Disclaimer – I do not own any of the characters. This story is purely fictional.

Village of Illusion

A/N - I have revised this chapter with a little bit of dialogues add to it. Those of you who have read the previous version, let's see if you can find the new changes I have made.

CHAPTER 1 – The Unlikely Team

It was another chaotic day at the Black Order's headquarters. Phones were constantly ringing and papers scattered everywhere on thefloor. The young exorcist stride through the scientist corridor and headed toward the chief's office.

"You called." He stood still waiting for his next mission debrief.

"Ahh, Kanda!' Komui pushed his glasses up his nose as he beamed cheerfully at the young man, "Right on time. Your next mission is to goto Wan Kok, a small village west of shanghai city in China." He handed Kanda a thick stack of papers, "And here are the details. A reportcame in indicating an abnormality occurring in this village where it could potentially be caused by –" He was interrupted by another set of urgent footsteps coming down the hall.

From behind Kanda came a young women crashing into Komui's office. "I.. I am so sorry, Chief!" She cried in her infamously nervous voice.

"I am sooo sorry that I am late. All the corridors here look the same to me so... I.I am terribly sorry!" While trying to catch her breath, she

gave Komui an exaggerated bow to show her apology.

The Chief of the Order grinned in delight, "Ah yes! Almost forgot to mention. For this mission, you will be partnered up with Miss MirandaLotto here. I assume you two have already been acquainted before?"

Partner? A muscle twitched in the swordsman's clenched jaw. Kanda had mentioned to Komui countless of times how he would muchrather go on a mission by himself and not worry about the hinderance of his teammates. He recalled the last time he was partnered up with the newbie Allen Walker turned out to be nothing more but a nuisance.

Miranda turned to offer her hand, but was greeted by Kanda's long black hair slapping across her face as he impatiently walked up to Komui. The two men chatted off at a distance so that Miranda had no clue what was happening. Oh no. Did I do something wrong again? Were they waiting too long? Did I scare him with my horrible looks? Those were the typical thoughts that came across Miranda's mind.

The room came to a silence as Kanda strode back to his original spot beside Miranda, sneering as he turned and face Komui, who was looking very happy for some reason. Miranda fidgeted slightly.

"Ok, now that that is settled, where was I?" Komui fumbled through the piles of paper on his desk and found his coffee cup. "Oh yes!" He took a sip of the black cold coffee and sighed, "You two are assigned to the village of Wan Kok. A finder reported that the villagers in this village are all women. There are no men that inhabits the village. Rumors have it that several men have been reported missing outside the village. They were all last seen heading towards Wan Kok. However, these are only rumors. It is believed that this phenomenon might be the result of Innocence nearby. I recommend you both not to drink any of the water and consume any food around there as that may be the method of how the villagers came in contact with the Innocence. Now, both of you are tasked to meet up first with our Finder at the Emerald forest, find out if the rumors are true, and what is it that caused the phenomenon? Your priority is to retrieve the Innocence as required. Am I clear?"

"Hmph." Kanda crossed his arms in acknowledgement and Miranda nodded silently next to him.

"Ok boys and girls! Now get out there while I put together my final plans for the greatest Komlin 4!"

The next day, the two exorcists took off early in the morning to catch a train heading towards China. When they were getting on board, Kanda gave her a warning, "Don't get in my way. If anything happens to you, even on the verge of being killed, or if you obstruct the mission, I will let you die without hesitation. In battle, there are no emotions but sacrifices. Retrieving the Innocence is my priority." Those were the first words he had ever spoken to her.

"I..I... understand. I will try my best" She wrapped her arms around her uncertainly. This wasn't Miranda's first mission. She had actually been with the order for a little over a year and had gone on several missions. Her comrades Allan, Lavi, Lenalee, even Krory have all been very supportive for her and were keen to help her out on her carelessness that she had been fumbling through all her life. But this time, she wanted to work harder and not to be a burden to anyone.

Back in the train, Miranda took her seat across from Kanda. Throughout the ride, it was very quiet. Miranda was not particularly a sociable person as she grew up with hardly any friends and family. However, she felt it was polite to get to know the partner was assigned to go on a mission with. Up until this point, Miranda knew almost nothing about Kanda.

"Eh... Kanda-kun, have you been on a lot of missions lately?" She was hoping would be a good conversation starter.

There was no answer. She looked up to see that his eyes were fixated on the window, leaning back with his arms crossed.

Maybe he doesn't want to talk about his missions. "Have you been to China?"

"A few times," His reply was short.

"What do you think about it?" She wanted to know more.

"I don't care much for it."

"Ehh... ok, so do you have any hobbies?"

"No."

"Hmmm. I wonder what style of uniform the Order will come up with next."

"It doesn't matter."

Miranda sighed as she turned her head to the window. This is going to be a long train ride.

The afternoon sun shone high up in the sky as they walked through the valley towards Shanghai City. Miranda had managed not to fall down the steps when leaving the train. Unfortunately for her suitcase, it tumbled down the stairs, causing the whole thing to pop open.

Disbelief as to how such a klutz could even become an exorcist, Kanda quickened his pace hoping he could lose her behind. He wanted to say so many words of resentment and disappointment to her, but she will always quickly point it out before he can say anything. He passed through the city like a wind when suddenly a call through his golem came in. "Yo Kanda, is your Chief Komui here!"

"Tch, what now?"

"We have lost contact with the finder which you are supposed to meet. I will heighten this mission to red alert. Approach with caution, and

make sure you two stay close together."

"Hmph."

"You haven't left your partner behind yet, have you?" Komui asked.

"Tch..." How did he know these things?

"I trust that silence of yours means yes. Well then, I thought we have discussed that your partnership in this mission is crucial to the success of this mission! Remember what I have told you back in my office." Komui took a deep breath and Kanda only heard a moment of silence on the other side before hearing a high pitch scream "NOW GO GET HER BACK!"

Kanda suddenly came across a thought. He didn't feel any resentment when he left Allen behind back in the Ghost of Martel incident. But in this case, Miranda was a woman who could even trip over her own shadow. How could she defend against Akumas if they try to take her Innocence away? What was her innocence again? Whatever, it doesn't matter. Suddenly, he felt he was shouldering the responsibility to protect her innocence as well.

Kanda finally came to a stop amid the lively streets of Shanghai. He was waiting for the huffing and puffing Miranda to catch up to him, but she never appeared. He turned around and searched the bustling streets with his dark blue eyes, but no Miranda. Grinding his teeth, he back tracked his path to find his missing partner. "Komui, what the hell did I ever do to you?"

Miranda was humming to herself while browsing happily through the shop windows filled with all kinds of colourful sugary confections.

From the window reflection, she saw an angry Kanda standing behind her.

"Oh Kanda-kun..." She turned around. "I ... bought some more food and water for us. You know when I dropped my suitcase; I had to restock up some more food, and...." She suddenly felt nervous now that she realized he was looking straight at her face, which she had no idea how to reciprocate but with one of her "I..I am so...sorry" response.

He peered over the brown paper bags that she was holding and saw some instant soba noodle packages. "Let's go. And don't apologize ever again. It's annoying." He muttered but with a look of content on his face.

"Oh, ok, I am so..." She quickly covered her mouth with both hands and the grocery fell to the floor. "I will do my best." She smiled with embarrassment.

Kanda took the lead, but this time, he walked a bit slower for Miranda to catch up. Leaving the busy city of Shanghai behind, they walked toward Wan Kok village which lied beyond the other side of the Emerald forest.

A/N - Hope you all enjoy the story. Don't forget to click the review button and let me know what you think about the story :)

Special thanks to my beta, Koulin, who have done an awesome job!