Countdown

Chapter Eight

After the run in with Kanda, Youko didn't slow down for anything. 'How the hell could he find me anyway?' She mentally slapped herself after asking that question. He probably snuck into Komui's office and looked in her file. It must have said where they found her, which wasn't very far off from her home in the first place. The closer she got to home the more fear built up inside of her. Of course she did go because she had to, It's not like she was going anywhere with her old life. Shuddering at the thought of her 'old life' the exorcist started to wonder what her new life would be like. Was it really like what people described it in books? 'Highly doubt it,' she inwardly sighed. Things like this didn't happen often. In the horizon, Youko saw smoke rising in an all too familiar place. There it was, peering over the hills, her old home… Hell itself. High pitched nasal noises filled her ears as two horses sauntered to her. The dark brown creatures both had tall, sidesaddle riding, female passengers. One was in her late forties, grey hairs standing out from her dark brown pinned back hairdo. Her dark blue gown was embroidered with white flower petals and sparkles. The other, was blonde a teenager about two years younger than Youko. Her bright pink dress was similar to the other woman's. Both wore gaudy golden jewelry. And their makeup looked caked on. It seemed to take away from the pointed noses, chins and awkwardly shaped brows.

"Cho, Sachi," she nodded in each direction.

Yes, she knew them. She was even related to them. Her cousin and aunt; both ugly mean and everything else unpleasant under the sun.

"What is something like you doing here? And so soon?" her cousin, Cho's, voice sounded foul and nothing else could compare to it.

"You still have a while but it seemed he knew you were coming. He's already made himself comfortable," Sachi spoke down toward the cringing girl.

The thought made her hair stand on end but at the same time she wanted to know who it was. The only time she had seen them was when she made the deal with her father. Grey skin, crosses across their foreheads, yes that's right. A Noah was in that house. Each one more frightening than the next, some were dead now but that didn't matter. Youko would rather spend fifteen years with Cho and Sachi than with one of them. 'I hope it's not the fat one…' she prayed. He freaked her out with that continuous smile. As she came up to the house with the horses sauntering beside her, she saw a shadow in the window. A top hat and curly hair sent a sigh of relief to push pass her lips. The door slammed against the wall and Youko came strutting in pushing her glasses up.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Tyki Mikk. Back from the pits of hell so soon?"

"Still as rude as ever. Yes, the Earl told me that you gave up the time limit. I think your father would be dancing… if he still could that is," the dark man chuckled, crossing his legs while sitting in the dark blue bergère.

The home that Youko knew wasn't there anymore. It was replaced by a nicely furnished house, but that wasn't really a surprise since she knew that the Millennium Earl probably took good care of the two devils she called relatives. Her cousin shoved her out of the way to go and suck up to the Noah. Sachi had snarled at the young exorcist and continued through the house and into the kitchen. Once Cho was done throwing herself at Tyki, she joined her mother to make some tea for the dark haired man. But he just stared at Youko for a moment and once he was sure they were alone he stood and took a few cautious steps to her.

"I'd ask why you gave up so early but I can tell. You're still wearing the glasses. My dear, men would throw themselves at you if you'd simply trash those retched things."

He came closer and she bit her lip. Can't he just get it over with? 'No, of course not. He's a Noah after all.' Her hand flew up and almost met the side of his face when she stopped it. Yes she knew what she was doing and she had to stop herself. She was going to see a lot of the man anyways. It would be best not to anger the man. But it would be hard to kill her after this right? I mean, her father and the Earl did have an agreement. Youko's uncle would take care of her and never let anything harm her… what a loud of shit! Her uncle-well her father's 'brother'- said the she was not fit to live in the ark with the other Noah….. Yep you guessed right, the Millennium Earl is Youko's uncle. That was absolutely not good news because she had been in the Order so maybe they would kill her. 'Thank god!' she exclaimed to herself. Actually what her father promised was that she would serve them and her uncle hadn't made it clear if he would help turn her into a wretched Noah or just put her in a maid outfit and set her to work cleaning. The young woman couldn't help but cringe at the thought. She had freakin' Innocence for god's sake… Which they would probably destroy in a heartbeat. 'Oh wait, they don't have hearts so it might be faster than that.' After all these years she was finally starting to see the possibilities and none were very promising.

"What does 'uncle' want to do with me? Help him arrange hats all day? Or perhaps kill sweet little children playing in a schoolyard?" the young one spoke with a smirk tugging at the edges of her mouth.

"Since your powers are helpful we decided to go with the transformation," he forced a smile.

"Oh joy. Well let's just get this over with shall we?" sarcasm coating her every word while she glided out the door.

There was only one way to do this and that was to rid the human of her body so the Noah gene could take over. So this was her future… She would become a Noah, a traitor to this world and all of the friends she had made, and Innocence would fall into the wrong hands. 'What a great day. First my heart was broken now my life has pretty much ended,' she couldn't help but laugh at herself. How could she be so stupid? The deal was for her to marry and live a normal life instead of using her powers to help people or not marry in the amount of time she had and help the dark side. They had walked around her old home and into the family graveyard surrounded by an iron fence and little white lilies littered the ground. White lilies were her least favorite flower. The symbol of death which actually seemed appropriate for the occasion. A small smile graced her face as she stood before two tombstones. One carved her mother's name the other her father's but she kept staring at her mother. Tyki let out an aggravated noise and ushered her to get it over with.

"You can't wait to see me die can you?"

"Not really…" he trailed off, thinking of what it would be like not to resurrect her and provoke her Noah gene.

The small glisten of light that came from her choker sent stardust shooting outwards and it circled her. Youko contemplated whether or not she should make this painful or just get it over with. She probably wouldn't feel pain again anyway so why not go through death once? Fenikkusu Shimekiri (Phoenix End) sounded perfect. 'The symbol of virtue and grace is going to take out the most miserable, pathetic, sorry excuse for a human.' Actually that didn't seem so bad. The wind picked up as the dust swirled above the headstones now forming a familiar shape. Dust changed the colors of a rainbow and soon her fate stared her in the face with a gaze that almost made her feel sorry for herself… almost. Tyki watched with his arms crossed wishing that he could get this over with to play poker with his human friends. Her cousin and aunt, being the monsters that they were, waited in the kitchen window, staring at them wide-eyed. Cho's nose was high in the air and her jaw was clenched showing that she couldn't wait to see what was going to unfold.

"Finally," she breathed.

Her day had been terrible since she figured out that her plan for the last few years had gotten her nowhere. It was simple-be nice, try to flirt, and get a freakin' guy! Was what she did not good enough? Well actually she'd admit that she had gotten much closer to Kanda than anyone else she tried to pursue. Her only regret was that she would be leaving so many new friends. 'You're my… Friend' his voice played in her mind as her powerful creation flew swiftly toward her body. The sharp beak seemed more frightening now than it did a moment ago. Perhaps she wanted to stay and at least see if she could change his mind… 'Well its too late for that,' but her last thoughts were of her new friends at the Order. She wondered if Komui's office will ever be spotless for more than a few minutes before he lost control and trashed it again, she wondered if Allen and Leenalee would ever get a grip and tell said office trasher, she wondered if Lavi would give up trying to become a bookman like he had confessed to her. And she wondered if Kanda would listen to her final wish and not kill Lavi-that one made her smirk a little. Of course he would, he always did what she asked him to. Except leaving her alone of course because he always managed to find a way around her protective walls and pester her until she caved. Well that's what it seemed like anyway. She knew it was coming… any second now… anytime… soon… 'The hell?' she asked herself. Youko's eyes had closed while thinking about her past and the light pierced her eyes as she pried her lids open.

"H-Holy shit! Kanda! What are you doing here! How did you find me!" the young woman screamed, but he didn't answer since he was too focused on pushing back her Phoenix.

Her head snapped around toward the window where her evil family once stood but they were gone, already running out the door to see what was happening. Tyki's bored façade was replaced with a smirk but his eyes seemed to portrayed astonishment as did Youko's. Her powerful creature faded and Kanda lowered his weapon and turn toward her panting and with dirt smudged on his face. The two stared at each other for a moment before Youko's anger got the better of her and with five steps her hand collided with his cheek with a satisfying smack. Tyki stood and watched them stare each other down while Cho and Sachi shouted and asked what the hell was going on. They swept across the graveyard, no animals stirred, and the dreadful silence that took place was haunting. The young woman stood glaring darts at the man who saved her life. 'He has some nerve coming here!' Without thinking she lashed out again, but this time keeping any physical contact out of it.

"You are a fucking IDIOT! Why would you risk your life to save me! Did I even ask for you to help! NO! Because I don't need someone coming to save me all the damn time! I can take care of myself! I am NOT a damsel in distress, so you can just-"

"You are THEMOSTirritating, stubborn, confusing, sarcastic woman I have ever met, damn it!" the young man cut her off, causing her to gasp and take a step back.

Okay… now she was pissed. Her brows furrowed as she started to lift her hand to make his left cheek match the coral red tint of the other. But seconds before it made contact, his hand reached up and snatched hers to pull her closer. His eyes softened, taking in some humor from her enraged features.

"And I love every minute I spend with you."

Youko's eyes widened and her mouth hung open with disbelief. Was this seriously happening? She sputtered nonsense syllables and took a double take at her relatives and the Noah, who had been standing there the entire time, watching this event unfold. Tyki didn't fight, if he wasn't ordered to, then he wouldn't. His job was to help convert Youko into a full-fledged Noah, not kill any exorcists he saw. If he did, the Earl would surely have some sort of fit and possibly punish him for not obeying orders. Plus he kind of felt happy for her. (Awwwwwwwww!) The man also didn't really want her in the Ark anyway, He only met this woman a few times, but he couldn't stand her! But he was happy… That he wouldn't see her again.

"Tyki… I don't think I'll be needing your services anymore," she stated, her mouth still gaping at Kanda's last statement.

Tyki tilted his hat and disappeared in his swarm of Tease but not without sending a threatening smirk towards the male exorcist. That was a message, saying that next time they met, he would surely kill him. Cho and Sachi stood dumbfounded, clutching each other and trembling. Youko glanced at them and rolled her eyes. Kanda was still staring at her with the same eyes he had a moment ago. Dark and soft, and Youko felt the blood rush to her face. Her eyes darted to find anything to focus on besides him, but it was harder than she thought. A smirk finally made its way to his face and he lowered her hand and tugged her toward the path away from the small home where her cousin and aunt lived.

"Let's go home."

Her eyes were about as big as dinner plates. Let's replay what just happened; she ran away from the Order after being heartbroken, then she went to her old home, she almost became a Noah, and Kanda saved her and blurted his feelings… Yeah that sounds right, but… WOW… Kanda held her hand the entire way back, and she looked like a child being tugged behind her father. When they walked into the gates of their town, Youko had contemplated many things. One, she should be ready for a party when she came through the doors, and two, everything that she had thought when she left had completely been turned around all because of eight words. She stopped in her tracks in front of the park and Kanda felt her resistance. His head snapped around and eyed her with suspicion.

"Why did you come for me?" she asked, taking a sudden interest in the pavement beneath her.

"I love you," he said quickly.

What surprised her was how easily it came out. The hard, rough, careless man she had become friends with actually said that he loved her. Kanda took her hand again, and soon they were marching down the halls of the Order. Youko knew he wanted to get the party over with, so she hurried to keep up. But her mind was reeling these past days had been a blur all of the sudden. And during the entire storming-off-and-almost-getting-killed sequence she hadn't once actually voiced out her feelings on anything. Not about him, not about her deal with her father, nothing… The cafeteria doors were a few yards away and Kanda had slowed down, making it take as long as possible to reach the explosion of confetti and streamers that would soon bombard the two. Youko's shaking hands reached up and stopped him in his tracks and turned his face toward hers.

"I love you too."

Yes, Komui, Allen, Leenalee, Lavi and everyone else was watching from the now partially cracked cafeteria doors. Youko closed the gap between them and that was when Bookman slammed the door shut and everyone in the room let out noises of disappointment. Meanwhile, Kanda and Youko were both smiling into the kiss after hearing the sound of their unhappy co-workers. Her hands brushed his shoulder and wove around his neck while his circled her waist. It was a loving kiss; this one would be considered their first kiss since the first two didn't really count. Youko was either unknowing or tired before but extremely confused after. The doors slammed open and there was a cartoon like explosion that sent the two away from each other and be surrounded by workers and friends. Youko gave a nervous laugh at the glares she was receiving but they soon turned into smiles once they saw that she was perfectly fine. Her new lover pushed the people aside and helped her into the party keeping pestering people away and she thought it was cute that he was being so possessive. A few hours into the party though, Youko went to talk to Jerry and the young man stood against the wall thinking if she would accept his offer later tonight.

'She has plenty of time now,' he thought, gazing at the top of the dark velvet box that Leenalee had handed him in secret during the party. Both Youko and Kanda would sneek glances at each other during the festivities, and-even if they thought they didn't-everyone noticed. As they two started to move through the crowd towards each other, stopping every now and then to speak with someone else. Finally the two met in the middle, and looked around with careful eyes as they contemplated a plan of escape. Soon they found it. Every three minutes Komui would call the attention of all of the members, and like idiots they would all turn to see what was needed to be said-that was their opening. And like clockwork the two had slipped out of the two doors and jogged down the hallway, the sound of the party drowning out as they moved on. Kanda had taken the liberty of leading Youko to her room, knowing that she must be tired of traveling after this fiasco. As he had reached for the door knob she could see the young man turn towards the stairs, 'That won't do at all.'

"Would you like to come in Kanda?" she asked, pushing the door open while looking over her shoulder.

He wouldn't say no, and oddly he knew this was going to happen. The man pivoted in his spot and followed her into the now lit room, shutting the door behind him. She had spent some time collecting things for her room before she left, and everything was still in place. Youko's tea cup was placed on her desk next to a container of gyokuro. Her small electric burner sat in the corner, commonly used for said tea. Komui had sewn up some cushions for her bed and the shocking white seemed odd against the dingy walls of the Order, but she couldn't complain-they were extremely comfortable. Her wooden table was accompanied by two chairs, in which one she sat. Kanda was asked to join her, as she poured her favorite tea into cups. The two were interrupted by the soft taps coming from her wooden door, but Youko wasted no time to open it.

"Oh, Komui-san," she opened the door wider, letting the tall man inside.

He nodded to Kanda but turned his stern gaze to the young woman, who was still standing by the door. She knew this might happen…

"Komui-san, I apologize for my actions. I know that leaving the order and seeing family members is frowned upon but I assure you my trip was in no way a personal one. I-," and she was cut off by Komui's smirk.

"What trip?" he asked, taking a glance over his shoulder at the nervous man at the table.

Youko was shocked as the door was taken from her hands and clicked shut.

"I can't believe that just happened," she breathed returning to the table to pick up her cup.

Kanda watched her as she moved across the room. Her jacket had long since been discarded and she was now suggesting he do the same when her fingers edged inside and pulled the material off of his shoulders. He shivered at the cold that pricked at his skin, but sighed when her warm hands covered his shoulders in place of his coat. Kanda's head lulled back so that he could see her hypnotizing blue eyes glittering down at him. As her lips grew closer to his, his eyes lulled and Kanda barely comprehended the soft 'thank you' that passed her lips before they touched his. It was innocent enough until his fingers itched to touch her skin. Youko was having fun because she knew that he was panting for physical contact. 'I'd like to see him try-Ah!' and the next thing she knew the wall collided with her back and Kanda was biting her neck in a frenzy. He was busying himself with the ties around her corset at the moment when her hands tugged his hair free of the tie. She scratched her way down his back to clutch the bottom of his shirt to tug it up his back, feeling every scar on her travel. His shirt hit the wall across the room, as she was disgusted with the item at the moment. Lips trailed down his cheek, neck and onto his marked chest. Kanda had been successful in untying her shirt, and was in the process of sliding it off when the door crashed open again, and the head of the Order poked his head inside.

"By the way Youko-chan, Leenalee wanted me to… Ooooooooh I'm sorry~," Komui sang as he disappeared from the doorway.

Kanda couldn't help but chuckle as he left the woman for a moment to close off the room to the rest of the building again. He turned around and almost instantly dropped to his knee at the sight. Her smiling face was framed with her dark hair and her lips were swollen from their fierce kissing. Youko had been almost shirtless but all he could see was her smiling eyes and hear the light tone of her laugh. He reached her in two steps and held her hands to his chest. Kanda's knee came in contact with the floor and he reached into his pocket for the velvet box. Youko gasped as he opened it before her. The simple white gold band held one diamond in the center but it was enough to cause tears to appear in the corner of her eyes.

"Youko, will you marry me?" and those were the words he had never imagined himself saying.

She took one hand and wiped her eyes, while letting out a strangled laugh.

"K-Kanda Yuu, being t-tied down?"

"I'm not sure if that's an answer," he smirked, realizing that this might be the oddest thing she has ever seen him do, and that was saying something.

"Yes!" she giggled and hiccupped as she pulled him upwards, tossing the ring box aside as she kissed him. Youko wrapped her legs around his waist and wadded her hands in his hair as she kissed him. He chuckled whilst returning to her neck, traveling lower to the newly presented skin. Youko turned to fumbling with his pants buttons, finally settling to rip them apart and tearing at the fabric. She was going to like the time she spent here…