A/N: So, this first scene is half the length of what I originally wrote—mainly because I don't recall the conversation that occurred between Allen and Neah. And if you don't already know, the reason I dragged my feet when trying to get this chapter done, is because the original chapter eight was lost, and the thought of rewriting it made me lose all motivation. Sorry everyone I kept waiting.):
But thank you to everyone who reviewed! A big shout out to Lena-luvs-cats, lizyeh2000, Guest (x4), xenocanaan, mellifluousMondegreen, Red raspberries, Failing Wings, WinterYule (x6), Kirei Ao Tori (x2), and Alexandta27! I wouldn't blame you if any of you readers have given up on this story. But if you haven't, I hope that you enjoy!
Disclaimer: No.
Chapter 8
Time Frame — Night of January 7th, 1892
—1st Person POV—
Sleep wasn't very forthcoming. But that was to be expected. The scuttling of vermin and small, grotesque creatures had me curling tighter and tighter into a stiff ball, my nose was clogged with the foul stench of piss and rotting food, and a light drizzle dampened the alley I'd taken refuge in, allowing the frigid cold to settle deep into my bones, until the chill burned from within. Worst of all? Cross' concealment talisman had lost its effect days ago.
He was coming. According to Neah, the Millenium Earl was watching me; following me; readying himself to confront me.
And this is the image I was presenting him with. I wasn't Red nor was I Allen. Those disguises were being shed in order to bring forth a new image: Neah. Obviously, not Neah himself, but the version of him I was pretending to be. One where he was newly reincarnated and innocent of past wrongs. And though I'd normally be unsure on the effectiveness of such a plan, I was counting on the fact that Mana—the Millenium Earl—wasn't… quite right in the head.
Prepare yourself.
But Neah's warning couldn't have braced me for the sight of the large, rotund man with the frightening grin. Despite the massive, toothy smile that graced the Earl's face, tears streaked his dead, corpse-colored cheeks. And in the darkness of the night, his amber, pupil-slit eyes glowed eerily.
"… N-Neah…?" his low, gravelly voice echoed throughout the alleyway. Almost cautiously, as if frightened that I would disappear, the Earl's corpulent figure stepped forward.
The single hand clamped around my legs shook uncontrollably, and it was only by willpower that I stayed rooted to my spot. Voice choked and mouth dry, I parted me lips. "Who… who are you?"
The Millenium Earl stumbled to a stop, and in the darkness I was unable to discern his expression, lenses concealing his bright eyes. His ever-present, face-splitting grin only seemed to grow wider, and a chuckled escaped him, until his laughter couldn't be held back. "Neah…" he murmured, "… My brother~. We are going home; come~."
For a moment, I could only cringe away from the great hand being held in my direction. But this was it. This is what I'd come for.
Timidly, I placed my single trembling hand atop his palm. His fingers curled around it almost painfully, and before I could think to wrench myself away, the Early suddenly swooped in and scooped me up as if I were a mere baby. "Neah~… Neah~…" he kept murmuring as he carried me into the brilliant light of the Ark.
Oh boy… I thought, eyes practically bulging out. The Earl hadn't wasted any time. In a matter of minutes, I'd been transported to a grand mansion and brought into a sitting room. Before me, the Noah had gathered—the Millenium Earl, Sheryl, Road, and Lulubell, as they'd introduced themselves. Their inquisitive stares had me quaking in my boots, and nervously, I kept rubbing at my left shoulder, only growing more disheartened by the familiar ache of my missing limb.
"He's so… small," Road suddenly chirped, skipping forward and leaning down, bringing her bright, molten eyes of gold closer. Faced with her dark, ash-colored skin and the row of scarred stigmata peeking from beneath her spiky hair triggered something within me. Before I knew it, I could feel my skin steadily darkening into the same shade as hers, silver eyes drowning beneath gold, and stigmata sprouting underneath my head of black hair. And at the forefront of my mind, Neah's presence nestled beside mine. Oddly enough, my transformation encouraged Road to lean closer, until I was enveloped within her thin arms. "Welcome home," she murmured.
But… what about being a traitor? Are they really so easily fooled? I wondered, as I hesitantly wrapped my own arm around Road.
Love can be foolish, don't you think? Neah's chuckles echoed throughout my thoughts, amusement practically spilling over onto me.
I had bite my lip in order to hold Neah's smile back.
"What is the boy's name?" Sheryl asked.
"Neah," the Millenium Earl answered in the same moment that I whispered, "I don't have one."
Road pulled back and beamed. "Then your name is Neah, and now, you're part of our family! Okay?" Despite the nerves wreaking havoc on my mentality, I nodded in agreement, and she clasped her hands together with a satisfied grin. "Perfect. Sheryl is going to officially adopt you, aren't you daddy?" Large, inquisitive eyes turned to the man in question.
"Of course! Anything for my sweet Road!" Sheryl grinned, but even that expression didn't keep me from catching the flash of apprehension in his sunlit eyes. Of course. The Earl was accepting me out of sheer desperation to keep Neah at his side, and Road would do anything for 'Millenie's' sake—this didn't necessarily mean that the others would accept me as easily. After all, Neah had damaged their memories so badly, that not only had he disrupted the reincarnation process among the Clan, but they couldn't even recall the final moments before their past selves had been slaughtered.
"But," the Earl suddenly warned, a massive hand clamping onto my shoulder, "His name shall not be altered~. He will remain known as Neah Walker~."
"Of course," Sheryl agreed with a submissive nod of his head.
"Lulubell~," the Earl suddenly intoned, turning to the tall, stoic woman, "Please get Neah cleaned up~. There is something I must take care of, but I shall be here tomorrow in time for tea~." Before the Earl left, he squeezed me in one, last hug. "I'll be back soon, Neah~," he assured.
"O-okay," I stammered, timidly waving, before my only hand was enwrapped in Lulubell's.
"Come," she murmured, and in reaction to the lightening in her features, I too, altered into human appearance before we exited the sitting room, and the only trait that remained dark were my locks of hair. Fortunately for my nerves, Lulubell was quick and straight to the point. Once she ran a warm bath for me within one of the guest bedrooms, she handed me a small set of pajamas. "Wash up and get dressed. We shall be having a small supper before you are sent to bed. Be quick now."
For a few, brief seconds, I was relieved to find that she wouldn't be assisting me in the task, lest she discover I wasn't the gender I'd fooled them into believing I was—until my disability came into play.
"D-damn it," I cursed, tears spilling in frustration as I attempted to unbutton my top with one hand. Teeth gritted and hand fisted, I had to pause and take a few breaths, before finally, rummaging around the drawers and cabinets. Most were empty, but finally, I encountered some supplies in the cabinet above the toilet. "Aha!" Triumphant, I snatched a pair of scissors and out of sheer spite, I cut off both my shirt and trousers—I sincerely doubted I'd be allowed to keep the set of filthy clothes anyway.
By the time I stepped into the bath, the water had turned cold, much to my misfortune. But I'd already wasted too much time, so instead of sulking, I tried to clean up as quickly as possible. Because I only had one arm available to me, I was forced to squirt the shampoo directly onto my scalp, but I'd take what I could get. And I found myself feeling lucky when I realized that they also had liquid soap, because a bar of soap wasn't going to cut it at this point.
Drying was a bit awkward, and even more awkward came the part where I had to button up the stupid top on the set of blue pajamas, but I clenched my jaw and forced myself to take it slowly. Eventually, I got the majority of them done, but I gave up with the last two, bottom buttons. Instead, I pulled on a pair of warm socks, dumped my old clothes into the trash bin, before exiting with an exhausted huff.
Lulubell was waiting for me in the small sitting area of the guest room, lounging on a sofa with a book in her hands. When she heard me exit, she carefully eyed me, before setting the book on the coffee table, rising to her feet and in a few, quick steps, was crouching down before me. Almost gently, she straightened out my crooked pajama top, giving no mind to the useless, flapping sleeve on my left side, and finished buttoning the last two buttons. "You could have asked for assistance," she remarked briskly.
I gifted her with a strange look. "Why would you want to help?" I wondered. I didn't remember much of Lulubell from the manga series, other than her ability to shape shift and her devotion to the Earl. And of course, her role in the Level 4 attack. Other than that, I didn't know what else there was to her.
"I don't remember you," she answered bluntly, straightening up from her crouch and offering me her hand. "But you are clearly special to Master, and he has tasked me with taking care of you. Are you hungry?"
Hesitantly, I placed my hand in hers and gave her a mute nod. Lulubell tugged me out of the room and through the corridors. The inside of the mansion was just as exquisite as the its outer extravagance suggested—the brilliant, white walls were decorated with tapestries and portraits of the Kamelot family; thick, mauve curtains framed the vast windows, their planes of glass accented in gold; the space within the halls were so wide, the occasional sofa, chair, or glass table sat against its walls for no other purpose than to accentuate its stunning surroundings.
Once we reached the grand staircase, Lulubell lead me down to the main entrance hall, before we entered a different hallway leading to yet another sprawling room that appeared to be the dining room. Almost timidly, I crawled up onto the head chair, in which Lulubell had directed me towards, with Road and Lulubell sitting on either side of me.
And it was at that exact moment that a row of servants came in, in order to fill our end of the table with plates and platters of food. But Road and Lulubell acted as if they didn't exist.
"Daddy's sorry he couldn't make it," Road chirped, leaning forward, and if the table hadn't obstructed my view, I'm sure I would've caught sight of her legs swinging back and forth. "He's already begun the paperwork that your adoption will entail! Isn't it exciting, Neah?"
"Um, sure," I murmured, nodding in agreement, before glancing down at the bowl of warm stew that had been placed before me. I reached for a spoon.
"Wrong spoon!" Road giggled.
I flushed, and Lulubell directed me towards the correct utensil. I didn't understand the difference, but I thought it better not to question it. Days of feeding on scraps had my stomach urging me towards the food, but I took my time, slightly self-conscious of the two Noah watching my every move. The fear gripping my thoughts had dulled to mere apprehension, but that didn't mean I was still weary of the Noah. If they grew too curious, I was unsure of how well I'd handle their scrutiny. Mostly, I feared how well I'd be able to play the part of a Noah.
That's where I'll come in.
Are you sure? I asked doubtfully, slipping a spoonful of seasoned stew into my mouth. Its warmth filled me with comfort. How's your control? Even now, I can feel hints of your wrath and hatred spilling onto me.
Right. Sorry about that. I'll manage, so don't worry about.
If you're sure… I trailed off, turning to Road when she began to speak.
"Say, Neah," she began, voice inquisitive, and even a bit hesitant, "Do you… do you remember anything?"
My brow furrowed in an attempt to convey my confusion. "Remember…?"
"Have your own Noah memories been damaged as well? Do you recall nothing from before?" Road insisted, lips pursed.
It might be best if you gave her something, Neah suggested.
Mentally, I nodded. Outwardly, I frowned, fingers reaching to brush against my temple. "My Noah…" I murmured, in an attempt to give myself some time. After about a minute, I chose upon a memory, and admitted, "Not really. I only remember a face. I think he was my brother…"
Road perked up, a beam lighting up her face. "Really? That's Millenie!"
I glanced at her. "The man that found me?"
"Yes!" Road gushed, practically vibrating with energy. "I'm so happy you remember him! And…" Road trailed off as her smile dimmed into something sad. "And I'm glad you don't remember what happened. It'll… it'll be like a second chance! Okay, Neah? You're part of our family now, and that's what matters."
"Ah, right, of course," I murmured, before chewing on a piece of warm, buttered bread. Already I could feel my stomach becoming full, and though it might've been convenient, it only served as a bitter reminder that Crown Clown had been severed from me. Without the Innocence feeding off my energy, I didn't constantly need to feed myself. But I still missed its warm presence. Crown Clown may not have been convenient throughout my childhood, and I'd hated the arm for the longest time, but without noticing, I'd grown attached to the Innocence through the years of battling Akuma. Not only that, but as my arm, it was a huge part of me.
Though, I was grateful that no one had brought up my disability. That one would be difficult to explain—mainly because of the strange shape its indent had left behind. I could say I'd been born this way, but you'd think someone dealing with this sort of disability throughout their life would've learned to function with one arm by now. I'd only had a little over week to grow used the ache.
"You're tired," Lulubell suddenly stated. "Would you like to retire for the night?"
I blinked, startled out of my thoughts, and realized I'd been dragging my spoon through the remaining dregs of stew. "Oh," I mumbled, straightening up slightly, "Yes. That sounds nice."
"If you do not recall the location of your appointed bedroom, you may follow me," Lulubell remarked as she removed the cloth napkin from her lap and rose to her feet.
"Right, of course," I nodded, setting down my spoon, and sliding out of the large, mahogany chair.
"Goodnight, Neah!" Road waved.
Turning back, I offered her a brief wave. "Goodnight, Road," I replied, before trotting after Lulubell. This time around, I made sure to pay more attention to the turns we took within the halls—if there was yet another difference between me and the Allen Walker of the manga, it was that I had a much better sense of direction. And though the mansion could be compared to a sprawling maze, memorizing the route to my own bedroom was simple enough. It would do for now—after all, this is the place I would now be calling home.
(Already, I ached to be back with Cross and Anita; to be exchanging letters with Lavi, Lenalee, and Kanda. I missed them. I felt homesick.)
"Rest well," Lulubell offered once we reached the door to my room, "Tomorrow shall be a busy day, so you best be prepared."
I was too exhausted to wonder what she meant, so instead, I nodded and bid her goodnight. Once I was alone in my bedroom, I sighed in relief.
That wasn't as bad as I'd expected.
Within my thoughts, Neah snorted. Don't be fooled by their human act. Eventually, their obligation as Noah will show you a much darker side.
I nodded, making a small prayer, before giving in and succumbing to my exhaustion.
Time Frame — Morning of January 8th, 1892
At eight o'clock on the dot, Lulubell, accompanied with an older woman, came to wake me up. For a moment, I almost lashed out with my Innocence out of pure instinct, before realizing that that was both impossible and a suicidal thing to do. Once I'd gotten a reign down on my emotions, I followed Lulubell's directions in rousing myself from bed, and standing steady when the lady, a seamstress, began to measure me. On the rumpled sheets of my bed, Lulubell placed a set of folded clothes and a box containing a pair of boots.
"I had a servant run down to one the shops to buy you something to wear for the day," Lulubell explained, "But the rest of your wardrobe shall be custom made." Instead of allowing me time to reply, the blonde turned to the seamstress and remarked, "Make sure that both sleeves on the clothes are perfectly even."
The woman paused, pale eyebrows rising high. "Are you certain? I am sure there are many ways in which I could do a cover-up on his missing arm, though it might be tricky."
"His arm shall be taken care of. Do as I've asked," Lulubell stated briskly.
"It will be?" I blinked, expression perplexed. It was too early for this sort of thinking.
But Lulubell only offered me a silent nod and no more. There was no further conversation that followed, and I was soon left alone to wash up and get dressed. Unfortunately, I was forced to face the nightmare of buttons once more, but I lived, and if a few were left unbutton beneath the tan-colored over-sweater, none would be the wiser. I didn't even bother to unlace the boots, and instead shoved my feet into them. Because they were a little bigger than expected, the trick worked.
It was then that I finally headed downstairs for breakfast, as per Lulubell's instructions. I dragged my feet for a while, before surrendering to my growling stomach and quickening my steps. By the time I arrived, breakfast had been served. I paused at the entrance, taking the time to observe those already seated.
At the head of the table, Sheryl occupied the seat in which I'd taken last night, paying more attention to the newspaper in his hand than the breakfast set before him. His other hand was clasped around the hand of the woman sitting at his side. She was a pretty little thing and appeared almost fragile. It took me few more seconds to recall who she was—Tricia, Sheryl's human wife. Beside Tricia, Lulubell sat, prim and proper as ever, and on Sheryl's other side, Road bounced on her seat before she finally caught sight of me.
"Neah!" she called, waving her arms. "Come here! I saved you a seat right beside me! Hurry, before Uncle Tyki comes in and steals it!"
I blinked, before offering her a tentative smile. Briefly, I wondered when Tyki would succumb to his Noah, before making my way over and taking a seat beside Road. "Good morning," I greeted everyone, ignoring the dryness of my mouth.
"Ah, Neah, it is nice to see you cleaned up!" Sheryl finally set his paper down, any apprehension he'd shown towards me last night completely gone—or at the very least, hidden. Turning to his wife, he remarked, "This is the boy Adam found. What do you think, dear?"
Tricia turned to me and offered me a kind smile, which I returned. Being the only human, she was probably the only one I was immediately comfortable with. "Hello, young man. I'm Tricia, and I've heard much about you from both my husband and daughter. How do you feel about the adoption? Is it okay with you?"
I was slightly surprised by her question. I didn't think anyone would actually ask my opinion of it. At this point, I just figured it was a thing that was. "It's a little sudden," I admitted quietly, "But I'm not opposed to it. Road says I'm family, after all."
"Well said," Tricia nodded and graced me with a smile, already taking the role of proud mother.
"Little brother!" Sheryl suddenly exclaimed as Tyki lazily made his entrance. I perked up, observing the young, handsome man who took a seat beside Lulubell.
"Mornin'," Tyki muttered sleepily, before he suddenly caught sight of me sitting at an angle from him and paused. "Um, and you are?"
"Brother, please don't be so uncouth," Sheryl sighed.
"But it's Tyki!" Road laughed. "You know how cranky he is in the mornings, daddy!"
"Brat," Tyki grumbled, now more interested in eating breakfast than finding out who I was.
For once, I decided to take the initiative. "I'm Neah," I answered his previous question, presenting him with a slightly nervous smile. "It's nice to make your acquaintance."
Tyki seemed slightly startled, and when he didn't answer right away, Sheryl spoke up, "Please Brother, don't be so impolite. Meet your new nephew. Tricia and I decided to adopt another little one to keep Road company! Isn't this wonderful? We now have two beautiful children!"
Tyki's eyes practically bugged out, and he almost choked on his tea. "A-another one?!" he demanded. Road burst into giggles, and it didn't take much to figure out that she was probably a constant bother to him. Having another child running around was probably the last thing he wanted. But when no one deigned to reply—Sheryl being oblivious, and Tricia and Road being too amused—Tyki just sighed in resignation. "Nice to meet you, squirt," Tyki finally muttered, "I'm Tyki."
"It's Uncle Tyki to us," Road nudged me, giggling.
Tyki shot her an irritated glare. "Um, is it okay if I call you that?" I asked him. Road may be interested in pushing as many buttons as she could until Tyki snapped, but one day, this man would be my enemy. Better to keep the grudge to a minimum.
He seemed startled that I'd even asked, but he just shrugged. "Sure, I guess."
I nodded quietly and returned to my breakfast.
The lull in the conversation was suddenly disrupted when Road exclaimed, "Daddy! Today's my last day of winter break! Can Neah come with me to school tomorrow?"
It was my turn to choke on my tea.
"I'm not sure, Road," Sheryl responded with a frown. "I must establish all the paperwork for the adoption before I can properly enroll him into school."
Road pouted. "Please, daddy? It'll only make it more difficult if Neah shows up in the middle of the semester, and then he'll be stuck here without me all day! Can't you do something, daddy? Please?"
Sheryl's eyes were suddenly bright with determination. "Just for you, my wonderfully cute daughter, I'll make it happen!"
Road cheered.
Across the table, I shot Tyki a pleading gaze, but he only smirked in amusement. It took all my willpower to not slump down and bury my face into the plate of food.
Later that afternoon, after a busy day of dealing with Road and Lulubell's constant attention, the three of us were called up to Sheryl's office. It appeared that another Noah meeting was taking place, because everyone gathered had shifted into their Noah form. After a small plead of help to Neah, he helped me with shifting forms along with the rest. And instead of Sheryl sitting at main desk, there was a strange man who occupied it, and I almost choked on mere air when I recognized Mana—or, as those around here called him, Adam.
"Neah," he murmured, eyes focused solely on me. "Come here. I have a gift for you."
I hesitated, until Road pushed me forward with a giggle. "A gift?" I wondered, now standing before him, a single, narrow box sitting between us upon the desk.
"Please," he smiled gently, pushing the box towards me, "It was not easy, but I worked hard on it. I hope it is to your liking."
"Um, okay, thank you," I smiled awkwardly, before, at his insistence, opening the box. Once I caught sight of its contents, I gaped, stumbling back with a squeak of surprise. "I-is that…?!" I trailed off, eyes bugging out.
"I made it out of Dark Matter," Mana explained, reaching in and lifting the ash-colored arm out of the box. "I expect it will be a great help to you, little brother."
A/N: I know the Noah seem all happy and nice, but war hasn't really broken out yet, so I figure it'll be a while before they start getting involved in doing the Earl's dirty work.
Anyway, it's three in the morning, so I'm going to hit the hay. But please, let me know your thoughts in a review!(: