WARNING! This story contains SPOILERS and YAOI! Also a few minor OCs, so don't kill me.
D. Gray Man is BACK!! The manga released chapter 187 with a full 50 pages on August 17th. It looks like the chapters are going to be longer now and the updates are monthly. The next chapter is due to come out November 4th. Can't wait! Thank you Katsura Hoshino! ^_^ If you want to read the latest chapter, it's up on OneManga.
A big thank you to all of my reviewers!!!
Ulqy-chan: Psh...stealing? Heck no, it was just an experiment, though it seems I don't need it. *sticks out tongue back* [Psssssst, hey everyone...read Ulqy-chan's Bleach fanfic! It's epic!] There, I even advertised for you. xD
marufu-chan: I didn't think I needed to. ^_^
avatar-chik: HAHA! Knowing Link and Fei, they would!
Rated: T [for violence and language] Bold: Used only in dreams or flashbacks to indicate the main character's lines. Italics: Used to indicate dreams, flashbacks, and thoughts.
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Chapter Eleven: The Old Man's Mirror
Well, this is odd. It's like a wall made of solid air...if air can be solid.
Lenalee shivered as a cold draft ran through her hand where it was placed gently on the invisible wall of innocence. The group had gone straight to the old run-down apartment building Kyosuke had mentioned and upon arrival, had encountered a wall of innocence surrounding the whole structure. Allen identified it as the reason for the akuma sightings and why no one could enter.
Originally, Lenalee had wanted to go to the modified akuma's house first, but Kanda seemed intent on getting the mission over with as soon as possible. Allen agreed, and Link and Fei didn't care. Big shock there.
To her surprise, Allen had brightened up after Kanda's mild physical abuse. She would have expected him to get angry and avoid the samurai for the rest of the day, but he was following the taller boy more closely now and though he did cast the occasional glare, she could tell it was fake.
"Kanda! Do you think it's strong enough to hold back innocence?"
The white-haired boy called to the Japanese, who was glaring at the space between him and the door to the apartments as if he could actually see the innocence. Lenalee smiled and dropped her hand from the wall. They were behaving more like themselves now.
"We'll find out soon enough."
Kanda answered gruffly and drew his anti-akuma weapon. He ran his middle and forefinger down the blade in a deft swipe, and the blade flickered to life with a soft blue glow. Lenalee walked quietly over to Allen and placed her hand on his shoulder, speaking softly.
"Kanda-kun is so impatient this time around. I've never seen him so set on finishing a mission and leaving. Do you know what's gotten into him?"
You'd know more than anyone.
Allen didn't turn to look at her, golden eyes fixed on Kanda's form as the exorcist drew back his blade to strike.
"He...probably just wants to finish the job quickly because it's a "bother" or something. But..."
The boy's voice lowered, and his gaze on Kanda softened as he added quietly.
"...Kanda's troubled by something. He always is, though he hides it expertly...I...I caught a small look of it earlier. I hope he'll open up to someone eventually...."
Lenalee's purple-hued eyes softened as well, and she smiled, though Allen couldn't see it.
Whenever it concerns Kanda, he's so transparent.
"You're concerned about him, aren't you? Don't worry, Allen-kun. He'll be alright, and he'll open up when the time is right. It's Kanda-kun after all."
Before Allen could respond, there was a tremendous bang and a hiss, then a tremor shook the ground. Lenalee found herself grabbing to Allen's arm to keep from falling.
"Che. Seems it doesn't stop innocence."
Kanda stood amidst a column of smoke and dust clouds, raven hair not a strand out of place, looking very smug. He'd sliced a vertical opening in the wall, which had now become visible, swirling blue and purple color around the entire perimeter of the building. The innocence was writhing as if Kanda's strike had injured it, and began fading away from sight. The samurai stepped forward to enter the building as the last of the wall disappeared.
"Heeheehee~! Exorcist-sama is cosi furbo. You can break through invisible walls, ne~?" [1]
::
Kanda's eyes narrowed and he was stopped in his tracks as a level two akuma cackled, landing in front of him and blocking the entrance. The demon bore the shape of a large cow with bat-like wings. It hissed in its disgusting laugh.
Easy enough.
The samurai spun his sword expertly around his wrist and caught it, smirking.
"Hold on, Kanda-kun. We can handle the akuma. You go inside and get the innocence."
Lenalee's unusually commanding voice made Kanda pause and glance over his shoulder. The Chinese girl stood confidently beside Allen with her hands planted on her hips, Dark Boots already activated. Allen's face was contorted in an odd expression, innocence not activated yet. Sapphire eyes blinked once and the exorcist gave a grunt, turning to face the akuma again.
"Very well."
He smirked and ran at the akuma, raising his blade without warning.
"Frettoloso!" [2]
The akuma exclaimed in thick Italian and its face spread into a wide grin, teeth flashing. It raised its left hoof and swung the leg forward, intending to meet Kanda's strike. The exorcist smirked at the last second and swiftly lowered his blade, shifted his right foot to the side, and twisted his body while ducking under the hoof. He skillfully spun a full circle, flying straight past the akuma's left and into the building.
"Aiii!! Fermo~!" [3]
A snort erupted from the level two as it turned to follow Kanda, fuming mad. Within half a second, Lenalee blocked its way, spinning gracefully and aiming a solid kick at its chest. The akuma hissed in annoyance and was forced to jump backwards. Leathery wings spread out above it and it took to the air.
"You peste!" [4]
::
Allen's golden eyes drifted from the doorway Kanda had disappeared through to Lenalee as she distracted the level two. The cow-bat-thing started gaining height into the air and the quick female exorcist was following it easily. Gritting his teeth, pressing his right gloved hand onto his left arm near the elbow.
Why won't my arm activate?!
::
The footsteps of his boots echoed hollowly along the empty hallway as Kanda felt drawn towards a force. Though from the outside it looked like an average apartment building, the place was completely empty inside. There were no rooms. The walls, floor, and ceiling were made entirely of metal. And there was a soft purple glow pulsing at the end of the corridor. A squeak at his elbow made him turn instantly and point the tip of his blade at the offender. Bright turquoise eyes stared at him in fear.
...You have got to be kidding me...
::
"Allen-kun! I could use your help!"
The white-haired boy heard Lenalee call as she once again had to take advantage of her Dark Boots and leap out of the way. The cow was a lot stronger than the average level two akuma and kept releasing large red beams of energy instead of the typical akuma bullet. With another colorful oath, Allen grit his teeth and tried to activate. There was a surge of energy, followed by a green glow.
Yes! Finally!
The glow erupted into a melody of sparks, shooting down his arm and sizzling over his deformed flesh. The pain crept up his arm and into his shoulder, sending Allen staggering with a sharp hiss.
Ngh!! What the hell?!
"I can help."
Allen's golden irises matched his electrocuted arm, sparking in anger.
No.
"Why not? You know you're so much more relaxed when I'm in charge. Just let me handle it."
Like hell I will.
"If you can't activate, how do you expect to help your dear friend?"
Lenalee's a strong girl! She can take care of hers-
The boy was cut off by an explosion and a gasp of pain as the red beam finally hit Lenalee on her left hip.
"Smidollato! Are you quite morto di paura yet?" [5, 6]
The Italian akuma cackled, folding in its bat-like wings to dive downwards, straight for the injured female exorcist.
...I hate irony.
::
"But Kanda-kun~ you need someone to come with you! I can't let you go into the danger alone!"
"It just gives me another thing to worry about."
"I can help too you know! I might not have innocence but I can fight!"
"You'll only be in the way."
"S-So cruel..."
Kanda rolled his eyes as the heat of his anger was nearing a dangerous level, fighting with every fiber of his being not to lose control on the semi-tolerant front he'd put up.
The disturbance at his elbow had ended up being Kyosuke. The girl had followed him into the building. Whether it was due to fear of the akuma outside, interest in what's inside, or her annoying fascination with himself, Kanda couldn't say.
Of course I was cursed with the only damn fan girl here...God do you hate me?
The samurai instantly regretted that careless thought. As a Fallen One, he'd fallen out of God's favor already. There was no need for him to gain any special consideration. If there even was a God at all.
...
Kanda mentally face-palmed.
Shit...that's the kind of thinking that throws one out of God's favor in the first place...
"Uhm...Kanda-kun? Is that the innocence?"
He was pulled from his musings by Kyosuke's voice and a tug at his sleeve. Focusing on the mission again, Kanda peered ahead at the pulsing glow that had quickly become brighter and closer. The corridor had come an end, and it seemed to open up into a large room by the way Kyosuke's voice echoed off the walls. One of his well-toned arms slid in front of Kyosuke protectively and he stepped forward into the expanse of metal.
The room did indeed open up into a huge perfectly circular area, around 50 feet in diameter. The ceiling was vaulted and extended at least 30 feet up. Everything was made of solid steel plates and there were no windows, but a thin layer of soot covered every visible surface and the air was blanketed by a smokey grey cloud. The only light in the room was the same soft purple glow that had illuminated the hallway, and was fluctuating from the exact center of the huge expanse.
Upon further inspection, Kanda noticed the light came from a large seven-foot mirror, complete with an elaborate frame made of carved wood. The mirror flickered, causing the odd purple glow to bounce all around the room, lighting the smokey haze in a creepy aura. Huddled partially behind the mirror was a small figure with its hands outstretched towards it.
Kyosuke's voice pierced the silence as she stuck her head out to look around Kanda's body in front of her.
"Is that...an old man?"
The words echoed loudly around the room and the figure startled, letting out a sharp whimper. As it moved, Kanda saw that it was indeed an old man, at least in his 80s or older. The man was wearing rags and his body was covered with criss-crossing scars. The hands held towards the mirror were shaking with the effort.
This man has been using his innocence for too long.
And suddenly, there was a flash of bright white light as the mirror shone directly on Kanda's form, silhouetting him. The exorcist, sword already drawn and activated, went into an offensive position and started running at the man and the mirror, despite Kyosuke's cries of protest.
"Wait, Kanda!"
::
"Allen-kun!!"
"Lenalee!"
Allen stared dumbly as the blood ran cold in his veins. The akuma was seconds away from hitting Lenalee full force with the entire weight of its crushing body of metal. The Fourteenth's voice in his head feigned concern, mocking him.
"Do you want her to live or die?"
...
"What's it going to be, Allen? Your choice. Innocence or me."
...
The exorcist grit his teeth, right hand gripping his burnt left arm with all his might. A searing pain tore through his body as seven cross-shaped scars began to appear on his forehead, while simultaneously, the fingers on his hand elongated into slender sharp blades of a claw. Noah and innocence power screamed in protest as they were released as one. Without hesitation, Allen leapt forward, hissing his answer out loud through the pain.
"Both!"
::
Kanda was halted mid-step, eyes opening wide in shock. A figure stepped out of the mirror, forming from the bright light, raven hair swaying and sapphire eyes narrowing, sweeping their gaze towards him. Hand clutched around a thin katana, the blade glowing blue. There before him, stood himself.
The mirror image smirked. A fraction of a second later, there was a sickening, ripping crunch of breaking bone and tearing muscle.
"Kanda!!"
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[1] Cosi furbo is Italian for "so smart".
[2] Frettoloso is Italian for "hasty".
[3] Fermo is Italian for "stop".
[4] Peste is Italian for "pest".
[5] Smidolatto is Italian for "weakling".
[6] Morto di paura is Italian for "petrified".
I want to apologize for my atrocious Italian. D: I know absolutely NIL, so I used an online English to Italian dictionary. Forgive me all you Italian speakers out there! Please correct me if I'm wrong.
So how was that everyone? Finally got up to some action. And an Italian akuma that looks like a deformed cow version of Batman...YOSH! Sometimes I seriously wonder where my brain gets these ideas... As always, R&R is appreciated. Next chapter...Exorcist's Reflection.