Disclaimer: D. Gray-Man is the property of Hoshino Katsura, and I do not own any of this. Except the plot. And maybe the cello.

Chapter 1 – Music of the Night

The bow slid gracefully across the strings, playing an elegant melody, a melancholy tone echoing in its wake. The player moved as he played, enraptured in the piece he was performing, his long hair tied in a ponytail swaying. In the dim light, his eyes were closed as he focused on doing what he loved best.

Music. He always loved music. The melodies filled with expression, the tunes full of feeling, the symphonies singing with life, he loved them all. His fingers flitted across the strings as he played out another line. It was coming to the end already, he knew that. He had this piece memorised completely, down to every note and ornament. But he was going to enjoy it, right till the last crotchet, the last bar.

It ended on a low note, the melody seemingly floating in the air for that last moment before it slowly fell down in a soft mist that settled amongst the dark shadows of the room. Yet there was no applause, no signs of appreciation. He already expected this; he was used to it, even. Inhaling deeply, he let out a sigh, opened his eyes and stood up.

There were only around 5 people in the pub that night. 3 were sitting at the bar while the other 2 were playing poker at the far end of the room. A couple of them were smoking, and there was not a hint of friendly atmosphere in there. None of them made any sign that they noticed the cellist pick up his instrument and get off the small stage.

It was always like this, every single night he played here, he never got any response, any reaction. Not like he was expecting any. This was just a way to earn a living, to get him some extra money to spend, not some high class performance where people would pay to listen to him perform. He smirked as the thought crossed his mind. Ironic, really, since he was being paid here as well, but no one was actually listening to him. Why the hell did they employ him then? But he couldn't complain, because he really had no other options.

He strode over to the bar, and pulled up a tall chair to sit down on. The bar tender came over to him, cleaning a bottle.

"The usual, Kanda? You only get one free though." The man smiled at him.

The boy smirked again. "It's not like I drink any more than that anyway. Just one will do. I wouldn't want myself drunk." He hated drunkards and alcoholics anyway. So he definitely wasn't going to become one anytime now. But he'd have a drink every night after he finished just to refresh himself.

A glass was set down in front of him and Kanda took a gulp. He gazed at the amber liquid as he swirled the glass absent-mindedly. Every night, he would come here, because he was being paid to perform on his cello. The pub, the Falling Lotus, was a dingy place with very few customers, and he was just an entertainer here trying to scrape a living. After playing, he would just have a drink and then make his way home. An extremely routine lifestyle for a young man like him.

Kanda downed the rest of the glass's contents and stood up, picking up the case beside him. "I'm leaving." He muttered.

"Good night, Kanda. See you tomorrow!"

Kanda gave a nod and hoisted the case onto his shoulders. He opened the door and stepped out into the cold night air. Since it was already very late into the night, there weren't any people around. Kanda decided that he would just walk home. It would take a while, but he wasn't feeling very tired anyway. And the less time he spent at home, the better.

Home. Not that he could call it that. It was just a place to sleep, that's all. Kanda pulled at the cello case as he felt it slipping slightly. This was all he lived for, this was what he loved. Given the chance, he would pursue a career in music or maybe even study at some music college. But he couldn't, and he hated that fact. Kanda knew he could go very far if he could even enter the field of music.

He reached the apartment finally. Taking out his keys, he unlocked the door and went in. He didn't bother turning on the lights as he removed his shoes. The apartment was silent, just as Kanda expected it to be. Yet as he opened his bedroom door to go in, the door to the room beside him opened and a man stepped out.

'Shit. He's back, and he's awake.' Kanda cursed in his mind.

The man with messy red hair grinned at him while leaning against the doorframe. The heavy odour of cigarettes and alcohol lingered around him, and Kanda knew he wasn't grinning because he was happy to see him. He hoped that he would just say something spiteful or two and then let him go to bed.

"Where've you been all night?"

"None of your business. You never cared anyway. Why the sudden change?"

"I can't let my charge waste his time with useless things, can I?" His eyes glanced towards the case on Kanda's shoulder and Kanda shifted it slightly to hide it from view even further.

"Shut up. I'm going to bed. And don't come back if you're going to be drunk every night."

He entered his room quickly before the other could say anything and slammed the door behind him. Stashing the case underneath his desk, he removed his jacket and threw himself onto the bed, which creaked under his weight a little. That man was the main reason he didn't want to come home.

Cross Marian, his stepfather and current guardian. After he lost his dad, his mother went and got herself a new boyfriend, much to Kanda's dismay. All that man ever did was drink, smoke, gamble, and sleep with women. And whenever he came home drunk Kanda would steer clear out of his way, because he was liable to start hitting things. Kanda hated it when he started hitting things, especially him. He would fight back, yes, but the older man was always stronger. Things went well while she was still alive, although Kanda hid bruises he received from his stepfather all the time because he didn't want his mother to worry. He just became a very bad tempered kid.

Then his mother met with an accident. And Kanda lost the last family member he held dear.

The older he grew, the less Kanda smiled. Eventually he maintained a cold attitude towards everyone, and he never really had friends. Except for one thing he grew to love, which was music. He could express himself freely then, and all his anger, his frustration, his pain, would vanish every time he started playing. The cello was his one prized possession, and the only thing that seemed to understand his pain.

Yet his damn stepfather had to ruin everything. Cross didn't like the idea of Kanda becoming a cellist. In fact, he didn't seem to like Kanda becoming anything else. Kanda would always be the rebellious, annoying, useless piece of trash he kept at home and hit whenever he wanted to. Of course Kanda became smarter and stayed out of the house whenever he could to avoid beatings. But every now and then, he still couldn't avoid it.

So Kanda practiced secretly, and he knew he had the talent; he just didn't have the chance. That's why he resolved to playing at a pub every night. It was better than nothing, and it was the last place Cross would ever think of looking for him. The man was too busy drinking at other more famous pubs and bars.

He closed his eyes tightly and thought back. The cello was really a gift from God, and he would protect it with his life.

He would pass the house every time he came home from school. The old, crumbling house by the corner, with that overgrown garden and large, old gates. It had a musty, ancient smell about it, and looked as if it had been standing there for centuries. He never gave it much thought though, he didn't even know who lived in there, or if it was even lived in.

But he knew there was music coming from it. Every day, there would be some kind of music playing sweetly from within, and whenever he walked past the house, Kanda would stop for a while to listen. It was the one part of each day that he looked forward to.

Then one day the music stopped. And there was a flurry of activity happening at the usually quiet house. Men would be moving crates in and out of the house, and Kanda caught a glimpse of a closet or two, and even a piano being crated up and moved away. He stopped to watch the activity, his eyes lingering on the piano being taken away. A sudden urge to touch the piano came to him, and somehow he knew, that if he pressed his fingers onto those keys, he would be able to play.

"Do you like it?"

Kanda started. He turned to face the voice in shock, because he didn't realise he was being watched. An old man was sitting on the steps, watching the piano being packed as well, and smiling kindly at him. Kanda looked away furiously.

"I'm... Sorry. I didn't mean to. I'll be leaving..." He started to walk away.

"Wait, my son!"

Kanda stopped and stared at the old man ludicrously. "I'm not your son!"

The man smiled again and stood up, walking towards him. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, it's just that I've been noticing that you enjoyed hearing me play, and I always longed to have a son that would enjoy my music too."

Kanda felt his jaw drop in shock and closed it again. "Look, I wasn't... I just..."

The man nodded a few times. "Can you play any instrument, my boy? Come in, come in!"

Feeling rather stupid, Kanda followed him into the house. It smelled old all right, and was rather messy because furniture was stacked up here and there. But in a small room, there was a small collection of instruments. Kanda's eyes went round.

"I usually play the piano in the afternoons to pass the time. Sometimes I play this cello here, or maybe this violin. Or I simply listen to my old records. Music is a wonderful thing, isn't it, my son?"

"I'm not your son..." Kanda strode over to the cello sitting on its rack and reached out to touch it. It felt so real, and so wonderful. Again, the urge to play resurfaced, but Kanda didn't dare to pick up the bow.

The man came over. "You like it? Can you play the cello?"

Kanda shook his head. "I'm afraid I'm illiterate when it comes to music."

Sadness crossed the man's brows. "That's a pity. You look as if you'd enjoy music, and I think you'll shine in it too."

"I... I'd like to play."

The man perked up instantly, and then started crying, to Kanda's horror. He tried to calm him down. "Hey, I'm sorry! What the heck did I say wrong?"

Sobbing, the man took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes behind his glasses. "Oh, nothing, my boy! It's just that... If only my son said that... I'd die a happy man. But he hated music, and left me alone to study abroad, and now all I have left to accompany me are my instruments and music."

He walked over to Kanda and placed his hand on his shoulder. "You're nearly the same age as him, and that scowling face of yours reminds me of when I used to teach him piano, and he would scowl just like you and run away."

"I'm... Not your son..." Kanda muttered.

"I know, I know! But what I'll give for you to be!" He happily patted Kanda on the head, much to his annoyance, and then went over to pick up the cello.

"Hey, mind if I ask? What's happening here?"

"Oh? I'm moving. I've decided that living in this place alone in my old age wouldn't be that safe, so I thought I'd move to a smaller home. And although it pains me, it seems that I would have to give up many of my prized possessions." He stroked the cello fondly.

Kanda felt a small stab of sympathy for the man. It must be painful to live alone while your children abandoned you for a better life. And worse still to have to leave all your treasured belongings. Kanda being Kanda, he actually felt more sympathy for the instruments than the sobbing old man. He wondered what was going to happen to them now.

"Say, my boy, what's your name? Would you like to have a go at this beauty?"

Kanda stared at the cello in the old man's hands. He wasn't that sure he knew how to play it but yet he wanted to. "Kanda... I'd rather not break it..."

"Aww, Kanda, I don't think you'll break it! Your fingers look nimble enough to handle this! Come, come, hold it like this!"

He found himself taking the large string instrument and holding it as the man instructed. As he picked up the bow and pulled it across the first string, he realised he really wanted to learn how to play this thing. The first note that rang out clearly in the small room seemed to have struck a chord deep in his troubled heart and Kanda felt a tear run down his cheek. Furiously, he blinked it away and wiped it with his sleeve. A small tap on his shoulder made him look up, into the smiling eyes behind those thick glasses.

"You have a talent for this, my son. Would you like to keep it?"

Kanda stood up abruptly and pushed the cello back. "No, I can't. I should be going now. I've taken too much of your time." Part of him was also saying that he shouldn't spend another minute here with this insanely nice guy.

The cello was pressed into his hands, and when Kanda looked at the man again, there was such an expression of longing and love in those eyes, mixed with some sadness that Kanda recognised. It was the longing for a family, one that he himself never really had.

Still he tried to refuse the offer. "I can't pay for this. I don't even have enough pocket money."

"I'm giving this to you. I won't have any more needs for it anyway. And I would very much like you to have it, since you've been listening to my music for so long. It's time you take some of it home with you."

"The old man at home wouldn't like this... He hates classical music." Kanda muttered.

"It's not what he thinks but what you like. Learn to make some wonderful music, will you? Please?"

Taking a deep breath, Kanda finally gave a curt nod. As the man happily bustled off to get the case, Kanda wondered how he was going to explain to Cross that he had brought home a cello for free. Cross would probably sell it when he was short of cash anyway.

As he walked home later with the case on his back, Kanda decided he wouldn't let Cross do anything with this cello. It was high time he owned something, had something that belonged to him, and not to that bastard. And if Cross was going to hit him he didn't care. He'd learn to play the cello even if he didn't go for lessons.

For the years to come, the cello was going to be his closest companion, and even though he was annoyed with that old man's too nice attitude, he had to admit, he liked the idea of being called his son. He'd like a father anyway, anyone that was better than Cross Marian.

Night came before he even knew it. He heard the door slam as Cross went out and went over to pick up the cello case. Stepping out into the cold night air, he turned up the collar of his jacket and began his walk to the Falling Lotus.

As the pub came into view, he mentally ran the notes through his mind again. This was just another practice, another routine. He would just enjoy the little time he had without Cross breathing alcoholic fumes down his neck and asking for extra cash. He pushed open the door and went in.

It was as usual, the few customers sitting and drinking, some of whom he recognised as regulars. No one looked up again, as usual, save a guy clad in a clean white shirt that he had never seen frequenting the pub before. The man looked up as Kanda closed the door and they locked eyes for one brief moment.

It struck Kanda that the man had amazingly beautiful golden eyes, and the flair he carried was not that of a usual alcoholic. He seemed to have come from the upper classes, but Kanda didn't give much of a damn about it. He looked away since he felt it was rather impolite to stare and took his place on the raised platform again.

He could feel the man's eyes observing his every move and it was annoying him. He tried his best to ignore and to not let any sign of annoyance show on his face. He counted the beats in his heart silently, and then pulled the bow across the second string slowly. The music started, slow at first, and then increasing in speed as the song progressed, until it reached an incredibly complicated series of semiquavers that required extreme skill to accomplish.

But something was a little wrong tonight. For one thing, Kanda didn't seem to be able to immerse himself entirely in the music. If he didn't know better, he'd have said something was bothering him. As it was, Kanda cracked open one eye slightly and he wasn't surprised to see that pair of shockingly golden eyes fixed on him. Kanda closed his eye again. Focus on the music, he told himself, and ignore him. He's just an extremely interested customer, that's all.

As the song ended, Kanda got ready for the next one. Still that guy was focused intently on him. The Japanese sorely wished he'd look somewhere else other than him. He had a sinking suspicion that the guy was much more interested in his body than the performance. He wouldn't mind if he showed interest in his music but the way he was looking at him was beyond awkward.

He finished as fast as he could tonight, and hurriedly packed his cello away. The sooner he was out of here, the better. For the first time in his life he was eager to go home. He stepped off lightly and went over to the bar.

"Hey, when do I get my pay check?"

The barman looked up and greeted him. "Boss says in another day or two. Have a drink, Kanda."

Kanda gritted his teeth as he noticed a pair of eyes on him again. "No thanks, not tonight maybe..."

"You look tired, you sure you're alright?" As the barman insisted, Kanda bit his lower lip slightly.

"Fine, a quick one. But I'll have to leave soon." He sat down and grabbed the glass that was offered to him.

Almost immediately the other man came over and sat down beside him. Kanda groaned inwardly. What did he want?

"Good evening, I liked your performance, Mr...?"

"... Kanda."

"Kanda. Nice to meet you. The name's Mikk, Tyki Mikk." He smiled gently at Kanda, who pointedly ignored it and continued drinking from his glass.

"I have to say, you've got quite some talent there. Do you attend any academy of music or perhaps perform for any orchestra?"

"No and no. It's none of your business, really."

"Hmm... You see, I happen to teach at a music college, and I lead the orchestra there as well. Seeing you play the cello just now was amazing. You really have a thing for this, if only you were given the chance to do so."

Seeing as the boy made no answer whatsoever, Tyki continued. "Would you like to join us? I think we can arrange for you to be a part of our orchestra or maybe even enrol in the academy. Or I could give you some training to improve and hone your skills. I wouldn't mind teaching you; in fact, I think I'll enjoy it very much. How about it?"

Kanda downed the rest of the glass's contents and stood up. "I don't think I can. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave." He picked up the cello case and left Tyki sitting at the bar.

Tyki called after him. "Think about my offer, boy. I'll be waiting for your answer."

As the cold night air hit him, Kanda shuddered and began his slow walk back home. He wasn't sure if he was shuddering because of the cold or because of the guy named Tyki Mikk.

Yes, it would be great if a chance like that ever presented itself to him, but when Tyki had offered it back then, Kanda felt rather strange. He pushed it away immediately, without even considering. Was it because this was happening all too suddenly? Or was it because he just plain creeped him out? Kanda wasn't too sure.

He wanted to get home fast, and lock himself in his room again. Yet he wondered, if he did take this chance, how would his future become? Would he face a better life and hopefully, leave the wretched one he was living now? And what would Cross say about it?

"What do you think I ought to do?" Kanda asked the cello strung over his shoulder. He knew he wouldn't get an answer, but asking it made him feel better. And besides, this cello was going to play an important role in his future if he did accept Tyki's offer.

"You won't give me an answer, would you?" Kanda grumbled as he made his way up to his apartment.