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Bleached Jester

DGM/Bleach AU

Chapter 2: Prophecy

Conversation Guide:

"Speaking."

Thinking

Old Man Zangetsu

Memories/flashback.

"Words spoken in flashback."

Thoughts in flashback/memories.

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BLEACHED JESTER

CHAPTER 2: PROPHECY

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*x*Kanda POV*x*

Kanda wasn't thrilled about following Komui's order and bringing the Shortstack into the labs, but it had more to do with the labs themselves than the request. He never had a good feeling in the areas that the researchers conducted their experiments, the place one accident away from total disaster. It probably didn't help that, until recently, he had been the only male exorcist to frequent headquarters (not the only male exorcist, just the one most likely to be in the area at any given time), making him the target of the elder Lee's many robotic nuisances. Although they were little more than mere annoyances, it was the fact that he had to waste his time with the machines that truly grated on his nerves.

Lenalee walked beside him, her arms empty as she came with him. He had never heard of a weapon disappearing after its owner lost consciousness, although innocence came close to a similar behavior. If the exorcist or accommodator passed out or went to sleep, their innocence would deactivate as a result. It made him wonder if the kid's sword was innocence itself, but he couldn't be bothered to think too hard about it. Komui and the Order's scientists would make that determination soon.

Not that he really cared.

It didn't take them too long to reach the labs that Komui haunted, and he was all too pleased to be able to ditch his charge. He set the runt down on the table, just barely bringing himself to not simply drop the boy, when he noticed something that struck him as strange.

He had slashed the other male across the chest, carving a fine line through his clothes and skin, cutting deep enough to make him bleed. And yet…despite there being ample blood on the stranger's clothing, there wasn't a mark on him anymore. It was like he had never wounded him.

How in the hell did he heal so quickly?

Kanda frowned at the nonexistent injury. Barring himself, there was no one else in the entire Order that could heal as fast. He was the only one left from that brief time in history, a fact that he usually kept tightly under wraps. The kid wasn't around then, and a discrete jostling of his body as he withdrew his arms revealed the lack of a seal on his chest. At least that answered that question. The Order wasn't repeating the past again, but he supposed that he wouldn't put it past them to try again, just in a different fashion.

Biting back a sigh of frustration, he reluctantly chose to remain behind, leaning against a nearby wall well out of Komui's way, crossing his arms across his chest to keep himself from gripping Mugen in preparation. He kept a close eye on the runt as the Elder Lee worked, carefully monitoring the rise and fall of the boy's chest, ready to act in case he truly was a threat. He wasn't going to stay initially, but the other male's regenerative capabilities made him more of a danger than he was willing to leave in Lenalee's capable hands.

He told himself it was because he didn't want to deal with the any potential mess the Shortstack might cause, but loathe as he was to admit it, he didn't want the past—his past—to repeat itself. He wanted to be here, ready to put the kid down if need be. Lenalee didn't need to suffer the pain of his failures. She had enough of her own demons to worry about without adding his own onto hers.

He felt her eyes on him, but he didn't look at her.

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*x*Lenalee POV*x*

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Lenalee was surprised that Kanda stuck around while her brother did his tests. She knew that her fellow exorcist wasn't a fan of the labs (most of them weren't), but her shock at his behavior stemmed more from his focus on Allen's unconscious form than the simple fact that he had remained. It seemed that Kanda was worried about something, something that had to do with the white-haired boy lying prone on the exam table, but per typical Kanda fashion, the older male wasn't forthcoming with his reasoning.

Lenalee wasn't blind. He eyed Allen like he was a threat, making her wonder just what it was that kept the samurai rooted in place. She knew that he had no love for the Order, and while she didn't know everything about his past, she knew enough from her own experiences to understand. Sometimes, she could still feel the phantom press of restraints around her wrists and ankles, the helplessness of being trapped, tied up like an animal. She didn't trust the Order either, even though it had become her home and family. The higher ups were merciless in their quest to defeat the Earl.

She wondered if Kanda's concern stemmed from his own history, a past she would never know about. Komui protected her from a lot of the earlier experiments, never letting her see the details of those gruesome trials, although she had seen her fair share of horrible tests before he had arrived at headquarters. Wishing to escape from the horrors she had witnessed had led to her imprisonment, as much as her desire to return home to her brother had. It was only when Komui had given up his own future and life to join her that she had been freed.

She felt guilty for that, for being the reason her brother was trapped in this life, a life he didn't have to choose. She didn't have a choice. The Order had discovered her potential as an accommodator, stripping that decision from them both, but he could have continued on with his life, moving forward with a mundane existence free of danger.

Well…mostly free. She couldn't ignore the possibility that he would have been targeted because of his ties to her.

Pushing her regrets from her mind, she watched Komui as he gently pushed Allen's bloodied jacket open. Kanda's attack had cut through the fabric to the skin beneath, but she could see even from where she stood on the opposite side of the room from Kanda that he wasn't bleeding nearly enough for it to be a severe injury. Either way, the wound would need tended to.

Komui straightened, taking a sip of the coffee he had with him. The bunny cup was the only truly unique mug in the entire Order that Lenalee was aware of, her brother keeping it because it had been a gift of hers from one of her earlier missions after he had taken over as Chief. His back was to her, but she knew him well enough to know that he was startled about something.

"What is it?" she asked, venturing closer to the unconscious boy. Once she stood beside her brother, she saw what it was that had to have caught him off guard.

Allen was healed. There was no wound on his chest at all. She glanced at Kanda again and this time, he met her gaze. Now she understood. This was why he had stayed down here against his wishes. He had noticed it, too.

She didn't know of anyone that could heal that quickly, aside from Kanda. And upon closer inspection, Allen didn't appear to have the same seal as the samurai did, meaning that his healing skill had to have come from elsewhere. She frowned, concerned. The gatekeeper said he had detected pentacles, but Komui had confirmed that he had been sent by Cross (after an extended foray into that mess he called an office), making it impossible for him to be an akuma…

"Well this is certainly strange," Komui mused, taking another sip of coffee. "It seems that he has already healed."

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*x*Komui POV*x*

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Getting the boy cleaned up took longer than he wanted, but there was absolutely no way he was allowing his precious sister to get more of an eyeful than she already had, and he presumed that Kanda refused to help simply to keep his hands free. He had a feeling that the samurai exorcist had remained because he had noted the anomalous healing as well, but he was certain that they weren't in any danger. Komui had read Cross's recommendation letter, which detailed Allen's name, physical characteristics, as well as his abilities to date, and this kid was definitely the redheaded general's apprentice.

The fact that Allen showed up nearly a year later than Cross's letter wasn't all too surprising given the general's warning about his lack of directional skills, although he was certainly blaming that for why he had forgotten about the kid's pending arrival. It had nothing to do with how his office was a spark away from burning the building down all on its own, that there was enough paper on the floor to start his own personal library if he ever managed to pick it all up.

Nothing at all.

Once Allen was dressed in clean garments, Komui set about running all his tests, checking the boy's vitals and getting baselines before moving onto the more advanced metrics. He wished that the boy's sword had stayed manifested so he could examine it, but he resigned himself to waiting until he was conscious. Cross's report (if one could call it that) had explained that the weapon was not innocence, even if it could purify an akuma like it was.

As far as Komui knew, only innocence could destroy the dark matter constructs the Earl fashioned. All other methods failed, regardless of the level of destruction those alternate choices caused. However, according to Cross's letter, Allen had defeated multiple level one akuma using nothing but his sword. And while Komui didn't doubt the researcher turned exorcist general, he couldn't help but to wonder if the man was wrong.

He found himself wondering if maybe Allen's sword was innocence, and if it was so different that even a general mistook it…

Could Allen's sword be the Heart of Innocence, the piece spoken of by the holy cube that powers all the others, the one that if destroyed would leave them at the Earl's nonexistent mercy?

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*x*Allen POV*x*

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As Allen laid on the exam table, unconscious, he dreamed…

Screams and the smell of smoke were what had awakened him. Things had been calm since he had run the last of the akuma out of town. Maybe he should have been more vigilant, more prepared for disaster, but there was no predicting the carnage that would greet him as he stepped out of the room he was staying in.

He could sense the akuma, the agony of their souls displacing the air, so maybe he was just stupidly hopeful. Master Cross would be so disappointed in him, not that he wasn't already well acquainted with the man's perpetual distaste in his performance (or lack thereof). But he didn't think he was doing all that poorly anymore, that first time notwithstanding. He could destroy the weak ones by the droves, his sword (which looked an awful lot like a very large katana, not that he would know for sure either way), slicing them to ribbons with very little effort, shimmering into existence with a simple thought. The level twos were more difficult, but they were ultimately either stupid or cocky, making things easy for him.

He wasn't expecting this. He wasn't expecting to be beaten within an inch of his life by the strongest akuma he had ever faced, dull green eyes passing judgement on him as he easily batted the white-haired boy around the ruins of the town.

And he would never forget that condescending, emotionless voice. "It's strange. So many people sacrificed their lives for your own, yet you are too weak to even deserve death. Such a pointless waste."

Allen groaned as he woke, feeling for all intents and purposes that he had been run over by a carriage, or that he was back there again, struggling to stand after having been so thoroughly beaten. But this time, there was no scent of smoke and burning things, of death clogging his nostrils. This time, it was cold and smelled medicinal, but that didn't make sense, either.

What happened?

He had initially confused himself, thinking that he was there again, surrounded by the results of his failure, but he hadn't woken in a hospital setting the last time. Last time, he'd had to pick his way through the wreckage, the town looking like a bomb had gone off save for the pentacles scattered everywhere that told the real story. He couldn't let it go, couldn't forgive himself. The only thing he could do was to renew his vow to Mana, that he would never stop moving forward until he died, adding that now, he would become strong enough to protect everyone that he could from akuma, including themselves, for the souls bound to the machines were as much victims as their shells' targets.

Quickly, however, he noticed the differences between now and then, seeing a bright light behind his eyelids that offered no heat, his surroundings cool and smelling strongly of antiseptics. He still hurt and felt exhausted, his muscles protesting their existence in a manner that reminded him of when he had pushed himself too hard physically. Squinting against the glare shining down on him, he slowly opened his eyes, barely withholding a scream as the first thing he saw was a man's face very close to his own.

He tensed but otherwise held himself very still, fighting the urge to leap up and run away. He didn't know where he was, and he knew that his sense of direction was abysmal. He'd only embarrass himself for his efforts.

The other male seemed to recognize that he had made Allen uncomfortable, leaning back. "Oh good, you're awake!" He smiled. "My name is Komui Lee. You're at the European branch of the Black Order. You passed out at the gate after Kanda attacked you unprovoked."

"Tch," another male growled.

Allen could sense them both if he focused, Komui's focused presence in front of him and what he assumed to be Kanda (if he guessed the source of the growl correctly), behind him. The samurai's aura had a turbulent feel, chaotic yet bound by invisible chains. He was tempted to look but had a feeling that the man was one step away from lashing out. There was no need to tempt fate just yet.

Refocusing on Komui, Allen offered a sheepish smile, "Well, considering that I couldn't control my weapon, I don't blame him for attacking me." He sat up, noting that he was dressed in a white hospital gown, and while he ached something fierce, nothing felt particularly life-threatening. Confused, he pulled the fabric back to glance at his chest. He knew that Kanda had cut him. He was bleeding. And yet…

And yet there was no injury.

"Ah, yes, it seems that you heal quite fast. I've done some tests on your physiology, and while I can't say for certain, it seems that this isn't a result of anything abnormal." Allen looked at Komui, hiding his shock. The hell it wasn't abnormal. He had never healed this quickly before!

I took care of your wounds and redirected the energy still in your body towards healing you.

Zangetsu?!

"And speaking of attack, can you reactivate your weapon, please? It was the only thing I didn't have access to for testing, and I need a baseline before you go out into the field."

Yes, I will always be with you, Allen.

Without thinking, Allen manifested his sword with a single thought, feeling the weight settle into his lap. He took in the differences between this new one and his old one, unfurling the bandages with a flex of his energy. He heard Kanda settle into a stance behind him, the other man's energy preparing to strike.

"Now, now, Kanda, I don't think that'll be necessary," Komui chided.

"Yeah? And what if the Shortstack loses control again?"

That will not happen again, Zangetsu assured him in his mind. The older male almost sounded offended that Kanda had suggested it.

Allen ground his teeth together. "My name is Allen!" he snapped, launching himself off the table and onto the floor. He pointed Zangetsu at the other male, noting how the bandages wrapped around the sword's hilt with a thought, "And it won't happen again." He turned his back to Kanda, no matter how stupid that might be, gently placing Zangetsu onto the hospital bed.

Kanda placed the edge of his sword against Allen's neck. Allen froze, waiting to see what the other male would do while Komui clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Turn your sword against me again and I will gut you," the swordsman warned. Then the press of cold steel was gone, the samurai leaving the room with nary a sound.

Komui sighed. "Don't worry about Kanda's attitude. You'll get used to it."

Allen looked at him incredulously while Komui laughed.

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After Komui finished his tests and he got himself a replacement shirt, Allen found himself trailing after the other man (he was ridiculously tall!) with Zangetsu strapped to his back, the girl he had met outside the gate once more showing herself. She introduced herself as Lenalee Lee, as Komui's younger sister and assistant. While they walked the corridors, she chattered, sharing where everything was (he was never going to remember; there were too many rooms!) and areas where he shouldn't go (for self-preservation, apparently).

He let himself get wrapped up in her presence, in the sound of her voice, ignoring Komui's watchful gaze. He got the feeling that pursuing the girl for anything beyond friendship would probably warrant his death, but part of him didn't care. She was pretty and brave, distracting or redirecting her brother's attention whenever the man got too focused on Allen's apparent interest. She was a force of nature; he couldn't help but to get caught up in her circle of influence.

But soon, she was sent on her way, with a promise to show him to his room after he met with the 'Great Generals'. Her soul felt nice, and the way that she had talked about the Order as a family made him hopeful that he could enjoy the same experience. He missed his mother, missed Mana, and while he didn't ever think that anyone could ever replace them, he was open to trying. He wished that he could go back and apologize to Mother (that wasn't her real name, just what everyone called her) and Barba. They had been good to him and hadn't deserved his attitude.

Distracted as he was, he didn't sense the large presence looming behind him until it had him wrapped up in its limbs, raising him off the floor. He shouted at Komui in alarm, not happy about being lifted without any warning, but the elder Lee didn't seem all that concerned.

Okay, I need to calm down. If they were going to kill me, Kanda had every opportunity to do it when I was unconscious.

He could feel the being (apparently, her name was Hevlaska) probing his sword, a tentative touch that felt no more invasive than being glomped by Barba had been. But still…

Zangetsu?

I am well, Allen. She does me no harm.

Allen breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing even further when Hevlaska gently lowered him to the floor.

"I apologize for startling you," the ethereal being said. "I needed to touch your sword to know if it was innocence, or not." She pulled back further, her presence in the room still feeling huge despite the distance. "Allen Walker, in the coming future when darkness rules this planet, your weapon will create a great temporal and dimensional destroyer."

A… destroyer?

Komui clapped from behind him. "Wow! That's quite impressive! Hevlaska's prophecies, while cryptic, are usually fairly accurate. Looks like we can expect a lot of great things from you, Allen!"

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AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Sorry about this taking so long. I've got a lot of projects I am working on (modding my Skyrim install is taking a long time lol) and bouncing between. I have the completed outline for it and will be continuing working on it, I just politely ask for some patience .

Hope you're all enjoying it, so far. Thank you all for everyone that has favorited/followed this story. It means a lot!