Hello, hello! So, for the Guest, I'm glad you approve of my choice of love interest! Also, I am more than happy to inform any reader that I finished writing the story until the whole first season, which I consider beeing the whole first 103 episodes or, if you want even more precisions, all the episodes before Hallow. I started writing about the second season, which, as I just said, I consider beeing Hallow and the whole thing now goes to 427 pages. So yeah, I'm kind of proud.
Answer: As Guest guessed, 'Tenshi' is the japaneese word for 'Angel'. Again, it's not exactly creative, but it fits, so yeah.
Enjoy!
"I'm free, at last!"
"Come on, it wasn't that bad" Lavi rolled his eyes.
"Oi, you weren't the one stuck in a fricking bed for months!" I retorted.
"Four days, Tenshi. It's been four days" he shook his head. "Anyway. Want to grab a bite?"
"Good idea. I'm starving!"
Pulling him behind, I ran to the cafeteria. My wounds were completely healed, and I was finally allowed to go back to missions, training and life in general. Alleluia!
We entered the cafeteria just in time to see Allen and Kanda-jerk fighting.
Again.
"Hey, what's the commotion about?" I called, coming to them.
"Don't meddle in things that doesn't concern you, Akahato" grunted Kanda.
"What if I don't want too, Jerkface?" I glared.
"Hey, Yuu! Long time no see!" waved happily Lavi.
As the crazy swordsman chased him around, I turned to Allen with a smile.
"So, how's been life?"
He shrugged, making me laugh. Timcanpy sat on my head and I went to Jeryy to get my lunch. As I brought back five trays full of food, my own Golem activated.
"Aryane, Allen, Lavi and Kanda, you are to report to my office right now for a mission"
"Shoot" I muttered.
My stomach growled in protest, but I left for the office anyway. No point in risking paperwork duty because of lateness. I swear Komui could find any excuse to make us do his work!
And on top of that, I had to go with Kanda.
Oh well. At lest Lavi, Bookman and Allen would be there too.
"Thank you for reporting as fast" nodded Komui. "Allen, Kanda, Lavi and Bookman, you are to investigate an interesting snowstorm in the north. I'll give you the details in a few minutes. Ary, you have a different mission"
I straightened at that, more serious. Solo missions were my forte, but they always tended to end with… more drama than necessary.
"There are words of a monster's attack in a little village in Romania. A vampire, from the sound of it" he said, handing me a file. "You are to investigate what is actually causing the attacks, as we suspect Innocence and Akumas might be behind it"
"Never one without the other" I mumbled, tucking the file under my arm. "But even if I am confident in my skills, I don't think I'd be able to face a bunch of Akumas alone if it was to come they are all Level Two. Why sending me alone?"
"You are there to investigate, not engage in an all-out battle" he said seriously. "Go pack, and I'll give the rest of the details later"
"Roger that!"
I beamed at the boys before leaving to my room. Only once the door was closed behind me that I allowed my smile to slip. I knew I was capable of handling a lot. I was strong, like any Exorcist should be. I knew how to fight, and it wasn't my first solo missions. In fact, I usually was better at these because I didn't have to protect anyone while destroying Akumas.
The thing is, with the Noah's now part of the game, I couldn't help but feel worried about a possible encounter with one of them. No matter how my pride took a blow at that, I had been no match for Road Kamelot. I wasn't even able to get more than ten meters from her. If it came to this, how the hell would I be able to survive against one I didn't even knew the abilities?
I shook my head, entering my room. All these were hypothesis. There wasn't that big of a chance to encounter one of them, seriously. They wouldn't risk loosing the element of surprise on us by attacking one mere Exorcist. Plus, Komui wouldn't send me unless he didn't think I could handle it.
Steeling my resolve, I quickly packed my things and placed the file in my bag before going back to the office.
When I got there, the boys and Bookman weren't there anymore. I stood before Komui, a little anxious despite all.
"I know you worry about meeting Noahs there" he said, crossing his fingers under his chin. "But as I said, you are only to investigate. You are to report any findings via your Golem, and to avoid fighting as much as you can. You also have a side mission"
"Which would be?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Cross Marian has been sighed in the village. I want you to find him and ask him how far he is in his assignment"
"Assignment?"
"He'll know. If he isn't there anymore, don't go after him and stick to your primordial mission. You'll leave with the others and take off on your own at the village. That'll be all"
"Got it. Tell me if Jumper wakes up, okay?"
"Will do"
I smiled at him and made a move to leave.
"Aryane?"
"Hm?"
"Be careful. I'm serious"
I scoffed at that.
"I'm not suicidal, you know. But… thanks for the head's up, I guess. I'll contact once I'm there"
"Good luck"
He went back to his paperwork, and I sighed heavily once the door closed once more. Komui could be a real brat sometimes, but there were moments where he was just so serious it freaked me out.
"So, what are you investigating?" asked curiously Allen, peering on my shoulder to read the file.
"A vampire near the village, apparently, but we suspect Innocence. Honestly, we have no idea what to be ready for. I'm going completely blind" I grunted, a little annoyed at that fact.
"What, scared, Akahato?" mocked Kanda.
"You wish, Jerkface"
"What's Side Mission?" read Lavi.
"Oh, that? I have to get in touch with Cross Marian" I shrugged. "Stupid womanizer is in town, apparently. He's not priority, though"
"Search the bars and brothels first" Allen said in a deadpanned voice.
"I know"
"And don't let him touch you!"
"I won't"
"And if he tries anything…"
"Kiddo, you sound like my mother" I scoffed, ruffling his hair. "I know it's your master, but I can handle him"
"Is he that bad?" asked Lavi, a little confused.
"You have no idea" we said in one voice.
Bookman smirked a little at that, but said nothing. Kanda kept on ignoring us, and I put away the mission file when my stop came in view.
The train stopped a minute later and I got off, before turning to the window where Lavi and Allen were peering their heads.
"Be careful, Ary!" called Allen.
"And come back in one piece, would you?" added Lavi.
The train started moving again.
"Same to the three of you! Oh, and Ba-Kanda too, I guess" I yelled after them.
For only answer, he shot me the middle finger.
"Love you too, Jerkface!" I cackled.
Then, I waved until the train wasn't in view anymore. Once done, I turned to the town. Even if the sky was still high in the sky, no one was in the street. I huffed a little at that, and started my search for an inn.
I finally managed to find a room in a cheap but nice inn. Once my things were settled, I turned on my Golem.
"Headquarters, this is Aryane Darkelston, reporting my arrival" I announced.
After a little buzz, Reever's voice was heard.
"Aryane? Good to hear from you. You got to the town?"
"Yeah, I'm there. I'll start the investigation. Anything in particular I have to look for?" I asked.
"Take any information you can about the attacks. If you find anything about Cross Marshall, that's okay too"
"I'll get on it, then. I'll report tomorrow morning"
"We'll be waiting. Be careful"
"Why does everyone keeps telling me that?" I asked, exasperated. "I ain't about to jump off a cliff, you know"
He chuckled as only answer, and the connection was cut.
I got up, stretching a little, then looked outside. At least two hour before the sun settled down. Deciding to start with some lunch (I still hadn't eaten), I went downstairs where I asked for a little of everything.
As I was served, the woman seemed a little anxious, and kept glancing at the silver rose proudly shining on my chest.
"Can I help you with something?" I finally said, taking a sip of my water.
She reddened a little.
"I-I'm sorry, it's just t-that your uniform looks like the one a m-man was wearing" she said.
"Let me guess: red hair, half his face covered, quite tall and a real womanizer?" I summarized.
She blushed a little more at that, and shook her head.
"Y-yes"
"I see. Could you indicate me to his current location?" I asked.
"He's at the o-only bar in town, just at the end of t-the street" she stuttered.
"Thank you for the help, and for the meal"
I got up and grabbed my coat, heading outside.
"B-but you haven't eaten y-yet!" she protested.
"Don't remind me" I groaned, walking out.
Quickly making my way down the street, the bar was easy to find. Making my way inside, I was instantly hit by the smell of strong alcohol and laughs echoing all around.
"Hey there, 'lil lady" grinned the bartender. "Can I help with sometin'?"
"Do you know where I can find a man with red hair, with the same uniform as I'm wearing?" I asked.
He nodded and pointed at the back of the room. I looked that way, and saw my target.
"That'd be him?"
"Yeah. Thanks for the help" I threw a coin at him before heading for Cross.
When I got to him, I scrunched my nose at the sight: he was sitting on a dirty couch with two… hum, lovely ladies, with loads of empty bottles on the floor. I coughed to get his attention, but it obviously didn't worked.
"Cross Marian" I called.
Seeing as he still didn't pay attention, my nerves flared a little. I was tired by my trip, and fucking hungry, and I wasn't going to stand for his drama. So, stomping to him, I roughly grabbed his left ear and pulled.
"Oi, you filthy womanizer!"
"Unhand me, woman!" he spluttered, struggling to get free.
Seeing as he finally paid attention, I let go. He falls back on the couch, massaging his ear and glaring at me.
I crossed my arms, annoyed.
"Cross Marshall" I greeted, somewhat more calm.
"Aryane Darkelston" he drawled, taking a swing. "To what do I owe the honors? Unless you're interested, of course, in…"
"Don't even finish that sentence" I cut harshly. "Seriously, you sound like a child predator, sometimes. But anyway, I need to talk to you. Alone"
Taking the hint, the two woman with him slipped him a paper and walked away. He sighed heavily.
"Aryane, Aryane, always breaking my fun" he groaned.
There goes another swing.
"Komui wanted me to ask how is going your assignment" I asked.
"Tell him to just let me do my damn job" he shrugged.
And another swing.
"I won't leave until you give me an answer" I glared at him.
"I know you won't. Persistent little thing, aren't you?"
And another one.
"Don't call me little" a vein popped on my forehead. "And just give a damn answer so I can go eat. I'm starving"
"Tell him it's almost done. A few months, nothing more" he finally gave in.
"Finally!"
Without bothering to say a goodbye, I got back on my feet and headed for the door. However, before I could reach the handle, someone grabbed my wrist and spin me around, making me face a man who had obviously taken one bottle too much.
"Let me go if you don't want to loose this hand" I threatened quietly.
"Aw, come on! I can give you the time of your life, sweet cheeks" he slurred.
"I said no!"
"And I…"
He slumped on the ground before being able to end his sentence.
"I could have handle it" I said to Cross.
"I can't stand when man can't take a hint" he shrugged. "You haven't eaten yet? Well, dinner's on me, how about that?"
"I swear, if you're trying to get me in your bed one more fucking time…"
He swings his arm around my shoulders and leaded us outside.
"What, too hard to believe I'm doing that out of my heart?" he whined.
"You don't have one" I pointed out.
"True, true. But I do have something el…"
Grabbing his arm, I swung him above my head and smirked when I heard him land on his back in a rough 'THUD'.
"I just can't stand guys who can't take a hint" I mocked.
"Fine, fine, I asked for it" he grumbled, getting up.
"What do you really want, Cross?" I grunted. "I thought you'd be going back to your… hum, business with the ladies"
"Give this to Komui when you see him" he handed me a paper.
"Can I read it?"
He shot me a look, and I shrugged.
"How's my stupid pupil?" he then asked.
"The kid's still alive, if you really want to know" I assured. "I think he's still mad about the whole knock-out-with-a-hammer thing, though"
He chuckled sheepishly, and I stuffed the paper in my pocket.
"Anyway, I got another mission to get to. And, since I'm guessing that we won't cross paths before a certain time…"
Not loosing time, I punched him straight in the jaw.
"That's for telling Komui that Kanda-jerk and I had a thing" I snarled. "I swear, if you ever pull another stunt like that, you won't be able to procreate anymore!"
He nodded quickly, and I beamed at him.
"Good. Have a good night, Marshall"
"Hey, Aryane!"
I tilted my head his way.
"Don't let appearances confuse your judgment" he simply said.
Frowning, I fully turned to him, but he was already going back in the bar. Finally, I shrugged and went back to my inn.
Next morning, I took my time before I finally activated my Golem.
"Aryane Darkelston reporting" I announced.
"Hey, Ary. So, anything new?"
"First of all, I came in contact with Cross. Can you get me Komui?"
"Already here, Aryane. What did he say?"
"To let him do his damn job" I repeated with a small smile. "And that it's almost done, not more than a few months. He also gave me a paper to give to you once back to Headquarters"
"Good, good. And about the vampire crisis?"
"Apparently, there have been two victims. The first one was drained so much she turned to dust and the second one was taken to the castle beyond the forest. From the sayings of the villagers, this castle is habited by the heir of the Krory family, and is our dear vampire. Should I directly go to the castle to gather more information?"
There was a moment of silence.
"You do that, but don't get caught. If there are Akumas, destroy them on the way. Don't engage our vampire"
"Got it. I'll report tonight"
Once again, the connection was cut. I quickly changed into my uniform before opening the window, just in time to see Cross leaving the town. He sent me a wink, I sent him the middle finger, making him laugh before leaving. I waved after him, than came back inside, readjusting the insignia on my chest.
I had a long day ahead of me.
As you have seen, Aryane and Cross's relation is quite the rocky one. And yes, I do consider the Marshall to act like a fucking child predator sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I love his character, but he's such a creep with Lenalee sometimes...
Anyway.
Question: What did Cross could have meant when he said 'Don't let appearances confuse your judgment' to Aryane? For any who saw the Anime, it should be easy enough, ne?