The Cloud's Anchor

And so it begins...

A/N: Konbawa, minna-san! This chapter is the one where stuff actually begins to happen so I hope you enjoy it. Plus it was really fun to write. Those who have been waiting for the 5986 story, I apologise for making you wait so long but I have decided to hold it off until Valentine's Day. It will be my Valentine's gift to my wonderful readers.

Disclaimer: I have no claims whatsoever to KHr! except as a maniacal fangirl....so there.

Stella was patching up one of the little kids' doll when Guilia walked up to her with a seemingly casual air. She picked up a rag cloth and sat down beside the older raven-head. "Ne, Sorella?" She was responded with an absent minded 'hmmm?' The brunette continued, "I am going to make Lampo my husband one day." This caused the older girl to pause and glance over the young orphan. They stared at each other steadily for a few hours before breaking out in hysterical laughter. When their giggles finally subsided, Stella smirked at the younger girl, "Go easy on him, won't you?" A cheeky grin was her only reply before Guilia got up and went away. The black haired orphan simple prayed for the young green-head.

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On the other side of the town, in an impressive mansion, a twelve year old sneezed. This sound alerted the maid who was trying to find the above mentioned adolescent. "Master Lampo! You mustn't stay out in the cold for so long. You will get sick." The maid fussed over him and escorted him inside. Sniffling, the blue-eyed Guardian thought, 'Maybe it's that thing Asari was talking about, the one where you sneeze when someone is badmouthing you.' He headed towards his room when suddenly remembered that today was Orphanage Day. His chances of being allowed to go were slim since he had gone last time but there was nothing wrong with hoping. So, he made his way towards the parlour where they assembled for informal meetings.

It was a cosy room, with earthen tones and a fireplace, which was rarely used. It had a few personal touches too. Asari's scrolls hung there, with Kanji characters no one else really understood. Giotto's drawings were plastered here and there, and so were G's guns. There was also a photo of all of them, including Elena. It was similar to the one that hung in Giotto's office upstairs but this was a lot less formal. The camera had caught them in family moment- G was shouting at Asari while the Japanese swordsman was laughing in a carefree manner. Daemon and Elena were smiling and whispering to each other. Knuckle was trying to get Alaude to smile but if the skylark's expression was to be believed, he was not quite persuaded. Lampo and Giotto had been the only ones looking at the camera, both of them smiling brightly. It was their true 'family' picture which captured the true essence of Vongola.

Slowly, all the Guardians trickled in taking up the couches and chairs placed in the room. Alaude remained the only one standing, glaring at Daemon who was returning an amused smile. Giotto cleared his throat and announced, "The ones who will be accompanying Alaude to La Casa Orfana are G, Knuckle and ....Me!" his voice got a little excited at the last part. After all, he had sacrificed his visits the last week because a promising Famiglia had set up a meeting to discuss an alliance.

Lampo tried not to feel too dejected, he had gotten his turn and the others deserved theirs. Still, it was hard for the young noble not to sulk at being denied what he wanted. When they started dispersing he heard the voice of his surrogate big brother calling his name. Puzzled, he went over to him. Giotto smiled slightly and said, "I know you wanted to go to the orphanage so I wanted to apologise for making you stay here." The almost-teen nodded slightly while the older man continued, "It's just that I don't want to leave the base vulnerable. You are the person I most trust when it comes to defending our family. I hope you are not mad." The green haired bot felt elated. His boss trusted him so much! "Of course not, it's my job as a Guardian to stay and protect our home." With this he skipped out of the room, grinning ear to ear.

Primo chuckled at G's dumbfounded look. "When did he get so.....not spoiled?" it was Knuckle who answered him, "The kids are affecting him to the maximum. I think seeing them so poor yet happy to the maximum has made him a bit humbled to the maximum." G still looked surprised but nodded hesitantly making Giotto chuckle again.

The redhead shot him a dirty look and prepared to leave.

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Stella was waiting for them outside as usual. She smiled at the Guardians and led them inside. Immediately a cheer resonated and the guardians were snatched up by different groups to play. It was hours later, when the sun was already low in the sky, that the Cloud Guardian made his way outside. Stella promptly joined him and they fell into practised silence. The hush was broken by the icy blonde when he commented rather amusedly, "You're still wearing it." There was no doubt as to what 'it' was- the purplish coat that Stella had taken to wearing almost all the time. She blushed a little and was about to give a snarky reply when suddenly a sound could be heard.

Alaude changed his stance and listened carefully. Now closer, the sound could be identified as footsteps of two persons. That was extremely surprising; no one ever came to this alley. Soon, the owner of the footsteps could be seen. One was them was a tall, bald man who was rather heavy set. The other was a smaller, thinner youth whose skin was deathly pale and had red eyes. Both of them wielded long scythes engulfed in Rain flames and sported a green dragon tattoo on their necks- symbol of the Draconis Famiglia of Rome. They were just a bunch of lazy dictators who were disliked by all. And now, Alaude had another reason to hate them; the lowly family had crowded on him during his personal time.

'The blade will go through without any damage but the flames will numb your senses.' Alaude smirked; clearly he was dealing with amateurs. He charged, knocking out the younger boy and faced the other one. The bald man was so nowhere to be found. A shrieked pierced the air and Alaude found that the bald one had Stella by the neck. He moved to free her but found himself stuck to the ground with Rain flames. He tried throwing his handcuffs but his hands refused to comply, the flames were sucking his energy. The other guardians rushed outside at hearing the scream but were blocked by the red-eyed boy – who apparently was conscious.

Stella felt her air supply being cut off as the big man tightened his hold. He was whispering thinly veiled threats in her ear, "The piccola troia, seducing even the Vongola men. I can't wait till Boss gets his hands on you. He plans to have so much fun with you, who knows maybe he'll let me have a turn too." He continued to mutter crude things in her ear and Stella finally had had enough. Mustering what little strength she had left, the raven-head stomped her foot in the man's, who loosened his hold a bit. Finally getting oxygen Stella concentrated on summoning her flames.

A bright light engulfed her, and the bald man released her completely, backing away in fear. "Apparire! Asta di Luce!" The light dissipated, revealing Stella who was holding a pure white baton, twirling it expertly. "Scudo!" And a soft, translucent sheen covered La Casa Orfana. She then turned to her attackers. "Modo Attaco! Lancia Arcobaleno!" Seven flames simultaneously shot out of the baton and pierced their adversaries before returning back into the baton which then disappeared.

The Vongola Guardians gaped in shock at seeing the girl they had thought to be completely normal, wield not only one but all seven of the flames. The young orphan reached them and started fussing about their injuries, which in reality were just scratches and scrapes. She then went to Alaude and clicked her tongue at seeing the rain flames. "Disappear " With a snap of her finger the flames were gone and the skylark stumbled into her. "Who are you ?" Stella shook her head, "Not now, signor, this is not the place nor the time. We have to secure the area first. They have found this place and they will be back again-"The raven –head was cut off by a whistling sound and a bomb exploded over La Casa Orfana.

Apparire! Asta di Luce! = Appear! Spear of light!

Scudo=Shield

Modo Attaco= Attack mode

Lancia Arcobaleno=Rainbow Spear

Piccola Troia=Little Bitch