By: Junpaku
I do not own D. Gray-man, the characters, the story, and the ideas came from Katsura Hoshino, so it's not mine. With that said, Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Black Sheep
Kanda shifted in the hotel room, his eyes opening for the hundredth time that hour. He let out a sigh and finally gave up trying to sleep. Sitting up he pushed the sheets aside before looking at the clock on the far wall with a faint scowl. It had been a year now since he'd seen Moyoshi and while he always kept an eye out while on his missions, he'd given up hope of seeing him again. He could still remember the warmth of them sleeping in the same bed just before the albino had vanished. He shook his head and stood, moving to the joint bathroom to wash his face and clear his thoughts. He hadn't met a Noah in that whole time not that he thought he'd get any information out of one of them on if Allen was alive still… but he'd have loved to pay them back for taking Allen from him.
His eyes trailed to the Innocence filled katana that sat beside the bed in his room, waiting for him to finish his mission. He hadn't found the innocence he'd been looking for yet even with Timcampy's help. Tim had been following him around ever since Allen had vanished, it had been annoying at first but now he wondered if the little Golem had been hoping if he stuck close enough to Kanda that Allen would show back up. It always seemed depressed now, floating around slowly and hardly eating. It was smaller in size now that Kanda had ever seen it and he wondered just how long it was going to last.
His eyes trailed to the clock again and after a moment he moved to pull his uniform back on and pick up his sword. Tim noticed the movement and followed after him, falling to his shoulder once his cloak was on properly. He pushed the door to his room open and turned down the old wood hallway, kicking the door behind him and not bothering to lock it. After all he didn't leave anything behind him to get stolen… not that he carried anything a thief would want other than his sword and the silver buttons on his uniform.
"Sleep well sir?" a women asked as he passed but he only gave a little grunt in response before turning down the stairs, ignoring her.
Leenalee had told him he'd become a grump since Allen had been kidnapped but what did he care, he hadn't really been much for social even with Allen there and it was only the albino's persistence that had gotten him to communicate in the first place. As he got to the bottom of the stairs he turned to the front desk and put the room key on the table as he walked pass.
Outside the Sun had risen an hour ago and the cold air sparkled with fog that struggled to choke out the sun's rays. He tugged his collar up higher and scowled. He moved to take a step and turn to walk down the road when he took note of Timcampy fluttering off down the street.
"Tim don't go wondering off!" He voiced and moved after the little ball of gold.
He watched as the golem disappeared around the corner of an alley and picked up his pace, turning around the corner with a protest that was cut short. His eyes widened and he fell silent from shock.
"Tim don't go wondering off!" Allen's ears perked at the familiar voice and he cast a curious look towards the end of the alley he stood in.
Allen's heart swelled with happiness as Timcampy landed in his out stretched hands and he had been about to say how happy he was to see the small golden Golem when around the corner popped Kanda. Allen's own eyes widened as tears formed in his eyes and he wasn't able to stop him self from moving. He'd taken two steps forwards when Kanda nearly took off his head with his katana and Allen stepped back with a confused look.
"There's no way!" Kanda voiced in a shaky voice.
"Kanda?" Allen voiced, gripping Tim to his chest and watching the Samurai closely.
"You've been gone for a year, the Noah took you! How are you alive?!" Kanda snapped accusingly, Allen's ears fell back.
"Not sure Alive is what you'd call me." He muttered and looked away making Kanda hesitate.
"What do you mean Moyoshi?" he voiced, keeping his sword raised.
"N-nothing… I've been looking for you Kanda!" Allen voiced with tear filled eyes.
Kanda watched him for a long moment before taking a step closer and sheathing his sword. Allen relaxed as the Samurai placed a hand to his cheek and watched him closely before suddenly tugging him into a hug in shaky arms.
"Allen… I thought you were dead… They all gave up searching for you." He breathed against his forehead.
"Even you?" Allen asked sounding hurt but Kanda shook his head and he felt his ears perk as a smile graced his lips.
"I have to report this to HQ." Kanda voiced and turned to tug Allen from the Alley but Allen leaned back.
"No! You can't!" Allen protested and Kanda stopped, scowling.
"Why not Moyoshi?" He voiced as he eyed him accusingly once more.
"Because the Noah destroyed my innocence Kanda…" he voiced and looked away making Kanda's grip loosen then tighten on his hand.
"They'll tell you to kill me… I'm a threat I know too much about the Order." He voiced with fearful eyes causing Kanda to let go of his hand and scowl.
"You're right… Where have you been staying Allen?" He voiced with a softer voice now and Allen looked around as if expecting another exorcist to pop around the corner at any moment.
"Just out of town, away from all the people. I came to town when I heard an exorcist was in town hoping it would be you." He voiced and reached out, taking the Samurai's hand.
"Kanda… Please don't leave yet." He voiced with fearfully eyes.
"They just let you go did they walker?" Kanda voiced with a scowl as he watched him, not sure weather this was all a trap or if this was really his Allen.
"Of course not!" Allen protested and shook his head.
"I've been hiding from them as well, thanks to my eye no Akuma can sneak up on me so it's made it easier to hide from them." Allen explained.
Kanda relaxed then nodded.
"Come with me to the old house outside of town. You're probably here looking for a rumored innocence right? Well that's where it's at. I found it there while I was hiding and knew someone would come for it." Again Kanda looked uncertain of him and Allen looked away.
"If you don't trust me then don't come." He muttered and moved to walk past him.
He felt Kanda snag his hand and pull him back, pushing him up against the brick wall of the alleyway. Their lips met and Allen shuddered before closing his eyes and leaning into the kiss. His released hand trailed up Kanda's arm slowly to his side as Kanda deepened the kiss. A faint moan left his lips and finally the kiss was broken leaving him panting and watching Kanda with a confused look.
"Kanda?" he breathed and gripped his jacket with uncertain eyes, ears perked in interest.
"Lets go." Kanda muttered softly.
The old house at the top of the hill, it sounded like the start of any cliché horror novel. Allen couldn't help but fill that living here and hiding from so many dangers was just asking for trouble but he stepped through the hole in the iron rod fence with Kanda in tow. The yard was covered with waste high grass and the windows were distorted from age. The roof looked like it was more holes than roof and you could see the top floor from the outside. This place looked like it would collapse any minute if you stepped inside and Allen noticed Kanda lag behind as they grew closer to the building.
"You've been hiding here?" Kanda pressed as they reached the door which hung at an angle thanks to the sagging porch and oddly angled building.
"Where else was I supposed to hide? I kind of stand out in a crowed with these." He pointed at his ears and tail and moved to tug the door open.
Kanda scowled as the door groaned with movement, a sign it hadn't been moved in quiet some time. Allen picked up on his suspicion and turned with a smile.
"I don't use the door normally, but you can't really slip through the hole under the house, you're bigger than me and I hardly fit." He explained as he stepped inside.
"I see…" Kanda muttered and slowly followed after, pushing the door shut behind them.
The old mansion was in need of more than just repairs. Mildew gathered on the walls and the floor was sagging from water damage. The ceiling to the main floor had holes where heavy furniture had fallen through and the stairs were missing more than four steps. Allen ignored all the damage however and stepped carefully along the floorboards.
"Step where I step or you might fall." He voiced cheerfully as if nothing was wrong and made his way across the hallway towards the main parlor.
Kanda wrinkled his nose at the smell of the place, as if the whole place was made of week old milk, thankfully it wasn't as strong as week old milk.
"Are you coming!" Allen called and poked his head out from the door frame.
"It's safe in here, the floor was built over stone." He vanished again around the corner and the sound of him sitting down on something echoed around the building.
Kanda sighed and carefully traced the steps Allen had taken, making his way across the wooden floored hallway and into the main Parlor. As he stepped into the room he admitted the floor was much sturdier and looked up. The furniture in this room was untouched by mold but had plenty of moth holes to make up for it. Allen sat on an old sun washed arm chair with his legs propped up on what looked like the remains of a wooden table. Next to him he'd pulled up a stool and smiled at Kanda as he patted it gently with his only hand. This was pathetic, this whole place was and the fact Allen had to hide here made it all the more so. But he didn't leave Allen waiting long and moved to sit on the stool beside the albino with a scowl.
"Oh don't look like that Kanda, it's really not too bad." Always the optimist.
Kanda shook his head a little and looked around once more at the sun washed walls and the splintering wooden floor. Just as Allen had said there was a hole in the corner that was just big enough for the under fed Albino to fit through. For once he felt sympathy towards the younger and couldn't help his stomach tying it self in knots. He'd turned his head to speak to Allen when he felt soft lips press against his own and froze.
Allen's ears fell back with the kiss, far more subdued than he was before. His hand reached up to grip the exorcist's jacket and pull him self over the arm of the chair he was sitting in. Kanda slowly relaxed and leaned into the kiss, finally closing his eyes. Humming against his lips, Allen couldn't help but relax as Kanda's arms slipped around him. Kanda had held him like this, a year ago before everything happened.
"Allen, are you sure about this?" Kanda spoke as the broke the kiss, his own eyes showing his uncertainty.
This was all foreign to him, love wasn't something he dealt in, hell he hadn't even liked Moyoshi until just before he vanished. Why was it when he finally trusted someone they vanished on him? Was he bad luck? Allen broke his thoughts with another kiss, his hand working expertly to undo the buttons on Kanda's jacket.
"I'm sure. You're the one who kissed me first remember." Allen voiced as he stopped undressing Kanda to guide his hands to his own shirt and guide Kanda's fingers to the buttons on the front of his shirt.
Kanda gripped his hand suddenly and tugged him closer, practically pulling him out of the arm chair he was sitting in as he did so.
"Is there someplace we can lay down then?" he asked as he slid his hand along Allen's slide to keep him balanced on the arm of the chair.
"I made a pallet from clean sheets in the other room, it's big enough for both of us." Allen breathed in his ear and moved to shift off the chair with a cat like grace.
Allen laced their fingers as he guided Kanda to the other room, the nicest room in the place. It didn't smell, the windows were boarded up but had curtains and the furniture in the room had obviously been covered for it held no moth holes and no sign of moister. It was like this room had been protected while the rest had been left to rot.
"Over here, on the rug in the corner." The floor, unlike the rest of the house was made of flat marble, it was obvious this room was meant to be the main room of the house but Allen had turned it into a make shift bedroom/living room to fit his needs.
In the corner a large washing tub sat for baths and the fire place had been cleaned out for nighttime fires when no one would see the smoke. The couch on the far side was missing its cushions which Allen had obviously been using as pillows. He had made a two person pallet and Kanda wondered why he would need to make a two person pallet or if that was just to give Allen more room to sprawl out at night. He wouldn't doubt it with how much Allen had hogged the bed last year. The rug had been moved, leaving a dusty trail on the floor to lay under the pallet as added cushioning. As for the blankets he had spread out, he had made a nice pile of them in a square and based on the condition Kanda could only guess he'd gotten them in town.
"You've resorted to stealing." Kanda commented finally and Allen stopped tugging him towards the bed.
"I wouldn't say stealing, more like cheating." Allen voiced and scratched the back of his head, ears twitching on his head.
"Gambling?" Kanda raised a brow then shrugged, what did he care how Allen got things.
He obviously needed them more than however he had gotten them from. Allen again interrupted his thoughts, tugging him to the pallet on the floor and purring loudly in his ear as he pulled him close.
"Come on Kanda, stop wasting time." He teased with a faint nip to his ear that made Kanda shudder.
"I didn't realize we were rushing." Kanda voiced back and pushed him down so Allen landed on the pile.
Allen hummed as Kanda moved to join him, slipping his hands up his sides and kissing his neck softly. The Albino tilted his head back with a long purr, letting Kanda work at his shirt and pull away the fabric of the dusty and worn clothes. Allen encouraged him with a soft breath against his neck, watching Kanda shiver as his own hand trailed to start unbuttoning the buttons again. His hand moved to the Katana laying besides the bed but before he could push it aside Kanda's hand latched onto his wrist and he winced.
"What are you doing?" he voiced with a scowl, Allen's ears fell back as the harsh tone fell back into Kanda's voice.
"I just didn't want it to get in the way, I mean it's right up next to my side." Allen voiced and after a moment Kanda placed it further away and returned to unbuttoning Allen's shirt.
Allen cast it one last glance before returning to enjoying the soft attentions. Soon his shirt had been peeled away and forgotten and his pants were undone. Kanda's jacket had been pulled off and tossed to where his sword lay next to the pallet and his own pants were unbuttoned and ready to be removed. And yet nether of them bothered. The soft kisses and the gentle touches to each others torso seemed to be enough. Kanda's lips trailed down to his collar bones then slowly back up, leaving small but gentle marks on his skin where he sucked at the pale skin. Allen slipped his hand though that soft black hair, which ran like silk strands though his fingers as he let the other hold him. For once he felt happy, he couldn't stop purring at the attentions he was receiving and left soft kisses on Kanda's neck as the other leaned over him. The smile on Kanda's lips was faint but Allen couldn't help the waves of warmth it sent up his spine. His tail curled around the other's hand and he let out a content sigh.
"I've missed you Moyoshi." Kanda voiced and for once Allen found the nickname more endearing than irritating.
"I missed you too." Allen voiced and chuckled.
"It's weird really, to think that with everything that has happened you were the only person I just couldn't leave behind." Allen voiced and Kanda sighed before reaching to tug at his pants.
"Do you want to keep going?" He breathed in Allen's ear before brushing their lips together.
A purr escaped him as he opened his eyes, pupils cat like and glued to Tyki who stood behind Kanda, poised back to strike the man on the back of the head. But Kanda moved faster. Allen found him self gripping Kanda's sheath rather than his blade and Tyki found a deep gash across his chest. Tyki stumbled back and dropped the rock he'd been holding before ducking under the next blow.
"Allen!" Tyki snapped just before Allen moved to tackle Kanda.
Kanda grunted and hit the floor, but Allen's missing arm left him unable to pin the other down properly and Allen was kicked off before he could grab for the rock on the floor. Kanda's blade met his shoulder and Allen screamed in pain as he was pinned to the wall.
"So you are working for them walker!" Kanda growled, hands shaking on the other end of the blade as he kept Allen against the wall.
Allen grinned, eyes turning a sun like gold as gray patches began to form on his skin.
"Working for them? I am them." He purred just before Tyki hit Kanda from behind and the Samurai hit the floor with a limp thud.
"Hold still." Tyki muttered and picked up a rag, draping it over the handle of the blade before gripping it and pulling it from Allen's shoulder to let him drop from the wall.
"That hurts…" Allen grumbled and pushed him self off the floor, blood dripping down his chest and skin slowly returning to it's normal pale shade.
"Innocence doesn't just hurt, you won't heal as fast so we'll have to get back quickly. Road should be here any moment." Tyki voiced as he tossed the sword across the room.
"Aren't you going to destroy it?" Allen protested but Tyki shook his head.
"No need, we know it isn't the heart." Tyki voiced but Allen just scowled and moved over to the blade, using the same cloth to pick it up.
"What are you doing?" Tyki raised a brow as he fumbled in his vest pocket to pull out his cigarettes.
"I want to see his face when I break it." Allen grinned making Tyki drop his cigarette.
"Oh don't do that." Tyki scolded making Allen laugh a little.
"I was just joking. I'm not as mean as you are." Tyki flinched at the comment and picked up his cigarette, looking it over with a scowl.
"Still mad I did that are you?" Tyki pressed but Allen just shrugged, leaving it up to the Noah to figure out if he was or not.
"You two sure talk a lot." Road's voice chimed from the doorway as she stepped across the hallway, following the same path Allen took.
"You never told me why we had to come to such a moldy old building." Allen voiced sounding a little annoyed.
"It's not just any old building, your Noah self was born here." Tyki voiced but Allen seemed unimpressed.
"I don't care, Neah and I are two different people." Allen voiced, ignoring Road's laugh.
"No longer the Black sheep Tyki, looks like Allen joined you in the black and white persona." Road teased but Tyki shook his head.
"I wouldn't be so sure." He muttered.
The idle chat was interrupted as an Akuma maid stepped into the room, eyes glassy and face emotionless as she picked up Kanda's limp body and walked back down the hallway with perfectly placed steps.
"What are you doing with that Allen?" Road voiced as Allen moved to pick up his shirt, still holding Kanda's sword.
"If we leave it behind then they'll know that a Noah got him and know he's still alive. When an innocence user dies their innocence deactivates until someone else can use it. But if we aren't killing him then it won't and if they find him they'll know to keep looking for him and we can't have that now can we. Besides we might need it." Allen voiced with a shrug.
"Smart, but Lord Millennium won't be happy about you bringing it into the mansion." Road pointed out.
"Then we'll destroy it." Tyki voiced as he passed Allen by, heading for Road's door.
"I'll destroy it." Allen protested as he moved to follow Tyki towards the door.
"So greedy Allen~" Road chimed behind him with a purr.
"Neah, why did you bring that thing into my house?" The Earl glared down at Allen who scowled in return.
"It's Allen. And we might need it if you want me to get my innocence back." Allen voiced, showing no fear to the Earl who only grinned down with those huge teeth.
Allen hadn't seen the Earl in his human form since the first night he'd come here, the Earl seemed keen on keeping it that way. Allen wasn't invited to the Earl's parties with the wealthy, also known as the balls. And he wasn't allowed to sit at the dinning room table for dinner with the others. In fact the Earl made sure not to include Allen in anything other than this one mission.
"Oh~ And why do you think that?" The Earl voiced as he leaned closer, his voice unusually cheery meaning he was pissed off.
"Because Lord Earl, my innocence responded last when I was in danger. If we give it to him in a place where I have to fight him that he can't get away from, like in Road's world, then maybe my innocence will come back and protect me." Allen chimed just as cheerfully.
The Earl watched him, scratching his overly pointy chin and tilted his overly large head on that round body as he thought. He seemed to think this was true because he waved his hands dismissively and nodded.
"Yes, that may indeed work… but it may not." The Earl voiced and purred happily, likely thinking of Allen's horrible death.
Allen got the impression on more than one occasion that the Earl wasn't fond of Neah and thus took it out on him… or maybe it was he just didn't like ether of them. But he didn't like Neah, didn't trust Neah. Allen had asked Road why but she had remained silent on the subject, only confirming the fact it was true before making the excusing of needing to do homework.
"Very well, Tyki can keep it locked up in his room, isn't that right Tyki-pet." The Earl chimed and Tyki, who had just opened up his book, groaned but agreed.
"For now Neah, why don't you and Road go play with our new guest." Allen scowled at the command.
"Road too?" He protested but instantly regretted it based on the look he got he knew that the Earl was getting annoyed and would make him regret all the questioning later.
"Y-yes Lord Millennium." Allen voiced and backed out of the room, turning swiftly and making his way down the hall with Road skipping along behind him.
"You know you really should stop questioning Lord Earl." Road piped up behind him, eyes gleaming.
"Why? Is that what Neah did?" Allen voiced sharply but when Road stopped he stopped short and looked back.
"That is what happened isn't it. Neah wouldn't do what he was told so the Earl Killed him…" Allen pressed and Road scowled for once.
"Stop talking about it Allen. Stop pressing. It's a sore subject and you know it." Road voiced sourly.
"Fine… But answer me one last thing Road. Then I'll drop it." He moved over Road and crossed his arms.
"It depends on what you ask." Road voiced back and frowned up at him.
"I know the Earl wants me dead, I know he thinks of me as Neah. So why hasn't he killed me?" Allen pressed.
Road stayed silent for a while, watching him, Allen thought he'd asked another one of those don't ask questions when she sighed and took his hand in hers.
"Because he wants to see if Neah has changed. And if you will really be part of the family Allen." Road voiced and took his hand softly, so softly that Allen was almost shocked that such gentle touches could come from such a brutal girl.
"Does he really want me Road?" Allen voiced as a wave of sadness fell over him that he knew wasn't his own emotions, he'd grown used to telling if it was Neah or him feeling something and keeping the emotions apart.
"He does, we all do Allen. You just have to prove to him your Loyal." Road voiced with that kind look that just seemed so foreign to her.
"And how do I do that? I brought Kanda and he still doesn't trust me." Allen pressed, scowling as he looked down at the Katana still clutched in his hand.
"When the time comes, and we don't need him anymore…. Kill Kanda." Allen's heart skipped a beat at the words that left Road's mouth.
Kill Kanda…!
Author's Note:
Oh this is getting fun~
Now that we got Kanda back lets see what interesting things happen.