A/N: Allen here is an accommodator since he was found, and he hasn't been able to control his Innocence, yesh, all the way till he was fifteen. But I didn't really fill the gap from the part Mana died, I'm not sure whether I'll even make Mana exist. ^^;; So forgive me if the setting and characterization is a little confusing.

Extra note: T_T you can just refer to the previous chapter.

Extra note2: I realized that the cook was Jeryy and not Jerry, but I decided to stick with it since I used Jerry in the prev. chapter. ^^

Extra note3: Neko Serena reminded me about the translations. If you don't know jap. very well, scroll ALL THE WAY down. Yeah, translations are there.

Warning: This is a Yullen fic, I'm sure you know that, and if you're here looking for lemons or sth, HAH! You'll be terribly disappointed. There will definitely be an overload of sugar and fluff, but that's all. The most you'll see is an increase in weight on the weighing scale! ^^

Disclaimer: Yeshhh~This place is called Fanfiction for a reason. These characters do not belong to me and never will. They belong to Katsura Hoshino.

.

.

.

--

Kanda stopped outside his room. He was hesitating. He had never let anybody in his room before.

Unless you count that baka usagi who barged into his room well past midnight.

[flashback]

It was almost 2 am in the morning and the rabbit had barged into his room, trying to pull a sleeping Kanda out from under the covers.

"Yuu-chan, wake uppppp."

Growling, Kanda's eyes flitted around the room dangerously, looking for a particular something.

Damn, the baka usagi had hidden it.

"What, just what are you doing in my room?" Kanda snarled, lunging at Lavi in the most feral way possible.

Shaking and backing up against the wall, since the room was so neat and there was practically nothing for him to hide behind, Lavi forced out, cowering, "I wanted to watch a late. Midnight. Movie."

"And? I suppose you thought 2 am would make it suitably late for midnight and hence deduced with your empty rabbit-head that if you watched a movie at this hour, it would make it a late. Midnight. Movie," Kanda answered through gritted teeth.

Lavi hadn't heard Kanda at all, he was now standing straight, awe-struck. His dearest Yuu-chan had said a complete sentence at one go!

"Before I skewer you, I would suggest that you get out of my room and go watch your damn late. Midnight. Movie. By yourself."

Lavi had bounded out of the room like the rabbit he was. He knew it wouldn't take long if Kanda really set his mind to finding Mugen and skewering him with it. And it wasn't anywhere hard to find. Just...well...under the bed or something. His memory wasn't very good. Waitttt...what if Kanda couldn't find it and asked him for it? And he wasn't able to answer the question?

Lavi shuddered at the thought, speeding up and chucking an anxious glance over his shoulder.

[end flashback]

It was…strange, carrying a moyashi around in his arms and entering his room, nonetheless. Feeling an imminent headache if he continued to overwork his brain cells like this, thinking of strange things he didn't usually think of, Kanda opened the door and stepped in.

Allen stared at the room in wonder. It was neat and tidy. There wasn't much in the room. Sure, the bed and the bathroom was there, but…Kanda really didn't have much things, did he?

Scanning his eyes across the well-kept room, Allen pointed at the bed and gave his best puppy eyes. He badly wanted to see what it felt like, the bed that Kanda slept in. Nodding stiffly like a silent consent, Kanda set the moyashi down on the bed carefully. He didn't want to risk hurting the moyashi.

Allen smiled in gratitude. He could tell that the man was placing extra care in handling him and he was very appreciative of the fact that he bothered doing so.

Kanda gave an embarrassed 'che' and turned away quickly, trying to hide his awkwardness. He turned around again, after a moment, only to see that the moyashi had turned over and was…suffocating? himself with his own pillow.

Allen inhaled the faint scent of green tea and soap on the pillow. The very same comforting smell he never failed to find on the blue-haired exorcist.

Clearly worried at the moyashi's lack of response, Kanda extended a hand and brushed his fingers against the side of Allen's face. Allen hadn't responded. Surprisingly alarmed, Kanda climbed over the edge of the bed, head bowed down, supporting himself with one knee put steady on the bed while the other foot was placed aligned with the other. Attempting to turn the moyashi over, Kanda bowed his head down, peering anxiously at Allen's face when he finally removed his face from his pillow.

Allen looked up, seeing a pair of cobalt eyes looking him over, anxiety strewn across that beautiful face. Kanda. His position on the bed by his side. He looked like…like…like a knight. Like his knight. Eyes glittering, Allen flashed his teeth at the exorcist in a boyish grin. The man never failed to make him happy.

Kanda's expression, from anxiety, changed subtly, he was getting more embarrassed by his position. His head was over the boy's, hair by his face, hanging downwards. He seemed like…like…like he was going to kiss the boy. Flushing deeply, Kanda did a quick somersault over the bed, landing elegantly a few feet from the bed.

Blinking wildly and taking a moment to react, Allen shot up from the bed.

Why had Kanda disappeared like that? Was he angry? What did he do? He didn't do anything wrong right?

"I…I need to wash my face. A little tired," Kanda lied, guessing by the faint rustle of the sheets that the moyashi was probably confused and was wondering what made him move away. He just felt the need to reassure the moyashi.

Oh. Allen felt as if somebody took a large boulder off of his heart. So that was why he vanished like that.

Kanda, keeping up with the lie, went to the bathroom. Finding nothing to do, he did wash his face in the end. As he reached for his towel, which was a dark blue, not unlike his hair, to wipe the water droplets from his face, he felt someone's eyes on him. Hastening his actions and grabbing the towel to dry his dripping wet face, he hung the towel back to how it was and turned to look at the intruder.

It was the moyashi.

Kanda's eyebrow rose inquiringly, "yes?"

Allen shook his head furiously, content with hiding his face behind his bangs and staring at the floor. His gaze trailed the tiles and he saw Kanda's feet, right where they were, unmoving.

Was…was Kanda waiting for him to say something?

Pursing his lips, Allen brought his gaze upwards, along those slender legs in those black pants, the hem of the coat, the tip of Mugen, along Mugen, the hilt of Mugen, the second button on the coat, then finally resting on the crest of the Black Order, before bringing his head up to look Kanda fully in the eye.

Clearing his throat in that habit of his when he was nervous, Allen spoke up, voice wavering after every few words, gauging Kanda's reaction.

"I…I was just…[shuffles feet] worried that…that you may disappear. I…I don't want to be away from…[volume plummets] from you for...for too long," Allen mumbled, all the while fidgeting, fingers aimlessly toying with the hem of his own shirt.

Kanda could see very clearly the moyashi's embarrassment. Not wanting to put him in a difficult situation, although that blush was, [ahem] very cute, Kanda went around the moyashi in an instant. He kneed Allen at the back of his knees, causing a startled moyashi to fall backwards—right into his arms.

Ignoring the moyashi's blinking, Kanda rested the moyashi on the bed, saying something like, "You shouldn't stand for too long. Weak moyashi like you may get worn out even from standing."

Allen opened his mouth to argue, but Kanda effectively hushed him with a statement, "I'm resting, any noise and you're dead meat."

"Moyashi." Kanda added.

Kanda had seated himself beside the bed, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, back straightened.

This way, he only had to open his eyes and turn slightly to his right and he'd see the moyashi's face.

Of course, that was a secret he'd keep to himself. He wouldn't want a moyashi clinging on to him more than he already was.

If anything happened, he could—

he could what? Be there?

"Che" He was getting softer. What happened to his sealed heart? Hadn't he thought he'd be fine on his own? Protecting his comrades and denying it was one thing, but getting…attached and being…concerned with a moyashi? When had he gotten this soft? Steadying his breath and forcing his thoughts away by closing his eyes, Kanda soothed his irregular heartbeat.

Allen had been watching Kanda the whole time. He didn't know what the exorcist was thinking, but he had enough sense to see that the blue-haired exorcist was now planning to rest. Prompted to do the same, Allen shifted so that his body was turned sideways—

—he could see Kanda once he opened his eyes. Feeling extremely satisfied, just like he always was with Kanda close to him, Allen let sleep dominate his mind, uncaring that it was only a little past noon.

Allen was the first to wake up, or so he thought. He had slept very well, and the sleep was made even better when he opened his eyes to see the side of Kanda's face first thing. He occupied his groggy mind studying Kanda's face. He looked so relaxed, letting his guard down like that. Not even the slightest hint of a frown, a calm serenity blanketing his perfect features—

One eye opened to look at him.

Feeling butterflies in his stomach, Allen widened his eyes dramatically, blushing fully, having been caught in the middle of ogling at his savior.

Kanda smirked.

"Like what you see?"

Open-mouthed, Allen was trying, desperately searching for words, but his thoughts seemed to catch on something in his mind, disabling his communication system. Fortunately, his blush and panic was communication enough around Kanda.

Kanda snorted.

Well, the moyashi certainly wasn't very fun. Wait, what was he expecting the moyashi to say anyway? Yes…?

Pushing these complicated thoughts out of his mind; Kanda brushed his coat and stood up, when he heard a loud rumble from the moyashi.

Allen lowered his head in embarrassment. He got hungry sometimes, but of all times…when he was with Kanda, he had to make such a noise…?!

Not noticing moyashi's inner distress, Kanda slid his arm behind Allen's knees, one hand splayed across the moyashi's chest so that the moyashi was sitting upright on his arm, back leaning into him. Allen brought his arm around Kanda's shoulders for balance. He figured that it was the only way for moyashi to look around at the Order, rather than at his face. He needed to know how to get around, at least to his room, in case he somehow got lost one day.

Kanda had ordered soba. For both him and the moyashi. Moyashi seemed rather fine with the choice of food, so he didn't probe further and waited patiently for the moyashi to finish his lunch. Kanda looked around, letting his thoughts drivel aimlessly away. Apparently, they driveled upon a baka usagi. Ouch, thoughts of that rabbit delivered him a splitting headache.

Why wasn't the loud rabbit here? He always appeared; he never failed to turn up for meals. Che. He was probably stuck in the library doing work, just like he was supposed to, instead of having too much time on his hands doing stupid things with his stupid brain.

Kanda glanced towards the moyashi beside him distractedly, alarmed when he merely saw an empty plate on the table; the moyashi was not beside him. Pushing himself away from the table, stumbling from the bench, Kanda caught sight of Allen. He was two tables further down, and as usual, wearing that innocent grin of his. In a moment, Kanda was beside Allen, crouching, arms crossed. Yes, he was not happy. Why would he be? He hadn't exactly recovered from the shock when moyashi disappeared off like that.

Allen seemed to sense that too, but being ever the martyr, he raised his head to meet Kanda's arched eyebrows and explained, "I…I wanted to try walking on my own. You were thinking of something and I…I didn't want to disturb you."

Kanda, no longer able to remain angry at such a sinfully cute moyashi found himself giving a defeated sigh and he motioned for the moyashi to follow him out of the cafeteria. Tagging behind, albeit slowly, Allen managed to keep up with Kanda's pace, which was a miracle. In truth, Kanda had slowed down, pretending to be fast with his usual fast steps, but his steps were noticeably smaller. At least, to him.

The moyashi doesn't need to know of this soft spot he had for him.

Kanda stopped suddenly, Allen crashing headlong into Kanda's sturdy back. Fortunately, his hand had instinctively reached out and grabbed hold of the moyashi's forearms.

'Sheesh, Kanda sure turned around fast,' Allen thought, staring up into cobalt eyes.

Tilting his head in an almost mocking manner, Kanda regarded the figure before him with interest.

Really, the moyashi could be so stupid sometimes. Who walked and crashed into people on a large corridor as such? Moyashi.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Kanda commented skeptically, "We'll be going to the training room. You can already walk. We'll see if we can build up your stamina. You don't have much of that."

A second later, Kanda realized that he may have sounded too kind.

"You're an accommodator, we wouldn't want you passing out in the middle of a mission or even on the way to the cafeteria," Kanda added, determined to pretend that he wasn't that concerned about the moyashi. He was just doing things to the best interests of the Order. But who was he bluffing? Nobody. A fool would have seen the subtle change in his eyes when he looked at his moyashi. Those eyes softened when he spoke, in a way that was almost completely polite and civil, cut slack on a few 'che's and sarcastic snorts.

Allen nodded. Anything was fine as long as he got to stay beside Kanda. Kanda had already continued walking. Keeping up, Allen shyly caught hold of the exorcist's hand. Kanda ignored the heat from his face and forced himself to continue walking. He tightened his hold around the moyashi's hand in response, not once turning around.

Some part of Kanda's mind refused to quit gnawing at his nerves.

Kanda's POV

Damnit, he did not blush. Yuu Kanda did not blush. Certainly not because of some moyashi too.

Truth is, you do blush.

There was nothing to push that smug tone away, and it continued, making Kanda glower at nothing in particular ahead.

'I don't care,' Kanda thought.

Oh, about what? You have to be a bit more specific you know, because if you were referring to the moyashi, I have to tell you to stop lying to yourself.

I wasn't referring to moyashi, and I don't lie. I do not care about my moyashi.

If I may, you just said there, 'my moyashi'. Secondly, explain your response to the moyashi then. You carried him around, in your arms. If it had been anybody else so much as touching you for more than two seconds like the moyashi, you'd have sliced that idiot up.

'He's—' Kanda cringed inwardly. He couldn't find an excuse to cover that.

There you go. The raise of your heartbeat, the internal agitation when he directs his happiness at you. When he smiled, when he grinned, when he flashes those silver eyes, when he saw that you stayed. For him. When he gets angry in the cutest way possible.

'Yes, I may have taken an interest in him, but what makes you so sure that I like him anyway?' Kanda thought stubbornly, he was so close, so close to pouting to himself now.

Aha, you see, I never mentioned anything about 'taking an interest in him' or 'liking him'. So, I guess guilt makes people spill their deepest heartfelt words eh? You do like him after all, just admit it.

Shaking his head and trying to will that inner part of himself to shut up, Kanda thought, 'Damn it, who the hell are you anyway?' Of course, he hadn't expected an answer, it was him and his mind playing tricks on him all along. But that tiny voice prompting him to stop denying his own feelings had nagged, and hit the mark right on.

Stupid thoughts, Kanda thought furiously, annoyed at himself with his internal monologue. It had only frustrated him even more. Now he was positive that he did care and perhaps—Kanda allowed himself a bit more room to fight his naivety— he was warming up to the moyashi, bit by bit, even if nobody had noticed. There was no denying now, nothing he could do could change this victorious battle he had let take place.

A voice cut off his whirring train of thoughts, bringing him back down to reality, where his moyashi was.

"Kanda, where is the training room? I think we've been walking around in circles for the past two minutes."

Embarrassed, Kanda gave a dry chuckle, very unlike what he ever did.

Looking around, Kanda replied, "Che. I was thinking of some things and wasn't paying attention. The training room's just a little more ahead."

That, was the closest thing to an apology that Kanda had ever made, but of course, Kanda hadn't bothered to notice such little things. And moyashi being moyashi, how would he know such a thing? He'd only been around for a few days.

Entering the training room, Allen looked around in wonder. It was a humongous place with lots of pillars around. It wasn't very bright, but it wasn't considered dark either. There were various marks on the walls and ceiling, each of them proof of another's intense training. Some of the marks were blunt but deep while others were slight but precise. It gave a very good gauge of just how different yet strong each exorcist was.

Kanda was standing a good twenty metres away from the moyashi, facing him, right hand on the hilt of his katana. Allen stood where he was, very confused.

What was Kanda going to do? His stance…he looked like he was going to fight. But…why? Was he supposed to fight too? Was he supposed to attack Kanda? Or was he supposed to dodge Kanda's blows?

Thoughts racing through his head, Allen continued to stare blankly at the space between two pillars where Kanda had chosen to stand.

Che. Baka moyashi looks so confused.

Kanda brushed that off easily. Allen looked confused all the time. He was fifteen, he should know what was going on right?

He would assume Allen knows how to invoke, or at least engage in less intensive close-combat. He was an accommodator after all.

Drawing Mugen out of its sheath, Kanda charged forward, aiming for a straight blow. He needed to know how moyashi fought, amd blows which the moyashi would not be able to withstand or even see was not going to help.

Allen blinked. Twice. Once. Twice. Again.

Kanda was running towards him, directly. Barely a second passed and Kanda was already 5 metres from him, katana raised, a menacing gleam making its way from the metal hilt to the tip of the blade.

Strangely, Allen hadn't panicked, even as he raised Mugen, bringing it up in the air for an attack in one fluid movement.

What, the hell is wrong with the boy? Even if he had the best reflex among all the exorcists, it would be impossible to dodge his blow, with this distance between them. The idiot was still standing there, eyes widening in that stupid way of his. Damnit, his guards weren't even up, Kanda thought as his eyes ran an anxious way around his frame.

[A/N: 'in that stupid way of his'. HAH. Kanda definitely meant to think: in that cute way of his.]

Realising that the boy had no intention of fending off the impending blow, Kanda dropped Mugen immediately. Yes, dropped Mugen. Judging by his momentum and distance left between moyashi and him, high chance he'd slice Allen cleanly in two before he managed to sheath his katana. If it had been anybody else before him, who knows whether he cared if he killed that person? He never dropped Mugen. Momentum driving him on and giving him no chance to halt, Kanda crashed into his moyashi. Technically, his moyashi had crashed into him, because he had made use of the momentum; there was only a slight collision of bodies before he turned—so that his back had the undeniable fate of kissing the floor first— before he pulled the moyashi into his arms.

Baaaka moyashi. Losing his balance with just a slight collision. Kanda reached out and grabbed the moyashi by the forearms.

Kanda had dropped his katana. The one he brought with him everywhere, save the bathroom. He hadn't exactly seen Kanda go into the bathroom often. Dropped it. And it was intentional too!

Allen could see the man's furious face at the last instant, before the blue-haired exorcist had banged into him. He felt as if the air in him was rammed out. A pair of hands caught hold of his arms and pulled his teetering form backwards.

Wait. A pair of hands?!

Allen turned his head by a fraction, in time to catch a glimpse of Kanda's face behind him.

Kanda's hands. A little larger than his. Pale skin, slender fingers. Yes, definitely Kanda's hands.

Allen smiled.

Well, he needn't worry now. He'd be fine, no matter what happened. This pair of hands would save him from anything and everything.

Allen allowed his body to fall backwards along with the pull of gravity and the pull of…well…someone's hands.

A muffled thud was all that was heard when Kanda's body landed upon the cold concrete slabs that were originally beneath his feet. Moyashi was caught in an embrace. His, of course. Who else would look out so well for the baka moyashi?

Kanda winced when he tried to get up in a sitting position—with his moyashi on top.

His back, was hurting like hell.

Kanda chose to lie right back down, letting his head drop onto the floor, closing his eyes and recounting what happened.

"Oi, moyashi, are you hurt?"

He's reply seemed to reach his ears only after an eternity.

"N—no."

Unconsciously, his traitorous mind had taken control and he murmured a, "Good."

Allen's ears perked up at that. Flipping himself over and off of the blue-haired exorcist, Allen stood and smiled the biggest smile he could manage. Groaning softly, Kanda rose up to his forearms at the sudden lightening in load.

"Moyashi, grin anymore and your face may freeze up like that." Kanda mumbled, not completely annoyed at all the smiles, but just a little embarrassed to have such a…coughcoughcutecough moyashi be the one smiling.

"Kanda, were you worried? For me…? Was that why you let go of Mugen?" Allen asked in an almost solemn tone, if not for the imploring face he gave.

Kanda looked at moyashi in surprise. He didn't want to lie to a moyashi asking him with such genuine and large eyes.

Mumbling as quick as he could muster, Kanda gave a 'yes' before turning to look away, at anything but the moyashi.

Turning around again, this time fully, and glaring at Allen, eyes narrowing dangerously, Kanda said, tone driven somewhat with an edge of desperation, "Why, why in the blazes didn't you attack me when I charged?! Or fended off the oncoming blow at least?! You could have gotten killed there, on the spot. Were you that confident that you'd be able to dodge that blow?!"

"You'll save me," Allen interrupted, a trusting and tiny smile gracing his features.

"—What if you didn't make it in time?! What if something happened to you?! Do you honestly think I can forgive myself if I ever made such a mistake?! Did you think of the conse—," Kanda had plowed on mercilessly, gears not in the best state to click right away yet.

"Wha…?" Kanda slurred int he middel of the long rant. Allen's words finally registering in his mind. His gaze softened.

Pulling the boy into a crushing embrace, Kanda dipped his head and inhaled.

"Mo-ya-shi, what if I really didn't make it in time? What if I injured you?" Shaking his head slowly in tortured exasperation, Kanda brought a hand up to ruffle the boy's white locks lovingly.

Allen took the chance to press himself closer still to the blue-haired exorcist.

Kanda…Kanda was always this warm.

He nuzzled his face into Kanda's chest, letting the words slip, muffled.

"I trust you."

Giving a profound sigh, Kanda said, not unkindly, "You have to learn who to trust. Not everyone would protect you the same way I would. Got it?"

At this, Allen scowled.

Dear God, how does he remain this cute even when he's angry…?

"Oi, moyashi, that reminds me. Why didn't you at least invoke your Innocence? For accommodators, whether they trust the person or not, some part of them usually invokes the Innocence as reflex."

"Are you…are you talking about my arm?" Allen asked, bringing his left hand up and inspecting it.

"Y—yes."

The reply sounded hesitant. So the boy hadn't realized that what he was wielding was called…Innocence?

"I don't know how to," Allen stated simply, tilting his head to stare at Kanda.

Kanda widened his eyes.

Impossible. So he really didn't know how to control his Innocence. Then all this time…his Innocence had been activating and de-activating by sheer instinct? It couldn't be. Unless there was something which happened to make the Innocence react to Akuma naturally. Had it something to do with his curse? The one on his left eye?

"Did I do something wrong?" Allen asked softly, peering at Kanda.

Was Kanda mad at him? Why was Kanda staring ahead of him? Why wasn't Kanda responding?

Feeling thoroughly insecure as his pulse quickened considerably, Allen suddenly tightened his arms around the exorcist, putting more of his weight against Kanda. He wasn't going to let Kanda leave, even if he was angry.

He hadn't done anything wrong...right?

Kanda was pulled back to reality with those possessive arms around him.

"Oi. Moyashi? What's wrong?"

Allen chose not to answer and instead asked, "Kanda, are you angry with me?"

Kanda didn't mask his surprise. Why would he be angry at moyashi?

"Because I didn't…invoke? My…my…Inno-innocence?" Allen pressed on, trying very hard to remember what Kanda had said.

"Baka moyashi. I'm not angry, so you'd better not cry."

Allen blinked and nodded profusely. He wasn't going to make Kanda angry.

Kanda looked behind him. Good. There was a wall about five feet away from him.

"Moyashi, my back is killing me. Mind if I sit?" Kanda gestured vaguely.

Allen took the hint and nodded, much too quickly for Kanda.

"Mo. Ya. Shi. I am not angry with you, so could you stop acting like you're my servant or something?"

Allen's lips parted and before he could say anything, he was cut-off by a stern-looking Kanda, who gave a monosyllabic command, "Sit."

Kanda had sat, long legs stretched out before him, slightly open with his back leaning against the wall. Allen chose to sit right between his legs. Allen stubbornly stuck himself there and leaned back, against Kanda's chest, so that his head fit nicely under Kanda's chin. He didn't want to risk the exorcist going anywhere without him.

Kanda stiffened and drew his legs up when Allen plonked himself right there, head against his chest. Any other man would have done the same. He was merely surprised, that's all. Gradually, Kanda began to relax and let the back of his knees fall back to the floor again.

"Moyashi, when did you first use your arm?"

The question was fueled on by his furor of curiosity. He simply let it get the better of him and said the question.

At this, Allen tensed, Kanda could fell it, feel the rise and fall of his moyashi's chest getting quicker.

Oh God, was he going to cry?

Unable to resist himself, Kanda snaked his arms around his moyashi so that his right hand was on Allen's left shoulder while his left other arm was draped across moyashi's navel.

"You don't have to answer it."

"No. Kanda asked, so I'm answering it."

Kanda resisted the urge to growl at the boy's naivety. Moyashi cleared his throat and he kept silent, waiting for him to speak.

"It's rather vague, since it's been years. I was born with this deformed arm, and…and my parents abandoned me. I still remember, that day, it was winter," a smile touched Allen's face. His eyes were glazed, he was sinking into the happiness of one of the few delightful memories of his childhood.

Kanda could feel the body against his, in a relaxed and very vulnerable position.

He was just a kid after all.

"That day when Mana found me. It was snowing, I was sitting at the edge of the pavement and it was so, very cold."

Allen huddled closer to Kanda unconsciously, if it was any more possible. Trying to give the boy his reassurance, Kanda tightened the arm around moyashi's waist. Allen continued, seemingly unaware of his surroundings as he immersed himself in that far and faded memory of his.

"I was rubbing my bare hands together, then suddenly, a pair of gloves presented themselves, right in front of me. I looked up, and I saw a very tall man. He was wearing a tall black hat with a two tailed coat, like a magician. He was like a father. He took me in and raised me, even though he saw my mechanical arm. He took me on his travels around the world. He taught me stunts and tricks. He was in a sense, a nomad. On his travels, I saw many things. Things that were new to me. Back when I was with my parents, they locked me up in the cellar, declaring that my arm was too hideous for anybody to see. They hid me away when there were visitors. I didn't mind, I didn't talk much then. But…it was so cold…and dark in that damp place. I never saw much of the outside world. I never had the chance to go out of the house, save the time…the time they threw me out," a forlorn frown broke out on his moyashi's face. Moyashi closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, there was an inexplicable spark in his eyes.

"But it all changed, it all changed when Mana found me. I saw the circus. I saw the magic tricks magician's from all over the world did. I learnt how to do stunts. Somersaults, twists and turns. Once, I fell, and Mana didn't help me up. I was panting heavily, we had walked for a very long time. Mana had long legs. I had to take five to account for his one single step."

Kanda's lips quirked up. This was the first time he had seen his moyashi so genuinely annoyed over such a simple thing.

[flashback]

"Mana! Mana!"

Allen was squatting beside his foster father, trying to shake the barely moving body. He put one hand on the floor of the alley for balance, the other wrapped around Mana's shoulder, pushing back and forth the body curled on its side.

Mana's hand stretched out, catching hold of Allen's wrist. With great difficulty and numerous heaves of his chest, Mana brought himself to his forearms so they were at eye level.

"Allen…Listen to me, Allen. No matter what happens, never stop!"

"No Mana, I don't want you to die!"

"—No matter what, keep walking."

The small Allen with muddy brown hair shook his head, tears glistening in the moonlight.

"Don't leave me alone!"

By now, tears were streaming down his cheeks freely, eyes overflowing with an aching fear and desperation. The stream of tears didn't stop, they kept coming, attacking his mind with a gnawing ferocity and realization.

He was going to lose Mana…

Mana's black bangs obscured his vision. That was good…He wouldn't know how to reassure the boy he loved without showing him his pain and grief without lying through his teeth. He didn't want to leave the boy all alone in this huge world too…He tightened his grip on Allen's wrist. That was all he could do now. He could only hope that the boy would keep walking, for now, that was all he could do.

"Keep walking, Allen! As long as there's a breath left in your body!"

Mana stopped there, finding it harder and harder to breathe. He was already losing his vision of the grey slabs of the alleyway.

'This is the end… Allen, keep walking.' Mana thought, falling prey to the embrace of death. Nobody could escape it. His just came a little sooner.

The grip on his wrist slackened and fell, onto the cold concrete floor.

"Ma..Mana?" Allen asked tentatively, raising his gloved left hand to pat the locks of black before him, then he gave him a feeble push.

The person he loved most didn't respond.

"No…It's not true! Don't die! I don't want you to die!"

Allen was at the tombstone of Mana, kneeling in that childish way of his before Mana's grave. His foster father, the closest person he ever had, was now resting five feet beneath the soil he was kneeling on.

"A good evening to you," a disgustingly nasal voice rang out, breaking the almost reverent silence within the graveyard.

Allen raised his eyes, every hint of the dolour remaining there, unhidden. There, right beside a gnarled and ugly dead tree, was a fat man. The full moon was behind the man, casting an eerie glow over the mysterious and strange man before him.

The man in front of him resembled a grotesque caricature of a Victorian gentleman; a rotund figure in cape and top hat, with an enormous grin that remained fixed even when he was speaking, and his eyes permanently hidden behind a pair of pince-nez spectacles, making his eyes hidden behind those scintillating glasses.

"Shall I revive Mana Walker for you?"

By now, the fat man was behind the slab of tombstone, right hand resting on his chin in a mockingly thoughtful way.

Allen was not in the best state of mind to realize that he should be watching the fat man through wary eyes. All he needed was a flicker of hope to light that torch he laid away in the folds of his heart, specially for any hope, any hope at all for a miracle.

"If you wish to, I need your help," the stranger said, all the while grinning, even when the boy offered him no response.

"I need you, the one he loved most, to call out to him."

Breathlessly, Allen let the words slip out into the chilling night air.

"Call Mana?"

"Yes, you can steal back your Mana from that hateful God!"

The man brandished his arm towards the blood-red sky that called out mockingly to him.

"You…You can bring Mana back?" Allen asked in wonderment, the words of the man fully catching his attention now.

"Now, you must call his soul back from the afterlife."

[end flashback]

"The skeleton of Mana was there, right before my eyes. But that skeleton was…different, it was standing on its own in this…frame, with a helmet that went below the eye sockets. Picking myself up from the hard ground, I took five steps towards that strange skeleton. I cried out Mana's name, and upon that single word which left my lips, I let it all out. The anger, the confusion, the loneliness, the pain, the hatred, and most of all, the hope I was granted. A spark from the sky struck, onto that metallic helmet on Mana, then the skeleton burst into flames, bearing the very same colour as that spark. His name…his name was spelled out in red, right on the front of the helmet. The rest all happened in a blur…"

[flashback]

"Mana…" Allen called out forlornly, as the skeleton came to live, starting with a tremor from the helmet.

"A…llen."

The skeleton spoke, in a hushed whisper. Regaining his hope, Allen walked towards Mana, hands raised. He wanted to hold Mana's hand, ask him if it was all alright now.

"How dare you!"

The skeleton creaked, leaning out of the frame.

"How dare you make me a demon!"

Startled, Allen took a step back at this harsh, ragged sound that came from his beloved Mana.

"I curse you, Allen!"

Allen never saw it coming. The skeleton raised a sharp pincer-like hand and lifted it, bringing it slicing back down upon the left eye of Allen.

Stumbling, Allen pressed his gloved hand to the eye, trying to stem the stream of blood that was gushing out of that deep cut. It stung; it stung so badly. Why had Mana done that to him? He hadn't done anything wrong! Looking up at the skeleton that was once his foster father, Allen's heart was crushed. Was this what Mana was going to say? After he revived him? Blood and tears mingled, flowing down from between his gloved fingers, the diluted blood stained the glove a light crimson. For an instant, it would have looked like the little boy was in so much pain, crying tears of thick blood.

[end flashback]

"My arm, it turned metallic. I was on the floor, dragged by my arm. It was scuttling, pulling me towards Mana. I…I tried to stop it, but it was too fast, I couldn't even control it. There was a strange green fire over the cross on the back of my hand. My left arm had, 'activated', and attacked the demon which harboured Mana's…skeleton…body, soul…whatever that was. Mana was on the ground then, defenseless. He was smoking a little, he raised his head and turned to me too late. I called out to him, I really did, I swear!" Allen cried out, anguish and a haunting guilt settling in his desperate voice.

Doing the thing that Kanda last thought he'd ever do, Kanda tightened his arms, leaning down and cooing soft, gentle words into the boy's right ear.

"Hush now, it's okay. I know, I know it hurt…You did try Allen, you did. I know you did," Kanda whispered reassuringly.

Allen felt the warm breath brush over the shell of his ear, and he shivered, not because he was cold, but because he knew he had Kanda now. As long as Kanda believed him, it'd be alright. It was fine if he had nothing now. Kanda was here.

Allen calmed down, taking a few calm breaths before he took a deep breath and continued on with his story.

[flashback]

"Stop it! Don't kill Mana! Run! Run, father!"

He didn't move from his position, he continued to stay there, unflinching, although he saw the blow coming. And what hurt most of all were Mana's last words. He hadn't even tried to escape from that vulnerable sitting position.

"Allen…" The claw raised itself, now hovering inches away from the skull of the one Allen loved so much.

"I love you."

Allen's eyes widened. In horror, guilt, hurt, and most importantly, Allen hated himself, for what happened next. His hand absolutely refused to listen to him.

"Destroy me."

Damnit, Allen could see it, the shadow of Mana in his left eye, which now had three rings of red in it. The shadow seemed to speak to him, with the voice of the one he loved ever so much, telling him—

"Destroy me, Allen."

That decidedly evil claw brought itself down—

"Mana!"

That one scream tore through his throat.

Why?! Why had Mana chosen to say that?! It would have been easier for Mana to hate him. Why?! Why had Mana said that he loved him? If he loved him, why did he have to be the one to tear through Mana with that hateful mechanical arm of his?! What was wrong with this sick, twisted game of life?! Why Mana?! Why him?!

Allen watched, tears already collecting in the corner of his eyes, the skeleton was torn through, crumbling to dust and carried away by the wind before they even touched the ground. In that second, Allen never felt like he had hated himself as much as he did now.

[end flashback]

"Kanda, I wish, I wish I never had to be the one. I wish I never had to be the one to call Mana back, I wish I never had to be the one to kill Mana," Allen keened softly to himself, rocking back and forth, tears at bay.

Kanda made no sound as he stilled the boy's rocking with the rest of his head upon Allen's shoulder.

Feeling somewhat secure in Kanda's embrace, Allen ceased the soft keening and closed his eyes, breathing slowing down to a normal rate, head rested on Kanda's shoulder, so that their cheeks were pressed flush against each other. Kanda didn't seem to notice the intimacy of their actions, however. He was deep in thought.

So the moyashi summoned his own foster father and then ended up killing him. Which explains the cursed left eye. Judging from the sound of it, it seems that his eye allowed him the ability to sense akuma, or rather, see something the akuma posess. The remnant of whatever's left of humanity in it. The soul. Whatever. Moyashi had also seen the Earl. Met him, so close too.

Kanda's fingers curled in anger, anything, anything could have happened to that five-year-old moyashi. And he wouldn't be sitting here between his legs, leaning against him now. The unfamiliar emotion made his chest constrict, leaving it painfully tight.

Just what was going on? When the moyashi always elicited strange reactions from him. What was wrong with him?! This sh

Kanda felt a poke in the middle of his furrowed brows. Moyashi had turned around and was using an index finger to poke him. He couldn't get angry, not at a particularly cute moyashi staring so intensely at him. He opted for raising one eyebrow—it saved him the trouble of talking.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

The answer was habitual, he had honed an anti-social and sarcastic nature over the years at the Black Order.

"Liar. You always frown when you're deep in thought. And this spot," Allen poked that same spot between his eyes, "this spot, gets all wrinkly when you frown."

Kanda couldn't suppress a chuckle at the sight before him; Allen was facing him, practically sprawled over him, one hand on his chest while the other was hovering in the air, index resting between his eyes, and staring right into his eyes, a pair of bright silver eyes belonging to a moyashi wearing the most adorable indignant pout on his face.

The moment was ruined with a shout from outside.

"YUU NO PATSU!!!"

Kanda growled. There'd be hell to pay. Oh there definitely was.

Yuu no patsu?! That baka usagi was going to die for this.

That annoying voice he could recognize from anywhere. Kanda made a move to stand up, then realized his very compromising position, with his moyashi straddling him like that. He'd never live to have peace if Lavi ever saw this. Kanda cursed.

"Moyashi, I think you need to get up, Lavi's coming around," Kanda muttered gruffly.

Allen understood immediately. He knew how…terribly noisy Lavi could get. Allen got up, but with the help of a not-so-grouchy Kanda.

Lavi barged into the training room, finding the two he was looking for. They were right there when he opened the door of the training room, waiting expectantly.

"Ahhhh, I was looking for you two!" Lavi exclaimed, looking past the fact that Kanda was giving a murderous aura.

"Really…? And I had the idea that you were calling just me, with a name that I have warned you not to use."

Looking past what Kanda said, since he had highly accurate sense of selective hearing, Lavi replied, "Oh, I knew the moyashi'd be with you, so I didn't call for him. And I doubt he'd have come if I was the one who called for him. Allen-chan only listens to everyone's dearest Yuu."

Kanda cleared his throat.

"Don't even think about changing the topic, baka usagi."

Kanda's hand rested on the hilt of Mugen.

Lavi winced and backed away immediately, blabbing, "Komui wants to see you in his office."

"Along with the moyashi of course," Lavi added, nodding at the boy hiding behind Kanda.

At this, Allen frowned and took a tiny step out, facing the red-head, "It's Allen, not moyashi!"

"Ehhhhh, but Kanda calls you moyashi too!"

Kanda cut him off swiftly, not wanting to be caught in another pointless conversation with the rabbit.

"That's different. For one, our intelligence already has a large disparity, going along with that, our privileges are different."

Lavi broke out in cold sweat. Kanda could be so mean and sarcastic sometimes.

Kanda motioned for Allen to follow him and the two were making a sprint towards Komui's office. Actually, technically, it was just Kanda sprinting. The moyashi was in his arms, the moyashi didn't know how to get to Komui's office, and to avoid all chances of Lavi catching up and deciding to ramble for a few hours just for sport, Kanda had resorted to carrying his moyashi and sprinting to Komui's office. Allen, on the other hand, didn't mind at all. Either way, he'd be with Kanda. Any other noise may jolly well be tuned out when he was with Kanda.

Kanda was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, left hand lazily holding on to his katana. They were already in Komui's office. Allen, of course, was not far from him. In fact, Allen had chosen to stick beside Kanda, taking his place on the wall as well.

Seeing the blue-haired exorcist's bored face, Komui cleared his throat nervously and began, resting his head on the back of his interlinked hands in that idiotic fashion of his as usual.

"Ahem, as you see, I mean, as you heard, I called you to the office."

Kanda snorted.

Very like how the head would start a conversation—with the most redundant and unimportant detail first.

"Yesyes, as I was saying, I have called you here, along with our newest member, because the Vatican has already been informed of the addition of another exorcist to the Headquarters and they have requested for Allen-kun over here," Komui lowered his head solemnly, "to be sent out onto the field as soon as possible."

Kanda, was fuming mad, even though he didn't show it.

He had very well caught on what the Vatican planned. By 'request', they simply meant that it was an order, and there'd be hell to pay if it wasn't seen to. By 'as soon as possible', they meant immediately. Trust the Vatican to play the good cop.

Kanda strode over to the desk, across the paper-littered room. Slamming his fists down onto the desk, Kanda bent low, so that he saw Komui at eye level.

"Moyashi has only been here for one and a half days. That's less than 48 hours. What. Do. You. Think. You're. Doing?!" Kanda hissed, fury rolling off him in waves.

Kanda was now royally pissed. Not. A pretty sight.

At this, Komui only lowered his head more, only to bring his dark ashmauve eyes up to fix Kanda a steeled look of his own. Or so one would think, if they hadn't known better. Kanda saw how his gaze wavered, laced with guilt and regret.

"I'm sorry…I really am. But the Vatican's orders, I'm…really sorry

Kanda turned away, putting an abrupt stop to Komui's plea.

Goddamnit. Goddamnit, how he hated that gaze, that helpless look, that silent cry of anguish. Komui was, after all, just the supervisor in the Headquarters, he like all the rest of the members of the Black Order, were forced on, a lonely puppet dancing a destructive tale on the stage he'd been chained to.

Mere tools playing on this sadistic and twisted game as counters, this ruthless battle to exterminate the Akuma and destroy the Noahs, extinguish the Earl of Millenium. What a pathetic Order. It wasn't Komui's fault, and he knew it. He knew it too damn well.

"Che. Consider it done. Moyashi is going out onto the field on one condition, that is, if I go along with him on the mission."

Komui brightened up immediately. He had been anticipating that, he called Kanda here to get Kanda to go on the mission, and hopefully, finish the mission by himself, so that Allen-kun was protected and ultimately safe from harm.

"Of course! I trust you'll take care of Allen-kun's well-being then? Alrightttttt, so, the two of you can run along for dinner now. I'm afraid I have to see Allen-kun here again after your meal, I need to bring him to see Hevlaska before his mission. Everything will be packed and ready for you to go as soon as Hevlaska is done with Allen-kun over here. I'll be sending a Finder with the two of you of course. It will be a short mission; taking a week at the most."

Komui fumbled around all over his messy, paper-strewn, cobweb-attracting desk for the folder with the details. Finally, Komui indulged in a moment of triumph at having succeeded in laying his hands on the file, away from the evil clutches of the horrid papers that threatened to hide away all his important documents on the table. Komui opened the file and scanned his eyes down the front page.

"Ahhhh, yes, there is an abnormal rate of Akuma activity in this town in southern Italy… It seems highly likely that Innocence is at work here. The Akuma have taken notice and are targeting it. Proceed with all haste to the scene, destroy the enemy, and capture the Innocence. You'll have to read the manuals on the way for the specifics. That's all."

Already walking towards the door, Kanda stopped right before the doorway, muttering a, "thank you". That left the supervisor hugging the black folder to his chest and gaping, jaws slack at the place where the cold exorcist had been just a moment ago. Sure, he had tried to stand up for them, but well…he wasn't expecting such a nice comment from Kanda. It was almost as good as hearing that Lenalee wouldn't get married for another 5 years or more.

Allen didn't get what that conversation was all about, but he had enough sense in him to follow the blue-haired exorcist quickly out of the room when the conversation came to a close. Deciding that now wasn't the best time to ask his savior any question, since he could almost feel the aura that reeked of displeasure on what— he couldn't quite place his thumb on. Allen made a mental reminder to ask the exorcist later. Allen was still spacing out until he bumped into the back of…of…something warm—

Kanda.

Naturally bowing his head down and opening his mouth to spurt out apologies, Allen was stopped by a face bending down to his then inching closer and closer. Surprised, Allen made no attempt to escape, only blinking in confusion at the man before him.

Kanda sighed.

Damnit. He needed to explain the whole exorcist-life thing to the moyashi, but having such an adorably confused expression was not, not helping him to find the right words to say in the least.

Turning suddenly away and instead just leaning against the wall of the corridor, Kanda slid down to sit on the floor, something he wouldn't normally do. But his mood now wasn't exactly normal either, he was tired out and still largely annoyed and partially angry with the irresponsible orders of the Vatican. Allen, sensing that Kanda had something to say, whether it was to him in particular or not, happily took his place between Kanda's legs again, the exact same position they were in within the training room. Kanda's eyes barely registered his surprise and he started to talk.

"It all started about a hundred years ago, with the discovery of a certain Cube. It will get rather confusing, and you'll understand it in time, so I'll move on to Innocence instead. Innocence is a strange substance that was left by an ancient civilization. There are currently 109 fragments, or Innocence as you may call it, scattered around the world. Exorcists, are accommodators, people who are suitable to fuse with the Innocence and synchronize, thus gaining the ability to wield and use the power it holds. Akuma are made from dark matter, which is infused with the soul of a dead person, who'd been brought back by a loved one. The Akuma then kills the one who brought it back. So it really wasn't your fault when you killed Mana. It was instinct, your Innocence was made to kill these Akuma. People with innocence become exorcists, and they help destroy these things, so that the person who controls them can't destroy humanity. There is a waging war against the Millennium Earl, the man you met at Mana's grave, who intends to destroy humanity with his army of Akuma, weapons created from the souls of the deceased when their loved ones curse God for their loss. This place we are in, the Black Order, scours the world for all 109 fragments, which have been washed away during the Great Flood, and for people who can use anti-Akuma weapons, the Innocence in its weaponized form. These people, called Exorcists, are able to effectively fight against and destroy the Akuma. One Innocence, referred to as the "Great Heart" will assure their victory. However, the Earl is also looking for the Innocence and the Heart with the intent to destroy them. Innocence takes the form of two types. One is parasitic, like yours, which actually dwells inside its user. Mine, however, is an equipment type. It takes the form of an external weapon, Mugen. The usagi and Lenalee, both of them have equipment type Innocence. Usagi uses a hammer. Lenalee uses Dark Boots. Parasitic types are actually very rare," Kanda added, casting the half-turned moyashi a fond look.

Allen took in all this with slow nods and furrowed brows. It was a good summary, but nonetheless, it was a mild overload of information. As if guessing moyashi's thoughts, Kanda ruffled his white locks and muttered, "You just have to know why you're here and what you're here for." Simple as they were, those words came out a lot more reassuring than Kanda had expected and moyashi smiled, turning so that his back was once again resting comfortably on Kanda's chest.

"I think we should be at the cafeteria now. It's getting late. You still have to go meet Hevlaska after you're done."

At that, Allen raised his head questioningly. Kanda didn't notice and merely tugged moyashi along with him to the cafeteria.

Once again, Kanda found himself in a peculiar position. Lenalee had gone on a mission alone, or rather, was supposed to, but Komui, being the sister-complex brother that he was, had insisted that the Apprentice Bookman go with Lenalee. Moyashi was sitting as close as he could manage, to him, eating the same thing as him, even trying to use chopsticks like Kanda. It would have made a pretty cute scene if anybody actually turned to take a look at them—

people knew better than to stare at Yuu Kanda…when he was having soba. Because that was apparently the time when he was in the best mood and must NEVER be disturbed. Of course, that rule doesn't apply to a certain usag and the wielder of Dark Boots.

Kanda frowned at the moyashi sticking to his side as if he couldn't get close enough. Without a word, Kanda stepped away from the table and made his way to Jerry, the large and weird cook with disgusting, of course, that was pretty much everybody's opinion, bubblegum-pink hair and a kanji sign "愛" on his back. Kanda growled. He didn't know what moyashis usually ate. He called the first Japanese food which came to mind.

"Mitarashi dango. Two servings."

Jerry animatedly turned to look Kanda fully in the eye, comically letting his jaw drop while he used his index, thumb and middle finger to remove his hilarious sunglasses from the bridge of his nose.

Kanda hated awkward situations as such—another good reason for him to talk less.

"Che. Do it," Kanda narrowed his eyes dangerously, "unless you're really keen to find out how Mugen feels like…against your throat."

Jerry recovered his senses, closing his jaws with an unsightly 'clack' and a complete grin.

Oh yes, he knew how rare it was, for the all high-and-mighty to ask for something other than soba or tempura. Something sweet at that too! Oh, this has got to be the greatest day of his life.

Kanda barely waited for 4 seconds before two servings of mitarashi dango were placed ceremoniously before him.

'Che.'

Kanda wasn't one to say thanks, and that was all the encouragement Jerry needed for the rest of his life.

Kanda sat back down where he was, facing Allen's panicky face.

"Che. I wasn't planning to go anywhere. You have parasitic type Innocence. And you're fifteen. Naturally you need something more than soba. And if my infallible logic doesn't escape me, moyashis like sweet things," Kanda smirked at his moyashi's current pouting face.

Allen opened his mouth, forming the start of a word—

Before he closed it again.

Annoyed and like hell curious, Kanda leaned down, awaiting the moyashi to say what he wanted to. Allen shifted closer to the exorcist, before murmuring. "I'll eat it if Kanda eats it too."

Kanda's back immediately stiffened, and he stoically straightened up.

What? They boy wanted him to eat that…that thing? No way in hell.

Allen stared persistently at Kanda, eyebrows knotting, as if willing Kanda to pick up his chopsticks and eat those…things which he had gotten for him. Kanda's lips were drawn into a tight grimace.

"No."

Allen started glaring—he learnt this wonderful action from his savior. Kanda resisted the urge to guffaw at the moyashi's epic failure at glaring. He was doing a pretty bad job out of it. Firstly, his height implemented nothing of intimidation, while his usual pout was still present in the glaring-attempt, which only succeeded in making him look cuter than ever. His eyebrows were furrowed in the funniest way possible, hell it wasn't even serious enough. Moyashi looked like he had drawn a make-shift caterpillar above his eyes.

Kanda allowed a small smile to pull its way through to his face.

Damn it, he was getting soft. Thoughts of guffawing for god's sake! Yuu Kanda did not, most certainly not…guffaw.

"Moyashi, eat."

Allen lowered his head by an inch. He really didn't want Kanda to get angry, but he was fine eating soba just like the exorcist, so why did he have to eat something that Kanda obviously didn't usually eat? No, he had decided, he wasn't going to eat it.

Kanda's lips curved upwards in a fractional hint of a smirk.

"Moyashi, if you don't eat it, I'll tell the Head Nurse that you're not eating well and need to stay at the Infirmary. She'll probably make you stay there for a week or two," as if that wasn't enough, Kanda went on, "I rarely go to the Infirmary because of injuries."

Allen widened his eyes in horror.

Two weeks with Kanda not even close to him? What if Kanda went away from this place before he's out of the horrible white space? No. Kanda…Kanda, Kanda.

Allen cast his eyes down in resignation, biting back the urge to whine, although Kanda did notice that the moyashi's left hand was now gripping on tightly to the corner of his exorcist coat.

Right now, Kanda was, for the first time in his life, feeling a twinge of guilt. He hadn't meant to frighten the boy so, but he had no other choice but to do it to make sure that moyashi ate enough. Feeling bad, Kanda swiftly picked up one dango with his chopsticks and brought it an inch to the moyashi's mouth. Shoulders slumped in resignation, Allen opened his mouth wide, closing it with a snap. Kanda had the sense to pull his chopsticks away before his moyashi's teeth cracked and broke off. Chewing albeit slowly, Kanda saw the boy's face lighting up when he swallowed the dango.

Good, so moyashis did like sweet things after all.

The rest of the meal was finished in silence, with occasional warm smiles from a certain moyashi to a blue-haired exorcist.

They were sitting in the office, waiting for Komui to bring Allen to see Hevlaska before their mission.

"Yes, yes, I hope you've both had a good dinner before your mission? Then, alright, Allen-kun, I'll bring you to see Hevlaska—

Allen interrupted, for the first time, "Who's Hevlaska?"

Kanda arched his brow at that.

At least the moyashi was starting to talk. Talking was important, especially if it meant it was a way of communication for someone so easily hurt like moyashi…

Of course, Kanda conveniently dismissed the fact that almost all his injuries were acquired to save his comrades, although he'd never admit it. And that he didn't talk much. Really, the rabbit just interprets his 'che' in whichever way that suits him, resulting in the loss of a few strands of his red hair.

"Weeeell, Hevlaska has been part of the Black Order since its establishment. She is completely enveloped by her Innocence, which seems to remain invoked all the time. She is able to touch Innocence and determine its synchronization rate and hidden potential, with her…umm…tentacles. Any Innocence recovered from missions is kept within her body, which has 109 holes for each, until an accommodator is found. Generals, whom you will know about in time, are the ones who travel around the world to look for Innocence and accommodators for the Innocence. So yes, we'll be going down to Hevlaska's hall, which is in an underground basement. All accommodators have to get their synchronization rate determined before going for their first mission."

By now, Allen had round eyes, he was very much intimidated by this 'Hevlaska', which was obviously not human, with tentacles and holes and a hall in an underground basement to live in. Allen looked up at the blue-haired exorcist on his right.

Answering his thoughts, Kanda said, "Che. Baka moyashi, I'm not allowed down there. Hevlaska is only visited by this idiot head and the accommodator involved."

Komui nodded in agreement, head bobbing up and down wildly, purple hair bouncing on its ends.

Shaking his head fervently, Allen said stubbornly, "Kanda."

"Butbut, he can't go!"

"Then I won't go too."

Sensing the boy's seriousness when he said it, Komui sighed, "but Kanda can't go with you. It has to be you and me."

Allen stood his ground, torso half-hidden behind Kanda.

Kanda wasn't exactly glad to be at the centre of attention, or the object of this pointless conversation. He was being treated like air when he was virtually smack in the middle of the two.

"Oi, Komui. I don't care what you want to do. But if you delay this mission further, I will personally cut your head off with Mugen."

Defeated, Komui wrung his hands and chewed one thumb for a few seconds before turning to face Allen.

"I suppose Kanda can come with you."

Hearing this, Allen broke out into a smile. He wasn't going anywhere without this Kanda, especially to see this scary thing in this scary place.

The platform was a strange thing. It was a vertically inverted pyramid with a square base all on its own, hovering in the air. The three of them stepped onto the platform, going further and further into the darkness below. When it became too dark to see, the platform glowed a funny cyan. It was Kanda's second time on the platform, but for Allen, it was a first, so Allen stuck close to Kanda, behind Komui all the while, not very pleased with the darkness and dim cyan glow. The platform slowed and stopped altogether less than half a minute later, and several beams of light shone down to light up the place.

Turning to face Allen, Komui said, "Now then, show your worth."

And by his words, a pair of metallic claws with segmented fingers enclosed themselves around Allen from behind, catching both Kanda and Allen unawares.

Kanda gave a 'che'. Hevlaska had to look at the boy's Innocence after all. But that didn't mean he liked it when he was caught off-guard anyway.

One translucent claw went around Allen waist while the other tilted his chin upwards, bringing Allen into the air. Allen made a strangled sound, what was this thing in front of him?!

From what Allen could make out, the thing before him was female. More than half its face was covered by strange snaking convex lines from her face, from the centre of her face, a little away from the edges of her nose.

"I-I-Innocence."

Snaking translucent tube-like tentacles appeared and wove into his left hand and those tubes seemed to be extracting something from his hand, bulges forming and moving into Hevlaska's body. Veins pulsed on the sides of Allen's face.

'What do you think, Hevlaska? Does his cross suit your tastes?" Komui asked, completely unaffected by the Allen-kun's horrified face.

A tentacle moved along his collarbone, around his neck. Allen was unable to move. The claw which had been around him was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he was wrapped tightly within those tentacles.

What is this? It's disgusting…it feels like something's touching my very core…

Allen looked down to the platform beneath his dangling legs. Komui was idly standing, starign up at him. He was getting scared by this Hevlaska creature holding him in the air. His arm, it was starting to hurt.

Kanda…Kanda…

Allen's eyes found Kanda—

"Kanda…Kanda!"

"Calm down, I am not your enemy."

Hevlaska brought Allen closer and closer to her forehead, until they were touching. A bright star appeared from that contact point and spun through the air. A buzzing resonated through Allen's ears. He was very sure now, he didn't like this thing holding him in the air, neither did he like someone so close in his face. The buzzing only added on to his discomfort, making him struggle.

Kanda was standing on the platform, staring at moyashi worriedly. Moyashi had called his name, but other than the fact that he seemed a little edgy, there didn't seem to be anything wrong. Maybe moyashi was just unfamiliar with Hevlaska. All exorcists went through that phase, getting their synchronization rates determined by Hevlaska.

"Two percent…

Sixteen percent…

Thirty percent…

Fifty-three percent…

Eighty-three percent…"

Hevlaska pulled her head away from Allen, a tentacle glowing on its end now resting on his palm.

"It seems that the most you are able to synchronize with your weapon is eighty-three percent."

The glowing faded and the tentacle removed itself from the open palm. Allen was still staring at Hevlaska, a mixture of shock and caution in his eyes.

"Synchronize…?"

"It is a measure of your ability to merge with your weapon. The lower the synchronization rate is, the more chaotic is its activation, and the more dangerous it is for its bearer."

With that, Hevlaska lowered Allen back down to the ground he was on.

"I did not intend to startle you."

Allen watched the tentacles shimmer slightly and draw back, away from him. Stumbling slightly, Allen found his favourite spot beside Kanda, earning himself a soft 'che' with no malice in it.

"I merely wished to feel your Innocence and know it."

"Know my Innocence…" Allen mumbled.

"Allen Walker, in a dark future from now, your Innocence will give birth to a great destroyer of time."

Allen blinked, confused.

A clapping sounded from Allen's right and Komui was there, "I don't know what that means, but well done! Hevlaska's predictions are often right, you see. Oh my, you've got plenty of potential!"

Allen glared at the head.

"Oh my, all new members have to have their Innocence inspected. Those are the rules!"

Allen just glared more intensely in response. Chuckling nervously at the murderous look Kanda now shared him, Komui tapped a few keys and waved a goodbye to Hevlaska before allowing the platform to rise back up to ground level again.

"Nownow, you're all set to go on the mission, sooooo, bye!"

Komui strode insanely away, only to skid and halt. He turned back and look straight at Allen.

"Ahhhh, how could I forget? Allen-kun, you need an exorcist's coat! Now, if you would please, follow me to my office. I've already had Reever prepare it and leave it there!"

Allen looked at Komui apprehensively, darting a quick look at Kanda. Much to his relief, Kanda only looked on ahead and walk towards the direction of Komui's office. Good, at least he knew it was safe to go. That head seemed crazy enough to chew a sock while sleeping.

The three found themselves in the office again, with Komui holding up a brand new exorcist coat and holding it to Allen's shoulders, seeing if he had guessed Allen's size correctly. It looked pretty okay.

Of course, he was the one and only genius in the Order, his guesses were smart and accurate! Hah!

Komui shook the coat, bringing it above and around Allen's small frame. Seeing Komui's hands lower the coat onto his shoulders, the effect was immediate. Allen widened his eyes and ducked, turning nimbly and tactfully hiding behind Kanda once again.

"Ehhhh, Allen-kun! What's wrong with the new coat? You don't like it? Kanda wears it too, you know."

Moyashi shook his head vigorously, clutching on to Kanda's exorcist coat. Kanda, confused, also thought the problem laid with the coat. He shot moyashi a quizzical look laced with genuine concern.

"Don't…don't touch."

Kanda tilted his head almost imperceptibly in understanding.

Che, so that's why the moyashi panicked.

Swiping the coat from the dumb-founded head, Kanda swiftly threw the coat around the moyashi's shoulders, pausing in the middle of the action; waiting patiently for his moyashi to put his hands through the sleeves. Allen looked at Kanda gratefully, giving another of his brilliant smiles.

"Che."

The coat was a little too large for the moyashi, but the coat looked like the smallest size available—exorcists didn't usually come in such a small package such as Allen. The sleeves went two and a half inches below his wrists, leaving only his fingers showing from the cuff of the coat. Kanda had yet to turn away from the moyashi until Komui successfully, but unintentionally nonetheless, broke him out of his trance.

"Oh dear! It's getting so late! It'll be a few more hours to dinner-time. I trust you've both had dinner? Yes. Run along now! I need to make sure my Lenalee-chan is eating well!"

With that, Kanda found himself, alone, in Komui's office with a very edible moyashi in an oversized coat beside him. Pulling his eyes away from the very edible moyashi, Kanda dragged Allen out by the cuff of his sleeve.

.

.

.


Hello there! Anyone care to tell me why I made changes and they put "changes successfully saved" but I wait fro days and the changes don't appear? Am I supposed to upload the file again or something?

.

Hey readers! Neko Serena pointed out that I didn't put up the translations for the jap. words. So sorry! It didn't occur to me. I'll make a mental note to put up the translations in future.

I shall start with uhhh...sorry, I have to scroll up to check first. ^^;;

Okie! Starting with the easy ones:

usagi- rabbit

moyashi- beansprout

katana- japanese sword, if it wasn't obvious enough T_T

Yuu no patsu- chopped hair Yuu

I'm not sure if I used this, but whatever: wari means sorry. Sumimasen is a more polite term. And when "summan" is used, it's actually informal, like...slang if you want to think of it that way, it's derived from sumimasen.

FYI, Mugen in Kanji is 无限, which literally means "without a limit". In short, Unlimited.

I'll probably use this in the later chapters, so: Ki ni shinai. Informal. Again. It means don't worry.

If there's anything I missed out, tell me! ^^