Beta'd Pure Red Crane


Chapter 3

It had been chance really, them meeting once more four months later.

Nothing but pure chance.

Both had decided to stop by a coffee shop one morning, at the exact same time, and got in line within a foot of each other. It was also on this very day that Reborn decided to bring Leon along, the chameleon wrapped around his neck like a scarf. No one paid any notice to him, even when he got into line. Everyone focused on the person ahead or was busy fiddling with their phones. People these days didn't bother with anyone else, too focused on their own personal thoughts and their surroundings. Well, it made assassination orders and gathering information easier due to the various distractions.

As he glanced around the coffee shop, examining for any hidden hitman in the room, he huffed. He honestly didn't care about anyone...despite the numerous comments from people he knew saying he seemed happier, that the edginess he had contained gone, and that he was more lenient towards others. Reborn didn't quite understand, he was the same as always, and he had shrugged the noise off without a second thought.

He stepped forward as the line shifted by one and it was only then that Leon moved. The chameleon quickly detangled himself from around his neck and, before the hitman had realized, hopped onto the person's shoulder before him. Reborn blinked in surprise, not expecting his once-partner to do something like that. However, Leon didn't remain there. Ignoring the startled cry from the person he had jumped onto, Leon hopped to the next and then again before finally stopping. Reborn watched curiously from behind, wondering what the little lizard was doing and raised an eyebrow up when Leon suddenly curled along some person's neck in content.

"Oh! Well, hello there." The person, a brunet, was clearly surprised by the sudden guest, maneuvering his head around to glance down at the creature. Reborn was able to get a glimpse of the features and for a moment, froze. He recognized those features... that face...But where?

Shaking his head, he tried to focus on his memories. He was good with individuals, he needed to be, considering his lifestyle and profession and how many enemies he had. However, no matter how much he tried, he couldn't get the face to click. Still, his curiosity was bubbling. Leon was obviously affectionate and content with his newfound placement.

Before long, the brunet spun around with a brilliant smile that clearly didn't belong in the mafia world the hitman dwelled in. When their eyes meet, Reborn felt like something inside him shifted, almost squirming, and he did not like that. It told him instantly that this person was dangerous and he needed to be cautious. It made every hair on his body stand up.

Tsuna, meanwhile, continued to smile, reaching up to coddle Leon. He slipped around the other two in line, standing beside the raven as if not aware that the other was an assassin. "I have a feeling he belongs to you."

The hitman narrowed his eyes slightly. "Yes, he does. Leon." He spoke his companion's name as he reached outward, calling for the creature to return to his side. Except Leon didn't. The chameleon refused to budge, instead tightening his grip around the brunet's skin. As an alternative, Leon took one look at his master before turning to the side as if pouting, clearly disobeying his order. Reborn 'tched'. "Leon, release him."

Still, the chameleon refused and gave a lick against the brunet's soft exposed skin. Tsuna laughed softly, reaching up to scratch the underside of Leon's chin affectionately. "Now, that's not nice. Come now, return to your handler." Leon simply closed his eyes and rubbed against the warm flesh of Tsuna's neck, almost looking like he was going to purr. "Or I guess not."

Reborn almost twitched, though the curiosity didn't leave him. It wasn't often that Leon would so bluntly disobey him. He was once more drawn to the brunet, the sensation in the pit of his stomach never fading.

Tsuna glanced up, still smiling, before spinning around, following the moving line. "Well, I guess while we're waiting to order our drinks, it's okay that he hangs onto me. I don't mind."

"He's behaving ridiculously."

The brunet chuckled lightly. "Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Tsuna." He took another step as the line shifted, Reborn following. "You?"

"Reborn."

"It's nice to meet you, Reborn." The line moved again and before they knew it, Tsuna was at the front. He quickly made his order, paid, and slipped towards the pickup section. During that time, Tsuna continued to scratch Leon's under chin. With all the surrounding noise and distance and Reborn speaking to the bartestia, the brunet figured this was good enough to speak. His eyes glanced down at Leon and whispered, "Is he doing well?"

The chameleon rubbed against Tsuna's neck, earning a giggle.

"I'll take that as a yes. Has he improved? Emotional wise?"

Leon pulled away and gave a lick against a warm cheek.

Tsuna huffed amusingly. "Good, I'm glad to have been able to help." His eyes peered up when Reborn made his way over, already holding his drink. It was a simple black coffee, easy for the workers to get, while Tsuna's was a more complex mixture. "Perhaps now might be a good time for you to go back?" He rubbed Leon once, knowing the animal understood him. Still, Leon refused to budge, tightening his grasp. The brunet sighed.

"Leon." Reborn's tone had darkened slightly, enough that even Tsuna felt a shiver run down his spine at the thick intent within. "Let go."

The creature blinked cautiously before finally and reluctantly detangling himself and hopping over to his master. It was clear that Leon was disappointed and upset, still wanting to be near the brunet.

"I guess he really likes me." Tsuna smiled, momentarily peering over towards the pickup counter for his drink. He took a tentative sip, loving the way his drink slid down his the back of his throat. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Reborn. Perhaps we shall meet again?"

The hitman stared, the uneasiness he had felt since the beginning of their meeting having never left. Still, he didn't sense any danger towards himself and Leon clearly adored the brunet. It wouldn't hurt to get a little closer. It wasn't often (extremely rare actually) that he felt such a sensation or have Leon do something else instead of hissing in warning. The last time he had was when he met the fearsome man named Checkerface, a man that gave a sensation that had even the hitman wanting to run far, far away. The brunet before him was giving the same one. Reborn almost snorted. Perhaps he should actually follow those feelings. So far, it hadn't been wrong in warning him.

Still...

"Perhaps..." Reborn reached up to tilt his fedora with one hand, the other holding onto his cup of coffee.

Tsuna glanced towards the entrance of the store and nodded his head. "Perhaps. Well, I'm going to head out. Bye!" He raised his drink as a gesture before heading out, disappearing behind the closing glass doors. Reborn stood behind, observing carefully. His attention was drawn away when Leon suddenly bumped against his neck, hissing to follow the brunet.

The hitman almost sighed, "No, we are not going after him."

Leon grumbled despite being a chameleon, eyes clearly disappointed, and swatted his tail against the hitman's neck.

"He's dangerous." Reborn argued, taking a sip of his coffee. The blunt stare he received in return made him want to roll his eyes. Leon was really pushing this one and he knew the chameleon could get as stubborn as him. With another nudge, Reborn eventually gave in, knowing better than to upset his constant companion. "Fine. I'll talk to him, maybe get a number. Will that make you happy and stop pestering me about this matter?"

Leon quickly nodded his head, earning an irritated huff from his master. Before long, the raven was off, heading out the door with a task now in mind and followed the path the brunet had taken. It hadn't been that long and the hitman was able to spot the brunet standing at a crosswalk (obviously being held up as he waited for the light to change). Without skipping a beat, Reborn dashed forwards, taking advantage of this little delay. His hand held tightly onto the cup of coffee, making sure it wouldn't spill as he jogged towards the other.

It was by chance that Tsuna had spun around as if sensing something headed for him and stared at Reborn in confusion the moment their eyes met. As the hitman slowed his steps, coming to a stop before the brunet, he stared. Why had he really gone after the brunet? Just because Leon wanted him to? Because he felt dangerous? Reluctantly grumbling under his breath, he spoke. "By any chance could I get your number? Leon keeps bothering me about you."

Tsuna blinked once, suddenly looking nervous as he glanced towards the scheming chameleon. His eyebrow twitched and he abruptly looked smaller than he already was, as if ready to bolt at any second. "Look...I'm not interested-"

Reborn leaned forward, grinning darkly, clearly amused by the swift change in attitude. "Well, that's too bad since you've sparked my interest. Leon doesn't react like this with anyone so I have no intention on letting you go so easily."

"Oh..." The brunet examined the hitman carefully. He knew the truth of the situation, as well as did Leon, but Reborn was still in the dark. However, Tsuna suspected that wouldn't last long considering the man's detailed history towards secrets. One didn't become the number one hitman in the world by sheer brute strength, there had to be intelligence as well. He knew that the longer Reborn remained around him, the more likely he would be found out on his little secret. Still, Tsuna wouldn't deny that he so wanted a friend, a companion that he could actually talk to. He never had one because of his abilities...

Biting down on his bottom lip, Tsuna sighed heavily. "Okay, I'll give it to you." He hoped that this wouldn't come back to haunt him. Still, Tsuna smiled as he pulled out his cell phone. Something told him that this was okay, that it would be alright to open up to this individual. He had always trusted his intuition. It has never led him astray.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before exhaling, releasing all the stored up tension in his body. His eyes trailed up towards the other and took that little leap.

Perhaps it was time for a change once more.

He didn't want to be lonely anymore.


Been thinking of doing a 4th chapter but I just don't have any inspiration to do such a thing so I'm going to leave it off here until it sadly returns. Don't want to force the chapter out too badly or it'll just be crap. Regardless of everything, hope you enjoyed this little story!