The Cloud's Anchor

Impulses and Rules

A/N: Ciao! Everyone! I saw this picture of Alaude on Pintrest and decided to use this because this is very...uh...nice yes nice. Definitley not because of the collarbone of exposed chest, yup. Onwards with the chapter please.

Disclaimer: You would desecrate this land of rising sun...Wtih my advent I, Yato God, swear on the Sekki that Khr! does not belong to this foolish mortal! Rend!

(The person who knows this reference is awesome and gets a virtual cookie from me.)

The next day Stella found herself back in the Cloud Guardian's office, sitting on the couch, bored to death. The Cloud himself was busy doing what looked to be glaring maliciously at innocent looking white paper. She had tried to engage herself in reading but none of the books on the bookshelf appealed to her. Just when she had just about convinced herself to go check up on the kids, a feral growl reached her ears. She turned and saw the ever cool and composed guardian to Vongola Primo igniting his ring and bringing it closer to the pile of paper he had been working on.

"Signor," he paused and looked up, Flame still burning, "It's no good. Primo will just keep adding more work to do if you burn it." Alaude contemplated this. It was so tempting to burn those white two-dimensional demons but Stella was right, Spiky would probably just increase his workload. Sighing, he extinguished his Flame and again glared at the papers. Weak herbivores do tedious paperwork; carnivores hunt out in the field.

A small movement caught the corner of his eye and he saw his companion standing and walking towards him. She went behind his chair and looked over his shoulder at the paperwork, very much aware that his eyes were following her every movement. She scanned them and found them to be mostly reports and appointments concerning the Cloud division.

Meanwhile the skylark was very- how to say this? - distressed. Since she was leaning forward, Stella's face came just beside his own. It was the first time they had been in such close proximity and Alaude discreetly tried to drink in all of her features. Midnight tresses loose, splayed over her shoulders, nimble fingers coming to brush behind her ears, he could smell the faint smell of honey and something that was so uniquely Stella from this distance. Her chocolate orbs twinkling slightly, highlighted by her lashes. Her cute, little nose scrunching up a little as she took in the nonsense his subordinates wrote. His gaze travelled downwards to her lips, looking so inviting, slightly parted, pink and supple. They looked soft and Alaude had a sudden urge to confirm that, preferably with his own.

He caught himself leaning forwards and snapped back, turning away from the all too tantalizing scene. No, he would not act like an idiot and kiss her on impulse. Only weak people did something so... not strong as that. He would wait until he had her consent, had her begging and pliant as he ravished her lips. He would not give in first. If he were to proceed with his wish now, she would just be shocked and unsure, ruining the experience, not to mention the proceeding awkwardness would be a pain to deal with.

"Oiiii!" a voice broke him out of his reverie and he found that she had displaced herself from his side to in front of his desk. "Signor, I have called you at least six times now. What were you dreaming about?" she said the last part teasingly. "A very beautiful person." Came his nonchalant answer and Stella felt a very brief pang of confused hurt. Ignoring it she continued, "As I was saying would you mind if I helped you with this?" she waved her hand to indicate the pile of paperwork. He raised an eyebrow and she replied. "I'm bored and you don't like to do it. It's the perfect solution."

The Cloud thought about it. Spiky did say that she was to assist him. He nodded and the raven-head beamed at him. They worked together, the rustle of the papers being the only sound. Suddenly a loud voice came from outside. "Sorella! Stop doing grown up things with signor and come out! Elena is calling you!" The door was flung open and Stella stood there, face red. "We are not doing anything! Stop assuming things you pervertito dodicenne!"

Guilia smiled innocently, "But you were doing official paperwork and stuff, right? That's grown up stuff." Stella blinked, flabbergasted. Alaude came to join her, and catching onto the younger girl's intention said, "What were you thinking about, Mon Cher? Something perverted concerning the two of us? Should I be on my guard?" Stella again blushed and opened her mouth to retort. When no words came out she closed it and stomped away.

The skylark and the princess smirked at each other and followed her out to the gardens. In the gazebo they saw Elena sitting, daintily sipping tea. When she spotted the trio, she let out an impatient huff. "Finally! What took you so long?" the raven head smiled apologetically and took a seat beside the aristocrat. "I am not very used to the huge mansion." Guilia nodded in agreement and took a seat opposite her sister. Alaude noted the inconspicuous lack of a fourth chair. It was a meeting then. Elena poured tea for the other two and drawled out, "Do go back to your office Alaude. I'm sure you have more important work to do rather than hearing women gossip." The skylark eyed the three females for a second and then went away.

"So, what are we learning today?" Guilia was bouncing up and down in her seat. Elena smiled at her gently but her voice was stern. "First lesson- stop jumping like that. In our society it will not do for an eligible young lady like yourself to project such excitement. Remember, you have to behave in a quiet and demure manner, especially to outsiders." At the face the younger girl made, Elena laughed. Smiling indulgently she resumed. "I do not make the rules, child. I only manipulate them to my convenience. Another thing make sure to hold your tongue. Think twice before you speak up. Remember it would not do for you to reveal anything about your own family."

Stella picked up from here, "One thing that determines your position in society is conduct. Stand tall and proud but be humble. Too much pride can be bad. And remember to be confident, you are their ruler." Elena continued, "We'll be covering all of this in our lessons. One important thing though, and I am telling you so that you can assimilate this idea in your head quickly, your conduct with the opposite gender. The way you behave with Lampo, for instance, is not appropriate at all, considering you are both of age. It doesn't matter very much in the privacy of the mansion or in a group but if you are both attending a social function, some rules are to be followed. No casual touching for one, including high fives. You can't treat him like you do now. The two of you are basically strangers, not connected by blood so it would be extremely prudent of you to address him casually."

The young brunette looked ready to pull her hair out. Stella smiled at her sympathetically. "We do not expect you to learn all of this at once; your formal introduction is still a long way off. It will take time and practice but only if you are up for it. No one is forcing you to do this, love." Guilia took a deep breath and when she opened her eyes they were full of determination.

"Teach me, Sorella, Elena. And I will have the Mafia world at my feet."

The two women beamed with pride and then proceeded to sharpen their protégé's fangs.

pervertito dodicenne= perverted twelve year old