AN: AU, perhaps future events. Many spoilers, up to current arc(ish?). You've been warned! Please review!

They didn't understand. Their innocence was perfectly synced with their bodies.

They could fight without concern that they would injure themselves.

It seemed like the innocence had a protective barrier to prevent a backlash from the ever-increasing power. Krory's power couldn't be used on himself, unless Krory wanted to bite himself (which he doubted would happen anytime soon). Miranda's Time Record protected her to the best of it's ability, not letting anything of lasting harm come to her. Lenalee's boots seemed to obey her thoughts, and would even glow, protecting her from impending harm. Lavi's power with nature didn't come within a certain radius of him. Kanda's Mugen shone every time Kanda touched it, even in battle; Allen could see that there had been an agreement made between master and sword.

But, no. Allen's innocence had to be just as twisted as the Noah inside him.

Now, every time he said "Crown Clown", it felt like Bookman's acupuncture needles digging into the muscle and bone of his upper back, where the cloak barely brushed it. "Edge End" was ten times worse. When he called upon it, he could feel his ligaments tearing, trying to mimic Edge End's movements.

Worst of all was pulling the sword from his arm. The innocence didn't hurt when the Noah was dormant, apparently, but now that he wasn't, where the innocence met the flesh of his shoulder was a juncture that bled, constantly. When he pulled the sword out, his hand gripping the sword burned. The pain left him hesitant to use the sword in battle. The feeling of skin melting off bone tended to do that to him.

The Noah inside him and the innocence were always fighting. His body was their battlefield. And he already knew the outcome that everyone else predicted.

The Noah could control his body, and at times, even his innocence. Obviously, there was a reason to be concerned.

Keep walking. Keep going forward.

As he laid down to sleep, he gave a slight sad smile,

"Forgive me, Mana."