Disclaimer: D. Gray-Man belongs to Hoshino Katsura.
Chapter Eleven: Who's The Enemy?
The bespectacled man nodded gravely at the young woman before him. The report he received had been, very much to say, interesting. At least now he understood why the tentatively-titled happiest couple had broken like shattered glass. But his husband did not really need to know about this, not yet at least, lest that man came back to Japan to murder one of his interns. On the other hand, to have their redhead intern showing hints that he may have Awakened was an unexpected development. It was much faster than he had anticipated. Perhaps Tyki's effort in pestering his partner had accelerated the process.
"Thank you, Lenalee, for telling me about all this...Especially what Allen told you."
Lenalee merely frowned at her superior, who was also...
"Komui-niisan...Lavi mentioned to me something about Allen's term of captivity..."
* * *
Link was never one to appreciate coffee. It was to him, the Devil's brew. True, that coffee and tea both have caffeine, but tea relaxes people whereas coffee throws people into madness. Yet irresistibly, the blonde found his hand twitching to have a mug of that bitter, black liquid made from roasted beans. Anything to keep his mind from that - 'Oh my Lord, is he really doing that?!' Link's mind turned off at the sight of Madarao blatantly giving him a lustful look.
Allen was bravely laughing his mind out with his face buried in a cushion. No one bothered paying attention to the young teen, as they were all too busy either laughing or trying not to. Tyki was grinning widely even as Lavi was hanging off his arm, tears of laughter escaping him. It had been Tyki who 'brilliantly' suggested to Madarao to be as explicitly suggestive as possible in order to grab Link's attention, no matter what sort of attention it was. Exactly how he bugged Lavi, which earned him a smack on his arm from said rabbit.
Only Kanda wasn't laughing, but he wasn't scowling either. He was too bewildered with the wildly passionate looks that new patient kept giving his overseer which in return; Link looked ill and fit to faint given any moment. He made no move to stop it, because somehow, seeing the blonde who had bothered moyashi a lot in his weird other-world dreams suffer gave him great satisfaction. Even though he knew it was only a dream and nothing more, no one was allowed to pester his moyashi without his consent.
"Alright...Walker, this must be your doing. What have you done to him?" Link rounded up on one person he could possibly always count on to cook up trouble. Allen's jaw dropped, and immediately he stood face-to-face with Link, looking rather annoyed.
"Is it really mine now? Madarao has been very kind to tell me what sort of cookups you come up with using my name, and now you think I'm responsible for whatever he's doing? You're being very ironic here, Link."
Link was startled. Madarao told him that? For goodness sake, then something must be seriously wrong with Madarao. Link did not know what occurred in Madarao's life before he came here, but the man certainly was not a LECHER as his very unwholesome attention indicated right now. At least, not in the past when Link still knew him very well. Right now...Link was not sure he even knew the man any more.
The only one who was not partaking in the joyful atmosphere was Road. It always was like this on Saturdays. Road would be the only one without her overseer, and that made her a very, very unhappy child indeed. Allen noticed her quietly brewing temper and approached her. "Do you want to go make some cookies, Road?" The teen gently asked, smiling patiently. Tyki had no doubts that Allen would be an excellent mother.
"...I want to make cakes," Road answered after thinking for a short while, still sulking. "A cake with lots of icing, marzipan decorations, strawberries, and chocolate!"
"Alright. Shall we go, Link? I doubt your love for baking has diminished," Allen mentioned with a grin.
Link scoffed. "If it comes to baking, I am sure to find myself superior even to the kitchen staff."
"...I've been curious for a while, but how the hell do you guys know him?" Kanda asked out of the blue. He was really surprised by the lack of hesitation between Link, Allen and Madarao. "Childhood acquaintances," Link swiftly answered, smoothly covering for his hidden memories.
"We had no idea we'd meet here again," Allen added helpfully.
"The world is filled with irony," Madarao finished with a poetic touch.
Lavi snorted, but kept his face hidden so that Kanda would not be able to see it. But on the way out, Rikei stopped by. He wore a bright grin on his face as he approached the group. "Hey Kanda! You got a phone call at the office. It's from someone you know very well." Though he didn't understand who Rikei meant, Kanda nodded and left with the Chinese intern to pick up the call. Allen vaguely wondered for a while who was the one who made the call, but the teen put the issue to the back of his mind and helped Road make her cake.
Link on the other hand, was trying to make his confectionery in peace without Madarao trying to, as he so delicately put it, help him. The blonde's definition of help was assisting with the baking process, but Madarao's definition seemed to involve a LOT of physical contact. "Excuse me, but I can handle myself in a kitchen," Link coolly declared, and placed another three feet between himself and Madarao. Undeterred, Madarao closed the distance, fingers almost discreetly touching Link's elbow. The man did not smile, but rather was concentrated on the content of Link's bowl.
"What do you plan on making, Link?"
Link tried to hide his annoyed expression. "I'm making Sachetorte...And get your finger out of my bowl!"
"They make such a cute couple! Look at how subtly they're flirting with each other," Jeryy cooed, completely missing their reaction. Tyki coughed out what sounded suspiciously like choked laughter, while Lavi was already stuffing his fist into his mouth to stop from breaking out into laughter. Allen simply couldn't wipe his smile off his face. Link, suffice to say, was going red in the face, from the anger obviously. "Excuse me, but as an employed hand here, I strictly disapprove of work-related relationships."
"Once I get better and out of this place, we can establish a relationship; is that what you mean?" Madarao commented subtly. Link choked, but Lavi finally burst out laughing at the witty comeback. It was during such ruckus that Kanda returned from his phone call. At first glance, there was no change, but to Allen, Kanda could not have been in a better mood. There was no smile, but Kanda was not scowling either. His general gait was very much relaxed, very obvious from the slight slant of his shoulders and the curve of his spine. "You seem to be in a fine mood," Allen mentioned as he sidled up to Kanda's side.
Kanda scoffed, though with no real ill intention. The words that spilled from his lips next had everyone paralysed. "Alma is coming back." The Noahs, or rather, ex-Noahs remembered in a flash instant the poor experiment who was neither Akuma, nor human, nor true Apostle. The once Crow member and Third Exorcist recalled the disfigured body of the Womb that birthed one such as Madarao then. The past Bookman who only knew Alma by name in the past, but by face in the present, could predict great trouble ahead.
A cold shiver ran through Allen, who was desperately trying to hide the trembling of his hands by hiding them in the pockets of the apron he wore. He knew Alma, though only through Kanda's memories…Alma had been a very important person to Kanda. Alma was to Kanda what Mana had been to Allen. While Mana had become a father figure to Allen, Alma had been the sole friend of Kanda when he had been trapped in such a bleak existence. Let it not be said that good people cannot be jealous, for that was what Allen was.
Seeing the shocking pale colours Allen had turned into, Tyki came to his rescue. "Right…And Alma would be?" Lavi saw that there was no way to avoid broaching the topic. The redhead grinned, or at least, put on a weak smile. "He's Yu's best bud! Been living next to each other since the cradle, I heard. They used to beat the crap out of each other, but strangely grew up to be close friends after that. Isn't that right, Yu?" Kanda snorted at the description, but did not deny the validity of Lavi's words.
"…Wow, he must be an interesting person, to be Yu's best friend."
Allen couldn't believe how fake his voice sounded to his own ears, but what he couldn't believe more was how Kanda failed to notice his unusual behaviour. Road silently approached Allen's side, tugging his hand. Even without words, both could communicate very well with each other. There were Road's violet eyes, imploring Allen to seek her should he need any protection from emotional pain. Allen understood Road's gesture of kindness, and only lightly gripped back her hand in return. "Hn, at least he's dragging his ass back here after going over to China for three years," Kanda grunted, looking as if he was annoyed, but Allen knew better. Kanda was pleased that Alma was returning, from his three-year excursion to China, apparently.
Allen daren't speak out, this Kanda so unfamiliar to him. Rarely, if ever, did he see Kanda so close to being happy, and it hurt him in ways words couldn't say. He couldn't face this Kanda. This Kanda…Is not his. Slowly, he released Road's hand. "I need to get something from my room. I'll be back soon!" With false cheer, Allen dashed away from the room, needing as much space as he could between himself and Kanda. Instead of heading towards his room, he ran to the classroom wing, diving into the closest empty classroom available. Having found a safe refuge, the snow haired youth sank to his knees, cursing his weakness. Allen greatly loathed himself for his jealousy. In his logic, he could see clearly that Alma's appearance has helped Kanda a lot. Alma was an irreplaceable friend for Kanda. But somehow, he felt that Alma had a part of Kanda that he could not possess, even if that part was revealed to Alma because of friendship.
So Allen loathed himself for coveting it. He wanted to know all that he could about his Yumebito, and to have a feeling that there was a part of him that he could never know drove Allen to the edge of bitterness. He thought that being Kanda's lover might at least merit him a little more worth, but it had seemed in the end that he has lost worth as a lover, and possibly all else with it in his previous life. In this life, it was more terrible. Allen could very well be nothing to Kanda, the latter displaying disturbing signs of willing physical contact even though he gave no hints of having any past memories' flashback, unlike Lavi.
And that terrified Allen to no ends. He could accept it if Kanda never recalled their former life, but would he still fall in love with Allen without his past memory as a guide? Almost unconsciously, Allen began humming.
When we cannot meet
Listen to just this one wish
That you are mine
Allow me to sing it
When I am by your side
I am unable to say it
That sweet kiss
Belongs to me
Because you are important
Sometimes it makes me want to tease you
Let's do lots of things
Let's touch a lot of places
I want to see more of your troubled expression
What should I do?
I don't want to leave your side
I love you
I should have said more of it
I really like you
I really like you
When the sounds of applause rang in the empty room, Allen shot up like a startled rabbit. A young man was standing near the door, his tanned dark brown skin shining smooth under the scant sunlight. "Still doing your Nightingale charade?" The newcomer teased, a big smile on his lips. Momentarily, all worries were blown away from Allen's mind as he leapt to his feet and gave the supposed stranger a warm embrace.
"Narein! I thought you returned to India for your medical studies!" The teenager chirped happily.
Narein grinned, patting Allen's back. "Well, I'm sure you have eyes to see. I'm back now. I applied for a job here after completing my studies."
"Does that mean I get to see you everyday now?!" Allen asked excitedly like a boy who got himself a new toy. "You bet you do. I was hoping to be your caretaker, but it seems an intern is already in charge of you," Narein explained. At the mention of his overseer, Allen's expression fell once more, all his troubles coming back. Noticing the obvious change, Narein ruffled Allen's hair.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
As Allen regaled the tales of happenings while Narein was absent, he failed to realize that someone had seen him joyfully hugging his good friend. The moment Kanda saw Allen looking disappointed that he did not get that doctor as his overseer, the young man left seething. There was no need to ask, it was obvious; Allen did not like Kanda as his overseer, and was let down to know that his friend couldn't replace Kanda.
Good, Kanda thought viciously. Allen was his charge and his coveted possession. No one was going to take over his job, or take away Allen. Not even if Allen wanted it. The Japanese thought on how he could barely control his jealous outrage to witness Allen so open and comfortable in the presence of another man. Why was it that Allen couldn't be the same with him? What was it that caused Allen, who while claiming that he was close to Kanda, distanced himself in discreet manners?
As long as Allen remained in the facility, he would always be in contact with that doctor. Kanda mused momentarily. If Allen was healed, he could leave this place, and be away from here. With that thought in mind, Kanda decided that he must do all in his power to cure Allen. Perhaps if Allen could live with him…He had a faint suspicion that he and Alma would be very good friends, seeing that they shared some similar behaviours. Kanda thought to himself some more. When Alma returned, he should introduce him to Allen.
On the other hand, in the kitchen, everyone held a discussion. As much as he did not want to be involved, Link was inevitably dragged into said discussion. Road and Tyki were pestering Lavi about the current Alma, seeing that not everyone knew the past Alma, with the exception of Road in the kitchen group. Even Lavi was looking vaguely uneasy with the revelation. He was pretty good friends with Alma, before his Awakening. But now, it wasn't as if Alma had become an enemy of his, but rather, Alma posed a threat to Allen's position.
"So how is the third party like?" Tyki quipped, very curious.
Lavi sighed. "Tyki, if you see it that way in this context, Allen is the third party, since he got to know Yu later. As far as I know, Alma and Kanda grew up as neighbours. Alma used to annoy Kanda, but being boys of the same age, they grew to be quite close friends. Alma is…Well, about the only one Kanda allows using his first name." A shiver swept through the group. That evidence spoke volumes of Kanda's friendship with Alma.
"Alma went on a cross-culture exchange programme three years ago to China. He still keeps in contact with us. I guess he was saving the news of coming back as a surprise…"
"And a nasty one at that," Road muttered, having the bad habit of seeing anyone who was a potential threat to Allen as an enemy. Tyki shook his head. "Now, we can't judge people like that. Maybe that's just what they really are, best friends. We can't make any rushed conclusions without even seeing the guy."
Link almost sighed witnessing the discussion. "Why do you not simply wait for Alma to arrive and ask him honestly about his feelings? Rather than sneaking around and potentially creating disastrous events, I find it far simpler to deal with." Everyone stared at the blond, who returned an uneasy glance to them. Madarao then smiled, a genuine smile, not the perverted ones he had been prone to using up until just now.
"That was a useful advice, Link."
"I guess the task falls to me then, since I can approach him the easiest," Lavi mused.
Road left the discussion at that. It was not as if she disagreed with the rest, but she understood the extent of Allen's fears. After all, in their previous life, only she and Allen really saw what had happened between Alma and Kanda. Alma was the first bright existence in Kanda's life, and it went without saying that people usually grasped and held on tightly to their first shred of kindness. The young girl didn't know if it applied to Kanda as well, but the role that Alma once played in shaping Kanda's life was too great. And Allen, having borne witness to it all, knew that better than anyone else. Alma was Kanda's friend, but Alma went to the extent of willing to die for that friendship. Kanda's humanity was stomped upon when he discovered he was an artificial being, and further trampled upon when he was forced to kill Alma.
If not for Alma's rampage, Kanda would not be back among the living. It was because of his tragic past that he was able to become an exorcist and meet Allen. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, Road had no idea. But one thing was for sure; she would ensure that Allen was protected. As she wandered down the halls, her sight landed on Allen who was chatting happily with another familiar figure, Narein.
"Oh, and look at who is standing there. How is the Princess doing?"
Road squealed and ran towards him, who readily caught her in his arms. Narein laughed aloud, seeing the childish reaction of the girl who had her arms around his waist. "When did you come back?!" Road demanded, pouting cutely. She was never quite close to humans in her past, but Narein had been a great friend towards Allen, despite not having his memories. That alone was enough to endear Road to the Indian. "Let's say I came back about a few days ago. And I'm going to be working here," Narein answered, pinching Road's cheeks a bit.
"That's great! What are you going to be doing?" The girl asked, almost displaying curiosity had Allen not known better. She was suspicious, maybe scared even, that Narein would become like one of the terrible doctors here...Those who valued only their research and cared little for their patients. "Well, since I studied pharmaceutics, I should be in charge of the pharmacy with Timcanpy," he answered easily. Road smiled in a bit of relief. Timcanpy was one of the better doctors around here. So focused Allen was on Narein, he didn't notice when a hand came to clap down on his shoulder, causing the teen to jump and yelp in surprise.
"Do you need to scream?"
Allen's eyes widened, but softened slightly at the sight of the speaker. He managed a small smile and said, "Yu...What are you doing here?" The Japanese scoffed, looking hardly concerned. "I'm your watcher. I can't be letting you run around without me. And who's this?"
She wasn't sure if Allen noticed, but Road was very certain she saw a streak of competitive light in Kanda's eyes. Narein held out his hand, but Kanda didn't take it. In fact, he was staring at Narein almost distrustfully. Allen frowned and lightly elbowed him, causing Kanda to grumble and mutter, but grudgingly took Narein's hand and briefly shook it. Narein didn't let it bother him. "I'm Narein, a new doctor here. When I was an intern I looked after Allen, so I've known him for some time."
As much as Kanda disliked the fact that Narein seemed close to Allen, but there was a strange fact to his words, and he voiced his thoughts. "Intern? When?" Allen was only admitted about three years ago, wasn't he? And as much as an idiot he could be, Kanda was at the very least sure that studying medicine took more than three years. Narein was about to answer, but was immediately silenced when Allen hastily pressed a finger to his lips. Allen dragged Narein away, leaving Road to distract Kanda.
"What's wrong, Allen?"
"Narein...Can you keep it a secret?" Allen asked nervously. He had forgotten; Narein had no idea the length of Allen's stay had been modified to three years. Narein raised his eyes in surprise. "He's your intern, you know?"
"I know...I have my reasons. Just...Until it's okay, please keep it a secret...How long I've been here..."
The Indian smiled gently at the lost-looking boy before him. Allen was so different from when he first came under Narein's watch. As a young nine year old, Allen was often sullen and unresponsive, choosing to spend his time together with a then eight year old Road. It had been hard for Narein to try to communicate with his charge, who had been somewhat scared to be with someone he didn't know well. But Narein's openness and persistence won Allen's friendship in the end, and Narein was glad that their friendship gave Allen a bit more laughter back into his life. He almost couldn't believe six years have passed since he ended his internship and left Allen here.
"Alright. If you don't want to let him know, I won't say anything. Come on, let's go back. I'm sure that he's waiting for you. He seems really protective of you," Narein replied. Allen nodded awkwardly, not even wanting to imagine Kanda's reaction at being suddenly ditched like that. He had been increasingly clingy after all, and a possessive Kanda was really troubling. As expected, Kanda was glowering at them when they returned to where they left Kanda and Road standing. The intern let out an angry sound from the back of his throat and snatched Allen's wrist, leading him away.
"Yu?! Where are you taking me?" Allen asked, trying not to wince at the force of Kanda's grip.
Kanda didn't answer, but he tugged at Allen's hand, forcing the boy to jog to keep up with Kanda's brisk pace. Not wanting to anger Kanda any further, Allen kept quiet and followed him. To his surprise, they were back in his room. Kanda roughly flung Allen onto the bed, causing the snow-haired teen to bewilderedly wonder what was going on in his watcher's mind. "Don't go mixing around with that guy," Kanda warned, the tick of irritation visible in his expression. He had been angry when he saw Allen silence Narein with a finger to his lips, thinking that such an action was inappropriate. A small voice in his mind told him that he didn't want to see such an intimate move, because he was envious of the possibility that Narein may be closer to Allen's heart than he was.
Allen's face, from a mask of confusion turned into a glare of annoyance. "Why not? Narein is my friend!"
"Because I say so! He's not good news!"
"You don't know Narein! He's been a great person to me!"
Allen flinched when Kanda slapped his palm onto the wall, narrowly missing Allen's face. He found his body pressed against to the wall as Kanda drew himself closer. "I don't know that man, but I know I'm in charge when it comes to you and I say you stop mixing with him!" Irrational bravery took over Allen. The teen pushed Kanda back and scrambled off the bed, scowling at the Japanese, who was being increasingly unreasonable. He didn't understand; he's never seen such a...maniac Kanda before.
"You don't order me around! I have the right to make friends with whomever I want!"
The moment Kanda's eyes came upon Allen's own, the teen realized there was a furious glow to those dark irises. A small amount of fear clawed at his heart; he was unable to confront this side of Kanda he didn't know. He's dealt with an angry or hateful Kanda...but this was unlike anything he's ever seen before. Allen bolted out of the room before he even knew what he was doing.
"Moyashi!"
Needless to say, Kanda gave chase. Fear mounting with every passing moment, Allen ran faster until he saw help in a distance. He immediately hid behind Timcanpy, who looked surprised to have Allen use him as a shield and faced with a scary Kanda. "Now, now...What's going on?"
"Hand him over," Kanda declared frostily. He was in no mood for games.
Allen was trembling; Timcanpy could tell without having to see. He could feel Allen's hand on his back, spasms twitching his fingers against his skin through the clothes. "Kanda...It's best that you leave for a while. You should know emotional and mental stress is not good for a mental institute patient," Timcanpy chided. Kanda still stubbornly stood his ground. At times like this, Timcanpy was reminded of exactly how stubborn Kanda could be. Finally, Timcanpy gave his own coat a little point, his pristine white a symbol status that he was of higher authority.
"White wins over blue, you little brat, so scram. I'll need to direct Allen for a calming session with the psychiatrist," the blonde snuffed and placed a hand around Allen's shoulder, gently leading the boy away. Timcanpy hadn't seen such a distraught Allen before, but something was undeniably disturbing his former owner. The doctor led Allen to a ward, tucking the boy in before leaving him to rest.
Allen felt bitterly disappointed in himself. How could he have run from Kanda like that? He should have turned back and faced the young man. Almost cruelly, his mind wandered and simply thought if Alma had ever seen this side of Kanda. The white haired teen growled, burying his face into the pillow as he recalled Kanda's laughter. The first time he had ever heard Kanda laugh, and that was because Alma managed that feat somehow. His fingers dug into the sheets in frustration. He was not even able to coax a sincere smile out of Kanda, be it the past life or this life. The sound of the laughter in his mind was purely made of joy, yet it sounded mocking to Allen.
"Shut up...Just shut up...!"
Allen tried to drive out the sound of the laughter he would never be able to truly hear out of his mind. There was a wedge driven between him and Kanda just from the mere mention of Alma. Somehow, Allen felt that way. The boy had no idea how true his presumption would be in the future.
Everyone was startled when Kanda returned to the kitchen, for the intern had a ferocious expression upon his visage. "Baka usagi, give me the car keys." Lavi was confused, to say the least. Something had happened, and Tyki was willing to bet that it had something to do with Allen. "But Yu, our shifts aren't over yet..."
"I'm clocking out early. Now, give me the damn keys."
As if on auto-pilot Lavi's hand shot out and dropped the keys into Kanda's palm. When Kanda's voice hit that all-time low tone, it meant he was seriously pissed. Lavi witnessed it just once when someone stole Kanda's supply of soba. After that, the redhead remembered to just do as Kanda says if his voice ever reached that deep, deadly baritone. Tension remained in the air even after he left. Madarao's eyes didn't leave the door which Kanda used to exit the kitchen. There was something dangerous lurking within the Japanese. Something subtle, yet fatal...Like a time-bomb, which no one knew when it would ignite. But time-bombs are notorious for having a very short time limit. No one spoke about what just happened, but Link gained an uneasy feeling that something was going to happen soon.
Kanda, who strode out to the parking lot, angrily jammed the keys in, starting up the car. His grip was so tight on the steering wheel that his knuckles turned an unhealthy white. "Fuck it!" He suddenly snapped, seething. It wasn't just the fact that Allen refused to listen to him, or that the boy had run FROM him, or even the fact that Timcanpy chose to shelter Allen away from him that made Kanda irrationally angry. It was something in his heart that felt so unfulfilled and raged when he wasn't given the chance to be with his charge. It was foreign to him, and Kanda was too cautious to let out that unusual feeling that raged within him.
It was as if someone was trying to dig his way out of the walls of his heart.
The song I used this time is Aenai Toki by Sheryl Nome, again! And before people ask, Narein is NOT an OC. He's in D. Gray-Man's anime, go look for him. Also, I've introduced Alma to fan the flames!! D Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter which is filled with anxiety and delicious suspense!