Recap
Lulubell asked, "Master, you didn't just call us for dinner right?"
"That's right, there something all of you need to know and do something about it." The earl said, finishing his the last of his dessert, setting the spoon on the table.
The noahs at the table too were finishing up their desserts. When they heard what the Earl mentioned, all of them all looked up, alert.
"What's that? Have you managed to locate where the heart is?" Road asked excitedly.
"Not quite, I had just discovered that a rather strong power source has awakened recently." The Earl replied placing his hands on the table, in a business-like manner.
"Eh?! It may be the heart." Devit pointed out, putting his legs on the table in an ungraceful manner.
"Hi! It may be the heart!" Jasdero echoed.
"I don't want to jump into conclusions just yet, it yet again might be a dummy heart." The Earl explained.
"Just like Allen Walker and Lenalee Lee's innocence?"
"Yes..."
"Master, then what you want us to do?" Lulubell asked.
From his pocket, the Earl took out a few of poker cards. These are not ordinary poker cards though, there's something different in each of them.
"Pick a card." He said simply.
All the other noahs looked rather amused at the Earl's new tactic of giving out assignments. Usually, the Earl will personally give out the cards to each of the noahs themselves. Spreading out the cards to a fan shape, he said, "Take your pick."
Each of the noahs picked out a card, looking at the mission that they are supposed to do respectively.
"Earl, why didn't you give out the cards personally? You always do that." Cyril asked, looking at the card he picked.
"I think this will be better since you all chose your own assignments instead of me choosing for you. Furthermore, the last time Tyki, Jasdevi and Skin are unable to successfully accomplish their missions. Now, there's no reason to fail." The Earl turned his gaze towards the three, who gulped, knowing that the Earl wasn't too happy about what happened the last time.
"There's also one more thing I need you all to do…" The Earl bent down to pick up something.
The noahs peered over with interest, wondering what the Earl had in store. Then, he took out a few books that strangely resembled homework. To be exact, the pile of books looked exactly like Road's homework.
"Not again…" Tyki groaned, lightly smacking his palm onto his face.
"Everybody, thank you for helping me with my homework!" Road said cheerfully.
"Hi! Why do we have to do all your homework?" Jasdero asked, raising his fists in protest.
"That's right, why can't you do your own homework?" Devit pointed an accusing finger at Road.
"That's because I don't know how to do them." Road replied in an innocent sort of way.
"Everybody please take a book each and help Road with her homework." The Earl said, pushing the stack of books forward.
Tyki and Jasdevi were the only ones who complained as they each took a book while the Earl, Lulubell and Cyril didn't seem to mind. All of them opened up to the intended page and started writing, except Tyki and Jasdevi, who were dumbfounded by the questions in the book as they did not have much education in their younger days. However, both the Earl and Cyril were both writing at top speed, it is difficult to tell who has a faster writing speed. Lulubell was the only one writing at a normal speed. Road happily watched as the others did her homework then she spotted Lero, the Earl's umbrella.
"Lero, help me with my homework please?"
"B-B-But Road-tama-"
The flustered umbrella tried to persuade the noah that there's no way that he could help with any of the homework but his efforts are futile. Road playfully ignored his explanations and tried to grab the umbrella which dodged narrowly out of the way. Somehow, this ended up into a game of tag where Road chased Lero all over the place while the others sat at the table either doing or staring at Road's homework questions.
Back at the black order, Kanda and Kurogane are making their final preparations before setting off on their mission. As they packed, three persons were hanging around them, watching them pack. However, with the three of them watching at them pack with mischievous expressions on their faces and not uttering a word, as if planning something that may very well irritate the ninja and samurai. Kurogane found it more unsettling as minutes passed. On the other hand, Kanda was getting more irritated of their presence alone.
"Will you three stop staring?!" Kurogane snapped.
Kanda was glad that Kurogane had made his point before him. He too was getting irritated. "Maybe I was wrong about him earlier." Kanda thought to himself.
"Heh, Kuro-puu, is getting irritated already?" Lavi asked teasingly, using one of the many nicknames that Fay had taught him earlier on.
"It's Kurogane!"
"Puu! Kuro-sama is getting mad again!"
"That's right." Lavi added, smirking.
"You…get back here!" Kurogane shouted as both Mokona and Lavi ran as soon as he said the previous comment and chased after the pair.
As Kurogane chased Mokona and Lavi around the room, Fay decided to tease Kanda instead, who had been rather silent.
"Yuu-chan, are you done packing?"
No answer came from the samurai, who chose to ignore that comment.
Fay noticed that this did not work. So he decided to use another method which he, in his opinion, thinks that it'll work.
"tyun tyun.....psh psh" Fay made sound effects as he lightly pushed on Kanda's head.
Sure enough, Kanda took out his mugen swiftly and pointed it at the magician's neck. Fay only looked surprised for a moment, then returned to his normal happy-go-lucky expression and said, "Oops, looks like I've made Yuu-chan angry."
As soon as he said that, Fay moved with lightning speed out of harms' way of getting hurt by mugen. However, Kanda was too angry too notice that for he started to chase the magician all over the place. Just like Kurogane did with Lavi and Mokona.
Meanwhile, at another part of the black order, Allen and Lenalee decided to show Syaoran and Sakura around. Link was also there so as to keep a close watch on Allen as Leverrier had instructed. However, Link had a feeling that he's somewhat of an extra even though neither Allen nor Lenalee had shown any indication that they are a couple. "Maybe it's because of Komui" he thought.
Link's eyes moved over to Syaoran and Sakura who he can tell that they clearly are a couple, Syaoran hands are currently holding Sakura's hands. Whether did Syaoran realize that he holding Sakura's hands, Link isn't too sure.
"And here's where you'll sleep, Syaoran and Sakura, your room is just next to Syaoran's" Allen pointed at both of the room doors respectively.
Both Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other and smiled, glad their rooms are just next to each other.
"Oh! What about Fay-san and Kurogane-san rooms?" Sakura asked, remembering about the magician and ninja.
"Don't worry, their rooms are over there." Lenalee answered, pointing to the two doors that are slightly further away from their rooms, separated by a corridor.
"That corridor would lead you to the library." Lenalee continued.
"Really? Can I take a look at it?" Syaoran asked, suddenly feeling excited about the library.
"Syaoran-kun is an archaeologist, he used to spend time with his dad travelling to different worlds to excavation sites. He's really interested in the history of different worlds." Sakura explained, smiling at Syaoran, who smiled back.
Syaoran knew that Sakura remembered this because of what he had said to her during the time where he, Sakura, Fay and Kurogane had fallen into a strange world where everything doesn't seem real at all. Although he is aware of this, deep down in his heart, Syaoran felt a little hurt as Sakura did not remember it due to their relationship in the past. Even though he knew that Sakura could no longer remember him in the past, a small part of him still wished that she could. However, he had sacrificed their relationship as a price in order to save Sakura by travelling to different worlds and collect her feathers. To Syaoran, sacrificing their relationship was the least he could do to save Sakura's life. All he wanted now is for Sakura to be happy.
As they reached the library, Syaoran was amazed with the amount of books that the Black Order has. Tons of books were arranged neatly on the shelves while a few other books which are piled up on the desks of the scientists researching in there. Syaoran reached out to take one of the books which happened to be about the history of the 18th century, this made him curious, causing him to flip open the book.
"That's rare, I seldom see anyone your age so interested in history."
Syaoran jumped slightly at the voice. Turning back towards the sound of the voice, he saw a rather short man with the most peculiar eyes that forcefully reminded him of a panda.
"I do not have a name, you can call me bookman." Bookman introduced himself, extending his hand.
"A-ah, nice to meet you, I'm Syaoran...and this is Sakura." Syaoran shook his hand, sounding a little flustered.
"Hey, old panda, getting acquainted with Syaoran-kun and Sakura-chan?"
Bookman did not even bother to respond. Almost immediately after he heard Lavi calling him 'old panda', Bookman sent a flying kick towards Lavi's head.
"O-ouch!"
"That'll teach you not to call me that again!"
"Oh, Syaoran, would you be interested to join us Bookmen?" Bookman asked, turning his attention towards the boy.
"Gramps! You can't be doing that?! Your own apprentice is here?!"
"Shut up, I'd rather have Syaoran as apprentice."
"What?!"
"Actually, I don't think I can accept this job..." Syaoran reasoned politely.
"Kid, don't take me seriously, I'm just pulling his leg." Bookman whispered to Syaoran who bent down to listen.
"But this isn't a good idea..." Syaoran protested.
Bookman ignored his last comment and continued to talk about how Syaoran should join him as a new apprentice. However, Syaoran's expression is getting more and more flustered as the conversation went on. Lavi also had the same expression on his face as well.
"Maybe I can reconsider about taking Syaoran...on one condition."
"What is it?" Lavi asked eagerly.
"You'll have to finish memorizing these by tomorrow afternoon." Bookman replied, placing two extremely thick books in front of Lavi.
"What?!" Lavi exclaimed, but he remembered what Bookman had said. Sighing in defeat, he took the two books and walked out of the library.
"Bookman-san is really good at making Lavi-san do his work." Fay said, after Lavi left the room.
"Yeah, if I don't threaten him once in a while, that lazy rabbit would become lazier." Bookman said, smirking.
Little did the group know, Lavi had heard everything. "Damn that old panda! Using this method to get me to do my assignments." He thought, "but not bad, you won't get me the next time" Lavi smiled, walking off to memorize the books that Bookman had set for him.
Both Kanda and Kurogane were relieved that Lavi had gone off. At least there's one less person who'll get on their nerves.
"Bookman, where's Komui?" Kanda asked.
"He's in his office." Bookman answered.
Kanda set off briskly towards Komui's office, closely followed by Kurogane. The rest of the group watched as the two of them set off.
"Psst, Allen!"
"What is it, Johnny?" Allen whispered back to the scientist.
"You better not hold hands with Lenalee here. If Komui sees it, you're in trouble."
Allen looked down and remembered that he had been holding Lenalee's hand ever since they entered the library. Earlier on, he felt that holding Lenalee's hand seemed like a good idea. As he linked his hand with Lenalee's, she looked at Allen, slightly surprised for a moment, then smiled at the gesture, lightly squeezing his hand. Blushing slightly, he immediately let go of Lenalee's hands, causing her to look at Allen who gave her an apologetic look.
At the same time, Kanda and Kurogane reached Komui's office where they found the latter chatting on the phone, obviously procrastinating as usual while Reever shouted at him to sign a stack of paperwork.
"Oh? Kanda, Kurogane, you've arrived." Komui said, noticing them.
"Just get to the point." Kurogane said.
"That right, could you put these on before going on your missions?" Komui said, holding out two communicator earrings.
Kanda and Kurogane each took one communicator and wore it.
"I heard from Fay-san that Mokona act as a translator for you all. So, these earrings can help to keep in touch with Mokona's ability no matter how far you are and that's all." Komui explained.
After Kanda and Kurogane left the office, Reever was about to once again yell at his supervisor to get back to his work when the latter deliberately picked up the phone once again, pretending to make a call to the Asian branch HQ.
"Kuro-daddy and Yu-chan are setting off now. Have a safe trip!" Fay said as he spotted him and Kanda.
"SHUT UP!" both of them shouted, walking off before Fay and Mokona could tease them any further.
"Finally, I'm getting some peace away from those three." Kurogane said as they left the order.
"Yeah, it's now all peace and quiet." Kanda agreed.
A/N: Here's chapter 4! Hope you've have enjoyed it! About the part where Sakura mentioned that Syaoran and his dad used to travel around different worlds, that was from the Chibi arc from the anime. Chapter 5 will be about Kanda and Kurogane's mission…
Please read & review! Reviews are appreciated. =)
