Disclaimer - I do not own D Gray Man or Bleach
Chapter Sixteen - The Cross Team
Allen, Hitsugaya, Lavi and Lenalee were now known to headquarters as the Cross Team since they were the ones who had been assigned to locate and protect General Cross Marian and Allen couldn't help but think that the name applied more to their mood than to their mission. None of them were happy with the assignment and most, with the exception of Lenalee, were plotting the slow and painful death of the General that they were supposed to protect.
"This really isn't going well," Allen thought to himself as his gaze shifted back and forth between the members of the group.
After the battle with the two Noah the remainder of the journey was uneventful. Of course they were once again assaulted by large groups of Akuma but compared to Road and Tyki these opponents were nothing. And with four Exorcists instead of two the battles were short and relatively painless.
Which was good considering the fact that both Allen and Hitsugaya were still injured from their battles with the Noah. And since they were pretty much trapped in their gigais it was taking longer than it should have for the two of them to recover from the wounds. Of course Allen took this in stride but Hitsugaya was pretty much pissed off about it and everyone knew it.
"It's a good thing that you don't really like your master Allen," Lavi said discreetly while the group searched for a hotel in China.
"And why is that?" Allen asked, somewhat distracted by his hunger.
"Because I think Toushirou plans to kill him on sight," Lavi said with a chuckle, pointing his finger toward the youth who was walking a few feet ahead of the rest of the group.
Allen focused his attention on his companion and he saw that Hitsugaya's hands were clenched into fists. The young Exorcist already knew that Hitsugaya was irritated over the search for his master but there was also something else wrong with him. He'd been distracted ever since the battle against the Noah but of course he refused to talk to any of them about his problems.
The young Shinigami always insisted on acting as though nothing were wrong.
Judging by the mood that Hitsugaya was in Allen thought that his master really might be in danger and yet he found that he simply couldn't bring himself to care. General Cross Marian had made his life a virtual hell during the time that he had trained under the man and an evil smile spread across his face as he thought about Hitsugaya using his sword on the red haired man.
That might actually be fun to watch.
"What is up with that idiotic grin?" a voice asked, breaking into Allen's thoughts.
Hitsugaya had apparently turned back to them, perhaps to find out what was taking them so damn long, and he was glaring at Allen.
"Nothing," Allen said quickly, holding up his hands.
"Tch."
Allen watched as Hitsugaya turned away from him and continued walking. His hands were still clenched into fists and, Allen wouldn't have believed it possible, but the boy looked even angrier than before. Honestly sometimes Hitsugaya's mood swings rivaled Kanda's.
"So," Lavi said lightly, attempting to defuse the tension that had built. "According to Timcanpy, General Cross is close."
"Right," Allen said, his gaze automatically surveying their surroundings. "He should be somewhere in this very city."
"Then explain to me why it is that we're searching for an inn?" Hitsugaya demanded, once again turning to face his companion.
"Because it's late," Lavi replied good naturedly, rescuing Allen from having to answer the question. "And we're all exhausted." Quickening his pace the red haired boy grabbed at a lock of Hitsugaya's hair and pulled on it. "All of us, including you."
Hitsugaya pulled away from Lavi but didn't comment.
And he somehow managed to resist the urge to draw Hyourinmaru and gut the annoying red haired pain in the neck.
But it wasn't easy.
Allen could tell that Hitsugaya really didn't want to go along with the others however the white haired Shinigami didn't say another word on the subject. He was giving in to the desires of the others which Allen thought was kind. In this moment he knew that his companion really did have a heart, although he tried his best to hide that fact.
It took some time and effort however the group finally managed to find an inn that had an available room. One available room.
"This is wonderful," Lavi thought to himself, hearts shining in his eyes as his gaze shifted to Lenalee.
"If you try anything I swear I'll tell Chief Komui," Allen threatened under his breath, seeing the look on Lavi's face and knowing what it meant.
"I don't believe this," Hitsugaya muttered angrily to himself as the group climbed the stairs toward their room, which was located on the second floor of the building. Contrary to his earlier words he really was exhausted but now that he was stuck with this group of annoying Exorcists the chances of actually getting any rest seemed slim to none.
The landlady had been kind enough to supply them with an extra sheet and, as soon as the group entered the room, Allen and Hitsugaya set about stringing the sheet across the room so that Lenalee could have some privacy. Then, once that task had been completed, everyone prepared for bed.
It wasn't long before everyone, with the exception of Hitsugaya, was fast asleep. The young Shinigami attempted to sleep, propping himself in a corner with the blanket that he had liberated from one of the beds, but unfortunately his thoughts were far too occupied to sleep. Every time that he closed his eyes Hitsugaya thought about the Millennium Earl and that Noah that went by the name of Tyki Mikk.
Both of their voices were familiar to him and the boy still couldn't place where exactly it was that he had heard them. He had no memory of ever meeting the two of them before and yet the sound of their voices stirred up hazy images that he couldn't explain.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" he thought to himself as he gazed out the window.
He had never had any doubts about who he was until he had been assigned this mission to assist Allen Walker in the war against the Millennium Earl. Up until that point he had been Captain of Squad Ten, Toushirou Hitsugaya. Now, with the onslaught of images that he had no explanation for, the boy wasn't so sure.
The boy might have gone on dwelling on the strange images however he suddenly noticed movement outside the window. Growling low in his throat Hitsugaya grabbed for Hyourinmaru and leapt to his feet. There was something outside and since he wasn't picking up on the presence of a soul he was fairly sure that it was one of the Noah.
Opening the window Hitsugaya silently climbed outside and, once on the roof, he came upon a strange blonde haired woman. She had her back to him but, hearing his approach, she turned toward the boy. The sound of a bell echoed through the air as she turned and her eyes turned to gold as her gaze fell upon the new arrival.
"Welcome Exorcist," she said as she turned to face him.
"Who are you?" Hitsugaya demanded, glaring at the woman and clutching the handle of Hyourinmaru.
"How dare you speak that way to Madam Lulubell!" a third voice snapped, joining the conversation uninvited.
Hitsugaya instinctively whirled toward the new voice and he saw a young girl land on the roof. This time he could plainly see the soul and he knew this girl to be an Akuma. And that knowledge pretty much solidified his theory that the blond woman was from the Clan of Noah.
"So child," the woman named Lulubell said, her voice calm as she spoke to the young Shinigami Exorcist. "Why didn't you bring your friends along with you? You're going to need them."
"Not very damn likely," Hitsugaya snarled, holding up the blade of his sword and glaring at the woman. Unfortunately as soon as he made a move toward the Noah his head began to throb unmercifully. Gasping in pain the young boy stopped his advance and clutched the sides of his head.
"What's wrong with him Madam Lulubell?" the Akuma asked, gazing at the young Exorcist.
"I have no idea," Lulubell said, taking a step toward the child. "But it doesn't matter. Lord Millennium has ordered that this child, along with his friends, be eliminated and I will follow his orders."
Lulubell took another step toward Hitsugaya but was forced to jump back when a large hammer hit the roof where she had been standing mere seconds before. Her eyes narrowed as she watched three more youths appear on the rooftop. The red haired boy who was holding the hammer was smirking.
"Oi Toushirou!" Lavi called out. "You really shouldn't wander off on your own. Don't you know that it can be dangerous?"
Hitsugaya wanted nothing more than to pound his so called team mate into the ground but his head was aching too badly for him to do anything other than sink to his knees. This had never happened to him before and the boy was baffled. Why now?
"Damn it!" Lavi exclaimed as he watched Hitsugaya sink to his knees at the same time that Lulubell prepared for an attack. The red haired bookman could tell that Hitsugaya was in no shape to dodge an attack so it was up to him to make sure that the attack never came. Swinging his weapon he called out, "Big Hammer, Little Hammer, grow. . . Grow. . . GROW!"
The hammer instantly increased in size and Lavi effortlessly swung it toward his enemies. With it's current size it was large enough for him to be able to attack both at once and both Lulubell and the Akuma had to jump out of the way.
The Akuma growled in anger, enraged at the audacity of these Exorcists. How dare they attack Madam Lulubell! They would all pay dearly for the mistake of that red haired brat. Pulling a pair of fans from nowhere she launched herself toward the group of Exorcists.
Seeing the attack coming Lenalee leapt into the air. "Innocence Activate!" At the sound of her command the Dark Boots activated and Lenalee twirled in the air. "The Waltz, Misty Wind!"
A tornado issued forth from spot where Lenalee kicked the air and traveled in a direct path toward the Akuma. The creature, who had the appearance of a young girl, laughed as she knocked the attack to one side with her fans. A smile appeared on her face as she prepared to attack.
Joining the fight Allen activated his own Innocence and then dashed toward the Akuma. For now the Noah was staying out of the fight and due to this fact the Akuma was more of a threat to their immediate safety. That meant that she should be the one that they took care of first.
The Akuma was taken by surprise by Allen's attack and she screeched in pain as his sword slashed through her arm. Jumping back she narrowed her eyes in anger at the white haired boy and prepared for another attack. This time he would be the one to pay.
"Let's go," Lulubell commanded, shocking her Akuma companion.
"But Madam Lulubell. . ."
"My mission was only to slow them down," Lulubell said in a calm voice. It would have been nice to be able to report back to Lord Millennium that the group of Exorcists had been killed but it wasn't her mission so it wasn't necessary. "We'll retreat for now."
"Right," the Akuma said.
The group of Exorcists watched as Lulubell and the Akuma disappeared and then Lavi, Allen and Lenalee turned their attention to Hitsugaya. The boy was still kneeling on the roof, clutching his head with both hands. There was a pained expression in his eyes and. . .
Allen gasped as he saw that Hitsugaya's eyes had changed from teal to. . .
The young Exorcist shook his head and glanced again. Hitsugaya's eyes had returned to their normal teal color causing Allen to think that maybe he'd imagined the whole thing. It was just the stress of the encounter with the Noah, that had to be it.
"Come on," Lenalee said in a gentle voice. "We should all go back in."
Allen helped a shaky Hitsugaya to his feet and together the group made their way back into the room that they were sharing. Hitsugaya immediately collapsed and the others all stared at him, concerned expressions on their faces.
It was obvious to everyone that something was not right with the boy.
A/N- and there's another chapter. I really hope that you guys are enjoying the way that this story is progressing, please be kind enough to leave a review and tell me what you think. And I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has submitted reviews thus far. You're all awesome! The music has ended for the time being, stay tuned for more.
Allen: Wait... was that a... cat?
Lavi: It was... but then it turned into a woman.
Toushirou: Is Yoruichi here?