Chapter 35 here. And updated, well, a bit early (I think?) Just because I got my laptop back on Friday, and also because, well, since I got my laptop back, I got all my requests back too...which means the next update might be a bit late, and I'm sorry in advance for that XP *hates making people wait on requests, though* they definitely take priority at the moment...but moving onnnn~

In this chapter you'll see a tentative amount of: Lenalee and refrigerator mayhem (what do you have growing on your soba noodles?), Road being a successful stalker, and evil kitty-cats

Note: Mostly written because I realized Road and Allen haven't had any screen time together in a while. Also, to abate needless confusion: their scene takes place during the previous chapter. While Lavi's POV (at the end) takes place roughly 30 minutes after the events of the previous chapter.

Note 2: Yes there's an extra scene at the end of this. Why? Because I'm not sure if I'll get anything up before Halloween, and it's officially an important date for me, so I wanted to write something for it. (for those who know me on LJ, this was uploaded earlier today). It's set a bit in the future of this timeline, and it doesn't give away any huge spoilers. It's like an Omake Theatre. Of sorts. *blinks* (also you'll notice slight changes like it's in 3rd person, and Road is spelled Rhode…small things like that). I should also note that I update stuff on LJ (for DGM, mostly for this pairing) that you probably won't see till later on, here . So if you're curious, then go take a look~ (I have the same username on there as on here *if that helps*)

And of course, thanks so much to: The Hecateae, Mysticmoon, Kakashi and BB's nightmare, bloodygirl2461, Evanescent Silence, and Klaanvdia for reviewing! *hugs* (I have 270 reviews now! Only 30 more till I beat my record! THANK YOU! XD) *feels happy about that*

-------(R O A D 'S P O V)-------

My plan was fool proof, I knew it. It had to be, because it had been just too long, and I was getting annoyed. They'd understand, right? Why I'd want to go see Allen? After all, Tyki wasn't at the house, or his house so it wasn't like Sheryl could easily sic him on me, right? Right.

So my plan was foolproof. I just happened to have two accomplices. The twins. And maybe they'd be my downfall, but then maybe they wouldn't.

"Are you sure we won't get screwed for this?" Devit asked, warily, as we slunk past the brick wall bordering Papa's house. It was almost funny how careful he was being. No. It was.

I let out a quiet giggle, "Since when did you care about breaking the rules?"

His eyes snapped, livid, to mine, and he scowled, "Since, y'know, we had to lie to your dad."

"And he's creepy!" Jasdero butted in, getting kicked in the stomach a moment later by Devit, for a reason I wouldn't ask about. I was probably better off not knowing.

But really, "He isn't creepy."

"Then what's with those 'lusty eyes from hell?' I thought Lulubelle was supposed to be lusty!" I stopped dead in my tracks. Wait what? I blinked, and stared at the blonde, did he just say…?

"You think Lulubelle's lusty?" Apparently he did from the apologetic look he gave Devit, cowering a bit behind us like he was afraid his twin would smack him upside the head.

"W-Well that's what th-the Earl says!"

"Do you think I give a flying fuck what the Earl thinks?!" I had to commend him for that. For saying something I could never—

But it wasn't allowed, "Devit," He tensed, "That's not the thing to say right now is it?" He swallowed, but just like his pride, he didn't back down.

"Yeah well, who decided Lulubelle was lusty?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Yes!"

"Right now?" His eyes widened for the briefest second before he backed down. Like a kicked dog, how nice, "You said you'd help me anyway. And Lulubelle's sexiness isn't exactly, y'know, a part of helping me."

"…What are we helpin' you with anyway?" Jasdero asked, hesitantly, after a moment.

"You're helping me get to All-en!"

"Weren't you paying attentio—wait…why are we helping you with that again?" Now that same affronted tone was being aimed at me.

"Because you're nice?"

He scowled. Jasdero mimicked the action.

"Like hell, he's the closest thing to our enemy right now!"

"Without actually being the enemy," I reminded them, "Remember Cross is just his Guardian, and I'm pretty sure they aren't on speaking terms at the moment." After all, the man had repeatedly said I couldn't speak to him. Of course, that hadn't meant I'd given up, obviously.

It just meant I had to try a little harder.

And my work had come with gracious rewards.

"Yeah but he still lives at the same place, doesn't he?"

"Not at the moment, no," I shook my head and sighed—the house was behind us now, thankfully. And Papa wouldn't be home for another few hours, so.

"How do you know that?"

I smiled, "Because~"

Devit scowled even further, "No really, how do you know? What if we're going to the wrong place because of you?"

"Oh we aren't~!"

"Again—"

I twirled around easily, smiling just a little broader, "Well, you know when two people get in an argument, they tend to stay away from each other, right?"

"Right, but Cross is his guardian."

"Exactly. Well, what if you saw said guardian and some woman yelling about it?"

"…so you stalked him?" He looked a little impressed. Just a little.

"No, no, I overheard them." Because I had, originally, though neither had been very loud, "The woman—another one of them, Klaud, Cloud, something like that—was saying what a prick he was, and how she hoped Allen stayed with 'Divine', and then they both got dragged off some place."

"So Cross has bitches yell at him sometime too?" He was more than impressed by that new-found knowledge.

"Phff, I bet he was afraid he'd get his balls chopped off!" Jasdero cackled.

"Well who wouldn't be? Wouldn't put it past a bitch who isn't a damn puddle after talkin' to the man."

"Like you two know so much about him~" Even though I knew they did. At least, somewhat.

"Know anything about him?" The question was in unison, along with scathing looks, and I just giggled at that. "The Earl sent us out to look for him remember?"

"That one time."

"A few months back."

"I can't believe"

"One man"

"Can hide"

"In one city"

"For months!"

"Without us finding him!" They were glaring at each other now, and I could feel an argument on the horizon, heavy and unfriendly and—

"You can settle whose fault it is later, can't you?" I hopscotched my way across the street, knowing they'd follow me regardless, and when I reached the other side, I smiled—of course they had.

"But!"

"It's your fault for being an idiot!" Devit snapped, glowering at his twin.

"I'm sorry!"

"No you aren't!" A kick to the shin, and I sighed.

"Really, both of you." They stopped the imminent argument, "We're looking for Allen, okay?"

"And again, why should we help you see an enemy?"

"Cross is the enemy, and you won't even see him!"

"He's good enough!" Jasdero spat, before gnawing on his lower lip, "I mean, I mean—"

"The next time I see 'im, I'll kill 'im!" I ignored the glances that shot at us from the painfully few people out at this hour—after all, it was almost dinner time. Most people would be at home cooking, or relaxing.

"You can if you want to." I decided to play along, "But again, we won't be seeing him. Now c'mon, we have to hurry!"

"Hurry, shmurry, how far is it anyway?"

"A few more blocks, it's actually really close."

"You mean you looked up the address?"

I looked back and Devit and smiled, "Of course!" I reached into the dress pocket of the shirt I borrowed that morning, and pulled out a slip of paper, waving it in the air.

"You sure you have the right one, though?" He took it from me easily enough, and read it quietly to himself.

"Do you know how many people in this city are named Divine?"

"What if it isn't in this city?" Jasdero asked, peering at the sheet of paper too, squinting at the numbers.

"Well why would it be out of town?"

"The farther the better, right?" But honestly, it sounded like he couldn't think of a better response.

I sighed, "Because, they got in an argument."

He simply repeated his statement, "Then the farther away the better?"

"They got in an argument, but it doesn't mean they can't apologize." I reprimanded, grabbing the sheet back from Devit, "And they have to be close enough for that, but far enough away for breathing room." Admittedly this was a little more than just a little 'far away', considering Cross practically lived in downtown, and this was a rather nice outskirt area, with small shops and such—everything picturesque of a quaint little village. Except not.

But it kept them silent, at least, until we turned roughly 3 more corners, and maneuvered past four more streets, crossing two, waiting for lights and—

"Are we there yet?" Devit groaned, with Jasdero leaning inappropriately against his shoulder.

"We just passed the pharmacy." I pointed to the small little shop across the street, with a big redlight and blink, blink—it was going to go out soon. Which meant that there'd be accidents, and wouldn't that be fun?

"what does a pharmacy have to do with anything though?" Jasdero mumbled into Devit's neck, I ignored the shiver the twin gave.

"It means we have to turn just up ahead and go down a bit, and then we're there." I felt my lips twitch as Devit shoved the other off. When he tripped and fell against pavement, and gathered more stares, he just kept moving. Because we needed to get there, and they were tired and probably wouldn't help me get home.

Probably. But then daddy probably would. It had almost been what? Thirty minutes? Papa was probably home already. Maybe he'd call Tyki. But then Tyki was busy too, wasn't he? Wasn't he?

"And how much farther will that be?" Devit asked, left leg twitching as he caught up to me, "Another ten minutes? Twenty?" his hand fell easily on my shoulder.

"I'd say ten."

"If we speed walk?"

"Nope~" I shrugged his hand off, and smiled, "Just a little more! You can leave me there if you want."

"But he's the enemy." A pause, "And I lied to your dad over the damn phone. He's never gonna let me in his house again."

"And it was so nice too!" Jasdero was limping somewhere behind us, "I liked the couch the best!"

"Because you drool all over it."

"So?"

"So—" A pause. A sigh, "Never mind."

They fell silent again, Devit falling behind me to grab at Jasdero's arm and make him walk just a little straighter, pride forgone for a moment, as we walked, found the corner, another blazing red light, and turned again.

It didn't take long then, but then maybe it was because I was walking a little too fast, not that it mattered that I left them behind. They'd probably leave me there anyway. Or maybe they wouldn't.

But—But—I wouldn't just leave if they told me too. I wouldn't just leave after 'Hello' because why should I?

'He hasn't been in school either.' They said he had been sick, but still, 'Allen wouldn't just be out when he's sick! He wouldn't!' It was far too fishy to not stink of something deeper and just plain bad. Like too many rotten fish. A bad catch.

I swallowed then, when I saw a mail box off in the distance, and, glancing once at the paper, and once at the two who were lagging even farther behind—I dashed forward.

Sure enough, the numbers matched.

But…

'Should this kind of place have a mail box?' I wasn't quite sure. It was almost surprising. The house didn't fit.

'But then neither does a name like Divine.' Which meant Allen was there.

Could I knock? Did I want to? Couldn't I just—

Then I heard it, the voice I hadn't heard in what felt like forever—

"Timcampy! No! Don't eat the bird! It didn't do anything to you!"

Allen!

I didn't even wait for them to catch up, before I was running—towards that voice, just to see—and—I rounded the back, there wasn't really a fence to speak of—just a few trees and—

Allen.

Sitting there, wearing white, looking mildly horrified at one of the trees—or at something…climbing it—

"Timcampy!" He called again, "C'mon Tim, stop!"

Why did I care who that was? Why couldn't I figure that out later? He was standing right there, wasn't he? Looking a little tired, a little like he hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep, and—he was there.

I just had to make my legs move.

I just—had to—

"Timcampy!" And suddenly he was facing me, eyes wide in shock, "Road?!"

Then I had a cat. Sitting in my lap.

What?

And someone laughed.

Divine's POV

Well wasn't that amusing? I let out a soft chuckle as the boy staggered up on half-asleep legs, towards the girl that had just toppled over. She looked about his age, and I had to half wonder exactly how she got here, but then—

Well.

I chuckled again as Timcampy clawed at her shirt, and she was looking at me, I was sure, not that she could see me—much less care—when Allen leaned down in front of her, hands held out, to pull Timcampy off.

When she hugged him a moment later, cat or no cat between them, 'Girlfriend?' popped into my mind a little faster than any other explanation.

And, well, wasn't that surprising? Just a little?

"Allen!~" she hummed in a singsong-esque voice, cat hissing loudly between them, "Where have you been!"

"Um—uh—"

'Well, he's been here of course!' I had to wonder if Cloud knew this child, or had told her. Or maybe if she had found out from Cross? Not that it mattered much for amusements sake, when Timcampy extended his claws, and—oh, ouch…

Not really.

I snickered just a little louder, as the young feline dashed its way under the porch, setting the tray with Starbucks-brand Coffee down, on the small side table I had brought out, before making my way down the steps.

They saw me now, despite the fingers touching the light scratch across his cheek—a battle wound. One of many, I was sure, he'd receive while training that cat to listen.

"Goodness, are you okay?" I said, chuckling again when shoulders tensed, and grey eyes gazed back at me, wide and a little pained. He had been through worse, "Or is that a stupid question? You're bleeding." I pulled out a convenient handkerchief I usually cared in my sleeves and, crossing the distance to where the two were still standing, pressed it none-too-gently against his cheek.

The girl immediately took over, eyes still focused on the wound, like blood was really that satisfying? Really?

I chuckled once more, and that seemed to irritate her, only slightly, "And who might you be?" I wondered, because I could be curious, couldn't I? "It's not every day I see someone sneak their way into my yard."

"Well, you don't have a fence."

That's true.

"And I came here to see All-en." He grimaced when she pulled the cloth away, and ran a nail against the wound, inspecting it with a morbid bit of fascination.

I chuckled once more, then sighed, "I see, a friend then?"

"Girlfriend." Blue eyes snapped up to mine. A challenge, oh?

I bowed my head slightly, "I see, my bad." Then I turned my gaze to the white haired teen still in the girl's incessant grip, "You have a girlfriend? My, I'm proud."

He looked flustered, "W-Well…th…" he glanced at Road, who was still glaring at me, "Thank you?"

Smart move. For all that sounded like it would be an excuse.

Something like 'We aren't dating yet' or 'It's not official', because maybe someone would be hurt in the process.

"How did you know I was here?" He asked instead, curious, ignoring me for a moment.

"Oh? I was at a restaurant…and saw Cross." Tense muscles—and she noticed. Smart girl, "I thought I'd talk to him, since he hadn't been returning my calls or anything, or letting me talk to you, since, y'know, I thought you'd still be staying with him if you were sick." She paused, pressing the handkerchief against the scratch again, "I was just leaving though, and Papa had an importance business matter—I told you he was busy didn't I?—" the boy gave a forced nod before she continued, "So I thought I'd just pass by when I left, but, as it turns out, they—he was with a girl, maybe you know her? She had blonde hair, really messy, covering one side of her face—were leaving too."

I saw the swallow rather than heard it. The boy's entire frame moved with it, and she squinted. Oh, she knew. She knew as much as I did anyway. As much as Cloud inevitably knew now, as well.

"And, well, I asked Papa if I could take a walk around, while he answered an important phone call, and he agreed—I think he was really busy though, so—and…well…I didn't hear anything too bad, I don't think, but that lady was shouting at him, I was shocked, I thought she might hit him! So I went over, but they were about to leave again, and I didn't want to come and, y'know, bother them or whatever." She paused to gauge his reaction, "But the woman said that she was glad you were staying here?" She was gauging mine as well, I could tell when her eyes flickered to me briefly, "And…your name is Divine isn't it?"

I nodded my head, "Yes, it is."

"So I knew no one had the same name as that—so I looked it up. An' sure enough, it brought up this address. So I decided to find you myself."

Allen swallowed.

I felt my lips twitch.

She simply blinked.

"I…" Allen finally started, after another thick swallow, "I…ah…th—"

Poor stuttering mess, I sighed and answered for him, "Goodness, does your father know you're here, though?" She shook her head, face turning slightly bitter, "So you walked here all on your lonesome?"

At that she shook her head again, "No, I had my…cousins with me. Devit and Jasdero." She looked behind her, as if she half expected them to be there, but she didn't seem too unhappy when they weren't, "I think I lost them, though."

"I think you did." I looked behind her too, just to make sure, "Hum, what do they look like?"

"They're both boys—twins, but they look nothing alike." She paused, "And they stick out. Don't worry, though, they both have cellphones, they'll call someone, I'm sure."

"Well, if you're sure."

"I am." But her breath caught as she said that, and suddenly she pulled away from the boy, looking nervous for a split second, before relaxing, "Oh, an' my name's Road! Road Kamelot!"

"Oh? Well, it's very nice to meet you, but as you already know, my name is Divine." I made to bow again, and smile. Goodness she looked so happy when she smiled! Almost like that redhaired boy, "Would you like some coffee? I just made a fresh brew." I looked over at Allen, "Which reminds me," I turned back and—oh, "Timcampy's drinking yours."

"What?" He looked back as well, and gawked, "Timcampy!" But the cat didn't budge. He just continued to lap at the dark liquid, as if it had been for him.

I hope Caffeines okay for cats. Not that it mattered much, Goodness he'll be hyper later.

But Allen was already on his heels, turning and making his way back to the coffee—to try and claim it as his because goodness knows he had to look brave in front of his girlfriend!

But she laughed anyway. Regardless.

I think I might like her, because the laugh seemed a little more real than the smile, especially when Allen tripped—

But—

Then—

"When'd he get the cat?" She asked me before she ran over to him, smiling all the while—curious, for lack of a better word.

"Ah, we had a stray have kittens underneath the shed," I pointed to the elevated building, "the cat sort of chose him."

"And it acts like that?" The cat was currently hissing at the boy, and he was cowering—all sense of 'manly' gone with the wind. Not to quote, but…

"Yes, apparently."

"Aww, jeez," and then she took off, towards Allen and towards the demonic cat, "You really have to grow a backbone one day!" I heard her reprimand, and it was almost surprising to see the boy nod. Whether it was to please her or not, I didn't know, but—

And only but.

I couldn't help chuckling again, as it perched against her shoulder, rubbing itself against her neck in an apologetic fashion.

Cute cat.

…

Because it was.

I chuckled again, and moved towards them, picking up the bloodied handkerchief she had dropped, and tucking it back inside my shirt sleeve.

Maybe the rest of the day will be this eventful?

(L A V I 'S P O V)

"Why the fuck should I care about cottage cheese?"

"Because it's past its expiration date!"

"But…it's cheese."

"That's exactly why!"

"And I never eat it."

"Then why do you have it?"

Two sets of eyes fell on me, and immediately I knew I shouldn't be laughing. This wasn't supposed to be funny, it wasn't, "Whaat? It was in there when I moved in! Swear it!"

"It was in there after you moved in." Kanda snapped, "You fucking chucked it in there after making that disgusting thing called…" he couldn't seem to find the word.

"Lasagna?"

"Yes."

"But Yuu-chan," I pleaded, "Ya need ta get used to other foods besides soba!"

"Che, no I don't."

"Speaking of which." Lenalee cut him, off, setting the cottage cheese down the counter with a cringe, "I think I saw some soba noodles somewhere in the back…that had something growing on them."

"I doubt it."

"Yuu-chan cleans off every bit of soba he can!" I agreed, though it would be funny…

And sure enough, after a few minutes of rummaging—pushing aside pepsi cans and tubberware containers with leftovers I filched from the school—she found a small one, just like the rest…

Of soba noodles.

She held them up proudly like a trophy, "Now who wants to tell me how long this has been in here?"

Kanda snorted.

I almost laughed, "Wow, how'd that get out of—"

"It was fucking made wrong."

"Made wrong?" Lenalee blinked at him, "How can it—"

"Tiedoll tried to make it." Well that explained everything.

"And you won't eat it just because of that?" But of course Lenalee didn't get it.

"It's made wrong." He repeated, scrunching up his nose in a disgusted face that seemed almost normal from the 30-minute-ago pale figure I had come home to.

Come home to, but I shoved that thought away. I'd ask later. When it wasn't so mood-whiplash happy.

Or Lenalee was asleep. If she even stayed, which was probably the plan she deviously thought of in her head: stay long enough, talk long enough, to say 'Oh! It's getting late out! I'll have to stay over!' Because then Komui wouldn't have a choice, and if he hadn't called already that must mean he was busy…doing things…I didn't want to think of.

But I was anyway. Poorly made robots and explosions, and aphrodisiacs—I shuddered. No, no, no because those kinds of situations were always on the bitter end of awkward. Especially when certain Yuu-chan's, or Lenalee's were involved and then the rampage and—

"How can soba be made wrong?" She opened the container and sniffed it, flinching away almost immediately, "I mean, I…I can't tell how it looked before, and it smells weird now, but I'm sure it wasn't bad when it was first made! You should have at least tried a bite!"

"Fuck no. You couldn't force me to eat that shit." Kanda spat, backing away as she held out the weeks old noodles.

"Though we could try." I pointed out, "It'd be kinky." Well, that last part wasn't needed, and Lenalee laughed a little too loudly at it, but Kanda—

"Fuck no! I'd bite your damn fingers off."

I backed down almost immediately, holding my hands up and leaning as far back as I could in the stool without falling off, "I'm sure you would! I'm sure you would!"

Lenalee whapped him on the arm, "You shouldn't say that!"

"When it's the fucking truth?"

"No it isn't! If you two can live together for an entire summer without driving each other insane then that has to be something, right!" They both grimaced when her hand tilted a little bit, making the disgusting noodle concoction tilt precariously and dribble on the floor.

"Er…and I'll clean that up!" She hastily put the soba next to the cottage cheese, and looked around, "The cleaner…where…?"

"Bathroom."

Her eyes focused on the still open door and immediately she dashed to it, I could hear her rummaging around when I took one look back at Kanda. Who was glaring at the dribble of mess on the floor, like it had burned him. Or something.

"Neh, neh, Yuu-cha—" His eyes flashed to mine, and he blinked again, and…wait…leaned against the counter? Leaned over the counter?

"What's she doing here?"

I blinked, "Wha--?" He just stared. I swallowed, "She said…she hadn't seen you in a while, an' hadn't visited your place…and stuff." It was funny how I couldn't quite remember what she said now, with him leaning so close—I could kiss him and probably get away with—no! What was I thinking? 'He reacted badly last time, you dimwit!'

"Is that it?" Lenalee was still rummaging, but his words came out a little quicker.

"Er…"

"I mean…what do you think it is?" I didn't question why he said the last part in Japanese, when Lenalee turned back around on her heels. Because she'd overhear, surely. Because women had good hearing like that, and she was as good as a woman now, at the age of 16 and with a brother who knew next to nothing about civil living—

I could only shake my head 'no', before she got back. But she still noticed, "What're you two talking about?" But she got on the floor anyway, and started cleaning, like she actually didn't want to know but—oh yes she did.

"Just asking if he took his fucking meds yet."

Her eyes snapped up, "What?"

"Painkillers," I corrected, "An' no I haven't, but I swear my arm doesn't hurt!"

"Still doesn't mean you can't fucking take them." He snapped just as usual, "You will take them tonight."

"But—" His glare nearly made me wilt, and if I read into it too much I knew he meant something entirely different from that, "…I…dun' wanna! They taste bad!"

"So?"

"You'll actually watch him take them?" Lenalee sounded surprised.

"Fucking have to." Like he was revealing some huge secret.

"Yup, yup! He forces 'em down my throat and makes me swallow them!" Didn't mean I couldn't play it up either. That was allowed wasn't it?

"Really?" Because Lenalee would believe it too, with eyes big and doeful, like that was really inappropriate.

"Fuck no!" He looked offended, righteously offended, "Like I'd get my fingers anywhere near your fucking mouth!" He glowered with the best of them, surpassing most in ten seconds flat.

"Of course you wouldn't," But I could play it up like the best of 'em too, wiggling my eyebrow suggestively, which didn't quite work but it got a blush and—

"Really!"

"Just clean the fucking floor."

And that's just what she did, scrubbing at it—it was really too easy—she was done in a few minutes, and soon her eyes were back on us, questioning, "I really did wonder how you two…" she trailed off, clapping her hands together.

So wait…did she think…?

"Whatever's going through your mind right now, stop." But Kanda said it for me, eyes narrowing, a scowl set firmly in place.

"Wha…?" She blinked, letting her hands fall to the side.

"Whatever it is. Stop. It's not true." It didn't help that he was reiterating that. And the Che did a world of good too.

Oh it did, he grabbed the cleaner a second later and made his way back to the bathroom, out of earshot though I knew—

"I-Is…Kanda…okay?"

I let out a chuckle, but it was dry and she knew it, "Eh, you just pricked a nerve. Tha's all."

"But…I was kidding." She looked apologetic, "I mean…"

"I know you were," I cut her off with a friendlier smile, "He jus' doesn't like stuff like that, even if it is a joke." I paused, "Well…at leas'…not when it's aimed at him."

She blinked at me, confusion still clear in her eyes and asked, so innocently that I couldn't even tell if she was kidding or not, "Is it that bad to be such good friends?"

…I tried so hard not to laugh really I did, but when a loud string of curses answered from the bathroom—'Damn fucking door'--

I laughed.

( O M A K E T H E A T R E of sorts)

Rhode's Fashion Sense…

Tyki had to admit, on some level, he was entirely too amused with the situation. With the way Sheryl shrieked and hollered blasphemy, pointing an accusing finger at his dear-daughters get up, and Rhode just standing there, amused, and grinning like this was the sole purpose for her attire.

Which, Tyki mused, it probably was. Or at least, he wouldn't put it past her, as he lit up a cigarette and put it between his lips, inhaling the intoxicating smoke and blowing out. He knew this was bad for him too, but what kind of moral lesson would he be teaching? Did he even really know?

Well. No. But. Who could blame him?

"Tyki!" He cringed when Sheryl's shrill voice aimed at him, "Please tell your dear little Niece that she's being unreasonable!"

Rhode turned that undeniable smile back to him, lips twitching upward in a threat that if he so chose to mention something, well, maybe it wasn't such a smart idea to make things so obvious. So he shrugged, "It's Halloween, brother. She can dress how she wants." Though the thoroughly affronted expression on his face was a little more on the amusing side.

"B-B-but!" Before he could necessarily stop it, he felt the lips press gently to his cheek, and Rhode clinged for a moment, smiling, "I knew you'd understand Ty-ki~"

He sighed, "yes, yes, get off please." And she let go, easily enough, and turned on her heels, "And pull your pants up. I might agree you can dress however you like, but that doesn't mean I want to see your underwear either." He paused to give those words time to simmer, "Where on earth did you get boys underwear anyway?"

The cryptic smile did little to ease the question, "It's a se-cret ~ Now lets go! I'm gonna be late for school if this keeps up~"

-----------(A T S C H O O L) -------------------------------------

He was pretty sure he was seeing things. Actually, no, he was more than sure, with how familiar the voice sounded--it couldn't be anyone but her. But then why and how and--

He was tackled to the ground before he could get a legitimate answer out of the mess, and landed with a dull thud on the more than a little disgusting floor of the cafeteria. He was pretty sure he heard a gasp rise up from the table he just so happened to sit at, and then a round of giggles.

Did Rhode always have to do that? Always?

"Allen~" She cooed in a disgustingly feminine way, despite her current attire, "I missed you~"

"But Rhode, you just saw me yesterday!" And he had to pretend he wasn't choking in her grip, or that his face wasn't red. He was glad he was getting better at it, though. Something he had to thank Divine for, even if he didn't like the thanking, "I'm sure you--"

"I what?" She pulled back, straddling his waist, and grinning at him with half-lidded eyes that made his stomach flip a little, "Besides, what're you supposed to be?" And the way she placed her hands on his chest made him swallow, because it was highly sexualized, and, well, he probably shouldn't know that but--

He cut the thought off, twinging at the pain it brought, somewhere in the back of his mind. He sighed again, "What do I look like?"

Her eyes raked over him again, "A clown of sorts? A joker?" He nodded at the latter choice, "Well...you look like a really hipped out version of one." She tugged at one of the ties, "And it's too well-made to be just any old costume." Her eyes narrowed again, inspecting in a way that oddly reminded him of Lavi, except with two eyes instead of one, and that were blue and not green, "It wouldn't happen to be your performance outfit, would it?"

Ah, smart. But the Divine had said he might stick out because of it.

"Sorta. Chome made it for me," her eyes lit up, "Divine said I'd be wearing it when I first come out," which made him wonder, "Oh yeah, you'll be able to come, right?" She nodded her head enthusiastically, and he couldn't help the smile that stretched across his own face, "Good, um, I know last time it didn't exactly turn out as planned." But there was no use thinking about that, because he really didn't quite get what had happened then anyway (or maybe he did, but was just lying, not that it mattered in the long run. He hoped), so it was no use worrying about it.

"If papa throws another hissy fit with me goin' alone then, is it okay if I get an extra ticket? To bring Tyki?" Allen nodded his head again, that was easy enough to arrange, "But then he might drag along Lavi, who'll drag along Kanda..."

"They're already invited." He replied easily enough, not that he'd give Kanda an invitation willingly, but he figured Lavi would drag him along anyway, and maybe the prick didn't have something stuck up his ass so much anymore. Maybe.

"Yay~" She giggled regardless, "Lavi's so fun, too!" He could only nod his head, "Kanda too, if he'd get that stick outta his ass. Oh, are people dressing up?"

He gawked, "You mean you'll stay in that?"

"Yup!"

"B-But--"

"But what?"

So innocent. It was almost hysterical.

"Even if that is a costume," They both jolted, for a few horrifying moments, as an authoritative figure loomed over them, "But pull your pants up." They both cringed, or well, he did enough cringing for the both of them, "And get off the floor. Class will start in five minutes. Now get," the stern glance, and the, well, wait--was that Lenalee? Dressed in a witches costume, eyes downcast--"I don't want to have to give you detention on a Friday."

And just like always he felt himself shift, and maneuver to get up, but just as always Rhode spoke up, "But~ It's part of the--"

"Rhode."

He was mildly glad when her lips slid shut.

----------(AT THE PERFORMANCE) ----------

"Hey, hey!" He relaxed his shoulders instantly, when he felt someone bombard his back with a very severe hug, "All-en~ It's me!" And maybe he wasn't too surprised when she was still wearing the outfit she had earlier, but then, well, "I'm here, I'm here, so where's everyone else?" He could say he didn't mind pointing in a random direction, or the fact that she didn't move, or the fact that--

"Oh? You're girlfriend's finally here?"

It was official. Divine was a moment-ruiner,

"Ah! It's DP~" The man cringed, and Allen felt himself smirk a little, as Rhode unhanded him and flounced over to stand in front of the taller man, dressed in a fancier kimono with face paint that just suited him. He also noticed the man was breathing hard. But that was probably just because--

"Yes, yes, of course I'm here." He waved his hand dismissively and walked over to the nearest chair, licking his lips before picking up some more of the powder like make up, and covering his face with it. So girly, except he wasn't.

Maybe something somewhere lodged in the back of his mind moved a little. When the man closed his eyes just a little, and his shoulders went lax ever so slightly. It was like he seemed older, and Allen nearly almost wanted to congratulate him on continuing.

But...but why?

"Divine!"

"Ah, Dana," His head whipped back around, shoulders tense once more, as Timothy's head popped in through the curtain. He too, was dressed in ornate clothing, with face paint, and bells tied around his wrists, "I think...um...the redhead," Lavi? "Broke something. Again. They're shouting really loud and--"

Divine sighed, "I understand." He glanced at Allen, who cringed, "You're here to see your friends aren't you? Well they're probably amusing themselves now. Or at least it sounds like it." It almost made Allen want to back away, when the man stood. Except that smile. It didn't seem so--so what? He couldn't place the word, "Well?"

He did scurry off after Timothy, though, at that. And he tried to ignore the strong smelling cologne, perfume, and aromatic candles that flickered down the tightly compacted row between the poorly made storage units and--

"OWw, Oww, oww! Yuu-chan's a meanie!" He heard Lavi before he saw him, stumbling out of one of the nearby structures, hands held up in defense.

Well. He had to wonder who he was.

Well. Except he could guess, couldn't he?

"Fucking insane rabbit!" He heard Kanda jeer a moment later, before coming out as well, hair down and flowing for once, wearing a traditional Samurai attire.

"But Yuu-chan! I'm not insane!"

"What the fuck's with the get up then?" Admittedly the sleeves were unhooked now, but dressing up as an insane person, well, yeah, Allen stiffled a snicker as Rhode came out from behind him to rush over to the redhead.

"Because it's Halloween!"

"Are you an insane person?" He wasn't given any time to respond before Rhode was practically on him, eyes wide, "So cool! So cool! What kind of insane person are you?"

Lavi blinked, Kanda blinked, and--was that Lenalee? Even she looked mildly surprised.

But their focus soon cast off her, to him, when the laughs--could they blame him?--bubbled over. He wasn't even quite sure what was so funny, but--

He felt Divine's hand on his shoulder. And didn't stop. Not even when the man gave a condescending sigh, but if he was sure to look, he knew the man might be smiling.

And, well, he liked it when they joined in. Maybe it felt a little normal, now, just like before.

Just a little

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Happy chapter is happy. Nice to get away from the angst for a while, isn't it? And again one simple scene is taking so much longer than I originally expected it to…but ah, well, it doesn't much matter in the long run. But really…do you (as the reader) think Lenalee thought they were talking about friendship? Or do you think she's just asking? *would like to know*

Also the costume Rhode is wearing (in the OMAKE) is based off a piece of fanart Kanda-Kun (on dA) drew me *of Rhode, for a 10-free pics request* thanks to that I had to do the 10-free fics request, but it was worth it XD

As always, Questions? Comments? Loved it? Have CC? Send it via review! I would love to hear from you!

And now off to work on the next chapter (and requests…oh gosh)