Kumoi knew this wasn't the right thing to do…yet there he was, holding a sharp knife to an innocent child's tender neck.

Allen, Lavi, and Kanda—still paralyzed, as they lay in silence upon the cold, hardwood floor… looking from the hooded-intruder to the knife held firmly in Kumoi's hands.

"K-Kumoi…what are you doing!" Allen questioned, staring at the knife wearily.

Kumoi remained silent.

Is this what they were plotting? Holding a child hostage? Allen thought anxiously, feeling a wave of helplessness, and gazed deeper into Kumoi's dark eyes…no, there's something else.

As expected, the intruder moved towards Kumoi, and gently gripped the blade with his hands.

'Don't'

Kumoi was surprised for a moment, as if dazed by the tranquil voice, but quickly composed himself…noticing the intruder's hand making full contact with the blade, he commanded in his evil boasting voice-

"Get him—!"

Out of the blue, Reever jumped up from under the bed in his…um…attack—as Dark-boots suddenly swung mercilessly from behind, aiming straight at the intruder's head.

'BAM!'

They watched in horror as Lenalee's kick made full contact—with Reever's face.

Miranda gasped in concern, as Reever rocketed backwards over the bed from force of the impact…and landed painfully behind Kumoi.

"Ow…"

"Reever!" Lenalee cried in apology.

During the sudden motion, Crow Clown's mask and hood were whipped off from the intruder's face…

Silver eyes shined in a sorrowful innocence, snowy hair danced wildly. The pale-white face revealed calmness, his ashen eyes still focused upon the blade in Kumoi's hands.

Allen's eyes widened as he stared into the intruder's exposed face, reminded faintly of a child he had seen in a dream…

"A-Allen?" Kumoi stared in dismay at the familiarity of the intruder's appearance and Allen's— they even looked relatively the same age…but something was different…the identical, blood red scar ran smoothly down the intruder's cheek. But Kumoi could clearly see a dark cross, shaped intricately within the left eye.

His left eye…Kumoi thought, so, Leverrier was right.

Marie and Link, carrying Johnny, finally caught up, entering the room. They stared in shock at the Allen-like intruder.

xxx

He blinked abruptly, feeling dazed—everything was so bright. It was hard to keep his eyes open, like finally awaking from a long sleep.

Suddenly realizing the many eyes cast upon him, he stared blankly at the people around him. They simply stared back at him.

He turned in the same bewildered fashion to Kumoi, then focused upon the silently sleeping face below… His eyes calmed at the sight of the girl, and felt himself relax.

He released his firm hold on the blade in his hand, slender drops of bright red dripped lightly from his hand, as Kumoi carefully pulled the knife away in relief.

Kanda was the first one to break the bemused silence.

"Who the hell are you?"

They looked expectantly at the intruder, as he tried to bring up a memory. He clutched his head as a nostalgic pain suddenly throbbed sharply through his ears.

Feeling fatigue, he whispered…

"The number 14—seems so, familiar…"

And he fell onto the cold floor in what seemed like exhaustion. They continued to stare at his unconscious figure, trying to make sense of his sentence.

"It can't be…" Lavi cried dramatically, putting the simple thoughts together, "this guy's the Fourteenth Noah!"

The many eyes turned their attention to Allen in confusion…but Allen was still gazing down at the collapsed teen, that resembled himself much too greatly.

I've seen this face somewhere before…but where?

"Hell, that explains everything." Kanda replied somewhat sarcastically. Finally being able to move, he stood up, and brushed the dust off of his jacket.

Kumoi sighed with relief, " Looks like he really wasn't a threat."

Link looked skeptically at Kumoi, but didn't say anything.

"Allen! Are you ok?" Johnny hopped off of Link and rushed to his friend.

"I'm fine Johnny," Allen reassured, then suddenly realized the chain upon his right arm had vanished.

Timcampy darted into the room with what looked like delight on his small, golden face—as he landed gracefully upon the Fourteenth.

"Timcampy!" Allen cried in surprise…he had completely forgotten about Timcampy since he had been hiding in the girl's washroom.

Timcampy didn't reply, and nuzzled the sleeping face gently.

Tim? Allen thought, feeling troubled.

"Now what do we do with this guy?" Lavi asked, afraid to approach the sleeping figure, as if it would suddenly spring up and attack him.

Suddenly, a tremendous roar of footsteps made them turn obnoxiously towards the door. As Leverrier entered the room with what looked like an entire army of CROW members behind him.

He stared coldly down upon the weary, yet tranquil figure lying on the floor before him—then looked at Kumoi.

"I assume I had been correct," Leverrier said slyly.

Kumoi winced.

"I will be taking control of the situation from here," Leverrier commanded, and turned to Allen with cold eyes, "Allen Walker, as a main suspect of this incident, you shall be taken into custody."

The CROW members advanced towards Allen.

"But—" Johnny tried to complain, but Allen patted him on the shoulder.

"I'll be alright," Allen muttered reassuringly—but inside he knew he probably wouldn't. He glanced down at Timcampy, still cuddled beside the Fourteenth, and let the CROWs guide him out of the small room.

Lenalee looked anxiously as Allen disappeared from view.

Allen…

"Kumoi, Inspector Howard, and myself will remain here," Leverrier continued to command, "the rest of you are dismissed until further notice."

Reluctantly, they left…and left Kumoi to stare at Leverrier, pondering fearfully at what he was planning to do to Allen—and the boy, who looked so helpless as he lay unconsciously upon the floor.

xxx

Woot! Finally—the 14th is revealed! ;3

xxx

Leverrier looked down expectantly onto the floor beside him-but the body was missing?

Kumoi stared at the empty floor with the same bewilderment.

Link coughed, and pointed to the infirmary bed beside the sleeping girl's.

There the silver hair boy lay, still passed out, and sleeping quite deeply.

Timcampy and Crown Clown had apparently dragged the Fourteenth upon the bed while they weren't looking.

At least this makes things much easier, Leverrier thought, as he pulled a chair to sit beside the bed.

"Inspector Howard, fetch me some cake and tea."

"Yes sir…" Link rushed off…and came back in a flash, with a freshly baked cake, and hot steaming tea.

Leveirrer sipped the tea gleefully.

So that's why he asked Link to stay…Kumoi pouted.