Undertaker's Apprentice

Chapter Nine: Recovery

    It had been two weeks since Halona was reunited with Undertaker. The first few days he let her have a break from training, which was understandable. Once they started again, the fiery rage that once burned in her dark brown eyes went out. She made no effort to fight, learn, even to make a joke or crack a small smile.

    How undertaker missed her smile. Halona's smile always brightened up his dark day. Even when it was fake, he would give anything just to make her smile.

    Unfortunately, the once happy and cheerful girl was no longer herself. Every night she would scream and cry in her sleep. Undertaker would have to hold her down and try to wake her up. 

    The rain seemed to cry for her ever since that night she was taken. Day and night it rained, as if the sun was too afraid to shine its bright beautiful light.

    Undertaker found Halona sitting next to a window, staring out into the town.

     "Drip, drip, drop." Halona muttered to herself. Her face was emotionless. As if all life had been drained from her body. He could no longer see her soul in her eyes. All she was now was just a meat sack.

    "Drip, drip, drop." She muttered again. Suddenly there was a large clap of loud thunder.

     Usually, Halona would run into Undertaker's arms when she heard the sound of thunder. He would hold her tightly, let her know she was safe, the familiar smell of his robe helped calm her. This time, she didn't even flinch.

    Undertaker hated to see her like this. He knew that she wanted to start a new life. That she wanted to leave the past behind, but her history seemed to follow her everywhere. The old man sighed and walked up to her.

    "Halona, my dear, you haven't eaten all day. Want me to cook you something?" He asked. Halona slowly shook her head, not looking into his green glowing eyes.

     "No, I'm not hungry." She said blankly.

    "Are you sure? You really should eat-"

    "I said I'm not hungry!" She snapped, her gaze warning him not to push or there would be blood shed. She stood up straight, staring into his soul. Undertaker took a step back, surprised at her outburst. Halona took a deep breath and sat back down.

    "I'm not hungry Undertaker." She stated calmly. The old man shook his head, the rain beat faster onto the roof, causing a leak in the ceiling.

    A drop of rain water fell on Halona's soft caramel face. Right below her eye, making it seem as if she were crying.

    "Halona, I know it was hard. That whole experience was traumatizing. But that's over now! You're safe my child." A creepy laugh escaped her lips. This laugh shook Undertaker to the bone.

    "Safe? Heh, sorry to tell you this but we're never safe. There's always gonna be someone who's gonna get you. Someone who wants to hurt you. So how are we safe?" She asked, looking deep into his eyes. Undertaker sighed, he walked over to her and brushed her hair out of her face, revealing her scar. Halona flinched but didn't resist.

    "Oh my child. You've been through so much. There are people who will want to cause you harm, yes. But there are people who will want to protect you, who care about you very much. Who love you and don't want to hurt you at all. My dear, I may be old, but I will make sure that anyone who hurts you will pay." Halona's eyes had watered up after hearing his words.

    "But...anyone who tries to protect me, ends up dying." She said softly. Undertaker bent down to her level.

    "It's a risk I'm willing to take." He said giggling and petting her head. Without hesitation Halona pulled Undertaker into a tight embrace. She cried into his chest as he held her close.

    "Father.." She whispered. Undertaker was shocked that she would refer to him as her father. Though in their situation he would be the father figure.

    "Yes my child, I will be your papa if you want me to." He said, looking down at her.

    Halona looked up at the old man confused.

    "Papa? What's papa?" She asked. Undertaker giggled and pet her head.

    "Its another word for father." He explained.

    "Papa." Halona said, trying out the new word. She smiled and looked up at him.

    "Papa, I like it! You're my papa now!" She exclaimed happily. Undertaker laughed and hugged her tightly.

    The loving moment was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Halona quickly hid as the young earl walked in.

    "Undertaker! I require your assistance." Ciel walked in with his butler.

   "Of course my lord! But first, you know what I want." Undertaker said, followed by a small giggle. The young boy sighed and looked at his butler.

    "You know what to do." He said. Sebastian bowed and looked at Undertaker.

    Halona heard the sound of the old man's psychotic laughter. She peeked from her hiding place to see the boy again. His voice was cold, she could tell he had seen alot. Suddenly she felt her cheeks burning.

    "There, now will you tell us about the victim?" Ciel asked. Undertaker told them everything, once they left he found Halona hiding in one of the coffins.

    "You can come out now." He giggled. Halona didn't move, she was hiding her blushing face. Undertaker noticed this and let out a howl of laughter.

    "Oh my dear! Do you fancy the Phantomhive boy?" He asked. Halona quickly shook her head, too quickly.

    "Yes you do! I can see it in your eyes!" Halona hid her face once again. Undertaker pulled her out of the coffin and laughed.

    "You strange child. Oh! I forgot!" Halona looked at him in confusion as he pulled out a large box.

    "I got this specially made for you." He said, pulling out a small top hat exactly like Undertaker's. Halona squealed and snatched it from his bony hands. She put on the hat to find it was a perfect fit.

    "Thank you papa I love it!" She shouted with glee. Undertaker still wasn't used to her calling him 'papa', but in a couple of years he would learn to love it.