Hello Reborn... Reborn... and... Reborn?

Fon also lost site of Teen Reborn, making him slightly annoyed but his facial expression was calm. 'It seems all three have different personalities when Reborn uses Aramate...' To be honest, he has never tried using Aramate out in public. Only with the family and inside the headquarters, besides that, nowhere else, really. Now Skull and Viper, he did not know if they use Aramate. If they did, who knows where and when, but today it seems they used it away from the public eye; so, it's ok, right? "Man, the food here is GOOD!" Said Skull hapilly, taking a big chunk out of what appeared to be.. steak? Fon didn't know, he wasn't paying attention to the table right now. He had lost the quite young rebellious Reborn, and he didn't see him anywhere on the balconies. 'Is he coming back down..?' Viper looked at Fon, who was looking up; towards the balconies. That intrigued him, and he looked up as well. But he saw nothing. He decided to look at Reborn and Natsumi, maybe young teen Reborn might come to them? Maybe also the people he was talking about as well?

"Hey, Fon! What're you looking at?" Skull asked the Storm Arcobaleno who, by now was lookng at Skull with a small smile on his lips. "Just looking around, is all, Skull." "Heh, you sure?" Fon's gaze went over to Viper, his eyes narrowing just a bit. "What ever do you mean, Viper?" He of course was sending a message with that question; telling him in a way "Be quiet." Viper said nothing, but kept a smirk on his face while Skull, as usual looked clueless.

Natsumi sighed and ate more of her food with a scowl on her face. She had gotten free from Reborn's hand, glaring at him a bit and then taking a bite out of the food. It was good, but it did not help for her temper, which was rising little by litte. Then, she thought she heard youn teen Reborn and then she looked to where his voice was coming from and her eyes widened. 'A-Aoi?! And S-Saib?! Craaaap!' Panic set in, making her have a scared look on her face, hand Reborn to.. Adult Reborn and did the best thing she could do: Hide under the table. But before she did, she gave Reborn one cold hearted glare, telling him to not tell them ANYTHING.

He was well aware that Natsumi knew there was more to the story and that she was not pleased with his answer. Maybe a little confused, but unsatisfied and getting annoyed at that. Maybe their dinner would be drawing to a close soon?

As he heard, well sensed really, his younger self approaching he raised an eye at the accompanying teens he had brought along. But before he could even say or do anything, Natsumi had practically shoved little, baby Reborn into his arms and dove down... under... the table...? He smiled a little and ruffled the baby’s hair a little as teen Reborn took his seat soon after Natsumi gave him one of the coldest glares he’d seen from her. Mmm should he tell?

”Where did Mother go?” he asked, and then acting as if he had just noticed the two people trailing after him, he turned about a little. ”Ahh… you came?” he asked, acting as if he were infatuated with Saib and about to die since she had accepted his ‘lame’ excuse to meet his ‘parents’ and was actually going to spend some time with him. ”Oh… and you came too…” he mumbled quietly, as if he were annoyed Aoitori had followed as well.

Aoitori only gave him a small smile. ”I’m rather protective of my younger sister,” he explained, conveniently taking the seat next to teen Reborn before he could ask Saib to sit there. ”Mind if I sit here?” he asked as Saib let out a small sigh and almost rolled her eyes at Aoitori before going over to sit beside of Adult Reborn.

”… Not… at… all…” he replied slowly through clenched teeth, acting his part. Turning his gaze away from Aoitori he faced his so called father and asked again about the whereabouts of Natsumi. ”Did she run off to the bathroom?” he asked. ”Ahh anyway, this is Alina and Aoitori. We’ve just met.”

”So you’re the father of the infamous Reborn? I didn’t know he had a father… or mother for that matter, let alone an older brother,” started Aoitori after Teen Reborn’s introduction, gazing at the little child in the man’s lap. ”Your sons take after you a lot,” he commented after gazing at the man, the teen, and the child for a few seconds. ’This is strange… I was never told Reborn actually lived with his family… I just thought it was a jutsu of some sorts. Is he… actually five years old and a Jounin? Unheard of…’ thought Aoitori quietly to himself, puzzled by this newfound information.

Reborn nodded a little. ”Yes, pity they don’t take after their mother. She’s quite the charmer, much too beautiful to match someone like myself if you ask me. Ahh if there’s one thing I would’ve liked them to have inherited, would be her eyes. Her eyes are just too appealing and wonderful to ignore,” he replied, shifting slightly in his seat so as to make things less awkward for the young woman sitting next to him now, scooting his chair towards the table a little and letting his legs stretch out beneath the table and tapping Teen Reborn’s feet slightly to make him move them the other way. If Natsumi wanted to hide, so be it, but he wouldn’t make it any easier for the young guardian. ”Would you mind holding him, dear? Alina, was it?” he asked, turning his head slightly so as to look at Saib in the eyes.

”S-Sure,” stuttered Saib, caught a little off guard as she had thought the man was ignoring her up until now. Lifting the baby, he gently placed him in Saib’s arms noting that she had held a child before because she held him with care and even in the right position. ”You’re familiar with children?” ”Ahh yes, just a little bit. Not very much though,” she replied, her free hand stroking little Reborn’s face gently. ’Hard to imagine this kid is a Jounin when he’s like this… so cuuuute.’

Leaning back a little, Saib let her legs stretch out under the table as well, hitting something. ”Ahhh, sorry Aoitori, I didn’t mean to hit you,” apologized Saib. Aoitori only gave her one of his puzzled ‘eye emotions’. ’Weird… if I didn’t hit Aoitori I must’ve just hit the table leg I guess…’ thought Saib, shrugging it off as nothing. ”Ahh, I heard the food here is exceptionally good, is that true?”

”Mmm yeah, it is. My Dad says the wine is good too, delicious, but I’m underage so I wouldn’t know,” replied Teen Reborn, almost a little too quickly to be normal. Covering his fake crush on her, he continued on as if he hadn’t been hanging on her every word and waiting for a chance to say something to her. ”Ahh speaking of which, how old are you anyway?”

Adult Reborn was watching him with a little bit curiosity, but he soon shrugged it off, figuring it was a part of his teen self’s plan to annoy Natsumi for the night. Speaking of the woman, he shifted his feet rapidly again beneath the table, perhaps bumping into the hidden maiden beneath the table?

At this Saib laughed a little and half raised a hand to teen Reborn. ”Please stop Reon, if you’re too young too drink I’m afraid it could almost be considered illegal for me to date you.” ”I-I’m not interested in d-dating you!” retorted Reborn quickly. Aoitori leaned forward and cupped his chin with his right hand, taking a side long glance at him. ”So if you weren’t hitting on her earlier, what were you doing? Hmmm?” It became quiet then and Teen Reborn wouldn’t speak.

”Would you like to try a little bit of the food, Alina?” asked Reborn, filling in the awkward and pressurized silence. ”Ahh… well I don’t mean to intrude—“ ”No, no, its perfectly fine. My wife…” he paused a little here and then continued, a small gleam in his eyes, ”My wife is with child at the moment and didn’t tell me until recently. So you could try some of her wine if you like… and if you wish, you can have some of Reborn Jr’s food as well seeing as he can’t finish it all himself. So it’s really not much of a bother and rather helpful.”

”I see…” murmured Saib, reaching out tentatively with her free hand to take the wine, but Aoitori stopped her by lifting up the plate of food in front of him and handing it to her. ”Food first. When you drink without eating something first you tend to… not be yourself,” reminded Aoitori, holding the utensils out to her as well. Nodding a little, she let Aoitori rearrange the plates and started to taste some of the food. ”What do you think?”. Swallowing, she held up a finger to quiet them down. ”Mmm its delicious, as if I’ve become lost in the most wonderful of dreams.” ”Let me try some, can’t be that good… Its just food…” murmured Aoitori, receiving the utensils from Saib and taking a few bites himself while she turned to the wine.

Unlike Natsumi, Saib seemed to have a taste for alcohol, or at least wine, but that might have been foreseen given her true position in life. ”Oh wow… its like I’ve died and gone to heaven…” she half whispered out after taking just a mouthful of the wine. ”Mmm this is sooo good. The best I’ve ever tasted… Which kind is it? We’ll have to order some when we go back to our own table.”

Breaking the mood of the conversation, Teen Reborn started to explain himself. ”I… Okay so… maybe I do like you… but age shouldn’t be a problem? You can’t be that old, and if you are I must say that you are much, much, much too beautiful then,” admitted Teen Reborn with a sigh and looking down, shifting his feet again and bumping into something? Weird. Slowly, he looked back up and cast a shifty glance at Saib. ”Would… would you consider giving me a shot though? I’m fifteen…” he said slowly, hopefully.

Giving him a soft smile and setting the glass of wine down, Saib shook her head ‘no’. ”I’m sorry, but… I can’t accept your feelings. Its not just because of the age difference either… I mean its only about three years, but… I like someone else…” she said softly, her gaze drifting over to Aoitori slowly before looking down at the floor and shifting her feet again. ”Sorry…” ’Aoitori… why can’t you just give me some kind of a sign or outright tell me that you don’t like me… You not answering me or picking up any of my lines or hints is confusing… I don’t know if you like me as a friend or if you want to be more than friends… Aoitori… what am I to you?’ thought Saib quietly, stroking the baby absently.

Taking his chance, Adult Reborn began to talk. ”Ahh this reminds me so much of when I first met Na— Mmm…” mumbled Reborn, clamping his mouth shut as he felt a sharp, blazing pain in his foot. Okay, so she was gonna bite back too, huh? ”Mmm sorry, I hit the table leg. But as I was saying, its very much like when I first met my dear wife back in the day. I suppose my sons are more than just look alikes,” Reborn joked, shifting his feet again, almost thrusting his feet out in a kicking like manner to whatever may be in front of his feet at the time.

’I can get mean too… Don’t think I won’t do anything to you just because you’re my student and a girl, kid.’ And from there he went on to describe what Natsumi looked like at great length and with surprisingly accurate details, ignoring whatever it was that Natsumi was trying to do to him to keep him from talking.

’That… sounds a lot like… … … Natsumi… … … I-Is Natsumi married to… but that’s…. Impossible! … … … Then why does his wife sound exactly like Natsumi…? Could it be she’s his… daughter? No way! That’s…’ ”Excuse me… but do you have a daughter by any chance?” broke in Aoitori.

”Mmm unfortunately, no. Maybe this one will be a girl.”

’… I can’t believe it… There’s no way Natsumi could be married to him and… and have… but… That teenager doesn’t look too much like him, he might have been with someone else and him and then…’ Aoitori’s gaze fell onto the little baby in Saib’s arms. ’Its… Its possible she could have had Reborn with him… barely possible though, but… still possible…’ thought Aoitori, getting a little annoyed for some unknown reason. ”Ahhh pardon me, but… did you by any chance have a relationship with anyone else before meeting Na… I mean your wife?”

Adult Reborn cast one, simple, quick glance at Aoitori and then answered him. ”… Yes,” he said simply, void of emotion. ”However she and I… aren’t meant to be.” He paused a little and glanced side ways at Saib and then back at Aoitori. ”But… when you really love someone you can let them go and move on to find someone else… or at least try,” he finished in that same voice devoid of emotion and feeling.

’Aoi…tori…? Why do you… care… … … … He really does like her…’ thought Saib as she watched Aoitori very carefully. It was hard to read him, even given her previous job as a courier and experience with reading people. He was… agitated? No… angry? No… annoyed? Yeah, that was it, but something else too. Something else… !! Disappointment! He was disappointed! And… hurt… ’Aoitori you idiot… do you believe in your job so much that you would not seek out your own happiness and well being?’ thought Saib, getting annoyed with both Natsumi, Aoitori, and herself.

’Ahhhh! Why do I care?!’ thought Aoitori in annoyance whilst his face still remained blank and calm. ’But… damn it! To think she’s married and has a kid… no kids. Argh…’

’What were you hoping for anyway?! You actually like this chick?’ broke in his inner self, sounding curious and albeit surprised. ’No… I… I don’t now. I just care about her for some reason and I don’t know why, okay? You?!’ retorted Aoitori angrily, getting more and more annoyed and pained, but not knowing why. ’Ehhh well… no…’ replied inner Aoitori humbly. ’So shut up.’ sulked Aoitori, trying to think of other things to get rid of this strange feeling.

’… You’re just telling yourself to shut up, you know? But… fine. Set your priorities straight though, man. Saib or Natsumi, which is it? You can’t do both. And no, I don’t mean it like that. You can’t protect them both. Its gotta be one or the other,’ yawned out inner Aoitori, getting bored with the conversation. ’… Yeah, I know. But… Ahhh what does it matter? She’s with him. Not like I’ll ever amount to anything in her life,’ he sulked out again, feeling like he had just gotten stabbed through the heart, and in this case he had, in a figurative sense anyway. He was love sick, the poor thing never had been in love before, much less with the person he was destined to protect with his life.

’… And you care what she thinks about you because…?’ pressed inner Aoitori, wanting himself to come to terms with what was going on. ’Like hell I know. I’m just as confused as you are! Damn it, I’m even talking to myself about this! Bahh, women,’ sulked Aoitori, trying to blame it on something else and end the pain in his mind from thinking about this. ’Mmm that’s what they all say… But you’ll see… You’ll see… Besides you don’t even know if its true that Natsumi is with him.’ muttered inner Aoitori quietly, his voice steadily fading away until it was just Aoitori there again.

Saib merely watched Aoitori quietly and chose not to say anything. Rather hurt and a little heart broken, she was drinking up on the wine a little, wanting something to take her mind off of Aoitori and being ‘figuratively dumped’ by the guy she had liked for the past year or so… A guy who -never- picked up on the -many- hints and signs of her interest in him… She lived with him and literally slept with him, but he never, ever did anything, not even a stroke or a hug or anything. He only offered a hug whenever she actually needed it, not when she wanted one. Ahh he was so different from all the other guys she knew…

Ughh, and what was it about Natsumi that made him like her so much? Was it because she was a bodyguard like he was? Or had there really been more to that spar than he was telling her? Or were they just ‘soul mates’ and meant to be or some lame thing like that? Argh, if only she could read him as well as she could other people! Besides, what did he know about her?! He barely knew anything about the girl, so why was he so, so, so infatuated with her?! It was just some kind of crush, right? It wasn’t like he actually loved her, right? He couldn’t… Falling in love at first sight??? … … … Then again, who was she to talk? She had fallen, fallen hard, for Areumdaum at first sight… … … Okay, okay, so maybe he did like that Natsumi girl… so what…

Mentally sighing, Saib looked down at the glass of wine. It was nearly empty and it’d only been what, two minutes? ’I can’t believe I’m trying to drink away my sorrows… And I told Thai that he couldn’t do that! I’m such a hypocrite. … … … But I can see why people drink away their sorrows, it works sort of… Less feeling… Awww crap, don’t tell me I’m getting drunk! This wine must be good if I’m getting drunk on my first glass…’ thought Saib half irritably.

’But… if Aoitori really does like her… I suppose I can let go of him. I can move on… I’d rather keep him as a friend at the very least. No, if he does like her, I’m going to have to make him admit it to her and ask her out on a date or else he’ll never make a move on her. Honestly… if he can’t make a move on a girl that likes him and would be willing to do anything he wants, there is no way he’s gonna even think about making a move on a girl he likes,’ thought Saib, cheering up just a little bit. ’Least I can get over him by having some fun doing that… Its fun messing with him when I can…’ smirked Saib within her mind, making vague plans of what to do to the poor, love-sick fellow.

As Natsumi was under the table now, she found it a bit uncomfortable with the outfit she had on, but she had to tolerate. I swear I will kill Reborn, both the adult and the teen when this is over.’ She decided to at least get comfortable… or try. Hearing both Saib’s and Aoi’s voices made the young guardian get a slight headache. ’Great! They are actually here… Wait, Aoi?!’ Natsumi thought, but her headache wasn’t letting her think clearly. ’Oi… I wish I had brought pills in case this would happene. Oh well.’

She decided to hear on their conversation, the only thing she could do at the moment. Then she got hit by an outstretched leg that belonged to Saib, Natsumi’s eyes twitched. ’Tolerate… I couldn’t be seen with Adult Reborn… I had no choice, this was my fault… but seriously, be careful where you hit, woman!’ She screamed mentally at the Daimyo’s daughter. She then tried to have her legs together of some sorts. ’ Great day to wear a skirt, Natsumi.’ The young guardian sighed and kept both of her arms in her lap, looking at the floor while hearing the conversation going on. Then she got bumped by someone’s else’s foot; Reborn’s foot to be precise. ’I am going to kill you, you hit man… person!’ Natsumi glared angrily at his shoes.

Oh, great. Looks like Teen Reborn might have been hitting on Saib or IS. Oh, the joy of this little fake love convo. Yes, even with Natsumi being under the table, she knew what her older “son” was doing is fake. As fake as a woman putting on a smile in front of everyone, then, when alone she cries her heart out to no one in particular. Only to herself. And then, when she feels better she goes out and puts on the act once again. ’Tch, he’s such a great actor… not surprising, he is a hitman, usually their lives are like a stage, and they are the actors of the stage called “life” …’

Then she heard Aoitori’s voice once again, making her heart ache a bit. Natsumi’s left hand went towards her chest and clenched the cloth covering said chest, biting her lip she began thinking. ’There’s no way… Do I.. love Aoitori? … Is this why my heart suddenly aches? For what? … Him?’ Natsumi trembled slightly, but shook her head an got over it. ’I don’t know anymore … Maybe it is, maybe ..’ Then, she clenched her head with her other hand and groaned quietly and closed her eyes. The pain was annoying, Natsumi thought. And being under the table was not helping her headache. 'I have no choice but to get out soon..’

Then Reborn was almost gonna say her name, making her react quickly and biting Reborn’s leg, making him shut up. She was almost gonna celebrate, but she couldn’t almost dodge Reborn’s foot, who had bruised her left side a bit. ’Oh, you are GETTING it when I come out, you bastard.’ She thought angrily, her headache increasing her anger and making her lose much more tolerance. Then, the older hitman started describing his ‘wife’ to such lentghs that made the young guardian want to kill Reborn repeatedly. Great, now they know it’s me… For god’s sakes, people! I AM 18. HOW DO I HAVE A 19 YEAR OLD SON?! Or even a 5 YEAR OLD?!’ Then she rubbed her temples. ’Ahh, my head. I want out!’

Her heart jumped when she thought Aoi thought that she was Reborn’s wife. ’Aoi! Don’t believe that I am married to him—OR pregnant!!’ But alas, he cannot read minds and Natsumi then sulked a bit. Wait, wait. Even though she confirmed her worst/good fears(that she loves Aoi is the good one?) Why did she care about this? Natsumi has never paid attention before, so why now? ’Love, you are a bitch… You too, headache.’

The three arcobalenos were shocked that the young Vongola Storm guardian hid under the table. ”What was that about?” asked Skull, looking at Reborn’s table and then looking back to his own table and taking a bite out of his food. ”Who knows.” Viper also took a bite out of his own food and was now ignoring the new guests on Reborn’s table. Fon, on the other hand raised his eyebrow at Natsumi hiding under the table and and Teen Reborn’s acting. Why was Natsumi hiding under the table in the first place? She quickly hid when the girl and that young man were coming closer…. Was that it? The people that were now talking with Reborn, were those the ones that made the young guardian hide? To be honest, he wanted to go over there and talk to the new guests and find out something about them. But he decided not to… Buuut Skull, on the other hand spoke and said: ”I think I’ll go and investigate.. Reborn’s guests.” ’Oh, god.’ Both the Mist and Storm Arcobaleno thought as Skull got up, and was about to walk over there if Fon hadn’t acted quickly, got up a bit and grabbed his hand, making him turned around and scowled at the Storm Arcobaleno.

Fon stared at Skull with a piercing look. ”What are you going to do once you reach Reborn-san’s table, hmm?” Skull squirmed a bit, trying to get Fon’s hard grip from his hand, but it was failing. ”I was just gonna go talk, that’s all, Fon! I swear I won’t hit on her as I was gonna try with that Natsumi chick!” ”Do not speak her name in front of the guests, all right? Since she did hid under the table…” He trailed off, his eyes looking at the table then back at Skull. ”I would prefer if you would stay here..” ”How come?!” Does he really have to ask? Thought both Viper and Fon. ”…. Well-“ ”You could end up blabbing, as usual, Skull.” Viper said calmly, now looking at both of them. The other two looked at Viper. Fon looked calm while Skull was a few minutes away from killing the Mist Arcobaleno. ”I’ll behave! And I won’t talk about Natsumi, ok?!” Fon gave him a glance, and Skull pouted a bit. ”Don’t trust me?” ”To be honest…. No.” And then Skull went to his imaginary corner to sulk a bit, making Fon sigh and shake his head and sit down once again. ”You can go. But remember: Do not talk about Natsumi. At. All. Got it?” Skull scowled a bit. ”Fine…” He got over being all sulky and walked calmly towards Reborn’s table. When he got there, he smiled at Reborn and his company. ”Hey, Reborn! I couldn’t help but see your new guests over here and I was quite curious on how they are. There’s no trouble, right, Reborn?” Skull smiled fakely, even though Reborn could see through that in a quickl blink of an eye. ’Why does Reborn get ALL the attention..’ Thought Skull a bit annoyed.

"... I'll be back..." murmured Aoitori quietly. "Please, excuse me and..." he turned to face Teen Reborn. "Don't try to do anything to her," he half heartedly warned.

"A-Aoitori, where are you going?" asked Saib, almost a little too quickly to be considered his 'younger sister'. "I-I mean... I... You know I don't do well with strangers... W-Where are you going?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly. Reborn gently took out the empty glass of wine out of her hands and replaced it with his while refilling her own.

"Just... need to go to the bathroom is all. I'll be back," explained Aoitori, getting up. "I promise," he assured Saib. "I'm not gonna do anything stupid either..." he murmured quietly to her, un-strapping his sword belt and laying it by her feet, slipping the blade under the table. And with that, he left the table just seconds before Skull came over.

'Aoitori...' thought Saib quietly with heartache as she sipped the wine, silently thanking Adult Reborn for switching glasses with her, and watching Aoitori's back steadily fade from her view, softly swinging her feet back and forth beneath the table, distracted and thinking of nothing in particular.

"Hey, Reborn! I couldn't help but see your new guests over here and I was quite curious on how they are. There's no trouble right, Reborn?" asked someone new, making Saib look over at him in surprise. What was a biker doing at a place like this? ... Then again, maybe he was some kind of professional or something. Ehh, not like she cared right now. 'I feel so untouched right now, need you so much, somehow I can't forget you. Gone crazy from the moment I met you... ... ... Ehhh why is that song playing through my head?' thought Saib, sighing and stopping her feet from swinging back and forth.

"I wouldn't know Skull, ask them," yawned Reborn a little, taking the wine from Saib and giving her glass back. He vaguely wondered if the girl was aware she had just finished a glass and a half of wine and was about to drain another glass at this rate...

Saib just silently thanked him again and mentally sighed. 'I sooo need to stop drinking... I'm either gonna get sick soon or start talking gibberish and saying what's really on my mind... Ughh... Stop drinking!' Bu as much as she wanted to stop, she wanted to keep going. Taking another long draught of the wine, Saib swallowed and then looked over at Skull. "Uhhh hi. Name's S-Alina," started Saib, mentally chiding herself for nearly revealing who she really was. 'Damn it... I'll screw myself at this rate... Need to stop drinking...' thought Saib, setting the glass of wine down. ... I've drank two glasses of wine in less than five minutes... and I've barely ate anything tonight... I am sooo screwed...'

"Would you like me to call the waiter over to bring you some food?" asked Reborn. Saib just looked up at him a little surprised. "Uhh y-yeah... I-I'll pay for it. There's—“ ”No need, I have enough to spare. And it looks like you need the food,” chuckled Reborn, calling over a waiter. ”Ahh… thank you,” murmured Saib quietly, a slight blush creeping up onto her face. ”Its not a problem. Besides, you are rather cute and charming. A shame you’re not my daughter. You… remind me of my wife.” It of course, only made Saib flush a little more.

Turning to Skull, Reborn continued as if he hadn’t been ignoring him. ”So, why are you here Skull? I thought you’d be with Fon and Viper?” But he more or less ignored Reborn and went on to say something about Saib not telling him how she was doing, even though it was pretty obvious she wasn’t feeling well. ”Alina… is something wrong?” asked Teen Reborn. ”You’ve… started drinking again…” he explained when she only gave him and a confused look.

”O-Oh, uh yeah…” she answered. ”… You don’t sound okay and you’re still drinking… Are you and Aoitori really siblings?” ”W-What?! Of course we are! I’m just worried about him because he usually doesn’t act like this! He… He never acts like this…” replied Saib, her voice steadily dying with each word. ”I’m just worried about him…” sighed Saib, draining the last half of the wine with Reborn exchanging glasses with her again.

”At this rate the bottle will be empy…” murmured Reborn quietly, a silent warning to Saib. ”Aahh I’m sorry I just…” but she winded up trailing off again. ”You’re just worried about your… brother… I know. Still, won’t you be causing trouble for him if you drink this much?” ”I… yeah.. I’m sorry its just that…” ”That what?” asked Reborn, taking advantage of her semi-drunk state. He was hoping to be able to teach both of the young girls here something. The boy was already learning something, but the girls… mmm they still needed a push it seemed.

”I don’t know… its… ahh its nothing, but excuse me for a moment,” started Saib, getting up. ”I’ll be back…. I just need some fresh air…” explained Saib, unsteadily walking off. Truth be told, she just needed to get away from Reborn for a moment. She had this odd feeling Reborn knew exactly what was going on and that this was just some kind of sick game to him. Normally she would’ve just chewed him out for it, but… she wasn’t in a good mood to do so and it would be unsightly to do so in front of so many people. But she did wonder who Skull was, and who Fon and Viper were. Maybe she’d stick around… Well, she would seeing as Aoitori wasn’t going to come back soon, or so she thought.

”Ahh yes, Skull, you do realize who she is, do you? The girl who just left?” asked Reborn, guessing that Skull hadn’t realized who Saib was yet, as usual of him. He glanced back at Fon and Viper and gave them one of his looks to reassure them that everything was okay. Fon had probably guessed what was going on by now, Viper as well, but Viper probably wasn’t caring all too much right now. He might use this information about the Storm Guardian later on… but for now he probably wouldn’t say or do much. Fon on the other hand… well he was probably wondering why Reborn was doing all this, what the lesson behind all of this was. Vaguely, he wondered if Fon had a new student by now asides from I-pin. Maybe he’d ask later.

As Natsumi just stayed there, in the same place, just thinking, she heard Aoitori get up, making the young Storm Guardian get nervous. Was he gonna look under the table? Did he sense her presence/chakra? No way. She made sure she hid her chakra. Her eyes fell unto his sword, which he unstrapped, laying it near Saib's feet; technically under the table in some way. 'Oh....' She sighed silently, 'I.... I got excited over nothing, as usual....' Natsumi thought sadly, sorta wishing he -did- know she was under the table. Then, she heard Skull's voice, making her blink in confusion and also wonder why he's here.

Skull kept up his little 'act' even the fake smile on his face was noticeable by Reborn.[Then again, Reborn -hates- Skull...]But besides Skull being the usual idiot of the Arcobaleno, he can easily notice even when a girl like Alina has had a bit -too- much to drink. 'I wonder if she's ok mentally...' The Cloud Arcobaleno thought. "Ah, nice to meet you, Alina! Name's Skull, an old friend of Reborn's." 'And his rival!' Then, as usual Skull got angry that Reborn was ignoring him. 'Reborn! Do not ignore me !' Then, Reborn spoke, making him blink.

"Oh, yeah. I was with them, but when I saw your 'son' bringing over some guests, I couldn't help myself." Then, his purple eyes trailed over to Alina, he scowled a bit. "She shouldn't be drinking so much. You should be like Nat—" And then a plate[an empty one] was thrown to the back of his beck, making Skull let out a surprised grunt and turned around quickly to look for the culprit, which was none other than... Fon?! He blinked in surprise and sat down like nothing happened, which made Skull get angrier. "HEY!" Fon didn't acknowledge him, which was quite funny in Viper's view. 'Oh, right! I wasn't supposed to say Natsumi's name... Whoops?' He turned around and laughed nervously. "Ehehehe..."

'Nice going, dumbass. And nice save.' Natsumi thought as she glared at the floor, feeling as if she was a bird in a cage, and she only wanted to be free to fly. 'Annnd back into conversation land... Great.' After a few talks, Saib had to get some fresh air, as she said as she got up and walked off. 'Yes!' She thought happily as she crawled out towards Skull, and then he looked down, and received a glare.

"You moron!" Natsumi said, her eyes clearly showing she wanted to kill him, which in turn scared Skull. "I'm sorry! I forgot but at least Fon stopped me, right?" "You are still an idiot!!" Then, she crawled back under the table, only to pop her head out beside Reborn's legs and glare at him.

"YOU are also a moron! Now they think I am married to you, and am a mother! Seriously, Reborn, what the -hell-?!" She gritted her teeth, her right side stinging a bit since Reborn did kick her and she barely dodged. "Oh, and yeah I know. The Daimyo's daughter" "Heh, and yet you seem... stupid?" "Hey!" Skull said, glaring at the table. "Maybe I should go and hide somewhere else... before they come back. The headache I have at the moment is nnot a pretty one... or maybe I should stay hidden in here, or something.

Reborn only watched with humor as Natsumi came out and chastised Skull. He was a little disappointed that the young guardian hadn't come to terms with what he was doing, but it was fun nevertheless. To think that he'd be lucky enough to run into those two... Well, his teenage self at any rate. He had done good work, good work indeed. Now then, as to why Natsumi didn't want them to know it was her?

"YOU are also a moron!" she half yelled at him, clearly annoyed, from beside of his legs, almost tempting him to jerk his legs to the side and 'accidentally' run into her. But for the moment he chose not to and let her finish her thoughts. "Now they think I am married to you, and am a mother! Seriously, Reborn, what the -hell-?!" she finished, still obviously annoyed with him and in pain.

'Oh... I hurt her? Ahh well, shouldn't have hid under the table and lied to them like that, dear. Not good at all. Should've just faced it now then push it of for later. Although... now I have some blackmail on you. This will come in handy for sure...' thought Reborn. Sighing, Reborn smacked Skull across the face just seconds after Natsumi's little snide comment at him. "Don't say it out loud, moron. She called herself Alina for a reason," he explained, half mimicking Natsumi's voice at the word 'moron' just to annoy her a little more.

Still, it concerned Reborn that the two young women here were so painfully unaware of what the other felt and thought. He had thought that with Natsumi's abilities she'd have been able to tell from the words that Saib was not doing well and obviously held deep feelings for her bodyguard, likewise he had hoped that the young successor to the seat of the ruler of this country would become aware of Natsumi beneath the table or at least put two and two together and come to understand that it was indeed Natsumi he had been talking about and come to realize that the reason she wasn't there was because she didn't want them to know it was her. Ahhh well, emotions can get the better of one, Reborn knew that. It was why he had Shamal do what he did...

"You did good briging them here..." he commented to Teen Reborn casually. Teen Reborn nodded in reply and only glanced at the baby (whom Saib had placed in Reborn's arms shortly before leaving) wondering what the baby had in mind. His little scene from before wasn't all he had planned... was it? Though all three were one and the same, in each different form they tended to have different thought patterns and habits so they couldn't always predict each other's moves.

Glancing down at the table, Reborn lifted up the tablecloth slightly, just enough so he could see her. "And you expect to be a guardian of the Vongolas? Calling me a 'moron'... honestly," sighed Reborn, a little irked she'd say that. "Don't forget that I'm still your sensei... I still have Reon... And... you fail as a guardian, dear girl. What guardian hides themselves from people simply because she can not face their reactions?" he explained. "I won't tolerate it..." he said quietly, quite serious.

And then, as if he had not just been telling her how wrong she was, he began to tease her again. "Might I ask why it is that you fear what they think so much? I know the boy irks you and you are intrigued by the girl, but why is it that you'd hide from them? Is it because you fear what they'll say to others? You fear for your reputation amongst your peers? Or..." he paused for a moment there and cast her a small grin. "Or could it be something more along the lines of... attachment? That boy... he's handsome enough I suppose, do you have feelings for him?" he asked.

Whether or not she'd answer him, he let the cloth fall back into place and reached out for a sip of wine. "They'll be back you know... And I doubt you'd have been in the restroom for that long Natsumi, not unless you wish them to worry for your health in addition to their sense of pain from realizing who you are and how you are connected to me," he said, just loud enough for her to hear him.

Turning to face Skull, he went on. "I believe Fon and Viper already know of this... but the guardians are assembling and nearly all of them have been determined, assessed, and are nearing the time of receiving proof of their entrance into the Vongola Family..." he said quietly so that Natsumi wouldn't hear him easily. "I trust that even you know what this means," he said, his voice back to normal and raising and eye at him. "Well?"




'I suppose... that... it is possible that I love her... but... if her heart's settled on another I'll have to let her go. It makes letting go easier anyway, does it not? I've been taught to not hold attachments and I have never held such attachments and yet this girl... in just a few, short days she's touched me so. My duties lay in the safe keeping of the Daimyo's daughter and yet... and yet I... No. I can not. I couldn't... But this feeling I get each time I see her and think of her... I can't deny it.' Aoitori sighed lightly as he let his feet take him where they wished, vaguely keeping check on Saib's presence in the building.

He looked about the lavishly decorated building and found that he could not even marvel at its beauty and exquisiteness. 'So strange... Normally I would note such beauty but I feel so hollow... so... incomplete... so dead... No, those aren't the right words. There's one word that could appropriately describe this and only one word: heartbroken. And yet despite knowing all this... I... I still feel attached to her... This attachment... I don't care all too much about professing my love to her. I just... I just want to be with her, no... that's not it... I just feel like I need to be by her side constantly... I feel as if I must sac... ri... fice... It... can't be... I... No, that's not... is it?' asked Aoitori, a little startled at what he had just realized.

'Then perhaps... perhaps this isn't... No... it’s both... definitely both. Is it even possible though?! I've never heard of it... but... this feeling it’s as if I've met him all over again, only with added elements. The desire... the urge... the will... is she really... am I really fated... No, no, no, it can't be, its unheard of! But I can't deny that this shares similar properties to when I first met that young man. If I am truly meant to protect her with my life then... No, I swore I would protect Saib. I... This is insane. It can't be happening! We're not fated to protect two people! Only one! And yet this feeling, this strong desire...' Sighing, Aoitori shook his head lightly and titled his head up to look at the cieling. 'Am I really destined to protect you with my life? Am I really in love with you? How can I possibly love you and protect you? What am I to do for you now Saib?' thought Aoitori quietly.


Outside in the adjacent alleyway, Saib let herself slide down against the cool stone and warm ground, hugging her knees. Her eyes closed and her head resting against her raised legs, turned towards the darkness of the alley, she let the emotions run through her. Dressed in black tonight, it would be hard for others to fully notice her now in the darkness of the alley and the night. Hopefully she'd be left alone long enough to let her emotions get out.

Slowly, tears spilled and she blinked them away, trying to stop so that when she went back inside to meet Aoitori she wouldn't look like she'd been crying. 'Aoitori can't you at least just outright tell me 'no'? When you don't say anything to me it gives me so much hope... So much hope... Do you know how often I dream about us? Do you know how much I long for you to say those three words to me? Do you know much I want to say them to you? We aren't going to live forever... so please... please just tell me you're not interested yourself or accept my feelings... please...' thought Saib as her heart throbbed with pain once more.

It seemed the wine had only done her good for a little while. 'Aoitori...' thought Saib, letting his name reverberate in her mind for what felt like hours. 'Why can't I just move on? I know he doesn't like me as anything more than a friend... I know it and yet... and yet... I just... Aoitori... I hate this feeling, I hate it so much. I want to move on, I want to forget all these wishful dreams, all these lustful thoughts but I... I just can't let go of you... why?' cried Saib, angry at herself for refusing to let go of him when she knew better and still upset he would let her suffer so.

"Ehehehe... Sorry?" But, the damage was done. There was nothing more that could be done. He could have sensed the Storm guardian was now glaring daggers at his feet, even if she couldn't be able to look at his eyes, Natsumi was making sure he'd feel her wrath... Somehow. Then, as usual, after hearing the small conversation that happened between the Adult Reborn and the Teen Reborn, Natsumi got in trouble.. as usual?

Natsumi glared a Reborn a bit, not enough to intimidate(seriously, she cannot do that. Not now, not ever with him) but just to give him a warning to not try anything again. She then blushed out of embarrassment when he said that she could not face other people's reactions. She wanted to talk back to him, but he wouldn't let her. "I won't tolerate it..." That made her swallow down the excess saliva and feel more... intimidated? Wait... SHE FAILED AS A GUARDIAN? "W-What?!" She said, still not resgitering that he said that, as if he never said it in the first place and she only had her mind blank.

Her eyes dropped down to the floor as he began teasing her again, her eyes widened when she thinks that Reborn had found out about her; on why she didn't want to see Aoitori and Saib. Quickly, she got out from under the table, fixing her dress and looking at Reborn, staring directly as his dark eyes. "I-I...." She couldn't say a thing. He ad found out on why she had hidden, but she wasn't going to let Reborn fail her, no way. "Somethings have happened between them and me.. which is why I did not want to see them.. I know it's my fault for not facing them head on. I'm going to be part of the Vongolas.. I can't be afraid of anyone." Then, she chuckled. "And yet..." she trailed off. Natsumi shook her head, her black hair moving with her. "I think I'll go and face Aoitori..." Natsumi looked at Reborn and then at Skull and did a peace sign to them, and went off to search for Aoi, to tell him the truth.


Meanwhile with Skull, he looked as Natsumi left, scowling a bit. "What does she see in him?!" "Heh. He's actually smarter than you?" Viper said from the table, making Skull turn around again and glare daggers in Viper's hooded head, while the Mist Arcobaleno smirked in triumph and Fon just shooked his head and then looked at Reborn, wondering what will he do now? "This is like a bit of a love drama." He sighed and got up, going to Reborn's table and sitting down, whilst Skull was keeping his eye on Viper, and cursing at him. "We have a very interesting generation,d on't we, Reborn?" Fon asked the Sun Arcobaleno as he looked at him, looking so peaceful.


Natsumi looked around, her eyes searching frantically for Aoitori, or Saib inside the restaurant. She hadn't decided to go out, because she sensed Aoi still inside, and that was her priority at the moment. She still wondered what she actually feels for him, but if she was right about the feeling inside of her, it's best to know until it is the right time.

Saib slowly raised her head and looked up at the night sky. 'Its so... beautiful tonight. The stars... the moon... the world...' she thought quietly as she glanced out of the alleyway and saw the place lit up by the night's radiance and the soft lights coming from private homes. And the people hurrying back home in the night, they seemed happy enough and others were hurrying into restaurants and bars all along the street, happily enough. Sighing a little, she raised a hand to her tear stained face and wiped what tears remained away. Vaguely, she almost wished she knew how to utilize the water element just so she could wash her face off, but in the end she just decided to drop by the bathrooms. Getting up, she dusted herself off and slipped back inside.

'I should tell Aoitori... no... just... confess to him, get an answer, and get over it... He's already done a lot for me, I should return the favor and push him towards that girl...' thought Saib quietly, trying to see if she could find him since she knew she wouldn't be able to sense him. Mentally groaning because she couldn't locate him, she bumped into someone. "Sorry, I... N... Natsumi?" asked Saib as she slowly recognized who it was standing before her. "You... you're... you're really here then?" It was more of statement than a question, really, but she hadn't really believed that it was really Natsumi Reborn Senior had been describing...

"You..." she started again and mentally shaking her head and sighing, "... You haven't seen Aoitori by any chance... have you?" she slowly asked, unsure if they had managed to talk already or not.




He cast Fon a wry smile and nodded lightly. "Quite an interesting generation," he agreed. "I've yet to spend time with any of the other guardians... however I have met the new boss, seen him more like. I do wonder what the others are like. For them to be remotely normal... is it even possible?" he asked in mild humor. He glanced back at Viper and Skull before continuing. "I wonder if that idiot has a real crush on her... When was the last time we had a real girl for a guardian anyway? I know Chrome's a girl but... she's not exactly the true guardian is she?" he murmured quietly. "Things sure have changed since Giotto's time... and yet... things are still the same, are they not?" half sighed Reborn, gazing down at his younger self. Their curse... would it ever be lifted?




'Ahh, tonight things have gotten too confusing, too... different from the norm. But I've been away for far too long, I should get back to her before she gets worried.' Blinking, he turned his neck a bit, cracking it and feeling a little better. He still felt like a giant weight was on his shoulders, but at least he physically felt a little better now. Walking back to the table he rolled back his shoulders as well. A little more comfort and bringing him back down to reality and making him feel more normal. But he came to find that Saib was gone once he got back. Kneeling down, he had retrieved his sword and strapped it back on. "Reborn-san... where did she go?" he asked lightly, a little worried now. 'I told you I wasn't going to do anything stupid, now you better not be doing anything stupid!' chided Aoitori, getting worried his young client had gone off somewhere in her semi-drunk state.

"She went outside to get some air, I believe... but you needn't worry. I can sense her in the building. She must have just come back in awhile ago. Why don't you sit?" replied Reborn, looking up at the young guard and turning away from Fon. His last suggestion was obviously a command and Aoitori wisely chose to take a seat. "What do you think?"

He watched this adult, grown version of the child he knew and wondered how that baby had a father. Cautiously, he began to answer the man, aware that there was more to the question. "Of what... You or this situation?"

The man laughed lightly. "What do you think I'm asking about?"

Aoitori mentally sighed and looked away from Reborn a little, closing his eyes slightly and turning back to face him, opening his eyes. "I don't... understand what's going on. That much is obvious I believe. And... although I am a little lost and confused, I think I understand..."

"I see," murmured Reborn quietly. "Your clan... they are strong in sensing others, are they not? I doubt that she'll be able to properly sense you if you are hiding you presence as you normally always are... but... The two need to talk."

Aoitori leaned back in his chair slightly, crossing his arms and nodded lightly. "That's true. But is that girl really the same?" Reborn nodded. "... Why are you doing this?"

Reborn only laughed a little at this and turned away, sipping his wine. "No matter how you look at it, I am a teacher and always will be. My methods may be harsh, cruel, extreme, questionable... but all the same, I am a teacher, as are many of my fellow comrades even if they deny it and do not outwardly look like one."

He grew angry, just the slightest bit, but he had gotten several answers from this. For one thing, he now knew that this man and the baby in his arms, as well as the man next to him, were all the same person. It really had been a technique. Secondly, Natsumi was indeed here... but she was not his wife, merely his student. There were various other things he was inferring as well, but these two he knew to be the truest. Smiling very faintly, mostly in his eyes, he stood up and bowed deeply to the man. "You... are truly a teacher, and had I not first been hired out by that man, I would be honored to be working for the family you serve," he murmured quietly in a sincere tone before taking his leave.

'Saib... Natsumi... where are you?' he thought as he went off to find them, mostly going off of Saib's chakra signature and before long he found them... together... Talking? He wasn't sure if he was interrupting something or not and so chose to blend into the shadows and people about him, giving them their privacy.




'This generation... they are different, yet similar as all generations are. Still... how will the night play out?' "This generation... it is truly interesting indeed, Fon," he murmured softly, eyes opening...