Purity,

Disclaimer:

AN. Thanks for the reviews! I have a small question. Does anyone want replies to their reviews? The "Thank-you for reviewing" is really implied and most of the questions I get are of the "just wait and see" variety. So if you do want me to reply directly just leave a say so in the review. Thank-you. (I hope that wasn't rude, I just usually never get replies for reviews I write and was wondering if anyone wanted one)

Seventh Book: Black Order

"Suicide?" Komui chocked.

"You think General Cross Martian killed himself?" He stressed the word killed.

Komui could not believe what Rouvelier had just suggested. They were sitting in Komui`s new office in the Order headquarters. Komui was lucky to have been sitting down at his desk because he would have fallen over from Rouvelier`s words.

"How else do you explain what happened? No one who was near the room would have killed him. Walker's eye would have reacted to an akuma and no Noah would have left his innocence in tacked. It was either suicide or..." Rouvelier trailed off as he took a small bite of cake.

Rouvelier was sitting on the couch across from Komui`s desk. Just minutes before he had shown up at Komui`s door with a new cake and invited himself in. His offer of cake did nothing to disperse the tension in the room. However, suggestion that Cross had killed himself made all thoughts of the awkwardness fly out of Komui`s head.

"Someone higher up ordered his death." Komui finished the sentence. He leaned back on his chair with a sigh.

"And I was not informed"

Silence took over the room. Both of them just sat there eating their cake mechanically as they thought over what that might mean. The fact that Cross was dead was a huge shock. Cross was the strongest exorcist the Order had ever had and Komui feared what would happen to the Order now. The fact that Rouvelier was not informed of anything was another big shock, one that scared Komui as well.

Komui knew Rouvelier. He knew what ticked him off, knew what to expect and what to watch for. True, Komui hated him for what he has done to his sister and all of the exorcists but at least he could predict what could happen. If someone was able and willing to go around Rouvelier and directly affect the Order... It was a horrible revelation.

"Maybe he faked his death. He's always trying to escape headquarters and his body was never found." Komui offered another explanation, trying to banish his recent thoughts.

"With that much blood? And he wouldn't have left his gun" Rouvelier shot down that suggestion fast.

It was a foolish suggestion. Cross would have never left his gun. It was the only thing he had from before he came to the Order as a 13 year old. The only hint of his past as Cross never talked about where he came from, how he got his innocence or even how he knew of the Order. In fact, no one in the Order knew anything about Cross besides what he did within the Order. Even that wasn't much since he almost never reported in.

The silence between the two men was almost tangible. The tension was overwhelming Komui, he had to say something.

"What do you think about the new exorcist that Allen and Kanda found?" Komui asked.

As soon as those words left his lips Komui regretted them. He did not want to talk about any exorcists with Rouvelier. Everyone knew what he thought of God's chosen people.

"A healer would be a great addition to the team. With her powers we no longer have to wait so long for the exorcists to recover between missions. She can't fight though so she is worthless on the battlefield."

Komui really didn't expect anything better from the man.

When Allen had phoned him and told him that they had found a new exorcist, Komui had been ecstatic. The Order was always desperate for more help. When her powers were revelled Komui truly thought that God had granted his prayers. The ability to heal the wounds and save the lives of the exorcists they have now was worth so much more than an offensive ability. No matter what Rouvelier thought.

"She was also reluctant to join the Order. You will have to keep a close eye on her as she could try to run. If she does then you may have to tie her to her bed, but you already know this. Don't you Komui?" Rouvelier continued. He eyed Komui as he said the last part, a hard look in his eye.

Has anyone told you how much Komui hates Rouvelier?

Komui gave no outward sign of his current feelings, just nodded and chewed his cake with perhaps a little more force than usual. After he swallowed his food he attempted to defend the woman he had never meet.

"She did give us three more pieces of innocence. Four pieces in one mission is truly amazing."

"She found three pieces and hid them instead of giving them to the Order as she should of. It was only when she no longer had a choice that she gave them up." Rouvelier spat.

"Does she think it would make me over look the fact that she knew what her duty was and refused it for years? She said she had met Cross, how well does this Kagome know him, should she even be trusted?" Rouvelier asked. Fuming over what he saw as a betrayal to the church.

Komui was saved from asking the question as someone had just knocked on his door. They both turned towards it as a second knock was heard. Rouvelier had calmed down when Komui told whoever it was to come in.

Reever opened the door and pocked his head into the room. His sharp eyes quickly made out the tension between the two so he wasted no time with pleasantries.

"They have arrived. Kanda, Allen, Link and the new exorcist Kagome have just came through the ark. They are waiting for you in the portal room."

Rouvelier and Komui quickly stood up and followed Reever to the first floor. All three were eager to meet the newest member of the Black Order.

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"Well that wasn't the weirdest thing I've ever seen." Kagome thought as they exited the ark.

Allen had explained to her what the ark was and what it did before they entered it. However, there was something to be said between hearing about it and witnessing it for one's self. She had expected an experience like the one she had when she traveled through time. Seeing a white town was a bit of a shock.

'More useful though' Kagome thought as she looked around at her new home. 'Having multiple entrances must really save them travel money.'

She turned to look for her escorts. Kanda had left as soon as they had arrived without saying a word. Allen was over to the side talking to a man with large round glasses. He was wearing a white coat and had bulky headphones on. What caught Kagome's attention most was that he was holding Timcampy out to Allen. Kagome made her way over to them, excited that Timcampy wasn't destroyed along with Cross.

"We're all finished. Timcampy now has all the latest gear the Science department has created to help you on your missions" The man said as Timcampy flew out of his hands and fluttered around Allen's head.

"Thanks Johnny!" Allen said before he saw Kagome walking towards him.

"Johnny this is Kagome, she's the new exorcist we met. Kagome this is Johnny from the science department." Allen introduced them.

Johnny held out his hand for her which Kagome shook. "Pleasure to meet you" She said.

"Na, the pleasures all mine" Johnny replied with a small blush on his face.

Kagome was just about to ask what the science department did when Timcampy flew straight at her a started to nuzzle her neck. Kagome burst out laughing as she was quite ticklish there. Once she had calmed down she notice that those around her were looking very confused.

"Looks like Timcampy remembers me." She said as a way to explain.

"That's right" Allen realized. "You've meet master so it makes sense that you have meet Timcampy before."

Kagome nodded and she reached to give Timcampy back to Allen. He took him and set him on his head. Timcampy stayed there but looked to be shaking in excitement over seeing both her and Allen again.

The sudden lack of noise alerted Kagome to the entrance of three more people. She turned to look and was abruptly met with a hateful stare from a well kept man whose presence demanded obedience. Shaking the look off easily, she looked at the other two.

One had on his head a strange looking hat. 'A beanie?' Kagome wondered. He was also sporting the widest smile Kagome had ever seen. He reminded Kagome of Shippo a bit, which on a fully grown male was slightly scary.

The last one was the youngest of the three. He was wearing the same coat as Johnny so he was probably from the science department. His spiked blond hair and cool manner made for a nice juxtaposition with the one wearing the hat.

Link, who had been standing by the ark rushed over to the three. He shared a short conversation with the mean looking one before leading all three over to where she and Allen were standing.

"Lady Kagome, let me give the introduction." Link said.

"This is section leader Reever Wenham." Kagome shook hands with the attractive Australian. Link continued.

"And this is the supervisor of the Black Order, Komui Lee." The man wearing the strange hat gave her a small bow that she returned. She then turned to look at the man who hasn't stopped glaring at her. Link stood up a little straighter as he made this introduction.

"This is inspector Malcolm C. Rouvelier" Kagome held out her hand but he made no move to shake it. He just looked down his nose trying to intimidate her. Kagome was not impressed. She was old enough to be his great grandmother many times over, she had seen much worst.

Right before it got truly awkward Komui grabbed her hand in both of his and shook it hard enough to rattle her whole body.

"We are most pleased to have you as a part of this family." He said, still shaking her hand. "I'm looking forward to see what you can do." He was still shaking her hand.

"Ah, Thank you" Kagome replied pulling her hand away from his and held it to her chest in case he tried to take it again. "I'm honored to meet you."

Komui slapped his hands to his face and made a cooing sound. "Honoured she says." He then clapped his hands and started towards the doorway. "Follow me. I'll get you acquainted with all that happens here in the Order."

Kagome looked over her shoulder at Allen. He just nodded his head and waved her on. His smile though did nothing to alleviate he fears.

"Come along, we`ll have you inducted in the Order in no time." Komui called back at her as he bounced off through the door way.

You know, as much as Rouvelier glared at her, it was the look in Komui`s eyes that truly scared her.

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As far as inductions go, this one was by far the most memorable. Kagome had just been "introduced' to Hevlaska. By introduced she means she was suddenly grabbed and lifted in the air to come face to face with the glowing exorcist. Kagome was thrilled to meet her, and as her priestess powers didn't flare she just let herself relax into the examination.

Komui must have mistaken Kagome's excitement over seeing Hevlaska as fear because he apologized for not warning her beforehand. The apology would have been a lot more sincere without the wild smile on his face.

The results of the examination were a surprise to everyone, including Kagome. The 99% synchro-ratio was higher than she had expected. It did make sense though. She has had it for over 200 years and she since she never put any effort into fighting the Earl it never reached critical rate.

Kagome was lucky that Hevlaska was unable to sense her priestess powers or if she did just assumed that it was a part of her innocence.

"Thank-you for finding the innocence" Hevlaska said as they started to rise in the platform. Rouvelier's face grew darker at those words. Kagome just ignored him and told Hevlaska it was her pleasure.

When they had reached the top Rouvelier demanded that she tell them everything she knew about the Order, the innocence and her relationship with Cross. Kagome agreed not wanting to make this man hate her even more as nothing she did made him hate her less.

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Lenalee was overjoyed when she saw Allen in the cafeteria. Well she couldn't really see him but the pile of dishes in front of a seat was very telling. Lenalee was even more delighted over the news Allen had. A new exorcist was here at the Order. A female exorcist!

"Oi, Allen!" Lavi had just joined them. "What is this I heard about a new girl in the Order?" Lavi made to grab a plate a noodles from Allen but was warded off by sharp looking knife. Allen swallowed what was in his mouth before answering him.

"Kanda and I were given a mission to find an accommodator and to bring her back to the Order. Her name is Kagome. She's Japanese, 23 and very nice." Allen said. He reached for the noodles Lavi was still eyeing and started to inhale them.

Lenalee jumped up grabbing Allen's arm and pulling him up with her. He made a sound is distress from the rough treatment. Lavi stood up as well.

Let's go see her." Lenalee said bouncing up and down. "Come on!" She pulled Allen out of the hall with her. His protest that he was still hungry was heard as they left the room along with Lavi's laughter.

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It didn't take them long to reach the Office of Komui. (Yes the room is referred to that way, it adds to the horror they all knew might lay behind the door. Komui's office just sounds too normal anyways.)

Allen was just about to knock on the door when it swung open and out stepped Kagome.

"Strike!"

Kagome looked up, startled by Lavi's loud yell. Lavi didn't notice. He was too busy getting lost in her beautiful eyes, her raven hair and womanly curves.

Or something like that. Allen wasn't much of a romantic. He decided he should start the introductions before Lavi said anything else.

"Hello Kagome, these are two of my friends and follow exorcists. This is Lenalee."

Lenalee stepped up and shook Kagome's hand. The both of them had huge smiles on their faces.

"I'm so happy to meet you. Welcome to the family!" Lenalee said

"Thank-you, I'm happy to be here. It is so good to see another girl. The testosterone was starting to stifle my feminine power." Kagome giggled

"I know!" Lenalee agreed. They started to laugh.

Lavi thought this may be a good time to interrupt.

"I'm Bookman Junior but you can call me Lavi." He jumped in.

Lavi held out his hand. Kagome paused mid-laugh

"You're Bookman Junior?" She asked slowly taking Lavi's hand. "Is Bookman Senior also working with the exorcists?"

Lavi nodded "Ya, that old pandas around here somewhere." He, along with Allen and Lenalee looked up and down the hall to see if the mentioned man was coming towards them.

If anyone had been looking at Kagome they would have seen her face pale at Lavi's words.

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AN.

Here's another Chapter!

Not only that but I've also written a small one-shot called "Out with a Bang" Check it out and review.

I hope I kept the characters in, well, character. Please review to tell me how I did.

What's up with Bookman? You'll have to wait till next week.

New clue: When Kagome activates her innocence there is no Physical changes that can be Seen.

Just a bit about what I think about Rouvelier...

I believe that Rouvelier is such an ass hole is a mental defence action built from overwhelming guilt.

Ok let me explain the above statement.

The Rouvelier family got their power from sacrificing the females of the family to experiments run by the church. Rouvelier is older so he might have had a sister or even a daughter sacrificed by those he has sworn his life to. If he was to believe that the exorcists were anything other than sacrificial lambs chosen by God, what would that mean for those that he has already lost? There is a scene in the anime were a young Rouvelier is calling Hevlaska a murder. His thoughts have changed over time and as I said I believe it is a defence to the guilt he must have felt.

My attempt to give an Asshole a believable motive for his Ass Holiness, did it work?

(ps. Ass Holiness is such a fitting phrase for a man working for the church, It makes me laugh every time I read it.)

This has not been edited by a beta, (as I don't have one) so please, if there are any mistakes or plot holes point them out for me. Thank-you

Next time on Purity:

Eighth Book: New Faces