Hello everyone,

Yes, I know, I'm two days late. Sorry for that, but Wednesday was chaotic and I spent the whole day with a friend yesterday.

Thanks for the reviews.

To msgone: No, the Noahs are not looking for him because they think he's dead. And it's still going to take some time until that talk.

Disclaimer: Yeah, sure...

I sleep most of the flight, only occasionally waking for eating or going to the toilet (which annoys Kanda greatly because I have to get up quite often and he has to let me out every single time). Luckily I even doze through the landing because I am sure that I would have thrown up again. Kanda only wakes me when the plane has stopped at the gate.

"Moyashi, wake up. We're there," he is grumbling.

I groan and groggily lift a hand to rub my eyes, "There? Where? We did already arrive?"

"Yes, we are in Japan," he says surprisingly soft.

I look at him intensely for a moment, "What are you feeling? Are you okay? Please be honest with me."

"I don't know," he sighs, "On one hand I am strangely relieved to be back in my homeland. But I am also anxious about how this will continue. There are so many painful memories here. And it takes more than two years to heal."

"I understand you," I can't help but lean over and embrace him, "But you have me and the others. Everything will work out."

To my surprise he grabs me back, "I hope so, moyashi."

But after a short moment he detaches himself from me, "We have to go, beansprout. They won't wait for us."

He stands up and pulls our bags down. I only groan at the thought of having to leave the comfortable chair and stand for a long time again. But I accept his hand when he holds it out and let him drag me on my feet. He holds my hand for just one second longer than necessary. Then he lets go and turns towards the exit of the plane. Nonetheless I can't help but notice the reluctance in his step.

When we go back into the airport I am again met by curious stares, but by far not as many as in England. Are mamorunin more common here? I hope so, it would be less awkward. I follow Kanda through the gate into the area where we get our luggage back, one hand always on my belly. The older man forces me to sit down on some chairs by the side of the hall, next to the trolley he picked up. He meanwhile walks over to the conveyor belt. I see him taking out his phone, turning it on and punching in some numbers. It doesn't take long until someone picks up and he starts to talk with whoever is on the other end. I can't understand his conversation though because I am too far away.

He just puts the device back in his pocket when the belt starts to move and the first bags come out. Not ten minutes later he comes over to me with our luggage, putting it on the trolley. Wordlessly he holds a hand out to me again and I allow him to haul me up. For a moment I catch his eyes, reassuring him through my gaze. He nods and walks towards the exit of the building. Before the door I grab his hand, using him as my support for actually going out of here. He takes a deep gulp of air as soon as we're outside. I smile at him softly even though he doesn't reciprocate.

He calls a cab over and puts the bags in the trunk while the driver greets us in Japanese. Kanda helps me into the back of the car and then joins me from the other side.

"To Heguri, cho-street 14," he grumbles at the driver in Japanese.

The other nods and starts the car. I can't help but raise an eyebrow. This is not Kanda's old address where he lived when we were younger. I don't remember this address to begin with. So I turn to the raven and ask.

"That's not your old house, is it?"

"No"

"Where are we going then?"

"It's the girl's new address. We stay with her," he answers grumpily.

"Linali? Why with her and not in Tiedoll's house?"

As far as I remember the house of Kanda's adoptive father was pretty big, more a mansion. No one really knows where Tiedoll got all that money, but he was relatively rich. There should be enough space there, so why are we staying with Linali? He shifts uncomfortably on his seat before he answers grumbling.

"Too many bad memories. Plus the stupid old man is depressed and I wouldn't want to put you through this shit."

I have an inclination that he means more himself than me, but I understand. As far as I remember him, Tiedoll was a (overly) happy man, pretty clingy and dramatical. He annoyed Kanda quite a lot. To see him completely the opposite is surely something close to disturbing. But I am ripped out of my thoughts when a hard kick lands against my ribs. Unconsciously I rub my belly, which earns me a scrutinising gaze from Kanda.

During the ride we are both silent. I am looking out of the window, watching the scenery and letting memories from over three years ago flow back into me. Especially when we are coming closer to the area we lived in.

"Look, Kanda! There! That's our old elementary school," I bounce excitedly when the building passes by.

"Yeah," he groans, "Sit the hell down, moyashi."

In the end we stop in front of a decent sized house with a front garden. Linali is already waiting for us on the porch. The cab holds and Kanda steps out. The girl immediately walks over and silently embraces him. He doesn't push her away surprisingly. The driver meanwhile has started to unload our luggage. I open the door. As soon as he has detached himself from Linali, Kanda comes over to my side and helps me out of the car. I yawn and feel the exhaustion of the long flight (and second life) creep into my body.

Linali is standing in her garden, her arms wrapped around herself like if she feels cold. She smiles a sad smile when her eyes meet mine. Kanda lets me go and I follow him over to the girl.

"Allen, I am sorry. I hoped you would stay home, but I should have known better. In your condition you should have stayed safe and warm. Nonetheless I am glad to see you. Lavi will be so happy."

She steps forward and wraps me into a tight hug, shooting a glance to Kanda while her speech, making me understand that the most important thing is that I am here for Kanda. I would have protested but the last days have showed that he actually opens up to me. And as far as I could see, more than to anyone else. Linali is still holding me. After some minutes and a clearing of his throat from Kanda, the girl lets go of me. She smiles again and then looks down.

And squeals, "Oh, look at you. You have gained a real belly. How cute. I can't wait until the baby is born," she coos.

Her hands lay themselves softly on my bump. I can't help but smile at the thought of my child. Nonetheless I also pout. I am not 'cute', for god's sake! Kanda has his arms crossed and is watching us with an unreadable gaze.

"Oh, this is going to be such a surprise for my brother, Lavi and the others," she says, grinning at me.

"You didn't tell them?"

"No, not yet. It just didn't feel right. Plus, it's much funnier this way."

I can do nothing but shake my head. Kanda snorts.

"Is he in?" I ask.

"Yeah, but I told him to stay inside," she shrugs, "You know how he is. He is one of the few who haven't changed in the years you missed."

While we are talking, I see Kanda pay the driver and pick up our bags in the edge of my vision. Linali smiles sadly at me a last time, grabs my hand and leads me towards the house's front door. The raven follows us while the cab drives off. The girl opens the door.

"Nii-san! They're here."

"Linaliii!" resounds a loud shout from the basement and suddenly something (or rather someone) comes flying at us.

Instinctively Kanda pushes me behind him when the loud person latches onto Linali. The girl groans.

"Nii-san, release me. Look, Kanda is here. And he's fine."

Immediately the teary eyed man looks up and as he spots the raven he throws himself at the younger, who automatically evades him. This causes Komui to land head-first in the wall behind us. He sits up, pouting and rubbing his forehead.

"That was not fair, Kanda. I just wanted to make sure you are really fine."

"Che. I am fine, no injuries, nothing," Kanda growls as a reply.

"Really nothing?" Komui has now a serious face on.

Kanda rolls his eyes, but tenses nonetheless, "No, nothing. Doesn't that fucking go in any of your idiot's heads?! I stopped! Everyone is bloody asking that, it gets fucking annoying."

His voice is getting louder until he is nearly shouting. His fists are clenched and shaking slightly, his whole body is tense. Then suddenly he turns around and storms outside. Damn, his mood turned fast. I guess it is worse for him than I thought.

"I need some fucking air. Leave me alone for a fucking second."

And he is gone. We are all staring after him. Linali shocked and Komui pensive. I am drawn between running after him and staying here. Then after some minutes the girl takes the decision from me.

"Komui. Look here. Look who else is here."

For the first time Komui's eyes fall on me. They widen.

"Allen? That's you, isn't it? Why are you here? I mean, Linali told me you were still alive but that you most likely wouldn't come. Wait, is that – " he breaks off when his eyes reach my stomach.

Self-consciously I lay a hand on my bump while he turns to his sister, jaw hanging down, "Is there something you haven't told me, my sweet dear Linali?"

"I don't know what you could mean," she says innocently.

"Like the condition our young friend is in. Is it true that he is – pregnant?"

I lower my eyes and Linali grins broadly, "Yes. How far along are you now, Allen?"

"Nearly seven months if I'm correct," I mumble.

"Wow," he stares at me, but when he takes a step closer to me, I instinctively back away, "Would you let me make a scan on you? I have wanted to research the mamorunin for so long, but the hospitals wouldn't let me."

"I wonder why," I murmur, then turn to Komui's pouting face and smile evilly, "No way, I am letting you anywhere near my child. Is that clear?"

He pouts even harder, "Why? Why are you all so unfair to me?"

"Probably because you are a crazy scientist nobody would let do anything to them," I grumble, exhaustion and agitation about Kanda causing me to go into a bad mood.

Immediately Komui wails out loudly, "Did you hear that, my dear sweet Linali-chan? How mean he was to me! He – "

But the girl only hits him over the head, "Shut up, Nii-san. Allen needs his rest. I'm sure the journey was exhausting and he is not only sustaining himself."

Before I can protest she has thrown her brother off herself and ushered me upstairs. Stopping in front of a door she turns to me.

"You can have this room. We have prepared it. Kanda will have the one next to you. Mine is only two doors down the corridor. So if you need something just come to one of us. For now, get some rest. You do need it. Later I will show you the rest of the house and bring your bag."

"Okay, but what is with Kanda?"

She smiles sadly, "I think he needs some time for himself. Coming back here for Alma's memorial and having to look after you the whole time has taken it's toll on him and his psyche. And no, don't blame yourself now, it's not your fault. I will try to find and bring him back when I think he has calmed down enough. Sadly enough, Lavi and I got quite familiar with these outbreaks of his in the time he stayed here."

I nod, but don't know what to say. She embraces me another time and then softly pushes me into the room. It's furnished in a basic way. A soft bed, two chairs, a closet, some drawers and a small table. I sigh contentedly when I let myself fall onto the bed, after pulling my jacket and shoes off. Tired I crawl under the covers and sleep claims my exhausted body fast.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading.

Now they are in Japan and Kanda is pretty besides himself. Let's see how that will go on next time.

Reviews are appreciated and see you at chapter 18.