Chronoa

D. Gray-Man

Chapter Ten

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"How can this be your favorite film?" Allen asked, his eyes glued to their television screen. Christine sat next to him on the couch, riveted on the movie that was playing. Lavi was curled on a recliner with a book, only half paying attention but at the same time processing everything. Kanda hadn't even bothered to come down for their movie night.

"Because, it's an amazing story! I-it's a musical, and it has Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. How can y-you not like it?" she replied, watching as the demon barber of Fleet Street slit yet another throat, sending it down to Mrs. Lovett to become a tasty meat pie. Allen laughed at her excitement, glad that he had allowed her to choose the movies they rented for the night – although he had definitely had his reservations in the beginning.

"Yeah," Allen laughed. "I guess you have –" He was cut off by a ringing coming from his pocket. "Oh, please excuse me." He stood up, digging his phone out of his pocket and answering it quickly while giving her an apologetic smile and walking out of the room.

Christine thought that it was a bit odd, but focused on her movie. When the white-haired boy came back into the room a few minutes later, he didn't say a word. He just sat down next to her on the couch and fixed his gaze on the screen.

"So, was that an important call?" Christine asked, hoping she didn't come off as being too nosy.

"Huh?" he asked. "Oh. It was just my adoptive father," he explained, a false smile covering his face. Sweat ran down the back of his neck. "He decided to come…visit."

"Oh, really?" She grew worried. Would she have to find a different place to live now that Allen's father was coming? She hoped not. "Um, when is h-he going to get here?" she asked.

"Uh, tomorrow."

"T-tomorrow?"

"Yeah…" he laughed nervously. "He never gives us much warning…"

"I see…" she said. Worried about her housing situation, she decided to just ask him about it. "So, um…Will I be able to stay here?" she questioned quietly, folding her hands in her lap nervously.

Allen looked at her with shocked silver eyes. Reaching out with his slim, pianist fingers his gently gripped her chin, lifting her head so that she was looking at him. Her green eyes were filled with fear.

"Of course you can, Christy," he smiled, and his thumb stroked a fading bruise on her cheek. "We wouldn't kick you out after everything we've been through!" Unfortunately, their moment was ruined by none other than Lavi.

"Aww, look what we have here! Yū, come see this! They're having a moment," the red head yelled up the stairs, a taunting grin on his face. The pair jumped apart, Christine wincing as she hit her still sore back against the arm of the couch.

"Lavi, shut up," Allen sighed, his eyes narrowing. Lavi just laughed, leaning against the door frame.

"Nah, I think I'll pass," he said. "So, whatcha two talkin' about?" he asked, moving to drape his arms over the back of the couch. The silver-headed boy tried to refrain from punching him in the face, but his eyebrow twitched as he held in his anger.

"Cross is coming."

"W-what? When? When did you find out?" Lavi exclaimed, his green eye widening in shock. Allen sighed.

"He just called me," he muttered. "He's going to be here tomorrow."

"TOMORROW?"

"What's with all of the yelling?" Kanda's voice came from the doorway. All attention turned to him.

"Cross is coming here tomorrow," Lavi said, making the Asian sigh in annoyance.

"That bastard is coming here?" he said, shocking Christine with the way he addressed Allen's adoptive father. Allen sighed.

"Yes," he told him. Kanda sighed.

"Why?"

"I don't know," the silver-eyes boy told them. "But you know it has to be important – at least to him – if he's coming back…" He ran his hand through his hair, making his scar more prominent.

Thinking about what his master wanted – why he would sacrifice his precious drinking, gambling and womanizing time in order to visit his apprentice – made him frown. It definitely wouldn't be good. He just hoped that it was nothing too serious. He just hoped that it had absolutely nothing to do with the Noah, in any way.

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A knocking on the door the next day alerted the household of Cross' arrival. Allen, who had been awake since four thirty that morning, quickly opened the door for him. He was met with the sight of a tall man with startling red hair that flowed past his shoulders. A large, vintage style hat was on his head, curved down to cover one side of his face that was also covered in a mask of sorts. He was dressed in all black, with a long coat that was trimmed in gold.

"It's about time, brat," he said, pushing past the silver haired boy. Allen sighed in irritation, knowing that the time his master spent at their house would not be pleasant for him.

"You just got here," he said, glaring at him.

"Allen?" a tired voice made the two of them look towards the stairs, where a still sleepy Christine stood in her night clothes. Allen forced himself not to blush at the sight of her in just a large t-shirt and shorts. His master, on the other hand, had no problem with going right up to her.

"I assume that this is the lovely Christine I have heard about?" he asked silkily, picking up her hand in his. She blinked at him and quickly retracted her hand.

"Yeah, that's me," she replied, leaning away from him.

"Don't worry about him, Christy. Just go back to sleep," Allen said with a large smile. The last thing he wanted was for Cross to try to come onto his friend. Nodding sleepily, the blonde girl turned around and trudged up the stairs, planning to do just as he said.

"So why are you here?" Allen turned to Cross, tucking his arms around his chest as he stared at him with fierce eyes. His master leaned against the doorframe that divided the living room from the kitchen, watching as his apprentice rummaged through the fridge.

"Well I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, brat." Cross dug through his pockets for a moment before taking out a cigarette, lighting it swiftly.

"Don't smoke in here," Allen scowled. "And what' the news?"

"The Noah have appeared again. Thought that you'd like to know," Cross said as he took a drag. Allen dropped the sandwich he had made.

"W-what?" he stuttered.

"They were spotted just north of here, apparently they were heading this way."

"Do they know where we are?" Allen asked, his head hanging and his hair covering his eyes.

"I don't know," Cross shrugged, tossing his cigarette butt in the sink. The silver-headed boy sighed.

"That's really of no help…"

"Just keep an eye out, brat." Cross fixed his hat and spun around, slamming the door behind him. Allen sunk onto a kitchen chair, knotting his finger in his hair. He didn't need this. Especially now that Christine's problems were pretty much solved. The Noah were just going to create more of what they excelled at – chaos.

A/N: Well here's the next chapter! I'm sorry that it took so long to get out, but at least I did...PLEASE REVIEW! The more reviews I get, the quicker my updates will be!

-ZH