A/N: KHR! does not belong to me in any way.

Knuckle led his friends back up the stairs, towards the rooms where Signore Critolli had pointed out previously. "Oi. Knuckle. You know where you're going, right?" G. was walking behind him, arms crossed over his chest, not exactly happy to be led by the boxer-turned-priest. Wasn't it the Right-Hand Man's job to do things like this? Knuckle smiled.

"I know to the extreme. Signore Critolli just led me there." G. scoffed, but said no more. If he was lucky, he wouldn't have to be in the same room as him. "There's a room around the corner. A secure hall. Primo?" Giotto walked calmly across the marble floors. Knuckle had just passed two doors, away from the others. Most likely the family's chambers. He had noticed that. One flew open and immediately G. was there in-front him.

The lady stood there. The eldest Critolli. She looked terrible, some sort of black stuff smudged around her eyes and on her cheeks. Her eyes were red, a clear indicator that she had been crying. "A-alessia?" G. stood down, realizing there was no threat. She whipped her head around. Looking for her sister. "Y-you haven't seen her, h-have you?" Knuckle shook his head. She bit her lip and slowly closed the door. "Sorry to bother you…" Lampo sighed loudly.

"Can we go no- etch!" G. elbowed him rather harshly in the side, effectively silencing him. Lampo drifted backwards, away from the red-haired man. Knuckle returned to his task of leading his companions to their rooms. If he remembered correctly, there were three rooms in the first hallway, then the one in the next hallway. Alaude would of-course have his own room. Daemon had decided not to come to this event. Like all the other times as well. So… someone would have to bunk with Lampo… "Alaude. Your room is- Eh? Alaude?" Knuckle turned about, looking for his pale-haired friend.

Who was currently 'hiding'.

Knuckle frowned. "Alaude? Hey, where'd you go?" Ugetsu smiled as the dark haired priest moved back down the hall, glancing around the corners and frowning. The door to the room that Alaude was assigned opened and closed silently. "Alaude! Come on out!" Ugetsu glanced at Giotto, who was shaking his head.

"Knuckle-san. I believe Alaude-san has retired to his room for the evening." The priest turned around and blinked.

"Oh? Is that so? Well, okay." He returned to the group, where Lampo was snickering at him. "Well. We'll just continue on then to the extreme." He moved back down the hall, those behind him following dutifully. "Now. Primo has his own room around the corner. Who wants to join Lampo?" G.'s lip twitched violently. Ugetsu glanced between his remaining friends before smiling and raising a hand.

"I don't mind, Knuckle-san. Lampo's a good kid." Lampo stood up straighter and puffed out his chest at G., expression smug

"Ha, see, G.? Lampo is great." G. took a step forward and the teen 'meep'ed and hid behind Ugetsu. "Ugetsu, he's being mean to Lampo!"

"Now now, let's all get along, okay?" G. turned his head, ignoring the green haired teen for the time being while Ugetsu was a mediator.

"Tch. Whatever." Knuckle nodded, pointing at the door behind him.

"So you and Lampo will be in here while I'll bunk with G. over here," he indicated to the door on the other side of the hallway a few feet down. "And, as I have stated before, Primo you'll be in the room down the hall." Then pointed to the corner. G. turned his attention to his friend, eyes calm.

"Shall I join you, Giotto?" Giotto glanced over at the man who was known as his Right-Hand Man. He shook his head.

"I'll be alright, but thank you, G." G. nodded. "Good night, everyone." Murmured replies were heard as the doors closed.

Giotto was left by himself in the silence and dark. He gave another glance at the closed doors then turned and moved around the corner to where he was to sleep.

A normal hallway. A dead-end hall, as Knuckle had said. Rather large windows were lined on the opposite wall. It was easy to see all that was here. He spotted his room immediately.

And the dark shape in the corner, crouched low.

The corner was lit by the natural light from the moon, but enough lit was in the hallway to tell there was someone there. "I suppose you can come out now." He stated quietly, hoping that he didn't alert his childhood friend to the situation. That was the last thing he needed in the dead of the night. A ruckus.

The figure stayed absolutely still, but they raised their head, that he could tell. "S-signore Giotto?" the voice was barely above a whisper, but he could tell immediately who it was. At this point, he really shouldn't be surprised by her anymore.

"Miss Alessia." He watched as she stood up slowly, keeping her head down as she dusted off her dress. "We seem to meet in the most… unlikely of places."

"Yes… I suppose we do…" He didn't quite know where to go from there, but she solved his problem by rushing past him and disappearing around the corner.

He let out a sigh and shook his head, opening the door to his room and letting himself in.

I had taken my shoes off while I had been hiding in the back hall, so at-least I wasn't waking up the entire house while I ran. I didn't expect Papa to invite them to spend the night! Much less put them in the back chambers! The back chambers were only used when the front chambers were full, which they weren't! That's why I was thrown by the signore's appearance! It wasn't like I was embarrassed or anything! Surprised! Yes! That's it! Just surprised is all… Papa must be worried about me… But I can't show my face here. It would be troublesome. Already Isabella's outburst must be all over town by now! Everyone's probably gossiping about it! How I hate people… They do nothing but cause trouble!

An arm around my waist and one covered my mouth as I was pulled back and off my feet. "Who are you?" the voice was dark and low. Dangerous. A man, much taller than myself. Obviously. The hands loosened immediately and the man moved away. "Lady, I apologize. I wasn't aware that you would still be awake at this hour. Forgive me, Miss." I blinked in the darkness. This man obviously knew me… Wait. Why would our gardener be in the house? Much less in the house right now?

"E…Ettore?"

"Miss? You know my name?" If I remembered correctly, there should be a wall around here somewhere. Further down there will be a candle and matches. If I could reach those, then…

A scratching noise in the darkness and the hallway was filled with light. I blinked rapidly from the sudden brightness, adjusting my eyes to it. Ettore stood before me, but not in his normal clothes. A suit and tie. Quite odd on Ettore, but they didn't seem out of place. "Miss. Are you lost?" Confusion clouded his eyes.

"No."

"Oh. Pardon my mistake." I looked down at the floor briefly before looking back up at him. "Miss? Do you need something?"

"Ettore, why're you here? Shouldn't you be at home? Asleep?" Now he looked lost. Like he was looking for something, but couldn't seem to find it.

"I… um… That… That doesn't concern you… Miss…" He avoided eye contact. "Miss, you should be in your chambers. Do you wish I escort you?"

"I'm going to see my Father." He looked up quickly, eyes wide. "But it's not as though you'd have something against that, now would you?" He looked back down.

"No… Of-course not, Miss. I was going to see B- Signore Critolli myself. I'll join you." He was hiding something. Just like Isabella was hiding something. Everyone was hiding something from me. Even the gardener. How sad…

I moved forward and Ettore followed behind me. I knew my way around, but the light from the candle helped.

Luciano was sitting at his desk, three men standing silently in-front of him. He was quiet, his head resting in his hand. "So the Verdelli claim we initiated the attack on their man?" And he was bored. "Have they no sense?" The man to his far right was Gavino, his horse master and overseer of his stable. A strong man, he was calm and rather quiet. This was his Right-Hand Man. Next to him stood Marco, Maria's husband. A somewhat older gentleman, he was the most senior of his staff and had authority over all of them. He had a calming presence, but when you got him excited he tended to become rather fearful. His son Raniero stood next to him. Raniero was a tall lad at the age of 27. Married and with two boys, he was the assistant chef of the Critolli house. To Luciano's far left was where Ettore was to be. His gardener and the one who watched his daughters while Luciano himself was busy. But alas. He was nowhere to be seen. "And has anyone seen Ettore?"

"No, sir." Luciano blew out another sigh, standing up.

"Well, tell Verdelli we won't be 'reimbursing' them. They threatened my daughter." He stood before the window, gazing out of it. Marco looked to his son, nodding curtly. The boy took that as a sign that he was the messenger. He looked at his father incredulously. Marco simply raised a brow. Raniero frowned, striding to the door and opening it swiftly.

He blinked at Ettore and the young mistress standing before him. "Signorina?"

"Raniero? What business do you have with Papa at this hour? Oh. Are you discussing your wages? Like Ettore?" Ettore avoided eye-contact and it took everything Raniero had to not laugh.

"Yes, that's exactly right, young Miss. Just like Ettore. Now, excuse me. I have to get home to my Emilia." Alessia moved aside and as he passed, Ettore whacked him upside the head. Raniero made no noise as the door closed behind him.

They had everyone's attention at this point. Alessia blinked at the sight of this many of her father's friends in one place. "You're all discussing wages with Papa?" she asked in confusion. Ettore avoided all contact with them. Luciano raised a brow.

"Oh? Ettore?"

"…sir." Luciano smiled lightly. "The young Miss wished to speak with you, so, I escorted her here…" Luciano looked to his youngest.

"Alessia. You wanted to speak with me? My dear, where have you been all this time anyway?" Alessia looked away and Luciano looked to all those gathered in his office. They got the message and moved past Alessia, murmuring good nights as they left. "Dear."

"Something is not right Papa. Too many times you've stayed in your office all night long. And now… Papa. You are not just a business man, are you." It wasn't a question his daughter directed at him. It was a statement.

"No. I'm not." Alessia sat down in the seat before the oaken desk.

"Papa. What do you think of Signore Giotto?" Luciano paled. He had hoped his daughter wasn't truly thinking about marriage, but perhaps she was!

"T-the signore? Well… I… I invited him over to determine just that! I wanted to see if he deserved you!" Alessia smiled lightly at her Papa.

"I trust you, Papa. Whoever you think would be good for me, I trust your decision." She reached a hand up, brushing her fingers against the cold blue stone of her choker. "And I'm sure Mama would too."

At this point, Luciano had no idea what to think. Had his wife not told him that she would grow independent? She had been, up until a few weeks hence. "A-alessia, my dear, I see no reason why you yourself cannot chose your husband. You are an intelligent young lady, capable of making your own decisions. I do not wish to hinder you in any way in that matter." He gazed at his daughter carefully. "Now, my dear. How about you get some sleep?"

"Yes, Papa. Good night, Papa."

"Good night my darling."

Maria moved calmly through the halls the next morning. She knew that the young miss had been hiding in the back hall. That's where she had always gone. She had given her such trouble when she first started hiding back there, for Maria could never find her! But now she just left her be.

Maria reached a hand into the pocket of the apron she wore over her dress, brushing her fingers against the worn, folded piece of paper that rested there.

She retracted her hand after a minute, knocking calmly on the elder miss' door. "Miss Isabella. Time for breakfast." She left her after that. If what she heard from last night was anything to go by, the miss was not in a very good mood. Moving down the hall, she noticed a young man hurrying toward her. "Signore, breakfast will be served within the hour." One of the guests already up. An early-riser. What a nice surprise. "It will be served in the main hall." The man's cap was pulled low, covering his eyes.

"Yes… thank you…" Maria bowed her head as he passed. "Have-have a good day, ma'am." Maria faltered. No one typically bothered to wish her a good day.

"S-same to you. Signore." She liked this man. If this was the Giotto she had been hearing about, she approved full-heartedly. The man disappeared and she moved onto the younger miss' room. She would have returned during the night, so, she should be there. But if not, she would be in the back hall. She knocked. "Miss Alessia. Time to wake up." There was no typical grumbled noise or reply. Maria sighed, looking down the hall. "Well. I suppose she fell asleep back there, then." She dropped her head briefly and began the trek to the back hall, not knowing that her boss had in-fact placed their guests back there the night before.

So she had no idea that her walking down the marble floors would have stirred them from their sleep. "Miss! It's time for breakfast! We can't have the master waiting!" Nor did she know that her calling would fully awaken them. "Alessia! Come now! What would your dear departed Mother say? Really!" Maria's frowned deepened and stepped a bit harder, her steps being clearly heard throughout the guest rooms. "Alessia, I swear! We can't do this every time Isabella upsets you!" She whipped her head from side to side, surveying the hallway closely in-case the girl was hiding behind one of the few tables or chairs placed sparingly around. "Alessia. Mattia and Leon behave better than you. Come out now!" She gazed out the window, scowling at the bright blue that was the sky of this clear and beautiful morning. "Dear Lord in Heaven. She's off and slept in one of the rooms again…" She shook her head, stomping toward the back hall, where she would most likely be.

And the back room. Where she would have most likely slept.

"Really, Lesa. I won't yell at you. It's not as though you've broken rules!" She turned the corner, taking in the empty hallway carefully. "So. You did spend the night here." She gripped the handle, opening the door easily. Standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips, she frowned at the semi-darkened room. "Lesa. Get up. Your father will worry." Movement in the corner, where the bed should be. "Ha. So you did sleep here."

"Ma'am. I'm afraid there's been a slight… mix-up." A rather tired voice stated. Maria blinked. Mix-up? "Ma'am, you aren't, perhaps, looking for Miss Alessia, are you?" Maria's eyes widened in horror.

"S-signore! I apologize! I-i-I wasn't aware the back chambers were in use! Pl-please excuse me!" and she quickly closed the door, gazing once again at the back hallway as she willed her heart-beat to calm.

It was then she noticed the figure of a horse and rider moving across the field that led toward the main road, which in turn led to town. She moved away from the door, squinting through the glass. The black stallion was definitely Ebony, their crazy horse. But the rider… The young man she passed in the hall was Ebony's rider. She squinted further, most likely causing possible damage for a later date. She had seen him before, besides in the hallway. Now, if she could just place that…

"MIO DIO, ALESSIA!" And the older woman promptly fainted at the sight of her adopted (she feels that much of a level of concern over Alessia) daughter riding on their untamable stallion.

Lampo was crouched down to the floor, frowning at the woman. He poked her cheek lightly. "Hey. Knuckle. She's fainted, right?" Knuckle 'hmm'ed in thought, chin in hand.

"It appears that way… But what would be the cause?" he crouched down as well, pushing two fingers against her neck to feel her pulse. "Perhaps stress?" Lampo straightened, stretching his arms over his head.

"Well, she didn't have to go screaming and waking us all up like that…" G. appeared around the corner, eyes glancing around quickly, taking in the fallen woman easily.

"Why was she back here?" he was tired, after not receiving as much sleep as he had wished, but he could deal with that. His main concern right now was Giotto, his Boss and friend. He knocked on the door, turning the handle and opening it a crack. "Giotto?" the door opened to reveal the blonde, hair more disheveled than usual and shirt half buttoned. "You're alright?" The blonde, for his part, blinked a few times at the lady on the floor.

"G… what exactly happened here?" G. frowned at the older brunette lying unconscious. He had no idea what was going on.

"Knuckle, what happened?"

"I believe I heard her say something about Miss Alessia, but I could ha- M-ma'am, please hol-" Maria's eyes snapped open and she miraculously awakened from the unconscious state at the mention of her 'daughter'. She sat straight upright, eyes wild.

"Where is she? What have you done with her?" she gripped the collar of the priest's shirt tightly. "You! You did something to my Alessia! What did you do?" and she then begun to shake him. Knuckle had yet to know the exact procedure for this type of situation.

"Ma'am! Please! You must-!" She was standing now, face closely pressed to the glass.

"No! She's gone!" she whirled around and attempted to push past the men now gathered around her. "She's in trouble! Let me pass!" She would be considered stark raving mad by now. Giotto laid a hand on her arm.

"Ma'am. Could you tell us what's going on?" Being awoke by an obviously distraught woman was cause for concern. A deep breath on her part and she seemed to visibly relax. "That's good, ma'am. Calming down is a go-"

"You are Signore Giotto." The blonde blinked, but nodded all the same. "And you are Vongola… Perfect." She smiled at him. "Well then. I have a favor I need to ask of you." She was calm now.

"If I can do anything to help, I will." Her smile grew a bit warmer.

Until the wild look in her eyes returned.

"SHE'S OUT ON THAT INSANE HORSE OF THE MASTERS'! GO AND GET HER BEFORE SHE KILLS HERSELF!" Giotto stepped back, pressing a hand to his ear and wincing slightly, as did all those who were gathered.

Knuckle was going to try again. "Ma'am, we-"

"NOW!"

Interesting. Vongola Primo is being yelled at by an insane maid. XD

Anywho, Maria's just really protective of Alessia and stuff, so, she may be over-reacting just a bit~

But then again… Ebony is a rather dangerous horse… Oh well~!

So, sorry this is updated late and stuff, but I haven't been in the mood to write anything and the ideas haven't been coming to me.

And my dog died last week. So, yeah. Haven't been in the mood to do anything. She was only 5, ya know.