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.


~Kill the Lights~

This story’s missing a wishing well
No mirror to show and tell
No kiss that can break the spell
I’m falling asleep

Every prince is a fantasy
The witch is inside of me
Her poison will wash away
the memory

We kill the lights
And put on a show
Its all a lie
But you’d never know
The star will shine
And panic will fall
And you will forget it all

And after midnight we’re all the same
No glass show to bring up fame
Nobody to take the blame
We’re falling apart

Every stairways a waiting game
A flower for every name
Their colors are paling in the
Falling rain

We kill the lights
And put on a show
Its all a lie
But you’d never know
The star will shine
And panic will fall
And you will forget it all

Now you know
Its so much better to pretend
There’s something waiting for you here
Every letter that you wrote
Has found it’s way to me, my dear
You can make believe
That what you say is what I want to hear
I’ll keep dancing through
this beautiful, delusional career
Faking every tear,
Looking like a compromised suicide
Keeping all my dreams alive

Kill the lights - The birthday Massacre

The great doors opened and Kanda found himself face to face with Bak once more. The blonde man took in the tired appearance of his newest guests and sighed.

Until he saw her.

Half hidden behind Kanda’s imposing form was a woman that easily rivaled Lenalee. Her stature small, her body rounded in all the places a man most wanted to touch.

By asian standards she was no doubt rather robust, but Bak found her enchanting. For atop that sinfully built soft body was a face as lovely as any he’d seen.

Her hair was a dark red, pulled up in two hair ribbons, her lips the shade a new rosebud, were lush and soft looking and her eyes when she at last lifted them were a strange, nearly arctic shade of silver.

But even when he smiled at her, her expression did not change.

This was the blind one then.

“Miss Aleia” he said politely and that delicate chin turned in the direction of his voice, those eyes moving as though she could detect the faintest outline of him.

“Just Aleia please” she replied.

“Aleia. I hope the journey wasn’t too difficult. It’s a pleasure to have you here at the asian branch, Komui has briefed us on what you hope to accomplish here. You did bring the file?”

Aleia was exhausted. She barely heard the greetings offered and fuzzily offered her own. She was aware of a lovely masculine voice speaking to her, asking her for her file and after her journey.

“I am Bak Chang, welcome to the Asian branch.” he concluded. Beside him Wong bowed deeply.

She smiled though it felt wooden. All she wanted to do was lean back against Kanda and slip away to dreams. He seemed to know that, for he angled closer, his arm brushing hers.

“I have a file for you” she said softly, “It outlines both my condition and my current work towards solving the parasitic problem.“ She held out the file, barely stifling a yawn.

Bak merely smiled, taking her file. His knowing eyes following every expression and movement of the Japanese man.

“Thank you, I am certain that everything within can wait until tomorrow. We have your rooms prepared and I will have someone bring you something to eat. Why don’t you all get some rest now? We will alert you when your luggage arrives.”

His aquamarine gaze seeing the weariness in her posture, and the tension that radiated from Kanda. He turned to address Allen next, “I imagine Fou is somewhere nearby. Please don’t forget to greet her.”

Allen chuckled recalling the kick to the face that Bak had suffered due to his lack of manners with Fou. The white haired man chuckled softly.

“Is there anything I can get you before you turn in?” He felt the tell-tale itch of hives beginning. Ah, she was so pretty, and damn that Kanda for acting like an overprotective watchdog.

They each shook their heads, Aleia murmuring a thank you as Kanda turned her towards the long hallway.

“Allen!” came a bright and far too chipper voice. They turned to see a small brunette woman with glasses racing towards them, she didn’t slow at all. Rather she threw herself against Allen , forcing him to catch hold of her or be bowled over in the process.

“Hello again Rou. Have you been well?” he asked with a laugh, setting her on her own feet again.

She nodded, “Its great you have come back! How are things at headquarters? I am still trying to get there for a permanent position.”

He smiled in his casual way, “Are you sure you want to work for Komui?” he asked, “Bak seems much more reliable.”

Rou laughed at that and then seemed to remember that they were not alone, she turned back to Kanda and Aleia.

“Nice to see you again Kanda” she said politely.

“Tch.”

Aleia moved her foot slightly to the left and kicked his boot.

“Hello” he muttered petulantly.

Rou blinked at him, amazed that he had spoken to her. He never had. She noticed the movement of the small woman’s foot and decided she liked her.

“You are the one that needs help right? Aleia?”

Aleia nodded, “Yes, thank you…Rou was it?” she offered her hand to the open air.

Rou gently clasped her and shook it, “Yes. I look forward to working with you. In fact Bak even had Savitar return from India to assist us.”

Kanda looked up, “Savitar?”

The man was rarely seen, only his exploits were heard of. He was a legendary womanizer, much like Marian Cross. And like his western counterpart was considered to be an excellent fighter.

Rou nodded, “Yes, you see Savitar had similar issues when he first came here. Bak thinks he can help you through that. He’s already arrived but you’ll meet him tomorrow”.

She leaned closer to Aleia, “Serious fantasy material there.” she whispered and Aleia laughed, feeling Kanda stiffen beside her. No doubt he had heard the hushed words.

“Its late” Kanda barked.

Rou straightened, “Right! This way.”

Allen and Kanda ushered her towards Rou, who was babbling quite happily over the chance to study this new bit of innocence. She was telling Allen all about her recent promotion in the science department and how she really had big plans.

He listened half heartedly to be polite, while Kanda stared ahead wishing the woman had longer legs and faster steps. He nearly sighed with relief when she halted before a door at the end of the hall.

“This will be Aleia’s room” she announced, pausing to open the door and step back. Kanda stepped inside, eyes scouring for anything untoward and then led Aleia inside.

The room was spacious. Bigger than what they had at home, he mused. With a tall window that looked out over the grounds. The low bed was covered in lush materials and several pillows. To the side, miracle of miracles was a private bathroom.

Maybe he should transfer.

He settled her in a chair near the desk, “Stay here” he said softly. He straightened and turned to Allen and Rou. “Good night.”

Allen smirked as Rou turned an interesting if not unhealthy shade of red, “But….you….your room is… “

“Good night” he repeated in a hard voice.

Allen shook his head, catching Rou by the arm and gently leading her away.

“When Kanda gets in his moods, it’s best to steer clear.”

She blinked, “Are they… do they…”

“Fraid so. Come on.”

The door shut firmly behind them.

Rou, looking flushed and flustered followed after him, her mouth hanging open in shock.

“That wasn’t nice” Aleia said in the stillness that followed, “She was just trying to be helpful”

“She was trying to kill me by boredom…all that chatter.”

She sighed, pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes. They ached a little and itched.

“Does it hurt?” His voice was closer now, softer.

“No” she lied, “I’m just a little tired.”

“Tch”

“What?”

“You’re a terrible liar”

“Yu!”

“Deny it” he challenged and slapped a damp cloth against her eyes. The cool wetness soothing to the ache there.

She sighed instead, “Thank you.”

She heard the sound of footsteps and then the rush of water. “What are you doing?”


“Drawing a bath retard. What does it sound like?” there was no heat or venom in his words.

When he was satisfied that she could relax, he shut off the taps. Crossing the room to where she sat, he reached out, catching her shoulders and drawing her upwards.

She said nothing as he quickly worked her buttons and laces loose, stripping her in a no nonsense fashion that would have made her laugh if she wasn’t worried about hurting his feelings.

Once she was bare, he led her to the tub and helped her inside.

“Here” he said. She heard the clink of bottles and jars, then he took her hand and set it atop the neat row of containers. “Shampoo starts the line from the left.”

“Where are you going?” she asked. She suddenly didn’t want to be alone in a new place.

“Just down to my room to shower” he replied, “I’ll be back before the food gets here. Just wash and relax. You can manage can’t you”

She nodded, her hand finding the first bottle, “Ok”.

He left then and she hurried to wash the dust of the road from her hair and body. Delighting in the soft scents of the soaps. Like cherry blossoms. When she had finished, she leaned back against the edge of the tub, letting the hot water soothe and scent her.

However, after ten minutes of soaking, she wanted out. Out of boredom, she played with the remaining bottles, sniffing them, testing the textures of the contents. She found salts, and flakes and jellies and finally…oil. Sweet, blossom scented oil.

She stood slowly, carefully and rubbed the slick material into her skin, practically purring in pleasure as the moisture soaked into her. She carefully re-corked the bottle and set it against the tub, wincing when it clacked loudly.

Her curious hands followed the wall around and she sighed in relief when she brushed against the soft cotton of a towel. She pulled one free and toweled her hair, then began to pat her skin dry.

It was nice to be clean.

She wrapped it around herself and then, holding the edge of the tub, she stepped outside of it, toes finding a bamboo mat on the floor. Focusing on the gray shapes, she slowly felt her way out of the bathroom.

Touched led her across the wall to the night table, fingertips brushing the lamps lightly and then to the soft expanse of the bed. She smiled to herself and slowly sank to sit on the edge of it.

Kanda found her this way. Sitting, wrapped in a long towel, fingers gently combing the worst of her tangles free. He opened the door, seeing her stiffen slightly and then relax.

“I could have been anyone” he griped quietly.

She smiled, “But you only smell like you.”

He strode to the wardrobe, pulling free a long gown and robe of silk. He moved to help her pull them on, “Dinner was right behind me” he explained.

She nodded, letting him tug the sash into place and lead her to the chair. She said nothing when dinner arrived and Kanda pressed chopsticks into her hands. He knew from traveling with her that she was quite good at using them, even without her eyes.

“You smell of cherry blossoms” he told her.

She smiled around a bite of mushroom, “I thought that’s what it was.”

“In Japan they are called…”

“Sakura” she interrupted with a wink in his direction.

“Yes they are.” he mused, watching her gently grasp the tender vegetables and bits of chicken between the sticks and pop them into her mouth.

“You seemed very tired earlier.” he commented.

She nodded, “I am.” Her hands moved lightly over the small table to brush against her cup of tea. She lifted it to drink delicately.

“When you eat go to bed” he said stiffly.

She arched a brow, “Leaving me to sleep alone?”

He frowned, “I thought you were tired and would want your sleep” he said.

She nodded, “I do. But I don’t sleep well without you. I can always sleep after….”

He blinked, “After?” A small foot made itself known to him as it teased up his calf. And he found himself chuckling at her outrageous antics, “After” he agreed. Then he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her mouth.

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

Aleia woke to delicious warmth and an iron weight at her waist. She stretched against the longer, leaner body of her lover. Feeling him tighten his hold, his nose finding it’s way into the fine hair at the nape of her neck. His breath teasing her.

If not for the discomfort of a full bladder she would have been content to lay there forever. She slowly slipped away from him, trying not to wake him. When her toe touched the floor, his voice stopped her.

“Aka?” his voice a sleepy murmur. Liquid sex.

“Go back to sleep. Just going to the bathroom.”

He shifted, throwing off the sheets, “Don’t know the way.”

She pressed him back, “I can find it.” He clasped the back of her head, holding her hostage for a deep, dueling kiss.

She groaned as he released her.

Kanda lay back waiting to hear the bumps and dings and yelps that were sure to follow.

Oddly enough between her fuzzy half vision and her small hands tracing the wall, she was able to manage. Making little noise.

Kanda sighed as he rose from the bed they had shared. Silks rumpled from the thorough loving they had given each other. As he sat alone, he pondered that perhaps waking to someone was in fact very enjoyable.

At least it was with her.

Shaking his head to rid himself of such frivolous thoughts, he crossed the room to where his clothing was laid out. Fastidious hands tugging garments into place, idly fastening buttons.

She stepped back out in the room, her face freshly washed, a smile in place. “You are dressing”.

“Hn. We will want to eat something before we see Savitar and Bak.”

“We?” She had thought he would leave her to do it alone.

“We.” he stated, “You don’t actually think I would leave you alone with someone like Savitar do you?”

“Is he ugly?” she asked teasingly.

He grunted, “No.”

“Bald?”

He frowned as all the comments he had made about the sailors of the ship came back to him. “No, he’s just a blatant womanizer. Everyone says so.”

Her brow arched, as she reached for her clothing. “Everyone says you’re an asshole” she pointed out.

He made a small sound of agreement, “So you see, they can be trusted on their word.”

She laughed lightly under her breath and finished dressing her fingers carefully lining up her buttons so that Kanda wouldn’t laugh at her again.

Once dressed, they headed for the dining hall, Kanda keeping her close. Once she was seated, he returned with those foods he knew she liked. Toast, fruits, juice. She thanked him quietly and began to eat.

“Where is Allen?” she asked him several minutes later. Kanda didn’t even look around.

“At the window ordering his usual stomach turning amount of food.”

“Why do you dislike him so much?”

He paused, “I don’t know. Because he’s always trying to save everyone when he should think more of himself.”

She smiled around her berry and he was reminded of that first fateful night she sat at his table.

“Know what I think?”

“No clue.”

“You don’t dislike him at all… just pretend to.”

“Hn. Ridiculous.”

“You have to let people love you sometime” she told him.

He grunted and turned back to his breakfast, not wanting to have this discussion. He had his reasons and they wouldn’t change. She was swiftly becoming an exception.

Allen clattered to the table, swaying under the tower of plates he carried. “Morning” he said through the bagel in his teeth as he slid in across from them. “Kinda figured you’d sleep in”.

Aleia blushed, and Kanda turned his nose up, “We did.”

Allen chuckled, “Are you excited about starting today Aleia?”

She nodded and swallowed her food, “I am, but nervous. What if they can’t help me?”

Beneath the table she felt Kanda’s warm palm gently squeeze her thigh, “You’ll be fine” he snapped.

“We shall see” came a richly accented voice. It rolled over them like warm honey and three face turned towards the sound.

“I am Savitar” he said. He was tall, taller than Kanda by several inches and well muscled. He wore loose fitting clothing that Allen knew was from India. His skin was golden and his long black hair fell in a neat braid nearly to his tailbone.

“Hello. I’m Allen Walker” Allen said in his friendly tone. The man nodded politely.

“Kanda. This is Aleia.” Kanda growled in bored tones. He disliked the way the man’s odd golden eyes raked very inch of his Aleia.

His Aleia? Well, yes, she was. He had already told her so.

“So this is the one that I shall devote my time to.” Savitar said, stepping closer, his hand reaching towards her face.

Aleia pulled her head back, feeling something draw close.

Savitar chuckled, “So you can sense it? Like a tightening in the air?”

She nodded, “And I can make out very vague shapes.”

“Darker in the gray.”

She nodded again, “How did you know?”

Savitar chuckled again, “I was once blinded much like yourself. In fact as far as I know you and I are the only ones to suffer this thing. Are you finished eating?”

She nodded, and rose slowly. Savitar reached to her hand and helped her around the table. “We will begin now. First Bak will have the medics test your eyes and then I shall test them myself.”

Kanda rose to follow in time with Allen.

“How long did it take to recover your sight?” she asked the tall man leading her away.

“Nearly a year.”

She flinched and he patted her hand soothingly.

“No worries, I was the first case. I hope we can move faster for you.” His arm dropped to her waist as he pulled her along the halls. She stiffened slightly but he did nothing else.

As they walked Kanda kept his eyes on that arm, fighting the urge to cut it off. He growled instead.

“Do you hear that?” Savitar asked her.

She blinked, “What?”

“In India we have many tigers” he said, “And they often growl. I believe I heard a Japanese tiger a moment ago. Kanda? Do they have tigers where you are from?”

Kanda glowered at the man’s knowing grin, “We are an island. How would they get there if not brought?”

“Ah. I have learned something new today” Savitar said jovially, but no one believed him.

They reached the medical ward and Aleia gave Allen a little squeeze as she entered. Bak was there, to examine her personally. His hands and voice gentle as he spoke to her, touched her. His fingertips running the edge of her lashes as he shone a small light in her eyes.

“They react.” he said, “This is a good thing. Now if you don’t mind, I asked Fou to help us today.”

“Fou?”

“Yes because she is innocence she can see where it is. Even in your body.”

Aleia nodded feeling the small woman sidle closer, “I will be gentle. It may hurt a little though” she said in a brusque voice. Aleia took a deep breath and felt the woman move closer.

It felt like something was forcing it’s way into her veins. She hissed slightly as the stinging pressure made it’s way from her hands to the tips of her toes and into the head.

She whimpered when the pain bloomed behind her eyes. A flash of a pale face marked with purple swam before her making her gasp before grayness returned.

“Thought so” Fou said plainly, “Innocence blockage. You are nearly shut down.”

Aleia wanted to ask what that meant but her stomach roiled and Fou pressed her head towards a cool basin.

“Sorry about that. It will pass in a minute.”

Aleia had never felt more sick in her life, she took deep breaths and swallowed convulsively.

“Bak!” she heard Fou bark, “Why don’t you stop staring and get some water or something?”

The clink of glass reached her ears next and then a strong arm was around her and the rim of a glass was touching her lips. “Slow sips.” he encouraged.

She drank as he ordered, leaning against him. Taking comfort in his nearness and his warmth as she shivered from the fading sensations.

“We have a long way to go” Fou said softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the candlelit halls of his home, the Millennium Earl sat in his favorite rocking chair. His face stretched in a his ever present grin as he rocked back and forth, humming to himself.

He was waiting here. Surrounded his many numbered telephones. Waiting for a very important call. A call he had been expecting since the discovery of the Heart.

When the metallic chime rang out he answered promptly.

“Hello hello?”

“She has arrived.”

“Ah good, you know what to do next.”

“Yes I do Earl.”

“Good good, I will see you soon enough.”

“As you say”

“Bye bye!”

The Earl hung the phone in it’s cradle and chortled to himself. His happy rocking motions continued as he stared across the room to the open doorway. “You can come out now Tyki-pyon” he said.

And there, framed in the light stood the Noah.

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

“Breathe. That’s the way” Savitar coached.

He and Aleia were sitting cross-legged in the gardens, meditating. As usual her mind was elsewhere, not focused on being one with anything. Just a someone. Kanda had gone to the dojo to spar with Allen, saying that with Bak nearby, Savitar would keep his hands to himself.

“You aren’t concentrating.”

She jolted. Déjà vu.

“You are thinking of the swordsman?”

Busted. Nothing to do but fess up now. “Yes, I guess I am.”

“He is a complicated person.”

“No kidding” she muttered.

“You must be saddened that he will be leaving soon”

“Huh?”

“He’s leaving. He did not tell you?”

Aleia felt her cheeks heat, “Must have slipped his mind.” They’d been here for less than a full week and he was going?

“Kanda….I shouldn’t say.”

“What?”

“Well he has had other lovers. You knew this?”

“Yes and so have I. Your point?”

Savitar chuckled softly, “I am certain I am just over thinking things. Surely this time, with you is different.”

Aleia wanted to say it was, but found her voice wouldn’t come.

“You have known him long?”

“Long enough.”

“So you know the story of his curse.”

“I read his file”.

Savitar made a soft noise of sadness, “So he hasn’t told you. I am sure he will.”

Aleia felt her stomach clench. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Of course I merely thought that if we spoke of it your concentration would improve. Now, I want you to try and focus on only one thing.”

She nodded, “One thing.”

“Yes” Savitar said, “Only on my voice. Hear only my voice….”

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

Kanda noticed that evening that Aleia seemed preoccupied but said nothing. Training so intensively with the lech all week had to be draining. She had told him the fuzziness was decreasing and outlines were very clear now.

She didn’t tell him that she had seen Fou’s face, in case it was a fluke. Nor had she confided of her conversation with Savitar. A part of her said the man was merely making conversation. Another part said he was making trouble. But every time she caught that thought, it slipped from her.

She sat near the window, staring out at nothing at all. Her mind a jumbled train wreck.

“Aleia?” Kanda called softly.

She leaned back when she felt him draw near. Her back meeting his chest and he wrapped an arm around her.

“What is it?” he asked.

She shook her head, not even knowing where to begin. She had an infinite number of questions, none of which she felt brave enough to ask.

“Terrible liar” he murmured into her ear.

“When are you leaving?” she asked suddenly. Bluntly.

He stiffened in surprise. “I don’t know” he said, “Komui sent us to help you. I would imagine that should he need either of us on a mission he will call. Why?”

She shrugged, “Curious.” but relief rushed through her. Perhaps Savitar was mistaken. She smiled to herself then, feeling better somehow.

‘Are you worried about me leaving?’ Kanda wondered.

She tipped her head back and he found himself staring at silver eyes.

“Close your eyes” he whispered hoarsely.

The thick fringe of lashes lowered and he peppered her eyelids with barest hints of kisses. She hummed under his touch, his hands finding her shoulders and gently massaging the tension away.

“Aleia” he whispered against her hair, “I want to touch you…”

‘Hear only my voice….’

She jolted as though burned. What was that?

Kanda steadied her, surprised by her reaction to his words. He dragged his knuckles over her cheek, searching her wide eyes for answers they would not give.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern now.

She shook her head and turned, burying her face against his throat, arms clasping his waist.

Even as his hands smoothed over her back , he felt her tremble.

“Did Savitar say something to upset you?” he asked.

She shook her head.

Kanda clasped her upper arms and asked in a hot demanding voice, “Did he do something to you?”

He’d kill him.

She shook her head again, but a part of her wanted to cry out and say he had. But what had he really done?

“I’m just tired” she said, “stressed. Worried about a future that I don’t control.” ‘that I have no promises of. All I have is now.’ she mentally added.

Kanda pulled her closer, his nose going to her hair. Something was wrong, he could sense it. Like a growing storm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Savitar took her from Kanda’s care the next day. The Japanese man eyeing him carefully.

Unfortunately, Kanda found nothing with which he could kill the man, other than the fact that he was far too touchy with his lover. He wanted to voice his complaints about that but knew that Aleia wouldn’t appreciate it.

Besides, that would mean voicing for all the world that she meant more to him than he was perhaps prepared to admit.

Damn it.

“You look tired.” Savitar said as he led her away.

She shook her head, “What are you teaching me today?”

“We are going to talk about your innocence and it’s initial attack on your body” he said plainly, helping her sit on large cushion.

“Attack?”

“Yes, though that makes it sound harsh.” he agreed, “You are new to your innocence, and it is making many changes in your body. So your body was essentially reset. Shut down and now the innocence is making you relearn all that you knew so that it becomes second nature to you.”

“So you are telling me that this a start over phase?” she asked in disbelief.

“You sound doubtful but yes, that is what I am telling you.”

She made a sound that reminded him far too much of Kanda. Reaching out he trailed his fingertip over the inside of her arm, making her jump.

“When this first happened, such things caused you great pain?”

“Uhh, erm, yes” she stammered, fighting the urge to scratch her inner arm.

“Your body had to learn sensation again.” he explained.

His golden eyes roving over her face. She looked less relaxed than he would have liked. It seemed that she only allowed herself total peace when with Allen or Kanda.

Because she trusted them.

He sighed. “You know training is not going to work unless you learn to trust me… even a little.”

Aleia wanted to deny that but clamped her lips shut, “You did something to me..”

He arched a dark brow, “Something?”

She nodded, “Last night… when I was with…. Well… I heard your voice...in my head.”

She felt stupid and paranoid for voicing such a thing. She had always been taught to analyze the situation, gather the evidence to point to one outcome or another.

“I hypnotized you” he said softly and she blinked into the gray.

“What? Why?” she asked.

“It lessens the pain you feel while we work with your innocence. Sometimes it makes a person feel uneasy after, forgive me I should have said.”

“You shouldn’t have done it at all, without my permission.” she growled at him.

Savitar leaned closer to her, his lips a breath away, “You have such fire… no wonder the prince of winter desires you.”

Unseen by both, Allen peered through the window. At Savitar’s actions, he prepared to leap inside the room in Aleia’s defense.

Aleia balled her fist and swung, catching him soundly on the jaw. She heard the satisfying pop that resulted and the growl of surprised pain.

“I am here to be trained by you” she told him stiffly, “Not molested.”

“I never intended..” Savitar began.

“Save it!” she barked, “You will not speak to me about Kanda, Allen, anyone. Just my training. Got it? Next time I’ll break your nose.”

Savitar smirked behind his hand, how he loved the feisty ones. “Very well.” he said good naturedly.

Allen strode away from the window, intent on speaking to Bak and Kanda about what he’d seen.

Savitar waited until the light footfalls faded before he leaned close again, “I am going to touch you…no, not like that. Your head and your eyes.”

She heard him shift behind her and then his voice was in her ears, “This will be painful for you, allow me to ease it.”

She shook her head and heard him sigh, “Ok. Only a moment then.”

His hands pressed lightly on her scalp and rubbed firmly towards her eyes. Sparks of colors and pain flew at her and she squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip hard to prevent her cries from being heard.

“I am using my innocence to manipulate yours, trying to make it flow in you as it should. It wants to center around your eyes.” he said unsure if she heard.

Aleia saw a flash of the room around them, and it pained her so greatly that she did cry out this time. Savitar backed away.

“Are you alright Aleia?” he asked.

She panted for breath, “Don’t …stop! I could…. see the… room. It was…. only for a moment… but…”

He nodded, “Very well.” He pressed his hands to her again and she screamed.

Kanda kicked the door off it’s hinges as her scream rang out. His eyes taking in the scene quickly. Aleia huddled on the floor, her hands gripping Savitar who was kneeling over her.

“You die now” he spat, “Mugen, unsheathe.”

“Yu! No!” Aleia cried out from the floor.

He paused, blade leveled at Savitar’s face. “Explain”.

“Innocence, manipulating her innocence. The blockage is near her eyes, unless it moves, she can’t see, can’t fight.”

He pressed Mugen against the other man, “Sounds like crap”

Aleia touched his leg, “I saw…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours later, she lay in their bed. A damp cloth over her aching eyes, but her heart was filled with hope. She had seen the pale walls, the tall window. She had seen Savitar.

Kanda sat as still as stone. Saying nothing.

“Yu?” she said in a whisper soft voice.

He said nothing but brushed her fingers with his.

“What’s the matter? I half expected you to tell me off”.

His heart lurched in his chest as he recalled the meeting with Savitar and Bak.

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

“You are an interference” Savitar told him, “She cannot concentrate on anything but you. That is why this is so painful for her.”

When he’d been ready to choke the life from the larger man, Bak had spoken up, “I have missions for you and Allen. From Komui. You are to depart in the morning.”

Kanda had blinked, taking the files from Bak with numb fingers. Savitar left with a triumphant smile.


“I will watch out for her” Bak promised, “Please… don’t make this harder on her Kanda.”

He had reached inside of his coat pocket and pulled forth a small silk packet. This he handed to Fou. “When I am gone, give this to her. I am not good at these things”.

Fou nodded, “I’m sorry Kanda. This was not what we had planned. We only want to help her.”

“So do I”.

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He sighed, “It seems I am interfering with your training” he said stiffly, “And Komui has called Allen and I back. I leave in the morning.”

She felt like someone had just dumped the whole of the arctic sea on her. “What?”

“I’m leaving you here” he said firmly, “You will join us at the Order when you are ready.”

“Yu..”

His lips pressed hers, “I can’t stay here. I‘ll see you soon.” His voice was cool.

Then he rose and strode from the room, leaving her feeling broken and alone. Like the sun and the moon had vanished from her world and there would never be any light ever again.

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