So! While this is my first time actually posting anything to this site, (or any fanfiction for that matter), I've actually been writing, and rewriting, the Tara Journal for well over 4 1/2 years now. In honor of D. Gray man's return I feel the need to post this needlessly long nonsense that I've written for so long. Not to throw out excuses but i actually originally wrote the main plot of the TJ long before Allen was announced as a Noah, leading it a bit of embarrassment. Even so, this is a rewrite of an otherwise ancient piece. I hope you enjoy!
"How low is it Hevlaska." He asked sternly, brows shifting to reflect his frustration.
The towering woman sighed, "That is not what you should be concerned about director."
"Can she fight or not?" He pressed, "We're in the middle of a war, and we can't waste time on this."
"Yes. But she barely holds on at 30%, and.." Hevlaska trailed off.
"And what?"
"Its unusual. The synchronization doesn't act like it was meant for combat, or at least at this time." She continued, "Najwa couldn't express anything of the matter to me."
"The innocence is called Najwa?"
"It adopted the name during its time in the tomb."
The director nodded. "Understandable, but you spoke similarly of the dark boots, and their strength far outweighed their original potential."
"So I did."
"Then it's decided, she'll take a standard exorcist position under the watchful mentorship of Socalo and see how she progresses."
Hevlaska bowed her head in agreement. "Just keep an eye on her."
"Ms. Winstrom is a.." He paused. "A precious one of few, we have to keep an eye on her if we are to win this holy war."
"We'll see Leverrier."
Tara rotated the dark glossy wood in her hands. It was just thick enough for her to wrap a hand a little more than halfway around. The wood itself was petrified, lacking its defining texture but maintaining its natural pattern. Even more amazing was the fact that the wood hadn't had any chance to age, and it's petrified state was due to the innocence it contained. Jagged lines of green and white cracked through the smooth surface of the pole, and emitted a slight and wavering glow. She turned the staff and place one end onto the ground. It was certainly taller than her when she sat, but while standing the staff was level with her head.
"Tara?" Someone asked calmly, opening her door and stepping into the fairly small room. She immediately tensed up as a familiar German exorcist came into view.
"S-Suman!" She said, a bit confused and surprised, "I'm so sorry I-"
"I don't think anyone was expecting that piece of innocence to react to you." He interrupted. I've just been told to fetch you. Komui needs to talk to you."
Tara nodded and stood, tightly clutching the staff as she followed Suman outside.
"What exactly is going to happen?" Tara inquired, still shaken over the days events.
Suman shrugged, "He's probably just going to brief you." He said, a hint of coldness in his voice. "You don't have to worry about too many details, since you've already had the basic finder training."
Suman glanced at the equally tall woman, "But don't expect to visit home anytime soon." Suman said bitterly. "You've just become a confidential military weapon."
Tara gazed down and sighed, disheartened. "And I assume writing them is out of the question."
Suman let out a frustrated breath that answered her question as they arrived at Komui's office.
As usual, it was an absolute mess. Paperwork was stacked into towers that would rival church spires, and the shelves of books where so disorganized that no librarian would even attempt to straighten it out. Among the heaps of work, busily worked Johnny, Reever, and Komui; of whom headed the task force with the occasional twitch of exhaust or hysteria with coffee in hand. This was understandable, with the sudden turn of events leaving the science division with an all nighter.
"So, how are you enjoying your sudden promotion? It's not often we see a finder rise through the ranks." Komui smiled, standing up from his desk to greet the two. "Please, do take a seat, we have a lot to talk about."
"Thank you Komui, but I'd rather not." Suman spoke, turning down the offer.
"I understand, I'll see you tomorrow morning." Komui replied, sitting Tara down in a chair in front of his desk.
Suman nodded and exited, bidding Johnny goodnight as he did so.
"So." Komui finally started, taking his own seat. "Tara I'm not going to lie to you, this isn't going to be easy." He rested his chin on his steepled hands and gave a look of parental concern. "But there is no way you can back out now."
Tara let out a sigh, "Suman told me you'd say that."
Komui's shoulders slouched, "He hasn't exactly taken well to the order, there are certainly some who have their gripes, but you have to understand you've been chosen to help us stop the destruction of humanity as we very well know it."
Tara leaned on Komui's desk and rubbed her forehead, " I see that, and I'm not saying no I ju-"
"Then you're saying yes?" Komui pressed.
"I don't think I could say no." Tara said, giving in.
"Alright then!" Komui said enthusiastically, clasping his hands together "This makes things much faster. Leverrier recommended we put you under the authority of General Winters Socalo until you get a hang of what you're doing."
"Wasn't he on de-"
"Death row? It's best not to address that detail. But you'll be perfectly fine." Komui assured.
Even still, Tara's face was painted with concern.
"There's no need to worry about that right now, you'll meet him tomorrow." Komui spoke quickly changing the subject. "But since you've already had the Order briefing, and been assigned a room-"
"The closet you mean." Tara spoke in an annoyed tone.
"I promise its temporary, but more importantly you need to get fitted for your new uniform!" Komui cheered, waving over Johnny, who politely romped over, carrying measuring utensils.
"Um.." Tara interrupted awkwardly after greeting the science division member. "Komui I needed to ask you about writing."
"Writing to whom?" Komui responded as Johnny took measurements.
"My mother." Tara said a-matter-a-factly.
Komui awkwardly drew in a sharp breath between closed teeth, " I'm afraid thats out of the question."
Tara face creased into a frustrated frown as Johnny took arm measurements.
"Not that we don't trust you!" Komui spoke quickly, "It's just standard protocol. Military secrets and all."
"Would you mind not restricting-" Tara said in a much less frustrated tone.
"I'm afraid I can't change that-" Komui began.
"My apologies Komui, but I was addressing Johnny on my arms." Tara spoke, "I understand why I will no longer be permitted to communicate with anyone outside of the Order."
"And you're alright with that?" Komui questioned.
Tara nodded, "I'll get over my personal issues with time. But I won't be like Suman. If this is what I was meant to do for the world, so be it."
The next morning, Tara began the day as usual, despite the new room and anti-akuma weapon. She rose before the sun, clambering out of bed to address her morning appearance. She'd been informed not to dress in her finder uniform, and had to manage with that little casual wear she had. A black woolen Peysuföt, consisting of a long skirt and jacket worked well for the occasion. Tara glanced back at the staff that leaned against the wall, it did nothing. No glow, no movement, just leaned against the wall like any other inanimate object. Tara stepped forward and grabbed the staff. Najwa gave off a short lived glow before returning to its inanimate state. Tara stood there for a moment, uncertainly gazing upon the weapon as she pondered what exactly she was expecting it to do. It didn't act any differently than before, so what was she expecting.
Tara murmured "Activate" and the staff came alive; the previously solid wood wavering in her grasp before becoming solid with a powerful glow. Najwa flexed and adjusted with her movements, curving and straightening back out as she willed it. After a few careful strokes and movements, Tara turned off her mental connection with Najwa and the staff immediately returned to a dull and inanimate state. Pleased with the anti-akuma weapon's cooperation, Tara gathered herself and headed down to the mess hall.
Finders, along with a few exorcist were already eating breakfast by the time she arrived. A few finders she knew jeered happy remarks in her direction, to which she responded with a kind wave and continued on her way. Rather than ordering food, Tara approached series of bulletin boards. There were four boards across an otherwise empty wall. Labeled "Employees," "Divisions," "Finders," and "Exorcists," respectively, each board contained a plethora of slots containing names that could be slid in and out, and next to each slot for a name was a spinner of sorts, that could be flipped to show "PRESENT" and "OUT." Tara instinctively glanced over the board labeled for finders, and glanced near the far bottom right of the board. Glancing down the W's and quickly reaching Z before realizing her name was no longer listed. Beside her, a taller and well built man approached the much smaller Exorcist board and flicked "OUT," to "PRESENT" on the very first name within the General Yeager's squad.
"Having trouble?" He spoke coolly in a suppressed German accent, " The only time they remove names is when the person in question .. schlägt den Eimer"
Tara looked up at him, the exorcist had a humored smirk painted across his face as he leaned against the board. Tara's eyes traveled left of him and she noticed the name that he'd checked in under; Samuel Azazel.
"I certainly wouldn't mind being of any assistance, especially if you're new." He pressed, still smiling. Tara quickly grew uncomfortable under his gaze. But the exorcist's eyes trailed upward and drained of their lustful intentions.
"No wonder Yeager always finds himself travel'n." Rumbled a voice from behind Tara, " He's gotta deal with shitheads like you."
Tara glanced behind her, and caught sight of the figure who height left him towering a whole foot over her. He was an exorcist, dressed in black, gold, and leather, who she quickly realized was General Socalo.
"I was just-" Spoke the now intimated Samuel.
"Leaving." Snorted Socalo, much in the fashion of a bull preparing to charge.
Samuel was quick to take the hint, "Y-Yes." He spoke attempting to maintain a little dignity as he retreated.
"Wormy sonofabitch." Growled Socalo once Samuel had fled, stepping around Tara, "Never much cared for em', they'd have found his body in the canal by now." Socalo laughed heartily and loudly through his leather mask before returning his attention back to Tara. "Lets just hope you're not as much of a pain as he is; for you sake. Got that kiddo?"
Tara nodded and continued to hold and inquiring gaze with the General. "Lets hope." She repeated.
