I'M BACK GUYS. After a long, long break for me...I'M BACK. I've missed updating soo much! :D Hope this new chapter is awesome and that what's going to happen makes you want more! And thanks for those who followed/favorited this story! You all are awesome!

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Chapter 30: Grow Stronger

T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T

Nova's POV

"Bookman, sir, would you care to explain why you're helping me escape?" I politely asked as I peered over at the Bookman himself, who was sitting by a burning fireplace. I was at a table near it, a plate of untouched food in front of me.

The man had so kindly bandaged my wounds and put a splint on my twisted ankle as soon as we had reached a humble, welcoming cabin with a vacant room, a few towns over from the Order. And during all of that, he had remained quiet, not peeping a single word to me. The owner of the cabin recently went out to purchase some goods at the store. So now, interrogation time.

"You're part of a prophecy are you not?" The Bookman replied, moving his gaze from the fire over to me. I gulped, preferring his gaze to be on the fire.

"Yes, according to Hevlaska. That's why I decided to run away after I fell. It was that, and because of my friends, that I ran."

"You didn't want them to get hurt by the Shigai,"

I remained silent, their faces running through my mind for the millionth time today. It had been a few days since I had escaped from the Order, and in those few days, I've wanted to go back to the Order more than ever. It's taking every ounce of my self control to not go bounding back over there.

"I helped you because of the prophecy. In order for all of this to finally end, after so many generations of pain and suffering, you and the Destroyer of Time must defeat the Earl."

"Who is the Destroyer of Time?" I fiddled with my hands, seeing the blackened skin on them: a result from my Innocence.

"You'll find out when the time comes. Now, since you eaten," Bookman said as he glanced down at my plate. "How about standing for a moment?" He directed as he stood up from his seat, walking over to me with his hands behind his back, tucked in those big sleeves of his.

I raised an eyebrow in curiosity but pushed back my chair nonetheless, placing my hands on the table as I moved, and turned to face him. He stared at me for a second before blinking. "Don't you notice something different?"

I blinked in response, looking down at my feet and at my arms. After a minute, I noticed it: I wasn't in pain anymore. "I don't hurt!" I exclaimed as looked down at my splint. I tried moving my foot, only to feel a sort of pang-not the searing pain like before. I took off the splint and set it on the table.

"Yes, it seems as though your Innocence heals your wounds quickly. Maybe a trait of having that sort of Innocence?" The Bookman seemed to be mumbling to himself. "No...we still don't know the full extents to which it can go. This might take some time..."

I stared at him as he mumbled, seeing him glance off to the side with a concerned expression. "What do you mean?" He looked up, his eyebrows raised in amusement.

"You won't defeat the Earl so easily, and you have newly merged Innocence within you. You honestly can't believe that the power you possess now can help you finish the Earl do you, girl?" He asked with a smile as headed for the door. "You're going to harness that power, and test it to see how far it will go: it's techniques, it's strength, all of it."

"Wait! Where are you going?" I said as the Bookman pulled open the door to the cabin, seeing him glance back.

"I'm off to pick up one other person who can help you with this task." He replied as he left the cabin with the soft shut of the door. I sighed softly as I glanced down at my blackened hand.

"I wonder, is there any way to change this?" I asked myself as I pulled the chair from the table into the middle of the room. Its legs thumped against the wood floor as I set it down. I hopped into the chair cross-legged and shut my eyes, meditating. One thing I learned from Kanda and his quirks was that meditating helped calm emotions inside oneself.

Let's see if I can communicate with my Innocence through this.

Breathing silently for a second, I listened closely for the drum of my heartbeat, recognizing the slight rise in strength flowing through my veins. Innocence...is there a way for my arms to revert back to human form? Is there any way at all?

There was silence. Of course I can't expect my Innocence to respond to my question in words. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly in concentration, feeling my the power inside my blood grow.

Please, help me. So that we may defeat the Earl together.

A sudden high pitched hum rang through my ears, causing my eyes to snap open. I glanced down at my hands to see them beginning to glow a dark purple, reaching up to where the black, charcoaled skin stopped. Then with a big bright flash, the glowing purple hue disappeared and I was left with the pale, soft, skin that was my own. I turned my palms up, staring at them in amazement.

"It worked!" I shouted in surprise, jumping out of my seat. I broke out into a wide grin, a soft chuckling escaping my lips. "It worked!"

-.-.-.-

Bookman's POV

Citizens of the town we were currently in passed by me as I sat at a table, a cup of tea out in front of me. Eyes shut, I was waiting patiently for the man that would help the girl train. He would be quite useful because of his experience in his travels. Despite being irritating. I sighed at how complicated it would be for the girl to deal with him and his annoying ways.

I sighed when a prescence cast itself over me, knowing fully well that it was him.

"You're late." I uttered as the man continued to stand behind me.

"Well it was a last minute call, what do you expect?" He replied gruffly, moving past me to flop down into one of the chairs next to me. In one smooth move, he propped his legs up on the table and clasped his hands behind his head.

"You weren't followed?" I inquired, opening my eyes to meet his.

"I'm a professional, have some respect."

"Let's go." I said as I got up out of my chair, tucking my hands in between my sleeves. Immediately, footsteps followed behind my own.

"This girl we're meeting, it's Nova right?" I scowled at this, turning my head slightly.

"You better not act up while you're with her. You are a fully grown man, General Cross."

The strawberry red haired man scoffed, letting out a puff of smoke from his cigarette in between his lips.

-.-.-.-

General Cross' POV

I honestly didn't expect to leave so soon. But I guess that's how it works sometimes. After Tiedoll showed Klaud and Sokaro the broken window in the infirmary, I stepped out to get away from them. Seeing Klaud's reaction to it would just...ah whatever. Anyway, unknown to the other generals, I wandered off and ended up walking through the halls aimlessly. Nothing seemed to be going on at the moment. There wasn't anything important going through my mind-except for the possibility of meeting this exorcist named Nova-however I felt like I needed to do something. Did it have something to do with Nova?

Of course, when I leave again I'll feel this tiny prick of guilt for leaving that brat behind again, but I've done it too many times to be saying sorry now.

I found myself standing in what used to be the training room-now battered up and destroyed with crumbled tiles and concrete. There were dried stains of blood on the broken tile, signs of a long fought battle. I shut my eyes and envisioned the fight that had occurred here; one that was filled with fear and anger. The aura of rage was still lurking in the air.

I turned on my heel and headed in another direction, somehow ending up in Komui's office. However, he wasn't in at the moment. I thought I would take a little nap so I flopped down on the red couch that Komui always had and laid my arm over my eyes, one foot crossed over the other. I only managed to get a few minutes of sleep before something buzzed in my pocket, waking me up.

Groaning in annoyance, I dug around my coat pocket to fish out whatever was ringing. When I pulled it out-my spare golem, one of the regular ones-I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. If someone was calling me through here, it must be important. Almost no one contacts me through this golem. No one really knows I have one either so the Order can't track me or find some way to bring me back to HQ when they need me. I sat up and planted my feet on the floor, letting the little golem flutter in the air to relay the message.

"Hello? Is this General Cross?" A small, old sounding voice called from the golem. I frowned at his question and leaned back in the couch, hands behind my head.

"Yeah, what do you want?" I gruffly asked, already wanting to smoke.

"I'd like you to assist me in training a certain exorcist. My name is Bookman." I raised an eyebrow at his proposal, slightly curious. Bookman? What did he want?

"Why do you need me? Can't you get somebody else?" I grumbled, leaning my head up against the couch to look up at the ceiling.

"It's about the prophecy. The one that will finally finish everything."

I froze at this, eyes fixated on one stain on the ceiling, waiting.

"Your apprentice is fully trained. He knows what he's doing, he knows what his Innocence does. The exorcist with me does not. She does not even know her Second Form or anything beyond that. You have knowledge on Innocence, since you yourself use two of them. Please General Cross,"

I stayed silent, mulling it over. Would I be able to help at all? This prophecy would finally finish everything we've been fighting for.

"Please-"

"All right enough with the pleading, just tell me where to meet you." I interrupted, sitting normally now, my arms crossed over my chest.

"At a cafe about a few towns past the Order. Make sure no one follows you and that no one knows of your disappearence."

With that, the line clicked off and I was left with static. Extending my hand, I caught the golem in my hand and stood up, my coat clinking. I stuffed the golem back into my pocket and made my way out of Komui's office. Making sure that my Innocence, Judgment was in my holster, I shoved my hands in my pockets and briskly headed for the exit.

It would be a while before I came back into here again.

-.-.-.-

Nova's POV

After actually devouring my food and taking a bath, I wandered outside of the cabin and climbed up on to the roof. There wasn't really anything else to do. I couldn't go back, talk to anyone. Just simply wait for the Bookman and whoever else he brought with him to return. Sitting on the tiles, I brushed a few leaves off of my spandex shorts and stretched my arms up to the sky, yawning. I could feel the warmth on my skin once more. Smiling softly, I closed my eyes and brought my hands together, feeling the sun's rays beat down on my back. It felt nice.

Peace and quiet. Something I didn't get a lot.

All this fighting will finally end. Once the Destroyer of Time and myself defeat the Earl and the Noah.

I don't know how long I stayed like that; quiet, simply listening to the air and nature around me. However when I heard a twig snap suddenly from somewhere near the cabin, I snapped my eyes open to see the Bookman approaching. I glanced past him from my position on top of the roof and cocked my head to the side to see a man with long strawberry red hair, a black and yellow General coat, and the edge of a white mask on his face, covered by his hair. He didn't seem to notice that I was staring at him intently.

First General Klaud, then Sokaro, now this? Another one? How many more am I going to have to go through?

The red haired General lifted his head and met my gaze with his one eye, a small smirk appearing on his lips. I raised an eyebrow at this, and watched him as he entered the cabin. Realizing that I should move too, I climbed down the ladder and pushed the door open to see the Bookman and that man sitting comfortably at the table. The General met my gaze again, this time expressionless. I smiled slightly in response and approached the both of them, sitting in the seat in front of the General.

"Bookman?" I inquired, casting a glance over in his direction. He nodded and began.

"Nova, this is General Cross. General Cross, Nova. This is the exorcist I was talking about." I finally met General Cross eye to eye this time, having this weird feeling in the back of my head. It's as if that name is familiar to me...

"But wouldn't it be better if I trained with General Cross? Shouldn't we find him?"

"No, all he would do is hand me his debts and run off again; I'm sure that the Order is pissed off at him not returning. He could be anywhere so finding him would be hard. Let's not waste our time on that…"

The short conversation with Allen from before flashed through my mind.[1] Immediately, my impression of the General was that he was indeed a pedophile-I've heard rumors that he's been real 'scandalous' in some situations-but that he also had something peculiar about him.

"Hello General Cross, it's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted with a bright smile. I noticed his reaction and saw him raise an eyebrow curiously. "Allen has told me a lot about you~!"

Instantly, as soon as I mentioned Allen, I could see him sag a little bit. I smiled, knowing that the two of them shared a sort of 'rocky' relationship.

"You too. You're quite a young, lovely lady~! I finally get to meet the newest exorcist in the Order. Quite a charmer I might say." General Cross complimented smoothly, his voice husky and deep.

My eyebrow twitched slightly as I smiled forcefully. "T-thanks," I replied with a twitch of my eye. It was going to get even weirder if he kept going with this.

"Anyway, now to the matter at hand, Nova, General Cross will be the one to help your Innocence reach its full extent. Why don't we just start with getting to know each other first?" Bookman suggested as he began to prepare some tea.

I stared at General Cross for a moment.

He stared back.

"You know what?" He said, narrowing his eye at me. "Let's just get started."

-.-.-.-

The three of us-General Cross, Bookman and me myself-wandered deeper into the woods, concealed from all life. What we were about to do needed to be private, and the woods were the perfect place to set up. We were silent on the way there. Nothing to say.

As soon as we got into a small little clearing in the forest, I turned around just as General Cross and the Bookman came to a stop. Cross had his critical eye over me, a serious frown on his face. Bookman took a seat on the soft grass, his arms tucked inside his sleeves.

"I guess we'll begin now. Activate your Innocence." General Cross ordered.

I took a deep breath before nodding, closing my eyes. Feeling the familiar pulsing in my veins, I hear the high pitched ringing in my ears as my Innocence activated. The sound of clicking filled my ears and I opened my eyes to see my soft skin shifting back to its black, charcoaled form. With a bright flash of purple light, my scythe materialized in my hand. I stood there under Cross' scrutinizing gaze, feeling the adrenaline of power running through my arm.

"Hmm, interesting."

"Allen told me a while back that you'd be able to help me. Is that true?" I inquired, seeing General Cross raise an eyebrow in reaction.

"We'll just have to see. Now, show me any other forms your Innocence has."

Nodding, I did as he asked, materializing my machine gun, and my katana in both of my hands. The General scowled at this, narrowing his eye at me.

"That's it?" He demanded, the look in his eye unimpressed. I gave him a glare, however understanding why he'd react like that.

"Yes, that's why I need your help. I can't fight the Earl if I'm just like this. I need to grow stronger. I need more power." I replied, meeting General Cross' gaze evenly.

"I know you can help." I added on as a breeze blew past us.

I was left staring at the General's scrutinizing gaze for the longest time when he turned to the Bookman, to ask a silent question. The Bookman nodded in response and General Cross turned his gaze back over to me, an uneasy look in them. He seemed to be having second thoughts on something. His gaze seemed like he was checking whether I had the potential to become something beyond the level I was at right now.

"Fine, but you'll have to keep up with me. We're travelling." I raised my eyebrows at this, surprised. How is travelling going to help me?

"Travelling?" I asked as I deactivated my Innocence, returning to normal form. General Cross nodded before glancing over to the Bookman to explain. He stood up and brushed the dirt off of the back of his coat.

"You'll be travelling with General Cross to hone your skills. It will surely be an enlightening journey for you." The Bookman explained, giving me a nod.

My eye twitched for a second as his sentence replayed in my head. He said 'you'll' and 'with General Cross'. It suddenly dawned on me...

"Wait, you're not coming with us!?" I exclaimed, eyes wide in astonishment. No! There's no way the Bookman can just leave me with this pedo!

The Bookman shook his head in response, making my jaw drop. I glanced over at General Cross to see him smirking widely. Oh, that-! I clenched my jaw at the sudden turn of events, trying to control my anger. Journeying to who knows where with this man?!

"Why won't you be coming, Bookman?" I asked after locking down all of my emotions. The Bookman tucked his hands in between his sleeves and smiled slightly.

"I have to go back to the Order. They would be suspicious if I suddenly dropped out of them for who knows how long. It's been few days now and if I don't return..." He trailed off, letting me assume the point. Which would make the others worry, like Lavi for instance. He'd somehow connect the pieces and start looking. I mean, the two, Bookman and Bookman Jr. were two peas in a pod.

"Well, I should head back. You two, be safe." The Bookman started as he turned around and headed back through the forest. "I'm sure we'll meet again when we all face the Earl." He finished as he glanced over his shoulder with a nod.

Once the Bookman had left, I was left with this awkward feeling, standing near General Cross. The Bookman just ditched us and now I have to travel with this guy?! I glanced over at the General to see his gaze on me and that weird smirk still present on his face. I scowled at this, clenching my fists.

"Tch, you better not do anything weird!" I bit out as I turned around and headed back the way we came. A chuckle came from behind me, about a few feet away. I glanced over my shoulder to see him heading back to the cabin as well.

It wasn't long before my anger died down as I opened the door to the cabin. I looked up to see the cabin owner chilling out by the table, counting money from a small brown pouch. He waved in greeting to me before standing up. As I was headed towards my room, the door opened again, signaling that General Cross made it back too.

"Ah wait, hold on a moment. I just a read a letter here saying that you'd be leaving momentarily. I've already recieved pay so there's no need to pay anymore. Thank you for staying here!" The man informed as he gave me a thankful nod. I nodded back in return before glancing over at General Cross. The look on his face said that we should leave as soon as possible.

I didn't have much to carry so when I came out with my exorcist coat on and my pouch of money in its pocket, I was completely ready. I would have to get new clothes and such at all the different places. General Cross was leaning by the door with not even a suitcase next to him. Great, looks like we're both broke and out of clothes. I waved goodbye to the cabin owner and stepped out of the cabin, General Cross following behind.

"Where to, General?" I inquired, glancing up at him as we began walking. I noticed that he was pretty tall. I was sorta up to his shoulder I guess. Maybe things will look up from here. Maybe we'll become something like friends. Instead of answering my question, he glanced down at me, a serious frown on his face.

"...I hope I can count on you General," I quietly said as I walked beside him. "This can finally all end...but when it ends...what will happen to us?"

There was silence on his side for a moment. I was beginning to believe that he didn't hear me when he took out a lighter and a cigarette and began smoking.

"We'll have to see when the time comes."

-.-.-.-

[1]: If any of you want to go and refresh where that line was, it's in Chapter 23.

Anyhoo, hi guys! Like I said before, I'm back and updating! It's been a while hasn't it? A month right? Now this chapter wasn't really epic or anything but things DID happen! And I'm sorry for no Kanda POV yet. That will happen in the next chapter! Things are a moving everyone! Hope you all stick around for the ride!

What did you all think of General Cross' role in this chapter? Comment what you thought in a review! :D Love you all!

Oh yes and btw, I recently watched Claymore. My reaction: AMAZING. JUST AMAZING. Go watch it! And then read the manga! It is purely, epically, awesome.

See you the next time I update!