Disclaimer: D. Gray -Man is the property of Hoshino Katsura.

Chapter Twenty: Bound Beyond Death

The light atmosphere previously was ruined with the appearance of the so-called Fourteenth. Anyone who had yet to know his actual features saw him as an eerie hybrid of Tyki and Allen's looks, with short yet slightly wavy black hair and startlingly silver eyes...Yes, just like how Allen would have grown up into had his hair not become white. Kanda, on the other hand, had never witnessed such degree of loathing in Allen's expression before.

He knew Allen would have witnessed most of such expressions on his face, but this was the first time he had seen it on the other, and it made Allen look like a monster. The Earl looked exactly as the Noahs had known him, short and neat dark brown hair with a slight stubble. Mana too, had neat hair, but unlike the Earl's dark brown nor the Fourteenth's black, his hair colour was somewhere in between, darker than a brunette's, yet lighter than the dark brown of the Earl's hair, and he sported a moustache. Sensing the brewing hostility, Tyki quickly directed his students to leave the theatre. It was not a good idea to let the strangers know of their secret after all.

The Fourteenth merely smiled at Allen, as if he was a child who didn't know any better. "I have a name, you know? Let me introduce ourselves, my eldest brother, Adam Walker, my second brother Mana Walker, and me, Nia Walker. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Allen yelled, forgetting everyone in his rage. In his mind, only Nia stood there, mocking him with his presence. Lenalee was startled at Allen's use of foul words, but she couldn't blame him for reacting this way. After all, who wouldn't, seeing the person who once destroyed his life?

"Don't be so mad now, Allen. I'm not an enemy any more," Nia reasoned calmly, but the white-haired teenager heard none of it.

"...Even if you no longer were the enemy, I would NEVER...forgive you. I can forgive them all, but only you...I will hate until my bones turn to dust!" Allen shrieked his words like they were a curse and bolted away through the emergency exit. Concerned for Allen's unusual display, Kanda got up and went after his lover. Everyone's attention turned back to Nia, who merely shrugged.

"This is why you are hopeless with children, Nia," Adam reprimanded. Mana was visibly fretting, but Adam shook his head. "That boy will bring him back, all we can do for now is wait."

It didn't take long for Kanda to catch up to Allen, who walked on without a care for anything or for anyone, not even for his lover who was beginning to match him step for step. "Moyashi, what's wrong with you?" Kanda demanded. Allen shot a look at him, that which was incomprehensible to the rather simple-minded man, but the latter spoke,

"What's wrong with me? More like what's wrong with you! How can you stand to be in the same space with that man?"

"You didn't even care about being enemies with the Noahs before, why are you picking a fight now?"

"I don't give a bloody damn about Noahs or those kind of things! I just hate THAT man! I don't want to look at him, I don't even want to think of him!" Allen yelled, heaving from the outburst. Kanda's eyes narrowed. With a quick move, he settled both his hands on Allen's forearms and pushed him against the wall.

A shriek barely left Allen when he was slammed into the wall; his mouth was literally sealed off. Alarmed by Kanda's abrupt kiss, Allen attempted to smack him away when the latter pinned both his wrists down and tilted his head to go deeper with his tongue. Muffled sounds of protests echoed in his own ears, but Allen was by far no match for Kanda's physical strength. He struggled and squirmed as he felt Kanda's tongue snake over his and sucked harshly.

Allen forced a moan back down his throat, but he was running short on air from his lover's rough kiss. Desperate to be released, the white-haired teen aimed a kick to Kanda's shin which resulted in Kanda pulling away, but the man had yet to release him. Taking in a few deep breaths, Allen started again on his verbal tirade when Kanda attacked his neck, causing the boy to let out a surprised cry instead.

"Y-Yu...stop!" Allen mewled, flinching when Kanda only let out a low growl from his throat, opting to bite down instead. He had stopped struggling by now, body rigid with apprehension while Kanda marked his neck as he pleased. Allen trembled under his touch, wondering what brought on the sudden onslaught. "Yu...I'm not...Let go...!"

To his surprise, Kanda did stop. He settled his gaze on his lover, his expression still unreadable. Allen took this as a cue to start scolding, "What do you think you were doing, you pervert? I told you many times that I wasn't ready yet!" Kanda's grim stare continued for some time, before he finally spoke.

"...At least it got your mind off what's pissing you."

It startled him. Kanda had done it to distract him? Allen suddenly felt hot as the blush of shame coloured his cheeks. Kanda let out a sigh and rested his hand on the top of Allen's head. "...It's unnatural. I know the Fourteenth was a big deal to you, but you didn't even care that the Millennium Earl was just standing there and you couldn't stand him in the past life either. What's the issue between him and you?"

Allen's fists tightened in Kanda's shirt, his eyes becoming downcast. "It's his fault...If it wasn't for him, I...I wouldn't forget. Because of him, I forgot you...I forgot how we first met in front of the gate...I forgot our first mission together in Mateel...I won't forgive him for taking those memories from me! Though...I had been thankful that he didn't take everything away when I died...So that I was able to die remembering who you were to me..."

"Baka moyashi."

Allen looked up in surprise, only to have Kanda leaning down to capture his lips again. However, this time his lips were gentle, quietly reassuring as his hands came to rest on Allen's waist. Slowly, Allen's hands clasped around the back of Kanda's neck and pulled him closer. Kanda's tongue prodded his lips, slipping in as Allen opened it just slightly. Kanda pressed down harder, letting his tongue trace every crevice it could find; Allen let out a soft moan, clinging more tightly to his lover.

They stayed that way for a while, letting their tongues lazily battle and flirt with each other. A startled sound escaped Allen when he felt Kanda's lower half of the body press into his a little too hard to ignore. He stared pointedly at Kanda, who for once, obediently obeyed his lover and backed off but his hands remained on his lover's waist. "...There's no need to be angry any more. You remember them all now, don't you?"

Allen pouted in response. "...I don't want to forgive him easily." He had taken a long time before he knew, and finally understood the intentions of Nia back then, but when he recalled with bitterness the memories he had lost to the Noah in return for reaching out to know the truth, Allen could not find it in himself to easily forgive Nia yet.

"You're such a kid."

"Hush, you! You can be accused of sexually harassing a minor!"

Kanda snorted at the accusation. "We're only four years apart, moyashi. Anyway...Are you ready to go back?" Allen nodded slowly, his fingers clasping Kanda's in a firm grip. In a gesture to reassure his lover, Kanda gripped back, leading Allen back to the auditorium. It was now devoid of Tyki's students. The ones who remained were only those with their previous memories. Allen was suddenly glad Tyki had the foresight to remove them before they suspected anything.

Road was sitting on the Earl, or as he was now known as, Adam's lap. Nia looked perfectly at ease seated next to Mana. Everyone watched as the couple walked up to them. Allen's eyes were wet, never even dreaming that he would be able to meet Mana once more. Mana stood up, and simply opened his arms. That was all the cue Allen needed to dive into the embrace, tears finally escaping his tightly shut lids.

"Mana...I'm sorry..." Allen blubbered through his tears, refusing to let go of his foster father. Mana chuckled, gently patting the boy's head as the tears seeped through his clothes. "You saved me, Allen..."

"B-But...If it wasn't for me being weak...I wouldn't have put you through that suffering. Mana...you were the one who saved me so many times, when I was weak...when I doubted myself...You gave me strength to fight. Mana..." Allen whispered feverishly, burying his face deeper into Mana's chest. He had once entertained the notion of seeing Mana once more in this world.

But that thought had always terrified him; for he who had condemned Mana to the pain of being an Akuma, even for only a moment, was like a year in Hell for the burning soul. Would Mana ever forgive him for such an action? Allen had been so afraid of finding out, that maybe Mana still hated him for it. The relief to have Mana accept him without question was overwhelming.

"It's alright now, Allen. I'm here. And I won't be going anywhere. I'm here for official business today as well," Mana replied quietly, smiling just as gently as Allen remembered he used to do. To Allen's questioning look, the man added, "I am here to pass Komui the adoption papers. After today, all of you, will come under the Walker household."

"You're going to adopt us?" Road exclaimed, eyes shining at Adam. The once-Millennium Earl nodded with a smile. "I've always loved my big family, of course I would adopt you all! Ah...But since there was a slight tussle about how one man couldn't adopt everyone, we decided who would officially adopt who with a game of cards!" The ex-Noah children exchanged incredulous looks. A game of cards?

"But Mana had insisted on Allen, so we gave in. Nia did always have a soft spot for Mana, as I do for Nia. So what came up is I will be adopting Road and Lero. Apart from Allen, Mana would be adopting Jasdero and Devit. Tyki is already an adult capable of looking after himself, therefore there is no need for us to adopt him. Unfortunately for Nia, he's not good with card games," Adam announced, giving Nia a mischievous smile as a tease.

Nia simply shrugged. "It's alright. I still get to play with all my nephews and neice!"

Allen stuck his tongue out childishly in retort. "As if I want to!"

Mana shook his head with an exasperated smile. "Well, we can't just stand here. Let's go to the office. Cross is waiting over there with Komui." This time, it was Lenalee who brightened up. "Niisama is back?"

"Eh...Why do you call Mas- I mean, Cross as niisama? He was reborn as your brother?" Allen quipped, looking curiously at Lenalee. The girl shook her head, her smile growing wider. "No, Cross is married to Komui-niisan in a private ceremony in Spain a few years ago, so that makes him my brother-in-law. Well...due to some laws there were problems, but niisama took care of it so it went on. Technically, he is Cross Marian-Lee and niisan is Komui Marian-Lee since neither wanted to give up their surnames. Though their marriage isn't acknowledged here in Japan, at least they've gone through the official process of getting legally united once," Lenalee gushed.

Allen was rooted to the spot, his face turning blue. "They're MARRIED?"

~.~.~

Komui was surprised to see a mob ambling into his office. He was only expecting the three men of the Walker family, not their whole adoptive brood as well. Not to mention their respective partners as well. Allen in particular was looking slightly green, his eyes darting between Komui and Cross, who was seated in front of the desk looking very smug indeed. Lenalee stepped forward with her arms open, greeting with much cheer, "Niisama, welcome back!"

But before Cross could give his sister-in-law a hug, Komui intervened and jumped up to sweep Lenalee into his arms. He levelled a glare at his spouse, who merely shrugged. "You can't trust me to keep my hands off my sister-in-law? Komui, I'm depressed," Cross drawled, casually patting Komui's rump along his comment. Allen looked ill seeing his ex-mentor harass his ex-superior so casually. Komui swatted his hand off, answering, "I can't trust you to keep your hands to yourself. It's almost genetic, how you want to feel up anything you touch."

"Mou, niisan..." Lenalee sighed and pried herself out of Komui's grip. Why was his sister complex not cured in this life? Everyone watched the scene with varying levels of bemusement and surprise. Somewhere from the bottom of his heart, Allen genuinely admired Komui for being able to deal with Cross without missing a beat. There must be some advantages to being a mad scientist after all. "Shall we get on to business?" Adam mentioned, gesturing towards the desk.

"Oh, right! Please, this way. It'll take a few days to process the papers, but there should be no problem. I'd like to ask though, do the children want to keep their original surnames, or change it?" Komui asked, looking at the group. Jasdevi, who were to be adopted by Mana, grinned at each other. "Hah, ever since we Awakened we've thrown our old surnames out of the window! We'll take this new surname!"

"From now on, we're Allen's big brothers, hihi!" Jasdero tittered with glee, tussling Allen's hair. Devit smiled smugly and nodded. "Yes, Allen will have to call us big bros now!"

"Ah, stop messing my hair...Niisan," Allen barely whispered the last part, faint pink tinting his cheeks. The twins fell silent at the sight and a cold shock ran down Kanda's spine. He grabbed Allen by the shoulders and turned the boy to face him. "Don't make that kind of face for them, moyashi! It's dangerous!" Before Allen could retort, Devit had already butted Kanda aside and the twins fawned over Allen excessively.

"Allen, big bro is so happy to have you as a brother!"

"Hihi, Allen is our sibling!"

Somehow, Lenalee sensed that Allen would very soon become well-acquainted with the notorious brother complex she usually had to deal with. Jasdevi were already shooting looks at Kanda, making rude comments and gestures to keep the young man away. Kanda seethed, growling at the twins who stood between him and Allen. Allen himself was slightly troubled, not knowing who to side with. All of a sudden, the door burst open to reveal Doug, bent over as he heaved like he ran a marathon. On one side, Lavi was discreetly slipping his phone back into his pocket.

"E-Excuse me, but you are planning to adopt Jasdero and Devit, aren't you?" Doug demanded. "I'm sorry, but will you please withdraw? I-I want to be the one to look after them!" Jasdero and Devit exchanged shocked looks. "But Doug, you've been like, looking after us since forever! Don't you get tired of it?" Devit questioned.

"I don't! I like it! I...Well, I thought even after the facility, I'd continue to take care of you two. I want to. I mean, I'm not saying you two can't take care of yourselves, it's just selfishness on my part. I felt that something would be missing from my life, so..." Doug stopped short, not knowing what else he could say to convince the three men, but his determined look remained. He was not going to give in without a fight. Unbeknownst to them, Lavi and Road were hiding their huge smiles behind their hands.

Mana put on a contemplative expression for a while, looking between Doug and the twins. The twins themselves were confused and unsure of what was going on. Finally, he shot his brothers a secretive smile. Nia's smile was twitching at the edges, ready to burst into laughter any moment. Adam shook his head in fondness, and turned to face Doug.

"Young man, I believe that it may be inappropriate for you to be their guardian due to the small age gap between you and the twins. But it's alright, I acknowledge your feelings. I will allow you to marry into the family, if the children will have you. You may very well make a good spouse," Adam chuckled as he gave their collective answer to Doug. Allen gasped aloud at the announcement, Road and Lavi finally burst out into roaring laughter, and Jasdevi had gone from confused to absolutely shell-shocked.

Doug's face had frozen, red completely taking over his skin colour. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no words came out. "See, Doug? Everyone could tell that you love them! So why don't you just go ahead and become part of the family?" Lavi snickered, whacking Doug's back enthusiastically. Allen studied Doug for a moment, then turned to Jasdevi and asked, "Does this mean he's my future brother-in-law? Should I refer to him as brother now? And which one of you will marry him?"

"S-Stop saying those stupid things, Allen!" Devit scowled deeply as even more people laughed aloud. Mana nodded cheerfully and addressed the paralysed Doug, "I assume you will have no problem accepting this arrangement then, Mr...?"

"D-Doug, Mr Walker, sir! And I will not marry the twins!"

The unexpected declaration silenced the whole room. Jasdero and Devit stared at Doug with disbelief written all over their faces. Doug straightened himself, watching both twins with a tender smile. "If there was to be an official marriage, I would be forced to choose either one, since it's not legal to have multiple partners. And I will never be able to put one above the other. I'm sorry, but please allow me to come under your roof without the bond of marriage. I swear I will not let them both down!"

Allen bit his lips down, but it was not to be done. He trembled, much to the alarm of Kanda, but there was nothing wrong with Allen. In fact, the boy was hugging his sides tightly, trying to hold in his laughter. Lenalee clapped her hands over her mouth, but her eyes were brimming with tears of laughter as she tried her best to hold it in. Lavi was convulsing with laughter, supported by Tyki who was helplessly chuckling at the sight of the red-faced Devit.

Jasdero too was giggling without control, but he didn't find anything funny with the situation. Instead, he was happy at the outcome of things. Plus, only Devit seemed flustered about it, which made it all the more easy to poke fun at him. "Jasdero, not you too! Doug, you old man! I-I haven't agreed to anything yet!" Devit yelled, trying to hide the flush in his face. Why was he the only one getting bullied?

Doug's expression became troubled, and his eyes began to water. "S-So that means...I'm not good enough for you?" And all of a sudden, all focus fell upon Devit, mostly frowning and generally creating a most uncomfortable atmosphere, all this fuel further combusted by the utterly scrutinising gaze that Jasdero pinned on his brother. Unable to shoulder such pressure anymore, Devit crumbled, and exclaimed furiously, "I-I'm not saying that I don't want you, you idiot! I just mean that we shouldn't rush into it!"

Immediately, Doug's face broke out into a wide smile, but his happiness was interrupted when Tyki grinned and announced, "Well, I suppose I'll have to welcome you into the family as the figurative brother-in-law now, Doug." Everyone laughed at the young man, who became bright red at the teasing, and Lavi, who celebrated the joy of his friend with such mirth, had no idea he wouldn't be escaping the announcement as well.

Tyki pulled Lavi to his side and boldly declared, "Though I'm not adopted, we're all one big family, so it gives me great pleasure to introduce your brother-in-law, and my future spouse, Lavi." Lavi's easygoing grin sputtered out into shock. Road observed for a while, before posing her question. "You mention marriage easily, but is it really easily done?"

Cross snorted. "With a bit of string-pulling, I can get it done for you lot in Spain. Of course, it's not acknowledged in Japan, but hey, it's the thought that counts. Isn't that right, wife?" Komui rolled his eyes. "I believe the term you're looking for is spouse, dear husband of mine," the sarcasm was not missed, but oh, it was what Cross loved about Komui. Without that sharp and rather creative tongue of his partner, there would be less interesting things in the world.

"Well, what say you, bunny boy?" Tyki was very sure of Lavi's answer, but it did not stop him from feeling nervous. It wasn't a direct proposal, but it was close. Lavi's shocked expression slowly melted away, leaving a wavering smile, not of uncertainty, but of priceless happiness. "What else can I say but I do, silly?" The redhead rested himself against Tyki's body, wondering how a simple declaration of a promise made him go weak at his knees.

Sadly, the serene atmosphere was ruined by Cross, whose voice boomed, "This isn't a place for love declarations! Now that business is over, get out! I have a wife to screw!" And proceeded to kick the whole lot out of the office, locking himself and a protesting Komui in. The three Walker men shrugged at each other; Cross Marian never changed. Mana smiled at Allen and gently patted his head, "We'll be going now, okay?" Allen shyly nodded, waving his farewells at his foster father.

"Hey, the day's almost over already. Let's get back to the dorms!" Jasdevi declared, and began leading the pack back. Allen was about to catch up to Kanda, when a hand clamped around his wrist. It was Alma, with an awkward smile upon his lips, requesting, "Can I talk to you for a minute, Allen? Alone, possibly." Wondering what it was that Alma wanted to speak to him about, Allen quietly complied and followed Alma to the stairwell, where it would be private enough.

"Well, what is it, Alma?" Allen scrutinised the young man before him. Something seemed rather unusual with the cheerful guy. Alma turned to face Allen, all seriousness written on his face. "Actually, there was something I've always wanted to say to you, but I didn't get the opportunity to. I mean, I never actually thought I'd get the chance to, seeing that I died somewhere away from you and no one would ever think that there's such a thing as reincarnation, but then again, the Earl could call back souls from the dead to make Akuma and...wait a minute, I'm completely missing the point!"

Alma coughed a little and grew a little flushed, embarrassed that his topic seemed to have gone off-track. "Allen Walker...I've always wanted to thank you...For everything that you've done for me...for us." At the mention of 'us', something suddenly froze within Allen. When Alma spoke that way, the only other person possibly included in the 'us' was Kanda. Alma bashfully smiled, explaining, "When I thought all that was left between us was hate, you proved us wrong. You protected me from Yu, reunited us...even gave us the means and a place for a peaceful end. The reason I was able to reincarnate today...was because you saved my soul."

"...I only did what I thought was best...for Kanda," Allen murmured, feeling more anxious at Alma's words. Hearing Allen refer to his best friend by his surname rang the alarm bells for Alma, who was hasty to reassure, "N-No, don't get me wrong on this, Allen! God knows getting misunderstood that one time by Lavi was crazy enough! Allen...you were the only one who truly understood what we were, who we were, and what had happened between us. And well...correct me if I'm wrong...but you already loved Yu then, didn't you?"

Slowly, Allen nodded. During that big event of his life, he had already bore feelings for Kanda. Whatever that happened between them, happened after...including the beginning of the Fourteenth's invasion in his mind and memories, his eventual separation from Kanda, and the final battle which took his life.

Alma smiled at Allen, pressing on, "You loved Yu, and yet you allowed him to hurt you for my sake, for the sake of our friendship...You allowed Yu to leave with me. Even though you knew that within me was the soul of the woman he once loved, even though there could be a chance that he would never return to your side. You made this sacrifice and it was one that not many could have done. I can't ever thank you enough for giving us this opportunity."

"I...don't really follow. You ask me not to misunderstand, but what do you mean by opportunity?" Allen questioned, bracing himself for any possibilities. His doubts returned to haunt him, but Allen vehemently pushed any thoughts of betrayal out of his mind. Alma smiled at the boy before him.

"To end it, Allen. To finally gain closure, and settle our promise to each other. To learn to let go, Allen. You gave us the chance, and taught us how to do it," the young man answered, but it had yet to put Allen's heart at ease. "Then tell me, Alma...Do you still love him? Is she still walking in your shadows? I may have been able to let him go before...But I don't think I can do it this time," Allen's silver eyes hardened like steel; he was not going to let go of Kanda again, not after what he had went through in this life just for a normal life like the one he had now.

Alma suddenly laughed, his calm gaze settling on Allen. "You don't have to worry about that, Allen. That woman and I...we both are different persons of the same soul. True, at some point, we may seem the same, but we are different. In the past...Yu, or rather, the man Yu once was finally found her, and with their love, she left. She left bearing the man Yu's soul once was, and their love went together. What was left, and reincarnated into this life, are only me and Yu."

Sensing Allen's confusion, Alma continued, "The me and Yu who was born to the darkness of the Asian Branch, born alike as brothers, without memory or knowledge...like a new soul. We used their souls, but we grew to become our own persons. And this Alma and Yu are best friends. Besides...you deserve Yu more than that woman. She rather have Yu not know who she was, and cage him to her forever...But you loved him enough to let him go while knowing he might never know how you felt. As Yu's best friend, obviously, you loved him better than the woman I once bore in my soul. You were selfless in your love. I wish you the best with Yu, Allen!"

The boy's heart calmed, finally comprehending that Alma had come to convey his gratitude and reassure him that Kanda's heart was only his now. Feeling sudden relief and shame that he doubted Alma, he blushed. "Thank you for telling me, Alma. Now, let's go back to the dorms before anyone notices we're missing," Allen chirped, in much higher spirits now. Little did they know, Cross and Komui were in the exact opposite sentiments.

"We still have no trace of that bastard, but there's been suspicious movements around the campus. He's still got his men somewhere among us," Cross mused. Of course he wanted to screw his wife, but yes, his workaholic spouse demanded to discuss official business before doing anything remotely spouse-like. Sometimes Cross rued the fact that he seemed to act more of the married man than Komui did, considering he was the womaniser who wandered away from home most of the time.

Komui nodded grimly; their court case was taking time, but it would be more complicated with the absence of the main perpetrator. It didn't really matter if not all the small fries were caught. As long as Lvellie was locked up, the underlings that escaped prosecution would scatter without a leader to control them. "You've seen them, Cross. What do you think?" Cross shook his head, bringing a glass of wine to his lips as he did.

"Hn...It's gonna be anytime soon. Living in the loony bin in that kind of mentally oppressive environment for a long time leaves effects, whether they realise it or not. Right now, the freedom they obtained is overwhelming, the positive effect suppressing normal reaction of the mental faculty. Soon enough...they'll begin to ask questions, wonder if this is really happening. Anxiety and paranoia become common. But I think they'll be fine if their partners are with them," Cross commented.

"Let's hope so, Cross," Komui mumbled with a sigh.

Cross smirked. "Now, how about some skin-to-skin action?"

"Is that all you can think of?"

I'm sorry for the super long hiatus! DX Finally graduated from university!