So We Flow With The Wind

by RikaMae365

She was sheltered from his past, but she secretly longed to be by his side. With the well being of her father in mind, she leaves on a quest to find him. How will she react when she finds out her father's past, and discovers that he isn't the perfect man she always believed him to be? What dark secrets lay behind her father, The Black Order, the Noah, and most importantly.. Herself

10. Chapter 10

7,817 words! Sorry about late updating, I figured it would be best if I waited for summer. Though I feel like summer may be even busier than school, at least I can stay up late at night now! ^^

And forget the updating day being on Tuesday, cuz I'll never remember! Expect sporadic updating!

Disclaimer: I can't take credit for the amazing characters of DGM, but I can take credit for Alicia, Reynaldo, and Cilicia, so I'm very happy about that! I've grown so attached to them! I hope you have too!

Feel free to ask questions, or give ideas about what you would want in the story! I'd love to use all of your suggestions, but they have to be… what's the word? Oh, realistic. Nothing like 'the dead coming back to life' kind of thing. (Zombie Apocalypse!... O.o {Don't do bath salts, they'll kill you})

Anyway, I hope you enjoy chapter 10 of my story (still can't figure out the short way to say the name! SWFWTW?)

Enjoy!

"Who was that exorcist girl from the other day?" Cilicia asked as she picked up a card from the stack on her bed. Allen sat across from her, taking three cards from his hand and picking up three from the stack.

"You mean the one who was here when you decided to accuse me of being a pervert and beat me up; knowing fully that I wouldn't dare hit a girl? That was Lenalee Lee," Allen answered with acid laced in his voice, putting forwards three checker pieces as if they were his chips.

Cilicia was engulfed in a fit of giggles. She studied Allen's face before she spoke. "Was she your girlfriend?" Cilicia asked curiously as she raised her bet by four. She flinched at the movement, and began rolling her shoulders as her sore muscles ached from the movement. She looked back to Allen, awaiting his answer.

"Yes…" Allen answered slowly, unsure of where Cilicia was going with the conversation. He did understand why she would be curious. He had basically been telling his life story to her over the course of her illness. She had also seemed to grow protective of Allen; rumor has it that her father came in one night to look through Allen and Link's stuff; in return, Cilicia gave him a sore nose. "Okay, reveal,"

Allen and Cilicia showed their hands. Allen smirked at his hand, thinking that a first time player wouldn't be able to beat a full house. He frowned once he noticed that in her hand was four of a kind. Cilicia took her checker chips with a wide smile on her face. Allen threw down his cards with a frustrated glare. He had only just taught her how to play, and already she was beating him. He wasn't even trying to go easy on her!

"Cool! I win again!" Cilicia giggled as she stacked the chips on her bed. She turned to Allen with an almost sinister gaze. "Hey, if I beat you in this next hand, you have to do whatever I want!"

Allen's eyebrow twitched, for he was unable to deny her. He was a born gambler. "Sure," he said before he could think of the consequences. Link chuckled from behind his book as Allen dealt the cards again. "If I win, you have to tell me a secret,"

Cilicia giggled. "Truth or dare, I see? Okay, deal," Cilicia took the cards in her hand and studied them.

"And stop distracting me with your psychological warfare… Don't think I don't know that you're not the most innocent player in the world!" Allen growled as he brought up his hand.

"Okay!" Cilicia cheerily cried. "I'll stay with these," she stated with a small smirk.

Allen smirked back. "I'll stay as well," they placed their bets, revealed their cards, and Allen found himself hanging his head in shame. "Okay," Allen muttered in defeat. This girl had some beginners luck. "Lay it on me-"

Before Allen could finish his sentence, Cilicia wrapped her arms around his neck. Allen blinked in shook as she whispered into his ear. "Kiss me,"

"What?" Allen shrieked. He could hear Link chuckling in the back. Allen turned to see Link facing the other way, his nose stuck in a book instead of paying attention. He had been doing that a lot lately, but Allen knew that if Link heard what she had just said, he wouldn't have been chuckling.

"Kiss me… please," Cilicia cooed into Allen's ear. Allen looked back to Cilicia and shifted uncomfortably under her.

"I have a girlfriend; you know that," Allen found himself whispering back. His eyebrows were folded together as he felt her push herself against him. he could her curves against him, and his body dicided for him that it was nice.

He felt Cilicia's lips touch his ear softly. "I'll tell you a secret if you do," she began to twirl her fingers into his hair. Allen's breath became heavy. His eyes slowly began to glaze.

"But you're …" Allen mumbled, barely able to keep his mind on track. He felt Cilicia grip his hair tightly.

"Before you say I'm thirteen, I'm nineteen years old and I resent that-!"

"No…" Allen cut her off, placing his left hand on her shoulder lightly and holding her away. "You're basically royalty, nobility; I'm a cursed Exorcist who's always going to be hunted by Akuma an-"

"Why are you thinking about the future?" Allen met Cilicia's pleading eyes with confusion. Her deep blue eyes made Allen's mind almost go completely blank. He found himself hypnotized as he brought his hands into her hair. She closed her eyes as she leaned into his touch. "D-don't think about the future, think about now. When you think about what you want now, you'll know what you want in the future… What do you want to do right now?"

Allen gave Cilicia a small smile. He ran his hand along her chin; he grinned as he felt a shiver run down her back at the contact. He pulled her face close to his, feeling her nose touch his as he looked into her eyes. "I want to kiss you," he answered truthfully, knowing fully the consequences of his actions.

And they're lips touched, softly and briefly, and for that small, brief moment that their lips touched…

They found themselves complete.

/O\

My eyes slowly opened at the sound of a closing door. I slowly blinked at the dimly lit room. I found myself wondering where I was at and how I got there. I ran my hand over the blanket that lay on top of me, and then smiled down at the red sofa I was laying on. It was comfortable: homey.

I looked around the room and gasped. Never had I seen so many books before. I found myself full of glee, ready to jump up and read as many books as I could get my hands on, when I felt a ruffling around my neck. I looked down to see Tobimaru unravel his wings and look up at me. His tail was still wrapped around my neck, and I suddenly realized the cleverness of his actions. "They thought you were a necklace," I whispered to my golem as I rubbed his tiny cheek. "But why did you…?"

Realization washed over me as I remembered who I was found by. A harsh looking man and a beautiful young woman. I closed my eyes as I remembered their appearance. One thing stuck out to me; their uniforms. "They had to be… exorcist," I muttered, suddenly feeling not so at home anymore. My eyes darted across the room, resting on a barely 'neat' desk in front of me. It had some books stacked up on it, and lots of loose paper all around it. It was the center piece of the room, so I knew I had to see more of it. I sat up, wishing to go investigate, when I heard the door knob begin to turn. In a rush, I pulled my hood over my head, slammed myself back onto the sofa, and quickly fabricated a sleeping state.

As the door opened, two distinct footsteps where heard entering the room. I made sure my eyes where sealed shut as I heard the footsteps grow closer. I could sense a figure standing above me. "She's still asleep," a familiar voice cooed as I felt a hand being dragged along my hair. The soothing motion made me let out a light sigh, which I tried to pull off as being a light sleeping breath. I heard the other footsteps come closer.

"I thought as such, poor thing witnessed an Akuma killing spree. 15 people died last night… I wonder where the famous reaper Akuma disappeared to…?" a male voice responded, though I could sense his mind wasn't all in his words.

"She asked for her father," the female voice stated as she laced her fingers through my hair. "I wonder if one of dead was…" It was silent for a moment. I felt the absence of her hand, followed by a slight chocking sound, as if she was trying to hold back her tears. "She sounded desperate for him. It makes me think… oh, never mind," her withdrawal confused me. As I thought of how she spoke, I couldn't help but wonder… was she afraid to finish?

I heard a deep sigh and a chair drag across the floor. "Sister, I just wanted to say-"

"Now isn't the time, Komui," the voice above me interjected. I felt the lack of her presence as she moved away from me. It made me sad, but I tried my best to stay in a sleep like state. She continued to speak. "But I want you to know, brother, that I don't regret anything. I would never regret that boy… he made me into the woman I am today,"

"Sometimes… sometimes I wonder," the man's voice was dreamlike as he continued. "How would everything be today if he didn't leave. How would we act around each other? How would you and him be? Would there be children…?" dead silence fell over the room. I felt as if I was completely out of place. Yet, at the same time, I felt as if I should be listening. I felt that this was exactly what I needed to hear, but I just couldn't place why.

Finally, the woman spoke. "I'm glad that it happened this way. Who knows how we would get along in the future? I'm just glad I… I was his,"

I heard a shuffling sound, followed by a chair being pushed back. "But, Lenalee!" the male voice cracked as he screamed her name in horror. "You're my sweet little sister! You-"

"Komui," the female voice whispered his name so lightly it seemed unreal. It was as if his name just floated away from her mouth so lovingly that it drifted into the air with ease. "I thought he was the one. I didn't know that he would disappear one day," Her voice drifted away, and I heard footsteps draw closer to me. I felt the sofa's form shift a little as the woman sat towards the other end. "I just want to know why he left. I know I could ask anyone, but I want to know for sure. I started to believe that… he didn't exist,"

"Oh, Lenalee," the male voice whimpered from the other side of the room. There was a light silence, but I heard his voice again. "Lenalee, I've been lying to you about more… well, not so much lying as just not telling you the complete truth. I never wanted to butt into your business, but… Oh, Lenalee… I knew,"

It was so quiet that I was beginning to believe she would never answer. I wished I had a clue of what they were talking about. I felt like a complete intruder on a personal situation. Actually, I knew that I was, and it made me feel all the worse realizing that I was doing so right under their nose. I knew I would eventually have to speak up, but the sound of quiet sobs reached my ears. "Komui…" I heard the girl whimper. I felt weight leave the sofa, and heard footsteps running across the room. I could imagine the girl running into the man's arm as she sobbed quietly.

"Hush, dear sister," The male voice cooed. "I'm sorry about the way I reacted… it's just a long story,"

"But you hate him!" The woman suddenly cried. I heard the sound of skin contact. It made me jump slightly, but that went unnoticed as she continued to scream. "Why are you doing this to me? First you reveal that you've been keeping information about him away from me, then you yell at me-breaking my heart into pieces-, and now, you tell me everything is okay, and you knew this whole time… and you hate him! You didn't care about-"

"I do not hate him!" the male voice cried over the woman. "I'm just not too fond of him because I'm aware of his crimes-!"

There was a slight silence that seemed to interrupt the man. I heard the sound of stumbling feet, followed by the sound of gulping. "Crimes…?"

"Lenalee, why did you volunteer to go to the Asian Branch nine years ago?" the female did not respond to the man's sudden question. The male continued. "We all have secrets, lies, answers to the questions that we refuse to listen to… We know that some things are better left unsaid. I wasn't happy when you reassigned yourself, but after learning why- along with your personal reasoning's- I came to accept it,"

"You knew all that…?"

"And there are things that we all know that you need to ask him yourself," the voice was decisive, final. I could tell he was done talking. I took the opportunity to stretch out my limbs and roll off the sofa. To tell the truth, it wasn't my intention to fall, but I rolled with it as I face planted the ground.

"Owww," I called loudly, hoping that I would attract attention. I realized that it was unneeded, because as I barely hit the ground, petit arms help me back to the chair. I rubbed the nose on my face as I looked up to the beautiful woman with short, green hair who helped me up. "Hello, Miss… Lenalee?" The woman giggled as I pretended to recall her name. She gave me a nod as I settled myself back on the sofa. She wore the same uniform that father wore; only hers had a skirt. She wore white thigh high socks, and black high heel shoes. On both of her ankles she had anklets that were a deep crimson color. She crossed her legs and leaned back into the chair, snapping me out of my meditative mood. I gave a worried smile. "Where am I?"

"You're at the Black Order HQ," Lenalee spoke slowly. I had the impression that she either thought I didn't know the place, or thought I was stupid. But then again, that's the impression I always got when speaking to a grown up. Afterwards, I would say that I was slightly pleased with her style; being slightly annoyed made me forget how utterly afraid I was.

"I believe we haven't met," a voice called over to me. I instantly recognized the male voice from before. I placed a fake smile across my lips as I turned to finally put a face to the voice. I witnessed a tall man in a white coat smiling at me from behind the desk. He had a beret on his head, and glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. "My name is Komui Lee. I am…-" I noticed that his eyes became wide as I made eye contact with him. He stumbled slightly, knocking some papers away from his desk as he did such. He sat up suddenly, fixing the hat that sat on his head. "I am this young lady's older brother, and chief of the science department," As he looked at me, I couldn't help but notice the cautious gaze boring into me. I couldn't help but fidget under his gaze, wondering why the man was looking at me so strangely. A shine covered his glasses as a smirk appeared on his face. "It seems you have won the heart of my younger sister. That is a fatal flaw, you see, because it poses the risk of you stealing her away from me. It is a crime punishable an examina- Ow!" the spine of a book hit Komui right between his eyes. I blinked as the man groveled on the floor slightly, then turned to my right to see Lenalee's arm stretched out towards him. It looked as if I had found the culprit.

"Um, Ms. Lenalee, why did you do that?" I asked, the innocence in my voice was not faked. I was genuinely confused.

Lenalee turned to me with a slightly clueless look, and then a large smile graced her face. "Oh... I'm sorry. It's a habit. Besides, his examinations are cruel and unusual punishments, and if a sweetheart like you had to go through one… I would be just devastated!" Lenalee dramatically placed her hands on her cheeks, emphasizing her horror. I found myself giggling, though I couldn't tell why. I always found grown up attempts to humor children a petty act, but Lenalee had a personality that made the torture bearable enough to actually laugh at.

"My precious Lenalee!" I jumped in my seat to see Komui hugging onto Lenalee's legs, crying as if he just lost a puppy. All I could think was 'how did he get here so fast?' before he started blabbering. "I promise you, Lenalee, I will protect you from anyone who dares to take you away from me! You're my only sister and I must protect you! Please, Lenalee, don't leave me!"

"There, there, big brother," Lenalee slowly smiled as she patted the head of the grown man at her knees. "Aren't we both way too old for this behavior?"

"You're no fun," Komui stated from the other side of the room as he drank a steaming liquid from a blue mug with a bunny on it. I blinked at the man again, wondering if it was physically possibly to teleport, when Lenalee nudged my arm.

"Hey," She muttered with a wink. "Let's ditch this guy,"

I smiled up at her. "Sure,"

I followed Lenalee out of the office, feeling like a ninja when Lenalee gave me the signal to be quiet. Even when we got into the hall, we were walking in a crouched position, slowly creeping our way along. A man in a white lab coat and strange glasses walked by in a hurry, and we pretended to be statues close to the wall as he passed. Sadly, the man slowed down and gave us a funny look. "What are you doing?"

"Johnny!" Lenalee pouted, taking a step away from the wall. I stayed where I was at and watched as silently as I could. "You ruined the game!"

"Who's this?" the young man asked. As he stared at me, I tried my hardest not to blink. My eyes were starting to burn as Lenalee spoke up again.

"Who's who?" Lenalee pretended to look around the hall and not notice me. The man named Johnny laughed.

"I wish I could hang with you guys, but I gotta get back to work," The man turned to me with a smile. "When you're done with your game, I'd like to meet you… and hear your name. Bye- oh! Lenalee!" the man turned back to Lenalee with a huge smile. "I almost forgot! Go check the cafeteria!"

"Why?" Lenalee asked. Genuine curiosity was heard in her voice as she gave a questionable look to the man called Johnny. Said man merely smiled.

"You'll see!" he called as he began to run off. Lenalee shifted her wait to one leg as she watched him turn a corner.

"I wonder what's going on…" Lenalee gazed at me from the corner of her eye. She blinked once and smiled directly towards me. "Since we're going to the cafeteria, would you like something to eat?"

The growling of my stomach answered before I could. I didn't realize how hungry I actually was. I dropped my statue stance, causing my hood to fall from my head. I held my belly pitifully. "I do believe that I'm a tad hungry…"

Lenalee laughed. Her voice sounded like bells, making me completely jealous. I couldn't place why, but I think it had something to do about where I was at. I was at the Black Order HQ, the place my father was at before… well, before me, I guess. There was a chance that he heard the sound of this woman's laugh, and possibly enjoyed it before.

I realized how scared I was. Anyone could have been friends with my father. Anyone could have loved him as much I as I love him… And, truthfully, I was afraid of someone taking father away from me. If he had a wife or even a lover… would he forget about me?

That wasn't the only thing. Supposedly, I looked a lot like my father. Reynaldo said I looked like him before a… was it a curse? Was father cursed? And did these people see what he looked like before the curse? Does that mean they would recognize me? As I looked up to the giggling Lenalee, I wondered if she had seen my father at all as she looked at me without my hood.

Lenalee's laugh slowed to light giggle as she held her hand out to me. "You must be the sweetest girl I've ever met. Will you let me spoil you while you're mine?"

I blinked at the hand Lenalee held out in front of me. My heart skipped a beat as I slowly placed my hand in hers. She led me away, possibly towards the cafeteria. All I could do was stare at my hand in her hand. I've never felt a smooth hand like hers before. She led me away with a grace that I did not know existed.

Lenalee looked at me from the corner of her eyes. "So," She began as she leisurely walked me down the hall. "What where you doing out alone last night? Or were you with your father?"

"My Father?" I shrieked. Panic washed over me, but Lenalee gave me a hand motion that said to calm down.

"You mentioned him last night. I assumed that you travel with your father…"

"O-Oh," I muttered, looking down at my feet awkward. "Well, actually, I was with my uncle last night. We, um… we kinda got separated. Last night I was so scared…" I trailed off, wondering if I should tell the whole truth or close to the truth. At that moment, I wished Reynaldo was nearby. If he was here, I could just look at his face and know what to tell and what not to tell. But I guess working solo would be something I'd have to get used to for when I get older.

"Uncle…" Lenalee muttered, her eyebrows folding together slightly. "By any chance, um… never mind,"

I looked up to Lenalee with a confused expression. She was looking away from me with a puzzled look on her face. She looked at me from the corner of her eye and placed a smile on her face. What was she about to say? I began to do into deep thought, working my way through every scenario that could lead to Reynaldo knowing Lenalee. I didn't realize we had made it into the cafeteria until she screamed and let go of my hand.

I jumped away from her, pulling up my hood as a force of habit. I saw Lenalee smile, tears filling up her eyes. She mumbled some words that I didn't quiet catch, and she ran forward and into the arms of another. I slowly gathered my composer. I pulled back my hood slightly to see what the commotion was about. My heart nearly stopped.

"M-…Mr. Lavi?" I muttered. It was way too low for them to hear, but it didn't stop it from being the truth. In front of me was Lenalee engulfed in the embrace of Lavi. Behind him, I caught a glimpse of Timothy with a large smile on his face. I pulled my hood up again, knowing fully well that they would notice me. I wouldn't know what to tell them if they asked why I was here. Besides, where was uncle Rey?

My heart beat quickened at that thought. 'Where is uncle Rey?' I couldn't believe I had forgotten about him. Where was he? Was he looking for me? Why am I willingly in the middle of the Exorcist headquarters?

"I can't believe you came back!" Lenalee cried into Lavi's chest. I began to search my surrounding, trying to locate an escape route. I wasn't aware of any. There seemed to be no windows. I looked back to Lenalee helplessly.

"I came because I found news," Lavi claimed. I began walking towards the back. I needed to get away. I needed to- "I think I found him… I think I found Allen,"

I froze in my spot. I couldn't believe my ears. Found him… They couldn't have found father. There was no way...

"You didn't find nothing!" Timothy's voice called. I turned slightly, witnessing Timothy push Lavi away in a mocking manor. "I, and I stress I, found a note posted on the city task board in Oxford. It was a coded message, but I decoded it!"

Lavi looked like he sweat dropped. "Yes, well, you would've never had found that note if I hadn't had lost my golem-"

I gulped at his statement. Was it my fault? They found Reynaldo's message to father… because I took Tobi from Lavi. But I can't regret Tobi, right? He was my special golem. I could never replace him! And I would never regret him… But why did Timothy have to find that note? Why…?

"Lavi, Timothy… I appreciate your involvement, but… I don't think one simple note, which may not even have a message behind it, could lead us to him so easily," Lenalee looked down as she spoke. I could see the sorrow in her eyes, and it made me realize something. If they were looking for father, could that mean they care about him as much as I did? Maybe I've been looking at this all wrong. Maybe they were looking for father… because they missed him.

Another question arose. 'is that who they were talking about in Komui's office?' my eyes grew wide as I tried to recall the conversation. I couldn't remember it. I bit my lip in frustration as Lenalee looked back to Lavi with a small smile. "But thank you. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to visit more often," she gave what looked like a scolding glance to Lavi, who chuckled nervously as his hand went to the back of his head. "And Timothy, I'm glad to see you still have faith," Timothy huffed childishly and turned away as he mumbled to himself bitterly. Lenalee still held a smile on her lips.

I took a deep breath as I watched them from the back of the room. I knew each one of them separately, but when they were together, they had a chemistry all their own. It was like a dysfunctional family. It was like my family. My stomach started to ache. Oh, how I missed my family. My nanny, Mrs. Nancy, My tutor and crush, Jason, my 'other father' for all practical reasons, Mr. Bottle, they were all that I had in this world. They were my constant, my sense of familiarity, and without them, I almost felt all alone.

But even when I was home, I would cry myself to sleep every night that father was gone. There was nothing anyone could do about it. I loved my father more than anyone in the whole world. One night, he came home late, and I was almost completely asleep, tears streaming down my pale cheeks. He came into my room and crawled into bed next to me. He gave me a piece of advice that I would never forget.

'You need to be strong, Ally girl. The stronger you are for me, the stronger I'll be for you. Rely on yourself, and hold me in your heart forever and for always,"

A smile appeared on my face. With watery eyes, I took a step towards the familiar group in front of me. I didn't care about my background or my reasons, my past or my judgment; I just wanted to be with the people that I felt I could trust. I would be strong, because the stronger I act, the stronger I will be.

A hand on my shoulder made my whole body tense and I froze on the spot. I looked up slowly, fearing only slightly that it was someone who would rat me out. My eyes made contact with a pair of glasses that had a glare over them. "I think you should come with me," I tilted my head in response to the man. He smiled lightly at my questionable pose. "I should have some food back in my office. I ordered some after you left,"

Any other day, I would think it was a trap, but not today. I followed the man who I believed was Mr. Komui back to his office as Lenalee took the time to catch up with Lavi and Timothy without me. I felt nothing wrong when I left them there, being that I felt like I would slow down the reunion. Komui opened the door for me, to which I nodded politely as I walked in. I found my way back to the comfortable red sofa and sat in it. Komui walked around his desk and sat in his own chair. As he sat down, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" he called in a cheery voice. Immediately after the door opened, I could smell the food. Beautiful aroma's filled the air as multiple carts were pushed into the room. A curious looking man with long purple braids led them in, and smacked the others with a hand towel once all the carts were in the room. He turned to Komui with a smirk. "Hello, chief!" the man called as he swished his hips and made his way over to Komui's desk. "Once I got your order, I just knew you had something up your sleeve! What's the dirt?"

Komui cleared his throat and motioned towards me. The man looked at me curiously before releasing a high-pitched "AWWWWWWW!" the man ran over to me and squeezed my sides. "Look at this charming little thing!" he cried, emphasizing on every word as he squeezed harder. I gasped, and as I did so my hood fell off my head. The man pulled away slightly and looked me over. "Oh! A girl~!" he giggled… yes, giggled. I couldn't believe he did that. It was ungentle-man-like for a man to giggle… wasn't it?

"Jerri, please," Komui called, his voice sounding all business. The man referred to as Jerri pouted but released me. He grabbed a dome in front of me and lifted it to reveal an amazing lobster dinner, complete with an array of dipping sauces, and biscuits that were stuff with cheese (Red Lobster, FTW). My mouth drooled endlessly at the sight. Jerri gave one final giggle. "Bon apatite!" he called as he made his exit.

I stared at the dinner with a watering mouth. I looked at the plate, up to Komui, then back to the plate again. Komui motioned for me to begin eating, to which I didn't refuse. I reached for the food, but stopped short. I sat up straight, grabbed a napkin and placed it on my lap, set my forks and knife up perfectly, and bowed my head in prayer. 'All I can really say is thank you,' I thought after my prayer was finished. 'I'm happy for this adventure, and the colorful friends that I've met along the way. I'm happy my journey has been more or less peaceful so far, though I know that can change… and I'm glad I'm finding out more about father, but I do hope I can see him soon…'

I then began eating, trying my best not to look like a slob, and present myself as a grown-up, dignified young lady. As I finished the lobster dinner, Komui began looking though a drawer in his desk. He looked up slightly, and after seeing that I was finished, motioned to another cart. "Please, Ms. Alicia, help yourself to another meal," he began flipping through files, looking carefully into every one. I did not move from my spot. I watched him very carefully, very intently. I believe he could feel my gaze on him, because soon he looked to me with a curious expression. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

I could sense the unease of his words. He had a guilty conscious. I lifted my chin, feeling my heartbeat increase. "How did you know my name?" I inquired as I stood from my spot. Komui tilted his head as he continued to gaze at me.

"What do you mean? You told me your name,"

"No, I don't believe I did," I inferred as is began walking towards his desk. "I distinctly remember not revealing that information to you,"

Komui fumbled in his files as I made my way closer to him. He shifted his weight to where he was leaning away from me, and hurriedly fumbled through his work. "Well then, I must have heard it from Lenalee-"

"You're lying~," I muttered into his ear. He jumped up quickly and placed his hand on a serving dome.

"Oh, please," he muttered in a nonchalant tone. He lifted the dome. "Please, help yourself to some Apple Crumble. I know its desert but-"

"But it's only my favorite, right?" I smirked to Komui as he stuttered on what to say. I had caught him. I wasn't really sure if he was telling the truth or not, but to try a new method on getting information on him was great practice. Even I started to believe that I knew his every move before he did it. I was about to ask a question when something caught my eye.

I looked down to the files that Komui had in his draw. Out of a file, small sheets of paper were sticking up. I looked up to him with confusion in my eyes before I carefully took a sheet in my hand. I brought it up to get a closer look, and I just couldn't believe my eyes.

/O\

Link looked down at his map, then back up to the city in front of him. "Manchester," He stated in a monotone voice. He stuffed his map in his coat pocket and smirked slightly. "First real lead in… years,"

Link looked on to the city; it seemed busy today, much to Link's dismay. But then again, if there were lots of people, Allen could still be here. He could be trying to hide in plain sight by blending in.

Link took a deep breath, feeling his rage for Allen seeping through his calm exterior. He tried not to show it, for it was an ugly sight, but sometimes what Allen did drove Link up the wall. "Stupid kid," Link muttered as he stepped forwards, making his way towards the city. "If he just didn't kiss Lady Cilicia, maybe none of this would've happen,"

But Link knew that was a fairy tale on its own. He knew from the beginning it was wrong for Allen to cheat, to betray Lenalee in such a way. 'One kiss will lead to a thousand regrets' Link finalized with a nod to himself. He continued the way to town, weary of the past, and the future it had created.

"Link!" Allen ran through the halls as quickly as he could. He reached out and put his hand on Link's shoulder "Link, listen to me!"

"No!" Link jerked himself away from Allen's hand. Allen took a step back, startled at Link's sudden rage towards him. He turned to Allen, his eyes blazing with anger. "Why should I listen to you? Do you understand how wrong that was?"

"It was the bet, Link!" Allen screeched. He truly believed he wasn't at fault. He grabbed his hair, feeling as if he should rip it all out. "It was the bet! I kept telling her no, but she wouldn't take it as an answer! Listen, link," Allen put his hand back on Link's shoulder. "I thought it through, and I thought it couldn't be too bad. This girl is deathly ill… when would she ever get her first kiss?"

Link glared at Allen. "Don't you know anything? After our mission is complete, Lady Cilicia is to be married to a wealthy Aristocrat!"

"W-what?" Allen took a step back. Link's harsh glare softened when he saw this. He shook his head at Allen.

"You really didn't know?" He gave Allen a sad look, maybe of pity, for Allen had just been stabbed in the heart. He had really felt something for that girl. He even thought of her above Lenalee sometimes. It was a cruel and unbelievable thing for Allen to think. The girl he just kissed didn't care. She just wanted to use him…

Was every other girl like this? Would Lenalee do this? 'No' Allen thought. Link watched as Allen took another step back, finally leaning against a wall for support. 'Lenalee is different…' but even as he thought so, he doubted himself. What was he to believe now? He brushed his hand over his head, pulling his long white hair from his eyes which only revealed disbelief. Link gave a drawn out sigh. "I'm sorry, Allen. I thought you were informed of all of this. It's basically the reason why we are here; to keep Lady Cilicia safe until she can be married. Didn't you read the file?"

Allen had a look of confusion on his face. He looked up to Link was dazed eyes. "I thought her parent were just protective…"

"Well…" Link grabbed the clipboard he had tucked under his arm and flipped a page on it. "Actually, I think it was Young Master Reynaldo who asked for our assistance. Maybe the people at HQ thought it was her father?"

Allen slowly took a step forwards. "Why wouldn't her father call? Why did her brother have to?"

Link raised an eyebrow at Allen. "Where are you getting at? There is no difference,"

"She's going to marry an Aristocrat, so why would her father want her to stay here and be protected? Wouldn't he send her off as soon as possible, so that he wouldn't have to pay the Order?"

"That's a horrible thing to say," Link frowned at Allen and shook his head. "Her father cares for her just as much,"

"It's the way people are," Allen glared towards Link. "Even if he did care for her, he would care for his money more. Besides, why didn't he make the call then?" Link looked dumbfounded at Allen's words. He wasn't quite sure of where he was going with this. Allen turned away from Link. "And if she would marry an Aristocrat, why would she…" Allen's eyes became wide. He turned back to Link. "It's a sign!"

"What?" Link cried. "Are you out of your mind? Allen, don't build the puzzle with pieces that aren't there…"

Allen turned to Link with an incredulous look on his face. "But… Reynaldo must know something we don't," Allen suggested. A wide smile appeared on his face. "We have to-"

A loud explosion rattled the building. Allen and Link both fell to the floor, completely aghast at the magnitude of the explosion. "What was that?" Link cried, fumbling in his attempts to sit up.

Allen was the first to stand, a look of pure terror on his face. "Cilicia!" Allen cried as he ran down the halls at maximum speed. He focused his mind on one path, the path to Cilicia's room. It was almost as if all the doors and hallways that didn't lead him there melted from existence. It seemed almost impossible to become lost while his mind focused only on Cilicia. He burst through the doors of Cilicia's room to find her on the floor, crawling away from her bed. "Cilicia!" Allen cried, running to her side. He dropped down next to her; his hands hovered over her, wary of where he should help her up from.

Cilicia coughed into her hand as dust glided across the room. She gave Allen a weak smile. "I'm fine… I was talking to…" Cilicia's eyes became wide before she turned away to relieve the contents of her stomach on the floor. She coughed again, gaging on the dust. She took a raged deep breath. "The maid…" She cried as she pointed her shaking arm across the room. Allen turned towards the piano, and his stomach ached when he saw blood on the keys. He ran to the piano to see a women unconscious, her head seeping blood onto the ground. Allen gulped.

"Stay there, Cilicia," Allen cried as he kneeled next to the woman. Allen knew her heart was still beating, because blood was still dripping from her head. Allen tried to remember the basics in first aid, but his mind drew a blank. Before he could realize it, Cilicia had crawled to his side. She coughed vigorously as she positioned herself next to the maid. She closed her eyes forcefully, her face showing the strain. She moved her hands over the maids head. A light shined out from her palms, glowing eerily as the maid's eyes slowly opened. Her eyes became wide.

"Madam Cilicia, no-!" Before the maid could finish her pleading, Cilicia fell unconscious.

/O\

"I gave my description to Reever already. It was a fairly tall man, lean, slightly muscular, with white hair and a scar on his left eye. I'll never forget that," Nisa sat pristinely in her chair across from Link, trying to hold a controlled nature about her. Craine sat silent next to her, listening with his eyes close, but his mind open.

Link leaned back slightly, finding a comforting feeling in the small inn on the outskirts of town. He prompted up his feet on the table in front of him and scratched his head with a pencil. "Yes, I'm aware of that. Tell me, have you and your brother searched for him at all?"

Nisa gripped her knees suddenly. She slowly shook her head. A long silence followed, for Nisa dared not speak and Link was determined to get a real statement from her. Finally, she looked off to the side and answered. "No, sir. I found the encounter frightening… I thought he was only a legend,"

Link raised an eyebrow. "If he was only a legend, why am I here now?" Nisa gasped lightly, making eye contact with Link for only a second before turning away again. Link began to move his pencil on his notepad. "Of course, even the people who knew him are starting to believe he never existed. But enough about that, tell me any more information you may have," Nisa spoke more on the mysterious man who called himself 'Walker'. All though it was his first real lead, Link couldn't find his situation anymore boring. He had started taking notes, but found that doodling on his notepad was more entertaining. Link soon grew tired of this, too, and finally began asking Nisa for specifics. "Was there anything suspicious, besides him in general, that you witnessed?"

"Well…"

"His Golem had the marking of the great General Cross," Craine's voice was heard for the first time that evening. Link looked at him skeptically, awaiting for more enlightenment on the current fact. "It was large, around the size of a soccer ball. In its mouth I could've sworn I saw a piece of innocence,"

Link leaned forward in his chair. "Innocence? He actually had some?" Link wasn't truly surprised. He believed from the beginning that Allen was a traitor; a low life who sank even lower than the low. The Black Order has been at a low when it came to collecting innocence, thought it technically evened out because of the exorcist bomb that happened many years ago, they had not been collecting enough innocence. It was only a matter of time before the heart was discovered, whether it be by the order or the Noah. If Allen was interfering, the chances were more than likely that, because he had abandoned the order, he was working for his own personal reasons.

The proof of the matter: there was none. The truth: nobody knows. But Link always believed Allen was behind the dawdling collection of innocence. Finally, there was evidence.

"We saw the Golem and it's swallowing of the innocence as he was giving us that message," Nisa admitted. She fidgeted as she continued. "He said that the order had something… or possibly was going to take something that belonged to him,"

Link was still thinking about the information about Allen collecting innocence that he almost didn't catch what Nisa had said. He looked to Nisa with a raised eyebrow. "Something that belonged to him?" Link blinked. He blinked again, a look of realization and horror on his face. Disbelief washed over him as he thought about the message. 'Something that belongs to him… could it be…?'

With a sudden surge of energy, Link shot up from his seat. "I need to get back to HQ… tonight,"

"Tonight?" Nisa cried. She stood up, a wave of confusion and uncertainty washing over her. "You can't make that trip in one day,"

"Of course I can," Link informed as he pulled a black golem out of his pocket. "Just one call to central and I can just use the Ark,"

There was almost an eerie silence. Craine tilted his head ever so slightly. "The Ark is only located in London. It's HQ…"

"No it's not: the Ark spreads all across Europe and parts of Asia. We only allow certain, well-guarded entrances to be kept open. It's so your so-called 'legend' doesn't use the Ark without central's permission,"

Craine stood up. "If the legends are true, then the Ark belongs to General Walker! It is a part of him-"

"The legends are true, Craine Dodgen! I've lived the legends!" the room once again fell silent. Link regained his composure and began his search for a phone. He called over his shoulder. "And it's also true that he has a Noah inside of him. He is dangerous, and evil, and must be stopped at all cost. Thanks to you two, we may finally be able to do it,"

Link left the room a cold stillness. Nisa wrapped her arms around herself, feeling her bones ache for no reason. She reached for her bow in a weary manor. She turned to Craine with sad eyes. "Why do I feel like I betrayed myself?" she asked, he voice cracking from her inner pain. Craine steadily turned to Nisa, holding out his arms in a nonchalant/comforting type of way. Nisa jumped into his arms, shaking in her own skin.

"I don't know, sister," Craine muttered as he reached for his blade. "But I fell… equal,"

Pheeew, that was tough. I got that just as I envisioned it! To tell the truth, this chapter had been finished for a while, but I always have at least one other chapter waiting in line before I update…. And chapter 11 was hard to make…

But now, as I work on 12, and continuously edit 11, I'd like to read your feedback to keep me going! Critics are welcome, complements are worshiped, and even a good ol' 'can't wait for next chap!' is appreciated!