Kuri's head throbbed as she stirred awake, blinking against the sharp overhead light in Komui's office. The smell of coffee and ink filled her nose, grounding her. Her body ached, and her thoughts felt sluggish, but the familiar sound of voices pulled her back to reality.
"It seems your Innocence is in full working order," Komui said from behind his desk, his tone neutral but tinged with concern. "In fact, it's evolved. You purified an Akuma using your hands alone, Kuri. That's a remarkable ability, but you're pushing your synchronization dangerously high. You must be more careful."
Kuri groaned as she sat up, pressing a hand to her temple. "Careful? I didn't exactly plan on collapsing, Komui."
Her eyes flicked to Allen, who stood beside her bed, his hands clenched at his sides. His gaze bore into her, a mixture of relief and anger swirling in his silver-gray eyes. She could tell he had something to say, but she didn't have the patience for it.
"And I suppose you told him everything, didn't you?" she asked, her voice flat.
Allen's face reddened slightly, but he didn't back down. "Of course I did! You were hurt. Komui needed to know!"
"Damn it, Allen," Kuri muttered, her frustration evident.
"Don't be like that," Reiko said, stepping forward. Her green eyes softened as she looked at Kuri. "Brother just wants to protect you."
"We all do," Kanda added, his voice clipped. His arms were crossed, his sharp gaze flitting between Allen and Kuri.
Kuri raised an eyebrow. "Why are you all in here anyway? Did someone send out a memo to have a meeting in my recovery room?"
Komui chuckled lightly, leaning forward on his desk. "I called them here. We have a mission for the four of you."\
"A mission?" Kuri asked, her tone sharp.
Reiko stiffened. "You're sending her on a mission? Are you insane? She just came back from the dead, Komui! She's not ready for this!"
Komui's usual easygoing demeanor hardened. "We have no choice, Reiko. There's an enchanted doll in southern Italy that's been hypnotizing and torturing humans. This power may be tied to Innocence. The doll is too dangerous to send one or two Exorcists. I need all of you."
"She's too weak!" Reiko snapped. "She can barely stand, let alone fight!"
"She's stronger than you think," Kanda interjected, his voice calm but firm. "She'll be fine."
Reiko turned on him, her green eyes flashing. "And what if she's not? You can't just throw her into a mission because you think she'll survive!"
"She will survive," Kanda said evenly, though his tone betrayed a hint of irritation. "I trained her myself."
Kuri sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of star candy, offering it to Timcampy, who fluttered beside her head. The small golem snapped it up eagerly, eliciting a soft laugh from Allen.
"You're going to spoil him," Allen said, his voice lighter for the first time since she woke up.
"Good," Kuri replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Allen's expression softened further, but his jaw remained tight. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "I don't like this, Kuri. You're not ready."
"I'm ready," Kuri said firmly, meeting his gaze. "This is my responsibility, Allen. I'm an Exorcist."
"But I almost lost you," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "I can't go through that again. Don't make me watch you die."
Her heart clenched at the pain in his voice. She reached out, her fingers brushing his. "You won't lose me," she said softly. "I promise."
Allen didn't look convinced, but he nodded reluctantly, his fingers curling around hers briefly before stepping back.
Kanda's sharp eyes caught the exchange, and he scoffed audibly. "Tch. Possessive much, Moyashi?"
Allen turned, his silver eyes narrowing. "What's your problem, Kanda?"
"My problem is that you're acting like a lovesick fool," Kanda said flatly. "She's an Exorcist, not your pet. Let her handle herself."
Allen bristled, stepping toward him. "You don't understand. You didn't see what I saw. You didn't—"
"I saw plenty," Kanda interrupted, his tone icy. "And I also know what happens when people let their emotions cloud their judgment. Careless Exorcists die young, Walker. Just like—"
"Kanda!" Reiko snapped, cutting him off before he could finish.
Kanda glanced at her, his expression softening ever so slightly. She stood with her arms crossed, glaring at him, but he caught the worry beneath her anger.
"Don't push him, Yu," she said, her voice quieter now. "He's just trying to protect her."
Kanda's jaw tightened, but he nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.
XXX
The train rattled along the tracks, its rhythmic hum a backdrop to the tension inside the cabin.
Reiko sat across from Kanda, recounting the story of the enchanted doll and the chaos it had caused. Her voice was steady, but every so often, her hands fidgeted with the hem of her coat.
Kanda listened silently, his expression unreadable. Yet his eyes softened whenever she looked away, and his fingers occasionally twitched as if resisting the urge to reach out to her.
Meanwhile, Kuri sat cross-legged on the seat beside Allen, shuffling a deck of cards absentmindedly. The cabin was warm, but Allen still found himself inching closer to her, his shoulder brushing hers as if to reassure himself she was still there.
"You know," Allen said, breaking the silence, "we used to play cards all the time."
Kuri smirked, glancing at him. "So… strip poker?"
Allen's face turned crimson. "What? No!"
Her grin widened. "Liar. I remember. Every time you nearly had my bra off—"
"Moyashi!"
The door slid open with a loud bang, and Kanda stormed in, his glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Are you soliciting my sister?"
"Your sister?" Allen repeated, standing abruptly. "I didn't—"
"Coming in here, trying to get her to play strip poker?" Kanda bellowed. "I thought you were a gentleman, Walker, but apparently—"
Allen's fists clenched. "Don't lecture me, Bakanda! I am a gentleman, and you're—"
"You're both idiots!"
Reiko's voice rang out, and a second later, the sound of metal connecting with skulls filled the cabin. Allen and Kanda both staggered, rubbing their heads as Reiko stood between them, wielding a frying pan with a dangerous glint in her eye.
"Enough," she snapped, glaring at both of them. "We're almost there."
Kuri looked out the window, her voice soft. "Mater."
XXX
The streets of Mater were eerily silent, the abandoned city bathed in pale moonlight. The crumbling buildings cast long shadows, and the air was thick with an unnatural stillness.
Allen froze mid-step, his head tilting slightly. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Kuri asked, moving closer to him.
"A song," he murmured, his voice distant.
Reiko frowned. "A song?"
"It's coming from below," Allen said, his silver eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.
A faint breeze stirred, carrying with it a haunting melody that seemed to wrap around them like a whisper.
"There's a breeze," Kanda said sharply. "From underground. It's coming from here."
They followed the sound to a hidden staircase, descending into the darkness as the song grew louder.
The melody was mournful yet strangely beautiful, and it sent chills down Kuri's spine. She glanced at Allen, whose face was pale, his eyes wide with something close to fear.
"Allen?" she asked softly.
He shook his head, his voice a whisper. "It's that song…"
When they reached the bottom, they found themselves in a cavernous room. At its center stood a doll, its painted face unnervingly lifelike. It held a harp, its tiny hands strumming the strings with precision.
"So, you've come," the doll said, its voice melodic and cold.
Kuri stepped forward, her fingers twitching as if reaching for Cherry. "So, you're the doll," she said, her voice low and steady.
Allen's Innocence sparked to life beside her, his silver eyes narrowing. "Lala," he murmured, his voice filled with a strange mix of anger and sorrow.
The doll's lips curled into a serene smile. "Welcome, Exorcists. Let's see if you can survive my song."