Disclaimer: I own nothing from DGM, and merely use the characters as participants in my random storylines.

Chapter 4 – Look Out for the Rabbit

Less people were looking at him when he went to school today. Good, he liked it that way. What did those idiots want to stare at anyway? Kanda turned up the collar of his jacket as someone else cast a glance at his direction. He stared the unfortunate guy down until the latter decided to make a run for it.

He headed for the library. There were some musical terms he needed to look up. Kanda was feeling rather moody. Why the heck did he need to study all this anyway? Then again, Tyki was probably right, there was much more to music than just playing an instrument.

Kanda felt himself blush a little when he thought about Tyki. That incident in the car… He had not managed to forget it. After all, who could forget such an event? He took in a deep breath and shook his head in an attempt to concentrate on finding the library and not Tyki.

That wasn't the only thing that happened last night, but Kanda would much rather not recall the other incident that happened after he went back. Flicking through the pages of a thick book, Kanda walked over to the table to find a seat and settled down to do some research.

"Morning, Yuu-chan!" A cheery voice rang out in the silence and immediately many irritated shushes were heard. The red head smiled sheepishly and whispered an apology to an extremely irked librarian. Kanda buried his face into the book. He did not want to be related to this annoying rabbit, no he did not…

Too bad for him, Lavi took a seat right next to Kanda. "Whatcha looking up? Need help? Let's see… Italian expressions and th-… Hey, lemme see that!"

Kanda jerked the book out of his grasp. "Damn you, I'm trying to read here, and it's fucking annoying to have a rabbit try and read the title while you're reading. Don't you have class or something?"

"Nope, free period. Allen's at lessons though, so I thought I'd come and do some reading. Guess who I found for a reading buddy?"

Kanda rolled his eyes. "I don't even want to guess…"

"Hey, met any girls yet? I'm not referring to Lenalee, you'll get a beating from her brother if you mess with her."

"Not interested."

"What kind of girls are your type? I can introduce you to a few if you'd like."

"Not interested."

"The pretty ones? The smart ones? The feisty ones?"

"Shut up, rabbit! I'm trying to read here!" Kanda roared in rage. A wave of agitated shushes were heard and the librarian came over. She cleared her throat sternly.

"Young man, you do realize that this is a library and not a place to be shouting. Kindly keep your voice down or I will have to send you out."

A vein throbbed in Kanda's forehead as the librarian marched off amidst some snickers from the other students. The Japanese glared at Lavi who scratched his head while smiling.

"It's ok, Yuu-chan. I get that all the time. She won't really throw you out."

Kanda slammed the book close and stalked over to the shelves to place it back before storming out of the library. He wanted to put as much distance as he could between him and that irritating rabbit but Lavi seemed to able to keep up rather well.

"Just fucking leave me alone, will you?" Kanda grumbled.

"Hey, Lavi, who's the new guy?" A passing student called out.

Lavi waved enthusiastically back at him. "Oh, he's Yuu-chan, my new best friend! Say hi, Yuu-chan!"

Kanda put his hands in his pockets and continued walking. "I am not your new best friend."

"Aww, come on. Sorry about earlier. Hey, what say I treat you to lunch later?"

"No thanks."

He turned a corner but Lavi was still following, trying to come up with various ways he could make it up to Kanda. The irritated Japanese increased his pace, and then broke into a slight run.

"Yuu-chan! Wait up!" Lavi ran after him. Kanda rounded another corner and nearly ran into the man coming from the other direction. He managed to stop in time but Lavi knocked into him from the back, causing him to fall.

The man caught him by the arm. "Careful, you shouldn't be running around in the corridors anyway."

Kanda wrenched his arm back and gripped it tightly. Lavi looked to see who it was and greeted cheerfully. "Good morning, Mr. Mikk sir! Where are you headed to?"

Tyki smiled at the two of them and then eyed Kanda carefully. The boy was still gripping his arm which was shaking slightly, and refused to look at him.

"I'm just going off to the staffroom. Did I hurt your arm back there, Kanda? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to grip that hard, I was only trying to stop your fall."

Kanda gave a slight jerk of his head that looked a bit like a denial. "No, you didn't. Didn't mean to knock you over either. I'm leaving."

"Hey, Yuu-chan!" Lavi started to follow him but Tyki held him back. "Lavi, I have a favor to ask of you. You're free now, aren't you? Come on, I need you to help me out in the staffroom for a while."

Lavi smiled cheerfully. "Sure thing, sir!" He happily followed Tyki without another word. Tyki, however, glanced backwards over his shoulder at the retreating back of Kanda and narrowed his eyebrows. He would have to talk to him later.

Kanda tuned the strings a little as he sat down. After checking everything, he casually played a few bars of the piece they were rehearsing. The guy beside him raised an eyebrow.

"You've got those ornaments sorted out real fast."

Kanda smirked. "I'm no idiot, you know."

The guy looked rather annoyed and turned back to his own playing. Kanda noted that he wasn't bad either; he obviously had been playing for a while now. He continued practicing too, but noticed his neighbor watching him out of the corner of his eyes. The smirk was still playing around his lips, and the guy beside him was smirking too.

'Right, let's see how good are you, shall we?' Kanda thought.

The guy locked stares with him, smirking as if saying, 'Challenge accepted. We'll see whose better around here.'

They started with the basic scales, and then each tried to mimic the other's complex tricks. Both refused to back down and the playing got more and more intense. Kanda gritted his teeth as he tried to match the other's tempo, and the guy found it tough to keep up with Kanda as well, but neither was going to give in.

Finally both struck the final note and paused momentarily, breathing heavily and panting. Then the guy started laughing. Kanda looked at him questioningly.

"What's so funny?" He asked, beginning to smirk a little as well.

The other student put on a serious face after he finished laughing and then cleared his throat. "You're not that bad after all."

"Che, I can be better."

"The name's Howard Link. And you are?"

"Kanda Yuu."

"Tell me you've practiced this already."

"Practiced it so well I can play it blindfolded."

Link snorted and turned the pages of his music sheet. "Don't make us look bad later. If you need help in future, you can ask me if you'd like."

Kanda nodded. "I'll bear that in mind."

"Right, now that everyone's acquainted, can we start practice?" A sharp tapping sound caught their attention. Tyki was standing on the podium, baton in hand, ready to begin practice. The minute Kanda saw him, he lowered his gaze and squinted at the music score instead.

"On the count of 3, people. 1, 2, 3!" Tyki flicked the baton with expertise.

This time, Kanda mastered the ornaments easily. He nearly forgot to enter in the second part and Link nudged him quickly. Nodding his thanks, Kanda caught up with them and soon the hall was filled with the grand sound of orchestra music.

"Wonderful! A few more rounds and I think we're good to go! Ok, Lulubell, ready?" Tyki winked at the young woman who was tuning her violin. Kanda narrowed his eyes fiercely. Someday, he was going to be the one playing the solo part.

There was a sharp nudge from Link and Kanda turned around sharply. "What?"

"You don't like her?" Link asked in an indifferent voice.

"Che, you're too observant for your own good." Kanda retorted.

Link shrugged. "Just saying… Not that it's any of my business. Get ready and look smart."

Lulubell took her place and began playing, drawing her bow across the strings elegantly. A few guys sighed again and Kanda noticed Link raise an amused eyebrow.

Her playing was flawless, Kanda hated to admit. Then again, she must've practiced for a very long time already. She must've been quite a performer as well, for she carried herself with an air of grace that only those who have had experience in performing possess. Kanda wondered when he would be able to play as the solo part, and whether or not he would be good enough to.

"You want to be the solo player?"

Kanda glared at him. Link was getting a little bit too observant. Kanda wondered if Link was always this observant.

"Che, you're irritating, you know. Not as irritating as that Lavi guy though."

Link nodded and fixed his cello a little. "I never wanted to. Just pass my exams and do well in the orchestra, that's my aim. Nothing more."

"Never thought of furthering your career in music?"

"Maybe. But not so much."

Tyki tapped on the music stand. "Great playing, Lulu. Have you signed up for the violin competition, the one in September? You ought to have a go at that."

"Already did, sir. I may need some extra coaching though." She answered a little too coyly for Kanda's tastes. Tyki just smiled back at her.

"No problem, if you need my help, just ask. Although I have a feeling that there isn't much I can help you with."

Turning back to the entire orchestra, Tyki announced a piece of interesting news. "Okay, everybody. The Dublin Music Festival will be coming up soon and as most of you know, one of the highlights is the orchestra competition."

A few excited murmurs could be heard and even Kanda was all ears for it.

Tyki paused, and then continued. "Each year, some of our most talented students are sent for this festival, to either take part in the competitions or just gain exposure. But this year, I've got my aim set higher. I want to bring the entire orchestra to Dublin, and I want us to win, because I know we can."

A student raised up his hand. "Sir, what will we be playing?"

"I've thought about that. Of course I wouldn't mind doing what we've been practicing all this while, the violin solo. Thing is, I feel that we are able to surprise them by doing a new piece. What say we do Saint Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1?"

There was a short pause, broken a little by some muttered discussions. This was a cello solo accompanied by the orchestra, not a very common piece. Then Lenalee asked what everyone wanted to know.

"Sir, who's going to be the solo player?"

Those golden eyes fell onto Kanda and the Japanese felt himself flush a little as some students turned around to see where their teacher was looking. Kanda bowed his head and stared at the polished wooden floor.

"Kanda Yuu."

More heads turned around to look at Kanda and some starting muttering among themselves. Kanda Yuu? The new cello player? But he had just joined, why would Tyki choose him?

"Right, practice is over now, and I expect everyone to do their best when we start rehearsing tomorrow. Sheet music will be given out then. Now get out of here, Kanda, stay back for a while, I need to talk to you."

Kanda glared at some other disapproving students who scampered away in fright. He himself was unsure of this. Yes, he wanted a solo part, but so soon? Didn't he already tell Tyki yesterday night that he did not want to be labeled as his favorite student?

He stood there with his cello case as he waited for the rest of the students to leave and for Tyki to pack up too. His shoulder ached with the weight of the case and he let it rest on the floor for a while. It was at that precise moment that Tyki looked up.

"Did you hurt your arm, Kanda?"

The question took Kanda by surprise. Subconsciously, he gripped his arm. "No, why?" He asked slowly..

Tyki took a step towards him. "Don't hide it. I noticed it this morning, when you bumped into me. You wrenched your arm away from me and held it while wincing slightly. I knew I couldn't have caught you that hard so I figured I touched an existing bruise or something. Your playing was a little slow today too."

Kanda pulled the long sleeves of his jacket further past his wrists. "I'm surrounded by people who have nothing better to do than to fucking observe my every move."

"I was worried. Let me see your arm."

Kanda pulled back. "No. It's none of your fucking business."

"Watch your mouth, boy. And unfortunately, it is my fucking business. You see…"

With one swift movement, Tyki had Kanda pinned onto the wooden floor. Kanda tried to blink the stars out of his eyes and glared at the man above him.

"What the heck?"

He stopped short of what he was about to say as he noticed the look in Tyki's eyes. Those golden orbs were beautiful, but they had a deadly stare in them. Beautiful and dangerous. Not a good combination.

Tyki leaned closer to Kanda, hands pinning the boy's tightly on the floor. When he judged that Kanda wouldn't make any sudden movements anymore, he slowly moved his right hand to Kanda's jacket zipper and pulled it down carefully.

Kanda gasped in shock and moved his free arm to push Tyki away but in a thrice the man had his arms pinned helplessly to his sides again. The boy let out a small whimper of pain that he hastily tried to suppress. His jacket was undone and his right shoulder was revealed already. The conductor took a chance in using one hand to pull the sleeves down.

The Japanese didn't hit him away this time, only turning his face to the other side as if hiding from shame. Tyki let out a small gasp as he noticed bruises and slight cuts down Kanda's arm, and even some purple markings around his wrist.

"Who did this?" He breathed heavily.

"None of your business."

"Kanda, this is serious. Has someone been hitting you?"

Kanda opened his eyes and glared at him. "It's none of your business!" He nearly shouted. Damn that teacher, why did he care so much anyway? It was none of his business, he shouldn't care about what was going on between him and Cross.

A hand cupped his face gently and brought his gaze to meet Tyki's. "I want to watch after you, to look out for you, but it's impossible for me to do so unless you tell me something. How dare anyone abuse such a beautiful person?"

Only then did he notice that Tyki's lips were only mere centimeters away from his own. His heart was beating faster and faster, and he could definitely feel a bead of sweat forming on his brow. His position wasn't very helpful either.

'Fuck, not again… Why does he seem to have an eye out for me?'

He didn't get too far with that thought. Tyki had already closed the remaining gap between them and was kissing him fiercely. Kanda struggled to fight back, but Tyki bit his lip harshly to make him quiet down. The boy moaned as a tongue slipped into his mouth and explored the crevices hungrily. The atmosphere was getting hot, and Kanda half regretted that he had a jacket on. He was drawn into the passionate kiss, and he found it hard to get out of this whirlpool of feelings.

Then, as sudden as it started, it was over and they were both panting for breath. Tyki reached out a shaking hand and swept the hair out of Kanda's face.

"I… I'm sorry… It's just…"

Kanda shoved him off and pulled his jacket back on while muttering. "Never mind. I can't say I didn't like that."

'Fuck. I shouldn't have said that last sentence.' Kanda glanced at Tyki to see his reaction. He didn't know why he said the last sentence, but it was the truth anyway. Tyki looked rather worried as he tried to move towards Kanda but his student edged a little further.

"Why am I staying back for again?"

"Oh…" Tyki felt rather relieved as things were beginning to seem in place now. "I actually wanted to ask if you were alright about being the solo player for Cello Concerto No. 1. Mind you, it is a very difficult piece to play."

"I'm fine with it. It's just, I am not your favorite student. But doing so just made everyone feel that I am."

"If anyone has any doubts as to why I chose you, I'll make sure they hear from me. I chose you, Kanda, because I know you'll be able to do it. No one has yet to have a chance to listen to you play, so naturally they'll have doubts. So, you have to surprise them, ne?"

"I'm not doing it."

Tyki raised his eyebrows. "Why not?"

The glare he received from his student was extremely determined and fierce. "Not unless you fulfill my conditions."

A smile curled Tyki's lips. Now they were talking… And this was getting interesting. "Go on…"

"I want to be personally trained by you. It's alright to trust my talents and all but…" Kanda cocked his head to one side and smirked. "I may need some extra coaching, you know…"

There was an awkward pause, then Tyki threw his head back and laughed. "You are a joke, my boy. Fine, if you want me to coach you, then expect the worst. I can be a slave drive when it comes to practice."

"Che. I can take it."

Tyki stood up and straightened his shirt. "If you must know, I wasn't the only one who decided on the concerto. There are others who have a keen interest in you, and they too, proposed that you play the solo part."

"Did you recommend me or what?"

"Well, I may have mentioned you once or twice. But trust me, people like my brother do not easily believe what I say. So for someone like him to have an eye for you, there must be something he sees in you."

"Your brother is one of those people? Great, just what I need, another Tyki Mikk on my back…"

Tyki laughed again. "He's married already, Kanda. I even have a niece."

The awkward atmosphere seemed to have disappeared. Kanda looked at the clock hanging over the doors. "It's getting late, I should get back."

"Need a lift?"

Kanda stopped at the doors, cello case hanging from his shoulder. "No."

Tyki sighed. "Give me your phone."

Kanda handed it over, looking puzzled as Tyki entered his number into it. "It will be better if you have my number. Just in case you get…" Tyki glanced at Kanda's arm. "Never mind, just call me if you need anything."

Nodding numbly, Kanda went out without saying goodbye. He glanced at the number on his cell phone's screen, and then decided to just save it in case. No one had ever taken so much concern about him other than his parents before, and even if Kanda wouldn't say it, he appreciated the thought.

He suppressed a shudder as he neared his apartment. He hoped Cross wasn't home. Last night, after Kanda got back, Cross wasn't in a very good mood, resulting in quite a fight between them. Kanda smirked. At least someone cared enough to notice he was injured.

He gripped the phone tightly as he trudged up the stairs. He would definitely be calling that number soon, but just not yet.