Haunts of the Heart
Written by xmystorytime.
Disclaimer: I don't own this show. Is that not obvious?
He had to be dreaming.
There was no fucking way that this was real.
Shit.
What the fuck?
Was it possible he was dreaming? No, it couldn't be. Not even he could imagine such a fucked up dream. He resisted the urge to swallow and found that, although stunned, he hadn't been rendered incapable of moving. He scrambled to his feet, unable to tear his eyes from the sight in front of him. Seriously... what the fuck? He eventually turned his gaze higher, nearer the top of the room, and stared at the whatever-the-hell-it-is. He wondered why the fuck it seemed to be going through the ceiling but left no hole.
That shouldn't be possible.
The pink, glowing thing that resembled a thread looked like it should give off a slight hum, but it didn't. The entire room was silent, save for Kanda's heartbeat and Allen Walker's laboured breathing. A bad feeling started to creep up on him and he forced it away – instead, he followed the now deemed 'thread' down again and once more stared at the cursed male.
The position looked almost painful. Walker was hanging several feet from the ground, seemingly held up by the single thread connected to his forehead, and his head was pulled right back to his neck. His eyes were closed and his skin pale, sickly-looking.
"Bean sprout!" Kanda repeated, taking a step forwards. This time the exorcist's eyes flickered open and Kanda paused briefly, seeing the fevered and pained look in them.
"K-k-k-" the attempts the other made to say his name were almost too painful to watch. "K-k-ka-" Kanda tensed, tightening his grip on Mugen as something seemingly came down the thread – like an energy pulse. It shot straight into Walker's head and the exorcist jerked, body contorting into a shape that shouldn't be possible. His mouth parted in a silent scream.
Kanda grit his teeth.
"What the fuck did you get yourself into now, idiot?" he snapped, falling back on the familiar roles of their relationship to keep himself unaffected. He stepped forward, raising his sword. I have to cut him free. He'll be useful to have fighting with us later.
"L-le-le-" Kanda paused at the words from the other. Walker had seemingly fought through the pain and was now staring at him, feverish but serious. "Leave!" he said and then slumped, eyes shutting again as if the event had tired him out.
"You put effort into saying a word yet you don't bother with my name. Bastard bean sprout." he sneered. He then scanned the line, trying to figure out where the best place to cut it was.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" came a quiet voice from behind. Kanda spun, sword poised and ready to lunge at a second's notice. He narrowed his eyes as, by a door he hadn't noticed, stood a young boy. Due to his state, it took the exorcist a few seconds to recognize him as the one he'd encountered previously.
The one who had so easily stopped his attacks.
"You." he murmured, eyes flickering to the boy's back. The hands were hidden behind the door, but the angle of the arms suggested he was holding something. When the boy stepped forward Kanda soon found out what – Lavi.
Shit, he's out cold. Kanda cursed mentally, taking in the bound figure of Lavi, and then turned back to the boy. For the first time he noticed the state the other was in and he smirked, seeing an ideal time to poke fun. "Lose in a fight?" the boy sneered, letting go of the other exorcist.
"You don't know a thing, brat," he said, looking annoyed. "Your people lost one of their number. I'd call that a victory." Kanda didn't react, knowing that that was what the other wanted him to do. He's most likely saying it so I'll be put off, but if he isn't then who could it be? If it were Lavi, he wouldn't be alive right now...
Kanda didn't give away any emotions. Instead he raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever happened to helping us out?" he reminded and the boy stepped back, the angry look disappearing.
"I also said that when we next met, I wouldn't be your friend." he said quietly, almost sadly. Kanda's lips thinned out, remembering that it was true; the boy had said something along those lines, however hard it was to admit it. He glanced away, murmuring 'che'. His gaze wandered back to Walker, who seemed to be watching – or as much as he was able to watch, anyway – and then up to the thread.
I have to cut it. With Lavi out of action... He grimaced and, making sure he could still see his enemy out the corner of his eye, he lifted Mugen up to his chest.
"No! Don't do it!" the boy shouted, stepping forward with a hand outstretched. "If you do-" he cut himself off. Kanda narrowed his eyes to him.
"What?" he asked but the boy just shook his head, silently stepping back. Shrugging, Kanda decided that it was just another ploy to have him not free Walker and didn't waste any more time. He braced himself and then sprung, the sword slicing through air effortlessly. He was right on target for cutting the thread, he couldn't miss it -
- and he didn't. The sword bounced back as the thread refused to be cut, and Kanda went with it. Catching himself on his feet, Kanda snarled and dove forwards again, slicing and striking from every angle in an attempt to break the thread. It stayed firm and, slightly panting, Kanda finally stopped and stepped back. "I'll have to try another way then." he murmured and aimed his sword once more. "Kaichu: Ichigen!"
His faithful spirit creatures came forth, snapping through the air and making their way to their target. It was with pleasure that Kanda watched them tear through the thread as if it were nothing, as if it hadn't made Kanda sweat for the past five minutes. Take that, he thought viciously.
The thud of Walker hitting the floor echoed around the suddenly silent room. Kanda jerked, surprised, and then gazed at the younger. He wasn't moving, seemingly unconscious, but Kanda could just see the movement of his chest – he was still alive. Good. This is no time for sleeping. "Can you stand?" he asked, stepping next to the other. With his foot he hooked under the other's chest and rolled him over, so that he could clearly see the other's face.
The bean sprout stared up at him and Kanda raised an eyebrow. Eventually Walker nodded, shutting his eyes as if in pain, and Kanda looked away to where he'd last seen the demon boy.
He cursed when he realized the other had disappeared when he wasn't looking... and had taken Lavi, too. With a grimace Kanda turned to the other exorcist, who was now on his hands and knees. He seemed to be struggling to stand and Kanda rolled his eyes, striding over and gripping his shoulder. "We don't have all day!" he snapped, pulling him up.
Walker stumbled into Kanda and then used him for balance. Irritated, Kanda gave the other a few seconds before moving away, unwilling to be in such close contact with one he hated.
"Kanda..." the bean sprout's voice was weak, scratchy. "Why didn't you get out?!" What would have normally been a shout turned out to be a faint and slightly higher-pitched tone; Walker sounded like someone who had lost their voice from a cold... or some other reason.
"What did you say?!" Kanda demanded, oblivious to the other's suffering as he glared at the shorter male. "The least you could do is say thank you, bean sprout!"
"You should have left!" Walker shouted back, as much as he was able anyway, also glaring. "Why didn't you go?!"
"I have a mission idiot," Kanda sneered. "Unlike some, I at least try to succeed in my missions." Walker's glare deepened but Kanda matched it with one of his own. Che. This is why I didn't want to take on this mission – if there's one thing I hate, it's him.
Although the sparks flew, and had glares been able to kill they would have already fallen to the bottom of the river, this didn't stop events from happening. Somewhere in-between the 'glaring' part and the 'glaring-to-kill' part the room had started to shake.
No, not the room... the whole ship... Kanda realized, eyes widening. Shit, does that mean the boy wasn't lying? Did this happen because I cut the thread? Of course, the only reason he had cut the thread was because of Walker... which meant it was the other exorcist's fault. Kanda turned and stared at him. Walker blanched.
"What's that look for?!" he demanded, waving his arms. "It's not like I'm the one who cut it! I told you not too!" he let out a cry of pain soon after, a hand going to clutch at his left shoulder. Kanda didn't give a damn.
"You're the one who got himself caught!" he snapped. "You should-"
Walker never found out what he should have done, however, because in the next moment there was a fierce BOOM and the ceiling exploded. Kanda threw himself to the floor, shielding his head with his arms and feeling the spray of splinters cut his hands – the only exposed part of his body. The cuts healed straight after and then the deluge of wood diminished.
Coughing, Kanda pushed himself up on his arms and shook his body, ridding himself of the wood. He spotted Walker doing the same opposite and was about to ask 'what the hell?!' when his instincts tingled. Instead of watching Walker his head snapped up, neck craning.
His eyes widened as, in mid-air, a mimic of the previous level four he'd seen stood, glaring down as it held the cut thread in his hand.
"Are you the one who cut off my pet from me?!" it demanded, eyes boring into Kanda. Kanda pushed himself to his feet, tightening his grip on Mugen, and didn't reply. Walker got to his feet as well and drew the demon's attention. At once a wide smile grew on its face and Kanda was sickened.
"Pet! You have not yet escaped me!" it said, sounding especially pleased. Walker turned and stared up, mouth thinning.
"I'm not your..." he said, but his voice finally gave out before he could finish the sentence. He was left gaping like a fish and Kanda had to snort at how stupid the exorcist looked right then. Walker had the air of someone who was panicked, as he tried to speak but was answered with just a soft squeak. Once he'd managed to suppress his mirth, Kanda had to wonder if it was because Walker had been so long without a drink that he didn't have a voice. A lack of water couldn't make the situation better.
"Oh? You still retain that thought, even after the torture you went through?" the demon cackled and, as quickly as it had appeared, the glee went. It turned to Kanda and glared again. "I'll kill you for ruining my fun."
Kanda's eyes widened as, at a speed he only just caught, the demon dove forwards. He threw himself to the side, barely managing to dodge the attack. He landed on the floor harshly, the impact knocking the air from his lungs, and behind him the enemy crashed through where he had previously been stood, leaving a large hole in the floor. Kanda eyed it, awaiting the water that splashed to start seeping in... but the water only splashed.
Something was keeping it out. That was a relief.
The exorcist picked himself up, getting ready in a position of defence and then lost his footing as something yanked tightly on his arm. He wasn't given time to fall to the floor, already being dragged across it, and nonplussed he stared at his forearm. Crown Belt held him.
He scowled and dug his heels in, slowing down the speed he was being taken.
"What're you doing?!" he demanded to the figure, voice wobbling as he stumbled out the door. He had no choice but to follow the rapidly moving white-clad exorcist. "You want to run away?" Absent-mindedly he wondered how the other was moving so easily, when before he had barely been able to stand, and then decided he didn't want to know.
"Not a chance!" Walker hissed. Kanda scowled, not believing the other for a second and then swiftly cut the thread which bound him to the bean sprout.
"I won't run!" he snapped. Crown Belt caught him again, this time around both arms, and he was unable to move them. "What- you freaking bastard!" he snapped.
"What... 'hink'll happen if we fight within the bowels of the ship, Kanda?" Walker snapped, voice wavering between high pitched and low pitched as he dragged them through the corridors. "We'll only be hindering ourselves if we do that!"
"... Che." Kanda said, suppressing the urge to punch the younger exorcist in the face. He hadn't thought about that – damn the stupid bean sprout for thinking of something like that. He's too arrogant... "Just let go of me, I get the point!" he eventually snapped.
"You sure? After all, it takes awhile for things to stick in your mind." Kanda snarled at the other's insult.
"Positive, especially if it means I can ram my sword through your throat!" he threatened. Walker let go and Kanda was just about to follow through on his threat when the ship, which had already been shaking, started to shake even more violently. Kanda stumbled and then clung to the wall for balance.
Ahead, Walker fell to the floor and it was soon revealed that Crown Belt was wrapped around his legs – it was making him move, just like it had before.
Behind them, hopefully many rooms away, there was an ear-splitting scream and then, through the dim darkness of the corridors, a laugh echoed. It was low, it was haunting and it seemed to last for an incredibly long minute.
Kanda couldn't not shiver.
"Come on, we gotta get higher." he said, pushing himself to his feet. Walker didn't reply, he just stood, and then the pair hurried through the identical corridors.
--
He slowly reached out, drawing her in close. She looked away, a little embarrassed by the close contact, but then her eyes flickered back to him. His gaze was on her mouth, watching the way she licked it nervously. He slowly bent down, intending to kiss the living daylights out of her, and – he awoke with a gasp, a sharp pain crashing through his chest.
"Oy, loser. Wake up." there was another swift kick and then Lavi was wide awake. He moved to clutch his wounded chest and then, for the first time, realized he couldn't – ropes bound his hands behind his back. A quick wiggle of his feet showed the same binding there. He gained awareness of his surroundings when his side bounced off of a corner.
He winced from the additional pain and, for the first time, realized he was being dragged. His gaze snapped to the rope which he was tied to, and then to the person who was pulling on it.
"What're you doing?!" he demanded, recognizing the child. He started to wiggle, slowing down the pace he was being dragged at. "Let me go!"
"Not a chance." the boy replied. "You were idiotic enough to come here. Regardless of my person feelings, I must follow procedure."
"Procedure? What the hell is the procedure?" Lavi shook himself harder, struggling against the pull of the rope. A sharp blow to his stomach, another kick, and he doubled over, gasping. "What was that for?" he rasped, gasping for air.
"You annoyed me." came the reply. Lavi tilted his head back and gave his best 'Kanda-glare' to the back of the enemy.
"Looks like you were already... annoyed before I got there." he said smartly, and it sounded good too. Well, it would have if it hadn't been for the fact that he had had to pause in the middle because he needed to breathe. The boy halted and the rope went slack. Glad to have pressure off of his wrists, he did his best to massage the injured skin.
"You're right, but then I can't help it if all you exorcists are stupid." the kid spat. Lavi glanced back at him.
"We're not all that bad!" he defended. "None of us are stupid!"
"Oh really? Then why didn't you take my advice?" Lavi knew how to answer this one.
"We're exorcists. We're not going to run just because someone tells us to." he frowned. "Especially if they're a demon." The kid's lip curled.
"Right. Yes. Demon. How could I forget?" he said darkly, pulling on the rope again. His size belied his strength and Lavi was pulled down the corridor again. The red-head could only watch in dismay as they reached a corner. The rope pulled and he barely managed to avoid smacking his head against the corner. Unfortunately, his shoulder and hip didn't have the same luck.
"Oh? You didn't hit your head?" the kid asked over his shoulder, sounding cheerful. It made Lavi shudder, recognizing the cheerful tone as one that meant 'I'm-truly-pissed', one that Yu sometimes used, and he tried to answer back wittily.
"Surprisingly, no. I seem to have missed that pleasure," he paused and then yelled loudly as a loud explosion made the entire ship shake. He bent his head, hunching up into as small as possible of a shape, and then his neck snapped back as he thought he heard faint voices.
"It's about time. The fighting's started." the boy said. Lavi's eyes widened.
"Fighting?" he repeated, dismay filling him. Allen and Yu are out there fighting and I'm stuck here, tied up and at his mercy. I have to wait for the opportune moment... discreetly he felt around his pocket and, to his delight, found his small hammer hidden in his pocket. It appeared the boy didn't know he had it and thus hadn't thought to take it away.
"You didn't really expect them to sit around and be killed, did you?" Lavi pulled a face.
"No, not really." he grimaced. Confidence restored, he dared to ask a question. "So, where're you taking me?"
"A cabin." Nothing more was forthcoming. Lavi blinked.
"... a cabin."
"Yes. By now your friend has probably released her pet, so it's best that you take its place as soon as possible." the exorcist blanched.
"Now wait a minute kid," he started slowly. "I'm no one's pet. I won't let myself be anyone's pet."
"Pity. I don't care what you think." the kid shrugged. "You can't do anything anyway."
"You know, you're acting a lot different to our previous meeting." Lavi commented, trying to get the other distracted. If he could just get an opportune time to answer...! "In a sore mood because you got a little beaten up?" Inwardly he wondered just what could have done such damage. The kid sighed.
"You all assume that because of my injuries, I must have been the loser. As a matter of fact, I won and you lost another comrade." Lavi's heart skipped a beat. The child glanced behind and the exorcist saw him smile bitterly. "The only one who seemed to understand... he was a good fighter."
His hand went up to his neck and rubbed gently at a patch of skin. Lavi twisted and, after a few minutes, was able to see the teeth marks sunk into his neck. He went slack, a stunned feeling sweeping across him as he realized who it was who had finally perished. Krory... you... he swallowed.
"Why were you fighting him?" he asked, voice dull. The kid shrugged.
"He got in my way." That doesn't make sense. Krory shouldn't have been anywhere near here... what was he doing? Was he back-up? Did Komui send back-up to help Yu and I? "Still, a pity the girl escaped. I tried to stop them, you know."
"Stop them?" Lavi repeated. Girl? Lenalee, then... or Miranda...
"I didn't want them to come here..." the words were softer. "I didn't want them here, I was trying to help." his voice rose and Lavi suppressed a yelp when he was dumped unceremoniously on the floor. He blinked, finding the child knelt in front of him, gazing deep into his eyes. "You believe me, right? I didn't want to kill him... but he wouldn't let me go. You do believe me?"
Bookman Junior didn't turn his gaze away, unaffected by the plea from the other. Lavi, on the other hand, did look away, incapable of looking at the pleading eyes any more.
"... All demons are evil, in the end." he said softly, not looking at the other. There was a brief silence that, somehow, seemed painful.
"... You're just like him." the boy said. Lavi turned to see him standing, a blank expression on his face. "I've been too soft. It's time for you to take your place."
"I already have a pla-" once more, he was interrupted by the rope pulling him along again. The movements were jerky and harsh, and before long Lavi was wincing as it rubbed on his bare wrists. His ankles were still okay, protected by his shoes and uniform, but his wrists...
Another explosion rocketed above him. Lavi turned his gaze up, trying to see through the wood to where his two friends were probably fighting for their lives. They'll be fine. They might hate each other, but they're two of our strongest exorcists. They should be able to handle the demon if they work together. He tried to reassure himself, but his horrid, horrid mind was unable to stop another thought coming to his surface. What happens if they don't work together?
"Here." Lavi looked up just in time to be hit on the nose by the door. He bit down hard on his lip, almost drawing blood, and his eyes watered from the blow. He dearly wished to reach up and rub at it, but before he knew what was happening he was being thrown onto the bed.
In a swift movement the rope on his wrists were cut. It took him a few seconds to realize this was the opening he needed – and so he took it.
"Take this!" he snapped, drawing his Innocence and swinging it around with the ease of someone truly practised in its use. The large hammer caught the other off guard and both went flying around into the wall, tearing through it with a roaring crash. Lavi didn't give the enemy a chance to recover, instead retrieving his hammer and slamming it down this time.
The floors broke beneath him, in the next room, and he grit his teeth. He spotted the cracks edging his way and retreated, stumbling to the door he'd entered by. He had to get out there and help his friends, or just get the hell out of here before he got turned into a 'pet' -
- and froze.
"You're fast," he eventually croaked, reminded of this speed only twice before, once when he'd first fought Arystar Krory and twice when Lenalee first got her new Dark Boots. He slowly turned, looking down to the demon which held him in place. Gone was the innocent child's act, it was just a pure level four now.
Lavi had never liked the distorted, human-like forms.
"No, you're just slow..." it smiled a creepy smile, a light giggle approaching. Somehow, the cracks and breaks in its body, from the battle with Krory, made it seem all the more gruesome. A sudden memory flashed in front of Lavi's eyes. He jerked, arms coming up to clutch at his head as he shut his eyes tightly. Goawaygoawaygoawaygoaway! he chanted to the memory, but it wouldn't.
The horrific sight... the smirking grin whilst something fell... it was finally over and the exorcist sagged, falling into the grip of the level four. He didn't really notice, too busy trying to not throw up. He felt himself being dragged over to the now-broken bed and dumped on it. His hammer was stolen; he couldn't move. He was paralyzed by that memory.
Is that... truly... what lies behind these demons? He stared at the level four, which was humming as it hunted around the room. Vaguely, the Bookman Junior noticed he was tied up. These memories... that was the soul of the demon... only Allen can see these souls...
These memories... are they Allen's?
"Oh? You figured it out?" Lavi blinked slowly. He must have said the last bit out loud. The demon shrugged, stepping forwards and grinning.
"You know level twos and level threes have their own, separate abilities." he glanced up to the ceiling. "Level fours are no different. Hers is the ability to take memories and force them on someone else. Those memories you have..." Lavi stared, waiting whilst the demon seemed to have fun dragging it out. "Not all of them are his, for there were other souls on this ship, but some will be. He's her 'pet' because he was like a gold mine for bad memories. None of the others had such traumatic ones."
Lavi's eyes widened, finally realizing that that must have been the 'curse'. Seeing someone's bad memories... that's a horrid thing to think about... does that mean that Allen sees those agonized souls each time he sees a level four? He wanted to be sick again, a cold feeling coming over him. The only thing that stopped was the fact he could no longer remember what it was like.
His mind had apparently suppressed the image. He was grateful.
"Still, you're about to take his place. I'm sure the Bookman Junior will have plenty of memories to pass on." Lavi's eyes widened, his own memories of wars and battles and the damn past flashing before his eyes.
"How'd you know I'm a Bookman?" he asked. The demon giggled, that stupid childish giggle. All level fours must have had it.
"You just confirmed it, although... as a Bookman, shouldn't you really be thinking of yourself as Bookman and not an exorcist?" the demon's grin faded and it leant forwards. Lavi pulled back, disgusted.
"I do." he said, making sure his voice didn't waver. The demon shook its head.
"Liar," it said, stepping back. "Do you want to know something funny? I encountered someone, a long time ago. I killed him of course, but not before he said some things. Trivial, meaningless things - he was quite a good writer though." Lavi swallowed thickly, heart pounding. "I picked up one of his poems. Want to know what it said?"
"Not really." It wouldn't make a difference, but he'd felt he had to try.
"'I once knew a Bookman who claimed to have a heart, but in battle he fled to create a new start,'" Lavi's head snapped back, eyes widening as the demon continued the chant. "'He left behind friends who wept with his depart, but onwards he went to the depths of the dark.'" Somehow, the smile seemed a little bitter. "'I know he's out there, somewhere I can't be, and though we'll never meet again... I'm glad I'm not he.' What do you think he meant by that?"
"Shut up!" Lavi said, closing his eyes to what the demon was saying. It sounded like something from his last identity... and the one he would eventually give up. "You know nothing!"
"Indeed I don't, Bookman." the demon said. "And you let your guard down just a little too much." Lavi's eyes snapped open just in time to see a bright flash – and then he felt something long and scratchy pull him up. He struggled, kicking with his legs as he was seemingly lifted up into thin air.
The purple thread came from the ceiling and passed by his eyesight, going down to what Lavi anticipated was his neck. Its grip suddenly tightened and Lavi gasped soundlessly, tied arms trying to break free and release the grip. He could barely breathe, only the barest bit of air scraped past his tightened throat.
His vision sparked with dark spots, but he didn't faint. Instead he found his attention drawn by another thread that wove out of the one above him. It poised like a snake in between Lavi's eyes. "Oy! Not yet, I want him to suffer first." the demon's voice was faint. The thread paused and Lavi stared at it, horrified. Yet another inanimate thing that seems to have a life of its own...
He thought back to Tyki Mikk's tease. Those, too, had been the same colour as this. How... tacky.
"W-w-" he rasped, trying to speak, but he was unable. His throat only throbbed. Is this what Yu saw, when he stumbled onto Allen? Lavi thought back to the shout which had started all this. Allen's been like this for over a month? Truly, that boy was a marvel.
"Ah, I've had enough. Go ahead." the demon said, suddenly floating in front of Lavi. Lavi's gaze was drawn to it, and then back to the thread which lunged forward and effortlessly entered his forehead.
Lavi screamed.
--
There was a faint snuffling at her side. She twitched involuntarily, the action being the most responsible for her finally coming back to consciousness. Gradually her senses came back one by one and she was soon aware of the pounding headache she had, the horrid taste in her mouth, the cold and uneven ground beneath her body and the sound of panting.
Sight was the last sense to come to her. Finally she opened her eyes, fighting with the urge to let them shut and go back to unconsciousness once more. Her limbs felt heavy, as if she had been in a deep sleep. Her eyes, which kept trying to shut, said so too.
After several blinks she focused in on the creature that was making so much noise. A small dog, probably only coming up to her shins, was snuffling at her side. She shifted and drew its attention to her face. Before she knew what was happening a cold nose pressed to her neck and she giggled, the action tickling her.
"G-Go away," she said, her mouth feeling sticky as she reached up to push away the animal. "Go, find your owner." the dog didn't seem to care, instead choosing to lick her hands. With a sigh Lenalee realized it wouldn't go away so easily and so forced herself into a sitting position.
The world spun.
A hand clutched to her head, but thankfully the world righted itself soon after. She slowly peered around the area, squinting to avoid the pain the sunlight seemed to give, and found she was apparently in the middle of nowhere. "..." she blinked and looked around again.
The scenery didn't change. She sighed, using the dog as a balance to help her get to her feet. How did I get here? The last thing I remember is... her eyes widened as she remembered encountering Tyki Mikk. She looked to her feet and saw the two rings still hung around her ankles.
She exhaled, bending down to touch them gently. I still have my Innocence. But... why? She straightened again, this time narrowing her eyes as she inspected the area around her. I was at his mercy and he didn't take it? Tyki Mikk was an enigma, she decided.
She jerked as something rough licked her hand. She turned her gaze to the dog, which wagged its tail at her. She narrowed her eyes at it. "... You're only coming with me until we find civilisation." she told it, knowing it wouldn't go over well at home if she brought home a dog. Her brother would allow it ("anything for my darling Lenalee!") but the others... What if I said I had no choice, and maybe let slip I encountered Tyki... but no, even she wasn't that harsh.
Grateful for the company either way, she bent and patted its head once before slowly starting to walk down the road. Around her the dead grass didn't move, too blackened and trodden in despite the wind which blew, and a hand reached up to hold her hair in place...
... half way there it stopped and then fell limp. It was still hard for her to get used to not having long hair, despite the many months it had been. Her stomach suddenly grumbled and she clutched at it, realizing for the first time how hungry she really was.
I'll have to find civilisation soon, she surmised. Now that she thought about it, she wanted a drink too. I don't even know where I am... what a mess. She sighed.
She wasn't sure how long she walked along that road, the dog walking faithfully behind her and the sun beating down on her. It was when she was contemplating taking a rest that she saw the first sign of hope. A sign in the distance, standing at a crossroads. She could choose to go left or right.
She started to run and, being a swift runner, reached there within a few minutes. She skidded to a halt in front of it and then read the sign. Her heart sank as she realized it was in German. Miranda should be here... she thought, pulling a face.
And then it hit her. She was in Germany. Hadn't she previously been in France? Tyki not only let me keep my Innocence... he also took me closer to where I was actually heading?! She stared, unseeing, at the sign. "It can't be possible." she murmured. "Well, it's not like he knew I was heading here... maybe it was just a lucky choice. Maybe he just dumped me here."
Still, it didn't explain how she'd managed to get from France to Germany in such a short time. No matter how much she looked at it, she couldn't have been out longer than a day and there was no way of reaching the other country in less than that.
Unless...
What if Tyki wasn't alone?
She snapped her head up, eyes widening. There was only one way that she could have got here so quickly. She frantically glanced around the area, searching for the familiar and unwelcome face.
She didn't see it. On edge, her heart pounding fiercely, she slowly crouched. "Innocence activate!" she hissed, knowing it better to activate them now she didn't have to do it later. She may not even be here, but I was Road's doll once... she wouldn't give me up so quickly if I had been in her grasp. Would she?
She had to get out of here. She bent down and picked up the small dog, holding it to her chest. She couldn't leave it behind after all. She glanced at the sign once more, hoping for inspiration, but when none came she merely sighed and chose to go left.
Her Innocence sent her running to new heights. She was invisible to the naked eye as she breezed along the road, the world now seemingly slow compared to her. Sometimes, she could get caught up in that feeling, sometimes she just wanted to run and run, forever... but then she would always remember her family and the urge went away. She wasn't better than anyone else just because she could run faster.
In the distance she spotted a building. As she grew closer she saw several buildings behind the one house and so she slowed her pace, relief settling in her bones as she realized she was heading into a village. She slowed down even more, eventually coming to a walk as she reached the beginning of the town.
"Look! We made it!" she said, turning her attention to the dog. She blanched, seeing it shaking and whimpering in her arms, and she sighed sadly. She bent down, putting the dog on the floor, and it ran away without a look back. She watched it go, heart aching, before swallowing. You should be used to it, Lenalee. Get over it.
Shaking herself she started to walk through, but even her walking pace seemed rather fast in her shoes. She didn't dare deactivate the Innocence however, knowing that with the possibility of Road and/or Tyki in the vicinity...
She blinked, suddenly realizing there was no one in the street. Now, up close, she could see it was quite a large village. It didn't make sense that there was no one around.
She glanced at all four points, double-checking the route behind her, but there was nothing suspicious there. She hurriedly turned to the nearest building and broke through the door. She halted, eyes shimmering as she stumbled onto ashes surrounding clothes. I was too late...
She ran back out into the street and a cackle made her look up. Her heart nearly froze as she saw the young girl sitting on top of a checkered door.
"Road." she said, wind whipping at her face. It appeared that despite the incident in the Ark, she had survived after all. Lenalee had hoped she wouldn't. Road pulled a lollipop out of her mouth and waved, a large grin on her face.
"Lenalee! It's been too long!" she gushed, jumping off of the door and onto the roof of the house. "I'd hoped you'd choose to come this way!" The exorcist narrowed her eyes.
"This was a set-up?" she asked. Road giggled and jumped off of the roof, landing in front of Lenalee. Lenalee stepped back, wary. Road winked.
"Well, Tyki was too busy to deal with you and it's been so long since we met that I figured I'd do it instead." she smiled, placing the lollipop back in her mouth. She bent forwards suddenly and before Lenalee realized what had happened Road had a hand behind her ear, an exact replica of the move Anita had done. "I didn't get to ask before, but why'd you cut your hair?"
Lenalee pulled back and flew to the other end of the street. Road was left blinking.
"Don't touch me." Lenalee snapped. Road turned to her and her smile widened.
"I'll do whatever I like to my dolls." she grinned. "You can't stop me Lenalee!" Lenalee narrowed her eyes, wondering if Road had a strange obsession with her, like she did with Allen. Hopefully, the same things won't happen to me like poor Allen... she remembered the kiss Road had given the white-haired exorcist.
"I'm much stronger now," Lenalee answered. "I'll stop you." Road shrugged.
"Whatever you say. By the way, how's Allen?" she asked, and this time she really did look curious. "I've missed him, you know."
"I'm sure," Lenalee muttered. "He's fine, no thanks to you!" she replied louder. There was no reason to tell Road that Allen was currently MIA... it would mean revealing her mission and leading the Noah to where Allen, Kanda and Lavi were.
"Oh? But I thought he was stuck on a ghost ship?" Road answered. Lenalee froze. "I like to keep track of people I like, see?" Road replied to Lenalee's unspoken question. "I'd keep track of you but your brother manages to cover everything up. Allen's the only one I can follow."
"If you know, why don't you help?" Road giggled.
"And interfere with the two level fours? Allen can handle them, I'm sure." she shrugged. Lenalee's heart sank. Two level fours? They'll be slaughtered... unless she's lying. I wouldn't put it past her. "But, still, you're here Lenalee and Lero's not, so you're just going to have to play with me now!" Road bounced forwards.
"I won't!" Lenalee said defiantly. Road suddenly smirked a sadist's grin.
"Who said you have a choice?"
The sky started to darken. Lenalee glanced up, eyes widened as she saw the beginning of a storm slowly start. Within several minutes the rain started, and then came the thunder. Lightning struck the road in front of the sodden exorcist and it illuminated Road's face. The sight there would be one which haunted Lenalee's nightmares for the rest of her life. "It's time to play Lenalee!"
Road's voice came clear over the howling wind. Lenalee's eyes widened as several demons started to appear. One by one they scattered, disappearing over the village, and she wasted no time in swiftly destroying the nearest demon. "Can you get to them all, Lenalee? Before casualties start to happen?"
And the screams started. Heart in her throat Lenalee dashed over in the direction most of the demons had gone, hail pounding against her skin. I have to save them. I have to!
A/N: I'd apologize for the delay, but... I'm not really sorry. xD I've been too busy to write, that's all. Thanks to those who're still reading this, despite its originally slow-moving plot. XD Hope you enjoyed! (that rhyme? I thought it up. Tell me what you think of it, I'm kinda curious. I like it, but then that's just me... XD)
