A Little Bit Cursed: A D. Gray-Man FanFic

Meeting "Lavi"

        I was studying a large volume on the history of the Holy Roman Empire when he was ushered in. I was about eight years old. going by the name Lizanna.

        "Ah, so this is the other boy?" Bookman asked.

        "Yes sir." The man answered.

        "Leave him to me." Bookman pushed the boy to the couch, opposite me.

        I couldn't remove my eyes from this boy. He looked like the male version of me. Same red hair, smae illuminated green eyes, and the same pale complextion. Only he didn't have a deformed left eye. He wasn't even an Innocence Accomedator until much later.

        "Are you certain you want to become a Bookman? I have a successor already but she might have a shortened lifespan."

        "I really do." The boy's eyes shined like glitter.

        "You'll know things no one else does but you can't share that information. Are you sure?"

        "I completely accept."

        "Then denounce your birth name. From today on, you will be a Bookman."

        I can't recall his first alias. It was something that easily rolled off the tongue.

        I never interacted with him much then. I sat back and quietly observed his training. After a year, a war broke out in Europe. Bookman took us to observe.

        We recieved new aliases and left. Lavi was ominously quiet about the whole ordeal.

        Upon arrival, Bookman asked to see the general. I was stopped by a lieutenant.

        "The battlefield is no place for a woman, much less a young girl." The man said.

        I glared the man hard in the face for awhile. His expression wavered only for a mere second but he stood firm. Grandpa Bookman opened his mouth to say something. I stomped on the man's foot, the blow more powered by my heavy, steel-toed boots. He yowled and I walked on my way.

        Bookman apologized to the man and caught up to me. I could see Lavi look at me with silent awe. It felt good.

        Grandpa Bookman smacked me upside the head. "Learn yo use your manners young lady.  Brute force is for your survival, not getting your way."

        I stayed quiet. After a day of watching the battle from the cover of some trees, I was given a 1,000 page novel on the Roman Wars to study by morning. Lavi was given the usual 500 page book.

        Bookman grilled us for information on what we read around breakfast. Then we hiked back to our safe spot. I climbed up in the tree with Lavi, Bookman climbing into the one opposite us.

        The battle started as it did the day before. Around noon, men started moving towards the cover of our trees. Bullets rained down on most of them but some managed to get by. The opposing troops rand in as well, firing their guns. A stray bullet flies dangerously past my ear.

        I give Bookman a horrified look. This was getting too dangerous.

        At that moment, a bullet flew at Lavi, burying itself in his chest, opposite of his heart.

        The little conflict moved away, by luck or coincidence. I moved Lavi into my arms, holding my jacket tightly. Bookman got us out of the tree quickly. I knew Lavi was suffering; I knew gunshot wounds were fatal. By now I had watch two battles.

        "Sylvaine," Bookman said calmly. "I need you to run back to our camp and get my medical supplies."

        "Where is it?"

        "Beside my bed."

        I carefully release Lavi's hands off me. I guide them to Bookman's shoulders. Lavi instead grabs onto Bookman's hair.

        "Run, Sylvaine. Run and pray."

        I got up and sprinted. I ran faster than I ever had before. In my mind, I kept repeating, Herr, diesen Jungen zu schützen, which means, Lord, protect this boy.

        I am suddenly thrown back against a tree. Things fly by, burning and scratching me. My left eye couldn't see it, covered by an eye patch, but a cannon ball with sharpnel inside, exploded the tree next to me. Despite  injury, I got up and continued running.

        I repeated the phrase in German, then in English. Herr, schützen diese Jungen und mich zu beschützen. Lord, protect this boy and protect me.

        I made it back to camp. I tore through the flap of our tent. Beneath Bookman's cot is a pile of newspapers, various volumes of books, and packages of stuff. I find one labeled medical in the language of the Bookmen.

        I ran back to Lavi and Bookman. Lavi's condition is worse. His breath is so shallow and he's no longer concious.

        He's going to die. Something inside me said.

        No, Lavi can't die. The Lord will protect him.

        "Hold him please. Make sure he doesn't move too much." Bookman instructs, moving aside the few layers of cloaks we use to keep warm.

        "How old is he at this point?" I ask, my breathing still ragged from running.

        "He's only seven...Sylvaine." Bookman sighs. "I need you to remove the bullet."

        Horror strikes me. "Me?"

        "Yes. My hands are far too shaken to even try."

        I pick up the tool out of Bookman's hand. I take a deep breath, calming myself. I use it, successfully saving a life.

        That was how I offically met Lavi Bookman.