Hana: Hello lovely readers~ We're back with a new chapter~!
Allen: Why did you decide to update in the middle of a week?
Hana: -shrugs- Reasons? XavierForest and I don't own D. Gray-man! We only own the story you guys have the pleasure of reading~
Allen: Ah! Happy reading!
... ... ... ...
+ - Chapter 48 - +
Lero yawned, as he snuggled closer into the cushions of the couch. Neah himself was dead tired as the head of orangey hair had finally fallen asleep. Was he really going to unofficially adopt one of the people who were apart of the hell he, Mana and Allen had gone through?
That was just it. Yes, he was. Lero was just a child, one who wasn't through his first half of primary school. Besides, it was his fault the child had been forced on the streets. Well, his and Allen's and Kanda's...but mostly his. He was the cause of it. Had he of just said 'no'...had he just walked away with his brother...none of this would've ever happened.
But on the other hand...had he of walked away from the NOAH...Allen would've still been 'Red', and living a miserable life as the freak show he claimed himself to be for the sake of Cosmo who drilled those lies into his mind...or maybe Mana still would've found Allen...his older brother always seemed to enjoy circuses. Practicing routines of his own, even before he actually joined for a short while.
Well, it wasn't like he could change any of that now. It was all in the past.
That meant that the only thing he could do for this child was take care of him.
He really did have his work cut out for him. Well...Lero would catch a cold if he wasn't put to bed. He offhandedly realized.
"Things have a sick sense of humor when working themselves out." He muttered. "I wonder how Allen would react knowing I have Lero here..."
A good question if he were being honest. Probably surprised. He found himself wondering if anyone informed Wisely...he knew Tyki and twins knew...why was he asking himself these? He shook his head, and groaned. "I need sleep." he groused.
Neah ran a hand through his messy dark hair, eyes on the child. Right... He's gotta be put to bed first...
He may not have been able to take care of Allen at Lero's age, but like hell he was going to repeat his cowardice to protect another child. He then wondered...was this how Mana felt when he took care of Allen?
Neah Campbell was uncertain of how he should feel of the predicament. Sighing to himself, he picked up the sleeping child, and put him to bed. He'd need to inform his agent to find him a place with two bedrooms instead of just one. Until then, it looked like he was sleeping on the couch of his apartment.
That was fine though. He didn't mind the couch.
. . - * - . .
"One mocha, tall please." Robin said.
"You got it, girlie." The barista said, before going to get her order. Robin groused at the tone the man had used, she had a name, dammit. Granted, the man didn't know her name. She sighed to herself, before sliding her card through the reader, efficiently paying for her drink. She wondered if Kanda would ever be able to meet up with his fiancé again.
Would she get to meet him? Hell, she wondered why she was even wondering about this at all.
Maybe because she'd heard that they looked alike. She hadn't thought there'd be anyone out there who looked like her.
"Alright, enough of that." Robin scolded herself. "Stop making your mind go in circles like that."
"Pardon?" Robin blinked, and turned to her left. At first glance she thought she turned to face a mirror upon seeing the head of white hair at first glance, only to soon realize that the head of white she thought was hers, actually belonged to another. "Ah, sorry? I didn't realize you were kind of thinking out loud."
"Are you...Allen Walker?"
The younger white-headed stranger blinked in confusion. "Depends who's asking."
"Scar on left side of face, white hair...has a nickname of 'Moyashi'..." The look on the other's face caused the young woman to grin. "You're exactly like Kanda described you."
"Er...yeah...why do you know Kanda...?" Allen asked, feeling uneasy.
"I'm Robin. I'm one of the few co-workers that guy can tolerate to an extent. I'm pleasantly surprised I get to meet you."
Allen relaxed, though only slightly. "I-Is that so..."
"Allen! What did I say about..." Another party came, and stopped when he noticed the extra face with him. "Well. I walked into an interesting party of sorts now didn't I?"
"You must be Wisely then." Robin deduced.
"I see one Yu Kanda commented about me." Wisely grumbled, crossing his arms.
"You know, he's been trying to figure out where the hell you're hiding." Robin instead said, as she picked up her order from the counter. The barista had just placed it down.
"He has?" Allen asked, there was a small hint of hope in his eyes. "...why?"
"Isn't it obvious? He's obviously still head-over-heels for you."
"O-oh..." Allen mumbled softly, and his heart ached.
"You should probably go see him soon," Robin told the boy, then took a sib of her drink. "Everyone at work's on edge whenever Kanda's on duty because he's been in such a foul mood since the breakup."
"That...sounds like him..."
"Because it's exactly him." Wisely muttered. "It was a pleasure to meet you."
"Wasn't he gonna get himself from something here?" Robin stated.
Wisely looked at Allen, who though appeared calm on the outside, had become a jumbled mess of thoughts and anxieties at the mere mention of his ex-lover.
"At least find a way to meet up with him, kiddo." Robin sighed. "I think it may actually do the both of you good."
"Th-thanks..."
"Seriously, talk to him. I know for a fact the both of you need it." Robin told the youngest of the two males. "I guess I'll maybe see you later? I would love to be able to actually hang out with the two of you on better terms."
This time, Allen smiled, "I'd...actually like that..." The FBI woman smiled in return, and waved as she left.
"Her scar seemed crudely cared for." Wisely noted when Robin was gone. "You two could be siblings for all I know."
"I don't think so."
"Honestly...you three could come off as triplets with how uncanny all three of you look together." The barista said, bemused by their discussion.
"Why would you include me, exactly?"
"Because frankly, all three of ya look uncannily alike. Besides, if I hadn't heard ya talkin' I'd of for sure thought you were triplets."
"Ah…" Both Allen and Wisely said in recognition.
"I's probably the hair," Wisely mused, nudging the other Brit.
Allen grimaced and reached up to pinch a lock of his colourless hair. "I suppose that would do it... Young people with white hair aren't that common."
"Not at all." Agreed the mind-reader. "What were you doing here?"
"I...kinda had the urge to get a drink here, honestly..."
"To think you'd run into one of Kanda's co-workers..." Wisely glanced at the entrance to the café. "With your luck though, it was bound to happen."
"Shuddup." Pouted the younger. "I never ask for stuff like that to happen."
"I know. Hurry up and get your drink, and we'll go home." Allen only nodded in agreement, before finally placing his order. He deserved the delectable treat of a caramel Frappuccino...
"You deserve it?" Wisely muttered, making a point to comment on his companion's thoughts. "What'd you do?"
"I survived an unexpected encounter." Allen said, crossing his arms. Wisely only shrugged. Whatever made him happy he supposed. Actually, he could use a beverage himself.
"Order me that caramel frappu-whatever as well, would you?" The eldest of the two said.
Allen looked unamused at the other. "Frappuccino."
"Don't worry, kiddo. I got it. That'll be—"
"Make mine a venti." Allen quickly interrupted.
"Er...you gonna share that or...?"
"He's going to practically inhale the whole thing." Wisely stated. "Leave mine as a tall order if you please. I don't have the same black hole of a stomach as my friend here."
The barista only nodded mutely, and gestured for the payment to be made. "$8.98 is your total price."
. . - * - . .
He kneeled before the grave, his hands clasped together in prayer. How interesting, he thought, that he could be at peace while he was here. He supposed even in death his beloved knew how to keep his inner demons at bay. Only when he was near the other's grave.
"You've been coming here quite a bit, have you not?" A voice sounds from behind him, but Raku ignores him. "He meant a lot to you, yes?"
"Leave." Raku grumbled, trying to remain respectful of the deceased around him. "I am in no mood to be dealing with you right now."
He also didn't want anyone to be intruding on his time alone with his beloved.
"I'll be swift then. The time is nigh for my sweet angel to be collected. I need you to find a certain someone who will deliver him to me without harm becoming of his being."
"Why now?" Raku asked, not of curiosity, but of courtesy for asking.
"I've let him be for long enough."
Raku let his eyes drift away from the tombstone before him and turned his head to look at his companion. "How soon do you want him collected?"
"Sooner the better, so go find this man," Apocryphos handed the Japanese man a piece of paper, "And feel free to persuade him to do what needs to be done. I'm sure you already know how to pull that off."
"It'll be done." Raku said with no hesitation.
Apocryphos stared at the dark-haired man still kneeling by the grave, lips soon forming an eerie smile. "Good. And remember to emphasize the part about him not hurting my angel."
Raku nodded, before standing. Looks like he had a job to do.
. . - * - . .
Eliade sighed. She knew it would've happened, but she would also admit that it still made her quite sorry for them. "Eliade? Eliade?" A hand waved before her face, and the woman blinked before turning her attention to her husband.
"Arystar?"
"Were you thinking about Allen and Kanda again?" Despite the times the man had been so naïve over the years, Krory still knew a thing or two when it came to what ailed his wife...to an extent in most cases.
"I am," Eliade admitted, turning her full attention towards her husband.
"Have faith in them, my love." Krory said, smiling. "And try not to stress with the little one on the, I rather like the idea of being a father. A pleasant surprise for me."
The blonde beauty smiled, nodding, "Of course, Arystar." Not having to keep the baby a secret from her husband had already removed a lot of stress as it stood. She hadn't even felt stressed since then. If anything, she was worried. Even if another incident like the one earlier that year hadn't happened since, she felt as though something wasn't quite right...what was the purpose for all the murders by Crowned Clown...by Raku Kanda? The more she thought of it, the more it almost felt as though he himself was a pawn in a greater game.
So many things were happening all at once, and they were all related in some way. Raku Kanda's appearance had led to the rebirth of Crowned Clown, which had led to the murders, and then eventually on to Allen's breakup.
"Perhaps...there's something greater being missed?"
"Eliade?"
"Arystar..." She quietly said, "Would you still love and cherish me if I told you...that I used to be an AKUMA?"
For his part, Krory was in shock, but it melted away to a smile, as he hugged his beloved wife. "I'm glad, Eliade."
Her eyes widened, confusion eating at her in an instant. "Huh?"
"If I'm being honest, I believed you hid something, and I figured you would tell me on your own time. I'm glad you finally told me."
"...you're such a fool."
Krory chuckled. "You're still my cherished wife, no matter your past. How could I let go of the one person who truly showed me my world?"
"A fool." Eliade repeated, but returned the hug. Why couldn't Allen of just have admitted it to Kanda?
(* - *)
"What?" Kanda asked through his phone. "What...? You managed it?"
"I did. I do appologize it took us forever, but we were stretched thin in our resources." Wisely's voice stated. "We have all we need to put Johnson behind bars."
"Just what the hell did you find?"
The shuffling of the phone indicated the device on the other end was being exchanged to another party. "Well, if you asked so nicely," Tyki's voice drawled out, "you'll be happy to know that one Emilia Galmar had been found in the basement."
"What."
"We were shocked too, when we — Madarao and Tewaku I should say — found a door that was almost well hidden."
"That sick fuck," Kanda growled, pinching the bridge of his nose. Emilia was that blonde woman who'd been on their side since the beginning, wasn't she? "Is the chick alright?"
"She's fine for the most part." The Portuguese ex-NOAH said. "She's being treated right now as we speak."
"Good." Kanda sighed. "Does the Moyashi know?"
"Not that I'm aware. Planning on keeping that a secret too?"
"No. I'd rather he actually know about this." There was a soft hum on the other end. "What?"
Tyki chuckled, "No, it's that, you're less...secretive now."
"Because secret keeping had done Moyashi and I so much fucking good." Tyki hummed on the other line. "Mikk, tell Wisely to let Allen know about the Orphanage."
"He just heard through my thoughts." Kanda heard the annoyance in the other male's voice. "Maybe...this is perhaps the first step to regaining what you lost with the boy?"
"I fucking hope so."
"Good. Let's hope it works, because when I tried speaking to him, he was too stubborn to listen."
Kanda went quiet, and then, quietly, he said, "You've seen him?"
"I have." Tyki sighed. "I gave him a few choice words. Whether or not he takes the advice I gave him, that's another story."
"You of all people."
"I know, right?" Another sigh was heard, before Tyki continued, "I don't think he'd want you to know where...hmm..."
"Whatever you're thinking, stop."
"It's a good thought, actually. I think the twins might even enjoy this little scheme."
"If the twins enjoy it then it's definitely not something you should be doing," Kanda deadpanned.
"Touché." Said the suave voice. "But maybe I'll get a laugh out of it. I am quite vengeful."
"What did they do that warrants your wrath?"
"They said I'd be paying for the boy's meal." Came the other's blunt reply. Kanda would admit, that is a good reason to exact one's revenge. "Now then, once Miss Galmar awakens, we'll talk to her father, who, apparently, is chief of police."
"I thought he was a detective."
"Mm, same difference." Tyki said, shrugging it off. "The point is, Emilia Galmar was held hostage, we'll have her statement as a suspect or victim...which ever it is...and Johnson, AKA The modern day "Jack the Ripper", will be behind bars for a while."
"Hn."
"I also...had a fun idea I think you would find pleasant."
"That would be?"
"Adopt those two lovely children, and allow Allen to return to the open arms of his dream family."
"I'll think about it." Kanda muttered, before a knock on his office door was heard. He looked up seeing Bridgette Fey through the glass entryway. The hell was she doing here? "I have company." He said, hanging up.
. . - * - . .
Tyki eyed the phone once the call went dead. "Company at work?"
"I'm sure he can handle it." Wisely said with a shrug. "My phone, if you please?" He said holding his hand out.
Tyki handed the phone back to Wisely. "Do you think he'll do it?"
"Adopt those kids?"
The older ex-NOAH nodded.
"He'd already planned to with Allen," Wisely said, "and telling him that part about Allen's dream family will make him want it more."
"So the order of business. Send this son of a bitch to the worst jail imaginable." He promptly kicked at the unconscious man's gut. Johnson grunted in pain, but was otherwise still out for the count. "And then create the family he and the boy wished for all this time."
"Pretty much...though I think they're winning a whole different case in this instant. But either way, this guy won't be here any longer, and then Lala and Timothy will be able to be adopted by the parents they've grown quite fond of."
"Hm." Tyki mused. "But there's also the fact of Apocryphos running around."
"Right...we can't forget about that guy either..." Tyki could tell Wisely was still put off by the man in question. The only mind he couldn't pick for whatever reason...a reason Tyki Mikk was most curious of, to say the least.
Was there something inserted in that Apo-jerk's head that prevented his thoughts from being read? Or maybe that guy just didn't have any thoughts.
The former seemed a little more probable...however still as unlikely as the second. To Tyki's knowledge, no one knew any of the tech that NOAH had on them...Wisely's permanent mind reading device included. There shouldn't be a way that...thing...could have anything to counter Wisely.
Noah tech and weapons were supposedly more advanced, so...
Tyki's head hurt from thinking so much.
"That's because it's something you haven't done before," Wisely commented absently.
"Stay out of my head." Growled the Portuguese man. "But something did occur to me...Raku Kanda, Apocryphos...I feel they're connected."
"Connected?"
"A man with a mind like that shouldn't have come up with the idea of taking the reins of Crowned Clown." The elder stated, "He must've been manipulated."
"That's... a possibility." Maybe Tyki was smarter than Wisely thought. Apocryphos had escaped at around the same time the Crowned Crown killings had restarted...
If that truly was the case, then the only question which remained was 'why'? Why was the 'holy man' doing this? What was his ultimate goal?
Did he even have one, or was he just 'cleansing' all those who were 'impure'?
"Mikk, keep Johnson where he is. I need to investigate the Apocryphos case."
"I don't think he's going anywhere."
"Just stay." Wisely said, as he rushed off. Tyki remained where he was, confused for a moment.
Was it... something he'd said? Was Wisely taking his hunch seriously?
"I can't say I was expecting that." Tyki admitted to himself. "But~ let's put my own plan into action, hm?" He said, taking out his phone, and dialing the twins.
... ... ... ...
Seems Tyki-pet might've found something out. A lot is about to go down...
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