I don't own D. Grey Man in any way, shape or form. I'm just a fan of the series.

Okay, so I totally apologize that I haven't updated that past two weeks after I said I would. I have been crazy busy and even more in over my head than imagined. The next few weeks I will try to update every Friday. We will see because my coach just invited me to do a relay at Sectionals, lengthening out my season by two weeks. I lengthened the chapter a little for ya'll. Enjoy, read and review always!

XXX

Previously…

The Raven cocked his head to the side. There were so many things he needed and wanted to learn about the boy. He realized those could wait. "Play a song for me."

"WHAT!" The whitette ruffled his hair and groaned. "I really don't understand you at all Kanda. I tell you that I would give anything for you to go on this adventure with me, and you tell me in turn you want me to play you a song?"

The samurai just sat on his seat, completely composed. "Yes."

"Oh god. You know what, fine. I will play you a song. I'm just a little shocked that's all."

Allen's inner consciousness shook his head, wagging his index finger in apparent disappointment.

Allen stood up and began shuffling through a three-inch binder full of sheet music. Upon closer inspection, they all seemed to be handwritten. The notes blended onto the page into intricate rhythms that even with his experience in music he could never imagine accomplishing.

"This kid wasn't lying when he said he was serious about his music," Kanda thought.

"So," Allen continued, still searching, "Is there anything in particular that you want to hear?"

The Raven leaned back on the comfy chair and sighed. "Anything, as long as it isn't loud, annoying, or any of that top forty shit they play on the radio."

Allen laughed. "Well that sure narrows it down."

Kanda huffed. "Whatever."

The whitette lowered his right eyelid slightly in the semblance of a wink, chuckling. "Seriously though, I think I've found the perfect song for you."

He placed the sheet music on the stand and addressed his guest. "Have you ever heard of the band Coldplay?"

Kanda shook his head.

"Seriously? Well then, that makes it all the easier for me," Allen said beaming. So, he turned to his piano and began to play.

Just hearing the beginning of the piece made the tough exterior of Kanda Yuu melt to jelly. The emotion was conveyed so strongly that even the musician swayed to his initiated beat.

"When you try your best but you don't succeed~ When you get what you want, but not what you need~"

Then his voice… oh that voice. Kanda heart rate picked up tenfold. He'd been waiting to hear that wonderful voice again ever since he'd left this apartment on the first day.

"When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep~ Stuck in reverse~ And the tears come streaming down your face~ When you lose something you can't replace~ When you love someone, but it goes to waste~ Could it be worse~"

Kanda's eyes widened. Those lyrics were sung with such pain, the craziest thought crossed his mind. Was this the reason Allen had to join DDL? Had he lost someone as well? Were their stories really that similar?

"Lights will guide you home~ And ignite your bones~ And I will try to fix you~"

Kanda shook his head, partially in disbelief and part to get himself out of his ridiculous reverie.

The speed of the chords picked up and Allen's voice rose and fell. His hands danced around the keys with a practiced ease many had admired over his short years. It was all lost to his one-man audience though. He was absorbed only in the music and meaning to the small boy at the piano bench.

"And high up above or down below~ When you're too in love to let it go~ But if you never try you'll never know~ Just what you're worth~"

Allen was frail, ill with grief. Kanda felt terrible for feeling bad about his own pitiful life. It was clear, Allen had suffered enough pain for a thousand lifetimes and somehow… Kanda Yuu realized his purpose was to make life a lot better for this white-haired man. So he could be strong again. So that he could finally be at peace.

"Tears stream~ Down your face~ I promise you I will learn from my mistakes~ Tears stream down your face~ And I…"

Through the end of the verse there was a chocked sob. Kanda's heart clenched painfully. He was compelled to stand up and walk over to the crying musician.

Allen didn't hesitate for very long however. He plowed on, tears making their way down his pale face.

"Lights will guide you home~ And ignite your bones~ And I will try to fix you~"

The last word broke off suddenly, with the last piano note still sustained. Allen wiped off his tears, feeling a presence behind him. He took a shaky breath. "Laugh at me all you want Kanda. I'm pathetic. I can't even do a performance without breaking down anymore."

A pair of warm, secure arms enveloped the smaller man. "Shut up, will you."

For a while, the usual brooding samurai just held the small whitette in a tight embrace. Allen hugged the other just as equally, like a lifeline. Finally the quiet sobs slowly ceased.

Allen looked up at the Raven. Kanda's breath got stuck in his throat. Those eyes were so beautiful. "Thanks. You know… you really aren't that bad of a guy Kanda." The samurai just hummed in response.

He rested his head for a moment on the strong man's chest. It was a great feeling just to be in someone's arms again, to have someone take care of him. It had been so long since… he died.

After another few minutes Kanda was the one to break it off, feeling slightly awkward. He coughed slightly. "Um, maybe I should be going now."

Allen took a sparing glance at the clock. It was almost ten and the apartment was beginning to have that soft glow that always came with late nights. "Oh, I'm sorry I kept you so long."

The Raven just shrugged in response, hands in his pockets. He never would admit it, but he actually didn't mind spending time with Allen.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning then, so we can start," Allen stated, walking up to Kanda.

The other nodded.

Suddenly, the whitette gave Kanda a tentative peck on the check, standing on his tiptoes. "See you."

"Y-yeah," the samurai's voice completely broke. Kanda's inner consciousness facepalmed. He wasn't supposed to feel this affected by someone, ever. Why did he even let Allen do that? He felt like bolting out of there, but realized that probably wasn't the best idea once he saw Allen's stunning smile.

Everything after that was just a blur as he was ushered out of the apartment. He didn't even notice that his body was on autopilot until he was in front of his car. The reverie he was in was completely focused on Allen. But opposing thoughts be damned, he really didn't want to get out of this heaven.

XXX

It was late and Lavi Bookman knew it. But that, for him, was the perfect time to go exploring his world of the library. This was accomplished with the help of some caffeinated beverages of course.

He practically grew up in the building Panda owned. As a result, he knew almost every subject known to man and where it would be found in the cavernous space.

Finally he sat down with a special set of books in his hands, flipping the pages of the first large book he had acquired he came upon the section he was looking for. On the black and white page many silver crosses all with the same template were shown. However, different intricate patterns were engraved into the metal, making each one unique.

"Ah!" Lavi exclaimed. "I knew it had to be the Black Order! The main question I suppose is what does Allen have to do with it? He seems so innocent…"

Almost immediately that thought stopped in its tracks. One absolutely, never, under any circumstances, judges a book by its cover.

The redhead began reading out loud. "Black Order believes that back when humankind first began, the world contained fourteen human tribes. Each one was entirely unique in its own way and considered holy. One day, each of the tribal clan leaders met in the same spot. Together, with parts of their soul, they created what is now referred to as the Cube of Life. The soul fragments that make up this legendary Cube are called innocence. However, as the tribes drew further and further from each other, so did the innocence from the heart of the Cube. As a result, innocence is spread around the world on different continents, waiting to be discovered and brought together again. The Cube has the power to grant one specific wish to the person that has brought its pieces together and nothing more. The group's members look very diligently to find these pieces of innocence."

Lavi sighed, reaching into his bag to get out his spectacles. He continued on with the last paragraph, glasses perched on his nose. "There are fourteen different kinds of silver crosses that the Black Order wear. Each of the separate patterns stands for one of the ancient tribes."

The two crosses pictured above didn't have the patterns that Allen had on his. This irked the redhead some. He still wasn't much closer to finding out about the white-haired man.

"Little else is known about the elusive Order. They have hidden headquarters on every continent except for Antarctica and still hold annual meetings."

Throwing his head in his hands Lavi groaned. "What do I do now? Should I tell Kanda what he is getting into? Or should I mind my own business?"

The patter of small feet and the feel of frail hands on his shoulders signaled the arrival of Mr. Bookman. In the dim light of the library, he blended into the scene perfectly. It was almost as if he belonged among the dusty books, full of attainable knowledge.

"Lavi, son." The redhead tilted his head to the side to look at his mentor and lifetime guardian. There was a tearful gleam in his eye, as if he was letting a precious person of his go out into the world for the first time.

"This time, do what your heart tells you."

XXX

I hope this was worth the wait for everyone. Has anyone been watching the Olympics like I have? I know it ended a while ago, but if you would care to tell my what your favorite event is that would be really cool. Until next time… sayonara!*