Another chapter, because I got my college work done early!

Onto the story~!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ao No Exorcist or -Man.

Chapter 18

Mephesto found the information on the Noah interesting, wondering about the mysterious group and the authors of the files. The one of the authors simply had written down 'Bookman Jr.' as his only identification, yet it was his account on the Noah that appealed to him. The man did not write based on opinions and feelings, but with a unwavering neutrality that explained the Noah's abilities with stunning detail. The author even included the relationships that all of the Noahs had with each other, positive and negative.

"It seems like you weren't the most popular member of your family, Musician," the demon murmured as he read the file. The Musician had often been described as 'a traitor, yet a savior'. He quickly handed the file to the Musician and watched the hybrid for a reaction.

The Musician nodded, "Neah turned against his family and killed a lot of the Noah. However, when I became the Musician, I ended up being their savior and fixing the messes Neah made."

The Demon King nodded in interest, "This 'Bookman Jr.' is quite the writer." He was about to go back to reading, when he heard a snort of laughter come from the hybrid next to him. He looked up to see a cheerful smile on the Musician's face and a slight frown on Kanda.

"I take it you know him," the demon inquired, wondering what kinds of stories this 'Bookman' was apart of.

"Know him? He was so annoying and pushy, you couldn't ignore him. He made you know him," Kanda frowned, ignoring the Musician and the look he was giving him.

"Lavi wasn't that bad. Besides, he was annoying in a good way," the hybrid declared but looking slightly unsure of himself, "He was a rather happy and cheerful guy. The only reason Kanda doesn't like him is because he would focus all of his attention on him."

"It was annoying," Kanda insisted, "He wouldn't stop calling me by my first name." Mephesto wondered about the Dark Matter specialist and realized he didn't know his first name, which was rather unusual.

"Maybe you shouldn't have called him a stupid rabbit," the Musician muttered, "He probably thought you liked him."

"I didn't like anyone back then, and you know that," Kanda shook his head, before rethinking, "Well, I did like you, but that's it." The Musician nodded in agreement, opening 'The Black Order'. It said many positive things -just like he predicted- about the members of the Order and, unsurprisingly, highlighted the many destructive incidents that happened at the Order, most occurring when he had been there. Just seeing the cost of all the repairs made his head hurt and gave him crippling terrors at the thought of the debt that must have been made.

"I don't believe that one bit," Mephesto chuckled, "There must have been someone else~!"

Kanda shrugged, "Well, there was one other person, but you can read about them." Kanda passed the file named 'Second Exorcist Project' to the demon as he excused himself. The tear-shaped golem that belonged to Kanda followed him, making a rare appearance.

Mephesto opened the file and quickly picked up on the name 'Alma'. This 'Alma' seemed to be the first subject of the Second Exorcist project before another called 'Yuu' was created. The file went on to describe the test performed on the children and the murderous rampage Alma went on, only to be almost killed by Yuu. It went on to describe the revival of Alma and the fight that the two got into once again, this time involving another person named Allen. The three fought until all three of the men had almost died. Recognizing the name Allen, he knew this was the name of the Musician thanks to the records kept on him.

"What exactly was the purpose of these tests," the demon asked, 'Couldn't the Innocence have just chosen a new wielder?'

"Innocence is rather picky in who it chooses," the Musician explained, "So, the Order decided to bring back the dead exorcist to fight again for the cause."

Mephesto shook his head," It's terrible some of the things humans will justify as right. Assuming that Kanda is involved in this story as well, would he happen to be Yuu?"

"Yes," the Musician nodded, quietly informing the demon in case Kanda was nearby, "I would avoid calling him that unless he gives you permission."

Mephesto set the file down and stretched, "I have to go, but I'll be sure to call. Is it alright if I take this one?" He picked up the file on the Noah, waving it slightly. The Musician nodded and escorted the Demon King out. Once the door was shut, the Musician wandered off in order to find Kanda. He found his feet carrying him to the roof, the place where the man usually went to think. Just as he thought, the Japanese man was sitting on the roof and listening to the sounds of the bustling city below.

"Mephesto had more things to do," the Musician stated as he walked over to his lover. He sat down next to him, wondering what the Second Exorcist was thinking about. He quickly found out as Kanda kissed his neck, surprising him. Kanda had not made any advances on him in a few months, the hybrid himself usually starting anything. Despite being surprised, he hardly moved as he was kissed and slowly wrapped his arms around Kanda's neck.

Kanda pulled away and grinned, "The American Branch wants me come back and assist in another case. Something about mysterious sightings of phantom lights." The Musician frowned, slightly saddened by this news. He knew Kanda was extremely bored sitting around the dorms, often excited to get called out for a mission, but part of him was upset that the specialist had to leave. He thought it completely justified, if not a tad selfish, that Kanda should forget about them and stay in Academy Town. However, Kanda needed to get out and run around for a while and needed the prompting to go complete his missions.

"Well," the Musician smiled, "You should get done with the mission and come back home as quickly as you can. I'll be fine until you get back. I might even visit Fujimoto's monastery while you're gone."

"Alright," the Second Exorcist nodded and got up as well. The two young men left the roof, Kanda stopping by their room in order to gather his things and the Musician waiting for him at the door. Kanda once again kissed the Musician, which the other happily returned. Kanda wouldn't be gone too long, since he was usually informing the other field agents that what they were seeing was not caused by Innocence or Dark Matter, that it was something else causing whatever was happening, and he did not give a flying fuck about what it was. However, being the only Dark Matter specialist meant you constantly had to report to any mission that needed help concerning Dark Matter or Innocence.

"Call me if there is any trouble," the specialist stated as he left, shutting the door quietly behind him.

The Musician had the foresight to make his door appear behind the confessional, the light brightening up the dark area. However, as long as the door wasn't visible and nobody saw him exit it, he was fine with it brightening the place up a little.

"Hello? Is Father Fujimoto here," the familiar voice asked, startling the one of the monks from his chores. Hadn't that voice belonged to the person who played the organ? He had quite the fit over it, after all.

"Excuse me," the monk called out to the white-haired hybrid, "Father Fujimoto isn't here at the moment, but he'll be back soon." He watched the Musician nod to him, looking unsure what to do now that the man he had been looking for was absent. The monk motioned for the man to follow him, taking him to kitchen. He might as well make some tea for the man while he waited.

Fujimoto walked down the street carrying the bags of groceries he had bought for the monastery, Yuri carrying a bag or two behind him. The girl had decided to stay with him for the break from school they had. She would have spent time with her fellow cram students on their camping trip, but the priest had asked for her help. Apparently, the monastery had a large barrier around it and the shield had weakened rather badly. The other monks had no idea that the barrier was even there, so he required outsiders to help him replenish the charms.

Upon walking into the kitchen, the two were greeted by a familiar white-haired hybrid. The Musician was sipping on a cup of tea, white cloak pulled around him snugly.

The hybrid smiled at her, "Yuri, would you like some tea? A rather nice monk provided it."

Shiro frowned at the being, "Don't distract them from their work, Musician. They still talk about your fit throwing."

"Speaking of which, " the young man muttered, "How is that organ? Covered in dust, I bet."

"It looks just fine, " Yuri assured with a smile, "What kind of tea is it?"

"Black tea," the Musician stated before turning his attention to the albino, "I just wanted to let you know that Kanda was called back to America again."

"Does that mean I have to watch you," the priest asked. He honestly didn't want to watch the being, hearing of his appetite was disturbing, so watching it eat would be horrendous.

"No, but I wanted to just let you know. I'll be popping in every once in a while."

"Great," the priest muttered, "Why couldn't he take you with him?"

"I have to stay in Japan," The Musician stated, "The Grigori made that final. Besides, Kanda needs time away from the dorm. He gets rather pent up if he doesn't do anything."

"Isn't that what you're for?" This stated shocked Yuri. He knew as well? She watched as the Musician frowned and stood.

"Excuse me, but what do you think we do besides what you're implying? I couldn't do any of that with him," the Musician hissed at him, the shadows around him growing darker. Yuri knew why he couldn't. He was scared of what would happen if he did allow it to happen, fearful if the outcome would be the same. It was irrational and fear was never completely justified.

"Your relationship doesn't make much sense, even if you are close friends with him. Why be in a relationship if you get nothing out of it?"

"I do get something out of it, but none of it is physical yet. I'm just waiting until it's right for that."

"Something made it not right? To share something that intimate with the person you love?"

"Yeah," the Musician stated sadly, "You've probably heard it before, being a priest. You sit in that confessional and let somebody tell you all of their darkest secrets. I doubt you would have heard of it the first time coming from me."

"Somebody hurt you to cause that much of a reaction? ...No. You were... In prison."

"My jailer wasn't the kindest of men, Fujimoto. It was him."

"That's why. Kanda loves you, right? He wouldn't try to hurt you."

"I know, but I'm still scared of what would happen. It's unreasonable, but I can't help it."

Shiro felt his heart breaking slightly at what the being was saying, cursing himself slightly. He was going soft, yet he couldn't help but feel terrible for the being in front of him. He had heard the confessions of many women, talking about the terror and pain they felt from what happened to them and how they turned to God for help. However, the Musician had been left underground, without light or hope.

"How do you feel about staying over for dinner?"

The Musician smiled slightly at him, "I'd love to."