(A/N): This should have been up weeks ago, but I wasn't happy with the original way I wrote it. So I did a complete rewrite. It's gone through SEVERAL versions and revisions. Sorry for the lateness. Excuse any grammar/spelling errors - I pumped this out pretty fast. Enjoy!



Lenalee sighed, cradling her chin in the palm of her hand as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Gloomy, violet eyes stared back at her.

"Miranda-san?"

The woman behind her continued to brush Lenalee's dark hair in a slow manner. "Yes, Lenalee-chan?"

"Have you ever heard of the French fairytale, 'Beauty and the Beast'?"

Miranda's brushing halted briefly. "Yes, I have."

Lenalee turned around to face the woman. "How does it end?"

The German exorcist was taken aback by her friend's heartfelt plea. "You want to know how its ends? You haven't read the story, then?"

She shook her head, causing her dark locks to sway back and forth. "I only know of it. I've never read it."

Miranda smiled softly, setting the hairbrush aside. "Why the sudden interest?"

Lenalee could feel a warmness grow on her cheeks and in the pit of her stomach.

"Um, I'm just curious."

Miranda considered the question, trying to remember the fable.

"Well, there are many versions of this story," she said, a finger tapping her chin thoughtfully. "But in the original, I believe the Beast dies of a broken heart…"

Something akin to a sharp pain jolted inside Lenalee's chest.

'A broken heart…?'

"So then…he couldn't find someone to love him?"

Miranda blinked, surprised at the gloomy expression on Lenalee's face. "No, no, he does!" she amended, waving her hands furiously the air, afraid she was going to upset her comrade. "But, to my knowledge, the girl realizes the situation too late."

The knuckles of Lenalee's clenched fists began to turn white. 'She was too late…'

Silence reigned the room.

"Lenalee-chan?" Miranda placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

The girl nodded, throwing on a fake smile. "Of course."

Miranda frowned.

"You worry me sometimes, Lenalee-chan."

Lenalee looked up, confused. "Miranda-san?"

Miranda eyes welled up. "You always try to be so strong when everyone knows you feel so much."

Panic promptly flooded Lenalee's senses at the telltale sign of a soon-to-be bawling Miranda.

"Miranda-san, please, don't cry."

The woman sniffled, choking back her tears. "I-I'll t-try."

Lenalee laughed quietly. "I'm sorry I brought this up."

Miranda shook her head violently. "C-Can you please -" she hiccupped "- tell m-me about…a-about…it…"

'And what do I tell you?' Lenalee thought desperately. 'That I'm restless over the fact that Kanda's life seems to almost mirror the Beast's? That it took both Lavi and a Noah to drill the point in my head? That something as fickle and bold as love could possibly save him and I have no idea what I should do…what I need to do?'

"It's about Kanda."

The crying ceased.

"…Kanda?"

Lenalee slumped in her seat. "Kanda," she confirmed.

Half an hour later, Miranda was staring at Lenalee in utter disbelief.

"I've heard from Marie-kun about the curse of his lotus, but I never thought to compare it to this story," Miranda said.

Lenalee's gaze was lost on her own reflection once again.

"Can love really save him from his curse?"

"No." The admission was small and sad. "But I'm sure it can ease the pain…" Lenalee laughed then. "I don't think he realizes just how much people of the Order truly cares for him."

Miranda's lips twitched in response as she tried to hold back her giggle.

"Funny, I always thought you and Allen-kun…" she whispered to the side.

"What was that, Miranda-san?"

"Ah, nothing, Lenalee-chan."

She quickly picked up the hairbrush again and decided to drop the subject. "Your hair is growing in very nicely, Lenalee-chan. It'll be back to it's original length in no time."

Lenalee bit her bottom lip out of habit and lost herself to her thoughts once again.


D. GRAY MAN



She'd searched the archives of the Black Order, but it was to no avail.

How was it this place had a cookbook on how to make chocolate covered crickets, but nothing on 'Beauty and the Beast'?

Her conversation with Miranda earlier that evening had sparked something in her. She'd found herself wanting to know more. Know more of what, though, she wasn't sure. She'd suddenly received a strong urge to find this book and hold it her hands.

Lenalee's fingers skimmed across the spines of several more books under the 'B' aisle of their literature section for a third time.

She sighed.

'And after all the trouble of sneaking in after hours,' she thought despondently. Waiting past midnight was to ensure that she didn't run into Lavi or Bookman. The two usually made themselves at home in the Order's library for the better part of their day - unless they were on a mission - and by and large they didn't return to their rooms until very late.

A scuffle from behind jolted her from her reverie.

Lenalee hastily swiveled around, only to face the dark shadows created from her candlelight.

"Must be my imagination…" she muttered to herself, picking up candle lamp. "I might as well go back since I won't find anything here."

Once again, a scuffle could be heard. This time to her left. Footsteps?

Fear was slowly edging its way up her veins.

"Who's there?" she called out.

Her sight was suddenly invaded by a red mop.

"Lenalee?"

Lavi stood in front of her, clothes disheveled, his expression curious and slightly confused.

She placed a hand over her fast beating heart, calming herself down. "Lavi," Lenalee gasped. "What are you doing here so late?"

"Just some last minute recording," he said, shrugging. Then he smiled. "But really, I could ask you the same thing."

She blushed lightly. 'So much for trying sneak in and out.'

"I-I was looking for a book to read." She paused. "…Because I couldn't sleep."

An arched eyebrow was her response, along with his one visible green eye seeming amused.

"What kind of book did you have in mind?"

Lenalee couldn't meet his gaze. "Oh, just something…with a good story." She really was terrible at lying. "But I can't seem to find anything, so I think I'll go back to my room now. Goodnight Lavi."

Before she could sidestep his form, Lavi reached out and grabbed her hand. "Are you sure you don't want my help?"

Traces of a smirk were playing on his lips.

"I'm sure, Lavi." She nodded, gently removing his grip from hers and ignoring the odd look he was giving her.

She was only a few paces away from the entrance doors when Lavi's charmed voice reached her ears.

"It is a French fairytale, Lenalee." He was fully smirking now. "Did you search under the section for foreign language books?"


D. GRAY MAN



He was humoring her the entire time. He'd known exactly why she was there, and it irked her a little at how smart he was and how easily he could read people - particularly her.

Lavi knew the place by heart, and so within moments, he was balanced on a ladder in the foreign language section, pulling out an old, green book.

He climbed down and handed it to Lenalee.

'La Belle et le Bete'. Beauty and the Beast. On the cover was an image of a ghastly creature, with fur and horns to boot. And underneath its nose was a rose, suspended in mid air and encased in a glass globe. The pages were aged and yellow, and the print was in fine, cursive text.

Text that was written entirely in French.

She couldn't read French. She was only fluent in Chinese and English while being mediocre in Japanese, thanks to years of being with Kanda.

The thought of Kanda caused a slight hitch in her pulse.

"You want to read it?"

Lenalee looked up at her redheaded companion earnestly and he instantly sensed her dilemma.

Lavi chuckled. "How about I read it to you?"

She handed him the book, and they settled themselves on the nearest arms chairs.

Lenalee brought her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, waiitng expectantly.

Lavi opened the novel and turned to the first page. "Once upon a time…"


D. GRAY MAN



They sat next to one another in complete silence after he'd finished.

Truth be told, Lavi knew the story by heart - as he knew most stories. And he didn't need to read the book word for word. Most of it, he had memorized. He'd actually spent the majority of the time sneaking glimpses at Lenalee, seeking out a reaction.

"I already knew how it ended." The words escaped her lips before she could stop them, disrupting the melancholy atmosphere.

Lavi blinked in surprise. "You did?" He looked down at the book in his hands. "Then, why…?"

"I don't know."

Her purple eyes were focused on the carpeted floor, which was also of a similar color, and were completely void. He'd never seen her look so lost.

"You don't love him, do you Lenalee?"

The Chinese exorcist's head snapped up in alarm.

Lavi grinned, stretching his arms out and folding them behind his head.

"It's fine if you don't."

She licked her lips in uncertainty, not understanding turmoil bubbling inside her.

"O-Of course I love him," she managed to utter.

His green eye regarded her carefully, a hint of glee wrinkled in the look. "Really?"

The question felt like a hit below the belt.

Lavi sighed. "Lenalee, I don't think you understand…" he beamed, leaning forward as he rested his elbows on his knees. "If there's one thing I've learned in my training to become a Bookman, it's that human hatred comes in many forms."

Puckered brow, she could only stare at him.

"And so does love," he continued, his voice softening. "I know you love him, Lenalee. Like the way you love me. And the Order. And your brother. And Allen."

Lenalee glowered, feeling a blush creep up her neck and onto her cheeks.

Lavi's lips were set in a straight line. "When a man's been cursed to live a little longer than the rest of humanity, all he needs is a friend."

His words sunk in, causing a light flutter to go through her body.

"Don't you ever wonder, Lenalee, if Yuu has ever experienced love…of any form?"

The question was simple, but its magnitude ranged deeper than the most unfathomable waters.

But she'd often wondered…

"I won't rest until I find that person," a ten year old Kanda had claimed with a scowl on his face.

Innocent curiosity got the better of her. "Who?" Lenalee asked.

He spared her a glance, but remained silent before stalking off in the direction of his room.

She could only look after him.

Who are you searching for…?

The future Bookman heaved a sigh. "Get some rest, Lena." He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately before walking out.


D. GRAY MAN



Kanda could feel their stares a mile away. It was probing the back of his head, like a faint throb that refused to go away, and it was making him rather bothered.

He swiveled around to give them a heated glare. "What?"

Allen immediately shrunk in his seat.

"We didn't say anything, Yuu." Lavi's hand were held up in defense, a shaky smile on his face in peace offering.

"I know you didn't, idiot," Kanda's voice shot through the two like venom. "Stop. Staring."

"W-We weren't staring," Lavi argued.

Kanda's eyes narrowed dramatically. "Oh, you weren't?"

Sensing the dangerous vibe from the swordsman, Allen immediately reverted the topic. "Have you talked to Lenalee today, Kanda?"

At the mention of her name, Kanda's face grew a tinge of pink, and his sullen expression turned on Allen. "What did you say, bean sprout?"

Allen's demeanor swiftly shifted from uncomfortable to bitter. "The name is Allen, Kanda. AL - LEN."

A frosty draft could be felt throughout the entire cafeteria.

A small amount of Finders, seated a few tables away, noticed the tension in the atmosphere.

"Lavi must have done something stupid again," one them murmured to his companions.

"Hey, I heard that!"


D. GRAY MAN



"So you see, Allen, sometimes…to get someone to admit they love someone else, you have to give them a little push."

Allen regarded his redheaded companion skeptically after the recount of his so called 'master plan'. "It sounds more like you shoved them."

"Heh, well…"

"Allen-kun? Lavi? "

The sweet, familiar voice caused their backs to go rigid.

Lavi immediately whipped around to come face to face with Lenalee.

"Hello, Lenalee!"

Her eyes swept over their forms suspiciously. "Why are you two crouched behind this pillar?"

"Because…it's such a lovely pillar, isn't it Allen?"

Allen's nods came in quick, jerking motions. "Beautiful."

"But!" Lavi slung his arm around her shoulders, grinning boyishly. "Not as beautiful as you, of course."

A hesitant pause followed.

"Did you just compare me to a pillar?"

"Ah…"

Allen sighed, shaking his head. "I'm going to get a snack."

"I'll come with you!"

Just as he was about to rush off after Allen, Lavi twisted around again, all smiles with a hint of roguishness.

"By the way, Lenalee, Kanda's looking for you."

Lenalee blinked. "He is?"

Lavi nodded enthusiastically.

After her encounter with Lavi in the library, she'd had a restlessness night of sleep and had come to the firm conclusion that the only thing standing between Kanda and complete happiness was reality. And his reality was a lotus. Small and fragile, yet unbelievably influential all the same.

Noting the vexed expression on her face, Lavi mentally sighed. 'Do I have to do all the work around here?'

"Just tell him, Lenalee."

The girl looked up in surprise. Lavi's unexpected advise was beyond palpable and yet did little to ease her worries.

The smile he'd sported moments earlier was gone and in its place was a look of support - and almost sadness - directed at her.

"The idea of intimacy must be very frightening to him," she reckoned.

Lavi sniggered. "Then the man should get ready to be terrified."


D. GRAY MAN



"You're not good for my blood pressure."

Those were the words that greeted her when Lenalee opened the door to their training room and found Kanda meditating by himself. His eyes were closed and his postured was upright, albeit relaxed.

Wartmth immediately made its way up Lenalee's neck to her face. "I-I'm sorry, I'll just leave then."

"Stay."

It was just one word, said quietly even, but he deep and commanding baritone of his voice caused a small shiver to go through her.

She walked in and sat next to him. "Lavi said you were looking for me."

Kanda mentally groaned. 'Damn lying, meddling rabbit.'

Lenalee could have sworn she saw his right eye twitch.

"And…" she bit her lip anxiously. "We haven't really talked since, uh…" she trailed off.

He remained silent.

"Um, how are you?" she blurted out and immediately winced afterwards. It may have been the stupidest thing she'd ever asked him.

Her mouth was dry, and her mind a jumble. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but the most important one, she couldn't find the words to form.

Kanda's eyes opened sharply, glossy and dark. The air around him felt stiff and the awkwardness that was now their friendship was not helping him meditate. His gaze slid over to her form, and he found her looking up at him intently, as if scrutinizing him warily; waiting for him to pounce. He hated when she looked at him like that - the look that told him she knew exactly what he was planning to do, but refusing to let him do it. The last time she'd given him that look was in Noah's ark. When she'd blatantly made him promise to follow them after he was done.

'Promise that he'd get out of the fight alive, really.'

His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I…" he lips curved into a slight frown. "I'm not good at this."

Pucker browed, Lenalee leaned in closer.

"I'm not easy to talk to like that idiot rabbit," he continued, snarling a bit. "And I'm not considerate of your feelings like the bean sprout."

Lenalee giggled softly at Allen's nickname.

She reached over and gently caressed his hand. "I'm not asking you to be like them. You wouldn't be you if you were."

Her fingers laced through his, and Kanda couldn't help the sensation of smugness that he could lay claim to those fine fingers now.

Locked on her soft porcelain hands within his, his voice softened in admission. "I've always believed that the feelings of love were just a temporary lapse of judgment."

'Such a Kanda statement,' Lenalee noted with scorn.

Her voice broke. "You think love is mistake?"

"Yes." His grip on her hand tightened, and Lenalee felt a small jolt course through her body. "But you aren't."

He'd said it so quietly that she almost missed it. An intense stirring inched its way through Lenalee, a feeling incredibly akin to when she'd first activated her innocence as little girl.

It was a rush.

"My lotus…" He finally looked her in the eyes, and his normally cold irises were full of dark disclosures. "I've died three times."

She'd heard the unspoken and uncertain sentiments that mixed through his words, and gave him an encouraging half smile. "Then maybe it's about time you've started living."

Kanda smirked in response, and the tension around them suddenly thinned out, a relaxed mood taking its place.

A sudden grin popped up on Lenalee's features. "You know Kanda…I've always thought you were asexual."

Kanda froze. "A-Asexual…"

Lenalee merely smiled innocently at him. "C'mon." She pulled up his petrified form. "It's time for dinner. And I'm sure Lavi would love to see us together for gloating purposes."

'Asexual?' Kanda felt queasy as he allowed her to lead him to the cafeteria. 'Don't hit a girl…don't a hit a girl…you just started on this…think of what Komui would do if he found out that not only are you and Lenalee…but to hit her, too…don't hit a girl…'


(A/N): I had FOUR different versions of this second installment, and it took forever for me to crunch this one out. And I'm STILL not satisfied with it. So maybe I'll go back and change it. I'm not sure. And I may or may not do a third one, because it feels like there's something missing. I'm just not completely happy with how this turned out.