Nothing important to say, really.
Answer: Akahato is a mix between 'Aka', which means 'red' and 'hato', which means 'pigeon'. I don't speak japanese, so I seriously doubt it's accurate, but if you didn't catch quite yet, Aryane has red hair and her Innocence is wings.
There you go. Enjoy!
I groaned when sunlight hit my closed eyelids.
Wait.
Morning?
Rubbing my eyes to get rid of the oncoming headache, I slowly took in my surroundings. Plain walls, an open window, a very uncomfortable bed, an IV in my arm, a flower vase… an IV?
Pulling it out, I winced at the sudden movement that pulled on my stitches, and carefully examined my wounds, remembering how I got them. They were already half-closed, thanks to my own Innocence, which accelerated my healing abilities, but they still hurt like hell.
"Aryane!"
Turning my head, I saw Komui entering my room. I grinned at him.
"Hey, Komui! So, how are Jumper and Allen?" I asked, a little worried.
"They'll be fine. Lenalee is still unconscious, but Allen just woke up a few minutes ago. Bookman is examining him right now" he answered.
"Bookman? You mean that Lavi is here too?" my grin widened.
"Yeah. You want me to fetch him?"
"Nan, I'll give him a little scare" my grin turned to an evil smirk, and the boss inched away.
Then, he scoffed.
"As if you'd be able to get out of that bed"
I narrowed my eyes at him and his owns widened slightly, suddenly realizing what he had just said.
"A challenge?" I asked.
"No, of course n- stay put!"
Ignoring him, I removed the sheets and started to put on my uniform. I heard him sigh in defeat as I put my boots.
"Don't push yourself too hard" he finally said.
"Not if I can help it" I assured. "Lead the way, Boss"
He rolled his eyes, but obeyed anyway and we left the room.
Ignoring the slight pain that echoed through my body at each step, I straightened a little when I heard Bookman's and Lavi's voices, plus Allen's, coming from an open room. Smirking, I shot a mocking salute at Komui before sliding inside.
Then, I jumped on Lavi's back, screaming as I put my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist to keep in place.
"LAVIIIIIII!"
"HOLY SHIT!"
His screech echoed and, unable to hang on to him, I let myself slip on the floor, laughing too hard to breath right.
"Ary!" he whined, realizing who I was.
"O… oh God" I choked, wiping an inexistent tear. "That was precious!"
"That was so not cool" he crossed his arms, pink tinting his ears in embarrassment.
"Hello, Aryane" greeted Bookman, next to Allen.
"Hey, Ji-ji" I waved. "Kiddo, your eye is okay?"
"Stop calling me that! And yeah, I'm fine. How about you? You did got used as a dart board" he remarked.
"What do you mean, dart board?" Lavi frowned, stopping his whining.
"Details" I waved my hand as if chasing a fly. "I can walk, can't I?"
"Out of sheer stubbornness" scoffed Komui, entering the room. "You should still be in bed"
"But I have to move! I'm fine!" I repeated, exasperated. "Heard there was a festival, too. Can I go?"
"No" said strictly Komui and Bookman.
"She'll be going anyway" Lavi pointed out.
I high fived with him on that, and the adults sighed at our childishness.
"Fine, go out! But I am strict, Ary, no fighting. I swear that if you do, you'll be on paperwork duty for a month. Got it?"
"Clear as water!" I nodded quickly.
I was stubborn, yes. Prideful too. But suicidal? Maybe less. No way am I getting paperwork duty when Lavi and Bookman are finally around.
"Kiddo, you're coming too?"
He groaned at the nickname, but nodded anyway. Lavi helped me up and I hugged him in a more formal way.
"Nice to see you, Bookboy"
"You too, Tenshi"
I grinned at the familiar nickname. It was good to have my partner in crime back.
As we walked through the crowd, I could see Allen getting more and more agitated. However, before I could do anything to help, a little girl came to him before turning into an Akuma.
Remembering Komui's words, I helped evacuate the citizens while the boys took care of the few demons around. Once done, I came back to them. Allen seemed even more distressed, and I exchanged a glance with Lavi as we entered the forest in hopes of driving the rest of the enemies away from the townspeople.
"Kiddo, stop being so nervous" I finally shook my head.
"I don't like it when I can't see the demons. How do you stand it? Never knowing who's your enemy?" he asked quietly.
"We consider everyone as a potential threat" Lavi shrugged.
"But, that's where the uniforms come in handy, if you want to know" I added.
"What do you mean?"
"As you said, we can't distinguish real people from Akuma. So, instead of walking blindly searching for enemies who are most probably under our noses, we bring them to us with these" Lavi explained.
"They identifies us as threat and therefore, drives them away from the normal people, which make the job easier" I concluded.
He fall in thoughts, and Lavi placed an hand on my shoulder.
"You should go back to Komui and Ji-ji" he said. "There's going to be some trouble here, and you're not allowed to fight"
"But Allen…"
"I'll keep an eye on him" he smiled. "Stop acting like a mother hen, Tenshi"
"Tche" I huffed, looking away. "Fine. But I swear, you better come back in top shape, got it?"
"Aye aye, captain" he ruffled my hair.
"Stop it, Baka-Lavi!" I groaned, pushing his hand away.
He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes, before turning to Allen, who hadn't noticed a thing.
"I'll leave the rest to you two" I told him, making him jump a little. "I won't be much help if I can't even fight. Don't lower your guard, okay?"
He nodded, and I quickly made my way back to the town.
Careful as to not take the main path, I managed to find my way back to the little hospital where Komui, Bookman and Lenalee were still staying too. When I entered, I found the two first waiting.
"Already done?" Komui lifted an eyebrow.
"I won't be much help if I can't fight, will I?" I retorted, taking a seat next to them. "So, why are you and Lavi here, Ji-ji? I can guess it's because of the Noah girl we met but…"
"You would be correct" the old man nodded. "But your questions will have answers later. Let me check theses wounds"
Of course, he didn't use his needles. Poor man learned the hard way not to put pointy objects under my skin.
"By the way, what happened to Miranda?" I asked, curious.
"She went with another group of Finders to become an Exorcist" answered Komui. "It would seem Lenalee, Allen and you inspired her more than you could guess"
"I'm glad" I smiled a little at that. "But you better be careful. With all the good intentions she can have, she's a real klutz"
He winced at that.
"Yeah, I saw that"
My laugh turned to a hiss when Bookman poked the wound in my left arm. That one had been pinned so hard to the wall behind I feared it would stay stuck.
"What exactly did this?" he asked.
"Candles. The girl controlled them with waving her hand. I'd describe it as telekinesis, but I don't think that's exactly the case" I frowned.
"What did she looked like?"
"She had the appearance of a little girl, eleven or twelve I'd say, but you could tell she was a lot older than that. She could take another appearance though. Freaked me out with that one, too. She's human, but not, at the same time. And from what I've gathered, there are more than just her, too. She ordered the Akuma around, so I'd guess she's right under the Earl on an authority scale, or something like that" I explained.
The two exchanged a glance, and Komui sighed, shaking his head.
"Sometimes, I seriously worry at how much you can be observant when you want too"
I simply shrugged.
"Then again, I could be completely wrong. These are just assumptions. Don't get your hopes too high. I bet Bookboy and Ji-ji could have done better than I did"
"Who would have been better?"
We turned in one movement to see Lavi enter, followed by Allen. The bandage on his eye had fallen, and said eye seemed now fully functional.
"You're healed?"
"Yeah"
"And the Akumas?"
"None" answered Lavi, seating next to me. "Wait, is that a hole in your stomach?"
"… no"
He shot me the look, and I rubbed the back of my head, laughing sheepishly.
"I'm fine, though! Seriously, I can't feel a th- MOTHERFUCKER! Non mais c'est pas sérieux! Chaque fois c'est la même putain de chose…"
I clutched my wound as Bookman stared impassively at me, the tip of his finger covered in blood.
"What is it with you, people? Injuring me more than I already am…" I whined.
"You really haven't changed, Ary. Still a full-mouthed lady" Bookman sighed.
"Lady?" Lavi snorted. "Tenshi is all but that"
I whacked his head for only answer, still cringing from the sudden flare of pain.
"Violence is not a solution" he falsely reprimanded, waving his finger at me.
I stared at him with an impassive face.
"If you don't remove this finger from my face in the next three seconds, I'll bite it off"
Knowing I would, he obeyed without another sound.
Satisfied, I turned my back to him before lying down, my head on his lap.
"And what, pray tell, are you doing now?" he asked, sounding more amused than annoyed.
"Congratulations, you just received an upgrade from Annoying and Useless Friend to Annoying and Pillow Friend. Now let me nap" I grunted, closing my eyes.
"I take offense to that"
"Of course you do"
Komui and Allen laughed softly at our antics, and I could hear Bookman's sigh not that far. Then, now comfortable, I let darkness embrace me.
Two years ago
I watched with blank eyes at the coffins displayed in the Headquarters church. Many had been killed and I couldn't help but feel that it was somewhat my fault. I wasn't there at that time, completing another mission in Africa, and when I came back, everyone was already in mourning.
A surprise Akuma attack in town, they said. No Exorcist around to protect the civilians, so the Finders took it upon themselves defends the townspeople while waiting for us. Lenalee came, Kanda, Marie and Daisya too. Suman joined not long after that with Kazaana and Chalker.
Grabbing my necklace, I sighed. I didn't feel like facing all of them. They had been part of the battle, they had been able to save a lot. And me? I came fucking late. I felt utterly useless, and I had no right to cry for the fallen ones or offer my sympathies. I mean, come on! I was supposed to be there too! How could I not be when they needed me the most?
So, long story short, I felt ashamed and empty and was now hiding behind two statues, around a good twenty meters above the floor, watching everything unfold with growing anger. Anger at myself, yes, but anger at the Earl most of all.
He would pay. For every and each life he took.
Suddenly feeling a burning gaze on me, I looked down in search of the one who spotted me, ready to face Lenalee, but instead was met with a green, curious eye. I blinked.
It was a boy around my age, with red fiery hair, a scarf and an eyepatch. He seemed a little apathy at the sight before him, as if seeing it one time too much to really care, and an old man with black ringed eyes was standing next to him.
He held my stare as I held his, before the other man said something to get his attention. Using this chance, I left the church without a sound. I'd find out who they were later. I really wasn't in the mood right now.
The rest of the day was uneventful, and I waited for everyone to go to sleep before going to the top of the tower with my Pan flute. There, I took a deep breath as the cold air hit my skin. Then, I started playing. It was an habit I had developed to mourn those who died on duty, my way to show them the respect they deserved. I couldn't take pictures of all of them, but I hoped my melody would reach them nonetheless.
When I finally stopped, I felt eyes on my back once again. Turning around, I saw the boy from sooner, a hammer in hands and curiosity etching on his face.
"Who're you?" I frowned.
"I'm… Lavi. I'm an apprentice Bookman" he answered. "And you?"
"… Aryane, Exorcist. Nice to meet you, I guess"
So, for avoiding any questions about this: Lavi is the love interest in this story. He's an awesome character and fits Ary's personality, and that's that. I won't change it, but I can make more Ary/Other moments if there are demands.
French traduction: "You're not fucking serious! Each time it's the damn same thing..."
Question: What does Lavi's nickname for Ary means -Tenshi-? Come on, it's an easy one!
Love and reviews!