Author's Notes: I apologies to any of you who play cricket, I don't really know the rules or how the sport is played so if their is anything wrong with my description please let me know. Hope you enjoy.


"Have you put any thought into the club you will be joining?"

Over the past few days Lenalee's mood had improved along with the weather. She and Allen, after enduring a rigorous morning of studying Literature and Latin, had come to spend their free session outside in the warm rays of the autumn sun. They had taken rest under the lone elm tree that grew close to the lake's edge, cast of from the rest of the school, though the indistinct cheer of the students playing cricket on the nearby field echoed along the breeze and gently brushed their ears. He watched as she stood to lean against the bark of the old tree, placing the loose strands of hair behind her ear as the wind caught them, tossing her hued locks about the side of her face. The minute silver studs nestled into her pink skin shimmered shyly, catching Allen's eye. He had never given much thought into joining any extracurricular clubs, nor did he necessarily look forward to any activity that required him to engage with his fellow pupils.

"Not really," he answers truthfully, leaning back against the bank of grass so that he may gaze past the canopy of leaves to the drifting clouds above. The sky was of the brightest cyan blue he had seen since his arrival at the school those some days ago, when the weather had been as dismal as he secretly felt. Lenalee, who had once again taking to sitting by his side, then began to reel the numerous activities he could participate in, though none sounds all to appealing; many were of a sporting nature and involved working in large teams. Allen was not against working as a unit, but the constant snickering and comments made towards him made him cautious of people. Very few of the suggestions interested him, however, upon hearing the whispered cheers of the students only a short distance away he felt obliged to participate out of simple curiosity.

"Maybe cricket." He muttered before getting to his feet. The grass had stained the ebony fabric of his trousers a slight murky green to his dismay which was reluctant to fade despite his furious efforts to brush the colour from his attire. Lenalee, who only watched as he struggled to amend his uniform, marvelled the rich coloured leaves that remained attached to the oak's highest branches. Closing her eyes she listened to them rustle as the wind nipped at their crisp flesh ad watched those that spiralled towards the earth like paper sailing boats. As Allen began to advance towards the crowded playing court at the heart of the field Lenalee awoke from her inert trance, rushing to his side as she quickly grasped the satchel she had lay at the base of the tree.

Their footsteps were light against the moist grass and Allen wondered how the game would fair with such a slippery surface underfoot. A line of young men soon came into view, each wearing the same white polo shirts with matching trousers. They chatted idly amongst themselves, however, as Allen followed many of their focused gazes his eyes fell upon a lean figure stood close to the wickets position a few meters westward; the man stood tall, his strong posture demanding the utmost respect as he waited patiently for the pitch. He appeared older than Allen due to not only his height but his lean figure, the well-toned muscles of his arms flexing boisterously from beneath the cuffs of his shirt as he readied himself.

One of the queuing boy's addressed Lenalee politely, a blush creeping across his freckled cheeks as she insisted on maintaining a decent conversation with the latter. All the while the boy's friends muttered and laughed mocking words of encouragement, goading him to pursue increasingly disastrous forms of conduct that only stimulated a more discernable hot glow to cross his expression before turning his ears a deep shade of red.

Allen on the other hand had maintained a transfixed gaze upon the youth at the heart of the court; his hair danced like fire and burnt with a brilliance that demanded much of Allen's attention. Each strand hypnotised the white hair youth who could only envy the vibrant colour of the older student's locks.

"This should be good." One by muttered as he dug the tip of the bat into the soil, churning the grass vehemently. Lenalee had also averted her gaze to the game, a smile forming across her shaded lips as she eyed the red head.

He gripped the handle tightly, the leather of his gloved cracking as he intensified his grasp about the bat's slender neck. Allen feared he would see the fine wood splinter in the wake of such power; the latter's determination to perform a spectacle for the on looking boys could be felt in the swirling atmosphere that had become tense with anticipation. With the ball fastened deep in his palm the bowler set to aim, his brow furrowed heavily as he narrowed his cool gaze, aiming towards the wickets placed behind the red head. Twisting the ball once or twice he took an exasperated breath before snapping his arm back. Like a whip his arm instantly recoiled, sending the ball hurtling through the air. Nonetheless the bowler's determination to out the batter was in vain; he stepped forward to greet the cycling white ball and extended the smooth face of his bat. The two then collided with a resounding dull thud before the ball was sent flying towards the east side of the pitch. With ease the fire-haired boy and his teammate switched position, dashing across the length of the pitch as the fielders scurried after the ball. Allen, by watching the boy's confidence, concluded that he was a seasoned player. By his side Lenalee clapped vigorously, her smile widening to present a row of pearl white teeth.

"Well done, Lavi." She called as the stoic batter made his way over, whipping the sweat from his forehead. As he drew closer his full height became apparent; he stood nearly a head above Allen, towering over him like the coloured oak he had sat under moments before. His bright verdant gaze studied Allen for a moment, his mouth curved into a slight smile as he turned to look over his shoulder at the batter who had only just reclaimed the ball. After volleying a round of cheers and encouragement to his teammates he finally introduced himself to Allen ; as said by Lenalee his name was indeed Lavi. He was a senior at the school, therefore Allen was expected to treat him with a level of respect, but Lavi only dismissed him.

"I'm not one of the pretentious ones." He mused, adjusting the dark patch that hung to his left eye. Allen stared at it curiously. Normally, he figured that one wearing a patch held claim over some injury or deformity, and in terms of vanity, it made that person less attractive, however, Lavi's handsome expression was only intensified as the black fabric offered an air of mystic to his being.

"It's just for show," he laughed, catching Allen's gaze lingering close to his own eyes, "there's nothing wrong with me." Despite his clarification Allen was only left to wonder why the boy would wear a patch at all.

"Lavi is a member of the Black Dormitory, Allen." Lenalee murmured, watching as Allen's eye seemed to take on a light shade due to a rise in admiration. She went on to explain that he had been placed within the prestigious sector due to his talents not only in sports but also in both Maths and History. For an unbeknownst reason numerical digits seemed to fascinate the red head, a remark he made through a widening smile for he had much to be proud of. Thinking back to his performance Allen began to feel a slight pang of anxiety; he wished to join the ranking seniors but doubted whether or not he had the means to do so.

Lavi then looked towards the younger boy with a heated gaze and passed the bat to him harshly, smiling still as he did so.

"Let's see what you can do, red." He teased, looking at the bright ruby uniform Allen sported. Lenalee interjected crossly, demanding that Lavi not tease the inexperienced youth, "You don't have to if you don't want to, Allen." She whispered, fearful that he should degrade himself simply for the amusement of the older students.

"No. I'll try it." Allen smirked, shooting Lavi with an icy, stoic gaze as he crossed the pitch to swap in with a batsman already waiting at the wickets. At first the boy was reluctant to give up his position, yet, after a slight nod from Lavi the youth removed himself from before the bowler who also eyes Allen with a supercilious stare. He toyed with the ball as Allen prepared himself, holding the bat firmly in his hands. Barely giving him another time the bowler spiralled the ball towards him, its white skin and red seems piercingly clear against the grass below. Holding his breath Allen raised the wooden bat to counter and protect the bails. To Lavi's surprise the ball did not break Allen's fortified defence but instead ricocheted back towards the bowler, stunning him with the speed at which it travelled. Lenalee, at the top of her voice, called for Allen to run.

"He's…fast." Lavi breathed, watching the youth's powerful strides as he crossed the pitch in seconds before turning sharply on his heels to make another run, leaving the fielding team in a moment of disarray. They soon recovered from their lapse and threw the ball, hoping to catch Allen out before his made it to the return crease. Many looked towards Allen in disbelief, shocked that one of his speed and talents should be assigned to the lowest of dorms.

"Beginners luck." The bowler spat; humiliated at the fact that his throw had been intercepted with the wickets still intact, let alone by a Red, he stormed towards Lavi and demanded the identity of the student. The team argued for a moment but Allen could hear above them all Lavi's stern, languid tone, his word's reaching even the furthest ears.

Lenalee however came to stand by Allen's side, fearing the older students to storm him afterwards. Not realising that their pride could be so easily damaged Allen could not cover the slight laugh that dripped from deep within his throat.

Once the dispute had faded to a single mutter of discontent Lavi emerged from the circle of boys and stood before Allen, his beaming expression contrasting against the sour faces that loomed at his back.

"Lenalee told me you've yet to pick a club," he waited for Allen's reply before continuing, "come to the field tomorrow after lessons; we'll give you a chance to prove that it wasn't just a fluke. Cain's the best bowler, we'll see if you can get past him a second time."

Allen agreed to the seniors request as the feeling of excitement lined his thoughts. If he put up a good performance for the team then he may have a chance at Black. The two then bid farewell to their red haired superior and set off towards the school; Lenalee wanted to show Allen all of the possible clubs he could enter, after all, seeing his previous display of talent she wondered if his expertise extended towards finer arts.

Frist she took him to the hall where multiple students sat in pairs. A chessboard lay between them, a minute battlefield that demanded articulate strategies and the highest level of concentration. The sounds of marble being dragged across the board's smooth surface echoed against the hall's barren walls, mingling with the low steady breathing of the club's participants.

As Lenalee expected, after requesting a game with an experienced player Allen soon proved that his mind was as quick as his hand; his victory came quickly to his opponent's dismay.

"Checkmate." Allen beamed, staring across the table to the other boy's reddened face; he wore a blue uniform and like those earlier, was rather embarrassed by the fact that a lowly ranking Red had ousted him of his title.

Whilst leaving the hall and the awed students who watched after Allen, Lenalee revealed to him that she had one more suggestion she wished him to consider. She walked with a slight skin in her step as she traversed along a set of corridors, studying the glowing sun outside that dripped through the line of hedges that stood below the window's ledge but occasionally peered above. Faint to begin with Allen soon heard the clatter of metal against metal, the high pitched clash of swords that rang out from behind a heavy wooden door.

Both stepped in, their eyes quickly attaching to the two figures clad in white, their faces hidden behind a darkened wire mask. Like armed snakes the two white beings lunched towards one another, their long limbs leaning from their bodies as they attempted to strike at one another. Allen's gaze son became heavily transfixed upon the taller of the two, their movements a great deal more fluid and confident; they were on the offensive, pushing their opponent towards the end of the designated area where they sparred. Judging by the smaller swordsman's twitching, consistent strikes, they were not only fast losing their confidence but also their stamina, resulting in awkward movement that barely parried the other's steel blade in time. Yet the offense continued, increasing in speed as the nearing victor lost patience. At that moment, with only a heartbeat to witness the swift rotation of their wrist, the failing opponent lost their sword. Allen watched as it rolled off to the side as the victor pressed the tip of their blade deep into the padded white uniform of their rival. Having never been so captivated by such a violent but passionate display Allen found that he had, somewhere between the fight, forgotten to breath and was thus holding his breath in anticipation.

The two then bowed to one another in respect before removing their helmets. Allen's gaze followed the sudden tumble of black hair that fell from the victors mask, falling against their back like a silken waterfall. It was the same as back then; he remembered the dispute in the halls as the trail of ebony hair that had disappeared around the corner. Now he stood in the mysterious beings present, transfixed as the latter's sharp, scrutinising gaze burrowed into Allen's mind. The slight curve of their shadowed orbs and fair skin alerted Allen to their Asian background. It was impossible for the young boy to deny the unnatural beauty of the student who beheld him, the eyes of the victor causing Allen to shiver. Fearing that the silent being would soon leave Allen made quick to burn their features into his memory, from the ebony orbs embedded in their flawless skin to the thin stretched but nonetheless soft lips that arched to form an eternal grimace.

"Allen, "Lenalee beamed, she too in awe at the two's battle, "this is Kanda and Alma." The smaller of the two de-masked, revealing to Allen a cavernous scar that ran from one side of his face to the other across the bridge of his nose. He pursed his lips as he studied Allen's attire but made no remarks against his status. The one by the name of Kanda however merely breathed a heavy sigh of condemnation, looking down towards the Red student before squaring up to him.

"Don't be mean Kanda." Lenalee then snapped, playfully hitting the oriental stranger. "He always acts this way."

Allen was surprised to find out that the tall, beautiful fencer was in fact male, though it explained a lot; upon closer analysis Allen noticed the broad width of his shoulders and, although appearing delicate, his jaw was stronger than that of a woman's.

"Kanda's also in the Black dorm. Alma however is in Sapphire." Lenalee pointed out as Alma took up his blazer which had been placed neatly folded top one of the honey coloured benches lining the outside of the room. Like the red-head Kanda was tremendously skilled with a sword and any other physical activity, but he apparently had a firm interest in botany.

"Brother calls them the 'jewels' of the order." Lenalee beamed her voice elevated and sweet. Though Allen saw the two different; he thought back to an old rhyme Mana had taught him when he was alive, the memory stimulating a wave of grief but also amusement to wash over him.

"Two for joy." His words seemed to confuse both Lenalee and Alma, however, Kanda only smiled, though the beauty that stained his lips vanished in the blink of an eye. Nodding whilst returning his own brightened expression Allen hoped to engage in conversation with the black haired beauty. Though he was quickly turned away first by Alma then Kanda, who did not wish to be seen lingering in any part of the school with a low ranking Red.

Somewhere in the back of his subconscious Allen could feel a strong attachment to the one named Kanda, but the heavy, arrogant gaze he imparted made him realise it was merely irritation. He felt that no matter the circumstances the two would never be able to get along.