9I got no excuses for the lateness. I am lazy and I hardly like to think. Anyway, here it is. Thanks for whoever kind guy/girl who gonna read this.
Disclaimer: Nope.
Warning: As usual, a tiny little bit of shounen-ai. Nothing hardcore, so you shouldn't worry about your innocent eyes.
Familiarities
As Reborn was contemplating of blasting a straight path towards the centre, a voice—a painfully familiar voice—called up to him. "Excuse me, Sir? What are you doing here?"
Reborn turned around and saw someone very similar to someone he knew very closely. The braided black hair, the smile, even the gait were all the same. But there were two differences. If the other one was fair skinned and preferred Chinese traditional robe, this one was dark skinned and apparently loved to wear Egyptian clothing. If Reborn didn't know he was in a parallel world, he would've thought that Fon had somehow grown a knack for sun-bathing and cosplaying.
"Sir?"
"Ah, sorry. You look so stunning and otherworldly ('literally,' Reborn added in his mind), I was a bit surprised there," Reborn said with a charming smile. Inwardly though, he winced because he had just –coughconsciouslycough– flirted with the parallel version of his colleague.
The male in front of him laughed. He either did not mind the flirt or he just didn't notice it. The sound was so similar that Reborn's chest tightened unconsciously. He already missed his home world.
"Is that so? Maybe it's my outfits? My students often tell me that I look very eccentric with these clothes, but I just can't seem to part from these."
Reborn lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. "Why are you wearing such clothes, though?"
The man gave him a look, as if saying it was the most obvious thing. He then shook his head in a sheepish way. "Well, if you can't tell from my physical appearance…, it's because I am of Egyptian descendant. You don't realize?"
Reborn looked stunned for a second there. After a shake of head to answer the male, he then looked at Fon-look-alike from top to bottom in intense scrutiny. Dark skin tone? Check. Slightly wavy hair? Check. Thin lips? Check. Narrow nose? Check. Lastly, strange accent? Check. All the needed information was there. Why didn't he realize it sooner? Hell, the man even wore Egyptian clothes!
'What in the world is wrong with me?' Reborn thought exasperated. Then idly, he commented in his mind, 'Unexpectedly though, Fon looks very good in these clothes. Well, not exactly Fon but they look practically the same. Maybe I should make him wear one of these when I get back…. Wait, what the hell am I doing, ogling my MALE colleague?! Damn, I should've known Rokudo Mukuro is a bad influence!'
-In another world, a certain pineapple haired illusionist sneezed three times-
"Ah, sorry I spaced out. My mind must be flying somewhere else at the moment," Reborn said a bit awkwardly. The male in front of him only smiled. 'He smiles too damn much.'
Reborn held back a sigh. He didn't think that being in a parallel world meant meeting practically same yet very different people. Just meeting three persons he knew almost threw him completely out of loops. How the hell would he survive meeting the rest of them? Reborn cursed two certain mafia bosses plus one ex-convict in every language he knew.
"That's fine." The Egyptian paused and snapped his fingers. "Ah! We got sidetracked! What were you doing here, Sir? Do you want to meet the principal, maybe? I heard he was expecting someone…"
Reborn too, got snapped back into their main conversation. He shook his head slightly, suddenly aware that Leon was still on top of his fedora.
"No, I am here to meet a Sawada Akimitsu. A student said he would be in the centre of this Labyrinth. I was about to go in, but I don't know how to reach the centre…" Reborn admitted grudgingly. He didn't like to say he needed help.
"I see. Shall I help you?" the Fon-look-alike offered kindly.
Reborn nodded. "That would be a great help. My name is Reborn, by the way."
"I am Shu, a History teacher here. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Reborn," Shu offered a hand for a handshake.
Reborn took the offered hand and shook it firmly. "The pleasure is mine, Shu."
~SCS~
"Tsunayoshi-kun~!"
BAM!
"Ouch."
Tsuna sat up to be greeted by the scene of Byakuran cradling his face in his hands, a pained expression on his face. Tsuna blinked, still drowsy from being awaked so suddenly.
"Ara? Byakuran-san, why are you holding your face?" he asked confusedly.
The don of Gesso pouted not-so-cutely at Tsuna's question. "That's mean, Tsunayoshi-kun! You punched me in the face AND asked me why I am hurt! So heartless!"
Tsunayoshi stared at the white haired man. He blinked owlishly and then realized that indeed, his hand was stretched in front of him, the knuckles fisted and there was a numb feeling on his fingers. The feeling he always felt whenever he had just punched something.
"Oh."
"What's with that 'oh'? I am hurt here, Tsunayoshi-kun!" Byakuran whined.
Tsuna scratched his head. "Well, just go to the infirmary then."
Letting out a huff, Byakuran finished playing angry and plopped down on Tsuna's bed, his head on the Vongola Decimo's lap.
"Byakuran-san, your head is on my lap."
"I know!" he chirped happily, wiggling his head as if to prove his statement. "This is payment for punching my face!" he continued, a wide grin bloomed on his face.
Tsuna swallowed a groan when he felt Byakuran's head brushed over a certain place. An effort on moving Byakuran's head ended in failure. Anything else he did ended the same. Byakuran just wouldn't budge. Byakuran knew he was making Tsuna uncomfortable. He loved to make people uncomfortable. Tsuna sighed in exasperation.
"What do you want?"
"You~"
A blush stained Tsuna's face immediately. "B-Byakuran-san!"
"Fufufu~ Tsunayoshi-kun is so cute~!" Byakuran said, staring up at Tsuna with his trademarked foxy grin.
Tsuna covered Byakuran's face with his face. "Shut up, Byakuran-san. Tell me why you came here or get out."
Byakuran pouted again. "Well, I was going to tell you about the Arcobaleno's progress but since you want me to get out—"
"Wait, no! Tell me! I promise to play nice!" Tsuna hurriedly hold the man back down, not letting him sit up. He wanted to know how Reborn was faring in a parallel world. He'd do anything to let the worry he felt diminish. Even if it meant letting Byakuran take advantage of his civility.
Byakuran grinned. "Okay! After this you are taking me on a date! So currently the Arcobaleno is going to meet—"
~SCS~
After what seemed like years of going right and left and right and left again (Reborn even suspected he went into a roundabout circle once or twice; and that white dog statue, he thought he'd passed it three times) inside the intricate, confusing and nearly maddening green paths, Reborn and Shu finally arrived to the centre of the maze. Reborn looked around the centre of the Labyrinth. There was a fountain in the middle of the clearing, positioned in such a cliché way that Reborn couldn't help but snort. Flowers in all shades of purple surrounded the fountain. A bit to his left was a rounded, white stone gazebo with carved pillars. Inside the gazebo, Reborn could see four stone chairs and one round stone table. On the table were an elegant and shiny tea set and assorted cakes. And sitting on opposite sides on the stone chairs were Cavallone and Sawada Akimitsu, chatting with light expressions on their faces. Reborn frowned a bit at that.
"Ah, there they are," Shu's voice snapped Reborn back to reality.
The History teacher went up ahead of Reborn and greeted both people on the gazebo. Reborn followed on a more leisure pace. It wasn't as if he was on a tight schedule.
"Ah! You're the man from before! I see you're alive!"
The corner of Reborn's lips twitched either in amusement or annoyance. He tilted his fedora slightly in greeting, the pair of dark eyes unseen by anyone staring secretly at Dino's counterpart. There wasn't much difference between his world and this world's Cavallone. Both were clumsy (he didn't need to actually see the act to realize this certain quality, he just knew) and a bit goofy. What made him different was the fact that his hair was styled in a short and stylish Mohawk (unlike a certain martial artist he knew) and his apparent love for leather clothing. And was that piercings he could see dangling from his ears? Well, all in all, this world's Cavallone looked a bit like a delinquent with happy face. What a strange combination.
Shu clapped his hands, making all eyes turn to his direction. He smiled wide. "Well, since I've escorted you here safely, I guess I should be going back to my class."
Reborn nodded at the teacher. "Thank you for your assistance, Shu. I wish to see more of you," Reborn said. The history teacher chuckled and waved his gratitude aside with a wave of dainty but unmistakably masculine hand.
"Don't mention it, Reborn. Anyway, I'm going now. My student's been left for too long! Thirty minutes should've been enough to write a 5000 words essay about France revolution, right?"
Reborn blinked under the shadow of his fedora. Thirty minutes? Was he kidding? The bright smile on the teacher's face implied otherwise. Reborn couldn't help but snicker. He waved a bit when the exotic teacher waved at the three of them. When Shu vanished from his view, he turned to face the other two males.
"Greetings, Sawada Akimitsu and you whose name I don't know yet. I'm here to bother you once again," Reborn said with a smirk, tilting his fedora up a bit.
The Cavallone looked a bit miffed when Reborn stated he didn't know his name. He smiled nonetheless. "My name's Aldobrandino Cavallone, seventh head of Cavallone family. Nice to meet you, uh… what's your name again?" he asked confused, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
Reborn's eyebrow lifted in amusement. He chuckled. "My name's Reborn. A pleasure to meet you, Aldo."
"Huh. People usually call me Dino, never Aldo. I should get used to it then. By the way, we, my family I mean, make the best of wines so if you're interested to buy some, come talk to me!" the newly nicknamed Aldo gave Reborn a lopsided grin, looking very much like the hit man's former student. Reborn shook the thought away and turned to the youngest male.
"Sawada," he started, ignoring Akimitsu's (seemingly reflex) reaction of telling Reborn to 'call him Mitsu'. "I need a favour from you."
The brunet raised an eyebrow, looking curious. "What might that be, Sir?"
Reborn tilted his fedora down, looking visibly reluctant to ask. "Well, it seems that I won't be going back to Italy yet. You remember that letter?" Reborn waited a bit until Akimitsu nod before continuing, "It stated there that I have to do something here before I can go home. The thing is…"
"You don't have accommodations," the student finished it up for him.
Reborn sighed and inclined his head. "Right."
A smile appeared on Akimitsu's face. "I believe I can arrange something for you, Sir Reborn. But, not to sound rude, I do have certain policy concerning doing people favours." A glint flashed in those eyes and suddenly Reborn was reminded of his most avaricious acquaintance.
Reborn frowned slightly, not quite expecting this. After all, the Tsuna from his own world would never ask for something in return whenever he was doing a favour for someone. He was that foolish… or maybe kind, if he could soften his hardened heart for a bit to think of that word.
"And what, pray tell, is that policy?" Reborn had inkling as to where this was going. Having someone as greedy as Mammon as an acquaintance was a gift sometimes. At the very least, it helped him to know which people were vultures and which were not. And Reborn had a feeling that this Akimitsu was not like what his face dictated.
"You will be needed required to pay me a certain sum of money."
See where he was going? Avariciousness. It lurked wherever human being existed.
"That is also a problem that I'm afraid I have to dispose soon," Reborn stated. He paused for a while. If he couldn't get some arrangement with this student, it might be impossible to get another here, especially since he practically knew no one other that three people. "But if you will be willing to wait, I am sure I can pay you what you ask."
The brunet beamed brightly. "Absolutely wonderful! Now I can have archery field built! The Principal has been obstinate in his verdict about not building anything not worth anything. Sometimes I just despise that man."
The blond stared at his student in distinct disbelief then he sighed in exasperation. "Always using people for your own necessity, eh, Mitsu?"
The student turned to him, a certain glint in his eyes. Reborn was intrigued by what escaped those perfectly shaped lips. He almost laughed out loud hearing the squabble between teacher and student. This Sawada certainly is the parallel side of his student. Sadly this world's Dino was just about the same as the one in his own world.
"What are you saying, Cavallone-sensei? This is not necessity of my own. This school needs archery field so the members of archery club can improve their aptitudes! Having to use a public place such as the backyard is having a negative effect on their self-esteem. By building a field entirely for themselves, there surely will be a boost to their egos and spirits!"
"Yes, but you are the treasurer of the Archery club, so of course you will say that!" rebutted the teacher again. The brunet snapped his fingers carelessly, a small –coughsmirkcough– smile on his youthful face.
"Details, Cavallone-sensei, details."
"And how in the world could you be the treasurer of so many clubs? I know you love money, but being that greedy is not going to do you many good, Mitsu!"
"Not to brag myself, but I suppose the reason is because I am fairly good at handling money. And Cavallone-sensei, you must have forgotten this certain thing. You will not be able to live without money. Ever. I do know that romanticists said otherwise, that money does not matter and that love is all that matter. But have you ever seen someone not suffering when they are left with no money? No. So my argument is valid."
"But Mitsu—!"
As Dino—Aldo, Reborn corrected himself—pouted and continued to point out that being greedy was not good for his future, Reborn snorted silently. Well, at least he knew he would not be bored here. Tsuna had turned out to be such a calm person that he was no longer fun to be teased. This Mitsu was very different from Tsuna, but he knew he would have fun with him.
'Wait, why does that sounds so… suggestive?' Reborn banged his head to the wall in his mind.
"Alright, Sir Reborn, you may wait here with Cavallone-sensei. I have an appointment with the Principal today so I will arrange your request immediately. You will not forget about our deal, yes?"
The smile was a bit disturbing.
Reborn nodded voicelessly. He wandered over and slumped down on one of the unoccupied seats. Accommodations and funds were all covered. Now how should he proceed with his mission?
To be continued
I wrote more about Tsuna's counter part, and introduced Dino and Fon's parallel selves. I'm sorry if Mitsu is not very likeable to you but I've made him as human as possible with flaws (which you would see more in the later chapters) as much as his good qualities.
I've searched about Italian names and I found out that Dino is usually a nickname, not a full name, much like John or Mike. So I made him Aldobrandino! And Shu is not a Japanese name, it's Egypt. It took me a day to search for that name. OTL
Shu means wind, same like Fon's name's meaning. I don't know why I decided Fon to be an Egyptian but hey, who's gonna blame me. This is a parallel world after all. LOL.
And to you, Mockingjay Rose-san, those certain parts were on purpose. I think you might already get where this is going. There will be no real romance going though. Thanks for adding this to your C2. *throws confetti for you*
Also thanks for you who had reviewed and even put this embarrassment of a fanfiction to your favourites. You guys are the bestest ever!
Long note is long. I shall end this here. Sorry for the length. I'm in the middle of mid-term tests.