Hey readers! I know it's been a while but school started up again and I'm also in the middle of Eisteddfod (pretty intense dancing competition that goes for 2-3 weeks) so I haven't had that much time to write. However! I did manage to do the basic plot outline for chapters 4-8, so, I now have an idea of what I'm doing and I'm not just writing blind. ;D I can tell you in confidence that this story will have AT LEAST 10 chapters. The length of each chapter probably won't be very consistent but I am aiming to write over 1,000 words for each chapter.

I wrote this on my iPod so if you see any mistakes please tell me and I will fix them! I did proof read but it's almost impossible to pick up every mistake...

To apologise for my delayed update, this chapter has over 3,000 words (not including the author's note)! :)

A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED/FOLLOWED/FAVOURITED THIS STORY! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Disclaimer: I do not own D Gray -man!

Chapter 3 - Skill Group 8/10

•••••++•••••

The, now sweating and panting, new recruits rested on the floor of the 2nd audition room. They were waiting for the results of all their hard work. The instructors and Director Komui were currently looking through all the reviews and grouping them all into levels of potential and current skill. Allen leant against the wall near the twin set of glass elevators, the wall felt nice and cool against his sweat covered skin. The new recruits went through exercise after exercise, each one ranging in difficulty, until no one could move properly anymore. The instructors really knew how to drain a person of their precious energy. If this was what it was like at the AUDITIONS, then what were the classes going to be like in the actual company?! Allen decided not to dwell on it any further, what comes will come and he would deal with it when it arrived.

Komui, Klaud 9 and the rest of the instructors walked out of the observation building and everyone in the room was quiet immediately. They all wanted to hear the number that could determine the rest of their career at the Black Order. Komui opened his mouth to speak and the occupants of the room seemed to hold their breath:

"Well done everyone!" Komui said cheerfully, holding his glasses where they rested on his ear, "I can tell you that both the instructors and I are very impressed with the performance you showed us. As you are probably already aware, the group that you will shortly be placed in may determine whether your stay with the company is prosperous or not. Of course, your skill number is not fixed as there is always room for improvement, but it is rare for any one individual to improve their skills enough to change that number significantly. With that in mind, I shall now announce the group numbers! When your name is called, please come forward to receive your uniform, training gear, dorm key, itinerary, i.d. card and map. The uniform is to be worn when not in training and the colour of your training gear corresponds with the group you are placed in. Once everyone in your particular group has received these items you are free to find your dorm room. Now..."

It was so silent Allen could've sworn he heard his heart beat. The nervous anticipation could almost be seen, swirling around the new recruits.

"...in skill group 1/10 brown-" Komui began to read out the list of names, only three people were called up. They collected their things and moved toward the elevators. "In skill group 2/10 green-" the list begun again and the cycle repeated itself. Allen made a small mental note of each of the colours that corresponded with each group:

1/10 - brown
2/10 - green
3/10 - aqua (mix of light blue and green)
4/10 - purple
5/10 - magenta (dark pink)
6/10 - lilac (very light purple)

By the time Komui had gotten to 7/10 (which was orange) Allen had started to worry that he was so terrible they had decided to dismiss him from the company. But at the same time, Allen really wished that his name just hadn't been called yet and he'd done better in the audition then he had first thought. He looked around and was somewhat relieved that he wasn't the only one left in the room. This reprieve was short lived, however, when he realised there were only three more people other than him.

As soon as the glass elevator doors closed behind the 7/10 group, Komui turned to the remaining people: Allen, another boy and two girls. Komui smiled reassuredly at them, "no need to look so scared. You're not going to be dismissed." They all seemed to let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"You should be very proud of yourselves," four heads turned to look up at the bespectacled man in confusion. Komui continued, "it isn't often that new recruits such as yourselves are placed in such a high level group. The high levels from 8 through 10 are usually made up of the select few company members whose skills improve significantly during their time with The Black Order. Neither the instructors, nor I, have seen young adults with skills good enough to be placed straight into a high level since the current company lead, Yuu Kanda, auditioned five and a bit years ago. Congratulations, come and be presented with your items. You are now a part of skill group 8/10 blue and silver." Komui finished with a beaming smile.

Allen and the other three were stiff with shock. Select few? High level group? Their skills almost match with the current company lead's when he auditioned? 8/10? Numbly, as if in a trance, Allen walked up to Director Komui and the instructors and accepted, now his, belongings. Then, once the others had collected their items too, Allen made his way over to the glass elevators and to the dorm blocks. Today had been a long day.

Allen opened his eyes with a yawn, slapping a hand over the persistent alarm clock. It sputtered for a few seconds before falling silent: 6:30am... Ugh. Allen was briefly reminded of a #meme he had read once. It said:

Alarm clock: because every morning should begin with a heart attack.

He chuckled, yep, it hit it right on the mark. Groaning, he somehow managed to drag himself out of bed and over to the small bathroom so he could splash his face, hopefully the sudden spray of cold water would help jolt him awake.

Allen was surprised at how calm he felt. He had expected to be at least a little anxious or nervous or even excited! But alas... Nothing... Glancing at the itinerary, Allen saw that breakfast was in the dining hall from 7:00-7:30am. The rest of his itinerary for the day read as follows:

MONDAY
7:00-7:30am - breakfast ••• dining hall
7:45-9:00am - stretch, yoga & pilates ••• 2A
9:00-11:00am - dance ••• 2C
11:15am-12:00pm - conditioning/theory/health check-up ••• 4C
12:00-1:00pm - lunch ••• dining hall
1:15-3:15pm - flying trapeze/free ribbon/tight rope ••• sub-level 1
4:00-6:00pm - free period
6:00-7:00pm - dinner ••• dining hall
7:00-8:00pm - extra training (if applicable) ••• room number assigned by instructor - if not applicable, free time
8:30pm - suggested bedtime
N/T: meal times are optional but class times are set. Company members who do not possess proper punctuality shall be met with serious consequences.

It seemed pretty strict, like a private school. But that was to be expected, The Black Order wasn't just some 'run-on-a-mill' charity (no offence to charity). It's a highly revered gymnastics and dance company, there needs to be some sort of order otherwise it won't function properly. If that happened there would be absolute chaos and the whole company would burn itself to the ground. Allen flipped the itinerary over to look at the map. Paths, floors, numbers and letters were scattered all over the page. The Black Order was a ginormous structure, it had to be, and Allen was more than glad the Order had left fifteen minute tome slots here and there which would be used to travel from room to room. There were sewing rooms for costuming, practical rooms for theory, medical rooms for health check-ups & injury care, large multi-purpose rooms where the dancing classes were held and the dining hall. Then there were the massive below ground floors for all the equipment... there was even a large swimming pool, gym and an outdoor running track!

The dorm blocks and theatre were separate from the main building; however, the theatre could be accessed via external passageways (much like the ones that often connected a plane to the airport so you could board without actually having to go on the runway and climb up the stairs). Allen supposed these passageways were used by the stage crew, to cart heavy equipment to and from the stage, and the performers when a full dress rehearsal or production was taking place. Anyone who was not part of the production (such as the newbies to the company and the general public) would enter through the main doors of the theatre.

The theatre itself was very very very big, the rectangular structure could seat about half the number of spectators in a football field and had to be large enough to fit the equipment that was needed for each performance on the stage and not kill the audience in the process. Like the main building of The Black Order, the theatre had an underground floor (though not nearly as big and no more than one), which was used for storage and, on occasion, for launching performers up through the stage floor. In the event that water/pools were needed as part of a performance, the roof could be folded back against the sides (think massive convertible). This served a dual purpose by both making it easier to insert the water mechanisms/pools themselves (the pools would be lowered through the roof by massive cranes) and create a brighter, more realistic setting for the audience (productions like 'The Little Mermaid', where almost the entirety of the production was performed in/using water, were never performed at nighttime).

Allen put the itinerary down on his bedside table and reached for the training gear and uniform he had received the previous day. An additional small note was attached to the uniform, outlining when he was expected to wear it and what-not. It was for use during meals, before and after performances (or during if not participating) and for excursions to the city if taken during the free time period. Everyone had Sunday off to do as they pleased so that was the only day they didn't had to wear the uniform, whether they were out in the city or in The Black Order doing extra practice. It also said that each person's uniform was unique and although they all carried the same basic design each one had its own special feature. It seemed the Black Order's uniform specialist had attended the first auditions and designed each successful applicants uniform's according to the personality they portrayed and what they excelled at.

Allen put on the blue and silver training gear quickly (it consisted of a form-fitting blue & silver t-shirt and black foot-less tights; 3/4 baggy blue & silver pants, almost like cargo pants, went over the top of the tights) and lifted up the black and silver jacket. It seemed almost military like, with it's silver embellishments and buttons, the Black Order crest on the left breast pocket and the black everything else. Allen put his 3/4 blue & silver training pants in his small backpack (along with a hand towel, his i.d. card, his mobile phone and a water bottle) and slipped the long black pants of the uniform on over his tights. He pulled on a pair of long black socks and slipped his feet into the high black boots, which were also part of the uniform. Once finished with the large silver zipper going up the front of the boots, Allen put on the jacket, doing up the buttons and straightening it out. A blue & silver scarf that wrapped gently around the neck and knotted just to the right of the chin, completed the ensemble. Then, with a final glance at the digital alarm clock (6:48am), Allen grabbed his backpack and exited the dorm room (making sure to lock it behind him).

A few doors down from him another company member was exiting his own dorm room. As the male turned around he caught sight of Allen and immediately ran up to him, a look of pleasant surprise but with a hint of knowingness on his face.

"Yo, Allen! So, it was as I thought, you really are as good as they say! Congratulations on getting into group 8/10!"

"T-Thank you Lavi! You're in group 8/10 as well?"

"Yep! ^-^ I wasn't originally though, I started off in group 6/10."

"Oh! So... Are you on your way to the dining hall as well?" Allen asked, shuffling his feet a little. Lavi glanced at him with a knowing smirk.

"Is our little Moyashi lost?"

"N-No! At least not yet anyway..." Allen mumbled the last bit to himself, hoping Lavi didn't hear. "I was just asking... And what is Moyashi?"

Lavi had heard the mumbled conversation Allen had had with himself but decided to leave him off the hook for the minute and instead focused on the question Allen had just asked him, "You mean you haven't heard?"

Allen shook his head in puzzlement, "heard what?"

"It's Yuu's nickname for you. He's been referring to you as the 'Moyashi' ever since the second round of auditions began. Yuu usually makes it his goal to give each new member of the company an insulting nickname before the end of Day2. You got yours before Day1 even properly began. You must have made quite the impression on him!"

Allen stared at him.

"What? ^.^" Lavi asked, tilting his head slightly.

Thoughts were racing through poor Allen's brain at a mile a minute and most of them consisted of, 'he called me Moyashi... It's an insulting nickname... What is a Moyashi anyway? How can I be insulted by something I don't know the meaning to? He called me Moyashi... Called me Moyashi... Moyashi... Moyashi... WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!'

Lavi watched Allen's internal battle as each emotion flashed across Allen's face. After a few minutes, Lavi decided they had better get going to the dining hall or they would be going to class with an empty stomach. He interrupted Allen's silent rambling with a small cough and an, "uh, Allen?" Allen snapped back to earth with a surprised jolt and gave Lavi an apologetic look for zoning out like that. Lavi shrugged it off and started to make his way to the dining hall. Allen stared after him for a few seconds before hurrying after him at a brisk walk.

Like the rest of the rooms in the building the dining hall was massive. One long table stretched through the middle with smaller 'picnic-table-like' benches spread throughout the rest of the room. At the far end, opposite the door, a long grate spanned the length of the room with large arches/windows set at large intervals across it. A person stood behind each arch/window with a pen and pad, while people with white full-body aprons on hurried around behind them carrying pots, pans, ladles, cutlery and food items.

Lavi walked up to the arch in the very middle, where a tall guy with purple hair and pointy glasses was taking down orders and hollering them back over his shoulder. When it was Lavi's turn to be served he cheerfully said, "the usual, thanks!" Before pushing Allen forwards. The purple haired man leaned forward through the arch and pushed his sun glasses down his nose a little, "and who do have here? You new here honey?"

Allen was slightly taken aback by the sudden closeness between him and the cook and the manner in which said cook spoke. Realising 'the cook' was still waiting for an answer Allen stepped back a little and did a low traditional Japanese bow from the waist. "Hello,mynameisAllenWalkerandI'mnewtotheBlackOrder ! Nicetomeetyou!" Allen spoke so fast it was a wonder anyone could understand him, but 'the cook' clapped his hands together, a beaming smile on his face.

"Woho! Look at the manners in this one! Oh, he is such a cutie patootie! What would'ja like hon? If you can eat it, Jerry can cook it!"

Allen straightened up from his hasty bow, "I can have anything I like?"

"Sure can! Here at the Black Order we want our members to be fit and strong, so we don't like t' ration meals. So what will it be?"

"In that case... I'll have..."

[insert names of countless types of food here]

"... Oh! And five plates of Mitarashi Dango. No, make that twenty of them!"

Jerry stared at the petite silver haired boy in front of him, mouth slightly agape, "ah, are you sure gonna be able to eat all that sweet pea?"

Allen smiled at him, "yep!"

Jerry looked dubious but took down his order all the same, "ok then, see ya later hon."

Allen nodded a thanks before moving towards the collection window to receive his food. Lavi had left him at the order arch to collect his own food before it went cold and had gone to find Lenalee, who was already seated at one of the small benches. Once Allen had collected his food (or rather, the trolley the food was on) he went to sit next them. So far, they were the only people (other than Kanda and the director) that he knew so far. Lenalee gave her congratulations to Allen for making such a high group number on his first day. She was currently in group 9/10 gold and silver, the coloured scarf she wore as a headband proof of that fact.

Despite his numerous food dishes, Allen finished his breakfast with five minutes to spare before his next class. After he had handed the empty plates, stacked neatly on the trolley, to the dirty dishes window Allen said goodbye to Lavi and Lenalee and made his way to where (he hoped) his first class was.

The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully but very excitingly. As Allen had initially thought during the second audition, classes were a lot tougher than the norm. The teachers let no one slack off, even if it was their first day. At the end of the day, Allen flopped onto his bed, more exhausted then he ever thought possible. He knew that this would become daily routine. Even while the older performers were practising for whatever the next performance would be, the newbies would continue their daily routine until they too were able to perform. That was how the Black Order was run ever year. And no one ever deviated from the strict tradition.

Except of course if you are Komui...

No Kanda in this chapter *tear*, but the main story starts next chapter so he will definitely be in it!

Their uniforms are pretty much the same as the original Black Order uniforms, just with the scarf added. The length of the scarf varies, like how it's long enough to wear as a headband for LenaLee, but Allen's just goes around his neck (a long scarf around the neck with the uniforms would look really dorky).

I'll try to explain the Gymnastics (and dancing later on) terms/moves/equipment as best I can but if you're confused, don't hesitate to ask me! What I refer to as the 'free ribbon' doesn't actually have a name, it goes under the title of 'aerial gymnastics'. The 'free ribbons' are those long pieces of cloth that hang from the ceiling, the gymnasts wrap the cloth around their limbs and hang down off it. Type 'aerial gymnastics' into Google Images and you'll see what I mean :) It can also be performed using hoops instead of ribbons.

Yes, I am aware that guys don't usually do the sort of gymnastics I have Allen (and later on, Kanda) doing. But when I picture them doing gymnastics I don't think of those hunks of muscle that sit on a pommel or hang off rings. They seem like the type of people who would be better at the more delicate and technical side of gymnastics. This is set in the future as well so...

Thank you for reading! If you have time, please leave a review, I love hearing from my readers! If you have a suggestion or constructive criticism I accept it with an open mind ^.^ Thanks again!