THE CAVE: CONTINUUM
Part Eighteen
Beads of sweat form on Kanda's forehead dampening his raven black hair. He thrashes back and forth in his sleep fighting some invisible entity known only to him. Who knows what demons he is fighting? Maybe it's the Stone Warrior that is haunting him as he tries to save Allen.
A firm, warm hand touches his shoulder, gently shaking him out of his nightmare. Startled, Kanda's hand snaps to his shoulder and grabs the wrist of the person touching him – his eyes fly open in confusion. It takes him a moment to focus on the person who took hold of him – Tiedoll.
"What the fuck are you doing? You know better than to touch me when I'm having a nightmare," Kanda snaps, releasing his general's wrist, his heart beating rapidly, and his head still groggy.
"Where's Bean Sprout?" Kanda asks, panicking as he looks around.
"Shhh, he is still asleep fighting his own demons haunting him in his mind," Tiedoll says gently, looking over at Allen twitching in his sleep.
"What are you still doing here? Aren't they going to be wondering where you are?" Kanda asks, still trying to become fully awake.
"I couldn't leave without making sure both of you were alright and more alert. Anyone could walk in here and attack the both of you in the somnolent state you're in," Tiedoll states quietly, clarifying their situation for Kanda who is still in a stupor.
"Of course, I hate to admit it, but you're right. I probably wouldn't hear anyone coming into the cave. How long have I been out?" he asks.
"You have been in and out of consciousness for two days. Your body had been totally exhausted from your captivity. With fighting the Stone Warrior and your injuries took the remainder of your energy to heal. What you need is rest," Tiedoll explains to Kanda.
"Allen … is he alright? He looks paler than normal," Kanda says uneasily, his voice softens with concern for his husband.
Kanda starts to slide his body over to husband. He needs to feel Allen's body next to his and wants to sooth his lover's restlessness. Kanda's stomach swirls as he slides closer to his husband suddenly feeling dizzy as the room spins slowly.
"Kanda, you're still weak let me help you over to him," Tiedoll offers, with a pang of sorrow in his heart as he watches his son move closer to his beloved, obviously ill himself.
Tiedoll is taken aback by Kanda's love for Allen. It is a beautiful sight to see this miracle of having Kanda's hard heart melt for his true love – Allen.
Kanda cuddles up to Allen's back laying his arm over his lover's waist hugging him close keeping him safe. Allen automatically moves back into Kanda's chest getting even closer. There's a heavy sigh from Kanda at the relief his husband is alright.
"Kanda, we need to talk before I leave, preferable with both of you," Tiedoll says, with a worry look on his face.
"Yes, of course Tiedoll. Can it wait a while longer? I'm tired and need to rest just a little longer …" Kanda says, his words slurring as he falls back to sleep.
Tiedoll sits back down by the campfire he had started when he had settled his sons inside the cave – a cave he had been lucky to find. His sons will be safe in here once he is gone. When they are ready, they can begin their trek once again to wherever they were going.
He leans back against the stone wall of the cave and smiles to himself remembering Kanda saying "thank you". Kanda had never been the type of person to show his gratitude for anything someone might have done for him.
Tiedoll never thought it would ever be possible for Kanda to change. This has been the second time in a few weeks Kanda has surprised him with his sentiments. Small gestures, but huge for Kanda which makes Tiedoll very happy and proud of him.
Yet, there is another area in which Kanda has surprised him – marrying. Not to a girl, but to the comrade he had hated the most – the white-hair British boy. It doesn't matter to Tiedoll who Kanda's choice was to marry or what gender, he's just happy to see Kanda happy and content.
A frown comes to Tiedoll's face thinking about the subject he needs to discuss with his two sons. It's a serious matter and he'd rather not think about that right now. He'd rather sketch his two loving sons sleeping peacefully.
He stands up to finds a better angle in which to sketch. Finding a spot, he sits and leans back against the stone wall and starts sketching the two young lovers. 'They do make a beautiful couple. Funny, I never had seen Kanda have feelings for anyone before. He had always kept everyone at arm's length, not allowing people to get close to him. I wonder what it is about Allen that causes this drastic change in Kanda. Well, he's happy and that's all that matters,' Tiedoll reflects as he finishes the sketch.
He watches as the last few embers fade in the campfire. He has been thinking about how he will tell his sons what has been going on since their last meeting. He looks over at the young couple now lying on their sides facing each other – Kanda's hand covers Allen's lovingly.
Allen's head bandage will need changing when he wakes up. The blood that had bled through has now hardened, but a fresh tinge of dark red color oozes through from the cut underneath the bandages. The contusion on his left cheek below the wound is swollen with a dreadful reddish-purplish bruise.
Tiedoll can only imagine the ugly black and blue bruises Allen must have received from the blows the Stone Warrior afflicted upon his thin body. He thanks the stars he had known the meaning behind the rhythm of the pounding drums that had reverberated throughout the valley.
He had heard about the legend of the Stone Warrior years ago. His understanding is that it needs a white-haired god to be a sacrifice to bring peace to a certain ancient tribe. A tribe he had no knowledge of.
Of course, he had thought this only to be a legend – no more than that. But Allen had come to his mind immediately upon hearing the pounding rhythmic booms echoing its ominous sound for all to hear.
Looking down at his sketch of his sons, lovingly holding each other, he rips it from his sketch pad. Rolling it up, he bands it and slides it inside of Allen's coat pocket and smiles to himself. He is very proud of his sons. He feels relief over the fact that both of them will go to any length to save the other – a perfect balance.
Allen stirs his body painful with his movement. He looks through the slits of his sleepy eyes and listens to his lover's even breathing and feels the warmth of his hand covering his own.
He opens his eyes further as he gazes upon his husbands beautiful, perfect face. The terrible bruises on his face are now gone and Allen suspects so is his broken ribs. The re-generation power of Kanda's blood never ceases to amaze Allen.
Kanda's eyes open and sees his husband's soft-silvery eyes gazing at him. Allen's face brightens as he smiles at his beloved, relief filling every pore in his body knowing they made it out alive.
Kanda squeezes Allen's hand firmly. He inches towards Allen until their lips touch. No other action is needed then their lips meeting. Closing their eyes both relish in this simple act of endearment as their lips press together in a slow gentle movement of a kiss. They continue their gentle kissing until they hear Tiedoll clear his throat.
"Ahem, good morning sons," Tiedoll says quietly, looking away from their private moment of kissing each other.
Not releasing their lips they turn their heads slightly and look over to where Tiedoll is sitting. Slowly, Allen's lips slide off from Kanda's whispering to his lover. "When did Tiedoll show up?" Allen asks, too relaxed at this point to be startled. He just doesn't remember General Tiedoll's arrival.
"He arrived when the Stone Warrior was going to finish us off. He saved us Bean Sprout," Kanda says quietly, as they both continue to look at Tiedoll sitting there, now looking at them.
"Oh," Allen says in a whisper. Kanda presses another gentle kiss to Allen's lips, not shy in showing his affections for his husband.
"You both realize I can hear you talking about me," Tiedoll teases, his smile warming his pale face with color.
"Thank you General Tiedoll for saving us," Allen says quietly, not moving from his spot.
"Allen, are you able to move?" Tiedoll asks, worrying if the Stone Warrior may have broken some bones.
Allen's eyes roam over to Kanda's to answer, "I don't know," Allen says, with uncertainty.
Kanda releases Allen's hand and sits up and kneels in front of him. "Let me help you," Kanda says, looking reassuringly at Allen knowing his husband needs reassurance and support when he attempts to move.
Allen pushes himself up with his hands, pain racking his thin body and he goes limp. Kanda's strong arms catches him, holding him close, petting his hair.
"Take some breathes Bean Sprout," Kanda says, soothingly.
Allen relaxes in Kanda's arms, catching his breath, ready to try again. He looks up at Kanda and together he helps Allen sit up and lean against the stone wall. He's both stiff from the hard ground and from his bruises. Kanda sits next to him putting his arm around his shoulders for both comfort and support.
"I have soup warmed on the embers. You both need nourishment," Tiedoll says, rising and retrieves soup for the both of them. Kanda removes his arm from around Allen and he leans against Kanda's shoulder for support.
The hot soup feels good sliding down their rough raw throats and warms their stomachs. Tiedoll places a plate of bread and cheese with a full canteen of water in front of them then sits back down facing them. Once their bellies are full they both look more alert.
"I need to be going very soon. Everyone will be wondering where I had gone off to," Tiedoll says in jest, but is serious about leaving.
"You had said earlier that you needed to speak with the both of us," Kanda says, looking directly into Tiedoll's eyes, wondering what all this is about.
"Yes, I do Kanda," Tiedoll says, a frown of concern on his forehead. Tiedoll gets up picking up wood to rebuild the fire for the night. He stokes it before sitting down again.
"What is it, Tiedoll?" Kanda asks firmly. Allen isn't getting a good feeling about the direction this conversation might be going and wraps his arms around Kanda's arm taking his hand.
"It's about Rouvelier," Tiedoll starts to say, but Kanda interrupts him.
"What about him?!" Kanda growls, anger swelling inside of him.
Tiedoll looks intently at both of them sighing, "He has been stripped of his position and excommunicated by the Vatican. My understanding is he has practically gone mad and swore he was going after Allen – to kill Allen – himself. From what witnesses had said who were at his trial this was not an idle threat.
Before anyone could stop him he had packed up an arsenal of weapons and left along with a small group of followers," Tiedoll explains, worry showing on his face.
Allen's face pales, his eyes wide in fear, his hand grips Kanda's tightly as he listens to the message from Tiedoll. Kanda's arm quickly surrounds Allen's shoulder, protectively, squeezing tightly as immense fear mixing with anger boils inside of him.
"No one is going to hurt my husband, least of all Rouvelier," Kanda grinds out; his jaw tightens in determination and heat blazes in his eyes.
"I want you both to stay hyper-alert for this demon of a man coming after Allen," Tiedoll states firmly. For the first time Kanda sees Tiedoll's face harden with anger and his voice is cool as steel.
Tiedoll stands up and readies to leave. He hugs Kanda tightly and then hugs Allen just as firmly. Tiedoll whispers into Allen's ear, "I know Kanda will protect you son, hold strong inside and believe in him as you have always done." He releases Allen, tears brimming in the General's eyes and turns to leave.
"Tiedoll … I will kill Rouvelier if it comes to that point," Kanda states icily.
"I know you will, son. You do everything necessary to protect the both of you, do you understand me?" Tiedoll replies grimly and starts to leave the cave.
"Tiedoll … one more thing … we're heading to live at Komui's home. Just in case you need us," Kanda offers, with a sudden lump in his throat. Allen once again slides his arms around Kanda's arm, slipping his hand down and intertwining his fingers into his husbands.
Tiedoll turns slightly looking back over his shoulder at the both of them. Tears now sliding down Tiedoll's face saying, "Thank you son … I all ready knew that." Then he vanishes from the cave.
To be continued …
A/N: I've had a hard week at work with being on the road for 6 hours, not including my work time at the places, for two days in a row. That's been two 14 hour days for me and my body really hates these long drives – they're exhausting. Somehow I managed to finish this chapter. It hasn't been beta read, but I feel pretty good about it. Please let me know if you see any major blunders. You all have been absolutely wonderful!