DGM
More Than This
Chapter 22
Clouded Mind
Kumari yawned as she got out of bed and then put her hand on her desk as she hunched over in pain. She wasn't quite done healing from her injuries, but most of the pain was gone. She quickly changed into uniform then walked arouond the Order. Chester followed her and stayed by her side. He probably wanted Kumari to play catch or take him on a walk. She wasn't allowed to leave the Order in her condition though. Not until her wounds heal more. She bent down and pet the dog and rubbed his tummy. He stuck his tongue out in enjoyment and started moving his paw as if to try and scratch. Then Chester started growling. Kumari turned around and stared at Ace and the rest of the Hentaru clan. Ace looked her over then walked over to her. Kumari stood up and stared at Ace. He wouldn't try anything here in the hallway. Though, it was empty.
Ace started smelling her and Kumari gave a weird and confused look. Ace stopped smelling her then stared down at her. "You're no longer a virgin." Ace stated.
"You creep. Get the hell away from me." Kumari said and pushed him away and walked off. Chester following.
Kumari knocked on Kanda's door, but she got no answer. She sighed and started walking around again. She had nothing to do and she couldn't get her last mission out of her mind. She stared at her gloves and found herself in the science department. Reever smiled and wave. Kumari waved back, but didn't smile. She looked around and still found no exorcists. Was she the only one here? Reever watched her walk around, but didn't tinker with anything. She just watched with absolute boredness. She sighed and left. "What's wrong with her?" Tapp asked.
"Who knows." Reever mumbled.
Kumari sat down in the longue and laid down on the couch. Her arm was on her head as she thought about nothing. She just wanted to be with somebody. Talk to someone, but she didn't know what she would talk about. What she would do. Her last mission wouldn't stop bugging her. What did she leave out? What had she forgotten? She had a feeling that maybe it wasn't just akuma. Maybe there was a Noah. No, but how did she find out about the Heart? The akuma do have big mouths. "Kumari?"
Kumari turned her head around to stare at Allen in his new General uniform. He didn't look as cheery as he normally does. "Something wrong?" Kumari asked.
"You haven't heard?" Allen responded, sitting down on another couch.
"I just got out of the infirmary. No one has told me anything and I haven't ran into any other exorcist but you." Kumari said and stared at the ceiling.
"My master's room was covered in blood and he's disappeared. They think he's dead." Allen said softly.
Kumari's eyes widened. She sat up and Chester fell off her and on to the floor. "General Cross?" Kumari mumbled.
"Yes."
Kumari stood up and ran down the hall. Allen watched her leave and she just ran. Chester tried to keep up, but Kumari was going to fast for him. When she got to Komui's office the other Generals were there. Komui stopped talking and looked at her. She panted and ignored the pain. "Is it true?" Kumari asked, looking Komui in the eye.
"Is what true?" Komui asked.
"You know what I mean. Did we lose another General? Did we lose Cross?" Kumari asked.
Komui opened his mouth, but then shut it. The other Generals didn't even take their precious time to look at her. "I think you should leave." Komui said.
Kumari slammed her hands on Komui's desk and a few cracks appeared. He stared into her angry eyes, but there was more than anger. There was fear. "Ku. . . Kumari?" Komui said.
"Is he dead?" Kumari repeated.
"It's the only solution." Komui said.
Kumari's eyes went wide and she stared at the floor. When she looked back up at Komui he had concern in his eyes. Why was he concerned about her. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but he was shot by his own innocence. His body was there so we have no idea on what happened." Komui said.
"You're telling me General Cross is dead?" Kumari questioned.
"Afraid so." Komui said.
Kumari stood up straight and he hands shook at her side. She looked down and Komui stared at her. Why was Kumari so scared? "Kumari, are you okay?" Komui asked.
"No. No i''m not. None of us are because whether any of you want to believe it or not Cross was the strongest exorcist here! He was the smartest one! And you're telling me he's dead! That someone killed him!" Kumari shouted.
Komui sighed. "We all know that Kumari. Right now isn't the time for this. We need to find a replacement and-"
"And do what? We've lost more than half our exorcists including two Generals. We wait for another attack? We wait to lose another exorcist? We wait for our own deaths? That's all we've been doing. We walk into traps and their plans constantly and even though we win the battle we haven't won the war. They're slowly taking us all out one by one until there's no one left. They have the upper hand and they know everything about us where as we know nothing about them. In the end we always lose!" Kumari said.
"Kumari, you know that we're trying and that I have faith in you and the others, but acting like this is going to get us nowhere." Komui said.
"Do you really have faith Komui?" Kumari asked.
Kumari walked out and Komui stared at the door. He closed his eyes and the Generals looked at him. "Don't mind her Komui. You know how she gets after something big happens." Tiedoll told him.
"I know. I know, but she has a point. When we were first attacked by the Noah clan Allen said the Earl was telling him they could killed us at any moment. That's basically what Kumari just said. They knew where the second headquarters was and who's to say they don't know where we are now?" Komui said.
"So, if she has a point, do you have faith?" Cloud asked.
"Yes." Komui said, but he felt that it was a lie.
Kumari stood on the roof and stared at the sun. Chester stayed by her side and she knew he would always be there for her. She sat on the ledge and petted him as he crawled on her lap and nuzzled her. She was deeply disturbed by the fact Cross has been killed, but who did it? The Noahs? The Hentarus? One of our own conrades? Why not? Suman betrayed the Order. But if so, who? The bookmen? Another General? Ori? Who? Cross was the strongest even though she hated to admit it. If they lost their strongest solider then how could they have faith? How could they win? More and more questions and less answers. "Chester, what do you think we should do?" Kumari asked.
Chester barked and Kumari wished she could understand him. She hugged the small dog and stared at the ocean. "I wish I had Father here. He always did know what to say." Kumari whispered.
Chester looked at her with his big brown eyes and Kumari shut her eyes, sad. It always seemed like when something good comes along something worse breaks it. How could they have hope? They lost two Generals. They lost so many allies. One had betrayed who knows if another exorcist will die or become a fallen one. "Maybe the Earl is meant to win. Guess there is no god." Kumari whispered.
Kumari got off the train with Krowley and looked around. Belgium. It's been awhile since she had been there. Krowley smiled and admired their surroundings and Kumari laughed. Lavi was right, Krowley needs to broaden his horizens. She smiled, but heard a bark. Krowley looked at her and then pointed at her suitcase. "Did your suitcase just bark?" Krowley asked.
"That's nonsense Krowley. Suitcases don't bark." Kumari told him.
She heard a few more barks and stared at her suitcase. She knelt to the ground and opened it then got licked by a sloppy and wet tongue. The dog jumped on her and she laughed. "That tickles Chester. Knock it." Kumari said.
"What's Chester doing in your suitcase?" Krowley asked.
"He must've got in while I wasn't looking. You sly dog." Kumari said as she closed the case.
Kumari stood up and Chester circled her. Kumari patted his head then looked at Krowley. "We're here on a mission Krowley. Don't get side tracked and please do not get lost." Kumari said.
"Of course Kumari. I'll stay by your side at all. . . . where'd you go?" Lrowley asked, looking around.
Kumari sighed and tapped his shoulder and he jumped up in fright. She palmed her face and he turned around, bashful. "Sorry."
"Are you two the exorcists we are going to be traveling with?" a finder asked.
They stared at two finders and smiled. Kumari reconized one of them as Toma, but the big fella. . . . she didn't know him. "Yes. I'm Kumari and this is Krowley. My partner on this mission." Kumari said.
"It's nice to meet you two again. I'm sure you both know me by now. I'm Toma and this is Goes." Toma said.
"Hello Goes." Krowley and Kumari said.
"Oh, it's a real pleasure to finally meet you two. I've heard so much about you two." Goes said, getting in their face.
"Apparently." Kumari mumbled.
"I'm such a big fan of all of your work. All of the exorcists I mean." Goes exclaimed.
"Are you really a finder?" Kumari asked.
"Yes. In fact, I've worked with Lenalee, Allen, Marie, Tiedoll, and Kanda. Kanda was te first exorcist I worked with. He was a bit touchy." Goes said.
"Yuu? He didn't kill you?" Kumari responded.
"Why would he do that?" Goes asked.
"I'm sorry about him. He gets really excited and sensitive." Toma said.
"He's not the only one. Krowley is very much like that. Not in a bad way though." Kumari said as she walked passed them. "So, we're going to the next town over and then staying there for the night, correct?"
"Yes." Toma said, but stared at Chester who trailed behind her.
"Kumari, I've heard a few rumors about you and Kanda and I've been wondering for a long time, are they true?" Goes asked.
Kumari blinked as she turned her head around to stare at the three boys. "Rumors? What rumors?" Kumari asked.
"Word has it you were an exorcist then disappeared after a big battle, thought to be dead and you came back. You trained under Yeager, but with Tiedoll's team as well. Being rather close to Kanda and the rumor has it that you two are. . . . . lovers." Goes said, fiddling with his fingers.
Kumari blushed. She hadn't noticed everyone knew and was talking about it. Had to be Lavi. Definiately Lavi. "Well, actually, yes. All of that is true." Kumari said, bashful.
"I never would've thought Kanda would be the type to date someone like you." Goes said.
"Huh? What's that suppose to mean?" Kumari asked.
"Oh, it's nothing bad. It's just you're so kind and pretty. Though I have heard not to get you angry." Goes said, putting a finger to his chin.
"Thanks. I guess." Kumari said.
"I agree. I would've never thought Kanda would be the type to date at all." Krowley said and Toma nodded.
"Kanda isn't a bad guy. He is just really complicated and shy." Kumari said.
"Shy? Kumari, that word doesn't even come close to describing Kanda." Krowley said.
"That's because you don't know him like I do." Kumari said.
"WHy do you like Kanda?" Goes asked.
Kumari stopped and stared at the path that led out of town. Goes panicked, worried he said something wrong. She turned her head around and a small, sincere smile formed. "That's quite simple. You see, when I first met him he treated me just like everyone else. I wasn't some hideous girl or one that needed protected. One that couldn't be insulted or anything like that. I was just another girl in this big world treated like everyone else. This sounds so cliche, but he gave me acceptance. He accepted me as me." Kumari said.
"I don't get it." Goes mumbled.
"Hmmm, well, we were good friends and I spent a lot of time with him because unlike the others in the Order, he didn't scare me. He gave me this nice warm feeling. At that moment I knew I could trust him. The first time I saw him I knew I would be his friend and I would be treated like any other person in his life." Kumari explained.
Kumari started walking again and the boys stared at her. Krowley knew what she meant by that. It was the same with Eliade and himself. He was accepted as another person despite him being a monster and almost killing her. He smiled and they headed on their journey. "One more thing, make sure Krowley doesn't leave your sight. He's almost as bad as Allen." Kumari said.
"Sorry Kumari." Krowley said.
"I'm not trying to get nosy or anything, but why do we have a dog?" Toma asked.
"Chester followed me by sneaking in my suitcase. He is a very smart dog." Kumari said.
They continued for awhile until they decided to take a break around dinnertime and Kumari laid down in the grass. She soaked in the sun and smiled. The boys kept glancing at her, making sure she was alright. She had been awfully quiet. The trip was quiet. A few more minutes went by and Kumari heard some growling noises. She sat up and turned around. "Chester?" Kumari asked.
Chester heard his name and jumped on a butterfly then looked at Kumari, wagging his black tail. Chester didn't growl soooo. . . . "Was that you Krowley?" Kumari asked.
Krowley turned red as he held his stomach. Another growl was heard and they looked at Goes. Another growl was heard and Toma laughed. "I guess we should get going seeing how you're all so hungry. It's like having Allen here with us." Kumari said and stood up.
Kumari picked up her suitcase and wished she had her bag. Next time she would have to use that instead of the suitcase. She climbed up the small hill and got back on the trail. She whistled and Chester let the butterfly go and ran towards them. Kumari stared at the butterfly. It was purple. Different from any normal butterfly. Maybe a rare type, but she's never heard of such a butterfly in Belgium and Yeager and herself spent much time in this area. She narrowed her eyes and glanced around. No one. She sighed and stared at the three men. She would just have to keep an eye out. She followed the men and kept looking back, feeling eyes on her. She also kept switching the suitcase from the left to the right. Goes noticed this and smiled. "Here, let me take that for you." Goes said and took it from her.
"Oh, thank you Goes. Are you sure it's not a bother? You do have your own things to carry." Kumari said.
"No. Not a bother. It is my job to help support the exorcists the best I can. This is the least I could do to thank you for risking your own life in battle everyday." Goes said.
Kumari smiled and stared at Goes. "You have spirit. Such a good person. I'm glad you became a finder Goes. And I'm glad I met you. For as long as we're together I'll protect you and Toma with my life." Kumari said.
Goes looked at Kumari. She was so different from the others. So much kindness. She was a lot like Tiedoll, but she didn't resemble him. He closed his eyes and turned his head to stare straight ahead at the path once he opened his eyes. Krowley stared at Kumari as she ran after Chester who wanted to play tag and ran with a stick in his mouth. "Penny for your thoughts." Toma said.
"Kumari is so kind." Goes and Krowley said in unison.
"I've heard it her kindness came from General Yeager. He was originally her Mentor, but he traveled with Tiedoll's team a lot. So she trained under two Generals. Two of the nicest. She is so much like Yeager. Though I've never met him while he was alive I have heard a lot about him." Toma said.
"Then that means, she is the exorcist everyone talks about when they mention Yeager's only living student." Goes said.
"Yes. She took his death rather hard, but through that loss she had gained more confidence and discovered more of herself. It was tough on her for losing her General and her other conrades she trained along with. SO she would give her own life to protect anyone in the Order. Especially the Generals. Mainly Tiedoll's group. She felt so guilty and she felt it was her fault whenthey discovered Daisya died in battle with Yeager. She said she should've been on that mission with Yeager and not Daisya. Which is true, but not given the chance to protect her master left a huge scar in her soul." Toma explained.
"When the news was given to us she did get so sad. Like she was lost and had no clue as what to do. She blamed herself for the whole inccident." Krowley said.
"That's so sad!" Goes said as he wiped away tears.
"It is, but I think she has realized something in herself through that pain. Her potiential has sparked and now she has become so much strongeer. Training her own exorcist, taking care of the Bandits, and standing up to the Higher ups. She has become so much stronger and through that she unlocked another attack tactic with her innocence." Toma explained.
Krowley wiped away a few tears and Toma got nervous. They were so sensitive and sentimental. He laughed and stared at Kumari. She stopped running and waved the stick in her hand. Chester tried to jump up and get it, but she moved her hand up and told him to sit. He did then she threw the stick. Chester chased it and she smiled. She looked at the sky then at the men. "We better hurry. It looks like it's going to rain soon." Kumari told them.
"Huh? But there's not a cloud in the sky." Krowley said, looking at the sky.
"The air is getting moist and the wind is getting colder. That signals a storm coming in and it's coming fast. If we don't hurry we'll have to stay outside until the storm clears up. Storms around here get really bad." Kumari said and they started to pick up the pace.
Unforunately, they didn't get to town before the storm and was in a small tent under a tree. Chester let Goes pet him, but Kumari stared outside at the rain. She heard Krowley sneeze and spun her head around. They were all shivering. "It's really, really, really cold." Krowley said.
"I wish I was a dog right now. At least Chester isn't as cold as we are with his fur." Goes said, hugging the dog who slightly shiver.
"How long do you think the storm will last Kumari?" Toma asked as he tried to start a fire.
"I have a feeling we're going to be stuck out here for the night. Maybe throughout the day tomorrow. I spent a lot of time here and they get heavy storms that can las tup to ten days. It's weird, but true. They towns here in the moutains and on the moutains are very different. It's like a big bowl. Literally. That is why our pace got so slow. Little did any of you know that town we were in a few hours ago was at the bottom of the bowl and going to the next town we were gradually making our way up a hill. Which is why your legs got a little tired faster than usual." Kumari said.
"You learn something new everyday." Krowley mumbled.
"Doesn't that mean if it keeps raining like this we'll flood?" Toma asked.
"It's possible, but that hasn't happened in over two hundred years. It rained constantly for about a month. Killing most of the wildlife and making the rivers and lakes overflow." Kumari answered.
"SO we have nothing to worry about, right?" Goes asked, nervous.
"Nothing at all." Kumari said.
"I can't start a fire. Sorry guys. We'll just have to huddle together for warmth." Toma said.
"Starting a fire in a tent isn't too wise." Kumari stated.
"Then why did you let me try?" Toma asked, grabbed a few blankets from the backpack.
"I knew it wouldn't work, but knowing you you might've tried anyways." Kumari said.
"Kumari, aren't you cold?" Krowley asked, taking a blanket from Toma.
"An exorcist should learn how to work in all conditions." Kumari told him.
"Then I must be pathetic." Krowley said, teary.
"No. You are strong Krowley. Though we have innocence we are still humans and we do get cold. But like I said, I've trained in this area for a long time. I've gotten used to it. Weather doesn't really bother me considering my abilities." Kumari said softly, but it cheered Krowley up.
"What are your abilities?" Goes asked, intrigued.
Kumari stared at the wood in the middle of the tent. She raised her hand and her gloves started to glow then a small fire flew over to the wood, causing a small fire. She concentrated and it slowly got bigger and bigger until she thought it would be safe. It was still rather small. "I'm sorry I can't make it much bigger. This is the only way I can give you warmth and allow a fire to be in a tent in a safe degree." Kumari told them, but they all smiled and got closer to the fire.
"You save my life!" Goes said, crying happy tears.
"Why didn't you just to this earlier?" Krowley asked.
"I guess it never occurred to me." Kumari answered.
Kumari stared out at the rain, but you couldn't see too much. She took off her uniform jacket and threw it on the ground. They stared at Kumari as she grabbed her sais and fixed her hair so it was all the way up. Her bangs no longer curved down her face. "What are you doing Kumari?" Toma asked.
She ignored his question and walked out of the tent. She walked out from under the tree branches and she shivered from the sudden coldness against her skin. She flipped the sais in her hand then started practicing movements. The boys all watched in awe. "She is amazing." Goes said.
Kumari did a few flips and then climbed up a tree. When she jumped she did a back flip off a branch and landed on her feet, but was kneeling and her body was over her legs. Her sais and arms created and X and her head was ducked down. She looked up and a few tree branches started falling. She moved her sais around and she cut them up into little pieces. She put her sais back then started picking them up and taking them inside the tent. She made sure to get all of them and she was planning on using them as firewood. "Every hour put one in the fire so that it doesn't die down. We have to be careful. Wolves live in the woods surrounding the path. The same with other dangerous animals. No matter what, we'll be sleeping out here tonight. I'll have to stay up to make sure everything will be okay." Kumari told them.
"No. Goes and I will take shifts during the night. You and Krowley need your strength more than us." Toma told her.
"I appreciate that, but I must decline." Kumari said.
"Kumari you need your rest. Toma and I are doing our jobs by making sure you get to your location safely and ready for a mission. Please?" Goes said, hands folded together.
"Krowley doesn't have any energy without food though. He is a parasite and requires more food than I." Kumari said.
"Kumari, you need your rest still. Getting some sleep will help you and Krowley." Toma said.
Hours later when Kumari and Krowley were sleeping and Goes ready to fall asleep, the rain got heavier and was pounding on the ground. The wind picked up and Toma shivered. Goes immediately woke up from the wind and stared outside. He was scared and Toma sighed. Then suddenly Kumari woke up and dragged everyone outside. Krowley was thrown and woke up from the impact on the ground. The tent was sudden;y bombarded with akuma bullets and Kumari took out her sais. Krowley activated his innocence and jumped at the akuma. "I can finally have my meal!" Krowley shouted.
Kumari's gloves glowed and the green light traveled from her gloves to the sais. Krowley was thrown at her and she dodged, apologizing for that, but then the rain stopped pouring on them and a bright light surrounded the four. Goes looked at the fire that surrounded them and then everytime an akuma came to attack it would rise and engulf it. "Wow." Goes whispered.
"Krowley, can you tell how many there are?" Kumari asked.
"I hear so many. I'm not sure." Krowley said as he destroyed a few.
"Get in the circle and stay away from the fire!" Kumari shouted as she backed up so she was near the finders.
The fire started to enclose and then shot up in the air and over top of the akuma. The fire disappeared and Kumari was panting. The rain fell on them again as the fire disappeared and Kumari looked around. The fire had burnt not only the akumas, but the next mile of wildlife in all directions. She used so much energy in doing just that. She cringed and knelt down and her hands fell on the ground. "Shit." Kumari cursed.
Krowley touched her back and she looked at him. "Are you okay?" Krowley asked.
"Yes. Just went overboard and used too much energy in that one move." Kumari told him as she stood up, but fell down.
"You're injured." Krowley said, staring at her bleeding leg.
"This is nothing. I've had worse injuries before. Come on. We need to get to town. They might-" Kumari was interrupted by an akuma that tried to attack, but Krowley grabbed her and moved her.
Kumari stood up and she pointed her sais at the akuma as they started glowing again. They then had fire on them and the metal didn't melt like they usually do. SHe concentrated souly on the sais and stared at the level three akuma. Krowley stared at her as he protected the group. He noticed her change one sai from fire to water. "Kumari?" Krowley asked.
"Just a minute longer." Kumari responded.
After a few seconds she threw both sais at the akuma and they swirled together creating a two element vortex and the fire got bigger and the water protected it. When it hit the akuma it immediately exploded and unforunately, it didn't hit another akuma. They all dodged it. Kumari grabbed Goes and Krowley grabbed Toma. Kumari headed for her sais and when she got them she quickly used it to stop a claw from piercing Goes and herself. "Krowley, take Goes!" Kumari shouted and dropped him.
"Kumari? What about you?" Goes asked.
"Geet to town and contact headquarters! We need as much backup as we can get!" Kumari shouted.
"I can't just leave you here." Krowley said.
"If we both go then all the akuma will follow! Go! I'll be fine!" Kumari shouted.
"I can't leave my comrade to battle alone!" Krowley shouted.
Kumari destroyed the surrounding akuma, but it took alot of her energy. She turned around to face them and spewed fire at them. They panicked and backed away. "Go now!" Kumari shouted.
"Kumari. . . . . . . . let's go." Krowley said and grabbed the two finders.
When Krowley got to town he immediately saw Lavi and Bookman. Lavi turned around and smiled, but frowned when Goes grabbed Krowley and pulled him to his face. "WHy'd you leave her!" Goes shouted.
"What's going on? Calm down man." Lavi said.
Krowley took his golem and found a phone. He hooked the golem up and Komui picked up. "Komui!" Krowley shouted, grateful.
"Krowley? Aren't you suppose to be on a mission?" Komui aasked.
"We have a problem! Kumari and I got ambushed by a bunch of akuma and there's too many to count. We need as much backup as possible." Krowley shouted.
"What?" Komui asked.
"Hurry!" Krowley shouted.
Krowley dropped the phone and ran out of the hotel and stared at Lavi and Bookman who had overheard him shouting at Komui. "We gotta go back." Krowley said.
"Show us the way Krowley." Lavi said as he activated his innocence and he and Bookman rode it to Kumari.
Komui made sure to contact everyone in the area, but there wasn't many. It would still take them awhile to get there. Kanda, Allen, Lenalee, Lavi, Bookman. That was all. He hoped that was enough. So why did so many attack Kumari? Why not go after Allen? He was a General. "What's going?" Komui muttered.
"Kumari's in trouble, isn't she?" Tiedoll asked.
Komui looked up at all of the Supervisors and Generals. He was glad he fixed Lavi's new golem to show some of the surrounding. It was a prototype, but hopefully it would work like the ones around the Headquarters. He pressed a button somewhere under his desk and a screen popped up. The science divsion watched this too so they could help if need be. "Afraid so." Komui mumbled.
"Lavi, how far away are you from Kumari?" Komui asked.
Lavi looked at his golem that was flying beside him. So far this prototype golem has proved useful. It was as fast as Timcampy and it showed the Order what was going on in emergancys. "Krowley, how far is she?" Lavi asked.
"Maybe three miles now." Krowley said.
"You get that Komui?" Lavi asked.
"Hurry guys." Komui said.
Kumari dropped her sais as she went flying into a tree. She hit it hard and the tree crumbled from the inside out and she fell to the ground. She coughed up some blood and stared at the akuma. They keep coming out of nowhere. She stood up and moved out of the way from a bullet. She jumped off a tree, but then her leg was in pain and she didn't get far until she slid on the ground. She tried to stand up, but for some reason her foot wouldn't agree with her even in this death situation. A dark shadow overcasted her and she turned around. "Hello exorcist."
Kumari's eyes widened as she looked at a group of Noahs. Why would there be so many? Tyki, Wisely, and two other Noahs she didn't know. She grabbed her sais and threw them at the closest one then got as far as away as she could. She turned around and stared at them. "Kumari was it?"
"Who are you?" Kumari asked as a Noah stared at her sais in his hand.
"I'm Tryde and that's Mightra." Tryde said. (Warning, just making up abilities because I don't know what these guys are seeing how only a few Noahs' abilities are given.)
"What are you doing here?" Kumari asked, ready to run if need be.
"Why do you think?" Tyki asked.
"Last time you tried you and those idiot twins were nearly burned to death." Kumari said.
"I'm aware of that. That's why the Earl sent us to take care of you." Tyki said, staring at a poker card.
"I'm not in the mood to fight you today. I don't have the time to deal with you." Kumari told him.
"I heard General Yeager was your mentor, yes?" Tyki asked.
Kumari bit her bottom lip to stay calm, but said nothing. "The only one left on his team. I also heard you were a good friend to that Daisya kid too, right?" Tyki added.
"Shut the fuck up." Kumari barked.
"I think you hit a nerve." Wisely said.
Tryde threw the sais back at Kumari and she caught them with ease. "What do you think I am? Stupid? I know not to let my anger blind me in front of the enemy." Kumari responded.
"I heard you were a fighting prodigy. Knowing almost every fighting technic in martial arts and able to use any weapon. Knowing the ways of war and how to fight weaknesses and knowing the rules in battle, correct?" Tryde said.
"I guess you could say that." Kumari said, eyeing them.
"I'll tell you what. You hand over the innocence and we'll let you leave alive and well." Tryde said.
"Am I really suppose to believe that?" Kumari responded.
"I am a man of my word." Tryde told her.
"That has to follow orders and letting me walk away freely and on your own free will would get you in trouble." Kumari added.
"Hmm, you are smart." Tryde commented.
"Even if I didn't know what you were after I would've never handed it over. The only way you're gong to get my innocence is if I die." Kumari told them.
"That can be arranged." Mightra said.
"WHy is your innocence so precious to you?" Tyki asked.
"That's none of your buisness." Kumari seethed.
"You're the one that brought it up." Tyki reminded.
"And now I'm dropping the damn subject." Kumari hissed.
"I would like to know how an innocence chooses their human." Tryde declared.
"I would like to know why she knows so much about war." Mightra said.
Kumari's anger fell a little as a flashback started.
Flashback
"Kumari, go to bed." mother said.
Kumari pouted as she stomped upstairs with her arms folded across her chest. She slammed her bedroom door shut and jumped on her bed. She put her face in her pillow and screamed. She sat up and stared out a window at the dark clouds of the storm. She absentmindingly walked to it and put her tiny hands on the window sill. "Frell, you spoil that child too much. Only daughter or not, she needs to know disipline or she'll never live in this life." mother said.
"Dear, you keep her locked up in the house all the time anyways. She is a very smart and strong little girl and I spoil her because she's my baby girl. Who knows when I'll leave again." father responded.
Kumari turned her head towards the door and walked down a few steps. She peeked through the railing bars and the kitchen door to stare at her Father and Mother. She frowned. They always talked about her and Father leaving. "You train her when she is only a child! We just moved here. Back to Ireland and I want to stay here at my homelands. Please don't mess this up again." Mother told him.
"Mess it up? How do I mess it up?" Father asked.
"DOn't put humor into a serious conversation. You caused us to move each time because of your job. I do not want my daughter to grow up and do your work." Mother told him.
Kumari wodnered what Father's job could be. All he ever did was fight in a war. A general. He was a good General. A good father, but not home too much. "Kumari, why don't you just come out now?" father said.
Kumari panicked and fell down the stairs. Her Mom came running in and Kumari held her head, laughing. She felt no pain what so ever. Her Mom never understood that. She never would either. She frowned though. "I told you to go to bed." Mother scolded.
"It's not even six and I don't even go to school Mother. Why can't I stay up a little longer like my cousins?" Kumari pouted as she stood up.
"Because you can't. You need your sleep. Your cousins are all older than you." Mother said.
"That's not fair! I'm eight years old! I'm not three! Besides, I've studied my books and I did all my chores. I've helped around and you still won't let me live a normal life. All I want to do is go outside and play. What is wrong with that? I don't have to play with other children and I won't leave the farm. I promise Mother!" Kumari pouted.
"Grace, she needs to live a life outside the house. Just let her roam around for a little while. I'll keep an eye on her." Fathr said.
"No! You know exactly why she can not leave!" Mother screamed.
"Because you're the worst Mother in the whole world!" Kumari shouted as she ran through the front door.
"Kumari! Kumari!" Father shouted.
Kumari cried as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She had no idea where she was going or where her farm even ended. The last time she had been outside was when they first moved here. She ran over the small hills and her Father chased after her, screaming. She ignored him for the first time in her life and ran faster. She just wanted to live a normal life. Why couldn't she be like any other child? Why was she always secluded in her house? In her room? When she finally stopped running she was in front of a market. The old lady stared at her and she dropped the apple. Kumari looked at the apple then at the old lady. When she saw her blood red eyes she screamed and Kumari felt hurt. Everyone always reacted like that. "Kuamari!" Father shouted.
Kumari cried as she stared at her Father. His old gloves felt soft against her arms as he knelt down in front of her. "Why did you run off like that Kumari?" Father asked.
"I don't know. I've wanted to for so long. To do what I can't Father. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell at Mother." Kumari said through tears.
He hugged her and picked her up. Kumari's small arms wrapped around the man's neck and she cried on his shoulder. "Get that demon out of here!" the old lady shouted.
Kumari cried harder and her Father started walking away, knowing that it was ppointless to say Kumari was not a demon. When they got back on their farm Father didn't take her back to the house. He stopped at the tallest hill and sat down under a tree. Kumari sat down on his lap and wiped away her tears. Her Father smiled as he stroked her snarly hair. He combed it with his fingers. "Mother won't let me look in a mirror. Why Father?" Kumari asked.
Father smiled as he pulled out a mirror and Kumari stared at her reflection. Violet hair and blood red eyes. She thought she looked hideous as well. Her frowned deepened. "I am a demon." Kumari whispered.
"No you're not Kumari. You are a sweet, innocent,, beautiful child. You will be the kindest person anyone will ever meet." Father told her.
"I'm ugly and I look so different. Not only does my hair look different, but I never knew my eye were blood red!" Kumari shouted.
"You are unique. Your eyes are a lovely, bright, and shiney red eyes. They're glorious. They make you my little Kumari. My brave little warrior." Father told her.
"I'm no warrior." Kumari said.
"No? Then here. Take these." Father said, handing her small sais.
Kumari's face instantly brightened as she took the japanese weapons and stared at them. They were so pointy. So sharp. As the next few days passed her Father taught her many technics and tactics. He showed her how to use her surroundings to her advantage and use her sais properly. "Father, can I have your gloves?" Kumari asked, tryng to take them off of his hands.
"Fraid not. You are not ready." Father told her.
"How could I be ready to have gloves?" Kumari asked.
He held her hands and she smiled at the softness of the gloves. She looked into his eyes and he smiled warmly then patted her head. "You will find out one day. One day you'll discover the greatness you are meant to be in this life." Father said.
"Frell Janco?" a man asked.
Kumari turned her head around with her Father and frowned. Another man from another war. Another solider. "General, we need your help. Please come with me immediately."
Mother held Kumari back as she cried. Her sais were taken away from her and she tried to get free from her Mother's hold. "Father please! Don't go! Father! Father! FATHER!" Kumari said and that was the last time she saw him.
End Of Flashback
Kumari stared at the Noahs who were staring at her intently after a few minutes of dead silence except for the rain. Kumari eyes suddenly became full of sadness, emptiness, mournfulness. This sudden change in her caused them to get curious then Wisely started laughing. Kumari glared at him. "Now I understand completely. A child trained for war since birth. Living in it even before the pathetic Order of yours found you!" Wisely exclaimed.
"What are you babbling about this time Wisely?" Tyki responded.
"Interesting. Kumari Janco. Daughter of the Janco Princess Grace of Ireland and Frell Recul. That explains alot." Wisely said.
Kumari gritted her teeth as the other Noahs stared at her. "I've heard of that man before." Tryde said.
"Shut up!" Kumari screamed.
"Awww, if you hate war so much because you lost your father in it then why do you fight?" Wisely replied.
Kumari tried to calm herself down, but it was hard. She shut her eyes and the ground beneath her started to crumbled. A small crater was created and a deadly aura came off of her. "This might be a little easier than we anticipated." Tyki said.
Kumari screamed out of anger because, for some reason, she knew Wisely was reading her mind. Reading her memories. It suddenly stopped raining and electricity appeared around Kumari. Flames started to pop out of nowhere and the water started to form a dome around the burnt area. All of the akumas exploded as they were hit with lightning and the earth started to shake and a colum was made and it took her up into the sky until you couldn't even see the top. "What did she say about anger earlier?" Tyki asked.
"She knew not to let her anger blind her in battle with the enemy." Wisely repeated.
"Let's hurry with this." Mightra said.
Lavi stopped talking to Komui when he heard a loud scream from up ahead. Everyone stopped and they stared straight ahead. Someone came out of the trees and Lavi stared at them. "Kanda and Marie?" Lavi asked.
"That scream just now. . . . ." Krowley said.
"It was Kumari." Marie said.
"We need to fasten our pace." Bookman said.
"Then stop sitting around talking about it and get a move on it!" Kanda shouted as he started running.
"Lavi? Lavi!"
Lavi turned his head around to stare at Lenalee who was flying with her Dark Boots and holding Allen in one hand. "Lenalee!" Lavi exclaimed.
Lenalee stopped and stared at the golem. "Wait Kanda!" Marie said.
Kanda stopped and glanced at Marie. "What is it?"
Marie listened carefully. "There's no akuma up ahead. Kumari somehow got rid of them."
"Then she's okay?" Allen asked.
"I hear four people with her. I can't tell if they're akuma, but. . . . . . I hear a human heart beating. I can't tell. Something is blocking my hearing. Sizzling, roaring. Kumari's screaming, but not of pain. Of rage." Marie said.
Komui looked up from his desk and at the group of exorcists opn the screen. "Rage? You guys need to get there now!" Komui shouted into the golem.
"Komui? Is everythi-"
"Kumari is at her weakest when she is angry. Her innocence goes berserk! You need to get there now!" Komui shouted.
"Komui, you need to have more faith in Kumari." Tiedoll told him.
"It's not her I'm worried about. Even with her rage she is still strong, but she still has a hard time with her innocence and is drained of all energy within minutes. Then Marie mention four people with her. There is no other explanation except for Noahs." Komui said.
Everyone stared at him. The exorcists headed towards Kumari and this time they were going much faster. "Why would so many Noahs attack Kumari? She's not even a General." Bak responded.
"Even still with her remarkable ability to easily fight the Noahs they would still send two at most. Not four." Renae told him.
"Why would they want to target her anyways?" Cloud asked.
Komui gnashed his teeth together as his hands trembled. He stared at the screen. "Komui, do you know something we don't?" Tiedoll asked.
Komui glanced at Tiedoll, but then stared at the screen again. The whole science divsion could hear them and see the screen. He didn't want anyone to know, but if the NOah really think it then. . . . . it's possible that she is. . . . . they have to protect her. "On her last mission she said there were so many akuma there fighting her. Targeting her. More than there should've been. Just like the swarm that attacked Barcelona for Tiedoll. Only there were no level one or twos. Only level threes and fours. Then the reason why she survived after the battle was because of the innocence in the lake had healed her injuries repeatedly, but in favor took her memories because she wasn't the accomadator." Komui said.
"Are you saying that Kumari is the heart?" Leverrier asked.
"Considering the past and current events, there's a high possibility." Komui said.
Booman stared at the golem as if to stare at Komui even though he could not see them. He looked up ahead and narrowed his eyes. Everyone finally came to a stop, but not because they wanted to. They all stood on the ground and tried to progress, but couldn't. They looked up and saw that there was a huge dome made of water. They all tried everything to get in, but couldn't. It was like an indestructable force. They stared inside, but they saw no one. They saw nothing. There was only a very tall colum made from the earth and the ground was no longer evened out. There were flames here and there. There was ice around a few spots. There was also lightning that just appeared and almost shocked them because it combined with the water dome for a moment. You could see the wind pick up as well. "Is this. . . . . . Kumari's doing?" Lavi asked.
Just as if to answer someone came falling from the sky and they realized it was Kumari. She was falling at a high speed and if she were to hit the ground she would probably break every bone in her body. Just as she was about to hit the ground the wind created a small vortex under her and the wind kept her hovering a few feet above ground. She stood up and her head was down and you couldn't see her eyes. She was trembling and it was because of fury. The ground started shifting again and Kanda stared at her hands. Her gloves were glowing green, but the color was changing slightly. It was getting darker and darker. "Shit. Kumari! Kumari!" Kanda shouted.
Kumari didn't seem to hear him though. Her hands were bleeding and her gloves were slowly tightening. It was hard for her to move them, but she could. "Damn it bitch! Listen to me!" Kanda shouted.
Kumari opened her eyes and looked at him. He suddenly went flying back by a huge gust of wind. "Kanda!" Lenalee shouted.
Kanda held his stomach and flinched as he sat up. He stood up, but ended up falling on he knees. "Where did such power come from?" Bookman questioned.
Everyone heard laughter and turned their heads to stare at four Noahs. Wisely hit his knee and stopped floating in the air to lean over and laugh. "She can't even tell friend from enemy anymore." Wisely stated.
"Kumari?" Lenalee whispered.
"She's so angry. I've never seen her like this before." Marie said.
Komui's eyes widened as he watched Kumari glared at the exorcists, but turned around to face the four Noahs. More blood came from her hands and she didn't even have a single wound on her arm. Her hair fell out of it's hairband and she gritted her teeth as her anger grew. Wisely just continued to read her memories and enjoyed every minute of her suffering. Little did anyone know that his prying was causing her to go off the handle. "Stop joking around. Master wants the job done as soon as possible." Lulubell said and Wisely started floating agan.
"He told me not to do anything until the situation proves necessary. I'm just watching. You were suppose to be here over an hour ago though." Wisely said and got high in the air.
"Kumari calm down!" Lavi shouted.
"It's not going to work. Her anger is clouding her mind, but if she doesn't get over it soon, she'll become a fallen one." Kanda said as he leaned on a tree.
"What?" Lavi asked.
"The innocence's glow." Kanda said as blood came out of his mouth.
Lavi stared at the glow coming off the innocence and Kanda was right. The green was practically gone. It was almost black. Why would she get so mad though? "Kumari?" Lenalee whispered, cupping her mouth.
A crater started to form under Kumari's feet and as she took a step forward fire shot up and lightning headed towards the Noahs who easily dodged. Tyki appeared behind her and smiled, but it soon faded as he went flying to the edge of the dome. He stood up and smirked. She would be quite an adversary. Unless she turns into a fallen one like the samurai said. Kumari's hands went up to her head and she held it tightly. She closed her eyes and the image of her father was all she saw. When she opened her eyes hot tears ran down her face. "Fa. . . .ther." Kumari whispered.