Ethereal
Disclaimer: I don't own D. Gray Man or Harry Potter.
AN: ChaoticallyAwkward this is for you!
Warning: I will be switching between using the names Harriet and Alma depending on the POV. If it gets too confusing for you readers just try to remember that Harriet and Alma are one and the same.
CHAPTER THREE
"YUU!"
Kanda's head snapped around so fast that his neck nearly cracked. That voice... he knew that voice.
His eyes widened when he saw just who called his name.
He was so shocked that he didn't even lash out at the Moyashi when he pulled him over to towards the still captured Scientists. His eyes still locked on the person who had once been his old friend; who had now turned into a woman - a very familiar woman. He knew that face. That pretty face framed with chocolate-black hair that was usually kept up in a ponytail, only right now those dark strands were left loose - cascading around her like black clouds in a raging cyclone. He recognized those eyes the most. Those lovely green-green eyes that was far more beautiful than Lavi's pale jade eyes could ever hope to achieve.
Alma was... He was... She was the woman from his memory-induced hallucinations!
As soon as that realization hit home, the illusionary lotus garden that haunted him all these years faded from his sight. The plants sank into the ground, disappearing forever. Only one Lotus blossom remained, its thin stem wrapped possessively around the young dark haired woman - the fully bloomed Lotus flower itself resting atop her chest, right above her heart.
Fucking hell, if that wasn't proof enough he didn't know what was.
In his shocked state he idly noticed a barrier form around himself and the other Black Order members. It took him a second to realize that Alma, the woman he had been searching for, was now fighting on her own against a group of high level Akuma, and five powerful Noah - one of them being the fucking Millennium Earl himself!
Desperation filled him as he drew Mugen. He had only just found her. He refused to allow any of those Noah Bastards to lay a single finger on her!
Allen watched his fellow Exorcist snarl expletives as he tried to force his way out of the barrier. Having already tried to slash at it with his own Sword of Exorcism, Allen knew that whatever protective spell Alma had cast was pretty much impenetrable at least against Noah powers and Innocence. It reminded him of Fou's Security Door at the Asian branch. He doubted even Kanda's enhanced strength would do any better.
"You think he knows that Alma is probably the only one who can drop the barrier?" Johnny asked Reever in genuine curiosity, also watching the Swordsman's one man rampage.
"ALMA! GOD DAMMIT! LET ME OUT!"
"Now he does," Reever answered back, lips twitching into a smirk despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Shut up! I'm trying to keep you safe! Being inside a battlefield does not equal safe!" Alma roared back as she punched her fist through an Akuma's tough hide. A muttered incantation later and the killing machine imploded, white Innocence feathers bursting out of its body as its soul was finally put to rest.
That one lapse in attention to her surroundings was enough for the last two Akuma to capture Alma, holding her up by her limbs as the Millennium Earl stepped forward, a spark of barely contained rage in his eyes.
Kanda cursed and started to desperately slash at the barrier with Mugen.
000
"What did you do? How did you get over your hatred for the Black Order?" The Earl asked. Confusion and vexation could be heard in his voice. His hands tightened around the handle of his parasol. His plans to awaken the Fourteenth were falling apart at the seams and he wanted answers as to why and HOW?!
"Oh, I still hate the Order," Alma freely admitted as if two high-level Akuma weren't restraining her. "I find their experiments repulsive and appalling. They manipulate Innocents, and kill off any lives that are useless to their cause. 'Trying for Heresy' my ass, they hide behind their precious Religion pretending to be the voice of God when in reality they have already reserved themselves a place in Satan's domain. The Black Order's collective sins are unforgivable in my eyes." More than one Black Order member flinched in guilt at her bluntly spoken opinion.
"Then why haven't you turned into an Akuma?" The Earl demanded frustrated.
Harriet smiled, green eyes glowing in the gloom of the chamber, staring straight into the Earl's eyes without any ounce of fear.
"Because I love Yuu far more than I will ever despise the Black Order," She confessed truthfully and without the least bit of shame; heedless of how Kanda had frozen mid-sword swing at her words and how everyone under the barrier turned to the Swordsman with varying expressions. About half of them had a single raised eyebrow. Allen was the only one who was unsurprised. He was actually a bit amused to be honest. This was probably his first time seeing Kanda's ears practically glowing bright red in embarrassment. When the Swordsman noticed that he was now the center of attention his face flushed red as well. Oh his reaction was absolutely glorious.
Allen snickered alongside Tokusa when Kanda glared death at them all. Unfortunately for the Swordsman, the usual terror inducing effect of his black look had dampened considerably due to the fact that his face still resembled a glowing red lantern. The rest of the Black Order members turned back to watch the fight willingly enough. Although Allen could still see a few smirks on his fellow comrade's faces.
000
The two Level 4's holding the Witch up exploded from too much exposure to the spare Innocence feathers she had hidden inside their doll-like joints when they first captured her. Harriet was back in the game.
She ducked when Tyki tried to pierce his hand through her throat. Harriet had to admit these guys were very good but speed had always been her forte even in her past life. Now that she was enhanced with almost inhuman power from the Second Exorcist project, she was practically untouchable. Still there was chance that these guys could be stronger than her; she needed to avoid a close confrontation just in case. Mid to long range spells would have to do for now.
Sheril looked to be trying to use his power to physically subdue her. Wisely gearing up to do the same thing, only mentally.
Alma flicked her wrist, barking out words too quickly spoken to be properly interpreted.
Sheril turned into a Duck. An honest to god Duck. And Wisely... From the depths of his turban a small bunny rabbit appeared, little nose twitching this way and that.
Everyone under the barrier burst out laughing.
'That's what you get when you try to mess with a Marauder's daughter,' Harriet thought smirking inwardly as she dodged what could've been a damaging hit if Tyki himself wasn't already putting an effort in restraining his own laughter. Road didn't even bother, she was already rolling on the floor, cackling like a madwoman.
Never underestimate the distracting power of pranks on a battlefield.
000
The Earl summoned another Noah; this one was more muscular than the other ones with spiky black hair and his eyes shielded with black shades. He was carrying an unconscious Third Exorcist over one shoulder.
"Madarao!" Tokusa called out, recognizing his old friend.
Harriet narrowed her eyes at the new opponent. They were probably assuming that she wouldn't attack this Noah because doing so would harm the man he was holding captive. It was the classic human shield tactic. She needed to rescue the Hostage before she made her finishing move. Just as Maashiima moved forward so did she.
"Carpe Retractum!"
They all watched as Madarao was ripped out of the muscular Noah's hold by some kind of supernatural rope that pulled the unconscious Third Exorcist into Alma's awaiting arms. The woman managed to use Maashiima's shocked face as a springboard, flipping over the Noah's heads and landing behind them, the Third Exorcist secure in her hold.
Renee turned to Kanda, her facial expression a mix of heart stopping relief and amused exasperation. "I can safely say that we all approve of your choice in women. This one is definitely a keeper," the North American Branch Chief assured the Swordsman. She couldn't help but share a grin with Zhu Mei as Kanda twitched and refused to look them in the eye. Instead he continued to call out to Alma - trying to get her to drop the stupid barrier. He wasn't having much luck, even when Allen had started to help him out.
000
She could hear people calling that name. 'Alma' they called. Harriet ignored them as she turned around quickly and lifted her right arm, the other one still around the man she had just saved, palm facing the Noahs.
Concentrating on her Magic she roared out the spell that would finally send these bastards running back to the holes they crawled out from.
"FIENDFYRE!"
Great serpent-like spirits of flame shot out of her hand. White hot and all consuming, they soared towards the Noahs who finally decided that it was time to get the hell out of dodge. They escaped through their newly revealed Ark, Tyki Mikk grabbing Duck!Sheril And Bunny!Wisely on his way out. The Millennium Earl's voice resonated throughout the chamber as he escaped alongside his family.
000
"We will be back for the Fourteenth, Miss Karma. You can be sure of that."
Harriet placed the man she had saved on the ground beside her. Standing up, she waited a moment, stretching out her senses just to be sure the Noah weren't going to jump out and attack her again. Only when she was absolutely sure that they were gone, did Harriet allow her legs to give out. The exhaustion of using so many wandless spells catching up to her body as she bent over and started to vomit up the Dark Matter. She idly allowed the magical barrier around everyone to fall. She could hear people rushing towards her. Their voices filled her ears as she continued puking out the Akuma nucleus from her system. The horrid taste of Human ashes, sludge, and coppery blood coming up her throat as she retched. She could feel someone rubbing comforting circles on her back, as another person pulled her hair out of the way.
"Alma!"
"ALMA! God dammit! What the fuck is wrong with her?!"
"Calm down! My guess is that the Innocence is getting rid of the Akuma nucleus from her system! She'll be fine as soon as she hacks out the last of it."
"Are you sure she'll be okay?"
"Pretty sure."
"You better be telling the fucking truth Reever or else I will slice you apart."
"That's hardly any way to talk to your friends, Bakanda."
"Shut it Moyashi!"
"Both of you be quiet! You're hardly helping her by arguing!"
"That's it sweetie, you're doing great. Just ignore the peanut gallery. It'll be over soon."
Managing to cough out the last of the Dark Matter, Harriet finally mustered up enough energy to look up at the faces around her.
Bleary emerald green eyes blinked up at the Black Order members. Her gaze was unfocused for a moment until it landed and sharpened into clarity on the Swordsman kneeling next to her. "Yuu?" She rasped out. She knew those dark eyes. Those dark obsidian eyes with the slightest tint of midnight blue in their depths. Eyes that reminded her so much of a starless night sky. It had to be Yuu. Only he had those eyes, in both lifetimes.
Kanda nodded, surprising everyone else by actually smiling at her. "Yeah it's me."
All the emotions she kept bottled up inside her battered heart during those long nine years of imprisonment resurfaced and Harriet could feel her face becoming hot and stuffy as she started to cry. She choked out apologizes to him through her tears. For losing her sanity and killing the Scientists. For losing control of herself and attempting to kill him as well. For never telling him the truth. For not being there for him. For breaking the promise she made with him in their first lives - for everything. Yuu just gathered her up into a hug, strong arms holding her close as she continued sobbing out all the guilt and regret in her heart. Kanda glared at the other Order members when most of them started gaping at him; they had never seen the surly Swordsman comfort anyone in such a way ever. Even Leverrier's eyebrows had shot up in surprise. Only Bak, Renee, Allen, and Zhu Mei watched in sympathetic understanding. The old man especially looked a little teary eyed. Harriet didn't notice as she was still crying apologies into Kanda's shoulder, clinging to him as her pillar of support in her emotional turmoil. She didn't stop until the emotional and physical exhaustion beckoned her to sleep.
Just before Harriet succumbed to the land of dreams she thought she heard Yuu faintly whisper something in her ear even as his arms tightened around her. It was probably only a figment of her imagination - borne from her own selfish desires.
"I love you too, Alma."
000
Kanda gathered her up into a bridal carry, having wrapped the woman in his own slightly tattered beige cloak. When Alma had fallen asleep her Parasitic Innocence had deactivated as well. Unfortunately it had the side effect of revealing Alma's bare chest. Thankfully no one saw much, mostly because Kanda had snarled at everyone, especially the males, to turn the fuck away or so help him he would gouge out their eyes then castrate them all with Mugen! It worked well enough. They all knew the Swordsman was being perfectly serious with his threats and would most likely follow though with them if they didn't quickly comply with his demand. Kanda was well known for his painful honesty when making and following through with threats.
Link had arrived with Tewaku, the girl immediately heading over to her brother's side while the CROW Inspector helped Allen carry Tokusa though the Ark. Even though his arms had grown back, Tokusa's legs were still broken and they would need immediate medical treatment. Timcampy followed after them from above.
000
AN: I just spent seven frickin' hours on this. All because I was so happy to get one Review… NEVER AGAIN! I now have a major migraine and must go hunting for some headache medicine. Ugh, I will never complain again when my Favorite stories haven't updated. Hope you enjoyed this.
Edit: I changed a few things on this one too... I really need to work on my self-editing skills. *winces again*
