Oh yes I have finished this chapter. I had a bit of writers block figuring out where I wanted to take this story and I had another idea for a romantic fluff kind of deal. Just wait for the next chapter! I'm sorry this chapter is kind of lame and has very little plot development except at the end. It's long and it's boring. The next one will be better! I promise! I'll also post it soon so you guys don't have to wait D:
Oh bumped up the rating cause Kanda swears :3
Also. Did anyone read Ch. 215 of -man. ;D PM me if you want to talk about it!
Disclaimer: I don't own -man or its characters they belong to Katsura Hoshino
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I listened as Kanda's footsteps faded away. I was left in silence within the infirmary. Closing my eyes for a moment, a faint sigh escaped my lips. Why am I feeling so alone now that Kanda isn't here? Not like being alone because no one is there but alone like my heart feels just a little empty. Maybe I'm just homesick or the medication is making me feel funny.
"ALLEN!" Lavi was yelling once more and interrupted my thoughts, loud footsteps approached the door. "LENALEEEE! I FOUND HIM!" He called down the hallway after peaking in the door and seeing me. Another pair of footsteps ran to the doorway. And both Lenalee and Lavi were heaving for breath, probably having run the whole way here.
"Finally!" Lenalee spoke as she approached my bedside.
"Allen! I was worried about you!" Lavi shouted before wrapping his arms around me and crushing me in a tight hug.
"How do you feel? Are you okay? What injuries do you have?" Lenalee was sitting down on the corner of my bed and leaning towards me a bit too close for my comfort.
"Explain what happened? Tyki didn't tell me much!" Lavi released me and then began to look me over. He took one of my arms looking over the injuries.
"You guys…" I forced a strained smile and tried to get them to stop asking but my voice came out weak and they didn't listen.
"Was Kanda good? Do I need to kick him? Did he threaten you or harm you worse then you already are?" Lenalee asked more questions, now doing what Lavi was and looking over my injuries.
"Woah! Allen are these your crutches?" Lavi took the pair of crutches at my bedside and started playing with them. Going around the infirmary while using it.
My mind spun for a moment as questions bombarded me and I felt like a cornered animal.
"Umm- uh" I didn't really know where to start answering, so I stuttered for a moment. Lenalee stared at me. "I'm fine, just sore, I have a sprained ankle and some stitches but that's it!" Lenalee immediately moved the sheet and looked at my now exposed ankle. Lavi stopped playing with the crutches and set them down as the two both started examining it.
"Sprains are horrible." Lenalee commented. "I got them often when I started Track and Field. You in pain?"
"The nurse did a good job of bandaging you." Lavi poked at it before Lenalee swatted his hand away.
"Only a bit, I took some medication." I responded, moving my leg a bit to show them that I could still move and wasn't completely helpless. I swear, at times they babied me like I was child. I'm 16!
"So what happened? Tiedoll shouted for Tyki and we stopped the line. Tyki told me to wait and not move on. All he said when he got back was that you got hurt and Yuu was taking you back." Lavi questioned, pulling up the chair Kanda was sitting in. He took the seat and propped his feet up on the frame of the bed.
I thought back to when I slipped, on the trip back with Kanda I couldn't even remember what had happened thoroughly kind of like a fogged and dirty window. Now when I thought of it, it all came back crystal clear.
"I wasn't paying attention, I lost my balance and my foot slipped, from there I rolled down the side of the cliff."
"I panicked and screamed…" Lenalee said sheepishly suddenly finding her hair very interesting. "Before I knew it Kanda was sliding down the hill to get you Allen."
The scream I heard, that was probably Lenalee. Was she the one that shouted out my name too?
"Yuu was the one who got you?" Lavi questioned with a look that said he didn't believe it.
"Yeah. I was just laying at the bottom bleeding and scratched up, I couldn't really move because my ankle was hurting and then Kanda picked me up and carried me back up. "
"Then Tiedoll and Mr. Mikk showed up." Lenalee continued for me. Apparently Lenalee and I were telling the story together.
"After I got cleaned up, I couldn't hike anymore and there was a bit of a discussion about what to do with me. In the end Kanda just picked me up and carried me back without a word." I finished up the tale of my heroic adventure down the cliff. Well it wasn't heroic on my end, more of on Kanda's end.
"….. I still can't believe Yuu carried you back." Lavi said with a once again perplexed look like he was thinking things over. "Speaking of that grouch, where is Yuu?" The red head looked around the room for said 'grouch'. I don't know where Kanda went but I wanted him to be here.
"He left a bit before you guys showed up." I said with a yawn. I was still a bit tired and wanted to sleep some more but that wasn't really much of an option. If I went to sleep now I probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
"You tired Allen?" Lenalee asked she was watching me carefully like the doting mother she was.
"Just a little a bit, I passed out while Kanda was carrying me and I woke up not too long ago" I said.
"Oh, then we should leave you to rest." Lenalee started getting up, Lavi stood up from his seat as well getting ready to leave.
"No no you're fine! I don't really need more rest, and I don't mind the company, really." I hastily said. I didn't want to be left alone in the infirmary. This place would just be too creepy and quiet for my liking. I fidgeted with the sheet over me as Lenalee sat down.
"What happened while Kanda was carrying you back?" The look on Lenalee's face was that of pure curiosity and eagerness. This was probably a question she had been dying to ask me.
"Nothing really, I was still a bit shocked from what happened so we spent most of it in silence…" I trailed off as I looked over at Lavi who was peering out into the hallway. "What are you doing Lavi?"
"It looks like lunch started. I smell food."
"Then let's go! I'm not missing lunch! Lenalee hand me my crutches please!" Lenalee laughed as she handed me the crutches and I swung my legs over the side of the bed, careful of my ankle. I've had enough pain for one day. Lenalee handed me the crutches and I stood up on one leg. Putting each one under my arm and figuring out how to walk with them. I've never had crutches before but I'd seen kids at school with them. It seemed simple enough. Worst case scenario I fall flat on my face. No big deal.
"I'm going on ahead Allen. I want to talk to Yuu!" Lavi said as he left the infirmary.
"You got it Allen?" Lenalee asked me as I put the crutches forward and then took a step.
"Yeah I think I do." Lenalee stood next to me and walked slow steps as I got accustomed to walking with these crutches. My arms still felt a bit numb from the anesthetic or shock. Either way, it felt weird to use muscles I couldn't even feel.
Lenalee and I headed down the hallway towards where the mess hall was. She held open the door for me as I went in. The moment I entered, I was attacked and surrounded by tons of people. Lo Fwa was next to me in an instant and started asking me questions. Several other people came up and asked me if I was okay, or what happened. I responded with multiple. 'Yes I am fine.' And 'I tripped and fell down the cliff side during the hike.' Everyone seemed to be more worried about me then I thought. I just sprained my ankle, it's not like I have a death sentence and am going to die.
Heading over to the buffet tables to get my plate of food, I found it increasingly difficult to maneuver with crutches. I ended up having Lo Fwa help me carry my plates to the table. I sat down and began to eat, Lavi soon joined and sat across from me. Kanda was late in joining us and sat down next to me with a tray of… soba?
"Hey Yuu, where'd you get the soba? I'm pretty sure they're serving tacos today and not soba." Lavi questioned. Peering over to look at Kanda's food to make sure it was indeed soba. It was.
"Say my first name again." Kanda stood up, unsheathing Mugen and pointing it at Lavi. "and I'll kill you." I wasn't in the mood for Kanda's threat and I was about to tell Kanda to shut up and sit down but Lenalee beat me to it. Smacking Kanda upside the head as she passed by before taking a seat next to Lavi.
"Quit fighting you two, you're getting on my nerves." She sat down with her plate of food as I continued to eat my own. "Kanda, It was pretty cool of you to save Allen and then carry him the whole way back." Save? Major exaggeration there. I didn't need saving. I simply needed someone to help me out a bit. The conversation continued on mostly Lenalee asking Kanda questions about the accident. Kanda answering very little of them. I looked around the room and listened in on other peoples conversations. Everyone kept glancing at me but wouldn't make eye contact. I turned back to find the conversation at our table had stopped and everyone was looking at me, even Kanda.
"You and Kanda have kind of become the talk of the camp. Mostly Kanda though, No one expected him of all people to carry you back." Lavi said.
"They should mind their own business." Kanda growled while eating his soba. One could tell he was becoming more and more irritated by the hushed whispers and points in our direction.
"Well Yuu, you are the anti-social, arrogant jerk that everyone fears so when you suddenly show compassion, everyone gets talking." Lavi responded followed by taking a bite of his taco.
"Shut up you stupid rabbit!" Kanda yelled, slamming his hands down on the table and standing up. Again.
"Oh, is Yuu embarrassed?" Lavi mocked and irritated the samurai further. Is he trying to get himself killed? I looked over at Lenalee who stopped eating her food and glared at the two.
"I swear I'm going to kill you!." Kanda seriously needs to take anger management classes or see a therapist.
"Lavi quit it!" Lenalee smacked his shoulder.
"Kanda! Calm down!" I grabbed Kanda's arm and yanked him back down. Holding his arm down in his lap so he couldn't unsheathe mugen and lay waste to Lavi.
"Let go Moyashi, let me kill this son of a-"
"No!" Lenalee and I yelled in unison at the steaming Kanda. There was a moment of silence as the violence stopped, the cafeteria was silent. Apparently everyone had stopped their conversation to look at us. That and I was holding onto Kanda in what looked like I hug.
Kanda glanced around the room and growled. "That's it! All of you mind your own damn business!" Kanda snapped with a yell to the people within the cafeteria. Everyone run for your life. Kanda pushed me away, climbed out of his chair and left the cafeteria.
"You think I pissed him off…?" Lavi asked from where he was.
"No, not at all." Lenalee said sarcastically before standing up. "I'm going to go talk to him. And Lavi I want you to apologize to him later!" She glared at him before leaving Lavi and I at the table.
Lavi put his elbow on the table and leaned on his hand, looking out the window towards where Kanda and Lenalee left.
"What's up Lavi?" I asked him when he stopped eating his food and his one green eye looked deep in thought. He blinked out of it and looked at me before a goofy grin spread on his face. "Oh nothing Allen, hurry up and eat! We get a few hours of free time to explore and rest before we get to do artsy stuff."
I nodded to Lavi in understanding as I continued to scarf down my food. My mind kept wandering to Kanda. Should I go see him? Lenalee said she was but still I was kind of worried about him.
That same feeling of wanting to be by his side found it's way weaving into my heart. I stopped eating and looked at my food. I still had a few plates to go but I just couldn't find the stomach to eat it.
"I'm done eating, Lavi you mind helping me with my plates?"
"Okay? You sure you don't want to eat the last of your food?"
"I'm not really that hungry. " I turned out of my seat and stood up, grabbing my crutches and standing up. I helped Lavi clean up and then headed out the door. Ms. Hevlaska stopped us and gave me a once over before confirming I could go, but made me promise to stop by later. We both nodded before heading outside and making the rather long trip to our cabin. The dirt road we traveled on was a pain in the arse while with crutches. This morning the trip was easy as cake now it was like trying to walk in thick mud.
When we reached the cabin, I glanced over and saw a certain guy with anger issues sitting behind the large oak tree.
"Lavi, you go on inside." I turned and headed around the tree and stood in front of Kanda. My shadow alerted him of my presence, that or the loud noise of my crutches.
Kanda opened his eyes as I moved and lowered myself down to the ground using the tree and his shoulder to help me be seated. Kanda gave a grunt.
"What do you want?"
"I don't always have to have a reason to be next to you." Was my response, leaning back against the tree.
"That was what Lenalee said as well." Kanda complained as he looked at me.
"Doesn't surprise me." I stated to him.
We sat in silence for a moment before the question that had been nagging me all day voiced itself.
"Kanda, can I ask you something?"
"You'll ask it whether I want you to or not." He said irritably, he seemed to be meditating but now that I joined him, he gave up and just leaned back against the tree as well. His legs stretched out in front of him next to mine showed a bit of the height difference between us. His shoulder was brushing against mine. My heart skipped a beat and its pace began to pick up. It was just from the trip up here on crutches, that's all. Touching Kanda had nothing to do with it.
"Why did you agree to carry me? I mean.." I stuttered for words for a moment as I tried to explain the odd question. "Tiedoll could have carried me back."
"Would you have preferred him to carry you back instead of me?" was Kanda's response; He didn't even give a moment to think about it. The idea of Tiedoll carrying me struck my mind before and the thought wasn't really pleasant.
"Well… No." Why am I feeling flustered? " I just wanted to know why you did it, you left with me before they could even decide whether or not to let you." I turned my head and looked at Kanda. His eyes were closed. Was he even listening to me? He looked relaxed, he wasn't scowling or frowning. I couldn't help but to notice and examine his features. Kanda's jaw had a nice angle to it that made him look quite attractive. His skin was pale and seemed smooth to the touch. The way his light pink lips curved slightly and looked a bit chapped - Wait, what was I doing? I was just totally checking out one of my friends! I turned my head feeling a bit of a blush spread on my face. Something is totally wrong with me!
Feeling my blush subside I glanced over at Kanda once more. "You going to answer my question?"
"Just because you asked a question doesn't mean you get an answer." He opened an eye and glanced over in my direction. I couldn't help but to pout in disappointment and furrow my eyebrows at him. Stupid Kanda, why won't you just tell me? Kanda opened both eyes and looked at me before a smirk grew on his lips and a small chuckle rose into the air.
Hell must have frozen over. Kanda laughed. At something that wasn't other people's pain. I blinked and stared at Kanda, my mouth dropped open. Kanda brought a hand up and closed my jaw with two fingers.
"A bug is going to fly in." Was his only response as the smirk returned, but It was starting to get difficult to tell whether if it was a smirk or smile. Whatever it was it made Kanda even more attractive and caused my heart to skip another beat. I think I have some heart issue now after that fall down the cliff side. I got some arrhythmia and now my heart just won't beat normally. That and this incessant blush that always finds its way to spread across my face like right now. I turned away from Kanda.
"Whatever, now answer me!"
"Demanding much?"
"Yes I'm demanding." I stuck my tongue out at him childishly. I already was acting like a kid, my ego couldn't be hurt more. I see now why Lavi always acted like he was five. It was just way to much fun. "I still want to know why you went to the trouble of carrying me. You cut your hand cause of me. You won't be able to hold your sword with a cut that requires bandages." I nodded toward his hand, as I turned and faced Kanda fully now, my body turned towards him and my injured ankle stretched out to the side. Leaning forward on my hands I looked at Kanda carefully. He glanced down towards his injured hand before looking up at me.
"Because I wanted to get out of the hike." Kanda stated bluntly. I stared at him for a moment and blinked. That was it? So he just used me? It wouldn't surprise me really, but why am I so disappointed? What else was I too expect? ' Because you're my friend and I wanted to show some remote form of compassion?" Ha. Not likely knowing Kanda's personality.
"Oh…" The small sound left my mouth. Kanda glanced at me as I resumed seating forward and looked out at the expanding meadow of flowers.
"What's with that look?" Kanda asked me, he shifted so he was lying down on the ground, his arms crossed above his head like a pillow.
"It's nothing." The conversation seemed to end there. I glanced down at him for a moment before resuming my view of the meadow. I watched the breeze flow by and rustle leaves and grass. I tilted my head and looked up at the tree we were below. It would be fun to climb it, if I wasn't injured. The wind picked up and several leaves came showering down on us. I glanced down at Kanda. Was he was taking a nap? His hair looks soft. I blinked and turned my head the other way. I need to stop looking at Kanda like that. He's my friend. Okay. Friend is a strong word more like Friend- enemy? Or just mild acquaintances.. That's a good word to describe our relationship.
Kanda is my acquaintance! I can't keep just staring at him. Sure he's really beautiful and in Lenalee's words "Really Hot." But still! He'd kill me if he found out I was looking at him like that or he might just tease me about it the rest of my high school years. Like the whole beansprout Moyashi deal.
The silence was slowly starting to get to me. The tree above rustled once more from the breeze and shook some more leaves down.
"What did Lenalee talk to you about?" I asked, twirling a leaf in my hand. I was hoping to try to continue the conversation.
"She scolded me for losing my temper and leaving." Kanda spoke with his eyes closed. Well he isn't asleep, he's probably just relaxing.
"You do lose your temper often." I stated matter-of-factly. Looking at him
"If you're going to start lecturing me Moyashi, I'm leaving." He sat up on his forearms. Dark blue eyes glared at me to prove the threat. I couldn't really take the threat seriously not when there was a leaf dangling in Kanda's hair and making him look a little silly.
"I'm not lecturing I'm simply stating you lose your temper- Hold still you have a leaf in your hair." I reached forward and snatched the leaf up before Kanda could protest. My fingers grazing that silky hair for a moment.
"Aww you two are so cute!" I blinked hearing Lavi's voice from… above? I tilted my head back and looked up at Lavi. Who was residing high up in the oak tree and swaying his legs from the tree branch he sat on. I felt a small blush rise up on my cheeks.
"Shut up!" I called up to him. Kanda was glaring and emiting a growl from his throat. Kanda has different growls for different situations.
"But you guys are, don't deny it." At that I think Kanda just lost all sense of control. He sat up grabbed Mugen placing it on his belt. He jumped up grabbed the closest branch with one hand and pulled himself up. He was so going to kill Lavi.
"You better run Lavi. Kanda is going to kill you and I'm not stopping him and Lenalee isn't here!" I called up, watching the two of them climb up. Lavi was climbing around to the opposite side of the tree and leaped down. Kanda quickly following after him and started chasing him around the cabin patio, jumping over the picnic table, and around the tree. I tripped Lavi with my crutches just to get even. Kanda tackled Lavi and I watched the fight go down. Lavi and Kanda wrestling and occasionally throwing a punch in here and there for good measure.
"You guys!" Lenalee's voice. I turned my head in the direction of the voice and saw Lenalee running towards us. She slowed to a halt next to me and glared at Kanda and Lavi. "Kanda! I thought I told you to control your temper! Now get off of Lavi!" Kanda made an incoherent noise and got off of the red head shooting him a glare.
"What's up Lenalee?" I asked looking up at her.
"Well there is a lake near the girl's cabin and I was talking to Ms. Nine and she said we could go swimming in it if we wanted to!"
"Awesome!" The nose came out nasally. I looked over at Lavi and he was holding his nose, blood dripping down his hand and onto the grass. "You guys! Let's go swimming!"
"I'll pass." Kanda crossed his arms over his chest, his cheek was swelling up.
"Please Kanda?"
"No" He deadpanned. Kanda brushed the leaves and dirt off himself. He then strode over towards the cabin.
"Yuu won't come swimming because he can't swim!" Lavi taunted. Baiting Kanda into coming. It always worked. Say Kanda can't do something because he's afraid or he isn't able to do it and he immediately gets defensive of his pride and ego and does it just to prove us wrong. It works when we want him to participate. I watched as Kanda opened the door to the cabin stepped inside and then slammed it shut.
"I thought he would fall for it." Lavi responded looking disappointed. Maybe Kanda doesn't want to get his hair wet? That or he just doesn't want to deal with us.
"Sounds like fun. I won't be able to go far though." I spoke to them, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.
"I'm sure Ms. Hevlaska will let you put your feet in the water Allen" Lavi said. Lenalee offered a hand to help me up and I took it readily. She helped me get my balance on my one foot and then she handed me my crutches.
"Lead the way Lenalady!" Lavi called. She nodded and we all began heading down the pathway. I stopped and looked back once at our cabin. My heart couldn't help but just hope that he would show up.
