Disclaimer: …sadly…I don't own…

Warnings: language, possible typos, UNBETA'D

A/N: thank you all who read and reviewed~! I'm just happy to know that you all are interested in my story~! Hopefully this chapter lives up to you lovely reader's tastes~! (Sorry for it being so late…) Happy birthday Allen Walker-sama! Merry Christmas and have a wonderful new year everyone~!

Enjoy!

Chapter 6 – Rivals in Love

Lavi sighed for the umpteenth time that day. He couldn't think about anything but the way Tyki looked on the roof. Whenever he closed his eyes all he could remember was his face and how positively handsome and charming he was… His eyes widened and he suddenly sat up in his bed, almost knocking everything off the matrass.

"No, no, no," he chanted quietly to himself. "Don't be fooled…he's just a pervert."

He tried to convince himself of that but his heart wouldn't listen to him. His face was flushed and his heart thrummed in his chest. How could he be having this kind a reaction to that man? He didn't like him…he couldn't even stand the mere presence of him. So why? Why was there a strong urge to seek out the curly haired man?

"This is nuts," he scolded himself. "I'm going nuts."

It was what he liked to believe. His heart was in turmoil and his mind was in complete denial.

"I'm not in denial!" he suddenly shouted out loud. When he realized what he did he whacked his head on his pillow. "I'm talking to myself now. That's it I've officially lost it."

He lay back looking up at the ceiling and when he saw an image of Tyki, he tuned. It was getting ridiculous. Why couldn't he get the guy out of his mind?

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

The next day he was as depressed and out of it as ever. He had also woken up at least four times from a nightmare, yes a fucking nightmare, featuring him and Tyki as the main star. A shudder ran throughout his body as his mind recalled the horrible tortures he had endured. He sighed, sliding the door of his homeroom open. The day couldn't get any worse.

"You're late."

Lavi froze on spot when he heard that voice. 'No way. What's he doing here?' His mind was instantly on 'panic mode' and he wanted to run away. He'd have had enough of seeing that pervert everywhere he went.

Tyki was amused by the deer-caught-in-a-head-light expression Lavi had on his face and he smirked to himself. But he wouldn't tease him about it. He had decided to take a different approach in winning him over. And who knows, he might end up successful this time.

"Take your seat so that I may continue," he continued, turning back to face the class.

'Huh?' Lavi blinked confused. Something didn't feel right but he walked towards his seat nonetheless, glancing back periodically to see if the pervert was looking at his ass. To his surprise he wasn't which was strange. He couldn't help but think something was wrong with Mykk-sensei. 'Maybe it has to do with Yuu-sensei…'

Yuu-sensei was their homeroom teacher but instead Mykk-sensei was in their class. Did something happen yesterday? He looked towards Allen who looked almost zombie-fied. His eyes were blank and lifeless and his lip was pulled into a thin line. There was also a barely noticeable reddish blotch on his left cheek. As if he had been slapped. 'What happened when he ran after Yuu-sensei?' he wanted to know. Maybe that would explain why Mykk-sensei was not acting like himself.

"Like I was saying before," Tyki continued, usually his eyes would be focused on Lavi but now he let them wonder around the classroom. "Yuu, well Kanda-sensei is not at school today. He'll be back on Monday so for today he asked me to look after all his classes. I have some work for you to complete."

There was a small murmur of whines and protests as if the class was expecting to have a free session for the English class they had later.

"Disappointed?" Tyki asked amused. "Think of it this way, Yuu isn't the kind of guy to leave his students being unproductive. So even if I wasn't here you guys still wouldn't have a free session. And the work will be due at the end of class."

The murmurs became an all-out protest. Lavi was silent though. He had other things to think about, which included what happened with Yuu-sensei and why Allen was acting like a zombie. Those thoughts ran through his mind at a fast pace. He needed answers and the minute Mykk-sensei left, he was going to get them.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

"What's wrong Allen?" they were in their first class of the day, Home Economics, and Allen still looked as if he was dead. No surprize there. They were now preparing a simple cake batter but with the way Allen was acting they might as well be making a grave. "Dude what the hell happened?"

Allen looked dazed as he stirred the batter. He turned to Lavi, staring at him blankly.

"Damn it, Allen!" Lavi was getting fed up so he punched him on his upper arm, hard.

That seemed to snap Allen out of whatever daze he was in. The dead look in his eyes vanished and he looked at Lavi in recognition. His eyes suddenly began to water and snot ran from his nose.

"…La…wie…"

To say Lavi was shocked was an understatement. He was completely caught off guard by Allen's reaction.

"Hey man what the hell?" he tried his best to calm down the sobbing Allen before their teacher, or anyone else for that matter, noticed. "Come on calm down."

Allen's sobs gradually died down and he wiped at his eyes, blowing his nose in his apron. Once he was calm enough he turned to face Lavi. He looked so pitiful that Lavi felt sorry for the poor guy. It must have taken a lot to render him to a sniffling mess.

"Dude what happened to make you so messed up?" Lavi had to whisper because now they were getting unwanted attention for their classmates.

"Sensei really hates me," Allen replied with a sniffle. He had never felt so…hopeless. Kanda had made it sure yesterday that he should just leave him the hell alone.

Lavi rolled his eyes. "Sensei hates everyone," then he smirked. "But me of course."

It was meant as a joke but Allen didn't see it as one. He got even more depressed.

"Hey man jeez you're acting like your puppy died," Lavi tried to cheer his friend up but it didn't seem to be working. He sighed. "So what happened? Did he tell you that or something?" He also meant that as a joke but the way Allen's expression dulled even more made him think that it was true. "Really? He did?"

Allen nodded sadly and be began to tell Lavi what happened yesterday when he chased after Kanda. He managed to corner him at the staffroom but it seemed Kanda had had enough.

Kanda had ignored him but Kuu was trying to get him to stop so that he could catch up but he seemed to be ignoring her wishes too. Finally when he reached in front of the staffroom he told Kuu to wait for him inside. She went in, reluctantly and Allen arrived just as he closed the door.

"Sensei–" before Allen could say anything more Kanda's glare stopped him in his tracks. "Sensei…"

"Stop it damn it," Kanda looked exhausted. "Stop acting like a moron you damn moyashi! You don't 'love' me it's all a trick of you damn adolescence mind. So stop this foolishness before I really lose my patience."

Allen didn't like how Kanda was always ignoring his feelings like he did. It annoyed him to no end. So he did the first thing that came to his mind. He pulled Kanda's head to him and kissed him, fully on the lips. The kiss was wonderful…during the five seconds it lasted for. He was about to shove his tongue inside his teacher's mouth when he felt himself being pushed back. Then there was a sharp stinging sensation across his left cheek. He looked at his sensei in shock, not expecting the slap. When he saw the look on his face, it made his heart quake. Kanda's face was blood red and his eyes were blurry with tears.

"Sensei…I'm–"

"Shut up!" Kanda yelled, backing away from Allen. He felt so angry and frustrated.

Allen's eyes dulled. How could he do that to somebody he loved so much? That kiss he thought was so wonderful was forced upon the one he liked. He felt ashamed of himself.

"…I'm sorry…" his head hung low. "…but I don't know what else to do. I really do love you…I love you so much…"

The raw emotion from Allen's confession made Kanda uncomfortable. He backed away, pinning himself against the door. It was too much. He couldn't deal with it.

"I don't care, just leave me the hell alone," his voice was cold. "Annoying brats like you are who I hate most."

What Kanda said shocked Allen to the core, but he didn't care. He turned and entered the staffroom, leaving Allen outside in a mess of emotions.

When Lavi finished hearing the story he could help but feel sorry for his friend. Though at the same time he felt relieved that he didn't follow after sensei, what Allen went through sounded like a literal bloodbath. He would have been crushed if that was said to him. No wonder Allen looked like a zombie.

"Wow…" was all he could say. It was a complete rejection. Yuu-sensei shot him down without mercy.

"Is that all you can say?" Allen sniffled sadly. "Sensei didn't come today because he wanted to stay away from me…"

Lavi shook his head. "I don't think so," he replied with a shrug. "Sensei wouldn't miss school jus' ta stay away from ya. He's a mature adult Allen, not a brat."

Despite Lavi trying to cheer him up Allen still felt like crap. If he couldn't see Kanda-sensei again he would be devastated. He just hoped sensei wouldn't think of leaving the school. That would be even worse.

"Come on dude, cheer up~!" Lavi gave him a slap on the back for good measure. "It's just a minor setback, no big d!"

Allen gave him a look that clearly said 'yeah sure it isn't' but he got his heart ripped out and viciously stepped on yesterday, there was no way he could recover from that.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

Kuu looked up at her mommy with big bright pink eyes. She tilted her head to the side, wondering what was wrong with her mommy, ever since yesterday he had been acting weird.

"Mommy…are you ok?" she asked hesitantly.

Kanda looked down at his daughter, almost not seeing her. He shook his head to rid the heady feeling he had. How could he be so out of it?

"Kuu, yes I'm fine," he replied but something on his face must have said otherwise because Kuu wasn't convinced.

Her eyes began to water and she sniffled. "But mommy you don't look ok…" she replied. Her nose was starting to run now. "Is mommy hurting somewhere? I can make the boo boo go away like mommy does for me."

A soft smile crossed Kanda's lip and he pulled Kuu in a hug. "I'll be fine. Just having you here is making me better." He combed through her hair with his fingers. "You know I love you right?"

Kuu blushed and hugged her mommy closer, rubbing her cheeks into his chest. "Un, and I love you more mommy!"

That made Kanda's smile brightened. He pulled back, feeling rejuvenated. "Since I took a day off why don't we go somewhere together?"

"Yay!" Kuu jumped up and down in excitement. "I want to go to the amusement park!" When she saw the smile on her mommy's face her smile widened. "I'll go get Lu-chan so we can go now."

Kanda watched with a small smile as Kuu ran to get her favorite peter rabbit. He couldn't believe he let what happened between him and the moyashi yesterday affect him so much. It was unheard of. He needed to set his mind straight and not let that damn moyashi get under his skin.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

"Jeez man cheer up. You're still acting like your puppy just died," Lavi said with a shake of his head. It was now after school and Allen's mood still hadn't gotten better. Luckily detention was cancelled for the remaining week because Allen didn't look like he could take a session with Leverrier-sensei.

Allen walked beside the redhead with a sad look on his face. "But it did…the puppy I call my heart got brutally murdered…"

Lavi rolled his eyes. "I can't leave you like this," he sighed looking at his watch. It was five minutes to three and his shift started fifteen after. "Ok look, why don't you come to the café and chill? I can keep you company between shifts."

The idea sounded good but Allen didn't want to get Lavi in trouble with his boss. And that was because the boss doesn't like him. It was a given as whenever he drops by at the café Lavi never does any work. He sits around taking to him until his shift ends. Thing is, they get so caught up in their conversation that Lavi forgets that he was getting paid to clean tables and take orders, not to talk with his friend. So going there now would be a big no.

"It's ok," Allen tried to put on his best I'm-ok-and-will-not-commit-suicide-because-I-was-rejected face so that Lavi could feel at ease but it came out looking like a I-promise-not-to-commit-suicide-but-if-the-loneliness-becomes-unbearable-I-might. "Really, just go to work. I'm gonna kill a few hours at the arcade and then head home."

Lavi looked at him skeptically as if he was thinking about getting someone to watch him just in case he tried anything.

"Why not head home now?" he asked as they stopped at the pedestrian crossing with a couple other people, waiting for the light to turn red.

Allen shook his head. "Nah, Mana's coming home early and Adam's over there now."

Lavi's mouth formed a 'O' when he realized what that meant. He visually cringed. "Well that bites."

"Don't I know it?" Allen replied. The light changed and they crossed. "I'm giving them three hours tops."

"Isn't that too much?" Lavi asked. He tried to rid the image of their principal doing it with Allen's dad out of his head. It was making his stomach churn. They turned the corner, leading toward the shopping district.

"I'm giving them time to finish and clean up the place," Allen replied. "I don't want to go back with the house smelling like sex."

"Well I wish you luck with that," Lavi said with a chuckle. They stopped in front of a small Bookstore/Café called 'Fiction.' The aroma of freshly baked cakes and coffee filled the air from inside the shop. "Here's my stop. You sure you don't want to come in?"

Allen waved his hand with a small smile. "It's ok man, I'll see you tomorrow ok," he didn't wait for Lavi to reply and made his way down the sidewalk, disappearing into the crowd.

Lavi watched him leave with a sigh. He hoped Allen cheered up soon.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

The rides were really fun and exciting. Kuu felt really happy to be spending her time here with her mommy. She loved the big teddy bears and kitties walking around, the pink cotton candy, the popcorn, the ice-cream, the rides, she loved everything about the Amusement Park. Even though she knew it would've been even better if her mommy was in a better mood.

He had been quiet throughout all of the rides and hadn't uttered a peep other than to reply to her questions when she asked. She was worried because he didn't seem like he was enjoying himself. He had a blank look on his face as he steered them through the crowd.

'Mommy looks sad,' she hoped that whatever it was he would snap out it soon. Her grip on his pants tightened. 'I want to make mommy happy.'

She was about to voice that when someone bumped into her. The abruptness of it made her drop her peter rabbit.

"Oh no Kiyo-chan!" she released Kanda's pants briefly to pick up the rabbit, brushing off the accumulated dirt. "There, there." She got back up and reached out to grab Kanda's pants but no one was there. "Eh?" She looked around not seeing him. "Mommy?"

The first thing that came to her mind was to panic and cry but she remembered what he mommy told her. That she wasn't supposed to show how panicked or scared she felt inside. If she did then people would take advantage of her. Also that she wasn't supposed to talk to strangers and that she should be brave. So she wiped the tears gathering at the corner of her eyes and looked around once more. She still didn't see any signs of her mommy but she was calmer now.

'Mommy says if I'm lost I should go somewhere with a lot of people and wait so that mommy can find me,' she thought with a nod. 'Mommy will find me."

With that thought in mind she walked onward in the crowd, looking for somewhere she could sit down and look out for her mommy.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

Kanda felt like shit. His mind was a complete mess and it was all that moyashi's fucking fault. He couldn't get his pathetic looking face out of his head…or that kiss. It was as if the kid had taken ahold of his attention and refused to let go. He was making him rethink things, making feel bad for telling him off the way he did yesterday.

He shook his head. 'Damn it, I'm not acting like myself.'

The kid was getting on his freaking nerves. Damn it. He needed to block him out and concentrate on Kuu now. She needed his attention not some love-sick brat.

"Say Kuu, why don't we…" he looked down and almost had a heart attack on spot. Kuu was gone! He instantly panicked, looking around frantically. Losing Kuu in the school was one thing but losing track of her here in this huge Amusement Park was even worse. So fucking worse. "Kuu!" he called out her name, hoping that she was somewhere close by. But he couldn't see her, there were too many people damn it! "Kuu!"

He was visually panicking as he ran back, retracing his steps. His heart pounded away in his chest and his mind was blank. How could he be so careless? So god damned careless. This was the second time he lost track of her in less than a week. And all because he was preoccupied, thinking about the moyashi. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

"Kuu!" he was praying, hoping, to find his baby girl. She was all he had left.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

'I'm bored…' Allen took out another set of Zombies with the attached gun in his hand and sighed. The game wasn't holding his interest anymore, but it was too early to head back. 'So bored…'

He figured that the game wouldn't get interesting anytime soon and decided to call it a day. If he knew hanging out alone would be so boring he'd have begged Leverrier-sensei to keep detention this week. Even detention sounded better than dying of boredom.

"I guess I have no choice but to check Lavi," even if he didn't want to he had no other option. Both Lenalee and Lou Fa were at their club activities and though it was sad to admit, he didn't have any other friends. Well he did have a couple of acquaintances but at this point he didn't feel up to their company. He shot the last Zombie, earning the top score and then placed down the gun and headed out the door. 'I'll take a short cut to Fiction and then spend the rest of my time there.'

He had the map layout in his head. He'd have to pass through the park instead of going down the shopping district. That sounded good because right now he didn't want to run into anyone and the shopping district would be packed at this time. He shoved his hands casually in his pocket and made his way to the park.

Just as he thought it would be, the park was fairly empty. It was just a couple of minutes after five but it might as well be seven in the night with the amount of people there. Either way he felt a bit relaxed, more than he'd been all day. He figured shooting up some Zombies helped in some way. It wasn't noticeable, but he realized that he was more pissed off at the way Kanda-sensei treated him than heartbroken. Kanda-sensei only saw him as a kid and barely considered his feeling when he said what he did yesterday. He tried to justify his feelings for him which wasn't right. It wasn't some infatuation or crush. He was in love with the man.

He loved him so much that it scared him how strong his feelings were.

It was strange how he felt that strong for a person he met only a few days ago. But he couldn't deny his heart. He was a firm believer in fate and destiny and he knew he was destined to meet Kanda-sensei. They were destined to be together and he wouldn't let anyone ruin that, not even Kanda-sensei. But if Kanda-sensei was so dead set against them being together he would wait until he graduated and then try and woo him again. At that time Kanda-sensei won't have an excuse because he wouldn't be a 'kid' anymore. Now he just needed the patience to endure his remaining school years. But patience wasn't his strong suit. He feared that by the time he was in his sophomore year he would snap and end up raping Kanda-sensei. If that happen he knew there was no way he would have a chance with sensei again. He sighed. 'Love is never easy…'

"Hey cutie, are you lost?"

"Aw she's so cute, like a doll. I wonder whose daughter she is."

"Maybe an actress."

"Yes you're. Kyaaa~ she's such a cutie!"

"Huh?" Allen looked around confused when he heard the commotion. He looked over to the fountain where he heard the noise and saw a couple of people standing there. Some school girls were taking pictures while an old lady stooped down to speak with a pink haired kid. He was about to walk away but then he stopped. 'A pink haired kid?' He quickly turned and ran to the direction of the fountain, sure to what he thought it was Kanda's daughter. "Kuu?"

Kuu looked up at him with calm pink eyes. She smiled and got up. "The person I was waiting for is here," she said smiling politely to the crowd. "Goodbye."

Allen blinked confused. Kuu seemed so different from her normal self. He remembered her being a cheery and always smiling child but now she looked almost too old for her age. Her behavior was polite and her expression mature.

"Kuu?" he tried to get over his initial shock. Kuu was holding his hand and pulling him away from the people surrounding them. She stopped at one of the benches and gripped his hand tighter. "Kuu are you–"

Before he could finish what he was saying Kuu buried her face in his legs, whimpering. He smiled softly and rubbed her back. Her small frame was trembling and that was when he realized that she must have been pretty scared.

"It's ok Kuu," he cooed rubbing her back in gentle circular motions. "I'm here."

After Kuu calmed down she told him what happened. How she lost track of Kanda at the Amusement Park and found her way to the park by accident. Allen marveled at how brave she was. Any normal six year old would have panicked and started crying, especially if they were on foreign lands. But Kuu kept her cool. She was definitely Kanda's child.

"I'll call Kanda-sensei and tell him you're with me," Allen said with a smile. Kuu nodded and he reached in his pocket for his cellphone. That was when he realized that he didn't have Kanda-sensei's number. 'I'll call Mana and ask Adam for it.' He dialed Mana's number and he answered on the third ring.

"…Allen? What's wrong? Are you ok?"

Mana sounded out of breath and panicked. "Eh, yeah I'm fine," Allen replied confused. He didn't know why Mana was worried. "Anyway is Adam there I want to speak with him."

"Something is wrong isn't it? You never want to speak with Adam. Plus you're not home yet. Did you get into trouble? You can tell me you know."

Allen's left eyes twitched. "Mana, I'm fine," he stressed the last word hoping that Mana could give it a rest. "Just give the phone to Adam. I want to ask him something."

"Allen jus–"

"What do you want?" it was Adam. He sounded a bit annoyed over the phone. As if Allen was cutting into their precious alone time. Well he kinda was.

"Adam do you have Kanda-sensei's number?" Allen asked immediately. He needed to get in contact with him ASAP. "It's important."

Adam hummed. "That's Principal Adam to you. Yes I have it but only his home number."

'Damn it, I need his cell number,' Allen thought anxiously. 'Wait maybe Mykk-sensei has it.'

"Can I have it and Mykk-sensei's cell number too?" he asked. Adam didn't seem suspicious so he gave him both numbers and hung up. He quickly dialed Mykk-sensei's number and he answered immediately. "Hello Mykk-sensei, this is Allen can I have Kanda-sensei's cell number?"

"I'm not surprised you ask that right off the bat but do tell me shounen, how did you get my number?" Tyki sounded positively amused.

Allen didn't have time for any of his crap. "Adam gave me it," he replied hurriedly. "Can I have sensei's number quickly? It's an emergency."

"I'm not sure I can give it to you but I will for a price."

'Why that perverted ass of a teacher!' Allen's mind was in a rage. "Alright, I'll tell you Lavi's workplace."

Tyki chuckled. "Already know that. I'm there now."

Allen wanted to bang his head against the pavement. "Sensei this is serious. I need to contact Kanda-sensei so I can tell him I found Kuu."

That seemed to get Tyki to stop joking around. "What do you mean?" his voice held no form of humor. He was completely serious.

"Kuu got lost and I found her in the park. I need to let sensei know because he must be worried sick," Allen replied as fast as he could. "And if you don't believe me, here talk to Kuu." he handed Kuu his cellphone.

"Uncle Tyki? Tell mommy I'm fine so mommy shouldn't worry," she replied with a nod.

Tyki was speechless on the other end. He cleared his throat. 'Kuu, sweetie could you give the phone back to Allen? I need to tell him something."

Kuu gave a cute yell of "Ok" and handed Allen the phone. The minute Allen got the Tyki gave him Kanda's number. He told him to stay put and that he was coming there himself but Allen convinced him not to. After thanking him, he hung up and dialed Kanda's number. It rang but there was no answer. Just as he was about to hang up and call back it was answered.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

His heart was beating so fast that he swore it would explode from his chest. He pushed through the crowd, not caring if he bumped into anyone. They weren't his concern. Who cared if he knocked a few of them down in his haste? His only daughter was lost somewhere in that huge crowd. He needed to find her. He had to find her.

He couldn't hear anything other than the frantic beats of his heart and the blood rushing to his head. And it was as if he couldn't see anything either. His vision was blurry and he was this close to having a panic attack. He had tried asking a few passerby's if they'd seen his daughter but none did. How could they not? She wasn't that hard to miss. Her pink hair would stand out and also the clothes she wore.

A thought entered his head and he felt his panic rise to an all-time high. Recently there had been talks of kids being abducted and sold to the Mafia. Especially little girls. His heart practically sunk and tears of frustration gathered at the corner of his eyes. He wouldn't think like that. His baby girl was safe. Someone must have seen where she went.

He was so out of it that he didn't notice that his phone was ringing. 'I don't have time for this!' he was about to let it ring but something in his gut told him to answer it. His heartbeat sped up as he fished his phone out of his pocket. He saw the unknown number and pressed accept.

"Kanda-sensei? Thank god you answered!"

Kanda wanted to kill someone. It was the fucking moyashi. He wanted to hang up on him but at the same time he felt something else. This other emotion that had been rearing its ugly head ever since they met.

"Sensei please don't hang up, just listen ok. Kuu's with me. We're at the park near Heine Station. I found her there…–"

It was like someone just gave him the best news of his life. His daughter was fine. She was alright. Perfectly fine. He could help the tears that streamed down his face in his relief. 'She's fine…Kuu's alright.' He was too emotional to speak.

Allen continued on about how he found her but Kanda couldn't say he was listening. All that was running through his head was that his baby girl was safe and sound. She was the one thing that was keeping him sane. If it wasn't for her he would have never recovered from Alma's death.

"Sensei…?"

"Stay where you are," Kanda replied once he had his feelings under control. He wiped the tears from his eyes but his voice still sounded thick with tears. "I'm coming now."

"Yeah, we'll be waiting," there was a smile in Allen's voice.

~oOo~ooo~oOo~ooo~oOo~

A/N: I swore to gad this little bugger just refused to be written…sigh. But that's no excuse right? Let me apologize to you lovely readers who have been waiting for this update for a long time! I adore you guys for your patience! Luv ya guys, but you already know that right? R&R ne huns~!

Next Chapter: Tactics for Love

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