Sorry it took so long to post this chapter, but here it is! I hope you guys enjoy, leave a comment to let me know how you like it! Thanks for reading ^.^

Chapter 11

I rub at my sore legs, exhausted from a long month of missions. Today is our first day back and Komui has promised us at least a few days of rest. I told Lavi and Kanda that I would meet up with them later for dinner, but I wanted to stop by my room first to unwind a bit. The past few weeks have been killer, with the number of Akuma rising and the missions lasting longer and longer. I walk into the bathroom and turn on a light. Slipping out of my worn clothes, I get into the shower, letting the hot water steam up the room.

I sit down and let the hot water wash away the grime that has been building on my skin. A sigh of relief escapes my lips and I scrub at my skin with my hand. I look over my body, each mission left me with a little souvenir from Kanda. A string of scabs lines the side of my leg, a big purple bruise colors my left ribs, a slit cuts down the center of my bottom lip and my back aches. Each little injury from an accident involving Kanda. I don't complain about them because I know that he gets whiplash from Lavi.

After using up all the hot water, my skin finally feels like it can start healing. Still aching, I make my way into the bedroom to change into some casual clothes. Most of the clothes I have are virtually untouched since i spend so much time in my exorcist uniform.

I settle on my usual black cargo pants and knee high boots. Instead of my exorcists jacket, I wear a teal cami with a light weight black hooded jacket. I leave it unzipped because it's still fairly warm outside. Rolling up my sleeves, I rough up my thick hair that is already drying in its usual wavy style. Well it's not gonna dry any faster. I sigh and let it fall past my shoulders and down the the small of my back.

Feeling drowsy, I force myself to meet up with Lavi and Kanda. As soon as I leave my room I regret it. My muscles are overly fatigued and I have an aching behind my eyes. It makes me want to return to my room and pass out, but I force myself down the long hallway towards the cafeteria

When I arrive, Kanda and Lavi are already settled and eating. Lavi, in his usual blue shirt, with the buttons near the neck undone and Kanda, wearing a black sleeveless shirt. Aside from Kanda eating his soba and Lavi eating his soup, there really aren't very many people in the room with us.

I go to Jerry and only order a bowl of pasta and some tea. It's far less than I usually get, but I'm really only eating to please my friends. I take a seat next to Lavi, greeting them with a weak smile. They seem beat too, Kanda lazily eats his meal and Lavi has a book sprawled out on the table next to his bowl. He stares at it blankly and jots down a note every so often.

I take a bite of my spaghetti but barely have the energy to swallow it. In hopes of relieving some of the pain behind my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. Kanda looks up from his Soba.

"What's the matter?" He asks.

"I think I'm just tired, but...my eyes are killing me." I tell him. "What's he doing?"

I gesture to Lavi, who seems completely absorbed in his book. Kanda shrugs and kick's Lavi's boot from under the table. The redhead looks up from his task, and raises his eyebrows when he sees me.

"You look nice." He grins.

"Thanks, you guys don't look too bad either." I chuckle.

"That's all you're gonna eat? We haven't had access to real food all month." He says surprised.

"Later maybe, so what's that?" I ask him, eyeing his book.

"Oh, just bookman stuff, I have to keep a record of this war. It's boring really." He sighs.

I rub my eyes and yawn loudly. Lavi's brow furrows as he watches my behavior. He seems concerned at my disinterest in food, or consciousness for that matter. Even Kanda acts weary, he sighs every time he sees one of the bruises or scrapes that he left me with.

"I've never seen you so wiped out before." Lavi mentions.

"Yea, I don't know, it's probably from activating so much." I tell him.

"You don't think it's like what General Nine-" Lavi starts but I cut him off mid sentence.

"No. I don't. So what have you got in there so far?" I try to double back to the last topic.

"Not enough." He sighs.

He doesn't seem too happy to continue talking about his bookman duties, so I drop the conversation. I play around with the pasta in my bowl and suddenly feel like I'm about to pass out right here in my dinner. My head bobs and I push my bowl away, nearly knocking it off of the table.

"Hey are you ok?" Lavi asks, sitting up straight.

"Huh? Yea." I mumble. Kanda looks up and moves my bowl away from the edge of the table.

"I think you need to go to bed." Kanda says.

"I got it, I'll see you later." I start to push myself up, but I nearly fall off of the bench.

"Okayyy no you don't. I'm taking you back to your room." Lavi says, straightening me out.

He stands up and grabs my shoulders, helping me stand. I try to stay upright but I almost drop again. Lavi takes my arm and pulls it over his shoulder. I hadn't noticed how much taller than me he is, he's practically towering over me now. I let him lead me and only focus on walking.

He laughs lightly to himself, mildly amused at this little ordeal. I raise an eyebrow and lift my head up a little bit.

"What are you laughing at?" I ask him.

"Nothin, I just wish you wouldn't push yourself so much, that's all." Lavi sighs.

"Well that wouldn't be any fun now would it?"

"You're crazy." He says.

He shakes his head and puts an arm around my waist to make me walk a little better. We make it to my room and I push open the door. Lavi helps me over to my bed and I plop down, ready to pass out. He waits a moment, sitting down on my bed, brushing my bangs out of my face.

I feel the bed move as he gets up to leave. Suddenly all I want is for him to stay just a little longer. I prop myself up and catch his hand as he turns away. He comes back and sits next to me, a little grin on his face.

"What?" He asks.

"Stay." I tell him, resting my forehead in his chest.

"I have to finish that entry you know." He chuckles, placing a hand on my head.

"I know. Just a sec though." I take in a deep breath and find that familiar scent of a smoky fire. It puts me at ease and I can't explain it, but I want to just stay here forever.