Chapter 18

As the day for the rescue neared within hours, Tsuna had called for a briefing to get organized. According to Irie, the base has eight secret passages other than the main passage, with the seventh being the easiest to get to the room where Byakuran showed Himeno in the video call attached with a virus.

"Then it's settled. I will go with Anemone and Moon Raven for the seventh," Tsuna finalized. "Hibari-san will go with Kantaro and Amaryllis on the first, Nii-san will go with Narumi and Shiori for the second, Lambo will go with Gilbert and Lightning Wolf for third, Gokudera-kun with Red Rose and Spinel for fourth, Yamamoto will go with Seishiro and Blue Moon on the fifth, Mukuro with Gino and Phoenix Dawn for the sixth and Chrome-san will go with Spider Lily for the eighth," he then looked at the two.

"Are we sure about this? Yes." Spider Lily answered the unasked question. "If we let Ayako Gokudera go, the Storm Guardian will turn into a mother hen," she stated. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the said man pop a vein and only Yamamoto was able to restrain him in his seat.

Amaryllis rolled his eyes, "Excuse her, she lacks some manners to her clients. She's too sardonic," he apologized.

Tsuna shook his head gently, "It's fine. She reminds me of Lal…" he then snapped out of it. "Anyway, as the others try to infiltrate the front lines, we have to get a move on. No one and I mean no one will oppose the instructions of Irie-kun, Gianini-san, Spanner-san, Jessa, Athena, Athena's mother Harmonia-san, and Kusakabe-san. Are we clear?" he asked the lot. The ones in the room nodded in reply.

Tsuna knew that this will be as complicated as the day he was shipped to the future when he was fifteen.

…

Himeno woke up five hours later, and found herself lying in a slanted metal table like a dissected frog, her arms and feet fastened on the table. There were different wires on her. Gone was her trench coat and what was left was her white tank top, still wearing her leather jeans and boots. Her sky and sun rings were on a table far away from her along with her metal gloves. She began to think that being in the large container was better.

"Awake at last…" Byakuran's voice rang in her ears.

Himeno glared at the man when she finally got a glimpse of him. "What are you planning to do with me you bastard?" she shouted. It was then when she noticed the scientists were typing away and looking at her diagnostics coming from the wires on her head and shoulders.

Byakuran then looked at her in the eyes; something that he hadn't gotten to do in a while. "Well, little one, I happen to stumble upon your eight year-old incident through the files I had and a little confirmation from an agent that was there, with the promise that you will not die at all…" Himeno's eyes widened. "So I will try to trigger that large amount of flames and use them,"

"Why choose me for the downfall of my client?" Himeno demanded.

Byakuran gave an unknowing look, "What? You still don't know?" he then smiled. "Well, I guess you will find out soon enough when your rescuers come here to retrieve you…" he said.

Himeno knew that this was not good. Byakuran turned his back on her and went to the main scientist testing her flame capability. "So, what have we got here?" he asked.

The scientist replied, "Well, Byakuran-sama, it appears that her flame phenomenon, like you have told me, is only triggered by her emotions. As she was conversing with you, the flame level was going up and down. So the theory is, if her emotions go out of control, the flame outburst will occur,"

Byakuran smiled like a child given a candy, "Well, that test drive says everything," he said looking at Himeno. The brunette, in turn, felt rage for being hoodwinked that easily and unknowingly. Deathgazer has taught her to control her emotions after the incident, but it appears that she has a long way to go. "Now I know how to use your weakness into strength…" he said, a large grin plastered on his face.

…

Ayako stared at the ceiling inside the clinic. She has been doing so for the last twelve hours since they retreated to the base. She cursed herself for being defeated by the Cloud Funeral Wreath. She lost, just like her father did. But at least it didn't take mere seconds to be defeated.

She then heard the door open, and saw Seishiro coming towards her, and took a seat. "So, what's the latest, besides the Eleventh being mafia-napped?" she asked.

Seishiro hesitated at first, but then spoke, "We are going to infiltrate the base tomorrow," he informed.

Ayako snapped her head to look at her boyfriend, "What? What do you mean 'we'?" she demanded.

The boy looked a little hesitant, "The others and I, including our parents are going to infiltrate the secret passages in the Millefiore base to save Suiri-san," he explained.

That's when the silver haired girl bolted up from her bed and winced in pain. Seishiro tried to let her sit straight. "What? But Tenth will not allow it! Are you out of your mind?" Ayako reasoned.

"He agreed when the agents our age protested. They said they wanted to rescue Suiri-san no matter what. The others who can fight will be diversions to try to infiltrate the base wide open," he answered, "As for you, you have to stay here and recover from your injury," he stated, touching her casted arm. "You still have a long way to go considering you pushed it to its limit,"

Ayako sighed as she laid down her bed in comfort. She then closed her eyes. "I can't believe I can't fight at this time…I wish I didn't even fight Kikyo if I knew this would happen…" she murmured. Ayako looked at Seishiro. "Promise me something." She started.

"Anything," Seishiro replied.

"When I get up here, I don't want to see you in a casket, let alone in the emergency room, got it?" she said sternly.

Seishiro laughed softly and held Ayako's open hand. "I promise. Besides, now that I know what will happen, I will do everything not to end up in any of those two,"

"You better," she replied, holding his hand tight.

…

Inside her temporary room, Shiori glanced at her box weapon on the bedside drawer. It had been two years since she had last fought with someone. It was until she was thirteen when she stopped, due to a severe injury when she was experimenting. It caused the divorce of her parents also. Her mother was a skilled musician, playing the violin, which she too, has been very good at. But then, just like her father, she didn't follow the footsteps of a musician. Instead, she began to be a techie teenager just like his father once was.

But that simple accident, by messing with Spanner's chemicals had set the line between her parents. It had been a secret between father and daughter that Irie had been associated with the mafia, but after the accident, she found out, and a month didn't go by when the two filed for divorce.

It was decided that Shiori is to be in the complete custody of Irie, finding out what kind of woman he had married. She wanted a talented musician for a daughter, not a techie teen that does nothing but stay in the large garage all day with her father doing outrageous things they call technology. True to her calling, she stayed with her father.

She heard a knock on her bedroom that interrupted her mind for a moment. "Shiori, it's me," she heard her father call. "Can I come in?"

"It's open Dad," she replied, and the oak door to her room opened, revealing a very worried father. "Dad, what's the matter? You look horrid,"

Irie took a seat on the side of her bed. "I'm just worried, that's all," he replied, looking at her deeply.

Shiori knew that face. He was worried, at the same time, sad about something, "Dad, what is it?" she demanded.

"I…I'm worried about you," he confessed. "Why did you have to go to the field when you could stay where it's safe," he reasoned.

The younger red head sighed. 'Here we go…' she thought. "Dad, you know that I can survive. Besides, I miss fighting. I haven't been in the field since two years ago after your-" she didn't bother to continue.

Her father smiled softly. She can be very vulnerable with words at times. "After the divorce…but remember, before that, you had an accident I could never forget in my life. You almost lost your left leg," he stated for a reason.

"But Spanner-san has a mechanical leg for a replacement," she joked halfheartedly.

Irie ruffled her hair, "You're getting cocky you know that?" he said as he pulled his daughter into a light hug. "I just want you to be safe that's all…" he replied.

"And I will be Dad. Come on, I'm a grown-up girl already," she stated. "If this goes on, you will never let me enter a relationship," she joked.

"I hope it's not Spinel, or I will personally let it out on Spanner," he said, going with what she was saying.

Shiori just smiled. Her father can be overprotective at times, but he is never controlling.

…

Anemone stood in the garden of the castle, looking at the dark cloudy sky above him. He sat on a bench nearest to him and stared at the serene view. He was really worried of Himeno, that much, he is aware of. But what worries him the most is what Byakuran is planning on. It could never be good once you think about it. Things are never good when he has some schemes up his sleeves.

They have been partners since they entered the organization, and they have been inseparable. Every mission, they are together, every fight, they fight together, practically like siblings…siblings they never had. At least, she had one once, but had never gotten to meet. To him, Himeno was a sister he has always wished to have.

"Getting thoughts that are too deep?" he heard a voice say. He snapped out of his trance and looked at the blond girl, upper face encased in a red rose mask. Along with her are Spider Lily and Amaryllis.

Anemone smiled. Apart from being paired up with Himeno, their team consists of the three said agents also. They were like family. Just like her long list of cousins bearing names of flowers. "Truth to be told, all are about White Lo," he replied.

The three smiled and took seats in the wide bench. Remembering the times they spent on the headquarters' gardens on their rookie years. "White Lotus will be alright," Spider Lily said.

"As long as the man has no idea of what she is capable of destroying, she will be fine…" Amaryllis said.

That's when Anemone frowned, "What if he does know?" he suggested.

"Then we will do what we can to prevent or stop it. Remember, there are other people that are important to her. Surely if we talk some sense into her like the last time Phoenix Dawn and Blue Moon did, she is bound to snap out of it pretty soon," Red Rose intervened. She does not want to think about a worse case scenario I she could avoid thinking it.

"We've known each other since the day we entered the organization. I think she would listen to our words," Amaryllis stated.

"That is what I'm hoping for…" Anemone trailed off.

…

The Varia children were inside the living room sipping coffee after the log rounds they did with their parents. They have been ordered to be on the front lines while they invade the main entrance of the Millefiore base. They have been shared of the knowledge that Himeno and White Lotus was the same person. It had been a big blow when they were told. The Vongola Eleventh was just under their noses. Even they never noticed besides the name and the likeness to the Decimo.

On the part of the girls, Himeno was the one who changed who they are, and had brought them to the reality that they are not their fathers and they should be themselves. Look what happened; ever since they have been acting as normal teenagers thanks to her. Not like their fathers at all. Sure their fathers had been shocked, but their mothers simply adored it. So her abduction was a little of a shock to them. They have been quite close for the short time they had spent together.

"So," Anya said, reading the Art of War on the long couch, "Tomorrow is the big day…" she muttered.

Rinsel was as soft-spoken which was unusual for her, "It would seem so,"

"I'll be staying at the laboratory tomorrow, so I wouldn't be joining in," Athena added.

"This sucks…" Regine muttered in annoyance. "Why should the guardian's kids have to come to get to Suiri only?" she complained.

"Maybe because they are the future guardians of Suiri-san. Vongola Eleventh, remember?" Martin replied casually.

"Even if you do want to tag along…" Yohannes interjected, "We still have a place in this war. We, along with our parents are expected to live while we ambush the main entrance to the Millefiore base. So to say, we have more bodies to bury than the main crew of the family,"

"And more fun," Jonathan said in between chess against Martin.

"But if you really care about Suiri-san, you should just stick to the main plan executed by the Decimo," Martin reasoned.

The room then returned to its still quietness.

..

Tsuna and his guardians were locked up in the office, arguing about letting the children go on frontline at the main entrance of the base. "First our kids, now you are telling me that we will let the other children fight also?" Gokudera complained. "Tenth, there has got to be another way," he pleaded.

Tsuna looked at his Storm from his swivel chair. "There is no other way Gokudera-kun," he answered, "We have to initiate all of the manpower we have, except for the ones guarding and leading the others from inside the base,"

"I agree with Sawada," Lal Mirch stated, "If we hold back our forces, there will be a chance that the enemy will think that all of the ones vulnerable are inside the base, thinking of what will be the outcome. You know how rebellious our kids are sometimes. When they feel that they can help, they will help, even if we stop them, they will always find a way," she explained.

"Besides, we will finally give the kids what they always wanted from the day they started to get involved in the mafia," Bianchi said.

Gokudera glared at her sister, "And pray tell what is it?" he demanded.

Reborn then spoke up, "Simple. To be battling in an all out war. They always wanted the taste of mafia wars, so why not let them experience it?"

The room fell silent. It was all true. Ever since they discovered the 'business' of their parents, they have been wishing to be in the frontlines of fights since they could wield a single weapon.

"I agree on Reborn's statement," Colonello motioned. "And at the same time, we will not worry about where they are and what is happening to them while we're away thinking if they had been attacked," he reasoned.

"Come to think of it, we do worry too much when something bad is happening at times…" Yamamoto stated.

Tsuna looked at everyone in the room with a sure look with a tinge of authority. "Anyone else besides Gokudera-kun who protests?" he asked. The room was silent. Tsuna sent a reassuring smile. "You don't have to be so quiet…" he said, "Besides; I know they will be fine. I have faith in them. Do you think I'd let them enter the mafia if I don't trust what they are capable of doing?"

Reborn smirked from under his fedora, 'It seems Dame-Tsuna is improving quite rapidly…' he thought. Indeed, his student never fails to meet his expectations. 'Well, when a father wants to save his daughter, he will go to the ends of the earth to battle if he needs to…'

That is it. I am totally blocked as of this moment…I have no idea what's going to happen next at all…