Hello! I'm back! I feel like I was away forever, even though I updated a bit ago, but this fanfic is fun to write. I love it. Please tell me if the characters are too OOC. I want them to be because they're cats, of course their behavior is going to altered, but the problem is how much. And I need to move on from Aren's death. Enjoy.

Allen: Why wouldn't they?

*Sigh* Allen, we had this discussion before... In another fanfic!

Allen: And I still don't get it!

We'll talk about this later. Now Enjoy! PS: I have no clue what English kids do for fun at festivals back in the Exorcists' time.

"Talk"

'Thoughts' I just realized how hard it is to tell which is cat talk and thoughts.

"Cat Talk" Sounds like meows to everyone except Kutoka, Allen, and Kanda. Lavi reads body language.

Flashback

"Neah"

Chapter 3

*Kanda POV*

'God damn usagi, god damn whores... god damn moyashi!'

I had finally gotten rid of that idiot rabbit back at the junction to Komui's lab, the stairs to the dorm, and the Science Division hall. For a Bookman, he was rather easy to lose. No one in sight, except the approaching moyashi, but it seemed he was too far to see me as I climbed through the lowest window in the hall that was open. I was probably going to get scolded by Neko, but I just needed to get out of this tower. The drop from the window to the forest floor outside wasn't big, so I jumped. The leaves under my paws crunched, alerting nearby fauna, mostly birds and a squirrel or two.

I started walking towards the inner parts of the large wooded area, to the reclusive hollow in which I train away from the idiots of the Order. In human form, it would be a short walk, even from the front door, but with my now shorter, feline legs, it felt like a hike, but I didn't mind much. I needed the extra time to think to myself. To think about what Moyashi said...

Since when did you care!?

Damn it... he's right... When did I start to care?

"Kanda!"

Now I'm hearing things... Today's a breezy one. Its probably the wind echoing in my ears.

"Kanda, wait up!"

Just imagining it. He's not there.

"Christ, Kanda, are you deaf!? Wait up!"

I turned, and there he was. The small white kitten of whom I was trying to get away from. He hopped quickly up to me, his fur sticking out on its end, catching stray pieces of leaves and earth.

"What do you want, Moyashi?"

The little white kitten immediately stopped in his tracks, giving me an apologetic expression.

"I wanted to say... I'm sorry."

"Che. Whatever." I turned back around, going my way, hoping he would turn around and go back to the Order before his elder sister blew a gasket, but as I walked I could hear tiny footsteps crunching leaves along with my own. No, he's not following me, he's going back. I'm almost to the clearing. He's going back!

"Kanda, I coming with you!"

'God damn it!'

"Why?"

"Because, I want your forgiveness!"

"You already got it, so go home, Moyashi! A kit like you can easily get killed out here."

"No, you didn't say that you forgive me!"

"I forgive you!"

"You didn't mean it."

I was about to turn on my heels, grab that baka moyashi by the scruff, and drag him back to the Order, but we were already at the clearing. It would take too long, and I didn't want to run the risk of running into the usagi or neko, mostly the Neko who would turn into her act form to kick my ass.

"Alright, you can come, but if you get hurt, don't come running to me."

The snowy kit bounced in joy, quickly padding up to my side. I started walking again, and not knowing why, I walked right through my original destination. I couldn't put my finger..err.. paw on it, but I felt the need to head into town. I doubt I'll figure it out right this second, so I just kept walking, occasionally slowing down to wait for the moyashi to catch up with his short legs.

"Kanda, where are we going?"

"Anywhere."

*Kutoka POV*

"What do you mean they're not in the Order, Komui," I shouted as I held his collar, crouching low on his desk as he sat in his chair.

"Kutoka, please calm down. None of the Finders have seen them and the golems haven't picked up on their heat signatures. They must be outside."

I released him, jumped off his desk, and sighed.

'God damn it, where did they go?"

Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and I felt a chin lying between my ears.

"Calm down, it's my fault. I left to chase Kanda and left Allen alone. He probably followed Kanda," said my little Bookman, but I couldn't be mad at him.

"Lavi, no, it's my fault. I should have known that night that all my pain was really Allen's. Maybe if I got there in time, I could've prevented all this shit."

Lavi reached up, and rubbed one of my ears to calm me down. "You couldn't have known. It could have happened to anyone that has a bond like you and Allen do."

"Yeah, but I'm supposed to be the older sister, Lavi," I pulled away from him. "And I can't even keep those two idiots out of trouble. Why am I so fucking useless when I'm needed most!"

Burning tears threatened to shed from my eyes as my ears droop and tail hang low. I lowered my head, not being able to look into his single emerald depth and trying to hide the fact as I was scared. Scared I'll never find my brother and best friend. Scared that I will, and they be dead. Scared, just scared. I probably look like a child in front of my love right now, considering my height and stance.

"Kutoka, do you remember what you always tell Allen when he cries over a lost innocent life or a lost soul of an unpurified akuma?"

"Crying is not going to fix it, but if you save more, then that lost one will see their glow and follow."

"Yeah, so take your own advice. Crying isn't going to bring Moyashi or Yuu-chan back. But who will is you. Now let's go get those idiots."

I lifted my head, the last of my tears flowing, and Lavi reaches over with his hand and wipes them from existence with his thumb. I smiled, then punched him lightly.

"You don't tell anyone, including you, Komui," I growled at the forgotten scientist on his back on the floor, still in his chair. He looked like he hit his head, and was knocked out cold.

"Well... at least he didn't see my tears. Now onwards!" I grabbed the tall redhead's hand and ran out the door with a new bounce in my step.

*Allen POV*

We have been walking for a while. I don't know where we are, and I'm starting to doubt Kanda even knows.

"Kanda, we're lost, aren't we?"

"No, we're... we're just taking the long way."

"The long way to where again?"

Kanda paused with a pensive look on his face. His eyes shifted, then he turned to me.

"Where do you want to go?"

I gave him an incredulous look, but shrugged it off. I kind of like nicer Kanda, but I miss our fights, and how Kanda does not give a six-pence(1) about anything. Secretly, I've been amused by the looks on people's faces when they first encounter Kanda. Their expressions of disbelief and disturb were hilarious, but I was glad I held my tongue, because most of those guys can easily tear me a new one

"Can we go to the village? I heard today, they're having a festival of sorts. Lenalee said she was there before, and she said it was fun. Games, and music, and dancing, and all sorts of fun stuff. Can we go, please?"

I swore I heard him smirk. "Sure, Moyashi, I don't see why not."

*Time Skip (don't you love time skips? helps you get to the good parts faster)*

The village laid before us, all colorful and decorated to celebrate the Autumn Equinox(2). We were only on the edge of the forest, technically not in town, but I could see the oak and birch leaves scattered on the cobblestone street, occasionally getting kicked up by running children. Pumpkins and large bushels of wheat were stacked and placed on every corner we passed as we stirred through and in between legs. There were stands with all kinds of food on them. Pastries, cakes, pies, parfait, crepes, pumpkins, squashes, corn, bread. Everything that could be made from the village's harvest.

"Oi, Moyashi. You're drooling like a mutt."

Indeed I was, as a string of saliva ran down from my mouth on each side of my muzzle. I wiped it with my paw, and continued to Town Square, where there were plenty of street performers. Most were your typical jugglers and fire-eaters, but one performer stood out. On the opposite side of the square stood a tall white-face clown(3), clad in colorful, baggy clothes, balancing on a large ball on one foot. I squeezed past the long legs of bystanders and audience, Kanda close behind me. I watched the clown closely as it switched from one foot to the other, then standing on his hands as he swung a loop around one leg.

"So this is what you wanted to come see," Kanda meowed as he settled next to me, wrapping his tail around me protectively. "You're just like a young child, Moyashi."

"Well excuse me for wanting to relive what little childhood I had." I raised myself onto my haunches and playfully nudged Kanda's face away from me.

"So this is what Mana did when I died?"

'Yeah, I used to do it too. This is kinda nice. Seeing someone else balance on a ball.'

Kanda chuckled beside, leaving me confused on why, until I realized I was thinking out loud.

"So who wants to try balancing on my ball," announced the clown, picking up a small boy, who volunteered first. I wanted to, stepping forward, but I had a feeling I shouldn't, so I took it back. I felt a nudge from a paw. Kanda had pushed me. I turned back, and he gave me nod to go. So I did. As soon as the boy got off, I jumped up, rolling the ball around and keep my claws sheathed to keep from puncturing the ball. The people around were amused, and I swore I saw Kanda smirk as he watch me be a clown once again. I jumped off, really wanting to see the rest of the festival.

As we walked past all kinds of games from the Milk Bottle game to bobbing apples, I wished I was human. We couldn't do any of this. It would have dug itself into me, but my stomach distracted me.

"Kanda, I'm hungry."

"I heard," he replied, then looking around and sniffing the air, most likely finding something as he snapped his head down the cobblestone path. "Come on, Moyashi."

Kanda led the way as we traveled down towards the smell of fresh meat and fish. We pushed through the crowd, dodging rushing legs and stomping feet. Upon reaching the other side, there stood a merchant's stand, freshly killed animal carcasses hanging from the stand. The sight almost made me sick.

"Moyashi, stop staring. I'm not feeding you that," he growled, gesturing to the dead marmots. He jumped and grabbed a slick and fat salmon hanging from a rack. "You're eating this."

Before I could walk over to Kanda, the merchant who was gone for whatever reason was back. "You damn mangy fleabags! Scat! Shoo!" The man swung a broom around, grazing Kanda and I as we dodged and tried to escape. The man ended up chasing us down an alley with a dead end. He stood at the opening and was coming closer.

"Kanda..." I hid in between the older cat's legs, who was growling and hissing at the man to scare him off. The man must deal with cats regularly as he wasn't deterred to beat the shit out of us.

"Pssst. Over here!" said a voice coming from an open vent in the side of a building. It was another cat, male by the voice. His mud-caked tortoise-shell fur stuck out in funny angles. "Come on, follow me."

He started to pad through the vent, waiting for us. I looked at the cat, then at Kanda, who was staring at the oncoming merchant. Then he turned to me.

"Moyashi, get a move on!" The black cat pushed me into the vent, quickly following me until we were out of the man's reach, and continued on.

"You two look too well fed to be from around here. Name's Senri(4). What's yours?"

"I'm Allen, and this is Kanda."

"So, who are your owners?"

If I could I would raise an eyebrow. "Owners? What do you mean?"

Senri snickered. "Ya know, owners. The humans that take care of you? No way are you that well fed from being on the streets. Either someone feeds you, or you're housecats."

"My owner is a crazy, over hyper baka usagi, and his is a violent little neko hanyou," Kanda answered for me. I was going to correct him, but when I thought about it, it would probably be best if we didn't tell Senri that we were actually humans. We would sound ridiculous. And using Lavi and Nee-chan would be good since they were most likely looking for us..

"So what's a couple of housecats like you doing out here? Allen, you look to young to even be walking."

"It's chaotic at our home, so we decided to leave for a while. My owner and her rival were fighting," I mewed, using their typical fighting as the perfect annoyance excuse.

"Senri, who are these pets," growled a gravelly voice, coming from somewhere above us, more precisely from on top of a dumpster. A dark tabby feline crawled over to the edge to the tall dumpster, and jumped down. His fur was patchy and balding in some places, his claws were gnarly, and his gold eyes shining with bloodlust.

"I have a bad feeling about that cat."

*Kutoka POV*

It's gone... Their scent is gone. Vanished. Right into thin air. I lifted my eyes from the ground to the treetop above, seeing Lavi scanning the forest from a bird's eye view.

"See anything, Lavi?"

Lavi looked down, and shook his head. Out of anger and raging youkai blood, I kicked the tree, sending enough power to knock Lavi out of the tree to the ground with a thud.

"Sorry, usagi," I held out my hand, and he took it.

"Don't worry about it. I might be doing the same thing you are if I was in your position."

"Yeah, but if you had youkai blood, you would let it run wild."

"No, I wouldn't," he pouted, looking so kissable, but I pushed the thought aside. I have two idiots to find. I transformed once again to my feline form and sniffed the ground, then the air. A distinct smell of vanilla, soba, and mud.

I swatted at Lavi's leg to get his attention and pointed in the direction of the scent, then darting off when I was confident he knew what I was doing. The trees, the bushes, the tall patches of grass became a blur as I ran faster and faster. Soon, a village was coming into view, and that's when the scent vanished once again.

"Chikuso(5)," I shouted as we stopped in the middle of a square. It must have sounded like a deep and loud growl to Lavi, since he jumped back from me. Back to true form.

"I lost them again. The scent just keeps jumping around like someone is controlling it. God damn it!"

"Neko-chan, calm down. You'll go youkai at this rate. Look, there's a village over there," My redhead love pointed to the second closest village. "We were heading that way so they're probably there. We'll ask around and see if you can't pick up the scent."

I nodded and we walked to the village. Scents of pastries and newly harvested vegetables rushed through my lungs. It was heavenly, but not what I wanted to smell. Vanilla and soba. We asked many merchants if they have seen two cats, but no one have seen them. How is that possible!? There isn't that many people here, and those two always stick out like a sore thumb. There was still one last merchant we didn't ask and that was the one selling wild meats and furs.

"Excuse me, sir?" His head snapped up from his head where it was resting. "Yes how may I help you? Interested in meats or furs?"

"Well I am going to get a hold of their hides when I get them, but no. We're wondering if you have seen two cats?"

"A large black one and a small white kit?"

"You've seen them!?"

"Yeah. They were getting into my salmon, and I chased them to an alley."

"An alley? What did you do to them?" I grabbed his shirt collar.

"Kutoka, calm down!" Lavi pulled me off the old man, and bowed. "My apologies. My girlfriend is very stressed over the white kit."

"Well," he straightened his collar. "I didn't do anything because they escaped through a vent."

"Where?" I was ready to tear this guy a new one.

"The second alley on the right over there." He pointed to the road to our left. As I looked down the road, the wind picked up. The scent of vanilla and soba was carried along. But there was an unwelcome rider with them. Blood. Kanda's and Allen's.

"No one makes them bleed but me!(6)" And I ran off at an inhuman speed.

*Allen POV*

The dark tabby, now dubbed Diablo, stood over Kanda's limp body, scratches covering both of their bodies. Diablo's amber eyes were wide with bloodlust and insanity. Senri was knocked out in a far corner. I was trapped in a corner, Diablo coming closer, and closer. His yellow fangs were shown as blood dripped from them.

"Kukuku, house pets don't belong in my alley... Now you're gonna join them."

I kept backing up until I hit the wall, and I was sitting on my haunches. Diablo leaned into my face, his coppery breath in my nose. I shut my eyes tight. Sharp claws rake my cheek and threw me into another wall. Fangs bit into my scruff and shook me violently. I felt some of my fur ripping from my body.

"Allen!"

My eyes snapped open as I see a charging white cat, and a tall redhead. Kutoka tackled Diablo and they tumbled in a flurry. Kutoka has him pinned on the ground, hissing and growling in his face.

"Nee-chan!"

"God damn it, Moyashi, don't scare me like that! What happened to Kanda?"

"He tried to fight off Diablo, but he doesn't know how to fight like a cat!"

She turned back to the tabby under her. "You son of a bitch."

"And you can thank little Senri over there. He led them to me!"

"Shut it, you manipulative bastard." Kutoka tried to take a bite out of him, but he kicked her belly and she slammed into a brick wall. She crumpled into a pile of herself, but she stood again, blood running down her face and staining her pelt.

"Lavi, get them out of here. I've got some business to take care of." Lavi nodded and picked me up, then, very gently, Kanda. Blood was pouring out of the older cat, and his pelt didn't feel as warm as it should. Lavi was about to make a break for it, but I eyed Senri. Lavi noticed and picked him up too.

*Kutoka POV*

We circled each other, we growled and hissed.

"Now when they said their owners were a crazy rabbit and violent neko hanyou, I never realized that the kit was yours. Who's the lucky male?"

"No one! The kit is my little brother and the black cat is my best friend. I've seen you tried to corrupt someone again, Diablo. Senri, was it?"

"Hmm, so you enslaved your brother?"

"No, he was turned into a cat along with Kanda. They're both humans. They probably just said that to blend in a little more."

"Well, I still have to say that the look on the kit's face was quite delicious when I killed Kanda. Almost made me what to eat him."

"You fucking bastard, I'll kill you!"

With that, I launched myself at him, red lining my vision, and I swore I felt my tail splitting.

Notes:

(1): An old currency I remember from somewhere. I think from the Crooked Man, and I grew up knowing it taking place in Britain.

(2): Autumn Equinox = Usually harvest, so celebration!

(3): The clown that actually throws the pie, not the one that gets hit with it. The leader of the clowns and the only ones I'm not deathly afraid of.

(4): Took his name from +Anima, really good manga

(5): Goddammit or some variation of that

(6): Just something people say when someone they know gets hurt, and they say only they get to do that to that one person. Ex.) People make fun of me because I'm short, and beansprout often comes up, and if my friend Ari is near, she'll yell and say only she can call me 'Moyashi'. Kutoka doesn't really make them bleed. She only said that in the heat of the moment. lol