Okay. My first D.Grayman fic. It shall be quite a story. So, please R&R. If you say that I imply any pairings in this story(not so much this one, but in chapters to come)…….I will find your house, and pour hot tea all over your computer. I have a large supply of hot tea right now. Along with some pumpkin pie, which I sadly cannot share with this one friend of mine (kudos, Carimailskittles. I do the caps wrong. Oh well.) I can't share it with her unless she dies of my infecting randomness. Which I seem unable to put into my stories  Darn. I can't be funny like the Ed's Balomi writer. Anyway, I would dedicate this story to my friend Wreakhavoc, but she doesn't know this series, and that is kinda useless. Dedications are coming, so do not fear! Enjoy the first chapter. And REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I luvs U all.

All credit for this series goes to the animation studio (I dunno) and the original manga-ka; Hoshino Katsura

The Dark

Chapter One

Were you ever afraid of the dark?

Allen strode down the crowded street as the beginning of a rainstorm dripped polka dot patterns of the gray pavement. The rush of people trying to get indoors scared flurries of wild autumn leaves into a mad dance around the feet of pedestrians. With a small sigh, Allen pulled up the hood on his exorcist jacket, running his hand through his starlight colored hair. No one was waiting for him at the lonely Inn.

When you were a small child…what did you fear?

Rinali stared at the lowering sky, hoping the heavens wouldn't open up just yet. It looked to be a bad one, and she wanted to get into town as soon as possible. If the city gate guards would just let her in…..

Did you hear the things outside your door at night?

With a small splash, Allen stepped into the street, the ever present puddles a token of many days' rain. If he could choose any moment in time…….that could last forever…….when would it be?

Did you see the shadows that were cast by nothing?

"What a dangerous game we play, don't you think? You can never guess who you might see walk out to dispatch some small fry one day, and then come back dead the next."

"Well, that's why I try to keep on good terms with everybody. Heh. But, you know, no matter how hard I try, it seems impossible with you, Kanda."

"Damn right. It's gonna stay that way. No stuffed up rookie who thinks he has the right to be all high and mighty because he is a parasite type will ever be on good terms with me."

"Man, that's a little harsh, don't you think?"

"No….."

Did you watch the fickle ripples on the pond?

"Ha ha. People are funny, and great comedians too. But, if you can answer a riddle, I won't laugh at you. Here it is-"

"The one who made it didn't want it."

"Oh. It's hopeless. The rain will come before I can get into town." Rinali plopped down on the ground next to her travel bag. "WHY won't you let me in?!?!"

"Sorry, miss. No can do. There's been some strange stuff happ'nen 'round these parts. The gate is closed past four O' clock."

"But, my information said that this town was really safe! What is going on?" Rinali glared frustration up at the gate keeper.

"Well….I ain't supposed to tell anybody…."

"The one who bought it didn't need it."

It's raining on me. Somehow, it isn't so bad. I feel this way all the time. Foul and damp. It always feels this way. How many people have been killed….because I didn't do my job right? If I try to count….all I know is the ones that I've seen. It doesn't work for me. Well. Get to the Inn, get dry. Do your job the best you can. Exorcist.

"The one..."

Rinali gazed at the gate guard in horror. Allen was in that town. And he didn't know.

"Please let me in! now more than ever! My friend is in there! He will get caught….he needs my help!"

"Who used it..."

Allen watched the rain fall from the doorway. No sense in getting out of it, he was already soaked to the bone. But, somehow, this small alcove in the lonely, forgotten street had called to him. He reached up to touch the bandage over his eye, tugging at the damp water-darkened fabric. He felt so exposed without his curse to use. Kind of ironic. Allen leaned against the cold concrete wall, and let his memories overtake him. the ones that he had been running from for the longest-or was it shortest-time.

"Kanda, do you have something against parasite types?"

"Hmph."

"Kanda……..oh, well. I know the mood you're in. Your assignment go badly?"

"Hmph."

"Heh. It's like learning a different language. Kanda-tongue. I'm becoming pretty good at understanding, but I still can't quite speak it. But, still. I need kicks from somewhere. There aren't any interesting stories around here, except the latest gossip about what Komui has in his experiment rooms this time."

"You never know who might leave one day and come back in a box."

"Eh? Kanda? Oh…..did one of your supporters…."

"Yeah…..he was just a minor one. No big deal."

"I don't agree. No matter what a person does, they're always worth it. And it's okay to be sad."

"Hmph."

"Kanda-tongue again. Look, every ones' assignments go bad once in a while. Take some time off-"

"DON'T frickin' patronize me!"

"Never..."

"Please!" Rinali shrieked, ignoring her raw, bleeding hands. "He needs my…..help….." With all her might, she beat on the gate, putting every ounce of rage and fury that had been cooped up in her into one last effort. The gate held. Rinali sank to the ground.

"Why, Brother?"

"What are you doing, Rinali? Your poor hands….."The small black golem floating beside her shoulder emitted Komui's worried voice.

"I DON'T care about my hands! Did you hear what he said??? Allen is in there, and-"

"Look, Rinali, there's nothing we can do right now. I heard what the guard said. If it was true, then there's even less we can do."

"But-"

"No buts, Rinali. As your superior, I order you not to go into that town! Furthermore, you may not engage your boots at any time! We are sending someone there right now. Again, if what the guard said is true, it is too large a risk to open those gates! Even…..for Allen."

"Why…..? Why, why, why, why, WHYYYYYYY?!?!?! I miss him. I don't want to lose anyone else….what will happen to Allen, then?"

"Look, I already said I sent someone-" Komui's voice cracked with grief "You'll just have to wait three….days….."

"But, by then he'll….Allen'll….be….." Rinali choked on her whispered words, to filled with grief and frustration to utter the last word. 'Dead.'

The gatekeeper's confused face poked above the wall. "What's goin' on here?" Rinali rose to her feet, ignoring the mud saturating her uniform.

"Lock those gates, and keep them locked. We're sending help as fast as we can. One of our agents is already inside-" Rinali's voice grew shrill with strain, "He'll do what he can…..but you have to keep those gates locked!"

"Who says I can trust you?" The gatekeeper sniffed in suspicion.

"I am from the Black Order, a special branch of the Vatican. This is my job. Who will you trust if you don't trust me?" Rinali glared upwards, some of her usual assurance restored in the knowledge of the fact that she was correct. The gatekeeper gulped.

"I wasn't aware that the situation was that bad. What can I do?"

"Find our operative, if you can. He should be wearing a uniform with a cross on the shoulder like mine." And Rinali turned a corner of her rain slip to show the silver and white embroidery. "But, the plain truth is……he is incapacitated right now. I suggest you call a curfew, and make sure everyone stays inside their houses. We'll have a capable operative in there within three days." The gatekeeper swallowed, and nodded, leaving the walk above the gate empty, and dark. The rain poured down, and Rinali's gave dropped back to the ground. She sank down again, and hugged her knees tight to her. A capable operative……

"...Saw it."

"What is it?"

Ooh, and Ahh at the suspense! Yay! So, please tell me how you like it. Should I continue it? I just got into D.Grayman, so I've only read to chapter 69, so feel free to correct me. You will have to review if you want to hear more of the story, though. Hehehe. I made it as hard as possible not to want to read more. But maybe it's not very good? Please tell me. I am sorry that it's so confusing, but the second chapter should explain it all pretty well. I want a kitty cat. They don't slobber like dogs do, and they can be extremely friendly. It's true, my mom's friend has three cats, and two of them will randomly come jump on your lap, and fall asleep. It is soooooo cute! So I want a cat. Mebbie for my birthday? Oh, well. I'll survive with my rabbit for now. But it is hard to sleep, knowing clowns will eat me. Dang hard. Like long term homework projects (some, anyway)

Lots of Luvs, AllE K.