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.


Memory comes when memory's old
I am never the first to know
Following the stream up North
Where do people like us float

There is room in my lap
For bruises, asses, handclaps
I will never disappear
For forever, I'll be here

Whispering
Morning, keep the streets empty for me

I'm laying down, eating snow
My fur is hot, my tongue is cold
On a bed of spider web
I think of how to change myself

A lot of hope in a one man tent
There's no room for innocence
Take me home before the storm
Velvet moths will keep us warm

Whispering
Morning, keep the streets empty for me

Uncover our heads and reveal our souls
We were hungry before we were born

Keep the Streets Empty - Fever Ray

Arrival at port came and went without issue. Allen told her they were in the coty of Qingdao. It meant nothing to her, she knew nothing of it. She could smell peppers in the air and Allen laughingly told her they were passing many chili merchants. The scent of fish and salty air, water logged wood filled her nose. At least they had safely disembarked the ship and made their way to the mostly hidden structure.

No one was there to greet them, save a Finder, but Allen and Kanda were used to that. Leaving the heavier trunks behind on the pier they began the journey to the branch. They would pass through thickly forested areas that made a cart useless.

“Allen will the luggage be ok?” Aleia asked, her grip on his arm tightening slightly.

He chuckled, “Oh yes, it will get delivered to the Asian branch soon.”

“Ok”.

They walked for days. Stopping several times for rest, water and eating. Always stopping when the sun began to sink. Sometimes they had a roof and sometimes they didn't. Aleia wasn't concerned as long as the weather held.

They had walked for nearly half a day on the fifteenth day, when Kanda called them to a halt. “We should rest” he said simply.

The weather was mild and the walk was not difficult, but Aleia was glad of the rest. She smiled in an upward direction when she felt Allen gently lower her to the grass.

A moment later, a scent that she knew only too well appeared at her side and a cool container was pressed into her hand.

“Drink” he said. The Finder passed several small oranges to each and Allen watched as Kanda silently peeled them for the woman. Allen was glad to be in China again. Though it didn’t hold many good memories for him, he was happy to see old friends once more.

There was just one place he didn’t want to see again.

They spent the night in a small shrine hillside. Even Allen could detect the faintest traces of minerals in the air, and the could see the moist cloud hovering over the treetops. There was a spring nearby.

The Finder, a man named Wa, began preparing a small evening meal for them and tea as well. He was a cheerful, if quiet sort. His presence unobtrusive. He softly hummed some melody under his breath as he prepared the simple fare of rice and vegetables.

Because of Allen’s legendary appetite he made much more than usual.

Their companion was unaware as yet, still exploring the shrine as best she could. Aleia’s hands drifting over smooth wood, her ears hearing the soft chime of brass bells and charms moving softly in the breeze.

Kanda remained near her side, and Allen watched as he patiently described everything to her. Letting her use his eyes to see as best she could. When she sighed and voiced her wish to see them for herself, Kanda winced and Allen felt the action in his own chest.

How hard must that be? He wondered. To have sight and lose it? It must be far worse than being born that way, at least you couldn’t miss what you hadn’t known..right?

He watched Kanda’s eyes darken and the tall man’s palm cover her sightless eyes for a moment. He whispered something to her, but Allen was too far to hear. He could only see her small hands fist in the material of Kanda’s coat sleeves.

“He seems to care about her” the Finder said conversationally, adding a small stick to the cheerful fire and setting apart four bowls of food.

Allen braced his hand on the shrine wall, his silver eyes watching the couple on the grass just outside.

“Yeah” he said softly, “I suppose he does.” And he prayed that this is what Kanda wanted, what he needed. To let himself live.

They ate in relative silence, the soothing tones of bell and chime and wind kissed leaves a pleasant diversion that let them wander in their own thoughts. Wa quickly cleaned up after them and settled in for the evening.

His soft Buddhist chants reaching them.

It was just after nightfall when Kanda strode to where Allen sat, staring into flames, lost in thoughts, missing Lavi and Lenalee.

“Oi, Moyashi”

He grit his teeth at the irritating nickname, “What Bakanda-Kun” the last of his sentence, sickeningly sweet.

“Tch. I am going to patrol the area. Keep an eye on her.”

Allen glanced over to where Aleia sat, her hands drifting in her small satchel, as though she had misplaced something.

He nodded, rising to his feet as Kanda strode so proudly into the growing darkness. He watched the Japanese man melt into the shadows and had to admire the spirit of the other, even if he was a stone asshole.

He stood there for a long time, watching, listening, waiting. What drove Kanda to see out the Akuma as he did? Was he truly the destroyer he claimed to be? Or had he simply embraced some pathetic party line in his youth and now saw no way to be free?

Was it the curse?

He heard a soft sound behind him and turned to glance over his shoulder.

Aleia was rummaging in her sack still.

“Aleia?” he called softly, as he knelt beside her, his eyes watching as her hands moved almost frantically now.

“Where are they?” she whispered, and Allen was taken aback by the edge of tears in her voice.

Allen took her hands gently in his and stilled the motions, “What are you looking for Aleia?” he asked, “I can help.”

Her shoulders sagged, “You will think its foolish” she warned, “But I didn’t want to ask before.”

He blinked in question, even as her small hand slipped from his and back to the sack. This time she gave a small happy sound. She lifted her arm and clutched a small bundle of rectangles to her chest.

Photographs in frames, he saw. And books.

Her thumb caressed the spine of a leather bound volume lovingly.

“Why would I think that’s foolish?” he asked quietly.

She chuckled, “I can’t see them, read them. But I cling to them.”

He draped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a slight squeeze, “They are precious to you. That is not a foolish thing…. I don’t think Kanda would say that either.”

Not to her at any rate, but he didn’t bother to voice the distinction.

She blinked, staring blindly in the direction of his voice.

“You don’t like him, do you?”

Allen sighed, “I do Aleia” he pressed, “I just dislike how he can be sometimes.”

“Cut off from the world?”

He nodded, she couldn’t see it but she seemed to feel the movement. “He wasn’t always.”

White brows rose, “How do you know?”

She laughed mirthlessly, “Well he was a child once, and no one is born that way Allen. They… are made.”

Allen considered that for a long moment, “My life before Mana was……”

“I know”

“Eh?”

“I… read your file… I’m sorry.”

“My file? Why? I would have told you anything.”

“Research…to try and cure the parasitics of such a short lifespan. Forgive me.”

Allen smiled at her down turned head, “You really want to help us don’t you? I heard that you were making progress with your tests and studies.”

She nodded, “I have an idea that we might be saved from short lives if our innocence and genetics are altered just a bit. I was developing a serum, but we would need to try it and see if it worked…. Its dangerous….. It could kill someone if it doesn’t work.”

Allen blanched as she carefully felt along the books to find one and pull it free. Her thumb found a latch and flipped it open. A box, that looked like a book.

“This is it, I have heard that the head of the asian branch is very skilled, perhaps they can help refine it. But it would still need a human test subject. Not something anyone wants to be or do.”

Allen saw the slender vial nestled in a padded compartment. It shimmered slightly.

“Why does it shine like that?” he asked.

She smiled, running fingers gently over the glass walls. “Innocence.”

“Innocence?”

She nodded, “Mm. Mine. And my blood. The base of the serum. There are various proteins and enzymes within that would help the receiver accept it. There is also an accelerant of sorts inside.”

“Why?”

“Once injected, the serum has to flood the body quickly to prevent the receiver from dying of shock. The pain would be….. Very great. In theory anyway. Maybe we can help. If nothing else, I would like that. Would want that…. Always.”

Allen gently removed her fingers from the glass, closed and latched the box. He didn’t like the idea of something so volatile, even if it could save a life. The fact that it was very likely to take one made him hate it.

He put her books and photos back in her sack. “You should try and get some rest” he said.

“Kanda is coming back” she said then and he blinked.

“Of course he is”

She laughed, “No Allen he is coming now.”

“How the…” he broke off as Kanda stepped over the threshold. His gaze swung to where Allen was half crouched over Aleia and frowned.

Allen turned back to Aleia when her fingertip slid up his cheek to tap lightly against his nose, “I can smell him.”

Allen gave a small eep.

“Speaking of smell Moyashi” Kanda’s voice rang out, “Are you going to wash up?”

Allen rose to his feet, surreptitiously trying to smell his coat. “Erm”

“You don’t stink Allen” Aleia told him plainly.

He spun to face Kanda, middle finger popping up in the space between them.

“Learn that from your master too?” Kanda asked, striding to where Aleia sat listening to the banter. They might fool everyone else, but not her. If they disliked each other that much they would ignore one another or kill each other.

She felt a hand drop to her shoulder and reached up, following the long fingers, to a slim wrist.

Kanda caught her hand and slowly helped her to her feet., “If you aren’t going I’ll take her. She will want to bathe.”

Allen’s face grew dark, “I could do that” he reminded him, goading to see what reaction he got.

Kanda’s hand dropped to Mugen, “As if I would let you see.”

Allen fought hard to swallow the chuckle forming in his chest, “Fine. Fine Bakanda. Just don’t take too long I would like to wash up sometime tonight.” He waved the other away.

Kanda just tched, but Aleia called out, “I won’t be long”.

Allen laughed, “No, please, take your time.”

She nodded and Kanda led her away, lifting her down the steps and to the grass below. His steps, slow and measured, not rushing her.

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

“Stay here” he said as they paused. The texture beneath her boots was no longer smooth and grassy, but gritty. Sand. They must be at the water’s edge.

“Is it a lake?” she asked.

“No” came his voice from somewhere ahead of her, “Just a small hot spring.”

“Wait” she said in a disbelieving voice, “Hot, fresh water?”

She heard him grunt his affirmative reply and nearly squealed with happiness. A month on a ship was long time and there had been limited fresh water. While she had bathed as best she could every day, it was usually in only slightly filtered salt water that left her feeling more sticky than clean.

“Is it safe?” she called to him.

Again his grunt reached and her nimble fingers flew to her clothing, tugging buttons and ties loose in a flurry of activity. She tossed her coat to the side, her skirt following after, her boots and stockings adding to the growing pile.

By the time Kanda turned around she was nearly naked. Clad only in her hair ribbons and whisper thin undergarments.

“Stop” he said quietly as her hands moved to the dark blue ribbons in her hair.

She paused, “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Kanda leaned against a tree, “Nothing” he replied, “I just want to see you for a moment.”

She moved to lower her arms and he stopped her again, “Just don’t move.”

She stood with her back half to him, hands in her hair. Her flesh was pearlescent under the large white moon from one side and kissed with gold from the light of the small lantern he had carried with them.

Her skin struck him as cool, pale marble topped with fiery, copper hair. Like lamp lit snow….

Her undergarments clung to her breasts and hips. The little ribbons and bits of lace looking soft and exotic in this less frivolous place. She was….utterly beautiful.

Aleia wondered what he saw as he stood there, her heart hammering in her chest as the silence stretched on. Against her bare skin, she felt the barest kiss of moisture, smelled the minerals. Knew the water was close.

Finding her courage she spoke, “What do you see Yu?” His given name falling from her lips in the privacy of two people.

He caught his breath, not realizing that he had held it. His hands clenched hard, wanting to touch. He’d not touched her often, only a handful of times on the long voyage. Not for lack of wanting.

He had just been too busy helping her continue her research as they traveled.

“I see….” he began and stopped, hating that words did not come easily to him.

She waited silent, patient.

“Beautiful”, he managed to breathe out. Her cheeks and chest flushing that addicting shade of pink at his words.

“Yu?”

“Hn”

“Can you come closer?”

She heard the barest whisper of material as it moved and then she felt the heat of his body behind her. She smelled over oranges and green tea and her own sweet scent.

His hand lifted between them, fingertips tracing the gentle hollow between her shoulder blades. Her flesh was growing cooler in the night breeze. All around them, the scent of green bamboo, forest leaves, small blossoms, mingling with the slight tang of the mineral mist that hung around them.

Her hair was slowly twisting into corkscrews of deep crimson. Dark gray eyes drawn to the contrast of it against her throat. His hands slowly removed his own clothing, setting it aside.

“Are you going to bathe with me?” she asked, her voice breathless.

“I don’t want you in the water alone, there are rocks. Unless you want me to get the Moyashi” he said, his tone almost teasing. Almost.

She shook her head, “No.”

He smirked, “Good choice.”

When he had divested himself of his clothing, he set Mugen on a large, flat rock, within easy reach and then he turned his attentions back to her.

His clever fingers finding the thing ribbon straps and tiny pearl buttons of her garments and pushing them from her body with slow, purposeful movements. The calluses of his hands sliding over her with delicious friction.

She gasped when his teeth grazed over her nape. Fingers pulling her ribbons free and her hair fell to her shoulders.

Kanda gathered her undergarments in his hand and set them on a low rock, before taking her hand, “Move slowly, its clear here.”

She walked forward, her nearly sightless eyes having no use here. Her skin prickled as the heat became more apparent. Then her pink toes touched the stone and she paused.

Kanda stepped down into the water, and then turned back and urged her forward. She stepped forward again and felt his hands on her waist and then she was being lifted and lowered.

The water was very hot, but delightfully so. Her toes touched a sandy bottom and then he was pulling her deeper, until the water reached her shoulders, then covered them.

“I can’t touch anymore” she told him.

His chest pressed to hers as he caught her close to his body, “I know. I have you” he murmured against her ear. “Wrap your arms around me and hold your breath.”

She took a great gasping breath and held on as he submerged them. The hot water making her hair heavy and flowing. She felt his hand glide up her back beneath the water and then they rose.

She was aware of him moving and then her bottom met rock. Kanda made sure she was secure on the rock ledge before he reached back beside Mugen and grabbed up his soap.

She heard the brisk sound of him lathering his hands and then those hands were in her hair. Working soap into the long tresses.

“Yu, soap really isn’t good for your hair.” she chided him gently and then moaned softly as his nails scrabbled lightly over her scalp.

“This is what I have. It works for me.”

She nodded her acceptance, feeling him work the soap to the ends of her hair, then his hands vanished again.

When they returned they were slick with soap once more.

“I can wash myself you know” she reminded him gently, “Not that I mind, but I did tell Allen I wouldn’t be long. It would be faster to wash ourselves.”

“No.”

She sighed softly as soapy hands slide over her shoulders, her breasts and she gasped at the feeling of callused fingertips and slick suds. Hands traveled down her arms, a soft voice bidding her lift them.

Kanda took his time, covering her skin with the thick foam of the soap, his hands massaging the bubbles across her stomach and back and then he stepped before her lifting her legs in turn from the water.

He pulled her gently to the edge of the stone, his hands cupping her bottom, working soap over her backside and down to her small pink toes.

“You have such small feet” he mused, marveling at them in relation to the size of his hands. His hand slid over the sole of her foot.

“Stop making fun of them” she whispered to him.

His fingers slid between her toes, stretching them and she groaned as he hit pressure points and eased tension. “I’m not” he said simply.

When she was soapy enough, he lifted her against him and dunked them. Hands gliding over her to rinse the cleaning bubbles away. When they rose he told her to keep her eyes closed.

He asked her to float and she did. Reveling in the muted, buoyant plane she found there. His hands moved to her hair, stroking, lifting, rinsing away all traces of soap.

It was an odd feeling, floating there as she did. Hot water around her, cool air above her teasing her exposed flesh. Her often jaded lover gently washing away the rigors of their journey. She barely opened her eyes when he propped her near that rock again and plunked himself down before her.

With sow, delicate movement, she returned the favor, washing his long black hair, soaping his muscled form.

“You are beyond beautiful” she whispered against his ear, teeth catching his lobe. Tugging.

“How would you know?” he asked her.

“I remember”

“I might look less impressive all wet”

“Doubt it”. Her mind taking a decidedly perverted direction as she imagine him, wet, naked. All strength and gleaming skin. She bit her lip, yeah, there were a lot of things she wanted to see.

And she would, she reminded herself. Oh she would.

“Yu?”

“Hm?” his tone sounded drowsy.

“I can’t reach your legs.”

He shifted back to lay on the rock, feeling the lingering heat in the stone.

Her hands traced over him, working down his legs and washing his feet. Then he slid into the water, rinsing before returning to sprawl beside her. He was tired, her soft hands soothing his tense body.

Even so, a certain part of him would not rest. Her hands slid over his stomach and he tensed knowing she would soon encounter his hardness. He kept his eyes shut, his arm across them.

Aleia felt the rippled plane of his stomach and then her fingers found the patch of cropped dark hair. Her wrist bumped into something velvet hard. Her fingers trailed downward, teasing over hard flesh.

She felt the tremor run through his body and felt powerful.

She slowly leaned forward, brushing her cheek against him, and then grasping him in a firm grip, she gently stroked. He gasped slightly. She opened her mouth to tap her tongue against his tip, drag her lower lip across the blunt head of him. His breath escaped in a hiss.

“Aleia..”

“Shhh” she soothed. Her tongue teasing over the vein she felt along his length. Her mouth opening to take him within. Her tongue dancing over him. It took a minute but she found her rhythm, mouth moving in slow, languorous movements on his flesh.

Her hand moved to stroke against what she was unable to take into her mouth. Her tongue darted into the slit at the tip of his gleaming sex. She tasted the slightly salted tang of his juices. She lapped them away, feeling his hands slide into her damp hair as she hollowed her cheeks to suckle.

His hips lifted ever so slightly, his iron control wavering in the scorching heat of her mouth. She heard his passionate sounds, wondered what he looked like spread out on the rock.

Her mind’s eye painting her an erotic image that made her body clench with want.

“Ahh…Aleia….”

“Hmmm?”

“A..*gasp*… do it a little harder.”

She complied, feeling his hips jerk against her.

Kanda was lost in the sea of pleasure she had tossed him headlong into. Her mouth, hot, wet, sweetly demanding. He couldn’t bear it. She blew across the tip of him and his jaw clenched, hands tightening fractionally in her hair.

She slowly lifted her arm and didn’t stop him from thrusting gently up to meet her, rather she met him, allowing his momentum to push him deeper.

He felt the telltale tension ride in his lower back, a blissful ache. Her hands skated over his hips, and then cupped the tight weight of his sac as she sucked him harder.

His head fell back and he tensed, “Aleia….I can’t…I’m going to…”

“I know” a whisper on the heated breeze and then she returned to him, pulling him within again. When she gently grazed him with her teeth, her lip and teased his slit with her tongue, he came undone.
Hand burying itself in red locks, back arching, mouth opening on a moaned version of her name as the world exploded like a supernova around him. Even as he climaxed he felt the soft sucking pulls of her mouth, drawing him out, prolonging his pleasure.

Aleia swallowed him down, not caring for the taste but for him it wasn’t so bad. For him, she would. He lay there panting. She was quite pleased with herself and burning hot at the same time.

Kanda lay there for long minutes, sucking in air like a half drowned man. His body humming nicely with endorphins and pleasure heated him, like a slow moving wave of thick warmth.

His breath was slowly returning to him.

He felt the soft blossoming of her lips against his hipbone and found himself smiling softly at the stars. His hand now gently stroking her hair where it pooled on his stomach.

He urged her closer, capturing her lips in a heated tangle of breath and tongues. Tasting himself on her palate, made him groan in agonized pleasure. His hand brought her up to straddle his hips, his mouth eating away at hers.

His hand slid between then, fingertips dancing through silky wetness to tease circles around her pearl. She cried out softly, her body too hot, too needy. Kanda groaned, nipping her breasts as they hung before his face.

“Bakandaaaa!” came a call from the distance, “Kanda?”

Kanda swore softly, “Damn Moyashi”

Aleia mewled her discontent as the interruption but slid away from him, waiting for him to lead her back to shore to where the clothing lay forgotten.

“Give us a minute you gods damned sprout!” Kanda shouted from beside her and she jumped having never heard him shout like that before.

“We better hurry” she told him, reaching her hand out.

He drew her close, shoving her against a rock, pressing his chest to hers, “Not that quickly” he growled into her ear.

“But Allen and Wa…” she whimpered as he bit her ear lightly.

“I know. But I can at least do this.” he told her, his hand sliding between them once more. Teasing her to a frantic level of desire, her hands clasping him as she gasped for air.

When he pushed her higher and she felt the water lap at her thighs, she shivered. Kanda buried his face between her milky thighs, tongue teasing, stabbing, ravaging.

Her hands buried in his hair, her mouth open, she sobbed as he brought her to orgasm, swiftly , violently wringing pleasure from her.

“Yu!”

He growled as she came, wanting more, hating there was no time. Glad that he was at least able to do this for her. He rose, kissing her lips, before he gathered her trembling form in his arms and waded ashore.

She clung to him, her body alight with tremors and quivers from the passion he’d just shared with her. Now that her body was so relaxed, she felt herself growing groggy, drowsy.

She clumsily dressed herself, Kanda helping her sort out the clothing. Her hands didn’t want to cooperate with her mind and she found herself taking far longer than she should.

“Tch”

“I’m sorry”

“Not you” he growled, gently tugging her coat closed and refastening the buttons correctly. Then he gathered her up and carried her back to the shrine. She was half asleep by the time they arrived.

“Is she hurt?” Allen asked, concern in his voice. His eyes taking in the way Kanda held her, the fact that the older man hadn’t bothered to put his hair up, or even comb through it apparently.

Kanda shot him a baleful look, “Just tired. Hurry up and go.” Her jerked his head towards the spring.

Allen nodded and hurried off, as Kanda settled her on her sleeping roll in the corner. “Aleia” he said softly, “Let me comb out your hair or it will be tangled in the morning.”

She nodded sleepily, her hand finding his cheek. “Thank you” she murmured as he began to drag the brush carefully through her hair. He wasn’t certain if it was for caring for her hair or for earlier.

She fell asleep as he tugged the last tangle free and he smirked as he settled her against the bedding.

Allen returned shortly after, his white hair wet and gleaming. Kanda ignored him as he sorted out his own long hair.

“I’m sorry…. If I….” Allen began, his hand moving to drop something near Kanda’s thigh.

The Japanese man stared at the two hair ribbons, before tucking them carefully into his pocket.

“Payback are a bitch Moyashi” he replied, his tone surprisingly even.

Allen groaned and flopped down on his bed.

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

“Do we have much further?” Aleia asked to no one in particular later that week.

“We are nearing the thickest part of the bamboo forest” Wa told her, “Headquarters isn’t much further than that. We’ll be there in two night's time.”

She nodded and kept moving.

“Are you tired Aleia?” Allen asked, “I could carry you.”

She blushed, “No, its fine, I was just getting a little nervous I guess.” Kanda watched as her head turned, eyes scanning what she couldn’t see.

“Anything?” he asked her. She shook her head. There was no change. Just the fuzzy gray world that teased and taunted with the need for more.

They had just reached the forest when Allen stiffened. The tall stalks of bamboo held many memories for him. Of the Noah, the battle and the shattering of his innocence, the loss of his arm.

He shuddered at the memory of the pain and the helplessness that Tyki Mikk had planted within him that day, along with his viperous Tease. This place was the one that held darkest memories for him. He could have sworn he felt the echoing pain in his arm as though his innocence also recalled it.

As long as he lived he would never forget this place.

Kanda led her through the muted greenish light, he had always liked such forests. Vibrant, green alive. And then it struck him. This color, this shade….. This had been the color of her eyes. And he felt the pang in his chest at the loss of that brilliant, sunny, gem green.

“Is something wrong?” she asked softly beside him.

“No” he said simply.

When at last the edge of the forest was visible, Allen breathed a sigh of relief. Until the murky light was obscured by the hovering forms of level 1’s.

Aleia felt the Kanda shift beside her and stop, “Akuma!” he shouted, “Wa! Take her!”

She felt the fumbling grip of the finder on her hand and then the tug as he urged her swiftly from the battle area.

Behind her she heard the rapid volley of fire from the akuma and then Kanda’s voice ring out as he let loose his first illusion to take them all in a single blow. She huddled near a bamboo stalk and waited, her hypersensitive nose seeking the metallic traces of blood in the air.

She let out a relieved sigh when the sounds of battle died and the air remained blood free. But there was something…. In the back her mind, tugging at her awareness. Something that she couldn’t define.

She was struggling to place it, even when Kanda lifted her to her feet and they started walking again. Something was wrong here…something…haunted…

like a memory.