Ace of Spades
Disclaimer: I do not own -man. Only the plot, Alana, and the Baby-Sit Gang (you'll find out who in this chapter).
Reviews-
NellaReklaw08 – Thank you very much! You'll find out what Allen looks like in this chapter.
MysticMaiden 18 – Thank you very much.
Aion Laven Walker – I know…dang you, Levrier. Yes, I enjoy Lavi x Allen. However, there will be a little of that pairing in the later chapters.
Junoan – Thank you! As you can see, the second chapter is up!
Split Soul – Thank you very much! I'm glad you like my style.
mito14 – Thank you very much!
ClaymoreDarkAlicia – Wow…I mean…wow. That was an awesome review and thank you. I was playing around with that idea about Allen becoming a male again and I was thinking of doing it, but I don't know. I'm really happy you liked it. Thank you again.
Swirlyblue172 – Yes, Levrier is very mean. I don't like him either. It was a little hard writing the part where Lavi and Lenalee find Allen. I nearly cried. Allen will actually be going by a different name then Allen or Alana, but that's revealed in this chapter and your other questions are also answered in this chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing!
End Reviews-
Random thing-Though it's spelled A-L-A-N-A, I pronounce it Uh-lahn-uh. With a long A.
Second Night – The Reborn Exorcist
When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by darkness. I felt panic build inside of me. Oh, God…am I in hell? I thought it was all brimstone and fire and crap. I opened my mouth and sucked in a breath to scream and tasted clothe. I instantly began coughing and sat up.
"Ugh…what the hell…?" I blinked. I was breathing. I was sitting on something. I was warm. "I'm…a…alive?!"
I heard a lofty giggle and looked up. I let out a small shriek of surprise. Alana was floating in front of me, smiling. She blinked.
"Oh! You can see me?" she floated over to me. "Oh! Oh! This is so cool!"
"Cool?" I asked. I blinked. My voice wasn't that high before. I looked down and shrieked again. "What the hell!?"
"Oh…Allen, shh! Mother will hear you!" Alana begged, looking towards the door. I ignored her; too busy staring down at the shift my new body was in. I moved my hand and felt sand almost. I blinked and looked down.
"My…Innocence?" I murmured. The black mechanical arm looked a little thinner in retrospect to when I was, well, male, but it was there. I lifted my hand and rubbed the sand in between my fingertips. "What's with the sand?"
"Oh, that used to be my left arm," Alana said simply. I pulled away from the sand quickly and huddled against the wall. Alana laughed. "Come now, Allen. You can fight Akuma, but the dust of my left arm freaks you out?"
I turned to her, blushing a little. "It's…different…" I mumbled. I carefully climbed off the bed without disturbing the sand. I stared at myself in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of the bedroom door. Alana's dark brunette locks were replaced with my snow-white ones. The black of my Innocence dominated her left arm and my curse disfigured Alana's once beautiful face. I frowned. My curse and Innocence had followed me…as did the shadow of the Fourteenth. He stood behind me, like he always did.
"Allen? Is everything okay?" Alana sounded concerned. I smiled at her in the mirror.
"I'm fine…a little confused, but okay," I blinked and then sighed. "However, we have to go."
"Huh?"
"Imagine your mother's reaction when she finds me here and not your body," I whispered going over to her bureau. A suitcase leaned against it. I took the dark brown bag and opened it. "I never packed for a girl, please help me."
Alana giggled and then began directing what I should or shouldn't pack. After a short argument over taking the ridiculously poofy party dress, with me winning, Alana fluttered over to the bed.
"I have a bag of money under here," she said. "It should get us as far as London."
I knelt next to the bed and then lied on my stomach. I reached under and pulled out a heavy bag. I grinned.
"Well, London is good and all, but I would rather go to Liverpool," I said. Alana frowned in confusion. I stood up and dusted off the light blue dress she told me to change into. I walked over to the window that overlooked the garden. I opened it and then hefted myself onto the ledge. "We're going to Mother's."
"Oh!" Alana nodded in realization. She blinked. "Oh! Allen!"
"Hm?" I was now in the garden. I looked to my left where Alana now was. "Yes?"
"Well," she frowned. "What are you going to call yourself? You can't very well call yourself Allen, since you're a girl now. And since I recently died, mine's out…"
I bit my lip. I hadn't thought that far. Alana was definitely going to be useful, especially with my sense of direction. I snapped my fingers as I realized exactly what I would call myself.
"Aleina Walker," I said. "Spelled A-L-E-I-N-A. I remember one of the female clowns being named that when I was with Mana. That's how she spelled it."
"Aleina?" Alana cocked her head.
"Yep," I nodded as I exited the garden. I looked down the street before I crept out fully. "It's another form of Alana." I grinned at her. "Which is the female form of Alan, A-L-A-N, or Allen, A-L-L-E-N."
Alana smiled back. "Clever, Allen…or should I call you Aleina?"
I laughed lightly, surprising myself. My female voice was going to take some getting used to.
It was late morning when I finally got a train for Liverpool. You'd think there'd be more than one train going there. I thanked the ticket salesperson repeatedly and hurriedly got on the train that was leaving in a few minutes.
I walked to one of the booths and sat down on the hard, wooden bench. I found myself pouting slightly. Being in the Black Order had spoiled me, I noted. Alana floated next to me, a small smile on her face. She sat on the other bench that faced mine.
"Hey, Allen," she called.
"Hm?" I glanced at her. I had to be inconspicuous, otherwise people would think I was insane, but I still needed to give Alana my attention.
"After you talk with Mother, will you return to the Order?" she asked. I blinked and turned a little to her.
"I…don't know…" I mumbled, trying not to speak to loud. I looked out the window again and frowned. "I really…don't know…"
Alana frowned a little. I hadn't really thought about that. I mean…I've only been alive for a day now and it was a month since my death. If I reappeared at the Order and told them who I was, they would either think me an Akuma or some psychotic girl. I sighed. But…what if…what if they believed me…if Lenalee and Lavi and them believed me? Would…they accept me? I bit my lip. I felt pathetic thinking about it like that.
"Lavi…Lenalee…Krory…everybody…" I felt a pressing against my eyes and blinked as something wet slid done my face. "Eh?"
I took a shuddering breath as Alana floated over and gave me the best hug she could as a ghost.
I wished…I wished so hard for them to find me and realize who I was and take me back. I wanted to go back to them. I wanted to be with them. My nakama.
It took a few hours to get to Liverpool from that small town. I didn't even know its name. I blinked in the afternoon soon and rubbed my eyes. I was tired. I had cried most of the way here and crying always tired me out. I bit back a yawn and walked out of the station. As I began my walk down the street towards Mother's house, I noted stores I remember seeing when I was with Lenalee. I walked past Richard's shoe shop and smiled sadly. He and his wife were nice…it's a pity Sara became an Akuma.
As I walked down the street, I noticed two boys arguing. I had to do a double take. I stopped and stared. The first boy had messy auburn hair that, had it been lighter, could have made him a younger Lavi. The other boy had neat black hair that had a slight navy sheen to it. It was almost like looking at a young Kanda. I blinked back the tears I felt coming and hurried on.
"Allen?" Alana asked, frowning. "Is everything okay?"
"God…those kids were like Lavi and Kanda," I murmured, more to myself then her.
"Oh…"
I rubbed my eyes as I passed the cemetery. "Man…I'm pathetic…"
As I got closer to Mother's house, I noticed Baba gardening. I smiled. He was always tending his flowers whenever I came. As I got closer, he looked up and grinned.
"Oh! Allen!"
For some reason, a bubble of happiness formed in my chest. Suddenly, Baba stood and ran over to me, pulling me into a hug.
"It's good to see you again!" he cried, practically crushing me to his chest.
"B-Ba…ba…can't breath…" I gasped. He pulled back and looked at me. "H…Hello."
His eyes widened and then he rushed back to the house, screaming: "MOTHER! ALLEN'S BECOME A CROSS DRESSER!"
I was sitting across from Mother, looking down at the table. I had just told her and Baba what had happened the past month and she was mulling it over. I frowned. Now that I said it aloud, I realized how impossible it sounded. I had even told her things only I would know just so she would believe me. Mother let out a sigh.
"Well…you're obviously Allen Walker, even if you're in Alana Warner's body," she said. I looked up. She believed me? I could have sworn I was about to cry. "However…"
Oh no.
"We have to do something about your scar," she continued. I let out a relieved sigh. I thought it was something worse. "Though it would help to convince people, it's also a beacon to Akuma and, though you're still an Exorcist, you still do not know if your Innocence will even activate."
I nodded. That was reasonable. Mother coughed.
"Also, since you seem to be indecisive about whether or not you will be returning to the Order, I would like you stay with me as my helper," she concluded. I blinked and nodded quickly.
"Of course!" I said. "But…how will we hide my scar?"
Mother smiled. "I have some special makeup that can only be removed by washing it away."
I blinked. Makeup? "Oh…okay then…"
Mother laughed at my uncertain face. "Come now, Allen. You're a girl now. You must get used makeup."
"Eh…" I frowned. Weren't dresses enough? Apparently not. "Fine."
Mother got up and walked over to me. She patted my arm. "Allen, I think it would be best if you did not attack if an Akuma wonders into town. Don't attract attention to yourself unless you must."
"Okay," I nodded and stood. "I'll put…my things into the guest room, okay?"
"Yes, that would be good," Mother nodded and proceeded to exit the room. I followed and went down the hallway to a little room. It had a single bed, a window, and a bureau with a mirror on top. I placed the suitcase down on the bed and sighed. My life was very strange.
"So…we might be staying here a bit, huh?" Alana asked from her position of floating over the dresser. I smiled and nodded. I looked down at my suitcase again. Mother had accepted me. I felt happy but…
Would the others accept me? Would Lenalee? Would Krory? Miranda? Bookman? Komui? Would…would Lavi accept me? I blinked at the sudden jab of pain I felt from wondering if Lavi would or wouldn't accept me. I gulped. Even before my resurrection, I had always felt like that whenever Lavi's opinion was included. I never understood why though. I sighed again. That was going to become a habit.
I unpacked my suitcase and put the clothes in the dresser. I wasn't anticipating leaving for a while. As I placed the last of my –or rather, Alana's- garments into the drawer, Baba called me for dinner. My stomach let out a happy gurgle and I laughed lightly. I was glad my hunger hadn't changed. I hadn't eaten since early this morning and even then, all I had was an apple I had bought from a woman outside the train station. As I walked down the hallway to the dining room, I noticed my reflection in a mirror decoration.
It made me frown seeing it. I fingered my hair which was now long. The curse still shown like a red beacon against my pale skin and though I was happy I had it, my Innocence contrasted greatly against the rest of my pale self. Of course, there was always the ever present presence of the Fourteenth, but I had learned to ignore him. I sighed again and continued down the hallway to the dining room. As I entered, I noticed a large pot of Baba's special stew. I grinned. I loved that stew.
The next day was my first time being Mother's helper. I had to baby-sit. Yes, baby-sit. Alana had begun to laugh when I was told. I made a face. Mother smiled.
"Allen, it's not that hard," she said laughing. "Oh, I can't very well call you Allen in front of the children. Did you come up with an alias?"
I blinked. "Oh…Aleina Walker."
"Ah, very well," Mother then began applying the makeup to my face. I closed my eyes and sat as still as I could. Babysitting. How…fun. "Ah…there we go."
I blinked a couple of times and Mother showed me my reflection. I looked like every other girl…well except for the white hair and black arm, but still.
"Mother, they're here," Baba announced and six children walked in. I was so thankful that I had worn a long sleeved dress and gloves. It was bad enough coming up with an explanation for my hair. Of course I never expected to see the Lavi and Kanda kids from yesterday.
"Hello, children," Mother said smiling. "This is Aleina Walker. I have important errands to run, so Aleina will be watching you in my place."
"Aw…can't Baba watch us?" the Lavi-look-alike whined.
"No. Baba's coming with me."
"Dang it!"
I groaned inwardly. Today was going to be long.
"Have fun, Aleina!" Alana laughed from behind me. I gritted my teeth. Damn ghost.
I found myself sitting in front of the kids wondering what to do. I had found out their names a little before Mother and Baba left. Laurence Brier, the Lavi-look-alike, was the son of a cobbler and was very energetic and curious. Kamren Yale, the Kanda-look-alike, was the son of the new hospital director and, not surprisingly actually, was very much like Kanda. They were both eight. The eldest –at nine- was a boy who reminded me of Krory. He was quiet and had slicked back black hair. His name was Alexander Knight. Next was a girl around seven. She was clumsy and had wavy black hair. Her name was Miry Lieberman. The next two were sisters: Leah, the older one at six, and Suzie, who was five, Leander.
"I'm bored!" Laurence whined, puffing out his cheeks. If he was Lavi, I would've hit him upside the head.
"Well, what do you want to do?" I asked, smiling.
"I dunno…" he looked up at me and smirked. "Amuse me."
"You little bastard…" I thought darkly. "Want me to tell you a story?"
"Stories are boring!" Laurence complained, but Leah jabbed him with her elbow.
"Sure!" she smiled innocently as Laurence glared at her darkly. I blinked. As I looked at them, I realized how much they reminded me of my nakama. I smiled.
"Okay…" I took a breath and began my story about a Knight of Light and his journey to save the souls of monsters created from ghosts. From the first word they became enraptured. Even Laurence was soon hanging on my every word. Even Alana was listening.
Mother returned a little later and called to the children that their parents were here. I looked up as Mother and five adults walked in. The children groaned.
"But dad!" Laurence whined. "Miss Aleina just got to the part where the Knight of Light meets the Knight of Fire after awaking in a hospital in the Knight of Earth's hometown!"
"Knight?" Mr. Brier frowned. I laughed lightly.
"I'm sorry, sir," I apologized. "They seem to really enjoy my stories."
"Yeah!" Alexander told his father. "About knights who defeat monsters that are made from ghosts!"
Kamren just went over to his father, but I noticed the small glint of disappointment in his eyes. I smiled. As the children left, I began formulating my life to fit with my stories. Alana sat next to me, a little above the cushion on the couch.
"Those were your real life experiences," she noted. I nodded.
Mother came over and smiled. "You did well today."
"Thanks," I smiled back. "They…reminded me of the others…"
"Ah…I see…" Mother walked to the dining room and I watched her go. I stood up and looked out the window. What was going to happen to me? I wonder…
Water Fairy: Yay! I finished the second chapter the next day! Hurrah! (It is now early March in the story.)
Things/Words to know:
Nakama – A nakama is a group of close friends, acquaintances, etc.
The Knight Story – Allen needed a way to entertain the kids. He couldn't think of anything so decided (since the six kids reminded him of his friends) to tell them about his adventures. Thus, the Exorcists became Knights, the Akuma became monsters, and the Noah became Wizards. Allen-Knight of Light, Lenalee-Knight of Air, Kanda-Knight of Darkness, Miranda-Knight of Earth, Lavi-Knight of Fire, and Krory-Knight of Water.
Preview:
After three weeks of living in Liverpool and suffering through baby-sitting and piano lessons, I've begun to enjoy the calm life I now have. However, Akuma are showing up in Liverpool again and three old friends return. And I still don't know if I can activate my Innocence! What am I going to do!?
Third Night – A Scholar, a Swordsman, and a Dancer