Note from the Author: This was written in response to the fact that the suffixes were suddenly included in the subtitles when they shouldn't have been. The story doesn't take place in Japan, despite the fact that it's, you know, Japanese, and the only Japanese character is Kanda. So why would anyone else use suffixes? Think about that for a while.

"Good morning, Kanda-san." Allen smiled stiffly at his fellow exorcist as he passed his door.

Kanda stopped abruptly, glaring at him. "Kanda-san? Where did you learn that, bean sprout?"

Allen shrugged good-naturedly. "Lenalee and I went on a mission to Tokyo. You're from Japan, aren't you? I thought you might want to hear the suffixes."

Kanda's dark eyes narrowed, studying him carefully.

He shifted uncomfortably. "What's it like – where you're from?"

Kanda's brow relaxed, his gaze falling vacantly to his boots. "It's a cold mountain village." His voice was soft, wistful. "It snows at least once a week all year, everything is always covered in white. Everyone knows each other, and anyone would die for the safety of his neighbor."

Allen stepped out of his doorway, slowly, unsure. "It sounds lovely, Kanda-san." He offered quietly, afraid to break the reverie.

Too late. Kanda's eyes flashed back up, disdain reappearing. "Of course it was." Sarcasm stained the statement. "That's why I chose to come here."

Allen didn't even flinch, and his eyes remained cool. "You aren't fooling anyone."

Kanda, naturally, didn't flinch either. "And where are you from that has made you such a good judge?"

Allen shook his head, smiling grimly. "I am from nowhere. My foster parents traveled all over, and I went with them. I have no home now, except the Black Order." His smile brightened, classic and kind, the way he smiled at everyone but the person he smiled at now. "You're lucky to have two homes."

Kanda watched his face, frowning. "That place isn't my home now." He turned sharply, hair swinging as he stalked away.

Allen's smile remained as he watched him go. The Black Order was Kanda's home, too, and that made them family.