A/N: Alright! First D. Gray-man FanFic! My OC Shirogane Youko (Last, First) Means (In that order) Silver Sunlight

DISCLAIMER: I don't own -man, if I did then, I wouldn't be writing this right now would I?

Countdown

Chapter One

There she sat, in the most cluttered and unorganized office she had ever seen. Of course she had never really been in an office like this, but she was more than positive that they would be cleaner than this one. Papers spread across the floor, almost reaching her knees, and a few books rested atop of the sea, the young lady was positive that there were more buried under the huge mass of documents. Usually this untidiness bothered her, but she sat there watching the flustered man sift through papers with a polite smile. She smoothed out her charcoal skirt and straightened her new jacket that she had received from the Order; her new uniform, apparently. It rested over top of her black corset and hid the slightly puffed shoulders of the white shirt underneath. Her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose so she gently pushed them back up to cover her dark blue eyes, never removing her gaze from the man whose name she learned to be 'Komui'. She had met him about ten minutes ago, and she already thought of him as a friend in this building full of impeccable people. He held up his light blue coffee cup with a pink bunny, and it caught her attention as well as some unattended folders he lifted it off of. Needless to say she was still a bit unsettled after meeting Hevlaska and being practically violated in public, but seeing him in such a discombobulated position put Youko at ease. 'At least not everyone here is frightening…' she thought. Youko Shirogane, stayed silent throughout the next few minutes, her usual politeness only showing when spoken to.

"So, you said that you have had your Innocence since you could remember?" the man before her asked, ducking behind his desk to rumple through more drawers.

"I-I didn't even know what it was. I just thought that I was different; that's why I was alone. I didn't want to hurt anybody," she recalled the finders that had escorted her there.

The Main Branch had heard of some disturbances with akuma in a small town just west of the headquarters. In the reports, a person had been reported to follow after the demons-Komui was immediately concerned, as no exorcists had been assigned to that region. The five finders had discovered Youko; who had not been aware that her heroic antics would draw such attention. She had lived alone, secluded from society because of two personal and important reasons. One: She wanted no harm to come to others because of her abilities. Two: She had a very important mission to accomplish. But she had only informed the Order of the first objective-no reason to get too comfortable with these people. Komui suddenly jumped up with a creme colored, empty folder and screamed victoriously. 'Fifteen minutes to find that... a folder-an empty one no less... Oh shit,' Her thoughts were interrupted when the sound of clumping boots entered the cluttered workspace.

"Oh, good! Here are a few of your colleagues! You'll be going out on missions with them soon enough. Kanda is away on a mission at the moment but he'll be back soon," Komui explained while creating a profile for the new member, sloppy handwriting taking up most of the lines on the page.

"I'm Lenalee, 'Oh, how... peppy…' this is Lavi, '…What kind of fetish is that?'(Strike! Strike! Strike!) and Allen, 'How... cute?'"

"H-Hello, my name's Shirogane Youko. It's a pleasure to meet you," Youko's smiled briefly, stretching to see them over the sea of parchment.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Youko-chan," Lavi exclaimed, whilst rushing to her side in a fraction of a second.

Allen and Lenalee approached Komui's desk with ease, obviously having made that trek many times before. They spoke quietly with him as he continued scribbling onto the forms before him. He suddenly slammed them in a drawer with a plethora of other paperwork. 'Never gonna see that again, heh.' Youko sat awkwardly as Lavi grabbed her hands in his, attempting to flirt with the newcomer. She laughed accordingly, making a few blushed comments to him, hoping to make a good first impression. Her straight black hair ended at her lower back, and it suddenly caught the other young girls' attention. Lenalee appeared behind Youko and she twiddled the dark strands between her fingers.

"You have great hair Youko-chan!" 'Yeah, way too excited…'

"What is your Innocence type?" Allen questioned, not seeming rude in the least-though he felt as though he was.

"Uh-Equipment," she answered as quickly as possible, having to recall what Komui had told her about her innocence.

"Really?"

Youko nodded quickly and swept her hair back from her neck. The dark choker around her neck held a single white jewel in the center. Lavi suddenly released the woman to draw closer to her weapon with peering eyes.

"Now that everything's settled here, will you take Youko-chan to her room and show her around?" the pack-rat gentleman asked the group as they suffocated the newest member with questions.

"Hai!" Lavi yelled.

She was dragged form the office and down the halls of her new 'home'. The woman waved and smiled at others in the building, appreciating that they did the same, with a touch of pity on their faces; the poor new girl was already being pushed around and over-complimented by the other energetic, younger, exorcists. It wasn't often that an Innocence merged with a younger human and Lenalee would appreciate that a female teenager had finally joined their ranking. She was reintroduced to the front hall, where she had entered with the finders earlier, the training floor, common areas, and finally, the cafeteria. The kind cook, Jerry, naturally gravitated towards Allen, and wasn't disappointed with his order-everything. After being amazed at Allen's gusto-Youko was then acquainted with the Science Department, getting on quite nicely as a loud scream echoed from Lenalee.

"Who is this?" a new voice asked from behind Youko, and she felt the heaviness of something at the base of her skull.

Youko could feel her head naturally pulling away from the weight, her glasses almost sliding off of her nose before a small hand pushed them back to their rightful place. She glanced quickly into Russell's glasses, who was thankfully positioned in a way that gave her a perfect reflection of the sharp object behind her. After a moment of adrenaline, the young lady turned cautiously to meet the sword owner's gaze. The thin line in her vision was obviously a katana, what she had observed as an ordinary weapon. The line led to two pale hands, leading up slender arms, strong shoulders, and finally a face. His aggravated stare bore into her, and when she noticed he had no further questions, she spoke.

"Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance," Youko stated, surprisingly calm whilst keeping a level gaze.

There was a small hum that appeared in the silent room as the air conditioning clicked on. Half of the Science Division was watching Youko, and the other watched the nameless man. Seconds ticked by, and she was growing impatient at his silence and lack of action or apology.

"I hope you're rethinking. My comment would have made a competent man second guess himself. Or maybe you're not that intelligent? Can I assume that you presumed that I was an outsider? You almost commenced a battle with me because you're thinking that everyone around you is an enemy, right? Must have been a very edgy battle you had while you were out on the mission. You have judged me on appearance only and you decided to attack from that lack of information and paranoia. I assure you that if I was a trespasser, which I'm not, I would have given you praise on that strategic action. But since I'm now a member here, I'm just going to call it stupidity. I am here as your new comrade, and I will not battle against you-unless necessary-Kanda."

Lavi's mouth gaped open, unable to comprehend the scene that just played out before him. The smiling and polite Youko had just taken Yu Kanda to school, metaphorically speaking. This woman could be as ruthless as Kanda, and this was apparently her declaration of such. Upon meeting her new teammates, she had made a silent promise that her true self would not be revealed to them. This man, however, had provided a chance for her to teach a valued life lesson. Kanda smirked slightly at the teen and sheathed his sword as Youko's lips now presented a sinister like grin. Allen twitched in the background from the heavy moment. Kanda examined the young woman again, her outburst calling for another overview. To the shine on her dark boots to the lock of hair that curled towards the corner of her small lips, noticing it sharply contrasting from her straight hairstyle. He was not the only one to investigate. From the speck of dirt on the edge of his cloak, undoubtedly from his mission, to the dark eyes that pierced through her skull, she took note of it all. They simultaneously bowed and Kanda pivoted to make his way out of the chilled room. Youko did the same, fluidly twirling back towards Dr. Reever.

"I-I'm sorry about that. Yu can be-" Lavi was cut off by the daring teen.

"No need to apologize. He's pretty interesting. We're on peaceful terms."

"What terms? They hardly even spoke!" Lavi whispered to Allen whose only response was to shrug.

'He seems like the only sane person here…' Youko's smile returned with the thought. Lavi cringed under her gaze, remembering how quickly it had changed.

"Will you show me the gardens next?" she asked cheerfully, recalling them being mentioned by Lenalee just hours before her official tour began.

"H-Hai. This way," Allen motioned, his face equally as stunned as Lavi's.

She followed them out into the hall, Kanda watching them leave a few floors up, leaning across the metal railing with almost indifferent interest. That woman was obviously an interesting one. He had never met anyone who had infuriated him so much as well as made him feel like an idiot. Her intelligence stunned him as well. He didn't figure that many people could quote an English Proverb from memory-they aren't exactly the most favored forms of literature. Part of him felt pity for her, as she had to be chaperoned all day by his colleagues. Once she was out of sight, the Japanese man trudged to the cafeteria in need of a decent meal.

"This place is beautiful!" Youko exclaimed, becoming almost dizzy as she spun around in the flourishing garden.

The large pond off to the right glistened in the evening light, the surrounding trees towering over it and reflecting in the water. Flowers of different colors sprouted just a few feet from the water, spreading back into the trees and twining through bushes. Her skirt flared as Youko stopped mid-twirl, the building before her was large, dark, and far more eerie than she remembered.

"I never noticed how large this place was," Youko drew in closer to herself, her size seeming to dwindle in its presence.

"It's kind of creepy when it's dark out, too. No one ever comes out of their rooms at night, so it's almost like the whole place is empty," Lenalee spoke out, recalling her many experiences

"Really?" Youko seemed interested in that fact, eyes sweeping across the forest covertly.

'Perfect,' she thought to herself, viewing her new home with happiness. The sun began to grow closer to the horizon, and Allen attempted to hint at his growing hunger by stating that dinner time was just around the corner. Understanding the not-so-subtle hints, the group began the trek to the cafeteria, Youko hoping that she would remember the twists and turns of Headquarters quickly. Kanda Yu sat alone in the cafeteria, all of the finders and other exorcists avoiding him like a plague. A tray of soba sat before him, rounding out his day just like the many others before. The young woman peered over at him from behind her hair while waiting for her gyokuro. She thanks Jerry as he hands her the steaming cup and follows the part in the sea of people towards his table. Lavi, Lenalee, and Allen only stared after her, nervous in her decision. He noticed that a mass had filled the seat across from him, and he shifted his gaze in time to watch her inhale the scent of the tea she brought with her. Silence surrounded them, until Kanda's curiosity, uncharacteristically, sparked.

"You know my name. How should I address you?"

"I cannot order you to address me as such, but my name's Shirogane Youko," she replied with a small smile, taking a sip of her tea afterwords.

Silence enveloped them again. Kanda had long since finished his meal and preoccupied himself by keeping a quiet eye on this new woman, and there was no surprise that she was doing the same, only looking away periodically to drink her tea. Youko's chaperones gravitated towards the table, careful not to get too close. Lavi, as daring as he was, patted Kanda on the back with a friendly force. Kanda did not seem open to the gesture.

"Yu, you've already met Youko. She's new here!"

"Well noted," Youko added sarcastically, mumbling the words into her tea, no one except Kanda had heard them.

Youko placed her glass onto the wood with a soft thunk and proceeded to level her gaze on Kanda. Lenalee, itching to remove herself from the situation, snatched up the woman's arm and tugged her towards the exit, leaving the men at the table. Allen and Lavi joined their comrade, Allen twiddling his thumbs, and Lavi casually leaning on his palm, eyes following Youko until she left the room. The sound of Kanda's tongue clicking with annoyance reached Youko's ears as she was fleeing the scene. 'This is certainly going to be an interesting stay.' Not that she had much more time left. Don't misunderstand, Youko was perfectly healthy and wasn't planning on dying anytime soon, but she wasn't going to stay around for as long as the others thought she was. But that was all pushed aside for the moment as Lenalee pulled her up eight flights of stairs and to a dark wooden door.

"My room is right over there," she pointed to a similar door on the other side of the walkway, Youko didn't dare look down the gaping hole that separated the two rooms.

"This is your room. I can help you get settled, if you'd like. I know what a hassle it can be to change homes this suddenly."

The door was opened and Youko could just barely make out a single person bed, something that resembled a wardrobe, a desk or table, and a simple chair. Lenalee continued forward and reached for a small box on the bedside table. She struck a match and lit the candle on the desk.

"It's not much, but we hardly have time to stay in our rooms, anyway."

Youko sat down on the bed, suddenly feeling very vulnerable under the dark purple eyes of her company. She thanked the heavens that she didn't ask any personal questions-only if she had any items with her. The new exorcist giggled as she remembered her past, leaving everything behind so that she could live on her own-no friends or family.

"I have no personal items. Just the clothes on my back."

"What!?"

Youko slid back against the wall, scared that the girl in front of her was about to explode from whatever emotion she was experiencing. The pigtailed girl paced the room, tapping her finger on her chin as she went. The light from her window began to darken and the candle looked brighter than it had a few minutes before. Youko finally managed to get her fellow exorcist to listen, and claimed that she was drained from her travels. Understanding, the girl left her alone for the night, promising to take her out on the town in a few days. More silence enveloped her again, and Youko quickly made her way to the door, peeking through to make sure Lenalee retired to her own room for the evening. After this was confirmed, Youko softly walked out of her room, and recalled the pathway to the gardens. Allen and Lavi almost saw her, but she hid behind a corner just in time, even taking extra precaution by ducking behind a couch in the lounge. She had began to wonder what they had talked to Kanda about after she left the cafeteria… not that she thought it was about her, of course.

Kanda was still fuming from Lavi's 'friendly' tap. The urge to ram his sword through the bookman's stomach was so strong. However, that was apparently considered 'wrong' in this society. Allen had taken Youko's place across from him and he noticed how much more space the beansprout took up than she did. 'She was as small as I first estimated.' Kanda began to take his leave after a moment of annoyance from the two, but Allen stopped him before he could go any further.

"U-um. So... What are your thoughts on Youko?"

"Ch," was his only reply, as always.

"Well, I think she's hot," Lavi said while leaning forward to rest his head on his arms.

Kanda froze a little at this. Lavi was very straight forward with his feelings today.

"I'm only asking because of that little 'chat' in the library," Allen elaborated, hands up in defense.

"If you could call it that," the red head snickered, bringing his hand up to cover his teeth.

Kanda had spoken three words, and she retaliated with a lecture without breaking a calming facade. That was intriguing in his mind. Allen had almost soiled his pants when they first met... She certainly made her impression on him.

"What was that even about? Did you guys insult each other or something?"

"No," he answered crossly, turning from the bookman and beansprout and parting the sea of finders as he made his leave.

He had listened to his companions' comments on the newcomer from the last few hours. Lavi's being especially bold, complimenting her figure and describing it in great detail in case Kanda would have missed something. 'As if,' he chortled to himself. He smiled to himself as the sun went down and orange light came through the tinted windows of the Order halls. Kanda had left the two idiots alone to their comments about Youko. He was certainly not going to partake in that. The way to his favorite spot was calm, as always, and he was impressed with himself that no one noticed his odd trek to the gardens.

After sneaking out of the building for the first time-and certainly not that last- she slinked through the trees and bushes until she was greeted with the sound of water sloshing in the wind. The clear, black, sky reflected off of the water, showing the stars above. In the midst of drawing closer to the water, a noise startled the teen. She turned quickly, fists clenched and body set in offensive mode. A tall mass made its way from out behind a tree, and Kanda reappeared in the moonlight, casually stepping over small plants and pushing tree limbs out of the way.

"I thought you'd be asleep," she said, remembering the fact that he had just returned from a mission.

"Ch."

Youko rolled her eyes, taking the rude offering as the only one she'd receive that evening. She removed her gaze from him, crossing her arms in anger while pouting towards the water. Kanda continued on his way to a tree across the pond, settling down and resting Mugen beside of him. He had taken notice that Youko was not smiling as she had been with his colleagues-not the he was disturbed by this. He didn't care-really. Kanda always had the same opinion for everyone, he just didn't like them. So what did it matter if she acted different around him?

"You know, you don't scare me," her voice sounded into the night.

Kanda was taken aback by this, not that it showed on his stoic face. She took this as a chance to continue.

"This is my normal attitude. I don't show it around others because it gives off the ...wrong impression, I guess you could say. But I can see that you don't care, so I won't care if you see it."

He stared at the ground now, no expression open to the world, as usual. Youko had maneuvered closer to him, finding a large tree just a few feet away from him that seemed comfortable. Her back rested against it, and the dark blue eyes shut for a moment. There was the same heavy feeling from the Science Department clawing at her nerves. She released a breath and eased her eyes open. Her eyes bore into very similar orbs, and she felt his cape wisp around in the soft night wind, as it had brushed against her legs. With an easy and almost defeated grin, the woman situated back onto the tree, crossing her ankles and arms.

"Fine, I guess I can start. Any interests?"

Both were quick to get to the point, but neither exactly wanted to get too cozy with one another, so this conversation style was perfect. Kanda waited before responding, trying to read her expression-which was about as hard as trying to decipher his own.

"Gardening." (A/N: That is true. I didn't just pull it out of my ass. In case you were wondering.)

"So did you have any say in this place? I'm very impressed," she complimented on the greenery, ushering towards a few small petaled flowers.

"And yours?" he ignored her second question-it was his turn, after all.

"Reading."

"Dislikes?" he questioned, since they taking turns interrogating one another.

"Group related activities." Kanda responded evenly.

"That and sweet things. I just get headaches from that stuff," she offered up more information on herself, him taking note of it, but not really paying attention to it.

She was suddenly stumped for another question. Some seemed too personal and the only other ones that the teen could think of were childish or just plain idiotic. As a young lady with no exceptional social skills, Youko was at her limit. Apparently coming into contact with someone as socially stunted as herself was putting the lady in a difficult position. Kanda broke the silence with another inquiry.

"Family?"

The one word that he should have never asked. It even made himself feel heavy with uneasiness and unsaid memories. Youko swallowed hard around the lump that suddenly formed in her throat, and pushed her glasses up with a smirk and silent scoff. 'Isn't this a little too personal for small talk?'

"…well, your family is none of my business... So mine shouldn't be any part of yours. You should get some rest," she responded, shifting from her spot on the tree to leave.

He was alone like he thought that he would be, yet he didn't feel the same satisfaction he thought he would when she disappeared from view. He had found her last comment a little rude, but her past was her own right, just as his was. Thus she tried to avoid the question all together. Youko's family had cowered away from her when her power was activated… all except her so-called father that is. Her power was his power. But Youko refused his offer, he decided to make a little deal that she thought-at the time-was a perfect deal. She was too young then, only fifteen, so she didn't really know anything about the subject at the time. And her deciding to live on her own wasn't even for the safety of her family and others-she had just convinced herself that that was a positive aspect of her decision. The woman had tried to run from her promise, but unfortunately she was raised better than such and even though her father had passed on, her aunt had made it perfectly clear that she was going to hold Youko to her promise. Time was running out and she only had one year and five hours left until she had to go back to that hell hole and follow through with her contract.