Disclaimer: I do not own -man!

A/N: And here is the next chapter, there is some explicit language in this chapter. Just thought I'd warn you. Anyway, please enjoy.

Chapter 3

Cross's Return and Anger

Cross Marian grumbled as he stalked up to the door that led into the Black Order's main headquarters. He had been in an intense embrace with a lovely young woman from China when Komui just had to interrupt his fun. He swore to all that was sacred, alcohol and women, that if his idiot apprentice wasn't dying, he was going to be. How dare that damn Komui order him around like he was a little lap dog? He didn't even tell him what was wrong his apprentice, just that there was something wrong. Then he had cut communications, not even responding to Cross's attempts to call him back.

Though he had to admit, he was slightly curious as to why Komui had called him. He was sure that Komui knew he had cut ties with his idiot apprentice in India. He was also sure that he told the idiot scientist only to call for him if there were an emergency; he had an important mission to accomplish. Cross couldn't be running to his apprentice's aid every time the kid stubbed his toe.

Cross stopped before the gate keeper as it sounded its examination. He really wished he could shoot the damn thing, but sadly his gun only worked on akuma. Honestly, to gain entry to the Order was such a hassle.

Though it took a few moments, the door finally opened, only to reveal Komui. Cross grinned at that, at least he didn't have to hunt the man down to kill him. However, the serious look in Komui's eyes made him do a slight double take; the man was known for his silliness.

"I'm glad you've come," Komui addressed the general.

"Tch," Cross grunted, "Like I had a choice, you wouldn't tell me a damn thing about what's going on."

"True, but I needed you to come… You know Allen better than anyone," the scientist responded.

"What the hell has the idiot done this time?" Cross grumbled, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

Komui turned and walked further into headquarters, "I don't know how to explain it, which is why I didn't tell you anything further. Some… things were said to young Allen in the cafeteria a few days ago… and he hasn't been the same since."

"You mean to tell me you called me here because the idiot got his feelings hurt!" Cross demanded.

Komui glanced over his shoulder but continued walking, "I don't think it's something a frivolous as his feelings this time General."

Cross grabbed Komui's shoulder and turned his around, "I am tired of playing your games, just tell me what's going on."

"We know that you found Allen shortly after he turned his adoptive father, Mana Walker, into an akuma. Though we had endeavored to keep that information a secret, someone found out. A few days ago, in the cafeteria, one of the other exorcists brought it up in… quite a harsh way. Ever since, he's been in his room staring at the painting on his wall… He won't talk to anyone, won't even react to their presence. All he does is sing… It's a song I've never heard of."

"Shit!" Cross cursed as he pushed Komui out of his way and stormed down the hall.

Komui quickly caught up to him, "Where are you going?"

"Where do you think?" Cross growled.

"What's wrong with him?" Komui asked, wanting an answer.

"I'll tell you later. Just get me to his room," the general demanded.

Komui nodded and once more took the lead, traversing the maze known as headquarters. In a matter of minutes, they were in the hallway leading the boy's room. Komui pulled up short as he noticed Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda standing before the door.

"I thought I told you to stay away from here," the black-haired man said.

"But brother, we were worried," Lenalee protested.

Cross moved around the supervisor and went to walk up to the door when Lenalee suddenly stepped in front of him, "Please General Cross, you cannot go in there."

The red haired general glared at the girl in front of him, tired of being stalled, "Lenalee… If you don't move from in front of that door, you're going through it."

Everyone gasped at the blatant threat. Sure, the general was never the nicest person in the world, but he had never threatened anyone within headquarters. Kanda and Lavi stepped up beside Lenalee to protect her.

"It's alright everyone, I called General Cross here," Komui explained.

"But why! You know how Allen feels about him times with his master," Lavi protested.

Seeing Cross's eyes narrow more, Komui ordered them, "Let General Cross through the door. If anyone knows what's wrong with Allen, he will."

The three reluctantly stepped to the side, allowing Cross to step up to the door. He paused a second with his hand on the door knob, before throwing the door open. As he stepped inside, he realized that Komui was right, there was something wrong with his idiot apprentice. That's when Cross heard the song, and his eyes widened; Allen hadn't sung that song for over four years.

"…On the night when silver eyes trembled, you were born in a sparkling light. Though hundreds of millions of months and years will pass, no matter how many prayers return to the Earth, I will continue to pray. Please deliver this love. Let us join our hands and kiss… And so the boy fell…" Allen's voice was slightly hoarse, but still he continued to sing.

"How long has he been doing this?" Cross demanded.

"For… about 3 days sir… He never stops, just keeps repeating it… I don't think he's even slept," Lenalee whispered.

Stepping up to Allen, he took in his apprentice's condition. His clothes were rumpled from sitting in one position for too long. He was entirely too pale and had dark circles under his eyes. It was his eyes that worried Cross the most; the dull lifeless gray that reminded him of the night he found Allen.

Resting his forehead in his palm, Cross cursed again, "Shit."

"What's wrong will him?" Komui asked.

But Cross ignored him, as he seethed, "Who was it?"

"What?" Komui inquired, slightly confused.

"Damn it Komui! Who opened their fucking mouth!" Cross yelled.

When they all looked at Kanda, who looked down, he had his answer. Suddenly Cross had Kanda pinned to the wall of Allen's room, cracking the bricks slightly from the force. All the others gasped at his sudden movements.

"General Cross!" Komui yelled, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Do you… have any idea… what you've done?" Cross growled in the samurai's face, his crimson eye flashing in anger.

Green light began to crackle around Cross as his anger increased, his innocence reacting to his emotions. Everyone stared at the general in astonishment, never having seen him this upset before.

"I… don't," Kanda heaved after having the wind knocked out of him.

Cross slammed Kanda harder into the wall, cracking it more, "You fucking imbecile!"

"Please General Cross… Could you let Kanda go?" Komui asked instead of ordering.

With a snarl, the general released the samurai, allowing the man to slide to the ground as Lenalee rushed over to him. Stepping back, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, trying to calm himself.

"Please, tells us what's wrong with Allen," Lavi whispered.

"He's relapsed," Cross muttered.

"Relapsed?" Komui repeated, confused.

Gesturing to the still singing boy on the bed, Cross explained, "This is how I found him four years ago… Beside Mana Walker's grave."

"What do you mean?" for all his scientific intelligence, Komui was lost.

Glaring at Kanda, who was still on the ground, he growled, "His mind's broken."

"Broken!" Lavi shouted, eye wide.

Sighing, he walked over and sat beside Allen while drawing on his cigarette, "My idiot apprentice never got over what he had done to his adoptive father. I suppose you could say he's haunted by it. He's never forgiven himself… What exactly was said?"

It was then that Timcanpy revealed itself, fluttering up from Allen's lap. Opening its mouth, it showed Cross exactly what happened three days ago. Tim showed Allen twisting and turning in his bed, mumbling and sweating profusely. It showed the tears on Allen's cheeks as he screamed Mana's name before waking up. Then the recording went to Allen standing before a mirror, a fake smile on his face and a haunted look in his eyes as he got ready for the day. Then it skipped to the cafeteria as Allen reluctantly sat down at the table with Lenalee and Kanda. Before, Cross's eyes, he saw Kanda speak, or yell, the words that would hurt Allen the most: of course he go someone killed again, he's useless, everyone around you dies, I don't cause people to die and then bring them back as Akuma, Mana, how does it feel to have a loved one curse you for your own god damned uselessness. After that, it showed Allen sitting where he was now as his eyes faded to a dull gray before his lips started to move as he sang the sad melody. Then Timcanpy closed its mouth before floated down to nuzzle at Allen's cheek.

Cross clenched his fists as he absorbed what he had just seen. Allen had managed to put his past behind him for four years, but it was for naught. With a few careless words, the young boy's world had come crashing down around him.

"I didn't know," Kanda finally muttered, "I just wanted someone to feel as bad as I did that day… I didn't realize…"

"Well congratulations Kanda, you successfully made him feel worse than you ever could!" Cross shouted, standing and making his way Kanda once more, "You never stop and think before you open your damn mouth, everything is always about you!"

"General Cross… maybe we should take care of Allen first?" Komui suggested, seeing that another fight was about to break out.

Glaring at Kanda, he promised, "This is not over, not by a long shot."

Kanda nodded, his eyes resigned. He knew the general before him. Though generally laid paid, if you pissed him off, there was always hell to pay. Glancing at Allen, he knew for all the general's pretenses, the young boy was important to him.

Cross also saw the resignation in Kanda's eyes. Good, it was time the young samurai took responsibility for his actions for once. Nodding to Kanda, he walked over to the bed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered so no one else would hear him but Allen.

Drawing his hand back, Cross brought it down to land across Allen's cheek. The young boy's head snapped to side with a resounding crack. Silence reigned for a few moments, even the haunting melody had quit.

"What the hell Cross!" Lavi shouted, moving to go forward.

Komui grabbed Lavi's arm, stopping his progress, "General?"

However, Cross paid them no mind. His attention was focused solely on the boy before him. Said boy turned his head back to look at Cross, a small spark flashing in his eyes before dying once again. The recognition was there in Allen's eyes, if only for a few seconds.

"… Master…" Allen whispered hoarsely before his eyes slipped closed and he fell over on his bed.

END

A/N: At least Allen recognizes his Master :D But believe me, they're not out of the woods yet! Yes, Kanda is slightly more emotional in this fic, but that's because he's realized he's done something bad/wrong. I hope no one objects :D I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

fujoshii92- Of course! Our lovely Cross Marian to the rescue! In this chapter he is a little… irritated. Ok, that's an understatement, he's pissed lol. At least he put Kanda in his place. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what you think!

Naruta13- A broken Allen is fun to play with. There are so many possibilities :D As for the new chapter of the manga, sadly I am only on chapter 33 at the moment, it's slow progress considering everything I'm trying to get accomplished lol. I hope you liked the chapter :D

Joybug- Yep, Lavi put Kanda is his place. Now, Cross has done the same thing and it's not over yet! I promise, there will be more punishment for the pigheaded samurai! Cross will get Allen back, hopefully :D I can't give too much away :( That would ruin the story! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

18plusForMe- Here is the next chapter for you so you get to know what happens next! Yay! I hope you enjoyed it :D

Allen 'Dango Sticks' Walker- I know! Kanda is such a jerk! But at least he got told off twice! And I promise the punishment for Kanda isn't over yet :D There will be more pain for the samurai! Here is the next chapter! I hope you liked it! Please let me know what you think!