Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own DGM, all rights go to Katsura Hoshino.

Kanda and I had begun our journey once more, once in a while taking breaks for me when my body was too weak or became fatigued. It was odd, having Kanda take care of me and worry about me the way that he did. I found it interesting, seeing the type of person he usually was with a scowl and glare full of disgust, and then see it almost turn a 180 so suddenly. It felt like a dream.

Kanda took my hand as we climbed over a hill, having slipped a couple of times due to the loose mud, "Moyashi, have a look" he gestured with his head and then looked to where he wanted me to.

My eyes looked in the direction he pointed and I swore I could feel my heart skip a beat. A Village! "Kanda we found it!" I exclaimed and looked to him with a big grin.

Kanda turned to me and gave a small smirk "ah, what a shame we couldn't spend more time in the wilderness together." He teased me and then began to head back down the other way from the top of the hill.

I could feel my cheeks heat up "I-Idiot! Don't say such embarrassing things!" I spat, beginning to follow him down. Kanda got down with ease, but I found myself struggling…again. The dirt was loose and I constantly slipped; I was surely covered in mud and dirt on my backside, that was for sure. I finally got down to solid ground and huffed "I'm not climbing anymore hills!"

"Me either. It's going to take a large amount of convincing for me to trust Komui after this" Kanda sighed as he looked to the village, "We need a place to stay" he took my coat off carefully.

I blushed as I looked up at him, "what…are you doing?" I stared at him confused as he undid the buttons along my chest.

"You're covered in dirt, we need to have them washed" he always made things sound so simple, how annoying. I let him pull the coat from off my shoulders and I then scratched my head nervously

"A hot bath and a bed to sleep in would be great about now" I admitted, looking to the dark haired male.

"I agree…"he said "let's get this shit over with so we can go home" he began to walk ahead, holding my coat and my bag over his shoulder. We had ditched the crate a long while ago.

We walked into the village and began to search around for anyone who might've either called for our services or a place to stay…this village was actually pretty large so I had no idea why it took us so long to find it. We'd been walking for three days! I soon left my train of thought when my face connected with Kanda's back when he suddenly stopped "Ow!" I yelped, looking up at him as my anger flared in annoyance "what is it now?".

My eyes followed his pointing hand "I found an Inn…".

My anger calmed and then my hopes went high "An Inn!"

We walked in and Kanda got us a room, using the Order's name so the organization could pay for our stay. We walked in and found it very beautiful. It reminded me of the tropics, but I knew this was no vacation and it was time to work. I set my suitcase down and then looked towards Kanda "So what do we do now?" I asked.

"First? We bathe. Then we get food and sleep. I'm too tired to start working right away" was his response and pulled his hair down from it's tangled ponytail. I felt bad about Kanda's hair… Hopefully it didn't damage, it would be a shame and he surely wouldn't be too happy about it. I found the washroom and discovered there was a pretty big bath- actually, it wasn't just the bath that was big, this whole room was huge.

"Uhm…Kanda?" I asked, looking at towards the shower that also resided in the bathroom "What kind of room did we get?"

"The hell am I to know? I just got what was available. If you've got any complaints, sleep outside." I felt my face turn into a sulk. Why does he have to be so rude? I wouldn't sleep outside when we finally had a bed.

"So who should bathe first?" I asked as I turned to look at him.

"What? We'll go in together" Kanda said casually. My face turned bright red, he was already completely naked "To-Together?! No we can't do that!" well, we already kind of did at that river, but that was besides the point! There was no way I could take a bath with Kanda!

"Why not? We've already bathed together, and besides it will save a lot more time, and we can get to sleep if we both do it. Now stop being such a pain in the ass…" he walked past me and started the bath up.

I pouted a little bit, watching him fill the bath and hesitantly began to take off my clothes. Kanda got in before me, and then I hesitantly got in next. I held my knees to my chest, blushing brightly but I was lying if I said I didn't instantly relax to the feeling of hot water. "What kind of village is this anyway? It's so big in a place like this…"

"No clue. But, it seems Komui and the finders might have purposefully put us on the opposite side of the island. This village has its own docks to the ocean…" Kanda grumbled, his arms on the edge of the tub as he put his head on them. I found myself staring at his back and the dirt on his skin from our expedition. I couldn't help but admire his muscles,

"We were duped?"

"We were duped" Kanda sighed, looking over to me. "and you got sick from it all too." He added, reaching over and touched my head "are you feeling alright still? Or..?"

"I'll be fine" I smiled, looking at him as I felt his large hand against my forehead "I'll feel better once I get some proper rest…"I slipped myself deeper into the water until my lips were engulfed.

"Well, you will definitely sleep after our bath. "he said, grabbing some soap and began to clean himself up.

After our bath, Kanda and I got into some comfortable clothes that the Inn-keepers lent us and fell right to sleep. I was so tired, I didn't even care that there had only been one bed in such a spacious room. It felt like the moment I had hit the pillow, I was out cold.

Later, I felt a hand shaking me awake against my shoulder. I didn't want to wake up yet, sleep felt so nice and the sheets around me were so warm. I could soon hear my nickname being called "Moyashi"…it was obviously Kanda, so I let out a whine. I slowly opened my eyes to see his blue ones piercing at me.

"Time to wake up Moyashi. You need to eat" was his first words to me.

I just lied there, staring at him. I realized how weak I felt and how spaced out I was. I was definitely starved and I could no longer remember when the last time my stomach growled, probably days ago but I forced myself to keep quiet about it. I hadn't wanted Kanda to go through the trouble of helping me get food, especially because there hadn't been a lot of fruit and I didn't have the heart to kill an animal myself.

"Are you feeling sick?" he put his hand against my cheek and I watched his frown deepen "You're really hot. But you need to eat. Think you can find the strength to put on some shoes and a shirt?"

I stared a moment as the words slowly processed. A shirt? Was I not wearing one? I wore one when I fell asleep- or so I thought. I slowly sat up "yeah. I need food…Or I'm not going to survive the night…"I finally spoke, looking around to see my shirt had been flung towards the foot of the bed. I must have overheated. I pulled the shirt over and slid it on, and then careful began to crawl out of bed;this was a higher mattress than I remembered too. I suddenly felt Kanda's hand on my back as I moved off the bed. My eyes looked to him and I noticed the dark circles under them "ah, did you not sleep?" I asked in horror.

"No. Things needed to be done. I needed to locate a place to eat that you could fill up on and I had our laundry cleaned" he nods and then let out a sigh "now hush and let me care for you. We finally get to relax, which means that I can get you proper care for your sickness"

"Ah, I'm really feeling better Kanda. That nap really helped. I promise. I was probably just hot because the blankets were so warm" I said, flustered as my cheeks turned bright red.

"being warm, and having a fever are very obviously different" he explained to me, "My skin didn't like the warmth it felt. It was extreme compared to the heat on your chest" he then stood up from the side of the bed and pulled off the shawl-like coat he had draped over his shoulders. "Here, you're not used to wearing such light clothing, right? It'll be cold outside so wear this "he wrapped it around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry to cause you trouble again" I said softly, blushing faintly as I gripped his shirt and stared into his chest. I couldn't make eye contact, my heart was fluttering with that feeling once more. It was strange, how badly I was craving more of his touch and for him to baby me and make me feel like I was loved. How could he do this to me? After the way we had acted towards each other and how awkward things had been between us, how could he put it past him so easily and care for me like nothing happened at all?

"It's no trouble. I do things because I want to. Not because I have to" Kanda then lightly tapped my head with his knuckle "Now come on, we need to feed you before you faint"

"Right. Sorry" I pulled away and then put my hand around the shawl on my shoulders. "ah, my boots have mud.." I realized.

"I'm having our boots cleaned too. We've been given sandals to use in the meantime."

"You're so handy.." I was surprised, since when did Kanda get so resourceful? This was the kind of thing I expected Lavi to be quick with.

"I don't know if I'd call it handy. I'm just lucky the Inn-Keeper took pity on a "Poor baby" like you "he then smirked teasingly at me.

I felt my face heat up more as I got embarrassed "Ah, please don't say such things…" it was true, the Inn-Keeper was a sweet elderly woman who found me looking like a lost puppy needing care, so she had spoken to me like I as a child. I guess Kanda found it amusing enough to remind me. How embarrassing. I slid my sandals on and then looked towards Kanda, beginning to follow him out of the Inn to go eat at the place he chose. There weren't a lot of options in this area, but it seemed Kanda chose the closest place; I was secretly hoping it was so I didn't have to walk too far in my condition. It felt like my heart skipped a beat at just the thought. Kanda and I walked into the restaurant where we were immediately seated and given menus. It wasn't too fancy thank goodness, but it was nice enough to make me feel shy in what I was wearing. A baggy tank top and baggy shorts was a lot less clothing than I usually wore out in public. Kanda wore similar though, except he had bandages wrapped around his chest and shoulder to hide his large markings…it had definitely gotten bigger after the fight with Alma Karma.

After our dinner, I was completely stuffed. I let out a sigh as we walked down the path through the village. People obviously looked at me funny, seeing as I had pure white hair and I was incredibly young. I'd simply give small smiles out of nervousness.

"People sure stare a lot at you" Kanda commented.

I turned to look at him and gave a small smile to him as well "ah, I suppose so" I trailed a moment as I looked up at the starry sky "they can't really help it…Staring at someone they find strange and abnormal"

"Strange and abnormal…huh?"

I looked to Kanda once more as I heard him speak, wondering what it was that Kanda was thinking of. I didn't press on further.

Once we arrived at the Inn, I slipped off my sandals and then hopped onto the bed and hummed in delight. This bed was very soft, it was comfortable to lay on and made my body melt into it. This really was a luxury room. I then looked towards Kanda "Is…Komui going to be mad that we got such a room?" I asked.

"Tch. Hell if I care "he suddenly growled in irritation "He ditches us on an island with no fucking map! He can pay a couple hundred for all I care!" I ended up laughing nervously, knowing Komui would surely be upset…but Kanda's words were not to be reckoned with. I stared at Kanda as the male pulled down his hair and slid off his own sandals by the door, securely locking the bolt and then made sure the windows were securely locked and curtains were closed. I watched his eyes as he focused and could see the exhaustion in his expression. He really hadn't slept at all since we got here? I felt bad. Maybe he hadn't wanted to share the bed with me after everything I had put him through…

"Ah, Kanda? I can sleep on the floor if you want" I offered to him, my eyes looking down.

"What?"

"Well, I've put you through so much. I don't want to force you to sleep next to me…" I said, feeling my own heart sink. I know it was my own request, but it was still painful. All of a sudden, I could feel a hand under my chin and my head was pulled up to look at Kanda in the eyes.

"Where the hell did you get a thought like that, stupid Moyashi?" He asked and then frowned at me "I never once said I didn't want to sleep next to you. Don't go around coming up with stupid conclusions on your own" he let my chin go, and part of me wished he hadn't. He then crawled up onto the bed and crawled into the sheets and lied down on a pillow "Lie down and go to sleep" he told me. I stared at him and then did as he said. I laid on my side of the bed and watched him turn out the light. It was comforting knowing he was right there next to me, but why did I have such an upset feeling in my chest? Why did, I feel so lonely? Slowly, I fell asleep in the silence.

Kanda's POV

That morning, I woke up to a heavy feeling on top of me. I had crashed hard that night, having instantly dozed off with my feet against Allen's. I couldn't remember how we had gotten into such a situation, but when I looked down, Allen was right there sleeping on top of my chest. I took note on his long white lashes resting against his cheeks, the way the side of his face was all squished from having snuggled it into my chest. He was silent, curled up and peaceful. I didn't want to wake him, in fear that this moment would come to in an end. This road, has been long and tiring, watching him move back in forth from falling in love with me and then talking himself back out of it. This, was something to cherish.

I rose my hand and carefully placed it in his white locks, watching his back rise and fall slowly as he breathed. I bet he had no idea he would end up in such an adorable position, letting himself fall so vulnerable in my arms. I suppose, this part of him was the side that couldn't lie; which craved to be held. I wrapped my arms around him carefully and continued to pet his hair, letting him rest for however long he needed it. The sun was already shining through the sheer white curtains and were against his face, so I wondered now how long it would take for his body to force him to wake up.

Eventually, I watched his eyes open. A beautiful blue came into my view, watching his eyes turn from a stillness to an alive state as the light came back to them. It was interesting, watching someone come back to their consciousness and seem confused for a long while. I could tell, Moyashi didn't know the situation he was in for a couple minutes, he was just stared into space towards the closed windows where the light was coming in. I could still feel the weight of his relaxed body against mine, and smell his sweet scent of whatever candy he preferred to eat. I was content like this. I soon moved my fingers once more, having stopped when I saw his eyes open since I hadn't wanted to end the moment so soon. I watched as he let out a sleepy yawn and then stretched his legs out. I felt them rub against mine to discovered his were covered in hair, it was to my surprise because he was still so young but then I took in the account that he was European and I was Asian. We didn't grow body hair the same. It was the moment, I realized Moyashi would be considered a man apart from a boy.

Suddenly, I saw Moyashi sit himself up. I smirked in amusement as I caught his expression in a full flustered blush and his eyes wide. "Ohayou Gozaimas" was how I greeted him, chuckling gently since I hadn't spoken much of my native tongue to him.

"G-Good morning…" he mumbled back, staring at me before glancing to the side "this is…err, I'm sorry. This wasn't intentional"

"I don't mind" I responded, reaching my hand up and cupped his cheek gently. Our eyes met, noticing how his shoulders relaxed and his pupils got bigger. It made me remember a stupid trivia fact the damn usagi had once told me about. "Did you know, that a person's pupils get bigger when the see someone they love?" I spoke to the male sitting on my hips.

"Ah...Really?" I watched him blush more.

"Yeah…Lavi told me."

"Lavi did? Ah, then it must be true… " I watched a small smile curl to the edges of his lips "I guess…It explains why your eyes, seem so much bigger than before…"

Ah, how could someone be this beautiful and cute at the same time? I found myself pushing my hand from his cheek and into his white hair "Lie with me a little longer?" I asked, not ready to start our assignment just yet. He gave me a nod and then slowly laid his head back down on my chest, his blue eyes looking at me with big causer pupils. I had him… Perhaps, this was meant to be. I could only wonder what was going through the smaller male's mind, but I knew I couldn't take my eyes off him. I leaned in, my forehead pressing against his before I suddenly whispered "will…you accept me yet?"

I could see the hesitation, but I could feel his body slowly relax against my hold. "I…"he stopped there for a while. Damn it, please just accept me. Let me kiss you, what more could you possibly want? My cravings were making me antsy, but I didn't want to scare him. He was smaller than me, more innocent and naïve; I wanted him to choose me, not to be influenced by me…I needed to calm my heart.

"it's alright...you don't need to answer right away" I assured him, rubbing my index finger along his scar to feel it had a rough texture from the rest of his soft skin. He still had the skin of a child, but it made him all the more irresistible. He only had a few zits along the side of his head that I could tell and it somehow added to his charm. He was human, he had flaws more than possibly anyone I knew…but somehow those flaws only made him more beautiful. How could one person make me feel like this? When all this time, I'd been irritated by him and then so suddenly crave him like he was my own personal drug. I felt him place a hand on my chest, hearing his breathing suddenly become unsteady as it trembled. My eyes caught his to see they were slightly clouded and were staring somewhere at my face. Did I excite him? That seemed too easy. "Can I kiss you?" My voice was soft.

He was silent for a moment before he gripped my shirt "Yes…"he answered. It shocked me, that he'd agree to it but I took no time to delay in my chance. I held him close, wanting him to feel the tenderness I so eagerly wanted him to feel and leaned in. It was heaven, feeling such soft lips against mine; I couldn't help but close my eyes as I felt his lips suction against mine. He had moved, which meant that he kissed me too. It was the feeling of relief, but the cravings inside me only seemed to burn stronger. I pulled away to look at his face to see him slowly open his eyes.

"Kanda.…"I heard him speak my name, finding those eyes to be entranced by me. I couldn't help but smile a little,

"I'm here" was all I said, before finally twirling his hair between my fingers. A kiss was good for now, even though I could tell he was excited for more. He was young, very young so his hormones and emotions riled up quickly. At least, that's what Lavi told me anyway.

For now…I will feel content with just this.

YAY! New chapter! :D It's kind of short, but I think it's about quality over quantity especially after I am trying to get used to writing like this again outside of roleplay! (If any of you want to roleplay BTW, feel free to give me a private message. I mostly roleplay on Facebook so maybe we can connect on there after swapping some information!)

I'm wondering where I should take this next chapter, so I would LOVE LOVE LOVE some ideas from you guys! Your words mean so much to me and I really appreciate it! Thank you so much!