When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. - Audre Lorde

War means fighting, and fighting means killing. - Nathan Bedford Forrest

Ashlynn barely caught the whisper of a name and the flash of Squalo's Varia ring shining a blue flame from the emblem before she was blind-folded and herded and strapped into a seat of a car.

Milan.

They were off to Milan. She was sure the place was lovely, once hearing that it was the fashion capital of Italy…but, that was really all she knew about the place. She wished she could have come in better circumstances; like not being in the future, not having the Family being hunted down like vermin, and not having a blindfold over her eyes. If her vision had to be taken out of the equation…Vittore was probably right and that the new location would be a little difficult. Hell, it was difficult enough bracing herself against the motions of the car and she knew that Squalo was being a driving hazard on the road by weaving in and out of traffic and she tried to keep as still and grounded into the seat as possible. She also resisted the urge to try and peek to see but since it was the Varia she was with: well, she didn't doubt that they would stuff her in the trunk instead for the duration of the trip.

As it was, without taking into account the piece of cloth keeping her from seeing anything and Squalo's near homicidal driving, she was jittery. She'd made another killing, marking up a tally of three hits within the last week alone.

The car stopped. And the door of the driver's seat opened and shut before her door was opened and once her seat belt was undone she was herded with the blind fold still over her face over steps and into a building with a cool breeze blasted from the air conditioning. Ashlynn linked her arm around the crook of Squalo's elbow and trusted him to lead her where they needed to go. He was surprising her right now with how…considerate he was being. Then again she chalked it up to it being a job or because the Vongola really did need every hand they could get (and they did). The thought made her think of when Reborn called Algar on her behalf all those months ago; for the image of the Vongola they would send out a message that they were not going to stand for one of their members being harassed.

Squalo slowed his pace down a little and her with him when there was a ding from an elevator and they shuffled inside and waiting the few seconds it took for the doors to cage them inside. Strangely the elevator did not make any stops for any other floor besides the one they were pulled to and she was led off once more, down a hallway, stopping, then entering a room. And her blindfold was finally untied.

A soft gasp alerted her across the spacious and expensive room towards the entrance of the bathroom where a man in the same uniform as Squalo and Fran held his gloved hands to his cheeks.

"Lussuria!" Ashlynn grinned happily in greeting as the mo-hawked man strode quickly over and pressed her cheeks together.

Lussuria turned his head which led her to believe he was staring at Squalo though it was hard to tell with the sunglasses covering his eyes. "Is this really-?"

"From about ten years ago? Yeah, it's her. The fucking time traveling bazooka is broken considering she's been here for about a week already." Squalo crossed his arms leaning against the wall adjacent of the door. Fran had moved to sit on the king sized bed in the middle of the room with her bag on his lap. "She's got three kills within that time period. Two at the safe house and one today at the building in Brescia."

"Oh, what happened?" Lussuria asked turning his head back to her.

"The Contiella woman: the spy from the Gessania Famiglia recognized her in the bathroom and tried to make the hit. Obviously she failed and the brat killed her instead."

The man let go of her cheeks and clapped his hands twice. "Good job, dearie~. But why are your clothes so wrinkled? Did you get wet earlier?"

"Kind of broke a sprinkler." Ashlynn replied a little hushed.

"Don't worry my sweet~." Lussuria wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug. "Big sis will take care it~. But really Squalo," He turned back to the Swordsman and began to chide him. "You could have avoided that confrontation if you only disguised her. As it is she's too recognizable."

"Che didn't have the time to waste to get everything together. Besides, why do think I brought her here instead of leaving her in Reschensee or having her go with Palladini?"

"Other than because I missed my sweet Honey? Well, to disguise her obviously and to take her with us on the job tonight~. And we'll have Fran also! Oh this will be fun!"

"She made hits but the Arcobaleno in the past never 'made' her." He said then turned to her. "With Reborn vouching for you, it was accepted as fact that you were a member."

Lussuria moved away to the vanity in the room and rummaged in one of the drawers and came back with a card, a few candles and a knife. "Fran, the lights."

The sun Guardian sat crossed legged on the floor and waved his hand to her and she sat on her knees. The lights turned off and Lussuria lit both candles and held up the card so she could see its image in the small light. A picture of Saint Brighid. Not the Goddess that she normally invoked but the Christian Saint that shared the same name and traits.

"Traditionally," Lussuria remarked, the notes in his voice serious. "Potential members are called into a meeting without given a reason. And when I say 'potential members', I mean associates or gunmen that the Family wants to induct them into their ranks. You told me once that Reborn held an Initiation test that you and the Yamamoto boy participated in. Even though Reborn is rather traditional when it comes to our ways but, because he is who he is, he got away with having that as your ceremony. Within the traditional meeting you are greeted by the Boss and his Guardians. You are a Guardian to begin with so that also worked in your favor even if things were never laid fully out for you. But if it had been otherwise you would have been told of our hierarchy, what your new responsibilities for the Family would be, and the general measures taken for disobedience. I don't think I need to say what those measures are."

Ashlynn said nothing.

The side of Lussuria's mouth twitched. "As far as the ceremony brought about: For many Families it is required that you kills someone to be considered ready to be brought into the Families combatant forces…when, where, and who was your first kill for the Family?

"...Back in Kokuyo. I entered through the side rather than the front like everyone else had but, they were already way ahead of me. I was going to go around and meet them where I could. I was caught on the perimeter by Yann and Sanem."

She couldn't see him, but Squalo clicked his tongue. "Fucking hell. You remember their names?"

"Squalo, give or take this happened about two weeks before I first met you with Dino and Namimori."

"So this happened, but Reborn wasn't at hand and there was still the operation to complete." Lussuria pursed his lips. "And even after Mukuro was taken back to Vindice, you lot were taken to the hospital for your injuries."

Ashlynn's nose twitched. "That's right."

"Now," Squalo stated kneeling down beside her and Fran did the same on her other side. "We don't have the Boss or Tsunayoshi here and this isn't going to be very elaborate but, with the time constraint it will do. At least it's better than what Reborn had done. Ashlynn, do you swear to uphold the code of Omerta? To follow our rules?"

"I do so swear." Ashlynn replied solemnly.

"Good. Give me your left hand; fingers together, palm up." He ordered. He gripped said limb while his other hand held up a knife that glinted in the candlelight. Squalo didn't hesitate as he dug the blade into the pad of her ring finger four times. Two to create a capital letter V and two more slits to make a squiggly tilda to flank the letter on both sides. Her toes and other hand clenched in response to the pain and while she was sure her face was giving away her grimacing she succeeded in not making a sound. Squalo then accepted the image of Saint Brighid from Lussuria and pressed her bleeding digits over the surface of the card. He then pulled his own limbs away for the next step.

"Cup your hands around the Saint. Don't drop her now." Lussuria instructed shifting his weight as he moved one of the candles to catch the edge of the picture with the small flame. Ashlynn's whole body tensed as the Saint coated with her blood began to burn in her red-stained and hurting hands. Through the stinging and burning she mentally apologized to the Goddess (and Saint) for any insult.

"As burns this Saint, so will burn your soul." Fran murmured looking utterly bored.

"You enter alive and the only way to get out is death." Squalo finished and the candles were snuffed out.

There was shifting from Fran and within seconds the lights were flipped back on. Lussuria pulled out a small white square of cloth and wiped away the blood. Once cleaned enough to see the punctures in her skin he lit his ring with the sun flame and smoothed the ring just over the small wounds. Ashlynn let out a long exhale as the stinging faded away into nothing and Lussuria pulled away to stand on his feet with Squalo. Ashlynn followed suit and looked down to inspect her finger; the scarring was faint even though Lussuria soothed away the hurt but, there it was: a capital V and two tilda's.

"The Vongola ring is obvious, but the marks on your skin prove your officially one of us, dearie." Lussuria crooned turning the square of cloth that he cleaned her hands with into ash thanks to his flame. The ashes were dumped into a small trashcan.

Squalo jerked his head and started for the door to leave. "Now that that's done... Lussuria, get her ready within the next hour and a half. I'm going to go prepare the rest of the trash."

"Alrighty! Well, it looks like it's just us three for a while. Fran, dear, in the closet there are two boxes on the second shelf. Can you grab them?" Lussuria then grabbed her hands and pulled her over to a vanity table that she had missed seeing and sat her down in front of the mirror. "And you darling, we need to give you a disguise while you're still with us. And especially so if you're going to do the job with us tonight."

Ashlynn blinked then shook her head at the sudden change in mood. "Um. Okay, Luss."

"I haven't even told you the details sweetie. Remember this from now on: Even if you know the person, do not ever agree to any job or favor until you've gleaned every ounce of information~. Why, you might accidentally accept a job to take out your own Boss if you're not careful."

"That's fine. But the way you worded it makes it sound like I'll be going with you regardless if I want to or not."

"Well, Honey, that's true. Now, like I said earlier, you are too recognizable. Had it been any of the other guardians they might be able to get by once or twice if they're careful, but you? Sorry, not a chance~. Your hair is rather distinctive in the underworld, especially here in Italy or Japan. Had it been any other country it may have been a different matter." He said lifted the ponytail then tugging the tie out then he turned to accept both medium sized boxes from Fran and set them on the table's surface.

"So the solution we have here is to put on a wig, some colored contacts, our lovely Varia uniform and then use illusions to smooth out any of the chinks. It's a shame that we have to cover your pretty hair, but, which one do you like better?"

Ashlynn hummed thoughtfully taking the time to examine both wigs in the mirror as Lussuria held them on either side of her face. On one hand there was a dark gray-ish purple with two messy buns on both sides with equally messy bangs.

The other hand held a black shoulder length wig with hime cut bangs. She nodded to the purple wig.

"I like that one."

The black wig was immediately put back into the box. "Me too. You'll probably end up using both if it comes down to it but we'll go with the prettier of the two for now. "

"But have these wigs been used before? I mean—is it possible that I'd be recognized anyway by wearing it?" Ashlynn asked.

Lussuria shook his head slightly, maneuvering the strands of her hair into a braided crown. "These ones haven't been used yet so there's nothing to worry about."

"And then Fran…?"

"Once the wig is in place and pick out a pair of contacts we'll use illusions to change anything else we see fit to change. How it works is that a piece of jewelry, you commonly use earrings or a brooch, is used as an anchor, add illusions, then you'll layer your own lightning flame over it to make it stable and solid. It will also make it seem that it's your actual hair and eyes so there won't be any itching or over-heating but I suggest that you do use drops for the contacts every morning. As it is you and I are the only ones that actually use this method and it's one our most guarded secrets so no telling, okay darling?"

"Making illusions into reality, eve more than real illusions…you got it Luss. I imagine it'd be a lot of trouble if anyone else thought to try this." Ashlynn agreed not to tell. 'But….Verde will think of the concept soon enough without me hinting at it….' Ashlynn hummed as the wig was secured over her real hair.

Lussuria reached to the side drawer and pulled out a small compact case. "Under different circumstances I would have gone with a pretty light blue to go with this wig but right now we need to keep you from standing out too much. Here. Have you used contacts before?"

Ashlynn opened the case to see two black colored contacts. "I have. Go ahead and put them in now?"

"Uh-huh."

With the contacts in place Lussuria waved Fran over to take his spot just behind Ashlynn. "Alright-y. Time to start your magic, Fran." The sun guardian crooned. "Let's start with the top then work our way down so we don't miss anything. First, match the color of her eyebrows to the hair and give them a little more of an arch…that's good. Leave the shape of the eyes alone but, have the nose more button-like. We can keep the shape of her face too… hmmm, go ahead and give the chin a little more strength…very nice. Now…change the skin to be more of a light olive…a little lighter….there. That's perfect~! Is there anything you want to add?"

Ashlynn laughed looking at the stranger in the mirror and jokingly asked. "Think I could pull off any facial piercings?" She stopped short as a silver labret piercing ball appeared just beneath her bottom lip and she felt the other side of the piece inside of her mouth. "Looks good, but I was kidding, you know?"

Fran shrugged.

"Moving on?" Ashlynn asked.

"Right, some stand over here." Lussuria pointed just a few feet away and Fran moved out of the way so she could go stand in place with Lussuria circling around her critically. "Keep the height, sharpen the shoulders just a tad, dainty up the hands a little more…put some more hip on her. And take her down a cup size."

"Lussuria!" Ashlynn whined at the last instruction as the illusionist followed to do what the other guardian said.

The man in question grinned happily. "Oh, change her voice up a bit. Wouldn't want anyone hearing your voice with that look. Fran, dear, make it softer and princess-like."

"...How is it now?" Ashlynn asked then immediately placed her hands in front of her mouth.

"Like royalty, my dear. Now to complete the set, what I want you to do is put these in your ears." He handed over a pair of silver studs to match the lip piercing and waited for her to put them in. "In? Okay, cover both sides with your fingers and channel your flames into it. I'll tell you when to stop."

Ashlynn sat back down at the vanity table with her fingers over the studs for at least twenty minutes while Fran took a place on the bed again, and Lussuria was moving about grabbing things here and there.

"The reason for the long channeling serves two purposes: The first would be to keep the illusion running in place. The second is that it runs as a back-up battery or a generator. While your flames route through your body you don't channel when you're asleep or unconscious. It also took a while for you to get used to channeling lightning flames out of your ears."

"So because of the extra 'juice' by channeling previously…I keep the disguise. Question. What if I'm fighting against an illusionist? Will my flame control over the disguise fail if my perception is screwed with?"

Lussuria hummed. "There's a chance for it, but tonight I'm not counting on there being any high level illusionists. In the case of your future self, it was never a problem and over the years it became increasingly difficult to catch you in an illusion and even if they managed it wasn't for very long. The reason for that is the potency of your flame. With the solidification properties of the flame you are able to harden your own perceptions against mist based attacks."

"Wow."

"Next part: You need a name. Certainly can't call you Ashlynn otherwise the disguise would be worthless. And before you say it, we can't use Niamh. Too many know that that's a nickname some people call you by. That also means I can't call you honey when we leave this room."

"Then," Ashlynn scrunched her new button nose, something she decided was adorable and the soft squeal from Lussuria told her he thought so as well. "...I don't know…"

"Do you think you can answer to 'Miele'?

Ashlynn nodded absently. "That should be fine. What does it mean?"

"What endearment do I normally use~?" He tittered.

"Honey...yeah, I can see myself answering to that. And if we have to use the other wig then it could be 'Rin'."

"Rin?"

"Mmm." She nodded. "A little while before the bazooka going off, Kurokawa called me that. She seems to be under the impression that I am Tsuna's older sister. There's also the fact that the Japanese roughly translate my name as 'Ma-ah Ashu-rin'. Unless my future self has already used the name I could get used to being called that. Either that or Lynn."

"Lynn has been used but not Rin. The Lynn disguise is the red headed wig." Lussuria revealed. "Let's go with Miele for now."

"Sounds good to me." Ashlynn agreed.

"We've got a while yet before we leave. Uniform's on the counter in the bathroom so go on ahead and change."

Ashlynn moved into the adjacent room closing the door behind her. It took a few seconds to stop gaping at the big the bathroom was before she focused her attention on her task and found herself a little giddy for the chance to actual wear the Varia's uniform. Separating each piece she frowned, holding up the black bra that was with the pile. It was a size too small. Perfect for the image they were going for she but not for the comfort of her own breasts. She adjusted the straps as much as she could before pulling it on and clasping the back. 'I can tell right now; this is going to get uncomfortable pretty fast…I guess can deal with it, but still…'

A black baby doll t-shirt with a simple lined star was slipped snuggly over and her black slacks were exchanged for the snug Varia leather that would take a while to get used to. The Varia jacket went over the ensemble with all buttons secured in the right places.

"Are you decent in there?" Lussuria knocked on the door.

"Yeah."

The man peeped his head in first then opened the door all the way and entered and squeed as he did so. "Even though it doesn't look like you right now I love that you're wearing our uniform~! Oh, and you can put your shoes in your bag honey. I got some really nice boots for you to put on."

"Thanks." She said following him back into the room. Lussuria returned to the vanity with a folder while she went to her bag next to Fran where the calf high boots were laying. They were laced up quick enough so she took the time to slip on a belt and attach two of the smaller packs filled with ammunition onto the decorative loops, the holster of her guns were put into place along with their guns. She frowned at the box of rings and her chakram bracelets. "Hey Luss?"

"What's up, Miele?"

"Hmm...Can you tell me about what's supposed to happen tonight?"

"Intelligence tells us that there is a Millefiore controlled building here in Milan. Much like the one we have in Bescaria. Basically we go in, wreck all sorts of havoc, I'll be stealing some files, then we torch the place and book it~." Lussuria sang.

"Oh."

"No worries, Hun! Think of it as a scavenger hunt where you take down the guards and destroy the evidence that we were ever there~! It won't take very long at all. Shortest time being thirty minutes and our longest being an hour and a half."

"And you're not worried that anyone is going to see us?" Ashlynn deadpanned. "Not to mention what if someone gets a message through that we're there?"

"Again, nothing to worry about! Normally when we do operations like this the guards and personnel are so shocked that they have no idea what to do!"

"Alright." Ashlynn conceded. "My next question then: Should I use the Vongola ring? Or should I hide it and wear one of these?" she pointed to the box of rings lying on the couch.

Lussuria took her right hand that held the Vongola and Claddaugh rings. "Take two or three of the lightning rings. Both grade A's and a B grade; keep the Mammon chains too until we get to the target. Definitely take the Vongola ring with you and use it if you feel the need- hm?" He trailed off brushing his gloved finger against the Claddaugh.

"What's wrong?"

"This isn't the right ring."

She raised her eyebrows in question. "What do mean 'wrong ring'? I've always had this one…"

"…"

Ashlynn furrowed her brows. "Lussuria?"

The man pursed his lips, opened his mouth as if to explain, but closed them again. Then finally, "It's just the wrong ring, dear. It looks the same but it's just not the right one. I suspect that it will still give off a trace so keep the chain on it. In fact, you should just leave it: you're known to wear it regardless of what hand it's on."

"But there are plenty of people that do wear these. Granted the majority are Irish…." Ashlynn tried to protest but then gave up at her last point. She was Irish and wearing that ring would be like a beacon to anyone who knew what to look for.

He held up a hand gently. "I didn't mean that you should trash it. Just keep in your bag for now; we'll come back after the job is done before we move on to another location."

'Another location? Brighid, how many times are we going to move around? Those guys in Namimori are lucky they didn't end up here in canon.' She fiddled with the ring before taking it off her finger and placing it in one of the small innermost pockets of her bag. With the Vongola ring on her right middle finger, the two A grade lightning rings took place on her ring and pointer fingers and the B grade ring made its place on her left middle finger. "I'm going to assume that I shouldn't use my chakrams unless I really need them, huh?"

"You're right. But it's not like you're going in unarmed." Fran pointed out.

She still had her chakrams on her, along with the boxes that held her future self's weapons as they left running through the cobblestone and brick streets following Squalo and Lussuria with Fran beside her. There were a few questioning glances from the soldiers but with a glare and a challenge from Squalo assured that she was not an enemy spy that was going to slit their throats the moment they let their guard down around her.

Even with their general suspicions, they were only grunts and if three Varia core members vouched for her, then it was fine. But the moment they stepped into the office building/warehouse it was quickly forgotten in favor of the battle that was taking place.

Ashlynn gulped. It was absolute carnage.

"Let's go." Squalo gripped her shoulder and moved her with him towards the fighting. "You work better under pressure anyway... cry if you need to afterwards but we have a job to do right now. You have one of the communicators from Lussuria if we ever get separated but for now follow my lead, got it?"

"Got it..."

They, she and Squalo, split off from the main forces to sneak along the other passages within the building. The sounds of gunshots were becoming quieter but even so, her adrenaline was at its highest and she kept silent as they moved from room to room.

"We don't have anyone working as spy in this group." Squalo murmured as they climbed up a set of stairs. "If we come across anyone you kill them unless I say otherwise."

They stopped momentarily as the door just in front of them opened, they hid behind it and just as it was slamming shut Squalo struck his foot out and kicked the many over the stairwell to fall four stories down to the hard ground below.

"Fucking hell." Ashlynn whispered. Squalo shrugged opening the very door the man came out of. And immediately the two were on the opposite side of a charge from men hollering and charging their way with weapons drawn.

"Che, just a bunch of scum. None of them even have enough resolve for a ring. How boring."

Ashlynn shot two rounds into the charging mass before Squalo sliced into the oncoming force with Ashlynn picking off whoever came out alive on the other side, slowing inching forward along the hallway as more and more of the enemy ran out of the further rooms. She was walking over bodies before even the halfway point and had to walk the same way back so they could get to the stairwell for the process to start over again with the Varia forces taking up the next three floors that held cubicles while she and Squalo went ahead.

Within the stairwell, Squalo opened his box weapon and directed the shark through one floor and before Ashlynn could follow suit to let the swans out to join the shark, Squalo shook his head as he maneuvered another four men over the railing. "The swans will give you away. Use them if it's necessary but right now, you'll be fine."

"Aa."

The swordsman opened the eighth floor door then pushed her back against the wall a few steps down as Storm flames and actual fire blazed through the opening and burned a hole right through the wall to the outside. Squalo smirked as his ring blazed a liquidy blue to combat the second wave of storm flames. His stronger resolve broke through the other flame and he sauntered in with his sword waving through the air. "So there are actually some that have resolve! VOOOOOOOII! Prepare yourselves, Trash!"

Ashlynn hurried in after him shooting down the woman rushing at the swordsman's back with a stormed glaive. She grabbed the weapon when it didn't disappear into a box weapon and stabbed the blade into the man stumbling out of the door on her right.

"Watch for the doors, brat!" He yelled.

"Speak for yourself!" She snapped back. "You're the one pressing on ahead!"

"VOOOOOOOOOI! Because there are enemies coming down the other end of the hall!"

Ashlynn bit the inside of her cheek as she slipped off one of the larger chakrams. "Chakram coming your way! Jump!" She yelled for the man and the weapon was released without her usual wiring, passed right under Squalo to slice through the middle of the hallway with her flame licking the edge of the blade, reaching twenty feet into the mass of bodies before it stuck into a man's torso.

The remaining force forged on to meet their end from Squalo's blade and Ashlynn's guns and those that tried to sneak behind them were tore into pieces by the Rain shark hunting through the rooms for more prey.

"Hey~ Commander Squalo, Dearest Miele," Lussuria's voice sounded in her ear from the headphone. "The virtuous Lussuria has completed our objective. Awaiting further orders, Commander."

"Good work, Lussuria. Alright, then start torching the place and send out the order for our grunts to evacuate." Squalo ordered. "Anyone left straggling will be left with the enemy to be burned to a crisp." He nodded a final time and returned the Rain shark back within its box. "Brat, time to go."

Ashlynn nodded, her foot against a dead man and pulled her chakram out of his chest. "That was pretty fast."

"Leaving so soon? I'm afraid I'll keep your company for a while yet."

Ashlynn turned to stop short as a smiling dark green-haired man in the Millefiore's uniform stood in the path leading back to the stairwell. He didn't seem very disturbed that he was standing on the back of one of the dead men in the hallway. She swallowed thickly when her eyes caught small movements between the bodies and the blood on the floor.

Rats. Black rats. The filthy things were scurrying with little puffs of cloud flame coming out of their ears.

'Oh Brighid,' she bit her lip. 'The first time against an enemy box weapon and it had to be rats.'

At her queasy look the man smiled. "Aren't they lovely, Miss? And such good helper's too."

"VOOOOOOOOI! I'll be your opponent, scum!" Squalo stepped forward with the gladiator sword pointed out.

"Well, if you insist. But, it would be ever so rude to ignore the young lady. So worry not; there is enough of the mischief to go around."

Ashlynn jumped as a small purple flame burst from the gathered rat's ears and began to multiply and flood the hallway. Squalo leaped over the horde going straight for the man who pulled out a saber to combat against the swordsman.

"Son of a bitch!" She squealed kicking the first that jumped at her.

"Use your flame, brat!" Squalo demanded crossing blades with his opponent.

"Fuck! And do what exactly!" Ashlynn cried a little more when a number of the rats grouped together and formed a very big rat that snarled at her. A second large rat was created moments after.

"You're not fucking helpless, brat, just because of some rats! Shoot them! Electrocute them!"

"R-right!" She assured herself and prepared to do so but in the end she jumped out of the way to the side, smacking into a door and falling into the room when the beast jumped her way. She scrambled to her feet just and aimed her gun, using the door and wall for cover while the rat had its back turned to her. Ashlynn pointed the gun directly its head and pulled the trigger.

Click.

Click. Click.

"Sh-shit!" She cried fumbling for the other and loaded gun strapped to her thigh beneath the hem of the jacket. She was knocked further into the office room by the second rat tackling her to the ground and she had to use the barrel of the gun to press against the rat's teeth to keep it from biting her. She shifted her body from beneath the beast and kicked it back into the other rat that was coming to its aid. She flipped her bracelets back off her wrists and into their weapon forms and sent both flying to her targets and pinned both rats to the wall, severing both of its necks.

Ashlynn's shoulder's drooped in relief but then cringed when the rats disassembled themselves back to smaller rats then regrouped into the larger ones. She scowled, ripping the Mammon chain of the Vongola ring and grasping her future self's lightning box weapon out of her jacket pocket. Her ring sparked with electricity then was inserted into the opening of the box and out came the two white swans immediately soaring to the two rats. Their wings beat the creatures mercilessly as they pecked wit lightning sharpening their already strong beaks and the rats misted away as the flames sustaining them were destroyed.

"Thanks, Ailbhe, Saorla." She sighed wiping her forehead with the back of her leathered sleeve. It was becoming uncomfortably hot.

The female, Saorla, butted her head against her hand.

"Brat! Hurry up, we've got to leave"

The swans returned to their box and Ashlynn stepped over the rubble back to the hallway. Her eyes glazed over the rat's owner slumped on the floor against a clear space on the wall, his head draped over his chest. She was able to spot blood seeping from what little she could see from his neck. Ashlynn swallowed thickly and hurried to the other end of the hallway, joined the swordsman and they hurried down the stairs. She gasped at the horrid heat spreading from the upper floors and had to pause a few times to wedge herself into a few corners with her arms above her head protecting herself from falling and sometimes burning debris.

"Comandante! Miele!" Lussuria waved to them from the entrance of the building when he saw them through a few bustling crowds of men and women. It was a few large rooms away from their current location so his voice didn't carry but she heard him perfectly through the device in her ear. "Hurry now! Before the structure collapses! "

At that proclamation the Varia's forces rushed whatever it was that they were doing and made way to exit the building. But barely halfway to their exit the building creaked and despite herself Ashlynn made the stupid decision to stop and stare up in alarm. The next moments seemed to pass by in slow motion and yet at the same time sped up. Ahead of her she heard Lussuria call out for her to hurry, Squalo turning around when he realized she had paused and moving to grab her arm, the widening eyes of the Varia forces, and the horrified yells as the ceiling cracked then split, causing the building and its supports to implode upon them. Ashlynn clenched her eyes shut with her arms above her protecting her head and waited to be crushed.

Except it didn't happen.

It wasn't silent though; there was burning furniture falling, glass and windows shattering and a gust from the implosion blew through the destruction. She exhaled, thanking above all Brighid and any other God or Goddess that came to mind. But, at the gasps of awe she chanced a peek then opened her eyes to come face to face with a transparent shield that rippled with green when something collided with it.

"Uno scudo?" A man whispered.

The hooded woman beside him nodded wide eyed. "La signora ha una affinità fulmine! Lei ci ha salvati!"

Ashlynn didn't dare to move so she moved her eyes to Squalo, confessing softly. "I...I don't know how long it will hold. While it's still up, let's get everyone out...like right this second, now."

Squalo whirled around snarling in Italian for the grunts to start moving. "Lo scudo non durerà per sempre, è feccia! Muoviti a meno che non si vuole veramente essere schiacciato!"

It wasn't very long until the bottom and only remaining floor was cleared out save for her and Squalo. Once satisfied that he couldn't see anyone in the surrounding rubble he waved for her to follow. Ashlynn sweated, keeping her arms outstretched to keep the shield in place and moving so very slowly. After each step more and more rubble crumbled when the shield moved out from beneath it. By the time they got within ten feet of the entrance Ashlynn's breath was running haggard with the effort; she might have been able to make the shield smaller to save her the effort but she didn't know how or if doing so would cancel the entire shield. With another seven feet to go Squalo, fed up, grabbed her arm and hauled her outside just as the lightning flames began to flicker.

Ashlynn sat down coughing as dust settled around them again. "Thanks."

"At least you held it long enough to get out yourself." Squalo snorted derisively. Ashlynn didn't take any offense to it. "It took too long though; right now we're the last ones to leave the scene." He growled nodding to the car parked across the street. Lussuria stuck his head out and waved from the driver's seat.

"Oh," Ashlynn winced when Squalo grabbed her arm again and began stalking towards the vehicle with her in tow. She got into the back seat with Fran and sighed.

"A successful but trying mission tonight. Miele, you can go ahead and sleep while we drive, I'll have someone pick or things up from the hotel." Lussuria placed his seatbelt into the buckle

"Eh? But I'm not all that sleepy-"

"Well, it'd be better that way, Hun. We can't have you knowing where everything is. Gives you an unfair advantage when you go back to your correct time. Fran, be a dear and knock her out?"

"What?" Ashlynn raised her hands alarmed but it was too late and she was leaning against the boy out cold.

"Well," Lussuria adjusted the rear view mirror then put the car into drive. "Seeing her here from the past...it reminds me of something the lovely Miss Dolly and Bianchi mentioned once."

Fran slipped both his and Ashlynn's seat belts on. "Hm?"

"Around this age I believe; our little Ashlynn, while not seeming so to the other Guardians, didn't really bond with them on a deep emotional level for a good while. Seeing her now I can see that they were right."

"So?" Fran didn't see the importance.

Lussuria chuckled. "Well it wasn't that she was indifferent to them. If I had to pick a way to describe her interactions with them I'd say that she's an 'amiable observer'. She's civil but also very reserved. Starting out, Miss Bianchi noted that she was like an older and guiding comrade but, it wasn't the deep bond that was to be expected. When I first met her I figured she was just shy or overwhelmed to be in a ballroom full of Mafioso and with meeting personally with the Ninth. And later on when we saw her at the ring battles I assumed she was trying to keep an image of strength to keep the group from panicking. Perhaps both had influence it but, it was a while before she really became close-nit with them. Sigh, had things been different and she was given to us it wouldn't have been a problem at all. Shame."

"Why bring this up now?" Squalo grumbled.

Lussuria shrugged. "Just musing out loud, Squ-taicho, and it's really not as bad as I'm explaining it to be. Hmm, I remember Fran, that the first time around you didn't get along very well with our Ashlynn but this one as she is now, it's like you're snarky little partners in crime. However even with the circumstances aren't favorable; I think being here in the future is being beneficial. With us, she's coming a bit out of that shell she's created." He slowed the car down for a few moments, looking into the mirrors to check for tails before turning down a side street. "I don't think she realizes just how much her flames are influencing her. It must have been an unconscious effort for protection but it's not a good long-term solution."

"A solution to what?" Fran clicked his tongue.

Squalo unstrapped his sword from his fake hand and laid it horizontally across his legs. "If it was fixed in the past then leave it as it is."

"Haaa~? You knew I was thinking of doing it myself? You caught me Squ-taicho!" Lussuria made a mocking pout. "As much as I like her better without her stunting herself I know that it can't be me to be the one to do the deed. Even though Honey likes me I don't think she'll react the way she should that will help her heal correctly. Nope, I'll leave it all to our lovely womenfolk."

"Nii-san?"

"What's up, little bird?" Ryohei knelt in front of the child. He wasn't all that great with disguises or illusions so the best he could do to change a little of her appearance was to buy her a yellow sundress with grey leggings and give her a Tokyo baseball hat to cover her hair. It was Extremely working so far but there was always a big chance that any enemy would recognize him, put their appearances together, and come up with the conclusion that the ten year bazooka was in effect.

Birdy shifted. "Where are we going?"

"First we have to Extremely rescue one of our friends! Intel says she's been holed up in Kokuyo land." He paused at the slight flinch she gave at the name. "It's okay, Suzume. You don't have to actually go in there if you don't want to. I can leave my box weapon to stay with you while I fetch her, would like that instead?"

She nodded; she really didn't want to go to Kokuyo even if it was in the future. And she really did like Nii-san's box weapon animal.

"Alright then. After we get our friend we'll go meet with the group hiding out in Namimori. Don't worry your pretty little head, Imouto-chan. Nii-san promised remember? I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Miele, wake up. We're here."

Ashlynn rubbed at her eyes and sat up a little startled to see that it was dark, the dark one sees before the sun rises. The problem wasn't that it was morning, the problem was that she had no idea how long she had been out cold. And why she was seeing dark purple hair that was from her patted her cheek lightly and whispered in her ear. "You are in a disguise, baby, remember? Squalo brought you to the hotel and we fixed you then we went on the operation in Milan?"

"We're not in Milan anymore?" Ashlynn asked groggily, letting go of her alarm.

Lussuria pulled back shaking his head. "Nope. Your things have already been brought to a room. Here is your ring dear, just don't put in on your finger just yet. Do you need a chain to hang it on?"

Ashlynn accepted the ring but shook her head, merely placing the Mammon-chained Claddaugh into her pants pocket of her Varia uniform. "How long are we staying? And how did I fall asleep? How long has it been?"

"We're staying here only temporarily; two days tops would be my estimate but we have a really big hit scheduled soon. Sorry that we keep moving you dear and that we've had to blindfold and knock you out. The operation was just last night."

"Okay...where'd the hell did everyone else go?"

"They're reporting. Oh! One of your subordinates finished his mark and is here with someone you know. Remember Vittore?" Lussuria grinned offering his arm.

"Yeah," she replied, slipping her arm through the crook of his. "I met him not a day ago. Who did he bring?"

"Well, I can't really say anything, dear, too many ears and no one but who really need to know actually know. You'll know her the moment you see her." He whispered as they walked up the steps of a large cream colored mansion. "She was brought in because she switched with her past self. Vittore recognized her getting lost in the streets about to have a panic attack and he convinced her that she wasn't an enemy. Right now she's in your room, waiting for us to disguise her."

'Who else could have been out of Japan that has switched?' Ashlynn worried her lip. 'There should NOT be anyone else. I don't even think I was supposed to be overseas. It's a girl…'

"VOI! Lussuria!" Squalo called from the top of a very rand set of stairs. "Drop off the brat and then come to the office!"

Lussuria clicked his tongue but did not loosen his arm. "Oh, I suppose. Come on Miele, we'll see to our guest while Squ-taicho makes his report. I'll come back with Fran, alright?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

While Squalo turned down one hallway of the second floor, she and Lussuria walked down the opposite one to a room on the very end.

The man released her arm and raised his own to knock gently on the door. "Knock knock~. We're coming in, dearie! Miele, you may show off your jewelry to prove your identity." He called in Japanese. Once she was in he stepped back out. "Lock the door behind me dear, and try not to make too much of a racket. Who knows who might get interested if there are is any shouting. I'll be back before you know it with Fran and food."

Ashlynn nodded, not yet seeing the person sitting wide eyed on the bed. She shut and locked the door before turning around to face the small female and felt herself stop in shock and her brain momentarily shut down.

"…Miura-san?"

The girl sniffled fearfully positioning herself closer to the headboard, her knees pulled up to her chest. "Ha-Haru doesn't know you."

"Because I'm disguised." Ashlynn murmured gently and she slowly made her way to the vanity table, walking across wooden floors and a white rug, making sure the girl could see her hands at all times. The earrings were taken out first, followed by the black contacts that she placed on a piece of tissue. Seeing her reflection return to its rightful shapes she pulled at the pins connecting the wig to her hair and slipped the piece off her head. Haru gasped disbelievingly when the honey hair came into view in the light.

"I-it's you…right?" She asked.

Ashlynn nodded stepping towards the bed. Haru's eyes watered and the very moment Ashlynn sat down she flung herself at her, dug her face into fur that was part of Ashlynn's hood and sobbed. "I'm so sorry!"

"Miura-san…" Ashlynn held the girl gently while she cried. 'Why is she here? She's, she's not supposed to be here. She should be in Japan right now with Kyoko under the group's protection not under the Varia's in Italy! What…what on Earth happened? Is this, is this because of me?'

"I-I'm sorry!" The girl continued to apologize and Ashlynn really wasn't what it was for.

"Shhhh, it's okay. I've got you. I'm sure this has been a very bumpy ride for you but it's okay now. It's okay." She soothed, threading her fingers through the girl's hair but the gesture did little to quell the tears and she buried herself deeper into Ashlynn's neck. Not knowing what else to do besides try to comfort she switched the hand that was petting Haru's hair to rub the girl's back instead. After a few moments of that with Haru still not readily being consolable, Ashlynn started to sing to fill the silence of the room.

"Coo roo koo, cooruku, coo ru ku, coo ku

Oh hush thee my dove, oh hush thee my sweet love

Oh hush thee my lap wing, my dear little bird.

Oh, fold your wings and seek your nest now

The berries shine on the old rowan tree

The bird is home from the hills and valleys

Coo roo koo, cooruku, coo ru ku, coo ku…"

Slowly the crying and sniffles abided and Ashlynn found no problem with the girl still curled into her. She continued to soothe…

"VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIII!"

The two jumped at the sudden yell and Ashlynn nearly had half a mind to stick her head out the door to 'VOI' right the hell back and see how he liked it. But with her wig gone and Haru tensing in her arms she favored the girl her attention instead. "Brighid, that man has a mouth on him. It's okay, Haru, it's just Squalo…"

"Hahi? S-Squalo?"

"That's right. He's the one with the really long white hair with the sword attached to his hand."

"Oh…Haru has….I have questions." Haru started off in her normal third person speech but switched to address herself in first person.

"And I will try to answer as much as I am able to." Ashlynn promised rubbing away the tear trails on Haru's face.

"And big sister is back with Fran if you'll let us in~?" Lussuria called from outside the room.

"Kay!" Ashlynn untangled herself from Haru and unlocked the door and let them inside before reclosing it. "What's Squalo yelling about?"

"Bel's off bothering him again."

"Which gives a while to get this little dear a disguise and a cover story before the Boss gets here and we meet for breakfast." Lussuria pushed the door of the closet open and disappeared inside.

"You guys eat together?" Ashlynn asked sitting back down on the bed next to her Haru. She had thought that the Varia eating together was a fanfiction thing.

"Of course we do~!" Lussuria called. "We're Family, why wouldn't we?"

Ashlynn shrugged. "I can't help but imagine food fights...with the cuisine not being the only weaponry..."

"That's only happened a few times." Fran scuffed his foot on the rug.

"I can imagine it being even more dangerous if Bianchi was ever involved." Ashlynn tugged a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Lussuria hummed coming out with a few hangers of clothes and three boxes. "There was an incident once when the Varia and the main Family came together once for dinner." He placed the items at the foot of the bed and beckoned for Haru to get a good look. "Now, most of these belong to our Future Ashlynn but the other girls often leave things when they come over. Since you're not an active fighter, Haru dear, I won't be giving you our Varia uniform so a pretty suit will do."

"Wh-what are the boxes for?" Haru asked.

"Wigs." Fran said scuffing the rug again.

"Think of this as one of your cosplays." Ashlynn explained. Haru nodded, perking up a little. Ashlynn gave the boxes in a question a stare. "Is there one that will match mine?"

The man paused then smiled. "Yes, in fact, we do." He returned to the closet and after a few sounds of digging he came back out and showed them a wig with the same color as Ashlynn's but was styles into two low ponytails that would brush one's collarbones. "Haru dear, before we disguise you up I need to fix Miele's braid. Come sit at the vanity will you?"

Ashlynn headed to the seat without complaint though there was a little tugging at her chest that she tried her best to ignore.

Haru frowned in confusion. "Miele?"

"Nee-san's alias." Fran sat heavily on the bed making the girl squeak a little at the bounce. "It's the Italian word for 'honey'. The nickname came from her hair color."

Lussruria stared through the vanity's mirror but it wasn't noticed because of his sun glasses. "By going with Ashlynn's we should do the same for your alias dear. I would say your hair is a very dark almond color. The Italian word for 'almond' is mandorla.

"Mandorla?" Haru tested.

"She could be my sister." Ashlynn offered as Lussuria untied the mussed up crown and her hair started easing out of its confines in waves and frizz. "From America; this would be easier to explain because neither of us can speak Italian."

Haru shook her head in protest. "I know only a little English...I...I can pretend to be mute...?"

"No, it'll be fine. Because I once heard that some people when waking from a coma, or some sort of head injury, they couldn't remember their mother tongue but for some reason were greatly fluent in another language like that was their first language." Ashlynn reasoned. At a little tug at the back of her head she winced.

"Sorry Hun," Lussuria apologized. "The story works out. You could also claim that the 'accident' that put your 'sister' in a coma also took the lives of your immediate family so Miele was recruited by me...hunh, you two will need a last name now...Miele and Mandorla...Nardovino. Nardovino derived from 'Hardwin', which is Germanic of 'strong' and 'friend'."

"Miele Nardovino. Mandorla Nardovino. I think it will work." Ashlynn tried out the names and with only a little stumble on the surname she did like how it sounded. "What do you think, Mandorla?"

Haru blinked not understanding at first that Ashlynn was referring to her but then quickly nodded her head.

"If anyone other than the main members wants to meet you, I'll introduce you as the third party. As it is, only the main members know of your real identities." Lussuria offered.

"E-eto...what's going on that we need disguises! A-and what is this place?" Haru spoke up.

Lussuria paused, directing his question at Ashlynn. "How much does she already know?"

Ashlynn sighed. "Honestly, I don't think she knows anything, she met Tsuna before she met me so I don't know if anyone bothered to inform her...Mandorla-."

Haru shook her head adamantly "Right now, Haru is Haru!"

"...Of course." Ashlynn conceded patiently. "Haru, what happened when you first met Tsuna?"

The girl pulled her knees to her chest. "Haru...Haru would see Tsuna-san and Reborn-kun go across my street every morning...Haru...I thought Reborn-kun was adorable so I wanted to be friends with him. He agreed. But then he told me that he was a world class hitman and that he was training Tsuna-san to be a mafia Boss. I...I thought that was all a game that Tsuna-san was playing to take advantage of a cute toddler. I met you the day after at the bridge and I thought you to be one of his subordinates. I lost and I told Tsuna-san that I would marry him when we got older...Tsuna-san...Tsuna-san really is going to be a mafia Boss, isn't he? And Reborn-kun, Reborn-kun really is a hitman despite being just a baby?"

"That's right, Haru dear." Lussuria confirmed finishing Ashlynn's hair into a tight crown again. "Miele, put the wig and the contacts back on before the earrings. I'll give you another pair so you can charge for her. If you need eye drops there in the drawer on your left."

"Thanks." Ashlynn gratefully took out the drops and held the bottle above her eyes and applied the solution before putting the colored contacts in. The earrings were stuck into the holes in her ears and in the mirror she saw herself change into 'Miele'. She turned around in her seat to stare the girl in the eyes. "I won't hide this from you, Miura-san. Right now we are in a very dangerous situation and you have the right to know. Has Vittore told you anything?"

Haru shook her head.

Fran grunted rolling over on his back. "You are ten years into the future because of a bazooka. And right now the Vongola is a war and we are being hunted down."

"Vongola? H-hunted?" the dark brunette gasped. "But I'm not-"

"Vongola is the name of the Family that your Tsunayoshi will grow into leading. You are targeted because of your relationship with a good many of the members." Lussuria added.

Ashlynn nodded. "Tsuna is the Boss-to be. Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, Hibari-san, Mukuro and Chrome, and myself are his Guardians."

"That means that Kyoko-chan is involved too!" she cried. "Does, does she know? And what about Bianchi-san?"

"In the mafia world, Bianchi is known as the Poison Scorpion. As for Kyoko, I really have no idea. Before our switching into the future I knew that she didn't know about the involvement in the mafia. But since I've come here I've only had contact with the Varia. That is the name of the Assassination squad. Lussuria and Fran here are core members."

"Hahi? Ano...could you say your names again?" Haru asked.

At Lussuria's wave Ashlynn introduced them. "Miura Haru, this is Lussuria; the Sun Guardian of the Varia. And Fran, the Mist Guardian. Lussuria, Fran, this is Miura Haru."

Haru nodded. "Then, Lussuria-san, why is the...Vongola...at war?"

"Because the Millefiore Family wants us dead, dear. We've tied to start negotiations up again but they aren't very responsive in the way that we'd like." Lussuria explained. "I now you have more questions dear, but we really need to get you ready before breakfast time and the Boss arrives. And you can call me Nee-san, darling."

"The Boss...you mean the future Tsuna-san?"

"No, no. Sorry dear, but it's the Varia's Boss. His name is Xanxus."

Haru deflated. "Oh."

"Miele can you trade places with her? I need her in front of the mirror for a few moments and we'll match the skin colors. Fran, time for some more magic~. Just like with Miele, if you would. Shape her eyes and her eyebrows just a little. The eye color is fine so we don't need you to wear contacts. Good...and good. Now we stand you up..." Lussuria lead the girl to the vanity chair and then a few steps back to 'Miele'. "The height's fine but narrow the shoulder's to look like Miele's, same with the hands. Perfect! Now, back on the chair and I'll braid your hair so it's easier to pin the wig down. Miele can you start charging these earrings? Thank you~!"

Ashlynn accepted the studs and began channeling her flame into the pieces.

"Like I explained to Miele before, this is an illusion that Fran is weaving upon you appearance to smooth away any chinks with the disguise. The earring that your sister is charging with her lightning flame will make sure that the illusion becomes solid and stays stable." Lussuria explained tying the last bit of hair into place and securing the wig to the girl's hair. The dark gray purple was styled with straight bangs and there were two little tufts of hair that were pulled into two low ponytails that stopped at the girl's shoulders. "Alright, last step: The clothes. Would you rather wear pants or a skirt?"

"U-umm, pants? Please?"

"Then into the bathroom you go. We'll wait for you right here and then we'll go down for breakfast, Mandorla."

"Right! Th-thank you Lussuria-nee, Fran-san, Su-" Haru shook her head. "Thank you Nee-san."

Giannini clacked a few buttons on the keyboard in front of him, smiled and then looked up to the group gathered in the conference room which consisted of Reborn, Lal Mirch, Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto. The younger Kyoko was doing chores with the help of the future Bianchi while the older Fuuta entertained the children.

"Like I thought the line matches the Vongola along with the secondary codes. So it points to the Varia group instead of any of the other assassination groups. I will play the message now."

"VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOII! Are your heads still attached to your necks! You fucking lousy brats!

"I-t's him!" Gokudera blanched as the large screen showed a close up of the future Squalo's face.

"the Ten-years later-" Tsuna gaped nearly falling out of his seat in the conference room.

Yamamoto waved happily to the screen even though it was a recording. "Squalo!"

"Lower the volume! I can't stand listening to this!" Lal growled.

"Y-yes ma'am!" Giannini affirmed the command but then muttered to himself in disbelief. "It's...it's already on its lowest possible setting..."

"Listen up closely, you brats! Just stay put right where you are! Don't leave the little dirt hole you're hiding in; even if you pick up a signal of a ring on the outside!" Squalo continued on.

Reborn's interest piqued. "He's referring to the one in Kokuyo Land."

Giannini looked back at the computer screen when it showed one of the entrances being correctly unlocked and gave an interested hum.

"Shishishishi."

"Hunh?"

The future Belphegor peeked over the couch Squalo was sitting on. "If you stay like good little kids, a very simple instruction will make its way to you."

"The knife bastard!" Gokudera glared.

"VOOOII! What the hell are you doing here?"

"The Prince got bored because Lussuria took away the Princess you guys brought from Milan and the weepy commoner Vittore brought in from Roma. So now I'm here to bother you until Lussuria's done."

Squalo glared threatening over his shoulder. "If you butt your nose in again, I'll fucking kill you!"

"I dare you."

"VOOOOOOOI!" Squalo yelled jumping over the couch and tackling Bel to the ground on the other side and two began to scuffle. Then suddenly he was in front of the screen. "I hope we meet in this time, you brats! Make sure you keep yourselves alive until then!"

Tsuna sweat dropped as the screen shut off immediately after Squalo's farewell. "As always they're a rowdy bunch...what do you suppose that 'simple instruction' is?

"It must be them then, the two just coming back from overseas." Giannini nodded to the door as it slid open.

"Sasagawa Ryohei has arrived!" a tall man with short and spiky white hair announced in the doorway with a familiar pineapple-hair styled female with a white owl in her grasp within in his arms and an equally familiar child at his side gripping onto his pant leg.

"O-onii-san!" Tsuna cried jumping out of his seat. "Chrome and Birdy!"

"Here we are~." Lussuria opened the double doors to the dining hall and sauntered to the furthest side of the table near the head where someone was sitting at the head. From behind the Guardian she spied the ten years later Xanxus with Squalo sitting on his right and the future Levi taking a spot on his left. Vittore was sitting at the Lightning Guardian's left.

"Good morning Lussuria." A saccharine voice called in English just before the man and he stopped to greet the person.

Ashlynn froze, thankfully being physically blocked on all sides. Lussuria in front, Haru on her left and Fran on her right. 'That-! That voice! It's the woman from the safe house!'

Haru glanced up at her questioningly and Ashlynn remembered herself and shook her head as not to worry the girl.

"Luciana, darling, I have these dears I want you to meet." Lussuria smiled benignly moving so that Ashlynn, Haru, and Fran could see the woman. Hitting about five feet and three inches was a platinum blonde in a very risqué white short sleeved button up with the top few buttons free so that the tops of her breasts and her nude colored bra was showing. The woman was also pushing it with how short her yellow skirt was; it barely breached past mid-thigh. The woman's light purple eyes twinkled with haughtiness and Ashlynn had the distinct feeling of being sized up like this woman needed her measurements for a coffin.

If Lussuria noticed her hands tensing or Haru's uncomfortable look when he started speaking in English as well, he ignored it. "Luciana, the one in the frog hat is Fran. He's our illusionist and a rookie Varia captain. The lovely lady next to him with our uniform is Miele Nardovino, and the sweet thing on her arm is her younger sister Mandorla. They're from one of our bases in America so Miele understands you. Darling Mandorla just recovered from a head injury but for some reason has lost her ability for her mother tongue. However she seems to have a sudden intimate understanding of the Japanese language. Fun how those things work Huh? Fran, Miele, Mandorla, this is Luciana Veneri. Her father, Remigio, and her grandfather Arsenio are important associates of the Vongola."

"A pleasure." Luciana smiled. "You all have such lovely coloring. And America you say? Which state?"

Ashlynn managed to twitch the corners of her mouth into a sweet smile as she answered in English. "California, Miss Veneri, just off Sacramento."

Luciana flipped her hair over her shoulder primly. "Ah, California. I especially like the beach over in San Diego but not as much as the ones here in Italy. We'll talk more on it sometime, won't we?"

'That's doesn't sound like a request.' Ashlynn nodded agreeably. "If you'd like."

"Will you be joining us for the meal, my sweet?" Lussuria asked.

"I will be." Luciana switched her attention and ignored the three. "But I will be further along the table then you core members. I'm afraid I'm not very important yet."

"Then we shall talk later~." The man giggled and led the way towards the end. Lussuria nodded for Ashlynn to take the seat next to Squalo and Haru sat next to her and then Fran next to Haru while Lussuria made his way to the other side to take the between Vittore and Belphegor who was spinning a knife on the pad of his pinkie. Ashlynn took a moment to lean over to Haru and explain what had just happened. Haru nodded slipping her hand into hers and Ashlynn gave the limb a reassuring squeeze.

"Ushishishishi." Bel laughed resting his elbows on the white tablecloth around the plate that was just set in front of him.

Ashlynn allowed her eyes to rise from her own plate to greet the Storm Guardian in Japanese for Haru's benefit and felt, more than saw the girl's attention perk at the title as she pulled her hand away. "Hello Prince." Ashlynn looked around the edge of the table. Squalo was scowling as he dug into his plate, Levi was doing his best to ignore her in favor of watching his Boss, Xanxus was biting into a slab of meat, and Vittore was grinning like a fool as his lifted a croissant to his mouth.

"Trash." Came Xanxus' voice.

"Xanxus." Ashlynn replied, sticking her fork into the golden potatoes on her plate and eating it slowly. 'This...is part awkward... and part surreal.' The man didn't say anything else and she wasn't going to start any sort of conversation so she continued on eating until her plate was cleared and slowly the dining area began to filter out. The moment Xanxus' plate was cleared he stood up and stalked out of the room and Ashlynn watched as Luciana stood as if her seat burned her and followed after, stopping once to hike her already short skirt a little higher, on her way out.

Bel grinned savagely. "There goes the little harlot again~. Ushishishi."

"H-harlot?" Haru look scandalized almost tipping over her glass of juice. 'That man didn't look very inviting-desu. How scary!'

"She certainly fits the bill." Ashlynn agreed nonchalantly. "Her boobs were nearly pooping out of her shirt and that skirt of hers is short enough to count as lingerie. She's not in your guy's uniform, so what's her job here?"

Levi scowled. "Nothing. It is her father and Grandfather that we have business with. She only hangs around to earn the Boss' favor."

"So she's here because she's got googly eyes for Xanxus?...she and Xanxus...granted I'm not...from here... but I'm not seeing it. Then again my first impression of her was a little fearful because I didn't want to be caught beneath a kitchen sink but being introduced to her wasn't much better. Skank." Ashlynn twisted in her chair so she could crack her back.

Squalo caught the hint and smirked.

Lussuria tittered. "No one can see that couple happening besides the woman in question. The Boss is very attractive and draws in the female gaze but..."

"His settings are stuck on angry." She grinned.

Levi growled at the supposed jab. Squalo kicked his chair beneath the table, breaking the wood, and sending the man wobbling to the ground. He ignored his grumblings and yelled out to those that were still in the dining room, being the grunts and the buildings staff. "VOOOOOOOOII! All of you trash get out!"

In fear, despite some plates not being finished and the dining staff not retrieving said plates, the personnel fled so as to gain the core member's ire.

"Our present ...Boss is dead." Squalo started before anyone could move. Haru tensed and Ashlynn took her hand beneath the table in her own. Levi scowled mumbling under his breath, but purposely loud enough for everyone to hear him say that Xanxus was the rightful Boss. Squalo paid them no heed and continued. "But it turns out that the brat from the past switched with him, along with the sword brat and bomber brat. The past Reborn is there as well. Today the present Sasagawa should meet with them and give them their next instructions."

Haru moved to open her mouth but Ashlynn squeezed her hand firmly and shook her head.

"Brat." Squalo glanced over.

Ashlynn nodded.

"We leave tomorrow morning to get in position for another raid. You will stick with Vittore and the rookie, got it?"

"Got it. What about...Mandorla?"

Lussuria clasped his hands together. "She'll be under my protection my sweet. No need to worry so much."

"And another thing. The only people who know we have you are those present here and Birdy who is off in another country by now." Squalo told her. "So far the enemy believes that you and the kid here have been spirited off to another safe house. We're going to let them think that. Concerning San Donato Ninea, the enemy is under the impression that we moved you out of there and left a plant. That safe house is now in ruins in their attempt to smoke anyone out."

"...So what do we do now?" Ashlynn asked.

"Training~." Lussuria sang.

Birdy was upset.

While she was glad to have found the people who had gone missing...the person she was most worried about was nowhere in sight. Because Nii-san didn't know where Nee-chan was or who knew where she was, Birdy had to ask herself. And she had come across the ten years older Fuuta-kun and Bianchi-Nee.

"Where is Nee-chan? Is she here?" Birdy asked slipping her hand into Bianchi's hand as the woman led her to the room she was going to share with Kyoko-nee, I-pin-chan, and Lambo-kun.

Bigger Fuuta-kun shook his head lightly. "The older Ashlynn-nee had to go into hiding."

"Nii-san told me that already." Birdy's frown deepened.

Bianchi patted her head. "Our Ashlynn is going to be a mommy soon. So to protect her and her baby from the bad people, she's in a secret house, and only a few people know the location."

"...I meant my Nee-chan."

"Yours? Well sweetie, I don't know. If she switched with her future self then the people that knows where she is will tell us. But right now we don't know who knows so we'll have to wait until they contact us, okay? That way if she really didn't switch then she'll be safe because no one is announcing that she did."

"So she'll be safe from the bad people?"

"That's right."

Omake Scene:

"Here she is, Taicho." Lussuria nudged her forward as they got in position to overtake the base in Milan.

Squalo nodded. "Name?"

"Miele."

"…"

"…"

"I'm not fucking calling you that." He said finally.

Ashlynn raised a purple eyebrow. "And why the hell not?"

"You realize that it sounds like a stripper name?"

"...Fuck you, Squalo."

-I was very unsure of how the first interactions with Future Xanxus turned out...I'm going to have to put together a few more to make a later scene seem more natural...

The Glossary:

Labret piercing: If you're confused, think of Konan's piercing from Naruto or Google a real picture…but basically it's a piercing, that is a ball, and in this case it is placed in that little dip beneath the bottom lip.

Amiable: '1) Having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable: an amiable disposition. 2) Friendly; sociable 3) agreeable; willing to accept the wishes, decisions, or suggestions of another or others

Mischief: This is one way to say a group of rats.

Italian:

'Comandante': meaning 'commander'….or 'leader'.

'Miele': meaning 'honey', it is pronounced 'Me-elle-ay'

Mandorla: meaning 'almond'.

'Uno scudo?: - a shield?

La signora ha una affinità fulmine! Lei ci ha salvati!: The lady has a lightning affinity! She saved us!

Lo scudo non durerà per sempre, è feccia! Muoviti a meno che non si vuole veramente essere schiacciato!: The shield won't last forever, you scum! Get moving unless you really want to be crushed!

Japanese:

'Taicho': 'Captain' or 'Leader' (as in squad leader)

Irish:

'Caomhnoir': meaning 'Guardian'. For a long while I thought this was pronounced as 'Cow-mh-noir', it is actually pronounced as 'Kwee-noir'

'Meagher': meaning 'majestic fire' in Irish. I've found a few ways to say this and one that I previously chose, (May-her). But I have decided that Mar (as in Mars but without the s) is phonetically better, especially with Japanese pronunciation. So to clarify, Ashlynn's last name is pronounced 'Mar'.

'Seanathair': I'm sure I've frustrated a few with not saying how this is pronounced. 'Shawn-ah-hur' is the correct way to say it.

'Saorla': Means 'Noble Queen'. It is pronounced 'SAYR-La'

'Ailbhe': Means 'White King' or 'World King'. It is pronounced as 'Al-Vyeh'

Important! It's not for a while yet, but I will accept location ideas for the Choice Battle. Don't get me wrong, the canon location within skyscrapers is cool and all but, well, we're already deviating from canon with Ashlynn and Haru being in Italy so; what's another change to throw her off? Bonus points if it's a real place, even more so if it's from our world (Something Ashlynn would recognize)

Also: Shoichi and Daisy will still be the one being the 'target' in choice, and Tsuna and Torikabuto will still be chosen to fight. But should I switch up the other choice members?