Chapter 80– The Heart of Innocence- Different

Lenalee

I didn't know why, but I felt like the innocence was calling for me. I walked towards it. Suddenly, there was a bright light. I couldn't see anyone else. All I saw was the pieces of the innocence transform into a heart shape. A woman stood above it.

It had been years since I'd seen her, but I still recognized her. I felt tears threaten to fall. "Mommy?"

My mother smiled. "Hello, my dear girl. Look how much you've grown." She hugged me. "I've never been so proud of anyone."

"How…" My words stuck in my throat.

"I was once an exorcist," she said. "I fell in love with a normal human and left the Order. I let that life go, and I had two amazing children who have shown me that their love is stronger than anyone would have ever thought. I am so proud of you and Komui, Lenalee."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"My role in the Black Order was more than just being an exorcist," my mother explained. "It was protecting the Heart. And now, I pass that down to you. The innocence chooses those who have a strong will in life. When those people become a family and they reach out to each other, it creates the Heart. You job is to guard this Heart of Innocence."

She held her hand out and the Heart disappeared. A beautiful necklace with a heart locket appeared in her palm. She put the necklace around my neck. "I have fulfilled my role, now it is time for you to fulfill yours. Have faith, my darling. Faith and love will help you through this life."

"You're not leaving, are you?" I asked.

My mother smiled. "I have to, my darling. It is my time to go."

"But-"

She hugged me. "Live your life in peace, Lenalee. That is the key to true happiness. You've grown up into a beautiful young lady. You've found a nice man who loves you more than anything, and you have a larger family than most people do. You have a life ahead of you, Lenalee. Live it." She kissed my head. "I love you and Komui so much."

"Please don't leave me," I said. I started to cry. "I need you, Mommy."

"I'll always be there to guide you," she said. "All you have to do is look at that necklace, and you'll see me. This is my final gift to you, honey. I wish there was more. Goodbye, Lenalee."

She started to disappear. "Mom, no!' I yelled. "Please, stay with me!"

"I love you," my mom said. She disappeared.

The light that surrounded me faded, and I felt my body fall through thin air. I blacked out.

Daisya

I caught Lenalee just in time. Her face was stained with tears, and she was clutching a necklace. She had passed out. I brushed her hair out of her face. "Lenalee?"
Lenalee's slowly opened her eyes. "Daisya?" Her eyes filled with tears and she hugged me. She started to sob into my shoulder.

"What happened?" I asked as I hugged her.

"I saw her," she said. "I saw my mother."

"What?" I asked.

"Lenalee, what are you holding?" Kanda asked.

"Is that…" I trailed off.

"The Heart of Innocence?" Allen and Arisa finished the sentence at the same time.

Lenalee nodded. "My mother gave it to me."

"So we got the Heart of innocence, and we all survived the battle," Krory said. "How?"

"Not all of us," Alma said quietly.

I looked over at Lavi, Bookman, and Chou ji. Lavi was crying over his grandfather and fellow exorcist's bodies. Lenalee slowly walked over to him and bent down. She hugged him.

I stayed back while everyone else gathered around them. I looked at Cassandra. "What just happened?"

"Your dear girl has an important role," Cassandra said. "She's the protector of the Heart."

I looked at Lenalee who was crying next to Lavi. When I looked back at Cassandra, she was gone. I slowly walked over to my friends and hugged Lenalee.