A/N: Yay, another one! I've unfortunately been busy and I'm a rather slow writer, so...

Anyway, I have this plot bunny constantly running around and I'm slowly making connections to properly fit the pieces together. I'll have you known, I have most of the main plot twists well thought out. :3

This'll also start picking up speed as I get the intro chapters out of the way.

Aaand still taking suggestions! Who get's to mess with our fem!Allen? I'll probably slip some quick smut around chapter five or so. No Noahs, please if you could be so kind~

Chapter 1: Messy

Johnny was happy as he gathered up his working station to retire for the day.

In one day, he'd managed to scrape up enough money to stay a few nights at the inn Link had informed they'd be staying at. There even was enough money for a passable amount of food for the next day, even by Allen's standards!

Link had joined the two, and in turn, Kanda had disappeared somewhere along the way.

Johnny had been worried, thinking he'd gotten in real trouble; but after the Crow had explained what had happened, he'd been relieved. Relieved to know that at least Kanda was safe. In the meaning of the word that he wasn't dead or in immediate danger, but still back under the strict jurisdiction of the Order. Most likely they'd track his every move, too; he'd gone against direct orders, helped a scientist escape the memory wipe treatment and aided a wanted traitor, whether they were fully aware of the latter or not.

They'd moved to another city after the run in with the Earl. Also the painfully obvious presence of exorcists meant they most likely would just get captured by the Order if they lingered any longer.

However, shortly after arriving to the new city, Allen had collapsed and they'd begged the nearest inn to let them stay one single night for free.

Link had asked afterwards how much they charged, in case Allen's state of health remained the same the next day. Moving an unconsious sick man to another location was not what they really wished to do; however, upon hearing the amount, even Johnny had had to agree with Link that they desperately needed to find a cheaper inn in the morning.

And they had. Well, Link had and he had done it in record time. Apparently the inn was slightly in a bad shape; but it did its job and, first and foremost, it was quite cheap.

Luckily the previous inn had been more than understanding of their situation and taken care of the sickly boy, while Link searched and Johnny earned money by tinkering with anything the townspeople wanted him to.

They both had been slightly doubtful about leaving Allen with unknown people, not knowing how long it would take to find a better place. But Johnny had convinced Link it'd be fine, after around lunch time one of the kind ladies of the inn's personell had given some tips and directions upon hearing of their predicament.

Johnny hummed cheerfully as he packed away the last of his things and gave a quick glance at the map Link had haphazardly drawn him in a haste before he had returned to retrieve and move Allen to their new location.

The map was slightly wonky all over, but it gave miraculously good directions all the same. Johnny swore the blonde would be as strict, calm and precise even when face-to-face with an akuma set out to kill him.

And thus, Johnny skipped through an alleyway, up the street, left, right, left, right, straight ahead the market street and once more through an alleyway before he arrived where he was looking to be.

"This place does look somewhat bad," Johnny murmured, as he took in the overall state of the outer area and the small notice attached to the door to that said "Under renovation", but gave it no further thought and stepped in.

He walked to the front desk with his belongings, but as he was about to ring the bell to bring out the innkeeper to inquire about his companions, his eyes caught the sight of a slightly distraught Link in what seemed to be the lounge/dining area.

Johnny hurried over, with a worried frown on his face. As he edged closer, Link raised his head and gave a whining groan at the sight of him.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to Allen?"

Link swept a hand over his face and tried to calm himself before whispering hurriedly.

"Listen to me and listen to me very carefully. First of all, I have no fucking clue what happened, but Allen is currently being tended by the innkeeper's wife. He-... she. Grew. Breasts."

Link grabbed his head with his both hands and gave a massive shuddering sigh, a deep blush creeping to his face, and continued.

"As a quick lie I said she was your sister and as a gentleman, I wished not to see her completely naked, so you better stick to the story. If anyone asks, you're now Elane and Johnny Bates, who were raised in different countries for family reasons. And this only because if they happen to hear Allen's slangy British accent at some point... it just differs from your American too much. The innkeeper's wife, Charlene, is now changing Allen's clothes and making sure he-she's comfortable."

"W-what?" Johnny looked dumbfounded, trying quickly take in what he'd been just told. Link looked at him again.

"Allen's now a girl. I don't know why, how or even when exactly; but at the moment, she's out of her mind, still sick and in need of a washing.

We'll let the landlady handle Allen for a while, and then we'll have to watch closely over her for the night, in case... in case something happens again. Hopefully he- she won't be as opposed to our presence in the morning, as she was with me a while ago. Also, this happened."

Johnny gasped and his eyes widened behind his round spectacles. Link had reached into his pocket and now on Link's hand lay a single shimmering piece of Innocence.

"Did you find it near here or... no, that can't be... is that... Allen's?" Johnny asked, his mouth agape.

"He-she... clawed it out of her hand," Link whispered in amazement, looking almost like he was about to cry at the absurdity of it all. He looked at the Innocence, not quite believing it lay there at all.

"The hand now looks normal, too. I don't know if the innkeeper saw his hand when we came here. I'm afraid the sudden change might prompt some questions, if he did. But if he didn't... then at least we don't need to explain the look of it now."

"We'll just have to wait and see, then?" Johnny mumbled, shifting his gaze down on the floor, not sure what else to say.

"We'll have to wait and see." Link agreed, pocketing the Innocence once again in his jacket.

It was half an hour later that Charlene came down the stairs with the soaked dress shirt Allen had been wearing and a basin filled with lukewarm water. After putting them aside, she came to talk to the two sitting in silence. Both of the still deep in thougth.

"I assume you're the brother, yes?" Charlene said, smiling warmly and looking at Johnny.

"Ye-yes. I-is my sister okay?" Johnny stammered shakily, trying his hardest to take on a role of a concerned sibling.

"She's sleeping for the moment, however she still has a nasty fever, I'm afraid. I gave her a quick once over with a wash cloth and changed her clothes. She should be good until morning." Charlene said in gentle tone. "I can arrange another room for you, Mr. Weller, so that the gentleman here can sleep with his sister for the night."

"Uhm, please do." Link said and gave a glance at Johnny, who was looking at the floor now, with a faint blush gracing his cheeks. There was a small uncomfortable moment where no one said anything and as Charlene excused herself and was about to turn, Johnny sprang up.

"That's right!" he said suddenly and reached into his right pocket. "I know my companion already paid for one room, so paying for another is only the right thing to do." Johnny said, handing some coins to Charlene.

"Thank you, Mr. Bates. Don't worry, I'll prepare that room right away. I'll carry another basin of cold water up for your sister as well. Oh and don't worry about that shirt, I'll wash it for you so you can have it back in the morning." Charlene smiled and continued to retreat to the back room behind the reception desk.

Both Link and Johnny stayed silent for a moment. Then Link gave a small shuddering sigh that broke the silence.

"First, let's get a good look at her."Link said and Johnny nodded in agreement. They climbed the stairs and as softly as possible Link opened the room door.

With a wash cloth placed on her forehead, now lay the girl Link had carried there. She looked as if she was still in a slight amount of pain, her face red and sweating.

But the notable difference was that she was breathing ever so softly with ease, and the duvet had been brought up to her shoulders, making the recently formed... mounds somewhat highlighted in her chest area.

Link was hesistant to just go and lift up the covers, but he felt he needed to get a better look at her hand and, after all, Charlene had said she'd changed her clothes, so...

As quietly as possible, Link moved to stand to the left hand side of the bed and raised the covers slightly to uncover the now normal looking hand, gently lifting it to examine it.

After making sure the door was closed and nobody was near, Johnny cautiously came closer to inspect it as well.

"You see anything out of the ordinary?" he whispered. He was painfully obvious of the new changes on Allen's body and he wasn't exactly sure what to make of them. "Scars, deformation... anything?"

"Unless you count the fact that it no longer holds the Innocence, I see nothing. The skin is smooth, no scars... no nothing. Absolutely no indication that it once was a parasitic Innocence." Link said, laying the hand gently back on the bed, making sure not to wake the owner of it.

He then dug out the Innocence out of his pocket and raised it closer to the hand, wanting to see if it reacted in any way; but to their slight disappointment nothing happened.

"As a quick guess, what's your opinion on the matter?" Link asked, taking care to cover the hand with the duvet again.

Johnny walked to the lone chair in the room and sat, his face scrunched up in sadness.

"I guess it could be a case of the body rejecting the Innocence, but for w-what reason, I cannot s-say. I mean... I mean... sudden b-b-breasts? And he-she didn't even become a Fallen one, which would've been the more l-logical phenomena." he stammered, with a slight flush on his face. It was clear the shock had shaken him and that his brain was desperately trying to come up with a sane explanation, that wasn't related to that.

Link sighed, looking at the poor man who looked as if he was on the verge of tears. The sudden turn of events wasn't exactly the most welcome, he had to admit.

Ignoring the sex change factor, it was clear they were most likely thinking the same thing: the Innocence was rejected and forced out by the strengthened inner Noah. Even though her delirious ramblings had indicated that it might not be the Noah's doing; as she had mentioned the 14th by his given name, saying she wasn't him.

Link pinched the bridge of his nose and sat at the foot of the bed.

"We'll keep watch and see what happens when she wakes up." he said, feeling dread settle in the pit of stomach.

If it wasn't the 14th Noah that had taken over, what or who was it? Lvellier had only mentioned Cross giving more or less detailed information on the 14th's goals and manipulative actions of the past, planting of the memories and how the vessel named Allen Walker would eventually be consumed by them.

But in the end, Link mused, manipulative as the 14th was, it was starting to seem questionable if the information that had been given to Cross was as legitimate as it was first thought. Or perhaps all of it was true, but Cross wasn't given enough information in the first place. After all, there were some amount of holes in the story and Link wasn't even sure they currently were able to understand just how vast the bigger picture actually was.

Link felt the Innocence softly pulse within his jacket pocket. That was another matter entirely. If it wasn't the 14th pushing the hurting fragment out of his body, then what was it? In a case of rejection, as Johnny had said, a Fallen one would've been a more logical turn of events. Perhaps the presence of the Noah somehow prevented that from happening, but the Innocence felt it needed to get out nonetheless...

Link groaned and fisted his hair, while Johnny looked at him sadly.

"You know, m-maybe we just need to stop thinking for a while and take a rest. I'm sure we can ask some questions from h-her as she wakes up again and then we can think of a proper plan, yeah?" Johnny said, trying to force a small smile on his face, his now almost non-existent optimism kicking in.

Link sighed and spared a looked at the girl before settling his eyes on the scientist.

"As soon as Charlene gets done with the another room and goes down, I can stay here to keep watch and you can rest there. You've been out there all day earning money, so you must be somewhat exhausted. I'll keep watch, I'm used to not sleeping that much anyway." Link said, sneaking a look at the girl once more before returning his gaze at the scientist.

"Yeah, sounds okay." Johnny said, giving a small sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to spend the night with a girl that... he wasn't exactly sure he knew at all. In any case, Link had more means to protect and tend to her current needs than him anyway.

There was a knock on the door and Charlene stepped in the room carrying a basin of water.

"I've got the room ready and here's the water as promised." she said, smiling gently and looking at the girl while setting the basin on the bed side table. "Poor dear, hope the fever comes down soon."

"I'm sure she'll feel much better in the morning. She was far more worse before we came here, so it's clearly dropping rather fast. Thank you so much for your help," Link said, forcing a polite smile on his face.

"Don't mention it, dear." Charlene said, smiling warmly. "Now, your room is right across this one. Just a simple one, no bathroom or anything, but seeing as you've traveled together so far, I'm sure you don't mind sharing the one in this room. It's the only one working at the moment, aside from the downstairs one. Plumbing is as bad as the rest of the place at the moment, I'm afraid. The last guests really made a number out here."

"The room sounds more than fine." Link said, flashing another smile and watching as Charlene had excused herself from the room and head out to perhaps join wherever her husband was at the moment.

Johnny sighed, looked at the girl sleeping and felt his face flush in embarrassment.

"What's wrong?" Link asked, having now stood up and padded closer to check the current temperature of the girl's forehead.

"No, it's just... ... I mean, Allen always was rather pretty even as a boy and... I know it might be just my imagination, but having seen his smiling face so many times... I just... doesn't her facial features look more feminine than before? The hand looked more delicate as well."

Link looked dubious, but as he inspected the girl's face, he came to a conclusion that what Johnny had said was actually true.

It wasn't as noticeable, but the lips had become just slightly fuller and her face structure in general had adjusted to look slightly more, what one could say, charmingly petite. The white hair and the cursed eye still persisted on staying and they made the changes look even more non-existent. A fact that Link conveniently placed the blame on for not noticing the slight changes before.

"Now that I look closely, you're right." Link said, wiping a stray lock of white hair back and adjusted a newly soaked wash cloth on her forehead. "I-I... as I had to carry her to the bed, I took notice that her hips might've widened slightly as well." Link coughed in embarrassment.

"Also, we should probably take advantage her unconscious state and take some measurements." Link continued, looking at the scientist.

"What?" Johnny said, looking rather baffled and surprised at the Crow's suggestion.

"For clothing. Women's clothes. Judging by the jingle in your pockets you managed to scrape up some good amount of change. We need to get her an outfit that fits her. Preferably first thing in the morning." Link explained, his cheeks now aflame in red.

"I daresay, that would be beneficial as well, if.. no, when we set out again. Make her actually look like a proper woman, so that we can hide from the ones hunting us down better. Maybe get a wig from somewhere to cover that white hair. And perhaps alter our appearances in some way as well, now that I think of it."

Johnny seemed to consider this hard before digging out a measuring tape from his tool bag. Then he looked at Link with a serious expression on his face.

"Fine, but let's make a deal. When I go out to make more money, I'll pick a dress for her. After all, I did make a lot of uniforms in the Order, so getting a properly fitting one should be piece of cake. In return, you take the measurements." Johnny looked red in the face, biting his lip ever so slightly.

"What? Haven't you taken measurements for the women's exorcist uniforms before as well?" Link asked, not overly minding the request, but slightly amazed at the amount of shyness and reluctance Johnny was openly showing towards the thought of touching the girl.

Not that he was any better, God forbid. He felt it was improper to look at a woman in any way in more or less indecent clothing if she was unaware of it! But if it was an absolute necessity...

"Lenalee was always measured by either a nurse or Komui. He didn't want anyone 'molesting his precious, sweet and innocent Lenalee'. Komui mostly made her uniforms personally as well. And when Miranda came... well, then it was the nurses.

Anyone who neared her with a measuring tape would end up getting maimed, or she would accidentally destroy something... she just got so nervous about everything, so in the end the nurses had to do their best to keep her calm until they got the measurements." Johnny hurried to explain, a sad smile creeping on his face as memories flooded his mind.

"I wonder how they're doing now. I know it hasn't been really that long, but..."

"They're most likely fine. Komui is a stubborn idiot and Kanda's now with them. And that stoic little prick is strong, if anything. Now hand over that measuring tape and go to sleep. We'll think things through in the morning." Link said gently, indicating this was enough for today.

He then watched as Johnny, now sporting a more happier little smile on his face, continued to dig a paper and a pen out of his belongings to go with the measuring tape, handed them over and bid him good luck and good night.

Link returned the greeting and now turned his undivided attention to the softly breathing, sleeping girl on the bed.

As tedious as this was going to be, asking Charlene at this point wasn't that good of an option. It would only raise some strange suspicion as Johnny was here and as the 'brother', he technically should not have any problems measuring her. If only had the thought come to him before, he could've just...

"Don't kill me, if you happen to hear about this, ok? I'm not particularly liking this predicament either." Link whispered and started his journey. Just him and the measuring tape. God was this going to be a long night.

In the end, the measurements were not that hard to get. Some estimating had to be applied, but for the most part, things had gone smoothly. The girl had slept through everything Link had done and, for that, he was glad.

As sleepy as he was now that it was nearing half past six in the morning, he was pleased to notice that even though there still was a slight amount of redness present on Allen's face, the fever had reduced notably during the night.

Allen mumbled in her sleep and moved her right arm to rest beside her head on the pillow. Link swept a lock of white hair that fell on her face and adjusted the wash cloth.

During the night he'd been thinking of numerous solutions that would've possibly led to this situation, but he found he could not, under any circumstances, fit the sex change into the picture.

Of course, a distant thought of a slow-working potion of Komui's had finally taken effect had fleetly crossed his mind, but it wasn't as probable. But who knew what cook-ups those boxes of utter crap had contained.

Link sighed and closed his eyes and let himself slump backwards on the chair. He'd taken a quick nap, but he wasn't as sharp as he hoped to be. Perhaps he'd wake up Johnny and they'd change places for a while until it was time for breakfast.

With his eyes still closed, he took notice that Allen mumbled again and shifted slightly on the bed.

"Say..."

Link instantly opened his eyes and quickly leaned forwards to see that Allen had turned slightly on her side and was now looking sleepily straight at him.

"... who were you again?" she whispered. She looked very wary of him, but at least she wasn't protesting to his presence or running away. Link wasn't sure she could run away that easy anyway; she had spent almost two days lying in bed, sick with fever and had not eaten nor drunk that much water during that time.

He gulped. Perhaps last night wasn't a delirious hallucination after all. But he played along.

"The name is Howard Link. Pleased to meet your acquaintance. I have a companion who is sleeping in another room as well. His name is Johnny Gill. And who you might be?"

The girl remained silent, pressing her head face down to the pillow.

"I-I'm not even sure... I really don't remember that much..."

Link sighed, unsure whether the answer was genuine or just a lie to evade the question. He then made a movement to take the wash cloth off the pillow, but quickly had to retract it as she had flinched, having noticed his hand was close to her face.

"I'm just going to get this." Link said gently, grabbed the hold of the cloth and moved it to the basin to get it soaked in the water again. He then slowly moved to dab some water on her chapped lips before placing it to the girl's forehead.

"You should sleep some more. You still have a small fever, even though it's almost all gone. I'll bring you something to eat and drink later."

"I... where is this... and why am I so sticky?" she said, laying her left hand to feel up the cloth.

Link coughed. "As said, you were feverish and I suppose you're sticky because you were sweating during the night. And we're at an inn. I can arrange a bath drawn for you, perhaps before breakfast. But for now, try to sleep."

"S-sleep...", her eyelids fluttered shut and soon she did fall asleep, on her side. Link gently moved her to lie on her back, checked everything was in order, sat back on the chair and closed his eyes. He then once again leaned backwards and decided to fall asleep with her.