Student Loans approved! The government is leading me 10,880 for my university tuition!! YES!!
"Seventy thousand dollars?!" Linali repeated in disbelief as Sol ran frustrated fingers through his hair.
"Yes, those photos were taken in a hotel and it shows Tina and I in rather intimate embraces, so I have to get them back."
"You said you'll try to wait until AFTER she gets a divorce before you start anything!"
"It's my own fault…how could I have lost that camera in the first place?"
"Sol, are you even listening to me?!"
"I've already been looking at all my savings and the friends I've made in previous missions, there's no way I can have that amount of money. If I don't have the money, the whole world will see the photos."
Sol was in trouble and he knew it, it was going to be impossible for him to pay for the photos. Racking his brains and coming up with nothing, he had turned to the sole person who knew about his current problems in hopes that she could come up with something. Now, he watched as Linali ran fingers through her long hair, trying desperately to come up with a solution to this new problem, "Sol, why don't we tell someone about this? We can ask my brother, he has authority, he could give you the money."
"Linali, your brother does have a sense of honour, and what's more he's always watched by someone. To tell him, you might as well tell the whole tower."
"Then what can we do? We already can't tell so many people!"
"I…I don't know, I really don't have any idea."
"Sol, answer me honestly," Linali said, "Are you really serious about this Tina?"
"Yes," Sol answered quickly and without a sign of hesitation. "Aside from my general, I've never been so emotional over a female, only she could make me feel like this. Tina's really important to me."
"…Very well" Linali resigned herself to her rather un-honourable idea, "As assistant to my brother, I also know that among the accountants of the Black Order, they've long since established a standard procedure of setting aside a certain amount of money every time Kanda goes out on a mission. It is because they know that damages tend to increase, and they need money to fix and cover everything up. They've set the amount again ever since they heard Kanda received another mission today, but what they don't know is that he's been sent on a ghost town, the damages he will cause doesn't need to be paid for. We can take the money from there."
"We can't do that," Sol countered, but his voice was soft. "That's…that's not even legal. If someone finds out, the consequences will be terrible."
"That's when the favouritism over us Exorcists can be manipulated," Linali reassured him softly. "No matter what we do, as Exorcists, there are many things we can get away with. The superiors won't dare do much to us, they're afraid we will stop fighting for their cause. Besides, the accountants are not that connected to the rest of the tower, and as long as nobody asks or checks, no one will ever know that the money was taken. Right now, we need to fix your problem, everything else, such as money, is secondary."
"I don't want to drag you down with me," Sol pointed out despairingly.
"Then promise me this, that you won't mess up with Tina."
"Once she's divorced, I can properly get into a relationship with her. I am fairly confident by now we will marry, and I will tell her everything about the Black Order."
"Then we must get the photos back," Linali's voice was determined, "Otherwise, once you marry, people will look at her unfavourably. They will see her as a wife with affairs, the Black Tower is very much religion based, and the people will discriminate and hate her. We must get those photos back so that the Black Order will see her in a more favourable light." Sol looked at her like she was an angel, and Linali's next words sealed it for him.
"That seventy thousand, I'll get it for you."
It didn't take long for Linali to act on her words. The two of them went into the town, and after some work, Linali managed to take seventy thousand in cash from a bank. The whole time, Sol stayed out of sight, only hovering nearby. He was truly regretting what he was doing, he knew that right now, if anyone were to trace where the money had gone, Linali might become the scapegoat instead. As the one doing the work, she was the one that would be blamed and punished. Despite the lack of punishment the Order can give her, they could sure as hell make her life unhappy. Separating her from her brother again was just one of the possibilities.
Linali handed the package to him, "Here's the money, deal with your problem quickly before anyone finds out."
Sol took it gratefully, and he promised himself that no matter what happens, when Linali gets into trouble, he was going to help her.
At another area of the Tower, Lavi watched as Komui entered his vision and was promptly dragged back to his office by several of his scientists. The redhead watched the Chinese man wail and yell something about needing a well deserved break, his arms waving with over exaggerated flair. The scientists restrained him and yelled back, but failed to silence the man. It was an amusing scene, but one that the members of the Black Order had gotten used to. Lavi watched with a grin, but Tiki's words circled his mind.
The easiest and hardest way to find him would be to look at the targets he contacted.
And the Noah of Consumption had contacted Komui, Lavi had already asked around, the surviving Finders who had escorted Komui told the Bookman Apprentice that the Noah clearly indicated that he knew Komui, despite the latter's confusion. When Lavi had heard the whole conversation that had taken place, he was eerily reminded of his own situation.
A Noah who, for them, had been willing to spare their life. Like Rhode had done for Linali, and Tiki for him, Alfredo and Komui seemed to share an even deeper relationship, if the Noah's words were to be trusted. But then, why couldn't Komui remember? Komui was never a great actor, and by now they all knew the man displayed his emotions too clearly.
What was going on?
Arks Investment Group Head Office
The drama of the rich people never faded, especially in regards to current times.
Harry Pinefresh, formerly known as Harry Arks, may technically be recognized as one of the youngest owners of international corporations, but that was connected with several other complications. Though he owned several companies, he was more often then not seen in the Arks Investment Group Head Office, the enterprise that he had grown up in.
Then there was the trouble with his stepbrothers, because Harry Pinefresh was actually not even the child of Arks blood. Mr. Arks Senior and Harry found out at the last moment of Mr. Arks' life that Harry was not his son, that Harry was actually the son of another man named Nepille. That had been more then enough material during the legal battle for the Arks inheritance, with both his elder brothers calling him a bastard child and refusing to acknowledge him as a brother.
Harry was kinder then his two elder brothers during his time with the Arks. After the case, Harry moved back to where his biological father, Mr. Nepille, was. It was actually Harry's choice to only play corporate lawyer in the Arks Investment Group, or they all knew Harry could easily leave and take back charge of his own businesses. His brothers both viewed him with contempt, and both wanted him out, but their father had already acknowledged Harry as his own, and the courts had at least uphold his position in the company.
At least among their business meetings, the brothers often keep personal affairs out of it.
Sometimes, she hates that.
"I agree with Alfredo's idea," Harry's words seemed to crash into the table, and Alfredo clapped.
"Majority rules, meeting adjourned."
"You haven't even properly heard my side," she hissed.
"Like I said, majority rules, there are three of us here, we have two on one side already, and so your idea is dismissed."
"That's not fair," she said, almost coldly. Alfredo turned to her.
"You have no share, no authority, and no proper reason to be on this table, so be quiet."
"What about you?" She countered, "Are you not also without proper rank? You're no longer CEO of this company."
"Shut up!" He stormed forward towards her, "Gilbert, how the hell did you train her? How could you let your underling speak in such a manner? Take her outside to our business meetings, and she'll ruin the rest of us!"
She stood up, her eyes flashing dangerously, Harry interfered "Alfredo, calm down." He turned to the others "I agree with Alfredo's methods, we will do as he plans." He then turned to her, "Your idea is a bit too risky in this area; perhaps we can use it in another project. It's settled now, meeting adjourned."
She glared at Harry, before turning and storming away. Leaving the meeting between the major shareholders and heads of departments, she went to her office and sat down angrily, oh how she wished…no, she squashed that thought. That wouldn't be a good idea, it would be more damage on her side anyways, besides, she wanted to beat Alfredo without resorting to such methods. But to see Harry do that…calmly agree with him without blinking….maybe she was selfish, but she really felt betrayed.
They were together, their relationship was great, but how could he be so impersonal?
A knock, and she called out an 'enter!' A man came in, holding a bouquet of flowers. He went forward to her but stopped at a respectable distance, that or he was somewhat unnerved by her icy gaze. When he spoke his voice was an attempt at cheer, but it fell flat and sounded formal instead. "This was delivered to your office, miss"
"Thank you," the man left, and she stared at the colourful display in close contempt. Her phone rang and she picked up.
"Like the flowers?"
"You think a few weeds will make me happy?"
There was a sigh on the other end, "I'm sorry, but that idea…"
"Is too risky, so you've told me," She snapped.
"What can I do to make you forgive me?"
"Bow down to me and apologize."
She didn't really mean it, but at her words the office door opened again. The youngest son of the Arks family stood there, none of the earlier 'professional cold look' visible. If anything, Harry looked at her tenderly as he approached, before dropping to his knees. She caught him quickly, "You actually thought I was serious?"
"Well, you truly did sound mad at me," Harry smiled. She frowned, but there was no longer any anger in it.
"I still am, you helped that man over me."
"Your idea…"
"Let's not go there, okay?" She asked, then sighed, "How are your brothers?"
"Still in the meeting room"
"Maybe you should go back then, they might be plotting another way to get you kicked out"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"I might be, let me cool off for a while, okay?" She smiled, and Harry sighed before he turned and left the office. Once he was out of her office, though, his smile faded.
Harry knew his girlfriend was still angry at him, if there was one word he can use to describe her, it was ambitious. His girlfriend wasn't like him; she viewed power and rank as some of the most important things in the world. She desired money too, but only as a measure of her success. While she has yet to use him and their relationship to her own advantage, he could tell at times that she was tempted. Behind her seemingly sweet eyes, a darkness lurked. He swore at times he saw them gleam like a cat's.
But it was his imagination, right? So he didn't continue with that thought.
Meanwhile, the young woman he had just left behind headed out of her office. Cameras recorded her walking down the hallways towards the lounge, but where she should appear in the lounge, the cameras recorded nothing.
In fact, the woman stepped into an area of darkness, lit with floating candles that reflected off the eyes of several dolls. Her dark suit matched the area, and her sunglasses glinted in the candlelight. Now out of the Arks office, her long hair and pale skin began to gradually darken, matching the colours of her new environment. The newcomer spotted a small figure in front of her and moved forward.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah!" Rhode nearly fell off Lero in her shock. The umbrella began screeching, but the Noahs didn't pay attention to it.
"You scared me!"
"Sorry, sorry," The elder female Noah smiled. Lulubell (1), like most of the Noahs, saw Rhode as a young precocious child, precious to all of them. The sight of the First Child lifted her spirits up considerably, more then the flowers she had been given earlier. Yes, that might have eased any tension between her light side and her light side's boyfriend, but the Noah in her was still boiling with anger and resentment. To soothe that side, a talk with Rhode might help. The formerly blond Noah tilted her head curiously as she looked at the First Child, "What were you doing?"
"Nothing!"
"Is that a photo?"
"No!"
"Looks like it to me, who's this girl?"
Rhode winced as Lulubell picked up the photo that Linali had taken. The First Child was really grateful that the photo wasn't full length, amongst the Noahs Lulubell was one of the most loyal to the Earl and his ideologies. Rhode wasn't sure if Lulubell could accept seeing Rhode taking photos with Linali, an Exorcist.
"This girl is an Exorcist, since when did you become friends with them?"
Uh oh, she was in trouble, wait….
"Hey, I don't ask about your relationship with Harry, you don't ask about mine! Has he asked you to marry him yet?"
"Rhode!"
"Okay, okay," Rhode laughed. Lulubell chuckled as well, she was right, Rhode never ceased to lift her spirits. However, the mood stopped quickly when Rhode reached over and tugged at Lulubell's sleeve. "Lulubell…please stop trying to go against Alfredo."
She stared at her, "What?"
"Alfredo isn't someone you should mess with, Lulubell, please. Besides, he is family; can't you and Tiki try to get along with him?"
"You know I can't do that, Rhode," Lulubell said quietly. "For you, we try to keep our fights down and our tone civil, but Alfredo isn't helping. He looks down on Allen, humiliated Tiki, and haven't I told you several times of how he once framed me?"
"That was before you two learned the other was a Noah!"
"But it hasn't stopped him, he continues to block my progress and destroy my ambition."
"Lulubell…"
"The Earl is the only one who could get mad at him and show it, I'm aware that the Earl has already 'talked' to him regarding the Akuma specimen being sent out to kill Allen. That goes against the Earl's plans, and Alfredo has been dealt with. He releases his anger out at me in the company, but watch, Rhode, he won't be sitting there for long. He's angered many already, one day it's going to come back and bite him hard." Lulubell turned and walked off, Rhode, staring after her, felt an indescribable sadness swell up in her.
They say Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn, and knowing Lulubell's attitude, she would never give up. Though he didn't do it often in front of Rhode or the Earl, Alfredo was always putting Lulubell down, and Rhode knew the young lady had sworn revenge. Throw Tiki into the mix, and the whole thing was a volcano that only remained dormant due to the Earl and Rhode wanting to keep the family together. Still, the restraints were only among Noah circles, outside of that such as in the Arks Investment Group, Lulubell was allowed free reign to pursue her dreams of vengeance.
And knowing both their attitudes, whatever grudge was created outside, would be brought back into the Noah family.
Restaurant
Two nights later, Kanda and Allen returned from their mission. To everyone's surprise, Kanda gave Allen his highest recommendation, and what was more, suggested that the Order allow Allen more freedom in his missions. Allen quickly asked to be put on a mission designated to the North, earning Lavi's curiosity. So he and Linali dragged the boy out for food, and to interrogate him without other people interfering. Surprisingly, Allen told them easily why he chose the North; it was where his father figure, Mana, had been buried.
"Does Kanda know?" Linali asked.
"About Mana? No, I just told him I wanted to pay my respects to someone in the North."
"Aw, you should have told Yu-chan! He'll probably understand"
"Why?"
"Well, death and the loss of someone like family, considering he's an Exorcist, is a sentiment we all understand to some degree or another. In fact, for people like Yu, he'll probably know the settlement of at least something personal. I mean, he lives only for the person he's searching for, did you learn that?"
"Yea, he did mention something similar in the mission."
"Sometimes I think it's the only reason he continues living. To find that person, because until then, he refuses to die. At times though, I don't think he even knows who he's searching for…I'm confusing you, am I not?" Allen nodded. Lavi sighed, before catching onto something and whispering, "On another note, you didn't do anything suspicious during your mission or on the return, did ya?"
Allen blinked, answering with a quiet "No…"
"We have someone watching us," Lavi whispered "Actually, I think they're watching you. Don't turn around, it makes it more suspicious, feign ignorance."
"What should we do?" Allen asked as he casually flipped through the menu again, "Do you know who they are?"
"Yea, people of the Order," Linali whispered back.
"Excuse me?" Neither Lavi nor Linali told Allen anything else. They both know what it meant if there was indeed someone from the Order following them secretly. Linali had experienced this before, it was when Komui had just returned to her side. The Black Order had people watching them to make sure they weren't doing anything 'wrong'. It appears that despite Kanda's recommendation, the Order was still suspicious of their latest recruit. While Linali could understand they were more careful due to Allen being found with the Noahs and the grisly welcome banner, it didn't make the situation any more pleasant, especially if Allen found out the Order was still suspicious of him.
At least Linali could take pleasure in the fact that there was only one person watching them, a female Finder named Peggy. Linali also knew what to do to get this Finder off their back. She pretended to show Lavi something on the menu, but whispered her plan. Lavi stared, grinned, and then nodded. Allen, picking up that something was up, stayed quiet and didn't react when Linali suddenly stood up and waved, "Hey Peggy! Is that you? Come join us!"
The Finder gave a start, then smiled and approached. Lavi threw Allen a look before welcoming the Finder and inviting her to sit down. The redhead, Allen noted quickly, was lying easily, pretending to welcome the Finder and casually making small talk with her. Several minutes later, Linali said she was going to the washroom, and Peggy accompanied her. Once the two girls were away, Lavi turned to Allen.
"Alright, she's here to watch us, I saw her golem turned on and most likely connected to Order Headquarters."
"Lavi, how long does the Order usually watch their Exorcists?"
The redhead knew that telling Allen he was probably the first to experience such activities from the Order would damage Allen's already-bad working relations with the Order, so he answered, "A few weeks, both before and after a mission, not definite. Don't worry, if they're sending Finders instead of other Exorcists to watch you, it means they don't look at you too badly." Actually, the Order never once sent out Exorcists to stalk other Exorcists, their 'weapons' against the Akuma didn't have that time anyways.
Besides, if an Exorcist was that suspicious, the Order would assign them to a General.
"Back on that Finder, she's watching us, and even though it's technically not harmful it sure is irritating and a mood damper. So, Linali told me how to get rid of her in a way that the Finder will leave herself. Agree or disagree to a crazy plan?"
"Agree"
Meanwhile, in the washroom, Linali was in the stalls when she heard Peggy begin whispering to her Golem. "No, nothing suspicious, but he appears to be very cozy to the Bookman Apprentice. Lavi's supposed to have been the one to lead the other Exorcists to where the Fallwen mansion was, right? We never found out how he got that information anyways (2)….Yea, they're fine, don't worry, I know to keep the Exorcist under extra attention….uh huh….yes…yes…okay, I have to go now, later alright?" She hung up, and Linali briefly wondered who the Finder was talking to, and whether her brother was aware of it.
For the first time, she wondered how much her brother knew about the Black Order, and how much he kept silent.
Shaking her head, she opened the stall door, right now she should just focus on their current plan. Upon seeing her out, Peggy smiled, "Finished, Linali? Shall we go back to Lavi and Allen now?"
"We could…but sometimes I have to wonder whether we should," Linali trailed off as she began to wash her hands, Peggy blinked.
"Why not?"
"Well, sometimes I think none of us should be there. Sure, they're nice people, but people like them usually don't want third wheels hanging around."
"What?" Peggy asked, obviously confused. "People like them? Third wheel? What third wheel?" Linali pretended to shift nervously, before leading her out of the washroom.
At the restaurant, several customers and waiters were staring on one of the tables, where two boys sat. Lavi and Allen were both leaning quite close to each other, and were holding the other's hands.
"Allen," Lavi was saying tenderly, "Your mission with Yu-chan, was it hard for you?"
"Yes," Allen whispered back, "Only because you weren't there with me"
Lavi let out a long-suffering sigh, "Oh, how I wished I could have been there! I bet Kanda didn't know how to appreciate you at all! But alas, Bookman kept me here, a prison several miles away from you."
Allen shook his head, "I understand that feeling well, Lavi! The pain of not seeing you is something I do not ever wish to endure again!"
From the washroom door, Peggy's eyes bulged out, while Linali tried her best to hold down her laughter. Lavi had enough experience with acting, but Linali was surprised at how well Allen worked with him. It seemed that despite earlier impressions, Allen was almost, if not already, as fun-loving as Lavi. Allen didn't seem to mind acting or making a fool of himself. Maybe it had to do with his background in the circus, Linali thought, remembering how Allen's first attack against Kanda had been the knife-throwing tactics of circus performers.
"Allen, please promise me again, that you won't ever leave me behind or turn against me willingly!"
"Never," Allen answered, "I won't ever (3)!" To several people's shock and several yaoi fangirls' delight, the two boys leaned dangerously close to the other. Just before their lips touched, Lavi spotted Peggy and Linali watching them, and quickly pulled back. Allen, too, smiled at the two girls, "Hello! Back already?"
Linali grinned, and pulled the stupefied Finder to the table, "Yup, so, after this meal, any more plans today?"
"I was planning to take Allen to the amusement park that recently opened a few weeks ago, you coming with us?"
"Of course!" Linali grinned.
"Er…no thanks! I…ah, I have other things to attend to! Good day!" Peggy left some change on the table before standing up and hurrying off. The three Exorcists watched her leave before finally bursting out into snickers and giggles.
"Isn't she supposed to be watching us?" Allen finally asked, "Wouldn't she report this to someone?"
"No, she won't," Lavi smirked "Same sex relationships is something she can't handle, she's going to pretend nothing has ever happened. Besides, the fact that she left herself would force her to just report that we went to the amusement park. With the huge crowd there, she can say she lost us and that would be enough."
"I feel almost sorry for her," Linali mused, "That girl is probably traumatized now"
"Hey, aside from holding hands and saying some corny lines, we did nothing!" Lavi countered, "Not to mention, her expression was funny. And if she knew us as well as you do, she'll know Allen and I could only share the love of brothers, nothing more. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the washroom." The redhead stood up and left the table. Linali and Allen glanced at each other, before grinning and continuing to eat.
Meanwhile, Lavi hummed a cheerful tone as he washed his hands. As he turned the water off, he heard the door closed behind him. Lavi raised his eyes to the mirror, and saw someone he really did not want to see.
"You said you'll limit yourself to the golem!"
"Only when you're in the Tower grounds, Lavi, after all, it's perfectly normal for a Noah to be roaming about outside."
"You…" Lavi whirled around, but suddenly found himself thrown back against the wall. A gloved hand clasped over his mouth, and Tiki's face loomed dangerously close to his.
"Shush, you don't want someone hearing us and coming in, do you? That would be more blood on our hands."
Actually, Lavi did want someone coming in, but he understood the implications of Tiki's words. Blood on our hands, Tiki was warning him that Lavi would lead several people to death if he made too much noise and attracted someone's attention. So he remained silent, and knowing that the boy was obeying, Tiki removed his hand. However, he didn't step back either, and continued invading the red head's personal space.
"A good show back there, I almost feel envious of dear Allen."
"How long were you watching us?"
"You still don't understand, do you, Lavi? I've been watching the whole time, I was with you as soon as you stepped out of the Tower grounds. I watched as you and that pretty doll of Rhode's took Allen out. I was there in the restaurant, I saw Peggy tailing you from the very beginning. I heard the plan Rhode's interest whispered to you, and I sat back to enjoy the show with my self-proclaimed sibling."
"Allen sure gains a lot of attention."
"That he does, despite the Order's suspicion, it's mainly because of the Grand Generals, who have not met him personally, right? He has already won over most of you, already there are many who see him as a friend, am I correct?"
Lavi smiled thinly, reminded of how even Kanda seemed to be affected by the boy, "You know you are."
"Of course, now, how are you doing with that little piece of the puzzle I gave you earlier? Judging by that look on your face, I assume you've done nothing. But it's understandable, considering Allen and Kanda just came back. Now that Kanda's back, what of that 'Sol'?"
"No comment, as I am not romantically involved with either of them."
"Well, well, that's almost a surprise, but quite a pleasant one."
"Tiki, if you dare…"
"Look to your left," Lavi did, and found himself staring at the mirror. The reflection of himself pressed against the wall and held there by Tiki reminded him of the hopelessness he knew existed every time he tried to resist the Noah. It was Tiki's choice to play gentleman, because Lavi knew if things went brutal, there was no way he could win. He gritted his teeth, he knew looking at the mirror was a ploy Tiki used to remind him of that fact.
A hand brushed his cheek, and from the mirror Lavi saw the strange expression on Tiki's face. "Why?" Tiki asked, "Why do you let Allen get close to you so easily? He was found with us, found with me. Yet you have no problem with letting him get close to you, and you don't mind if he touches you."
"Because at the very least, I know I am a good judge of character, and Allen's touch doesn't have the sense of danger that yours do (4)." Hearing that response, Tiki laughed. He laid a hand on Lavi's chest, and to the younger boy's horror, the hand suddenly sank right through. The apprentice could almost feel the hand sliding through his body and coming out through the other side. He didn't dare move, and his wide eyes caused Tiki to laugh again.
"I don't even really need to touch you to kill you, Lavi. If I wanted to, I can rip your heart out right now, and you wouldn't feel anything. It will be quick, and painless. I won't be a hundred percent sure since I have never experienced it, but at the very least I know you will die quickly. If the opportunity arises, this is one of my methods of killing. You'll be seeing the results soon enough, when the battle starts and the curtains rise, the actors will be assembled. You and I will be in the front lines, while the cowards who rule you give you suicidal missions and the Earl leads us to victory. Your God will only watch from above, unwilling to help or interfere. When the battle begins, only I will keep you alive…and sane."
Lavi said nothing.
Minutes later when he returned to his fellow Exorcists, Linali and Allen quickly sensed something was wrong. When Lavi refused to answer their inquires, the younger Exorcists took Lavi to the amusement park. Amid the thrill of roller coasters and the satisfaction of winning the prizes of the stands, Lavi perked up and returned to his former self. Linali and Allen didn't ask any more questions, one because she was too polite, the other because he saw Tiki watching them, a satisfied expression on his face (5).
Arks Investment Group Head Office
"You were crossing the line, Alfredo" Harry warned, "There was no reason for you to treat Lulubell so terribly!"
"She is a mere employee of ours, Harry" the older man sneered, "I don't know why you let her into our meetings! Can you not let your personal affairs interfere with your work?"
"I let her in because she has potential, not because she's my girlfriend!"
"Really, sometimes I doubt that; no wait, I always doubt that. Tell me, exactly what did she do in the first place to get you so supportive of her? Did she unbutton the top of her shirt for you once?"
"She did no such thing!"
"Can you two be quiet?" Gilbert snapped, "You two already sound like you're letting personal affairs get into this!" He turned to Alfredo, "Lulubell is one of my employees, I let her in here because she has potential, there is nothing wrong with that."
"If it is you, it's more unreliable," Alfredo sneered. "Last time I checked, you'll give women anything just to get them in your bed. With the way you act, no wonder your wife is planning divorce."
"Last time I checked, Alfredo, the only reason you married your wife was because you got her drunk and pregnant. If not for that child, you wouldn't even be together in the first place!" Gilbert countered viciously.
"Enough already!" Harry interrupted, "Look who's bringing personal affairs in now!"
"Shut up, Harry!" Gilbert snapped, "What right do you have to speak in such a manner? You're not our brother, our family affairs are none of your business!"
"True," Alfredo sneered, "but then again, he did a better job at acting the role then you did, Gilbert. All you cared about was business and taking over your father's shares."
"As if you were any better, the only difference between us is that you were also keeping your protégé under your wing! Too bad he's missing now, eh?"
"I've found him already, Gilbert"
The silence was deafening, even Gilbert froze. The brothers stared at the middle son, who smirked as he leaned back in his chair. His voice was smooth and almost giddy, "I've found him; it won't take long before he returns to me. Despite what he may think, he can't escape that easily. When his memories return, he will realize the futility of his actions. Once everything returns to him, he can't escape."
"You…" Harry whispered, "Can't you ever let him go? He ran away from you for a reason!"
"Alfredo," Gilbert hissed angrily, "What exactly was your relationship with him? Is it really just mentor and protégé? Sometimes, I truly doubt that!"
"Are you that frightened with the idea of us reuniting?" Alfredo drawled, "True, you should be, he really did help turn things in my favour at the beginning of the court case with father's inheritance, didn't he? If only he was there the whole time…"
"Of course you'll want that!" Gilbert snapped, "If he had been there the whole time, you would have deceived everyone and gotten the whole inheritance!" The three brothers knew it, because all three of them remembered the legal case quite clearly, especially in regards to Alfredo's most prized protégé.
The outside of the court building was crowded with reporters. Several cameras were already rolling as men and woman spoke on their mikes, all saying similar words as they annouced to their audiences the latest on the drama of one of the richest families in the country. "The struggle for the Arks inheritance continues between the three sons of three different mothers…"
An expensive car rolled into the screen, and the reporters quickly rushed forward. Cameras flashed and questions flew as the door opened and a young man dressed in an expensive suit stepped out. Other men in suits surrounded him, creating a barrier between him and the reporters so that he may remain untouched and unruffled.
"Mr. Arks, Mr. Arks, you're the oldest son of your father and the centre of all the media attention this case received. Do you have anything to say?"
Another car rode up, and the youngest Arks son stepped out. The reporters ran up to him, and he flinched as they crowded around, for unlike his brother he did not have body guards to protect him. The men and women were asking question after question.
"Mr. Arks, you're the one trying to make peace with your family, but is always ignored, do you think it's because you are accused of being the son of your mother and another man?"
The third expensive car, carrying the middle son, rode up. Like with the previous car, no body guards rushed out to stop an onslaught of people from approaching. The door slid open smoothly and Komui came out first, before the Arks son stepped out.
"It's the middle son and his protégé!" The reporters ran forward to him as well. It wasn't sunny that day but Alfredo was wearing dark sunglasses, disgusing his gaze. Yet he made a point of turning his face to the direction of his brothers, none of which had gone inside the court building. The three sons looked at each other, almost challengingly. The tension was somewhat undermined by the reporters, who were already firing more questions.
"Mr. Arks, as the middle son and the most controversial child, what do you…"
"Yes," Alfredo answered calmly, "I'll be arranging the funeral, and bringing with me several body guards and people to clear the place of those unwanted. If those who are unwanted insist on coming…" Alfredo removed his sunglasses to look at his two brothers, "I will call the police."
"I am the legitimate son of my father!" Gilbert yelled, "I will come to give my respects!"
"You were never his son! All you cared about was taking over the business!" Alfredo yelled back. A reporter took this time to throw in another question:
"Mr. Arks, rumours say that you actively persecuted those adopted or financially supported by your father, basically anyone who did not share blood with you father and this includes Harry Arks, is that true?"
"I didn't do it for money," The middle son snapped, "I'm helping my father teach my brothers, something he never could do. My father cried all the time in regards to the pain my brothers caused him, especially this bastard child who fed on the dissolution of the family!" The man pointed an accusing finger at Harry's face; the young man stared at him in shock. The cameras continued to take pictures.
By Alfredo's side, Komui smiled maliciously.
Inside the courtroom, a lawyer turned to the boy sitting in the witness stand, "Mr. Komui Lee, can you please explain to us how you came to the conclusion that Mr. Arks Senior was under illegal duress when he rewrote his will?"
"Out of all his children, adopted and otherwise, I was one of his favourite," Komui stated. "Because I lived outside the Arks household, he believed me to be free of all its scandals and gossip, and thus often talked to me about them. But never once did he tell me he was going to change his will. What's more, he once vowed in front of me that he will NEVER give money to Harry, the product of his wife's adultery!"
When it was Alfredo at the stand, he turned to look at Harry, "Your blood is of your mother's and another man's, not of the Arks! What right do you have, to take a share of the Arks fortune? Till the day I die, I won't ever say you belong to the Arks family!"
Harry's eyes lowered as Alfredo continued, "You dress in the Arks clothes, eat our food, and now want a share of the inheritance? You selfish person! You even dared to turn the other adopted children against their family!"
Alfredo suddenly stood up, eyes flashing, "What did the Arks ever do to you?! Did we kill your whole family, you blood traitor!"
Sometime later, outside of court time, Komui and Alfredo were eating at a table when Harry walked up to them holding a box. "Alfredo, I'm aware I've wronged you. This is the Four Flame Diamond, it's a family heirloom. I want to give it back to you."
Alfredo only stared at him coldly before standing up. Komui followed him and the two of them left, ignoring the youngest Arks son, who ran after them.
"Can't we reach a settlement for this? If we continue this legal battle, we'll use up father's fortune, and what's more, continue to sully the Arks name!"
"Funny, how you're so concerned," Komui said, "You are like me, just another child without relation to Mr. Arks, but financially supported by him. He's not your true father, nothing would have stopped him from abandoning us quickly. Now that he's dead, he can no longer help us, why are you so worried about sullying his name?"
"Komui, I'm aware that you were picked on by the rest of us once," Harry shook his head, "But haven't you had enough? Despite your claims in court, you know that you were the one who caused the deaths of several adopted children so that father will keep his focus on you, this struggle for power, haven't you grown weary of it all? Can't we just settle this peacefully?"
"You wish for a peaceful settlement?" Alfredo asked, "Fine, give me back my status, which you took from me! It was because of you my mother died, I suspect that you were involved in your own father's brush with death as well! Gilbert was also under your influence when he rejected me as his brother. Give me back my brother!" And with those words, Alfredo knocked the diamond out of Harry's hands and walked off, Komui at his side.
(1) This was the name given to the mysterious female Noah at the dining table, the anime named her this
(2) And if the Order found out it was Tiki, it will be Lavi getting watched
(3) Considering Allen's actually a Noah, we have to wonder how true this will be
(4) Oh the irony…
(5) No, they did not go all the way, you perverts. I still don't support sex in public places
Hum, something big happened here, didn't it? The past Komui seems more cold hearted then Kanda! We wonder what happened in the past…after all Alfredo looks as if he wasn't always someone who hated his family, and Komui once never flinched at someone's death! What role reversal occurred? Only the incoming chapters can tell! By the way, with the recognizition from one of my reviewers, I would like to credit series Heart of Greed as inspiration
A NOTE TO ALL MY REVIEWERS: Some of you think I am threatening you to review, and that is not my intention. Reviews tell me that there are people actually reading and reacting. Sure, I can look at Hits, but how do I know if the hits are actually people reading and liking the story? I sometimes read stories, decide I don't like it, and leave (because I don't flame). That's a Hit, but it doesn't mean I liked the story.
Yes, I'm aware that this story has plenty of reviews, but the reason I look at reviews per chapter is because I know that means readers are still reading. It means the interest hasn't faded, because I know there are those who would read and read, but gradually lose interest as they move in other fandoms or decide my plot is failing. Reviews tell me that it's not true, that my readers are staying. Even if you are, like one of you have claimed, 'lazy', simply writing an 'update soon' would be enough to alert me of your interest and tell me to continue.
Now, excuse me while I go celebrate the success of getting a loan and the ability to have that post secondary education without coming too close to financial crisis :)