Interlude - The First Flame War

Excerpt from the book "World History: Men and Flames", by Ayato Gokudera, 3rd Edition.

"The First Flame War, also known as The War to End All Wars, began in March 14th, 1900, and would only end one year later, on July 1st, 1901, with the signing of the Peace Treaty between Italy and Japan on the frozen and neutral grounds of Moscow, Russia.

For years before, tension had grown between Italy, ruled by the young but powerful Vongola Famiglia, and the Island of Japan, by then already under the control of the recently formed Hibari Clan, when the head of the latter succeeded the Emperor Meiji after marrying his eldest daughter, Princess Ume.

It is unknown what exactly was the change that turned this previously uneasy but coldly cordial relationship into the wildfire of war and destruction that would forever mark the world, though many speculate the reason to be the insult paid to Japan when Italy tried to force their way inside the country by having the Emperor sign a trade agreement (that would not survive the war) with them, or the attempt murder on Emperor Hibari's life. Though there are some conflicting reports with that last theory, as many historians say that the attempt was made on the Emperor's adopted charge by Sicilian assassins sent by the Italian Mafia. A child that was rumored to belong to the Emperor's only concubine, a woman of great beauty whose name has since been lost to the pages of history.

Whatever the reason may be, Emperor Hibari answered the slight with the ruthlessness his line would be known for in the future; during the second week of March, 1900, the Head of the Asari Clan, whose previleges as a samurai family had been restored under the new Emperor's reign, arrived on the Port of Civitavecchia in the early hours of the 14th, and departed back to Japan within the same day, carrying with him a sack containing the heart of Ricardo di Vongola's eldest son.

If the world hadn't been made aware of Flames before that day, they certainly would have been then; they say Vongola Secondo's wrath was so terrible a thing to behold, that the Quirinal Palace had to be evacuated by his Guardians. The remains of the historical structure can be found now in ruins of crumbled towers and half-melted stones.

During the following year, every country would watch in shock and bated breath as the two warring nations fought for dominance, creating battles that reshaped the very landscape. Italian cities would burn down in a matter of hours by the hands of its own citizens after Japanese Mists infiltrated the gates and sent them into madness that could only be dispelled by Vongola Secondo's own Mist Guardian; multi-colored Flames could be seen day in and day out, lighting up Japan's coast as they tried to beat back the relentless intruders over and over again. It took years for the regions of Luccania and Puglia to rebuild their lost cities and plantations, and Japan had to abandon many of their towns and villages to be pillaged and raped, while trying to recover their fallen from the ocean's deep. Ships from both countries would sail out and never be seen again, burned down to their husk. To this day, bodies can still be found in both coasts.

In the end, no one knows the war's exact body count, but no one would be surprised to discover it is somewhere between hundreds of thousands."

Except from the private jornal of Princess Ume Hibari, wife of Emperor Hibari, also known as The First Hibari. Currently kept hidden from the public eye in a secret safe only those of the Imperial House of Japan have access to.

"June the 29th, 1901

My husband has that look in his eyes again; that restless, caged look he always bear when he thinks someone is trying to force him into a cage. It has been some time since I've last seen that look on his face. Not since he beat the Head of the Ceremonies, Yoshimura-san, to near death after the pretensions man tried to get him to act 'as befitting a proper Emperor'.

All the court seems to think that just because my husband wasn't born as a son of our powerful nation, he isn't fit to be my spouse, much less our Emperor; the fools don't see what my honored Father and I saw in him on that fateful night when he intercepted an assassination that would have stolen my Father's life: he might not have the blood of our people, but Hibari certainly has our spirit. Discipline, honor, strength, respect... he embodies all those valors and more.

And yet, I can't help but sometimes agree with the courtiers. Hibari might have been born to rule, but he chaffes against the rules and chains such a position of power bestows upon him.

Even now, I can hear he pacing inside his bed chamber. He wants to enter the battlefield, his warrior's blood yearns for the sound of battle, for the clash of steel against steel, gun against gun, Flame against Flame. Though the redhead and the young one are absent, fighting in the frontline against those Italian barbarians, the Priest and Asari-sama are in there, trying to disuade him of this terrible idea and alay his stress, as good advisors should, but years of married life have taught me it is for naught. Only one person could offer my husband peace, but that person is dead, and the only piece left of them is gone, spirited away to a secure location Hibari won't disclose, not even to me.

I miss my husband's Concubine. Miss the blond hair that shone golden like the sun and those orange eyes that burned in the firelight; I miss how warm his Flames would feel against my own indigo ones. How his mussed hair would look spilling on the pillow, how those eyes turned hazy from pleasure as he looked up at me as I rode him.

If it hurts me this much, I, who only knew him for a few short years, I can't even imagine the agony my husband and the others must be going through, after spending most of their childhood and their whole adult lives together.

I am not afraid to admit I don't want to known.

Tomorrow, my husband will ride into battle, with or without his comrades' aid.

Tomorrow, this wretched war will end.

(I hope Alaude brings back the Vongola and his Mist's heads. They will be an excellent gift for the child growing in my womb. We could put them up as decoration in the nursery's wall)

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AN: The time line of this world is getting pretty messed up, but I'm trying my best. So, just enjoy?