John sighed in the heat. It seemed to be hotter around Kyoto than it was in Tokyo. Summer had well and truly arrived. The sun scorched his skin, which wasn't so bad. He was used to intense sunlight. It was the humidity that bothered him. Summer in Australia brought a dry heat, but here it was sweltering. Even the slight breeze felt clammy on his pale skin. He'd opted for a white top, keeping long sleeves despite the heat. He still felt more comfortable when he was covered. His jeans were a little worn, with tears in the knees and thighs, but they were comfortable, and that was what he needed when walking long distances. He was wearing some worn hiking boots, which he'd had for a few years now. Lin had chosen similar clothing, though his trousers were neat black cargo pants rather than denim.
"Are you alright?" Lin checked for the hundredth time. John gave him a small smile in response, unsure how to reassure his mate. Lin had asked almost constantly since they'd reached the halfway point in their climb. They were walking up a steeply sloping path, a path that was clearly disused these days. The road itself was still in good condition, but the paths were cracked the crumbling, with plants starting to overgrow them. John staggered as his foot caught on a raised stone. He barely had time to catch himself before Lin's arms were securely laced around his waist.
"I'm alright, thank you," John replied, content to rest a moment in Lin's embrace. Lin gave him a warm look as he released him, watching him use his sleeve to wipe his brow. The good thing about walking up the hill was that the air was getting just a little cooler. Nice as this walk is, I'm not sure this is the right place…I can't see any water nearby, so if it's here, it must be on the other side. He sighed in frustration, looking up to see the slope disappear ahead. It seemed a long way.
"It isn't as far as it seems," Lin assured as he walked a little ahead. Considering he spent most of his time sitting in the office, John was surprised by Lin's stamina. He'd set a fairly brisk pace and had barely broken a sweat. They were over halfway, and John was tiring, but Lin looked like he was ready to continue going for a few more hours. Maybe it's because he's an alpha…Physical endurance is necessary for them. John couldn't help feeling a touch of envy at that. If anything, he felt like he was holding him back. "Shall I carry you for a while?" Lin asked sincerely as he looked over his shoulder to see John doubled over watching him.
"I'm not a child!" John's cheeks flushed in embarrassment at the idea. Do I really look that pathetic? He grimaced inwardly, knowing he must be quite a sight. His pale skin was flushed and damp with sweat, blonde hair tousled by the breeze, and his clothes were probably a mess by now from all the sweat and various trips along the way. His heart thudded as Lin rested a comforting hand on his head and stroked his soft hair.
"No, but you are an omega and I know this is difficult for you." His softness made John grateful they'd walked ahead of the others. Ayako was still a little tired from the day before, and Mai had never been one for walking long distances. They weren't even in sight as John looked over his shoulder. "You've been pushing yourself today." Lin let his hand slide down to the back of John's damp neck to squeeze his submission point. John was about to object before Lin leaned down and pressed a kiss against his slightly dry lips and thrust a water bottle into his hands moments later.
"Thank you," John murmured as he took a few gulps and handed it back. Lin slowed his pace a little, lacing his fingers with John's and remaining at his side. It was nice. Under different circumstances, John would likely enjoy walking with Lin in a setting like this. He worried his lip. Are we close? Is this the right place? What's on the other side of this hill? He couldn't help feeling anxious, wondering whether Gene was watching, and whether he would give him a sign of some sort.
At the top of the hill was a viewing platform with an old disused bench. It was a little dirty, but still sturdy. At Lin's suggestion, they sat down to wait for the others. John nibbled a sandwich Lin had brought and shared a small flask of tea with him. It was so peaceful up on the hill. It was one of those rare areas of Japan that hadn't been built on because of the steep hillsides. John closed his eyes and tilted his head back, the sun warming his face through the trees above. He opened his eyes in surprise as his lips were sealed. His cheeks flushed as Lin drew back with lidded eyes and closed his own in contentment as Lin nuzzled his forehead.
"We should do this again sometime, just the two of us," Lin murmured as he drew back and looked out at the view. John hummed his agreement, feet twitching happily at the thought. It was strange to think that just a few short months ago, he'd despised the idea of spending time alone with the alpha at his side. He leaned against Lin's arm, head resting just below his larger shoulder, smiling softly as a hand came to rest on his knee, gentle fingertips teasing the pale skin through one of the tears.
"Hey!" Takigawa's voice greeted cheerfully as he appeared at the top. It seemed he was in his element. He was wearing light beige cargo pants with a tight white T-shirt that showed off his muscular arms, and his hair was loose about his shoulders for a change. It was a little dishevelled, having been tossed by the breeze, but he didn't seem to mind. Ayako look a little more worn as she appeared at his side. She was wearing black shorts and a matching tank top, with her red hair tied in a low ponytail. Ayako sighed as she sat beside John, with Takigawa content to sit on the ground at her feet. "Naru and Mai will be here soon. They just stopped to take some pictures," he added as Lin's gaze shifted to the road.
"Poor Mai isn't used to all this climbing," Ayako added breathlessly, dark eyes sharpening as Takigawa chuckled.
"Look who's talking!" He laughed loudly as Ayako's boot stamped on his folded knee, grabbing her calf and holding it gently, letting her foot rest on his pants. She let out a huff and looked away, but didn't pull back. Takigawa took that as permission, gentle fingers tracing the soft skin and pressing the tired muscles of her calf. A few minutes later Mai and Naru appeared. Mai seemed in good spirits despite her tired state, and though Naru was clearly suffering a little from the heat, he maintained his usual stoic nature.
It was the first time Naru had worn casual clothes on a job. He was similarly dressed to Lin, only he wore all black. Mai had opted for her dark green khaki shorts and a matching tank top that day, though she had a brown sweater tied round her waist just in case. They rested awhile, sharing a small lunch while Mai showed Ayako and Takigawa her photos. She'd managed to sneak Naru into a few, though often from the back or side. In the few she had of his face, he always wore a quizzical look as if she'd just called his name. John and Lin moved to the ground beside Takigawa to allow the newcomers to sit on the more comfortable bench.
On the downward slope, and having rested and refuelled, walking was much easier and the group managed to stay together. John and Lin kept their place at the front, setting the pace for those behind. John sighed softly as he looked along the road. It looked familiar, but then, any road could look familiar with the identical barriers and steep drop over the side. Lin squeezed his hand in comfort. It was only the first day, and it was unlikely they would find the right place straight away, but John was frustrated he couldn't immediately rule this place out.
"Well?" Lin murmured as they paused around halfway down. John sighed as he walked over to the somewhat rusted barrier and rested his hand against it. Looking over the edge, it was very steep, but not quite rocky enough, and though there was a river at the bottom, it wasn't deep or large enough. Unless things have drastically changed within the past year, this can't be the place. Despite that, he was reluctant to say it. "Don't get too frustrated. This is only the first place." John nodded his agreement.
"I know, but even though I don't think this is the place, I…" John trailed off, worried about his own memory of the events. What if he'd seen it wrong? What if this was the place, and he was going to lead them away from it?
"Don't worry. We can always come back if you remember something else," Lin assured, doing his best to make him feel better. I just wish Gene was here to tell me I'm right…But the spirit had been strangely quiet for the past few days. It must be difficult to make contact…
"I don't think this is the place," he decided with more certainty. Lin nodded his understanding and signalled to the others. Once they reached the bottom, they would head on to the next place. They would likely only be able to manage two in one day. They wouldn't want to be walking on the hillside in the dark. It would be almost impossible to see anything at that point anyway. Luckily, summer made the days a lot longer.
It was just after one o'clock when they reached the second place, and again, John didn't see anything helpful. Lin continued to reassure him. They'd booked the hotel for the entire week, and they could always extend their stay if they needed to. By the third day, John was worried that they'd have to. Just where are you? They'd just reached the seventh location. It was late in the afternoon; in fact, it almost seemed too dark to be looking properly.
Naru, Mai, and Ayako were looking around a little further back, searching for the road sign John had seen in his vision. Takigawa and Lin had accompanied John further up the road, turning a familiar looking bend onto a wide open road. John paused thoughtfully before taking off, pounding feet carrying him along the worn path. This place…the curve of the road…He heard Lin calling him as he ran. His foot caught, sending him rolling down the dry dirt bank and onto the faded, cracked tarmac of the road. He pushed himself up, heart pounding as he felt the sting and burn in his hands.
"John!" Lin said breathlessly as he finally reached his distressed omega and grabbed his wrist. He was surprised as John wrenched his arm free, head darting this way and that with a fresh sense of urgency and recognition. This stretch of road…right here…and then…Lin was about to lay a hand on his shoulder when he ran again. Lin called and followed, watching as John staggered to a stop and fell to his knees, glittering eyes staring at a patch where the trees had overgrown on the hillside. "What is it?" Lin asked soothingly as he crouched beside him and laced a hand in his hair. John said nothing, but raised his grazed hand to point.
"I'll go," Takigawa called as he hurried over to the trees and started pulling branches and leaves out of the way. "Lin!" As the foliage was pushed aside, it revealed the edge of a tired, old road sign. Lin left John's side for a closer look, missing it as John pushed himself to his feet. Blue eyes searched the road, feet carrying him towards the worn metal barrier. He could see it. He could see Gene's body collapsed and bloody against the metal strip, the woman straining to lift his frail body and push him back. It was here! It was right here! He ran to the barrier and leaned on the edge, looking down at the almost sheer drop into the lake below.
"Lin! This is-" He stopped dead, blue eyes widening as the barrier screeched beneath his hands. He barely had time to take in a breath as the metal gave way beneath his weight.