Hi~I've started university! Well, I've been here for about a month in a half and just got the time to try and crank this out. Note to all you youngins: being a science major is NOT fun. You will NOT have fun. However, it's a great field and if you enjoy it like I do than please join me in my field :). Um, university isn't what I expected? But it's cool!

This chapter: Kind of like Lavi's interlude. Except now it's Alma's.

When Alma woke, the sun had just started bleeding into the sky. He opened his eyes in the dim light that the sun provided moved to sit up-it was morning already? It was dawn, and that meant Professor Edgar would come soon to wake them, and Alma liked to be up before that so that he could say hi to the others still sleeping. He overslept it seemed-so he'd have to wait until after the synchro-tests.

He pushed himself up-only to realize that restraints were holding him down. Looking down, he saw several seals attached to his arms and legs. Panic start to bubble up into his throat, "Professor Ed-"

The memories came rushing back.

Memories of he and Yuu playing near the birthing pits, of the synchro-tests, Professor Edgar, endless pain, anger, and so much destruction. Destruction he caused-destruction that the Order deserved.

So they kept me alive? Alma mused, bitter resentment settling in his stomach, I'll make them regret it.

He'd destroy the Order by the seams this time-he'll be so thorough that even Yuu won't be able to stop him. If Yuu was even alive now.

"You're awake, aren't you?" A voice cut in nervously, and Alma looked up to see a scientist hovering near his bed awkwardly. Alma didn't know the man-but something about him seemed so familiar. Like he knew his face before…

Alma squinted, "Professor Edgar…?"

The man laughed quietly, "A lot of people say I look like him...but no. I'm his son, Bak. You don't remember me, but we met before, briefly." He pressed a hand to Alma's forehead, smiling sympathetically, "I'm really sorry about everything, Alma. I really him." He bowed his head, "Please believe me when I say this."

Alma remained quiet; he didn't care about any apologies. He'd let the Order burn before he blindly forgave them for what they did. He and Yuu were so close to happiness...to being rid of the Order forever...and they dragged them back.

"The Order hasn't learned their lesson," Bak continued, shocking Alma, "I thought they would after everything happened-after my parents were…" Bak paused not wanting to upset Alma by reminding him of his actions, "But they didn't. They stopped the project and then reopened it and now bringing you back and not telling Kanda…" He looked up, "I truly am sorry, Alma."

Alma looked away, "...how long has it been? Since I've been awake?" He asked quietly.

"More than a decade. You should look in the mirror, Alma, you're all grown up." Bak told him, "You look like an adult now-so does Kanda."

Kanda. Yuu…

"Where's Yuu?" Alma asked suddenly, "Can I see him?"

Bak sighed, "Eventually, you and Kanda can reunite. But we need to make sure that you won't try and kill everyone again...but I have a feeling you won't, Alma." Alma wanted to laugh; the scientist had known him for only a few minutes and he thought he knew him well? Why would he think that?

Alma asked him.

The scientist gave a bitter smile, "The Order still hasn't learned their lesson about digging up the past...and so they've dragged another person into the project. His name is Allen Walker, and he's a child now but he used to be a strong exorcist. He awakened from the birthing pits a couple years ago and the Order already is trying to ruin him. Kanda already warned them about what he would do if they hurt him but…"

That project was supposed to die with Alma…!

Bak sighed, "I don't think they took him very seriously."

The scientist looked at him, "I'll make you a deal. In time, you and Kanda can meet again. You can see the new second that has been awakened. You can move to the European Branch. Until then, you train and see if life is really worth living despite being dragged into this pitiful war." Bak compromised, "If you can't see a reason to live even after seeing Kanda...then I suppose you can do what you wish."

Even if that means fighting Kanda to the death again.

Alma smirked, "That's your big ultimatum? Seems pretty weak...but I guess I understand. If I find something...then I spend my life fighting the Earl. If I don't, I either fight Yuu until I die or until he dies. Either way I'm unhappy."

Bak paused, "depends; would you ever be unhappy with Kanda?" It was enough to shock Alma into silence, freezing just enough for Bak to see the scared boy Alma was. It was only a moment before Alma regained control over himself and he faded back into indifference. Except now, he was staring in quiet contemplation at Bak's face.

Back then, just being beside Yuu had filled him with so much joy. If he gave it another chance, if he gave life another chance, would that happen again? Was it even worth risking?

Alma shut his eyes and made his choice.

"Deal."

~insertlinebreak~

The first week almost felt like the first week he was alive again-except this time, there were no synchro tests. Alma found that habits were hard to break even more than a decade. Every morning, he would get up before breakfast to say good morning to those still asleep in the birthing pits. Afterwards, he would eat breakfast(preferably alone in his room, but most times he was unlucky and Lou Fa dragged him him). He'd train for a few hours with For, and then eat again. Then train more.

Just like before-except there were no synchro-tests and no Yuu.

The finders were a little meaner than before-it seemed they were briefed on who he was a big difference to before; though Alma never had the chance to meet many finders back then because he was so isolated but the finders he did meet were always so kind. Maybe because they thought he was a regular child-maybe because they just pitied his situation. Now, it seemed they were a lot colder and more defensive than before.

Which was alright, Alma supposed, it made sense since he was responsible for the death of the entire science division last time. And they probably knew he still didn't feel bad about it.

The scientists-at least the head ones, were a lot kinder. Lou Fa and Johnny especially made a point to sit with him when they could and teach him or tell him stories. From them, he learned about his 'little brother' in the main branch. Allen, a little boy who apparently deserved none of what happened to him.

He learned about Yuu; he was a general now but refused to take an apprentice just yet. He still loved soba and he hated most people. The only person whose company he even bother tolerating was a girl who he grew up with after coming to the European Branch. Alma couldn't even hold back the sigh of relief he had that Yuu wasn't completely alone. Kanda still hated the project and hadn't even known it was reopened until it was too late.

A lotus was still his favorite flower.

There were things about him that were different now-he grew his hair out long despite saying he wouldn't. Despite being loud and mouthy he preferred to stay quiet.

Alma got to learn about the people who would soon meet. Lenalee, Yuu's closest friend, was also a general and her innocence relied on her legs. She was the Head Chief's younger sister and previously had long hair but was now slowly growing it out after an unspecified incident.

Lavi was a Bookman heir(whatever that meant) and wasn't a general but was apparently a genius. He could easily hide anywhere and not been seen and had a photographic memory. Alma listen with awe as Johnny would describe being in a meeting and wondering where Lavi was only to find him slightly hidden by the shadows and completely still and silent. From another talk he learned Lavi loved history more than anything but another favorite topic of his was stars.

And there was Allen-his 'little' brother. Allen apparently was known by everyone in the Order-the former him at least. He was executed for treason not too long ago and though everyone fought it they failed to save him. The little boy apparently loved a certain song that could only be played on the piano and the lyrics could only be read by him. He also had a strong love of flowers and had an unusual golem and a pet rat. There was also his devil of a master but Alma preferred not to think of him after hearing stories.

Alma thought of these people at night, when he was done with training and after the cook had forced piles of food on him. He was glad that Yuu managed to make friends, and while Alma was still so, so angry had what happened. Although he wanted to tear the Order apart...he was comforted by the fact that even though it may not happen, there were still good people in the Order.

If that was true…

Alma tried not to cry at the thought.

If that was true, there was still and chance for he and Yuu.

And that meant more to him than anything.

So he could at least try and live.

~insertlinebreak~

"Kanda knows."

Alma looked up from his bowl of soup-partially in shock and partially in confusion. Though the scientists made an effort to keep him company, they were usually busy and couldn't all come to him like this. Now, being surrounded by all three head scientists and For, he felt a little nervous.

"..what?"

Lou Fa gave him a hesitant smile, "Kanda...knows you're alive. The Millennium Earl's forces attacked and told him. It seemed they knew if your existence. It has only been hours since but...Kanda…"

Alma closed his eyes, shakingly taking in a breath. Things had been so calm lately-he had even been feeling content. He wasn't particularly happy but he didn't feel the murderous rage he felt when he woke up.

A result of months of being at the Order again, he guessed.

"Oh." He gasped out, "Is he…does he...?"

Does he want to kill me?

There was a slight smile in Johnny's voice, and that made Alma lookup, "He wants to see you." Johnny told him, "Kind of demanded it, actually. We...just wanted to know if you want to see him..." Johnny placed a gentle hand on Alma's shoulder, smiling at how Alma no longer flinched at touch, "...do you?"

Did he? Of course he did-Yuu was his sole reason of why he decided to keep going. There had to be a reason why even after death attempted to separate them time and time again they kept coming back together. They were together before they were first killed, they were together after they reawakened, and they...at some point...would be together in the future.

Alma wanted that for them more than anything, because he did love Yuu. He loved him more than anything-he was the only person that remained a constant in his life. Life as a second was so dark back then...but since they were together, everything became brighter.

Alma gave a small smile; besides, Yuu had promised to show him the sky, right?

"Alma?" Lou Fa asked again, "Do you? You don't have to."

Alma looked up, mustering up every bit of courage he had; their meeting could either end two ways; in pain or in happiness. But it was fated, they would cross paths again no matter what and if there was a chance that they could be together again...then…

Alma nodded, "Yes."

...then he would fight for it.

Listen, Kanda and Alma will be happy together if I gotta throw myself off a bridge to do it. I don't make the rules. Anyway, next chapter we're back on track! Allen's in the ark, he's still pissed off, and Nea really does not care.