Disclaimer: D. Gray -Man belongs to Hoshino Katsura.
Chapter Nine: Prelude to Catastrophe
Allen opened his eyes blearily. The morning sun has just pierced the window and lit the whole room. He had been in the infirmary for three days. Allen was going to get out of the eerily sterilised place. He never really did like the infirmary. Getting in here meant he got hurt, and that he got hurt meant he had been careless. Unlike what people thought, Allen did not like to be reminded of his mistakes. But Allen knew he had to be, or he would forget why he committed those mistakes.
'Mana, no matter what happens I'll keep walking till I die.'
Allen swore to himself; his devotion towards his foster father will never falter. Allen stretched his arms as he put on his exorcist uniform. He decided that a little training would straighten the kinks out of his muscles. As he wondered if there was anyone who would be there early in the morning, he caught sight of the Romanian man. "Good morning, Krory-san. You're an early riser," Allen greeted the unique exorcist. "Oh, good morning to you too Allen," Krory nodded in his direction. Really, he could be so polite when his Innocence was not activated.
"I have yet to congratulate you for getting together with Miranda-san. You were very bold with your confession," Allen mentioned with a humorous smile when he saw Krory blush. "U-Um, please don't mention it. Jeryy-san has it going on between everyone now. Really, I'm glad that everyone respects my feelings for Miranda, b-but the teasing is a bit too embarrassing," Krory mumbled.
"Would you like a morning spar then?" Allen suggested.
"That will settle better with my nerves," Krory agreed. In a moment, limbs were clashing and sparks were flying from friction.
"What's wrong, brat? Can't keep up with my speed?" Krory taunted as he appeared behind Allen.
Allen was correct; his personality was far too DIFFERENT from his normal docile self. His musings were interrupted when he felt a slight jab on pain in his neck. "Oww, what did you do Krory-san?" Allen felt the back of his neck and saw a slight trail of blood on his palm. Allen saw red. "Krory-san, how can you drink your comrade's blood?!"
"You don't expect me to fight without fuel, right?"
"What happened?!"
Miranda was already fussing over the bruises and cuts that Krory had while Lavi was looking all over Allen to see how many injuries he's got.
"Uh, we got a little carried away with sparring?" Allen apologetically stated, not even flinching in slightest when Lavi fingered one of the bruises on his cheeks. "You have to get this patched up, you know," Lavi reminded. "That's alright, I think I'll have breakfast first," Allen shrugged it off, opting to fill his stomach first. Lavi sweatdropped. "Well Allen, after getting those patched, Reever wants us all down in the Science Invention Department for something," Lavi stated. Allen paused for a while. "We had such a department?"
"Niisan made it a branch department of the Research Department. Where else would Komurin II come from?" Lenalee stated.
"Hahaha…" Allen laughed nervously as he went down to the counter. "The usual please Jeryy-san."
"Coming right up!" Jeryy replied as he bustled around the kitchen.
"Ano…Would you happen to know where Tyki is? I'd like to see him," Allen asked the bustling cook. Jeryy pondered for a while, before he beckoned for the young exorcist to come closer.
"Actually, nobody but me knows this so keep it a secret, Allen-kun. T-chan and Komu-tan are having a honeymoon," Jeryy whispered excitedly.
"WHAT?!"
Everyone stared at Allen, who looked all flushed before bowing hurriedly in apology. He didn't know which shocked him more, the fact that Komui was playing hooky by running away from the headquarters or that he and Tyki had a semblance of a relationship. Turning his incredulous look to Jeryy, he whispered, "Are you sure?"
"I'm not quite privy to the relation between them, but Komu-tan told me T-chan asked him out on a date and off they went like little lovebirds!" Jeryy giggled enthusiastically. It was exciting to see a little love bloom in this place.
"Wow…That really is some revelation," Allen absently mumbled.
"Where did you get that earring anyway, dear? It's so pretty," Jeryy cooed, "Is it that your feminine qualities are starting to surface because it certainly makes you prettier than your usually cute self!"
Allen fingered the plain gold plate dangling from his left ear. It was simple, but Allen thought simple things were often the most elegant. "This is supposed to be an experimental communicator the Asia Branch gave me a while ago. But I think it has run out of energy or something of the sort, because it's not functioning anymore. Maybe I should take it off," he thoughtfully mused, but Jeryy vehemently protested. "No, you should leave it on! Why, I think it contrasts beautifully with the colour of your eyes and it makes your hidden beauty ever more pronounced!" Allen sweatdropped.
"I-If you say so, Jeryy-san…"
Tyki looked up to the building.
"Home sweet home," he muttered in pure sarcasm.
He stepped into the house and went straight to his room. Tyki pulled a large basket with a lid out. He proceeded to put inside any photos or books he found that he wanted. He paused for a while to look at one of the pictures. It was in the colours of sepia. The frame held a very lively lady and a man who could be said as beautiful with a silent but calming aura. These were what he had salvaged from the cottage after they died; the meagre shadows of their memories.
But now Tyki was glad that he kept these things. Now he had proof to show to Allen that they lived. They were not a fiction from his long forgotten past. Tyki wondered why he was having such cloudy thoughts. He suddenly remembered the day when he had literally wept everything out to Komui, and Tyki had the grace to blush. It was not like him to be so expressive about himself.
But now that his anguish was mostly confessed, his mind and heart were clear as well. Now, he could concentrate on his duty as Allen's guardian. He took a good look around the house. "Well, good riddance," he stated and started to carry the basket out. Just as he made it out of the front door, someone called him. "I haven't seen you in a while, Tyki-pon." Tyki froze in his tracks. He fixed a casual smile on his face and turned around. "Sorry for that, Earl."
Komui was watching the cloudy sky with mild fascination. He was waiting at a café by the corner of the street. Tyki had specifically told him not to follow him. Apparently, Tyki was afraid that stray Akuma bringing orders from the Earl might be around. Tyki was worried for his safety. Komui thought it was a nice gesture, considering that it was Tyki he was thinking about.
The young Noah was making great progress within the headquarters as far as he knew. The first week Tyki had been around, they needed Allen to be constantly by his side to defend him from being verbally or physically attacked. Everyone avoided the Noah like plague, and for a very good reason. Would anyone dare to just walk up to a guy who effortlessly killed a General Exorcist? Komui chuckled as he remembered when Tyki had been acquainted with Jeryy.
Jeryy, hearing all the not-so-false rumours was slightly wary.
"What would you like? For your information, I can make just about anything," Jeryy initiated conversation.
"Err, got anything raw, and chewy?" Tyki asked, wondering if his tastes were weird.
Jeryy put on a thoughtful look. "Wait right here." He retreated into the kitchen and came back with Sashimi. "Give this a try."
Tyki carried the plate to the table and sat down. The moment he took the first bite, it was as if time stopped. Tyki didn't move for quite some time, and Allen doubted that it was food poisoning, since Jeryy's kitchen was the cleanest place in the whole dwelling. Then Tyki jumped off his seat and rushed to the counter. "You are a cooking genius! I adore your food! I'm going to idolize you!" Tyki was prostrating before the Indian, who was the very least to say, flattered.
"T-chan, I'm glad you loved my cooking! You're a very sweet guy!"
From then on, everyone slowly, but surely started to approach Tyki with the common topic of Jeryy's cooking. When Tyki was in a down mood, they simply led him to the dining hall and let him eat until he regained the bliss in his mood again. Eventually, everyone started being friendlier to Tyki, even though it was just a little by little. Lavi and Tyki were already pretty chummy. Krory and Miranda had been a great help in getting him to know the whole place, but hell Tyki was the closest to Allen.
Komui smiled at the thought. The warmth between the young man and the younger exorcist was similar to the warmth he and Lenalee shared. The warmth of siblinghood. Komui of course, had his own ways in getting to know Tyki better. The incident with the rain was a valuable experience and a great leap for Komui.
"Stop it!!"
Komui's train of thought crashed at a young, childlike voice crying out. He looked up and saw a child with rather sunny blonde hair and a mouth mask on. He seemed to be tugging something shiny from a tramp's hand. Without thinking properly, he went towards them. "Excuse me, what are you doing to my friend?" He questioned calmly, but there was a hint of danger in his eyes. The tramp let go immediately and ran off, muttering curses.
"Are you alright?" Komui asked kindly.
The child looked up at him. "Thank you, sir. That person had been trying to steal my treasure." A red string dangled limply in his grip.
"Really? What sort of treasure is it?" Komui asked with a friendly smile.
He nearly dropped his glasses in shock when the child opened his palm to reveal a silver button that unmistakably belonged to an exorcist's jacket. "What's your name, child?"
"It's Eeez, sir," Eeez answered politely.
"Where did you get that?" Komui was deeply intrigued. How would this child come into possession of a button so rare?
"Tyki gave it to me," Eeez replied, looking up to the rather tall man.
Komui was now even more surprised. "You know Tyki?" Eeez nodded. "We travelled together, but I don't see him anymore. And my other two friends…They were killed by monsters," the child ended with a little sob. 'Monsters?' With a resigned look, Komui realized that it must be the Akuma that the blonde spoke of. But wait, he had to play safe. This child could be an Akuma in disguise.
"I'm Tyki's friend, Komui. May I know how you got to know Tyki?" Komui asked.
"What are you doing with that basket?" The Earl stated in his sing-song voice, just like always.
"Oh, this? Nah, just doing some spring-cleaning. Not that it's spring anyway but what's up, Earl? You got another job for me?" Tyki asked, careful not to betray any hint of nervousness. His heart was pounding painfully against the confines of his ribcage. Road had not discovered him siding with the exorcists, so the Earl should not have known, right? "Yes, just a tiny one. A simple one of interrogation. I've heard news that General Cross has made contact with other exorcists. I'm worried if he told them anything of important value," the Earl's smile remained despite the obvious displease in his voice.
Tyki was glad that he found genuine surprise in his own. "He did? How come no one noticed that? I thought you set her on the job."
"Apparently, Cross was smart enough to give her the slip," the Earl answered.
"Made contact, as in how? Directly?" Tyki tried to milk more information out of the Earl.
"Yes, to a female exorcist if the Akuma is not mistaken," the Earl swung his walking stick around, his umbrella taken by Road again.
"Wait, an Akuma spotted them? Then it should be easy to have destroyed the both of them on the spot," Tyki inwardly flinched at his own words, but if he couldn't play out of the Earl's hands, he would be in deep shit. Considering the better life he was experiencing now, he certainly did not want to die so early yet.
"Unfortunately, Cross is by far the most powerful exorcist and the most cunning yet. He has managed to let the woman escape and wiped out the Akuma that tried to dispose of them. So your job this time is to find out what he has told the exorcists," the Earl assigned. Tyki was troubled, in more than one ways. "But can you teach me how, Earl? I'm no shape shifting wonder. Although I may be able to phase through whatever I want, you don't expect me to sneak into their fortress, do you?" 'Not that I'll ever tell you even if I knew.' Tyki rebelliously thought to himself.
"You have no such need to endanger yourself, Tyki-pon," the Earl declared flamboyantly.
"Please stop with that nickname," Tyki groaned. Only Komui was allowed to make up nicknames for him!
"Don't be so cold, Tyki-pon. There's a man in town bearing an Innocence. Just go…persuade the answers out of him and then finish him off. We don't need exorcist numbers swelling for our plan. I'll leave some Akuma if you want to have fun. Bye," the Earl drifted away until he was no longer in sight. Tyki felt dread rise from the pits of his bowel.
'Is it my turn now, darling?'
The whole group of exorcists walked towards the lower grounds in silence. Well, not complete silence since Lavi was chattering away happily at Allen who opted to listen as Lenalee made occasional remarks. Miranda and Krory were engaged in quiet conversations that would include an outburst or two. Kanda and Bookman followed up quietly from behind. "Kanda…" The swordsman looked down at Bookman, who just called him.
"Have you noticed something amiss with Lavi lately?" The old man asked.
Kanda watched the redhead walking in front of him. Apart from the one-sided argument three nights ago, he did not see Lavi acting out of the ordinary. He was sure that they ended their conversation on neutral terms. "None that should be noticed," Kanda finally answered.
"I fear…That the shadows of darkness hang heavy on his shoulders," Bookman stated as he looked at his apprentice. Kanda's steps paused for a while, but he quickly resumed his steps. Lavi, being burdened by darkness? The very idea of it seemed absurd to Kanda.
"That is doubtful," Kanda said honestly.
"The child smiles and laughs, but his pain in buried under his endurance. He may not seem bright, but do not forget that he has had a past unfathomable too, Kanda. What we see now is only the door that guards his heart," Bookman reminded. He had a feeling that Kanda deeply underestimated the depth of Lavi's mind.
"Even if a hand reaches out, if no one is there to catch it all efforts will be useless," Bookman ended sagely. "But recently...I observe that he and the Noah have been getting closer. That worries me a lot. Information on the Noah clan is priceless...But I fear it may be more than this goal which Lavi aims to achieve."
Normally, Kanda would have snapped but Bookman was an old man whose wisdom surpassed many. He respected those who were wiser than him and showed it.
"Guys, you're here just in time! Allen, this meeting mainly concerns your abilities. Since you are able to open a gate of the Ark to a specified location by being there, we assumed that you needed a visual confirmation of the location. We have implanted a lot of cameras in places around the world. Now, we'd like you to test if you can connect to the places just by sight alone," Reever explained as soon as the exorcists arrived. Allen nodded, but suddenly he clapped a hand over his left eye. A look of alarm generally passed through the group.
"Is your eye self-activating again?" Reever asked.
Allen gingerly removed his hand, revealing his indeed activated cursed eye. "Yes, but this time it's not hurting. It's more like…It's very cautious. There's no Akuma nearby here, I can assure you that. But it seems to be picking up some other sort of danger…" Lenalee abruptly collapsed to the floor, snatching everyone's attention. "Lenalee-chan?!" Miranda helped the girl up. Lenalee was shaking, fear flitting across her eyes. "…Komui-niisan!"
In a flash, Allen remembered what Jeryy told him. His mind ran over the lullaby, instantly opening a gate to one of the locations displayed on screen as his instincts guided him.
"Komui-san, I'm coming!"
Komui was strolling at a leisurely pace with Eeez by his side. Tyki had left the address with him and he was already taking too long. So, Komui decided to go look for him. Eeez followed him because this tall man seemed to be able to be trusted. Komui was about to call out to the approaching silhouette when he stopped in his tracks. Four level two Akuma were with him. He backed up, half crouched and prepared to grab Eeez and make a run for it. Unfortunately, it seemed that Tyki caught sight of him.
"Well hello there Glasses Guy. I was just about to go find you," Tyki said a little too cheerfully.
Komui's whole body tensed up and his heart plummeted. Eeez was staring at the dark-skinned man before them. "Is that Tyki? Why are there monsters near him?" The child asked. Komui clasped a hand on Eeez's shoulder. "Eeez, go hide far away from here. Don't come out until I tell you to," he warned the blonde. The child hesitated for a moment, before he nodded and ran.
"So…What task did the Earl give you…Noah?"
Komui eyed Tyki cautiously. He was already in Black Form. From what he's heard from Tyki the few days past, this one he knew was dangerous and difficult to deal with. "Well, did Cross pay you guys a visit?" Tyki asked. He was very comfortable just conversing with Komui. After all, his white self was familiar to Komui and vice versa. To him, this meant Komui would be easy to manipulate. Komui looked surprised without even needing the effort to fake it. "Of course not, that guy hates the headquarters!"
"But the Earl says he passed information to a female exorcist," Tyki drawled, letting a Tease flutter around his hand.
'Stop it immediately! If you dare hurt him…'
'I know, dear. We'll practically set the whole Black Order after our tails, and the Earl isn't ready for such a leap in his plans yet. We won't harm him...much.'
'He's a friend, don't you dare touch him!'
'Friend? All those with Innocence are enemy.'
'Allen has an Innocence. He's a Noah...And also our family. He's not an enemy.'
'But the rest are. Oh, wait. You have interest in that Bookman Junior, don't you?'
Tyki flushed, but remained pointedly hostile towards his dark side. 'Don't you dare harm him.'
'Of course not, but...this one, I'm not too sure.'
Komui was in rather deep thought himself. After full consideration, he answered, "But we heard no such thing from any of the female exorcist, and to be truthful, we only have two active exorcists who are female." Tyki smirked at him, which sent shivers down his spine. He looked somewhat dangerous and harmless at the same time.
"That's a rather disappointing conclusion...I guess this doesn't give me any excuse to hurt you. Not that I should, since my White Side is begging me not to."
"Your White Side is better than you are!"
"You wound me with your words, Komui. We're both the same person."
Komui resisted the urge to roll his eyes in such a tense situation. He was being mocked and he couldn't do anything about it, well aware of the other's powers. "Do not pretend to be idiotic. It's a given seeing how he is so much better than you are. You kill people just because you hate the Innocence and the Earl ordered you to." Tyki then seemed to eye him in a manner similar to anger.
"What would you understand about our hatred for the Innocence? What befell our family because of that evil?" Komui was slightly taken aback by this reaction. "…Well, I have to concede with you on that point. I understand nothing of what you have spoken, but I do not know why you refer to the Innocence as evil when it has lent its powers to exorcists to destroy Akuma," Komui declared. He was a man of principles and he wasn't about to break one by lying about what he felt.
In a moment, Tyki was standing before him. Startled, Komui did not even manage to move as Tyki's hand grasp his upper arm effortlessly. "You know, we stand at the exact opposite spectrum in this war and you are the first person who has ever said that. So maybe I'll tell you a little fact. The Innocence isn't as good as you think it is." Komui made the mistake of looking up into Tyki's glowing amber eyes that spoke volumes of what he was feeling. Komui suddenly felt very sorry for this man who was trapped by an inherent hate that he could not control.
Tyki smiled rather bitterly. "We are fated for death. When the Earl's plans come to fruition..." The Noah said no more as he collapsed, having relinquished his hold on the body.
"That Exorcist attacked Noah-sama!" The stupid Akuma probably didn't even understand the situation. As the four machines closed in on him, Komui held Tyki tightly in an almost defiant manner and closed his eyes.
"Cross Grave!"
Komui's eyes snapped open at that familiar voice and looked up to see Allen with his Innocence and cursed eye active. "Komui-san, are you alright?! What happened to Tyki?!" He was in a panic.
"Allen-kun, thank goodness you came! How did you know we were here?" Komui asked. "I used the Ark. Can you stand? The gate is still open," Allen explained.
"Wait, there's someone else we need to get. Eeez, you can come out now!" Komui called for the blonde, who meekly poked his head out and then hurried over.
"Is Tyki alright?" He asked.
"I think he will be. Allen, grab that basket, Tyki wanted it. Come with us, Eeez," Komui gently said. Eeez nodded and held the hem of Allen's exorcist uniform, recognizing him as the boy who outplayed Tyki in poker.
Everyone had no idea what was going on and was wondering if they should jump in after Allen when Allen returned with a blonde boy and a large basket in his arms and Komui with a fainted Tyki. "What happened?" Lavi asked in disbelief. "Komui-san and Tyki went out, and when I reached them Tyki was unconscious and Akuma were surrounding them," Allen reported.
"Tyki met the Earl," Komui bluntly stated, shocking everyone.
"Was he trying to betray us?" Kanda demanded. He had little trust in someone who was once their enemy.
"No, that's not it! You don't understand! Tyki was trying to hold himself at bay. He turned Noah on me because he got a mission from the Earl but look! He didn't harm me, and I know he would never betray us. His dark side willingly gave up…He's human too," Komui was more of talking to himself than to the ones around him. Allen bent down to sweep the hair out of Tyki's face. Knowing that Tyki went through all of it because he chose Allen over the Noah family made Allen hurt. Tyki didn't deserve this. He shouldn't have sided with Allen and the exorcists.
Kanda was jealous, but he would never admit it in a million year. And he was angry at Allen. "Why don't you ever mind your own business, moyashi?" He spat, grabbing the snow haired exorcist's attention.
"Kanda…?"
"Just because you have a hero complex doesn't mean you need to jump around and save people from their own dilemma! You shouldn't even give a damn when you fail at fixing your own problems! Don't stick your nose in people's business where it doesn't belong! You're too nosy for your own good! You'll end up dead and useless to all of us soon!" Kanda snapped, letting out all his anger on Allen. Lavi was shocked. He thought the issue had been settled between them! How could he speak to Allen like that after knowing how the young boy felt for him?
Before anyone took action, a resounding slap was heard in the room.
