Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry 1000x Hontou ni gomenasai!!!
I'm a jerk, a horrible heartless jerk, I know. SAT and school and all were really pissing me off and taking my time. Sure, it doesn't excuse my extreme rudeness to you guys but I just hope all off you at least forgive me before burning me at the stake for insolence. I really did do a bad thing.
So thanks to everybody who is reading this and SORRY again to those who were waiting for this chapter. Hope this doesn't disappoint. For what it's worth, it's longer than the other chapters.
- Bara no Hitsugi
Colonnello was lying down on the grass, sleeping. The breeze comforted him and the albatross flying high overhead just about blocked the sun from his view. The warmth of his surroundings embraced him as he dozed off—not exactly dreaming. Although everything did seem so surreal.
"I hate you." Lal scowled as he walked out the door.
"Aww…I love you too sweetie." He grinned back.
"Call me 'sweetie' again and I'll kill you." Lal snapped. And she wasn't kidding.
"Well, I'm sorry, okay? Not just for that but for doing this also."
"Don't be." she shrugged. "It probably won't work out between us anyway."
"Lal, don't say stuff like that." Colonnello waved to her as he walked out. And Lal wondered if she was ever actually going to see him again.
Slowly he opened his eyes, and his pupils met with the bright noon sun. He winced as he sat up straight before being blinded by the sun's rays, hoping to see a face that's all-too-welcome in his heart. None. Nobody. He realized Lal Mirch was still with the COMSUBIN, drilling her ex-comrades mercilessly. Or maybe at wherever the Vongola headquarters were. But definitely not where he was. He felt stupid for even thinking of that.
Now, where exactly is "here"? Colonnello questioned the twist of fate that ended him up to where he was. He loved the place, sure, but the phenomenon in it was just simply bizarre. He stared out at the vast, shimmering ocean—as if trying to piece together some fond memories. The relaxing atmosphere made him forget almost everything—or at least think it would be of no consequence.
"Fancy meeting you here…well, not really."
A male voice greeted him when he was drinking some red wine at a bar. He quit the COMSUBIN—thus enjoying the pleasure of alcohol at last. Colonnello also had some additional issues to settle and he also wanted to try what wine actually tasted like.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Colonnello groaned in disbelief as he turned to the man.
Colonnello only saw this man once or perhaps twice in his life—but the man's impression is never to be forgotten. The ex-officer recalled the day he met the man, and scowled wordlessly.
"Did Lal Mirch break up with you?" the man teased, gesturing to Colonnello's glass of wine.
A shiver sent down Colonnello's spine as the chameleon on the man's fedora looked at him the same sneering way the man did.
"Fuck off." Colonnello mumbled, defying his unease.
He smiled. It was an ambiguous smile, of many meanings. He thought it was stupid of him to become one of them now. Well, technically he was not one of them exactly. But he was part of their world. He didn't feel like scum. Although he thinks he should. He betrayed the feeling of conscience that has guided him for as long as he knew. Did he lose his human dignity? How did I stoop so low?
Lal Mirch's face formed in his mind. The image was beautiful, but somewhat foggy. He has forgotten what her face looks like exactly. Like whether her smile had always been so bright. Or whether her hair always had a navy blue shine. Or if her eyebrows creased wrinkles on her forehead. And were her eyes brown or burgundy? Such details he could no longer remember. Colonnello's smile turned into a grim frown.
Does he not love her anymore? Does he no longer feel any fondness towards her? He could not blame himself—these things happen. And when such things happen nothing anyone does will fix it. It's just gone forever. But is it really happening? Or was he merely inside a diversion? He doesn't want to think about it any longer.
It was a nice place he lives in now. A beautiful island by the sea. Where the waters are glistening below the shining sun and the sandy beaches create a near-perfect sanctuary for a guy like him. Kind tourists visit all the time—each of them worldly and friendly, always welcoming whenever he visited the hotel area. The food he was served wasn't anything horrible either. And if he got bored he could always head to the local bar or the arcade and amusement park. Life was good on this island—more sufficient than any life Colonnello hoped for. It was flawless, well, almost flawless.
Does it really matter that this is Mafia Land?
Apparently it does. To Colonnello, at least. As exquisite as the island was, there were times when the island would summon his paranoia. Causing a mixture of emotions that surface unintentionally. Thinking the amiable tourists were merely feigning innocence, or if the kind bartender is putting on a façade, or if any other island workers were not treating him sincerely. It certainly could happen. Unlikely that it should—but Colonnello was obviously unaware of that.
There really was no reason for him to be so distrustful. First, most of Mafia Land were genuinely kind people. Some mafia, but Reborn had told Colonnello that those with malicious intentions would never be allowed entry into Mafia Land. The Vongola Family protects civilians, Reborn said. Along with the Cavallone we're quite an effective alliance. Colonnello thought that it was all a load of bullshit, but he knew to hold his tongue sometimes when dealing with Reborn.
Second, he was strong. Colonnello may not involve himself too much in certain life-or-death fights—such was the situation when he was still in the COMSUBIN—but he knew that he could take on 20 average armed men singlehandedly if he had to, most likely even more. With the COMSUBIN he fought alongside his comrades. But in Mafia Land he'll be the only one defending himself. Taking on a few mafioso shouldn't be a problem for him. Unless they were freaks like Reborn. It was more his intense feeling of not ever wanting to touch the mafia. So why, pray, would a man like Colonnello be doing in a place like Mafia land?
"How rude. Was that army talk or do you just not know manners?" Reborn said calmly.
Colonnello set down his glass of martini and sighed, somewhat ashamed. He realized there really was no need for such language. There was so much in his mind at the moment that he lost control over himself. It shall not happen again.
"My bad. You just startled me." Colonnello mumbled an apology.
"She did teach you some manners after all."
The man smiled. It was a real smile—not faking any emotions. It unnerved Colonnello intensely. He looked at the man and his expressions softened. Colonnello laughed for the first time in a long time. For a while he was alone with no sense of direction. In a way, somewhere deep in his heart, Colonnello was glad he met the strange hitman again.
"I guess she did, Reborn. How have things been?" said Colonnello in good-mannered courtesy.
Reborn was taken aback at Colonnello's sudden warming up to him. Was he perhaps drunk? Or is this a pathetic attempt to lower Reborn's guard? Or is he an authentic, unpredictable idiot? Reborn analyzed his options mentally and decided it was closest to the first.
"Did you drink too much alcohol perhaps?" Reborn asked. Only slightly concerned.
Colonnello grinned, somewhat expecting the remark. "As if I'll be drunk around guys like you."
"Yeah…right…" Reborn smirked wickedly. He understood what Colonnello had meant, he just wanted to tease him for saying something so weird-sounding. Pray, what kind of guy is he drunk around, then?
"S-shut up! That's not what I meant!" Colonnello's cheeks flushed red. Partly from the martini also.
Reborn's smirk faded into a chuckle. He greeted Colonnello properly before taking a seat next to him.
"Lal, if you hate me for this…I'd understand completely." Colonnello found himself saying unconsciously.
In a way, he hated himself too. How did he defy his principles and got involve with the very people he hated? Sure, he was in love with Lal Mirch. But how should that have made a difference? A wolf disguised amongst the sheep is still a wolf. Lal is still one of them.
That was why he quit the COMSUBIN. Personal unresolved issues, he said when Lal pressed for his reason. Indubitably she never bought his explanation—Colonnello himself thought it was only a bunch of bullshit. But Lal allowed him to go regardless, realizing that Colonnello did need to regain his real feelings. Perhaps she knew more about him than he did at the time.
A Mafia land worker called for him from the entrance—Colonnello lived on the other side of Mafia land, a place off-limits to tourists. It was a Mafia training ground. Reborn named it Mafia Land Underground when he first showed Colonnello the place—it was a badass name, he thought.
"There's a girl saying she wants to see you. Should I bring her here?" the worker asked.
"A girl? Did she say her name?" Colonnello stood up and straightened himself.
The worker shook his head. "She only mentioned that she was Reborn's girlfriend."
A person saying they are somehow related to the Reborn would have been enough to gain them access virtually anywhere in the mafia world, as long as they have proof to support their claim. Colonnello knew who it was that was looking for him, he remembered her name even though they have only talked to each other once before.
"Oh…well, tell her to wait at the underground train station. I'll head there." Colonnello said.
A woman took the seat next to Reborn. Colonnello noticed that she was with Reborn and was quiet when Reborn first greeted Colonnello. She wasn't exactly the shy type, though. Not by the magenta lipstick or the rock star tank top or black studded boots she was wearing. Colonnello would've felt intimidated if not for her content and gentle smile.
"Bianchi. Colonnello." Reborn nodded in each direction to introduce the two.
"Hi." Bianchi gestured. "Hey." Colonnello greeted back.
"Colonnello is Lal's girlfriend. Or so I've heard." Reborn started the conversation.
"Ha-ha. Very funny, Reborn." The ex-officer replied to Reborn's witty comment.
Colonnello noticed that Reborn was not the type to hold back on something for anyone, from the manner in which he talked about Lal and Colonnelo to Bianchi. Then Bianchi's face seemed to brighten at words like "girlfriend", "feelings" and "love"—she wasn't as punk as she seems.
"Lal Mirch? That's so sweet of her! How cute…" she said cheerfully.
"Yeah." Reborn nodded. "That Lal Mirch and this Colonnello."
"Oh. I see." Colonnello smiled as if nothing was wrong.
"It's lovely that you two are going out." Bianchi remarked.
"Well, they broke up." Reborn came in before Colonnello could react.
"Reborn!" Colonnello yelled at the hitman.
"What? It's true, isn't it?"
"Aww…what happened?" Bianchi asked in pure concern.
"Well, it's like…" Colonnello stammered.
"It's complicated."
"Will you stop doing that, Reborn?!"
Reborn blinked innocently. "Doing what?"
"Never mind then. Well I just sorta left her. Ending up at this very spot." Colonnello sighed.
"Why would you leave her?"
Bianchi looked deeply curious. And from what Colonnello can tell she has no malice intended. So he was comfortable in opening up to her.
"To find some things out for myself, I guess. Both of us know that I need to set some things straight."
"So you didn't really break up with her?" concluded Bianchi.
"Yeah. I suppose you could say that." Colonnello agreed.
Then Bianchi asked again and again. She was like a therapist in the middle of a session or a teacher with a dazed student—always ready with questions, trying to help. He told her everything. How he met Reborn, his traumatic past, his relationship with Lal Mirch—everything. Up to the previous month when he decided he must do something about his complex feelings—when he left her. Bianchi then asked a seemingly innocent—but deep and puzzling—question.
"So, do you still love her?"
Since he confessed to Lal that day, Colonnello's feelings were more unstable than usual. He would often get into conflicts with another voice inside him. Lal was perfect and he wanted to be with her forever, except for the fact that she's also in what I'm ultimately against. Was she even his enemy? Hardly. He knew he was being ridiculous on his logic. Lal doesn't think so, however. She'd snarl every now and then for him to stop being a hypocrite—especially when he gives her the "silent treatment" the day after she was absent from the COMSUBIN base. Arguments would break out and things started to change. Then he decided to leave. Needless to say Lal forgave him long before.
Bianchi was the only one at the underground train station, waiting for the ex-COMSUBIN officer. At her presence Colonnello assumed that Reborn was on the island too, having some mafia-related business to attend to.
"He'll see you later." Bianchi said, confirming his assumption.
Colonnello greeted the freelance hitman warmly. They were quite good friends. The two headed to the bar at the visitor area of Mafia land, conversing idly.
"How have you been?" Colonnello asked.
"Good actually. My brother's been more work for me than my actual job." She laughed.
"You have a brother?" Colonnello blinked.
"Yeah. From a different mother. He's 8 years old. And he's such a rebellious kid I still need to baby-sit him. Causing trouble wherever he goes and talking in rudely to everybody. And he's so loud."
"Must've been tough." Colonnello chuckled.
"He's a very sweet boy on the inside. And very clever." Bianchi beamed.
"I see. And how is Reborn doing?" smiled Colonnello.
"Fine, I suppose. He never tells me for sure."
And with that, they boarded a train taking them to the happier side of Mafia Land. They passed by some attraction stalls and rides like that of an amusement park, talking happily. Some glanced at him and his intimidating assault rifle as well as military fatigues, most just dismissed him as a performer or some island patrol.
"You haven't met anyone besides me and Reborn, right?" Bianchi asked as they entered a bar.
"I've met a guy named Sawada Iemitsu." Said Colonnello as he took his seat across Bianchi. "He's not one of you, is he? Brought his wife and a kid along several months ago. I figured he was lost since he was strolling around Mafia Land Underground. But his name sounded important and he wanted to talk to me."
"Talk to you? About what?"
"Nothing special." Colonnello shrugged. "He kept striking up random conversation topics whenever I try to escort him to the train station. The sea, ladies, beer…that kind of thing. Never told me he was mafia, though."
Bianchi looked at Colonnello wordlessly, because the young man had no clue who he talked to that day. Things would have been different if he knew, she noticed. For better or for worse, she wasn't sure.
"Sawada Iemitsu, is the head of the Vongola External Advisors Squad. He is, as ranks go, equal to the Ninth himself. In fact, I hear his son is the heir to Vongola himself."
"The son? The innocent-looking boy he was with? No way!"
"With proper training he will become a great Vongola then." Bianchi smiled. "But that's not the point. Iemitsu has several direct subordinates reporting to him, of course. One of them is Lal Mirch."
Colonnello stared at her stupidly, realizing what had just happened to him months ago.
"Lal must've talked to him about you. She's such a sweet girl under the brute behavior." Bianchi laughed. "And Iemitsu is responsible for Lal's well-being in every way. He's as close a father she has. Sort off."
"So without knowing, I was talking to her DAD that day?!!" Colonnello nearly shrieked.
"Sort of. You know he's not really her dad. He's just a very nice man." Bianchi shrugged.
"Great. I meet the Dad and I don't even know I did. That woman is so troubling sometimes." Grumbled the blonde ex-officer.
"You didn't say anything weird, did you?"
"About the sea: As an ex-COMSUBIN I told him it seems like a very dangerous place. About ladies: I told him I've never really met a real girl. About beer: I've only started drinking recently so I'm not knowledgeable in that field."
"My God you're boring, Colonnello! But you told him you haven't met a real girl?"
"Lal, you mean? She's amazing and all but she's not the least bit ladylike. And you really think I'm boring?"
"Either that or your personality's all messed up. You shouldn't have said that about Lal though. She might've been hurt. But knowing Iemitsu, I think he'll forgive you."
"So either way I have the father's permission, you're saying? To do what exactly?!" snarled Colonnello.
Bianchi laughed again at Colonnello's naïveté. Colonnello was honestly confused as to what is going on.
"Okay, so you said so yourself that Lal isn't exactly a 'girl'. So how often do you think does she fall in love with someone who'll love her back?"
"I dunno. But she's very pretty so maybe…" Colonnello mumbled.
"You think so? The way she acts? I'll bet you anything she was happiest when she knew you loved her."
The thought had never once crossed Colonnello's inexperienced mind.
"Iemitsu noticed her smiles. All of us did. Not many knew why but Lal Mirch always never smiled in front of us. All of us were curious as to why she was so happy."
"She never told me any of this."
"And why would she? If this is the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to her surely she'd take care of it and fear the moment it would shatter?"
"I guess not." Colonnello sighed.
"You left her. She may have cursed and ranted when you left, putting on a strong face. But you left her."
Hmm, made sense. Colonnello thought as he felt his brain malfunctioning at his own stupidity. All this time he thought he was the one being selfish. To love someone he shouldn't actually love. Going so far as betraying himself for Lal Mirch. He was afraid to lose her—it was normal to be afraid of losing someone you love. He did not take time to realize that his contradiction made Lal scared and worried. Scared of being unloved.
Sweatdrops trickled from his frame of blonde hair and from underneath his bandana. Bianchi watched as he soaked it all in. Foolish man, she thought. Barely knowing the world and extremely inexperienced with ladies. Not even realizing he broke up with his girlfriend. He really did need her help.
"Lal's been unhappy lately." She said slowly. "Care to guess why?"
Colonnello needed to gulp down a glass of cold water before he could speak again.
"How do I fix this?" he sighed helplessly.
"Depends." Bianchi smiled softly. "Do you love her?"
Colonnello began to croak out an answer before he heard the whole bar fell silent in a second. Someone just came in that had a powerful presence on the others. And after seeing Bianchi's face brighten joyfully, he figured out who it was.
"Reborn." He waved at the hitman at the door. Reborn smirked in reply.
"…So remind me again why you brought me here?" Colonnello asked Reborn.
The hitman had brought him to a beautiful island, seemingly paradise. They were out talking on a quieter side of the island, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists. A place with soft grass and sand and a clearer view of the sea. All with a warm, tropical breeze.
"This is Mafia Land. A place the Vongola and their alliances go on vacation."
Colonnello gave Reborn a look of both revolt and confusion. Mafia on vacation?
"Everybody needs a break from work once in a while." Reborn shrugged.
"No, that's not the point…" Colonnello sighed weakly.
"Anyways! You should be thanking me. Offering you a job since COMSUBIN fired you." Reborn smirked.
"I wasn't fired!" Colonnello ranted.
"And being your friend when your girlfriend broke up with you."
"She didn't break up with me!"
"But really, how could I say no after you came to me crying?" continued Reborn.
"I did no such thing!" Colonnello roared.
"And I'm here to help you out. Because that's what I do. I help people." Reborn grinned.
"Sounds incredibly suspicious coming from you."
"The job is simple." Reborn decided to change the topic. "Protect this place."
"Mafia Land?" Colonnello raised his voice in disbelief. "From like what the police and the military?"
"Not this Mafia Land, no. Mostly from the families against the Vongola. You'll be like a coast guard."
"Against other families? No fucking way am I fighting your corrupted battles."
"Did you forget that this is a vacation spot?" reasoned Reborn as Colonnello turned away. "Most of us will survive if an enemy decides to attack this place. But what about the women and children? The innocent?"
Colonnello stopped. Once a COMSUBIN officer, it was also his job to protect the unprotected. The offer did seem okay. There was certainly nothing wrong with trying to protect and island of complacent people who just wanted a nice vacation. And wouldn't it be the perfect time to get over his hatred of the Mafia? At least to try to understand what kind of stuff Lal deals with besides the guys at the COMSUBIN. The look on Reborn's face implied that he knew perfectly well what Colonnello was going to answer.
"Gianinni's radar detected some enemy ships heading towards this island." Reborn announced.
He, Colonnello, and Bianchi hastily walked out of the bar. Colonnello stopped a few paces from the bar as he put his index finger and his thumb in his mouth and whistled loudly. Reborn and Bianchi was about to ask what he was doing but soon enough they could hear the caw of an albatross soaring overhead. It then swooped down and rested on Colonnello's left shoulder.
Colonnello stroked the bird's feathers as the bird made some unintelligible squawks and chirps. Then Colonnello smiled at the bird and turned to the others. The albatross flew away.
"I was just asking him how many ships he saw. About 15. Should be pretty easy." He grinned.
"Too much sun must have melted your brain and made you insane. Talking to birds." Reborn said blatantly.
"This coming from a guy with a chameleon on his hat?" Colonnello retorted.
"That's different. Leon is my partner."
"Like Falco is my partner then." Colonnello smirked.
"Whatever. So do your job then, officer. Just tell us how much backup you need and how much cannons to use." Reborn sighed impatiently.
"If you can find me a decent spot and an anti-tank rifle I should be able to do it alone." Said Colonnello.
"This I want to see." Bianchi smiled in excitement.
"Don't be stupid. I know you're an idiot but many people on this island might die."
"I'm naval elite. There's no way anybody could beat me in this kind of place." Snarled Colonnello.
Reborn and Bianchi blinked at Colonnello's sudden aggressive behavior.
"My trainer is Lal Mirch, dumbass." Laughed Colonnello.
"Your better crush those ships that piss off the Ninth." Reborn said in a threatening way.
The three took off to start the counterattack.
He tried to adjust himself to the anti tank rifle provided for him by the Vongola artillery. Colonnello was excited—the weapon was better than he hoped for. He checked the ammunitions beside him and then took firing position. Reborn and Bianchi watched from a distance. After several seconds Colonnello fired the first shot. They waited 5 more seconds until a torrent of bullets came firing from Colonnello's anti-tank rifle.
Loud and annoying fires that went on and on for 20 minutes. Reborn could see that Colonnello knew what he was doing. One by one the ships sank or exploded before they came close to the coast. Bianchi watched happily—she noticed those were definitely shots taught by Lal Mirch. Not as accurate, but faster and just as deadly. Within 20 minutes it was over. Without anybody on the island breaking a sweat.
"She taught you well." Reborn complimented.
"Hell yes she did." Colonnello beamed proudly. Then recalled the sudden pang of guilt at the thought of his ex-trainer and ex-girlfriend.
"So, do you love her?" Came Bianchi.