Disclaimer: I own none of these characters.

Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
You got your back against the wall

"I'm really sorry, pal."

Allen warmly smiled as he held his small bag containing a few of his belongings in his chest. "It's alright, Chaoiji. I'll be good, don't worry," he said, honestly thankful at Chaouji for letting his ass have a home for a month without paying for the rent.

Well, he had it coming. There was no use crying over spilt milk.

He had met Chaoji at his last job (a day before he was sacked) and two of them became really good friends. Chaoji was very kind to him and Allen found out the extent of that kindness when the man finally discovered his dreadful secret one rainy night.

He was shivering in cold and the only shield he had against the raging rain was his sorry excuse for a home that was his tent.

The old tent was already close to collapsing and Allen was afraid that it couldn't hold the pouring rage of the water for too long. His pants and socks were already soaked as well as his old travelling bag lying near his feet. The unbearable cold was beginning to weaken him, too, but Allen kept on holding on even though he knew the odds were against him.

The odds were always, always against him, you know?

It was when Chaouji appeared in front of him, holding a huge umbrella, like he was sent by the Gods above to help him in his time of need.

Allen was happy to see him. Of course.

But it was also bloody embarrassing.

Why couldn't the ground just open up and just swallow him whole?

"Allen?"

'No. It's not Allen. It's Osama Bin Laden so go away was what he wanted to say but instead, these words came out from his mouth;

"I'm sorry, Chaouji. I know this would sound imposing to you, but can you let me live with you even for just a week?"

Chaouji looked so shocked that what Allen said seemed like it didn't even register on his brain. Instead, he asked;

"Are y-you living here in the forest... inside this t-tent?"

Allen felt his whole face heaten up. Well, that's great. And he was just so cold a while ago. He wanted to answer 'no' but he knew he would be lying to his good friend and so he said yes.

Yes. He, Allen Walker, aged 20 years old, was living in a tent in a forest near where he worked as a janitor for three weeks now after he was driven out in his apartment one month ago when the landowner confirmed that he couldn't pay for his past due rents anymore.

And so, Chaouji helped him into his apartment, which he later found out was only a 1R (he almost dashed out running in the rain in shame for asking Chaoujii to help him when he was also living in such a small place but his friend immediately pacify him, telling him it was alright).

Allen really meant to say for just a week or even less but Chaouji insisted that he extend his stay (either because he pitied him, or he was just concern about his well-being) much to the white haired man's gratitude.

His temporary lodging was kept hidden to Chaouji's landowner though because it would be a sheer catastrophe if he/she found out about Allen's presence in an apartment meant for only one occupant.

In which had really happened a month later.

As he had said earlier, he already saw that one coming.

The landowner threw a hissy fit when he found out about Allen and demanded him to pay for the rent, too, or else he would have him and Chaouiji evicted.

Chaouji offered to pay for two but Allen volunteered to leave right away despite his friend's words.

He just thought it was the right thing do.

He didn't want to burden Chaouji of his existence anymore.

And now, here he was, homeless and alone again.

And it was fine. He was fine.

He knew that everything's going to be fine again.

Growl.

Allen looked at his stomach and sighed.

"I'm hungry."

..

"We're gonna be a perfect example of a newly developed dumpsite tomorrow and it's all thanks to you."

Yuu Kanda menacingly growled at his friend, Lavi Bookman.

It wasn't his fault. Well, at least that what was he believed. He just pointed out the man's transgression and boom, the next thing they knew, they were out of seven janitors in the 27th floor where his office was residing.

"Knowing you, you probably shamed the man in front of all the people in the floor, and for what? A misplaced trash bin? C'mon, Yuu. I know you are better than this."

Kanda slammed his pen on the table. "That wasn't just a petty thing, Lavi, especially if it keeps on happening every single day. And you know I hate people who can't understand simple orders. What's the use of keeping them if they keep on doing the wrong job?"

Lavi sighed. He couldn't really blame Kanda for snapping yesterday. The red haired was aware that the current supervisor of the maintenance department was a complete asshole. And just like Kanda have said, the man couldn't (or wouldn't) follow orders. Well, things like this would not normally concern him because he was fairly used on Kanda snapping at his subordinates every freaking minute (the man was such a stiff perfectionist) but what was irritating him the most was the fact that that fucker even persuaded the other concierges to vacate the building – all six of them.

And now, they were all suffering the consequences.

"I won't find you any replacement," Lavi said, shaking his head in resignation. "This is already the fourth time and the Human Resources agency was starting to think that we are mistreating their employees that was why they're all leaving."

"Then don't – I'll handle the searching myself. And do I look like I care of what those airheads will think about me?"

"No."

"Good."

Lavi rolled his eyes and whispered, "Komui would go berserk if he finds out you terminated one of his recruits again."

Kanda glared at the red haired. "Go back to your work, Mr. Bookman or I will personally tell Komui that you are sexually harassing his sister–"

Lavi mockingly saluted, "Have a good day, sir!" before he immediately exited.

Kanda sighed when the red haired finally left his office. He brushed his long, deep blue hair with his fingers, feeling the exhaustion seeping on his body like water.

He rested his back on his swivel chair and closed his eyes. He inhaled the usual lemony scent of his room as he tried to empty his mind. He had been working nonstop since his father gave him this firm, trying to prove his worth. Not because he was inadequate and incapable, but because up until now, everything had been too easy for him. He didn't even have to exert much effort to achieve something.

At first, it was fun. He could do anything he wanted; soccer, basketball, topping the exams, being an honor student, bedding every cute girl in school – everything was literally rolling on the palm of his hands.

Until it started to bore him to death.

Suddenly, his idea of fun became his number one adversary.

He began loathing other people for their not being able to play on the same level as him.

For leaving him all alone on the top.

It was when he started hounding other students in their school. His classmates, the first years, and even the seniors – there was no one in school that didn't know about Kanda Yuu's existence. And before he knew it, he became more alone than ever before. But he it didn't disheartened him. In fact, it only goaded his resentment.

He was just saying the truth. He was good and they're not. What was wrong with that?

He was already a senior when fate suddenly decided to kid around him. It was the first day of his last year in high school when he met him – the peculiar white haired boy with gleaming gray eyes who topped the entrance examination that year.

The arrival of the new student made a loud buzz in the school. At last, someone who could kick that jerk's ass out of his place, they've said.

Kanda met him that afternoon inside the cafeteria. He was rendered speechless when those eyes finally graced him. He was so small – much smaller than other first years and yet his presence felt so massive to Kanda, like he was trying to smother him with his gaze.

Little did he know that under that small, lithe figure was an unwavering determination that would shook his world later on.

The boy became a tough challenge that Kanda had never had the opportunity to face before. He was the only person who faced him head on, not caring who he was, his past, and what he was capable to do.

He made him feel alive again and for the first time since he entered school, he felt nervous not knowing what would happen next.

He made life interesting again.

But after a few months, the white haired boy just disappeared one day and he never came back to the school again. Nobody, not even the school administrators, knew what happened to that kid who captured Kanda Yuu's attention.

TBC