Author's Notes:
It is getting old, but I apologize again for the loooooooong delay. I hope you have not given up yet!
This chapter finally starts the Phantom Thief G arc which, as I have said before, will be the last bit that follows canon. So this second part of this chapter will be set in France and thus the dialogue you will find written in italics should be French. My French used to be okay, but now I don't trust it anymore, so you'll only find English in this text! ;3
Disclaimer: D. Gray-man belongs to Katsura Hoshino
Kapitel 64: Grasping at Ghosts
Summer had reached the South of England and with it Bermont Castle. The rooms that were not attached to the new heating system of the Black Order were now slowly warming up, the cold retreating into the halls and vaults underground. The bright sunrays were shining through the windows, flooding the dusty studies and new laboratories equally with warm, welcome light.
An old part of the castle, the former stables and an adjoining hall for an ancient and long derelict carriage, had been freed from dust and useless debris and now was full with the noise of people talking. Ellen was sitting on a bench next to the exit and looked into the hall. Walls had been pulled up, others pulled down and wood had been replaced by stones. The roof arched between decorative pillars and the small windows high up illuminated the black and white checked marble floor in bright patches. This was the new main office for information and letter exchange, a place Ellen had come to appreciate in the long, long hours of being on stand-by. In a gap in the wall was a huge wooden counter. Across it she could see people sorting letters and packages into shelves, as well as people talking on a couple of telephones and checking telegraph machines. Far in the back, where it was scarcely illuminated, she could even make out one of these strange devices that were used for communication between the laboratories – some kind of sound and image projector.
"I wonder what will become of all these phones and machines when the Black Order is no longer needed, " Ellen said to no one in particular. Miranda, who was waiting with her, turned towards her young friend with a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean, Ellen?" The girl shrugged, studying the people working in the busy office.
"I doubt the Black Order will be here forever, right? I have no need for five telephones you know? There never was any electricity or running water or heating in this castle. I just wonder how this Black Order episode will change the face of the castle." Miranda, who had long been told of Ellen's real connection to Bermont Castle, smiled at her warmly.
"Well, I remember you mentioning that each generation adds something new. So this modernity is what you add. If your heirs don't like it they can pull it down again and build something more to their liking?" Ellen had to laugh at that and nodded. "And who knows, maybe everyone will have five telephones at home in a couple of years' time!"
"Or I'll just have three children, so there's one for everybody," Ellen joked and Miranda blushed slightly, but continued smiling.
"Well, that's a… cute thought I think?" She was silent for a moment, contemplating if it was wise to continue, but then she did: "Will you be having more children then?" Ellen had to frown at that, making Miranda shake her head nervously. "Oh, sorry for asking personal-"
Ellen smiled, then she put her hand on Miranda's shoulder, raising her finger of her other hand, a grin on her face. "Well," she started and lightly touched the tip of Miranda's nose, "let's first see what happens in a few weeks!" Miranda giggled and nodded.
"Mrs Kanda?" Ellen and Miranda turned towards the office and saw a man leaning over the counter. "These are the things you asked for." He put a big parcel, a smaller one and a thick envelope on the surface and the two women walked over to collect them. Ellen touched her hand to the big parcel, then, with an approving nod, she took it while Miranda helped her with the smaller things. She thanked the man at the counter, who just smiled and waved, then the girls left the office.
"Sometimes," Ellen said, walking up the many steps to the floor where her room was located. "Sometimes I think about having Komui build an elevator." Miranda started laughing when they reached the landing, with Ellen huffing exaggeratedly.
"There, there, Ellen," Miranda said, patting Ellen's head. "It's less than three months now, but you're still in good shape! I saw you sparring with Linali this morning. You're as amazing as ever." Ellen smiled at Miranda, then she sighed deeply, dropping the breathless act.
"Weeeell, I'm doing my best to keep fit. This is still an exorcist's body, I can't slack off." They walked to Ellen's room and the girl pushed the door open with her shoulder.
"My, what a curious way to phrase it… Don't overdo it, Ellen…," Miranda told her when Ellen put the parcels on a table. "I know what is supposed to come first, but you must not do reckless things. Your life is even more valuable now." Ellen turned to look at Miranda and the older woman blushed. "I… I didn't mean to patronize you! I know I shouldn't even be giving you advice, seeing as I'm often being so useless on the battlefield, but as… as an adult I just had to-" Ellen burst out laughing, taking the fretting Miranda's hands in her own, squeezing them tightly.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Miranda!" The woman looked at her for a tense moment, but then she sighed, relaxing immediately.
"S… Sorry. I can't help myself," she whispered and Ellen let go of her hands to turn back to the items on the table. Miranda looked over the other girl's shoulder. "Did you order all of these?" Ellen shook her head. "They're so nicely wrapped…" Ellen pondered the things for a moment, then she turned to Miranda with a cheerful expression.
"Well, time to start the party then!"
-o-
Kanda had tried to talk his wife out of a birthday celebration. Firstly, he hated things like these. Secondly, they had to leave early in the morning on the next day. It was irresponsible. And for once he and Link even agreed, but the German had given up faster when faced with Ellen's stubbornness than Kanda had. He had hoped that getting a mission would release him from Ellen's endeavour, but she would not listen to anything anyone said.
"Come on Kanda. It's not even a real party," Linali insisted, dragging Kanda down the corridor towards what Kanda assumed to be one of the smaller banquet halls. "We're just going to eat something nice, you're going to unwrap a few presents and then that's it. It'll be nice and orderly." Kanda doubted it. And indeed, when Linali pushed open the doors of the banquet hall he was more than tempted to just turn around again and leave. The banquet hall was in itself rather filled with unnecessary splendour. The walls were painted in brilliant colours depicting all kind of landscapes and folkloristic scenes, framed by dark wooden panelling with delicately carved patterns. A big chandelier hung from the ceiling that featured a dramatic sky with dark stormy clouds and bursts of sunlight. The floor was polished wood that reflected the chandelier. Dark green velvet curtains adorned the long windows. And, befitting a banquet hall, there was a long table in the middle, filled with food. And people sitting around it.
"Ah, there you are!" Rabi said, approaching Kanda with a glass of wine. "Yu's here!" Half of the Black Order seemed to be in the hall and all that had their hands free of wine or hors-d'oeuvres clapped.
"Not a real party… Those were your words," Kanda said accusingly, glaring at Linali. The girl laughed, but didn't feel any need to apologize. Somehow Kanda was ushered towards the middle of the table and pushed down into the far too comfortable chair. Kanda wanted to curse, but he found Ellen sitting next to him and her brilliant smile shut him up. When everybody had taken a seat, Ellen rose again, glass in hand. She had everyone's attention immediately. Kanda marvelled at how radiant she appeared. Her dress was simple, a pale blue with silver and white flower embroidery on the sleeves, her shoulders were covered but it showed her collarbones and her long white neck. Her hair was freely falling over her shoulders apart from two thin braids fastened together at the back of her head with a rose. Stunning. Kanda sunk back into his chair, glaring at the table.
"On behalf of my husband, I thank all of you for attending this little festivity. I do not want to bore you with too many words seeing as we are all eager to eat and be merry, so I will keep this short." She looked at Kanda, who could still only frown. She smiled at him, then she turned towards the others again. "Today we celebrate Yu's 19th birthday. The first birthday we spend together. However, I do hope that many others will follow." Kanda looked up, seeing how Ellen's cheeks were slightly pink, but her gentle smile remained on her face. "Happy birthday, Yu." The guests raised their glassed and joined in a chorus of well wishes (and a gush of tears from Kanda's touched master) before everybody turned their attention to the dinner on the table.
"I really should have talked you out of this," Kanda mumbled between bites of something delicious. At least the food was decent.
"Oh, you knew you couldn't possibly achieve that," Ellen teased calmly, sipping her cider.
"Yeah, and that bugs the hell out of me!" Kanda replied with a growl, but then he leant to the side to plant a kiss on Ellen's cheek. "But I'll let it pass, just this once." She looked at him, but then she smiled.
-o-
Kanda didn't care much about presents, he claimed that he was no longer a child and that this present making business was stupid and too much of a hassle. His friends had learnt to get him practical things, things he'd be able to use in his daily life. Therefore, even though he hated birthdays, he was usually rather content at the end of the day for not having to buy stuff that he ran out of or needed. However, he had no idea what to expect from Ellen. He was therefore rather curious when the sun set, the hall emptied with calls of "good luck" and "good night" and they left for their room. Maybe she had taken his "I hate this stuff" seriously and not got him anything. Kanda didn't quite know whether to be pleased or disappointed (because secretly, he had looked forward to presents – her present). He leaved through the botanical book he'd received from Link, puzzling both over the question of the missing present and the German blurb (but he had received a dictionary as well, so the German text was the minor problem).
"And? Was it so bad?" Kanda put the book down and saw Ellen leaning against the table, shaking off her shoes.
"The food was good," he said and Ellen laughed, "and you looked good too." She crossed her arms and shook her head with a smile.
"My, what a flatterer you are. But I will reward you for it anyway," she said and stepped away from the table. Kanda could see presents on it and he couldn't refrain from smiling. "Come here." Kanda got up, but before Ellen could put something in his hands, he embraced her and placed a kiss on her lips.
"I guess I could tolerate more birthdays if you're there with me," he said and Ellen smiled, embracing him, but then she let go and gave him an envelope.
"This is from mother," she said. Kanda raised his eyebrow and opened it. "She's always being so pragmatic, but apparently you'll find these things very useful." Kanda laughed while he opened the envelope. He pulled out the documents and quickly looked them over.
"Oh."
"Oh? What is it?" the girl wondered, leaning over to get a glance.
"Hm. Many things apparently. Legal documents, descriptions of my properties and all kind of things I apparently own. As well as a bank account with," he frowned and closed the little book, "a lot of money in it." Ellen rolled her eyes.
"Mother can be a bit of a show-off at times," she said, "she likes displaying wealth and power…"
"To be honest, I am not going to complain about any of the things she gave me," Kanda said, putting the envelope on the table to go over again later on, "because now I no longer need to worry about having my wife starve." Ellen sighed and Kanda raised an eyebrow. "Don't sigh at me. You eat reasonably more than a normal budget would allow for." Ellen's expression turned sour and offended for a split second, before her face lightened up again and she laughed.
"You know, if you ever say that in public then I'm going to cut off all your hair," she warned him, still with her sweet smile in place. Then she pushed the big parcel towards him.
"Well you've got the money and the property now," Ellen started and Kanda lifted the lid of the parcel only to find very luxurious clothes in it, "so you should also be able to dress like it." Kanda took out the jacket, leaving the other things inside and looked at it.
"This looks damn expensive…," he said and felt the fabric. Ellen nodded.
"It was made by a tailor shop that has been making the clothes for the Bermont family for many generations now. It's a very distinct style, both the fabric and the cut, so anyone caring about these things will be able to recognize you as a member of the Bermont family." Kanda still looked at the jacket and Ellen leant in. "But you don't need to wear it. It is pretty pretentious" she whispered and Kanda chuckled. He folded the jacket again and put it back in its place.
"I will wear it when we go out in public without our uniforms for a change," he said and smiled at Ellen. Before he could lean in for a kiss, she raised another parcel to his chest. A smaller one, neatly wrapped into shiny paper.
"We're not done yet. This is the last one," she said, smiling brightly. Kanda huffed amusedly, then he took the present and unwrapped it. He found another small box made of dark wood and gold inside. When he opened it his eyes met with a golden pocket watch. The surface had a delicately worked emblem on it, a family crest apparently. He took it out by its golden chain and opened it. The dial was of shiny ivory and on the inside of the lid he found an inscription: Yu Kanda, for His 19th Birthday, by His loving Wife. Ellen Kanda.
"I… hope you like it. Every man of the family has one of these watches. I had it modelled after my father's. And there's also the Walker family crest under the inscription. The other side of the watch is free for your own crest. I didn't know-"
Kanda stopped her by wrapping his arms around her, not saying anything.
"Yu…" He tightened his embrace, then he let her go.
"Thank you." He couldn't say more, because he didn't know how to properly phrase it. He was grateful and touched because these presents were like tokens of her trust, of her wanting him to be a whole part of her life. He had refused to make her a part of his family, because there were still many unspeakable things connected to his past, so she had made her best effort to include him into hers. Despite him not caring at first, despite her being so unwilling in the past.
Ellen appeared to understand all the things he did not say and nodded, taking his hands into hers.
"You're welcome."
-o-
It was five o' clock in the evening when they reached the city of Paris. As this was not a difficult mission, Komui had allowed them to not use the Ark, but travel the traditional way for a change. Ellen had been greatly relieved by this decision as using the Ark still made her feel uneasy. Despite assuming this to be an easy mission though, Komui had insisted on taking the regular measures; Ellen was only allowed to go on missions accompanied by Kanda, Link and a further exorcist. This time it was Mari who kept them company. Ellen was happy to work with him, seeing as he was a pleasant man. Also, he knew Kanda well and checked his foul mood during missions.
"We need to be at the police station, hurry up," Link said and Ellen frowned at him, tearing her eyes off of a shop window.
"These clothes would not fit you anyway right now," Kanda helpfully added when she reluctantly turned away to follow Mari and Link. Offended, Ellen glared at her husband who just returned her look.
"Kanda," Mari said, "you might want to rephrase that." Kanda raised an eyebrow at him, but then he turned back towards his wife.
"When our son is born I will take you to Paris to try on and buy these clothes. You will look good in them," he said, then he glanced at Mari, who nodded towards him approvingly. Ellen too seemed appeased by this, judging by her smile. Kanda saw her tugging at her uniform. She looked absolutely stunning in their new clothes. It was tight around her chest, but then opened up so that it was not apparent that she was pregnant. Where the coat ended just above her knees, he could see red frills with every step she took. And her legs. He just loved how they looked clad in white stockings and the black half-boots. Sure, the uniform wasn't as form flattering as the dresses in the window had been, but she looked great as always.
"It is quite hot… I wish I had short sleeves," Ellen complained, "or a fan."
"Should I buy you one?" Kanda wondered as she wiped air into her face with her gloved hands. He was feeling rather comfortable in his uniform, but he also wasn't almost seven months pregnant, so he felt like right now he should just try to be helpful.
"You can drink something cool once we've checked out the police station," Link said, eager to finish timely. Ellen groaned, but didn't say anything else. Once the mission was over she'd shop for a new hat and climb the Eifel Tower to look over Paris with Kanda.
"This must be it," Link said after a while and Ellen looked up to find a big building in front of them. Link opened the door and they entered. As soon as the door was closed, Ellen noticed how noisy it was. From somewhere she heard voices shouting, getting closer towards them. She assumed it to be normal for a police station and continued following the men.
All of a sudden the voices were very near and she could hear a girl shrieking something. And then she saw someone bump into Kanda.
"Watch out!" he hissed and Ellen was almost surprised to hear him speak French, even though she knew that he spoke it as if it were his mother tongue. But her admiration was interrupted when she saw who had run into him; it was a young woman, probably around her age, nicely dressed and very beautiful. And the way she looked at Kanda. "Out of my way," he said, stepping around her, but Ellen only noticed the dreamy look the girl directed at Kanda. Her husband! Ellen wondered if this was the first time she felt such a pang of jealousy and wondered if it was even appropriate. Kanda had barely taken notice of her after all. While she had been busy staring at the girl staring at Kanda, he had already turned towards the man they had been looking for; Inspector Galmar.
"Who are you?" the inspector hissed, surprisingly hostile towards Kanda, while he tried his best to put some distance between the girl and Kanda. Maybe she was his daughter? Kanda just looked at him perplexedly and Ellen decided to step forward to clear up the situation.
"We heard that you hold some of our people prisoner?" she said, addressing him in English and got his attention at once.
"We would like to meet them, if you allow," Mari continued and the man looked at them in confusion. However, he spotted the emblem on their chests which caused him to widen his eyes.
"The Black Order…? What could you possibly want here…?" Ellen just smiled at him and he regained his composure. He turned towards the girl.
"Wait outside!" he roared and she opened her mouth to protest, "you're in the way!" She puffed her cheeks, but turned around on her heels and stomped outside, not nearly as graceful as Ellen had thought her to be. He turned towards them, his expression uneasy. "You want to see your friends? Then follow me to the cells," he said and started walking. The exorcist followed him swiftly, descending a flight of stairs. Galmar unlocked a heavy iron door and went inside. When Ellen got far enough into the noisy room ahead, her eyes widened and she grabbed Kanda's hand in surprise.
"They must be here. Search for them!" Galmar said gruffly, but Ellen had barely heard him. She was staring at the prison cells that were filled by… by…
"My goodness! What are these people? Are these people at all?" she asked and Galmar looked at her. The shrieking tone had probably made him notice that among the exorcists there was also a girl present.
"They are Master Thief G, caught by me," he told her and she just looked at him not understanding what he meant. Those people were all wearing some sort of ridiculous costume, with a big mask in the form of an eye over their head.
"You caught him? But there are so many people!" Ellen stated, but her voice was drowned by the prisoners suddenly shouting.
"NOOO! We aren't G! G tricked us!" they shouted, but Galmar just told them to shut up.
"But we tell the truth!" one prisoner spoke up, "G is no ordinary human made up of flesh and blood!" Galmar just glared at them and Kanda shook his head in irritation.
"I have no idea what is going on here," he said.
"I think the inspector already forgot about us," Ellen added silently, but then she looked up because she had heard someone call them.
"Exorcists…? Aren't they… exorcists?" Ellen turned around and found a prison cell filled with people she knew, also dressed in these gruesome clothes.
"Jiji and the finders!" Ellen shrieked, recognizing them as the people they had been sent out to look for. Before Ellen could say anything else, Kanda was already there and slammed his foot into the wall, creating a deep dent.
"What do you guys think you are doing…?" he asked dangerously and the four men apologized frantically.
"Kanda…," Ellen said, putting her hand on his shoulder, "don't be angry at them." Kanda snorted, but backed off.
"Ah, angelic Ellen! It's such a pleasure to see you in these dark hours!" Jiji wailed and Ellen crouched down, looking at them.
"What happened?" she asked, but the men shook their heads.
"We can't quite say to be honest… We were here investigating some mysterious occurrences likely connected with Innocence. But then we suddenly woke up and found ourselves in these clothes and this prison!"
"What?" Ellen and Kanda said in unison.
"Don't tell me you useless people don't even have any memory left!" Kanda complained, but Jiji shook his head.
"We do know one thing for sure! There is a connection between the Phantom Thief G and Innocence!" Ellen and Kanda looked at him dubiously, so Jiji frantically waved his arms, trying to get them to believe him. "Don't look at me like this! I might be dressed strangely, but I do know what I am talking about!"
"And why are you so sure about this?" Ellen wondered. Just because strange things have happened there seemed to be no proof that it was caused by Innocence. And if it was it seemed a rather strange course of action for Innocence to take. Jiji moved back and pointed towards another person Ellen had not been aware of before.
"This lovely lady here is called Bonnaire. She's the boss here in this prison," he said, and Ellen just blinked at the person. Apparently it was a man, also dressed in the costume, he had facial hair and wore excessive make-up.
"Did he just say… lovely lady…?" Ellen whispered to her husband, who shrugged with confusion written over his face.
"G is no human," Bonnaire spoke up, "he is a ghost, that's what the G stands for. We know three things about him. He wears this strange costume. Before each crime he sends a card announcing his plan. And he is not made out of flesh and blood!" Ellen widened her eyes. "This is exactly why he takes possession of a human body to carry out his crimes. The stupid inspector can catch as many as he likes; G will always come back with a new body!"
"Stop this nonsense, Bonnaire!" Galmar shouted, obviously agitated. "Visiting hours are over! Please go now!"
"No! Please don't go!" Jiji and the Finders shouted, grabbing Ellen's legs through the bars. Kanda grabbed the back of Ellen's coat and pulled her away, sending them warning glares.
"I think they are telling the truth," Mari stated, when Ellen had been let go and the men broke out into cries for mercy.
"I don't care whether this is a sly thief or a ghost. We have to get the Innocence," Kanda said flatly, which instantly caused a reaction from Galmar.
"What is that supposed to mean? This is my case! I-"
"Inspector!" He was interrupted by a breathless policemen that held out something towards him.
"A new message from G!" Before the shocked Galmar could take it, Kanda snatched it away and read the note.
"He'll strike at the Louvre. He's after a crown or something," he said and tossed the note towards Galmar.
"What do you think you're-"
"Let's go. We know everything we needed to," Kanda said and started walking out. Ellen turned towards Galmar with an apologetic expression.
"I must apologize for him, he just wants to do his job, just like you. We will try not to get in your way," she made a curtsey, said her good-bye to Jiji and the others and followed her friends out of the prison and into the warm Parisian evening.
-o-
Ellen was sitting on top of the roof of the Louvre. It had closed some time ago, but it was really busy thanks to the many police officers Galmar was trying to instruct in order to catch G. Link had just left to get some food and water and Ellen took the moment to open her uniform jacket. It was just too hot, even at ten o' clock in the evening. Somehow she wished G would just show up in his silly costume so that they could beat some sense into him and solve the case. She heard footsteps and turned towards them, but it wasn't Link who came towards her.
"Ah, Yu!" she called and he sat down next to her. "How come you're up here?"
"I figured you'd need some company while Link's off to grab some food for you…," he said, leaning against her so that their shoulders touched.
"Ugh, you're too hot! Hot!" Ellen said, wiggling away. Kanda seemed offended for a second, but then he shrugged. Ellen took off the jacket entirely, showing Kanda a white cotton undershirt. "I'm sorry, but I'm all sticky," she said, rubbing her upper arms.
"It's not even that hot," Kanda commented, brushing a stray lock of her white hair behind her ear.
"It's hot." Kanda rolled his eyes, but let it pass. "It's nice to be here though," she said and looked ahead. "It's not the Eifel Tower, but the view is still nice. There are so many lights still at this time of day… I wonder if Paris is ever asleep." She turned towards her husband when Kanda remained silent. His expression was hard to read, but his brow was furrowed despite his calm expression. "What is the matter?"
"I'm uneasy…," he told her and she turned around to face him.
"How come?" she wondered and he brushed his fringe out of his face, leaving his hand behind his ear, silent again.
"You know that there is something else for me beyond being an exorcist and being your husband?" Ellen looked at him, unsure what he meant. "There is a person I'm looking for… A person I need to find before my time runs out." Ellen lifted her hands to her face, surprised.
"Ah…," she breathed, "yes. How could I forget those ominous words you spoke that day. That you might run out of time soon. I had hoped that you were exaggerating a bit." Kanda laughed, reaching out his hand to put it on her head.
"I was overly dramatic yet, but only because you nearly made my cry back then. You're so good at that, you know?" She lowered her head in dejection, but he ruffled her hair. "Stupid Kanda."
"Look who's talking," he said, but then he took away his hand and Ellen peeked at him though her messed up hair. "What kind of person is it…? And what have they got to do with Paris?"
"I can't tell you all..."
"Tell me a bit?" Ellen asked, sitting up straight. "I'm not going to ask questions. I'll just let you speak," she promised. Kanda sighed, but then he smiled at her.
"This person I'm looking for… I don't know her well, to be honest…" Ellen opened her mouth in surprise, but she remembered what she'd promised before. But a woman? He was dedicated to finding another woman? This did stir this unfamiliar jealousy again and she felt bad about it. "I see that look on your face, beansprout. But come on. I've been looking for her ever since becoming an exorcist. That's a long time ago, no need to be jealous," he said and pinched her cheek.
"Sorry…"
"I'm not actively searching anymore, but I keep my eyes and ears open. Paris was the last place I could trace her to… But I can't find her…"
"And… Excuse me, I need to ask. But why do you need to find her?" Ellen asked silently and Kanda smiled at her.
"To go on living…," he answered and Ellen bit her lip. "Don't tear up now. I'll be fine. There is actually no proof that I'll die right away when my ability to heal myself is used up. I'll still have time… Maybe I don't even need her help…"
"I could help… If you just gave me her name, then I'd-" Kanda stopped her, by putting his hand on her knee.
"No," he said gently, but firmly. "No, Ellen." She looked crest-fallen, but she nodded. "This is something I have to do. I absolutely do not want to draw you into this anymore than you already are by being my wife. I just want you to be kept away from any unnecessary harm…"
"But what if I could actually help…?" Ellen tried once again, but Kanda shook his head.
"Let me be selfish in this matter. I'd rather never find her than involve you…" Ellen sighed, but she accepted it. "Okay?"
"Yes, okay. Thank you for telling me… And just in case you see her, just go. I'll be fine." She squeezed his hand, then Kanda got up.
"I need to get down again. Who knows when that idiot thief shows up. I'll see you later. Just use your transmitter earring if you need anything." Ellen nodded and waved at him when he left. She sighed, looking over Paris again. Might this woman be here right now? Was one of the lights shining through the night hers? Was she sleeping soundly while Kanda worried about her? Ellen pulled on the jacket when she heard footsteps coming towards her.
"Oh? Doughnuts?" Ellen asked when Link presented a box full of colourful sweets. "How did you get them this late at night?"
"I had to bribe some people, but it was rather easy." He handed her a bottle of water, "here." She thanked him and opened the bottle. "You're still hot?"
"I'm better," she said after drinking, then she looked into the box, "can I have one with vanilla cream inside?"
-o-
It was almost midnight, high time for G to finally show up. The box of sweets was almost empty by now.
"They are really tasty. Do you think you can bake this as well?" Ellen asked, breaking the last Doughnut apart, handing out a bit to Link and a bit to Timcampy, who had also had his share of sweets.
"Of course. Anything you like," he said and Ellen grinned at him.
"Ah, delightful. I have my own private confectioner!" she said.
"Can you hear me, beansprout?" Ellen shot up when she suddenly heard Kanda's voice out of nowhere. She held her earring.
"My name is Ellen!" she said, liking the icing off her fingers.
"Stop eating, it's almost time!" she heard him say.
"Understood!" The connection was terminated and she got up. "You know, if he meant mid-night, why didn't he just write mid-night on the card?" Ellen wondered, walking over the roof top to have a better view of the square below.
"I assume that he likes to play with the police," Link commented and Ellen put her hands on the railing, looking out for Kanda. All of a sudden she heard a window smash. "I think the chase has started." Ellen saw a costumed figure running, but G was quickly stopped by Kanda. She couldn't see much, neither could she hear anything, but apparently Kanda and Galmar were arguing about something. And then she became aware of a person standing on the roof, not far away from her. Another costume-clad person and it had the crown.
"Okay, Ellen. Your turn. Be careful!" Link warned, but most of what he had said was drowned out by the loud laughter of G. G was not paying any attention and his shouting concealed the sound of Ellen's foot-steps. She jumped into the air and kicked him from behind, sending him flying.
"Oh, this is good! I missed missions!" Ellen said when she landed, then she turned to the thief. "I beg you pardon, kind Sir! Here are reinforcements!" From below she could hear cheers and Galmar raging about something. G was still lying on the floor, immobilized, by the time Link arrived.
"Be careful not to damage the crown. It's highly valuable, we could never pay for it!" he warned, "unless you want to sell Bermont Castle."
"Over my dead body," Ellen said, hitting her fist into her empty palm.
"Who are you…? The police?" G wondered.
"Oh no," Ellen said with a smile, "but we still are here to get a hold of you." G was silent for a while, but then he lifted his arm and before Ellen or Link could react, he had thrown the crown high into the air. Ellen shrieked and ran, barely catching it.
"Good heavens, this was a close call," she sighed, bending over the railing, but she had it in her hand.
"Just what were you up to? Catching G?" she heard Link say, "you think you can do it?" Ellen jumped away from the railing, just in time to evade a blow to her face. She could barely believe it, but Link was attacking her. Holding on to the crown, she only had one arm to block his almost incessant attacks. And his blows were surprisingly powerful.
"Link? Link what are you doing?" She hesitated a second, which made her miss her chance to block his next attack. He got her chest and she fell backwards, all the air blown from her lungs. She jumped away, landing on the roof where she still slipped a few meters before she could grab something.
"Ellen?" she could hear Mari's voice coming from her earring. "What is wrong, Ellen? Are you fighting?"
"I… It's Link! He…," she was still trying to regain her breath, coughing.
"The inspector? What's wrong with him?" Before she could reply she saw him running towards her. Suddenly there were blades coming out of his sleeves. Ellen evaded the blow but the wall took considerable damage.
"I didn't know he was this strong…! But he did save me back then when the old headquarters were under attack," Ellen muttered, pressing the crown to her chest.
"Can you please get to the point, Ellen!" Mari urged.
"Wow! What do we have here!" Link said, looking at his hands in awe, "this one is incredibly tough!"
"It looks as if Link is now possessed by G…," Ellen said in disbelief.
"Yes… I just heard him," Mari answered, "Kanda should be up there in no time, he left when G first appeared on the roof."
"Give me back my crown…," G said dangerously, a dark grin on Link's face. Ellen laughed, shaking her head. The connection terminated and Ellen looked up. Indeed, she saw Kanda running towards them, a sinister expression on his face.
"If you have the crown, you will flee. And we can't have that, can we…? After all, we're here to stop you." G managed to evade before Kanda got to him. He whirled around and seals enclosed Kanda. Just before it could harm him, he jumped out of it. Ellen looked at the scene in surprise. She wasn't aware of just what Link was able to do.
"Aaaah! This is getting dangerous!" G said, turning around to run.
"This guy is part of the Crow?" Kanda asked loudly, when he landed next to Ellen. He turned to her to help her get to her feet. "Are you hurt? Can you stand?"
"I'm okay, but what about Link? Crow you said?"
"A special battle force of the order. I don't know much about them and neither do I care. But I'm surprised that your watchdog is one of them. It seems Leverrier is more worried about you than he lets on." Ellen couldn't ponder about it, as she heard shouting from further up the roof. Galmar had found the guy G had previously possessed, accusing him of being the thief.
"I'm innocent!" the man shouted, which caused G to giggle gleefully.
"Why are you laughing?" Ellen asked sternly, taking a step towards G who had not run after all.
"What? Isn't that obvious? It's so silly if a grown man behaves like this! I can't do anything else but laugh!"
"You are such a child!" Ellen told him strictly, "You are simply impossible! Because of you the lives of those that you possessed have been turned upside down! You are," she looked at him with a pitying expression, "the worst!" G widened his eyes, staying silent for a while, but then he got angry and charged.
"Shut up!"
"Ellen, if he's a crow, we do not need to hold back," Kanda said, raising his sword.
"I know what to do, back me up," Ellen said and Kanda nodded. She invocated her Innocence and grabbed both of G's hands with her Crown Belt. She showed him a sweet smile before she slammed him against the wall. Before he had properly regained his balance after falling down, Kanda was already there slashing at him. Most of the blows were aimed at nothing, but he did scratch G a few times, which seemed to scare him pretty much.
"What's wrong, G? Is this your first real fight?" Kanda asked with a haughty grin. "Are you scared?" Kanda kicked him and G was thrown back. Straight to where Ellen was waiting with her sword outstretched. It pierced him, making G stop dead in his tracks.
"What… What is…?" He looked down slowly, seeing the blade come out of his chest. "What is this?" Ellen bent closer to him.
"It's a blade," she whispered against his ear, "My sword has pierced you!" G widened his eyes, but then he started shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Uaaaaaah! A sword pierced me?" Ellen watched him with a mixture of worry and amusement. Of course, a human would not be hurt by her sword, but apparently G had not noticed this yet.
"He's probably shocked. Maybe I've exaggerated… Oh, I'm sorry…!" G was not listening at all, but holding his head.
"Uuuuhh… Piih…" Ellen walked up to him, just in time to see him raise his head, tears streaming down his face. "Piiiih!
"Oh… Oh? Howard!" The girl was pretty surprised, never having seen Link with such a pitiful expression.
"Aaaau! It hurts!" Ellen reached out her hands, petting his hair because she didn't know how to react otherwise.
"No… No! It does not hurt! My sword does not hurt anybody!" But G wasn't listening at all.
"This is all your fault! You murderer!" With this final wail Link's body suddenly became limp and he dropped down. Ellen caught him before he could hurt himself any further.
"Uh…," he held his head, looking up at Ellen. "Ellen?" Ellen breathed out in relief.
"Howard? Are you back to normal? Are you okay?" Link just frowned, looking at the sword sticking out of his chest.
"And just what are you doing?" Ellen laughed and pulled the sword out of him, helping him to get back on his feet. "What happened?"
"Ah, I'll tell you later. Let us get down from this roof!"
Back down on the floor Kanda took her hand, a worried look on his face.
"How are you?" Ellen laughed.
"I'm fine! Don't worry," she said, squeezing his hand, "though I must say I'm a bit out of breath." Kanda nodded, handing the crown that Timcampy had carried for Ellen back to the police.
"Then let's get to the hotel, Mari was able to track the voice of G. We will check on it tomorrow." Ellen nodded and they made their way back, slipping away before Galmar could ask them too many questions.
"I wonder why my eyes are so sore," Link mused absent-mindedly and Ellen couldn't help laughing.
To be continued
Notes:
Ahaha, I slipped in some info on Kanda's past again. Cheeky of me! I think I'll be able to finish the G Arc with next chapter, then we'll move on. It won't take as long this time, even though I might not be that fast seeing as there's more fighting to describe. I need to figure out how I can tell the story when most of the second part of the battle happens without Ellen being present.
Oh well. See you next time! :D