The List

"This is normal speech"

This is a person's thoughts

This is a song, or someone singing (By the way, I made it all by myself. No wonder it sucks. XP)

Chapter 2

"Nii-san?" Lenalee interrupted Komui as he told her a story about a time that their 'Cousin Fei' managed to get on the bad side of every women in the village thanks to a backfiring prank, "Is anyone still alive?"

Komui paused in his story and considered how to answer such a question. "I don't know, little sister." But I intend to find out. "The last time I saw them was over a decade ago. Sorry." He gave her a strained smile.

Lenalee hated it when her brother had that smile. It was so broken and filled with pain. He had that smile whenever someone joined the order. He had that smile whenever he handed out missions to his subordinates. He had that smile when people returned back in body bags.

Nii-san… why won't you let me share your pain? Why do you insist on hiding it from me? From us?

"Do you think anyone survived? Be honest with me, nii-san."

This time Komui didn't hesitate to answer Lenalee's question. "Yes. I do."

"…" Lenalee didn't say anything, she only held on to her brother even tighter. "That's good to hear," she muttered, clutching the the front of Komui's shirt. If I had it my way, nii-san, I would hold on to you forever, and never let you go.

"You sound sleepy, imouto."

"Yeah, about that… I've been having trouble sleeping lately," Lenalee confessed guiltily. Am I really that transparent, nii-san? Why is it that you can read my feelings so easily, while yours is so hidden? Komui hmm-ed and started rocking lightly, still hugging Lenalee.

"You know, our mother used to sing us a lullaby every night. She had a very beautiful voice…" Komui started to hum the song softly under his breath.

I know of a meadow in the forest where the fireflies come to gather

And the wind whistles through the leaves

So close your eyes and grab my hand, let me lead you to a place without sorrow

Hey, can you hear it?

The cicadas cry in the night calling o'er

I know of a meadow in the forest where the river runs through

And the lotus blooms forevermore

So grab a lantern and hold my hand, let me take you to a haven of peace

Hey, can you hear it?

The cicadas cry for our happiness

…

"Komui! Lenalee! Guess what!" 'Lavi' barged into the room unceremoniously, breaking the tender moment between them. He skidded to a stop when he saw Komui hugging/cuddling a sleeping Lenalee in his arms. The elder Lee glared at him in annoyance.

"What is the matter, Bookman Junior?" he hissed lowly. Unlike others, Komui had no delusions regarding the nature of the Bookmen's work. 'Lavi' was nothing but a fake persona that would soon cease to exist the moment his time at the Black Order was done. So he refrained from calling him 'Lavi', because it would only make the separation harder and more hurtful.

"Ellen's awake!" Somehow, 'Lavi' managed to convey his happiness and excitement in a whisper. Komui's eyes widened the fraction of a centimeter. "She woke up half an hour ago, but the matron was running tests and making sure she was fine beforeshe told us."

"I see." Komui's response was mechanical. He gently placed Lenalee on the bed. She had somehow managed to sleep through Lavi's yelling. Maybe she was more exhausted than she appeared to be. "Would you please watch over my sister for me, Bookman Junior? I need to visit the infirmary."

"Uhh, sure," Lavi agreed. He was rather surprised. Normally Komui would never let a boy in the same room as Lenalee unsupervised, much less if she was asleep. Komui beamed at him and patted his head.

"Good boy!" Komui walked out of the room, but paused at the doorway. "Oh, and Bookman Junior? If you even so much as think of touching Lenalee indecently, you'll wish that you've never been born. My cameras are watching~" Komui walked away, leaving one shaky, fearful Lavi Bookman behind.

I meant it, Lavi. Please, don't hurt my sister even more than you're already doing. I know she likes you, and if I had it my way then she would have never met you. I would never let her go. Unfortunately, even the youngest hatchling will eventually have to learn how to fly and leave its nest behind.

Komui lingered in front of the infirmary door, unsure whether he should enter or not. Sure he was worried and he wanted to see her, but he did not want to disturb Ellen or anyone else. His hand hovered over the doorhandle for a few seconds before he decided to-

Brakk!

Face, meet door. Door, face.

"Aaahh!"

"Komui? Wahh! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's all my fault! I'm so useless!" Miranda wailed as Komui fell to the floor with his hands clutching his nose. Oww. Who knew getting a door slammed at your face hurt so much? He rubbed his nose as he tried to reassure Miranda who, in typical Miranda-ish fashion, was blaming herself.

"I'm okay, Miranda. Really! It's not your fault, you couldn't have known that I was there."

"B-but *sniff* I hurted you, Komui," she sniffled, her eyes still watery.

"Maa, maa, I'm fine. You know that I'm made of tougher stuff than that!"

"TIMOTHY HEARST! COME BACK HERE!"

Their conversation was rudely interrupted by the Matron's shouting. Komui let out a yelp as he felt something, or someone, trample all over his body.

"ACK!"

And once again, Komui's innocent face met with a solid… something. Said something appeared to be Timothy's boots. Which wasn't as strong as Lenalee's Innocence, mind you, or Komui's brain would have been reduced to the consistency of chunky salsa. But it still hurt. Komui could have sworn he heard a soft 'CRACK' reminiscent of broken bones.

"Sorry Komui! Sorry Miranda! Gotta go, bye!" And Timothy dashed away, leaving Komui and Miranda in a tangled heap on the floor.

"Oww…" a dazed and bruised Komui muttered, holding his rapidly swelling, and probably broken nose.

"Oh, my. Supervisor, are you alright?" the Matron asked. She extended her hand and helped him get up.

"Wha' did Dimodi do now?"

"He was having a cold, but he refused to take medicine," the Matron said, shaking her head. "I wasn't going to force him, since it's not so bad, but he misunderstood and when he tried to escape he managed to run into the medicine cabinet and broke everything. It's an absolute mess now."

"I dink my nose 's broken," Komui muttered. Blood was flowing down his nostrils and all over his clothes. There was also a dark bruise starting to grow on his forehead, the shape of Timothy's left boot.

"Sadly, you're right. Come in, let me have a look. Are you alright, Miss Miranda?"

"I'm fine," Miranda muttered. "But I'm so useless…" she sulked.

"Now now, none of that, young lady!" the matron said sternly. "If you want to be useful, then go to the kitchen and fetch me a pack of ice and towels. And try to find some painkillers while you're at it."

"Y-yes!" Miranda obeyed and hastily left. Komui followed the matron inside and sat down on a chair.

"Stay still," she warned as she began poking and prodding at Komui's nose. "Well, fortunately for you, it's not so bad. It'll probably be healed in several weeks."

"I can lib wid dad," Komui muttered. Other people had been through worse. He sighed, taking care to breathe through his mouth instead of through his nose. That didn't meant that he wouldn't make Timothy pay, though. The next time he was due for an Innocence check-up, Komui would make sure to bring out some of his more, ah, special implements. Yes, yes, that sounded like a good plan. MUAHAHAHAHA.

-Ahem. Getting back on topic now.

"Is Ellen alright? I heard that she's awake," he asked. The matron turned towards him.

"Oh, that's right. You were going to see her, weren't you? Well, I suppose you can do so, but try not to tire her out too much. She's still weak."

Weak. Ellen Walker and weak are not two phrases I'd ever thought to include in the same sentence.

Ellen's room was separated from the rest of the infirmary. The smell of medicine and disinfectant made him gag. Like all rooms, the walls were painted a broken white. It was rather small and cramped and lacked any visible decorations. Even the curtain was plain, white fabric. Right under the window was small bed, upon which lied one Ellen Walker.

Komui had to stop himself from flinching at the sight. She was far, far paler than Komui remembered and was comfortable with. Her white hair was dull, lacking its natural luster, and was a bit longer than Komui remembered. An IV drip was connected to her thin, frail-looking wrist. The young Exorcist General turned her head towards Komui and a wide smile bloomed on her face.

"Komui!" she exclaimed, pushing herself upright or at least trying to. She hissed in pain and grabbed her midsection. "Oww. Hurts." Then she looked at the mess that was his face.

"Umm, is your nose broken? What happened? Did an Akuma attack or something?" she asked worriedly

Typical. Even in a state like this she still worries for other people. Do us a favor, Ellen. Never change that part of your personality.

"Timothy knocked me down and kicked me in the face." Man, that sounds re~ally humiliating. I mean, getting knocked down and kicked by a brat not even half my age? Ack. Talk about embarassing. "But enough talking about myself. How're you feeling?" Komui sat down on a chair next to Ellen's bed. Her face scrunched up in distaste.

"Not really good," she admitted. "My body hurts. And," she raised her deformed left arm from under her covers, "I can't feel my left arm. It's numb."

"It should be," Komui nodded. "Hevlaska made sure you would not be able to use your Innocence until you're fully healed."

"Why?" she demanded, eyes blazing.

"Because if you weren't paralyzed, you would hurt yourself even more by using your Innocence," Komui said. "We agreed that it would be for the best. You should be resting. Not hunting Akuma." Then his expression softened. "You're not going to turn into a Fallen One, silly, if that's what you're worried about." Not after everything you've went through. We won't let it happen.

"I know. But- there's still so many Akuma out there. I can't just let them alone! I have to save them!" she protested. Komui's lips thinned and he gave her a stern look.

"You think that's not we've been trying to do all the time?" Komui asked. "Good Lord, Ellen, what do you think we've been doing all these years? Lazying around? Do you think you're the only one who wants to save them?" He stood up and started pacing around. "We might not have the same… ability as you do, but that doesn't mean that you have to do it alone!"

You're not alone. Please, just this once, let us handle this for you. It's the least we can do after everything you've done for us.

"I know!" Ellen growled, unhappy at being patronized so. "I just want to save them…"

Komui sighed. "I understand, Ellen, but please just this once, let us handle this. It's not your duty alone. Besides, you're going to be stuck here for quite a while and forcing your Innocence will just injure yourself even worse."

"Fine!" Ellen huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Then an almighty rumble came from her stomach. A luminescent blush appeared on her cheeks. "Umm, Komui, would you mind…"

"Yeah, I'll get you some food," Komui said and left for the kitchen.

-Several minutes later-

"What is this? What kind of food is this? I want real food!" Ellen wailed. Komui was not amused.

"It's called porridge. Rice porridge."

"It's… lumpy. And tastes bland. I can't eat this!"

"Well, tough luck, because it's all you'll get until the doctor gives the okay."

"At least you could add something like, I dunno, soy sauce or ketchup?"

"Nuh-uh, no can do. And it's either this or nothing at all"

Ellen sniffled. "Food is food, I guess." She ate her food with less gusto than usual.

"Huh. Considering how long you've been out I expected you to eat more than usual," he commented. Ellen paused in her eating.

"How long have I been out, anyway? I know I've been unconscious for at least a few days."

Komui counted on his fingers. "Eh… At least seventeen days, I think."

-Beat-

"SEVENTEEN DAYS!"

"Ayup. Maybe more."

"…Geez. No wonder I'm so hungry."

Well, that wasn't what I expected. Thought she would yell at me or something. Though in hindsight, it should be expected that her appetite has increased. There's only so much nutrition an IV can provide, after all, and it's not like we could feed her food while she was in a coma.

"You want more?"

"No!" *Stomach growl* "Umm… maybe?"

*sigh* "I'll go get it." Since when had I turned into a maid? Well, not that I'm arguing… it's the least I can do for her, after saving us all. She's my charge, an Exorcist under my command. Should I not try to serve her best interests? In the end, that's the only thing I can do. I can't fight like Exorcists. I can't roam the world and search for Innocence fragments, risking my life every day like the Finders. In the grand scheme of things, that is the only thing I can do. Serve.

*Blink* okay, this one's shorter than before, but I'm going to post the third chapter soon so bear with me, mmkay?

I just realized that Ellen is rather (rather? coughreallycough) OOC. Oh well. Can't help with that. I really like writing things from Komui's POV. He's not a character many people like to explore.