Allen awoke with a start in the darkness of his room, strange disjointed memories fading from his mind as he tried to grasp them. Looking around he realised that he had sleep walked to the window, it was open allowing the warm breeze to caress the bare skin of his chest, making him wander if that was what had awoken him. Blinking he looked out and saw a large blood stain on the windowsill, panic filled him instantly making him freeze when he heard a noise from his bed and turned to see a figure laying on it.
Leaving the window, he was besides the bed in two steps, noting that Link was still sound asleep in the bed next to him, frowning in his sleep but eyes closed tight. Looking at the figure he bit back his gasp as he saw the long brown hair trailing onto the floor, "Kai!" He whispered then nearly jumped out his skin as her head rolled to look at him.
"P-please wake Link up," she said her voice thick with pain, "ask him to go and find some bandages and…." she paused, panting for breath, "and some needle and thread. Please, I'm making a mess on the sheets here." A smile tugging at her lips but her eyes were wide with pain, one hand curled around Corbec.
Allen did as he was asked, shaking the Inspector awake in the darkness, "Walker? What's wrong?" He asked, the boy looked… very much his sixteen years, his eyes large in fear.
"Don't ask questions, I don't know," he said quickly as he moved aside, "Kai just woke me up like this!"
The blond man shot out of his bed, the two young men clad only in pyjama bottoms moved towards Kai, looking down at her in the soft moon light. Allen passed the instruction to Link, making him pause in grabbing his dressing gown to ask why he was sent, Kai spoke up, "because I need someone with me, and you can go get these things without raising suspicion. If Allen went, lots of people would want to know why."
"Point made," grumbled Link, he looked over to his desk and saw the little golden golem sitting there watching everything. "Pay attention Timcanpy, I'll be reviewing the records just in case I need to make a report." The golem nodded and flew up to fly sentry on the scene below.
The door shut quietly behind Link and Allen got up, lighting a candle first and leaving it besides Kai, he went to the small washroom that was connected to his room, running some warm water into a bowl, bringing a cloth with him. Kai had managed to sit up by the time he was back, she was running her hands over Corbec, the little dragon lay limp in her hands.
"I'm sorry to bother you like this Allen," she whispered, the soft light from the candle illuminating her tanned skin, making it seem almost golden, marred with the patterns and trails of blood. Allen smiled warmly at her, kneeling in front of her and taking Corbec into his hands, knowing she would refuse all treatment until the little dragon was healed.
"He seems okay, just tired, the scars look fresh though, I'll bind them so he doesn't break the tender skin." He said, placing the small sleeping dragon on a cushion besides him.
"He should do, I healed him already. Only bonus with him healing so fast."
"Now for you."
Kai smiled and shifted to the edge of the bed, hanging her legs over the edge, so he could see the gashes on her arms and torso, her top was in tatters. Allen blushed as he realised it would have to come off for him to start cleaning her up, swallowing his embarrassment he moved to Links desk and retrieved a pair of scissors.
"I'm sorry again Allen," murmured Kai as the sound of the scissors cutting material filled the quiet night.
"Its okay Kai, remember, we're family now." He said distracted, trying to sooth her as he gently pulled at the material, some of the wounds had scabbed over with the material and pulling them away made them bleed again. "I'm guessing you got into another fight with Leverrier?"
Kai chuckled, looking up from the white head kneeling before her and out the windows, "yeah. I can't help it, he just pisses me off so much and its so much fun to press his buttons!"
"I know why you keep doing it," he said, is voice a strange mix of emotions as he reached for the cloth in the bowl, focusing on the task at hand. Kai was wearing a simple bra but whatever had inflicted the wounds had managed to hurt her without cutting one of the straps, making him nervously move it aside to get to it. "You shouldn't protect us if this is the cost."
"Would you rather it was Lenalee' body laying crumpled in the Infirmary?" She asked lightly, making Allen go silent once more. "But I wanted to thank you too," said continued, wincing but sighing happily as the rough cloth cleaned her wounds. "I was planning on just running away from all of this, flying to the nearest town and collapsing in a local hospital there so no-one could find me till I'm ready."
"I'm glad you didn't but what stopped you?" He asked, rinsing the cloth in the water again.
"The 14th." She whispered.
Allen froze, his head slowly tilting up to look at her, she saw the candlelight shining in his eyes, showing the naked fear that filled him. Reaching out she laid a hand on his head, her fingers buried in his hair as she tried to sooth him, stroking the white strands, "don't worry little brother. Let me finish." Allen nodded and his hands, almost mechanically returned to the task of cleaning away the dry or sticky blood on her arm.
"I was slipping in and out of consciousness on Corbec' back when we heard someone calling us. It was strange, to hear a whisper on the wind, but we heard it and he turned, flying down to see you standing in your window." She paused and winced as Allen pressed a little too hard on one of her cuts but he pulled back startled, apologising before he continued more carefully.
"You looked different, there was a golden ring around your silver eyes, that strange smile on your lips… your hair too… you were the same but you seemed to be different." She shrugged and shifted as Allen changed to her other arm, listening carefully. "We were cautious, but he called us over, telling us that we couldn't run away like that. The Order needed us and that if we ran now, we would never find out why."
"Why? Why what?" He asked, pausing as he looked at her blood soaked jeans. Kai smirked and slowly began to unbutton her trousers, chuckling out loud as Allen's face went bright red, forgetting himself and looking away in modesty before looking back as he remembered the damp cloth in his hand. Slipping the thick material off her hips she shifted and paused to wheeze before pulling them off of her legs, sitting there in her black panties. Allen swallowed and rinsed his cloth, retuning to the task at hand, hands shaking only a little as he touched the soft skin on her thigh.
"I guess he meant, why Road did what she did? If I'll ever find out if my memories are real? He is only a collection of memories and habits, a ghost that lives inside you with the ghost of Mana, but he knows a few things," she said quietly, her eyes now watching Allen as he worked, she leaned back on her arms, stretching out her leg.
At the mention of Mana he looked up at her but continued to dab at the large gash that went from hip to ankle. "He is as kind as he can be but for hunting and killing his brother like they did, he wants revenge on them. For that part he is willing to sacrifice almost anything I think."
Allen looked up at her again, eye filling with fear and frustration but once again she stopped him talking, "but that is were you come in, you can control him because it is still you." She stroked his cheek, "think of the reasons you fight, the reasons why you continue and you'll see your goals are not to far fetched from his own. I think that's why the Crowned Clown did not kill you when you were impaled, but it could not stop from injuring you." Her hand strayed down to the top of the large scar that was on his chest, her fingers ghosting over the sensitive skin making Goosebumps rise all over his skin. Feeling she had gone to far she pulled her hand back, crossing her hands over her chest shyly, looking down at Corbec sleeping peacefully besides them.
"Thank you," said Allen softly, toying with the damp cloth in his hands. Anything more he was going to add was cut off by the sounds of Links barefooted footsteps in the hallway outside the door, followed moments later by the blond haired boy opening the door, two bags in hand.
"Sorry I was gone so long, but I stopped by your room to get you some fresh clothes," he explained, bring over one bag of clothes and another of medical supplies like bandages. As he stepped closer she watched with some amusement, the blush form on his face as he look down at her, sitting in her underwear on Allen's bed. Feeling a little cruel at his staring, it was making her self conscious of something other than her wounds, "I guess your not used to being the in company of half naked young ladies, Link?"
This caused him to stutter and turn a shade of red purple that would have had Lavi in stitches, making him drop the things on the bed and turn his back sharply, his words snipping over his shoulder, "maybe I'm just being a gentleman? Ever think of that?"
"Then what does that imply to Allen, sitting here calmly helping clean me?" She asked sweetly, reaching for the bag of supplies and starting to put them in small piles on the bed ready for the white haired boy. Allen couldn't help but chuckle at this, she knew of his life under General Cross, they had joked about it while on the train together, helping her see amusement in his horrible years with the self-centred man. He had seen many half naked ladies in his time, many naked ladies in his time, but it was always different when it was a friend.
"I'm not saying anything about Allen," came the tense reply.
"But, is he not being more of a gentlemen helping me right now? Instead of covering his face like a prude? Or maybe I'm just not worth looking at." Her reply was tart and damaging, making the boy spin around on his heel and stamp over to her, waving a finger under her nose as he snapped at her.
"I don't think you realise how attractive you can be! Your just like Lenalee! There are times the both of you seem to do things just to wind people up! I swear!" He roughly grabbed hold of a packet and tore it open, pulling an antiseptic wipe out and beginning to clean one of the deeper slices on her arm ready to stitch it. Kai meanwhile went bright red in embarrassment, her shock being replaced by anger as Allen bit his lip to stop the laugher from tumbling out, sniggering quietly instead.
"Hey! That's not funny!" She cried as the white haired boy picked up the bowl to get some fresh water, his shoulders shaking as he tried to contain himself. "I'm not attractive!" She said, turning her head to Link who was now threading a needle and thread, not looking at her, "don't say things like that! Lenalee, yes she's attractive, beautiful, but me? That's just cruel!"
"And why do you think that?" He asked placing a warm hand on her arm, holding the needle ready, pausing to let her know he was about to start. "Is it a job of an 'older sister' to think so low of yourself but so highly of others?" She felt the inserted comma's more keenly then the sharp sting of the needle.
So she did the only mature thing she could think of, she pouted, not able to look anyone in the eye as they both sewed up her, bandaged her up and then helped her get her fresh clothes on, her limbs moving stiffly with the layers of bandages.
Standing up at last she turned and looked at the bloody mess she had made of Allen's sheets, "I'm so sorry!" She said with a wince but Allen waved away her apology saying she could help him make the bed in exchange, it was something he always hated doing. Grabbing some fresh sheets from a cupboard in the hall, balling the messy sheets up and throwing them in a corner until morning, Allen sighed happily and crawled between the covers. Standing there, feeling a little awkward as both boys were climbing into bed, she looked down at the sleeping dragon in her arms before looking up and turning towards the door. "Thank you, I'll just head back to my room now, let you get back to sleep" she said with a warm smile.
A sound behind her, followed by a tugging on her wrist made her look up to see Allen sitting up in bed, his Innocence activated enough to use his clown belt, wrapping it around her wrist, a soft smile on his lips, "don't be silly." He chided her, gently tugging her back to the bed, careful not to hurt her more. As she finally stood besides the comfy, warm looking bed she hesitated, making Allen chuckle, "if it makes you more comfortable, you have a choice between me or Link?"
She heard a small strangled yelp from the other bed, knowing the words had taken the Inspector by enough surprise that he couldn't stop any sound from escaping him. Kai chuckled and moved forwards, putting on knee on the bed and hesitating again as Allen lifted the covers. Smiling, at last she moved in and lay down, Corbec curled up against her chest and she lay back to back with Allen, enjoying his warmth as it radiated into her too.
"Sleep well sister," he whispered in the darkness, putting the candle out with a pinch of his black fingers.
"Thank you brother."
----
"STRIKE!" Screamed a voice making both Allen and Kai wake up instantly. They were sat up as quickly but they slowly raised there hands to move the cover aside to see the culprit. Link was already up and dressed, sitting at his desk and working on something but standing in the doorway, pointing in shock was Lavi!
"Oh great" sighed Kai as she started to pull herself up, not wanted to leave the happy warmth of the bed and the peaceful nights sleep she had had. Allen meanwhile just groaned and fell back, pulling the cover over his head, leaving only his fingers visible, curled over the top of the duvet.
"Oh my god!" said Lavi loudly, shutting the door behind him as he moved further into the room, "and here I thought you only liked her as a friend! Way to go bean sprout!" Kai was sat up and slipping her legs out of the bed when Allen shot up right, using the momentum to throw a pillow at his loud mouthed friend. It hit him square in the face.
"Wait," said Lavi, frowning as he removed the pillow, holding it casually as he watched them both sit on opposite edges of the bed, "if you guys got it on, why are you both dressed? Were you to shy to sleep naked together?" He asked innocently, making Link break his pencil as he tried to carry on working with the distraction going on behind him.
Kai stretched and winced as she pulled at the stitches, getting up and starting to undo her messy braid, seeming to ignore everyone else as Allen and Link both told Lavi to shut the hell up, Link continuing on to rant about why he should care what other people got up to in private, finishing that he was probably just jealous that Allen had got there first, a very out of character comment from the blond man. Kai reasoned that being called 'Two-Spot' for over six months had probably worn down his seemingly limitless patients.
Lavi shrugged, grinning, "well, I can't say that I'm not a little jealous if Allen got there first," The red head laughed as the white haired boy launched himself at him, picking him up by his collar and trying to shake his laughing head off, "I mean, she's gorgeous, can you blame me?" The three boys turned to watch as Kai brushed and re-braided her hair, a picture of calm before she stood up and calmly moved over to them all, the calm turning frigid as she glared at them.
"Stop saying inappropriate things like that!" She shouted before slapping Link and Allen on the back of there heads and Lavi in the face. Corbec fluttered over and landed on her shoulder as she stamped out the room, the irate chirps of the black dragon echoing back.
"Ow!… Can you let go now?"
