A/N: Wasn't able to post a chapter last month even though I intended to. Hm, thanks for the new follows ne. I still get surprised everytime a notification comes in - you guys don't have much to do - is what I always think. :3

Anyway, here's the chapter you're not really waiting for~ As usual, the paragraphs are all over the place, but this time the more important plot holes are covered (kinda?)~

(This 'conservation of details' thing is killing me. Apparently there's such a thing.)

10.

Endurance, 1

Vongola fulfilled its part of the contract. Not only the tenth generation saw through it, the ninth generation also took part.

They had successfully cremated her and sent her ashes to her parents. Her family, naturally, grieved the loss. While they grieved, Vongola shadowed them. While they continue to live, Vongola would protect them.

She died in an explosion, it was a pity. She was preserving her face so she'd look presentable through the viewing glass of the coffin she had purchased along with her end-of-life insurance... turns out, her whole body would be burnt past the point of recognition.

Where was Vongola when she needed them? Well, she was supposed to have been escorted by an elite team, they even have disguised escort cars surrounding them, unfortunately there slipped in a suicidal mole and so everyone in the car with her got roasted. The car was proofed against many threats from the outside but the suicidal mole was just by her side - it was a storm flame bomb, although weak, no one was ready to diffuse it. Nevernind flame cancellers, she was dead by shrapnels piercing all over before a large part of her was decomposed.

They were in a middle of a highway when that happened… Vongola lost signals from a surgically-installed life-signal transmitter - she died. As per protocol the other escort cars hightailed the scene, Vongola left the incident to the police. Vongola was supposed to protect her and yet this way she died, regardless, Vongola ought to fulfill their part of the contract plus the penalties of her untimely death.

After some negotiations they got her body, turned it to ashes to lessen the visual burden, and then they sent it with a lot of condolences to her family. Of course, it is not the mafia famiglia Vongola that did so, but the company she was supposed to be working with in her stay in Italy. They have been very caring, they even helped settle her last will found in a rather sturdy briefcase that survived the flames. (Vongola kept the briefcase because it is a company-possession.)

To Byakuran, Vongola sent reports, he didn't say nor do anything.

That incident, the media reported it to be an isolated random terrorist attack, it wasn't something that shocked the populace. It only took a few days before another incident caused an uproar, the attention the surface world had on her quickly shifted to the fresher news. Unfortunately for the police, since everyone in the car was toast, they weren't able to find out which VIP met hell early, they had no choice but to declare the incident 'random'.

On the other hand, in the underworld, a lot has been concluded because of this… The fools who first targeted her life for her Sky attribute were the first to react, a lot of them immediately lost confidence in Vongola's 'protection' abilities since in the end, the target died. They just don't know which group initiated and succeed the attack.

It started with a bullet - that didn't hit her because a dumb teenager had the impulse to catch it with his body - well, actually, this whole issue started way before that.

Immediately after the Decimo's ascension, despite the peace he arranged, in the underworld there still were trigger-happy bloods.

The whacked-heads gleefully interpreted 'destruction of Vongola' as a self-destructing scheme, so they voluntarily participated.

Thus started the hunt for the lesser skies… They spared no one; since they can't touch the one at the top, they started with the ones who cannot put up a fight… They started hunting youth with characteristics of a Sky attribute. Without the leaders, groups cannot be formed after all.

Country by country, they scourged.

Eventually, it was her turn, it just so happened that the intercepting team included the tenth generation - and Lambo was quick-witted enough to realize that though his Lightning shield was pierced, the same cannot be said for his body. He didn't have enough time to look for a substitute so he tackled her away from the projectile even at the risk of getting hit. It was fortunate that he only injured his shoulder, an artery just barely scratched. Good thing the bullet wasn't the explosive sort.

Vongola didn't have the technology to identify true Sky attributes without introducing people into the mafia, by doing so, they'd remove the civilian's protection of the Omerta code. The enemies have anti-flame bullets strong enough to destroy the Lightning's shield, it was no wonder why the other intercepting teams failed.

She became the first survivor of the ridiculous killings - because she was quite smart, she knew she also became the first bait.

The killings stopped for a while… maybe because the succesful interception triggered primal caution. For protection's sake she was kept in hiding. She lived each day knowing she'd be bait, after a few months and even before this incident, she knew what would happen, her heart was set. Her death wasn't something even Byakuran the know-it-all could've prevented, it was a natural for a mortal to die and she was no exception.

Vongola sent the full-scope of their plan with Byakuran; he even contributed his ideas on this.

One time, the right-hand man of the Decimo became unable to hold it in, he finally asked, "Why didn't you go with him? You looked so happy by his side."

"Are you kidding? I was only tolerating that one."

"I thought for sure he'd abduct you or something… Rather than him being 'bored' and you're supposed to be his 'entertainment source',... he can't hide it from my eyes… He looks like he wants to marry you."

She scoffed. "The real reason why that jerk didn't want to separate from me is because he'd lose the opportunity to see me die. He wants to see me croak but he doesn't want to kill me with his own hands…"

"..." At the indifferent tone of the voice, Gokudera resisted the idea of stepping back; She was saying all this while her eyes sparkled with the taste of the soft-serve in her mouth.

"Behind closed doors, there were many times his hands were choking my neck, it's a wonder I'm still alive." She smiles.

The right reaction to these words: Gokudera knitted his brows even more. He felt like he was deciphering a coded language like his own script, but what she's using were pre-existing words. He refuses to acknowledge that this bitch's brain is actually graded by Reborn-san as 'useful'... This one doesn't have a normal mind, only that he's sure.

The contract at that time was expanded to five generations and three degrees of relations; all of which would be protected, financially supported, their future will be secured. As a side, they will be written into the Vongola history books as representatives of Vongola's compensation for its demands from a civilian girl, someone caught in the darker pages of the Decimo's reign. This would be something that cannot be allowed to happen in all alternative futures.

She thought, she was able to live a good life; not many could accomplish such a feat. What she did was only to surrender her name. For the rest of her life even for a short time, without doing anything, she was still able to live in luxury. It didn't matter that she was never allowed outside of Vongola grounds since she was able to get whatever she wanted anyway, she was also not one who desires to see the world and walk on it, she was easily content with just watching the sunrise and sunset occasionally.

While she watched the footage of her funeral, she ate popcorn. She nodded repeatedly at how she found the explosion convincing, then again, the explosion was real, she was just not informed which kind of explosives did the job.

She didn't really enjoy watching the not-show drama. She ate simply because she was hungry and was craving salty food. If the corners of her lips rose, that'd be because of the faces of the Vongola who watched beside her, oh how they marveled at her lack of reaction. She did frown once, but that's only because she bit on a kernel that gave her toothache as if she bit a hard as fuck stone.

At the end of the not-show, she clapped. Of course not before she rid her hands of the grease. There were no credits at the end so she then stood up and thanked the producers, Vongola. Judging by the amount of tears that was shed that day, the farce was a success. Her family wouldn't need to undergo brainwashing nor overwriting of memories which had a lot of risks. They won't 'remember' they had another daughter; in their hearts they 'know' that daughter is dead.

Right. That explosion didn't kill anybody, well, there was a mole but he was already caught and still healthy (physically). The only casualty is that poor car that was actually scheduled for dumping… at least it's life ended in a grandiose way. Too bad the farce did not call for 'speed', so it experienced no hollywood-grade action.

Spectacular plan, spectacular result. She became truly happy because she gained much more than she had given up on. Even if her name is the only one that is truly hers, given and decided by her parents, even if she had lost her only true possession, she thought it was worth it.

According to the incomplete will that was given to her family, they planted a tree with the ashes… but instead of hers, it was of trees, casualties from Vongola grounds. About this substitution, it wouldn't be too late for her true ashes to nurture that tree, she thought. All in all, there's no problem.

Vongola, well, they are happy too. The Ninth didn't hide his happiness in his face. He was there partaking in her self-provided popcorn even if she didn't offer him any…

As the Ninth exited the room, he turned back, caught her gaze and smiled at her like subtle villains do.

Voila, it's the sign of apocalypse. If she were a bit more of a dramatic person she would have dropped the popcorn bag in shock because she can. Too bad the Ninth didn't seem to be fooling around and she had already folded the empty paper bag prettily...

Everything had been accomplished at the Vongola's side but technically she hasn't done anything yet… She knew she had to act as bait, maybe get herself kidnapped so the enemies could take advantage of Vongola whose goal is to secure her life… However, the Ninth's expression told nothing of that.

If it wasn't regarding her being a bait, the only thing that would make sense…

Her mind ran miles, too fast that if one would liken her processing to a galloping horse, one would see it already tripped and tangled on its own feet. She panicked internally while her body remained rooted in spot. She tried to figure out anything that could be used against her, kicked that imaginary tripped horse alive, she had to backtrack before it clicked.

She was no longer herself, that personage has died spectacularly in an isolated random terrorist attack, and so she has to take on a new identity. The contract stated that she'd be adopted into the Ninth's family registry, it wasn't really a problem. Regarding being the Varia Leader's adopted sister, it isn't of much concern, being family in paper does not require contact after all.

What was the Ninth smiling scarily about? Was it regarding her new name? No, that issue is already passed to Byakuran. She laughed at the memory as it crossed her mind.

The Ninth still doesn't have grandchildren, the Decimo who he considers his grandchild isn't counted since they aren't directly related. Xanxus doesn't have anyone, so of course he isn't expecting a child. As an adopted daughter, will she be required to have a child?

No, before that, will she be used for a political marriage? If that was so, she's sure to not be paired with any of the Vongola bachelors since political marriages ought to tie one's family to an outsider, meaning, she'd be paired with worse. Well, that's not really the issue but…

What could the Ninth's expression have meant?

If it was about just marriage she'd be fine with anyone, but marriage is prelude for having children. When Byakuran refused her proposal it was refused since she only did that to escape and save a little of her sanity, a convenience, despite Byakuran insisting she change residence and to come to his side, he has no reason to wed her and so his rejection is logical. She thought, she should've elbow-dropped his solar plexus when she had a chance, the memory of triumph would at least last for a decade.

Not wanting to experience unnecessary worry, she decided to just ask. She's such a genius.

The Ninth inquired with a raised brow, "I heard you proposed to the Gesso boss."

Unguarded from the question, she unknowingly raised a brow in response, "I suppose he was disappointed I asked for marriage sounding like I don't really care." She took a sip of the offered tea.

The Ninth's expression became more positive as he smiled. "Hmmm. I'm sorry about that. Then, would you like this old man to-"

One moment lead to another before the Decimo abruptly barged in, his movements can almost be interpreted as an attempt to interrupt. Fidgeting and not meeting her gaze, "Um, Do you like kids?" He asked as he scratched at his cheek.

The Ninth, she understands, could joke about these things, but the Decimo shouldn't lie to her, she believed. Her heart jumped as her brain finally went blank in denial of her draft of conclusions.

Thinking back, there was no real need to panic. The Decimo's question also did not make sense since she had already made it clear repeatedly that she does not like kids, this was when they talked about the still young Lightning Guardian.

Her dislike for kids, she said, increased because of the stupid shielding attempt. (Byakuran had slapped her face hard when she said she should've died instead of the brat getting injured… In reflex, she slapped him back before anyone could react. The witnesses gasped loudly… when she felt her counterattack wasn't enough, she raised her fist to land a blow but she calmed down before it connected. Next, when she raised her glass of water to drink, still bearing a grudge, she paused and caught Byakuran's gaze. She contemplated on splashing the water on his face (without the glass, lest she earn herself a debt), but she decided to let her magnanimous self win over, she just drank the water in one go in case she changed her mind.)

"The point is, I didn't ask for the kid to shield me, it doesn't matter how I value my own life," she clarified. She knew hate was being directed at her for what happened to the Lightning kid, without anything else better to say, she just muttered that line and nothing else.

That conversation ended prematurely because someone kept pestering her for forgiveness she has nothing to give. (She understood perfectly that that slap by Byakuran was something she needed. If anything, she's the one that needs to apologize because she thoughtlessly slapped back.)

It was the contract… She put herself in a trap.

It was a trap she cannot back off from since the Vongola had their end fulfilled already, spectacularly too.

She reread the contract as soon as the Decimo dropped that line… It was not long after she found the problematic clause, the loophole.

'Kids.'There was no children in the Vongola estate, there's an obvious reason for that.

It didn't have to do anything with danger, they already informed of the underworld through their parents too. The Vongola estate could even be considered the safest place in that era, if its only regards to shelter no one would refuse. It didn't have to do with the lack of space, there were a lot of empty rooms. It also didn't have to do with the lack of resources, the Vongola's assets are insurmountable.

There aren't children… simply because the children are not Vongola. Even the offsprings of Vongola members are born civilian; this is made clear by the revised Omerta code. If they wanted to join they must first overcome their children status, they cannot join mafia while underaged. The higher alliances made sure that the little angels of the Tenth generation would be the last to be exposed to the underworld while still young.

When the Decimo asked whether she liked kids, it was the signal-

The contract mentioned Vongola would leave her alone while they don't have a use for her name… but the children aren't Vongola.

She walked to a trap she made with all of her soul and all of her life.

The Decimo fidgeted because he knew that the children were loopholes… He was uneasy because this 'win' is conveniently brought by circumstance.

She cannot even complain… the kids, they are orphans being brought up in an institution built since the first generation's time, have been visiting the Vongola estate for ten whole years, it had already become a tradition. Who is she to scorn a tradition-built famiglia? If she as much as stomped her foot in dismay, it would be equivalent to her admonishing all ten generations of blood.

She won't be killed for sure but she doesn't like being the object of hate no matter how trivial to her the can't say anything because while she did gain a lot of benefits for her relatives and their future, it also meant that in truth, she owes their future and everything to Vongola.

At least she wouldn't be made to bear kids… just bear with them.

Back at her room, she curls under her blanket as she resign herself to the situation.

She wonders how one week of eleven kids will compare to one week of the white-haired creep.

TBC

A/N: Btw, RL gave me a job, but I'd try to get chapter in before 12/25. At this moment though I have no idea which part of the story to release, maybe a side story, yeah. (If you notice inconsistencies please point them out; this time I didn't go over everything before publishing this chapter.)

Irregular word count at around 3k but I don't want to hold this off any longer so there you go.