Chapter 2 : Out on a mission
The cold winter air swept the blue fabric away and carried it within it's grasp. A thin femine hand reached after it.
"No wait" I whispered in a desperate manner, my voice was hoarse and breaths were coming short and visible in the cold humid atmosphere. Lowering my hand I shook my head in disappointment knowing it was no use, the scarf was now gone and my neck was exposed to the cold unforgiving wave of frost.
Letting out a deep sigh I cursed under my breath, one thing I was certain of, I absolutely hated the cold with a burning passion, more than anything. Well almost anything I corrected myself as a particular thought crossed my mind. Yet hating it won't get me out of my current situation so I kept walking down the dark snow covered path.
People walking down the street gave me odd looks. Why wouldn't they what kind of a phyco would walk around Berlin' s dark streets past midnight in this kind of weather barely wearing any cloths let alone a coat? Apparently me. Not only that but I was covered in ashes and skirt and blouse were scorched and battered. Some of the looks I was getting was of pure disgust, those I didn't mind, others though were looking at me like I was some kind of lost puppy, being pitied was the worst. Grinding my teeth I manage to ignore them instead I took a turn into a less popular path, it was filled with life, some people would find just a few minutes here scaring, I was used to it. Besides that those kind of dark alleyways were my master's natural habitant.
My stomach let out a loud growl, with not a single coin in my pocket and most of my cloths blown off by the explosions I had nowhere else to go. At least the Innocence I retrieved was safe. Then again Innocence can't fill my stomach of find me a place to rest it could only attract more Akuma, as if I hadn'e enough problems as it is. The double headed snake bracelet that was wraped around my wrist glowed under the soft moonlight. My most prized possession, a cursed object.
Careless laughs of drunk men made their way to my ears. Some drunkheads wistled at me from across the street offering to pay a lot for my company. I ignore them too, instead I inspect myself more closely. The ends of my raven hair were burned and my skirt was burned up thigh length. Mourning the loss of my warm coat that wasn't as fortunate as me against the Akuma I walked shivering. Damn those Akuma. Damn this mission. Damn Cross. Damn it all. I just wanted a warm bed and some food. Cross owed me a new jacked and I knew I was never going to get it. Maybe he would force Allen to buy me one like he did with all his depts. For now I had to get warm enough to think what my next course of action would be, so I enter a crowded bar.
Swallowing the drink someone had the tenacy to buy me with the hope of earning himself a date I was ready to go find a corner to sleep in, being on the run didn't help me earn any money while on missions Cross assigned. I am penniless. Now I just had to find someone worth pickpocketing. Approaching the bar where more fortunate men hang out I caught whispers passing around. I swear men gossip worse than old hags. Eavesdropping I was disappointed, old news. The problem was dealt with.
"Have you heard about the disappearances" said a masculine voice behind but his tone sounded more serious and stern, like he was interrogating the other man it pricked my interest. Curious I slowly turn to face the men.
A gorgeous young man was leaning against the counter next to me talking with the barman and I moved closer to get a better angle. It seemed odd that I hadn't noticed someone like him earlier considering how out of place he was in a place like this. His complection was pale and long dark hair. I couldn't make out any details in this kind of lighting.
But then my eyes fell on his coat and the emblem and my heart did a double take. No way, they could have traced me all the way here. No that was impossible, going over the question he had made to the barman I realise he was here for the same reason I was. But it seems like he came late to the party, if you could call it that.
It was only two months ago that when my master tasked me to come here.
"Ivy" he said his breath stinking liquor while Allen was in the next room sound asleep" There have been some traces of Innocense lately."
"And that concerns me how ?" I raised an eyebrow and turned to face him.
"I want you to go find it before the Order gets a word about it" he waved off Tim that was trying to eat his cigarette, instead he brought it to his mouth taking a deep breath.
"That is your job isn't it? Why should I do it for you old geezer?" He hadn't tasked me with Innocense hide and seek for a long time.
"I am very busy training Allen" he replied shortly.
"That or because you are way too lazy to get off your ass and too preoccupied with the local strippers?" I scoffed. He ignored me bringing a bottle of the most expensive wine to his lips draining half of it.
"Where is the rumored Innocence anyway?"
"That's the spirit brat" he looked at me over his spectacles as Timcampy flew over his head in circles.
"Well" I promped him to continue.
"Berlin" he said casually drowning the remaining of the wine.
"WHAT?"I yelled at his face. Why would he make me travel from Russia to Berlin just to retrieve some Innocence?
"Oi don't yell, you will wake idiot pupil, I don't have the mood to deal with his whining right now" he waved his hand in annoyance. I snorted in a very unladylike manner.
"He is your problem, deal with him" even having said that I begun to count the days in my head hoping I could make it back for his birthday the possibilities were slim but I could make it.
"Ivy" his voice became serious and focused all my attention on him. I knew when he was using that tone he wasn't messing around. His voice held power and he gave the impression of being sober ( as if he ever was) but it sent shivers down my spine. The following words were a comand."Don't fail me"
"Was there a time that I have let you down master?" With the same tone I replied with an answer rather than a plain confirmation. The tension in the room lessen as Allen stired in his sleep muttering something about food and debts. After a moment of silence I voiced the question I dreaded for a long time to ask.
"When will his training be complete?" He didn't answer so I rephrased my question.
" When do you think he will be ready?" I asked with more persistance this time .
"No more than a year" I could understand by the way he said it that he was reluctant to reveal any more information but I pressed on the subject.
"You will sent him there, won't you?" I said accusingly
"It is vital to the plan, sooner or later you will have to return there too" The idea sent chills down my spine but I know it is essential as he had pointed out. Yet even knowing that, the idea of the face that bread so much hatred set me off the edge. A part of me idly wondered what had happen to the other girl too but I shoved that in the farthest corner of my mind. Living with that guilt weighting down my chest for so long was unbearable. But it wasn't the time for drama or sentiments. I am an exorcist my hart had no room for either.
That was what I decided on the day Cross took me in in. The man in front of me made me who I am, and for that I would always be grateful. Even if he is a drunken pervert. Watching as didn't answer he went on
"I've told you before and I am sure you know it very well. Don't get to close with the brat. It will be a problem for us" he chose his words carefully and I could see he studied me carefully from the corner of his eyes.
"I could say the same to you, old man" with that I turn my back at him exiting the room without a second glance. Sentiments will only hold me down as Cross would tell me often. Many times I wonder if he is really the one tied down by his sentiments or if he is talking of experience. Either way he was right. Yet I could' t help but fell a prinkle of emotion in my heart for the boy who was ment to be the sacrifice. Even if he was just a pig for the slaughter, he was someone precious to me, but Cross will never know that. I will never act on it even if I loose him, because I own Cross much more than I could ever repay.
The long haired exorcist was growing impatient. Observing him from afar I could tell he had found nothing this far and knowing full well why I was silently gloating. One month's worth of hard work didn't go to waste after all. He would find nothing I had made sure about it. I couldn't help but snicker, I had never met another official exorcist apart from master and I was curious. He had a frown plastered in his face and under the right kind of lighting his hair seemed to have a hint of blue in them.
An idea popped into my head right when he was about to leave. Well this will be fun...