Moyashi-neechan: I know I promised this will be a two part story but things are getting a little hectic. I'm also kind of stuck at the story. I could manage to finish bits and pieces so far. I'm sorry. This story is going to be multi-chaptered but each chapter will be short. Sorry. TT-TT

Whoa! I have reviews! XD

yuky 16: Thank you. XD I may not be fond of the AllenXLenalee pairing but I do find them as cute siblings.

Kuraun Kuraun: Wow O.o ... You reviewed... uh... have I told you that I really like your OC fic? I... 0.o (starstruck mode) Um... anyways, thank you. I'm glad you found the plot interesting. Hopefully I would be able to keep up with your expectations. Again, thank you!

AAnimeLoverr29: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

Andr3s: Of course, I'll continue this. But updates is going to be sporadic at best. I'm sorry if it's going to be short chapters too. Sorry. TT-TT Again, thank you for reviewing!

Famelia Ly: Don't worry, I do intend to keep them that way. I can't write romance to save a life not to mention that I'm not too fond of them as a couple. But... let's see where the plot bunnies take me about that. Really? They're IC? Whew! I was worried that I've made them a bit OOC. Thank you for the assurance. Your suggestions are quite good... hmm... I can work something for XXX but I doubt they'll meet XXX along their travels though. I'll try to work something out. XD Again, thanks for the review.

Anyways, sorry for this very long A/N. ^-^' Again, thanks for the reviews, alerts, and faves! Here's the new chapter. Enjoy~

She huddled in the corner, sniffing and sobbing. She heard the distant shouts from the Circus Master's tent. Lenalee pulled herself to become a smaller shaking ball of mess in the corner. She really wanted to disappear. She wanted to be just… gone after the chaos she made that evening.

After activating her shoes, she flew into the air towards the falling woman. She vaguely heard Mana's shout of warning, Allen's call "Princess!", and the audience's gasps. Her full attention was solely focused on the person she needs to save.

It's been a long time since she last used her shoes and the feeling of soaring through the air was heavenly. Even though she had done this in the past just for the sole purpose of fighting, she still enjoyed it immensely. The wind was rushing against her face and her hair whipped harshly behind her head. The speed of her flight was faster than what she intended to. But it's a good thing since she found herself already a foot away from the woman sooner than she expects.

Lenalee extended her hands towards the performer, attempting to catch her. Then everything went to hell.

The woman's blue eyes widened.

Suddenly a man screamed, cursed and yelled.

Lenalee looked to the side and saw a male performer swung towards them,

His arms outstretched.

His brown eyes wide with horror.

Confused and shocked,

Lenalee froze in mid-air.

Then the man collide full force against her.

Hurt

Pain

Screams

Harsh wind

A loud sickening crunch

Screams

Darkness

"What I'm saying Mana is that your freakish daughter just cost me a talented Trapeze performer! She has to be punished for that!"

Lenalee flinched as she heard the continuous stream of curses and heated arguments about her. Freak! She sobbed. It was painful. Freak! She's not a freak. Freak! She didn't mean to hurt anyone. Freak! She only wanted to help. Freak! She really didn't mean it. She sobbed and sobbed. The adults were being mean and unfair. Freak! Freak! Freak!

"No. I'm not a freak." She mumbled fervently as she cried. "I'm not…"

Lenalee heard someone sat beside her. She must have been too busy being sad that she didn't notice anyone entering their tent. She glanced to her side and saw Allen. His face was already washed, his skin glowing healthy white. His expression was blank. His gray eyes stared into nothing.

She bit her lips. She just know it. Anytime now, the boy will say something nasty to her. He will tell her that she's stupid. That she should just disappear. That she's a freak. And... And...

Fresh tears streamed down her face again. She's going to be alone again. She misses her father, her mother, her brother, China. Now she's going to be alone. Mana and Allen will leave her. She's a freak. A freak.

She felt a warm hand grasped her shoulder and before she knew it, she was already leaning against Allen. His fingers gently traced circles in her arm as she didn't stop crying.

Why is he being nice? Why? Why?

"I'm not a freak. I'm not-"

"No, you're not." The boy cut her wallowing. "You're not."

Allen's voice sounded so kind and sad. Lenalee felt him pull her closer against him.

"You're not a freak." He told her.

She felt a bit happy when she heard that. She should be smiling, right? Allen said something very nice to her for the first time. It was something to smile about. But for some reason, Lenalee still couldn't stop herself from crying on his shoulder.

The morning after that, she woke up with Allen still by her side. It was weird. But it was nice. Mana entered their tent. His face looked very very tired. He saw her and knelt in front of her. He then told her that they will have to leave already. She asked why but he didn't answer. She asked if it was her fault and the man gave her a hug.

"I know you didn't mean any harm, Lenalee. You cannot be blamed for that." He whispered. Then pulled away, wiped the tears she didn't noticed that she have shed, smiled, and proceeded to shook his son awake.

"Allen. Allen. Come on, wake up. Time to go." He spoke gently.

"No. I still wanna sleep." The boy mumbled as he gingerly grabbed Lenalee's arm and cuddled against her.

The little girl flinched, frowned, blushed, and smiled. She had never seen Allen like this before. He had never looked so… huggable before. She looked at Mana and saw him smiling too.

"Allen…" the man mildly shook the boy. "Come on. Wake up."

"No." Allen protested groggily. "Still sleepy." He snuggled closer to Lenalee.

As much as the little girl was glad with Allen's adorable sleeping face, she didn't like him being too much close to her as well. It was really… awkward. He was nice but… My arm. Ouch. And is he drooling? Her violet eyes widened in horror. Eww! He's drooling!

Mana chuckled at her panicking face. "Allen, you have to get up now. Lenalee is upset. She's not your pillow." He told the boy as he shook him again.

This time, Allen's gray eyes fluttered open. "Huh? But-" he stared at Mana. Then he squeezed whatever he was holding at the moment. He frowned. Huh? He looked at whatever he was holding and discovered that it was an arm. Then he looked up a bit and saw Lenalee's face. Then it dawned on him: THe arm that he is holding is Lenalee's. He is holding Lenalee. He is hugging Lenalee.

...

..

.

Oh dear. Mana could only think as he watched the colour drained from his son's face.

...

..

.

Allen screamed as he scooted away from the girl immediately. His crusty gray eyes wide open. His reaction insulted Lenalee.

"You used me as a pillow! You drooled at me! Eww!" she complained as she glared at the boy.

"I did not!" Allen yelled back indignantly.

"Yes, you did!" the girl shot back as she took an intimidating stepped towards the boy.

"No, I did not!" Allen retorted.

"Yuck! Your breath stinks!" Lenalee pinched her nose.

The brunette crinkled his nose. "Shut up, Princess!"

"No! You shut up! Augh... you're breath really stinks. Close you mouth!" The girl's voice sounded squeaky. She refused to stop pinching her nose.

Mana started to collect their possessions around the tent. His mind was reeling. He felt a bit worried about his children's language. But it cannot be helped. Most of the circus workers have potty mouths. They're always around circus workers with potty mouths. The children are bound to pick up something. The man sighed. He had to teach his Allen about manners...again... And Lenalee... He sighed again. Being a father just suddenly become more difficult.

As he wallow with his minor crisis as a parent, his honorary son and daughter continued fighting.

"No! I won't!" Allen yelled defiantly as he exhaled at Lenalee's face.

The girl shrieked in disgust. "Yes! You will!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!" Lenalee yelled with finality as she lunge-attacked Allen.

The boy tried his best to push her away. "Ack! Get off me, Princess!"

Mana sighed. "This is such a lovely morning." he mumbled as he packed their things with the children bickering loudly.

Moyashi-neechan: LOL. I just can't resist. Portrayal of family and children dynamics is something that I always enjoy writing. Stay tuned~