THE CAVE: CONTINUUM
Part Twenty-One
The early morning veil of fog is starting to lift as the two Exorcists continue trekking up the mountain side.
It had been before dawn when the cold morning air had Allen shivering and cuddling up to Kanda. His cold body had startled Kanda out of his sleep and he had turned over to snuggle his lover close to him. After rollicking under the blankets, warming themselves up, they had decided to make an early departure from their little alcove.
"Does this mountain ever end?" Allen complains, breathless, and his thigh muscles burn from the steady hike up the mountain path.
"It shouldn't be much further," Kanda says, sounding breathless himself.
"How can you tell we're near the top?" Allen asks, curious how Kanda knows these trivial things.
"The air is getting cooler and thinner, plus the trees are getting shorter," Kanda replies, looking straight ahead as they hike on.
As they near the top of the mountain it becomes rockier and Kanda stretches his hand down to Allen to help him up over the jagged path of rocks and ledges. He notices Allen is tiring from the strain of the steep mountain hike putting physical stress on his still healing body.
Allen's injuries had been received in their battle with the Stone Warrior which had left him with bruises all over his body and a contusion to his forehead. Those have been healing, but he also had cracked rib which has been giving him pain. Luckily it isn't the same rib he had injured when he had been imprisoned.
"We'll rest at the top," Kanda says, giving Allen a grin, "that will be your reward for hanging in there to hike to the top of this mountain."
"I could think of a lot of other things that would be more rewarding then just resting," Allen grumbles, crawling up on the next ledge.
"Hmm, and here I thought I wore you out last night. Didn't you sleep well, or were you too sore?" Kanda teases, a twinkle in his eyes.
"I did sleep well, and I wouldn't have made the comment if I was too sore. Anyway, maybe I would have the top this time and you're the bottom," Allen smiled up at Kanda as he pulled Allen up over the short ledge. Kanda tugs so hard Allen lands on top of him making Allen giggle.
"Are you laughing at me, Bean Sprout," Kanda chuckles, tickling Allen until he's howling in laughter. Kanda loves to see his husband being playful after his anxiousness about Rouvelier. He leans down and kisses Allen, both taking the time to enjoy their frisky moment together.
"Common on, Bean Sprout, you can see the top from here," Kanda says, nodding his head upward. They scramble to their feet to finish the last twenty or so yards left. Kanda pats Allen's butt then gives a push upward. Allen turns his head grinning at Kanda as they quickly scamper to the top.
"Wow! This is a beautiful view!" Allen exclaims as Kanda comes up beside him taking his hand.
"I've always wanted to stand on a mountain top with you," Kanda says, leaning close to Allen, shoulder to shoulder.
"Let's rest, Bean Sprout. It's been a long morning since we have last eaten and you must be hungry by now," Kanda says, dropping his knapsack and pulling Allen's off his back. Timcanpy flies to a rock to enjoy the mountain's view.
They take out what they have left of food to eat. Since Tiedoll replenished a good share of their food supply, they have been rationing it in small quantities hoping it would last until they could get to a village for more provisions.
"Kanda, did you realize we're almost out of food?" Allen asks, worrying.
"Yeah, I checked last night and saw we didn't have much left. I was hoping we would be coming to a village soon," Kanda replies and sits down in front of a rock and leans against it to eat.
"Let me look at the map to see where we are and how much further to a village," Kanda says, pulling out the map while munching on a piece of stale bread.
Allen scoots over beside him so he could look over Kanda's shoulder at the map. Timcanpy flies over and lands on Allen's head so he too could look on, not that he needed to.
"What an annoying piece of shit," Kanda says, about the idiot golem.
"Well, it looks like we're very close to the village Komui said to go to, it's where his house is," Kanda says, placing his finger on the map to show Allen.
Kanda looks out over the view. The rippling mountain range, off in the distance, has a blue haze covering it, but the haze doesn't distract from the wondrous sight. Their bounteous expansion provides a protective barrier for the valley below and the village which nestles amongst a grove of trees.
"Bean Sprout, if you look down in the valley, just past the tree line you can see roof tops of the village we're heading to," Kanda points to the area he wants Allen to look.
"Is that Komui's village?" Allen asks.
"Yes, he lives just outside the village. We can pick up food and supplies there to bring with us to his house. I don't believe he lives too far outside the village," Kanda explains.
"You mean our new home?" Allen whispers, a tear sliding down his cheek. Kanda takes his thumb and wipes the tear away. That's his Bean Sprout, it's that sensitive part of him Kanda finds so amiable.
"Yes, we will find our home there," Kanda whispers in Allen's ear as he pulls him close to him.
"What do you say we get started? If we're lucky we might make that village around noontime. It's about a three hour hike from here," Kanda says, putting the map away.
"All right, let's go home, Kanda," Allen says, his eyes shining with moisture. Kanda sighs lightly as he gazes at his beautiful, loving husband, and leans in for a kiss then packs their knapsacks.
It is easier walking down the mountainside though the steep slope is just as straining on the legs. The pain in Allen's side had stopped throbbing when they had rested at the top of the mountain, but once again it is aching from using his upper body muscles to balance him coming down. He didn't want to tell Kanda because he would make him rest and all Allen wants is to get to Komui's village – home.
At the bottom of the mountain they continue along the path, hopefully, leading them to a road. Kanda glances behind him and sees Allen holding his side with his face contorted in pain. He signs heavily and slows down for Allen to catch up. Allen removes his hand from his side when he gets close to Kanda and pretends he's all right.
"You can't hide your pain from me, Bean Sprout. It's written all over your face and posture," Kanda says as his arm encircles his husband's waist.
"Come on, you need to rest," Kanda says, firmly but quietly.
"I don't want to hold us up getting to the village by noontime," Allen says in short grunting words.
"You're not holding us up. I need to rest too. That was quite the downhill descent off the mountain," Kanda says, trying to relieve his partner's feelings he's a burden.
"Really, you're not just saying that are you?" Allen asks, astonished.
"Yes really. You know I still have to rest once and a while too," Kanda muses, helping Allen to sit down then he sits beside him.
"Why don't you lie down and rest your head on my lap, Bean Sprout," Kanda says, seeing the tired and drawn look on Allen's face. "You always feel better after a short nap."
"All right, but only for a little while then we have to continue on," Allen says, immediately lying down on the ground and putting his head on Kanda's lap.
"I've been a real burden traveling with all my injuries I keep getting. I'm surprised you haven't left me behind …" Allen slurs as he drifts off to sleep.
Kanda slides his fingers through Allen's longer, damp, hair brushing it away from his face. He feels Allen's forehead, it's warm, but he's not sure if it's from all the walking, or if fever might be setting in. Fear gripes Kanda as he wonders if Allen has internal bleeding, or some other kind of infection. 'Kami, please no, we're almost to our new home,' Kanda's thinking, looking at his sleeping partner.
Looking out over the field and stroking Allen's damp hair he tries to rid himself of such thoughts. Once they find Komui's house they will make it their home and live their lives out together without the worries of fighting the Black Order's battles any longer. But yes, they do have one more big battle to fight – Rouvelier.
Allen stirs, his sleepy eyes open fluttering. Still groggy he slowly becomes coherent as to where he is. His hand reaches down and caress Kanda's thigh now remembering he had been napping. He loves it when Kanda strokes his hair and closes his eyes for a second longer cherishing the precious moment.
"Do you feel all right, Bean Sprout?" Kanda asks quietly.
"Hmm, I just don't want this moment to pass. I feel fully content," Allen says, sighing lightly then slowly pushes himself up to sit and leans against Kanda's shoulder encircling Kanda's arm and taking his hand.
"I love you, Kanda, and the feelings just get deeper and deeper with each moment I'm with you," Allen says, turning his face to look up into Kanda's.
"Yes, Bean Sprout, I feel the same way each time I look at you, I love you," Kanda says, tilting his head down to place a soft kiss on Allen's plush lips.
"I wouldn't have a life without you in it with me," Kanda says, with a sparkle in his eyes.
"I'm rested enough to continue on. I just want to find our home," Allen says, looking into Kanda's deep blue eyes, those eyes he drowns in each time he gazes into them.
"Okay."
Kanda gets up and pulls Allen up into his arms hugging him gently, so he wouldn't hurt his lover. He never tires of having Allen close to him and to think at one time he kept Allen at arm's length but never again.
"When we reach the village we'll see if there's a place we can sit down and eat," Kanda says, wanting to give Allen a treat.
"Yeah? That would be great, Kanda," Allen says, his voice bubbling with excitement.
"Bean Sprout, let's take our coats off and pack them in our cases. I'm not sure it would be wise to walk into the village with the Black Order's emblems on our coats," Kanda says, and Allen nods in agreement.
They walk a couple more miles when the path finally connects to a road – the road home. They look at each other with big grins on their faces. Allen's looking slightly paler than normal, but he grabs Kanda's hand tugging on it to get him moving towards the village he's so excited to get there.
The first sign of civilization is a house nestled in the trees. There is a path leading up to the quaint house's bright red door with plush green grass lining the sides of the walkway. The breeze rustles the leaves on the branches from the trees that hang low and long providing shade and privacy for the occupants of the house. Swaying in the breeze at the corner of the roof is a single Japanese oblong lantern which twirls like a whirly decoration.
Allen sighs at the sight and Kanda tightens his grip on his lover's hand knowing how much Allen wants a home for them. Kanda brings Allen's hand to his mouth and kisses it then gives him a warm smile. Nothing warms Allen's heart more than seeing Kanda smiling, which he has done more often while on this journey.
Shortly after passing the house, villagers come and go from another road that connects with the one they are on. Children race around kicking up dust from the dry dirt road as they play tag with one another. There are a few glances their way, but nothing alarming shows on the villager's faces. There doesn't seem to be any curiosity about the new comers walking into their village, and it's pretty obvious they are travelers with knapsacks on their back and travel cases in their hands.
Its noontime when they enter the bustling village of shoppers at the small vender stands lining the streets. Allen stomach growls with seeing all the food stands overflowing with different fruits and vegetables. He grins at Kanda who shows a frown on his face.
"Your growling stomach sounds like we need to find a place to eat before we buy our supplies, Bean Sprout. If we don't I'm sure we won't be able to afford all the food you would want to buy," Kanda razzes Allen, grinning. Allen gives a bashful smile back.
"There's a restaurant over there," Kanda points to the red front building across the street.
Walking inside the building there is another entry into the restaurant itself. On each side of the door are golden gilded frames with a string of golden Japanese characters painted on a black background. In front of the frames, are glowing pumpkin shape Japanese lanterns with long strings of packages hanging down from their tassel bottoms.
Entering there is another large sign written in Japanese where two young ladies wait to take you to your table. Kanda nods and one of the two ladies takes them to their seats in the far back corner and hands them menus. The tables have flickering candles on them giving off a soften amber light which glows in the darken restaurant.
"If I didn't know better, I would think this was an opium den, except there isn't all the smoke drifting in the air," Allen whispers to Kanda with the menu covering his face.
"Oh, and what do you know of opium dens?" Kanda queries raising one eyebrow.
"Did you forget I had Cross as my General?" Allen blushes, realizing what it must have sounded like.
"But of course, you never had partaken in such a nasty habit, right?" Kanda muses with a smirk, knowing full well about Allen's past with Cross.
"Of course not!" Allen raises his voice more than he had intended, then hunches his shoulders trying to shrink like a turtle.
"Kanda, really," Allen huffs.
"You're the one that brought it up. I was just asking," Kanda continues to jest with Allen, reaching over to cover his husband's hand. This mere action always simmers Allen down and he ends up grinning at Kanda.
"Why don't I order the platter with the variety of foods for three," Kanda says, looking at the menu.
"Three? Why for three?" Allen asks, baffled.
"Because you eat for two and I eat for one or less," Kanda grins at Allen.
When the waitress comes to their table Kanda gives her their order then leaves. Kanda reaches across the table and takes Allen's smaller hands into his. He stares at their hands gently rubbing Allen's fingers then rubs and turns Allen's wedding band. He raises the hand with the band and kisses it letting his lips linger there looking up at Allen.
Allen feels like he's going to melt in his seat at the tenderness smoldering in Kanda's eyes. There has never been a time when Kanda touches him it doesn't bring wonderful tingling feeling to his body as well as tightening his pants. The man doesn't need to tell him how he feels; he sees it burning in his eyes.
They are in their own little world, like they were in the restaurant when they first had landed on Japan's soil. Except at that time the Finder's were behind them in the other booth. The waitress appears with their food and clears her throat to break the spell they are in and sits the food and tea pot on the table.
The food wafts to Allen's nose and nothing could stop him from digging in. Kanda smiles to himself content to see Allen gorging himself with the palatable food.
"Mm, what wonderful tasting food," Allen says, closing his eyes, savoring the flavor in his mouth once he's eaten half his food.
Kanda observes Allen and is thankful to see he has more color then earlier today. He knows Allen needs more rest to finish healing and hopefully once they find Komui's house he can. Kanda takes a sip from his tea and continues to watch his lover fill his stomach.
Allen sits back patting his stomach, smiling like he went to heaven. He opens his eyes and looks over at Kanda who is sipping his tea, his dark blue eyes gazes back at him.
"Have you had enough to eat, Bean Sprout?" Kanda asks with that half grin of his.
"Ohhh … have I! Now I feel like I could sleep the day way, of course with you beside me," Allen says, with an impish look in his eyes.
"Well then, why don't we go buy our food and supplies and be on our way," Kanda says, solemnly.
"Yes, and find our home," Allen replies cheerfully, taking Kanda's hands and squeezing them.
"I love you." "I love you back."
To be continued …
A/N: I've had the week from hell at work and I'm overtired, but I got the chapter done. Hopefully, you enjoyed it. Sorry I'm short on words this time, but I'm never too tired to tell you all thank you again, and again for the lovely reviews!