Fallen Leaves
Summary: Allen wasn't a burden - he could fight for himself, he could protect others. And he would prove that to Kanda - especially now that there was only one petal left hovering in the hourglass. Yullen, pretty dark
Disclaimer: Don't own, never will, and if I did, I'd do my best to end this unnerving hiatus ;_;
A/N: Now, first of all, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers: Belladonna-Isabella, Erendyce, thechiifactor and MitarashiiDango. I really appreciate your words :)
Once again, special thanks to Belladonna-Isabella for your those great and motivating words of yours even when I'm not explicitly asking for a review at the end of the chapter. Thanks a lot x-)
Also, I'd like to thank Shinigami's Voice for taking the time and reviewing each chapter in so much detail (and while at work, for that matter xD). And yeah, I love the mental image of Kanda's hair flying in the wind as wel o,.o
Now, to everyone who's been wondering about it: "-anata" at the end of a name means you're talking to/about someone you're, well, infatuated with 8D
And another vocabulary thing, from chapter 4: "schmaltzy" is an actual English word, meaning about the same as "sappy". Actually, I had, once upon a time, intended to substitute that word before uploading the chapter, but I kinda failed D: Well, maybe I'll do that sometime in the future, but in the meantime, I'll just blame Writing On Train Rides Without A Proper Online Dictionary TM (coughs)
V. Void
They had been sitting there for half an eternity, amidst the blood, amidst the battlefield.
Finally, Kanda reacted to his friend's presence, wrapping his hands around Allen's hips, pulling him closer as he rested his chin on his partner's shoulder. Shuddering slightly, the boy felt hot breath tickling his ear. Suddenly, being alive felt so much more real again. Enjoying the sensation, he inhaled deeply, taking in just as much of his lover's scent as he was stealing warmth from his, sitting on his lap like that…
Another hot breath tickled his ear.
"Maybe," Kanda murmured softly, his voice more affectionate than Allen ever thought possible, "this is the last chance we get."
Closing his eyes, Allen tightened his grip on his friend. He knew what he was talking about – because he knew it was true. "It probably is," he replied quietly, lowering his head ever so slightly. At that, Kanda's hand went up to gently stroke his hair, as if to reassure him.
"Let's just," the boy rasped and let out a soft sob, "stay like this for a while longer, shall we?"
With their cheeks touching, he could feel his friend's lips curling upward in a gentle smile. "Alright," Kanda whispered and caught Allen's lips with his own.
.
They were lying next to each other, looking up at the grey sky, their hands intertwined.
The battle had left their bodies as torn as their clothing. And yet, they hadn't bothered attending to Allen's wound, hadn't even bothered moving out of the drying crimson pool that was Kanda's blood.
"What'll happen to our Innocences?" Allen whispered, breaking the silence.
"Akuma will come to destroy them," Kanda replied nonchalantly, "the Order won't notice for a while, they don't even know where we are right now."
Allen bit his lip. "We can't do that," he rasped shakily and struggled to get up in spite of the gash in his abdomen, "we have to return it." Another loud gasp and he dropped back down, but he didn't fall onto the hard ground.
Collecting the boy in his arms, Kanda looked at him. "Can you open a gate to the ark?"
Staring out of the window, Lenalee sighed in frustration.
They weren't sure just how it had happened, but several weeks ago, their Innocences had…changed. No matter whether activated or not, they kept radiating an odd rosy light, neither bright nor eye-catching yet definitely warm.
And along with that warmth, a new, incredible strength had come. For the first time ever, the whole Black Order had felt that somehow, someday they could actually win this war.
But then again, of course the Earl had taken notice of that change and thus sent even more of countless minions on the battlefield.
And again, everything started looking hopeless.
And speaking of the devil…again, an ear-shattering alarm pierced the silence. "Warning! All exorcists to the main hall!"
Standing up without even realizing it, she noted her hands were trembling. "Allen, Kanda…" she whispered and took off, "…just where are you when we need you?"
As they entered the white city, an eerie silence greeted them.
They didn't really mind the loneliness.
"My room," Allen whispered, feeling strangely light-headed as he nodded toward their right, "It's somewhere…over there." Exhaustion taking over again, he rested his head back against Kanda's shoulder. He'd noted before how his friend's skin had turned almost white, but he only now realized the tattoo had gone. There were still dark trails adorning his body, but they were of a dark red shade, having originated in a wound in Kanda's shoulder that had healed already, probably thanks to the absorption of another akuma.
Yet underneath the drying blood, there was a new sign adorning the swordsman's chest just above his heart…
"You're a Level Six," Allen breathed, his fingers trailing the mark as his dazed mind tried to grasp the implications. Finally, he frowned up at his friend. "You'll get rid of me without much of a fuss, huh?" he quoted in a scolding tone, "Somehow Level Six sounds rather invincible, don't you agree?"
Kanda glared back at him, "You're a Noah, idiot," he grumbled, "You can tell me to die anytime."
Allen rolled his eyes, letting his head hang again. "You'll get a nice, painful exorcism, darling," he giggled.
Kanda sighed at that, almost dropping his friend for good measure, "Just be sure not do die first, you weakling."
Allen would have smiled up at him if seeing the world passing by upside down wasn't as hypnotizing. Suddenly, though, there was a white and black blur in front of his vision. He never got a chance to warn Kan –
There was one single blur in front of his eyes, as he felt like floating, landing softly, and suddenly he found himself, still in Kanda's arms, facing a Level Three that was currently stuck between a black boot and a wall.
"Tse," it growled, obviously displeased at the harsh welcome, "just because you're late you don't have to take it out on me, you know." It glared daggers at the swordsman, but didn't even bother struggling for freedom.
Kanda scowled back. "…you want to die that badly?" he grunted, increasing the pressure on the akuma's chest.
Finally, it did struggle – but only to find that it was far from able to free itself. Slowly but surely the swordsman's glare turned into a sadistic smirk.
The mere sight had Allen's heart beat faster in sick anticipation. But then again…
"No, this is wrong," he whispered, sad eyes looking up at the man carrying him, "don't…"
Blinking – and apparently regaining some of his self-control – Kanda sent him a questioning glance, but did lessen the pressure on the creature somewhat. Allen sighed with relief as he finally turned his head to address the akuma. "What happened here?" he asked quietly.
Finally, the Level Three seemed to notice just who he was talking to. "We're extinguishing the exorcists," it gasped, its eyes wide yet its gaze actually sincere, "surely the Earl has notified you, Noah-sama?"
Allen smiled wryly, but didn't answer. Instead, he activated his Innocence and granted the akuma a quick and painless salvation. "Thank you, Level Three," he whispered and looked up at Kanda with a silent plea in his eyes.
The swordsman merely shrugged. "Let's find out if there's anything left to rescue."
Allen tilted his head, reaching up to caress his friend's cheek. "Yu," he whispered as two demonic eyes met his own, "don't kill our friends."
"Yes, Noah-sama."
Something had happened.
Again, their Innocences had grown stronger – again, the akuma had grown in numbers. The feeling that had infiltrated everyone's minds throughout the last weeks – the feeling of a countdown approaching zero ever so steadily – returned full force when the sky darkened, when not only more and more black dots appeared everywhere, but also angry grey clouds forced their way in front of the sun, forming one foreboding, impenetrable ceiling above them.
Shuddering, Miranda gripped her Innocence more tightly. Right in front of her eyes, her friends were fighting fiercely, giving everything they had.
But no matter how hard she wished to join them, she couldn't do anything but watch them – watch over them – capturing their times in the desperate hope of keeping them alive that way.
A shudder ran though her body when, for the umpteenth time that day, an akuma attacked the invisible shield around her, cursing loudly when it didn't hit, punching, kicking and firing again and again.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU BITCH!"
She fearfully looked up at it, unable to say anything, unable to do anything.
It's only a Level Two, she told herself, trying her very best to ignore its aggravated screeches as she realized none of her comrades were in any position to save her, …maybe I could…?
The decision was taken away from her when, yet again, the akuma crashed against the shield. But this time, it was different – this time, it was bleeding – screaming – dissolving.
Behind it, two vaguely familiar shapes appeared.
He eyes widened with recognition. "Allen-san, Kanda-san...?" she cried in relief, tears momentarily obscuring her vision. Yet when she blinked, when the mist softened for a second, her breath hitched.
Grunting in annoyance, the demon wearing the swordsman's skin laid down the burden he was carrying before speeding off without another word.
Looking up at her as he sat on the ground, the Noah that looked so much like Allen smiled gently.
A sob escaped her shaking lips. She didn't know what hurt more to look at – the dark skin and golden eyes or the enormous gash in his abdomen.
"Miranda-san," he breathed softly, his eyes never leaving hers, "I mean you no harm." If possible, his smile softened further. "I want the Earl gone as much as you do," he went on, "but in order to accomplish that, I need your help one last time."
She stared at him. She didn't blink. At last, she bit her lip and…nodded.
"Hi-ban: Gouka Kaijin!"
Briefly scanning his surroundings, Lavi noted unhappily that, even though he'd already hammered several dozen akuma into non-existence, he was just as surrounded as half an hour ago.
Well, objectively spoken, he could still go on for quite a while, but the enemy's seemingly never-ending reinforcements, along with increasing fierceness of the rain descending mercilessly onto the battle field, didn't exactly raise his spirits.
"I just hope…" he muttered through gritted teeth as he exorcised yet another set of demons, "…the others are alright."
It was when he, for a split second, allowed himself to watch the akuma's remains dissipating that he noted something strange.
A light at the end of the tunnel?
…or rather the calm before the storm?
He couldn't tell whether the akuma in the far distance were getting extinguished by the being approaching him far too fast for his liking… or whether they were opening an aisle for it. But there was one thing he was sure about – it was getting closer and closer, dashing toward him like a hawk ready to kill its prey.
He barely had the time to lift his Odzuchi Kodzuchi in front of him when already a disturbingly familiar blade clashed with the hammer's handle.
"Be thankful I was told not to kill you, exorcist," the akuma hissed, glaring up at him out of two black-yellow eyes, never removing the katana but intensifying the pressure instead. "Although, if you don't gather your little friends and scram," it went on, its voice dropping to a mere whisper as it leant closer, "I might as well forget my orders."
Rendered motionless, Lavi stared ahead of him, watching in bewilderment how the akuma were decimated by a strange kind of vacuum sucking them in. In the meantime, the merciless Yu-look-alike detached itself from him with an unsympathetic "che" before speeding off again.
As he stood alone where hundreds of akuma had been mere moments before, it took the bookman several deep breaths to regain his composure. Finally, he ran a hand through his hair and looked up into the rainy sky.
"So that's how it is, huh?"
She felt so much energy surging through her body, so much power to defeat countless enemies.
So why… she wondered as she tripped for the second time that day, …why did it feel as though that power was too much for her to bear?
Denying any kind of despair, she struggled to get back on her feet before any akuma could use that chance to kill her.
"Please don't fight."
Blinking when she felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she realized there were tears in her eyes. It wasn't the first time he'd come to save her, was it?
A flash of light, and suddenly all the akuma diminished. She grimaced at the sight. "You've always made us look like rookies," she whispered in pure relief as she rested her hand on his, "haven't you, Allen?"
Crouching down behind her, he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Lenalee-san," he breathed into her ear, "please gather your comrades and flee. We'll take care of the rest."
Before she could as much as nod in response, he already stood again, scanning the area and setting off again after only a short smile in her direction.
Even if it was only a mere moment, it was enough for her to note how…his skin colour was no longer what it used to be.
…how he was no longer who he used to be.
Miranda stared at the scene unfolding in front of her.
She had captured Allen's time, or at least the time of whoever it was looking so much like him – but neither he nor Kanda had been anywhere near the other exorcists who'd been back just in time…
Just in time to escape the huge explosion that had preceded the entrance of their real enemy…
Ever since they had taken out the last Noah only two weeks ago, the Earl had grown more cautious.
And more bloodthirsty.
If Allen and Kanda were still there…
Biting her lips, Miranda stared at the horizon. There was nothing left but a wasteland covered in mist.
"Miranda."
Looking to the side with her whole body shivering in fear, she saw Lenalee crouching down next to her. "Let's retreat," she told her, smiling gently, "you're tired, aren't you?"
Suppressing a sob, Miranda stared back at the horizon. "But…" she hiccupped, "…they're relying on me."
As comprehension dawned, Lenalee's eyes widened. Following her friend's gaze, she recognized a faint light in the distance, emitting battle-like sparks every other moment. She stared at the ground, hesitating for a moment. "If they're fighting for us right now…" she whispered and stood up again, "then please excuse me."
She activated her innocence, yet it was Lavi's voice held her back. "Don't go," he rasped, grabbing her hand, "even though we're still able to fight, this isn't our battle."
Lenalee stared at him in utter horror, both shaken and angry. "How can you say that!" she exclaimed and yanked her hand free.
"Because they might kill us if we tried helping," he replied, his voice matter-of-fact even though his face clearly told another story, "we'd be nothing less than a nuisance."
Gulping heavily, she sent him a long glare and finally slumped back on the ground, crying heavily.
Far in the distance, two swords clashed – one black and white, the other white and black.
"Your existence has been a nuisance from the very beginning," the Earl sung as he parried his adversary's blow, countering with one of his own.
"Yours hasn't," the 14th hummed and jumped out of danger's reach, "there was a time I admired you." As he raised Crown Clown above his head, his lips widened into a smirk. "That was long ago, though." And then, he charged again.
They exchanged blows, faster and faster.
More and more intense.
More and more dangerou–
"Urgh…"
Blood splattered onto the ground.
Stumbling backward, the enemy's blade still embedded in his chest, the 14th sunk onto his knees.
"This time," the Earl smiled as he stepped closer, shoving the sword deeper into its prey, "stay dead, will you?"
Yet, while coughing up another mouthful of blood, the 14th's face distorted into a wide grin.
Even more blood splashed, merging with the crimson mud below.
Eyes wide, glasses falling, the Earl gagged in pain. "What the–"
Standing behind their enemy, the Level Six never spoke a word as he pulled Mugen further and further down the man's torso, all but slicing him to pieces.
As he screamed in pain but was unable to move aside, the Earl had no chance but to watch the 14th's grin widening as he struggled but succeeded in reactivating Crown Clown.
"Don't you dare…" he gasped and spat even more blood, slumping onto his knees as the second blade pierced his body. "You're going to regret this," he screeched, his voice trembling in volume and pitch.
"Just die, please," the 14th whispered as both exorcists pushed the swords deeper into their foe. But suddenly, they didn't meet any resistance anymore. Looking almost… like a liquid, the Earl's form started quivering, expanding, absorbing both substance and light alike. "To think you've gotten me that far," he hissed in pure hatred, his wavy appearance growing larger and larger, "but you're not even close to victory."
Shrill laughter rang throughout the area as the Earl, growing larger and alrge, engulfed whatever he could get, yanking both Noah and akuma inside by the weapons it had long swallowed.
They didn't even bother resisting the pull.
It happened simultaneously – Miranda's heartbreaking wail and the Earl's mad laughter – and it was then that they all knew…
By now they could actually see their enemy – not because he was approaching but because he was growing.
…and they prepared for the worst.
Blinking, they looked at each other.
Both of them knew they shouldn't be standing at the old headquarters' entrance, appearing so incredibly young, so incredibly human. Both knew they shouldn't feel so strangely aware, having long surrendered the control over their bodies. And yet, both knew what to do.
Stumbling forward, Allen smiled at his friend, only vaguely noting how their surroundings changed. Was that…Martel?
Meeting the younger man halfway, Kanda pulled him into a tight embrace. All around them, houses turned white, their shapes changing drastically while the sky above them turned so much more brilliant. The Ark.
Leaning into his lover's chest, Allen took in the scent he'd missed so much. Long corridors, huge windows and yet such a gloomy atmosphere. Their new headquarters definitely held a unique quality.
Once Kanda guided the boy's chin upward, their eyes locked. That was a busy street in Calcutta, wasn't it?
The swordsman didn't even bother resisting the urge and simply crushed his lips onto his lover's ones. The heat from the sun started stinging, but so did the wind blowing many grains of sand against their skin. Had Cairo always been that windy?
As he rested his hand on the swordsman's chest, Allen broke the kiss to send him the warmest of smiles.
Maybe he was hallucinating.
But…
When he activated his innocence, his claws piercing Kanda's heart just as Mugen pierced his own, he meant to see his lover smiling.
And suddenly, all the other failures in his life didn't count anymore.
Because he'd accomplished the one goal that meant the most.
The air had started crackling.
As those exorcists still able to dashed towards their enemy, they could feel the tension with all their senses.
But then, just before they reached him, the Earl's droplet-like form started shaking –
Quivering –
Trembling –
Breaking altogether.
Burst from the inside by an incredible amount of blinding white light.
It lasted no longer than a few seconds.
Afterwards, where once stood the giant shape of their archenemy, the air was now filled with thousands of tiny sparks floating the air before diminishing at last.
All too soon, it stopped raining.
All too soon, a ray of sunlight pierced the gloomy ceiling above them.
Finally, the clouds parted completely, and all of a sudden the world almost looked friendly again.
It was then, as they were standing amidst corpses and debris, staring up at the brightness of a new beginning, that they realized…
Maybe, just maybe, they had won after all.
V. Void - End
A/N: ...
Allen: First you had a three on your chest, now it's a six. You've doubled!
Kanda: That "three" is called "Om", you idiot.
Allen: Sure, sure. But why a level six, though?
Kanda: Ask the authoress. I'm pretty sure she didn't do it for no reason.
Allen: But she does say many things only implicitly, doesn't she?
Kanda: Probably because "BTW, they're dead now." would kinda ruin the atmosphere.
Allen: We're dead?
Kanda: ...there's going to be an epilogue.
Allen: We're not really dead, are we? D: D: D:
Kanda: ...epilogue.
Allen: ...oh.
Now, I noticed how, if you get around to actually writing the end of your story, it's definitely the most difficult of it all. Still, I hope it did turn out alright.
I'll put on the epilogue within the next week which will answer some open questions (ie the one you've been asking me since the second chapter 8D)
But the actual story, well, is more or less over now. I hope you liked reading it - and would like to thank you all for doing so :)
Now, since I'm always grateful to actually hear your thoughts...please review!