It has been a long time since I update TBA! I am so sorry for the wait, everyone! I have been thinking of how I should proceed with this story and after a series of considerations, I have decided on how the story should progress! Now, I present all of you readers with a brand-new chapter 5 which focuses on the stoic and emotionless Kanda doing his duty as an assassin. In the previous chapter, I have given all of you a preview of chapter 5 right? I realise that the whole chapter is too long, thus I am going to split it into three parts, chapter 5, 6 and 7. Lenalee's part will only enter in chapter 7.

WARNING: VIOLENCE, SLASH

Rated T+ to be safe for this chapter. Enjoy~! Please please remember to give a review after you read this chapter and tell me your opinions! Thank you very much everyone!

~SingingBlues

Chapter 5: Crimson Red

"I'm sorry."

Two of them faced each other, their swords pointing to each other openly. The wind roared fiercely through the surroundings, the battle turning into an intense one. No one was willing to give way, fighting to their ends.

"For what?"

"For betraying you."

"I don't care. I only need to defeat my enemy obstructing our way, and that's you."

His head was downcast. After that, he lifted it up and produced a faint smile, which astonished the other slightly.

"I'm glad. You have made the right choice." He slowly lowered down his sword. Seeing the opponent's eyes widened at this, he dropped his weapon, spreading out his arms towards his death's door.

"Kill me." He closed his eyes.

Kill me...so that I can be free again.

xxx

He did not know how many times he had seen that particular dream, about someone who was standing in the darkness, his lock of hair fluttering in the direction of the wind. It looked foreign, yet the feeling it brought to him was strangely nostalgic, as though it had really happened. His chest hurt so much that he couldn't breathe for a second, and at that time, he badly wanted to reach out to this mysterious person, who was making him so flustered and irritated, and expose his real identity, but all he got was nothing, and before he knew it, he was back in his room again.

Kanda grabbed his black hairband at the table as he scooped up his lock of raven hair and tied it into a neat ponytail. He made sure that there wasn't any strand of his hair sticking out of place, before he took his black gloves and put it on. He peered at the list of names that he was given by that person. His eyes narrowed with slight anger as he remembered this afternoon's incident.

You have other cases to do besides this one, but the Earl seriously hopes that you can work harder into giving him satisfactory results.

The night breeze slowly entered through the windows, brushing past his earlobes gently as it hissed softly inside. The room was dimly-lit, his tall shadow cast on the walls rather clearly. The whole place was silent, apart from his breathing and the soft thumps of his heart beating in rhythm. After putting on his black belt loosely around his waist, he flipped open his phone and took down the address of his next victim.

His lips parted slightly. The wind began to howl louder, the screeching of the crows heard from a few distances away. Kanda stopped as he flipped his phone shut and slipped it into his pocket. As he turned around, his coat moved, making a crisp and clear sound. The raven-haired teen took the sword lying on the table and opened the door in front of him, walking out of his apartment.

His dark boots thudded hardly on the ground, the sound echoing through the whole corridor. He walked forward, clasping his sword tightly. That pair of dark sapphire eyes shone fiercely in the lights, constantly searching for preys. He was a predator; an assassin seeking for the lives of those pathetic humans who did not deserve to live. He did not sympathise, nor would he show any mercy to anyone. He would cut and slain anyone without slightest hesitation.

He turned around a corner, approaching the lifts. As he stepped up, the wind suddenly changed direction and was blowing at his left side. The remaining strands fluttered across his eyes, blurring his vision. He slowly brushed them away with gentleness, pressing the lift button at the same time. After that, he waited.

The silver metal necklace at his neck jingled a little. He gritted his teeth and grabbed the metal chain, having the sudden urge to pull this off and threw it downstairs. He couldn't take it off. It wasn't that he did not want, but he couldn't.

Kanda redrew his hand and slowly clenched it. The lift reached the floor and opened its doors. He strode in with quick steps as he closed the doors. He leaned against the wall as the lift started to descend.

I'm sorry.

You cannot kill that person. You can't, because...

The lift jerked slightly as it came to a halt and opened its doors. Kanda stepped out as he made his way to the victim's house. He pulled his warm coat closer to his body, walking down the street along the roadside. The whole place was silent, as everyone was already asleep at this extreme late hour, and he definitely had a good reason to support his desire to kill. The chill was piercing into his skin, sending shivers down his body, but, when it comes to work, he was definitely serious.

He walked past a tree which was withering. Kanda blinked as he stopped and stared at that area. Usually, that girl would be standing here waiting for him, but she wasn't here this time. He wondered whether she had an assignment handed to her. Well, it wasn't like he wanted her to stay here and wait for him. It would only become more troublesome when he was doing his job. Kanda snorted as he turned and continued along his way.

The leaves on the trees rustled noisily in the night. His ears pricked up, picking up sounds that was a few metres behind him. His head was still downcast, the strands of his hair covering the side view of his face. It was so peaceful today. So peaceful, so quiet...it just felt so nice. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, smirking widely. It was just the perfect moment to add interesting things to make everything even more exciting.

"You!" A vehicle stopped beside the road as someone called out to him. Kanda slowly stopped in his tracks.

"Where are you going at this late hour?" He asked. The raven-haired teen did not answer. Or rather, he chose not to answer to such ridiculous and stupid questions asked by a random stupid police officer. He could hear the sound of the car door opening, as the person stepped out and was approaching him. He still did not move from his position, until the person was metres away from him.

"Why aren't you answering?" He asked, putting his filthy hand at his shoulder. His long raven hair moved in the air slightly by the wind, before settling down behind his back. That calm and expressionless face did not change at first, as he slowly turned and stared coldly at him. That plump police officer seemed to be taken aback by his stoic behaviour, but he remained calm as he took his cuffs out and handcuffed his hands immediately.

"If you cannot say anything here, I have to take you to the police station for further interrogation. It would be better not to struggle." He continued to watch quietly at the whole process, as though he was waiting for that particular opportunity to start his next move. That naive policeman did not sense a thing at all. Or rather, he should say that he was just a beginner in this.

"Let's go," He said, still taking his shoulder by his hand as he led him to the car. At this moment, Kanda clenched his hands into tight fists as he used all his strength and pulled the handcuffs apart. As the metal bits fell onto the ground with a hard clank, the policeman stopped as he slowly turned to face him, slightly shocked at this. However, he wasn't just going to leave it like that.

"What are you doing?" The policeman brandished out his gun, but Kanda saw through this instantly and kicked the weapon off his hand using his leg. That adult was starting to panic as he looked back and saw his weapon on the ground. His body started trembling, fearing the one standing in front of him. Even so, he showed his fists, ready for a fight. He wasn't going to give up at this moment, but he wasn't going to let him off as well.

"Che." Kanda reached out to his hilt and slowly pulled out his sword. The policeman's eyes slowly widened in horror. His lip was shaking as his trembling finger was pointing at him.

"You...You are..." Kanda slowly smirked as he walked up to him and slashed his whole body down to his legs. That human gasped and coughed as blood spilled out of his body, splattering all over the ground and on the road. His lips continued to move silently, as though he wanted to finish that sentence, before he finally died. The swordsman stood in front of the corpse and just stared at this gruesome yet magnificent view for a few minutes, before he slowly gave a smile, bringing up his sword stained with blood as he took a lick from it. He then turned and left the scene, walking his way to his final destination.

"Let me go! I swear I will not do this again! I swear, please!" That person was kneeling down and hugging his knees tightly, refusing to let go. Kanda growled as he lifted up his leg and kicked his chest hardly, sending him flying onto the wall. He groaned as his back hit the wall, before his whole body slowly slumped onto the floor. As he looked up, Kanda was already standing in front of him.

"Please...don't kill me..." He pleaded in a soft and desperate voice. He couldn't see the killer very well by the little amount of moonlight, but he could sense the dark aura and the hard gaze from that pair of cold eyes. His hands trembled as he tried to search for anything which could turn this whole situation around, but this was stopped when Kanda noticed his aim and stepped on his hand hardly, crushing all the bones inside. He howled in great pain as he took back his hand which was already maimed. The person gritted his teeth as he stared angrily at the one who did that to him, but that darkly gaze did not change as it brought in fear, bringing psychological impact onto him.

Out of a sudden, he started laughing. Kanda raised his eyebrow in slight curiosity.

"Are you...a fool?" He asked. Kanda's eyes narrowed at those words. He slowly stood up and took out his spectacles, throwing them aside. He stared at him, giving a comical look on his face as he walked towards him.

"What are you exactly doing? You may not know it, but the Millennium Earl is just using you. He makes use of you to do the dirty jobs while he just sits on his chair comfortably and enjoys his days. You are just being deceived by this old man!" He said, standing centimetres across him. He raised his hand and slowly touched his face gently. That feeling stung him slightly. He leaned closer to his face, wanting to see the expression that the raven-haired teen was making. Those dirty fingers travelled along his face as it settled down at his lips.

"Why not you quit this job, and join me? I can assure you that you will lead a greater and better life than this, because you deserve it."

He parted the lips with his fingers. Seeing no reaction from the swordsman, he grinned as he inserted a finger inside. Kanda's eyes widened slightly as he felt a foreign and weird substance wriggling inside, bringing him a strange sensation. He tried to move his legs, but was blocked by his leg pressing close to his abdomen. He frowned as he glared at the lowly human who dared to do this. The victim just smiled when he saw the expression that he wanted.

"I couldn't believe that you could make such a face." Kanda grimaced as that leg pressed harder at his groin, making him shudder a little. He was rammed onto a wall next, as both hands blocked his only way of escape. That finger continued to move around and play inside his mouth, to his complete disgust.

"You are just a perfect specimen! I haven't seen anyone who looks so beautiful and feminine. You might even be better than the women outside. I cannot believe that the Millennium Earl just ignores your beauty and throws you around like you are nothing to him. I won't do that, for certain." Before Kanda raised his sword and cut his head off, that person used his hand and just knocked the weapon off his hand easily, to his astonishment.

"I know you will do that. I won't be deceived by it," He said as he smiled. Kanda hissed fiercely as he glared at him. That evil glint did not escape from his sharp eyes, as he leaned closer to him, so close that he could hear his breaths by his ears very clearly. He felt the walls, trying to find a way to squeeze out of here.

"You have nowhere to run, Kanda Yuu. You are mine."

"What? What are you joking about, Rhode?" Tyki asked from his seat as he peered at the blue-haired girl who was sitting on the floor near the fireplace, playing with her ragged dolls happily. She turned her head to the adult as she made a face.

"Haven't you been listening to what I say earlier on, Uncle Tyki?"

"It is because I have heard everything that you said, that I have asked such a question. That is just impossible. You should know his character, Rhode. He does not allow any mistakes to happen." Rhode gave a laugh as she put the dolls onto the floor neatly, before she turned herself around, sitting right across the curly-haired man who had a book with him. Tyki would always have the habit of sitting down quietly and enjoyed himself to a short section of reading, though he was busy most of the time. She peered at him silently, wondering what his real self was.

"I know. I'm just wondering about this little possibility that Kanda will be trapped within the enemy's clutches instead of the other way round. Sometimes a change would be more interesting." Tyki frowned as he stared at her, but she had a point as well. Would there be a chance whereby that emotionless yet efficient swordsman made a mistake and fell into his enemy's trap? No matter how he thought, it seemed slightly unrealistic. That person would not allow his real self to be revealed to others, even to them.

"So what do you think, Uncle Tyki? I really, really want to see that one day! It's slightly boring to see that expressionless face all the time. He should show his emotions to us more often."

"What are you children doing?" They turned around to see the Millennium Earl at the door. Rhode jumped up and ran towards the adult, hopping around him like a child. Tyki just smiled as he waved to him.

"Hi, Earl."

"Hi, Tyki-pon." Tyki frowned again.

"That name is really damn hilarious. What a cute name." The twins were standing behind the Earl as they glanced into the dark room. Tyki just made a face.

"Thanks for that, David."

"Hahahahaha! What a stupid name! Hahahahaha!" Jasdebi laughed loudly, the light bulb at his head shaking violently as his head moved. As he played with his soft ragged bear in his hands, Rhode went up to him and snatched it away.

"Rhode, give me back my bear!" He whined.

"No way. It looks fun to be tortured," Rhode grinned as she ran away with it, with Jasdebi hot in persuit.

"No! My bear isn't for you to play with! Give it back!" The Millennium Earl laughed at this, completely enjoying all of these. Tyki just sighed as he took the book in his hands, deciding to just ignore this ruckus and continued in his reading, but Rhode's previous question bugged him slightly. Would there be a time whereby Kanda would face problems during his mission? That person had never once failed in bringing what they wanted.

"What are you thinking about, Tyki-pon?" The Millennium Earl sat on his favourite rocking chair as he took a magazine lying on the table and flipped it open.

"Stop with that name, Earl," He said, leaning back against the chair. The Earl laughed again.

"Why not? The name suits you. As David has said, it is indeed a cute name!" Tyki glanced at David who was trying hard not to laugh at that statement. He closed his eyes as he rubbed the sides of his forehead to ease the headache, sighing again.

"Hey, Earl."

"What?" He said, his attention still at the magazine as he took his cup of coffee and sipped it gently before putting back onto the table. The candle lights gave a light flicker as the wind entered their room, slowly bringing down the temperature.

"Do you think Kanda would meet a mishap? I mean, is there a possibility in this?" Rhode and Jasdebi stopped running, as they turned and faced the adult. David looked up from his position. The whole place turned silent instantly as all attention was onto the Earl who had stayed quiet the whole time.

"What are you talking about, Tyki-pon?" The Millennium Earl finally said in a calm manner, to their slight astonishment. Tyki raised his eyebrow in slight confusion.

"Do you know him for the first time?" Tyki blinked at the question.

"Uh...no?" He replied. The Earl closed the magazine as he turned and faced him. Slowly, he started to smile.

"That person...has no flaws at all." The Earl sighed as he turned to the picture frame of him and his little white friend standing beside him.

"He's...a complete devil."

xxx

"What? Have you given up on yourself?" The person asked. The raven-haired swordsman just remained at his position, not moving nor struggling. The man laughed loudly, getting exactly what he wanted. He took out his finger, trailing along his ear lobes and neck till his hand reached his chest which was slightly exposed. His nails gave a slight scratch, making a light red mark at that area.

"Leave that old man and come to me, Kanda. I promise you that you will have everything that you want. I will provide you a home and a shelter. It would be far better than to stay and do that man's dirty jobs," He said, giving him a light hug by his shoulders.

"Are you done?" The man just blinked at the sudden question. He stared at the raven-haired teen, and was taken aback by that pair of predator eyes glowering at him. Before he knew it, he was being thrown onto the ground.

"What...what are you doing?" He hollered, coughing and wheezing as he clutched his hurting chest, glaring at the dark figure standing a few metres across him. His eyes flashed darkly at him for a second, frightening him a little. Kanda walked up to him in slow and soft steps, forcing him into a corner as he held his sword at his face. As he stared at him with a cold expression for a short moment, a playful smirk appeared on his face.

"Is that all you can do?"

His eyes widened. The moon slowly shifted its position, going behind the floating clouds passing by. As the light faded, the beautiful silver blade was raised up in the air. Seconds later, there were only choked sounds, the clear splatters of blood, before a soft thud echoed through the empty room. He just stood there in silence, his hand holding onto his bloody weapon as blood trailed along his fingers and slowly dripped onto the floor. All that were left was the remains of the body and the stench of blood lingering in the still air.

The clouds travelled past, the moon finally coming out into the open once again. He stared at the dark pool of blood, the anger he had slowly disappearing as his eyes turned cold and emotionless once again. The night breeze came in and brushed his face slightly. The feeling stung a little, but he still couldn't feel much. He turned around, his long raven hair slapping to his right shoulder as he walked out of this place. As he stepped out, facing the empty streets and roads, he took a deep breath, peering at the night sky which seemed as lonely as him.

"Che." With that, he stepped out and disappeared into the night.

It was five in the early morning. The ancient clock in the living room rang loudly for five times, reminding the ones who were living in this house that it was already five. Most of the people would still be sleeping soundly on their comfortable beds, not willing to wake up at such an early hour, but to Allen Walker, it was something that he couldn't complain.

"It's already five? Gosh, I'm late!" He shouted, running around the whole house to get himself ready and grab a piece of bread for his breakfast, before he took off towards the main door and took the keys at the front table. He slipped his feet into his black boots before he opened the door and went out, closing the door behind him. After taking his sling bag by his shoulders, Allen headed out to the bus stop to catch the bus to his workplace.

It wasn't surprising to find such a large crowd waiting at such a small and narrow bus stop at this early hour, as people were getting to their workplaces at this time as well. Allen bit his lip as he squeezed through the people, hoping to be standing near to the front such that he could board the bus which would be packed at this timing. The silver-haired teen grimaced at the pushes and the budges, before he finally found a rather good place to stand.

"Hey, did you read the latest news? There is another person found dead in his apartment."

"I heard that he was a manager holding a rather high position in a big corporate company! He's a millionaire and has owned many properties!"

"Really? I cannot believe this!"

Allen frowned as he overheard the conversation by the people standing next to him. He wondered who that murderer might be. Didn't he know that what he did was causing fear and uncertainty among these people? He might think that killing people was interesting, but he could never understand the feeling and pressure that they were dealing with. It was just a childish act, a way of running away from reality.

"I heard that he was the same person! The one also known as the Black Assassin! Didn't you read the newspaper two months ago?"

Allen's eyes grew wide with shock. He could only think of one particular scenario that he had encountered weeks ago. It was something that he would never forget in his whole life as a normal teenager. Just by recalling that incident sent cold shivers down his spine.

Kill me.

He didn't know why he said that. After that night, he did not appear again, and neither could he find that stranger who just stepped into his life and completely ruined everything. Allen made a face as he crossed his arms in slight annoyance. He only knew that he was wearing in full black, using a sword as his weapon, and he had a feeling of being cornered when that blade touched his throat.

Now, as he recalled the things that happened around him, he realised that something was amiss. Something was wrong with this town. Murders were happening everywhere, each at random places. It was as though...that killer was trying to find someone among these killings. This someone...who was the right person...

The bus arrived at the bus stop, and everyone squeezed to his area in an attempt to board the bus. Allen managed to get through the crowd and step onto the bus. He stood at a corner of the standing area, facing the opened windows. Muffled sounds and whispers filled the air, before the bus started heading for the next destination. The silver-haired teen just gazed out of the windows blankly, deep into thoughts.

He couldn't understand why he needed to be killed. After all, he was just a student and a normal teenage boy. He did nothing, and did not commit any crimes. He had rather good relationships with the people around him. He always did good deeds, thus he shouldn't have made any enemies outside. Suddenly, out of the blue, that person wanted to assassinate him. What joke was that person exactly pulling?

If it wasn't for Lavi, he would have been dead by now. That redhead just popped out of nowhere and saved him, as if he knew that this would happen. Who exactly was Lavi? Did he know the things about him? What was going on here?

He reached out for the bell with difficulty as he pressed it, waiting for the bus to stop. As the bus reached the next stop and opened the doors, it took him some time to say some excuse-mes and squeeze through the large crowd of people, before he could alight and took deep breaths of fresh air. As he turned and was walking to his workplace which was just metres away, he noticed a familiar figure standing across the traffic lights, talking to someone. As he looked closer, he realised that it was none other than Lavi.

He was about to call out to him when he stopped, frowning slightly. Why was he with a group of police? He was talking rather calmly with them, so that would only mean that they were acquaintances. But why was he with them? Why was he so friendly towards them? His eyes just widened in shock as Lavi saw him from a distance.

"Allen?" Allen clenched his hands tightly as he turned and walked away. Just how much did that person know about him?

He walked through the crowd and turned to his right, wanting to get away from that area, wanting to erase what he had just seen. What was he doing? He had really treated Lavi like a friend, yet he couldn't brush away the fear and the slight anger that came to him at the same time.

"Allen!" The silver-haired teen quickened his pace as he started to run. He knew that Lavi would not just leave it like this without an explanation. He ran around the whole streets, from corners to corners, but he couldn't seem to brush that fellow away. Just as he was about to enter the building where he worked, something grabbed his hand and stopped him. Allen gasped in slight astonishment as he was being pulled backwards, his feet stumbling for a few steps before he saw the emerald eyes of the other.

"What?" He asked coldly.

"I was about to say that! What happened to you? Why didn't you stop when I call you?" Lavi asked. Allen hissed as he slapped the hand off and stared at him hardly.

"I don't remember being acquaintances with you." The redhead just frowned at the statement, before he started laughing.

"You couldn't remember anything? You must be dreaming, Allen! Don't you recall the day when I save you?"

"Stop it, Lavi. Who exactly are you? What do you want from me? How much do you know about me?" Allen asked in return, stunning Lavi for a moment. The two of them just stood there for a few minutes, silent.

"If you are not going to say anything, I'm leaving."

"You should know it very well after that incident, Allen." Allen stopped in his tracks as Lavi started to speak.

"What about it?"

"Someone...wants you dead." Allen's eyes slowly went wide in shock. He turned around and faced the redhead who was making a serious expression.

"What do you mean by that? Why does that person want me dead?"

"That I...I still don't know."

"Is that why you liaise with the police? Are you working with the police?" Allen asked in frustration. He sighed as he walked around, before he leaned against the wall of a particular building, deciding to calm himself down. Lavi just walked towards him and stopped at his side.

"How much do you know about me, Lavi? From the moment you saved me, I know that something strange is going on here. I don't know you, yet you know me so well that you already knew that this would happen to me. What is this? What is happening to me?" Allen asked in a slight pleading tone, staring at the one who hadn't said anything for the past few minutes.

"I'm sorry, Allen, but you know that I will try my ultimate best to protect you from danger." He said.

"I don't know, Lavi! I don't know anything! Why do you need to protect me? You can just leave me there and let me die!" The silver-haired teen exclaimed.

"What are you talking about, Allen?"

"I don't know. Everything just happened so fast that I couldn't keep up. I'm so tired." He sighed as he felt his hurting forehead with his hand and closed his eyes. He just couldn't comprehend all of these no matter how hard he tried.

Suddenly, he felt a hard tug at his throat, as he found himself in the hands of a robber. Allen blinked as he saw policemen surrounding them. Before he knew it, he felt something pointing dangerously at the side of his forehead.

"Allen!"

"Don't move, or I will shoot this boy!" Allen's eyes widened in horror at that statement. He gasped and coughed at the tightness of his throat, as that large arm was gradually strangling him alive. Most people were screaming at the top of their voices, running away from the scene. The policemen were also pointing their guns at his direction, attempting to shoot this robber when they had the chance.

"You want to die right, boy?" He asked. Allen winced as he stared at the ugly face above him. That robber just smirked back to him in return.

"I heard everything you said. I shall grant your wish today." Allen continued to cough, starting to feel dizzy and lightheaded. As he felt a harder push at the side of his forehead, the sound of the trigger heard, he knew he had to prepare for the worst. He closed his eyes, and as he stayed in that darkness, he waited.

Do you really want to die, Moyashi?

"Eh?" Allen opened his eyes as he heard a voice echoing in his head. Simultaneously, shouts rang through the streets all of a sudden. His eyes slowly widened as a young man jumped up and sailed across them. Before he knew what happened, the robber howled in pain as that stranger hit him hardly at his shoulders. He landed on the ground rather lightly, his long raven-coloured hair fluttering down before settling quietly on his shoulders.

"What...what the hell are you doing?" The robber yelled as he turned to face him. As Allen stared, he couldn't shake off a particular eerie feeling that this person brought him. He just patted his shirt for a moment, before he looked up and looked at him with a slight fierce gaze.

"Don't touch my prey."