Chapter 26
Chapter 54
"Do you mean to tell me, you had a way of bringing Lord Bermuda back all this time and never ONCE MENTIONED IT?!"
Jager didn't bother silencing the fierce snarl-which rumbled like thunder from the depths of his chest- as firm, bandage-wrapped hands tightened their hold on the creature's deceptively frail-looking neck in a rather blunt attempt at strangling the humanoid abomination.
"HHEEEEIIII!"
Giotto 2.0 screeched as foot snagged against the edge off his chair- causing the brunette to roll across the office floor before experiencing a face-first introduction to the nearest wall- while attempting to stand so to prevent the Vendicare's Second in Command from murdering Kawahira in his office.
"Jager, You have to stop! If you kill him we can't bring Bermuda back!"
He's not usually such an impatient man- He had an actual millennium to master the subtle art, unlike some people who would not be named ...CoughJackCough...- but if there was one thing Jager loathed with every fiber of his being it was someone- be they a God, Demon, Angel, Man or Alien- withholding valuable information from him.
In their line of work, Information was vital- every little piece was required as it helps define the difference between Life and Death for those unfortunate to draw their attention- especially when that information concerned the continual well-being of His Lord. Which, now that he thought about it; was probably why that Creature had kept its silence as long as it had.
Checkerface never could manage to properly kill His Beloved Lord when it tried so it was likely hoping the world his Lord was stranded within would do the job for him.
Just the thought alone had a soldering rage surging through Jager's bones the scowl on his bandaged face deepened and his hands clenched tightly beneath the tabletop. Oh, how he wanted to reach across the table and finish what he started but he couldn't.
He still needed the intel the Creature had thought once he acquired it...
Once His Lord- and maybe even that rouge menace. After all, he couldn't punish the redhead if he wasn't even in the same reality- stood safely at his side once more...
Then and only then would the golden-eyed Vindice allow himself to grant the Abomination a first-hand lesson on what happened to those foolish- suicidal- enough to steal from him. For now, though, Jager just had to be patient... Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly as easy as it should have been for the man with a good millennium of practice under his belt.
"Maybe Bermuda doesn't want to come bac-"
"Heeeeiiiii!"
Tsuna couldn't help but screech as the heavy steel table the Golden-eyed Vindice had casually thrown to the side in an effort to reach Uncle Kawahira barely missed crushing him into what would have been a rather bloody mess of Vongola Decimo styled pulp.
Gulping audibly, orange tinted eyes glanced over to where the bandaged Vindice was all but shaking the 'Last True Earthling' like a rag doll.
"How dare you-"
Why did this keep happening?! Tsuna had chosen the golden-eyed man for this meeting because he had honestly thought Jager was the calm, patient and logical one of the Ex-Arcobaleno- Jager was supposed to be the one to prevent this from happening, not become an Axe Murder without their Axe! -and to make matters worse, no one seemed inclined to even lift a finger in an attempt at stopping the Vindice's Second in Command from committing homicide; instead, Mammon had set up a Betting Ring and Reborn was selling Popcorn!
"Bermuda-Chan?" Byakuran questioned in a curious tone as he poked the frozen Night Arcobaleno's bandaged cheek, "Are you still in there?"
If he was honest, the white-haired Gesso Heir wasn't quite sure what had happened.
One moment they had been eating Cake together- like the proper Cake Buddies they were- and the next the Night Arcobaleno had frozen- almost as though someone had hit the pause button on a universe controlling remote- with a forkful of cake in hand.
"Bermuda-Chan~" A pale finger once more poked the Chibi's bandaged cheek, "Wakey, wakey~"
Nothing. He wasn't even sure if the other so much as blinked beneath those bandages. Frowning softly, the white-haired teen allowed himself a moment of thought- exactly how did one wake someone the Universe seemed to have frozen?- before an idea hit him. If this didn't wake the Night Arcobaleno nothing would.
"Bermuda-Chan, if you don't wake I'll eat all your cake~"
Offering the other his best Cheshire Cat smile, Byakuran reached out for the Night Arcobaleno's cake- THUD! CLANK!- only to barely miss having his hand pierced as the Arcobaleno's fork buried itself handle deep into the steel table where his palm had once been.
"Touch my cake and your Guardians will never locate enough pieces to put back together, Byakuran-kun."
"There you are. Where did you go, Bermuda-Chan?"
Though the Gesso Heir couldn't see it, Bermuda felt a slight shiver race down his spine at the reminder of what had caused him to freeze.
"Its best you don't know."
Jaeger always did have issues when he wasn't nearby and the longer the Night Arcobaleno was away the worse these 'issues' seemed to become.
"Awww, It can't be that bad Bermuda-Chan~"
Slowly the Night Arcobaleno turned his head towards his white-haired companion with a single word on his lips, "Vasectomy" and a rather forceful one at that- to the point, it was almost a full castration- involving a broken pencil, a rusty nine-inch nail and Night Flame infused chains.
"...….On second thought, I prefer not knowing."
"-and this is Papa's Study-"
"Wait," Skull interrupted with a look of confusion across his face, "I thought that another room three hallways down was his office."
"Oh, that's Papa's Old Office. We have to close it off after Uncle Jack managed to lock himself inside for ten hours."
"Why?"
"Revolution."
"Revolution?"
The two cured Arcobaleno repeated slowly while granting one another a baffled look over the obvious child's shoulders. It was a study- just another term for a fancy office- what type of revolution could possibly occur there?
Unnoticed to the two, the corner of Teddy's mouth twitched slightly before he forced it back into his 'childish smile of obviousness'- as his Father had dubbed it- while continuing to drag His Elements towards the Kitchens.
He gave them a week before their own curiosity would require them to be rescued from the battlefield that was once his Papa's Office.
"We have recently uncovered a way to bring you and the others home, Lord Bermuda."
Despite the underline meaning, Bermuda found the words- constantly repeating within his head- were bittersweet. On one hand, He was finally going home-where he would then exact his revenge on Tsunayoshi-kun for getting him trapped in this world, to begin with- something he had sought after since the moment he had woken in the 'Forest of Death' with the Lady who wasn't a Lady of the Night but rather a shinobi named Anko; but on the other...
Well, he wasn't quite sure how Amara of the others would take their sudden departure- Okay, that was a lie; Bermuda knew how Amara would take it and wasn't really looking forward to explaining the situation to the blonde but someone had to do it and he was never one to run away from his Duty- which would leave them to run a legacy as Vendicare 2.0 with nothing but their own skills and a reputation they- the Vindice- would leave behind.
Still, it wasn't Amara the Vendicare Warden found himself worried about- Amara was a strong child and while they held a Bond, it wasn't as close or tight-knit as it could have been. Sure their parting may very well hurt the other but it wouldn't break him- rather that concern belonged solely to Gaara.
Unlike Amara, Gaara was all but dependent upon Jack- constantly seeking the other's company, approval, and attention- or as dependent as a Shinobi child could be and would no doubt fall to pieces if this matter wasn't handled carefully.
Which was why Bermuda found himself making his way towards 'Study Hall'where the rouge was attempting to both aid the redhead child while learning a bit about this 'Chakra' himself. Honestly, it was ridiculously easy to pinpoint the exact location of The Once Storm- seeing as he towered over the children and wasn't even bothering to hide- relaxing in a makeshift hammock made of his chains.
"Jack," Bermuda spoke softly as dark eyes briefly darting across the room so to observe the children listening to the Snake Sannin's lecture on something called 'Elemental Chakra', "I need a word with you,"
"If it's about the exploding cake in the fridge, I swear it was all Itachi; I had nothing to do with it."
Exploding what? Though the other couldn't see it, Bermuda arched an eyebrow in silent question, "It has nothing to do with that."
Though he would be making inquiries about it later.
"Oh," the redhead deadpanned before coughing awkwardly, "Then please forget the last three minutes of our conversation and if anyone asks Sasuke told you, okay?"
Straightening himself out, crimson eyes locked onto the chibified Arcobaleno while offering his best smirk, "So, what's on your mind, Bermuda?"
Emerald eyes darted towards the redhead child clinging to His Storm's legs before focusing back on those crimson orbs, "Alone, Jack."
For a moment, a tense silence befell the two before the rouge sighed softly and carefully pried Gaara's fingers from his pants, "Alright, Chibi, It seems I dug myself a new grave so you need to go leech onto someone else for a while."
"Might I offer up Amara-Chan as a Sacrifice?" The Night Arcobaleno only spoke when it seemed as though the redhead child was about to protest, "I'm sure he could use someone to help further explain things to him when the terms Orchi-Chan are using goes over his head."
In all his existence, Bermuda could honestly say he had never seen someone disappear as fast as Gaara did within the next five seconds- one moment he was talking to the redhead and the next the child was gone and already on the other side of the room clinging to a confused blonde. Shaking his head in fond amusement, the Night Arcobaleno permitted his flames to open beneath his and Jacks feet before dropping them both into his office.
The silence was Damning and though he couldn't see it, Jack could all but feel those unnatural emerald orbs peering into his soul-searching further and further for any flaw or weakness- the longer the silence stretched until he was certain the other was either reading mind or subtly planning how to dismember him with the least possible effort applied.
"If this is about us playing 'Shinobi Style: Life Size Checkers' using Edo Tensei I would like to say: Orochimaru only used animals souls as the sacrifice, not humans."
"No that's not-"
"The Dancing Fleas-"
"No."
"Switching the Kages to different villages during the middle of the night?"
"Jack, you should probably be silent while you can."
"Telling Jaeger about your creepy Pedophile Stalker?"
"What?!"
"Forbidding any stores from selling Byakuran marshmallows-"
"Jack," Bermuda speaks sharply causing the rouge to fall silent, "Jaeger has recently reported Tsunayoshi-Kun and the others have recently discovered a way for us to return home within the next three days."
"What do you mean its gone?!"
"I don't know," The White Zetsu answered though there was clear undertone of bafflement in its voice, "I went to check on it like I usually do. Only this time it wasn't there."
"Are you trying to tell me; You lost the God Tree?!"
"Oi, brats. I've got good news...Well good for us, not so much for you... Anyway, we'll be going home soon," Jack spoke bluntly as crimson eyes stared down at the frozen children, "So I suggest you hurry up and learn some damn Independence as soon as possible."
Behind the rouge, Bermuda couldn't help but facepalm.
Exactly why did he agree to let Jack explain the situation again?
He can't breathe.
Despite his best efforts, it feels as though someone has stripped the very oxygen from his lungs as Jack's words constantly rung within his head. We'll be going Home soon. Going Home. Home... After all this time and effort, they were just going to walk away?
Sure on some level, Amara knew the Vindice and Angel-san didn't belong here- anyone with a pair of eyes and half a braincell could see that -and would one day have to return from wherever they originally came from but...
He didn't want them to go.
Maybe it was selfish and stringy of him- they obviously had people they left behind. People who obviously cared for them- but he couldn't bring himself to care about strangers he had never meet before. Not when it was their fault his Family was leaving.
It was their fault Bermuda-Nii and the others would disappear like stars in the dawn first lights. It was their fault he would be left behind and forgotten like a stray mutt; for that was what he was, wasn't it?
In the beginning, he had nothing- No name, no home, no family or food, and most importantly; no future- he was nothing. Just another body on the street that would likely be dead before winter and then some Divine Being- for what else could it have been- had decided to interfere and crossed his path with Bermuda-Nii's.
After that everything had become like a dream; He suddenly had a name, an education and understanding of the world around him. He had shelter, food, friends, and family yet now... Once Bermuda-Nii left, he was going to lose it all, wasn't he?
It wasn't fair. Everything was finally perfect and now...
Honestly, Amara finds himself unsure if he wants to scream or start hitting someone. This was supposed to be his 'Happily Ever After'- this wasn't supposed to happen- so why was he losing the precious few things that mattered most to him?
It was a question, Amara doubted he would ever know the answer to but if he knew one thing; it was that he wasn't one to just give up without a fight. No...He wouldn't give up without issuing an all-out War beforehand. After all, Bermuda-Nii was His and a Vindice never let go of anything without a fight.
Meanwhile...
Jager couldn't help but pause momentarily as he dragged a white-haired 'Earthling' down the darkened halls of Vendicare. For some strange reason, he had the strangest feeling His Bermuda had just started another World War without even realizing it.
"I can walk," The humanoid grumbles as he used to the moment of distraction to attempt slipping out of the other's grip only for the bandaged hand to tighten its hold on his kimono, "And risk you fleeing? I think not."
The others might have permitted the creature to walk but Jager wasn't stupid. He had to stay on guard otherwise the creature would slip through their fingers once more, stealing away their only chance of regaining their Lord... Either way, the 'Earthling' would make a rather splendid 'Welcome Home' present for His Lord.
"This isn't nec-"
"If you keep talking I will finish what I started," the golden-eyed man promised as the soft ratting of chains filled the air. Within an instant, the creature's mouth snapped shut and stayed shut even as the Vindice's Strongest Warrior continued to drag him deeper into the heart of Vendicare.
If Kawahara was honest, he doesn't feel all that comfortable doing this- there was a reason that scroll was sealed, Damnit- though he didn't really have any options concerning the matter, did he? On one hand he could refuse- refuse to aid the Devil that shadowed his steps for a solid millennium, refuse to aid His Lilly's Son- but on the other hand was Bermuda's HellHound...
Cautiously, dark emerald eyes darted towards the demon in human skin that was judging every rune and ward the 'Last True Human' had engraved into the cold, marble floors- and no, no matter what anyone might claim he did not feel an icy chill run down his spine only to grip ahold of his heart. Honest- with an unwavering focus.
Maybe he should use this chance to Mist away- no he wasn't fleeing like a kicked puppy, why would he? After all, it wasn't as though he was locked inside Hell with a Demon that had made it his personal duty to see there would be no other 'Last True Earthlings' anytime in his future... Oh wait, he was- while he had the chance.
What? New world or not, Bermuda would be fine- The Night Arcobaleno was the Devil so Kawahira truly couldn't see anyone getting the best of the cursed Infant in a world without Flames. Then there was the fact he actually knew Veckenschtein on a level, leaving the white-haired 'Earthling' certain the other had already installed an unwavering fear into whatever unfortunate world he had landed in- and could live out a nice, fulfilling eternity-
"Don't even think about it,"The Hellhound all but snarled as the creature's chain tightened painfully against bruised tainted skin until Kawahira was certain he heard his ribs crack.
If he was capable of such things, Jaeger was certain he would have emptied the contents of his stomach by the time his feet touched the ground as it was quite clear Other Worldly Travel- or maybe just Checkerface's Travel Agency- just wasn't for him.
As it was though, the golden-eyed Vindice just brushed aside his uneasy before standing from the crouch he had landed in only to find himself staring at a rather pale looking group with pure white eyes.
...
...
...
The silence seemed to stretch on forever before the Golden-eyed warrior shifted slightly in place as he tried to judge where they had landed, only to be broken by a shrill scream from the man in the lead- was that truly a man or a little girl playing adult?- before the group took off as though the Hades himself was on their heels.
It would appear they had landed in the right place, after all, Jager decided as Small Gia broke into unnerving maniac like crackles, Now all they had to do was locate Their Lord.
If there was one thing anyone would learn from living in Vendicare, it was that- for one reason or another. Despite their best attempts and countless plans- things never went according to plan, so it's no real surprise when to learn a strange group wearing porcelain animal mask are attempting to hunt them. If anything, the news only manages to lighten their day.
After all, the corners of Small Gia's bandage crankled as they were unable to fully hide his Slasher Smile, Who didn't enjoy a Blood Bath first thing in the morning?
The moment the Hokage had granted his team this mission, Itachi knew he was royally screwed- that One way or another this whole mission was going to blow up in his face- to the point, not even Kami, himself, could save him. After all, what else could one expect when their 'targets' were Vindice and not just 'normal' Vindice- Children playing behind the scenes as a reputation was formed for their futures- but what the Uchiha Heir was certain was the Originals.
Forget screwed, they would be lucky if they survived this encounter.
It was a thought Itachi had kept to himself- He couldn't very well go shouting to the heavens over this matter seeing as he wasn't even supposed to know the 'Shinigami Incarnations' roaming the Land of Fire- even as the one with the unnerving smile and maniac like laughter slaughtered his way through their ranks- it was as though they were but Academy Students being forced to comfort a Kage in combat- unit the Uchiha Heir found himself the last man not torn into asunder.
"Fuck you, Bermuda." Itachi grumbled beneath his breathe even as he crouched into a defensive position as that bandaged face turned to face him; for somehow- someway- the teenager was certain the miniature Shinigami was behind this.
Left...Right...Up...Below Ground...Guard...Guard...Guard...
He was going to die, of that the Uchiha Heir was certain as his back collided with the bark of a large oak as an attempt to keep his head upon his shoulders all but rushed him into a dead end.
"Shame," The Demon- for what else could it be- speaks in a tone all but crackling with energetic amusement, "I was really enjoying our game but it looks like this the end of your rope; Pipsqueak. Better luck on the other side."
He's frozen- Despite his mind screaming at him, his feet refuse to move- despite his mind screaming at him to run, to somehow find a way out of this living nightmare- even as a bandaged hand tugs slightly that blood-soaked chain-which had cut through his squad like a hot knife through butter only moments before- causing it to suddenly lunge towards him.
He's dead. So very, very dead. Itachi permits himself a moment to hope Bermuda is happy because with Kami as his witness he was going to haunt that miniature Shinigami for the rest of its existence over this.
"Ah, there you are; Itachi-kun;" And just like a Demon summoned from the depths of Hell the creature behind his sudden sorrows was there- standing between him and that chain lunging towards them- while glancing over a file which looked suspiciously like Kisame's doodled report, "Do you have a moment? I'm afraid Kisame is away on another mission and I can't locate anyone else capable of interrupting his...Report."
As dark eyes watched the chain dispersed into wisps of blame fire only moments before it would have penetrated the back of the Miniature Shinigami's skull as that lone Vindice seemed to triple.
It was like watching a Nightmare unfold before his very eyes, Itachi would later decide as one of the Vindice steadily made its way closer and closer- all the one being Itachi was rapidly believed to be the Source of All Evil seemed obvious to the approaching danger- until the tall creature was all but looming over the toddler with his shadow fully engulfing the smaller. It's only then- when there's no possible chance of escape- does Bermuda pause before slowly glancing upwards.
Though he can't see it, the Uchiha Heir finds himself certain there's a smile forming beneath those bandages as the smaller speaks in a fond greeting, "Jager."
Despite what many believed, Bermuda wasn't a good person- he had warned them himself countless times on the matter even if they never believed him- nor did he pretend to be.
He was a cruel, multiplicative and jaded person who valued his Family, his selective group of people, the Laws he guarded, and his own plans over the lives of strangers. Sure, there were times when he could be gentle and kind, times when he could smile and, laugh, times when his own plans would collide smoothly with another's until they were all but one goal yet at the end of the day, he was still Bermuda von Veckenschtein.
He was the Founder of Vendicare- a Hell on Earth feared by even the most dangerous of people- the Vendicare Warden- a leader of Unholy Demons and Nightmares come to life- Ex-Cloud Arcobaleno alongside being the First and Only Night Arcobaleno.
Its something people tend to forget or overlook in favor of assuming he's a strict person, that he values Justice overall or was just plain out 'misunderstood'- CoughAmaraCoughTsunaCoughGiottoCough- but in all honesty, Bermuda was nothing of the sort- Oh, how he and his Vindice had laughed the first time Giotto had suggested such a thing to them with straight face. Exactly how 'misunderstood' could one be when they were the source of Natural Night Flames? - and anyone who believed otherwise was obviously disillusioned.
After all, Good People didn't hide from their Family- He knew. The moment Jaeger, Small Gia and Alejandro arrive he was fully aware of where they were and everything they were doing- nor did they set up their friend's- He could have stopped the Hyuuga's Patrol report from reaching their Kage's desk but he didn't. If anything he had left a small 'suggestion' implanted on the document using his Flames- so that their squad would be slaughtered- as there was no other was a confrontation with Small Gia would end without an unholy Blood Bath- just to fulfill their own plans.
Yet that was exactly what Bermuda had done. He had staged the whole confrontation from the shadows- he had 'set Itachi up' without a single shred of guilt- and only choose to intervene when it was obvious the raven-haired teens was truly in danger. And for what?
Well, Bermuda himself thought that was rather obvious:
Now that Small Gia had slaughtered the Anbu Squad the way he did no one would be capable of identifying the bodies, therefore, no one would really question it if Weasel's broken mask was found yet there was never a body located.
If Itachi didn't present himself within the next three days- something Bermuda doubted the teenager would be capable of due to his injuries- he would be announced as KIA and if he did show up after that time The Uchiha Heir would be pronounced as a 'Missing Nin'- especially if one was to question the Heir on how he survived and his squad mates didn't. Questions Bermuda knew the other would never be capable of answering without being announced a Traitor- due to their own justice system.
Therefore, the only future available to Itachi now resided solely within the darkened Halls of Vendicare 2.0.
It's only when the familiar shadow falls- making any attempts at escape 'impossible'- completely over him does Bermuda permit himself to 'notice' there's another person behind him. He doesn't bother to hide the smile twisting onto his lips as he glances upwards to meet the sharp golden orbs of the one being he values even more than his own existence.
"Jager."