OHMYGAHD! I hate it when people freaking chew with their mouths open while eating crunchy food...gr. So yeah, it's so hard to update this because so many people are around my house now and I hate it when people watch me write .I just get really paranoid. Anyways, getting so excited with all the new reviewers-legit man! Sorry if you don't like that word. That's one of my favorite words if you didn't see that on my profile lol! Speaking of my profile...that poll is still just waiting for you to click your little mouse on it! ;3 Voters so far: 25! I believe there should be like 150 votes since you can choose 6 different choices but there's like 106 votes on there o.O should I add more choices or something? Oh well, it took me for-ev-er to finally find the name of this character I'm going to put in here! I forgot his freaking name because he was only mentioned for a little bit in the anime but he must've been really nice to be Allen's friend, ne? ^-^ Warning: He's even more cooler than Suman and hopefully I can end the whole LinkxAllen thing in this chapter. If not, it'll end in the next chapter-PROMISE! Anyways, don't forget to vote for the poll!
Link had officially given up on following Allen around all day. He would disappear somewhere to clean and reappear within seconds for clothes. Link would think that Cross was a strict, uptight, and tidy man from the way Leverrier described him, but his hypothesis was dead wrong. His entire house was a mess and Allen was running around, cleaning his heart out...quite literally. Allen took all his stress out by cleaning; and since Cross was quite a carefree person, his house was a pig sty. He said nothing when they walked in and only snorted when Link attempted to follow Allen around. It was quite embarrassing to say the least. So they sat separately as Allen ran around.
"May I ask why he's cleaning your house?" Link asked, hoping for some useful information. Cross blew out smoke in Link's direction like he did every time someone spoke to him. Except for women of course. Link coughed a bit, scrunching up his face.
"You won't find any information about him working for the Akuma if that's what you're looking for. He just cleans to relieve stress." Cross replied. That must be why his house is so clean...Link thought.
For the entire day, Allen cleaned Cross' house and it slowly came to life as he threw all the unnecessary trash away, threw the dirty clothes lingering around in the laundry room, did the dishes, swept the floors, organized the movies and books, dusted the TV and other objects, and so much more. Link had watched him with amazement. He had never seen anyone clean so fast. Allen stopped to make sure Link was still there before continuing on. He had almost hoped that Link would've just left, but he knew that that wouldn't happen. Cross didn't say anything as he watched the young teen clean, but he was interested in what got Allen so stressed out in the first place. Allen ran to the laundry room after hearing the dryer beep. Cross knew he'd be in there for awhile so he decided asking Link what was bugging Allen.
"What's got the brat so stressed out anyhow?" Cross asked, grumbling.
"I cannot say for sure, but I think it has something to do with Lavi. They must have gotten in a fight of some sort." Link replied.
"You can't say for sure? Don't you follow the kid around 24/7?" Cross asked.
"I know when to give someone their privacy." Link mumbled.
"Really? I thought you were serious about your work?" Cross smirked at him.
"I am, but-" Link started and stopped when Allen entered the room and face planted the floor on purpose. He was so tired after cleaning Cross' entire house. Cross seemed satisfied though.
"That idiot neighbor of yours giving you a hard time?" Cross guessed-not technically but it sounded like a guess. Allen just nodded his head into the carpet. Allen rolled over so he could stare at the ceiling and watch the fan go around and around. It was at that moment that Cross' phone started ringing...a very inappropriate ringtone.
Hey, you're crazy bitch
But you fuck so good, I'm on top of it
When I dream, I'm doing you all night
Scratches all down my back to keep me right-
The phone stopped ringing when Cross answered it. Link gave Cross an incredulous look and looked to Allen, only to see that he wasn't fazed at all by Cross' unnecessary ringtone. He only wondered if that was just Cross' ringtone, or if he set it for a certain person...now that thought, was scary-because Cross did not have one lover at a time. Allen was surprised he hadn't died from STD's or AIDS by now. He waited until Cross was on the phone and didn't even bother listening to the conversation. Link seemed a bit suspicious but he didn't speak. The phone snapped shut and Allen looked over that time, seemingly interested all of a sudden.
"Who was that?" Allen asked. Cross narrowed his eyes at Allen.
"You weren't listening?" Cross asked instead of answering.
"Not really, I'm no eavesdropper." Allen replied.
"I'm right here, idiot apprentice, it wouldn't be considered eavesdropping." Cross growled. Allen just shrugged. Link's suspicions had furthered hearing the word apprentice come out of Cross' mouth. Why would Allen be considered his apprentice? Just what had Cross been teaching him? Was Cross involved in the Akuma gang and raised Allen-no, don't jump to conclusions now. Link told himself. "It's a surprise." Allen's expression changed into shock.
Since when did Cross gather up surprises for people who show up randomly at his house? Was this some kind of 'gift' to Allen for cleaning his house? Allen shook his head. It must be a coincidence. He was already gaining something out of cleaning Cross' house-but that didn't mean that Cross wasn't grateful to Allen, he certainly felt refreshed in his new, clean house...perhaps he should invite Anita over? Cross sighed and waited for Allen to reply to his so-called 'surprise.' He knew Allen was curious, even if Allen didn't look like he was curious Cross knew Allen was curious. It was some kind of telepathic thing between Master and Apprentice...or something.
"What do you mean a surprise?" Allen asked, rolling over on his stomach to stare at Cross.
"An old friend is coming over to see you." Cross replied, not showing any signs of doubt in his eyes. Cross was a horrible liar so Allen would be able to tell straight away if he was lying anyways.
"An old friend?" Allen asked. Cross nodded and took a sip of his alcohol after placing the cigarette he was smoking in the ashtray to let it burn out.
"Yup, you probably haven't seen him in..." Cross was moving his head to the side as if he was actually counting the years in his head. And Allen knew that Cross was a horrible counter. "Ugh, I hate counting...maybe five or six years?" Cross asked. That's around the time when Mana died, isn't it?
"You don't mean Suman, do you?" Allen asked cautiously. Cross blinked.
"Who the fuck is Suman?" He asked bluntly. Allen sweat dropped.
"Never mind then..." Allen mumbled. He tried to strain his brain to think of all the people he met after Mana had died and Cross had taken him in. He did remember that they went to India first when Cross took him in. Allen bit his lip, it was just on the tip of his tongue! But who was it?
"By the way, how's Tim doing?" Cross asked.
"He was actually out just recently messing around with another cat but he came back awhile ago." Allen replied, still bashing his mind to remember he met so long ago. Cross smirked at that. I would totally say this is a 'like father like son' kind of thing...but Timcanpy is a cat...can animals get traits from their owners? Timcanpy does act similar to Cross...hmm...Allen shook his head to rid him of the pointless thought. He needed to focus on who this mysterious friend was.
"He's probably around your age, maybe one year older." Cross said, adding to his thoughts. That actually only increased the thoughts further and Allen hated it when his mind was full. He always needed to blow off steam after that...but Allen had already cleaned as much as possible, he was even considering on painting the house because of all the scrapes of paint crumbling off the sides. The doorbell rang, cutting off all of their thoughts. Cross took his cigarette that he placed in the tray before and smoked from it. "Why don't you go answer the door, it's probably him." Cross spoke.
"Um, okay." Allen replied. He suddenly got the feeling of nervousness washing over him. He opened the door and was greeted directly with shock. A grin spread across the others face when he saw Allen's look of shock.
"Hey, Allen!" He said, smiling.
"...hi..." Allen answered lamely. Allen just wanted to face palm himself at that moment but felt too shaky and nervous to do so. He just gaped like a fish. The brunette boy chuckled before gently squeezing past Allen into the house. He turned to Cross and gave him a friendly wave. Both the boy and Cross seemed to be amused with Allen's reaction. "...but...wait...I thought you...okay, what's going on?" Allen asked, turning to Cross.
"You thought I what?" The boy asked curiously. Allen blushed at the question. How was he supposed to say that he thought his best friend was dead so they left India?
"Dead. We both thought you were." Cross answered for Allen, seeing as Allen would probably end up saying something stupid.
"Dead?! Why would I be dead?!" He exclaimed.
"Well, your sister died and after that, we didn't see you since. We were told that you were injured by a gang." Cross informed. The nineteen-year-old nodded.
"The Akuma gang, the same people who injured Allen. They found out that I had befriended Allen and acted on their own. They were the ones who killed my sister." The boy muttered. Allen gave him an apologetic look. ...so...does that mean...it's my fault his sister...is dead? Allen felt so guilty at the moment. It was like he couldn't be around anyone without someone getting hurt. I guess...it's a good thing Lavi and I aren't friends anymore...they probably would've targeted him too...Allen thought sadly. "Awe, don't look like that, Allen, it isn't your fault." Allen's friend convinced.
"Who is he?" Link demanded, pointing at Allen. He was tired of not knowing anything. Said he felt very offended. Who does this guy think he is? He thought.
"My name is Narain, who're you?" Narain asked back rudely, his dark blue eyes turning a menacing shade of expression. Allen frowned. They're already off on a bad start. Allen thought. Now Link's suspicions are even worse because Narain was involved with the Akuma. Allen sighed. Why had his life suddenly turned upside down and gave him so much stress all of a sudden?
"Link." Link replied curtly. Narain sent a glare Link's way before turning to Allen with a sad smile on his face.
"It's been too long." He said. Allen nodded in agreement. Narain could see the strain in Allen's face. "So." Narain's tone of voice changed, bringing up a new topic. "You're friends with Fou, huh?" Narain asked. Allen gave him a bizarre look.
"How do you know Fou?" He asked, surprised.
"Well you see, after you disappeared, my father had tracked you down to tell you that I was actually...not dead..." Narain said uncertainly. "We ended up taking a wrong turn and ended up in Fou's hometown. I was talking about you to my father and she overheard me. She first started off saying something about my...looks...and then she asked me how I knew you. After awhile, she finally told me where you lived and my father and I started for England...but then our car broke down in the middle of nowhere and we went through many...complications..." Narain explained somewhat confusingly. He didn't understand it himself how he could acquire such bad luck. "And that's why it took forever to get here." Narain concluded and ruffled his own messy brown hair.
"Really? Where are you and your father staying at now?" Allen asked. He started getting his hopes up-even though he knew he shouldn't-that maybe Narain didn't have a house and could stay with him for awhile. He knew he was going to be lonely now that Fou had moved out and...he wasn't exactly friends with Lavi and the others anymore. Narain sighed and wiped the sweat that gathered on his forehead.
"Actually, my father passed away a few weeks ago..." He mumbled somewhat uncomfortably. Allen felt guilt wash over him again.
"O-oh...I'm sorry for bringing it up..." Allen apologized. Narain shook his head.
"Anyways, I contacted Cross through a payphone a few days ago and that's how I ended up here after sheltering at a house nearby. I think his name was Kumio or something." Allen wanted to face palm so hard. One, it's Komui and two, he just had to shelter at Lenalee's brother's house. Perfect. Just perfect.
"Right, so you have nowhere to stay now?" Allen asked. Link gave Allen a suspicious look but Allen ignored it. He didn't care if he looked suspicious right now. He would trade anything to just not be lonely anymore. He needed the warmth of a friend to lean on and Narain was the only one he could turn to for that.
"Yeah, I heard someone was staying at your house from Cross though." Narain said, staring at Allen cautiously. Allen nodded.
"Fou moved here recently and she didn't have a house yet so she stayed at mine for a month or so. She just moved out today though." Allen informed.
"Really? That's quite a coincidence, don't you think?" Narain asked. Allen gave himself a suspicious look...however that was possible.
"It is quite a coincidence, huh? That's weird..." Allen mumbled.
"Well, this is quite a relief for me." Narain sighed in content. "We've got a lot to catch up on." Narain smiled and ruffled Allen's hair. Allen just smiled for once. "So why are you at Cross' house?" Narain asked.
"Cleaning." Allen replied.
"Cleaning?" Narain asked.
"Cleaning." Allen confirmed.
"What for?" Narain asked curiously. Allen seemed a bit iffy on answering that question.
"Just to get things off my mind." Allen replied. He looked over at Cross. "Do you have any paint?" Allen asked the man. Cross nodded towards the garage. Allen stood up.
"Oh! Can I help too?" Narain asked. Allen smiled at him.
"I don't see why not." Allen replied as he walked outside to go to the garage. Unluckily for them, Cross' garage wasn't connected to the house like Allen's was. They didn't complain though and Allen found more than enough paint for the one story house. They got to work almost immediately. After finishing the front-under Link's careful watch-they picked up their materials to start on the sides. Narain decided to strike up a conversation with his own curiosity.
"So...what are you wearing?" Narain asked. Allen looked down and realized that he hadn't changed out of his pajamas from that morning. He blushed a little.
"Oh, today's just a lazy day." Allen mumbled, blushing.
"How is it a lazy day if you're cleaning?" Narain asked, smirking.
"Just hush!" Allen said, shoving him playfully. Narain laughed and they started painting the house. They also used the mini ladders they retrieved from Cross' garage as well.
After conversing in a friendly way with his new found friend, they sprawled out in the backyard together. Allen was so...refreshed. He thought he'd be living a dull life from now on since Lavi was no longer his friend and Fou moved away. Hopefully Narain wouldn't leave him either...Narain was like a brother to him back in India and now. Narain would often help Allen with homework and studying when he schooled in India. So what if Allen wasn't completely involved in Black Order High? It's not like they liked him anyways...but because Narain was focusing on becoming a doctor someday, he could really help Allen out a lot with schoolwork and such.
The joyful aura didn't stay for long.
Allen had a really bad feeling about something. He didn't know what it was, but he knew something bad was about to happen. He sat straight up from where he was laying and laughing with Narain and said teen gave Allen a worried look. Why was Allen so afraid? Allen didn't know how he sensed it, but he knew something was wrong. He stood up as calmly as possible and felt his scar tingle as he walked in through the back door of Cross' house. It was completely silent in the house and he was sure he would at least hear Cross' normal ragged breathing he'd strain himself to hear everyday of his life-but it was quiet.
Too quiet.
Narain followed Allen inside and tensed up along with Allen. Now he knew why Allen was so afraid, he felt it too. The house shouldn't be this quiet-and what happened to Link? Wasn't he just watching them a few minutes ago? Allen just wanted to run. He didn't want anymore misery in his life but his gut was telling him to go in the living room and...do something. Was Cross in trouble? Was Link in trouble? What could he do to help? What was happening? Why was everything so quiet? Was...Cross even alive? That thought scared him to death.
"Come on in, boys." They both stiffened when they heard a mysterious voice say from the living room. No...oh God...Allen wanted to just run; but he couldn't just leave Cross behind. He was trained to protect people from the threat of The Akuma, not run away from them. Allen looked at Narain with a pained look and Narain returned the look. If they didn't do anything soon though, someone was bound to get hurt. Allen and Narain stepped forward.
"Don't come near, brat! Just get out of here!" Allen stopped when he heard Cross' voice.
"Now, now, you better be quiet or we'll have to kill you." An insane voice sang. Allen bit his lip and stepped forward. He hadn't even entered the living room when he was attacked by a member of The Akuma and thrown against a wall with his neck being squeezed to death.
"Damn it." He heard Cross growl. Narain shouted in surprise when he too had been take hostage. Not as bad as Allen though...they were all being restrained with their hands behind their back. They actually had Cross at gunpoint though. Allen raised his hands to prevent his airway from being obstructed. One of his eyes peeked open from the pain to see who his attacker was. He could barely make anything out though. Link seemed to actually be studying the situation.
"Now that we're all here." The insane voice sang.
"Fuck you." Cross snarled. The insane man seemed to ignore Cross.
"We'll have to see about you revealing the whereabouts of our favorite ex-member, ne Red?" The insane man's singing seemed to tone down as he got more serious. Allen just glared wherever he could. There was no way he would tell them. Mana died trying to protect his brother so Allen would too. The man's grip tightened around Allen's throat and he choked. "That isn't the attitude I was hoping for, Allen." The man said harshly. He pointed a gun-Cross' gun to be exact-at him. Allen wasn't afraid though. If Mana would die over something he believed in, Allen would too. "You'll tell me where he is, Allen." The man stated.
"Speak up!" The man holding Allen growled, tightening his grip further as if he was actually planning to snap Allen's neck. So they're not a part of the Akuma after all...I have my evidence...Link thought. He seemed to bite down on his teeth real hard after that thought. "Or do you want to die?!" He asked as he pulled out a switchblade. Allen's eyes widened in horror at that familiar switchblade. The insane man laughed.
"You know what that is, don't you Allen?" The man giggled maniacally. "We're warning you, Allen." The man laughed as the large man used his other hand to press the cool blade on Allen's chin. Allen's heart rate sped up. "Ah, your scar there is a bit outdated, don't you think?" That was all the man needed to start renewing the scar on Allen's head. Narain shouted at them to stop but neither listened. Allen couldn't scream because of the hand around his throat but his eyes clenched shut in pain and his grip weakened.
"You fuckers." Cross growled at them. "Sadistic bastards!" He shouted. The insane man frowned at him.
"It's his own fault he doesn't want to reveal the whereabouts of his uncle." The man said. Once the large man had successfully carved the filled in pentacle, he dragged the blade down Allen's face roughly, making the small teen cry out in pain.
"...why you..." Narain hissed, trying to break free from his grasp. The man finished the scar and dropped Allen on the floor. Allen curled up and coughed, feeling his throat with his hands. He could barely push himself up and even when he was in a somewhat sitting up position, the large man kicked him down. Allen could feel his ribs cracking and winced.
"Where is he, Allen?" The insane man sang again. Allen was just trying his best to breathe at the moment. Even if he could speak, he wouldn't tell them where he's at. The large man started getting impatient and pummeled him with his fists. Allen couldn't even fight back. They all heard a car pull in the driveway.
"Shit!" The large man exclaimed.
"We warned you, Allen. Now you've got to pay." The insane man said seriously, pointing the gun at Cross.
"D-don't!" He could barely make out the hoarse shout. Allen could barely pull himself up. The man just grinned crazily. His eyes widened in horror when he saw the man's fingers pull the trigger. In one swift movement, Leverrier and his troops filed in quickly and arrested the gang. The insane man just laughed manically. Allen coughed up blood as he tried to move. Narain swiftly ran to his side.
"Don't move Allen." Narain cooed.
"C-Cross...what...I...let...go...I h-ha-have to..." Allen looked up and tears automatically streamed down his face when he saw Cross leaning unconsciously against the wall with a bullet wound in his chest. Narain bit his lip and hugged Allen tightly.
"It's okay, Allen, it's okay." Narain tried to reassure him.
"No...I have to..." Allen groaned and clenched his fists. He couldn't even walk. The medics ran in and took Cross out on a stretcher. Allen tried standing up to see Cross, but he couldn't even sit up. All he could do was mourn.
Please...please don't die on me...
BET YOU GUYS WEREN'T EXPECTING THAT! I hope I'm not starting to rush at all :o This just corresponds with my next plan in the story...on a totally different topic, my sister asked me the weirdest question today...she's like 9. I hate her most of the time but she's alright sometimes...anyways...this was how it went: Sister: What would you do if someone called you an alien? Me: I'd laugh at their face. Sister: What would you say? Me: Nothing. I would laugh at their face and walk away. Sister: You're an alien. Me: And you're just kidding. Sister: *laughs* -end. Yeah, it was the most random question I've ever been asked before...I think...she can be cool though because I curse in front of her all the time even though my mom says not to curse until I'm 18 (xD) and she doesn't tell on me...she did when she was younger but she learned her lesson after that c; *cough* ahem *cough* anyways...thank you to the 25 voters that voted for the poll and thanks to Shirubagure, Lyokni (I agree! xD), fullmetal96100, Snipperita, MintGreenn, Katie2000, Sooo-Zetta-Slow (A 'candy striper' es alguien que se ofrece a hacer el trabajo en un hospital (sorry if I worded that wrong)), Usagi-Twins, ellarockabella, CsillaDream, smileysparklea, the3leonine, and the guest for reviewing. VoTe FoR ThE PoLL PLeAsE?
These AN's are getting too long, sorry :L