THE FINAL CHAPTER. GUUUYS. I'M GONNA MISS YOU ALL AND YOUR LOVE. :) THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST STORY EVER. and I know I'm suuuuper late with the update but this will be the last time. Literally.
My message for all you readers is going to be at the bottom after the chapter.
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Chapter 42: Calling it Home
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Kanda's POV
"Hey!" Nova chirped up from beside me, a bright look in her eye. She looked cute today, adorning a teal sweater with a white skirt, her brunette hair clipped up. I gave her a nod as she slipped her hand into my own, clasping it softly. We were walking through the town, enjoying the time we had left together. Nova would soon have to hand me my mission that was recently assigned to me. I would have to leave her as soon as I she handed it to me. And we both didn't want that to happen yet. So, in the somewhat early hours of the morning, we both ventured outside from the Order and wandered into the town beside it, deciding to spend some time together.
"How are you?" I quietly inquired as we strolled around the quasi silent town, the citizens only beginning to wake up.
"I'm good. I've actually been wanting to tell you something for a while," Nova began, gaining my full attention as I turned my head to her. We both halted in our steps in the middle of the path. She stared at me a moment before shutting her eye, a small smile appearing on her lips.
"I've been wanting to visit my old town lately. I was going to ask you to come with me but you've got a mission to go to and I can't change orders once they've been placed. I would've asked you sooner however I was handed this mission for you just last night. It conflicted with my plan for you to go with me. I'm sorry, Kanda," She softly explained, her lips turning into a frown as she spoke. Before she could say anything else, I used my other hand to lightly stroke her cheek with the edge of my finger. Nova's eye flew open at the sense of touch, meeting my gaze with surprise.
"It's fine, Nova. I can't change my plans either. But...I know that you'll return back safely." I replied quietly as I gazed into her eyes longingly. She took my words in like a sponge, her silver eye flickering with astonishment. "Please, be careful on your trip there."
"You too, Kan-" I shushed her when I planted my lips on hers for a second. She was about to respond back when I pulled away, my hand wrapping around her back.
"Yuu. My name is Yuu." I said after a moment, staring into her dazzling silver eye. Nova gave me her usual grin as she nodded, making me smirk as a result.
"Right! Yuu then! I like it!" She exclaimed as I heard my name being rolled off her tongue again and again. "Be safe on your mission, Yuu." Nova added as I closed my eyes at the sound of her soft voice. I buried my head into her shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her, not wanting to let go of her tiny, fragile body. "The others will make sure that you all return back safe and sound." She said in my ear as I continued to stay in that position, refusing to move.
"I'll miss you, but I know you'll come back." Nova finished with a whisper as I finally pulled away from her, her scent fading away from my sense of smell. I nodded at her words before turning to continue walking through the town.
"You know, you should cut your hair. I'd like to see what it would look like short. But then again...it is your most distinguishing feature..." Nova mumbled to herself as we walked side by side.
"Shut up," I grinned at her personality as I unhooked my hand from hers and looped my arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer. She chuckled slightly at me, tilting her head against my chest as we walked.
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Klaud's POV
I stood rod straight as I observed the other exorcists standing before me. With my arms behind me, I glanced at the young woman standing next to me with a small smile. As the Exorcist Assistant, she was doing a fine job. She seems more vibrant than ever. Nova was beaming brightly as the other exorcists and finders filed into the dining hall. She would be handing out the missions for the week, orders from Komui and the top brass.
I recalled the time when I had saved her from the akuma, back when she wasn't still in the Order. When things seemed normal. She now appeared so different from the way she was before. As someone who had watched her change, I was proud. Nova had grown into a lovely person. Now she was in a place she could call home. I definitely don't regret bringing her here. I blinked my thoughts away as Nova pulled herself up on top of one of the tables in the dining hall. The chatter around the room soon died down, becoming a thickening silence as Nova prepared herself, clearing her throat.
"It is my pleasure as your Exorcist Assistant, to receive your missions." She began, projecting her voice towards the huge dining hall. I stepped up on to the table as well, catching the other exorcists gaze lingering on me. "As my first official assignment, I am to pass out the following exorcists their missions accompanying General Klaud. Please step forward when I call your names: Kanda Yuu and Lenalee Lee. The next mission goes to Allen Walker and Lavi. And the final one goes to Sam and Victoria." Nova handed the groups their mission, giving them a nod as they took it.
"Now, told to me by Komui, I am to tell you all of the new policies here at the Black Order Headquarters." All heads craned up to watch Nova speak, myself included. I've been told things were being changed around here by how much? I didn't know yet. Now I was going to find out.
"First, there will be no more forced experiments with the Innocence. No one will be hurt from merging with the Innocence anymore. That is a solid rule now. Second, since there is a possiblity that the akuma have been wiped off the face of the Earth, we have decided to for the time being send the exorcists out to scout and see if there are any problems in the current time. If there is a threat to humanity, we will take action immediately, and work to ensure that humanity does not fall under terror ever again. If not, then we will have to wait and see if anything does arise from the ground. Third, the entire Finders and Exorcists division will recieve a new upgrade to their uniforms. We will provide you with a more secure and flexible uniform that will not limit your combat skills in the slightest. I will need to have all of you come see Johnny to take your measurements." Nova gestured towards the short man with glasses who waved back to the crowd shyly. I noticed that Nova held a steady look in her silver eye. She had the atmosphere of someone taking command. She was strong.
"Aside from these changes, everything else in the Order is currently still the way it is. Are there any questions?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow as she glanced down at the crowd below her. Silence floated through the air for a moment before one hand hesitantly came up. Spotting it instantly, Nova blinked as she nodded towards a meek looking Finder.
"Go ahead," Nova stated, all heads turning towards the finder. The young man turned bright red at the sudden attention. However he kept the gaze that was on Nova steady and strong.
"Are you...ever going to be an exorcist...again?" He softly inquired, a curious look in his blue eyes. Nova widened her silver eye for a moment, astonishment erupting around the room. No one expected him to ask that question here. Of course the question was implied since she suddenly had this job, however it seemed like the question would not be asked until in the later months. I noted that Kanda peered up at Nova expectantly, seeming to also want an answer.
"...there's a possiblity. Like I said before, it all depends if there is something out there that continues to threaten our humanity. If there is, and we're in need of dire assistance, I will join the fight if needed. Though there would have to be a change to the weapons we use if that were to happen." Nova replied steadily, as if testing her own words out. As if trying to convince herself that that could be a reason as to why she could fight again. The Finder who asked the question nodded at her reply, trying to avoid the gazes or glares sent his way.
"Anymore questions? No? Very well then. This meeting is dismissed."
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Nova's POV
"That wasn't bad was it?" I whispered towards General Klaud as we walked out of the dining hall. The blonde haired woman with the scar across her nose chuckled slightly, her arm coming around my shoulder lightly.
"No! No, that was great. You did an excellent job. You really made it feel like you were the one in charge of everything. Who knows, maybe you'll become a General in the future?" She suggested, raising an eyebrow at me curiously. I gaped at her as I shook my head, stuttering over my words.
"N-no way that can happen, General." She laughed in response, her voice bouncing off of the walls. "Anyway, I have to go. I'll see you around when you get back, okay?" I finished as I pulled away from her, heading towards my room. General Klaud seemed surprise by my words, blinking in confusion.
"What do you mean? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to visit my town today. I already asked Komui and he said I could go, as long as I was careful. I'll be fine, General." I replied without missing a beat, the image of my mother's grave starting to appear in my mind. I would have to create one for Patrick as well. And the others in that town. General Klaud seemed hesitant at first to let me go but it looked like she had come to the conclusion of letting me go. She nodded in approval before turning around, waving to me with a flick of her hand as she walked away.
I wandered over to my room and pushed the door open, stopping half in the doorway when my eyes caught sight of the exorcist jacket. It was folded on top of my bed neatly, not a speck of dirt or blood on its fabric. I slowly released the handle of my door and approached my bed, gazing down at the exorcist jacket longingly. I reached out my hand and stroked the soft material, memories of past battles running through my mind. Clenching my fist on the fabric, I furrowed my brow. Of course I want to fight again. I want to be with everyone else out there. But this is where I stand. I can't escape from death anymore. If I get hurt out there, I'm done. The pain will be worse-real. But...
Jaw set, I pulled my suitcase out from under my bed, plopping it on top of my bed. Opening it up, I grabbed a few clothes in my closet and set them inside. I added a small notebook and a few pens, a photograph I took with the gang, and closed it shut. I glanced at the exorcist jacket beside the suitcase, the thoughts in my head only becoming more pronounced and convincing. I'll do anything it takes to get back out there. Even if it requires designing a whole seperate weapon for myself. Out there, I was free. The air, the smell; everything I saw was in a different light then from in here. Inside this tower.
I yanked the suitcase off of my bed and carried it outside the door, setting it down. Heading back in, I grabbed a jacket from my closet, some money for the fare, and my keys for the room. Closing my door shut, I locked it and stuffed the key in my pocket. If I love something this much, I'll have to fight for it.
As I carried my suitcase down the hall, I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head. Only seeing out of one eye, I recalled all the hard times I had gone through. Meeting Kanda, General Klaud, the others. Everything that I had worked for. It was all to call this place home. And I now finally have.
Be safe everyone, and come back home.
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Alrighty, here's my message for you all. :) So, after Nova's POV, I had a little snippet of an "epilogue" and I was wondering if you all wanted to see it. I decided not to include it into the chapter since I'm not exactly sure if I want a sequel or anything for this story. I might add it on to another chapter for this story if I choose to create a sequel. There's a 50/50 chance that I will and or won't do one. :) So be ready peeps.
I mean it's already good the way it is...but still. Can I have your opinion on this guys? If you're out there and reading this, do leave me a review on the chapter as well as this message.
I'M SORRY FOR UPDATING TWO WEEKS LATE. I had planned to end it two weeks ago but I just didn't have the TIME since school decided to be a mean old buttface. But, I do now, and I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did. I'm sorry if some of you thought the chapter before was the ending, because it wasn't. :) This one is. I kind of like this chapter's ending much more. Hopefully you all did as well?
Stay tuned for more of my work! This has been a really fun ride guys~ Love you all.
-FallenWing21
