Game on

Chapter 19: Inheritance Arc 3

Apparently, the small Vindice had guessed at her thoughts, as he explained "Even if we aren't able to enjoy things like that anymore, we do remember liking it when alive."
A nod, as she confirmed "It is beautiful."
Accepting the inviting gesture, she seated herself opposite of the three Vindice that had met her, and decide that honesty seemed to be working well enough with them. Taking a moment to put her thoughts in order, she finally started to talk.

"We Vongola need information that we think only the Vindice have. To be precise, about the Simon Famiglia."
Outwardly, they let nothing, but she could feel from her soul sense that she had sparked their interest.
"But bargaining only for one thing, with the relation already tensed between us because of the Kokuyo incident seemed stupid. So we wondered about what would be wisest for the future..." she straightened a bit, and asked "What do you know about the Vongola X intentions?"
"We know of your Decimo's ambition to take the Vongola back to its roots." answered the flameless child

"And it is something that would help with your own duty of protecting the Omerta." she continued "But at the same time, a true alliance between the Vindice and any Famiglia is impossible, as you are supposed to be impartial."
"Yet you must have another idea, or you wouldn't mention it."

"I have." a smile "When I said that balance in the underworld was a dream earlier, it wasn't in mockery. It would hypocritical of me wouldn't it, as in the end the Vongola X own goal is similar?" the question was rhetorical, and she went on "But even without a traditional alliance, we could come to an understanding as our goals are so similar."
She could feel the Vindice interest in what she was saying – after all, like she had said, despite the fearful reputation they had among the mafia world, they were but a few, and as such far from enough to truly maintain balance.

"If the Vongola were to reclaim their ancient role, it would free the Vindice to hunt the worst of the Omerta breaker without having to waste your time on small fries." she explained "Of course, the Vindice couldn't help us directly, but information sharing wouldn't go against the rules..."
The Vindice speaker took his time thinking it over, before agreeing "The idea seems like it has merit... But it would only truly starts a few years in the future."
"Indeed."

"So what more do you have to offer for the present information on the Simon you require?"
"Hope." her eyes had started to glow without the teenage girl even realizing it as she spoke "The first time we met, you gained nothing but contempt and hate from me, as you are being that shouldn't be alive."
There was no surprised nor denial at this affirmation.

"But my powers have grown since, and I can now feel things that were hidden to me at that time. Such as the fact you current state is the product of both your will to live, and that of something made to you against your will." by now she was working mainly on speculation "I think... That you are all former Arcobaleno that have outlived your usefulness as holder of the pacifiers, and that rather than dying from the curse you clung on to life."

This time, she could clearly feel – and more shockingly, coming from the Vindice, see – their shock.
"I would guess that you are still living to gain revenge on the one who did this."
"Checker-face." the name was spat with a hatred she understood only too well as she had seen it echoed in Reborn
"Truth be told, I don't care much for that man either."
"There are whispers in the underworld that Renato Sinclair is courting the Vongola Shadow." nodded the small Vindice as if it explained it – which it did

Yet Kazami was still surprised – she didn't thought the Vindice would gather this kind of information. Once more the ex Arcobaleno surprised her by guessing at her thoughts by smirking "Any information can be useful when used correctly."
Kazami inclined her head in agreement, and pursued on what she was saying "But honestly, the Vongola X main goal isn't the man himself... we are more concerned on undoing the curse, and finding a way to feed those damn pacifiers without sacrificing a new generation of Arcobaleno."