Chapter 12

*Lavi's point of view

Alyce did explain why she dragged me with her but it is still unfair that she won't tell me anything so I kept on asking and asking.

She seemed annoyed and then amused when she thought of something. She came closer and did something I didn't expect her to dare. She kissed me on the cheek.

My face flushed a light shade of pink. I was surprised and a bit … Come on, who wouldn't react that way when a pretty lady like her kisses you even if it was only on the cheek. She is very pretty.

Alyce told me that her reason for doing that was to silence me and it did work. She said that she only thinks of me as a younger brother so I shouldn't bother much with that and I wouldn't, she is just ink on paper. Well, that is what I'm supposed to think anyway.

I then tried to go to my usual character to tease her but she suddenly made me realize that if anyone did hear about such an incident, I would get into trouble. We would either leave or I'd be lectured/scolded and given lots of work. Those are some of the things I don't want to happen.

I felt a bit angry for what she did. We were in silence then for a few minutes until she spoke up. She didn't mean to do it that way so I returned to my usual character but she see through it and then she leaves.

*At the training room…

"Alyce!" said Lilia as she rushed to Alyce and gave her a hug.

"How are you doing, Lilia?"

"I'm doing fine. I still can't activate my innocence though. So Allen's teaching me how to fight."

"It seems like you've been training for hours. Would you like to join me? I'm heading to the cafeteria to eat."

"I am hungry."

"Me too."

The three of them then headed to the cafeteria. Allen ordered a lot as usual and Lilia came close.

"General Wynne, Komui-nii is asking for you in his office," said Lenalee.

"Okay, but didn't I say that I like it better if you call me Alyce."

"Okay, let's go then Alyce. Sorry about that."

"It's fine, Lenalee. Let's go."

They walked to Komui's office.

"So what do you want?"

"I'll be sending the two of you on a mission. It isn't really far, just a few towns away. There had been a large number of akuma there lately. You can read more about it on the train. It leaves in less than half an hour so please get ready fast."

"Yes, sir."

We rode the train and read about the mission on the way. We first checked inside the inn after arriving and met with the finder waiting for us.

"There doesn't seem to be any akuma. Are you sure that this is the right place?"

"It seems they forgot to tell you. The akuma only attack at night," said the finder.

"There are still a few more hours before night comes."

"Why don't we have a look around the town then?" asked Lenalee.

"There really isn't anything much to do. We could try asking witnesses while we're at it."

Everyone agreed on the idea so we walked around the town until night came. And when it did, akuma started appearing and attacking people just as it was reported. Lenalee activated her dark boots.

My innocence takes the form of a bracelet on both wrists when they are not activated. It changes into two daggers that I hold on both hands when I activate it. I had it changed onto that form. Its real ability is to hide my presence. That was the reason why no one was able to find me all those years with the exception of Cross. And it was also the reason why Hevlaska wasn't able to tell that my synch rate reached that level.

That ability helps me well when I battle akuma. I beat them easily since they can't see me or sense that I'm coming to attack. I don't get injured much except when I'm careless which I try not to be. We ended quickly after half an hour and rested in the inn. Lenalee fell asleep quickly when we reached our rooms. She had been exhausted but not injured. I was also exhausted but I wasn't really that sleepy yet. I was about to close my eyes when a knock disturbed me. I opened the door and found the finder standing there with a worried expression.

"General Wynne, there's a problem. I know both of you are tired. I apologize for the disturbance but …"

"Slow down. And it's fine. What's the problem?"

"The number of akuma you encountered was strange. It was only half of the usual. Another batch is attacking again and thrice the number you've encountered just now ... and there was a Noah with them. We've contacted the order to send back up."

"Okay, wait there I'll just wake up Lenalee."

I went back inside the room and woke up Lenalee.

"What is it?" asked Lenalee who was still sleep.

"There are more akuma and a Noah. Someone will be sent as back up but we need to fight at once. There a lot more than usual, thrice the number we've encountered."

She hurriedly got up and then we went out to fight the akuma.

We were tired but there is no rest during a battle. The only rest anyone will get is death. And no one wants that so we continued to fight even if exhausted.

We killed a quarter of them and are still fighting. The Noah the finder saw wasn't anywhere in sight. I'm not sure if we're in luck but that is just hoping. The Noah could possibly show up any time.

The one they sent was Lavi. He came through a door from the ark. He activated his innocence and started fighting with us. Half an hour passed and more than half was killed. The Noah appeared to join the battle, it was Tyki.

"Surprised to see me?" said Tyki as he walked towards me.

"How can you see me?" I asked since I know that my innocence is supposed to hide my presence.

Lavi and Lenalee were busy fighting the akuma. I was too but Tyki had them leave the two of us alone.

"You're tired. You can't seem to hide yourself as well as before anymore."

"Why'd you ask them to leave?"

"So I can have a talk with you."

"What is there to talk about?"

"A lot so can you show yourself now? I only sense that you're there. I don't see much."

"Why would I do that?"

"It's pointless doing it. It only tires you out."

I stopped hiding my presence. He was right that doing that is pointless since he knows I'm there.

"How surprising, you're a general now. I didn't expect that."

"If you're surprised about that then you're not expecting this."

I said that as I attacked him with my innocence. The first hit left a cut on his sleeve, the rest he dodged so easily that it annoyed me.

"You really are intent on killing me. Too bad though the feeling isn't mutual."

"Why aren't you fighting back?"

I was furious at him. He only dodges but never attacks.

"It would be unfair to fight you when you're injured and tired. I'd fight with you on equal ground."

"Trying to be a gentleman again? It's useless since you're clearly a murderer."

"But aren't you going to be as well when you kill me?"

"Who says I'll kill you? You'd just be escaping the consequences. You need to pay for the things you'd done and dying isn't the way."

He seemed surprised by what I said then smiled.

"Is that so?" he said with a wide grin on his face that it creep me out.

"You'd be living in hell for years with no escape."

"Are you really going to do that?" he asked.

"Alyce!" Someone called out my name as a large hammer tried to hit Tyki. He dodged it though like he did with mine.

"Are you alright?" asked Lavi.

"I'm fine, just tired."

I looked around. There were no more akuma and Tyki was gone.

"You're wounded."

"It'll heal. Where's Lenalee? What happened?"

"Lenalee is being treated at the order. She was brought there through the ark. We already defeated the akuma when you suddenly disappeared with Tyki. What happened between you two?"

"Nothing much. Let's go back then. I'm tired."

My head hurt, I was feeling dizzy and then lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was already in the infirmary. Lenalee was sleeping on the bed beside mine while Lavi was resting by my side. He fell asleep while sitting and waiting for us to wake up. Allen was there too, sitting close to Lenalee while Komui was on the other side. I noticed that Lilia was also there with her doll at my other side. She fell asleep too. I have such a cute little sister. I patted her head and kissed her on the head. Her eyes opened.

"Alyce you're awake."

"I am so how long was I out?"

"Just a day."

Lavi woke up when he heard us talking.

"Do you feel better?" he asked.

He was worried just as Lilia. They have the same expression. I played with his hair and kissed him on the head like Lilia.

"I feel all better. Thanks for the help."

There was a surprised sound that came from Allen since he saw what I did. Komui woke up as well then Lenalee followed. She wondered what it was all about and asked.

"What's wrong, Allen? You want one too?"

I got up and gave him a hug then kissed him on the head like I did with the other two. He was surprised and embarrassed.

Komui and Lenalee were surprised by what I did too.

"I guess it's unfair if I leave you out of it."

I went to them. I hugged the both of them and then gave Lenalee as well a kiss on the head too.

They were all surprised by what I did.

"Who are you and what did you do with Alyce?" asked a suspicious Komui.

"What's so wrong about that? I just felt like it. All of you are like family, aren't you?"

"You sure have changed, Alyce. I really was surprised," said Lenalee while smiling. Her brother was still suspicious of Alyce.

"Is that really her? She must have been hit hard by Tyki."

Lenalee scolded her brother for saying that. I didn't even receive a single hit from Tyki.

"Come on, Lenalee. The usual Alyce won't do that."

"What is the usual Alyce?" asked a curious Lavi.

"She'd be all grumpy and try to run away."

"I didn't have a reason to stay then."

"What is your reason now?"

"The order is like home as you call it."

A grumbling sound was suddenly heard. It came from Allen. Everyone looked at him then laughed.

"Sorry, I was just hungry."

"Let's go eat then. I'm hungry."

All agreed then went to the cafeteria.