Chapter 8: On the Way

The coach reached a sleepy port town that was coated in a thick malaise. People walked with a listlessness that formed a thick layer of bodies on the streets. A person could easily be lulled to sleep merely looking into the town. Predominant portions of the buildings were colored in grays and browns that made it difficult to even differentiate the similar designed structures. A prevalent odor of the ocean mixed with musk washed over every portion.

As Minato directed the coach through the streets, very few of the pedestrians gave them any mind. Each person was absorbed in their own little world and had no time for others.

Elizabeth made her way to Minato and wrapped her arms around his neck and whined about the surroundings, "What a very dull avenue of our little adventure. I believe now would be a good time to paint the town red as the expression goes. Yes a dab of color here and there will improve things most definitely, perhaps a blue for the ocean?"

"I don't think the people would appreciate it, but I suppose things do look a little repetitive. Well if you become a city planner your work would turn a lot of heads."

Elizabeth nuzzled her cheek against his with a delighted smile, "I love how you flatter me so."

And he loved the feel of her body pressing against him so he supposed they did good work on making each other happy.

Their destination, as provided by Lenalee, was the port that took over most of the east side of the town. People were much more active but equally restrained as they set the different ships for sailing.

"Oh I will miss you ever so severely. Already the dregs of regret and nostalgia make me weepy eyed. Do take care of yourself. I shall never forget you even if our paths never cross again!" exclaimed Elizabeth has she pulled Lenalee into a strong hug that lifted the other girl of her feet.

"Please be careful with your strength, Elizabeth. She doesn't look too good," Minato cautioned. Lenalee's eyes were beginning to look dull and her expression grew paler. He was rather used to the nature of Elizabeth's hugs but Lenalee had no such experience to fall back on. One had to have utter control of their facilities to withstand the well meaning onslaught. It was something of an art he had learned to excel at, because well he wasn't going to stop her from her spontaneous hugging. He enjoyed her lathering him in physical affection and attention. If others couldn't handle it, then it was more for him and everyone was happy.

Elizabeth giggled apologetically and released the poor girl from her clutches. Sheer relief flooded Lenalee's features as she shot him the most grateful look he had ever seen. Making a poor attempt in masking his amusement, he gave a more casual sendoff with a wave of his hand.

Considering the fact that she was part of the Cross' organization, he doubted that this would be the last time they would meet. Still, she had been pleasant company all the same.

Lenalee returned the wave with gusto and shot the two of them a wide and friendly smile. She thanked them for all of their help and wished them the best. Spinning around, she made her way to one of the ships on the harbor.

The ship was surrounded by individuals with similar clothing. They huddled around Lenalee, nearly blocking her from their sight. An air of distrust radiated from the group and was directed squarely at them. Lenalee made placating motions and the group moved towards the ship.

Leaving the town was as quiet and unnoticed as their entry. Elizabeth stared out onto the passing town. During moments like this, Minato became far more aware of the maturity beneath her eyes. She relished in new experiences to diminish her ignorance but she had an adept understanding of other matters that always astounded him.

"The girl is a sweet child if not troubled. She places her world in others and should they slip through her fingers, she will collapse with no true foundation within herself. It is a sad thing," she said in a mournful sigh.

"No one can live in isolation," he said feeling a need to defend Lenalee's supposed stance.

"Perhaps, but one can persevere. One must derive worth in themselves as well. Willpower has always been one of the strengths of humanity. She is not unlike you. You draw literal power from your relationships from others. Is it not true that you nearly fell into despair over the possible demise of your friends? Even now you rush to leave this reality because you are without your friends? Would it not be prudent to lay down greater foundations of security to protect your venture in this world and not rush into your plans?"

Minato clenched the reins as he kept his silence. As much fun as he was having with Elizabeth, he couldn't deny his desire to be with the rest of his friends again. They had pulled him out of the dreary life he had lived since losing his family. Losing another family was too much for him.

What did Elizabeth want him to do? Should he embrace the cruel separation from his friends? Did he not deserve to be part of the world he fought so hard to protect? He held no disdain for this world or its inhabitants but this just wasn't his home.

Did that make him weak in Elizabeth's eyes? It shook his spirits far more than he cared to admit. Losing her esteem at this point would be devastating.

Elizabeth rested a soft hand upon his trembling fist until it stilled. "Oh dear, please forgive me, I have once again failed to read the mood as it were and hurt your feelings. Make no doubt that I do not speak to belittle but to understand. If nothing else do not doubt my love for you Minato Arisato. Your deep capacity to care does you a service. You need only temper your flames to a focused point."

Elizabeth sealed her words with a passionate yet soft kiss. Minato could hardly focus on the road as he leaned in to return the gesture. The kiss lit a yearning and he wanted to indulge in her affections. Warm and soft lips had him fully enraptured. When they separated, his eyes lingered on hers. She softly combed through his hair and slid her fingers down his head and caressed his cheek. The heat of his cheeks grew from her ministrations. Aware of his state of mind she giggled in a near sensual manner and gifted him a light kiss to his cheek.

"Good, your heart has calmed down. What a devious woman I am to play with your heart so. You must endeavor to fight against my playbook of schemes and seductions before you are trapped in the web of my machinations," she said with a smug smile that was far too cute for the subject matter.

A soft laugh escaped his lips.

"I find this most intriguing. A simple kiss holds the power to sway you so. Alas I am not above its effects either. The kiss was a morsel that whets my appetite for more. Though I wonder if a kiss is such a powerful thing that tunnels my feelings and wishes to you or is it because I am sharing a kiss with you that it holds such power? No do not answer me, my heart is quite clear on the manner," she said with a confident expression.

"So what is the status of our most convincing disguises? I can hardly wait to don my false wardrobe and I didn't even have to wait for All Hollow's Eve."

"I finished the sewing," he explained. He had sewn clothing as close to the uniforms he had seen on Cross, Lenalee and others of the organization that he had gotten close to. Hopefully it would fool the necessary individuals long enough for them to gain information on the Innocence of time. Considering the time period, record keeping shouldn't be as reliable as it was in his old world. His fingers ached at the thought of shifting through catalogs of journals or the like.

"Wonderful. It's all according to plan!" She rubbed her hands in a manner that was much more charming than she probably expected.

Minato hummed in agreement. Though there was one more point of interest he wanted to bring up, "You know I've never been on a traditional train before. How about we take a nice scenic trip after we see what we can find on the Innocence?" Keeping his eyes forward, he attempted to make it all seem like a causal suggestion born from a whim.

"What a splendid proposition. I shall put my all into assuring our success."

Seeing the broad smile on her lips, he knew he had made the correct choice. His bond to Elizabeth was just as valuable as those he built with his comrades. Their dates had been one of many experiences in the previous year of his life that pulled him from his bleak outlook of life.

Before meeting all of his cherished ones, he wasn't truly living. He was tossed between distant family members like a particularly tacky knick knack no one was brave enough to outright throw away. Elizabeth bored straight into his life with the contrasting belief that the world was full of mundane wonders.

Despite all of this, he had begun to neglect her of all people. He had left it all to her to keep the relationship alive. She had even had to drag him away to spend time with her and he had the audacity to drag his feet and try to get back to his self-appointed mission back to rush back home. All he was doing was averting his eyes from the truth like he once did. Getting comfortable meant he had time to think and accept the possibility that this was his life now. This disturbing world where monsters weren't limited to a single hour a day could be his new reality. It was a scary thought, but one he had to accept.

He loved Elizabeth and the last thing he wanted was to make her feel just as unwanted as his own guardians had made him feel. It was disappointing that Elizabeth had to spell it out to him so bluntly. Maybe he gave himself too much credit when he believed himself mature enough for her. All he could do now was to be better and hold more meaningful consideration towards Elizabeth.

"So, shall you serenade me with the sweet songs of conspiracy?" she asked in a merry tone as she swayed to some ominous humming.

"The main plan is to find more information on the Exorcist organization as well as the records of the time Innocence if possible. Our destination is the Asia branch which should hold the records we're looking for.

We'll enter the branch under the guise of you as an exorcist and me as a finder. If necessary, we'll use Cross' name to smooth things over. Your job will be to run distraction while I infiltrate as a finder. "

"I see. Our poor victims will believe you the fodder when in actuality you are the cunning snake that will slither through their very halls with your own Innocence to boot. What a cruel fate to befall them," she punctuated with an overly impressive stage clap.

Minato nodded, "I suppose you can put it like that. Hopefully I'm able to sneak into whatever records they have to get a better idea on the strengths of the organization as well as a means to their information. If all this falls through, you'll have to extract us by any means necessary."

"By any means necessary?" she questioned with increasing interest.

Said growing interest told him that he should not give her such free range, but her growing excitement and smile prevented him from doing the smart thing. Helplessly, he nodded, "Yes."

"Excellent," she exclaimed with a smile that promised all sorts of mayhem.

Minato hastened Unicorn towards the Asian branch. Hopefully things would go smooth enough.