„Speaking"
„Thoughts"
„Neah talking telepathic"
Scarlet-Nin: Wow! 70 Followers, I am flattered! Thank you all so much! ^^ And your Reviews are really heartwarming. I apologize if the Chapter isn´t so great, but at least I got it done. ^^´ Anyway please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own -Man!
Chapter 19
With Tyki
Tyki ran through the forest as fast as he could. Heart beating fast and out of breathe. It had been a long time since Tyki felt fear like now. This ice cold feeling that ripped your heart tightly, squeezing till it hurt like hell. Freezing you in your tracks, unable to breathe. Making you shake and tremble. This time it was not even the exciting fear, he got when he was up against a Challenge. A strong Exorcist, not these weak pathetic kids who are fighting in this war now.
That cold, but at the same time burning Golden gaze that judged him. The clear promise of death in the pits of his copies eyes. The hatred and thirst for revenge, that would normally excited Tyki, just made the blood in his veins freeze. It was bone chilling.
Tyki finally stopped when he was out of the forest. He wiped the cold sweat of his forehead and sighed. "I think I will have nightmares for the next century. If this was Road´s and Lulubell´s idea of a joke….no, even they couldn´t have pulled it off like that." He muttered as he combed through his hair with his hand.
Who wouldn't be scared shitless when someone who could pass of as your twin showed up and looked like he was a second from gutting you? Tyki didn´t even feel shame for running away like that. He certainly didn´t want to stick around to see if that….guy was going through with it.
Tyki felt his tense form relax as he looked around. Behind him was the forest and in front of him he could see a land road. The sky was dark and Tyki had enough of this shit for now.
"I will ask the Earl to open a gate for me." Tyki didn´t feel like he could talk to anybody right now. He lit up another Cigarette and felt immediately more calm. As he watched the smoke rise into the air he felt a sense of peace.
"Now, what do I do about Wisley?" Tyki thought worried. Wisley couldn´t give someone their privacy if his life depended on it. Tyki gritted his teeth in annoyance and frustration. "Well, he will keep quiet if he knows what´s good for him…" Tyki trailed of as he let the Cigarette fall onto the ground. He crushed it with his foot and walked on. The Earl would open a gate for him if he was a bit further away from the scene. Better be safe than sorry, before that Psycho Copy of him came back. Tyki shivered and walked a bit faster.
Somewhere else.
I watched snowflakes fall from the sky. The darkening sky fascinating me. They slowly fell, as light as a feather. The cold wind blowing against my face. The only thing holding me warm was my clothing and the large hand that was warped around my own tiny one in comparison to his.
A grin spread across my face as I enjoyed this comforting gesture. Now thinking back, it was a good idea to follow him, even if I just did it because he felt familiar. That was the first time someone made me feel safe and I took the chance and clung to it as tightly as I could. That warm and inviting gentle smile. That humor, ….it made me feel like there was still hope, because I finally found someone who would be with me since so long.
How I yearned for someone, anyone to accept me. I didn't want to be alone. I-I couldn´t stand it. I looked down onto the snow covered ground and he stopped. I almost slipped on the smoothness of the light ice frozen road, but balanced myself in time. It had advantages when you worked for the circus after all.
I looked up at him in confusion and there. There was it again. That smile that calmed me down whenever I got to scared or upset. He took a stick from the ground nearby and I watched him now utterly clueless. He only chuckled and drew a circle on the ground.
He looked up and I felt like I understood. I slowly took the stick from him and began to draw symbols into the snow. After I finished I felt my heart clench as I starred at the symbols I had drawn seconds ago. I didn´t know why. My frustration grew.
It was just stupid symbols anyway! What made them so important for me to feel so bad!? I dropped the stick and looked at him in hope he could help me. I-I didn´t want to hurt. For a second, a face so similar to his but only younger with shorter hair flashed into my mind and I was terrified. My heartbeat increased slightly and a tear trailed down my cheek. My hands were shaking as I wiped the tear away hastily.
Something warm landed on my head and I looked up. "It´s alright, Allen. I am here. That ….drawing will be our secret, okay? Just the two of us now. Stop crying, please. I am not going anywhere. Come here." His voice so warm and understanding. He opened his arms and I jumped. Warm arms pulled me into a strong, protective, comforting hug.
"I-It hurts. A-And I d-don´t know WHY!" I sobbed quietly as I snuggled closer to his chest. The warmth making me feel safe. He rubbed my back gently and hugged me tighter. I felt more tears escape my eyes and felt shame color my cheeks red.
"The pain will lessen. I promise. Now isn´t that a great keyword? That is our promise! Always keep walking remember, Allen? Now, take my hand and let´s go. We have to go somewhere after all! Also please stop crying, what good father would I be if I made my son cry? A terrible one!" He cried while he covered his eyes with his arm. He tried to cheer me up with his dramatic antics and it worked.
I rolled my eyes and tried to hide my giggling as I took his hand. I felt my heart jump in joy when he said the word father. I never had one and it just generally made me feel all warm and stuff, no matter how cheesy it sounds. It always made me feel happy. He smiled at me and we began to walk again. I, no longer thought about the lyrics, forgot the face of the man who looked like my most precious person. Just being with Mana made me happy.
Later on I would learn, that he was a dirty lair as he left me heartbroken and all alone in front of his gravestone.
Change of Scene.
It was so loud. My ears rung and I felt blood drip down my chin. As I looked around wildly I felt myself panic. Around me everything was shattered. Buildings were completely gone, only a few rocks and stones remained. The ground was stained with blood.
Explosions were heard. I felt like it was a nightmare. "Ouch!" I hissed in pain, only noticing now that I had a few injuries. Nothing mature but it still hurt. I was fine somehow, if you ignored that almost my whole clothes were soaked in blood and my left sleeve of my shirt was missing.
I watched as smoke rose and hid them from my vision. I couldn´t see. As frustrated as I was, I didn´t notice how nobody but us three were here it seemed. Nobody was in sight only this gory picture of destruction.
I ran towards the large cause of destruction, ignoring the burning pain in my left arm. The only thing that mattered was stopping them! As I got nearer the smoke cleared up and screaming was heard.
"HOW DARE YOU!" I heard the furious cry. It was Neah! I remember now. I saw him jump out of the way of some sort of freaky attack. He swung his sword down in fury and a large crater formed on the ground. His face had bruises and a bit of blood on it, his clothes had blood all over. His sword was soaked in blood.
"…you p-promised to be always by my side! You broke it! BROKEITBROKEITBROKEIT! I WON´T FORGIVE YOU!" A completely insane Adam- no Mana!? screeched as he attacked with something like balloons. He was always fond of the circus.
His hair was open and a mess, tears were streaming down his face like a river and his Golden eyes were filled with hatred, sadness, desperation and anger. I felt my throat closed up as I remembered what we promised him. I grit my teeth and pushed my body to go faster.
I saw what Neah did in the mansion. The bodies….I shook my head to get rid of the imagines. "No time for that!" I thought determined. The pain in my arm was getting stronger with every minute that passed. That was strange….didn´t something happen to it a while back? I must have hit my head harder than I thought…
"YOU KILLED MANA! I HATE YOU! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO HURT ALLEN TOO?!" Neah seethed livid. His eyes seemed suspiciously wet. I flinched a bit at the tone of his voice. He never used that tone with anyone. Least of all on someone he cared about. He was a panting a bit. His face showed almost no pain just strong loathing towards Adam-or was it Mana!? But I knew he was deeply hurt….I could always tell if I looked into his eyes. He was like an open book to me if I had enough time to study his face.
Mana seemed to get angrier. " IT WAS MANA´S FAULT! IT´S ALL HIS FAULT! A-ALLEN HAD INNOCENCE!" Mana growled back as he attacked again, this time he pierced straight through Neah´s stomach to my horror. Neah stumbled back in surprise, dropping his sword accidently. He fell flat on his back.
Mana was panting and looking confused and horrified at the same time. He made no move to attack anymore. I am sure now, that this confused and frozen like stone person was Mana. Only he could pull of a look like that. But I didn´t care about him right now.
"NEAH!" I screamed out finally using my voice. Before I couldn´t say anything at all, too concentrated on getting them to stop and find a plan.
My heartbroken and shaky scream seemed to get the attention of the two. I felt something warm and soft lay itself around my shoulders and it lashed out, sending Mana a few meters away. It glowed white. My arm didn´t hurt anymore, I dully noticed.
I kneed down next to Neah and tried to press my hand onto his wound to stop the bleeding. "But why i-isn´t it stopping?! He should heal damned it!" Tears dropped down at Neah´s relief filled and surprised face.
He reached out a hand to touch my face. He wiped my tears away gently and his eyes soften from a sharp Golden to that of a warm candle flame. I bit my lip to hold in my sobs. H-he couldn´t leave me now! W-What would I do without him!? H-He made me feel l-like someone special. He was always there!
His face looked tired all of a sudden. "H-hey…..n-not that I am…not glad…t-that…your still alive….but he cut…o-of your arm…didn´t h-he?" Neah chocked out with a smile that would have made my stomach fluttered even if I didn´t want to admit it. But now it looked so out of place on his broken and bloodied form. I have never seen him so fragile. It didn´t suit him at all.
Destruction shouldn´t look so breakable.
"H-He did….I…guess…I-Innocence helped me out, h-huh?" I stammered as I in vain tried to stop the bleeding. I felt hopeless right now. It wasn´t Neah´s time to die now! Why wasn´t my Magic healing him!? Situations like these were what I trained for!
I couldn´t contain my sobs any longer. "P-Please don´t -sob- leave m-me a-alone!" I begged him. It would break me. Please anyone but him! Neah gave me a pained look and I felt guilty at demanding such a thing. How selfish of me to make him feel guilt when he was dying right in front of my own eyes.
"S-Sorry,….do me a f-favor…would y-you?" Neah gasped out cheeky with a grin. I finally pulled my hand back from the wound, knowing that even my healing magic couldn´t heal something so drastic if the Noah genes couldn´t. I grabbed his hand and held it tightly. Noticing that it was cooler than normal. The weak heartbeat as I clung to his hand like it was my life line.
I nodded quickly. "A-Anything!" I sniffed. His eyes were slowly closing. NO! He needed to h-hang on!
"…always…k-keep…walking…o-okay?" With that he pulled me down and our lips met. It was just a short bittersweet kiss. Like Neah was trying to say goodbye through a kiss. As I watched these lovely Golden eyes that I grew so found of close forever, I felt something break and snap in me at the same time.
His hand went slack in my grip and I slowly pulled back. His body was getting colder. The cloak of pure white that had that protective and comforting feeling to it, was no longer sensible to me. I just felt cold, empty and broken.
"….d-didn´t mean to! Mana´s fault! HeKilledourFamily!" I heard Mana ramble and rant and felt anger swell up in me. It wasn´t fair. Neah´s time hadn´t come yet, but he still laid in front of me on the cold dirty ground in his own pool of blood. Never to open his eyes again. I couldn´t see that sparkling, mischievous Golden gaze that I was so found of anymore.
I heard Mana stand up and walk over to us. My gaze still locked onto Neah´s beaten broken form. I couldn´t take it anymore. "NEAH!" It just exploded out of me that desperate, longing cry. I tried to sob, but it felt like my tears were all used up now.
"H-huh, looks like I can´t even cry anymore…they are all dried up n-now." I muttered sadly as I looked up at the sky that was a dark grey.
I slowly turned around when I saw Mana staring at me with a look on his face I couldn´t identify. He opened his mouth to say something and everything got blurry.
"NE-AH!" I gasped out as I ripped my eyes open in fright. My gasp was raspy and shaky. My heart beat was pounding up to my ears. I felt something spring up beside me in surprise. I saw somebody leaning over me and holding me down gently. I tried to push up ignoring how I had no left arm.
"I need to see Neah!" That was the only thing in my mind now. I was still so confused about the whole Mana thing and all but I would figure it out later. When I was fully sure that Neah was alive and breathing. And not bathing in his own blood!
"Calm down, Allen!" a male voice pleaded and I stopped for a short moment. That voice sounded familiar. I focused on the face above me and my jaw dropped.
"N-Narain!?" I stuttered out in disbelief. He grinned and relaxed. Sitting back down in his chair. "Yep!" He answered cheerfully.
Third Perspective.
Narain was a boy with brown gingerish short hair. He had a white cloak on. He wore black jeans and a dark green shirt. He had kind brown eyes as he looked fondly at Allen.
"It had been so long since we saw each other." Narain sighed in nostalgia and perked up when he remembered something. He jumped up from his seat and began fussing over Allen.
"Are you alright!? Wait- stupid question of course you are not! Don´t even try to deny it with that "I am fine" nonsense crap!" Narain scolded as Allen closed his mouth again. Allen just sat there while Narain was mothering him.
"Still like that even after all these years, huh?" Allen thought warmly as he thought back. Narain was always looking out for him. Always nagging him about his health. He watched as Narain scribbled something on a clipboard and then hurriedly laid it away.
"Now, please tell me what´s wrong with that Yandere-uncle of yours." Narain deadpanned with a grin. Allen flinched as he remembered the dream- no memory.
"He isn´t a Yandere!" Allen retorted back with not much force. Narain raised an eyebrow. Allen sighed and grumbled. "So maybe he is a bit psycho…" Allen admitted with a scowl. Narain snorted.
"Understatement of the year. He is a total Psycho who would do everything for you, because he loves you, now in my eyes that´s enough reason for him to be called a Yandere." Narain explained as he leaned back in his chair with a grin. Allen rolled his eyes.
"I kept telling you that reading these kind of books will be bad for you. But no don´t listen to me." Allen muttered as he sighed and looked around. Trying to call Neah through his bound.
Narain smirked. "Well, if I would listen to you, then you would probably be dead already, Mister. I-am-totally-fine-even-if-I-am-bleeding-to-death." He shot back and watched as Allen bristled slightly.
"…I am here Allen." A familiar voice assured him gently. Allen´s heart stopped for a second. His eyes widen and he knew that Narain would worry if he suddenly went all quiet but he focused on his bound right now.
"Neah…" Allen breathed out in relief. Neah smiled sadly. He tried to hold back his giddiness at hearing that Allen was awake and well. "Missed me? I must say, I had quiet the heart attack when I saw you lying seemingly dead on the forest ground." Neah commented in an odd voice.
Allen flinched back in guilt. "I-I am sorry….I-!" Allen tried to apologize but Neah cut him off. "I know. Don´t worry. I am not mad or anything. There´s something you wanted to talk about, right? We can talk later. I have to keep going." Neah answered softly with a kind smile. Allen felt like a burden was dropped from his shoulders.
Neah wasn´t mad at him! And he was alive! Allen only nodded. That was one of the great things in his bound with Neah. They could feel each others emotions if they wanted to. An addition to it was that Allen could see Neah in the surfaces of everything that reflected his image.
As Allen came back to reality he saw Narain pouting like a child and sitting in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. Narain narrowed his at him and he shrunk back.
"Finished?" He asked annoyed. Allen smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry." Allen laughed nervously. Narain sighed and rolled his eyes. "I hate it when you talk like that. Not everybody can talk telepathic, like you two can!" Narain complained as he stood up. Allen grinned at him.
Narain blinked at him and Allen felt confused. It was like Narain was waiting for a reaction from him. "Allen…do you feel different?" Narain asked carefully as he looked away. Allen shook his head.
"No why?...OH MY GOD! MY ARM!" Allen cried out in shock as he finally noticed his missing arm. How could he have missed such an important detail!?
Narain stepped back and waved his arms trying to calm Allen down. "I-It isn´t so bad! You can get your Innocence back! It´s the main reason, why you are still alive!" Narain rambled and quickly tried to stop the hysteric building up in Allen. Allen turned to Narain in panic with a disbelieving expression.
"I don´t have my arm! How can I be an Exorcist like that!? How can I be a destroyer that saves people without it!" Allen hissed at him with such desperation, you would think he lost his family.
Narain flung himself at Allen and hugged him for all he was worth. Allen stiffened but relaxed after a few moments. "Calm down. We will find a solution together. ….You had no idea hold long I waited to hug you again. After she died all I had was you. So take care. I don´t want to lose another sibling." Narain muttered into Allen´s head as he hugged him. Allen felt regret and hugged Narain back.
"Yeah, you are right. I apologize, I will be more carefull from now on." Allen answered Narain as they pulled back. Narain smiled. "Well, even if you don´t do it, I will watch out for you. After all I finally managed to make my dream come true! I am an excellent Doctor now! Offically working for the Asian branch here!" Narain cheered with a large smile. Allen chocked.
"R-Really?! That´s great!" Allen smiled back. Narain deserved it. He was one of the kindest and passionate people he knew. It would have taken something drastic to stop Narain from not worrying about the health of others.
"Ah! Before I forget it, there are a few people who would like to meet you!" Narain told Allen with a mischievous grin. He took a deep breath and yelled.
"EVERYBODY! ALLEN`S AWAKE! HURRAY!" Narain waited a second before he heard loud footsteps coming down the hall. Allen watched with wide eyes as people barraged into his room.
"Finally!"
"Is he alright?!"
"I will kick your ass next time brat if you dare to kick me out again!"
"Is everything okay?"
"How is Walker doing?-Eek!"
"BAK-SAMA!"
Allen and Narain only sweat dropped at the chaos that stormed through his room. Narain sighed and clapped his hands.
"Okay, okay. Now let´s start the introductions!" He pointed at an orange haired short woman. She looked mean and pissed off.
"This here is the wonderful, friendly and kind Fou!" Narain cheered and watched as Fou narrowed her pink colored eyes at him. She hit him over the head. Narain winced but continued.
"These three here are Riki, Shifu and Rofha! They are all Scientists and brilliant ones at that!" Narain praised with a smirk. Rofha, a girl with round glasses and tow braided ponytails blushed to the color of a tomato while Shifu, an Asian looking boy and Riki, a bit taller than Shifu with brown short colored hair nodded at Allen. They smiled. Allen nodded back with a smile.
"So h-handsome!" Rofha squealed in her head. Her whole body felt warm when she looked at Allen.
"Here are the last two! This is the branch chef Bak Chang and the old but wise Whong!" Narain pointed at a short blonde haired man that was currently trying to hide his reddening face and a worried old man who was trying to help the blonde.
Bak stood up straight and coughed into his fist. He walked over to Allen and looked at him with a smile.
"I am head Chef Bak Chang. It´s a pleasure to have you hear. Hopefully we can work to get your Innocence back to full power. But be warned it isn´t going to be easy." Bak stated seriously. Allen looked determined and smirked.
"Like it was easy till now. I will take everything you throw at me with a smile on my face." Allen replied confidently with a grin. The others smiled and Fou smirked.
"Then be prepared for everything, Walker!" She sneered with a dark grin. Allen only smiled amused and nodded. "Of course." He assured. Allen´s head snapped into Bak´s direction and he tried to get out of bed. The others looked ready to protest.
"Get back to bed, young man! I am serious Allen! This is your last warning!" Narain threatened with a frown.
"What about the European Branch!? Or Lavi! Or Lenalee!" Allen inquired with furrowed brows. Bak blushed at the name of Lenalee but quickly shook his head.
"Don´t worry. We informed Komui about your situation. You can talk to them later on the phone if you want to?" Bak explained with a smile. Allen nodded and relaxed. He stood up and stretched.
"When can we start?" Allen asked ager and excited. Bak blinked in surprise.
"Wh-What!?" He stuttered out. The boy had a hole in his heart a few days ago and now he was up and wanted to train!?
Fou smirked. "I like you. You aren´t so much of a sissy as I thought you would be." She teased while she walked out of the room with her arms behind her head. Allen felt his eye twitch.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment!?" Allen stated unsure and a bit offended. The rest chuckled.
"It´s the best you will get from Fou right now. Be grateful she didn´t kick you like she did to Bak, when she doesn´t like his answer." Narain joked while he checked over Allen´s chest again.
Allen rolled his eyes. "Seriously. I can´t catch a break, can I?" Allen thought depressed. "Nope~!" Neah cheered. "The question wasn´t directed at you! I thought you had work to do!?" Allen asked forcefully. Neah grinned. "I have, just took a short break to answer you." He informed. Allen didn´t belief him one bit. Neah was to hundred procent slacking again.
"Walker, rest a bit then we will get started." Bak informed him as they left the room. Allen nodded with a smile and waved. He slumped back onto his bed and breathed out in exhaustion.
"I will just rest my eyes for a bit." Allen thought sleepy. He yawned and drifted off.