Chapter 19

"That's a joke, right?" The Vindice Warden couldn't help but ask even as he knew from the determined gleam within those golden eyes it very much wasn't. "Jager, you do realize I'm technically a two-year-old, right?"

"Yes, Lord Bermuda," The golden-eyed man confirmed with a slight shift of his posture, "Therefore I already have an excuse for you to use."

"Oh?"

"You're a dwarf."

"A dwarf..." For not the first time since Jager had stared the conversation, Bermuda worried for the elder's sanity. While a Magical might consider a dwarf- though any who actually seen a dwarf would know he wasn't- the 'Normal' World would never even humor the though.

"Jager, I want an honest answer. Have you been stealing Small Gia's plants again?"

A frown twisted onto the other's snitched lips, "Lord Bermuda, I'm being serious."

"I was afraid of that." At least with the plants he could have blamed this whole idea on a poison-induced hallucination, but apparently not.

To be honest, The Night Arcobaleno didn't mind the idea of an anniversary -They never really had a proper honeymoon- but there was a reason they stopped taking cruises. Shrill screams and a heavy black smoke filling the air as the fire spread upon the ship, passengers and crewmates banding together armed with whatever they found a suitable weapon as they attempted to rescue the 'baby' from the 'living dead' that held the toddler 'hostage', never allowing it to leave the creatures shoulder.

"Jager, if I humored this idea, exactly where would we go?"

Normal humans always assumed the worst of things and couldn't follow the simple order of 'Do not Disturb' so things in the Civilian side of the world always ended up a complete disaster. Personally, Bermuda blamed the Zombie Apocalypse phase Civilian's seemed stuck upon.

The Mafia World wasn't an option- The one time they set foot on the Island the whole place had become deserted in a matter of seconds- no place in the Mafia was. The Cheeky brat had invited them to a Christmas Party once,and since there was nothing better to do at the moment they had shown up. The moment they arrived there was screaming, gunshots, explosions and utter chaos that left the once Grand Ballroom nothing but a pile of rubble with only themselves and Giotto still there. The cheeky brat had laughed, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, before granting them a large smile. 'I guess that means we get all the presents.'

Then there was the wizarding world, whose reaction to them was just as bad as the Mafias. Spells lighting up the air as a few brave souls stood their ground while other ran around screaming like headless chickens.

"I brought us a Private Island."

...What?

　———————-

If Jager was honest, he thought he did well on planning their anniversary- Considering the fact he was a living corpse and Bermuda was trapped as a two-year-old- though it wasn't romantic in a sense most woman- and some men- would desire but it was good enough for them.

It was a tropical island, covered mostly in a dense forest with just a small cottage a good quarter mile in. Nothing much in all honesty but it was quiet and secluded to the point he could walk around without a single bandage and never once have to hear a scream at his appearance. It was nice to feel the sun on his skin once more.

They didn't hold hands and walk upon the beach with only the moonlight to guide them, he didn't recite poetry of endless love, instead the moment they were upon the island he carried Bermuda a cliff- taking a moment to enter the beauty of the waterfall flowing into the lake, the ivy and flowers that grew up the side the of the waterfall- before throwing his Lord into the glistening blue waters of Lake below.

The golden-eyed man could see those inhumane emerald eyes widen as the motion caused His Lord to snap out of his thoughts.

"Jager!"

Splash!

He couldn't help but laugh.

It didn't help matter when His Lord's finally broke surface- Somehow the younger had replaced his hair with moss covered seaweed and gained a starfish tattoo- again. That childish face scrunched up as the emerald-eyed Chibi spat out a fish before glaring his way.

"Aguamenti!" The glistening water of the waterfall seemed to defy gravity as it rose in the form of twin dragons before rushing at him.

Shit. Bermuda would forever accuse him of cheating as the dark haired man used his borrowed Night Flames to warp away before he was hit.

While the two did enjoy their anniversary they encounter one problem upon returning home-

Emerald eyes slowly blinked once then twice- as though reality would suddenly shift and undo what laid before them- unfortunately, no such kindness existed.

"Can we go back?"

Bermuda couldn't help but question as he stared at the burning inferno before him that was once the Vendicare Prison. Jager didn't even hesitate to form a wormhole back to their Island. Surely Vendicare could run without them for another six months.

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The Representative Battle of the Rainbow.

A battle royale between the representatives of all the Arcobaleno. The Arcobaleno whose representatives win the tournament is granted release from their Arcobaleno curse or in the Sky Arcobaleno's case, the removal of the curse which drastically shortens their lifespan.

The Ultimate Deception.

While Checkerface might call it freedom, the Vindice knew better. The Tournament was nothing more than another way to gather the Arcobaleno so the creature could steal their Flames, the pacifiers and the lives of the current eras Arcobaleno. So the humanoid was finally crawled out from beneath his rock so to making his move.

Usually, the coward always managed to escape them but this time, Bermuda would not allow him to slip away. Despite their best efforts they had never made it in time-always too little too late- but this time wouldn't be. For this time they would already be there participating as an eighth- unannounced and unplanned- team. This time he would gamble his Night Flames and his very life for should the Monster win, Bermuda knew he would not survive twice.

Though for The Night Arcobaleno's plan to work, they were first going to have to acquire several Boss Watches- And maybe a miracle to actually convenience the Vindice, Jager especially, to go along with his suicidal plan- from one of the already participating teams. After looking over the score, Bermuda eventually settled on Team Skull- the Cloud Arcobaleno was said to be immortal- who somehow had all his members despite the strongest of them being The Simon Decimo.

It would take Bermuda three days of countless arguments, assurance, and compromises before The Night Arcobaleno's Guardians would clam down- and stop attempting to lock him into a well warded, padded vault with a nice white jacket- enough to actually permit the Vindice Warden to explain his plan in detail.

Several details were violently torn to shreds before being formulated by Jager including Bermuda's original plan to collect the watches by himself. For that matter, Bermuda was firmly restricted from being alone no matter what he attempted to reason- countless eyes kept watch over him as though they expected him to vanish should they so much as blink- to the point Jack had actually attempted to tackle the Night Arcobaleno when he caught him wondering the halls of Vendicare without Jager.

Bermuda knew he knew he had the devil's luck but he wasn't that bad, right?

Apparently, he was.

Skull-Kun's brain matter hadn't even dried on his bandages hand- While he wishes it hadn't come to that, Bermuda knew Skull's type well, seeing as Harry Potter had been cut from the same cloth, The Cloud would have fought no matter how grim the odds and sooner smashed his own watch then lose it. - Before Jager had warped them into a warded room within the Arcobaleno Cave with only a throne, a table and a small mirror in sight.

Safety Precaution, indeed.

　
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Rejection hurt- especially when it came from One's Guardians- but if he's honest, Bermuda had expected it.

Reborn had an emotional attachment to Tsunayoshi and nothing binding him to Bermuda besides a bond the other still didn't know exist. The Hitman's Flames all but screamed the other still didn't want a sky. Though they were close to desiring a Bond with young Tsunayoshi's own Sky Flames cocooning them.

Jager didn't take it the rejection as well especially once the elder realized what the younger Sky's was unknowingly attempting to do and attempted to eliminate the threat. Though Bermuda attempted to save the situation- and Cheeky Brat 2.0's life- by calling off the golden-eyed Vindice and apologizing, the Night Arcobaleno knew it was pointless. He could see it in his Sun's eyes, Reborn would not side with them.

Jack. Alejandro. Small Gia. Big Pino. Vincentius. Celina.

Defeated by teenagers hundreds of years younger than them. Though Bermuda couldn't fault them, each had done their best- give it they're all without hesitation- and that was he would ever ask of them. Still, he had Jager, who was more than willing to cut down anyone who got in their way, though the elder was holding back on outright killing the children- Permanently handicapping them was another matter entirely- besides Superbia Squalo who was an adult; a child one but still an adult, who should know better than attempting to sneak up on a Vindice.

———————

Hyper Intuition existed solely to cause him unnecessary headaches.

Though Tsunayoshi wasn't completely correct, Bermuda stayed on Jager's shoulder because it was his spot and a part of his compromise. He didn't need to touch the Strongest Vindice Warrior's to refuel the Night Flames, though now that the brunette had screamed the truth for the world to hear, Bermuda knew they would be keeping a close eye on him.

Jager would just have to finish this battle with what he had stored.

At first, it was easy to just float around watching as the golden-eyed man cut through anyone in his way until he fell headfirst into the Mist and Cloud's trap. If his heart still needed to beat, Bermuda was certain it would have stopped when the X-Burner pierced through Jager's chest. Though he had heard of time slowing down for people, The Night Arcobaleno had never quite experienced it until he was watching the golden-eyed man fall to the ground.

"Tsuna, Finish it."

And that's exactly what the brunette tended to do, no doubt furious about Jager's handiwork. Bermuda could feel the ill intent in the flames building within the young's hand and he knew the other full intended to disintegrate Jager. Not even he would be capable of saving the other should that hit.

He broke one of his Compromises -'No matter what happens promise me you won't get involved in the battles, Bermuda'- floating so the was between Tsunayoshi's attack and the paralyzed man.

"I won't allow you to. Present Please."

It was strange, no longer being a toddler after spending almost a millennium as one, but this wasn't really the time to reminisce. Five minutes wasn't long, but if he took matters seriously it should be more then enough. He wouldn't even need that long if he used magic but... the voice in the back of his head, his intuition was telling him not to.

Though he didn't know why Bermuda had learned to trust his intuition. It had never led him astray before. So he doesn't, instead, he ignites his flames allowing them to pour off him.

———————

He takes it back.

Between his intuition, Reborn's Dying Will Bullet, and an 'I'm almost certain that's really Giotto' Sawada Tsunayoshi, Bermuda doubts he'll live to see daybreak.

He could have dodged or counteracted easily, all Tsunayoshi had done was raise a fist blanketed within intense Sky Flames yet Bermuda's Intuition whispered softly in the back of his head. Telling him not to. That everything would be okay if he just took this attack head-on. It was strange really, his intuition usually helped him avoid attacks not run headfirst into them.

So he took a chance and listened.

Pain explodes instantly on contact -of course, what else could one expect when hitting a fist of sky flames at the speed of light?- as the flames tear into his flesh before he finds himself flung into the air.

"Lord Bermuda!" Jager sounds furious and though a part of Bermuda wishes to inform the other he's okay. He's intuition all by scream at him not to. To take the fall. "How could you?!"

For a brief moment, emerald eyes opened upon feeling a burst of Sky Falls were the golden-eyed man had fallen but Tsunayoshi only destroyed the Boss Watch, so he closes his eyes once more. Moments later he's hitting the ground.

And then came Checkerface.

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Bermuda von Veckenschtein wasn't what Tsuna expected.

If the brunette's honest he had expected someone older- not the emerald-eyed teenager that stood before him, who was only slightly older then himself- and maybe scarier. What? All the other Vindice looked like the living dead yet if not for his unnatural eyes and the darkness pouring off of him this one could almost pass as almost human.

From the start of their battle, something had been off. While the Arcobaleno of the Vindice was powerful, terrifyingly so, something about the way he fought seemed... lacking. Yet the other was completely slaughtering him until Reborn had interfered and shot that Dying Will Bullet. He's not quite sure how to explain but if he had to, Tsuna would say he had blind until that bullet hit. Then he found he could see everything in an alarming detail.

'I only need revenge.'

He knows its a lie the moment it leaves the other's lips. Bermuda might have been doing this revenge but it wasn't his own revenge. The fact the Vindice Warden had purposely all but thrown himself in-between Jager and The brunette's own attack was proof of that. Despite his insistence, Bermuda didn't need revenge. He needed the family he had built was his own two hands who sought revenge.

Then came the end game, even as his fist collided with the other's face; The feeling of 'something is wrong' returned. Yet there was Bermuda, lying defeated in the ground. He was victorious, he had won the Representative Battle yet...

Even as he argued with Checkerface, Tsuna can't bring himself to turn his back on Bermuda von Veckenschtein. The brunette's not sure why but there's a whisper into him back of his head- his intuition maybe?- that's all but screaming at him that the other is still as dangerous as he had been the moment he arrived. Still, Bermuda stays down.

So its no surprise when all is said in done- the Vindice having agreed to aid them- Tsuna finds Bermuda is no longer upon the ground where he left the dark-haired teen but rather crouched next to Jager with Night Flames stretched across the park. He's the only one not surprised as the black flames focused on Bermuda's palm slowly seal the hole in Jager's chest while the rest carry the defeated Vindice towards their Master... No, that doesn't sit well with his Intuition.

Bermuda is not the Slave Master- like Skull and the other Arcobaleno insisted- but rather their ally, their companion, their friend, and if Tsuna's theory is correct; Their Sky.

——————

Chapter 20

"I'm sorry Jager. I don't think I heard you correctly."

"We've been invited to witness The Vongola Inheritance by The Decimo."

"...It's not going to be invaded again is it?"

"Not unless Giotto made another vow we don't know about that started an unnecessary feud."

It had almost been a year since the Representative Battles occurred and the passing of the Control of the New Arcobaleno System from Checkerface- who was discovered to be Kawahira- to the Vindice. Though not much had changed outside the walls of Vendicare- The Former Arcobaleno were still toddlers but growing fast- inside had been a whole another matter.

Bermuda had been sleeping upon his Throne when a commotion had woken him, instantly emerald eyes had darted towards the source only to almost choke on thin air as he found himself staring at the smooth caramelized skin- no decay, missing skin or bones in sight- as Jager continued to yank off bandages staring with wide golden eyes.

"Jager?"

Though he recognized the other it had been so long since he had seen the dark-haired man like that and had to be sure this wasn't a rather cruel dream.

Molten Gold met Inhumane Emerald before the other seemed to choke on the very air around him.

"Lord Bermuda?"

"Of course," Confusion had entered the Vindice Warden's voice, "Who else would I be?"

For not the first time, Bermuda fount himself thankful he didn't need oxygen as he would have surely been suffocated against the elder's solid- whole. One solid piece and not falling apart- chest otherwise.

As it turned out, Jager wasn't the only one who had changed. Though the Vindice looked alive, as whole and solid as when they once were alive, they were still dead though. None of them had a beating heart, no of them needed oxygen, nor water, sleep or food. Yet they seemed happy and that was enough for Bermuda.

Bermuda, on the other hand, had changed as well. When Jager had shoved him before a mirror, Bermuda had expected the same face he had seen for the last millennium. Instead, he was greeted by a slender teenager with messy ebony black hair, pale skin, and inhumane emerald eyes.

The emerald eyed teen had instantly assumed the mirror to be glass and broken it thinking there was an intruder behind it.

Though the Vindice Warden soon discovered it he concentrated enough his magic would actually help him take his cursed form once more. What? He rather liked riding on Jager's shoulder and while the elderly could still easily carry him around, Bermuda felt more comfortable when carried in that form.

———————

"Heeeiii!"

Tsuna couldn't stop the shrill scream from leaving his throat as he stared at the smoking rubble that had once been the Vongola's Majestic Ballroom. Honestly, everything had started out so well- that probably should have been the first sign everything that could go wrong would as nothing ever goes as he plans- the guest had arrived according to plan; including the Vindice. Though none were willing to go within ten feet of the Mafia Law Enforcers and every time one of the bandaged covered shadows moved a hand would twitch towards hidden weapons.

Still, Tsuna couldn't help but feel pleased that had even shown. After all, They were not the eternal guardians of the pacifiers outside of their usual duties so he doubted they had much free time. So he had tried to be a good host and include them into events. Everything was perfect, the ceremony when without a hitch yet it was during the after party that everything began to go wrong.

It started with Bermuda.

Apparently, the ex-Night Arcobaleno had a love of cakes and had all but gravitated towards the table were he soon joins by Byakuran, who got along like a house on fire, as they worked together to ensure none of the deserts survived the hour. It was frightening seeing two of the strongest enemies he once faced getting along so well.

Alejandro and Jack were in the middle of a drinking competition, which quickly descended into an outright brawl when Hibari attempted to 'Bite them to Death'- was that even possible when the victim was already dead- for Public Intoxication.

Big Pino and Small Gia were talking with Verde animatedly, every now and then their eyes would drift towards Bermuda when a small exclamation of: 'What do you mean he's no longer cursed?!' which drew the rest of the Former Arcobaleno's attention, who shared a look before descending upon the small group like vultures.

Finally, Jager had noticed was his Lord had gotten off too. The golden eyed Warrior had taken one look at Byakuran before busting into vicious Night Flames and charging for the white-haired teen, who must have sensed the threat to his continual well being as he suddenly flying in the air like an acrobat to avoid the golden-eyed Vindice's chains.

Tsunayoshi is unsure how it happened but one moment he was standing in the Majestic Vongola Ballroom and the next there was nothing but a pile of smoking rubble with a dense smoke clouding his vision- though he could make out Bermuda's small bandaged form sitting on a broken post with a plate of chocolate cake continuing on as though this was normal.

"Heeii!"

"If you wanted a piece of cake that badly Tsunayoshi-Kun all you had to do was say so."

Maybe inviting the Vindice to his Inheritance Ceremony hadn't been his best idea. Though Tsunayoshi couldn't help but think Reborn would love to spend some quality time with the Undead Protectors, they all seemed to be cut from the same chaotic cloth anyways.

For the sake of his lasting sanity, Tsunayoshi pretended he didn't see the blond ghost next to him, laughing at the Chaos that surrounded them.

　——————

"Jager?"

"Yes, Lord Bermuda?"

"What are the Former Arcobaleno doing camping outside our Gate?"

Golden eyes blinked down at His Lord sprawled out on his lap then towards the window- Huh, so they were- before allowing a frown to appear.

"I'm not sure, but I think they're Striking."

Well, either that or they had a strange hobby of waving picket signs outside prisons located in the middle of a freezing wasteland. His Lord titled his head, emerald eyes blinking in subtle confusion.

"But they don't even work for us. What reason would they have to Strike?"

"I don't know, Lord Bermuda. Just ignore them, they'll have to go away eventually."

A month later, all seven Former Arcobaleno were still there and appeared to have been joined by several other people including a pink-haired woman with questionable cooking that killed everything it touches. The Poison Scorpion, if Jager recalled correctly.

———————

The-Boy-Who-Lived Dead!

By: Rita Skeeter

Kawahira could feel the scowl stretching upon his voice as Cold emerald eyes stared down at the old, worn down article in his hands- Either the Magical world was full of fools or they thought him a fool. How could anyone believe this nonsense- before allowing his Mist flames to the newspaper aflame.

The Veil wasn't meant to kill but ensnare and imprison.

If anyone knew about that artifact it would be Kawahira; After all, he helped create it with the aid of nine other 'True Earthlings'. Though he hadn't been aware it still existed- having thought it sunk with the island it was originally located upon- but it would appear someone had relocated it to the darkened depths of the Ministry of Magic instead.

Silently crossing the empty chamber, the creature usually known as Checkerface closed his eyes and allowed his fingers to trail over the liquid-like substance that served as the Veil. A moment later, cold eyes shot open as the creatures scowl shifted into a silent snarl.

Harry Potter was not amongst the lost souls trapped within the Veil. Which could only mean someone had beaten him here and already removed his Grandson from Artifact. So where is he? Who was hiding His Grandson from him?

Later, Sawada Tsunayoshi would find himself in for a surprise when he entered his office only to find Kawahira waiting inside for him. The white-haired humanoid glanced up at him from above the rim of his glasses before offering that small smile the other was all but trademarked for, "Sawada Tsunayoshi, I have a request to make of you."

　
———————

The Ritual had failed.

Silence filled the room as every soul eyed the crystal that was now glowing a startling shade of shade of inhumane emerald with specks of Midnight Black and a bright white- almost like stars in the night sky- swirling inside.

"Headmaster," A brunette woman spoke as her hand tightened around the redhead's next to her, "what does that color mean?"

"It means," Dumbledore spoke solemnly, his blue eyes meeting the faces of the Order members around him, "Harry Potter is Alive."

At his words, the room descended into Chaos but Albus Dumbledore couldn't hear any of it. Instead, he was solely focused on the crystal as though it held all the answers in the world. The Inhumane emerald should represent Harry's magic so what was the Midnight Black and Bright White? Better yet, if Harry was still alive, why had he not returned?

　——————

The moment Bermuda entered the Throne Room he knew something was wrong. It was hard to miss it seeing as the Vindice Warden was certain he had never owned a polka-dotted tea set, let alone the bright yellow ivy table it was sitting on. Bermuda could feel the Night Flames shift under his skin as he made his way closer to their figure reclining in his throne, Humming of all things as small delicate hands reached from beneath the- rainbow-colored- hooded cloak for a cracked puke green glass.

The Vindice Warden could feel his Flames building within the palm of his hands, prepared to incinerate the intruder when they turned their head his direction and smiled at him.

There was something strangely familiar about the figure, something in the back of his head that reminded the emerald eyed teen of his connect with Jack, Alejandro, Small Gia and Jager. It couldn't be possible... Right? He had made sure to keep all his Guardians near him, he had to, seeing as Checkerface loved targeting them to be Arcobaleno.

"Hello, Harry or do you prefer Bermuda now?"

It was impossible, but he knew that voice and could never mistake it for another.

"Bermuda," His flames settled down instantly, not even capable of seeing the other as a threat.

"Bermuda then," The other's smile grew, "I hope you don't mind how long it took me to come home."

"Of course not, you can't have the Night Sky without its ever Shinning Moon," The Vindice Warden could feel his lips twitch slightly into a gentle smile, "We've been waiting for you." Even if he hadn't realized he had been waiting till now.