A/N: So this is unbelievably short but please see it as a prologue/chapter one (I don't want the numbers on the side to get messed up...). My next chapter that should come out quite soon will be much longer and better written. This was written almost and entire year ago and it was for a project in which we could not revile the characters name till the end. I didn't feel like editing it on how this is now a multi-chap and not a one-shot. You guys will just have to deal with it. But I'm damn series when I say that this will have LONGER and BETTER WRITTEN chapters in the near future. I have decided to place this after chapter 171 in the manga. Seeing as how Link stays behind and Allen leaves it seems like the best place to launch this story. To bad Cross is MIA :'( Please enjoy!

Reading Legend

normal

"talking"

thinking

SHOUTING

Expressing/Exaggerating

Scaring the Dark

Prologue/Chapter 1: In the room

Sitting in the far corner of the room a boy was engulfed by the darkness of his room. To his left was a small bed, unmade and messy showing the struggle he had against his sleep. To his right was a small table where a beautiful but simple mirror. In the centre of the room was a single light bulb that swayed back and forth on its cord. Slowly, the light flickered until it died complete, filling the room with a black shadow.

The boy fidgeted with a soft red ribbon as he struggled to tie it. After the seemingly east task was done, the boy slowly rose from the corner he was sitting. His snow white hair swayed softly from the sudden movement. Although the light was now dead, he could still see his reflection in the mirror. Hesitating, he reached out towards the other him in the mirror. The hand soon found its destination as it touched his face.

His left hand eventually followed his right and came to rest across the other side of his face, covering it completely. Even though it was dark, even though his eyes were closed, he could still see it. Furthermore, he could feel it. It was cold and smooth. Like nothing he has ever felt before. Its cloak wrapped around itself and teased the child by blowing in an imagined wind.

Surely this was a dream. How could something that only the boy could see be there? This thing was like a shadow, hovering over the innocent child. Only reveling itself to the word through the mirror. It hid, out of sight from everyone but the boy. However, this was not a dream. In spite of pinching his cheek several times and feeling the pain, the boy did not want to believe that this was not a dream. This was reality. The boy knew that it was real, but it felt so hard to accept that. That something only he could see was there. But, he still, deep down, admitted it.

Therefore, the strange presence that followed the boy was real. As real as the sun and the moon, the land and the sea. For this purpose the boy remained silent about it. Never telling anyone about the strange shadow that only he could see. That only he knew existed.

For an hour did he do this. Stand in front of his mirror, hiding his face with his hands. He felt the strange cloth brush against his arm.Water. It felt like smooth water. Leaning back, the boy felt a strong chest behind him. Hovering. He felt like he was hovering, such as when he was carried by Mana as a child. His left hand slowly slipped down the mirror and his right soon followed.

In the background of the mirror, the strange figure reviled itself. Truly this thing represented a man. No, it represented a shadow of a man. Two white circles appeared to be his eyes. In fact, the strange orbs were its eyes. For this reason did he close his own. He kept them close so that he couldn't see them. Couldn't see those luminous eyes gaze at him so clearly.

Finally. For what seemed to be forever did he open his own eyes to meets its white eyes. Its cloak cooled the boys skin as it folded around the completely. At last it enveloped the child in a gentle hug. As a result of the sudden rush of comfort, the boy gasped. He felt the cold touch of its skin against his own. In truth the child enjoyed this feeling. Especially since it had been so long since he had received such a caring hug.

After it felt the boy relax did it dare to lean forward. The child felt the cold breath tickle his ear as it breathed in rhythm to his heart. His closed his eyes, listing too the melody of their hearts and breaths. Inviting the much needed sleep, his tired mind began to slow down to a calm, steady pace. Still, even though the boy now laid limb in his arms did the strange shadow hesitate. Again he breathed on the sleeping boy's ear, trying to form words. Trying to speak to him. With this purpose to speak to the child in mind, it hugged the boy closer to it as it heard footsteps beginning to approach.

"Allen"