A/N: *laugh* This one is productive and not transition, but I still think I liked last chapter better. Also- hi, guys! It's been longer than anticipated. *rueful smile*

Thank you to blackheads, leafpool5, Ennael, Codename-SN, karina001, Lena-luvs-cats, Morlana, SakuraKoi, in-silent-seas, PrincessFairytale5, Shadow Spears, DesertedDessert, pikaree1, Kayo-san, DoctorMerlinReid, Tsukiko K, and guest for reviewing!

Title: Crimson Walkways

Author: liketolaugh

Rating: T

Pairings: None

Genre: Drama/Hurt/Comfort

Warnings: The Order's general pre-Komui bastardliness and all that entails, mostly abuse of children, and also disordered eating

Summary: Red was seven years old when he was dragged to the Order.

Disclaimer: Like hell I own D. Gray-man.

Two weeks and a shouting match after Red was admitted to the infirmary, one of the CROW came to visit.

Red sat up, back against the headboard and mistrustful eyes on the man. They hadn't made a move to grab him yet, which was a damned surprise, since he and Lenalee (currently making herself scarce) were due to be released right about then.

The CROW glowered at him – he couldn't see his face, but his arms were crossed and his shoulders tense. Red glowered back, shifting defensively, until the man finally spoke, tone cutting.

"As you are well aware, you have failed to make any progress thus far."

Red let his mouth twist into a scowl and pressed himself closer to the wall.

"You have proven to be… less than adequate as an exorcist," the CROW continued, with too much venom to sound indifferent. "Profane, rude, disobedient – and weak. We'll get no use from you now, clearly."

"Eat horse shit," Red snapped, and then, "What the fuck are you getting at?"

The CROW shifted, somehow radiating disdain with every movement. "It's been made very clear to us that this method of activation is unsustainable, and unfortunately, we cannot spare you. Your training schedule will be reduced to a more… suitable level, until such a time that we come up with something more effective."

Red didn't like the sound of that last, but- He squinted suspiciously. "What's the catch?"

An audible scoff. "Catch," the CROW said flatly.

"What's the fucking catch?" Red pushed, irritated and unsettled. "You bastards never go easy, you think I'm gonna believe you're changing that now?"

"You're nothing special, accommodator," the CROW replied coolly. "Worse- unable to activate, unable to train, nameless. You're just barely more than worthless."

Red held back a hiss and intensified his glare to make up for it. He hated that people insisted on doing this to him – insisted on reminding him that he was useless, worthless, less than nothing. He knew, okay? He fucking knew.

He rolled off the bed and stood up, facing the CROW down as if they were back in the training room.

"What does that make you, then?" Red challenged, glaring up at the man who may as well be both nameless and faceless, for all that he claimed to be human. "I'm stupid, I'm pathetic, I'm a freak. But you still fucking need me, because I have an Innocence and you don't."

"A matter of chance," the CROW said tightly, and Red's eyes glinted – this, clearly, was a sensitive point.

Good.

"Prove it," Red snapped, mouth twisting into a vicious, wild grin. "What do you know about, whatever, God's ways? Maybe he knows something you fucking don't! Maybe you're just as useless to him as I am to you, you stupid clam-spined bastard!"

"Do not speak of things that you do not understand!" he snarled, and took a step forward. Red's eyes glinted, heart racing even as he kept baiting the man in front of him.

"I bet you are!" he shouted back, refusing to budge an inch. "And I bet you know it!

The next thing Red knew, he was on the ground, and his cheek was throbbing. He tasted blood.

"Thrice-damned heathen child," the CROW snarled, from out of Red's line of sight.

The door didn't slam behind him, but the sound rang so cleanly that it may as well have.

Red remained on the ground for a few moments later, heart just starting to slow and smirking to himself despite the throb, pressing his palms against the floor.

Damn straight.

With nothing better to do, and not eager to stick around any longer, Lenalee and Red said goodbye to Head Nurse and went straight back to the kitchen, currently bustling with workers, even as Jerry turned as soon as he saw them and beamed.

"Lenalee, sweetheart, and Red! I'm so glad the two of you are feeling better."

Lenalee smiled slightly and nodded, and Red shrugged and moved over to peer at what Jerry was making. He didn't recognize it, which wasn't a huge surprise, but it looked interesting.

"I'm just glad to finally be outta there," Red muttered, leaning back after a moment to glance up at Jerry. "It's about damn time."

Jerry cast him a warm smile. "I'm sure it's a relief to walk around again," he agreed, voice tinged with amusement.

Lenalee appeared on Jerry's other side and said with a smile, "Red's going to be free to walk around more often now."

Jerry's eyes widened with surprise, and he looked to Red for confirmation. "Really? That's amazing news, hun!"

Red shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "They decided I was too damn worthless to make any progress the way we were going," he said matter-of-factly. "They'll figure out something else, probably, but I'm free for now, yeah."

"Best to take advantage of this for now, then," Jerry said firmly, hiding the flicker of concern. "What would the two of you like? I'll whip it up real quick for you."

"What's that?" Red asked, indicating what Jerry had briefly paused in working on.

Jerry smiled. "It's curry. Would you like some of that, honey bunch?"

Red considered for a moment, and then shrugged and glanced up at Jerry. "Sure."

Jerry beamed at him. "As soon as I can, hun!"

Red smiled, a flicker of a thing that was there and gone, and before Jerry's eyes even had time to widen, he was gone, poking around in the cupboards while Lenalee talked to Jerry for a little while longer. A few minutes later, Lenalee appeared beside him and he shut it, glancing over.

"What're you doing?" Lenalee asked, eyes innocently curious.

Red hesitated for a moment, good hand going briefly to his pocket, and then answered honestly, "Taking some food so I can put it in my room."

"Why?" Lenalee asked, frowning. "You can come here whenever. Jerry won't mind."

"In case they shut me in my room, I guess," Red said uncomfortably, shifting back. He scowled at her. "Does it really fucking matter?"

"Oh," Lenalee nodded, expression dimming and voice going soft even as she disregarded the second part. "That's a good idea."

"Red, pumpkin!" Jerry called out, half-turning to call over to them. "Want to come see how curry's made?"

Red started, and then pushed up. "Oh – yeah, sure." He glanced over his shoulder at Lenalee. "Coming?"

"Sure," Lenalee smiled, and hurried after him as they both went over to Jerry, who started to explain as he worked, glancing over at the two of them with an odd little smile every few seconds.

Red felt, cautiously, pleased.

There! *smile* I was going through a rough patch there, creativity-wise - I blame the holidays, haha - but hopefully I'll be able to get back into the rhythm of things with the stories I've been neglecting. Thanks for reading, and please review!