Lenalee Lee
I could not help but sigh as I watch the paddy fields of suburban Shanghai pass our train. At least these rural parts of China are still the same as the ones in my memory … but there is no telling how much they changed since so many years ago. I hope that it will not affect this mission, though … as it involves retrieving Innocence.
My stare was broken by Shirou's voice: "Is something wrong?" There was worry and warmth flickering in the depths of his golden eyes. "No … it's nothing." I replied, calmly. I should not worry my comrades with such nostalgia. It would be troublesome.
"Lenalee … you're crying." Saeko's small but firm voice made me touch my cheek, which was without my knowing, already damp. I smiled back at her, my vision blurring more and more: "Maybe it's because I'm returning to China again …"
Saeko
We entered the city of Shanghai. It was not as depicted on the various ancient recordings I have read; in fact, Shanghai today is riddled with mafia people, and more western things are coming in … just now we past a theater featuring a American film. There were no more fishermen roaming its busy streets, and it seems like Beijing opera was not very popular nowadays.
Masses of humans passed us on the streets, mostly natives, but with few foreigners. Judging by Lenalee's shocked expression she seemed surprised by the recently booming population in China.
Out of the blue, one of the gruff, lowly hoodlums grabbed Lenalee by the arm, and looked at each other, as if planning something quite unfavorable. With a little sigh, I knocked one aside with a right hook and kneed one hard on the stomach. "Who … are you?" they managed to gasp out pathetically. Without turning my head back, I answered nonchalantly: "Fengling of the Green Dragon Gang."
Igetsu Shirou
I was beyond bewildered. I could not possibly believe the young girl in front of me. With an inquiring look, I asked Saeko: "You were in the Chinese mafia?" Saeko's cold, expressionless face did not change: "Well, you have to admit that we Bookman and Inkshadow end up everywhere." Lenalee asked another question: "But where are we staying today?" Saeko replied, her dark blue eyes looking up to us: "Well, that has no connection to what we were just discussing, but I am sure that the Green Dragon Gang would love to have their 'Fengling' back for a little while."
Well, she was right.
Saeko, rather, 'Fengling' for the time being, was greatly welcomed, and so were we. Dumplings, noodles, rice – a great amount of food was spread out in front of us, as if for a returning hero … or maybe that was why it was there. Muscled members came up to pat Fengling on the back, ruffle her hair, they all looked so happy to see her.
Lenalee still wore that shocked expression of hers. She looked like she was overcome by the warmth and brotherly love demonstrated between the gang members … maybe she wasn't used to it yet. After all, she had been gone for a long while.
And these noodles are really good.
Lenalee Lee
China has really, really changed a lot during the years I have been gone. Of course, this country has experienced many hardships – opium, exploitation, problems with money and politics – it was an amazing feat to keep this newly international country sane.
However, even thought the uptown of Shanghai was a modern place, I still saw that the downtown and suburbs were still rundown, dirty, and poor. Poverty shone in the eyes of the children that roamed the streets, and beggars were everywhere. It was slightly strange how Innocence could exist in a country that was so full of contradictions.
Does brother miss China? This question flashed on and off in my mind silently. Maybe our hometown, Beijing, would also be different. I picked up a piece of crispy duck from the table of delicacies. Its taste reminded Lenalee vaguely of the Beijing-style roast duck her brother bought her off the streets in Beijing. It has been long, the taste has become nostalgic … of course Jeryy could make this, but I wouldn't eat it, because surely the memories that came with her would bring tears into my eyes …
But I bit into the meat anyways.
Before I could feel the tears roll off my cheeks, Shirou turned around, a comforting smile on his face: "Still worrying about the Innocence?" I shook my head and reached for the stir-fried greens: "Well, it's not the only thing. If Shanghai is already so different, then how would the rest, like Beijing, Szechuan, and Dalian be, Sh – I'm sorry Baishi?" She remembered that Chinese people despised the Japanese this time and had to use his temporary Chinese alias. Shirou's smile seemed to widen a bit as he said: "Well, let's just hope for the best, Lenalee."
'Baishi' is really odd. Usually, he seems cold and whatnot, sort of like Kanda, but he is actually a really compassionate and caring person. And to think of all those years he worked secretly and undercover for the Pope.
Life just isn't fair, and I believe that 'Baishi' deserves more.
Igetsu Shirou
After a filling and delicious dinner, I decided to sit next to a column and try to digest. Feeling something in my pocket, I fished out what happened to be the miniature lotus Kanda gave me. Without knowing when I started, I began flicking at it, watch it go up and down, and thought about how Kanda and Yoru were doing. Probably tearing each other's faces off, I thought with a relatively melancholic chuckle.
I had no idea when I had this feeling.
The leader of the gang walked over, interested in the little flower I was toying with: "What's this?" I smiled back at him, and using fluent Chinese, replied: "A gift from a brother (note: Chinese often refer to close friends as siblings). He doesn't really show it, but he's a gentle man." "Really?" the leader smiled at the little flower. "I bet you're missing him." "Yes, but it not be long before I see him again." "That's good."
Maybe this melancholy was caused by a lotus flower.
Lenalee Lee
I could not believe what 'Baishi' just said about Kanda. Gentle? Kanda was far from that. Yes, he did save his sister (referred here as 'Ye'), but he made it look like cannibalism. Yes, Kanda was calm, somewhat cautious, and cold as ice, but he really doesn't fit the 'gentle' category. What did 'Baishi' see?
Saeko
I am anxious. Even though we have the info, I am doubting whether we are going to be able to retrieve the Innocence. But there is no more time; and tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Goodnight.
To be continue
Author's notes:
I'm sooooooooooo soooooooooooooooooooooooory for the delay in this chapter! I'm being too lazy for my own good! Well, anyways, here's the new chapter! It's kind of confusing, I know ... by the way, 'Fengling', 'Baishi', and 'Ye' respectively mean 'phoenix spirit', 'white lion', and 'night' in Chinese. Yeah ... anyways, this was kind of long-ish, I think ... well, hope you enjoyed it! I finally hit ten chapters! Woo~ Please R&R! Critique is welcome! Be on the watch for new chapters! Thank you!
