Chapter Nine: Friends

Edited: August 20, 2018


"So Allen-kun, you're telling me that you've never received any proper training from General Cross?" Kagome repeated, stunned. "But you've been with him for over two years now, no?"

"That's right." Allen nodded. "He's just too twisted to teach me, that's all." Allen and Kagome were seated underneath a thick tree. It was mid-afternoon and Allen had just finished his regular set of chores. He worked part-time at the inn where he and General Cross Marian were staying as a stable assistant. The inn had some barn animals, a few chickens, roosters and even the odd horse, and Allen was responsible for keeping their pen clean and making sure that each animal received their daily feed. During that time, Kagome was usually out training with Klaud. Sometimes, Klaud would allow her a day of rest, which she would spend helping Allen out in the barn. It made his work end quicker and the company was always nice.

"That's a shame." Kagome suppressed a yawn as she stared at her white haired friend. They had been staying in Kenya for nearly a month now, and Kagome and Allen had quickly bonded. Although there was a two year difference between them, that didn't stop them from getting along quite well.

"It must be nice... having a General that actually teaches." Allen mused, reflecting on the fact. Though he would not admit it openly, he was slightly jealous of the relationship that Kagome had with Klaud. The older General was always so kind her student. She was the exact opposite of his master.

"If you want, I could help you," suggested Kagome as she inched closer towards Allen. It was her day off, and she was already bored. Besides, she had seen Allen in action when he thought no one was around. He performed cartwheels, some handstands and a bunch of other moves. From what Kagome had witnessed, Allen appeared to have the basics down for training. He knew how to move fluidly and could perform various moves. He was quite fast – it seemed like running from debt collectors really paid off. Kagome was sure that with some practice and real training, Allen would be able to learn how to use his Innocence properly.

"Really? That would be great!" Finally he could have a chance to train.

Kagome giggled, smiling. "Had I known that you would be so excited, I would have suggested this a long time ago."

A light rose colour tinted his cheeks. He quickly looked away, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

Kagome laughed, finding his expression cute. "Come on." She reached for his hand. "Let's go find some place to train."


"Okay then, let's start with the basics." Kagome clasped her hands together. "Activate your Innocence for me." She licked her lips. Her Noah genes insides were delirious with joy. She felt like smiling wider, that crazed, sinister look wanted to etch itself across her face. However, she held her ground, refusing to let that monstrous side of her roam lose.

"Um, Kagome-chan, how do I do that?" Allen had taken to adopt the Japanese honorifics that Kagome would continually used. The first time he heard Kagome called him "Allen-kun," he was downright confused and asked her about the meaning. Kagome explained that the honorifics were basically equivalent to the English title prefixes. So, when she called him "Allen-kun" it was her way of addressing him; it was her way of displaying her closeness to Allen.

Rather bashfully, Allen had asked what the equivalent was for females. He could still remember the confused look Kagome provided to him as she responded. "For females, it would be -chan. So, for me it would be Kagome-chan."

Kagome-chan? Allen thought, blushing. I-I like the sound of that.

The question was posed mere days after their first encounter. Since then, Allen had been referring to Kagome with the Japanese honorific.

Kagome's jaw dropped. "Allen-kun, you must be kidding?"

Allen looked embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head. "I'm serious. I don't know how to." He was ashamed to admit it, but Cross had never taught him how to activate his Innocence.

Kagome shook her head. "You poor deprived child," she chastised, as she placed her hand over his deformed red one. Locking their fingers together, she did not notice the same blush lighting his face. "Allen-kun, activating your Innocence is as simple as learning how to eat." She winked, making his groan.

"Kagome-chan, move on!"

"Yeah, yeah." She rolled her eyes, and stuck out her tongue. He shot her an annoyed look which she retaliated with one of her own. "Allen-kun, since your Innocence is part of you, you'll have an even simpler time activating your own Innocence than others would, say for instance, an Equipment Type user."

"Really? Why?"

Her eyebrows shot up. Had General Cross Marian not taught him anything?

"Wow." She whistled.

Allen eyed her but she ignored it.

"With Parasitic Type users, they have been bonding with their Innocence ever since they've been born. Thus, even though you haven't used your weapon, you already have an understanding of it."

"Because I've been connected with it?" exclaimed Allen as he studied his hand.

"Precisely." Kagome nodded. "Whereas with Equipment Type Accommodators, it takes longer to form a bond than it would for a Parasitic Type."

"And Equipment Type users connect with their Innocence when they first acquire it?" Allen questioned, thinking about his Master's Innocence: Judgement. It was a fully loaded gun, and Allen had never seen his Master reload it.

"Exactly!" she clapped her hands together. "You're a quick learner, Allen-kun."

He smiled sheepishly. "It was nothing. You're the one who actually taught me it, Kagome-chan. If anything, you deserve the praise."

He's so modest, she thought, smiling. He really is a true gentleman.

"Okay Allen-kun, enough chitchat. Let's get to activating your Innocence."

Allen gulped. "Okay."

"Don't worry," she said, noticing his tight stance. "This should be fun."

He nodded. "Yeah." Yet, all he could think of was that powerful blast Kagome had fired to Mufasa on their first meeting. Beads of sweat formed behind his neck and he cast a quick glance down towards her hands.

Kagome arched a brow. "Allen-kun, stop staring off into space. I want to start."

His head snapped up. "Y-yes," he stuttered.


It was early twilight. The sky was a muggy orange, and few clouds that were coloured with mixtures of pink and yellow stained the sky. Sitting on top of the roof top patio with the hotel's most expensive brand of wine and female General Klaud Nine by his side, Cross Marian felt like he was in heaven.

"Isn't it beautiful, Klaud?" He murmured, whispering into her ear. They were the sole inhabitants around, even the bartender was long gone. "My, my, you still look beautiful."

"Cross, where is my student?" Klaud demanded, sipping at her wine.

"Oh." He blinked. "You mean Kagome?"

Klaud eyed him apprehensively. "Yes, my student."

Cross stroked his chin. "I believe I saw her heading out towards the fields with the brat this morning." He took another sip of his wine. It was red and tasted wonderful. "The brat looked scared for some reason. I wonder why, though." He started to smile.

"Interesting," Klaud mused. She shifted further down the loveseat, not wanting to be so close to Cross. "She certainly likes to spend time with your student, Allen Walker."

"I don't understand why, though," he reflected. "The kid's a brat."

Klaud's right eye twitched. She held back a rather snarky comment.

Cross smirked, finding her actions invigorating. "Klaud, my beautiful dear, if it's any consolation, I would—"

"Kagome?" exclaimed Klaud as she sat up from her seat. "What are you doing with that lion cub again?" Kagome and Allen had just walked onto the rooftop deck, and in Kagome's arms slept a peaceful Simba.

"We found him wandering around the hotel," she explained. "He ran up to us and started to meow so much. I couldn't resist picking him up and bringing him with us."

Klaud's eyes narrowed. "Kagome, we have had this discussion before."

"I know, I know." She rolled her eyes.

"Do not use that tone with me," Klaud chastised and reached for the lion cub.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Kagome protested, watching as Klaud started to walk towards the door.

"I am bringing him back where he belongs."

"Aw, but Klaud!" She started to follow behind her instructor, begging and pleading to let her hold onto the cub for just a little bit longer. Klaud, however, merely ignored her student and her persistent protests.

"Oii, brat." Allen turned around. It was then that he noticed that only his Master and himself were left on the rooftop.

"Um, yes?" He squeaked.

Cross leaned forward and slammed his wineglass down onto the table. "Where's your day's earning?" He held a hand out, his fingers moving. "Hand it over."

Allen smiled sheepishly. "About that, Master."


"YOU DID WHAT?" Cross roared and glowered towards Allen.

Allen dove under the nearest chair. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "But I got hungry during the time that Kagome-chan and I were training. There was a nearby restaurant, and, well, we both went inside." He looked down towards the ground, his cheeks turning a bright shade of crimson.

"I don't care!" Cross hollered, now standing above the chair. He placed both hands onto each of the chair's armrests and threw it towards the other end of the room. Allen screamed and attempted to scramble away, yet Cross reached out and grabbed him by the back of his shirt.

He pulled Allen up towards his eye level, causing Allen to start kicking and punching in mid-air. "Let me go!"

"Like hell!" Cross rebutted. "Just for this stupid stunt of yours, you'll need to earn twice as much as you do normally."

Allen's face paled. "A-Are you serious?!"

"Feh," Cross released his hold on him causing him to fall towards the ground. "Aren't I always serious, Brat?"

Allen gulped and made no reply. Cross smirked and headed back towards the loveseat. He took a sip of his wine and exhaled a sigh. "Allen, I expect you to hand over that money to me by tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?! But Master, I don't get paid until the afternoon!"

"I don't care!"

Allen screamed. "Okay." And he looked down towards the ground.

"Allen-kun, are you still here?" Kagome called. She remerged from the stairs with Klaud following in tow. Klaud looked annoyed and Kagome looked weary.

"I'm here," Allen said with a frown. Kagome grinned and moved towards him, but she stopped upon noticing something. In the corner of the room, sitting on top of the railing was Lau Jimin, who was quietly eating a banana.

"So that's where you were," she laughed and stretched an arm forward.

Lau Jimin stopped eating and looked towards Kagome. Its eyes lit up in realization and he threw the remainder of the banana below the railing.

"Hey, what the hell?" someone shouted from down below. "Who threw this damn banana down here?!"

All four pair of eyes wandered toward Lau Jimin.

Lau looked away.

"Lau Jimin," Klaud groaned, covering her forehead with her hand. "Not again."


It was early the next morning. The sun had still yet to rise, and Allen stood outside from the stables, sporting a weary expression. His brows were furrowed and a grim look had formed across his face as he tried to formulate a plan of action.

What am I going to do? What am I going to do? He had to earn double the amount of pay that he usually received on account of his chivalrous act yesterday. It's not my fault that we were hungry and so far from the hotel yesterday! I didn't mean to waste all of my earnings on food!

"Allen-kun?"

"Ahh!" He screamed and fell back. Looking up, he saw a worried Kagome standing in front of him. "Ka-Kagome-chan," he stuttered. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied. "How are you?"

"Tired," he yawned. Master made him sleep outside of their room that night because he was still very upset about not receiving Allen's daily paycheck. Allen supposed that having to sleep on the floor was supposed to be a lesson, but was fine with the conditions. At least he had a roof over his head.

"Oh." Kagome didn't seemed too pleased with his reply. "Well, about what you were saying earlier..."

"What I was saying earlier?" He repeated, confused.

"About the money," she clarified.

"Ah." He looked away.

"Allen-kun, what would you say if I knew a way that you could earn all of that money back and more."

"What?" He shot up, his gaze locked on her. "What is it?" He sounded so hopeful, so excited.

Kagome had to hold back a snicker. "Poker," she said simply and extended her arms forward.

"What!"


"Allen-kun, we can't leave now. We've been practising too much to just walk away."

"But Kagome-chan, I don't think that this is a good idea."

"How else do you want to earn the money, Allen-kun?"

That shut him up. Kagome smirked. "Good. Now, come on." She grabbed him by his good hand and led him inside the bar. Right away, both teens were hit with the scent of tobacco, liquor and smoke. Allen coughed, his eyes watering.

"It's like there's a hoard of Masters in here," he groaned. Although he's been to his fair share of bars in the past, that still didn't mean that he liked them.

"Allen-kun, be quiet," Kagome hissed. "We need to blend in." As always though, it's easier said then done.

"Kagome-chan, I don't think that that will be a problem," Allen whispered sarcastically. Already, most of the bar's inhabitants had noticed them and were watching them with confused eyes. Beads of sweat formed behind Allen's neck as a look of fear formed across his face. He gulped with fear and eyed the door longingly.

"Allen-kun," Kagome groaned and pulled him off to the side. A few people sitting in the booths looked up and watched them, curious. "Stop this. You're already making a scene. Remember; don't care what the others think. Just focus on getting what you want, which is their money."

"But Kagome-chan, I don't think that this is a good idea," he rebutted.

"Fine then," she growled. "Let's go back to the inn where you can tell General Cross that you don't have the money." His face paled. "I can just imagine what'll happen. You most likely won't live to see the next day. Who knows even, he might withdraw the hammer and hit you to death."

A whimper escaped from his lips.

Kagome held back a laugh. "Well, Allen-kun, it was nice knowing you." She patted his left shoulder. "I'll just be going now. Maybe I'll go find General Klaud and do some training with her." She started to walk away, but stopped when she noticed that she was no longer moving. She raised an eyebrow and looked behind her to see that Allen had reached out and grabbed onto her shirt.

His gaze was locked onto the ground and a cloud of despair had formed above his head. "Wait," he mumbled. "I'm willing to try."

Kagome grinned. "Are you sure?" She didn't want to push him in to doing anything he wasn't comfortable with. "Because if not, we can—"

"No. I'm sure." He interrupted her. "Let's go." He looked up with a serious and solemn stare.

Her grin widened. "Let's win us some money then." She said excitedly.

"Yeah, sure," he gulped, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "L-Let's go."


Allen sat at a table next to four other men. Each man had a freshly lit cigarette dangling from their lips, and were grinning widely. Their clothing had holes and stains in them, and most of them were bald.

"You ready, boy." One taunted, eyeing Allen as the others laughed.

Allen gulped. "Yes... Sir."

"Well then, let's start." The man began to shuffle the deck. Allen watched him intently, his eyes locked on the playing cards. Kagome stood off to the side and watched the other three men.

All of them were grinning, laughing once again. No doubt, she thought, they were laughing at Allen. They assumed that since he was so young, that they'd be able to win his money easily. Now it was her time to smirk. Well, they were wrong. Dead wrong.

"I can't wait to see this play out," she murmured. Before heading to the bar, she had pulled Allen into her hotel room and taught him how to really play poker; cheating as Tyki called it. Tyki was the reason that Kagome enjoyed playing the card game so much. It was one of her favourite activities to indulge in with her uncle when she returned to the manor to visit them.

"That made no sense!"'

Oh gosh, it seemed like Allen had finally started to play.

"What the heck?"

"No way!"

"How'd he do that?!"

Her ears perked up. "Looks like Allen-kun is doing well," she noted, suppressing another laugh.

Perfect.


"Allen-kun, you did wonderful. I'm so proud you." Kagome gushed and hugged his side.

"Kagome-chan," he whined, his face turning red. "Please stop. People are staring."

"So what. You won. It's worth celebrating."

"Yeah, by cheating," he hissed. Already, his stomach was doing knots. He felt bad for tricking those men out of their money. It was wrong what he did, yet, another part of him felt good. Not that he would admit that openly.

"But Allen-kun, you made more than enough to pay back General Cross. You've made almost triple of what you were originally supposed to make."

"Yeah, so." He grumbled under his breath.

"Allen-kun," she rolled her eyes. "Don't you know what you could do with the extra money?"

He looked to her and shook his head.

A sweat drop formed at the back of her head. "Allen-kun, you could go and eat at another restaurant."

"Really?" His eyes lit up. He really liked the sound of that. Heck, anything related to food always made the young boy happy.

"Yes, really." Kagome nodded with a laugh. "You would have enough for three or four rounds of food."

His eyes widened with each word she spoke.

Kagome could tell that he was already excited.

"That's the spirit." She clasped her hands together. "Now, go give that money to General Cross and make sure to put extra you earned somewhere else. You deserve that money. You won it fair and square."

"Kagome," he smiled. "Thanks."

"Hey." She grinned. "What are friends for?"

"Friends," he repeated like it was a foreign word. "We're friends?" His tone of voice was so hopeful, so excited.

Kagome couldn't help but smile wider than before. "That's right, Allen-kun. We're friends and don't you forget it, okay?"

She offered him a hand.

He raised an eyebrow but complied. "Friends."

"The best of friends," Kagome corrected him.

"Best friends then." A light shade of pink dusted his cheeks. "I like the sound of that."

"So do I, Allen-kun. So do I."