Hey! I'm alive!

Sorry about the long wait.

I had writer's block and lack of motivation for a while. But the other night I was bored and got 1500 words down :D

So, here ya go! ^_^

Allen blinked several times, glad that he was finally getting his vision back, even if it was all black and white. His arms were tingling now, but he couldn't move. Not that he would, even if he had the ability to. He needed to wait until the right moment, so it wouldn't paralyze him again. Only this time it might just kill him.

Why wasn't he able to fight off this Level 3? Or the Level 2, for that matter? He took down that Level 4. Granted, he only managed to kill it with Lenalee's help, and it damn near killed him more than once, but he still won that fight when he couldn't kill the two Akuma (a) he faced off in the "future".

Was it like before, when he and his friends were setting sail for Edo, and his arm was literally flaking? But that didn't make sense—that was when his Innocence was unstable . . .

Was it because Innocence and Akuma didn't exist in the future? But then why was Lavi able to use a fire seal? And why did the Akuma still have their abilities?

Color slowly returned, and Allen looked at his arm as he felt the Innocence within it get excited. It felt this way every time he activated it.

Not now, he willed his Innocence to wait. Just wait a little longer. Please.

Timcanpy flew above Lavi's head, obviously dismayed at being parted from Allen again. It probably reminded him of the night Tyki tried to kill Allen and he told Tim to leave him.

"Don't worry, Tim. We'll find Allen."

"Can that thing think?" Lavi looked over to see McGee pointing to Tim.

Lavi nodded. "He can do more than think. Tim has a communication device, recording device, and can even find the person who created him."

McGee nodded. "Can we use him to find Allen, then?"

Lavi shook his head. "Allen didn't create Timcanpy, his master did. And we could ideally send Tim out to find him, but—"

"It'd give away the fact that we're here," Gibbs interrupted, but was spot on.

Kanda remained silent as the group made its way through the Ark. Lavi smiled. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought that Kanda was genuinely worried about Allen. But if he asked about it then he knew Kanda would only say that he didn't care what happened to that damn moyashi but he would have to deal with it if Allen never came back.

It could be a lot worse, though, Lavi thought. Okay, maybe not a lot but we do have one advantage. Allen's Innocence was active when he was paralyzed. Since he was unable to move, it's still activated. That'll save all of us some trouble. If we can find that Akuma in time, all he'll need to do is start fighting, rather than have to waste time activating. Only problem is finding that Akuma.

He looked at Timcanpy, hoping that they would find Allen in time.

Abby looked around at everyone in the group as they walked through the streets. She kept thinking about how when that thing—what did Lavi call it?—took Allen and even when Gibbs shot it in the head it didn't affect the thing at all. What could she do if Gibbs couldn't hurt it?

She felt useless, and it wasn't a good feeling.

"So, what happens if we find him," she asked, looking back and forth between Komui and Lenalee.

"It really depends on when we get there," Lenalee said. She turned her head to face Abby. "But if I get the chance, that Akuma's going down."

Abby tilted her head in curiosity. "How? Bullets didn't do anything to hurt it."

She smiled. "Allen and Lavi aren't the only ones who possess Innocence. I may not look it but with my Dark Boots I can pack quite a punch—or kick, rather."

Abby looked at her legs. Granted, the white socks, red anklets, and red shoes were cute, but weren't boots. Abby wore boots. "Dark Boots?"

"They're deactivated right now. Just like how when he's not using it, Lavi's hammer is small enough to fit in a holster."

"So, is there any easier way of searching," Ziva asked as she walked alongside Abby.

"There is," Komui said in a non-enthusiastic tone. "But in this case 'safer' is better than 'easier'. Ideally we could contact him via his communication device, or send Timcanpy to find him. But both options are bad if Allen is unable to react. The Akuma would know we're onto it, and would either take off or just kill him on the spot."

Ziva nodded in silence.

"Do we know where it's headed?" Abby was still looking at Komui.

"No clue. We don't even know if it's still in the streets. But we have to do what we can. It's quicker searching the streets than going room to room."

"So basically, we're in the dark."

"Not 'basically,' we are in the dark. Luck will have a big part in finding him."

"We have to have faith in him, brother," Lenalee said, not turning her head to speak. Even from the back she looked determined. "Allen won't let himself be taken to the Earl."

"Of course, Lenalee. I'm just saying that right now the Akuma has the upper hand."

"Not for long."

The group continued in silence, looking up and down every street they crossed. No matter how far they walked, they weren't finding him. It was frustrating!

"Abby," Ziva said, making Abby's heart skip a beat. She looked at Ziva, who motioned to Abby's pocket. She looked down and saw a pair of ear-buds and more than half of her iPod sticking out.b

"Oh, thanks," she said, pushing it back into her pocket.

"What's that," Komui asked with a curious expression. That's right, Abby thought. These people are from more than 100 years ago. They have records. They haven't seen a music-playing device any smaller than a TV.

"Um," she said, smiling. "I'll explain later."

They continued walking.

Lavi looked at his hands, moving the fingers. He couldn't move them fast, but he would at least be able to grip his hammer.

He wondered if Allen could move again. Granted, he'd been hit after Lavi, so one would guess he could feel everything tingling. But he had Innocence.

Innocence was a tricky substance. It almost seemed intelligent, the way it crystallized to protect Lenalee, or how it followed Allen as a cloud of mist to the Asia Branch. Or even the way it caused mysterious phenomena to be noticed and picked up by the Order.

So, taking in the consideration that the Innocence was aware of its surroundings, it may be working to get Allen moving sooner.

Timcanpy shot up into the air, acting as if he heard something, although Lavi didn't know what. The golem turned slowly, then his tail straightened when he was facing a direction forward and to the left relative to where the group was. He flew down as quickly as he had ascended, opened his mouth, which revealed his evilly-sharp teeth, grabbed onto Lavi's scarf, and pulled him forward at a fairly fast clip.

Having no choice but to follow, Lavi tried to run as quietly as possible, which was difficult with a worked-up golem pulling him.

"Did you find him, Tim?" The golem didn't respond to Lavi's question, but the fact that he was so determined to lead them in this particular direction was answer enough.

Allen clenched his right hand into a fist. It was somewhat slow, but at least it was moving. He would have tried it with his left hand, but the claws were long enough that if they twitched too much they would tap the Akuma, and it would know he was moving.

He had seen Timcanpy. And it looked like Tim had seen him, as well. Allen only hoped that whoever was with Tim—probably Lavi and Lenalee, at least—were cautious on their approach. Allen was trying to wait until the last possible second to attack, just so he would have enough strength.

At least they were looking for him, though, not that he didn't think they would. He trusted his friends with his life. It was just nice knowing that they were coming to get him.

His stomach growled, and Allen winced. He needed to get back to the Order. Soon.

Abby looked up and down every street they came across two or three times in each direction. She was terrified that they wouldn't be able to find Allen. It had already been twenty minutes, give or take since they started looking for him. And that was after they spent several minutes in that Black Order place.

Lenalee stopped, putting her hand up as she did so, and everyone froze. Then they heard it.

There were footsteps. The pattern was consistent, steady, and slow, so Abby knew it was one entity, rather than a group. And the sound it made with each step sounded metallic.

We found him! Abby smiled slightly as Lenalee started moving again, this time faster, but retained the silence she'd had before they stopped. The group followed, having some difficulty keeping the quicker pace and being silent. Abby looked over as the footsteps got closer, and her heart jumped when she saw the Akuma carrying Allen.

She looked back to Lenalee, wondering how far ahead of the Akuma they were going to get before stopping. After two streets, she finally ran around the corner into an alleyway. The group followed, and once around the corner they all leaned against the side of the building facing the way the Akuma was headed, and Tony and Komui started panting. Abby didn't know whether or not Komui had an excuse, but DiNozzo didn't. He practically ran for a living!

Abby registered movement, and turned her head from the guys to look across the street and see Lavi, Gibbs, McGee, and . . . what was his name? . . . Kanda appear from behind the building. Timcanpy was flying above Lavi's head.

Both parties remained perfectly silent as they listened to the Akuma's steps drawing nearer and nearer. Abby's heart started beating faster as she tried to think of what she should do when time finally came for them to fight. She didn't have the ability to fight this thing, none of the NCIS team did. She figured if possible, they could try to help Allen, but it would be tricky. But she didn't feel right following them out here and running away when the fight started.

Chills went up her back as the Akuma walked past them. If its stride was any indication, it didn't care if anyone was following it.

Her eyes went wide when she saw Allen's face. At first it seemed bored, simply staring at the ground as the Akuma carried him. As he saw his friends and the team, he looked up at them, not moving his body, with a surprised expression.

Abby inhaled, taking a small step forward as she did. As her foot landed, something noisily clattered to the ground next to her.

Her eyes went wide, and she gasped, throwing her hand over her mouth. Not that it would do any good. Whatever had hit the ground couldn't have gone unnoticed. She looked down, seeing the iPod lying on the ground. Abby looked up again, seeing everyone, including the Akuma, looking right at her.

"Activate!"

Before Abby could look at Lenalee, the source of the shout, something grabbed her and lifted her into the air. It all seemed like a blur. One second she was on the ground, the next she was in the air with a sudden headache.

She looked at the person who grabbed her. Lenalee? Abby then looked down, remembering her mentioning Dark Boots, and was shocked at what she saw. In place of the long white socks and red shoes and anklets was a pair of blood-red, almost armor-like high-heeled boots with butterfly-like wings on the ankle portion. Now those were boots.

No better time than the present, Allen thought as he looked for a place where he could use Clown Belt to get away from the Akuma, rather than trust his legs, which would be shaky, at best. He saw a window with an outcrop accompanied by metal bars. Deciding that beggars can't be choosers, he extended his right arm, pointing it to the window. He didn't think it would go as fast as usual, but he was okay just so long as it got him away before the Akuma could turn around.

Quite the opposite happened. It almost went too fast. It was like a spring that was compressed, with all that energy just waiting to be released. Crown Belt wrapped around the bars and Allen was pulled away from the Akuma, letting out a surprised yelp as he was yanked. It did the trick, though. Allen all but face-planted, hitting the ground stunned, slightly sore from going from a stationary position to flying and hitting the ground, but he did so without the Akuma having a chance to attack him.

He tried to stand, but his legs were wobbly and very dependent on the wall to keep him up. At least he was out of the way, so everyone else could attack.

Poor Abby. She looked scared to death when that thing fell to the ground in front of her, drawing everyone's attention. At least Lenalee was able to get her to safety.

Allen looked at the Akuma as Lavi and Kanda rushed toward it, starting the battle.

"You should go back to the HQ gate."

"No."

Lenalee turned to look at Abby. She understood that she would be of no use in the battle, but she couldn't run away while everyone was fighting.

"I understand your determination, but we'll all be okay. This isn't the hardest thing we've gone up against."

"I know, but still! At least let me hide somewhere until it's over. I just can't run away while you're all in danger."

Lenalee sighed. "Okay, but—" She was interrupted by an explosion. They looked towards where it came from, and saw a blue light disappearing. They started running towards it.

Lavi put his hammer back in its holster as Allen deactivated Crown Clown.

"Thanks, Yu!" Lavi was smiling, as usual, as he taunted Kanda.

"Because I just killed an Akuma, I will let you live," Kanda replied, eyes closed as he re-sheathed Mugen. He opened his eye as he looked at Lavi, showing the murderous rage that was more than evident in his voice. "But don't let me hear you use my first name ever again."

Lenalee and Abby ran out from behind a nearby building.

"Is everyone alright," Lenalee asked, coming to a halt.

Lavi and Allen smiled. "All good," Lavi said, and Allen nodded.

Abby walked to where she had been standing earlier and picked up the silver thing that had fallen on the ground.

"We should probably head back," Lenalee said as she walked over to join the other Exorcists.

Kanda walked away from the group.

"Where are you going, Kanda," Allen asked.

Kanda stopped, only partially turning his head. "Where do you think? I'm going back to headquarters."

"HQ is this way," Allen said, pointing in the opposite direction.

The two were left staring at each other for several seconds, Lenalee and Lavi looking back and forth between them.

"You mean, we're . . ." the three male Exorcists said then gulped. "LOST?"

a. Technically, "akumas" is the plural for akuma, but I just don't like that word, so just said that "akuma" is singular as well as plural.

b. Sorry if this seems, random, like "where did that iPod come from?" but, personally, I go everywhere with my iPod ^_^ And it makes sense later

So, I hope that was worth waiting for. I was gonna upload it a few days ago, but decided not to have a big cliffhanger, just in case I don't update for a while.

I kinda feel like I've been slacking off on FanFiction . . . but that time I didn't spend on my story I spent updating DA and YT. Got tons 'a cosplay pics ^_^

So, by now you know the drill, but I'll tell ya anyway. Read, review, share your thoughts, all that fun stuff ^_^