A/N: Thank you to Storm VII, The Moyashi Beansprout Midget, Lena-luvs-cats, allenfan, and Takei Daloui for reviewing! As always, it was great hearing from you!^-^

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope!

Chapter 10

Time Frame — Predawn of January 13th, 1896

—3rd Person POV—

~Allen~

With a guarded glance thrown about his surroundings, Allen hurried along the shadowed grounds of Rose Cross Academy, the gloom from the predawn light creating an eerie atmosphere. Blowing out a puff of foggy air, Allen curled into his Exorcist coat, digging his hands deeper into the pockets and quickening his steps, nose wrinkling at the frigid air nipping at his exposed face. He had yet to see Lenalee, so she was probably already waiting for him. Fortunately for the direction-challenged boy, the gates of the Academy were located in a straight path from the dormitories, and exactly where he'd agreed to meet the Chinese girl before she was to show him where Headquarters was located.

"Good morning, Allen," Lenalee greeted him, a drowsy smile lifting her features, before a small yawn forced its way out.

Allen offered her an equally exhausted smile and mumbled out, "Mornin'."

Their walk was a long, silent one. There was nothing awkward about it; both were simply too sleepy to keep up a conversation, and so they focused on their quick-paced walk, leading out into the outskirts of town and into the sparse forest. But even with their pace, it still took over an hour to reach the base of the steep mountains. Slightly awed, and much more awake by now, Allen craned his neck back, trying to get a glimpse of the tallest cliff towering over them, but it was to no avail, for it surpassed the fog and sparse clouds drifting along the dawning sky.

"Allen, take my hand."

Startled, Allen glanced at Lenalee, and then down to her extended hand. "Huh? What for?"

"Normally, there's an elevator we take, but as a newcomer, you're required to be checked over by the Gatekeeper before being allowed inside of Headquarters," Lenalee explained, shoulders lifting up in a helpless shrug. "Of course, climbing would be a right pain, but I can launch us up, right to the top with my boots." As if to emphasize her point, Lenalee activated her Innocence, Dark Boots flaring to life and glowing a brilliant blue.

"I would certainly appreciate the lift," Allen grinned, grasping her tiny hand in his.

There was no time to gain his bearings. Without warning, Allen was promptly yanked up and rapidly hauled through the frigid air and clouds, only made more so when they were forced to fly through the damp fog. Fortunately, it was over as quick as it had started. Gasping for his lost breath, Allen slightly stumbled once they'd landed, Lenalee's firm grip the only thing keeping him from toppling over.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I should've probably warned you!" Lenalee fretted, exchanging the hold on his hand, for gripping his shoulders and steadying him. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah," Allen gasped, trying to regain his balance. "Just, please… never do that to me again."

Despite the concerned gleam in her eyes, Lenalee couldn't help but quirk her lips into an amused smile. "Oh, it couldn't have been that bad. At least be grateful that the others weren't here to witness it. They're absolutely relentless when it comes to teasing. But for what it's worth, I am sorry."

Finally on steady feet, Allen cautiously practiced his steps, simultaneously waving off her apology. "Don't worry about. Despite feeling like I'm about to upchuck last night's dinner, it was at least fast."

"Heh, sorry," Lenalee grinned sheepishly, before tugging him along by the elbow. "Well, come on, slow-poke. That whole experience will have been pointless if you start lagging now!"

Allen rolled his eyes, but allowed her to drag him along, curiously observing the dark, sinister castle that towered above, black, bat-like golems flocking above them in hordes. They continued on like so through the path leading to the entrance, a dark forest crowding on either side of them. Allen couldn't help but shudder slightly in response to his spooky surroundings, but when he peeked a glance at Lenalee, she seemed to be right at home.

Unexpectedly, a black golem deviated from the masses and swooped down beside them, startling the white-haired boy. Immediately, a voice transmitted from the golem, "Hello Lenalee! What brings you to the gates this morning? Did you finally earn a mission?"

"Good morning, Johnny!" Lenalee greeted with a beam and continued, "Yes, but Allen here only just joined us at the academy last week, so he needs to be checked over by the Gatekeeper, as per protocol."

"Wow!" the golem suddenly flitted to his side. "Nice to meet you, Allen! I'm Johnny! You must be something pretty special if you've earned a mission during your first week!"

Allen scratched at his cheek sheepishly. "Ah, not really," he said, "It was mostly just a fluke!"

"No way!" Johnny immediately disagreed. "I heard you tore the boss' Komurin to shreds! You must be pretty powerful!"

Allen shook his head frantically. "I can assure you, it was a group effort!"

Johnny was ready to protest, but thankfully he was cut off by a different voice, "Alright Johnny, that's enough! Leave the poor boy be! Hello, Allen, I'm Reever. And if you could please step your right, you'll be perfectly in line to face our Gatekeeper. Don't be freaked, and just stand still."

"Ah, yes sir," Allen agreed unsurely as he stepped over, looking up toward an enormous face.

Suddenly, it came to life before Allen's astonished eyes as it leaned over and bellowed deafeningly, "PREPARE FOR AN X-RAY, SO I CAN DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A HUMAN OR AKUMA!" Its bulging eyes abruptly illuminated into two blinding beams as it scanned him. The wait was unusually long, and the Exorcist duo briefly heard it mutter, "What's wrong with this thing? I can't get a reading…"

Unexpectedly, the Gatekeeper promptly recoiled away fearfully, the beams of light vanishing in a split second as it shouted, "ARRRGH! FAILURE! AHHHH!"

I hate my life, Allen couldn't help but think.

A/N: Though I took a break yesterday, I'll be sure to update tomorrow! Please don't forget to review!(:

P.S. If I were to update on Thanksgiving, would anyone have the time to read and review?