A/N: Hehe, sorry I didn't update yesterday. I wrote, I just ended up hating it, so with fresh eyes, I rewrote it today!(: And thank you to Storm VII, Takei Daloui, Lena-luvs-cats, and taelzer4 for reviewing! As always, I loved reading your comments!^-^

Please enjoy!(:

Disclaimer: In a perfect world, I still wouldn't own this, so quit making me write disclaimers! Honestly, if I had a dollar for every one of these I wrote…

Chapter 2

Time Frame — Noon of January 8th, 1896

—3rd Person POV—

~Allen~

Allen trudged along after the others, exiting his second to last class of the day—Literature—and following them out to the training grounds. So far, none of them had said anything to him; for one, their teachers were strict. Though mostly, Allen thought them to be wary of him. Personally, the white-haired boy didn't care either way. He'd been used to the scrutiny for most of his life, and even if this was for a different reason (he had yet to remove his hood and expose his odd features), he wasn't going be begin defending himself now. Especially since he didn't know if being a Walker actually meant anything (maybe Cross had just given him the name as a joke).

And if worse came to worse, he figured he could just ditch this place and return to travelling with Cross. (Demon he may be, but sadly, the man was the closest thing he'd ever had to family).

"Hey!"

Allen tensed, before flitting his gaze towards his left, eyes widening as he observed the pretty girl that strolled beside him, an endearing smile lighting up her face.

"I'm really sorry about the way the others are acting," she continued, tone apologetic, "But don't worry! Alma will be sure to knock some sense into them!"

Alma? Why does that name sound familiar? Allen wondered, brow furrowing, before recalling the files Cross had handed him before disappearing. The Second Exorcist Project…

"Ah! Sorry! I just realized I haven't even introduced myself!" the girl smiled sheepishly, and then suddenly paused mid-walk and held her hand out to shake. "I'm Lenalee Lee. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Figuring that now was as good a time as any, Allen finally tugged his hood down, eliciting a small gasp from the girl. Though funnily enough, she didn't seem all that perturbed. Allen offered her a small smile and taking her small hand in his own gloved one, he shook it as he said, "Allen Walker, though I'm sure you know that by now."

"R-right," Lenalee stammered, a little red-faced.

"Hurry it up you two!" the redhead from before called, giving them a jaunty wave. And before Allen could protest, Lenalee had taken a hold of his wrist, her grip surprisingly strong, and tugged him in the direction of the group. Allen warily exchanged glances with the other males, before they all hurried to the training grounds, where a tall, blonde woman calmly awaited them as she pet the small, furry monkey nestled on her shoulder.

"That's General Klaud Nyne," Lenalee leaned over and whispered, "She's pretty amazing and I hope you'll learn a lot from her."

"Hello everyone," the female General greeted them with a small smile. "Now, since I see we have a new Exorcist among us, why don't you get with your partners and do a little sparring. I'll be keeping an eye on you, so don't even think of messing around!"

They grumbled a bit, and Lenalee whispered a good luck, before they spread across the field. Klaud stayed true to her word and carefully observed them as she stood next to the white-haired boy. "Allen Walker was it? I heard you were referred here by General Cross," she remarked, not shifting her gaze from the others.

"Yes," Allen confirmed, while internally feeling grateful that Cross had drilled a lifetime of training into him—even if his methods were a bit unorthodox. At least now, he knew he had a chance against the angry, girly-haired Japanese guy who seemed all too willing to pummel anyone who came near him.

Lovingly stroking the monkey climbing along her arm, she inquired, "And how much is it that he taught you? I heard from Bookman that you seemed quite knowledgeable. Were you with him for long?"

This is where it got a bit more complicated. As a rule, any member of the Order who stumbled upon an Accommodator was to immediately send them on their way to either Headquarters or Rose Cross Academy. But of course, Cross had decided to wait almost ten years before following through with those orders. And though he was sure his Master could care less, it would probably be easier to keep attention away from that. "Ah, not too long," Allen replied carefully, "I was in the circus before he picked me up. He kept me around for a bit so that he could give me a rundown of everything, before sending me here." Internally, Allen cursed himself for answering so accurately during Bookman's class, but he had honestly believed the knowledge to be common sense among their kind.

"I see," the blonde murmured, "What was the circus you were in, if I may ask? I myself, was once part of one too."

He cursed silently, before calmly replying, "I don't recall. I wasn't with them for long. I only joined so that I could do a couple of odd jobs here and there and earn some cash."

"Did you not have a family to help you?"

Ah, so that's what this is about. They think I'm somehow related to Neah… "No, I've been alone for as long as I can remember."

Klaud hummed in response, before finally turning to him. "Do you already have your Innocence weapon?"

Allen smirked. "Of course. In fact, Cross taught me a bit about how to use it."

Her violet eyes widened in surprise. "That useless man?" she chuckled, "I'm surprised he tried as hard as he did. You must be something special. Now, how about we test it out?"

Confidently, Allen activated his Innocence.

A/N: Hey, if anyone has any snazzy ideas for this story, don't be afraid to tell me! I can't guarantee I'll be able to include everything, but I'm willing to listen and see if I can somehow fit anything in!(:

Review!(: