The Fourteenth's Awakening
Wild: Well, I am glad everyone seemed to enjoy my previous chapter. I am kinda depressed over the fact that everyone seemed to get confused. I sincerely apologize for such things.
Road: *smacks wild upside the head, stomping her into the ground* Please excuse kat's mistake. She had to type the chapter in different times as it is the season of Lent, and she is only limited to one hour on the computer sometimes.
Wild: To be more specific, the wondrous internet. But in order to resist temptations, I don't type as much for fear of seeing the worldwide web. But please, bear with me in this hard time!
Road: And please enjoy while I beat her head into the ground *starts throwing candles like mad*
XXVIII
Allen wobbled down into the lobby of the hotel, his back killing him, his butt hurting, and his skin raw from Tyki's washing in the bathroom. He was left with carrying all the bags and luggage down into the lobby while Tyki chatted up the petite girl sitting at the desk.
Allen glared at Tyki's back; feeling like a hurricane had come through and wracked his body in havoc.
Damn you, you stupid, demonic, sadistic Noah! Allen wanted so desperately to scream out the words as Tyki smoothed back his hair, clipping it into place and tipping his hat to the girl. She giggled and blushed, handing him a small piece of white paper, which he accepted. Allen's eyes narrowed on the paper as he felt possessiveness rise in his gut. Why am I becoming so possessive over the bastard? Why should I care what he does? He freaking screwed up my body and just laughed in my face! Gah!
Already so lively after your morning activities, Allen, Neah Walker's voice chimed in Allen's head softly. He groaned in irritation before blinking and grinned as he devised a plan.
Say, sweet uncle of mine, would you like to have your hour outside right now?
Allen could almost picture his uncle's eyebrow shooting up in wariness at Allen's sudden sweetness and the silkiness of his words. Neah floated in Allen's head, eyes narrowing in confusion but also caution.
Pray tell why you would want to know, nephew?
Oh, I just figured you'd like to see how wonderful villages look in the sunshiny morning, Allen responded, smiling to no one in particular, hoping his uncle would take the offer. Oh how he hoped that Neah would…
Hmm…thanks, but no thanks, little Allen! But I am not so stupid as to fall for such a baiting. I know what you're planning- and I am not about to be lugged down with the chore of carrying your bags, so you're on your own!
Some help you are, baka!
Love you!
Allen abruptly disconnected his chat with his uncle, grumbling and trudging towards the doors where he saw the carriage waiting outside. Tyki fell in line beside him, smiling cheerfully.
"How about once we get to the train station, we can get a little something to eat and maybe a warn drink to heat our insides?" Tyki crooned, wrapping his arm around Allen and guiding him to the door, at least being gentlemanly enough to hold the door open.
The driver of the carriage blinked in bewilderment at seeing Allen being weighted down by all the bags.
"Please, allow me to assist you, sir," he said, taking two of the bags and situating them inside the carriage. The crème colored horse tossed its head and jerked its head against the reins when Tyki stared the driver down with anger. He turned his gaze to the horse, silencing its sounds and movements.
"Thank you," Tyki drawled in annoyance to the driver and practically shoved Allen into the carriage. Allen began jabbering on about something, but Tyki was too busy having a stare down contest with the driver until the man backed down. Tyki smirked and removed his hat, settling down onto the plush lavender seat and shut the door behind him. The carriage jerked forward and rolled along with the sound of the reins snapping and the horse neighing shrilly.
Allen stared at Tyki with fury but turned to stare out the window. He tugged at his tie then said, "Open a window or something. It is stifling in here."
"No. if we do then it will quickly become cold. So just bear with it and remove your jacket," Tyki coughed, twirling his hat on the tip of his finger, staring absently at Allen with calculating eyes. Allen didn't like it and he glared back while tossing his jacket to the spot beside him. "You know, you really are quite frail, shounen."
Allen flushed and his cheeks became a soft pink before he snapped, "What things are you spouting now? I am as strong as I have ever been, and there is no such room in my being to be frail or weak. So you can just stop saying such nonsense."
Tyki chuckled and laughed close eyed.
"Weak? Now who is saying you are weak? I was speaking that you can be so fragile and frail when it comes to your body. Ever since your Innocence shattered, you haven't used your power. Has your body given out and gone kaput?"
Allen's eyes narrowed as his left hand clenched tightly.
"Nonsense is all you are saying," Allen growled, his eyes flashing with anger beyond that of which Tyki had seen. "My will and Innocence has yet to succumb fully to the power of the Noah…it still dwells within me, otherwise, how would I even still be here? The Innocence melded with my heart. If it disappeared, I would surely have died."
Tyki absorbed this and nodded slowly in understanding. It did make sense. The Innocence that was attached to Allen's heart would surely have been destroyed if fully overwhelmed, and thus, killing the shounen. So did that mean that Allen's Innocence was still fighting inside him? Or was it just lying dormant? There were so many questions that were going unanswered about his shounen.
"Now open the damn window before I punch through it. It is blazing in here," Allen whimpered, leaning back against the wood walls and swept back his hair to reveal more of his silvery eyes. Tyki grunted and opened a window slightly to let a gentle breeze wash over Allen.
Allen sighed in content as the wind cooled him down. Why was he so warm when he should be freezing? Was he running a fever? He gently pressed his hand to his forehead then shook off the idea.
I don't have a fever. So then what could it be that is happening inside me? Is the Noah stirring or is my Innocence beginning to die faster than I thought, he thought in despair. It was true that his Innocence still glowed within him, but it was faintly, just barely flickering with life. It made him sad to think that his old life was being destroyed so easily by the Noah.
"You said we have two missions…to retrieve information and to kill, correct?" Allen asked slowly, feeling darkness beginning to swell inside him. He heard Tyki shift and looked up to see wide eyes boring into his face, surprise in those dark eyes.
"Yes, though our killing list is rather short. Surprisingly," Tyki responded, propping his cheek against his palm. "Why do you ask, shounen?"
Allen smirked and only turned to stare outside, saying only one thing," I guess it is about time to be finishing this then…"
Tyki stared in confusion, but remained silent. The carriage ride was like that the entire way to the train station.
XXVIII
"Johnny! Stop already!" Edgar grumbled loudly, puffing on his smoking pipe in exasperation. Johnny was hobbling impatiently towards the door with a wide smile on his face. Kanda looked up from his place at the table where he was reading a book of poetry given to him from Lucille.
"Aw, come on Edgar! Hurry up! I'm on crutches and I am going faster than you!" Johnny teased, stumbling but catching himself when he arrived at the door to the cabin. Kanda felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth while he watched Johnny and Edgar. Johnny had undergone a large amount of healing and recuperation, but had been eager to finally step foot outside again. It amazed Kanda to no end. Johnny had never taken part on the battlefield, but even after nearly being murdered in cold blood by a friend and companion, Kanda was surprised Johnny even could smile or go outside.
"Kanda, bring the table and a few chairs outside! I have a feeling we will be out here for a while," Edgar said while opening the door wide. Warm air rushed into the room and Kanda nodded slowly.
Kanda sighed and stood up, closing his book and following behind Edgar and Johnny, breathing in the air that was starting to turn into winter. But somehow, this area retained a warmer undertone to the breeze.
He looked away from the wind to instead watch Johnny, who had brightness in his eyes. He stared at the sun like he had seen the most beautiful being in his life. He took a step forward, using his crutches to hold himself up. Kanda and Edgar hung in the doorway, watching him hobble out into the open.
Lucille, who had been working out in her small garden, smiled brightly when she saw Johnny coming outside. She had practically adopted Johnny as her own child and was a mother hen, always protective, but always joyous when he was happy.
"I'm so glad that we met you two," Edgar said and looked over his shoulder at Kanda. Kanda stared at Edgar in surprise before the old man grinned. "Now hand me one of those chairs. I know our table doesn't weigh much, but the least I can do is take a bit of our load."
Kanda blinked and silently handed over one of the chairs and strode outside with Edgar, setting up the chairs and settling into his seat, watching Johnny walk around the clearing, taking in every like a newborn child. He felt like smiling and joining him just to be closer and experience that smile. It reminded him of Alma to such an extent that it frightened him.
He looked up at the bright blue sky and sighed, closing his eyes as the wind blew through his hair.
Alma, are you happy where you are? Is it nice up there in the sky? Are you watching me and laughing like how you used to? Remember how you laughed even when we were caught sneaking around in the labs? I may have never told you, but I always thought it was fun to be mischievous with you, Kanda thought, wondering if Alma could hear him.
"Kanda, what could you be thinking of that has your face so serene?" Lucille's kind voice asked, smiling at him. He opened his eyes and blinked at her. She smiled at him and said, "Kanda, let me brush your hair out. I bet it would look better if it was combed and not in a ponytail."
Kanda frowned deeply at the idea. He wasn't fond of having his hair down, but the pleading look and the kind smile the old woman was giving him made him sigh in defeat. She giggled and walked into the cabin, muttering excited words to herself.
She soon emerged back with a brush and a clip. She smiled and came up behind him, pulling a chair to sit on. He bent back his head at her silent command so she could remove his hair tie. She tossed it onto his lap then grasped a lock of hair and tenderly began brushing it out.
Kanda sat there quietly, letting her do his hair while Edgar chuckled, muttering something about Kanda being soft despite his looks. Kanda instead read his book, drowning everything out. He only looked up to check on Johnny, who observed everything from a single blade of grass to the crooks on the tree bark.
He finally looked over at Kanda and wobbled over, blinking and watching. Kanda frowned deeply, looking up to stare back at Johnny.
"Something wrong?" Kanda asked, like he wasn't having his hair brushed by a humming woman. Johnny giggled and laughed hysterically, clutching his stomach. Kanda froze, eyeing the bandages on Johnny's stomach. There was already a large scar from where Allen's Innocence had pierced his abdomen, and Kanda was always concerned and worried that at any moment, Johnny's wounds would open again.
Johnny laughed and said, "You know, you look nice with your hair down, Kanda…I like it."
Then he went back to where Edgar was chopping pieces of wood, and resumed chattering away about nothing while Edgar cracked jokes and listened with an amused smirk.
Kanda remained behind, staring in blinking bewilderment at the news. However, he felt a sense of tranquility wash over his form, and he resumed reading without fully absorbing the words. He was too lost in his own world.
XXVIII
"How nice this is, wouldn't you agree, Wisely?" the Earl asked, sipping on a cup of tea in a small café. Wisely sat across from his, his arms crossed over his chest and legs crossed too, a disgruntled expression on his face. Wisely was staring at the Earl with hooded eyes. "Now Wisely, look at those wrinkles on your forehead."
Wisely huffed and said, "Lord Millennium, just how long do you intend to twiddle and play around?"
The Earl sipped on his tea then set it down, grinning at Wisely.
"I like to play, Wisely. Surely you know that?" the Earl asked, quirking an eyebrow. Wisely stared at him before laughing, giving the Earl a peaceful smirk.
"Oh course I know this…although it would be interesting to know this by looking at your thoughts," Wisely said suggestively, leaning forward to cross his arms on the table, laying his head on them. He stared at the Earl sideways with a lop-sided grin. "Ne?"
The Earl smiled at Wisely's words and said simply, "You know the price little Wisely."
He heard a soft growl before saying, "You know, Wisely, I think it is close to time that we move towards that village on the edge of Japan. What do you say, hmm? Of course, we can use our own personal transportation to get there, and we will have to sleep."
The Earl continued rambling on while stopping to sip on his hot tea and order a cinnamon and an apple scone to take on the trip. He went on and on, not really caring if Wisely was listening. He just needed to speak so the conversation would eventually go in the direction he desired.
Wisely stared bored at the Earl before he said, "I'll do it…"
The Earl was startled and stared at Wisely before a wide grin spread across his face. His golden eyes flashed with ebony pupils become mere slits and sizing him up. The Earl lay his cup half full of hot tea back down onto the table and laced his hands together.
"Oh? You will, Wisely?" he cooed, leaning forward to see how Wisely would react. He smirked deviously, just as the Earl knew he would. He also knew Wisely would lace his feet together and leaned forward on his elbows to smirk into the Earl's face with hooded, teasing eyes.
"Yes, I will, Earl. Did you change your mind suddenly? I can always retract my decision," Wisely said, cocking his head, taunting.
The Earl laughed and said, "No, no, do not be so hasty, my little Wisely…I'll let you see and experience my thoughts. But first, I need to know that you will do as I ask," the Earl said, leaning back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Wisely's eyes narrowed in caution and suspicion.
"Oh?" he drawled, remaining in his position. The earl nodded and thoughtfully rubbed his chin, scratching his head and adjusting his hat. He finally leaned back forward and held out his hand for Wisely.
"Give me your hand, Wisely," he ordered, and Wisely hesitantly put his palm into the Earl. The Earl smirked and placed his hand on Wisely's wrist and began tracing patterns into his skin. Wisely flinched and tried jerking his hand back when pain seared into his skin.
"Stop it!" Wisely hissed, growling and snarling with feral as the Earl worked calmly, tracing the patterns around Wisely's wrist and up to his hand. Black lines like ink trailed after his hand, creating erotic, intricate designs up and down his arm and around his wrist.
He finally took away his fingertips, revealing a beautiful, exotic tattoo* on Wisely's wrist and arm. The Earl stared at the beautiful tattoo that adorned his little Noah's arm then looked at Wisely's face. His lip was bleeding from where he had bitten down extremely hard to hold in his cry of pain.
The Earl smirked and said, "With this on your arm, I will be able to find you anywhere and be able to make you do whatever I desire. But I can already do this, I bet you're thinking. However, this tattoo will make our connections even stronger than the others…consider it my gift and a tiny extra price to pay for my wonderful thoughts."
The tattoo disappeared from Wisely's skin while he glared at the Earl, all amusement and teasing gone from those golden depths.
"I'm going to destroy you one day," he growled and hissed, but the spot where his Demon Eye slowly began glowing.
"I look forward to it, but it won't be today…now hush," the Earl whispered, releasing Wisely's bright red wrist and allowed the rusted doors to his mind begin to creek open on old, cracked hinges. And a whoosh of air and power clambered onto his mind with Wisely's entrance.
XXVIII
Elsie jerked awake in surprise as the bells at the church chimed and clattered together, echoing a loud ringing in her ears. She felt irritation bubble inside her at being awoken from her peaceful sleep.
She rubbed her head and sat up slightly from her position up high in the oak tree, staring out at the bright blue sky that hung above her. She pouted and looked around, seeing that the black kitty had already left.
"How depressing. I was hoping she'd stick around," Elsie grumbled to herself, sliding from her position in the tree and landed gracefully on the ground. She stretched up to the sky, bringing out a small bag of sweets from her pocket. She rummaged around in its contents before plucking a hard rock candy from the bag. She popped it into her mouth and began walking back towards church.
Her chest felt tight and clenched, like her heart was constricting itself and suffocating her. She coughed slightly to try and clear her chest of anything, but to no avail, it didn't work in the least.
"I must be getting a cold earlier than expected. Perhaps I should go see a doctor later," she grumbled and walked along, humming to herself with what little breath she could puff out. But she didn't know of the bright golden eyes that watched her from the bushes.
XXVIII
Lavi felt an immense pain in his side when he finally came to from his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes, his vision hazy and delirious. He smelled a horrible scent in the air and he glanced around, trying to focus his vision.
A cold cloth was pressed to his forehead and he looked up to see bright gold eyes gazing down at him.
"good morning, little birdie," Sheryl said, wiping sweat off of Lavi's brow affectionately. Lavi hissed and moved to get away, but froze as pain flashed through his belly and pulsating throughout his body. "Ah, yes, you should be feeling pain right about now. That is what happens when you use all your power. It will take another couple of hours before you would have gained back your full strength."
"H-How-?" Lavi gasped, feeling his throat parched and dry.
"You've been asleep for at least two days now. But I must say, you must have terrible dreams for all the moaning you do in your sleep," Sheryl drawled, taking away the cold rag and wringing it out into a bowl. "Care to tell?"
Lavi remained silent, a single green eye boring into his gold. Lavi kept his right eye closed firmly.
"I see, so we are back to this stage, eh?" Sheryl chuckled and submerged the rag again into the water, placing it on Lavi's forehead. "You are quite cute when you sleep, Lavi. Did you know that?"
Lavi cracked out a grin and coughed.
"I'm hot anyway, so flattery won't get ya far," he chuckled.
Sheryl grinned and leaned over him, surprising Lavi into stillness.
"Oh, but you are a special type of cute, birdie…no…I wouldn't say you are a birdie anymore, Lavi," Sheryl drawled, eyeing Lavi with greedy, hungry eyes. "No, I would say you're a usagi…a little rabbit caught in the forest and pursued by a wolf."
Lavi gulped slightly and narrowed his eye on Sheryl.
"A rabbit, huh? And I imagine you're the wolf?"
"Ah, how perceptive and smart you are, Lavi. Yes, and you are a rare delicacy- a pretty little crimson rabbit that any wolf would adore to have a taste of," Sheryl said, straightening and picking up Lavi's hand. Lavi blinked, watching his movements. Sheryl held up his hand, revealing the deep bite marks on Lavi's hand, an obvious scar being left behind. "And it isn't just your hand…your back as well proves your master."
Lavi huffed.
"Master, more like an Akuma who changed into an ookami," Lavi hissed glaring at Sheryl. He got a sadistic grin in return and a heated look.
"But I became an ookami just to catch you, usagi-chan. So don't let me down, and get better as to improve yourself for the upcoming time together."
And with that, Sheryl left Lavi to sleep in the room…and of course, Lavi found his feet chained to the bed. Typical.
XXVIII
Bak Chang crouched in his personal sleeping quarters, sitting front of his monitor screens, staring at the locations and movements of the Noah, and quickly jotting them down. He also examined the appearances of Innocence and Akuma attacks, writing them down on a separate piece of paper.
He worked tirelessly. He had been like this for at least three days, and had not eaten, drank, or slept a wink. Dark bags hung beneath his brown eyes while he worked endlessly, tapping his pencil impatiently.
Sammo Han Won stepped into the room, carrying a tray full of food whose aroma was heavenly and wild. It would have tempted any man into forgetting his work and diving into the meal. However, Bak never wavered and continued working.
"Bak-sama, it is time you ate. You haven't eaten, slept, or drank for days. It is not good for your health…" he said, and earned no response. "You don't even respond when I mention Lenalee?"
Bak never moved or gave any sign that he heard Sammo speak.
"Bak-sama, this is most definitely unhealthy, and I cannot let it go on any longer," Sammo started, but was abruptly stopped when Bak leaned back in his hair, running his fingers through his tawny colored hair.
"Sammo, why do you think Allen has appeared now?"
"Sir?"
"Why do you think he appeared now, Sammo? He could have showed up at any time. Why now? Why not three days ago or perhaps two hours? Why not a week ago or perhaps four weeks ago? Why now?" Bak asked again, more firm. He swung in his chair to stare at Sammo, who was rooted to his spot.
Sammo stared at him for a moment before walking forward, saying, "Sir, I do not know the answer to such a question. I do not believe anyone but Walker himself could know the answer to such a complex question. It is a question I think only you and Komui would truly use three days to try and figure out."
Bak stared at Sammo, following him with a watchful gaze while Sammo came to stand beside Bak, reaching past him to shut off the screen. Bak opened his mouth to yell and hiss about how he couldn't stop now and how he had finally started to figure things out. But Sammo cut him off.
"No excuses or delays, Bak Chang. I do not want to hear them. You need your rest," he said, staring down at Bak with knowledgeable eyes. Bak stared at him, mouth open and eyes pleading like a child's. he finally closed his mouth and stood up, trudging out of his swiveling chair and to his bed. He peeled back the sheets and lay down while Sammo left the tray of food next to his bedside along with a cup of tea. "Goodnight, Bak-sama."
"Night," Bak said softly, taking a sip of herbal tea and laid his head down for only a moment, promising he'd close his eyes for only five minutes. But in two seconds, he was out like a light bulb.
Sammo smirked and walked off with a triumphant grin on his face. He did know how to put his young master to sleep.
XXVIII
"Allen, come on now, let's play a game," Tyki said, smirking. Allen nodded and they shuffled the cards, playing their hands. Allen beamed at Tyki and flashed him a royal flush.
"My win, Tyki," he giggled while Tyki dropped his cigarette. He frowned and shuffled again, dealing the cards. Tyki concentrated heavily on Allen's expression, trying to read his face.
"You take quite a while to play, Tyki. Afraid you're gonna loose and be stripped?"
"Dream on, shounen. Now, let's get serious."
"I thought you already were?"
"Shut up, shounen!"
Allen smiled at Tyki as he shuffled the cards again, but there was a loud Thunk! On the window of the carriage. They both flinched and looked outside. A little golden ball was ramming itself against the glass and opening wide jaws.
Allen beamed and exclaimed, "Timcanpy!"
He eagerly and enthusiastically opened the window, watching the gold Golem zoom inside, curling up close to his chest, shivering like a leaf. He smiled down at the familiar face and cuddled Timcanpy close to his body.
"Tim, where have you been? In the pit of another cat?" Allen teased and Tim opened his mouth, showing all sorts of images. It showed him flying around aimlessly; being eaten by a cat but some kind lady made the cat spit him out. It showed Timcanpy suddenly stopping and catching Allen's scent and flying everywhere to track him down; and finally, seeing Allen joyful face. "Oh Tim," Allen said and felt small tears beginning to stream down his cheeks while he held Tim to his cheek.
"Ahem," Tyki coughed, catching Allen's attention. He had almost forgotten that the pervert was with them. "Uh, I know that this is a very touching reunion, but you, dear shounen, have games to lose here."
Allen smirked and placed Timcanpy carefully on top of his head, where the Golem purred and sat down quietly to watch as they played. They played all the while waiting in their carriage to arrive quickly at the train station, where there would an unexpected encounter just waiting to be exposed.
XXVIII
Tattoo* on Wisely's arm - .com/rate_my_tattoo/tattoos/tattoo/act/Forearm_tribal_up_to_the_hand_
Wild: well people, there is my 29th chapter. I will admit, I think it is getting quite close to begin the final chapters and actions of our series. The Noah are getting closer to achieving their ultimate goal of demolishing humanity.
Road: Our couples are being drawn closer and closer to one another.
Tyki: I'm constantly having love scenes with Allen.
Wild: And our Black Order is getting closer to our characters. The curtains will rise and fall on our characters, entering into the acts and grand finales to set our characters on the path to the Heart and to the last clash.
Allen: And Timcanpy is back! Oh, Tim! I missed you *crying and rubbing Timcanpy against his cheek*
Wild: And it's time for Tyki to drag Allen back to the bedroom as to separate Timcanpy and Allen's fun reunion. Goodbye everyone, and please review!
Allen: Monster! Timcanpy, nooooooooo! *dragged around the corner by evil Tyki*
