CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The Black Order was bustling with the unexpected return of three exorcists and their general. It was a rare occurrence that an assignment be disrupted by the return of those who should be out executing the mission. Needless to say, we had caused quite a stir with our appearance.

Nurse had been busy restocking supplies when I showed up, and had needed to open numerous stores in order to treat both mine and Kanda's injury. Kanda, of course, had resisted all treatment, but eventually he had given in when Komui had offered to treat his wound. With the addition of two injured exorcists, Nurse was quite stressed. She still had much inventory to complete, not to mention the treatment of all the members of the Science Department who had fallen guinea pig to Komui's latest invention, which had something to do with zombies.

The Science Department was in preparation of what they assumed would be a huge assignment that was coming up. I didn't know much of the details, limited as I was in hearing information while Nurse continued to restrict my visitors, but I did manage to learn that a number of exorcists were being sent on this new assignment. Someone had learned information that the Earl was planning something in Japan. Edo, to be exact. As soon as Kanda and I were on our feet again, we would join the others there, along with Mari and Tiedoll.

Now, I was sitting up in my hospital bed, pleading with Nurse.

"Please," I begged, literally wrapping my fingers together and shaking the fist in front of me, desperate.

"I don't think so," she replied, moving down a bed to strip the sheets. I sighed.

"It won't be for long, and I'll take Kanda with me. He'll keep me safe."

"The Order is a dangerous place for an injured exorcist, such as yourself. With all of those crazy experiments that Komui does, I couldn't keep my conscience guilt free if something else happened to you. And besides, Kanda is injured as well."

"Then I'll bring Lavi along too. Please Nurse. I'm going stir crazy in here. You'll be helping me get better more quickly. I need to walk around, get some fresh air. Please."

"Well," she said, and I could see her doubt fading, "all right. I'll have someone retrieve Kanda and Lavi for you. Now lie back down and rest until they get here."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I said, easing back onto my pillow. And so it was that about a half an hour later, Kanda and Lavi strolled through the infirmary doors. They were arguing about something, but as soon as they came through the doors, Lavi rushed ahead. Kanda glared at Lavi.

"Val!" Lavi cried, plopping himself down on the bed, causing it to shake. I winced as the movement sent a shot of pain through my chest. Nurse, seeing this, admonished Lavi. He nodded solemnly and begged forgiveness, winking at me while Nurse wasn't paying attention. I stifled the giggles rising in me, but that only served to add more pain.

By this point, Kanda was at my side, one hand on my arm. Lavi glanced at Kanda's hand, and I saw a shadow cross over his face. But it just as quickly went away, and Lavi was once again grinning at me.

"Now, if she begins to look pale, or complains of pain, bring her straight back to me," Nurse said to Kanda and Lavi. Kanda gave one sharp nod of consent.

"No harm will befall our fair maiden whilst I am around!" Lavi cried gallantly. I laughed again at his silly nature.

Nurse looked skeptical, as if she highly doubted two teenage boys would be able to care for an injured girl, even though they were trained exorcists. But, she sent us on our way without further instructions, stating only that she had a lot of work to do, and if I came back harmed, Lavi and Kanda would be the next two in the hospital.

We left the infirmary and once out the doors, Kanda and Lavi both began walking in separate directions. I stood, rooted to the spot in front of the infirmary doors.

"Val," Lavi called. "Come on. I thought we could walk to the library."

"Che. As if she wants to read books with you."

"Well I doubt she wants to go to the training floor with you either, Yuu."

Both Kanda and Lavi had strode back to where I was standing. Lavi had his arms crossed over his chest, and Kanda's hand was dangerously close to the hilt of his katana.

"Che. Like you know what she wants."

"I think I have a better idea, yes."

"Baka usagi, I'll slice you into pieces."

"I'd like to see you try."

Both Kanda and Lavi had drawn their Innocence.

"Stop!" I yelled. They both turned to me, as if they had forgotten I was there. "I don't know what this is about, but it needs to stop. We are comrades! Why are you arguing? And I don't want to go to the training floor," I said.

"HA!"

"Or the library."

"Oh," Lavi said.

"I'd like to take a nice walk on the grounds. The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day."

While Lavi's expression had changed back to one of happiness from confusion, no change had come over Kanda's features. He simply began walking toward the grounds, knowing that we would follow.

There were only a few clouds dotting the sky, and a slight breeze cooled what would have been an otherwise stifling day. Kanda and Lavi were now ahead of me, and the sounds of argument drifted back to me, although I was too far away to understand anything of what they were saying. I was lolling behind, walking at a leisurely pace, just happy to finally be out of the infirmary and stretching my legs.

KANDA P.O.V

Lavi was seriously starting to piss me off. I wanted to punch him, right in the nose, and hopefully break it. But I knew that I couldn't do that, because Val was right behind us, and then I would get in trouble with her, instead of Lavi, who was actually the one being an asshole, not me.

"All I'm saying is," he began, and I tried really hard to stifle the rage building up inside of me, "that you could have prevented her from getting injured."

"You weren't there. You don't know what happened."

"I would have protected her."

"Che." I had my arms crossed over my chest, my hands balled into fists so tightly that my nails were digging into the soft skin of my palms. I didn't want to have this conversation, especially with this baka usagi. I already knew that I should have, and probably could have, prevented Val from getting hurt. I glanced back over my shoulder at her, where she had stopped to smell some flowers that were growing on the trees. She saw me watching her and smiled at me. I turned away.

"You're not the only one who loves her."

These words almost stopped me cold in my place. I glared at Lavi. "What?"

"You. Are. Not. The. Only. One. Who. Loves. Her."

"And what do you mean by that?" I asked angrily. I was not surprised by his gall, although it still made me angry enough to want to kill him. Literally kill him.

"Oh, nothing. Just that I love her too."

"Well, unfortunately for you, she loves me."

"And she told you this?" Lavi asked, skeptical.

"Che. I don't have to explain myself to you."

"Well, I don't really believe you anyway. And even if she had said that, it would be easy enough to sway her over to me."

That was it. I felt the anger inside of me boil over, and the chains holding it back broke. Lavi was on the ground in half a second. His nose was bleeding, and I could see the retaliation in his eyes. He jumped up from the ground, the minor injury nothing compared to the pain he had been through throughout his numerous missions. He invoked his Innocence, and I was soon flying through the air, having been hit with Odzuchi Kodzuchi. I crashed into stone, realizing that the force of the impact with Lavi's Innocence (I realized the irony of this; Lavi had no innocence left in any bone of his body. Disgusting idiot) had sent me flying into the Black Order's walls.

I could hear Val's cries for us to stop, but I ignored them. I unsheathed Mugen, and sent Hell's Insects flying toward Lavi. He managed to fight most of them off, but a few succeeded in giving a nasty bite. Still, I felt little satisfaction.

By now, Val had abandoned all cries for us to stop our battle. She realized that it wasn't likely that our war would stop. We were dodging all attempts at impact with our weapons, when finally, Lavi abandoned his. He threw it to the side, and launched himself at me. It wasn't long before Mugen was laying in the grass, our primary weapon now our bodies.

I thought I had the upper hand, when I heard Val's voice again. "Kanda, stop!" she yelled. I paused, and Lavi took advantage of my momentary distraction. He punched me, in the exact spot where Lulu Bell had injured me. I doubled over in pain, but only briefly. Then, I attempted to attack the spineless little devil.

"Why you-" I began, but I was cut off. Someone grabbed hold of my jacket, pulling me back.

"That is enough!" yelled a familiar voice. Komui had appeared, and I realized that Val must have gone to get someone to intervene.

I looked behind me, and saw that it was Mari who was restraining me. Bookman was restraining Lavi. General Tiedoll was standing next to Komui, and he had a look of disappointment on his face, an expression that mirrored Val's. Much to my surprise, I actually felt ashamed.

"I cannot believe you two. We do not encourage fighting among our kind. Our numbers are small enough as it is. Fighting is only condoned when done on the battlefield or on the training floor. Your behavior is despicable," Komui said. I showed no emotion, but inside, I felt surprised. Komui never spoke like this. It contrasted greatly with his happy-go-lucky attitude. I said nothing.

"Mari," Komui said, his tone still serious, "please escort Kanda to the infirmary. It seems as though his wound needs redressing. He's bleeding through his clothes. Bookman, you are free to go, thank you. Lavi, I believe you should go to the library; we have some books that need to be organized. Val, will you please come with me."

She nodded, walking by me toward Komui. I looked at her as she passed, but she did not turn her head. I sighed, and let Mari lead me to the infirmary. I hadn't even noticed that I was bleeding.

VAL P.O.V.

Komui and I walked through the Order toward Hevlaska. He was very interested in my Innocence and how it had evolved. I, too, was shocked by what had happened. I had hoped that Komui would have an explanation, but he seemed just as baffled as me.

"I talked with Nurse earlier," Komui said. "Your wound seems to be healing just fine, which is excellent news for us. We'll have you back on the field in no time."

"Oh. Good," I said, not really excited by this news. Komui, of course, understood my dislike of being on the field. He smiled and laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.

We took the elevator down to Hevlaska, where she seemed to be already expecting us. My assumption was indeed correct.

"Valeriya, I was wondering when I would be seeing you again," she said.

"Hello, Hev," I replied, recalling my first meeting with Hevlaska. I had been terrified.

"Hevlaska," Komui said. "We'd like for you to inspect Val's Innocence. It has evolved while she was away."

"Yes, I felt that. Let me see your Anti-akuma weapon."

I presented Hevlaska with my bow, and she touched it. Soon, the Innocence had returned to its cubic form. I waited patiently while she examined it. Finally, she returned it to me, where it once again took the shape of my new bow.

"This is a very powerful weapon," she said.

"What caused it to evolve?" asked Komui.

"I cannot say," Hevlaska replied. "Val must have shown great promise to the Innocence, or she must have shown great loyalty to the Innocence's cause."

I thought back to when we were fighting Lulu Bell. "I will fight to keep the Innocence safe and keep you and the Earl from ever sending this world to its demise."

I had made a promise to the Innocence, to protect it from falling into evil's hands. That was why my bow had evolved. I looked at Hevlaska, and knew that she knew what had occured in Barcelona.

"It is called 'Heaven's Archer'," she said suddenly. "You are one of the chosen people of God who will protect this earth. You are Heaven's Archer."

I gasped, unprepared for the weight of this secret to fall unto me. Komui reached out and put an arm around my shoulders.

"The battle will only get harder, Valeriya. You cannot live in fear of what is to come. You cannot live in fear of losing your comrades. Stay close to those you love. Trust in Kanda Yuu. He is stronger than even he knows. He will guide you to the truth."

Even Komui showed surprise at what Hevlaska had just said. He did not speak, but I felt his surprise in the slight start he gave, and saw it in his eyes.

What truth was Hevlaska talking about? Did Kanda even know that he would lead me there? I could feel that the winds were changing. And I wasn't ready for the change.

"Are you prepared for what lies ahead?" Hevlaska asked.

"Yes," I said, even though fear was beginning to cloud my vision. I didn't know what was to come, but I knew that it would be harder than anything that we exorcists had ever dealt with before. The Black Order didn't make anything easy anymore.

I'm relatively happy with this chapter. I think that I did an okay job writing this one. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. And thank you to every one who has reviewed or added this story to their Favorites or Story Alerts. I really appreciate that.

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