Published: 10/20/2016; Thursday; 12:39am; Unedited

Chapter 10

"So, you don't know how to access your flames?" Adrien mused, in a classic Sherlock Holmes position as he thought, cupping his chin with his hand as he thought. I raised an eyebrow.

"Rather than I don't know how, it's more like my own flames won't allow me to use them," I informed, "I know how to access them, but it's as if I'm being denied to my own abilities. It's been like this since the incident when I unlocked my flames and lashed out at a boy without meaning to."

"That's…rather interesting," Toto spoke up, usually quiet and listening, only ever throwing in comments when Adrien asked for his opinion on something, it had been a few days, and they gave each other time to breathe with finally knowing. "I'm sorry for speaking out of turn, but, flames shouldn't be able to do that, as if they have a mind of their own. Unless someone put a sort of lock on them, you should be able to draw out your flames, with practice, easily."

"Toto is right," Adrien nodded, "I've never heard of such a thing, and even he and I have somewhat control over ours, though, we're still training."

It was strange, now that I think about it. Recalling when I had read the manga, there was the time when Tsuna was still a babe and Iemitsu brought Timoteo to meet his family, to meet Tsuna, and he had sealed his flames, and Hyper Intuition, away. His flames weren't accessed until he was thirteen, when Reborn went to train him and shot him with the Dying Will Bullet.

But I used my flames, I drew them out and used them, so I should be able to use them with ease. But I can't, it's as if there's this block, a wall, that's preventing me from using them and I don't understand why it's happening.

"…cie?"

You need to remember.

I brought a hand to my head, flinching at the sudden head ache I had. Remember? What do I need to remember? There's nothing I'm forgetting…

"...cie!...La…!"

Is there?

Remember what he gave you.

"Who is he?" I whispered, closing my eyes tightly, my hands pressing harder against my temples, trying to make the pain go away even if it only slightly helped.

Everything comes with a price.

"Lacie!" I flinched, my headache subsiding immediately, as if it were never there. Adrien was shaking clutching my shoulders, shaking me, Toto was behind me, supporting me, they were both crouching. When did I fall? "What happened?"

"I just…" I swallowed, my mouth dry, "…I just thought it's impossible. I used my flames back then, unlocking them , meaning I should be able to use them. The problem is, I can't; there's something stopping me from using them and then I got this splitting head ache, and suddenly felt like I was forgetting something really important." I ran a hand through my hair, brushing my fringe away for once, scowling, "As soon as I came to, it went away, like it never happened."

It must have been something I said, because something seemed to dawn on them and they spoke in unison; "You have a mental block."

"Well isn't that just fan-fucking-tastic."

It wasn't really a thought on what to do, but rather figure out how strong the mental block that was placed on me was, and to do that, we had to have professional help that couldn't receive at the moment.

So, one day at school, I had come up with a plan, a stupid plan, but a plan none-the-less; I found Adrien at our swings, Toto having been officially enrolled in the school with us as well, was with him, waiting for me. As soon as I reached them, I initiated the first part of my plan.

"Teach me how to fight."

If I was going to find someone to help with the mental block, I was going to have to actually get involved with the Mafia, which was something I didn't want to do, but was probably inevitable seeing as my brother is in the most powerful of them in the world and this world is just damn unlucky.

I couldn't really ignore the headaches and the nearly non-existent voice forever though, I could barely hear it, like it was always whispering, never loud enough for me to catch what it was saying and always disappearing when I would almost catch what it was trying to say or if I asked too many questions. IT was getting a little annoying, and a little scary, because what if it wasn't just a mental block? What if there was actually someone in my head?

Knowing everything I was thinking? Having access to my memories, all of my past would be in the hands of some—some stranger?

It was a scary thought.

"Your plan is stupid," Adrien was scowling, shoving more and more flan in his mouth, quite angrily. I glared at him in annoyance, slipping my spoon out of my mouth and pointing it at him.

"If you keep eating my flan like that, I won't let you have anymore," he scoffed, glaring right back at me. I rolled my eyes and he spluttered.

"Don't roll your eyes at me!"

"Why not, I have every right to. You're just upset that I thought of a plan before you did!" I rubbed it in his face, letting a tone of smugness seep through, happy that he was finally back to his usual competitive self. Not that I would ever tell him, it was strange constantly seeing him being nice, I needed someone to bicker with every now and then, and arguing with him was nice.

Again, I would never tell him.

"Even so," he huffed, "it's still stupid, and reckless—it could take years, even!"

"I have the time," I shrugged, eating another spoonful of the sweet dessert, "all the time in the world because I am one boring person."

"I'm going to smack that shit-eating-grin right off of your filthy face, you peasant."

"Master, please remember you are a gentleman, not a thug," Toto walked through the doorway, deadpanning at our insults and argument. "You were raised better."

"Speaking of which," Adrien sat up straight, turning serious, making stop the childish antics and pay attention, "if we're going to go through with this, we're going to have to train you in proper etiquette, and since it's you," he smirked, "it will most likely take a while."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I replied sarcastically. I turned to Toto, "So, what do you have in mind?"

"Quite a bit, but we're going to have to go shopping."

I shuddered in disgust, one of the things I hated most even followed me here. Shopping. I was content with my current wardrobe and I don't want to change it. But Adrien is right, if I want this plan to succeed, I'm going to have to learn how to do it right.

But even as I thought this, I wavered, "I don't have to buy dresses...do I?"