Umm, so is the chapter title is a bit of a pun? Meh, it was intended. Real time and in Kanda's POV – enjoy!
Disclaimer: 'Tis henceforth disclaimed.
Warning: Do not try any ideas presented in this story. CONNING IS AGAINST THE LAW. Everything here is fictional, and should stay fictional.
Chapter 6: Roads Entwine
November 17th 2010, 01:32 – Las Vegas
Kanda tried to stay calm, he really did. But Lavi's constant playing with the radio dial drove him up the wall. Lenalee ended up bolting from the back seat to steady the wheel again as he repeatedly punched the stupid rabbit. Once he regained control over the car, Kanda peered through the rear view mirror at Allen. The wig and contacts were still in place, but his face showed no expression. His eyes were dull and a faint but automatic smile graced his lips. His gloved hands were playing with the silver mask unconsciously. Kanda has seen this many times – the dejection of a caught criminal.
"How much longer until the hotel, Kanda?" Lenalee asked.
Kanda shifted gears and answered, "About three minutes. Moyashi better not take too long getting his stuff."
There it was again. Absolute silence. 'Moyashi' was one name Allen could never stand. It had sparked too many arguments between them to count. But now, he just turned his head to the window and nodded in agreement. Kanda narrowed his eyes. Che, I don't know what Lenalee has in mind, he thought, but it better end soon.
He pulled up to the hotel's entrance and said, "You have five minutes. No more."
Lenalee and Allen nodded and climbed out of the car. Kanda crossed his arms and tilted back his head, eyes closed. And to think, he could have been resting comfortably at home, eating soba. However, he was too deeply involved in the original case that he couldn't say no to Lenalee's plea. It's disgusting, though, Kanda frowned, how does she still love him after all that? I'll never attempt to know.
"Yuu," Lavi said, breaking the meditative sleep.
Kanda looked at the man. His eye was stony, like a true emerald gem and he stared at the moon, deep in thought. He reached and pulled his head band down, letting all his crimson hair fall to almost brush his shoulders. Kanda grunted; his way of asking what was on Lavi's mind.
"Allen left her," Lavi finally said, "He left her, and yet she's trying to help him. It's odd – that's what you were thinking, right?"
Kanda nodded. A smirk appeared on the redhead's face as he continued.
"Heh, I'll never try to figure out love, but I'm pretty good at figuring out people. Allen still thinks he's been caught. It's as if whatever happened last year never existed. I mean, you'd think that he'd act a little warmer. Is there something he knows that's scaring him?"
The Japanese man's eyes widened. Something he knows? Could it be about the Noah? He wondered. The five minutes passed faster than expected, and Allen fitted his suitcase along with the others. Lenalee decided that they should eat now at the nearby restaurant. Normally, Allen would have jumped and run ahead at the mere mention of food. Instead, he trudged along tiredly with the rest. Kanda's eye twitched at his lack of energy; his annoyance had just upped a level.
Ordering took a while, since Allen started running off a huge list of dishes. Lavi had to constantly remind him that he's paying for everyone. Kanda gave a small smirk – revenge is sweet. You mess with my car; you pay the bills, Usagi. The plastic smile was back again on Allen's face. Kanda frowned deeper as he finally started to talk. Lenalee asked him about what he had been doing, but he quickly changed the subject to the wonderful variety of food in Las Vegas. He saw what she was doing. She was starting an interrogation, but it is said that to start one between friends, it must be taken slowly. Lenalee had learnt a lot by now, with her title as 'Senior Detective' as evidence.
"Please excuse me," Allen said softly, "I'll be back soon."
"Are you going to the restroom, Moyashi-chan?" Lavi asked.
"My name is Allen. And yes - I'll come back before you know it," Allen responded, shifting his eyes to the left.
That was the only sign Kanda needed. A shift to the left, Kanda thought as he silently excused himself. A sign of a liar – he's going to make a break for it, stupid little shit! Allen caught the movement and started walking faster. But Kanda's longer legs proved more effective, and he roughly slammed Allen against the wall. He stared fiercely into those blue contacts, keeping a firm hand on Allen's shoulder. The younger man squirmed for a bit, but eventually tired himself out. He spoke in a fatigued voice, as if he had had enough.
"What else do you expect me to do? It's all well and good that you waltz in and say 'we're going to help you'! But the fact of the matter is that you can't No one can. You were my ticket to get out of that AKUMA infested place, nothing more. Now, care to explain why Lenalee broke her promise?"
By that time, Kanda's hands were shaking in anger. He grabbed the scruff of Allen's coat for the second time that night, and glared at him with icy eyes. He still looked bored – bored with the little game that he was being forced to play. The police officer spat every word at him with barely restrained anger.
"First of all; get it in your thick head, baka Moyashi – we are not here to arrest you. Don't you dare say that Lenalee's broken that promise, you don't know what you've put her through! I'm not like her 'cause I don't care about shitty little law breakers like you. But because I was involved, and because she asked me, I am here to help her. Did you know, when you left her like that, you broke her? She had to lie to her superiors and pretend like she didn't know you and that everything we did for you never happened. She had to work twice as hard just to get that title just because she didn't bring you in. So, if you have the nerve to go and break her again like this, then I swear to God that I will break every bone in your body."
Kanda paused, aware of the fact that his voice had started to rise. The corridor was quite private, though some kitchen staff were giving some funny looks. Allen gently but steadily brushed off Kanda's hand. He stood straight and took off his contacts. Once his eyes were back to a cloudy gray, he gave the other man a sorrowful look. A multitude of emotions were conveyed in that one stare; pain, misery, guilt and bitterness being a few. He merely nodded and started walking back. Kanda stayed behind him, determined not to give him an escape route. But he seems to have learned, he thought.
"Just one thing," Allen whispered just before reaching the table, "As soon as I think you will be no more help, I will go by any means necessary."
Kanda nodded curtly. Stubborn punk, he thought viciously.
"Man, you guys took a long time! I mean the food's here already," Lavi exclaimed.
He caught them whispering to each other, and said in amazement, "Did you two have a civilised conversation?"
Kanda gave his signature answer, "Che."
Gone was the meal in a couple of minutes, thanks to the endless vacuum known as Allen's stomach. Lavi really got down on his knees and begged for a discount when the bill came. In the end, he was dragged out of the store by an apologetic Allen and a slightly annoyed Lenalee. Kanda walked ahead, locating his car. They all climbed in, and finally started the journey to Los Angeles. He finally gave in to the Usagi's wishes. As they blazed towards the highway, the car was rocked by Top 40 songs. Allen looked considerably happier. Kanda smirked – even though they fight almost every second, he still listens to every word and heeds them.
"I'm sorry, everyone," Allen suddenly said, "Especially you Lenalee. So much has happened, so can we just slow down and start over?"
Lenalee hugged him warmly and murmured a yes. Lavi reached back and gave him a knuckle touch. Kanda just narrowed his eyes through the rear view mirror. So they had reached an agreement, but this was far from over. The radio finally did something useful, in Kanda's opinion, and informed them of heavy traffic from Las Vegas to LA. Thankfully, he started to head into a desert road, navigating through a sparsely populated track. He frowned every time the Ferrari's wheels hit a stray rock – it was a sports car, not made for cracked bumpy trails.
"So, Moyashi," Kanda started, pleased to see a glare from the boy at the sound of that offensive name.
"What?"
Kanda turned his head slightly for full eye contact. "What else do we not know yet, that you do?"
Allen smiled and opened his mouth. Instantly, he looked up and the smile slipped off.
"That," he pointed.
Kanda followed Allen's line of vision, and yelled, "Shit!"
He put his full force on the brakes, and could feel the car shudder underneath the pressure. Fortunately, the Ferrari stopped before it could hit the cars that blocked the road. Once the car was stable again, he stopped the engine. Before he could get out and possibly pummel the intruders within an inch of their life, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Lenalee's, and it was shaking violently. He looked at the intruders with more intent. Kanda smothered a very out of character gasp.
One car blocked the path, with one girl sitting on the bonnet. Even though it was night, she had a peculiar umbrella hanging from the crook of her elbow. She got up, and walked into full view of the headlights. Fiddling with the long sleeve of her ruffled shirt, she gave the widest grin Kanda had ever seen. Kanda muttered to the occupants of the car to get out. Once they had, she gave a small wave to Allen. He stood stock still, mortified. This was far from over, Kanda thought with exasperation. Because it has barely begun. The girl began spinning the umbrella and spoke in the most childish voice.
"Now, now," Road Kamelot, the prized Noah said, "What are you doing with my toy, Allen Walker?"
I have fully celebrated Allen's birthday in the way I wanted to! ^-^ Reviews are the ultimate Christmas present, so spoil me with them!
Have a very merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
