Much thanks to my reviewers: Wilhelm Wigworthy, NoName-chan, TOOLAZYTOLOGIN, OneDayPineapple, and Firediva0! I hope I didn't rush in too soon with this chapter ^^;; If I did, forgive me for that. Anyways, I don't own D. Gray-man!

The next time Allen opened his eyes, he felt really hungry. He still didn't want to eat with the Earl and the Noah though. That would feel too awkward for him. He couldn't guarantee if Neah was awake yet either so he decided to explore the house and maybe, just maybe, find the way out of there and hopefully memorize the way back from town. He's been on missions where he was forced to hunt down animals and find fruit to eat, so he was pretty sure he didn't really even need any money. As long as he got some food, he would be okay. Allen swore he'd never been so hungry in his entire life. He literally felt like he could eat an entire banquet and still be hungry...not that that hasn't happened before...

The weird thing was, even though his Innocence was gone, Allen could still feel a big appetite ahead of him. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was just because his stomach was used to being stuffed so much or the fact that he was really hungry. Dressing into some clothes Tyki went out and got for him, Allen left the room to go explore the mansion. Hopefully he really wouldn't get lost. It'd be a bit pathetic to get lost in his own house...or well...was this considered his home now? Then again, he got lost at the Black Order plenty of times...

"Where are you going?" Allen nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a smooth female voice catch him. He turned his head around to see Lulubell. Hopefully this Noah was much more understanding than most suspicious people.

"I'm going for a walk." Allen explained and started walking again. He had a feeling that Lulubell would be keeping her eye on him. "If you think I'd leave this place for good, you're wrong. This is Neah's home and I don't plan on separating him from it." Allen added to maybe sooth her nerves on the topic.

How nice of you.

"That's uncharacteristically nice for an exorcist." Lulubell mumbled, stopping him in his tracks. He let out a small chuckle.

"Well I'm not an exorcist, am I?" Lulubell was actually quite surprised that Allen would actually have the gall to say that. Tch, let's see him say that in front of his friends. Lulubell thought bitterly and walked in the other direction. Looks like they're not going to trust me so easily. Allen thought with a sigh.

No offense, but of course they're not.

"Would you just shut up..." Allen grumbled to himself once Lulubell was gone. He didn't want to make her or the other Noah any more suspicious than they already were.

Neah, surprisingly enough, said nothing more after that. Allen felt like he wanted to be alone right now, but he never was alone. As great as that sounded, it wasn't really a good thing. No matter where he went, Neah would always be there. Allen sighed and walked around the mansion some more. An hour probably passed until Allen found a door that looked really similar to one of Road's. He touched it with his fingertips, still unsure if he should really leave. They wouldn't try and kill them, would they? He really was just going out for a walk...

Allen firmly grabbed the handle and opened it slowly. He walked through and let out a gasp when he found that he was in an abandoned cabin in the forest. What a smart place to hide the door...Allen thought as he looked back at the red and golden door. He walked out of the cabin and out into the yard. I'll surely get lost here...Allen walked along the forest and found a relatively sharp stick. He stuck it lightly in the ground behind him and started to drag it to make a trail. If he really did get lost, he could always trace his steps and find the door again. Has the mansion always been here?

The snowy haired teen nearly let out a sigh of relief when he found a town. Being around some people would sooth his nerves a bit. He already ate some fruit in the forest, hopefully not poisonous, and was biting into a relatively large apple he found on a nearby tree. He threw the core back into the forest once his appetite was satisfied and walked throughout the town cautiously. It was highly unlikely, but he didn't want to end up running into an exorcist. Just thinking about his friends made him start to feel over his bandages again. What would they say if they knew? Allen felt his heart drop to his stomach and felt really insecure without some type of hood or cloak.

This being said, Allen walked into a nearby pub and decided to do something he hadn't done in a long time. He gambled. He didn't cheat too much, meaning that he didn't get something so rare as a Royal Straight Flush, he'd chosen a different hand. He didn't even earn a lot, just enough to buy a black cloak he had seen as he passed by a clothing market. Allen liked the feel of the silky cloak as he held it in his hands. He set it comfortably around his shoulders and pulled the hood up when he exited the store. The clothing made him feel more secure.

What to do next...Allen wondered. He didn't want to head back just yet. He liked walking around with normal, non-pseudo humans. He felt like he actually fit in with them, other than the fact he had a Noah in his head. He did suppose that he looked a bit suspicious though with his head down, so he kept his head up. That way none of the people thought he was some burglar there to snatch someone's valuables. Allen nearly flipped out when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and felt more relieved than he would have liked to feel when he saw Tyki standing there.

"What are you doing out here? It's quite dangerous you know, for you I mean. You don't have your Innocence anymore, what if you were attacked by an Akuma?" Tyki asked, pretty curious about Allen's answer.

"Then I'd just run away or hide. It isn't like they can sense me, right? Unless..." Allen trailed off. Tyki removed his hand and nodded in understanding.

"So why did you leave without anyone?" Tyki asked. Allen slightly smiled at that question.

"You make it sound like no one is with me." He chuckled at Tyki's questionable glance. Tyki put his hands in his pockets and walked alongside Allen. "So what did you come out here for?" Allen asked.

"Oh, just to get some cigarettes. I buy all of them here, you see. It's quite a rare brand, but it's cheap." Tyki explained. He led the way and Allen followed him. Allen did want to be alone, but he didn't really want to chance getting lost. He figured it was time to head back anyways. "So what would you have done if you saw an exorcist?" Allen stiffened at the innocence question. Tyki really didn't mean any harm by it, he was actually pretty curious.

"I...don't know...I wouldn't have confronted them if that's what you're wondering. Without my Innocence...I'm their enemy." Allen mumbled regrettably.

"Why do you say that? You're their friend, aren't you? I may be a Noah, but I'm still a human. I know how human's feelings work." Tyki said. Allen sighed.

"That wouldn't matter. The only reason they kept me for so long whilst they knew Neah was within me was because of my Innocence. It's rare to them." Allen muttered. "Maybe my friends don't feel the same way, but they'd have no choice but to abandon me now." Allen said reasonably and made sure the hood of his cloak was firmly on his head. Tyki smiled slightly and nodded his head. He walked into a bar and Allen followed. He probably wasn't supposed to be here since he was underage, but he was sure that the owner most likely didn't even care. Tyki purchased some cigarettes and lit one from the pack. As soon as he walked out the door, the same three friends of his Allen met on the train that one day confronted him.

"Tyki, my man! It's been awhile since we saw you! Wow, your hair's gone and gotten pretty long, hasn't it?" One of them chirped.

"Tyki, did you get me any silver today?" Eez, the little blond one, asked innocently. Tyki sighed at the question.

"No, sorry Eez. It seems I got transferred from that division of the job so it doesn't look like I'll be giving you anymore silver." Tyki said, ruffling the boy's hair. Silver...? Allen wondered. He figured it was probably best that he didn't know though.

"Who's your friend there?" The other one asked. Allen made sure to keep his head low, unsure of how to really greet them.

"Ah, he's just an old friend I guess you could say. Anyways, we'd better get going. More secret business, I have to escort him."

"Eh, you're escorting people now?" The first one laughed. "Wow, that's kind of low." Tyki laughed along with him.

"Yeah, well, it's for my job." Tyki reasoned. The men nodded their heads and bid them farewell. Allen glanced upwards at Tyki. He was really starting to get curious... "What's with the staring?" Tyki asked. "I have friends too, you know."

"Oh no, that wasn't it. I was just...curious is all..." Allen admitted.

"Curious? About what?" Tyki asked.

"Um...never mind, it's stupid..." Allen muttered.

"If you say so." Despite Tyki's words, he still wondered what was on the ex-exorcist's mind.

"Tyki Mikk." A voice growled. The both of them froze. Tyki turned his head around to see an exorcist. It was the long haired one he fought with that one time. The one that reminded him of a samurai.

"How pleasant." He drawled. Allen hid himself behind Tyki, hoping Kanda wouldn't question his presence. He could feel Kanda's eyes on him, but the exorcist said nothing. Allen was glad that he wasn't dressed similarly as he was when he first met Kanda. That would give everything away...unless Kanda didn't really pay any attention to the clothes he wore.

"What are you doing here?" Kanda asked harshly, his hand on the end of his sword.

"I assure you I didn't come to fight." Tyki said. Kanda gave Tyki and Allen both a suspicious look.

"Really? You should know why I'm here. Akuma sightings...that could only mean that you one of you Noah were hiding out here and ready to ambush me when I came." He growled.

"Pretty smart thinking if that was actually true." Tyki said absentmindedly. Allen tugged on Tyki's shirt. He didn't want to hear Kanda right now...if Kanda knew...he would surely never forgive him. Kanda shifted his gaze from Tyki to Allen.

"Who's that?" He asked suspiciously.

"That doesn't matter." Tyki replied shortly. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but it seems I have a rather tight schedule."

"Hah, and you think I'd pass up the chance to slay you?" Kanda unsheathed a fragment of his sword. Tyki sighed, he didn't want to deal with Kanda right this second, especially not with Allen here. If Allen wasn't here, Tyki would probably beat Kanda up, not kill him, and then just leave.

"Ugh, can't you just take this chance and get out of here? We're in town, I don't want to cause a ruckus."

"Quite odd hearing that coming out of a Noah's mouth. Or...is there something special about this place? Is your hideout here? Or maybe..." Kanda's gaze shifted back to Allen. "Your friend's home is here as well?" Tyki was silent, unsure of how to respond to him.

"I was only here to buy cigarettes." Allen couldn't help but let out a laugh and covered his mouth. That sounded so ridiculous coming out of Tyki's mouth. Tyki sent Allen a weird look. "But I was..." Kanda's eyes narrowed. That laugh...sounded familiar...

"Sorry, couldn't help it." Allen said quietly so Kanda wouldn't hear. Kanda was an observant person. He might be slow sometimes, but he probably knew what Allen's voice sounded like.

"Is that really so weird? I just happened to be here at the time. Don't you have some Akuma to go kill, exorcist?" Tyki asked the stunned Kanda.

"...you're not going to stop me?" He questioned suspiciously.

"Of course not, I'm too busy." Tyki said and started to walk off to the opening of the forest. Allen followed behind, a bit stiff in suspicion that Kanda might still come after them. It seemed like something Kanda would do. Allen was quite thankful for the cloak he bought, if it hadn't been for that, he would've been found out by now. He did feel a bit guilty for cheating people out of their money though.

The next thing that happened surprised Allen beyond belief.

He felt a hot pain rush through his back and cried out, falling to his knees. Looking behind him, he was shocked to see that Kanda had actually sliced him. Kanda's sword shouldn't have been able to do that...but...that's right...Neah was inside of him. Tyki quickly got behind Allen and glared at him. "Well, that was interesting. I wonder if you know what you've truly done." Tyki glowered. He couldn't let Neah get hurt...but somehow, Tyki found himself being angry for Allen's sake as well.

"What? Hurt your ally?" Kanda asked with a smirk. "Did I piss you off?"

"Oh you pissed me off alright. But he isn't only my ally. He's yours too." Tyki informed.

"What?"

"Tyki!" Allen hissed.

"What? I can't help that...what's wrong with your..." Tyki trailed off when he saw a trail of blood slowly falling down Allen's face. The exorcist didn't cut his face...

"Akuma..." He whispered. Kanda's eyes widened and he lowered his bloodied sword.

"...Moyashi?" Kanda mumbled with disbelief. Allen couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"How many times do I have to tell you that the name is Allen? Are you really as stupid as I say you are?" Allen asked. Tyki gritted his teeth as an Akuma appeared behind Kanda. He quickly grabbed Allen around his stomach and moved him out of the way. Kanda spun around and sliced the level one in half. He turned back around and shouted.

"What are you doing with the Noah?! Have you betrayed the Order?!" He asked.

"I...had no choice..." Allen muttered painfully.

"What do you mean you had no-" Kanda was silenced when an Akuma's bullet brushed by him. He looked up to see an entire crowd of Akuma.

"Tyki, what are they doing here?!" Allen asked. He paused when he saw the surprised look on Tyki's face.

"I don't know...the Earl didn't...they're rebelling! Shit, let's go!" Tyki grabbed Allen where he had placed him on the ground and lifted him on his back. "We've got to warn the Earl. They plan on destroying the town! There isn't anyway that the exorcist can defeat them...all...oh, they have backup." Tyki said. Allen turned around to see Lavi, Bookman, Lenalee, Miranda, and Krory all arriving to the seen. Allen clenched his fists around Tyki's shirt and buried his head into his back. I'm so sorry...it doesn't look like I can fight alongside you all anymore...I can't help you...

They made it to safety and Tyki quickly turned invisibility on the door leading outside and rushed to the room Allen stayed in, laying him on the bed, which was soaked in blood in a matter of seconds. The Earl definitely wasn't going to be happy about this. He ripped up a sheet and tied it around Allen's body to stop the bleeding. "I'll be back later. We don't have anything or anyone to treat you here. And so, Tyki left the mansion to go and find a doctor in the mess outside. It seemed nearly impossible since the citizens were all running around. He had no choice but to watch the exorcists fight, hoping someone there had medicinal remedies of some sort. He noticed that the clock girl could heal the exorcists' wounds and confronted her. She squeaked and backed away from him.

"Wait, don't shout...I know this sounds stupid for someone like me to ask, but...I need your help. I know you won't help me so easily so listen. Allen is in trouble." Tyki said seriously. Miranda's eyes widened.

"Allen? He disappeared a week ago, how do you know where he is?!" She asked suspiciously.

"Quiet down or they'll hear you." Tyki snapped. Her lip quivered but she said nothing more. "Hurry and follow me. Allen's life is in your hands." Miranda looked at the others and nodded. Please forgive me for leaving the battlefield. Miranda closed her eyes and nodded her head. She followed Tyki into the forest and through some invisible barrier. Tyki grabbed her and phased through walls until they came upon Allen's room. Miranda activated her Innocence almost immediately and the pain in Allen's back slowly started to go away. Miranda kept her head down, hiding her expression as Allen snoozed on peacefully. The room became silent and Tyki felt relieved, yet cautious...why would Allen's wound completely disappear? Surely there was some price this woman had to pay...

"Why..." Miranda broke the tensed silence and Tyki shifted his gaze from Allen's form to Miranda's. "...why is Allen here?" She asked, her lips starting to quiver again. "Did he...did he turn his back on us?" Tyki sighed at the question.

"You...if I tell you, you can't tell the Order just yet. We need to prepare for a war here." Miranda stayed silent and waited for Tyki's explanation. "He's lost his Innocence. He can no longer be an exorcist." Hearing such tragic news, Miranda bit her lip to quell her tears.

"I'm sorry...I can't heal him..." She couldn't hold her tears back anymore. "Even though he has such a terrible wound...I can't heal him..." She sobbed. Tyki frowned at her.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"My Innocence only delays a person's wounds, I can't heal them. You have to find a real doctor quickly...I can't stay here...I have to return to the battlefield." Miranda said and stood up, staring at him with a determined look in her watery eyes.

"That's...I see..." Tyki looked down at Allen, who was surrounded in red-tinted bed sheets. "How long can you hold out?" He asked.

"I can stay awake for a few days straight, but I won't have any way to contact you without...unless..." Miranda started to think. She couldn't help but rush her thoughts since her friends were waiting for her. "...a golem. If I give you a golem, we can contact that way." She said, a bit prideful that she was able to think up something so smart.

"That's...not a bad idea actually. Alright, do you have one with you?" Tyki asked politely. He didn't want this girl to erupt into tears again. She seemed quite emotionally unstable. Miranda bashed herself for not thinking thoroughly.

"I only have one that the Order monitors at all times..." She mumbled.

"That's okay...I have tease. They're the same as your golems, they're just in a different form and they're much more capable." Miranda gasped as a blackish purple butterfly emitted from Tyki's body. "The only problem is, I don't know how we can link them together." Tyki sighed.

"I can do it." Miranda let out a yelp and turned her head to the side to see a white haired Noah with white hair.

"Wisely...how long have you..." Tyki muttered.

"The Earl won't be happy about this Tyki. Not only have you been discovered by the exorcist Kanda Yuu, you brought an exorcist into our quarters. I won't tell him as long as she doesn't tell the Order where we live." He growled. Miranda nodded her head desperately.

"I understand! I w-won't tell anyone, I promise!" She said. Wisely stood up straight from where he was leaning on the doorway and walked over. He touched both of the golems and linked them together.

"I will hear all information going in between these two. Don't try anything fishy you two or I won't hesitate to rat you out." He snarled.

"I would ne-" Miranda started but Wisely cut her off.

"Get out of here already, scat." He shooed her off.

"I have to show her the way out." Tyki explained and stood up. "Stay here and watch over Allen." And with that, the two of them left.

"I can't believe you're trusting an exorcist...you should know better, Tyki, even if she'll soon be our ally." Wisely said to himself bitterly. The white haired Noah looked from the doorway to where Allen was sleeping. Neah, are you there?

Yep.

I see...so what's Allen's condition?

He's in pretty bad shape. That exorcist got him good...

An exorcist cut him?

Yeah, but he probably wouldn't have if he knew it was Allen...

Exorcists are stupid.

Neah didn't answer Wisely back. Wisely said nothing more to Neah and waited impatiently for Tyki to come back. He was not a babysitter and it wasn't entertaining at all to watch Allen sleep. In fact, it just made him want to sleep. He didn't know what Neah was planning. How could the Noah possibly team up with the exorcists? They couldn't hold Innocence and if they were going to destroy an Akuma, the person's soul would disappear and according to the Earl, Allen actually cared for the Akuma. It was laughable in the Noah's point of view, but Wisely supposed he somewhat understood. Allen is caring for people he doesn't know.

Truly, it was actually quite a respectable trait.