Joshua was choosing the right book for three customers when the two girls stormed in.
"Girls. What a pleasure to see you again!" he welcomed in a cheerful voice. "How can I be of service to you."
The girls said nothing. They just stood there, their faces unsmiling. Joshua sensed something was wrong. He handed the books he chose to the three customers.
"I'm sorry. I can only help you with these. Come back again tomorrow."
"Why delayed? Why not now? You can't do that to your customers." One of the men said angrily.
"I'm closing for personal reason. I have no reason to explain you. leave and come back tomorrow."
The three men laughed in strange voice. One man said, "Do you think we are happy watching you ,human? We wanted to kill you since long ago if not for our mistress. Now,she's not here and we can just kill you and give her all the books. She has such a useful pet, he can sort out which book she needs.''
''What!'' All blood drained from Joshua's face . He looked at the two girls and found the other men transformed into weird creatures and advanced to them.
"NO!" Joshua's scream was enveloped by the demons'laughter.
Suddenly, all he saw were strands of molten gold covering his whole body and in a minute he was lifted and then put down. All the golden strands just receded. He watched in awe while these strands woven back to the tight bun of the girl Sora. The other girl Lenalee was standing in the middle of the room and surrounding her were what appeared to be remains of the two creatures. "One escaped. Damn!" She said to herself. He had heard Bookman called those creatures, Akumas or Demons. It seemed the two girls handled the situation without a sweat.
After a heart beat, both stared him down making him feel small.
"Joshua. You have many things to explain.''
Lenalee put down the coffee cups and a plate of cookies. Joshua still seemed to be in shock. She suddenly felt sorry for him. But,Sora didn't. 'In this situation, Sora looked more like a veteran than me' She thought.
When Lenalee sat down, Sora started.
"Joshua. Tell us. We both are exorcists of The Black Order and what just happened and that you lied us, make us suspicious.''
Joshua calmed down a bit after sipping the coffee. He smiled at Lenalee. ''Miss Lenalee. this coffee is very delicious.''
''Thanks''.
Joshua sighed and rubbed his face, clearly shaken.
''Lavi is not Lavi anymore. That's what I can tell you.'' That jolted both girls. But they didn't say a word. He studied the girls and he could only see hope, desperation not anger or disbelief.
''He's the Bookman now. Senior Bookman is no longer in this world." He saw Lenalee's eyes filled with tears. ''Every single duty a Bookman has to carry out, all fall upon that young man's shoulder. Don't ask me how and why and background history and theory. I don't know. Bookman clan has more secret than any organization. Anyway, I first met him , three years ago, with Senior Bookman,just before they joined the Black Order and I haven't met Lavi since. He suddenly appeared three days ago, claiming Bookman is passed away. He gave me that book as a present. In exchange for that, he took many old documents, no one wants to read or remember.''
Lenalee and Sora looked at each other. Both of them didn't understand what they really felt right then. Happy? Relief that Lavi's not far from them? Wary that something's not right?
Joshua looked up and said. ''Tell me. What did you,members of Black Order, do to make the Bookman leave and Lavi not wanting any business with your organization?''
His voice showing tinge of anger, Joshua continued. ''Was the Black Order responsible for Bookman's death?''
''That's not true!" Lenalee denial was in an instant. ''We are his friends. That's impossible that he doesn't want to see us. That must be the Noah doing, Bookman's death. They were kidnapped by the bad people five months ago and we haven't heard a single word from them since. You are the first solid clue about him.''
Joshua seemed to calm down. He asked. ''What happened?''
Lenalee didn't answer. ''What happened was not important right now. Please tell me if Lavi was alone? Is he accompanied by a woman named Lu Lu Bell?''
''Lu Lu Bell?'' Joshua puzzled a bit. Then. he laughed. ''Oh. girls. That's not a woman. That's a cat.''
''We know that's a cat name. But this is a blonde woman who loves to wear man clothing.'' Sora interrupted. She didn't seem to take well with Joshua's sudden outburst. Her face was red from old man sensed this and he stopped laughing.
''That's not what I mean. When the boy came, he was alone except for a big black cat named Lu Lu Bell.''
Bookman was reading in his room when Lu Lu Bell entered in her cat form. He didn't move his eyes from the book.
''What?'' He asked. The cat was staring him from the chair opposite his. Then, she changed into a beautiful blonde woman.
''Your friends followed us.'' He jolted a little but didn't say a word.
''What? Not a word? I'm surprised. Thought that you would be happy to know''. She smirked at her own words.
''I told you that I won't run away and return to the Black Order.''
''Yes. That was what you said but your friends don't know that.'' He instantly looked up, suspecting. ''What are you scheming?''
''I am always planning. You see. How about we meet them and make them know clearly about your...'' She flicked her fingers in a dramatic way. ''Change of heart.'' He still didn't say a thing.
''Don't you want to know who followed us?'', She changed into a pretty girl with shoulder-length black hair and violet eyes.
His heart skipped a couple eyes widened with recognition. ''Don't tell me!"
He bolted up from his seat, his hands on her collars, his face just an inch away from her lovely face. ''Don' . .Hurt .Her!"
Lu Lu Bell laughed, in a calm and composed sort of voice. ''I was just watching them. That's all. Do you know the other girl?'' She changed into a very beautiful woman with glittering golden hair and blue eyes.
He concentrated on the face. ''Sora? What a surprise. I never forget a beautiful face like that. So, she is also with the Black Order.''
''That pretty thing is the one who troubles me. I have nothing on her.'' Lu Lu Bell said she made a mocking smile.''They are also all by themselves. Seem like a couple of stubborn kids, asking around of you while their superiors just forget and let you be to your own.'' His heart tightened by that piece of information.
He turned and walked towards the window. His fingers touched the fabrics of the curtain,and stopped there, as if finding the necessary support in the smooth red silk. He sighed and asked. ''When will we leave?''
''We won't.''
''What! The Black Order will know where we are!'' 'I can't let them find us',he thought. He wanted to leave right away.
''You don't want them to find you, not because you don't want to be found, but because ..'' She smiled. ''You are afraid that I would kill them.'' He froze with the intensity behind her words.
Lu Lu Bell stood up, walked towards him, hugging him from behind, her hands creeping and roaming all over him, but finally resting over his heart. He held his breath.
''Don't hold your breath. You don't need to be afraid of me,your partner. I can feel your heart ,beating like a stallion.'' She whispered into his ear,sending shivers down his spines. ''You are nervous.I like that. How about you watch me play a game? Me against those pretty things, with you, the prize.''
''The Earl will blame you if you lose to them.'' He tried his best to keep his voice as low and calm as possible. ''They are not weak persons as you seem to think.''
''No, they are very strong, like other exorcists.'' Her voice became very very low. ''And I have killed many many of them.'' He could sense her make a grin so evil that he felt as if his whole body shrunk between her arms. ''Moreover, I like you very much right now. Don't underestimate me.I won't easily hand over my favourite plaything.''