Okay Chapter 14 is done! Thank you so much to author12306 for beta reading! THANK YOUUUU! :) And thank you to everyone who's been reviewing, favorite-ing, and following the story!
I hope you're still enjoying the story and please leave me a review to let me know what you think!
Kanda throws open the room's door and walks straight into the end of a revolver. The gun presses against the middle of his forehead and Kanda freezes.
"You had one role." A gruff voice mutters. Blood red eyes burn into his and Kanda growls.
"Move it!" Kanda yells. The general grabs a fistful of the exorcist's jacket and shoves him into the room opposite them. The lock clicks behind them and Kanda glances around. Cross' room is nearly identical to theirs; the only difference being an opened bottle of wine sitting on the table in front of them. Kanda's eyes flash with anger, but Cross merely continues to point Judgment at him.
"You're a pathetic excuse for a man." Cross says. "All you had to do was keep an eye on her, but you couldn't even do that."
"Shut up!" He growls, twitching with anger. "I don't have time for this! I have to find Robin!"
"She's gone." Cross answers. "Her body is taken over with the miasma. She won't even recognize you now."
"Miasma?"
Cross sighs and lowers his weapon.
"Tell me." Kanda says. "What do know about what's happening?"
"This mansion belonged to a couple soon to be wed." Cross says. "They were lovers and dreamed of spending eternity together. However, the man was drafted into a war for another country. Years went by, when one day news returned to the man's fiancé. He had died in the crossfire. The woman went into a fit of insanity and threw herself over the bluff. She landed into the ocean and died."
"Elizabeth Crowley." Kanda says. Cross nods.
"The one problem was that the man wasn't actually dead." He says. "He was wounded but managed to survive, returning only to find that his love had already perished. He collapsed with grief at his loss. You can guess what happened next."
"The Millennium Earl." Kanda says. "So this is the work of an akuma?"
"You catch on quick pretty-boy." Cross says and Kanda scowls. "Yes, it's an akuma. It has the ability to cause its victims to enter a state of madness. They're unable to determine what is real and what is a conjured up illusion. It's most likely a poison entered through the bloodstream that interferes with the senses. Of course, it only affects women."
Kanda's eyes narrow.
"You knew all this and you still allowed Robin to stay in that room?!" He yells.
"It was necessary to lure it out of hiding." Cross says. Kanda suddenly grabs the general and shoves him against the wall. He glares at the red-haired demon, shaking with anger.
"Bastard!" He yells.
"It had to be done." Cross says, emotionless. "It's not like I could have used Lenalee or Miranda."
"Oh?" Kanda asks seething with anger. "And why is that?"
"She may target women, but it's only if a man is present. This akuma isn't just after women; it's targeting couples. Specifically lovers who can't bear to be apart." Kanda suddenly pulls away and stares at him. Cross merely brushes off his jacket.
"Don't look so surprised." Cross says. "I heard all about your relationship from Komui."
"Shut up." Kanda says. A pink tint runs across his face and he turns away hoping to hid it from the general.
"I had hoped Robin's innocence would have been able to neutralize the miasma by itself." Cross continues. "Worst case, I figured you would be able to keep her at bay. Turns out you truly are useless." His fists tighten.
"It's not like she's some weakling!" Kanda yells.
"No, she's not." Cross says. He walks over and scoops up the bottle of wine. He inhales a long gulp and casually strolls over to the balcony. Kanda follows unsure. The rain had ceased for the time being and a slight glow begins to peek up from the horizon.
"It would be best that she's found by someone who knows about her situation." He says with a glance to Kanda. "Someone important may discover her secret if we're not careful. For now, I'll leave her in your care."
"Right." Kanda mutters. He turns to leave when Cross stops him.
Cross suddenly places a hand behind the samurai's back and shoves him face-first over the balcony's edge. Kanda is taken by surprise and falls down the five stories, landing on top of a huge bush. A vein pops out of Kanda's head and he death glares Cross, who merely raises his glass of wine in a toast.
He really hates that general.
Robin takes a deep breath and attempts to steady herself. She's already reached the beach. The rain was starting to die down and the sun was starting to rise in the east. She's grateful for the visibility but it does little to console the fear gnawing through her insides. She can't understand this feeling. Kanda's sudden actions frightened her and she fled on impulse, but he wasn't around anymore. Her heart shouldn't be racing so fast right now. Not when she's all by herself.
There are footsteps behind her and she whips around. Kanda stands behind her, Mugen drawn and his eyes cold. Robin feels her heart tighten and she takes a step back away from him.
"Kanda!" She yells. He's silent. The end of his blade points directly at her. The metallic edge flashes and she gulps. His mouth curls into an evil grin.
"Time to pay." He growls. He disappears into thin air. She glances wildly in all directions and he appears directly in front of her. Robin cringes and a searing pain rips through the center of her body. Warm red liquid pours from the wound and she feels her head become lighter. Kanda digs the katana into her flesh and she releases a scream as new pain pulses across her body.
"KANDA!"
The world around her turns black and her body becomes numb.
Kanda sees a figure stand alone along the shore of the beach. He rushes over to her side. Her eyes have the same glossed over look and she doesn't react from his presence. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he spots a shadow dart out and he reaches for Mugen.
"Show yourself akuma." Kanda says.
A man dressed in a fine tailored suit walks over to them. The man's eyes are wide and his mouth is twisted into a toothy grin. A low chuckle escapes from him and his body distorts. The man's skin is pulled away, replaced by scales and long black claws. A head of tangled hair falls to the akuma's back.
"An exorcist eh?" The akuma asks in a high-pitched voice.
"So you're the akuma responsible for this?" Kanda asks. The akuma chuckles.
"All it took was a scratch." It says. "My miasma is spread throughout her body. She's mine now. Perhaps you'd like a demonstration?"
The akuma's eyes glow and Robin suddenly falls onto her knees and screams. She grabs the area around her chest and her body is raked with tremors. He goes to help her when the akuma jumps from its perch and strikes with one of its claws. Kanda raises Mugen and blocks just in time. The akuma laughs.
"Love is a strange emotion, isn't it?" It says, sneering. "Even the most cold-hearted exorcist has someone precious to them. Someone they'd never raise a hand against. All it takes is to find out who that one person is and I own them."
Arms wrap themselves around him and he grunts. Robin presses her lips to the back of his neck. The warm tip of her tongue glide across his skin and shivers run up and down his spine. The akuma's huge claws dig their way into Kanda's skin and he groans in pain.
"Snap out of it!" He yells, pushing Robin aside.
"Ah, ah, ah." The akuma says. Robin screams again and topples over in pain. He flinches and the akuma uses the chance to attack and slashes at his back.
"Dammit." Kanda growls. Robin lets out one last cry and she goes still. "Robin!" Kanda yells, gripping Mugen.
"Looks like playtime is over." The akuma says moving closer to her. It raises its huge claw over Robin and smirks. "Die!"
Robin's eyes suddenly snap open. A cloud of sand is whipped up and the akuma is knocked back.
"You stupid fucking bitch!" A voice yells.
The sand clears and Robin stands over Kanda scowling. Her hair is pitch-black and her large caramel colored eyes are replaced with dark violet ones.
"How dare you hurt Robin!" She yells, snarling at the akuma.
"Dumb girl!" The akuma hisses. "Die already!" It lunges at her and the girl jumps and knees the demon in the face.
"Come on!" She yells in frustration. She glances down at her hands. "I'm trying to save Robin! Activate already!" She grits her teeth in pain and two pure black wings rip out of her back. Glittering black feathers cover her wings like armor. She spreads them out to either side and the very ends point into razor sharp knives.
"Hey Ponytail!" She says, glancing at Kanda. "Do me a favor and don't get in my way. Got that?"
Kanda scoffs and points Mugen at the girl's throat. She had the same face and body as Robin but there is no way this girl in front of him is her.
"Who the hell are you?" He growls. "What did you do to Robin?" Her violet eyes narrow.
"How do you know Robin?" She asks.
"Answer my question!" He yells. She smirks and stares at him.
"Or what?" She asks. "You'll kill me? Do that and Robin dies right along with me. Now answer me: how do you know Robin? Are you a friend? Foe? Depending on your answer I may have to kill you."
"I'm not an enemy." He says. "Now tell me who you are." She smirks.
"So she hasn't told you yet?" She says. "Ouch. Me and little miss angel will have to have a very stern conversation when this is over."
The akuma, who has been patiently waiting for an opening, suddenly lunges at them. The girl flies up and Kanda jumps back just in time to escape the akuma's claws. The wounds along his back already stopped bleeding and he activates Mugen. The katana glows and he slices off the demon's left arm. It screeches in pain and the girl tucks in her wings and falls to the earth using the force of gravity to strengthen the attack. The akuma suddenly chuckles and its head twists to form a large barreled gun. The akuma fires and the girl tumbles out of the air.
"I got one!" The akuma yells in glee. "I got one!"
Before she reaches the ground, the girl's body suddenly dissipates into fragments of dark, purple light.
"What?" The akuma asks.
The sharpened edges rip through the akuma from behind and it screams.
"You're not the only one capable of illusions." The girl mutters before slicing the akuma's body in half. The demon's body explodes in a blast of fire and sand.
"That was fun." She says with a huge grin. The girl observes her handiwork and nods with approval. Kanda shifts behind her and the edge of Mugen is replaced at her throat. She sighs.
"You're certainly persistent."
"What happened to Robin?" He asks.
"She's perfectly fine." The girl answers. "The miasma is slowly being neutralized as we speak. Now that the akuma is dead she should be back to normal anytime now."
"And who are you?"
"I can't be all cool and mysterious if I just come out and tell you, now can I?"
The katana is pressed closer and she lets out a long sigh.
"You're no fun." She says with a pout. "Fine. I am the mysterious, awe-inspiring, super-cool...dun, dun, dun!" She smirks. "...Raven."
"You're Raven?" He asks. "Aren't you supposed to be dead?"
"Hence the mystery." Raven says with a grin. "I guess I'll be going now. You're no fun at all." She winks and gives him a wave. "See ya!" Raven's short black hair lightens into its normal brown hue. Her limbs go slack and her body collapses on the sand. Suddenly bright golden eyes snap open and she sits up gasping for breath.
"Crap!" Robin yells. She glances around and her brow furrows with confusion. "How the hell did I end up here?"
"Robin?" Kanda asks raising an eyebrow toward her.
"Kanda!" She squeaks inching away from him. Something clicks in her head and her face flushes. "Don't tell me you-"
"Shut up." He says. "While you were off in illusion-land I had to take care of the akuma."
"Akuma?" She asks. "Wait, illusions?"
"It used a poison to mess with your mind." Kanda says. "I'm not sure what you saw but it was all an illusion that the akuma used to control your body. I had to stop you from hurling yourself into the ocean."
"It wasn't real?" She asks. "So then you didn't actually..." She pauses, then releases a long breath of relief. "Oh thank you lord." Kanda's fist slams into her skull and she yelps in pain.
"What was that for?!" She yells.
"It may have been an illusion for you, but I was the one who had to fend against your gorilla strength! I broke my jaw thanks to you!"
"I hit you?!" She yells. "Oh geez! Are you okay?! Let me see! Oh my God! You're all bloody!" She runs a hand over the long claw marks across his chest from his fight with the akuma. Kanda's eyes soften despite his growing irritation.
"I'm fine." He says. "I heal faster than most others." Even as he speaks, Robin watches the wounds start to close and heal. She gives him a small smile.
"So I guess you're like me." She says. "I can heal them myself if you want. It'll probably be faster that way."
"It's not necessary." He says and she shrugs.
"I'm sorry." She says. Her eyes fall. "If I'd known, I would have never hit you." She shakes her head. "I'm such an idiot! I'm so so sorry!"
"Hey." He says. He raises her chin so she meets his eyes. "It's not your fault. You were poisoned and obviously terrified."
"It was scary." She admits. She shakes her head trying to get the illusions out of her mind.
Kanda wraps his arms around her and their lips drift closer. Robin closes her eyes and the warmth from his breath falls onto her mouth. Out of nowhere a huge wave rises from the ocean and crashes over the two of them. Robin gags on the seawater burning her lungs and stares up at a drenched Kanda. A vein on his forehead looks ready to burst and he shakes with anger.
"Every single freaking time." He seethes.
"It's the curse." She says with a smile. Kanda's jaw clenches.
"You know what?" He growls. "Fine! It's a damn curse! I admit it!"
Robin smiles then brings her lips to his mouth. Her lips brush against the roughness of his and she stealthily glides her tongue across his bottom lip before pulling away. Kanda stares at her, taken off guard and heat flares to her cheeks.
"That wasn't so hard now was it?" She says with an innocent grin. Before he can answer she scurries away toward the opposite side of the beach.
Night had already faded and a glowing orange orb of sunlight was rising from the east, erasing the night's previous fear. The water sparkles in the golden light in a rainbow of blues, reds, and greens. The sky is nearly clear with just a few leftover clouds dotting the edge of the horizon. She stares at the sunrise and a strange warmth flutters up into her heart.
"It's beautiful." Kanda says next to her. She nods.
"You're welcome." She says.
"Excuse me?"
"If I hadn't been poisoned and ran away in a fit of madness, we would have never seen this." She says.
"You know," He says. "We still have some vacation time. What do you want to do?" She thinks for a second.
"Sleep."
"Agreed." He says. They start heading back to the mansion; fingers interlocking as they walk side by side.
"So?" Kanda asks. "Rapist? Mind explaining that?"
Robin's face turns bright red. "I don't feel like that's necessary." She says, trying to wiggle free from his grasp. Kanda's eyes flash evilly and he smirks.
"Shall I make your illusions a reality?" He whispers into her ear. A fresh gush of blood squirts out of her nose and she grabs her face. Kanda laughs as her blush turns brighter.
"Evil." She mutters.
"You know you love it." He says. She smirks.
Yes, she thinks to herself. She certainly does.
And now I have a second OC. Yay! :)
Okay, now this is incredibly important...I have a slight dilemma. With a new OC comes the problem of figuring out who to pair her with. I'm originally leaning towards Allen. The idea of him and Kanda having to share "Robin" is too good to pass up. However, I also love Lavi and his antics!
So, I am going to leave it up to democracy! :)Please, please review and pick a side. You can vote Allen or Lavi! If enough people ask, I might consider other characters. (So long as they're male. Sorry, I don't do Yuri.) The final decision won't be until a couple of chapters so please, please vote!
Thank you for reading! :)