Disclaimer: I don't want to get sued.

Warning: Tyki/Allen time! Not much interaction between them, just ponders and talking between Miss Nine and Allen.

Reassurement: Yes, do not worry about it. Kanda and Allen WILL have their time together! HONEST! Like, in the next chapter. But for now, just sit back and relax while Allen has HER fun. Hahaha. NOT YOURS! HAHAHAHAHHAHA! Yes, I do love you, my fine readers.

PLEASE AT LEAST READ IT FULLY AND DON'T SKIP PASSAGES!

I HATE it when people just skim! Some could be REALLY crucial to know!


"Allen, it's good to see you," the blonde woman said, obviously distracting me from the squirrel thought with the warm smile on her face. She walked towards and embraced me, and I awkwardly hung my arms around her. Well, this is strange.

Then we pulled back. "Uh, not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" I asked, and I can hear the hint incredulity in my voice. Really, I am bewildered to see the appearance of my old teacher, who happens to be at my house right now. How did she find me? What is she doing here? What was her purpose—could it be because of my arm and the shiny, green cross thingamajigger embedded into my hand? I do believe that she was part of some kind of organization alongside with Cross.

"To see you, of course," she said sweetly, which gave me an idea that this was a ploy. Obviously. "That young man was kind enough to let me wait here till your arrival."

Young man? "Tyki?" I called out. He emerged and was wearing a calm face, but his actions were telling another story. From behind Mss Nine, he shaking his head and his hand was pointed horizontally while going back and forth by his throat. It looked like he was pretending to cut his throat, but figured that he was playing charades and was indicating to me to…do something…or not to do something…

I wanted to groan. I did not get it.

"Yes, him." Before Miss Nine faced him, he stopped whatever he was doing and put up a friendly smile. "Yes, what a kind gentleman he is. Your caretaker, I presume?"

"I, uh, suppose that would be…the term to…describing his…existence…in my abode. Yes. Maybe." I don't know.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed that Tyki was palming his face. I think that I did something wrong.

"Ah, well then, would you mind if Allen and I have a chat, Mr. Tyki?" Miss Nine turned again to face him, and instantly he regained his 'I'm a normal person' posture. If I could, I would laugh, but I can't because the tension was straining and I have the sudden need to read my Bible…or something. Well, anything other than standing with this awkward air and by my old teacher who suddenly popped out of nowhere would be better, except taking driving lessons from Kanda. Argh. Anything but this and that.

"Oh, not at all. I'll just be…upstairs if you need me," Tyki said in an amiable tone, the one where he would sometimes tease me with and coo in front of Bartholomew, and when I'm feeling just as insensible as he is, I would do the same. Plus, do some baby noises in front of the bamboo plant that is apparently our child from another mother.

"I need you, Tyki. Right now" was what I wanted to say for some reason, but I didn't say it. Instead, I said, "Okay then." And that response was utterly pathetic. I should do the American stereotypical British (and I don't have crooked teeth, darn Americans), "Oh, good show, ya laddy! Well, cheerio, right then?" Oh, for goodness sakes, I despise stereotyping; it's downright aggravating.

When Tyki left, I felt as if there was an incredible weight that just landed on me. I hitched a breath as I turned around to Miss Nine, who suddenly had a change of mood. Was she suffering MSS as well?

"Care to explain yourself?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms. Already, her fingers drumming on her arm, and I know you're not supposed to do that until five minutes have passed.

"What is there to explain?" I asked. Really, I don't know what to explain. Can't the woman be more specific?

"For starters, why are you living alone with a man?"

"He offered me to go with him, so I did," I answered.

Miss Nine gave me a look, but shook her head. "You have a relationship with him?"

"Uh, no, Miss Nine." Strange…question…

She raised an eyebrow. "So there was no eloping involved?"

I gagged. "No! We did not elope," I almost cried out. "Tyki and I are merely friends, that's all!" Just need to hide Bartholomew in case she wants evidence…

"Oh? It seems to me that it's something more than that." Her eyes were narrowed accusingly, and I was struck with confusion as to why she would say such a thing. I mean, I know that it's odd for a teenaged girl to be living with a young man who has no family ties with her, but with is so suspicious other than that? Did she think that I was smuggling drugs? Did she think that we were doing a 'Bonnie and Clyde' act?

"Why's that?" I couldn't help but squirm under her gaze.

"Because it's not normal for a girl to be living alone with a man who is about a couple years older than she is. Now, I don't care that you two are friends; it's not safe," she admonished in a motherly tone, her hands on her hips.

And even when I just explained to her, she remained unconvinced and suspects that I would loose my virginity to Tyki. I would shudder, but…it's not that disturbing. Anyway, it looks like I'm stuck in a sticky situation, but I find it not that bad really. The way Miss Nine shows her apparent concern is quite touching. As a child with freak-worthy traits, I received little care. And without the knowledge of what's it like to have a mother, this feels like a new sensation that I can enjoy. However, despite the desire of having a parental figure, I can't help but feel nervous and somewhat annoyed. I probably have the rights to tell her to butt out, though…

"And, sweetie, I know that Cross—that good for nothing pervert—had abandoned you, so I'm willing to take you in."

…I wasn't expecting something considerate from her. I eyed her, and licked my lips in a nervous fashion. "Why would you do that…for me?" I asked carefully.

I wasn't sure if I should take immediate action on trusting her fully—the too-kind offer made me suspicious, but it could be my fault seeing how I couldn't get adjusted to deeds such as these. Sure, Tyki had offered me to go with him, but he and I became really close over the years. I…felt safe with him because our bond strengthened. And whether Miss Nine was being genuinely caring, I don't know her very well. I only know that she is a sensible woman who, likely, knows how to take care of an aggravating Cross Marian.

Her eyes widened, and I suppose that it was from the irony. "Honey, why would you say that? Don't you know you deserve something, well, more than this?" She opened her arms and gestured to the living room. "This kind of lifestyle is not good for a young woman as yourself; what you need is a female figure, not a man who you have no relative ties," she said, frowning.

"I…don't know, Miss Nine. I mean, to be honest, I'm not sure about your offer because it just seems a bit…rushed? W-well, we just met again, and I'm afraid that I'll feel uneasy by staying at someone else's home when we are not very much so close. Excuse me."

The woman nodded. "I understand, but wasn't it the same with you and that Tyki-person?"

"Not exactly…"

She raised an eyebrow.

"You see, Tyki's niece is a friend of mine, and there were times where she would take me to her house, and eventually we had become accustomed to one another's being. Sometimes we exchanged words, and then…move on, I guess."

"And your attachment now?"

Suppressing a cringe, I answered, "After my friend moved to go to boarding school, I would see Tyki by my neighborhood quite often and we would chat. You would say that after those times, we had grown closer than before." But certainly not like an attachment as in attraction…Or that's what Miss Nine probably thinks…Well, she did assume that I liked Tyki that way, so she must have meant it like that!

"I still don't find this appropriate."

I…kind of don't find this right either. I'm becoming paranoid around Tyki, even though I'm doing an okay job of masking my hesitance. Whether it's Tyki going after me or vice-versa, it's not safe. At any rate, something bad is going to happen between us because our relationship would be deterred by…this.

Maybe I should go with Miss Nine. After all, having a sensible woman as my caretaker would be a good influence on me, and I managed to remain uncorrupted for oh so long so a new start would be refreshing. Maybe I should leave to lessen Tyki's problems considering how he's working for the both of us. But that would mean that I would walk away from the financial problems we had been suffering ever since we came here, and it wasn't so bad because we had each other.

If I left, then how would Tyi put up with this? In a good way? In a bad way? Would he feel relieved that I'm out of his hair? I don't know if I am being a nuisance to him, but there could be a possibility that I am. Knowing Tyki, he must be more accustomed to the solitary life, no traces of anyone else who had been treading in the hallways or the stairs or anywhere. He must be more comfortable being alone.

"W-well," I said, "just mainly because Tyki is a man and I'm a teenaged girl, right?"

Miss Nine nodded. "You won't know what will happen eventually, Allen," she warned.

I was aware of what she was talking about.

"I know that a fine young lady as yourself should not leave to do those things yet, despite whether you think you won't do it."

"But we're friends," I insisted.

"Oh? And have friends not fallen in love with each other before?"

I sighed and rubbed my knuckle against my forehead. I felt exhausted suddenly, probably because of the unfriendly reminder. Yes. Friends can fall in love…Yes. Such love can lead to sad endings…Yes. Despite our friendship, it could change…Between Tyki and me.

It just seems so ridiculous! Why would a handsome and grown man go for a girl like me? I'm abnormal! He could easily pursue a beautiful model. He sees me nothing more than a younger sister, likely. There is nothing going to happen between us!

…Probably…

"Yes," I answered.

"So your final answer?"

I licked my lips. "I don't know," I muttered.

"Take a minute to think about it?"

I nodded.

There were weights on my shoulders: the devil-Allen and the angel-Allen. It's like one of those moments where you can't decide on something, so you have to draw yourself a fraction of fiction to balance things out. I guess I'm experiencing my second hallucination—first was when Cross abandoned me in a desert with nothing but Jell-O.

Obviously, I would only listen to angel-Allen because the angels always knew what to do while the devils pull be closer to strife—conspiring little monsters. But I couldn't help but hear the sneering voice of my evil-and yet definitely fake-self, apparently. "Stay with Tyki! You know you want too."

"Yes, you must stay with Tyki in order for you to clear your confusion," angel-Allen agreed. Okay, this is weird. Weren't angels supposed to have a completely different point of views contradicting the devils? And what kind of logic would that be if I decided to stay here? Maybe I'm just…am going brain-broken because of all this pressure being applied on me. I'm pretty sure these sort of things happen to people all the time.

But…

Would I be willing to not see his smiles and hear his laughter? Would I be willing to leave his funny attitude around me just to cheer me up? Would I be willing to not repay the obligation that I was indebted to?

What would happen if I left Tyki?

Would I feel safe?

Would I feel strong?

Would I feel pure?

Would I feel peace?

Would I feel dissatisfaction? Yes. Yes I would.

Already, I have attached myself to Tyki because he is someone who I hold dear. Ironically, he's someone who I need in my life, and just moving away would make things very difficult.

I…I…I just don't know…why I have these feelings for him…Why I need him so much. I don't know.

But what I do know is that I cannot leave him.

I cannot leave him and I want to discover the reason to these feelings that I have. Could it be due to my stupid hormones or my genuine love for him…? I want to know to get rid of this horrid paranoia! Why do I feel this way?

I cannot leave Tyki Mikk.

So then…

"Then…I'm sorry, but I have to turn down the offer, Miss Nine."

"You love him, don't you?" she said, her eyes closing. I chewed my lip, and then sighed. It must be kind of obvious that it would turn like this, anyway.

"Romantically or only as a brother, I'm not sure myself," I admitted, rubbing my neck. "But you must know that I owe a lot to that man. Tyki helped me when I was in depression; he was my only friend at that time where everyone I knew was moving out of town. And then he told me that I could go to New York with him, and I knew that I couldn't just stay at home—life was already hard enough, so I took the opportunity to escape." I placed my hand on the top of my cap during the pause of thinking. "The man's incredible in so many ways. You wouldn't expect much kindness from him because his personality says it all, but deep inside he is one of the most amazing persons I have ever known.

"He lends an ear to listen to the things I needed to say. He, well, doesn't always gets it, but he tries to understand me. He makes me laugh and smile in the cheesiest, funniest, and daring ways ever. He knows how to take care of Timcampy, the bird Cross left. He knows that I like to eat a lot, so he makes sure that he stocks up, and other times he makes the most delicious dishes ever. He is intelligent and logical, but never boasts about it—unless he's going to tease me." A smile spread across my face as I touched the marring on my face. "Tyki never shown any disgust to my oddities: my hair, my scar, and though I have yet to reveal my arm, I am confident that he wouldn't care. Never had I been hurt by him. He paid for my flight ticket and my passport, he let me stay here, he gives me his company and friendship, and all I had ever done was to help pay for the furniture and this apartment."

I then realized that during my confession I had listed many things about Tyki Mikk. When I said that he was incredible and amazing, I was hoping that those words would be taken notice as a deep admiration instead of a helpless frontage. I wasn't sure what I could say to make Tyki as a wonderful person—Tyki was just…Tyki. But as I forced my tongue to enunciate sentences that could prove to Miss Nine that he is as incredible and amazing as I said he was, it came out so fluently. It was like the unrecognized truths were cascading off of my tongue.

I also realized what I had done in return for Tyki. And not much, I can see, but it gives me a reason why I have to stay here with the man who I care so much about.

"If I…If I leave now, that would mean I would be abandoning everything that he had given me. I appreciate and will cherish those moments—it had been so long for me to know what's it like to have that kind of….familiarity."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'love'." Her eyes were open, looking at me in an almost tiring way, but the smile on her face proved that she wasn't entirely exasperated by me. "Allen, from what I heard from Cross, you had been nothing but a disheartened child ever since the death of your father, and yet you managed to hide this as you got older, you still had that sadness in you.

"I…suppose that I can understand why you choose to stay with him, that man who retreated upstairs," she sighed.

I nodded. "I, uh…Well, maybe I do actually love him. He—He has done so much for me, and maybe I just felt overwhelmed by that now that I realized it."

"Sweetie, the way you talked about him pretty much says that you love him," she snorted.

"B-but in a romantic way or a sibling way?"

She paused, and then answered, "I think that's for you to discover yourself."

Well that's unfair. After telling me that I love him, shouldn't I have the rights to know what kind of love it is? As I said before, I'm not sure if I love Tyki romantically or only as a brother. Or that I'm being hormonal and paranoid.

"He certainly is handsome, I'll give you that," she commented mischievously, giving me a wink and a smirk.

"I don't usually notice that." Until now. Thanks a bunch Miss Nine.

"How can you not? He's a walking candle that's still burning and not even melting."

I don't like the metaphor; it makes me too aware of Tyki's looks.

"And did I hear a bit of an accent back then?" she said, tapping her chin in curiosity.

"Tyki's Portuguese," I said.

"That is a prized combo. You said that he cooks and takes care of Cross's bird? That he's smart? That he's funny?" She shook her head. "You better keep him close; otherwise some other girl is going to steal him right under your nose."

I ducked my head because I was blushing.

"But that doesn't mean that I'm letting you off the hook."

I looked up, surprised. "What?"

"Whether or not he has done so much for you still does not convince me that this is safe. I'll tell you what, you and I go to this little coffee shop that I recently discovered and you can explain your daily life here. Sounds good?"

Despite my dislike of coffee shops because of a certain part of my background, I nodded in agreement.


Miss Nine told me that she found me because she looked through my old school's files that informed her of where I'm currently at. And how she got the address…?

'Well, a little birdie told me.'

I would have blamed Tim, but that would be mean of me. So it was beyond me.

Before she left, she handed me her number and said that I can call her whenever. She also said that she'll be researching on the gem thingy on my hand and the deformation of the arm so she'll keep in touch as well. And, surprisingly again, she didn't even have to ask me for my number. Super mega mind, I'm sure.

And I was surprised for the third time because Miss Nine flew all the way back to the dreaded place and all the way to New York. I insisted that she should stay for a while, but she declined because she needed to get going. So we hugged—a new custom that I'll have to get used to—and said our farewells. I was kind of sad to see her leave; the woman was definitely an aspiring role model. Definitely the figurative speaker as well.

Walking candles? I never knew she had such imagination.

She didn't even mention about my arm, which I somehow felt relived for. I don't think I can put up with another troublesome topic to talk about.

Though I do hope that Miss Nine would come again, with news about my birth defect this time.

And I was actually surprised that she would allow me to stay with Tyki. Well, she didn't really say that I can—she didn't say anything at all, but she left without any regards to it, so I suppose that she would let me off the hook. For now, I suppose.

I jabbed the keys into the lock and was intending to go straightly to my room until Tyki called out, "You know that this Monday you have school, right?"

"…What day is it today?"

"Saturday."

School was coming in two days…

That night, I dreamt about fat squirrels and cats and Pokemon and that ninja boy who wears orange.


A/N: I HAVE SOMETHING TO CLEAR UP FOR YOU GUYS! Allen, shockingly, is a girl with hormones, and those hormones can deceive a girl into thinking that an attractive dude being nice to her would indicate a fondness he has of her. Trust me, I hate my hormones and I can't help but think that every time a guy does that to me. I hate myself for that. And they're not always so hot, believe me.

Anyway, Allen is just a confused girl with mixed up feelings, but despite this, she could possibly have genuinely romantic feelings for Tyki. Does Tyki feel the same way? Who knows? But to assure you, Allen and Kanda will end up being together at the end—BECAUSE THIS IS A YULLEN STORY!

Now, some folks been telling me about how Lavi and Allen should have a get-to-go or something…I'm not sure about that because I'm intending on making Allen's hormones not TOO crazy. Ya know what I mean? And besides, she got over him. And when I mean that she got over HIM, I mean Lavi, not Debitto. Yes, she's still brooding about him—you just can't tell cuz she is so good not mentioning him in her thoughts or when speaking. And I am sorry for those you find Allen's sensitivity to be a bit of an annoyance, but Debitto WAS Allen's FIRST boyfriend, and because she was naïve she truly thought they had something meaningful and nothing can break them apart. Well, the boarding school thingy sure did the trick, huh?

I just want to say one more thing: DRAMA! I'm not sure if you guys like drama, but I do. It adds up the tension and the excitement and whatnot! Plus I've been unconsciously doing it for my stories, so some have been labeled as DRAMA! DRAMA = Allen's internal turmoil. I'm not torturing her on purpose, I swear!