Ack! I'm SOOOO so sorry that I haven't updated in forever. For all my stories, too. Since around the end of February, I've been feeling like utter garbage- fun comparison, isn't it?- and in March I contracted what is commonly referred to as the Stomach Flu. Needless to say, staying away from the computer was a good decision, if ya know what I mean. I managed to get some medicine from the Doc, but its messing with my stomach real bad.

But the good news is that I have a new computer! Yays! That means, once my homework load dies down, I'll be able to update more often.

Now, I think I've rambled enough, enjoy this next installment of Looking Back!

~Legend~

"Normal talking"

'Thoughts'

"Flashbacks"

Talk between Allen and his Noah

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Allen, at the moment, was content; he had enough food to last him for a month, at least, and he lived in a luxurious part of the HQ. There was a small fire going, with maple wood, making the mini-apartment smell wonderful. It also kept him warm, considering that it was only a few days before the New Year.

Another fact was that he could work on his seals. An interesting thing seals were; while he was hunting down the Noah a hundred years ago in the future-his speaking really confused himself sometimes- he had stopped by a library in Japan. Normally, he wouldn't have stopped there, considering he couldn't understand anything in the language at the time. But, it was raining harshly outside, and there was no way he could successfully hunt JasDevi down, lest he get sick. That wouldn't do.

Upon entering the library, Allen had found it to be a semi-clean- mainly it was the dust that kept it from the normal standards- but well-stocked library. When he had first entered the library, he didn't notice its size. But when he took the time to move his gaze over the endless rows of bookcases lining the library, he realized the vastness of the library. And being somewhat scholarly, he knew he would enjoy the time, whatever amount it was, in this library.

Browsing the many rows in the library, he had found the books to be in Japanese, which he had expected. But when he turned the corner after one particular row in the library- he believed it to be some sort of poetry, haikus if he'd heard Kanda right- he saw a collection of scrolls. Curious as to why a library would have scrolls in this day and age, he walked forward and picked one up. The scroll had a blue swirl, though at the time he didn't pay much attention.

Unrolling the scroll carefully, as it seemed very old, he was surprised to find that he could read the text, unlike many things in this library. Reading it, Allen became fascinated with the concept of sealing. It was an ancient Japanese art, he had read, and found that many countries had used it during the time of ninjas. (Allen had snorted when he heard of ninjas; he could just imagine Kanda running around throwing star-shaped throwing knives.)

Placing the scroll that had the blue swirl on it, Allen had collected more of the scrolls, taking a glimpse at all of them to make sure they were somewhat similar to the one with a blue swirl. When he was sure that he had found all the ones he could on sealing- there were some that were in completely different languages from the Japanese that he had seen- he collected the scrolls and made his way to a table away from the windows. It wouldn't do any good for JasDevi to find him here and surprise attack him.

And ever since then, he had been studying and creating seals, using them in his fights or for conveniences, such as keeping clothes in one, and bathroom necessities in another. Indeed, seals were very interesting.

At the moment though, he cursed himself for learning about seals, like he did whenever he was halted in the process of making seals, such as now. This particular seal he was creating would enable him to seal an animal inside a scroll, yet even if he kept the animal in the seal for over a year, the animal would come out the same as the day it had been sealed.

Allen had all the right seals together: one for preserving, one for putting it in a comatose-like state, and one for freezing its time. The problem, though, was that he wasn't able to combine them all! He felt as if he could rip all his hair out. So close to creating what would most likely be his master piece, yet halted by the process of actually combining them all.

Sighing, the white-haired man set the seal down on the table next to him. It was days like these that had Allen wishing he wasn't an immortal.

Well it certainly isn't my fault we're stuck here, Neah said to his host, feeling sorry for the immortal.

I know it isn't, Allen replied, but that doesn't make me wish that I wasn't an immortal. To be with my real friends again…

Then what are those three who look like your friends are to you? Neah asked the white-haired exorcist, bringing up valid point. After all, they are your real friends, though they just don't remember you because you're from the future, and they're from the present.

Allen didn't respond. Neah did bring up a good point: what were these people, who are his friends, yet different, to him?

Groaning softly, Allen faced his fireplace, staring into it's depths as the flames licked the wood.

With those thoughts floating about in his head, the white-haired exorcist went to sleep… Well, he tried to, anyway.

But alas, that was not meant to be as there was a knocking on the door. By feeling the auras about and around him- a nifty little trick he had learned from Road- he found that it was a group of people. And a rather large one at that.

'Bloody hell,' he thought, looking towards the door, 'what in God's name do they want with me?' Thinking about what he had just asked himself, he rephrased the question. 'What in God's name do they not want with me?'

Neah chuckled at his host's despair. Well look on the bright side, at least they aren't running away from you. After all, Tyki did kiss you back there.

I know that! Allen snapped grumpily. He really didn't want to deal with them right now. Hmm… Neah, where did I put that movement seal?

The one that lets you travel from place to place? The Noah asked, figuring out what Allen was going to do.

Yes, that's the one. Allen replied. And the transferring one, too.

The movement seal is on the counter but your bed, Neah replied, and the transferring seal is on the fridge.

Nodding his thanks, Allen first retrieved the seal from his bedroom counter. Moving into the kitchen afterwards, he grabbed the transferring seal and notified his Noah. You know what to do.

Yes, sir, Neah replied, definitely not passing up the opportunity to be in control of his own body. These chances didn't occur often, but when they did, Neah would never refuse.

Pouring his energy into the transferring seal, Neah felt himself being pulled out of his hosts' body and into his own. Once the transformation was complete, Neah opened his eyes, flexing his fingers to get a feel of them.

Its been a while since I've been out, Neah said, knowing that that sound exorcist, Marie, was out there. It feels good.

I bet it would feel nice after being contained in my body without being released often. Allen had a thoughtful face. it's been about a year now, hasn't it, since I've last let you out of my body. You had so much fun playing with Sheril.

Yes, I did, Neah replied, remembering how Sheril had treated his host and himself once he had found out how Allen and Tyki were 'involved'. He absolutely adored you, saying that you were "the one" for his precious little brother.

Yes, Allen reminisced with a fond smile, he was like an older brother to me. Its unfortunate that he went up and disappeared on us. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume he's still wandering around somewhere in the future. But that would be if I didn't know any better, but I do.

And that can only make one wonder, Neah replied with a smirk. Most likely, he's here with us in the past as well, and he's going to dote on you again. Probably even more now that he knows that you and Tyki are both alive.

Allen chuckled. I suppose he would. It'd be nice to see 'Sheril-nii' again, Allen spoke with amusement. He knew that Sheril loved it when he called him that. As to why, Allen still hadn't a clue, but as long as it made him happy, he was all right with it.

Another knock, louder this time, broke the two out of their reveries of a certain older brother-like noah.

Well, I suppose its time to put things into motion. A feral grin appeared on Allen's lips, reminding Neah exactly why he listened to his host. Let the games begin.

0o0-0o0-0o0

Now that I've gotten the chance to look over this chapter, it kind of seems like a filler chapter, though I did get to explain about the seals, which is greatness. The next chapter will be longer, as there is going to be more mayhem, deceit, trickery, twins and food involved.

Please review! (I really do need someone to kick my butt so I can put these out faster. Is anyone interested?)