A/N: Hello~! Did you guys miss me?! Well, I missed you and yes I am very happy to be back. This chapter does a quick wrap of the mission and then gets into the good parts. Yes it is rushed, sadly, but that's because I've been gone to long and lost track of the story. However, now I know what I'm doing~ YAY~! Yes I am happy! VERY VERY HAPPY! Oh, how I missed you guys and DGM~!

Thanks to: chiaki yamada, shikamarurules1, wordlessdreams, myst, mitarashidango, junoan, knux33, elementalfoxgoddess, moonlit yume, and addenza for your reviews. They brighten my day even after all this time.

Reading Legend

normal

"talking"

thinking

SHOUTING

Expressing/Exaggerating

Scaring the Dark

Chapter 7: Judging Blood

As Allen opened his eyes, he tried to remember when he had fallen asleep. His surroundings where nothing but darkness and it felt like no matter how bright light was, it would be swallowed by it. Not knowing where he was he took a small step forward, surprised to hear a soft thud from his foot. He took two more steps and found that sound also admitted from them. Gazing up at the pursuing darkness, Allen opened his mouth.

"Where... Am I?" His voice was soft and echoed throughout the area. He closed his eyes, almost being enveloped by the sound that admitted from his own lips. Then ever so soft footsteps where heard. Allen turned his head, shock filling him but not appearing on his face. A man stood before him. He wore cotton pants with a nice white, long-sleeved shirt. A grey vest covered his shoulders and his black hair was spiky with some strands hanging with slight curls. His face, Allen noted was familiar and kind but looked awfully sad.

"How are you Allen?" The man's voice was like velvet and it seemed to reach out and embrace Allen. It took him a moment to realize the figure had closed the space between them and was indeed hugging him. "It's alright, you can tell me..."

Mana, that was who this man resembled and he felt himself resting his cheek on the soft fabric of the vest. He stood there a moment, listening to the others heart beat. He sighed, fatigue finally reaching him. "Tired, very very tired." Though he didn't hear it, Allen could feel the soft rumble of laughter emitting from the other.

"That is understandable. You have had a rough day." Flashes of the recent fight greeted him and he looked up at the figure, shame adoring his features.

"What's happening to me?" The man smiled softly and lightly took the smaller ones hand in his own. He tugged lightly and Allen followed him, unsure of where they were going. This person though, the way he moved and spoke, everything about him seemed delicate. Soft. Allen found himself wondering if this was how he was like around the others. A soft, silent comfort that was always there.

And then he saw it. A soft, green light that seemed to be embraced by the darkness rather than be crushed by it. A long white cape was wrapped around the figure that sat on it's knees. It's face was hidden by two different hands and a mask hung from the side. It shoulders were shaking even though no sound was heard. He didn't realize that he had let the other's hand go, Allen just ran the short distance to the other and knelled by it. The other's hair was the same as his own. In fact so was the dark skinned man that had led him here. All three of them looked the same. And Allen wasn't surprised to see his very own face on the white figure, the only exception being the tears that leaked from green stained eyes.

"A-Allen?" It spoke his name softly, reaching out with it's right hand to cup his cheek. "It really is you..." The voice was his own, except more younger and softer sounding. The hand rubbed his cheek as more tears spilled down their faces. Allen found he was crying to and the man behind him as well. Allen found himself leaning into the others shoulder the soft cloak that had protected him felt cool against his heated skin. Did he have a fever? The cloak flowed around the two and wrapped the boy in warmth as he felt himself slowly fall asleep. It was so peaceful and quite here he couldn't help it.

"How is he?" The white one asked the man, slowly petting his other half's hair.

"He's very sick Crown Clown." The man answered sitting just outside the light the two admitted. "The transformation is very hard on him. He wasn't prepared for it."

"Nor I..." The man looked up at the innocence. "Tell me Noah, why must Allen suffer so much?" The Noah smiled sadly, his jet black hair covering the crosses that lined his forehead.

"I don't know. If I was god I would never put my child through so much. But he is meant to be a weapon so it is expected." Crown Clown tightened it's grip on the youngest member.

"I hate it... He's suffered so much because of me..."

"Without you he would have suffered much worse." The two gazed at each other sadness present in both their eyes. "Because of what he is." The innocence nodded.

"Noah, I thank you for watching over him." The white one smiled at it's dark counterpart. "Here..." It held the slumbering Allen out to him. The Noah looked at him his eyes widening in shock. "I can not bring back his emotions, I never taught them to him. That is your right." Nodding, the man slowly took the boy away from the other. He stirred only slightly before relaxing against the man.

For awhile the three sat there in silence and then the black one laughed softly. Crown Clown raised an eyebrow. "I never did answer his question. The one about where he was." The innocence smiled softly.

"I'm not sure how well 'your mind' would do though." And the sleeping Allen was surrounded by the happy laughter of his two guardians. One a innocence, the other a Noah.

When Allen awoke the second time he felt refreshed and stretched his arms, yawning greatly. Climbing out of bed he opened his curtains seeing the bright sun kissing the earth. He smiled sincerely to himself as he opened the window, letting the wind play with his white locks. Allen felt like he could stay like that forever but he heard footsteps coming towards his room. They were still far off but Allen's hearing had increased with his other senses. He took his shirt off going for the new one that had been left out for him. His innocence still stretched over his body but he no longer minded it. It felt like he had just awoken from a deep slumber but he felt like he had walked a great distance. Like walking from one memory to another.

Hearing a soft knock Allen finished buttoning his shirt and called to the outsider. Link walked in, a calculating look covering his face. The younger of the two smiled at him.

"Good morning Link." At first the inspector wasn't sure what to say but he slowly smiled back.

"Good morning Walker." Allen laughed and it felt to Link that everything was going to be all right.

"Just Allen is fine Link."

"Well then Allen, let's head downstairs. The others and breakfast are waiting." Allen grinned and dashed out, his mind already filled with the pleasant thoughts of food.

When the two arrived downstairs, the other exorcists were surprised to see a smiling Allen rather than the silent one. Though he seemed withdrawn from them and would sometimes zone out it seemed he was mostly back to himself. He did seem to avoid talking to much though. Kanda wondered why. Last night, when he had brought the sick boy his food Allen seemed locked in sorrow and confusion. Now the boy acted like he had found a small piece of a giant puzzle that only he knew about. Kanda could see it too. Allen on his hands and knees, surrounded by pieces of all different shapes and sizes. And it looked like this morning he had picked one piece up. One that read Joy.

Kanda didn't know that Allen had indeed found that piece of himself. A small memory of when he first felt that feeling. When it was first sung to him by a man that looked like himself.

The train ride back was a little more awkward than that morning. Allen had once more fallen into a silent state, leaving his companions wondering what was going on with the young one. Mugen gave a low hum, almost sighing at the turn of events. Lavi's hammer returned the sound and if the two had eyes, they would both be looking at Allen. The boy only returned their sigh and leaned against his had, staring out at the streams of green and blue.

He had gotten a little more hold of himself since last night. He was still a weapon and he still couldn't understand humans but he was getting somewhere. It was like someone was holding his hand, slowly showing him how he once was and how he should be. But the grip was light enough, that if Allen was to choose to, he could simply let go and stay this way for however long he pleased. The hand would always wait.

Everything, it's so confusing...

"I agree." Allen looked up, the shadow man smiling slightly at him from the glass. "Good Morning Allen." He said once he gained the boy's attention.

Good morning uncle.

"Uncle?"

Well you're related to Mana right? So that makes the most since. The man grinned.

"Alright. Than as your uncle I ask of you, why is everything confusing."

What do you mean? The other's laugh echo inside his head.

"Well, everything is confusing. But why is it?"

Well, Allen sighed Everything is different. Why can I hear the innocence? Why can't I feel like I'm supposed to? Why did I evolve?

"Those are hard questions..." Allen snorted. "Now don't be like that young man." The shadow said disapprovingly. Allen glared.

Why should I listen to you, Noah? The shadow flinched at the harsh thought and heated glare. He had to remember that this Allen was different from the one that he was used to. In Allen's eyes, he was the enemy that was slowly trying to take over him. Just treating him like a puppet for his own selfish desires.

Oh Allen... The shadow thought. If only you knew the truth. The shadow had tried earlier to let the boy see a part of his past, using the Song of Silence that he had created long ago. However the boy's mind was weak at the time and twisted it with another song. The Hymn of Graves. When he was younger he often did that with the Musician's songs. He usually used the less dangerous one's though. Like Musician's Melody, the main song that controlled the ark.

Suddenly, the train cam to a halt and Allen jerked harshly to the side, his left eye activating painfully. "A-a-akuma." He said as his body struggled against the pain being inflicted. Kanda and Lavi were already heading out and Link slowly helped Allen. He seemed disorientated and in pain.

Allen didn't fight that battle. He left that too his companions as Link set about making sure everyone was alright, himself tagging along like a puppy. The fight was uneventful and rather pathetic. It wasn't long till they were back at the town with the ark's portal. Lavi quickly gave the finder the password and they were finally back home.

Kanda left without a word to report in and Lavi waved goodbye to his friend as he set out to find bookman. Link and himself were going to head to the library to do some work that the two had only to be stopped by a hooded figure.

Allen didn't really pay attention, just watching the expressions change on Link's face from anger to frustration until it was just a still harsh look. Was that how he looked? He didn't know. He just didn't know.

The hooded figure took the two to a part of the order that they had never been before. The man told Allen to wait in a circular room and soon people began to fill the seats of the room. It appeared to be a place where one was judged. Allen could see his friends walk in, sitting behind the generals that had already been there when he arrived. Koumi, too, was there. He didn't like the looks of things. And it was only to get worse.

A human, Allen recognized as Jack, one of the finders he had met before the incident with Suman was dragged in and held in front of him, his back to the audience.

"A-Allen!" He cried out, his left eye swallowed and his mouth missing a few teeth.

"J-ack?" Allen asked, his mind freezing with his body. Something wasn't right. It wasn't! Link soon appeared behind that of a man dressed in a long robe. Someone who demanded respect. He was old and his eyes were hard. He took the main seat and Link sat beside him, not looking happy at all.

What's going on! His mind cried out as he looked up at the man, his eyes showing fear. He didn't want to be here! He wanted to run away and hide. Those eyes, the eyes of everyone bore down on the two who stood there. The judge, for that was what the old man was coughed into his hand as if to silence the already quite room.

"Jack Plant. You are charged with aiding the Noah's in their fight against us. You were spotted speaking with one of them know as Lulubell in downtown England two days ago." There was a collection of gasps. But what Allen couldn't figure out, was why he was down here, in front of the man as if he was the true judge.

"I didn't know she was a Noah!" He cried out as his voice shook. "She was a friend of mine that help me get information on an innocence once."

"So now you claim that she is your FRIEND?! Are you saying you are friends with a Noah?" Allen's mind rushed. Then he noticed something. The edges of his vision was growing darker and darker. He closed his eyes softly.

The judge continued his interrogation of the finder that was suspected of giving the location of their old home which in turn lead that very same Noah to their base. After all, why else would the Earl suddenly strike them if not told of their location? The idea of the Earl having always known didn't occur to them.

Allen opened his eyes to see his innocence version of himself looking at him sadly. "You must choose Allen. If this man goes free or dies here today." What?! Did he hear him correctly. Allen shook his head but Crown Clown held up his hand to silence him. "They brought you here, Allen to judge you as well. Even though they have no right they like pretending they do. They want to see if you try to save this man. If you are in league with the Noah." The man, the Noah appeared beside the innocence.

"They are judging you, Allen. Be careful." And with a blink he was back in that cursed room, the judge still hounding poor Jack. But something clicked inside Allen as he looked at the one holding the poor man. He was smirking, as if he was enjoying this. Enjoying this too much.

"Allen Walker." The judge boomed which snapped every back to attention. Allen looked up his eyes flashing darkly. His face was set and cold.

"Yes?" He asked in a hiss that seemed to echo in the room. The room was filled with hums of all kinds from the gathered innocence's as they watched. Allen let out a hum that only they could hear, quickly reassuring them.

"What is your opinion on this matter? Is this finder guilty?" They are judging you The words rang in the back of his mind. In league with the Noah, Be Careful And Allen had to do everything he could not to burst out laughing.

"Why do you ask me, your honor? Do you think I would attempt to save him if he was with the Noah's?" The man seemed slightly taken aback but held his harsh gaze.

"Are you saying he isn't?" Allen sighed, his emotions dying within him as the situation settled down on him.

"I will never understand humans." His voice was like wind, winding around everyone quietly. "You ask of me to judge this person before me, as if I have some special insight." Allen voice was dead having died silently with his emotions. "I will ask once more. Why do you ask me." The judge stiffened a the words but held his ground.

"You already know the answer, exorcist." He all but spat and Allen smiled softly. Sadistically. His hand had suddenly shot out and gripped the one who held the finder. Jack quickly crawled away as Allen held the man by the throat with his rough left arm. At the touch, Allen saw flashes of the guard speaking with Noah's and taking calls through a normal phone rather than a golem. The way they moved into him reminded him strangely of the time with Suman. Back when he was inside a fallen one. Back when he felt the overwhelming power of a innocence judging it's user. As he held the man, he felt the power inside him. But it was not Crown Clown's. It was his own.

The judge cried out, asking him what the hell he was doing.

"Quite!" A voice boomed from the audience. Silence fell as the voice was identified as Winters Zokalo. His harsh eyes were set on the boy whose body had begun to glow a soft green. The general was once a executioner and knew more than most about the court. This lead him to know a great deal about the fallen ones and how they were judged by their innocence. Though he couldn't put his finger on it, he knew that if the higher ups had hoped to shed light on the boy's Noah than they had failed. He wasn't using any kind of black magic. He was using his innocence to see if this man was truly what he appeared to be.

Allen's pale green eyes stared into the brown ones of the now frightened guard. The man had every right to be, the boy realized. He was no longer safe from the blame that was his. Rather his life all hung on a very short thread that was getting shorter as Allen looked into the memories. Small particles of his innocence invaded the guards skin, unseen by all as the boy came to the sad truth. He didn't want to admit it, knowing what would happen. But this weight surrounded him. Crushed him. God, the cruel bastard, had given a fifteen-year old boy the task of judging a sinner this day. Perhaps it was a test or perhaps Allen thought to much.

Closing his eye, Allen let himself go with the flow and wished for a split second that he had never touched a fallen one so that he would not feel such guilt.

"L-let me go!" The guard spoke, starting to struggle as he realized his fate. However he was to late.

"Guilty" There was nothing but red for a few seconds as the man's body was torn apart from the inside by the innocence. The group watched horrified and Koumi stood in shock. The judge let out a roar.

"What have you done boy?!" Winters smirked at the display that the boy had given him. Brought back some good memories. Madness gave an approving hiss to Allen.

"You told me to judge and I have." a green mist rose from the bloodied man, slowly entering Allen. "This man had passed the blame and for that has been punished for his betrayal against the order and the finder." His voice was cold.

"You lie! You must be in league with the Noah's! You must!" Guards surrounded him and were ready for it. There was a cry from the audience against the judge.

"What do you think, brat?" Winters asked against the voices. Allen glanced to the general and gazed back to the judge.

"Tell me sir, do you fear true judgment?" The man stuttered. "For that was what you just witnessed. As all exorcists are judged by their innocence, so was this man. If he were like us, then he would have become a fallen one." The guards looked at each other.

"You lie!" He said frantically. "Take him away!" The group hesitated. "I said take him away!" Seizing the boy they took him, surprised at how he didn't struggle. He only stopped once, when he was by Jack. There he smiled at him reassuringly. The man could only stare back, tears of happiness coming down his face.

"Thank you!' He said bowing. "Thank you!" The boy just smiled as he was taken away.

The judge retreated to his quarters quickly, both embarrassed and angered at how his plan turned sour. The damn brat was to show that he was indeed helping the Noah! That he wasn't to be trusted! However, having used innocence to judge the man only secured him a place at the order and it wouldn't be long what the judge's true motives were.

He packed his things quickly, wanting to get out of there as soon as he could. The exorcists, though appearing to be a disorganized group seemed to hold a strong bond with each other. And having one of their own treated like that certainly dropped his points even further down.

The man turned around quickly, having thought that he heard something.

"Must be paranoid..." He whispered to himself as he finished packing.

"Why is that sir judge?" The voice was cold and filled with malice. He gapped, dropping his bag as he backed away from his intruder. "I thought only the guilty would be worried after such a revelation." The man laughed with a cruel humor that suited him well.

"I, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh I'm sure you don't." The man stepped out of the shadows, never looking more intimidating. "Do you know what happens when a judge goes astray." The older male gulped. "He is killed immediately." There was no scream.

Winters sighed. He enjoyed his work but this one had to be silent. "Oh well..." he said with a huff. "If there's one thing I hate it's when dishonest men act all mighty." He snorted. "You're lucky I can tolerate you brat. I hate doing favors." In a dark part of the building Allen smiled softly as he laid unmoving, blood coming out the sides. In his mind he held another piece, Trust. "But then again..." Winters said as he walked calmly towards his room. "When you mess with one exorcist, you mess with all of us." And he closed the door.

Alright! Who's confused?! Well, hopefully I'll get around to describing everything. I plan on starting the next chapter tomorrow since I want to make this fic as on topic as possible and make it so that this doesn't happen again. Winters is a executioner according to Wiki, which I don't really trust but hey, it works with my story and I love his character. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm sorry for the wait~

Till next time~!