I do not own D.Gray-man.
Allen roamed the streets relentlessly, searching for that one akuma he sensed but couldn't see. It was a powerful one, so he couldn't afford to leave without handling it first. And he really wanted to leave.
Perhaps it was because this town was one of his Master's favorite chick-pick-up places? Or maybe it was due to every single woman asking him about his master?
Even though it was late in the evening, about a dozen ladies still surrounded him, demanding to know where that womanizer was. Apparently, they all recognized the coat Allen wore as Cross's.
They were right. This coat was his Master's.
Allen was a general now, the youngest ever, and Komui had recently discovered a will that was written a year ago from his Master.
That's right. A will.
Cross Marian was dead. Long dead. Not the old, "assumed dead" because he disappeared. But as in, stone dead in his expensive, alcohol-reeking grave.
He died a month before Allen was made a general, but somehow, Cross had already known such a thing would occur eventually. So, probably to save himself the embarrassment, Cross had written in a well-hidden will that only upon his death should Allen receive his "glorious" coat as a reward. The coat was perhaps only a size too big. Allen had hit quite a growth spurt this year on his nineteenth birthday.
Only after reading his Master's last wishes had Allen deemed Cross a decent guy.
He had a hard time sticking to that belief as Cross diehards hovered about him, wanting to be reassured that Cross Marian was still alive and kicking.
Allen still found it heartbreaking to be the bearer of bad news, especially since that would endanger the listener—a lot of Cross's fans would be more than happy to bring him back as an akuma. Allen did not want to see that happening.
"Where's your Master, boy?" asked a woman with makeup so heavy, Allen was still waiting for her face to fall off.
"I'm sorry, madam, but he's been dead for over a year."
The women wailed.
Allen sighed. He wasn't annoyed or anything, because he knew how hard it was to accept the death of someone so powerful, but he just wished that these ladies would put him into consideration. Did they think he enjoyed constantly reminding himself of his loss? 'My master is dead.' 'Cross won't be coming back.' On and on and on. Again and again, he had to speak those words. Allen ventured on the brink of breaking to tears if he had to repeat himself anymore.
He just wished he could relieve his pain on this akuma. Allen's eye had been blinking excitedly, taking him nearer and nearer to the akuma. Now was the time to rid these women. If they stuck around any longer, they'll be killed.
"Ladies," he said in his best impersonation of his Master's flirtatious tone, "please await me somewhere else. I have business to attend to. But I assure you that I will be back." Allen knew through experience that his Master got everything he wanted like this, so he wasn't surprised when all the older women blushed and murmured an okay.
Allen was ashamed. He had to be careful or else risk becoming the next Cross Marian. Allen would rather die than have that legacy on his head.
He rushed on without looking back. Allen was still wallowing in guilt and planning his apology when his left eye nearly popped out of its socket in zeal. His previous shame flew out the window as he concentrated on the task at hand.
He turned corner after corner until he arrived at a huge mansion. From all the weeds in the yard and rust on the metal gate, Allen could guess that this place had been long-abandoned.
The gateway barely protested when he pushed it open. Creaks sounded as the gate swung shut.
Allen hated this ambience, but this was just guarantee that the akuma was here. He pushed his way through overgrown bushes, trying to keep his coat from being caught. Allen swore that sometimes, though rarely, if he got a stain and whatnot on the coat, the very ground would vibrate as his master spun in his grave.
The decayed wooden door almost collapsed as Allen poked it open gingerly.
A dark laugh echoed through the house as Allen took a step in. "It's about time you came here!" the akuma roared.
Out of the shadows, a claw flew out, trying to yank Allen toward it. Allen leapt out of the way, his broad sword already drawn.
"Do you have any idea how long you've kept me waiting?!" the angry voice complained.
A figure threw itself at Allen, dagger-like talons clawing at him. Allen kept the thrashing to a minimum with his sword, giving the akuma a decent kick in the stomach.
"You think that would be enough?!" The akuma snickered, throwing its head back in laughter.
The dim sunlight from the broken windows revealed the most hideous-looking akuma Allen had ever had the unfortunate luck to lay his eyes on. It was like a level four, but uglier.
And the soul. Oh, god, the soul perched on it. If Allen hadn't spent two years training himself to endure the revolting sight of akuma souls, he would've fainted with horror right then and there.
"What level are you?" Allen backed away, preparing to jump at it.
"I'm in another level all by myself!!" the thing cackled. "I'm too good to share a class with just some random akuma scum."
Allen launched at it, aiming the tip of his sword at its head.
"Too slow!" it yelled, dodging out of the way. It made a swipe at Allen's head, knocking him across the rubble of the room.
It pounced on him, bouncing on Allen's chest. With a roar, Allen slashed at the akuma's face. The akuma scuttled back, shrieking with rage.
Allen picked himself up, more worried about the coat than himself. He examined it quickly, finding a tear almost instantly. "You tore it!" he exclaimed. "You tore my master's coat!" He knew it was hardly the appropriate moment to fuss over a coat, but this was the only thing he had of his master.
"The coat?" The akuma stared dumbly at the rip.
The akuma seemed to freeze up for a second, twitching. It fell silent and still.
Allen readied himself for whatever the akuma had in store. But what happened next was something he couldn't have prepared for even if he had a hundred years to spare.
"My coat!!" the akuma howled. "How dare you let my coat be torn like that!?"
Allen was staggered. The coat? Wasn't the coat his, not the akuma's? Allen's eye zoomed in on the soul, and he scrutinized it with exaggerated care.
The sword clattered to the ground.
Allen's throat choked up.
Tears blurred his vision.
The silence continued.
"What are you staring at, stupid apprentice?!" the akuma growled.
Cliffhanger! XD Although, I suppose the effect is kinda wasted since this is an oneshot. But then again, I don't think this oneshot will stay silent for long. I'll probably be back with the next chapter…
Review? Please?
And, btw, if someone else had written this idea, tell me.