Disclaimer: I… Don't…own….any of the characters nor the shows themselves. Or Manga.

Chapter 14: Lost

Marinette couldn't stop her heart from pounding as she thought back to last night. She laid in her bed awake, early this morning. She was getting used to the time Reborn woke her. Not that she would admit to it. The secret hero's heart was drumming at the thought of how close the cat was last night. It made her think what would've happened if Tikki hadn't interrupted them. The sprite had knocked on her wall to get the cat to go away. Would we have—? Her face flushed and she smacked her hands to her cheeks. Closing her eyes in embarrassment, she shook her head. Trying to clear her thoughts. I can't think things like that! What about Adrien!?

Too lost in her thought, did she notice the cruel ticking of what sounded to be a bomb…WAIT, WHAT!

BOOOM

There goes that morning.

"Reborn! Why do I have to do this!?" she cried as she sprinted around the school, her daily 'exercise'.

The now-baby didn't answer, just whipped her back with Leon. "Mush! Mush!"

"I'm not a horse! OW! OK!" She ran faster, trying to get away from the cruel baby.

This went on for a while, soon it was nearing time for her breakfast. Her mother kept giving her food after seeing how quickly she devoured her first plate. Luck was, ironically, still not on her side. Marinette had always liked strawberries. They were her favorites. If she was given a bowl of strawberry ice cream, she would take the strawberries out and eat them, then the ice-cream. It was just something she liked to do. So when her mother gave her a small plate of strawberries and cream, they 'mysteriously' disappeared before the girl had time to even grab one. No, not mysteriously, I know exactly where they went! She glared at the usual culprit. And there he was...snacking on her strawberries!

"Reborn! Those are mine," she growled at the baby.

"You were too slow, Dame-Mari." he simply smirked before hopping away, plate in hand. "More training is required."

Dame-Ma—GRRR!—Marinette sprung from her seat, ready to chase the little hitman. But a mature, soft voice chimed out and stopped her in her tracks.

"Marinette, it's almost time for you to get ready. You don't want to be late." Sabine reminded her of the time.

The secret heroine gazed at the clock. Thankfully, It was still early. If she got ready now, then she wouldn't be late! For once! She turned her gaze to the cruel baby. He had devoured the strawberries, to her dismay. A smirk set proudly on his stupidly cute face. "This…is not over." she harshly whispered.

Reborn's smirk grew and he reached his hand up for Leon to crawl on. Seeing the threat, she raced up the stairs to her room faster than he could say 'ciaossu'.

When Marinette finally walked out of her parent's establishment, she had a small smile painted on her face. The morning was gorgeous. As it always is when you live in Paris around the end of spring. She stretched her arms above her head. Taking in the warm feel of the sun. She let out a pleasant sigh. She a good feeling about this day. The sun was shining, birds were singing. No Akuma was in sight. If she was lucky, she would even get to school on time.

Breathing in the fresh, spring air, she began her pace towards the school. A bright smile, as wide as the sky, set on her face. With each step, her midnight blue pigtails bounced and waved in the small yet soothing breeze. Cars and bikes whizzed by. People happily chatting as she went by. It made her think when the last time she actually walked to school. Probably in months. She passed a newspaper stand. Ladybug on the cover as always. Walked by the park, where she always watched Adrien's photoshoots at. Skipped past a regular loving couple, who seem to be on a date. I hope one day…Adrien and I will be like that…

Oh, how she could fantasize the day that Adrien Agreste would even ask her out. It would be the happiest day of her life. Well second to the day we get married and have children—I'm getting ahead of myself.

Marinette was blinded by her happy daze that she failed to notice someone shout at her and the sound of wheels rolling. Suddenly, the air in her lungs was pushed out momentarily. Time slowed as the pain pushed her back and made her fall. Her body landed on the hard, cold concrete. Her head had shot back, hitting it as well. The pain wasn't that intense…but damn it still hurts!

It took a while before she pulled herself up. The heroine rubbed her head in pain, her items scattered on the floor. She had run into something—or someone. The teen raised her head, wincing a little, to see who—or what she ran into. There, on her bottom, was her pink haired, athletic classmate. Alix. The girl had her rollerblades on with her trusty black helmet keeping her wild pink hair down. Alix snapped her head up, her eyes shaped into a glare before it fell.

"Ah! Marinette! Are you ok?" the skater pulled her leg up into a kneeling position, placing her hands on her knees, before expertly shooting herself up to stand.

The designer smiled at her classmate, nodding her head. "Yeah! I'm sorry I ran into you. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." she confessed. She truly wasn't looking where she was going, too off in her happy place with Adrien to notice Aix speeding her way. She watched the other girl shake her head and smile.

"It's alright, I was kind of rollin' way to fast! I did try to yell out to you." Alix slowly rolled towards her fallen classmate.

"Oh? Did you? I'm sorry I was in my own little world. I didn't hear you...Hehe." she awkwardly chuckled. Alix extended her hand towards Marinette. Causing the fallen girl to pause and look at her classmate. The small smile on Alix's face encouraged her to take the outstretched hand. She took her hand and the skater pulled her up, letting go of her hand in favor of placing it on her shoulder when she started to wobble.

"Are you sure you're ok?" the girl tilted her head in concern.

"Y-Yeah! I'm fine! Just a little dizzy." Marinette reassured her.

"You want me to walk you…just to be sure?" Alix asked, worried.

"No, no! It's fine! Wouldn't want you to be late!" the girl hurriedly picked up her forgotten, scattered belongings. She straightened herself and gave Alix a big warm smile. Which fell when she saw a certain baby-tutor smirking behind Alix, a strawberry in hand. The fury from breakfast revived in her. "I'll see you at school, Alix!" she raced off after the baby. Revenge in mind.

This might be his plan to make me 'exercise'. The logical part of her thought, but the anger kept her going after the baby. Nearing bulldozing over a few of her classmates, along the way. Like Juleka, who was walking with Rose. Or like Ivan and Maylene, the cute couple walking hand-in-hand. Or maybe like Nino, Alya, and Adrien.

She didn't see them, her eyes were solely on the baby. So much so, that she didn't even notice when the baby jumped up over someone. Only when she toppled onto the unfortunate thing did she realized she ran into another person. Again.

Her face was pressed against a soft black fabric. That looked strangely familiar. She decided not to try to remember since her head was throbbing a little from the impact. She shifted, trying to pull herself up. But, in an effort to move her legs, she found them tangled. Unknowingly, she grabbed the black fabric, noting the oddly familiar feel of it, to push herself up.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I wasn't looking where I was—Eek!"

Her apology was silenced by a squeak, once she saw who she landed on. A perfect mop of blond hair with matching grassy eyes. The white overshirt that was over the familiar black shirt she had been gripping. Oh god! Why does this always happen to me!? She couldn't decide if it was her luckiest day or if Chat Noir had finally been able to rub his unfortunate luck on her.

"A-A-ADRIEN!? I—Uh…I'msorry!" she leaped off him like she was crawling on hot rocks. She was sure that her face looked like one.

The model lifted himself up, scratching his head. Her mouth moved on its own. Blubbering apologies and stammering each word. Her face looked like it could light a thousand fireworks, it was that burning hot. Her hands flew to her face as if trying to keep her head from exploding off. An action which she suddenly stiffed at, halting her words.

Wait a minute….where—

Adrien watched as Marinette face flush and her stammer out apologies. The reaction, made him wish that she hadn't noticed it was him she ran into. She had talked normally when she didn't see that it was him she fell on. However, once she saw it was him, she stuttered and her face got all red. Where was the confident and fiery Marinette that showed herself around everyone else? It saddened him that she couldn't be like that around him.

The blonde tried to think back to see if he offended her in any way. The only thing he could think of was when he first came to school. But he thought he had mended that incident with giving her the umbrella. Unless she held a secret grudge against him. Marinette isn't the type to hold such things over someone. So what was it? Was she scared of him? If so, why? Was it his father? She is an aspiring fashion designer. And his dad is intimidating. Maybe that was it.

He picked himself up as her blubbering intensified, only for it to come to a screeching halt. Confused, he looked at her and his heart jumped. That panic. That sheer panic and fear were on her face. Again. Her face pale. It looked too like the scene he saw last time. He feared that fire was going to sprout and she would start screaming.

That's when he noticed it.

"Marinette." Nino suddenly spoke, his tone serious, "Where is your ring?"

How could this have happened!? Where did it go!?

Marinette stared at her hand in horror. She had briefly hopped she was just imagining the ring not there. But when Nino called it out, her brain stopped working. The serious reminder of not to lose the ring rang in her ears. How could she have lost it? So easily? Maybe she forgot to put it on this morning? No, I had it on during breakfast, I didn't even take it off. Maybe she left it in her purse. No, Tikki would've told me. Maybe she dropped it. No, I—Wait! That encounter with Alix! Maybe it fell off there.

Thoughts ran amuck in her mind as she played the scene over and over. She knew that the ring was pretty. Hell, gorgeous even. It was also very expensive looking. She guessed that it could sell for thousands. Maybe even millions since it was Vongola made. That was a bad case scenario. The worst would be if an enemy Mafia found it. She was apparently found out by someone. Although, the suspicious thing was that the word hadn't spread. She expected papers with headlines reading: "Next Vongola Heir!". She guessed that was proof that Vongola really did run a lot of things.

Still…if one person found out and was willing to sell the secret away…who else knew? She feared that maybe…she was being watched. They're probably spying on me until they find the best time to strike! Taking her ring would disrupt everything she was doing. A perfect time to strike, no?! Oh, no…they're gonna come after me! Then I'll be killed, my family and friends will mourn. Paris would be without Ladybug. Chat would be upset. And I'll never get married, have three kids, and a hamster with ADRIEN!

A hand gripped her shoulder, snapping her out of her panic thoughts. Bluebell eyes wondered to the hand, then up to its owner, seeing grassy green eyes. Filled with awfully familiar determination. "Don't worry Marinette. I'll help look for it." Adrien reassured her. His voice soothing.

"Yeah! I don't know how important it is but," Alya voiced out, her eyes glanced at Nino, before landing back on Marinette. "I'll help you find it!"

"I'll definitely look for it." Nino smiled. She felt herself begin to calm down.

Marinette felt her spirits lift. Her friends, her precious friends. Oh, how great were they? She had already known Nino and Alya would help her, but Adrien as well? Her heart swelled. "Thank you, you guys." she felt tears prickle at the ends of her eyes. "But…I wouldn't want you to be late for class."

"If that ring is important to you, then it's worth missing morning classes for it." Adrien smiled at her. Oh, how her heart could burst from the sheer kindness.

"Well then! Where was the last place you saw it?" Nino and Alya asked in sync. They looked at each other, a faint blush on their cheeks before looking away.

How cute! Marinette told them of her suspicions—minus the Mafia part, although she could tell Nino was thinking the same thing by the way his expression became serious. The bell rang and the four of them were off with Marinette leading the way. They ran all the way to the spot she fell and searched. They checked the grass, the sidewalk, the stands nearby, and even underneath the various parked cars. They found coins and bugs-mostly bugs. They did find a ring. But it wasn't the right one and turned out to be some lady's engagement ring. When they asked the lady about a Vongola made ring, she plainly told them that if such a ring fell here, it was gone.

That greatly lowered the moral of the search party. But, the fear of angering Reborn kept Marinette going. But, she had no idea where else to look. She could go back and retrace her steps from home. But…she was 100% certain she had it on when she left that morning.

"Maybe it fell off on the way to school. You were running fast." Adrien reminded her. Making her blush, remembering her epic fall. Following her directions on how she ran to school, they searched the sidewalks. Nothing. The gutters. Not there. Even the park. Nowhere in sight. They asked more people. This time showing Nino's ring as an example. It was a pretty bad idea. Who knew who those people were? Of course, it's not like Adrien and Alya knew of the Mafia. And she couldn't tell them why it was such a bad idea because of it. So Marinette let it slide, silently praying that they didn't run into the wrong people.

Sadly, no one saw it. Marinette felt her hopes diminishing. How could I've lost it!? She bit her bottom lip, to hold in her frustrated tears. Reborn had entrusted her with it and now it was gone. She could save the day and make everything okay, but she couldn't keep an eye on an important ring? She always knew that she was unlucky, but having the universe remind her every day was a little tiring. Her fingers rubbed over her bare middle finger. The habit of rubbing her ring when she was stressed just made her more upset. As silly as it was, that ring made her feel closer to her Uncle. It had a warm presence that was almost as soothing as him. Hell, it even felt lucky with that Ladybug on it. Where was the so-called Ladybug luck, if she had lost it so easily?

Trudging back to school, her friends tried to cheer her up. Alya was trying to be on the positive side. Adrien kept reassuring her that they would find it. Nino was comforting as well. She even tried to calm herself down, fearing the likeliness of her getting akumatized. Would she? That's not a question she wanted to find the answer to. But in all honesty, it wasn't enough.

"Mari-chan!" a voice rang out. She looked up and saw Takashi, smiling as always with his bamboo sword. She felt sick. He's going to be so disappointed. If she felt like this towards Takashi, imagine Tsuna…or Reborn. Takashi's smile fell and he glided up to them. "Is everything ok?"

Before Marinette could deny, Nino beat her to the punch. "No, Marinette has lost her ring."

"Oh…I see." Takashi looked at her.

Tears pooled over and blurred her vision, she kept trying to hold them back. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to lose it! It must've fallen! I-I-" her voice cracked and a soft sob tore from her throat.

She looked down, unable to face him. Sniffling softly. There a moment of silence before she felt a hand weigh on her head. Blinking in surprise, the teen raised her head to find the swordsman smiling at her and patting her head. She felt her worry, fear, and sadness wash away with ease. Takashi had the incredible ability to calm her down with just simple gestures. It was amazing. "Don't worry, Mari-chan. I have a good feeling that you'll find it very soon."

That confused her. "How can you be sure?"

"Trust me." he grinned and looked at the others, "Maa! Maa! Well, It's lunchtime. I suggest you guys take a break. I'm sure it'll turn up. Be careful! Oh and Agreste-kun, don't be late for practice. Ciao!" Marinette watched as he left. The calmness, the tranquility, still with her. It made her wonder, how he could do that? She thought back to the flames. Tsuna had said that one of them had the ability of tranquility. Which one was it again? Storm? No. Cloud? Not that. Sun? No that was activation.

"Rain has the ability of Tranquility. The flames can sooth anything. Like they, wash away the problems peacefully, unlike the Storm which blows them out of the water…literally."

Rain! That was it. Rain Flames. Did that mean Takashi had them?

When the swordsman raised a hand to Marinette's head and pet her, Adrien nearly did a double take. It was slow yet it only lasts a minute. In that minute, Adrien swore he saw a blue glow coming from the man's hand. His mind wondered to the flames Reborn mentioned.

"Rain, blue;… "

Does this guy know about the flames?

There was a probability that he knew of them. If he knew Reborn then maybe. Now that he thought about it. It made him wonder about the mystical life-flames abilities. What does the rain flame do anyway? If Takashi did have it and he wasn't just hallucinating, then what could it do? It didn't seem to do anything to him. The word flame was just really another word for fire, which is hot and destructive. But the orange fire was warm and only destroyed two things. The footballs. If he just witnessed a blue flame, Rain, then what had it done?

"Monsieur Yamamoto is right." Adrien broke the silence. "It'll turn up, for now, we should go to lunch."

"Yeah! And besides, I am hungry as—"

"Ah! Marinette!" a shout came from nowhere, successfully cutting Nino off. The petite designer, Adrien, and their friends turned towards the source. They saw Alix walking down the stairs towards them. Her signature black hat on her head, facing backward. Her hand was clenched and she waved it in the air. When she finally got close, she smiled at Marinette. "Hey, I've been looking all over for you." She stated.

Marinette tilted her head, "What? Why? Did Chloé do something again?"

"Knowing that girl," Alya put her hand to her forehead, "I wouldn't be surprised."

"Neither would I." Nino laughed.

The trio laughed. Before Alix shook her head, "Nah, she didn't do anything...yet. But I have some for you." Without letting Marinette answer, the girl held out her clench hand and carefully opened it. They all gasped at the sight. In her hand was the lost ring. Still shining brightly.

"Where—" Marinette started.

"After you ran into me, you dropped it. I was trying to call out to you, but you were running like you had an Akuma on your heels." Alix explained. Adrien heard the designer let out a nervous chuckle that made him smile. Takashi was right. It would turn up soon. Suddenly, without question, Marinette leaped at Alix and hugged the skater. Alix let out a mini shout of surprise before smiling again.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Marinette continued shouting Thank you's' over and over.

It made Adrien wonder. Would she have hugged him like that in thankfulness if he had found it? Knowing how she acts around me, probably not. The only hug he ever got from the designer wasn't even a hug. Actually, he never got one from her, just him hugging her. At least twice to save her life. Alya and Nino looked pretty happy at the new development as well. They had soft smiles on their faces. When she finally released Alix, the designer looks at her ring, before gently slipping it onto her finger.

"It seems pretty important to you," Alix commented.

"It is..it was entrusted to me by a family member. I would have gotten in a lot of trouble if it was gone...Reborn would have my head." She mumbled the last part low enough for them not to hear, but his hearing allowed him to hear. So the baby has something to do with their matching rings. But why? The more Adrien thought about it, the more questions he had. Like what do those carvings in her ring mean? And what does Vongola have to do with it? It was carved in the ring. Maybe they made it? One thing was for certain, whatever she and Nino are involved with Reborn knows about it.

Now to find that baby.

It was a great morning. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, the aloof clouds drifted in the sky. It was the makings of a great day. So far, there had been no Akuma attacks this week. It would be perfect to just go out and walk to school.

Or skate!

Rushing down the stairs of her home, the skater, hurriedly threw on her equipment. She soon came to a screeching halt in front of her favorite black and green skates. The skater reached down to put them on; however, something shone in the dull skates. Weird. The girl lifted the left skate and peered inside. The light from the ceiling lights made the object shine brighter. Curious, the girl tilted the skate over and out the item fell. It clanked onto the hardwood floor before rolling to a stop. She looked away from the skate and down at the object. To her surprise, it was a ring with a folded piece of paper tied to it with a red ribbon. But, I thought I gave Marinette her ring yesterday? What's this doing here?

Placing the skate back on the ground, she kneeled down and grabbed the ring. She examined it closely. It had a ruby stone in the center with the words 'Storm Guardian' curled around it in the silver medal. There was a faint tornado like shape in the gem. It was beautiful and expensive. Very expensive. Is that real? Her blue eyes wondered to the paper tied around it. Carefully, she undid the ribbon and unfolded the paper. She scanned the paper and could not believe her eyes.

Dear Ms. Alix Kubdel,

Have this. You'll need it.

-Vongola Tutor

What? Maybe it's from Marinette? It looks like her and Nino's ring. Maybe I'll ask them about it. She slipped the ring carefully on her finger. Who knows how much debt it would put her in if it broke. Alix planned to speak to the two she knew about the ring. It was cool but expensive. It made her wonder who this Vongola Tutor was and why he gave her this ring that was nearly identical to Marinette and Nino.

DING DONG!

Lunch! The perfect time to ask the two rumored 'lovebirds' about the ring she now possessed. Alix abruptly sprung up from her seat, ignoring Kim's everyday challenges. Even if it did infuriate her. He knew she was good, why push it? She briskly walked down to the designer's desk, placing a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from leaving.

"Hey, Marinette…Can I talk to you…and Nino?" She asked, as she made eye contact with Nino, who was staring at her hand in surprise.

"Uh-" her Class President looked at Alya, who gave an understanding nod, then back at her. "Sure."

Alix caught Adrien's eye. He was staring in suspicion before looking back at Nino, who was just staring at her. "I'll catch up with ya, dude." Nino quickly said to Adrien. The model seemed to want to say something but decided against it. He just nodded before leaving with Alya. The trio stood there, waiting until the other stragglers left. When the last person left—Nathaniel—they began talking.

Before she could speak, "Where did you get that ring?" Nino interrogated.

"That's what I was going to ask you two about. I found it in my skates this morning, along with this." She reached in her pants pocket and pulled out the folded paper, handing it to Marinette. The girl carefully grabbed it, unfolded it, and read the words on the paper. Suddenly, after a minute, she groaned.

"Ugh! Reborn! I told him not to drag any more people into this!"

"Drag into what?"

Nino looked hesitant. Marinette stopped talking, looking fearful. They made eye contact. Seeming to communicate on something. It was serious and heated. Marinette looked angry while Nino looked reasonable. Alix waited for them to come to a conclusion. No matter what they would say, she knew something was going on here.

Suddenly Marinette's frown increased and she sighed. "Fine. You do it. I can't bear to."

Nino nodded his head, looking back at Alix. "Can you keep a secret?"

The question shocked her, Of course, I can, who do they think I am? Chloé? "Of course."

The DJ sighed before began talking, his voice in a hush-hush tone, "Ok, good. I—We need to know if we can trust you. This is some important information. No one must know. It was an accident that I found out, but since It seems that, that one guy—what's his name again?"

"Reborn," Marinette answered her head down to the ground, rubbing her ring.

"Reborn. Since he has given you that ring, it can only mean that he sees you as fit to become Marinette's Guardian."

"Guardian? No offense Mari, but I don't babysit."

The girl let out a nervous laugh, while Nino chuckled, "No I mean, her guardian. Someone who protects her from…bad things, because….you see…" He trailed off looking at Marinette for confirmation.

Marinette let out a sigh, "I am…apparently a soon-to-be Mafia Boss." she seemed to pale at the words coming out of her own mouth.

"You can't be serious." Alix deadpanned.

"We're not joking, Alix. We—I have to know if I can trust you with this. It top, TOP secret information, if someone—an enemy finds out…." she trailed off. Alix understood the unsaid message. People she knew would be in danger or worst. "Look, I know if you don't want it, you can just give me the ring. I'm sure we can find someone else. There is really no need for you to—" the girl babbled.

"No." The duo looked at her in surprise. "I'll do it. You need someone right? I can do it. I've always wanted to do something worth my while in life. Skating is fun and great, but this…this sounds cool!" The two looked at her in disbelief. Alix grinned, "Hey! Don't give me that face! I know it's dangerous, but I'm up for it!"

Marinette's eyes teared up and Alix nearly panicked, until the girl broke out into a smile. "What is with you guys? Taking on something like this? Just for me? I- I don't know…what I did to make you want to do this."

Nino suddenly exclaimed, "It's because we're your friends. You've done so much for us. It's time for us to return the favor." Alix couldn't help but agree. The girl was an angel sent from heaven. Sure, she tripped down the stairs a lot and babbled, but she was a sweet and strong-willed girl. She stood up to Chloé on regular bases, when everyone said nothing because they feared the brat's father. She had no evil bone in her body.

"Nino's right. You stand up to a bully 24/7 for your friends. You're sweet and caring. We may not be as well acquainted, but if I had to choose anyone to body-guard or protect. It would be you."

Marinette smiled even brighter, "You guys…" she trailed off, giving them unsaid thanks.

Alix and Nino grinned at the girl. "So," The skater started, "my ring says Storm Guardian. Is that like my title?"

"Yes," a deep male voice responded.

"Reborn!" Marinette whipped around and faced a tall, sly looking man.

He had twin curls sticking from under his black fedora. A green chameleon rested on his right shoulder. It was covered in a black jacket with a yellow dress shirt. He had his hands in his black dress pants pockets. He looked intimidating and painfully professional. "Chaos, Dame-Mari, Nino, and Alix." he addressed them.

"How do you know my name?" the skater asked with a suspicious glare.

"I do my research. Besides, you're Dame-Mari's new Guardian, The Storm Guardian. The one that blows everything away." Blows everything away? That sounds interesting. "It is indeed." the man—Reborn suddenly said, shocking her a bit. "This is great development Dame-Mari. Two guardians this fast. And it's the Storm and Rain. Just like Dame-Tsuna when he was looking for his."

"It makes me wonder who's next." Nino smiled.

"How many are there suppose to be?" Alix asked.

"No counting Dame-Mari, there are 6…or 7, depending on how things go." Reborn vague answered.

"But I thought there were only 7 fl—" Marinette was interrupted.

"I suggest you three run along. Lunch is nearly over." The trio looked at each other before nodding. They silently made their way to the classroom door. "Oh, and before I forget." he stopped them. "look out for any odd people. Someone found Marinette out. We aren't sure how much they know, but if word spreads..." the man warned them. His tone harsh and sharp.

"Don't worry. If anyone even thinks about touching her, I'll kick their ass to the moon and back." the skater girl smirked.

And now we have the storm guardian! Whoop, whoop!

Ciao-su~

Edited: 11-24-18