Konnichiwa minna-san! Sorry I took quite a while to update again. Oh and I'd like to thank Origami Lotus for Reviewing on almost every chapter! Thank you so much for you voiced support! Also, thanks to everybody else for reviewing! I was just especially happy about the multiple reviews… Okay, moving on, here is my next chapter!
Disclaimer: This will probably come as a huge shock to most of you, but I do NOT in fact, own -man. I know, I know, hard to believe right?
/The sky was a strange mixture of fiery red and soft pink, the setting sun cast long shadows across the snow covered field.
"You see Allen? A tall figure inquired, a deep shadow from his top hat, fallen over his face, effectively concealing his features.
"It's just up there. That's my brother's house. He's an entertainer so I'm sure you'll get along with him fine. Now smile! At least look like you're kind of happy." With a large, warm smile covering his barely visible mouth, the man grasped Allen's deformed left hand, and leisurely strolled towards the upcoming building.
"Mana," Allen started, addressing the smiling character, "do you really think he won't mind my arm…?" The boy's gray eyes seemed to grow darker as he stared down the snowy grass.
A flash of surprise flashed behind the man's hidden eyes, but it was quickly replaced with mock interest. "Hmm? What about your arm?" He asked stupidly, feigned curiosity dripping from his voice.
The white haired kid rolled his eyes but inwardly smiled at Mana's comforting play.
"Well then come on, let's go see uncle Neah."/
Allen awoke with a small smile playing at his lips. He hadn't dreamed of Mana for years. He sighed contently as happy memories flooded his brain. He slowly sat up from his warm sleeping position, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes.
'I keep thinking about Mana more and more… I wonder why that is….'
The hospitalized boy settled back down, expecting to get some more rest, as he was still tired. When his eyes had just begun to droop, the heavy door was suddenly opened to reveal Nurse Lou Fa.
Startled by the noise, Allen flung himself up, causing his damaged arm to throb through the day old bandages. He instinctively grabbed at the sling and desperately tugged at it as if it were holding him captive somehow.
He hissed in a breath as the pain from his arm shot through his body. The young teen then allowed himself to look up from his painful arm and realized that he was in the hospital. Allen also noticed the intruder was just his nurse.
'I forgot…I'm in the hospital… For a second there I thought I was back at….'home'…'
He was relieved immensely that his guest was only Lou Fa and not his legal guardian.
An apologetic smile spread across his dry lips. "Good morning. Can I help you Miss Lou Fa?" He asked, remembering to be polite. It was his imbedded rule.
A light shade of pink tinted the girl's cheeks but most of it vanished as she pulled out her clipboard and flicked up her glasses, reading a couple lines from the sheet that currently lay on top of the others.
"Hello Mr. Walker! Um the doctor, Mr. Bak, would like to speak with you."
Allen nodded in res ponse and was greeted by a short blond haired man who looked to be in his mid-twenties.
"Lou Fa, would you mind leaving Mr. Walker and I alone. Thank you."
Knowing that he hadn't meant it as a question, the nurse left the room with one more glance at the white haired boy slouching on the bed.
When she left, Bak walked into the room completely, as he was only standing in the entrance, and shut the door behind him.
"Hey Allen."
Allen blinked in surprise. 'Is it normal for them to be so informal? Strange man…'
"So I was actually quite stunned when you first arrived here last night. It's not every day a kid-excuse me- young adult runs into a window and breaks an arm, dislocating it in the process, and he has several other wounds. Also it's almost never happened that that same person managed to get bruises all over his arms, torso, and face, with multiple scars covering the entire body, and has green glass fragments still embedded in the head. Unless the window attacked over a span of time- and if it was a green window- I'm just guessing, but could it be that you didn't actually run into that window?" The doctor paused waiting for the information to sink in.
Allen's face went, if possible, more pale. 'Oops. I guess I forgot. When he treated me… he must've seen the…scars and… and he must have also seen my arm, I mean he did fix it up for me.'
The teen braced himself for whatever lay before him, whether it be physical or verbal. The doctor looked down at the rigid boy and seemed to notice the tense atmosphere that was exuding from him.
A small chuckle escaped him. " Oh, what are you so afraid of?"
"W-well… I mean… Don't you know though?" His eyes shifted restlessly, fearing the medic's reply.
"Know? Know what? That you're being abused? Or that you're left arm is deformed? Of course I know! Don't mock me! You know I am a trained professional!" His playful tone kept Allen questioning.
"Th-then?... Are you going to… I don't know… Do something?" He closed his eyes and his right hand had started ringing the sheets as if he were afraid of the young doctor.
Bak laughed harder now. "Why should I? I mean, you obviously have your own reasons for not telling the authorities about the abusing, and I quite frankly don't see anything that special about your arm."
Allen was at a loss of words. But not thoughts, and one his first thoughts was wondering how Bak had even managed to become a doctor in the first place.
"So, um, was that all you wanted to talk to me about?"
The blond straightened his coat and stared at Allen's oddly gray eyes. "No, actually there's more. I needed to talk to about your medical bill also."
The boy's eyes widened before quickly sealing, cutting off any response he could've given.
"Is there a problem?" Bak stared at him harder, confusion setting into his features.
Allen opened now opened his shut eyes and hesitantly regarded the watching man.
"Um… "He mumbled something incoherently under his breath. Understandably, Bak hadn't been able to catch any of what was said.
"For the sake of old people in hearing aids, speak up!"
"Well, I don't really… have any money. At all." This was true, considering that Cross had taken every single penny Allen had… acquired… before taking his leave, then continuing to spend all of it while gone.
"Hmm, well that is unfortunate." The doctor's voice had lost some of its light, playful tone. "But, as unfortunate as that is, you still need to pay us."
The younger boy was now horror stricken. He pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to clear his mind enough to allow himself to think of a conclusion.
'Komui, no doubt, will offer to pay it. No… I can't let him do that. He's done too much already.'
"I…could… I don't know…"
Bak sighed and offered his only realistic idea. "I do, however, have a possible solution."
"Yes?"
"Well, we are in need of some workers here at the hospital, it being winter and all. We just need someone to work on all of the odds and ends. If you work for us here for… hmm… Three months, then I'll gladly consider your health bill paid! Deal?"
Allen couldn't believe his luck. 'This is incredible! I wouldn't even have to pay! Though… I still don't know what I'll be doing about Master Cross… I'll just worry about that when the time comes…'
After thinking about it a little bit longer, he enthusiastically nodded his head. "Absolutely. Deal, Mr. Bak."
The doctor gave a wide smile. "You make me feel way too old. I'll have you know I'm only 29! Just call me Bak. If you don't I'll just have to call you 'the little one' or something else extremely condescending."
Now Allen gave out a smile laugh. "Of course. Thank you. Oh, and when do I start?"
"I know your arm is broken, but we need the help now, so can you start tomorrow?"
"Sure thing."
xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx
"Komui! We have to go!" Lenalee stood by the door, waiting impatiently for her older brother to put the large drills and flame throwers down.
He had been endlessly working in something throughout the entire night, causing loud noises, crashes, and smoke to arise from his work room.
Komui lifted his safety goggles up onto his hard hat and applied the puppy dog eyes, attempting to persuade his sister. Sparkles seemed to appear out of nowhere and the grown man threw his arms over a metal… thing…
"But-"
"No 'buts', brother! Allen is in the hospital and you know his current situation!" The girl couldn't tell for sure, but she thought she might have seen concern momentarily flash across his face, except it was quickly replaced by a pleading look once again.
"But I'm building the biggest and the best- not to mention multi-functional- coffee maker! Sir Komlin!" Komui was beaming as his arms presented the metal chunks.
Some of them sparked and caught fire.
Lenalee stared at her brother, a drop of sweat showing. "…"
"Well… He… kind of… exploded… and fell apart… - That's why I have to fix him!" Dramatic tears sprung from his eyes.
"No, Komui!" She grabbed the begging man's arm and dragged him out of the house; drill still in Komui's grasp.
xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx
Allen stared at his arm.
There was a small, plain Band-Aid resting over his right wrist. The IV had been removed shortly after Dr. Bak's discussion with him, so even though he felt like he wasn't starving, he still wanted food.
'I bet Dr. Bak asked the nurse to stay quiet about my arm. I mean she must have seen it. Though I doubt that she would say anything rude to me… I think she's scared of me…'
His stomach rudely interrupted his light conversation with himself with a loud gurgle noise.
With a heavy sigh, the hungry boy prepared to leave his room. He gripped the sling around his left arm, attempting to keep it still as he moved out of his comfortable position on the white bed.
Allen had found his normal, ripped and dirty, jeans and shirt, and strained to get them on. The pants were easy enough, but he had found that getting a long sleeve shirt on with a cast and sling, did not prove to be as simple.
Just as he let out a breath of air he had been holding; taking a rest from the seemingly endless struggle with the shirt, the door was opened by Komui Lee.
Komui tried to be respectful, but he couldn't help the small laugh that escaped his lips.
"Allen, dear boy would you like some help?" Komui gave in to the smile pressing at his features.
The boy's face glowed a bright red when he realized that not only did Komui Lee, the principal see him unable to dress properly, but also did Lenalee, who had been standing behind her brother the whole time.
She let out a giggle and after slight resistance from Komui, Allen asked her to kindly leave.
Not wasting any time at all, Komui grabbed a pair of scissors that had been lying in his bag, and tore through Allen's shirt sleeve.
The white haired boy stared at his missing sleeve and face palmed himself.
"K-komui, why did you just rip my shirt?" Allen was not happy, as this shirt was one of his best.
Komui held no shame what-so-ever. "Because, it would've been impossible to get it on any other way." He stopped for a thoughtful moment and put his finger to his chin. "Well, I supposed we could've removed the sling, carefully slide the sleeve over the cast, and then put the sling back over but….Oh, that would've taken too much time!"
Allen was even less happy. In fact you could say that he was furious, seeing as he tried to punch Komui. Keyword 'tried'; Komui blocked with his massive bag just in time, a passive look on his face as he did.
"Now, now Allen. Besides, why are you out of bed? You need the rest!"
Allen merely shook his head. "I'm very hungry. Also, I start work toda-"He paused.
'I really wish I hadn't let that slip. Now he's going to ask…'
And ask is exactly what the childish adult did. "Work? What work? Why are you working?"
The questioned boy looked down at his bare feet, and he was silent for a moment. For a rare moment in his life, Allen had forgotten about his hunger. He didn't want to let Komui know of his arrangement with the hospital because he would without a doubt offer to pay off the bill.
"Umm, well I offered to work here… To… help out. Kind of like community service… yeah…"
The adult stared at him, disbelief was clearly written over his features.
"Allen, you and I both know that you don't have the time for community service, especially when you have such a… lack of money." His stare intensified.
Just then, Bak's impeccable timing, caused him to enter at that exact moment and shout in a loud, happy voice, "Alright, Allen! I hope you're ready to work because we are so behind! That bill isn't going to pay itself!" He seemed to notice Komui, and nodded in acknowledgment.
The coffee loving principal seemed to grow frustrated.
"Allen, what is he talking about?" Allen couldn't help but feel like Komui was acting like an overprotective father. But he wouldn't know now would he?
"W-well, I needed to pay my medical bill… and I didn't- don't have any money, so Dr. Bak allowed me to work off the price…" He unconsciously rubbed his broken arm, wincing slightly at the pain.
Komui shot him a disapproving glance, feeling much like a father himself. "Allen- Actually, Dr. Bak, would you be so kind as to leave Allen and I alone for a few minutes; I need to speak to him."
Without a word, the blond left the room, promising to be back in half an hour at most.
"Allen why didn't you tell me? I'm going to pay the bill. You can't seriously be thinking about working here in your condition, especially with your life at home!" Komui seemed to be frothing at the mouth as his hands shot out towards Allen.
The accused boy retracted from the movement and backed up into the wall. He shut his eyes slightly as if he were expecting some pain to come and braced himself for it.
The older male realized what he had done, and his arms instantly returned to his side. He had forgotten just how sensitive the white haired high scholar was to harsh actions like that.
"Allen… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"No… It's okay… Um, and I want to pay off my own bill. You have done far too much for me already, I'm not worth the effort you're putting into helping me. So, thank you, but, I can take care of myself." Allen couldn't find it in himself to look at Komui in the eyes, he knew what he had said was untrue. He did need Komui's help, but he wouldn't dare ask the man to do anything else. That's just how he felt.
Komui, however, didn't know that the boy was silently suffering from the guilt, but he nodded his head none the less.
"Alright Allen. If that's how you truly want it, then I'll leave you alone. You have my number so you know who to call if you need it." Minor depression dipping into his mind, he left the small room, and then the hospital, Lenalee waiting for him in the car.
Now he was alone again. He was secretly afraid of being alone though, he would always find himself sitting somewhere and thinking about horrible things. Things like the long-gone orphanage. Things like detestable Cross Marian. Things like beloved Mana's death.
He clawed at his head with his right hand, attempting to scratch the memories out. But his attempts were in vain and he just gave in to the darkness of his past.
xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx-xX-Xx
One day prior
The young doctor Bak walked through the halls of the dimly lit hospital. He had just helped aid an… interesting patient.
A single door stood alone at the end of the long hall, a plaque over the front reminded people that only employers were allowed to enter.
He loudly banged on the door and then stuck his ear next to it, waiting for a response.
"Stop pounding on the door or I swear I'll-"Bak moved his head away and waited for the door to be flung open by a man who bore a ridiculously small mustache.
"Good evening sir. I have come to bring news of an Allen Walker. May I come in?"
With a stiff nod, the older man motioned for Bak to enter and shut the door behind them.
The young doctor took a seat in an uncomfortable fold-up chair, and continued.
"As I was saying, I just finished helping an unusual patient, here's his file." He handed the other man a small yellowish folder, containing an old black and white picture of Allen and the bare minimum of information on him.
A wide smirk spread across his face as he set down the papers.
"Well, well, well. Looks like little Allen Walker has finally decided to show up again."
Anyone know who it is? Sorry if this seems kind of rushed, I'm still completely new at writing (which is why I need constructive criticism please!) Sorry about the late-ish update. I was planning to get this up about three days ago, but I had plans that I wasn't aware about. Dang it. Anyways! Please REVIEW. Oh and REVIEW. Did I mention to REVIEW? Please and thank you!
