AN: Well, I have nothing to say for myself leaving this hanging for so long. I basically got writer's block and then forgot about it. There's been some family drama too but I'm getting good at ignoring it. Things are gonna start picking up after this chapter, I promise you that.

Without further ado, I present you chapter 4: because it's my birthday and I swore to myself I'd post this.

They woke up a few hours later at the gentle knocking of their Finder at the door. Neither boy said anything to the other as they went through the motions of getting dressed and packing up. They left the inn quickly, not stopping for food. They would eat while on the way, to save time. It was a sound judgment but Allen's stomach disagreed with that logic. There simply was not the time or means to keep up with his appetite while on the move—one of the downsides to being a parasite-type accommodator. Kanda, on the other hand, didn't even bother eating anything. He had declined any and all offerings with a nasty glower. Allen shrugged it off; he hadn't really seen Kanda eat anything other than soba, come to think of it. Weird. I guess he just likes it? Kinda boring though. I could never survive if I ate the same thing every day.

The next several switchovers went the same. With one big difference— Kanda had stopped sleeping. Allen hadn't remarked on it, not wanting another fight, so he had pretended that the swordsman was fooling him. Kanda wasn't a very good actor. His breathing was a shade too fast for slumber and he was wound tighter than a coiled spring. As their current train rumbled along the tracks, Allen idly wondered when that spring would snap and how badly the fallout was going to be. He had never seen Kanda this tense or cold. There was almost a visible aura radiating out from his form, even as the swordsman sat with his arms and legs crossed, staring out the window. The ever-present scowl on Kanda's face had been replaced by a blank stare somewhere along the way. Allen frowned and shifted to dig out one of the cream-filled pastries he'd gotten earlier, specifically for the long train ride, and debated on whether or not to offer anything to Kanda.

"No thanks." Kanda's voice interrupted Allen's thoughts. I really wish you'd find some other way to occupy your time. Go back to not wanting to start fights, would you?

"I didn't even say anything."

"You've been staring at me for a few minutes and you have food in your hand. It's not hard to guess."

"Oh." Allen leaned back against the seat and looked out the window. He hadn't realized that he was staring at Kanda. It was annoying how much he seemed to slip up around the swordsman. He could cheat adults out of everything they owned in poker but the minute it came to even keeping his thoughts hidden; Kanda somehow could read through everything. Allen had always known that Kanda was perceptive. It was a pain in the ass to learn just how perceptive he was. He crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance. Kanda made him feel like a child sometimes.

Silence fell in the train car and no one ventured to break it. This was the last leg before they were home. They would have to report to Komui first but then their time was their own. Allen was looking forward to dinner. He had missed Jerry's cooking and enthusiasm. Kanda was looking forward to a bath and his familiar room. Meditation never sounded so good. They were still a couple hours from the Order still and the thought felt like an eternity. Kanda made a quiet noise of irritation when the train stopped to exchange passengers. I just want to go home. I need to be alone for long enough to relax. Why does Komui keep sticking me with this annoying bean sprout anyway? Knowing him, he figures the kid can take my attitude and give it back. Komui is probably hoping we'll become friends. Tch.

Outside of the compartment, their finder leaned against the wall with his eyes shut. He had never been on a mission that had felt as though it would never end before. The rumors about the legendary fights between the two Exorcists he was paired to paled in comparison to the actual arguments. Never before had he dealt with two people more prone to pick a fight over anything. Literally anything. There had been a fight about the time Kanda woke up—apparently he was in the habit of getting up at sunrise and the noise had woke Allen up. There was a shouting match about what food to stock up on. Another in the middle of the Akuma battle that had nearly gotten them all killed. No, the finder had never imagined working with them could be such a nightmare.

Despite all the arguing and frigid silences, however, he got the feeling that each exorcist actually respected the other to some degree. He could see the merits in both. Kanda was dedicated, serious, meticulous, and fast. He didn't hesitate and he didn't leave people behind—no matter that he often threatened to. Allen was driven, compassionate, fast, and just as dedicated. He lacked the ruthless quality that Kanda so readily displayed but that didn't make him any weaker for it. Where Kanda lacked empathy, Allen had too much. Maybe that was where all the fighting stemmed from. The finder had wondered if, secretly, they only fought so much because they envied the qualities of the other.

Shaking his head, the finder laughed softly to himself. The Order might only see two boys who hated one another. Some might see two friends who had a different way of showing it. The way he saw it was that they were two awkward kids trying to figure out just where they stood in the world. One was too easily hurt and the other was too easily angered. That was their own problem though. The longer they had been together on this mission, the less nasty they had begun to be to each other. Perhaps it was exhaustion. Perhaps they were tired of fighting. Or perhaps they were just getting used to compromising. In time, he hoped that they would find some manner of neutral ground that didn't involve death threats and sudden shouting matches that nearly evolved into fist fights.

Now that he thought about it, Kanda had resisted Lavi far more vehemently and yet the redhead still chose him to annoy. Kanda simply ignored him until he crossed a line and then Lavi would be running for his life, laughing like a madman, and Kanda would stomp off somewhere to either train or meditate. The finder grinned. That was it. Kanda was giving up on fighting Allen. He was making another friend. God knows Kanda would deny it until he was blue in the face but the truth was there. This is going to be an interesting time. Especially when Lavi figures it out and gets Allen to gang up on Kanda with him. There would be more fights for certain but they would likely be of the more entertaining variety.

The train arrived at the station without a problem and the trio all rushed off. Everyone was eager to get home and relax until they were sent out again. Kanda led the pack up the winding road to the canal system that would take them into the Order. He wanted nothing more to get away from Allen Walker. He wanted to get away from the irritating curiosity and overwhelming appetite that Allen had. No one said anything as they boarded the boat and began to move. Allen sat on a small crate and ran his fingers through his hair. The sound of his stomach was hidden by the small waves lapping at the sides of the tunnel and the light chatter of the finder and another exorcist returning home. Kanda was silent as ever as he stood near the prow with his arms crossed over his chest, his back ramrod straight. Allen sighed. He knew that stance. The instant they disembarked, he would be running to keep up with the older boy as he all but ran to report to Komui.

Idly, Allen wondered if the head of their Order branch had gotten himself into any trouble while they had been gone. It was no secret that the man was insane. There had been horror stories floating around the Order since Allen had arrived and he believed every word. After the way Komui had 'fixed' his Innocence when he had arrived, Allen would believe just about any crazy story that centered around the man. Lenalee was a saint for putting up with him, and keeping him in line when things got way too out of hand. She also was the best weapon to put an end to things before Komui could get the chance to wreak havoc.

A short ride later and Allen was almost having to power walk to keep up with the pace Kanda set with his larger strides. The swordsman's stoic glare was firmly back in place and several other exorcists scurried out of the way before he could actually glare at them. The halls were fairly crowded with people on their way down to get lunch. Allen could see Kanda getting more and more annoyed as they wove through the crowds.

"YUUUUUUU! ALLLEEEEEN! You guys are back!" A loud shout drew a lot of resigned looks as a redhead began hopping up and down. He almost knocked a couple people on his way over, ignoring the glares and muttered insults. Allen supposed that Lavi was used to those reactions by now.

"Fuck." Kanda's voice was so quiet that Allen almost didn't hear him and he figured he wasn't supposed to hear it. There was a pause before Lavi skidded to a stop in front of them.

"You're back! How'd the mission go? You didn't try to kill one another did you?" Lavi looked between his two friends, blatantly ignoring the murderous glare on Kanda's face. The swordsman made a scoffing sound and crossed his arms, averting his eyes away from the redhead.

"Yes we're back. Mission was fine. Not really, no." Allen answered with a slight smile. Believe it or not, he had missed the annoyingly hyper way Lavi always was no matter the hour. "We need to report to Komui though. Then I'm getting lunch. I have no idea what he's doing." Allen started walking as he talked, having to shift around Kanda, and waved over his shoulder at Lavi. "I'll see you for lunch?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll find Lenalee and we can make it a party! Yu, you gonna come?"

"No."

"Aw, but—"

"I said no. Go bother someone else. I've had enough idiocy for one day." Kanda strode off again, faster than before. He didn't really look as angry as his tone of voice made it seem. Allen had a sneaking suspicion that Kanda actually liked arguing with Lavi, to a point. Kanda was a complicated person but Allen had no issues with that. It'd be a lot more boring if he were as transparent as some of the other Exorcists that they lived with.

They walked on in silence. Now that they had passed into the upper floors, there were less and less people about. A couple times they walked passed someone from the science division. It was obvious who they were because they all looked like they were dead on their feet with purplish black bruising under their eyes. Allen's eyebrows pinched together in worry. The last time anyone from the science division had looked like that, the entire Order had been evacuated for a day with no explanations given to anyone other than "Komui." Ever since, Allen had come to regard seeing multiple scientists looking that haggard as a bad sign.

After that, they made it to Komui's office with little else to note. Allen knocked on the door when it became apparent that Kanda had no intention of doing so. There was no answer so Allen knocked again, harder. When there was still no answer, Kanda kicked at the door handle and shook his head when the door opened to reveal Komui passed out on his desk. The desk and man were both covered in piles of papers. Half the floor was buried in thigh-deep piles as well. Kanda scowled as he stomped through the mess and stopped a few feet away from the center of the disaster.

"Lenalee's getting married." His flat tone of voice was quiet but Komui still came flying up off his desk as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice water down his back.

"LEEEENAAAALEEEEEEE! NOOO HOW COULD YOU GET MARRIED WITHOUT MY PERSMISSION!" He started wailing and knocked more papers into the growing fire hazard. Allen sighed to himself while Kanda retreated with a look of disgust. Allen had quickly gotten used to the fits Komui went through when they had to wake him up. He found it a little creepy that the man had such a sibling complex but at least they had a fool-proof way to get him awake.

"We're back, you fool." Kanda was in no mood for theatrics anymore and slammed his report folder on the desk. Komui jumped and his entire demeanor shifted into a more serious one.

"How'd it go? Any trouble?"

"No."

"Not really. Just a lot more Akuma than we'd initially anticipated but otherwise no issue." Allen slid his own leather folder onto the desk without the anger that Kanda was showing. "We got the Innocence too." Kanda carefully set it down on the desk as Allen spoke and then stuffed his hands back into his pockets. Allen could have kicked him but it was Kanda. The display of angered boredom was expected. In fact, if Kanda acted any other way it would be scary.

Komui asked a few other questions that Allen answered after Kanda proved that he wasn't going to give more than one or two word replies. Komui didn't seem bothered by it as he waved them out of his office. After the two Exorcists had left, Komui leaned back in his chair with a smirk. It had been most informative to see the way Allen took over when Kanda refused to answer. It was a far cry from the first mission that they had been paired for. They had fought and arguing even while reporting in and all the way back down until Allen had stormed off to find food and Kanda disappeared for a few hours. Komui chuckled softly. Things are changing for the better.

After leaving Komui's office, Kanda and Allen made their way back down, getting stopped once by Reever asking if the 'idiot living in a sea of reports' was awake and him storming off once they said he had been when they left. Kanda wordlessly left once they had reached the dorm level and Allen turned his own way. He wanted to change into more casual clothes since he planned to eat and then go get in some training before relaxing outside for a little while. Timcampy finally crawled out of his bag and landed on his head, causing him to laugh.

"Oh, finally decided to show up? You'd better not try to steal my food today." Allen scowled up at the golem clinging to his hair. Tim just flicked its tail into Allen's face for an answer. "Thanks." Allen reached his door and pushed it open. He sighed quietly as he walked into the familiar room. "It's so good to be home."

After changing out of his uniform, Allen headed for the cafeteria in a white button up shirt and his usual black pants and boots. Tim was on his shoulder now, tail curled around Allen's back and under his arm for balance. There were a few Exorcists coming back from missions and a couple that were leaving the cafeteria but other than that the foot traffic was nonexistent. Allen could hear the din of voices growing louder and louder the farther down the corridor he walked. A smile starting forming on his lips at the familiar sounds. He had missed this while he was away. It had been nice to get away for a while, despite the unpleasantness that a mission always carried, but he had missed his friends. Though, he could do without dealing with Kanda for a while after being trapped with him for so long. There was only so much of each other that they could deal with and that amounted to about an hour at most. Being home was a blessing.

Allen waved to a few people who called out to him as he made his way over to stand in line. It was a relatively short wait and then he was being crushed in a hug from Jerry before Allen could really assess what was happening.

"Allen~! Welcome back! I've missed you and your apetite!" Jerry let go when Allen made an awkward squeaking sound, unable to do much else because he couldn't breathe. He had to lean on the wall for a moment to catch his breath. He started laughing then before he could reply to Jerry.

"Yes, I'm back. I missed being here. A lot. The outside food doesn't compare to yours by a long shot."
"Oh, you charmer. What can I get you?" Jerry giggled and leaned on the counter behind the window. He was one of the reasons Allen felt so at home in the Order. That and Jerry never complained about how much he ate.

"Oh, um." Allen rattled off his list of food. One of the guys behind him in line was staring at him with eyebrows so high that they were in danger of vanishing into his hair line while his friends laughed at him. Allen itched the back of his neck in embarrassment and moved down the line to wait for his food. He knew that the reason he ate so much was because of the type of accommodater he was but it was still slightly embarrassing when someone new overheard or saw him with enough food for an army. His appetite was legendary in the Order at this point and most everyone was used to it by new. Must have been a newer Exorcist or one who'd been away long enough to have missed running into Allen before.

In short order, Allen had his food and was making his way over to the table where he had spotted Lavi and Lenalee. Lavi was sprawled over the table with his cheek pressed against the wood, clearly complaining about something or other, while Lenalee looked like she was caught between laughing or looking appropriately serious. Allen didn't bother to keep the smile off his face as he dropped down next to Lenalee. He had learned not to sit beside Lavi unless there was no other choice. The guy flailed a lot and it had taken a couple elbows to the gut before Allen had decided he'd never sit next to Lavi again unless the only other choice was sitting beside Kanda. That would just be asking for disaster.

Allen exchanged greetings before he started practically inhaling his food. He was content to listen as Lenalee and Lavi told him about what had happened at the Order while he had been gone. Lenalee complained about Komui and what stupid scenes he'd caused again while Lavi laughed at her. She kicked him under the table and his face paled but he didn't make a sound. Allen had to give him points for being able to stay silent. Lenalee looked like she didn't back much of a punch but oh man was that a wrong assumption. She could hit like a freight train when she wanted to.

Allen offered his own stories in exchange, once he had eaten enough that he didn't feel like he was going to die. Lavi had a speculating look on his face while Allen complained about Kanda on the train ride back. That look made Allen decidedly wary but he could not really place why. He brushed it off for later, deciding he'd worry about it if Lavi ever started in on something or other with him. It was usually Kanda who had to deal with Lavi's idea of jokes.

"So, what're you gonna do for the rest of the day?" Lenalee was looking at Allen with her head tilted slightly to the side. Allen set the last empty dish onto his tray and stretched.

"I was thinking about taking a book outside for a little while before getting in a bit of a workout. I've been slacking off while I was gone and I probably shouldn't have. I was afraid that if I inhaled wrong, Kanda would lose his temper or something and I really wasn't in the mood for another fight." Allen shrugged as he stood. His friends followed suit and walked out with him. Lavi disappeared to 'help the old panda geezer' and trotted off with his arms crossed behind his head.

"I was thinking about going into town for some things in a little bit. Would you want to g with me?" Lenalee paused as Allen ducked into his room for a book.

"Um. Sure? I can work out later, really. When were you planning to go?"

"In an hour or so. I can come find you."

"Sure, sounds good. I'll probably be under a tree outside. Most likely asleep, if I know myself." Allen sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck while Lenalee laughed at him as she walked away.

Why do I feel like I've signed up for an interrogation? Allen wondered idly as he made his way outside. I guess I'll find out later.

12 Page -man | Yullen Elizabeth Nichols