Acquiescence

Disclaimer: I really don't own…wish I did though!

Warnings: language, OOCness, blood and gore, violence, fluff (le gasp!) tons of possible typos, un-beta'd

A/N: thank you all for reading, reviewing and what not! I'm really glad this story is well loved! And as we wind down to the last chapter I want to thank you all – once again – for sticking with me this long. I really appreciate it~ this chapter is dedicated to all you wonderful readers! (unbeta'd version, beta'd version will be up once I get it from my beta, which won't be for a while bcuz she's busy with school.)

Enjoy!

Chapter 14 – In The Eyes Of Betrayal

"How long till we reach to where Yuu is?" Alma yelled over the loud whirr of the helicopter blades.

Lavi sighed for the umpteenth time. "For the last time, we're not there yet!" he screamed out in frustration. "We're still about two hours away."

Alma pouted. "But a really long time has passed! Yuu is in big trouble and we need to hurry!" he screamed. At times like these Alma could get a bit childish.

"Damn, I know that," Lavi yelled back. "But this is the fastest we can go..."

Tyki was silent throughout the exchange. He was as irritated as Alma but he was good at hiding it. It did no good for him to be all impatient because it wouldn't make the helicopter go any faster. He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried about Allen, not worried as in worried for his safety, but worried for his mental state. Releasing Kanda had taken a hell of a toll on his psyche, and if he wasn't careful he might be close to becoming irreversibly insane. Worst if those Mugens actually killed Kanda like they intended to do.

His hardened golden eyes locked with a particular area on the outside. "We're here. Land us around this area."

The pilot nodded and aimed to find a district where he could land. He spotted a grassy area that looked like a park. There was no one around and he skillfully landed the aircraft. Dust and other small pebbles blew up all around the helicopter and the blades of glass danced violently in the wind.

The engine died down to a low purr until it turned off completely. Tyki took off his ear mufflers and pushed the helicopter door open.

"This is the area where Allen arranged for Kanda to stay," he replied. "I know where the apartment is, come with me."

Alma yanked his ear mufflers off and quickly followed after Tyki. "He's here? Come on let's hurry!"

Lavi took off his and followed after the two. He didn't know where Allen had Kanda located to but it seemed that Tyki did. 'I wonder when he asked Allen about that.'

The three quickly walked to where the park's exit was located and then Tyki led them to Kanda's apartment. He walked up towards an area that housed an abundance of large buildings and then stopped before a decent sized apartment complex. It looked more like a town house rather than an apartment.

"This is it," Tyki said. He stopped before the driveway. "We'll take him with us and head up to Allen."

"No!" Alma yelled. He walked up and stood before Tyki, blocking his path. "I'm taking Yuu with me! I won't let him be involved with you guys anymore!"

Tyki glanced at him before he shrugged. "Whatever."

Alma didn't seem convinced by his answer but he ignored it. Right now he wanted to see Kanda and he wanted to see him right away. He hurried to the front door and knocked. There was no answer and he knocked again. 'Please Yuu, please be here...'

There was still no response and he gripped the door knob, only to find it open.

"No..." he pushed the door open and rushed in. "Yuu! Yuu are you here?" When he saw the shattered glass on the floor he fell to his knees. "No...I was too late?" He couldn't help the tears that spilled from his eyes. "Yuu..."

""It looks as if we were a bit late," Tyki replied from the door way, "but I don't see any blood or anything that should indicate that there was a struggle. Lavi, what do you think?"

Lavi stepped in and looked over the scene, he took in all the evidence that he saw. Sure there was no blood and the only indication of a break in was that most of the windows – if not all – were broken. That in it self wouldn't say for sure that Kanda was killed. At most it would say that Kanda was kidnapped or taken to be killed else where.

"I'm guessing the same thing," he replied. "If this was the work of the Mugen Yakuza then I'm sure that they would take him to the boss."

Tyki nodded, he saw where it was going. Maybe they would use Kanda as some sort of leverage. 'Shit. This is not going to end well.' Allen would not take something like that likely. He probably would kill them on spot for even attempting to do something like that. Not that he cared what happened to the bastards.

"We need to head over to the main house, I'm sure they took Yuu there," Lavi voiced. He turned to face Tyki who was on his phone.

"I'm way ahead of you," Tyki replied as he hung up his phone and pocketed it. "A car will be waiting for us on the outside in less than five minutes."

Lavi nodded and then walked over to where Alma was on his knees. "Alma, I can't say I trust ya, but you're one of Yuu's current family members who aren't trying ta kill him. So that in it self warrant some form of trust. I want to help Yuu too so will you come with us?" he held his hand out for Alma to take.

Alma wiped the tears from his eyes and took Lavi's hand without hesitation. "Of course I'll come with you. Nothing will keep me away."

Lavi smiled and pulled Alma to his feet. "Awesome. Let's hurry it'll take approximately half an hour to drive up to the main house."

"Depends on who's driving," Tyki added with a smirk.

Lavi sweat dropped. "Ok, make it less than fifteen minutes with Tyki driving."

69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69

The drive all the way to the mansion was quiet and Kanda didn't feel the need to break it. There was a lot on stuff on his mind and he felt that he needed to sort it out before he saw Allen. He didn't want that the first thing he did was to attack the bastard, though that sounded very appealing, but he needed to know the truth. Who killed his parents and why were they killed? That was what he wanted to know. He knew Allen wouldn't have anything to do with it as he was just a brat then, but the Earl might and if that was the case then the Noah Family would pay.

He wouldn't let that pass off as nothing. The ones who killed his parents ruined his life and for that he would make them suffer the way he did.

"Kanda-sama we're here," he heard the chauffer say.

Kanda looked out the window and saw that they were on the hill where Allen's mansion was located. They were close enough that they could see the large metal gates in the distance.

"Yuu," Hiroki began. "It would be wise for you to proceed with a few escorts. I have a plan but I will need your cooperation, my boss."

Kanda gave a curt nod to show that he was listening. Hiroki gave a smile and then leaned in. He proceeded to tell Kanda his plan and when he had explained everything that was necessary he pulled back. A smirk laced his face but Kanda's remained expressionless. It was hard to tell what he thought about what his uncle had just told him.

"Is that okay with you boss?" Hiroki asked.

Kanda gave a small shrug. "Just don't kill anyone who aren't involved," he said and then he pushed the door opened. "We're only here for the boss."

Hiroki smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course, boss."

He stepped out after Kanda and followed him up the long stretch that led up to the main gates. Before he followed after him; he slipped the chauffer a small white folded paper without Kanda's noticing, or so he thought.

The man donned in a pitch black suit took the paper and pocketed it. He adjusted his black shades and gave Hiroki a curt nod. Hiroki turned to catch up with Kanda and after he left the guy took out the paper and looked at it. A creepy smile crossed his lips when he saw the orders that he received from his boss.

Secure the vicinity and kill all who're related to the Noah.

He pocketed the paper once more and turned to the few that were gathered. "Let us proceed. The others will be joining us soon."

"Hai," they chorused.


69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69

Kanda found that entering the mansion was a bit too easy. It was like no one was there. The place was literally a ghost town. Usually at this time he would probably see all the maids and butlers scurrying around and doing their usual jobs, but now he didn't even spot one. 'Did something happen?'

"Yuu, is something the matter?" Hiroki asked as he realized Kanda's look of confusion.

Kanda turned to face his uncle. He didn't feel comfortable with his uncle calling him by his first name. Somehow it sounded fake and condescending. "No it's nothing," he replied, turning away.

Hiroki gave him a prolonged look and then turned away. "If you say so, boss."

From the information they gathered – namely Hiroki and his men – they managed to get a lock on where Allen would be in the mansion. Kanda wanted to question Allen himself so he told his men – he still felt weird being a boss – that he'd take care of talking to him. Everyone else was to back off while he got his answers. He stopped before the hall that led to the main living room, still encountering no one.

During this time Allen would be sitting back and taking a break from work. Though at that time he himself would be in the process of doing his homework, and if he was then Allen would attempt to help him. He never questioned why Allen conveniently took a break when he was doing his home work. Nor did he question why Allen always helped him, though he constantly refused his help. He didn't even know when he stopped refusing his help and actually welcomed it. The transition just happened without any of them knowing.

"Stay here," Kanda said. Only his uncle was with him. "I'll be back." He didn't move his gaze from before him. "Feel free to snoop around for information, just don't make a mess."

Hiroki nodded but said nothing. Kanda didn't see his nod but he took the silence as an agreement. He continued forward to the main living room. It was the largest room in the house and could probably host two or three of the bedrooms in it and still had more space left over. The room was elegantly decorated in a fierce red and gold. Crimson and bullion drapes hung on every window. They acted as shields blocking the glare of the sun from coming inside. There were also various furniture in the room and an array of couches; those too were of a golden red colour.

Kanda's eyes however, were locked on the form on the couch before him. He disregarded all that was in the room only seeing that person, surprised that when his gaze locked with that tuff of spiky white hair his heart beat increased. 'Shit, stupid heart!' He could only see the back of his head and that was the reaction, what would happen if he looked directly at him?

"You're early, Mugen boss."

Kanda snapped out of what daze he was in and focused on Allen, who didn't turn to face him.

"All my guards have been killed; I guess that's your doing eh?" Allen seemed to shrug. "No worries, there more where those came from," he chuckled, "this saves me the trouble of hunting you down. Though it means I'll have to break the promise I made with my family. Ah well, I might as well kill you now. I don't want my precious to be waiting too long."

Allen got up from the settee and turned to face Kanda with his two hand guns pointing at him. When he saw who he was faced with, a look of shock came over his face and he lowered his weapons.

"…Kanda?"

There was so much they both wanted to say to each other but everything died on their tongues when Hiroki stepped in.

"Greetings, boss of the Noah."

69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69

True to what Lavi said they managed to reach the mansion within fifteen minutes. Lavi opened the car door and stumbled out, followed by a very dizzy Alma who leaned over the grassy area and barfed. It felt like whatever he ate before forced its way out of his systems by the speed of the ride.

"Suck it up kid," Tyki said as he stepped out of the car cool and relaxed, as if the speed he drove at didn't affect him at all.

Alma continued vomiting but he paused to give Tyki a weak glare.

"Tyki," Lavi said once he caught his breath. "Why stop here?" He didn't understand why Tyki stopped a few feet away from the mansion and not drive straight in.

"They might already be there," Tyki replied as he walked around to the trunk of the car and opened it. Various gun and weapons lined its interior. "We need a plan, or we can just barge in. What do you say Lavi?"

"A plan would be good," Lavi replied, seeing Tyki's point. "But first," he caught the gun Tyki threw to him, "we'll have to takeout these guys before anyone finds out we're here."

Tyki gave a smirk and cocked his gun. They were surrounded by enemies from various Yakuza allied with the Mugen.

Alma got up and wiped the saliva from the corner of his lips. He unsheathed his sword and poised to strike. His pupils slashed to slits and he regarded the men around him with a cruel glare. An animalistic aura surrounded him as his ears became a bit pointed and his canines protruded to fangs.

"Don't get in my way!" he snarled and he dashed after the closest person.

69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69

He was pissed, there was no denying that. Words could not explain how fucking pissed he was when he stared at that smirking asshole standing beside his beloved. He wanted to rip him apart with his bear hands and then piece him together again only to repeat the process again and again, but he had to stay calm; this wasn't like anything he had experienced before. One wrong move and Kanda could get killed. 'I won't let that happen!'

"Greetings, boss of the Noah," Hiroki gave a smirk at the look on Allen's face. It was downright hilarious. The proud ruthless Noah Family boss was hesitating to kill, heh so his nephew did mean something to him. "Glad to see you are well. Now I can get to change that."

Allen gritted his teeth he could easily kill the bastard before him and get Kanda out of danger. 'How did they find him?' Shit, things were getting unbelievably fucked up. He pointed his guns to Hiroki and snarled.

"Touch one hair on Kanda's head and I'll blow your fucking brains out," he growled.

Hiroki chuckled. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he replied and instantly two men emerged from the entrance where the hallway was. "Kill me and he's dead."

Allen contemplated it. The two guys were standing a few feet away from Kanda on both his sides. They had their gun pointed at him, which means Allen had to choose to kill two out of the three that were before him. He smirked, with skills and speed like his he could kill them all with one gun.

"Wanna bet?" he cocked both guns and aimed at the two men, his eyes still trained on Hiroki.

Hiroki didn't look threatened. He raised his right hand and that was enough to make Allen's eyes widened. "Want to try that now?"

"You god damn fucking bastard," Allen growled out. He was extremely pissed.

Kanda was still a bit stunned from seeing Allen but he soon recovered. 'What's with him?' That was when he noticed the flash of red lights that spotted his body. 'Is that…?' His body was marked from head to toe with the red tracking light from sniper rifles. He turned to face his uncle. 'This wasn't in the plan!' He wanted to scream but he just glared at him. 'How the hell did so many men get in?'

"Like I said before, if you kill me that boy will die," Hiroki's smirk widened. Finally, finally his plans were bearing fruit. "That is if you care that much about his life. If you don't, feel free to kill me."

Allen bit down on the corner his bottom lip so hard that it bled. He didn't want to involve Kanda anymore but now, shit, he couldn't believe he had his dear's life hanging by a thread like that.

"What is your choice, Noah's boss?" Hiroki could see his victory before him and it tasted very sweet.

There was no other choice to make. Kanda watched in shock as Allen threw his guns away and raised his hands.

"Let him go," Allen demanded in such a dark tone that it sent shivers up their spines.

Hiroki indicated to the two men – that appeared out of no where – to restrain Allen and they did. They tied his hands behind him and forced him to kneel. Allen gritted his teeth at the treatment but said nothing. He promised, after Kanda was safe he would annihilate them. Their deaths would no be quick and painless that was for sure.

"You fell for my little trick," Hiroki boasted and his eyes dance with unrestrained glee as they locked on the proud Noah boss being forced to kneel. He walked up to Kanda who was still frozen on spot. "There is no one here other than you and that is why you will lose. All your strongest are currently occupied protecting areas that aren't in any danger at all."

Allen glared at him. 'The bastard planned this, he fucking planned this! How could I not see it before? I should have been one step ahead of him.' Of course he wouldn't see it; he was too blinded by his rage of having Kanda attacked to think straight. The 'him' of before wouldn't have walked apparently blind folded into an obvious trap like that. He was a failure as the Noah Family boss.

"If you're going to kill me go ahead," Allen snarled. "But let Kanda go."

Hiroki chuckled then raised his hand. Instantly all the red spots disappeared but the two guys still had their guns pointed at Kanda.

"I'm not the one who will kill you," he gave a vicious smirk. "I'll leave that up to our boss."

Allen was confused. Wasn't the middle aged asshole standing before him the boss of the Mugen Yakuza? But when Hiroshi stepped aside and he saw Kanda walk towards him he froze up. 'No…' His eyes quickly moved to the two guys who previously had their guns pointed at Kanda. He was shocked to see them lowering their head to Kanda in respect.

"Meet the boss of the Mugen Yakuza, oh but I guess you two are already acquainted," Hiroki's smirk almost spit his face in half. "Our current boss, Kanda Yuu-sama." He bowed as Kanda passed him and stopped in front of Allen.

Allen was speechless at the turn of events.

"Oi, you have some questions to answer," Kanda said in his usual snide tone. "And I expect the truth."

Allen had his head down but he was muttering something that Kanda could barely hear. Kanda was about to step closer but he paused when Allen suddenly snapped his head up. The wild look in his eyes made Kanda's blood ran cold. Allen's gray depths were wide with a look of pain and betrayal.

"You betrayed me," the words were whispered at first but then his eyes darkened when the gravity of situation finally sunk in. Kanda was the enemy boss and he betrayed him. The one thing that Allen could never forgive was betrayal; he could never deal with it well. That's why he loved his family, they would never betray him…but he thought Kanda wouldn't betray him either…

The accusation in his voice made Kanda wince. 'You betrayed me first!' He wanted to yell but instead he drew Mugen from its sheath and propped the blunt edge under Allen's chin.

"Did the Noah Family have anything to do with the death of Mugen Yakuza's fourteenth boss?" he said instead. "Answer me or die."

Allen still had the same look of betrayal on his face but it was slowly losing to the madness and rage that was bubbling inside him. He couldn't say he heard the question as his mind was still trying to wrap his mind around Kanda's apparent betrayal. The bastard Hiroki said that everything was planned. How long ago was it planned? From the very beginning when they met? So did that mean Kanda was lying to him from the beginning?

"You lied to me," he yelled as he tried to struggle his way out of the guys' hold, but they held tight. "Damn it, Kanda!" Kanda's betrayal hurt more than any wound.

"Answer my question!" Kanda barked out. His hands were trembling and it he felt as if it was getting harder to breathe. He didn't knew if he was angry or anxious but he was so frustrated damn it. 'Tell me that it isn't true…'

Grayish eyes locked with wavering russet ones and in that instant Kanda understood. Allen knew nothing of his father's death, which meant the Noah Family may not have been involved. It seemed that his uncle lied to him and for some reason he wasn't surprised about it. So if it wasn't the Noah Family who did it?

"Boss, you should hurry and end his life," Hiroki voiced. "Conquest is only a mere second away. Also the Yakuza has suffered humiliation by that man's hand, for him to keep our boss as a mere pet it's unforgivable and for that he must die. "

Kanda's hands stopped shaking and he felt at ease with himself. He knew what he would do and that didn't involved listening to his uncle. Though there was apart of him that wanted to kill Allen, there was another part that didn't want to and he would listen to that side for now. He was boss and as such won't take any orders from his subordinates.

"I won't kill him," he said in a tone that had an air of finality in it. Hiroki looked baffled by his decision. "We're leaving now, let's go." He was about to pull his sword back when felt a familiar presence.

"Allen!" Tyki yelled as he burst into the room from the other door that led to that room. He had two guns in his hands and they were pointed forward at Kanda."Brat, drop it."

Lavi bundled in afterwards. "Tyki did you find the bos…" his voice trailed off when he saw Kanda standing before Allen with his sword at his throat. "Yuu…"

"Stay where you are or he's dead!" Kanda yelled. Shit, things were beginning to get complicated. He had no intensions of killing Allen nor did his want to get Lavi hurt. 'Shit, what am I gonna do?'

Hiroki quickly recovered from his shock and he backed a few feet away from where Kanda stood. He took out a gun from the holster hidden under his coat and pointed it at Allen.

"Drop your weapons or your boss is dead," he yelled. "Do not make me repeat myself." He cocked his gun.

Tyki gritted his teeth and had his still pointed at Kanda. His glare darkened and he looked as if he would kill Kanda on the spot.

"Tyki, calm down!" Lavi tried to reason with his lover. They couldn't be reckless right now. 'Damn it, isn't everyone else here yet?' "Yuu! Stop this please, we aren't yer enemies!"

Kanda turned to look at Lavi. "We are," he said in a dull tone. "You're Noah and I'm from the Mugen. Our Mafias has been at each other's throat forever right? If you put away your weapons your lives will be speared."

Lavi flinched at the cold tone Kanda used. 'Did that bastard lie to him about his parents' death?' "Yuu! Please we aren't your enemy, you want to find out who killed your family right?" he had to tell him the truth that Alma told hm. "The Noah Family had nothing to do with it!"

"I figured," Kanda replied and that shocked Hiroki.

'Shit, did he find out?' Hiroki thought. 'Play time is over I guess.'

"If you know then why are you doing this?" Lavi yelled. "Why are you protecting the bastard who killed your parents?"

Kanda almost did double-take. The person who killed his parents was there? But he didn't get a chance to think on it more as here was a sudden explosion. He turned in the direction where it came from, seeing that there was a large hole blown in one of the walls. A figure was among the rubbles but the smoke made it hard for Kanda to see who was there.

"Yuu!"

The smoke cleared and standing there was Alma. His appearance was completely different from what Kanda remembered. 'What happened to him?' His eyes were just like a cat's, his ears were unnaturally pointed, he had fangs and claws and to top it off he had a feral animalistic feeling about him.

"Alma?" Kanda was shocked to see him there looking like that.

"Yuu," Alma cried. Tears of relief fell hard and fast down his cheeks. Oh how he wished on countless occasions to see him again. Now that they were reunited he wouldn't let him go. He was about to run towards Kanda but he backed back because someone shot at him.

"Stay away from the boss!" Hiroki yelled. 'Shit, he's here!'

Alma snarled when he saw his father. He was forced to retreat to where Tyki and Lavi were.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Kanda demanded. "It's Alma!" he didn't care that his appearance was different; he was still the same in his eyes.

"He's a traitor," Hiroki replied. "See how he's friendly with the Noah's? He's a spy so he must die."

"He's your fucking son," Kanda replied in shock.

Hiroki lowered his head. "Sacrifices must be made for the Yakuza," he turned to face Tyki and Lavi. "Lower your weapons!"

Tyki wasn't about to do that but Lavi held on to his right wrist.

"Tyki, for now lets listen to him," he gritted from clenched teeth as he put away his own gun.

There was still hesitance in Tyki's eyes but he gave in. He lowered his gun but as he did that, a barrage of shots fired in their direction.

"Lavi look out!" he yelled as he threw himself at him.

Kanda watched in shock as Alma, Lavi and Tyki were shot. The three fell to the ground in a bloodied heap.

"Why the fuck did you shoot at them?" he yelled turning to face his uncle. His eyebrow rose when he saw that his uncle had his gun pointed at him. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked in a calm tone.

Hiroki smirked. "You're slow on the uptake dear boss," the last word was dripping with sarcasm. "I had planned to kill you after you've dispose of the Noah's boss but I guess I can kill you both."

"It was you," Kanda merely said. He wasn't surprised at Hiroki's betrayal. As he said before, he never trusted his uncle. "You're the one responsible weren't you?"

Hiroki's smirk widened. "My, my, did you just guess that?" he asked in a sarcastic and patronizing tone.

Allen felt as if he was watching replay of his life. Kanda was the boss but it seemed that his uncle wanted to kill him to get the position. It was really fucked up, the way things were. Kanda and his father were just innocent bystanders in Hiroki's thirst for power. It reminded him of his situation where his uncle killed his father for the boss position. This made him realize that Kanda wasn't at fault; he was just an unsuspecting victim just like he was back then.

"I never thought it would be this easy," Hiroki chuckled. "Taking over both families will be a synch."

Kanda kept quiet as he watched his uncle with dispassionate eyes. The only thing that was running through his mind was that his uncle killed everyone that was important to him. He killed his parents, his aunt, his grandfather, Daisya, Marie and now Alma and Lavi.

"Don't worry I'll put you out of your misery," Hiroki pulled the trigger aiming for Kanda's heart. "Sayonara."

Kanda couldn't tell if he was focusing on what was going on. If you asked him a few minutes later what just happened, he wouldn't be able to answer you. All he remembered was that his body was pushed out of the way of the bullet. He turned to see who it was and was surprised when he saw Allen.

It was as if everything was in slow motion. He watched in sheer horror as Allen got shot in his left shoulder and fell back. Blood sprayed from the wound and a bit of it splashed on to his face. When Allen neared the ground everything seemed to speed up. There was sickening crack when the back of Allen's head connected with the hard tile floor, cracking it. Once he hit the ground he became motionless. Blood leaked freely form his head wound, staining the floor a brilliant red.

'No…no, no, no, no, no!' the word repeated itself over and over in Kanda's mind. What he feared most was happening…'This can't be happening…!' He dropped to his knees not knowing what to do. It was the first time he had ever seen Allen with his eyes closed and it looked as if he wouldn't be opening them again.

"This was unexpected," Hiroki grinned. "Oh well, one down and another to go."

At the sound of his uncle's voice Kanda mentally snapped. The only thing he was thinking about was erasing the one who caused him pain and that was his uncle. He felt anger welling up in his body and with Mugen in hand he made a dash for his uncle.

"Bastard!" he screamed out and he raised his sword to strike.

Hiroki unsheathed his own sword and blocked Kanda's attack. He rid himself of his gun and matched Kanda move for move. They viciously traded blows but it seemed that none of the Mugen members were making a move to help either two.

Lavi stirred and got up. He had hit his head a bit when Tyki protected him from the bullets. 'Damn, those assholes don't play fair.' He was fine other than the fact that his head hurt like fuck. "Tyki, Alma are you guys alright?"

Alma groaned and sat up. He got two shots, one in his right hand and the other in his stomach. They were healing though and the pain didn't bother him much.

"I'm fine," he replied. Lavi didn't reply back and he turned to see what was up.

Lavi had a heavily wounded Tyki in his arms. Tyki looked to have gotten shot at least four times from what he could visually make out. Three of them didn't look more than a graze but the one he got in his stomach looked to be serious. Lavi was crying as he tried his best to stop the blood that was rushing free from the stomach wound.

"Tyki," he cried. "Please wake up, Tyki!" 'Why do you always do this? I can protect my self you know!' He took off his jacket and pressed it at the wound on Tyki's stomach. "Tyki!"

"Stop…making that face…love," Tyki rasped out.

Lavi felt his tears flowing more. "Tyki?" he tried to wipe the tears from his face but they kept on falling. Instead he just got blood all over his face. "Don't talk, just rest. I'll take care of everything but don't you dare die on me!"

Tyki chuckled despite the fact that it hurt to do so. "I won't…leave you love…I promise," he gave Lavi a small smile. "Check on the boss…I'll be fine."

Lavi wanted to protest but he got up to go check on Allen because Tyki promised him. Tyki would be fine, he was sure.

"I'll be back right away," he said as he got up. "Hold that on yer wound."

Tyki nodded and kept the pressure on his stomach. "Go on Lavi."

"I'm coming with you," Alma said as he got up too.

Lavi nodded and the two went off. He paused a bit when he saw Kanda fighting Hiroki. "What's going on?" that when he noticed Allen. "Boss!" he yelled running to him.

Allen was deathly pale and his pristine white suit was dyed crimson. He saw all the blood came from the wound on his head.

"Shit, boss!" 'Wisely where are you damn it!' he didn't know what to do. There was no way he could move Allen but he couldn't leave him like that either. 'Damn it, damn it!' It was so fucking frustrating!

Everything was spiraling out of control and it was the first time the Noah Family had ever been in a situation like that. Being completely helpless in the face of enemies and narrowing on the brink of take over.

"Damn it," Lavi punched the floor. 'We're at a major fucking disadvantage…' He looked around and saw that they were surrounded. 'I won't be able to take them…but I have to hold out till everyone gets here.' He took out his gun and got up.

"Wait," Alma placed his hand on Lavi's. "Don't."

"And why fucking not?" Lavi demanded as he tried to yank his hand from Alma's iron grip. "Give me one god damn reason why I shouldn't shoot their asses now for what they did!"

Alma kept his hand on his. He had his head down. "They won't attack…right now they're waiting to see who will be victorious…you can't interfere."

Lavi wanted to yell "what the fuck are you talking about!" but he just sighed and followed Alma's gaze to where Kanda and Hiroki were fighting. 'Wait, could this be?'

"A fight to see who will be boss?" he voiced out loud. 'People still have that tradition?'

"Yes it is," Alma replied. "No one will interfere. When the boss is decided the Mugens will follow his order, until then…" his voice trailed off when he looked down. "Allen nii-san? Is that Allen nii-san?" He was wrapped up with Kanda that he never once looked at Allen.

Lavi looked at Alma in surprise at what he said. "Nii-san?"

Alma shook his head to rid the conflicted feelings he was having. He couldn't believe that the Noah Family's boss Allen Walker was the same Allen nii-san that saved him and Kanda all those years ago. Though the name Allen wasn't a common name in Japan he should have guessed, but he didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to believe that the kind hearted kid that saved them grew to be one of the most feared Mafia bosses in Japan.

"He…he's the one that helped me and Yuu along time ago," he replied. "I guess he might have forgotten us, but I wouldn't, after all he saved Yuu. I'll never forget anyone who helped Yuu."

"Why are you surprised?" Lavi asked. He tried to lessen the blood flow by resting Allen's head on a cushion, but it wasn't doing much. There was so much blood. "Haven't you known of our boss?"

"I heard of him, yes, but I haven't seen a good picture of him," Alma replied. "This is the first time I'm seeing him up close." He froze up when the scent of blood increased. "Lavi…the blood, it's getting to me…" he covered his mouth and turned his head away.

This caught Lavi's attention. He was so busy worrying that he forgot about Alma's appearance. It was not of a normal human being. That would only mean that he was altered somehow, by some sort of an experiment.

"Is it because of the Lotus project?" he asked. 'That mean Yuu, he's definitely the other survivor.'

Alma nodded. "My senses are evolved and sensitive. The more blood that surrounds me is the more I want to kill…"

"Then Yuu…?" Lavi spared a glance at Kanda who was slashing at Hiroki viciously.

"Yeah, Yuu was apart of the same experiment too, but he has no memory of it," Alma replied. "I'm glad for that; he doesn't need to remember the hell we went through." He clenched his fists."Nor does he need to be any more like the monster I am…"

Lavi was about to comment on that when he heard Kanda scream out in rage. "Yuu!"

Kanda had blood all over his clothes but it was hard to tell since he wore dark colours. He gripped his chest where he got a slash and then dashed forward. Hiroki parried his attack and slashed him again, this time giving him a deep gash on his leg.

"Pathetic," Hiroki sneered. "To think I wasted my time on placing you in that experiment." He flashed the blood off his sword and stood tall. "No mater that was a success in its own way."

Kanda growled and launched at Hiroki only to have his attack blocked once more. He hissed when Hiroki pulled back and slashed him on his stomach, but he didn't have time to recover before Hiroki gave him a kick that sent him flying.

"You're really pathetic," Hiroki mocked as he walked over to where Kanda laid, "Your father put up a better fight." Kanda tensed when he heard that. "I thought you'd be stronger, but I was wrong. You're not even a worthy challenge, but no worries I'll put you out of your misery just like I did to all you cared about."

Kanda growled and bared his teeth. Rage was flowing through every fiber of his being. It was so much that he couldn't think straight. Add it with the fact that that bastard was practically confessing to the murder of his parents, it was driving him mad. He wanted to kill him, and the urge was growing with every slash he took.

Hiroki was now before Kanda and he looked down at his with a sneer on his face. "Is this all you've got?" he chuckled and brought his sword down to pierce Kanda in his shoulder and he cried out in pain. "I should have killed you and left the Noah boss, maybe he would have put up a better fight."

At the mention of Allen's title Kanda's eyes went blank. His pupils shrunk to slits and his canines extended. 'He killed him! He killed him! He killed him!' Before Hiroki was even aware of it his left arm was cut clean off.

"Argh!" Hiroki yelled as he backed away from Kanda. "Damn it!"

Alma sat up when he felt a wave of chills take over his body. There was a feeling in the air that was both familiar and frightening at the same time. He looked towards Kanda. 'No, Yuu!'

"Yuu!" he yelled getting up. 'No it can't be! Why is it happening to him too?' "Stop Yuu! Don't give in to it, don't fall please!"

"Alma what's going on?" Lavi asked when he saw Alma in tears. He felt the weird chill from Kanda and it was unsettling. "What is happening to Yuu?"

Alma fell to his knees. "Yuu is, Yuu is…falling," he sniffed. "He's becoming like me…a real monster."

Lavi didn't understood what Alma meant by a 'real monster.' "What…do you mean?"

"The Lotus project was about creating the perfect solider and they did so by mixing our DNA," Alma began, tears flooded his eyes. "Along with quick healing we were given the characteristics of extinct animals…I've already fallen to the animalistic stage but I didn't want Yuu to." He tried to wipe his tears but they kept on falling. "I didn't want Yuu to become like me…I don't want him to kill and enjoy it."

Hiroki held on to his sword as he backed away from the advancing Kanda. His grip tightened and then he dashed forward and slashed, only to slash thin air. Kanda appeared on his right and attacked him, aiming a clean slice on his right hand.

"Urg!" Hiroki grunted in pain but he refused to drop his sword. The pain was making his body numb but he smirked, he could feel the wounds healing, slowly but surely. Kanda and Alma weren't the only one that benefited from the Lotus project. They just paved the way for his own advancement.

"Die!" Kanda screamed as he attacked Hiroshi. He aimed to hack his other hand off but Hiroki dodged his attack. "Fucker."

"I'm not planning on losing this," Hiroki growled. "I've come too far to lose the Mugen to anyone! The Yakuza belongs to me! I won't hand it over!" he launched at Kanda but he dodged.

"I don't give a fuck!" Kanda roared. The primitive air surrounding him seemed to thicken. "I don't give a fuck about anything you say! I fucking want you dead!"

He sliced at Hiroshi and they traded blows. Both suffered a few cuts here and there but Hiroki was determined to fight and kill Kanda. His greed for power wouldn't allow him to lose to Kanda. While Kanda who was fighting for revenge was close to loosing all reasoning. The sane part of him was still fighting to keep the primitive urges at bay, but the scent of blood so thick in the air had him spiraling over the edge. He made another slash on Hiroki's body and that was the final straw.

His body completely gave into the urge to kill and with that it opened up his full potential. He wanted so badly to see his uncle's still form on the ground, with his blood drained dry. His hands twitched to make it happen and he licked his lips. He was becoming more animal like as his nails grew out to claws and his ears become pointed.

"Kill," he snarled in a dark purr. "Kill, kill, kill!" He was no longer the Kanda they knew.

Hiroki parried Kanda's thrust. Kanda smirked and released his sword and then pulled out a small knife from his back pocket. He plunged forward, piercing Hiroki in his chest. A low purr of ecstasy spilled from Kanda's lips when he felt the knife sunk deeper into Hiroki's chest. Hiroki staggered back but Kanda didn't give him a second to recover, immediately he took up his discarded sword and slashed Hiroki's other arm off.

The scream that rushed out of his mouth made Kanda giggle. Even with the Lotus project, if his heart or brain was attacked he would surely die. Kanda felt thrilled, immensely trilled when he caused him pain and he couldn't contain it anymore. He slashed and slashed, ripping Hiroki's body apart with his sword. Even when Hiroki lay dead on the ground he continued to slash. He felt excitement thrum throughout his body and it wasn't satisfied. 'More…´ He wanted to kill again, it wasn't enough. 'More…'

He gave a feral howl as if he truly was a monster. "More! Kill…need to kill!" he had lost sight of what he was. The only thing on his mind was to kill.

"Yuu…" Lavi looked in horror as Kanda hacked his uncle to pieces. "Oh my god, Yuu…"

"Yuu! Stop it!" Alma screamed. He got up to try and restrain Kanda but he paused in his step. The smell of blood was making him lightheaded and he could feel the monster within him rearing to get out. 'Damn it…!'

Kanda looked up and saw Alma. His aura was similar to his and he wanted to fight him. A small smirk crossed his lips as he walked over to where Alma stood.

"Yuu…" Alma closed his eyes when he saw Kanda raise his sword. "Yuu, please…snap out of it…"

Kanda still had the vicious smirk on his face and he brought his sword down.

"Shit! Alma!" Lavi yelled.

Alma had his eyes closed as if accepting his fate. He expected to feel a rush of pain but when a few more seconds passed and he still felt nothing he risked opening his eyes. Tears flooded his eyes when he saw Kanda struggling to keep himself under control.

"Get away…Alma," Kanda forced out. His sanity was warring with his primitive side. He wanted to kill, but he didn't want to hurt Alma. "Go!"

"Yuu…" Alma shook his head and gave a teary smile. "No I won't leave you." He wrapped his arms around Kanda. "I will protect you…"

Kanda froze at the feel of Alma's arms around him. He willed himself to relax but when he looked behind Alma to see Allen the anger threatened to flare again. 'He's dead…he's dead…' The words repeated itself over and over in his mind. He felt tears prick the corner of his eyes and he let them fall, silently down his cheeks.

Alma held him tighter when he felt the warm tears dripping onto his shoulders. He knew the meaning for his tears but it made him angry that it was because Allen. It made him jealous that Kanda would shed tears openly for a guy like him. 'Is that how much you care about him, Yuu…?'

The Mugens that surrounded them all before were now on their knees, bowing in respect to their boss. They all were silent giving their boss a moment to settle into his grief. It was almost silent until Lavi yelled.

"A pulse! His pulse its there!" he yelled.

Kanda opened his eyes to look at Lavi who had Allen's right hand in his grasp. Alma released him and allowed him to walk over to Allen.

"The boss is still alive, but barely," Lavi replied. "We need to get him to the hospital!"

As if on cue side door burst open. Cyril and Wisely dashed in along with a few others.

"Tyki! Allen!" Cyril yelled. He pulled his gun out in rage at his brothers' appearance. "These Mugen bastards." His gold eyes flashed dangerously. He would kill every last one of those bastards.

"Stop Cyril, we don't have time for this," Tyki croaked out. "Get Allen to the hospital now. He's still alive…"

Lavi hurried to Tyki's side once Wisely took over looking after Allen. Cyril didn't hesitate to put away his gun and rushing over to Tyki's side.

Wiely had a grave look on his face when he saw the state Allen was in. 'Shit, he's barely alive.' He took out a syringe and injected Allen's left shoulder with the clear liquid. "I don't know what went on here but I need an explanation after all this is settled," he replied. "Oi you guys there help me move Allen."

Kanda watched as Wisely with the help of three Noah members moved Allen to a stretcher and then out the door. Cyril and Lavi helped Tyki to walk as they hurried to get him medical attention.

"Yuu…"

Kanda closed his eyes then turned to face Alma. "Stay with me," he said to him and then he turned to address the others. "Return to the mansion, when I get back I'll deal with this."

The Mugen subordinates gave a shout of 'hai' and then they disappeared out the open doors, leaving Alma and Kanda alone.

"Yuu," Alma began in a worried tone but Kanda silenced him with a raise of his hand.

"Sorry…" Kanda gave a weak smile and then he collapsed right into Alma's arms.

Alma panicked as he held an unconscious Kanda in his arms. "Yuu!"

69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69 * 69

A/N: just one more to go…ah! I don't want this story to end! But it has to…aw, but not to worry the ending is bound to be epic! Not sure about the smut at this point though…I'm not sure I can fit one in, but I'll try. Oh there will be a bit of a surprise in the final A/N for next chapter so look forward to that, okies~ Thank you once again for those who read Acquiescence especially those who took the time to drop a review~ ah I'm off to start the last chapter. R&R okies! Mwaahh~!xinfinity

Final Chapter: Parallel Hearts

Ja na

Kaos