Chapter 8: The Reverse I
So far as he could tell, no one had seen her approach the table. One moment she wasn't there and they'd been happily munching on their individual meals, the next she was standing right beside Walker with a pastry box in her immaculately gloved hands, no smile on her porcelain face, and wearing the mahogany uniform of a Central officer. "Greetings, Allen Walker." She said in a brusque tone that caught everyone's attention by the nose. "I am Inspector Lenalee Lee. I've been instructed to place you under my guard to observe your behavior, effective immediately."
At this, Link shifted around the mountain of dirty dishes to get a better look at the speaker, frowning in confusion. What was a Central Inspector doing in the mess hall? Hell, what was a Central Inspector doing in the European Branch? Didn't they have better things to do? No one said a word, Lavi looking back and forth between everyone at the table before focusing his attention on the lady again. She was of average height, clearly Asian, grim-faced, slender and reasonably pretty, and possessing a professional air that was somewhat diminished by the way she kept her long, black hair tied in pigtails. But he dared not comment. Link narrowed his eyes, placing her at sixteen or seventeen years old. Little young to be an inspector, isn't she? And then he spotted the two dotted scars on her forehead, one on top of the other. Crow Eyes. Oh, that explains it. She's from the special combat unit.
"In hopes of a cooperating relationship," The lady continued. "I've taken the liberty of baking this pumpkin pie, so please help yourself."
Wait, what? Observing Walker? Why and under whose authority? Surely Supervisor Lee isn't behind this.
Walker, of course, saw nothing amiss in light of the sweet pastry and promptly shoved a fork into its lattice crust whilst declaring a hearty, "My pleasure!"
"Hold on, Allen!" Lavi shouted. "Didn't you hear what she just said about observing you?"
"Huh?" Their white-haired friend ignored him.
Miss Lotto caught Link's eye with a worried, questioning glance, but he shook his head, equally clueless. He may have been here longer than all three of them combined, but even he couldn't say what a Central officer was doing here. Or what exactly she wanted with Walker. But whenever an inspector was dispatched to monitor an exorcist, the allegations were always serious, that much was certain. Although…Walker hadn't done anything of note, at least nothing severe enough to warrant an investigation. Surely, Central didn't care that much about the cost of feeding that boy. Troubled, Link reached for his now lukewarm coffee and drained the mug in two gulps. He did, however, promise the clockwork exorcist he would stop by Director Lee's office to ask about it once he'd finished lunch.
"There's no point." The Central woman spoke up without warning, not even raising her head and she neatly carved out a slice of pie and deposited it onto a clean plate with a fork. "This information is restricted to officers and the high-ranking exorcists and is not available to general personnel. The supervisor is not permitted to tell you anything even if you are an apostle of God. Here." Inspector Lee offered the plate to him with a pleasant, yet somehow cold, smile. "Have some."
No one graced this information with a response and instead traded uneasy glances across the table. Even Walker had snapped out of his delighted stupor over the pie and seemed to register how off the situation was. Link glanced at the pie. He did enjoy sweets, perhaps a bit more so than was deemed healthy, but the thought of touching something made by Central hands produced a faint taste of ash in his mouth. The Inspector kept up her doll-like smile, as though nothing was wrong in the world.
So Link narrowed his red eyes. "Social protocol dictates you serve the lady first." He cheekily pointed out, nodding to Miss Lotto at the other end of the table, then rose to his feet. "Good day, Frau Inspektor. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
No one said a word as he collected his dishes together and left the table, stalking toward the door with all the manner of prowling animal.
The mess hall was a morgue.
The last time it had been this quiet in here, Daisya had lobbed an egg at the back of his head, completely missed and hit Suman Dark who'd been sitting across from him. The older exorcist had gone rigid, making a disgusted face as yolk and egg whites dribbled down his forehead, before he stood up and hurled a deadly triangle of jelly-covered toast back at the Charity Bell accommodator. Unlike Daisya, Dark had impeccable aim. And everything pretty much went to hell after that. Link remembered ducking behind an upturned table with Kanda and dismally finishing up what was left of breakfast as a fierce battle broke out behind them.
But that had been a long time ago.
Link came to a halt as he reached the mess hall doors and silently crossed himself, then turned to survey his home turf and collect his thoughts. He had answers to find, and if this Inspector Lee wouldn't oblige, then he would have to turn elsewhere. The question, then, was where. If Inspector Lee's claim that Supervisor Lee—there was a coincidence—was under orders not to speak of Walker's investigation, then that man would hold his silence to the grave if he had to. That was fine. He wouldn't want the Branch Supervisor to get in trouble over this and besides, the man was likely up to his ears in paperwork considering their recent assignment. Cross certainly led us on a merry chase, didn't he? Maybe I should blame him for my walking problems. Link smiled at the thought and took a step into the busy hall.
A sea of countless scientists and researchers made up the corridor's traffic that afternoon, most of them burdened by file boxes, books, and wooden crates full of equipment. They must've been gearing up to study the Egg they'd stolen from Noah's Ark, the apparent source of the Earl's akuma. Link yawned as he limped his way through the crowd, scraping a hand through his painfully short hair to scratch the back of his head. If Chief Komui couldn't offer an explanation regarding Walker's predicament, he supposed he could always ask Madarao. Gossip was frowned upon in the Crow regiments, but the special combat teams were thoroughly integrated throughout Central and sometimes bored guards had nothing else to talk about. And his foster brother did owe him a favor.
Link moved quickly to the side as one of the scientists suddenly cut into his path, unable to see past the giant cardboard box in his hands. But as the exorcist's foot came down on the stone floor, his ankle gave way and he fell to one knee, gasping in pain and clutching his leg. Dammit! Dammit, dammit. Oh, Christ, that hurts.
The scientist came to an abrupt halt and cried out as though he'd been the one who'd been hurt. "Howard! You okay?" It was Johnny. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, no." Link forced a smile as he struggled back to his feet, waving away anyone who approached to aid him. The mishap had drawn the attention of a number of scientists, who paused in their work, talking worriedly amongst themselves and occasionally asking him if he was all right. "I'm fine. I just misstepped and slipped, that's all."
"You never just slip and fall." Johnny's face fell. Or seemed to, at least. It was hard to tell behind his glasses, after all. "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I? Should I walk you to the Infirmary."
"Really, Johnny, I'm fine." But even as he said it, he began to feel the familiar ache of protesting joints and strained muscles. God's teeth, it hurt to stand. "I'm fine." He repeated. "I'm okay. I just need to sit down for a bit." Preferably before my legs give out against my will. Almost as soon as he finished the thought, his left knee suddenly buckled under his own weight, but before he could collapse, a sturdy hand grabbed him by his left arm and kept him up. Someone else appeared on his right, grasping his other arm and looping it over their shoulders. Link recoiled at the contact and turned to find it was Reever and Tapp supporting him.
"Honestly, Howard, you've been pushing yourself too hard since you got back from Edo." Reever scolded, fixing him with a severe look. "I don't know how you talked the Head Nurse into letting you leave the Infirmary, but you should still be resting up. You've earned that much."
Did I? Since he crippled his Innocence and in turn suffered the backlash of doing so, all he'd been told was to hang back during the conflict in Japan and on the Ark. Nonetheless, he'd insisted on fighting just as much as the others. He was an exorcist; he refused to be coddled by his own comrades while they continuously put themselves in danger. So, he'd put his 'extracurricular training' to use. Link grimaced. Was it stupid? Yes. Was it worth seeing those damn Noah brats, Jasdevi and Road, as well as that over-eloquent Arschgeige in the top hat with a righteous Flame Wing in their faces? Oh, absolutely.
But still…pushing himself to the limit like that had only made his condition worse. Frankly, he was surprised walking was still possible.
"I'm sorry, Reever." Link pulled himself away from the scientists' grasp. "If I could rest, I would, but there's something I need to take care of first."
"What is it?" This time, it was Tapp who spoke. "Tell us. Maybe we could help, or do it for you if possible."
Link shook his head. "Not unless you can tell me why there's a Crow guard on Walker."
"She's from Crow?" Obviously, Reever had heard about the situation. But to Link's surprise, the man heaved a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "So it is Lenalee. Damn, I was afraid of this."
"She introduced herself to you?"
"No, I heard her name in passing and suspected. And now that I know she's a Crow…she's Chief Komui's younger sister."
That made Link pause and his mind flashed back to all the times he'd stood in Komui's office. Every mission briefing, every conversation, every scolding he'd heard since he was eleven. The Chief had a soft spot for him and the other youngsters, probably something to do with the photograph he kept on his desk. Link had seen it countless times, even picked it off the floor once after a stack of unsigned files had collapsed and knocked it down. A picture of a little girl who slightly resembled Komui Lee. "My baby sister." The man would answer if asked, lapsing into a somber demeanor, then he would abruptly change the subject.
But up until today, Link had always assumed the girl was no longer of this world.
"Wait, what does that mean?" Johnny asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. "Who's Lenalee? The chief has a little sister?"
"I've heard that name somewhere before." Tapp added. "Aren't the two of them estranged or something."
Reever nodded. "Yes. When Komui was recruited by the Order on grounds of academic brilliance, his six year old sister, Lenalee, was brought to Central for training in the Crow combat groups. Like how Howard here was supposed to before they determined he was an accommodator."
Link swallowed.
"They've seen each other sporadically over the years, but beyond that, their diverse responsibilities have kept them apart." Reever wore a grim expression as he spoke, no doubt concerned for his friend and supervisor. "And now it seems she's been promoted to Inspector. Not only that, she's Director Malcolm C. Leverrier's assistant."
"Who?" Link glanced at him.
"Of all the people they could've sent…" Reever sighed, then turned to Link. "I'm sorry that doesn't answer why there's a guard on Allen, but the the truth is, I don't know why she's here. Komui's not allowed to tell anyone, not even the department heads. All I know is Central is for some reason suspicious of Allen and General Cross, and it has something to do with the Ark that's hovering above the Order."
Link opened his mouth to declare how ridiculous that was, only to close it and remember, Wait…Walker was the one who manipulated the Ark and prevented it from collapsing. And General Cross was the one who instructed him how to do so. By that point, the three of them had been the last exorcists standing, and he and Walker had been mentally and physically exhausted by the loss of their friends, the relentless fighting that had taken place, and the general's sudden appearance. Why should a sudden, seemingly miraculous, solution to their dire predicament be amiss? But I was there. I heard how confused Walker was about the situation. Shouldn't the testimony in my report be taken into account? Why is that being conveniently ignored?
He cleared his throat and fixed Reever with his most earnest stare. "I need a copy of my report of the Edo Conflict."
"Howard?"
"Please? The chief's office isn't far. If he can't tell me anything about Walker's situation, that's fine. But my report I can still access." Komui always kept reports from missions for at least three months before transferring them to the archives. Unless something of interest or suspicion came up and he wanted to study them longer.
All three scientists traded glances, clearly wondering what he was up to, but it was Reever who answered, "Komui's in the middle of a meeting right now."
Link frowned. "I thought it was over." I thought that was earlier this morning.
"No, he's speaking privately with Director Leverrier." Tapp explained, holding his hands up for emphasis on his next words. "Real sinister looking guy who looks like he's never smiled in his life."
Who? Link sighed wearily and shrugged. "Fine, I'll wait. Do you need help moving equipment, Section Leader Reever?"
"You're kidding me right?" Johnny all but shouted.
A laugh escaped him by way of a snort. "Yes, I am. Thank you for your concern, you three. It means a lot." He took a careful step back, testing the strength in his legs before turning away and walking down the corridor. "I'll see you later. Think you'll make it to dinner tonight?"
"Howard." Reever spoke up.
He paused and looked over his shoulder. "Yes?"
"Be careful, all right." The man's jaw was clenched as he spoke. "You of all people know how bad it can get with Central involved."
"Ja. Of course. Danke, Reever." Link nodded and continued on his way. Noah's Ark. Central Administration. Walker and General Cross. The strange piano in the stranger room. What did it all mean? Lenalee Lee. He mused. It's almost as though we traded places, she and I.
Link sighed and again scraped a hand through his short hair. He'd been born in Germany and orphaned at a young age. His childhood had been spent in the streets of Hamburg, begging at local churches and struggling for survival in the gutters and back alleys. His family had been a collection of orphans, runaways, and the unwanted bastard children thrown away like old worn-out shoes, left to fend for themselves until they came to be recruited by the organization known as the Black Order to begin training in their special combat regiment, CROW. But a twist in fate had left him with accommodating a shard of Innocence instead. The very shard he'd all but ruined in crossing the East China Sea.
When Komui had come to the Order, bringing his sister with him, she most definitely would've been tested by Hevlaska for the potential to synchronize with Innocence. And when it wasn't found, they'd sent her to Crow instead, like most children at that age.
And now she's an Inspector. Poor thing. As soon as he was out of the scientists' line of sight, Link slumped against the wall and slid quietly to the floor. And then there's me.
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Author's Notes: Little different this one. Alternate Universe answering the question what if he was the exorcist and she was the Crow? There'll be a continuation of this one in a later chapter.
D. Gray Man is owned by Katsura Hoshino.