A/N: Wow! Last chapter had an array of different emotions didn't it? We had Tyki being a bitch, Kanda being a rapist, and even Lavi being super-special-awesome! (10 points to anyone that gets that reference) Anyway, thank you to all the lovely people who have added this story to their favorites and decided that it was worth keeping up with! Also, very sorry for the late update. I was having writers block for the last bit of the chapter, so I hope that it's good!

P.S.: Review responses at the end of the chapter!

WARNING-More swearing, some sappiness, and ALSO FLASHBACKS ARE IN ITALICS!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN –MAN!

Kiss me, I can't wait

Love me before I'm done

Hold me before it's over

Save me before it's too late

Tall Doll Tale: Chapter Three-A Mother's Love

Allen was finding that with the more people you live with, the less privacy you get. Sure his house and his shop were all very large, it could easily fit a family of twenty, but it just seemed that even with his small number of five (including himself) that it was already crowded. At least once every five minutes, someone came bursting into his work room about a complaint with someone else or about something. Allen didn't want to feel like he regretted letting Lavi stay with him until he found his own place, but things were getting a bit out of hand. But in all, the main person who had been the cause of all of Allen's stress was-

"Master, Kanda-sama ran away! Well, I should say he walked out of the shop all by himself! Didn't you say we weren't allowed to do that?"

Allen groaned and stood up from his desk. He had been trying to make some more dolls to display in the shop, but obviously that had to wait. Allen went to the coat closet to get his jacket only to find that it was gone. Lala explained that Kanda had taken it when he left on his own. Allen tried not to release a frustrated growl, but it didn't end up so great. Allen told her to tell Lavi he was leaving and headed out the door.

Allen sort of forgot how nice the fresh morning air was before anyone was opening up shops or taking loved one's on strolls to the park. It was quiet and the air was a little moist. Allen smiled to himself and shoved his hands into his pockets. He clicked his tongue when he realized he had forgotten his gloves. He hated to have his arm stick out like a sore thumb. It was embarrassing and a bit aggravating when people pitied him before even asking what happened. The same thing happened with the scar on his face, only less frequent because his bangs covered most of it. Allen could still remember last week when Kanda had asked him about his arm. The question was still burning in his mind.

'What happened to your arm?'

Allen balled his hands up into fists. Why did he have to bring it up? All the talk about Allen's arm, in the town, had died down long ago, only the occasional child running up to ask him about it. The town of Cane was small, if something got around it got around fast. Allen didn't shield his eyes from the ray of sun suddenly streaming against his face. He was too busy staring at Kanda, who was sitting in the town park with his head in his hands. Kanda was sitting on one of the benches near the playground and Allen watched as the young doll lifted his head to wipe his face.

Kanda was….crying?

The shock that Allen felt couldn't be described in words. Here Kanda was, the biggest jerk in the world, crying openly not even caring that anyone could walk up and see him. Allen felt a little bad though. Part of him wanted to go comfort him, but another part just wanted to stand there and watch him. No matter how creepy it made him look, Allen actually felt better keeping the distance between them. Knowing Kanda he would probably try and pretend as if he just had something in his eye if Allen confronted him. Allen let a small smirk find his lips as he ran through a scenario of Kanda denying all charges of being caught crying.

"She sure is a beauty, huh?"

Allen jumped at the sound of an old voice suddenly appearing next to him. An elderly man was standing next to him, an elderly woman standing a few feet away. Allen looked in the direction of Kanda, the one he assumed the man made him comment to.

"Uh, well…you see-"

"You look like you're in love, son. That's the look I had on my face when I first met my wife over there."

"Excuse me?"

Allen's voice was a little louder than he wanted it to be. The older man waved over at his wife, who returned to gesture just as enthusiastically. Allen looked over at Kanda who had stood up and was making his way over to the pair. Allen tried to explain to the older man that Kanda was a man and Allen was not in love with him. The older gentleman laughed.

"Love comes in all shapes and forms, son. Just make sure you take good care of him, he looks like the type to get his feelings hurt easily."

With that the older man walked over to his wife and the pair walked away, hand in hand. Allen's face felt extremely warm. Kanda placed his hand on Allen shoulder. Allen turned to look at the raven haired and bit his lip. After that conversation, Allen could certainly see some loveable qualities in Kanda's face.

"Who was that? And why are you here?"

Allen sighed and ran a hand through his white hair.

"Lala was worried about you, if it were up to me I would have just let you stay out here until you came to your senses that you have nowhere else to go but my place."

Kanda quickly removed his hand from Allen's shoulder and shoved it in his pants pocket. Allen saw Kanda visibly flinch from the comment. Maybe that was too harsh.

"N-Not that I don't care. I just meant that you might want to be alone and I would respect that."

"What if I wanted you to chase after me?"

Allen was a little taken aback by this comment. What was that supposed to mean? Did that mean what Allen thought it meant? Because to Allen it sounded awfully close to Kanda admitting he liked Allen coming after him. Allen's thoughts were interrupted when Kanda reached out with both his hands and cupped Allen's cheeks. Allen felt his heart skip a beat. Kanda's face inched closer to his own. It was a painfully slow pace. Allen could feel Kanda's breath against his own lips. Allen's hands found the front of Kanda's shirt and he dug his nails into the soft fabric. Kanda chuckled a bit before, finally, placing his lips on Allen's. It was a soft, fairly quick kiss. The power behind it confused Allen. It had been years since Allen kissed anyone. And in that time, the kiss hadn't felt as loving as this one.

"Moyashi, I'm hungry."

Allen quickly stepped away from Kanda. He didn't want the doll attacking him in a public, children's park. Allen nodded his head, keeping his eyes to the ground. He was sure it wasn't the kiss that made him feel embarrassed. But he couldn't possibly be in love with Kanda. It had barely been two weeks since he met the damn guy! He knew nothing about Kanda, other than his favorite food. And that he was a controlling prick. And he also preferred to sleep on the inside of his bed, rather than near the edge. He also loved green tea. He also hated carrots, which Allen personally loved (not that Allen really has any preference over food).

Okay, so maybe Allen did know a lot about Kanda.

"Moyashi? Did you hear me?"

Allen snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Kanda. He felt his face flush the second his gray eyes met with Kanda's midnight blue one's. Allen thought he was going to melt under that gaze if he stood staring any longer. Allen nodded his head and turned, heading straight for his home, trying to check and see if Kanda was following behind him.

-OO-

"Marian?"

The red haired man turned at the sound of his brother's voice. He tried his best to give a genuine smile at the broken man, but it was too hard. Marian could help but feel bad for him. He knew Mana wanted no pity, but with the way things were now, that was almost impossible.

"Where…. is Neah?"

"He left to go visit Allen. He didn't go with Klaud, he decided to go separately. He thinks she still hates him."

"That's…not true."

"Haha, I know. He can't help but be afraid of her though. And I see your speech is improving."

"Yes….thank you….for….noticing."

Marian smiled at his brother again before turning back to read the book he had in his lap. A few moments later he turned to see Mana had fallen asleep. He would stay a little longer. He wanted to be there when his brother woke up.

-OO-

"Master, these are the last few request and then you're done for the day."

Lala set down a few sheets of paper on Allen's work table and then left the room, closing the door behind her. Allen sighed and continued to work on the small doll he had in his hand. It was surprising to know just how many people wanted a handmade doll anymore. Allen didn't even realize that there were so many young girls in the town, or passing by the town, or that other young girls know outside of town that Allen could continue to run his shop and make a steady profit. Allen tried to shake that form his mind and continue to concentrate on the project he currently had in his hands. It was a small doll, but it would be a special one. A family of six had come in, wanting to get a doll for the only daughter of the family. They were poor so Allen gave them quite the discount. He felt bad for them, but also felt a little bit proud of them for this action. The fact that the entire family was willing to give up money that they needed for a week's worth of food just to get this girl something she would probably out grow in 3 or so years was amazing to him. Allen just couldn't imagine that there were people in the world that were so kind. Not after what went through in life. He had seen nothing but betrayal and lies since the day he was born.

Allen sighed and set down the doll. It's been years, now. He knew he should have gotten over it years ago, but the pain still felt fresh. How could his family just break apart like that? It wasn't fair! Why was he the only one that ended up having to suffer? He did nothing wrong! Back then he was only a child, a child mislead to believe that he was being raised in a normal loving family! He could he have known that-

"Moyashi! I called your name, like, five times!"

Allen turned to look up toward the door. He didn't even hear Kanda open the door, let alone call out to him. Allen nodded and turned his entire body to look at Kanda, and was confused by the sudden sad look on his face. Allen opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, when Kanda closed the door behind him and walked over to Allen and hugged him.

"Kanda? What's wrong?"

"I should be asking you that, you stupid moyashi!"

Allen didn't even notice that tears were falling from his eyes until Kanda looked at him and wiped away some of the fallen streaks. Allen pushed his hand away and tried to laugh it off, saying it was nothing. Kanda reached up and grabbed Allen's face again. Allen felt that same feeling from earlier, again. He felt like he was going to melt under the heated stare Kanda was giving him. It felt so strange but at the same time it felt so, right?

No, it wasn't a question. It did feel right. It felt like this is where Kanda needed to be all along. It was as if Kanda was created just for him. As if Kanda was made so Allen would forever have a love that would never hurt him, or making him cry. But instead shield him from pain and cheer him up when he was down. Allen closed his eyes in anticipation. He wanted this, he wanted Kanda. But it was strange. That feeling that was growing stronger and stronger in his chest, just felt so weird. He was like the sky before a storm and Allen really hoped he was just imagining things. Kanda leaned forward and placed his lips on Allen's. It was a quick, innocent kiss. It was like both parties were holding back for one another, so they tried again. And again. And again. Until they were gripping on to each other. Kissing and moaning and sucking at each other's mouths so harshly it seemed as if they were trying to suck the soul from one another, straight out of their bodies. Allen was the first to pull away, feeling light headed from lack of air he had received in the past few minutes. Kanda nodded and both sat there in that room. Allen sitting on a low stool and Kanda kneeling between his legs. Heavy pants and the low, very faint sound of Lala singing was all that was heard in that room. Allen started to laugh. He doubled over in laughter and Kanda was left confused.

"I can't believe this. This is seriously impossible!"

"What the hell are you talking about, moyashi?"

"I fell in love in less than twenty days! Me. Me! Allen fucking Walker!"

Kanda was beyond confused. Was there a reason Allen found this fact so funny? And wait, what did he mean he fell in love? With who? Him? Kanda Yuu? Now that was something impossible!

"Sorry to burst your bubble, moyashi, but I think you're confusing love with lust."

"I can tell the difference, thank you very much. And besides, you should be flattered. It's not often that I allow strangers into my bubble, let alone fall in love with them. This is absolute comedy right here!"

"I don't think love is funny, moyashi."

"Then you obviously have not met my family."

-OO-

"Mana."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I know, Klaud."

"Mana?"

"Yes?"

"I'm pregnant."

"Really? Am I the father?"

"Yes."

"One night together, and we receive God's greatest gift. Human life."

"Yes…"

"….Why are you crying?"

"Because I love you."

"I know."

-OO-

"…a…..na…..ana!...Mana!"

Mana woke up with a cold sweat. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It was that dream again. The dream, no, the memory of when he knew he made the biggest mistake of his life. The night Klaud informed him that she was pregnant with his child, he asked for her hand in marriage. Both of them knew that Mana did not love Klaud, but instead his own brother. He knew it was sick and wrong, but he thought that if he married Klaud, he would grow to love her and forget about his sick obsession with his brother. But Shakespeare said it best, absence makes the heart grow fonder. As time went on, Mana felt his heart could no longer take not telling his brother, Neah, of his true love for him. The night he called up his brother and asked to met him in the park, he told Neah of his true feelings and said he couldn't blame Neah for being disgusted with him. But Mana got the opposite response. Neah claimed that he felt the same way and the two rushed to a hotel and spent the night in each other's embraces, calling out each other's names in bliss. Both forgetting about Mana's wife and young son. They kept their love a secret, but Klaud found out anyway. Behind Mana's back she would use her son to vent out Allen of her anger and hostility toward Mana and Neah. Mana felt so horrible when he found out, but could not put all the blame on Klaud. It was he who made the decision, and the final one that resulted in his other brother, Marian, taking his son and raising him in a better (or at least less physical) environment.

"Mana! Do you hear me talking to you?"

"I'm…sorry what…..did you say?"

Mana took a deep breath. He was getting better, he knew this . But he just wished that he could get better faster. It was painful not being able to do what you use to do. But this was much better than him being in critical condition and almost dying, that's for sure. He would choose living with weak lungs over death any day.

"I said, Klaud called and said she just landed in Cane and is on her way to Allen's place right now. God, I hope comes. He's so stubborn sometimes!"

"He….gets it….from his mo…ther."

-OO-

"Kanda."

"What?"

"I love you."

"Okay."

"Kanda!"

"What the fuck, Moyashi? You said something and I responded. You don't have to hit me because you don't like me answer. Just because you're small doesn't mean I will hesitate to kick your ass."

The pair was still sitting in Allen's work room, going over the events that lead up to their little make-out session a little while ago. Allen had confirmed that he loved Kanda, while Kanda insisted that what Allen felt toward him was only lust. Allen couldn't figure out why Kanda refused him. He had moments when he treated Allen so kindly. Holding his face and tracing his cheeks with his thumbs. Even resting his head on Allen shoulder and sticking his face in the space between Allen's chin and shoulder. Kanda had extremely romantic moments, but with his personality he also had shitty moments as well. Like bossing everyone around, trying to force himself on Allen, and just in general being a total dick. But Allen couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat whenever Kanda looked his way, or touched him, or even when Kanda let a small smirk appear on his face. Allen loved it all. But trying to tell that to Kanda was like trying to get a blind man to see, impossible.

"Master! You have a guest!"

Both men looked at each other then at the door. They both stood up, straightened their clothing and left the room. Lala came out from the living room and grabbed Allen's hand, dragging him from which she came. Once in the room Allen felt his body become heavy. It took all of his might not to lash out at the person he saw sitting across the room sipping at a cup of tea like she had all the time in the world. Once the woman caught Allen's eye she set her tea down and stood up, moving toward Allen with her arms stretched out.

"Bonjour! Oh I'm sorry. I'm in America now, I think I should speak anglais, right Allen?"

"I'm going to my room."

Allen retracted his hand from Lala's and turned to leave. The woman placed a hand on Allen's shoulder and told him to wait. Allen smacked her hand away from him and turned to face her.

"Don't touch me!"

"Allen, stop this! I just want to talk you about your father-"

"I'm not going to see him! I've already made this clear with Cross that I wasn't going to see him! Why can't any of you get it in your heads? I want nothing to do with anyone other than Cross. Unlike you he didn't abandon me!"

"Allen, please just listen to what I have to say!"

"No, you listen to what I have to say. Get the fuck out of my house and leave me alone."

With that Allen turned and walked to his room, slamming the door behind him. Lala looked up at the woman with pure confusion written all over her face. Kanda looked at the woman with guarded eyes. Abandon him? What the hell was the Moyashi talking about? The woman sniffed and brought and hand up to her eyes. Kanda rolled his eyes at the waterworks.

'Women…'

"Well, I will take the hint and go. Thank you for the tea, sweetheart. It was tres magnifiques!"

Lala smiled at the woman and shook the hand that was offered to her. Kanda stepped up in the woman's way as she was leaving. She tried to move around him, but Kanda followed her every way. She huffed and gave up, staring Kanda in the eyes with an aggravated and also saddened look in her gray eyes. Kanda assumed that this was the Moyashi's mother. She had blonde hair, gray eyes, and a scar on her face that Kanda was sure she knew he was staring at. Kanda clicked his tongue and opened his mouth to speak.

"Tell me what he's so pissed about, now."

"Oh? Are you his lover? He hasn't told you anything?"

"I'm not his lover, I just want to know."

"So you're a snooper. I was the same when I was your age. Trying to get every single detail about the one you love. But let me tell you, it's not always pretty."

"I'm sure I can handle whatever bullshit you throw at me."

-OO-

"Mana, this is Joseph Nine's daughter, Klaud Nine."

A young man with brown hair and a suit (that he obviously felt uncomfortable in) was standing in front of a young woman had blonde hair and was wearing a plain blue sundress. She looked up at him with the most innocent gray eyes Mana had ever come across. The girl was absolutely stunning in every way imaginable. She had the perfect face, skin tone, body, hair, style, even her voice was alluring. And now that Mana thought about it she was talking to him and he didn't understand a word she was saying.

"Boujour, Monsieur Mana. Ma nom est Klaud. Je suis enchantée de faire votre connaissance."

"Uh….Bonjour?"

Klaud stared at him for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter, which Mana wasn't sure was suppose to be a complement. After Klaud had gotten her fit of giggles calmed down, she wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes and Mana's father began to scold her.

"Klaud you shouldn't tease Mana like that."

"Je regrette! I'm sorry, Mana. I didn't mean to tease you with the whole 'I-only-speak-French' thing. But it was just too easy!"

Mana noticed that she had a bit of an accent, and it made her voice all the more alluring. Mana wanted to have her. Not because of that stupid ordeal with 'love-at-first-sight'. But because he would probably never come across this type of woman again. He wanted to seize the opportunity now that he had it. He was going to sleep with her one way or another. He just needed to come up with a plan.

-OO-

It had been five months since Mana had first met Klaud and he had to admit that the time they spent together was a blast. He felt as if he had gotten further and further from his original goal each day he spent with Klaud. And it might have been his imagination, but she seemed to have gotten prettier along the way as well. Mana was starting to grow a bit impatient with their relationship. All he really wanted to was to release some sexual stress that he had pent up inside him, was that really too much to ask?

"Mana, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course."

"Have you ever fallen in love with a friend?"

Mana paused for a moment. Was she talking about him? Had she fallen for him without him noticing it? He wasn't trying to lead her on, and he would apologies if that's what she thought but damn that would ruin everything he's been working for these past few months!

"Because I have. I know this friend doesn't feel the same way I do. But I would like to request one thing of my friend."

Mana hesitated for a moment.

"What do you request of this friend?"

"That he become mine for one night. I wish to only hold him once and then I will search for a new love."

Mana was a little shocked at the attitude she had. She was so confident and upbeat as if she knew she would have her way before she even asked. No matter how much this played well in the end for him in the end and he was going to be able to sleep with her once, no strings attached. Right now Mana could not feel any luckier, and he had a feeling that luck would stick.

"I would like to ask that friend to meet me at my home at seven o'clock tonight and that he not be late."

With that, Klaud stood up, dusted off her blue jeans and headed in the direction of her home, leaving Mana to marvel at his own will.

-OO-

"You're on time."

"Yes."

"I'm surprised you even showed up."

"Truth is, I've been wanting your body since the first day I met you."

"…My body?"

"Yes."

"So you've been plotting to get me into bed this whole time?"

"Not plotting, waiting."

The sound of a hard smack was heard, followed by the rushed sound of clothes being ripped off of the bodies they were on and needy grunts and moans.

-OO-

"Is she still sick? You should take her to a hospital if it's that bad."

With that Mana left the front steps of Klaud's home. The maid he was talking to thanked him for visiting and went back into the house to check on Klaud. When she reached the room she saw Klaud was not in the bed where she left her. She was about to call out to the girl when she heard the sound of Klaud wrenching and the sound of vomit hitting the floor. She ran over to the bed to see Klaud on her hands and knees, violently arching her back so she could throw up the little bit of food she was able to keep down. The maid did nothing but rub the girl's back and hold her hair away from her face. After Klaud was finished, the maid got her back into the bed and cleaned up the mess.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Yes, tomorrow I'll let him know."

"Alright, if you need anything please call for me. I will be in the kitchen with Charles."

Klaud nodded and turned in her bed. She rubbed her stomach and closed her eyes. Everything would be okay. Nothing bad would happen as long as she was positive.

-OO-

"Mana."

Klaud called out to him in such a small voice that he almost missed it. She sounded weak, which wasn't surprising since she just got over the most terrible flu.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Mana smiled at Klaud. She could see the wrinkles in his face starting to form. He looked a few years older than what he really was, which was oddly funny to Klaud for some reason.

"I know, Klaud."

"Mana?"

"Yes?"

"I'm pregnant."

There was a long pause. Klaud regretted her words the second they left her lips. She reached down to her stomach with trembling fingers. She lightly gripped at the small bump forming in her midsection and waited for Mana to respond.

"Really? Am I the father?"

"Yes."

"One night together, and we receive God's greatest gift. Human life."

"Yes…"

Klaud reached up with her hands still trembling. Tears fell from her eyes like a waterfall. Klaud couldn't stop them. The suddenly just came rushing from her all at the same time. All the times she had been holding in her tears, it was being released right at this moment.

"….Why are you crying?"

"Because I love you."

"I know."

-OO-

Klaud had just arrived home with her son, Allen Walker, and she was already pissed off. She walked in the door and found that her husband, Mana Walker, was not home. She had been with her son all day, and she was tired. But now instead of getting the rest she has hoped for, she had to continue taking care of her son at least until her husband returned from wherever he was. But Klaud had a feeling he was with his brother. Klaud always noticed that the two seemed oddly close and that they were a bit more affectionate with each other than Mana was with her. She looked over at where she had put Allen down to play and walked over to him. Allen had the same hair as his father. He even shared his father's face shape. Everything about the young boy looked like his father except for his eyes. He had his mother's soft, innocent eyes.

Eyes that Klaud refused to look into as she took a knife out from the kitchen.

Eyes she refused to stare into as she picked her son up and held him in her arms.

Eyes she continued to ignore as she carved a disgusting symbol into her own sons face.

Eyes she noticed had become over flown with tears.

Eyes she regretted looking into when she did.

Eyes she looked away from as she dragged her son over to the stove and turned it on.

Eyes she face away from as she pressed her son's arm into the fire she had made.

Eyes she hated because they reminded her of her own. They showed her ugliness. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but this would teach Mana a lesson. He would learn not to play with her heart ever again after this. Allen would get over it, he loved his mother. He would forgive her.

-OO-

Kanda sat in the living room stunned at the story he had just listened to. How could a woman, no, a mother do that to her own child? How could she be so selfish and torture her own son that way? Kanda now understood the resentment Allen held toward his mother, and didn't blame him one bit. This woman was crazy.

"Mana came home and took Allen away from me. He called a friend he knows, that is a doctor, and asked him to come treat Allen. Allen's arm is permanently burned like that. And that scar on his face. I'm a horrible person. You hate me too now, don't you? It's hard not to hate someone who would do that to their own child."

Kanda said nothing. She had just explained all of what he was feeling in that moment and he didn't trust himself not to say something that he might regret if he opened his mouth. Klaud smiled sadly down at her hands and got up from her place on the couch, across from Kanda, and showed herself out. Lala followed after her with a sad look on her face. Kanda could tell she was going to start crying the second she left the room. He understood that feelings, he wanted to cry as well. All of the pain that one family could go through just entered his mind in that short time span and Kanda had no clue what to do with it.

Kanda stood up from his place in the living room and headed for Allen's bedroom. He was sure the Moyashi was in his bed sulking it up for everyone. He got to the door and knocked once, then twice, then a third time.

"Oi! Moyashi! Open up this damn door or I'll kick the shit down."

Almost immediately the door unlocked and was opened to show a less than amused Allen. Allen turned and left the door open for Kanda to walk in and he got back on his bed and turned to his side, facing away from Kanda. Kanda rolled his eyes, stepped in the room, and closed the door behind him. He re-locked the door and headed straight for Allen's bed and just stared at the man's back.

"You ask her, didn't you?"

"What?"

"My mom, you asked her about me, didn't you?"

"Yeah. Did you not want me to?"

"It's not that, I just…..whatever, never mind."

There was an awkward silence that filled the room. The kind that could only be filled with small talk about sports or the economy. Kanda felt a little bad. He didn't want to hurt Allen's feelings, but at the same time it was impossible to help someone if you don't know what the problem is. Kanda sighed and sat on the bed. Allen moved away from him and Kanda leaned back on the man's side. Allen grunted but moved no more. They stayed this way for a while, neither saying a word or making a move.

"Kanda….do you think I should go see him? My father, I mean."

Kanda was quiet for a moment. It was a tough question. The man did marry a woman without being in love with her, and then cheated on her with his brother. She was despicable, and he was too.

"I don't know. Do you want to see him?"

"I think, but I'm scared."

"Stop whining, Moyashi! It's a yes or no question!"

Allen sat up and turned to face Kanda's back. Kanda sat up as well, not expecting the man to move so suddenly.

"Why do you have to ruin moments like this? I'm trying to spill my heart out here and you're being an ass!"

"It's who I am, and I'm not going to changed because some Moyashi is feeling bad."

"Fine, whatever! Just forget I even said anything!"

-OO-

The next day Allen had woken Kanda up quite early, telling him to be quiet so he wouldn't wake the others up. Allen had packed some clothing for Kanda and himself already so all they had to do was leave. Allen had made up his mind that he was in fact going to see his father. Kanda smirked and asked if it would be okay to leave Lala and Lavi alone while they were gone. Allen reminded him that Guzol was there and would handle any unsettling confrontation between the two. Kanda laughed and then yawned. He didn't understand why they had to leave so early in the morning. Allen hadn't even told him where they were going. Hell, the damn Moyashi could be sending him back to Japan and be using his father as an excuse. But Kanda didn't really think it mattered what Allen wanted to do with him. He had been feeling this tugging at his chest for the past two weeks now, and he was getting the feeling that he would do anything for Allen. He seemed special for some reason and that bothered Kanda, for he had never felt that way with anyone other than his master.

"You ready?"

Kanda's train of thought was broken at Allen's words. They had already gotten on the plane and were sitting next to each other in first class. Kanda didn't even want to know where Allen had gotten this money from. I mean being a doll maker didn't seem to pay a lot from what Kanda saw. Kanda looked over at Allen who had his eyes closed. He was shaking a bit and was biting at his bottom lip. Kanda rolled his eyes and reached down to grab one of Allen's hands in his own. Allen jumped a bit and opened his eyes. Kanda closed his own and relaxed in his seat.

"You're still scared to see him aren't you? You're scared for no reason, Moyashi. From what I've been told so far he really cares about you and didn't think what he did would hurt you so much. Yeah he was a selfish asshole, but that doesn't mean he didn't love you."

Allen said nothing but gripped Kanda's hand. Even though he didn't say it, he was very grateful to have Kanda there with him. They both sat in silence for a while, just enjoying the feeling of being alone together (well, as alone as you can get on a plane). Allen took a deep breath and looked at Kanda. Kanda saw this from the corner of his eye, but didn't turn his own head to Allen. Allen huffed and turned to face forward. Whatever he had to say could wait. It's not like it was important anyway.

A/N: ...CHAPTER.

I was so stuck, but this is setting us up for Allen finally giving in to everyone begging him to go see Mana! Speaking of him, how did everyone like his meeting with Klaud? Was it okay? I sure as hell hope so because it took me a while to think of that whole plot section.

blackirishawk: I'm happy you liked the chapter! Hope you liked this one as well :)

Galagza: I've noticed that as well. But they were perfect for this plot! And it also makes me sad because I loved Lala and Guzol in the show!

ivory-fanged-goddess: I loved Allen's almost rape too! But he knows he liked it~

PokerPair: Yeah, I have no clue why I made Tyki such a dick, I love him! And Lavi will have another spotlight moment next chapter! His name was mentioned, like, once this chapter so I feel bad.

P.S.: As you may have noticed, all of these chapters are about 6,000 words in length so they may take a while to get out. I've been trying very hard to speed things up but I end up getting stuck, like, half way through the chapter and take a small break from it until I figure out what to write. I'm going to try a little bit harder to fix this, so please be patient with me!