Family…?!
Haarii-chan: Hey everyone! I hope that you are enjoying the fic so far, but the story is nowhere near over, so enjoy!
Allen: (examines the wedding band) So…does this mean that Goku and Haji are now my brothers?
Goku: Yeah, at least I think so.
Haji: Hmm, I really don't care. The question now is…
Goku & Allen & Haji: who gets to sleep in Haarii-chan's room?
Haarii-chan: (blink blink) Flattering, but I think that all three of you will have to sleep in big brother's old room. After all, I'm still young. And I want to keep my virginity a little while longer.
Allen: I'm fine with that… Dibs on the top bunk!
Haji: If that is your wish… Dibs on the bottom bunk!
Goku: Hey!! Fine, I guess I'll take the couch.
Haarii-chan: Just think, when I'm all grown up, you all can sleep in my room! Now, on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I'm so sick of saying this: I DON'T OWN D.GRAY-MAN, DB/Z/GT, OR BLOOD+!! Thank you.
Family…?!
The Earl just stood there in shock. Allen Walker's words continued to echo through his head. "Why, I'm here to see my family. It's nice to finally see you again…Father."
"That's quite a humorous statement, Allen Walker. Now I'll ask you again, what are you doing here? Answer truthfully and I won't prolong your suffering."
"Master Earl, what Allen said is true. He decided to join our family. Tyki and I just brought him back home a few days ago. You even said that you liked his piano playing."Rhode said, placing herself between a fuming Earl and a defenseless Allen.
"But Rhode, Allen is an exorcist. He can't join our family."The Earl said with a wicked grin. "Now get out of my way. This is the perfect time to kill him."The Earl gathered dark energy in his hand, stopping only when Allen started to laugh. "And what could be so funny about your own demise?"
"It's just that… I'm no longer an exorcist. I'm a Noah. The Musician. And you, dear Earl, are my father. Just ask Tyki. After all, he was the one who named me."Allen replied with a painful grin.
"That's not possible. The child that was to be born for me died. The Akuma doctor who was supposed to deliver it went crazy and killed the child. Isn't that right, Tyki?'
"Actually, what Allen said is true. I lied to you so that the boy could live. He was born with Innocence in his arm, and I knew that you would have killed him. So the Akuma asked that I save the child and not remove his arm. Now that the boy is older and in control of his Innocence, he can better serve you. Isn't that right, Allen?"Tyki said, giving a pleading look to Rhode to go along with the story.
"Tyki is right. And we wanted to give you a really great surprise. Right, Allen?"Rhode said, smiling weakly.
"Never less, this boy has killed my Akuma. And he has vowed to kill me when he joined that Order."The Earl said, forming another blast of dark energy in his palm. "I can't run the chance that he'll turn on us. He has to die."
"Earl, please! Just give him a chance. Give him the opportunity to prove himself."Rhode said wrapping her arms around Allen's shoulders.
"Prove himself? Alright, boy, I'll give you one chance to prove yourself to me. How will you do it?"The Earl asked anger still in his eyes.
"I don't know what I can do while my body is changing, but I can pledge my undying loyalty to you, Father."Allen said, looking at the Earl.
"Undying loyalty? And how will I know that you'll keep your word."
"You'll just have to trust me, now won't you?"Allen said slyly.
"Hmm… I'm sorry, but that's just not good enough."The Earl said as he brought a ball of dark energy down onto Allen. However, Rhode was faster. She quickly summoned a door for her dream room and threw Allen inside.
"Rhode! What are you doing?! I was so close!"The Earl yelled at the young girl.
"I'm sorry, Earl, but I can't allow you to kill Allen. He's my precious brother. Besides, I'll train him myself, so he'll defiantly be obedient. Give me one year and I'll have him be your most loyal servant."
"…Very well. But I want him to be ready within three months."
"Eight."
"Four."
"Six and no less."
"Fine. In half a year, Allen Walker is to be my most loyal and powerful servant. Until then Rhode. Tyki, come with me."The Earl said, turning his back to Rhode.
"Sorry Earl, but I cannot leave my little brother. I will train him as well."Tyki said, following Rhode into the land of dreams.
"Alright, fine. But mark my words: the both of you will be severely punished for not telling me."
"Very well Master Millennium."Tyki said with a bow before disappearing.
"So, my son actually survived? What a surprise… And it's Allen Walker no less. He had better be the strongest, if he's gonna be my child. I had better pick out a better name for the boy. Oh, and I also have to decide Tyki and Rhode's punishments."The Earl thought as he left Tyki's room. Summoning an Akuma maid to his side, the Earl said,
"My cute little Akuma, be a good servant and get me a notepad, pencil, and a glass of milk. I will expect all of these things in the parlor. Also, have one of your comrades light a fire."
"Of course Master Millennium."The Akuma maid said with a bow. Turning, the maid went halfway down the hall before she bumped into Lulubell and her favorite Akuma servant.
"Watch where you're going, you stupid piece of junk. You almost scuffed Madame Lulubell's nails!"The Akuma servant screeched.
"Now, now, she didn't mean it."Lulubell said with a cool smile. Turn to face her Master, Lulubell bowed deeply. Her Akuma servant followed suit.
"Welcome back, Lulubell. I take it you were successful?"The Earl said, signaling her to follow him to the parlor.
"Yes sir. I successfully destroyed three Innocence pieces as well as killed two exorcists and five finders. What are your orders now, my lord?"Lulubell said with another bow.
"Actually, I want you to help me with a special project. It seems Tyki and Rhode have found another member of our family, and I want to give the boy a new name."The Earl said, turning to Lulubell.
"What is wrong with the boy's name? I'm sure that he already has a name that would be suitable, Master."Lulubell said, clearly confused.
"And that's where you are wrong. His name is no good to me now."The Earl said.
"What is his name?"
"Allen Walker..."The Earl said with a chuckle.
"And why is it so important that you change his name?"
"First, he used to be an exorcist. Second, he renounced his previous life. Lastly, and the most shocking, is that he is my son."
"Son?! You had a son?! I didn't know that was even possible!"Lulubell said, taken slightly aback.
"Yes, the boy is my flesh and blood. Tyki even confirmed it for me. The boy is mine. So I want to name him appropriately. That is where you come in."
"How may I be of service to you my Master?"Lulubell said, still confused and surprised.
"I need you to tell me names of boys that you think that I would like my son to be called. Let me get my notepad and pencil, then start writing them down."
"Of course. I'd be happy to serve you, Master Millennium."Lulubell said with another bow.
(Inside Rhode's Dream World)
"Allen, are you okay?"Rhode asked grabbing Allen by the shoulders.
"My head just hurts and my own father tried to kill me, but I think I'll be okay. So, how am I gonna get control of my 'powers'? After all, I only have six months to get ready."Allen said clutching his head. The birthmark began to appear again.
"Well, first, you have to become a full-fledged Noah before we can do anything. I suggest that you get some rest. Rhode and I aren't allowed to interfere with your 'change'. I'm sorry, but Rhode and I have to face the Earl."Tyki said, turning away from his brother.
"And how long will you leave me for?"Allen asked, blood dripping down his forehead.
"Don't worry. Just get some sleep, and I'll wake you up when it's time, alright?"Rhode said. She placed her hand over his eyes, a soft light glowing under her fingers.
"Alright then…good…night…Tyki…Rho…de…"Allen slumped over and promptly fell asleep. Rhode summoned a bed and placed Allen on it. She then leaned forward and kissed his forehead, thereby getting blood on her lips. She licked the blood away, relishing in the sweetness of it.
"So, Tyki, how long are we gonna leave him in here for?"Rhode asked, turning away from her sleeping brother.
"Well, if I know the Earl, he'll be trying to rename brother, so we'll need to find a good name for him. After all, we don't want him to be called Earl Junior. Let's see… what do you think his new name should be? How about we keep calling him Aleck?"Tyki said, sitting on one of the chairs Rhode had summoned.
"No, we want to give him a name that shows how he left his old life behind him."
"Okay, then how about Frederick?"
"LAME!! How about Steven?"
"Tai-chi?"
"He's not an exercise!"
"Then how about Richard?"
"No, no, no! Those names are too common! We need a name that is dignified, cool, unique, and charming!"Rhode exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.
(Scene change: Exorcists)
Lenalee, Kanda, Lavi, and Bookman have been looking for Allen for three days now. Obviously, Kanda thought that it was a waste of time, but Lenalee wouldn't stop worrying.
"Look, The Bean Sprout must be dead by now! I mean, he's been with the Noah's now for about a week. Chances that the Earl let him live is about as great as me marrying Komui."Kanda said with disgust.
"But Rhode loves to keep dolls. And she says that she is the Earl's favorite. Maybe he let her keep him so that he can watch Allen suffer. I doubt he hates anyone, other than General Cross, as much as he hates Allen."Lavi said with a sigh.
"That's right! We can't give up on Allen yet. Besides, the Noahs let the Finder with Allen to get away without hurting him or killing him. And Rhode is addicted to Allen. I doubt she would let the Earl kill him until she was completely bored with him."Lenalee said with her eyes straight ahead.
"Maybe the Noahs aren't trying to kill Allen at all!"Lavi said with a sudden brain wave. "Maybe they're trying to brainwash him! "
"Like telling him some lie that he's just naïve enough to believe. I wouldn't put it past the Noah. And it's just the kind of plot the Earl could live with."Kanda said, putting his hand on his chin.
"Just imagine: Allen returns miraculously. Then, after about a week, people start dying. All the while, Allen murders exorcists until it's too late. We would never suspect an exorcist. It's the perfect way to destroy the Black Order."Lavi said, going along with Kanda and his theory.
"I can just imagine what the Noahs would tell Allen: 'We aren't your enemies. We're just misunderstood. I bet if you gave us a chance, we could turn away from our wrongdoings.'"Kanda said in a fake little girl voice. "Then, once Allen trusts them, they start feeding him lies. They tell him stuff like, 'The Akuma are actually crying out of joy. They like the Earl.' And something stupid like, 'We just can't control ourselves. The Earl tries to stop us, but he can't get to us all at once. Help us Allen!'"
"…Yu…you put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?"Lavi said in amazement.
"Of course I—"Kanda was just about to finish when the word hit him. Unsheathing Mugen, Kanda turned and glared at the red-head. "How. Many. Times. Have. I. Told. You. Not. To. Call. Me. By. My. First. Name?!"
"About one hundred and seventy-nine times. Why?"
"Is that so?"Kanda asked in that creepy nice voice that someone what was about to cause a mass genocide. Unfortunately, Lavi was the only one who didn't notice the look. Lenalee and Bookman had both shrunk to the size of ants and were about 500 yards away, being as quiet as possible.
(Well, that was fun, but let's get back to the Earl ;)
(two weeks after the Earl found out about Allen. Three weeks since the beginning of the story.)
"It's been two weeks now, Lulubell. Have you come up with a proper name for my son?"The Earl asked. Although he didn't really show it, the Earl was ecstatic. Finally, he would have the ultimate soldier that didn't have malfunctions like an Akuma and was more loyal than any Noah. Not to mention the boy could go behind enemy lines without a second thought.
"Well my lord, I have come up with a list of male names for you to review. Please take a look."Lulubell said, handing a list of names to the Earl.
"No. Nope. Nah. Never! Maybe… No!"The Earl started to cross out names as his eyes went down the list.
"Do none of these names suit your liking, Master?"Lulubell asked with concern in her voice.
"Try again. I really don't think any of these names would suit the boy."The Earl said, his ears lowering a bit.
"Yes, Master. My apologies. I'll try harder."Lulubell said with a bow.
"Thank you. Now, I need to speak with Rhode and Tyki about my boy's training. I need him to be at the peak of his abilities. If you'll excuse me."The Earl said as he left the room.
(Scene change- Rhode's room)
"Excellent! Now, let the powers flow through you."Tyki said as Allen freely controlled a ribbon of music notes that he had played on a flute. Allen was able to play the piano, but he was able to control the music from other instruments now. The piano was too bulky and Allen really liked how the flute played.
"Wow brother, you're really good at this. It's hard to imagine that you've only known about your powers for three weeks now. Soon, you'll be stronger than Tyki!"Rhode said, swaying to the music. Pausing for a bit, Allen smiled at the petite girl.
"Thanks Rhode. Say, Tyki, do you think that I could just stick with the flute? It's my favorite so far."Allen asked his older brother.
"Sure, but you still need to learn to summon your powers without the help of a medium. After you've mastered that, I'm sure that you can keep the flute around. It might be better. That way, no one would know your real powers."Tyki said with a smile. He was as amazed as Rhode, but he didn't let it show. 'At the pace this boy is growing, he'll be stronger than me in about a week. He's already surpassed the levels Jesudebi and Skin were at before they died.'
"Oh, Tyki, I wanted to show you something."Allen said with excitement.
"Really? Well hurry it up. I haven't got all day."Tyki said, curiosity flashing through his eyes.
"Alright, watch this." Softly, Allen began to hum a tune. Soon, the air became covered with ribbons of notes. As Allen changed the melody from gentle to a harsh composition, the ribbons began to harden and sharpen. Rhode stuck out a finger and touched one of the ribbons. Suddenly, the ribbon lashed out and cut deep into her finger. When Rhode tried to cry out in pain, the surrounding ribbons covered her body and began to constrict her. Just when Tyki was about to yell at Allen to stop, Earl entered the dream room.
"Now, now, don't be killing off your sister. Release her!"The Earl commanded. Immediately, Allen stopped humming. The ribbons vanished, leaving a wide-eyed Rhode sitting in the middle of the room. As soon as Allen saw her, he ran to her side.
"I'm so sorry Rhode. I didn't know that I was hurting you."Allen said as he hugged his sister. Laughing, Rhode hugged Allen back and kissed his cheek.
"Don't worry about it. I know that was the first time you had tried that, so you didn't know what to expect. It's alright."
"That was amazing Allen. It looks like you won't have to learn to summon your powers without a medium. That's amazing. When did you learn how to do that?"Tyki asked breathlessly.
"Actually, I just figured I could do the whole ribbon-strangle thing. As to summoning music with my voice, I could do that as soon as the nightmares had stopped.
"And when exactly did the nightmares stop?"The Earl asked the boy, amazed that the boy was this far along in only three week. 'Just imagine his power after six months of intense training. I am well pleased with his performance.'
"Tyki and Rhode released me from the nightmares about five days ago."Allen answered truthfully. The Earl's face was completely covered with surprise.
"You mean to tell me that you were able to withstand the nightmares for twelve days?"The Earl asked.
"Yes sir. They really weren't that bad. I just had a bunch of dreams about having to pay Marian Cross' debts for the rest of my life."Allen said with a smile.
"Most interesting. I wonder…Boy, do you think that you could create the ribbons again but this time, don't hum. Try and form the ribbons with your mind."Tyki said, taking a couple steps back (just for security).
"Alright."Allen said with an innocent smile that made Rhode's heart thump. Breathing deeply, Allen began to think of the lullaby that Mana used to sing to him when it was time for bed. Soon, he began to sway, singing silently to himself. Again, the ribbons formed in the air.
"Thank you, that's enough."The Earl said with a clap of his hands. He was delighted with his son's progress and couldn't wait to test those powers against a human, or better yet, an exorcist. "Thank you for all your hard work. Now, I have a present for you."
"Really? What is it?"Allen asked, running up to the Earl's side.
"I will now give you your new name."
"Cool. What is it?"
"Son, you were formerly known as Allen Walker. From this day on, you shall be called…"
Haarii-chan: Ha ha! Evil cliffhanger! Alright, here's the deal: I need a super-awesome name for Allen. So, I'll have open ears to any suggestions when it comes to names.
Allen: Wow, you wrote a really long chapter.
Goku: But now I'm hungry!
Allen: Me too. What about you, Haji?
Haji: I don't require food to survive.
Haarii-chan: What if I offered you my blood?
Haji: That's another story. May I? (takes my arm)
Haarii-chan: Sure, but don't leave any mark. ;P SO, IN CONCLUSION: IF YOU HAVE A NAME SUGGESTION, JUST TYPE IT UP AND SEND IT TO ME AT THANKS FOR READING!! VOTE ON A NAME SOON. BYE BYE!! (bows)
