II. Grasping for the light
Bright golden sunrays forced they way through the tick curtain covering the large window of the room and falling on the bed. Cobalt eyes opened carefully before they owner sat up. The nightmares haven't returned, but it was only a small comfort. Looking over to his left saw Kanda that Road had hidden herself under the covers of his bed with Timcampy to sleep a bit longer. Giving the buddle under the white covers a little smile before sliding out from under the sheets. Grabbing some fresh clothes and bathing utensils the man made his way out of the room to head for the baths. He needed to admit that the only offside to returning to the old Order HQ was that the rooms lacked they own bathroom. Though they were all happy to have returned here and safe. After the fall of the Vatican, targeted the Earl each person who bore the DNS of the Musician in they genes, before moving on to destroying the Black Order. Only the ones in the European and Asian branch survived because Allen had protected them. Kanda smiled bitterly at that as he walked down the stairs. Allan had programmed the Ark after they all moved back here that should ever something happen to him, that it should create a protective force field around the two HQs.
Even in death did he care for them all…
Reaching the baths and walking in to the shower let Kanda drift his thoughts further as the warm water washed over his skin. The world as they had know this had changed. Many countries were just like Japan only populated by Akuma who because of the lack of humans started devouring each other. Many people lived in fear while the desperate search for the Innocence and most of all the Heart was still running, but this time they were also searching after the reincarnations of the Noah clan. Road had explained that after awaking as a Noah you are similar to a defenseless infant and this was the way how the Earl managed to get them on his side. Kanda remembered while listening to her the time when his Moyashi had become a one of them. It happened shortly after three months since they finally managed to get over they pride and admit they feelings to the other. It were the hardest days in both of they lives, but it had also proven the strength of the relationship. He had staid each day at Allen's side in the dark room where he was chained to the bed, endured the helplessness as he listened to his lover's screams of agony, whipped the tears, sweet and blood away each time the stigmata burned with pain. He remembered when it was over how the white haired man had stared at him, his golden eyes like that of a lost child till the Musician's memories filled him. At first, he could admit now did he feel scared that at the end of the transformation would be Allen's soul gone, but then he smiled at him with that oh so familiar smile. A little laugh escaped Kanda's lips at the memory, that guy truly managed to make a deal with his "uncle" so that they would share a body, his Innocence seemed to also have found a balance with the Dark Matter. His little Moyashi even thought he had managed to grow a good head taller then him, was truly an ironic person a true Clown of God.
Walking out of the shower, getting dressed and returning his things to his room made Kanda his way to the library. He had something to discuss with Bookman. It was still only six in the morning, but he knew that the other man was already awake and working probably on his records. Things had really changed some ways since that tragedy. Entering the large library swept cobalt eyes through the endless maze of large selves filled with books in search for the other. This was probably one of the grounds while he liked the library in the Ark, you could find others easier.
"Bookman, I need to talk with you." he called out, but there was no response. Knowing that the other must be surely here, he was already in both the Ark and the medical wing of the HQ. "Bookman." his short patience, his squad learned that early enough, was wearing thin "Damn it Baka Usagi! Where the bloody hell are you!" he yelled in annoyance when suddenly there was a faint yelp and the sound of falling books.
Walking over in to the noises direction found Kanda himself suddenly standing in front of a ladder and a rather large pile of books of different sizes. Suddenly the pile looked as if it would breathe, before a person broke out from under them, a copy of 'The ancient history of China' still on his head.
"Damn it Kanda, do you really want to get me murdered by a pile of history books?" the redhead snapped while glaring with one emerald eye at the other.
"I had called for you, but didn't receive any reply." Kanda replied shrugging, but held his hand out to help the other up.
"You know when I'm to engrossed in my work." he replied while dusting himself up.
"I know, but there is something I wanted to talk with you about."
The other only nodded before both made they way to a little couch by one of the large windows and sat down. After that regained silence between the two men before the redhead broke it.
"Yuu, you are still planning to do it." the redhead said in a soft voice as he placed a hand on his friends arm.
"It was six years ago that you had called me that the last time Lavi." said Kanda, a little smile on his pale lips.
"It was also the same time ago that someone had called me something other then Bookman. Sometimes I wonder if the old Panda made the right decision in naming me his successor." Bookman replied as he looked up wistfully at the ceiling before turning back to the samurai.
"He made a good decision in both naming you his successor and giving you his blessing. Bookman knew that you would make it."
"Yeah." the other replied while tracing the little golden ring he wore with his fingers. "Yuu, I want to come with you." he said suddenly in a determined tone.
"I can't allow that."
"What? Why not Yuu I…"
"I will be already taking Road with me. Don't worry, I have understood that even if I should succeed it won't change anything in our time line. I can't make Allen return to live even if I wish that I could. Beside that you still have your duties as Bookman and a General Exorcist and don't forget Lenalee who is currently in the hospital wing carrying your child under her heart."
"I know, but…"
"Lavi, I will try to fix the pasts mistakes so that our younger selves might have a much brighter future, but we also must fight here to create one."
"Yeah, I want my kid to manage to enjoy his or her childhood without sitting day by day by his uncle worrying if his parents will return from they missions or not before they also need to fight." Bookman said as he stood up to stand beside the other, one hand held out "We will continue battling the Akuma of the Earl while looking for the Innocence, new Exorcist and Allen's siblings. I wish you luck on your mission Yuu, please return with Road back home soon."
"Thank you." Kanda replied as he shook the other's hand.
After the little Exchange with Bookman hurried Kanda back to his room, it was time to wake Road up. Walking back in to the room he spotted her still sleeping. Shaking his head in slight amusement made Kanda his way over to the bed, softly shaking the buddle on the bed.
"Road, it is time to wake up." he told her.
"Ngh…five more minutes…" come it from under the covers.
"No young lady, it is time to get up have a bath and breakfast." no reaction "Road, do you want Allen and the others of your family to be safe?" this seemed to work the next thing Kanda knew that his blanket fell on his head and the bedroom door slammed shut. Uhm…that worked well…
The breakfast and the packing went quick, now they only needed to get in to the Ark. It was strange seeing that the whole Order seemed to be deserted from people as they made they way up the stairs to the room which held the door to the Ark. Upon stepping inside they found out why the hallways were so empty, it was because everyone was waiting for them inside the white city. Everyone was there, scientist from both the European and Asian branch, Finders, Exorcist, Generals – Even Cross stood there nodding to him – kitchen and medical staff, the remaining Third Exorcist and Converted Akuma. Everyone had gathered together to wish them luck and a safe returning to home back after, meanwhile would they also work hard. It was touching Kanda needed to admit even thought he tried to hide behind his stoic expression. "Do you see it Allen how much we had all loved you?" he thought while watching Road being hugged awkwardly by Lenalee her round belly made it not easy. Komui had nearly a heart attack hen his sister had informed him about her engagement with the young Bookman and later about her pregnancy. His trail of thoughts stopped when Link walked up to him, the scar he received back then still present on his now older looking face, and wished him his best regards. Nodding in response he waited patiently till everyone has bid them farewell and then walked up to Road and placed a hand on her shoulder signaling that it was time. Before they went to the Musician's room gave both Komui and Back each of them a little communicator earring.
Inside the white piano room of the Musician, a room filled with so many bittersweet memories, watched Kanda as Road walked up to stand beside the ivory piano, Timcampy resting on her head. The girl took the little golem in her hands and told it that it could not come with them this time. The golden ball turned then in Kanda's direction and the samurai had the feeling that the golem was accusing him to be the ground to stay behind. Well excuse him that he didn't want to get taped while writing and moaning under a certain white haired Exorcist the creature called it's master. It took Rode nearly ten minutes to calm Timcampy who wanted to go already after Kanda's hair with his teeth.
"Ugh…Timcampy if it interests you, Komui and Back gave us these earrings to communicate so I won't be taking my…" but then suddenly something golden rushed past him in high speed before Kanda could even finish his sentence.
"I think you are lucky that golems can't breed." Road replied while Kanda groaned.
"You tell me? That sight I saw when I first found out what those two do will forever haunt me…" at this Road broke out giggling before her face turned serious.
"We should start." her tone was soft, not betraying even the slightest of emotions.
"Yes we should…" Kanda replied sighing. He hated to do this, hated to constantly remind himself about his sin, but there was no other way, Road couldn't do this alone. Nodding to the girl who had in the meantime taken up her Noah form both of them closed they eyes.
Then, the boy falls asleep
The flame inside the breathing ashes,
and one by one
Many dear profiles appear
Thousands of dreams
drop to the Earth
As Road begun to sing, felt Kanda cold hands clenching on his heart, but not because of the song. He always thought that the Core of the Musician was in a way sad, but as he had listened back then to Allen singing it brought back to many forgotten memories. Some of those from his own past and some of that of his Core Memories.
On the night when silver eyes flicker,
the shining you is born
Even though countless prayers are
returned to the earth by the passing millions of years
Pushing away the memories and the sadness mixed with guilt he started concentrating. Slowly Kanda raised his gloved left arm and placed his fist in to a gripping pose. There was a soft flash of light which bound itself together in to a silver chain which's end sunk in to the ground from where something black started resurfacing.
I will continue to pray
No matter what, shower this child with love
And kiss on the connected hands…
"I'm sorry Allen…" he breathed before pulling on the chain as the sound of something opening mixed itself with the melancholic singing of the Noah of Dreams.
To be continued…