3

A soft, tentative knock resounded on Kanda's door. He opened his eyes, and then shut them again. Not bothering to leave his meditation he called out for whoever it was to enter. The door creaked open and soft footsteps padded across the hard, stone floor. He sensed a body lowering itself next to him and stiffened a bit. He opened his eyes and saw Lenalee smiling at him. He closed them again.

"What is it?" he said, a little annoyed that he had been interrupted. All focus had fled from him the moment she had knocked on the door.

"Nothing. Just thought I'd try meditating with you for once?" She smiled again and closed her eyes, her hands folded in her lap.

Kanda. However, didn't miss a beat. "It's Leverrier, huh? You always seem to run over to my place when that guys around." He could sense Lenalee's discomfort.

"Uh..." She paused. " I just hate having everyone worry about me. Ever since we were small I could be with you, and you wouldn't ask me any questions, so it helps me relax."

Kanda expertly hid his smirk. Then a sudden realization seemed to crash over Lenalee. Kanda's whole body tensed at her outburst.

"I'm running away, aren't I? Ugh! I have to be stronger! But still..."

"You're breaking my concentration." Silence came from Lenalee.

"Che. I think you're a strong woman."

"Kanda?" she inquired, a small smile creeping onto her face.

"Shut up and meditate," was all he said.

"Ok!"

"Kanda? Do you think I could sleep in here tonight?" she asked suddenly. His whole concentration snapped and he stood up abruptly. Lenalee hastened to explain. "I wouldn't ask, but it's just that I heard them talking about putting a guard outside my room, and I figured that no one would look for me here. I considered Lavi's but-"

"No. You can stay here." He shuddered to think what would happen if she stayed the night in Lavi's room. It was too sickening to think about.

"They wouldn't have to put a guard out if you didn't run away every time Leverrier's around," he continued.

"I know," she said sadly. "I can't help it."

Kanda was anxious to get off this topic. "You can have my bed," he said, tossing a pillow at her.

"Oh, no. It's your room, I couldn't. I'll sleep on the floor."

"No," he said sternly. "The floor is too cold. Take the bed."

"I really insist on my taking the floor."

"Take the bed, Lenalee, or I will kick you out." She sat down on the bed.

"We could share," she suggested. Kanda felt his face heat up. He turned around to face the wall. He was sure his face was turning red from embarrassment, an emotion that Kanda thought he would never feel.

"That would be very inappropriate, plus what would Komui do if he found out?" he said.

"Come on, Kanda. It's not like we'll, well, do anything." She was blushing now. Kanda turned to face her. It was all he could do to keep from smirking.

"I really would rather not," he said, keeping his ground. Lenalee rolled her eyes.

"Kanda, you'll freeze just as much as I would. Get in the bed," she commanded. He folded his arms across his chest.

"Lenalee, don't be ridiculous."

"Kanda. Do it." He was rather taken-aback by her commanding tone and got into his bed. She got in next and Kanda made sure to leave the sheet between their bodies. He was strangely aware of how close their bodies were, even though he had himself pressed against the cold stone wall. He tried to fall asleep, but her was kept awake by the thought that he was sharing his bed with Lenalee. Komui would kill him if he ever found out.

Kanda could feel her shivering. He should have offered to get a few extra blankets. He was never bothered by the cold, so he therefore never needed anything more than the sheet on his bed. The mattress was shook by small tremors. Kanda knew he wouldn't fall asleep unless she stopped shivering, so he scooted next to her, wrapped an arm around her, and held Lenalee close. Her shivers subsided and Kanda drifted to sleep.

The lotus in the hourglass drooped, another petal falling to the bottom of the glass. Kanda stared at it, wide-eyed. He didn't even injure himself! He got up, careful of Lenalee, who was sleeping soundly, and picked up the glass.

He hated the thing! Hated it! He wished that it would just disappear. He didn't need another reminder of the life he lived and the time he had left. He tossed it in his hands.

"AHH!" he yelled and chucked the glass into the wall. It crashed against the stones and fell to the ground, but did not break. Kanda slumped against the wall and slid to the ground. He held his head in his hands.

"Kanda!"

He looked up. Lenalee was sitting up in bed. She saw him sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall. Her eyes drifted to the hourglass across the room. She was at his side in a second.

"What happened?" she asked.

"It lost another petal," he said stonily. She reached out and hugged him, letting him rest his pounding head on her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"Forget it," he replied. He pulled away and massaged his temples.

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly. Lenalee looked at him quizzically. "I'm sorry that I've been rude to Allen. I know it hurts you. Please forgive me."

She looked shocked at his words. Kanda could feel the panic rising within him. She wasn't going to forgive him. He had blown it.

"Nevermi-" he began stiffly.

"Sorry," Lenalee said quickly. "I'm just surprised. You never apologize. But yes, I forgive you." His panic faded and he stood up, grabbing the hourglass.

"You do?" he asked, placing it on a table. She nodded.

"Of course. I always will." Kanda walked over to where she stood. He grabbed her shoulders and held her close. He didn't know what had come over him. All he knew was that he wanted to hold Lenalee in his arms forever.

"Thank you," he whispered into her hair.

"You're welcome. Shall we go get breakfast?" she asked.

"I need to change."

"Okay. I'll meet you there." She left his room. Kanda pulled on his training clothes and grabbed Mugen, clipping the katana onto his side. Then he grabbed a red cord and pulled his hair into a ponytail. He crossed to the door and opened it.

"Yu!" There was a flash of black as Kanda pulled out his blade. Lavi stared up at him from the ground, his headband around his neck.

"Yu! Relax!" he shrieked. He stood up, wiping dust from his pants. Kanda sheathed Mugen.

"Don't call me Yu," he snarled in a deathly tone. Lavi ignored him.

"How'd it go last night? Strike?" he asked, raising his one visible eyebrow. Within seconds Kanda had grabbed him by the throat and was holding him in the air.

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Can't...breathe...need...air," Lavi choked out. Kanda let go and the bookman fell in a heap on the ground. "Not so well, I take it," he managed through gulps of air.

"Lavi! Shut up!"

"What? I'm just curious. I mean, she walked out of your room in her pajamas. What if Komui had seen?"

"You are disgusting. Nothing happened. Happy?" Kanda turned and started walking. He was getting angrier by the second.

"Hey! Where're you going?"

"To the indoor track."

"Aren't you eating?"

"Not hungry."

"I'll come with you!"

"NO!"

"Yu-kun, please?"

"Fine. Stop whining."

"Right!" They had reached the track. Kanda entered. Other exorcists were there exercising. He stepped onto the track.

"Keep up if you can, Rabbit," Kanda said before starting to run.

Hello! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to get a post up, so it is 6 in the morning and I am getting ready for school and writing. Anyway, do you think I am making Kanda like Kanda? OOC means out of character, right? Is he OOC?

Please review! I would appreciate it. They are fun to read, and I like seeing that I have fans.