Holy...cow...I have people putting His Angel from His Past in their Favorites and they are Following it! My first D-Gray Man story :D *squeals* YES! I feel so warm and fuzzy now! Okay, since its summer I won't be posting as much I as would like to, cause I'm being dragged on so many vacations, but I will try to update as soon as I can!
And I have a reviewer! Thank you Prunella7! I'm so glad you approve of this pairing!
Now...on with the story!
I do not own D-Gray Man. I do own my ocs.
The large horse named Obelisk grunted unhappily as Iris tightened the girth around his belly. The young woman patted the stallion's thick neck before disappearing into the cottage once more. She placed her unused art kit into a bag along with a week's worth provisions for her escape. Giving the cottage one look around, Iris placed something on the table, easily visible to any who enter. Grabbing her cloak, Iris tied the clasp tightly and tugged the hood up around her head.
She straightened and shouldered the bag with a sigh. Turning, Iris strode out the door and tied her bag to the saddle. Grabbing the reins, Iris hoisted herself onto Obelisk's back. Pausing she turned to take on last look at the cottage she called home for 8 years. They didn't care what she really was; they welcomed her with open arms. Now she was losing it all.
Taking a deep breath, Iris turned and urged the stallion into a steady canter towards town. The steady hoof beats pounded against the earth, echoing in her ears. A deep rumble sounded across the sky, making Iris look up with a scowl. While her home was beautiful and peaceful, it also had a fair share of rain that randomly appeared.
The forest easily fell away as she entered the town, her mount's hooves clacking loudly against the cobblestones. Stragglers paused from their actions to stare at the cloaked figure that cantered through the town towards the mayor's home. By the time she reached the mayor's home, an entire crowd had gathered and were armed with umbrellas.
"Mayor Miles!" Iris called out, tugging the reins back harshly and making Obelisk rear.
The balding man poked his head his window to squint at the cloaked Exorcist. "Miss Iris?" he asked in surprise.
"Mayor Miles, I am leaving." Iris called out, her voice firm.
The old man nearly fell out of the window at her response. "What?" he demanded.
People started to gather around Iris, ignoring the misty drizzle of rain. They grabbed her cloak, her riding gear, anything they could grab onto to prevent her from leaving. Mayor Miles stumbled out his home, his porky feet stuffed into goulashes while his young, pretty wife peeked out from the doorway.
"B-b-but why?" Miles demanded.
Iris bent down to whisper. "People are coming for me. I have to leave."
"I don't understand."
Iris gave him a sad smile. "I know. If these people approach you, you must tell them this."
She murmured something in his ear before raising her voice to the gathering people.
"My friends! My heart is full regret to tell you that I am leaving. But do not fear, others will come to protect you!"
"Miss Iris!" a frail unhappy voice called out. "Please don't leave!"
Iris glanced down to see one of the two children she talked to the morning she met Cross. The little girl stared up at her, tears gathering in large blue green eyes. Iris' own eyes softened before she pulled out something from her pocket and leaned down to give it to the girl. A tiny silver wing and tiny sword with a red jewel embedded in the hilt, hung from a thin chain that was placed in the little girls hands.
"Hey kiddo," she whispered gently. "I need you to do something very, extremely important for me? It is life and death important."
The little girl's eyes widened before she nodded eagerly. Iris tapped the necklace she had given the child.
"I need you to give this to a man who carries a sword. Ask him for his wing and blue sword. He will understand. Can you do this?"
"Yes ma'am!" the child said firmly, standing tall.
Iris smiled before sitting straight in her saddle.
"May God protect you all!" she shouted before turning Obelisk around and taking off on the main road at a gallop.
People gathered at the entrance of the village, watching as their protector vanished in the misty distance.
Iris watched the road carefully, staying alert for any lights or figures in black and silver. Her heart ached sadly as she left her home, the people she called friends and the memories they shared, both good and bad.
'I am sorry everyone, but my past is coming to the light. Come on Exorcists! Let's see if you can catch the Angel Exorcist before she catches you!'
Allen Walker happily sat down on the seat next to Lenalee while Kanda sat opposite of them, staring moodily out the train window.
The bubbly Exorcist gave Kanda a smile. "Come on, Kanda! Cheer up! We're going to see Iris again!"
She received a dark look and 'che' from the samurai as he continued to glare outside, his lips tugged down in a deep scowl.
Allen opened one of the three files that Koumi had given him, Lenalee and Kanda before they left.
XxX
"I know you both came back from fighting the Earl and saving Russell's son, Allen, Lenalee. But all three of you are needed on this mission that's coming from the head honchos themselves." The purpled haired scientist explained, handing out files to the three.
Allen and Lenalee sat together on the couch while Kanda leaned against the wall, glaring silently.
Koumi pushed his glasses higher up on his nose. "Your mission is to find a former Exorcist who escaped from the Black Order eight years ago. There have been recent rumors about her being alive and the higher ups want her brought in. A Finder just returned from a village called Rainswood and said that she was sighted there."
Allen flipped through the file quickly, browsing the paragraphs quickly. "Who are we exactly looking for?"
Koumi's green eyes flickered towards Kanda for a spilt second. "Her name is Iris Chase."
XxX
Allen flipped through the pages to find the picture of the young woman they were in pursuit of. He blinked at the picture in surprise.
A young girl, probably no older than 6, stared at the camera, a blank look on her chubby face. Short white hair was cut just below her ears, the tips curling ever so slightly. Large, bright blue eyes looked up at Allen, hidden under long lashes. The Exorcist frowned slightly, looking even closer. That's when he managed to see the scars. They were faint yes, but he could still see them. In the picture, Iris Chase wore a sleeveless top that revealed the scars crisscrossing all along her pale skin. He could see the weariness in those blue eyes as she stared up at him from the picture.
"Pretty isn't she?" Lenalee's voice broke Allen's train of thought. He looked up to see Lenalee staring down at her own picture, a sad smile on her face.
"Yeah, she is." Allen said, smiling. He frowned. "But it's been 6 years. How do we know what she'll look like now?"
Kanda snorted. "Be hard not to notice a girl with white hair, Beansprout."
"My name's ALLEN! Say with me now, AL-LEN. Okay, BaKanda?" The boy snapped.
Lenalee immediately tried to intervene. "Knock it off you two!" she scolded. "And Allen, Brother ran Iris' picture through one of the computers so we could at least get an idea of what she looks like now." She pulled a picture out and held it out for him, "Here."
Allen took the picture and looked it over before blushing slightly. The young girl had immediately transformed into a young woman around their age, if not older. The eyes had narrowed and her face was now thinner with high cheekbones. Her hair remained the same length like her younger photo, perhaps a bit longer, but she was still pretty.
"Looks nothing like her." Kanda grunted from his spot.
Allen gave him a curious look. "What do you mean?"
Kanda shifted in his seat, Mugen tucked protectively against his shoulder. "She hated short hair, wanted it long so she could braid ribbons in it."
"And you know this how?"
Kanda said nothing. His eyes just stared out the window, watching the trees and buildings dash by.
Lenalee blinked thoughtfully. "You two were pretty good friends before she ran away."
She received a grunt in reply. The two Exorcists gave each other glances before the train let out a loud shrill whistle at the arrival at the station.
Lenalee stood up, grabbing her suitcase. "Come on guys, this is our stop."
As Allen and Lenalee walked off the train with Kanda following behind them, they stopped to stared at an old fading sign that pointed off into the distance and said, Town of Rainswood.
Allen tilted his head with confused look. "This is village is supposedly popular and easily found on a map. Why would Miss Chase hide here?"
Lenalee shrugged. "Probably because it's popular. Iris might of thought that no one would look here. They would be looking for someplace that was hidden and off the map."
Kanda stared up the sign, unknowingly fingering the beaded bracelet around his wrist.
"Happy Birthday, Yu! I made this for you! Put it on!"
Shaking his head to clear the memory of her childish voice, Kanda strode pass Allen and Lenalee towards the town.
The three traveled quickly on the worn pathway, heading towards a small town that seemed to lead into a large forest. They stopped at the entrance to peek in.
"They seem so..."Allen paused, watching the people move silently throughout their errands. "Sad."
Lenalee nodded while Kanda che'd and strolled into the village, his companions scrambling after him.
At first when they strode in they had an air of confidence, but it all faded way as they slowed to a stop. Villagers started to surround them, gathering close to stare at them. Kanda's fingers inched slowly towards Mugen as the villagers grew closer.
"Allen?" Lenalee asked, her tone wary.
He answered the unasked question. "No. They're not Akuma."
"Of course we're not Akuma, boy!" a stout man declared, waddling forward.
Quirking an eyebrow at the man, the blue haired samurai stared at the man. "And you are?"
"I'm Mayor Brian Miles, I'm in charge of this town. And you are?"
Allen stepped forward, holding out his hand politely. "I'm Allen Walker, this is Lenalee and this is Kanda. We are Exorcists sent from the Black Order. We are looking for-"
"Iris Chase. We know." Mayor Miles said hotly, frowning at them and making Allen drop his hand sheepishly. "So you three are the ones that are after Miss Iris."
"You know her?" Allen asked, excited. "Where is she?"
"Gone." Miles said dryly. "Left three days ago."
"She's gone?" Kanda demanded.
"Mister Exorcist?" a voice squeaked, tugging on Kanda's jacket.
The said Exorcist blinked down at a little girl that stared up at him. "What?" he asked gruffly.
The girl tugged something off her neck and held it out for him. "Miss Iris asked you for your wing and blue sword."
Kanda froze, his eyes wide as he stared at the necklace. The two charms seem to mock him as they glimmered, a tiny wing and a small sword with a red stone in its hilt.
Lenalee slowly approached Kanda. "Kanda?" she asked softly.
The Exorcist knelt down to the girl's height, tugging something off around his neck and held it out next to the girl's necklace. The silver chain sparkled as it swung slowly in the light, a small silver wing and sword with a blue jewel glimmering. Kanda let his lips twitch slightly at the little girl's gasp of delight. She gave him a beam before placing her necklace into his own hand.
She giggled happily before running off. Kanda stood, clutching both necklaces tightly before turning to Miles with a determined look. "Show us where she stayed."
Miles nodded before leading them into the forest, the villagers watching them quietly.
"Mayor Miles, how exactly did Iris come to live here?" Lenalee asked they walked down a worn pathway.
"It was a long time ago," Miles explained. "Our town had been under attack from Akuma for many years. We would lose people to those monsters many times a week. Many times we would not even leave the safety of our homes in fear of being attacked."
"You mean the Black Order never came to help?" Allen asked, astonished.
"No. One day, we were under attack and a blur of white and black attacked the Akuma. It fell, and the blur continued to attack the rest of the Akuma, one by one. When the last Akuma fell, we were shocked to find a young girl with wings four times her own size, holding a scythe that stood high over her head. She became known as our protector, our Angel so to speak. We believed she was a messenger from God himself." he continued.
"One of our best carpenters had created a cottage for her, hidden deep in the forest. She designed the cabin door to open to her hand...and her hand only. Miss Iris lived in that cottage for eight years, until now. Here we are." Mile said, stopping at an opening in the forest.
A large cabin was placed in the center of the opening, under the shade of a weeping willow with pond placed nearby. Kanda had paused to stare at the flowers floating in the water before turning back to the others.
"Whoa..." Lenalee whispered staring at the front door.
The large rosewood door was carved expertly with lines that twisted and twirled into elegant designs with a flower in the center. Allen tried to push it open but it wouldn't budge.
"There's no knob..." he said, patting where the said knob would be.
"Like I said," the mayor explained. "Miss Iris designed this door to open by her hand only."
"How is that even possible?" Lenalee demanded. "There is no keyhole for a key and I doubt she could open it with her bare hands."
Kanda watched as the three tried to open the door before looking down at the necklaces he held. The wings shone in the sunlight, the jewels in the swords glinting playfully up at him.
'Only you would think of something like this, Iris.' He mused, rubbing one of the wings. 'Only you.'
He looked at the lotus blossom on her door for moment before stepping forward and pushing the three out of his way.
"Kanda what are you-?"
"Shut it, beansprout."
The harshness in his voice made Allen freeze as Kanda bent down face to face with the lotus.
"All I know is that when Miss Iris touched it," the mayor said, wiping his forehead. "Is that it-"
He stopped as Kanda tugged off the one of wings and placed it on the center petal of the lotus carving. Moving the wing around, Kanda found a wing shaped indentation in the carved petal. Smirking, Kanda pressed the wing in the indentation and a sudden glow began to run along the craved wood.
"Yeah. It did that." the mayor said, sweat dropping.
Kanda smirked as Allen and Lenalee gasped in awe. 'Yep. Only you could think of this. Using one of the wings to act as a key...'
When the glow stopped, Kanda pushed the door open, stepping into the bare cottage. He paused at the table, picking something off the oak table and stared at it, his face blank.
Lenalee peered curiously around the cottage, checking the rooms. "Its pretty simple." she mused.
Allen opened a few drawers before closing them. "There's nothing here but dust."
"Not quite." Kanda spoke up.
The two Exorcists gathered around him to peer over his shoulder at what he held.
A small simple photo frame sat in his hand, the light gleaming on the glass. In the photo were a small boy and girl. Allen quickly recognized the face of little Iris Chase as she held an oddly familiar blue haired boy in a chokehold. Iris was beaming happily at the camera while boy was giving her a scowl and seemed to be protesting as he struggled to get out of her grasp.
"Kanda?" Lenalee said softly. "Is...is that...you?"
Kanda said nothing, running his thumb lightly against the fame before stuffing it in his pocket. He turned to Miles and demanded,
"Which direction did she go?"
Miles turned and pointed. "She left on the road you three arrived on and traveled north."
Kanda adjusted Mugen on his back and started to leave. "Let's go."
Allen gave him a bewildered look. "What?"
A pair cold grey eyes turned to glare at the white haired Exorcist. "We're going to find her. Like we're suppose to."
Lenalee gave Allen a worried glance before running after Kanda. Allen gave Miles a quick bow before racing after the others. The stout man watched them walk off and closed his eyes.
"May God protect you all." he muttered.
Lenalee turned to Allen as they left the village, heading to the train station again.
"I almost forgot! Hey Allen?"
"Yes Lenalee?"
"Where's Timcanpy?"
"..."
"..."
"TIMCANPY!"
"Che."
WOOOOOOOO! Chapter 2 finished! I almost forgot Timcanpy so I threw him in the end.
Have I mention how warm and fuzzy I feel right now after seeing you readers following my story and even putting them in FAVORITES! HOLY FUDGE BUNNIES!
Now if I could have just a few more reviews...that be great! Please I really want to hear from you guys and to see what you think of it so far. The more reviews, the more chapters you get!
REVIEW!