A/N: welp this has been edited after years of waiting lmao fucking kill me also for me kanda can materialize his sword whenever he likes just by exposing his veins like he did when rolling up his sleeves when he obtained his crystal type also the fourteenth is no longer a part of allen in here and has taken on his own physical form as a child he will appear later on in this fanfic

Grammatical Errors?: all the tiem yo

『 Song: Ring A Bell - Tales of Vesperia. 』

Disclaimer: I'm the owner of D. Gray-Man.

''Some painters turn the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.'' ―Pablo Picasso.

XXX

Silently, Allen slipped into Komui's office―late obviously―to see an unhappy Japanese male he'd been paired up with for their mission. The other appeared to be giving the scientist a terrible glare as if to say 'don't you fucking pair me up with this amateur'. He most likely knew that Allen had entered the room, but didn't show any signs of it. He didn't even turn to look behind and make sure it was actually him. Basic Kanda Yuu. A shiver slid up then back down his spine, making the air around the three feel even colder than it already happened to be. The bluenette was probably trying to twist his way out of going on a mission with him. It wouldn't have been a surprise. He'd done it before―numerous times actually. Seeing as he told Allen he was cursed, that could be the other reason for him to get away from the obnoxious exorcist―especially when he was told so to his face countless times. He'd actually lost track on how many times the samurai had pointed fingers in his direction. Kanda's prized weapon had appeared without him knowing. The scarlet blade pointed at Komui's neck, the corners of his mouth twitched in irritation―nowhere near a smile. He began shouting at the other in his native tongue with such a serious look on his face that it almost made Allen squeak in fear. Most of the things that came from his mouth were probably insults―he was speaking way too fast for anyone to comprehend what he was attempting to say. Profanity in English was Kanda's thing.

Maybe if Lenalee was here...Allen thought to himself.

The whitette found it amusing how Komui was still breathing with the other in his face, spitting insults at him. He placed a hand over his mouth, eyes twinkling with mischief. His shoulders shook from containing laughter. He had stopped wearing his gloves, not caring what people thought about his arm. Sometimes he even wore training shirts around the order the whole day with a pair of sweatpants since he decided to drop jeans for a while now. He saw no point in wearing such constricting clothing―especially those shitty skinny jeans. That was all Lenalee had in his wardrobe now other than frilly dresses, skirts, and other things he simply refused to wear. Due to the volume of his laughter, he was quickly found out. Kanda whipped around, eyes locking on his. A squeak sounded throughout the room, bouncing off the walls. The samurai turned back to Komui, stepped back, and in one fluid motion sheathed his sword but kept a hand on the guard, thumb ready to push the sword upwards by the guard. He closed his bright blue eyes probably to focus on not murdering two people in one day. Sighing, yet skeptical, Allen walked over to the two, obviously not in a hurry with the way Kanda tried to handle the situation―if he considered getting away from Allen no matter what somewhat a problem or situation he'd somehow managed to get himself tangled up in.

The two dorks were sent on many missions together―more than he could keep track of―Kanda complained constantly about being sent on a mission accompanied by someone who couldn't get a grip on their emotions and cried at the drop of a hat. All Allen did was tell Kanda off for calling him a bean sprout before continuing with what he was doing. In some situations, if Kanda was brutal, he would frown at the bluenette the best he could (although he looked like an angry child) and give him the middle finger―which once almost resulted in his finger getting bent the wrong way. The whitette was always close to pulling out his phone to listen to music. He frequently listened to music nowadays because he'd gotten sick of hearing certain people―both Chaoji and Kanda got irritating as the days blew past. They gained more abilities, grew stronger, but were not deemed strong enough to go against the Earl without the high possibility of chaos descending upon them. Due to him being split from the fourteenth, he began meditating with Kanda in the mornings to keep his sanity in check―he'd broken down in front of the samurai and was comforted. They never spoke of the events that took place that day. Once he was rid of the fourteenth, a child had appeared, claiming to be Neah. It had taken him some time to take on a stable form.

The longest he went had to have been half an hour of meditating thanks to his loud stomach―Kanda ended up throwing Allen out of the room, yelling about how he should eat something rather than starve for no reason. It seemed he did care...

Komui turned to look at Allen―both sets of eyes were glued to him, saying that the scientist was ready to tell them about their newest destination that happened to be in Japan. They were to take Lavi with since he could use his hammer to get them there faster, but both Allen and Kanda protested against it. Allen partially wanted to take a train for the majority of it then again didn't because he'd be stuck with the other for longer than he would like. At least they both could agree on something. The scientist gave up trying to fight with the both of them―they both could've made satan piss himself if angered. That's just how in sync they were with each other, yet neither of them knew it. They were what they both claimed to be, polar opposites. They could never get along unless it happened to be something they refused to acknowledge―things that were inevitable or avoidable. Komui was the one who began briefing them, telling them that there would be more than one Innocence and that by sending both idiots there it would be a two-birds-with-one-stone type of win. Komui explained that the child that was obviously younger than when Timothy happened to become an accommodator. He told them they should be able to pick her out without a doubt. They had not been able to obtain the girl for quite some time which caused her will to live to deteriorate quicker than expected. He proceeded to shoo both exorcists away with Johnny who gave them their plane tickets and a few vials which Allen took since Kanda did nothing but cross his arms and scowl at the small scientist.

It was going to be a long day after all.

XXX

Once in Japan, they located the first Innocence―a Rosario. They didn't seem to have any trouble with obtaining it. They had gotten it from a monk who lived at a well-kept shrine without any trouble, thinking that there would be Akuma around but, surprisingly, there weren't any. Something seemed off―they didn't let that stop them though. They continued on with their mission―heading straight towards their second and most important destination within Japan.

Ikebukuro.

''Where in the hell is the damn brat―are we even near her? She's supposed to be around here somewhere," Kanda growled, crumpling up the map that had been in his hands seconds ago. He chucked it at Allen's head, earning an overly-dramatic groan from the whitette. He put a hand on his ''wound'' as if he were actually hurt, ''Maybe you should make yourself useful and help me with finding this brat, Moyashi.''

''First off, you do know my name―I've pretty much given up on training an old dog who can't learn any new tricks. So, I guess that doesn't work. And maybe if you asked me nicely, I would actually help you out rather than have you run around in circles for my own amusement―something I've actually been enjoying for quite some time now," Allen rubbed his left cheek in soothing circles. He was not about to have an outburst in another country with someone he'd been paired with for one mission. He rubbed his pentacle absentmindedly before transferring his fingers to his hair, running his pale digits through his soft, snowy white bangs. He remembered that he'd just forgotten to brush his hair since he was so rushed earlier―he could already feel the light blush that spread out across his cheeks. He turned to look over at Kanda who was flaming mad. He seemed to be absorbed in trying to find where the child was but ended up even more frustrated than he was at the start. Allen couldn't help but giggle at the sight―he did make sure to hide it behind his gloved hands, noticing that his left hand was the only one that happened to have a glove on it―something that partially bothered him, but he didn't mind much at the moment. They had a job to do and Allen was more than determined to find the child who was supposedly residing within their area.

She had to be close.

A gentle breeze swept past both exorcists, full of cherry blossom petals. The quick gust ruffled Allen's white, fluffy hair as the sounds of the city began to simmer down, he heard the sound of chimes not far off―or maybe it was something only he could hear―maybe it was the girl reaching out to him or the fact that she and he both had Innocence that connected them somehow. After quite some time raging, Kanda took notice of the other's still form from the corner of his eye. He turned around to fully face Allen whose eyes widened.

''What's with the look on your face, Moyashi. Did you finally figure out how incompetent you are?" Kanda questioned, giving Allen a shit-eating smirk―hands shoved into the pockets of his uniform that was black with red trim.

Allen returned to reality while the sounds surrounding them were blocked out―possibly the Innocence's own doing―maybe it was something to get him to focus in more on finding the child. He smacked Kanda's chest lightly, and pouted. ''That's very funny. I would love to punch you in the face right now―though now is not the time for violence―now is the time to look for the accommodator and I-I think I've found a small trace. It's nothing big, so wipe that confused look off your face, it'll do for now. I am sure we'll find her one way or another.''

The bluenette surveyed the scene around them, looking for possible signs of children―of life―something other than the busybodies moving through the crowds of people―he was looking for something unusual. Something that would stand out. He glanced at Allen to aim a question at him, ''wait―how do you know where she is an I don't?"

''I can sense her Innocence. I believe that I could attempt to pinpoint where she is if I put all my focus into it. I do find it weird how you can't sense her while I can,'' he replied, shrugging, grabbed Kanda's hand, intertwining their fingers and not thinking much about it. In a crowd this large they had to stay together by some type of means, right?

The exorcists dodged people, weaving their way through the large crowd of citizens who protested against the ripple in their daily lives―something they would all eventually forget about. They cast their judgemental eyes upon Allen's brutally marked face―they probably thought he wished to get a tattoo done on his face―something gruesome―something that would leave an not-so-good impression on people, but the teenager was completely engrossed in trying to find the child―his focus was only on her―other than the fact he couldn't wrap his head around why Kanda would allow him to take the lead in such a bold way. He felt that he had to find her―he felt that she needed to be found by someone―by him. Something was gnawing away at his nerves. His stomach twisted into several knots before giving birth to butterflies that didn't sit well with him at all―his anxiety spiked severely, giving way to him unconsciously squeezing the samurai's hand while his breath came in short bursts. He stopped to take in a few deep breaths, gaining a series of concerned looks from the samurai who stepped up to stand next to him. He could tell that Allen was getting a little more self-conscious whenever someone looked in his direction―even if it wasn't directed at him―people within the crowd continued glancing at them, their eyes burning into their skin―making Allen squirm in his place.

''I can feel the Innocence―the feeling has gotten stronger. It's like pressure that builds up over time―she has to be close,'' the whitette tugged gently on Kanda's hand which was linked to his. The people in the crowd cast Allen narrowed glances―some looking as if they worried about the whitette possibly bringing them bad luck or cursing them just by being near or from them looking at his aesthetic appearance. He subconsciously pressed his free hand, which happened to be his left, against his blood-red pentacle in an attempt to calm himself down.

It didn't work well.

It only made the gazes feel heavier. He felt as if he were suffocating―until Kanda and he both stopped in the middle of a street. The taller male stood on Allen's left, giving him worried looks. He felt that Allen should have stayed back at Headquarters if he couldn't handle something as simple as picking up a child. He did get diagnosed with severe anxiety―especially social anxiety. Kanda did know that it was insensitive of him to think such things. He knew that the other didn't feel comfortable in large crowds after what happened when he lost his eye for a bit.

What Kanda did made Allen's heart stop for a couple beats.

Kanda let out a soft sigh―one that probably couldn't be heard over the hustling and bustling of the area they were located within. He pulled their linked hands to his right, tugged Allen towards him, and wrapped his left arm around the white-haired boy's head while said boy's face was buried in Kanda's chest. The samurai rested his chin atop the other's head and spoke, ''just breathe, Allen. You'll be fine. I know all about what happened when you lost your eye for a while and were out with Lavi―this time is different though.''

Allen's body went taut before relaxing into Kanda's embrace. The taller's arm moved to his waist. He didn't know the other was capable of comforting someone in their time of need. The younger was grateful for the other's actions―his willingness to understand his situation―he was glad that Kanda could see things from his perspective―glad that he wasn't told to shut up, suck up, and deal with it. Allen let a few tears stray from the path, wrapped his free arm around Kanda's neck which stimulated a reaction from said male for a couple minutes―the both of them just standing there in each other's embrace. After some time of standing there and slowly rocking back and forth―Allen got a bit flustered and detached himself from the other, wiping his face with his gloved hand before looking away, his cheeks tinged a light pink.

''Thank you. I'm fine now. I still don't like being in large crowds even with my eye. In other words, we should continue. She's got to be around here.''

Without much thought, Allen squeezed Kanda's hand once again―this time on instinct, which gained him a look from Kanda before they both took off, finishing walking across the street they stood in. The light not been green, but people continued walking―there weren't many cars, to begin with. This happened to be one of those streets where walking anywhere in the street was permitted―something both of them were grateful for. They both continued on through the streets until they came across the sound of sobbing from nearby. Allen, confused, yet excited, gave Kanda a glance, his eyes shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, staring into Kanda's surprisingly bright blue orbs―they seemed as if they could light up the world. The large amount of blue in his eyes made him feel like he could already see the future―his eyes blazed with life―one that was full of will. They made it feel like he were seeing color for the first time in his life. His breath caught in his throat―a breeze swept past them once again, his hair and side-bangs stirred in it. For a second or two he forgot how to breathe, then, he turned his head in the direction he assumed the sounds were coming from.

The sobbing sounded louder. She must have hid herself away in an alley or something nearby. Allen pulled Kanda along, glancing here and there as his heart throbbed wildly in his chest. He felt like he shared something in common with the girl―being all alone and living on the streets. Stealing anything to get through the day―to continue surviving in such a terrible setting. He didn't remember how he was able to continue living some days, but he had somehow done it, because here he was, living―breathing. He was alive.

''Allen,'' Kanda started, his eyes going down to lock with the whitette's before shifting over to a small niche he had found along an alley. She seemed to have lodged herself into the small thing―she was very noticeable from where they stood, considering that she didn't seem to have made much of an effort in hiding herself from him―that is, if she knew he was coming―if she felt him like he did her.

The sniffling, sobbing and occasional hiccuping continued. Her arms were wrapped around her knees with her head tucked into the large gap between her thighs and flat stomach―one that seemed way too flat. She looked as if she had starved for days―another thing Allen had experienced as a child. Soft cries came from the space she was within, drowned out by the sounds of the loud, busy city around the three well-defined figures. People were continuing on with their lives, not even bothering to glance in the girl's direction―some probably didn't even know she was there―others, if they did, they didn't make an effort to show they knew.

Allen swore his heart shattered right there on the pavement lain before them.

A child should never have to experience starving. Ever. Allen thought―he could tell that Kanda was thinking the same thing.

Allen wasn't the first to make a move―Kanda was―which was surprising. He let the taller male tug him towards the small figure which crammed herself into the hole. Kanda, still unsure about what he was doing, squeezed Allen's hand for some type of comfort as he did something out of the ordinary―another thing he usually wouldn't do. The stoic samurai was usually full of himself and irritated by almost everything, but something about this mission made him act differently. Allen found that this side to Kanda was...endearing.

Said samurai kneeled before the girl, while Allen squatted, squeezing Kanda's hand―using it for balance while he adjusted himself―he got comfortable while the other rolled his eyes in a joking manner. The girl looked as if she had been thrown into a hole and smacked around. There was mud everywhere and brand new scratches appeared around her arms and legs, but the most notable thing about her were the chains that were around her wrists and ankles. Even though the chains had been severed, they still remained on the small, shaken figure. Her body shook with each breath―each sob―each cough.

Was she sick? Allen glanced at Kanda, already worrying his ass off about her. The latter shrugged, dug his hand into his coat. He removed the napkin that covered the top of the object, revealing a pastry he obtained from later on in the day―one that Allen had attempted to get Kanda to try out at the cafe they stopped by for a break since the smaller male continued to complain about how he possibly couldn't work on an empty stomach.

''What are you―'' Allen was cut off, watching Kanda move his hand towards the small figure. ''―doing. Never mind.''

It clicked.

Kanda wished to feed her.

Silver eyes shimmered within the expanse, he reached out, tenderly placing his free hand upon the girl's bony figure. She responded by snapping her head up, locking eyes with him. She looked like a deer in the headlights, scared of them both―as if she thought they were there to take her away to some orphanage or possibly beat her up.

''Take it before I change my mind, chibi,'' Kanda huffed, eyes closing for a brief second before reopening them. He gazed into her almost lifeless eyes, then watched as she began responding to him. She stretched out her arm, placing her surprisingly clean hand on top of the pastry. In a flash, said pastry was gone. ''Another glutton. Looks like you've got a rival, Moyashi.''

''It seems so. You're okay now. You'll be coming with us now, is that fine with you?" Allen, squatting on the left, extended his left hand towards her―an invitation to making her an addition to the Order. He felt Kanda's thumb brushed along his. He felt a jolt of excitement from the touch―a spark that ignited a bright, fire from within him.

He wouldn't let Kanda know any of that though.

The girl gave Allen a worried look, nodded, then grabbed onto his hand. The little girl's legs were unstable causing Allen to be more careful. Kanda continued on holding the white-haired male's hand while he figured out how to get the child up and into his arms.

They succeeded in getting the Innocence and the girl. Maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all.

The girl wrapped her arms around the exorcist's neck then rested her head against his neck, reached out towards Kanda, her honey-gold eyes slowly closing until her body went still except for the occasional rise and fall of her chest. She didn't seem to be in a deep sleep, seeing as she gave them signs, still able to hear both of them. Allen on the other hand, pressed the girl in closer to him as if something terrible were about to happen to her―he felt connected to her somehow. She had to be around the age of six―a year older than when he was aimlessly wandering the streets of Britain. He was only assuming. She probably didn't know her actual age. Allen situated his free arm so that he was able to allow the small girl to attempt napping on him without her slipping or him dropping her. Kanda watched all of this, surprised by Allen's maternal instincts―or what they seemed to be. From other people's point of view, they probably thought they had lost their child or something.

The white of Allen's left eye went black with two red rings showing for a couple seconds before returning to normal. He gave Kanda a wary glance. They had begun to leave the crevice of which they had found the child hiding within―slowly making their return to the Order. Allen could have opened a door to the Ark, but that would cause him to be placed under strict watch. He was lucky Link wasn't watching over him anymore. The blond male had decided to spend most of his time in the library with Bookman―sometimes Lavi would make his appearance in the large library, but that wasn't often.

''Hey, Kanda,'' Allen's soft voice shattered the silence that hung between them,''don't you think it's weird there aren't any Akuma around? I mean, we haven't seen any yet―I feel like we may get ambushed or something.''

''I do too. Honestly, it's better to not dwell on it too much. If they do come, I'll try taking aggro. You shouldn't take any, but you might because you have both the Innocence and the child,'' he gave Allen a glance then continued surveying the area. ''Speaking of the Innocence, where is Tim. I know he took the Rosario.''

''You idiot. I have the Rosario around my neck. It's not going to do anything to me. The Order does not―and I repeat does not have any rules about touching Innocence,'' Allen pouted.

''True, yet you still shouldn't be touching it. If you get chewed out, don't blame me.''

''Who said I'm blaming you?" Silver eyes narrowed, dangerously.

Just as Kanda was about to snap back a quick ''fucking forget it'', the child in Allen's arms tensed up, hiding her face away in Allen's neck. The two, confused, looked up, hearing a whole bunch of noise coming from directly a block ahead of them. Allen's eye activated once again, making him grip Kanda's hand. After a couple of seconds, he let Kanda go, watching as the male's eyes lit up due to the thrill he got from battle―blue eyes blazing like fox-fire burning a forest down―they narrowed slightly as he spotted an opening from the crowd which would allow him to get there quicker. Taking this chance, the bluenette drew his dominant foot in front of him, leaned forwards, and in mere seconds, he took off at a high speed, leaving Allen behind with the child.

Unprotected.

Allen pulled out Timcanpy who flew a couple circles around his head. ''Tim. Connect me to Kanda―make it video so I can see what exactly he's doing over there.''

Tim opened his mouth while Allen walked over to a coffee shop in an attempt to stay out of the sight of a level two that was currently in his area, climbing along the buildings. He stood in the shade, watching as people ran in different directions―all screaming their heads off. The golem projected high quality―showing Kanda's ID―an image of him before it was answered and Kanda's face appeared from an angle before getting closer up to present Allen's face to him. Luckily Kanda had connected right before Timcanpy decided to disconnect.

Raising his sword, it's red blade facing upwards while the notch at the end was presented towards his opponent, he took on a different stance. He quickly slid his black golem a cold glance, ''I'm busy.''

''I'm over here unprotected. Do you really expect me to drop her and fight? What if something terrible happens―get back here you idiot!" Allen raised his voice, silver orbs flashing.

''Urk!'' Kanda faltered. ''Fine. I will be right over. I'm trying to gain as much aggro from this Akuma as I can before bringing it over there, so calm down, mommy,'' he tilted his head in the opposite direction with a smirk. Satisfied with the face Allen made, he disconnected.

With grace, Kanda came shooting past the two figures hidden over by one of the ten coffee shops. He didn't even look in Allen's direction. He came to a halt, turned, and just as the Akuma was gaining ground, he swung his sword through its abdomen.

A clean cut.

People continued running for their lives, some more dramatic than others. The whitette watched his partner slide his finger across his blade, releasing a bolt of thunder―something he'd never seen the other do before―crashing into the level two before finishing it off with his insects, wishing to not get up and close with the Akuma. He just wished to go home to take a long soak in the Order's bath then take a nap in his bed. Kanda held out his sword to his side as if he were about to fence with someone. His blade cut through the air, riding it of whatever was on it before he sheathed it―his fingers guiding the blade to its rightful place. The bluenette turned around, smirking.

''Kanda, are you fucking serious―you know what―nope. Bye,'' Allen flipped him off, turned, and began speed walking away from said male.

''Who's cursing now?''

XXX

The two exorcists and the exorcist-to be all returned to the Order the next day. Allen and the girl both dismissed Kanda to the cafeteria, seeing as they needed to head straight to Komui to give him the Innocence they collected before finding the girl―he had also requested that he meet the girl out of curiosity. The girl almost refused to leave Kanda, whining and stretching her hand out to touch or grasp him. He placed his hand against hers, a sigh of defeat slid out. He enclosed his thumb around her hand―she copied him for a few seconds before he let go, walking away. Once again, they found Komui sleeping on his desk with drool creeping down the side of his mouth. He was surrounded by stacks of paper like always. Sighing, Allen said loud enough for the Chinese man to hear, ''Lenalee's getting married to Lavi, which we all know is a huge fact.''

Komui's head shot up, tears streamed down his face, ''Lenalee why would you marry an idiot like Lavi?"

''She's not getting married, you sis-con,'' Allen said, rolling his silver eyes.

''So how was the mission?''

''Fine. The girl is a new accommodator and I have the Rosario here,'' he spoke, removing the said necklace from around his neck to show the scientist.

''This seems a bit odd...let's give this to Hevlaska.''

Together all three moved from Komui's office to Hevlaska who inspected the Innocence and declared that the Innocence had somehow been removed and placed somewhere else―but vague enough so that Allen didn't take much notice. She turned to Allen and the girl he was holding and inspected him along with the girl.

''So this must be the new accommodator, yes?" Komui pushed his glasses upwards examining the child still clinging to Allen for dear life.

''Yes. I was about to wash her up then take her to the cafeteria. She wants to be with Kanda for some reason―honestly, it kind of scares me.''

''Odd,'' the scientist looked at Hevlaska. ''Do you know where the Innocence currently is?"

''The Innocence is fine. I'd rather not talk about it now. And the girl will make a fine exorcist.''

XXX

Before the girl and Allen met up with Kanda, Allen had Lenalee find as many clothes from her childhood as she could. In the meantime, he decided that he should get her cleaned up before they went back down to meet up with Kanda. He wondered if Kanda would be able to notice if it were here or not when they finished. Allen ended up measuring the child since she refused to be seen muddy in front of anyone else anymore other than Allen at the moment. When finished, Allen told Johnny her measurements.

Later on, in the middle of Allen helping scrub off the dirt from her small form, Lenalee stopped in to give Allen the clothes as he requested, obtaining lots of clothes with pink and purple on them, but he didn't complain. She just needed clothes. After talking to Lenalee, he went back to helping the underweight child clean herself. When she was done, he went through her hair, shampooing and conditioning it then washing it out.

''I'll be right back. Stay here, okay?" Allen got up from his squat, turned and walked out of the bathroom. He had placed one of his fluffy towels in the dryer when Lenalee had stopped by to drop off the clothes. He retrieved it from the dryer and entered the bathroom once again. ''You can take the plug out now. I'll dry you off. I have clothes for you as well.'' He smiled, holding out the towel―unfolded and ready for her.

She stepped out of the tub, placing her pale feet on the cold tile floor. The girl walked straight towards him. Allen wrapped the towel around her small form, quickly rubbing her hair, then her body down until she was dry enough to put clothing on. ''Do you want to put your clothes on? I need to go put the other clothes in the wash. I'll make sure to leave out a pair of the pajamas Lenalee brought over for you.''

She nodded; he handed her the clothing, knowing full well she'd know how to put them on.

When he came back, she was finally dressed. The only thing about her was her fluffy brown hair that needed to be brushed out. Allen beckoned her over with a free hand. In his other hand was a brush. He would need to buy another one―possibly a duplicate of everything he owned. He knew he'd need to move out of his small room as well since he didn't have another room or anything. He didn't feel like having her sleep in her own room when she would probably get scared or end up coming back to him anyway. Allen began brushing through the girl's now dry, chocolate-colored hair with his red bristled brush, running his fingers through her long, silky hair that reminded him of Kanda's. If he had to choose, he'd probably go with the girl's since Kanda would probably slice him to bits. He took the nearest ribbon, a gold one―which matched the trimming on her clothing, and tied the girl's hair up into a ponytail on the right side of her head. Her bangs were cut―something she requested, but the hair framing her face was a bit longer than her bangs. She also asked (through lots of tugging Allen's shirt and shaking her head ''no'' that) she be allowed to keep her shoulder-blade length hair.

Allen and the girl met up with Kanda in the cafeteria. The Japanese male was eating the same thing once again. Soba. Of course.

Allen had also changed when he had time, he was currently wearing sweats that were dangerously low and a black shirt that had the words ''RATED R'' scrawled across it in white, capital letters. The girl continued to cling to his neck―refusing to go. Allen let out a sigh, and seated himself next to Kanda, opening his mouth to speak,

''Help me come up with a name for her―she doesn't have one and I can only come up with basic names. Maybe something from your native language.''

''This is stupid, you know that, right?"

''Help me out, daddy,''

''...''

Allen grinned, resting his chin atop his lined fingers, ''I'll do anything you want, just help me out. If I go to Lenalee, she'll think of something absurd―Lavi, too. You should know them by now and how this would turn out if I went to either of them.''

Kanda's sky-blue eyes blazed with interest. ''Okay, but when I call you upon this deal, you cannot run away or hide. I will fucking slaughter you if you do―I swear.''

''Fine, fine. Please, just watch your Language, too,'' Allen huffed, eyes closing. His white eyelashes brushing against his cheeks.

''This mostly depends on what type of name you want―I know of a couple common ones.''

''That's why I'm asking you―I don't want any common names,'' he retorted, eyes rolling.

Kanda directed his attention to the child who had finally, after asking and asking, let go of Allen's neck, ''Momo, Moriko, Ran, Aika, Jasmine.''

The young girl made a series of weird faces, not liking either of the four he had listed until she heard the last suggestion―to which she nodded her head at, tugging on Allen's shirt, beaming with happiness.

''Hmm.''

Jasmine's smile must've been contagious, because now Allen was the one with a smile―they both smiled like idiots. This stirred something in Kanda, making him smile―which turned into a smirk. His eyes did soften a bit though―something he was worried Allen would take notice if. If he did, the latter didn't let him know of it, ''Well then. I'm glad that's been settled now. W-what's that smirk for? You look like a creeper.''

''Fuck off, mommy. Or I'll shove my blade down your throat.''

''Gu-YS I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT DEEPTHROATING!'' Lavi burst into the cafeteria, full of energy he somehow had yet to lose.

''Lavi. No. Stop.''

''WHO'S DEEPTHROATING WHAT?" Lavi jumped over to their table, grinning. His lone emerald eye flashed with mischief. He was obviously up to no good at the moment and Allen felt like dragging Jasmine away with him before he ruined the child even more than she already had been. Smiling was the only thing he could do until Lavi left without any more information on who was deepthroating what apparently. Later on, the trio ended up finding out that Jasmine was a parasitic type―like Kory and Allen. Her style was close combat, but they weren't very sure about what type of abilities she would earn―they were more frightful of the actions and consequences of raising Jasmine―afraid of what would happen if she somehow figured out how to tap into her abilities before they started training with her. Her Innocence was also able to take on different forms like Allen's, but hers could continue and be like Allen's or be something completely different. At first, they assumed that she was a Noah due to her gold eyes.

''Lavi, please go away―oh there's Lenalee,'' Allen pointed out over to nothing, smiling.

With hearts in his eyes, Lavi turned around and let out a shriek, only to find that no one was there. When he turned back he found that Allen had fled with Jasmine while Kanda looked as if he were about to burn something―or someone.

XXX

A/N: This turned out better than I thought it would when I went to fix it up!

Word Count without A/N: 6,207!