Lavi sighs and opens the door leading to his room. He has a hunch and that hunch is proven correct when he spots a girl with long black hair and violet eyes huddled on his bed.
"You're late." Raven mutters.
"Ouch." He says with a sniff. "And I hopped here as fast as I could. You're so mean to me!"
"You probably deserve it." She says and he pouts. Raven looks way and Lavi sits down next to her, placing an arm around her shoulder. A tear slips down her cheek and Lavi gazes up at the ceiling.
"Want to go traumatize small children?" He asks. "That always cheers me up."
"Lavi." She says. "I'm being serious."
"And that's what scares me." He says. A heavy silence fall over them. Lavi feels as though the quiet is slowly suffocating him. He searches his brain for something to say, anything at all, and mentally kicks himself when he can't find anything. Why must his stash of witty and oh so creative remarks fail him now?!
"I'm sorry." Raven finally says, snapping him out of his trance.
"Huh?" He asks.
"Is Robin upset?" She asks.
"No." He answers. "She's chowing down in the cafeteria with Allen." Raven's stomach lets out a wild growl and her face twists into something along the lines of a scowl mixed with a grimace. Lavi laughs at her strange expression.
"You do realize I haven't actually eaten in almost three years?" Raven says.
"Really?" Lavi asks, surprised. "But wouldn't you have starved?"
"I was stuck in Robin's body." Raven says. "She did all the eating." Her stomach lets out another grumble and she groans. "I would seriously kill for a ham sandwich right now."
"Well," Lavi says. "We could go and join Robin and Allen."
Raven's expression darkens. She rests her head on her knees and sighs.
"That idiot." She says. "How could she be so nonchalant about it?"
"Yeah." Lavi says. "I know it really surprised me when I saw her and Allen eat. Despite being the smallest of the exorcists, those two can really put it away."
"Not that." Raven says, rolling her eyes. "I mean with Cross!" Lavi blinks
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"The ritual thingy!" Raven says. "She could have died, Lavi! Died! She had a 66 percent chance of never waking up! She's so damn reckless! It's infuriating! How could she throw her life away, just like that?! Doesn't she care about her life!?" Lavi shrugs.
"She knew the risks and took her chances."
"Wait," She says. "You knew she could die?! Lavi!" He cringes under her glare. "Why the hell didn't you stop her!"
"What right did I have?" Lavi answers. "I would've done the same thing. Besides, she wasn't throwing her life away. She was pretty determined to live."
"She still could have died."
"And she didn't." He says. "I know you really care for her and so does Robin. I mean she did go through all that just to save you. Goes to show how much she wanted to see you. She knew is was selfish, but she wanted it so badly she wagered her own life for yours. And she won."
"She got lucky." Raven scoffs.
"I don't understand why you're so angry. She's alive. Yet, you're acting like she's dead."
She sighs.
Lavi is right. He tends to be, but that doesn't make her feel any better. She looks down into her empty hands. The strange black symbol curves across her palm and turns into a swirl that spirals tighter and tighter together till it's a single, lone dot on her hand. A single tear slips down her cheek. That mark. Proof that she is alive again. She ought to be happy. And yet...
The sound of the door opening snaps her out of her trance.
"Cross?" She asks, surprised. The red-haired general invites himself in and gives a gruff sigh. Cross gives the room a once-over and then focuses is gaze on Raven.
"What's going on?" Lavi asks, equally surprised.
Raven and the general stare back at each other, as if speaking telepathically. Raven slumps over and groans.
"Now?" Raven asks Cross.
"Now." He replies and crosses his arms.
"Can't I get one night?" She asks.
"5 o'clock." Cross answers. At Raven's groan, he turns to leave. "And bring the idiot, would you?" The door shuts.
"Wha-" Lavi starts. Raven suddenly gives him a hug.
"I love you." She says. She squeezes him tighter and takes a deep breath. Then just as suddenly, releases him and heads for the door.
"Wait-Raven!" Lavi says. "What was that?" She giggles in response.
"A new adventure." She answers with a wink. "You coming?"
Lavi blinks once and then grins. Oh, how he missed that grin of hers. She sneaks out of the room and he follows his girlfriend out.
"What?!" Robin yells, spitting out her mouthful of mac and cheese. Normally she would call it a waste of perfectly good cheesy deliciousness; if she wasn't so surprised.
"Yup." Komui answers.
"How is that possible?" Allen asks, shocked as well.
The two were just about done with their food and were planning on tracking down Kanda, but ended up being approached by the head of the Order. Komui said he had something important to tell her, but she had no idea of this.
"Really?" Robin says. "Six months?! But why-"
"General Cross tends to have his reasons for things." He says. "I honestly don't know specifics other than he intends to further your training with Raven."
"But for so long," She says. "And why away from the Order?"
Komui offers her a silent shrug and she sighs.
"He said to pack and meet him outside the Order for 5 o'clock." He continues. "I hope that is enough time for you." Robin looks down, sullen. Komui pats a hand on her shoulder and offers her a reassuring smile. "If it's okay, I and some of the finders would be glad to see you guys off."
Robin returns a weak smile. Komui can be so nice.
"Thank you." She says, getting up. "I should probably start then."
"You want help?" Allen asks.
"Nah," Robin says. "Most of my stuff is packed up anyway. I'll be fine." She waves, then scurries down the hall toward her room.
Six months...
She places a hand over her mouth. It's so long. So this is what Master Cross meant by "repayment"? And just for training? Somehow she highly doubts that. One thing she knows for certain was that the general would never do something that didn't specifically benefit him.
As she rounds the corner, she stops, nearly running into a body.
"Sorry!" Robin quickly says. She looks up and meets the violet eyes of Raven.
"Ah, Raven!" She says, suddenly nervous as she remembers how angry her friend was earlier this morning. Is she still mad at her?
"Well," Raven says, "this is awkward..."
Robin suddenly bows forward.
"I'm sorry." Robin says. "I don't know what it was I did or said, but I'm sorry if I made you mad. Please forgive me?"
There's a heavy silence and Robin's heart sinks. Please. Please don't let me lose her again.
Robin flinches as a pair of arms wrap themselves around her. Raven buries her face into her friend's shoulder.
"Idiot." She says. "You've always been such a damn idiot."
Robin feels herself relax and she allows herself a gentle smile.
"Who do you think I learned that from?" She says.
Raven smiles and Robin returns the hug, gripping her friend tight.
"Don't ever leave me again." Robin whispers. "I can't bear it without you."
"I won't." Raven says, as a tear rolls down her face. "I promise."
"Ummm..." A voice awkwardly says behind the two girls. Raven releases her friend and Robin looks over at the uncomfortable rabbit.
"Well," Lavi says with a grin. "Now that the happy reunion is over, mind explaining the deal with Cross?"
"Robin and I are joining Cross on an adventure." Raven explains.
"Yeah, a six month adventure." Robin adds. "Wonder why..."
"Repayment." Raven says. "He explained while we were playing with your unconscious body."
"Wait, what?"
Raven ignores Lavi's confusion and Robin's horror and continues her mini explanation.
"The details are hush, hush, but it's definitely a good thing. He needs man power and we owe him for bringing me back. Plus, it's a good way to get stronger. I'm sure you can guess why Ms. Critical." Robin looks away, blushing.
"But what about Kanda?" Robin says with a sigh. Lavi goes quiet and Raven frowns, picking up on the pair's melancholy mood.
"Gives him time to realize how lucky he is." Raven answers, crossing her arms. "Seriously, he's worse than a PMS-ing teenage girl! It's about time he learned how to treat a woman. And on that note," Raven gives her friend a mischievous grin. "I sure as hell hope Cross agrees a little make over is order."
"Hey!" Robin says. "What's wrong with my clothes!"
"They're great for a boy." Raven says. Robin huffs.
"Clothes are meant to be comfy!" She says. "You can't exactly kill akuma in heels and a miniskirt!"
"Tell Lenalee that..." Lavi mutters.
"Your innocence makes you an angel!" Raven says, heading for Robin's room. "You should look pretty! Guys would be all over you!"
"I'm not interested in other guys!" Robin says, following along with Lavi. "I love Kanda."
"No?" Raven says. "Cuz that white-haired boy was cute. You two look way better together."
Robin glares at the black-haired girl, but Raven appears immune to her death glares. A shame really.
"Admit it," Raven says. She opens the door to their room. "You guys are pretty close friends."
"How I feel about Allen is irrelevant." Robin says, closing the door shut behind her and Lavi.
"Oh really?" Another voice drips with anger. Robin freezes.
"Kanda!" Robin says. Kanda sits on the end of their bed with Mugen resting at his side. His hair is free and his eyes glare at hers. His stare is paralyzing. Robin suddenly feels exposed, as if she was prey caught in the grips of a deadly predator.
Kanda's jaw tightens.
"What is your problem?" Robin asks as she finally finds her voice.
"Like it matters." Kanda mutters, getting up and heading toward the door.
"Of course it does!" Robin says, blocking his way. In hindsight, probably not a smart idea getting in the way of the angry samurai, but she couldn't let him leave. Not while she was soon about to depart for such a long time.
"Move it." Kanda hisses.
"No."
"Move!" Kanda growls. He attempts to sidestep but Robin blocks him again.
"No." She answers. "Not until you tell me what's wrong."
"I said move it." He growls again, this time unsheathing Mugen and pointing the tip in her direction. Robin growls at the sword, getting pissed. So predictable...
"You're gonna point Mugen at me?" She seethes. "Your own girlfriend?"
"Robin." Lavi warns. Somewhere Robin vaguely hears the red-head's words, but it's barely a whisper. Like a quiet murmur of noise, somewhere in the back of her hearing. All she can focus on is the shimmering blade in front of her and nothing more.
"Huh, Kanda!?" Robin yells.
"Move it Robin!" Kanda yells.
There's a flash and a drip of blood falls onto the floor between them.
Robin's hand grips the blade tighter and Kanda's eyes widen, her own eyes shrouded by her long light-brown locks.
"What did I do?!" Robin yells. "Am I nothing to you now?!"
Kanda is silent. She tosses the blade away from her, disgusted.
"Fine!" She yells and finally meets his gaze. "Better to be nothing."
She reaches around her neck and unfastens the necklace and throws it back at him. She reaches under her bed and grabs her violin case, heading for the door.
"Uh, Robin," Raven says. "Your suitcase..."
"I have everything I need." She growls.
She doesn't look back. Maybe it's her anger or her disgust at the moment, but she wills herself away. Yet despite it all, the urge claws at her. Look at him. Look at him. She shakes her head. Her fingers wrap around the doorknob.
Look at him.
The knob turns.
Look at him.
The hinges squeak and the door in front of her swings open.
LOOK AT HIM!
She grits her teeth and throws the door closed behind her. She uses all her strength and it slams back into place. The sound reverberates through the empty hallway. It's dull and low, like a cruel whisper. A whisper that echos inside her broken chest.
She chuckles. "I win."
A tear slides down her cheek.
"He didn't see me cry." She laughs, but it's empty.
That's why she didn't look back, right?
She wipes her eyes quickly and straightens her back. She heads down the empty hallway toward the entrance to the Order.
Right?
"You okay?" Raven asks her friend.
Robin hugs the violin case to her chest, hiding her face. The two of them, along with Lavi, sat waiting at the entrance to the Order. Raven and Lavi followed her after she ran out of her room. They didn't ask and opted to quietly sitting with her till she began to speak. She glares at her hand, and even though the cut healed in the matter of minutes, she could still feel the cold steel against her skin.
"I'm not talking about it." Robin says. She makes her hand into a fist and punches the ground next to her. She's done with it. She wants to shove it away. So she will, blaming the tears welling up on the pain of hitting the ground.
"Just peachy." She answers and she hears the pair sigh.
"So you made it."
Robin doesn't move as her master strolls up to them. He's dressed for the journey with a suitcase at his side.
"You got everything?" Cross asks.
"I don't have anything." Raven answers with a cheerful smile. "So I'm all set!"
Robin looks away.
"I have what's important." She says.
"So then you have everything in order?" He asks.
"Will you quit asking that!" Robin growls. "Let's just go already!"
Cross raises an eyebrow at Raven, who shakes her head, signaling him not to ask.
"Six months is a long time." Lavi says. "Hope you'll still remember me when you get back."
"Like I could ever forget." Raven says with a smirk. She gives the rabbit a hug and he kisses her forehead in goodbye. Once they separate, the two friends and their master start to head off.
Robin was just about to wonder where Komui and the others were, when they hear someone call for them. The head of the order leads a huge procession of brown-white clothed finders. Robin spots the familiar faces of Reever, Lenalee, Miranda, and the others. Well, except one. She growls at herself and forces herself to ignore it. Let him sulk.
Allen breaks out of the crowd carrying a carefully wrapped parcel. Before she can ask, Allen smiles and hands it to her.
"Johnny finally finished the uniforms!" He explains. "He even made two."
"Sweetness." Raven says.
"He wanted me to tell you that they are made of durable materials." Allen continues. "That way they can keep you safe while you travel."
"Thank you." Robin says, gripping the parcel tight. "I really appreciate it."
"Good luck!" Lenalee says with a smile. "And be safe!"
"Yeah," Allen says. He comes closer and whispers in her ear. "Don't forget those cheats I taught you."
Robin sweatdrops. She's going to need them too...
"Thanks." She says.
"Make us proud!" Komui says. "Come back stronger."
"I will!" Robin says.
The three of them head down their path as the rest of the Order wave them off. Robin stops once to look back at the looming tower before her that had once held so much uncertainty and fear. She stares at the top.
The complex of the Black Order looms over her short, lean frame. A sudden wind gusts, whipping up her long brown hair. The one white strand whips in front of her eyes. A swarm of bats swoop out of the dark caverns hidden within the cliff-face, but she stands tall.
She smiles. Still gives her the creeps.
"I'll come back." She whispers to herself.
I will come back.
Sooooo...haven't updated in a long time. Hehehe...
Well, good and bad news...(bear with me)
Good news! I WILL CONTINUE! I WILL ACTUALLY FINISH A STORY! I SWEAR!
Bad news...(not really bad actually) Kanda's Angel is getting revamped as a sequel. Yup. New story :)
I've actually been debating ending this story, but I still like my characters. I think Robin still has more to offer ;)
That being said, I'm still actually working on the new sequel. I have some ideas that I actually need to find time to write up. I'm a college student, so I'm abnormally busy. So if I kind of drop off the face of the earth again, it's probably because I'm losing my mind. Don't worry. Happens all the time 3
I'm actually not sure if anyone still read this. O.O But I know so many of you favorited and followed this story, and I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! If you are still with me then I'm sorry for the wait, but I got some more if you will continue to read my stuff. :)
I'm also currently working on a running title for the sequel. I want to develop the characters a little more so it may be a little different, but not too different. (Don't worry) I will update it as soon as I have the next chapter and let you all know what it is.
Soooo...it's been awhile. I'm afraid my writing has gotten rusty...but please leave a review! And PM me. If you have any cool suggestions for Kanda's Angel, or you just want to talk about school, anime, life, etc..., then I'd love to talk. I also will do requests, if for some reason you want a specific pairing or something cute on the side. Let me know!
Anyways! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Did I say thank you?
Love you guys! 3
-MandM7 :)