So you think that the world of D.Gray Man is so exciting and thrilling. Well, think again. In a personal account from a Finder's point of view, A Finder's Tale tells the story of Aki, a young finder who thinks that her life in the Black Order is incredibly boring, repetitive and "routine-like" … until a mission turns her entire life around.

Comments are greatly appreciated. Enjoy! Love, Akemi H.

Chapter One- Normality

I'm a Finder for the Dark Order. Life's pretty normal here; definitely much more normal than you think. Yeah sure, we're in the middle of a war, but we're all still humans after all.

I'm sixteen, and it's a pretty rotten age to be stuck here in a place like this. Stuck with a stupid routine and a stupid, boring life. Really, if all of you expected a Finder's life to be so exciting, so exciting that we get to travel all over the world to look for Innocence, think again.

Guess my gender. Guy? Girl? Does it matter? Maybe you'll find out soon.

Guess what? It's nearly 6am. Sooner or later my alarms going to-

"AAAKKKIIIII!"

There it goes. My sister, my older sister. She's a morning person, so she's my 'alarm'. Every morning, without fail, on the dot at 6 am, she would do this.

"OI, AKI!" Now she's shaking my body without mercy. That stupid jerk. But then again, I'm used to this. After all, life here is a goddamn routine.

It's my turn to open my eyes now. I do it ever so slowly, every single day, just to piss my researcher sister off. Then it would be her turn to pinch and pull my cheeks and tickle me all over so that I would wake up. Then I would get up and wash up, and go for breakfast with her and our friends.

Of course, since today was just like any other day, it went just like it should. The early morning squabble between nee-san and I, the dragging of my feet across the stone tiles to the bathroom and then to the canteen happened just the way it did everyday.

Marc and Lee would then meet us at the entrance of the canteen, and Lee would greet me with a squeeze round my waist or a peck on my cheek, and Marc would greet nee-san with a very passionate kiss.

Breakfast was also a routine. Nee-san, Lee, Marc and I would queue ever so patiently and wait for our turn to be served. And we'd order our usual; Pancakes with cream, strawberries and honey, plus a mug of steaming hot mocha for nee-san; a large bagel with extra mayo and a cup of hot milk for Lee; porridge with bacon strips, toast and a cup of tea for Marc; and a large bowl of oats sprinkled with chocolate drops and loads and loads of milk for me.

Then we'd go to our table, the one which was next to the window facing the sea, and finish our breakfast in twenty minutes.

And then we'd part ways: Nee-san and Marc, being researchers, would head off to the laboratories, while Lee and I, being Finders, would go to the library to read up on the latest movements on the Akuma and the Exorcists, and to find and confirm and rumours that seem to have a connection with Innocence.

I guess I made a mistake saying that today was a normal day, because instead of going to the library, our little walk was halfway interrupted by Commander.

"Ah, Aki! Lee!" He caught up to us, gasping for air. "Thank God I found the two of you. Good. Good…" He fanned himself as he led us to his office, and sat us down.

He passed us a folder, and told us to read it.

It was articles about the Glowing Statue, which Lee and I had come across a few weeks ago.

The Glowing Statue, found in a small town in Nepal, is a statue of in tribute to a brave warrior who had bravely defended the town. It is said that at night, the statue glows, bringing light to the town. And because the statue's glow is a neon green, we think that it might be Innocence.

"The Glowing Statue?" Lee asked, obviously excited. It was three months since he got out on a mission.

Commander nodded. "Since the two of you know quite a lot about it, we've decided to send you to confirm our suspicions. However, you're not alone, as there is another team of three Finders already on their way to the area to help you out."

"Why did you send so many Finders? Aren't three enough?" I asked. It was so weird. They usually send only two or three at a go, not five.

"It's a war, Aki, three is no longer enough." Commander looked at me solemnly, as if he was saying goodbye to us for the last time.