Alright in order to be able to update more often I will be cutting down the length of each chapter but the upside to this is I will update more frequently. I would like to do it every day or every other day but like the nine pages I am doing now that would be quite a task and I am not getting paid. It is a labor of love. I am also going to be doing the author jokes more infrequently because well that takes time too. Oh they'll still happen just not every time because I got "stuff" (*hush *hush *nudge *nudge *wink *wink *push over) to do. So no joke this time. As always PLEASE REVIEW. I really love the reviews I have been getting I just hope I get more though. Like only 6 people review this frequently and I am thankful for everyone who has submitted a review. But I am a greedy bastard and I crave MORE! This chapter is leading to something trust me I just wanted to get a chapter updated so that's why there is not more here. Don't worry I still have A LOT more plot to give you so no lack of ideas here. As always enjoy

~Wolf

XXXXXX

Morning came and with it the sounds of people rising to greet the new day. A new day meant new things, new surprises. And with that people around the Black Order rose with the light of the dawning sun.

However some were more exuberant about the changes this new day brought than others.

The Black Order used to be a nice, quiet place. Now the sounds of screaming were common place and could be heard at any hour of the day. This morning it was Lavi's loud voice which echoed through the order's halls. Luckily everyone was already awake and coming from or to breakfast.

Lavi had come to get Allen from his room for breakfast. Knocking yet still getting no response, Lavi opened the door and checked Allen's room.

Finding his room empty and noticing the sheets on Allen's bed undisturbed signifying Allen hadn't slept in it last night. A grin grew on Lavi's face as he jumped to the sound conclusion that Allen had stayed somewhere else last night....WITH HIS DATE!

So Lavi of course had to spread the news and did so by running full speed through the orders creaming at the top of his lungs, "ALLEN GOT SOME LAST NIGHT!" And things along those lines.

Lavi was happy not just because he was able to embarrass Allen but because this was something Allen needed with the recent depression Lavi had noticed. Allen needed this and Lavi was glad because now he hoped Allen would be in better spirits. If it wasn't a date and he hadn't....ahem slept with another well then OOPS Sorry Allen hehehehe.

Lavi would still get to have his fun and this could raise Allen's spirit anyway.

With a cloud of dust and smoke trailing Lavi as he dashed through the cafeteria, "Allen didn't come back last night! HE'S EATIN BREAKFAST IN BED WITH SOMEONE ELSE! HECK HE COULD BE EATING IT OFF SOMEONE ELSE!"

As the form of Lavi sped off from the cafeteria leaving an even more distraught Jerry standing frozen at the serving window. Allen didn't come back last night!!! He's...he's not going to be eating breakfast here...'

While these thoughts paralyzed Jerry, "Yeah hi, could I get some bacon and eggs and-"

Jerry grabbed him by the shirt, "NO YOU CAN'T! ALLEN NEVER came back for breakfast. my food isn't good enough for him anymore. HE'S LEFT ME!" Throwing this hapless person on his butt Jerry continued his hysterical crying fit.

"ALLLLEEEEN OH GOD....WHY!? Why Allen why? It thought we had something special."

Jerry, with tears running down his face looked at the giant cake he had made for Allen to win him back. It put gourmet wedding cakes to shame with it's size and extravagance. It even had an edible Allen on top. "IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH THAT'S WHY!!" Jerry slammed his fist to a button located on the side of the wall labeled 'Not Good Enough' and the cake immediately exploded covering the room and mingling with Jerry's tears. "I just need to make something better."

Reever was on a video communications line with Lou Fa, the female science officer in Japan who had a rather large crush on Allen, going over the data they had gathered on how the ark worked. "Well carrying on from yesterday Lou Fa it seems-" his voice was cut off with this:

"Allen didn't come back from his date last night! His HOT DATE went into OVERTIME with him SCORING...ALL...NIGHT....LONG WOOO! The games probably still going on right now."

Reever sweatdropped at this as Lavi streaked past him in the background. Lou Fa saw and heard this. She looked like she was about to breakdown and cry her eyes were glistening with tears. "....A.....Allen..."

Reever tried to respond, "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." His effort was destroyed as Leavi kicked up a cloud of dust as he rant through the room again.

"NO doubt about it! Allen's got his FACE BURIED in more than just his usual PIE....and you know how much PIE HE CAN EAT. He might even have a new FAVORITE FLAVOR!"

Reever turned back to find a crying Lou Fa who cut the transmission with Reever and started bawling.

Oh Allen *sob *sob....I could've sexed you up right. Why didn't you come to me!?

Reever sighed on his end, "this is not good."

A red headed devil now making his way thorugh the order at high speeds and high volulme. Lavi passed by General Cloud's room who scratched her head being risen from her sleep as she exited her room. Allen....that's Cross' boy right? Figures.

Lavi's and his message now spread past the infirmary where Miranda was checking on Krory. She rose to inspect the noise and stood in the doorway in time to watch Lavi pass. "Allen's still not back...cause he's STILL IN BED....WITH HIS DATE from last night YEAH!"

Miranda could only put her hand to her mouth to cover the smile. "Oh my."

When both Lavi and word passed Lenalee it went a little something like: "Allen still hasn't come b ack from his HOT DATE cause he's busy messin up her BED! STRIKE FOR ALLEN!"

Lenalee watched Lavi go. She was in shock at the news and felt a little weak in the knees. Allen....you...you spent the night with someone!?

Lenalee turned to chase aftger Lavi so she could find out more. It couldn't be what it seemed...right?

As Lavi turned a corner at high speed he began filling his lungs with air for another shout when an arm was stuck out in his path clothes-lining him. Lavi had run right into it knocking the wind out of him as he lay on his back. "*cough *cough...hey Jiji"

"You are too loud..."

Lenalee had caught up with him and jogged up to Lavi who was still on the ground. She offered her hand and helped him up. "What's this about Allen?"

Lavi's giddy attidtude dropped at who was asking. "Oh..uh..Allen....he still isn't...back from his date...*cough...last night. I checked his room and his bed hasn't been slept in....but I'm sure it's not what we think. I was only playing I mean it's Allen afterall!"

Lavi could see the concern and hurt on her face. He didn't even think of her feelings about this news. He didn't mean to hurt her with it but hadn't even stopped to think of it but now realized he had screwed up and it was too late.

Lavi couldn't see Lenalee's eyes now as her head hung gazing at the floor, unmoving. "Lenalee..." Lavi said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Surprisingly her head shot up with a smile on her face looking as bright and happy as the sun itself this morning. "What?...." she said after Lavi merely started at this strange display before him. He couldn't figure this out let alone how he should respond.

Lenalee continued, "what....did you think I was unaware of you boys and your needs and all that stuff? Come on, of course I know about all that. I know how you boys think after all Komui is so over protective that he'd try and warn me about stuff like that...well more like frighten me." she waved her hand in a dismissive manner at this. " I am glad Allen found someone to help him with it...after all your gender seems to need it an awful lot and Allen deserves some happiness in his life"

The ceiling seemed to slam on both Lavi and Bookman's head at this point. What the hell!!?

"I don't know why you are getting concerned Lavi, I'm fine. Well WHEN Allen get's back" She said this in a teasing manner. "tell him I would like to meet this girl of his."

With a smile and a small wave goodbye she calmly walked off. With her back turned no one saw the tears which now trailed her cheeks. Allen's masking his emotions seemed to have rubbed off on miss Lee.

XXXXXXX

Little did anyone realize just how wrong they were. Allen had found himself at Road's home after leaving the restaurant. Her room to be precise. Nothing lewd happened although endless jokes of such things were a constant from Road.

Road was excited to show Allen her room and all her little trinkets and memorabilia. Allen could only smile and nod. She was so happy he didn't want to burst her bubble by showing he wasn't interested. What did surprise him though was just how normal Road's interests were. Well most of them at least. Many of those interests held glimpses into her more sadistic and dark joys she took part in. Things like a few dolls that had been torn to pieces or pins and needles stuck throughout their body. Most painfully in their eyes.

Tourturing dolls seemed to lead to more sinister pleasures it seemed. But these dolls were in the minority compared to the other more pristine versions of stuffed animals and collectables around her room. Books lined the room and were actually pretty intellectual reading material. It explained a bit of about how Road seemed to be a bit shaper than most her age...which Allen had yet to pinpoint precisely anyway.

It seemed she was just like any other girl really. There was no pink anywhere but Allen didn''t really she Road as the type but lately she kept surprising him so he tried to keep an open mind.

Road had told Allen that he would be staying here tonight and would start things in the morning. Gradually introducing Allen into the family was Road's plan otherwise they would just outright kill him on sight. That's why he was stuck in her room for the night. Allen was still uncomfortable with the idea of letting down his guard to such a degree as sleeping in front of the enemy. But she's no longer the enemy is she.

Allen decided that this was the path he would follow and if it lead to him being slaughtered in his sleep then so be it. There was no other path for him to follow and if this ended in his death then it didn't really matter. Luckily these were just his thoughts and he was pretty sure he wouldn't be killed by Road since he had grown to trust her. But it was still strange in the matter of two days he had gone from not turning his back to her to basically giving her an opening to slit his throat

When he asked where he would be sleeping Road just laughed and began looking around the room in mock curiosity. "hmmm....gee I don't know Allen. Where do you think you could sleep." She said with a playful smile as she waited for a response from Allen.

Allen had already looked around and at this question instinctively and against better judgment looked towards her bed but quickly turned away sporting a blush on his face. Yet not quick enough for it to go unnoticed by the room's owner. Teasing him was just too much fun and was quickly becoming one of her new favorite games. "Oh Allen you dirty boy. You want to spend the night in my bed. You're horrible...tee hee haahaa."

Quick to protest against this even thought that was the thought which had crossed his mind. "NO! I was just thinking...and...I was trying to...find...uh...I didn't really say-"

"Okay!" Road hopped onto the bed and bounced with her landing. She got on her knees and continued to bounce on the springy mattress. "I just hope you don't try to take advantage of me or anything. But I know you would never do anything like that Allen so I trust you. So if you should get closer in the middle of the night and your arm happens to drape over me I won't think anything of it hehehhee."

"Um thank you Road for that...*cough amount of trust but I have to decline. I'm sorry. Uh is it okay if I just uh sleep on the floor?"

Road pouted at that and her bouncing ceased. She sighed "It's fine Allen. I see how it is. You can't keep her hands off me so your afraid of being in the same bed. You really are horrible." This was so much fun for her teasing him. She had to struggle to keep a serious face at this.

Allen again became flustered although to a lesser degree than before. Road cut him off with her laughter "I am only messing with you. It's fine Allen. You can use my stuffed animals as a bed of sorts."

She had like a mountain of these so it wasn't a bad idea. He didn't even need to make a bed just flop backwards into a pile of soft, furry, figures and was quickly asleep.

XXXXXX

Allen's dream that night had been similar to the night before yet Road was absent this time. The same forest. The same lake. The same eerie sinister moon hanging in the sky. And a shadow of himself in the lake itself.

Allen didn't hesitate this time when the mirror version of himself held out it's hand as if waiting for Allen's. Allen gave it willingly and again like before the water wash swirled with his hand.

The image that played before him this time was one from very long ago. One....he had nearly forgotten.

Guzol and Lala. Allen's very first mission as an exorcist had been to retrieve the innocence from a town that had been abandoned for over 500 years. He found that the innocence was now the heart of a doll named Lala who had been living in this abandoned city all this time. Her purpose of singing for humans was now wasted away with disuse. She was unwanted. Unneeded. Yet she was just a doll. She wasn't real.

When Guzol as a child came to her he was the only human for hundreds of years who wanted to hear her sing. It made her happy. It gave her purpose.

Guzol never left Lala. He stayed by her side his entire life together in that town. Alone, but together. Guzol had grown old and was dying when Allen arrived. All Lala wanted was to be by Guzol's side until he died. To sing for him until the end. It wasn't the request of a doll...but of a human...someone with a soul...someone who could love and cry and feel.

Allen wanted to honor her final wish but Kanda was against it. In order to Allow it Allen offered to sacrifice himself to give them their wish. He would destory the akuma chasing them at the cost of his own life. The akuma came during this and ripped out Lala's heart.

Allen won the ensuing battle with the akuma and placed the innocence back into the doll known as Lala so she could carry out her final wish....but it wasn't Lala who came to life then. No, it was just an empty doll. No emotion, no life, just an empty husk as it was when it first activated. As it was before it met...Guzol. Lala was dead and this was just an empty doll. She didn't remember Guzol...nor anything at all. She treated him as a stranger yet Guzol said "I love you...Lala." Seeing he was tired the doll once known as Lala offered to sing him a lullaby.

For three days and three nights she sang to him as Allen waited for Guzol to pass on and her singing to cease. Allen had failed to help her fulfill her wish because it wasn't really Lala that was singing to Guzol. No, that was just a doll with no memories and no emotions. It was sad because in a way she was fulfilling her wish yet in reality she wasn't really because she herself had disappeared forever and Guzol was left to die alone with only the voice of the doll he had once loved known as Lala. He died alone without her.

Guzol had deactivated her right before he died and her singing stopped. When Allen came to check upon hearing this. He couldn't help but cry...because he had failed the both of them. He cried for them. Allen thought he heard Lala thank him for letting her fulfill her last wish but...he knew that wasn't true and hearing that made him cry all the harder.

"An exorcist is a destroyer not a protector" Kanda had said. Despite that Allen had wanted to be destroyer that protects. And at this moment he had failed. That was what he wanted despite knowing Kanda was right. That such incidence as this would continue to occur and there was nothing Allen could do to stop it.

"I want to be a destroyer that protects." Allen had said

XXXXXX

Allen awoke in a pile a stuffed toys to Road shaking him awake wearing a nightgown. "Quick Allen hide in here and please stay quiet."

Road shoved Allen into her closet.

Allen had no idea what was going on but he didn't have to wait long to figure it out as he heard a familiar voice.

XXXXXX

Tyki cracked his neck slightly as he lit up a cigerette on his way to get Road for breakfast. That girl can sure be a pain sometimes. Tyki's skin was still gray ever since Allen had stabbed him with his high level purification sword. Tyki wanted to cut his hair short again but Road hated the idea and threatened terrible things if he did so. As such he let it stay as is.

Taking a casual drag from the cigarette as he strolled down the lush hall of the mansion towards Roads room. He called out to Road from beyond the door and gave it two soft knocks. "Hey Road...you up yet. Come on downstairs breakfast is ready. You know your dad doesn't like it when you sleep in and miss breakfast. He worries about you and annoys the hell out of me about it so move."

Tyki waited to hear a response but got none except for the sounds of feet hurrying around the room. "Road?" Tyki put his hand to the doorknob and his stomach began to burn painfully. In the same spot as where he had been stabbed by Allen. He had to stop and clutch at his phantom wound. This wasn't right.

Tyki opened the door and found Road standing There smiling but as he entered the room he found the painful sensation of the stab wound grow stronger. He bit down and endured it as it wasn't that bad plus he didn't want to make Road worried. "Road what are you doing? Why didn't you answer?"

"Tyki I am old enough to be considered a woman and you shouldn't be barging into a ladies room like that. Plus you shouldn't ask personal questions like that about a girl. We need our privacy."

Tyki just stood there and stared down at her. The cigarette hanging in his mouth. The smoke wafting from it as he looked puzzled and confused at her simply motionless. "......uh huh" He scratched the top of his head as he shrugged slightly with exasperation. Tyki began to look around her room and as he did so the phantom wound sensation grew stronger and he knew something was up.

"What are you doing Tyki? Didn't I just tell you it's not nice to invade a girl's privacy."

"Yes you said that. But you never leave me alone and give me my privacy when I'm reading so it's all fair."

Tyki found nothing of interest but gauged Road's reaction as he went around the room. She just kept watching him so she definitely had something to hide. As Tyki got Closer to the closet that phantom wound sensation grew stronger than ever. As he went to check it Road began hitting him with both fists in a childish manner. "You're invading my personal space. NO FAIR! You can't do that."

Turning around and looking down at her, hand still on the closet door and cigarette still smoking in his mouth. He merely looked at her calmly then "Oops." Tyki flung the door open with out actually looking at it. "Look at that. Sorry about that Road."

Tyki than looked inside and well....the cigarette dropped out of his mouth as he stared at a smiling and waving Allen Walker. "heh heh...uh...hi."

XXXXXX

PLEASE REVIEW! Hell I want to update this as soon as possible so no joke here sorry guys. Next chapter will be better although probably not as humorous. And yes all questions will be answered.