Chapter 6: She's Arrived

Dusk arrived quicker than expected to the Vongola family as helping Matteo and Servero set up for the gathering became more complicated than necessary. Varia remained at the large but low table placed in front of the Northern Building, Xanxus making sure Nono was comfortable and ordering Leviathan to get a fruit basket for the missing Vongola as a mission that Nono had asked Xanxus himself to complete. For Vongola, children started to fill the compound only an hour after their arrival causing many distractions, primarily to Yamamoto, Lambo, and Tsunayoshi, as the three couldn't help but entertain the young ones who looked to them so bright eyed.

In the end no help truly came from the family, but Matteo assure them that their 'help' was irreplaceable, as the children can be quite a handful in stressed time. Leviathan had returned with two baskets of fruit unsure of what the grandchild would like, but Belphegor made the decision for him and ate the basket with more finger-items such as grapes and cherries, though was forced to share, by the look Xanxus had given him, as children started asking for some. Reborn eventually returned as older members began to arrive, confident as ever as he maneuvered his way between the incoming people to stand beside Tsunayoshi who raised an eyebrow at the hitman who remained silent.

When sunset finally hit, the large collection of firewood in the middle of the complex was lit, and the family gathering began.

The seven remaining buildings were all encompassed by the members of the civilian family. Windows opened and small get-togethers were prepared with some individual parties being hosted by older members. The children were all outside playing around the bonfire, some doing circle dances around it and others playing games with friends from different sectors. Matteo threw himself into the festivities and played amongst the children dragging Lambo and Chrome into the mix saying their 'faces resemble too much sadness for their age'.

The Western Sector Head, Servero, and his men continued to guard the borders of the complex with interchanging members to allow everyone the chance to enjoy the festivities. Servero himself stayed near the Vongola family, making sure no one of suspicious nature got to close, though the little girls were allowed access without conflict as they were very determined to play with the Prince and his human frog.

"If I kiss you, will you turn into a Prince?" Fran stared blankly into the large eyes of the little girl who held his face between her tiny hands.

"You seem to be under the delusion that Princes actually exist."

A group of high pitched giggles came from the cluster of children wrapped around the blonde haired assassin sitting in one of the few chairs provided, looking all smug as the girls grasped onto his hands or sat in his lap. "Of course they exist silly! You serve one."

Belphegor snickered as Fran's green eyes gave him an expressionless look at the comment as a mother came and quickly gathered the girls in her arms, apologizing and dragging them towards the bonfire to play with the other children. Matteo turned and welcomed them with open arms and motioned them to fool around with Lambo and Chrome, who were forced to participate in a game of tag.

Nono smiled as he took a sip of water from his cup, enjoying the liveliness of the group. Tsunayoshi sat beside him in a chair talking with Gokudera and Yamamoto about the security of the compound, having already sent Hibari to search for any 'herbivores' wondering about in the south and Mukuro in the north, as neither were fond of large gatherings. Xanxus sat on the other side of Vongola Nono with a glass of whiskey being filled every so often by Leviathan who also retrieved the alcohol with the fruit baskets.

Servero nodded as one of his men gave him an update on the surrounding area, providing information on the locations of the two missing Vongola Guardians, layout of the Western Sectors' soldiers around the compound, and the encounters currently faced so early on in the celebration. Dismissing the man and rubbing the back of his head, messing up his already unkempt black hair, Servero sighed before turning back to the table of Mafiosi and freezing to a halt as a scarlet hues covered his cheeks.

"Bellissa!"

Tsunayoshi jumped at the sudden shriek from the younger man. Having already entered the compound, Bellissa and Ryohei neared Vongolas' side of the table with tired smiles and a small child holding onto the Sun Guardian's hand. Hearing her name yelled, Bellissa started jogging over with her smile growing into a small grin as she stopped in front of Servero who stood near Varias' side of the table. "Hey Vero! How are you? It's been a few months since I've seen you. You look well, no injuries or anything?"

Timoteo leaned back in his chair as he watched the young man stutter out different sounds, not sure how to respond, as his face continued to get shades darker. Matteo walked by the two and slapped Servero on the back, hard, carrying on as if nothing happened with children hanging off his body trying to reach his shoulders to sit. "No!" Servero yelled out with a grimace of pain. "I'm fine." Bellissa looked unsure on how to comfort his pain and confused about the situation overall.

Xanxus snorted while taking a sip of his drink. "Children…"

Tsunayoshi smiled and turned to Ryohei who stopped in front of Yamamoto to actively discuss who the cute little girl attached to the Sun Guardian was. Reborn shifted, gaining Tsunayoshi's attention. "All went well. Ryohei had some issues in the beginning but Bellissa smoothed it out with the grandchild. Everything's been healed and the little girl is the civilian who got caught with one of the knives." Tsunayoshi nodded and gave a small wave back to the little girl who made eye contact with him and shyly waved.

Hearing footsteps approaching, the three sky-flame users turned to see the Northern Sector Head kneel and bow her head in front of them. Servero quickly went to her side, grabbing her arm and trying to stand her up. "Bellissa what are you doing." He whispered, though the three bosses could hear him clearly.

The caramel haired woman looked up at Servero but stayed in her position turning back to the Mafiosi. Leaning forward she placed a key on the table in front of Vongola Nono. It was an old antique key, large enough to fit in the palm of the hand, and rusted around the three-leaf clover handle. Timoteo picked it up and looked to Bellissa who appeared uncertain and Servero who was in shock. "You can have whatever you want, but only one thing."

Vongola Nono looked back at the key and rubbed it between his fingers. "And what does the key go to?"

The Northern Sector and Western Sector motioned their heads towards the bosses and they all turned back to look at the apartment building behind them. "The only ones allowed inside are Madam and Boss. I don't even know what's in there. But she's given you permission to go inside and retrieve what you most desire."

Bellissa stood up and took a few steps back. Watching Timoteo caress the key in deep thought she sighed and caught a glance of the little girl still clung to the Sun Guardian with a smile on her face. Bringing a smile to her own, the Italian woman crossed her arms in front of her chest in security. "I met her when I was 16 you know."

"I ran away from home, from a small town just west of this city, and had gotten lost and took a path through an alleyway. A bad choice on my part really, having almost been assaulted by a man who came out of nowhere. But Boss appeared so quickly startling the man and I, had a dagger to his neck in an instant and scared him off before he even realized who it was. When I looked at her for the first time I thought, 'this child, this small child, has a dagger in her hand, what the hell is wrong with this city'.

But Boss looked at me and turned to the entrance of the alley and Madam stood there out of breath, having had to chase Boss a few blocks, and said 'This girl needs a home. And we've got plenty of space to spare'. Madam just threw her hands in the air and walked off like taking people in off the streets was a common occurrence. I found out later that it was.

It's been 7 years since I met her. Madam divulged to me the Boss's past when I accepted control of the Northern Sector, just a few months after I joined, and Boss has continued to give me the second chance at life that everyone deserves. You look at that key as if you don't know what you desire most but none of you are much different than we are. This style of living that we share gives us satisfaction because what we all treasure is family."

Tsunayoshi watched as Timoteo gripped the key and turned to Bellissa and Servero. "I think it'd be best if we wait for the grandchild. Is she coming?"

Servero blinked owlishly at Vongola Decimo. "What are you talking about? She's been here since the lighting of the bonfire, or she was."

Bellissa smiled and looked back to the bonfire and the family members surrounding it. "Boss went to check the borders before coming to confirm that everyone here is family or an approved guest. You'd be surprised how many times the older members will bring in significant others or friends to private events."

"Then what the fuck are we waiting for Trash?" Xanxus sneered holding his glass out as Leviathan quickly filled it back up.

Servero narrowed his eyes as the Varia Boss for his comment geared towards the Northern Sector Head before giving his unwilling reply. "For all the good-for-nothings to be sent home."

As if orders from afar had arrived, the Western Sector soldiers quickly got to work as person after person was dragged out of the compound for trespassing. Most went quietly, with a few murmurs of 'how unfair' and 'ah', and others went out with a struggle, quickly resolved with the appearance of Matteo. Servero continued to coordinate the men in the correct direction and target, orders obviously coming in from an earpiece causing him to stop talking and press closer to hear more clearly before barking out commands again.

Tsunayoshi had Gokudera make a list of those trespassing, a description of their face and clothing, for later use in finding the Lagorio family should any of them arise suspicion as a spy for the family. Reborn also used a system to keep track of those leaving, easier to organize and simpler to use as he stood behind Vongola Decimo, committing everyone's face to memory including family members he found lacked loyalty.

Over by the large flames in the center of the compound, Lambo stumbled trying to regain his balance after accepting and winning a challenge of who can spin the longest from three boys a few years younger than himself. His eyesight still not stabilizing, Lambo tripped over his own feet falling backwards and landing on his back as dirt and some ash from the bonfire gathered in the air. "Ow~"

"My, that was some fall."

The Thunder Guardian looked up to see the blurry figure of two people. Hands grabbed onto his own and lifted him up onto his feet, keeping him steady as the world around him finally stopped spinning. Hearing a soft giggle, Lambo looked up to see a young woman in her early twenties smiling at him with some concern. "Are you okay?"

Nodding his head, the woman let go of him and Chrome appeared concern, also covered in a thin layer of dirt and smelled of smoke. Dusting himself off while Chrome thanked the young woman for her help, a rough shove in the back sent Lambo a few inches forward before he reared around angrily to snap at the person for the rude jester. With his chest puffed out Lambo turned to face a tall but lanky man dressed in dark jeans and a t-shirt, standing with his hands in his pockets and a mischievous smirk across his face. A little deterred by the mans' prideful stance, Lambo hesitated to speak, though the man had no problem doing so.

"I expected a little more bite coming from a Vongola Guardian of the great Tenth Generation." He said looking the 15 year old up and down before turning to watch as two Western sector soldiers came around the corner of the nearest building, looking around confused before spotting him.

"Vongola? I-I have no idea what you're talking about." Lambo replied. It was a secret that Vongola was currently in Potenza, given that Nono was repose to be dead in the eyes of the Mafia community. Besides anyone knowing that they were here meant that their secret was exposed, and Lambo was not going to be the one at fault for their exposure.

"You're a terrible liar Lambo Bovino." A hand grabbed Lambo from behind and pulled him back as Chrome shifted herself in front of him in a protective stance, having noticed that the man Lambo was in conversation with was not of a friendly manner. "Ah, Chrome Dokuro. Before I know it I'll have all Vongola Guardians in front of me, but that'll take too long so why don't I just hurry this up a bit hm?"

Grabbing onto Chrome the man threw her to the side, crashing into the two Western soldiers who had been pursuing him. The soldiers caught Chrome while also steadying themselves as Lambo quickly followed after the enemy to stop him from getting to Tsunayoshi but struggled as he carefully weaved himself between family members.

Coming out the other end of the large crowd, at the Northern most building of the compound, the man slowed his pace then stopped completely as he stood in front of the long table, occupied by the most powerful Mafia family, and a gun to the side of his head. Lambo and Chrome quickly appeared from the crowd also, but recognizing the situation they went to their designated seats at the table. Glancing to his side the man watched as Servero reached up to his ear to speak. "Captured and secured…handing over to Vongola now." The Western Head lowered his gun and stepped away as Nono smiled and motioned for the man to speak.

"You must hear it a lot, but it is truly an honor to stand before some of the most powerful Mafiosi to ever exist. Vongola Decimo, it's a privilege to finally meet you. Though you haven't ruled for very long, your legacy is already established. And Master Xanxus, Varia wouldn't be as great as it is without you. And of course-"

The man choked as he stared into cold black eyes, shadowed by the fedora the hitman was wearing. "-Hitman Reborn. I've heard stories but you are truly a m-masterpiece to behold." Tsunayoshi smiled behind his hand as the man in front of him coward at the sight of Reborn. "And last we have Vongola Nono. The rumor was that the young Decimo was hiding you so you could pass peacefully. Many people will be happy to have their suspicions confirmed."

"Let's continue to keep that a secret shall we." Timoteo silently ordered in his words, "I'm grateful for your kind words Lagorio, but we're in a serious matter that your Boss has started that can end in only one of two ways."

"Ah my name is Vadim-"

"Shut it scum."

Vadim closed his mouth and allowed the Vongolas to continue. Tsunayoshi shifted his body to move the attention over to himself. "We can settle this peacefully where the Lagorio family leaves Potenza without the granddaughter, no one is hurt or killed, and Potenza goes under the protection of the Vongola family and its allies nearest to the city. Or we can start a war over Vongola Nonos' bloodline, many will die over the potential to have a successor to the Vongola throne, we secure the granddaughter and win, and Potenza goes under our protection."

Vadim snorted at the proposals. "You seem to believe that you will win this Vongola."

"You don't?"

"The Lagorio family wants no qualms with Vongola. We came here with the blessing of her father, for our Boss to marry the granddaughter of Vongola Nono. We have been given the right to come and retrieve her with any means possible to complete the agreement between Mr. Cleso and the Boss. However you seem to think you have shares in this battle, you are only aware of the situation because that disgrace of an Olivieri called you knowing she was going to lose. And to bring such reinforcements Vongola, all your Guardians, Varia, and even Reborn, shows how afraid you are of-"

Vadim stopped as he saw Servero slam himself to the ground, kneeling with his head bowed low and a scared look on his face. Everyone turned to look at him as he struggled to get his words out, then taking a deep breath and calming down he spoke, "Welcome back, B-Boss."

Whirling around the Lagorio man froze in place at the sudden appearance of the small figure directly behind him. Though small wouldn't fully describe the person's size, tiny was more accurate. Yes, a tiny female, not even 5 feet tall, stood in front of the arguing families with a raised eyebrow. Her long medium blond, but incredible dull, hair hung around her in an unorganized mess of waves as her unusually warm brown eyes glanced over them all as if assessing for dangerous intentions. Lowering her eyebrow, a bored face arose as she scratched her cheek and looked to the still kneeling Servero and nudging his leg with her worn out white sneakers to make him stand up.

Vadim placed a smile on his face and went to bend down to talk with the little girl but she held her hand up to his face to stop him and walked pass him towards the Vongola and Varia Bosses. Dressed in an old light blue long sleeve babydoll dress, coming down a couple inches above her knees, with two buttons and a collar in the same color, she walked over and placed her knee on the table to lean over in the space between Nono and Xanxus to grab the plastic wrapping of the fruit basket. Not lifting it out between them, she looked towards the red-eyed man with a curious expression.

"It ain't mine dipshit."

"Strong words for someone who lost the Vongola title to a fifteen year old." Instantly all four Vongolas moved. Timoteo gracefully shifted himself towards Tsunayoshi, while Decimo placed a hand on his forehead and sighed at the inevitable damaged he'd have to fix. The female pushed herself from the table, fruit basket in hand, just in time to watch a deep red flame from the hand of the now angry Varia Boss burn, melt, and crater the table at where she once was.

Squalo started yelling at Xanxus, who kept eye contact with the amused child, about the table while Lussuria tried patting out the fire to stop it from spreading. Xanxus sneered recognizing the twinkle in her eyes and her facial expression and retracting his hand from the table to reach towards his waist band. "It's fucking uncanny that your face resembles the old man's when he knows something I don't-"

"Then you must get it all the time."

"I'll fucking kill you trash." Taking out one of his X-guns, Xanxus pointed it at the blonde only for a variety of people to jump in front of him. Squalo, Yamamoto, Fran's Hat; thrown by Fran as a tribute and instigating a knife into his back, Servero, and Vadim.

"VOI are you fucking crazy, we came here to save her not kill her!"

Servero turned around only to have a fruit basket dropped into his hands as his Boss tore the plastic open and sorted through the variety of fruits. Vadim turned to the granddaughter seeing his chance. "Such a shame isn't it?" He said shifting closer. Glancing out the corner of her eye to gaze upon him, allowing him to know he had her attention, she turned her eyes back to the fruit. "Vongola is wasted on people like them. Violent, arrogant, greedy people. I'm sure your grandmother told you the beautiful history of Vongola, yes? It was founded on protecting the civilian of Italy from dangerous and deadly individuals. But under the rule of Decimo, the only successor of Primo, that family is filled with misfits they would have originally fought against."

Shoving a pear into Serveros' mouth and placing a mango in her own, she waved off the Western Sector Head to give the basket to other family members as she turned around to face the lanky Lagorio man. Taking a bite out of the mango she hummed. "It is true that Vongola Primo started the family to protect the people of Italy, but you forget that Primo accepted anyone who was willing to serve Vongolas' mission. Kings, Aristocrats, Soldiers, Bakers, Farmers, and Thieves. And because of that no Famiglia can match them in terms of size, tradition, rules, or power. Thus Decimo is doing his job just fine, so go away."

Vadim clicked his tongue. Irritated at how discussions seem to be going he reached out and grabbed onto the thin arm of the female only to have a multitude of attacks aimed and conducted at him. With a knife imbedded in the ground right next to his foot following a creepy laugh from the Prince, the world's greatest hitman cocking and aiming his gun at his head, and a strong grip wrapped around his wrist from the large Eastern Sector Head who appeared suddenly as another bite from the mango was taken.

Matteo shook his head and released his grip on Vadim and took a step back to stand behind his boss. Vadim smiled sweetly at the girl and bent down with his hands on his knees to be at her same height level. "I understand how you feel. I know that many things have been happening over the past few months that you may not get, and at your age I didn't understand them either." An eyebrow shot up quick at his statement and the blonde female handed the mango back to Matteo to finish as she crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight onto one leg. "But your father has placed your health and safety into our hands, the Lagorio family hands, and we don't take such an honor lightly. So it's time to stop this fighting, to stop believing the lies that your grandmother has told you, and to grow up, stop being a child, and do what big girls have to do."

Narrowed, angry eyes stared back into Vadim's as he stood up and placed his hands on his hip. Lifting her leg and placing her foot on his lower abdomen she pulled her knee towards her chest before pushing forward. "I said go away."

If Tsunayoshi could describe what happened in that moment, it would be that in a matter of seconds, Vadim was standing in front of them and the next he was in a small self-made crater in a building outside of the compound. Looking towards the now pouting granddaughter, he saw small orange flames flicking on the bottom of her shoes and leaned back calling out his home tutor's name only to receive an 'I know' in return.

Matteo bent down and wrapped his arms around his boss from behind to envelop her in a warm hug and cooing comforting words while lifting her off the ground and walking towards the Vongola Bosses. "I know, how could that mean man call you a child…He must be blind, I mean look how grown you are…No of course it's not because you have to wear children's clothing…You know what, I'm going to find you a peach because peaches make you happy."

Maneuvering the blonde in his arms, the Eastern Head sat his boss on the table in front of Vongola Nono with a smile only to have her fall to the side and lay awkwardly as she continued to pout. Matteo patted her hip reassuringly and walked off to leave the family to their discussions.

Timoteo glanced at his granddaughter with a soft smile before lightly taking one of her hands in his to gain her attention. Young brown eyes met old as Timoteo tugged on her hand to make her sit up and face him correctly. Groaning, she fixed her position and sat in front of him, legs on either side of his body to give him a full view of her appearance.

"My name," Nono started, "is Timoteo, formerly known as Vongola Nono and I am your grandfather. You may refer to me however you'd like, as long as you're comfortable calling me so."

Looking her grandfather up and down, she sighed scratching her head before placing both hands in her lap. "The old lady always said to formally introduce yourself to old people, so my name is Daniela, I am the boss of this civilian family and I am your granddaughter because grandma had sex and mom had sex and then I appeared. Call me Dani."

She has entered! I've been writing this chapter since October and I want to thank all of you for giving me the inspiration to post this chapter and story. Dani means the world to me and I hope you enjoy her also.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about her as we go through this wonderful journey together. Please be sure to follow, favorite, or write a review if you like or want to let me know what you think. I always get excited when I get those notifications.

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Reviews:

oliviarodriguez927: I just want to thank you for always reading this story and letting me know that you enjoy it. I always think of you when I start a new chapter because I want to make sure that those who've been here for a while still enjoy what I do. *bows deeply* Thank you.

MissCuriousBird: I'm crying reading your review. To have someone read Miss Scientific and then come to Before the Morning Sun and tell me how much I've improved means so much to me. After getting your message I went back and had to make sure that everything was in place for this chapter. While I don't think it's my best, I hope my future ones will continue to keep you interested. I literally have tears in my eyes, I can't thank you enough for your words.

So just a little update on my life, I graduate college in December, still trying to find a job, and am still waiting on decision letters from Grad school.

Much Love,

Viper'sGirl~