I realize this chapter is much shorter, but I was going for dramatic effect. Don't worry, I'll make up for it with the next chapter.
As always, I hope you're enjoying the story and please, please leave me a review! :)
Pale white arms wrap themselves around Robin's unconscious form and Hevlaska pulls her close. The center of her forehead brushes against Robin's. Komui, Kanda, and General Cross watch as Hevlaska gently places Robin back onto the platform.
"Do you have any theories?" Komui asks her.
"Unfortunately, no." Hevlaska answers. "I can't seem to get a reading from him."
"What does that mean?" Komui asks.
"It is strange." Hevlaska continues. "His innocence appears to be conflicted. His synchronization rate is continuously fluctuating at very high rates. The innocence appears to be very close to the critical point; however, Robin shows signs of becoming a Fallen One. It is very strange."
"A constantly changing synchronization rate can be hard on an Accommodator's body." Cross says. "His recent exhaustion and collapse may be a result of that."
"Most likely." Hevlaska agrees.
"What is the cause of this?" Kanda asks.
"I do not know." Hevlaska says.
"Then for the time being I'd like Robin to avoid activating his innocence." Komui says. "At least until we know the cause of this problem. We can't rule out any possibilities. For Robin's sake, I feel we should urge on the verge of caution."
"I agree." Cross says.
Kanda glances down at the motionless Robin. Her expression is calm, as though she's asleep. Kanda lifts her into his arms and he heads back toward their room. She no longer shifts with pain like she did during the trip to the Order. Kanda doesn't know if it's a good sign or not, but at least she appears to be able to get some rest.
He places her body on the bed and covers her with the blanket so she'll be warm. He debates lying down next to her, but decides against it. He grabs a spot on the other bed and grabs one of his books. Trying to sleep would be pointless for him now anyways. He shifts to get comfortable and opens to the book's first page.
Hours pass and Kanda hardly moves from his perch. The afternoon sun peeks in through their window and he pauses from his reading to glance at Robin. Her body suddenly shifts and he throws the book onto the bed, instantly moving to her side. Robin's caramel colored eyes flicker open and gaze into Kanda's. Her mouth curls into a sweet smile.
"Morning Kanda!" She says cheerfully. She stretches her arms over her head and sits up in the bed next to him.
"You seem to be feeling better." He comments.
"I feel way better." She says. "I actually feel really really good right now!" She grins and Kanda releases a long sigh of relief. He lies down on the bed next to her and wraps an arm around her waist. His eyelids slowly close and Robin snuggles against him.
"Are you okay?" She asks, worried.
"Tired." He answers.
"Were you up all night?" She asks.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Then sleep now." She says pulling the blankets over him.
"I'm leaving on a mission tonight." Kanda says. "I'm going to be gone for a couple days."
"Just you?" She asks, frowning.
"You won't be going on missions for awhile. After passing out on the last one, Komui wants you to avoid activating your innocence. It's been acting up and Hevlaska thinks it's what has been causing you to feel so weak lately. For the time being you're on suspension."
"What?!" She says, pouting. "That's so unfair! I'm fine now!"
"Orders are orders." He says. "There's a risk of you becoming a Fallen One. We can't take that chance so you'll have to wait in the Order until it's figured out."
Robin frowns. "That sucks." She says. Kanda sighs and struggles to keep his eyes open. Kanda looks tired. Did he stay up all night looking after her?
"You look exhausted." She says.
"I'll be fine." He says.
"Oh shut up." She says. "Just go to sleep. You need your rest."
Kanda smirks and pulls her to his chest like she's a stuffed animal. He presses his lips against the crown of her head and Robin blushes.
"Fine." He says. "But you're staying with me."
She sighs. Well, it's not like she actually has to be anywhere. She snuggles up against his chest and he wraps his arms around her in a protective embrace.
"Kanda?" She asks. He looks down at her face.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know about Raven?" She asks. He blinks, surprised.
"How do you know about Raven?" He asks.
"She told me about it." Robin answers. "Don't ask how because I'm not entirely sure myself."
"Well, yeah." He says. "She took over your body a couple of times. I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just wanted to confirm it myself."
"I see." Robin says. She nuzzles his chest.
"I know she's your friend, but that girl seems like nothing but trouble."
Robin offers a weak smile. "Raven can be a bit quirky." She says. "But I trust her with my life. She's the kindest and toughest person I know. Back when we were living at the orphanage, she was the one who taught me how to stand up for myself." She smiles. "I remember always wanting to be more like her."
He frowns. "I really hope you don't." Kanda says. "As is, I barely restrained myself from chopping her head off."
"My head." She says. Kanda smirks. "Should I be worried?"
"Like I've said, I only bite when you want me to." He says, eyes gleaming.
Robin blushes and runs her fingers through his long blue hair. She can feel herself become more relaxed around him. Before she couldn't look him in the eye without the threat of a nosebleed. Kanda has always been particularly gentle with her, but now she finally feels comfortable enough to open up. In his embrace she feels warm and safe. Robin smiles and looks up into his eyes. He smirks back and brushes away a strand of hair.
"Thank you." She says.
"For what?" He asks, taken off guard.
"For being here." She says. "For chasing me down in the rain and keeping my secret. For caring about me and looking after me, even if it causes you nothing but trouble. For putting up with every one of my incredibly stupid, annoying, awkward moments. Thank you Kanda. It's because of you I finally feel like I'm home."
"Robin?" He whispers. "Will you be my uke when I get back?" His lips brush against her neck and her eyes widen.
"You mean-?" She asks. He nods and her face turns an even brighter shade of red. Kanda eyes gleam and he lifts her chin so their lips reach. His forehead brushes against hers and the ends of his mouth curl into a smile.
"Only if you want to." He says. "I won't accept your answer if you're feeling pressured."
She bites the bottom of her lip in contemplation.
"I trust you." She says. Her eyes reach his and he frowns.
"It isn't about trust." He says. She frowns and Kanda pulls away from her, staring at her with gentle eyes.
"Then what is it about?" She asks. He smiles at her. It's a real smile. The kind she never thought Kanda was capable of until she had seen it with her own eyes.
"It's about love, baka." Kanda answers. His lips brush against hers and she blushes, understanding the implication. He sighs and pulls away from her. Confused, she raises an eyebrow as he reaches for his suitcase and replaces Mugen around his shoulder.
"I have to go." He says. She shoots a glance toward their alarm clock, and sure enough, it's already seven o'clock in the evening. Where did the time go?
"Kanda." She says, following him to the door. "Before you go, what did you mean by that? You said-" She's cut off when he suddenly presses her against the wall. She gasps and he nuzzles the side of her neck. She shivers as his warm breath tickles the end of her ear. He looks toward her flushed face and smirks.
"What do you think it means?" He says. She leans closer and he pulls away at the same instant, turning towards the door. She frowns. He planned that, didn't he?
"Okay," She says, pouting. "That's just plain evil! For once can you not be so damn mysterious and complicated?!"
"I love you Robin."
She freezes and he pauses by the doorway. All she can see is his long ponytail of hair falling down the length of his back. Heat flares across her cheeks. Before she can even utter a word, the door closes behind him and he's gone.