Author's Notes:

Already at chapter 10! I am a bit surprised that I managed to pull through until now, I started with nothing much in my head for this fanfiction, I'm glad that ideas keep coming! :D Thanks to all of those who keep reading and reviewing!

No more flashbacks in this chapter and we mostly stay inside of the Black Order.

Spoilers for the Ark arc, but I've already warned you about that earlier on I think.

Disclaimer: D.Gray-Man belongs to Katsura Hoshino

While Kanda was having his appointment with Rabi, Ellen went back inside the Ark. She did not know what important matters Kanda had to discuss with his Bookman friend, but she didn't really care either. She was pleased that Kanda was reasonable enough not to keep her from going to report to the Earl. The things he had said yesterday really did shake her up good. Of course she knew that her cause was Mana's wish, but trying to complete what Mana started was her own choice. She didn't really need to do it, actually she had been very tempted to just bow to her destiny, had not the Earl made that terrible mistake. Choosing the right thing to do was just too difficult right now. By joining the exorcists, she had made sure that Mana's wish could be accomplished, but she still was not willing to turn away from the Earl's side completely. She was not sure what would happen if her Innocence got stronger than it already was, but she could not risk it yet. Ellen opened a door and got inside her room in the Noah manor. She left her chambers after changing into her white dress and wandered the corridors until she arrived at the main hall. The Earl was not here, but she could see Lulubell sitting at the table, apparently waiting.

"Dear Lulubell, it's nice to see you", she greeted and Lulubell took off her glasses to look at the other woman.

"My sister, welcome back", she greeted and got up from her chair, "I was asked by the Earl to wait for your return", she said. Ellen looked at her quizzically, "He left to attend to important matters, I am to act as a messenger".

"I understand", Ellen replied and walked over to Lulubell, "I successfully postponed the date the Vatican would meet with the Exorcists"

"Well done, the Earl expected nothing less of you", the black haired woman commented and Ellen smiled politely, "we don't need the Exorcists to find out information about our plans just yet"

"Did the Vatican manage to get hold of Information concerning the Ark?", Ellen wondered and saw how Lulubell nodded.

"This they did. The Earl suspects that it was Mana who betrayed the information, because it seems that they also learnt of the Fourteenth...", she explained, "follow me". Lulubell started walking and Ellen followed until they reached a dark, cold room, far under the surface.

"The Earl wants to transfer the Akuma Plant to the Ark, so that it can be moved easier. It was only temporarily put here, as you know, because we can't move the Ark anymore without Mana… But of course, we have you now… So the Earl deems it best to transfer the Plant back to the Ark"

"I don't understand… I am the player now, this I am aware of, but if the Vatican knows about the Ark and could know about Mana, wouldn't it be unwise to transfer the Akuma plant back to the Ark?", Ellen wondered and Lulubell looked at her.

"Do you mind?", she wanted to know and Ellen startled at her unexpected question and shook her head.

"No, of course I do not mind. Be my guest and transfer it", Ellen said and Lulubell looked at her.

"We would also need to set up Skull guards in the Akuma Plant room. Do not worry, they will not bother you inside of the Ark", she continued and Ellen shook her head with a polite smile.

"I am fine with that, if the Guards make sure that no one can access the Plant then that is completely in my intentions".

"Ellen, I know that you still feel for Mana's ideals", Lulubell said and Ellen widened her eyes shortly, before she continued smiling.

"What are you saying? It was Mana I loved, not his ideals", she answered which made the taller woman sigh slightly.

"I am sure that Mana's legacy is a burden to you and I know that you cannot let go of Mana, but don't let yourself be fooled. It is too dangerous to stick to Mana's agenda, especially for you, a Noah carrying Innocence", Lulubell lifted her hand and brushed her palm over Ellen's silky hair and the left side of her face, "a Noah who was cursed by an Akuma… You are fragile, sister. Do not break".

"Dearest Lulubell... I appreciate your concern, but I am not in any danger. As long as I do not betray the Innocence I am fine. And the Earl pays attention to only give me missions that won't disrupt the balance", Ellen answered and Lulubell withdrew her hand, putting her glasses back on.

"I am glad to hear that, but you shouldn't betray your Noah either, she could turn against you as well. You've stayed in your human form for a long time now without changing back once...", she said and turned towards the Akuma plant. Ellen looked at the huge form of the "egg" as well, but averted her gaze quickly. She didn't like to stay in this place for too long and the Earl also didn't allow her in very often. This was the place where the Akuma were "born", a place full of sorrow for Ellen, hearing the distorted heartbeats and the mechanical hum of the egg made her restless. Having a cursed eye that could see, hear and feel Akuma was not something that came in handy down here. And on top of that her Innocence started stinging, but she held her arm to her chest, confining it.

"You know that my Innocence got stronger on that day 25 years ago. You were not here, but you must have heard…", Ellen said and Lulubell turned back towards her.

"Is that bitterness I can hear trembling in your voice?", she asked and looked at the white-haired woman. Ellen did not reply to this question but continued talking:

"I managed to balance the two sides, but it would be too risky to change now…".

"Well… Dying certainly wouldn't benefit anyone…", Lulubell said and Ellen lowered her head.

"Dear Lulubell, I must depart now, the screams of the Akuma Plant resound in my head…", she said after a while and the black haired woman nodded. "We will see each other again at the next family reunion", with this Ellen turned around and left the cold room. She let out a shaky breath of relief and looked at her trembling Innocence hand. "This has to wait… It's too dangerous to choose sides…".

--

Kanda found the Noah in the lounge, where she was enjoying tea with Hanako and Linali.

"Are you already done with sight seeing?", Kanda asked the women and Ellen smiled at him, putting her tea cup down.

"I have to confess that I didn't even get to start", she answered and Kanda rose an eyebrow at her.

"Hanako and I both had a break from work", Linali spoke up and pointed to the unoccupied seat next to her. Kanda sat down with a frown, not wanting to actually be part of their chatting, "so we got some tea and started talking". Kanda just nodded, then he turn to look at his sister.

"How did it go?", he asked and she smiled at him.

"It was great! Everyone's so nice and I learnt a lot of new things! The equipment is far better here than it was in Rome! I am sure that I will enjoy myself!", she answered with a grin.

"Good for you…", Kanda muttered, he doubted that she would still enjoy herself if she had to tend to the heavily wounded. The man rose again and looked down at Ellen.

"I will give you a tour if you want", he said and she blinked up at him, mildly surprised.

"Oh, how nice of you", she said and looked to the other women, "if you would excuse me?"

"Of course! Enjoy yourselves!", Linali said with a smile and sipped her tea, while Hanako just grinned at her brother. Kanda ignored her and started walking out of the lounge, Ellen following.

Kanda led the Noah out into the gardens instead of giving her a tour of the Black Order.

"Is there a particular reason why you want to explore?", he asked her as they walked over the gravel path around the huge tower building. Most of the premise was covered by a forest, but there were also small gardens with flowers where vegetables and fruits were cultivated. Ellen smiled at him, then she continued looking in front of her.

"Not really. I am not a spy of his side, I rather am one of yours", she answered and Kanda stopped her, pointing down another small path leading into the forest.

"I see. I had to ask, I can't take any risks. I am sure you understand my situation", he told her and she laughed silently, looking up at him.

"Of course I do, Yu Kanda. But you already told me not to bring anybody of my family inside. I still remember quite well and I do not plan to allow such a thing to happen". Kanda looked at her, then he snorted, going into the forest. "Where are we going?"

"No where… I just show you the gardens and the forest", he answered and they continued walking in silence. There were leaves on the ground and it smelled of rich damp earth. Overhead birds were chirping in the branches and the light threw bright spots through the leaves onto the ground. They arrived at the end of the path, where there was a small clearing and a wooden bench to sit on. Kanda went there and sat down, Ellen doing the same.

"Did you report back?", he wanted to know and Ellen nodded with a smile, closing her eyes to enjoy the warm sun and the chirping of the birds. "Did he say anything?"

"No. He was not present. He had something important to attend. I do not know what", she answered and opened her eyes again. She turned to look at Kanda. "There will be guards put in the Ark"

"Guards? Why?", Kanda asked, frowning, „do they suspect you?"

"This might be the case, yes. But I have not been accused yet and I doubt that I will be". She chose not to tell him of the Akuma egg just now, she couldn't risk that he demanded entrance.

"Will this restrict you in any form?", he wanted to know and Ellen shook her head.

"No, the guards are in a secluded room, they will not really come into the main part of the Ark. They also won't be able to leave the Ark, you have nothing to fear", Ellen replied.

"Won't they know when you let me inside?", Kanda asked and the Noah shook her head, "well. Then that's fine. Just pay attention"

"I always do", Ellen said with a smile. Kanda snorted but then he started thinking about what Rabi told him. He couldn't possibly ask her any details about the curse, because then he would have to explain how he found out. And he especially couldn't ask her about the 14th because that was restricted knowledge as well. But there was one thing he could surely ask:

"I remembered that Cross found me when my last General died… That was 10 years ago", he started after long silence between them. Ellen opened her eyes again, which he had closed sometime before, and turned to look at him. "There are a lot of things I remember now that you're back", Kanda explained, even though it was not the complete truth. Ellen just nodded and waited for him to continue. "He told me that my curse had been too strong… And that he had adjusted it for the moment… You, as the one performing the spell, might know what he meant by that". Ellen didn't look that happy to hear him asking about it, but she smiled and nodded.

"Exactly what he said; my magic had been too strong for you. I understand that there is now an additional seal on the Charm, which fades away over time…"

"How would you know?", Kanda wondered and Ellen sighed, "you still correspond to Cross, don't you?"

"There is no sense in denying it. I have corresponded with him, but I haven't head of him for some time now"

"Was he in Japan because he had business with you?", Kanda wanted to know and Ellen nodded, "I see… But what about the Charm?"

"It made you hear the Akuma didn't it…?", she asked and Kanda nodded, which made Ellen sigh slightly. She lifted her hand and brushed away her white hair over her left eye. The strange gear-like monocle, Kanda had seen on their first mission together, appeared.

"This is my curse which allows me to see, hear and feel the Akuma and their souls. Part of it must have been transferred while I did the charm. I apologize for that", Ellen said and lowered her hand, the gear disappearing again. "But Marian Cross sealed this away"

"So that's the reason why I was feeling so bad in the Capital…", Kanda muttered, "it was almost as if I was forced to fight against this level three, something inside of it begging me to come and fight…"

"I really regret that this happened, but it was not for me to control", Ellen said and Kanda looked at her.

"Tch. I don't care. It's gone now. At least for the moment", he said and the Noah smiled at him. "As long as it won't have more consequences". She did not reply which kind of unsettled the General. There was new silence between them, while neither of them spoke at all and even the birds seemed to be quiet. "Do I still have to pay?", Kanda spoke up and Ellen turned to him with a puzzled expression in her grey eyes. He still looked up into the treetops, then he looked at her, solemnly. "With my fate I mean". Ellen studied his face, then she formed a gentle smile.

"We all have to… Until the day we die…", she answered and looked at her hands, "but for now…", she continued, "you have paid enough". She raised her head and smiled at him, "shouldn't we go back inside?", she asked and got up on her feet. Kanda looked at her sceptically, but also stood up and followed her.

"You don't like to answer questions, do you?", Kanda stated and could hear the Noah laugh.

"I just don't like answering certain questions, Yu Kanda", she replied and Kanda frowned, "because there are things which nobody needs to know"

"Even if they concern me? Don't I have the right to know?", Kanda asked and Ellen looked over her shoulder, smiling calmly.

"Of course you have a right to know, but not everything I do ultimately must involve you…", she answered and Kanda had to snort.

"Right… Just don't keep relevant information to yourself", he reminded her and received a smile as reply.

When they got back inside they were greeted by Linali.

"Kanda, General Tiedoll just returned. He wants to talk to you later on, he heard that you took a disciple", she said and Kanda groaned, "he was reduced to tears of joy when he was informed, or so I heard".

"That's so like him. Tch. We'll meet him later on, I'll first have to talk to her", he said and pointed to Ellen. Linali smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure you'll find him in his room", Linali replied and then she left, surely going to get more coffee for the Science Division. Without saying anything Kanda made his way up to his own room, making sure that he avoided Tiedoll for the time being.

"You seem nervous, Yu Kanda", Ellen remarked and Kanda shot her an angry glare.

"Because I'll have to talk about you! A lot of people know that you're the one I've been searching for. Tiedoll knows that I've been looking for someone who was connected to my curse. He might be stupid but he'll still be able to add the pieces together"

"So you intend to fabricate a plausible story?", she wondered and Kanda let himself drop on the bed, groaning slightly.

"I don't like to lie to him… But I can't tell him the truth!", he said and tried to think of something. Ellen studied him for some time but then she sighed, which made Kanda look up.

"Well. I have no problem with assuming different identities… I've done it countless times", she said and sat down in the armchair next to the bed. "Tell him that you have been looking for me because you have heard that there is someone who might be able to lift your Charm"

"But then it will be know that you are a witch", Kanda protested and shook his head.

"One way or another, they will find out anyway. Tell them that I have been taught by Marian Cross, or have you not told the people at the order that you've met him?"

"I have told Tiedoll… Because Cross has sent him to the East so that he would pick me up…", Kanda answered, not really happy with what she was suggesting, "you shouldn't reveal so much about you. That's risky". Ellen just laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Don't worry about that Yu Kanda. I was prepared to prove myself sooner or later. I have planned that I will have to reveal my magic abilities", she replied and Kanda frowned.

"But it's not true that Cross told me about you… What if he suddenly decided to show up?", he asked and Ellen smiled at him amusedly.

"He might not have told you, but he will play along should he decide to return to the order. And we both know that he won't do so willingly", she said and Kanda had to agree to that.

"Okay… We'll stick to your story...", Kanda said with a sigh and got up from the bed. "I should go meet him… Maybe you should come along…". Ellen nodded and rose out of her chair. They left the room and the Noah followed Kanda down a corridor. He stopped in front of a door at the other end of the hall and knocked.

"It is open", came the well-known voice of the General and Kanda sighed. Then he put his hand on the knob, turned it and opened the door.

"General Tiedoll", Kanda announced his entrance and looked inside. The whole room was crowded with canvases, paintings, papers, colours and other stuff he needed to draw.

"My dear Yu!", the man exclaimed and turned around in his seat, facing the door, "long time no see, my cute child!". Kanda tried to control his temper – as much as he looked up to the older General, he couldn't stand his strange habit of treating him like a small child. "Come in! We need to talk!", he said with a bright smile and as Kanda stepped away from the door, the General became aware of the young woman standing behind Kanda. "You must be Ellen Walker!", he exclaimed and got up from his seat, walking over to the two.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, General Froi Tiedoll", Ellen said and shook the man's hand. Tiedoll smiled at her then he looked at Kanda, his eyes tearing up.

"Che", Kanda spat when the General began to sob and exclaimed how utterly happy he was that Kanda finally found himself an apprentice.

"I'm so proud of you! You finally take responsibility for another person!". Kanda just rolled his eyes.

"What did you want to talk to me about?", he hissed and Tiedoll calmed down.

"Oh, I just had heard that you found the person, you were so feverishly looking for. But I didn't expect her to be this young and beautiful", he said, smiling at Ellen. The Noah returned the smile, "how is she connected to your curse?"

"It is a Charm, not a curse", Kanda managed to say just in case that Ellen was offended, but she just seemed to be amused, while Tiedoll was a bit surprised, "She could be able to undo the charm…"

"You are?", the older General asked, looking at Ellen, "you must be a sorceress then!".

"She is, but please keep quiet about it, I don't need the whole Order to know. She's still inexperienced as an exorcist. We don't need the Vatican trying to get hold of her"

"Oh, don't worry about that", the brown-haired man spoke up, "the meeting with the Vatican has been postponed… They won't come here for the next month, I'm sure of it".

"General, that's not what I meant", Kanda started and Tiedoll smiled at him.

"I know. It's fine. I won't say anything. Her ability to use magic has nothing to do with her work as en exorcist. Cross is the same; he's a powerful Magician but seemingly – pardon me – useless as an Exorcist. Well, I'm sure it would be more effective if he decided to return for once…".

"General Cross taught her…", Kanda said and Tiedoll raised his eyebrows, "she might be pretty powerful as well… But I agree that magic is useless if you want to kill Akuma…"

"My… So you were Cross' pupil before Yu found you?", Tiedoll asked and Ellen nodded, "does Komui know?"

"No…", Kanda replied, "we'll tell him eventually… As it is, Komui doesn't want to send us on missions anyway…"

"Aaah… I've heard about the prophecy… You two are pretty special, aren't you?", Tiedoll asked, but didn't actually want to receive an answer, because he put his hands on Ellen's shoulders. "Dear child. I hope you can cope with Yu's bad temper", he said and Kanda groaned, "but that's what makes him so cute, don't you think?". Ellen laughed, which just further annoyed the black-haired General, "I hope he's doing a good job".

"He's mostly an agreeable person", Ellen replied, "we get along pretty well". Tiedoll smiled as he heard that.

"How delightful to hear you say that! Have you heard Yu? Such a beautiful woman thinks you are an agreeable person! Aren't you happy?", he wondered which just made Kanda roll his eyes.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I want you to marry eventually! It's never too early to start looking for a bride!", Tiedoll turned to Ellen, who looked mildly surprised, "maybe you should think about it. He's a good child. Very loyal and protective, I am sure he would make a good husband". Ellen managed to smile at that and nodded. Kanda had had enough and pulled the Noah out of Tiedoll's grasp.

"Shut up you old fool!", he spat and pushed Ellen to the door, "when you have nothing else to say, then we're leaving".

"Such temperament…", Tiedoll said and laughed, "by the way, I've met your sister!" Kanda stopped and turned around. "I was pretty shocked at first! Only when Linali told me that you had in fact not turned into a woman, but that this young lady was really your sister, did I realize that she was just joking!". Kanda briefly wondered what kind of horrendous story his silly sister had come up with, but then he just snorted and left the room. Ellen bid the General farewell and then she left to follow Kanda back into their own room.

"Stupid old idiot", Kanda muttered, not really convinced that it had been a good idea to tell him, especially the things about Cross, "Now we have to tell Komui…", the black haired man said, sitting in an armchair next to a table, "how well do you know General Cross?". Ellen smiled at him and sat down opposite him.

"Well enough. We first met when he was still younger, he didn't know that I was a Noah at the beginning… Then, about 25 years ago, he came looking for me"

"When your husband died…", Kanda stated and Ellen nodded, "is it connected in any sense?". The Noah laughed slightly and shook her head.

"No… He taught me about the handling of the Innocence, in return I taught him very complex magic…". Kanda looked at her for some time and then he snorted.

"Heh. Everything you do demands a price, right?", he asked and Ellen smiled at him.

"That's how the world works, Yu Kanda… That's how it works…"

To be continued

Notes:

Again, an abrupt ending? It felt best to end here. After a lot of talking we now need action (even if I focus more on plot development than on action), so expect a mission coming soon! :3