Disclaimer: I own these characters... I don't own X-Men though.

A New Approach

Everyday, Brook would go down to the village in the morning so she could visit Paolo, and every mid-afternoon, she'd come home, happier than anyone had ever seen.

It had been a week, and the four siblings could tell that Aziz was beginning to wonder what his daughter could possibly be doing down in the village all the time.

The four siblings went out into the valley and sat together so they could discuss their current predicament.

"What are we going to do?" Flash moaned, falling back into the grass.

Gust sighed. "I don't know. Brook doesn't listen to us anymore. We keep asking her to stop, but she ignores us."

Blaze tilted his head up to the cloudy sky. "You realize she gets in even more trouble the longer this goes on. Father will be so furious when he finds out. He'll punish her severely. We all know he has powers, he's just never said what they are. It could be anything."

Gust nodded. "He's definitely a man to be feared." He murmured.

Flora was sitting crossed-legged waving her hand over a flower bud. The flower began to bloom as she looked up at her brothers. "Why not talk to Paolo? If Brook won't listen, maybe he will?" She suggested lightly.

Flash grinned. "That's a good idea. We should go tonight, while Brook is sleeping. We can talk to Paolo and maybe he'll put an end to the visits."

The other three agreed and they headed back home.

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Blaze checked Aziz's room, while Gust and Flash checked Brook. Both were sleeping. Flora agreed to stay behind to keep Aziz and Brook distracted, should they wake up, while the three brothers headed down to the village to speak with Paolo.

The three brothers tiptoed out of the house and made it down to the village. When they finally reached, they realized neither one of them knew where Paolo lived.

They wandered the village aimlessly until they heard a small giggle. They turned and saw three young women sitting nearby while looking at them and giggling. The one who seemed to be the boldest stood up. "You're lost aren't you? You've walked past here four times."

Flash nodded. "Yah. You know where Paolo lives?"

The woman shook her head. "Never heard of him."

One of the other girls stood up. "I do! I'll talk you-"

Gust cut her off. "That's okay. Just tell us."

The woman stuck her bottom lip out in a pouting manner. "He lives in the fourth house in the next street over."

The three siblings left quickly without so much as a word of thanks. The three girls had mixed reactions. One looked hurt, one was appalled and the other was confused. The one who hadn't said anything yet, flicked her hair over a shoulder. "They weren't good looking anyways!"

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It took the boys no trouble to locate Paolo's house and were soon knocking. Paolo answered. He looked between the three until he caught sight of Flash, instantly recognizing him.

"Hey Flash! Are these your brothers Blaze and Gust?" He asked, completely unaware of the pressing matter at hand.

Blaze pushed his way inside. Flash and Gust followed, closing the door.
Blaze gave Paolo a curt nod. "I'm Blaze, that's Gust." He pointed to Gust. "And we're here to talk about Brook."

Paolo didn't react. "Oh yah? What about?"

"You've got to stop seeing her!" Gust blurted out.

Blaze rolled his head. "What my brother means to say is: Our father will be mad, no, furious, when he finds out Brook meeting with you."

Flash butted in. "And you don't know our father. He's dangerous, and definitely someone you don't want to mess with."

"So please stop these pointless visits or Brook's life might be at stake!" Gust finished.

The three waited with baited breath for Paolo to reply.

Finally he did reply, but it wasn't the answer they were expecting. "I know I should, but when your heart falls in love-"

"Oh , for crying out loud!" Flash smacked his forehead.

"Not you too!" Gust exclaimed.

Blaze shook his head, trying to remain calm. "Look., if you really love our sister, you'll let her go."

Paolo snapped his gaze to the three angrily. "I really love your sister, and that is why I won't let her go!"

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The three siblings trudged back up the mountain, defeat showing clearly through the way they were slouched.

"Well that went well." Gust said sarcastically.

Blaze shook his head. "You guys all know what's going to happen, right?" They nodded, but Blaze explained said it anyways. "No matter what happens, she's going to be heartbroken." The three sighed in unison. "Now it's all a matter of, is it going to accidentally slip, or will he figure it out on his own?" Again they sighed.

A/N: What's going to happen to Brook? Will the siblings keep her secret or will someone reveal it? Stay tuned to find out.