Chapter 5: The journey with Cross

It didn't take me too long this time right?

Before we start I just want to say something.

I'm having troubles with the electricity in my house (again) but this time it's just low tension so I can't use my own computer because it doesn't get enough power and I'm incredibly bored since all my games are there and I can't play, on the bright side I have more time to write but sometimes I just can't bring myself to do it for one reason or another, anyway I don't say this to bore you guys with my life but to say that if you want you can send an idea for a one-shot and I'll write it, sometimes I just can't start writing the stories and it turns out it helps me to write something else in the meantime, a one-shot I made helped me figure that out, anyway if you do want to send an idea then PM me or leave a review, however there are a couple of conditions but I place those on my profile so please read them before sending anything to help with the boredom/block I sometimes have. (If anyone actually sends anything).

Ok let's start before you want to kill me.

Disclaimer:

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FL-102, Reviewed June 2012

Anyway, onto the story!


It has been around two weeks since Allen along with Ryuko, started traveling with General Cross, and now they were heading towards the European branch for the first time since they leaved the Asian branch.

"General Cross is a bit…". Ryuko was talking to Allen, but trailed off, trying to find the right word.

"…of a drunk, womanizer, the devil itself". Allen said and Ryuko just laughed nervously, since those words described him perfectly.

"I'm glad no one has to deal with him alone". Ryuko mentioned remembering the past weeks.


Flashback.

Two hours after they left the Asian branch.

Cross, Allen and Ryuko were in a bar, according to Cross, gathering supplies for the trip; but he had already drank all the 'supplies' that they had.

"Okay, we have to go now". Cross said standing up when the owner said,

"Excuse me sir but you still need to pay". Cross looked at the owner for a second and then said.

"They will pay". Pointing to Allen and Ryuko and before they could protest, Cross was already gone and the owner approached them, waiting for the payment.

"S-So how much does Cross-sama owe?". Ryuko asked. when the owner showed them the billand Allen and Ryuko exclaimed at the same time,

"HOW CAN A PERSON DRINK THAT MUCH?!".

"Pay now". The owner had ignored the yell, and was waiting for the money.

"I-I'm sorry sir, but I don't have enough money to pay you right now". Ryuko said hoping the owner would spare them. He was wrong. the second he heard that, they were dragged to the kitchen where they worked until the debt was paid; which sadly was impossible on the time they had, so both took the debt with them hoping to pay it later.

"Shisho, why did you make us pay for your drinks?". Allen asked as they were waiting for a train to take off.

"Because the order said that they won't pay for that anymore". Cross answered as if it was obvious.

"But why did we have to pay?". Allen asked again pointing to Ryuko and himself.

"He is a finder, so he has to do what the exorcists say, and you, as a good student, should respect your master enough to pay for a few drinks".

"Those weren't just a few". Allen muttered.

"What was that?". Cross asked.

"I said those weren't just a few!". Allen yelled to him but Cross just ignored him the whole ride.


Four days after they left the Asian branch.

Again they were at a bar with Cross drinking, while Ryuko and Allen were playing cards.

"You say that these will help you move your arm?". Ryuko asked to break the silence.

"Hai". Allen answered, while trying to grab a card from the deck and he smiled.

"Okay then". Ryuko showed his hand and said. "Full house" with a smile, but Allen's smile widened and he said.

"Poker". Making Ryuko look surprised.

"Very good! you really have a lot of luck". He congratulated him, but added to himself. 'In poker at least'.

"Thanks". Was the answer before he tried to shuffle the cards, although he dropped them more than once.

They kept playing for a while longer when two men suddenly entered the bar yelling. "Where is Cross?!". And when some people pointed to the General who was calmly drinking, "Hey you owe the boss some money". One of the men said while cracking his knuckles.

"Ready to pay?". The other men said glaring.

Cross left his drink in the counter while standing up from his seat and said. "Run". To Allen and Ryuko, who as soon as they saw the General doing that, they followed him.

Now outside of the bar with the two men chasing after, Allen yelled. "Why do you keep wasting money you don't have?!".

"Shut up and take care of them baka deshi". Cross answered before kicking Allen towards the two men while Ryuko went back to help him, but unfortunately they had already caught up to them and were grinning while glaring at them.

A few minutes later they were in an alley with the two men demanding the money that Cross owed.

"But we don't have the money". Ryuko said, trying to find a way to escape while Allen was doing the same although he was not talking.

"Then I guess you'll stay with us until Cross pays the money".

"That'll never happen". Allen muttered "Eh? Cross shishō?". He looked to one side, making the other three look, before grabbing Ryuko and running away. quickly understanding and running on his own, they somehow managed to lose them after about three hours of running, and now were in another alley trying to catch their breath.

"Good thinking Allen". Ryuko congratulated him through pants.

"Thank you".

"Good, you're here". They both looked behind Allen after hearing that voice to see Cross smoking a cigarette as if nothing was wrong.

"Shisho, why did you throw me to them?" Allen asked sounding a bit annoyed.

"Because that gave me time to lose them". He answered like it was obvious again.

"So bottom line, we were just the distraction". This time Allen sounded like he was gonna kill someone.

"Exactly, now come on; we'll miss our train". And with that, Cross turned around and started to walk to the train station.

"Kuso". Allen said, looking like he was gonna kill someone, before he also starting to walk with Ryuko who too looked like he wanted to kill the General, although he was hiding it better, or maybe it was because Allen wasn't even trying to hide it.


A week after that incident.

They were walking in a town with Allen and Ryuko carrying some bags while Cross was smoking a cigarette not carrying anything.

"Shisho could you help us?". Allen asked but Cross is simple answer was.

"No". And he went back to look at the front.

"Couldn't you at least wear a different outfit? you're drawing too much attention!".

Cross exhaled the smoke from his cigarette and said. "Baka deshi! unlike you, I need to wear this uniform".

"Why?". Cross glared at Allen and said.

"One more question and you will regret it". And Allen knew he didn't want to know what that meant, so he decided to talk to Ryuko instead.

"Ryuko-san, why don't you say anything?".

"-Sigh- I'm just a finder. I don't have any say in a General's order". He answered.

"But how can this be considered a General's order?". Allen asked back and although Ryuko agreed he still wasn't able to say anything.

After a few hours of buying everything they'd need for their trip, not to mention all the things Cross ordered them to get, it was night time and they were walking towards an inn they managed to find.

Cross was just walking in front ignoring them while Allen and Ryuko tried to talk about something that wasn't how much they hated the General.

But that stopped when Allen suddenly saw something and froze.

"Allen?". Ryuko asked after seeing his expression.

"Oi baka deshi, what's wrong with you?".

"A-Akuma". Allen managed to say before all the people around them transformed themselves in level 1s.

"Kuso". Ryuko quickly took out a barrier generator from his backpack and placed it around him and Allen.

"What are you doing?". Cross asked Ryuko. "He is an exorcist he can't be behind that shield".

"But-". Before Ryuko could protest Allen interrupted him.

"He's right Ryuko-san". He said while looking at Ryuko and saw his left eye looked weird; it was now completely black except for three red circles. "Itekimasu". And with that Allen stepped outside the barrier.

"Let's see if you're able to do something". Cross said giving them to understand he wasn't gonna participate.

"Innocence activate". Allen said trying to activate his Innocence and, although with some effort, he managed to do so before looking at all the level 1s' souls. "Akuma in sorrow let your soul be saved". He said before lunging towards them, he first crushed one of them using his whole claw, to then block a bunch of bullets, but another akuma appeared behind him and quickly shot a bunch of bullets into his back, making Allen scream in pain before falling to the ground. "Kuso". He cursed to himself before all the akumas started to surround him and a bunch of pentacles appeared in his skin, those were quickly dispersed thanks to Allen's parasitic Innocence but the akumas were already aiming towards him.

"Baka deshi". Allen heard Cross say before there was a bright light and suddenly all the akumas were gone.

End of flashback.


"I don't think anyone would be able to do so". Allen responded when the tall building that is the black order is European branch was on sight. "That's the European branch?". Allen asked in amazement.

"Hai". Ryuko answered simply.

They got to the underground entrance where another finder was already waiting for them in a boat.

"Welcome! I'll be taking you inside". The finder said before everyone got in the boat.

Once they were in the three got off and started to walk towards the Supervisor of the branch's office.

Allen was about to knock the door when Cross barged in.

"Good you're here". The supervisor said. "Please come in".

Cross was already sitting before he even said anything.

"Thank you". Allen said sitting on another seat as far as possible from the General.

"Please give me your report". Cross started to tell him what had happened, conveniently forgetting about the drinking debts, not to mention what he owed to anyone foolish enough to loan him money.

After he finished, the branch chief said that they had to leave again in around two hours by orders of the higher ups.

After the meeting, Cross disappeared saying that he will be waiting in the entrance when they have to go, Ryuko said to Allen that he was gonna rest for a while, and after he was alone he decided to go to the one place anyone could find him… the cafeteria.

He was in line waiting for his turn, listening to the chef telling everyone what people ordered until it was his turn.

"Hi are you new here?". The chef asked after seeing him.

"Nice to meet you; my name is Allen Walker". Allen said bowing.

"Wow for a kid you have good manners". The chef commented before something clicked in his mind. "You said Allen Walker?". Allen nodded in response. "I see, Zu-chan told me about you! he said you have quite an appetite".

"You know Chang-san?".

"Yes he taught me everything I know about cooking, my name is Jerry; if there is something you want just ask". Allen thought for a minute and then.

"I want 20 pieces of meat, 15 chicken legs, a bowl of boiled potatoes…". He kept naming more and more food and finished with. "…and as dessert mitarashi dango, hmmm, thirty of them".

Jerry smiled and then said all excited. "Great! I will start with your order immediately! Zu-chan was right about you". After a few minutes Allen is order was ready and he carried it towards an empty table.

"Itadakimasu". He said before starting to devour all the food.

After he finished he still had around an hour and a half before having to go again so he decided to explore the branch.

He did that for around an hour when he got to the science division.

"Can I help you?". A man asked after he saw him there.

"Oh hello, I'm Allen Walker, I think I got lost". He said the last scratching the back of his head.

"I'm Reever Wenham; you must be the new exorcist that came here with the General". Allen nodded in response. "Well, you still have half an hour before you have to go; feel free to look around in the meantime, but don't touch anything". Allen nodded again and then started to look around the place until he spotted a phone.

"Excuse me Reever-san". Reever looked at him. "Can we call other branches from here?".

"Sure would you like to call one?".

"Yes I have a friend in the Asian branch I'd like to talk to". Reever nodded and gestured him to follow until they got to a phone a bit far from the others.

Reever marked to the Asian branch until someone answered on the other end.


In the Asian branch

"Moshi moshi". A person said answering the phone.

"Hello I'm Reever Wenham from the European branch, an exorcist here says he wants to talk to a friend that is there".

"What's the friend is name?".

"What's the name of your friend?". Reever asked from the other end. "He says it's Lenalee Lee".

"Okay I'll call her right now, please wait". The man started to walk until he got to a door; he opened it and saw Lenalee practicing with her dark boots. "Lenalee".

She stopped her jumps and came down to him. "Hai?".

"We got a call from the European branch saying a friend there wants to talk to you".

"A friend?".

The man nodded and after Lenalee deactivated her Innocence they both walked until they got to the phone.

"Hello?". Lenalee said.

"Lenalee?". She recognized his voice almost immediately.

"Allen-kun". Her pitch rose a bit when she said his name. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine thank you, how about you?". He didn't want to mention how it had been with the General, at least for now.

"I'm fine, you were right; most people here are very nice once you get to know them".

"I guess that means you didn't try to escape again". Allen said assuming he was right.

"Hai, but they still don't let me go see my brother". She didn't sound as happy as before when she said that.

"Don't worry I'm sure they'll let you soon". Allen tried to cheer her up.

"I guess you're right, by the way where are you calling from?".

"Oh I'm in the European branch, turns out you can call other branches from here so I'll try and talk to you when I'm here".

"Thank you". And after that they started to catch up on what they have been doing on the past two weeks, Allen conveniently avoiding Cross' debts; not to mention the fight he had until Allen's half hour was almost up.

"Sorry Lenalee but I have to go now".

"When will you be back?".

"Sorry I don't know, but I promise I'll call you as soon as I can".

"Really?".

"Really".

"Really really?". Allen realized what she was doing and decided to play along.

"Really really".

"Really really really?". This time Lenalee is the one who sounded like she was joking making both Allen and herself to chuckle.

"Really really really". Allen assured her. "Bye, Lenalee".

"Bye, Allen-kun". And with that both hanged up.

"Looks like you have a very good friend in that branch". The person who called Lenalee before said.

"Hai". She answered with a nod before starting to walk back to the training area.

"Maybe someday you will be able to go to the European branch to see him".

"He is traveling with General Cross right now, so I wouldn't see him very often even then".

"I see; General Cross". The man seemed to grimace for a second.

"Is something wrong?".

"No nothing, you better go back now". Lenalee did as told and went back to the training room.


Back in the European branch.

After Allen hung up, he had to rush to the entrance since he was already a bit late.

"You're late baka deshi". Cross said when he saw him approaching.

"Gome; I lost track of time". Allen said when he got there where Ryuko and the General were ready to go.

"Well, start walking baka deshi". Cross gave a kick to Allen forcing him to move.


There goes another one.

Remember what I said at the start of the chapter since it would help me a lot, just don't expect I will post it the day you send an idea, it takes a bit of time to think it well.

Anyway I hope you liked it and even if you didn't please leave a review in any case saying what you didn't like.

Until next update.