Into The Grey

by LunaSetsuna

5 years ago Allen was claimed dead after helping Alma and Kanda out of the order during a Noah attack. Yet when the reports of his death are proven to be false having lived 5 yrs of experimentation on both the Orders & The Earls behalf leaving the now 20yr old hurting inside & out after turned into a Sand Cat. Can Kanda save his Moyashi? Can together with their friends end the War?

14. Chapter 14

A-

"Do you really think its safe to leave your brothers alone together Lena?" Lavi asked as they entered the ark, their short return being even shorter than most with Kanda and Allen darting off to find Timothy and General Kould, while Lenalee settled her brothers in introducing her younger brother to the Head Nurse Alice the aging woman needing the vets assistance to help work out anything that could reduce the strain on Allen heart and help plan out treatments for the future in both sand cat and human forms.

"They'll be fine, Kanda do you think Allen's going to be awake any time soon? cause we can try Allen's way for the train if you dont want to risk hurting him the normal way." Lenalee brushed off, trusting the fact that the new branch base was very new and thus her older brother would have to spend more time pooling supplies and getting settled in to cause to much trouble that and Ming-Yue seemed to be more practical and level headed thus he might be able keep Komui on task or the 18 year old would take over which wouldn't be to bad with Rever and Link's help.

Besides the new order base had not just General Kould but Teidol and Cross as well who were working with Neah (threw the piano rooms mirror) to try and find a method to the man gaining his own body separate to Allen without removing the strands of noah dna from Allen. As much as many of the newer or Rouvliver corrupted finders and staff the fact Allen had noah dna was still causing trouble however the Head Nurse and Bookman firmly state it was too risky to Allen current fragile balance between dark matter and innocence tied to the feline to dare tamper with that oh so tiny balance. At the moment Allen was out cold (in human form) curled up in Kanda's arms his body still trying to adapt to the new innocence that are wrapped around his throat in the mass crystalline choker, but considering the fact that they had pick up two brand new whole innocence and one that had faked shattering forming small marbles each fragment holding the power of a full innocence it was understandable that it was draining his body top it off with the medication Ming-Yue had made to help dull Allen's heat having the lone side effect of a very sleepy Allen, his three friends were fine letting him rest.

Cross was sending them to a town that seemed to be devoid of akuma a place which held several similarities to the rewinding town Lenalee and Allen had found Miranda just over 20 years ago the 30 year old woman unable to come with them due to looking Krory and her baby the pair on leave from all mission until their baby was at least a teenager this meant the pair was forced to living in Vatican City, Italy surrounded by state of the art akuma defense. They had quickly worked out their was an ark door connected to the place but at the same time their didn't want to leave the town defenseless and Allen was quickly succumbing to the potent drug, According to Alice and Ming-Yue had said the drowsy state would only last a few more hours and the suppression would only last a week then another tablet would need to be taken until the full heat cycle ended. Not that Kanda seemed to mind Allen's desperation and need, but the considering they were dating and Kanda was very kinky, sadistic and had very powerful imagination it was no wonder he was milking Allen's reactions and needs from his Heat cycle to his advantage.

"I've got him. Just make sure the hatch is open." Kanda stated firmly as the half ran towards the orders trainline service, this time they were taking a finder but not all the way into the town it just wasn't safe for the man to trail them all the time thus he would remain on the train line and take timcampy to lead a fake trail incase an akuma, yokai or worse noah noticed and tried to recapture Allen or worse.

The small group falling into silence as they saw the train approach barely managing to land on it before climbing in threw what was normal used as a fire escape before moving into the section marked out for the orders use, Kanda sitting by the window laying allen along the seats so his silver head rested in Kanda's lap, the japanese teen absentmindedly playing with the silver locks as Lenalee and Lavi took the seats on the other side of the folding chairs their finder moving to the other end of the train with Timcampy the gollom nuzzling his owners cheek before following the mysterious finder away. Timcampy had unfortunately been spending less and less time with his 'master' in order to help mask Allen's whereabouts, the golden golem just too recognisable and a dead give away seeing the gollom generally refused to leave Allen's side.

"According to Ge-Ge this place is weird, no exorcists have recorded even travelling near the place in the last 22 years and no akuma have been sighted either yets every 9th of the 9th, its seems to flicker and start over a song is played and the next morning a phone call to police of the town over a child abusing priest and a so call priest with long red hair one eye who empty the town's liquor supply." Lenalee stated needing some form of conversation.

"I talked to Cross, he said he was there once before Allen became his apprentice, panda got the phone records its the exact message word for word every year at exactly 9 o'clock. The number '9' seems to be a key factor with this case so its unlikely that the innocence is in a clock or that someone wants to relive that single day. Its more like time itself is distorted on that lone day, if we stay overnight we'll return to the normal timeline with no ill effects finders have done this the last few years with no issue but at the same time they haven't found any trace of innocence nor anything out of the ordinary." Lavi contributed pulling out a note book filled with different notes off other finders and bookmen on the laws of time and how they affected the solo town.

"The runt and old bat thinks timed everything Allen should wake just as we enter the town, but he didn't get time to actually be briefed. The only thing that told me is that this temporal imbalance slows time down like daylight savings enough to give us three days before normal time catches up." Kanda stated blankly his fingertips woven into the snowy hair brushing the skin causing Allen's body to arch slightly with a tiny keening moan of delight from the pleasurable sensation.

"My brothers not a runt hes just younger than us, and you better pray the myth of people seeking when you talk about them isn't true or else we could all die." Lenalee blushed trying to ignore how adorable her sleeping friend was.

"Che." Kanda rolled his eyes the train jerking causing him to accidentally yank Allen hair several locks remaining in Kanda's hands, but instead of waking or crying Allen instead purred before rolling over so his back was two the hetrosexual friends Kanda gulping horsely at the sexy should mentally cursing his boyfriend being to damn fuckable for his own good.

"Aww." Lena cooed at Allen's reaction before asking "Kanda is it really safe to leave him laying on your lap like that?"

"We went years dating without sex just because we have had some now dosen't mean were fing Nympo's like the usagi." Kanda spoke with a mild glare.

"True." Lenalee agreed as her boyfriend protested.

"So what do you thinks happening in the town at the moment by now it should have shifted back in time." Lavi eventually said blushing hard and pouting.

"Che." Kanda returned rolling his eyes.

+AT THE EXACT SAME TIME INSIDE THE TOWN+

"Uuh nah way in 'ell are ya gettin' me in There." little rusty red haired Allen hissed the small boy glaring at the building his new self proclaimed father wished to enter.

"now Allen what have I said about using your manners not to mention punctuation." Mana smiled gently kneeling down to eye level with the short four/five ish child.

"Ya'll be gettin' a knuckle sandwich for I enter there, ya must not be battin on a full wicket a manky thing like me donna belong in a Church."

"Allen you are NOT manky I swear those brutes lied to you, your a child of the lord he trust what's in here not by looks." Mana swore crossing his heart with one hand as he pressed the other over his sons heart.

"Gulpy... Can't I just stay out ere..." the child pleaded one final attempt the big sliver eyes filled with sorrow and traces of fear.

"I'll tell you what if you come in and be good when were done I'll get some mitsurashi dango." Mana directly bribed watching Allen pout torn between the insult and abuse he had only know and the delectable sweets so rare that the clown rarely got them as a reward or a gift.

"I hate ya when you use food like dis." Allen pouted before sighing "Fine lets just get it over with."

Mana grinded as the little one tugged on his jacket sleeve walking into the large cities church the late edwardian building as beautiful inside as it was out Mana pausing a second to admire and point out a few of the historical meaning in the chruch trying to distract the now shivering child who's eyes were darting around as the large congregation but then it was a sunday morning thus the majority of the town along with other travelers were all piled in to hear the lords words. Filling into the seats Mana's eyes drifted seeing a flash of long red hair mixing with a black and gold uniform wedge between several ladies one of which was sitting in his lap momentarily tuning out of the sermon as he mentally debated seeing his old friend let along introducing his precious son who was positively riddled with the black orders gems of innocence. Turning his gaze back on the silent boy who was sitting completely straight almost transfixed on the preacher's message which seemed to be talking about the courage and triumphs of noahs family to bring peace and prosperity to a land abandoned by god for its wickedness.

No wonder Cross was using the time to kiss one of the ladies near by, the entire speech although well written was highly laughable considering that that twisted excuse of a half brother was a noah and he was a far cry and most certainly undeserving of the poor priests praise, and as much as he loved his brother Neah wasn't much better in regards to 'sacrificing all earthly joys for the joy of helping the world.' with that said the collection plate began to be passed around Allen momentarily snapping back to tug Mana's sleeve in shock and curiosity at the mostly empty wicker basket on his lap mana taking the itm away dropping a single coin into the basket ruffling Allen's hair as his son returned his attention back as the priest began to say ' why two of all creatures that all creatures from the majestic lions to the ugliest of pug were part of gods plan thus deserving a place on the ark and in heaven that looks shouldn't be judged least you two be judged'. A message Mana hoped was helping right his poor child's image issues.

But then Allen had the excuse his fears were rational after all Mana practically kidnap the poor darling from the circus the boy labeled as their resident freak of nature and spent more time in a cage like a wild animal then with others his age not to mention a few sour meetings with people who had no right to insult the smaller fragile boy. Slowly the sermon came to an end Mana finally making up his mind as Cross caught site of the tall top hat the red head paying each lady a wad of green before waiting the crowd hiding Allen from view.

"Allen do you mind waiting here I wont be long I promise." Mana asked hugging the little boy causing Allen to playfully struggle.

"Alright alright I won't move." Allen muttered.

"Stay right here ok." Mana asked earning a nod and one of the rare brilliant smiles only Allen could produce before shifting threw the crowd towards the general.

Allen on the other hand began to look around again trying to recall the details his 'daddy' had said when they entered marveling at the excessive space still surprised the building hadn't collapsed around him on entering his right hand automatically fiddling the the glove on his left had pressing down and feeling the cover yet mangled flesh shivering as he felt the weird cursed mark in the center. Very quickly Allen was alone Mana out of site as the Choker began moving threw the allies pocketing items left behind and dropping some but not all into the lost and found box before the spindly man noticed the watching eyes of the little boy his messy reddish hair (slowly shifting into a dirty near grey from the ring leaders once rigorous dyeing) framing snow white flesh the black miniature suit and gloves standing out in the middle of summer as the mans eyes narrowed dangerously causing Allen to shift in his seat out of fear the only thing keeping him from fleeing being his promise to Mana mentally the boy prayed from the kind yet slightly insane mans return as the preacher strolled over the man stopping beside him.

"What are you doing the house of god you satanic fiend daring to take the form of a child, get up foul thing for I shall end your suffering." The man ordered grabbing Allen's left arm pulling hard enough to see what lay beneath the glove the boy recoiling back into his seat.

"I was told ta stay here." Allen spoke unable to look at the lying man who only moments ago swore that no one was ugly or unloved by god.

"Child of sin." The man growled before feigning a smile indicating his ceremonial robes " I am sure following the will of a Father is more important they will understand or they have left you as a ward of the church either way." The man grabbed a handful of Allen's hair before finishing his sentence "your coming with me."

"Your lying... MANA!" Allen screamed his voice echoing off the marble and open wood beams before the priest slapped the child dragging the boy shoving him into one of the confession booths locking it for a second before returning with a cudgel spiked with nails.

"Oh bless me father as I sin, not in order to dishonour you but to stop this blastomas creature from continuing to hold a candle for the devil, May its end be swift and merciless at the end of this blessed holy water sprinkler." the clergyman spoke clearly unlocking the confessional but keeping the boy trapped with it swinging the bat like object down the tiny boy covering his small head with his arms crying out as the nails tore threw his sleeves and flesh like it was butter the beating continuing until the little boy was to weak to continue to attempt protecting himself the elderly man scoffing at the blood walking away assured that the sinful creature would bleed to death unknowing of the crystalline life that flowed threw his veins the innocence doing its best to patch up the boy until footsteps where heard.

"Allen? Allen? Where are you? Come on I thought we were above hide and seek come on? I'm sorry im late i'll buy extra where are you?" Mana called panic creeping into his voice as he searched missing the faint whimper as he moved his watch bumping against the small bag of coins the metallic sounds louder then Allen's tears before the man saw the blood rushing over to see the awful sight.

"ALLEN!" Mana half shrieked lifting his child into his arms trying to check on the multiple lacerations to his arms along with the ones on Allen's thin spine large chunks of flesh torn from the innocent child's body a rusted nail sticking out of one of his arms. As Allen's lips moved weakly. Mana hugging the boy close as he half ran trying to recall where he had seen the last hospital.

"I thought... you... left mme... Ii told you... god... he donna love... 'Onster like me... so why do ya... jjust let me die … it's what everyone wants … its what their monstrous god wants... da praters right... Cosimo s right..." Allen sobbed weakly his head clouded from the blood loss and agony the only thing keeping him awake being the abuse from the circus and the aid of his innocence.

"No there all wrong Allen, your beautiful like a little angel I swear one day i'll make you understand that that someone will see the you the way your meant to be and treat you right." Mana coaxed finally getting inside the hospital reluctantly handing the boy over leaving Mana to pace in the waiting room staring at the light that showed surgy was in process before the man noticed the small golden orb on his hat the golems shiny body reflecting off the glass embedded in the doors.

"Timcampy get Cross bring him here I dont care if you have to smash every bottle of that foul liquid hes drowning the loss of my brother in Bring him here!" Mana stated tears in his eyes as the gollom chirped before taking off.

It had barely been ten minutes until the red head stormed in instantly relaxing on seeing his friend.

"What the hell Mana do you know how much you scared me to death with Tim dragging me to a fucking hospital!" Cross whispered harshly.

"Im sorry... I just... its my son ii left him alone in the church when I went out doors to talk to you..." Mana began slumping against the wall Cross's eye flickering.

"Son? since when the fuck did you get laid!"

"No no adopted son … I managed to tell Neah before he passed... my son was in the circus I recently left they where abusing him and down right torturing him... Hes been threw so much..." Mana started only to get Cross scoff and sit down.

"So why the hell did you call me."

"He has innocence, multiple from what I can tell and whenever hes near an innocence it glows it calls out to him, I once took him to my mothers manor he spent half an hour cooing softly to a lone gem I couldn't make out the words but I swear he was holding a conversation with it and he often pauses what hes doing before nodding as if his own innocence is guiding him telling him what to do. I left him alone in there and when I returned …. who gives a child that many injuries!"

At Mana's words timcampy fluttered into the apprentis bookmans faces causing Mana to splutter pulling the bird like creature away. Cross's mind flickering before giving a dangerous grin.

"I sent tim into the church when we spoke. Did you get something you annoying little tennis ball." Cross spoke Timcampy hissing at his 'owner' all while snuggling against Mana.

The images to the church and Allen's beating vivid causing Mana's eyes to glow gold his left hand twithing in horror and rage at the abuse his poor wards had suffered Cross eyes narrowed in fury at the images even more so at the priest actions.

"Fucking hell... and the brats alive..."

"I told you... Allen innoncece adores him it had burnt the wounds near it to stop some of the bledding... oh god im never letting him out of my sight again, cross I beg you once they give my child the all clear please come with me a sign to be his legal gaurdain if something happens to me. I would ask papa but I have no way of asking let along tracking him down besides he recently adopted a little boy as well..." Mana half rambled.

"You named him after the mutt?"

"He named himself... Cross the were calling him red I asked to name him if he came with me and he instead asked to be named after the dog that brought him to me and cared for him. Allen's so shy and withdrawn I wouldnt be surprised if im the first person to ever actual care, in some ways hes like you as a child so angry and hurt. I found him in a cage Marion they kept him in a cage they rarely gave him any food he still expects me not to feed him... if it wasnt for adams stupid little creations following us i'd rather settle down send him to school let him grow up normal."

"Normal? Mana no one with any tie to this war will be normal in any form of the world."

"I at least want him to feel loved, to be able to sleep actually sleep seing he still rests with one eye open ready to attack at the slightest movement near himself that and I want to teach him, he can bearly talk due to thouse bastrads and what he can is riddled with curses and sarcasm, the only way I got him to go in that church was half bridbery half him actually trusting me, I will never forgive myself for this." Mana continued his voice breaking as tears fell from the grown man, the general giving a soft sound looking at the door before it finally swang open.

"That thing you brought in will live however we have no room to waste on such a monster, put it on bed rest and leave time will tell if it can move its arms but either way it must have been riddled with wickedness for Father Alastor to use the holywater sprinkler to this extend but it seems the devil has too great of a hold." the doctor spoke coldly as the bandaged child was pushed out his face pale panting hard from the loss of blood that due to the quick care would leave no perminant physical scars on the little boy.

"What was that." Cross hissed looming over the doctor.

"Father Alastor had the right to punish evil within his domain." the doctor spoke look up at the half masked face of marion cross.

" No he dosent, I WORK for the vatican as an Exorcist not only do I out rank your local parish but you can excpect him to be removed and the churches aid revoked for harming a child who was waiting for his father. The father in question also works for the the church and was outside with me discussing matters of vatican importance when your excuss for a clergyman bruttally attacked a CHILD." Cross snarled "That boy is a ward of the church and had obtanted his scared arm from a house fire that took live lives of his family to an extend the boy bearly survived" Cross lied to the mans face delibratly guilting the doctor who paled slightly.

"Even with that im afraid we have no room for the child and we're the only place in town that could tend to the injuried not to mention not one soul would risk divine punishment for housing one who at first glance looks akin to the devil." the doctor spoke as Mana gently picked up his son cringing as the little boy moaned in pain as Mana's arms touched the back of his neck.

The childs innoncece glowing to the point judgement was also fired up as if beging to be able to shoot the doctor and the majority of this backwater little town, the heat causing Cross to drop the argument moving a hand over the concealed gun causing Mana to give one of the looks Cross hated the most, Mana at first glance was was the picture of innoncece a faint small smile tweaking his lips like a cheshire cat trying to hide its lastest prank, one eye brow raised ever so slightly it was this face Neah used to whine over as it was most certainly screaming I Told You So in a way that it seemed only a bookman could achive naturally. Before the facial expression shifted back to worry his fingers lightly pressing against the gem deeply fused in the center of his sons hand the innoncece dulling to an empty black taking on the apreance of a small gothic Cross in the mangled flesh, as the adults carefully moved the kid out of the place.

"Tim stay with Mana till the kids better. I was only this town breifly and now I have to go back to insure that nutjobs removed from power but then I can tell why he's in power new the whole family was fucked up."

"What are you babbling Cross?"

"The priest is current inspector in training Roulivers little brother hes to fucker who found the exorict grave yard and suggested they resume The Projects." Cross stated darkly.

"I thought we all ended thouse that Nella's fall put that horror to and end."

"So did I, but nope turns out they already got a rebirth to wake you vaugly recall a girl back then I think neah called her Ally?"

"You mean Alma yes so tragic at least she was with her love when they perished." Mana repeated with a shudder.

"They cloned her and it woke up, its why im being called in they want me to hand over their innocence they brought Yuuto as well." Cross half growled recalling the report. "The other reason is they found that a finder was with a noah poor guy had two kids the little girls been taken in after she activated innocence trying to run to her mother, womans gone no trace left."

"I'm not letting the order any where near my son Marion if they are going to relive the mistakes of their past, haven't we suffered enough they took us from our homes made us fight killed half of us then sent the majority of us home and now they want our children... the cylce must end and if they hadnt have rounded us all up in the first dozen times Adam would never learnt he has that dreadfull ability." Mana stated in a harsh whisper uncertain to how out cold his son was.

"Stay safe mana... Stay safe." Cross spoke watching his friend leave with the pale child.

After a mere three hours Allen began to stir his face scrunching up from the pain as he termbled, mana gently cradling him tightly gently whispering apollogies to his son, until noticing he was awake.

"Allen?"

"Let go of me, you left me!" Allen hissed weakly fighting the warm embrace.

"I swear Allen I didnt know that would happen I swear on my soul that I will never ever leave you like that again." Mana pleaded.

"You lied... Adults always lie always." Allen hissed like a cat unable to use his arms due to the pain.

"Allen Kororo, I'm sorry I saw an old friend and I went outside to speak with him thats no excuess for leaving you alone." mana spoke gently putting Allen down before he could hurt his injuries Timcampy fluttering to the boys side destracting Allen.

"What the fuck!" the child swore as Timcampy latched itself to his face.

"Allen no swearing and bad Timcampy down bad boy."

"Tim- WHAT!" the little boy half shrieked as the golden creatures wings covered his eyes small fang bitting into his scalp very lightly as the gollom hugged him.

"Timcampy, stop it let Allen go this instant!" Mana yelped yanking on timcampys tail inbettween apoligise to Allen the child finally getting a firm grip on the main body moving the gollom so he could see it.

"Well aint ya the fugliest duckie in the pond." Allen spoke automatically ignoring Mana's repremand.

Timcampy's reply was a smile showing off the rows of sharp pointy teeth as the tail whipped around taping the child's nose causing Allen to giggle brightly.

"Yeah me too..." Allen whispered before turning his large eyes on his father. "So wanna talk about this thingy?"

"Timcampy is a gollom... someone once very dear to me made him."

"Why?" Allen asked like any other child his age filled with curiosity.

"Pardon Allen?"

"Why was he made ta start with."

"To start with Allen To not ta... Timcampy was made to be like a camera he takes photos and films things that can be later viewed thus preserving the memories made, he also works as a compass and if he has a picture of a person he can find them no matter where in the world they are. He was with my friend in the church that friend said timcampy should stay with us until your all better ok?"

Allen nodded loosening his grip causing the golden creature to relatch onto the small boys head momentarily worrying Mana until Allen's hand gently petted the fluffy tail Timcampy shivering before spiting out a small box, Allen's eyes widening.

"Did it just." Allen spoke spinning around.

"That's another one of Timcampys gifts he is like a back pack." Mana spoke before picking up the box wraped in gold with silver ribbon finding a tag and gasping.

"is everything ok?" Allen instantly spoke mana turning around and giving a warm smile.

"The one who made Timcampy died shortly before I adopted you and I sent him a message saying I planed to take you in... Timcampy just handed out a gift he got for you." Mana spoke warmly his eyes misting with tears as Allen's bright eyes blinked allowing the present to be pushed into his hand.

"Whats a 'gift'?"

"It's when someone who cares for you buys of makes something for one they care for generally for an event like christmas or a birthday but also just to show they care inside is always a suprise and its generally wraped in pretty paper some like this one have ribbons. Its something just for you." Mana explained mentally wincing at the confusion of such a thing, hating how much self loathing the mere four/five year old felt for himself.

"Mine?" Allen spoke tilting his head causing Timcampy to bite him so the poor golden creature didn't fall off.

Mana nodded watching as his ward carefully unwraped the box inside it was a small empty photo frame and a silver locket the glass protected by countless red ribbons, allen gently lifting the necklace and photo frame looking at them with confusion.

"You can put pictures in them when your all healed up i'll make sure we get a good one made for them ok?"

"What are the red stuff for?"

"Their ribons you can wear them." Mana explained lifting one of the smaller ribbons seeing that neah had cut them depending on size so that Allen could switch them out as he got older.

"How?" Allen questioned standing still as Mana carefully tied a bow around Allen's thin neck amazed at how well it suited the small boy even more so as Allen continued toying with the box before find a pair of thick silky black gloves that held silver patterns that helped hide the mass of red skin that was his left arm.

Timcampy fluttered into the air his wings making a click sound before returning to Allen's head the image of the smiling little boy hovering identical to Allen, dressed in the clack mini suit Mana had gotten for their trip to a church the new gloves and the ribbon around his neck causing the little boy to just look soo cute and very much like Mana.

"Is this what you meant by a photo?"

"Sort of. Timcampy can make that keep the image but we cant take it from him and put in the other two gifts so im afraid that will have to wait a little ok. But yes that is a photo of you thats how you really look."

"I dont look like a monster?" the soft whisper echoed Mana hugging Allen close repicking him up, nodding to his son.

"Lets get going I do belive I owe you quiet a lot of dango, any other requests while were at it?"

"Kompetito, pasta ummm pizza!" Allen chirped excitedly.

---

Mana smile nodding before noticing a small crystalline object picking it up before Allen could notice, a lone piece of innocence on the ground the gem having fallen out of the box from neah. With a small glance at his son he flicked his wrist activating a small but old bookman device.

+BACK TO NORMAL TIME+

The train pulled in just as Allen's eye lids began to flutter the group disembarking and waking a few miles entering with easy just as allen yawned and began to blink his eyes feline ears twitching knocking the beanie off, Lavi kneeling to pick it up as silver eyes opened listening to the sounds with his sharpened hearing before flinching.

"We need to leave." came Allen's first statement on waking.

"Why?" Lavi asked.

"This place is like Miranda's place, correct or incorrect." Allen asked still in Kanda's arms as he turned his face to ask Lenalee.

"Yes, how did you?"

"I can hear myself, not like that Lavi... I can hear shh..." Allen hissed as as a man laughed.

"Kompetito, pasta ummm pizza!" a childish but famillar voice chirped excitedly.

"What else hm surely that cant be enough to eat on its own my little heart." an Adult voice that sent tears to Allen's eyes as he lept out of Kanda's arms and dragged his friends out of sight.

"Wozza dat supose ta mean! And dont forget you promise dango for going in that fucking place!" the exited chirp turn cold and on guard Kanda blinking as Allen flushed brightly at his side.

"I know I know, im sorry I swear on my soul to NEVER leave you alone again. Nor will I let anyone hurt you again Allen I promise." spoke a gentleman his hair slightly curled and on the slightly large around the waist, a long top hat on his head and his suit crisp and clean kneeling to be at eye level with his son.

"Don't lie, you could ditch me fucking anywhere and will one day. I told ya." the child scoffed his sliver eyes jaded with a blank expression.

"Not happening Allen. Its not gentlemanly to lie to anyone let alone a child."

"Yeah and dats a REEAAL smile on ya face." the boy scoffed rolling his eyes returning to the more playfull manner from earlier.

"If you believe in it, then it will become real but I only ever give you real smiles now off to get food then to find a hotel... why my father once told me..."the man stated sending a pointed glance over at the exorcists before leading the charge away going off to explain the origin of hotel foyers and how old the local one was along with its art and styles.

After they faded from earshot Kanda broke the silece.

"That was Mana and you wasn't it." Kanda questioned lightly.

"Yeah... I told you I was a terror." Allen whispered trying to whipe away the tears that were breaking his smile.

"Why did he bribe you with dango for... wait he got you hooked on it... hey by father he means my gramps... Lena he looked right at us when he said hotels.." Lavi prattled on.

"Mitsurashi dango was the first food Mana ever gave me but they were a rare treat and often a reward for not attacking or swearing at random people. The bribe was over a church sermon... you saw how I looked and I knew how people responded to it... Mana bribed me then ditched me and the pastor dragged me into a confessional and lashed out with a holy sprinkler its like a bat with spikes tore chunks out of me. Woke up after being asleep to met tim for the first time and was given my first present of anyone... the only reason lil me's running around demanding food its my innocence sealing the wounds." Allen explained closing his eyes to force the memories to the surface.

"Yes sweetie he meant Bookman when he said father, and yes he looked right over at us before talking about hotels... Allen I think your father wants us to follow him, I assume they're still in hearing range."

"They are, firecrackers swearing again." Kanda smiled causing his boyfriend to wince.

"Can't have been with him long... so much has happened... iii" Allen broke off as Kanda deliberately shut him up via a kiss causing the heated kitten to moan melting into his lover willingly until Lavi broke them up grabbing their hands and running in the direction the pair took off watching as the sun began to set.

Getting to Mana's selected hotel was easy, same was booking a room and finding out which one mana walker was staying in. Lenalee elected herself to go see the bookman apprentice as Allen watched from a distance with Lavi, after several hours of silence they regrouped in the hall ready to go to bed.

"I know that walk anywhere. Where do you think you, Going Allen." Mana spoke from behind the young adult Lavi flinching at his side before spinning around.

"Yo chief replacment." Lavi stated with a big grin.

"I assume then your name would be 'Lavitos Rupin Deakwood." Mana spoke with a small smile causing Lavi to wince.

"Its nice to meet you sir... um how did you.." Lenalee spoke after seeing that Allen had yet to turn around.

"The temporal distortion? caused by an old bookman trick helps preserve sites of innocence until another with innocence can come collect. Which can take years... as I assume it has been, Allen your little self's just passed out come in you wont trigger the butterfly effect. There's left over dango." Mana bribed starting to get worried by sliver haired boys lack of action only to have the boy spin round and throw himself into familiar arms.

"You left him." Kanda stated getting it out in the open. "Died saving his life from a drunk driver and put Cross of all morons in charge."

"I take it that was a poor choice... I only made him my next of kin today." Mana muttered hugging his darling son before getting a glimpse of the massive scar. "Oh my poor boy who did that to your beautiful face!"

"Long story..."

"And I assume that you have a tall T, A,I,L about the ears." the clown joke with easy causing Allen to snort punching his adoptive father.

"Yeah... its best if this isn't dont in the hall..." Allen spoke after a few seconds "But first, introductions, Lavi who I only just learnt is related to me, Lenalee Lee and my Boyfriend Kanda Yuu."

"Boyfriend!" Mana coughed as he opened the door back into his rooms lowering his voice and looking over at the sleeping boy, Lil Allen's breathing was ragged and slow as his innocence healed his earlier injuries, timcampy snuggled to his chest switched off.

"Allen." Lenalee reprimanded taking a seat away from the bed the five year old spelt on.

"No no its alright miss. Now that I know I have to break my promise to remain with him at the same time he has somehow will support him. Allen start talking and dont try any of your little." Mana started with a wide yet familiar smile.

"Stopped ages ago... you won when it came to manners. The short version can be summed up in three words the Earl Millennium, asides for my boyfriend who is more the vatican's fault."

"Vatican... Your Yuuto's clone."

"Alma's more of a twin in this life than a lover... if anything I had to fight the damn brat to the moyashi." Kanda spat darkly.

"My names Allen its literally five letters long Bakanda." Allen hissed.

"This happens a lot..." Lenalee apologised.

"Your mother's a noah wasn't she... Cross today not an hour ago told me of the vatican taking an exorcist who's mother was a noah and father a finder along with Allma and Yuuto being cloned." Mana spoke his voice soft causing Lenalee to nod.

"Met her on my last mission... she's fighting him most noahs are fighting against the Earl, very few are loyal to him but then most noah turns out to have family who were taken in by the order." Lenalee continued causing Mana to nod.

"Yes noah's offspring are almost always accommodators just as exorcists have a higher risk of carrying overly potent noah dna."

"I'm a half awakened noah... Neah followed us as a ghost when you visited his grave with me. Then he fused his soul to mine, right now Lenalee's brother the current branch head who trust worthy is helping use robotics to give uncle a second chance of life." Allen smiled sadly before being tugged into a hug from his father.

" I was so sure all that innocence would prevent mean you were immune entirely from dark matter. Just how old are you I can barely fit you in my arms any more."

"I'm 22 and I'm the youngest out of my friends well kind of kanda and I are both um manufactured goods... the earl recently killed me and fused dark matter Neah's soul and one bit of innocence into a sand cat and my soul end up being thrown into the mix that's the medium version of why the ears and tail I can flick between full cat and this but I have a heart condition and run the risk of a heart attack if I change between the forms. Where Kanda's has the memories of his first life but is so young biologically." Allen relaxed leaning back into arms he thought he'd never feel again.

"This is a bookman trick?" Lavi asked getting the subject back on task.

"Yes... it uses the bookman mark along with innocence to create a pocket of time but it takes concentration and practice to make one large enough you also need to consider temporal gaps and other issues such as the chance of an akuma already being within the location when the temporal distortion is formed, how long it may take for innocence to enter the pocket, how easy is it to predict and locate the distortion, how many lives can be effected by such action... if you dont mind spending time tomorrow i'll gladly teach you, its something my little Kokoro would pass off as insanity or some kind of game." Mana smiled before looking at the young adult of his son.

"It's that stupid hopstock like river dance thing isn't it." Allen groaned.

"Nope. Thats was just something to entertain you." Mana laughed enjoying his sons more familiar reactions slightly unnerved by the polite and nearly meek attitude his son was giving off.

Allen's jaw dropped slightly before a wide (black Allen) smile was forced onto his face, Kanda quickly grabbing his boyfriend and yanking him into his lap before Allen could do anything he would surely regret. The albino taking a few deep soothing breaths that seemed to do nothing as Mana realised just how much he had effected his son his eyes softening before placing a hand on the scarred cheek of his child.

"Take a moment to remind yourself, Take a moment and find yourself, Take a moment to ask yourself if this is how you fall apart. But its not, its okay, you've got nothing to fear... im here." Mana spoke firmly repeating the soothing statement he spoke countless times a day to help the child he was bringing up, the words causing Allen's sliver eyes to shimmer with unshed tears having long thought he'd never hear those words asides in his memories, tilting his head into Mana's hand before repeating the follow up in perfect sync with his father.

"Here comes a thought that might alarm me, What someone said and how it harmed me, Something I did that failed to be charming. Things that I said are suddenly swarming, But it was just a thought, It's okay. We can watch them go by From here. Take a moment to think of just Flexibility, love, and trust." Allen spoke repeating the failed breathing exercises with ease before relaxing a bit more letting kanda half snuggle into his back.

"If I knew that's all it took to calm you down I would have been doing that from the start moyashi." Kanda stated gently before shooting a look at Mana.

" I had almost forgotten them... with everything that's happened recently. The wars just utterly chaotic and getting to levels that civilians may learn the truth, the vatican's grown corrupt and is hoarding knowledge. Some I understand I mean if some exorcist who are shallow closed mind and never think about their actions * cough * Choaji * Cough * were to learn that Shirley Mikk a Noah is a senator and head of one of the largest world peace companions let alone the public opinions of the rest of the noah's got out many would either give up trying to fight or take things into their own hands and botch things beyond repair. Koumi and Bak barely put an end to the vatican C.R.O.W organisations attempts with human experimentation in regards to innocence." Allen sighed looking up at his dad.

"It's gotten that bad huh..."

"Part of japan was wiped off the map recently after a hostile takeover by the earl many lives were taken and its now the akuma population is higher than its human population it also over sought a battle for the ark which the order won by the scrape of its teeth but many of us saw it as when things really began to become bleak." Lenalee informed the older bookman.

"From the time we are from... there are now level 7 and higher akuma along with a new type of akuma that have been given the name 'Yokai' that are formed as animal akuma this was to allow more stealth based stuff for when being spied on by a human would be too notice able where a local bird just gets over looked more so when the only detection against normal akuma is Allen and yokai were made to insure he couldn't see them."

"Your 'sight' grew to see akuma..." Mana paled his mouth open in shock and sorrow.

"The mark... its a curse that amp it since then, I can see the every soul tied to an akuma, Its core and host and all of their victims all screaming twisted and losing to there suffering and agony thus driving them insane slipping away and letting their minds be erased to find comfort in slavery... they apologize and thank exorcist on the frames destruction their souls get bathed in light and they find peace. But only at the hands of innocence... if a noah or one of their own kill them..." Allen broke starting to tremble in Kanda's arms the japanese boy murmuring softly into Allen's ear to keep him calm.

"Oh sweet heart..." Mana murmured "Lavitos, I will definitely need to teach you that trick, you kids will need access to the one place that bookmans protect over all others... the birthplace of the Earl... when father first explained why he originally came into our lives he explained that it was to lock the world out of our child hood home the last thing the world needs in Adam getting back in there. Even morse so when Neah and I were seven and he insisted on a DNA test with a sample gotten after the woman who trained that moronic marion to be an exorcist managed to injure the Earl."

"Why?" Lavi asked instantly.

"Neah, Adam and myself although being born of different mother have the dna of identical triplets thus our biological father must have used some for of black magic or dark matter in order to create us... I've spent years before joining the circus trying to work out just what then it hit me, our biological father had countless women he engaged in sexual activities with the fact that his wife, mistress and a seemingly random hooker all got pregnant at the same time in the same town and went into labour at the exact same time screamed off. Our biological father must have to put it in a more easy to explain manner use magic as a love potion to lure and brainwash women into warming his bed... as a clown I traveled to every place our biological father traveled to in his life and in all he got multiple women pregnant. All boys all born at exactly one minute to midnight on a black friday, the year that monster died. Not one of them fell pregnant until a month after his death and before it he made sure to revisit every house. When I've confronted them the all say similar statements he left them with, half instructions to insure his children all got raised believing they were better than others with a taste for fantasy and the occult. All excelled most without knowing the truth were taken into the vatican before forming a mini cult and All of our DNA is the exact same." Mana retook his seat.

"Add that to the stuff Cross learnt about the vatican having kidnapped and tested people for innocence or dark matter if the kid lived they were sent home with a random item... its how Lenalee got her innocence her grandmother was given baby sized boots for a little girl, skipped her parents asides her mother's noah genes but all three kids are possible accommodations and two awakened." Lavi spoke his eye darkening slightly.

After a few moments of silence Allen half spun muttering into Kanda's ear, Kanda's eyes widening slightly before speaking.

"Usagi."

Lavi instantly moved pulling out a needle hidden in his coat sleeve jabbing Allen in the back of the neck the boy passing out as the sedative was injected Lavi gently removing the needle and putting a bandaid over the mark.

"What on earth?" Mana asked in shock.

"Part of the vatican's corruption several CROWs sold Allen to the Earl who experimented on him and even drugged him, Allen escaped and went cold turkey thinking it was truth serums and the of sedative but it wasn't the animal akuma yokai are filled to spray some of the drugs and recently trigger off withdrawal symptoms that included hallucinations." Lenalee explained.

"We didn't tell him we were going to sedate hi,... the moyashi wanted us to return to our room and just let it happen, last time we had to tie him to a bed and he till injured himself and myself. Not to mention that it could strain his heart even more. Lena its late you and the rabbit go back to the suite, i'll calm him down when he wakes, if you dont mind us staying?" Kanda stated flatly Lenalee nodding grabbing Lavi's arm and half dragging him out of the room.

"He's been threw so much... I had hoped to give him a life." Mana's smile cracked tears forming as he sat down between the two versions of his son.

"You did, he would have stopped walking years ago if it wasn't for his memories of you... when my cloning became public known noah's were present and a clash of dark matter and innocence cause two noah, Alma, Allen and myself to end us seeing each other's lives. Allen witness the daily experimentation and torture Alma and I were made to endure, how we both nearly died and in Alma's case went insane how our innocence saved us and at the same time destroyed us... while he and the noah of dreams walked threw the vatican's abuse, the noah of Wisdom alma and I saw allen. I saw from the minute he first woke how his innocence struggled to support him like a single mother, the circus came to have possession of him how they treated him and how you saved him gave him a reason to smile a smile that has survived everything he's been threw.

The curse that gave him akuma sight came after your death, he could stand the loss and without being told the true nature of the war fell into the trap as an akuma you cursed him to see your true soul begging for his life. He saved your soul and laid with the wreckage for months until Cross turned up and forced him out of his coma, then the brat mimicked you under cross he was made to ignore his heart and just take any pain thrown at him. Cross forced him threw so much more immoral actions yet by the time he came to the order the moyashi still smiled and got them believing in life after the war many called him their guiding light and your words, words he used as a mantra nearly formed a fucking cult."

"They did?" Mana echoed in shock.

"Smiles Go For Miles, Don't stop walking till your last breath, be a destroyer who saves, storms fade given time let the nightmares take flight we will not suffer them alone, by believing one sees. A could of the finders heck scientist and exorcists too made bracelets with those quote engraved on 'em, they use the damn silver like prayer beads." Kanda quoted with a mildly annoyed expression before pulling out his set.

When he arrived at the order and was told the lie of Allen's death a cult had already formed claiming Allen as their martyr which the idiot was to an extent many others were railing against the vatican to have him listed as a Saint a patron saint of exorcist, and a large set of pure silver bracelets, anklets, necklaces and earrings had been made most holding quotes others just things that remind people of the small sliver being who came into their lives bring smiles, hope and Light. Kanda had gone out and bought ten of everything even if three sets had been given to Anita, Cross and Alma. His gollum kept the others nearby at all times. Now that the order knew he was alive the value of the charms had skyrocketed as more people sent messages to have him made a saint. He had yet to tell or show Allen these and Lenalee's hair hide her earrings of the set, dangling earrings of the boys iconic scar, Lavi had ankets of three different quotes. But he was one of the few who had insisted on one of everything. After getting the damn things he had gone out and gotten a member in the nearest town to make a display case which had cost a fortune to be made due to the items only being given to exorcists. Two non exorcist who wore them were Fou and Hev.

Hevlaska barely managing to hide it on being reunited with her long lost son the boy too out of it from his innocence and exhaustion of their last mission to really notice the pendant on the chain made to fit her fallen state, god only knew how much hell Koumi and Hev were going threw now that Allen had restored her human form in regards to the 30m long chain. But ignoring everything Kanda passed the set to Allen's father watching as the man sorted threw each quote with a smile and tears, before placing them back down neatly.

"There amazing..."

"There's a movement that no ones told Arren about yet to make him the patron saint of exorcists just as I haven't shown him these yet... the largest pendants currently sitting on the floor of the latest branch base. Hevlaska had held one and cross recently found her lost son along with informing the rest of the order the truth. Hevlaksa had been a fallen one you'd probably know well. Nella Walker, and Allen's biological mother, the Heart within Allen recently restored her to human form and shes was still resting in the hospital when we had to leave for this mission. She fell due to giving birth and the Crows thought they disposed of her baby instead he has become their downfall." Kanda stated putting the box away watching as Mana's eyes light up once more.

"Oh thank god... How is she?"

"She's been put threw hell but having been a fallen for over 20 years has meant she hasn't aged much more her cousin Anita has been staying by her bedside and Anita herself had previously tried adopting allen out of cross lack of care, she was denied due to owning a burlesque club in china that she lives in social workers said it was no place for such a young boy. Allen has friends and family and although we had been torn from his side before no one will let it happen again. Yet that's one of the reasons I asked if I may stay here..."

"Oh?" Mana asked surveying the young adult.

Kanda sat with a face of stone his hand gently stroking his Allen's pale hair, his midnight blue eyes seemingly devoid of life at first glance overly similar to Allen's as a child no hope or joy rested in those eyes asides for when they glance down then the blue orbs shimmered and relaxed before returning to their cold state on looking at Mana, the japanese male reminding him of a puzzle box very much like 'his' Allen all rough edges seeing the world threw jaded eyes shunning everything and bathing the world in rage and stubbornness, that masked the sensitive and broken heart and soul. From what he had seen of the older Allen his son had transformed to become the opposite of his younger self thus meaning that this boyfriend acted as the only person who saw beyond the facade of a smile.

" Most places its still illegal but there are many who have changed their stance on allowing same sex couples to wed, true the vatican wont recognize it but amongst friends and family they would support and help take down any of the more dangerous issues..." Kanda half stumbled over his words, this had been something he had debating for a while.

Allen originally was too young but part of the reason they had waited was Allen's own innocence and wishes one such wish had he been with a female partner was no sex before marriage. It wasn't until after being 'dead' that Allen had given up that belief along with many others that made him 'human' an issue he was struggling to help Allen adjust to was the idea that nothing matter that Allen was still allen. It was this kind of distortion in beliefs that was driving the boy crazy and triggering panic attacks and worse. Yet seeing he wanted to do right by his boyfriend it was more than asking for the boys hands, like anyone else he had to get the fathers position. Until now Kanda had been struggling with himself not wanting to ask the perverted and down right abusive Cross or embarrassingly the Noah who shared everything with is host of a nephew. Then this opportunity was granted Allen's true father figure was right in fucking front of him and their was no way he couldn't NOT ask the man for permission to Allen's hand.

"Are you doing what I..." Mana began warily still trying to work out this stranger.

"Yes... look I've been debating asking fucking Cross or Neah ever since I got the moyashi back but Cross wouldnt care and wouldn't understand the meaning for it, and Neah wont keep his mouth shut long enough for me to actually ask the moron himself. The moyashi believes himself to broken and tainted already I at least what to help ease that but before asking for his hand cause I know I already have his heart to do him right, I have to ask the goddamn father." Kanda spat his face turning red in embarrassment causing Mana to chuckle needing to wipe a few tears away.

That reaction was one next to identical to his son, swearing and blushing with embarrassment spitting the word out in a rush had been a common issue when he first 'kidnaped Allen out of the circus.' on seeing the torn expression on the older mans face his laughter stopped seeing just how much thought and love the man was trying to give to his little boy. Allen had found someone strong and yet kind and not to bad on the eyes either forcing himself to calm Mana reflected making up his mind.

"I apologise for the outburst... Allen does that all the time on him its cute, on you just humorous. Yes you may take my sons hand. I can tell just watching you how much you really do care despite the rough exterior you put out its probably what draws allen to you, opersits may both repel or attract and in Allen's case he flipped his polarity just enough to bond like glue to you. Take care of him, please. Now then Tell me more about my son, It seems I wont get to see the man my boy could be, just as as a bookman I know that there's more that meets the eye and my powers let me see the soul that is inside." Mana calmed the fiancee to be.

Kanda was still talking to mana when both Allen's started to stir, the pair having already worked out a lie to tell the younger Allen about the group joining them for the day. Normally according to bookman protocol they innocence would be handed over thus ending the extended semi time loop of the town however Mana wanted to spend time with his son just as Allen's friends wanted to know more about Allen and his father. Their mini lie was that Mana had heard odd noises in the hallway and stumbled upon the sliver haired male who shared the young boys name, his heart condition had played up and Mana's medical training had helped the albino male before learning that he had meant to be in the room next door sharing which a new couple who had taken the bed.

Due to the albino Allen's weakened state that meant he couldn't be moved Kanda the boyfriend had asked it he might join them and keep an eye on his sickly partner. This led to talk of their travel plans and Mana having been to the city before insisted he show them around and what not. It was a story young Allen would believe due to how very much like Teidol Mana was while at the same time Mana was different it was like someone had taken Bookman and Teidol and fused them together into one person this led to a disjointed insane mess of an adult who's mild kept flickering between jokes to historical facts and data. The had also threw the night half chatting and trying to keep the old man from crying to much over his sons poor treatment and life had led to them planing out Kanda's proposal in front of the small group of people. The day planed down to the last detail to incorporate things that Allen loved as a child and as an adult along with time for Lavi to learn a bit more on bookman culture and abilities.

"Kanda?" Allen muttered as Kanda leant down muttering into Allen's ear the charade in front of his younger self.

"Who da fuck are dem." the child hissed looking at the exorcists Mana telling the boy off correcting his language before moving on to the explanation. "Not more strays..." the red haired boy groaned causing his older self to wince.

Strays were a term he had applied to anything Mana found and befriended from it being a book, to actual stray animals and even people, even more so if Mana insisted on then spending the day in its company his biggest 'stray' having been himself a term applied due to picking the name of a dog.

"Allen." Mana lightly hissed trying to avoid looking at his older son.

"Huh we share the same name. Nice to meet you kid." Allen lied threw his teeth.

"Just bloody great how the fuck are we supposed ta be told apart by name a fucking lone." lil Allen snarled.

"you could call him moyashi." Kanda suggested to the child watching both boys turn red before snarling.

"I'M NOT A BEANSPROUT." the pair in total sync causing Kanda and Mana to chuckle before the older Allen recomposed himself.

"How about we use our middle names?"

"Middle name? Wazzdat?"

"In you cause it would be Kokoro, Allen Kokoro Walker." Mana told the little boy.

"And you." the red head shot at the older Allen having suggested this for his double barrell middle name.

"Hikari." the older answered using the middle name his mother had recently given him the name Hevlaska had meant to use as his first if he hadnt been stolen from her side. Kanda blinking at Allen for a moment at the japanese name as Allen gave a small smile that told his boyfriend that Allen intended to explain himself later.

"Dere both jap names." his younger self remarked easily.

"That they are, but what about their meanings." the older Allen replied letting his father stress over the smaller language.

"Light, heart da emotional spirit one not the organ..." the five year old expanded in a voice that was wiser than his age group.

"Correct. So then Allen heart its good to meet you." Allen smiled watching his younger self gag at the smiling persona before the little boy help out his hand and mumbled back a similar greeting.

"Allen." Mana continued to reprimand.

"No, its fine. I used to be just like that as a child too,but stopped by the time I was 7, as much as it seems tedious or annoying its rather useful when you know how to apply it, for instance getting food cheaper via being overly polite and goody goody." the older Allen replied watching his younger self light up slightly his devious and abused mind instantly mapping out opportunities to his advantage, while Kanda began to lightly squeeze his partner as a warning for giving the little boy ideas.

"Mana said you had friends in the next room? Will they be accompanying us today?" the younger turned on the charm lightly using the big bright silver bambi eyes that broke to smirk when Kanda gulped realizing his partner had just created a tiny monster.

"I think we will, however shall we eat first? I'm not to sure about you but I require a lot of food, not to mention there's a small japanese restaurant in town that's meant to sell multiple kinds of dango. Its my favourite."

"You like mitsurashi dango too!" the child smiled brightly leaving no mistaking the two boys for anything but the same child the older deliberately tweaking his grin to mask his identity a touch more nodding and taking the offered right hand knowing his younger self would have a break down if the other was touched.

Kanda held back a chuckle glad to see both Allen's happy, this brief touching threw time was perfect for the closure and true break the moyashi had been needing. To much too soon... the white haired boy had been dancing on broken glass struggling to accept help and explain himself. So much had been stolen and used to abuse his beloved. Mana giving the pair a similar look, amazed at how the sliver haired teen was acting even more so as he paused to knock on his friends door the red haired ' lil brother' yawning hard rubbing his lone green eye.

"Morning."

"Lavi did you sleep in again?" Allen asked his friend his younger self giving a mild glare at the red head.

"Well scuz me for having to calm Lenalee down after you had another attack, But its all good I take it you guys are heading to breakfast?"

"Usagi stop giving the brat an eye full and go wake up Imouto, your wasting 'time'." Kanda snarled with a mild glare directed at the nearest window, the bookman apprentice instantly getting the partially hidden message.

This was a once in a lifetime chance to get to know Allen's childhood self, a creature the sliver haired young adult seemed to hide as well as a chance to give the boy time with his dad. They had already been in the town one night and the longest record of a finder staying in the town during the time anomaly was 3 days 5 hours and 7 seconds. In that time they had to get the innocence take out any possible akuma along with getting information, Mana knew so much held so many of the secrets that Cross and Neah refused to give out least they scare the black order. Not to mention how things had ended on allen and his father the more time Allen could have just being Mana's son again was something he most certainly needed after how close to breaking he had been pushed, thus rather than joking around like normal the red head spun back into the room some small yelps and crashing echoing until a bright red Lenalee stepped out of the room her hair brushed into pigtails that showed off her earrings for the first time causing Allen to gasp at the sight of a silver version of his scar.

"I guess I forgot to show them to you when you got back... they became a huge craze I had to fight fou for the last set." Lenalee admitted vaguely before kneeling down "Hi my names Lenalee whats yours?"

"Allen Kokoro." the little red head boy half hissed backing away untrusting of the female in front of him.

"Sorry Lena." Allen Hikari Kororo Walker responded. "Hey she's a friend beside shes the only thing that keeps the rabbit boy from stealing dango from other peoples plates even when theirs enough to share."

"Without resorting to violence." Kanda stated the little boy lighting up, lil Allen had taken quickly to the gruff samurai or more importantly to Mugen, the little boys innocence momentarily confused by its older self but calming quickly from mugens fast chirps. That and lil Allen was used to violence the sharp wit and dry humour Kanda had displayed to the little boy was amazing causing his older self to struggle not to laugh, honestly it was soo cute to watch his younger self latch on to kanda and far to funny watching Kanda struggling to react within reason to a child. So far the japanese male hadn't even swore and was just letting the little boy cling to him, working out quickly that the little boy didn't want to be touched or noticed thus Kanda was just letting the brat move around provided the little thief didn't try anything stupid.

Besides The moyashi would pay for it latter.

Lil Allen snorted remaining wedged in between Mana and Kanda as his older self winced shooting Lenalee an apologetic smile before turning to the 5 year old.

"Don't let his attitude fool you that guy can break into anything." Allen half whispered with a smile.

Instantly the child warmed up slightly but considering how often he had been caged or chained wanting to learn lockpicking was something that he had worked on away from Mana not wanting to shock the kind if slightly insane man. The said man giving his 'older' son a mild glare.

"Cages have locks." Kanda muttered to the soon to be father in law causing Mana's eyes to widen before settling his face into a calm expression finally understanding why his child had been breaking locks after getting frustrated while trying to pick them.

"So then whats style breakfast? English, american, australian or japanese? To start with I mean?" Lenalee quickly tried to lift the mood before lightly clicking her heals together causing a small blade to pop up before taping it back into her boots enjoying the bright smile on the young child.

"Pancakes?" the five year old questioned.

"Most certainly." the 20 year old agreed.

"Why not we try something new." Kanda sighed causing two sets of silver eyes to glance over at him.

"You guys go with lenalee and your father and the rabbit and i'll get dango with extra sauce. You can use the mitsurashi sauce in place of maple syrup and stick the dango on top." Kanda replied giving a rare smile when both lunged at him hugging him tight. "No, off." the young adult half snarled shaking the pair off him.

"Now now Allen dont knock the poor man over." Mana half scolded with a huge familiar smile.

"Its ok The love doves do this all the time, Yuu-kun just like to pretend he's a big scary tough guy." Lavi smiled brightly used to the pair half flirting threw stuff like this.

Allen would glomp Kanda and get thrown to the floor by an irate japanese man yet if anything Allen seemed to enjoy being dropped always coming back for more even if it ended in a verbal argument a rare occurrence now that Kanda knew their mischief and fake fights had been busted. Something many of the order was glad for less property damage and stress factors since the pair became open just as Kanda on occasion allowed himself to appear sappy mainly when allen was in kitten form much to the nurses and even Ming-Yue's disapproval, yet both gave in on seeing the sleeping sand cat snuggled into Kanda's shoulder or even awake front paws and head popping out of the black uniform Kanda still wore despite the more casual approach Komui and Cross had began to implement.

"Well than go on, shoo. We'll met up outside the store, Stay with Lenalee so you dont get lost."

"I know I know, geez." Allen blushed lightly at the mild tease.

With the tiniest of kisses off Kanda the small group split Kanda waiting until the group was out of sight before drawing mugen and pointing it at Lavi.

"Whoa, what did I do."

"Nothing yet, this is just a warning. Last night after both Arren's were out Mana and I talked and I got permission to ask for Arren's hand. We then discussed a full day plan to led to my proposal and if you Fuck it up I will castrate you before killing you slowly. Now shut up and help me get the fucking rings and if you dont ruin Arren's day I may let you be one of the best men when we finally wed." Kanda snarled katana pointed and glowing dangerously low.

"I'll be good, bookmans word... any idea on what kind of ring you want?"

Kanda nodded sheathing mugen " Along with the moyashi ring size. No telling Lenalee she'll get too excited and the moyashi will notice somethings up."

"So what have you been thinking of?"

"Black tungsten, three gems the center heart cut with to pear shaped ones fitted the black shaped to make a winged heart. Gypsy Rose Garnet Starbrite cut... if I can get it. For both of us."

"Tungsten?" Lavi muttered in shock.

" Cant be removed. Should help him keep focus if thouse mother fuckers manage to recapture Arren, Mana thinks he can use some for of magic to insure it stay on when he shifts." Kanda explained as they moved threw the streets, speed was important to be able to get the ring and food without drawing suspicion.

Luckily Mana had mentioned that the primary ring shop in the city specialized in random work such as the idea kanda wanted, but Lavi was better with money and would know if the guy tried to take the already impossibly high price even higher other wise he could always ditch the rabbit and sent the one eyed creep to get the food. Then after breakfast was well and truly over the plan was to move towards the main street so Mana could 'play clown' with his sons before visiting some of the more interesting locations to teach the pair and Lavi afterwards was lunch followed by flower arranging flower means until almost sunset when Mana would call for a 'pop quiz' on gemstones it which would deliberately lead into Kanda's proposal and tea before the small time slip would end. Timing was everything and Kanda was far more than ready not wanting the chance to slip pass before he could wed his beloved, having lost Allen once he didn't want to tempt fate more than their jobs already did as the immortal cat thing land god said 'Time is a gift given to you, Given to give you. The time you need, To have the time of your life.' and if he proposed now then with some careful planning they could hold the wedding during his moyashi's favourite holiday where no one would point out or ruin his day due to his arm. It would also give then several months to contact everyone they wanted set up a defense in case noah's crashed the wedding, and everything else Lenalee would most likely think of.

"Welcome Sir how may I help you today?" a blonde lady stated as Kanda entered the jewelry store.

"Does this place sell tungsten wedding rings." Kanda stated.

"Yes, their fairly new to the market so their expensive but they are truly as immortal as love." the lady smiled warmly. Before pointing at the cabinet with the tungsten rings were kept, watching as the japanese beauty walked over and began examining them threw then threw the glass his eyes quickly locating the winged heart style he had wanted calling over the shop keeper unaware of the small smile on his face.

"That comes to $660, I hope your beloved will enjoy them." the girl ended the sale with surprised that the man actually knew his partners ring size and his own, something fairly rare in a man, it showed how much he really cared.

With a small gruff nod Kanda handed over the cash glad that he had been carrying the cash around looking for the best chance to buy the rings (having originally the idea of get the rings then pluck up the courage to pick which of Allen's parental guardians to ask). Carefully placing the rings in a small hidden pocket that he trusted not to break open or potentially lose the priceless rings. A quick glance at the streets help locate Lavi the red head half trapped under clear boxes filled with dango and the warm mitsurashi sauce, calmly taking the hot items off the rabbit before clicking his tongue.

"You got em?"

"Got 'em and you ain't seeing em till their on my tenshi." kanda stated flatly "now forget I told you or else."

Luckily it didn't take too long to reach the group seeing the two Allen's slowly eating, as lenalee insured the venue that they would pay for everything as the price rose higher. Mana blinking in shock, His little boy had only eat two plates worth before the older version whispered something in the 5 year old's ear and them BAM both were sharing a huge pile and asking for more and more food, luckily the two did recall table manners even if the speed they were going at suggested otherwise. Seeing the look on Mana's face Lavi handed over the food before turning to his legal older brother.

"Gramps says that the innocence in Al runs by burning more fat so his metabolism is threw the roof not to mention his anemia and low insulin problems. Gramps actually tested stuff saying for his best health and fitness at least twice his weight has to be eaten, the order even made up a chart cause if hes with Yuu-kun or helping the science department hell even reading. The baka forgets to eat and ends up in the hospital." Lavi half whispered to the worried father handing over the list put together to insure Allen's health (after Allen proved to have zero self preservation skill).

"He's been holding back all this time then?" Mana whispered paling.

"No, No... The chibi wouldn't notice it yet as he hasnt activated it completely, but its probably best you stick to places with food eating competitions and let him enter but dont force him ok." Lavi grinned brightly watching as the pair finished up before the older Fed Kanda some of the remaining pancake much to the chibis shock and curiosity.

"Oi, Mana, whots 'appenin taday." the smaller boy questioned his father.

"The Same thing we always do my boy stop you from taking over the world with your cuteness!" Mana smiled ruffling the child's hair letting him struggle against a hug before answering properly. " I thought i'd show you some of the landmarks before working on some juggling and ending the day in the town's Natural park."

"That sounds amazing." Kanda's Moyashi spoke a small true grin on his face.

"It should for you kiddies are coming with us." Mana stated in a manner of fact tone causing the albino to blink.

"Thank you very much." Allen smiled as the younger version of himself tugged on his arm.

"So long as you dont have stuff ta do, Mana always drags people away from their jobs." the little one stated.

"Our only job is to See everything in the town." Kanda answered calming the small boy seeing how the chibi-moyashi really didn't want them to go even if he had just opened up an escape route. With a brilliant white smile the preschooler half bounced out of the shop, Lavi quickly scooping him up before he could get to far, while Lenalee and Mana paid for the meals.

"You ok Moyashi?"

"Bakanda... im ok... just realizing how I would never have met you if I was a normal kid. You wouldn't be able to tell that yesterday he was brutally attack by the local clergyman." Allen sighed giving a small sound when Kanda's arms encircled him.

"Allen... I wish to tell you something before we join the little you." Mana stated gently " your probably wondering why you dont recall this meeting from your childhood memory. Its because everything asides your friends the innocence and myself to a certain extent are fabricated, this loop is more based off the world of dreams than actual reality thus everything we do today will end up becoming more of a faint memory of a vivid dream only items can pass threw the breech. Only then 'new elements' to the loop will retain solid memories of the events that happen but know this. I will Always care for you. I'm so proud of the man you've become." Mana smiled "It's part of the dream effect of the bubble that's lessening those horrid injuries."

"Come on, the chibis waiting." Lenalee smiled trying not to cry.

"So lets get on our way, Oh the places we'll go." Allen smiled earning a laugh from Mana.

"Oh my..." Mana muttered on seeing his son being scolded by Lavi.

"Whats going on?" Allen asked narrowing his eyes noticing the slap mark across Lavis face.

"A red lady dripping with gin came over and said she'd do it for the bunny cheaper if I watched. When he said ew that's gross and I have a girlfriend she said that was fine she still do him... Bunbun said no and threatened to call the cops then she helped him cop a mouse." the chibi stated his eyes filled with rage.

"Allen then lunged at her and said if she tried filth like that again he'd grow up to be jack the ripper just to hunt her down." Lavi answered softly. "I've already told him off... so where are we headed first?"

"First let's get you two cleaned up then we can move to the Trengwainton Garden's." Mana sighed picking up his son while the 22 year old and female tending to their friend.

"Al-chan what was the chibi saying?"

"the 'cop a mouse'?" Allen asked knowing Lavi knew the rest "black eye and on the eye patch on two, the bruising already there and it will start swelling soon."

"Did lil Allen really say..."

"Lena, as a child i was hurt, a lot and like Kanda i mentally turned myself into a cactus, insulting and snarling at everyone and everything i met, the me your meet is one who's just started down the steps of healing and on Mana's death i vowed to do my best to be like him thats only reason i didn't kill Cross in his sleep after he did worse than the circus did to me. Its why i adore Kanda he sees threw me and sees exactly what that little fireball really wants to say and helps me keep my 'black allen' at a safe level that wont break the order and murder those who bug me." Allen sighed before being as blunt as he posible could.

"Dear god help us all." Lenalee whispered with a big grin before glancing around the street they where walking on and seeing how Kanda was deliberately insure not as single asshole said anything that could further hurt the little boy on Mana's shoulders.

"Now now Allen, See that old building over there?Its been on this site since at least the 16th century Thewalled garden, which was built in Elizabethan times, The wall prevented warm air from escaping from the garden on cool nights, thereby allowing frost-sensitive fruit trees to survive, despite the cooling climate.In 1814 the estate was bought by Rose Price the son of a Jamaican sugar plantation owner. Trengwainton was sold following the loss of income resulting in the 1833 Emancipation Act which freed slaves on the family's Worthy Estate in Jamaica. In 1867 the property was bought by T S Bolitho and was extended with several rooms in 1880. Rose Price planted trees and built the walled gardens, which are said to be based on the dimensions of Noah's Ark, and in 1925 Sir Edward Bolitho and his head gardener Alfred Creek continued the development of the garden." Mana explained carefully.

"Your gonna quiz me on the bloody flowers arncha." the little boy hissed.

"After we run threw our daily exercises." Mana grinned as the child deliberately backflipped off Mana's shoulders.

"Dere done." the brat answered causing his older-self to snort.

"That was just showing off not practice."

"Day after day all we ever do is practice practice practice." the child whined.

"I'd like to learn." Lenalee asked before finding herself in a tight bear hug that lifted her off the ground as both Allen's fought to pull the childish and over enthusiastic man off the chinese girl.

"It's so brilliant to see the youth of the world wishing to learn the ancient art of clowning." Mana cheered a huge smile on his face.

"Dis weeks its bats..." the red head child growled.

"Juggling clubs are harder than it looks even without adding in the Fun parts." Mana smiled.

"You mean like flame club's, or juggling what balancing right?" Lavi asked.

"Or the rare case of juggling while upside down on multiple balls." Kanda stated recalling one of the dare's Allen actually won against him.

"Yes all are part of a clown's resume, however training starts slow. Now Allen Hikari kun has already mentioned last night knowing most skills but you mi lady can start with a pair of bean bags." Mana grinned pulling out a set of bean bags out of the small bag that he constantly carried at all times.

"You can do this crap?" the little boy asked.

"My father taught me so i'd have something to fall back on if i couldn't get a job. At first it was boring but it became fun over time here watch." Allen grinned glancing at Mana who winked before tossing over three of the clubs.

Allen's movements were slow but complex some how making them appear to float off the back of his hands twirling them around like flowers before Mana tossed a set of clear ball in as well, the clubs acting like wands helping the balls float higher even having them weave between each other as if they where part of the film The Labyrinth. This caused some of the other people walking their the park to pausing glancing over at the albino juggler several little kids gasping and cheering even more so when Allen started to 'drop' them one by one bouncing them off one of his shoes sending it spiralling to the air and rejoin the pattern he was controlling twirling one club in his hand batting the balls onto the brib of Mana's hat before making the other two land jenga styled onto the club he had just like a cricket bat seconds before, the show coming to an end with a deep bow from Allen.

"Dats sooo cool... Mana think one day i could do that?" the chibi bounced glancing up at the man who meant the world to him.

"Most certainly my boy but you have to Practice." Mana smiled

The 40 year old man watching with a smile as 'his' 22 year old was swarmed by fans one or two even offering cash for the show, even more so when Kanda finally got sick of people hitting on his uke and began shooing them away so they could practice watching as Mana eagerly taught some of the basics to the little lil kids with help. Lavi helping pull them into groups and taking some of the attention on the chibi taught Lenalee in between his own practice.

"Ok now i think that's more than enough..." Mana chuckled seeing that many of the parents where trying to leave staring at their watches and phones as time passed the crowds dissipating before he noticed Lavi had vanished.

"Where did?" the man began only for Kanda to scoff and point towards the cafe where the one eyes rabbit was slowly coming down the part his arms loaded with food while Allen subtly used the Clown Crown to spread 'as a blanket' on the ground mentally apologizing for his innocence as he did so.

"I got lunch." Lavi grinned placing the food down before following Mana asides from the group in order to learn.

"Look after my son little brother." Mana smiled as they finished up the conversation Lavi nodding gently.

"The chibi mentioned flowers earlier?" Lenalee asked looking up from her food as she handed some to the two bookman apprentices.

"Yes its more for my own amusement and to insure it doesn't die off, the language of flowers i'll point to any flower in the near us and then My boy has to recall what that flowers meaning is."

"The Moyashi can do that." Kanda stated earning a growl off his beloved.

"You two?" the five year old stated.

"My father taught me... crazy isn't." the older half fibbed to his younger self.

"Camellia." Mana started.

"Your a flame in my heart." the five year old rolled his eyes.

"That's red Camellias these are White so it would be 'you are adorable' instead." the Sand cat replied.

"Correct." Mana grinned clapping. "Rose."

"Thats i love you right?" Lenalee questioned the two Allen's shaking their heads.

"Not always, see these ones aren't plain red, these are Tea roses thus mean i'll always remember." the child explained.

"That and there thornless which shifts its meaning even more to being 'Love at first sight.' with the meanings combined it will be 'I'll always remember love at first sight."

"Correct again. Tulip."

"Believe this declaration of love." came the flowery answer from the younger Allen.

"But in this case there's two patches the Red what you just answered and the Yellow over there which means ' there's a sunshine in your smile and im hopelessly in love with you." the feline answered.

"Carnation." Mana continued.

"My heart aches for you." Kanda answered grabbing his Allens hand and pulling out the box.

"Ivy vine." Mana ended gently again being answered by Kanda.

"Matrimony. Will you please marry me."

"Yuu..."

"I asked Mana for help and got the rings when we split at breakfast. So Arren will you?" Kanda asked again opening the small box and pulling out the ring.

"Yes. Oh god Yuu Yes." Allen whispered breaking into tears as his glove was removed to allow the red and black winged heart to slide onto his finger before launching himself at Kanda.

"NOW can i see the rings? Don't worry Lena I've only known since breakfast, He only asked for me to come so he could get them." Lavi spoke before Mana coughed drawn attention to himself.

"Why not place your hands together on my hat." the man suggested placing the top hat in the center so everyone would be able to see them.

Nodding the couple obeyed the rings sparkling as Allen's heightened hearing picked up Mana's whispering chant both blessing the rings and to insure that it like Allen's innocence would shift seamlessly when he was in the Sand Cat form, the chant drowned out by Lenalee and little Allen both admiring the ring albeit in different ways.

"Oh its soo romantic a winged heart set in is that tungsten?" Lenalee muttered mostly to herself.

"That's worth like three months worth of hotels and room service, Starbrite garnets... you must be rolling in cash..."

"I have an inheritance i never use and a job that pays high ever few months."Kanda admitted before tossing something at the small boy a tiny silver pocket watch the out side looked cheap thus the chance of the boy or later in Allen's life Cross selling it. "Open it kiddo. The internals part."

Blinking the child obeyed the inside of the tacky knock off looking thing was the real deal along with small gemstones. "How."

"Bought two of em then swapped the parts over." Kanda smirked handing over the expensive looking watch as well.

Lavi blinked starring at the pair before holding back the urge to facepalm just as their Allen blinking in shock. His own watch he kept next to Mana's photo back in the room had long stopped working but he had never known the riches that it hid only that he had gotten both with Mana. The richer looking one had been confiscated off Cross as 'payment for having to look after the ugliest of brats'.

"The only issue is that with it looking cheaper the fact its a wind up is hidden you need to open it into the internals to get to wind it up." Kanda smirked "where the richer looking one needs batteries but the ones in their right now will last it until your in your 20s kiddo."

At Kanda's words the fellow exorcist fought back a fit of laughter at Kanda's evil genius moment sneaky and under handed but helping to mask a gift the little boy definitely kept only due to Cross and the trouble child believing the exteriors lies and earning a cheesy grin off Mana in the process.

"I think its time to part ways however in payment i'd like to give your Allen a set of gifts." Mana smiled a tear rolling down his face as he hugged his son tight.

"No, No you dont have to..." Allen whispered trying to not cry harder than he already was from the wedding ring.

"These were always meant to be yours one day." Mana ruffled the sliver locks before placing the top hat on Allen's head along with a thick but rather small note book filled with all the information Mana had on the War, its origins and the powers of the innocence he had hidden under the ribbon of his hat and bookman spells. "I will always love you my son. Yuuto you and Lavitos better keep your promises to protect my boy do you understand me! Miss Lee i wish you the best as well it was lovely to meet such a kind friend and level headed friend for my boy."

Manas words echoed as time seem to freeze before speeding up to present time the flowers completely different that before, Kanda gently pulling Allen into his chest as the young man burst into tears at having lost his father let again. Lenalee and Lavi hugging him as well the chinese girl quietly massaging Allen's back until his sobbing stopped, Kanda taking the chance to kiss his now finally fiancee before speaking.

"You got to call him your father." Kanda muttered knowing it had been one of Allen biggest regrets.

"Yeah..." Allen sniffled wiping his eyes. "Let's head home."

"So when's the wedding?" Lavi couldn't resist knowing it would help relax the group back to normal.

"I was thinking Halloween that way Lenalee has ages to plan as both the bride's maid and the head wedding planner." Kanda answered without drawing Mugen shocking Lavi.

"You mean... Ii..." Lenalee chirped her lilac eyes wide with shock.

"Of Course Lenalee." Allen smiled with a nod before being knocked backwards by the ecstatic lady.

"Oh and Usagi the price of being the Best man is keeping Tiedol and Cross away from the planning." Kanda stated with a grin watching the sunset as the exited the town.

.

An- Happy 2017 the Year old the Bird, Im soo sorry about how all over the place my stories have been and i truly hope to have more updates actually posted this year.

Songs used in this Chapter are as followed-

Practice Practice Practice- from the Swan Princess Movie.

Oh The Places We'll Go- Kathy Najimy ( In Search Of Doctor Seuss Movie)

Time Is A Gift- from The Phantom Tollbooth Movie.

Ska8er boi- Avril Lavigne

The Siren & the Seamare feat SweetPoffin And Wubcake- Carbon Maestro.

Here Comes a Thought- Steven Universe