This was slopply thrown together, I won't even lie about that but at least its here! I'll have the next one up this weekend hopefully. Not only have I had writers block but I've been so buried in bull it's not even close to funny. but alas I'M FREEEEEEE!

Chapter Ten: Monkshood? O.o

Have you ever seen a lizard lose it's tail? I'll tell you it's not the most interesting thing in the world but when said lizard can morph into just about anything from an axe to a zebra it does serve as entertainment. Reborn says this is a bad omen for his students. That wasn't exactly the most comforting piece of information to know. He left me to my training while he went to seek out Dino who was actually doing something for a change. Not trying to dog on my boss but he's not a very well kept together guy.

Anyways, my training keeps blowing up in my face. It doesn't matter how hard I concentrate but the second the flames touch the bullet it explodes. Which should be self explanatory I mean bullets and fire normally don't mix but according to Reborn, its a different kind of fire. Problem is my fire is a bitch. The idea that reborn came up with does have some merit but to me it seems impossible.

The moment Reborn stepped into Dino's office he knew something was terribly wrong. Dino was walking around thinking, while Romario looked nervous. When they realized he was in the room Dino stopped dead in his tracks. Leon of course control his transformation abilities and was currently glowing and changing into something new.

"That isn't good. Reborn, when did this happen?"

"A few minutes ago why?"

"Because I got something a few minutes ago. It's from the Notte Organization."

He'd heard of them but never anything about them. They were as mysterious as the Cervello Organization but they were feared where the Cervello were not.

"What was it?"

Dino held up a small bouquet of odd shaped flowers. The blue hued plants tied together with a black ribbon. The small envelope attached to the bouquet was open but it was all handed to Reborn. The infant stared at the missive before handing it back to Dino.

"Take the flowers to Toni. I don't understand the meaning behind them but maybe she will. While your at it, see how her training is going. She could use some encouragement..."

The bubble of snot told Dino that he had fallen asleep, leaving him in a fairly awkward position. Wouldn't it look weird if he gave her flowers? Wasn't there some kind of flower language anyway? What if he was telling her he loved by flowers? The blond stopped dead in his tracks almost tripping over his own feet. He did care about her...like a sister? No that would seem even weirder. One didn't pay attention to their sisters features like the color of her eyes when the sun hits them or...No. He shook his head staring at the the odd blue flower again before continuing on.

BURN BABY BURN!

I think I've got this whole thing figured out. It only took 12 guns to do it too! If I use the shells, gun powder not included, I can make the flames into bullets...granted its still a work in progress but hey I had to improvise with Reborn gone. It's incredibly exhausting too. I give it a few more shots before my energy is spent. Just a few more targets to blow up...and

"Toni!"

Damn. I missed. When I turned around to snap at Dino I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the flowers in his hand.

"What the hell are you doing! Those are poisonous put 'em down!"

I ran up to Dino and slapped the Monkshood out of his hands before checking his palms. I reminded myself of Nina, fussing over him and telling him to wash his hands right then and there. Oddly enough the closest sink was in the kithcen a few feet away. It was empty of course which was odd but my attention was focused on his hands.

"Don't you know anything? Those things could kill you."

"How do you know that?"

"I learned it from the florist. He's not really a florist but I've seen first hand what some plants can do to you."

After an awkward silence his voice dropped.

"They came for you."

My heart faltered momentarily. I stared at him with wide eyes before laughing. It was a joke right?

"They came from the Notte Organization. Reborn says you might know what they mean."

"I know what they mean...but why would someone send them to me of all people?"

When I stayed quiet for too long Dino touched my shoulder. My fists balled at my sides, and the look on my face seemed to bother him.

"Toni?"

"Someones coming for me...thats what the flowers mean."

I moved away from his hand but he stopped me by grabbing my arm and pulling me into his chest. The embrace was awkward at first, but it didn't take long before I relaxed a little.

"I won't let anyone hurt you, you know that right?"

"..."

To be completely honest with you, I was speechless. He's my boss and all but he's still a guy. The first guy to say something so corny to me but. it was touching to say the least. Speaking of touching this is the first time someones ever hugged me like this. It's different but I kinda like it. It lasted all of a few seconds before the sound of an explosion blasted through the air. On instinct I dropped to the ground, like a sack of bricks. Dino told me to stay put and he disappeared out the door, only to return a minute later.

"Toni! You have to hi-"

Smoke filled in behind him and out of the black shrouding mist a pair of golden eyes hidden behind a mask came into view. The figure the eyes were attached to appeared to be female but I didn't bother to examine the shim for long. More like I wasn't given the chance. Dino told me to run as he took out his whip. The hellcat look in the he-she's eyes held me pinned to the spot. A sinking feeling in my stomach told me I knew who it was.

"I finally found you, Cousin."

The voice was indeed feminine, though a bit deep I must say. Wait. Did she just call me cousin?

I'm so sorry it's late! but don't worry I'll be updating everything this weekend. I've been so busy it's not even funny! Please review~!

And to answer someone's question, yes her dying will flame is storm.