Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ~William Jennings Bryan

Colourful Moments

Chapter 10: Choice

I'm...going.

Sapphire eyes snapped open as he stared at the blank ceiling of his hotel. Kanda just stared, dumbfounded and slightly frustrated. After contemplating for good few minutes, he concluded that it was only a dream and nothing else. He frowned slightly, his arm stretching upwards as he ran his fingers through his hair strands, before he gripped the white covers in slight anxiety. He slowly took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down.

All he could see and remember was Allen's sorrowful eyes and the hurting feelings which was the only thing he could see from that silver-haired teen's face. He looked so torn up and so broken, like a broken doll which was never the same after it was repaired. He could not avoid looking at his broken expression. He could not understand why people could not see that. Was he the only one who saw through that beansprout's real emotions?

Kanda slowly got out of bed and stepped into the washroom. He washed up quickly and went out, dressing up and preparing himself to go out later. The raven-haired man made sure that his hair was combed neatly, and after wearing his white-coloured winter hat on his head, he grabbed his black coat and his sling bag which was filled with the things he needed to draw whenever he needed them. As he took the keys, he slowly stopped.

I'm going.

Allen looked as though he was about to cry.

His hand slowly clenched tightly as he gritted his teeth in slight anger. His heart pounded hardly at his reactions. He did not know what he was thinking and what he was exactly doing. Was he...was he being sympathetic over that idiot? He wasn't! He did not even a damn about that beansprout! It wasn't his business to care anyway. Who was he? He was Kanda Yuu, someone who did not care anything except his own pride and feelings! Just by thinking of his emotions stirring a slight bit over Allen was enough to make him sick.

No.

No. No.

The raging feeling in him slowly dissipated. Silver eyes now stared at him with emptiness and with no feeling was so distant–something which he wanted so long ago–yet he could not put away the slight thought that it was extremely disturbing and surprisingly disappointing. Allen Walker had discarded everything regarding to him, and the two of them had finally cut that invisible yet annoying tie which bound them together. He could finally erase everything in regards to Allen Walker, yet it wasn't like that. Allen was going away, yet he couldn't seem to...let go of it.

Comparing to the annoying feeling he always had when he was partnered with Allen during missions when they were still Exorcists, the emptiness he felt this time was worse. It was contradicting since he always loved quietness and tranquility surrounding him. When Allen was leaving, he had the slight urge to reach out and stop him from walking away. His body was shaking slightly, his heart pounding painfully as something was choked at his throat and windpipe, making him unable to breathe for that split second. He was so shocked that he couldn't think properly at that moment.

The sudden thought that Allen was no longer turning back struck his mind in an instant. His heart turned cold immediately, as though his whole system had been shut off. Compared to Allen's affection for him, was he the one who was not letting it go? Was he the one who refused to cut the tie completely between the two of them?

His phone vibrated. Kanda stared at the screen, before he picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Kanda? It's me, Marie."

"Yeah, what is it?" Kanda asked wearingly, not feeling the mood to chat with someone at the moment. The raven-haired man frowned as he gathered his stuff, walking towards the door.

"You are coming for the Christmas party this Saturday right?"

"What?" Kanda stopped in his footsteps, facing the lobby a few metres away.

"Aren't you coming? I thought you agreed with Lavi on that day when we were eating dinner together?"

After several seconds, Kanda then realised what had happened earlier. He totally had no idea why he agreed with that redhead to come for that stupid and lame Christmas party, but since he had already agreed, he had no choice but to go.

"Che. I must have consumed too much alcohol on that day."

"Aha. So you remembered." A chuckle was heard from the receiver.

"Not that I do not want to," Kanda snapped lightly as he pressed the ground floor button and the lift doors slowly closed, before the lift descended. After a few seconds, the lift stopped and the doors opened. The raven-haired man stepped out and entered the main hall, putting his phone by his neck as he struggled to wear his black coat. As he went out to the open, he was slightly astonished by the sudden coldness invading his body. He looked up, seeing snow floating down from the dull sky.

I'm going.

A shiver ran through his body. He opened his hand, letting snowflakes descended onto his palm. The snow stayed for just for a second, before it melted completely and disappeared. He closed his hand and clenched it.

"That's why I hate snow. Always be, forever will be," He muttered.

"Kanda?"

"Nothing."

"Is it? Well, it's good to hear that you are coming. I talk to you later."

He ended the call. Kanda breathed out cold breaths of air, slipping his left hand into the pocket of his coat as he walked out onto the streets. As it was still early in the morning, there were very few people here at the moment. Focusing on completing his project, Kanda walked around the neighbourhood, taking pictures which he thought would provide ideas for his work. The white scenery was simply beautiful and breathtaking, and together with the old buildings in London, it made it even better. The raven-haired man paced along the side of the road slowly and carefully, making sure that he took down all the finest details that he had seen with his own eyes.

After taking some pictures, he walked on, looking around. As he arrived at the centre of the neighbour, Kanda slowly stopped walking as he saw a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree situated at the middle. He stood there, memories starting to flow in as he remembered that moment when he saw Allen standing across him. That was his first time seeing him in three years when they parted. Now that he thought about it, it felt so nostalgic at that time.

"Yuu!"

Kanda stopped, knowing who that idiot was. Lavi was running towards him with a wide grin plastered on his face. The redhead attempted to pounce onto him, only to miss as Kanda stepped aside and continued to snap pictures as though nothing had happened. Lavi stumbled slightly as he skidded to a halt, almost crashing onto a nearby tree.

"Yuu!" He whined, slapping his hands at the sides of his body.

"Go away. You are disturbing me," Kanda said as he turned his attention to a school in front of him.

"Oh, that's the college that Allen attends," Lavi said, peering inside. Sapphire eyes widened slightly. Kanda observed the surroundings of the school more intently, seeing that the structure of the school was still well-established despite its long years of history in London. It would be better if he could take a close lookup at the school and snap a picture.

The raven-haired man stiffened slightly at the thought of Allen.

"Do you know what has happened to Allen these days?" Lavi asked with a frown. His ears pricked up at the name of the beansprout, but Kanda remained in his position, not saying anything. He felt his chest, feeling a surge of pain reaching up to his throat. He closed his eyes, not wanting to hear anything regards to him.

"How should I know?"

He wanted to know.

"Why are you talking like that? Show some concern for Allen once in a while! Geez!" Lavi sighed.

"He's a nobody to me," Kanda replied nonchalantly. "It's none of my business."

...A nobody?

"Are the two of you still at loggerheads?" Seeing Kanda's emotionless face, Lavi couldn't help but stifle a small chuckle in amusement. "But...the war's over! The two of you don't need to compete over...certain matters anymore! Isn't everyone at peace now?"

"Not us," Kanda replied. Didn't that rabbit know just how complicated their relationship was? It wasn't just in competing in skills and abilities alone. It was more than that, and even he could not figure out what it exactly was, which made him end up in this kind of mess. The raven-haired man let out a soft sigh as he snapped the photo of the school before proceeding down the street. Sometimes he even thought that he was contradicting himself. And it was even laughable when it was related to a certain beansprout.

"What could be so complicated that the two of you can't solve alone?" Lavi asked in slight exaggeration and surprise. He was glad that the smartest and ingenious Bookman Junior had not understood the real problems lying between him and Allen. It would be disastrous if he knew and intervened.

"Nothing you can think of. It's not something you can solve in a few days' time. And stop following me." He tilted his body a little sideways, about 30 degrees to the right as he took a still picture of birds taking off to the sky from the ground. Checking the photo and being satisfied with his photography, Kanda started walking on, only to stop abruptly at a face of the redhead which suddenly popped out in front of him. The raven-haired man cursed under his breath as he stumbled, almost dropping his camera.

"What the fuck, Lavi!"

"What is it?" The redhead questioned.

"What?" Kanda snapped in frustration.

"What has happened between you and Allen! There's something wrong between the two of you! I know it! You two could still communicate through fighting and quarrelling in the past, but this time, nothing! You get it? Nothing! This is definitely wrong here! The two of you won't just shut up and stop retaliating at each other obediently for no reason!" Lavi exclaimed loudly in front of his face. Kanda frowned, wiping away the saliva splattering all over his face. He did not like the way that rabbit phrased the ending sentence, and this was extremely bugging him.

"I don't know what is wrong with that Moyashi. If you want to know, the best way is to ask him yourself," Kanda said as he crossed the road, looking at street signs to see where he should go next.

"You are indirectly related as well. You also have part of the blame here," Lavi said sternly. Sapphire eyes widened as Kanda turned around and gave him an incredulous look.

"Wh-What?"

"Now, only you are the one whom Allen reacts with great disdain...or whatever that feeling is called. Everything in the past was supposed to be solved in the past, not to bring it to the present."

"Stop. Stop this ridiculous conversation right now. I really do not know why you are starting this now Lavi," Kanda hissed in warning.

"And neither do I. Because all I can see right now, is that you are pushing all the blame towards Allen and running away from the problem."

Sapphire eyes widened slightly.

"If you are given another choice–another chance, what will you do?"

Lavi just gave him a solemn look, before he turned and walked away. Kanda just stood there in silence, thinking over and over and over again. He wet his dry lips, slipping his cold hands into the warm pockets as he looked up and stared at the falling snow from the sky. His thoughts were messed up, and through Lavi's words, his mood went a lot worse than usual. But he won't show it out. He would not admit that he felt so fucked up because of Allen Walker.

Because they weren't acquaintances at all.

They weren't supposed to show feelings towards each other.

He was supposed to occupy himself with work today. To earn as much as possible such that he could enjoy his life in the future and did not need to worry about his own money and spending other people's money, such as Lenalee and Lavi and the rest of his friends. It was the only thing which could keep his mind busy. However, he was already off in the middle of the afternoon and had nowhere to go. All the shops he worked were closing early such that they could go back and celebrate Christmas. He then deliberately walked as slow as he could, counting the number of seconds he took to take a small step forward such that he could reach the nearest supermarket to purchase a turkey.

After 30 minutes from his work off, Allen had already walked out of the supermarket with a large bag of turkey in hand, wondering what he should do next. He stood in the middle of a street, staring blankly at a banner which wrote 'Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!'. As he reached the bus stop and saw his bus coming this way, he began to hesitate whether he should go home.

Maybe he should get a breather. Alone.

The silver-haired teen stepped out and walked on the streets, looking at the nice-looking winter clothes displayed behind the glasses of the fashion stores, admiring the dazzling Christmas lights shimmering brightly across the whole neighbourhood, or simply to enjoy the light and relaxing feel brought by the festive season. The streets are getting emptier, with more people returning back to their homes to celebrate. For someone like him who was not used to the silence around him, Allen seems to like it slightly because he could clear off his mind for now.

Over a certain person. Argh, it was fucking pissing him off right now. He couldn't describe that explosive anger engulfing him whole when he saw the two of them together. When was he going to stop that childish jealousy he had towards Mandy and move on for once? Or maybe the two of them weren't officially going out yet, because he was in the way? If this was so, they could just tell him such that he could step aside and not disrupt their time together. That BaKanda could just answer a 'no' to him when he...he...

Oh why the bloody hell did he fucking confess? Was he nuts? Allen felt like slamming his head against a wall to end his misery from humiliation.

But that was also his problem. It was his problem falling in love with someone like Kanda. He did not know why he would like that kind of bastard, but love was just unpredictable and hard to avoid when it arrived.

He saw an angel at the side of the street and approached him, before he began to try talking to the angel about his woes and ask for his advice to solve the problem. Of course he received no reply from the statue, earning several stares from people instead. Allen did not notice and continued scolding and blaming the angel for giving him such a complicated life, that it would be great if he would fall in love with someone else instead of Kanda.

"Allen?"

He hissed and was about to kick the statue when he stopped. Allen stumbled in his footsteps and looked up, silver eyes widened slightly to see Rou Fa in front of him. The brunette was dressed in a dark maroon coat with long black boots and a muffler worn on her head.

"Hey, Rou Fa! Out here for last minute Christmas shopping?"

"Yeah! Luckily I can buy the presents that I want to give to my friends!" Rou Fa said cheerfully and smiled. The sweetness of her smile seems to have affected him slightly. Allen stared at her with a dumbfounded expression for a moment, before he smiled back at her. Rou Fa did not seem to take notice as she was busily taking something from her handbag. He continued to stare, following the trail from her finger as it brushed past the edge of the handbag, before it went inside again. Silver eyes blinked, wondering why it felt so peculiar observing her movements.

"You are not going home now, Allen?"

"Huh?" He answered absentmindedly.

"Decorating the Christmas tree? Have you forgotten?" She asked. His eyes slowly shifted up, staring straight into her brown eyes.

"Oh. I'm going back after this." He did not know what 'this' referred to.

"I see..." She replied a little awkwardly, a tinge of blush appearing on her face. He realised that she flushed a lot. Well, it wasn't as if girls won't react like that, but Lenalee wouldn't blush that much. He pondered for a few seconds, thinking that their relationship might be not as close–that was why she was feeling uncomfortable, thus she blushed at times. He then peered up at her hair strands at the side of her face.

He couldn't help but lean closer to her.

Rou Fa stared, her brown eyes widened.

His hand reached out and tucked the hair strands behind her ear gently. He then stepped back, pleased that he was able to view her face more clearly. She froze completely on her spot, her eyes staring at him in shock. A few minutes later, Rou Fa turned around immediately, her hands placed on her face which heated up rather intensely.

"Are you...okay?" He asked in concern, approaching her.

"I'm...I'm fine, Allen!" She exclaimed as she turned back to face him and smiled. Allen stopped and blinked, not really understanding what was going on. Somehow the atmosphere became very awkward. Noticing this, Allen was considerate enough not to say anything and just waited. The two of them just stood there in silence.

"Shall we go home?" He asked. She nodded her head. The two of them began to walk to the bus stop, waiting for the bus to come. The silver-haired teen offered his help in carrying her shopping bags, but Rou Fa refused, saying that she could handle it. When they were at the bus stop, they sat together on the same bench. He was tidying up his hair fringe, while she was staring out at the roads blankly.

Their hands put down and accidentally touched. Both of them blinked as they stared at each other. Rou Fa was the first one who broke away from his gaze and redrew her hand. Allen slowly turned to stare at the front, touching his own hand at the same time. It felt warm, but somehow, the feeling wasn't the same from the sensation he had when he touched Kanda's hand...

"Allen?"

He turned to her abruptly.

"Yes?"

"How's your life here in London? Able to get used to it?"

"Yeah. It is supposed to be my birthplace, but other than the days with Mana, I can't remember anymore," He replied. Apart from the painful days wandering aimlessly on the streets with nowhere to go, until Mana came and brought him home, there wasn't much memories of his past to remember. Although he couldn't recall, he was content being back to where he belonged.

"I see. London really changes a lot," She murmured. A car passed by the bus stop.

"Really? You came here?" Allen asked her. Rou Fa nodded her head.

"The condition here in London was really bad. I mean, almost all the continents were invaded with the Millennium Earl's Akumas. The buildings collapsed, the roads were broken from the explosions, bloody corpses were everywhere around the corners, and those disgusting machines originated from humans themselves continued to kill people like it was nothing..."

Allen said nothing.

"Everywhere was a mess. You can hear children's cries at the end of the streets, not because they were abandoned but left behind because their parents were killed."

He felt a slight sting at his left eye. Allen hissed softly, touching his eye which twitched out of the blue. It might be due to his stirred emotions from the recollection of the war in the past. It was brutal, ruthless and simply inhumane. And because of that, he realised just how humans were so vulnerable and weak to protect even themselves alone. He had always wonder, was it retribution for them who were always aiming higher and better in their limited lives, causing them to have a twisted mind going out of control? And after all that insanity, all that remained was emptiness which became completely meaningless. And when this happened, humans would begin to have that same stupid question in their heads: Why do they do that in the first place?

"I have never expected London to revert back to normal. Or it might never revert back to normal at all. But it did, and I'm glad for it," Rou Fa said.

The bus was approaching the bus stop. The two of them boarded the bus, walking right to the back. As they sat down, Allen turned and took her left arm. Rou Fa turned and stared at him in surprise.

"Me too. I'm glad it was all over."

She continued staring at him in silence, before she let out a stuttered laugh in nervousness. Allen smiled back and let go of her arm, peering at the front. The whole journey was a little bumpy, and the two of them did not talk to each other until they reached the bus stop. He pressed the bell and stood up, taking two shopping bags before she could refuse. They alighted and walked their way to his house. After reaching the doorstep, Allen put down the bags and reached into his bag for his keys, opening the door.

"Hi Allen! Oh Rou Fa you came here together with Allen?" Lenalee greeted them with a grin as she walked over to the living room with a box of stuff. He couldn't comprehend at that moment, wondering what she was exactly thinking behind that peculiar smile.

"Oh Allen has come back!" Froi Tiedoll, Marie, Reever and Timothy had already arrived. Allen went over to give them a warm greeting. Rou Fa took her bags over to the dining table and placed them on a chair, wondering what she could do. It felt weird not together with Fou and the usual group she always hung out with.

"Why not help us in carrying these boxes of Christmas ornaments to the Christmas tree at the living room?" Komui suggested, carrying a box in his hands. Rou Fa nodded her head and went over to the corner, taking up a box with her. It wasn't really heavy to hold, but the box was large and being small-built, it was blocking her view slightly. As she staggered through, trying to figure out how she should walk without tripping over, she felt something stopping her. She stopped, looking aside to see Allen by her side.

"I help you carry, Rou Fa."

"N-No! It's okay, I can carry it!" She shook her head and insisted.

"It's okay. I can help you," He answered, his hand trying to take over, but she gripped the box tightly in stubbornness, refusing to hand it over.

"Rou Fa..." Allen's words trailed off as he stared at her.

"It's okay, Allen! I really mean it! It's okay!" Rou Fa replied firmly.

"Okay, why not we carry it together?" He suggested. She thought it over, and decided that it wasn't a bad idea. Komui and the others just stared in slight amusement as the two of them walked carefully towards the Christmas tree. As they were approaching the main door, the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" Lenalee shouted, walking towards the door.

"Be careful, Rou Fa! There is something beneath your feet..." The remark came a little too late as the brunette had tripped over a small stool on the floor. She gave a yelp as she fell forward and was stopped by Allen's left hand holding onto hers strongly while the other hand supported the box to prevent it from falling.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned and anxious on whether she was hurt.

"I'm surprised that you are here, Kanda!"

Allen turned, his eyes widened at the raven-haired man who was standing at the door, staring right at the two of them. He almost let go of whatever he was holding and say that nothing had happened between the both of them, but he managed to control himself within seconds as Kanda continued staring at him with an indescribable face and an intense gaze that he couldn't comprehend. That person always faced things with an expressionless face, yet today it was...different. He could not understand why, but it just looked different today.

"Come in, Kanda," Lenalee said with a smile. Kanda stepped inside and took off his boots. Sapphire eyes stared at him for a moment, before they turned to the annoying ex-general who addressed him by his forbidden name and a hug at the end. The former swordsman growled and pushed off his hand, but Tiedoll always managed to give his son a welcoming hug as the old man grabbed his hand and pulled him into the embrace. Aside from several curses, Kanda did not really struggle much and allowed that old geezer to do whatever he liked.

"Allen?"

He slowly turned to look at her, before realising that he was in a daze ever since Kanda came. The silver-haired teen readjusted himself and the two of them continued carrying the box to the Christmas tree. As they put down the box, he couldn't help but recall that moment when their eyes locked together. He peered at the raven-haired man sitting at the corner, having a conversation with Marie. He slowly observed him–his facial features, his movements, the frown on his forehead and his lips which always had little words on it.

Kanda looked up and stared at him. Allen turned away instantly. He stood there and stared at the ceiling, shuffling his feet at the same place for a moment, before he excused himself and walked hastily up the stairs. He entered his room and closed the door behind him, before he sank down on the bed, wondering what the hell he was exactly doing. He closed his eyes, and all he could see and remember was Kanda, Kanda and Kanda.

Allen let out a frustrated sigh as he took his pillow and threw it towards the wall.

He couldn't explain how he felt when the door opened.

Shocked? Confused? Or simply...getting used to it?

Kanda stared at the two of them, their hands touching each other and the box in between them. His eyes widened slightly, and he wondered why he even reacted. It wasn't his usual habit to react over the slightest thing. He wanted to look away, yet he couldn't. He couldn't take his eyes away from Allen who was currently holding onto someone's wrist. Holding his breath for a few seconds, he tried to comprehend what was going on.

The silver-haired teen stared at him in shock, showing a stilled face expression as though he did not know what to do in this situation. Rou Fa just peered at him in silence, before she turned and faced Allen. She called him a few times, and the beansprout only responded about a few minutes later, staring at her in slight astonishment.

He entered the apartment, taking off his boots before stepping up to the living room. Their gazes only met for seconds, before he turned and walked towards the old man who stood up to greet him. Allen nodded his head dumbly as the two of them began to move the box together to the Christmas tree. That old man was saying nonsense again, but he did not seem to have the mood to correct him and just let it go.

"How's your job so far, Kanda?" Marie asked.

"Okay. I am finishing a major project in hand," He replied.

"Ah, isn't this good? Yuu-kun can spend more time with us!" Froi Tiedoll beamed with happiness as he reached out for a hug, only to be pushed away by Kanda's hand as he glared at him hardly.

"Don't do that, old man. And stop calling me by my first name!"

"Aww, all my sons have finally grown up. As a parent, I'm so glad that all of you are doing well, Ma-kun, Yuu-kun," Tiedoll said as he sniffed and wiped away tears at his eyes.

"Are you ignoring my words now, old man?" Kanda hissed, amazed at how that old geezer could totally ignore him and change to another topic. Tiedoll gave him a playful grin, and Kanda was fighting back the urge to use his hand and fix up that obscene face expression he made. Marie seems to notice his hidden intention and grip onto his shoulder before he could do something insane. The raven-haired man was about to snap when he felt someone staring at him. He looked up and saw Allen standing across him. Their eyes met, and Allen cut off his gaze and turned away quickly. The silver-haired teen then said something to the brunette and went upstairs, before he heard the door closing.

His eyes widened slightly, and before he knew it, he stood up by his feet and was about to leave when Marie called out to him.

"Where are you going, Kanda? You got anything else to do?"

He stiffened. Marie was right. Was there anything he needed to do right now? If not, why was he standing up for no reason? The raven-haired man stared at the ground, his hand touching his left chest where it started to hurt. Was it because of the side effects of his curse again?

"What is wrong, Yuu-kun?" Tiedoll peered at him in concern.

Sapphire eyes narrowed. He put down his hand, brushing away his hair strands from his face in frustration. He couldn't understand. Allen gave him a cold shoulder just a few hours ago, but from the face he saw just now, it didn't seem like it. There was something happening behind the agonising face expression he was making. Something was wrong, yet he did not want to ask. He did not want to have any issues in regards to Allen anymore.

"Hi, we are here!"

Fou, Bak, Wong and the rest of the scientists from the Asian Branch had arrived. Everyone greeted one another cheerfully as the guests proceeded to the living room to sit down. Lenalee was practically rushing through the kitchen to prepare food and drinks for them.

"Oh, you are already here, Rou Fa! Why didn't you tell us that you will be coming here early?" Fou spotted her at the dining table and couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"I came here right after my shopping trip. Since I am nearer to Lenalee's house, I should come here earlier. Sorry for not contacting you," Rou Fa explained and apologised for letting her worry. The robot girl just peered at her in silence, before a sly grin slowly made its way to her face.

"I see..."

Rou Fa stared her in bewilderment and slight fear, wondering what she was planning in that sadistic mind of hers.

"She met Allen on the way and the two of them came back together," Lenalee said as she held a tray of food and placed it on the coffee table in the living room. Fou gasped loudly, her eyes shone brightly in excitement as she stared at the brunette with a growing smirk. Rou Fa took a step back, sensing that something bad would happen.

"What...is it that I have exactly missed?" She gave an innocent smile as she stepped closer to her, like a predator preparing to pounce on its prey.

"Uh...nothing...?" Rou Fa stuttered as she stepped back.

"Oh? But I sniff something weird about this. Something must have happened...right?" Fou questioned. The brunette blushed and looked away, deciding to find an excuse to escape.

"I...I need to go to the washroom," She turned and took off to the kitchen.

"What are you hiding from me, Rou Fa! Something definitely has happened between you and Allen right! Right!" Fou shouted back, following after her.

"N-No! What nonsense are you talking about, Fou?" Rou Fa said as she hurried towards the kitchen.

"Tell me! Geez, when there is finally progress in your crush, why are you keeping quiet now!" Fou shrieked as the two girls disappeared into the kitchen.

Sapphire eyes widened slightly, before Kanda looked up and stared at the kitchen where they entered.

"What...did Fou say just now?" Marie asked.

"Please don't mind her. She's like that most of the time," Bak laughed, only to faint seconds later when his gaze accidentally met with Lenalee's. Wong sighed and went up to support the former supervisor to the nearest couch to rest. Kanda shook his head in defeat, deciding to forget every ridiculous and absurd scenes that he had seen today.

Tell me! Geez, when there is finally progress in your crush, why are you keeping quiet now!

He frowned, thinking over the words that he had overheard. Everything made sense as he recalled the attitude she had and face expressions that Rou Fa always never failed to use whenever she was looking at Allen. The raven-haired man let out a scoff as he turned and stared at the flight of stairs leading up to the upper floor.

"Good for you...Moyashi," He muttered.

After a satisfying dinner cooked by the girls, all of them gathered at the living room and chatted among themselves. Fou was still pestering Rou Fa on what had happened earlier on, while Lavi and Lenalee were talking softly between themselves, having to look out for a particular sister-complex brother who might pounce onto them any time. Tiedoll, Marie and Chouji were discussing on the latest political moves made by the government, while Krory and Timothy were playing chess, with Miranda sitting beside them to observe on how it was being played.

Allen talked and laughed with the group, before he decided that he needed a breather. The silver-haired teen excused himself as he carefully walked out and went into the kitchen. After getting himself a glass of water, he stepped out and went to the open balcony, leaning against the railing as he took a sip of water and enjoyed the night view. He tugged his hair strand behind his ear, his eyes slowly slid shut as he heard only the soft howls of the night breeze.

I couldn't erase you from my mind. Ever since you left like this, I kept thinking about you till it was literally driving me crazy! I also do not know what the hell is wrong with me, but something just struck within me that something strange was definitely happening to you that night, and I have to find answers to it, or else those memories would not leave me alone!

Who are you to me? What right do you have to make me reduce into this state?

His heart thumped in slight pain. He slowly opened his eyes, remembering that particular night when the two of them met each other. Now that he thought about it, he realised that it was his own feelings that was causing the both of them to be so awkward, and it was just a burden to Kanda who did not know a single thing until three years later when he just confessed openly to him. At that time, he should have controlled himself.

He clenched the cold glass of water and finished the water. As he turned around and was about to walk back into the apartment, he halted in his footsteps, slightly startled to see Rou Fa standing at the door.

"Rou Fa?"

"Did I...interrupt you somehow?" She asked timidly.

"No. I'm leaving anyway. You can stand here if you want," Allen said and was about to walk off when something grabbed his wrist. Silver eyes widened slightly as he slowly stopped, turning to stare at the brunette.

"Can you...stay here for a while?" Rou Fa asked softly, looking down. The silver-haired teen was silent for a moment, before he nodded his head. The two of them went out to the open balcony and stood by the railings. She tapped on the metal surface of the railings, biting her lip in nervousness.

"Something in your mind that bothers you?" Allen asked her. The wind was rather strong and his loose long-sleeved woolen shirt was fluttered up roughly, showing part of his bare stomach. She turned away and stared at the night sky, slipping her freezing hands into the pockets of her jeans in an attempt to keep them warm.

"No. I just...want someone to accompany me," Rou Fa replied.

Allen nodded his head in acknowledgement. The two of them remained silent for minutes, choosing to stare out at the night view and the bright lights from the Christmas decoration in the neighbourhood. He glanced at her, realising that she was trembling slightly from the cold. He then remembered that her scarf she lent to him was still inside his room.

"You wait for me here. I go get something," Allen said as he rushed into the apartment.

"You are drunk."

"Am not!"

"You are drunk."

"AM NOT!"

"..."

"YUU-KUNNNNN!" Tiedoll sang as he pounced towards him. Kanda leaned aside calmly as the drunken former general spralled onto the couch with a heavy thud. The old geezer muttered some incoherent words, before he started smiling to himself, babbling about how blissful he was to have two great sons together with him. Kanda just stared at him and scoffed in slight amazement. He stared across, seeing Lavi swaying back and forth while Lenalee tried to support him from falling.

Everyone was having a great time. Kanda took out his phone and checked for any new messages or emails. Other than reminders for his projects and some information sent from his main company in Canada, there were not much important messages to take note. The raven-haired man peered at the Christmas tree beside him.

"Are you lying?"

"No. No, why would I - why would I lie to you?"

"What is there to talk about?"

"About that particular night. You know that very well."

"I told you, Kanda, that there is nothing we can talk about! How many times must I repeat myself?"

"No, it's not like this."

"Stop it, Kanda. There is a limit to one's patience, and I surely do not have one tonight."

"Neither do I. In fact, I have been bearing this for three whole fucking years, and I need answers. NOW."

"What? Would there be something that makes you, Kanda Yuu, look back? You won't. There is nothing that holds you back at all. Nothing."

"I couldn't erase you from my mind. Ever since you left like this, I kept thinking about you till it was literally driving me crazy! I also do not know what the hell is wrong with me, but something just struck within me that something strange was definitely happening to you that night, and I have to find answers to it, or else those memories would not leave me alone!"

"Who are you to me? What right do you have to make me reduce into this state?"

"Do you want to know the answer, Kanda?"

"It is because...I love you."

I love you.

Kanda stood up and walked into the kitchen, getting himself a glass of water. As he drank down the liquid, he glanced outside the window, seeing the moon hanging clearly in the night sky. After drinking, he put down the empty glass and stepped out of the kitchen. Not wanting to stay together with the bunch of drunken fools dancing among themselves, the raven-haired man decided to walk around the house to spend the time.

He walked around the corridors of the houses, before he walked up the stairs to the upper floor. Most of the rooms were closed, but there was one which was opened. He peered inside in curiosity. It was just a typical room, with a bed and a desk placed with textbooks and papers. He slowly stepped in, his fingers trailing along the edge of the door as he observed around the area. Kanda stared at the collection of books on the shelves, before he turned to look at the papers on the table.

As he continued to look, sapphire eyes widened slightly at something which caught his eye. The raven-haired man peered closely, seeing the name which was written on it. He then noticed the portrait of a clown walking on the streets hung on the wall in front of him.

This room had a faint scent of that beansprout. It smelt so...nostalgic.

He then saw a scarf hanging on the chair. Kanda took it up gently, feeling the soft material.

He remembered that moment when the brunette wrapped the same scarf around his neck. A smile slowly crept up his face at that time.

Kanda put down the scarf and left it on the chair. He walked out of the room and went down the stairs.

"Yuu!"

He frowned at that voice. The redhead walked to him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"Where have you been just now? It has been so hard finding you." His words came out in a slur, showing just how drunk he was.

"Get off me, stupid usagi," Kanda said as he pushed away the arm and walked ahead. The redhead continued to pester him, saying things that he totally could not understand. Lavi then screamed at the top of his voice, to his disgust, and started jumping onto him.

"Hey, stop jumping on me! Oi, baka usagi! Stand properly!" Kanda gripped hold of the former bookman junior who was currently in stupor and supported him, deciding to get him to the living room to rest. Halfway, Lavi suddenly wanted to puke, and he had to lead him to the washroom to settle his business. Kanda stood outside and stared at his crumpled shirt in disdain. Not able to stand how dirty he was right now, the raven-haired man was about to walk off to the living room to get something from his sling bag when he suddenly stopped.

He slowly stepped back, his eyes peering at the open balcony.

Allen ran into his room and stopped by the chair where the scarf was placed. His eyes widened slightly at the position it was currently in, wondering whether he was remembering things wrongly, because it was not hanging at the usual place but was on the base of the chair itself. He frowned for a while, before he took it and went out again, proceeding back to the open balcony.

As he was on his way back, he heard weird laughter coming from the corridor behind. It sounded a little like Lavi. Allen wondered whether that redhead had drank too much and made a nuisance out of himself again. Komui would definitely not be pleased with the ruckus he was making. He sighed and shook his head in defeat.

He could feel the cold entering his skin. Allen shivered slightly and increased his pace. He turned at the corner, seeing the open balcony where Rou Fa was still at. The brunette was staring out at the night view, her both arms hugging herself as she tried to control herself from trembling.

"Rou Fa! Sorry for the wait!"

She turned around and hadn't have time to react as Allen stepped up and wrapped the thick scarf around her neck, making sure that the woollen material covered her skin completely from the cold. The silver-haired teen then stepped back, their faces within centimetres as they stared at each other. Rou Fa just stared at him in slight astonishment, her hands reaching up to the scarf and touched it.

"You lent me your scarf at that time. Since you are cold, it's the best time to return it to you!" Allen said and smiled.

She said nothing.

"I shall go back to see if Lenalee needs help..." He finished and turned around.

"Allen!"

He stopped. She bit her lip slightly.

"There is something...that I need to tell you."

Seeing someone entering the open balcony, Kanda slowly approached it with curiosity. As sapphire eyes peered through the transparent glass doors, he stopped, seeing the beansprout together with the brunette previously from the Asian Branch. He frowned and looked closer, realising that she wasn't wearing her usual black spectacles. He wondered whether it was to give a different impression for that idiot she had a crush in. Well, he thought it was ridiculous though. Allen was probably too dense to notice her feelings.

Allen stepped into the open balcony and leaned close to her. His eyes widened slightly at the scarf that he took up just now which was wrapped around her neck. The silver-haired teen then stepped back, and the two of them did not say anything but just stared at each other, as though they were waiting for either party to speak out first. He could see the extreme shocked look she had and the flush at her cheeks for the intimate behaviour he made towards her just now.

His breath hitched for seconds. His heart pained for a moment, and he wished he did not see this right now. Kanda cursed under his lips, wondering what exactly he was doing. Was he going to witness another confession which was linked to that idiotic beansprout again?

"You lent me your scarf at that time. Since you are cold, it's the best time to return it to you!"

She did not say anything.

"I shall go back to see if Lenalee needs help..."

"Allen!"

She stopped him with a shout of his name.

Sapphire eyes widened.

Allen turned around and looked at her.

"What is it, Rou Fa?" He asked. Before the silver-haired teen could react, Rou Fa walked up and hugged him. Silver eyes widened in shock, his mind turning blank instantly. Time seems to slow down, focusing solely on the two of them only. After a few minutes, she got out of the embrace and said something which he totally did not expect.

"I like you."

"If you are given another choice–another chance, what will you do?"

Hi everyone! Another two more days and it's New Year! I really hope that everyone had a great time celebrating Christmas which was just five days ago. I wasn't able to post a chapter on Christmas Day, and I deeply apologise for this! D:

Another chapter posted for Colourful Moments! All of you must be slightly taken aback by the sudden twist of the story plot. This chapter is focusing more on Rou Fa and Allen. This pairing is rather cute, but of course, Yullen is still my all-time favourite! :DD This chapter is necessary for the progression of Kanda and Allen together, so please do look forward to the next chapter which will be proceeding on to Christmas Eve! I apologise for the long wait again :)

Lastly, I wish all of you readers/reviewers a Happy New Year in advance! Hope that you have achieved your goals you made in early 2011 and have a brand new start in 2012! :D

Please review! Thank you!