GAH. I'M BACK FROM THE HELL OF STUDYING. FREAKING AP EXAM DESTROYED MY BRAIN CELLS. Anyhoo...how are you all? Miss these updates? I know I do. And I have a feeling you do as well. :3 Sorry I haven't been in touch lately with the fanfiction world. Reality keeps catching up to me and welp-life. No matter, on with the newest chapter!

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

Chapter 31: Hidden in Waiting

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

Lavi's POV

I gazed up silently, my hands shoved deep into my coat pockets. My breath appeared as I sighed, exhausted from today's mission. Night was now upon the city of Garland and it was quiet. We had finished the mission to dispose of the akuma that had been appearing and were now getting ready to depart. It was cold in the city of Garland. Shivering slightly, I drew my shoulders in more, slouching as I pushed myself off of the wall of the hotel and wandered back inside. Seeing my teammates sitting in the lobby waiting, I headed over, giving them a small wave in greeting.

"Yo, time to head back?" I inquired as I flopped down in the love seat next to Allen.

"Yep, as soon as Lenalee finishes checking us out of our hotel rooms." the white haired teenager replied cheerfully.

"Any sign of her?" Kanda suddenly asked, startling the entire group. He had been deathly quiet all day and hadn't spoken much as a single word. As soon as I heard his words, I slumped in my seat, glancing away from him. We were all searching for her. Despite her being in a prophecy or not.

"I'm sorry Kanda, we haven't been able to find anything." Allen replied for all of us, his gaze also solemn. The Japanese man merely grunted and crossed his arms, looking off to the side. Even if it wasn't obvious, I could still catch the bit of disappointment in his eyes.

"We'll find her. We will see her again. If she's alive, then we will. I can guarantee you that." I reassured, solid on my statement. For as long as I've known her, she wouldn't just ditch us like that. There had to be a reason.

Kanda grunted in response, closing his eyes.

I sunk into my own thoughts silently as Lenalee came bounding back, nodding as we all stood up and made our way out of the hotel. It's been two months since her disappearance. Longer than the last time she was gone. Who knows where she is now? What is she doing right now? I sighed to myself as our group walked through the quiet streets, heading for the train station. I can only hope that she's doing well and is alive and well.

Nova...Kanda's miserable here without you. Hopefully we'll see you soon.

-.-.-.-

Cross' POV

"I see some potential in you, but only a little, so you'll need to prove to me that you're more than what I expect you to be." I stated as the exorcist beside me glanced up, a curious gaze in her eyes. Her now neck lengthed brunette hair bounced as we stopped walking for a second.

"But I've been improving! I've got a couple new skills up my sleeve thanks to you!" Nova countered, tilting her head to the side. I shook my head as we strolled through the town we were currently in. It was nearing sunset and the crowd of people in the streets were beginning to die down.

"It's not enough. You're still not ready." She was about to retort when I glanced at her sharply, meaning that the conversation was done. Her mismatched eyes stared back at me, wide eyed, before they lowered and gazed off to the side. "It's already been two months and you haven't even activated a Second Form to the last two of your Innocence forms. You haven't gone beyond that and your job was to try and exceed your limit."

"I've been working hard, Cross."

"That's not enough, kid. I need you to work hard enough that you'd want to kill yourself." I know, demanding that much is even odd for me, but if she wanted to go against the Earl-the Millenium Earl- then she would have to prove her will to me. Nova gazed back at me with a hesitant gaze, her fists clenched by her sides. They were shaking.

"...I know that. I know." She quietly said, her voice restrained from yelling. I blinked as she suddenly released her trembling fists and let out a sharp sigh.

Silence inserted itself between us instantly as we both stood in the middle of the darkening streets.

-.-.-.-

Nova's POV

Over the two months that had passed, General Cross and I had been to over ten cities. Ever since we left cabin two months ago, our relationship as teacher to student never really changed. Sure there was constant teasing and such but that was its extent.

And in those two months...I only managed to create a Second Form for my scythe. Just that one. It pissed me off by knowing that I haven't even improved in my other two weapon forms. I've really worked my ass off trying to level up and gain as much strength as possible, but rushing it wouldn't help-based off of what Cross had yelled in my face the time I tried to suddenly go past my limit when I was already exhausted.

In the cities we visited, there were always akuma for me to take on. I later on realized that Cross took me to cities like that to strengthen up and train on leveling my Innocence rate even higher. Honestly, it helped. But I always had this feeling that we were interfering with the Order's missions every time I took out a batch of akuma. Well, then again, that might just be Cross' way to get the message across that I was still alive. Who knows.

I learned that as I traveled with the General, things were quite calm. There wasn't any danger around besides the akuma that frequently appeared. No Noah's or Shigai's. No Earl either. However, I also came to terms with myself. Regarding what to do with the situation around me. How to keep my emotions reigned in and not lose it. If I were to fight against the Earl, I would have to not lose control of myself. Because I knew that if I faced him in the state I was in now, I would only get pissed off and just die right there.

Now, in the city of Maria, Cross and I were there once again to dispose of the akuma that resided there. It was my way of getting stronger, and his way of somewhat repaying his absence from the Order. But then again, I suppose that's only if the Order finds out what the message of our actions are.

After hearing his harsh words, I could only stand there in the silence and restrain my emotions. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't lose my grip on anything anymore. After what had happened back when I fought Tyki, back when I was afraid I told myself, mentally beat into myself, to not allow that to happen ever again. So far, it's been working.

Our silence was interrupted when Cross suddenly shifted, causing me to lift my head in reaction. Before I could react, his hand grabbed my wrist and I was suddenly pulled into an alleyway. He let go of my wrist, making me smack into the wall from the force of his pull. Cradling the back of my head in silent pain, I glanced up at him to see him looking out at the streets.

Knowing very well what was coming, I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the eyepatch that Cross had given to me. Tying it over my normal eye, I let my other one adjust to the darkness that now descended upon the town of Maria. The eye that changed once Rouvellier had my Innocence fused within me proved to actually be useful while I was out here with Cross. Once the General had examined my eye closely at a hotel in one of the cities we were in, he told me that it would assist me in my fighting with the akuma. Turns out he was right; I could see through the darkness, identify those human and those akuma based off of the colored hue around them, and know which level each akuma was currently at.

"Cross," I whispered, already knowing that akuma were approaching. They always came out at night in search for Innocence or human souls that reside in the cities.

"They're coming, kid...I'll be up there," He quietly replied as he turned to me, pointing up to the roofs of the buildings next to us. I nodded, aware that he would be watching my progress as I defeated the akuma. Cross stared at me for a moment before walking past me to go deeper into the alleyway. Left alone, I activated my Innocence, the scythe materializing from the charcoaled skin that was my hand.

Walking out into the middle of the street, I sensed the few presences that were also along that street and gazed into the darkness with my right eye. One, two, three...four akumas. All Level 2 Akuma. Blinking, I began to hear their annoying voices.

"Hey! Do you think there's Innocence around here?"

"I don't know! But I do sense something close by,"

"Oh, what is it?"

"It's..."

Before that one could finish its sentence, I appeared beside it, the blade of my scythe already sinking into its monkey looking body. Feeling the scythe cut through its skin, I whirled around and leaped towards the next one, only to be blocked by a metal tail. Jumping back, I scowled as I caught the appearances of the other three akuma: one was a lizard looking type, another was in the form of a large wolf, and the last was a huge spider.

"Exorcist! An exorcist is here!" the spider looking akuma hissed, its metal pincers snapping. Deciding that I couldn't rely on the scythe forever, I materialized my twin katana's in my hands. Knowing full well that Cross was watching, I made the decision to test if I could reach a Second Form for this Innocence form. Innocence, bear with me!

Feeling the adrenaline rush through my blood more than ever, I launched myself at the spider first, the blades of the katana beginning to pulse in a purple light. Innocence, show me a Second Form! As I jumped into the air, the pulsing in the blades stopped and swirls of shadows wrapped around them, dispating as I came down. Blades that were wrapped in purple lightning and in the form of jagged edges now became my katana's Second Form. Slamming straight into the back of the spider, the blades sunk into its flesh as well as electrocuting it with the purple lightning.

I jumped back as soon as a lizard tail came down on the now dead body of its akuma companion. Discarding my katanas, I pulled out the scythe again and with a burst of speed, headed straight for the lizard. Instantly knowing what was going to happen, I materizalized my gun around my back as soon as the lizard's tail blocked my scythe and used the staff of the scythe to flip over its tail, pull the gun from my back, and aim it straight at its head. I blew its brains out with one huge blast, an upgrade from my machine gun mode.

Landing on the ground, I pulled out my scythe once more, knowing it disappeared as soon as I grabbed my gun. One left. Tightening my grip around the staff, I tensed as the wolf akuma bounded straight for me in a rage of fury. Dodging its swipes, I jumped up and used its head as leverage to get higher into the air. Descending quickly, I drew both my arms back and slammed straight into its neck, slicing its metal head clean off.

As it exploded I deactivated my Innocence and sighed, not even a bit out of breath. I did earn one thing over the two months. Stamina. Lots of it.

Lights in the city went off at the sound of the explosion as well as cries of surprise. Pulling up the hood of my exorcist coat, I glanced up at the roofs of the buildings to see the figure of Cross standing up, his coat easy to distinguish. I could spot the slightly impressed look in his eye. Smirking, I stuffed my hands in my pockets as I headed back to the hotel. However, I knew this still wasn't enough.

-.-.-.-

Kanda's POV

At some point...I knew I was going to lose it. Everyone could tell. And I hated it. I was suppressing my emotions of impatience as much as I could. But sometimes that doesn't even work. So maybe sparring would help.

"Oi, Kanda! Take it easy would ya?" Lavi yelled as he leaped away from me, out of breath from the brute force of my attacks. Panting, I gripped the hilt of my sword tighter and was about to start again when Lavi exclaimed, "Stop! Stop! You'll kill yourself if you keep going!"

Groaning in agitation, I sheathed Mugen and lied down on the soft grass, letting the softness of it cradle my shirtless body. Gazing up at the sky in silence I tried to calm down. Hearing the thump of Lavi hit the ground, I rolled my eyes. Geez, he's an exorcist, he's supposed handle anything that comes to him. Even my own attacks.

I drew my arm over my eyes as I rested for a bit, just hating this whole situation. Who knows how long Nova would be gone? What if it was for years? I clenched my fists in anger, wishing for once that there wasn't a world like this. Then again, if there wasn't, then I wouldn't have met the people I've met.

"Hey Kanda," Lavi suddenly called out, his voice loud since we were outside in the warmth.

"I know what you're gonna say so shut up," I bit out coldly, frowning.

"Fine, then I'll say something else. How much do you think she'll have changed by the time we see her again?"

"...I dunno. Probably a lot."

"Hm? What makes you say that?"

I paused, wondering if he knew the details of the prophecy that Allen and Nova were in. He probably does, being a Bookman and all.

"...I just think so,"

"...hmmm...Yuu?"

"...what?"

"Stop worrying. You trust her right?"

"...yeah,"

"Then it'll be fine."

"...hm,"

-.-.-.-

Sam's POV

What can I do? Just what exactly can one person like me do? I clenched my fists against the cuffs that were locked around my wrists. I was chained against a wall in the back of my mind while the Master inhabited my body. It had been over months since he had taken over and every plan I've had to break free failed. From what I could see with the few chances I've gotten while the Master was running around, Victoria was taken over as well.

Anger swelled deep within my stomach at the thought of her being in a position similiar to this, perhaps more perilous and life threatening. How dare Avon do that. She had no right. Victoria was free from this world that us exorcists lived in and Avon had forcefully brought her back into it. The rage deep within me coursed through my veins as well as through my beating heart.

I had to break free of this somehow. It wouldn't be like Nova's case where she became a spirit sort of being after Avon discarded her body. No, the Master wants to keep this body and use it till he probably has no use for it anymore. My case would be different.

Damn these Shigai. For coming into this world and thinking like they can own it instantly.

I needed to come up with something to escape this place. But what exactly?

-.-.-.-

Nova's POV

I flopped down into a chair at a table in the restaurant of the hotel, tugging off the eyepatch. Pulling my hood back, I ordered a glass of water when the waitress came over. Sipping it quietly, I hummed to myself softly, only to be disturbed by the sound of someone sinking into the chair in front of me. Glancing up, I smirked as I met General Cross' red eyed gaze.

"Quite a show you put on there kid," He grumbled as he propped his feet up on the table, putting his hands behind his head. I rolled my eyes as I took another sip of water, waiting for him to say something else. He couldn't just not observe my performance. "Still not enough though,"

Of course. I nodded at his words, soaking them in silently as I played with my glass of water, rotating it in my hand. "What will we do to strengthen my Innocence further?" I inquired as I met his gaze evenly. His red eyes seemed to be studying me carefully.

"What else? What we've been doing for the past two months. But this time, you'll go up against more higher leveled akuma. Like 2's and 3's." Cross retorted as he moved to stand up out of his chair.

"We'll be leaving again tomorrow morning. Be ready." He added as he put his hand on top of my head and ruffled my hair slightly. Growling in irritation, I smacked his hand away and heard him chuckle as he walked off. Rearranging my hair by patting it down, I gulped down the last of my water and glanced over at the waitress who took my order. Paying my small order, I stood up and made my way back to my own hotel room.

Upon entering, I immediately began to pack what clothes I had into the small bag I had bought back in one of the cities we passed through. It was time to leave again. Who knew how many more cities Cross and I would have to pass through or stay in, in order to train myself to defeat the Earl? I clenched my fists at the thought.

I'm coming for you, Earl.

-.-.-.-

:3 A refresher for you all! Hope you all enjoyed the fight scene in this chapter! School is ALMOST over for me and I'm super excited for summer to come! Like, just-summer. Come. Now. xD

I feel like some of my OC's or any other character here isn't having enough screen time. X3 So my question to you all, who would you like to see reemerge into the plot once more? Tyki, Avon, Allen, Klaud? Anyone you can think of?

Major things are coming up ahead so prepare yourself!