Vetus: Hello my people! I have returned after a short week of not posting!

Ciel: It's been a whole year.

Vetus: Wait, what?

Lavi: Yep. I can vouch for that. It's been a year lazy butt!

Vetus: Hehe, whoops?

Ciel: You better have a good excuse.

Vetus: Well… there's school.

Lavi: And?

Vetus: And, uh... It's too long an explanation for now! I'll explain at the end of the chapter. But hey, I'm writing this now!

Ciel and Lavi: *Roll eyes*

Vetus: Sorry readers! Thanks for sticking around to read this chapter though. Now, let's answer some reviews!

Ciel: *Mumbles* how the hell did you get reviews?

Vetus: You shut up! Ahem;

Gecko-chan- er, Tyki075: thanks for that correction I fixed it. I did credit you. And thanks for the compliment!

ARandomAuthor14: Thanks! I hope to update faster now.

Fancyunicorn: Thanks and will do!

Im a guest: Well… it's not soon… but it is an update!

All five Guests: thanks and I will be continuing.

Sinfulangels: Here ya go!

Kanna Raimi: You'll have to see about the circus, and yes, William, Sebastian, and Ciel will still be joining the circus. I'm glad you liked the first chapter!

Milye6: Glad you think so and are invested in its continuing! Here's an update.

Lia Silverclaw: Thanks.

AngelHeartsX: I'll try my best.

Black-Abyss: I was actually already thinking of doing that (And brainstorming with a certain lizard)! Are you a mind reader or somefin?

Maya5392: Thanks for your support! I will try to fix my update schedule. And both parties should be meeting soon. *Laughs/thinks evilly/lamely with you* Wait, what's that about my darling Geck- er Tyki075? Someone's figured out my secret! ABSCOND!

Ciel: She's run off again.

Lavi: Yep. Wonder how long she'll be gone this time.

Both: Siiiiiiiigh.

Ciel: Whelp, since she's gone, looks like we'll be getting to the story. Lavi, disclaimer.

Lavi: But, but,

Ciel: No buts! You were allowed to duck out of it last time!

Lavi: Ugh, fine. Vetus199914 does not own D. Gray-man or Black Butler. She's too lame. Ha! She's not here to chastise me!

Ciel: *Facepalms* All of us here hope you enjoy the chapter. Good luck.

Gecko –Neah talking

'Gecko' –Someone thinking.


To conserve what meager funds Komui had supplied them with, and to avoid having to charge too much to the Black Order and risk pissing the higher ups off, Allen and Lavi had both had the brilliant idea to only reserve one space in the hotel which consisted of only two small rooms. To say Kanda and Lenalee weren't pleased was an understatement. After a few minutes of scolding from Lenalee and threats from Kanda, everyone got settled down in their respective places.

Lenalee had been granted the sole bed, and, after much complaining, glaring, and protests that she didn't need them to protect her, she took it. Kanda then promptly claimed the couch, brandishing Mugen at anyone who dared come close. Lavi, left with a very little amount of options had scampered over to the one comfortable chair, curling up in it and casting wary glances at Allen out of his one visible eye, as if the other boy would try and take it from him.

This is how Allen found himself curled up on the floor in a nest of extra blankets and pillows. Judging by the glares of the two other males, they were envious of his obviously more comfortable situation. Allen snickered quietly to himself. Within a few minutes though, the two rooms' four occupants were asleep.


The next morning Allen awoke a bit sore. He had been lying on the floor all night. He felt sorry for Kanda and Lavi who were probably worse off than he was. The boy drowsily stood up and stretched, sighing at the relief his muscles felt. Blearily looking around he noted that his two cohorts were both still out like lights. He shrugged and shuffled over to the propped open door of Lenalee's room. Peering in it took a few minutes of blinking owlishly and waiting for the fog to dissipate in his brain for him to fully comprehend that the smaller exorcist was not in the lumpy looking bed.

Stumbling back over to Lavi's chair he tapped on the snoring redhead's shoulder, marveling at the fact that the Bookman was able to sleep in such a position. Allen watched in fascination as Lavi disentangled one of his limbs - left arm to be precise - batted away Allen's hand, then slipped the arm back into the knot of limbs.

Allen rolled his eyes and poked the boy more insistently.

"Wha you wan?" Lavi groaned.

"Have you seen Lenalee?" Allen asked.

"Nah man, all I see is black. Too bad for you, seems I've gone blind." The young Bookman babbled into the chair arm.

"Lavi, your eye is closed." Allen frowned.

"Dang you've figured me out." The redhead yawned before shifting so his back was facing his cohort.

Allen sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. Of all times for Lavi to decide getting up at a decent hour was unnecessary, the day of a mission was definitely not that day. Deciding to leave Lavi to his own devices for at least a little longer Allen contemplated waking Kanda. Deciding he'd rather keep all his extremities Allen went on a quest for his coat and boots, having slept in his regular clothes the night before.

After locating and sliding the three items on Allen set off. He only made it as far as the lobby before finding his target chatting with the man at the counter.

"Lenalee! Finally, I've been looking for you!" Allen called out, his usual smile already in place.

"Oh you have? I didn't worry you did I?" the girl asked sweetly.

"Only a little." Allen replied.

"Whoopsie. My apologies! I was just making some preparations for tonight, what time the show is, what we'll be wearing, that sort of thing." She explained excitedly.

"Oh I see!" Allen grinned. "Maybe next time you should leave a note or something."

"I'll keep that in mind." Lenalee laughed.

As the two headed upstairs Allen felt himself relax.


So, Nephew. You ready yet? A bored Neah sighed. Allen was currently standing in front of a mirror and Neah was showing up as a creepy, swirling shadow with a large grin.

'Almost! Don't be pushy! Geez, I'm just not used to wearing a suit like this.' Allen grumbled in frustration, straightening out his overcoat as he did so. Under Lenalee's instruction all four exorcists would leave behind their uniforms and only bring with them their Innocence.

Ok, ok. No need to get snappy. The Noah pouted.

'Would you just be quiet?!' Allen exclaimed mentally.

Something's wrong. Neah frowned.

'Nothing's wrong.' Allen growled.

Mmhm. Neah hummed. Is it because of the circus?

'No! Of course not!' Allen protested.

Thought so. Neah said smugly. Now, come on. Telling someone will help, I promise.

Allen slumped with a sigh, agile fingers tying his favorite ribbon at his throat quickly. 'Fine. It's just; I haven't been to a circus since Mana died.'

Oh. Neah murmured. Right. I'd forgotten that he… I guess I just never knew that side of him so I didn't think… I'm sorry.

Allen pulled at his hair and bit his lip. In a small voice he asked; 'Neah?'

Yes? What is it? The aforementioned man inquired.

'Did he love me?' the question was simple and innocent, and it sent a chill down Neah's metaphorical spine.

I'm sorry Nephew; I can't answer that question, because I don't have the answer. Neah responded solemnly.

'I was afraid of that.' Allen sighed sadly. 'Well, enough moping. It's time to get going.'

Right. Be strong Allen, and if that task seems like it's going to break you, let your friends and me be strong for you. Don't stack too much of a burden upon yourself. Neah advised before falling silent and retreating away into a dark corner of Allen's mind.

Allen composed himself and exited the room, only to be met with a certain samurai's annoyed glare.

"What took you so long?" Kanda scowled.

"I was thinking about something." Allen admitted sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm ready now."

"Great." Kanda frowned. "Let's go. The stupid Usagi and Lenalee have already left."

"Ok." Allen smiled.


The circus was bright, loud, and crowded; just as Allen had always remembered it. Excited voices filled the air with inane chatter and raucous laughter as families and couples all bumped and swayed under flashing lights. Allen and Kanda ducked and dodged, making their way to the front of the line entering the humongous stage tent. This action brought back memories for Allen, not all of them good. Allen dispelled those thoughts.

Allen chuckled quietly to himself as he was handed a flier for future performances put on by this circus. The name was what amused him. Noah's Ark Circus. There might even be some irony in his current situation.

"Ah! Allen, Kanda!" Lenalee called from the line entering the main tent up ahead, waving excitedly.

"There you guys are!" Lavi added, "We were starting to wonder if you'd been mugged or something."

"Tch." Kanda scoffed. "As if."

"Like anyone would look at Bakanda and think he was carrying something worth stealing." Allen threw his two cents in.

"And like they would looking at you, Moyashi?" Kanda growled.

"I've got Timcanpy." Allen smirked.

"Are they really arguing over who is more muggable?" Lenalee huffed.

"I think what's sadder is they want to be the one more likely to be mugged." Lavi sighed.

"Oh, it's our turn to go in." Lenalee commented. "Boys, stop bickering like an old married couple and get your butts over here!"

As the two trudged over Lavi could have sworn he caught the beginnings of an argument that sounded something like; "I would never, ever marry you, but if we were married you would so be the wife." said in almost a friendly tone. Of course banter was started between the two at that and the air around them was just screaming of weapons being drawn soon by the time the exorcists had rejoined their comrades. Lavi and Lenalee both let out sighs of exasperation.


By the time the four exorcists had managed to locate enough seats for their whole party the lights inside the huge tent were already dimming. Allen slid in first, stopping a few inches away from the stranger to his right. The young boy scowled at him briefly before returning to the conversation with the person on his right.

"By sight… it seems like an ordinary circus…" Allen accidentally overheard the boy murmur.

Allen. Neah spoke up, having been silent since the conversation in front of the mirror. There's something weird about that boy and the man next to him, can you sense it?

'Weird?' Allen questioned, trying his best to concentrate his Noah abilities on the pair beside him. 'I guess I can feel something. It's not very strong though.'

Hmmm. Neah frowned. Just be careful. I wouldn't trust them.

'It's not like we're going to see them again.' Allen rolled his eyes.

His conversation with the phantom within his mind was cut off however by the call of the ring leader, a tall man with red hair, thick stage make-up, flashy clothing, and a skeletal right hand. Allen sucked in a breath, 'No. It can't be. It's not possible.' Allen thought shakily. The man in front of him seemed very familiar.

Allen are you ok? Neah asked worriedly.

'That man, he reminds me of-'

"I am Joker." The man in the ring called, Allen's blood ran cold. Inhaling shaky breaths, he panicked a sort of mental static overriding his hearing.

Allen! Neah exclaimed, feeling Allen starting to lose consciousness. Allen! Talk to me!

It was Kanda, who was sitting on Allen's left, who noticed when the younger boy started to fall backwards. Moving lightening fast, the samurai had the white haired youth cradled in his arms before Allen could hit the ground or even before anyone but the two odd patrons to Allen's left could notice.

"What's wrong with him?" the boy sitting next to Allen asked scornfully.

"None of your god damn business." Kanda growled. "Now move so I can get him out of here."

With a huff the boy moved just enough so Kanda could squeeze past.

It took many mumbled threats, shoving, and dodging for Kanda to get his precious cargo out of the stifling heat of the tent. Failing to find a proper seating place, Kanda improvised by leaning Allen up against a box that was sat off to one side. Scoffing, the feminine samurai checked the boy's heart rate and breathing. Finding both to be satisfactory and without any potential to fail, Kanda folded his legs and sat down to wait.

It hadn't been but five minutes before Kanda's shallow meditation was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you all right mister?" a man in a wheelchair asked, brow furrowed in concern.

"I'm fine." Kanda huffed shortly.

"Well how 'bout your friend there?"

Seeing that this man wasn't going to leave him alone, Kanda smoothly got to his feet. "He's fine. The heat and noise just got to him and he passed out." He bullshitted.

"Oh my! Here, let me take him back to the med tent, I'm this troupe's doctor." He offered.

Kanda blinked. Apparently infiltration was going to be easy thanks to the Moyashi.

"Fine." He agreed scooping up the smaller boy and turning to the wheelchair bound man. "Lead the way."

This is how Kanda found himself leaning against the cot that held his unconscious bean sprout for a good couple of hours while the doctor treated a prosthetic in place of a circus member with two toned black and blonde hair's leg. The tent flap opening was what stirred Kanda's interest.

"Doc!" the redheaded ringleader, Joker was it, called as he entered the tent, a tall man in a black tailcoat following closely behind. Kanda managed to recognize the man with short ink like hair as the man the brat who had been sitting next to Allen had been with, probably the boy's father or something.

"Heya Joker! Your arm giving you trouble again?" the doctor, whose name Kanda had not bothered to learn, asked, looking up from his current patient.

"No, my arm's fine." Joker smiled. "I'm not here fer me, in fact."

"Hey, if I remember correctly you're the one who got your head bit by Betty!" the two-toned idiot patient spoke up. "You all right?"

"Betty bit you?! That's awful! Come, let me take a look at you!" the doctor exclaimed, pulling the man over to a chair over by Allen's cot. Kanda glared up at the man, daring him to do something to Allen.


"… Where you really bitten by the tiger?" the doctor asked in awe after giving the man a thorough examination. "There isn't even a scratch on you!"

This caught Kanda's attention, attacked by a tiger and he hadn't even been injured?! As if.

"It was just a play bight." The man assured cheerfully. Kanda squinted at him suspiciously from where he'd moved to lean against the edge of Allen's cot.

"A… play bight?" the two circus members murmured in disbelief from behind the man.

"Well, if there's nothing wrong with you, that's just as well." The doctor shrugged.

"I'm so glad yer not hurt." Joker sighed in relief. "If a member of our audience had been hurt, our leader would 'ave my head!"

"But being accosted by tigers or passing out is fine." Kanda grumbled. His speaking up caused the man to glance over at him and Allen.

"Oh it's you." He smirked. "The wife of the man who passed out at the beginning of the performance."

"What did you say to me?" Kanda growled, grabbing Mugen's hilt with the full intention to draw it.

"Whoa now!" Joker interceded. "Please, no violence!"

"Yes of course, my apologies Sir, I did not mean to insinuate anything insulting." The man said, bowing at Kanda. "But Mr. Joker, aren't you the troupe leader?"

"Nah, I'm more of a ringmaster-for-hire! Our leader is someone else entirely… and quite scary ta boot." Joker replied, almost hiding himself behind his coworker with the dual colored hair.

"Doncha come cryin' ta me when you get chewed out fer sayin' that, Old Timer!" said coworker protested.

"Doctor," a scantily clad woman said as she pushed her way into the tent. "I was hoping you could take a look at my leg…?"

"Sis!" the two-toned idiot exclaimed happily, Kanda just scoffed. How great, the tent was getting even more crowded.

"You!" the woman exclaimed angrily, stomping right past the two-toned idiot, not even paying his foolish, love struck ranting any attention. "You're the eccentric gentleman from before! What're you doing here?! Thanks to you my whole act was completely ruined!"

"Beast!"The doctor chastised. "How could you talk that way to and in front of an audience member?! You only have your naïve carelessness and lack of control over Betty to blame!"

"B-but he was the one to approach Betty! All of his own free will too!" beast protested, pointing an accusing finger at the stupid man.

"And who exactly is the professional here?!" the doctor retorted. "No more complaints out of you!"

"Now, now Doc. You shouldn't raise yer voice in front of spectators! Especially when one of 'em's sleepin'!" Joker pacified. Kanda scoffed at the thought that this of all things would be able to awaken Allen when Kanda himself had been unable to.

"Yeah, yeah! Please examine my darling sister's leg first!" the two-toned idiot chimed in.

"Beast, promise to retrain Betty after this." The doctor conceded.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." Beast grumbled.

"Good, now let's take a look at that prosthesis!" the doctor nodded.

"Tch, is everyone here disabled or something?" Kanda scoffed rudely.

"Well, ya might say there's a reason for this here circus." Joker explained with a forced smile. "One way or another we're a collection 'o' people with problems. I myself was missin' an arm, but take a look at me now! Thanks to the doc, I'm in workin' condition! Pretty nifty ey?"

"It's always going wonky though because of the shape you insisted on me creating it in!" the doctor protested. "I wish you could have at least thought about the person who has to maintain it!"

"Do you make artificial limbs for all the troupe members?" the odd man questioned.

"Yes, that's right! It's a workload all right, from carving to installation, it's all done by me!" the doctor boasted.

"Carving? Are they made of wood then?" the man asked.

"No, ceramic." The doctor snapped.

"Ceramic?" Kanda asked, becoming intrigued. Pushing off the cot he made his way over to where the doctor and the man were hunched over Beast.

"Well, I say ceramic, but I use special materials to make it light and durable." The doctor lectured.

"I see." The man nodded, running his fingers down the woman's leg. "It's quite nice to the touch. This is indeed quite delicate workmanship."

"Right? To ensure a streamlined movement I use ball joints in the design." The doctor gushed.

"Oh?" the man wondered, moving quite close to Beast's thighs. "What is this hallmark?"

Even Kanda's eyes widened at his position.

"What are you playing at you pervert?!" Beast exclaimed, normally porcelain pale skin the shade of an heirloom tomato.

In a flash she had kicked her leg out, aiming straight for the man's head. The man somehow managed to dodge perfectly, not even a hair being misplaced.

"Ah, my apologies." The man smirked, an almost devilish air around him. "You did not strike me as someone who would be so chaste as to be bashful about that sort of thing."

"Why you!" Beast screeched, lashing out with the whip that until now had been neatly coiled at her hip.

"Hey! You two! Stop her! He's a spectator!" the doctor protested at the two circus members as the man continued to dodge lashes. Kanda noticed with some amusement that the two-toned idiot was shaking.

"You Bastard!" the two-toned idiot screamed, tears leaking from his eyes. "How dare ya lay a hand on my sis's silky skin?! And when I myself 'ave not even done so yet!"

And now there were knives soaring through the air, right at the man's head. Kanda was already blocking the knives with Mugen as the man flipped up and over both the samurai and the oncoming knives.

"Though I did not actually touch her skin, I seem to have touched off your anger." The man smirked from up atop a clothesline as Joker gaped at both him and Kanda.

"Dagger! Stop it! Or else the tent will-" the doctor started.

"My sis's chastity is more important!" the two-toned idiot, whose name was apparently Dagger, interrupted, throwing even more knives, this time out of Kanda's reach.

The man caught them. He actually caught all eight knives between his fingers. Even Kanda was impressed.

"No way!" Dagger gasped as Joker let out a low whistle.

"Tch, don't push your luck!" Beast exclaimed, once more going in with her whip.

This time though Kanda was there, Mugen raised to intercept the leather, pushing back against her grip once her whip had secured itself around his sword.

"Stop." He growled at the upset woman. "You're making yourself look like an idiot."

Just before Beast could retaliate to Kanda's comment with her fist Joker was stepping in by deflecting with his cane.

"Here!" Joker smiled as flowers burst from the tip of his cane. "All right everyone! That'll do for today!"

"But Joker!" Dagger whined as the doctor moaned about the ringleader not putting an end to the fight sooner.

A twitch of muscles was all the warning Kanda received as the man was raising his arm to throw the knives back down to their owner. Kanda merely reacted, chucking his freed Mugen at the man's sleeve, pinning it to the roof of the tent and knocking the knives off course. Now though the knives, which before had been perfectly aimed to land at Dagger's feet were on course for his head. Dagger gasped and winced as the deadly blades flew towards their mark. In the last second a gloved hand shot out from behind the performer, neatly grabbing the knives. Juggling them once, twice, Allen Walker moved out from behind Dagger.

"You really should be more careful Bakanda." The boy smirked, juggling the lethal weapons a few more times before carefully handing them off to Dagger. "If you'd just paid attention you would have seen he wasn't planning to kill him."

"So the Baka Moyashi is finally up." Kanda growled.

"No need to be rude." He pouted as the man flipped down from the clothes line, having tugged Mugen out.

"Here you go." The man smiled, handing the sword back to its owner. "I was impressed with your speed; no one's been able to catch me off guard like that in a while."

Kanda merely scoffed.

Having clamed Beast, Joker approached the three civilians.

"Leavin' that all aside, ya all have some terrific reflexes!" Joker gushed. "So much so I 'ave half a mind ta scout ya three fer our troupe!"

In a second the man was whipping around to face Joker. "Are you sure?" he asked seriously. "To tell the truth, my current master is such a bother that I've been thinking of quitting."

"Master ya say? Are ya not a nobleman yerself?" Joker gaped. "Yer dressed so well I assumed ya a gentleman! Are ya really only a servant?"

"Me, a nobleman? How absurd." He said with a straight face. "I am merely a butler. Were you serious about having me join your troupe? Because if so, I would like to begin at once."

"Are ya serious?" Joker gawked.

"I'm always serious." The man deadpanned.

"You sure are amusing Chap! I like ya!" Joker laughed. "Ye can join up any time if ya want, just come on by!"

"Joker! How could you just decide that so lightly!?" Beast screeched indignantly.

"Hey! In my defense he's quite the talent!" Joker chuckled.

"Um, Mister Joker sir, Kanda and I would like to join as well." Allen smiled politely. Only Kanda noticed the waver in his upturned lips, or the quivering in his balled hands.

"Ah, none 'o' that 'mister' or 'sir' stuff. I'm no nobleman. But are you sure two young boys like you would really want ta do somefin like runnin' off to join the circus? Don't ya have parents?" Joker inquired.

"No." Kanda said shortly. "We don't."

"Oh." Joker said sadly. "Well then, yer welcome to join us."

"If I may, I have someone else I would like to introduce to you." The odd man spoke up.

"Oh, us as well. We have two friends who would be happy to join." Allen added.

"Well of course! If there're more like the three a ya, I'd be happy ta see 'em! I'll just have ta run 'em through a sort a tryouts, ok?"

"Of course, we will impose upon you tomorrow then." The man bowed. Thank you for having me."

"Us as well." Allen agreed. "We'll come by tomorrow.

"No need to show me the way out, I remember." The man smiled.

"Uh, we'll go with him. I wasn't exactly conscious when I arrived after all." Allen said sheepishly.

"All right, we'll see ya all tomorrow." Joker beamed.

At that the three exited the tent, Kanda casting suspicious glares over at the man he'd come to severely dislike.

Kanda frowned when the man started moving deeper into the circus, opposed to towards the exit. Not wanting to let the man to escape his sight, the samurai just scowled and allowed the detour while Allen chattered obliviously on about some nonsense, not even realizing the misdirection.

Suddenly a loud hissing filled the air and a long flash of green struck out, sinking it's fangs into Allen's left arm, or tried to at least. Due to the condition on the exorcists arm, the, what was now clear to be, a snake didn't get far before it recoiled in pain.

"Your arm, it's like Joker's isn't it?" a young blonde man with what seemed to be scales in patches on his face and two snakes wrapped around his neck intoned. "-Says Goethe."

"Something like that." Allen said with a steely tone to his voice.

"Count yourself lucky. With my venom you should be dead- says Wilde." The boy practically threatened. "Anyways, entry beyond this point is forbidden- says Wilde. The exit is over there –says Goethe."

"Thank you for your kindness. I was lost." The man smiled, a fake one Kanda noted, before turning to leave.

"Good bye." The kid said in a monotone. "-says Goethe."


The walk back to the entrance was awkward. Allen did not appreciate awkward.

"So, looks like we're all going to be coworkers." Allen smiled politely. "We might as well make introductions. I'm Allen Walker and this is my… friend, Kanda."

"I am Sebastian Michaelis, it's a pleasure to be working with you." The now identified Sebastian bowed.

"Sure, whatever. We need to get back Moyashi, we've been gone long enough for those two to get worried." Kanda scoffed, pushing past Sebastian.

"Your right Bakanda, see you tomorrow!" Allen exclaimed, hurrying after his comrade.

"Yes, see you tomorrow." Sebastian remarked in amusement. "It sure will be something all right."


So there's chapter two! Again, I'm sorry this took so long. A lot of it has to do with being stressed, my depression, and laziness. So once again I'm sorry. Thank you everyone who is supporting this and me, it makes me so incredibly happy. I don't know if I can promise faster updates, but I am still sticking to what I said about this getting finished. It will happen. I hope everyone liked this. I made extra sure that it wouldn't have been more than a year since this updated. So, please review and follow and all that. I really am writing this for you guys. Thanks! Vetus out!