Author's Note: Been a long time since I wrote again. I was able to open my account of 5 years ago and it brought back some good memories of my childhood. So here I am reposting and hoping to stay around a bit more. :) This is for my good friend Kristine who plays a kick-ass Kanda Yuu in our RP. I love you, darling!

Summary: D. Grayman

When I stared into your eyes and found the depth of emotion that no one else could ever see.

He was trained to be a Bookman, never to care for anyone else rather than himself and his duty. People were ink and were to be written down as only characters of a book.

But fate was a jester and made him cross paths with a swordsman in the midst of this torn war with blood spilling beneath their feet.

Only to find peace in the gray eyes that reflected the truth that he could never see.

Pairing: Lavi x Kanda

Disclaimer: I own none of this except the plot and flow of the story. There are some elements I've used from the original series but they have been mixed into something to fit the fic. Comments would be greatly appreciated and be helpful as this story goes on. :) Thank you!

--

"We're joining the Black Order?"

A 13 year old youth questioned as he walked up the rocky pathway shrouded in mist. His orange-red locks danced like fire as they fell over the two emerald green orbs. His skin was pale, brushing fearfully against the cold winds. A brown cloak covered his frail body as he had his eyes set upon a figure that was clad in the same garments as the youth.

"Yes. It has been decided that it would be best for us if we were able to watch these events from the front-lines." Murmured an old man with hair twisted in an upward style, wise eyes focused on the path before them.

The received a confused expression from his companion. "Eh? We're going to join the battle? Is that why we're here, Old Man Panda?" The emerald eyed youth blinked at the black colored base that surrounded his mentor's eyes, wherein he had based the nickname--

Whapak!

A skillful hand instantly struck him on the head, sending the red-haired youth hitting the ground with a powerful force.

"Ow, ow!"

The older man gazed at the youth on the floor, smirking. "Still a punky kid aren't you, Lavi? How many times have I told you to address me as 'Bookman', Jr.?"

Lavi looked up, shaking his head. "Eh? It fits you just fine!" The youth commented with a sheepish grin as he stood up, dusting himself. "Besides...You did tell me to act as 'normally' as possible."

"As I expect from you but keep your sharp mouth still, Jr. It is expected for us to act this way. " Bookman corrected as they stopped before the huge doors that served as the entrance to the tower. Bat-like things, Golems as Bookman explained, scouted all over as they peered down at the pair with curious eyes. It would have been creepy enough to send most people running home but...

That wasn't the unnerving part actually.

Lavi stepped back a bit as a huge face engraved on the walls of the tower looked upon them, greeting them both with a booming voice.

"What the--" Lavi was cut off, unable to react properly to the being as it spoke.

"WELCOME TO THE BLACK ORDER! I WAS TOLD OF YOUR ARRIVAL! BUT AS REGULARLY DONE I WILL NEED TO SCAN YOU!"

Bookman nudged him on the side, whispering for Lavi to calm down. The young kid gulped and gave a nervous nod as he kept still for the Gatekeeper to finish his business with them. They were quite stiff as the face scrunched its features, eyes glowing red as it looked over them with focused gazes. A minute or so passed them before the face spoke once more, its voice rattling throughout the area.

"CLEARED!" It shouted as the huge doors swung open, letting them through and set foot in the grounds of the Black Order. The stoned hallways were lit with torches and figures moved around the place busily, speaking amongst themselves as though oblivious to the newcomers.

"Wow." Lavi commented, eyes wide and curious at the reception area.

Bookman was leading the way, speaking to a man dressed in white who had met them at the entrance. He turned to his apprentice, gesturing for the boy to follow them. Lavi tagged after them though eyes still continued to glance at everything they passed by.

"Behave, Lavi." Bookman murmured as they were led down. "Observe but be silent."

The young boy nodded at that, but was far too preoccupied with looking around to actually etch the words into his head. This place was big--

The man in white swung another pair of doors open, motioning them to step in. The smell of food and loud chattering welcomed them as tables were lined up with benches on their sides and utensils clanking about as the members ate their meals. Bookman followed the man but the young boy quickly scanned the area.

"There are so many people--"

He stopped, green orbs locked on a figure. A...boy? Girl? Yeah, girl. She had long blue-black hair as she held a comb to fix her hair. Her skin was pale and clear gray eyes accentuated the alert features her face held.

Lavi could only blink in place. She seemed to be having a hard time combing her hair...

--

He hated it.

He hated being left behind but General Tiedoll had a tone of finality when he gave the order. There was nothing that Yuu Kanda could do to make his general think otherwise, and in the end he was to remain in the tower until General Tiedoll was to return from Turkey, with hopes of finding other Innocence users there. But what was he suppose to do till then?

The tower provided him with nothing to do. Women cooed over him like he was some doll that they would find in a pretty corner shop in town and it only made him want to go sick with all their attention. He was forbidden from taking any mission whilst his general was away and he had no one to keep him company in his solitude. Linali Lee was one he could consider his friend, but the young girl had been sickly and was often kept in confinement in the infirmary. He could only wonder about the condition of his friend, and if she were awake this very moment.

Blue-black locks trailed until the contour of his waist as sharp angry gray eyes stood out from the bangs of his hair. He was a boy that many regarded as beautiful; his features somewhat soft due to his pale complexion making him almost appear as a young girl rather than a young boy. Many, unluckily, thought this to be true and ended up picking a fight with the young Yuu.

They would only find themselves awake in the infirmary a week later.

He grew grumpier with each day that he found himself waking up with no news from his general. He hissed at the Finders that passed by him in the halls to prepare for their missions. He envied their freedom and hungered for the battlefield, the excitement that would capture him when he stood amidst it all.

But no, he was not in the field but in the cafeteria. He had chosen a seat near the corner, no one else minding to sit with him. Jerry, the cook, had provided him with some soba and tempura, teasing the young boy about smiling rather than frowning.

Yuu had sent the man backing off with fire flaring in his gray eyes. Jerry had sent him a slice of excellent tiramisu which would have made almost anyone giddy with joy. Not him, not Yuu Kanda. He disliked--Correction, he HATED sweets.

He held an ivory comb in his hands as he struggled with his hair. The tangles were persistent, making his eyes grow teary as he forcedly pushed the comb with an attempt to untangle them. This day seemed to be growing worst for him, and he hissed as more pain invaded his senses.

"Ow ow ow--Dammit--!"

Yuu Kanda was oblivious to everything around him.

Even to the emerald eyes that observed him with much adoration and wonder.