Hey guys, hope you like this chapter. I think it's sort of cute XD.
Katsu, Lavi and Bookman returned to the Order with a warm welcome from Komui and the science division. Komui instantly dragged Katsu away to question her and give her a check up. Katsu used this moment to apologize to Komui from freaking out on him when he tried to help Lavi with calming her down. Komui waved it off quickly, though he made an off handed comment about how she had attacked Allen when he ran off to find her when she had run off.
Katsu paused, thinking, while Komui did a standard physical examination. It had been Allen that she first mistaken for Jasdero? No wonder it hurt when she hit him. She had thought she was simply feeling an injury she had received prior to the 'escape'. Sometimes, the whole fiasco with Allen just gave her a headache. Not only did she have a twin after having such a terrible history with twins, but she also had to have this strange connection with Allen, through their Innocence. It was most definitely not fun having to deal with double the pain when she couldn't even control it.
Katsu internally sighed. She didn't know what to do about Allen. Though she could begin to understand that she may have been slightly unfair to him, but...she had enough shit to deal with in her life. Having found as cause to some of it just begged her to blow up at it. There was still a large part of her that was resentful, but...he had saved her first over Lenalee in the showdown with Rhode and he came after her with Lavi when she ran off. Perhaps, she at least owed him an apology, or an explanation. She could give him that, and at least they'd be on the same page.
With that thought in mind, Katsu had a plan. But first, she needed a few days to blow off some steam. She wondered if Kanda was in the building. Perhaps if he was, he'd be willing to spar with her.
Komui let her go a while later, telling her to take it easy and he'd let her go on a mission as soon as he felt she was ready. To Katsu though, 'when she was ready' was now, yet like Lavi, Komui declined, saying she needed to heal.
Now she sat in the cafeteria with Lavi, sulking slightly. It had been a day or so since arriving back at the Order. Katsu did get her chance to spar, only not with Kanda. He was still MIA with Allen and Lenalee searching for him. So she was left with Lavi to spar with. Not that it wasn't still a stress relief to hit someone without any guilt of having ill intentions, but Lavi didn't offer the same kind of challenge that Kanda did. Even after fighting each other for a year, and getting the hang of each other's habit's they still managed to throw in wild cards against each other. Lavi was just a little too easy to beat. He could get a good winning move against her on occasion, and was damn good at dodging, but not often enough to appease her thirst for a good fight.
Her reprieve came when the next day when Kanda, Allen and Lenalee returned to the Order with a finder in tow. However it wasn't how she would have expected it. Kanda was injured and bloody, though it didn't look as worse as she guessed it did even just a few hours ago. Sometimes she wished she had Kanda's ability to heal, not that she would have wanted to go through that hell for it. Allen was in rough shape too, though not enough to have caused Katsu any extra noticeable pain over the typical training pains.
In a day or too, Kanda should be in shape enough to spar with her. Though she was interested in testing Allen's skills properly, but she didn't feel like hitting herself both literally and figuratively.
When she caught Allen's eye when he walked past her, she nodded to him, before continuing on her way. Perhaps she would stop avoiding him for a start. Like Lenalee had suggested during their mission.
Katsu was stalking the grounds of the Black Order searching for a certain, typically annoying red head. For once it wasn't because of his typically annoying antics, or to side with Kanda in an attempt to kill him. No, she was finally putting a plan she had kept in the reserves into action. Only, she needed the perspective of a male. Kanda was out of the question, he would only serve to be grumpy at best and while he typically didn't threaten women, he might make an exception for her. Allen was completely out of the question since she was going through with her plan for him. Which left Lavi.
A flash of red caught her vision. "Lavi!" She yelled, running in the direction she spotted the red. He stopped walking away, and turned in Katsu's direction.
"Hey, Katsu!" Lavi waved at the approaching Exorcist.
"I need to go to town today to find something. I want you to help me."
Lavi's eye shined, "Yeah, what for?"
Katsu looked around, making sure she wasn't being heard by a pair of ears identical to hers. When she saw none, she replied, though still in a hushed tone, "I want to find something that says...I'm sorry? I'd like to...try apologizing to Allen."
"Yeah, sure." Lavi leaned back slightly, hands resting behind his head. "Anything to get away from Gramps for a bit. The old panda's making me read all day with sorting books as my only relief."
"Great, we're going to stop for some grub first, and then we'll get started." Katsu stated, rubbing her hands together.
Lavi pouted slightly, in a playful manner before following her down the hall in the direction of the exit. So lost in their teasing, they didn't notice the white haired figure that had caught on to part of the conversation.
Allen watched the two walk off with a suspicious eye. He didn't have much history here with the Exorcists and knew Lavi for an even shorter time, but it had been clear that there was something between Lavi and Katsu. Or at least Lavi had something for Katsu. Something that made the brother in Allen rear its ugly head. Not only did he catch wind of Lavi kissing Katsu while in her unstable state, but he'd have to be blind to be able to miss the way he looked at her. Allen could thank Cross' womanizing habits for something after all.
No, no, no. It's probably nothing. My imagination is running wild again. I will not become an over protective Komui type brother, Allen told himself as he started to walk in the opposite direction, headed for the library. Besides, that kiss was probably something to just snap Katsu out of the depths of her mind with such rage for being on the receiving end of the kiss. And Lavi was simply eager to get out of the Order for a bit and away from Bookman. That had to be the answer.
He didn't even have to fully walk into the library to know that Komui was already going crazy. His yelling and the sound of the other scientists trying to calm him down could be heard from a mile away. Allen sighed as he stepped into the room. This was going to be a long day.
"What's going on here?" Allen asked, watching Komui skeptically, biting back the headache he was beginning to form.
"Lenalee's going on a date! I won't let Russell dirty my sweet, innocent Lenalee!" Komui exclaimed struggling against the strong hold the entire science division had on him, trying to reach Allen.
"You don't know it's a date, Chief!" Reever countered, strengthening his hold on Komui.
"I wonder if she went with Katsu and Lavi. They went out to town too," Allen mused. A part of him hoped those two were meeting up with Lenalee then there would be even less of a chance of them going on a date.
"We must follow them!" Komui declared. "To make sure those two trouble makers don't harm our sisters!"
Allen sweat dropped. "I'm sure Lenalee and Katsu are the last two people on Earth that need protecting from Lavi and Russell. I'd bet my own life that if push comes to shove, they can protect themselves." Then why are you so worried about Katsu going out with Lavi then? The little voice in the back of Allen's mind whispered. He quickly squashed it.
"But Katsu and Lavi could be on a date right now too!" Komui insisted, knowing he would be able to find an ally in Allen. "He might treat her inappropriately!"
Allen internally struggled with that little voice he just squashed. He could feel it struggle under his metaphorical boot, gasping out words of support whenever it got the chance. On one hand, he doubted Lavi would treat Katsu inappropriately; he had taken care of her when she was still mentally recovering. Not to mention, Katsu could throw a mean punch. But on the other, the brother in Allen wanted to go, to prove to himself that Lavi did have feelings for Katsu so he could beat him up appropriately. "I think you're over reacting, Komui," Allen finally answered.
Komui broke through the grasp of the scientists. "I propose we follow them, just to make sure!" Grabbing Allen he ran out of the Order, the scientists close behind, not trusting their chief not to make a scene.
Allen sighed as he was dragged. This was not going to end well.
Unaware of the potential stalkers on their tail, Katsu continued to drag Lavi around town. They stopped at a quaint little pub for lunch. Katsu managed to control herself and the amount she ordered, not wanting to use the small amount of money she had on food when she was on a mission.
"What is it that you have in mind that you want to get Allen?" Lavi asked resting his head on his hand as he watched her, his green eye twinkling.
"I don't know." Katsu huffed. "I don't do the mushy stuff. Besides, you're a Bookman and a guy, right? You know what guys would like."
Lavi frowned good naturedly. "I'm only being used for my brain, huh?"
Katsu grinned. "Clearly. I'm most likely going to try and kill you before the day's over for being an annoying Usagi anyway, so you might as well make yourself useful in your potentially final moments."
"You know you wouldn't dream of harming this charming face." He leaned back in his chair, arms resting behind his head as if to prove the confidence he had in his statement.
Katsu made a show of looking around. "A charming face? Where? I actually want to see an attractive guy before I die."
Lavi rolled his eyes, "It's a good thing he's been in front of you this whole time, then."
Katsu's gaze returned to him. "You? Nah, I'd say your average. I mean, the colouring of that bandana is ghastly, and your hair looks like you just got out of bed." She paused, not realizing her gaze turned into a stare. "I suppose the eye patch works in your favour. Gives you a rugged look. And your other eye is kind of entrancing...It could force people to get lost in it..." Catching herself, she blushed, swallowing the lump that formed in the back of her throat. "Clearly that's the only feature that pushes you to be at average, otherwise you'd barely be…making the…title average." Her gaze wondered away from Lavi's intense gaze to the front of the room, unable to calm her flaming face. "Well, we should probably get going again. I'm going to go pay." She began to stand, to head to the counter.
Lavi caught her wrist before she was fully standing. "I can pay, it's fine."
Bolts of electricity shot through Katsu's arm and she yanked it back on impulse. "I'm already up. It really doesn't matter whether I pay or not." Her voice snapped near the end, coming off harsher then she intended.
Lavi backed off, raising his hands in defeat. He wanted to pursue the topic further, but he really had no ground to argue on without completely ruining Katsu's mood for the day. His manly pride would have to take a hit this once and be consoled with the thought that they weren't actually on a date, and to everyone else around them, Katsu looked like nothing other than one of Lavi's friends, a guy. They wouldn't stare at him for letting a woman pay.
Even with these thoughts in mind, the one replaying what Katsu had said about him in perfect Bookman clarity wouldn't leave his mind. Katsu thought that his eye patch was attractive? And she found his other eye entrancing? Lavi couldn't help but grin as Katsu made her way back to him.
Katsu cleared her throat, arms crossed across her chest. "Let's get going."
Nodding, grin still in place, Lavi stood, following Katsu out of the pub.
They wandered the streets for a while, Katsu eyeing each store thoroughly before deciding it wasn't even worth looking into. A couple would pass Katsu's initial inspection and she would drag Lavi inside for a meander around. For the whole process, Lavi fought to urge to take Katsu's hand, his mind criticizing him for every time the idea popped into his head. After what happened in the pub, he didn't think she would be much in the mood for any more affection. Besides, he knew the town wouldn't react well to him being affectionate to another person they all perceived to be a boy.
"What about that one?" Lavi suggested, pointing to a random store.
Katsu raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I'm sure Allen would love to receive a hat. I'll just give it to him with the message, 'thanks for dealing with my crap. Here's a hat'."
"You know, we never got gifts for putting up with you." Lavi muttered, faking a look of dejection.
"Fine, I'll buy you a more appropriate looking bandana. How's that?" She reached up towards his head, her fingers just brushing the offending material.
His hands went flying to his head protectively, swatting Katsu's out of the way. "Not my bandana! Anything but my bandana, you fiend!"
Katsu rolled her eyes with a quiet almost inaudible laugh. She withdrew her hands without much further provocation from Lavi. "My point. Besides, you aren't my brother." She looked down at the ground suddenly unsure, "I want to..." She paused, taking a moment to truly think about what she wanted out of this situation. "I want to try to make it work. This...family thing. To prove to my subconscious that not all sibling relationships are as messed up as...theirs, or as crazy as Komui's and Lenalee's." Growing confident once more she punched Lavi playfully in the shoulder. "And isn't simply being in my presence enough of a reward on its own anyway?"
Lavi stared down at Katsu's joking face. It never failed to amaze him how quickly emotions could fly across her face. "I could ask you the same thing about my presence," Lavi teased back, chest tightening in anticipation for the rejection he knew was going to follow.
Katsu rolled her eyes again. "Let's check in here." Without realizing her actions, Katsu grabbed Lavi's hand, directing him towards a small little shop on the corner of the street.
Lavi allowed a small smile to grace his face as his chest lightened ever so slightly as Katsu dragged him. She hadn't out right rejected him.
The store keeper glanced up when he heard Katsu drag Lavi through the front door. The elderly man smiled at his new customers. "How may I be of service to you, young lads?"
Katsu paused, giving herself time to take a good look around the store she entered on whim. As the inventory registered in her mind, she realized that something at this store would be perfect for Allen. "Hi, I'm looking for a pocket watch for my brother," Katsu replied. "Is there anything that resembles a clown, or a juggler?" Allen had said he used to be in the circus before joining the Order, surely he would appreciate the reminder.
The balding man smiled knowingly. "I think I might have something similar in the back, let me go get it."
The two waited in the front of the shop for the shop keeper to return. When he did, he had a small, silver pocket watch dangling from a chain in his hand. When he placed it on the counter before them, Katsu stared down at it. "It's perfect." It was. It had a goofy clown with a pointed hat balancing on a large ball while it was juggling other balls on the lid. Exactly what Allen had been doing on the mission in the rewinding town. "Is there any way to get an inscription?" She asked as an idea popped into her head as she looked up at the store keeper expectantly.
The shop keeper nodded. "I can get it finished by this evening at the earliest. Is there a specific time you want to have it by?" The man asked, providing her with a piece of paper to writer her desired inscription.
"We can pick it up this evening. Thank you." She scribbled the message that popped into her head, handing the paper back to the man. Thanking the man, Katsu once again dragged Lavi out of the store. "You can decide where we go next."
"You sure?" Lavi joked.
Katsu nodded, "If you don't want to, I'm more than willing to drag you into a few other places."
"I don't think I can take much more running around," Lavi complained. "Why don't we simply take a seat at a bench and just enjoy the weather? We have a few hours to waste anyway. I believe the benches by the river are the best."
Katsu's stomach fluttered at the thought. Why did she care about spending time with Lavi by the river? It was hardly a special sight; she had been there a couple times before when she stopped by for a few short visits into town. She should have been attempting to beat the life out of the usually annoying Usagi by now, but instead of being annoyed, she found herself finding Lavi's retorts...endearing? Fun? What the hell was happening? He was always the one that never failed to bring back horrid memories of that one.
The memory of Lavi checking on her frequently while she still believed he was Devit, danced its way back into her thoughts. How he fought against her, to help her. How he had been so caring. How he...kissed her. Katsu's cheeks grew warm. She could barely recall that moment, though she remembered quite clearly that it did happen. Could he not have chosen a better time for it? Didn't he know he was going to get hit in response? Hell, he'd get hit again if he tried anything now.
No. She was simply being ridiculous. Lavi was a Bookman. Bookmen had no hearts. He was merely humoring her, to keep up the act as an ally. He was doing nothing more than recording her, so she could be ink on paper.
Regardless, as Lavi directed her over to a simple bench just in front of a small parlor, Katsu couldn't help but notice how her hand felt comfortable in his, as he kept hold of it, even as they were sitting.
Allen watched the duo sit on the bench across from the alley he was currently hiding in with a watchful eye. Not just for all potential signs of Allen's suspicions being true, but mostly for any potential harmful objects they might get caught in during Komui's over protective brother rage. Komui had already successfully blown up a tie shop and the side of a small coffee shop. Luckily the duo Allen had been watching weren't in the same vicinity at the same time.
The two were seated at a bench, minding their own business with an almost constant back and forth chatter and friendly bickering. Just watching the two of them in this moment, Allen couldn't detect any romantic feelings, just companionship. It was almost pleasant to watch. To see two of his friends so relaxed instead of tense, something that came with the job of being an Exorcist.
It was in this tranquility, that Komui interrupted and did something Allen had suspected but didn't think Komui would have the guts to go through with. Clearly his protectiveness over Lenalee made Komui do crazy things. It began with the ground shaking, closely followed by Komui's triumphant laughter.
Allen wasn't the only one who noticed. As soon as the ground trembled, the red head and whitette, froze, shared a look with one another and jumped off the bench. Almost in synchronization, Katsu, Lavi and Allen rushed off in the direction of the crazed laughter.
"Komui!" Katsu yelled the minute said man and the other scientists were in their view. "What the hell are you doing?"
Komui, temporarily distracted from his task glanced over to Katsu, looking like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. As quickly as this look came, it was gone and determination replaced it. In quick succession, the robot landed before Komui, allowing him to jump on top of the robot.
"Russell! You monster! I won't let you have my dear, sweet Lenalee!" Komui cried, pointing in the direction of the building next to the one Katsu stood by. From the doorway, Lenalee stepped out with Russell behind her, looking rightfully horrified.
"Nii-san, what are you doing?" Lenalee demanded, glaring up at her brother with her hands on her hips. "Do we have to destroy this robot too?"
"This one won't be taken down so easily in the light of such an offender. He shall be destroyed first! Sir Komlin the Third! Go after Russell!" Listening to its creator, the robot gave chase to a man who was smart enough to get a head start.
The robot, whom was too big for the normal streets, began to destroy the buildings on either side of it.
Lavi, Katsu, Allen and Lenalee gave chase to the robot, intent on destroying the offending piece of metal. They weren't able to catch up to it until it had managed to corner Russell against a dead end, causing the poor man to claw against the wall as if he wished the wall would just give way so he could continue his escape.
Lenalee jumped up to where her brother stood on the robot, to talk some sense into the man, while Katsu activated her Innocence to begin to destroy the robot, piece by piece. First, she knocked out the legs, before throwing a shuriken in the direction of the robot's "eye" knocking out any chance to see.
Komui's cries of pain at having lost another robot never came, instead they sounded joyous. "Lenalee bought me a present, Lenalee bought me a present," he sang and the two of them descended from the falling robot. From his spot against the wall, Russell wiped his brow, looking mightily relieved.
Lenalee turned to face her brother, giving him a telling off, as if she were the older sibling and didn't notice that from behind her, Russell was quickly turning into an akuma. Katsu swallowed her disbelief and threw a shuriken at Russell the same time a long silver arm stretched out to slice the akuma in half. The combined efforts destroyed the pesky akuma.
"See! I was right to go after Russell!" Komui proclaimed pointing and jumping in the vicinity the Akuma had just exploded.
"No," Katsu countered, "You're half lucky that an akuma disguised himself as Russell. The real Russell did nothing wrong. I think you should find him and apologize."
Komui sighed, but traveled back through the ruins to search for Russell with the help of the other, now relieved scientists and Lenalee. Lavi stayed back with Katsu, as did Allen.
Lavi elbowed Katsu. "It's about time for you to pick up your order, don't ya think?" Lavi winked inclining his head back in the direction of the pocket watch shop.
Katsu's gaze wondered in the direction of the shop, thinking about her gift for Allen and she couldn't help the small smile stretch across her face. Without a word, Katsu snatched Allen's hand, dragging him across the street to the thankfully, unharmed pocket watch shop.
"Eh? Katsu why are you taking me in here?"
"Why do you think?"
The elderly shop owner glanced up again when the twins entered his shop and he smiled in welcome. "You're just in time, your order is ready. This must be your brother. The two of you almost look identical."
"We're twins, sir." Allen said, smiling back at the man.
"I'll go get your order then." With one last smile at the two siblings, the shop keeper went to the back of his store to get the pocket watch Katsu ordered.
When he returned he had the pocket watch in a simple wooden case and handed it to Katsu. Katsu took it, turning to Allen and paused for a moment to explain. "This is my apology for the way I've acted towards you for the past few months. Though it will take time, this is a peace offering of sorts. I'll try to be nicer if you try not to hurt yourself as often."
Allen grinned happily. He was more than willing to take that deal. A small step forward was better than none at all. "Deal."
With a small, unsure smile, Katsu handed Allen the box.
He took it from her, taking a moment to admire the handiwork of the box before opening the lid. Inside he saw a silver pocket watch with the little juggling clown on the front. A sad and happy smile crossed Allen's face.
"You told me you used to be in a circus so..."
"Thank you," Allen said, earnestly.
"Open the watch, that's not it."
Allen did as he was told, opening the pocket watch carefully. On the right face was the expected ticking clock, but on the normally blank left face, there was a small inscription. Always Connected, So We'll Never Forget, A, K & M.
Eyes wide, Allen met Katsu's gaze. She had put Mana's initial as well. And the little caption described both his connection with Mana and the connection the two of them currently shared. "Katsu, this is amazing. But I have nothing for you."
Katsu held up her hand. "Trust me, I have enough from you already," Though she laughed at the end, the resentment still lingered in her eyes, Allen noticed. He'd simply have to work harder to wipe it away. That would be his peace offering to Katsu.
With one final thanks to the shop keeper, the two left the building to meet Lavi at the front. Once out of the store, Allen proceeded to give Katsu a hug. "Thank you," he whispered again, giving her a squeeze even as she stood awkwardly in his arms.
Once she was let go, she coughed awkwardly. "You're welcome."
Lavi grinned, watching the twins; it was nice to see Katsu finally accept the family love she needed. Or start to, anyway. After a moment, to be sure that he wasn't going to ruin the moment, he spoke. "Well, if nothing else is going to go wrong today, I say we get Komui to start cleaning up his mess and we return to the Order. I don't know about you, but I'm wiped out."
"Yes, we'd hate to see you over work yourself, Lavi," Katsu rolled her eyes. Together, the trio started off in search of Komui.
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