I'm alive! It's been so long. It's almost kind of awkward coming back. I'm sorry. I know you guys have been waiting so long for the next chapter. (and at a cliffhanger too...)
I read all of the reviews you guys gave. You all are so sweet. :') THANK YOU! Your reviews really touched me and I appreciate all the support. Depression really really sucks, but I really want to get back into writing. If you are willing to continue reading I shall continue writing.
Sooooo, I'm officially back! (woo!) So, I shall end my note here and let you finally read! 5 months isn't that long, right?
Robin jolts awake and sits up, immediately regretting it when her head slams into something hard. She yelps and falls back, cradling her throbbing head.
"OW!" A voice yells next to her. Robin groans and turns her head, staring straight into a pair of deep, violet eyes. She glances from the eyes to the long, flowing black hair, lost for words.
"Morning." Raven says with a nonchalant grin.
"Morning?" Robin repeats. "Morning? Really?"
"Um, yeah?" Raven asks, raising an eyebrow. "You know, that time after night and right before noon? How hard did you hit your head?"
"Raven!" Robin yells. "Of all the things to say, you choose 'Morning'?! I thought you were dead!"
"Well, what do you expect?" Raven asks. "Some kind of deep, philosophical piece of wisdom? It's death, not some kind of field trip to the center of the cosmos."
"Not my point." Robin says. Raven just shrugs in response and Robin sighs.
"So how do you feel?" Raven asks. "You gave Cross a pretty bad scare."
"I'm still a little light-headed." She answers. "I don't feel too bad though. I-wait, Cross?!"
Robin stops and finally takes the time to look at her surroundings. She's in a huge, full-sized bed with blood red covers and sheets. She somewhat recalls the room from last night. She's in Cross's bedroom.
She blinks.
Wait, she's in Cross's bedroom! She rips the covers off of her in a panic. She's wearing some kind of nightgown. It's soft and pink and Robin knows for a fact she was not wearing it last night. Shit. What the hell happened?! Cross didn't-
Her face visibly pales. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! She shakes her head and there's a long sigh from the doorway.
"You really have no faith in me." Cross says, lighting a cigarette.
"Pedophile!" She yells. "Illegal! Oh god. You-?!" She shakes her head, unable to finish the sentence.
"It's not so bad." Raven says with a grin. "I mean, it's not like you were a virgin to begin with."
Robin gapes at her friend and Cross chuckles.
"While I'm flattered," He says. "Nothing happened."
Robin falls back onto the bed with a groan. How long has she been out? What time is it?
"Weren't you listening?" Raven asks. "I said it was morning. Apparently, you passed out last night after you two brought me back. It was some kind of aftereffect of the sealing...thingy?"
Cross nods in confirmation and Raven grins.
"I've been looking after you all this time." She says. "You're welcome."
"Kill me." Robin groans. "Just kill me now. End my misery."
"It's not something to take lightly." Cross says. "You will feel the ritual's effect for a couple of days. I can see you feel better, but if you'd like to stay-"
"Bye!" Robin says, forcing herself off the bed. After a couple wobbly steps, she walks past Cross and storms out of the general's room.
Raven and Cross wait in awkward silence, as a minute later Robin returns. She silently walks past the two of them and grabs the bundle of her clothes off the top of the dresser, then leaves again, just as quickly as before.
"Geez," Raven says, once she's sure her friend is gone. "Not even one 'welcome back' or 'hey, how was death?' Thanks, oh best buddy."
"I give her five, ten minutes tops before she collapses again." Cross says. "She shouldn't be running around anyway with that gaping wound on her chest."
"Wound?" Raven asks and Cross shrugs.
"She got it when she pulled the Noah's Tease out of her body." He answers. "As much blood as she lost, she would've been out a lung if she hadn't."
"Her body can heal though." Raven says, concerned. "Shouldn't the Innocence have healed her?"
"Not this time apparently." Cross says. "By the way, how are you? Are you able to move enough?"
Raven experimentally moves her arms and legs. She bends her knees and tightens and relaxes her fists, satisfied that she can move.
"It's fine." She says. "My senses aren't completely back yet, but I think I'm fine."
"Good." Cross says. "Feel free to come see me if you have any problems. I'd love for such a beautiful young woman to visit me again."
"Thank you." She says. "You're not so bad for an old guy. I'm going to find Robin. See ya!" She gives the general a quick wave then leaves, closing the door behind her.
Cross sighs and takes a sip of his wine.
"Old guy?" He asks and shakes his head.
Raven cheerfully skips down the hallway. It feels like forever since she last had a chance to move and walk around like a normal human being. Then again, she isn't exactly your normal human being. Twice she's died. Twice she's come back.
She stops and sighs, taking in the Black Order's main hall. Beyond the railing is a sharp drop that leads to who knows where. All along the hall are doorways that Raven knows belong to members of the Order. Robin calls this home. Could it be hers too?
She should probably find Robin before she collapses again. She doesn't even need to guess where her friend went. Raven lets out another sigh and heads toward the cafeteria, in search of Robin.
Raven rounds another corner and stops dead. She stares down at the form lying face-first on the floor (still in the nightgown) and stifles a laugh.
"Shut it." Robin mutters.
"Need a hand?" Raven asks.
"No," Robin answers. "I'm good."
"Oh really? So then, any particular reason why you're lying on the floor?" She asks. "Or should I start guessing?"
"Ever thought that maybe I enjoy lying on the floor?" Robin responds.
"Do you?"
Robin's quiet. Raven lets out another sigh and squats down at her side. Her friend's face is bright red and Raven smirks, gently lifting Robin over her shoulders like a piggy back ride. Robin wraps her arms around Raven's neck and comfortably rests her head on her friend's shoulder.
"You're so stubborn." Raven says, heading down the hall. Robin laughs.
"Who do you think I got that from?" She says back. Now it's Raven's turn to laugh.
"Yeah," She says. "It's not we had any family to look after us. We're all we have."
Raven knows first hand what kind of hell they've gone through. Raven knows of pain and Robin knows of nothingness. Raven's often wondered what could be worse; the memory of her dead parents or never having any memories. Despite the pain, at least she can still think back to happy times. She can remember her days fishing and exploring with her father, all the times her mother read her stories before bed, and how warm and comforting their embrace had been. The loss aches at her heart. Even now it still hurts; time not having dulled the pain. But, at least she has something.
Robin's quiet and Raven, sensing her friend's change in mood, pauses, thinking of a way to cheer her up. Robin suddenly laughs and Raven nearly trips and breaks her neck.
"What the hell?!" Raven yells as she regains her balance.
"Not anymore." Robin says. Raven crams her neck behind her and she's met with a huge, beaming smile. Raven raises an eyebrow.
"We have more than each other now." Robin explains. "We have the Order. There's Komui, Lenalee, Krory, Miranda, Allen, the science division, even all the finders. You have Lavi."
Raven smiles. "And you have Ponytail."
Robin's smile slowly fades.
"Crap." She says.
"What?" Raven asks, confused. Robin squirms on Raven shoulders and the dark haired girl loses her grip, making Robin fall back and hit her head on the floor.
"Ow..." Robin whines.
"What the hell is wrong?!" Raven asks. Robin jolts to a stop and struggles to get to her feet. "Robin!" Raven yells, helping her friend stand.
"I completely forgot!" She yells. "I left Kanda in our room. Crap, crap, crap."
"So?" She asks. "Personally, I think a little space is a good thing."
Robin shakes her head. "I didn't tell him about reviving you. I didn't want to worry him if I didn't come back."
Raven stops dead. "What do you mean 'if I didn't come back'?!" Robin gives her friend a weak smile.
"Master Cross said that there was a pretty good chance the ritual would kill me." Robin answers. "A 66 percent chance if I recall."
"WHAT?!" Raven yells. She drops her friend and Robin falls forward on the floor. Just how many times is she going to hit her head today?
"OW!" Robin yells. She glares up at her friend, but falters when she's met with an equally burning gaze. She's never seen Raven so mad before.
"Raven...?" Robin asks in a small voice, frightened by her friend's sudden rage. Raven's fist clench tight and she turns away, continuing down the hall.
"Ah, Raven!" Robin yells as her friend abandons her.
When Raven is gone, Robin lets out a groan and hits her head against the floor. What did she do now?! She didn't say anything wrong, did she? Great. Now she's all alone. Worst yet, she doesn't think she can walk yet. Crap.
She groans and resigns herself to lying face-first on the floor. It's a little cold and dusty, but not entirely bad. She tries shifting to get a little more comfortable, but it's a floor. You can only get so comfortable. She sighs.
I guess I should wait until someone finds me...if someone finds me.
That thought causes a new wave of panic. What if no one finds her?! What if she's left lying on the floor?!
"Crap!" Robin yells. "I don't want to starve!"
"Robin?" A voice asks. Robin nearly cries with joy. She crams her neck to get a look at her savior and smiles when she's met with a pair of silver eyes.
"Allen!" Robin yells. "My savior!"
A light blush dusts across his face and he looks down at her situation with confusion. She suddenly recalls that she's still in the pink nightgown.
"Are you okay?" Allen asks.
"Yup!" Robin says cheerfully. "I just can't walk. I'm sorry, but do you mind giving me a hand?" Allen nods and she wraps her arms around his neck. He carries her on his back, similar to the way Raven had not that long ago.
"So do you want to go to the infirmary?" Allen asks. "Or should I drop you off at your room?"
"Neither." Robin says. "I'm starving!" At the mention of food, Allen's own stomach growls and his blush reddens.
"You're so cute." Robin says, giggling.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Allen asks, his face beet red.
"Maybe." Robin mutters.
"What?" He asks.
"Nothing!" Allen raises an eyebrow, but she simply smiles. "Onward to the cafeteria!"
"Yu!" Lavi whines, staring straight into a pair of dark, perpetually angry eyes. The clearly pissed samurai tightens his hold on the red head's jacket with Mugen shimmering dangerously close to the rabbit's neck.
"Where is she?!" Kanda growls.
"Who?" Lavi asks, feigning innocence.
"Stop playing dumb, baka usagi!"
"Calm down!" Lenalee scolds.
"Shut up!" He growls to the pig-tailed girl. Lenalee stops, looking like she's just been struck. The boys see a few stray tears rim her eyes.
"Bad Yu!" Lavi scolds. "You made Lenalee cry!"
"I didn't-" Kanda stammers. He's cut off by sudden laughing.
He snaps his attention to the cafeteria's entrance and stares at Allen and Robin. Allen carries her on his back with Robin's arms wrapped around his neck. The moyashi is blushing like crazy and Kanda notices the pink nightgown. Coupled with the fact that Robin never returned to their room last night, Kanda feels a new rage bubble to the surface.
"Kanda!" Robin says as the giggling pair approaches their table. Kanda releases the rabbit and points the blade of his katana toward the throat of a certain white haired exorcist.
"Kanda!" Robin scolds. "Knock it off!"
A furious glare her way cuts her off. She stares at him speechless and he scoffs. After some struggling, Robin climbs off Allen's back and wobbles over to Kanda's side. She places a gentle hand on his shoulder, intending to calm him down but he smacks it away, opting to glaring at her instead.
"Don't touch me!" He yells. He clenches his jaw and stalks away, heading toward the room's exit.
"Wait, Kanda!" She yells. She starts to follow him.
"Leave me alone!" He snarls, his glare showing the extent of his new hatred. Robin's jaw drops and right then her legs choose to give way. Lavi catches her before she can fall, right as Kanda stalks out the room, just in time to see the hurt in her eyes.
"Wow," Lavi says, breaking the silence. "Yu is really pissed."
Robin looks down, her long hair obscuring her face from view. A quiver escapes from her and Allen moves to her side.
"Are you alright Robin?" He asks with an expression mixed with worry and concern. Lavi places a hand to her now shaking shoulders and offers a cheerful smile.
"It's alright." Lavi says. "You don't have to hold it in. We won't think any less of you if you cry."
"I-" Robin chokes.
"Yeah?" Lavi coaxes. Robin's fists tighten and her shaking stops. She grits her teeth and looks ahead at the exit.
"I'm going to fucking kill him!" She yells, a dark, angry aura emanating from her. She lets out an angry growl and slams her fist into the floor. The rest of them stare at her, eyes wide with shock.
"I've had it with this crap!" She yells. "First I lose Raven again! Then I nearly die bringing her back! I was almost raped by Master Cross!"
"Wait," Allen interrupts. "Master Cross?"
"I think she's snapped." Lavi whispers.
"I can hardly walk and fell on my face!" Robin yells, ignoring them. "Then Raven gets mad at me and leaves me alone! And now Kanda's mad too! Worst yet, I still haven't gotten a decent meal! Dammit! I'm tired, hungry and my head freaking hurts! He didn't have to be such a jerk!"
Robin huffs and crosses her arms, a deep scowl settling on her features. Next to her there's loud laughter and she turns to find Lavi, of course, rolling on his side, laughing like crazy. They all stare at the red head, convinced he's finally lost it.
"Did someone spike the food?" Allen asks. Robin sweat drops.
"Lavi?" She asks, uneasy. "You're starting to scare me."
"Sorry," He says, wiping away a welled-up tear. "You just looked so funny!" He snorts and bursts into fits of laughter, accompanied by a certain white haired beansprout. She frowns.
"Well, knock it off!" Robin yells. "I'm serious you know!" She whacks the rabbit over the head, but it just makes him laugh harder. Lenalee giggles next to her and she frowns at the pigtailed girl.
"Not you too!" Robin yells.
"Sorry, Robin." She says. "I just thought you would be more upset."
Robin lets out a sigh. Her eyes fall to the floor as she envisions the samurai's angry exit. She's used to Kanda getting mad, but he practically radiated hatred. And towards her.
"I am." She answers, her eyes betraying her new hurt. "It hurts but," She says, forcing herself to smile. "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."
"I don't know." Lavi says, suddenly serious. "Yu looked mightily pissed."
"He won't hurt me." She says, but pauses, thoughtful. "Well, he's used force before, but I highly doubt he would actually kill me."
"You doubt it?" Allen asks, incredulous. Robin gives him a weak laugh. The white haired exorcist face palms, while Lavi grins cheerfully.
"Hey," The red head says. "That's better than if I went to talk to him."
"How about I talk with him?" Lenalee offers.
"Yeah!" Lavi says. "Kanda would never hit Lenalee!"
"Komui would murder him and stuff his body in one of his creepy rooms." Allen says, shuddering.
"You know," Robin says. "I've noticed that Komui has been much nicer to me since he found out I'm a girl."
"That's because he knows you aren't going to hit on her." Lavi answers. "I heard him the other day going on and on about how Lenalee has a new girlfriend to girl talk with and take shopping."
Robin sweat drops. Really?
"I'm sorry." Lenalee says. Her face is flushed, likely due to embarrassment. "My brother tends to be a little overbearing."
"It's okay." Robin says. "I'm not really into shopping or girly stuff, but I'm happy being your friend." The pigtailed girl brightens at that and she gives Robin a warm smile.
"I'm glad." She says. "I'll make sure to find Kanda. He couldn't have gotten that far." With that, she leaves on the hunt for a seriously moody samurai.
"Now," Lavi says. "As for the matter of food, I offer Allen as tribute! How about ordering some food for Robin here, moyashi?"
"Not a moyashi." Allen grumbles, but still heads toward Jerry.
"You just want to find Raven." Robin says. Lavi grins and nods. She lets out a long sigh.
"Go." She says. She waves for him to leave and the red head happily obliges, hurrying out of the cafeteria. Several minutes later, Allen comes back with stacks of food. Robin's mouth waters at the sight and she digs in.
"Oh how I've missed you mashed potatoes." Robin purrs, stuffing a spoonful into her mouth.
As always please please leave a review! THANK YOU! I love you guys! :)