Chapter 43- Leverrier- Lenalee's

I stepped out of the Ark for the third time. However this time, I stepped into my home the Black Order. I looked around as people cheered and held signs that said "Welcome Home!".

I saw Komui standing in front of the crowd, his arms open wide. I wanted to hug him, but something held me back.

Suddenly, I felt someone push me forward. I looked back to see Allen, Lavi, Miranda, and Chaozii smiling at me. I saw Marie hugging Kanda, who was yelling at the older exorcist. Tiedol was laughing at the scene, and Cross leaned against the wall, obviously upset that he allowed a sixteen-year-old girl convince him to return to the place he hated the most.

I turned back to my brother, and smiled. I ran towards him, yelling, "Brother!" I hugged him, and felt his protective arms wrap around me.

"Welcome back, Lenalee," He whispered. His voice cracked, and he fell o his knees, pulling me down with him. He started to sob into my shoulder.

"Welcome home," He sobbed.

I felt tears start to fall as I hugged Komui tighter. "I'm back," I said, trying to control my emotions. "I'm back, and I promise that I will always come back. I will never leave you alone, Brother."

We stayed that way for a few minutes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see the Head Nurse. "I think we all need to rest," She said.

I nodded, and stood. I wiped my tears away, and allowed myself to smile. I walked over to Miranda, and grabbed her hand.

"You can stop the invocation, Miranda," I said. "Don't worry about us- we'll be fine. I promise."

Miranda looked scared. However, she closed her eyes, and I watched as the clock on her wrist stopped glowing.

Sharp pain erupted throughout my entire body, and I fell to the ground. I saw my fellow comrades do the same before blacking out.

I ran through the Order, anger flowing through every vain in my body. I felt pain in my legs and arms, but didn't stop. I didn't care if the nurse had said that I wasn't allowed to run around, I needed answers.

"Brother!" I yelled as I entered Komui's office. "Why has an inspector from Central been assigned to keep watch over Allen?"

It was right after I had yelled those words, when I noticed the person sitting in the couch across from my brother's desk, drinking tea.

"Good day to you, Lenalee," Director Leverrier said. "How are you recovering?"

"Di… Director…" I didn't know what to say to him. "What- to what honor do we owe for your visit?"

"I will be staying in the Order for the time being," He said. I felt my heartbeat quicken as he said, "I will also be conduction an investigation into your innocence, Lenalee." He grabbed a tray off of the table next to him. "I made some cake, would anyone like to try it?"

Suddenly, Rever was next to me, and Komui was standing in between the director and me. I felt Rever's hands on my shoulders.

"It looks delicious!" Komui exclaimed. "I'll have some!"

"You do make great cakes after all, Director!" Rever said.

"Come now, Lenalee, isn't it about time for you to go and see the Head Nurse? She'll be worried if you're late," Komui said.
"Right!" Rever exclaimed. "I'll take her to that, and excuse her for being late."

"You go do that, Rever," Komui said.

I knew that they were trying to help me, but nothing could calm the fear that was creeping into my heart. I looked back at Leverrier, who was glaring at me as Rever and I walked out of the office.

After a few moments, Rever asked, "Are you all right?"

"Rever, that man, he's staying here to watch over Allen, isn't he?" I asked. "Do you know why?"

Rever didn't answer. "Why don't you go see Kanda," He said. "I'm sure he'll listen."

I nodded. "Thank you, Rever. I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for you and my brother."

Rever smiled at me. "Daisya and Arisa were always better at distracting you whenever it came to Leverrier." He laughed. "Those two really knew how to make you happy."

I nodded. "They sure did."

"I think Kanda's in the training arena," Rever said. "I'm sure you'll find him there. If you don't, you can ask General Tiedol to contact him."

I nodded again. "Alright. "I'll see you later then."

I walked away from him, and to the training arenas. I didn't walk past anyone who knew me, which made me grateful. Any of them would be able to tell with one glance that I was upset- even the generals who I hardly knew.

I saw Kanda as he pierced a dummy with a random sword. His innocence had broken, and Mugen was being repaired.

"Kanda," I said, my voice week.

He turned to me, and from the look he was giving me; I figured that he knew I was upset.

"It's that idiot of a director again, isn't it?" He asked, putting the sword away. I didn't answer. He walked over to me, and stood a few feet away. "Out with it, Lee."

I ran to him, and started to cry. "He wants to investigate my innocence," I sobbed into his chest.

"What does that mean?" Kanda asked.

"I don't know," I said. "However, I don't like the sound of it."

Kanda sighed. I felt one arm wrap around my shoulders. "You need to stand up for yourself, Lenalee. He can't hurt you in front of everyone without making himself look bad. If he tries to drag you away, then you fight him, and you can expose him for the monster he really is."

"How?" I asked.

"You tell everyone what he did to you, and you show them the proof," Kanda said. "More than half of the people here will believe you over a bastard like him."

I looked Kanda in the eyes. He seemed so calm on the outside, but one look in his eyes, and I could tell that he was ready to go beat everyone at Central up.

"Don't," I said.

"Don't what?" He asked.

"Don't use violence, Kanda. It's not going to help."

Kanda just smile his little smile that I rarely saw. "You never know, Lee." He hugged me. "Violence may be the only way you can truly free yourself from him." He kissed my head. "However, until you do drag that courage out from the depths of your heart, I'll be here for you. All of us will."

I smiled, and buried my face in his shirt. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and said, "Thank you, Kanda."

"As long as you don't tell anyone about this, I probably won't have to use violence," Kanda said.

I chuckled. "This will just be between you and me. I promise that."

I don't know how we stood there, and I don't care. I felt safe in Kanda's arms.