Author's note: I hope you all enjoyed the prologue of this story. The updates may be a bit slower than the previous story as I'll have to research the chapters/episodes, try get the summary and how to put Apocryphos and Howard Link into these chapters/episodes as we only see them later in the manga and in the Funimation adaption of D. Gray-man so I'll be using the American and the original Japanese episodes and some of the future chapters may be manga. But please, to find out how I'm doing with the chapters please follow me on my twitter RoseRozu1.

A soft voice could be heard within the tower for which its owner had lived. For four long years, he sung this haunting melody, but somehow, it still held a sense of calm with every note for which it hit. This was a song the lonely boy had sung to himself every once in a while since he was brought here at the age of eleven.

And, so the boy, falls asleep one dark and lonely night…

Amongst ashes, with the dimming embers all around,

The song was a reminder to the singer, of a family he had lost. The father whom raised him, and whom took him in when no one else would.

First just one, and then two go

The profiles of my beloved will rise and grow in time,

From high above, trickling down are thousands of…

Even if the song filled him with sorrow, alongside the memories he shared, it was really the only thing he had left to remember that man by.

Many dreams…of every dreamer

As the tears fell from silver irises, his voice never wavered. He wiped them away with the sleeve of his night gown, and continued. Keep walking, so to speak.

Those eyes of silver were trembling on that day…

It was a brand new you, shining the day of your birth.

Throughout these passing years, millions have gone by…

Prayers that left…return to Earth, within the ages that passed on

Unlike those prayers, Mana would never return to him. It never mattered how much time, what is lost, is forever gone…that particular thought hurt him more than any blade ever could.

I will never cease to praying for you,

Please allow this child to know what love is,

In the hand you hold, place a gentle kiss…

He had been singing the final verses of the lullaby. Only when he finished, he did he allow his threatening tears to finally fall. "I…I hate this…"

Perking from its perch on his head, the golf ball-sized golem awoke, and flew in circles, before landing on a finger that was presented to it. The small golem, golden as the first day they had met, looked to the silver-eyed boy in what could only be described at its version of worry. Its tail lazily swished behind it.

"When will I be free from this cage?" He sadly asked his companion. Timcanpy had been with Allen since the day he was brought here. His only real friend, and his reminder of the unfortunate technical second encounter with Cross Marian.

A story Allen rather not retell for the time being.

A cool wind blew, and the silver-eyed male sighed in bliss. The sign of a freedom he couldn't grasp, no matter how he chased it.

It was then he heard his door open, and judging by the footsteps of the person in question, it was none other than one of his two guardians.

"Little heart, it's time for bed." His voice called out. "You should get—"

"If you say I should change into my pajamas, you're late in that one." Allen interrupted, a pout on his face.

"Ah, of course. My apologies." Allen groaned. Sometimes he wondered about why he needed two different people to watch over him…or why he needed to be watched over in general. "Come inside, you'll catch a cold."

Allen's first guardian is called Apocryphos and was well over seven thousand years old. It was difficult to pinpoint his date of creation, as keeping track of time wasn't nearly as accurate as it was these days. Did he forget to mention Apocryphos wasn't actually human? Rather, he was a sentient form of Innocence who took on the form of a man of the church. His human form had dusty-brown hair, and wore spectacles, despite not truly needing them to see. He always had a gentle smile, though if none knew him as Allen did, then most would've thought him to be off-putting.

Not that Allen didn't feel that way still, he was just more used to the Innocence which disguised itself as a man by this point.

"Let's go, Tim." Allen said to his Golem friend. The golden ball with wings lazily flew off Allen's finger, before heading back into the residence for where it and Allen resided. Leaving the bacony, the snowy-haired male looked to his living arrangements.

For the lack of a better word, Allen's room — or perhaps living quarters is more accurate — was very massive. Entering the room from his balcony, you were met with a kitchen in the back, and then a living space just in front of it. Although there was a table and chairs, the furniture set was seldom used, as the sofa was where most meals were eaten.

To his right was a door leading into the bedroom. In it, were two beds. One was a twin, the other a full. Allen slept in the larger of the two, while either of his caretakers would otherwise sleep over with — or in Apocryphos's case keep watch of — Allen during the night.

The room also had a walk-in closet, consisting of clothing, shoes, and his toiletries. The door next to it was the bathroom, where there were two sinks, a tub, shower, and of course the things needed to keep up good hygiene. Despite living in this space, Allen always felt as though it was…empty.

Already knowing the drill, Allen made a beeline for his room, sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting for Apocryphos to come and brush the long strands of waist-length hair. When it was shorter, it was so much easier to care for, but for reasons he couldn't even begin to fathom why no one wanted to cut it. Not that he never asked, he did. But he never got an answer, and thus his hair remained long.

Even though he rather it be shorter…at least shoulder length. Maybe one day he'd finally get his hair cut…

For now, he settled for what he had, letting Apocryphos brush out the minor tangles that often appeared in the long locks.

The night sky was pretty tonight. As he stared listlessly outside, a part of him felt as though…something was going to maybe change…

. . - * - . .

He groaned, pulling the covers over his head, as the sun infiltrated his room. Why was it morning now? He was so comfy…

It then occurred to the fifteen-year-old boy, that there shouldn't even be sunlight in his room, as his curtains should've been closed. There was only one person Allen knew who would purposely open his blinds like that.

"LINK!" He shouted, flinging the covers from his form, and getting up quickly, only to regret it when he was temporarily blinded by the light from outside. "Gah!"

Allen could hear chuckling coming from where his door was. He cracked open an eye, and glared at the German male standing there. Howard Link was closer in age to him, the man was currently nineteen, a smug smirk on his normally stoic face. "Good morning, Walker."

The golden-haired male was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. His hair was styled in a weird bowl-cut style, and it honestly made him look older than he really was. Allen said so once or twice, but Howard Link would often comment it didn't matter how he looked, so long as he could do his job. Under his bangs, there were two dots one above the other. The verticle twin dots often prompted Allen to tease the older male, coming up with the nicknames of 'twin mole', 'two-spot', and various others.

None of which Link was exactly fond of.

"You're evil."

"No, I'm only doing my job."

"Of being evil."

"Enough of that. Get up, and get ready for breakfast."

Allen's scowl melted away at the mention of food. "Eggs?"

"Sunny-side up, scrambled, omlet, and over-easy." Link easily listed.

"Bacon?"

"Crispy to your tastes, accompanied with a glass ready to be filled with water, milk, or juice." Link stated. "There are also pancakes, flapjacks, cereal – hot and cold varieties – as well as twenty servings of mitarashi dango."

"Sold!" The younger said with much enthusiasm. He was already rushing out of bed, and into his closet. Link rolled his eyes, and headed back to the kitchen in favor of putting the final touches on breakfast. When he heard the retreating footsteps, Allen sighed, his earlier enthusiasm was gone.

It was hard to pretend he was okay with how everything was. The world beyond his 'home' was forgien to him. All Allen really wanted was a chance to be free.

But he would never leave.

He couldn't. After all, he was a prisoner here. Tim often showed Allen different things from the outside world, people, food, places…but none would compare to the real thing. He desperately wanted to experience everything he possibly could…and if he was being honest, another experience he wouldn't mind was maybe finding someone.

Maybe. He wasn't entirely sure of that specific experience…considering the only interactions he ever had was between the two people who've looked after him for the last four years.

"Though…I guess that would be an interesting experience, wouldn't it?" Tim landed on Allen's head, and the young male chuckled a little. "Alright, alright, I guess I can't really keep Link waiting too long, right?"

(* - *)

"Allen, I've been told by Apocryphos that you were at the balcony again." Link stated while he cleaned the dishes after their meal for the morning. "You were in your pajamas, apparently…pray tell why you were in such a state?"

Allen didn't know how to answer that question, exactly, so he stayed silent.

"Not going to say anything?"

"I mean…it's no different from past times I've done that." Allen admitted. "It's just…lately I feel as though…"

"You feel…?" Link probed.

"I don't know. Like something is going to happen. Something is gonna change, and I'm not sure if I should welcome it, or fear it…"

Link only nodded. Of him and Apocryphos, he realized Allen was more comfortable speaking to him about things, whereas he often felt a little more uneasy with the other. He was glad to have Allen's trust in that aspect, perhaps it was only easier because he was human.

"Fair enough, I suppose." Link sighed.

The rest of the day was uneventful. The mundane events began to take hold, Allen played a few notes on the piano, attempted to draw, though his creations came out barely noticeable as what he had then claimed to Link was him.

The German born male was reading most the time, before he checked his watch, and would make food when he needed to.

By the end of the day, Link took out an ear piece, and spoke through the microphoe in it. "Yessir, understood. We'll bring him now." He replaced it, before turning to Allen who had a curious look on his face.

"We're heading out."

"…are we going to that place again?" Link curtly nodded, and Allen sighed, standing up, and went to change. "I don't like him."

"I know." Link called from behind.

. . - * - . .

"You look dashing, little heart." Apocryphos praised as he entered the room. Link was finishing up with tying Allen's hair back in a chartreuse ribbon, which he tied in a bow to make sure the younger's hair was as presentable as it could be.

Allen himself was sporting a white button-down collared shirt, with a grey vest over it. His shirt was tucked into a pair of high-waisted pants, and was kept up with a checkered pattern belt. His pantlegs were tucked into a pair of sturdy boots, and around his neck was a red ribbon tied in a bow. "Can we get this over with?"

"Tear it off like a bandage?" Link asked. Allen nodded. "Very well. Let's be off then."

Without further ado, the two guardians and their ward left the living quarters.

. . - * - . .

Ten minutes later they arrived at their destination. An oak door had never seemed as intimidating as the one belonging to the office of nonother than Malcolm C. Lvellie. Link knocked on the sturdy doors, and a muffled 'enter' could be heard. Opening the doors, Link ushered the other two in, and all three stood before the man in his otherwise bare office.

Bare of personality, for the most part. The room had only filing cabinets along the wall, and then an entire bookshelf was behind the man's desk with books organized to a tee. The desk wasn't much to look at, at least not to Allen. It was specifically carved to order, if he heard correctly.. behind the desk was a chair that he was sure was inspired by a throne. The man had a higher than thou kind of vibe…

And Allen hated the man sitting in that chair. His arms were folded along his desk, two bins labeled 'inbox' and 'outbox'. His eyes were cold, menacing. Like a snake ready to strike the rabbit in its den. It was exactly how that man had gotten the underwraps nickname of 'snake-eyes'. Because that was what Malcom C. Lvellie really was. His hair was slicked back, whereas everything else was buzzed close to his scalp under it. He had a toothbrush mustache, and no one in the room could understand the infatuation with such a thing.

"How kind of you to drop by."

"Was there something you needed, Director?" Link asked, before any of the two behind him would say something unpleasant. And he knew they would if not for him. It had happened once before…the end result had Allen being punished by being chained to his own bed for a week.

The very cuff was left hidden, but still there, much to Allen's dismay. He felt Timcanpy shift, and use his stubby appendage of an arm to pet Allen's head in comfort. The youngest was thankful for his constant companion's presence.

"As you all know, Allen Walker is the bearer of the heart." The man wasn't one to beat around the bush, and it definitely showed in cases like this. "The heads have decided to move Allen to the European Branch of Black Order."

"Move Allen Walker?" Apocryphos asked with suspicion. "Whatever for?"

The man grinned, "Why, he's to take part in the war effort, of course." The comment had the room in a complete stalemate.

"You cannot decide this Lvellie!" Apocryphos lashed out. "When we discovered the bearer of the heart, it was decided Allen would not join the war effort!"

Lvellie brushed him off, "That was ten. This is now." His overprotectiveness was defininately showing now…Allen dually noted. But…if he was being sent away…out of this cage…then…that would mean he could finally see the world…he could walk again, just like he promised Mana…

"We were told he was to be kept safe, and away from the violence!"

"Then…how about an ultimatum?" Link quickly spoke up. "Rather than being a direct part of the war, Allen Walker will help in the effort of retrieving Innocence. He won't come into contact with the enemy."

Allen looked to Link, who seemed so sure of himself, to Apocryphos who was furious. Silver eyes landed on the direction, skeptical.

Don't stop, keep walking.

"I'll do it." The others in the room were suddenly silenced when Allen had spoken up. "I'll go. If it means I can be of use in some way, then I'll gladly take that risk."

"That's exactly what I was hoping you would say." For some reason, Allen felt like he just opened Pandora's Box. "You will have two days to pack up and get ready to leave."

"Yess—"

"Inspector Howard Link will be the only one accompanying you, am I understood?"

"It's my job to protect the Heart!" Apocryphos snarled, "Are you denying me my rights?"

"It will be nessciarly." Lvellie said with finality. Good day…oh, and before I forget."

The trio was just about to leave, when they all turned to face the man. Allen was weary, Apocryphos was distrustful, and Link was expressionless. "And that would be, sir?"

"I don't want to risk him running away somewhere. Chain him to his bed until its time to go."

. . - * - . .

That night Allen's hair is now loose and in his nightdress. He was glaring at the metal cuff around his ankle. "GAH! I HATE THAT SONNOVA BITCH!"

"I know." Link sighed. "He's not the most…erm…pleasant of people. Many will vouch on that."

"When have I once even run away?" Allen demanded to know. "I never even tried! Thought of it, sure, but never attempted."

"I know."

"…he's really not going to be coming with us?"

"I think he might just watch from afar. That wouldn't be going against any orders."

Allen sighed, and nodded. "Have…you been the European Branch?"

"Once or twice." The blonde-haired male replied. "Get some sleep, I'm sure things will turn out alright sooner or later."

. . - * - . .

Two days later the two guardians and Allen were in the first-class section of the train and Allen soon became very bored.

"How long do we have there?" Whined Allen for the fiftieth time. Link had in fact kept count of each time that inquiry came to light.

"We'll arrive there soon enough, little heart." Apocryphos soothingly told the younger. "Why don't you sleep? We will wake you up when we arrive in London." Perhaps it was because he was Innocence, or perhaps he naturally had the patience of a saint?

Either way, when Link had told Allen Apocryphos was going to be following them, albeit from afar, it came as a surprise when they met him on the train they were taking.

'What the Director doesn't know, won't hurt him', Allen and Link had been told. They decided not to question anything.

"But if I go to sleep I'll miss the scenery." Complained Allen.

"You won't miss much." Link bluntly stated.

"But I don't want to fall asleep! Everything is so new, I can't afford to miss out on anything!"

"Allen, if you don't stop complaining you won't have any dango for a year!" Snapped Link. Allen pouted, and crossed his arms in annoyance. He was otherwise quiet for the rest of the journey.

Things were going smoothly…they collected their luggage, got off the train, and began to head off towards their next destination. Barely five meters away from the station, Timcanpy was Golem-napped by a stray tabby cat.

Allen chased after the cat, Link and Apocryphos chased after Allen.

Author's note: Oh my god this took me nearly all day to write anyway there is some explaining for me to do so here goes.

In my head I can see Allen wearing a nightgown as in the victorian era the men did wear them as pjyamas and I also could see Allen havng long hair. I hope I have done this first chapter justice. It was hard for me to try and keep into canon and in some form keep all the characters in character. See you all soon!

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Note from the Beta: And…a little humble bragging is in order…those lyrics were all my doing for Tsunaida te ni Kiss wo. I took a lot of time and effort in translating, and even in making the video that is currently on my YouTube. If anyone here is interested in checking that out, look up guitringirl101, and it'll literally be the fourteenth video I've posted xD

No, it actually wasn't planned that way x)

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