Chapter 5 is here~ I wrote this all in a day, so I'm very proud of myself. *^*
Thank you to jokerose for once again editing and supporting me thus far! Also thank you to MusicianWish for the encouraging review! :3
Disclaimer: I don't own D. Gray-Man
And now on with the show~
Chapter 5: The Maiden of the East
Kind eyes framed by glasses stared out into the horizon. Chewing gum, Tiedoll furiously sketched a picture of the ruins before him. Footsteps slowly approached him, revealing the owners to be Kanda, Marie, and Evan.
"General Tiedoll," Marie called to him, breaking the delicate silence.
"Oh!" he turned, smiling at the exorcists. "Long time no see~ How are you doing Yu-kun?"
"Call me that again and I'll slice you, old man," Kanda pulled out Mugen with a murderous look in his eyes. "I don't care if you're my master or not."
"Now, now, Yu-kun," Tiedoll raised both hands, laughing. "You wouldn't do that now would you?"
"Che." Kanda sheathed Mugen and walked over to a wall, leaning against it.
Broadly grinning now, Tiedoll turned towards Evan, "Hello there Evan-kun," he cheerfully greeted. "You've grown since I last saw you."
Evan chuckled, reminiscing the last time he and the General had met each other. Long forgotten happiness reached his eyes as he replied, "Hello General. You still look the same as ever, I see."
"I'm an old man, don't hate me for not changing," Tiedoll laughed. "How's Joseph-kun? I haven't seen him since he joined the Order." Tiedoll pretended to pout slightly as he mentioned this.
"Seph's the same as ever," Evan grinned then briefly glanced at Kanda. "Although I expect his pranks to be more aggravating now that he's found a playmate since then."
"That child," Tiedoll chuckled. "He doesn't seem to grow up now does he? I remember how he always tried to blow away my drawings using his Innocence, Echo. It never worked out very well for him in the end though," he laughed. Glancing around, he noticed someone missing. "Where's Daisya…?"
Silence ensued as the three exorcists stared at the ground, grief clouding their expressions.
"…I see." Tears fell to the ground as Tiedoll recalled the pranks Daisya used to play on him as well. "He was such a good kid…" Taking out his sketch pad, Tiedoll began to furiously draw a scene that existed only in his memory.
"General," Kanda interrupted the silence. "The enemy is targeting the Innocence you possess."
"I agree with Kanda," Evan joined in. "The Noah are dangerous, and it wouldn't be wise to stay away from the Order any longer."
Speaking to himself, Tiedoll ignored the two as he finished his drawing. "This is just an illustration of the memories I saw, so it'll probably be different." Glancing up at the sky as he held a match to the drawing, Tiedoll kindly said, "Daisya, I'm sorry it's just a drawing, but I'm sending your hometown to you. May you rest in peace, somehow…"
Watching the drawing burn, Tiedoll spoke, "I can't return. We're in the middle of a war now, and I will live up to my responsibilities as a general. Moreover, I need to find new exorcists. If God hasn't abandoned us, I'm sure He will send us new exorcists." With that said, Tiedoll set off towards the east.
Sighing, Kanda and Marie began to follow their master.
'Typical,' Evan sighed as he trailed after them.
Maria sighed, staring at her reflection on the small pond where they stood waiting. She and Seph had been traveling with the party for a few days now, and they were now witnessing the handiness of Allen's newly evolved cursed eye. 'It's evolving just like an Akuma,' she thought, quietly observing the boy taking out a few Akuma before Seph threw a knife at the one that had appeared behind Allen, killing it.
"Damn you Allen!" Lavi shouted, shuddering from the sudden attacks from both Allen and the Akuma. "I've had it with this! You're even scarier than the Akuma!"
"Eh?" Allen inquired, deactivating his Innocence. "I just wanted to keep the damage to a minimum."
"You could at least have given a warning!" Lavi whined. "I'll get a heart attack if you keep doing that!"
The two boys continued bickering until Lenalee arrived from the sky with a cat in her arms. Shocked from its trip in the sky, the poor cat promptly spit out a half chewed Timcanpy and ran away from the group.
"Even so, how long is it going to take us to arrive at General Cross's location?" Krory, their new member, asked. "We've already been in China's mainland for four days already, and there's been no sign of the General. What if he's already dead?" The exorcist shuddered, becoming his pitiful self once again.
"That guy doesn't die even if you kill him, you know." Smiling innocently, Allen began reminiscing about his master once again.
"Poor guy," Seph muttered to Maria, both of whom were off to the side away from the group. "Just what happened while he was learning underneath Cross?"
Just then, Lenalee looked at Allen's arm and began crying about how fragile it seemed to be. The other guys were giving Allen reproachful looks for making her cry.
'What an interesting bunch,' Maria observed, smirking. Just then, Snow began tinkling, notifying her of an incoming call. "Oh?"
"Ria~!" A cheerful voice called to her from Snow.
Recognizing the familiar voice, Maria exclaimed, "Aya! How've you been? Where are you?"
"I'm good~," she replied cheerfully. "I was assigned to guard General Kloud; we're on our way back to the Order now."
"Lucky..." Maria sighed. "I'm stuck with that pedophile Cross, who disappeared like a ninja." Maria could hear Aya giggling through the line, and smiled. "Exaggerated a bit, but you know Cross. We're with his pupil right now. Apparently his golem Timcanpy can lead us to where the general is."
"I see~ I see~," Aya called from her golem. "By the way, how's Jojo?"
"Oi, don't call me that Aya," Seph sighed tiredly.
"Hehe I can see that he's doing well," Aya giggled. Just then, a faint voice could be heard through the line, calling for Aya. "Oh! Gotta go! I'll talk to you later Jojo and Ria~"
"Later," she called and hung up the conversation. Just then, Snow tinkled once again. "Another call?"
"Yo Maria-chan~!"
"What the hell do you want now Kevin," Maria asked with a sigh.
"Ooh harsh," he faked a hurt voice.
"Just get to the point already idiot."
"Got bad news for you," he said in a more serious tone. "Fair was found murdered two nights ago."
"Murdered?" Seph inquired, leaning in to hear better.
"Yep, with this it's been confirmed. The murderer who killed Florence was indeed aiming from the top notch and going down our list," Kevin explained.
"So that means..." Seph murmured, deep in thought.
"The killer's aiming for us in our original order," Kevin affirmed.
"Right," Maria agreed.
"Hey, hey, hey," Lavi suddenly placed his face near Maria's. "Whatcha doing?"
"Give me some personal space, idiot rabbit!" Maria shoved him away.
"Pushy," Lavi pouted and then walked away.
"Who was that?" Kevin asked, curious.
"Bookman's apprentice. We're traveling with them," Maria explained.
"I see," Kevin said. "Out of the original thirteen Elites, we're now down to six people."
"They started out by killing Teacher, and over the past two years, One through Six have been murdered as well. Alex Fair was the Seventh," Maria mused. "So if we're right, then-"
"William's next," Seph interrupted.
"After that is me, Aya, Evan, Seph, and last the Thirteenth."
"Me," Maria sighed. "Take care of yourself. Aya has everything covered; she's not traveling alone. Plus William can take care of himself."
"Who knows Shortstack," Kevin mocked lightly. "We know that even Will has his weaknesses."
"Oi Maria, Seph!" Lavi called to the two from a manju stand. "We've got a lead!"
"Gotta go Kev!" Maria called. "Don't get into any trouble just because I'm not there!"
"Don't worry about me," Kevin chuckled. "I can take care of myself too." Maria could practically see him sticking out his tongue playfully as she terminated the connection and ran up to the group.
"Finally," she muttered. "Where to?"
After a few hours of walking, the group came to a large building. "The mistress of a brothel?"
"According to the shop owner, General Cross is the new lover of that mistress," Krory informed them as they stared at the flashy building.
'Somehow, that sounds just like the General,' they all thought at once, sweat drops starting to form as they pictured the General surrounded by women. Nearing the entrance, their path was blocked by a well built man that appeared to be a woman when inspected closely. She also happened to look like a snake.
Picking up both Lavi and Allen, the woman gave them a menacing glare. Snickering, Seph called to the two panicking boys, "Careful, she might bite!" Snickering at their misery, Maria high-fived him as the woman quietly told them about the back entrance of the brothel.
"Welcome, Exorcists," a woman greeted them, smiling kindly. "I am Anita, the owner of this shop."
'Beautiful,' Lenalee, Krory, and Allen thought simultaneously, blushing. Bookman's hair suddenly sprang up as he blushed as well. A heart appeared in Lavi's eye as he yelled, "Strike!"
"She's beautiful," Seph swooned. Maria sighed and smacked him on the back of the head. She was beautiful, but their mission was to find Cross, not swoon over his woman. Rubbing his head, Seph smirked at Maria's reaction; she was jealous.
"I must apologize for the bluntness, but Master Cross is no longer here," Anita abruptly said, shocking the exhausted exorcists over the sudden news. "Eight days ago, he left to go on a journey. And…" Her next words shocked them all into silence.
'Are you serious?' Maria thought, dismayed. 'That idiot…'
Breaking the silence, Lenalee asked, "What…did you say…?"
"The ship that left with Master Cross on a journey eight days ago has been sunk at sea." Anita calmly stated.
"Is there any proof?" Bookman inquired.
"We sent aid to other ships from which we received S.O.S. signals, but neither ship nor men were found," Anita answered him. "There were eerie remains of the ships, and a sea of poison spread from it."
"Where was the ship headed?" Allen suddenly asked, startling his companions. "Where was the sunken ship headed?" he repeated. "My master wouldn't have died so easily."
"Knowing Cross, he's too stubborn to die," Maria agreed. That womanizer was probably out there somewhere laughing about how he fooled everyone through his 'death.'
Tilting her head, Anita smiled sadly as a tear fell from one of her eyes. "You think so?" Allen calmly stared at her, confident in his master's amazing ability to survive. Turning her head, she gave orders to the woman from the entrance. "Mahoja, prepare my ship." Standing up, she explained, "Since my mother's generation, we have been supporters of the church and provided aid from the shadows. If you wish to pursue Master Cross, we are at your service. Our destination is Edo, Japan."
After giving orders to everyone, Anita walked towards Maria, who was standing by the window. Acknowledging Maria's questioning gaze, Anita only smiled. "Miss Maria Tsukiyomi?"
"Yes Miss Anita?" Maria asked, tilting her head.
"Master Cross wished me to pass on this message to you: don't let the darkness consume your heart; stay in the light, where you belong." With a last, kind smile, Anita walked away, leaving Maria to her thoughts.
"Stay in the light?" He must be getting sentimental. But she smiled nonetheless, remembering the same words being said to her long ago.
Flames roared as they ran from the Akuma. Ryou held his sister's hand tightly as he pulled her towards their home, in which he knew that there was a basement with seals to prevent the Akuma from getting to them. Reaching the basement, Ryou hugged his sister firmly, whispering words of encouragement.
"Maria, you're gonna be okay," he murmured quickly. "Listen to me. The Exorcists should be arriving here soon, and when you see them, I want you to go with them."
"No!" Maria hugged him back, desperately clinging to him. "I don't wanna go! I want to stay with you Brother!"
"I can't Maria," Ryou smiled sadly, tears starting to form in his eyes. "I promised Mom that I would protect you from all harm."
Sobbing now, Maria only shook her head, hugging him even tighter. "No Brother! Don't leave me!"
"I can't stay with you Maria," his voice cracked as his own tears started falling as well. "We both know that the seals can only be activated from the outside, and I'm the only one who can do it."
"I don't care!" Maria's heart was being broken as the brother she loved so much was leaving her. "You promised me! You promised me that we'd stay together forever!"
Crying as well, Ryou could only apologize. "I'm sorry."
A crash sounded from above as the Akuma forced its way into the house. Reacting quickly, Ryou pushed her into the room and shut the door. Placing his hands on the door, he activated the anti-Akuma seals. Once he finished, he leaned his head against the door, speaking words that only Maria could hear.
"You belong in the light, Maria. Don't ever stop; keep walking. Stay strong, and maybe one day, we can see each other again. Never cease to believe in yourself. If you do, then I might just have to come back and whack you on the head again!" He paused. "I guess I'll be going now. I'll come back when it's all over. Farewell, Maria. You'll always be my precious sister." Smiling, he left his position by the door, running up the stairs to face the Akuma.
Maria's legs gave away from underneath her as she screamed out her brother's name, begging him to come back. Her small hands scraped at the door until they started to bleed, but still she did not stop. Suddenly, all was still.
Maria woke up with a start, tears streaming down her eyes. The memory of her last minute with her brother was still fresh on her mind, and she slowly got out of bed and found her jacket. On the inside, there was a small pocket stitched in that held her dearest treasure. Ryou's last song. It was still stained with her blood from that day so many years ago, she realized. "Ryou," she murmured, holding her knees as she quietly cried. She missed him. She missed him so much.
Slipping on her boots, Maria walked out of the room that Anita had lent her for the night. She felt like paying a visit to the ocean.
. . . . .
Allen couldn't sleep. He was worried about his master's safety, even though he sounded so confident earlier that night. Sighing, he got out of bed. It was time for a walk.
Heading for the port, Allen was calmed by the sound of the waves crashing against the boats. It was just so soothing, so melodic that he lay down, staring at the full moon. Suddenly, he heard a quiet voice, full of melody and grief. Moving quietly towards the source, Allen was shocked to find Maria sitting with her feet hanging above the water, staring at the reflection of the moon on the waves. Allen was about to go towards her when she opened her mouth, a song emerging from her lips.
You say my love is all you need, to see you through
But I know these words are not quite true
Go, if you must move on alone
I'm gonna make it on my own
Kiss me goodbye, love's memory
Follow your heart and find your destinyWon't shed a tear, for love's mortality
For you put the dream in my reality
As time goes by I know you'll see this of me:
I loved you enough to let you go free.
Kiss me goodbye, love's mystery
All of my life I'll hold you close to me
Won't shed a tear for love's mortality
For you put the dream into reality
Kiss me goodbye, love's memory
You put the dream in my reality
Finishing her song, Maria continued to look at the ocean, tears streaming down her face. Allen's heart started to hurt at the sight of her crying. He had the urge to reach up and wipe her tears; to protect her from the things that would make her cry. He couldn't understand these urges. Why did he feel them only towards her? He hardly even knew the girl, yet it felt as if he had been waiting all his life to finally meet her again. What exactly was this feeling?
Unable to make up his mind, Allen decided to approach her. Trying not to scare her, Allen quietly stood there before speaking up quietly. "Are you alright?"
Shocked by his sudden appearance from behind her, Maria quickly wiped her tears before turning around to look at him. "You were listening." It wasn't a question.
Not attempting to lie, Allen simply said the truth. "Yes, I was." He moved to sit beside her. "Why were you crying?"
Maria hesitated. Should she tell this boy she felt a strange connection to? Or should she remain cold and aloof, assuming the mask she had worn ever since Ebony's death? The boy, Allen, saw her without her mask already. There was no point in continuing her façade of indifference anymore. Allen stared at her with a soft look in his eyes. It seemed so trusting, so innocent. She decided to tell him. "I remembered my brother."
Understanding dawned in his eyes as Allen faced the ocean. "Do you mind telling me about him?"
"He…died protecting me," Maria choked out, tears forming again as she remembered what had happened. She hugged her knees and buried her face in them.
Allen looked at her. She looked so lost sitting there with him; so alone. Everything clicked suddenly. The cold-hearted persona that the girl assumed was only a shield to protect her from ever shedding tears over someone she loved. She kept others at a distance in order to protect her already broken heart from shattering into nothingness. But that distance was what made her feel so alone, even when she was surrounded by people. Unconsciously, Allen's hand reached up and wiped the tears from her cheek.
Maria flinched from the sudden contact, but didn't move away. Instead, she looked up at Allen with her beautiful ice-blue eyes. She looked so vulnerable staring at him, and he suddenly hugged her, giving her a shoulder to cry on.
Maria, unable to handle the sadness anymore, began to cry for the first time in two years. She cried for her brother, who risked his life to protect her; she cried because she missed her mentor, Ebony Florence; she cried because Allen, who she hardly even knew, was showing her such warmth that she hadn't felt in years. He was kind enough to let her cry two years worth of tears on his shoulder, and that action touched the heart that she didn't even know she had.
Patting her back softly, Allen simply sat there comforting her as she let her heart out and relinquished her barriers.
When Maria's tears slowed, she pulled herself together and slowly lifted her head from Allen's now soaked shoulder. "Um… Sorry about your shirt," she apologized meekly, feeling quite embarrassed about crying so hard on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it," Allen smiled, glad that she finally calmed down. He stood up, offering his hand to her.
Smiling, she took his outstretched hand and got up. Turning around to face him, Maria suddenly pecked him on the cheek. Giggling at his blush, she simply said, "It's my way of thanking you." With that said, she ran back into Anita's home.
After she left, Allen slowly lifted a hand up to his cherry red cheeks. Why were girls so confusing? He wondered. Didn't Maria already have Seph? What if that kiss really meant nothing to her after all? It was only on the cheek. Why was he getting so worked up about a small peck on the cheek? Allen sighed tiredly. He only thought of her as a dear friend...right?
Unbeknownst to the white haired boy who now stood alone on the dock, a figure hiding in the darkness had witnessed everything between the two earlier. His single red eye gleamed in the darkness as he smirked slightly, "See? She doesn't need you either."
"...Shut up."
The reply only made him grin wider in a maniacal way. "What will you do now..."
"Seph...?"
Yay some AllenXMaria fluff! I hope this scene made you happy :3 I hope I didn't make him sound OOC in this chapter :x
Sorry for the numerous Final Fantasy references so far XD I just went to their Distant Worlds concert last Friday, so the songs are stuck in my head right now XD Not that it's a bad thing though :3 If any of you were wondering about the song, it was 'Kiss Me Goodbye' from Final Fantasy XII. I basically fell in love with the song when I heard it at the concert; it's just so emotional and brings out the sadness in the singer. She sang this song in memory of her deceased brother, who left it to her before he died.
Please review! :3