Author's Note:

I have been reading my own chapters and they're... too long perhaps? No word on it from the reviews makes it difficult, but improvement can definitely be done, and I intend to do just that. Keep your eyes open for the differences that might appear in this chapter!

Chapter 25: House De Luca.

At first, the setting looked bland. Plain, in fact. This street was never filled with more than two people a time. A grand, olden-styled house stands in the middle. Gothic in its design, the wear of years did nothing of sorts in reducing it's beauty. Soft and gentle sunlight pours into the scene from the sky, itself accompanied by a few fluffy clouds here and there. You can even see butterfly flying around, prancing to and from the flowers in the bushes near the steps to the house. The sound of birds chirping fills the otherwise silent surrounding.

Thmp... Thmp... Thmp.. Steps entered the scene, slowly and steadily as they come. I couldn't actually differentiate which sound was my step and which was my heart-beat. Our steps, actually. Coming into view, Sergio and I walked up the path leading to the house.

"...Uh.. Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sergio calmly voices out, his head down, keeping his movements to a minimum. No doubt he feels as nervous as I am.

"No..." I answered him softly, my voice seemingly drained. What was I thinking, bringing Sergio here with me? I shake my head from side to side as confusion birthed from those questions. Don't worry, the De Lucas are reasonable people. I hope. Taking a gulp to regain my confidence and to still any shaking from my body, I tried to remain focus on why we're here. "Still, this is something I must do..." The words resonated in my head as thoughts. Sergio nodded as I begin my walk through the gate and towards the front door.

Badump. Badump. Badump. My heart was slowly pounding, the drum sounding off every second as I reached for the door. Badump. Badump.

!

All of a sudden, a creak rang off, and the door slowly opened. Both Sergio and I were so startled we took a step back. Out of the shadows that is inside the old building, comes a man I know too well. Blond hair swaying with the wind, they are separated into three different bangs, two long ones reaching to his cheeks at each side, and a short one just stopping above his eye level. His slow movement quickly erupted into one of impatience and emotion, slamming the door open. I even wondered if it was still attached to its hinges. Though he denies it, his outfit looked a lot like a butler's save for his own minor modifications. And it has white as it's main color. His name is Fionn De Luca...

...Kiera's older brother.

His outfit, as usual, lacking the standard coat, has his sleeves scrunched up at the sides. Sergio was probably too surprised to say anything, and I can't say that I'm much different. As soon as he saw us, he raised his arm and touched his forehead with right hand and fingers. "My, thought it was some stray disturbing our doorstep..." He casually gives out, eyes closed. "Though that would actually be better than this sight!" His casual voice turns to one of anger, or maybe annoyance, yelling out and slamming his right fist at the side of the doorstep. He doesn't like me. I get it.

"Look! We need to speak to Lord De Luca, this is important!" Sergio cuts in, walking in front of me and shoving his right arm in between me and Fionn, blocking him. I'm impressed Sergio recovered as fast as he did, must be his 'Bushido Code' kicking in.

"Well, well, what have we here? Another sad sap you dragged in to your lost cause?" Fionn remarks, he's voice and tone returning casual, with a hint of insult and sarcasm. After that, I hear him sigh, before doing something I never thought him capable. He calmed down, and welcomed us in. "Very well." Was his response.

As we entered the house, I begin to remember the De Lucas and their history.

Powerful and charismatic, their members have always been strong in both skill and mind. I heard that members of the family, as in by blood, are all talented in many ways. Their physical and mental capacity, which exceeds that of an average human being, makes them highly coveted in any form of business. They are not a Mafia Famiglia, but rather, they perform like a mercenary group, following orders and decisions for as long as their will allows it. Bound by only their word, they are fiercely loyal, each to their own reasons. They do meet up as family, but what each does is of their own free will. The ties of the De Lucas and the Zannas go way back...

The house seems deserted as we walked past room after room, not that the family is that large in the first place. I could see Sergio giving me strange looks as I caught his eyes. My eyes caught sight of Fionn, leading the way into the main hall. I couldn't actually tell from his eyes if he was angry or excited, or maybe both. The main hall opens up to a space that was large and wide, though not as large as the hall from my mansion. Still, it had this cool, antique feel to everything, from the statues lined up at the side near the wall, to the trophies placed above the fireplace. The smell of soot faintly enters my nose and the cackling sound of wood burning can occasionally be heard. There were three sets of sofas that was placed in an angular fashion, surrounding a large, square table. And, at the side in front of the fireplace, was a grand chair, one that looked more like a throne, fitting for a king, or a master.

That is, the Master of the house. His dead-serious stare watching us as we entered the scene, he sat in a powerful and imposing fashion, as if a reminder of his power and control. Yeah, I still remember him from before. The current head of the De Luca family.

Lord Gerald De Luca.

I remember when I first came here to visit when I said I wanted to know more about Kiera's family. He is as powerful as he was back then. His seriousness kinda reminds me of Kiera when she's serious. Though, I did see him loosen up, especially when he's near his family. I bet one would not believe them to be the same man, should they not see it for themselves.

"Gulp.." The sound came out without control as I got to the sofa in front of him, with him still watching my every move. Kiera's father... "Uh.. Good.. Morning... Sir." I fumbled as I say out the words, giving out a bow as fast as I could, before taking my seat. Sergio wasn't at my side. I instructed him to stay back when I'll be speaking to Lord De Luca, so he silently leaned against the wall at his back at the side of the room. Instead, I find Kiera's brother standing behind me. I could almost feel his breath.

Focus. Focus! Think of the reason why I came here. The cackling of fire and wood continues as silence assumes its position in the room. I feel like I should say something. "I found out. Kiera's injuries. Any.. idea who caused them?" I slowly voices out the main reason why I came here, well, part of it anyway.

For a while, nothing happened. I couldn't tell if Lord De Luca was thinking, or he just ignored my question. That was when he pushed himself up to his feet, so quickly it nearly forced me to dig back deeper into the cushion of the sofa. He reveals his build to be one of broad shoulders and strong muscles, looking fit and strong for a man his age. He looked like a giant as his shadow towered above my head. "As you know, the Vongola Succession has started..." His booming voice, full of strength, scattered across the room. "And we had some interesting alliances since then, namely..." He continued, now pacing behind his chair, from the corner of the fireplace to the next. "We have now allied ourselves, as a family, to the Vongola."

Again with Vongola, the name comes up everywhere nowadays.

"Kiera no longer has a reason to affiliate herself with your Famiglia..." He continued, though I think I hear his voice straining a bit. "She no longer has to endanger herself by helping your Famiglia!" This time his voice carried with it the tone of irritation, anger. The words was followed by him throwing his left arm to the side. I listened on, I needed to know all the detail before saying a word. "So I gave her an ultimatum. Come home at her own free will, or we will drag her home.." He sounded calm as he said the line. "by force." As the last words came, his eyes shifted toward Fionn.

I knew it. It was Fionn's doing. He was the one who caused those wounds, those bruises. He was the only one who could. I can feel anger welling up within me as these thought raptures my mind, but I know violence won't solve anything.

"But wasn't she there for a reason? A tie between our two families that go way back...?" I couldn't help but ask. Surely, there must be more to this.

"I will not live each day knowing the fact that my daughter might die anytime because of some 'tie'!" Lord De Luca yells out, his eyes now flaring up, anger reaching its boiling point. Yet, I could feel a small sense of despair in his tone. It makes no sense! They're hurting her so that she won't get hurt? Hypocrites!

"Yeah, it was for her own good too." Fionn cut in to our conversation, as loudly and brashly as his voice could take him. How can he sound so... so... happy for what he did? How can.. How can he still talk like this! The man who is Kiera's brother now stands at the side of my sofa, a sly grin now on his face. "She has gone so weak ever since she joined your Famiglia!" His voice now had a slightly crazed tone to it. "She couldn't even raise her shield when I was striking her with my hammers!" My hands shiver with anger as I heard those words. I don't know how long I can keep this up. "It was pathetic!" He cried out, his right palm covering his eyes as well as hiding his smile, now streaked across his face in a ghastly manner.

!

"Crack!"

I just punched Fionn in the jaw. Everyone stands surprised at what I did, everyone except Fionn, who's eyes were hidden as his head was turned towards the ground. I clenched my hands into a fist and was gripping hard into my flesh. I've had it with this guy. I was too angry to think about the consequences of my actions. "How can you say that? She's family, your family!" I roared out at him. My right hand was already reaching for my holster.

"My, what a turn of events. I never expected that." Fionn's voice cut in to the situation like a cold wind just blew on a hot summer day. "Well, it's been a bit slow these few days, huh?" His words struck me as odd and out of place. That was when I was instantly struck by surprise, by a hammer as large and side as my torso. Coming out of nowhere, the force dug into my flesh and bone, fiery pain shot up to my nerves. Fionn seems to have pulled it out of nowhere. The next instant, I crashed through the wall from the main hall to the gardens. Pain then came at me in a barrage as my back struck the stone-wall from the gardens, and landed with a crash on the ground. My vision slipped to darkness as the last few things I saw was a few of the stone bricks falling on me.

The De Luca family is unveiled! I wonder what impression they left on you guys? What will happen now that Amato has started a fight? Things are turning from bad to worse for Amato as this arc progresses. Check out the next chapter to see what Amato will do about this!