Author's Notes:
^^;; please pardon me for another long hiatus... but then, I'm going back to UAE by sunday.. ^^ vacation's finished (which means I'm back to studying... more hiatus) anyway, it's another random chapter. Silent readers, please review! ^^ I want to know if you have any violent reactions or criticism...
Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Kiss
"Reever-san, where did you get those?" Tapp asked as he opened one of it. "I thought you don't like alcoholic drinks?"
"That's my dirty little secret…" He grinned and took a shot. "Why do you suppose I work in the Science Department?"
At Jeryy's victory party, Kanda impatiently sat in one corner and lay still like frozen. He dislikes unnecessary interaction with people he despises, especially for a certain white-haired bean sprout. They were all drinking some beer that Reever brought back from somewhere.
'Che… these people are unbelievable. They should be tracking down Akumas instead of idly drinking beer in the cafeteria.' His thoughts were filled with killing intents and work. Maybe this is one of the reasons why he was called a "workaholic".
Lavi caught sight of Yuu in one corner had his 4th mug already as he wobbled to Kanda's corner. He was carrying a mug of Reever's improvised beer and put it aside to Kanda. "Want some?" He offered.
"Tch…" Kanda turned away from the drunken red-head. "I don't drink…"
"HWhAaAt?" His voice sounded like it was drowned. "Yuu-kun doesn't drink?"
"Don't use my first name, eye-patch." He glared and walked away from the Junior Bookman.
Allen also had the same issue. The people from the Science Department were offering him a drink. They kept insisting Allen for a "just-one-shot".
"Walker, it's not really alcoholic. I promise." Reever drank some more. "It taste just like soda… but has some after effects of dizziness."
"IT'S STILL ALCOHOLIC."
'I guess being Cross's apprentice became a trauma to him…' Reever told himself as he shook his head. He turned back to the white haired teen. "Tell you what. I hate alcoholic drinks too, but come to think of it… I created this drink. It's non-alcoholic. I swear. Not one bit. It can just fool your senses," He drank another in one gulp. "See?"
The boy stared and blinked at the foamy yellowish drink. Surely he was hesitating. Aria passed by and saw him staring at the drink. "What are you staring at?"
"A-Aria… did you drink this?"
"Reever-san told me that it isn't alcoholic so I drank it." She explained and sat down beside him. "I can really tell… It isn't alcoholic."
"If you say so…"
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"Tch… If you don't stop annoying me, I'll slice you up into pieces."
Lavi immediately stopped. He grinned and turned back to Kanda. "Look at Allen… He already had his shot. You won't let him surpass you right?" He smiled menacingly as he saw Kanda's expression. Competition…
"Shut up and gimme that," He shoved Lavi off and drank a whole mug of Reever's beer. The effects were faster than expected on Kanda. He touched his forehead as if he has a headache and fell on a sofa nearby cursing.
A few minutes afterwards, the cafeteria fell silent. Everyone was unimaginably drunk by a non-alcoholic drink. Lavi had ten bottles but still has a clear vision. Lenalee didn't drink any just like Krory and Miranda. They already left the cafeteria before they start drinking. Komui had nine and was knocked out just like Jeryy. They were lying down on the kitchen floor like dead people with Jeryy's staff. Allen and Aria had two bottles but were still alert. The whole Science Department was knocked out too including some of the finders who joined in.
Bookman was hardcore. Gramps had eleven bottles and was still alert and in normal state.
Kanda had the worst case scenario… He had one bottle and end up weird. He was mumbling things like sleep talk.
"This place looked like a battle scene. Everyone's drunk…" Aria muttered and gave out a heave of sigh. "They might as well sleep here in the Cafeteria." She turned to Allen who disappeared from her side.
"Allen?"
He was observing the drunken Samurai with an evil grin. Holding a black marker on his hand, his evil smile got wider but…
"Moyashi, stop," Kanda slowly opened his eyes. The bean sprout immediately backed off. Aria stood beside Allen.
"Allen, what are you doing?" She took away the marker from his hands as she shifted her gaze on to the older exorcist. "Is he sleep talking?" She whispered to Allen.
"Dunno. He just suddenly woke up."
When they looked back at Kanda, his weight shifted and fell on Allen. There was an awkward silence between the three of them.
That was when Kanda made a big mistake in his life, something that would dirty his reputation.
He kissed Allen Walker; the person he despised so much.
"ehh…?" Aria was speechless. She just saw a boy to boy love scene in front of her. Jasdero and Devit sometimes tried those but they were twins… It's an exception to the rules of natural love for them.
The cursed boy was simply speechless, his eyes closed and frozen to the spot. It was like they were stuck to that position. The samurai didn't move or flinch at what he did. He was still sleeping.
Allen pushed Kanda from him and finally breathes. His face was red and obviously hot. He slowly touch his lips and glance back at Kanda.
"What just happened?" Aria properly lied down Kanda's body next to the others.
"I don't know." Allen pats his cheeks. "Let's just say that that thing didn't happen, okay?"
"Kay."
The next day, nobody remembered what exactly happened last night, especially Kanda.
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Council between the Order and the Central…
"The Black Order has kept in one of the enemy's people. A Noah," Leverrier explains. "As we all know, Noahs are one of the highest threats we have. They kill people and take our exorcists' innocence… She is a threat for the Order."
"Secretary, as supervisor of the Black Order, I know the dangers of our people. Aria Cross is NOT a Noah." Komui slammed his desk.
"Supervisor Komui Lee, control yourself." Komui sat at once and continued to reason out for Aria's defense.
"She's not a threat. She might even be a big help for the Order."
"Help? She's been well trained by the Earl. Have you even thought about why they let Miss Cross to stay in the Order? She's spying on us. She's not supposed to be trusted."
"She could be a spy for us. We can use her against the Millennium."
"I've read her information. She's adopted by the Earl. It would be hard for her to turn against him."
"But sir—"
"No buts, Supervisor Lee." Leverrier smirked to him. He can clearly see how difficult it is for Komui to defend the Noah. "Addition to that issue, Mr. Lee, we haven't cleared out the 14th's comeback. Walker is already a problem here."
'Cross… damn it. You're the one who dumped me with these kids. Where's that pervert anyway???'
"Walker is completely fine at that matter. No signs of the comeback that I can assure. He's no problem in the Order. He's given us even greater help; with that Ark and all."
Leverrier smirked once again. It seems that he made his final decision. It is certain, for a person as cruel as Leverrier, to not forfeit in this sort of debate. Whatever the consequences may be, he'll stubbornly insist on his choice.
"I made my choice." He stood up and gathered up his files. "Cross and Walker will be under surveillance…"
Komui clenched his fist, ready to aim at Leverrier's face but no. He had to accept this. Something will turn up afterwards. Let fate take its course. Those two can make it.
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Flashback
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"At once when you become the 14th, you might kill the one you love…"
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"Twin innocence… That's quite rare. Both of the innocence is connected. Anything that affects the other is felt vice-versa. If Allen got cursed by Mana, there will be a 90% of Aria experiencing the pain including the curse. Genius, isn't it?"
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End of Flashback
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He slapped his head at once when he realizes things through. 14th's comeback may be sooner than expected.
--------------------------------
Back at the Order…
"Allen~! Over here!" Lavi shouted as always, his voice echoing in the cafeteria. "Look, Look!!! Yuu let me eat beside him!" He pointed beside him the dark haired exorcist.
"Don't use my first name, baka usagi." Kanda glared and moved from another table. "I never actually said that you can sit beside me." He pulled up one of his long sleeves and continued with his morning soba. "Oi, moyashi, where's Aria?"
"Eh? Looking for Aria again? Kanda~ Kanda! Don't tell me you like her~~!" Allen teased with an evil look on his face.
"Sister Complex…" He said, this time without violent reactions or slashing tables with his mugen. "What now…? Are you jealous?" A smirk appeared from his face that looked like a sign of victory over the bean sprout.
"I am NOT! You just like her~!"
"Sister Complex…" His smirk got wider to a sort of smile.
"Ha! Just admit it Kanda. You like Aria!"
"Just admit it Allen. You're so Sister Complex. "
"You know… Aria IS like Allen. They're twins. If Kanda likes Aria, he must have like Allen. Right?" The Bookman analyzes.
"Me? Like this Moyashi? No way."
"Ha… Like this Ba-Kanda? NEVER!"
"I hate you."
"I hate you more."
Sparks were coming out of their eyes as they glared at each other.
"It really is true… The more you hate, the more you love…" Lavi muttered
"You stay out of this or we'll shave your head!" Kanda and Allen shouted.
Lavi left the room for safety, afraid of them attempting to shave his red hair. 'Besides… Kanda already gave his kiss to Allen.'
"What the—" Kanda stopped and sat down. "Where is Aria?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
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Aria's POV + Dream
"This place seems so familiar to me…" I told myself as I look around. There's a big tall tree in the center of a small town. I stepped in for a closer look and turn up. "Everything's so familiar to me."
I was about to rest my back to the tree when I fell in. It was like getting sucked in a null void filled with darkness. I just closed my eyes and waited for the impact but no. Instead, I landed softly on the arms of a young blonde.
"Aria… You okay?" He didn't let me down. For the first time I look to his face and realizes something.
"Earl…?" He was still the same Earl I've known for years. He was still wearing weird hats and fancy coats but he wasn't so fat anymore. Plus he has a normal face this time, without his glasses.
"Eh? Even I'm in my younger form, you still recognize me? I thought I can play a little game called guess who it is…" He let me down and gets dramatic all of a sudden. "Aria-chaaaan~ I really miss you!" He hugged me tightly until I can't breathe. "Can't breathe~"
The grudge and hate against Earl in my heart faded. He squeezed it all off me I guess. How could I hate the one who took me in after all these years? I should have been even grateful. Water started to fill up my eyes. Tears please don't fall. I don't want him to notice.
"I… I miss you too, Earl." I hugged him back. "Are you crying?!?"
"It's called tears of joy." He smiled and wiped his tears. "So what's up? Why didn't you come back?"
"I made my choice. I have to stay with them."
"Are you happy with that choice? You do know the difficulties of being an exorcist right?" Young Earl looked down and sat on one of the benches nearby. "That may also mean being enemies with us… There will be necessary killings between the Noah and exorcists. It's unavoidable."
"I… I know that. So unlucky…"
"They were talking about you a while ago… in the Great Council. They were thinking of putting you under surveillance. Those idiots think that you're spying for us."
"Wait… What? How did you know those things?"
"I have a very good source." He winked. "They think you're a Noah. Naïve people… If they even try to touch you, I'll kill them."
"Tch. No need. I can kill them myself…" I paused to look at his eyes. "Earl, is there no end to this war? Can't we just stop fighting?" My tears took over and fell from my face. I can't hold it much longer.
His smiled faded. He hands me his handkerchief to wipe my tears. "I don't want to see you cry, okay? It doesn't suit you." He pats my head and stood up. "Promise me that you'll never cry again." I nodded.
"The war will end soon with a final blow." He smiled again and looks at his pocket watch. "Time's up for me. You better wake up now." He kissed my forehead and faded in the scene. That moment, I could have sworn I blushed after that little kiss.
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After the dream meeting with the Younger Earl, she woke up with a bright carefree smile. Maybe it was the kiss. Rushing to the bathroom, she washed up and dresses into a sleeveless black and white hoodie and knee high shorts. After that talk with Earl, she felt light.
She immediately slip in her shoes and ran to the Hallways of the Cafeteria for a long breakfast. Her grin got wider when she saw her friends. Allen and Kanda are fighting as usual while Lavi goes for a back up teasing.
"I'll never get tired of this." She told herself and sits between Kanda and Allen. "Morning!"
"Morning," Allen scooted aside for more room. So did Kanda. "You're late."
"I had a good dream. Didn't want to spoil it," She smiled and ran off to the counter.
"Morning, Jeryy-chan! Usual 'breakfast special' please!"
"Someone had a good dream~" Jeryy complemented and starts cooking. "Breakfast will come to your table in 15 minutes."
She went back to her seat between Kanda and Allen while humming a happy song. Kanda cocked his eyebrow at her but didn't say a thing. He was too busy eating soba.
"Hey, guys. I'm off so take care of Aria. Behave yourselves okay?" Lavi gave a short salute and exited.
"What's with Lavi?" Aria stretches her arms.
"Don't mind him…" The two said in chorus.
"Oh, yeah… Allen… about what happened last week…" Aria whispered to Allen and pulled him under the table. "Kanda didn't remember anything right?"
Allen suddenly gulped nervously shifting his glance to Kanda then to Aria.
"I don't think so… I hope not." Allen bit his lip and continuously glancing back at Kanda.
"You can't be crushing on him now… hm?" she gave a suspicious look on him.
"WHAT?!?"
"Shh! You don't have to shout!" She silenced him.
"What makes you think of that?" He lowered down his voice.
"Well, I've been thinking things through… When I first ate with Kanda, you reacted so badly. Then that kiss—"Allen put his finger on her lips, stopping her words.
"Don't even mention that… That was gross."
"Then 'that' thing… and whenever I sit next to Kanda, you'll cut between us."
'She had the wrong idea after all… It was sort of Sister Complex, not Kanda Complex.'
"You have the wrong idea. I'm telling you. The reason was way different from what you're thinking."
"I can hear you, bean sprouts." Kanda's voice said. They both emerged from the table and said in chorus, "I'm NOT a BEAN SPROUT!"
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After some time, she left the cafeteria and bumped into the brain storming Supervisor. They crashed into each other causing Komui's papers to fly and scatter everywhere.
"I'm sorry, Komui-san!" She bowed and helped gather the scattered documents.
"It's nothing." Aria handed them in. "Thank you." He put it back to his folder.
"Aria, just in time, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Is it about my stay here? The Central didn't approve, ne?" She surprised the Supervisor.
"I… How did you know that?"
"It doesn't matter much. So they didn't approve?"
He looks around and whispered to Aria. "Let's talk about this in my office."
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[Allen's PoV]
How could Aria have that sort of idea?
I thought about it really hard until my head hurts. I can't be possibly jealous right? I just can't. It didn't mean that Kanda kissed me means that we're together. That's just insane.
"You can't be crushing on him now… ne?" Aria's statement rang in my ears.
I shook my head no. I can't be. It's impossible.
"What now…? Are you jealous?" Kanda's voice appeared in my mind next including that sweet little smirk he had.
Wait… Did I just say 'that sweet little smirk'???
This is just so wrong!!! IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! Why would I like that straight cut fringe meanie who just eats soba and nothing else? I hate Kanda… he's making my life more miserable.
"It really is true… The more you hate, the more you love…"
'gah! These voices keep popping in my head!!!'
A/N:
ehehe... sort of going Yullen here (currently taking over my life XD) ahaha... if any of you requests for any PAIRING scenes, just tell me. I can do a Tyki+Lavi XD joke! But really, tell which pairings you want.
anyway, once again: SILENT READERS, PLEASE REVIEW
thank you.
[STATUS: SEMI-HIATUS]
