Ugh, it's so hot! I need a ventilator!

Thor94: It's going to turn out... right now!

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Short chapters are short, but still full of love. Even though it's finals make sure that you sleep enough.

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Chapter 8 - Coincidence?

His sword met soft flesh clad in black. He pierced the unwelcome intruder in the stomach. The intruder stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the weapon buried in him, the other two by his side had similar reactions. He shook his head, making his unruly red hair sway. "Whoa Allen, you're pretty lucky not Lenalee opened the door, if Komui found out you penetrated her he'd bury you alive."

Allen rolled his eyes at Lavi's perverted innuendo but retracted his sword. "It's your fault for entering without knocking. And please refrain from such comments in front of a lady." He stepped aside to let the Lenalee, Lavi and their Finder in and sheathed his sword.

A sly and flirtous(?) smirk spread on the red-head's face as his eyebrows wiggled. "So if it was between us, guys it wouldn't matter to you, Sprout?"

"I've been under Master's care waaay too long to freak out over such vocabulary." He replied then smirked himself, which made Lavi's warning bells go off. "On, the other hand, said brother would if he were to find out how you corrupted his dear baby sister."

Despite the cold weather Lavi sweated profusely. "N-now, let's not go that way Beans- I-I mean Master Allen..." Lenalee giggled at his submissive tone.

Allen smiled sweetly at him - too sweetly. "Of course, Lavi, we're friends." Lavi let out a sigh of relief. "I'm not sure about Kanda, though." He tried not to grin too widely hearing Lavi's shriek.

"How come you're here?" he asked Lenalee meanwhile Lavi implored the very smug looking Kanda to keep silent.

She flashed a pained smile. "We arrived to the place without a hitch, however by the time we arrived there was no Innocence. Either there was none to begin with or..."

"Or it has already been taken." Allen finished. Lenalee nodded grimly. In that case it was most likely destroyed already...

"Since our mission failed Brother told us to join you, since you guys were the closest." Or because Komui was still worried about him. Really now, he was a warrior, he was used to having to carry on even injured, he didn't need to be babied. But he knew the more he started objecting, the more they'd insist. And then they'd call him stubborn. Really, these Lee siblings...

So he settled for a simple smile. "I see. Thanks for coming but we're done ready." To prove his point, he pulled the Innocence out of his breast pocket and showed it to her.

"That Innocence... please hand it over, I'll keep it safe for you." The third "intruder" asked. It was the Finder. He wore the typical beige coat and had the standard heavy backpack. His facial features were hidden behind a mask over his mouth and the cape over his head, but Allen could see some dark brown hair peek through. "In the heat of a potential battle it might slip out." He insisted. "Please give it to me."

Now that... was just odd. The thought if handing it over made unease stir up in him. He tensed a little as he felt a tingle on his palm. The Innocence. It didn't want to be handed over either? It didn't trust a non-Accommodator maybe? Or it just mirrored his own feelings?

But why did he feel this way? They were allies right? He could trust this guy, couldn't he?

"Excuse me but... who are you?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Zod." The Finder replied curtly.

"It might be a good idea." Lenalee agreed. "If we get attacked on our way the Finders can hide until we take care of the Akuma. On that note you should stay out of the fight for now, you're still not discharged." Oh, that overprotectiveness again.

"It's fine, I'm much sturdier than I might look. Besides" he added quickly before she could protest. "you're going to watch my back either way, won't you?" She couldn't say no to that.

That didn't mean she didn't attempt though. "Yes, but..."

"I'm with Lena-lady on this one. Yer a clumsy Bean."

"Is this the way to talk to the one you owe to?"

"Whoa, such a dark thing to say..."

"If you dare to give it to a damn Finder I'll disembowel you, Beansprout."

"Now, Yu, don't hurt our cute little Moyashi-chan." Cute? Little? Moyashi? Chan?!

"Why are you speaking Japanese again, Lavi?"

"Probably to spite both you and Kanda." Lenalee guessed. Yeah, that seemed legit.

"Sir Walker."

"Allen."

"Beanie."

"Beansprout."

"Walker!" Even Link joined! Though he most likely was on Kanda's side.

"Guys, guys, guys, calm down! Kanda is right, I shouldn't give the Innocence to a Finder."

Kanda snorted. "Finally the idiot uses his brain." Allen let it slide, because Lenalee of course tried to protest. "Allen, Finders exist to help us, don't you trust your comrade?"

Allen shook his head. "It's not that I don't, it's just it's my job. Securing Innocence is an Exorcist's job. If I give it to him I'll just make a target out of him and have him die for nothing."

"Then give it to me." Lenalee insisted. "I'm the fastest, no Akuma can escape me."

There are bigger worries than Akuma. But if he said that out loud she'd just get more eager.

"It's fine, if there is Akuma I can spot it from 300 metres. Also, I'm a Parasitic type, if they attack me from distance I won't die from the virus. Moreover, my Innocence can act as a shield, I can take on Akumas up to Level 3 easily. I doubt we'll face another Level 4 so soon, they need a lot more souls to evolve. Just trust me on this one okay?"

He could see the anguish on her, torn between wanting to believe in him and wanting to shield him. Allen couldn't help but feel a little insulted, did she really think that little of him?

Thankfully Lavi came to support him. "Relax, Lena, he might look small and weak-" He was of average height, thank you very much and for the record he could punch the living daylight out of the Bookman Apprentice. "-presently he's the strongest of us being a Critical you know. Besides if he has it right now, probably he was the one to collect it, let him have the glory and all."

Lenalee still looked uncomfortable with the idea, but went along. Begrudgingly she nodded. "...Fine." Allen really hoped this wasn't the passive-aggressive kind of fine, heck women can be really scary when they pulled that.

Allen beamed at her. "Awesome. Then let's get home shall we?"

"Not yet." His smile deflated at Zod's voice. "I just received a call from the Commander-in-Chief. We are to pass the Ural and head to Novij Port, all of us. Witnesses claimed to have seen mountains rise from the sea and there seems to be an enormous amount of Akuma there. We must depart immediately."

Allen had to contain himself to not frown. "When did you make a phone call? I didn't hear the telephone ring."

"You were still absorbed in the argument, so I took the liberty to retreat and listen to the incoming order. The reason why you didn't hear the phone ring is because it was switched to buzz. This way I can feel when the phone rings, but it won't betray my position." He explained plainly. Even the tone he used made the hair on Allen's scalp stand. But why?

"Walker, if you're given an order then don't question it!" Link barked at him then turned to the Finder. "Lead the way."

His companions followed the Finder then he did too with a weary sigh. He still had a bad feeling about this.

XXX

"Why aren't we taking the train?"Allen inquired nervously. They've been walking for hours in the cold. Even if it was May the ground was frozen and it even snowed! It was a particularly cold year and they were in the mountains already. They were far away from civilization and they couldn't see past 30 metres because of the fog and snow, also the wind was strong. The ground they've been going on was frozen and looked ready to crumble any time. Also Lavi and Lenalee weren't dressed for this kind of weather, Lenalee was clearly shaking in her shoes, she was just too stubborn to admit she's cold.

"The train we took on our way here derailed not long after we descended." Zod explained as he led the way. He said he had been here before so he took it on himself to guide them.

This was bad. The weather was getting worse and colder since they headed to north-east.

Allen couldn't take the voice of Lenalee's teeth clicking anymore, without further ado he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms, bridal style. "Allen!" she let out an undignified squeak but Allen didn't let her go, she's seriously going to end up sick. "Please just bear with it for now." Even if they were in an uninhibited area Akuma could still pass by, it would be unwise to let her use the boots over such trivialities. Moreover, it could even attract the machines.

Lavi snickered at the display. "Whoa Allen, keep this up and we'll think you wanna be Lena's boyfriend~."

Lenalee blushed furiously. "La-Lavi! Allen is just concerned about my health, even though he should be the one burdened the least!"

"It's okay, Lenalee, Lavi's just jealous because he's too heavy to be carried around in like this."

"I'm not fat!" he shouted in mock-hurt. Everyone hissed at him.

"Rabbit, we're in the mountains!" Kanda hissed at him. "If you start screeching you might cause an avalanche!" he quickly scanned the area to confirm that they were still safe.

"I'm not fat!" he repeated in a hushed tone. "It's just the weight of my muscles! I look awesome naked!"

"Too much info, Rabbit. If you keep blabbing I'll cut your tongue." Kanda threatened. He was probably still irritated because of Allen. Probably wanted to get home and eat soba.

Allen himself wanted to get home soon, he had a foreboding feeling he just couldn't shake off no matter how he tried. He squeezed Lenalee's trembling form closer to himself. It felt off. The whole situation... The four of them here... Coincidentally.

Allen didn't believe in coincidences.

Lavi and Lenalee were sent here because their mission failed. And now Komui sent the four of them on another mission.

A Second Exorcist... A Crystal -type Accommodator... A Bookman in training... And a Critical slash Musician...

The four of them might have been the youngest, but their unique abilities were strong military force. All of them were nuisance in the eyes of the Earl. And here they were, all four of them heading towards another uncontrolled Innocence.

But why all four? Wouldn't it be safer if one of them were taking the Innocence back to HQ? HQ, it wouldn't be wise to stay away for long. The fact that Innocence revealed themselves one by one meant that there's change in the clockwork. The Earl must have been informed about it by now, soon he'd have his response. He might even send Lulubell in again to destroy the Innocence pieces they had as a revenge for the broken Egg. She might be in the Order already...

No, if he wanted to, he'd already have the Innocence pieces destroyed or squashed the Order. He didn't have to worry about that right now.

But still, even last time, someone blew the whistle about Alma for the Earl. He doubted it was someone from Central, since they would have told the Earl themselves that they had the 14th. Which means there's at least one spy within the Order...

His heartbeat fastened.

Spy. Within their ranks.

One at least. But knowing the Earl's wistfulness there could be more. It could be anyone save for the Exorcists and Central Officials.

They were descending from the peak of the mountain but... Zod stopped leading the way. Allen stopped, realising that he passed the Finder with ten metres. The guy who insisted to hold on the Innocence. The guy who received a phone call from Komui without any of them hearing and said that they were ordered to come here. And they followed him without hesitation.

The wind picked up, covering the squeals of the Innocence in Allen's breast pocket. It almost seemed... nervous...

His friends noticed that he stopped and turned to face him. Lenalee turned her head to look at him in the eye. "Allen, are you alright? You feel tired? Do you want to stop?" she asked concerned, but that intensified seeing that Allen was ignoring her. If she wasn't worried but would pay attention... closely...

"Zod... when did you came here last time?" he asked quietly, but loud enough to be heard through the wind..

The Finder hesitated before answering. "Two years ago, sir."

"Were you a Finder that time?"

Again, hesitation. "Yes."

"We don't have time to play twenty questions, Beansprout!" Kanda snapped at him, turning to continue walking. He was angry, so his sixth sense was hindered. If he was calm...

"Want me to carry Lena, Allen?" Lavi asked with calculating eyes. If he wasn't just recording, but reading between the lines...

"Walker, we have an order, don't waste our time." If Link was thinking and not mindlessly following orders...

Then they would realise it too...

"If you were a Finder for so long... In this line of work you have strict protocol, if you don't know it by heart you can't start on a field."

The cold look he gave Allen sent shivers down on the Exorcist's spine. "That's right. Your question, Master Walker?"

They all jumped when a phone rang. Namu, who was the one farthest ahead, quickly shuffled off the backpack to receive the incoming message. All eyes snapped at him. Allen was watching from the corner of his eyes, but his body was still facing Zod. Unfortunately the reception was obstructed from the mountains and the storm. The line was cracking, but the Finder grew anxious with each passing second. "What? We're on our way to Novij Port to get the Innocence." A frown spread on his features. "What do you mean? We were ordered to-hey! Hey!" the signal broke. He turned his frantic eyes on the onlookers. "This is madness! They said we weren't supposed to come here!"

Link, just like everyone else but Zod and Allen were baffled. In the end Link was the one to stutter. "B-but the orders-"

"There were never such orders." Allen spoke quietly.

Lenalee shifted in his arms uneasily, her eyes filled with steadily growing fear. "Allen...?"

Kanda couldn't stand being treated or feeling like a moron, even if he wasn't the smartest person. "What the hell Beansprout?"

By the sound of shuffling papers he knew that Link readied his seals. "What is the meaning of this, Walker? Explain!"

Oh. They thought he was behind this. Except the girl in his arms, whose sixth sense would tell her that Allen wasn't danger, but didn't tell who was the danger.

"Go ahead Zod, tell them. If you knew then why did you ask for the Innocence when you knew it's against the rules?"

Everything seemed to stop. Only the blowing wind could be heard.

Zod's eyes couldn't be seen, but Allen saw the change in them. "It would have been so much better if you just handed it over." He sighed. "I guess I'll have to take it from your frozen corpse then." Allen didn't have time to react when Zod pulled out a thick pen-looking item and pressed a button on its top. The ground shook under Allen and he realised he was slipping. From the panicked cries he could conclude he wasn't the only one.

So that was a detonator for bombs that were placed here prior. They knew Allen was coming, so they didn't even bother with Akuma. And if Zod went back he'd never be doubted, the avalanche would be considered as an accident. He planned this out well.

Sliding snow made them fall, sinking towards the bottom and buried their shocked screams.

Soon the sounds died down, until a single person remained on the mountain top.

XXX

OMAKE

"Wait!" Lavi protested, stopping them from heading towards the place of their new mission.

"What is it, Lavi?" Allen asked, still edgy.

The redhead pouted. "You stabbed poor little me, Beanie."

Allen blinked in surprise. "Yea, this is the third time actually. But my sword doesn't harm humans, so I don't see the problem."

"You don't just stab your friends, Allen!" Lavi said in a preaching tone. "You've gotta make it up for me!"

Allen sighed. The sooner he did what Lavi wanted the sooner they could go already. "What would you like me to do Lavi?"

Allen didn't like the impish look in Lavi's eyes. "You see, I noticed something."

In his line of work that's not that surprising. "Oh?"

The redhead approached him and entered his personal sphere. Not good. "You, Allen Walker" for enhanced effect he even leaned in Allen's face, his breath caressing Allen's face, who refused to back down. "Are reluctant to make physical contact. In fact, you don't like to be touched at all."

"...And?" he replied, judging that denying would only make things worse.

An impossibly wide grin flashed on Lavi's face. "Your punishment shall be... to hug me!" he shouted with arms spread wide open.

Now Allen jumped back. "WHAT?!"

"Come and hug me, Moyashi-chan~!" the older cooed with puckered lips.

"Ew, no!" Allen protested, backing away from the approaching red-head who kept chanting 'hug me'. "Lavi, this isn't funny, we have a job to do!"

"Not until you hugged me~!"

Allen groaned in irritation. If he didn't Lavi would annoy him for the rest of the trip. He reluctantly held his arms up. "Make it quick."

Lavi snickered. "Na-ah~! You have to hug me, Beansprout."

Allen swore he could break Lavi's neck for his insolence. But they had to depart, so he gave in. He'd get back for Lavi later. But now...

He sighed and closed his eyes as he spread his arms wide. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the body before him, trying not to react to the ticklish sensation on his nose-

Wait. Ticklish sensation? Ah, it was hair!

Wait. Hair? But Lavi had short hair. Then who-oh. Oh.

A familiar growl and snicker confirmed his thoughts. He wasn't all that surprised to see Kanda's murderous eyes instead of Lavi's playful one. "Err... Happy Late Birthday?"

He managed to duck the swinging blade of Mugen. Lavi's snickers evolved into loud laugh. "You still owe me a hug, Sprout!"

Yes, he would definitely get back at the rabbit. Just you wait, Lavi.

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