Byakko Monogatari
[Byakko] Chapter 24
Restarting Journey
[Ancient China]
[Sairo]
After two weeks of resting in Tiedoll's care, everyone finally decided to resume their journey to find the two remaining Celestial Warriors.
Lenalee and Chiharu finally get rid of their bandages thanks to Tiedoll's well owned medicine which way more effective than to the ones Chiharu has on her world.
On the other, everyone more specifically Tiedoll were shock beyond belief after discovering that the hole in Lavi's heart has completely vanished as if it didn't exist in the first place.
With three horses they have, they left the Toki Village and travel towards the next village that will surely take five hours to reach.
The journey is in complete silence.
No one dare to conduct a conversation; as if suddenly they forget how to conduct one.
It's already four and half hour since they left Miranda's village and fortunately, they can already see the next village ahead; but still no conversation had holds.
This silence would go on for more hour or so—that's it if only Allen's stomach just stay quiet. All heads are turn to the albino warrior who couldn't able to keep his stomach quiet.
"I'm already hungry!"
"Well, we've been travelling for five hours now; kinda understandable." Xiu stated with smile.
"A-Allen-kun! Endure it for a little more, we're almost get into the village!" Miranda spoke from behind the white head.
"But… I'm already hungry!"
"Erm… Allen-kun?" Lenalee started as her and Lavi's horse we're get near to the albino head and older warrior's horse.
"Yes?"
"Here, have some of this treats from Marie-san…" Lenalee offer her bag to the albino.
"Eh? It is alright?" Lenalee nodded; Allen then gladly takes it while thanking her and munch on it.
Lavi and Xiu smiles gently seeing Lenalee's interaction with Allen.
Who going to think that they first met as enemies?
"Haah~ our princess is actually growing up eh~" Lavi commented, which made Lenalee makes questionable face, while Xiu chuckle.
"What are you talking about Lavi? She's far more grown up than you!"
Lavi gasp dramatically while having his hand on his chest and wears hurtful face while looking back at the ravenet warrior.
"That's hurts Xiu-sama!" this statement made the rest chuckle, giggle to girl's side.
"See! That! That's why no one is taking you seriously because you keep acting like a kid!"
"But Xiu, everyone likes me because of this side of me!" Lavi pouted upon stating.
"Who said that?"
"Me!"
"Look now! You are not just acting like a kid but you also a narcissist!"
The playful argument between the Bookman Junior and former General made everyone smile as they enjoying the moment. The happiest among their group is Chiharu who made the decision to save Lenalee and have a bonus rab—bookman apprentice.
Chiharu has suddenly felt thankful to Allen's stomach that made it's presence known just a while ago, thanks to it and Lenalee—unaware—cooperation, an enjoyable conversation has finally lit up.
This playful conversation even last long and more stories from their peaceful past has continue to reveal even after entering the village.
They just stop after coming in on a restaurant and orders some foods.
Allen and Xiu noticed that their team is actually growing and they're getting lacked of money which should be make them last for more months of travelling but putting Allen's black hole in considerations, yes the money won't last long.
After stuffing themselves with delicious food, Xiu pulls Miranda suggesting to get some temporary job, which made the elder freak as she remember how fail she is in the past. Taking no shit from the past Xiu continue on convincing the elder to get a job with him that she didn't have to worry since they will a find a job that they'll be both hire.
Chiharu, Lavi and Lenalee suggested to get a job as well but Xiu refused on the idea and asked Chiharu to take care of both Lavi and Lenalee without giving any explanation nor reasoning as of why.
Before any of the three could reprimand, Allen suddenly butts in asking for hair dye from the ravenet—so instead to ask more they become curious as of why the albino lad ask for such a thing.
"What you need it to?" Chiharu question after Xiu handing Allen a bag.
"You would never want to go out with me if you learn why." Allen answer which left curiosity on the rest.
After paying for their foods, Xiu left while pulling Miranda, while Allen suggest to find an inn where they could stay for the night. The three nodded without much of word.
It didn't take longer than expected for them to find a suitable inn.
While the three plops on the beds upon entering the room, Allen goes straight to the bathroom.
Not too long, Allen get out from the bathroom with auburn colored hair and bandage on his head hiding his cursed pentacle, and his left hand is cover in bandage too.
The three blinks several times after seeing an almost completely unfamiliar person standing in their room.
"Allen?"
"Yes?"
"You're Allen-kun?"
Allen nodded, nonchalantly.
"What's up with dye hair and overall bandage?" Lavi finally question.
"Ah… various reasons that you guys better not to know." Allen turn his heel ready to leave but was stop after realizing something, he turn half way back to them "Don't try being all sneaky and follow me, understood?" seeing the glint that they never once sees in the albino warrior the three teens nodded quietly and even they are so eager to break their promise they didn't do it.
After all there are still sides of everyone they still hasn't know.
After leaving them on the quiet room that with six bed just right for the six of them, Allen makes his way out the inn and goes straight onto a casino-like pub with evil smile on his lips—seriously there's always a side of a person that other's haven't and better not to seen by.
Back at the inn, Lavi is reading a history scroll that Tiedoll gave him; Lenalee is lying on her stomach and staring on the wall with lots of things on mind; while Chiharu is lying on her back, arms spread wide and staring at the ceiling, thinking about Kanda who is currently travelling alone, thinking how sad it is.
Giving up on her thoughts, Lenalee get up from her bed and turns where the other teens are.
"Hey let's play something!" Lenalee suggested, obviously bored.
Both teens look at her, and then to each other then back to the warrior princess.
"What game?" Lavi question, as he folding the sheet of the scroll he's reading.
Lenalee thinks for a while but came up nothing.
Chiharu sat up from her bed, upon realizing the princess has no idea of inside game they could play with.
"Then what about Jacken Pon?" Chiharu suggested instead.
Both former enemies wears questionable look on their faces upon hearing such an unfamiliar game.
Chiharu sees this and so she provided the things they needed to learn before playing the game. Finding it easy to understand and be executed, the two teens agrees happily.
The rules of their game is, whomever lost will get a flick from the winners.
Pretty easy, pretty simple if you think about it but the three teens after forming a circle, enjoys the game to fullest.