Chapter 39

Final Countdown

"Was there ever in anyone's life span a point free in time, devoid of memory, a point when choice was any more than sum of all the choices gone before?"
― Joan Didion

Run River

Vongola intuition provided the person with signs and internal understanding that were borderline spiritual in its nature. In any given situation or amongst people themselves, this intuition revealed itself more powerfully than others. It was a gift that not all Vongola had but nevertheless, it was something that the closer the relation to the original Vongola bloodline, the more likely one was to have was why all Vongola bosses have had it. Xanxus grew up knowing that the old man had Vongola intuition but he would always hear from the elders that even then it paled in comparison to that of the first Vongola.

His blood boiled at the reminder of what he wasn't and his radioactive flame pulsed in turn for he lacked that bloodline intuition.

But just because he did not have the Vongola intuition, that did not make him a man who was taken easily by surprise. Xanxus was a warrior, the leader of fiercest and most feared assassin groups in the world. This was not a small feat nor was it by accident.

And one of the many manifestations of his aptitude for his title was an intuition that came from those who were instinctive warrior types. He knew without much effort when a mission would be troublesome as well as unworthy adversaries. Xanxus could smell the scum that he knew they were.

Xanxus has always had the unique awareness of presence, and so since he was nothing more than a hood rat when he was younger; he long since began to hone the very advantages that made him deadly man he was today.

And now that coiled instinct inside him, he felt it throbbing and pulsing low and deep since he woke up this morning. It wasn't fear, because he was Xanxus, he inspired fear. No, he mused, his body simultaneously grounding itself , it was excitement.

His second in command had come in but Xanxus wasn't paying attention to him. Nevertheless Squalo easily fell into step with him, as a very capable and trusted right hand that he was; no words were necessary in this moment, and while Squalo was known for being boisterous he knew very well what he needed to do at a particular moment. Especially when it regarded the man he has been following since boyhood.

Xanxus' body heard the battle drum of a war coming over the horizon and he couldn't wait. When Xanxus did finally turn his attention to Squalo, one look at him and Xanxus saw the shift in Squalo's position and knew that the time was nearing even more so than he expected. Squalo was tense and upright, solemn, very much like a sword ready at Xanxus' earliest desire.

"Start getting all the trash ready. Tonight will be when the Cinquemani meet their end."

In the closest Xanxus ever came to having a Vongola intuition, a thought permeated his mind that after tonight, nothing would be the same.

He had no idea.

Cinquemani HQ

Sicily

Indignation and anger was thick in the air. The desire of battle, the need for revenge and outcries for blood were a heady taste on all the Cinquemani tongues.

Don Cinquemani appeared before his men, Alphonse took a few steps back to give him center stage for the proclamation that everyone had been waiting for.

Alphonse was ready for this battle, he couldn't wait until this whole ordeal was over and he was finally at the top where he deserved to be. But for now, he bided his time, he had waited years for this, solely moving up the ranks, gaining the Varia's trust and also learning, watching, looking for weak spots.

"From my eyes and ears inside the Varia, we have confirmed that Pupetta is there, we have been at this war for a long enough...and this is the last straw!" Don Cinquemani raised his voice and the men roared. Alphonse waited patiently, watching intently, as the climax was nearing.

"It's time we end this once and for all. Tonight we go full force!"

"FOR PUPETTA!" Someone screamed amongst the masses in the back and everyone else picked it up as their war cry until the whole place shook and thundered with that name.

Alphonse made his way through the Cinquemani HQ, already savoring the victory that was to come. Especially now that the full thrust of the Cinquemani was on board when Don Cinquemani had relayed to the famiiglia that Pupetta had been kidnapped by the Varia. That was the legitimate reason they posed to attack the Varia, seems the little frail looking heiress was quite the popular one amongst all the ranks, and coming from Don Cinquemani himself-who would question it?

Of course after the Cinquemani attacked, They would find her of course, courtesy of him and his access to the deepest dungeons. Whether alive or dead, depended on compliance. Don Cinquemani hadn't specified anyways, Alphonse surmised, he wasn't sure just how betrayed the Don felt to care if his daughter died or not, but Alphonse was all the same going to blame it on the Varia if it came down to it.

You know what they say, dead men can't tell no secrets.

Alphonse was ready to drive his knife deep into the very Varia and tear it, and all the upper echelons to shreds.

He was brimming with excitement; he had never felt better in his life. His body pulsed with the dark flame he had acquired by force from Federico, it was humming in his veins yearning to destroy. He finally had his own flame now, something had been denied him since the ceremony of his youth transition long ago. But now, he was exactly with what should've been his, someone as weak and paltry as Federico didn't deserve a flame. His long awaited power was now here, he had wanted to sacrifice his sister to get it, but he got it now nevertheless. And who knows? Once he was done with the Varia and took the position that should've been his- that of the boss-he would be free to sacrifice her still to get an even more powerful flame.

There was no guarantee of course that he would achieve that, but he had nothing to lose. He couldn't keep her alive anyways, even if he had wanted to.

Now was the time for his era that was denied to him before when he had failed the Valencia flame trial. The title of boss belonged to him, the son of Valencia, for it was always this Spanish side branch that took hold of the Varia since long ago-since it was them who founded it.

Alphonse grinned, truly after tonight he mused, nothing would ever be the same.

The whole ride back to the Varia, Amina was feeling horribly anxious. It was jittery feeling, as if she had drunk more caffeine than was good for her, but there was also something low and dark about it. However she tried to explain it, there was nothing in her memory bank that she could compare it to. It was a feeling right before a rollercoaster dipped, before one jumped off a cliff and her body was screaming fight, survival, war.

It was quite frankly freaking her out, but she had to bear with it. God only knew how many days she had lost, she had to get back to the rogue regime ASAP. They had to execute their plan and fast. Brianna had been on Alphonse's side (literally; it made her want to vomit) and Amina wasn't sure who else, it was true that she couldn't trust anyone right now; meaning they had to execute their plan soon save other people get corrupted if they aren't already.

There was still that issue of how she was going to explain Brianna to Esposito but first thing was first.

Why the hell didn't Italy have better signalization! How did people know where they were supposed to go? She fought the urge to hit her wheel, where was her grid system like in good ol' Manhattan!?

Grimacing, as if she had opened a throbbing wound, she couldn't think about anything resembling home right now. Amina would probably start crying or getting mad, and she did not have the emotional distance or fortitude about the situation to think about her old life calmly.

Right now, there was just her and Alphonse. She was going to zero in on that because she had gone too far now to backtrack.

Fede.

It was a burn on her tongue, a easel sketched into her mind. She could feel his presence, more so, as insane as it was, she swore it was him guiding her back to Vicovaro because she didn't understand these damn maps.

Don't worry Fede, she silently spoke to him, not expecting (or rather hoping she wouldn't) a response back.

I won't let Alphonse get away with what he did to you and what what he stole from you.

It sent shivers down her spine just thinking about it. Just what did that man do? She had never seen anything like it. Was it a satanic ritual? Perhaps Alphonse truly had sold his soul to devil, she sure wouldn't be surprised. Just how did one literally suck out the living life and soul out of someone? Furthermore, those black flames he got because of it-oh God her heart sped up just thinking about it. Celeste had thought she was going to die right then and there. It was freaky, like get out the holy oil and and close your eyes kind of freaky.

Regardless one thing was clear: She wouldn't rest until she destroyed him.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this Fiorellino? It's not too late to go back to your father."

No, no, no.

It was impossible.

Amina furrowed her eyebrows and slightly blanched as she turned ever so hesitantly and slowly to her co-pilot seat.

Federico Vongola sat there in his pristine glory, softening when their gazes met though worry and urgency still filled them. The sun painting almost an ethereal look about him, but there was no mistaking it, he was there next to her and tangible.

She began screaming, almost swerving into a car coming from the other direction. The other car honked at her loudly, pulling her out of her momentary lapse of insanity, she could hear whoever drove the other car saying quite a few choice words, none of them kind and all of them crude, about women and driving as he sped away.

Amina pulled the car over to the side to get her bearings together and she leaned her head onto her wheel. It was just a mirage Celeste, she began telling herself, soothing it over and over like a mantra. He won't be there again, it's the stress, it's the anxiety talking, he won't be there. She began taking deep breaths to calm her heartbeat and slowly looked up from the wheel and opened her right eye to gaze towards where she had last seen him.

And lo and behold he was still there.

Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod. . . Thank God she had stopped the car.

"How is this possible?!" She choked out, desperately wanting to not know she had actually gone insane but also some naive little part of her wanted to desperately hear that he had somehow survived.

He must've seen it in her eyes, she was always the type to show everything there and Federico was always really good at reading her. He gave her a wistful smile, he wanted touch her, no one else knew her enough to know that was the face she made when she was about to cry.

"Cara mia," his voice washed over her and she closed her eyes, unable to bear this terrible illusion any no longer. Instead she would save his voice to memory, that soft timbre.

"Do you remember when I lifted my finger to your forehead?"

She opened her eyes suddenly, flinching. She saw it all over again, Alphonse's cruel and sadistic smile, the sudden knife, his gasp, her scream and then the blood.

So much blood.

She felt angry then, but this time at him for making her remember that awful feeling of having his blood on her hands. It was an unrealistic and highly pedantic anger that much she knew but she didn't stop herself. Later she would know that was a different costume grief liked to wear but now, it was just a painful anger that furrowed deep in her core.

An anger born not just because he left her (childish, her mind seethed, he didn't want to leave you) but because right before he died he reminded her of just of how much he meant to her.

He gave her memories and there was nothing like seeing herself, seeing them, seeing him through his own perspective. She felt his love for her, the way he cared for her, indulged her, thought for her.

She fell deeply in love as his blood poured all over her hands. It was so incredibly cruel.

(Unreasonable, but alas, who knew how to quell a broken heart?)

"How will I ever forget?" It was a raw hollow sound and Federico flinched slightly. "You burned yourself into my soul." Without asking permission, that was the way he always was, smiling with essence of summer and vineyards-and there he went again!

He was smiling that stupid smile (that she loved but now it just made her angry) how dare he!

She wasn't really mad at him, but right now he was the only thing she could fixate herself on.

(But in being angry with him wasn't she also demonstrating how unyielding she is on letting him go, even if it's in a negative way?)

"Its called a dying will flame. All Vongola have it in varying degrees, bosses have it strong as a hallmark. But I did something more than simply manifest my flame, I passed my will onto you: that's what you felt and saw. I gave you a piece of me."

"Why?"

"Because I knew I wasn't going to last. I couldn't fathom what Alphonse ended up doing-." His voice shook then, not out of fear but a barely constrained anger. Federico wasn't the type to give way to anger but this time, he was a sight she had gotten to know-a Federico who had been pushed into a corner he had been unable to get out of.

"But one thing was clear: I needed someway to not leave you on your own, even though I wasn't enough to protect you." He ended bitterly and that's when she understood, she was just as much a weight on his heart as she he was hers.

What a wonderful romance, life truly was cruel.

Amina softened past her anger and she outstretched her hand to rest it on his knee to warm that bitter look in his eyes-only to have it go right through him. Her heart lurched in pain as her eyes widened and looking to him for answers.

"I'm not really here Fiorellino. What you see is my will, what you hear is the vestiges of my dying will." He explained and it was so surreal to her, by God, insanity never felt so bittersweet.

"So you're just a mirage? A figment of my imagination." Bitter indeed. She never wanted to speak to him like that but while this encounter should be bringing out the best in her; it was doing the complete opposite.

"No, you haven't gone insane. Rather it's best to think of me as a projection of a flame that currently dwells in your mind. But that flame isn't eternal; it is fixed."

What? Flames could do something like that? A hologram based off of the very essence of who once was. Federico mentioned that Vongola bosses always had strong flames, clearly his must've been rather impressive to pull off something like this. "When are you leaving me?" She was growing worried again, he was so near, how would she cope with him gone again?

He hesitated. "I'm sorry, I don't know, I'm hoping that at least a day."

A day. 24 hours. Breath lungs, beat you stilling heart. Summoning a courage and a strength she didn't even know she had, she looked right into eyes and asked, "Where do we go from here? What do you need from me? What can I do?" She truly wanted to aide him, anyway she could. That's all she had ever wanted: to be useful to those she loved.

"I need you to think carefully about Alphonse-" she cut him off with a scoff. Utterly sick and tired of men questioning her resolve.

"I'm not questioning it my love. I know you are head strong and fierce. I care first and foremost about you," Fede pointed out and she felt slightly ashamed. "But revenge is a heady mistress that will change your life forever. You won't be able to turn back."

"It's too late for turning back now Fede. Look at what he did to you! Look at what he did to me!" Her life had irrevocably changed. Yes, she was well aware it was rather crazy what was going on but for justice she just couldn't let it go. Too much had changed. " Can't you see? He destroyed my life, not to mention I've lost people along the way too! You have no idea what I have had to survive through."

And so right there, in the middle of the road in Italy, Celeste began to unload and told him everything. It was a not a pretty sight but it did feel cathartic. She told him about CC and Antonino's death, how she had been kidnapped by Alphonse since she had been at the wrong place at the wrong time which eventually led to her becoming an amnesiac servant in the Varia mansion, how the only friend she had made, Camilla, was murdered because Alphonse had been aiming for her. The rogue regime who was deathly loyal to Pupetta whom she had joined and was now leading into a coup in order to get to the person responsible for all this mess. Alphonse the twisted puppeteer behind the whole Cinquemani-Vongola feud and Don Cinquemani even being in on it so he had a legitimate reason to take down the Vongola and get rid of the boyfriend that he didn't like. Meeting her father for the first time in 10 years. The devastation that she was not entirely over when she found out that Alphonse was her brother.

Federico was utterly astounded. "Dio mio. I had no idea this problem had permeated so many levels."

She nodded, it's been such a convoluted problem.

"You need to let know Vongola HQ know about the Cinquemani. I have no doubt they will attack tonight, too many pieces are in place right now for them to pass up such an opportunity what with Pupetta now conveniently being held in the Varia HQ by Alphonse."

"Are you crazy? They won't believe me, I'm nobody."

"You have me." He interjected, i will guide you.
Before she could give a sensible rebuttal as to how there was no way this affair could succeed, he pierced right through her with his soft yet firm, pleading gaze.

"They will come at the main HQ and Varia so neither can assist each other. I would much rather you go to Vongola HQ altogether and avoid the scuffle but I know you wouldn't do such a thing. But please, I implore you, Cara Mia, save my Vongola."

Save my Vongola.

She swallowed and took a deep breath. Here stood the man she loved, who she literally owed her life to. Celeste had asked him what she could do, and here it was, her cross to carry. While she still had her own agenda, what would she be, if she let fear and anxiety overcome her and not take heed of the only request he has ever made of her?

Every fiber of her being knew this man had lived, breathed and ate Vongola. His dedication was unparalleled and now he was seeing the thing he held so near about to crumble before his eyes; utterly impotent to do anything on his own.

He wouldn't have asked her if there was any other way.

And this would probably be the first and last request he ever makes, her mind softly reminded her.

She took another deep breath past her rational mind and with resolve Celeste looked at him as Federico's face mirrored her own.

"What's the plan?"

The first step was contacting the base. Federico instructed her to pull into the next town, one he knew when he left the mansion to explore and get to know his island.

They began walking together and it was really hard for Celeste to act as if she didn't have someone beside her as to not draw attention to herself. Just because she saw him, didn't mean others did. If she began speaking to him, the next she knew she would probably be sent to a psychiatric ward.

God help her, she would never be able to argue her way out of one.

He walked ahead of her into a little shop.

"Ask the shop owner how his dog is doing"

She fought really hard to not give him a pointed look, it was good Federico knew her well enough that she did not need to look at him to know what was going through her head.

That was the power of the imprint his will left on her, that coupled with their earlier bond; it was a synchronization unlike anything else.

"Trust me." He mouthed and encouraged her towards the older Italian keeper.

"Scuze! Come vai il perro?"

The man immediately softened and began gushing excitedly about his puppy.

"Ask about how his puppy was after the hunt." Celeste obliged, never once showing how internally she was praying non-stop this would work.

The man raised an eyebrow and looked to the left and right and then leaned into her and in a hushed voice, firmly asked what was her affiliation.

Vongola, she stated. And the man immediately inclined his head respectfully. "I know the young master well" and he's fond of you too she stated softly.

With a warm glance her way, knowing she needed something Amina didn't stall and asked her the usage of a private line.

He brought her into the back of the shop and she began dialing the numbers Federico told her.

Federico only looked at her with a look that only he could pull off, a twinkle of mischief at seeing her shock when he knew all along it would work out, while simultaneously being sturdy and bright, something that gave her no other alternative but to lean towards him, like a sunflower towards the sun.

As it rung, her eyes never wavering from using Fede's as an anchor, her mind swam in incredulity at how well this was working out.

Absolutely insane.

To say CEDEF was a mess was an understatement of the year.

Oregano could not remember anytime in her time here (and she has been here since a teenager) that it was this frantic and chaotic.

The Cinquemani business was bad all around, many ops had been halted as it ceased being safe to send operatives when people were switching alliances left and right.

They had less eyes in less places but they couldn't risk losing manpower if full war broke out. They would've been used as hostages-if kept alive that is.

Oregano drenched her head under the bathroom faucet. She needed to stay awake, it's been 48 hours since she last slept but that was no excuse for slipping up.

The field was bad, and with less eyes active they couldn't see much coming their way in advance. She frowned, this kind of predicament was the most dangerous.

Furthermore, Iemitsu had been AWOL helping an old acquaintance. How this was time for it, she couldn't see. There was a time and place for everything and things were too uncertain for the head that everyone needs decides to just bounce out. She was fuming quietly, her stoic face never breaking. She opened the door violently-the only way she could express her anger as she had too much respect and decorum to visibly let Iemitsu know-only to hit a woman square in the face.

"Aye!" The woman yelped and fell to the floor from the impact. Oregano rushed to her side, embarrassed and worried. "I'm terribly sorry, i should've been more careful."

"It's alright niña. I'm stubborn enough to handle a hit like this." She joked while rubbing her forehead and Oregano couldn't help but give a small smile in return to the woman's warm temperament.

The woman in question had rambunctious curly black hair and skin of a rich brown hue. She was short of stature but the energy and warmth she exuded from her plump body gave her an immediate presence. But the most expressive portion of her were her eyes, they were the warmest black eyes she had ever seen.

This woman clearly was not mafia-that kind of open expression didn't belong here.

"Who are you?" Oregano quizzically asked, there was no way that a civilian just waltzed in here.

"Ah, I'm Angela Guerrero an old acquaintance of Iemitsu."

Oregano's eyes widened in surprise at the mystery woman. This was the woman she was angry at in her mind only a couple of minutes earlier?

Suddenly she understood why Iemitsu left the way she did. The aura this woman gave off, of tenderness and warmth was enough to make anyone want to help her in her time of need. Not because of physical attraction-though she certainly had an appeal-but because one couldn't help but feel obliged to do good because she was good to you.

"I'm Oregano, I work with-" she was cut off by the woman's exuberant exclamation and warm handshake. "So your oregano? Iemitsu never mentioned how lovely you are! Im sure you have a lot to put up with but even if he doesn't say it outright, thank you for your hard work and dedication." She laughed, "I can only imagine the way you swung that door was because of him. He was always too fresh and chill for his own good. Even in his younger days. Instead of young lion he should've just been named young pain!"

The older woman smiled in fondness and gave Oregano a repentant smile on his behalf. "He's a good man though so please have patience."

Oregano was moved to stillness and her embarrassment only increased by the woman's character as she thought back to how she was mad at this woman without knowing her story or who she was.

Oregano could only nod and give a faint smile, not showing any teeth but still showing her understanding and appreciation.

However, that triggered something-what, Oregano did not know-but she saw the flash of pain in that woman and to Oregano's horror, the woman began to cry.

She began fussing and apologizing profusely, even going as far as bowing to the older woman. Silently berating herself for her clear lack of etiquette and social adequacy.

With a wave of her hand, the older woman began telling Oregano to settle down, that it wasn't her fault.

"Forgive my sensibility, you just reminded me of my daughter. She does that smile when she is uncomfortable to smile fully or does not fully comprehend what is occurring or how she should be responding. It was like looking at a mir-", Angela was unable to respond as she began sobbing.

Oregano quickly ran back inside the bathroom to get tissues, the only thing she could think of to do. Where was Iemitsu when she needed him? Surely he would know how to handle the situation.

As Oregano passed her the tissues and Angela seemed to settle down, "Has it been a long time since you have seen your daughter?" She inquired, not fully comprehending why the woman was under such grief.

Angela nodded and smiled bitterly. "She was kidnapped, I haven't seen her in months. I actually thought she was dead."

It was like a sucker punch to Oregano's stomach and she paled in horror. Part in sympathy at what this woman must've been going through and also at her own callousness.

Now she understood why Iemitsu left as quickly as he did.

She would've as well if a close friend told me that, Oregano also surmised that he probably knew the daughter in question as well.

Oregano didn't know what to say to that piece of information, a simple "sorry" is so paltry and overstated at this point. Luckily, Angela caught the young woman's loss for words and saved her from having to say some sort of superficial condolence.

"She called me recently and I needed someone I could trust so I called Iemitsu, he was the only one I could turn to in a moment like this; not even the girl's father is reliable." She muttered under her breath some curses in spanish about that no-good untrustworthy man and Oregano could practically feel the woman's anger towards him.

Oregano didn't know who the man was, but she sure wouldn't want to be him in this moment.

That aside, Iemitsu was the right person for the job, as CEDEF head, he had a lot of connections and if there was something shady about her kidnapping-nothing too horrible, Oregano hoped, she had seen the darkness of the underworld and each time she thought she had seen the worst, there was always someone else to prove her wrong-he was the man to turn to.

"He'll find your daughter." She said in full certainty and trust of the man she served, she knew that if there was anyone who could and would do this, it was Iemitsu. Angela could only nod out of her sadness. Any other circumstance, Angela would've smiled at the sight of such loyalty and faith, though the girl infront of her was young, possibly just a couple of years older than her daughter, it was clear that she knew a lot about Iemitsu and held him in high esteem.

"Oregano" She turned behind her to see who called her in such a rushed manner and saw it was one of the other CEDEF members who handles direct communications. "What is it Annato?" All bonafide CEDEF members always went by their spice handle, no exceptions; it was actually a source of pride amongst them to have such a distinguishing quality.

"There's a call."

"Yes, I garnered as much since you aren't at your post. Why are you here is the question."

The newer member winced a bit, still not used to her direct and matter-of-fact manner. It wasn't done out of malice, but it was simply the way she was.

"Well," He began rather sheepishly, "I got a call that I'm used to answering and quite frankly I don't know how to respond to, it's above my paygrade and knew you would be better equipped."

That perked Oregano's attention, and Angela had enough sense of self to know she had to retreat herself because of important matters that did not involve her. In a place that handle so much information, where one's life was gained or lost because of it, she wasn't going to start putting herself in compromising positions now. Angela was focused on getting back her daughter at that was it-she could careless about anything else. Her daughter was her very world.

"Niña, I can find Iemitsu on my own, you take care of what you need to." Oregano nodded and gave an apologetic smile to the older woman and took her leave after a slight bow.

As they were walking to where the secure line was Oregano turned to Annato. "What was the code used that made you so hesitant?"

"Lilium candidum"

Oregano almost stopped walking at that. "What did you just say?!" She began walking quicker, almost jogging. The man fought the urge to say I-told-you-so.

She didn't believe her ears. Lillium Candidium, only five people knew of that code as of right now, of who could wield it. That was Iemitsu, Tumeric, Lal, Nonno, the next-in-line, and herself. However of that list, one was the creator, and the recipient of that code-the person for whom it was made for- wasn't even in that list. This was how much secrecy that code had, and how much priority is given to that user. She didn't know it was already in effect. How was this possible? How was she not notified?

Oregano picked up the phone but she was wary. Stranger things have happened and though that code was given utmost secrecy, she needed to check that this was not a breach and actually who it needed to be. "Bon pommeriggio," Oregano answered smoothly and waited patiently for the response, she was trained enough to notice any sort of hesitation, or indication that they were being played.

"Bon pommerigio" The voice on the other end responded, female and young, was as equally soft as it was polite. Okay, nothing so far, the fact that it was female was exactly what was supposed to happen but Oregano still wasn't biting. She wasn't going to be the reason the CEDEF fell during a feud, her age was not a reason for incompetence.

Time for the test, if this girl really was the user, then she would've been taught by the creator. Oregano had been prepped for a moment like this, but nobody was expecting it's use for a couple of more years-at least that was what she was told by Iemitsu when she received the training long ago.

"What flowers are you looking for? We have a wide assortment that is sure to please you."

There was a pause of momentary silence and Oregano was about to hang up, thinking that this was a wrong number or a lucky coincidence by the other side when the girl on the other side responded.

"In that case, I want one where I am able to To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour.

Can you grant me my wish?"

Annato was shocked when Oregano fell to her knees. Oregano was silent for a heartbeat before she bowed her head.

"Mi dispiace imperatrice vongola, what can I do for you." Oregano was shocked and so was Annato, he had been talking to someone of that importance? Lilum candidum, it was the flower name Federico had chosen for whom his bride.

This was the white lily.

The White Lily.

The one woman who would be known at Vongola Boss' side, the one people like her would be sworn to protect and honor. As per tradition, every wife took up a flower name, in the same way CEDEF members had spice names.

"It's more what you can do for me. I need you to listen carefully because I don't have much time and I'm sure you will have a lot of questions and a lot of incredulity but I'll need you to take me on this please. It's urgent. "

"Of course madam, we will honor you." Because she represented not herself, but Federico, and thus by extension the Vongola and Oregano took that very very seriously.

On the other side, Celeste was trying to let her own shock not overcome her. Still not fully over the fact everything Federico had told her was true to the core but also how easily everything was coming together, that was only possible with adequate planning and forethought.

Federico looked ruefully at her, "I had been preparing for you for a very long time."

The only thing that could be heard through the CEDEF halls was the quick click clack of Oregano's heels as she rushed through the halls. She had no time to waste, they had armageddon on their hands.

She jammed right into the room she would be told Iemitsu would be, and he was there with Angela.

"What is it? Why are you so flustered." Iemitsu asked, Oregano was never flustered.

She didn't know where to begin, there was just so much to do. She started stammering in different directions before just blurting out the last thing White Lily told her, "The phoenix has fallen."

Angela's eyes widened and Iemitsu dropped the cup he held in his hand. There was a heavy silence in the room, Angela was the first to pale and raised a hand to her mouth. "Santo, pobre Timoteo."

Oregano turned in surprise to Angela, "You know the code?" Also that familiarity with Nonno...

"Yes, I grew up knowing the Vongola and was close to Timoteo, he's always been a great man. Our families actually wanted us to get married but I fell in love with someone else, for me Timoteo was only a good friend. But I learned the code, before I stopped the whole engagement process. " Angela closed her eyes feeling grief for someone she had been fond of, as a mother she knew what awaited him.

Oregano couldn't help but do a double take, just who was this woman?! For her to have been taught the code meant that it had been a pretty serious arrangement. Oregano didn't have the time now to inquire more into this mysterious past but this must be quite the story, especially since she broke it off and still breathes.

"Are you certain that this is the case Oregano?" Iemitsu voice was low but strong and it pulled Oregano out of her curiosity and back to the highly serious and momentous situation they had a hand.

Iemitsu's mind was swirling a million beats per second. They were facing not only the death of Federico, but also the death of the last Vongola heir. His mind flashed to his son and his wife back in Japan and if it wasn't for his training and his lifelong occupation he would've fallen back into his seat. Did this situation actually come knocking on his door?

No better put was that it rammed right through it and was now demanding an ultimate sacrifice before it began to pillage and loot.

He saw his young son again, his tuna-fish, so innocent and fragile; but Iemitsu stopped himself. Now was not the time for sentimentality and to think about inheritance. That was coming and that would be a tremendous battle in and of itself but one needed to focus on what one could do and had to do now. His son and wife were still safe-for the time being at least.

Oregano faltered slightly. "I wouldn't say necessarily that I am certain per say, but I got it from a very reputable source." She didn't like to say she was certain of things unless she saw them with her own eyes and Iemitsu knew that. He also knew that for her to take someone else's word for it, it had to be a very reliable source.

"Also that is not all that is going on Sawada-dono."

And from her tone, Iemitsu knew he wasn't going to like what was coming. "What else?"

"The Cinquemani are planning an all out attack tonight, most likely they will attack both Vongola and Varia HQ so neither helps one another," Iemitsu nodded, a full frontal attack was their best shot but even then it was a ballsy move. What in the world did they have as justification for such a blatant act? Both sides have been treading carefully up until now, not to say it hasn't been costly and violent-but never full out war.

Oregano might as well get it over with, she knew what Iemitsu was thinking and there was no easy way to say any of the things she had to say tonight. "The Cinquemani's defense will be that they are doing it for Cassandra Cinquemani, Don Cinquemani's daughter who has been taken by the Varia."

Iemitsu slammed his fist down on the table harshly and both Angela and Oregano flinched at bit at the sound. "That boy did what?" Outrage oozed out of Iemitsu, a rare sight actually, as he is more the simmer in rage type. Oregano knew whom Iemitsu was talking about, already Iemitsu and Xanxus had bad blood after the whole cradle affair, never having liked Xanxus nor his countenance since he was first adopted, and that matter only further negated his regard for Xanxus.

And Xanxus was always quick to quip back too, equally mirroring Iemitsu's dislike. Though Oregano always had limited interaction with the youngest Vongola, she also couldn't fail to wonder if there was anyone that man did like. Even looking at his subordinates makes her wonder why they stand being there, she was a proud CEDEF member through and through but she never felt envy for any of them. She proudly served the man in-front of her and who he allowed her to be.

Which is this moment was the continual bearer of bad news.

"No Sawada-dono," taking still the respectful Japanese manner that Basil used. It was becoming a habit now amongst them, Lal the exception. " It was done by the Varia cloud, Alphonse Valencia, who is also incidentally a spy for the Cinquemani and deeply involved, to the point of being part of the grand orchestrator of this feud for the sake of power. The Varia, Xanxus included, most likely have no idea that Cassandra is held hostage in their base as they have no idea what's been going on right under their noses, so to speak."

Now it was Angela's turn to gasp. She turned quickly to Iemitsu, "Surely it's not that Alphonse, is it?" Iemitsu only gave her a look of partial regret and Angela knew that it was indeed David's son who was the traitor in question. As she was currently consumed with grief and worry for her daughter and abject anger towards her father for his part in all this, Angela in her own stubborn pride was not going to spend any time feeling pity for David. He had a part to play in Alphonse's upbringing, or lack thereof. But even as she thought it, she wasn't cruel enough either to know there was a spark of sympathy there, as she knew the type of man David was and this is the sort of thing that would turn him in his grave. There was no one who took loyalty and familia as seriously as he did.

No, she told herself. She was done thinking about that man. Sympathy would rise the more she did so.

She just decided to shove it down in this moment was all. She didn't want to be soft for him now. Her daughter needed all of her.

Meanwhile, Oregano hated being out of the loop. It was her job to be in the loop-if not to create the loop. She had seen the mutual understanding between them and she was not included in whatever transpired there.

Iemitsu immediately went to the phone to contact the Varia. What he was going to say and how much of it he wasn't sure yet but he wasn't even given the chance to do so. "The line is dead."

Oregano nodded in silent understanding of the situation they were in, their communication was being cut off; that was how serious of a predicament they were in and since the Varia always preferred to be left to their own devices, they wouldn't call the CEDEF-she wouldn't be surprised if they already had their own plan for tonight as they were also tired of this feud. For them they probably saw it as a godsend that they wouldn't be getting any calls from the CEDEF or the Nonno base. Which meant it was up to the CEDEF to hold the ground at the main Vongola HQ where Nonno was, as that would be part one of the full frontal attack.

Angela knew it wasn't right of her to speak in a situation like this, being practically a civilian here as in she wasn't affiliated with the CEDEF and she cut off her ties with the mafia long ago. Back when she wanted a better life for Celeste after a failed kidnap attempt back when she was a little kid, Angela left all of her life, her friends like Iemitsu and Timeteo, any family with mafia affiliation. Even to the point of leaving David, but she had offered him a choice, he was just too ambitious and her and her daughter were not enough to make him leave the empire he built.

Angela knew all these things but when had anything like that ever stopped her before from speaking her mind? "Iemitsu, Oregano, these are heady and dangerous things being discussed here. What gets done or not in the next hours, minutes even could define the history of the Vongola to come and countless people. Are you sure about these accusations?"

Though she left, it didn't mean she left her soul and heart. People, hundreds perhaps even thousands would be affected by the actions taken by Alphonse, the CEDEF and the Vongola base as well as other players involved. Angela was a nurse by training and people with families were at stake here, and even from youth the Vongola wasn't an organization; they were people she grew up around and some she even considered family and friends. But first, one had to be clear that what they thought was in motion, actually was, or else they were playing a fool's game.

Iemitsu turned then to Oregano, (who was proud to say that she saw in his eyes that his faith in her had not wavered in the face of Angela's logic) he trusted her, after working with her and seeing her grow up with the organization, he knew of her character and her discipline.

"Who is your source?" That was the question that mattered and Iemitsu was curious too, to know who could Oregano hold to such a regard as to relay these things with such firmness.

Oregano had been so shocked at so many different levels having never encountered a situation this gravely convoluted, Oregano had forgotten she never mentioned another crucial part that was the catalyst of her astonishment.

"White Lily."

Angela furrowed her eyebrows and Oregano fought her childish satisfaction at finally having some sort of knowledge that the older woman didn't know. But Oregano had the proper training and experience though young to keep her emotions and countenance in check and so she only kept up her poker face. The older woman glanced at Iemitsu. "Is she to be trusted?" It seemed so but Oregano was a child to Angela and these were matters of grave consequences, she trusted Iemitsu if he said it-not that really her opinion mattered here. (Didn't mean she wouldn't voice it)

"You tell me Angela, can we trust your daughter with what she says?"

What?

Training and experience be damned, because at that, Oregano's poker face fell and she was gasping in shock.

Varia HQ

It was right before sunset when Amina had finally gotten to the Varia mansion. She was rather surprised at the ease at which she was able to pass through, it seems like everyone was really busy gearing up for something, which didn't bode well with her, and no one cared for a familiar servant like her.

She hurried to find Coach and Esposito and no sooner was she still trying to search for them when she felt as if the earth was shaking underneath her that she lost her balance. Then it was yells, screams, stampede of movement and a very familiar but now much more murdously loud Voi could be heard in the far off distance.

She was helped by one of the Cinquemani rogue regime men. "Where have you been?!" Amina didn't have the chance to give a smart reply before he interjected and grabbed her arm forcefully pointing her in the opposite direction. "You need to find Micheal and Esposito, everything is happening tonight, right now." Widening her eyes, she knew exactly what he was referring to.

The beginning of the end had started.

God save us all.

Author's Notes:

-The poem that Amina recites to Oregano is an excerpt from 'World in a Grain of Sand' by William Blake

- Also keeping the cannon's ages for the characters, Oregano is around the same age as Celeste for perspective a bit older at 18.

I would like to take this chance to really and sincerely apologize to my readers for this incredibly long and impromptu hiatus. I could write you a separate story on the series of events in my life but I'll just surmise by saying I'm back now and hoping to establish a regular schedule so if anyone would like to be my beta to make this happen, please PM me as soon as possible. That kind of accountability helps me and I've also deeply enjoyed my past beta relationships.

And if you have questions, while I never spurn away questions I do encourage you to re-read chapters so as to not miss tidbits and loose pieces I left that I always build upon in the following chapters. I apologize if it's a bit of a selfish request but figured it's the right thing to ask for the sake of the story-not even for me. I have a high standard with my writing and also hold myself accountable to close any plot-holes left opened and am also looking forward to exposing things I have only alluded to in the past.

If you are happy that I'm back or are still looking forward to this story please let me know and send me a message or write a comment! This story is still very much my baby, my first one at that and I've been clear since the beginning that I never meant to to let it go. Your encouragement and support are always the things that keep me going, even in my hiatus I was still very much involved with my story because of it and always meant to come back. Knowing that people are just as in love with this as I am is the exact ammo I need and I have left this long chapter as a atonement offering to you all.

~TMM