Author's note: We have now entered the Ghost of Mater Arc so like the anime and manga this chapter is split into parts, so this chapter is part one. I would like to give my beta Hanashi o suru a massive thank you for being awesome!
Disclaimer: See Prologue
It's been a couple of days since Allen and Link had arrived at the European branch of the Black Order. For the first time in what felt like forever, Allen was finally able to dress himself without Link or Apocryphos assisting him. Seriously, he wasn't handicap, god dammit! Adjusting his vest, and tying his ribbon under his crisp white button down, Allen looked at himself in the mirror, pleased with his overall appearance.
A knock on the door alerted Allen of someone there, and he rolled his eyes, before letting his guard enter. "Good morning, Walker."
"Good morning, Link." Allen greeted in turn. "What's that on your arm?"
"I was called by Komui to retrieve this for you."
"Okay…but what is it?" The German male held out what Allen soon realized with anticipation and excitement was a coat.
His coat.
His very own Exorcist coat. It was almost surreal, if he was being honest. Would Apocryphos be proud if he ever got the chance to show off the new piece of attire? "When you're not on missions, you can simply walk around the Order in your casual attire."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, okay."
"Walker."
"What?"
"Please do not space out." Link sighed.
The younger chuckled in embarrassment, but became somber, as he spoke aloud his thoughts, "Link I miss Apocryphos…do you think he's alright?"
"I'm sure he is." Link quietly said. "I'm also sure he misses looking after you…and speaking of, are you going to leave your hair like that?"
"Well…I was gonna tie it back…"
"What that hair? No way!" Both men jumped not having realized someone had heard some of the conversation.
"L-Lenalee?"
"Sorry, sorry…didn't mean to fighten you. I just heard that you were going to leave your hair tied back. But that's such a Kanda thing though."
"…you're not going to put my hair into pigtails like yours, are you?"
"Be nice and cooperative, and I won't."
And that was how Allen Walker ended up with his hair in a half-bun with loose waves trailing down his slender frame, and how Lenalee left the duo behind with a skip in her step when she was done.
"I want to cut all this damn hair off!" Allen complained. "It's an inconvenience when it's long!"
"…we'll think about it." Link sighed, leading his fuming charge towards the canteen. He didn't see a problem with Allen having the hair he has. It was cute on him, after all.
. . - * - . .
"Good day." Link greeted the cook when they reached the front of the line.
"Well, well, if it isn't one of Lvellie's dogs." The head chef was cheery, but even Allen could feel the criticism and distrust laced in the words. "And who might you be?"
"Ah! I Allen Walker…"
"You're free to order what you wish, Walker."
Allen physically perked up at that, and looked to the chef, "Can I really?"
"A good chef never lets someone starve, hun. Now tell lil' ol' me what you want to eat. I can make just about anything your little heart desires."
"In that case…" The head chef nearly dropped his spatula, and his jaw to the ground when the white-hiared male was finished with his order. "…is something wrong?"
"You sure you can eat all that?"
"Walker holds a parasitic type Innocence." Link explained, "This is normal for him."
"Oh~! I am going to love cooking for you~!" The chef cooed, suddenly leaning over the counter, and startling Allen to back up half a step. "And you're just the cutest thing that's walked in here since Lenalee! I'm Jeryy by the way, and it's an honor to meet you~! Just gimme a little bit, and I'll have your order on hand in a jiffy~!"
"Th-thank you very much!" Allen bowed, and Link sighed.
"I just love the manners on this one~" Jeryy chuckled, before heading into the kitchen behind him.
"…I didn't get to order anything." Link realized.
"I think he knows what you would order from your previous visit here, anyway." Another chef pointed out. "But I got it anyway.'
"Appreciated…" Link sighed, doubting he was getting his breakfast that morning. "I think…"
No sooner did the duo begin to search for a place to sit, did Allen take notice of a familiar man with long hair, and a sour attitude. He was being confronted by a group of men and women who all wore off-white coats.
Finders, right? Allen wondered.
"Finders." Link said, answering Allen's unasked question. "Seems like a skirmish."
"You wanna repeat that?" A large Finder asked in fury, "We've lost so much of our own, and you just sit there like a king!"
Kanda clucked his tongue in annoyance, not giving the upset man so much a side glance. "Shut up, would you?" He said, placing his chopsticks down, "You guys are ruining my appetite by sobbing and having a memorial for the dead behind me while I eat."
"Why you…! How could you say something like that about our fallen comrades who died while on duty!?" The larger of the Finders was furious, and Allen supposed he would be to, put into that man's position. "We Finders risk our lives trying to support you Exorcists…and yet…YOU'RE UPSET ABOUT LOSING YOUR APPETITE?!"
His fist was raised, reading to strike the stoic Japanese man. It looked as though he would hit him, however, the Finder had missed his target when the sword-wielding Accommodator had easily dodged without so much as looking.
Amazing…was that from training while blindfolded? Allen wondered in awe.
In that same instant, Kanda had then managed to grab the much taller man by the throat, grasping it in a steely vice grip. "You're support us?" Kanda snidely asked, a cocky smirk on his face, "Wishful thinking. That's all you idiots can do. You're rejects who didn't get chosen by the Innocence." His grip tightened, the aura of death was felt throughout the entire canteen. Everyone could only stand by and watch, unsure how to approach the scenario before them. "If you want to survive, then leave. There are tone of replacements for your puny life."
"Walker! Get back here!" He heard the weird man call out the name before a hand suddenly grasped his wrist with the left hand that was the younger's Innoence.
"That's enough." Allen sternly told the elder, "Sorry to intrude, but I don't think that's a proper way to speak to someone."
Kanda turned his attention to the younger, annoyed. "Get off me, moyashi."
Moyashi? The hell is that? "My name is Allen."
Unamused with the retort, Kanda clucked his tongue, "I'll remember you, if you're still alive in a month." He had a sarcastic smile as he spoke. "They drop like flies here. Just like this guy—"
He ceased speaking when the grip on his wirst suddenly strengthened, squeezing it to the point where it was on the verge of actually hurting. It was enough, however, to cause Kanda to release his hold on the Finder's throat. "DIdn't I just say that's now the way to talk to someone?"
"Walker, that is quite enough." Link chided his charge.
"Link, I can't let that guy say things like that about the Finders!" Allen argued. "They're as important as us, or anyone else in the Order!"
"And you can say that after only being here a short while?" Link asked, intrigued. The younger blinked, but shrugged.
"Che. You're gonna die before your time, kid." Kanda spoke up, causing Allen to look back at the Japanese male, whose wrist he still held in that same almost-paintful grip. "I hate guys like you."
"Then the feeling is mutual." Allen coldly stated, otherwise releasing Kanda from his grip, but didn't cease glaring at the taller.
"What on Earth is going on in here?" Lenalee's voice rang, out, and Allen almost flinched. He was still a little annoyed that Lenalee wanted to style his hair…much like Link and Apocryphos had in the past before her.
"I don't know if it's wise to be this close to them, Lenalee…" Reever muttered, hiding behind the Chinese girl as well as he could, given her smaller frame.
"It's perfectly fine." Claimed the only female, "Komui wants to see you two…erm, I guess it's actually three in his office."
Link and Allen looked to eachother, before looking to Kanda, and back to Lenalee. "Us…?" Allen ucertainly asked.
. . - * - . .
Whilst the trio that had been around the Order the longest led the way, Allen and Link trailed just far enough behind to speak without anyone picking up on their conversation.
Or one-sided argument, as that was what really going on.
"What the hell were you thinking Walker?" Link hissed, "If Apocryphos were here I wouldn't know what would have happened. You're only lucky that we aren't in Central. Undoubtedly, you would've been chained to the bed and not allowed to leave for an indefinitely amount of time. What do you say for yourself?"
Allen, unable to look at Link, decided to otherwise ignore him. He had his own personal problems right then and there. I've never known to hate a guy like him. But something's off with that guy! Like there's some form of tragedy? Gah! That stupid BaKanda!*
It wasn't much longer before the group had made their way to Komui's office. As soon as they all entered the space, Allen was quick to note that it looked like a bomb hit it. Or perhaps a tornado was more accurate. Allen was genuinely curious to know if there really was a floor holding this mess up.
Everywhere the eye could see, papers covered almost every visible surface, and books were stacked along walls and the desk. Despite the disorderly appearance, it was a very welcome change to the younger who spent the last three years of his life in a place that was too…clean.
"Chief. Hey, chief." Reever was gently shoving Komui's shoulder, but finding no luck. Groaning in annoyance he smacked the supervisor in the head, getting no response.
"Uh…heavy sleeper?" Allen asked.
Link sighed in response.
Reever held up a finger up, telling the trio to wait a moment. "Hey, I heard Lenalee is getting married."
Straight away Komui woke up and instantly started to threaten Lenalee's so-called fiancé. But then anger turned to displeasure and the upset older Lee sibling began bawling, clinging to his little sister.
"GEEZ! ENOUGH!" Lenalee scolded, kicking her brother off her. Komui whimpered as he fell to the ground in a mushy heap.
The boys were all pale, keeping a fair distance from the Chinese girl. No one wanted to be on the receiving end of Lenalee's wrath. When everything was calm again, everyone in serious mode. Documents were given out, and Komui, hiding his injury under his hat, began to explain the mission to Allen, Kanda, and Link.
"In southern Italy in a small town called Martel, we've heard from finders that innocence might be there as there are many Akuma around." Komui was saying.
"What type of innocence is it?" Asked Link
"We haven't the slightest clue." Komui shrugged, "But you'll find out on the mission~!"
"Our…own missions?" Allen questioned, hoping he wasn't assuming what was to come with his fear."
"You'll be paired with Kanda on this mission."
"I CAN'T/WON'T WORK WITH THAT IDIOT!" Both Allen and Kanda snarled out. They glared at each other, before storming out of the office.
"Supervisor, are you certain it's a good idea for them to be on the same mission?" Link asked.
"Well, you'll be there, so it's fine~"
"Brother…" Lenalee sighed. "Good luck, though…I think you'll need it."
Link could only sigh.
. . - * - . .
Bags were packed, and coats were donned. They left the Order for their first mission as a group, Link only praying nothing ill would become of his charge.
They met up with their Finder, however, greetings were cut short as their train began to leave without them, and all four had to chase after the speeding transportation.
"Go faster, baka moyashi!" Kanda barked as they all but flew through the air. Allen was reading the reports, though it was difficult with rushing air forcing the papers to flutter in his grasp.
"There's one thing I don't understand!" Allen yelled over the breeze
"Walker, there's a time and place for reading those specs, but this isn't it!" Link scolded.
"Our train is right there!" Their accompanying Finder called out, "Be prepared for a rough landing!"
"Huh? WAH!" They landed on the roof of the train car, none being able to really keep their balance with the fast-moving vehicle. "H-Hopping on a train…"
"It's nothing unusual." Their escort nonchalantly told the youngest in the group.
"Good fucking job, you annoying brat." Kanda grumbled, pulling open the emergency hatch, and jumping into the train car. Toma and Link followed suit, and Allen was last to enter.
As the quartet began to enter from above, the ticket master was quick to confront them, "You can't be here! This is the first class car. All other passengers need to be in the second class car." He explained to the apparent intruders, "Besides, you can't even enter from there…"
"We're from the Order." Toma calmly explained, "Please prepare us a cabin."
"The Black—?" It wasn't until Kanda stood from his drop where the man noticed the crest over his left breast of his uniform. "I'll arrange one immediately!"
"Um…what's that about?" Allen asked as he dropped from the upper doorway.
"The Rose Cross on your chest grants us entry just about everywhere in the name of the new world allegiance." The Finder explained.
Allen looked to the silver cross on his own coat, "Oh…" This wasn't something he could say he was exactly used to…was this going to be a common thing?
"By the way…I'm Toma, a Finder. I will accompany you to Mater, it's a pleasure to meet you."
After the whole mess was cleared up, Toma, Allen, Kanda and Link were led to an empty room where the trio sat within, whilst Toma waited outside.
"So, about my question earlier…?" Allen spoke up, unsure of whether or not it was a good idea to start a conversation with the Japanese man before him. "What does this mysterious legend have to do with the Innocence?"
"Che."
"At least try to be a little more civil." Link chided. "Honestly."
"I don't want to hear shit from you, twin mole." Kanda sneered.
"Refrain from calling me such."
Link's comment went to deaf ears for the most part, as Kanda's attention was directed to Allen, "The Innocence, for the most part, they've been altered into different forms since the great Flood. Probably originally from somewhere on the ocean floor."
Wait…he's actually explaining it to me? Allen wondered in awe.
Link picked up when Kanda paused, "More accurately, the Innocence's mysterious powers may be guiding them, but humans end up finding the majority of them, hence they don't exist in their orginal form."
"They always come some sort of unexplainable phenomenon." Kanda picked up, side-glaring at the German male. "For some reason—"
"so, the Innocence might be the cause of the 'Ghost of Mater'?" Allen interrupted, appearing to get it.
"Yeah." Kanda affirmed.
"'Whenever there's a mysterious phenomenon, there's an Innocence'." Link recited. "This would be exactly why Finders are sent to investigate every suspicious location—"
"If the probability of there being Innocence are high, they send us." Kanda finished. He then eyed Allen suspiciously, "And your sorry excuse of a general taught you none of the basics?"
"Erm…actually…" Allen looked to Link wondering if he should continue. Link shrugged. He'd let Allen use his own judgment. Sighing, Allen turned his attention to Kanda again, "Can you promise to keep this from anyone else?"
"The fuck?"
"Please!"
"Che. What secret could you possibly have that—"
"I…have the heart." Allen whispered, deciding against speaking loud enough, in case their Finder would hear. "I can hear the thoughts and emotions of any Innocence I'm in close enough proximity of."
"What."
"He does speak the truth." Link told the Japanese Exorcist, "It's the reason I was sent along side him to the Black Order."
The rest of the ride was left with the heavy veil of silence.
Author's note two: I've used a couple of Japanese terms
Moyashi- Beansprout
BaKanda- Stupid/idiot Kanda
… … … …
Note from the Beta: On the other hand, I wonder how many people don't already know what 'moyashi' and 'BaKanda' would be…if you've known this series for a while, then obviously you kinda know already what those two things means. Fun fact, one of the first phrases I said aloud to my siblings was 「僕がもやしじゃないよ！」Because for some reason they called me a beansprout. (.-.); They didn't yet know I was watching DGM at the time.
^^ anyway~! As always thank you for reading and have a happy week! V(^_^)V