[T][D.Gray-Man] Someday - Chapter 02
Archive: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5015593/1/Someday
---Chapter 02: Past - Growing Bird---
“Komui, who’s that?”
From behind the black mask, fifteen-year-old Howard Link secretly scowled at the sword that was pointing at his face so closely that he could distinguish every design on that unique black blade. It was a beautiful Innocence, he thought, but the way its owner was using it bothered him.
The room was large. Bookshelves of all sizes lined the walls, surrounding him with massive stacks of overdue paperwork. As if that wasn’t enough, more papers were spread over the floor, covering every single inch of tile and making it impossible to walk without stepping on them. In the middle of the room, there was a messy office desk, and in front of it, a sofa. Being too used to seeing flawlessly clean offices at Central, Link wondered how Supervisor Komui Lee could actually live and work in a place like this.
Said man was standing behind his office desk, talking to the young boy who held the beautiful Innocence that he was, sadly, waving around so rudely. Exorcist Kanda Yuu, they said, had attitude problems. Link could tell it was no joke just by looking at the angry black eyes and the permanent frown that carved small wrinkles on the Exorcist’s forehead.
“It’s rude to point, Kanda-kun,” said Komui, and for a moment Link wondered about the suffixes. Even though Kanda was Japanese, Komui wasn’t, so the Supervisor shouldn’t be required to speak like that. Did Kanda demand that people speak to him in proper Japanese manners, or had the Supervisor chosen to do so? Link made a mental note to investigate it later. For the moment, he continued to listen to Supervisor Komui Lee’s speech. “This member of the Crow was sent by Central. He will accompany you on your next mission.”
“Crow?” Sharp black eyes narrowed.
“I’m sure you know about them. In fact, you have trained with them several times, if I’m not mistaken. The Crows are Central’s combat unit. They are trained from a very young age and have excellent combat skills, including sorcery. The reports state that…” Komui magically picked the right paper from his desk and handed it to Kanda, “…our next target is guarded with high-level black magic, so it will be useful if you have a partner who actually knows something about spells-”
“I’m not stupid. I know what a Crow is,” protested the young Exorcist, who still hadn’t withdrawn his sword yet. “Komui, you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me. Having a Finder tagging along is bad enough. I don’t need a partner -Especially not a guy who wears a robe and is stupid enough to cover his own eyes.”
The Crows had taught Link to stay calm, but they had also trained him to have quick reflexes and a sharp tongue.
“There is no need for such language, Exorcist Kanda Yuu. First, I assure you that my combat skills are fully qualified. I may not be able to destroy Akuma, but I can fight on equal terms with most of them. Second, our masks are designed so that we can see through them. But still, you should know that I could fight just as well with my eyes covered. And finally… I would rather not receive comments about my clothing from a man who has a ponytail and wears a skirt.”
“OI!” The Exorcist fumed and exploded even before Link finished his speech, “It’s not a skirt! It’s called a hakama, moron!”
“Kanda-kun, that’s enough,” snapped the Supervisor sharply, but Link could tell he was more worried than angry. “Please stop complaining. This Crow was assigned by Central, there’s nothing I can do about it. Now, please get ready for your mission.”
“About that, I totally agree. Exorcist Kanda Yuu, I shall wait for you in the hall. Please hurry.” And with a bow, Link retreated, leaving the Supervisor all the time and privacy he needed to lecture the foolish Exorcist yet again about the danger of people from Central.
---
Close. Too close.
From his hiding spot, Link threw a quick glance around the battlefield. He counted. Fifteen Level 1 Akuma were hovering over the ground, while a Level 2 kept stomping around angrily, looking for its opponents. The Finder and the Exorcist were, thankfully, nowhere to be seen. Leaning onto the wall, the young Crow let out a breath that he hadn’t known he was holding.
He’d been told that Exorcist Kanda Yuu had little respect for Finders. It had been most unexpected to see the Japanese doing what he just did-
Link’s thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hard lump of metal landing on top of his head. He reached up.
Kanda’s wireless golem.
The golem’s sole black eye blinked at him. The Finder’s voice could be heard through static noises; the signal dropped from time to time, but immediately reestablished itself at every bat of the golem’s eyelid. For some reason, Link had the vague feeling that he could hear the Exorcist’s heavy panting, even though that should have been impossible because of the damage to the communication device.
“Sir- Can you hear me-?”
“Positive. What is the status of the Exorcist?”
“Kanda-sama is still alive. He took the blow at full force, but he’s already recovering. He’s still unconscious, though.”
“How careless of him.” Link couldn’t stop himself. “Getting himself injured at a time like this…”
“P-Please don’t blame Kanda-sama, Sir!” the Finder quickly protested, “If it wasn’t for him, I would have died-”
“He should know, as should you, Finder, that even the life of a human can never be as important as the final result of a battle against Akuma. You should be proud to sacrifice yourself to the Church-”
“Shut it already, Crow,” the Exorcist suddenly growled; his voice weak but every word edged with his unmistakable attitude, “I can still fight. These Akuma won’t be a problem.”
“B-But, Kanda-sama…”
“I said, you can all shut up!” yelled Kanda. Link could hear the Innocence sword clanking; its owner was probably leaning on it for support as he stood. “Whenever you’re ready, Crow.”
“Very well then.”