SING FOR ME, MOYASHI

Disclaimer: You know what it means. So yeah.

Sorry, sorry! I'm such a procrastinator. :P This chapter is dedicated to all my reviewers and readers. Enjoy. :)

CHAPTER 3 – AND IT ALL BEGINS

Allen wasn't sure how or why he had even agreed to do so. He was either 1) in a trance or 2) gone completely bonkers. Either which, the options didn't sound too feasible. So he found himself sulking at the corner of the dressing room, pondering over his next move. He could simply dash out of the room! Or maybe feign sick. No. That wouldn't work. Lenalee wasn't that daft. After all, she has had experiences with her brother Komui. Only god knows how many times (countless, perhaps) Supervisor Komui feigned illness just so he could escape from the mountains of incomplete work. He vaguely remembered how Lenalee hissed with a threatening voice, "Oniisan…" before hitting him in the head. Eek! That would really hurt.

Not to mention, Lenalee would probably never, ever, forgive him.

It wasn't like he didn't appreciate her hard work and effort. Oh, not at all. Perhaps he did feel a little grateful and comforted. Well, at least Lenalee supported his…what do you call that? Weird fetish for singing? She was, perhaps, the only one who didn't seem truly bothered. Maybe she did. But she just didn't show her surprise outwardly. For all he know, she could be giggling and talking behind his back as well. NO. Allen mentally smacked himself in the head. What was he saying? This was Lenalee. LENALEE. The girl who always stood beside him. The girl who never failed to give her utmost support and encouragement.

Allen watched the person in question. Lenalee was scrutinizing the dress; a hard look of concentration masked her features. It was clear to him; Lenalee was a perfectionist. He had reluctantly agreed to wear the outfit…BUT the pink color must be changed to something else decent. It's pink, for crying out loud! Shudders. Lenalee agreed, although she felt a little annoyed. She liked the color. Said something about looking all pretty in pink. But at least, they came to some sort of agreement and compromise.

And so she changed it an off-white dress. Allen never knew how she did it. But still, the all mighty Lenalee managed. What did she do to the dress?

Allen heaved a heavy sigh and thought, 'Maybe that was why I agreed. I underestimated Lenalee. I thought that it would be impossible.' True enough. His words had returned to haunt him. Possibly for the rest of his entire life. There. Sitting right in front of the long mirror was THE DRESS. Dun. Dun. Dun. DUN! Scary lightening. Thunderstorm. Allen shuddered, feeling morbid and terrified. AHHHHHH! THE DRESS!

It was like one of those movies when the shark comes swimming at top speed, focused on its prey. The horrid image and gruesome bloodied corpse would lay all tangled up in limbs, arms and heads. It was so horrendous that it was also quite funny. But right now, right here, at this point of his miserable life, Allen was scared of…THE DRESS. He never knew if he had ever felt so vulnerable before. It was not the Millennium Earl, the Noahs or the Akuma. You can't just slice it up with your left arm and call it a day. Unless you want Lenalee to haunt you for the rest of your life spent here at the Black Order, making you feel all guilty and what not.

Allen WAS NOT going to destroy what his friend, Lenalee, had specially designed for him. Notice the diction 'friend'. It was a very, very, VERY strong word. It manipulated his decisions and forced him to compromise under unlucky circumstances – circumstances that did not benefit him in any way.

He just couldn't bear to do so.

What if, just what if, he did destroy the dress. Burn it. Hide it. Throw it into the Pacific Ocean. Good lord, he will never live to see the next sunrise. Amen. And not to mention, facing the wrath of people (his fans, they call themselves) who oh-so-happily supported his cross-dressing. Allen never knew why they did. He reckoned it was pure travesty on their part. You know, a topic for discussion. Something to spice up their monotonous lives. Giving them something to gossip, rattle and ridicule about. Allen in a dress. NOW THAT would just topple the entire building (and all lives in it, of course).

Then again, he didn't care. He remembered why he was pressured to reach that agreement.

"Ay, Mister Walker! The dress will suit you. You're so pretty! Aren't I right, guys? Heh." Someone, whom Allen thought should be killed, commented from the table. There were a few nods and mumbles of agreement. A single bead of sweat dripped down his forehead. And he thought it was over…

NOOOOOO!

"Allen-kun…" a small voice shattered through the increasing silence.

'Oh no, not this. NOT THIS!' Allen thought, stressed.

"If you, really, don't want to wear the dress, it's fine by me." Lenalee said with a perilously consoling voice. But you could tell she was about to cry.

"Lenalee…" Allen answered, grateful but guilt was pricking his emotions.

Oh dear, is she going to cry?! NO!

"After all, I've only spent two weeks on it, prickling my fingers and blistering my hands. Working on it all day and night, sometimes without sleeping at all. Falling sick without proper food and daily meals. Searching all over the town for the clothing materials. No, it's really okay." Sob. Sob.

"AHHHHH! FINE! I'll do – I mean I'll wear the dress! D-DON'T CRY!" Allen waved his hands frantically in the air, scared stiff. For Christ's sake, people might think he's bullying a girl! The horror of it all!

That happened precisely six hours ago. Allen was sure Lenalee had been faking it. Boy, was she a good actress. She could have won Best Female Artiste at the Oscars!

'Ah! I'm such a pushover!' Allen thought bitterly. He truly wished to have a little, maybe just a little, of Kanda's nature. You know, the coldhearted and callous attitude. Not too much to be feared. Just reasonable enough to make his stand and not let someone (a girl!) pressurize him! Maybe that was why he was called Allen Walker. Walker as in - people walked over him. Oh wells, it was not his real surname anyways. Not that he could blame Mana now. Sorry, Mana.

'You can only blame yourself for being so weak.' An argumentative voice retorted. 'Kanda was right, you ARE a dimwit.'

'AM NOT! And since when did you take sides with an enemy?!' Allen retorted, feeling ridiculously betrayed. Great. Not only was he a pushover. He was also arguing with his conscience – which proved to be a traitor! This was not…not normal!

Crap, maybe I, really, am going bonkers…

"Allen-kun!" Lenalee shouted over from the other side of the dressing room. Wait, it wasn't even a dressing room. It was a temporary changing room (and backstage) for all the performers – made from only god knows what. Supervisor Komui invented this room that could regulate and manipulate its size without any restrains. Allen would have marveled over this strangely useful invention, BUT his life was currently thrown into a whirlpool.

"Allen-kun?" Lenalee waved her hands in front of his face. Allen immediately snapped out of his reverie. His eyes took over its usual depths of kindness. Lenalee was beaming, looking both satisfied and pleased.

"Sorry for the long wait, I had to make sure everything was perfect." Lenalee motioned him towards the outfit that hung in front of the mirror.

"Uhm…"

"Oh, go on. I'm sure it'll suit you just fine!"

Allen frowned sadly, looking completely unconvinced. "I'll look like a cross-dresser."

"What?! No. You'll look very pretty…like a girl." Lenalee giggled, but quickly caught herself. She meant it as a compliment. But of course, no guy would ever buy it.

"Ah! Lenalee, not you too?!" Allen grumbled. "I have no intention to go on stage looking like a girl!"

Lenalee sighed. "Allen Walker, how many times have people said you looked pretty?"

"Uh…they said I looked like a girl."

"Same thing. Were you wearing a dress?"

"NO! Of course, not!"

"So, there you go. Dress or not, you still look like one." Lenalee concluded. Allen opened his mouth to retort, but he found that he couldn't. As much as he would like to deviate that stand, there wasn't any chance. It was true to the last syllabus. And he hated it. He hated having feminine features. Gah!

The look on Allen's face made even the somber Lenalee laugh. He was troubled. Very troubled, to say the least.

"Oh, Allen-kun…" Lenalee smiled. "It's just for one night. It's not like I'm giving you a complete makeover. The dress would only accentuate your features. After tonight, all everyone will remember is how pretty you look. Cheer up, Allen-kun!"

Lenalee took down the dress and placed it delicately in his hands. It felt really light and had a touch of silkiness. Not wanting to prolong his displeasure and misery, Allen smiled faintly.

I'll just get it over and done with.

"Hey, Yuu-chan!" Lavi beamed and motioned for the dark-haired man. "Over here! The best seats in the house!"

Kanda sat down beside the red-haired teen, looking utterly bored.

"Che. What a waste of my time." Kanda grumbled. Since it was an official dinner function, it required full attendance from everyone present at the Black Order. You see, you can't just decide not to attend the function. It was plain rude. Like rejecting a wedding invitation. So all Yuu Kanda could do was to sulk, grumble and curse the people who held this stupid concert.

He had completely no idea (neither did he cared) why the entire building was so…upbeat and anxious. Maybe they were just bored or wanted to take a breather. But hell, it was just a waste of time! But he couldn't blame them, really. After all, if you had to face those ugly Akuma everyday in your goddamn life, you'll just lose yourself - perhaps both physically and emotionally. Oh, Kanda was no stranger to those dictions, mind you.

"Say, Yuu-chan why are you sulking?" Lavi asked, amused. "Aren't you looking forward towards Allen's performance?"

"Che. Like I give a damn about that Moyashi. He'll only screw up the entire show."

Oh yeah. He suddenly remembered why he had forced himself to get out of the room. The Moyashi. He had wanted to, personally, witness his debut (humiliation, perhaps?). He was sure the Moyashi would topple over his feet, sing out of tune, go off-key…and the list goes on. Allen Walker was just a naïve, stupid fifteen year old. What was he thinking?

The last he heard, the Moyashi was going to wear the dress. He was amused, even baffled. He wondered how or why the incompetent even agreed to do so. Was it for attention? Well, that tactic truly worked. Now everyone was anticipating Allen Walker's performance.

But somewhere deeply rooted in his emotions, Kanda found himself (even if it was just a little) looking forward to the Moyashi's concert item. In a good way, of course. How will he fare? Will he totally screw up, just like he guessed?

"Heh. You shouldn't be so hard on Allen. I'll bet with you a hundred bucks that his item will be the best!" Lavi shouted, breaking Kanda's train of thoughts. The buzz in the dining hall was just getting louder, increasing to full intensity. It was like one of those crazy fanatics who screamed and cheered even before the football began. It annoyed him, truly.

"AHHHHHH! ALLEN-KUN, WE LOVE YOU!"

"GO ALLEN!" More screaming. Shouting. Girls crying. If this was to continue, Kanda was sure his eardrums would burst.

"AH! Kanda, what are you doing?!" Lavi asked, terrified. Kanda had stood up from his seat and pointed his Mugen at the screaming fans. Lavi gripped his shoulders and forced him back down. Damn!

"SUMIMASEN!" Lavi apologized to the terrified bunch, before sharply turning his head. "KANDA! This is called a concert for a reason! People are allowed to show their support."

"Well, they need to learn a lesson or two about shutting up!" Kanda bellowed, folding his arms.

Lavi sighed. "This must be your first time attending a concert, isn't?"

Kanda gave a small 'che', looking indignant.

"I guessed as much."

"HELLO, EVERYONE!" Lenalee's voice boomed through the stereos. "May I please have your attention!" People started shifting, ruffling the chairs and tables.

"Thank you." Lenalee smiled. She was standing at the raised platform. "I am your MC (Master of Ceremony). Tonight, we are very honored and pleased to have the Asian Branch with us. We have a total of six performances, ranging from a swordsmanship display to singing. I'd like to thank the people who had given their utmost support and dedication towards making this concert possible. Thank you. Now, without further ado, I present you with the first item by Allen Walker."

A beautiful girl entered from the backstage and onto the platform, looking both refined and seemingly…perfect. If god created beauty to grace the planet. She must have been his masterpiece. It was as though heaven's cherubin were riding through the hall, angels descended from heaven to add on the sparkling fairy lights. Why, she looked too…perfect.

Kanda was amazed. As in really amazed. Speechless. Surprised. His eyes lit up like fireflies, completely fixed upon the white-haired beauty.

She really looks perfect….

Kanda almost fainted right there and then. Did he just say that the Moyashi was perfect? Shit. He sure did. Maybe Lenalee got the performers' names mixed up. She (okay, he) couldn't be the Moyashi! He just couldn't. What the hell?

Apparently, everyone present shared the same sentiment. There were many gasps and outward shows of surprise.

"Damn! Didn't know Moyashi-chan would look so cute! Woohoo! Go Allen!" Lavi cheered.

Allen walked up to the front, with his head bowed. You could see that he was very nervous; his hands were tightly gripping onto the microphone. By this time, silence has engulfed the hall. All eyes were watching his every move.

Allen looked a deep breath. He could feel his heartbeat and pulse shattering the silence. A rush of adrenaline pumped into his bloodstream.

This was it.

Allen slowly lifted his head; a small blush graced his cheeks. "Good evening everyone, my name is Allen Walker. I hope that you'll enjoy my performance."

Author's Note: EEK! I, really, need ideas and help for the next chapter! What song should Allen sing:D I had a few songs in mind, just the genre though.

a) Sweet, angelic song (eg. Enya)

b) J.Pop, upbeat tempos (eg. Snow Kiss)

c) Others (do be specific)

d) Just skip the singing section!