The heavy rain pounded on the shoulders of a cloaked figure, whose hand held tight on the mare's reins. Her other hand clutched her cloak that flailed wildly against the wild wind. Pants escaped her mouths as she frantically searched for a place of shelter where she and her companion of a horse may rest before continuing on with their long journey. Darting her violet eyes around, the woman caught sight of an inn. It was brightly lit and crowded with people, men and women alike. Reluctantly the stranger walks towards the tavern with her horse close to her. Her feet stomped heavily on muddy puddles, creating a big splash. Above her the sky rumbled with thunder, and flashes of lighting illuminated the dark skies.

Reaching the tavern, she quickly places her beloved mare into one of the stables, placing her into one of the boxes to rest. Leaving her horse behind after giving it a fond pat on the nozzle, she walks off to the tavern where it reeked of alcohol and sweat, making her nose twitch at the scent. The woman makes her way to the table with eyes watching her. All around were husky and muscle-built men who appeared unfriendly and hostile. However, some had leering expressions on their faces. She wasn't surprised, because being stared at was a natural part of her life. Taking a seat by the bar, the woman sighs in relief and orders a cup of water.

Looking at the woman grimly, the innkeeper gives her her order. He watched her curiously as she would delicately hold the cup to her lips, revealing her slender wrists like those of a woman. On either side of her, two men also watched her curiously. "What brings you here so late in the night, traveler?" the innkeeper suddenly asks.

The woman places her cup down carefully, and replied, "The rain caught me and I needed a place to stay," with a gentle, calm voice.

"This place may not be a place for someone such as yourself will stay," the innkeeper points out, looking at the woman closely. "It's dangerous."

A grin appears on the stranger's face, baffling the innkeeper. "Danger. . . and death is always right behind me, dear sir. There is no need to worry about my well-being," she calmly replied.

Amused, her seatmate leans close to her face with a malevolent expression plastered all over his face. His teeth bites on the cigar that hung by his mouth, smoke lining up from it. "Eh? Girlie here seems pretty sure about herself," he sneered to his companions.

"Maybe we could have some fun," leered another.

"Maybe she's got some curse," says another.

"Hey, stranger, want a drink with me?" asks another man, again leaning close to the woman's face.

"No. Thank you," she replied calmly. "I wouldn't want to I indulge myself with alcohol and ale if you don't mind."

"Where do yo come from?" asks another man, who also had become curious with the hooded traveler.

"I don't speak of my birthplace if you don't mind," she replies. "But the last I came from was Regalo."

Immediately her companions widened their eyes at the sound of the name. It didn't surprise the traveler, assuming that they must have heard of the famous famiglia that ruled the town. They gasped and murmured amongst as if they were with a legend. Leaning closer to the woman, the innkeeper peeks under her hood, but her face was overshadowed by the darkness inside. Though, he felt like he was drowning in a deep well as he peered deeper until he realized he was star in into a pair of beautiful violet eyes. He was deeply astonished to see a marvelous beauty, incredulous to realize that someone like her would be in constant danger.

Suddenly the door swung open, letting the gusty wind outside rush into the tavern. By the door stood a tall man whose eyes were hidden by his leather hat. He also wore a cloak, but only by his shoulders. Tall and burly the man was, and the woman did not like the aura that was emitting from him. It was powerful, and familiar. Stepping into the tavern, the man lifts up his gaze and reveals his brown eyes, glaring into the people's eyes with the thirst to kill for pleasure.

"Which one of who bastards here is a member of the Arcana Famiglia?" the stranger hollered. "I happen to have your same kind of power! And I challenge you to a duel! Right here, right now! Show yourself!"

A deep frown had creased on the woman's forehead, peeved at the man's boldness and audacity. She contemplated her options to face the man, wondering who he was and what exactly he was talking about. But all she knew for sure was that she was in danger along with everyone else in the tavern. Know keeping her composure, her hands kept their hold around her cup of water.

A mischievous grin curls on the man's lips, seeing that his to-be-challenger had hid himself amongst the many strangers. Before him were men and when both cowered in fear and thought of him to be annoying. Abruptly a few of the burly men stood up with fierce and aggressive faces, looking at the man with peeved eyes. The others also sat by, ready to take the stranger on. Some held daggers and swords, others had cudgels and pistols for weapons. The innkeeper had also drawn out a weapon of his own, a rifle. Even the woman's acquaintances drew out their own weapons, leaving only the hooded woman unarmed.

Chuckling, the stranger quickly threw a dagger at the crowd, but it didn't strike any of them.

"So you're the Arcana holder," sneered the man. "I could feel your great power."

Darting their eyes to the back where the dagger had gone, the people gasped at the sight of the stranger, now unhooded, revealing her pretty face. She was frowning with the dagger bit between her teeth. Fearlessly she walks forward towards the man, remaining calm and composed. She could feel all eyes stare at her, shocked to realize who she was. Slowly she took it from her mouth and held it at the man.

"I believe this is yours," she calmly told him. "And I suggest you watch where you throw these things; they're dangerous."

"I've been looking everywhere for an Arcana holder who happened to be wandering around," boomed the man. "I didn't expect to see a little lady to be one of them."

"You said that you share the same power as us, Arcana Famiglia. Where did you get that?" asks the woman, frowning at the man before her.

Smirking at her, he stoops over the woman and sneered, "I didn't come here to be interrogated about where I had gotten my power. I came here to see how strong you bastards are!"

Stepping back, he takes out two revolvers from underneath his cloak and cocks them, quickly pulling the trigger afterwards. The man didn't care whether he strikes the bystanders around, all that mattered to him was that he strikes down the girl. She, however, knew what the man was thinking so without a second thought made a glowing, white, pentagon-like shield with only her will. Her hand was stretched out in front of her where the shield manifested. Everyone gasped at the sight, and quickly retreated to avoid the danger already before them. Her opponent only got more excited, however. Laughing darkly he charges at her, shooting iron bullets at her along the way.

Quickly the woman dodges it, leaping out of the way each time. Fortunately she was light on her feet, allowing her to make acrobatic stances and movements as she avoided each blow. After a moment she found an opportunity to strike back. Charging at him, the woman backflips and lands on her feet, twisting her legs and struck the man across the face with her heeled boots. He falls back and reels from the blow.

"Heh. You're better than I thought," comments the man as he got back up on his feet.

His opponent just narrows her eyes at him as her hands finally take out daggers from underneath her cloak. She still refuses to activate the Arcana, finding no real good reason to do so just yet. The man didn't seem to be much of a challenge, but she still kept her guard. Her eyes kept close watch of his movements, keeping record of every single twitch and blink he made. She still didn't know what tricks he had up his sleeve, which made her feel uncomfortable as each second passed. Suddenly the man blinked and disappeared form her eyes, which widened in shock.

He abruptly gasped when the dust had settle, realizing that the woman was not there before him. She was gone. Unknown to him, his opponent with a dark look in her eyes had swung her leg for a roundhouse kick in full force, but instinctively he grabbed her ankle as it was about to strike his face. She gasped as she felt herself get thrown across the room, but she miraculously landed on her feet. Seeing that he had not given her a real blow, her attacker grew serious at the position he was in. He couldn't help lose, but to lose without a counterattack was a major insult on his part.

Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as heavy pants escaped from his mouth. His forehead was now creased into a frown as his eyes glared at his invincible opponent. She had a few scratches though, but it was not enough for him. Gritting his teeth, he quickly power-generates his revolvers and shot them, at the girl. As always, the girl dodged them, but her eyes widened when the bullets followed her out of the angle. She realized that her opponent had finally drew out one of his cards. The woman unconsciously forms a gun with her energy, pulling the trigger as she jumped back. Each bullet struck the attacking bullets, which clattered to the ground.

"I acknowledge the fact that you're skilled, but your emotional state is fairly weak. I am amazed as to how you are able to control it even a little," says the woman, looking at the man sternly in the eye.

As his eyes dug into hers, he gasped when he found himself in pure darkness with no light. Frantically he whirled his head around his surroundings as he looked for light, but the only thing he saw was darkness.

"My cards are telling me that you hold a fake card," echoed the woman's voice. "Unfortunately we don't tolerate such things."

Hearing those words, the man trembled in fright, feeling a strong force of energy swirl around him. And just as he had expected a purple-colored matter swirl around him and struck him where his mark was established. Immediately he screamed in pain from this cruel treatment, but there was no escape. He felt a throbbing pain surge on his shoulder blade, and without a doubt he felt his power leave him slowly. Screams continued to escape from his mouth but his opponent remained unmoved.

Soon his mark was completely removed along with his power, and he dropped to the ground on his knees. Panting, he looks up at the victor, meeting her cruel, cold eyes. Abruptly the mood changed as they changed into compassion and concern. "It seems like this is more seriously than I originally thought," remarked the woman as she knelt to his level. "Tell me who you are working for and you'll be saved. It's useless to go back to where you once were after I've taken away your card, Forza."

The man's eyes widened in shock, wondering how she knew what card he had. "H-How. . ?"

"I'm not Arcana Famigilia's emissary for nothing. Be better careful with the people you put up a fight with," replies the woman. "Or you'll regret it with the rest of your life."

"D-Damn it! Like hell I'll be scared just from that?!"

"It's not about fear. It's the fact your life is at stake not because of me, but because of the people you call teammates," replied the woman. "If you spill the information now, I promise to give you the protection you demand."

Gritting his teeth, the man averts his gaze from the woman, refusing to be defeated so easily by a woman. Impulsively he draws out a dagger from underneath his coat and charged at the woman. Narrowing her eyes, she manages to dodge it, but her palm got grazed, creating a deep, clean cut on it. Blood splatters on the floor as it seeps through the wound. Now she's the one gritting her teeth from the sharp pain that surged throughout her entire hand. Immediately she goes for the offensive and gave the man a reverse roundhouse kick, sending him crashing into the wall.

"So that's that. Then I guess I'll just have to force some information out of you before leaving your corpse behind like minced meat."

* * * * * * * *

"Miss Angelica?" Pietro's voice interrupts the woman's thoughts.

She was staring out the window with her cat in her arms. Her eyes seemed preoccupied that it may even be possible for her have not actually even focus on the things outside. Outside people continued their usual routine: doing the groceries, fishing, trading. They all had their usual routines, however, it was completely different in the house of the fortuneteller. Sometimes she would open the shop, but in other times she would not and just stay in the secret room the entire day. Sometimes it would worry the boys, including Alfieri despite the fact that he had stayed with her the longest. He told his new friends that even he could not get used to her being so mysterious and hiding secrets from them with her smiles.

She may be kind, but there were times when the boys found her questionable, especially incidents when she just has a whole different aura around her. It was almost like she becomes a demon in guise of an angel with a malevolent smile curled on her lips. However, she doesn't also seem to be herself during those incidents and she would not really remember what happens during those times. Angelica seemed to be well-aware of it though. As a response to these circumstances, the fortuneteller would lock herself up in the room where only silence reigned. The boys had noticed that she informs them on basic and very important details and facts, but as to her strange behavior at times, she has not done yet so.

Turning to her recruit, Angelica flashes a gentle smile and her violet orbs immediately captivated him once their eyes met. Her hair swayed to the wind, while the curtains behind her flailed a little. "Yes? May I help you with something, Pietro? And please don't call me 'miss'. We are equals, I am simply your mentor as of the moment, but once you get the hang of your new abilities, we are officially equals without a doubt."

"Y-Yes. . . Um, we have finished packing our belongings for tomorrow's journey, and also we had found ourselves a buyer for this house," the man nervously told her. She just continues to flash her normal smile.

"That's good. Then I guess we could continue our training after."

Nodding his head, Pietro turns to leave, but his curiosity about Angelica was so strong that he was afraid he might just blurt out thoughtless questions. He shut his eyes to leave, but Angelica's voice interrupts him.

"You know. . . you're free to ask me anything."

"A-Alright, Angelica. But now's not the time for that. The others are out looking for horses. I should be, too," replied Pietro.

"I'm sorry for simply coping up in my private chamber while the five of you are slaving away with my every instruction. Once I've relaxed I would head downstairs and help with the packing."

His eyes widen at her words, shocked to realize how she actually felt. Gritting his teeth, he rushes to her and places his hands on her shoulders with narrowed eyes. "Don't feel that way! We're here to help you, and we also made a deal to be part of this famiglia we never even met personally! Following your instructions are the best course of action we have so far!"

Relieved, the fortuneteller smiles. "You've already been here for a week, along with Abelle, How do you feel being here?" she asks. "How does it feel to suddenly live under the same woman who tricked you into making contracts, and yet she keeps secrets from you and the others? How does it feel to live such a life?"

"If you believe I regret becoming part of this mysterious famiglia. . . I don't," replied Pietro, looking at Angelica with a reassured look in his eyes. "In fact I'm thrilled to be a part of this. I'm fully aware that we may be naive right now for trusting you with our lives when we barely know each other, but that's the fun part of. We're betting on this joy ride."

"I see," murmurs Angelica as she watched Pietro leave the room. She felt tired and weak, which she suspected was from the effects of the contract-less card. Coughing, the woman quickly covers her mouth, but realizes that she felt something wet splatter on it, making her stretch her hand out to see what was wrong. Immediately she sees blood on her hand, and felt some trickle down her chin. She quickly wipes it away and diverts her gaze to the world outside her window.

"I'll have to find contractors soon. . . a storm is brewing." She thought.

* * * * * * * *

Staring out to the sky, the auburn-haired daughter of the Papa of the famiglia indulged herself with the peace the sun gave off as she lay down on the grass. Above her fluffy clouds rolled through the skies with flying birds dashing with the wind. Her long hair sways to the dance of the afternoon wind, and her eyes remained stuck to the skies. A smile was curled up on her lips as she remembered the good times she had with her friends and fellow members of the famiglia. They have been through struggles, and she knew that. Her heart was light and anxiety-free. In her hand was an open letter with perfectly written letters made of black ink. Abruptly she got up, hugging her legs as she smiled to herself.

Angelica. I know you've been through a lot of pain. . . I know that. . . for a long time. . . you felt like you were all alone. And I. . . somehow understand that. You only. . . I guess you still had some pride at that time. And the thought of being looked down on was probably still strong. But. . . if you were a slave all your life. . . where did you get that pride? Thought a confused Felicita as her face became serious.

Her fists clenched a little, continuing to wonder what was truly in her friend's mind.

Behind her was her mother, who looked lovingly at her daughter. Sumire had a look of concern all over her face, but she knew that she and her husband was taking a risk for their daughter's trust. Her eyes gazed at her daughter worriedly before heading back into the mansion.

Closing the door behind her, Sumire walks into the empty hallway where she remembered Angelica once walked in and into the garden where Felicita was. Despite her betrayal, the woman couldn't help but miss her. The time that had passed had molded the young woman into a better person in a short period of time. It was almost like she had an enlightenment in the town of Tiburio; ironically the town was a town of lights. Now the woman started to play a major part of their lives as their mediator with the cards.

Her footsteps echoed throughout the empty halls , her hands clasped together. The woman kept her head held high with pride as the mama of the famiglia. As she was walking back into her chambers, her eyes darted to the glass-paned windows beside her. A smile curled on her lips, suddenly feeling excitement surge inside of her. She could sense that something was coming up. Soon she reached her room, where she was immediately greeted by a lovely hawk with a scroll tied to its leg. Gracefully Sumire approached the bird and untied the scroll. She quickly read its contents and her smile widens at the written message.

"So she'll be coming home, huh?" the woman muttered with a smile. "Come home safe. . Angelica."

* * * * * * * *

"This is tiring," grumbled Debito as he tossed his cards on the table." I want some action."

His two best friends look at him with tired expressions on their faces, sighing at his words. Despite their friend's foul mood, the two chuckled to lighten the atmosphere. They were alone in a tavern for their break, several others of the Arcana Famigilia. They were laughing and enjoying themselves, chatting about their lives and other trivial matters. Luca and Pace continued to hold their cards, waiting for Debito to calm down a little. He had been different for the past many months, and they had a good idea as to why.

"You know. . . Felicita told me some great news," Luca says a-matter-of-factly as he grinned at his dark-skinned friend mischievously. "But Milady didn't want me to spoil you, so--"

"Angelica is coming back," interrupts a bored Debito, his chin resting on his fist. "I already know that. And everyone else does so it's not going to be any surprise."

The gray-haired man simply laid back, seemingly bored without a care about the news. It saddened his two companions, but again, they knew that there was a reason why the man had started to resent the one he once had feelings for. Narrowing his eyes, Debito recalls the letter the woman had left for him. It made him wonder whether she actually was simply sympathetic for him, or a slap on the cheek as to create a wall between the two.

"I thank you for everything you have done for me. I am sorry for your unrequited love. So. . . until we meet again."

It annoyed him in vast lengths, and after time slipped by he grew to resent her for leaving; Debito thought he would probably never forgive her for it.

"Hehe, so. . . I wonder how she is right now," comments Pace as he scratches his head nervously as he would glance at his friends.

Smiling as Luca sipped a bit of his cup of tea, the man replies, "She's probably doing fine. Papa and Mama though don't give so much details about this."

"Of course they wouldn't," Debito snaps.

"You don't have to hate her, Debito," Luca tells him patiently. "A man must be patient towards a woman at all times. You can't blame her for wanting to keep her past a secret and hold it against her for it!"

"Why? Why are you siding with her?!" yells Debito, drawing out his pistols.

"Because if she wasn't someone to be trusted, Papa wouldn't have entrusted to her a mission!" Luca yells back, letting bluish white fire manifest on his hands.

Quickly their bespectacled friend tries to calm the two down, not wanting for tensions to rise between the them.

"Like hell," growled the eye-patched one. "We should settle things like real men would!"

Luca and Debito glare at each other like two cats willing to kill each other. The dark-skinned man gritted his teeth angrily at Felicita's former entourage. He felt his blood boil in rage, but at the same time he felt confused with himself. He suddenly wondered why he really resented the woman; the fact that she ran away was the real reason. At first he thought that it didn't matter that countless men had dirtied her, nor because she kept her secret to herself. But the moment she ran away was the initial trigger of his resentment.

The memories of her beautiful warm smiles seem all like lies. Behind those smiles she hid the truth and even used her charm top captivate them. She didn't use her charm on purpose, it was a part of her. Her silence and courage seemed sincere to both him and everyone. However, they were questionable after everything that had happened. Debito didn't know if he was the only one that felt that way, but whether more than him feeling slight animosity towards her didn't matter. He didn't to be fooled into loving someone again.

His eyes were narrowed at Luca, and continued to point his guns at his childhood friend. All around them fellow members felt the tension between the two, and wondered how to put an end to their conflict. As Pace contemplated as to how he was going to stop them, an all-familiar voice rang in the air.

"Debito! Luca! Stand down!"

Turning their heads around, everyone's eyes widened when they realized who the person was.

"Jolly?!"

~~~

Number of words: 4195

Hi, guys! Raita-san here, your friendly neighborhood writer! Gomenasai for the super late update! I was revising The Last One, which lasted for 3 months. It was unexpected but worth it. I love you so I hoped you enjoyed reading this chapter!

Dedicated to OuranHSHCFanatic