Disclaimer: I don't own D .Gray -man

CHAPTER 1: The Match is Struck

Cross planned to sneak out of headquarters when the opportunity arose. He intended to stow away into the night and hopefully never have to deal with the Black Order again. That was the plan. Sadly, opportunity was taking its sweet time showing up and the Black Order had him under constant surveillance. Fair enough, he supposed- he did disappear for a few years with no contact and only showed up to save their asses when the end was nigh. But did he get thanked for that? No. No thanks for Marian Cross for helping keep the ark out of the Earl's hands. Instead, he was put on the short leash. He knew Central would be suspicious of his actions and even if no one said it, he knew they were thinking he had committed treason. Hence the house arrest. Now, he was stuck sitting on one of the hallway couches killing time. Che, they could imprison him in the building but he refused to be locked up in his room like some damsel in a fairy tale.

Of course, his idiot apprentice was in the same boat. Cross took vindictive satisfaction in knowing he was dragging someone down with him.

Granted, he would have liked to have been able to speak to the kid- that was denied. He wasn't surprised but it was annoying. He took his revenge on this minor inconnvience by forcing his guards to find the most expensive alcohol they could and throwing it back in their faces.

He groaned as he stretched out on the couch. God, this boredom would kill him before the higher ups decided if he was in cahoots with the 14th. A thought ran across his mind and he smirked; maybe he could find a way to give all his invoices and debts to his stupid apprentice? He grinned at the thought. He could already hear Allen screaming at the amount Cross had managed to rack up over the last year. He had even been nice and given, like, 10% of it to those Noah twins.

As he was thinking up various ways to leave his debt to Allen without getting caught, a commotion caught his attention. Finders were surrounding the underground waterway, blocking the entrance.

"Move! Get out of the way, we don't have time to explain. I SAID MOVE!" A young voice shouted in anger and Cross watched in mild interest as the Bookman's apprentice shouldered his way through the crowd, carrying something in his arms. That guy with the two moles and the nervous woman were right behind him. Wait a minute, wasn't the guy with two moles charged with watching Allen?

"But where is Walker-san?" Cross heard one of the finders ask the Bookman's apprentice. Crud, what was that kid's name again? Lave? Larva? Cross snapped his fingers. Lavi, it was Lavi.

Lavi ignored the question as he continued walking. As he got closer to Cross, the general noticed that whatever the teen was carrying was fairly large and covered in a dirty white sheet.

"I'm sure Supervisor Komui will know what to do." Double Mole told Lavi, trying to comfort the youth and failing fantastically. Cross raised an eyebrow at the statement.

"Shut up, Link." Lave snapped back and Cross almost laughed out loud. However it was at that moment that the trio walked by his couch and Cross noticed some tiny details.

Timcampy was fluttering nervously over whatever Lavi was carrying.

Lavi's bundle shifted slightly. As it did, Cross saw a small, deformed hand dangle down from the sheet and a flash of dirty auburn hair.

Cross felt the air leave his body.

No.

No fucking way.

He lit a cigarette as his mind furiously worked over the possibilities. Unlike others, he knew innocence could do weird things at the most unfortunate times. He watched the trio until they were out of site. Was it that woman's fault? Her innocence was connected to time; had something gone wrong on the mission and she had somehow turned Allen back into him?

Deciding the only way to get answers was to follow the problem, Cross stood abruptly. His guards tensed and Cross barely stopped himself from clicking his tongue in annoyance. How should he get rid of these human shackles?

"Gotta take a piss." He told them gruffly as he walked towards the bathroom.

"We'll accompany you, General Cross." One of the nobodies answered brightly.

'Of course you will,' Cross thought with a grin as he lengthened his strides.

'I'm counting on it.'

3 minutes later, Cross stepped out of the bathroom disguised as a guard. He left his guards tied up and unconscious in one of the bathroom stalls. Honestly, he infiltrated the ark looking like a Skull without the enemy suspecting anything. Masquerading as another human was so easy he could do it with his eyes closed.

How did these people think he avoided his debt collectors? Running was good and all and Allen's poker skills were a divine gift from God but when he didn't have the luxury of those options, hiding in plain sight was best.

No one gave him a second glance as he walked towards the science department.

He stopped in front of Komui's office and waited; listening in on the conversation that was taking place on the other side of the door.

"Well, the arm is proof enough. This is Allen Walker." Komui told the others, sounding serious for once in his life.

"But brother, I still don't understand how-?" Cross heard Lenalee's muffled voice ask, bafflement clear even through the door.

"I'm not sure. Miranda, you're sure your innocence didn't do this?" Komui asked her kindly.

"I-I'm not positive." She stuttered out. "I had deactivated it. U-unless it did it on its own. But Time Record wasn't activated. At least I don't think it was? What if it was? What if this is my fault? I'm sorry, Allen!" She ended in a choked sob.

"It wasn't you, Miranda." Lave spoke up. "It was a Level 2 Akuma. We knew something was up when it just stood there letting the level 1s swarm us. We thought it was waiting for us to get worn down. Allen tussled with it and right before he killed it, it unleashed its special ability." He reported monotonously.

"What was the Akuma's special ability?" Komui asked sharply.

"We were unable to identify it." Link took over. "Walker was wrapped in a bright light and when the light faded, this boy was in his place. We know the ability has to do with time but we do not know the specifics. It should be noted that this ability has stayed even after the Akuma was exterminated. It's unusual to say the least."

As they continued talking, Cross released his disguise and quietly made his way in the room. Link noticed him right away but stayed quiet, surprisingly. Cross gave a silent nod in thanks before focusing on table near the group.

The boy was just as he looked when Tim had watched him all those years ago. Even his clothes were the same. His grey eyes were closed and his skin was pale. His hair was tied up, a dirty red just a few shades off of Cross's own vibrant locks. His clothes were rumpled and Cross could see bruises peeking out beneath the boy's shirt. As far as Cross could tell, the Akuma had brought Allen's past self into the future. An interesting ability; Cross wished he had seen it in action. He'd have to check Timcampy to see if the golem had recorded the moment.

"We should clean him up and get him some better clothes. I doubt Allen would want to wake up dirty." Lenalee suggested, obviously trying to break the tense atmosphere. "I'm sure Bookman will lend us some clothes. Mmm, but they might be a little big."

"I could make him some clothes. He'd probably like that better." Johnny offered enthusiastically and Cross almost cringed. That is the last thing the boy on the table would want.

"Not a bad idea. We should prepare a bed too." Reever said, scratching his chin. "Allen would definitely appreciate it." Cross withheld a scoff. Why the fuck would that kid need a bed prepared? He already had his own room. Allen never kept worldly possessions - which Cross thought was depressing. Even he kept a few things to remind him of the good times (panties, love letters with lipstick stains, and some other items best not mentioned).

"No." Cross spoke, making most of the group jump. "Don't move him, don't bathe him and most importantly, don't fucking touch him. He'll be pissed enough when he wakes up." He strode towards the table to get a better look and had to smile when he saw Timcampy nuzzling Allen's hair.

"General Cross!" One of them exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

What a stupid question. Wasn't it obvious?

"That rambunctious kid," Cross started, jerking a thumb at a surprised Lavi, "Stormed down the hallway holding my midget apprentice like he was about die and you didn't think I would follow up? I'm hurt."

"What? But I had him covered!" Lavi exclaimed.

"I saw his arm." Cross explained, his eyes never leaving the sight of the sleeping boy. He had never spoken to this Allen- no, Red- but he remembered the mouth this kid had on him. Cross had actually picked up a few good death threats from Red which he later used on Allen.

It was one of those poetic, full circle things.

Come to think of it, if that Akuma's power only brought past selfs' forward without any other effects- which Cross was hoping would be the case- the Black Order might become a fairly entertaining place. A grin spread across his face on its own accord at the thought.

These poor bastards wouldn't know what hit them.

Cross couldn't wait.

"Your concern is noted. Regardless, you are not to be in contact with Allen Walker." Link stiffly told the Cross and everyone in the room shuddered as the general let loose a dark chuckle.

"Yeah, I remember," Cross said, looking at Link with amused eyes that made the other scowl. "But I don't see how that applies anymore. This brat's innocence isn't activated." He boldly grabbed the red arm and held it up just long enough for everyone to see the green cross was dormant.

"Innocence has nothing to do with your orders to stay away from Allen Walker." Link replied.

"What is it then? Is it the Noah thing? The ark thing? Something about treason even though we saved everyone and their damn dog?" Cross asked, shooting the elephant in the room. "You don't need to worry, I promise."

"Your promises mean nothing." Link snapped back.

"Uh, I hate agreeing with Pimple Face here, but he's right. Your promises don't have a good track record." Lavi said with a nervous grin, sweating slightly as Cross looked at him and smiled.

"Little Bookman, do you think you're smart?" Cross cooed mockingly. "Fake smiles belong on clowns- not wanna be historians. I wonder what the Bookman sees in you because critical thinking isn't your strong point. Actually, I don't think anyone in this group- besides me, of course- could think critically if their lives depended on it." He mused absentmindedly, ignoring the heated glares aimed at him.

"Please explain, General Cross." Komui asked, eyes serious. The man was insane but he knew when to be serious. Cross appreciated that.

"Just look at my idiot apprentice. Obviously, he's been reverted back to, like, 5 or something." Cross knew Allen was around 7 but the kid looked younger. "What makes you think he's going to wake up and remember you people? What makes you think his memory is intact?"

"What makes you think it's not?" Reever asked curiously.

"Last time I checked, my apprentice didn't own what he's wearing right now. I also don't remember him looking like a bruised peach. If he had simply been de-aged, his clothes wouldn't have changed. His innocence would still be awake and his hair and curse would be the same. Whatever this Akuma did, it didn't make Allen younger; it brought his past self forward in time. I guarantee that if you ask him the year, he'll be off by a decade or so."

"I don't see how this applies to your relationship with Allen Walker." Link butted in, still scowling at Cross.

"What relationship? This kid won't know who I am. If he doesn't remember me, being around me shouldn't be a problem." Cross explained with a smug grin.

"The original order still stands." Link said and Cross sighed in exasperation. This guy wasn't going to budge.

"Ok," Cross sighed heavily. "But you'll regret it."

"And why is that?"

"Because you don't know that kid sleeping on the table."

"Um, it's Allen, right? We know him. I'm sure he's a very kind child." Miranda said softly and Cross slapped a hand over his mouth, barely covering his laughter. The group took in his trembling form and shared a look.

"Say General Cross,"Lavi started out, giving Cross a piercing look. "You told us Allen doesn't know you but it sounds to me like you know a lot about him."

"Of course," Cross said, recovering from his fit. "Timcampy's been watching Allen even before he was named Allen."

For some reason that sentence had everyone talking.

"Eh? Why were you watching Allen-"

"Before he was named Allen? What's that supposed to mean-"

"General Cross, you need to explain yourself!"

With everyone focused on Cross and their voices getting steadily louder, no one noticed grey eyes fluttering open. Confused, Red sat up and looked around. He was in some weird room with lots of papers, chairs and tables. Tables with strange looking things on them. Odd, the last thing he remembered was Cosimo beating the stuffing out of him and threatening to sell him-

Oh. Oh, that dirty rotten bastard! He actually sold him! Red clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

Red's not sure why that hurt him so much. Cosimo was awful and so was the circus but it had been the closest Red could get to a home. Still, Red though at least one person would have stopped Cosimo.

'Who are you kidding?' Red thought to himself viciously. 'The only one that liked you was that stupid dog.'

Now wasn't the time for self-pity. This wasn't the first time he had been abandoned- he'd survive, he always did. Focusing on the group still talking, he took in the people he had been sold to and raised an eyebrow. A girl with short black hair, a loud red head with an eye patch, two weirdos with glasses and a man with short, spiked yellow hair were all talking over each other. There was another girl wringing her hands nervously next to a serious looking bloke with two moles on his forehead.

In the midst of them was a tall man with long, wild red locks. He had an arrogant air about him that Red immediately disliked; he was probably the boss of this place.

Cosimo sold him to some strange people. He also came to the conclusion that hanging around wouldn't do him any good. He didn't know these people and he didn't want to know them. He'd just find another circus to work at. Surely he can't be too far from London. Circuses stop in that city all the time.

With that thought in mind, he silently slipped off the table and crouched low to the floor. His shoulders jerked in surprise when he felt something tap his cheek. Stifling a yell, he turned his head and found himself staring at a yellow flying. . .ball thing.

Red cocked his head to the side and suppressed a smile when the ball copied his movements. Heh, it was kinda cute, whatever the heck it was. Holding his index finger to his lips to make the universal 'Shh!' sign, Red hoped the ball wasn't some kind of alarm or guard to watch him. Looking at his hand, he blanched when he saw his glove was missing. Quickly digging in his pocket, he gave a small sigh of relief when he felt the glove; they hadn't taken it from him. Good. He hated it when people gaped at his deformed arm. Putting it on, he sat for a little, thinking of what to do next.

Peeking around the table, he studied the group people. They were still yelling at each other. Eyes roving over the room, Red spotted a door that he assumed led to freedom. He stealthily made his way across the room, hiding behind various objects until he was at the door. Upon closer inspection, he scowled when he realized how high the handle was; he'd have to stretch to reach it. It took a few tries but his hands finally caught the handle. Slowly he opened the door, praying it wouldn't creak. It didn't. Relieved, he had opened it just enough to slip out when a hand slammed it shut, making Red freeze and all conversation cease.

A shadow fell over Red's small frame and he withheld a shudder. Being afraid hadn't saved him in the past from pain and it probably wouldn't save him now. Gathering all his courage, Red boldly looked up.

A grinning, half-masked face stared back.

A/N: What can I say? I like Red, I like Cross and I want them to interact, dammit!