Me: Waaaah! Forgive me!
Allen: You're acting like Miranda right now, Hanashi...
Richie: (O_o) Miranda?
Lavi: You and I met her once when we went to check Moyashi-chan and Lenalee. After there mission in the Rewinding Town.
Richie: Ah. Why didn't you update when you were suppose to?
Me: I meant to...anyway, this chapter I'd give a rating of 'T', do to Richie and Kanda being in the same facilities.
Lavi: Han-chan doesn't own D. Gray-man, by the way! She only takes credit where it counts, and that's for Ri-chan here!
Tenth Chapter: Village where the Witch Lives
When I finally came to, I felt like I was moving...without actually moving. I blinked my eye, getting rid of any and all grogginess I felt. "What in the...?"
"Finally awake?" I heard Kanda's voice ask of me.
"More or less...why are you carrying me?"
"Che. You're a poor excuse of an Exorcist, Linhagem." He muttered. I finally managed to blink away the blurry images. We were in a town that seemed rather deserted. I noticed that there were people pulling blinds shut, and locking door as we passed. I sniffed the air realizing that I smelt a strange, sickly sweet, and coppery-like scent. It was coming of Kanda, who I realized was covered in blood. Akuma blood.
"Y'know, I'm pretty sure they're scared of you." I said, gesturing towards someone who was slamming his or her own door shut.
"It doesn't matter." Kanda retorted.
"YES! IT DOES JERKANDA!" I shouted in his ear. He glared at me best he could from where I was, which was actually on his back. "Let me down, I can walk."
"I don't like the extra baggage, anyway." he said, all but gently placing me on the floor.
"Ouch! Bastard." I seethed, when my rear made contact with the floor. "I'm going to get you for that...and the damn slap."
"You deserved that, and you know it, damn fox."
"How does hitting me make it right then?" I demanded of the long-haired man before me.
"You were being childish."
"Childish? I'm not a kid!"
"You are to my standards. You're two years my junior, Linhagem."
"That doesn't make a difference! And you should wash that blood off you."
"Che."
"DO IT NOW!"
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It didn't take long for us to find a river so he could wash up. While he washed his face of Akuma blood, I did my best to rid the blood off his coat. The rushing waters of the river was nice and cold. Cold water did wonders to blood stains, and I thank Lenalee to this day, for telling me that vital information.
I picked up his coat, and examined my handiwork. "So? What'd'ya think?" I asked, rhetorically. "Nice and clean, and you won't scare away—then again, you already scare people off with that thing on your face."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh, forgive me, master Kanda. I often forget that thing on your face is in fact, your face."
"You asking to die, Linhagem?"
"Do you have to look so girly?
"What?" I was pushing his buttons. But this was the only way I could think off or getting back at him at the moment. Irritating him was one of best ways to exact revenge. My smirk faltered not, as he stormed over to where I was sitting. He grasped at my coat's collar with his left hand, lifting me up so I was eye-level with him. At that point, I found myself feeling adrenalin rushing through my veins. "What the hell are you, a fucking masochist?"
"Points for using a word such as that. But no, I find no pleasure with being punished during sex."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it, damn fox."
"Well, what else would masochists be more known in?"
"I meant you seem to find it amusing to be hurt."
"Please. I find no pleasure in pain, JerKanda."
"Somehow I doubt that." He said almost inaudibly.
"You can let me down now." I said, pointing to his fist still clenched to my uniform. He did as bidden, and snatched his cloak from the rock it fell on. "I think we should figure out what's going on here."
"We don't have time for this." Kanda said in monotone. "The sooner we meet with Daisya and Marie, the soon we can find our General." He started walking some before something caught his eye. I followed to see what he was staring at, only to see a shed that was covered in brush. It was amazing the door was still visible, truth be told.
"That's an interesting cottage." I said, looking at it. "Though not what I'd call a great place to live." He ignored me, and turned his attention elsewhere. I followed his gaze, and soon found what he was looking at...or rather who.
Near the pond, was a young girl most likely my own age. She had a shawl over her shoulders, and slightly covering her head, almost like a hood. Kanda nudged me, and I rolled my eyes. Why did I have to call out to her?
"Hey!" I shouted, despite my internal debate, girl turned her attention to us, with curious eyes. "Do you know who lives in this cottage?"
"I'm sorry, but no one actually lives there." She replied, as she made her way to where Kanda and I stood.
"You don't say. Kinda creepy, right? Almost as though a witch would live in it." I said the last part as a joke. But the reaction I got from her rather surprised me.
"There is no witch."
"I was only kidding." I explained. "Witches don't exist."
"Has anyone suspicious come to this village as of late?" Kanda asked, averting the girls attention to himself.
"Suspicious, how?"
"Uh, like strange people who came here." I clarified. "Not including us, though he may be an exception." I said with a shrug.
"Well, no, I haven't seen anyone like that." The look in Kanda's eye seemed as though he didn't trust her at all. My eye was itching, but I ignored it for the time being. She suddenly looked at the lake, causing the two of us to do the same. What I saw were several flowers emerging from the murky waters. It seemed to have gotten some sort of reaction from Kanda.
"A lotus." He simply stated looking at the said plants.
"I hadn't seen these flowers in this pond before today." She said, intrigued by the sight. I hadn't seen any lotus before today in general. "But I've lived here my whole life."
"It's probably because this is the first time they've bloomed." Was the world going to end soon? I'd never in my life heard of Kanda talking about something other than how much a lot of people get on his nerve... "The seed of a lotus might sleep for a millennium before springing forth again."
"It's been sleeping within the earth for a thousand years?"
"Yes."
"And it's awakened from its long sleep just now?" She said, turning her attention to the lotus once more. "Poor thing. It just flowered, and it's already drying up."
"It's not drying up." Kanda corrected her. "It will bloom again tomorrow."
"Really?" She asked, a spark in her eye.
"Yes."
"I can't wait for tomorrow. You certainly know a lot about flowers."
"Why do you actually know so much about flowers?" I asked confused. "I didn't take you for the type who knew about them."
"Idiot." He said mostly to me. "It's only the lotus."
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We soon found ourselves being housed by the girl and her father. We also learned the girl's name was Sophia. She and her father were hospitable towards us. We were served some steaming stew, which I gratefully accepted. The cons of being a damn parasitic: you eat way too much. The pros: you'll never get fat tanks to a abnormally fast metabolism.
"Here you are." Sophia said, lacing our meals before us. It came as a surprise for me that Kanda actually ate it. I'd never seen him eat anything other than soba. "I'm very sorry, but this is all we have."
"Nothing to worry about." I said, with a smile, "I'm just thankful you're giving us a place to stay for the night." I said taking a bite out of a loaf of bread, but soon devouring everything in arms reach.
"I see you rather enjoy Sophia's cooking."
"Yeah...I'm a rather heavy eater..." I said with embarrassment. "Fast metabolism."
"Hey, you're the one who wanted to investigate, damn fox." Kanda whispered, reminding me of my earlier statement.
"Fine, I'll ask." I mouthed back, then out loud I asked Sophia and her father, "I know it's not my place to ask, but can you tell me if you have any other family?"
"My wife passed away more than ten years ago from a long term illness." The elderly man told us.
"I see..." I said, with a sigh. "But I guess that's why Sophia here is such an amazing cook then."
"Thank you so much, but if you don't mind me asking, what are you two doing in such a remote town?"
"We heard rumors of people disappearing, so we're sort of here to investigate."
"Oh, really?
"Has anyone besides us, and the villagers been here lately?"
"Truth be told, I've been away from here for a while." She admitted.
"Really now?"
"I was away from here for a long time in Mitterwald, working as a seamstress." she explained. I finally got some time off, so I figured I'd come home to visit."
"Are you telling me you've come home through this forest? When was this?"
"Ten days ago, actually." She told us. "Uh, is something wrong?"
"Not really, I guess this is just a peaceful town and all, plus we heard there was a witch here." There was a sudden crash, as Sophia's father dropped his dish, which shattered upon impact on the floor. That caused us to look over to him, who seemed to be afraid. Why?
"I'm sorry about that..."
"Are you alright, father?"
"Yes, I'm so sorry." He said, "I think my trick knee is acting up, so I'll be getting to bed now."
"See, there are many people here who believe in witches and old superstitions. Everyone avoids that cottage we saw earlier and its said to be home to a witch."
"and you don't fear it?" Kanda asked, speaking up for the first time since we got here.
"If it were real, then I would be afraid."
"Then, it's not real." I stated.
"No. Actually there was an old lady living there until a few months ago." She told us, "She was just a normal person who settled down in the village, but everyone called her a witch."
"That must suck." Unfortunately my damn stomach chose now of all times to growl. I blushed from embarrassment. "Damn it..."
"You really do eat a lot, don't you?" Sophia asked me, walking to a table on the other side of the room. "Here, you can have these if you want." She said, holding out a bag. When I opened it, there were jellybeans inside.
"Heh, I hadn't had these since the time I went to France for the first time..." I said looking at the bean-shaped treats in the bag. "But it's getting late...I think we should be off to bed." I said, gesturing towards the window. It was really dark out now.
"Alright, I'll lead you two there." She said as we both got up.
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"You can use this room." She said once she led us to a door.
"Sophia...are there any other rooms available?" I asked, as we entered.
"No, this is the only one that we have for guests. Is this a problem?"
"Yes." Kanda and I both said at once. Sophia blinked in confusion. Sighing, I decided to explain it to her; "It's not appropriate for those of the opposite sex to share a room if they're not really married."
"Oh...I'm so sorry about that...but you'll have to make do with this. As I said, we don't have any other rooms available."
"Figures." I deadpanned. "Everyone thinks I'm a guy."
"Che quit your complaining, damn fox."
"Well, I'll be in the next room over, so if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Can't I just share a room with you?"
"Again, I must apologize, but I'd rather you not." This wasn't my day.
"Thanks anyway." I sighed. Things only got worse when we entered the room we were sharing. Only one bed. If god existed, he must really hate my sorry ass. "I don't know about you, but I'm not sleeping on the floor."
"Damn fox, why the hell do you think I would?"
"Because, JerKanda, it's not polite to make a girl sleep on the floor."
"Everyone thinks otherwise, Linhagem."
"Hmpf. Sure, sure, and tell me something, how many times have you gone out and not been mistaken for a girl? Hmm?"
"Bring that up again, and I swear I shove Mugen so far down your throat, the blade will come out the other end."
"Empty threats mean nothing to me." I said calmly. "I get the bed. You can sleep on the floor the bitch you really are." I laid on the bed, closing my eyes the instant I felt the soft mattress. I wasn't sure when, but I must've fallen asleep. I heard foot steps storming their way in my direction, but it wasn't until I felt the bed dipping that my eyes shot wide open. Well, the only eye I could operate. Kanda was over me, pinning my arms above my head on the mattress. I struggled to get him to loosen his grip, but it seemed as though it were only strengthening. Much like a boa constrictor would its squirming prey. He straddled my hips, preventing me from moving around so much. "You're damn attitude is really beginning to annoy me more than that damn beansprout." Kanda's voice was low and dangerous, and it sent a coldness through me. Had I ever been this afraid before? Not in my two years of memories, no. But now? Yes. I was afraid. My eye wouldn't work, and I didn't know what was going to happen. I noticed he had a predatory look in his russet eyes. But they seemed as though they were hazed over..."Listen up, Linhagem." Kanda sneered, "I've put up with your bullshit, since the day you came to the Order. Don't try me."
"Get off me..." I weakly said, not liking how uncomfortable I was feeling. I knew I had to swallow my pride, but it's because of it, I never did. "GET—mmpf!" My eyes suddenly widened when his lips suddenly crashed onto mine. No, no, no, this couldn't be happening! This wasn't right! I started struggling more, before I felt my left arm change on instinct. I managed to angle my hand so that my nails would pierce through his shoulder. He flinched from the pain, and ended up on the other side of the room, has I had literally pinned him to the wall.
"Let me down, damn fox!" I must've been in a haze when he said that, because I blinked, and everything was suddenly clear. Or as clear as I thought it to be...
"Tell me what the hell was going on through your head first, JerKanda!" I demanded. "You're supposed to hate me! Why did you do that?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You nearly raped me!" I shouted back at him. "How do you not recall that?" Not to mention...that was actually my first kiss...as far as I knew anyway.
"Why would I even do that?"
"You...don't remember any of it?" I asked, my Innocence weapon still keeping him pinned to the wall. I walked forward, allowing my nails to shrink as I walked, though still not removing them from Kanda's shoulder. "You don't remember pinning me to that bed, sitting on top of me, and nearly raping me?"
"Why the hell would I sink so low as to do that?" He had a point...but it still didn't make any sense... "You fucking fell asleep the instant you got on the bed. Then you fucking started to struggle, as if you were being attacked. I was just trying to wake you up, you idiot."
"So...that also means you didn't steal my first kiss?" I asked more to myself then to him.
"Linhagem, what the hell are you talking about this time?"
"Nothing." I said, releasing Kanda, and deactivating my Innocence. "I'm going to sleep."
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When I fell asleep, I realized that I was dreaming. I was aware of it, and I instantly knew this was but a continuation of a dream I had probably weeks ago...
A few days later I'm in London, but when I asked someone about a specific person, they said that the woman in question died four years ago in a carriage collision. Four years ago? But then who'd sent those letters? I knew something was wrong. Feeling afraid, I found myself running, leaving behind my belongings, and getting a strange sense that I wouldn't be needing them...It started raining, and just when I thought I'd found a place to stay, there were creatures surrounding me...
They floated in the air, some had faces of anguish on them, while others were showing a sadistic glee as they saw my fear. But...something else came over me. A part of me that told me someone would save me if I started running. Not knowing what else to do, I did as bidden, and ran. Running in a skirt wasn't easy. The long fabric had since gotten soaked, making movement difficult. But stopping now would be dangerous. The ball-like creatures were catching up, and the next thing I knew I'd tripped, but not before seeing something destroying the monsters that nearly took my life.
Soon, all faded to black.
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...
Who are you?
…
Open my eyes? Well, I know I can open my left eye, but my right eye won't work.
…
What? Of course I've tried! I'm not weak!
…
Wait, what?
…
I need to...open my eyes to both the light...and darkness?
…
What kind of bullshit are you pulling? I'm Richie Linhagem! Exorcist of the Black Order! I would be damned if I were afraid!
…
What? What do you mean I'm afraid of being vulnerable? Okay, that may be a little true...
…
Fine. I'll try. I don't know who you think you are, I swear to what ever 'god' there is, I'll kick your damn ass if you're lying to me.
A/N: Yeah, I know Goz is supposed to be here, but I didn't want to...I like Goz, honestly I do, he's a pretty good Finder though much of a goof, but I didn't really want to include him in here...besides, we never got to see Richie's parasitic appetite...X3...though if she can actually eat more than Allen, is currently unknown to me right now...
To make it up to you, I'll post the next chapter for you guys to read either later today, or tormorrow. But for now, please R&R! Let me know what you think!~ Like it? Love it? Hate it? Hey, I gott know!