Hana: So. This is basically an interlude for the next chapter, because reasons! xD

Kanda: Che.

Allen: ...okay then? -hasn't read anything- Uh...XavierForest and Hanashi o suro don't own D. Gray-man...they really only own the story you're reading right now.

Hana: Oh how different things could be...

... ... ... ...

+ - Chapter 35 - +

"Such a shame. I was hoping you would've been more help to me." Apocryphos sighed in discontent. "I can't even bother to pass judgement on someone like you."

"N-No, please! Th-the place was clean!"

"Unfortunately, only the gates of Hell seem to await you." The man continued, not caring with what the other man had to say. "You'll die slowly, painfully." He pulled the dagger from his cross, and with no hesitation, brought it down to the frantic rising and falling of the chest below. Just close enough to clip the heart.

The man screamed as the blade was removed. The 'holy man', sighed in disappointment, once more replacing the dagger back into to rosary around the sociopath's neck. "Yet another useless pawn." Another voice stated from the shadows.

"Ah, Director, how nice to see you again."

"You're getting ahead of yourself, I haven't officially gotten that promotion."

"But I heard the news nonetheless. After all, 'Director Rouvelier'...has a nice ring, does it not?"

"It does," Rouvelier agreed, albeit reluctantly. He hated agreeing to anything this nutjob said.

"Then why so reluctant to accept a congratulations?"

"Hearing it from you, it's unsettling."

To that Apocryphos sighed. "I am but a man of God Himself. There isn't a reason for discomfort."

"You also happen to be a killer. According to the populous."

Apocryphos grasped his bloody rosary and looked up, expression peaceful. "I'm simply doing His work by purging this world of its impurities."

"And yet there's a strange obsession you seem to have with that one person."

"Ah, you mean one Allen Walker?" The expression on the sociopath's face had changed, almost to that of a perverse gleam. "A pure soul just waiting to be saved. One like him belongs not upon this world."

Rouvelier raised a brow, and crossed his arms. "You are going to kill him?"

"I am going to...collect, actually." The mad man's grin grew, "You forget, judgment of sinners was not the only thing I've done. There had come, perhaps once in a blue moon, where He would grace me with a reward. There is only that infernal devil that is simply keeping me from that pure little angel."'

"As much as I wish revenge upon that ungrateful child," A new voice joined in, just out of reach of the lamppost's light. "I must question your...motives."

"Good things come to those whom wait, my child." Apocryphos stated. Ready to say more, he was half surprised to hear a gurgling sound from the ground. "Oh? Still alive? Hm...that won't do at all. You're quite the fighter, but alas, I must end your pitiful fight. Sweet dreams."

. . - * - . .

Allen couldn't shake a feeling of dread as a cold chill ran down his spine. "Something wrong, Allen?" Neah asked, as he drove his nephew home.

"I feel...like something isn't right."

"Care to elaborate?"

"For the last few days I was in the hospital, it felt like I was being watched...I still feel that."

Perplexed with this news, Neah side glanced in Allen's direction, before looking back to the road. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"I...didn't want to worry anyone..."

"Well you've worried me," Neah mumbled, casting a quick look in the rear-view mirror. He trusted his nephew's judgment.

From what he could see, there were some other cars around, but none of them were all that out of the ordinary.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be."

"Uh...Uncle Neah...?" Allen began, fiddling with his hands on his lap, "I had a folder...but I haven't seen it...did you..."

"Lavi has it." Neah informed his nephew. "He hasn't looked within its confines. He believes it'll be safer at the bookstore than it would be at your place."

"Lavi not looking at something that bites at his curiosity? Now I've heard it all."

"He may not agree with your decisions, but he respects them."

"I know. I'm just surprised is all," Allen said, letting his head loll back to rest against the car seat.

"What's in the folder," Neah asked quietly, his eyes on the road.

"Nothing."

"Allen Walker." Neah sternly scolded. "What. Did. You find?"

"..."

"If you don't tell me, I will be forced to take drastic measures."

Okay. That made Allen curious. "What... kind of drastic measures?"

The car began to slow down, before being parked in one of the parallel parking spots that littered either side of the roads. "Oh, do you really want to know~?"

The tone was one Allen was familiar with when he was far younger. He screeched when Neah suddenly reached over, and started tickling his sides. "Ah! N-no! y-yah! Ah-ahahaha! U-uncle N-eah!" He had no room for escape, and Neah's fingers were relentless.

"Tell me what I want to know, and I'll stop." The older man teased. "Come on, nephew, we both know how weak you are to this particular method of torture."

"P-Please st-ah! Hahaha! Not there! U-Uncle!"

When he'd heard 'drastic measures', Allen had been expecting something a little more... punishment-like. So that's why this had taken him completely by surprise. Rarely anyone ever did this to him anymore. In fact, he could hardly even remember the last time it'd happened.

"Tell me what it's in the folder Allen." Neah's grin widened, enjoying the younger male's forced laughter. "C'mon, I'm your family~ tell me~"

"N-Never! Ah-hahaha! Haha!"

"Stubborn, are we~?"

"I w-won't — ahahah! Ne-Neah! Stop! I can-can't b-breathe!"

Allen's body was pressed right up against the door of the car, which was locked, meaning he was at his uncle's mercy until the man either gave up or got what he wanted.

"I'll stop when you tell me." Neah bargained, never ceasing his actions. Allen had been such a tiny thing the last time he did this to him. It was fun to tease him like he used to before he had to go into hiding.

"N-No!"

"Then prepare to meet your maker!"

Squirming, Allen released another flurry of giggles. "N-not fa- hahah! Oh g-god! Stop th- ahah!"

"Tell me what I want to know. That's all I'm asking for, my cute adorable nephew~"

"F-Fine! Ahahaha! F-Fine! U-Uncle! U-Uncle!" Grinning from ear to ear, Neah ceased tickling the nineteen-year-old, and leaned his elbow against the driver's wheel, cheek pressed against the palm of his hand. He waited for Allen to regain his lost breath.

"See? That wasn't so hard now was it?"

"I hate you..." Allen groaned.

"No you don't. You just hate that I won."

Sighing, Allen straightened himself up, and moved so that he was able to hug his knees close to himself. "I know who the Akuma Killer is...who Crowned Clown is now. And he's directly related to Kanda. In the folder are files that were both on record...and deleted from record."

"What?"

"Raku Kanda. He's one of Yu's biological fathers...and he's been doing my old job. But...I can't have him knowing that..." Allen realized he was the verge of tears. "Uncle Neah, Yu can't know it's his father that was impersonating Crowned Clown..."

This was... unexpected. Neah now understood why his nephew had wanted to keep quiet.

"I've gotta protect him from that," Allen said, silver eyes trembling.

"He's a smart man. I wouldn't be surprised if he was already close to finding out himself, considering his career."

"There's no way he would be able to." Even as he said it, he knew that there was a chance — a slight, slight chance, but a chance nonetheless — that Kanda might eventually figure it out.

"You should tell him," Neah advised his nephew, looking the boy dead in the eye. "You'll ruin your relationship if he figures out you knew and were hiding it from him."

"But I—!"

"Allen, keeping this secret will only cause greater pain, not only to him, but to you as well. I would know."

Allen's jaw clenched, and he slowly shook his head. "I'm not telling him."

Neah's gaze was cold as he looked at his nephew. "Allen, I will tell you only once now. Keeping vital information from Yu Kanda is going to do nothing but cause harm to the both of you. You've worked so hard to get to where you were, and you're only going to throw it all away? Is that it?"

"What? No!"

"Then what is it, Allen?" Neah's tone was scolding, and hearing it was like a knife to Allen's heart. "Because from all I can tell, you're on a one way path to misery and despair. It's two steps back from your one step going forward."

"I know what I'm doing!"

"You only think you know, dammit!" Neah had never before outright yelled at Allen like that. Golden eyes were glaring right at him...right through his very being, and the younger male felt sick to his stomach by how deep the piercing gaze was making him. It was no longer the scolding look of a family member, rather the look of a man who was willing and able to end the existence of the one unfortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.

"U-Uncle N-Neah?" Was this the look he once gave his victims when he was the one to be under the NOAH's thumb? The look Allen himself once gave when he lost hold of his sanity?

"I will warn you one last time, Allen Walker." Neah coldly said, "If you fail to tell Yu Kanda of what you've found out, I will guarantee I will won't even open my door to you, and say 'I told you so'."

. . - * - . .

The words continued echoing in Allen's mind as he ascended in the elevator. Biting his lip, he looked to the mirror-ceiling above him. Looking at himself looking down on him, he sighed. "I'm doing the right thing...aren't I?" He asked his upside doppelganger. "I...I'm not going to lose him...lose everything I worked so hard for...am I?"

No answer was given, and the silver-eyed boy looked away from his reflection. Feeling defeated, and haunted, he was left to his thoughts as he got closer to his floor.

He was protecting Kanda. That was definitely the right thing to do. Kanda had saved him in so many different ways, and Allen just wanted to return the favour.

Because he loved that man with all his heart.

He...he would understand that...wouldn't he? Why was he suddenly doubting himself? Allen shook his head, eyes screwed shut. "Get it together, Walker." He hissed, "Kanda does love you...of course he'd understand your actions..."

No matter how many times Allen tried to justify his actions, there was that nagging part of him that wasn't a certain as he was trying to be.

If only Neah hadn't said anything, he wouldn't be doubting himself right now.

Actually...it wasn't just Neah. Others have told him the same thing he did. My, oh my. You're really no better than when you were me.

Surprised, Allen looked around, panic clear in his features. "Wh-who's there?"

I'm here.

"Don't mess with me!"

Look up, little pawn. Scared, Allen slowly lifted his gaze back up to the mirror in the ceiling. He paled at the image either he was physically seeing...or was he hallucinating it? The same ornate silver mask, cold silver eyes behind it. A maniacal grin spreading from ear to ear as the upside down being stared down on him like a god playing a sick game. The cowl that hugged his shoulders, with the hood that cataloged snowy strands of hair. Hello~

Allen continued staring at the figure, dread filling him.

Oh gods. He'd finally lost it.

There's nothing to really be afraid of. The other him drawled. You may think I'm dead and gone, but face it. That'll only happen if you yourself are nonexistent.

"W-What? Liar! You're dead. Crowned Clown is dead!"

Really? Then who's out there killing all those ex-AKUMA?

"An imposter!" Allen hissed, eyes narrowed and so full of hate.

But let's not forget. YOU were the one to give me my infamy.

"Shut up..."

YOU were the one who truly started it all.

"No...!"

Because YOU, Allen Walker, were the reason so many innocent people were ended by your blades.

"IT WASN'T ME!"

"Moyashi!" Silver eyes snapped to attention, taking a glance to the elevator door. Before him stood his fiancé, with Lala and Timothy looking at him with worried gazes. "Moyashi...are you...?"

"I-I'm fine...I'm sorry to w-worry you..." Were they waiting for him to come up?

"You're not fine," Kanda snapped. "You were just screaming."

"I just need some rest," the Brit said dismissively, trying to move past his fiancé, who caught him by the arm. Allen didn't want anyone to see him like this. It was shameful and he hated it. Face pale, he gave the man a weak smile. "Please just let this go."

"Believe me when I say, I would love to drop it. However, I won't."

"Mama Allen, are you sure you're okay?" Lala asked, her hands clasped in a nervous gesture. "Are you...really okay?"

"I..."

"She's really good at picking up on things, you know." Timothy said. "She had a really bad feeling, so we all decided to wait for you at the elevator to make sure you were fine...I guess her worry was...um...what's that word again?"

"Justified." Kanda stated, before sighing tiredly. "What happened?"

"..."

"Allen Walker."

Allen flinched.

"Che. I'm not going to drop this subject. I will find out, whether I'll get it out of you willingly or not, remains to be seen."

Never. He'd never, ever spill what had just happened. No one needed to know.

"Say something, Allen."

There he went, saying the boy's name again... It made Allen uncomfortable.

"Allen...?"

"I...I'm going to bed..."

"No, you're not." Kanda's grip tightened on the younger male's arm. "You've been keeping something from me for the last few weeks. I let it slide thinking you would tell me on your own time, but I'm losing patience. Lavi and Lenalee already know something's up, and I wouldn't be surprised if Fou knew a thing or two on your behavior."

"Y-Yu...you're hu-hurting me..."

"And how do you think I feel right now?" Kanda growled. "I'm fucking worried about the way you've been acting, and I'm going crazy not knowing what's wrong."

"You know he's serious when he doesn't even try watching what he says." Timothy whispered to Lala. She nodded in agreement.

"I-I can't tell you..."

"You can't, or you just won't?"

"Yu, please..."

"What are you keeping from me?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about," Allen said, lying through his teeth. "This is my problem."

"Your problem is my problem."

The Brit felt his heart skip a beat, before it clenched painfully within his chest. "N-no... It's not. I can deal with this myself. I don't... need you... to help me." The words he spoke left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth.

Hurt flashed through Kanda's dark eyes, though was quickly replaced with simmering anger. "You don't need me?"

No. No, no, no, no! That was not what he'd said and his fiancé knew it! The jerk was twisting his words! But... He didn't want Kanda involved, so... "Not right now."

"This isn't going in a good direction." Lala sighed, before walking between Kanda and Allen. "ENOUGH OF THIS!"

Startled, both males looked down to the youngest child, surprise clear in their features. "L-Lala?"

"What in the—"

"I don't like the way you two are acting." She pouted. "I don't like seeing people hurting! You're hurting each other by acting more childish than either me or Timothy!"

"I don't know if I should agree, or be insulted." Timothy muttered.

"Please, don't keep secrets anymore, Mama Allen. Papa told you things, he trusts you...don't you trust him too?"

Allen's expression became anguished as even more guilt filled him. "I do trust him, but..."

"No buts!" Lala scolded, looking up at the younger of the older males. "If you trust him, then tell him! It's a bad secret you're keeping, you shouldn't keep it if it's only hurting everyone around you!"

"I..."

"It's enough, Lala." Kanda sighed, releasing his fiancé's arm. "He's as stubborn as they come. He'll only ever learn when it comes back to bite him in the ass."

"H-Hey!"

"I thought you'd spare yourself the heartbreak and just come out with it." The Japanese male continued, "But it looks like I was wrong."

"I'm not... That's... I'm sparing someone else's heartbreak by keeping quiet, not my own," the white-haired boy mumbled, fists clenching into balls.

Stare turning cold, Kanda raised a disbelieving brow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Of course I am!"

"You may think you are, but I bet you're the one who'll be in pain the most when everything's out in the open."

"But I—!"

"It's late. I'm going to get these two to bed." Kanda had ushered the children away, leaving Allen on his own.

Maybe...they were right...

They are right.

He should tell him everything...

But you won't.

"But I won't..." Allen muttered under his breath, "Kanda's...always right...Neah too..." Something trailed down his cheek, but he made no effort to wipe it away. "But...everything will be fine...it just has to be...r-right?"

He smiled brokenly at the ground, before walking in the direction of his apartment.

"Yeah... It's gotta be."

(* - *)

The following morning proved to be very tense for everyone living in the flat. Lala's lone blue eye looked from Kanda to Allen, before going back to the food she hadn't touched.

Timothy distracted himself with Timcanpy, the happy-go-lucky dog enjoying a good belly rub from the young boy.

Kanda was irritated that his fiancé was still keeping things from him, and Allen didn't even feel guilty any more. He was just too... numb. Too much was going on all at once.

It was then a ringing broke the tense atmosphere. Snapping from his thoughts, Allen realized it was his. "I-I got it!" He stood and left his breakfast, untouched by his own standards.

"Stay put." Kanda told the kids, before following Allen. He'd eavesdrop, and maybe finally get some fucking answers.

It was the brat's damn fault for making him resort to this.

He leaned against the wall, staying out of sight from Allen, as he listened to the one-sided conversation.

"What?"

Seems like Allen wasn't fond on whoever this caller was. Kanda noted. Who was Allen not completely fond of? Cross? Somehow that didn't seem likely in this case.

"No, I'm sorry...just...tense, I guess."

Tense? He was fucking tense? Kanda would show that idiot what it really meant to be fucking tense. Another day.

"Uncle Neah said you had those files...you didn't...look into them, did you, Lavi?"

Lavi knew something? Apparently Kanda had some catching up to do with the rabbit.

"I need them back. It'll be hell if anyone else gets their hands on them."

So the files were important?

"I know what I promised. If you win, I'll tell you." Allen paused, then sighed. "You're the one with the unfair advantage. He's pretty mad at me right now."

The moyashi should stop giving himself credit. Kanda wasn't mad. He was livid. Though, he was also curious of this little bet. Information for what?

"Are you sure we can't change anything in our wager?"

Like hell you're getting out of that one, baka moyashi. Kanda thought, crossing his arms.

"C'mon! My ass is literally on the line though! I like walking!"

A grin formed on Kanda's features, one that would make even the devil run for the hills. So...this little bet has to do with me then. Why else would he worry of his ability to walk? Deciding he heard enough, he walked back to the kitchen, where Lala and Timothy had waited.

"What's with the scary face?" Timothy asked.

"I only found a way to get the answers I'm searching for." Kanda answered. "Seems he got into an interesting bet with Lavi."

Lala cocked her head to the side, "What kind of bet?"

"If his tone was anything to go by," Kanda decided to let that sentence trail off. He pulled out his seat, and sat himself down. If his tone was anything to go by, then the bet Allen and Lavi had going was more likely than not to see if Kanda would behave himself. He internally chuckled.

"Somehow...I'm feeling bad for Allen now." Timothy whispered to Lala. The girl nodded, having taken notice of Kanda's more evil appearance.

"He probably deserves it though", she murmured back. "Since he's keeping secrets."

"Yeah..." Allen had picked that moment to return, sighing in annoyance as he reclaimed his own seat.

"What's wrong?"

"Lavi, that's what." Allen muttered. "Stupid Lavi, stupid...stupid...idiot rabbit..."

"What did Lavi do that's making you act like a kid?" Kanda decided to ask. Might as well not let the younger male know he already knew the gist of what was going on.

"Just being his usual self," the Brit grumbled.

"Hn. That is irritating."

"Yu! I'm being serious!" Allen half whined. "Oh, that reminds me, Lenalee wants us all to hang out."

"When?"

Allen thought a moment, before realizing they never set a date. "Er...one moment, please..." Kanda rolled his eyes, as Allen went into the other room to make a call. Typical of the kid never asking for a date and time for these things.

"Baka moyashi." He grunted.

"You don't seem as mad anymore," Lala observed, and went to take a bite of the food before her.

Kanda considered those words, and then smirked.

The two children stared at their father-to-be with twin deer-in-the-headlights expressions.

... ... ... ...

There you have it. An interlude chapter that's still pretty damn important!

R&R ain't for rest and relaxation, even if it's obvious I need more of it. Leave a review and let us know how we're doing! Show the story some love and favorite this work, and if you hadn't already, follow this work to stay up to date on the newer chapters as they come~ Be sure to check out Xavier's stuff too, and with that said, we'll see you next week...

On Fade to Gray!