Child of Shadows and Blood

by KoushiroRen

Summary:

Where the Arcobaleno, 10th Vongola Generation and Varia watch the resident Cloud Arcobaleno Stuntman. And the secrets he’s been keeping for years.

(I’m not doing a prologue because I suck at them, so if you don’t like that then you don’t have to read)

Chapter 1: Returning Home

Returning Home

 

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Summery: Where everyone finds out the secrets of one Skull De Mort

 

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Skull felt a little bad that he left the Arcobaleno Mansion the way he did after the curse was lifted and he was back to his original age.

He really was!

But he had been too cooped up in the mansion. It made the Cloud inside him chafe and writhe in discomfort. It was why, when Skull was back to his physical age again – before the curse; he back some of his things and left.

But Skull was planning on coming back! He was!

There were just some things that the Stuntman needed to take care of before he did.

And besides… he left them a note!

A note that said he needed some time away for a while; that he had to take care of some business that the Cloud had been putting off, that could not be ignored. And that he’ll be back when it was all sorted out.

That was a week ago.

The Arcobaleno weren’t really happy that their Cloud left, even if he left a note. What really got them upset was that they can’t find him.

No matter what method they used, it came up with nothing.

At least they were going to find out why Skull left and maybe drag him back.

Now here he was, in a small, remote, country town of Romania.

The Arcobaleno took note of the Country and the Town.

The Cloud sighed as he stood in front of a rather large house – that looked big enough to fit two families and extras – with his duffle bag slung on his left shoulder. Skull looked at the house with a soft look and fond, nostalgic eyes, before he let out some of his flames; as if calling out to the people inside it.

It only took a couple of minutes before six people came out the front door in a rush. They all stopped on the porch as they took in the sight of the Cloudy Stuntman.

The man in question looked at them with a smile that showed unconditional love and devotion; as tears gathered in Skull’s eyes.

“Hey everyone… sorry I was gone for so long” the purple-haired man greeted, as he tried hard not to cry. Before long one of the people in the house rushed at Skull in a full-on sprint, “Big Sis!!” the person cried out; which knocked everyone out of their stupor and sprinted towards the Cloud as well. Skull threw hi – her duffle bag down onto the ground and opened her arms.

Skull was nearly tackled to the ground by her siblings as she held them in her arms.

The living room of the Vongola Mansion was quiet as they took in what they just learned. “BIG SISTER!?” everyone shouted out in shock, while the Arcobaleno took everything in with wide eyes.

Was this the reason why Skull left? To check up on hi – her family? They didn’t know the Cloud even had any family. In fact… they didn’t really know much of their Cloud, since he – she never really talked much about hi – herself much now that they thought about it.

Another thing that caught them off guard was the fact that Skull was a woman. Even though he didn’t look remotely like one.

Skull managed to stay on her feet; as she wrapped her arms around her crying siblings, and brought them close.

And finally, the first time in so long…

Skull felt peace.

 

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After crying for about thirty minutes.

Skull and her siblings made it into the house – their childhood home – and started to relax in the living room, with Skull sitting on one of the three couches.

“It is great to see you again big sis” a young male voice says in a happy tone.

The one who spoke was rather, young-looking. He had lightly pale skin, that had zero blemishes or imperfections, with slightly soft features (many compared him too looking like his aunt); and was lean in stature with slight masculinity and somewhat short height. He had wavy black hair that stops just above his shoulders with some hair done in a small braid with a bead the colour of gold tied in. And one of the most unsettling feature the male had was his eyes; they were an uncomfortable mix of ruby and blood red, with the pupils being like drops of melted gold.

(To others, his eyes were unsettling, but to family; they were like rare, precious jewels that deserve to be in the spotlight)

He wore a simple dark yellow shirt under a black jacket with a silver necklace with a wolf-head pendant. A pair of blue jeans with a black belt. And a pair of black shoes with dark blue laces.

This was Duncan Alexander Belmont-Tepes, Skull De Mort’s youngest brother.

For some reason, staring at Duncan’s eyes made a lot of people shiver, in the living room of the Arcobaleno Mansion. They’ve never seen someone with such eyes before.

(It was like they were staring into their souls)

Skull stared at her youngest sibling with a grin, “it is good to be back home after so long. And back to normal.” Before, when Skull was still cursed; she couldn’t come home because the Cloud constantly worried that someone from the mafia would take her family – territory – away from her.

So, she had to be away for extremely long periods of time.

The last time Skull had seen her family was five years ago. (And she had only visited for an hour).

For some reason, the Arcobaleno felt hurt, that their Cloud didn’t tell them that h-she had family. They could’ve helped Skull protect her family and help her see them more.

(But for some reason, they feel like she wouldn’t accept the help anyway).

“Also… how long are you going to stay like that?” another brother asked, while gesturing to his sister’s look.

This brother looked to be in his early-to-mid-twenties, but was the biggest out of anyone in the room; at 6’8. His skin was nearly deathly pale, but still has a type of flush that shows that he’s alive, along with a bear tattoo on his right forearm and sharp features. Despite being so tall, he isn’t overly muscular, he has a good amount of muscle that wasn’t too much. He had messy, dark indigo hair that went to his shoulder blades; that was tied in a half-bun, with a braid and a bright purple bead tied in. Unlike his youngest brother, he had liquid gold eyes with cat-like, dark purple pupils.

(Even though his eyes weren’t like the youngest brother, they give off an intimidating feel)

He wore a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows to show the tattoo on his forearm. Has gold and silver bracelets on both of his wrists and a gold chain necklace around his neck. A pair of denim, blue jeans, and a pair of dark blue shoes.

This was Zander Vladimer Belmont-Tepes, the second eldest of the siblings.

Skull raised an eyebrow at her little brother. “What do you mean?” the cloud couldn’t help but ask. “I mean, how long are you going to stay in your Skull De Mort persona? It’s been too long since any of us have seen the real you” Zander couldn’t help but say. Causing his sister to sigh.

It didn’t surprise her, that one of her siblings mentioned that.

For nearly forty years, Skull had never actually been in her real body. Because, the Arcobaleno curse froze her in her Skull De Mort persona that she couldn’t drop the disguise.

A cold feeling settled in the chests of the former Arcobaleno.

The Skull they knew, wasn’t the real one they knew; they know that. But to know that they don’t know the real Skull hurts more than any of them will ever admit.

(If only they knew how much it’ll hurt in the future)

Skull stood up from her spot on one of the couches and reached for the chain piercing that connected to her lip and right ear. As Skull took it off, she closed her eyes as the illusion of Skull De Mort dissolved.

Standing there was a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early twenties, stood at a 5’10, with a generous bust and a body that many women would kill for. Her skin was a pale, fair tone; and had somewhat sharp, but neutral features with some slight muscle on her body. Having fluffy, deep black hair with golden-blonde lowlights; that reached how lower back with a small braid with a purple-orange bead, and was tied in a low ponytail. The only hair that wasn’t tied was her side-bangs. And her eyes, were a bright shade of red with a deep shade of orange near her cat-like pupils.

She wore a dark purple shirt that reached her thighs with a black buckle jacket. A silver chain necklace with a wolf-head pendant around her neck and ruby, stud piercings that look like small drops of blood in her left ear. With long, black fingerless gloves that went to the middle of her forearms. With a pair of black tights with combat boots with buckles that reached the middle of her shins.

Skull De Mort was no longer there, and who stood in his place was Alexandra Terentia Belmont-Tepes.

The eldest of all of her parent’s children.    

 

Chapter 2: Family Secrets

Summary:

In which, everyone finds out some of the secrets Alex and her family have.

Notes:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Alex sighed as she let her little sister give her a medical checkup.

Leora Elizabeth Belmont-Tepes was the family doctor and Alex’s one of two sisters. Leora was the fourth child out of the eight children their mother and father had. And they only one who showed any interest in medicine and healing.

She was a little shorter than her older sister by a couple of inches at 5’7 in height, that while not nearly as developed as Alex; Leora had a figure she was proud of. Her skin was light, but wasn’t overly pale like Zander’s, with her features being a bit more neutral, than some of her siblings. Having messy, pale pastel purple hair that had went to the base of her shoulders, with some hair tied together with a dark green bead. Her eyes were an unnatural shade of orange that had an uncomfortable glow to them, with her cat-like pupils being white.

Leora wore a knitted, cream-coloured turtleneck dress that just stopped half-way down her thighs, that was underneath a white doctor’s coat. Around her neck was a gold necklace with a ruby pendant in the shape of a teardrop, and seven silver stud piercings in each of her ears, her nails painted in an amethyst purple. With a pair of black jeans and a pair of black low-heeled ankle boots.

“Leo, is this really necessary?” Alex asked as she let her little sister take a blood sample to examine later. “Yes Alex, this necessary. This is just a precaution, just in case there weren’t any side-affects and whatnot when that curse got broken” Leora answered, as she placed a small bandage on the area where she took the blood after cleaning it.

Alex raised an eyebrow, “Verde checked and triple checked to make sure there were no side-affects when the curse broke. And when he used a serum to speed up our aging process to get back to our original ages” she couldn’t help but counter.

Even though, Alex was a little wary of the Lightning scientist, she trusted what he was doing. Despite some of his methods were a little unorthodox.

Verde felt a little happy that S-Alex trusted his methods enough to defend him.

Leora scowled with poorly hidden anger and malice. “That green-haired, glasses wearing twit doesn’t know anything about basic healing. I don’t trust anything about his methods. Plus, I know your medical history and biology, so I know what would be best if you ever get sick or worse. If he thinks he can be your doctor, he’s got another thing coming” the pale pastel purple-haired woman growled out with slight attitude.

“Glasses wearing twit!?” said scientist squawked out in outraged offence; as he glared at the screen.

Alex cringed with a wince at her sister’s tone.

None of her siblings made it a secret, on how much they hated the other Arcobaleno. They all blamed the Arcobaleno for Alex not being able to visit as much as she could.

The eldest child speculated that if she visited frequently, the Arcobaleno would get suspicious and would have attempted to follow her. Which would introduce the mafia to her siblings and enemies would do anything to take a hit to one of the Arcobaleno’s weak spots. So, Alex didn’t have a choice but to visit a couple of months or years at a time.

(It also didn’t help that Alex didn’t trust the other Arcobaleno with her family’s safety)

That…

That hurt more than the Arcobaleno would ever admit to anyone (even themselves).

Because it was obvious that Sk-Alex didn’t even think to trust them with the care and protection of her siblings spoke how she felt about them (which they couldn’t be offended about with how they treated her over the years).

They didn’t even want to think about the hate her family had for them.

Leora caught her elder sister’s reaction and sighed a little. “Sorry, we all know you are fond of them. But we just don’t see it” she murmured.

The Arcobaleno felt a little better to know that their Cloud was somewhat fond of them.

The two sisters didn’t say anything as Leora finished up with her medical checkup.

“Okay I finished the checkup, so you can go and do whatever you want. But take it somewhat easy okay” the woman said, causing Alex to nod in understanding and got up to interact with the rest of their siblings.

 

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It was only the next day, and Alex found herself in the kitchen. Cooking breakfast for her siblings and herself; with a speaker on, playing some upbeat music.

The kitchen was large; big enough to fit fifteen people, with enough room for them to cook in. It was dark with wooden countertops and a large island in the middle of the kitchen. Which had plates stacked with eggs, bacon, toast, and pancakes. Along with a pot of coffee, a tea pot full of tea and a jug of apple juice.

The sound of a rumbling stomach was heard and everyone turned towards an embarrassed-looking Hayato Gokudera. “What!?” He asked defensively, everyone just turned back to the screen.

Alex was currently working on making more pancakes with the frying pan on the stove. Duncan was sneakily stealing some pieces of bacon, with Zander was leaning heavily against the kitchen island nursing a cup of coffee to get rid of the lingering affects of sleep that still clung to him and Leora was working on her laptop with a cup of tea sitting near one of her hands.

Along with a pair of identical twins fighting over the jug of apple juice.

With both being identical, the two had the same height of 5’10, with the same lanky-looking build and looked to be in their twenties. Having pale skin – but not deathly so like Zander – and was free of any blemishes and have slightly sharp features. Both having long messy black hair that went to the middle of their backs; tied up in ponytails with ribbons. But one had an indigo ribbon and the other had a blue ribbon. The twins had the same eyes, both having sunset orange eyes with cat-like pupils that were a light blue.

But one way to tell the twins apart was their clothes.

The brother with the indigo ribbon wore a dark blue rock shirt with a black, motorcycle jacket. A black chain necklace with a silver wolf-head pendant around his neck and a silver piercing in his right ear and a pair of black fingerless gloves. Along with earing a pair of dark denim jeans, with a chain-like belt around his waist. And a pair of black combat boots with buckles.

And the second brother was more… put together than his twin. He wore a white button-up shirt underneath an indigo knitted sweater. Around his neck was a silver chain necklace with a black wolf-head pendant. Was wearing a pair of black jeans with a dark brown leather belt. And a pair of dark purple sneakers with black laces.

The punk-looking brother was Wilden Carl Belmont-Tepes and his twin was Jonah Robin Belmont-Tepes. The second and third sons of their parents; along with being the third and fourth children.

“Come on you two, can you not argue right now” a young man sighed out tiredly.

The man looked to have just started his twenties with how young he looks – he looks to be similar age to Duncan – and he stood at 5’8 with a rather slim build. Having lightly coloured skin with sharp, but feminine features. Has long, flowing black hair that went to his upper back with a small braid and a bright red bead tied in. He had lilac-purple eyes with his pupils being a pale gold colour.

Was wearing a dark purple collar, button-up shirt; with a leather cord bracelet around his left wrist. A pair of black jeans and a pair of dark blue shoes with purple laces.

This was Lucian Samson Belmont-Tepes, the second youngest of Alex’s pack of siblings.

Alex chuckled as she flipped the pancake, she was making on it’s other side once the side it was on, finished cooking. “I agree, it’s too early for your squabbling” Zander grumbled out grumpily as he took a sip of his coffee. “Now, now Zander, if you are this grumpy; have some more coffee. And Wil, Jonah stop fighting for the apple juice and eat” Alex said, causing Zander to grunt and dink more of his coffee; and the twins stop fighting instantly, after they got their drinks.

Leora and Duncan quietly snickered.

Everyone slightly blinked at how fast they calmed down.

When it came to cooking, Alex was the boss.

Even though all of them knew how to cook, Alex was the greatest in the kitchen; and always took charge when it came to cooking for her friends and family.

It allowed her to connect with them and bond with each other; helping them familiarise with each other.

(Alex tried to do that with the Arcobaleno when she was disguised as Skull. She tried to cook for them to establish some type of healthy connection.

But they kept refusing, until it got to the point where Alex, just stopped bothering after a month of constant rejection.

And Alex will not admit how much that hurt)

Dread and cold realization seeped down to their stomach hard, when Viper remembered the look of broken acceptance after they rejected eating anything the cloud made before she stopped. They did not think of it much at the time.

Now…

Now they realized just how much that meant to S-Alex.

Alex shook off her thought process, before finishing the pancakes and put a stack-filled plate on the kitchen island, after turning the stove off.

“Come on, dig in” Alex encouraged, and her siblings started to get what they wanted. After everyone all grabbed what they wanted, they all dug into their breakfast…

And Alex’s siblings nearly died of culinary delight.

Everyone – and I mean everyone – was watching the screen with envy.

They wanted some food too Damnit!

As everyone ate in silence, it was Wilden who broke the silence when he finished the food that was in his mouth. “So… since your back to normal Alex; does that mean your going to take over the family now?” Everyone stopped eating, and all the siblings looked at their elder sister; waiting for her answer.

The woman in question placed her fork down with a small, silent sigh. She wondered which of her siblings would ask that.

“Yeah… now that the curse is broken and I’m back to normal; I have been thinking of taking over the family. But I want to take a couple of days to introduce myself to everyone again before I take over again” Alex said reasonably. Causing her little siblings to nod at her reasons.

“That is reasonable, it’s best to establish yourself first; I mean after all” Zander paused, “you are going to be the next Donna to the Sânge De Noapte Famiglia.”

Aside from the Tenth Vongola Generation – they just looked confused – the members of the group who had been apart of the mafia for so long look at the screen in shocked disbelief.

The Sânge De Noapte Famiglia were an extremely old mafia family, whose members and main family originated from Romania. Many had speculated that it was the first mafia family to ever be created in the Underground history. It’s been around long before the Vongola; and many have tried to gain an alliance with the Famiglia, because of the power they hold.

But the Sânge De Noapte were a strictly neutral family, that did not make alliances. And if anyone thought to go after one of their members, the family will retaliate with extreme violence and dedication; to the point that they’ll make sure every member of the offending Famiglia is dead and gone. Many mafia families were wiped out because of the Sânge De Noapte.

No one made the family do what they don’t want to do.

And when it came both political and man power…

Not even the Vongola could come even close.     

Notes:

Before anyone asks yes! Skull (Alex) is from a mafia family, and maybe we'll get more of that explained in the next chapter.

Also, please don't hound me on updating, because it takes awhile for me to form everything in my mind and write it out well, okay.

Chapter 3: World’s Greatest for a Reason

Summary:

Where everyone gets a glimpse of why Alex is apart of the World's Greatest.

After everyone finished eating, Alex and the others got started too cleaning up the kitchen; with Alex drying the dishes and cutlery. With Jonah washing everything and the others were either putting leftovers away or wiping down the kitchen surfaces.

“Anyway” Wilden started up after he finished cleaning the kitchen island. “Since your back to normal, does that mean we can get back to sparing again?” the wild twin spoke with an eager, almost bloodthirsty smile on his face.

A grin made it’s way to Alex’s face, “it does indeed; you think you can handle it little brother?”

Wilden scoffed a little “oh please. I just wanna know if you’re up to snuff; after all you haven’t been as active as you should have and you’re going to take up the mantle as being the next boss. I just wanna know if you will take the weight.” A predatory smile filled with bloodlust, that showed sharp fangs spread across her face.

 

A certain cloud couldn’t help but shiver in anticipation and pride at that smile.

 

“Is that so?” the other siblings could not help but sigh in exasperation.

Out of all of them, Wilden and Alex was the most bloodthirsty – even though Alex likes to keep it under wraps.

Even though Alex keeps her bloodlust under control, she does let it loose sometimes when in a certain mood.

(While a certain ‘Wild Child’ holds no suck restraint)

 

For some reason, everyone felt a slight shiver go down their backs.

 

It didn’t take long for the dishes to be put away and the kitchen to be cleaned. Knowing that chores was not going to stop Alex and Wilden from fighting each other.

The two of them went to the backyard with the rest of their siblings following behind with knowing and exasperated smiles or grins.

Alex and Wilden stood a fair distance away from the house as they faced each other with predatory grins and eyes filled with barely contained bloodlust.

“No holding back, right sis?” Wildan said as his hands were coated in his Mist Flames; bringing out his weapons. Which were a pair of gauntlets with three claw-like blades that were twelve inches long.

He called his weapons ‘Executioner.’

Instead of answering verbally, Alex’s hands were coated in her own Cloud Flames. That summoned her own weapons, that were a pair of black kusarigama that had a purple tinge. The chains were wrapped around her forearms as Alex held onto the handles of her weapons in her hands. And at the end of the chains were round, weighted balls with spikes.

Alex’s weapons were given the name ‘Shadow’s End.’

 

Many couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of the weapon. Even those who weren’t into weapons could not help but admire it.

 

Wilden was momentarily taken aback at the sight of Shadow’s End, before an eager smile came to the young man’s face.

When Alex uses Shadow’s End, it showed how serious she was going to take the fight. And how much fun it was going to be.

Duncan grinned at the anticipation as he held up his arm. “Both fighters ready?” both Alex and Wilden didn’t say anything, but got into fighting stances; with their weapons at the ready. “Begin!” and Duncan brought his arm down.

Both siblings rushed at each other with fanged smiles, filled with bloodlust. Sparks flew as the blades of their weapons collided.

As the two fought, sparks flew as their weapons connected to each other. Both Alex and Wilden twirled and moved in a way that looked like they were doing a dangerous dance; as Alex would move the chains of her kusarigama to make either the sickles or the weighted ball on the other side to try and hit Wilden.

Causing the young man to dodge as much as he could while trying to get close to land a hit.

The two didn’t even notice that their flames were starting to appear because of how into it they were.

 

Many were in awe as they watched the two siblings’ deadly spar. They didn’t know that some of the moves they did were even possible.

Meanwhile, Hibari was grinning an excited smile as his eyes filled with the lust for a good fight as he watched the two carnivores fight.

 

Soon, the two’s flames started to take on the silhouettes of animals. Alex’s cloud flames turned into a towering purple wolf made of flames with bright orange eyes. And Wilden’s mist flames turned into a towering indigo panther made of pure flames.

Alex and Wilden had large smiles on their faces that showed their fangs with their eyes alight with their flames; that showed their battle lust. The two charged at each other with war cries as their flame animal silhouettes lunged at each other with their fangs bared; like they were ready to tear each other apart.

When Alex and Wilden collided with each other, so did their flame animal silhouettes. Encasing the two siblings in a blazing tornado of purple, indigo and traces of orange.

 

Many in the Vongola Mansion living room were in shocked awe as they watched the beautiful display of power. And some even gasped in pure awe at the sight.

Though many were surprised with how much flames the two had.

(Though many were curious on where the orange flames were coming from)

 

Then, the tornado of flames dispersed into small particles that glittered in the sunlight like jewels. And when the tornado dispersed, it showed Alex straddling Wilden with her kusarigama blades crossed across his neck, with the chain wrapping Wilden’s hands together. Leaving him trapped.

The two were covered in scratches and shallow cuts that were bleeding a little.

Alex won.

 

‘Wow’ was the thought that went through every person’s mind.

 

Alex got up and her kusarigama was gone in a flash of purple fire as well as Wilden’s bladed gloves as she reached down to help her brother up.

The rest of her siblings clapped with expressions filled with pride as she helped Wilden stand up.

“Well…” Leora started “it seems sis still got it”

Before Alex turned into Skull De Mort as a disguise, she was known as the ‘World’s Greatest Weapons Specialist.’ Alex knew how to use all sorts of weapons ranging to melee and firearms it didn’t matter. She was a prodigy when it came to weapons.

She has had students. Where they tried to be like her, but could only master one or two weapons, not the wide variety that Alex could use.

Even though she never had a successor, many of Alex’s students – with so few there were – they were the greatest in the weapons they mastered.

After all…

There was a reason she was apart of the ‘World’s Greatest.’

Notes:

Sorry that I haven't updated!
It's mainly writers block and being busy with life!

Notes:

Okay! This is my second book on AO3 so I'm still not the best at this, but here we go!
First of all: for anyone who wants to ask Skull has seven siblings with only two of them being her sisters.
And secondly: If you want a reference of Skull's real eye colour; think of Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate.

That is all and enjoy the story!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Reactions/Watching
• Part 1 of Katekyo Hitman Reborn