The King and His Men

Prologue

Early Morning Good-Byes

The soft morning light filtered across the form tangled in the navy blue sheets. His snowy hair reflected the light and it gave him a bright halo as a result. He sighed in his sleep and shifted onto his side before he settled once more. Kanda watched with a blank expression, though the corner of his lips quirked ever so slightly. He stood and finished buttoning up his shirt before sliding his arms into the newest exorcist uniform. He bent and pulled his boots on, kicking the toes to make sure they were fitted right. He walked over to the bed and knelt down until his lips connected with Allen's temple.

The boy murmured something, stirring a bit and rolling onto his back. His silver eyes flickered before slowly opening. His winced as the morning light hit his unaccustomed orbs. He smiled warmly, softly up at his raven-haired lover, raising a hand and stroking his cheek.

"Good morning." Allen said groggily, his words a bit hoarse from screaming the night before.

"Hn." Was all Kanda replied with as he leaned in for another kiss, this time on the lips. Allen was eager to give it, still a bit asleep. He rolled back onto his side when they parted, yawning and settling back down. He shivered as Kanda traced the exposed skin of his hip where the twisted sheets didn't cover.

Kanda kissed his shoulder, his neck, working up to his ear. "I have to leave now."

"Hmm..." Allen murmured. "M'kay... Be safe..."

"Don't I get a proper good-bye?" Kanda asked, nuzzling into his hair.

Allen gave a weak protest, raising his hand to push him away but somehow he ended up pulling him closer.

"You got your good-bye last night..." He whined, burying his face in the pillow.

Kanda chuckled. "But I want another one right now..."

Allen turned and pouted at his lover, who just blinked at him. He sighed before pushing himself up on his elbow and twisting so he could kiss Kanda without actually turning his body.

"Happy?" He asked, a light blush spread across his cheeks.

"Not sure. Try again."

Allen grinned and kissed Kanda once more, this time with more force. When they finally parted, he wasn't the only one sporting a dark blush.

"Better?" Allen asked, quirking his eyebrow.

Kanda grinned. "Much."

With that he stood and fixed his clothes before grabbing Mugen and heading out the door.

"Be safe." Allen called. The slight lift of his finger on the door as he closed it was the only indication that he'd heard.

Allen just smiled and flopped back down. Unfortunately, now he couldn't go back to sleep but that was okay, he could deal with that. It was probably time to wake up anyway. Not to mention that if he waited any longer there would be a line in the cafeteria for food. He slowly untangled himself and stood, not at all caring that he was as naked as the day he was born. It was only him here now that Kanda was gone. He took his time in gathering his clothes, not at all in a rush despite the thought of having to wait for his food. His back ached but it was familiar and a pain he could deal with.

When he finally left Kanda's room, the sun was well into the sky and the cafeteria was abuzz with people getting their breakfast. He walked up to the table where Lavi and Lenalee sat, but before he could say anything, Lavi began yelling.

"You want proof? I'll show you proof!" With that the redhead stood and walked around Allen, slapping his ass as he did so.

Allen yelped and jumped before falling to his knees with tears in his eyes. He whimpered and began rubbing his lower back, trying to alleviate the pain.

"There's you proof." Lavi said, sitting back down with a huff and a grin that stretched across his face.

Lenalee was blushing and trying to wrap her head around it while Allen just glared bloody murder at the redhead.

"What the bloody hell was that for, you jackass?" He snapped, slowly getting to his feet.

"She didn't believe me when I said Yuu-chan got lucky last night." Lavi answered simply, shrugging.

Allen glared harder before walking away with a sigh. He, as he'd expected, had to wait in line. Luckily it was only five people, but his stomach thought those five people were in his way and began protesting. Loudly.

The people in front of him looked and laughed at the sight of him holding his stomach and blushing cutely. Many would probably have jumped him then and there had they not feared the wrath of the Order's resident samurai. And even if he wasn't here, there was still his very protective exorcist partners to get around. So instead they just offered for him to pass to the front.

"Not it's fine! I wouldn't want to keep you from your meals. Besides, I have to tame-"

Insert more very loud growling.

"Thanks..."

And with that, he moved up to the window and ordered his food. When it was prepared, Allen walked back to the table with his friends and gingerly sat down. He grimaced a bit but said nothing about it. Lavi did that for him. The redhead had his head down and was snickering and laughing into his arms, the sound muffled but still audible.

Allen really did feel like throwing something at him but the only thing within reach was his food and he'd hate to waste it. With that in mind, he began to dig in.

"So, tired from last night, Moyashi-chan? Is that why your late?" Lavi asked.

Allen didn't reply, just kept eating. The redhead continued to tease him but he didn't reply, preferring to ignore him completely.

And that was when it happened.

.

.

.

.

Kanda could feel the ground shake, could feel he raw power that saturated the air. There was the stench of blood, new and fresh as well as dried and old. He gagged and lifted his arm to cover his mouth and nose.

"What the-"

His words words cut off by the deafening explosion that sounded behind him. Eyes wide, he whipped around and stared at the castle that was the Black Order. Around him, people screamed and ran, some knocking into him but he paid them no mind.

"Sssshhhhhksssh...anda! Kanda!"

He blinked and looked at the black golem fluttering beside him.

"What the hell is going on?" Kanda yelled into the speaker, looking back at the castle.

"We're under attack! Return immediately!"

He was in a fast sprint the moment he'd heard "attack." He raced through the streets, dodging everyone who got in his way.

'Be alright... Be alright...'

The thought repeated itself over and over and over in his head.

'Please, for the love of God and all that is Holy in this tainted world, /be alright/!'

The fresh/dried blood stench grew the closer he got to the castle. After the length of time he'd run at top speed, his lungs cried for him to take a moment for air but instead of listening he only pushed himself harder.

Kanda burst through the doors and flew straight into... something.

"What the fuck?" He jumped up from where he'd toppled to the floor with whatever the hell it was and drew Mugen. He inspected his hand that had touch... Whatever it was. It was covered in a redish-colored sticky substance. Wrinkling his nose in disgust, he wiped it on his coat and faced his opponent.

He almost lost his breakfast.

In front of him was a man who's skin was melted until it was all but stripped away. He gave a agonized moan and turned his head toward Kanda, his blue eyes glazed over from the pain.

He recognized those eyes.

"K-Kanda...! H-help...u-us..." He choked out before his eyes began to go blank and unseeing.

Panic flared trough him and he did his best to reign it in as he looked away from the man and gazed around. The place was a mess, filled with rubble from the destroyed walls and there were more bodies strewn around in the same condition.

He heard screams and cries of pain echo from down the hall, but one in particular caught his attention. He didn't stop to think as he took off at top speed toward the dining hall. As he rounded the final corner, Lavi was sent flying into him, knocking them both to the floor. When Kanda checked him, he was out cold. Pushing him to the side where he'd be safe and out of the way, he jumped up and continued running down the long stretch of hallway.

"Kanda!" He looked ahead to find Lenalee leaning against the cafeteria doors, her body bruised and cut, Innocence activated.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Kanda yelled, catching her as she stumbled toward him and fell.

"It happened so quickly, no one knew what was happening. We couldn't react in time." She explained in a tired voice.

"Where's the Moyashi?" He asked frantically.

She shook her head and his heart dropped from his chest and stopped beating.

"We got separated in all the chaos. The last I'd seen him was when he was fighting."

"Who?"

Again, she shook her head. "I don't know who they were. They weren't Noah or Akuma. They were human but they're weren't at the same time. I don't... I don't..."

She began to weep and Kanda could blame her. She grabbed his shirt and he looked at her. "Go find Allen. I've seen what these things do. They're vulnerable to the Innocence but if they touch your flesh then they'll melt your skin off."

She showed me her upper arm. It was an angry red and blistered. He held his breath at the sight of it.

"Go find Allen."

He nodded and set her against the wall where she could rest before taking off. The cafeteria was filled with bodies, the stench of blood and burnt flesh making him gag again. Darting passed it, he made his way to the stairs. He stopped when he got there and just listened. Screams and groans were the first thing he heard, but in the distance, he could faintly hear the sounds of more fighting. He took the stairs two at a time going down, letting his instincts guide him. When he almost reached the landing, he jumped over the railing and repeated. He kept going until he reached the bottom where Hevlaska's chamber was. The fight was just behind the doors and he threw them open, eyes widening at the sight before him. Komui was with Hevlaska and the High Generals as they quickly tried to evacuate the precious God Crystal.

Behind them was Krowly and... Allen! They fought the "human but not human" creatures Lenalee had told him about. He could see what she meant. They had humanoid bodies and looks but something about them was just... off. Kanda couldn't tell what it was exactly but he didn't pause to figure it out.

One of them was heading straight for Komui and them and it didn't seem like Allen or Krowly had noticed. He darted between the creature and it's targets, Mugen easily slicing through them. The room seemed to freeze and all eyes turned to him as the creature he'd just killed burst into a cloud of ash.

He frowned at it before nodding at Komui, who returned the gesture with a relieved smile. With that he jumped into the battle with his lover and Krowly. The creatures seemed to realize something or another and they all scattered into the shadows. When they were gone, the three exorcists stood in shocked silence as heavy footsteps began echoing around the room, coming from the direction the creatures had disappeared into.

They tensed and readied for what was next, whatever it may be. Kanda cast a quick glance over his Moyashi. He was bruised and cut like Lenalee, and part of his skin where it had been exposed was red, though not as badly burnt as the Chinese girl. He briefly met the whitette's silver eyes before turning back to the shadows.

His Allen was going to be alright.

Regardless, Kanda was pissed. Whatever these creatures were, they would pay for touching what was his. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. The nerve of these... things for hurting his lover.

One foot became visible from the shadows. It was bare but large. The next foot joined it and soon the person - a very large man - stepped into the light. He was completely nude and had thick muscles that looked hard as steel. He had the same stench of blood as the creatures. He had heavy steps and as his face came into view, Kanda saw that he wore a glass mask. It was distort so he couldn't really see his face. His hair was a dark color but he couldn't tell of it was black or dark brown.

But it didn't matter. He was a threat, an enemy, that had to be eliminated.

It seemed the others were thinking the same as him as all three exorcists attacked at the same time.

Pain exploded though Kanda's body as he hit the wall. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but it had been faster than he could see. He slowly pushed himself up and shook his head, trying to get his bearings. The world spun and darkened. He must've gotten a concussion. He grit his teeth and stood on shaky legs. He looked around and quickly spotted Allen and Krowly. The former was pulling himself up while the latter was being tended to by Komui. It seemed that Hevlaska and the High Generals were gone now. He faced the naked man and his face twisted in a snarl before he managed to school himself into a composed state. If he lost it now then who knew what could happen. This guy was obviously strong - and fast. He'd blown them away with seemingly no visible movement.

His world was still spinning but he didn't miss Allen as he leapt forward and attacked the man with his Innocence. This time though, he did see the man move. It was still blindingly fast, but from this distance, not so much.

"Moyashi!" Kanda yelled in warning, his call alerting the whitette to the attack just in time to raise his arm in guard. He was sent back a few feet but was able to stay on his feet.

With his vision clearer now, Kanda shook off the last bit and tensed to join his lover in battle. But just before he could, a bright, soft blue glow filled the room, closely followed by Allen's screams. Lines for in a ten foot radius around the naked man in a spiderweb of electric energy. He wanted to help his Moyashi but he could get to him. More screams filled the air and he looked around frantically for a solution.

There.

The man was /just/ close enough to the wall to reach.

Kanda darted forward, pushing himself to put power into his steps. If he fucked this up...

No.

It would work.

Allen needed him so it would work.

The wall came closer and closer, and he pressed himself harder. Then his feet left the ground and he ran exactly five feet along the wall before he felt himself beginning to slip. The blue-electric-net-thing was right below him so it was now or never. He kicked off the wall and flipped to give himself momentum and balance, arching Mugen in the air before bringing it down across the man's back. It had the desired effect and the man cried out, the blue net disappearing. Allen collapsed and Kanda looked at the man, breathing hard.

He froze.

He had cut the man's back, for sure, but inside wasn't that of a human. Instead of blood and muscle, the man's body was filled with a writhing, swirling mass of what looked like thick, gooey sludge. The stench was foul, like something rotting with a sickly-sweet, rancid touch. It was enough to make a weaker man lose consciousness. Before his eyes, the gash began to heal, sliding closed like a seamless zipper.

"What-"

Before he could even finish speaking, the man whipped around and backhanded him into the wall.

Then there was only darkness.

Slowly, oh so fucking slowly, the light began returning to his world. His fingers twitched and he slowly dragged his hand beneath him to push himself up. Pain scorched through him with the movement but it was of no concern to him. He looked up, searching for Allen.

He found him with the man's hands around his neck, holding him a foot above the ground. Allen hung limply, not fighting. His eyes were closed and his head just rolled back. The man began laughing and said something but Kanda couldn't hear passed the ringing in his ears.

What looked like a black pool of ink appeared below him and he slowly began sinking into it - with Allen.

"Mo...yashi!" Kanda gasped out, standing and stumbling forward. Already he was up to his knees in the ink. He forced his curse to heal him faster and ran forward.

He arrived just as both disappeared. Without a second thought, Kanda thrust his hand into the ink - more like tar - and reached for his Moyashi. He felt him, felt his shirt. He grabbed it and pulled but the tar was too thick and the pool closed in the next second.

Kanda hissed and clutched his arm, staunching the blood. It didn't matter anymore though.

He was gone.

Moyashi was gone.

His arm had already begun growing back, but it didn't matter, his bean sprout was gone.

He sat in shock, staring at the spot where the pool had been. No. It couldn't be true.

"ALLEN!"