to spill a drop of blood but those savages had long since abandoned even a thought of humanity- driven mad but their own bloodlust and bloodline- left inside them; sometimes a 'Mercy' Killing was necessary within his line of work.
"-The Pixie and Giant in the gardens are Fu-Chan and Hans-kun. I picked them up on the borders of the Land of Waterfall after dealing with an attempted coup d'état in the Land of Spring-"
Honestly, humanity fount the strangest of things to fight over consider the coup d'état had been over some considering the 'Treasure' was nothing more than a giant generator which melted the snow from the Land of Spring.
"-Then there's the blind princess I indirectly rescued from a would-be kidnapper-"
That one had been an accident. He hadn't been aware there was a child in the sack as he had originally believed the man- rushing down the streets with a still yet oversized sack over his shoulder- had been a bulgur attempting to make a run with his stolen good. Unfortunately- for the man- once he had dropped the bag, a small toddler size blue with dark blue hair- around Amara's age- had fallen halfway out.
While the Night Arcobaleno could overlook a simple burglary- should he be in a good enough mood- kidnapping he would not.
"-And the man playing Dolls with her is Sasori-kun. I picked him up when I was leaving Suna. "
The -almost- puppet reminded Bermuda a bit of a redhead Alejandro to the point it seemed impossible to leave the rouge behind- despite his numerous protest and refusals- so Bermuda hadn't.
Bam! "Kami-" Bam! "-Why?" Bam!
"Itachi-kun, if you keep hitting the wall like that you'll give yourself brain damage."
The Night Arcobaleno couldn't help but grant the Uchiha Heir a concerned look- not that anyone could see it beneath his bandages- as the dark haired boy ignored him in a valiant effort of breaking the obsidian- flame enforced, Rune warded-wall with the brute force of his head alone.
Maybe he should wait to tell Itachi-kun he also kidnapped his brother?
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"-Bermuda-Nii's the Bestest Brother."
"Its best and everyone knows its Itachi-Nii."
"Bermuda-Nii!"
"Itachi-Nii!"
"Bermuda-Nii!
"Itachi-Nii!"
"Bermuda-Nii times a million!"
"Itachi-Nii times a zillion!"
'Aw, Minato look, Naruto's made his first Frienemy!~'
With a high pitched War Cry, Amara launched himself at the dark-haired toddler-breaking the glaring completion the two had silently entered- as he attempted to suffocate the other by using the snow around them.
Ghost- or spirits as some took insult to be called 'ghost' something about wither or not they looked like they were wearing sheet- while useful for gathering information- for dead man and woman they sure told plenty of tales- were also a constant thorn in the Night Arcobaleno's psyche.
Especially when the redhead woman kept making cooing noises at him while attempting- futilely- to pinch his cheeks while whining to what Bermuda assumed to be her husband.
'Look how adorable our Naru-chan's Bermuda-Nii is Minato~'
He was a patient man; one had to be when they spent a millennium patiently awaiting the chance- the perfect moment- to extract one's revenge. He was...detached; calm- or as calm as he ever could be- so his judgment- unrelenting without an ounce of mercy- could never be clouded. Still...
If that woman attempting to pinch his cheeks or coo at him one more time, Bermuda swore he would exorcist her.
'Kushina, I don't' think he likes that.'
'Nonsense Minato.' The redhead sighed as though aspirated, 'He can't see us. Watch.'
Without another word, the redhead spirit lunged towards the Night Arcobaleno with a bright smile and arms open wide in a gesture the Vendicare Warden had only witnessed directed towards him from one other person- usually tall, blonde and going on about 'Cuddle Therapy'- so Bermuda would like to think he would be forgiven as he bodily flung himself away from the spirit.
"I swear to all that is Holy, I will find a way to rip off your arms and feed them to you should you try that again."
He already had Giotto and Giotto 2.0 -CoughTsunayoshi-kunCough- The Night Arcobaleno did not need- want nor desire- a Giotto 3.0 to add to his collection.
'...Kushina, I think the creepy baby can see us.'
'He ...can...see...us?'The rouge haired woman questioned softly before her eyes seemed to lighten while a large- overly familiar- smile twisted upon his lips.
'Kushina, Don't!'
'Sorry about Kushina, she tends to get a little overexcited about things,' The blond haired man offered a soft yet sheepish smile- one of his hands rubbing against his purple cheek and his wife clung to the back of his cloak- to the creepy bandaged infant, 'So could you maybe.. You know... Put down the chains, slowly.'
To be honest, Minato wasn't sure how the creepy baby had managed to scrape his cheek- it hadn't even directly touched him yet he still had a bruise the size of a grapefruit... Maybe it was some type of Jutsu?- but seeing how the chains had turned a mountain into nothing but a pile of dust and rubble upon contact...
It would be in their best interest to pacify the infant before the young one perfected his aim.
'Are you an Uzumaki?!'
Unfortunately, his beloved wife didn't seem to realize that as she suddenly surged past him with bright hopeful eyes and all but rushed the infant once more.
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"I don't care if your God himself, I utterly refuse to call Amara 'Naruto'."
It wasn't anything personal against the spirits' obvious lack of naming skills, it was just that every time the Vendicare Warden heard Naruto he thought of Ramen. Every time he thought of Ramen the Night Arcobaleno's mind would instantly link it to Checkerface as nine times out of ten the bastard would be holding or eating the stuff as though it was God's Gift to Mankind.
Every time he thought of Checkerface...
Well, at this rate;, Iwa was going to have to change its name as Forty percent of its mountains mysteriously disappeared overnight; leaving nothing but an empty crater behind.
"Jager," Tsuna spoke slowly- mentally cursing Reborn for placing him in this situation- as golden eyes fixed upon him, "I... What I mean to say is.. If you want, we can look after Teddy for you?"
A heavy silence filled the air as the brunette squirmed beneath the focused gaze of Vendicare's Strongest Warrior- who appeared to either be glancing into his soul or attempting to mentally kill him- as the Vongola Decimo felt a sweat build on his brow.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi."
"Yes?" The brunette instantly straightened in attention as his voice attained a high pitch squeak many would associate with an unfortunate toddler's as the unformed Vindice physically turned to face him.
"If you so much as breathe on my Son, I will gouge out your eyes and feed them to you."
"HEEEIII!"
The Vongola Decimo shrieked as he felt his skin rapidly pale- his Hyper Intuition all but gleefully informing him should he do so Jager would not hesitate to do just that- before placing hands over his mouth as wide orange eyes darted around nervously as though expecting the miniature Jager with those inhuman eyes to suddenly appear out of nowhere.
What?
The toddler was a mixture of Jager and Bermuda- both who had this unnerving habit of appearing randomly at the worst of times and dragging Reborn Level Chaos that would leave the unfortunate victim questioning their sanity alongside the very fabrics of reality, in tears and behind Vendicare Bars with them- therefore in his mind, it was a rather reasonable, logical fear.
"If you scream like that near my Son I will rip out your tongue," Jager spoke bluntly before turning on heel and heading for the office door.
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"If Byakuran made it why can't we as well! We could go now and-
"Byakuran only made it because of the power the Mare Rings granted him," The white-haired man spoke bluntly as he stared upon the Omnivore- who wilted slightly in on himself- cutting off the other mid-rant, "Anyone else would have died before they reached the halfway mark."
This was why he didn't surround himself with Herbivores, Kyoya Hibari decided as he watched the escalating voice that rapidly filled the Vongola Decimo's Office, there wasn't a single brain between the lot of them.
"Maybe we could-"
"-what about Tsuna-Sama?"
"-anyone who attempts to use that scroll with die-"
Honestly, in Kyoya's opinion, the answer to their situation was rather obvious. Unfortunately none of those around him- the Herbivores, Omnivore or even the Baby Carnivore -seemed to realize it. It just proved the Herbivore's Stupidity was contagious and he should spend less time here and more time protecting Namimori least he himself become infected.
All they had to do was call The Vindice Carnivores.
If the issue was the transportation killing everyone before they made it to the other side, it was only logical to send someone who was already dead. After all, the Vendicare's Carnivorous Infant had made it through without any issues; therefore so should the others like him.
Well, that or they could throw the Carnivore known as Checkerface to the other side.
The Scroll had been made and used by a 'Last True Earthling' before- though the Vendicare Infant was likely to murder the white-haired Carnivore should he find his way there- so why wouldn't it work twice?
Mentally sighing, Kyoya closed his eyes- wishing he had stayed in Namimori- as the conversation descended into insults which descended into an all-out brawl.
Opening his eyes, the Cloud scowled upon the mass of bodies, "For disturbing my peace, I will Bite you to Death."
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Chapter 50
"I'm sorry Sensei," The white-haired hermit spoke after a moment while hopping from foot to foot, "I have nothing; my Spy Networks have nothing. Whoever the Vindice are, they're complete unknowns."
It was worrying really.
Especially when one took into consideration how these bandaged creatures could just suddenly appear out of nowhere- as no one within the Elemental Nations knew where they had come from let alone what they were. It wasn't Natural, someone should have known something yet no one did- like shadows prying themselves from the ground only to sweep across the Elemental Nations with a harsh, unrelenting hand.
"How is that possible?"
"You know, I asked myself that same question."
"And what answer did you come up with," Hiruzen questioned as he raised a brow at his Student.
"The Shinigami is pissed at us."
Minato had probably discovered a way to fasten the Deity on them for the mistreatment, disappearance and possible Death of His and Kushina's son.
"Bermuda-Nii, I don't want to go to the Academy."
The feminine blond haired five years old pouted at the infant- who strangely enough never seemed to grow- sitting at a desk surrounded by those strange papers Bermuda-Nii called 'Torture'.
"And I don't want to deal with Idiots but I fear the world doesn't always give us what we want Amara."
"But, can't I stay with you in Vendicare?" Amara begged softly giving the other his pleading 'Kicked Puppy left in the Rain' look Saskue-Teme helped him perfect, "I promise I'll be quiet and stay out of your way. I'll sit in the corner of the room and you won't even know I'm there!"
"I will not know you're there because you won't be there. Education is important if you wish to amount to anything, Amara."
"But, Bermuda-Nii, can't you just teach me?"
"No,"Bermuda spoke bluntly not even bothering to glance up from the cursed paperwork that seemed to follow him everywhere he went, "While I could teach you basics, I have no Chakra and no proper understanding of how it works-"The spirits had been no help on that matter. The redhead using too many words like 'Pow', 'Bam', 'Boom' and 'Kick-Ass' while the blond had sputtered and attempted to simplify words The Night Arcobaleno had never heard before. "-You need a proper Tutor outside of Itachi-kun."
"But-"
"No."
"I-"
"Absolutely not."
"Kisame-"
"Has a mission out in The Land of Water."
"Itachi-"
"Is rather busy."
"Han-"
"Patrolling the lower levels all week."
"Gaara-"
"Will be attending school here."
"Then why can't I?!"
"You promised Sasuke-kun you would attend the Academy with him."
"I lied-"
"No," Amara couldn't help but still as an icy chill filled the room and Bermuda-Nii's voice deepened- for once actually sounding like the Demon Itachi-Nii always accused Bermuda-Nii of being- as a bandaged head snapped to face him directly, "Your Word is Your Law Amara. Once given it must always be followed through and can never be taken back. It is why one must be cautious when handing it out. "
"W-" The blond haired child nervously licked his suddenly chapped lips- Had it always been this hot in here?- as Sky Blue eyes locked upon the Vendicare Warden, "Why?"
"If You cannot abide by Your Word, Amara, how can you expect Other's to do the Same?"
"I-" Amara began only to cut off with a slight frown, "But not everyone does. "
"It does not matter what everyone else does Amara,"The Night Arcobaleno spoke bluntly; a sharp serious edge to his tone, "We are The Vindice, Our Word is Law. Therefore you will attend the Academy with Sasuke-kun as you promised even if I have to drag you there myself."
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If asked Bermuda would confess- in one of the most indirect, mystifying ways possible- that he wasn't a good person- there was no point in lying to oneself after all- nor did he try to be.
He had done and seen too much to pretend.
But what he was-and always would be-was a Possessive Bastard when it came to what was HIS no matter how indirectly that connection may be.
So when the blanked masked 'Shinobi' came to forcibly recruit Uchiha Shushi under the orders of their- ever-growing paranoid- Leader they fount themselves greeted by an infant dressed in the same uniform as the growingly infamous Vindice.
After all, Shushi was Itachi's and Itachi was His, therefore, Shushi was His and no one- not even the one eye War Hawk- was permitted to touch what was His.
The Root Operatives never even had a chance to scream as Black -that radiated silent fury, rage and killing intent- Flames consumed all.
"ITTAAACCCHHHII, HEEELP MEEEE!"
Itachi had to confess when he had returned to Vendicare from his mission in Kumo; the first thing he had expected to see was his beloved brother- who for some reason seemed to adore the prison- possible Amara or even the Demonic Infant.
What he had not expected to see though was his playful cousin: Shushi running away from a giant that was swimming through the air as though it was water.
For a moment all the Uchiha Heir could do was stare in utter silence before he found his voice- which had all but abandoned him for a moment- once more, "Bermuda-San?"
"Yes, Itachi-kun?"
The infant's voice somehow rang above the cries from his cousin while keeping its mellowed, gentle tone- as the bandaged Arcobaleno continued onwards with his paperwork; not even bothering to glance up from the Devilry least it attempts to breed again.
"Why is My Cousin running away from a Flying Shark?"
"I would like to think its due to his preference to stay amongst the living."
"And the shark is flying because?"
What?
He was curious and who wouldn't be seeing as not only was the creature somehow surviving outside of water but it was flying without the use of Charka and Jutsu. By all rights, it shouldn't be possible even when one applied Shinobi Logic to the situation.
"It most likely got tired of swimming in the ocean. Not that I can blame it seeing what humanity throws in there these days."
The Night Arcobaleno spoke as though it was the most obvious answer in the world as he grabbed another piece of parchment from the middle of the large stack of papers towering over his small form without causing it to so much as shiver.
"Bermuda-san," Itachi spoke slowly granting the infant a concerned look, "Exactly where did you come from again?"
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"You mean to tell me, You forgot you had Your portion of the Night Flame Mirrors on you this whole time?"
Resisting the urge to fidget underneath the fierce scowl and judgmental eyes of his Right-Hand man- or rather his reflection?- Bermuda slowly nodded his head, "Yes..."
It wasn't as though he expected it to work in another world after all...
Jager couldn't help but sigh heavily as he ran a bandaged hand through his hair before focusing his gaze upon the dark-haired soulless eye twelve-year-old standing slightly behind His Beloved Lord.
"Please hit Lord Bermuda for me. I'm afraid with my absence the stupidly of those he insists to surround himself with has begun to run amuck."
There would be 'Lessons' the moment he awaiting his Beloved Lord for this amount of stupidity -that damn Marshmallow Bastard was most likely Ground Zero for- which had obvious infected the younger with now that the golden-eyed Vindice wasn't there to shelter Bermuda from it.
"Of course."
Jager could never be allowed to physically meet Itachi-kun, Bermuda decided as he observed the two converse over the Two Way Mirror.
"My sincerest apologies for any trouble Lord Bermuda may have-"
"-Understand completely-"
"-unintentional chaos-"
"-difficult-"
No, he was not sulking...
Okay, maybe slightly but that was to be expected as the hope that swelled his chest moments before was ruthlessly crushed when Jager informed him he was to be 'grounded' upon return- was that even possible? He was well over a millennium, The Vendicare Founder and Vindice Leader; therefore he was too old, to mature to be grounded...Right?- alongside the golden-eyed Vindice's 'Lessons' to 'cure' him of 'stupidity, forgetfulness, and any and all... Ill side effects long-term exposure with the Marshmallow Bastard has caused'.
Honestly, one would think Byakuran-kun was an unholy Plague considering the way Jager was reacting.
"Oi, Jager! Is that Bermuda's voice coming from your mirror?!"
A voice the Night Arcobaleno recognized as Small Gia suddenly questioned from the background causing all sound on the other side to cease.
"Yes-"
The golden eyed Vindice didn't get any further as he was suddenly tackled out of sight- the mirror thankfully began caught by a bandaged hand before it could shatter upon the marble floor- by what appeared to be a dozen Vindice in their rush to see.
For a moment all the Uchiha Heir and the Vendicare Warden could see was an up-close to white bandages- soulless eyes briefly glanced towards the infant with a clear 'are they always like that' with him. The Night Arcobaleno could only grant a brief nod in answer- before everything shifted and suddenly Bermuda was staring into the face of a familiar blue-haired Vindice with clear relief in his eyes, "Lord Bermuda."
Huh, now that he looked it appeared the other had fled the Great Hall in favor for his workshop.
"Alejandro... I take it Jager is a bit preoccupied?"
"I would not know," Alejandro confess the sides of his bandages shifting slightly as they concealed his obvious amusement, "I did not care to stay and find out, least I also face his wrath. Though I figured you would like to see Teddy while you have the opportunity."
Teddy...
His and Jager precious Little One.
"That I would," Bermuda confessed; bluntly ignoring the confusion that flashed within the depths of Soulless Black eyes. He didn't need to answer when a toddler- strange, the little one didn't seem that much older than he did the last time Bermuda last saw him. Maybe there was a difference in the time streams?- suddenly joined Alejandro in the mirror with a bright happy smile, "Daddy!"
Had he not already been dead, Bermuda is certain he would have stopped breathing at the happy voice-which reminded him so much of how his used to be before it changed with age- pierced his ears.
"Daddy," He Toddler spoke again, his smile growing as Teddy all but bounced in place and small hands grabbed ahold to the mirror, "Home!"
Daddy...Home...
Had Teddy already begun to learn speech? Teddy had already spoken his first word and he......He had missed it.
Beneath the bandages, cloak, and skin of a toddlerized Vindice; Night Flames raged.
He didn't care if a War came out of this, Bermuda swore as the infant hurled an empty bottle of whiskey at a wall-listening to the glass as it jingled against the ground- before burying his unbandage face into his arm.
The moment he was back in his own world, he was going to KILL Tsunayoshi-kun in the slowest, most agonizing way his Vindicated Mind could create.
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Chapter 51
"Dobe, why are you wearing a dress?"
Amara could feel his skin all but blister beneath the heat that flooded it as sky blue eyes glared death at the Uchiha while small hands attempted to smooth the skirt of his dress.
"Amara, Today is picture day. If this is a prank you choose a bad time for it."
"It's not a prank Teme!" Amara glanced away from the other's dark eyes in embarrassment, "I.. I threw a tantrum about Bermuda-Nii not being capable of attending today and... I stained my suit ... There was no time to clean it and Bermuda-Nii said we didn't have any extras so..."
"No extras?"
Pitch black eyes couldn't help but stare in confusion, Didn't Bermuda-Nii buy Amara a whole wardrobe full just last week ago? Exactly how many suits did Amara ruin during that tantrum?
"That's what I said Teme!"
Meanwhile, back within the Halls of Vendicare 2.0 Itachi couldn't help but sigh as he watched Amara and his brother argue through the mirror Bermuda was holding while trying to will his headache away. Honestly, he didn't know what was worse, the idea Bermuda had actually lied to Amara just so he would wear the dress- after all there was a whole closet of suit just down the hall- or the fact Amara didn't even question the small infant- let alone investigate for himself- instead just taking the other at his word without a second thought.
"I don't think Amara is going to be well suited to be a Ninja."
He was too bright, too trusting, too open; their world would tear him apart.
"Nonsense, " Bermuda spoke bluntly without a seconds hesitation; choosing to ignore the protesting spirits who seemed to take offense at Itachi-Kun's words, "Amara is perfectly suited for Shinobi Life."
Not that it mattered, in the end, the child would be Vindice, not a 'Hidden Village' Shinobi.
"-and this is how you properly hang a man with his own intestine. If done right it should take three agonizing days for the victim to bleed out while slowly being suffocated by his own organs."
Bermuda speaks in a lecturing tone as he tugs slightly upon the brunette's large intestine within his small hands- ignoring the blood as it stains into his bandages- causing its owner to give out a gurgled choke as his feet propel helplessly at the air beneath him.
Honestly, it was a bit of a tricky skill to learn- You had to be careful how you tied the noose otherwise the Victim's own weight would cause their neck to snaps in minutes instead of slowly tightening every couple of hours while slowly pushing the victims organs further up his chest cavity every time it tightened until the Damned Soul was spewing them out like yesterday's leftovers- but quite useful once perfected.
Especially against Pedophiles who couldn't keep their hands to themselves.
"Bermuda-san," Itachi speaks after a moment of looking as green as the children hiding behind him, "Maybe this is a lesson better learned in the future?"
"No."
"But-"
"Itachi-kun," Bermuda speaks firmly as a bandaged face turns towards the Uchiha Heir's direction," Pedophiles target children. This Unfortunate Bastard here targets children; he was targeting Amara-Chan and Sasuke-Kun. The sooner they learn the safer they will be."
"They're safe with us-"
"We might not always be there, Itachi-kun."
Had the two not been observing the younger two within his mirror it was likely the man would have committed the act before either of them knew about it- let alone actually had time to show up and intervene as they did- and they could not always be watching; both he and Itachi-kun had their own Duties and Responsibilities to uphold.
It was better the two learned to defend themselves from such vermin now instead of regretting trying to shelter them and causing them to be another faceless victim later down the road.
"They're only five-"
"And that will be their advantage."
No one really expected such brutality from children after all; therefore they would never see it coming- None had ever seen Bermuda himself coming when Jager taught him this Lesson upon his fourth birthday after an incident which came a bit too close for the elder's comfort- until they had already torn out their would-be assailant's throats.
"They-"
"Itachi-Chan, its pointless arguing. Bermuda-Chan will teach them how to do it anyways so you're just wasting breath~"
Using his Night Flames to stake the intestine he was holding against a wall, Bermuda turned towards the white-haired Gesso only to raise a brow- despite knowing none could see it- upon finding the other holding serval bags of what appeared to be assorted take out.
"You're late."
"Sorry~" The Silverette smile brightly- does he actually think they'll believe he's 'sorry' when he smiles like that- as he held up his bags, "I heard traumatized children usually like food afterwards for comfort so I went shopping since I knew you two didn't need my aid in dealing with this."
"How's Teddy?"
"He's doing well, Lord Bermuda. According to the Guide, I should enroll him into preschool soon,"Jager spoke softly ignoring the way His Lord's image seemed to hunch over as though shot, "Though I do not believe I will."
There weren't that many schools he could send Teddy to -as Vendicare did not exist outside of the Magical and Mafia Worlds and the Golden-eyed man wouldn't trust either world to watch a Goldfish let alone an actual child- and he had plenty of experience of teaching children seeing as he had taught Bermuda and Jack when they were younger.
"Understandable. Though we may have to pick up a few modern texts so the child has a modern day education."
"Yes, Lord Bermuda," It wouldn't do for their child to become a mockery like Basil of CEDEF, "How is Amara?"
"Green."
For a moment silence befalls the two as a golden eye pierced His Lord's being like a needle pinning a butterfly while a brow finds its way into Jager's hairline, "Green..."
"I taught him and Sasuke-kun how to deal with Pedophiles," Bermuda grudgingly confessed, "and now Itachi-kun refuses to leave me alone with them."
Honestly, Bermuda didn't think he would ever be capable of understating the Uchiha Heir and his strange 'moral guidelines' the dark-haired teenager seemed determined to shove down the Night Arcobaleno's throat.
"And how do Amara and Sasuke feel about this?"
The teenager couldn't help but beam- his inhuman emerald eyes glowing within the darkness of his room- as a pleased 'insane serial killer' smile stretched across his lips, "They asked me to teach them how to do it with a rusty Kunai."
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"I demand a refund."
"Itachi-kun?"
Bermuda couldn't help but glance up in confusion as the silence- if one ignored the steady rhythm of a quill on parchment- was broken upon the Uchiha Heir storming into his office.
"Bermuda-san, please go back to your world and permit Jager-san to take your place within ours."
"...I don't think it works that way, Itachi-kun."
"Then make it work!"
Itachi wasn't sure how much more of his sanity could handle Bermuda von Veckenschtein before it cracked like an egg on the sidewalk.
There was a baby stalking him.
No, Fugaku Uchiha was not man or paranoid- despite what his wife would claim when he confined within her- he was really being stalked by an Honest to God Infant; A creepy 'Crawl out of the depths of your worst nightmares just to drag you to Hell' infant at that.
No matter what he did or where he went, it was always there. Lurking in the shadows like some sort of bandaged demon just waiting for the moment he would lower his guard so it could devour his Eternal Soul or drag him to utter damnation. Noting- as he meant nothing- seemed to dispersive the creature:
Meeting with the Hokage? The Creature would be right behind the man- seemingly invisible to the elderly man and his hidden guards- as its bandaged head followed Fugaku's every move.
Council Meeting? The Thing was right behind Danzo- who the Uchiha Head noticed seemed rather stiff and unfocused every single time the creature was near him- all but breathing down the War Hawk's neck.
Secret Meeting with the Uchiha Naggers... Err, Elders. He completely meant to think Elders that couldn't agree on anything inside a secret bunker underneath the Uchiha Shrine which only Uchiha's with the Sharingan should know about? Well what do you know, the Demon's in the rafter; its bandaged head titled every so slightly as though in thought.
Trying to spend quality time with his beautiful wife- and possibly grant Sasuke a little sibling to adore like Itachi adored him- in the privacy of their room? The Demon would be there; watching them from a corner of the room in a mockery of confused innocence. The first time he had noticed the creature the Uchiha Head could not help but stare in horror; only to be snapped out of it by his wife slapping him hard enough for his head to ring before pulling her kimono shut and banishing him to the couch for a month.
It was a very lonely month with the only the creature- which was the source for the misunderstanding- sitting across from him for company.
To be honest, Fugaku's at his wits end. The creature is always there-He had tried everything: Begging, pleading, threatening, bribing, a Fire Ball the size of the Academy. Yet nothing worked as it stayed within the shadows- always watching and he wants nothing more for it to stop.
Until That Day occurs...
It starts out normal enough, he listens to the Nagg- Elders then ate breakfast with his beautiful family before seeing the children off and kissing his wife and beginning his patrols around with Clan Compound. Around Noon though- as he's ending a lovely lunch with his wife- it happens.
A body is found, then another and another.
There's a man with a lollypop mask storming the compound, killing all- men, woman, children, infants and the elderly- who cross his path.
Its a Massacre- They're falling left and right like a Civilian Rookie Genin would against a Kage- somewhere deep inside he knows this will be the end yet he still has his Pride and His Family. Even if this is the End; he would face it like a Proud Uchiha, A Father and A Leader should. So he rushes Death- even if only to draw out more time so others can escape and maybe an outsider would notice something wrong and sound the Alarm- only he cannot touch it. Death is a Ghost, impossible to touch; impossible to kill.
Yet he continues to give it his all.
Only his all is not enough.
Fugaku could see his death reflected within the steel blade moving to sever his head from its place amongst his shoulders like a hot knife through butter. He trapped between a wall- literally- and a blade with no escape in sight. He cannot help but stiffen his shoulders as the blade - his Death- draws closer without an ounce of hesitation or regret.
He can only hope he's stalled long enough for the rest of the Clan to find safety.
He expects it to be over quickly so he stands tall and proud- if he falls it will be faced with dignity. He will not cower before anything; not even Death itself- and prepares himself for the end... Only the end never comes as the blade is stopped a hair's length from his neck by a chain protruding from the shadows.
To be honest, Fugaku has never been so relieved to see a Demon in his life.
A thick, heavy silence befalls the three as Death in the orange lollypop mask-Gods he was never going to live this down in the Pure World. Him, Uchiha Fugaku ; Descendant of Uchiha Madara; murdered by a man who looked as though a five-year-old dressed him with a lollypop mask- turns his head to see who has intruded upon his Divine Judgement only to still slightly upon spotting the Demon.
Though most wouldn't be capable of doing so, Fugaku hears the masked man taking a deep breath as though trying to gather his bearings as the intruder straightens himself out- no doubt planning to confront the Demon that had spoiled his perfect execution- before turning so it was facing the creepy infant. The Uchiha Head could hear the other's lips part though whatever his would-be murderer is about to say is cut off by a deep voice as cold and empty as the voids of space.
"Oh, its you,"It take Fugaku a moment to realize this deep unnatural voice- that sends chill of dread and fear coursing down his spine -is coming from the infant- What exactly did that say considering he was a veteran Shinobi, a trained killer; and this toddler was capable of installing fear into his worth just a voice alone?- as the chain tears the sword out of the mask man's grip who seemed to falter at the casual dismissal of his presence.
"So," The masked menace speaks in a deep voice- though compared to the infants it suddenly doesn't seem as frightening as Fugaku knows it should- as he stops hunching in on himself in favor of turning to fully face the Demon, "We meet agai-"
"Did you finally fix your performance issues?"
The man chokes even as a pair of sharp- highly displeased and oh so judging -Sharingan eyes lock upon him, "Performance Issues?"
The Demon better not be meaning what Fugaku thinks he is, otherwise; there would be Serious Issues and even worse Consequences -Demon or not, the creature was still an infant and as a Father of two beautiful sons; he held an extreme distaste for those that preyed upon children- awaiting this masked man in his future.
The masked man seems to realize his train of thought as his one visible eye- a Sharingan of all things that must be stolen as everyone in the clan was accounted for- widens and he began to flail around like a panicked child, "It's Not Like THAT, I swear! All I tried to do was grab him-"
"GRAB HIM!"
"Wait," The Masked Menace seemed to screech in a high pitch- rather young and childish- voice, "Tobi did not mean it like that! I meant I only wanted to kidnap him so I could keep him-"
"Huh, so that's what you were trying to do."
"Hai!" The masked menace conformed before confusion seeped into his childish voice, "Wait, what did you think I was trying to do?"
"Well, you were halfway undressed and end up with your hand halfway up my shirt last time we meet."
Horror creeps into the man's lone visible eyes but Fugaku cannot see it, instead, his mind is reeling: Performance Issues? Grab? Kidnap? Keep? Undressed? Hand up the infants shirt? Oh, Kami, he tried molesting this obvious Demon Child, didn't he?
A snarl- sounding as though it came from a wounded animal- tore itself from Fugaku's lips as he breathed a literal fire upon what he was certain was a Pedophile who was probably using this massacre as a way to kidnap poor innocent Uchiha Children to fulfill his sick fantasies. After all, no one looked for the dead and an Uchiha can copy Anything they had seen- even once- with an Active Sharingan.
"Itachi-Kun?"
"Hai, Bermuda-san?"
"Why does Your Father keep sending me Therapist Ads?"
"Actually, I sent you that one."
Though the other couldn't see it, a look of confusion flashed deep within inhuman eyes as the infant size Vindice glanced towards the Uchiha Heir, "Why?"
"Because even if the man had 'Performance Issues' he still touched you and its healthier to talk about these things than pretend they never occurred."
The other spoke with a serious expression upon his face and something dangerous gleaming deep within his soulless black eyes leaving Bermuda feeling even more confused then he had originally been.
"But People touch me all the time."
After all, human contact was important to keep a person from falling into a Primitive Mindset.
To be honest, Bermuda has never seen anyone move so fast within all his years of living- and he had bloody Night Flames that permitted instant transportation!- as he suddenly found himself trapped within the hold of One, Uchiha Itachi, who held a wild yet determined gleam within his eyes as he stormed down the halls of Vendicare 2.0.
-----------------
If he's honest, Teddy's never seen someone so beautiful, so graceful -outside of his Papa and Father- in his life. Yet there dancing- a beautiful dance of blood, death, strength, and beauty- only feet in front of him is what the five-year-old is certain is An Angel.
"Excuse me," He speaks only after the last man has fallen into a pool of his own life essence with a polite tone as his Papa taught him to do.
"Hn."
"Can I Mawwy you?"
Ignoring the choked sputter of the Omnivore, Hibari Kyoya slowly raises a brow as he flicks the blood from his Tonfas, "Hn."
"Weally?"
There's a hopeful gleam within the child's visible- unnatural, inhuman- emerald eye.
"Hn."
"HEEEII! Don't encourage him, Kyoya!"
In Alejandro's opinion, the Little Lord's crush upon the Vongola Decimo's Cloud was rather adorable though not unexpected when one looked at who his parents- a once Cloudy Sky and a once Rainy Cloud- were so, to be honest, the blue-haired Vindice doesn't understand why Vongola seemed so freaked out over it.
Sure, Teddy was young but children still married young-... Right?- and it's not like they were actually marrying here and now. There was a whole Courtship Process- which could take years to complete- that had to be fulfilled beforehand to prove Teddy's worth. Who knew, maybe Teddy would grow out of it- though Alejandro doubted it seeing how stubborn the Bermuda and Jager could be once they set their minds to anything- before it ever reached the stage of actually acting out Courtship.
If not though, the blue-haired man was already planning a detail list of all of Hibari's Enemies- and everything he could find on them so to make this obstacle easier for the Young One- while deciding how to design the box chest the child would deliver their heads within. Maybe a mahogany chest with gold and silver accents containing soft crimson velvet inside and a blood seal so only Hibari himself could get inside?
"Oi, Alejandro," Small Gia pushed his way into the other Vindice's 'Study'- coughCreationRoomcough- holding up two rolls of fabric, "Do you think the brat would prefer a suit of Mulberry Silk or Charmeuse?"
"Mulberry."
The response is instant; for as far as Alejandro was concerned there was no need to ponder such a question as nothing but the Best of The Best would every be suited- let alone actually touch- a child of the Vindice.
"Jager."
"Yes, Lord Bermuda."
"The next time you see him, arrest Tsunayoshi-kun."
"The Chargers?
"Kidnapping," Intentional or not it was Vongola's fault he was here and missing his Child's growth, "Public Indecency, " After all, this was Tsunayoshi-kun. The boy couldn't go a week without streaking, "And denying Our Child happiness."
In Bermuda's eyes, he knew he wasn't a good parent. He didn't understand how to be nor did he think he ever would but what he did know- without a hesitation of doubt- was that Teddy deserved Happiness- All the happiness the world could possibly spare and then some- He deserved the Sun, the Sky, smiles, warmth, and freedom.
And while Bermuda himself could never give Teddy everything he deserved- he considered himself too hollow, too empty to even reach a quarter of what his child deserved - he sure as hell wouldn't permit anyone else from standing between his Child and that Happiness.
Especially not Vongola.
Judging from the unholy gleam within golden eyes, Jager completely agreed.
"Bermuda,"the golden-eyed man all but purrs with an undertone voice of silk as a sharp smile- full of razor-sharp teeth and jagged edges- shifts onto the man's unbandage face, "I thought you would never ask."
--------------
"Bermuda-Nii?"
"Yes, Amara?"
"Will you... I mean tomorrow... Can you... Possibly..."
"Amara," A soft sigh leaves the Warden as he placed down his quill, "Breathe. "
He wants a moment, then two, just to ensure the child would not accidentally send himself into a panic attack, "Now, start from the top."
"Tomorrow's Parents Day," Amara mumbles in a soft whisper, "Will you come with me... As you know... Mine?"
"Amara, I am not your parent." Bermuda speaks bluntly, ignoring how the child seems to shrink in on himself and the redhead spirit is all but screeching at him, "You do know that, right?"
Maybe its cruel of him- maybe its 'heartless' as the spirit is screaming at him- but Bermuda cannot permit a miscommunication like that to stand. Amara had his parents- who oh so obviously loved him if they were still sticking around to be thorns in his side- and Bermuda...
How could he consider himself to 'Parent Material' for the child if he was already planning on leaving him behind?
"I know but-"
"In that case, I would not mind accompanying you as your brother but nothing more."
So maybe...
Just maybe, if he granted the child enough happy memories he would not hold him- would not be so bitter or jaded- against him when Bermuda finally left him behind.
Though he would never voice it, the creature known to the world as Checkerface and fewer as Kawahira cannot help but worry.
Not that worry was anything new to the white-haired humanoid; he always held a great deal to worry about: The Balance, the Pacifiers, The Arcobaleno, His Personal Demons- both metaphorically and literally- that hounded him to the ends of the earth.
Though he had to admit it was a strange day indeed when the source of that worry was one of those Demons especially when said demon was named Bermuda von Veckenschtein. Sure he worried about the unholy creature- amongst the thoughts of wither or not today would be the day it stopped humoring Vongola's Decimo and came to rip him into shreds or was it still out there, lurking within those shadows the Devil was so fond of, just waiting for him to lower his guard- but never had he every worried forit.
He blames Lilly.
His sweet, innocent, beautiful child who gave so much of herself to that creature he created- whose faces he still saw reflected within the Devil's. Whose eyes stared back at him in silent acquisition- all those years ago. It would appear, that even in Death, His Precious Child had him wrapped around her little fingers and in turn could not help but worry for the last connection he had to her:
Her Child, His Grandson, The Devil Incarnated. Oh, how he hates it but he cannot help himself.
Maybe in another life, he would have fount Hadrian before the child became a man who becomes a monster but what does 'maybe' matter if it's not apart of reality?
The reality of a matter was he had created a Monster- a demon, a devil from the darkest depths of Hells- who was now Missing in another world- a world without Flames, without protection, without Balance and Security- that for all The Last True Earthling knew could be tearing the Night Arcobaleno into shreds-.
He tries not to think about the Atlanteans who ventured towards other worlds only to be torn apart by the very molecules of their atoms as the world they ventured to either rejected their existence there or try to assimilate them. If asked, Checkerface would forever deny pulling out an old antique mirror- cradling it gently within his hands as though it was the Holy Grail itself- before speaking those five damning words, "Show me; Bermuda von Veckenschtein."
He was just making sure that world wasn't already burning in black fire- Honest! After all, what reason did he have to care for the Devil? -and if to that meant to check up on the Devil every now and then what else could he do besides trudging through the torture for the sake of that world?
------------------
"Bermuda-san?"
"Yes, Itachi-kun?"
"Tell me you did not kidnap Iruka-san."
"I did not kidnap Iruka-kun."
Its the truth, after all, he was Vindice and the Vindice didn't kidnap anyone- they arrested with extreme predigest and an unholy Will of black fire and icy chains- despite what the Mafia would claim.
"Then why is he in your office?"
"I recruited him."
How could he not? The man- despite being only a Chunin and Academy Teacher that no one had yet to notice missing- was able to go toe to toe with paperwork on a daily basis and actually manage to win the unbeatable battle that had plagued the Vendicare Warden for a solid Millennium and then some.
Only a fool would allow such a rare talent to slip through their fingers and while Bermuda was a lot of things, a Fool was not one of them.
"... I don't suppose there are any other surprises you wish to part with me?"
Itachi forces himself to ask as he could feel his eye twitching dangerously. To be honest, he doesn't want to know but he has to ask as this is Bermuda von Veckenschtein and if there was one thing the Uchiha Heir had learned about the other it was that the Vendicare Warden never did anything in halves.
"I'm might have kidnapped a couple of orphans-"
"You did what?!"
"-and recruited a snake."
It was official, Kami had forsaken him, the Universe itself was a Lie and Bermuda was secretly the Shinigami in disguise.
After all, it was the only thing that made sense to the Uchiha Heir as he entered the kitchen later that day only to find Orochimaru of the Sanin; the Snake Sage- Huh, so maybe that's what Bermuda meant by recruiting a snake? - and renown Konoha Traitor Mothering a group of children; Some of which Itachi recognizes as the Vindice Children Bermuda picked up and some of which he does not- like the silver-haired child wearing round glass as he clings to the Sanin's side like an extra shadow- while preparing a large breakfast.