10 Years Later
She sat in her room in front of her mirror. Her hair had grown long in the past ten years since she had come to live with the mysterious, yet intriguing Noah clan. Brushing through it with the pearl-colored brush with small green beads adorning it that Road gave her for her last birthday, she thought about what they could be doing now. The day before, they had left for a new mission that the Millenium Earl had given them. She'd never once gone on a mission with them and when they were gone, she was lonely. Lulubell was around a lot, but she never really spoke with her and Skinn was far too violent and would probably try to pummel her if she even got close to him. The two others, Jasdero and Debitto, well they would probably spend time with her but they had always liked to goof off and they usually ended up getting hurt or into trouble. She wanted Tyki and Road back, the two who she had always felt closest to. Sighing, she slipped the brush into the drawer and stood up; it was about time for breakfast. She headed over to her closet and picked out a long black gown that had a green satin sash as a belt. It had always been one of her favorites; plain but beautiful.
Making her way out of her room, she navigated her way down the streets adorned with the white buildings that she had become so accustomed to. A few butterflies flittered past her and she was reminded of Tyki's tease butterflies. She smiled softly as she made her way down the paths to the meeting room. When she walked in, she saw Jasdero and Debitto in their normal spots with Lulubell sitting at the end of the table with Skinn at her left-hand side. She sat across from Debitto quietly.
"Hey, exo-chan!" Debitto said. "How come you're all alone?"
"I asked you to quit calling me that!" Lenalee said, though she had a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Anyway, you of all people should know that Road and Tyki went off on another mission. I'm not sure when they'll be back."
"Lena-chan's lonely!" Jasdero laughed.
Lenalee sighed. She could see that, once again, she was not going to have a quiet meal where she could just think things over like she would like to have. Softly, she picked up her fork and knife and began cutting into the medium rare steak that was on the plate in front of her. She bit into it delicately and ignored just about every word that Jasdero and Debitto were saying. When she was finished, she stood up and dismissed herself. She was about to walk out the door when- Smack! She bumped right into someone.
"Sorry!" She said, taking a moment to gather herself.
"Well, well, why in such a hurry," came that familiar voice that she had been longing for since they had left.
"Tyki-sama!" She launched herself right into his arms. "I missed you!"
"We were only gone for one night this time," Road chimed in, sounding happy and somewhat amused. "You should be able to make it that long without seeing us."
"Well I…" Lenalee started.
"I think you should come with us next time." Tyki said suddenly. "I think that it's time you get to see this war for yourself."
"Really? You mean it?" She looked up at him with a hopeful expression. "That would be great!"
"But you need to be prepared, Lenalee. It's not a beautiful thing and you may be faced with your past again." At the mention of her past, Lenalee immediately sobered up and looked at him with a firm expression.
"I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm sixteen years old, I can handle it."
Though he wasn't sure about her declaration, he knew that she was going to face it sooner or later and sooner was definitely the better choice. Letting a sigh escape his lips, he nodded. "Okay. We'll get you prepared and we'll take you next time. Until then…" he put a hand on the top of her head and ran his hand through her hair, "just relax, okay?" He pulled her to him softly.
"Okay, okay," Lenalee said, feeling calmed by the touch of his hand. For some reason, it had always been that way. She couldn't stand being touched by anyone at all except for him, though she couldn't explain exactly why. His touch had always comforted her. Perhaps it was because he was the first one who had helped her after her escape from the Order and she had always felt safest with him. She sighed inwardly. No matter what it was, it didn't matter because he was here now and she was in his arms again and nothing could compare to the comforting, warm, tight, and somewhat unsettling feeling that she was feeling now.
