A/N: As always, thank you to all my readers, new and old, for the views, favourites/follows and reviews! Sorry it took so long!

-CHAPTER 6-

"You coming?" Lavi asked he stood up, brushing snow off his pants, intending to find Allen.

"No, I'll stay." She reluctantly answered. "There're two non-combatants here."

Rowan would have insisted on going to find Allen since he was practically a sitting duck right now. She didn't know whether Allen knew how to be on guard without his cursed eye as his akuma detector. However, their fighting forces would be imbalanced if she went with Lavi. Besides, Allen should be fine with only the older man as reinforcements. From observing his movements, she knew that he was experienced in combat.

"Alright." He shrugged casually but it was obvious that he had worked out her reasoning. Lavi's eye was serious and sharp. That was not a man that could be caught by surprise.

The redhead trudged off towards town, following in Allen's footsteps, and Rowan resigned herself to having Bookman as company again, but she would first take the opportunity to be alone outside for a while longer.

"Excuse me?" A small girl tottered on unsteady legs past the gate. "Please, I need some help.."

The girl looked fairly innocent but Rowan's instincts didn't let her relax. Something was wrong.

The malevolent spike in bloodlust was the only warning she got. In a reflexive movement, Rowan dived forward in a roll, narrowly avoiding the numerous bullets aimed at where her head had been a split second ago. The little girl's body had morphed hideously, the gun now protruding from her belly smoking lightly and soon enough, a horde of Level Ones were floating in front of Rowan, the barrels of their guns shifting with a creak to aim at her.

There was no shelter to hide behind in the open backyard but at least, there was plenty of space for manoeuvres. She quickly threw up a barrier of light to block the incoming round of bullets and used the chance to attack. With each deft flick of her wrist, the daggers of light she continuously materialized were flung at the akuma shooting at her. The daggers landed in their targets with polished accuracy and the akuma instantly exploded one after another, sending rubble and her hair flying.

Rowan was standing alone in the courtyard in less than a minute. She inwardly scoffed. Such a number of Level Ones was far from what was needed to bring her down. This was only light exercise.

Now, the only problem left was upstairs, in Lenalee's room where the other Black Order members were gathered. She wasn't certain if any akuma had snuck in while she was distracted demolishing the Level Ones outside.

Stepping into the hallway, Rowan tensed. The bloodstains on the wall on both sides of the door and the dark ashes within crumpled cloaks were clear signs that the akuma had come. The unfortunate Finders had probably died before they could even utter a word. Rowan readied herself for a fight as she crept closer to the open door, hearing sounds of crashing from within. There were no human cries of pain so she safely assumed that Lenalee and Komui were unharmed and that Bookman was having no trouble with the akuma.

Peering into the room, she was met with a rather strange sight. Bookman had sent the Level Two akuma in question flying into the wall with a kick, landing in an upside-down position, mangled and twisted with many black needles – Bookman's Innocence, perhaps? – puncturing it.

She decided that despite being one known for knowledge, Bookman was indeed not to be underestimated in battle, contrary to his stout appearance.

Spotting Komui cradling Lenalee to his chest in the corner, Rowan picked her way across the debris towards them. Bookman spared her a single glance before starting his interrogation of the Level Two. "Confess. Why have you come here?"

Rowan thought the answer was pretty obvious as the akuma giggled creepily. All akuma were either under the orders of the Earl or the Noah. "I have a message from the Earl. 'Time is up! The Thousand-year prologue is over. Now the drama will unfold. When you hear the bell for the curtain call, don't run! You exorcists are our performers!'"

"An easy kill!" It shrieked.

Bookman couldn't react in time. He had been too focused on what the akuma was saying and whatever projectile it was that had launched itself from the dying akuma's arm was insanely fast. It sped past him in a blur, going straight for the trio behind him.

It was barely a few inches away from Komui when it burst in an explosion, his face burning from the blast of hot air blowing out.

"Le-lenalee.." He stuttered out his sister's name in shock. Her leg was extended out in the air, Innocence activated. Rowan gaped at her too. She hadn't even seen the girl move from Komui's arms.

"You're awake." Bookman let out the tiniest sigh of relief. After all, it wouldn't do to have the Supervisor of the Black Order or his sister die on his watch.

Lenalee smiled at them all, her smile widening at the sight of Rowan. "Rowan, you're-"

"Wait!" Rowan held up a hand, brows furrowed. "Do you hear that?"

No sooner had Rowan finished her sentence than all of them heard it. A split second later, Allen and Lavi crashed through the roof, roughly tumbling onto and skidding across the floor, only stopping by smacking into the wall.

"..I see you came here by hammer, Lavi." Komui said weakly, staring at their crumpled bodies.

Lavi laughed, jumping up and looking none the worse for wear, a hand rubbing the back of his head in sheepish embarrassment. "It's really convenient but hard to stop!"

"Bookman disappeared." Rowan remarked, already having an inkling as to the old man's whereabouts. She didn't feel good about what was coming.

Sure enough, Bookman popped out of the cloud of dust from their entrance with a face like Death, Allen slung limply over his head. Unluckily, for the duo or for Bookman, Rowan couldn't decide, the old man had gotten squashed by the two teenagers in their landing.

"You damn brats!"

"A few days ago," Komui started somberly. "A general was murdered."

A hush seemed to come over all the occupants of the carriage currently heading to the train station. Komui continued to explain how the General Kevin Yeegar's body had been found nailed backwards to a cross, with the words 'God Hunt' carved onto his back. The Innocence he was carrying with him, nine in total including his own, were stolen and most probably destroyed. His mind had been broken too; General Yeegar was like a broken record, unable to stop singing all the way to when he took his last breath. The song's lyrics were ominous, saying that the Earl was looking for the Heart Innocence.

"The Heart? What's that?"

"It is the root of all exorcists' power." Rowan answered, staring blankly out the window at the passing scenery. "The one thing that can decide the outcome of the war instantly. If the Heart is destroyed, you will have lost the war."

"How do you know everything?" Allen demanded, surprised yet not surprised that she knew all these things despite not being an exorcist.

"You know too little." She sighed disappointedly, causing Lavi to snort.

Allen glared, but left it alone. "So, where is it? How do we find it?"

"Well, that's the thing. We really do know nothing." Komui shrugged carelessly. "It's really annoying. There're no clues at all, whatsoever, no matter where we look about its whereabouts or its characteristics." He devolved into a full out rant about the stinginess of the ancient texts and more.

"It's probably better, that there are no details. If the Noah managed to steal those texts of yours, it would be catastrophic for you."

"Yes, but it still leaves us at a standstill." Komui exhaled sharply, becoming serious once again. "General Yeegar is only the first the victim. I assume the Earl is targeting those with high power as likely bearers of the Heart. That could explain the increasing numbers of akuma and the appearance of the Noah as well."

He glanced at Rowan. And your appearance too. Human, but neither an exorcist nor a Noah. You are a mystery.

"The mission this time, is to find and protect the generals. Even for them, a simultaneous attack by akuma and the Noah would be too much. Exorcists all over the world are being recalled and split into four groups."

"Surely you don't mean.." Allen grimaced.

"You lot are assigned to General Cross."

"Why.. Why me." Allen blanched shockingly white, moaning. It almost looked like his soul was leaving his body. "I never thought I'd have to meet him again.."

"Allen!" Lavi cried. "Don't die!"

"Because, of course, he's your Master! That man never checks in with us, for all we know, he could be dead, but then you came! His apprentice!" Komui's glasses sparkled evilly. "With you and Timcampy, we can track him down!"

Allen's only response was another groan.

"Cross.. Is he perhaps red-haired?"

"You know General Cross?" Komui's head whipped in her direction eagerly.

"I've met him, yes." Rowan crossed her arms, looking extremely sour at the memory. She remembered meeting an exorcist with golden details on his coat before but his personality was both a kindred spirit and irksome at the same time. Looking at Allen's horrified reaction to being sent after him, she put together the dots. "He did mention having an apprentice and I gave him a black eye for trying to fondle me."

Allen seemed to crumple in on himself further at that statement. "..My apologies."

"Well, this won't start for a while yet. We've yet to make the necessary arrangements and I'd like for you to rest for a while longer, Allen, since you were injured so badly." Komui gave him a sympathetic smile before turning back to Rowan. "Miss Rowan, you said you're coming with us to headquarters?"

"Yes, I suppose so." Rowan intended to just take a look, find out what sort of information they had, do some reconnaissance.

"I would like for you to assist them in this mission."

"No, you want me babysat." She scoffed at the ridiculous notion he tried to hide. To willingly travel with a Bookman pair that would be waiting for the moment she slipped and gave up her secrets? And to think Komui thought that he could order her around? How absurd. She'd only do what she wanted to when she wanted to. She was no one's subordinate. "I've been playing along until now but you do realize I'm not one of you."

"It's a request, Miss Rowan. We have a common enemy, as you said, and I wish to have you as an ally." Komui said firmly, unshaken by the dangerous flash of her eyes.

She narrowed her eyes, looking to be deep in thought. Her eyes flickered over all the people in the room, landing on each of them for a moment as though assessing their worth. They eyed her back warily, waiting for her response.

"Very well. I will cooperate for now." Rowan confirmed, although she didn't look particularly happy about it.

"Thank you." Komui heaved a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief. The blonde was valuable, and dangerous, whether in combat skill or in knowledge. It would be a large disadvantage for the Black Order if they had gone their separate ways. Exorcists were already few in number and any help was always needed.

After many shenanigans during the train ride, including an argument and reconciliation between Allen and Lenalee, and Lavi drawing on Allen's face, the group finally arrived at the Black Order HQ.

Rowan directed a distasteful eye at the towering castle. Gloomy, rainy, and dreary. Why, it was almost like the town they found Miranda in. "This is where you live?"

"Yes, this is home." Lenalee smiled at her, leading the way to the huge doors set in the wall. The others had long gone inside via another way, leaving the newcomer to Lenalee, as always. "Sorry about this, but it's procedure for non-exorcists. Gatekeeper!"

A large face bulged out from the wall the moment Lenalee called for it, eyes nearly popping out of its sockets as it's voice boomed. "Newcomer!"

In a rare moment of discomposure, Rowan involuntarily let out a squeak and flinched, caught off-guard by its appearance and sudden proximity to her. "Eep!"

"Cross-examination!" Bright beams shone out from its eyes and landed on her, scanning whether she was akuma or human. "Human! Open the doors!"

"You have a rather unsightly gatekeeper, Lenalee." Rowan smiled serenely at her as the doors shut behind them. "I never want to see it again."

"Eh?" Lenalee froze at the contrasting words and emotion. There was clearly something black emanating from Rowan. She wisely chose to ignore it and continue the tour.

"You don't have Innocence, so I guess you don't have to see Hevlaska.." Lenalee trailed off as they passed the central floating lift.

"Hevlaska?"

"Oh, she's the keeper of all the unsynchronized Innocence here, and she can sense the extent of our synchronization!"

Rowan hummed in interest, content to let Lenalee chatter on about the rest of the staff as they walked on. There probably wouldn't be any synchronization rate for Hevlaska to analyze about Rowan. Innocence practically ran in her very blood and veins. She was, and yet wasn't Innocence. It would be fun to see her reaction at that realization. She made a mental note to visit Hevlaska at least once, alone, before she left.

After going through the cafeteria, the science department, the training rooms and many other places, Lenalee showed Rowan to her personal room. It was actually just beside hers. At least, there would be less chance of getting lost. Every darned hallway was starting to look the same here.

Over the course of the next few days, Rowan explored and wandered the headquarters. She went to the library – the very impressive library, she could admit that – and lost herself in their tomes for hours, even forgetting to eat at times until Lavi or Lenalee came to find her. The size of the library was perfect for her, it was so big she couldn't see the ends of it. She was going to read it all. The cafeteria was equally as amazing, thought it was mostly the cook, Jerry.

Jerry was one of her favourites here. The man cooked absolutely delicious food – she'd have to invite her brother here one day; he might be able to eat Jerry out of house and home. Rowan wasn't a small eater either, partly because of her abilities, though she paled in comparison to Allen. She almost couldn't believe her eyes when the boy pushed a trolley laden with a mountain of food to their table. She'd never thought that someone could compete with her brother in the amount of food they could eat.

Johnny, the bespectacled scientist/researcher, was another one she liked. The man was so innocently kind and warm, that it was impossible to not like him. He had tried to make an exorcist coat for her, but she had firmly declined his offer. Apparently, he had made one anyway in case she changed her mind later. It was for protection, he said, regardless of whether she was an exorcist or not, she was an ally and he wanted to protect her too.

She sparred with Allen and Lavi – though strictly speaking, Allen was supposed to be resting – thrashed them and she also met the 'Yuu' guy that Lavi had talked about before. Their first meeting didn't go very well, though she learnt it was the same for everyone except possibly Lenalee.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" The pretty dark-haired man demanded the moment she popped her head out from behind Lavi and Allen. They were going for their usual sparring session and Kanda Yuu was already inside the training room.

"Ah, my babysitter is here, so I followed!" She pointed at Lavi while smiling brightly, undaunted by his menacing glare. If what Lavi said was true, this would be extremely fun. She could already see he didn't buy her innocent and harmless act, not one bit. She had no ill intention towards any of them, but it wouldn't hurt to make it seem like she did just to push his buttons.

"Babysitter? Oi, rabbit, just who is she?" He yanked on Lavi's scarf, pulling him back to growl in his face.

"Hmm, an enemy? Someone who thinks you're pretty?"

"Stop it, Rowan!" Lavi yelped as the scarf tightened around his neck. "Yuu, just calm down first..? Allen, help!"

Unfortunately for him, the youngest only made Kanda's mood worsen. "Oi, Bakanda! Stop being so dumb-"

"What did you say, beansprout?!"

"Stop it, you guys!" Lavi choked out. "Dying here! Seriously, I'm dying!"

Kanda clicked his tongue, shoving away the redhead and turning towards the sole female in the room. "Oi, you. I'm going to rearrange that mouth of yours."

Without even a fair sign to signal the start of the match, he jumped towards her with his wooden sword with no hesitation at all. Rowan couldn't help but grin. He was fast, exceedingly so, but she was faster. After all, her element was unmatched in speed. She dodged him easily, whirling around to kick him in the butt as he charged past her. His resulting furious expression brought a cackle out of her. By now, both Allen and Lavi were forgotten and the two launched into a series of high-difficulty moves, striking out at each other with increasing speed.

The grin on her face turned from a mocking one meant to irritate into a truly exhilarated one. Rowan was enjoying the thrill of this fight. It had been so long since she had fought someone with such high skills. Kanda's expression too, had morphed from infuriated to a concentrated one. Instead of the brawl it had started out as, it was now a calculated fight, both fighters measuring their ability against each other. Ultimately, they had ended up in a draw – he had knocked her feet out from under her with a low roundhouse kick and she had twisted to land a foot in his gut – both laying exhausted on the ground, full of bruises and scrapes.

"Lavi! I won!" She weakly cheered in between gasps, trying and failing to catch her breath.

"Like hell you did!" Kanda snarled back. "It was a draw, you shitty woman! You shrimp!"

In a flash, she had jumped on the Japanese, wrestling him into a chokehold. That was one sore spot to never poke. "You pretty boy! If you want another fight, just say so! I'm happy to thrash you again and again!"

"I give up.." Lavi moaned, head in his hands. "They're never going to stop fighting now."

In the end, somehow, Rowan and Kanda started seeking the other out for sparring and the training room always emptied astonishingly fast whenever they were there.

Finally, the day came.

Rowan found herself standing at the train station of a small town with Lavi in Romania. It was the first mission for the Black Order that she was participating in. They were here as reinforcements for Allen, who had been sent ahead of them first. The rest of Team Cross, Lenalee and Bookman, were investigating another lead elsewhere. There was no one other than them at the station. No one else had alighted nor boarded at this stop. The town was quite isolated, having a thick forest at their border with no connection to the rest of the world other than the train.

"Allen's not here.." Rowan frowned. The boy was meant to be waiting for them at the station but there was no sign of him.

"Maybe he got hungry and went off to buy a snack?" Lavi mused, not seeming bothered.

"That's the problem." She strode down the platform to the village. It was dead silent. Not even one person was out on the streets and all the windows of the houses were boarded up as well. "No one's here."

"Hey! Over there." Lavi pointed out a light flickering in one of the houses. Exchanging a silent nod, they both stealthily crept over, peering through the windows.

"It's Allen!" She hissed, only to find out that Lavi had disappeared. Her eyes darted around for a moment, before giving up on finding him. The older man could handle himself, the one in trouble right now was Allen. The boy was tied tightly to a chair, arms pinned to his sides, in the middle of what looked like a deranged gathering of the male townsfolk. They were all carrying makeshift weapons; spears, axes, hammers and many more.

Rowan felt increasingly dreadful. The town couldn't be intending on sacrificing Allen?

There was a flash of red in the corner of her eye. It was Lavi! He was sneaking inside one of the barrels behind Allen.

She wanted to facepalm. Just what was he doing?! Why inside there?! At times like this, she really didn't understand his train of thought.

But Rowan supposed he had a point in infiltrating the house, though his hideaway was questionable.

Creaking the door open, she slipped inside the house. Although, she had a little help from her element, bending the light away from herself to appear invisible. She managed to slide in between the throng of people, trying her hardest to not brush anyone because invisible doesn't mean intangible, as she made her way to the front where the exorcists were.

From what she heard, the mayor was explaining why he had abducted Allen at the station. The townspeople believed that the legend of a vampire living in the hilltop castle had come true because of the fangs they saw when Baron Crowley had attacked a woman, sucking out her blood until she turned into ashes. Rowan had to admit, it sounded legitimate, the way the mayor was describing the scene with such vivid detail. Surely, it was impossible to spin such a detailed story!

"No way.." The redhead stuck his body out of the barrel, seemingly deciding to not hide any longer. His chin rested on his hand, as though it was natural for him to be there.

"Lavi?!" Allen cried in shock and disbelief at the strange spot he had appeared in. "How-why-what are you doing here?!"

"I came to look for you! What are you doing here?" He retorted.

Rowan chose that moment to reveal herself, since Lavi did too. Releasing her hold on the light, it was as though she simply popped into existence in front of their eyes. "Hello, Allen!"

The white-haired boy squawked, gaping at her. "Rowan!"

"Mayor!" One of the citizens whispered urgently, pulling on his coat. "Look! The cross emblem is on his coat too!"

"It's another black clergyman! Grab him!"

Within a blink of an eye, Lavi was tied up in a chair beside Allen.

Rowan quirked an eyebrow at them. So much for the fighting ability of exorcists.. How could they be captured so easily?

The village men circled the remaining visitor curiously. "Is she a one of them too? Should we..?"

"I'm with them but I'm not a clergyman. So, don't tie me up, alright?" They cowered at the sight of her smile, immediately shuffling backwards and putting distance between her and them. It was a smile that promised a fate worse than death should they even try to manhandle her.

"So, what exactly is going on here?" Allen hesitantly asked.

The mayor launched back into storytelling mode. He told the tale of how a black clergyman with gold embellishments on his coat had come to visit Crowley's castle. He had told them that if anything strange were to happen to Baron Crowley, then they should tell someone who wore a coat and cross like him. Certainly enough, Crowley had started acting out of the normal, attacking the villagers. His kill count was already nine.

"Tonight, we had made a resolution to rid this village of Crowley once and for all even if we might die. But!" As one, all the townsfolk got down on their knees in front of the two exorcists, bowing deeply. "God has not abandoned us, after all! Master Black Clergymen! Please do something to slay Crowley!"

"…"

"…"

"Uh, actually, we specialize more in the extermination of akuma.." Lavi tried to get them out of this increasingly weirder situation.

"Incredible! You can even exorcise demons! Your hearts are so strong!" The mayor gushed, tears of happiness spilling down his face.

"Uh, no, not that type of 'akuma'.." Lavi's weak retort went unheard in the midst of the enthusiastic praises the townsfolk heaped on them.

"By the way, what kind of person was he, that black clergyman that came before?" Allen asked, though he looked like he'd rather not know the answer. Rowan felt a surge of pity for him. She had an inkling of what he must have went through as that man's apprentice. A shudder went down her spine at the thought of Cross' excessive drinking, gambling and womanizing habits.

"Here!" The mayor shoved a hand-drawn rough portrait in Allen's face. The young boy withered at the sight. The hat, the long wavy hair and the half-mask was unmistakable. It was indeed, the General Cross.

Rowan sighed. "There's no other way around this then."

Allen and Lavi silently nodded in agreement with despair.

The trio were ushered out of the house towards the woods, and the castle that lay beyond without another moment to waste by the townspeople. Oddly, they were the ones supposed to leady the way but the three teenagers found themselves walking at the head of the pack. The villagers shuffled behind them, all carrying various anti-vampire knick-knacks such as wooden stakes, garlic and crosses.

"Hey," Lavi tugged Allen closer to him and Rowan, speaking in a hushed voice. "Y'know, they say if a vampire bites you, you become one yourself? Don't get bitten, you guys!"

Rowan cast a mocking side-glance in his direction. He might be the oldest, but sometimes, he certainly didn't behave like he was. "I didn't take you for a believer in such stories, Bookman Junior."

"Better safe than sorry!" The redhead snapped.

"You three, stop!" The mayor called out from behind. "We've reached the gates of Crowley's castle."

Out of the fog and the trees loomed an incredibly tall gate. It was also quite the strange design. Above the doors were a pair of eyes and a nose carved into the stone, as though walking through the doors would be akin to walking into a mouth of a giant. Howls and moans echoed in the air from beyond the gates causing Lavi and Allen to pale. Looking at them, Rowan held in her snort. They looked so terrified she actually felt sorry for them.

"Now, forward!" The mayor urged, sending chills down the spines of the two exorcists.

"Y-yes.." They slowly shuffled through the gates, the villagers trudging along a few footsteps behind.

"This Crowley really has bad taste.." Lavi muttered, eye wide at the grotesque statues littered in the courtyard which only added to the spooky effect. "Huh? Allen, why did you already remove your glove? Are you scared?"

"No way!" Allen cried. "You have your hand on your hammer too!"

"I'm not scared or anything, alright?" Lavi chuckled weakly, forcing a grin on.

"You're both scared." Rowan deadpanned, half amused and half exasperated at their show of bravado.

The light mood and laughter was cut short the moment they felt it. Their battle-seasoned instincts were screaming. Something was here, watching them.

Instantly, the three of them formed a circle, backs against the others'.

"What's wrong?"

"Be quiet!" She barked at the oblivious mayor, on guard from the bloodlust she could feel in the air. It was too dark to see far and she wanted to summon her light, but the moment she lit up the place, it would be even more of a beacon to whatever was approaching.

Lavi graciously elaborated for the nervous villagers. "Something's here!"

"It's getting closer!" Allen warned, every muscle tensed to strike at the first sight.

Something black blew past them, the ends of their cloak whipping across Rowan's cheek. None of them could even react to it.

"So fast!" Lavi cursed.

"I smelled something sweet.." Allen's brow was furrowed as he tried to place the familiar scent.

"Sickeningly sweet." Rowan agreed. "It's almost floral.. like perfume."

The stinging on her cheek was becoming irritating and she raised her hand to rub it. Her fingers came away red. So, something had passed them. The question was, where was it now? Where did it go?

A scream of agony from the back of the group of townspeople pierced the air, followed by a few other screams of shock and horror.

"What happened?!" The three of them immediately ran for the back, unceremoniously shoving a few of the townsfolk out of the way.

"F-franz! He's got Franz!" One of the adults shouted.

As they parted the crowd and reached the end, their jaws dropped at the sight. Lavi and Allen blanched severely, stifling their own screams of horror.

A tall male figure, draped in billowing black cape, was hunched over one of the male villagers, his teeth embedded in his neck.

"I-it's Aleister Crowley!"

A/N: Review please! Thank you! :)