Hana: Phew...I nearly posted chapter 37 instead of this one...-sweat drops-
Allen: ...
Raku: -unamused-
Tyki: Well, she doesn't get much sleep to begin with.
Raku: the fuck are you doing here?
Tyki: For a good reason, I'm sure. Neither author owns D. Gray-man, just the story you've been reading.
Hana: ...enjoy the new chapter~
... ... ... ...
+ - Chapter 36 - +
Rouvelier grunted, as the world around him came into focus. Cold, damp...what was this, a dungeon? "Wonderful, my dear Director, you're awake."
The snake that he was jerked up, and only with the sudden movement did he realize his arms were restrained behind his back. "What the...? What is the meaning of all this?!"
Apocryphos closed the book he held in his hand, and placed it on the side table near his seat. "Well, I'm taking care of some personal business. And luring out my sweet angel in the process."
"Let me go this instant!" Rouvelier pulled at the cuffs and winced at how unkind the metal was to his wrists. "That faggot you're after won't show himself for this!"
Apocryphos flinched. Two seconds later, the man smiled, however it did not even come close to reaching his cold eyes. "Do not disrespect my angel."
Rouvelier felt that if he were a lesser man, he would've perhaps pissed himself.
"Besides, you may not be a soul he would come after, but that devil definitely would, if he was sent here to 'save your life'...not that he'll be successful."
The darker-haired man really wished this lunatic would stop it with the symbolic talk and speak like a normal person. "Exactly which devil are you talking about?"
Apocryphos' features screwed with disgust and anger. "That wretched monstrosity that dared to lay hands on the gift He granted me." For the crime of touching his angel, that devil would pay.
"Why do you believe he'll come along if I'm in danger?"
"Your wife loves you quite dearly, my good sir." Apocryphos drawled on, "I left her a little note she was meant to keep to herself. While another was meant for the public."
Rouvelier shifted where he sat slumped against the hard wall behind him, trying to find a position that was at least slightly more comfortable, and he glared at the other man. Knowing how dumb his wife could be, she wouldn't show the first note to anyone and would comply to this psychopath's demands. That would eventually result in the mounting of a failed rescue attempt which could possibly be led by that disrespectful gay Asian.
Damn all those pests...ruining his vision for a perfect world. He only desired a world where things were to be as they should. It was a simple enough of an ambition for a man to have, was it not? He certainly believed so.
The main problem was that this chaotic world was filled with countless loathsome beings, case and point being the fanatical, religious nutjob in front of him who was in possession of a rather severe god complex. This made his end goal a difficult one to achieve.
Oh how he loathed it when things proved to be a nuisance or an obstacle for him. Rouvelier needed a plan to get out of his current dilemma. Apocryphos was dangerous. Far more dangerous than Rouvelier had first believed. A mistake he wouldn't make again, should he get out of his predicament alive.
For the first time in his forty-whatever years, the man felt pure icy fear race through his veins.
(* - *)
"Something feels...wrong."
"This again?" Timothy asked in exasperation. "Lala, nothing ain't gonna happen."
"First of all, 'ain't' isn't a word. Second, you just gave a double negative considering the it means 'is not'."
"HEY!"
Neah sighed, and checked his watched. It was already late, so Kanda would be home any minute. "Alright you three. that's quite enough." He said, closing his book, and placing it on the cushion beside him. "My turn for the television, so let me watch the news."
"But the show was getting good!" Timothy complained. "Why should we watch a program that only ever brings bad news, and overhyped storms?"
"Because sometimes, the more intelligent people are able to pick out what is real news, and what is just bull." The only adult muttered. "Now, news."
Although grumbling beneath his breath, Timothy handed the remote over to the only adult in the room.
"Thank you, kindly." Neah sighed, as he changed the channel.
"—dan, now, to our breaking news. Director of the FBI, Malcom C. Rouvelier has been reported to have been forcefully taken from his home early this morning, his wife having witnessed his abduction. Currently, she has no words to—"
"Rouvelier." Neah mused, "Kanda's boss, huh?"
"How can a guy walk around town looking like a dictator that slaughtered millions?" Lero spoke up, looking at the missing person's picture on screen. "It's unnerving, lero."
"You're right to be feeling that way." Neah agreed.
Timothy released a sigh, his uninterested eyes on the screen as the lady on the television explained the situation and whatever else had been let out to the public. "Pops hates the guy. Apparently he's just as bad as he looks."
"I...I hope he doesn't ever get found." Lala muttered, she was shaking a little, and it wasn't missed by Neah, who put a hand on her shoulder. The girl flinched, but relaxed upon seeing it was Allen's uncle.
"Woah, I don't think I ever heard ya say something like that before." Timothy said.
"He'd just... really horrible." Lala looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "I mean, wasn't he with that guy who took Allen away?"
"Actually, he wasn't there, the man who was responsible for the physical kidnapping of Allen was basically you're adoptive grandfather." Neah became thoughtful as he said that, "But it was a more corrupt man calling himself Apocryphos who pulled his strings."
"I didn't mean that guy with the moustache was physically there. But they are working together, aren't they?"
"You've got a good point there." Neah sighed. "Let's all agree both men are a danger to society."
"I agree, lero." Lero said.
Lala bobbed her head in a nod. "Me too."
"Me three," Timothy chimed in. "And let's hope this jerk gets what's coming to him."
"Which one?" Lero asked.
"Rouvelier is more a jerk...but Apocryphos is what you would call—"
"A fucking piece of a shit who needs to be put down." The lower octave voice surprised the group, before all eyes found themselves landing on Kanda, removing his shoes at the door. "What? No welcome home?"
"Papa!" Lala eagerly got up, and ran over the Japanese man that was her father, "Welcome home!"
"Hey," Timothy said from the couch.
Neah stood and picked up his book from where he'd set it down. "I guess I'll leave these gremlins to you."
Lero slid off the couch and onto his feet. "We're leaving, lero?"
"Well, the father of these children has come home, so I believe our work is done." Neah explained. "Have a good night, Kanda."
"Hn." Kanda said, stepping aside to let the duo out. Once they were gone, he closed the door behind them, and sighed.
"Tough day?" Lala guessed.
"Is it because that toothbrush guy got adducted?'
"Abducted." Kanda tiredly corrected, "Every idiot in the building was basically running around like headless chickens."
"That would be cool to watch." Timothy looked at his sister. "A chicken running around without a head, not the people at Pop's work," he clarified, because he'd been to Kanda's workplace before and the only fun thing had been watching how his then not-yet-adoptive parents interacted.
Lala's nose scrunched up in distaste. "Wouldn't that be mean? Having no head would be painful."
"Unless the loss of their head was quick, they wouldn't even realize it had happened." Their father said. "In any case, if you haven't eaten yet, then let me know what you want. We can either eat here, or go out."
"We've been cooped up inside all day." Lala said, "I wanna go out!"
"Me too! And we have to bring Timcanpy with us." Timothy said with finality.
Kanda relented, and promptly told the kids to get ready. A change of scenery sounded like a good idea, and real fresh air was more than welcome in his opinion. There was a café near the park, if he recalled correctly...he'd take the kids and Timcanpy there. Kanda's gaze landed on the two pairs of shoes left by the door. "Go grab your socks and shoes."
Timothy grinned and scrambled off the couch, heading in the direction of his room. "Thanks, Pops."
Lala stood and flashed Kanda a smile. "I'll get Timcanpy's leash."
"Then hurry up." That dog had been quiet...no doubt still missing his orginal owner. Kanda couldn't help but wonder if Timcanpy was just putting on a brave face most days. Not that anyone else wasn't, to be frank.
Kanda stole a glance out the window of the living room. Allen was there, somewhere...he felt he was so close...but still out of reach.
. . - * - . .
Cross looked over his shoulder, sighing in annoyance. These assholes were perhaps too persistent for his own liking. That CROW girl wasn't the easiest to lose, but he still managed. Now he had, without a doubt, Apocryphos' goons on his trail. They were a lot harder to shake off than he would've liked. He had texted Mother to be ready to find a new place, should the unrelenting bastards not get off his god forsaken back.
This was getting ridiculous. "Those annoying fucks." He growled.
Cross could always shoot them between the eyes. Claim self-defense, and get off scots free. That's how it worked, right? Perhaps shoot them in the leg...that would make it more believable. If only it were that easy. Shooting those bastards would certainly alert any other gunners that were hiding out somewhere.
Why couldn't everyone just stop stalking him already? They were stupid if they thought he'd let them get so much as a clue as to where he was going.
"Time for a last ditch effort." The red-headed man decided. If this didn't make them lose track of him, then he wasn't exactly sure what would.
And if he couldn't get away, Cross would have to put his visit with his dumb student on hold until his stalkers changed shifts and people with poorer skills in tracking were on his tail.
. . - * - . .
"He's...late, isn't he?" Allen found himself asking, feeling wary as the day had dragged on.
"Last I heard, there had been a few inconveniences." Mother informed the younger. "Though I'm doubtful that's reason enough for his tardiness...
"Maybe he's dead," Raku suggested from the kitchen sink as he set a cup on the drainer.
Allen didn't even consider that a possibility. He propped his chin in one hand and drummed his fingers against the kitchen table with the other. "There's no way to kill that man. Trust me."
"Have you personally tried?" Mother inquired.
"Not...exactly..."
"Then what proof do you have to support the claim?" The elderly woman challenged.
"Other than the fact that a number of skilled people have tried and failed to kill him?" Allen shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "I guess I could mention how even though he's drunk enough alcohol to poison his liver ten times over, he's somehow still kicking."
"He's not wrong, Mother." Baba said. "We've seen that guy drink on a bad day too."
"Alright, you pass." Mother relented. "How has the trust thing been going?"
Allen bit the inside of his cheek and looked down. "It's..."
"Slow," Raku finished for the boy, moving closer and sitting at one of the free chairs.
That was an understatement. The second Allen had felt arms around him and heard the sound of a person breathing so close to his ear, he'd freaked out. He'd reflexively pushed Raku away, and the man had slammed into a wall as a result. Raku had been grouchy for a while after that, but Allen guessed he'd gotten over it already.
On the other hand...it was his lover's father. Who knew what he was really thinking...right?
"Would you drop the suspicious stare you got going on?" Raku hissed. "It's pissing me off."
"You're Yu's father...I think I have the right to be a little suspicious."
"Kid, if I were planning anything for the stunt earlier, I'd have done something sooner."
Allen slowly nodded, realizing the truth of those words. If this man was anything like his son and was after him, Allen would have figured it out ages ago. Yu hadn't even known him for half a minute and the man had molested him.
"I'm getting you used to human contact, remember?" Raku rolled his eyes, finding it stupid that he had to explain himself to this brat. "When this is over, you don't want to have the same reaction you did with me when he tries to hug you, do you?"
"No," Allen mumbled. He clasped his hands and moved them to his lap.
"Besides," Raku continued, a distinct note of disgust appearing in his voice, "going after you would be gross. You look like a middle schooler." Why his son had gone after a child was beyond him. "Not to mention, I'm in love with someone else."
"I do not look like a middle-schooler!" Allen argued.
"I dunno, Allen," Baba mused, "You do have a pretty youthful face. I wouldn't be surprised if all this time you were just super young than what you really are."
"I'm twenty!"
Mother's smile betrayed her teasing intent, as did the twinkle in her eye. "If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought you were lying."
Allen was ready to punch someone. Anyone. Preferably Raku. "I. Am. Twenty." Why did people always poke fun at his appearance like this? His height was average for a male his age. And he's seen many men both older and shorter than him before. So was the problem actually his face? Was that why Yu had always called him 'Moyashi' or 'brat' and treated him like a kid at times?
Actually...that would also mean the nickname of 'mama Allen' was also... "GAH! HELL NO! NO, NO! NO!"
"The hell is up with you this time?" Raku asked, having scooched his seat in order to avoid flailing arms. "You make it sound like you just realized something stupid on your part."
"If anyone is girly looking it's Yu-fucking-Kanda! Not me!"
Silence ensued, though it was quickly broken by a weird snort-cough-chuckle combination. The culprit of the noise being Raku. Wait, Raku was laughing?! Was the world about to end?
Allen's eyes, although his body was frozen in shock, darted from Raku to Mother, and then back again. Did Raku think it funny that his son looked more like a daughter? Was that what this was about?
"What's...so funny, exactly?" Allen dared himself to ask. He was also tempted to place a hand on the older man's forehead just to make sure he wasn't feeling sick.
Raku shook his head and quietened down, but there was still a smirk sitting on his lips. "It's nothing."
"Sure as hell didn't sound like nothing." Allen deadpanned.
"Then, it's nothing you need to concern yourself with." Raku said, his grin still in place, "Though, I would love to see you say my son looks like a woman to his face. I'm sure someone is getting a kick out of that."
"...huh?" Allen only found himself further confused. "And I'm not suicidal."
Sure, Allen had told Yu that the man was beautiful before, but going so far as to tell his ex-fiancé that he looked rather feminine was... Well... If he'd done that, Allen would have ended up tied to the bed while his ex-lover repeatedly proved to him who wore the pants in their relationship.
The more he thought of it, the more he realized what most of the people in the room were implying. "I'M NOT FEMININE!"
"Could've fooled me." Mother laughed. "It is obvious you're the one that gets it."
"H-HEY!" Allen could've sworn his face was about to exploded. "Why me?"
"Because you're easy to tease?" Baba supplied.
The otherwise teasing atmosphere was gone when Mother's phone began to ring. "Strange, that one shouldn't work in the slightest." Once Mother had commented on the phone all sets of eyes went to the device hanging on the wall. The elderly woman got up, and hobbled over to the resounding mechanism on the wall. She answered the call, "Hello?"
Allen looked to Baba questioningly, but the tall man could only shrug. "We really didn't think it was a working phone." He answered softly, "So we never use it."
"Never use it." Raku muttered, before quietly getting up, and heading towards the front of the small house.
"I have a bad feeling..." Allen found himself murmuring.
He too stood, torn between following Raku, who was practically his bodyguard, and going to a room that allowed for quicker access of the house's escape routes. Allen was on edge because a phone that never rung had done so and, as a result, Raku was most likely pulling back the curtains to check if there was anyone outside.
The boy took a deep breath and tried to ignore the thought of who, if anyone, was out there. He'd be sick if that bastard found him. His hands trembled, so he clenched them into fists and looked at Mother to see if she knew who was on the other end.
"Hello? Who the hell is this? If this is some prank, I can assure you right now I am not laughing."
"Mother...what's going on?"
"Answer me this instant!" Whoever was on the other end, wasn't talking.
Allen didn't move in fear that doing so would shatter the charade of peace he'd been living. If anything happened, he wouldn't be able to stay here. He'd be running again. As much as he disliked the man, Allen really wanted Raku back in the room.
"Who the fuck are you?" Raku's voice sounded from the other room.
"Put that damn thing away, I'm harmless." A new, but very familiar voice sounds. Silver eyes became wide and he rushed towards the other room. "Seriously, I'm—"
"Tyki?!"
The ex-NOAH looks up, and grins when he sees Allen. "Long time no see, boy. I hope you don't mind me intruding."
"...you know this guy, kid?" Raku warily asked.
"I do...but...I don't understand, how did you find me?"
"How about this, tell your fiancé's old man to not shoot me, and I'll explain."
He didn't realize it before, but Raku did have a gun pointed at Tyki's head. "I can tell him not to shoot you," Allen said, hiding how the sudden drop of adrenaline in his veins had left him tired. "But seeing you with a gun to your head is pleasing."
"Don't forget who saved your ass when you got shot back then." Tyki dryly told the younger male, "If not for me, you would've bled to death, and then where would we be?"
"You're not going to let me live that down, are you?" Allen inquired, crossing his arms in annoyance.
"That I saved your butt from dying in an alley all the while one of your friends were hanging around unsure of what she should be doing? Then perhaps."
"Am I shooting this sonnova bitch, or what?" Raku asked, his own annoyance growing rapidly.
"No," Allen grumbled, wishing he could have said yes.
A relieved smile found Tyki's lips. "Good. I wasn't pleased at the prospect of being shot again."
Allen crossed his arms, and rolled his eyes. "You're unbelievable."
"So I've been told, boy." Tyki stated, "Now, how about we talk business?"
"Business...?"
"You know, your fiancé is looking for you. Hell, everyone is."
"...I thought it was ex-fiancé..."
Tyki snorted, whilst Raku reluctantly put away his firearm. "The day he calls you ex, is the day he admits everything between the two of you is over."
"As sweet a reunion as this is," Mother's raspy voice was urgent, and instantly all the others in the room stood to attention at the return of the somber atmosphere, "We need to leave."
Silver eyes widened, "W-why? What's going on?"
"I just received a text from Cross. He has a few trackers on his tail, and it appears my location has been jeopardized."
Allen uncrossed his arms and glared at Tyki. "How'd you find us?"
While Allen spoke, Raku stormed off to shove their necessities into a bag. They would need clothes, and Raku wanted to make sure his firearms and ammo weren't left behind.
"I was pretending to be one of that...guy's goons."
Allen visibly paled. "Th-that doesn't answer my question..."
"It does when I say I found information on your whereabouts up until a few months prior where that trail had apparently gone cold...however."
"You should considering telling him things when there's time for it." Mother scolded.
"Alrighty then." Tyki moved past Allen and Mother to the kitchen. He might as well grab as snack before they left. "Let's pack up and take this conversation elsewhere."
Shooting Mother an apologetic glance, because he was really sorry that he knew this idiot, Allen followed Tyki. Mother shook her head and smiled wryly. Then she and Baba left to quickly pack their own belongings.
"Your lover-boy has had an even shorter temper since you left," Tyki said as he opened the fridge to have a poke around. He paused to shoot the boy a wink. "This dry spell has left him especially snappy. You should go back soon."
Allen pursed his lips and averted his gaze. His heart gave a painful squeeze. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why?" Tyki grabbed a cling-wrap-sealed bowl that seemed to be filled with pieces of crab. "Because someone else fucked you up the ass?"
Allen looked at Tyki with horror in his eyes and fear in his gut. Why was he always being reminded of what happened? Why couldn't people just let him forget already?
Tyki removed the cling-wrap and nibbled on a piece of crab. "Really though. You need to go back." That look had been more than enough for Tyki to know what kind of state the kid was in. "It would do you good." Allen needed healing, and what better place than with that asshole lover of his and those children? Speaking of children... the Brit didn't know that he was a dad now...
Before Allen could speak, Raku returned with a bag over his shoulder and two more in each hand. "I threw your clothes and toiletries in."
Allen nodded his thanks, and looked between Tyki and Raku. "I...I can't go back...not yet..."
"Boy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news—"
"You are bad news." Raku scowled.
"—but I fear for everyone's life being put into jeopardy by Mr. Kitchen Knife. The fact is, Apocryphos had files on you, that guy, and even Mother."
"What." It was in moments like that where Allen could swear he was dealing with his BaKanda in that moment. Though...on the other hand, his attitude came from Okagi...? Which Raku had also picked up on...? Thinking about it was honestly making poor Allen's head hurt. He'd sort out that old information later, when he had time.
"Mother, thank you for all you've done." Allen said, bowing in respect, "I really appreciate you letting us stay here."
"You only have so much time." Mother warned. "You best be going now. Baba and I have a place we can go, no one would expect such a place for a half-way house to be."
"Sorry for the trouble we caused." Raku bowed his head, before turning on his heal. "Kid, let's go."
"Um..." Allen looked questioningly at Tyki.
"I'll tag along. After all, there's much you need to know."
"Alright. I..." Allen hesitated and took a step in the direction his guard had gone. "I want to know what's happened." When he finished speaking, Allen hurried after Raku to take one of the bags from the man, before slinging it over his shoulder.
Tyki waved his farewell to Mother and then continued to snack on his crab while following after the boy. How hectic. He didn't even have time to sit down.
... ... ... ...
-pats off the nonexistent dust off her hands- I'll just leave this chapter here for y'all~
R&R doesn't stand for Rest and Relaxation, no matter how much I may need it. Leave a review and let us know how we're doing! Check the favorite box to show this story some love, and while you're at it, check the follow box so you can read a new chapter once it goes live! Check out my co-author's works if you wanna, and until next time, we'll see you again on...
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