THE PERSON TO GIVE MY MY 300th REVIEW WILL BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

I made this from Kanda's POV because reasons. I think the next couple chapters are going to be more slow relationship building, then we will get back to the plot. This is one of my first real forays into combat writing, so if anybody has any tips to help me improve on that, it would be much appreciated. Unfortunately, I know nothing about swords or martial arts, so I'm kinda writing out my ass here.

Everybody felt bad for Allen last chapter, but nobody feels bad for Lavi? I mean, there has to be some reason he was being a dickface, right? Writing this story makes me sad, sometimes. I have to remind myself that Kanda and Lenalee don't have their special relationship here and that none of the humans can adore Komui. It's weird to think of Reever and Johnny without the Eldest Lee, isn't it?

Wow, I'm super surprised that nobody has really gotten the Neah thing yet. It seems obvious, but maybe that's because I'm the one who thought it up, eh? Unfortunately for you guys, I think it will be quite a while before I fully reveal that, because I have an idea of what I want to do, but no idea of how to fit it into the story. But at least I'm trying, to fit it in, right? *points at chapter 13* T^T I am horrible at plotting out stories. I never have them all the way finished or even generally planned out before I start writing them. Also, another hint-A couple of people asked why Allen hasn't been pining over the ocean, like he did when he was on the ship. It should be obvious, but there is a very pointed, specific difference in the circumstances. Allen himself will come to realize all these things himself soon, so I'll be able to explain it in more detail later. Probably. I should start making a list of stuff to cover in the story...

And yes, they have showers. There's no clear source of when showers were actually invented and by whom, but it goes back far enough that I feel fine including a rudimentary one in this story.

PS- Did you notice my spiffy new LINE BREAKS? I'm a bit phobic of them, because they tend to get messed up, but I think I will stick with them for now.

The forest clearing was quiet and tranquil.

Downward slash. Parry.

It was easy to slip into a trance in this environment. Easy to clear the mind of everything material and just be.

Forward Thrust. Block.

There was no awareness of time passing, just simple movement and the pleasant burn of muscles being used.

Thrust. Parry. Slash. Block.

The sword was merely an extension of the arm which was an extension of the body. Feet moved almost by themselves, flesh twisting and steel flashing in a dangerous dance that only one person knew the steps to.

Thrust, slash, slash, spin, block, parry, thrust.

Faster and faster the blade whirled, slicing through unseen enemies, splitting the air around it.

Spin, slash, block, backspin, thrust, parry, side slash, flat thrust, lungespinparry-

"Kanda!"

The serenity shattered, the spell broken by a voice form the outside.

The Japanese man finished half spin that he'd started, letting his body run out of momentum, rather than trying to ground to a halt. He turned toward the source of distraction, breathing heavily, but his eyes were calm.

Kanda raised an eyebrow at the newcomer.

"What do you want, Lavi?"

"You." The red head said, face completely serious.

Dark hair remained plastered to a sweaty, pale forehead as Kanda rolled his eyes.

"Flattering." Kanda deadpanned, having long ago gotten used to his friend's stupid jokes.

The typical grin came out in full force and Lavi laughed.

The swordsman had to admit that Lavi was...pretty, when he wasn't wearing that fake smile that Kanda loathed so much.

"Wipe that stupid look off your face, retard."

Lavi stuck out his tongue.

Shaking his head, Kanda continued. "Why are you really here?"

"No real reason. Just wanted some company."

"You wanted to get away from your studies, eh?"

The red head gave him a sheepish smile. "Caught me."

Kanda sighed and went to retrieve his sheath and the shirt he'd discarded under a nearby tree, knowing there was no point in trying to continue. He didn't mind too much, though. It was decent having him back from his rather short mission. Gave Kanda something to distract himself with while awaiting his inevitable next set of orders.

He slid the shirt on, not bothering to button it up. Briskly, he walked out of the clearing, heading out of the small forest that surrounded the Order and through an inconspicuous side door. He didn't even bother checking to see if the red head was following as he marched toward the communal showers-he knew that Lavi would wait around for him to get clean.

The companionship sort of made him sick to his stomach, but, as always, he couldn't quite bring himself to put a stop to it. So, he just ignored it, and pushed all thoughts of what that could possibly mean to the back of his mind.

He showered quickly, silently, secretly pleased when he walked out of the stall to find Lavi waiting for him, a new set of clothes in hand. Somehow, Kanda always forgot to bring a spare set.

Again, he was struck by how often this must've happened over the past couple of years for Lavi to know that. And again, he told his internal voice to take a goddamn hike.

He changed, not worrying about his brief nudity. Not like Lavi hadn't already seen it all anyway.

"Wanna go grab a bite to eat?" The other man offered easily.

Kanda just nodded in response, busying himself with tying his hair back.

"Alright. Let me check in with the Old Man, let him know that I'm taking a break and I'll meet you in the Cafeteria."

"You're already taking a break, lazy dipshit."

Lavi just smiled mischievously, his visible eye curving up a bit. He waved jauntily and sauntered out of the bathroom.

Kanda shook his head and exited as well, only pausing to drop off his laundry before going down to get his food.

His soba was ready for him and his table completely empty, as per usual. He growled to himself in disgust as he passed the table that the stupid white headed kid sat at, annoyed that his ever-growing group of loud idiots had somehow migrated closer and closer to his spot. He'd caught the kid staring at him from time to time after their first encounter. The Japanese man figured it was because he'd scared the snot out of the boy, but he was starting to get fed up with it.

The swordsman sat and proceeded to eat, perhaps just a touch slower than normal. This didn't have anything with waiting up to eat with Lavi. Probably.

Eventually, Lavi did come, breezing in without even getting anything to eat and sitting down beside Kanda.

He proceeded to babble on about some of the 'cool' things that he'd seen on his mission, but Kanda just tuned him out. One of the reasons he tolerated Lavi more than most was that he was surprisingly easy to not pay attention to, while still conveying his intended general meaning. As a few minutes passed, Kanda noticed something a bit off about the red head and ignored him a little less to try and figure out what was up. He was grinning and gesturing with his hands as always, talking about how nice France was at this time of year or something, but he seemed distracted. Kanda thought he understood why-the man was pointedly facing away from a certain table.

Maybe the kid bothered him more than he'd let on? He had seemed a bit shaken that day Kanda had found the merman-look-alike.

"I don't like him either." The dark haired man stated simply, interrupting Lavi's speech about the weather.

"Huh?"

"That kid. I don't like him either." Kanda reiterated.

Lavi's eyes darkened a bit. "What makes you think I don't like him?"

The response was a simple arching of an elegant black eyebrow.

Lavi sighed. "He just...makes me a bit nervous, that's all. I'm surprised you're not more on edge around him, actually." His tone lowered, words becoming whispers as he spoke.

"I don't really care. He's just an obnoxious brat."

Lavi smiled a bit, a real smile.

"I like that about you...you're not bothered by anybody." He said softly, a twinkle in his eye.

Kanda just looked as him funny.

"Lavi...don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like...never mind. Just stop."

"Yuu, you don't have to get so defensive. We both know that neither of us wants a commitment. I'm still allowed to like you though."

"What? What the hell does that have to do with anything?" The red head rolled his eyes exasperatedly.

"Lavi, you're acting like-"

"Uh, excuse me?" a voice from off to the side interrupted him, close enough and loud enough for Kanda to register that he was being directly addressed by someone. Turning, all he saw was a white head of hair.

For some reason, that made his blood boil. It was the stupid kid, the one who'd made Lavi all pensive. Fuck, if he wasn't tired of all the nonsense he'd had to put up with because of this interloper. It made him regret saving the boy.

"Uh...I just had a couple questions...I-Is this a bad time?" The brat stuttered out his annoying formalities, not realizing that he was only making it worse.

"It sure as hell is."

"Not really."

Kanda didn't even blink when he and his friend answered at the same time.

"It's fine." Lavi said, eliciting a low growl from the Japanese man. He huffed and turned away as the kid sat down, intent on ignoring them both.

Only it didn't work out that way.

"You're Lavi, right?"

Be quiet.

"Oh, I was just wondering..."

Shut up.

"They tell me you had communicated with the creature that took my memories. Could you tell me more about it?"

Shut the hell up.

For some reason, Lavi's words slipped by him as usual, but the kid's penetrated his brain. He cringed as the little moron excused himself, cursing softly.

For a few moments he sat and let his anger simmer, trying to reign himself in.

When Kanda felt as though he had a better hold on himself, he let down his internal barriers that drowned out Lavi and spoke.

"So," he grit out. He unclenched his jaw and tried again. "So, what were we talking about?"

"Nothing."

The tone caused Kanda to look over.

The usual bright emerald color of his eyes had faded into a dull grey-green, and there was no trace of a smile on his face.

Judging by this reaction, Kanda guessed that Lavi's earlier mushy semi-confession was made in order to move the conversation away from the white haired boy. Seeing his words for what they were now, he was a bit perturbed.

'That damn kid. He's really throwing Lavi off.'

Normally, the Japanese man didn't mind silence. In fact, he preferred it. But, for once the idiot was being quiet and it was actually starting to bother Kanda.

Fortunately, he didn't give two shits about being polite, so he just stood up without saying a word and walked out of the cafeteria, leaving his forgotten food on the table.

Of course, fate hated him, so he shouldn't have been surprised when he ran into the source of his recent problems.

There he was, looking like a pitiful loser, huddled up on the floor.

'Please. Like some brat with no memories and no responsibilities has any reason to be looking like that.'

He looked up, staying silent for a moment, and Kanda took the opportunity to take stock of the kid.

His oddly shaped cut was faring nicely, still a rather bright red, but it was beginning to heal into scar tissue around the edges. His white hair was still retarded looking and garish, even though there seemed to be less of it now.

The kid was weird and girlish looking. Pathetic.

He smiled that annoying, formal smile.

"I'm sorry for chasing you the other day. I went a little overboard."

Kanda snorted, finding his apology a bit underwhelming. This kid was such a short little idiot. Such a...

"Che. Baka Moyashi."

"I'm sorry?" He looked confused, and the swordsman realized that he'd spoken in his native language.

"It's Japanese for 'Stupid Beansprout', moron."

"I beg your pardon?" The 'Beansprout' stood, looking a little pissed.

"I'm not stupid. And I'm not a sprout."

"Whatever. Stop being so fake and formal. It's annoying."

"Well, excuse me for being polite." The brat practically snarled, the first showing of true emotions that Kanda had seen from him.

The dark haired man released a humorless laugh. "Well, it seems there is some fight in you. Come find me if you ever want to get your ass kicked."

And with that, he walked away, half hoping 'Moyashi' would come find him.

The kid needed a good beating.

To My Reviewers:

Hanashi no iu- Wow, thanks!

xx-Yu-Chan-xx- Well, I won't make you 'wheat' any longer, then!

DPchick- Thanks!

RBO- You should be worried about that. Unfortunately, I felt the need to expand upon Kanda and Lavi a bit, before we got to any fights. Sowwy.

Hinata's Shadow1- Writer's block is the worst, isn't it? Ugh, this chapter was hard for me to get out. I guess my eariler gusto with this story is gone. Fortunately, I still love to write it. ^_^

Tintaglia In Flight- I actually DO have a specific reason for making Neah more than a mask. But I won't tell you!~ I'm planning on Allen and Lavi talking mono-a-mono pretty soon. Allen won't change back into a merman just by coming into contact with the sea, he has to use up his mating magic before that happens. As for your last questions...I haven't quite decided, tbh. This story kinda writes itself.

Oaken Wren- Yeah, I really wanted to show that Lavi does have a deeper side. He's not a moron, that's mostly an act. I-I'm fabulous? *blushu*

scrletfyre- Allen will get to it, I'm sure. Never fear, I will make sure they hook up. (Mostly because we can't get to the smut without that happening.)

wierdsquirrelgirl- Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Conrii- We know that, but they are all too stupid to see it right now.

Krystal Nite- Lavi's only an uke with Kanda, because Kanda refuses to bottom. He doesn't like being submissive.

TotalAmuto- FROM NOW ON, I DECLARE THAT OUR ALL CAPS LOVE SHALL BE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE NET! AND DON'T FEEL BAD FOR ALLEN, HE'S HOT AND WILL EVENTUALLY SLEEP WITH TWO HOT GUYS. WHAT'S TO FEEL BAD ABOUT?

Kurazilssia- When I write your names like that, it reminds me of some sort of adorable Godzilla. Lavi's just kind of a moody guy right now, I guess. asdjkf, RAZILL. YOU ARE MAI BABY FOREVER. YOU WILL NEVER BE UN-CUDDLED. FROM NOW ON YOU ARE IN A PERMANENT STATE OF CUDDLEDOM. All of you are. Like...my favorite reviewers. I feel fuzzy inside.

blackirishawk- I'm glad you got into it! I'm glad you like my version of Lavi. He's my babu, and very precious to me, so it makes me super happy that you like him too. *hugs*

Kayday- All of them. The sads are yours. It is you.

LizluvsSpongebob- THAT BUGS ME TOO! Only Kanda will speak in Japanese. And even then, only sometimes. And yes, I am a boysmut mathmatician.

XxGothicXxXLolitaxX- Yeah, I don't wanna have to rewrite this effin thing.