Disclaimer: I obviously don't own D. Gray-Man. Just Sae, my OC.

I apologize in advance for any mistakes and any English spelling errors, as usual. Although most of them are just lack of attention =P

And enjoy!

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2nd Chapter

It's Hot

Right now I'm in a hotel room, still in the South of Italy, in front of a mirror buttoning my exorcist's coat.

Lavi and I completed our mission some days ago, but Komui told us to stay here for a few days – who knows his reasons…even though he was jealous as hell – and some minutes ago Lavi told me that he had talked to Komui and that he was supposed to go back to Head Quarters and I was supposed to go, in some minutes, to the train station and that Kanda would be there waiting for me and he would tell me what the new mission was about.

Good thing that our hotel was near the train station or I would have to run since being late to meet Kanda is asking for premature death. The guy has no patience at all.

So now as I stared at my reflection, 'cause that's what you do when you're in front of a mirror…unless you look away but then what would be the point of being in front of the mirror?

Right. I'll get to the point.

So I did what I was supposed to do, I stared at myself, and because I'm such a nice girl I'll even tell you what I'm seeing.

A medium height young woman (I'm 18 mind you!) with pale white skin, blue (with a little green) eyes, dark brown and a little wild hair that goes some inches bellow my shoulders but right now is up in a messy ponytail, my hair is parted on the left side of my head as well as my bangs, that cover most of my right eyebrow. And a fit figure I guess…not like Lenalee though, she's more skinny than me.

I'm not a goddess or anything.

I don't have thick eyelashes – I have average ones.

I don't have high eyebrows – they are just plain normal.

I don't have an oh-so-pretty snub nose – I have a straight one.

I don't have perfect full lips – I have thin ones.

And I don't have huge breasts – I have proportional ones!

And in the end I truly don't care. I don't like people for their faces, I like them for their personalities. Obviously I have an opinion on beauty, I'm not blind. But just as I don't care if my friends are pretty or not I expect them to be the same with me and never judge me on my looks.

C'mon, that's just stupid.

I'll shut up now!

So moving on, I'm dressed in my super cool exorcist's uniform, obviously.

And that's it.

I went to the bed in the middle of my hotel room and snatched my innocence.

It looks like a simple black stick with a white cross on it.

I attached it to the belt of my coat and looked around to see if I was missing something.

Realizing nothing was amiss, I snatched the room's keys and locked the door after leaving the room.

Then I went to the door just beside the one I exited seconds ago and knocked.

The door opened and Lavi gave me a grin as a greeting. I smiled back.

I like Lavi, and as much cliché it may seem, he's like the brother I've never had, or like a cousin…whatever.

We became friends fast after he joined the Order with Bookman. He's one of my partners in crime, we make fun of everything and everyone, including ourselves. The time I spend with him is always a good one. But of course, occasionally, I snap at him and, according to him, I'm really really mean.

Every time I've got no idea what he's talking about.

He's a wonderful friend and I can confide in him…but since he's extraordinarily smart, most of the time I don't even have to tell him anything, he just knows.

He knows.

"You're going already?" He asked me leaving the door open for me to enter.

"Yeah" I answered closing the door beside me.

"Better not to leave Yuu waiting for too long" He teased.

I rolled my eyes "Yes, he might kill me in broad day light if I'm some seconds late"

Lavi laughed.

"So, do you have my bat-golem?" I asked him.

"You mean the wireless-golem." He corrected staring pointedly at me.

"Yeah, yeah, that. But it looks like a bat so what can I do?" I dismissed him waving my hand.

He went to his bedside table and picked one of the golems that were there. "You could call it by its name?"

"Sorry, can't help it" I smirked at him while he put the golem in my stretched hand.

He chuckled. "You won't turn it on?" He asked motioning to the golem I was putting now in my pocket with his hand.

"No, imagine what people would do if they saw a thing with bat wings flying around?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

He laughed a little "I get your point"

"Well, I slept everything that I needed and I'm finally recovered so I'll get going. How long will you stay here?"

"Oh, I'm just waiting for gramps to show up and then we'll go" Lavi said scratching his neck.

I nodded.

"Okay then, good luck" Lavi wished me with a smile patting my back when I was turning to get out of the room.

"Stay safe!" I said energetically messing his already messy hair with my hand.

"Hey!" He slapped my hand away giving me a little glare and I laughed at him. "Adios!"

"Bye!"

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I walked to the train station with my coat's sleeves rolled up to my elbows.

It was a sunny warm day and because Italy's weather is so similar to the one of the country where I was born I was feeling rather content, enjoying my little stroll.

You see, everyone in the Order was born in very different countries all over the world.

We all speak English with each other.

For example, Komui and Lenalee are from China, Kanda is from Japan, Reever is from Australia, Jerry is from India, Daisya is from Turkey, General Tiedoll is from Spain, Marie is half from Nigeria and half from France (don't ask, it's what he told me), Lavi and Bookman I'm not sure because they never told me (mystery), Tapp is from South Africa, Johnny is from the United States of America and from what I realized by the accent, Allen is British.

And I'm from Portugal.

A little, beautiful European country bathed by the ocean…well, at least in my opinion it is a wonderful place.

I was born there, it's my home and even though now I have a new home, my homeland is always in my heart.

I'm sure everyone in the Order has their homelands in their hearts.

It's bittersweet.

When I got near, I saw Kanda alone, sitting on a bench in the train station's building shadow. He had his arms crossed, eyes closed and a frown on his face.

Good old Kanda. I smiled.

When I got nearer and inspected him head to toe with my eyes, as I usually do, for any eventual problems in his mission. I noticed a bead of sweat rolling down his neck.

I cocked an eyebrow.

I went in front of him. I knew he had already sensed me – Kanda is just creepy like that – but he didn't open his eyes or his mouth.

It looked like he was concentrating.

I frowned "Kanda, are you okay?" I asked.

He opened his eyes and looked at me, still frowning.

"Whatever" He said sharply and turned his face away from me, facing another direction.

I crossed my arms, put my weight in one leg and tapped my feet in the ground waiting.

I knew him all too well. I needed to wait a few moments until he answered truthfully.

When you know people for some years you can tell these things.

Silence.

I was still waiting.

Kanda suddenly moved, like he was uncomfortable on the bench and grumbled silently. "It's hot".

I blinked. I blinked twice.

And then I burst out laughing. Man, this guy is unbelievable!

Kanda faced me, glaring in full force.

I knew this could only mean my death so I tried to stop laughing. I gave some deep breaths to calm down but some chuckles still left my mouth.

"That's why you are so worked up for?" I asked in an amused tone of voice, already knowing the answer.

He grabbed the hilt of Mugen as a warning.

Why isn't he pointing it at me already, you ask?

Because we are in a public place and Kanda knows better than you make useless mess like that.

But I took the warning seriously and stopped laughing although I couldn't really stop myself from smiling at him.

"You're not used to this temperature" I stated – the obvious, I know.

He merely gave me an annoyed look.

"But…I think this temperature is just fine" I added in a slightly teasing tone.

"I know that baka" Kanda replied irritated.

"Hey! Don't you baka – me" I complained dropping my previous smile and frowning at him. "That's not nice"

"Che, whatever"

I threw him a bored look for his lack of originality but didn't say anything.

I noticed then Kanda eyeing my arms. Since I had my sleeves rolled up, the white bandages on my wrists could be seen.

"You're hurt" He stated without emotion still inspecting my wrists with piercing eyes.

I looked at my wrists and flexed my hands to know if they still hurt. The pain was almost gone.

"They're almost healed"

Silence.

"What did you do?" Kanda asked with an annoyed tone looking at me fiercely and accusingly

Even though he was still sitting there, that simple question with that look was scaaaary.

And why was implying that the reason I got my wrists injured was my own fault?

Damn guy.

Well, the real problem was, he was implying that correctly. Sort of.

It was partially my fault that my wrists are like this.

Stupid Kanda.

Why does he have to figure out these things so easily?

So I smiled sheepishly at him.

"Well…" I started "There were a whole bunch of Akuma where me and Lavi went and…I was still tired and sleepy…" So many pauses. I sighed. "My movements were sloppy, so when they got too close I kind of panicked a bit and put more strength in my wrists holding my innocence than what was necessary…and wise." I paused again. "You get the picture"

Kanda looked at me for a moment longer and then faced another direction looking away from me.

Again.

Oh, well maybe I'm not pretty enough for him to bear to look at me more than some minutes…uh, whatever.

Like I care.

Hmm, well I do care…but I refuse to let it bother me right now. No patience to be moody in this exact instant.

That sounded dangerously like sleepy-humor…but I'm not sleepy…oh dear, maybe it's already affecting my brain. No way!

Troublesome.

So since Kanda wasn't saying anything – oh how I love to be ignored after such a long speech of explanations that someone wanted…jerk – I sat beside him on the bench fixing my sleeves back like they usually are.

"So, how did Allen managed his first mission as an exorcist?" I asked some moments after, out of curiosity, when I remembered that little detail.

Kanda had closed his eyes again but after my question he snapped his eyes open and looked straight ahead glaring viciously at nothing.

Oh, this can't be good.

"He's a naive stupid brat" Kanda hissed fuming.

"Hm, how so?" I asked interested.

"The moyashi let's his emotions take control over his brain and wants to save the whole world by himself. The idiot thinks he's a damn hero" Kanda grumbled furiously still glaring at nothing.

"Oh…" I stopped for a moment, thinking. "So basically it looks to me that he sounds like a reckless guy with a big heart that doesn't deny his feelings, isn't afraid of showing it, has opinions and they clash with yours but he isn't afraid of standing up to you and that list of things pisses you off to no end…I'm right, aren't I?" I asked with a smile even though Kanda was now glaring at me.

"Che" Kanda looked away from me and closed his eyes again.

Maybe you see something in him, Kanda?

"Well, was your mission completed?" I didn't need to know much more. Just that was fine.

"Yes." After a moment. "Yours?" He asked.

"Yep." I replied sitting more comfortably in the bench, looking at the sky.

I always enjoyed looking at the sky, maybe it was weird but I don't truly care. I like it, it calms me and it's relaxing.

And now was one of those little moments when I was so in peace with the world that I wanted to stay like this forever.

The weather was sunny and warm, the sky was clean and I could spot some birds singing and flying around through that wonderful blue up there. Everything around was fairly calm and the sounds were kind of soothing.

Ah, normality.

I felt normal, like a normal teenager that goes around for a walk on a warm end of morning. And it is a blessing for me to be able to have a glimpse of this feeling. And, of course, Kanda was right next to me.

What could I ask more than this right now?

I let a content sigh and closed my eyes with a little smile on my lips.

I felt Kanda turning to me but he went to his original position the next moment and didn't say anything.

Everything was peaceful for some moments but then I remembered – just now?? – something.

"Hey Kanda?" I asked without moving.

"Hn"

"What are we doing here?"

"Waiting for the train"

"And then what? Are you going to tell me about the mission?"

Kanda didn't reply for some moments.

"Not in the mood" He grumbled quietly.

"Well…will you be in the mood on the train?" I asked pointedly moving my head a little so I could look at him.

"Yes" He hissed. "So shut up"

"Maaan, don't be so grumpy! If you're that hot just open the damn coat!" I waited a little. "Or are you so not-in-the-mood that you can't do it?" I asked in a somewhat bored tone.

"Shut up"

I sat straight turning a little on the bench so I was fully turned to him.

"Are you stuck on those words or what?" I asked with my eyebrows raised.

Since he was ignoring me I decided to take the matter on my own hands.

I moved closer to him on the bench. He still had his eyes closed and arms crossed upon his chest.

I put my hands on his arms and tried to untangle them from each other.

He didn't move but snapped his eyes open and looked at me with a slight glare.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to open your coat so that you won't be grumpy over the hot temperature and be mean to me" I declared firmly glaring a little at him.

He rolled his eyes at me (wow, I don't see that often) and let me uncross his arms.

"Whaaa? Don't roll your eyes at me!" I said with a little pout and added under my breath "Jerk".

Kanda instantly glared at me.

Oops, I guess he heard.

I smiled at him like nothing had happened and worked my way with the buttons of his coat.

Kanda was still glaring but with less resolve.

While I was getting my little work done I talked with him a little.

"We're not on a mission right now at this very second so forget about the stupid rules for a minute. I know you like to follow things by the book, flawlessly, and it's correct and I like to do it too, but a little too much and it becomes paranoia and right now you can relax." I said in a somewhat scolding yet gentle way.

Kanda was looking at nothing in particular in silence. His face betrayed nothing.

I continued "And not to mention that if you are feeling too warm, dressed like this and sweating, it will do no good to your health and it would be a pain in the ass to have you sick right now. So listen to me and lighten up will you?" I finished with a smile.

Kanda's eyes flickered to mine but he remained silent.

Well, it's not like I expected him to answer anyway.

I finished the buttons and opened Kanda's coat. The white shirt that Kanda had underneath the coat was buttoned up to the neck, so I eased the two first buttons as well.

"There, all done" I smiled.

Kanda looked down at himself to inspect my work. He was definitely fresher this way.

"Hn" Kanda faced the other way inspecting something on the train station's wall (which I could see that it was a clock, after moving a little.), got up and said tensely "Let's go" walking to the building without sparring a glance at me.

Uh…come again?

What did exactly happened here that I didn't get?

Was it something I did? I just undressed him a little…hmm undressed, that sounded rather nice…I undressed Kanda…but NO! FOCUS! What was the problem here?

I got up and followed Kanda inside the train station.

Was he angry? If it was nothing then he would have at least glared me in a very furious way… And he would probably try to kill me but he didn't even threaten me in any way…weird.

Wait a minute…was he embarrassed?

That's it! I got Kanda embarrassed…way to go Sae!

I don't know what's better, to get him angry or embarrassed…Oh well, he'll get over it soon, I'm sure.

Kanda is just like that.

And I'm not complaining.

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I hope you enjoyed this and, as usual, please let me know what you think! :D

Adios – Bye (in Spanish)

I had to make up where some of the characters were from, because I didn't find any info on them about that.

More info on Sae in this chapter.

She is from Portugal because I want her to be rather real. People from different countries have different mentalities and behaviors and what could it be more real than for her to have a mentality that I'm related with? I like believable characters and I hope Sae becomes one =)

Other reason is that most of the OCs in D. Gray-Man (and other) fan fictions are mostly from Japan, UK, USA, France, China and so on…so why not a change? ;)

One of the things that I love about D. Gray-Man is all the interaction between people from different countries, different ways of seeing things, different raisings and the job that brings them all together. Even if Katsura Hoshino doesn't explore that as much as I would like, I love D. Gray-Man all the same! =D

About Sae's name…if you find it strange then keep that in mind.

Review!

I'm sorry for this, but don't expect any updates anytime soon =S

Too much work and no time to breathe.

Over and Out,

lado-lunar