DGM

More Than This

Chapter 11

Bitter Trickery For The Missionaries

Kumari laid in her bed. It was the middle of the night and she still could not get any sleep. What was it with her and sleep? Tonight she had a perfect reason though. She didn't exactly like the Hentaru clan and now they lived with them. They would be working with them. They didn't even know if we could trust them. Just as thunder roared and the lightning flashed, someone knocked on her door. She jumped ten feet into the air and back down on her butt. "Ow."

"Kumari, Komui needs to talk to you." Johnny said, tired.

"At this time?" Kumari asked, opening the door.

"I don't know what goes through that head of his. Sorry. Just pray it isn't another robot or a plan to murmur Allen." Johnny told her.

Kumari changed into her new and improved uniform. She walked down the hall and stopped at a window. You could hear thunder and see more lightning. Turning around, she began struting to Komui's office. She stopped at his door when she heard voices. She reconized the voices, but she couldn't tell who was talking besides Komui. You could tell there was more than three people. SO maybe Ace and the other Supervisors. "They called you down here too?" Lavi asked, yawning.

"I think it's a mission Lavi." Kumari whispered.

"That would be the most obvious theory." Bookman stated.

Kumari knocked and the talking stopped. The door creaked open and Kumari glared at the smiling person. Ace. She walked in followed by the two bookmen. They stared around the room to look at important people to the Order. Then two unknown people. Kumari tried to not to pay too much attention to them, but she kept staring at them. "You three have a mission. You'll be heading to Iceland." Komui said.

Kumari picked up the folder and stared at it. Iceland. Anywhere but Iceland. Anywhere. "Is there a reason why you chose me on this mission?"

"Not a specific one. I just thought you three would be best for this mission. Why? Is there a problem?" Komui replied.

Kumari was silent as she walked to the door. "When are we leaving?"

"In two hours. You should star-"

The door clicked and Kumari was gone. "Is it just me or is she getting weirder and weirder by the day?" Lavi asked.

"Komui, didn't she say she was born in Iceland?" Bookman said, recalling a memory.

Komui looked deep in thought as a flashback began.

Flashback

A little girl trembled in the ice cold rain. The only light was the lantern on the endge of the small rowboat and the moon. Lavi stared at her as Bookman pattled. She refused to take a jacket and she refused to talk. She wouldn't let them help her in any kind of way. She was scared and lonely. The only thing she had on was torn up shoes, half a shirt, ripped pants, and a hoodie. Then she had gloves on. Through the whole trip she was silent and she had nothing to eat. The clothing was thick and Lavi couldn't tell, but he had a good theory that she was frail, small, and starved to death. They found her on the streets and she was being attacked by akuma. Flames surrounded her and the wind had picked up. Water was freezing around her. The gloves glowed a light green and innocence was the only possible conclusion.

Everytime he tried to move near her to give her a coat, but she backed up. If she were to back up anymore she would fall off the boat. SO he stopped trying, but suddenly fell on his butt. "Watch ya geezer." Lavi shouted.

The girl looked up at the cement walkway. There were quite a few people gathered there for some reason. Lavi jumped out of the boat and stopped another boy from cutting a person in half. She covered up more and tried to hide herself, but ended up falling over the side. Lavi looked down into the water, panicked. He jumped in and swam down, but couldn't go too far. When he got back up he sucked a lot of air in. "I can't find her Bookman!"

He covered his face when something splashed him. He stared at her as she held onto the pavement, hiding her face still. Lavi got on the cement and held out a hand for her to grab. She just stared at it, but did not take it. Komui bent down with a warm smile. He held out his hand. "Hello, my name is Komui Lee. We won't hurt you. I promise." Komui said softly.

The girl slowly reached her hand out and grabbed his. He pulled her out of the water and they guided her inside. She stayed in her wet clothes, if that's what you can call them, and shook. It took almost an hour to get her to change her clothes. "Can you please look at us?" Lenalee asked.

"No."

"Why not?" Lavi asked.

"I'm ugly."

"I doubt that." Lenalee told her.

The girl lifted her head, frowning, and did not look at them. No one said anything as they looked at her. "You look fine. It's not that bad." Lavi told her.

"So comforting."

"Are you being sarcastic?" Lenalee asked.

"No."

"You look fine. Less than average, but you look fine." Lavi told her

"Ugly."

It went silent as everyone looked at her. Violet hair, like Lenalee's eyes and then her eyes caught Kanda's attention. He stared into her red, red eyes. That's all he saw, those red eyes and her violet hair. "Looks aren't important." Kanda told her.

She stared at him with her lips starting to go up, but she still did not smile. "What's your name?" Komui asked.

"Ku . . .Kumari Janco."

"Isn't that Japanese?" Lenalee asked.

"Mostly. Where are you from?" Bookman asked, curious.

"I'm partly japanese, but. . I was born in Iceland." Kumari told them.

Komui told her about the war and the exorcism At the end she looked very pale. "I'm sorry to say, but you're an exorcist."

Lenalee tried comforting her, but she was scared, trembling. Lavi put food in front of her, hopeing it would get her to calm down. It worked a bit. She ate, but slowly. She kept looking at Kanda though. Komui smiled. "Kanda, you can stay with her for a bit. SHow her around and everything."

"What? Why me?" Kanda shouted as Daisyia and Lavi laughed.

"She seems to trust you more than anyone else." Komui said, smiling.

Kanda grumbled as he sat beside her without another word. Kumari sat on her knees and her hands were atop of them. Kanda absentmindingly stared at her, mainly, her eyes. She gave off an aura that was comforting. He knew he could do things in front of her that she won't hold against him. He somehow knew she would understand him and he, oddly, would understand her back. "Daisyia! Marie! Yuu! Where are you my sons?" Tiedoll shouted.

General Yeager smiled as he walked in with Tiedoll. He stared at Kumari. "Stop calling me that!" Kanda shouted.

"Yuu, your name is Yuu. I will call you by your name son." Tiedoll told him, scoldingly.

"I'm not your son!" Kanda shouted.

"Now Yuu, calm down."

"Who's this young lady?" Yeager asked.

Cross walked in with the rest of the exorcists. "This is our new exorcist, Kumari Janco. We still need to find out her synchro rate and get her filed. We can do that tomorrow though. It is getting late for the kids. They should all be getting tired soon." Komui said.

Kumari still frowned as she looked at Yeager's smiling face. He seemed nice. "Kumari, that's General Yeager and Tiedoll. That woman is General Cloud. The red head is General Cross. That leaves General Zokolo." Komui said, introducing all the exorcists. (Suman, etc.)

Lavi sat beside Lenalee, gazing at the gloves. She still kept those wet gloves on. Bookman noticed too. They did have a good theory that they were her innocence, but they can't know for sure. Not yet. "Are those gloves important to you?" Lavi questioned.

Kumari's frown deepened, but she nodded. "My father gave them to me."

"Where is your father? And why weren't you in Iceland?" Bookman asked.

Kumari didn't look into anyone's eyes or at anyone. Just at the floor or her hands. She was about to cry as she remembered the memory that happened not so long ago. "To answer your questions, sir, I would have to tell you a small story, so to say." Kumari told him, well mannered.

"We have all the time in the world." Lenalee encouraged, comfortingly.

"I came from a small village in Iceland. To a kid like me though, it would seem big since I haven't been to many places. My village, along with a few more, were having problems. Another group of villages were purposely causing them because we weren't full- blooded, uhhh, people from Iceland. Like me, because of my father's father, I'm part japanese. My father's mother was from Iceland, but she too, was also part dutch. Not so much though. So you can't really count it I suppose. My mother though, is a full- blooded. . .person. They caused chaos and started fires. Killed our animals that we farm. They stole food from our food storage. The men in charge thought nothing of it and thought it would soon be over, but it did not end and continued for months. They even faorgave them because most of the people in the villages were religious. Strong believers. We were peaceful people."

"Everything went out of control were several school children were assainated with their teacher. Fights began and not too long later, a war started. All men fought and left their homes for a month at first. They came back, but only a few had been killed. Not too much longer they were sent out again. This kept repeating for four years and our goverment did nothing to stop it. They turned their heads to us even has people plead. It had gotten so bad that boys sixteen and up were sent. Slowly the age level dropped so we could survive. Not much longer, no men were seen except a few children. I was not allowed to leave my house and I was not allowed to be alone. I was held inside my home because my mother and my aunts worried. I was the youngest child in the family and all my cousins were boys. They were sent to fight as well. That left me all alone. And since my family was poor, we got less food than others. We had just enough to get by. Barely. I would stay in my room watching other children play and smile. They were all clueless to what was going on. I was always different from them and whenever a problem occured, I knew."

"My family had no choice to tell me. I would always figure it out. Although, I was allowed out in the sun once in a great blue moon. During one of those days, bells went off. Everyone ran to the edge of town as the men came back. All except my mother and one of my aunts who had fallen ill like many other women and children. The men came, broken bones, bloodied, and a few who leaned for support. They all smiled, but the men in command looked grim. I climbed into a tree my father always took me when I was upset or for some reason. I waited with my aunt Betty and watched the sun set. I searched and searched, but unlike the other times, I could not find my father. He promised to come back and to meet me at the tree. He never did. My father's closest friend, Leo, came to us with the rest of the family. Heads down and faces grim. That's when they explained my father had died, but saved us all doing so. All I heard was my father was dead. Until they gave me the gloves my father wished to give me."

"I gladly took them since they were his most cherished item besides his family. That's what he always said. I always asked to wear them or tried to find a way to wear them. When I had them it gave me a feeling my father was beside me. I still cried as his presence disappeared. As the days dragged on I cried more and more and felt more lonely. I was closest to my father than anyone else. He completely understood me and loved me. I was his only child so he spoiled me, but not too much. He taught me everything he could since I go not go to school. I felt like my world had fallen into pieces even though I still had the rest of my family." Kumari said sadly.

"Then why were you on the streets?" Lavi asked.

Kumari lifted her head and this time, her eyes were wet with unfallen tears. "A few weeks later more bells went off. People scattered and this time, in panic. Mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, so forth, picked up the kids and ran. My mother used all of her strength to put everyone in a hidden area in the house. We stayed there for days, waiting. We heard screams and cries. Pleas for help. We would've been fine, but someone ratted us out and we were found. The person who had been promised survival for that, was killed that night. I held onto my mother with everything I had. I was scared and worried. I smelled blood and I saw dead bodies being piled up then buried. Some. I saw them kill and beat a few people. Kids were dragged away from their families. Some gased and all of those painful things. It worried me because they were killing everyone and they planned on killing everyone by nightfall. I watched as they killed everyone and some men hid as many kids and women as they could. We just had to wait."

"They found out about the people hiding, including myself, and they tied us all up and forced us to stay awake. They lined random people and shot them. My family was one of the last, but I still watched everything that happened. I didn't have a choice. I got free because the ropes were loose. I tried to free my mother because she was the only woman left besides kids. The men told me to do so and I obeyed. I was caught and dragged away. Then they finished killing everyone. Just as they were about to kill me, some people came and another war began. Everyone died. I stayed there for days because I ws injured and I passed out. And here I am now when I should be dead with the rest of my family and friends." Kumari said, letting her tears fall.

End Of Flashback

"Yes, she was. I completely forgot. Maybe that's why she got so. . what's the word?" Komui said.

"Emotional, depressed. upset, concerned, worried, scared?" Lavi suggested.

"Yeah. I should probably take her off the mission." Komui responded.

"Just let Kanda come with us." Lavi told him.

"Kanda might not be able to make that much of a difference." Yeager stated.

"He can most likely calm her down. It also doesn't help that she has alot of things bottled up inside her. Just like Kanda. That explains their understandment with each other and how they fell in love so fast. It was love at first sight I tell you." Lavi said.

Just at that moment, Kanda walked in. He had his everlasting frown and he glared at Lavi then Ace. "Kanda, it seems you got back from your missio-"

"I've been on constant missions for weeks. I am going to take a damn break whether you like it or not." Kanda said coldly.

"Failure again? Sorry Kanda, but I guess I'll just have to send Ace on the mission with Kumari if you don't want to go." Komui said and Kanda instantly stopped in the doorway.

Komui smirked as he circled his finger on his desk. Kanda gave off a deadly aura, but remained calm and restrained himself from killing him, Ace, and Lavi for the heck of it. "You wouldn't even dare." Kanda muttered.

"I'm just doing my job and Ace is best for the mission unless you go. SO, Ace, you ready for your first mission?" Komui responded.

Kanda turned around, scowling. "If he goes anywhere near her I pro-"

"You don't make promises, you just do it. And since when have you gotten so protective, jealous, caring, jealous, and-"

"Shut the fuck up usagi! I don't get jealous. I tru. . . . . ."

They all looked at him with full intent. "I unders. . . Kuma. . . .we're. . . .just give me the folder!" Kanda shouted.

Komui smiled and handed him the folder. Kanda stormed out and slammed the door behind him. At that exact moment Lavi toppled over and laughed. The supervisors smiled and Tiedoll cried tears of joy. Yeager chuckled and Komui and Ace laughed. The door creaked open and Kumari appeared. They all stopped and stared. She looked at them suspiciously and came in. "Do you mind explaining to me about the thirteenth page?" Kumari questioned.

Kommui blinked as he picked up another copy and scanned it. "Amityville house. What about it?"

"It's in America. Not Iceland. Also, there is no such thing as ghouls or ghosts. No real vampires and Krowley does not count Lavi. No werewolves or any of those things. That means walking mummies, zombies, monsters, and akuma do not count. There is a reasonable explaination for that because they are machines. Do not even bring up the souls or the NOahs Lavi. Did I miss anything Lavi?" Kumari said.

"Why ya picking on me?" Lavi asked innocently.

"I know you."

"Actually Kumari, ghosts are real. Back at the first headquarters, while we were moving, we had an issue with a ghost who turned everyone into zombies with one of Komui's expierments." Reever told her, walking in.

"They're not real. There is no such thing as a haunted house because there are no ghosts. Going back to the Amityville house-"

"You've obviously heard of that house, which is the most haunted house in the world." Lavi corrected.

"That has nothing to do with. . . . the point is, I'm not chasing some silly ghost-"

Kumari was interrupted again when the door open, again! Kumari turned around frustrated, but quickly calmed down. "Hello Yuu."

"Is there a promblem Kanda? Like with the Amityville house? Ghosts?" Komui asked.

"Huh?" Kumari tipped her head.

Kanda looked at her and couldn't help but have a thought Allen or Lavi would have. She's cute when she does that. He, mentally, shook his head. "Kanda is going on the mission with you, Lavi, and Bookman." Komui said.

"You didn't mention the Usagi and the old man." Kanda said, still angry, at them.

Lavi smirked and nudged him. "I bet you were planning on some alone time. Weren't cha?" Lavi teased.

Kanda pushed him away furiously. Kumari hid her blush by slapping herself in the face and sliding her hand down as if Lavi was completely oblvious and acting stupid to something. Which he kinda did. "Getting back to the appropriate subject Lavi, if you don't want to go Kumari then I guess you can stay because you have a reasonable and understandable promblem, but Kanda might kill Lavi. Plus, I would have to replace you. That leaves Ace. After that, Kanda won't go and he'll be sent on another alone mission and he'll have to be replaced." Komui said.

Kumari looked at Kanda with a small smile, completely ignoring Komui. "Huh? What mission? What problem? Oh, right. That mission. When we leaving?" Kumari asked.

"In an hour and a half. Start packing." Komui replied, sipping his coffee.

Kanda forgot why he came in here and left the room, Kumari following. "Lovestruck and gulible. Their relationship just might be good for the Order." Lavi said, snickering.

Kumari sat beside Kanda on the train, staring out the window at the rain. This was their last ride. She was glad too. While on the ship, she had bad shrimp and got seasick on the rough waves. Now she didn't feel too well and needed to sleep on a real bed. Not these high class cabins' pull out beds. And that's high class. At least the cabin was big and the new train, that they were on, was like a hotel room. "We still got hours and you look rather quer Kumari. Maybe you should lay down." Bookman told her.

"I can't. I can sleep better in this seat than in that bed. The bumps don't help either." Kumari said, voice low and she sounded tired and like she was going to get sick again.

She leaned on Kanda as she got dizzy and light headed. Now she was starting to think that it wasn't just the shrimp. Kanda cracked open one eye to look at her. "Get on the bed. You're going to sleep." Kanda ordered.

"I may be yours, but that doesn't give you the right to tell me what to do everyday all the time Yuu. I love you, but I can handle myself." Kumari mumbled.

"I normally respect you and your decisions. This is not one of those times." Kanda whispered, trying to keep Lavi from hearing his soft, kind side with Kumari, but he heard.

"I have a hard time respecting yours though. You always end up hurting yourself or someone else." Kumari responded.

Kumari's eyes opened and closed. She was falling asleep, but she wanted to stay awake. She tried forcing herself to not snooze, but it was hard. Everything was nice and peaceful. Quiet and blissful. Lavi even hummed a tune that could put anyone asleep within the right amount of time. She would close her eyes, open them, say something or do something or someone else did, then close them, open them again and feel like what just happened was a dream. She wasn't going to hold out. Lavi got up and pulled the bed out. He was going to put Kumari on the bed, but Kanda grabbed his wrist. Lavi backed up and sat back down. He knew better in this situation. Do not touch Yuu Kanda's girl. No way in hell is he that stupid. "She's not asleep yet. You touch her and she'll wake up and move around unless you do it right." Kanda muttered.

Lavi smiled warmly as he watched Kanda wait patiently for her to fall asleep. When she did he gently and slowly put her in his arms bridal style. Carefully, he walked to the bed and put her on there then covered her with a soft blanket. Bookman, who was in his usual position, opened one eye to look. Kanda ignored their stares and straightened himself. Kumari grabbed his wrist when he lifted his hands on of the frill on the blanket. He turned his head to look at her. She looked like she was already having a nightmare. "Yuu. . . . . .please don't leave. . . . . . . . .I'm sorry that I. . . .hurt you. . . . .Yuu?"

Kanda sat down on the edge and continued to listen to her. She really needed the sleep. He knew she had hard times going to sleep and that she barely got it. He might've found out the reason why. She was keeping herself awake because of nightmares and how she was talking and how her voice trembled and cracked like she was crying, it reminded him of that arguement they had before that she died. Maybe she did die on the inside. She had been terribly hurt and offended emotionally and physically. It scarred her for life. He knew that, but did it still have this much of an impact on her that maybe, just maybe, she was depriving herself of sleep?

Worry etched into his mind as he wiped away a lone tear from her face. Her grip tightened. "Yuu?. . . . Kanda? Where'd you go?. . . . . . "

The boys looked at the sleeping lady. Worried. "We should tell Matron about this." Lavi said aloud.

He didn't get a response. The cold hearted samurai laid down beside her and pulled her close again, hopeing his warmth would reach her in her sleep. Sometimes he hated how she brought out his soft side. Kumari turned on her side as if she were looking at him. Her hands moved towards him and landed on his chest. Her hands balled, creating creases in his shirt. Her forehead against his chest and he stared. This was one of the reasons why he never wanted to fall in love. He couldn't stand it when other people did it, so he didn't want to. So how did he fall in love when he closed his heart and shut himself out from the world? He sighed and turned his head and glared at the bookmen. "If you tell anyone about this I swear I'll kill you, bring you back, and repeat it for all eternity." Kanda threatened.

Oddly, it didn't scare them yet, it sent chills down their backs. Not the good chills either. Lavi shook his head nervously. He wished that Kanda could take his niceness he has with Kumari and do that with everyone else once in awhile, but no. He was a huge jackass. "I mean it." Kanda warned them.

The End. Hope you enjoyed. Please review. Thanks! Yan Luna4373