-.-.-.-

Chapter 13: A Sealed and Destroyed Fate

-.-.-.-

Reever's POV

I could only stare down at the orange striped creature that was nibbling on the chew toy by my feet. Of all the people, why did the tiger have to be put with me?! With a sigh, I got down on my knees and picked up Tigress with one hand, bringing her up to eye level. Bright green eyes blinked back at me curiously as she tilted her head to the side, whiskers twitching.

"How could the Chief think that I'd be able to take care of her?" I grumbled as I scowled at the female feline that yawned at me, her pink tongue stretching. As I continued to stare at her more, I began to notice how bright her eyes were, like the color of Innocence.

"Hmph, well I guess you'll keep me company for now." I sighed as I got up and settled her down on a chair next to my desk. With a loud thump, I fell into my own chair and let out a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing my hand over my eyes. It was quiet, just me and Tigress. The rest of the Science Division had gone to bed, finished with their work. I on the other hand didn't have enough time to finish mine because I was too busy spending my time "looking after" Tigress. Meaning that I had a really long chat with the Chief about her. Which of course ended up me taking her into my own room until Nova came back. I glanced over at the tiger cub that gazed back at me with wide eyes, her head rested in between her paws. To be honest, she was quite cute.

"Ah Reever, what's gotten into you? Taking in a tiger cub?" I asked myself, staring into the ceiling as I turned from side to side in my chair. It was around two in the morning and mostly everyone here at Headquarters was asleep, so silence reigned the halls for now. Realizing that I needed to finish organizing the papers for the Chief to sign, I snapped up in my seat and scooted forward, ready to start, when I heard rushing footsteps. Before I knew it, the Chief was sprinting towards me at full speed, arms pumping.

I grabbed Tigress quickly and hopped to the side just as the Chief zoomed past me, crashing into a mountain of books. Instantly, he snapped up to his feet, the books exploding off of his form and slamming on to the floor. I stood there in shock as he walked over to me with a serious frown on his face, his glasses blocking his eyes.

"What's up Chief?" I inquired as he took a seat in my chair, crossing his arms over his chest. From the way he had composed himself too quickly after just that must mean that something bad must've happened.

"Kanda contacted me earlier. He said that the Noah's have Nova. But he also said that she went of her own free will." I widened my eye at the news and tightened my grip around Tigress, causing her to hiss.

"S-she went of her own free will?" I asked in disbelief, my mind in complete shock. Why would she do such- I met the Chief's gaze suddenly, a reason to why she did that in my mind.

"The General! She did it to see the General!" I hollered as the Chief cringed from the volume of my voice. Komui waved his hand to be quiet, and motioned for me to come closer.

"Before General Klaud left for her mission, she had an assumption that Nova was part of the prophecy with Allen. If we let the news that she went willingly with our enemies to see the General, what would the other Generals think?" The Chief whispered softly, a torn look in his dark, purple eyes. I thought about it and was shocked with what kind of answer I came up with.

"They'd interrogate her for going willingly. Not the Generals, but *those* people." I mumbled out as the Chief nodded with a hand curled around his chin. Tigress crawled out of my grasp and hopped on to my table, curling up into a ball, her tail over her nose. The Chief noticed this and turned around in the chair to stroke her head lightly, a small smile on his face.

"And you said you wouldn't take care of her." He grinned evilly as he turned around slowly to face me, a dark look over his face. I rolled my eyes and sat in the chair where Tigress was before, studying the tiger closely.

"So what're you going to do? How are you going to find her?" I asked as I glanced over at the Chief who had his eyes lowered, a troubled look on his face.

"I said that I would send out search parties for her, but I doubt that they'd find her so easily." The Chief said as he continued to pet Tigress's head. I scratched the back of my head and looked at Tigress once more, remembering the color of her eyes.

"Wait a minute," The Chief glanced over at me, a raised eyebrow on his exhausted face.

"I looked in Tigress's eyes earlier and it looked like the color of Innocence. I know it might just be a coincidence, but maybe she's got Innocence inside her." Komui's eyes widened at my suggestion as he turned his head to look at Tigress. He suddenly lifted her up into the air, startling her to open her eyes from her nap. Joining the Chief, we both stared into the tiger's eyes, surprised to see her eyes not green but a teal hue, the color of Innocence. We exchanged glances uncertainly but knew it for certain. If there was Innocence inside her, then maybe, since she belonged to Nova, she'd be able to find her.

"I'm not sure if she'll be able to, but we should at least check if she harbours Innocence." Komui nodded as he held Tigress in his arms, headed for Hevlaska with me following on his heels.

With Hevlaska...

As I looked up with the Chief in the early hours of morning, I couldn't help but feel bad for Tigress who was about fifty feet in the air only being held by glowing tendrils. However to my surprise, she didn't look frightened at all. In fact, she looked confident, the gleam in her eyes. Hevlaska, after being awoken from her deep slumber, took Tigress high into the air and was now at the moment examining her after we had explained that Nova had..."disappeared".

"Hevlaska, does she have it?" Komui inquired as he looked up at the transformed human being that was now holding all of the Innocence fragments they've collected. The beautiful creature set Tigress down on the rail and moved to face them, her masked eyes looking down at them.

"She does. However, this tiger used to belong to someone long ago." I tilted my head in confusion as I began to question who that someone was. Tigress hopped back into my arms, shaking her head as if to get rid of the feel of those tendrils wrapped around her body.

"What do you mean?" The Chief said as he crossed his arms over his chest, a calculating look in his eyes. In the silence that followed, the sun began to rise outside, penetrating the deep darkness.

"This tiger used to belong to someone you knew well. One who supposedly died." Komui stiffened at this, his eyes wide as he relived a memory from long ago.

"She belonged to Victoria?" He whispered to himself, catching my attention. Victoria? Why did that name seem familiar?

"Yes, but what confuses me is how Tigress found Nova and not Victoria." Hevlaska's voice echoed around the basement, disturbing the silence. Not really getting what they're saying, I went ahead and asked my question.

"Will Tigress be able to find Nova?" There was a moment of silence before the glowing being replied.

"It's possible since she's made a connection with her but the link between her and Victoria's are at completely different levels. If it were Victoria, she'd be able to find her easily, but for Nova, that is only if they establish a bond between their Innocence. Tigress has already done that with Victoria and is able to search for her anytime, but it appears that she doesn't want to anymore."

"Doesn't want to?" I inquired as I glanced down at the sleeping tiger in my arms.

"When I saw her Innocence, I had caught a glimpse of her memories with Victoria. I'll just say that they didn't go well."

"Alright, thank you Hevlaska." The Chief said as he walked towards the elevator, waving the keeper of Innocence goodbye. I followed him in and glanced over at him as we ascended the levels.

"Chief, you alright?" I concernedly asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. The man with a sister complex sighed as he nodded slowly, eyes shut.

"We need to try to find her before the Generals get suspicious of Nova's disappearance. We've already sent out a few search parties for General Klaud and with Nova gone too, it will raise suspicion." The Chief glanced over at me with a serious gaze before he broke out into a wide, cheery grin.

"Go get some sleep~! We'll send my dear Lenalee and Allen to go look for Nova when Kanda and Lavi return!" My eyebrow twitched as he pranced away from the elevator, sparkles surrounding his head as he went around a corner. I hung my head as I sighed and put a hand on top of the sleeping Tigress's head.

"Well, I'll try to at least get some sleep." I mumbled as I made my way towards my room. I was only a few feet away from the door when I froze, suddenly realizing something.

"NOOO! THE PAPERWORK!"

And thus ends my time for any sleep.

-.-.-.-

Victoria's POV

"You are to keep what you hear in a moment secret. You are to not tell anyone in the Order." I mentioned to them in a low voice, meeting their gazes seriously. Kanda and Lavi both nodded quietly, understanding. With a close of my eyes, I sighed as memories of long ago resurfaced in my mind.

"When Sam told you all that he killed me and brought you my body to prove it, that wasn't me. In fact, it wasn't anybody." I was met with Kanda's and Lavi's shocked gazes as they took in the information.

"Just listen closely alright?"

3 years ago...

I hopped down from the top of the tree just as the rain started to pour. I was finished with my mission and had successfully retrieved the Innocence, now on my way back to the Order. I pulled up my hood and started walking through the empty, darkened streets of the town near headquarters when my golem poked his head out of my jacket.

"Hey Chika," I greeted as my purple golem flew into the air and landed on my shoulder. I held him against me with a hand as he fluttered his wings.

"What you've got a message for me?" I softly said as I turned my head to Chika, a beep coming from him.

"Victoria," I immediately grinned when I heard his voice, grabbing Chika and holding him in my hands.

"Sam!"

"Meet me at our spot," After that it seemed like he waited for a moment before continuing.

"It's time." The smile that was on my face instantly slid off, my heart starting to beat faster as I realized what he just said.

"No...no!" I cried out as I started sprinting, dread striking deep in my gut as the rain pelted my face. I'm so close to reaching him! He's just in my grasp! Why did this have to happen now!

I turned a corner and immediately headed towards the park, chest heaving for air. Through the lamplight, I could see his silhouette sitting against the railing on top of the playground. I ran over to him and leaned over on my knees as I gathered air into my lungs. When I could breathe again, I stomped straight up to him and grabbed him by the scruff of his exorcist jacket.

"Why?! Why now!" I demanded as I met his distant gaze angrily. Sam looked back at me with a conflicted look in his eyes and hung his head to the side, rain matting his hair to his head.

"The Generals figured out what you were going to do and sent me to kill you." I gaped at this and closed my eyes resignedly as I let out a long sigh. I fell to my knees and looked down at the ground with anger.

"We need to stick to the plan." Sam quietly said above me, his voice sounding hollow and lonely. I shut my eyes and pressed my balled fists to them, not wanting to do this.

The reason I had become an exorcist was because I needed to bring someone back. And becoming the one thing I hated was my price to find him. Sam, my best friend had joined along with me to keep a promise; to protect me. A promise he made to my late mother. We had planned on the day that I had actually met the person I was looking for that we'd watch each other's backs always. Because I realized then, that I couldn't bear to lose Sam, and I knew that he couldn't lose me.

The person whom I had almost reached was my father, someone who left our family of two to finish his research about something important. Before my mother died, she had told me that I needed to find my father to tell him that she had gone, and that she loved him. I hated him because he left us, left me and my probe to illness mother alone. But since she loved his much, I figured that that was all I could do.

So in becoming an exorcist, I knew I'd be able to find him because of where his research was; around akuma and the Noah. But when I had finally seen him, he was outraged that I had become an exorcist and tried to kill me. I realised then, that being around the akuma and Noah had destroyed him. And with the news of mother's death weighing in his shoulders, he had gone ballistic and shot me in the shoulder. He had disappeared when I came to, but Sam was right next to me, sobbing like a little baby. We both knew then that we couldn't let each other die.

In that moment back then, I had planned to try to bring back my father from that sorrow of despair. And Sam decided that he would help me. I knew what I had to do to find my father, and the first was to contact the Noah's. Sam and I planned that if the Generals found out what I was plotting, he'd help me escape. But since he's my best friend, we both assumed that the Generals would send him out to kill me. And ever since that day, I've been dreading for it to happen.

Because Sam would have to pay a price.

"Sam I-" A hand touched my head and I stopped talking a I was pulled up to my feet. Arms wrapped around me as I was pulled close, my head buried in his shoulder.

"It's okay. As long as you're alive, it's okay."

"No it's not! You'll be the General's dog! You don't need to do this for me!" I exclaimed as I stepped away from him, shaking my head. Sam only gave me a small smile before he took my hand and led me into the middle of the park.

"I promised. So I'm going to keep it. Now we have to proceed with the plan." I sighed as he grabbed a pile of sticks and tossed it on to the ground in front of me. He stood across from me with that same smile on his face, though it was a sorrowful one.

"Sam..." I whispered, tears building up quickly as he shook his head resignedly. I couldn't lose him. I can't!

"It's alright Victoria. I'll be fine." He reassured softly as his eyes met mine. I suppressed a sob as I lowered my eyes and gazed on to the pile of sticks. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, taking control of my emotions.

"Alright," I quietly said as I opened my eyes and pulled out a rose that was inside my jacket. In one big swoop, I tore off the petals and threw them into the air, instantly activating my Innocence and launching the golden chain towards the falling petals that were right above the pile of sticks. The golden chain wrapped around the cluster of falling petals as if they were encased in a ball and began tightening its grip around them, the red petals beginning to change into the color of my Innocence. When the petals completely changed color, I pulled my chain back and let the golden petals fall on top of the sticks. With a snap of my fingers, there was a flash of light and a copy of me was lying down on the ground, eyes shut but with a slash across my face.

The Innocence I use can let me cast illusions. And this one was simply part of the plan to let me escape.

Sam bent down and picked up the illusion of a body, meeting my gaze as he stood back up, a pained look in his eyes. He knew what he had to do, and leaving me to live on was part of it.

"It's been a great three years working with you Victoria," He softly said with a rueful smile as he looked down at the lifeless body in his arms. I blinked back the tears and nodded in agreement, stepping forward to pull him into a hug.

When he had left with that blank look on his face, I knew that that would be the last time I saw him.

Back inside the room….

I waited in silence as I looked down at my hands, feeling the uneasiness and surprise in the room after what I had just said to them. I clenched my hands together and looked up to see Kanda and Lavi looking away from me, a pained look in both of their eyes. My guess was that the planned had worked and Sam made them believe that he had actually killed me, being as cold and mean as possible. And they fell for it.

"I trust you not to tell anyone right?" I quietly inquired as they both turned their heads towards me at the same time, their minds still trying to process what I said.

"Yeah," Kanda replied a bit hoarsely, rubbing his throat before he took a sip of his tea. I nodded and sighed before breaking out into a grin, putting what just happened behind me.

"So, how did you end up in the town of Fermosa?" I asked cheerfully, catching both of them off guard. Lavi and Kanda exchanged glances before the orange haired exorcist decided to reply. When I learned the news of how this Nova was "taken" it made me rise in suspicion. I realized then that it was exactly like when the Generals found out that I was going to go with the Noah's to find my father. But why would she want to go there and meet them?

-.-.-.-

Lavi's POV

When Victoria had finished her story, I was shocked to even speak for a while. Though I had enough strength to explain why we were here. Now that I heard what really happened, I couldn't help but feel guilty for treating Sam like that, telling him that he wasn't welcomed. I know now that he had given his life up to save Victoria's, to become the dog of the Generals in order to let Victoria escape. Because Sam knew that if he didn't kill her, then they'd kill her themselves.

"Well, we had better get going." I said as I stood up, stretching my arms into the air. Kanda followed suit and strapped Mugen around his waist, fixing his jacket as Victoria got to her feet as well.

"Remember your promise." Victoria reminded as we made our way out the door, waving goodbye to her.

"Wait," I stopped walking when Kanda stayed by the door with a raised eyebrow as he looked at the black haired former exorcist.

"Did you ever find your father?" I blinked at Kanda's sudden question and turned to him fully, also looking over at Victoria's pain filled stare. She stayed quiet for a few moments before she sighed and put a hand over her eyes, a frown forming on her lips as she replied.

"I did, but by the time I found him, he was already dead; only a pile of dust."

"Hey, if the Generals find out that Nova went freely, do you think-" A hand grabbed me by the scruff of my coat and I was pulled close to Kanda's cold glare. I widened my eyes at the ton of emotion I saw in those usually calm dark eyes.

"Don't even think about that." Kanda growled as he let go of me and continued walking towards the direction of Headquarters. I was left standing there, thinking for a few moments about what the hell just happened when I recalled the look in his eyes. There was pain in them. Something I didn't see very often. I smirked to myself as I continued walking, my hands shoved in my pockets as Kanda took the lead, far ahead from me. Kanda, in love? Is the world ending? I sighed as I smiled and looked up to the bright sky, my bright emerald eye shining.

Well it's possible.

-.-.-.-

Nova's POV

It was worth a shot.

"At least you tried."

I was in that room again huh? But this time, I was lying down on the floor, the white ceiling looking down at me. I blinked when I felt something wet against the back of my hands and turned my head to see a pool of blood underneath me; which was weird because I couldn't feel any pain. What exactly happened?

"You almost died." Footsteps approached quietly and as I turned my head, someone sat down beside me and grabbed my bloodied hand, holding it in their own. As I recognized the pentacles around her forehead, I smiled at her in greeting and nodded.

"You saved me?" The Noah in front of me nodded as her yellow eyes bore into my own. I tried to remember what happened in the battle, but I couldn't make anything out.

"Yes, at the last moment before the Earl killed you. After all, you have people waiting for you."

"So what did you do? Why am I covered in blood if you saved me?" The Noah-

"Please, just call me Avon."

"Alright, well Avon, what did you do to save me?" Avon smiled softly at me, reaching down to play with a lock of my hair. She really looked like me.

"When you were fighting with the Earl, his sword went straight through you. Because of this, I had awakened. I merged myself within you for only a moment, but to give us just enough time to escape. I burst through a wall on the side and we fell a long way down, but I used your wings to dampen our landing. But that still didn't stop you from breaking a few ribs and arm."

"So where are we now?" Avon grinned as she helped me sit up, letting me lean against her shoulders as she still played with the lock of hair.

"I'm not quite sure. Though I'm sure that your friends will find you. Hopefully you don't die yet. You've got some pretty bad wounds but if you hurry and get yourself somewhere to patch them up."

"Wait, you said you awakened, does that mean that-" A finger pressed against my lips, making me stop. I looked into Avon's eyes and saw a pure gentleness in them. Those couldn't be the eyes of a Noah.

"I'll appear from time to time, but that doesn't mean that I'll try to let you keep this body. I'll take it one day. You remember that." To my surprise, I was pulled into another hug by her. It was warm, for a Noah. Like my mother's hugs.

With a blink, I was brought back into the world but I was flat on my back again, arms outstretched and searing pain everywhere. As I stared straight up into the blue sky, I was relieved that I was away from that dark hall with the Earl. There was something about that place that was just creepy and when I fought with him, that dark presence just got larger.

As I tried to sit up-

SNAP!

Instantly, I broke out screaming as I felt another rib break inside me. Panting on my side, I forced myself up on my knees, holding my side where the ribs broke. Pulling out my golem, I asked for it to hook up to Kanda's golem but when he tried there was static on the other side. I looked around and saw that I was in a rural area all alone and probably about to die.

"Dammit, now what?" I gritted my teeth as I stood up, the wound in the middle of my stomach opening and dripping another round of blood on to the ground.

"Excuse me?" Lifting my head, I was met with an old lady carrying a basket filled with vegetables. Clutching her dress was a little auburn haired boy with a bandage over one green eye, a curious look in his eyes. I thought it was a little odd that someone would come right when I screamed my guts out and got even more suspicious when they decided to approach me slowly.

"Oh you're bleeding! Come, we'll help you tend to your wounds!" The old woman exclaimed as she put her hand on my arm, gently leading me towards her house.

"U-uh, it's-"

"Lady, just listen to Grandma. If you don't she'll only get ask you more," The little boy who walked next to me said, also helping me walk. I blinked down at him and wondered if they were akuma, but then again, I guessed they've never seen an exorcist before, or an almost dead person.

"S-sure," I softly agreed as we made our way towards their house. What I didn't see was the milky brown hair of someone I knew behind a tree, watching closely with calculating icy cold eyes.

-.-.-.-

Hey! Can you guess who the person at the end is? When you leave a review, give me your guess! I hope you liked the new chapter. I know it was kind of a filler with Victoria's past but I hope that it was interesting! Oh and for those who missed Tigress, well you got to see her now! She'll appear more often now that she has Innocence! Nova and Kanda will be reunited soon as well! Hope you all liked it!