Stella: Chapter 7...revised...*pouts*

Lavi: Got your wisdom teeth out today, huh? By the way, you're finally 17! And my birthday just passed too. (To anyone that didn't know :D)

Stella: *nods sadly* Mhmmm...I know. I spammed my tumblr with pictures of you...my mouth hurts...ice cream...

Rose: But on the bright side, at least you got this chapter done!

Stella: I'm so out of it, I didn't bother to check over it. I really just wanna make a new chapter. wahhhh!

Lavi: You sure aren't your enthusiastic self today. *pokes her swollen cheek*

Stella: STOP THAT!

Rose: You two...*sighs*

It felt like we were fighting akuma for hours. It was only my second mission, so I wasn't exactly used to all this fighting yet. Kanda and Lavi were fighting the akuma without breaking a sweat though. Somehow, I felt like I was just slowing them down. Eventually, we were able to defeat all the level one akuma and my knees finally gave in and I fell to the ground.

"Are there…always…this many?" I asked in between breaths.

"N-no. Damn, I feel like I'm about to fall over." Lavi replied out of breath as well, but not as much as I was.

"Whatever. We got the Innocence. Let's go back." Kanda muttered. He took the Innocence from me. I glanced at him over at him to see he only had a few cuts, but his long hair was freed from the usual ponytail. It looked so silky and smooth. I really wanted to touch it, but I knew I'd be risking my own hair if I did. Seeing Kanda standing there looking totally unscathed made me want to be…stronger. Lavi was strong too, but Kanda just made everything look so easy. There was no amount of training I could endure to become like him anytime soon.

Lavi fell to the ground. "Yu! We're tired. Give us a break. Let's go to an inn so we can rest first."

"No."

I pouted. "Nii-san. Pleeeeaaaase! I can't feel my legs." If Kanda didn't let us find somewhere to stay for the night, I would probably end up crawling back to the train. I really wish I had his stamina, otherwise I don't think I'd be drenched in sweat. I wiped my forehead and gave him another pleading look.

He glared at us. "Shut up then and go find us a place to stay."

A small smile and escaped my lips and Lavi and I led the way with our Finder behind us and Kanda behind him to a nearby inn.

"So it seemed like you handled the fighting pretty well, but you still got a long way to go, huh?" Lavi grinned at me and ruffled my hair.

My cheeks began to heat up and I nodded. "Y-yes. Seeing you and Kanda out there gave me motivation. I need to be stronger too."

He stared at me with a questionable look in his eye. He blinked and let out a soft laugh, "Yeah, don't worry. You will be."

Soon enough, we found an inn and went up to our rooms. I had a room to myself and Kanda, Lavi and Jim shared a room. Once I got inside, I flopped onto the fairly huge bed and took the bracers off, but…

"Ahh!" I flinched back as soon as I touched it. It…it shocked me. I tried again, but I used the blanket from the bed to pull them off.

"Owww!" I yelped as part of it touched my skin, but I managed to take them off. I covered my mouth and glanced at the door. I threw them on the ground and I could see spark little blue sparks emanating from it.

'Is that…supposed to happen? Is that what Hevlaska meant when she said not to push my limit? But I didn't feel like I was…'

Then I heard a knock on my door. "Rose? Hey, are you okay?" The voice was Lavi's. I attempted to kick my bracers under the bed and luckily my boots were made of leather so I didn't get shocked that time.

"Y-yes. I'm fine." I replied a little more nervously than usual. It would be bad if anyone found out my Innocence was acting up, especially during a mission. I waited for him to say something, but he didn't. Just why was it shocking me like that anyway? I'm the accommodator, right?

"So are you going to let me in or do I just have to stand here all day?" He finally asked and I could hear the playfulness in his voice. It really amazed me how cheerful he could be at times like these. Maybe that just meant he was a very strong person, both physically and mentally.

"S-sure." I glanced at myself in the mirror before reaching for the door. My uniform had tears on the sleeves and the clip in my hair was slipping out, causing my hair to look sloppy. There were cuts and bruises on my arms underneath the jacket, although those didn't bother me too bad. But overall, I looked like I wrestled a bear. And it didn't look like I won, either.

"Ummm…" My hand stopped above the doorknob and I was debating whether or not to open it, but before I could dwell any more on it, the door swung open.

He flashed me a cheeky grin and ran a hand through his hair that fell free on his face. His usual headband was around his neck and he was dressed pretty casual. Without his regular Exorcist uniform, he looked like a normal teenager, especially with that happy-go-lucky look of his.

I cleared my throat and managed a small smile. "Yes? What is it?" Compared to Lavi, I felt a little out of place. I mean, I know that we just had to fight a whole horde of akuma, but it was pretty embarrassing when I was the one that looked the most scathed. I sighed and let him walk in.

He stepped in and scanned the room before turning to me. "I think I heard you yelling earlier." He said with a sort of serious edge to his voice.

My cheeks flushed from further embarrassment. I was starting to think that maybe I wasn't cut out to be an Exoricst. At least, not as much as he and Kanda. "Oh…" I debated whether or not to tell him about my Innocence, but I didn't want to worry him. "No, I'm fine. It's just a couple cuts and scrapes. Nothing to get worked up about..." I let out an uneasy chuckle that didn't seem to fool him one bit.

He didn't smile back though. "Here, let me see." Without warning, he pulled my arm and I was suddenly really close to him. His red hair brushed against my forehead and I…somewhat unintentionally inhaled the scent of him. He smelled…really good, like newly done laundry or something, but also welcoming. I couldn't exactly put it into words, but whatever it was, I found it alluring.

"Hmm…" He took a closer look at my arm and narrowed his single eye. "Alright, get on the bed."

"What?! But w-why – " I stammered, completely confused at his demand.

"I can't take care of your injuries while you're standing up, so sit on the bed." He deadpanned and pointed to the bed.

"O-oh, right!" I sweatdropped and laughed nervously. "Well, ummm…can't I…I don't know…clean myself up a bit?" I asked him and gestured to my torn clothes for emphasis.

He sighed and nodded. "Fine." Then he grinned, "I'll be waiting here then!" And he sprawled out on my bed taking up every inch he could. He looked up at me playfully and smiled widely, waiting for me to say something.

I attempted to glare at him, but to no avail. Again, his carefree attitude did not cease to amaze me. A smile made its way onto my face and I shook my head at the redhead.

"No way! Wait in your room! I'll come to you when I'm done, alright?"

Lavi smirked and sat up. "Aww, okay. Don't forget then~" I nodded to reassure him and he got up and left the room. Although I did enjoy Lavi's company, I could also use a moment to myself. But I'm thankful for Lavi because without him, it would just be me and Kanda. And I don't know if I could take on Kanda by myself. I shuddered at the thought and headed towards the bathroom.

I got out of my clothes and took the quickest shower I could, which was pretty difficult considering all the hair I had. My whole body stung from the cuts, but no one else was complaining, so I wasn't going to either. I finished and checked my backpack for spare clothes and found a note.

'Dear Rose,
I hope you don't mind, but I went and got most of your clothes from your house for you. Since you fell asleep after training so hard with Kanda, Allen-kun and Lavi suggested I should pack your bag for you since I'm the only girl. But I would've done it regardless! We're a family after all, right? I hope you do well on your next mission. Come home safely, okay?
-Lenalee'

My lips curved upwards as I read and reread the note. Lenalee must care so much for everyone at the Order. I hope I could learn to care so much for everyone as well. I slipped on my light-blue pleated skirt and white button up with a black cardigan to cover it up. I would definitely have to thank Lenalee for going to get my clothes from my old home in London later. Without her, well, I'd still be in a torn Exorcist jacket looking completely out of place. She was definitely one of the nicest people I'd met since becoming an Exorcist. The complete opposite of Kanda nii-san…

After placing the note back in my bag, I checked myself in the mirror one last time to see my visible cuts, but it wasn't as noticeable since it was cleaned up a little bit. I shrugged my shoulder and headed out the door to see Lavi already there carryying bandages in his arms.

"H-have you been here the whole time?!" I asked him disbelievingly.

He shook his head. "Nah, I got here five minutes ago. Kanda left somewhere and Jim fell asleep." He replied casually.

"Are you sure it's okay for us to just relax like this?"

Lavi shrugged his shoulders. "Sure. I mean, we got the Innocence. Our mission is basically over."

"If you say so…" I muttered under my breath. In some corner of my mind, I felt a little worried. As if there was something else that was coming. And my Innocence acting up like that earlier was nothing to take lightly either…

Lavi cleaned and took care of my cuts easily. I tried my best not to move, but it still stung a little. After placing one last bandage on my cheek, he held his hand there for a bit and smiled warmly at me. He sure did smile a lot.

"There we go! You feel better?" He asked me with usual cheerful tone. "It's not as neat as the old man would've done it, but I think it worked okay, don't you think?"

I felt my cheeks heat up again. He was really close to me…almost as close as he was on the train ride.

I completely forgot about that! I could tell more blood was rushing to my face as I remembered that…accidental moment.

I nodded while backing up on the bed and sighed. "Thank you, Lavi."

'That was a little close…but he's treating my wounds so I guess I shouldn't complain. Not that I am complaining…' But now my mind was drifting towards what happened during the train ride. I knew it was an accident, so why did it make me feel so flustered? And why did it seem like I've…kissed him before? I wondered what any of it had meant to him…

'This is…annoying. I would've remembered before if I've seen him though. But now, it's not just his hair that makes him seem familiar, it was the way his…the way he…ugh, the kiss! It's so embarrassing to say it. It just doesn't make sense though. Surely, I'd remember my first kiss and so far, Lavi was the only guy I've….kissed…' I grimaced at my own thoughts. It just felt weird to think about considering that Lavi and I had only met and we've already…yeah, I'm not going to say it again.

"Wanna get something to eat?" Lavi suggested, interrupting my thoughts.

I gazed into his emerald orb trying to call back any sort of memories, but nothing came. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly in frustration and he gave me a confused glance. I let out a sigh and forced a smile.

"Sure."

After putting on my boots, I headed out the door and saw Lavi talking to the groggy-looking Jim.

"We're getting a bite to eat. Do you want anything?" He asked Jim.

"No, but be careful. The water supply has gone back to normal and it's been flowing throughout all the waterways, but I would still be cautious." He paused and looked around the area cautiously. "Maybe you should take your weapons."

"I got mine." Lavi patted his little holster on his upper leg. Then he looked over at me.

"Oh, I'll be back." I replied nervously and headed back towards my room, making sure to close the door behind me.

'What if…it shocks me again? I have to at least try. It's my Innocence after all, and I am its wielder.'

I used to foot to take it out from under the bed and stared at it on the floor for a few seconds. Slowly, my hands made its way towards them and I touched the cool metal expecting to be electrocuted. Surprisingly, there wasn't any sort of shock. I slipped them on over my sleeves and met Lavi and Jim back in the hallway.

"Ready?" Lavi smiled at me and I managed to smile back halfheartedly. We waved at Jim and headed out to the streets of Rome.

I took in more scenery before Lavi tapped me on the shoulder to tell me we arrived. We went inside a pasta restaurant and he pulled out the chair for me.

'Wow…he's so incredibly nice.' I could've sworn my heart skipped a beat. Sure, Lavi was a very nice guy and he was also handsome at that, but I couldn't let myself become attached to him. Not like that anyway. Not that I was…and besides, it would get in the way of my Exorcist duties. As well as Lavi's and his path to be the Bookman successor.

I sunk down in my seat and held the menu over my face, "So, are we leaving tomorrow morning?"

Lavi, busy reading the menu, nodded. "Yeah, that's the plan." Then he placed his menu down and looked over at me. Well, what he could see of me. I was too busy in my own thoughts. Thoughts about Lavi, my Innocence and Kanda's hair.

"Uh, so why're you covering your face, Rose?" He asked blankly.

I put the menu down slowly and laughed nervously, "I umm…just wanted a closer look at these pictures…I guess."

'Ahh, I'm such an idiot. I can't stop thinking about that dumb kiss! And I don't want to come off weird if I ask him about it. What am I supposed to say, "Oh hey, Lavi. Have we kissed before?" Yeah, that won't work.'

"I think that was close enough, don't you?" Lavi snickered.

I continued to stare at the menu on the table, avoiding his gaze. "Yeah…I guess."

After he didn't say anything, I decided to look up at him. His cheerful smile disappeared and was replaced with a serious expression.

"Rose, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

I allowed jade eyes to finally meet Lavi's emerald one, "Yes?"

"Have we-" All of a sudden, Kanda came bursting in with his Mugen in his hand.

"Get up and let's go." He sounded angrier than usual.

"But Yu, we're about to eat here. And what's the rush anyway?"

Kanda glared at Lavi. "A level three. That's what."

"Damn it, seriously? Right now?" Lavi sighed and got up.

I followed after him, but I wasn't sure what was going on. "Where are we going? What's a level three? I thought we got rid of all of the akuma."

Kanda and Lavi just stared at me. "Are you serious?" They said in unison. I just looked at them. Then, a loud explosion was heard outside.

"Shit. Come on, Rose. I'll explain on the way." Lavi grabbed my hand and he dragged me along as we ran behind Kanda.

"A level three is an extremely strong akuma. The ones we fought earlier were all level one. Akuma kill people to get stronger, so I'm guessing level threes kill hundreds of people at the least to get as strong as they are." He explained as we ran through the alleys and streets to get to the source of the explosion

"Lord Exorcists, over here! Follow me!" It was Jim. He sprinted ahead of us and led the way to the outskirts of town.

'At least a hundred or more people? I…I don't know if I can do this. But I can't give up. If I do, I'll be letting everyone at the Order down. I'll be letting Lavi, Kanda and Jim down. And I'd also be letting dad down…"

"Curly, quit daydreaming and hurry up!" Kanda yelled and I shook her head away from those negative thoughts.

"Don't worry, Rose. I'm here." Lavi grinned and I smiled back, finally feeling reassured.

'I'll try my best for you dad…and everyone at the Order.'

We finally arrived at the outskirts of town and it started snowing. The patches of brown and green grass began to turn white and the few trees gad a light dust of snow that caused the leaves to droop downwards.

"Wow, it snows in Rome?" I exclaimed and put my hands out to see little white flakes land on them. It melted on contact with my fingers, but not the metal bracers.

"Yes, but it's really rare. Come on, let's go." Lavi took hold of my hand again and we reached a big clearing that was just all dead grass.

A tall, dark-blue, humanoid-looking figure loomed over us. "Hello, Exorcists scum." The akuma did not hesitate to attack. It raised its arms up and its hands started sucking in all the snow that was falling. In place of its hands were now deadly looking and icy spears.

"Che." Kanda ran up to the akuma and started slicing away.

"My, my. You're pretty fast Exorcist. But that won't help you much longer." The akuma hit Kanda in his blind spot and knocked him on his back, but Lavi took this chance to whack him with his hammer.

"Too slow." The akuma laughed and threw Lavi back too.

"Three against one? That's not fair at all." The akuma's voice was very deep, like it was grumbling the whole time. It snapped its icy fingers and two identical looking akuma came to its side.

"I was hoping you'd let us in on the fun." Said the one on its left.

"Yeah, I was getting bored. And hungry." The one on its right agreed.

I gulped and activated my Innocence. A blinding light flashed and a familiar green slow surrounded my anti-akuma weapon. I felt a wave of panic, but I started running towards them anyway. My hands began to shake in fear, but I knew I couldn't just run away. It didn't help to see that akuma took Lavi and Kanda out so easily, but now I was the only one they could rely on.

"I call her! She's cute so she must taste delicious."

"Not unless I get her first!"

"No, me!"

I took a deep breath and sprinted closer to them, ignoring my previous injuries.

'Oh dad, if you're watching over me right now…please give me strength to do this.'

Stella: Well...there you go...*falls over*

Lavi: Oi, Yu! Come cheer up our author.

Kanda: Che.

Stella: *sobs*

Lavi: *huggles* Aww, there there. Rose, come here! She's your creator after all.

Rose: Uhh, okay. *laughs nervously and hugs Stella-chan* I hope you feel better.

Stella: Well...reviews and thoughts and stuff would be nice...*sniff*

Lavi: Well, you heard the girl! Review please and hopefully lighten up Stella-chan's day a bit.