The Cloud's Anchor

Famiglia

A/N: Happy New Years' Eve everyone!! I'm sorry for not updating sooner. I went to my Grandma's and there is no sign of network there so I was stuck interacting with human beings.*Gasp* the horror. Anyways i hope you enjoy this chapter and have a great year ahead.

Disclaimer: I do not own KHr! .....or the picture.

Back in the Vongola mansion, Alaude quickly disposed of his groceries and went to find another coat. It was his signature item of clothing, after all. Giotto had his cape, G had his tattoo, Asari's whole outfit was his signature, Knuckle had his robes and Daemon had his Military style coat. He snorted as he remembered how Giotto had sat them all down one day and had them come up with their respective objects so as to avoid clashing. Honestly, you would think they were models not Mafioso.

Striding down the hallways Alaude couldn't deny the thrill of power he felt as he witnessed the Vongola's wealth. In only a few years they had become one of the most reputed organisations, adored by the people, respected by their allies and feared by their enemies. It was quite a magnificent feat. And Alaude was about to add another item in their to-do list.

He finally reached the dining hall and strode in. All the residents of the mansion, excluding G and Giotto were present, chatting amicably to each other. Some nodded or called out greetings while some *cough*Daemon *cough* carried on without paying attention to him. The Cloud Guardian took his seat at the end of the table, well away from the others; he had come to tolerate most of them but still preferred not to crowd with them. He only attended these dinners because Giotto insisted that they should all gather for a meal at least once a day. In the skylark's opinion it was just an excuse for his boss to get a brief reprieve from all the paperwork.

Speak of the devil; Vongola Primo appeared at the door, his ever-faithful right hand present behind him. Both of them strode in exchanging pleasantries and smiles with the others. Giotto shot Alaude a smile and got a nod as a response. The Vongola boss was proud of his guardians for being in the same room and not killing each other. It was such a rare occurrence that the blond felt like celebrating. Throughout the meal he noticed that his Cloud was a bit subdued. Not participating was not a new thing for the icy blond, but today he was eating less, also he seemed deep in thought.

"Alaude is something wrong?" the boss asked and all conversation silenced. Everyone was looking at the skylark for his answer. 'Such pressure' said skylark thought but said, "Nothing you herbivores need to worry yourselves about." Giotto narrowed his eyes, "So, there is a problem?" Alaude cursed himself for letting his guard down. Despite appearance his boss was unrelenting in matters considering his guardians. He just sighed and replied, "I found a self-run orphanage today." Not one knew how to respond to this but Lampo solved that problem by asking, "What's that?"

It was Knuckle who answered the question, "it's like a normal orphanage but instead of some authorities administering it, it functions independently. Usually one of the older kids become the mentor and look after the younger ones." He glanced at the icy bond. "But there are none of those in our cities. If there were the Church would surely know about it." "The Church would not know about this one. It's very well hidden. Besides she said that they don't trust the Church."

Daemon, who analysed every word a person said quickly caught onto a slip up the Cloud Guardian's part. "She?" he asked raising an eyebrow. Alaude, resisting the urge to throw something at the blue-haired illusionist's face replied. "The mentor-as boxing maniac called it- is a girl seemed like our age. She was the one who led me there. " He turned to Giotto. " There are about thirty kids there, ranging from infants to almost adults. All of their parents were killed by the mafia. "The Sky Guardian stiffened while his Cloud continued. "From what I gathered they regard each other as family. I am going there tomorrow, taking clothes and other supplies. Any of you is welcome to join me but not all at once. I doubt she will appreciate me bringing a horde of armed strangers at her doorstep."

'Someone who made an impression on the stone hearted skylark,' I have to see this.' A certain melon head thought and turned to look at his partner who seemed to be thinking along the same lines as him and nodded. Elena spoke up, "If it's alright Daemon and I will be coming with you." Alaude reluctantly nodded. Both of them were aristocrats, they had influence which could help the kids. "Then it's decided, Elena, Daemon and I will accompany Alaude tomorrow to this place." Everyone nodded and the Cloud guardian left the dining room. The silence that followed his absence was broken by G asking. "It is just me or did that uomo senza cuore spoke of the girl almost in an............impressed manner?" his answer was given by the Rain Guardian. "Yes I daresay he was..." The Japanese man hesitated "...affected by her."

G sighed, "Good I wasn't the only one thinking that." The youngest guardian shot an incredulous look at the pink-ahem red-haired man. "Alaude, who was indifferent, even when the most beautiful girl in town confessed to him, that Alaude, interested in a poor orphan girl?" Elena rolled her eyes at him, "You're just jealous of him. But really, she seems to have left a mark on him. This has the potential to be extremely entertaining." The blond haired female smirked ominously and suddenly it was clear to everyone present as to why the usually innocent woman was engaged to Daemon Spade.

Uomo senza cuore = heartless man