TWP: If it wasn't for the reviews and the love I have for this manga/anime, I wouldn't have come as far as I have now. Thank you all! And I'm really, really sorry it took so long between the last update and now, really!

Disclaimer: I own Ava Krory. Now she doesn't cry about that fact anymore and that makes me happy!

It was late evening when Ava walked into the village. She could see that many of the men were carrying shovels, ropes and pitchforks. Then they noticed her and walked up to her.

"Who are you stranger?" The one who seemed to be the leader demanded. She raised an eyebrow at him and he raised his shovel threateningly.

"Why do you ask?" She asked him. "I just came here so whatever happened it wasn't my fault. I'm looking for two people. One is tall man with hair colored in the same way as mine; the other is slightly shorter boy with white hair and a pentacle on his face. They both wear the same clothing as me."

"Get out!" The leader exclaimed and her eyes widened as he held the shovel up to her face. "You monsters ain't welcome here!"

"Monsters?" Ava growled. "Try fucking calling me that again old man! I've had a lot more deadly weapons shoved in my face than your tiny shovel!" She glared at him, pushed away the offending item and the aura she gave off caused the men to take a step back.

"You don't scare us!" The leader called but she could see him trembling slightly. She scoffed.

"You're lucky I'm an Exorcist and not an Akuma." She said and turned around, leaving the village.

"And don't you come back!" They called after her and she growled again turning around sharply.

"Don't act like you scared me off! I'll come back if I want to, so just shut the fuck up!" She yelled shaking her fist at them before she left the village. Well out of it she found stone stairs and she thought that there could be a possibility that they had gone up them. She shrugged to herself and began climbing them too when she met a girl with brown hair clad in pink and red clothes.

"Hey, missy!" She called and the girl jumped, for she had seemed to be in deep thought. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I wondered if you had seen two guys wearing the same crest as I. One is tall with hair colored the same way as mine, looking like Dracula and the other is slightly shorter with white hair and a pentacle on his face." Her eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously.

"You have? Where?" Ava asked eagerly and the girl pointed up the stairs.

"They went with Salem to find the guardian of the village over there. It disappeared and according to Salem it had walked by itself. They were going to investigate it. I think they said it could be something they called 'Innocence'." Ava gazed at the long stair and sighed.

"Of all the… all the way up there... Ah, thanks missy. You saved me a lot of trouble." Ava said and lit a cigarette and continued to climb. "Now you better hurry home. If it has something to do with Innocence there's bound to be Akuma and that means it's not safe for you outside." The girl nodded, though Ava didn't expect her to understand much and ran down the remainders of the stairs.

Lenalee woke up after a while due to the bumping of the carriage she was in.

"You're finally awake." Lavi noted.

"Where are we?" Lenalee asked.

"In a carriage. We're on the way to meet Bookman." The redhead told her as she looked out of the window.

"Were you able to contact Allen and Krory?" She asked before she turned back and noticed they were lacking one person. "Where's Ava?"

"We weren't able to contact them so she went on a search."

"Are you crazy? What if something happens?" Lenalee exclaimed but grabbed her head. "Ow ow ow." She whimpered. Lavi had been surprised by her outburst but didn't really have a real answer. Ava had just run out on him after all. Of course he could have tried finding her but she had used her Innocence to get away. She had seemed upset so he really did regret not following her but it was too late now anyway.

"Ava is strong; she can take care of herself." He reassured her. "It looked like something was bothering her when she left but I'm sure it's just her worrying over Krory. They're a blood relatives after all." He tried to reassure her and she nodded after a while.

"What comes first is finding Bookman so he can make you better." Lenalee felt her forehead and sighed at her persistant fever.

"I'm sorry. I overreacted." She said and lay down again.

Ava felt her back tingle faintly and she hid, looking across the sky. Soon enough she saw a horde of Akuma. Her eyes widened. There was a lot of level 1 and a few level 2. This would be tough alone but if Allen and Krory were up there she could follow the Akuma and stop them from ambushing her comrades. She ran up the steps, managing to keep out of their sight and still keep them in her sight. Soon enough they stopped outside a ruin, waiting a few moments before charging in, busting through the walls.

'Ugh, so much for that plan!'She thought and charged in too. She saw both Krory and Allen in battle already with Akumas and a moving statue. She jumped and activated her Innocence, flying over the Akuma close enough to gather their attention. They turned towards her but she had already turned towards Allen who was pinned down by the guardian statue. She gathered speed and grabbed the statue, throwing her away.

"Is that an… angel?" Salem thought out loud as he saw the shadow with white wings save Allen.

"Ava!" Allen yelled as he got up.

"Talk later, kill now!" Ava called back and leaped up, grazing as many Akuma as she could with her arms but before she could engage the rest they suddenly retreated.

"Dammit!" She heard Allen curse seeing as he was too tired to follow the retreating Akuma, but she wasn't. She readied herself to follow but Allen called her down. She landed and hugged Krory before scolding them because they got lost. Salem found the real statue and they took it with them down to the village where they were welcomed happily. It was heavy to carry but Ava had carried it while she was flying. It was a strain on her arms but her wings had no problem carrying them both.

Once the statue was in its rightful place the village made a feast in honor for the ones who went to get it. The three Exorcists filled their stomachs before they turned to the entrance of the village. They had wasted enough time already. Before they left though, someone grabbed a hold of Ava's jacket. She turned and found several children stare up at her with wide eyes.

"Lady, are you an angel?" They asked and she blinked before she kneeled in front of them.

"Oh no. Angels are strong-willed and kind-hearted. I'm just a human, like you guys." She ruffled their hair and then left with Allen and Krory, no one but the children realizing they were leaving before it was too late.

"Hey, there's the bridge! Once we cross this we can meet up with Lavi and Lenalee!" Allen called eagerly and ran for the bridge but before they reached it a small explosion happened on the other side and the bridge fell.

"Dammit, their goal was to slow us down." Krory realized but Ava smirked. "They won't be able to do that. Not with me here." She grabbed their arms and they soared over the gap and over the mountains. They would fly for as long as she could use her Innocence. She was tired of walking anyway.

"I can't move Lenalee! She's in a bad condition!" Lavi exclaimed into the phone.

"You're being targeted Lavi." Bookman said on the other side."They didn't duplicate Lenalee merely to escape your attack. It is likely they intended to divide you and I don't think the Akuma could have thought out this plan by themselves. They're being led by someone, someone smart." Lavi gasped as he recalled what Ava had said.

'Don't you think there's a possibility that one of the Noah has the ability to copy other people's appearances?'

"We do have a Noah on our trail." He muttered and on the other end the old man nodded.

"I believe so. With Lenalee unable to fight they will most likely come after you. Get out of there quickly, Lavi." Enough was said and Bookman hung up. Lavi put the phone down too and stared in worry at Lenalee. He was torn between getting out of there with Lenalee or let her rest some more. It was dangerous to move her but if they really were targeted then he had to get them out of there quickly. He sighed. There was no way around it. He woke up Lenalee and told her to get ready to leave. Once outside he had her sit down on the handle of the hammer as he used its ability to extend to travel.

"I just hope we get there without being attacked." He thought. "Guys, where are you?"

Things ended up getting worse. They weren't attacked but Akuma were patrolling the sky. Lenalee was too sick to fight and they had to go by foot. They found a girl in need of help and once the Akuma attacking her had been taken care off she started following them. Lenalee fainted from exhaustion and they used the rest of the day to rest but when night came her fever was worse than when they had started. This worried Lavi greatly.

"Do you think Allen and the others are alright?"

"Hm?" Lavi looked at her.

"If it wasn't for me getting captured we would still have been with them. I've made nothing but trouble for you, Lavi." Even though she was bedridden and getting weaker she still thought about the others.

"Don't waste your energy worrying about them; I'm sure they're doing fine. They're all pretty strong. You just rest up, okay?" Lenalee told him to leave her behind if she became too much of a burden but Lavi shook his head. He would get her to Bookman even if it was the last thing he would do.

"No matter what happens, I won't leave you."

"She's asking you to leave her here… so why not obey her wishes?" Lavi turned towards the girl they had picked up, her voice completely different from what it had been earlier. "She doesn't want you to take her, so why should you? Self-sacrifice will not necessarily help the one you're trying to save." She looked almost sad as she said this.

"Mimi…" Lavi frowned and she gasped as she realized what she had been saying.

"What am I saying? I'm sorry, it wasn't my place. Maybe I'm just sleepy, I'm going to wash my face." She said and ran off to the stream. Lavi stood up and stared after her, not able to shake off the feeling that she knew something he didn't. Still, he helped Lenalee get on his back while Mimi carried their luggage as they continued the journey through the canyon. Lavi cursed under his breath when it started to rain. Lenalee was weak enough form before; she didn't need the cold rain to make her condition worse!

A tiny flood of water came out of nowhere and Lavi turned around and held on to Lenalee but the force made him lose his grip. Once it was gone he jumped up to his feet and ran over to Lenalee.

"Are you alright?" She nodded. "It's just a little further-" Before he could finish though Mimi grabbed his hammer and leaped back.

"I've got your Innocence." She grinned.

"You're an enemy?!" She continued to grin innocently. "Too bad! You were tired and off your guard." She threw it up and a level 2 Akuma grabbed it and flew off, making Lavi's eyes widen in horror. They were defenseless.

"Oh no, Madame Lulu Bell's gonna destroy your Innocence."

"The Noah?!" The Akuma girl smirked and took out her iron fans. "Now then, it's time to clean the house!" Seeing no other option Lavi grabbed Lenalee and ran but the iron fans Mimi used came back just like a boomerang and easily cut through thick stones. "I want to see Madame Lulu Bell smile! If you would just die that would be fantastic!" She slashed the air with her fans, making a few blades come loose and pass by Lavi and Lenalee except for one that hit Lavi in his left shoulder. The force swept him off his feet and he fell, dropping Lenalee. With a grunt he ripped it out of him.

"Lavi, get out of here while you can." Lenalee begged him but he refused.

"Hell no!" He said and picked her up again and ran. He couldn't leave her behind and he had no way to fight. He only had one option. But Mimi caused the cliffs to cave in and cut off their escape route before she attacked again. Once the dust settled her iron fans turned to normal.

"That's the end for you." She giggled but suddenly she felt pain in her back and Lavi landed in front of her.

"How does it feel to be done in by your own weapon?" He glowered at her and she glanced over her shoulder seeing that indeed she had been pierced by her own blade.

"That doesn't even make any sense." She growled and ripped it out. "This is the end, though." She smiled sweetly again as three level 2 Akuma gathered behind her. Before they could attack though, thousands of needles rained down and trapped the Akuma. Lavi looked up to find Bookman stare down at them. The old man jumped down and gave Lavi his hammer and told him to take care of the rest while he treated Lenalee.

"You can lecture me later panda!" Lavi yelled and activated his Innocence, getting into his battle stance. He used the fire stamp and swallowed all of the level 1 Akuma but Mimi managed to get away.

"She got away." Lavi breathed out before collapsing on the ground from both exhaustion and slight blood loss.

Hours later Lenalee was feeling much better. Tired, but better.

"Take care of her gramps. I'm gonna get some rest." His left hand was in a cast and put in a sling and he got two patches on his face too. He went to the door but Lenalee stopped him.

"Lavi, thanks for protecting me to the very end." She smiled sweetly and he waved before leaving the room.

"He thinks he's so cool." Bookman shook his head but Lenalee said that he was just shy. Suddenly Allen, Krory and Ava burst in through the door and Lavi, who had been unfortunate enough to stand in front of the door when they came running met the wall on the other side of the room.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He yelled angrily but they ignored him.

"Lenalee!" Ava cried and threw herself over the surprised girl. "A-Ava! How did you guys manage to catch up with us so fast?" She was happy about it but also very surprised.

"Ava flew so fast I almost puked up the food I ate before leaving that village." Allen looked quite pale but Krory seemed to be unfazed. Probably because of the speed he used in battles. He too was crying as he saw that the young girl was alright.

"Hey, what about me? You guys rushed in here and made my wounds worse!" Lavi called from his position on the floor. Ava released Lenalee and stared at him before throwing herself over him too.

"Lavi! Thank god you're both alive!" The others laughed as he blushed and flailed his arms trying to keep his balance as he muttered something about being okay despite his arm being in a sling. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" She let her hand slide over the cast and he shook his head.

"No… no more than those two when they barged through the door like idiots!" He glared and the two male Exorcists rubbed their heads sheepishly while sweatdropping. "We're sorry." They bowed and everyone laughed at their antics. Lavi and Ava both got to their feet before Lavi walked over to the door.

"I'm going to rest." He said simply again and Ava followed him, claiming that she was tired after carrying Allen and Krory all the way while at the same time flying at top speed. Bookman stared after the two, deep in thought before shaking his head. He had nothing to fear. The girl had just lost someone important to her, she wouldn't go after Lavi and the boy knew that as the successor to Bookman, he had to rid himself of his heart.

"By the way, we met a Finder who saw my master in China. If we hurry we might manage to catch him before he leaves." Allen explained to the Bookman who nodded.

"That is valuable information indeed."

Lavi opened the door, revealing two big beds and a couch. Without saying a word, Ava went to the couch and lay down.

"What are you doing?" Lavi asked incredulously as he watched her. She turned towards him and raised an eyebrow. "What does it look like?" He shook his head. She knew what he meant and he wasn't really in the mood for games right now.

"I meant, why aren't you taking one of the beds?"

"One of them is Bookman's, right?" He nodded. "I rest my case." She said before she sat up again and removed her jacket before fishing out a pack of cigarettes. "God, I need a smoke first." She said and went to the door.

"You can just open a window you know. I won't be bothered by the smell. The old panda smokes all the time." She seemed a bit unsure before she went to the window and opened it up, lit the cigarette and leaned on the windowsill before taking a drag. She released it with a content sigh and let a small smile grace her face as she stared at the full moon. Lavi who had already laid down under the covers stared.

"What's so good about smoking?" He asked and she glanced at him before returning her gaze to the moon. She held her cigarette out to him. "Wanna find out?"

"No…" She smirked and took another drag, pinning the cigarette between her lips as she brought out her locket and opened it. "Then don't ask."

"Haha, very funny." His sarcasm made her chuckle before she took the cigarette from her lips and put it out. "What are you doing?"

"Saving it for later. I'm almost out." She explained and put it back in the pack before she took one last look at the contents in the locket and shut it.

"What's so special about the locket?" He asked and she raised an eyebrow

"Weren't you supposed to rest?" Ava was getting annoyed at his questions.

"Hard to when there's a beautiful woman in the room." He grinned and she shook her head with a snort before throwing the locket over to him. He caught it and opened it and examined the pictures.

"The picture to the right is showing me, Arystar, Tristan and Duke. The one to the left is Daisya." She told him as she arranged her jacket to cover her while she slept. He nodded and took one long look. He noticed that Krory hadn't changed much, except growing lot taller and getting sharper features. He threw it back and she immediately put it back around her neck.

"Reminders to why you fight, right?" She nodded. "How is your family?" She remained silent for a while before answering and turning her back to him at the same time.

"He seems to be doing alright." She responded and it took him a second to understand what she had said. "He? Not 'they'?" She didn't say anything more, she only nodded.

"Krory is the only one left?" She nodded again. "What happened?" A few minutes passed and he thought she wouldn't answer his question.

"Akuma and Angel." She answered.

'Akuma and Angel?'He thought in confusion but when adding Akuma to something it could only mean death. He wondered what Angel meant though. "You aren't seriously going to sleep on the couch are you?" He asked and she looked over her shoulder.

"You see anything else here?"

"Yeah, gramps bed."

"No one ever taught you to respect your elders?" She raised an eyebrow as he nodded but grinned mischievously.

"The old panda can take the couch. He's short enough for it." He said and she shook her head. "You must be out of your mind if you think I will let an old man sleep on the couch. I'm perfectly fine here." She said.

"Then take my bed." He insisted.

"You're hurt." She deadpanned and he sweatdropped. "You're pretty stubborn, ain't ya?"

"Look who's talking." She retorted and he grunted. "Not as bad as you are."

"Yes you are."

"No I ain't."

"Yes you are!"

"No I ain't!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"YES!"

"NO!" They had both gotten up on their feet and were now having a glaring match. Sparks were literally flying between them and neither one of them backed down. They were both too stubborn to do it this time. They stood there for several minutes, neither of them blinking before suddenly their eyes became so dry they began to itch and they both turned away at the same time to rub them. Simultaneously they turned back around again to continue but first then did they notice how close they were. Their faces were but inches away from each other. The first to turn away was Ava.

"Sorry." She mumbled.

"You shouldn't be sorry." 'Daisya' appeared. 'Shut up!'She hissed at him. This wasn't the time for any such thoughts. It was way too early.

"It's partly my fault too." Lavi muttered and rubbed his neck. "Anyways, since you don't want to take either one of the beds here for yourself, and I won't let you sleep on the couch, you'll just have to share a bed with me."

"Yeah, sure- wait, what now?!"

"You heard me!"

"You've gotta be kidding me!" She said and turned for the couch but he grabbed her arm, dragged her to the bed, sat down and pulled her down with him before pulling the covers over them both.

"Nope. Not kidding." She was about to get up but he held her down. "You're gonna stay, whether you like it or not!" Yet another glaring match begun but this time Ava gave up, she was exhausted and wanted to sleep. She laid her head down, using his uninjured arm as a pillow, and closed her eyes.

"Fine. You win this time." She was too tired to argue anymore and his warm body was making her even sleepier.

"You know, I hate Innocence as much as I love it. It took away my family, Yeegar and Daisya… but at the same time it gave me the opportunity to know them, even if was only for a short time... and you guys too."She snuggled up to him as he stared at her wide eyed at what she had just said but he didn't protest so she let herself relax and fell asleep immediately, the successor to Bookman following shortly after. In the corner of the room, 'Daisya' turned even paler than he had been before but this was something Ava missed to notice when she woke up.

TWP: Alright, this chapter is finally over too.