"I have an idea." Bak looked confidant in his idea he had yet to spill, and Fou was growing impatient. Allen had been content to watch the other two's interaction, until Fou included him in the conversation.
"We're waiting with anticipation." Fou said, her smile resembling a smirk. Bak didn't seem to notice, or he simply didn't pay Fou's playful bait any attention.
"Tell us what you're thinking," Allen encouraged. Bak did so happily.
"I was thinking along the lines of last time you were here Allen. Fou, you're going to spar Allen like before, but instead of regaining innocence," Bak made a point to meet the boy's watchful eyes, "you'll be regaining control."
"I have a question," Fou interjected. Before the other could speak, she continued. "Can you be more specific? 'Control?"
"Great question Fou," Bak praised, looking excited to explain further. "By sparring with each other, not only did the innocence and exorcist's strength and compatibility become stronger, it overall became more stable. Do you follow me so far?" Fou nodded a yes, and Allen responded with an eager yes. Bak continued. "It's possible that over time Allen's compatibility with his innocence has weakened with the noah slowly becoming more stronger. So, by using our original plan, I believe that we can suppress the 14th by once more strengthening the innocence." Fou wasn't sure about her friends plan of action.
"Doesn't that seem too simple?" she purposed. Allen's face also shared a look of uncertainty.
"I'm sorry Bak, but I have to agree with Fou. It's almost too easy," Allen said, speaking gently. He hated doubting the plan, but it was also easy to do so. "We're dealing with dark matter and noah. If dark matter were that simple to defeat, exorcists wouldn't be so high in demand. Are you sure about this?" Bak considered the boy's concerns before answering.
"Honestly, I don't believe this idea is one hundred percent likely to work. I won't lie to you. But, I do believe without a doubt that this will help. We can start simple, and began by managing the problem: the problem being the 14th and its control. So, I purpose said plan for the time being, and if new problems arise, we'll work on plan B together." Fou turned sideways from where she was sitting on the edge of Allen's bed to face him. Fou smiled, looking more sure of everything.
"I think it's worth a shot. What's the worst that happens? I kick your ass for no reason?" Allen laughed.
"Who says I won't kick your ass? I can hold my own." She scoffed. "Do you doubt me?" he asked, indulging Fou's game.
"The chances of that happening are as likely as Kanda finding romance," Fou jeered. "That boy is stubborn as a mule." Allen found his opportunity.
"What if I told you that Lenalee took a liking to Kanda?" Fou looked skeptical. She retorted, "I don't believe you. I find that highly improbable." The boy was mildly amused with the girls disbelief and denial. Bak who seemed content to just observing, added his own comment.
"Would you say, Kanda and Lenalee I mean, are together?" Bak was pretty sure Allen wouldn't make such a thing up, but he wanted confirmation just to be one hundred percent positive.
Allen having forgotten about the man's feelings for his friend, gently confirmed his notion, meeting Fou's doubtful expression. "I've seen it with my own eyes. They make quite the cute couple." Fou matched her friend's wit, making herself comfortable on the bed.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Fou was always good at making a bleak situation somehow more positive; less daunting. Bak chuckled, really to himself. He wasn't head over heels in love with the girl, but still cared for her none the less. He simply relaxed, taking in the lively exchange. Fou was already a handful, but throwing Allen in the mix again was sure to make things interesting around the headquarters once more.
Lenalee had packed and now waited patiently in her brother's office. Her hands fidgeted with the black handle of her sole piece of luggage. The sound of the door opening signaled Komui's return. He carried a small bag with him.
"Lenalee, prompt as usual." He checked the time on the wall. "Early actually." The girl grinned ear to ear.
"I'm excited to leave! It's been awhile since I've left headquarters for anything other than a mission." In her opinion, the last trip she and Kanda had taken to meet their friends had been too long ago. Lenelee was ready for a change of scenery. By no means was the exorcist unhappy with life at the European branch, living with her brother and extended family.
However, as of late circumstances had taken a darker turn and the atmosphere of the order wasn't what it used to be. Lavi, Allen, Kanda, Miranda, everyone made the reality of their occupation worthwhile. With Lavi sitting in his cell deemed a traitor and Allen most likely dead, (she was almost positive this was the truth), Lenalee needed to clear her head. Komui handed his sister the bag he had been holding.
"This will cover your train tickets to the Asian Branch and back. Be safe, and don't talk to strangers," he gently warned. She laughed.
"I'm not little anymore brother. I'll be safe, I promise you that. I can kick butt when I need to," she confidently assured Komui's concerned look. He looked less worried and sat down beside Lenalee on the couch.
"Be sure to phone if you need to. Bak will let you use his golem to communicate with ours. I'll let you go now, I don't want you missing your train on my account." Komui pulled his little sister into a hug, and she happily let him.
She grinned encouragingly. "I'll be back before you know it," Lenalee said. Lenalee didn't like the sad smile that her brother wore. Komui let the girl go, determined to look more happier.
"I'm sure you will. You'll have a great trip." Komui added. The two walked together making idle conversation until Lenalee made it to the underground route they took to leave the order. One last goodbye, the siblings parted ways. Komui watched until his little sister was consumed by the dark of the tunnel. He made the trek back in silence. At the usual turn he would take to go to his office, Komui went the opposite direction. He found the door he sought. Knocking softly, assuming this person would still be awake, he waited. The door opened.
"Komui. What can I do for you?" The samurai looked surprised at who is visitor was. Komui answered, with a question in return: "Can I come in?"
"Of course," Kanda stepped back, opening the door more widely. Komui stepped in, pulling the chair that sat pulled out from the desk to a more comfortable spot by the bed.
"I wanted to talk to you. If you had the time of course." Kanda eyed the project that sat waiting for him on his desk. Kanda decided that it could wait. Kanda sat on his bed. He was curious what the chief wanted to speak to him about. Komui read the others face. Kanda was interested, but wasn't going to push the other to talk until they were ready.
"How is Lenalee lately?" Komui asked. Kanda figure his elder was starting with small talk. He went along with it.
"She's good. She's been keeping herself busy." Kanda knew by the man's expression as of late that he was worried about his sister. Komui had noticed the girl running to and from different tasks, clearly trying to stay busy as of late. She was probably trying to distract herself from the news of her friend's unfortunate circumstances.
"How are you Kanda?" Komui asked. Kanda wasn't really feeling up to small talk anymore.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, Komui. However, if you want to tell me something, you don't have to beat around the bush." The elder of the two found the boy's blunt approach refreshing. "Of course Kanda," Komui smiled small.
"I need to be honest with you." The serious tone and expression to match it spoke for itself. Kanda immediately gave one-hundred percent of his focus to his superior. Looking to make sure that the door had been closed completly, Komui continued. "Allen isn't dead." Surprised was not nearly accurate in describing the samurai's feeling. Silence, and then he asked quietly: "Does Lenalee know?" Komui nodded.
"She will soon enough. She needed some time away from everything so I sent her to the Asian Branch. I figured it would be good for her to see Allen in person," Komui explained. Kanda wiped a drop of water from falling.
"Thank you for telling me Komui." Komui nodded, standing, returning the chair to the desk. "My pleasure. I'm relieved you two will both know the truth now. I know how difficult it's been." Komui glanced at the content of the desks surface. A sewing needle attached to red thread, and then the red ribbon itself. The man smiled; this time it felt real.
"Good night Kanda." Komui bid the boy goodbye for the night, wanting to give the other time to themselves, time to process the good news.
Lenalee had been on the train for a few hours now, usually having fallen asleep by now. Her mind was racing with anticipation. Her brother had never sent her so far before merely because of a project the order was conducting. She trusted him, and he knew that. Staring out the window into the growing dark that covered everything the eye could see, Lenalee waited eagerly for her stop.
Eventually, the train employee coming down the rows of passengers awoke Lenalee who had managed to fall asleep at some point.
"Next stop: London!" they called. London. It had been awhile since she'd been here with the others. Lacie street sure brought back memories. She smiled fondly at the anger Kanda had admitted to her upon returning to the order, regarding Lacie Street that one trip so long ago. Thirty minutes later, the train rolled to a stop, the train whistle signaling the obvious. Lenalee hadn't planned on getting off here as the train was still headed in the direction she needed to go, but she also wanted to see more of the town.
'Maybe I can catch more sleep," she hoped. Something hit the window from the outside. She jumped slightly, definitely awake now. The tapping hadn't stopped. Focusing on the object right outside the window as best she could, Lenalee could tell the thing was definitely gold.
"Could it be?" She had to know. If she missed her train there would be another tomorrow. Lenalee hurried to gather her trunk and hurried off the train before it departed. Getting in the line that had formed of passengers going to the same place, she got off in time.
Looking around, whatever it had been seeming to be gone. She wandered a little further, hoping to spot whatever it was. A few more minutes passed, and she sighed.
'It was too good to be true,' she thought, facing reality. Something had landed on her head, grabbing the girl's attention. A moment of fear turned quickly to joy, as the golem's golden wings and tail draped into Lenalee's line of vision.
"Timcanpy! It is you!" She exclaimed. Hurrying past the people who had stopped and looked their way upon hearing her shout, Lenalee found a spot out of sight.
"What are you doing here Tim? How'd you find me?" She grinned, realizing how much she had missed the golem. Timcanpy having rested on the girl's open palms, nodded, making sure Lenalee saw him. He flew slowly towards a side ally. She followed without doubt. Wherever it was taking her, it had never given any of them reason to mistrust the golden golem. Entering the ally, they were the only two present. Then, and familiar white panels. It was the Ark.
Lenalee knew that had to mean one thing. And she was very happy. She followed Timcanpy into the gate eagerly. The destination, no matter what it was, was perfect.
I look forward to reading what you all think about the new chapter. I know it's a few days late, but Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I encourage you to review and share you're thoughts on the chapter. Keep being awesome and read on :)