Disclaimer: I don't own -man in any shape or form

A/N: Another little snippet to carry on my set that I've been doing, not as long as the others but I think it's a good little lesion and bonding type story, hope you all like it and leave lots of reviews.

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Fanatic

Location: Dark Order HQ

It took the rest of the day and most of the night before Komui was caught and brought before Lenalee who had just returned with Allen. He had, to his relief, recovered from whatever Komui had injected him with in time to take her to the promised dinner.

Lenalee was preparing to change for bed after Allen had seen her to her room. Their third date had ended very well in her book as Allen had left with a kiss and a warm hug, promising he would take her out again in a week's time as they didn't wish to push Komui anymore than they had to.

She was just about to undress and pull on her night clothes when there was a knock on the door and, with a sigh at the interruption, Lenalee redid the buttons she had just undone and opened the door. Krory and Miranda were standing over a bound and gagged Komui, all three looking a little ruffled but otherwise in good health.

"It took most of the afternoon and four floors being totally trashed, but we finally caught him attempting to sneak into Allen's room a few minutes ago," Krory said, pushing Komui forward with a breath of relief, Miranda also looking relieved to have Komui now off their hands.

Lenalee nodded and waved goodbye to her friends who waved back, heading down to their quarters. Keeping her back turned to Komui, Lenalee took a deep breath and turned to face her brother who was giving her huge forlorn puppy dog eyes, trying to charm his way out of his punishment she mused.

"Stop that, brother. I'm beyond merely being upset with you and your fanatic babying of me. I didn't mind when you first came to the Order and saved me from Malcolm and his tests and training designed to turn me into a mindless killing machine."

Komui whined and grunted; she hadn't removed the ropes binding him or the gag, his wordless complaints about not being able to speak falling silent when she met his eyes, hers being narrowed with displeasure and she pointed a finger at him.

"You will remain quiet while I tell exactly how frustrated I am with you over all of this to do. Thanks to you Allen spent half the night looking over his shoulder in fear of finding you there, and then he was working out what to get you as a peace offering to get you to back down and leave use alone, just so we can date and find out if we maybe can become something more than friends." Lenalee snapped, moving to her wardrobe and pulling out an oversized t-shirt and a few other things before moving into the attached bathroom.

Komui watched the bathroom door closely, having a feeling that when Lenalee came out he was going to get the chewing out of his life. Maybe he had gotten a little carried away this afternoon, but it was his right as her brother and only family to put the fear of God into any and all prospective boyfriends she might have. Of course if he had his way, Lenalee would die a maiden and never be touched by any man, after all, no one was worthy of his little sister.

Was that not what big brothers were for? And there was the matter of them being Exorcists.

'I'm only doing this to protect her from more pain. It was bad enough when our parents were killed by Akuma.' Komui thought, attempting to wiggle his way towards the door.

Escape before Lenalee returned was definitely called for.

He had just reached the door, crawling caterpillar fashion, when a hand grasped him by his collar and pulled him back sharply, sending him smacking into the side of the bed. Lenalee stood over him, glaring, dressed now in a large t-shit that looked suspiciously like it might be one of his missing shirts.

Komui made a note that her hair, when free, was nearly down to her knees as she turned her back to him for a moment and squaring her shoulders. She turned ever so slowly to face him and he knew, from the way she moved that she was still rehearsing what she would say to him.

"Right then, brother. I'm going to remove your gag and you are going to tell me why you won't let me get close to anyone beyond friendship. Allen has been very sweet and kind to me, and I would have thought you would have approved of him."

Lenalee paused, considered removing the gag so effectively stopping her brother from screaming for help or complaining at the treatment accorded him. Peace and quiet had a great deal going for it, but in the end she sighed and removed the gag, settling herself down on the floor facing him while he worked the abused muscles in his jaw.

Taking a deep breath Komui looked right into his sister's dark eyes, his voice soft and firm. "I don't want to see you hurt and crying again, as you cried when our parents were killed and when the Order took you away. I don't want to see you breakdown like that again. Should you get close to someone, especially someone who fights Akuma, they could die at any time… or should you break up… there are so many ways for you to get hurt."

Shaking her head slightly Lenalee leaned forward and rubbed a gentle hand against his cheek, tears glimmering in her eyes. He was protecting her from being hurt, that was his reason, but he had to know no matter what he did she would be hurt again; someday. It was inevitable and all a part of growing up. She would have to get him to accept the reality of it this night, no matter what.

"Brother, you have to understand that I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm nearly an adult and I have to lead my own life, and make my own mistakes. How else am I to learn?" Lenalee paused when Komui shook his head, clearly not willing to accept that.

Taking his head gently in her hands Lenalee leaned in and rested her head against his, forehead to forehead. "You have to, brother. Let me go. I know I might get hurt and cry in the future, but I like to think I'm mature enough to move on and live my life."

"But…" Komui's protest was silenced when Lenalee leaned back on her heels and rubbed his cheek, smiling gently.

"I know, you don't want to see me hurt, but Brother, you have to let go and allow me to lead my own life. I want to see where my life might lead with Allen by my side."

Komui shook his head and tried to protest but Lenalee was on a roll and wasn't going to stop, no matter what he said or did.

"We might not become any more than friends, or we might become much more. He might even be the one I'll marry, but we can't find out with you being so protective of me. Please brother, for my happiness… let go."

"No." Komui snapped back, shaking his head and leaning forward to rest his head against Lenalee's shoulder, "I can't do that. I can't let you be hurt again. Exorcists don't always survive and you have suffered too much Lenalee."

Hugging Komui close Lenalee sighed and pushed him back a little. She knew deep down he cared greatly for her and that when push came to shove he would do everything he could to protect her, no matter the cost to himself, but he had to let go. She wanted to lead her own life and she wasn't asking him to be totally out of her life, just to give her some room.

"Brother, I'm not asking you not to be there for me when I need you. I'm asking you to back off a little and let Allen and I see if we can be happy together. If Allen does anything to hurt me I'll let you know and you can do whatever you wish to him, but please, for now back off and let me live my life."

Komui sat there for a few minutes studying Lenalee closely, seeing the pleading look in her eyes for him to let go and allow her to expand her horizons. Without breaking eye contact he inclined his head.

"I'll apologise to Allen in the morning and let you lead your life, but if anything should happen you had better come to me. I'll take care of everything."

Lenalee smiled and hugged her brother tightly before undoing the ropes and accepting the hug he pulled her into the moment his arms were free.

"Thank you brother, and remember I'll always love you." She whispered into his ear, enjoying the gentle hug and not the bone breaking ones he normally gave her.

"Your welcome sis, and remember that I love you too," Komui stood up, pulled his clothes into some form of order and headed out into the hallway. "Get some sleep and I promise I'll let Allen know he has my blessing to court you, but I'll also tell him what you told me about hurting you and if he does, he's mine."

Lenalee shook her head slightly and waved goodbye to Komui as he walked out the door, her thoughts drifting to how Allen might handle that meeting. She had better be nearby, just in case things got out of hand. Pushing the thought aside she got into bed and pulled the white teddy bear Allen had given her on their first date close. Her thoughts dwelt on her feelings for both the white haired Exorcist and her brother and the love they both felt for her.

Either she or Allen could die any day; Exorcist's did not have a great life expectancy, but knowing the possibilities they still dared to give love a chance.