Hello! and now I present you to the next chapter of Sickly Sweet. Thank you everyone who reviewed and stuff3 the reviews made me very happy and i'm hoping I get more(:

Disclaimer: haha... forgot about it on first chapter. But I do not own -man and I'm not claiming I own it. I only own the OC and any other little plot thingys.

"Hey. Go clean up the tables. Before the night sets too." I caught the rag that was thrown at my face by my boss, stupid man he was. I hated him—he was just so annoying…

I took the rag and started wiping down the tables. I wished I could just pretend I was some whore to get money, it would been much easier but with the crosses carved into my stomach made it impossible—anyone would be freaked out, disgusted or would call me a witch (they did that in this era right?). So since I got here that option has been marked off the list—I would probably been rich by now if I was a prostitute, how much did they earn monthly?

So ever since the month I had had been here, I had to put with this town… and having to deal with these crap people. I sighed and started washing each table a bit faster, since the night shift was setting in; and this was the time when most of the men came to the bar—to be entertained by couple of whores of course.

I finished cleaning off the tables then threw the rag across my shoulder and started walking towards the kitchen. I ignored all the men—and some women—that took a few glances at me and just kept walking. When I reached the kitchen I walked in and saw Reniel—our cook—was already cooking things that were a bit more sophisticate than what we serve on days.

"Hey. Where the leftovers?" I asked. He motioned to a plate that was sitting on the counter.

"Saved those for you, little man." I chuckled.

"Thanks." I grabbed the plate and started eating, I was starved from not eating anything since breakfast—that just how things around here worked.

"Have you heard?" Reniel asked, striking up conversation.

"Hear what?" I asked, threw a mouthful of food.

"There have been more disappearances around town—you got to be careful."

"But aren't all the disappearances all little girls and women?" I asked.

"That's why I'm telling you. Anyone could confuse you with a girl with that face." He laughed as I chucked the fork at his head, Reniel dodged and caught it.

"Asshole." I put the plate in the sink then turned back towards him. "Do you have any left over for my friend?" I asked.

He nodded, motioning his head towards a cupboard. I opened it and saw that there was another plate there, this one was covered.

"Saved that just for him, Boss would kill me if he found out I stole some meat."

"Thanks Reniel." He chuckled and gave me a wave. I walked out threw the backdoor of the kitchen and then towards the backdoor of the restaurant. When I opened it I reached the back alley where we would dump our trash. I walked down the steps and then pinched my lip with my forefinger and thumb, whistling.

"Here boy! Come on!" Suddenly a huge black dog came into view. I smiled as he walked towards me then sat down in front of me; his tail gagging. I petted his head before putting the plate down.

"Good boy Soldier." I smiled at him. I backed away a bit and sat down on the steps that went up to the restaurant. I sighed looking up at the starry sky.

"I have to find the Black Order somehow. But I don't know how… Plus I don't think right now would be a good time…" I went into my pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, I opened to reveal dates and things happening on them.

"The date in which Allen gets to the Order is September 1rst. It's only March. Still 5 months before he even gets there. Allen hasn't even met that police officer… Moore her name was?" I looked up at Soldier to find him looking at me.

"Don't worry." I stood up and stuffed the paper into my pocket again. "I wouldn't leave you behind for the world." I walked up to him and scratched the back of his ears, that how he liked it. He stuck his tongue out and wagged his tale.

"I might be a bit late today; Boss says he needs me to work extra hours. Go chase some cats or something." I stretched my back and then climbed the steps and walked again into the restaurant. The first thing that hit me was the smell of smoke, alcohol, and sex. Not the greatest combination actually—but over the time I had gotten used to it.

The moans… not so much…

I peaked around the room to see men kissing women, removing their shirts—or just doing the deed full-on. I cringed, feeling disgusted.

"Oi! Boy!" I turned back to see a man in a white suit with black undershirt and white tie waving me over. On his lap was another whore, her dress on the floor while she only had her undergarments on, her corset looked like it was gonna come off pretty soon though. I walked towards, them almost dragging my feet.

"May I help you?" I asked, rolling my eyes as the woman licked her lips at me, winked, letting her corset fall just a little bit more.

"Get me some wine; for me and this gorgeous lady here." The man said, gripping the woman and bit more, she giggled and then kissed his neck, soon enough started sucking.

"Yes, sir…" I muttered, walking off from the disgusting site. As I kept walking things that my poor eyes shouldn't even see—the smell of smoke was started to tempt me to steal a smoke from someone—a nasty habit I've had picked up from begin at this shitty place. I passed the kitchen and then walked towards the bar. I grabbed some wine and started walking back to the man that had asked me for it.

When I reached where they had last been—they weren't there. I sighed and saw that the woman's corset was on the floor, along with the man's tie. I sighed and looked around—whatever; some guy with sticky fingers would probably grab the forgotten clothes. I started walking back, drinking of the cups of wine—I wouldn't let it go to waste.

"Hey Boy." I turned as someone had called me once again. But my eyes widened seeing the person. Bright red hair, half a mask—holy shit; this guy was Cross… Cross Marian. He was sprawled against one of the biggest couches in the back, women practically kissing his feet. My eyes went to the coat he wore—the cross…. Shit… I feel like I'm gonna piss my pants…

"Aren't you a bit young to by drinking that," He motioned to the wine.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't you think those woman are a bit too young for you?" I retorted. He smirked, the woman around him started to glare daggers at me. I extend my hand to the wine cup that I haven't drunk yet.

"Here."

He took it from me and made a quiet thank. "Cheers to these beautiful ladies." He said, before gulping the drink down.

"Cheers to the Earl." I found myself saying and drinking some more of the wine. I started walking away from Cross—not even realizing the words that I had said to Cross Marian. I was too busy thinking over that the Earl had said to me when he found me…

"What's a poor girl doing out here in the woods alone?"

I opened my mouth to reply, probably curse him off or something but words wouldn't come. I felt like I had been paralyzed, by what I don't know. The Earl grinned as he took a few steps so that his feet were right next to my stomach, starring at the burned crosses.

"Hmmm…" He took a hand from the umbrella on his shoulder—the pumpkin umbrella I remember from the books—and then placed it right were the crosses were. The air suddenly left me, as I bit back a scream. Shit… that hurt… He suddenly gave a bit more pressure and then I felt pleasure, complete and utter pleasure exploded from my stomach, my back arched. I bit back a whimper.

"Oh, an innocence." He said, talking his hand off. My body install relaxed again, I gasped for breath as I starred at the Earl. Is this what it meant having an innocence? Is that how… Allen felt every time he invocated his innocence?

"What… What do you want…?" I breathed out. My voice was raspy and dry. And I could barely even get the words out for my lackness of breath. He laughed, and grinned even bigger.

"I was just in the area!"

"Did you bring me here? Did you… cause these things on my stomach?"

He shook his head. "I did nothing~! Why would I do the cruel thing of forcing an innocence into a poor girl?"

I felt like throwing a sarcastic comment at him, he was the guy who wanted to destroy the world. But I bit my tongue and starred at him. "Why am I here?"

He grinned. "I don't know."

Bastard… I really felt like I wanted to kick this way. I looked at him straight in the eye, and then suddenly I realized this was the guy that cause Allen so much pain… this was the guy that made everyone get so painfully hurt… I squinted my eyes and tears started to appear.

"I want to kill you."

"That's good." He laughed. His umbrella opened, and suddenly he was floating in the air. "If you didn't I would be worried~!"

"What is it Boss?" I turned around, and looked at my annoying boss. He motioned his head to the counter; there was a pile of letter there.

"Go put those out. That's your last job for the night." He commanded before walking away and out of my sight.

I shrugged my shoulders, Boss always seem to have a ten-foot stick up his ass—I guess since he's giving me money; so I could deal with it. I stood up, grabbed the envelopes. I walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinet, I looked inside and grabbed my messenger bag then placed it on the counter; I opened it and peeked inside; counted the small books inside—good, All the D Gray-man mangas were there, plus the little money I saved. I dag deeper and smiled feeling the smooth glossy cover that was my iPod; little things like that really did kept me going—seeing Mom again, and my little Brother.

I threw the bag over my shoulder and kept it close. I started walking to the entrance—as I reached the front of the restaurant I saw it was completely empty. Usually the front was full during the days, but at night the only place you could find people was in the back—the whorehouse.

Once I opened the door, the cold night airs assaulted me and crawled under my clothes, making me feel extremely cold; I hated it how here the deeper into the night, the colder it got. I hadn't bother to buy clothes—I need the money for other important things. I huffed a bit, and then placed the mail in the mailbox that was nailed next to the door. I sighed and walked to the edge of the street, crossing my arms and trying to keep as much heat as I could in the piece of crap clothing I had. I starred ahead of nothing, trying to get some of my thoughts collected about Cross; he was the second Canon Character I met—it felt strange.

Cross was lot hotter than I thought he was. The long bright red hair complemented the features on his face—the glasses he used fitted perfectly on his face. The white mask covering a portion of his cheek made him look extremely mysterious, and rather sexy—and from the peek I saw of his body from his opened coat, I know that he was practically the perfect male species on the planet.

Except for the pervert, man-whore and stupid attitude—oh and the kind-of abusive crap he gives to Allen puts him half on my bad side. But apart from that, he's pretty hot.

"It's you again, Boy." I turned around to find the person I had just been thinking about, Cross. He had a cigarette in his mouth, I licked my dry lips, the smoke was really tempting me—I just wanted to snatch if from his hand and drown that sucker.

"It's you again, Old man." He glared at me, I smiled at my accomplishment. "Give me one of those." He smirked and took the packet out, opened it so I could grab one. I grabbed one, but was almost tempted to be greedy and grab another one. I put it in between my lips, he leaned a bit too close and light it for me—but that didn't concern me.

The smoke was a relief; I sucked in one huge breath, before letting it out. Savoring the taste.

"Little boys like you shouldn't smoke." He said, what a hypocrite—he gave me the smoke in the first place.

"I can give you a good list of what 'Little Boys' shouldn't do. And working at a whorehouse is one of them."

"Whorehouse… First time I heard someone call these places before."

Oops… I guess the term wasn't invented until later? Oh well. "But that's pretty much what they are."

He smirked. "Back to the point." He uttered under his breath. "Early tonight, what did you mean when you cheered the 'Earl'?" There was a suddenly seriousness in his face and made me shiver and become slightly scared.

I looked at him then sighed. "You're an exorcist right?" I whispered, acting was one of my best skills.

"Yeah. See the Cross?" He tapped the Cross on his jacket.

"Well yeah but I don't know… first time I've seen one in this shitty place. "My Dad knew a lot about then—those things, Akumas." My heart fell down to my stomach. It felt so terrible talking about Dad.

"He kinda explained them and what was Innocence. He told me after he died to cremate him—but when he died I couldn't bring myself to do it…" I threw the cigarette on the floor; stomped it on with my feet. As I created the story in my mind, memories were created too, making my emotions flare.

"One day at his grave… The Earl came. He asked me if I wanted to resurrect him… Dad told me before to say No and run… but I couldn't help myself… "The tears ran down my face, feeling hot even though my body was still shivering.

"I turned my Dad into an Akuma…" I gasped for breath—feeling my chest ache, right where the crosses were. "I'm terrible… and only when the Earl did that… I realized…" I stopped and looked down.

"How did you stop it?" I looked up at him wiping my tears. "How did you kill the Akuma that was your father?"

"I-I don't know… He stabbed me and suddenly was in pain and just disappeared, and the Earl too." I took a deep breath. "Is it normal to have crosses burned into your skin?"

His eyes widened a bit. "There on my chest, burned into the skin."

"Let me see."

I was reluctant. I still had my boobs, and lifting up my shirt would just probe I'm a girl. The only way to keep my breast so people wouldn't see was switching to a baggy shirt. My innocence held my boobs like if they were a bra, so I didn't have to worry about that.

"Don't worry, Boy." He smirked. "Pretty girls like you shouldn't cross-dress." I sighed, and finally gave in.

I grabbed the hem of my shirt and lifted it up, feeling uncomfortable from the cold airs. Cross had to bend down a little since I was short and he was so tall. He inspected the crosses—but I could tell his eyes wondered a bit up north too. He took a hand and placed it on the crosses… that feeling came again.

"S-Stop…" His hand felt burning hot on my skin. He pressed a bit harder and I felt the pleasure explode. I bit my lip and took a few steps back, making him out of reach. I put my shirt down and glared at him, my legs felt like if they were gonna collapse.

"Bastard…" He smirked, than started to shrug his exorcist coat off, then placed it on my shoulder. I immediately felt warmer; and Cross actually had a nice smell to him, clean and nice—I didn't complain that he was actually begin kind-of nice.

"I want to go to the Black Order." I suddenly spit out. He looked at me, lighting another cigarette.

"What will you gain from going to the Black Order?" he asked a neutral expression on his face. His took a long drag of his cigarette. I stared at him, pretty much in shock that he would ask me something like that—I mean he wasn't really supposed to care, he was supposed to be this uncaring pervert that would just try into girls pants—or corsets I guess.

He kept starring at me, waiting for an answer. I tried to get my brain to work again—trying to find a suitable answer that wouldn't expose too much that I know, that would be just right.

"I want to protect."

"What do you want to protect?"

"Everything—Everyone."

He raised an eyebrow, and looked at me like I was a bit messed in the head, but then he smirked; Ruffling my hair. "I'll take you to the Black Order only for one condition."

"And that is?"

"Don't cut your hair until I say so."

I stared at him with shock; I was expecting some hard request, maybe even something suicidal.

"Why?"

"You'd make a much prettier girl if you're hair was long."

I chuckled. "Give a cig, Pervert" I put my hand out.

"And stop smoking. Cute girls like you shouldn't smoke."

He gave me one anyways, and light it once again. As I tasted the smoke in my lungs I felt a lot warmer, and more relaxed. He chuckled.

"You have a place to stay?"

"Nope. Just sleep where I can, with my dog Soldier." Upon hearing his name, the big black dog came out from a near alleyway and sat down at my feet. "Not leaving him behind."

He growled and then shook his head then threw an arm around my shoulder, leading me away from the restaurant. Soldier trotted next to him, happily wagging his tail for some reason.

"Stop touching me, Pervert."

He chuckled. His chuckle was deep, and I felt the vibration from his chest.

"You can't resist me."

"To hell with that. Now stop touching me."

He chuckled again, but kept his arm around my shoulder, his hand dangerously close to where my boobs were supposed to be,

Fucking Bastard.

The biggest challenge for me after the Earl left, was standing up. My chest throbbed at any movement, but I managed to lean forward and look around. I was in a forest—and I could see a town near-by. I would have to go there and get situated until I found out the hell I was going to do.

I looked around and found my bag. YES! My bag! Thank god it's with me. I reached out and slid it to me, opening it to find books—manga books actually. I took one out and was surprised to see D Gray-man printed on the front. They were about 15 books there… those were all the books that had ever come out! And I had them all!

Fuck yes. This had to be a sigh. I put the book back and the kept searching in my bag, my iPod and my cell phone (my cell phone had to signal though—big surprise) my iPod had battery… but I would save it for later. I found a pair of scissors and some chips—my was really hungry. A sudden noise behind me made me stare at as the brushed move, and suddenly came out a familiar big black dog. My eyes widened.

"Soldier!" He ran up to me than sat down next to me; Licking my face. After he was content, he laid down letting his head rest on my thigh.

"Looks like we're stuck here, but we got to think positive and start moving forward—like Mana always said." I took the scissor and started to measure my hair. "Let's make a new start though." I started cutting my long hair, Soldier starred in interest. After I finished I felt around—my straight hair had been cut raggedy and terribly. I didn't matter—the more of like a poor kid, the more people would get sympathy for me right?

I carefully stood up and shook my hair and body, letting the extra hairs fall on the ground. I grabbed my bag and put it carefully around my shoulder.

"Come on Soldier." I said, and started walking, the dog trotting next to me. As I got closer to town this feeling started to sink in.

I was now alone, and nobody was watching my back anymore.

That was alot of fun to write. I don't really have anything to say... um... please forgive any spelling/grammar errors? would anyone want to beta this story?

(: Thank you for reading and don't forget to REVIEW.