DISCLAIMER: I do not own -man or its characters. Just Mizuki.
The door opened a crack, light from the hallway spilling into the room. Then, Krory and Lenalee suddenly burst in, looking around wildly, their faces lined with worry.
"What? What's wrong?" Krory readied himself for an attack. "Is it Akuma?" He scanned the room.
His eyes fell on the two youngsters. Mizuki was staring at her hand with disbelief, her mouth moving soundlessly. Her hand was cupped by Lavi's, his expression just as bewildered.
"Mizuki? Are you all right?" Lenalee asked worriedly.
Lavi quickly put his hands behind his back and threw them an apologetic look. Mizuki looked up, suddenly noticing her guests. "Oh! Sorry about that. Didn't mean to wake you guys up…" she rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly with her good hand.
"Something wrong with your hand?" Lenalee pointed with her index finger.
"What? No, of course not! There's nothing wrong with anything. I'm fit as a fiddle," Mizuki hid both her hands behind her back and smiled innocently.
Lavi rolled his eye and scoffed. "This does not count as 'nothing'." He grabbed her wrist and took out her hand to show the others.
It was an angry pink, as if she'd placed it on a stove for a few seconds. I feel like a show pony... she thought bitterly as Lenalee and Krory came to scrutinize her hand.
"It happened when she made contact with her weapon," Lavi explained.
At this, Krory lifted an eyebrow, waiting expectantly for further clarification. Lenalee sat next to Mizuki on the bed and lightly placed a hand on Mizuki's shoulder. "Let us know what's going on. Please."
Mizuki glanced at Lenalee's pained expression and sighed. Her gaze traveled up to Lavi, who gave her an encouraging nod. Krory's expression was calculating and anxious. I suppose I could…no, I should. Maybe it'll help us find Allen. "Yeah, you guys deserve to know. I'm gonna try and start from the beginning."
Krory and Lavi drew up chairs while Mizuki flexed her hand experimentally and winced. "Hmm….all right. I guess I'd better start at the beginning."
She explained everything from her first meeting with Toki to her most recent meeting with Tyki. The Tyki's blood, Daisya's death…everything. When she got up to the part where Tyki nearly killed her the first time, she could feel the blankets bunch up under Lavi's fists. Ignoring it, she continued. None of them took their eyes off her the entire time, making her shift uncomfortably as she spoke. When she finished sat back and waited for any signs of response. When she didn't get any, she started up again. "Now do you guys see why I was so hesitant to tell you guys my story?" Her voice broke and tears began to well up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She blinked several times, trying to rid herself of them. "Do you realize now that it's dangerous to be anything more than just acquaintances?" Her eyes flickered quickly over to Lavi. "Do you know how much it would kill me if –"
"Mizuki!" Lavi interrupted.
She stopped talking and swallowed the lump that had crawled up her throat.
"We're not going to regret being your friends, if that's what you're getting at." His eye twinkled.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and sniffled. "But –"
"Don't be an idiot."
She frowned and looked at him carefully. They seriously still want to be my friend even after all this? I basically told them I'd used them to get to Tyki.
"He's right, you know," Krory added. "There's no point in splitting up now. You're stuck with us. Besides, Lavi would throw a fit." His lips curved upward into a knowing smile, baring his fangs.
Lavi put his finger to his chin and he looked up towards the ceiling, pretending to think. "You know, I think I would."
Lenalee agreed, "It's important now more than ever that we stay together."
Mizuki laughed out loud. She felt lighter now that she knew these were people she could truly count on. "Leave it to Lenalee to put it best!" she took Lenalee's hand and squeezed it lightly.
"We're in this together, and that's how it's going to stay," Krory stated, his tone final.
"And isn't that what I've been saying all along?" Lavi pointed to himself with a smug smile. "Anyway, so what are we going to do about your situation? How's your hand doing?"
"Better. It's sort of fading. See?" She wiggled her fingers in front of his face. The palm of her hand and her fingers were indeed a lighter pink.
"Yes, but how are you going to fight without your Innocence?" Krory said thoughtfully, his brows furrowed together in contemplation.
After some thought, Mizuki's head suddenly shot up, her eyes bright. "I've got it!" she said looking around excitedly. "Uhh...any of you know where my clothes are?"
"Right here," Lenalee reached over to the bed-side table and handed over the neatly folded uniform.
Mizuki quickly unfolded the coat and frowned. "Wow, I really took a beating, didn't I?" The coat had numerous rips and tears, which could only indicate the thrashing she must have had from the fight. She could still make out the dried blood that refused to come out even after washing. Then she proceeded to rip the sleeves off her jacket and wrapped the strips crudely around her palm and fingers. She held her hands out expectantly. "Well? Let's give it a try!"
Lavi grabbed her bō and handed it to her cautiously.
Mizuki slowly wrapped her fingers around the staff. Hmm, nothing. She let out the breath she'd been holding. "It doesn't hurt!" she exclaimed happily, gripping more tightly.
Lenalee cleared her throat, "I need to update nii-san on the situation. I'll be right back!" She jumped up and left quickly...
"Wait! Lenalee! Komui-san doesn't –" Mizuki started, but Lenalee had already bounded out of the room. "-need to know…about this." she finished lamely. I didn't really want to give him something else to worry about….but I guess it can't be helped.
"So...how's she holding up then?" Mizuki asked her two comrades tentatively.
"Lenalee's still very upset…," Krory said somberly. He knew she was talking about the situation with Allen. He took a seat down at the far end of the bed and suddenly became interested in a knot on the wooden floor.
"Well, we all have to move on eventually," Lavi's voice was firm, but his expression faltered.
Mizuki turned to throw him an incredulous look (obviously she did not appreciate his pessimism about Allen's survival), which he did not meet.
Jeez, everyone's so down today…Mizuki grimaced. She agreed; it seemed that the odds were against them. But Allen could never go down that easily. "Listen. You guys never found his body, right? If that bastard Tyki really killed him, he would have just left his body there. Someone must have taken his body and saved him. I just know it!"
Krory suddenly stood up with his back to them. There was a moment of silence, and then he spoke, "You know what Mizuki? You're right." He turned around and winked. "We can't lose hope now."
"Mmm," Lavi wasn't convinced.
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Mizuki groaned as the sun shone through the window straight into her eyes. "Morning," she grumbled to no one in particular. She sat up in bed and yawned, stretching. Something caught her eye mid-yawn. "Hmm?" she reached over to her bedside table and picked up what appeared to be new clothes. Unfolding the top and holding it out in front of her, she took a moment to scrutinize it. A grin slowly spread across her face. "Leave it to Komui-san to know exactly what we need." It was an exorcist jacket that ended above her elbows and had a hood in the back along with a pair of matching black pants.
She put on the clothes excitedly and had a mock battle in the middle of the room. The new outfit was much more flexible and felt more durable. She laughed aloud. "Wow Komui-san! You've outdone yourself this time! Thanks! Eh? What's this?" She felt around in her pockets and pulled out a pair of black gloves lined with silver, which she put on. "You really think of everything," she grinned. I'll have to thank him once we get back to headquarters.
Mizuki then walked out of her room and down the hall. She began to hear voices and followed them to find Krory, Bookman, and some other woman all gathered in a room. "Mornin' guys!" she waved. "Hey! It looks like you guys have new outfits too! Haha, awesome!"
"Well, good morning beautiful" came a voice from behind her.
She turned around slowly and there he was. His hair was messy, not being held back by his headband and having just woken up. He had a three-quarter length sleeved exorcist jacket and black matching pants. He was also wearing a pair of fingerless gloves. Her mouth dropped as she took in the newly dressed Lavi.
"Hmm? Something wrong?" he ruffled his hair a bit more in confusion.
(PhantomWolf24: Oh, please. Don't tell me you did not DROOL when you saw his new outfit. That AND his hair when it's down? Guhhhh beautiful.)
Mizuki caught herself quickly. "Uhh…no! Of course not! Hehe…" she laughed nervously and continued to stare as he walked towards the back of the room. Wow Komui-san. Wow.
"Ah, Mizuki-chan right?"
It took Mizuki all her willpower to tear her eyes away from Lavi and look at whoever was talking to her. She appeared to be a woman in her late twenties with black wavy locks. She appeared very shy and unsure of herself. She took a hesitant step forward and held out her hand. "I'm Miranda Lotto. I've already heard about you from your friends."
Grr, who's been talking about me? Mizuki shook her hand firmly and smiled. "Hello Miranda. It's nice to meet you. You're an exorcist too I see," she pointed to Miranda's outfit.
She laughed in response. "Yes, I have worked with Lenalee and Allen before –" she cut off midsentence and covered her mouth with her hands.
Mizuki could hear a sharp intake of breath from everyone in the room. When she followed the direction of everyone's gaze, she nearly jumped when she saw Lenalee sitting silently on the stairs. She appeared to be staring blankly at the wall in front of her.
"She's trying to pull herself together. Lenalee regrets leaving Allen's side last night. She blames herself." Bookman explained solemnly.
"Lenalee…" Mizuki whispered softly.
All of a sudden, the sound of shattered glass rang throughout the room. All eyes turned to Lavi, whose fist was in front of the window he apparently just broke. He was panting and his body shook.
"Cut it out already," His voice was deathly quiet. "There was…nothing we could have done. We were all fighting with everything we had last night. We couldn't have saved him no matter what!" His voice began to rise steadily. "This is a war! We had no choice! Now get over it and stand up!" he shouted.
Tears began to fall silently down Lenalee's face as she continued to stare at the wall.
Lavi turned to see Bookman, Krory, Miranda, and Mizuki throwing him identical accusatory stares. "You made her cry…" they all mumbled.
Bookman grabbed Lavi by the neck and began strangling him. "I apologize, Miss Lenalee! I'll impose a special punishment on him right away!"
Mizuki came over and punched the top of Lavi's head, digging her fist into his skull. His strangled noises turned into yelps of pain. "Bookman-san is right, Lenalee. Don't listen to this idiot." She walked over to Lenalee and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure wherever he is, Allen is thinking of you too."
"Why?" Lavi asked Bookman "It's not like I said anything wrong…"
This earned the redhead a righteous smack in the back of his head. "Is this the behavior of an Apostle of God?" Panda grabbed the collar of Lavi's uniform and pulled him closer. "You are the successor to 'Bookman'. Nothing more, nothing less." The old man's eyes became dark. "Haven't I taught you to be a bystander in any situation? Don't be drawn in by the war. We just happen to be on the side of the Order, so that we can record history. Don't forget your purpose, Lavi."
"I-I get it," Lavi mumbled apologetically. That's right. My purpose. I am the successor of Bookman. "I'm sorry, Panda."
Mizuki turned around after hearing numerous Panda-hand to Lavi-face contact.
"Well, besides that…" Bookman turned to look out the window at the horizon and scratched his chin. "Because I believe in the prophecy of the Destroyer of Time, I don't believe for one second that the boy is dead."
This caught Lenalee's attention and she tore her eyes away from the wall to listen to what Bookman was saying. Tears did not cease to flow from her eyes.
"The reason I asked to be placed in Cross's unit was because I was interested in the boy. I thought perhaps the 'Time' in 'Destroyer of Time' may be a reference to a certain man. Perhaps Allen Walker will be the one destined to destroy the Millennium Earl. If that is the case, then he cannot die here."
Mizuki walked over to stand by the window. "I thought I said that…ah, never mind. Whatever gets the job done, I suppose."
At that, a knock came at the door. "Exorcist-sama, is something wrong? That was quite a racket coming from in here just now…" Mahoja came in, looking confused.
Mahoja caught sight of the window and turned around, her face scarier than Skin Boric's on a good day.
"He did it…" Krory and Bookman both unabashedly pointed towards Lavi, who was sweating bullets on the other side of the room.
"Wow guys. Way to sell out your friend…" Mizuki sweatdropped...
"I'm sorry…" he said in a strangled voice. Mahoja pretty much flash-stepped over to Lavi and thrust her angry butch face in front of his. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" the boy pleaded. He quickly crawled over to the nearest person, which turned out to be Mizuki, and clutched her hand.
"Hey!" she protested, trying to shake him off.
"I-It's okay. Here, look at the window." Miranda chimed in. A golden ring began forming around the hole in the window and with a flash of light, it looked good as new.
"It fixed itself!" Mahoja exclaimed.
Mizuki just stared with her mouth agape (remember, she had just met Miranda so she had no idea what her power was).
"Yes. While my Innocence is activated, real time cannot enter the airspace around this ship. The ship will continuously restore itself to its best condition," Miranda clarified. "In addition, while we and the crew are within this airspace, any type of injury will be healed."
Mizuki walked over to the window, dragging Lavi on the ground with her, an expression of awe on her face. She took her free hand and lightly tapped on the window. "Wow," she breathed. "It's good as new. Cool!"
Lavi stood up and released Mizuki's hand. "That's a handy ability!" Her hand burned.
"In truth, this is a temporary ability. If this ship enters battle again, please don't be reckless," she warned. "What I learned at headquarters was how to increase my synchronization rate with the Time Record and extend its activation time. If I release the activation, everything will revert back to real time. My ability cannot bring the dead back to life," she added.
Mahoja nodded. "I understand. I'll inform everyone."
"But, will you be all right, Miranda?" Mizuki wondered. She scratched her head, "With you taking care of the entire ship and everyone in it, that's gotta be exhausting."
"Mizuki is right. No matter how I calculate it, this ship will take five days to reach Japan. Does that mean you must keep it activated continuously?" Bookman asked thoughtfully.
"Th-that's right! While it's activated, you can't sleep!" Lavi cried.
"Ah!" Miranda was quick with a response. "Not sleeping is my specialty!"
"Ehhhhh?" Everyone blinked.
Miranda launched into a story, "Once, I was unemployed for a long time. During that time, I was thinking of how useless I was and I didn't sleep for ten days! Besides, I was so frantic about my first assignment that I hadn't slept for three days already, so don't worry," she giggled at their expressions on their faces.
"I'd say this is a bit worrisome…" Mizuki sweatdropped.
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(A/N: Sorry for the excruciatingly looooooong delay guys! Since I know an apology just isn't going to cut it, here are some Lavi cookies! And Tyki cookies! *throws cookies at readers*. Haha anyway, I know a lot of you want to see more of Tyki, BUT this is a Lavi story. I will be throwing some Tyki in now and then when the time is right, but in the end, it's a LavixOC story…sorry guys! That's it! New Chapter will be up REALLY soon! As always, let me know how I'm doing! This was a long hiatus and I may be a bit out of the groove, but I'm working on it! Thanks!)