Disclaimer: Nope, I still own nothing.

A/N: Wow! It has been years! I don't even know if anyone is interested in this story any more. Real life was very difficult, with many problems but now I seem to be back, with a renewed muse and intent to finish this, if there is actually anyone who wants to see more of this story.

Beta: Monochrome Blues

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oOo

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Link calmly led the group of exorcists to one of the many large rooms of the new headquarters. Allen, who had been given just enough time to don his uniform before being whisked away by the inspector, was walking silently, side by side with Lenalee. Kanda and Lavi followed closely. The four exorcists were deep in thought, wondering what all this was about. Once or twice Lenalee seemed as if she was about to break the silence and ask Allen something but every time the saddened look on the white haired exorcist's face dissuaded her.

Kanda was curious about all this. The look Lavi gave Allen at times bothered him. The fact that the inspector always kept an eye on the younger exorcist, coupled with Leverrier's summons did nothing to lessen his concern. All of this was very suspicious and the sword wielding exorcist didn't like any of it.

Upon entering the room, which was more like a chapel according to the architecture, yet devoid of any furnishings, they saw that the other exorcist had gathered as well. Marie, Bookman, Miranda, Krory, even that new kid, Chaoji were standing in the middle of the, otherwise empty, room looking curiously at the newly arrived members of the Order. It was quite obvious they had no idea why they were there; with the exception of Bookman that is.

The blonde inspector turned to Allen, "Please follow me. The secretary wishes to talk to you in private first." If Allen was surprised he didn't show it. Kanda's trained eyes however, picked up the stiffening of his posture and a brief look of panic that passed from Allen's eyes. The white haired exorcist didn't say anything and he seemed reluctant, almost apprehensive, to turn his gaze towards the other exorcists, his friends. So he just nodded and followed Link obediently to the only other door in the room, just on the opposite side of the one they had used when they entered.

The lack of spirit that Allen showed and that resignation evident in his body language made Kanda uncomfortable. It told him that the white haired exorcist knew, at least on some degree, what was going on and from the way he was acting it was something serious. Not that his demeanour couldn't be attributed to the loss of the general Cross, but somehow Kanda didn't believe that that was the only thing that had dampened Allen's usual behaviour.

Not caring about the presence of the others, his eyes remained fixed on the door that Link and Allen had walked out of. He watched the doorway with apprehension, trying to piece together everything he knew in order to reach some credible theory about what was going on. He didn't know what lied beyond that door, having been in the new head quarters for just a few hours but he could venture a guess. He tuned out all the other exorcists, who after a few awkward hellos and questions about why they were there, that no one answered, simply fell silent. Miranda, Krory and Chaoji were looking around, nervously. Lavi went to the Bookman's side, exchanging a knowing glance with the old man and Marie simply stood there, in his usually calm manner.

The silence was interrupted a few minutes later when three people entered the room. Much to everyone's surprise, especially Miranda's who didn't know what to do with herself and how to behave, it was General Tiedoll, General Sokaro and General Nyne. That was unusual, as the generals for the most time were not informed of their missions or any other matter of significance along with the exorcists. Their attendance was a testament to the importance of whatever announcement Leverrier had to make.

Tiedoll and Nyne, being more courteous and less formal than their colleague, greeted the exorcists politely and in Tiedoll's case, warmly. Only Sokaro remained silent and looking quite displeased, like he did most of the time. However, all the generals had a hint of weariness in their expression, which could only be attributed to one thing.

"Is it true about General Cross?"

Strangely it was Marie who asked the question that everyone wanted to ask. Attention immediately turned on him, as Sokaro was looking angrily at him and the other two just seemed a bit surprised. Perhaps they hadn't realized that the knowledge had spread beyond the higher chain of command of the Order.

Kanda saw Tiedoll nod, a sad expression on his face, "I am afraid it is."

The faces of Nyne and Sokaro were unreadable but Kanda could imagine what was in their minds. For one of their rank to have been killed in such a way…it brought up many questions. There hadn't been an official attack, no alert of Akuma having breached the defences, no warnings about Noah infiltration. Something had happened during the night and a general was killed, the most elusive general to be more precise. Kanda wondered if whatever happened had been covered up and only the upper echelons of the Order were privy to what truly had transpired. After all, in Kanda's experience, it wouldn't be the first time that uncomfortable events had been obscured by the higher ups.

Kanda's attention was diverted from his own musings as the door his eyes had been focused on opened abruptly.

Leverrier stood at the opening, tall and stoic as always, his gaze travelling across everyone already present. As if he was satisfied by the attendance, he stepped through and entered the room, followed by Komui, who, unlike his normal self, seemed reserved. The last ones to enter were Allen and Link, having lingered behind.

As the white haired exorcist came into view, Kanda was struck by the calmness that he had about him. It seemed unnatural, as if he was suppressing all his feelings to show a something he didn't really feel and to smile.

Kanda clenched his fists. That false façade really made him angry, but if he cared to look deeper, he would have realized there was also something else there; a strange coldness mingled with the anger. A part of him wanted to hear what the secretary had seemed to think so important as to gather everyone here, but another part of him nudged at him, like a warning bell telling him that there was a possibility he would learn something that he didn't want to know. He had heard that in many instances knowledge was a curse more than a blessing but Kanda hated being in the dark. He wanted the truth and even though his instincts warned against it, he wanted to find out what seemed to be a closely guarded secret at the moment. Especially since, it seemed to involve Allen quite heavily.

The secretary, looking intimidating as always, took a step forward so that all attention was on him. Standing upright, in his black suit that seemed to fit him too well not to be custom made, he tugged at his right glove, straightening it so that the seams fitted perfectly with the lines of his fingers.

"We have gathered you all here, to inform you of some important developments regarding the war we are waging against the Millennium Earl and his creations," he announced. His voice deep and powerful echoed in the room that had fallen completely silent.

Everyone looked interested and the younger exorcists like Chaoji and Miranda, a bit anxious, probably remembering the recent events of the attack against the Order by the agents of the Earl. The rest were looking sombre as they waited for him to continue.

"We have determined that Allen Walker is host to the memory of the Noah known as the fourteenth."

There it was. Kanda winced upon hearing those words. It felt like he had been dealt a physical blow. That phrase kept repeating in his mind, over and over.

He couldn't believe it.

It couldn't be true.

His fists clenched even more as he tried to suppress any other reaction.

How is this possible?

And yet he couldn't doubt it. Not when he saw the brief look of resignation in Allen's eyes, or the pain in Komui's expression.

Kanda wanted to hit something.

He could hear comments of disbelief from the other exorcists; Lenalee especially.

"However," Leverrier continued, raising his tone a bit, "for the sake of appearances, he will remain resident at the headquarters and continue to carry out the duties of an exorcist."

He paused, looking around as if gauging every exorcist's reaction before resuming. "Furthermore; we are instituting a gag order. Only the Central office, order of administrative officers and exorcists are permitted to know his identity."

The exorcists looked to each other, confused and distraught by the news. The Generals were stoic and silent, not betraying their thoughts. Unsurprisingly so were Bookman and Lavi, which confirmed Kanda's suspicions.

"Presently," Leverrier made a vague motion towards the white haired exorcist who stood behind him, "Walker's abilities as the player are necessary to the order and from that angle of our fighting strength a further decrease in manpower would also be a serious blow."

Of course, he would want to use him. To use a Noah…

Kanda was torn, between his hatred for the creatures known as Noah, who served the Earl and his own affection for the young man he knew as Allen Walker. He really had no idea what to do, how to react. He was angry, at everything and everyone. He couldn't accept what Leverrier was saying but at the same time he knew it to be true. There was no reason to lie. The secretary was warning them against a potential enemy.

Allen was an enemy.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't quite grasp the idea. The happy and polite Allen who wore his heart on his sleeve couldn't be a Noah. He couldn't be one of those nefarious creatures that had claimed the lives of so many people.

"Therefore, the Central Office has decided that for the present, we will be keeping our very own pet Noah," the secretary concluded, giving them a grin at that last comment.

It took every inch of willpower Kanda had not to react violently to that. Calling Allen a pet, it was infuriating.

But he is a Noah.

His mind whispered to him, urging him to accept the truth. But Kanda could not reconcile the beings he knew as Noah with the innocent man that kept his gaze downcast all through Leverrier's speech.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Komui take a step forward, but he didn't care what he was about to say. Right now nothing seemed to matter except the fact that had just been revealed, Allen was a Noah.

The thought echoed in Kanda's mind, over and over.

Allen was a Noah.

There was no denying this.

Thinking back, he had found it strange that only Allen could use the Ark. This should have been a clue, but like now, it had seemed so unlikely. No theory could have lead him to such a conclusion; perhaps because he would not have wanted it to. But truth was truth and he had no option but to accept it.

"As direct commanding officer of the exorcists, I will now announce a mission of unlimited duration for all assembled, "Komui announced. The reflection of the light on his glasses, kept his eyes hidden but from the tone of his voice it was obvious that he had trouble saying what he had to say. Every word he spoke came out strained, "In the event, that Allen Walker awakens as the fourteenth and it is judged he has become a threat to our organization, then…" His voice trailed away.

Kanda could see him bite his lip and clench his fists and instantly he knew what it was that Komui had such trouble saying. Disbelief filled Kanda's mind as he realized that which should have been obvious. Of course Allen,the Noah, would have to be observed closely and in the event of his awakening, he had to be stopped…killed.

Killed.

He knew that it was necessary, it was pragmatic. All Noah and Akuma were enemies of the world; they were what the exorcists fought against. That was absolute; the collaborators of the Millennium Earl had to be destroyed. Nothing was more important for an exorcist and Kanda agreed whole heartedly.

Then why was he feeling like someone was wrenching his heart?

Why was the thought of driving Mugen through Allen's chest so unbearable?

Because he cared about Allen; He lo-.

He stopped that thought on its trail. He didn't want to think about that. Not now and not after what he had just learned.

Komui took a deep breath, willing himself to speak but was interrupted. Allen himself stepped up and came to stand by Komui's side, giving the supervisor a reassuring smile. He looked calm and collected, so much so that Kanda wanted to punch him, to shake him and make that mask break, to see his true face.

Kanda looked at him straight in the eyes, not knowing what his expression was; if he wore a look of disgust or of affection.

"If that time comes please kill me," Allen's soft voice spoke, almost devoid of emotion. It reminded Kanda of a doll.

"But it won't happen that way," the white haired exorcist assured, some semblance of emotion returning to his face as he gave them a smile. "If the fourteenth tries to attack the Order, I will stop him."

That was something Kanda could believe. There was no doubt that Allen would rather sacrifice himself, lose himself than harm others. That was why the thought of him being a Noah seemed so unbelievable. Allen always put other's first, strived to help and to comfort everyone he found suffering. He was the only one who cared about the souls inside the Akuma. For him to become one of the Earl's apostles…

The fourteenth.

A Noah.

Allen is a Noah.

Kanda couldn't take any more of this. He turned abruptly and stormed out of the room. He paid no attention to the looks he received from everyone. He only cared about getting out. His thoughts were too chaotic and he felt like he couldn't breathe.

So he left, not knowing where he was going and not really caring.

And in his hurry he didn't notice Allen's sad gaze.

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oOo TBC? oOo

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Do review and let me know if you want to see more 3