Pure Colors

DGM

Chapter 26

Sensitivity

When Lenalee woke up she found a pair of worried eyes hovering above her. Her mind was a little fuzzy and after nearly a month in the Ark she assumed it was Allen. There's no way the Noah would be worried about her, but Allen was different. Despite her head hurting and the aches in her entire body, Lenalee sat up and many bright colors filled her vision, however, the person helped her sit up rather than argue with her and Lenalee stared at the person again, waiting for the color blobs to leave her vision. She also felt dizzy.

"Lenalee, are you okay?"

Lenalee nodded her head and a few moments passed in awkward silence. Then when she saw who it was her breath got caught in her throat. It was an unbelievable sight. Naturally she was confused and so lost. "Rick? Rick? Rick!" Lenalee hugged the boy with great relief, but then she pushed him away after he laughed. "What the hell? You're supposed to be dead!"

"So are you." came a sharp response, but from someone in the corner.

"But... What... Huh?" Lenalee watched Rick, angry yet happy and relieved. Why was he alive? How was he alive? Lenalee was sure of what she saw. "Allen... he killed you."

"No, sweetheart, that kid didn't kill us."

Lenalee glared at the person who said that and found herself gawking. Both Zeres and Pandora were casually sitting in chairs by the door. Probably keeping guard. There was also a girl with shiny black hair placed in braids. She looked disheveled and beaten up. Her eyes were cold, a very distinctive lavender. One would describe her as evil with her appearance, and with that look on her face, but she wore the exorcist coat. She was actually beautiful and a little tall. However, Lenalee felt like she regarded her as a worthless little worm.

Quickly, she looked at Zeres and Pandora. Zeres was twirling his short metal staff around out of boredom, but he smirked at seeing Lenalee's expression. One with anger, confusion, embarrassment because Zeres had the audacity to call her sweetheart in such a bitter and hard-toned way. Seriously! He sounded like he'd rather slit his own throat or have rocks scrap his esophagus than call her sweetheart blandly. Maybe that was his idea of a joke, but Lenalee wasn't laughing.

"How are you three alive?" Lenalee asked.

"Good question!" Zeres exclaimed, putting his metal rod in a black leather holster as he gave her a wicked grin. "Unfortunately none of us have the answer to that either. All we know is Central was behind it. The CROW members. Actually, other than that Leverrier dumbass and those Third Exorcists, you're the only one that knows and we spent the last month searching for you with this chick. By the way, her name is Ilinca. She's one of our Sokalo's students and-"

"Zeres, just shut up!" Rick bellowed, throwing a syringe at the black-haired rival of his, but the Rick's dismay, he caught the syringe before it hit his eyeball. He turned to Lenalee and smiled sincerely, placing his hand on top of hers and Zeres scoffed. "Actually, we met Ilinca a week ago. We don't know the entire truth behind it, but Link said that Madarao secretly replaced the our real Innocence with decoys items that looked exactly like our Innocence. It really ticked us off, but their plan worked."

"Clarify, please." Lenalee mumbled.

"Oh, sorry. Well, the decoy items were fake, of course, and they replaced them, so Allen took three Innocence fragments that didn't belong to an accommodator. Ours was kept safely in Link's hands and once all the Exorcists left to chase down Allen in HQ the doctors immediately tended to us. Allen hit my leg arterty, the bastard, and Zeres almost got a punctures lung, and Pandora took most of the damage. Which means, Allen screwed up. He could have killed us, but he was so stirred by the... memories he relayed to us... Yeah, I'll go with that. Anyway, he was so stirred and restless and trying to hastily get away, that he missed our vital signs. I guess the Head Nurse also knows about us and a few nurses, but other than that, our status has been labeled dead." Rick explained.

"Basically, you three just got lucky." Lenalee said.

"Yes, that's right." Pandora said softly.

"But why did they replace just your Innocence?"

"Allen confessed the Black Order who his targets were. Us three were on his hit list, so they thought Allen would come after us." Zeres stated.

"That means Central knew Allen was coming before anyone else did... And they never warned us. But what if they were wrong? What if he tried to kill someone else or if he took somebody else's Innocence? That's just... that is..."

Zeres shrugged. "Then anyone else would have died or been sent home after they lost their Innocence. Central only tried protecting us because they wanted to be smug. They find our abilities useful and don't want to sacrifice us just yet. That, and they wanted to prove they could outsmart the Noah."

Lenalee furrowed her brows, gripping the blanket tightly. Leverrier had to be behind this. He was in charge of Central and the CROW. So that's only natural. But she also knew that the reasons they protected those three weren't that simple. You could even see Zeres and Rick didn't believe all of it either. "Don't shoot me those angry eyes. That's what Link told us and we're just answering your questions. If ya ask me I'd say they left us as open targets rather than tried to save our rear ends. They replaced our Innocence, but they left us there like sitting ducks waiting for the bullet. The Innocence they replaced with ours was probably fake as well. If you look at all the facts hiding in their lies. There's no way they'd risk real Innocence unless there was something for them to gain." Zeres seethed.

"I take it you talked to Leverrier as well, didn't you?" Lenalee sighed as Rick nodded. "But I agree with you. They're covering up the truth... Just like before."

"What about you, Lenalee, how come you're still alive? I would have thought Allen or the other Noah would have killed you." Zeres said.

Lenalee pursed her lips together. She studied the room and came up disappointed. Allen wasn't there. She was really hoping he'd become an ally. He did say he left the Noah. That meant he took the third option. It wasn't all too surprising. Just disappointing.

"The goddamn kid got away minutes before we arrived." Rick hissed.

"He saved me."

"But he also took you in the first place!"

"Yes, but... I'm too tired to argue with you about it. It's not like I can actually expect you to agree with me." Lenalee said as she laid back down.

Why did Allen have to be so complex? Why couldn't he be a friend? It was unfair. Though, she had to give him credit. He did leave the Noah, but he was a clever and devious beansprout.

Lenalee felt Rick remove his hand from hers rather quickly as the door slammed open. Lenalee also shot up at that. Luckily, it was just Kanda. A very pissed off Kanda. Words will never be able to describe that scary look he had and how terrible and great his anger was. Lenalee wanted to squeal and hid under the covers, but managed to stand up and put her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest.

"Yuu Kanda! This is a hospital! Be quieter for Pete's sake. Some people are trying to sleep and rest in peace." Lenalee scolded.

Kanda glared at her, but it quickly softened. He sheathed Mugen, then entered the room for Komui and Reever to come in. Komui inspected everyone and everything in the room. He nodded at Ilinca who merely turned her head away. As for the supposed-to-be-dead Exorcists, he only smiled. Lenalee guessed he was filled in. Her mighty appearance fellt to shambles when Komui looked at her. His eyes were soft, he looked tired as usual, but she could see the distress written in his eyes. The distress and concern that have hurt her brother in the last few weeks.

Lenalee watched with sadness as a solemn tear rolled down Komui's cheek. She ran over to him and embraced him tightly and both were crying now. Komui was sniffling and Lenalee straight-out sobbing. "I missed you, Brother." Lenalee uttered. "I'm sorry for leaving."

"I'm just happy you're back." Komui whispered. "And alive."

-| * Allen * | -

Allen frowned at the ceiling. Why did he come to this little house again? That's right. Because he wanted to stay out of the storm. He shouldn't stay long. That's the wise thing to do. He is going to learn, not make hold hands and form bonds. He sighed when a knock sounded through the otherwise quiet room. He stood up and trudged to the door. When he opened it Barba stood there with a smile and all Allen could do was strain his lips to form a smile.

"Hello, Allen. Mother told me to come up here to see if you're doing alright. You've been up here since noon yesterday." Barba said.

"Sorry to have worried the both of you, but I'm perfectly fine. I was just thinking. I tend to do a lot of that lately." Allen said, barely above a whisper.

"If you don't mind, I'm making beef stew for dinner. I'm sorry to ask you since you're our guest, but would you help me? I'm making a big pot and we're going to have a few visitors. I wouldn't ask, but I could use an extra pair of hands." Barba told him.

Allen nodded and Barba practically jumped up and down in excitement. He was easily made happy. Allen followed him to the kitchen, then he stared at his gloves. He forgot about that. He would have to take them off to help. "Uh... Barba... I would love to help, but my... my hand, it's... unsightly. I should... I don't think I can-"

"I'm sure it's nothing. Please Allen, you're welcomed here and we're not going to judge you. Mother and I have seen a lot of things in life, and whatever is wrong with your hand, I'm sure it's not that bad." Barba said as he got the pots, knives, and vegetables out. "Take you gloves off, rolled up your sleeves, and wash your hands. You need clean hands to cook."

Barba sounded so cheery. It was almost contagious, but Allen couldn't find a way to smile in this situation. "Then I'm not the extra pair of hands you're looking for. My hands aren't clean. They're stained with blood now." Allen murmured. Barba looked at Allen. The boy was held his hands up and he could see him trembling. Allen looked scared. Angry, even. Unlike most people, though, Barba saw the lost child in those frightened eyes, and the deep sorrow that has forever penetrated Allen's heart. Barba has seen many people come to this house with that look. That insecurity wrapped around Allen like a blanket more than anyone else. Barba also knew better than to mention it. Instead, for the time being, he smiled again and pretended not to hear Allen's words. When Allen caught him staring, he looked like he petrified, then he did his best to awkwardly fix the situation. "I'm sorry, Barba. Um, do you promise to... not hate me or think of e as a monster when you see it? My arm?"

Barba stood in front of Allen and put an impossibly large hand on Allen's shoulder, then his other hand lay against Allen's chest, directly in front of Allen's chest. "I don't judge people form their appearance, Allen. I judge people from what's inside of them. I know you're a good person. So I could never hate you or think you're a monster."

Allen looked at Barba. He was a silly person really. It was hard to hate him. Impossible. Allen felt he could trust Barba's words. They were so earnest. Just like his words, Barba was a candid man. And unlike most childish people, Barba could be taken seriously without difficulty. He understands the severity of Allen's question and approached it well. So well that Allen wanted to hug the man. He felt like they were the best of friends and they have only spent a few minutes together. That was hard to do. Even harder to gain Allen's trust. Which he did also. Like Mother. 'These people... They're different from others. Genuine... Unique... They're... They're like you, Mana.'

"Do you understand what I'm saying, Allen?" Barba asked and Allen looked at Barba like a child would their role model, their hero. Allen smiled, still full of sorrow and weak cheeriness, but it wasn't fake or strained. Though it was small it meant so much for Allen. It was like a great deal of pressure had already been lifted of his shoulders. "I'm judging-"

"My heart..."

Barba chuckled. "You took the words right out of my mouth."

Allen carefully and nervously took his gloves off and slip them in his pocket. He had difficulty rolling his sleeves up so they would stay at his forearms, so Barba helped him and he didn't even ask a question about Allen's arm. He looked at it for no more than a few seconds and when he rolled up the sleeves for Allen he was chatting away. Many times he mentioned flowers. He said they were so beautiful and colorful. They were bright and they smelled so nice. Flowers were always bound to make anyone happy. Obviously, Allen thought, they made Barba a lot happier than most people. "It's such a shame they can't live in the winter cold." Allen uttered as he washed his hands.

"I know, but when spring comes they'll bloom magnificently. Snow is very important, you know. If it wasn't important then why would we have it?" Barba said.

Allen picked up a nice after he cleaned a few carrots. He took one of the carrots and cut off the leafy greens, then carefully sliced the carrot into typically average sizes for beef soup. He knew he would love it. "But why is snow important. What good does it do? I mean, the snow kills the flowers and bugs and the trees are pretty much dead in the winter. Animals sleep during the snowy season... It's sort of like it's a bad thing, sort of like everyone is afraid of it..." Allen said.

Barba hummed thoughtfully as he gathered the spices and other ingredients. He took a thin, small knife and peeled the potatoes, letting the skin fall in a small bowl. "Allen, that's like asking why snow is white or why the sky is blue."

"Why is snow-white and the sky blue?"

"I don't know. No one really knows. However, there are many questions about the world we live in. It makes people wonder, but so much would be lost is we discover the answers and the magic that was once there would be gone. So we can't know every answer or the greatness about what we're wondering about will be lost forever... If you ask me, the sky is blue because it wants to be."

Allen sighed while he let the carrots be swept into a bowl. "Snow is dangerous. It can bury people if there's enough of it. Snow causes people to get into accidents. Snow causes death. It kills the plants and stops the year's worth of hard-earned food and flowers and gardens that they grew."

"You should think on the bright side, Allen."

Allen started slicing another carrot. What bright side? He couldn't see anything optimistic about snow. Snow meant cold weather. Snow meant death. Snow meant bad luck to come. Snow was horrible. Funny how he could compare it to everything his family was. Cold, deathly, and bad luck. What's even funnier was how it reminded him of himself and his entire life. Hell, his hair was snow-white and his skin was only a few shades darker.

"Snow is important. That's why it's here just like you and me."

Allen's hands stopped moving. The only movement came from his beating heart and breathing lungs. It was unusually quiet now. He could have sworn he heard someone say something like that once before. He knew just who it was, too. Mana. If he remembers correctly, Mana once said, "Everything is important. If one was not then why would one exist? Death, life, pain, love, people, animals. Knowledge. It all has a purpose. It's all important. Although some things are more important than others. It just depends." Mana would always say that to Allen when he mentioned how unimportant his stupid life was. Mana would always tell him how important Allen was.

Mother stared at Allen's hand from the doorway. It was deformed. Though she knew it wasn't precise to say that Innocence was at fault. She had a feeling Allen was born with his arm like that and with that cross on the back side of his hand. The green, glowing cross that appeared ominous and luminescent on his hand. That cross was indeed more peculiar than the black fingertips he calls nails. She also knew it was the source of Allen's insecurity and cloudy mind. Some people, many like Allen, were lost causes and there was no point in wasting one person's efforts to rescue them. For someone like Allen, she knew that's how the rest of the world would see it, but she would insist Allen could still be changed and saved. He wasn't lost yet. Call it a feeling. Call it instincts. Call it sympathy. Whatever it was, it was there, and inside Allen and in his eyes. What she saw glistened in those eyes just like that cross shined and glowed on his hand. Allen as not a lost cause yet. Allen mustn't be another individual the world and all other people give up on. If it's pointless to for one person to waste their efforts on people like Allen, then the answer is not to give up on it, but rather make people join together and pursue him. If one person's efforts are futile, then two or three or a dozen, will have to 'waste' their efforts. No one is a lost cause until others give up on them.

Indeed, saving Allen will be a hard task, but it will be even harder for him to pick up the pieces. What he's done is done. He acknowledges that and now he's trying to make amends for what he can. He's trying to acknowledge what he can so he can learn to do something on his own instead of being used or told what to do. He's trying, but he can't do it on his own. Mother knows if he does do this on his own then he will become a true lost cause. Others will have to reach out their hands to him and acknowledge him in many new ways. In other words, he won't be the only person needing to acknowledge what lies around them. Mana was definitely the first to reach out a hand to him. Mother can see that. What she can't see was who else had tried to reach out a hand.

As dinner finished Mother answered the door as a hand knocked on the door. Allen put his gloves back on and sat at the table where he was last time. He quickly rolled down his sleeves and Mother perched herself across from Allen while two women and one man sat at the table, smiling, and talking to Mother. Barba gleefully gave everyone a bowl.

"Mother, who's this?" the brown-haired woman asked.

"This young lad here is Allen. Allen, this is Lisa." Mother said, pointing at the brown-haired woman, then at the other two. "Her friend Sarah and Sarah's husband Richard. Sarah and Lisa are nurses at the hospital and Richard is a shoemaker."

"Top quality shoemaker." Richard said, laughing.

"I'll bet." Allen whispered.

Allen listened to their conversation, but never said anything. Well, not until he finished his firsts, then his seconds. Then thirds. Then fourths. So on. He only spoke to ask for more. The others were talking about Lisa's dead lover and how Richard was doing after his little incident. Apparently he was supposed to have died after a carriage crashed into him and his shop. Richard had been very lucky. They said if it weren't for the perceptive Lavi, then the director would have also caused Richard's death like he did Lenny's. Allen knew what that meant. The Black Order had come here a few month before. The hospital Director had been a Broker. He was definitely unimportant to the Noah, but that explains the hospital being so big. Earl had to of paid him. It was actually very easy to piece together the puzzle about it. He just didn't know Mother and her friends knew about the war. It was amazing, too, because Mother looked at him as if she read his mind.

"Allen, you understand what we're talking about, don't you?" Mother asked.

Allen was going to lie and tell her she was wrong, but she gave him this scary look. He suddenly lost his appetite and looked out the window at the snow. It was falling gently to the ground, making the white blanket even thicker. "Yes. I'm aware of it all."

"And where are you placed in this?"

"Mother, what are you talking about? Is Allen like Lenalee and Lavi?" Sarah asked.

"Not quite. I don't work for the Black Order." Allen told her.

"But your left arm possesses Innocence. That cross on the back is no doubt Innocence. I saw it, Allen, and I know what it is." Mother said sternly.

Allen stared at the table. He tried smiling, but couldn't force one this time. He really didn't want to talk about this right now. "You're a Supporter, aren't you, Mother?"

"Yes, I am. Have been for many years."

Allen sighed, looking at her. "I've made many mistakes. Too many to count. When Mana... When he died... I... I... I changed."

"You've changed many times in your life."

Allen saw warmth in Mother's eyes. She wasn't judging Allen. He could see that. She was like Barba. "Before Mana I was alone. I had nothing, I knew nothing. I was just a kid and he found me. He was all I had, and when I lost him... I was alone again."

"I'm not sure if I'm the one you should be talking to about this, Allen." Mother said.

"Should we leave?" Lisa asked.

"No, you can stay." Allen told her as he stood up. "I should go, though. If it's been a day they'll be close behind and I won't want to put anyone in any unnecessary danger. You being a Supporter should understand that, Mother."

"They? Who's they?"

"The Exorcists."

For a while Mother stared at him. Her eyes were like steel and Allen felt she could see right through him. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything. "I have a question for you. Did the Earl come to you?"

Everyone looked at Allen and he closed his eyes. The Earl had come alright. She was a very wise old lady. "He did." Allen touched the scar on his left eye and turned around. Talking to Mother felt good, but also bad. "I took his offer, too. Thanks for your help, but I should leave now."

"Allen, I can see you're going through a tough time. I won't ask you to explain. You do not know me and this is very personal. It's natural you won't want to talk to me about it. We're basically strangers, but I'd still like to give you some advice. It's something your Father once told me and I agree completely with it." Mother said, earning Allen's full attention. "Moving on doesn't mean you have to forgive or forget what's happened. Moving on is going beyond what there is."

"Sounds like something Mana would say. It doesn't make sense to me. How could you move on if you don't forgive or forget? The last part is even more confusing." Allen said.

"Is it? Or do you refuse to see what it means because you're afraid of the outcome? You can't run from the past forever, Allen. One day, I hope you understand. But remember if you ever need anything or if you ever need to talk, I will always be here. If you could, Barba would gladly like to see you around the summer so he can show you his flowers."

Allen nodded, but left without a goodbye. He owed Mother and Barba a favor. If he could he would someday come back. Those two were decent people and they helped him. 'It seems Tricia isn't as crazy as I thought. Mana may have never been sane, but he was the wisest person I've ever known.'

- | * Road * |-

Road glared at the food. She was the only who hadn't eaten dinner and the only one left in the dining room. She wouldn't eat because it reminded her of Allen. She hasn't even had a single piece of candy in the last few days. She told him she would understand if he left, but he left without saying goodbye. She spent her nights crying and during the day she would glare at everyone. Since Allen wasn't here for Road to take her anger out on everybody else got stuck with her crabby mood. Allen should have said goodbye to her. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. It hurt. It hurt so badly. She knew it was selfish of her to yell at them just to make them feel worse about his departure and how it pleasured it to yelled them. It made her feel much better and made them feel worse. It truly was selfish.

It was difficult for her. She forced herself to stay in her room. It was weird how her own room felt like it was someone else's. She had spent most of her time in Allen's room after all. Other than Road's yelling, the Ark had gotten extremely quiet because they know Allen may never return. This was the first time she has ever felt this lonely. It's hard to believe she used to entertain herself all the time before Allen came, but when he popped up it was like she had become addicted to his presence. Now she couldn't think of anything that could be as fun as being with Allen. She would even be willing to do absolutely nothing so long as he was there. Eating candy wasn't going to be too sweet anymore and even Skin wasn't eating as much of his delicious sweets.

Road pushed her seat back, then looked at Allen empty chair. One of forlorn and longing morphed into disgust and anger. She picked up the chair and threw it at the wall. It broke and one piece bounced off the wall and hit the hiding umbrella.

"Ow, lero! What are you doing, lero?" the infamous pink umbrella asked, glaring at Road, but his pumpkin face softened. Tears streamed down Road's face and she looked extremely angry. Lero didn't know if it was tears of rage or sadness running down her cheeks. Either way he knew those tears were formed because of Allen and nothing else. Her arms were still up in the air and she was a little crooked in her position-it looked as if she had been in a fighting pose although Lero knew she stood like that because she had thrown the chair. Road ignored Lero and just stood there, breathing unsteady as she forced back sobs and screams. When she finally shifted positions she wiped away the tears and shadows casted over her eyes.

Lero floated over to Road and Road was forced to recognize Lero's presence again. She was going to yell at him, but bit her lip instead. She was angry and hollering at Lero will make her feel better, but she couldn't do it. Just staring at Lero she could hear Allen lecturing her. After he grew fond of Lero he spent a lot of time trying to keep Road from hurting him and lecturing her about doing something mean to Lero. Despite his actions he was more amused than Road sometimes. She knew he had always had a hard time not laughing at Road and Lero as he repeatedly said how ridiculous she was being.

"Road, lero." Lero said softly. "Do you wanna play with me, lero? We can twirl around or fly or... you can play tag with me for as long as you want... lero."

"No, Lero. I'm not in the mood to play today." Road declared.

Lero almost gasped. Road didn't want to play? This was really getting to her. Slowly, Lero put his head on Road's shoulder and if he had arms he would have wrapped them around her, but he didn't. Road hugged Lero and pulled him even closer to her. "Lero... You know Allen always thought of you as his favorite?" Road whispered as she walked to her bedroom. Neither one spoke until then. When she got on her bed and let Lero go, she hugged her soft pillow and Lero watched her. "I wonder... how everyone else is taking this."

Road could feel Allen's lips on hers. It was only her mind playing tricks, but it felt like he was kissing her. She could almost feel his arms hugging her. She closed her eyes and let her memories fill her mind.

-|* Road's Memory*|-

I stared at Allen as he left the dining room with Tyki. I followed only because I was bored and was hoping I could get Allen to play with me. He's been here a few months now he's never played with me. He plays with the twins, but he won't even come near me. Allen doesn't like me for some reason and I don't understand. I'm much better than Jasdevi and I'm not boring like Tyki. So why doesn't he like me? I was one of the Noah who picked him up. If it weren't for me he wouldn't have been dragged here to the Ark... Okay, maybe Tyki would have brought Allen anyway, but still, I'm highly likable... When I'm not killing you.

Tyki looked at Allen. I couldn't tell if he was annoyed or pleased or what. Tyki just looked dull and bored. He didn't know what to do with Allen probably. He doesn't know how to make kids happy. He's a boring person. Yet he's called the Noah of Pleasure, get that?

"Oi, shounen." Tyki said as he took his cigarette out of his mouth and picked Allen up by the collar. Allen dangled there at first, then he attempted to hit Tyki and kick him, but failed. He gave up quickly. Something which he never used to do a few weeks ago. He'd always flail around until someone hit him in the back of the head or gave him what he wanted. You know? That stuff. "Why are you still following me?"

"I don't know." Allen mumbled.

"Shounen, that's not an excuse." Tyki grumbled. "Why are you following me?"

"Because I am."

"Go play with Jasdevi or talk to Earl. I'm not staying on the Ark, so you'll have to find someone new to bug."

"Am I bugging you?"

"A little."

Allen looked at Tyki with the same expression Tyki had-bland and deprived of fun and emotion. He's definitely spending too much time with Tyki. In my opinion, at least. "Can't I come with you?" Allen asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't have to come."

"So I can come?"

"No."

"What am I supposed to do? When ye aren't here I'm stuck hiding in my room!" Allen wailed as Tyki put him down.

Tyki was about to exit the Ark, but stopped when Allen ran in front of the door. He looked at Tyki with defiance and aggravation, showing he wasn't going to let Tyki leave without a challenge. I smiled at the irritated expression that crossed Tyki's face. It's hard to make Tyki express his annoyance and Allen does it well and pretty quick. I guess Allen has been a pain to Tyki.

Tyki raised an eyebrow as he finally caught on to what Allen was saying and mockery showed in his eyes. "Hide in your room? What are you hiding from?" he teased.

Allen's jaw dropped and he made these choking noises as he tried to find words. The hard eyes and cold expression to one of embarrassment and his face was as red as a cherry lollipop. Tyki chuckled. I don't know what he's laughing at, but I know Allen looks so cute.

"N-nothing. I just... don't do... anything when you're gone." Allen said.

"Right. Is it Jasdero and Devit?" Tyki asked.

"Oh, bloody hell now! The only scary thing about 'em are their bloody faces! Why on earth would I need to from 'em?" Allen blurted out and I stifled my snickers behind my hand as Tyki shrugged.

"Okay then. If you're not hiding from anyone for any particular reason, then I'll just be on my way." Tyki said.

"What? No!" Allen jumped onto Tyki, but the highest he got was to Tyki's upper leg and Tyki looked very amused with a glint in his golden eyes. Allen crawled up Tyki body until he was hugging Tyki's neck to keep his tiny body from falling to the ground. Tyki smirked as Allen frantically looked around for something and I hid in one of the few alleys there was on the Ark. Using one eye I peeked at Allen and Tyki while the rest of me hid. "It's not Jasdevi that bothers me. They aren't the worse." Allen added sheepishly, that deep blush still on his face and I find it absolutely adorable!

Tyki put both his hands under Allen's arms and stretched his arms to keep Allen away from his face, although he didn't stretch his arms out that far. Allen could easily lean his head forward and bump Tyki's head. Tyki puffed out smoke and Allen coughed, trying to get rid of the smoke in his face and Tyki rolls his eyes. "Then who is it?"

"Well... the barmy[1] lassie[2]..." Allen whispered.

"Repeat that a language I can understand." Tyki groaned.

"Her."

"Who's Her?"

"Her is Road. She... scares me."

I scare Allen? How could he think I'm scary? He has met Skin and the Earl, right? I know I can be scary, but I'm not trying to scare Allen! How the hell does he get I'm scary?

Tyki smiled and nodded, his eyes glinting and I could see his arms shake. "Yes, she's very scary."

"So you see my, uh, di-di-er-dilem... ma?" Allen uttered.

"I do." And Tyki dropped Allen there and cackled. "I'm sorry! I can't even keep a straight face!" he exclaimed and Allen's face was cherry red again, but I could see his anger. "You're scared of Road? You-the small Mr. Mighty shounen-afraid of Road? That's... That's... quite the understatement."

"Eh?"

Tyki sighed and sat down in front of Allen. I clenched my fists and groan. An understatement? "What I'm saying is that you're petrified of Road." Tyki said to my utter horror and he was smiling the whole time. Allen was confused, but his eyes watched Tyki intently and with a child-like expression. He looked very innocent and clueless. I couldn't be mad at that. He was just too cute.

"Why does Road scare you?"

Allen put his hand on his chest and fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. His eyes kept wandering around and I held my breath as I waited for Allen's answer. What had I done to scare him? That's what I want to know. I have to know!

"Well, she makes me nervous... Sometimes I feel my heart beats faster when she's around... She makes me feel... vi-ah-let-tid. Barmy word, what was it? Lulubell said it once... via... via..."

"Violated." Tyki suggested.

"Yeah, that word. She's just... scary. I don't know why, she just is. I swear she's evil!" Allen said, panicky.

"Allen, I'm evil. The Earl is evil."

"But she's worse! With her totty[3] face and her strong grip! Plus I hear things from the other Noah! She's always smiling or whining and she... she... gives me this look and I shiver... and she's just... Very scary." Allen heaved a defeated sigh.

"Hmmm, I think I know what your problem is, but you're not scared of, Road. Although my dreadful niece can be frightening sometimes, I don't think it's your dilemma. See you later, Allen." Tyki said and left the Ark through one of the doors.

So that's it. Well, I'm going to have to change Allen's mind about me. I'll fix this no problem.

"Do you remember what I had to go through to get Allen to like me, Lero?" Road asked.

{ British Vocabulary }

1. Barmy- Idiotic

2. Lassie- Girl

3. Totty- Pretty girl