The hiatus is killing me D: slowly....
Disclaimer: I disclaim everything except the plot.
Chapter 5
Kanda had seen many things in his life, but Loups were definitively not on that list and he would have liked to keep it that way. The drooling half-human in front of him was not a pretty sight.
« This is the first time we've made it this far. It seems like they are getting weaker and weaker.»
Apparently, in addition to being at least two heads taller than Kanda, it could talk too. It seemed like the the Loup had finally noticed him, as a malicious grin spread across its ugly face.
«What do we have here? Another one, hmm, but you look different.»
As the loup studied him, he could see another one running up next to the one in front of the big one. This one was smaller and seemed somehow more, feminine, by the way it moved. It's steps more graceful than the other's.
«What are you doing? We were only supposed to retrieve the stone and run. We have it, now come here...»
The newly arrived Loup looked at Kanda, surprise shining in its eyes. Kanda glared at the two Loups, never taking his eyes of them. His arm was completely steady as he held Mugen in front of him, ready to defend himself if necessary.
«My, what a lovely human. So handsome.»
The female Loup eyed him with adoring eyes that made Kanda shiver. Sometimes Kanda actually longed for the cold-hearted, stupid opponents who would just shut up and fight. He hated being praised for his looks.
«Why are you here?» Kanda asked, locking eyes with the biggest of the Loups, who started to laugh (or rather; bark) at his question.
«You mean you don't know? Where have you been for the last decade?»
Kanda didn't have time to think or retort on that question as he was interrupted by a small call coming from the hallway behind him.
«Kanda?»
Kanda froze when he heard that familiar voice calling his name. He heard small tapping sounds of bare feet against floor coming closer and he turned his head slightly to look at Allen, who was now standing in the doorway. He sensed another movement and turned his attention back to the Loups just before the big one lunged at him, claws aimed straight for his neck. He was barely able to react; the Loup was faster than he thought it would be. He took a quick step to the left and the Loup flew past him, stumbling as it missed it's target. He kicked it in it's ribs, making trying to get it further away from the open door.
Allen hadn't even been able to react when the...thing attacked, all he saw was Kanda moving and the thing stumbling past him. He stared at it as it stumbled and crashed against a wooden table. What was it? A wolf? Or...
«Moyashi»
Allen snapped his attention back at Kanda, who now was watching the other wolf. It hadn't even flinched as its companion had been beaten, all it did was study the newly arrived Allen from head to toe with big interest.
«Snap out of it damn it, I don't have time for your stupidity.»
Allen's eyes narrowed immediately when he looked at Kanda, feeling slightly offended (like he always did when he spoke with Kanda).
«It's Allen»
He walked up next to Kanda, trying to avoid the shattered glass as he wasn't wearing anything on his feet.
«What are they?»
Kanda snorted, but still observed the female Loup wearily. «Figures, you weren't able to tell»
«Hey-»
«Loups, stupid.»
Ah, now he remembered what Adam had said before they came here. Half wolf, half human.
That explained the «walking on two feet» part.
He heard a smashing sound, and Allen spun around. It seemed like the other Loup, who Allen had noticed was very big, was just as tough as he looked. When he had crashed into the wooden table, a splinter had gone right trough the palm of his...hand. He simply pulled it out like it was nothing and grinned at Allen before he stared at Kanda's back.
«It seems like you can fight, unlike those other weaklings.»
Allen gulped and got ready to activate his innocence. The Loup looked really strong and was twice as big as him. Allen wasn't weak, he was an exorcist after all, but you were looking at someone almost twice your size; Loup or not, you'd feel small. But he wasn't scared, he didn't allow himself to be scared.
He knew the Loup would attack soon, but was surprised when it was stopped by the other.
«Stop it Aeron, we have what we came for, we have to hurry back or you know what will happen.»
The Loup called Aeron snarled, obviously displeased.
«It's just two of them, it'll be quick.»
«They are obviously stronger than they look, that wound in your hand is proof of that. In other words, it will take time, time we don't have, so get over here before I leave you and tell her you disobeyed.»
Allen had no idea what they were talking about, but it seemed like they were in a hurry to leave. He was secretly glad, because he didn't want to fight when he felt so bare, wearing only his pyjamas. Kanda said absolutely nothing, his guard constantly on.
Aeron hit the wall behind him in anger, but he seemed to be a little more nervous now after what the female Loup had told him. Obviously, they were too scared of this «she» to disobey. But that didn't bother Allen at all, since this meant that they would leave. He was still confused to why they were here in the first splace.
The female Loup shot them a glance before she turned and left. Aeron sneaked around them carefully, though it seemed more like he was trying to hold himself back from attacking than watch out for sudden attacks. He stopped when he was standing with his back against the door. His big eyes glared at them, and he blotted his teeth threateningly.
«Next time you won't be so lucky, and beware, because next time will be soon.» And with that, he ran after the other, leaving a doubting Allen and snorting Kanda to themselves.
Allen looked from Kanda to the door and then back at Kanda.
«Um, why were they here?»
Kanda sheathed Mugen and brushed some dust off of his uniform. He didn't answer, and Allen took that like an «I don't know».
Allen tripped over to the window and looked outside to see a sight that made him gasp. Many of the houses were burning, the flames eating up everything they could touch. The village people were grieving over the loss of their houses, and trying to find shelter in the houses that were still untouched by the flames. Allen could spot a few Loups retreating, but noticed especially one who was carrying something that looked like a stone or a jewel.
'What could that be?'
The sound of footsteps made him once again aware of where he was, and he turned around to see Adam entering the room in a rush. Eying them, he stopped abruptly and sighed in relief.
«It relives me to see that you are okay. The attack was so sudden, we barely had the time to inform the soldiers and prepare defences.»
Adam sheathed his sword as he looked at Kanda.
«Did you encounter the Loups?»
Kanda nodded and looked at the door where the Loups had hurriedly escaped. Adam followed his line of vision and sighed.
«We knew they were going to attack sometime, but this was too early.»
Allen looked up at Adam and noticed that he seemed very worn out. The battle must have been hard, and he, Allen, had been asleep through most of it. He hadn't helped at all when the soldiers and Adam had been fighting, when Kanda had been fighting. He bit his lip. Here he was, an exorcist who had long since passed critical and he had been asleep during an important battle. If he had been there, then maybe they had been able to keep the Loups at bay.
His thoughts suddenly flew to the weird stone he had seen one of the Loups carry. That beautiful green stone whose image had been imprinted in his memory.
«Adam...»
Adam looked at him expectantly.
«I-, when I looked out the window a few moments ago, I saw a Loup who was carrying something.»
The look in Adam's eyes turned into a hard stare as he stood up and walked over to him. Allen gulped.
«What? What was he carrying, Allen?»
«Um, he was carrying some sort of stone, though, it was about this big.» He motioned with his hands, trying to picture how big the stone would be if he was holding it in his hands.
«And it was a strong green, and really beautiful.»
At that, Adam looked shocked. His mouth opened and his eyes widened as he gripped his hair with his hand.
«What was it?» Allen asked frantically as he saw Adams reaction. It seemed like the stone was more important than he had thought, and by the looks of it, the fact that it had been stolen would do more damage then Allen had imagined.
«The treasured stone...» Came a whisper, and Allen looked at Adam in question and a bit of dread.
«The kingdom's treasured stone has been stolen. This is disastrous, I need to alert His Majesty. FAREN!»
Allen nearly jumped at the sudden call. He turned to look at Kanda, who had just as much clue to what was going on as he had. What power did the stone hold that made a whole kingdom depend on it? (At least, that's what it seemed like that stone was that important, to Allen)
Another man entered the room. His armour was the same as Adam's, and his pose made it clear that he was a great, and strong fighter. This was obviously another one of the 'Golden Four', Adam had mentioned earlier. One of the four knights that the King trusted more than anyone else.
«What is it, Adam?»
His voice was so strong, Allen felt deep respect for the man already.
«The stone has been stolen.»
A hushed silence fell, and Allen stared from one night to the other. He really wanted to know what this stone was, and the tension only served to make him even more curious.
«We need to tell the King immediately.» The man, Faren, said with his voice full of controlled anger, before storming out of the room without another word.
«The stone has been in His Majesty's family for many generations and is considered the most powerful magic stones in existence.» Adam explained, as he looked at them. «It has been a blessing to this Kingdom, and has given our King unmatched power.»
He took a deep breath.
«I fear the Loups will get even stronger now that it is in their possession. The witch will certainly know how to use the stone for her own benefits.»
'Witch?' Allen thought. When did a 'witch' enter the picture?
«What kind of wi-» His sentence was left unfinished as another man entered the room, looking gravely at Adam.
«The King requests your presence.» Was all he said before he left. Adam nodded and was about to go before he stopped and turned to look at Allen and Kanda.
«Come with me. We will need your strength.»
Once again they were gathered in the great hall of the King, but this time, there were lots of soldiers there too, awaiting orders. Allen could feel the soldiers' uneasiness. They seemed frightened, despite the strong armour they were wearing that usually made them look strong and unbreakable. Some were injured, though nothing fatal, from the previous battle; their uniforms tattered and worn out. They were talking nervously with each other, and some were looking at the Knights with hope. Allen didn't know what to say, where he stood next to Kanda amidst all the soldiers. The four Knights were standing next to the King, two at both sides.
Then the long awaited speech started.
«Soldiers, grave news have reached me.» The King begun with his mighty voice that nearly made Allen shiver.
«Our Kingdom's precious stone has been stolen.»
Just like that the silence was broken by lots of talking an murmuring. Allen could nearly feel the desperation the soldiers were in and he could almost feel it starting to take over him too, even though he didn't know how serious this was. He stepped closer to Kanda.
«Silence!»
All the soldiers looked at the King, before bowing their heads in shame and respect.
«Every man available will go to the Witch's castle and retrieve the stone. To get the stone back is of utmost importance-»
This didn't seem to make the soldier any calmer. In fact, Allen could swear he saw some of the soldiers take a few step backwards.
«-and you will be accompanied by the Knights.»
Like magic words, the worry in the soldiers' faces was gone, and relief could clearly be seen.
'Wow', Allen thought. 'The Knights must be really good for all the soldiers to rely this heavily on them.'
«Soldiers!» A new voice spoke up. One of the Knights, one of the two Allen hadn't met yet, stepped forward.
«Prepare the horses and get ready for battle. If we do not win today, we never will.»
The soldiers saluted, their faces determined and no traces of worry or disbelief could be seen. Allen looked at Kanda in wonder.
«Will we be joining?» He asked in a quiet whisper. Allen didn't mind joining the fight. If he could help, then he would help with all he had. After everything he had heard, he was well aware that this 'witch' was not someone you messed with unless you were strong enough to defeat her. And to add the Loups on top of that...he was sure the soldiers needed all the help they could get.
Kanda looked in deep thought and didn't answer Allen right away. Getting impatient by the stillness of his comrade, Allen started to whine. He knew that whining was like digging a grave for his own dignity, but he really wanted an answer.
«Kandaaa, what are you thinking of?»
«Kanda, answer me.»
«Kan-»
«Shut the hell up Beansprout, I'm thinking.»
Curling his lip in offence, Allen looked away sharply. Couldn't Kanda just tell him what he was thinking? That way, Allen wouldn't have to whine so much, and Kanda could think in peace after he had told him.
The soldiers marched out the doors in one straight line, never faltering, stumbling or tripping. Allen looked up at the King, sitting on his throne and talking with one of the Knights. He couldn't see the other three anywhere, so he supposed they were readying themselves for the on-coming battle.
«What was the colour of the stone?»
Blinking, Allen looked at Kanda.
«Huh?»
«I said, what was the colour of the stone?» Kanda repeated while glaring at him. But being all too used to Kanda's personality and poor communicating skills, Allen didn't feel the least bit intimidated by it.
«Green, why?»
Stepping back, Kanda retreated into the hallway where they had come from. Allen followed him, his curiosity spiked.
«Do you remember the colour of the light that came from the book before you fell into it?»
Thinking back, Allen tried to recall. He remembered the book, and that it had no title. He also remember being tired and that his eyes were heavy with sleep. He then remembered the light that came from the book. The way it had shone through the closed book, that strong....green light.
«It was green.» He finally said, and looked over at Kanda.
Kanda didn't say anything to acknowledge his answer, but Allen knew he had heard him, and that he now was processing it all.
They were now in front of their room now, but Kanda didn't open it. Instead he turned to look at Allen ('finally').
«What colour does the Innocences have?»
It took a few seconds before the information made its way to his brain and was registered. When he understood what Kanda meant he couldn't help but take a deep breath and look at Kanda with eyes wide.
«You think-you think the stone is Innocence? And that it was that which dragged us into this book?»
Kanda once again didn't answer his question, and Allen took that as a yes.
«But, how do we know it can bring us back?» He asked in return to Kanda's silence. Even thought the Innocence had brought them here, would it really be able to bring them back?
He didn't want to be here, he wanted to go back to the order. Back to his friends and to the task he was supposed to do: save the souls trapped within the Akumas. He didn't like the thought of never being able to return to the real world, and it seemed like Kanda was thinking the same thing. His face showed no emotions, but the cold tone in his voice said differently.
«Get dressed Beansprout! We're going to the witch's castle.»
AN: I'm so sorry for the late upload T-T
This chapter has been half-way done for a very long time, but since I've been busy with Luka and One Shots (and school), I've never really had the time to finish it. I really missed this story, so I decided to finally start up again. Hopefully, the next chapter will be out faster. I think there'll only be three or four more chapters in this story, so it shouldn't take that much time.
And sorry for the lack of Yullen in this chapter. There will be much more in the next, I promise!
Review? :)