Title: Forever Trapped

Disclaimer: I do not own -Man. It rightfully belongs to Katsura Hoshino.


Dance: New Recruit

I danced around quickly and quietly, learning the steps of the geisha dance while throwing my own twist of killing moments into it with my twin fans, making sure that the moves, too, look elegant. My brother, Yuu-kun, has always taught me to be elegant. Though, I'm not Japanese like he is. I'm just that close to that anti-social bug. That and we've been through a lot together. I sighed as I dropped my stance, only to get yelled at by Yuu.

"How does he always know when I slouch?" I sighed, regaining my pose and starting over again. Left feet slide up, right feet step, twist hip and spin, sending razor sharp wind forward then twirl back and slash again.

I kept at it until the sun rose starting the day. I sighed once more as I place down my anti-akuma weapon on a nicely folded shirt and slowly start removing the bandages around my chest. There was no wound there but it covers my chest quite well whenever it gets too warm for a shirt during training. I couldn't keep myself from staring at the strange symbol above my left breast. It matched that of Onii-chan's; however, mine didn't have the faint line of a circle that Onii-chan had. The thought of that simple faint line aggravated me, causing me to clench my hand into a fist, punching the wall soon after. Though, I made sure I used as little power as possible.

I took a quick shower afterwards, dressing and walking out in my exorcist attire; a long collarless robe split open down the center under the belt. The silver trimmed robe hung on my shoulders and the sleeves were tight against my arms. Under the robe was a black tank top and a skirt along with my black stockings wrapped by silver ribbons, bringing the heel flat against my feet. I knocked on Yuu-nii's door only to find that he had already left. I sighed and slipped the fans in the two holsters I wore under my skirt and made my way towards the cafeteria for breakfast.

As I reached into the wide open space of the lunch room I saw everyone already awake and eating. I waved at some of the other Finders and made my way towards Jerry. Jerry was the chef of the place. He had tan skin and he wore his hair in two, long, low braids. He is often mistaken as a girl for his happy persona and his looks, but he's muscles and flat chest says otherwise.

"What do you want today?" Jerry asked, already knowing my answer.

"Prosciutto wrapped mango bites, fried mango curry chicken, and grilled lobster tails with green curry dipped in Mango sauce. Oh, and two mango puddings." I decided happily.

"Coming right up!" Jerry exclaimed, turning around to start on my food. I peered inside to see that Jerry had already made my desserts, having known I'd always order them. I watched my koi fish puddings like a lion stalking its prey until Jerry moved them towards my face with the rest of my order.

"Thank you." I said cheerfully as he handed me my food. I waved good-bye and made my way towards a seat, overhearing a problem along the way.

I felt sympathy for the Finder who had just lost his friend, but it's a tough job here. We're facing akumas and there was no way for a Finder to defend themselves against one. I sat down, a prosciutto in my mouth, half done. I smiled and waved at Lenalee, my Chinese co-worker. She, too, is an exorcist with an equipment-type innocence called "Dark Boots". It gives her nice agility and speed. Her specialty in combat is kicking and using her legs. She can do many things with her legs that I sometimes have no clue on how she does it.

"Morning," I greeted after swallowing the last piece of prosciutto on my plate, starting on the lobster tails next.

"Morning Esme," Lenalee greeted while glancing at my food. "You'll get fat if you keep eating so much." She warned.

Tears started to flow down my eyes at the thought of me being fat. "I don't want to be fat." I said with large tears running down my face. "But these taste so good. It's not my fault that Jerry makes them so irresistible."

"Aw, thank you Esme." Jerry yelled towards us offhandedly.

"Besides, I'm hungry." I said finishing the last tail.

"I know," Lenalee laughed. "Parasite-type innocence makes the host hungry."

"Then why tease me?" I pouted, my remark going unanswered by Lenalee when a voice suddenly cried, "What did you say?".

Lenalee and I turned to see a Finder standing up to Onii-chan. However, Onii-chan was never the good, kind one. Instead of apologizing, he grabbed the Finder called Buzz by his throat and started to yell about how all Finders can do is "Support us exorcist."

"This isn't good." Lenalee said.

"Mhm," I nodded while stabbing into a piece of chicken, noticing that every Finder was hurt and angered by Yuu-chan's words.

I watch as the newcomer went up to Onii-chan and grabbed his arm. "Stop it," He said calmly.

"Boy's got guts." I said, invoking my innocence so that I could read his. He had parasite-type innocence like me. That's rare. I thought and notice the pentacle on his forehead through my eyes. Weird, he's definitely not an akuma seeing as how he's unfazed by my innocence. Usually, if I'm looking at them, they'll feel a tendency to look my way. A cursed exorcist, how peculiar. This should be interesting. I thought with a small smirk.

"Who's the old man?" I questioned as I gestured out to the white-haired person, my eyes appearing orange as the blue screen disappeared while I stirred my drink with the straw before sipping on it lightly.

"That's right, you came back this morning." Lenalee giggled before sipping her soda. "He's our new recruit. He may look old but he's only 15." Lenalee said before ducking as I spat my drink out. "He has white hair from a curse." She spoke, peeking over the table cautiously. "I think you already know from your little scan that he has parasitic innocence like you."

I blushed slightly at the mention of my hasty check on the newbie. I bit the tip of my straw, sipping nervously while glancing to the side. I hid my face behind my bangs as Lenalee laughed at my attempt to evade eye contact. I glared at my now empty drink with dismay. How can it fail me just when I need it?

"You were always curious." Lenalee giggled.

"Back off, Moyashi." I heard Yuu-chan call. Moyashi was the Japanese word for bean sprout and it fit the boy perfectly seeing how he was rather short for someone his age.

"Shouldn't you go stop the fight?" I asked Lenalee as we left to dump our dishes in the washing center. She was always the one who broke up fights between members of the Order, either Exorcists or Finders by using her innocence or even her clipboard. It didn't matter which method she used. She'll end it.

"It's already over." Lenalee spoke, causing me to turn back to see that it had indeed ended. Only now the newbie and Onii-chan had this fighting aura around them. I sighed and turned back to wash my hands. "They're going to start another fight." I warned as Onii-chan unsheathed Mugen.

Lenalee activated her Dark Boots and dashed off towards the site of the problem and kicked the two exorcists away from each other before landing on the ground with a simple clack of her heels. "The only thing you ever do is fight." Lenalee sighed. It was still early in the morning and the two were already at it. It was if it was a continuation of last night.

"You alright, Buzz?" I questioned, kneeling beside the gasping Finder. "I apologize for my brother's rudeness. Please forgive him." I said and bowed to him and fellow Finders. "This world is pitiful. It's filled with bloodshed and war. In war many die and more are scarred. Those who are lucky are those who die. They're the one who escape this cold world of darkness and decay. So, I don't understand why you mourn for someone who was lucky." I spoke in a strange tone while glancing at the ground. "Only those lucky enough ever escape." I mumbled to myself.

"Che." Yuu-kun clicked his tongue before he turned to leave, having had enough of this little show.

"Esme-chan?" Lenalee questioned worriedly as the Finders glanced at each other nervously. None of them had expected to hear that nor did the thought of death being an escape came to them.

"Ah? Sorry about that. I guess I'm just stressed." I sputtered, waving my arms before me, my eyes clearing. "Thank you for being there in war with us, Finders. I know what my brother said may have hurt or angered you, but in truth we wouldn't be able to get through as much as we do now if it wasn't for you fine Finders." I smiled sweetly at them. This was what should have been said. It was what I always do.

"Esme-chan, you're right. We are fine Finders." Buzz repeated. He liked the sound of it – Fine Finders.

"Mhm, and without you we wouldn't be able to get so much innocence." I nodded and turned around, picking up Yuu-nii's soba and slurping it up.

"That's someone elses food. If you want to order food you, can order from there." The new recruit told, his face crumbling somewhat in disgust at the thought of backwash.

"I know. But hey, it's going to waste anyway." I shrugged and continued while Lenalee went to make coffee for the Science Department.

The Australian scientist came by carrying a stack of books. "Allen, Esme, finish your lunch in ten minutes before reporting to the command desk. You've got a mission." Reever called.

"Allen Moyashi?" I questioned quirking a brow. "That's a very um… unique name."

"No, it's Allen Walker." He corrected scratching his head while holding his other out. "You are?"

"Esme Zillah. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cursed exorcist." I said with a smile as I shook his hand. "Enjoy your lunch." I turned and walk towards the command desk.

I sighed and watched supervisor Komui sleeping in a havoc mess of papers and books that he calls his desk. I walked around the desk, trying to see where exactly was the desk. All I could see was paper, paper and guess what? More paper! It was as if the table itself was made out of paper with enough strength to hold Komui's full weight as he sleeps on it. I squat down and tried to peel the paper off, but all that was under was, once again, paper. I wonder how much paper cuts he could get if it were to suddenly collapse.

"Imo to." Yuu-kun called and I jumped.

"Yes, Onii-chan?" I questioned and glanced over at him.

"Are you alright today?" His eyes narrowed. He was referring to the strange speech.

"Not particularly. You did leave me to clean up your last mission while you return back then have me train all night long." I yawned and sat down next to him on the purple couch. "It's dark, this world." I mumbled what he wanted to hear.

"Careful." Yuu-kun sighed under his breath.

The door slip open and Lenalee came in with a blue cup with a pink bunny on a silver platter. Lenalee placed the coffee down on a paperless part of the desk. How she found it as soon as she came in while I, who was circling the table, could not, I had no idea. It had to be from experience, I guess.

The three of us waited in silence until the albino finally walked in when the ten minutes were up, exactly. As soon as the albino joined us, Reever started his attempts to wake up the Supervisor, but all were to no avail. Even whacking him in the head did no effect. Finally, Reever decided to go to his trump card. He leaned into the Chinese's ear and sang: "Lenalee is going to marry someone."

Immediately the Supervisor's head rose and tears streaked down his eyes like waterfalls. "How could you go marry someone without even telling your brother, Lenalee?" He questioned as he cried, clutching his beloved sister.

Lenalee sweat dropped, embarrassed beside me while Yuu-chan and Walker stood on the left side of me in silence. I sighed and smacked my head with my palm. This was sad.

"It's the only way to wake him." Reever explained.

After finally regaining his composure he explained his sleeping when he was supposed to be working. Apparently he's been awake all night long. "We don't have much time to debrief so I'll make this quick. The Finders have found innocence in South Italy and you're to go there and take the innocence before any akuma get to it. Esme, we don't have much time to track the innocence if something bad happens and that's why you're here on this mission. We need your eyes." Komui explained finally on topic while reading my mind.

I could suddenly feel Allen Walker's gaze on me when Komui mentioned my eyes.

My eyes are nowhere near normal. They are special in a way like most other parasitic innocence. My eyes are actually parasite-type innocence and they have the ability to identify the location of a nearby innocence. They respond to innocence similar to how akuma are lured towards innocence. My eyes are only able to identify innocence that give off a strong enough wave or when I happen to be standing next to it. The distance of it depends on how strong the waves it sends off.

"Head out. There's more information in these packages." Komui said, handing us a little booklet.

~`Black Church: Underground Water Path`~

I sat beside Yuu-chan while the albino tried on his new exorcist outfit, though it seems to be a bit big for him even the smallest size. The male's exorcist outfit is basically a black robe with a silver cross and trimmings with two buttons. He also had his left hand covered by a glove.

"Do I have to wear this?" The Brit questioned.

"It's proof that you're an exorcist. Don't worry, it's made for battle and your glove is easier to use too."

A small lump appeared on his arm and out came a golden golem. I froze and glared at the golem. "Cross," I mumbled under my breath. So this was Cross' so called apprentice. He's been with my Father for the past few years. I wonder how much debt he has to pay off.

"Get on already, Moyashi." Yuu-chan snapped.

"Timcampy has the ability to show the past of someone he's been with. I've seen your battles. That's why I didn't sleep." Komui said before giving him a thumbs up. "Later,"

Timcampy turned around and caught sight of me immediately, his face beaming as he dashed forwards, only to be halted by Mugen. Slowly Allen pulled Tim back, slightly glaring at Yuu-nii.

~`City of Martel`~

I scanned through the booklet that explained the 500 year old dolls. The dolls were those humans used to play with when they were lonely and had no one to be with. But one day humans were able to find something to play with other than the dolls and they left the dolls behind. The dolls began to move and soon enough they were moving on their own and for the past 500 years they've been looking for another human to play with. I could see why they would believe that innocence is here, for a doll to be living for 500 years is definitely a miracle.

"I got a question to ask," Walker said, jumping off another building as he read.

"Don't ask questions, just worry about the train." Onii-chan said.

I stuffed the booklet into my pocket at the mention of the train. It wouldn't be easy to read and board a moving train at the same time.

"The train has arrived." The Finder declared.

"What, we're going on that?" Walker exclaimed. He gaped at the large black train zipping past.

"Yes, now careful, it's moving." I stated the obvious and gave the boy a push seeing as how he wasn't about to jump willingly before jumping in after him.

I landed on the side of the train on my bum. I glance up behind me to see Yuu-chan in a crouching position. Walker was on his side as if he was lying there asleep with his golem on his head, nestling in his hair. The Finder was gripping to the train.

"Illegally boarding a train." Walker said disapprovingly.

"We've always done it like this." Yuu-nii scoffed.

"Would you rather enter from the doors?" I questioned slipping him down slowly from the top.

"No, no, no!" The boy said quickly, shaking his head like mad.

"Then don't complain. We don't have much time." I said and slowly moved towards the emergency exit and opened it. I slipped myself inside quickly and landed without a sound. I helped the Finder get down safely before Onii-chan jumped in smoothly, followed by Walker who got caught swinging down the open hatch.

"Excuse me, but this is a first class train and normal citizens are supposed to be in the second class, and you guys just came in from…" The staff stated nervously.

"We're the Black Priests, get a room ready." The Finder ordered.

"B-black Priests? Of course." The staff said bowing to his hips.

"What was that?" Walker questioned surprised.

"The rose cross you wear on your clothing is a proof of being in the Vatican. It allows you to enter anyplace you want. Oh, by the way. I'm the Finder who's going to guide you on your mission. My name is Toma." Toma said as he bowed.

"Take care of me, Toma-san." I said courteously only to get dragged by Yuu-chan into our prepared room. "Onii-chan…"

"They're just Finders, there's no need to do that. We're going to end up protecting them anyway." Yuu-chan said annoyed.

I rest my head against the window, having finished with the booklet. But unlike the other British beside me, I wasn't asking about every single thing. I sighed, not bothering to listen to the Brit's questions about everything anymore. It was getting annoying.

"Um… I have another question." Walker started and waited in silence before asking again.

"Ask Onii-chan," I responded immediately.

"Che." Yuu-chan replied and a murderous aura surrounded him. The questions were also getting to him.

Aw crap. I thought. "Um… what is your question, boy?" I asked quickly.

"What does this eerie legend have to do with the innocence?" Walker asked confused. Did he know nothing?

"The innocence is a substance that has changed over the years since the time of Noah to the present. In the beginning, it had sunk to the bottom of the sea, but as the power of the stone lured us to it, we discovered it. But its appearance change every time, and it can appear out of nowhere in any form. The stone always cause eerie illusions for unknown reasons." I explained.

"So this "Ghost of Martel" has something to do with this?" He asked innocently.

"Supposedly." I sighed, still looking outside, missing the cute face he wore while he was confused over the booklet and new knowledge.

"In an eerie place, there lies the innocence." Yuu-chan recited. "That's why the church always searches in strange places."

"And whenever there is a high possibility of an innocence we get sent in." I finished.

"Actually, I was part of the group that was investigating this part. I've seen the ghost of Martel." Toma said from outside the door. He was standing guard.

I dashed with the others quickly to reach our destination, there wasn't much time. We jumped over the rocky grounds as it slipped past us.

"The ghost of Martel is actually a doll." Walker repeated finally understanding something.

"It wouldn't be surprising if innocence was used to create these dolls." Yuu-chan explained.

"I'll determine that." I reminded.

Our eyes widened as we felt the cold aura of the city. I stopped and glanced over the town. Everything seemed relatively quiet, almost too quiet. But quickly, I soon found out why. The Finders, they've been killed. I bit my lip.

"Damn, we tried to get here as soon as possible, but the Finders are already dead." Yuu-chan announced to everyone what we've were all thinking.

Walker started to move forward.

"Hey, I don't care if you're on the verge of death, if I find you a nuisance. I will leave you behind. This is a war, and sacrifices are made during a war." Yuu-chan said like always he did before a mission to different personal.

I sighed. "Same old, same old."

"I don't like your way of thinking." Walker said frowning at the man.

"Man, got guts, Yuu-chan." I giggled quietly to Yuu-chan.

"Or he's just asking for it." Yuu-chan suggested another source.

I shrugged and shook my head.

"Esme," Yuu-chan said sternly.

"Already on it." I said as my innocence activated. The clear blue screen crystallizes before my eyes and I scanned the town for the source of innocence. I saw the glow of the white, blurred cross. Innocence always has some kind of disguise to hide itself from akuma. Even with my eyes, the disguise won't be gone completely but just reduced to a smudge around the actual thing. "Found it." I smirked.

An explosion appeared just as I reported my findings. It was two level one akumas and one level two? It evolved. I clench my mouth tight. This is not going to be easy for a rookie. I thought.

"Keep shooting," The level two akuma commanded to the level ones while he stepped on the head of a Finder. "Using your power to seal the innocence up. How foolish. It's going to take some time to undo the spell." He said crushing the man's head.

The Finder started to scream and Walker and I was gone. However, unlike him, I didn't charge into battle.

Walker punched the level two akuma quickly and pushed him off the poor Finder. I watched as Walker's left eye flashed black with a bright red pupil in two rings. Strange. I thought as a look of realization came into Walker's face.

I jumped in quickly and removed the Finder from the center of the battle before taking a closer look at Walker's left eye and checking it with my innocence eyes. The eye was definitely not innocence like mine. But why was it glowing? Only anti-akuma weapons glowed. I dashed out and placed the Finder down somewhere safe before I had much chance to contemplate it further.

I turned up to my brother, who I could tell was already annoyed with this idiot for jumping into a battle without knowing what he was going into. I turn my attention back to the battle between Walker and the level two akuma. I watched as the akuma stared at his hand after throwing Walker into a wall before it started to speak with much sense and emotion.

"Onii-chan…" I started upon noticing the akuma's abnormality.

"I know, Imo to." Yuu-chan said solemnly.

Walker pushed the large rock off him using his cursed arm as a shield to take the impact. "You're the one that killed the Finders." He hissed.

"Get the innocence." Yuu-nii ordered, drawing his sword. "Return of the Apocalypse," Yuu-chan called into the wind and sliced the air. "Underworld Insects [First Illusion]" The slash that Yuu-chan made into the air sprouted long vine like monsters that instantly sliced through the level one akumas.

"There's another one of you?" The level two akuma questioned.

I nodded and glanced at the Finder's condition. He wasn't going to live for much longer judging from the severity of his wounds. "What's the code to release the seal talismans?" I asked the Finder beside me.

"You came... exorcists..."Have…hope"…" the Finder struggled to speak, throat dried.

"Of course we'd come." I smiled and handed him a canteen of water. Sure it had no purpose but it didn't matter, he should have some kind of last meal. I jumped towards the talismans and deactivated it. "Come with us," I said holding out my hand as Yuu-chan walked towards us. I picked up the small girl dressed in a rag with a rather pointy hat while Yuu-chan carried the other dressed in the same fashion.

"I'll get you guys later." akuma level two yelled.

"You let yourself get carried away by your emotions. I won't help you." Yuu-chan warned.

"Walker, I'll leave the akuma to you, we'll secure the innocence and then I'll come back." I said staring irritably on the ground where the dead Finders laid. He wasn't the only one angered about the death of the Finders. I bowed and ran off after Yuu-chan.

"Alright, go ahead. I'll deal with the akuma." Walker said halfheartedly.

"An underground path?" Yuu-chan questioned after a while of jumping and carrying.

"It's to protect this city from strong sunlight, anyone who doesn't know their way around will get lost in there. There's only one exit and that's through the cliffs by the sea." The girl explained. "It's safer to go underground."

Brother's golem started to ring and flew out from his robe, flapping its bat-like wings rapidly.

"What is it Toma-san?" I questioned only to get whacked.

"I was investigating a different block and it seems like there's a heavy battle going on followed by a loud bash and now I can't pinpoint Sir Walker's whereabouts. The akuma appeared and it's chasing a golem." Toma informed.

"OK, I'll send my golem as a guide, bring back Tim only." Yuu-chan ordered.

"I'll go find Walker-san and if he's dead, I'll take his innocence." I suggested placing the girl down, then spinning on my silver heels I took off back to the battle. "Don't let the innocence here fall into the wrong hands Onii-chan" I warned looking at the girl.

"Damn it." I cussed crawling through a rather small opening full of broken spider webs. The cross kept spinning half circles in opposite directions back and forth. A little pop out arrow was pointing to the cross and it said "Allen Walker" on it. I sighed and went faster. "Stupid idiot, why are you crawling in such a place? I know you're short and all but why a place that's this small?" I questioned irritated. "And it's full of spiders."

The cross stopped moving. Finally, he stopped moving. I sighed. The white glow of his cross appeared brighter. He activated his innocence. I thought before moving faster, a fan in my mouth.

I went to the opening and saw Walker kneeling down and holding onto another Walker. "What?" I questioned from the little corridor, around my fan.

"Why did you protect the akuma?" I heard Yuu-chan questioned.

I look to my side and saw Toma and Yuu-chan.

"Fake," I hissed jumping out of the hole and towards the collapsed Walker only to get blocked by Walker's arm. "Walker-san, he's doesn't have an innocence so he must be the akuma. We must kill the akuma." I argued.

"This person is not an akuma." He exclaimed. "I have an "eye" that can tell people apart from akuma." He explained.

"What?" I exclaimed and checked his eye out for any signs of innocence again. There was none, but the pentacle on his forehead might have something to do. This is definitely going to be a good weapon against akuma. I thought excited. A special anti-akuma weapon.

A gap formed on the fake Walker's cheek. A gap? I wondered while Walker quickly ripped off the mask that he wore, revealing that the being that was beneath it was Toma? I stared in shock at the almost dead Finder's face. I then began clenching and unclenching my fist angrily over the akuma. Next time I see him will be his last. Walker's eye flashed black and his pupil shone red. Akuma?I thought tensing.

"Kanda, the Toma behind you is an akuma!" Walker yelled.

I spun around quickly, prepared to tackle my brother while the akuma began reaching for him. I crashed and rolled a few times though. I had been too slow. I stopped and got up, looking at the broken wall to see my own brother being held up by the neck, blood running down the wall behind him. My eyes focused on his sword, Mugen. It wasn't with him. He was defenseless. "Onii-chan!" I yelled upset.

"You bastard when did you…?" Yuu-chan started.

"When I crushed that golden golem I found the guy you called 'Toma'." the akuma said. "I thought if I copy him, you wouldn't notice." He raised his index finger up and dragged it down his face. His true clown form appeared. "Then I made him wear the 'image' of the white haired guy. Hehehe, I'm smart. My skin has the ability to duplicate others."

"Ha," Yuu-chan laughed.

I froze and smiled. Judging from his attitude he seemed just fine.

"Die," the akuma screeched as he raised his right hand that matched Walker's innocence and slashed it down Yuu-chan's chest.

"Yuu-chan!" I yelled and glared at the rookie. "You idiot! You let him copy your innocence?"

"Hurry up and die already." akuma laughed.

"Die?" My brother repeated on his feet now. Blood dripped down his body, making splotches on the floor. "I cannot die before I find 'that person'." He said in a trance as his eyes glazed over.

The akuma started to laugh faster and harder. "He died while standing up."

I appeared right beside his head and glared evilly at him before I threw him into a wall with my fans. I dropped down and looked up my brother. "Onii-chan?" I questioned holding him. "I won't let you die."

I dropped my oversized fan and it snapped open into a sea shell shape just before the akuma attacked us. He punched the shield between us many times while I held Yuu-kun in my arms, shielding him with my body incase my fan wouldn't stand when the attacks stopped unexpectedly. I turned around and the fan went back to its regular size. I picked it up and saw Walker standing on the other side.

"Let's get Kanda somewhere safe." He said while helping me with my brother as he carried Toma.

We were gone before the akuma can resettle himself.

Slowly, I lifted Yuu-chan off Walker and carried him. I could tell Walker was already having trouble with Toma and he too was injured.

"Sir Walker… please leave me… your badly wounded." Toma pleaded sacrificing himself.

"I will do no such thing." Walker said smiling through his pain.

I was shock at his ability to smile even in that much pain. But then I resumed walking, knowing that I shouldn't care. He was my Father's apprentice, that Goddamn bastard that I'm going to kill. He always has to ruin my life.

"You guys lost the innocence?" I questioned annoyed. "Onii-chan, I said to look after it. Invocate." The cross in my eyes shone and the blue screen materialize before my eyes. I scanned the area.

"Over here, Walker-san." I said taking a left.

Soon under my guidance we could hear a song, a beautiful, calm and reassuring melody full of sadness. I remember a verse that I read from the booklet 'Living in despair people started to create dolls to escape their situation. Joyous dolls that sang and dance.'

"This way," I said motioning for the cursed albino to follow.

Sure enough it was the doll singing.

"Are you crying?" Guzoru questioned.

"What a silly question to ask, Guzoru." Lala giggled as she crawled towards her human companion.

"I can hear something… something like sadness." Guzoru coughed.

"Aren't I a doll?" Lala questioned. "Guzoru, why did you lie about being a doll?"

"I am just a ugly human compared to a beautiful doll like you. Besides, I didn't want you broken by strangers. Lala when I die, I want to break you with my own hands." Guzoru said.

"Yes, Guzoru. What do you want me to sing next?" She asked, throwing herself into his arms.

"I am… an ugly human." Guzoru said.

Walker shuffled in the sand, giving away our position. Their attention turned towards us.

"Um… sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop but you are a doll, aren't you?" Walker asked which shocked me. Who did they think it was? The ugly human?

Lala's eyes turn ferocious as she stabbed her hand into a fallen cauldron and chucked it at us.

I stared wide-eyed. The doll sure got lots of strength. I thought and kicked Walker out of the way while ducking to the ground.

"Wait, let's calm down and talk about this." Walker suggested in a hurry, his voice wavering. Walker pulled off his glove after placing Toma down.

"Doesn't look like she's going to listen." I said as she raised another cauldron. "Run!"

Walker invocated his left hand and caught the flying piece of stone with his hand and chucked it back, destroying the rest of the pillars while the doll held herself together, waiting for the impact.

"There's nothing left for you to throw." Walker said smiling while holding up a giant pillar himself. "Now tell me what's wrong."

"Guzoru is going to die soon. Let me stay with him until he does. I'll give you my heart if you do." She offered.

"You're heart is the innocence we need, Lala and if you keep it more monsters like the one earlier will come to try and get you. Many will die if you don't give that to us. Please just give it to us." I said kneeling down beside her.

"I just want to be with him for the last moments of his life." Lala said snuggling to Guzoru. "His heartbeat has been getting slower and quieter."

I opened my mouth to speak again but Walker was too fast.

"Alright then, we'll wait." He said.

I turn around and gave him a giant glare. "Our mission," I hissed.

"We're still doing our mission. It's just going to take a bit more time. She also promised to give us her innocence." He said.

"No! We can't grant his wish. We're to take her innocence now. Go take her heart." Yuu-chan shouted waking up.

I bit my lip and spun on my heel, away from my brother and towards the innocence. A last wish…I thought sadly.

"What have we come here for?" Yuu-chan shouted.

"I'm sorry…" I mumbled, stepping forwards. I reached down and unlatch my holster and brought my fan up. "Please move, Walker." I said with a tint of edge.

"No." He spoke and placed his arms on my shoulders. My eyes widened. "I'm sorry, but I will not move." Yuu-chan's eyes narrowed.

Yuu-chan picked up the nicely folded jacket of Walker's and chucked it at us. "This is not a pillow for the weak!" He hissed and threw his own on and walked past us. "We're exorcists, we are at war. Sacrifices are meant to be made so others can be saved, newbie."

"Please, please don't snatch it away." Lala cried as Kanda held Mugen up with his left hand, pointing it towards her.

I lowered my head, letting my hair cover my eyes as I waited in anticipation for the scream to come. But to my surprise, it never came. I raised my head and looked out through my hair at the scene. My eyes widened. What was Walker doing before Mugen, blocking Yuu-nii's way?

"I'll be your sacrifice. I can be the sacrifice for the two of them then." Walker said while he continued to block the two from harm. "To make sacrifices all the time in a war, it's futile." He spoke with determination.

"Idiot… sacrifices are unavoidable in a war." I muttered and looked away.

A loud thud was heard as Yuu-chan fell down after punching Walker with as much strength as he can gather at the time.

"Sir Kanda!" Toma yelled.

I walked over and past Walker in silence before squatting down besides Yuu and helping him back up.

"How pitiful of you to give yourself up for some strangers. Isn't there anything important to you?" Yuu-chan yelled.

"There was something important to me once. But I lost it a long time ago." Walker said, his voice sounding flat, almost dead. "It's pitiful that I don't have any real noble reason but I just don't want to see that happen again. That's all. Because I am a small man, my heart is moved by what I see before me, not what the world needs. I just want to protect that. I want to protect anything that I can!"

"Walker…" I muttered with a mixture of surprise, awe and fear.

My innocence activated on its own. "The innocence!" I turned and reached forward, grabbing onto Lala's hand as she and Guzoru got pulled back by a curved claw that dug through both of them.

"Guzoru?" Lala whispered before we crashed into sand.

"It's him!" Walker yelled.

"Esme!" I heard Yuu-chan call as I appeared with the now dead doll coughing out sand. In the other hand was Guzoru's dead body and the innocence hanging haphazardly on the tip of his claw. "Grab the innocence."

"I got the innocence." The akuma laughed.

"You don't have to tell me." I yelled, climbing over the dead doll and jumping off the akuma's hand while he threw the two bodies away. I reached out for the innocence, only seconds away from it when Walker's cross started to rotate erratically in full circles. I glanced over at him to see him leap into the air, innocence half formed. It was changing according to his emotions. It formed a cannon and he was about to blast aiming at the akuma which I was with at the moment.

"Invocate," I flipped out my fan and snapped it open. It enlarged its size according to my will as Walker's cannon fired.

I was shoved back into a wall from the blast. The shield had four long glowing beam struck through it. He broke my innocence! I sighed glad that none of those spikes had smashed into me. Though, now, I was lodged into a wall with my fan blocking my own exit. I couldn't deactivate it either. I scrunched up to the back as far as I can and kicked the fan many times before it fell out. I climbed out after it.

I picked up my dead innocence and placed it back inside its sheath and glanced up at the boy who just gotten himself eaten by the akuma. I grimaced at the thought of how the inside of an akuma must look like.

"How many times before you die?" The akuma questioned as he morphed his hand into a Triton.

"Master Walker!" Toma yelled worried when the akuma started stabbing his own belly trying to get to Walker with his spear hand.

"He's alright. His bloodlust is still there." Yuu-nii told while his eyes glanced towards me, seeing if I would do anything.

I watched both innocence through the screen. Walker's innocence was still activated meaning Walker was still alive and had enough strength to keep it activated. "You let your emotions take over." I mumbled. Anger would only blind you.

"Five," The Akuma continued and plunged his hand into his sand belly again. "Six," Anger raging. "Seven," Innocence activated. "Eight." Walker shot out of the sand, the spear's point stuck in his innocence arm. He had used his arm as a shield to take the hit and send himself out from the force. Walker pulled his arm free, snapping the spears, and pulled his arm across his face, a beam sprouting out from where the hole was.

"My spears!" The akuma cried, not noticing that Walker's weapon was changing. Walker using the beam like a sword and sliced off the sand skin the akuma wore leaving him naked. "My sand skin!" The akuma cried dropping to the ground with Walker not far behind.

"What's left is your real self." Walker said from behind the akuma while it glanced from side to side, seemingly worriedly.

"Don't move I still have this girl." The akuma shouted, grabbing me in his large hand and holding me out towards Walker. His copy of Walker's arm pointed towards my neck.

Walker froze and glared at the akuma. "That's low." He hissed.

"Get your dirty hand off me!" I commanded harshly, thrashing around and ignoring the cuts that came with my movements.

"You want to die?" He questioned as his eyes rolled opposite directions around his head and his tongue lolled out of his mouth.

"Can you kill me?" I retorted with a smirk. "Either way, you're going to lose your hand." I warned, watching as a white cross moving forth towards me.

"Hey what's that?" The akuma questioned and pointed a talon towards the moving cross on my screen.

"Onii-chan and Mugen." I replied. A large gust of wind blew by and I watched as the howling akuma grew smaller. "Thanks Onii-chan."

"Che. Who told you to get captured!" He shouted annoyed, dropping me.

"I got the innocence, didn't I?" I sighed and pulled myself from the grip and opened my palm to reveal the glowing, green heart.

"Ah, the innocence!" The akuma screeched and patted himself down. His eyes grew dark as he realized the innocence in my hand was the one he had taken. He started moving towards us, swinging his oversized copy of a hand.

"I would be more worried about that." I stated innocently while pointing towards Walker who was charging up his gun and releasing it. I sighed as the flaring cross settled as the charge was released.

"He fired!" The akuma exclaimed and raised Walker's hand up, trying his best to catch the attack. He was shot back towards a wall making a hole in it.

"Guzoru loved Lala. Using Esme as a shield. You're unforgivable." Walker shouted and the power increased.

"Why? It's the same hand so why am I losing?" The akuma questioned as his copy started to disintegrate.

"It's simple, freak. Even if the weapon is the same, you're limit is different. When fully synchronized with innocence the exorcist gets stronger. Only exorcists are truly able to handle anti-akuma weapons." I scoffed and turn my attention to Walker. "How long can you handle it?" I questioned grinning inwardly. Even if you're an exorcist, there's still limits.

Walker's eyes widened and he coughed out blood while his attack disappeared along with his closing innocence. Walker slumped over, coughing out blood while holding his burning throat.

"He's at his limit." I mumbled and glanced at Yuu.

"I got you now!" The akuma shouted crazily, charging his half dead hand towards the exorcist. The akuma stopped as his hand was blocked. Mugen was shoved under the claws of the copied hand while it's injured master held him with as much steadiness as he could squeeze out despite his reopening wounds.

I stood behind Yuu, holding my broken fans out while glancing behind me at the akuma with narrowed eyes. My attention flashed towards the red seeping through the white bandages as Yuu-nii struggled with his hold. He won't last long from the wound. I glanced towards the fallen Walker. "Don't get used to this. Nii-san doesn't usually do this." I warned.

"Che." Yuu-nii clicked and snapped behind him. "You gutless worm… don't get exhausted at the last minute! You were the bastard that guaranteed to protect those two!" Said boy jumped in fear. "I hate people who do soft things like you… but people who don't keep their words, I hate even more."

"Nii-san is noble like that." I smiled at the scared kid.

"So whichever I am, you're going to hate anyway." Walker laughed weakly and I snapped my head away. "I wasn't exhausted. I was just taking a break." He said and readied his innocence again.

"You're annoying me." Yuu-nii clicked his tongue while he sliced the hand off.

"Scatter away!" Allen and Onii-san shouted. Allen fired his gun while Yuu-nii summoned his insects. I closed my fans, they were useless in the condition they were in, and watched as the lights bounced off the wall and the shadows danced on the ground. The akuma screeched and disappeared into the night, executed.

I sat beside an upset Walker, sleeping on his shoulder while listening to the doll sing. Ever since Walker placed the innocence back into the doll, the doll was different. It didn't seem as though she remembers the past she had with the human. She just kept singing for the now dead man who she believed was merely asleep.

Walker was having trouble with this. I could tell he was feeling bad and guilty that Lala no longer knew who the man was. The man that loved her and the man she loved. She was just a doll looking for someone to sing too.

I woke to my brother's footsteps on the staircase.

"Have you healed, Brother?" I questioned still half asleep. The sad song was a great lullaby.

"That's impossible. The doctor said it'll take five months to heal." Walker exclaimed.

"I'm healed." He repeated.

"Wait, did she just call you "brother"?" Walker questioned and glance at the two of us.

I ignored him. "You're getting old." I smiled sadly. It took him a few days to heal, meaning Yuu-chan's life was deteriorating.

"Old? He's eighteen, how's he old?" Walker asked confused.

"He just is." I yelled back and bit my lip.

"Esme, I'll be going to my next mission, take the innocence back and return it to headquarters." My old brother said. "If it's too hard to bare you can just stop her." Yuu-chan said noticing Walker's sadness and guilt.

"I can't, I promised." Walker said burying his face again.

"You're naïve. We are exorcist, we destroy not save." Yuu-chan said.

The song vanished into the loud wind.

We glanced back at the tower behind us in shock. We hadn't thought it would end so suddenly. Walker walked inside to see what happened.

"Onii-chan, don't die." I said sadly. "If you do, I'll bring you back and kill you myself." I clenched my fist.

"Che," He sighed.

I smiled. "Be careful."

"Esme, be careful when you're around Moyashi." He warned and my smile dropped.

"He's been through a lot." I mumbled and closed my eyes wishing I never saw what I did. I covered my eyes and smile slightly before opening them. I glanced up at the calm sky. "Good luck to the Finders on your mission, Brother. I'll go get the innocence." I turned and walked inside.

I saw the white-haired exorcist crying over the broken shell of the doll.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I want to be a destroyer that can save." Walker said.

I stared deadpan. "That makes no sense." I whispered to Toma and he laughed. I laughed with him too. This boy, Allen Walker, is most definitely different.


[A/N] Japanese terms:

Onii-chan, -nii = Older brother

Imo to = younger sister

That should be all the Japanese terms in this chapter. If there is more, please tell me and I'll add them on ASAP.

~Airi