4

"Oh...my...God. Can't...we...stop...yet?"

"This is barely a warmup."

"Kanda! We've...been...running...for...two...hours. How...are you...not...even...breathing hard?"

"This is a cakewalk. Don't complain. Stop running if you're tired, idiot." Kanda saw, out of the corner of his eye, Lavi fall on the track. He rolled his eyes and kept running. Kanda was around the track ten times before Lavi could drag himself off of it.

He stopped when he reached the space where Lavi was laying. How pathetic. The rabbit was panting on the ground.

"Stand up and put your hands behind your head. It helps you breathe better, idiot."

"Thanks."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not trying to be nice. We can't afford to lose an exorcist in battle due to a poor lung capacity."

"Why are you always so mean?" Lavi whined. Kanda smirked and walked away, grabbing Mugen.

"Hey! Where are you going?"
"I'm hungry."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kanda walked into the cafeteria, his hair slipping from it's ponytail after his run. He had changed into his uniform with his katana attached to his side. He had wanted a better workoutm but with Lavi there it had turned into more of an annoyance. It was difficult to run in peace when he was followed by a baby.

"Soba, Kanda?" Jerry asked.

"Yes."

"Here you go." The cook passed a tray to Kanda. He nodded at Jerry and took the food, inhaling the scent of the soba. He carried his tray to an empty table and sat down. He began to eat when he felt the air rush by him. Someone had rushed past, creating a breeze. He glanced up and saw a girl with a short skirt and long black hair in two pigtails. Lenalee.

Damn. He had totally skipped out on Lenalee this morning. His encounter with Lavi had pissed him off, and he needed to get rid of his anger. He had gone straight to the track without even thinking of his promise to eat with her. He got up and ran after her, catching her wrist. She twisted around.

"Let go." He dropped her wrist.

"Lenalee," he began. She glared at him and started walking. He easily kept pace. "Listen to me," he said.

"Save it." She started to move faster. Kanda, in an attempt to get in front of her and block her way, ran into a table.

"Che. Wait!" She ignored him. They were in the middle of the cafeteria now, with every face turned toward them.

"I'm sorry!" he yelled. Silence. Complete silence. Every face held a look of shock. They started to whisper.

"What did he say?"

"Kanda? Apologizing? Oh my God!"

"Did he really just say that!?"

He felt his face flush. He wanted to slap himself, letting his weakness show. Idiot. Lenalee saw his cheeks go faintly pink and found that she couldn't help but smile. He was too cute to stay mad at.

"I forgive you," she said. More whispers ensued.

"That Lenalee is so selfless!"

"She's so sweet."

"I can't believe she would forgive that punk Kanda! What an angel!"

Kanda could feel his anger reaching heights. These people never stopped talking. His hand gripped Mugen. Whispers kept coming, praising Lenalee and bashing himself. Finally, Kanda had had enough.

"Shut up!" he bellowed, activating his Innocence and destroying a nearby table. Terrified looks appeared on all faces. A soft hand touched his own.

"Put it away, Kanda," Lenalee said softly. She tried to hide her fear, but Kanda could see that he had scared her. He sheathed his Mugen and walked away. When he was out of the cafeteria he realized that he never even got to finish his food.

"Kanda," came her voice.

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said. He stared at her for a moment. Lenalee reached out and touched his face, her palm against his cheek. She stood on tiptoe. Kanda could feel his heart pounding.

"Kanda! Is that you?" came a familiar, and annoying, voice. Lenalee dropped her hand and Kanda stepped back from her. Komui arrived next to them.

"Lenalee! I didn't see you! Oh, I'm so excited! I have good news!" he said in a sing-song voice. Kanda scowled. Komui's good news certainly meant his own bad news.

"What is it, Nii-san?" Lenalee asked.

"We are hosting an Exorcists Ball! Of course, you two must be there, along with the rest of the exorcists! And I am opening it up to all the science department and the finders!"

"Are you serious?! This will be so much fun!" Lenalee exclaimed. Komui smiled at his sister.

"It will be a formal occasion, of course. Suit and tie, ball gowns!"

"No way," growled Kanda. Komui's brilliant smile faded. But, all to soon, it was replaced with one more sinister.

"If you don't go I will destroy your room and make you bunk with Allen. I will also see to it that all of your missions are with Walker as well."

"Fine. I'll go. But I am in no way dancing with anyone!" He shot a look of pure venom at Komui and turned on his heel.

"Oh! And Kanda, don't forget to buy a suit!"

Kanda inhaled sharply, but kept walking. The sooner this ball ended, the better.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Since when did the Order have a ballroom? Kanda wondered. He stood outside the big doors, stalling his entrance. The murmur of voices was loud, even through the doorway. He knew that he was probably the only one left to enter.

He smoothed the front of his tux. Though he hated to sat it, Kanda actually liked the feeling of the suit. It was a perfect fit; not too tight, not too loose. He was wearing a black jacket and dress pants, with a white button down shirt and black tie. He was even wearing tuxedo shoes, though he much rather would have worn his exorcists boots.

Kanda ran a slender hand through his hair, which he had opted to leave out of the ponytail. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the door. He turned the knob and stepped inside.

How much longer did he have to endure this? Kanda was sitting in the same chair he had been in for the past three hours. Every time he had tried to leave, Komui had appeared and repeated his threat.

"Che."

"Kanda! There you are! I've been looking for you!"

"Lenalee. You look...stunning." Her blush seemed to cover her entire body. She was wearing one of those princess dresses. It was strapless, with a corset back and a poufy skirt. The bodice was white with black trim and detailing. A wide black belt was wrapped around her hips, secured by a cross-shaped bin of black stone. The skirt was black, with tiny jewels sparkling on it. Her hair was pulled into an elegant bun on the top of her head. Sparkles were in her hair, and a few spiral curls framed her face. Kanda could think of no other word to describe her. His heart sped up just looking at her.

"Thanks!" she said shyly, her head tilted at an angle towards her shoulder. "You look quite handsome yourself."

"Che."

"Dance with me!" she exclaimed suddenly. He shook his head.

"I don't dance."

"Come on! It's easy. I'll show you. Just follow me," she said, taking hold of his hand, leading him to the center of the room.

"Really, Lenalee, I can't," he insisted.

"Kanda, stop complaining," she said. She took his right hand and placed it on the small of her back. Kanda blushed and jerked his hand upward. She grasped his left hand in her own and placed her right hand on his shoulder.

"Kanda," she said.

"What?"

"Put your hand on my waist."

"That's highly inappropriate!" he said. She smiled.

"That's the proper hold." She looked at him expectantly. He raised his eyes to the ceiling and back down before lowering his hand to her waist. She started leading them around the floor.

"See," she said. "You're not that bad. You've yet to step on my- Ow!. Never mind."

"Sorry," Kanda said, laughing. Lenalee started to laugh. For the first time that night, he was having a good time. But then, suddenly, the music began to stop.

"I don't want this song to end," Lenalee said, as the band played the final beats of the waltz.

"Me either," Kanda whispered, more to himself than Lenalee. She heard him, however, and smiled.

"LENALEE! WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Oh no! Komui!" she exclaimed. Kanda took her wrist.

"Come on," he said, dragging her through the crowd of Order members. He was moving quickly through the throng, Lenalee stumbling behind him. Soon, he reached a door. He opened it, pulled Lenalee through, and closed it behind them.

They were outside on a balcony. The sky was dark, dotted with stars. The moon was shining brightly. The wind blew his hair around his face.

"Wow, look at the moon! It's beautiful!"

Kanda turned to face Lenalee. Her hair had fallen out of the bun, leaving her curls hanging down to her shoulders. Her smile was bright, her cheeks flushed. She turned to him and caught his eye.

"Isn't it beautiful, Kanda?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied, stepping forward, toward her. He placed his hand on her face. He heard her breathing speed up. His left arm encircled her waist, drawing her closer. He could feel her chest rise and fall with her breath. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Do you mind if I try something?" He did not wait for an answer. His right hand trailed down her jawline until it was under her chin. He lifted her face up to his and gently kissed her lips. Lenalee was tense at first, but then she relaxed and reached around him to hook her arms around his next. He wrapped both arms around her waist.

A sudden light broke them apart. Kanda glared toward the light brimming from the open door.

"Whoa!" Lavi said. Kanda stepped far back from Lenalee. "Enjoying ourselves?"

"Lavi!" Lenalee and Kanda yelled simultaneously.

"What!?"

"You idiot!" Kanda sneered.

"That's rude. So does this mean that you are off limits now?" he addressed Lenalee. She blushed furiously.

"Well...um"

"Yes. But lets keep it private for a while." Lenalee turned in shock towards Kanda. He managed to smile at her. She grinned back.

"I thought I had a chance," Lavi said in mock hurt. "Don't worry. I won't tell a soul."

I don't know about you, but I like this chapter. That sounds kind of conceited, doesn't it?

Anyway, do you think that Kanda is OOC? I hope not, because I already have this story written. I'm just trying to find time to type it up.

Please review! I hope you enjoyed the chapter.