Chapter Five: Arrival

"What do you want, Moyashi?" Kanda asked dully, sitting up in his temporary bed, his hair tangled from sleep.

Allen was poking his head through the door, a concerned expression on his face. It quickly turned to anger. "It's Allen, BaKanda! Get it right!" Then his face morphed into a smile. "I'm glad to see you're awake and as grumpy as ever!"

Kanda grunted, agitated at the younger man. "Just tell me what you want or get the hell outta my room or I'll skewer you into the wall with Mugen."

"Ah, sorry Kanda. I just came in to tell you we'll be leaving for Hogwarts today," Allen explained, making Kanda pause in getting fully out of bed.

"What?" the older man questioned. "Don't we leave in a week? Huh, you're more stupid than I though, Moyashi."
"It's ALLEN! Can't you get it through your simple minded skull? And we're leaving today. You've been out for a week, Kanda," Allen added, softer this time.

"What?"
"I said—"

"I know what you said, baka," Kanda growled. He stood up, wincing slightly. He swore under his breath. His muscles haven't healed completely. Or maybe Moyashi was right. Did he really sleep for a whole week? Why the hell would he do that? "What the hell happened that I had to sleep for a whole week?"

Allen blanched slightly under the scrutinizing gaze. "You… You don't remember?"
"Remember what, baka Moyashi," Kanda growled, hand twitching for Mugen that was a foot away from him.

"Oh, uh, nothing, nothing. Lavi says to not strain yourself too hard, and, uh, gottogo! Bye!"

Kanda stared at the empty doorway where Allen was not two seconds ago. What the hell was that all about?
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Hermione was just walking down the hallway when she noticed Kanda's door was open. Oh! Maybe he's awake!

Poking her head around the corner, she had to stop a nosebleed from what she saw.

Kanda was standing with his left side towards her, his shirt off. The way his muscles rippled when he was putting on some gauze around his chest hypnotized her, her eyes following their every move. His long, glossy black hair was loose and cascading down his back, ending in the middle of it, almost a foot longer than her mousy brown hair.

And all she was doing was setting herself up for failure. She knew Kanda was gay for Allen—just the way he acted around the silverette proved it! But she couldn't stop staring at the gorgeous, flawless tan skin; the lean, toned body; the long, silky black hair; his high cheekbones and slightly full lips.

And his eyes, oh, his eyes.

They were like dark onyx stones set in the middle of big, sparkling sapphire, burning with a coldness that was sharp to even look at. They were truly magnificent and hypnotizing that Hermione almost lost herself in them every time she looked at him.

Backing away from the door to stop the flow of blood from her nose, Hermione sighed quietly. How come all the good ones were taken, gay, or married? Stupid relationship drama, how she detested it…

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Kanda heard something by the door, but after a moment of complete silence, he shrugged and continued dressing, the binding of gauze around his chest complete. Remembering the incident with his flower apparently a week before, he knew why his muscles were stiff.

His damn healing ability was slowing down.

And damn it, he'd really have to be careful in the future, or this whole thing will blow up in his face.

Suddenly, there came a knock at the door, and Kanda turned to see Lavi leaning against the frame. "Hey boss, how are you?"

"Tch, baka Usagi, I'm fine. What does it look like?"

"Hey, hey, I was just asking if you were okay. Allen tells me you don't have any memories of what rendered you unconscious, am I right?" Lavi asked, stepping farther into the room, scrutinizing the slightly older man.

Kanda just 'tch'ed and finished putting on his jacket, the silver cross glinting in the light of the room. Lavi's eye twitched.

"So, boss, do you want to know what happened?" he asked, plopping himself down on the bed. Kanda glared at him. The answer was obvious. "It was about your memories of Alma."

Kanda's eyes widened. Lavi watched as Kanda was reminded of the memories once more. "Oi! Boss!"

Kanda blinked, turning his gaze to the usagi. "What?" he growled.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to go on a rampage again," Lavi explained.

"A rampage?"

"Ah, about that," Lavi scratched the back of his head, "You used your power up to level one, almost destroying the room you were staying in."

Kanda sighed and sat down, wincing a little as his muscles strained again. Lavi didn't fail to notice. If he didn't, then why should he call himself a Bookman successor?

"Boss…?" Lavi asked slowly. "Is your…"

Kanda sighed. "Yeah."

Lavi whistled slowly. "Damn, that sucks. Are you sure it's only five years?"

"No. Another petal fell while I was asleep."

Lavi's fists clenched. "The pattern is all messed up. Boss, if another petal falls, you'll be out of commission for a while—"

"Shut up!" Kanda snarled, grabbing Mugen and standing up. "You know very well why I fight, so don't go saying stupid things like that again! Got it, baka?"

Lavi shut his mouth. Then he sighed. If Kanda had his mind set on something, there was no changing it. "Got it, boss."

"Good." And with that, Kanda stalked out of the room, glaring at his idiot charge when he bumped into him. "Watch it."

Harry stared after Kanda, shocked at the last of the conversation he heard. Kanda was Lavi's boss? And what were they talking about?

"Oh, hi Harry!"

Harry started, turning to face the said red-head. He relaxed. "Oh, hey Lavi. What's gotten his trousers in a bunch, hm?"

Lavi laughed nervously. "Oh, nothing. He's always like that. I'm just glad to see him up and about."

"Yeah, me too. I can't wait to see Allen's face when he finds out Kanda is up," Harry laughed, walking down the stairs with the redhead.

"Something tells me he already knows the samurai is up," Lavi muttered, pointing to a commotion down the stairs Harry failed to notice.

Allen and Kanda were arguing loudly, Kanda with his sword on Allen's throat and Allen's hand yanking on Kanda's long hair. He sighed. Great, he'd have to deal with this a whole school year. And not to mention Kanda following him everywhere he went. Would he get anything done with him around?

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They walked through the King's Cross in a hurry, Kanda beside Harry, Lavi in front of the group and Allen in the back, trying to ignore the weird stares they got. The three Exorcists were acting completely normal, almost like they were used to this. And Harry bet they were.

Earlier they had a pause while the Exorcists stared at the cars and asked what they were and how they worked, but other than that, the walk was pretty uneventful.

Molly was about to tell the kids to go through the barrier when Allen stepped forward a placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry Mrs. Weasley, but I have a job to do, and I'm going to do it right."

"Oh, of course, dear. I almost forgot you were here on a job, silly me," Molly said, laughing a little at her mistake.

"It's no problem. Alright, Lavi, you go first to make sure the coast is clear. When he comes back, Harry, you go with Kanda and find a spot. I'll send the entire group in first before I go in. Get to it!"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Lavi said jokingly, doing a two-finger solute. He grinned and ran through the barrier. A few moments minutes later, he came back out, smiling. "Coast is clear. After you, Yu-chan!"

"Damn baka Usagi! Don't call me by my first name or I'll skewer you into the wall!" Kanda warned, grabbing Harry's arm and thrusting him forward.

Harry stumbled, glaring at the man before stating haughtily, "I can walk on my own, thank you."

Kanda grunted, but let go, shoving him forward into the barrier. Harry flailed through, about to fall flat on his face if it weren't for the hand on his collar. Harry turned to thank Kanda, but the man cut him off before he could say anything.

Kanda was standing perfectly still with his eyes closed, an expression of complete and utter peace and concentration on his face that Harry didn't want to say anything. When Kanda snapped his eyes open, he was startled when he was shoved down, a curse flying over his head where his back was not two seconds prior.

Kanda stood and marched forward, grabbing the wizard that tried such a thing. Harry smirked at him. "Trying to hex me, eh Malfoy?"

Draco glared at him. "Who's this, Potta? A knew puppy to follow you around everywhere?"
He squeaked when Kanda lifted him by his hair to meet his face. "Say that again," Kanda said calmly, like a feather covered sword, ready to strike at any given moment. Draco whimpered, shrinking back from him while a hand was on the roots of his hair.

"S-Sorry," the little boy whispered.

Kanda 'tch'ed in disgust. "Stupid little weasel. Didn't your mummy ever tell you it was dishonorable to strike your opponent when their back was turned? Hell, I wouldn't have interfered if you would've come up to his face and tried. Hell, it would've been funny!"

Kanda shoved past him, grabbing Harry's arm again and starting toward the train, ignoring all the weird and startled looks that gazed his way. "You'll regret this!" Malfoy yelled behind him. "I'll tell my father!"

"I don't give a damn who your father is. He could be the frickin' Master of the Universe and I wouldn't give a shit. You're just lucky I didn't cut you into pieces," Kanda added, his hand coming up to the hilt of his sword that was on his back. He smirked when the weasel ran, the blood drained from his face. "Baka itachi," Kanda grumbled under his breath, letting go of the brat's arm.

"What does 'baka ee-ta-tchee' mean?" Harry asked, stumbling over the word while he massaged his arm.

"It's baka itachi. It means 'idiot weasel' in Japanese," Kanda grunted, opening the first empty compartment they found and shoving Harry inside it. Harry plopped down on one of the seats, staring up at the samurai as he just stood in front of the glass door.

"Aren't you going to sit?" Harry asked.

"I'm on duty," Kanda said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world and it explained everything.

"But you can still sit down…"

Kanda stared at him for a moment before something clicked in his head. "God, this is what our country has turned to? What a pathetic waste."

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, generally confused.

"In the past, when an Exorcist is on guard duty, he or she doesn't sit on the job. It's considered disrespectful and dishonorable," Kanda said bluntly.

"Oh," Harry deadpanned, deciding to drop it for now. He couldn't change Kanda's mind and he knew that.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Kanda was in front of him, Mugen pointed at the door in an instant. Ron jumped back, frightened. Kanda sighed; almost disappointed that it wasn't an enemy. It would be far more entertaining then scaring the wits out of teenagers.

Lavi was with Ron, as was Hermione and Allen. The smarter redhead seemed to sigh as he grabbed the handle and pulled it open. "Seriously, Yu-chan, scare the poor kiddies will you? Jeez…" he said offhandedly, ignoring the sword pointed to his throat. "Can you move so I can sit down, please?"

Kanda glowered at the Usagi. "You might want to check who you're talking to."

"Sorry, boss," Lavi muttered.

"Boss?" Hermione questioned, her curiosity spiked once again.

Lavi smiled at her. "Sorry, official business here. C'mon boss! Let us get through!"

"Tch, fine baka usagi," the Japanese man spat, moving away for them to get in. When they were inside, Kanda returned to his spot by the door, Allen plopping down beside him on the chair, across from Harry. Lavi sat to his left, Hermione next to Harry and Ron next to Lavi.

"Ha, poor Yu-chan, having to stand," Lavi teased.

"You don't have to stand, you know," Hermione suggested, sweeping her arm next to herself. She flushed a little that she was suggesting he sit next to her.

"Yes, he does," Allen said, confused.

"What? Why does he have to stand?" Ron asked curiosity evident in his voice.

"Because he's on duty…" Allen said slowly. "Wait, you don't stand out of respect for your Masters and elders when you're on duty in the future? What kind of county has this gone to?!"

Lavi started recording everything that was happening. He needed all the information he could get about the future for records.

"What's wrong with our country?" Harry asked.

"What's wrong? You don't have any respect or honor, that's what," Kanda spat. "Outside the train I caught a kid trying to injure the idiot here behind his back. You don't stand up when on duty for your seniors and mentors. What else don't you do?"

Hermione looked disconcerted. Tipping her head to the side, she stared at the samurai in question. "What kid?" was the only thing she asked.

"Malfoy," Harry answered in question, his voice spitting out the name like Ron hacking up slugs.

Hermione gasped. "Oh, Harry, are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"The baka itachi didn't get a chance," Harry replied, using the Japanese words for 'idiot/stupid weasel'.

Lavi snorted and Allen hid his mirth behind his hand. Ron and Hermione blinked. "Since when do you speak Japanese?" Lavi asked, a grin cracking his features.

"I don't. Kanda told me the real meaning," Harry explained, his smile wavering in front of an angry glare sent his way.

"Is that right?" Allen asked, smirking at the brooding man. "I must say, he didn't tell me what Moyashi meant until I was his comrade for more than a year. He must really like you."
"Tch, baka Moyashi. Stop talking about me like I'm not here," Kanda growled, throwing a glare at the silverette.

"It's ALLEN, BaKanda!" Allen yelled, his fist coming out. Kanda blocked it with ease. "Won't you get it right, or is your brain too small to know my real name?"

"So you admit this is a name?" Kanda replied, coming back with equal force. The Trio and Lavi stared as this went on for a couple minutes, Lavi stepping in when it started to get violent.

"Okay, enough of that. Let's just get ready to leave the train, we only have twenty minutes until we get there."

Hermione jumped up, alarmed. "It's time to get into our robes!"

Harry sighed.