the last request

chapter15

"So, Allen, you're saying that Lou Fa, the scientist we just so happened to send with you to get this Innocence, happened to be the accommodator for it all along?" Komui said, raising an eyebrow at Allen, who refused to look at Komui. This fact didn't escape the science chief's notice, who kept talking in the hopes that Allen would look up at least once. It was kind of strange to see the boy acting so melancholy.

Allen nodded, although he still refused to look at the chief, and Lou Fa, who looked extremely worried about Allen, was holding the Innocence, and glancing around as if trying to find something that would help. When she could find nothing, she instead put a hand on Allen's shoulder, hoping that maybe it would help. She was wrong. Allen merely shrugged her hand off, and looked up at Komui briefly, his now mismatched eyes dull, lacking the sparkle that they usually held in them.

"Well…" Komui sighed, shrugging his shoulders and taking a sip of his coffee. "I've certainly heard of stranger things happening where Innocence is concerned. Let's take her down to Hevlaska and have her Innocence checked for synchronization rate. Allen, you're free to go. Perhaps you should consider getting some rest."

Allen flopped down on his bed, face down in the pillow. His conversation with Lou Fa had really brought up some nasty memories. He knew that by all rights, he should feel fine. But it was a little embarrassing to know how misguided her opinion of him was.

You're really amazing…

She had said that to him so honestly. Her eyes had been positively alight with admiration that he didn't feel he deserved, that he never felt that he deserved. He had been cursed his entire life, even before he got that scar. He was abandoned by his parents, was responsible for the death of Allen (his dog), Mana died protecting him, and then he added insult to injury by bringing him back as an Akuma. He got that curse scar from Mana, he got stuck with the worst master alive, he couldn't save his friend in India. No matter how many Akuma he slew, it was never enough, he could never even come close to destroying all of them, and Kanda's death, and those of the other Third Exorcists was entirely his fault. It was like everyone around him was doomed. And now, he had gone and dragged Lenalee into his cursed world by becoming involved with her.

Just as he started thinking about Lenalee, though, there was a knock on the door. Allen looked up, but didn't say anything for a moment. There wasn't anything he really wanted to say to anyone, except maybe to apologize. The knocking was persistent, though, and after a few times, he sighed and answered, telling them to come in.

Lenalee smiled gently as she walked in, and sat down next to Allen, putting a hand around his shoulders and pulling him in for a hug. Allen didn't move, but also didn't resist her pull.

"Allen-kun… You've been acting strange ever since you got back. Lou Fa's noticed it, too. She's worried about you. I'm worried about you, too."

"You shouldn't waste your time worrying. It'll only cause you trouble. I've been cursed from the start. And everyone close to me is doomed to share my curse."

"What are you talking about? I worry about you because of your curse. You're so devoted to this cause that I'm afraid that the Earl will kill you, but you'll be so embroiled in the battle that you won't even realize you're dead!"

"Ahaha…" Allen laughed, smiling weakly. "That would be good. Maybe I'd be able to finish my mission before my time is finally up, then."

"You see! You're not even concerned about your own life! Do you not care if you die! Does your own life mean nothing to you! You're so kind and considerate of everyone else, but when it comes to yourself, you only stop long enough to eat and sleep!" Lenalee cried, gripping Allen tightly and shaking him vigorously.