Home Again: Intrusion

Chapter 6: Intrusion In The Heart, Part 3

Tyki's POV

He looked back at Road, who's expectant expression hadn't changed since her entrance into the room, and gave her a simple "no", in response.

"What?!" Road's eyes were ginormous as she gawked at her uncle, seeming to be genuinely surprised. He looked over at Allen's confused expression as the eldest in the room nearly screeched, "But you love hanging out with Allen and me! Come on~!"

AND YOU, he thought to himself, scoffing aloud, smirking at the idea and closing his eyes, hoping that appearing to be attempting to sleep would drive her to give up more easily. Of course I want to go with them, but if something were to happen, I can't be absolutely certain that I'll be able to properly handle it, like Road will. I have to admit, the boy has made me feel somewhat guilty about killing exorcists and all. Besides that... the Earl did say for me to detach myself from Allen.

Earlier, when the Earl was in Tyki's bathroom scolding Tyki, he told him to tread carefully before mentioning that he should distance himself from Allen. When Tyki froze in surprise at the comment, the Earl had said, "You didn't think I hadn't noticed, did you? You've been making excuses for your lack of success but, at the heart of it, you don'twant to succeed, do you? That boy has changed you - and not for the better. Fix it, Tyki Mikk."

Although he told himself that the Earl's assumptions were just that - assumptions - even he knew it was true. He'd fallen so hard for the boy that, now that they were able to spend nearly every moment together, he was beginning to be influenced by the ex-exorcist and to think like him. The Lord Millennium is right. If I don't distance myself from him now, soon, I will betray the Earl.

Tyki's POV

Tyki hovered above Road and Allen as blood dripped from him onto them from the wound Chaoji's new innocence had made in his chest. "Go through the door, both of you. I'll find my way back once I've escaped but we can't fight him like this", he whispered through the blood that filled his lungs. Road continued to stare at him in shock, apparently not registering what he'd said and Allen clicked his tongue before gritting his teeth and looking away, seeming to be conflicted.

"Done talking", Chaoji asked, sounding more confident than the last time they'd encountered each other. Much more confident.

Tyki turned back just as the asian lifted his hand and hundreds of feathers came flying out, like shards of glass or throwing knives. He looked back, bracing himself for the impact just as Allen darted around him, wrapping himself around Tyki's back to shield him from the feathers and Road followed, doing the same to Allen and calling his name faintly. They all closed their eyes, readying themselves.

"What do you think you're doing, Lero", they heard Lero yell frantically. They all opened their eyes as he continued his lecture with, "You two could have been seriously injured, Lero!"

As usual, Tyki thought, You're excluding the boy.... how nice... A bead of sweat dripped down his temple as he somewhat smiled at the sound of Lero's voice. Because if Lero was there, that meant...

The noah of pleasure looked up at the fat clown, who held Lero closed and low with one hand while shielding them with a large ball of black matter using the other hand, all the while glaring down at Tyki. Directly at Tyki.

Allen's POV

The Earl entered the ark first, with a bloody Tyki wincing behind him, Road annoying him in an obvious attempt at cheering him up, and Allen sluggishly walking behind, barely listening to them as the two youngest noah bantered adorably. His arm of innocence was aching terribly, like the veins in it were ready to burst, but he couldn't so much as grit his teeth to ease the pain for fear that the noah would recognize that something was off.

The clown stopped suddenly, causing Tyki and Road to run into his back and bounce off of his plump backside and onto the floor. The noah of pleasure groaned slightly as he hit the ground, clutching his wounded chest and glaring up at the fat obstacle before them. "Eh?! Earl? What's was that? I'm injured, you see", he whined, apparently feeling well enough to act childish even after having his opened wound re-opened.

The Earl said nothing, only standing still for a moment before slowly turning his head back and looking down at Tyki. The mask he wore remained smiling but everyone could feel the anger surrounding him. As he turned away and began to walk, the other two following warily behind, a wave of agony ran through Allen's arm and he began to feel dizzy, as though Neah was attempting to take over his body in his moment of weakness. He clenched his hands into fists and fought to remain conscious and quiet.

"Allen", Road asked, looking back at him worriedly. At her concern, Tyki and the Earl stopped to look back at, though the fat man's turn was a little too eager for Allen.

He looked over the two noah's expression, avoiding eye-contact with the Millennium Earl, before smiling falsely and forcing a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he said, "Sorry, I'm tired - is it obvious? I'm going to bed, then." He ran off to his room without allowing the others to comment or question him.

Tyki's POV

Tyki stepped forward to follow the boy but an extended and babbling Lero stopped him in his tracks. "You're not going anywhere, Lero! Why do you think the Lord of Millennium would allow you to follow that exorcist, Lero?!"

As the umbrella continued to lecture him unceasingly, Tyki looked up at the Earl, pleading with his eyes to follow the one he loves during his obvious time of crises. And, to be completely honest, he thought. I don't think I entirely want the fourteenth to overtake him... What if he takes his soul?

The Lord Millennium's voice was emotionless and stern as he said, "It's time for dinner, Tyki Mikk."

He opened his mouth to protest but closed it before words could exit. Of course... how could I expect him to understand? After all, it's the fourteenth he cares about, not Allen.

Tyki's POV

Moments later, the noah sat around the dinner table, eating as they normally would, though silent due to the news getting around that Tyki was severely injured while attempting to protect the ex-exorcist, and that the two of them were, at the very least, friends. Tyki wasn't entirely sure what they thought their relationship was - or what it was, even - but he knew that they didn't approve by the glares they flashed him at nearly every turn.

As usual, Sheryl had to have his input. After just barely getting into their meal, the man stood from his chair, appearing to be ready to storm out until he stabbed his knife into the table and glared over at Tyki, though clearly directing his concerns at the Earl. "Why are we protecting that exorcist? He's shown no signs lately of becoming the fourteenth, yet you're waiting around for something to happen? Meanwhile, my dear brother is being influenced by that snake!"

Tyki lowered his silverware and glared back at his brother, ready to argue his side until the Earl, himself, cut in. "Sit down, Sheryl", he groaned wearily, sounding tired and emotionally drained.

"Earl", Sheryl began to yell, only to be cut off by the doors to the room flying opened and a white-head of hair casually bobbing in.

They all just looked at up - mostly glares - but Tyki knew something was off once he focused his attention on the boy's eyes. They weren't gold but were calm and confident, something he wouldn't normally expect from him, especially not after running off as though his world was crumbling before him. It was his turn to glare once he recognized the sly grin said boy began to form as he made his way toward the table. With childish delight, he gushed, "Mana~!"