The Man With The Plan?

The Second Generation family followed Raiden through the streets of Italy, mostly going through alleys to avoid detection from their attacker. Raiden couldn't help but move his head like a hyperactive owl, twisting it left and right, hoping to see clear ways no matter what direction he looked toward. Thankfully, it was clear, but he couldn't tell for how long. Annalise was still unconscious on Taiyō back, small breathes exiting her body. After several minutes of wondering, Norio couldn't help but state his confusion.

"Raiden," he whispered loudly, "where are you taking us? We've been wandering for several minutes already."

"Yeah Raiden," Sukai chimed in. "Could you just tell us?"

He looked back, shushing them loudly for fear that they would be heard.

"I-I know where I'm going. It's an old warehouse that dad and I used when I was younger. It's where I learned how to use my Flames correctly and how to use my Lightning Marbles." Raiden pulled out a bag of marbles, his weapon of choice as opposed to the traditional weapon for defense. "It's abandoned and should be safe. Plus, dad left some supplies there for when we stayed long, but I don't know how much stuff is left."

"Well, at least you had a useful idea," Arashi stated. Raiden flinched a little at the remark, but he shook his head and threw those thoughts away. Looking around again frantically, he put the marble bag back inside and turned to lead the group again, his fear obvious but his desire to help his friends much stronger than his meager fear.

At the mansion, Abramo Furfante, head of the mysterious family that raided the Vongola, viciously tapped his foot against the floor. He was very unsatisfied with the report that the second generation escaped his men that even the presence of the current boss and guardians couldn't satiate his thirst for power.

Tsuna and the others laid with their hands and legs bound and their mouths gagged, keeping them from moving much of anything, in the middle of the family room, unable to do anything but stare angrily at the man that threatened their family. Abramo knew of Hibari's hatred for being constrained and had him drugged with a powerful anesthesia, but even then he would still stir and attempt to release himself from his handcuffs. Abramo didn't care though. He didn't care what any of these people would threaten to do. He knew they were powerless at his feet, unable to do anything save their blasted children.

Looking down at his hostages, he turned his attention toward Tsuna, the brunette glaring at him. It wasn't the face of the normal Neo Vongola boss, but his son and his friends' children were just threatened, something he could never stand for. Amused at the meaningless stare, he walked over to Tsuna and pulled down the rag that covered his mouth. The brunette gasped for air, but once he was comfortable again, he glared at the stranger in his gaze, furious at the man.

"Why did you attack us?! We haven't done anything in the mafia to attract the attention of a man of your position!" Abramo only chuckled, which grew into loud laughter. Rubbed a tear from his eye, he tried to calm himself, taking a few minutes to succeed.

"Ohohoh that's rich. I was doubtful that you knew of my real objectives, but my suspicions have been cleared; you are clearly oblivious to my true objective."

"I just said that! Now again, why did you attack us?!"

"Well Neo Vongola Primo, that answer is simple: I wish to gain more power, and targeting your small but powerful family was the perfect way to begin. I'm sure you have some inkling of an idea of what I am after." He couldn't help but stare back in confusion, but moments later, realization dawned onto him, an idea that formed into a concrete answer.

"The Vongola Rings."

"That's correct sir. Now, I'm well aware of the abilities of the Vongola Rings and the Trinisette that it formed with the Arcobaleno Pacifiers and the Mare Rings, but that's not what I'm after. That desire was destroyed after the Arcobaleno's curse was lifted. Still, I believe the rings have a larger purpose than just being part of set."

"Ho-how do you know all of that?" Tsuna asked, his voice shaking a bit. Abramo only smiled back at his hostage.

"I know more than that, but I'll leave that to your imagination. Now," he said, grabbing the base of Tsuna's chin, "where are the Vongola Rings?" Tsuna smiled himself, glad that the children got away.

"Their not with us sadly," he said, smiling at his captor. Abramo, however, grew furious and punched Tsuna, knocking him to the floor. Kyoko couldn't help but scream at the sight, her shouting muffled by the gag on her mouth. Abramo, still fuming, picked Tsuna's head from the floor.

"I'll try this again Mr. Sawada. Where. Are. The. Vongola Rings?!" Tsuna couldn't help but crack a small grin, even in his state.

"Their safe, where even your dirty hands won't be able to touch."

After what seemed like forever, Raiden finally brought them to the warehouse he had spoken about. Like he mentioned, the warehouse was old, shattered windows (although it's not clear if it was like that before or after the Lightning training began) everywhere, litter spilled onto the surrounding ground, knocked over barrels that were empty, the works. When they finally got to the gate, Raiden gestured toward the building like a butler ushering in guests.

"Well, it's not glamorous or anything, but it'll work. Follow me inside." With that, the group, again, followed Raiden inside the building. They entered through the gate that was kept unlocked and walked inside. Inside, there wasn't much to look at, save for a working refrigerator and a few cabinets that was revived with a hard, solid wooden door and clean hinges. "Wow. Even after all this time, dad still keeps the fridge and cabinets clean."

"Well that's all good and nice Raiden, but would you mind looking for a first aid kit? We don't need anyone injured," Taiyō stated, looking back at Annalise who slept on his back. They didn't want to stir her after the illusion she had to keep up for their sake. She needed the rest.

Raiden nodded his head in acknowledgement and went off to look for one, Taiyō putting the sleeping girl down on her back. She looked peaceful, almost like she was glad that she was able to keep them safe for a long time. Taiyō sat down next to her, looking up at the others to see their expressions. However, he shifted his gaze toward Sukai.

"Sukai, what do we do now?"

"Huh?" he uttered. "Oh, right," he said, catching himself. He was the boss of this generation, and therefore he was expected to make the decisions. "I think we should rest, for now anyways. No point in trying to fight back at this point." Taiyō nodded, but Norio seemed unsatisfied.

"Yes Sukai, we rest, but then what? We don't have the power to fight against the attacking family. We don't have a clue of what their after. Besides, all we really have are our weapons and the rings." Upon finishing his sentence, he lifted his right hand, revealing a purple ring that lay on his middle finger. Our flames are useful, but we don't have much." Sukai looked stunned, but mostly, he was confused. Norio was right after all. They didn't have much of anything, especially in power. Arashi though, seemed to want to help out his boss.

"Well Norio, I believe we should try and gather more information on this strange family. If we know more about them, we would be able to find out how to defeat them." Norio pondered it for a moment, but Sukai was the one who voiced an opinion.

"Arashi, we don't have the ability to do that. We can't find out more without an access to their database, which nobody probably has. Heck, even dad didn't know about a family that could rival him and his guardians, so these guys are off the grid." Arashi, however, just wagged a finger at the boss, a plain face conflicting with his gesture.

"Actually, we do know someone who can find such hidden information, although contacting them is the difficult part." Ame, who was silent for the trek, raised his head in confusion.

"Wait. Are you talking abo-"

"Yes I am. The two men that our parents met when they were younger. I believe they would be able to help, considering we can keep them out of harm's way."

"Well," Sukai began, "I hope you know how to get in contact with them." Arashi only nodded, followed by a placing of his hand on his chin, a thinker's pose.

"Yes, that is the challenge."