Chapter 33

"We should be far enough from the city for now to take a break. Just don't go out into the open carelessly right now." Capricorn said as he glanced over at Jade and Noel.

The way that Jade was still holding Noel in his arms like newly weds made even him want to blush slightly from the awkward sight. Clearing his throat he looked around for a moment then jumped up onto the branch of a tree near him. Leaning his back against the tree he slowly laid down on the branch to get some rest. They had no way to tell what time it was since they were far from the city but from what he could tell it had to be around mid day by now after all their running. He was not the type of demi who had wings so even if Jade could fly they still would have had to run the whole way for his sake.

As he put Noel down Jade could see the blush on his face from being held so close. He could not help but feel as though he wanted to continue having the barkeep close to him. There was something about the warmth of the man that felt comforting and caused his heart to feel at peace. It was something that he craved and yet at the same time felt like he did not deserve to obtain. His eyes turned slightly to the side to see that the calico on his shoulder was still purring away happily. Reaching its paw out to tap it's master lightly on the cheek it let out a soft meow that was barely audible as if it was trying to send a whisper of comfort to its master.

"Thank you." Noel worded his thanks for carrying him to Jade as he turned to walk over to the tree that Capricorn was on so that he could sit down below it. The grass was still a bit damp in the shade from the morning dew but it was not enough to bother him. If it meant that he did not have to part from Jade he felt he would accept any conditions he was put under.

"I'm going to check the area out a bit." Jade stated as he turned and walked away from the both of them. Needing a moment to clear his own thoughts from everything that was happening he felt it was best to take a break from being around Noel. Feeling that his mind would only stay jumbled up if he remained around the two of them he quickly fled to scope the area a bit.

As he walked away he could hear the two of them begin talking to each other. It was obvious that the two of them could get along easily and it made him feel a tinge in his heart that hurt. Sighing slightly he could feel the comforting nuzzle of soft fur against his cheek as the little calico could sense the pain in its masters heart. A slight smile slid onto his face as he knew the little one was trying to comfort him as it always had since he arrived in this world.

Fffssshhhhh.....

The sound of rushing water began to fill his ears as he walked further. As his steps slowed down he came to a covered area where a waterfall was trickling down from a cliff above. The scenery was beautiful as the wildlife in the area gave off a sense of purity and peace that he had not seen in his lifetime. Even in his past life he had never gotten to see such beautiful scenery. There was a soft white fog that was given off where the water fell.

Jumping down from his shoulder that calico rushed over to the water and began to drink from the stream. As Jade walked over to the water he knelt down and placed his fingertips in it. Testing the temperature of the water he could tell the water was cold but still bearable for one to bathe. After running for so long while carrying the calico and Noel he felt like taking a rest to bathe himself in the stream was well owed to him. It would also help him to relax given his state of mind right now as well. Smiling slightly he glanced down at the calico and gently stroked it's head with his fingertips. The little calico purred and nuzzled back up against the hand of its master.

Standing up he glanced around the area to ensure that nobody else was near. He did not like the idea of Capricorn or some stranger walking over and catching him off guard while he was bathing. Quickly he found a place where he could place his clothing on a large rock while he took the time to clean himself off.

"Looks like I'll be taking my break here for a while." He spoke down to the calico as it meowed up at him.

Walking over to the rock as he removed his over and under shirts he folded them and placed them down on the rock so that they would not become damp from the mist the fall created. Once he had everything he had been wearing placed on the rock he slowly got into the water. It was cold but bearable and covered him up to his waist. His green eyes glanced over to see that the calico was waiting for him curled up on his pile of folded clothing. The sight of the little one taking a nap there made a smile appear once again on his face.

If he knew there were places this peaceful in the mountains he wondered if he would had taken a different course in the beginning when he came to this world. To be able to enjoy places like this was something that he never though he'd be able to witness in his lifetime. A sudden desire for his time at the fall to last a while longer began to wash over him as he took in the sounds of the nature around him. Even the air around him felt so clean to breath in that it was like inhaling a sense of pure life that made one feel as if they were bathing in heaven itself.