Disclaimer: I don't own dgrayman.

A/N: Real life really had me running around like crazy and only now, that things seem to have temporarily settled, I had the opportunity to write. I would really like to thank the people who took the time to review. Though it is not much, I dedicate this chapter to you guys for encouraging me to continue this story. So many thanks to akinos, Black Alice Butterfly, AnimeCrazed121, Animeloverx175! Hopefully chapter 5 will not be too far behind ^^

Please don't forget to review. Any comments or suggestions are very appreciated by me and my muse.

Many thanks to my very diligent beta, Danacyrus.

oOo

For the first time since his arrival, Allen felt at ease. He had found a job he liked; surrounded by pleasant people, and had grown accustomed to the rhythm of his new life. In the few days he had been working in the café he had gotten to know his employer and his sister better, along with Lavi, customer and friend of the siblings.

Komui could at times be a little overwhelming, but he was a patient man, and very tolerant. He was profoundly caring of his sister and when it came to protecting her, completely paranoid.

Lenalee was a charismatic young woman –a student at a local university, majoring in theater - who most of the time seemed more mature than her older brother.

Allen had learned (mostly from Lavi) that the siblings were of Chinese origin but had spent most of their lives in Japan, before coming to France. Therefore explaining their frequent use of honorifics. Apparently, that' s also where they met Kanda and the three of them had been friends ever since.

The informant himself, Lavi, was one of the regular customers. He was a very open person, very talkative, humorous and easy to get along with. He worked as a web designer and animator, proclaiming that he was a devout worshipper of anime. He had mixed blood, a French mother, and an English Father. He did all his work on his laptop, which effectively allowed him to work wherever he liked. As a result, he spent a lot of time in the café, which was relatively close to is home.

But still, despite the fact that Allen managed to get along with everyone else well, Kanda was still as cold as ice –obviously not a people person, a well established fact. What puzzled Allen the most was that he seemed to get along with Komui, Lenalee and despite his teasing, even Lavi. But when it came to Allen, Kanda seemed to either avoid him, or completely disregard him. It appeared that for some obscure reason, he just hated him, but Allen didn't have the slightest clue as to why that was.

oOo

Allen became aware of having zoned out as he felt a pinch on his forearm.

"Ouch!" he yelped.

"Well Allen, that's what you get for not focusing when a woman is talking to you," Lavi said happily before he too yelped in pain.

"Hey! Why did you do that?" he asked in annoyance.

Lenalee shrugged, with a smile, "You weren't paying attention either."

"Yes I was!" he said in mock protest. "You were saying that Komui's birthday is tomorrow and you want us to help you organize the party."

"Correct," the dark haired girl nodded.

"See, there was no need for you to pinch me."

Lenalee just shrugged and smiled.

They were all at the bar. Allen was at the inside, arranging some glasses while the others were sitting at the other side, leaning towards him, as if brewing a terrible conspiracy.

Komui had stepped out for a little to pay some bills and since there were no customers Lenalee had grabbed the opportunity to talk to them about her plan.

The door to the kitchen opened and Kanda stepped in, looking at the trio with a frown.

"Yu!" Lavi exclaimed upon seeing him.

Lenalee turned to look at him, "Kanda, excellent timing, come here, we have to organize for tomorrow."

Allen half expected him to turn around and walk back out of the room, but to his immense surprise the man did as he was told and came to stand by the girl's side.

"Ok! Lavi, you will take care of the music and the drinks!"

"Yes ma'am!" he saluted military style. That earned him a slap on the head by Kanda.

"Everybody is mean to me today," he whined, eyes wide and brimming with fake tears.

The girl and Allen snickered at his antics. Lenalee cleared her throat, "Good. Kanda will take care of the food and Allen will help him decorate while I keep my brother away from the house."

"But-" Allen wanted to protest, but he was quickly cut off. He really wasn't in a mood to spend more time with the man. Why couldn't he help Lavi?

"No buts!" Lenalee said looking straight in his eyes before turning to look at Kanda who also seemed about to protest. "Are we clear?"

The dark haired man shrugged. "Che. Fine."

Allen blinked in surprise. Lenalee could really be a force to reckon with when she wanted, but never would Allen have suspected that she could make Kanda do things he didn't want to do. Just as it was a mystery to him how everyone called the Japanese man by his last name while Lavi got away –most of the time –with calling him by his given one.

"Excellent!" the girl exclaimed, clapping her hands happily. "Tomorrow, I will come by at six and pick up Komui. When we leave you will close the store early and head home. Kanda has the keys. You will get everything ready while Lavi gets with the drinks, then he'll set up the music. The guests will start arriving around nine. This should give you enough time to get everything ready. Brother and I will be back by nine thirty."

"Don't worry Lenalee, everything will be perfect!" Lavi reassured her, smiling as always.

Allen nodded, trying to imitate the read-head but his gaze was drawn to Kanda and his stoic posture.

Oh well, how bad could it be. Lavi would also be there. It wasn't as if he would spend three hours alone with the man in the siblings apartment.

Relax! What are you so worried about? What could go wrong?

But even reassuring himself did not undo the knot that had suddenly appeared in his stomach.

oOoTBCoOo