Ashes And Rain
DGM
Chapter 5
The Troublesome General
The first few hours of the day began with packing up what was left of the circus and putting them in a horde of huge carriages ran by their horses. They were able to keep most people off their feet and on the carriages for the trip-the exorcists continued to walk not wanting to seem rude or anything, but watching also-and because of the nice people they were, they took turns for a period of time with who would walk for this many miles. They took a decent amount of breaks for a good amount of time.
Often the younger fellows in the circus would run around out of boredom and complained, asking when they would get there. Frankly, Kanda was losing his own patience with it, but saying nothing about it. "Ignore them, Kanda." Marie repeatedly said, sighing almost each time.
"Yeah, they're not nearly as noisy as you." Daisya said sarcastically, only he finding humorous.
Everyone spent that whole day traveling which almost everyone used to. It wasn't as loud as they-the exorcists-thought it'd be and the day wasn't all worthwhile. Lenalee once claimed they hadn't even seen Allen that day except for at the times they stopped to eat. There was a possibility he was able to stay in one of the carriages all day.
The next day the beginning was a little boring. To get an early start, most grown-ups got up bright and early and got the carriages moving. They didn't even wake half the exorcists who they let sleep in the carriages for a more comfortable stay since the ground was cold and hard that night.
Lavi slept a few hours in the carriage before he had woken up. Oh, he woke up only because Bookman swatted him. "Wake up, Lavi!" He ordered.
The red-headed teen opened his eyes and yawned. "What old Panda?"
Growing irritation forced Bookman's fist to form and he punched Lavi in the face, waking Lavi up completely. "Don't call me that!"
"Okay, okay, I got it. No need to get so rough!" Lavi whined, rubbing away his soreness.
Daisya laughed at Lavi once Bookman hopped off the carriage and walked up front. Lavi sat up and looked around, remembering yesterday's events. It wasn't that late, maybe not even nine AM. The reason why he says this is because Lenalee was still asleep and Miranda, too. Tiedol was talking to a few children around 12 or so and sketching. Lavi took notice to the many children in this circus, thinking the women must produce a lot here. Then, he also remembered many of them performed in the carnival. What a talented group.
Allen offered Lavi a wet towel seeing how Lavi had been sweating on this hot, dry day while he had been sleeping. Lavi gladly took it and thanked him, eyeing the boy who walked behind the carriage. "Good morning. . .um. . ."
"Lavi."
"Lavi, good morning, Lavi." Allen commented.
"Why'd you come back here?" Daisya asked, practically being rude.
"Nigel thought you would be hot back here by now. They sent me back here to give you all some water and cool towels." Allen answered despite Daisya's rudeness.
"Why, thank you young man." Tiedol said, looking up from his drawings.
Allen nodded, but his eyes caught the mark on General Tiedol's jacket which he wore lazily today since it was unzipped and you could see his gruff clothing. His eyes shined with gold because of Tiedol's rimmed edges reflected in his eyes. Lavi traced Allen's gaze then gazed at the youngin' himself. Allen had a thing for staring at the rose cross.
Waving a hand in front of Allen's face, Lavi gained his attention. "Little man," He said, seeing frustration in Allen's eyes with the word little, smirking to himself because of that, but hurrying to the point, "Is there a reason why you keep staring at the coats, or specifically, the emblem that marks it?" Lavi glanced back at Tiedol, wondering why it was most of the time Tiedol he stared at. Then it hit him. "Have you seen this coat before!" Lavi shouted, pointing at General Tiedol's coat. "This gold one?"
At once, every exorcist that were half awake woke up and paid full attention, as did General Tiedol's students. They saw anger and hesitation in Allen's eyes. "Um, I, well," Allen looked at the dirt for a moment before looking back at the exorcists. He couldn't quite answer while looking at them. Nervously, he continued. "I have, rimming with gold with a gold emblem like that."
Lenalee propped herself up and leaned forward. "You have? Where, when?"
"Not long ago, really." A little girl chimed in, one that sat beside the General.
"What?" Kanda piped in.
A boy no more than a year older than she pointed at Tiedol's jacket. "He wore this coat just like you. He had a thing for yelling and messing with Shandy, Petunia, and my older sister."
"Yep, a meanie! Especially towards Allen. No matter how nice Allen was to him or how patient, he always called him stupid and dumb. He even made Allen do things for him." The girl added.
General Tiedol looked intrigued. "Hmm, really?" His eyes landed on the quiet Allen who looked away, either remembering the events or trying to forget them. Tiedol knew only one, possibly two, people who could do that. "Do you know this man's name or could you describe him?"
"Flaming red hair like him, but that's all I remember." the boy said, pointing at Lavi.
"Anything else?" Miranda hopefully asked.
They shook their head. The two were pretty young to remember something like mainly because they see people all the time. Lavi snapped his fingers and turned the carriage inside-out as he searched for his jacket and gloves underneath the blankets given to them. About a minute later he found them and rummaged through his pockets. Nobody would be surprised if he tore it apart. Finally, he pulled out a folded up piece of paper and unfolded it, then he held it up for Allen and the children to see. "This man?"
The kids smiled and nodded. "That's him! Flaming red, and half a masquerade mask like that." The boy stated.
With expectant eyes, General Tiedol eyed Allen as he fixated his glasses. "Do you recognize him, Allen?"
The kids looked at their favorite friend with apologetic faces and he exhaled with exasperation. "Yes, Cross Marian, right?"
"YES!" Lavi and Krory exclaimed, getting in Allen's face.
Allen held up his hands and drew back slightly, anxious because of them. "Guys, don't be so pushy. Allen, could you explain a little?" Lenalee inquired, sitting on her knees.
He couldn't tell them everything, but he was curious to know why they wanted to find Cross so badly. He was a General, sure, but who wouldn't want to get rid of him? Apparently them. ". . . . It. . . It depends. . . What do you want to know exactly?" Asked Allen.
"When did you last see him?" Tiedol wondered aloud.
Allen fell silent for a minute. Thinking hard and long. He didn't know if he should answer. "Please, Allen, Cross may be in danger. We need to find him and take him back with us." Miranda slowly said, careful with her words. "Will you please. . help us?"
"Danger?" Allen gaped at them with wide eyes and panic. Why would Cross be in danger? Which was precisely what he asked. "Why's he in danger?"
Too bad he wasn't thinking thoroughly. The exorcists had no idea what Allen had known and since the two kids were still there, they might not really tell him. Surprisingly, General Tiedol requested them to leave for a bit. All eyes belonging to the non-carnies went on him. "How much do you know about this man?" General Tiedol questioned.
There was evident hesitation in his eyes. "Allen, we need to find him. If not take to the Order, which we should seeing how he's been missing for five years neglecting his duties, at least follow him and protect him." Lenalee explained.
Mentally heaving a sigh, he straightened his back. Mana was going to mad at him. Cross was going to be infuriated and do all sorts of tormenting things to him. "I am conscious of most things about Cross. I am very aware of him being a General, and unfortunately I know about his damn habits! Bluntly, that man is a genuine demon. He could care less about anybody else other than himself. Sees women as nothing more or less than. . ." Allen stopped, blushing and covering his face. "Continuing on, I know that he holds a gun containing innocence and about his duty to the Black Order. I know a lot about the man I never wanted to."
Miranda and Krory gulped. Lavi was a bit skittish now. Lenalee tipped her head, neither skittish nor scared. Just freaked out because of the way Allen described him. "It sounds fishy that a General and a man like Cross would tell you, a kid, about the Black Order. Any reason for that?" Bookman interrogated suspiciously.
Clenching and unclenching his jaw, he debated whether or not to tell them. "Does it matter why he told me?"
"That varies. Knowing about his innocence and his personality through and through, I'm sure there is a good reason." Tiedol said, catching Allen's skeptical expression. "Maybe that's a matter to discuss later. Do you know where Cross is?"
Allen's lips pursed together. It was plain to see Allen wouldn't tell them. Before he'd admit he can't, Kanda unsheathed his trusty sword and pressed it up to Allen's throat, making him stop dead in his tracks. "Where's the General kid?" Kanda demanded to know.
The sword shook him up for a minute, than he narrowed his eyes. "Kid? I'm not much younger than you or Lavi and Lenalee! I'm 15, thank you!" Allen shouted.
Laughter was patent in Kanda's eyes. Lavi nearly hunched over into a ball. His shoulders shook, trembling fiercely, hand covering mouth and dropping Cross' picture. He was about to laugh. Daisya just laughed, not caring. Allen's eyes grew with anger and vexation. "What's so funny!"
He really hated it when people thought of him as little. Right now, their reaction was uncalled for. "No-nothing." Lavi said.
Kanda gave a smug look. "Where's the General shortstack?"
Allen just about fell on his face and his brow twitched. Now there was no denying his furiousness now. "What. Did. You. Call. Me?" Allen seethed while Lavi burst into laughter.
General Tiedol groaned, palming his face. "Kanda!" Lenalee yelled, however, trying not to laugh herself.
Kanda sheathed Mugen and got in Allen's face, smugger than previously. "Short. Stack. Did you get it this time beansprout? Do I need to repeat it again, Moy-a-shi?"
Allen turned red with boiling anger. "I heard you the first time!"
"Then don't ask unnecessary question dipshit!" Kanda growled.
"It was a skeptical question jack-"
"What's going on?" Mana questioned, poking his head back there with them, raising a brow at Allen. "Eh?"
Allen froze mid-sentence because of his Father was standing right there. He had enough respect for him to not swear in front of him. He was the man who raised him. Besides, he'd learned a long time ago that it could be the dumbest thing Allen could ever do. So, to keep control, Allen stormed off to the front.
Kanda was not nearly as proud as everyone believed. More like he was satisfied. "Awww, there ya go again. Now you done it Yuu, we'll never find out where that man is!" Lavi complained.
Mana shrugged it off, following his son. "Allen, what's wrong? Allen?" Mana questioned him.
Allen didn't answer. Instead, he quickened his pace. It was a wonder as to why his feet didn't shake the ground or crack it with how much anger he was holding and how hard he stomped on the ground. All in all, Allen got to the first carriage and sat in it, mentally flipping out. "Wow, Allen's mad." Shandy commented.
Nigel lightly snickered, amused. "Isn't that something? You don't see that everyday."
"I don't think that's something to be happy about." Shandy corrected.
"I understand, but it makes you wonder which one angered him that much and how."
"I have a pretty good guess." Shandy confessed.
"Me, too."
Lavi calmed himself down. He was laughing like there was no tomorrow and Lenalee kept glaring at him, Daisya, and chewed out Kanda for five minutes. General Tiedol remained quiet. He was planning on saying something, but Kanda deserved a break after Lenalee's long speech. Bookman groaned with endless pique. "Immature brats."
Several hours later everybody forgot about it. They arrived at their destination. They found an easy place to set up their wonderland. Less than quarter of a mile away from town. That way, people could still walk to the circus or if visitors decided to come by to this town they have a chance to se their show, too. It took a long time, the rest of the day to be exact, to set up all the tents and and put the beasts where they belonged, tend to them, feed them, makes the beds, set everything else up, make a resting area in the back, AND then make dinner. Oh, and go shopping as well. It was chaotic. The funny thing is, most of the women got out of the building and constructing. Instead, they had the boy exorcists get to work. Marie, though they have no clue yet, may have been blind, but he was a much better helper than Lavi and Kanda and Daisya. Bookman and Tiedol got out of it, too. Ha, lucky them.
When the sun fell and the stars scattered across the sky and the moon rose, a fire burned and dinner served. Allen sat away from the crowded area and scurried to the top of a small hill, indulging in his pile of food, still hungry once he finished, but it wasn't like anybody here could afford enough for Allen's appetite. Also, he continued to give a portion of his food to the exorcists even though he knew they could buy their own. Allen was far too nice at times.
Marie, deciding to help his friends, trailed up the hill and sat beside Allen. The slender child was laying down and was eyeing the sky with wonder. Not that Marie would know. "Allen?" Marie questioned, making sure the boy heard him.
"Hmmm?"
"I wanted to apologize for Kanda's behavior earlier."
After that was said, Tiedol came out of nowhere and was drawing the night sky with happiness, spoke: "I agree, forgive Kanda. Please don't let it get to your head."
Allen didn't answer. He just laid there. "It's just how Kanda is. You can understand that, can't you?" Tiedol added just in case, practically pulling the guilt trick.
Unfortunately, Allen did understand. He was once, after all, like that. "It's okay. I hadn't predicted it. So it surprised me, quite the bombshell actually. Though I suppose I should be used to it by now." Allen uttered.
"Glad to hear it." Tiedol grinned. "Do you often stare at the night sky?"
Unconsciously Allen replied with a yes and a nod. "They're so beautiful. A long time ago I found it easy to release my anger by laying under the sky at night and star gaze. I think it's amazing what our world creates all on its own, not being man-made." Allen rambled on and on, until he felt weird speaking about this sort of stuff to total strangers. Then, they were exorcists. "You're Marie, right?"
Marie answered with a simple bow of his head. "What do you think?"
"Of the stars?" Marie asked, a grim smile on his face. "Allen, I'm blind."
A few seconds passed. Allen melodramatically reacted, sitting up straight and panicked. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I didn't know, I mean, I didn't mean to-I didn't. . .I. . . Sorry! I just didn't suspect that you couldn't see because you're a. . . and you earlier. . .and um, I am terribly-"
"Allen, calm down. You need to breathe." Marie said worriedly, hearing Allen's lungs freeze for a moment and his heart skip a beat because of the lack of oxygen and the outrageous alarm he experienced. Out of breath, Allen panted and took his advice. "It's alright, Allen. You didn't know, no harm done. I don't take it as offense." Marie announced, making Allen relax.
The General chuckled lightly. Allen Walker was an odd fella, but his unique characteristics isn't something to underestimate either. "Before I lost my sight, "Marie started, gaining his mentor's deliberation, "I hardly looked up at the sky. Those few times I did, I remember how lovely they were. Dim or bright, it was a sight to admire."
In awe and with subtlety, Allen used his elbows to keep himself supported as to keep him from falling. Using this peaceful moment, Lavi snuck up behind them and took in Allen's appearance. Pale skin, slender frame, cute for a little boy, dirty brunette hair, gray or mercury-like eyes filled with endless warmth and gloriousness yet somehow, a little bit of sadness he masked, his clothes were ratty and torn. Maybe a little decent, but holes here and there. His hair was messy and didn't show any signs of being cleaned or brushed too well in a long time. His face was dirty here and there. Getting closer to Allen and sitting beside him, earning a brief peek, he could smell Allen a little. He didn't stink, but he wasn't perfect. Meaning, he needed a bath. "Hey buddy."
"Hi."
It felt like forever sitting there in silence. It wasn't bad. The breeze was nice. It was a tad chilly. No one yelled. You could hear crickets chirp as the noise died down at the bottom of the hill. Then, some kind of concern washed over Allen. What made it worse, it was for Cross. "What exact danger is General Cross in?" Allen out-of-the-blue inquired.
"Can I?" Lavi asked to no one in particular.
"Go ahead. He's already aware of us." Tiedol muttered.
"You're aware of akuma, correct?" Lavi's speech launched with a question.
"Yes, I am."
The air tensed enough to send shivers down Allen's back. Lavi was serious. Dead serious. "How about the Millennium Earl?"
Allen reflected on memories he had long since buried away to never be spoken or thought of again. "Dreadfully, yes."
For a moment, Lavi thought about his response, then continued. "You may or may not know this, but the Millennium Earl creates the akuma through sorrow and death. We knew about this. What many did not know about was the Clan of Noah. They've shown up in certain periods of time then disappeared without a trace. They have now let themselves known to the Black Order, declaring full-on war to say the least, meaning our war we've been fighting for over a hundred years has just intensified. The Noah Clan is a clan of family of 13 people. We know few facts that are accurate about them. One is that they are immensely strong. They almost killed two of the exorcists here with us and achieved in killing several. One of those victims was General Kevin Yeager.
"The innocence he carried, including his own were destroyed. The Earl and his followers are looking for the Heart of innocence, which you might later find out about. All I can say is that General Yeager didn't possess it. That's why we need to find General Cross and take him to the Order." Lavi colorfully explained.
Allen sat up, eyes hidden, but wider than the sky. A General had been killed? Generals were strong, the strongest! Cross may have been strong, but if outnumbered enough, even he could fail in battle, wouldn't he? Whether or not that could or will happen, Allen fretted over it. Repeatedly he told himself General Cross, his mentor, his tormenter, his teacher, Mana's friend, was be okay. He was strong. He was different! Having not fought agains these people, not knowing this General, not knowing anything, it bothered Allen to no end. "Do you see why we must find him now? And any possibly accommodator?" Lavi questioned.
"Which reminds me, will you be going back sometime soon General?" Marie asked.
"Hmmm, if we find Cross before we take off, then yes, I'll go back. So long as Cross does as well."
Allen stood up. He had a pretty good idea where Cross was. Perhaps he should warn him? He was so confused. Mana told him not to tell. Cross ordered him not to tell. Everyone demanded the truth. The circumstances. . . Were far to great. "Cross most likely won't return to the Black Order. He hates it, but that's one thing I'll never understand about him. Seeing how he can hide from you guys and outwit you, manipulate everyone, I don't see why he still fight akuma and gather. . . innocence." You could tell Allen didn't really know anything about innocence. "He prefers to fight alone anyhow. That's why he doesn't have another exorcist with him."
"Of course, it's Cross Marian!" Tiedol exclaimed.
"Will you tell us where he is, if you know? At least hint us?" Lavi queried.
Allen scoffed, thinking back. "He'd kill me!" Thinking through it all, he further included, "I don't know where he is now. He was with us a few days ago and when we left the city the other day, we left him there. He might be far away now or nearby. Heck, he could even be hiding around he, watching us now. . . . Or peeping on the women, that pervert."
"Great, super." To add realism to his dull words, Lavi spun his finger in the air. "Whoop-di-do."
Anticipating a question to come, Allen knew someone would ask if Allen would help find Cross with them. Allen wouldn't know how to or where to begin. Also, he wouldn't leave without Mana's permission. He should call it a night and move on. Think about it tonight as he rested up. He had to practice tomorrow. He needed to prepare for the need performance. "I'll see you all tomorrow. G'night." Allen grabbed his plates and left.
Leaving them, Tiedol thought aimlessly about him. Why would Cross tell him? That brought up so many questions just knowing Cross told him, and with how well the boy knew the man. He meditated about this. . . . . . . .
Fourth chapter now! I really like this one. Favorite scene with Kanda. Anyways, continue reading and continue reviewing. Also, thanks fictiongurl5335 for your review. I very much appreciate that. It's extremely motivational. I hope you're right, too.
Again, thanks for the reviews! Thanks for taking to read! That alone is an honor!
~ ~Anon Novelist~ ~