Dancing The Waltz

DGM

Chapter 1

NOTE: The first and second chapter may not be too good or as well as the later chapters. I'd appreciate your reviews, comments, so I know what you think of them to see if I need to edit them or redo it. Take of a section or something.

Nella's Rare Mood

10 years ago. . . . . . . . . . .

Allen shook Mana repeatedly, but got no response. He lied there, bleeding and unmoving. Allen cried and sniffled, disregarding the men standing behind him, in the way, So no light shone on him and Mana. Allen could barely see anything. Only Mana's face. Moments ago Mana spoke, but now nothng came out of his mouth. No sounds, no words. All silence. "Is the boy next?" one of the men asked.

"But he's a child. He won't live through it. He would need a miracle. We should kill him now." another man said.

"That may be so, but the Earl told us to put him through the experiment. We have no choice." the third man said.

"Why does he even call it an experiment?" the second man asked.

"Because they are experiments." the first one said.

"We should start now. Before the child gets any ideas." the third told them.

Allen felt someone pick him up and pull him away from Mana. He screamed, kicked, and struggled, but all was in vain. They wouldn't let him go. No matter how hard he tried to get free, he was too weak. Then he was pinned down on a cold metal table. His hands and feet were strapped down. The men released him and Allen looked up at a bright white light. Mana warned him of the dangers. He warned him of the path they took, but Allen continued to live with him. He trained, he practiced, he learned, he watched, and did as told. He has seen death many times, but now that he lost his only family, his only friends, he could no longer hold back the tears. They rolled down his face and blurred his vision. "Mana... Mana..."

The men looked down at him and pushed the hair out of the way, away from his face. One of them closed his left eye and the first man held an odd shaped branding iron over his eye. He pressed it down and Allen screamed as it engraved on his skin. After a minute or so they let him go and he sturggled in the straps, moving around and trying to touch his throbbing, searing eye. He felt someone grab his left arm and push the sleeve up. He looked at his left arm, but then he blacked out as a needle entered his veins.

A few hours later he woke up as the men were unstrapping him. He acted on insctinct and kicked them. Despite the pain he was sufferng, he ran and ran until he found an exit, ignoring the people chasing him. They were shocked by his speed considering his condition, and they thought he was dead an hour ago, but he ran like there was no tomorrow. If caught, though, there probably wouldn't be a tomorrow for him. "Damn it, he got free." a man said, running outside into the rain, looking around the dark, but spotting no one.

"What are we going to tell the Earl?" another man asked.

"The kid will be dead soon. There's no chance of survival. Not in this city. Not for someone like him. We'll just tell him he's dead. By morning it'll be true."

"Don't lie to Master." Lulubell said from behind.

Everyone turned around to stare at her. Her finger was playing with a strand of hair, frowning. "Lulubell, I'm sorry. The kid woke up and managed to escape."

"It's not a big deal Lulubell. You heard them, he has a low chance of survival. There is no way he is going to live in this city. Not for much longer. He was bleeding so much. He'll die of blood loss if no one kills him." Sheryl said.

"Still, the child is not ordinary." Lulubell said.

"Not ordinary, yes, but considering the circumstances, he won't go far. He'll die." Sheryl retorted.

"Very well. We'll tell master and see what he thinks." Lulubell told him and left them.

"Thank you Sheryl." one of the men said.

Sheryl glanced at them, but sighed, following Lulubell. "Wait for me Lulu!"

Allen looked around the corner and the people left. The door closed and no light came down the alleyway. He took a deep breath and stumbled down the nearly empty streets. Anyone who looked at him stepped out of the way and ignored him. "Theres no place for someone like me, they say, but they don't know me like you do, Mana. They underestimate me. I will live. Like you told me. I will walk forward... Father." Allen whispered.

10 years later. . . . . .

Nella stared out the class window with pensive thoughts. He tilted his head to the side and sighed a weary sigh. "Mr. Reklaw, pay attention." Mrs. Dudley scolded.

Nella looked at her and half the class snickered. He knew that she was trying to get his attention for the last ten minutes, but didn't care. Not right now. Class was almost over anyways. "Nella Reklaw, I understand you're one of the few advanced students taken out of high school to the college classes here at Mater University, but please pay attention." Mrs. Dudley said.

"I was paying attention." Nella told her with a small, sheepish smile.

"Then eyes forward so I know you are." Mrs. Dudley said.

"I don't see why we need to really learn anything. Today's the last day of school. We all took our tests and we all passed except for a handful. All I know is I'm not one of them and I have nothing to worry about. So what is there to learn?" Allen responded.

"Do you want to test my patience today? This is your last class of the day and my last class as well. I lost most of my patience with the earlier classes with a few other advanced students like yourself." Mrs. Dudley said.

"We're called Knights. Silly as it is, it's easier to say." Nella said.

"I think it's improper to call you that and leave out the rest. It's discrimination!"

"Knight means, Knowledge Nature, Intellectual Genes, and High Talents. It's not a discrimination. It's a program. If you have a big problem, go talk to the minister who issued it. Don't take it out on me just because none of your kids got into it." Nella said sweetly, but purposely aggravating her.

Normally, he wouldn't do something like this, but today was not the day. It's a yearly thing. He gets grumpy, mean, and cocky. Mrs. Dudley deserved it though. Because all three of her children did not make it, she hated everyone in the Knight program. Thus, she discriminated them. Nella was one of the main victims. "I know what it means Mr. Reklaw."

"Great." Nella told her with a false smile and stood up as the bell rang. "Have a terrific summer."

Nella exited the room and walked down the hall. He got into his dorm and picked up his bags. He quickly left the room and went outside. Mrs. Dudley was directing some students to certain areas, but caught a glance of Nella and glared at him. She was probably hoping he never came back to this school. Unforunately for her, he's coming back next year. "Nella! Why you leaving so fast? Wait up man!" Chip shouted as he ran after him.

Nella stopped and Chip ran right past him. Coming to a halt, he turned around and panted, looking at his friend. He was a Knight as well. "Hey Chip." Nella mumbled.

"Aren't you going to stay for awhile. There's a party tonight at Anita's bar-saloon place. Whatever it is, all the Knights are going and so are other kids, people, and maybe some celebrity." Chip said.

"There's not going to be a celebrity." Nella said bluntly.

"You never know man." Chip said.

"I'm not the party type, Chip. I didn't go to any of the dances or any after school activity. Remember?" Nella replied.

"Unless we forced you." Cyrus, a freshman college student, said as he approached them.

"Which was three times at most. No thank you." Nella said.

"Come on. You know Anita and her parties are amazing." Heath, another freshman college student, told him.

"I got to get home." Nella said.

"For what?" Chip asked.

"To pay rent." Nella said.

"You can do that tomorrow. Your rent isn't due until Monday anyways." Heath said.

"How do you know that?" Nella asked.

"You left your bills in the dorm. Glanced through them." Heath said, handing him the bills.

Nella snatched them away from him and stuck them in his bookbag. "I'm not going."

"And why not?" Cyrus queried.

"Because I don't want to. I dislike parties in the first place. Besides, it may not be a bar entirely, but it sells alcohol. I'm not a big fan." Nella told them.

"Please, you drank alcohol last time Nella. Though, you're underage. I still can't believe you snuck that by Anita and Mahoja." Chip rejoindered.

"Today is just not the day and it's still a party. It'll be crowded. You know I do not like big crowds."

"Why? You claustrophobic?" Heath inquired.

"No."

"Because of your eye and hair?" Cyrus asked.

"No."

"Then what is it?" Chip demanded.

"I just don't like big crowds. I avoid them if I can. There's no reason. I prefer to be alone. That's all." Nella told them.

"It's the last day of Knght college. Of school. For three months. This is a special occasion. Especially since you passed the five year Knight program. You only got two years left!" Chip told him.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?" Nella asked.

"No." they said.

"Fine. Let's go." Nella responded.

Nella sat in a booth in Anita's restraunt. He tipped his head back and tapped his foot to the music. His right arm went around the top of the booth's seat and his his fingers came up, then one at a time fell down on the velvet-like cushions. His other gloved hand held a glass and gently moved so the liquid moved in a circular motion. He stared at the ceiling endlessly. "Why am I here?" he asked himself.

"Are you going to do that all night? It's only 8:30. The party began a half hour ago." Buffy, Heath's girlfriend, asked.

"I'm here, isn't that enough?" Nella responded.

"We want you to have fun." Heath said, leaning back and putting an arm around Buffy. "Since you always look bored."

"In school. I have more fun typing away on a computer or a walk in the park. I have different ways with entertaining myself. And not all classes bore me." Nella said.

"Then do something." Cyrus ordered.

"You're sitting here doing nothing just like me." Nella retorted.

"Because of you." Chip muttered.

Nella drank the last of his water and put the cup on the table. He looked at Anita's counter booth where all the alcohol was and a soft sigh escaped his mouth. One small drink couldn't hurt. He wasn't too big on it, but he could use something to loosen him up today. It was rare for him to get one anyways. He's only had two other drinks before. Afterall, he is only nineteen. It wasn't like he was the only teen that did so anyways, but it did go against his every nature.

Nella stood up and began to walk away from his friends. As he paced towards the bar, he looked at the small casino and the poker players. He looked away from it and towards the party where people were dancing and having fun at the party side of the bar/ restruant/ casino. This place was practically everything wrapped up into one with a bow on top. "Nella!"

Nella turned his head and stared at a large group of large men. "May I help you?"

"Yeah, you can say that." the head honcho said, cracking his knuckles.

"Uh-oh." Chip said, sitting up straight. "They're back. With more men."

"I swear, Nella gets in so much trouble because he plays too much poker." Heath said.

"I'm starting to think it's more than poker." Cyrus remarked.

"Shouldn't you go help him out?" Buffy asked.

"Do you see the size of those men? No way in hell!" Chip told her.

"He's your friend." Buffy said.

"We'll be killed." Cyrus said.

"What kind of friends are you?" Buffy asked.

"He took care of Hans last time. So what if he has ten more guys with him?" Chip replied.

"Guys!"

"Where's my money Nella?" Hans asked.

"I don't owe you anything." Nella said.

Nella started to walk away, but Hans grabbed his arm. Nella narrowed his eyes and glared at him. "I'm warning you, today is not the day."

"No kidding shorty." Hans said.


Lavi gulped down a whole glass of soda and put it down on the table. "Ahhhhh, that's the stuff. More Anita! Please!"

"You're going to get sick if you drink too much. You already had twelve glasses." Anita said.

"Nah."

Kanda rolled his eyes and finished his tea. Lenalee laughed as Lavi swallowed more soda and Bookman mumbled something. Anita shook her head and looked away. Then her eyes fell on Nella who was in one of his rare fowl moods. Then she reconized Hans and his minions. The group followed her gaze and Lavi stood up. He was about to go help the kid, but then Nella freed his arm. He started to walk away until Hans went to punch him. "Nella!" Buffy shouted.

Nella took a step to the side and dodged with ease. He grabbed Hans arm and flipped him over on his back. His back-up men started to attack, but Nella easily dodged their punches. He just countered with a few punches himself. Some passed out with one hit and others fell down or stumbled backwards. He grabbed one of the men's arm and bent it back behind him and looked at the others. He pinched the man's neck in the right spot and he fell unconscious.

Nella felt someone put their arms around his neck and torso, trying to squeeze him to death. He looked up and grinned. The man was obviously confused by this, but Nella head butted him, causing the arms to loosen a little. Just enough for him to get free and kick him in the face. Nella stared at the three other men as they came towards him, but he merely jumped up and placed a hand on one of their backs, jumping over them with a flip and landing on his feet. He turned back around and took a few swings then they were out cold. Hans stood up behind him and placed a gun on the back of Nella's head. A few gasps filled the air. "I'm not going to let you get away again." Hans said gruffly.

Nella turned around and grabbed his arm as fast as possible. He kneed Hans and hit his hand on a pillar nearby as hard as possible, causing the gun to drop. He pushed Hans back and picked up the gun, pointing it at Hans. The others stood up, regaining consciousness from their short naps, and eyed him with caution. "Leave now." Nella ordered.

Hans' men ran out, but Hans stayed. "You wouldn't dare."

Nella aimed at his hand and pulled the trigger. Hans cried out and Nella pushed him into the wall, placing the gun on the side of his head. "Try me."

"You wouldn't kill me. You're too innocent and too nice." Hans said with confidence.

"I told you, today is just not the day. Get your sorry ass out of here now." Nella seethed.

Hans flinched as the gun was pushed closer to his head and stared into Nella's eyes. Whatever was wrong with Nella today, it made him different. He had killer eyes right now. He meant business. Hans ran out while holding his bleeding hand. Nella threw the gun out the window, not caring where it landed. "Nella!" Anita shouted, standing behind him now.

"I wasn't going to kill him Anita." Nella told her, turning around.

"You shot him! You could be thrown in jail for just that." Anita said.

"I won't." Nella assured.

"What got into you today Nella?"

"It's just not my day."

No one heard what Anita said to Nella and not many cared. They went back to the party or to their games as if nothing happened. Anita shook her head for the second time that day and went off to serve other tables. Lenalee stared at Nella with curiosity as he talked to the bartender about giving him a small glass of wine or whiskey. Perhaps sake. She couldn't quite hear. The woman bartender seemed reluctant, but did as asked, making sure Anita or Mahoja wasn't looking. Lenalee assumed he was underage. He definitely looked like it. "Bookman, do you know who he is?" Lenalee asked.

"The sprout is a show off." Kanda stated.

"Like you're an better Yuu." Lavi said, sitting down.

Kanda's fingers twitched as he reached for a gun, but didn't need to hear anything from Anita, so he didn't bring it out. "No Lenalee, but if I'm correct, he's a Knight at Mater University." Bookman said.

"A Knight? Really? But he looks twelve years old!" Lavi said.

"Looks aren't everything Lavi." Bookman said.

"He may be of some use." Lenalee said.

"We don't need him." Kanda said automatically.

"Ooooh, Yuu's jealous!" Lavi mocked.

"Call me that one more time." Kanda hissed, putting his gun on Lavi's knee.

"Come on, he could be good. I'd liked to see him in action." Lenalee said.

"Didn't Komui say we were suppose to replace Neil with a woman? He didn't want another boy." Bookman said.

"So? He's just trying to protect my innocence." Lenalee said, folding her arms.

"Fine then. Go catch him." Lavi told her.

Lenalee smiled and stood up. Nella was sitting down in a chair as she approached and sat own beside him. He poured some kind of clear alcohol in a glass and took a sip, taking one glance at Lenalee. He paid the bartender real quick and looked Lenalee over from head to toe. He continued to stare at her with some kind of unknown look in his eyes. He then looked away and took another sip. He was going to regret this later. "Can I help you Miss. Lee?" Nella asked.

"How do you know me?" Lenalee asked.

"Violet eyes and green hair with pigtails. Komui Lee's little sister's evident description. There's no doubt about it, and your answer was a dead give away." Nella said.

Lenalee felt stupid all of a sudden. He outwitted her from a moment's glance. Of course he would know. There was word about her at Mater because Komui often helped the school and bragged abou her. So Bookman was right. He was a Knight. "How old are you?" Lenalee asked.

"Why would I answer that?" Nella asked.

"I was just curious. Didn't mean to pry." Lenalee replied.

"Right. What do you want?" Nella asked, spinning around to stare at her.

"I want you to join a gang." Lenalee said.

Nella's tongue ran over his teeth and the roof of his mouth. He smiled and laughed a little, shaking his head as he spun back around then grabbed his glass. "What's a pretty little girl like you doing in a gang?" Nella queried.

Lenalee went to kick him on the back of his head, but he raised his arm and defended himself with much ease, regarding the fact she kicked with so much force, it was amazing. "Don't underestimate me." Lenalee said, lowering her leg.

"I wasn't underestimating you. I asked, what a pretty little girl was doing in a gang?" Nella clarified.

"Because I am. The reasons don't matter. Not all gangs are bad y'know?" Lenalee responded.

"I know that, but you're not the first to ask me to join their gang Miss. Lee." Nella said.

Lenalee raised a brow and spun her chair to look at him clearly. White hair and a tattoo on his left eye. His left hand had a glove and the right hand didn't. "You're in a gang already?"

"Not a chance. As for your request, not bloody likely." Nella answered.

"My gang isn't bad." Lenalee tried coaxing.

"Do you kill?"

"Sometimes." Lenalee whispered.

"I despise gangs and anyone in them, Miss. Lee." Nella mumbled, staring at his glass of alcohol.

"Don't call me Miss. Lee when you're around my age since you're a Knight at Mater." Lenalee said.

"How do you know that? You don't even know my name." Nella told her.

"I know someone who recognized you, but doesn't know who you are."

"Huh, figures. It seems being a Knight is a big deal." Nella muttered, standing up. "I only took the offer to get me out of school as fast as possible. With that, I learn everything from high school, take college courses, and learn things for my career choice. I only have to participate for seven years and I'm done. That way, I pass high school faster and college at the same time. Does that answer your unspoken question?"

"You seem smart. Maybe too smart for someone like you."

"You don't know my type and I'm sorry if I'm coming off wrong, but I'll tell you what I've been telling everyone. Today is not the day. I act rude and cocky. Normally, I'm quite the gentlemen, a kind person, but not today." Nella said and turned his back on her, pacing himself back to his friends.

"Is that your opinion? Or everyone else's?" Lenalee questioned, standing up. "You just took out ten, maybe eleven men, five times your size, and frightened them. All on your own. Without a struggle. The gun didn't even faze you either."

"Everyone's opinion, but I really am courteous, the perfect gentlemen-mostly to the the blind eye." Nella told her.

"What do you mean 'To the blind eye'?"

"No one ever knows me. The whole me. They know only half. You see, in my opinion, I'm dangerous."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true."

"Why do you despise gangs? Especially if you know they're not all bad." Lenalee questioned.

Nella stopped walking and bit his bottom lip, thinking melacholony thoughts of his past. He mentally shook his head and took a small sip of his drink. He really needed it tonight. Thinking like that makes him seem old. "Ten years it's been." he uttered to himself.

Lenalee huffed and stuck her hands on her hips. He just stood there, unmoving and silent. Little did she know the pain he was feeling. "You'll be a great asset to us. Please join." Lenalee said.

"I'd rather stick nine inch nails through each of my eyes." Nella told her.

Lenalee rubbed her temples. "Time for plan B." she whispered.

Lenalee walked up behind him and hugged him, placing her head on his shoulder, smiling, and looking at him. Nella turned his head half way around and stared at her. His friends and her friends leaned forwards. Lavi's jaw dropped and Bookman's eyes widened a little. As for Nella's friends, they seemed curious, but knew who she was. So they were a bit worried. Anita and Mahoja caught this and stared, mouths opening a little. "What are you doing?" Nella inquired.

Lenalee used one of her fingers to trace circles on his shirt. Her eyes matched her smile. Dreamy, innocent, and warm. Lively. Nella remembered a time when he once acted like that. Happy, but it doesn't come often anymore. "How 'bout we try something else? You join and maybe we could work something out. How's that sound?" Lenalee asked seductively.

She acted like a pro. Like she did this before. He figured she probably has. Only, not with a boy like him, but in a different way with her brother. Nella gazed at her face and lovely eyes then looked away, grinning. He turned around and she let go of his torso. He began to walk forward and she walked backwards until her back hit the counter. He put the glass down and set his left hand on the counter. He used his other hand to put under her chin to make her look into his gray-blue, silver- gray, eyes. He got close to her face and smirked. His thumb touched the side of her lips then pushed some hair out of the way. After that, it moved back down to her chin and his thumb gently running over her lips.

Lenalee gulped, lost in his wondrous eyes. There was warmth, humor, sadness, loneliness, fun, caring, they were soft. So many mixed emotions. Anger and sadness, warmth and sincerity. She could feel his breathing on her skin. Her hands were on his chest to keep some space between them. Thus, she felt the warmth of his touch, his skin. She could smell his scent and it wasn't bad. It was nice. So good. Not even Lavi's calogne couldn't come close to a competition with it. She didn't smell alcohol come from his mouth. He must not of had enough just yet. Then his hand was gentle and smooth, almost like velvet. It felt good. His smile was fake, she could tell, but it was like sunshine on a rainy day. It was warm and gentle. Like everything else about him so far. "You're seducing me." Lenalee said.

"You were seducing me moments ago. You brought this upon yourself. Let it go, but no. We can't do that, can we?" Nella said huskily.

"What happened to being a gentlemen?" Lenalee asked.

"I answered that a second ago."

"But you're doing this on purpose. Not accident."

"Because you tried seducing me while bribing me. There's just one flaw, I would have to be stupid to fall for your fake seduction. Mainly because you're Komui's little sister. It's not that he scares me, or that he's a threat, but I don't have the patience nor the time to deal with his overprotective insanity. Not only that, you are not my type. And one more thing, quit throwing yourself at men before you get hurt little girl." Nella said bitterly, but she could see he meant well. That he was trying to turn her off. So she doesn't get involved, but with what? "Got it?"

"This is the first time I tried this objective." Lenalee stated.

"Why so desperate?"

"My friends are being captured by an enemy, another gang. It started three days ago. Now we lost many of our friends and some have been killed. Soon they'll go after some of our more important members with much success. I know it's a trap, that they're trying to draw us in, but if we have someone else, someone new, someone they don't know about, we'll be fine. That's where you come into the picture." Lenalee said.

"And how many know this?"

"Everyone in my gang. I really need your help. Whether I know you or not, I know talent when I see it." Lenalee told him.

"It's not talent, it's skills."

"And you're young and seem to know plenty. Why is that?"

"That's for me to know and for you to figure out."

"Who are you?"

"That's for me to know and you to figure out."

"What's with that mark? Your hair? Why are you 'acting different today' as you say?" Lenalee asked.

"That's for me to know and you to figure out." Nella repeated.

"Get a new line."

"What do you want from me?" Nella asked.

"Your assistance. Just for a little while."

"No. I don't know you. You don't know me. Also, I'm too dangerous to be around you. In more ways than one."

"You keep saying that. Why?"

"That's for me to know."

"And for me to figure out, right?"

"No."

"Please help me. I'll do anything. Pay you if I have to."

"As tempting as that sounds, I have other things to do. I'm in no gang and never will be. I suggest you leave and forget me. Whatever you saw or heard today, forget it." Nella told her.

"No way."

Nella let her go and grabbed his drink. He backed up and she folllowed him until he stopped. "What?" Nella asked.

"You could tell me your name. You owe me that." Lenalee said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you know mine and about my brother." Lenalee said.

"But not about you. Just the fact that you're in a gang." Nella responded.

"It'll put us on even grounds." Lenalee said.

"I don't see why it matters." Nella said, looking away from Lenalee and giving a soft, dreary sigh. "But I suppose it couldn't hurt. It would proper. My name is Nella Reklaw. Bye." And with that, Nella left her and went back over to his friends.

Cut! I hope you all like this. Please review and if you read my other stories, some of them I'm stopping or pausing for now. Writer's block for some of them or I see them boring or I can't write chapters anymore. Thank you for reading and please review.

Yan Luna4373