Hey, guys! Thanks for the anime you suggested. I'm watching them one by one and I like it! Yep, I already watched 07 Ghost and Detective Conan. I hope there's season two for the anime 07 Ghost. I'm tired of waiting for the manga's new chapter. And Pandora's Heart! I don't like the ending.

Here's the new chapter for today.

Enjoy!

: )

Night Eight

Walker...

That was Mana's last name. He was the one who named Allen as Allen upon insisting. He never thought of giving Allen his last name which is Walker and never talked about it. How could he give some random child his name? He just took Allen to be his companion and probably to be his dog's replacement for crying out, however, he taken a liking on Allen and soon treated him like his own son and loved him the way he was. But he never said nor allowed Allen to use his name Walker.

And now, Cross asked himself why he said it was fine for Allen to use Mana's name. Was it because Mana took him in or the fact that the 14th, Mana's younger brother, resided in him?

That, he'll never know...

Now that he thought about it, he realized that Allen had nothing to call mine.

Well, nothing as of now, but someday... Cross knew that he will find it which he could call mine.

oOo

Cross rested his chin on his left hand as he was leaning on the window watching the greens and woods outside as the train moved fast forward. He was currently in one of the compartments of train with his apprentice, Allen. The sun was setting and by the time they reach the next stop, it would be night fall, yet no one dared to break the silence that loomed between them. He decided to peaked and looked across him where Allen sat.

Oh, great. He's asleep. Didn't notice it. He said to himself mentally and sighed, seeing that awkward position Allen was in, Cross got out of his seat and sat beside Allen. He gently grabbed the boy's shoulders and had him laid on his back and head on Cross' lap. It would take some hours before the next stop, so Cross made up his mind to take a nap. Timcanpy, who was silently watching the two from across them, flapped his wings and perched on his Master's head to rest.

oOo

The sun was nowhere to feel its warm as the night came. There were no stars nor moon since it was a cloudy night. Just then, a screeching sound was heard and a bell rang as the train pulled to a stop. Passengers came out of the exits one by one, careful of each step as to not to trip over something or bump into someone. Those who had kids with them were mindful, afraid to lose them in the crowd. Soon, Cross and Allen made it out.

The town is still far, so they ride in carriage to reach there. There were a lot of travellers that time and it was hard to look for an inn where there is still a vacant room for them. Luckily, they found one after almost an hour of searching. The inn they found wasn't expensive, yet not too cheap. It doesn't look good though, but enough to call it a day. When they reached their designated shared room, the rain poured.

"We're lucky to make it on time, Master." Allen said as he entered their shared room from the bathroom after changing clothes into pyjamas.

"You're right. Or else we might have soak ourselves." he replied upon taking off his cloak. "I'm going to change." he said once he was at the door. He opened it and closed behind him.

Allen sat on his bed, looking around the room then his eyes landed on Timcanpy that was on the bed across him.

"Hey, Tim." Timcanpy turned his head towards him. "Why are you so big?" he asked out of curiosity and was surprised when Timcanpy opened his mouth and inside were bottles of wine and packs of cigarettes.

"Oh, figures." Allen sweat dropped.

oOo

The next morning, Allen found himself washing the mountain of dishes in the kitchen.

"Hey, kid. Wash this." the woman in charge said as another tower of plates landed by his side. Allen, looking up at the top most of the plates that were piled up, sighed heavily at the not so wonderful sight. How did he end up here anyway?

Let's go back about 30 minutes ago.

"Allen, hurry up." leaning on the closed door, Cross called from the outside of the room. He was waiting for Allen to finish up his belongings and packed.

"I'm coming, Master!" Allen yelled from the inside to inform his Master Cross. He slung his sling bag, got Timcanpy and put him on the sling and scrambled out. Cross heard the sounds and casually pushed himself off the door and stepped out of the way for Allen.

"Let's go and get something to eat." he said and walked off. Allen followed him out.

They wondered on the streets for ten minutes before they come into a restaurant. Cross went in first followed by Allen who struggled a little because of Timcanpy's wiggling. There aren't many people inside during that time so it wasn't hard to find a suitable table for two. Cross chose the table for two that was on the right side near the wall. Allen followed his Master up to it and sat. Cross looked up, called the waitress who was busily talking to one of the customers, and asked for the menu. The waitress walked up to their table and offered them the menu. Cross ordered a simple breakfast consisting of bacon and egg and coffee while Allen… well, this was the first time Cross witnessed Allen ordered at least five sets of what Cross had ordered and an iced tea,

And guess what happened next after they ate.

The waitress came and gave Allen the bill. Allen took it. It was quite of the amount, so he asked, "Master, it's 330 all." He said without sparing a glance at the man.

"…"

"Master, it's-" Allen cut his sentence when he looked up to face his Master and found out that the said man wasn't there anymore. "Where is he? He was just here a moment ago." Allen averted his eyes to the waitress who smiled back at him. "Did you see where Master went?"

"Unfortunately no and I haven't noticed him at all."

"Hm… that's weird. I know he was here when you came." He pondered. "Wait here a moment, please. I'm going out to look for my Master." He said as he stood when he felt a hand grabbed the back of his collar. He didn't know why but he felt shivers run down his spine. Looking over his shoulders, he felt sweat beads cascading down his head then he paled. The waitress looked at him with eye piercing gaze, a grin that will put evil to shame, hair strands waved in a scary manner, and a flame of purple fading in black emitted from behind.

And now Allen found himself in the kitchen washing towers and towers of plates clattering here and there.

oOo

Allen made it out alive and was currently searching for his Master.

Allen never thought that it would happen again. He did wash plates before when he was still working at the circus, but not when he was with Mana as they ate at the restaurant.

"Mana…" Allen whispered. Whenever his thoughts landed on the man, he felt himself empty inside. He really missed him so much that he could cry, but no tears would come out no matter what. Will he cry if he hurt himself physically? He'll never know unless he tries, however, he won't dare to thinking that he would bother his Master again. His heart ached when another memory of the man popped on his mind. Mana was laughing and he was scowling. They were really total opposites. The man was trying his best to make people and kids laughed as he was a clown while his little charge was trying his best to shove people away with his scowl that never leaves his face. Allen hated the clowns while the clown hated the kids who don't laugh.

But they loved each other.

Allen sighed and looked up the vast blue sky. "I really miss you so much, Mana and it hurts so much whenever I think of you. Why does it hurt so much, Mana? I always thought of the good memories we have, yet my chest feels so tight and it hurts to breath. Why? Shouldn't I be happy thinking of those happy memories? I want to cry Mana. You said that it'll help me release my frustrations, but… I can't… I can't cry, Mana." Allen looked down on his feet, shadows covered his eyes.

"Mana…" his voice quivered, hands formed into fists.

"What are you talking about, kid?"

Allen, surprised at the sudden voice from behind, held his head up and saw his Master hovering over him with…

"A woman…?"

And just his luck.

Later that night, Allen found out that Cross planned his escape that morning and used his money for wine, gambling, and women. Now, Allen made up his mind not to rely on his Master regarding the money and started to work for them to survive the day.

"When will I start to train anyway…?" lying his back on the bed, Allen asked himself as he stared at the ceiling.

Will Allen have a proper training? Or will Cross train him? Or train himself?

Thanks for reading, please review!

See you!

#CBA