When hearts Collide

I do not own D. Grayman or any of it’s associated characters, nor do I own any songs used within this fic. I do not make any money off of these works of fiction, they are for entertainment only.


~Dark Waltz~
We are the lucky ones
We shine like a thousand suns
When all of the colour runs together

I'll keep you company
In one glorious harmony
Waltzing with destiny forever

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Turning me into the light

Time dances whirling past
I gaze through the looking glass
And feel just beyond my grasp is heaven

Sacred geometry
Where movement is poetry
Visions of you and me forever

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Turning me into the light

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Let the dark waltz begin
Oh let me wheel - let me spin
Let it take me again
Turning me into the light

Dark Waltz - Hayley Westenra

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kanda glared across the desk at Komui. The damn oafish buffoon had broken his hallowed coffee mug and wept like an inconsolable child until Lenalee had returned from Gibraltar to buy him a new one.

Sometimes Kanda had no idea how she even stood the sight of the red eyed, snotty nosed man.

“The details of the mission” he prompted when Komui stared at his new mug in rapt adoration.

“Isn’t it lovely Kanda-kun?”

Kanda thought is was quite repulsive. His eyebrow twitched. “The details before I kill you.”

Komui stiffened, “So cold Kanda” he griped.

His words brought back a memory that Kanda didn’t want to be bothered by right now. He took the packet from Komui. “I don’t want to take her this time”.

Komui set his cup aside, “Eh?”

“Aleia.”

Komui studied the man before him carefully. “Is she not a capable healer?”

“She is. That’s not the point.”

“Ah, she got in your way?”

“No. I just don’t need her.”

Komui suspected that Kanda blamed himself for the injuries the woman had taken in the last mission. “Kanda she has made a full recovery. No one blames you.”

Kanda glared at him coldly, “I know that. She took a very hard blow to the head, the effects can linger.”

Komui lifted his cup to take a sip of black coffee, “That hard head is just fine” he muttered to himself.

“What was that?”

He glanced up to find Kanda looming over him. He smiled widely, “Nothing, nothing. I was just speculating that Aleia can handle head injuries very well. Heh heh.”

“Nevertheless.”

“Nevertheless, she is going. The teams are structured this way. You have no guarantee of time Kanda. Its better to have her there to tend to you, I don’t want you using THAT attack. Ever.”

Kanda grunted. It was clear from Komui’s tone that he had lost this battle. He sat on the velvet soft and opened the case file. His dark eyes moving side to side as he rapidly scanned the contents.

“You believe there in an innocence fragment in Prague. This castle has shown signs of paranormal activity…”

Komui nodded, “Yes for the last several months at midnight the castle sings. It has become quite the phenomena. They even hold nightly masquerades. This town was quite poor but the revenue that this new event has produced has changed that.

You and I know that innocence is not something for tourists to exploit. It is dangerous. The Akuma are increasing in numbers each day.”

Kanda stared at the photo of the old stone building. “So have a Finder get it.”

Komui shook his head, “Not that easy. The people are very closely guarding that castle. The only ones allowed in are those with invitations to the masquerade. And those invitations are not cheap. You will have to infiltrate and steal the innocence during the ball.”

Kanda tched. “I am not a thief.”

“No. But you are more aware of what we are dealing with than those foolish people. Imagine when the Akuma attack en mass…”

Kanda could imagine and so with an icy glare at the Director, he took his leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So then Roland says… I thought you had it!”

The dining hall broke into fits of laughter as Aleia told her humorous story. The finder beside her smiled and chuckled, his eyes misting with mirth.

“Oi! You two.” Kanda’s voice boomed across the space and all fell quiet to stare at him. “Time to go.”

Aleia nodded getting up from her place, Roland was jogging to his room to gather his gear.

Kanda tried not to glower when he saw her hug Lenalee, then Allen and then that damn stupid rabbit.

Said stupid rabbit did NOT just squeeze her like that. That hand was drifting just a little too low for his liking. He growled softly.

One merry green eye met his own over a slim shoulder and winked.

Damn that rabbit anyway.

“Aka… we don’t have all night.” he snapped.

Aleia rolled her eyes at his unoriginal nickname for her.

“Don’t be rude Bakanda” Allen grumbled.

“Can it princess” Kanda bit right back.

Aleia sighed and headed to Kanda’s side, “Now ladies, lets play nice.” she said

Lavi gave them the thumbs up, “Go team Kanda!”

The dark haired man bristled, “Why you…”

Behind him, he felt the slight tug on his belt. Glancing over his shoulder he met Aleia’s gaze.

“You did want to hurry” she reminded him. She gave him a saucy wink and stuck her tongue out at him.

He grunted and strode past her to lead the way. She gave another wink and wave to her friends and hurried after him.

“Did you see that?” Allen asked.

“See what?” Jerry asked in confusion.

Lavi nodded, “A bookman doesn’t miss anything.”

“Interesting.”

Jerry approached the table with the second half of Allen’s meal, his hand on his hip. “Well damn and here I was so sure I had a chance. Who would have thought, he's such a little frosty box!”

Lavi spit his tea across the table, and Lenalee looked amused. Allen to his credit merely chuckled and tucked into his food.

“Allen?” Lenalee asked after a few minutes.

“Hmm? What is it Lenalee?” he asked after swallowing his food.

She tapped her chin with her finger, “Aleia kissed Kanda... and he kissed her back…”

Allen nearly choked, "What?"

She nodded, "Mhmm, and I have seen Kanda going into her room late at night but he doesn't come out. Reever swears he saw him leave right at dawn."

Lavi blinked and grinned knowingly, "Maybe he is going to throw her down and ravish her."

She shook her head and laughed, “That’s probably ridiculous. Maybe it was just because Allen wrecked his wall.”

Beneath the table, Lavi brushed her hand, “About as ridiculous as you and me and Allen here. And his wall was repaired within a day.”

Jerry laughed at that, “That is a funny thought. Boy I'd like to be the meat in the middle of that manwich!”.

Lenalee went pink and Allen smiled at her, “Reality is often stranger than fiction. So who’s place tonight?” His voice had dropped.

Lenalee stared at Lavi.

“Huh? Mine again?”

”It’s very clean and out of the way. Unless you want to explain to Komui ni-san……”

Lavi stiffened at the memory of his near miss at midnight in the corridors with the overprotective brother of his lover. Well, one of them.

“You know... so far things have been pretty innocent. All things considered.” Lavi murmured.

Allen’s ears perked up and a positively devilish smile lit his features.

Lenalee swallowed hard, something told her tonight would be more than simply cuddling and kisses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lenalee left the showers and headed to the more isolated room that housed Lavi.

What was she doing? She had asked herself again and again in the shower. Only going to spend another evening with her two loves. Tonight would be different though and her body shivered in reaction.

She knocked lightly on the door and slowly pushed it open to find Allen and Lavi locked in a heated kiss. The taller red head dominating the kiss. They rarely went beyond kissing and touching with one another, preferring her to each other.

But oh... that was a delicious sight.

She closed the door, leaning on it, her cheeks bright and rosy as she watched Allen's hand tug at Lavi's clothing. His hands moving over the larger man made her stomach flip and her core pulse. The shirt landed on the floor.

A dark thumb brushed over a pebbled nipple. Lavi moaned softly.

She moaned herself, pressing her thighs together, her violet eyes never leaving them.

"Ne.. Allen" Lavi breathed to the other man, "Someone likes the show".

Allen parted from Lavi, the small string of saliva visible for a moment.

"Do you like that Lena?" Allen asked.

Her eyes went wide, "ehh.."

"Makes you feel hot doesn't it?" Lavi asked her.

She flushed brightly. Wanted to deny it, couldn't.

Lenalee was suddenly confronted by two curious gazes. While she had taken her usual luxurious shower, the two men had rushed through theirs, eager to discuss what they should do to to the innocent woman before them.

"Lenalee" Allen said, his voice like dark silk, "Do you know what tonight is?"

Her heart was racing, her breath coming in nervous yet still needful pants. She shook her head.

Allen chuckled, moving closer to her, his arm sliding around her waist, drawing her away from the door, "The last night..."

She blinked, "Last night?"

"Of your virginity" Lavi stated from the bed, where he was perched waiting. His upper body was bared to her eyes, lean and muscled, golden.

"Eh?"

"You love us, we love you, and we want you badly. We want to show you how much." Allen purred into her ear. His teeth catching her lobe. His fingers on his cursed hand stroked down her back, teasing against her spine.

"If you don't want, you just have to say so" he breathed against her ear, his eye on Lavi, "We can still make you feel food."

"We'll go slow, be gentle" the red head promised, "We figure you are nervous because you don't know very much about our bodies and what the act means, so we have decided to educate you, answer any and all questions."

He was thumbing his button open, sliding the material over his hips. Allen watched Lenalee closely as Lavi's pants hit the floor. Her breath was ragged to his ears, her skin was hot in his hold.

Lavi stood naked before her, wearing his eyepatch and a sexy smile. His sex was hard and thick, jutting up to nearly touch his stomach.

It was that part that had her full attention. "Its so big" she whispered, and Allen heard the thread of uncertainty in her voice. It looked bruised. The tip of it a reddish purple as though it hurt him.

"Don't be afraid of it Lena" he whispered to her. His free hand moving to cup her breast through her nightdress.His fingers finding the hardened peak and pinching it lightly between two fingers.

She moaned softly, her hips moving backwards to press against his aching groin. Her head fell back on his shoulder, reveling in his strength, his gently demanding touch. She watched through heavy lidded eyes as Lavi grasped his length, pushing his hand to the base and then brought it slowly up and swirled around the purple tip.

She watched Lavi close his eyes and moan at the touch. "Ahhh Lena..."

She flushed again hearing his needy tone. Allen licked her shoulder lightly, drawing the material away to get at flesh. "That is for you" he whispered to her, "And he'd moan louder and longer if you were the one doing it."

She shifted in his hold, her thighs pressed tightly together.

"None of that" Allen said, his hand sliding down to rest against her stomach. His hand slowly gathering the material of her short nightdress. His eyes on Lavi as he did so. Lavi sat back on the bed, his hand slowly fisting his length.

"You're so beautiful Lena" he whispered to her across the space, "Let us see you."

Allen's fingers toyed with the edge of her panties as the redhead spoke in lush, sensual tones. His voice nearly drugging in it's tone and pitch.

Allen's cursed hand slid beneath the material to find the soft, cropped curls that covered her sex. "Open for me Lena" he breathed against her, his own breath growing ragged. Her legs parted ever so slightly, but it was enough.

Allen's hand forced itself between them, and he gently teased the lips of her sex, feeling the smooth flesh, grow slick. "She's wet" he said to Lavi, "Hot and slick..."

Lenalee felt her cheeks burn at his words and then his thumb found her pearl, pressing and rotating and she jerked in his arms, "Easy. Does that feel good Lenalee?" he asked softly. His thumb stroking her.

Lenalee bit her lip, her whimpers falling from her lips. Her hands slid upwards and behind her to grasp Allen around his neck. "Allen.....I.....ahhh. I can't..... oh..." She moaned. Allen bit down softly on her shoulder as two fingers slid into her heat.

Her knees nearly buckled but Allen tightened his hold on her waist, keeping her upright. "You're so tight Lena" he panted to her, as he slowly pumped his fingers in and out of her, scissoring them, to help stretch her for what they had planned.

Lenalee felt her hips rock mindlessly, the slight texture of Allen's fingers within her making her crazed. The room was too hot, her clothing too heavy. And it was not enough. Her stomach coiled tightly, her body heating to unbearable levels.

Her walls started to clamp on his fingers and he withdrew, leaving her wanting. She whimpered against him, her face burying itself in his neck. Her mouth opening, tongue desperately seeking his flesh. The salt and spice of it.

"It's Lavi's turn." he told her, lifting his slick coated fingers to his lips. She watched as he licked the dexterous appendages clean.

"Mm. Taste her Lavi" he said.

Lenalee watched as Lavi strode towards her, his hand cupped her cheek, angled her face and then fused his mouth to hers in a hot, erotic kiss. His tongue gliding along the roof of her mouth before he broke away.

His fingers traced downward to play in the wetness Allen had caused. "Let me love you Lena" he murmured to her, and she watched as he slowly sank to his knees before her.

"Lavi... what...?"

"Shh" Allen said, "Just feel him."

And she did.

Felt the nipping kisses he sprinkled over her thighs and stomach. The sweet brush of callused fingers over her pearl. She looked down and saw that lone verdant eye lock on hers, his mouth opened and his tongue slid out to flicker against her.

She arched her back and cried out his name as he lapped and suckled at her moist flesh. Two fingers sliding inside of her as he latched onto her pearl and sucked it. Then lashed it with his tongue, then sucked again.

She panted and mewled, feeling Lavi's hands grasp her bottom and drag her closer. One slim thigh was shrugged over his shoulder.

She shook violently in Allen's arms, her hands threading through red hair, first to push away and then to pull him closer. When the sensation grew too strong, she tried to push him away again, but he would have none of it.

Allen felt her frantic breath, her uncontrollable shaking, "Let go" he told her, "Its natural. Let him give you this."

Lavi pulled the tender bead between his lips and she shattered, her cry cut off as Allen sealed his mouth to hers, drinking in her cry. Her orgasm rushing through her, leaving Lavi to lap at the juices that trickled free.

She was still shaking when Allen swung her into his arms and they settled her on the bed after stripping her.

She slowly became aware of two mouths, one at her breast, one at her neck. Hands everywhere, stroking and teasing. Her body driven, she wanted more. But even in her hazy state the question remained.

How to take two?

She finally managed to ask and they both looked up at her, "We'll work up to both at once" Lavi assured her."For now, we'll take turns..."

She blinked but they were already drowning her in pleasure again.

When Allen settled between her thighs, linking their hands, Lavi leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss that robbed her of breath. She felt Allen press inside of her, her wetness easing his movement. They had prepared her well, for she only felt the barest hint of sting when he seated himself fully.

She moaned into Lavi's mouth and the red head found himself anxiously awaiting his time in heaven with her. Allen set a steady, smooth rhythm, filling her, withdrawing, returning.

Her nails scabbled against his shoulders, her mouth opened with a needy cry and when she called out, a mouth was always there, lapping at her own.

A hand shifted between them and she knew it was Lavi's. His fingertips finding her pearl, forming a V over it. His fingers increasing friction for his two partners.

'Ah.. Lavi.. Lena" Allen panted out.

Lenalee turned her head, finding Lavi's neglected hardness before her. Before she could think better of it, her tongue lashed out to collect the pearly fluid from the tip.

Lavi grunted at the feeling, his hand finding it's way into her hair as he slid closer. Now that she could reach him, she opened her mouth, sucking the hard length into her hot cavern.

He groaned at the feeling, Allen groaned at the sight. He pulled back for a moment and rolled her to her stomach and jerked her hips up. Lenalee moaned and shivered when he plunged back inside of her, the new angle taking him deeper.

She rose onto her palms, centering her face over Lavi's groin and dropped her head to pleasure him once more. Lavi's head fell back on the pillows, his hands stroking her hair, tightening in it as she took him closer and closer to his peak.

Allen's arm curled beneath her, to tease her pearl as he slammed into her again and again. He felt her shudder around him, knew she was close. Lavi's body stiffened and he gave a hoarse shout as he erupted.

Lenalee's eyes closed tightly as wetness spattered across her lips and tongue. Even on her cheek. Salty, slightly bitter. Lavi. She swallowed what had gotten in her mouth. Lavi's fingers gently wiped the rest from her cheek and offered it to her.

She moaned as she wrapped her lips around his fingertips and Allen shattered under the erotic image of such a thing. He pressed hard on her pearl and her back arched, her walls clamping hard on his length preventing escape and how he loved that feeling. He leaned heavily against her back, pressing kisses to her neck and shoulders as he waited for his climax to pass.

Lavi had leaned forward, capturing her cry of pleasure in his mouth. Slowly, they untangled from one another, Allen reaching to the bedside table for the bowl of water and fresh cloths.

They quickly cleaned up and fell into an exhausted sleep. The two men wrapped protectivly around her. Lavi's chin atop her head, Allen's cheek pressed to her shoulder.

Lenalee's last thought was how wonderful her first time had been


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prague in summer was a lovely thing. Aleia stood on the bridge staring down at the river Vltava. In the distance stood Prague castle. The destination of this trip. Amazingly enough, this was the easy part.

Komui had given them invitation to the ball, but Aleia was able to get them rooms within the castle itself. When Kanda demanded to know how she had done that, she simply shrugged and stated that an old military acquaintance had seen to it.

While the castle itself was still privately owned it now housed a large art collection and several shops.

The current owner maintained several well appointed rooms of his own in the upper levels of the castle. It was here that the three of them would be staying

As they approached the castle gates, the noticed the two impressive guards on either side of the ornate entrance. Kanda glowered at them, but Aleia stepped forward.

“Hello. My name is Aleia Flannery” she said sweetly, “I have an appointment with the master.” She held out the letter of allowance and the guard read it carefully. Then he handed it back and reached into his small guard shack to pick up a phone.

After a short mumbled conversation he turned back to her, “Straight ahead please miss.”

She thanked him and led the way through the large gate and to the massive home.

“I had no idea you knew these kinds of people” Roland whispered to her. She laughed at his awed expression.

"I know all kinds of people Roland, just like you"

"I don't know anyone who lives in a castle..." he grumbled.

Aleia looped her arm over his shoulder in a playful manner, "You do now!"

He winced, "Not sure I want to. I won't even know what spoon or fork to use."

She smiled at him, “Everyone puts their pants on the same way Roland”

Kanda eyed the stiff looking woman waiting on the steps. She was beautiful, that much was certain. Her skin was pale, her hair nearly as black as his own. Her eyes were a rich golden amber.

“Welcome Miss Flannery. My name is Marianna” she said in a tone that was as warm as an ice flow. “The master is not in at the moment, he asked that I show you to your rooms and see to your comforts until his return.”

Aleia eyed the way the woman studied her, not liking it, “Will Andreas be long?” she asked sweetly, using the owner’s first name. Marianna stiffened only slightly. She glanced at the sky which was steadily growing cloudy.

“An hour, more perhaps. Please come inside.”

She barely spared a glance for Roland, but Kanda felt her eyes rake over him. He turned to meet her stare and read the hungry heat there. Nothing new to him. She lifted a brow and gave a small smirk.

“Kanda?” Aleia called and his dark eyes snapped to her. She was staring at him oddly, then her green eyes flickered to Marianna. She seemed to understand something. She looked away, “Shall we wait for you or are you coming?”

Her tone was light, friendly, casual. Completely forced in Kanda’s estimation. Was she jealous? how he found himself hoping she was.

“No. I’m coming.”

Marianna glared at the back of Aleia’s head as she passed by to take the lead.

Kanda saw it. Tch. Women were troublesome. He took up his position beside Aleia.

They passed through the ornate chambers and varnished wooden hallways to the upper levels were the ancient stone bore proof of her long years.

Aleia had always loved the castle. Any castle really, any old house. But this castle. This one was special. Her chest tightened at all the happy memories that this place held. Nostalgia flooded her.

They passed a large door and she paused to touch the worn knobs of the door gently.

This room.... so long ago. She chuckled.

Marianna looked back at her and sighed impatiently, “Yes, that is the…”

“Library” Aleia cut her off, “I know this place very well.”

Marianna looked slightly taken aback but Aleia went on, “Did Andreas put me in the rose room?” she chuckled at the thought, “He knows how much I hate that room.”

Marianna stiffened, “No. He... specified the lotus room. If you don’t mind me asking miss Flannery…just how is it that you know Andreas?”

Aleia smiled, “We go way back. Army days.”

Marianna reached past her to open the library door, “Then this should be of interest to you.”

The door swung open and there on the wall above the fireplace was a painting. Of a woman. Her long red skeins of hair splashed over rumpled sheets of gold. While the figure was covered, for the most part, the tone of the painting was quite intimate.

Aleia felt her cheeks heat. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Kanda and Roland crowding around her shoulders to see.

“So…erm..he finished that old thing.”

Kanda stared at the woman with her snowy skin, pink cheeks and leaf green eyes. His eyes narrowed.

Aleia felt his gaze bore into the back of her skull and chuckled. “Ah...ha ha... crazy kids. We really were. Ha ha hah.”

She pulled the door shut with a laugh and turned to Marianna who was looking quite smug. Oh she was in for it now.

“Andreas always loved to paint beautiful things” she said sweetly, holding the taller woman’s gaze, “Where is your portrait Marianna?”

The other woman blanched at the subtle barb, “I…” she sniffed haughtily, “I don’t have one…yet.”

Her last was stated almost as a challenge.

“Hmm how long have you been here, Andreas either has to paint something within six months or he never will. But then you probably know all about that. I am just babbling, I’m sorry.”

Marianna was red in the face but she turned and led them onward. Aleia couldn't be certain but she thought she saw a glimmer in the woman's eyes.

“Your rooms” she said quietly once they reached yet another landing, “The lotus room. It adjoins the iris room and the rose room is here. You can settle into whichever you like”.

Kanda watched as Roland opened the door to the rose room and nearly puked at the sheer amounts of pink. Roland pinned him with a hopeful stare.

“Your room.” Kanda said flatly.

The Finder nearly crumpled on the spot. Kanda grunted and pulled open the door to the iris room. Seeing the deep purples and dark blues shot with silver, he sighed with relief. He could deal with this.

He pulled the door closed and Aleia watched Marianna turn to go. She felt bad and on impulse she called out, “Marianna?”

The woman paused, “Do you need something?”

Aleia smiled, “Actually I do. Won’t you come inside?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kanda was exploring his room when he found the adjoining door. He pulled it open slightly when he heard the voices of two women.

“You like him don’t you?” That would be Aleia.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Andreas. You like him. Or maybe Kanda?”

There was silence.

“Kanda is a looker, but let me tell you, emotional range of a teaspoon. Not very open about…well…anything.”

Kanda glowered at the wood in front of him. How dare she, that little…

“Its not him”.

“Ah! So it is Andreas. Good eye my girl. How long have you been here?” The victorious note in her voice was unmistakable and Kanda wanted to throttle her. How dare she besmirch his good name for a bit of gossip?

“One year”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And what have you done about it?”

Marianna sighed, “Nothing. He doesn’t see me. And now that you are here, he never will.”

Aleia laughed, “Not so, dear. And tomorrow night we are going to make sure that all he sees is you.”

“What? What do you mean?”

The scent of green leaves and spice reached her. She looked over to the slight shadow in the adjoining alcove.

Aleia leaned walked over to the adjoining door and yanked it wide, meeting Kanda’s slightly wide gaze. She tilted her head back to see him better. He barely had a chance to see the softer colors of her room, before she was there. So close.

“We are going shopping Marianna. We need dresses and the guys need something to wear too.”

Her small hand landed lightly on his chest, stroking the material that covered his heart.

“I have a uniform” Kanda groused. He made no move to dislodge her hand.

Aleia completely disregarded him, “And you look lovely in it too." She patted him soothingly and he bristled. Aleia was duly unimpressed. "Marianna.. Do you know a place?”

Marianna nodded, “I do. But…why, why would you want to help me?”

Aleia smiled “Because he is a my friend and he deserves someone to care about him the way I think you can.”

She lifted her eyes to Kanda, noting the odd far off look she saw there. She lifted her hand from him, giving him a small, warm smile that he felt all the way to his bones.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kanda detested shopping. He grumbled through fittings and finally he stalked to Aleia, “Just choose something” he leaned closer to her ear, “I have work to do.”

Marianna watched him stalk outside, and turned wide eyes back to Aleia. “Is he always so…so...”

“Bitchy? Yeah mostly. He has his good points though.”

Marianna didn't look like she believed her at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They finished their selections and Marianna called to have the items sent to the castle. “I should go ahead and make preparations for dinner. Will you come with me?”

Aleia shook her head, “I think we’ll look around for a bit. Be back in an hour ok?”

Marianna nodded and got into the carriage that arrived a few minutes later. “See you then.”

She waved as the carriage pulled away. She looked over to the bridge to see Kanda staring at the water. She bent and plucked a flower from the grass and went to join him.

"You two have made a complete turn around" he muttered.

She shrugged.

“You ok?” she asked.

“I hate that useless stuff.”

She sighed and leaned against the railing, resting her back against the stone, arm brushing his. “We do have to look the part though. But you seem...I don‘t know.. A little sad.”

He glowered down at her, “I have the emotional range of a teaspoon.”

She grinned at him, “That’s what you get for eavesdropping. Sometimes you hear things you don't like. Truce?” She held the small yellow flower out to him.

He eyed it critically. Then he pushed her hand back towards her, “Tch. Fine”.

She laughed and tucked the flower into his buttonhole. “There!”

He glared down at it, but made no move to remove it. “Looks ridiculous”

She stepped back, cocked her head to the side and sighed. “You are right.” she removed it, “It clashes with that sour expression.”

He turned to head back towards the castle, pausing to glance back at her, waiting for her to join him. “You didn’t pick something hideous did you?”

She grinned impishly, “Maybe. Better be nice to me Kandaaa.”

She moved ahead of him chuckling to herself all the while.

Kanda reached out and tugged her long hair lightly, “Brat.”

But his tone was warm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andreas returned a few minutes before dinner. He found his guests in the library, A tall, dark haired man stood staring out the window with his arms folded over his chest.

A slightly more robust looking man was sitting on the leather couch, looking at all the books that lined the high shelves. On one of the tall ladders was the one he was looking for.

“Hey!” he shouted, kicking the ladder, it rolled a few feet with a shocked Aleia hugging the wood tightly.

"Aiii!" she squealed.

“Oi. You.” Kanda growled, stepping forward.

“Hey penis!” Aleia chirped brightly, her grasp on the ladder still tight.

Roland and Kanda looked shocked as she bounced off the ladder and landed in the waiting hug of her friend.

“Long time no see! How have you been?” Andreas was asking. His dark hair was cut short in a fashionable style. His gray eyes twinkled as the two exchanged pleasantries and insults.

Kanda shifted slightly, not liking the familiar way they spoke and touched. It was very much that of two people...who knew each other...intimately.

“Who are your friends?” Andreas finally asked, looping an arm around her shoulder.

“Oh. I’m so sorry. This Roland and Kanda.”

Andreas stretched his hand out, “Pleasure to meet you.”

Roland shook his hand warmly. Kanda…well, he merely tilted his head upwards.

“Ahem” Andreas said drawing his hand back, “I was so delighted to hear that you came for the ball. All of you. I can’t wait to steal you away and catch up, you two don’t mind do you? Perhaps after dinner?”

Aleia glanced at the black look on Kanda’s face. “I don’t know..”

“That’s fine” Kanda interjected, “We would like to explore the castle if that is all right with you.”

Andreas blinked, “Oh. Yes of course. I should have known.”

Kanda’s eyebrow lifted, “Known?”

“Yes. Being Aleia’s companions you must love old places too. Please feel free to explore. There are a few areas where the flooring is bit rough but those are clearly marked. Please feel free.”

Kanda nodded his head.

“Thank you.” Roland said.

“Do you like architecture ..em, Kanda?”

Aleia was certain this was going to go badly.

“ I prefer the styles more commonly seen in Edo.” he said.

Andreas positively lit up, “The dynastic castles are extraordinary. You are Japanese?”

“Hn.”

“Wonderful I have so many questions. Please... this way into dinner.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dinner passed easily enough, Kanda was actually vocal and seemed inclined to answer most questions about his homeland.

“Has anything strange happened in the town lately?” He asked at one point.

Andreas laughed, “Other than my singing castle? No. Not that I have heard. But sometimes….”

“Sometimes?” Aleia prompted.

He met her eyes and reached over to pat her hand, “I just feel uneasy at times. Silly I know. Now? How about I open a nice bottle of red and we head back to the library?”

She nodded.

Kanda and Roland stood. Andreas smiled at them, “You are welcome to join us of course.”

“No. Please enjoy your visit.” Roland replied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later, they had searched in all but the locked rooms and there was no sign of innocence. Roland had grown tired and retired to bed after hooking a golem to the phone and reporting their status.

Kanda made his way to the library where he heard laughter.

The door was ajar and once again, Kanda Yu found himself listening in.

“Do you remember that couch?” Andreas was asking.

Aleia chuckled, “Of course I do. Worst night of my young life. Apparently you do as well, for that lewd portrait.”

She gestured up to her own visage. "Hussy" she chimed, raising her glass to her portrait.

“Well, I will have you know I was just as innocent…. And it‘s not lewd. It‘s art!” Andreas laughed lightly, “I did get better.”

Aleia agreed, “You did. Much. She doesn‘t look like me though. She is beautiful.”

“You are beautiful when you let yourself be. You don’t always have to be hard as nails you know. I remember the first time I saw you. Giving Ricky hell. What a sight. Ah, that was so long ago…”

“A lifetime it seems.” her voice was sad now, “So Andre why are you alone now?”

A long sigh that Kanda could sympathize with. He didn’t like knowing that things had been so cozy with these two. This man had been Aleia’s first lover? For some reason that made Kanda’s meal sit uncomfortably.

“Don’t know really. I always imagined that I would be some great playboy. The upkeep of this place nearly drains me. Women want the luxury of the castle, not the work of it.”

Through the crack Kanda saw Aleia set her glass aside, “That bad then?”

A loud slurp of liquid, “Mm. It was until God sent an angel.”

Both Aleia and Kanda perked at his words. “Angel?”

“Yes in the Spanish hall, it sings at midnight. You’ll hear it soon. If not for that I don’t know what I would have done. Look at me Aleia. A poor noble!”

She leaned closer to him, pressed a kiss to his brow, “But noble still.”

He reached for her but she rose to her feet, her actions too deliberate.

“Great. Is she drunk?” Kanda whispered. Just what he needed.

“I wanted to talk to you Andre. About Marianna.”

“Ah. Beautiful girl isn’t she? So kind.”

“Why don’t you pursue her?”

Andreas gave another sigh, “How old are we now?”

“Twenty six” she replied in succinct tones.

Kanda was surprised by that, at twenty three he thought he was older than her. Of course given her experience he should have known that looks were deceiving.

“She is twenty three. Much too young.”

“Age is just a number, if you like her you should at least try. Besides it's only three years.”

Kanda found himself agreeing silently, not that he really cared.

The clock chimed in the hall and Kanda straightened away from the door, ducking into the dark shadow of the stairs as a haunting song filtered through the halls.

“What is that?” Aleia asked.

Andreas grabbed her hand and rushed from the library, “My angel. In the Spanish hall, hurry!”

Aleia ran after him, suddenly wishing that sweet red wine wasn’t so potent.

“Wait up!” she laughed, but her eyes were already on the step and her heart was already lost in the song.

Kanda caught up with them a few moments later as Andreas threw open the door and she saw the Spanish hall filled with golden-green light and radiant strains of music.

She glanced to Kanda who nodded. This then would be innocence. Had to be.

Laughing she twirled to the center of the room, “It’s lovely!”

While it looked like she was dancing alone in a drunken state, Kanda watched her eyes dart over the room. Looking, seeking. It was here in this massive room. Now that he knew, it made his job easier.

By 1230 the music stopped and the room faded to it’s empty beauty. Andreas stood with a rapt expression. “You see Aleia?”

She nodded and then he seemed to come back to himself. “Well, it’s getting late. I should get some rest. Shall I see you to your room?”

“I’ll do it.” Kanda said.

Andreas nodded and smiled, “Good night then. Sleep well.”

“Good night” Aleia called after him.

When he was gone from earshot, Kanda turned to her. “Its here in this room.”

She smiled, “I know Kaaandaaaa.”

He frowned, “Are you drunk?”

She shook her head and laughed, “Nope, just feeling good.”

He grunted in mild irritation, “You are. Come on.” he said, “I hope you puke in the morning.”

“That’s not nice Kanda.”

“Who cares?”

“Why do you have to do that?”

“What?”

“Be a jerk..”

He pointed at himself, “Teaspoon”

She leaned against his arm, “Thought we had a truce?”

“We do. For now.”

“I see” she pulled away and walked down the hall towards her room.

“So you and that guy…”

“What about it?”

“Were you…”

“Lovers? Yes. A long, long time ago.”

“What’s a long time?”

“Never knew you were so talkative Kanda.”

He shrugged but she knew he was waiting for her answer.

“I was nineteen. Happy now?”

They had reached her door and she went inside. He followed after her, “Not really.”

She turned to face him, “Then what? Why do you even care? Have you ever even had sex Kanda?”

He blinked and scowled at her, “I have.”

She looked stunned and sank into a chair, “Really? Cause you can be pretty uptight sometimes. You know I can't really imagine you getting you know, rough and raw with it...”

He smirked, “At least I don’t attack men in my fevered state.”

She went red in the cheeks, “I apologized.” she whispered.

He walked closer, “Don’t want an apology.”

She blinked. Was Kanda flirting with her? No way. She had to be imagining it.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, hating how he towered over her and slowly pushed herself to her feet. “What to you do you want then?”

He stepped closer, “A repeat. A proper one. Rough and raw.”

Her eyes were still wide when he caught her chin and angled her head slightly before he swooped down to cover her lips, sucking in her startled gasp.

Her eyes fell shut, her lips softened under his. The gentle stroking slide of flesh on flesh, the press of moist lips. She gasped when she felt the sensual tickle of his tongue on her lower lip. Then at the corner of her mouth.

Her hands slowly moved to his chest, afraid that he would vanish from sight. One long, strong arm coiled around her. That hand at her jaw pressing delicately at her chin.

She opened for him, feeling his questing tongue slip forward to tease against her teeth, then dip inside to tap her tongue to retreat again. Once, twice, half a dozen times.

Oh yes. Kanda was more than capable of rough and raw. His hand fisted in the curls at her nape, holding her captive. Not that she was going anywhere!

His taste was like green tea. His scent filled her head with dark desires and erotic dreams. He smelled of coriander and spice, somehow sweet and spicy. His hair brushed her arms, like cool silk.

Just when she began to play in earnest. To enjoy the kiss, he pulled away. She went after him.

“Go to bed you drunken woman...”

Her eyes opened to see him smirk down at her. She glared up at him. “Did you just tease me?” she asked.

He was already in his room the adjoining door wide open, “Seems that way.”

"Are you going to come sneaking back in to cuddle me?" she shot after him.

"Hn. Probably."

And he did, shifting close to her. When she woke and reached for him, he came to her easily, silencing any words she might have said with deep kisses. Then he promptly rolled her over and told her to sleep.

This thing... whatever it was between them... it was growing and he wasn't quite sure how to handle it.

She was certainly more than a one-time lover, hell he couldn't even sleep well if she wasn't near him now....

Damn it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day passed uneventfully, other than Kanda appearing at her bedside at the crack of dawn to shake her bed.

“Are you sick Aka?” he boomed from the foot of the bed.

She sat up in bed so fast that he barely dodged the hurled pillow. “No! Too damn early you bastard. Go away!” she snapped, pulling the blankets over her head. He'd chuckled at her show of temper and crossed the room to ruffle her hair lightly before leaving.

By sunset, she and Marianna were closeted away in her room. She had shoved Kanda’s costume at him through the adjoining door with a cheeky grin, “No peeking Kanda hentai.”


“Oi!”, he said, highly affronted, but the door was shut in his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It seemed like an eternity when the halls were lit and the people began to arrive. Kanda and Roland were already in the Spanish hall. Kanda tugged at the high mandarin collar of his costume. In shades of black, dark blue and silver, it at least complimented his coloring.

At least it wasn’t so bad. He still preferred his own uniform. His face was covered by a black and silver half mask.

“Where the hell is that woman?” he groused. His dark eyes sweeping the room once more.

A woman in a painfully bright yellow gown kept sidling up to him and at last Kanda shoved Roland at her, before stalking off to the upper level of the room. If Aleia wasn’t going to help, he’d just look for that damned innocence himself.

At the door, a flash of red caught his eye and he looked down to see a woman with glossy black curls piled high in a fiery fuchsia- red dress enter. He knew at once that this was Marianna. He’d seen a peek of that skirt through the adjoining door.

The dress made her nearly glow, the sparkling cobwebs of the skirt catching the light as she moved. A man separated himself from the crowd below and after a brief talk with an unseen person ,swept the red clad woman away.

Behind her came a smaller woman, more voluptuously built, in a gown of blue shot with thick vertical black stripes. It clung to one shoulder and glittered when she moved. The whole gown sprinkled with silver starbursts of gems. Her silver mask covered half of her petite face. Her red hair spilling around her shoulders and down her back, held back by glittering jeweled clips.

Kanda made his way down the steps and intercepted her before several drooling goons could approach her. His black look sending them moving away from her swiftly.

“Took your time.”

“By the look on your face I think it was worth it.”

“Hn. Stop showboating we have work to do.” His hand at her lower back wasn’t pressuring her at all however. Though he did move with too much purpose. She swung around him on the polished floor and pulled his head down towards hers.

To any observer it might have looked like two lovers whispering sweet things to one another.

“Look like you are here for the party. Not to rob them” she cooed in his ear.

Kanda’s grip on her waist tightened for a moment and she went wide eyed as he dipped her low over his arm, nose grazing the stretched column of her throat, before pulling her back up and twirling her towards the stairs.

He was actually very good.

“Didn’t know you could dance” she said to him as he pulled her close in a turn, his spine perfectly straight, the image of the gentleman dancer.

“Hn”.

Twice they circled the large room, trading banter, eyes searching out possible hiding places for the innocence. Twice, men tried to cut in, to which Kanda told them to go to hell.

“That wasn’t polite.” she admonished him quietly.

“I don't care. I think the Innocence is above stairs.”

She nodded, taking his arm and letting him lead her away. Over her shoulder she saw Andreas and Marianna swaying slowly together and smiled.

Aleia glanced upwards and gasped. Kanda turned to brace her, “What is it?”

He followed her eyes to see a large stone angel in a niche high on the wall.

“His angel…oh gods was it here all the time?”

Kanda looked around, the room was too crowded to get it easily without notice. “We’ll have to come back for it.”

The music died.

She nodded, even as the clock struck midnight.

They watched as the glow began within the angel and then filled the room with light and sound. The crowd below and on the stairs cooed and gasped in wonder. None of them dancing as they witnessed the power of the mysterious room.

Aleia glanced around wondering if there were Akuma present.

Her eyes fell on massive shapes in the dark outside the windows. Her grip tightened on Kanda.

He looked at her then at the window. He shoved her aside, “Move. Akuma!”

There was a burst of reddish light and piercing screams. Explosions and the shattering of glass. The windows exploded inward, glass pelting people, Aleia feeling it bite into her skin. She covered her face and ran to the railing.

"Everyone!" she shouted, "Get out, quickly!"

Below them people panicked racing to flee the room, people shoved down the stairs and Aleia knew better than to move. They would trample her in their haste. Screams and shouts added their sound to the din.

It was loud and terrifying.

She looked up to see Kanda leap into the air, Mugen shining. She’d known he would replace the costume sword, it was one of the reasons she'd chosen that costume.

Already Akuma were floating in through the great blast holes. Drawing closer to the Innocence. A blast hit the stairs hard, and the stone shattered. She flinched away from the gaping wound.

They were trapped upstairs now. She turned, finding herself nearly eye level with the Akuma now.

Mugen flashed before her eyes, the first illusion rushing round the room.

They were frightening and she remembered only too well how it felt to try and fight them off, to run from them. Her eyes searched for Roland only to find him climbing a pillar towards her.

She flung her hand out, thanking whoever could hear for the man’s brute strength. “Roland! Here!”. She held her hand out to him, grasping his wrist tightly and throwing her weight backwards to pull him up and over the railing.

Kanda was slashing and hacking. His movements graceful, his blade a shining blue arc of salvation in the dark.

Red shots hit the wall beside Aleia and Roland and Kanda slashed the attacker across the face. “Fools! Don’t just sit there!”

They were up and moving, Aleia calling to Roland regarding the location of the Innocence. He nodded, it was too dangerous to try and get it now. They would have to wait until Kanda had dispatched the Akuma.

“Roland, contact headquarters!” she shouted. He nodded and rushed to a protected alcove to call in.

Aleia looked up to see Kanda take down the last one and land lightly on his feet. Her eyes searching but finding no serious injury. A few cuts and scrapes. Like her, like Roland. He strode to the statue and leaping high into the air he cut it cleanly in two.

Aleia covered her eyes against the bright light and the flying dust and debris.

Kanda saw the innocence at once. As he approached it flared brightly, pulsed and he stilled.

It was... Resonating.

That was not possible. No exorcist could have two innocence fragments for use.

Then it struck him, he lifted it carefully and it pulsed harder. Looking over his shoulder he saw Aleia a mere foot away.

Her eyes were wide, reflecting the green light of the innocence.

This wasn’t happening. Couldn’t be. But Kanda was hard pressed to deny the heat and pulse of the innocence in his palm. His heart thudded painfully in his chest. He stared at the Innocence, willing it to silence.

He met Aleia’s eyes, his own troubled.

It pulsed again.

“Not. You.”