Ashes And Rain

DGM

Chapter 15

Oddities And Sweeties

A deck of cards shuffled breezily in Allen's hands. He's been playing around with them for the past hour or longer. It was late at night and a small light lit the compartment. This was Allen's first time sitting in a fancy compartment like this. Whenever he had traveled with Cross, Mana normally had tagged along. Allen stuck close to Mana all the time. He remembers never leaving his side for more than a month at best. So, getting back to the compartment, Allen never stayed in one with Cross. Either he get angered or sent away to do more of his biddings. Not just that, Allen never knew how far he would go if there was a woman in there. He never knew if Cross would do that in there, but Allen wouldn't take the chance.

A few things were on his mind. You would think he was worried about the assignment, but he wasn't. Allen was for one, bored. Two, he stays up later then the others on the train to keep an eye on Cross, the only person in Allen's compartment aside from Lenalee and Bookman. They decided to split the group in two compartments on their train rides. That still wasn't all of it.

Allen didn't tell anyone, absolutely no one, only because nobody asked. He hadn't thought it needed to be rose. It's a prophecy Hevlaska gave to him.

Allen's unsettlement perished as this big blue form placed her head against Allen's own. He stopped moving and his body was acting weird, tingly, close to numb. The form spoke softly and yet her voice echoed like chiming bells. "8%. . . . 13%. . . .26%. . . . 41%. . . 59%. . . . 77%. . . 83% . . . 92% . . ." Her head departed from his.

As the girl form lowered him until he touched the ground, standing back on his own two feet, Komui smiled with impressment. Allen could only guess what he was thinking about all this. "Allen Walker, you will become the Destroyer of Time... I'm sorry if I frightened you."

Allen didn't know what to make of any of this. The more time he spent with people form the Black Order, the crazier things get. "Uh, no, it's not your fault." Allen said and that's when he heard Komui clap. Speedily, Allen tried punching him, but Komui had held up a metal clipboard and Allen only dented it.

"Ooh, calm down, a thorough examination and synchronization check is required of everyone."

"And you didn't tell me this before!"

"It's so much fun this way." Komui clapped again. "This is Hevlaska, Allen. You'll come to know her very well soon. Her prophecies are cryptic, but mostly true. . . ."

Sighing, Allen stopped shuffling his deck of cards, looking around the room quietly. He had for awhile perceived some pressure on his shoulder. There was no bother to a look because he figured he already knew what, no, who it was. Something made him change direction as he wrapped a rubber band on his deck of cards, setting them beside inbetween him and the train wall.

Peacefully, Lenalee slept. Sometime ago she fell from her position and lumped herself to him. Allen didn't mind. There was something. . . comforting about it. It gave him a warm feeling.

Making sure Cross and Bookman both were asleep, Allen stroked Lenalee's hair away from her lovely face. He wanted to see her eyes, but her face was enough to settle his yearning. "Lenalee. . ." His whisper was hardly noticeable at all. Probably because somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he'd wake her if he was loud enough. "Sometimes I wonder. . . what it would be like. . . to have a whole family. . . Real friends, ones I don't have to hide from. . . that would fill in for the family I never had. The whole family. . ."

There was no reason for him to be saying this, but he did. The fact was, that may be the thing that had been on his mind forever. It nerved him and it hurt. Traveling from circus to circus was getting lonely and the only people that ever stayed with him for a long period was Mana and Cross. His last circus-it was close to a real family, but he couldn't talk to anyone there about any of his problems. Some things he couldn't tell Mana and could talk to Cross and vice versa. Some feelings and many thoughts could never exit his heart nor his head.

Even then at the circus he that he had fun everyday and felt welcomed time and time again, there weren't real. They never could have been because none of them could ever meet the real him. His arm, his scar, the hair, what he strives for, why he eats so much, and more. All his secrets. . . And now, because of these guys, the other exorcists that could relate one way or another, Allen felt he could speak to them and not have to lie all the time.

When Lenalee said the Black Order was now his home, it symbolized not just friendship, but told Allen this was his family. This is where he belonged. Where he fits in. "Thank you, Lenalee." Allen closed his eyes, shifting slightly so he could lean against the wall while giving Lenalee a more comfortable position. Her head rested on his chest and upper shoulder. It was then he could feel her arms hug his left arm. "For showing me something. . . Because of you, I realized something of my own, too."

She was smiling, tightening her hold on him in a soothing manner. "You. . 're. . . welcome, Allen." She mumbled, burying her head in his chest.

By chance, did Lenalee hear everything I said? Allen considered as he drifted off to sleep, closing his eyes-that he doesn't remember opening-one more time.

The train would be stopping soon. It was early in the morning, bright and early, and Lavi wasn't sure if anyone in the second compartment would be awake. Bookman was, but he came in an hour ago. Kanda was up alright, the old grump, and Lavi has been awake for awhile talking to the old Panda. If you knew Lavi then you know he got hit repeatedly and once, bumped into Miranda, startling her awake.

. . . . . . . . Let's just say the craziness woke up Krory.

While recalling the morning's events, Lavi looked away from the scenery outside and then at the door. He should go check. Doing just that, Lavi made his way out of the compartment, heartily telling the others in his compartment. Lavi absentmindedly counted the steps he took, jamming his thumbs in his pockets. A tune he heard before came to mind and he whistled it, passing a couple of strangers and eyeing them for only seconds or less before he switched his gaze's direction.

On the last door to the left, Lavi stopped in front of it, knocking once. No answer. He tried a second time. Same response. Shrugging, Lavi opened the door and before he took a step inside, he froze. Instead, he took a small step back and closed the sliding door.

Lavi eagerly walked back to his compartment and happily slammed it open. "Guys! Guys! Come here, you gotta see this, come on!" Lavi exclaimed.

"What's going on, Lavi?" Krory blinked, shocked by Lavi's outburst. "Are there akuma?"

Krory stood up, clenching his fists and holding them close to his chest. "Do someone need rescuing?"

Would Krory get over that already? Lavi couldn't help but mentally ask his inner self. "No, it's worse!"

"The Noah?" Kanda now had his attention.

"WORSE!"

Kanda narrowed his eyes. What trick was Lavi pulling this time? "The Earl?"

"No, WORSE THAN THAT!"

"Don't over-exaggerate things, you baka usagi!" Kanda growled.

It was probably something stupid. "But-but-but-but-but it's BAD! A tiny bit cute, but TERRIBLE!" Lavi whined, making a crazy face and dragging Krory and Miranda along. "You HAVE to see this!"

"Uh, Lavi, where are you taking us?" Krory said, concerned about the one-eyed rabbit.

"You'll see."

Kanda sighed, seeing the train station coming close. He got his suitcase and stood up, trailing after them only because that way Lavi took them led to the closest exit. Bookman also slowly trailed behind them because he had to get his own luggage and scold his own idiot apprentice.

Lavi slowly slid the door open and poked his nose in, but didn't enter. Lavi stared with anticipation as if the air was filled with suspense. "That's the problem." Lavi paused for a dramatic effect, though it did nothing in this situation, really. "Eh, it's kinda cute."

Miranda and Krory hid by the door like Lavi did, staring in, eyes widening. Inside, Lenalee lies soundlessly asleep on Allen and she held him closely like a little girl snuggles a teddy bear. Allen's head was on top of hers in an adorable couple-look way. He also had his one arm around he waist and the other around her shoulders. He was leaning on the wall.

Each of them stood there silently, holding back a gasp, a tiny pink tint on Miranda's and Krory's cheeks, as the sight burned into their eyes, into their brains. "Oh no, what if Komui finds out, Lavi?" Miranda inquired.

"He'll kill the poor kid." Lavi stated blandly. "The-there's no way he'd find out, right? None of us will tell on him? Heh. . .heh. . Allen doesn't know about Komui's complex. . . When he finds out about it, we don't want it to be his last breathing day."

The others nodded. If somehow Komui finds out he'll kill Allen, no doubt. That wasn't BAD, it was BAD! "Still, it's so adorable. . . ." Miranda whispered shakily.

"It-it is. It looks very cute. . . It reminds me of my lovely Eliade. . . These two lo-"

"Shhh, Krory! You don't want Komui's super senses to start tingling. He'll call. If that doesn't work, when we get back, we have bigger troubles than the Noah to worry about. . . That man is a threat to humanity himself. . ."

"You're right. . ."

Kanda purely glimpsed at the two and then made his usual "che" and turned his head. "Wake them up." He sneered, starting to walk away.

Lavi grabbed Kanda's wrist and yanked him back. Before Kanda could snap at him, he covered his mouth. "Hold on. You have to promise you won't tell anyone about this." Lavi said.

"I don't make promises especially with-"

"Fine, swear on your. . . . pride and self-dignity you that wouldn't tell a soul." Lavi corrected.

"Tch." Kanda walked off, pushing Lavi back.

One of these days, Kanda thought, I'll chop the usagi and the beansprout up. "I'll take that as a yes."

"What are fools doing?" Cross demanded to know.

Lavi sheepishly turned around, rubbing the back of his head. "No-nothing! We just came by to tell you all to get ready. We'll be getting off in about-" Lavi lost his balance when the train came to a screeching halt, making him tumble. Krory fell on top of him and Miranda on them. "Now, Sir." Lavi said, hardly breathing.

Cross eyed them as they left the compartment and went to get their own luggage. He stood up and whacked Allen's head. "Get up!"

Allen groaned, opening his eyes to glare at Cross. He would have said something, but he felt like something was practically on top of him. He found himself staring at Lenalee's beautiful face that laid right below his chin. His face heated up as he let last night's memories came to play in his head. When did he get this close to her?

Removing his arms from her body, Allen gulped and tried to sit up straighter, but accidentally woke her up anyhow. "Al. . Allen?" Lenalee rubbed her eyes, yawning.

Allen couldn't help it. His face got redder and hotter until he looked like a cherry. You couldn't even tell where his scar was anymore. Lenalee was just too damn cute when she did that, but when she opened her violet eyes, he found himself gazing deep in them. It wasn't long until that deep blush turned faint. "Allen, are we there yet?" Lenalee asked, sitting up.

"I, uh, Master?"

"Yes, now get up!" Cross left them there as Bookman gathered his belongings.

Allen stood up. Hopefully soon he wouldn't blush anymore, but he never really does. It's just her face was so close to his. . . And-he needs to find a different word because he sounds so much like Cross now-she was beautiful. So long as he wasn't that close to her. "Come on, Lenalee, let's go. Before we get left behind." Allen acted like nothing happened and it seemed Lenalee didn't either notice or she hid it, too. "You ready?" Allen held his hand out to her.

Lenalee stared at his hand. There was. . .something familiar about that. . . . That's right. . . A day before she met Allen, she had that dream. . . That dream almost made her cry when she woke up because she knew him, that person she couldn't reach. He had held his hand out for her and she couldn't grab it. Thinking about that dream, what happened to her, wondering what happened to the boy, who the boy-Lenalee looked up at Allen-was. . . "Lenalee?"

She shook her head. "Yeah, let's go." Lenalee took his soft hand and grabbed her luggage.

Both hurried outside to meet their awfully quiet. "Krory, Miranda, don't act suspicious." Lavi whispered to them.

Both nodded.

They had seen nothing!

Lavi raised his hand and waved frantically, laughing like a little boy. "Hey, pipsqueak! Lena-lovely-lady!"

Yeah, Lavi wasn't suspicious at all.

"Good morning, Lavi, everyone. I hope you all slept well." Lenalee greeted.

Lavi laughed crazily. "You're so funny, Lenalee."

Lenalee angled her head to the side, raising a questioning eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

"You! Everybody knows I dream splendidly every night. I do have dreams about the most sexiest women in the world."

"O. . . kay. That could have gone without mentioned, but let's get going before Cross ditches us." Lenalee pointed at the trotting General.

Everybody panicked and ran to catch up with the General. Allen stayed with Bookman in the back, not really wanting to spend quality time with his mentor. . . And Lavi, Krory, and even Miranda were giving him these weird gazes all day as they trekked miles through China. Allen just smiled casually and made small talk, but either Lavi go on and on about, uh, math? Sometimes geography. The geography was more interesting than the numbers that Allen couldn't understand without paper or visualizing it. Miranda was being more reckless and made accident after accident, tripping over her own feet or nothing at all. As for Krory. . . He, well, how could he put it nicely, Krory was more out of it than he normally is and points at randoms things or laughs like a goat, making small chit-chat about nothing in particular.

What was wrong with them? They were acting crazier than he remembered them to be for the last, oh, a week maybe? It was only those three. "Bookman, did they eat anything, I don't know, poisoned or gross or you know, got food poisoning?" Allen asked.

Everything was food with Allen. Even when he made suggestions like that. Lavi was starting to believe he could bribe Allen into anything as long as he uses food. He notices Allen has a fancy liking to mitarashi dangos. "No, they're just naturally atypical." Bookman muttered.

"Atyp. . .Atypi. . .what?"

His Father did say Allen wasn't well educated. Bookman should choose his words more wisely around him. "Unorthodox."

"Ohhhhh. . . I get it."

Upon arriving in a busy exporting China town, Cross guided them to a certain atypical place. There was something odd about it. When a bald man-wait, he was a she!-walked out the front gates, she, he, IT spotted the General and right away, she told him where to go for something because he had kids with him. Lavi pouted, seeming to know this what kind of place this fancy, rich, noble looking building was. He really wanted to go in there, but Bookman dragged his happy pouty ass with them to the back of the building. "Master, where are we?" Allen asked.

Allen knew Cross knew many people-the women, the rich, and the extremely rich and beautiful women. Allen never been to China before with Cross and so he didn't know where he was and why or for who. All he knew was it was dark and drafty. "A brothel."

Allen's eyes broadened. "A brothel!"

Cut!

PLEASE READ: Sorry it's long

So, I really like this chapter. I might go back through it and fix some words, but let me know what ya think with a good ol'review please. Those always seem to bring me a peace of mind. I love all of your reviews and I think they've all helped me a lot.

So this is what I decided with the chapter length. Some will be short, Some will be long. Some might be totally and utterly random! I never liked too short chapters, but I'll try making a few shorts ones now and then for some people who prefer those. . . I'm not promising everything because I agree with Konki!

By the way, I want to give a personal shout out to Konki. I managed to get my hands on the review during science class today after I finished all my work-my school teaches with a macbook now, ahh, the wonders and annoying parts of technology. Gotta love them and hate them at times- And I want to thank you so

THANK YOU, KONKI! LOVE YOUR ADVICE! AND NO PROBLEM WITH GRAMMAR AND SPELLING. I can read it just fine.

I'll fit the length to a balance I like, but I want to be considerate of everyone else, too.

Now, everyone has been asking me about how I create chapters so fast. Well, it's simple. I love writing. I spend most of my time doing so. Especially because where I live I can't really do much. So, since I love writing, and I LOVE this story, I can write them quickly without a problem and I aim to update at least one chapter a day unless school *waves fist angrily* gets in the way and all. Soooo, I'm glad you like the fast updates and I hope you all love my story.

Feel free to ask me any questions and PLEASE, check out my other story if you will and tell me what you think. It's the first chapter and different-kinda risky-but hey, risks bring out the best outcomes when it's all through. I'll try getting another chapter up.

One more thing-I am a girl for those who want to know or don't accidentally call me a boy. Thought it be easier on you.

One more thing- Wanna try and guess my age?

~ ~ ~ Anon Novelist ~ ~ ~