Of Librarians and Other Interesting People
By Inuyoshie
Disclaimer: I Don't Own D. Gray Man. Me no ownie, you no sueie.
Gin: Is that even a word?
Meh: Shuddup. I don't own Gin either.
Chapter Four
"Thank you so much," Artemis said to Liza.
"Hahah… at the end of the day, you won't thank me," she warned, looking at the factory around her with a sigh.
"But there's a forest just outside!" Artemis exclaimed.
"…True. We get to go there for our lunch break," Liza laughed. "Now try not to get your fingers pinched,"
"Okay," Artemis nodded, staring at the monstrous machinery with distrust. Liza laughed again.
"You don't deal with machinery much, do you?" she asked.
"I live on an island," Artemis explained.
"Ooh. Tropical?" Liza asked.
"Yes. Very warm," Artemis nodded.
"Lucky! I'd never leave," Liza sighed. "Why did you?"
"Uh, it's cultural. We just… do," Artemis shrugged.
"Ooh. That's so amazing," Liza breathed as they worked. "So are there a bunch of cool animals on your island?"
"There are enough," Artemis replied easily.
"Nice," Liza murmured. The two roommates fell into an easy rhythm with the machinery. Liza noticed after a bit that Artemis moved in perfect rhythm with the machinery, so much it seemed eerie. After several hours of the tedious work, everyone on that line moved together. Artemis hummed a cheerful tune and it filled the air, picked up absentmindedly and spread through the factory.
---
Tykki stood outside with several Akuma behind him. The soft strains of a cheerful tune drifted over to the Noah, and he listened. How nice. Whoever was singing it would probably die today.
---
It was half an hour to lunch break when about a dozen Akuma made themselves known.
Screams and screeches drowned out Artemis's pleasant working tune and disrupted the rhythm. She looked up and found an Akuma's gun pointed to her head.
Millions of thoughts burst through Artemis's had in an insane cacophony. One option stood out.
"That which protects my soul be gone," Artemis murmured, taking off. The Akuma followed her, drawn by the Innocence she carried. Artemis ran, shooting out of the factory and into the forest.
All of her surroundings were meaningless. There was nothing but the ground, Artemis and the Akuma. Artemis hummed, taunting the Akuma as they tried to shoot at her. Her body was fluid, her muscles bunching and relaxing in a rapid rhythm, an excited hunt song rising in her stomach.
IN this chase, Artemis was not the prey.
---
It was hard to explain.
Tykki felt her before he even saw her. It was as if suddenly there was a burst of light in the back of his eyelids, followed by an intense excitement, a thrill similar to when Tykki killed. The light had an odd energy to it, purity like the Innocence but yet not like it at all in a confusing dichotomy. Something deep inside of Tykki's bones screamed at him.
(Muse muse muse muse catch her catch her before she flies away)
She darted through the trees easily, as if she was born in the woods, and there was no trace of fear on her face. Abruptly she stopped, her silver hair swooshing around her gracefully.
(now now now now)
Akuma surrounded Artemis, their guns trained on her. The girl inhaled and began singing as they fired rapidly, and several explosions rocked the forest. Leaves quivered, as did the confused workers in the nearby factory.
When the dust cleared, Tykki stepped into the damaged ground, neatly avoiding craters. Artemis was crouched in the center of the destruction, softly singing a gentle song and causing a black star on her leg to slowly disappear. She glanced up at Tykki, and their eyes met for several moments. Artemis screamed, sending Tykki back several feet, and ran again, this time in fear.
Tykki stood up again, dusting off his poor abused hat and rubbing his aching ears. That was one hell of a scream!
But now, everything made sense. How she always knew when he was following her. The protected home, the face Innocence… she was a Muse, one of the phoenix children who were destined to serve the Noah clan yet eluded them for centuries.
Things just got very interesting.
---
Inuyoshie's Lavi's after the chapter special
Lavi: Hey loyal readers! Welcome to the fourth chapter of Interesting People!
Inu: Oops, I wrote third up there…
Lavi: No you didn't.
Inu: Oh wait, I didn't. Never mind.
Lavi: See? Proof read it. And where's my pairing? You promised me a sexy girl!
Inu: Be patient.
Lavi: Yuu-chan got mentioned before me!
Kanda: *twitches*
Inu: Sheesh you people are violent. I'm just hoping he doesn't realize that I'm making him gay…
Kanda: …What?
Inu: Eheheh… well…
Kanda: *unsheathes Mugen*
Inu: *runs like hell*
Lavi: Well, that's that! Please review!