WARNING! This story contains SPOILERS and YAOI! Also a few minor OCs, so don't kill me.
I just want to apologize for the horrendous amount of time it took me to write this chapter! I was away for a week and then had a final for my summer course. Things just kept popping up, but it's finally finished! Sorry to have kept you waiting!
I decided to rename this chapter "To Skin A Rabbit" because...well you'll see. ^_^;; As a little gift to you all for being so late on this, I also wrote up a small extra for you! Check it out.
EXO718: Wow that's interesting. I also think that could relate to it...but I guess we'll have to find out. Soon!! Hoshino-sensei is releasing another chapter soon! [ Did anyone hear about that? ^_^ ]
MitarashiiDango: Haha, well you'll be happy to know that I've finished the planning process for the entire fan fiction with my dearest friend Amanda. And you'll like the ending.
a1y-puff: Ooh...yes. Yes I shall. But much later. xD Kanda doesn't get to hallucinate on paper quite yet.
Fox_Mountain: Hehe, this chapter has more Yullen for you. It's a bit more open now.
Rated: T [for violence and language] Bold: Used only in dreams or flashbacks to indicate the main character's lines. Italics: Used to indicate dreams, flashbacks, and thoughts.
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Chapter Seven: To Skin A Rabbit
"You understand what's happening to you, don't you?"
The words fell heavily on Allen's head and he dropped his gaze from the man with the cigarette in front of him, finding a small stain on the floor suddenly very interesting. His voice was quiet when he answered.
"Yes. But...is there a way to fight it?"
Golden eyes flew up again to lock into the stern hard ones of his Master. Allen stood up from the blue velvet couch to clench both fists at his sides.
"There has to be a way, right? I mean, I'm still my own person! Tyki has "black and white" sides too. Can't I just use one side and not the other?"
"It isn't impossible...but it's highly unlikely."
Cross Marian drew a long drag from his cigarette and puffed out an artistic circle of smoke, then tapped it against the desk in front of him, causing a small clump of ashes to fall lightly on the smooth surface. He let crimson hair fall in his face before glancing at his apprentice from between the strands.
"It would take a tremendous amount of control to do that, and it would most likely be incredibly painful until you took full control."
Before Allen could reply, Cross leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and propping them up on the table. Sitting beside him on his right was a very serious looking Komui Lee, and on his left sat Howard Link, looking emotionless as usual. Komui spoke up softly.
"I don't want to bring this up, Allen-kun...but do you realize how much we're sticking our necks out for you?"
The young exorcist, who'd been clenching his fists tighter, suddenly blinked and calmed down a little. Link continued where Komui had left off.
"The entire Order knows that the Fourteenth is a part of you. The entire Order saw that akuma attack today. At least five people recognized the Noah attacking us as you. News travels fast and it's going to take a lot of lies and manipulation to put a stop to it early enough. Leverrier didn't witness the attack, which is convenient, but he still knows that it happened and I've already been asked questions. You're putting yourself and us in a dangerous situation with Central, whether you mean to or not."
A dark cloud crept across Allen's face and the boy felt a heaviness upon his heart. He was causing so much trouble just from who he was. Maybe he could do the Order a favor and just leave...
Wait...
Kanda's words echoed in his head.
"No one can change the past. But we have full control over our future. Heck, if you don't like what the Fourteenth is doing, then tell him off. Take control of him for a change. You might be a thick-headed beansprout, but you aren't weak. You f*cking reformed your broken innocence after Tyki supposedly killed you. And you revived everyone in the Ark by using your powers as a Noah. You can do some damn good with this, Moyashi."
A soft smile broke through the darker look on Allen's face and he straightened up.
Just like Kanda to say something nice in the meanest way possible.
"I'm sorry for being a burden to you all. From now on, I promise I'll try my hardest to change that. A...certain friend of mine...told me that good can come out of this, so I'm going to search for it."
He ended with a determined look and semi-real smile, whirling on his heel and walking towards the door.
"And I'm going to start right now."
Komui blinked in surprise and stood, but Cross moved his hand to the Chinese man's knee and pushed him back into his chair.
"That's all well and good, Allen, but remember that your suspicion level has gone drastically up since the attack. Leverrier will be keeping a close eye on you and there's only so much we can do to help."
Link stood as well and walked quietly over to Allen's side just as he paused in the doorway. He spoke softly near Allen's ear.
"If you're wondering why I'm involving myself in this, I'm sorry, but I can't give you an answer. All you need to know is that Central and its leaders haven't always been this arrogant, inhumane...or brutal."
He breezed past Allen and stood waiting outside while the exorcist's mind instantly thought of one person at the word "brutal".
Kanda...
::
"Allen-kun? Didn't you hear me?"
Allen blinked twice and looked over at Lenalee with a sheepish grin.
"Oh, sorry...I kinda spaced out."
He dug his spoon into the bowl of soup in front of him and ate a large spoonful. Lenalee giggled and folded her hands on the table where they were sitting in the cafeteria. Allen had run into her in the hallway and she'd invited him to eat with her. Twelve plates of food later, the white-haired boy was starting to zone off while Lenalee went on and on about how clingy her older brother Komui was being. The usual.
"That's ok. Oh! Why don't we go visit Lavi-kun? He's still in the clinic because the head nurse won't let him leave yet."
Lenalee suggested brightly, standing up from the table. Allen hid a guilty look with expert ease. It had been his fault that Lavi's arm was broken. Glancing at the table of food, he picked up a small plate of assorted cakes and cookies that he hadn't touched yet.
"I'll bring him a little something. That should cheer him up."
The ever-silent Link stood as well, ready to shadow Allen again. The exorcist groaned inwardly, but smiled on the outside. Ever since the little talk with him, Komui, and Cross, Link had taken extra care to follow Allen everywhere in order not to seem suspicious to Inspector Leverrier.
Lenalee smiled happily.
"Oh, he'll love that! Peanut butter chip cookies are his favorite. C'mon!"
She grabbed Allen's wrist and tugged him out of the cafeteria towards the clinic. Allen raised his eyebrows and suddenly smiled.
"Hey Lenalee-chan...you seem to know a lot about Lavi lately."
His smile widened slightly as he caught a hint of a blush creeping into the Chinese girl's cheeks.
"Well yea...I visit him a lot. Poor Lavi-kun needs company. He's too social to be holed up in a hospital room."
Allen removed his wrist from Lenalee's grasp and poked her side teasingly.
"I'm sure he does. I bet he loves your company the best~!"
The blush graduated into a deeper shade of red as Lenalee laughed nervously and avoided responding to that by pushing the door of the clinic open and skipping in. Allen walked after her, but Link paused at the door. He answered the odd look he got from Allen by waving his hand.
"Hospitals...and the like make me queasy. I'll wait out here."
Allen nodded and disappeared inside. Greeting him was a rather happy red-headed rabbit who waved with his good arm, the other being fawned over by Lenalee.
"Hey, Allen! Aww, did you bring me snacks? You're lucky the head nurse isn't here right now or she'd have your head for bringing me sweets."
"Lavi-kun, stop moving around so much! You'll only aggravate your arm!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. It's alright Lena-chan."
The young exorcist suppressed a giggle and strode over to the bed, placing the plate of treats beside Lavi, who instantly picked a peanut-butter chip cookie and sank his teeth in. Lenalee glanced at Allen with a smug grin as if to say "ha, I was right". Allen smiled and watched Lavi for a moment.
"I'm glad you're feeling well, Lavi. I feel so bad...I hope you know I didn't mean to-"
Lavi cut him off with a cookie-filled grin.
"Oh pweash, Allwen. I know ya did-nn mean ta."
"Lavi! Have some manners!"
Lenalee scolded and shoved another cookie in his mouth, forcing him to shut up and chew. Lavi's single green eye twinkled with laughter and he munched obediently. Allen sat next to Lenalee on the bed beside him as he finished what was in his mouth and was off again.
"Oh! Allen, you missed it. The one nurse who takes care of me was just in here not ten minutes ago. She's so cute and she laughed at my jokes! I think I have a shot there."
Allen felt a sweat drop on his forehead as Lenalee's face slowly lost the smile it had been sporting.
"That's...uh...great Lavi. But don't you think you should look around a bit more instead of choosing the first pretty girl you see? You never know if there might be someone better close by..."
"Haha, well I guess I could. I'm pretty single-minded so I don't usually look past the first person...hehe..."
Lenalee blushed slightly and gave Allen a grateful look for trying. He smiled back, but paled when Lavi spoke yet again.
"But what about you, eh, Allen-kun~? Things working out on your end? I know you went to talk to Kanda today..."
Lavi's face broke into a mischievous grin and Allen felt his own face starting to heat up.
Lavi!! In front of Lenalee?!
He glanced at her, but she just giggled, a soft blush gracing her cheeks. Allen's own blush darkened.
She knew?!
"Ah...haha...wh-what do you mean?"
He mentally cursed himself, absolutely positive that his feigned innocence was see-through. He was right.
"Oh Allen-kun...your face is bright red!"
Lenalee laughed and patted his knee, which only caused the reddened Allen to redden more. He had been regretting the day he'd told Lavi about his secret ever since it had happened. The truth was, Allen had a crush on the handsome Japanese. He'd grown to accept the mocking nickname and crude habits and somewhere along the way, though he never could figure out exactly when, they had become like a communication point between them. Kanda called him beansprout, and he called the older boy BaKanda. It was just the way it was, and Allen wouldn't change that, but sometimes he'd feel a small twist in his stomach, wishing he could drop the act and let out how he felt. But it was impossible, he was sure of it. There was no way Kanda would feel the same. He'd rather keep the bond they had with insults than nothing at all.
He'd been hiding this for a while and when it finally came down to it, he'd vented to Lavi's willing ear. And the Bookman-in-training just wouldn't stop bringing it up.
"S-So I talked to him...that doesn't prove anything. You two are probably the only ones who even know about that, and I doubt Kanda is..."
"...gay?"
Lavi finished for him. Allen swallowed a nervous lump in his throat and nodded, face as red as beets. Couldn't they just drop the matter? Obviously, Lavi had other plans.
"Haha! I wouldn't worry about that. Why do you think he hasn't had a girlfriend until now? He's still in the closet!"
Lenalee's eyes widened and she clamped a hand over her mouth in surprise. Allen felt himself blinking in shock, mind running over what Kanda had told him. That wasn't the reason the samurai didn't date anyone, but it wasn't like he could tell Lavi the real one.
"L-Lavi...don't you think that's assuming things?"
::
"Ah-CHOO!!"
Kanda sniffed and rubbed his nose, sitting up in bed.
That's the third sneeze in the past five minutes! What the hell?
He wasn't sick, and he wasn't getting sick. He didn't get sick. There was only one explanation, and only one culprit that came to mind. Kanda's eyes narrowed and he hissed under his breath, standing and buttoning up his clean white shirt. Reaching for his sword, he blinked when his hand touched nothing and realization flooded him. Mugen was still being repaired.
Cursing his bad luck, he finished threw open the door and set his mind on the laughing face that had sprung to occupy it.
Damn it all if I don't kill that rabbit for talking about me behind me back!
::
Allen's blush had faded into a more pale look and Lenalee was chuckling nervously. Lavi laughed heartily, continuing his loud speech.
"I'm not assuming things at all! Have you peeked in his room? He has a pink flower of all things! Can you imagine that?"
That struck a chord with Allen and his smile faded. For Lavi to bring up the lotus...was going too far. What right did he have to talk about it like it was some joke? Allen felt his hands slowly clenching into fists, though both Lenalee and Lavi remained oblivious.
"Oh ho~! I'm telling you, our lovely Yuu-kun is totally and completely gay-"
"What the f*ck are you talking about you godforsaken rabbit?!?!"
Everyone turned to look at the doorway as the subject in question came stomping through the door, "ready to kill" written on his forehead in anger-filled lines. Lavi paled slightly but kept up his impish grin.
"Hey there, Yuu-kun~! We were just talking about-"
"I know what the damn hell you were talking about, baka!!"
Kanda grabbed Lavi's shirt collar without regard for his injury and tugged him up to glare in his face. Lenalee gasped and Allen fought the smile that was threatening to return to his face.
At a time like this, Kanda would walk in...
"I don't know where the hell you come up with this shit, but this is the last time you'll ever open your big mouth to spew it out!"
The murderous intent was clear in Kanda's eyes and Allen couldn't help but thank heavens that the exorcist's sword was currently unavailable. If he'd had it with him, Lavi would definitely be in trouble. More than he already was. The redhead himself seemed immune to Kanda's glare and giggled, pointing a finger at Allen.
"But I wasn't lying! I was only telling Allen-kun that if you two ever hit it off it would work out alright!"
Allen's face went crimson as Kanda turned slowly to look at him in surprise, still holding Lavi by his shirt. He felt his stomach flip completely over and struggled to keep from spluttering. How could Lavi hint at such a serious thing like that?!
"I-I don't know what...h-he's talking about!"
Despite her disapproval, Lenalee couldn't keep silent and was giggling as quietly as she could. Allen felt a pang of annoyance. She would go fan-girl right now, wouldn't she? Glancing at Lavi, he narrowed his eyes and tried to turn his face into a shaky scowl, masking the blush and making it appear like anger. He felt the strong urge to join Kanda in his murderous intent.
Speaking of Kanda, the raven-haired exorcist had turned back to Lavi and was staring him down as the redhead laughed.
"Gay Yuu! Gay Yuu!"
Allen paled again, despite the flush on his cheeks.
Does he have a death wish?!
Kanda raised his fist, but Lavi somehow slithered his way out of Kanda's grasp and off the bed, making cooing noises as he ran out of the room.
"Hooo~ Yuu-kun is chasing me!! I'm going to be raped!! Oh noo~!"
Lenalee glanced at Kanda and Allen with an apologetic look and flew after Lavi, fully intending on scolding him senseless. Allen appreciated her thought, but the problem was, that left him and Kanda together...alone...after all that talk of being gay...
"Che!! The bastard's so lucky I don't have Mugen on me..."
Kanda muttered, causing Allen to glance over at him. The samurai's face was red and he was panting as if he'd just run a marathon. His hair was still down, spilling over his shoulders in long straight locks, and his blue eyes hid sparks. The anger was still evident on his face, but Allen couldn't help but find him especially attractive at the moment. Kanda seemed to notice Allen staring at him, because he narrowed his sapphire irises at the boy.
"What are you looking at?"
The younger exorcist instantly flushed and turned away.
"N-Nothing..."
"That's an obvious lie."
"No really! It's nothing."
"Hmph. Whatever you say, beansprout."
Kanda grunted and left the room, making a turn down the hallway that led to Komui's office, probably to retrieve his sword. Allen heaved a sigh of relief and closed his golden eyes, lifting a hand to his forehead. There it was again. That connection of nicknames.
"You don't make things easy by seeing through me, BaKanda..."
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TEEHEE! I absolutely love writing Kanda vs Lavi bits. And did anyone catch the hinted minor pairing? Hmm? Next chapter...New Mission.