Innocence of the Shadow(A D-Gray Man Fanfic)Wattyawards First Place Winner 2015

Chapter 4

I had no idea who this Hevlaska was and wasn’t expecting anything simple. I stood on the corner of a platform as we made our way to a room. there was two people in white lab coats including Komui and three different exorcists. I only knew two of the exorcists, but the third one kept looking at me ready for a fight.

“What’s the point of this?” I asked.

“You will see.” The strange exorcist said. He was tall, had long dark hair pulled into a ponytail on the back of his head, the exorcist coat, and a sword on his back. I rolled my eyes and waited for us to enter the room we were heading to. Arms grabbed me and lifted me into the air.

“Ko’lae, quickly get off my shoulders.” I said. She opened her eyes and climbed off my shoulders. I held her close to my chest and searched for the owner of the arms.

“I am sorry if I scared you. They only way I can examine innocence is by touch.” A sweet voice said. I looked in front of me and found myself staring into the face of a large woman. She had a clear, blue tint to her and looked like a different breed of creature completely.

“5%. 15%. 25%. 35%. 50%. 60%. 70% synchronization.” her voice spoke. It was slow and deliberate, like she was thinking of what to say before she said it.

“What does she mean?” Ko’lae asked me.

“I’m not sure, Ko’lae.” I replied. I shook my head and felt my feet press against solid ground again.

“Wow, where did the cat come from?” Lavi asked, completely entranced by her instant appearance.

“He didn’t notice me on your shoulders?” Ko’lae asked.

“It appears not.” I chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Allen asked. I smiled at him and shook my head.

“Is he still as stupid as the last time we met?” Ko’lae yawned.

“Be nice Ko’lae.” I said. I looked around and saw everyone staring at me. I realized I said was talking out loud and looked at Ko’lae.

“You can talk to it?” Hevlaska asked me.

“Yes, I can, and her name is Ko’lae.” I said matter of factly. I didn’t care what they thought I was not going to accept them calling Ko’lae and it, she was a cat and my only friend. Ko’lae yawned again and I did the same.

“What’s with your teeth?” Komui asked. I touched one of them with my tongue and felt the hot sticky liquid drip onto my gum.

“I’ve always had teeth like this.” I said wiping my hand along the bottom of my gum. I pulled my finger out of my mouth and looked at the scarlet liquid running down my hand.

“Blood doesn’t bother you?” the strange exorcist asked. I shook my head and lowered my hand to my side, allowing the blood to drip onto the floor.

“Now you need a uniform.” Komui smiled. I rolled my eyes and leaned against the railing of the floating platform. I waited in silence until Lanelee grabbed my arm and led me into a room full of coats and other clothes. I looked at each one until I found only a charm. It was smaller than the normal ones on the coats but it would work perfectly for me. I took off my necklace and switched the charm that was on it for the one I had in my hand.

When I was finished I put my necklace back on and looked at Lanelee.

“Why don’t you wear a coat?” She asked me.

“I need clothes that I’d be able to move in easily, and I know from experience that a coat of that style will be very restricting.” I explained.

“You’ve worn an exorcist coat before?” She asked me, leading me out of the room.

“Once. I was near death when a man in an exorcist coat gave me his coat until I could get to an inn and get better.” I explained briefly. She nodded and led me to the cafeteria. When we entered everything went quiet and everyone looked at me.

“Don’t mind them.” Lanelee sighed, leading me to the counter.

“I’m not very hungry. Thank you though.” I told her, slipping away from her grip and waiting for her. She walked over to me with a tray of coffee and walked out the door. She led me to the science department and smiled.

“Hey guys, coffee.” Lanelee smiled. I helped her hand the cups to each person and noticed Komui looking at me. Without a thought I pulled my hair over my shoulder picked up Ko’lae. She purred as I stroked her back, and I smiled at a few of the looks I was given. Allen walked in and stopped when he saw me. I looked at him and he waved. I nodded my acknowledgment and looked back to Lanelee.

“Lanelee, can you please show me to a room I can use?” I asked.

“Yeah. Follow me.” She replied with a smile. I followed her out the room and down a few halls. She stopped at a door and I saw that the strange exorcist was walking down the hall from the other direction.

“Here you are. You can use this room. I can give you the tour tomorrow if you would like.” Lanelee smiled.

“That would be fine, thank you.” I replied. I opened the door and walked through it. The room was simple, a small bed in the corner, a window looking out at a garden, a desk and chair against the wall, and a closet. I could tell the room hadn’t been used in a while by all of the dust on everything. I shut the door and took the blanket off the bed. A plume of dust filled the air as I shook the blanket then used it to clean off the desk and chair. I wouldn’t really use the closet and pulled the chair over to the window. I sat down and watched the sky.

The stars were blocked off by clouds and I waited for any sound and welcomed the sound of thunder. I smiled slightly when lightning flashed and a melody of rain pounded the window and the world outside.

“It sounds so beautiful.” Ko’lae sighed stretching out on the bed.

“It does.” I agreed shaking my head. We both yawned and I moved myself from the chair. I folded the blanket and placed it on the desk before I laid down on the bed and listened to the rain. I fell asleep to the sound of the raging storm and Ko’lae’s light breathing. The only dream I had was the one of the day I was frozen in time.

The only difference about this time was that I could hear the voice, I still couldn’t understand it, but I could hear the tone and it reminded me of someone I met just yesterday. I woke up to the pounding sound of the storm. It had gotten stronger and I could tell it was still early morning. I was laying on my side and Ko’lae was nestled next to my stomach. I pulled my braid over my right shoulder and relaxed. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep so I listened to the storm rage.