(Hello everyone! So here's the first chapter-last one was the prologue. The AU bit starts just about here. Some events from the main storyline might be included but it's not likely. This story will be kinda short, depends on how much I progress it in each chapter. Then I'm planning on writing a second story to it.
-I'm almost 100% sure that the Branch Komui oversees is the European Branch. If that's wrong I apologize
-This chapter is in Allen's POV
Hope you enjoy!
The European Branch was cleaned up in a matter of days. Construction was currently in progress and was said to be done in the following month. Retrieving Innocence had been put on hold except for those Exorcists already in the field. With the help of Allen, Head Branch members were sent back using the Ark. The Generals save for Cross had already left.
I was getting slightly annoyed. Now I didn't mind Link, it was just having the guy follow me everywhere I went-bathroom, lunch, to sleep-was starting to get on my nerves. I glanced at Link and sighed. I'd have to put up with it, if I didn't...Link had already informed me that I was under investigation. And what could happen if I was found guilty.
"Where are we going?" Link asked nonchalantly.
I turned my head towards the man and replied, "Just walking. Since missions are suspended for now there's nothing really to do." Link nodded slowly his eyes focusing in on me. I gave him a smile and turned back forward feeling nervous. I had a feeling that guy already thinks I'm suspicious!
They rounded a corner and continued down a long hallway. On the windows the soft pitter-patter of rain could be heard. Dark clouds were in the sky and hid the moonlight. It was quiet in the corridor as the pair walked. My thoughts wandered with each step.
I hadn't seen Master in a while. According to Lavi he's hasn't left-of course he's being investigated too. But if he's still here, then why haven't I seen him yet?
"I think we should head back, it's getting late."
I stopped to faced Link. I'd forgotten the man liked to turn in early. "Of course, let's go."
We turned and began to head back the way we came, when a loud laugh stopped me in my tracks. I snapped my head towards the door we were passing. That laugh, was unmistakably familiar!
Link's mouth opened to stop me as my hands reached forward to fling open the door. But his protests came too late and light washed over the two of them. When my eyes focused I saw just who I thought I'd find sitting across the room a woman latched onto an arm, and booze in another.
An irk mark appeared on my head and I began to march forward, irritated that he could be so relaxed when we were both being investigated. "What the hell are you doing Ma-"
An arm was flung out and dug into my chest, preventing me from going any further. I looked sideways at Link who was glaring at me. "Contact with General Cross is prohibited. Please return to your room, it's late."
My grey eyes widened in disbelief. I pushed the arm away and took a step back, moving my gaze towards Cross who was watching me. "Prohibited? By who?!"
Link glanced back at Cross, breaking the long stare at me before replying, "I'm not allowed to-"
"Oi babysitter. Allow me a few minutes alone with my apprentice won't you?" In the meantime, Cross had stood. He faced Link with an intimidating stare.
Link scoffed quietly at the nickname but seemed unfazed by the look he was being given. "And why would I do that?"
"No reason. But I'm feeling a bit restless. I might not feel the same willingness as I am now to comply with your demands."
I narrowed my eyes. What demands?
Link gritted his teeth, clearly unhappy. "Fine. Two minutes. Nothing more. And woman, you come with me." The woman who'd been at Cross' side hurried to her feet then rushed out of the room, not saying anything in the heavy atmosphere.
Once the door closed, I turned to Cross. The man had just set down his cup of alcohol and let out a sigh. Not wanting to waste anymore time I asked, "What's going on? Why aren't we allowed to talk? And why are we being-"
"Quiet." A flame flickered as Cross lit a cigarette. Seconds ticked by as he exhaled, smoke filled the air. "It's too much too fully explain now. But we're both being investigated for under suspicion of being in league with the Earl." Seeing how I was about to comment on that Cross silenced me with a glare, then continued. "Listen, don't speak. There's something interesting going on in the lower levels here. If you can manage to give your sitter the slip, check it out. But if you get caught, you'll only be placed under more suspicion."
I gulped. "And how does this relate to our situation?"
"It doesn't. If you go along with the sitter and he doesn't find you to be suspicious you're fine. But you only have a few months to check it out. Doing it puts you at risk. But it-"
A door flung opened banging against the wall and cutting Cross off from whatever he was going to say. Link stood there, pocketwatch in hand. "Time's up, Walker if you will."
I bit the inside of my cheek, looking once at Cross before exiting the room. The walk back was silent. Now I was more confused than before I'd met with the man. What could be down there that has Cross intrested? This made me curious, I had to find out. Even if it jeopardized the chance at clearing my name.
It was three in the morning when I opened my eyes. The rain still poured outside and water trailed down the window. Across the room Link snored soundly on the other bed. Hopefully at this time of night everyone would be sleeping like him. As quiet as I could, I stood up and made my way to the door. As far as I knew Link hadn't made any precautions that stopped me from leaving in the middle of the night. He probably thought I wouldn't try.
The elevator wasn't that far from where I was. I glanced quickly behind me to make sure Link hadn't noticed my absence and was pursuing me. I walked for a few more seconds until I spotted the elevators doors just up ahead. My pace increased into a jog until my finger slammed against the button to go down.
A weak smile grew on my face and I ran a hand through my white hair. The nerves were getting the best of me. A ding sounded as the elevator arrived, the doors opened and warm light spilled out. With one last look around, I took a step forward.
My nerves began to settle once I saw the elevator's doors close. I had yet to push a button to signal its direction. My eyes scanned the buttons, each labeled for each level of the building. There was the ground floor where the boats were, above were floors one and two. Are those the lower levels Cross talked about?
But I had a feeling that'd be too easy. Cross was talking about something else, and like everything with him I'd have to work to find it. I kneeled down in front of the buttons and ran my hands on the metal surface surrounding it. I thought my search would end in vain but I soon found what I was looking for.
My fingers bumped against a panel. It was the same color as the elevator and was invisible unless you already knew it was there. A feeling of triumph came over him and slowly, I pried it open. Surprisingly it came open with less force than necessary. Inside was a small button labeled 0.
This had to be it. Without hesitation, I pushed it.
Immediately elevator began its descent. I leaned against the elevator's back wall and waited for another ding and the doors to open. Five minutes passed before ding sounded and open slid the doors.
Before me was a dark hallway, it's ending unknown. This was someplace I'd never been before, much less knew about. But since I was already here it'd be pointless to go back.
I brought a hand to the wall and felt my way as I walked. It wasn't long before I came to a door. My eyes narrowed and I became quiet to listen on the other side of it. The only thing my ears picked up was the whirr of machinery.
I pursed my lips, but before I could get anymore second thoughts, I gripped the door handle and pushed it open. I stood there for a moment waiting for something to happen; an alarm, being spotted, an object dropping onto my head.
I let out a sigh of relief when nothing did. I was in a lab. Dull light emitted from the lights above, machines gave off a quiet hum. And-I froze in my spot.
There were two people-thankfully asleep. I recognized them as Johnny and Regory. This only piqued my curiosity more. In front of them was some sort of tube, I'd noticed it before but now that I looked at it the thing seemed to be the center of attention in this room. Quietly I walked over and wiped my hand on the foggy glass, and what I saw caused me to take a step back.
Inside was a person, not just a person although. The girl who was in there had stigmatas across her forehead and her skin was a light grey. The realization struck me, now I knew why Cross was so interested. The girl in the tube was a Noah.
(Hopefully it didn't seem rushed! Until next time!)
