A/N:

Yay! New chappie! X3 I love this anime even more everyday! XD How are you guys? Fine I hope. I'm sorry for the late update. I had to rewrite and rewrite this chapter over and over again. sigh This chappie might be a little nasty, but don't kill me yet. I still need to finish this story. Writing nasty chapters are harder than I thought. I think I can write longer than last chapter now. XD Well, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own D.Gray-man. sigh haven't you got bored with all these disclaimers already? Oh well…

Chapter 7-Pain

The sun shone through the huge windows in black order. The morning had come. The start of a new day. Allen woke up and found himself starring at a pair of emerald green eyes. The cursed boy almost jumped and yelled, but instead crawling back, squashing the yellow golem. He managed to hold the upcoming scream to a mere gasp of horror as the figure standing in front of him smirked. Oh, for the love of…

"L-Lavi?" Allen stammered. Lavi grinned and took a chair, sitting next to Allen's bed merrily. Allen yelped a bit when the yellow golem bit his hand, signaling for him to get off. "Whoa, sorry about that, Tim, you're okay?"

"Mornin' moyashi-chan." Lavi greeted. Allen sighed. How did he get in? Did he forget to lock the door? Nah!

"Lavi, what are you doing here in the morning?" Allen commented and sat on the edge of his bed. Timcanpy laid itself on his pillow. "Besides, how did you get in? I didn't forget to lock the door, did I?" Allen frowned.

"Nah, moyashi-chan. I have my ways. But I still came in through the door, don't worry." Lavi grinned. Allen sweatdropped. Lavi was as mysterious as usual. Or rather…strange.

"Well?" Allen began.

"Well what?" the orange haired exorcist tilted his head.

"What are you doing in my room at 5 o'clock in the morning?" Allen demanded. Lavi smirked.

"Waking you up of course." He laughed. Allen glared threateningly. Lavi could've sworn he looked a bit like Kanda a while ago. "Just kidding. I'm here to ask you about yesterday." He smiled. Allen looked confused.

"Yesterday you say?" Allen inquired. Lavi nodded cheerfully. Allen tilted his head. Lavi sighed.

"Yesterday in the woods! When Yuu-chan swept you off your feet!" Lavi reminded. A flood of memories flowed into his mind as the white haired exorcist's face turned red. Lavi nodded in satisfy. "Well? What happened? Tell me all 'bout it!" he grinned at the younger boy's embarrassed face.

"W-well, you see, I was…umm…I don't know how to begin." Allen sighed and looked down. Lavi listened carefully and patiently as the cursed boy began his story. He even told him about the scene with the towel last night. Allen narrated slowly and descriptively. The look of contentment shone in his cute face. When he ended the story, Lavi smiled kindly.

"Yuu is getting kinder and kinder towards you, you know moyashi-chan." Lavi grinned. Allen looked down in embarrassment. "Well, it's time to get into the act!" Lavi stood up excitedly.

"Wha?" Allen looked up confusedly. Lavi winked at him.

"Don't worry, I'll find out about his feelings for ya. Relax, match-maker Lavi will handle it all." He smirked. Allen flushed. He had totally forgotten that he had asked Lavi to help him with his love. Would it be okay? Well, let's just see.

"La-Lavi, remember, please don't tell Kanda about it! I don't want him to hear my feelings from another person." Allen reminded. Lavi gave his thumb up and left the room cheerily. Allen sighed. It's time for morning training.

Kanda was enjoying his breakfast in peace when an annoying rabbit interrupted. Lavi took his tray of food and sat next to Kanda. Kanda twitched his eyebrows at the infuriating rabbit beside him. Lavi grinned.

"Mornin' Boss." He greeted. Kanda snorted, didn't want to start a ruckus with the orange rabbit. That was when Lavi began to interview Kanda. "Hey, Yuu-chan, what kinda guy is your type?" Kanda swore he almost sprayed out the tea in his mouth at the sudden question. He breathed in deeply to regain his composure and glowered at the orange haired exorcist who was currently smiling in contentment.

"…what was that question's supposed to mean?!" he growled. Lavi held up his hands defensively.

"Hey, no offense, Yuu. I'm just asking! Well?" Lavi asked again. Kanda's hand inched closer to the sword on his back. Lavi continued, "Hey, calm down, Yuu-chan! I'm asking nicely here!" he didn't manage to get rid of the huge smirk on his face, though.

"Get-out-of-my-face-before-I-cut-you-with-Mugen!" Kanda spelled slowly. Lavi gulped and his face immediately paled.

"Lavi! Kanda! Good morning!" Lenalee greeted. Kanda's hands returned to the table and he began to sip at his tea again upon the arrival of the girl. Lavi sighed. Lenalee had just saved his life.

"Mornin', Lenalee." Lavi grinned.

"May I sit here too?" she asked. Kanda grunted and Lavi nodded cheerfully. "Thank you." The girl sat in front of the annoyed swordsman and smiled. "What's wrong, Kanda?"

"Hn." Kanda grunted. For some reason, Kanda didn't want to start a trouble in front of the girl. She would lecture him for hours if he did so. Lenalee sent him a questioning look. Lavi smiled nervously and shook his head. The girl dropped her question at the signal.

"What are you guys planning on doing today?" she asked. Lavi thought for a while. He already had a plan on what to do today. Not that Lenalee could know that, though. Lavi knew she liked the white haired exorcist and wasn't aware that the cursed boy liked another person.

"Well, I'm planning to hit the books again." Lavi lied. "Panda would kill me if I skipped lesson again." He laughed. That was the truth.

"…training." Kanda's answer was short and simple. Lenalee giggled.

"You really like training, don't you?" she asked. Kanda grunted again. "I have to help Nii-san with his work. Poor Mr. Wenhamm can't keep up with him. So I need to come to his rescue." Lavi laughed. "Have you guys seen Allen-kun?" she asked. Kanda kept his cold gaze to nowhere and the girl took it as "no". Lavi nodded.

"He's in his room. Probably currently bending 400 times." He chuckled. As a soon-to-be bookman, he could know information that's not common. Including Allen's training ways.

"Bending?" Lenalee sent him a questioning look.

"Yup. His way of training. He's just like Yuu-chan. Spending time with boring training all the time." Kanda flinched at the word 'like'. The swordsman glowered homicidally at the orange rabbit and his face immediately paled. "W-what's wrong, Yuu?"

"Call me that again, and I swear the next time you call me, it'll be from hell!" Kanda cursed. To tell the truth, it was a simple way of saying, 'don't compare me with that beansprout.' But somehow, Kanda couldn't bring himself to speak the cursed boy's name, or nickname.

"Hey, what are you getting so mad for?" Lavi sweatdropped. Kanda hissed as he stood up, taking his tray of already gone soba and walked out of the dining hall. Lenalee sighed.

"You should've known better than to do that, Lavi. I mean, just how many times he has told you not to call him by his given name?" Lenalee asked.

"W-well you see, it's a habit that's hard to change once you got used to it." Lavi ate a piece of carrot from his soup. "Besides, he hasn't answered my question yet…" he sighed.

"Question? What question might it be?" Lenalee asked. "I hope nothing too inappropriate." She said. Lavi laughed a bit.

"Nope. It's just a simple question. I merely asked him what kind of guy does he like, that's all." Lenalee's jaw dropped at the stupid question. Lavi gasped and hurriedly put his hands in front of his mouth.

"What kind of idiotic question is that?" Lenalee stated. "Lavi…don't tell me you…" Lenalee squinted. This time, it was Lavi's turn to jaw-dropped.

"No! It was not like that!" he immediately yelled.

"Then who? That's not just a question out of curiosity, right? Especially since you're asking for the type of 'guy'. Kanda's a man you know." Lenalee was pretty good. Lavi gulped. Should he tell her? Well, sooner or later she would find out though. Lavi didn't want to hurt her feelings. He knew Lenalee had feelings for Allen. But…she left him of no choice, 'cause she wouldn't leave him alone until he confessed.

'…crap…sorry Allen.' Lavi thought as he sighed.

"398…399…400. There, I'm finished." Allen beamed at the golem fluttering its wings next to him. He wore the white shirt on his bed and walked to the dining hall with Tim only to find Lavi with a guilty look in his face and Lenalee with a very, very serious look on her face.

"W-What's wrong, you guys?" Allen stammered. It had been quite a long time since he last saw Lenalee with that kind of look. Lenalee pulled his wrist and pulled him to sit beside Lavi. Allen sent the older boy a questioning look and Lavi sweatdropped.

"…sorry Allen, it slipped." Lavi put a guilty smile. Allen was confused at first but then realized and his face turned bright red.

"…Lavi…" The cursed boy spelled the older boy's name dangerously. Lavi sighed.

"Sorry…" Lavi looked truly sorry, so Allen couldn't bring himself to get mad at the boy anymore. That's Allen definitely. Can't stay mad at people for long.

"Allen-kun, I heard everything from Lavi." The girl began, glowering at the slightly-younger boy as she did. "Is that true?" Allen gulped, his face flushed red. He knew she left him of no choice but to confess.

Allen explained everything to Lenalee and told her the reason why he didn't tell her. It was because he had just realized the feeling recently and was a bit shy to admit. Lavi looked totally regretted what he did, though Allen was no longer angry at him, and was never angry at him.

"…so, it was like that…" Lenalee sighed. She felt a bit hurt and disappointed. She had liked the cursed boy since the first time he joined the order. But she could also see the sincerity and the happiness in the white haired exorcist as he told her everything. But she felt that she didn't want to give up. Not yet. Not until she can make sure that Allen could totally be happy with that stubborn cold-hearted exorcist he fell in love with.

"I'm sorry I hadn't told you anything, Lenalee. I mean…it was a bit unusual, so I was afraid that…you might think strangely about me." Allen sighed. "Now don't put a face like that, Lavi, I said I forgave you." Allen sighed. Lavi grinned a bit at the boy's kindness.

"…it's not that, Allen. You know I would never do something like that." Lenalee smiled sadly at him. "I just hope next time you would be honest and tell me everything about it instead of just keeping me in the dark." She explained. Allen smiled back at her.

"Thanks for your understanding, Lenalee." The cursed boy smiled cheerily, unaware of the feelings inside the slightly-older girl right now. "I think I'm going to order something first. I'm starved." He grinned and stood up, leaving the two to get into the line.

"…is it really okay, Lenalee?" Lavi asked. Lenalee sent him a questioning look. "I mean…I know that…that…"

Lenalee sighed and looked down sadly. "…I know. I also like Allen. But…I can see…it's him that he loves. I'm fully aware that…you can't force a love. It came just like that, but it won't go for a long, long time once you accepted it." Lavi looked down sadly.

"…yeah…you're right. You're so strong, Lenalee." Lavi smiled comfortingly. Lenalee shook her head.

"No I'm not. It feels painful, Lavi, believe me. But for me…it's better to see Allen happy rather than forcing my feelings to him. It would only hurt the two of us." Lavi looked to her sadly. That girl was indeed strong. Not normal girl can be strong at a painful fact like that. Especially Allen wasn't aware of her feelings at all.

"No." Lavi smiled. "You're strong." Lenalee smiled.

"But it doesn't mean I've given up already." She stared at him challengingly. Lavi was taken aback by the sudden mood change. "I have to make sure Allen will be happy with Kanda. If he won't, I will never, never approve their relationship." She grinned confidently. Lavi sweatdropped. Women and their un-comprehend-able moods.

"Will you ever tell Allen about your feelings?" Lenalee shook her head.

"I will someday, but not now. After I can be sure that Allen will be happy." Lenalee smiled. "Besides, Allen is not the only guy in this world, you know." She stated. "Oh, I got to go now. Tell Allen sorry okay?" she said before walking away.

She just didn't want the two to see her face right now. She went to her room to cry a bit before going to her brother to help with his work. Lenalee was strong. Being able to hold back her emotion for so long isn't an easy thing to do. It's very hard.

'She's strong. She must be very hurt right now…' Lavi thought. 'Oh well, I have to make it up to Allen somehow. And I think I know just how to do it.' Lavi smirked.

"Lavi, where did Lenalee go?" Allen asked, bringing his tray of food. Lavi jaw-dropped at the amount of food he carried. It was almost twice the amount of the food yesterday. Timcanpy fluttered around the peak of the mountain of food Allen carried curiously.

"…you're…not going to eat all that, are you?" Lavi asked uncertainly. Allen nodded cheerfully.

"Of course I am going to eat all this." He grinned at the older boy happily.

"Uh…let me guess, unusually hungry today?" Lavi sweatdropped. Allen nodded calmly. "Hey, moyashi-chan, I'm sorry about earlier. She gave me no choice but to confess." Allen shook his head and beamed at the older boy confidently.

"No big deal. Lenalee can be trusted. It was an accident, that's all." Lavi smiled. That boy was sure forgiving. Unlike Kanda.

"Thanks Allen." Lavi grinned. "And guess what, I'm going to help you asking Yuu-chan about it again, even though he almost skinned me alive earlier when I asked him." Allen sweatdropped.

"…skinned you alive? What did you ask him?" Lavi smiled.

"Maybe I was being too straightforward. I asked him what kind of guy is his type." Allen almost choked at the statement. "I will be more careful, don't worry." He grinned.

"Be careful, Lavi, or sooner or later you'll confess to Kanda about it." Allen narrowed his eyes. Lavi mock-pouted. It was true that he was a bit careless at holding back his tongue, but he want to help Allen, besides, what else can he do for entertainment besides annoying Kanda? Helping Bookman certainly wasn't entertainment at all.

"Well, what's your plan for today, moyashi-chan?" Lavi asked. Allen held his chin and thought. The cursed boy in truth hadn't prepared any plan at all. They had no mission to do today and that meant a whole free day in the order.

"I haven't planned anything." Allen shook his head.

"Well, I'm planning to bug Yuu-chan again until I get a satisfying answer." Lavi grinned.

"Be careful not to be careless, I don't want to go to a funeral tomorrow." Allen chuckled. Lavi paled and laughed nervously.

"Well, moyashi-chan, I gotta go now, I have to go to Panda for a bit. See ya later." Lavi winked. Allen waved.

"See you, Lavi." The white haired boy continued eating his pile of food alone with his golem.

"Yuu-chan." A childish voice called from behind. Kanda turned back and undo his blindfold only to find a small blonde boy stood behind him. Kanda remembered him. It was the child from yesterday. It was Lucius in his child form.

"…what the fuck is with that appearance, idiot?" Kanda snapped. Lucius used his small wings and flew a bit off the ground to stare at Kanda face to face since he was quite short in that shape (he barely reached Kanda's waist).

"Being in adult form is exhausting. I need a rest." He answered. His tone was light and cheery. Kanda frowned. He didn't like him, adult or child, Lucius was still Lucius. The same bastard.

"Che, whatever. Leave me alone. I'm here for training, not babysitting." Kanda spat. Lucius sighed.

"Nobody asked you to baby-sit me."

"Hn, then begone, brat. I'm busy here." Kanda snorted.

"Well, you may call me brat in this form 'cause I am a child. But this brat knows something you aren't aware of. Or maybe, you are aware of it but don't wanna admit it." Lucius beamed confidently at him.

"…whatthehellareyoutalkingabout, brat?" Kanda retorted. Honestly, adult or child, he was still as annoying and confusing as ever.

"…nothing. You'll know soon enough." He said before flying high, leaving Kanda alone with his training before he became the subject of the raven haired exorcist's training.

"Yuu-chan!" another voice came from behind. Kanda already had a vein of annoyance on his forehead when he turned to the owner of the voice. The orange haired rabbit beamed cheerfully at him.

"…now you. What do you want, Junior?!" Kanda spat. Lavi scrambled back a little.

"W-what's wrong, Yuu? You look a bit short-tempered today." Lavi lifted up his arms defensively. "Maybe something went wrong with your training?" Lavi guessed, trying to get back to Kanda's good side. The raven haired exorcist snorted and turned his back against Lavi.

"Che, it's that annoying brat. That monster really doesn't know when to shut up. He said he know something I don't. And then he goes and said that I know it but doesn't want to admit it. Someday I swear I'm going to slice him into thousand of pieces!" Kanda said, cutting a branch of a tree into small bits. Lavi's face paled.

"…that monster you meant…that's Lucius, right?" he asked. Kanda merely cut another bigger branch as an answer. Lavi sighed. "Y'know, he's really not that bad once you know him well…" Lavi received a glare from Kanda as the answer and decided it's the right time to stop.

"Hey Yuu-chan, you haven't answered my question back there in the dining hall!" Lavi reminded. Mugen almost slipped out of his hand at the statement. Kanda gave him a full force glare and Lavi gulped.

"He-hey, if ya don't wanna answer right now it's all right, though." Lavi shrunk back in fear. Kanda continued glaring at him.

"What the hell do you want, Junior? If you don't want to become my next training subject, get out of here!" Lavi chuckled nervously.

"Well, I can't. I promised one of my friends that I will find out no matter what." Lavi stepped to the raven haired teen bravely. Kanda sighed. He stared at him blankly.

"…whatever." Kanda replied coldly. Lavi leaned to a tree and smiled in satisfy.

"So, what kinda guy is your type, Yuu-chan?" Lavi smirked. Kanda stopped and turned back to face the rabbit. No matter how many times he asked, it still felt annoyingly bothersome.

"…why don't you bug off and leave me alone?" Kanda asked threateningly. But Lavi merely beamed back boldly.

"No thanks. I owe him one so I have to make it up to him somehow." Lavi grinned. "Besides, it looks like fun involving myself in another person's love problem like this."

"Go away before I cut you and make you rabbit pie for today's dinner." Kanda threatened. Lavi scrambled back in fear.

"Well, let's talk about it again later, OK?" Lavi said before jumping away, leaving the irritable samurai alone with his training, knowing he wasn't kidding about the rabbit pie. "See ya Yuu-chan!"

"Che." Kanda spat and continued his training.

Allen walked in the hall. The silent hall was quite big that he swore he might even get lost there. Something flew in from the open window. It was like a bird with black and white wings. Allen sweatdropped. Yep, it wasn't a bird. It was Lucius.

"Lucius-san?" Allen called. Lucius threw his gaze at him and smiled. The 'birdie' flew towards him and landed in front of him.

"Eh, you are in your child form." Allen bowed down so he could see him face to face. The boy nodded.

"Being in adult form is exhausting. I'm currently resting. And no 'san'. Lucius is fine." He grinned. Allen smiled. Lucius in that form was really cute and looked so innocent. "Nee, I know something, Allen-chan." He said with his light voice. Allen tilted his head, "It's about your newly found feelings towards a certain raven haired exorcist." He smirked when Allen blushed furiously.

"Wha—? How did you—" Allen stammered. The boy shook his head.

"No, it wasn't Lavi-kun." He stated. Allen sighed in relieved. He really wanted to trust Lavi with his secret since the orange-headed exorcist was one of his closest friends.

"Then how did you find out? Am I really that transparent?" Allen's flushing face reddened. The boy in front of him smiled understandingly. Honestly, he didn't look like a child at all.

"Kinda." The answer was short. "Besides, that's why I came here. 'Cause I want to find out how your relationship will be in the future." He beamed. The other reason was to find his body, but that's kinda fun too, right? X3

Allen blushed. "So, now everyone knows, don't they?" Allen looked down dejectedly. He really wanted Kanda to find it out from himself, not from the others. Somehow, that's how all people act when they fell in love, no one knew why, though.

"Nope, not yet. I won't tell anybody." He assured. Allen's head snapped up and he beamed happily. "Promise." The boy winked. Allen nodded. "By the way, Yuu-chan is currently training in the woods if ya want to see 'im." Allen's face flushed again. Honestly, he hadn't become used of the mentioning of that raven haired exorcist yet.

"I-it's fine, really." Allen shook his head.

"Then I'll be going. I wanna explore through this whole place. It's huge I can't even remember where I am now." He said and flew away from the white haired teen cheerily. Allen sighed. Maybe Lavi was right, that man wasn't so bad once you get to know him well, but Allen decided it's better to be careful around him.

"Allen-kun!" a woman's voice came from behind. Knowing whose voice it was, Allen turned around cheerfully. "Allen-kun isn't it?" it was Miranda. Miranda Lotto.

"Miranda-san!" Allen smiled. "Long time no see!" Miranda skipped towards him and smiled kindly.

"I miss you so, Allen-kun." She smiled. "Oh, you don't know how much I've endured to reach this place. Komui-san destroyed my clock to form a weapon from my Innocence and I'm currently depressed about it…" she said, crying. Allen sweatdropped. Miranda hadn't changed at all.

"C-cheer up, Miranda-san…" Allen stated.

"But then I can be close to my clock wherever I am because the Innocence is always with me now, so I'm fine." She smiled. Allen smiled back. "But this is only the beginning, right Allen-kun?"

"Yeah, this is the beginning." Allen smiled. "I'll introduce you to the exorcists I know later, Miranda-san. They're all very kind. Even a certain raven haired stubborn exorcist I used to think as a bastard." Allen smirked. It was true that Kanda used to be a bastard to him, but it all changed now that he had fully accepted his newly found feelings towards the swordsman.

"Really? Then what about now? Introduce me to them now, please. I'm currently not doing anything at all." She asked. Allen held his chin and then nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll do it now, I'm not doing anything at all too." The cursed boy beamed. Miranda smiled. She was glad she met Allen because she was currently lost in the sleeping hall.

Allen took Miranda to meet Crowley. That vampire had just become an exorcist not long ago either. Miranda looked a bit awkward around the vampire, and so was Crowley, but in the end everything worked out just fine. Allen was glad Miranda could be friend with someone else because the woman used to be so pathetic, or at least she thought she herself was.

"Meeting Crowley was sure fun wasn't it?" Allen smiled. Miranda nodded.

"He was kind even though I always thought vampires are all scary." Miranda smiled. "I used to watch vampire films in the TV and always crawls under my bed at the encounter with the vampires." She chuckled and Allen sweatdropped.

"Crowley is really kind. I'm sure you will be good friends with him." Allen smiled. "And there is Lavi. He is the bookman's apprentice." Allen explained. Miranda nodded and listened to him carefully. "He's the exorcist with orange hair and eye patch. He wore a bandanna. He's a kind guy, let's see if we can meet him. I'll introduce you to him."

"Really? Who else are there?" Miranda asked. Allen smiled. Miranda seemed to be so excited about meeting fellow exorcists.

"And…who else are there?" Allen thought for a while. "Oh yeah, there is Kanda. Kanda Yuu." Allen resisted the urge to blush at the thought of the raven haired exorcist.

"Oh, I remember that name." Miranda smirked. "I almost entered his room by mistake one day when I lost in the sleeping hall." She chuckled. "Before I could go in, Lenalee-chan came and showed me my room though. Is he a nice guy like Crowley?"

"Well, not exactly like Crowley, though. He's a bit bitter with his words, but really, once you get to know him better, he's a kind person." Allen couldn't resist the flush coming to his face there. Miranda looked at him worriedly.

"Are you alright, Allen-kun?" Miranda asked worriedly. Allen shook his head as many times as he could and chuckled nervously.

"I-I'm fine, don't worry." He scratched his head as Miranda smirked.

"You really like this Kanda person don't you?" she guessed and the flush returned to Allen's face.

"Oh no, am I really that transparent?" Allen sighed. Miranda looked surprised.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Is that not right? Was it wrong? Ooooh, I'm so sorry Allen-kun! Did I insult you or something? I'm so sorry!" Miranda bowed a few times. Allen sighed. Miranda was still the same Miranda she used to be.

"No, you didn't, Miranda-san. Just forget about it, okay?" Allen said.

"Alright…" she sighed. "By the way Allen-kun, can you show me where my room is?"

"Huh? You were lost earlier?" he asked confusedly. Miranda nodded.

"I'm sorry, two weeks of being here and I still couldn't find my own room…" she sighed.

"No, it's fine really. Lenalee told me where your room is. Let me take you there." Allen shook his head.

"Oh, thank you Allen-kun. I'll try not to forget it again." She smiled in relieved.

"If you got lost again, don't hesitate to ask for help, Miranda-san. Everyone here is so kind." Allen smiled.

"Yes, thank you." Allen lead Miranda to the sleeping hall when they heard Lavi's voice from near Kanda's room.

"Yuu-chan! You haven't answered my question yet!" Lavi skipped cheerily to the raven haired swordsman.

"Urusai (shut up). Leave me alone, you rabbit. I have better things to do." Kanda spat. Lavi pouted. Kanda twitched his eyebrows at the annoying sight.

"Aww, c'mon Yuu-chan…" Lavi whined. "You promised me to tell the truth…"

"Since when?" Kanda retorted.

"Yuu-chan…please! I'll stop bugging ya about it if you answer." Lavi tried to convince him but Kanda ignored him.

"Will you just leave me alone?! I don't want to answer it means I won't answer it!" Kanda was almost out of patience. But this time either it was accident or Lavi was out of patience too, that word came out of his mouth.

"But Yuu! Allen loves you!" Lavi yelled. Kanda froze in mid-step and Allen who was currently hiding behind a wall with Miranda immediately paled. Miranda gasped. So her guess was right.

'Lavi…' Allen thought as he crackled his knuckles. A vein of annoyance appeared on his forehead. Lavi hurriedly closed his mouth with his hands.

'Shit! That slipped my tongue again! That makes this twice! How could I be so careless?!' Lavi cursed. To his surprise, Kanda was silent. Either he was thinking or just standing there, no one knows.

"…so? What answer do you want right now?" Kanda answered coldly as he turned to face the orange haired exorcist. "You want me to say I love him too? Not even in your dreams you would receive such answer."

"Yuu, what the—" Lavi retorted at the selfish answer.

"You want me to say I love him? Hell would freeze before I actually say those things. Now you can stop wondering. You've received my answer." He turned around. "I hate him."

Each word fell on Allen's heart like thousands of sharp spikes stabbing him. Without warning tears emerged in his eyes. Allen felt his entire world had been destroyed at the very word. He used to feel fine even though Kanda said something like that to him. He even used to thank him for saying that. But now it pained him like hell.

Allen could no longer hear anything Lavi said to confront Kanda's hurtful words to defend him. His world had crumbled under his feet. The very first and last love had rejected him painfully. Allen ran away from the scene and headed to the direction of the training hall. Timcanpy fluttered its wings in place, confused and worried at its master's attitude, and then the golem went off flying to chase after its master.

"Allen-kun!" Miranda called. Lavi and Kanda's heads snapped up at the sudden call of Allen's name. Lavi and Kanda ran to the woman and found Miranda kneeling behind the wall. It was obvious that she and Allen had been eavesdropping their conversation.

"You—" Lavi glanced at her confusedly. He had heard about her. "Miranda Lotto-san?"

"Y-yes, my name is Miranda Lotto, n-nice to meet you, Lavi-kun." She stammered, not knowing what else to say in the current condition.

"Where did Allen—" Lavi asked in panicky.

"He-he ran that way!" Miranda stammered. She was confused, obliviously.

"Damn it, Yuu!" Lavi yelled. Kanda glanced at him coldly.

"What do you want? Don't think that I owe him some kind of apologize or anything. It was his own fault for falling in love with me." Kanda stated. That was it. Lavi struck him on the face. Kanda staggered and fell to the floor. The orange haired exorcist then ran to catch up with Allen.

"Allen!" Lavi yelled.

"W-wait a sec—" Miranda stammered but decided to come after the two, leaving Kanda alone. Kanda sat on the floor, looking down. Mixed emotion all scrambled up inside him.

"Hora (look), that's what happened if you don't wanna be honest with yourself." Lucius floated near him. "Ya okay, Yuu-chan?" he offered to help him. Kanda stood by his own, rejecting the help. Lucius sighed. "Think about it well. Or else, you will be very sorry later." Lucius said, flying away from him.

'…you guys won't understand…how I truly feel…' Kanda thought and walked away to his room silently.

Allen ran and he almost bumped into Lenalee. The girl had finished helping her brother and was going to go to her room to take a bath. "A-Allen-kun? What's wrong?" she asked worriedly. She grabbed Allen's hand tightly. The white haired exorcist jerked his hand out of the girl's grip violently and continued running. "Allen-kun!" Lenalee called, but it seemed her words only fell to deaf ears since Allen didn't even bother to look behind.

"Allen!" Lavi called. The orange haired exorcist came with Miranda. "Lenalee!"

"Lavi! Miranda!" Lenalee stared at them confusedly. "What happened with Allen-kun?" she asked.

"Lenalee-chan!" Miranda was more panicked than Lavi right now.

"Miranda, please explain everything to Lenalee! I'm going after Allen!" Lavi chased after the younger one again.

"Lavi!" Lenalee called. "What's wrong?" Miranda sighed.

"Well, it was like this…"

"Allen!" Lavi tried to call again, but only silence answered him. Allen had entered the training hall and now Lavi lost the track of him. Suddenly the orange haired exorcist noticed a white ball of fur on the corner of the currently dark room and a yellow ball fluttering next to him. The cursed boy curled there, knees pulled to his chest, his arms around them. He bowed his head to his knees. Timcanpy flew around him, gesturing that it was worried by its master's weird attitude.

"Allen…I'm sorry." Lavi stated remorsefully. "…I mean…I didn't mean to…"

'What the heck am I doing? I am supposed to console him! Not apologizing for my clumsy behavior earlier!' Lavi thought. Allen sobbed.

"…it's over, Lavi…it's all over…" he said, voice trembling. "…he rejected me…it's all…over…" he repeated a few times. Lavi kneeled down beside him and gave him a pat in the back.

"…it's not over. Not yet, Allen! I'm sure Yuu-chan wasn't serious with his words earlier! It's too early to—" Allen grasp his hands on Lavi's sleeves and clenched on it tightly.

"…it's okay, Lavi…I heard everything…I heard it all…those hateful words…I heard it clearly. He hasn't changed at all…" Allen whispered hoarsely. Crystal-like tears fell on Lavi's uniform. "…why the heck did I even try? I should've known that…he would never accept my feelings …why in the world did I even fall in love with him? Now our relationship will really change! We'll never even be normal friends anymore! Why…does it hurt like this, Lavi? I don't get it!" Allen sobbed.

Lavi gritted his teeth. He wanted to help his best friend but instead ended up in hurting him. Of course, Allen would never blame him for what happened. It wasn't exactly his fault either. No one could change another people's heart. Not even the most powerful magician could do something like that.

"…Allen…listen, you can't just give up. I know it's painful, but…" Lavi was loss at words. He didn't know what to say to eased the pain on the younger exorcist. All he could do was remain by his side, listening to all the sorrowful words he launched.

'Why…? Even though I know…even though I know that you always hate me…but why? Why does…it suddenly feel this painful? Why in such a short time…I have come to love you so much? It hurts…I just…want to vanish…' Allen thought to himself.

"Allen-kun!" Lenalee and Miranda emerged and flinched at the sorrowful sight. Miranda was about to approach him when Lenalee lifted up her hands, signaling a 'no'.

"Allen-kun…" Miranda could feel her own tears emerged in her eyes. Suddenly the blonde haired monster appeared. Miranda screamed and jumped to hug Lenalee.

"D-don't worry, Miranda. That's only Lucius." Lenalee tried to calm her down.

"…Komui called you guys." He said blankly and flew again.

"Oh, Nii-san. I'm going to go and tell him that you guys can't—" she was stopped when Allen stood up wobbly and forced a smile.

"No you shouldn't do that, Lenalee. Our job as exorcists is to collect Innocence. We can't neglect mission because of our personal emotion." It was a pained smile. Even Lenalee could see the trace of his tears on his cheek. Allen was stronger than she thought.

"…are you sure you're alright, Allen-kun?" Miranda asked worriedly. Allen gave a bitter smile he had formed unconsciously and nodded. All sighed. They are all aware that Allen just didn't want to show his weak side to everyone.

"…let's go then." Lavi said, helping Allen walked. The cursed boy gave him a thankful smile.

'Damn it Yuu! I need to talk with him again later!' Lavi thought.

"Ah, you're all here." Komui smiled. "Hmm? What's wrong, you guys?" Komui asked, seeing the frown on their faces. Only Allen seemed to be as cheerful as usual, but Komui still could see the pain under his smile.

"It's nothing, Komui-san. Why did you call us here?" Allen asked.

The Chinese stared carefully at him. Lenalee signaled him not to ask and he abruptly dropped the question. "Oh yeah, there's a mission. We recently received news from the finders we dispatched to Venice. They said they found out that everyday a black hole appeared in the middle of the city, sucking away humans." The head officer opened the map.

"And…that phenomenon could be caused by Innocence…you say?" Allen asked.

"Precisely. I want you to go there with Lucius, Allen. I've got a feeling this mission might be dangerous, so I'm sending him too. Of course, I'll send the others too, but there's something I'd like to ask of you guys, so you guys will come after Allen later." Komui glanced at the other three.

"Us? B-but can't at least one of us go there with Allen-kun directly?" Lenalee asked, worried at his current situation. Allen tapped her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine by myself." Allen beamed confidently. "Besides, you guys will follow soon after, right?" Lenalee sighed. She had to admit, Allen was good at concealing his sadness, even though he was usually so transparent.

"Then, here's the document." Reever Wenhamm handed the document to the white haired exorcist.

"I wish you good luck, Allen." Komui beamed. Allen nodded and left the room cheerily. But as soon as he got out of the room, the smile on his face faded and changed to a bitter expression. The echoes of Kanda's hateful words keep repeated themselves in his ears.

'Hell would freeze before I actually say those things.'

'I hate him.'

Without warning, tears trickled down his cheeks as he wiped them away. He didn't want to cry. He had always told himself, only weak, vulnerable people cry. He refused to be weak. He wanted to be stronger, stronger so he could endure no matter how much pain his present job would cause him. But then again, who could stand such deep emotional pain?

"I've got to stay strong. Mana…please help me. What should I do now? …what am I supposed to do now that he hates me? Heh…what am I saying? He always hates me. That will never change…" he could feel his heart aching with unspeakable pain. Yet…why can't he just forget about that feeling and be free? That's love indeed.

Allen sighed as he erased the trace of his tears and walked to his room to take his suitcase.

The raven haired exorcist walked to the training hall. He decided to train inside the order to erase the strange feelings that he currently felt. He always did that whenever he felt distracted or troubled.

"Yuu-chan." Lucius smiled. He was in his adult form. Kanda glanced at him over his shoulder. "I'm going to a mission."

"…why are you telling me? Like I care about what you're doing." He spat and continued training.

"Allen-chan is going with me." Lucius stated cheekily. The raven haired exorcist stopped swinging his sword and turned around to face the infuriating monster. He glared at him and took his collar.

"…what are you planning on doing to him, you bastard?" he asked threateningly. Lucius grabbed Kanda's hand and gently prying his fingers off his clothes.

"Nothing. It's Komui's decision. And you know you shouldn't be mad. It's not your right to do that. You're not interested in him, 'member?" he grinned. Kanda sighed and turned around.

"…if you came back and I see even the slightest injury, I swear, you're going to burn in flame of hell forever." Kanda threatened. Lucius shrugged.

"Y'know, Yuu-chan. It's best you be honest with him." Lucius stated. "I know you. I know all of you guys. I am well informed. Haven't I told you guys that already? I know how you feel and all, but don't worry, I won't tell Allen-chan or anything. I don't think he'll trust me anyway." The blonde walked away from him.

"Che…no you don't understand." Kanda said, more softly this time. "…nobody do."

"I'll bring him back safely, but consider my words. Or ya'll regret it forever." He waved back. Kanda ignored him and continued training. "Oh yeah, Komui wants to see ya, Yuu-chan!"

"Che." Kanda spat.

'Beansprout…'

"Allen-chan, hurry up!" the blonde called as the cursed boy ran as fast as he could to him.

"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!" Allen replied. They jumped atop the train as usual. The order had reserved one whole train car for unknown reason. Allen sat down wearily on one of the chairs, letting Timcanpy sat on the other side of the chair, while the blonde busy walking around impatiently. Obliviously eager to do his first mission. Even though he didn't look it, he was more of a child than an adult.

Secretly, Allen glad that Komui didn't send Kanda together with him on that mission. Otherwise, he would be more than awkward around the raven haired exorcist now that he had rejected him.

"I can't wait to get to Venice. The town of gondolas." Lucius smiled cheerfully. Allen looked up to him sadly and gave a sad smile. Lucius sat in front of him and smiled knowingly.

"W-what?" Allen stammered. The adult shook his head.

"…I gotta keep an eye to you, ya know. Yuu-chan made me vowed." He smiled softly. Allen flinched at the mention of the name of the raven haired exorcist. He bowed down his head and clenched his fist.

"…why does he do that?" Allen asked. "Didn't he just say he hates me?"

'Why…even though you said you hate me…then why did you act friendlier towards me?! Do you like making fun of me so much like that? Or maybe…was it because you thought of me as your friend? But…but that's just…too cruel…' Allen thought to himself.

The white haired exorcist suddenly felt ashamed of his own selfishness. He was nothing to Kanda. He had no right to feel cheated or anything. But still…it's still painful.

"…I think there's something you need to think about, Walker." The man suddenly spoke. His tone was deep and cold, Allen's head snapped up and saw the man's hair had changed red. Lucius was a man with two personalities, and one could know which one he was in by seeing his hair and eyes. Those two personalities were entirely different like heaven and hell.

"…I'm not interested in anything you say." Allen sighed. He didn't want to hear anything that man had to say. The light side of him was quite thoughtless enough, and he can't imagine what harsh words the dark side of him had in him.

"…people lie. But not always for bad purpose." Allen looked in confused. "You know what white lie means, right? Sometimes it's necessary for someone to lie. You shouldn't be that selfish. When you acknowledged your own feelings, you should've been fully prepared for the consequences that came along with them." He added spitefully. So much for comforting.

"…shut up." Allen murmured. "How should I know that I would fall in love with him in the first place?" he asked silently. Lucius didn't answer, he merely crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked past the window to the blue sky.

"…don't know. I can't fall in love so I don't think I'll be able to understand forever." He stood up. "You'd better sleep. You'll need strength for battling the akuma later. If you don't want to be burden for everyone else that is. They will meet us there." He said and walked away. But before he could get out of the train compartment, Allen spoke.

"…you're right…Lucius-san. It is indeed selfish of me to think selfishly like that. But…" the blonde-umm, sorry-crimson haired man turned back and glanced at him blankly. "But how am I supposed to do now that this feeling has won and conquered me? What am I supposed to do now that he has become my entire world…?" without warning tears descended his cheeks again. He bit his lower lip to stop the flowing of the tears and lifted up his grief-stricken face.

"…how am I supposed to do now that I've hopelessly fallen in love with him?!" Allen yelled. Lucius was taken aback by the sight of his tears. The cursed boy bowed his head sorrowfully. The crimson haired man walked and stood beside him, patting his white hair.

"…it's no use crying like that, Walker." He said softly. It was indeed surprising for that cynical, rude dark side of the seeker of light to say things that softly. "Everything in this world balances. You will know soon enough." With the last pat, he walked out of the train compartment and left Allen alone.

Allen wiped away his tears and looked outside. That rude man was right. He needed to sleep. He wouldn't be able to fight in his current condition. He forced an assuring smile to himself that everything would be alright and petted the golem beside him. He soon fell asleep, dreaming about being with Mana again, and being beside Kanda. In his dreams, Kanda would smile to him and patted his head softly. How wonderful (and a bit scary too) that would be if it were true. As he slept, time went by and there they are, in the city of gondola. Venice.

The world standing before him was but illusion. Living in beautiful dreams drives him into a world of happiness. Often he wishes he could rewind everything and mends every mistake made in the past. He wishes for him. In the world without pain. His personal world.

Finally…heck, I end up writing this many pages. sigh Oh well, what do you think of this chapie? Well, I know, Kanda is in denial. Wanna know why? Just follow the next story! I'll update as soon as possible. I gotta go now, I gotta continue the next chapter. I know, I can't promise about that Tyki x Lavi pairing 'cause I'm not that big of a fan of that pairing. But if I can think of a plot where they can fell in love with each other, I will give you Tyki x Lavi. I will try, 'cause it seems to be fun too. X3 I can't write yuri… sigh for some reasons, yuri pairing gives me creeps. -- No offense for you yuri fans. This is just personal opinion. So I can't possibly write Lenalee x Rhode. Sorry 'bout that. bows really low

Review please! I'll be waiting for your reviews! X3