Chapter 16: London

"Uwaaa..." Nana smiled despite shivering in cold. "London is so different." She said, eyes sparkling, watching the snowfall from inside the airport while waiting for someone to pick them up. Tsuna, behind her, muttering something under his breath with one finger twirling a ballpoint.

Come Winter Holiday, Nana begs Tsuna to allow her and the kids to join him in his trip to London. Normally Tsuna have trip to London at Summer and spends Winter Holiday at the Ryogi's, with Christmas in Namimori with Nana. However, due Reborn messed up the schedule... Nana begs Tsuna to say yes. Saying how she wants to see London for once, visiting the Big Ben and all tourist "Things To Do" stuff. And of course they can't leave the kids alone, can they?

Tsuna was so miffed that, despite saying "yes she can come and o course the kids too", he stalks out in the night and butchers a lot of criminals that make Kyoya sends him Cleaning Bill in hefty sum that got Tsuna choking.

All without Reborn or Hayato knowing.

"Nee, nee, Tsu-kun, what hotel we are staying at?"

Good thing Nana asks in Japanese, otherwise that would draw stares. It was the child who supposed to ask his mother where they were staying, not the other way around. As it was, Hayato and Takeshi exchange a commiserating look. Who was adult and who was child again? With the Sawada family's antics, you can never know.

Good thing the kids were awed at the airport than making ruckus. Though with Lambo, it was only matters of time...

Tsuna sighed. "We're staying in Archisorte Hotel, kaa-san. Right now we're waiting for someone to pick us up?"

"Oh? Who is this? Your friend?"

"Yes~" A cheerful voice sing-songed. "Sorry for the waiting but you should've carrying signs, you know? That would make my job easier~"

"...you?!"

It was a teen. About Kyoya's age, with stark white hair unlike Hayato's silver-white, and shocking purple eyes and a small triangle tattoo under his eyes. Dressed in white clothes with purple accent and his scarf somehow give image of angel's wings but the way Tsuna, Kyoya, and Takeshi twitched and shot him venomous look, he was anything but Angel.

In retrospect, Reborn held himself to not "ask questions" until they were alone. In soundproof room.

"Now. Come on. The hot food and comfy bed are waiting~" Grinned the boy, dragging Tsuna by hand with others follow in tow. The other three teens plus Reborn lagged behind because Tsuna's expression was a stormy one.

At least Tsuna allows the car survives the entire journey. That or he decided better suffers few minutes in same car with the white haired teen than god knows how long walking to the hotel. With the said whitehead clinging to him. And half-freeze to death. London is colder than Japan.

The hotel is located in Norwich. It was nice and classy, not lavishly so but staying here definitely cost quite a bill. Meh. Tsuna is heir to Vongola, a rich and powerful famiglia. Hotel bill is no biggie, but just in case Reborn will reminds him to not splurge money like water. They were given a black card with stylish gold imprint on it. Reborn both little surprised and pleased when he quickly realized it was VVIP Card.

Good. Best service for the best.

"Come on, your room was this way~" Their white haired guide led them to top floor. One that can only accessed with verification of VVIP Card.

There's people on the (very classy) lobby. A girl with pale blonde hair and amused blue eyes who had poise of satisfied cat got canary. Can't be older than eighteen. Sitting across her was a man with long, straight black hair with red scarf draped across his shoulder and currently smoking cigarette. The girl and the man was playing chess while the hooded figure and did not even looking when they passed them.

Everyone got their own rooms, with exception of Lambo and I-Pin who will be staying with Nana (thus the reason her bed is the biggest), and Reborn who will be staying with Tsuna (hence the twin bed).

"I'll be back shortly." He told Tsuna.

"Sure, sure, take your time."

What a negligent student, Reborn thought. He stalks the halls until he found his target.

The white-haired teen was sitting on a corner, near window, with steaming two cups of coffee and marshmallow on the table. He look at Reborn and smiled.

"Aww, is little baby get lost? Do you want me to find your big brother and mama?" He cooed and bend down as if attempts to pet Reborn.

Reborn answer by shoving Leon-Gun at his forehead. "I would like you to drop the act, Gesso Heir."

The boy froze, before retreated. "Can even joke around you, huh, Arcobaleno." The smile didn't leave his face, despite it changed. Before it was cheerful and innocent, but now it was still carefree, but had hidden sharp edge. It send Reborn's nerves on edge. The smile is closer to Tsuna's aloofness than Takeshi's fake smile and Reborn know what kind of monster lies beneath that aloofness.

"Gesso. What are you planning here?"

"What am I planning? Hmm... how about just picking up a classmate. You know, I have Things To Do With Tsuna-Kun and Friends For Summer list, but you had to mess that up." He pouted. "Can't you wait till autumn before you come?" Was that a whine? Yes that was.

Reborn eyeing him, "I find that hard to believe."

Byakuran didn't reply. He just smiled.

Reborn want to wipe that smile already. "You better not planning to harm my charge."

"I swear I won't kill Tsunayoshi-kun."

That was not what Reborn quite mean, but he take what he can get. He had heard things about Gesso heir. About his strangeness. Like how he consume unhealthy amount of marshmallow and never get sick of it. About how he has appearance of an Angel but personality and heart of a Devil. About how he had killed assassins with smile in his face as if he enjoying it.

Non-Glasses Tsuna kill assassins with stone cold expression, almost bored even, like plucking flower or stepping on bugs.

It was scary how they seems to parallel each other.

"I'll keep an eye on you."

"Sure sure." Waved Byakuran. "After all we will often see each other in near future. Do your best, Reborn-chan~"

Reborn feel justified shooting the menace.

~X~

Dinner was fancy affair. With cutlery and refined French dishes and wine in tall glass. Only Fuuta, I-Pin, and Lambo who got orange juice instead wine.

Nana was displeased, but Tsuna quickly assures her that this was custom. That and for all Reborn appears as toddler, he was actually an adult suffering from dwarfinism and eternal baby face, not actual toddler. For that quick thinking, Reborn refrained from hitting Tsuna under the table.

The dinner filled with chatter, especially with the Gesso boy and three others joined the table.

"Ufufu, thank you for the compliment Mrs. Sawada." Smiled the girl. "My name is Reines, Reines El Melloi Archisorte. This is my dearest Elder Brother and his adorable apprentice Gray."

The man nodded politely. "Lord El-Melloi II." He replied smoothly while the hooded girl squeaked a hesitant hello.

"You must be good friends with Tsu-kun."

"Not quite." Replied the man. "Though your son is the least problematic students of mine."

Reborn perked up. Oh. So he was Tsuna's mysterious teacher? The guy did have scholar look and a competent one at that.

"Oh? Really?" Nana look interest. "What did you teach, professor?"

"History." Replied Lord El-Melloi... or was it Professor El-Melloi? "Major in History and Anthropology with some Geography, Sociology, Religion, a bit of Politics, Traditions, some Biology, Math, and Chemistry thrown in. We also cover a little bit of other language, mostly German and Latin."

Well... wow.

"That was a lot of subjects."

"Again, the Major is History and Anthropology. The other subjects included when it relevant or connected to the study topic." Taking a bite from the steak, he chews and swallow before continue. "And I teach year-round class. Your son and his friends only sign up for Summer Class."

Reborn feel that this Professor's class would be interesting one. Not many lecturers can tackle so many subjects in same time. As fellow tutor, Reborn feel respect to him.

"How do you teach? What kind of method you use?" He ask.

"Hmm... well... compare to other class, mine was smaller, so it was easier to make schedule. It start with lecture, with picture or diagram if possible, then I will assign each individual an assignment. Everyone have different assignment which attune to their capability. As because each one is unique and has different depth of understanding, handing out individual assignment is quite tricky, but it was a must so they know what they're good at and what they're bad at."

Reborn tipped his head in respect. Really, making individual assignment that suit each and every individual? That speak of close bond and understanding to each and every single of his student. That he knew their personality enough to grasp their individual potential. Even with small class, that was not easy. Only truly talented and dedicated teacher capable of that sort of feat.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!"

"Master is good teacher." Spoke Gray. If Reborn hadn't sitting across her he might not be able to hear it. She spoke softly.

"So Reines-chan will be teacher too?"

Reines laughed. "No no. I'm a businesswoman." She replied. "My family dabbles in business so I continue the trend. This hotel is my investment, though I had your son to thank."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I remember when he mentions that finding lodging is difficult since Summer means hotel rooms are booked and most dorms are closed with the students going home on months-long holiday. So I build this hotel to accommodate that. We have special discount for students. Oh, have I mentions that Tsuna receives seven percent of total income?"

"Oh!"

Byakuran giggles and whispered to Reborn, "the room and hotel services were paid from Tsunayoshi's account. Basically, she cuts off his two months worth of salary."

So the room is paid by Tsuna's own money instead of dipping into his Inheritance Trust Account.

Think again, considering Iemitsu's neglects of his family and Tsuna's degrading view of him, it was unlikely Tsuna know he has Trust Account.

He was wondering if Reines will be a good match to him. She should be told of Tsuna's... peculiarity, but the way she manages family business and carry herself would make her a good match. But Tsuna somehow caught what he was thinking and hissed,

"Whatever you planned, forget it. Reines is from old money and her family dabbles in complicate politic and even more headache-inducing succession. I'm not touching that can of worm with any length of pole, thank you. Mafia politic was already complicated as it was."

Reborn did not pout. He kicked Tsuna for being wet blanket, and then kicked Byakuran for good measure when he had the galls to snicker.

TBC

Welcome to London and meet our resident Magus, Folks! Oh, and Hi Byakuran!

You can say what you want aout Waver, but he is patient and dedicated. Exhibit a) chasing his dream. Exhibit b) his class. His Crazy class filled with insane people, most notably, Flat Escardos and Svin Glascheit. If he wasn't patient, he would likely snap their neck consequences be damned rather than put up with their shit in attempt to make super magus out of them. All Hail Proffessor Great Big Ben London Star! (Yes Flat, I'm quoting you here)

Also... speaking of Fate verse... BOOYAH! APOCRYPHA EVENT ROCKS! Got Achilles of first try, 4 Gold Tickets and 120 Saint Quartz Later got Chiron! WOO-HOOO!