- Remnants Of Thy Heart -

-oOo-

Surprise, mesmerized, wondrous.

-oOo-

In all the years Komui Lee has been Head Chief of Black Order Headquarters, he has welcomed exclusively Exorcists to their home, and yet, Allen and Cross were always the same two that flickered in his mind when he thought over the past with welcoming the accomodators. No, he didn't welcome Cross, as he had been a General for longer than Komui has known the Black Order. Who he welcomed to the Order was that little boy, so broken, so alive.

Sometimes... Komui believes Allen never thoroughly healed from the death of Mana Walker and the traumatizing event afterwards. On other occasions, Komui thought Allen was cured. For the longest of times, Allen seemed alive only when General Cross was at his side, which was rather amusing in his utmost honest opinion, though he definitely wouldn't be alone on those opinions.

One day, Matron allowed Allen to leave his bed, after losing constant concern over him by others and under Cross' insistence.

Allen wandered anxiously, but no one paid more heed to him than needed. That was under Komui's insistence, knowing Allen needn't more worries and all that attention when he's already been through so much.

At the first opportunity, Allen hid himself in an empty hall, standing before a window far bigger than anyone. He looked like an ant standing in front of it.

-oOo-

Pain, sorrow, misery.

-oOo-

Small hands pressed against the window, lingering like a ghost is his breath, fogging the glass. Confusion and yearning and remorse, all of which he felt. What are Exorcists and Akuma? What is Innocence?

Mana, his father, was closer to this fragile soul of Allen's than his very life, maybe because Mana made Allen feel happy for once. Sad, wasn't it, that he had always been bitter and cold and hateful, spiteful and narrow-minded and alone, before he met the clown? Describing how much he missed him could be easy as closing his eyelids, yet telling anyone and above himself, how much he wanted Mana to be here still, with Allen, at least to be alive, or to just have on last hug, that was impossible. The boy thought of nothing he could say, hence says nothing of what he thinks.

Guilt was absolute. He'd hurt Mana and he made his father angry for the first time. Allen disrupted his peaceful rest. Now, Mana has cursed him, and though he has yet to see or experience the truth of those fierce words, Allen could feel it. Wasn't the pain throughout the month enough?

-oOo-

Curiosity, prying, inquisitive.

-oOo-

Lenalee gazed nervously at the new recruit, slithering closer to him uncertainly. He looked lonely to her without suffering from pain. This would be the first time meeting him and she wanted to talk to him, comfort him, welcome him. How was she to do that?

"Allen?"

Startled, he jumped, spinning around quickly. His hypnotic silvery irises matched her wonder upon seeing the amethyst orbs. "Who..?" he murmured softly, his voice raspy and cracking.

"Lenalee," she said, stepping forward hesitantly. "Are you lost?"

Yes...

"I wanted... to be by myself."

Lenalee clasped her hands together in front of her, peering out the window. "Can I join you?"

There wasn't a reason why she couldn't. Nor did Allen have any complaints. Silence hung over them for a long time; neither claims it to be awkward, because in a way, it felt as if they weren't actually beside another individual. Allen had this bubbling quarrel of loneliness boiling inside him, so his eyes would stray to her to make sure Lenalee was indeed there. She was a very cute girl. Allen full-heartedly believed Lenalee certainly will grow up to be beautiful. The single qualm he had... Lenalee was about half a foot taller than him. He wondered just how old she was, then settled his attention, solemnly, on the rays of sunlight rapidly diminishing.

The sunset ought to be a sight to marvel, yet to him it seemed so sad.

-oOo-

Emotions conflicted in catacombs.

-oOo-

Wet streams rolled down his round face, dripping of his chin to his arms and the floor beneath. The sniffles gained Lenalee's attention, and she tried to say something, failing in doing so for she hadn't known what to say, or what his problem had even been.

So she watched as Allen fell to his knees, grasping his elbows while burying his face in his knees. First they were soft sobs, gradually growing into near-wails, and Lenalee sat down beside him, bringing him into an embrace. Securely, full of warmth, comforting. He drearily looked at her, seeing only a mere smile of sincerity.

"What's wrong, Allen?"

It felt nice; this embrace; hearing her tranquil voice, that leaking worry for him. Allen saw it as an opportunity to find solace, since she was willing to be there for him. Slowly, as if afraid to, he grasped her coat of black and silver, like General Cross' without the gold, and snuggled closer to Lenalee in a slump.

Lenalee supposed words weren't necessary for him to find comfort. It was oddly befitting for him to find his comfort in a simple hug, and it was simply intriguing, though enigmatic, like him. It made her wonder what all he's gone through in his life.

A particular red drew her in. For the first time since he's arrived, Lenalee witnessed his Innocence. His hand, and likely further up his arm, was deformed, his sharp nails oiled black and the texture smooth in most areas except the back of his hand where the green glowing cross shimmered - Innocence.

"Don't touch me!" Allen screamed, jumping up in an attempt to flail away. Lenalee caught the younger kid, and brought him back to her. "Le-Lenalee?"

"It's okay. You don't need to be afraid of me."

He diffidently laid his head on her shoulder, and Lenalee held his left hand gingerly, bringing it to her heart. He blushed, concealing said tint in the nape of her neck. Allen could feel her heartbeat under his hand.

"You aren't scared of me?" Allen, confounded, admiring, asked.

"Of course not. I can't be afraid of someone so adorable."

"Ador-adorable?" he stuttered, blushing.

"Yes... Besides, Allen, I think you're more afraid of me than I am you."

"I'm not scared of a girl!"

"... Are you still hurting?"

There was no need of an explanation. Allen knew she was referring to his eye.

"A little," he admitted softly, covering said eye with his hand, which he'll soon learn how much of a daily habit it will turn out to be.

"Just think: The pain will eventually subside."

Regarding the occurrences recently - undoubtedly a curse all in all - disbelieving such a claim wouldn't be worthy of condemnation or audacious statements or an argument, for Allen think it will never end. The pain.

A loss of a loved one is traumatizing in itself.

-oOo-

Not lost by direction.

-oOo-

Sound asleep, Allen slightly recoiled his fingers from her uniform, nuzzling her stomach like it were a pillow. She giggled, pushing the locks of hair out of the way of his precious eyes, thinking only of Allen. His hair was snow-white - a spectacular sight on a boy his age - while the red scar traveling down his left cheek seemed dark, frightening, yet normal and likable. The design of the scar suited him, oddly, the red pentacle above his eye, a line streaking down and pivoting, before going down-down-down.

A feeling foretold Allen has a strenuous life ahead of him, and tasks to do; Allen plays an important role in this war.

Of course he does, Allen's an Exorcist, Lenalee. Lenalee shook her head, kissing Allen's new scar. Cross mentioned Allen was a year younger than Lenalee, and for the first time in the Black Order, somebody was younger than her.

To secure herself more than him, just to know he was real, to know he was there, Lenalee squeezed him closer to her small frame. Lenalee has a little brother now, and with all her power, she would protect him, yet it may not be necessary. And like her previous feeling, she felt Allen may protect her more than he would her in the near future. But as long as the new soldier doesn't die... He won't.

"Ma... na..."

With a frail smile, Lenalee closed her eyes. Something told her to cry. Watching him - the sorrow he tried to hide - his pain unable to be masked - memories always remembered in the back of his head, through the throes of shock, with every headache and dream, and in the future, every time his curse is used - saddened her.

-oOo-

Gifted with strength...

-oOo-

Cross stared at the sleeping pair blankly. Luckily, Komui didn't throw a conniption fit over this event, and actually smiled at the scene, likely conceding the innocence of alleviating a friend.

An inquiry of why the girl was consoling him rather than someone else or an adult, or even Cross, since the boy hardly left his side or spoke to anyone aside from him. God! Allen better grow out of that. Especially since it's decided Cross is the mentor of this boy, though under his own request. Ultimately they agreed, more so because he requested a disciple than the circumstances and a bond formed between them already.

"It's sweet," General Tiedoll whispered, a goofy grin of awe engraved on his face. "Looks like you have a remarkable son-"

"He is not my son, nowise. I don't care how you look at this. How it turns out to be." Cross sighed, scratching the back of his head. Timcanpy flapped his wings, circling his head, then diving over to the children. "Boy could die, and I wouldn't care."

Even he knew that was a lie.

"Then why bring him here to save his life?" General Yeager asked. "Why spend all this time with him? Central thought he would be a lost cause, you know that, don't you Cross? Yet you went through so much effort to-"

"I was just doing my damn job!"

The elder Generals merely smiled.

"No, I think you care," Tiedoll continued confidently. "Technically, Cross, our jobs are solely to locate and train accomodators."

The redhead eyed Allen. This boy is already more trouble then he's worth.

Komui gently separated Lenalee and Allen, picking up his sister and leveling his eyes with Cross's. "I believe he is your responsibility, General." He smiled. "What will you do if he comes to love you as kin?"

A pause for contemplation, and irritation, as Cross restrained himself from shaking the new Exorcist from his peaceful slumber and whacking him on the head. Instead, he carefully picked him up, never taking his eyes off Allen, who was actually deep in serenity. Without intention, he remarked, "He's not having a nightmare this time."

-oOo-

Yet burdened with weakness.

-oOo-

Cross snorted. "The hell if I care!" And he sauntered away, more or less, forcing convincing upon himself unknowingly.

-oOo-

The coldest hearts are still hearts...

-oOo-

The spectacular recovery began a few days later. Cross watched more closely than before, as his new disciple interacted with Lenalee, occasionally spending an entire day with her and simply talking and introducing him to new people in Headquarters. Within a week Allen knew more than enough people than his brain could bargain for: Reever, who was somewhat humorous when nagging Komui to work. Komui, Lenalee's older brother who runs the most of the organization. Johnny, Jake Russel, Tapp, Number 65, whom he all liked, also finding them hilarious, though pitying them for the work they constantly numbed their minds with.

General Tiedoll's youngest student (or son in specific General's dictionary) was not the friendly type, and Lenalee introduced them. Kanda Yuu huffed, glared, scoffed and turned his back on the weakling. Needless to say, neither liked to the other too well, nor did they ever get along unless they be silence hanging over them.

Allen met a couple of Exorcists, just briefly, though, then there was Suman Dark. The man was quite bitter and cold, yet underneath it all was despair Allen easily distinguished somehow. After talking, eating together in the cafeteria - where Chef Jerry welcomes him anytime, any day, any way, having fallen in love with the surprisingly large appetite of Allen Walker, one day becoming larger as it grows while he grows - learning to play chess, Suman mostly became a good friend. His shell cracked, like Allen's did some cracking, allowing people to see not only the sadness under him, but the appreciation, the joy, the human being, and for Suman, Allen saw his own sadness and tenderness. It was quite easily discerned he had a small soft spot for kids, hence why Lenalee and Allen were around him for so long to begin with.

-oOo-

And human nature continues to affect...

-oOo-

Allen Walker stood next to his master, a pink streak of heat coloring his pale cheeks while he anxiously, bashfully, fiddled with the strap of his traveling knapsack. Cross and Allen were preparing to begin their first journey together, and Lenalee and Komui came to see him off to embark on his training.

"We'll be off, then," Cross says softly.

Timcanpy fluttered over Allen's head, astride from Cross. Lenalee looked at Cross, the smoke rising ghostly from his cigarette, and Allen, who seemed unsure and somewhat embarrassed for no particular reason.

"Umm, thanks for everything," Allen said, straightening his posture as if to make himself more formal or taller. He was so tiny next to Cross though, so it did little to help his height.

"You'll become a great Exorcist like Cross one day, Allen." Komui grinned, eager for the next few years to pass so he could see how splendid Allen will be.

"Uh-tha-hanks, Komui."

"Well then, Allen Walker-" Allen's face brightened remarkably and he lowered his head; several people - Suman, Reever, General Tiedoll, Lenalee, Komui - shared an uncertain, questionable expression at is befuddlement. "What's that look for? Did I say something wrong?"

"Er... No, but..." Allen gripped the strap. "Walker is Mana's last name... I'm not even a relative. It would be presumptuous for someone like me to... So..."

"Walker," Cross uttered, staring monotonously at his disciple, with a flicker of amusement and love for the boy's antics, or him in general. "That's fine, ain't it? 'Walker.' It's perfect for you."

Allen's face was a pure radiance of a cherry - as red as red can be.

"That's right," Lenalee chirped, hugging Allen lovingly. "It fits you!"

The white-haired boy stared after Cross as he walked down the long staircase to the water canal, hardly acknowledging Lenalee anymore.

-oOo-

Those whom sense and feel life...

-oOo-

There seemed to be a radiance to the General that day, Komui remarked, thinking about it now.

-oOo-

With a soul embodiment that physically drums...

-oOo-

His student noticed nothing of the sort himself but he was obviously admiring General Cross - walking tall, proud, with dignity and self-respect, and simply walking forward without stopping, not even to look back to see if Allen was following.

Allen was in awe of General Cross...

-oOo-

With love, affections, emotions, tangible feelings on the skin.

-oOo-

The Supervisor realizes Allen's awe has never changed over the last three years despite all the horrid things Cross says, does, and forces on the special disciple. Allen never stopped looking up to Cross (literally and metaphorically) because...

Komui can't think of the reason, but it was pure and it was alive.

Those two...

Komui recognized they were incredible, unmistakably veracious, and they...

Belonged; together as mentor and apprentice. Belonged here, at this very moment, at the Black Order. Simply belonged.

-oOo-

Humans live to bleed...

-oOo-

"Wal... ker..."

Komui looked at the youngest, brought out of a pensive reverie. Allen was smiling. Allen was smiling for the first time since he leaped out of his hell-like experience two weeks ago. A smile suited Allen's cute, round face better than the scowl or that melancholic thin line.

People doted on his glorious smile, shining bright. Lively. Dazzling. Meaningful. A thousand words and a thousand more wasn't enough to explain that adoring stretch of his lips.

But what was it that made it special?

Made it Allen?

And made Allen cherish this moment then, and most doubtlessly now?

-oOo-

And survive to heal.

-oOo-


My summary may change from time to time. I'm not good at writing summaries without having a few chapters already written, so... But I hope this was fulfilling to your tastes. Also, the main characters may change - referring to Cross - depending on how this goes. Thanks for reading!