Author's Note:

Author's Note:

If you have read this far, then congratulations. You've officially reached the start of Kanda Yu's sufferings as a woman by the coming of some hammer wielding rabbit.

Chapter 3: Rabbit Riddles

Even with the afternoon sun, the air in the mountain remained cold and thin. The sunlight won't even reach the forest floor because of the thick trees. In the cave sat three men in a circle around a fire, eating some bread. To be precise, two men and a former man sat there.

Pedro took out the supplies he got from downtown as the other two ate in silence. An hour before, Pedro came back the cave to find Allen nursing a bruised cheek and Kanda at the other side cleaning Mugen with a cloth. Kanda is already in his exorcist coat, his hair back in its usual tight ponytail, solemnly doing Mugen's maintenance and ignoring Allen's sulking at the other side.

Pedro decided he didn't want to know what happened but then he remembered that Kanda was supposed to change into some kind of animal before he left. He announced his presence by deliberately making his steps louder.

"Pedro-san, how did it go?" Allen greeted trying to smile through his bruise. He only managed a pained smirk.

"Everything went smoothly. Komui-san is now informed of everything that happened and he said that an exorcist would arrive very soon," Pedro answered smiling. Allen nodded. "How is Master Kanda doing?" Pedro's voice was nervous.

"He is fine. The water had a minimal effect on…err…him," Allen said. He almost said a wrong word and he could have sworn he felt the tip of Mugen at the back of his head. Allen remembered the conversation he and Kanda had a few hours ago while the finder was away.

FLASHBACK

"You will not tell anyone about this. Do you understand moyashi?" Kanda spoke facing the inside of the cave while bandaging his chest. Allen was seating on the floor a few feet from him facing the opposite direction. He is holding a wet cloth to the bruise on his cheek where Kanda punched him after he gracefully fell on Kanda's new endowment. Even as a girl, Kanda could still punch the hell out of him.

"Yes, I understand," he answered busying himself with the scenery outside the cave to avoid his gaze from wandering to the half naked exorcist behind him. "I will not tell a soul about your condition Kanda, but you will have to tell Komui-san about this."

"I know that beansprout and I am planning to do just that once we get back," Kanda said securing a small knot on the tight bandage he has put on his chest and proceeded to putting on his white shirt.

There was silence. Allen wanted to ask Kanda what he would do if he never gets back to being a man again but thought better and kept his mouth shut. He let a deep sigh escape his lips though when suddenly; he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Kanda already dressed like nothing happened though his features were softer, his body slimmer and hips wider. Allen blushed.

"Beansprout"

"Ka..Kanda?"

"I am a man. There is no way I'm going to let myself stay like this forever," Kanda said seriously. Although Allen didn't know why Kanda was saying this to him he figured that he should just stay still and let the samurai ramble on about his lost manhood. It seems like he knew what Allen was thinking a few moments ago. Maybe Kanda has also acquired what people call "women's intuition"?

"I will definitely become a man again," Kanda added firmly.

"Of course," Allen agreed. He might as well encourage him. Kanda nodded and let go of Allen's shoulder. Allen touched the area where Kanda's hand had been. He felt colder without it.

END OF FLASHBACK

"That's good to hear," Pedro's smile widened with relief. Turning to Kanda, Pedro continued, "Master Kanda, I am glad you are alright. I owe you my life."

Kanda shrugged nonchalantly and the finder took it as a sign that his savior has acknowledged him. "Do not worry. As soon as the other exorcist reach us tomorrow morning, we can all go back to headquarters," Pedro announced.

"Tomorrow morning? That's quite fast," Allen said surprised at Pedro's statement.

"Master Lavi has just completed a mission in a village at the other side of the mountain. Although he needed a few hours of traveling across the forests, he'll be able to make it here by sunrise tomorrow," Pedro said.

Kanda was frozen on the spot at the mention of Lavi's name. Lavi. Here. By sunrise tomorrow. Kanda certainly didn't like the sound of those words. He had a long mission. He has been fighting off akumas for the past four days with one day doing the battle while soaked in ice cold water of the damn spring. Kanda felt his temples throb. After all the things that happened and being stuck with the beansprout, the last thing he need is Lavi's incessant nagging and teasing.

Allen seemed to notice Kanda's lack of enthusiasm upon hearing Lavi's not too distant arrival and he couldn't help but smile.

"What are you so happy about moyashi?" Kanda asked dangerously though the effect wasn't like before since his voice has changed.

"Nothing," Allen answered innocently though Kanda obviously wasn't convinced.

"Tch.." Kanda said turning his attention towards the trees.

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Did I fall asleep? Allen remembered playing cards with Pedro until sunset. He looked around rubbing one of his eyes. It's already dark and the moon was shining brightly in the sky. He found Pedro's sleeping form by the fire while Kanda is seated on the floor arms crossed and body unmoving though Allen could tell Kanda is wide awake. He was amazed by how the moonlight adds even more beauty to Kanda's already pretty face. Before he could stop himself, Allen got up and sat beside Kanda.

"Tch. What do you want beansprout?" Kanda asked as Allen sat down beside him. Well, a few feet away from him actually. His question sounded a bit more like a warning.

"How are you feeling? You had a very high fever you know," Allen asked Kanda in return.

"I heal quickly. Stop bothering with things that doesn't concern you," Kanda said coldly.

"You can take a nap now. I'll take over the watch until the sun rises," Allen said pretending to not have heard Kanda's harsh words.

"Stop acting like I'm a fucking child. I can handle myself," Kanda replied stubbornly. In truth, Kanda felt the need to be more responsible and to work more to prove himself to be still capable. He felt tired, yes, but didn't need the beansprout's pity. Allen on the other hand, understood perfectly and he couldn't help but want to show kindness to the other despite Kanda's cold attitude.

Allen sighed. "Don't take it the wrong way Kanda. I'm not treating you any different than before. I just think that after quite an ordeal, you'd be tired as hell and would want to take a break. Anyone who would experience what you've been through would want to rest," Allen said patiently. Kanda said nothing.

"Continue to keep watch if you like but I will keep watch until sunrise. It wouldn't hurt to take a few hours of sleep you know," Allen said.

Allen's POV

Kanda is just too stubborn. Fine, if he doesn't want to listen then he could do as he pleases. I continued to watch over the landscape ahead of us, keeping my senses high and alert. Still, I find myself watching Kanda at the corner of my eye. He really does look beautiful. A blush crept my cheeks as I remembered the incident earlier, the reason Kanda gave me a punch in the face.

After a while, I heard a faint and slow breathing and Kanda's chest began to rise and fall. He finally fell asleep in his sitting position.

Absentmindedly, I approached Kanda slowly. I held both of her shoulders and heaved her up carefully. Kanda slowly fell onto my arms but did not wake up. Taking her legs, I lifted her and positioned her so that she is lying down comfortably. Before I could stop myself, my hand was moving on its own and was gently putting away stray strands of hair from her face.

I touched my shoulder again. The area where Kanda had put his hand felt tingly. I knew I'm heading towards dangerous waters by always watching him and thinking about him but I can't help it. Hell, I wish I could. What in the world is happening to me? Could it be…? No. I'm not going to continue that train of thought. I'm terrified at the conclusion I know I'm going to arrive at.

"Lost in thought are we now, beansprout?"

I was startled to hear that familiar voice behind me. I knew that voice and just as I thought, Lavi's goofy grin was facing me.

"La-Lavi! When did you get here?" I asked very surprised.

Normal POV

The redhead took a seat beside Allen and didn't take long to give a reply.

"About an hour ago. When I heard from Komui that you and Yu-chan are near, I didn't waste any time and left that village quickly!" Lavi said happily. He continued on though Allen only pretended to listen.

"That old panda really worked me to death back there…" Lavi chatted as though he thought Allen was listening.

Wait a minute…

"…so I ditched the panda and met up with this super sexy woman! I think she's seven years older but who cares…"

If Lavi has been here for a long time…

"…I was flirting like mad but then a big guy came barging in the pub. He turned out to be her husband…"

Then he definitely saw me!

"…I tell you, what a pain that was! And oh, by the way Allen-chan, what were doing to Yu-chan a few minutes ago?"

Shit.

"Allen-kun?" Lavi prompted the other. Allen remained silent.

"Hey, you don't need to be so embarrassed! I totally understand. I would also be taking advantage of Yu if I were given the same opportunity like…" Lavi said smiling.

Allen felt like a pail of freezing water was dumped on him. "I was not taking advantage of anyone!" Allen cut in, his voice frustrated and defensive.

"It's okay my sweet beansprout. You're a healthy young man. Having such urges is very normal," Lavi continued with a not so silent voice.

"What urges are you talking about!?" Allen was both extremely embarrassed and annoyed. Lavi started sniggering uncontrollably in his seat.

"Stop talking like you're on the opposite sides of the goddamn planet!"

Allen and Lavi was silent. Kanda Yu has just been woken up. By them. Kanda was staring daggers at both of them and the murderous aura in the air is getting stronger.

"It's been a while Yu-chan!" Lavi squealed before engaging Kanda in a rib-crushing hug. Allen's eyes widened.

"Get off baka Usagi! And stop calling me that!"

"You have no idea how much I missed you Yu! I'm glad I'm here now as I'm sure you are too. Its been hard without me…" Lavi said ignoring Kanda.

"What are you talking about? It's just been five days since you last saw me. Like hell I would miss you!" Kanda yelled trying to pry Lavi's tight hold on him.

"Ah, you say such unkind words but we both know you mean the opposite," Lavi said calmly and knowingly before letting go.

Kanda immediately punched Lavi's face hard sending him down the cold cave floor. "That hurts Yu!" Lavi said holding his cheek.

"Good," Kanda said before standing up and leaving the cave with Mugen. They watched his back until they could no longer see him.

"That's just Yu's way of saying 'I missed you too'," Lavi told Allen with his goofy grin looking perfectly happy.

Allen laughed at that. "I don't know if you're brave or just stupid. That's going to bruise."

"Well that makes both of us now doesn't it?" Lavi said smiling and eying the bruise on Allen's cheek given by the same person.

Allen's hand automatically went up to touch his bruised cheek. "Well this…" Allen began unsure of what to say. He was taken aback when he saw the serious expression on Lavi's face.

"Do you like Yu-chan?" Lavi asked. It was unnerving to see him so serious. It felt as if Lavi was an entirely different person. Allen gulped.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"I need to know. And don't lie to me; it's not like you're good at it anyway."

"O-Of course not! Kanda's a guy!" Allen muttered quickly. "And I doubt he'll even take a second look at me if I did…" He added jokingly. Half jokingly is more accurate.

Lavi continued to stare at him. "Kanda can't love anyone."

Allen opened his mouth but no words came out. Allen paused trying to find his voice. "What are you saying?"

"Just what I said. Yu-chan can't love anyone," Lavi repeated.

Allen couldn't read the bookman apprentice. He was simply staring at him as though they are not talking about Kanda in a very controversial way.

There was a loud yawn before Pedro roused from his sleep. "Master Lavi? When did you get here?"

"A couple of hours ago," Lavi replied, his goofy smile was back and was as bright as ever.

"Great! Now we can all get back to the headquarters. Where is Master Kanda?" Pedro asked.

"He has gone off to the woods a while ago," Lavi answered.

"Maybe I should find him so we can start our journey back," Pedro said.

"Sounds good," Lavi agreed.

Allen watched Lavi change from serious back to being goofy. He was confused. What did Lavi mean? Could it be that he also feels something for Kanda?

"Moyashi! Come on, let's help Pedro look for Yu," Lavi called out to him snapping Allen out of his thoughts.

"Coming" was all Allen could say.

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This is longer. I can't believe how fast I am updating this story. Its like ideas are running out of the faucet! Sugoi…

Thank you very much for all those people who took the time to review! I appreciate it very much. I also thank those who read my story specially those who added this fic to their alerts. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

To my anonymous reviewer, I don't quite understand what you meant by "…why are you not playing with Allen x Kanda since you already started your story like this…" (or something along those lines XD). Do you mean I'm not playing with the pairing enough? I really don't get it. I'm sorry for being stupid but I would really like to clarify any misunderstandings or mistakes that I might have made. Please don't hesitate to review again.

Would you like an update? You know what to do. -