The Cloud's Anchor

The Explanation

A/N: Hey Everyone! I'M Back!! Sorry I had Maths finals yesterday and since I am mathematically disabled I had to pour my chi, ase, namida (blood, sweat and tears, comment if you get the reference) into it. But! now I am free to post! This chapter is mostly Stella talking about her past which is important so please read it carefully. So without further ado, il prossimo capitolo! (the next chapter)

Disclaimer: As usual I do not own these characters or the picture above.

When the smoke from the bomb cleared, the Guardians were immensely relieved to find La Casa Orfana safe and whole. The only thing that had changed was that the white sheen Stella had cast over it was gone. Giotto and Knuckle went inside to check on the kids while Alaude and G went to patrol the area for any immediate threats. Stella went with the former group and was immediately bombarded by the confused kids wondering why did their playmates suddenly leave them. The raven-head was trying to placate them when a brown blur launched itself on her crying, "Sorella!" The brunette looked at her sister, worry filling her eyes, "Why did you use your Flames? What happened?" she asked in a whisper. Stella smiled softly and whispered in the younger girl's ear, "Because I swore that I would protect you, all of you."

Before Guilia could ask any further questions, the door opened, revealing the Storm and Cloud Guardians. The Vongola had a silent conversation and Giotto approached Stella, "No signs of immediate danger were found. Still, I would like you to come with us, signora." Guilia stood up standing in front of the raven-head, shielding her. She eyed the blond Sky suspiciously, "Why do you need her?" To her surprise, instead of getting angry at her rudeness, Giotto smiled a little and bent down to her level. He whispered in a conspiratorial manner. "I heard some of you are going to have your birthdays soon. We are planning a party and therefore I need your sister to help me plan this stuff." The younger girl eyed him cautiously but relaxed and nodded. Primo looked at the brown-eyed girl and held his hand for her to take.

Minutes later, it was decided that Knuckle and- after a lot of grumbling- G would remain back at the orphanage just in case. Alaude was the obvious choice since a) interrogation was his forte b) Stella was the most comfortable around him. They walked in tense silence as they made their way to a backwater café not very far. After ordering and receiving their respective drinks Alaude started, "This is the right place and the right time. Tell us who-no, what- are you?"

Taking a sip of her coffee Stella sighed, "You guys have the Vongola rings, right?" Two nods were her answer. "Then you have met Checkerface?" Both of the guardians gaped at her but nodded nonetheless. The raven head continued, "Checkerface must have told you why he split the stones into the tri-nii-set and stuff. But there was something he didn't tell you, no more like he didn't know it himself. You see, ages before the split, my father was one of the People whose duty was to protect the planet. But for some reason he was banished from their kingdom. He managed to acquire a sort of replica of the stones but they were nowhere as powerful as the real thing. Still, he roamed the earth looking for a new power to harness. One day he saw that light can split into the seven colours of the stones, while resting beside a lake.

So, he spent the rest of his days researching this power. The 'Light' Flame was thus born, a sort of a combination of all the other Flames. But he was on the verge of dying so he created me and sealed me inside a mortal woman who visited him sometimes. The woman was the daughter of a Mafia family. For generations I changed vessels, the first born daughter of my previous carrier became my new one. One day, only Checkerface and Sepira remained of the People, this was the condition my father had set for me to be born. I guess he still held a grudge against their race for banishing him. I was born to my mother, who was married to the Don of a well-known family.

All of this was ingrained in my memory and I set out to help protect the stones. But I was too late, the split had already happened. Dejected I went back to my mother and her husband, who welcomed me with open arms. I decided that it was not a bad compromise. I had a loving family and was the heir to the Famiglia." Stella's voice hardened. "I was naïve. A war broke out between two Famiglias and ours was caught up in it. The mansion was burned. My parents...my parents were killed in front of my eyes. Their blood was splattered on my clothes. I fled; I was nine years old then. Roaming the streets came across a little girl who shared the same fate as me. Guilia was my first companion. Soon I came across other orphans who were hated by the townsfolk and carried the sins of their fathers. La Casa Orfana was thus created. The rest you know." Stella looked at the two men, watching their reactions.

For a moment they were both still then Giotto took a deep breath and,"HHHIIIEEEEEE! The black haired girl was startled to see the usually calm and collected Sky scream like-well, a girl. On his side Alaude was cradling his head in his palms. "Etto...signor, what-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE ONE OF THEM? I THOUGHT YOU WERE NORMAL! BEING IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS CHECKERFACE, HOW CAN YOU? But wait, Sepira is also one of you so maybe you are more like her but-"here Primo slipped into mumbled Italian, resulting in no further translation. The skylark, who was getting more and more ticked off by his boss' actions, hit him in the head with his handcuffs. "Calm down, spiky." Said 'spiky' nodded frantically and Stella sweatdropped at seeing the normally mature adults acting like children.

Finally regaining his composure, Giotto went back into 'boss' mode and cleared his throat, "I apologize for my embarrassing display just now, signora. I was just...shocked. Anyways I completely believe what you just said. No one can make up such an incredulous tale. I hope we remain friends even after my...let's say loss of dignity?" he smiled crookedly and Stella could understand why such unique people chose to follow him. "Of course, Primo." They smiled at each other- complete with sparkle and flowers in the background- and Alaude relaxed.

"So, what do we do now that the orphanage was attacked?" the sweet atmosphere disappeared at the skylark's words and the raven-head frowned, "We will need to move to another place. Now that the location was disclosed, a lot of families will not hesitate to attack us. They will be looking for revenge against our Famiglias or simply wanting to recruit us. We need someplace safe and open; the kids are growing up really fast. They will need more space." The three of them were deep in their thoughts, trying to look for a solution when suddenly Giotto started jumping up and down in his chair with his hand raised. Stella giggled and Alaude sighed at his childish boss. "What is it, signor?" The blond with the gravity-defying hair smiled broadly and said,

"Why don't you move into the Vongola Mansion?"