14.

Night had already fallen long ago by the time we reached the town that Allen had been sent off to. Apparently a swarm of Akuma had been plaguing this small settlement, and terrorizing the townspeople. They lived in fear, much like many of the people in small communities we'd passed through before. I tugged my coat closer to my body, as a cool breeze sifted through the street of the somewhat abandoned town. They were all the same – these towns. The used to be bustling streets seemed much wider than they truly were with the lack of bodies. The silence fell heavily on our shoulders, and the only sounds to reach my ears were that of our footsteps, and the harsh howl of the wind as it swept up clouds of dust.

I felt a weight on my shoulder and quickly hopped around, expecting to meet the face of a cannon. Though, it was just the simple one of the finder that had been sent along with me. He seemed nearly as sullen as I, when he spoke about getting a room at the inn up above at the top of the sloped streets of the ghost town. I could see small eyes peaking through the dimly lit windows, but aside from that we were alone. Those looks weren't necessarily friendly in the least, and it seemed like we didn't have much of a choice in the matter. The wind was picking up pretty quickly in the area, and it didn't seem safe to be out when an oncoming storm was soon to approach.

I wanted to continue our search for Allen, but as it stood – I didn't think that I could with the help of my finder. My head rose from the ground, and I gave him a cocky smile, before patting him on the shoulder.

"Go ahead and get a room, I'm going to look around a bit more. I'll be in later on."

The finders face fell, and he shifted his feet awkwardly.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay and help for a little lo- aahCHOO!"

I sighed, how predictable. Of course he'd catch a cold…

"No, no. You don't seem so well. Just go on ahead, and I'll be there soon."

With the final conformation, I headed off back towards the woods that was just outside the town. It wasn't as windy in the trees, because of the blockage that they provided, but it held more of a lingering coldness. It was almost impossible to see in the pitch blackness that was the night – but I still had to try.

"ALLEN!"

I called out, cupping my hands around my lips, hoping that my voice might reach the boy –that is, if he were out here. The only reply I earned was the echoing of my voice off the walls of the mountainside town. I groaned, and pressed my hands in to a tree trunk, trying to calm myself and actually think. Allen wouldn't die that easily, I knew he couldn't possibly be dead, but he wouldn't abandon a mission either, so he had to be here somewhere. I willed my feet to continue their journey, but I hadn't come up with any new clues as to his whereabouts. Damn, this kid sure knew how to get lost. I cupped my hands around my lips once again, and was about ready to call out Allen's name again, but a slight ruffling in a nearby bush captured my attention in a second.

I sidestepped cautiously, with one hand gripping the handle of my hammer tightly, and the other outstretched trying to move the leaves aside. Perhaps sticking my hand deep in to the bush wasn't the wisest idea, but a man without a plan isn't always intelligent. My fingertips hit something solid, and I wretched my hand back with a yelp. Suddenly, a figure jumped from the bushes, and straight towards me. I hit the ground with a hard thud, only to find that I'd been pinned. My arms struggled in the tight grip, trying to get an advantage on my attacker.

"Lavi…?"

I blinked, trying to adjust my vision after the ambush. White hair, grey eyes…

"ALLEN!"

I shrieked, breaking free of his grasp and clutching at either side of his face with both of my hands. I could tell that his cheeks were pink, his teeth were chattering slightly. I quickly sat up, and pulled him tightly against me, rubbing my hands up and down his arms in hopes to warm him up. I felt his head slowly drop to my shoulder, and take in a deep breath. His lips slowly curled up in to a smile against my skin, and I shivered. It could have been from the cold weather, but it was more than likely from his lips pressed against me.

"Allen. You're not hurt are you?"

His head stuck back up, to look straight at me.

"Not at all, why would I be?"

He questioned innocently, tilting his head before it dawned on him. His mouth fell in to a small oh, and his cheeks flustered slightly in embarrassment.

"I suppose I should have kept in contact…but at least I got rid of all the akuma, eh?"

I shook my head, and pulled him in to a warm hug, pressing my face in to his chest.

"No, Allen. You're safety comes before anyone's. Don't ever do that again, okay? Or else I'll be forced to come after you again."

I let out a soft laugh, and it was accompanied by Allen's own giggle. I had to bite my lip to keep from latching on to his own lips. He was so close to me now – and wasn't acting stoic and heartless like before. What had caused him to act like he was before? I wanted to know more than anything, but asking now almost felt like a risk. So, I held back.

"Lavi, what are you doing here?"

He asked quietly, poking my cheek. I clasped his assaulting hand in both of mine, and leaned in, planting a soft kiss on the tip of his finger. Allen's cheeks flushed scarlet, and he yanked his hand back so roughly that he fell off of my lap, and hit the ground hard. I winced in his place, and hopped up, before offering him a hand – which he took.

"I told you, I had to come after you. I was worried."

I chuckled, and stuck my hand in to his hair, messing it all around. He shoved me slightly, before sticking back to my side as we carried on with our descent back to the town. I knew that hours had passed and that my finder would be asleep by now – but what I didn't know was where Allen's finder was.

"Hey Allen, what happened to your finder?"

Allen looked up at me, and nodded his head forward.

"Oh…finders, right. I wasn't sent with one…"

"Nice job – like it's safe for you to stay out alone when there's the chance of an attack…"

I murmured jabbing Allen in the ribs evilly before holding the door open for him. He followed me in, but didn't bother to stop at the desk. Obviously he already had a room. I hopped up the stairs, trying to keep up with his pace and nearly rammed myself in to the back of him once he stopped at the second floor. I followed behind him quietly, and I sort of felt awkward. Finally, he stopped in the front of a door, and turned around with his hands pressed on the door behind himself.

What was he doing? I couldn't help but gulp nervously. Was he going to make me find my own room, or was Allen going to invite me in? I shifted my feet uncomfortably, before turning towards the staircase.

"Well Allen, um…I guess I'll see you to-""Wait! Don't you want to…come in?"

Did I want to come in? I doubted that it was even a question.

Ahaha~

Clif. Hanger. Again . ;D