The Arcobaleno

Chapter 12 - The World's Strongest Seven

It was one of those times, when he drifted in and out of consciousness and unconsciousness. When he was groggy with sleep but alert at the same time. Years of experience had him picking out the soft footsteps approaching and despite the habit of reaching for his weapon the hitman laid still. His instincts telling him that the person meant no harm to him, that he was safe. Besides, he could always stop any attacks later.

There was a soft rustling of the grass by his head and despite his urge to tense the man kept his posture relaxed, his faintly clenching hand the only indicator of his unease. Minutes passed in silence and Reborn allowed his hand to settle back calmly.

Soft murmurs floated with the wind before a hand began carding through his hair. The man had to push down his urge to lean into the hand, as it alternated in smoothing down his hair and tugging at the curly sideburns that framed his face.

It was warm, a feeling he scarcely felt ever since she was gone. The comfort of somebody being next to you replaced with the instinct to survive for another day. Even now, he holds those memories close. Of days filled with laughter and the warm presence of her being near.

The soft, fleeting peck on his forehead came as a surprise. The feeling that came with it on the other hand was so achingly familiar that he had instinctively murmured out her name. In a voice so quiet and tender, ringing with unsaid emotions.

"Are you awake Renato?"

Slowly, he blinked his dark eyes opened, staring up as the inky black leaves flowed with the wind. Stretching his neck-while at the same time pushing towards the hand on his hair- he took brief notice of the girl sitting by him before closing his eyes once more, letting out a small hum. "How are you here?"

"You know, there's is ability called 'magic' and with it you can make this thing called a 'portal'. It's really handy to have if you need to travel and it has a really pretty colour."

The man was silent for a moment, before he sat up, turned towards the girl and flicked her in the forehead. Hard.

"Ow!" The girl flinched, moving her hands to rub at the slightly red on her forehead. Grey eyes stared upwards, accusing and just a bit hurt. "What was that for?"

"For the sass." The man replied, voice still rough with sleep. He sat back down and moved to lay once more, this time however, his head was placed comfortably on her lap. "That's not what I mean and you know it."

Anastasia rolled her eyes, lowering her hands to place one on her side as a support while the other was placed gingerly on top of the black strands. "You should be more specific then."

The man gave a small hum, nudging slightly at the motionless hand on his hair before he closed his eyes with a sigh as it moved pet at his hair.

The girl stared at the man who was using her lap as a pillow with amusement. "Who knew that the dark, scary Reborn was much like a cat when he's sleepy."

"You tell anyone and I'll kill you." The man grumbled lightly, but there was a semblance of a promise and the slightest threat in his words. He might just not kill her but some retribution would need to be given.

Anastasia gave a small shake of her head, laughing lightly even as her hands continued their motions. "I'm sure you will. No one else knows then?" The man was silent then and the girl simply took that as a silent 'Yes' and simply continued to thread her hand through the man's hair; it was surprisingly soft despite it's spiky appearance.

"One other knows." The sudden words spooked her and it was only due to Reborn's weight on her lap that she jump. The girl blinked and tilted her head downwards to stare at the hitman. "Knows about your little nap habits? Who?"