Disclaimer: I don't own D.Gray-Man.

Delicate Bonds

"Aou-chan, wait for me!!!" A loud wail pierced the cold night air. The young boy turned around looking annoyed and bored. "What do you want, Vlod-chan?" The man grinned. "You're on the way to meet up with your general, right? I'm going too!" "Who are you escorting this time?" Aouruu asked the older man. "General Lee. You're escorting General Yeegar, right?" Vlodfield quipped. Aouruu turned to answer him when he caught sight of another person behind them. "Tou-sama!!" Kanda scowled. "I'm not your father!!"

"Tou-sama, are you going to meet up with General Tiedoll as well?" Aouruu ignored Kanda's rant and asked. "Where else would I be going now?" Kanda huffed in a dignified manner. "Let's go then, tou-sama," The boy stated. "Don't call me that!" The Immortal snapped. "Tou-sama is my tou-sama! I have tou-sama left only!" Aouruu stubbornly answered. Kanda let out an exasperated sigh while Vlodfield started wailing. "Whaddya mean, Aou-chan? You have me too!!" "You're not blood-related, Vlod-chan. Tou-sama is my family, you're…Well, you're someone I know," Aouruu replied. "Aou-chan, you're heartless!!" Vlodfield sulked.

"Whatever," Aouruu ignored the taller man and fell in stride with his 'father'.

Kanda heaved in slight annoyance as the mortal boy was being incessantly pestered by the sentient dragon following him. Aouruu was not his son, but it was true that they had blood relations, even if by the slightest. The boy was fortunate indeed that Kanda chose to visit his clan under disguise. What sudden sentimentality possessed the swordsman to do so, Kanda had no idea, but when he arrived at the main house of his clan after three hundred years of leaving it, all he found was a cowering child under the protection of the dragon otherwise known as Vlodfield.

Aouruu had taken to Kanda quickly, seeing that Kanda was the last person of his clan alive, though Kanda couldn't really call himself alive, frozen in suspended time for the many years already. Cold as he was, even Kanda would not leave the boy to fend for himself with only Vlodfield around. He took the child with him back to head quarters and see what he could do with Aouruu. Vlodfield followed after him, not willing to leave his mortal companion. The Immortal had greatly disagreed when Aouruu insisted on staying with him in this war mongering place; it simply was not the right choice for a mortal kid to grow up, but then his stupid Master General Tiedoll had to grant permission to Aouruu's request. Now at the age of seventeen, the boy was strong and capable of protecting himself, but still mortal.

Aouruu's decision to fight for the lycans because of Kanda led to the inevitable. Before the year ended, Aouruu must choose what creature he was to become. He may be a warrior of excellent standards, but an easily broken body was not what the war needed, and he needed the increased abilities of something else to become a full-fledged fighter for the faction. Vlodfield had offered for Aouruu to take his dragon blood so that the boy may be a dragooner, but Aouruu kept that choice pending. As uncaring for Vlodfield as Aouruu seemed, he had an inkling of concern for the sentient being which has shielded him all the time since his clan fell to ruin.

Vlodfield was, to a certain extent of honesty, an odd creature. Vlodfield easily out-aged Kanda and most of the occupants of the castle except the really old ones like general Yeegar. The crimson-ebony haired sentient had never taken his true form, a dragon, in front of others. He remained in his humanoid form and rarely ever left Aouruu's side. It was an understatement to say that Vlodfield was fond of the boy. He practically waited hand and foot on Aouruu, showering him with affection. Vlodfield as contrasted to his bright and slightly dumb personality was in fact very learned and intelligent. Well, one could expect no less from a sentient dragon.

However, all other matters were pushed to the back of his mind, for only one would occupy Kanda's mind with such intensity.

Allen Walker would have to tell him his secret, or Kanda would save them the trouble and expose it himself.

"Aww, you're shivering bunny boy. Do you want my coat?" Tyki purred, and smirked at the quiver that ran down Lavi's body. "Nu-uh, no way! Can you wipe that sick smile off your face? You're giving me the creeps…" The redhead lycan muttered. "Are you excited? I've heard it's the first time you get to attend the general's gathering as a Bookman representative," David quipped. "Yeah, since gramps never lets me go. He says that I'm too young and stupid to understand," Lavi shrugged and sighed. "But what occupies the older Bookman, I wonder?" Lenalee mused. "That is for the Bookman to know, and for us to find out, let's go," the Earl suddenly appeared behind them all.

"Hmm…"

"What's wrong, Yukinojou?" Lulubell quietly questioned the fifth vampire general. Piercing silver and gold watched her.

"…My eye hurts. Something uneasy is preying on my instincts."

His Chevalier had his left hand in a light grip. The solitary emerald eye glimmered with worry, and a protective gaze settled on Yukinojou. "It will be alright…niisan," the younger sibling whispered to his protector. "Now's not the time to be all lovey-dovey with your twin, Luc" Road drawled, pleased in the annoyed look sent her way. "I had no idea I wasn't allowed that privilege, especially when you and Lenalee seem to be a common practitioner of it," Luxeria coolly shot back; adjusting the clasp of the cloak which kept his twin's face hidden. Road pouted at the remark while Lenalee could only manage an apologetic smile as she ushered her general towards the Ark.

"Don't be hard on her, Kaen," Yukinojou reprimanded lightly. "I know, I just have an allergy to comments like that," Luxeria sounded slightly sorry.

"My teeth tingle…" Krory said in worry. The twins Jasdevi smacked him on his back and laughed. "Don't fuss about it, Krory! Your hair will turn all white from it!" David chortled. "That's right, Arystar-sama. Take care of yourself, alright?" The blonde lady straightened Krory's cloak, who blushed deeply. "I-I will, Eliade. You must take care too," Krory stuttered. "And do tell Miranda-chan that I miss talking to her," Eliade replied with a giggle. Krory nodded in compliance. "Hihi, you're so whipped," Jasdero whispered wickedly, causing Krory's blush to spread further.

Skin Bolic ended all the hullabaloo, saying, "Hurry up! We haven't got all day!"

A firm boot kicked away the rotting body.

"I can't stand this foul stench," the tall boy grimaced. "Don't complain, Reita," the much shorter boy murmured, pulling his scythe out of another corpse. "W-We should move quickly, or we'll be late for the gathering," a rather flustered young woman replied. "Sorry for the delay, Mira-chan," the tall boy chirped. Miranda shook her head greatly. "Not at all!! I don't think we would've finished this quickly if you weren't here, and you too Zerulis." The younger one, Zerulis merely nodded.

The gathering was very surprised when the last neutral general came skittering in with two human boys tagging after her, one looking particularly ruffled while another was practically drenched in blood. Reita nervously laughed a little. "Err, sorry, but we're on time right?" Miranda attempted to discreetly take her place, all the while wailing apologies to everyone in the vicinity. Zerulis however marched forwards and took his place standing in between and behind Cross and Allen's chairs. "Shouldn't you wipe all that blood off first?" Allen raised a question at his Sword. Zero answered with a shake of his head.

"What happened?" Tiedoll asked with grave interest.

"Akuma attack; and they came in a group this time. Thankfully Zero was with us or we would really be late," Reita answered. "…Not long before they will learn how to co-ordinate attacks," Zerulis muttered in reply. Everyone look at him in shock. "Please continue with the meeting," the boy did not further elaborate the meaning of his sentence. "Well then…We all know the purpose of this time's meeting is mainly about the abrupt increase in the Akuma, and their rapid development. It is becoming more dangerous even for us to deal with," Yeegar began. "Since we only knew that they were capable of evolution recently, we can't afford to be careless with them," Mother added. "How far goes their evolution?" Cloud spoke softly.

"Level three. It killed two finders last week," the blonde masked general of the neutrals answered. Allen glanced at Timcanpy in slight resentment before looking away. The golem was general under a different name, Kin, to hide his true identity. How could Timcanpy not tell him about the deaths? Kanda only watched the child of a general return his gaze stoically to the table after that small distracted look he sent his fellow general. "Fucking creatures nearly killed my doll," Road suddenly cursed and was in a horrible mood. "Road, you shouldn't use such language here!" Lenalee whispered urgently.

"Like I care! It burnt your beautiful hair!" Road wailed, all child-like as her physical age indicated.

"An exorcist nearly killed by a level three Akuma, eh? Looks like she might be a worthless cur after all," Winters growled aloud without even bothering to hide the audacious insult in the tone of his voice. "Take that back," Allen suddenly stated, a cold air of fury about him. Winters sized up the child-like Immortal and snorted. "Or what, you pint sized freak?" At his place behind Komui, Vlodfield watched with silent awe when the previously and still blood drenched boy leapt lightly and landed gracefully on the table before kicking off and was before Winters in an instant. Scythe to his neck, Zerulis said in a clear, concise voice which left no place for arguments. "You insult Allen-sama once more; I will not hesitate to behead you."

Winters looked absolutely outraged. "You won't dare, I'm a general!"

"There are others who can replace you," Zerulis coldly stated, "And if I were to evaluate the rather messy system of the lycans, Vlodfield would have made a far better general than you do. You are weak, appalling and absolutely…in vulgar words to put it, a son of a bitch." Jasdevi howled with laughter at that comment. Reita politely tried to hide his smile, but Road was already laughing her head off in total agreement. "Me???" Vlodfield looked quizzically at Zerulis, and shifted away slightly at the murderous glare of Winters on him. "How dare you speak to me like that, you filthy mortal?!" The bulky general made to snatch the tiny boy up, but Zerulis deftly leapt out of reach, back to his original station, a passive stare on Winters. "I am the Sword of two generals of the neutral faction. Considering that I do most of the work for them, I know who are the strongest of every faction. While you may have made it to top ten…" Zerulis smirked, the blood covering his face making it look more twisted. "I'm very grieved to say you simply suck as a general."

"Why you…!!"

"Shut up, Winters, and don't blow this thing out of proportion," Cross finally intervened.

"Then you should learn to teach your subordinates to keep their mouths shut!" Winters hissed.

"Dull mind you have there, sir. I hope you haven't forgotten that we are the neutrals. We Swords and Shields are equal to the general in terms of authority. Zerulis had all rights to say what he has on mind," a small blonde boy stated quietly. Timcanpy smirked under his mask. Winters, when in rage was absolutely uncontrollable, Lavi noted in his mental list to record. "And what the hell is with this small fry? You bringing naïve little kids into this gathering is an insult to all of us!" Timcanpy growled. "Don't insult Ease. His mental capability for setting personal emotions and general affairs apart is far better than yours."

"Well said, Kin," Tyki applauded.

"Enough with the childish insults♥ We are not here to do such thing♥ So please show some maturity♥"

The Earl spoke with a slight mirth to his voice, as though he did enjoy the way Winters was making a fool of himself. The general made a rumbling noise in his throat and sat down with a huff. "So as recent attacks show that the Akuma is becoming more aggressive…I suggest a temporary pact with the vampires," Yeegar stated. Everyone gasped with shock, but Kanda noted that a smile had lit his little one's lips. "I think I can agree to that, don't you my sweetheart?" Tyki cooed running a finger under Lavi's chin. Lavi turned bright red and scooted twenty feet away from him.

"Don't do that, you idiot!!"

Kanda mentally gagged and understood why Lavi had been so snappish the other day. It seems that the redhead had finally met his match. The swordsman hoped Tyki would sweep Lavi away and spare him from the redhead's incessant attention. "Oohh…Lavi-senpai is having it bad…" Reita muttered under his breath, and Miranda, who had been sipping on her cup of tea suddenly choked. "M-Mira-chan, are you okay?!" Reita fussed over his general in a short panic. "I-I'm alright…"

"What say the others on this proposal?" Tiedoll asked, "I for one, support this sentiment."

"As do I," Cloud agreed.

"Of course we agree, or we would be called neutral for nothing," Cross gruffly added. Allen practically beamed adoration at his master, while Kanda scowled at this display of obvious affection. "We have no objection♥" The Earl spoke for all on his side. Everyone then turned expectantly to Winters. He glared and forced the words out of his mouth. "You all already agree, can I even bother to object?" "Good. Well then, as a sign of trust, shall we exchange people?" Road suggested with a charming smile. "What?!" Everyone knew the dark rule behind that trade. While they might be able to gain trust and dig secrets…If anything unsightly were to happen, their trade-offs were most likely to become hostages. Was that a risk all was willing to take?

"A great idea. Dumb pupil two, you're going over to the lycans. Kin, get off your chair and join the vampires," Cross ordered without a qualm.

Zerulis nodded at his general's order, walking towards the lycans. Timcanpy got off his chair and settled to hover nearby Yukinojou. "Well then…Kanda, do join the neutrals. Aouruu, if you do not mind, please head over to the vampires," Yeegar stated. Kanda suddenly smirked as he trod over swiftly to Allen's side. Allen looked mildly alarmed; either wise he hid his alarm well. Jasdevi clutched at each other in horror and they exchanged wide-eyed glances with Lavi, who tactfully shrugged helplessly. This did not go unnoticed by Aouruu, who noted with mild curiosity Kanda's elation while the trio on his new side was not acting so subtly.

"So…Krory-san, you go over to the neutrals, and Lulubell-san, why don't you learn more from the lycans?" Yukinojou stated in a kind voice. He was given the decision to make because his choices were simply unpredictable. The Earl deemed it more amusing this way. "A-Alright," Krory merely stuttered, and took a seat at Timcanpy's vacant chair. Mother nudged Mahoja and pointed at Miranda's brilliantly flushed face. The sorceress would indeed be a lousy liar. Lulubell looked questioningly at the Earl, who nodded. Having her general's consent, she moved towards the lycans.

"We should have regular correspondence to exchange news about the Akuma," Mother said as a decision, not a suggestion.

The other generals nodded. "If there is nothing else to say, this concludes the meeting," Yeegar stated. Night had already settled in, and everyone filtered out of the room to get some sleep. Not all were quick to fall into bed, however. Allen knew without even having to look back that Kanda was trailing after him, not even bothering to try and hide the fact. However, behind these two, the self-proclaimed son of Kanda, Aouruu decided to follow them out of his own desire to solve this puzzle, while he was tailed by Zerulis, who held suspicions about Aouruu and Kanda's intents, Reita who wanted to see what the sneakiness was about and Vlodfield purely out of concern for Aouruu.

Allen quickened his steps, though he knew avoidance was futile. The small child decided to lure Kanda away to somewhere more private lest confrontation broke out where wandering eyes would catch on. He stopped at the door to his room, opening it halfway. He looked back in a silent invitation to the tall swordsman, who understood his beckoning and entered the room with him, locking the door behind them. Allen sighed fretfully, wondering how he should talk to Kanda, when Kanda opened his mouth instead.

"We never did finish what we intended to do, did we?"

"What do you want, Kanda?" Allen asked quietly. His back faced the sword wielding exorcist, refusing to meet his eyes. "Don't beat around the bush, moyashi. You know what I came for," Kanda answered equally quiet, but his tone carried a furious intensity that strongly challenged Allen's weary one. The silvery eyes staked their glare on him, and Allen decided that he hated Kanda very much for causing him such pain in his chest, which hammered on his fragile heart. He didn't want this pain at all. "I don't feel like answering your question. We are merely…friends with benefit. I find no obligation to tell you anything unrelated to our…rendezvous," the general answered in a cruel manner so unlike him. Allen had borrowed Road's phrase, which he thought had been most accurate. While the affection is still budding, he must kill it. Something born out of sudden desires was never good, that was what Allen always thought.

His words affected Kanda in the way he hoped it to. Kanda's mouth turned into a scowl as he glowered at the shorter Immortal. "You think of this as a mere affair? That I seek only bodily pleasures from you?"

Aouruu nearly gasped at the words that came from his so-called father's mouth, but someone clamped a hand over his. He saw Reita, putting a finger to his lips to indicate silence, while Zerulis was listening intently. Vlodfield only managed to blink in surprise.

"And if I say yes? That you find joy in making use of me in no way any other person would think? Because that's what I take you for, someone who just gives me something in return for something I give you," Allen tried to control his own voice from showing hesitance. The anger from Kanda was strangely, not lashing out as he expected it to. Instead, it felt like the heat of the words had settled on his skin, and made Allen nervous. Kanda eliminated the distance between them in two strides and practically snatched Allen up with an arm around his chest. "Wha Put me down!!" Kanda's breath brushed against Allen's ear and he shivered as Kanda whispered, or rather snarled, "You too then, do not understand me at all. To think I'm only a simple minded fool who wanted this…" A finger ghosted on Allen's lips "…Or this…" A hand caressed Allen's cheeks "You think too shallow of me."

Allen trembled from Kanda's touches and twisted to get away from this person, obsessed with something he did not know what it was. A ferocious smirk carved itself on the Japanese's face as he effortlessly carried the British boy with him and sat down on the bed. His grip on Allen remained firm. "You have nobility written all over your face. You make a horrible liar, moyashi. But I don't suppose it's a waste of time to tell you what I truly feel," the swordsman stated slowly, making sure that their eye contact did not break. "I sought something from you, yes, but I also sought to protect you…I am different from other fools, who can't even begin to see what you have that makes me fall to my knees before you."

The snow haired Immortal returned Kanda's gaze with a hint of confusion. "…I do not understand a word you're saying."

"Thought so; you are too naïve for your own good," Kanda replied and his fingers curled around Allen's chin, guiding his lips forward for a kiss. "Stupid, wait…!!" Allen was cut off as Kanda's lips met his in a heated pursuit of their game, if it was only that simple…

Zerulis' eyes narrowed and he made to kick the door down but Aouruu's arms wrapped around his waist and held him back. Reita clamped a hand over his mouth to muffle any protest while Vlodfield continued to try to listen. Aouruu was very confused, but also rather excited. His father had never shown interest in anyone, but here he was with the general of the neutrals, talking as if they've had this situation going on for some time already. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about this confrontation's outcome. He might have a mother, figuratively speaking.

Tongues clashed as Kanda forced his way into Allen's mouth, hard pressed to carry on as the little one in his arms put up a great fight. Allen barely managed to breathe as the larger of the two was practically smothering him with his aggressive action, nibbling on his lower lip while his tongue divulged soft moans and breathless noises from the delectable lips he pleasured. Allen's struggles gradually mellowed to Kanda's joy, and he pushed further with his tongue, lapping greedily at the corner of his lips, bodies snug against each other on the bed they were sitting on before.

Allen could taste the strong heady flavour of bitter sweetness from Kanda, Eastern spices he vaguely noted. Kanda had a slight spice of mint that stung his taste buds, immediately soothed by the mild but distinct flavour of nutmeg, which in turn enhanced the essence of clove that softened the strong taste of cardamom. The silver haired boy didn't think it possible to be so…detailed concerning one's taste. But that was what Kanda's flavour was, and it told a great deal of the man himself. Unconsciously, his fingers fisted in Kanda's clothes and he dragged Kanda down for another awkward kiss of conflicting teeth, tongue twisting and mixing saliva. The Japanese had all but eagerly answered to his demands, moving like a predator wolfing down a satisfying prey.

Reita could feel Zerulis' tense body begin to loosen, but noted with a hint of grin that the cusps of his ears were turning red. It was a sure sign that the boy was becoming slightly embarrassed. Instead, he began a new struggle, this time to get away from the room. Aouruu however, clung tightly to his waist and refused to let go. He was eagerly listening in with, should he say, a poorly hidden glee. Vlodfield was rather intimidated by the change in his dark haired companion, for he knew Aouruu to be well…A Kanda clone, in most manners. He could hardly imagine Kanda himself eavesdropping with a smile that spelt mischief. Honestly…Vlodfield had not seen that smile in a while, not since Aouruu had grown up. Zerulis, meanwhile, could feel the blood begin to boil in his mind. He was not very keen on staying around now, not when he could feel Allen and Kanda's aura practically crashing on his minds as waves of desire. He needed to get away soon before he broke out into a full blush.

Their forceful kisses finally came to a stop when Allen's lungs screamed for oxygen. Immortal as he was, he still needed to breathe. Kanda smirked at the wet red lips of the general pinned beneath him. It was more than a play, and they both knew it. "You were saying?" Allen pouted adorably, knowing he had lost the argument. "You lewd jackass." "Don't run from me. Nothing you do can escape the inevitable," the swordsman whispered, hand lazily stroking the white strands that slipped through his fingers easily. "Inevitable of what? I can choose to destroy you should I ever find you a hindrance," an underlying threat glazed Allen's boyish voice. "Big words coming from a tiny one like you," Kanda retorted.

"Shut up!" Allen complained.

"Don't try changing subjects now…I still haven't forgotten this…" Kanda said quietly, his eyes lingering on Allen's clothed body. Allen's eyes widened in slight fear, and his hands clenched the bed sheets to alleviate his worries a little. Kanda frowned; his little one was avoiding his gaze again. "Look at me, moyashi, and answer me honestly. What is it about your body that you must hide from me?"

Aouruu had to bite his lips down before he wanted to gasp in shock at the audacity displayed by his father figure. Reita blushed a little, wondering how Allen, child-like figure that he was, managed to physically lure another man. That or…this Kanda guy was someone with unique interests. Vlodfield's eyes were already wide, ready to faint any given moment. In his whole time knowing Kanda, he'd never thought he'd live to hear such words coming out from him! Zerulis managed to break free from their grasp and with one firm fist banged on the door loudly. "Oi, Zero!!" Reita squeaked, immediately backing away from the door.

Allen jumped at the loud knock and quickly scrambled out from under Kanda. He opened the door slightly to see Zerulis, his ears flaming red although his face only had a frown. "Excuse me; I'll borrow the general for a while. It'll be really quick," Zerulis told Kanda before grabbing Allen and making a run for it. Kanda growled possessively but he had no way of preventing it as Zerulis was fast to escape. "Zero!! Do you need anything?" Allen asked meekly. Zerulis looked upon the shorter one who had become his master, and family figure in a way. "…Perhaps you should tell him," Zerulis advised.

"What?! You heard?!" Allen nearly shouted aloud but caught himself.

His Sword nodded. "Well…But Master Cross has forbidden me to tell others. So how…"

"At least this man, you should tell. Don't try to deny yourself. I've felt enough to know," Zerulis admitted with a sigh. Allen blushed at the statement. "Y-You felt…what…?" "In colours, it's all red and pink," the human teen shuddered lightly at the memory. Zerulis was an orphan at the age of five, a rogue stray on the street. He felt a deep affinity with Allen, for they both were found and taken in by Cross, one an orphan left by his brother, the other an orphan who was compatible with the Innocence. Though Zerulis was mortal, he was an effective fighter and considered merciless for he took down any sort of opponent he was ordered to, be it human or not.

This was often a point of criticism for Allen, who felt it damaging to Zerulis' own soul. Zerulis himself didn't mind, he was from a cursed clan bound to die soon anyway. His clan, a family of human psychics had dealt with something they should not have, and the curse was what they got in return. The boy remembered when Cross offered to remove his curse by blooding him, but he refused. In return, he offered his psychic powers to Cross' service. Zerulis was by origin an Empath. He was able to feel emotions of another person, which came in handy at times. Of course, no one knew about this ability of his except Allen and Cross. Now it was really obvious there was something deeper than mutual attraction between the two, at least to an Empath.

"I will never tell you what to do, because in the end, the choice is yours to make," Zerulis said softly to him.

"…Thank you, Zerulis." Allen smiled at the young one before him.

"Now go back and face him," the teen replied.

Behind a nearby corner, Aouruu had a smug smirk. "Yes! Tou-sama will never be lonely again," he nearly hissed from pure joy. "How can you be so sure, Aou-chan? For all we know, that little general can say no…" Vlodfield sweatdropped. Aouruu growled at the taller man. "Keep quiet, Vlod-chan! Don't be a wet blanket!"

Kanda admitted that he was rather surprised, but pleasantly so when Allen dared to return to the room where he awaited. Allen's eyes slowly rose to meet his as the door was locked behind his back. His hand came up to pull the ribbon off as he stepped towards the taller man. Kanda watched with interest when the silver eyed Immortal started to undo the buttons of his pristine white shirt. Allen drew a deep breath, before letting the shirt fall to the ground. The change in Kanda's expression was imminent, but Allen refused to let that deter him as he pulled his gloves off too. "My secret is this Innocence. It belongs neither to the lycans nor the vampires. It's an abomination to look at. You thought of me as something perfect, but I'm not. I'm scared…"

Allen's left arm was red, dents and veins visible to the sight and touch. A cross was implanted in the back of his palm. "…Scared of what, moyashi?" Kanda breathed out. "Isn't it ugly? It's horrifying…My real parents threw me away for this arm. If it wasn't for Mana who took me in, I would've died as a starving baby by the roadside. Everyone who knew has never liked my arm…Even though they know that it's just an Innocence, a parasitic type, they look away. They don't feel comfortable with it. I've hid it when I became an Immortal, because Master Cross wanted this hundred and ninth Innocence to be kept secret…And he wanted to protect me from others."

He did not expect Kanda to embrace him softly, and gently. Kanda knelt down, wrapping Allen within his arms in what he hoped to be a comforting gesture, never the type to do something so emotional. "You are so stupid, moyashi. You should know by now that I don't judge people by looks. Don't care about what others think of you. If your real parents didn't want you for it, then it is their misfortune to lose a beautiful child. I understand now why you have to hide it. If both factions were to discover it, you would undoubtedly be a target to them…And I won't allow it." Allen pinched his eyes shut, hoping to stop the flow of his tears, his hands coming up around Kanda's neck. "…Why…? Why do you treat me like I'm normal?"

That last word came out choked, and muffled.

'So child-like, though having lived long…'

"Because we all have things we need to hide, pasts that we do not want to surface. That is what we all are," Kanda's eyes clouded over momentarily in bitterness remembering his own past. Right now, Allen felt that he had the courage to tell Kanda everything about himself.

The red hand clasped over his cursed eye. "I was picked from the roadside as a baby by my foster father. Mana brought me up like his own, and I looked up to him as if he was my real father. When he passed away, I felt so alone and lost. I didn't know what to do or who to turn to. Then…Someone came to me and told me he could bring him back. Mana cursed me when I called him back from the realm of death. I made him into an Akuma." Kanda's eyes widened at the mention. "And with this very arm, I sent his soul back where it should belong. It was my fault that Mana had to suffer for my cowardice of being alone," Allen whispered.

"Now you know…How disgusting of a person I am. I should've died that day had my Innocence not saved me…"

"Don't be a fool. You obviously do not realize it," Kanda interrupted him.

"If you died that day, I would never find you. And I shall remain alone. You were saved for a reason, Allen. You were saved to be my companion in this eternity and I, yours. I do not care about your arm. It only makes me more amazed. That you remain looking so flawless and innocent despite all your trials…You are no lesser in my eyes than you were before," Kanda stated, thumbing away the tears. Allen stared up at him in great disbelief, and pushed down his want to cry more. He managed a small smile instead. "Thank you, Kanda."

Kanda smirked. "Of course, moyashi."

"Oh, shut up, you baka ponytail!"

"…That went well," Reita muttered. "I'm going to have a kaa-sama," Aouruu whispered, in a near disbelieving tone. "Aou-chan, really, calling the little boy your kaa-sama isn't going to…" Vlodfield was cut off by someone else. "Children, it's unsightly to be eavesdropping on others," a gentle effeminate voice beckoned them. The four of them look startled, and turned to the source. Yukinojou was smiling kindly at them, though none were able to see due to the cloak that heavily shrouded his face. Luxeria was standing at ease beside him, a lazy grin on his face. Aouruu went into a defensive stance, shoulders stiff with apprehension but Luxeria made a 'be quiet' sign and pointed to the door.

Zerulis made to lead them away and once they were at a safe distance, Luxeria spoke first. "Tell others of what you've heard, and you will be disposed of." Reita nodded in compliance. He did not want Allen to be hunted down either. Zerulis glared at the redhead. "How do you know? I thought you two had the most distant ties with the family." Vlodfield and Aouruu looked on in confusion. "Zero, maybe it isn't good for you to be saying this in front of Aou-chan and Vlod-chan. They're not in the family, remember?" Reita said calmly. Aouruu's confusion snapped for a moment. "What the Who gave you permission to call me Aou-chan?!" "Only Aou-chan can call me Vlod-chan!" Vlodfield added.

"Children, now is not the time to fight," Yukinojou stopped them. "As for this matter, we will discuss in later. For now, you three," he pointed at Zerulis, Reita and Aouruu, "should take a bath. Akuma blood is no good even on bare skin, and fatal for mortals when it has invaded your blood stream." "Then let's go, you two!" Reita hooked an arm around each of the boy's necks and dragged them off. "You my friend are not going anywhere just yet," Luxeria clapped a hand over Vlodfield's shoulder. "You are older, more experienced, and hopefully smarter than those three children. You WILL sit down and I WILL brief you on the twelve simple reasons why you should not, from now on and forever more disturb Allen…And we will add Kanda Yu on the list as well," Yukinojou smiled as he said everything, but Vlodfield got the feeling from Yukinojou's eyes that he was anything but happy.

"Ne, you're a human too aren't you? How did you get into the lycan's side? You're an exorcist too, right? Is that why you've been recruited by the lycans?" Reita was relentless with his questions. "Can you keep quiet? I don't have to answer you!" Aouruu snapped as he pulled off his bloodied uniform. "I told you before, Reita. Curiosity is not the best way of becoming a Bookman apprentice. Observance is the best asset. As for the questions, Aouruu is human. He is obviously an exorcist judging the uniform and his weapon. From what he's been saying, it's obvious he's on the lycan's side because of his father," Zerulis' face twisted into an unreadable emotion for a while, before continuing, "And as for being recruited, I think it's half due to his being a conformer of the Innocence, and an inclination to stay with his father."

"Uwaah, you're really good Zero!" Reita chirped as he dumped his clothes into the laundry basket. Aouruu stared in slight amazement at Zerulis. He had not met anyone this smart since General Tiedoll. The shortest of the trio rolled his eyes. "I have to cover all of Master Cross' work and half of Allen-sama's. Do you not think that I had to learn to get work done faster? I'm only human after all. But I must admit that I'm curious…How is it that you call that Immortal your father when you're a mortal aged seventeen while he is over three centuries years old?" Aouruu stared at Zerulis, and then at Reita, as if sizing them up.

"…We're the only survivors of our clan. Tou-sama rescued me from everything, and he's all that I've got left, other than Vlod-chan." "Ooh…I'm sorry to hear. How did you meet Vlod-chan, by the way?" Reita asked, as he bowed slightly to show his sympathy for Aouruu's deceased clan. Zerulis however, had his eyes narrowed. None of the boys noticed, however. "Vlod-chan…He's the one that protected me all my life. I'm already an adult, I don't need it anymore," Aouruu huffed at the end of the sentence.

"Aou-chan, it's alright to be protected by others. As long as you protect him too, and watch out for each other's backs. Heck, even I won't hesitate to protect you, since you are cute," Reita chirped happily, not knowing what sort of effects his words had on Aouruu. Zerulis' tense aura was nullified as he smacked the taller boy behind his head while Aouruu looked surprised, blushed and then offended. "Who are you calling cute?!" Then he angrily stormed into the baths. "Reita…Keep being careless with your words and I won't be around to save you from death," Zerulis spoke and went off as well. "W-What did I do?" Reita whimpered cradling his injured head.

Vlodfield never wanted to face the last general of the vampires again if ever possible. Yukinojou made castrating sound like a story for children…The sentient dragon shuddered. He threw all his clothes into the laundry basket as well, making his way into the baths. He always liked the fact that it was fashioned the way Japanese baths were, showers and hot springs separately. Then he spotted a figure slightly hunched over on a stool washing his hair. Vlodfield immediately fixed his sight on him. Petite frame, slender neck and slim limbs…

"Aou-chan!!"

Aouruu's head snapped up at his name being called. Reita also looked for that voice in equal surprise as the both of them were soaking in the onsen. Following that call, there was a surprised yell followed by a pained yelp and the sound of a dull object hitting something. The two exchanged glances before getting out of the onsen quickly and going into the shower area. Vlodfield was sprawled on the ground, a bump forming on his head while Zerulis was pressed against the bamboo wall, eyes wide with shock and the most expressive face Reita had ever seen him with. "Who let the pervert in?!" Zerulis snapped looking at the two boys.

"Uhh…Zero, in case you didn't notice, the 'pervert' is Vlod-chan," Reita pointed at the fallen ebony-crimson humanoid. "I don't know such idiot," the poor boy hissed, the soapy foam still settling nicely on his head and hair. Vlodfield sat up quickly, as Aouruu sighed knowing he had a ridiculous way of recovering promptly like that. "B-But you praised me in the meeting just now!" The sentient dragon squealed in pain as he touched the bruise on his head. "I'm sorry; I didn't think you were a pervert. You're a marked man now. Don't let me catch you near me anymore," Zerulis growled in defence.

He was already startled out of his skin when someone glomped him out of the blue when he was washing his hair. Self-preservation instincts kicking in, he hit his attacker with a bucket lying by his feet. How was he to know that it was Vlodfield who glomped him?

"What happened?" Aouruu bluntly asked. Vlodfield, much indebted to him as he was, would forever remain an idiot in his eyes.

"I saw him and I thought he was you, Aou-chan! So I glomped him, but then I got hit!!" Vlodfield sniffled miserably. His companion twitched. Suddenly he felt glad that Zerulis hit the idiot after all. Zerulis sighed. "Enough, get out of here before I don't hesitate to plunge my nails into your eyes." Vlodfield gulped seeing Zerulis' sharp red painted nails. He hightailed it out of the bath area, and the trio could hear him practically diving into the onsen. "We'll leave you be, okay?" Reita said. He and Aouruu also left.

Vlodfield was not a happy person.

Not now, at least. His young pretty charge was sticking very close to that Reita boy, and he did not like it one bit. He brought Aouruu up until Kanda came along; he was perfectly entitled to adoring and loving the boy. Vlodfield would not be embarrassed to admit that he loved Aouruu, even though he treated him horribly on occasions. Vlodfield did not understand humans, though he was very old indeed. He could nearly boast that he was only two centuries younger than General Yeegar, who was a little over millennium, like the Earl of the vampires. But living alone in the wilds for his whole life didn't do much for his understanding of the outside world. Aouruu was indeed the first human he befriended.

The poor little mortal; Vlodfield had no idea how the boy survived the massacre, but he did. Aouruu, as a very young child no older than three stumbled upon his lair when he escaped the murderers of his clan. He had cried and begged the enormous dragon to stay with him, and pitying the minute-sized mortal Vlodfield took Aouruu under his care. When the chaos had settled, Vlodfield turned into a humanoid to make caring for the child easier. They went back to the clan's mansions, and made only a part of it liveable for themselves, and since then Vlodfield had not turned into his true form ever since. Aouruu had been downright adorable as a child, but somewhere along the lines of growing up he became grumpy or snappish, even simply bored. Only when it concerned Kanda did he become like a child again. Vlodfield quietly sulked. He should be more important to Aouruu than Kanda! And now Aouruu was being close to another one whom they could practically call a stranger…Except they have seen Reita each time they played escort, only that they've never spoken.

Vlodfield supposed that this must be love that he cared so much for Aouruu and wanted to protect him. He had after all, not much understanding of what people called as feelings.

Aouruu was visibly trying to avoid Vlodfield. After that fiasco, he had no idea what Vlodfield would be up to. It was safer sticking to neutral grounds, in other words Reita. Reita grinned at him, not noticing the subtle attempts made by Aouruu to inch away from Vlodfield. "What're you smiling at?" Aouruu popped the silence. "Nah, it's just that it's pretty rare for me to see another Japanese like you. They're really hard to find, you know. Other than you and me, I only know four others in the three factions altogether who are Japanese too."

Aouruu's interest quirked, as was Vlodfield's. "Really? Who?"

"First, we got your father. Then, the general who spoke to us just now and his Chevalier, they're twins and they're Japanese. Not pure, though. Semi European I think. Lastly, we got Zero. He's mix too and whoops, nearly forgot you, Vloddie! That'll make seven of us, sorry," Reita apologized. "…What are you doing on the neutrals? Are you an exorcist too?" Aouruu's inquisitive needs got the better of him. "Well, yeah, I'm an exorcist but I'm aspiring to succeed the Bookman as well. Though I'm not even accepted as an apprentice yet," the tall teen flushed with embarrassment. "Bookman? Ah, you mean that really tiny panda-like guy!" Vlodfield stated but Reita shushed him quickly. "You don't ever call Bookman as a panda! Nobody does that and gets away alive…Except Lavi-senpai."

"So you joined the neutrals because you wanted to be a Bookman," Aouruu said, concluding the story. To his slight surprise, Reita shook his head. Reita smiled at his memories. Looks like it was going to be a story night. "I didn't use to be someone who wanted to know what happened all the time. I was pretty content my whole life living it to get by to another day. It's not like it's big news or anything, but I was an orphan at a very young age. We all know it happens a lot to children in Japan, doesn't it?" Aouruu nodded slightly, he himself becoming orphan as a child still fresh in his mind.

"I was good enough to look out for myself. Just myself, because I wasn't strong enough to protect anyone else. I was found like Zero, just a little earlier than he was. Bookman and Lavi-senpai found me hiding from something I later came to know as Akuma. After they took me in, I understood why the monsters were after me. I was holding an Innocence, and it seemed that it was by its powers I wielded then that I survived this long. It started that moment. I wanted to know, to find out, to understand whatever I could grasp. That was what egged me to become a Bookman. I want to learn the truth, so that I can help people."

"Truth isn't always helpful, you know."

Their heads turned. Luxeria and this beautiful guy had come to join them. They were sure he was a guy despite the feminine features because his chest was flat. Luxeria noticed their stare and glared at them, a hand out before the beautiful person protectively. "Don't gape at Astar like that," he growled. The other person smiled and placed a coaxing arm on his shoulder. "Don't bark at the children, niisan. They're not doing anything to me." Reita's eyes were wide. "Y-You're Yukinojou Astaroth, the last general of the vampires?!" "Did I surprise you?" Yukinojou asked with a delightfully mischievous smile. "I didn't expect you to be pretty. You know, like General Winters wearing a mask because I'm sure he isn't so keen on showing his face," Aouruu commented.

"Really now? How does he look like?" Luxeria had relaxed, now sitting close to his twin in the onsen. Vlodfield noted that Reita had mentioned them as twins, but they look nothing alike. Luxeria had flaming red hair, which covered his right eye, his visible left eye a bright emerald. He was wearing an easy grin now, and was muscular but not to the extent of being bulky. His legs had very obvious veins running across the skin, along the calf and faded somewhere on his thighs. Luxeria apparently, noticed his assessment. "Oh, I'm an exorcist. Parasitic-type, on the legs," the redhead filled him in. "And I'm an equipment type," Yukinojou added.

Yukinojou was entirely different from his elder brother. Long black hair cascaded down his back. He was slim and lithe. His eyes were silver on the left and golden on the right. He smiled in a manner that soothed others…Except Vlodfield who remembered the horrors of a smile-and-torture the vampire put him through. The twins sported a tattoo on both right cheeks. Reita recognized it as the Indian Sanskrit for 'I'. "I saw scars across his whole face. It looked like he had been mauled by a bear in the face," Aouruu simply described. Yukinojou watched the young boy before him, and thought he was rather similar in his looks to himself. He sported long black hair as well, but not as long as Yukinojou's. His eyes a dark blue, sharp and alive. His fringes were cut at a slanting angle which covered his right eye. "Hah, probably got into a catfight with his own kind," Luxeria laughed.

"If you think I am pretty, you will most likely want to see Kin without his mask. That person is very handsome and especially dashing when coupled with his natural charm," the younger twin said with mirth. Luxeria looked panicked at those words. "Astar, don't tell me you like him!" Yukinojou chuckled. "Of course not, Kaen. I have you, don't I?"

"So…Does anyone know anything about Zero?" Vlodfield asked. Everyone blinked at him. "Well…Yeah, but Zero probably won't appreciate us talking about him," Reita mumbled with a furtive look. He was young, as young as Aouruu, but he easily stood taller than Aouruu, Zerulis and even Vlodfield, but he remained shorter than the twins. Wearing an eye patch on his right eye, his remaining eye was a beautiful sea green. Black bluish hair in a neat ponytail, a blonde lock covering the centre of his bangs; with a smile Reita was easy on the eyes. "He's a sad, sad boy," Yukinojou answered, his expression turning quite sorrowful. Reita gaped at him. "How did you know? You're distant from the family." "We are the only survivors of the Noah clan that protected Japan's special clans of mortals. And that included your clan, Aouruu," Luxeria replied. "We were nearly wiped out, save for us two for our mother sent us away quickly to the Earl. It was from that point on that Japan began to fall prey to all sorts of dark creatures," Yukinojou continued.

"You see…Those special clans have abilities that made even the unholy feel threatened. As with the Kanda clan, your ability is superhuman regeneration and extreme reflexes, no?" Luxeria asked, to which Aouruu could only dumbly nod. "I'm not sure if you guys know, but Zero came from a special clan too. He of course won't say a thing about it, but we know one when we see it. We were shocked of course, seeing him when Cross-jiisan saved him in Japan. He voluntarily joined the neutrals, as a grateful gesture towards Cross-jiisan. He knew how we used to live in Japan later, and we tried to help him, but he refused, that little pipsqueak. He hates me, but he takes well to Astar," the redhead muttered.

"Because you're a little snitch who can't keep his mouth shut."

Vlodfield looked up and a blush immediately spread across his face. Zerulis was standing at the entrance, bare except for the towel around his waist. He was fifteen, youngest and also the smallest in the group that was in the onsen now. His long black hair with red bangs and streaks of crimson running through was dripping wet and the little droplets ran down his slender body. His waist was tiny like a woman's Vlodfield absently thought. No one would've thought that this small teen was capable of swinging a scythe larger than the owner himself. "I wasn't being a snitch! You're the one who never told me not to tell anyone else!" Luxeria shot back hotly and quietly fumed. Aouruu was disturbed to see Vlodfield drooling a little.

He, the sentient dragon who had spiky ebony hair with streaks of crimson and bloodlike eyes had a dazed look to him now and was drooling a little. Apparently he saw something he greatly liked. Aouruu followed his line of sight and at the end of it was Zerulis, who seem too focused on Luxeria to notice. The teen gave Vlodfield a kick, knowing if Zerulis found Vlodfield drooling at him, he was done for. Vlodfield snapped out of it with a jump, and attracted Zerulis' attention. "Oh, uhm, I wanted to ask why you're wearing an eyepatch," the sentient fumbled to cover for his mistakes.

The teen's solitary chrome gold eye stared at him. His left eye was covered by an eyepatch. "I was born with a weak eye here. It sees very well in the dark, but it cannot tolerate too much light. It hurts if exposed to the wrong amount of light." "How much brightness can it take?" Aouruu asked. "Of course, I cannot see in total dark, but with this eye, even a bit of moonlight will make it look like a normal cloudy day," Zerulis answered as he soaked himself in the onsen. "So…Seeing that you are determined to join this war, have you decided what you want to become?" Yukinojou asked the human trio.

"Uhh…I heard werewolf transformation hurts…But vampires need to suck blood, and I'm not the fighting type so combat prioritised creatures are not in the preference…So I thought of being a sorcerer and receive the Gift," Reita said. "Ah, pretty considerable choice. I'm a sorcerer too, you know? But I'm hazarding a guess that General Lotto will be performing the ritual? After all, only matured sorcerers can bestow the Gift on someone," Luxeria pointed out. "Yup, so before becoming a Bookman apprentice, I have to be Mira-chan's apprentice!" Reita answered. "What about you?" Yukinojou nodded towards Aouruu. "I want to be an Immortal, but…" Aouruu's distress was obvious.

"Immortal is mostly a creature of circumstances, not creation. Difficult to be one, unless you willingly take a curse upon yourself," Zerulis had his own input. "Curses, eh? If you need a painless, harmless one then don't hesitate to ask me anytime," Luxeria quipped. "Kaen is an expert on curses, especially safe ones," Yukinojou explained for his twin. Everyone raised their eyes at the redhead. Luxeria grinned at their attention. "Not many people study curses, so it makes a good tool to scare them when you cast a practically useless curse and tell them it's going to end their lives in twenty-four hours," the redhead laughed. "Sounds good. At least it doesn't hurt others," Reita agreed.

"So, what about you, Zero?" Vlodfield questioned.

Yukinojou immediately soured, Reita looked troubled and Luxeria frowned. Aouruu turned to glare at Vlodfield and harshly whispered, "Why do you have to ask the worst of questions?" Zerulis, however, did answer Vlodfield. "I'm not becoming anything. I'm staying as a human." "But won't you run the risk of dying more easily?" The humanoid asked in surprise. "Oh, didn't you tell them more about my clan?" He shot a pointed look at Luxeria. "My clan, special as it is, has been dying out very quickly. We've been cursed, by what I was never told, but it has run long in the generations and the curse is apparently designed to shorten the lifespan as the generations go on. I might live until I'm of legal drinking age, if I'm fortunate," Zerulis explained quietly.

Luxeria suddenly stood up, looking rather angry. "Then why the hell did you refuse our help?! Cross-jiisan could've blooded you, made you into a vampire and then the curse would've been broken! I could blood you, Astar could blood you, but no, you have to be a stubborn pipsqueak and insist on dying! Why won't you let us help you?!" Zerulis also stood up, seeing red. "I would've taken it if it helped! You want to know why? It because even turning can't help me! I've lived with this curse since I was born, I know it best! Nothing can undo this curse!" Vlodfield shrunk a little, feeling guilty because it seemed like his question had spurned this argument. Yukinojou held his brother back. "Kaen, calm down…Arguing can't solve anything."

Reita was also by his friend's side, soothing him. "Zero, don't let blood get into your head. You're the calm one, remember?" "Uhm…I'm sorry for asking something sensitive…" Vlodfield apologized in a meek voice. Zerulis looked at him in an indecipherable expression, and then shook his head. "Don't be, it isn't your fault. It had to be revealed at some point." He climbed out of the onsen. "I'll call for a meeting of the family. I'll try and introduce Aouruu and Vlodfield into the family. I'll see when the meeting can be held as well."

Zerulis paused before he exited the onsen area.

"……And if you tell Master Cross and Allen-sama what I said about my curse, expect me to come after your tongues."

Nyufufufufu 8DD! I had the craziest idea by putting in teh OCs as well!!! These OCs have actually been in long existence, and they're like my own sons. But Aouruu and Vlodfield are the property of Uruhara, and Reita is the property of Kaisuki, two artists on DA. There are fanworks on these OCs even! Let's take a peek into their bios for their current roles:

Kanda Aouruu:
Age: 17
Race: HumanStatus: Warrior, Exorcist. Temporarily playing escort.Weapon: Katana, Izayoi/Sixteen NightsLooks: Shoulder blade length ebony hair pinned up, fringe cut at a slant angle which covers his right eye, dark bluish eyes.Info: Not under any General. At the moment is escorting General Yeegar. The last child of the Kanda clan, he is rescued by Kanda Yu who came back for a look. As from childhood at the age of three until ten, he has been brought up and cared for by Vlodfield. Grumpy, snappish and rather fanatical with training he becomes excited and childlike when it concerns Yu, whom he calls father, as they both originate from the nearly extinct clan.
Personal comment: Uhh…Father complex? ;
Tidbit: Steals Mugen often because he likes causing trouble for his father figure and he admires Mugen...Though he equally loves Izayoi...And despite his apparent scorn for Vlodfield, sometimes wishes to snuggle up and stay with him out of childhood insecurities.

Vlodfield:
Age: 800+
Race: Dragon
Status: Sentient being, Warrior. Temporarily playing escort.
Weapon: Claymore, Yuusetsu/ Melted Snow
Looks: Spiky ebony hair streaked with crimson, bangs at the sides and the centre. Maroon-red eyes.
Info: A sentient dragon who can transform into a humanoid form. He is the one who guarded and raised Aouruu in the abandoned home of the Kanda clan after a mass murder wiped them out. When Yu came and took Aouruu away with him, Vlodfield followed them out of loyalty and love for his charge. He is knowledgeable and smart from all his years of living, but rather bumbling and clueless because he is not used to being around human-like creatures, and humans too.　He may have confused platonic care for love when it comes to Aouruu.
Personal comment: Confused guardian, obviously. At least not preference confused. XD
Tidbit: He is convinced that he's in love with Aouruu, but that doesn't seem to be the case now when Zerulis has entered the scene. Rarely needs sleep because of his sentient status.

Reita:
Age: 17
Race: Human
Status: Shield, Exorcist, under General Miranda Lotto
Weapon: Book, Tenshiki/Celestial Ceremony
Looks: Shoulder blade length bluish black hair in a neat low ponytail and at the middle of his bangs a lock of orange-blonde. Eyepatch on the right eye, left eye emerald.
Info: The bright cheerful boy has a little dense side, and he aspires to be a Bookman, though he has not been accepted into apprenticeship yet. He greatly respects Bookman and his two official apprentices, whom he calls Lavi-senpai and Tag-senpai. A friend of Zerulis'. A ritualist by profession, meaning he performs rituals and studies them a lot. His weapon allows his destructive rituals to be infused with the power of Innocence and can effectively kill Akuma.
Personal comment: Natural charmer. Already making Aou-chan blush at their first talk together
Tidbit: Has a legion of female admirers amongst humans and non-humans alike, not that the teen himself actually realizes it. He can't control his charm. Adopts a non-violence approach.

More on ritualists will be revealed in the next author comment.

Zerulis Reiichi:
Age: 15
Race: Human
Status: Sword, Exorcist, Under General Cross Marian and General Allen Walker
Weapon: Scythe, Ashurahime/Princess Ashura
Looks: Long ebony hair streaked and tipped with crimson tied into two low ponytails, his side locks are crimson as well. Bangs are cut in gradual tier. Left eye under eyepatch, right eye the colour of gold.
Info:From a cursed clan of pyschics bound to die at a young age. He was picked up by General Cross and affectionately dubbed 'dumb pupil two'. Though he is the Sword of the two generals, Zero is more likely a personal assistant as Cross procrastinates and Allen is much too loved to be left doing paperwork, Zero has to manage it all. Very stubborn when he wants to be, but he maintains a question-and-I'll-answer policy, unless it touches personal or inappropriate matters. Does not seem to get along well with Luxeria.
Personal comment: Combat secretary, I suppose…He DOES have to do paperwork and fight for the generals at the same time…
Tidbit: Working all the time has made him choose equally hardworking hobbies that relaxes him like cooking and cleaning. Sewing plushies is his secret obsession. Only Allen knows.

Astaroth Yukinojou:
Age: 300+
Race: Pure blood vampire
Status: Exorcist, Vampire General
Weapon: Discs, Silver Marionette
Looks: Long black hair in a semi bun, silver right eye, gold left eye. Tattoo on right cheek.
Info: The general of vampires and younger twin of Luxeria. He is kind and gentle, but consequences of pissing him off are horrible. People do not seem to realize the closeness he shares with his twin. He used to live in Japan, so he knows a lot on the special human clans that have lived there, which is why he knows a lot on Aouruu's clan and Zerulis' clan. Wears a constant cloak to cover his face for some reasons.
Personal comment: Angelic demon…Behind the pretty face lies a dark persona all too much like Black Allen..O.O
Tidbit: Has an alternate personality named Black Yuki, because he cannot play nice all the time. The only person he won't turn black on is Allen, because it was him who taught Yuki how to become black...Even Luc cannot escape his wrath.

Luxeria Kaen:
Age: 300+
Race: Pure blood vampire
Status: Exorcist, Chevalier of Yukinojou
Weapon: Legs (He's parasitic type Exorcist), Vaynebeast
Looks: Spiky flame coloured hair, bangs falling over the right side of his face. Left jade eye. Tattoo on the right cheek.
Info: The very protective Chevalier and elder twin of Yukinojou. He's an easygoing person, but when it comes down to his twin, he becomes feral, fierce and extremely defensive. Has a very strong sense of responsibility as seen with how sorry he feels for Aouruu and Zerulis for the destruction of their clans seeing that his family was supposed to protect them. Zerulis' stubborn inclinations however do not sit well with him.
Personal comment: Brother complex, without a doubt.
Tidbit: He may seem rather abrupt with his mood changes, but generally friendly, though he can be reduced to a quivering mass of tears by Yukinojou. Also likes secretly looking after those younger than him aka Reita and Zerulis, but sure as hell will never admit to leaving them breakfast outside their rooms or compiling their reports.