Bleh, it's almost midnight here and I finally finished Chapter 3. For Mother's Day, I guess? Anyway, thanks to marufu-chan for reviewing the last chapter! And to the people who favorited, alerted and such. Fairly long chapter, I guess. Tried to make it as long as I could with school being busy.
Warning: Major dose of OOC-ness. Kanda mostly, also Sheryl and Tyki somewhat.
Disclaimer: I don't own -man. It belongs to Katsura Hoshino.
Worry and Welcome
"Kanda-kun? Kanda-kun? Are you there?"
"What's wrong, Komui-san?" Allen had promptly asked when he noticed that the Supervisor was trying to contact someone with a golem. Well, he knew it to be none other than Kanda, which made him worry a little bit. What happened to the Japanese teen's golem? Maybe he was just too busy fighting to pick it up! That must be the reason for it! Then again, a lot of things always go wrong in missions, particularly missions with Noah in them.
A knock from the door caught both of their attentions. Komui let the person to come inside his office, seeing none other than Lavi enter the room. He was wearing his usual exorcist attire, carrying a jumping dark golem in hand. Both Komui and Allen looked at each other with tense expressions, wary of the fact that the Bookman Jr. didn't have a golem to begin with. The redhead handed it over to the Supervisor after giving a small greeting to Allen along the way to the man's desk. "Found this lil' guy in the Ark room. Seems like someone left it there before going on a mission. Accidental or not, I don't know." The redhead explained, looking rather serious about the issue at hand even though he didn't know who's golem it belonged to. He knew that at times like this, it was no joking matter.
Komui gave the golem he was given a quick check, before giving out an exhausted sigh when he released the golem from his grasp. "It's Kanda-kun's golem. I didn't even think he would leave it behind." The statement caused both of the exorcists in the room to stiffen and give a worried glance to each other. Sure, they knew that Kanda was rather vigilant during his missions, plus the fact that he could heal faster than the average human being. Even though with all those factors, it didn't help the nagging feeling on the back of their heads to stop, seeming to scream trouble for their friend. Allen seemed more capricious than Bookman Jr., seeing as he knew about Kanda's "problem" that seemed to have risen just recently. It wasn't like Allen had predicted his friends were starting to turn into a Noah, far from it actually. Oh the irony of it all. Was fate mocking him or something? He was supposed to be the one to turn into a Noah, not anyone else!
"What are we going to do now, Komui-san?" The albino asked the Supervisor in a worried tone. Lavi had also opened up his ears to listen on what to do with the situation. Yuu-chan was his best friend, damn it! It was natural for him to worry! He knew enough Bookman would kick him if he ever admitted it out loud, but it was also for the sake of recording! In one way or another...
Komui only sighed in response again, furrowing his eyebrows in concentration. "All we could do is just...wait, I guess."
"Innocence...." Kanda whispered silently to himself, looking from the piece of glowing green Innocence then to the other Noah with him, lastly down to the sword he had on his hip. As much as he hated the items with a burning desire, his own will was fighting with his new self, saying that Mugen is not to be destroyed no matter the consequence. Call it an attachment to his sword, because well, it is his sword after all. It was the only thing he actually valued in his life, besides the lotus. Tyki had questioned him on what to do with his own Innocence, seeing as the Earl would want him to destroy it by now. But even the Noah of Pleasure knew the attachment of exorcists with their Innocence. Besides, who knew how much wrath this new Noah would unleash upon the family? Most of the time, Skin had been fairly behaved whenever it was with the Millennium Earl and other Noah, but to the exorcists, he was one angry god that should never be messed with. Yet this boy, this one exorcist, managed to kill that unstoppable wrath of the Noah and lived to tell the tale. Maybe not long enough though. The only difference to this boy as the new holder of Wrath was that he might not be so behaved like Skin was with the other Noah or the Earl. Surely the family would understand, in a way. Well, he hadn't seen the boy act aggressive with himself, so maybe that view would change.
To say that Tyki was impressed was an understatement, since he had also experienced the potential of the young exorcist back in Edo. He had to admit, the boy was pretty interesting at first, plus the fact he seemed to be well-trained enough with his sword to actually defeat one of their own. So maybe his Innocence would be a plus on their side? Besides that, it took great power to actually defeat one of the Noahs, which he did in the Ark. For the other exorcists, they only lost to them, not technically die by their own hands. There was also the fact that the boy should have died with Skin by now, being that no normal human being would ever live to such a battle with a Noah. Really, why are exorcists so hard to get rid of these days?
"Oi."
Tyki lost his train of thought when he heard the other Noah's voice, looking over to see Kanda looking at him with his darkened gold orbs, which was giving him a sort of silent question. Perhaps, to him, it looked more like he was asking him silently for permission, but for what, Tyki didn't know. By now, both of the Akuma left out of the building, saying something about sensing yet another Innocence in the vicinity and went ahead with the other Level 2s waiting outside to check things out. The Noah of Pleasure had already assured that he and Kanda would follow them after checking out the Innocence in the abandoned building. If it doesn't take too much of their time, that is. "What is it, Kanda?" Tyki asked promptly after staring at each other for a minute.
"..." Kanda only gazed at Tyki with his golden eyes, unsure of what to really say at the moment. He didn't know the real reason he had even called for the other Noah, let alone try and consult with him for something. Besides that, he didn't even know that something! Why was he even trying to talk to the Noah anyway? That he didn't know the answer to.
"Kanda?" Tyki questioned again, waving a nonchalant hand in front of the younger teen, who in response only slapped the hand away. " Che, nothing. Never mind." Kanda assured in an annoyed tone, walking ahead of the Noah and closer to the Innocence sitting idly at a small table. He just wanted to get this over and done with so that he could get some fucking answers to all the questions replaying in his head, questions only someone of the Noah would know or the Millennium Earl himself.
Well, one thing was answered: now he knew why the other finders couldn't place a single finger close to the Innocence. There was this unforeseen barrier covering the close perimeter of it, which is somewhat difficult to get through. He could see that some of the Akuma had tried to break it down, seeing as some electrical sparks were flying from the glass-like barrier, though to no avail in breaking it down. He would have guessed that Tyki would be able to go through it with his Noah powers. Then why did he need to come here in the first place? Kanda's face scrunched up at the thought.
Tyki went ahead and went into step with Kanda, standing next to the boy that was near the glowing Innocence in the middle of the room. "I know that you think I might be able to get through something like a barrier. Thing is I couldn't. It seems like the barrier is part of that Innocence." And I can't go through Innocence. The Portuguese man added mentally in his head. Of course, he knew that the other teen knew that fact already.
Kanda only grunted in response and gave out an irritated sigh. That was great, more time to waste in this hell hole with this Noah. Well, not like he has the right to say something like that, seeing as he is now a Noah himself. Glaring at the seemingly invisible glass barrier, Kanda took out Mugen and tried to activate it. For some reason, it worked but instead of that shining light that always glows along with his Mugen, there was this dim golden light that shone instead, almost like the thunder summoned by the angry god that never rests. As he fully unsheathed it, Kanda could see that his blade wasn't shining so proudly like before. It looked to be emitting a dark aura around it, even though that same golden glow was shining radiantly. The younger male nodded for the Noah to step back, which he did, a few feet away to the safe zone. Kanda took a deep breath, before launching head first to the barrier, giving it a slash with Mugen much like how he did it back in Edo. He found it rather ironic that he was breaking the barrier for the Innocence so he and Tyki could break it, rather than trying to break that barrier the Millennium Earl set himself and how Tyki had gotten in the way of that back in the capital of Japan.
The barrier seemed to disintegrate when it made contact with his katana, revealing the Innocence vulnerable. Kanda walked on over to the glowing item and picked it up from the small table, examining it before turning back to the Noah of Pleasure, sheathing Mugen back in its sheath in the process. He could quite see that the other was amused by something, seeing the smirk on his facial expression and the mirth dancing around in his golden eyes. Kanda gave a soft 'che' before placing the Innocence on the man's outstretched hand, crossing his arms after leaving the glowing item in Tyki's care. It seemed that the other's smirk widened, if that was possible.
"Here Kanda, you destroy it." Tyki said in a monotone voice, grabbing one of Kanda's wrists and placing the Innocence on his open palm. Well, it was more of a test to see if he was capable of being a Noah in general and whether to see what side the boy is willing to take. If there was no hesitation in destroying a piece of Innocence, then the boy would pass. The Noah of Pleasure knew that he couldn't possibly destroy his own Innocence, but it was actually worth to have on their side. Having that would mean Kanda would get twice the power.
It looked as if the younger male was taken aback by the order. He didn't even know how the fuck the Noahs were supposed to destroy a piece of Innocence anyway! On the other hand, some part of Kanda's mind was screaming at him instructions in destroying that accursed item, to never forgive the Innocence, to crush it with undeniable force until it shatters to a million tiny pieces. Going with his instincts, Kanda went ahead and looked to Tyki then back to the Innocence, before an evil smirk overtook his expression, eyes glinting in both wrath and mirth. As soon as that happened, the Japanese teen closed his hand over the Innocence into a tight fist, small sparks of violet coming out of his palm. There he could feel the Innocence breaking down, growing smaller in size until the only thing left of it were small particles that somewhat glowed green in the light. Kanda opened his palm and let the particles fall to the ground, brisk like the way snow falls in the winter.
He heard a satisfied hum from the other Noah, before Kanda turned his gaze over to Tyki, turning back to his usual cross expression. It felt like as if he was possessed by something when he had crushed the Innocence, holding his will and maneuvering it with precise skill. He didn't like that feeling. Not one bit. "Well, our work here is done."
Both the Noahs went ahead and exited out of the abandoned building, seeing some Akuma gathered on the outside when they appeared out in the open. "Noah-sama, the Innocence we sensed was not there. It might have been a false alarm." One of the Akuma said, the others nodding in agreement to prove its point. Tyki only raised an intrigued eyebrow, before shrugging the problem off. "It's fine. We are done with our work here anyway." He said in response before one of the doors to the Ark showed up. Entering into the Ark, Tyki went in first which was then followed by Kanda, the Akuma following after them.
"Welcome back, Tyki!" Road greeted the Noah of Pleasure along with a power hug, her father Sheryl close to her tail with a very wry smirk. Tyki stood his ground when he found his niece clinging on to him, even as he felt all the wind getting knocked out of his system. Damn can Road give such powerful hugs! He sidestepped for a bit, almost plunging back into the portal if Kanda wasn't standing right behind him in the first place. That he was glad about.
Speaking of the Japanese teen, Kanda was idly scanning the room they currently occupied with his dark golden eyes. It was a large room filled with expensive furnishing, which meant they were inside a rich mansion of some sort. So this was the place the Noah are hiding in? Not that he would be surprised, seeing as they did leave Edo after that battle in the Ark. How uncanny it is that the Order had also moved from their high tower. As much as he anticipated it, the Japanese teen didn't really think the Noah would portray themselves as rich people in the high-class society. Or was this place just some sort of illusion that Road made?
"Nice to see you too Road, Sheryl." Tyki responded in his normally smooth tone, despite having the girl clinging onto him for dear life. Road had released her uncle while taking a step back near her father, peering curiously at the person behind Tyki while Sheryl could only smile rather eerily in return. She noted that it was one of the exorcists, one of Allen-kun's friends, she thought. "So Tyki, you found the new Noah?" She had promptly asked accompanied by a raise of her eyebrow, and a point to Kanda's direction. Sheryl had also taken notice of the exorcist, looking at Kanda in an up and down matter. It was obvious that it was this exorcist who turned into the new Noah, despite that one moment in time where all the other Noah had promptly stopped what they were doing as they sensed something different. It felt like an electric shock that overcame them, before it was gone the moment it came.
Kanda's gaze reverted from the room down to the two Noah looking at him, narrowing his eyes in clear discomfort. He didn't want to talk about such an incident, especially with some part of the Noah. Of course he was known to be antisocial at most times, and this what part of those times. He gazed over to Tyki's direction, sending the man a silent message that was supposed to convey his natural discomfort. Apparently, the Portuguese man had gotten the sign the new Noah of Wrath gave him, and turned to the two curious Noahs. "Why yes. Can't you tell?" The Portuguese man interjected to Road and Sheryl, gaining different reactions from both of them. Road only gave a huff of breath before crossing her arms over her chest while Sheryl on the other hand smirked at Kanda, who in turn glared at him.
"So he is the exorcist Earl was talking about? Hmm..." Road wondered, her golden eyes still focused onto Kanda. The Noah of Wrath could only narrow his eyes more.
"I would guess so." Tyki shrugged, but also added, "Why don't we see the Earl about this? I'm sure he wants to know of the great news." He suggested, reverting away from the questions about what happened with Kanda. He could sense the apparent uneasiness the boy has, what with his dark golden eyes narrowed, his body almost shaking in what could only be anger, which was not much of a good sign for the Noah of Wrath. Besides, all questions could be answered all at once when the family attends dinner later in the day. It was also good to get all questions answered in one go, plus the fact that the others may also have questions of their own. Who knows? Tyki would have thought the others sensed the boy's awakening after they left the scene.
"Actually, he is out in the garden right now." Sheryl stated, pointing with his thumb out the window that oversaw the garden of the mansion.
Both of the Noahs went ahead and averted their gaze over to the place Sheryl was pointing, while Road went ahead and closed the portal. There they saw the balcony over-viewing the whole garden that was filled with gorgeous flowers of every size, shape, and color. Tyki nodded to his brother, before beckoning Kanda to follow him. Sheryl and Road went ahead together and exited before the two did, Road skipping happily while Sheryl was...well, being the same fatherly figure he is.
Tyki noted that the younger teen instantly relaxed when the others had left the room, though he could also see that Kanda was fingering his katana with his right hand almost feverishly, a frown marring his still features. He didn't really blame the male for being rather flustered, seeing as getting an inside look at the base of the enemy would be rather uncomfortable. Besides, Kanda needed to get used to such, seeing as he needed to live in the mansion from now on.
The older male coughed into his fist, snapping the said teen out of his thoughts (the same voice inside his nightmare), which was awarded with a glare at Tyki. "Kanda, get serious about facing the Earl." And Tyki really meant dead serious. "Che." Kanda responded before sauntering after Tyki out of the door and into the large hallways of the mansion. He had to admit, meeting the Millennium Earl about this seems rather ironic. He was supposed to face him in the battlefield, not in the territory of the Noahs themselves! Maybe fate was mocking him behind his back. Might as well go with the flow of things, seeing as if he does act on his own instincts as an exorcist, he could be easily outnumbered by the Noah, plus the Earl himself. That would be a no-go in this kind of situation. He was no fool.
Both of the Noahs walked in silence along the seemingly never-ending hallway, the silence provided filling the tense air around them. Tyki had prompted to smoke a cigarette during the walk, exhaling another breath of smoke into the stale air around. Kanda was, though irritated at the way the other was smoking like some maniac, silent the whole walk, idly fingering Mugen by his hip. Well, at least he felt comfortable with having Mugen by his side rather than having nothing to reassure him. Well, besides Tyki.
....Did he just admit that Tyki can reassure him? No, that was not the case as to why he was being so...clingy to him in the first place. Was he clingy though? Kanda had to admit, he was avoiding any contact with the two other Noahs, but for the Noah of Pleasure, he was sociable with. Was it because he had seen him transform before his own eyes?
Before he had a chance to think further about it, the two exited out a pair of double doors, meeting face to face with the blinding light radiating off the sun. After a few seconds to get his eyes more used to the new lighting, Kanda could faintly see a huge garden in the background, but that wasn't the most significant detail outside. There was the fact there were some chairs and tables arranged on the platform he was currently standing on. It was there that Kanda saw someone unfamiliar with him. He was sitting in the middle chair, overseeing all the other chairs and tables, just like the head of a company. The bellowing curtains were flowing through the breezy wind, trees providing the shadows just enough to hide most of the man's facial features, except for a monocle on his right eye. It was there that he also saw Road and Sheryl conversing with each other at the side.
Tyki made the first move towards the mystery man, "Earl, here is the Noah of Wrath," he said while stepping aside to reveal Kanda from right behind him. He could see the teen instantly tense when he had addressed the man as the Earl, following Kanda's hand till it was fingering his katana very lightly and subtle. He saw that the Earl didn't really seem affected by it, staying in his spot like he was just a few minutes earlier.
"Ah, good work, Tyki-pon. And welcome, brother. I'm glad everyone is present now." The Earl responded in his usual tone, despite taking in his human form. To Kanda, that same greeting seemed rather ironic. He was considered a brother to the Noah now? Wouldn't they think he would turn on them or something like that? Besides, he did have Mugen right now. He knows not to use it in these types of situations where he was outnumbered, plus the fact he didn't know what some of the other Noahs could be capable of. He didn't want to risk his life for that. Kanda only nodded in response to the Earl's words, making indirect eye contact with the Earl just to avoid anymore about that family shit.
Tyki could only bow a bit before settling himself in one of the chairs, the dark-haired teen following his example and sitting on one of the steps of the small set of stairs that led to the actual garden. He was keen on avoiding any other contact with the Noahs until he could get used to it, especially with the Millennium Earl himself. One moment he might find that large sword of the man's pointed to his neck in a matter of seconds. Well, they could reason with him as the Noah of Wrath, more or less. The others didn't seem fazed by it.
"I have to admit, I didn't think it would be the exorcist who did Skin back then." He heard Road give a comment not far from where he sat, huffing out some air in response to that. Not like he expected it himself, anyway! It wasn't his damn fault the memory just drifted to him or something!
"Well, surprises are sure to follow."
"Aww, come on Tyki, stop being so boring by saying that kind of stuff!"
"That was why I said you should marry someone, little brother!"
"Damn it, stop pestering me about marriage, Sheryl! I'll do it when necessary!"
"And I'm saying it is necessary! Think about all the joys in life with a sweet little daughter like Road!"
Kanda felt himself twitch constantly when he heard the others converse so normally like that. He didn't really want to get dragged in that kind of conversation, let alone having to keep his anger in check. Huh, maybe they would understand seeing as they knew him as the Noah of Wrath now?
"Now everyone, calm down. We have to meet up for family dinner soon, right? So Tyki-pon, could you guide Yuu over there to his room and get ready for dinner? It is good to announce the news to the others at one time, right? Besides, we wouldn't want him in his exorcist costume still." He heard the voice of the Millennium Earl out of all the fuss, which ceased in a matter of seconds when the man began to speak. At the sound of his first name, Kanda's head snapped faster than anyone could blink, turning to glare coldly at the Earl, despite not seeing the man's face at all. How the hell did the Earl know his first name?! He also saw Road laugh at how he had managed to glare at them, for what, she didn't exactly know. Sheryl, well, could only look questioningly at Kanda then to the Earl, seeing as he didn't know Kanda's full name yet and the dangers of saying the male's first name. Heck, he didn't catch the boy's name when the Earl was talking at all. Tyki, after muttering "don't call me that, Earl," stood from his chair and sauntered over Kanda, who immediately stood up and left the scene in a hurry, muttering colorful curse words in his native tongue. He didn't care if he was going to get lost in this big mansion! He just wanted to get away from the Earl before he threatens to take Mugen out! Kanda could hear footsteps close behind him, before turning to see Tyki was following him.
As the older man caught up with the Noah of Wrath, Tyki made a move that signaled for him to follow, before going left down a hall filled with doors that had signs in a language Kanda hasn't seen before. For some reason, he was able to read some of the text, not all, but some of them. "Right, this is the hall that is occupied with rooms for all of us. The Earl's room was the very first one we passed, following the number us Noahs were born, or well, our ancestors. Mine is in the front, the third one rather, if you ever need anything or something. Yours is room number eight there." Tyki explained while pointing his finger on a door that had a plaque much like the others, though Kanda could read what the text says, unlike some others. Wrath. So this will be his new room from now on.
As Tyki opened the door, Kanda took in the setting of the room as both of them walked inside. Oddly enough, it was pretty neat despite it having to occupy the holder of Wrath. He could see that the room was a bit bigger than his room back at the Order, just a little bit smaller than Komui's old office, if not for the piles of paper on the ground. There was a fairly large queen-sized canopy bed at the side, a small drawer right next to it. There was also an empty desk right across from it, and a window overseeing the garden outside. There was also another door, probably leading to a bathroom, right next to a large dresser that looked unused for the past couple of months. "So, dinner would be soon. Take this time to change and get used to, Kanda. There are some spare clothes in the closet. Oh, and try to attend dinner. You don't want to avoid dinner." With that, Tyki was about to exit the room when he felt a hand on his wrist, preventing him from moving any farther. His eyes turned down to Kanda, who wore an unreadable expression that he hasn't ever seen on the boy before.
"....I need something from the Order." Kanda asked. The Noah could only sigh at the boy's incompetence.
"You'd have to break in to get it, boy. They would clearly know you are a Noah. I could go get it though, if it's that valuable to you."
"....Fine. After dinner." Kanda huffed, before letting the hand grasping Tyki's wrist loosen and hang idly at his side. The Japanese teen turned back to enter into his new room, surveying the room for all its worth with his two golden eyes. Well, not like it really mattered how it was designed. As long as it has the necessities he needs, he'll be fine. Kanda heard a small click and the door closing shut from behind, sighing as he ran a hand through his dark locks of hair.
If you find any mistakes, tell me because I wrote the last parts when I was seriously tired. And I just edited some parts in someone's recommendation. I didn't get the last few chapters after the anime and before Wisely woke up the first time I read it. (Too lazy to now.)
Review?