lol thought I'd squeeze another chapter in before finals started, might be able to pull of one more, but I dunno .'

thanks for reviewing everyone! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Man, if I did then Allen would be in Beansprout Lingere wooing Kanda right about now.

and we go on to the fic

.......

Lavi sighed as he sat down in Allen's room. He could still hear Cross yelling at the boy downstairs for missing the most important event of the year, and that was after Bookman scolded them both. The redhead turned and looked about the room, feeling bad that though it was his duty to stop Allen in the first place, the young boy was getting more punishment than he was. Once he heard the yelling die down The redhead let out a sigh of relief before plopping down on his bed, which was right next to Allen's, "At least they didn't find out Allen went to the surface." the young redhead said quietly.

"They did, Lavi..."

Lavi shot up, and almost choked as he saw Cross in the doorway, Allen fidgeting at his side timidly. The towering ruler glared down at his young apprentice, anger and disappointment in his gaze. Allen gasped as he was shoved toward Lavi, who caught him quickly. After making sure the snow haired boy was alright, Lavi sat him down on the bed, rubbing his back in reassuring circles, and staring back with mild fear at the fearsome man known as Marian Cross.

Cross was livid with anger, "You two didn't have to tell me anything, I can smell the stench of the surface on you both from a mile away." Cross glared down at his young apprentice, "I gave you freedoms brat, I let you go out and live your life with only one rule: To stay away from the surface, and you disobeyed me." Cross said as he stormed over to his apprentice, "You, are to stay here, in the palace where you will only be allowed to leave if you are in the company of either Bookman or myself." Allen looked up in shock, as his master crossed his arms. "And you are not to go to the surface ever again. Do I make myself clear?" Cross finished with a deadly anger in his tone.

"B-But I made a friend up there!" Allen started back angrily before rising up, "She's nice, and can be trusted!" The snow haired boy continued. Cross glared down threateningly "Under no circumstances will you go to the surface ever again. This is an order that you will not defy boy." The red haired ruler said with a tone that left no room for argument. Allen matched his glare defiantly. "I want to go back! I want to see her, and I want to learn more about the surface! I want to, and you can't stop me-"

The sickening sound that Cross' hand made when it collided with Allen's pale cheek, followed by said boy falling to the floor was enough to make anyone feel nothing but sadness for the snow haired child. Lavi watched in shock as the young boy fell to the floor, holding his cheek as he whimpered slightly. Cross clenched his hand, his expression hidden by his long crimson hair. The man turned away from his apprentice, still shaking with rage. "You will never go back to the surface. Do not disobey me ever again." Cross stated firmly before leaving, closing the door softly behind him.

Lavi turned and looked at his young master, he felt his heart clench at the empty look in the boy's eyes. "A-Allen... Are you okay?" The redheaded boy asked as he moved to lay a hand on him. The snow haired boy flinched, and moved away from the touch, causing Lavi to pull his hand back, as if it was burned. The redhead could only watch as his friends empty look slowly turned to one of despair, and then to anguish. Soft whimpers slowly turned to hiccups, and those hiccups turned then to full on sobs. Allen lay on the ground, curling into a small ball and crying like the redhead had never seen him cry.

Lavi opened his mouth to say something, only to hear the door open slightly. The redhead turned to see Bookman in the entrance, He motioned quietly for Lavi to come toward him. "We need to talk, Lavi... In private." Bookman said gently. The redhead nodded before looking down at his young master sadly. "I'll be right back Allen, I promise" The redhead whispered as he walked softly past him and out the door with Bookman.

The snow haired boy stopped his wailing after a few minutes, getting up onto his feet and walking to the window. He stared up at the surface forlornly. It was dark, and they were fairly far down, but the moon was full, and it pierced through the deep pool. The soft pale light of the moon was making the water turn to a beautiful midnight shade. Allen felt more tears come to his eyes, "Kanda..." The boy said quietly as he put his hand to the glass. "I want to know what kind of person you are... I want to know how humans live..." The boy's fingers clenched on the glass as he fell to his knees. "I want to be set free of this cage... Please..." The boy said as he began to shake.

"Please..."

.......

Kanda sighed as he sat down in the highest seat of the house, watching the festivities with annoyed eyes. This merry place was the last place he wanted to be for the night, and he was already getting a headache. Komui watched his young charge glare holes in the wall in front of him before smirking. Lenalee too giggled a bit at Kanda's childish behavior. The dark haired young man glared at them both, as they looked away and about innocently. Kanda sighed before staring back to the crowd.

"Oi, Komui. When is this stupid party gonna be over? I wanna go out and meditate." Kanda asked with a hint of displeasure in his voice. Komui sighed, "In due time, Kanda, you just need to talk with the people who will be staying with us, and then you can go out and do whatever you want." Komui said reassuringly. Kanda stared blankly at the man, "And when in god's name would that be?" Kanda asked, not bothering to hide his impatience. Komui looked over his shoulder and smiled, "Why, right now if you would just turn around." The Chinese man said happily.

Kanda turned and watched as two newcomers approached him. They were both quite pale, but refined in taste. The first was a tall man whom looked in his early to mid twenties. He had long black hair that was tied back in a ponytail, and was wearing a tuxedo with a tail, and sported a cane and a top hat. A small, blackish-purple butterfly sat idly on his shoulder. The next was a young girl in a black and white gothic Victorian dress. Her hair was extremely short, but was expertly cut, and she had a lovely black and white striped ribbon in her hair. She wore chunky boots and stripped stockings, and sported a pink umbrella that clashed greatly with her outfit. Nonetheless, she seemed protective of it.

The man came toward him and bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you lord Kanda, My name is Tyki Mikk, and this here is my young charge, Road Camelot." Tyki said with grace as he motioned down to the younger. The girl twirled about impishly before taking a bow, "A pleasure to meet you Kanda, I'm sure we will get along just fine." She said with a childlike innocence. Kanda glared at them both and sighed, remembering he had to show some form of respect for them, lest he get a lecture from Komui later. Kanda rose up and bowed curtly, "A pleasure I'm sure." He said quickly before turning and looking at the festivities, "Well, as much as I would like to stay, I have to go out on patrol." The swordsman said hastily before Komui could protest. He looked back at the two newcomers, "This is a celebration in your honor, please enjoy yourselves." He said with as much poise as he could muster before moving to leave. Tyki beamed at the swordsman with interest, "Patrol, you say? Then allow me to accompany you." The man said brightly. Kanda had to stop himself from glaring at the man, "I'm sorry, but I'd rather you no-"

"That's a brilliant idea!" Komui interjected quickly. Kanda sent him a glare that would freeze a normal person. Komui ignored it and smiled at Tyki, "It would help you get acquainted with our city, and I'm sure that it would be great for bonding with the master." Komui said hastily. Tyki smiled happily, "Of course, I would like nothing more." He said brightly. The dark haired noble turned to the younger, and smiled at the girl, "Road, you stay here and have fun, alright? Tyki will be back in a bit." The man said cutely.

Road pouted, "Alright Tyki, but be back soon." She said with childlike grace before turning and going to see the festivities. Tyki smiled back at the bristling man, "Well, shall we go then Kanda?" He asked in a gentlemanly way. Komui nodded, "Yes, you should get going before it gets too dark." Komui turned to face his nymph, "Lenalee, will you go with Kanda and make sure that he's alright?" He asked his friend kindly. Lenalee got up and smiled, "Alright Nii-san. I will make sure that he doesn't get in trouble in your absence." She said cutely.

Kanda sighed in frustration as he moved to leave, "Do what you want, noble." Kanda said with a bit of annoyance, completely dispensing with the formalities as he began walking to the door. Tyki looked over at Lenalee, chuckling a bit, "Is the young lord always this... Aggressive in nature?" The tall noble asked her with a hint of play in his voice. Lenalee sighed, "Yes, I'm afraid. Don't worry though, he's harmless." She said matter of factly before dodging a well aimed spin-kick from Kanda. The swordsman 'hmphed' before he headed off, A happy Lenalee and an interested Tyki following close behind.

.......

Lavi fidgeted nervously as he sat in Bookman's study, he didn't like it when the man asked to speak with him privately, and he really wanted to go and check on his young master. Bookman had ordered the boy to stay in the study and not to move until he returned, making the redhead a bit jumpy. Lavi let out a nervous sigh as he got up and began to pace, not liking that his master was crying alone and there was nothing he could do to console him. Feeling his thoughts were leaving him a bit worse off, the redhead tried to calm down, scanning the books for something that he fancied. His eyes landed on a book of charms and curses, which he picked up and began to flip through curiously.

"You know better than to flip through my books young one."

The redhead jumped before turning and seeing Bookman in the doorway, clothed in one of his darker robes. "I apologize for making you wait Lavi, but it got cold so I had to find something to warm me up." The man said matter of factly. Bookman sighed, "I must be getting on in years for the night chill to be getting to me this much." He said with a bit of jest. in his voice. The redhead looked down and away, a bit of worry in his eyes, "Y-you wanted to see me sir?" Lavi asked quietly.

Bookman let his mouth go from a smile to a thin line, "Yes, I came to see you because of the decision you made to allow your master onto the surface." He said in a tone that was neither angry nor pleased. Lavi looked down, still ashamed of the decision that brought his master so much grief. Bookman noted this and sighed. "Lavi, our family has served the rulers of the sea for almost a millennia now. If there's one thing you must learn from serving them, is that you cannot always please your master..." Bookman got up and put his hand on the despairing boy, "You must first and foremost do what is right for their sake, no matter if it hurts them or not." The elder man explained quietly.

Lavi looked up at his elder, pouting slightly, "But Allen looks so lonely and upset all the time. It's not like any harm befell him." Lavi explained with a slight whine. Bookman sighed and scratched the back of his balding head, "Yes, but worst case scenario he would have been captured and made to form a pact with a human." Bookman explained quietly. He looked up at Lavi, "You must make sure that does not happen under any circumstance. The boy is the innocence bearer, and if anyone were to get a hold of his power then not even Master Cross would be able to stop tragedy from befalling the whole sea and then some..." The elder man said with a dark tone. Lavi clenched his fists, "Don't worry, I would sooner die then let a filthy human so much as lay their impure hands on my master." The redhead said with fire and hate in his eyes. "I won't let what happened to her happen to him... " Lavi continued with anger boiling in his veins.

Bookman gave Lavi's hand a reassuring squeeze, trying to calm the boy down. "Don't worry Lavi, I trust that you will take care not to let anything happen to him from now on.... In the event that something does happen, you must promise me that you will get him home at all costs, no matter how much it pains you or him to do so... Allen's place is here, and here alone." Bookman stated. Lavi nodded, feeling a protectiveness swell in his chest, "Yes, I will...Thanks old man." Lavi said as he smiled. Bookman returned the smile with a soft smirk as he got up and stretched, "Well, you young things need your sleep. Why not go and see if you can cheer up your young master-"

A chill emanated through the building in small waves from Allen's room

Lavi looked up curiously, feeling the chill intensify with each second. Bookman closed his eyes, trying to sense the center of the anomaly. The elders eyes flew open as he finally pinpointed three energy readings, one whose magnitude was so strong it could only could be one person.

Bookman stood, and rushed up to Allen's room, Lavi rose and followed curiously, "O-Old man, wait!" Lavi said quickly as he ran after his mentor.

.....

Allen sat in his room bathed in the pale light of the moon. He was no longer wailing with grief, but his eyes betrayed a deadness inside them that made him look like a small lifeless doll. He felt like someone had just taken his hopes and crushed him down, and it hurt him. Cross' words emanated through the snow haired boy's head, and the more he thought on them, the more tears fell from those lifeless eyes.

"The boy is sad..."

"Yes, the boy is so sad..."

Allen turned quickly, feeling the air around him grow cold. "Who... Who's there?" The snow haired called out as he rose slightly. Feeling caution permeate his senses as the room went darker than normal.

From the shadow of his room, out came two young men. They weren't nymphs... In fact, Allen couldn't even sense their presence. They both had dark skin, but one had short dark hair, while the other had long blonde hair. They moved in sequence, almost as if they were one entity. The two smiled, "I'm David" The dark haired one said quietly, "And I'm Jasdero!" The blond said loudly. Allen pressed himself to the wall in a threatened manner, feeling that there was something not quite right about the two. David smiled warmly at the boy, before holding his hand out reassuringly, "Relax Allen, we aren't here to harm you, Just to make you a proposal." David said quietly, Jasdero nodded quickly, "Yes a proposal, Proposal!" The blonde harped.

Allen relaxed a bit, before cautiously moving toward the pair. "What kind of proposal...?" The boy asked carefully, still not liking the way they were eyeing him. David sauntered over to Allen, circling the boy. Jasdero mimicked him, only in a more jerky erratic manner. After a few moments, David halted behind the boy, and wrapped his arms around Allen's slender neck. Allen stiffened a bit, "I'm sorry... Wh-What are you...Doing?" The boy asked cautiously. The dark haired boy smirked, and pressed against the boy roughly before smelling him, "Ah, you smell of the surface..." David said as he nuzzled the crook of the boys neck, inhaling deeply. Jasdero kneeled in front of the boy, wrapping his arms around Allen's waist and sniffing his navel, "Oh yes, just like the surface." Jasdero chirped as he licked the boy greedily, letting his tongue dip into the boys bellybutton.

Allen shuddered, and glared down at the blonde before glowing a bright blue. The two dark skinned men were knocked back as a white cloak appeared on the boy's shoulders. the two men recovered quickly, and did nothing but smirk at him, "Oh, I think we made him angry Jasdero." The dark haired man said haughtily. "Oh yes, very mad David!" The blonde cackled. Allen took a fighting stance, "If you are just here to mock me, then please leave... I am not having a very good night." Allen warned, ready to take out the two men if they so much as made a move to harm him.

"Oh my, David, Jasdero... You have been bad! Making this poor boy feel threatened by you was not what I asked."

The three turned and looked as a large dark vortex appeared in the middle of the room. Out of the chaotic swirls of black and purple stepped a large burly man who's disfigured grin took up most of his face. He was wearing a suit and a large top hat, and bounded about like a balloon. Allen stepped back in slight fear, not liking the that he was now outnumbered if the situation became dire. This didn't go unnoticed by the new arrival, whom bounded next to the snow haired boy and put his hand on his shoulder, "Relax, Allen, I promise we won't do anything to harm you. My little Jasdero and David are just a bit..." The demonesque man looked at his two charges as they clasped hands and made eyes at the boy. "...Frisky at night." The smiling man finished before grabbing Allen's hand and shaking it.

"I have a name, but you can just call me the Earl for now Allen." The smiling man said cheerily. The said snow haired boy shifted uncomfortably and looked away from the Earl. The smiling man brought him closer as he cackled, "No need to fear me Allen, I just want to help you go back to the surface!" The man said eerily, his smile widening as the boy perked up. Allen backed away and held himself, not used to being handled or spoke to in this manner. Everyone he had ever associated with had been either kind and caring, or was a demon that he had to dispose of. Allen stared at the three, moving from one face to the other. These three men felt like they meant no harm... But also that they could not be trusted.

Noting the boy's uncertainty at the situation, The Earl sighed, before putting his hands out in front of him in a calm manner. "Do not fear, young Allen, I'm just here to make a proposal to you. If you don't like it then we shall leave you, and never bother you again." The Earl reassured the boy, backing up and making a point to give the boy his space. Allen still felt wary, but after a bit of an inner battle, the boy's curiosity got the better of him. The Silverette sighed, and moved to his bed, sitting down and staring to the floor, "Okay, I'm listening...What sort of proposal are you willing to give?" The boy asked quietly. The Earl bounded up in joy, before he pulled a cane out of nowhere. The grinning man twirled about a bit, before knocking his cane on the floor. With a poof, the cane popped out a scroll, which he handed to the boy with an ink brush.

Allen looked down at the scroll curiously, before he opened it up. He read the runes that were inscribed on the parchment before his eyes widened at what he had been handed. He looked up in confusion at the Earl, "This is a spell of relinquishment... Why give me this?" He asked, not liking where this was going. The Earl pat the boy on the back, "It's nothing really. You see, I am a very powerful being who is able to grant your most wanted desires... The only problem with it is that I need a little something in return in order for me to work my magic." The grinning man said matter of factly.

Allen looked down at the paper, looking at it long and hard, "What would I be relinquishing?" The boy asked curiously, The Earl let out his cackle before sitting down happily, "Glad you asked! I just want two things... One..." David walked up to the snow haired boy, and straddled his waist as he traced his hand around Allen's left eye. "I want the power that is held in this eye." The Earl chirped, "And two..." The man continued as Jasdero stepped behind the boy, tracing his fingers around the boy's fins tantalizingly. "I want your contract with the sea..." The smiling man finished, his smile deepening as he saw the boy shudder a bit at the attention he was getting from his 'children'. After composing himself a bit, Allen shooed the twins away, pouting at the innocent looks they gave him as they held each other.

Allen sighed, before turning his attention back to the Earl, "That's a high price that I don't think I want to pay..." Allen looked away, "What would you give in return?" The timid boy asked, cursing his curiosity as he did so. The Earl let his smile turn a bit sinister, "Why, I'd make it so that way you could go to the surface of course! Cross wouldn't be able to lay a finger on you under my protection..." Allen looked up to the man in disbelief, "M-Master Cross is a very powerful man... I doubt that you would be able to keep him away from me..." Allen looked away, "He may be lazy, and not care much for fighting, but apparently I'm very indispensable... He's stated that if anyone were to take me away he'd have their heads..." The snow haired boy said quietly. The Earl just laughed, "Don't worry about that young one, that's why I asked for your contract with the sea!" He said happily. "So long as you don't touch the sea, He will be unable to touch you without that contract." The Earl said happily.

Allen looked to the floor, "But that means I'll never get to see my friends here again... Or Lavi..." The boy looked up sadly, "I wouldn't be able to return!" the silverette said, not liking how that sounded on his tongue. He wanted to see the outside world, but the thought of going it alone without his friend seemed slightly unbearable. The Earl sighed, and Jasdero and David sat with the snow haired boy, holding him gently. "Once you get a taste of freedom... Would you really want to come back to your cage?" The Earl asked the boy quietly, "I am offering you freedom, Allen. The only price I have is that you leave this place of confinement and never come back." The Earl reassured the boy. Allen quieted down considerably, and stared at the parchment, "... I need time to think..." The boy said quietly. The Earl huffed, before getting a sly thought, "You could see Kanda again... And meet him this time." The Earl stated easily.

Allen's cheeks flushed as he thought about the midnight haired man. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a sort of pull whenever he thought of him. The Earl smiled, the mere mention of the man and the boy was already like this? It was going to be too easy. "Yes, you would most certainly be put under his care... Then who knows? You may even be able to befriend him..." The Earl finished, watching the boy's eyes glaze over in happiness. The smiling man feigned a sigh, before getting up to leave, "But if you wish to stay, then I will not bother you any longer. David, Jasdero, we shall take our leave." The Earl said quickly, as he moved away from the boy. leaving the contract with boy purposefully.

Allen looked long and hard at the contract in his hand. He knew that he wouldn't be able to go back from this, but his whole life he had been caged. He had felt that something was missing in his life, and it left a hole that even his friend Lavi couldn't fill. Somehow, Allen thought that if he went through with this contract that hole would get filled somewhere along the lines. With determination in his eyes, he picked up the ink brush, and signed his name without hesitation.

The room grew dark

Allen's eyes widened as he felt a chill go through his room, the current of the water swirling harshly in the small space. The boy suddenly felt a searing pain in his left eye, and in his back, it was intense, and felt like it was burning him to oblivion. He whimpered a bit from the pain, and began to fall down on his knees . He never hit the ground, as his wrist was caught firmly by a strong hand. He looked up weakly and saw David's eyes look down on him with a sinister gleam. The dark skinned man pulled the boy up, and held him like he would if he was about to waltz with him, kissing his neck , and nipping at his adams apple gently. Jasdero wrapped his arms around the snow haired boy from behind, laughing like a madman as the spell took effect. It was so sudden, but then and there Allen could feel the immense power that the Earl had. It was so strong, he felt that even Cross would have difficulty taking him down. There was also a darkness that emanated from the three that felt like it would suck him in.

"A-Allen!"

The snow haired boy looked over and saw his friend Lavi, and the elder Bookman in his doorway. In a rage, the Redhead ran over to the boy, and pulled him from the twins. The Earl looked down deviously at the red-haired nymph, "Now now, This boy doesn't need you or anyone from the sea any longer." Bookman watched in shock as the boy was slashed with The Earl's cane in the collarbone, a bit of his blood dropping on the contract. The Earl looked at it with displeasure, "Oh my, it seems a twist has occurred." He smiled as he took the contract from Allen's shaking hand, "No matter, it seems your little friend will be coming with you Allen." The Earl said haughtily.

Bookman raised his hand, and brought ice needles to his hands, throwing them at The Earl. The smiling man merely let out a 'tsk' before pulling both boys into the swirling vortex behind him, The Earl turned with a cheeky grin at Bookman, "Do tell Cross I'm sorry for not being able to say hello, but I must be going. Thank you for the boy though! I'm sure Cross'll do just fine without his cute innocence bearer." The Earl cackled as he jumped into the vortex with his twins, Disappearing completely without a trace.

Bookman fell to his knees as he felt the cold atmosphere dissipate. He could hear towering footsteps coming up the stairs, and could sense Marian Cross right behind him. "Where's Allen..." The red-haired man said in despair, already knowing the answer. Bookman turned around, a hopelessness in his eyes.

"The Earl Has him."

......

Ugh, chapter from hell XD

anyway, don't worry, Kanda and Allen will meet in the next chapter :D

Sorry if I made David and Jasdero into little freaks... They're so cool, and I wanted a bit of sexual tension in this chapter for some reason .' Other than that, I will try to update at least once more before I have to start studying for finals, but if not then I will have the next chapter up ASAP

untill then my friends :3