Disclaimer: I own the OCs, the rest is Akira Amano's work.
Fratellanza
The Ninth's eyes went from his son, to me, to Xanxus behind and sighed.
"Federico, what is the meaning of this?"
"Father..." he started, but I pointed an accusing finger to the Vongola.
"You...you...you liar!" I screamed at him, a tear rolling down my cheek. The Vongola looked at me with shameful eyes. "Don't look at me like that you old geezer! You knew and you kept us apart and made me join the CEDEF so that I wouldn't know about him!" My finger was shaking. "You...you...you fucking trash!" Federico's hand fell on my shoulder without me pushing it away. "That's...that's my brother in that ice!" Timoteo looked at his son, who shrugged.
"You know, there was no way Xanxus would just stage a coup without a reason Father, you should keep those diaries of yours under a better surveillance."
"And you think telling her is a good thing?" I was right there! Before I could speak, Federico put a foot in front of me, standing there as if to protect me from his father.
"What? If I know about her birth family, why wouldn't I tell her? It's her right to know, and not yours to decide whether or not she can know. I am merely breaking down the lies you've built around these two." The Ninth pursed his lips, his face suddenly looking so much older. "She would have found out one way or another, Xanxus can't stay in that ice forever."
"I know." Still, he would not look at me and my silent tears. So I turned around and started scratching the surface of the ice. "The Vongolas can't have another Xanxus."
"If you actually had tried to know her even just a little bit, you would know that she's not like him!" My fingertips were already bleeding, leaving marks of blood on the pure ice. I started punching it until my knuckles bled too. "Father, I respect you and love you, but it's time to face the results of your choices!"
"That's..." I took a step back and made my flame, before throwing it in the ice. It barely made a small hole. "The ice won't melt Luciana."
"Give me my brother back!" I screamed without looking at him. "Just...he's in pain, can't you see that!?" Federico grabbed my hands when I was about to punch the ice once again. "Federico, let me..."
"Don't mess up your hands that way, you use them to fight, remember?" he told me gently and I raised a tear-filled gaze on him.
"Ninth, you..." I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at him. "You...why?"
He seemed like a nice grandpa but…
But he was Mafia.
He looked down.
"I have to do what is the best for the Vongolas." I bit my lips until they bled and ran to him. He started to adopt a defensive position but I ran past him and up the stairs. I didn't know the place, but I ran through the various hallways and found myself on a balcony overlooking the huge gardens. I fell on my knees and pressed my hand against my mouth to muffle my sobs.
"You run fast," Federico told behind me, out of breath. "I'm not as young as I used to be." He knelt next to me and wiped away my tears with a frown. "I'm not good with crying girls you know, I grew up surrounded by guys." I tried to calm down my sobs and he sighed. "Hey, it's okay to cry, to let everything out. Bottling up your feelings is never a good thing."
"Xanx...Xanxus..." I stuttered weakly, snorting to keep the snot in my nose. I was a crying mess.
"I'll get him free." I blinked through my tears and he searched something in the pocket of his suit. "Once I am the Decimo, I will free him. The VARIA will help without a shadow of a doubt, that Squalo is tired of being the Boss."
"But...but what if he tries to..." He pulled a ring from his pocket and handed it to me. It was in silver I think, and there was a cloud on it.
"I kind of hope you'd help me with that, and help me later on. My father tried to bring back the Vongolas of the Primo era back but failed. I'd like to succeed in this. They started as a defense group to protect the weak after all, it has nothing to do with the Mafia we all know today." I stared at the ring.
"It's...one of the Vongola Rings? I don't want to spend my life here." He chuckled.
"I know, that's why it's the Cloud one. The role of the Cloud Guardian is this: a drifting Cloud, whom cannot be bound. Protecting the Famiglia from an independent standpoint. You're already in CEDEF so you know, you're already independent." I looked down from his face to the ring. It shone faintly under the beaming sun and I took it between my finger.
"It...feels powerful." He grinned and showed me the Sky Ring around his finger.
"It does, doesn't it? It's almost...too heavy sometimes. So, do you accept?"
"Depends..." He raised his brows. "Will you give me a ride home?"
"Home? Cavallone's?" I nodded and he got up. I took his hand and got up too. "You got it Missy!" I gulped.
"You'll...really free him? You're not lying?" He adopted a serious look and shook his head.
"He's your older brother, but he's still my baby brother." I nodded and slipped the ring around my right middle finger. "I can't fail again." Slowly, I grabbed his hand. He seemed surprise, but clenched my hand tighter.
As he walked me to his car, all I could think of was that his hand was warm and comforting.
"Princess?" Romario greeted me at the front door. Federico nodded to him and he nodded back without understanding.
"I will perfect the details with Iemitsu and tell him you're on a week-long break," Federico told me and I nodded. "Come on now, spend some time with your brother. See ya!" I waved at the retreating car and looked up at Romario.
"Is Dino here?"
"In his office, with Reborn." I thanked him and ran to my brother's office, almost breaking the door when I opened it. Dino blinked at me in confusion, a paper in his hand and Reborn standing on the desk.
"Ana? What are you..." He didn't finish his sentence that I had thrown myself into my brother's arms. He hugged me back tightly when he heard me crying on his shoulder.
He let me cry for only God knows how long. Eventually, I felt him inspecting one of my hands, that Federico treated before leaving the Vongola Estate.
"Ana," he said quietly, rubbing my back in soothing motions. I snorted and used my sleeve to wipe my eyes, noticing Reborn gone.
"So...sorry..." He shook his head, running his fingers through my hair.
"It's okay, your big brother will always be here when you need a shoulder to cry on." I nodded and got up, but he pulled me on his laps. I blushed in shame.
"Dino, I'm fourteen in a few months...it's weird..."
"Don't care!" I sighed and settled for leaning against him, my face in the crook of his neck. "So, is this about Russia?" I raised my eyes to his face.
"No, why?"
"Well, you totally isolated yourself so I thought..." he explain, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, sorry for worrying you. I was just...thinking a lot. It's not about Russia."
"Then what is it?" I opened my mouth and stopped myself. I mean...I couldn't just straight up tell him one of the Ninth's son was my brother, could I?
"Fe...Federico told me I had a biological older brother but I can't see him for now." Dino tensed. "It...it got me thinking and...Dino, if one day I want to know more about my birth family, you would help me?"
"Of course." I smiled faintly at him.
"Thanks Dino." There was a small silence between. "I...I love you, you know that right?" He widened his eyes.
"Well...sure but you never said it before." I hugged him tightly. "By the way, why do you have a Vongola Ring on your finger? When did that happen, huh?" It was my turn to tense at the threatening tone in his voice.
"A...few hours ago?" He put his elbow on his desk, his chin in the palm of his hand, his other arm around my waist and stared at me thoughtfully.
"Maybe he was stalking you after all." I chuckled a little.
Later, when I was in my room, I remembered Federico mentioning Superbi when he was telling me about Xanxus. I frowned, staring at my ceiling. At Dad's funerals, he asked me about my origins and the coup had already happened…
I glared at my ceiling.
He...knew, didn't he? He had known for years and never brought it up.
Without thinking, I took Arroganza's number and my phone.
"...yeah? Is that you Luciana?"
"Sorry for the time difference, I forgot about it," I said, remembering he lived in America. "But it's important."
"Sure? What?" He was a lot nicer than when we met.
"Your cousin's a bastard, you know that?" There was a silence and he burst into laughter.
"Yup, we agree on that!"
And somehow, I couldn't help but feel like I would get my first friend.
Mafia parties were a drag. Not that I went to lots of them, but now I was a Guardian for the Vongola Decimo candidate, so I had to make some appearances. It would be a lot more once Federico would inherit the title of Decimo officially though. Still, here I was, in a purple dress and heels barely three-centimeter tall, a glass of water in my hand and Dino's gaze watching me from the other side of the room.
He told me he would keep an eye on me, but that was too much. Especially with Reborn doing the same thing. Were they that scared I'd embarrass Federico or what?
Although, I was pretty bored. I shot a look at Leo, a tall black-haired and brown-eyed Italian guy around my brother's age. His skin was tan. He was everything people thought Italian men were.
He was also Federico's Rain Guardian. Because that moron only had me and him.
We were three.
Social gatherings were torture.
Basically, I was finally in Hell. I knew I would end up there one day, but not at fourteen minus a month! So, when Federico finally told me I could wander around, I went to the balcony and took a deep breath. Each day brought a quota of social energy in me, and I was drained after five minutes standing behind Federico.
"It's oppressing, isn't it?" I raised my head and looked on my right.
"Arroganza?" I mumbled, seeing him walking to me in a tux.
"Arro is enough. Anyway, when you told me you got a ring, I didn't think it would be that big!" Yeah, we would call each other at least once a week.
"It is," I sighed, taking a sip of my drink. "I'm surprised to see you at a Vongola party, with you know, Superbi?"
"Oh, I checked before coming and the VARIA's not here." I snickered. Arro had a bone to pick with Superbi. "You're still working in the CEDEF?"
"Yeah, I was on a short break but went back at it. Federico asks for me to Iemitsu when he needs me for official stuff or just...hang out with his Guardians. Leo's good with a gun, so he gives me some tips." He finished his drink in one go. "How's school treating you?"
"Eurk, Mafia school sucks, on both side of the ocean. Damn, you have no idea of the bullying there is in that school." He looked at his glass, then at mine. "Want a refill too?" I nodded and watched him going back inside before raising my head to the stars. Well, I was not a fan of the Vongolas, especially knowing under my feet was my frozen brother, but I had to handle it for now.
"Oh, are you tired of the crowd as well?" I looked on my right. A woman with dark green hair and deep blue eyes was now leaning on the railing. She had a flower mark under one of her eyes.
"Pretty," I whispered unconsciously, and I flushed when she smiled at me.
"Well, thank you, I return the compliment. You will grow up into a beautiful woman." I kept flushing, but for a different reason. "I especially like your eyes, they're a beautiful shade of red. Like ruby."
"Th...thanks Miss." She chuckled.
"I haven't introduced myself? My name is Aria, from the Giglio Nero Family, and you're the Vongola Decimo's Cloud Guardian, Luciana." I opened my mouth to say something. "Let's just say that your bored expression didn't escape me." I sweat dropped. You bet.
Her smile disappeared and she took my chin between two of her fingers, making me raise my head. Strangely, I didn't freak out at her touch. It was almost...relaxing.
Was she a Sky? Was it what I was feeling?
"You will play a big part in the future of the Vongolas, but not in the way of today. That ring on your finger...I do not think it is made for you. Another one should be on it." I blinked in confusion but her smile was back on her lips. "Well, I have to go now, it was nice meeting you. I hope we will see each other again one day."
"Yeah..." An orange glare caught my eyes and I looked at her chest. Or more like the orange pacifier hanging from the chain. "You're..."
"Bye." As she left, Federico arrived and watched her leave.
"What did she want with you?" I shrugged.
"Dunno, it's probably just another Mafia weirdo."
Although…
As Arro came back, followed by Dino, Reborn and Leo, I couldn't help but think that she was the Boss of the Arcobalenos, wasn't she? Orange meant Sky so…
Troublesome.
What was love?
I loved Dino with everything I had for welcoming me so easily when I tried to kill him. I loved Dad for adopting me regardless of my past. I loved Mukuro, for being there when I couldn't defend myself. I loved Alaric, for teaching me how to defend myself. I loved Reborn for being like the weird uncle who knew better than me how to exploit my skills. I loved Fon for taking the time to teach me everything I knew today. I loved Xanxus, even if I didn't know him, because he was blood and I wanted to take away all of his pain away. I loved Arro for being my first friend and accepting my excuse. Heck, I loved Iemitsu, Federico and Leo for seeing me for me and not through something else.
Yet, as Leo dived in to be stabbed in the heart instead of Federico, I felt like all of the love I had for these people were weak compared to his.
"LEO!" I heard Federico yelling in anguish and anger as my fellow Guardian fell dead on the ground.
We were supposed to go talk with another Family. It was a trap, we were extremely outnumbered and I could barely see because of the wound on my forehead that kept bleeding over my left eye.
I was blinded by Federico's Sky Flames, but not enough to not see his tears.
I looked at my right hand, covering the gash on my side. I was covered in blood.
"Luciana." I looked up at Federico. He pulled me on my feet and ran away.
"But...Leo!"
"He's dead!" he screamed back. "I need you to get out of here alive!"
"And you!?" He didn't reply and I felt a lump in my throat. We quickly arrived at a cliff, above a river.
"Listen closely." He put his and Leo's rings in my pocket before zipping it up. "You need to jump in there and get back to HQ or any other Vongola locations before they get here."
"Fede..." He ruffled my hair as a tear ran down my cheek.
"I want the Vongolas of Primo back, but I won't be able to achieve it. Now, it will be Iemitsu's kid the next Decimo. He's not a part of the Mafia, he's a civilian. It can go both way, or he succeeds and brings them back, or he breaks before under the pressure of the Vongolas. In any case, please do me a favor. Watch over him, over his actions for me. If he can achieve my dream then...then I can die in peace." He exchanged our spots, me now having my back to the edge of the cliff. "I'm glad to have you as my baby sister as much as Dino and Xanxus, trust me. When he's out of the ice, he'll need you more than he will allow himself to say or show, trust me. Watch over him for me please. Don't forget to see it."
"See what?" He smiled
"I can't tell you that, but don't let your past hinder your present. Don't forget your growth. And tell this to Xanxus once he's awake." He put his hand above my chest, his other hand giving me his gun. Now I could see the bleeding leg, the bleeding lip, the weird shape of his arm. "Don't worry, I'll join Leo soon enough. We'll see each other again Luciana, just make sure to live your life before."
Just like that, he pushed me from the cliff, his smile serene before he turned back to face the coming enemies. I couldn't even scream his name.
All I could see was the sky. The red sky.
That was love. Between Federico and Leo, it was a true love I had never realized before today. Love was how Leo died to protect Federico, and how Federico sacrificed himself for me to live.
Love hurt.
My back touched the water and then I was submerged.
Love hurt so damn much.
To be honest, I didn't remember much except my body being on autopilot and my brain repeating 'keep the rings safe' like a mantra. Apparently, I was in a very bad state when I reached the Vongola HQ in Northern Italy. They flew me back to the main HQ in Sicily, and when I woke up I saw a distressed Dino.
"Fede...Federico..." I mumbled. Dino's face fell and I started crying when he ran his fingers through my hair. "Federico...I...Federico...he...Leo...they...they..." I sat up, ignoring how I probably shouldn't. I kept stuttering their name when Dino hugged me as tight as he could.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry Luciana."
I was a wreck. I couldn't even look at the Ninth in the eyes when he came to see me. He took the rings back, and I didn't care, because I wanted them as far from me as possible.
I locked myself up in my room until the funerals. It was raining hard, much like for Dad's funerals. There were more people, and I had to stand behind Nono's Guardians, black sunglasses on my nose. The Ninth didn't want the VARIA to make a link between Xanxus and I and I was so busy mourning that I didn't want to fight. The only thing was that I wanted Dino next to me, but he was further away, whereas Reborn was more on our side.
However, I spotted the VARIA right away. They were all in suits, but it was not complicated to notice Superbi with his hair now reaching his waist and the weirdos with him. One of them needed his bangs to be cut.
When it was my turn to drop a rose on Federico's and Leo's coffins, I did it mechanically. When I raised my head from them, Federico's coffin having only bones because it was all they could find and I could only imagine to worst happening to him in his last minutes, I saw Superbi staring at me in surprise.
I ignored him. Even if I felt his stare, I ignored him, spotting another silver-haired person in the crowd.
Arro came, okay, but he must have known Superbi would be here.
Once people started to leave, I went to a tree and leaned on it.
"Voiiii!" a voice way less loud as usual said. I looked back above my shoulder. Superbi was there, holding his umbrella. My own umbrella was clenched too tightly by my hand. "Don't tell me you're the Cloud Guardian, the only one who survived."
"I won't tell you then," I replied coldly, which seemed to surprise him.
"Why the fuck would you become Federico's Guardian!?" I shrugged. Because he was the only one honest enough to tell me I had a brother? Because I wanted the changes he wanted so badly to make? "Did he tell you anything about us?"
"I know he was doing something with the VARIA, but he never told me what. Apparently it was none of my business." I spotted the relief in his eyes.
"I see. He wasn't wrong." I leaned my head on the tree. "How are you?"
"What do you think?" I spat icily. I straightened up and turned around. "I swear if you ask me about where I'm from once again, I will punch you. We are at funerals Superbi." He frowned at my tone, but before he could say anything, Arro appeared behind me. Superbi's eyes went wide, the widest I had ever seen them go.
"I need your umbrella Lulu!" he whined, ignoring his cousin.
"I see that."
"Vooiiiii the fuck does that mean!? You...Arro what are you doing here!? How do you even know each other!?" I shared a look with Arro, and we looked at Superbi.
"What, you joined the Mafia, so I did too. It's not my fault you never thought of looking in the U.S.A," Arro droned calmly.
"America!?"
"Y..."
"For the last time, we are at funerals. If you want a family reunion, do it somewhere else." I walked away, Arro complaining when he was left in the rain
I saw the Ninth from afar, and walked up to him. His tired expression showed surprise at my sight.
"I don't like you," I started, "I don't even like the Vongolas to this day, but I...I liked Federico. I..." I took a deep breath. "I am sorry I failed your son Timoteo." He remained quiet and a painful sigh left his lips.
"Have you failed his last order? The one where you had to stay alive?" I blinked and slowly shook my head. "Then you don't have to apologize. You were a Guardian, but you are fourteen. Federico would have never let you die before him." I controlled my shaking lips as I could.
"I see. Sorry for wasting your time then." I turned around and joined Dino. He draped his arm on my shoulders.
"Let's go home."
"Please," I whispered.
As we walked to the car, Reborn on my shoulder, I shot one last look behind me. Arro had joined us, but I ignored him talking to Dino.
Even if it was small, I smiled a little at the two graves. At least, they would be with each other forever now, wouldn't they?
Fratellanza
Thanks for reading this chapter!