Allen: Wait...is this...?
Hana: Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?
Kanda: -reads through the whole thing- ...hn.
Allen: Er...Yu?
Kanda: Neither these morons own D. Gray-man. Just read. -is now keeping a moyashi at bay, while holding the incomplete manuscript out of said Moyashi's reach-
Allen: C'mon! Lemme see it!
Hana: -confused- Okay then?
... ... ... ...
+ - Chapter 1 - +
Allen doubled checked his calendar, making sure tomorrow wasn't a trick of his imagination. Was it really already the fifth of June? If he was going to get what he ordered, he'd have to get it today...before he lost determination to make his fiancé's birthday a memorial one. Not that the past special occasions...weren't...he shuddered remembering Valentine's day. "Never again."
"Never what again, Allen?" Lavi asked, having been reading on the bed, not seeming to have much a care in the world.
"Lavi...how long were you sitting there for?" Lavi blinked, looking at Allen with a confused single eye.
"Uh...ten minutes? Why?"
"I never changed the sheets...yet..."
"...you never...?"
A shake of his head.
"And I was sitting on...?!"
Nod.
"HOLY HELL, ALLEN! WHY DIDN'T YA TELL ME EARLIER?!" If Kanda were here, he would've strangled Lavi for the outburst. Luckily, the Japanese male was at work. Something about a case that's been getting him on edge as of late. "I thought we were friends! Brothers from different mothers! Two peas of the same pod?!"
"You can stop over exaggerating." Allen finally sighed. "I was lying about that. The mattress was well over eight years old, and I finally got Yu to actually change the blasted thing just the other day anyway, and we hadn't actually done anything...yet."
"What a relief." Lavi sighed. "You know, that whole 'yet', thing reminded me a lot of what Yu would say."
"Is it?"
"It is."
The younger screwed up his face. "I guess he's rubbing off on me."
Lavi's single emerald eye widened. "I could have sworn he was doing more than rubbing!"
"I...won't comment on that." Allen muttered. "Lavi, I have a super important job for you."
"A job?"
"I have a package to pick up, and it may take about an hour or two. By then, Yu should be home."
"So you want me to keep him occupied while you get whatever it is, and hide it from your fiancé's sight." The older concluded. "I can totally do that!"
"Good." Lavi's help would sure make this easier for the boy.
"So?" At the Brit's confused look, the red-head grinned. "What exactly am I picking up?"
"No, YOU are keeping BaKanda from entering this apartment for roughly that long. I'M, going to pick up that package and hide it where he won't find it."
"Darn it." Lavi pouted.
"I bet you thought you'd mess me up?"
"Maybe?" Allen sighed, already feeling a migraine coming on.
"Lavi...I'm begging...just...don't do anything that will piss him off. The case he's been working on is really fraying his nerves."
"Do you know what the case is?"
"He...didn't tell me, really. But whatever it is, it must be taking its toll on him."
"I see..." The elder looked downtrodden, but then quickly perked up. "And I'm guessing whatever you plan on collecting is supposed to cheer Yu-chan up...?"
Allen nodded, smiling slightly. "I'm his fiancé; that's my job."
"To love and to hold, to cherish one another until death do you part, yeah?"
"I think that's after the ceremony." The British male pointed out. "I still hadn't really figured out my vows, honestly."
"You got time. You're tying the knot after you graduate, and at the rate you're going, you'll be graduating with Lena pretty soon." It was easy to forget Lavi wasn't a college student, and the same age as Kanda. Or rather, two months younger. If Allen remembered right, Lavi graduated with Kanda sooner than most their class.
"I guess so."
"I know so."
"Lavi, did you hack into the college data base?!"
"I will neither deny nor prove that statement." The mixed male said with a mischievous grin.
"Lavi!" The boy chastised, pouting. Sure, they were friends and all, but it still felt uncomfortable to have someone checking in on him like that.
However...the temptation to ask was rather strong..."So...uh...how well did I do on that final last semester?"
"You sure you wanna know?"
"Sort of?"
"Good enough! You got high marks, short stack~!"
"Really? And stop calling me that!"
"Yup! You came close to beating Fou, but like in martial arts, she pretty much still kicked your butt."
"How close was close?"
"Eh...you were three points behind."
"Gah! That was close! Just wait, I'll get higher scores than that she-devil!" Lavi laughed at his friend's antics. Fou was around Allen's age, with orange-y hair, and a witty personality. You would think a girl barely Allen's height wouldn't be able to hold her own in a fight...much less against someone who was once an assassin of the NOAH. Imagine everyone's surprise when she took down a guy four times her height. There was no exaggeration in that statement either. "Stop laughing! I'm serious!"
"Sorry little buddy, but knowing Fou, she ain't letting anyone get squat near her place at the top of those classes."
"I'll definitely beat her in my written classes next time!" The boy vowed, glaring at the other.
Lavi grinned. "Just the written?"
"Well..." Allen winced, "If I fought her completely seriously, it'd be dangerous. I mean, I wasn't really trained to leave the opponent alive..." Yet another skill he had that was now absolutely useless.
"Allen, be honest. You didn't hold back, she actually did kick your butt."
"Uh..."
"Fou's stronger than you though, and she's probably one of the only human beings you can fight and go all out with, and STILL end up having your ass served on a silver platter before dinner time of yesterday."
"Why are you too good at finding things out?"
"I'm my gramps's grandson y'know~" Lavi said with prideful glee. "And...I've seen you fighting before. When you hold back and when you don't."
The younger pouted, looking away. "You sound creepy."
"Hey! I'm not creepy!" Lavi nudged the boy to gain his attention. "I'm just incredibly observant and awesome!"
"That's what a creeper would say," the youth muttered with a roll of the eyes.
"Oh little man, you wound my heart like no other!"
"Heart...GAH! Lavi! You have to keep Yu occupied! I'll text you the moment I have the item hidden away somewhere, 'kay?"
"Whoa, okay then, Al."
"You're the best, Lavi!" The younger yelled over his shoulder, already running off.
"Don't get lost!"
"Very funny!" Was the last thing he heard before the door at the entryway of Kanda's flat shut after the youth.
"Well~ seems like I get to keep Yu-chan a little occupied for a bit." he knew exactly where to find the Japanese man in question too.
. . - * - . .
"Komui, for the last time, I'm completely fine now!" Lenalee told her brother for the umpteenth time that day alone. "Honestly, I can walk without a limp...no, I'm not-oh, I'm sorry brother, I have to go now, and I'll talk to you later, bye!" She hung up, and sighed.
"You talkin' to your crazy-assed brother again?" A smaller woman asked, pointing at the device Lenalee was currently holding against her chest. "It's been what, six months now?"
"Six months, yes. But you know Komui, Fou."
The orange-haired female shrugged, over-sized sleeves hanging over her hands. "You know, if my folks could see me now, they'd have a heart attack knowing I married someone like Baka Bak."
"What do you see in him?"
"What he lacks in devilishly good looks, he makes up for it...by...something or other...what the hell do I see in him?"
"My guess his personality, considering that's where you mind keeps going."
"Wisely? What on earth brings you to this convenience store?"
"Buying a snack, I suppose. There's not much else to do in such a place."
"Oi, what did I say about getting into my head, you stupid mind reader?"
"And how many times have I told you, I can't control it?"
"Please no fighting, Mrs. Gretchen is still paying off the shelves you broke last time you fought someone, Fou."
Fou scowled at the white-haired male. "Maybe if a certain bastard wasn't poking around my head..."
"Still can't control it," Wisely muttered. Honestly, why couldn't people understand that half the time? He didn't even want to be able to hear people's thoughts! Especially around that jackass... goddam Yu Kanda. That man's mind made him want to rinse his head out with bleach.
Lenalee sighed, and adjusted her apron. "Would you like to shop pay and get out before Fou gives you a new headache?"
"That would be appreciated." Wisely said.
"Good."
Handing over a couple notes, Wisely frowned, glancing inconspicuously at Fou, then staring Lenalee straight in the eye. "So, how's that new case going?"
"I think you already know I'm working with that ass." Fou muttered. It was only last month when Fou had found out about Wisely's ability. She knew the British man could read anyone's mind, though the way she found out, was perhaps one of the strangest ways she could admit to.
"Well, neither of them are having much luck." Lenalee stated. "But he wouldn't tell any of us what this case was all about. I doubt even Allen knows."
"Never told you? I guess that's for the best." Fou glared over to Wisely, warning him to keep his mouth shut. "Call me crazy, but I get this feeling it'd be dangerous if any of you guys got pulled into it."
"I survived a few hours being Road Kamelot's plaything. What's so bad about this one?"
"They know very little of who they're dealing with." Wisely said. "It seems to be...an impersonation case?"
"More or less." Fou sighed. "Listen, don't get into this. My sixth sense is usually spot on."
"Will do." Wisely said. "I hope you tell them in do time. Before something terribhle happens."
"Why would something terrible happen?" Both Chinese women asked.
"Because if you're trying to find his impersonator, he may be just as dangerous as the real thing."
"Who is this person impersonating?" Lenalee queried, interest piqued.
"Classified information." Both parties answered at once.
"You guys are no fun." Lenalee huffed.
. . - * - . .
"God. Fucking. DAMMIT ALL TO THE PITS OF HELL!" A desk was flipped, and papers were scattered. Wide-eyed in fear, a brown haired german woman had found it wise to stay clear of the Japanese's apparently fury. "I want this fucktard not only behind bars, I want him it a fucking solitary confined cell!"
"You done yet?" A more bored male asked, having been next to the trembling German woman beside him. "Destroying your office isn't going to do you much good, sir."
"Can it, two-spot!"
A brow twitched. "Refrain from name-calling. It's unbecoming of you."
"U-um..."
"What?"
"Kanda, I-I uh...w-well...I-"
"What Miss Lotto means is, perhaps you should go home and rest." Link interrupted. "It's obvious you're only going to be health hazard to the rest of us." Grateful for her colleague, Miranda Lotto nodded.
"What." Cobalt eyes were glaring daggers at both parties, although left the woman being frightened, if only a little by that point, it went ignored by Howard Link.
"You're stressed, angered, and you've been deprived of sleep for god knows how long. That's a triple whammy if I ever saw one."
"Che." Kanda looked away in favour of staring at the papers littering the floor. "There's too much to be done for me to leave now."
"You'll worry Allen if this continues," Link reminded the Japanese man.
There was a moment of pause, before Kanda grabbed his bag from the chair in hung on, and stormed off.
"Where do you think you're going? You're still on duty!"
"You forget. I was promoted after Crowned Clown was "KIA". A promotion I'm abusing by telling you two to clean up my office."
Miranda was flabbergasted, Link was appalled. "Now you listen here, Yu Kanda! I am not, nor will I ever be your office maid. You made this mess, you can clean it up on your own. Miss Lotto, we're leaving."
"A-ah! Y-yessir!"
"Che." Kanda glared at the papers, as though to force them to be willed away. "Fuck it all." He finally grumbled, deciding the sooner he got this done, the sooner he can go back home, and maybe screw his moyashi into next week. If he wasn't up to it? Then fine, spending time was enough. "Baka Moyashi. You're really rubbing off on me."
. . - * - . .
Allen sneezed. "Bless you, child." Anita said with mirth.
"Ugh...I think I might catch a cold or something." He muttered, "Did the package come in? I'm really sorry I had them send it to your place..."
"That was nothing." Mahoja said, the muscly woman eyeing the box with bemusement. "Cross sent things just as queer once or twice while he was still with Anita."
"Oh please! He was obviously drunk."
"I...don't want to know." Allen swore he could feel his stomach trying to give back the lunch he inhaled earlier at the mental images.
"Probably for the best, kid." The larger woman had noted the green in the boy's face. "Y'want the box?"
"Ah! Uh, yeah. Thanks, and sorry again for the trouble."
"I'm sure Kanda will appreciate it to the fullest." Mahoja had to hide her smirk as green quickly shifted to bright red; how the boy's innocence was still that intact even after being engaged to that man for a year was a mystery to her.
"A-ah, yeah..." Innocent...so innocent.
. . - * - . .
Neah stretched, hearing several places in his back pop with the motion. Such peacefulness for him these days. He was well aware he could go back to being "Neah Campbell", however, "Walker" seemed to have grown on him too. "Perhaps I should just refer to myself as Neah Campbell-Walker? Not a bad ring to it, if I do say so myself."
"Pick one or the other, you ain't getting both, moron." Cross's snide remark came from the couch behind him. Neah rolled his eyes, and turned his swivel chair to face the man occupying his own couch.
"What's so wrong with that?"
"Where the hell do I begin?"
Neah grinned, a glint Cross knew only too well on the other man's face. "Well...when our little Allen marries on Yu Kanda, wouldn't he want to be "Walker-Kanda"? Or perhaps "Kanda-Walker"...both are interesting combinations of their last names."
Cross rolled his eyes, though only one could be seen doing so due to the mask still covering half his face. "The brat is going to stay 'Walker'; He's too sentimental to go changing it. And it's going to be annoying if they both look when someone calls the pretty-boy's name."
The other nodded. "True... though I can't believe Allen is going to marry that pervert..."
"Don't turn into Komui on me, Neah." Cross muttered. "Has that Mikk guy been good?"
"Tyki is...Tyki." Neah grumbled. "Why don't you visit him? Lord knows my patience is wearing thin with that bastard."
"I don't have time for people like that," the red-head shrugged, searching for a cigarette. Strange... they were right beside him before...
"I've taken the liberty of disposing of those cancer sticks. They're bad for your health."
"How about you go get me more, and maybe I'll let you keep your balls. If you have them." Neah paled when he heard the tell-tale click of a gun's safety being removed. "And while you're out, I want the most expensive booze this town has to offer, and it has to be aged at least a hundred years."
"You sure you have your bullets though-cho?" A different voice speaks up, seeming bemused by the spectacle. "I think you're losing your touch, Mr. Marian-cho."
"Sachiko?"
"Who now?"
The Japanese woman, smiled, waving at the two men. Her other hand opens to reveal five rounds that should've otherwise been in Cross's beloved gun. "I'm pretty sure your hide is safe, Mr. Walker."
"Campbell, actually." Neah said. "Walker had just been an alias of sorts for my brother and I."
"I think Mana believed he really was a Walker after a while."
"He probably did, especially after adopting Allen," the ex-NOAH sighed.
Meanwhile, Cross' dark eyes narrowed. "Give me back my bullets."
"Whose house do you think you're in-cho?" Sachiko asked, exasperated. "I'm not letting you turn this place into Swiss Cheese-cho!"
"Oh, so this is Miss Sachiko's home, is it?" Neah asked, eying the man with a sneer. "And why, pray tell, are we here?"
Cross leaned back into the couch, still annoyed about his bullets being taken. "Why do you think?"
"Gee, I dunno; that's why I asked," Neah muttered.
The head of brown hair sighed at the two men. "Just keep my humble abode in one piece-cho. And no smoking or booze allowed!"
"God damn little..."
"Don't curse out a young lady, my good sir." Neah mockingly told his friend. "But in all seriousness, what on earth happened to your home? Did you fail to pay your mortgage or something?"
Cross' eye twitched. If only he had his bullets...
"Oh! I get it! Since Allen is living with that pervert, there's no one left to pay the bills!"
"Give. Me. The. Bullets."
"No way in hell, Cross-cho." Sachiko firmly stated.
"And you're too lazy to get a job to pay them off yourself, am I right?" Neah continued, oblivious to the murderous aura being exuded by the other male.
Sachiko sighed. "You're digging your own grave there, Neah-cho."
. . - * - . .
Beethoven's Ode to Joy could be heard in the otherwise silent halls. Sturdy footsteps were set upon the very door for which its occupant was humming from behind. Such an eerie song when hummed at a slower tempo than what it had been intended, the man could almost imagine the famous composer turning in his grave with how off-key one of his masterpieces had become. Being played in A-flat minor, rather than it's intended key of D-Minor.
The sound of it sent chills down the man's spine with the dark ambience of the otherwise relaxing harmony. But he couldn't back down. It wasn't in his nature to not grasp an opportunity when it came knocking.
The man straightened his back, knocking twice, and the 'melody' cut off at once.
"So, I have a visitor, do I?" The man's voice on the other side stated, "Quite unusual, I hadn't been expecting anyone. Much less being a man such as yourself."
Silence.
"I believe I know why you have come. By pardoning me, you'll gain an invaluable piece to your game board. I suppose I'm a bishop then? It should be fitting of a man of God, don't you agree?"
The first ignored the other's questions, narrowing his eyes. For him to work with a man like this made him sick to his stomach, but it would all be worth it in the long run. Besides, it wasn't all that hard to dispose of a person or two with the kind of influence and connections he had.
"Tell me something, my good sir, what are you planning for in the grand scheme of things?"
"Order," the first finally answered, watching as an insane grin tugged at the lips of this obviously sick person.
"Well, I would hope you know what it is you're staking. Being who you are, I would assume that perhaps you're more than willing to bet it all."
"I will bet it all, and I will gain all in the pot by the end of it."
"Mm, we'll see, we'll see, now won't we, dear Inspector?"
"And you? Do you want a front row seat for the beginning of the new world?"
The second man grinned spine-chillingly. "I wouldn't dream of anything less."
... ... ... ...
Hey everyone! I'm once again partnerted with XavierForest, and we've got this wonderful story to share with y'all! Happy reading~
This is the long-awaited sequel to Black over White, and there's so much we have planned in chapters to come ;) Look forward to it! For now, it'll be a once a week update, at leaset until we get closer to the end, I think...anyway, R&R! Show your love for the story, and don't forget to check out the other guy's stuff too! See y'all later!