Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own -Man.

Allen wanted to cry. Almost every secret he held was now common knowledge, curse his big mouth for spilling everything of worth out.

"Sooo… I take that you heard some interesting information…" He started awkwardly as he saw the shock that had completely overwhelmed everyone present. Well… save Road, Tyki and Wisely of course but he was almost certain that they already knew everything so they didn't count.

"They should've only heard the last part." Road said bored as she poked one of the many Finders with a candle.

"The most important part with other words…" Allen said dejectedly causing Road to giggle.

"Of course, Sensei! Now you can't run~!" She cooed as Miranda burst out with a surprised, "Sensei!?".

Allen cringed.

"Yeah, uh, funny story…" He trailed off as he saw the disbelieving look on the Order people's faces. He sighed. "It was a long time ago…"

"Oh don't be so pessimistic, Sensei." Road teased, "It's only been 35 years after all."

Someone choked.

"Road…" Allen said warningly.

"I'm just making your 'bye' easier."

"And whoever said that I would leave with you!?" He questioned angrily.

"I did." She simply stated, unfazed by her Sensei's anger. Like he actually believed that she would allow him to leave just after finding him again. Not to mention the fact that Apocryphos the bastard was still out there somewhere, probably closer to the Order than Neah and Allen suspected. It would probably go after it's 'mother' like the zealous son it was.

She sneered. The thing was a mistake, and a grave one at that.

"Or is it perhaps so that you'd rather go with that thing?" She questioned evilly, knowing exactly that Allen would catch on what she was talking about. Allen visible shuddered but held his front. Road would not intimidate him, not today, not ever!

"Well, you know it can't be that bad. It is my kin… in a way…" Road could probably see right through his facade but it was worth it… Probably.

Mana growled as he once again seized Allen's arm and dragged him closer to his chest. Coiling his arm around the younger in a possessive as well as protective way, clearly Mana had spent too much time with Neah… Or was it the other way around?

Road giggled, she had probably foreseen the outcome hours before it happened.

"Allen-kun?" Lenalee suddenly said, fresh tears running down her cheeks like it had before when Allen ran away. It sure felt like a long time ago, he thought miserably as he looked at the sad girl in front of him.

"You said that… that the Order would always be your home, that you loved us all very much… Forever and ever…" Tears were now flowing uncontrollable and Allen allowed a sad smile to come forth.

"Lenalee…" he said softly, once again channeling his inner Eve. It wasn't funny when it's been pointed out but it was true. He was the reincarnation of the first woman to walk the Earth. He now understood slightly Alma Karma's struggle, his soul was that of the woman but his body that of a male. And while it doesn't sound like it matters much it did, to some degree at least.

More for Alma and less for Allen but it still counts.

He gently shook off Mana's arm, ignoring how the older growled threateningly. He simply gave Mana a long irritated look which luckily stopped the man.

Road was just a bit behind Lenalee and Mana still had Neah within a tight grasp. It wasn't like he could run anywhere even if he wished to do so, he would never abandon Neah like that.

He gently reached out and cupped Lenalee's face, only having to balance slightly on the tip of his toes in order to reach the girl. Sheril had yet to lower anyone to the ground.

"I didn't lie." He said softly. "The Order will always be my first home, and I will always love you all very much. But… I cannot afford to walk the path of my choice at the moment."

He quickly cut away the strings that held her in place, allowing her beaten form to lean onto him in a half hug.

He gently lowered her down to the ground and made sure that she was somewhat comfortable against one of the many big rocks.

"Please don't go… Allen-san…" Miranda pleaded softly as she looked up at him with large teary eyes. Allen bit the inside of his cheek.

"I'm sorry." He said softly before he activated his Innocence and cut through the various strings like a knife through melted butter. He completely ignored the irritated growls from Sheril as he made somewhat sure that everyone was somewhat comfortable.

"We're leaving now." Road spoke up, eyeing the Order with barely hidden glee. "We have what is ours and it's now time to celebrate our youngest members reunion."

"Youngest!?" Allen and Neah exclaimed in irritation. Neah was almost as old as Mana, or well exactly as old as Mana. Mana had only taken the position as older brother because Katerina said so. And Allen was just a year younger than the twins.

Road giggled as she crashed into Allen, cuddling him like a koala.

"MY ROAD!" Sheril shouted in shock as Tyki merely sighed. "Yaya, It's time to go, Shounen."

Allen glowered at the Noah of Pleasure and opened his mouth in order to fire off a fitting response when he caught sight of two familiar figures standing a small distance away.

"Kanda?!" Allen exclaimed as he saw the Exorcist currently holding up… Link!? confusion bubbled up as his forehead wrinkled into a frown, he didn't remember releasing the Inspector now that he thought about it yet he was sure that Link had also been held by the same strings as the others.

That meant that someone had released him before he did and the only one who had Innocence at that point was Kanda. Which lead to the conclusion that the bastard had prioritized the rescue of the Inspector more than anyone else.

"Moyashi." Kanda growled as he was partly held up by the Inspector. Fighting Mana had obviously taken its toll on him. Neah looked at the mole guy before something suddenly struck him. Shit, Mana.

"You." Mana said darkly as he caught sight of the Inspector.

Allen froze, exchanging a look with Neah who had the very same wide-eyed stare as he had.

"Thief." The Earl growled as his eyes began to glow.

Oh fuck.

"Mana…" Allen said soothingly as Neah gripped the Earl's arm in a restraining way. Somewhat calming the older male down, even though he still eyed Link with the same contempt.

Link frowned as he saw the Earl, worry and concern stirring in his lower stomach. The lunatic obviously realized exactly who had taken away the 14th from him during that time and judging by the tight, almost bruising grip the male had on Walker, this didn't bode well for the younger's health.

"Link, Kanda, what the hell are you doing here?! Get away!" Allen shouted as he gave up on fighting of Mana's grip around his sore wrist.

Kanda narrowed his eyes as he took in the situation, he had been momentarily knocked out there for a moment but he heard enough to know exactly what was going on.

Moyashi was the Heart of Innocence.

Which was good since it meant that they wouldn't have to race with the Noah when trying to find out who the Heart was. But it also meant that Moyashi was in danger. It's commonly known that the destruction of the Heart of Innocence also destroyed all the other Innocence across the world.

Kanda knew that whatever relationship Moyashi had with the 14th and the Earl wasn't something ordinary but he doubted that it would keep the Moyashi from being killed by the other Noahs.

He threw the Inspector a cold look. Link's orders had been changed as the 14th had arrived at the Order. His priority was now, according to him, to protect Moyashi from the Noahs. And judging by the Centrals hungry looks directed at Allen he didn't doubt that this was the case.

"Allen…" Mana said tiredly as he nuzzled the top of Allen's head. "Home." Allen almost wanted to breath out in relief. Mana had seemingly forgotten all about Link for the moment, content to simply get his family back home.

"Kill thief later…" He continued, squashing any hope that he had forgotten Link.

Allen bit his lower lip in uncertainty.

Neah didn't want to return back to Mana's home, hell, he didn't want to go back there when he knew that chances were small that he'd be able to leave. But on the other hand, denying or even going as far as attempting to leave Mana when he was this close to a mental breakdown…

Nothing seemed favorable in this situation.

"Mana…" Allen started before trailing off as he felt Neah gently turn his head towards him.

"It's okay, Allen." Neah soothed as he gently pat the side of Allen's head. "I'll come along… for the moment, BUT!" he cut in as he turned sharply towards Mana. "Don't think that I'll stay there forever, I'll only do it for Allen's bloody conscience… Nothing less, nothing more."

Mana smiled sadly at Neah.

"And the moment you try to leave me again is the moment that I'll hunt you down. Again and again until you stop."

He gave his two most precious a cold smile.

"And God save the one who'll attempt to keep you away from me…" He said threateningly as he leaned in, never breaking eye contact with Neah's wide eyes as he clutched Allen even closer. "Because I will never again allow you to leave me… Even if I have to tie you down." His hand snuck around Neah's neck tightly gripped the other's scalp before forcefully tipping Neah's head backwards, smiling slightly as Neah grabbed ahold of his forearms in order to stabilize himself.

Neah gazed at Mana with hate. Or he wished that it was hate, he knew that he'd never be able to truly hate Mana thanks to the god damned fact that they were two half of one whole, two damaged pieces that fit together perfectly.

"We'll run." He said seriously, lightly head butting Mana as he ignored the pain that the grip caused.

"And I'll hunt you down." Mana promised darkly before he turned to Allen, gently gripping his chin and looking the younger in the eye.

"And Allen, I'm far more experienced in magic now than I was back then… I know how to break that little vow you made." He hissed angrily as he released the shorter before gripping his lower arm as he made a motion towards Road.

Road kept quiet even as she wrapped her arms around Allen in a choking hold, herding him closer towards the other Noahs while Mana wrestled with Neah.

"Tyki, hold Allen for a sec." She instructed as she handed over her Sensei to Tyki. But only after she put the younger in a deep sleep, ignoring the twinge of regret at the betrayal visible in those purple eyes.

"ALLEN!" The girl with green eyes exclaimed with pain as she saw her friend lose consciousness, limply falling into the Noah of Pleasure's awaiting arms. She along with the Order was unable to move, something that was quickly turning out to be a nightmare.

Tyki gently held the younger as he frowned heavily at the Innocence arm. It was probably just bait in order to lure away the attention from the boy but it was still nonetheless dangerous.

He sighed as he saw the twins as well as his brother and nephew prepare for the departure.

Things were moving along, but if it was for the better or worse had yet to become clear.

Neah growled as he saw Allen fall unconscious. Damn Road and her bloody powers that came with the deal of being the Noah of Dreams.

He struggled even more as he felt Mana tighten his grip around his middle.

"Let me go." He hissed as Mana merely growled back. "Road, if you fucking dare put me to sleep I'll fucking make sure to rip Allen away from you at first possible opportunity!" He threatened even though he knew that it was futile.

"Oh hush, Neah. You'll feel much better after you've taken a short nap." She simply scolded soothingly as she placed her small warm hand on Neah's forehead, ignoring how the male thrashed with his head in order to escape the contact.

"Sleep." She ordered briskly as Neah slowly fell limp in the Earl's arms.

Mana breathed out softly as he gently wiped away a sweaty fringe away from Neah's pale human skin.

"Thank you, Road." He said gratefully as he gently held his precious Neah in bridal style. A small part of his heart ached at the fact that Neah had tried to leave him yet again. Allen was for the moment the most submissive but he knew that the attitude soon would end.

Allen always hated to be restricted. Be it in the knowledge department or physical, he hated it all. Neah would force himself to adjust but Allen would fight with every last ounce he held until Mana would be forced to restrict the younger even more, thus add fuel to the fire.

But it was worth it. Mana knew that, but it would take years to break Allen and mold Neah into ever present figures in his life.

It would take time but it was more than worth it.

Mana smiled happily down at his precious Neah's face. He knew that Tyki was currently holding Allen but that didn't bother him. Tyki would hand him over the moment he asked him too. Unfortunately he had only one set of arms, meaning that he could only carry one person at the time for the moment, considering their current unconscious state.

"Stop!" One of the tiny humans dared to order. Mana sneered on reflex as he glared down at the green haired girl with eyes of steel.

"Don't… Don't take him away!" Mana wanted to kill the impudent little thing right there and then but Road beat him to it.

"Or what? You can't even stand as it is." The tiniest Noah gloated as she gave the girl a cruel smile before turning her back at the Exorcist as she skipped over towards Allen's unconscious form.

"Aww… He's so cute." She gushed as she looked down at her Sensei with a happy smile. They were so close now!

Mana closed his eyes momentarily as he heard his mother's lullaby within his head. He opened his eyes just as a glowing portal appeared in the air, signaling their return to their home. He smiled. They would return to the Ark now, bringing the wayward family members with them.

He cast the humans behind him one last glance before he looked over at his child, clutching Neah closer as he took in the white hair and delicate features.

Finally, his most beloved and precious people in the world were home.

Mana, weirdly remembering himself as the very person he hated the most, gently carried Neah towards his bedroom, feeling rather than seeing Road following him close behind with Allen in her arms.

The rest of the Noah family had already gone to the dining room, patiently waiting for a real explanation. Not that Mana could blame them, they must be terribly confused considering all.

Or well, most of them at least. He had the sneaking suspicion that Wisely and Tyki knew more than they let on but that was to be expected since Road had been their companion. The Earl stopped shortly in front of his bedroom door, carefully pushing it open with one foot before entering the room.

He let out a tired sigh as he gently lowered Neah to one side of the giant bed, seeing Road gently putting down his Allen just besides his musician.

"It's funny isn't it?" Road said softly as she almost obsessively stared at Allen's unconscious form, greedily taking in the sight of Allen's face. She had really missed him.

"What is?" Mana enquired softly as he gently brushed the back of his hand against Allen's soft cheek.

"It's almost as if they were never gone… They look so young." Road answered softly.

Mana hummed slightly in agreement before he cast the bedroom's windows a look. He wouldn't put it past Neah and Allen to try and escape through a window, regardless if they were in the Ark or not.

"Road. Could you put up a barrier? I'd rather not hunt them down more than necessarily." Mana asked as he turned away from the bed, walking in quick strides towards the door.

Road narrowed her eyes as she gave him a curious look.

"Shouldn't you stay with them?"

Mana shook his head as he turned around, eyeing Allen and Neah with a possessive look.

"I must inform the rest about this new development. However…" He trailed of as the insanity within his eyes flickered to life, "I will return soon and when I do I'll make sure to keep them as close as possible." He continued as he left the room.

Road sighed as she cast the door a bored look, she didn't know what to expect. While she wanted nothing more than lock all three of them together in a room she knew that it was impossible for the moment. Mana was right when he said that other things was demanding his immediate attention.

Oh well. Mana would return soon enough and probably bury himself in his brother and child's presence. For now she had to fix those barriers.

She gave the room a critical look as she scanned the size. It would be tough to make a barrier around the whole room and most of all keeping it up after already summoning a barrier… But then again, Mana never said that she would have to cover the whole room now did he?

Road smirked as she quickly raised a barrier around the bed only, successfully restricting Allen and Neah to the bed. Really, it was for the better. She doubted that Mana would have the patience to hunt down Neah through the room.

Knowing Neah, he'd probably fight until the very end in order to avoid Mana. And at the moment, with Mana's instability, it could and probably would end of badly should they get into another round so soon after reunion.

Allen was another thing entirely, while Neah probably would give up and reluctantly accept his situation Allen would comfort Mana before just taking off.

Nothing could restrain Allen too such a level. Maybe momentarily but Allen would only stay if he wanted to, no one, not even Mana would be able to stop him from leaving for so long.

Their only relief was that Allen had a bleeding heart, he wouldn't abandon Mana at such a vulnerable state. Maybe later when Mana had regained some health but not a day earlier than that.

Road lowered herself and softly planted a kiss on Allen's right cheek. Like she used to do when she was younger and Allen still had his beautiful red hair and big dorky glasses. Not that she was complaining, an albino Allen was far better than a dead one.

She frowned, speaking of which, they would have to do something about the Akumas within the Ark. Allen wouldn't just pass by them, he wouldn't remain uncaring when face to face with the tortured souls within the machine.

But on the other hand, they couldn't just allow Allen to kill of their precious fighting machines. They were needed in order to win the war, among other things.

She glanced towards Neah and Allen one last time before quickly floating away from the room, making sure to close the door as quietly as possible. Unbeknownst of the bright yellow eyes following her movement from the Earl's bed.

-End of chapter 14-

Well… To be fair I did warn you last chapter. ‧⁺◟( ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ ·̫ ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀ )

Haha… I'm not even sure how we got here in the first place…