Allen Walker shivered as he strode towards a dingy store on the corner where two streets collided.

His gray scarf waving in the air behind him.

It was a dismal day in December and light snow fell like weightless white feathers from the sky.

It was a day and age where slavery was rampant in the cities.

And that was precisely what Allen was there for.

"Mr. Walker! How are you this December afternoon?" said the clerk rather cheerily—most likely hoping for a tip with purchase.

"I'm fine, and you?" The white haired boy replied—just to be polite.

"Good! Good! Now what are you looking for today?"

"Just browsing."

"I see, I see, tell me if you need anything yes?"

"Of course." Allen wandered off into the hallways where there were cages with full grown men inside. Some looked scary, others—emaciated, and some that looked perfectly pissed off.

Allen paused at a cage where there were captivating dark blue eyes that pierced his own gray eyes.

"Good day. May I ask your name?"

"Tch."

Allen frowned.

"I asked for a name." he said—beginning to get slightly intimidated from the older looking man.

"Oh, that would be #0456. Kanda Yu. Mr. Walker." Said the clerk hurriedly.

"Hmm. Yuu eh?"

"It's Kanda idiot." growled the boy.

"I'll take him." Allen said calmly, pointing to who was known as "Kanda".

"Oh, but Sir Walker! He is not a very cooperative slave, there are plenty other slaves out there that are perfectly obedient, and loyal. This one is a little…off."

"Didn't I tell you I wanted this one?" Allen muttered—aggravated.

"Why...Why of course Sir Walker. But you understand we have no return policy."
warned the clerk—who was surprised at the tenacity of his customer.

"Are you questioning my decision?" Allen murmured dangerously.

Of course, he was only doing this so the clerk wouldn't try to pull anything over his eyes.

He was told that if you acted like you meant business, then you are less likely to be hoodwinked.

"O-Of course not Sir Walker sir." The clerk said—his voice growing more nervous by the second as he reached for his keys with a shaking hand.

He opened the cage, and reached out to the older boy inside.

"Tch." The boy chided as he slapped the hand away and got out himself.

He stood surprisingly still as the choke chain was attached to his neck.

The clerk handed Allen the chain.

"That would be $40,000 dollars."

Allen simply wrote a quick bank note and tipped the man $20.

"Would you like me to throw in an extra leash? Or maybe some shackles? Or
perhaps a leather whip? I'll sell 'em to you cheap."

"No thanks."

"Thank you Mr. Walker, you have a good day."

"You too." Allen said, leading the older boy out of the store.

The two exited with a jingle.

"On your knees." Allen said calmly.

"Tch. Like I'd listen to an idiot sprout like you."

"Hey. I bought you for 40 grand. I own you. Now kneel." Allen commanded—still shaking inside.

Kanda rolled his eyes and kneeled. Better to do what he said before he ran away.

Again.

But Kanda's eyes widened for a split second as the thin white-haired boy leaned over to release him of his chain.

"Chains are for animals and vulgar things like that." He said disgustedly.

Kanda stood slowly—evidently speechless.

What kind of master was this?