Chapter Thirty-Seven
The New Leads on Cross
Exorcists POV
Lavi stood, leaning on the wall with the phone tucked between his shoulder and head, with the other exorcists gathered around him while waiting for the verdict.
The six of them exorcists had stopped by in a town, where they had asked to borrow a phone so that they could contact the Order. Lavi volunteered to do the talking, so he had his golem connect to the European Branch, where he was received by Reever and whom he had asked for Komui. He was currently asking for further directions to the house of Cross's lover, and the exorcists waited for Lavi to announce their next destination.
"Uhuh, yes, yes…" Lavi muttered into the phone's mouthpiece. "She's doing fine, don't you worry. Just a little strained, is all." Lenalee's ears puckered up when she realized that Lavi and her brother were talking about Meilin. "Yes, we will. So where…? Uhm…sure. Uhuh. Uhuh. So we'll look for that? Directions? No problem. Thank you."
Lavi put the phone down without a word after talking with Komui, and he suddenly pumped his fist in the air. Then and there, Lenalee knew that good news was coming.
"I know where we're going next, guys!" Lavi smiled, as Elin and Lenalee cheered at being informed that there were lesser chances of them getting lost. When they had come to China at General Tiedoll's advice, they had not actually known where exactly in China they were supposed to go. But a few towns ago, Lavi had pleaded with Komui to find out the location of the woman who was Cross's lover that General Tiedoll was talking about, just so that they could check the place in case Cross was indeed there. Where else to go? Anita was their only lead.
"So…" Elin tapped her chin, as if deep in thought. "We're finally going to meet Cross. IF he's there with Anita. I don't know whether I should be happy or sad."
"Definitely the latter," Lavi cringed as he remembered the stories he had heard about the infamous General back when he was just chilling out in the Order.
"You seriously think so? Who knows, General Cross might actually be fun! And we might get along, as well!"
"Elin, the only reason you might ever get along with Cross, is the MAIN fact that you ARE a GIRL."
"So? I might get on his nerves, and I'll convince him to train me. I heard he was a REALLY powerful exorcist. Dwelling alone on the fact that he's a general."
"Whatever you say, Elin. Let's just get going."
Lavi hauled Elin away from the settlement they were in, and the other exorcists followed the two of them.
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The exorcists got into a small boat where only the six of them fit, seeing that it was the only way they could get into the next town. Lavi, however, remained standing and set about rowing the boat all by himself. The six exorcists got involved in a conversation regarding how they might chance upon Cross, and what he could be doing the moment the six of them catch up with him. Then Lenalee approached the subject that Cross might not subject to obeying orders and refuse to return to the Order, and instantly all of them sighed at the same time.
They reached the port at sundown, but before they could inquire about directions to the next village where Cross was said to currently reside, the local marketplace caught Lenalee's eyes, and she pleaded that they stay for just a few hours. Some of them protested against this, saying that it was a waste of time, but to Lavi's extreme surprise Bookman was particularly enthusiastic about staying in the marketplace to have a look-around. So Lavi, Meilin, and Elin were forced to subject to the other three who were intent on seeing the sights in the city.
Krory and Bookman ran to a small tea shop, where they sat on a crate in front of a bigger one, creating the effect of makeshift tables and chairs. The two of them just sat there, without exchanging words, while sipping hot tea. Lavi did a double take when he saw the two, and he immediately ran in front of them.
"So this is what you guys want to stay here for? TEA?" Lavi grabbed at his hair, but Lenalee grabbed him before he could say anything further, and hauled Elin as well, who held a grudge against shopping for some secret reason. Meilin went with them, seeing that she couldn't be of any use to two old men drinking tea, and she effectively became Lenalee's companion at looking at the porcelain and umbrellas. When Lenalee finally let go of Lavi and Elin, they hung around behind Lenalee, talking amongst the two of them as they watched Lenalee get fascinated with the products of her lovely homeland.
"Isn't this umbrella lovely?" Lenalee asked the two, who just nodded, as she twirled in circles while giggling like a little girl. Meilin joined her in opening all the umbrellas like they didn't have a care in the world. Lavi couldn't help but compare Lenalee as she was now than whenever she was fighting, and he turned to Elin to speak his thoughts.
"Lenalee may be a really tough exorcist," Lavi whispered to Elin. "But she's still a girl underneath."
"Yeah…how about me, Lavi? What do you think I am underneath?" Elin suddenly asked, to Lavi's surprise.
"Number one, Lady, you're an incredibly annoying exorcist. But underneath…well, you're still the same old incredibly annoying exorcist."
Elin punched Lavi's shoulder hard, and Lavi yowled in pain.
"SAY THAT AGAIN!"
"I think I'd rather watch Lenalee…" Lavi managed to croak out, as Elin hmphed and crossed her arms.
The two of them accompanied Lenalee and Meilin for the rest of the day, until finally Lenalee got tired and returned to Krory and Bookman. The six of them got together again, and asked for directions to the next town, where their questions were finally going to be answered. They found out that it was just a walking distance, so they set out on foot and came to the edge of a hill looking down upon the city when it was already nighttime.
The six of them saw that the city was bustling with activity, and compared to the previous towns it was quite the looker.
Filled with exquisite buildings and stores all over the place, the city was truly festive to look at. Complete with orange lanterns all over the place and the children's laughter echoing into the night, Lenalee almost jumped at the scene.
"Well, here goes, guys," Lavi said, and together they started their descent off the hill.
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Allen's POV
Allen could not believe his eyes.
No matter where he looked, no matter from which angle, he could not make sense of what he was seeing.
He had never been this puzzled, no, never, and for the first time he didn't know what to do.
Because Meilin was right before his eyes, along with the other exorcists, with her beloved innocence in her arms, intact.
As he hid among the shadows whilst following the exorcists, Allen looked at the matter for many times, almost losing sight of the exorcists as he did so, but he could not think of any reason as to how any of this could be happening. He HAD seen Lulu Bell destroy that innocence…there was no way it could have survived her touch. Let alone a Noah's touch. It was virtually impossible, and even the Earl saw how it was crushed and he left it for granted.
Unless…of course, it the innocence Lulu Bell destroyed WASN'T Meilin's. But whose could it be? No exorcist would have sacrificed his or her innocence for such a small scam for a little girl. The only thing Allen was sure of, was that it was actually an innocence fragment that Lulu Bell had destroyed. If it was Meilin's, that he did not know. The sound of Meilin's crystal ball breaking, and the strong wave of air that came with it could all have well been a trick of the exorcists.
Allen almost beat himself up for believing the little play. Of course the red head would NEVER hurt his comrade for giving her innocence fragment to the enemy so willingly. Of course not.
But for them to boldly bring Meilin with them to look for Cross all the while knowing that akumas were following them, they must have not known that they were being monitored, and they thought that they would get away with Meilin.
They had no idea that Allen was still following them, and finally Allen felt his efforts of hiding finally paid off.
As much as he wanted to grab Meilin and shake her until she told him everything she knew, Allen knew as well that he could not touch unless the Earl said so. It was Tyki's job to kill people on impulse without the Earl's consent. He was not like his uncle.
Allen would have to talk to the Earl about this.
Me: So, hello again readers! This is a REALLY-super-short-filler-chapter, because I'm still thinking about some (possible) glitches in the plot. REALLY sorry for not updating for so long, then again I'm repeating that I've been very busy.
Oh, by the way, ahniya-sama said that she'd been imagining my OC's, and since I suck at descriptions I'll be drawing the OCs and making them my profile pictures for everyone to see. The girl on my current profile picture is Elin, and in five minutes I will be changing it again for a better picture of Elin. Just check le profile to see! :D
Ally-menki
Thanks so much! :)))
Witchsoul531
:/ That IS weird...but did I read it right? You're reading this in your Math class? Talk about cool students! I see what you did there...:D
I'm joking. But even if I will say nothing against you escaping Math class with this fic, good luck on your exams, dude. Can you read and listen to the teacher at the same time? Or do you read and totally drone out the teacher and hear nothing else? :D
About your quote...maybe the person who said that usually said lies when being asked a question. So instead of saying more lies, he's like, "Yo, dude, if you don' wanna hear me ol' lies, then stop asking yer questions, yo!"
Risa Silvara
I'm honored, thanks. :D And as for Meilin's innocence, well I'll be emphasizing it's being-a-hindrance-to-le-Earl in the next chapters. Always planned it like that. :D Can't have Meilin being the all-seeing little exorcist, right?
Akumu Lee Crimson
Yo, mehn! I miss yo reviews! You haven't been reviewing for a while, and I was hoping to read more from you. :D As much as I'd like to answer your questions...they're all spoilers, so I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out more! :D
Phr33k
Yeah, gotta put up some limitations for lil' Meilin. She'd be too useful. Can't have that, right? :D Or...I could make her see the WHOLE of the Earl's plan, and have her suddenly DIE from exhaustion. Nah, joking bout that one. :)
SignInBeDamn
YOU READ PERCY JACKSON? I do too! DOESN'T ANNABETH JUST RAISE THE CAMPAIGN FOR SMART BLONDES? AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR MARK OF ATHENA!
Oh, sorry, straining away from subject. But I guess she'll be like Rachel...throw in the whole fainting-thing as well. :D
"If you have time to worry about a happy ending, why not just live happily untill that end?
^ I just have to agree with that. Before we worry about the future, we have to live the present first. Besides, if you're just going to sit there worrying about the future, then you might as well be forgetting that the present reflects EVERYTHING in the future-
Wait a minute! You guys turning me into some Confucius? :D Joking. Love your quotes, guys.
Aika-tan
Got nothing to say, either. :D EXCEPT THAT I LOOOVE YOUR NEW PROFILE PICTUUUUREE! 3
Well, here's for today. Imma stop typing already and change my profile picture into Elin, like I said. Tata! Till the next chapter! Please review, no matter how uber short this chapter is.