Red West II.

Chapter twenty nine - Nine Riders

The sun rose the next day, the same as every morning before and flooded foothills of the Rocky Mountains with its warm beams, melting the snow, which still covered the tops of the highest peaks. On the slopes below them and in the valleys, the winter was long forgotten though and the rocky hills got lively with the usual spring masquerade of young elks chasing each other between the bushes, while squirrels did the same in the treetops, their games accompanied with the orchestra of flying inhabitants of the woods.

At the daybreak, it was the black-haired Rider guarding his sleeping mates, finishing his second night patrol. Yawning Ryo was poking the fire without any real purpose, waiting for Cullen's return, as the older man set off to check on the road an hour ago.

Of the others, only Jane got up already and after assuring him that her ankle was much better, she slowly headed to the brook for the fresh water. After a while, Ryo added a few thick branches to the flames, so that they could prepare some coffee, once Jane would be back. Then he noticed that his blonde buddy started to stir under the blanket.

Koki sat up scratching his head and glanced around sleepily.

"God, I was never happier to get some sleep," he murmured, rubbing his eyes.

"That's hard to believe, considering how much you love napping all the time," Ryo chuckled.

"Bah..." the blonde one stuck out his tongue and got up. "Where's Cullen and Jane?" he asked, noticing that they were missing some members.

"Our old wolf went to check on the road, he should be back soon. Jane went to the brook."

"Good, good, I'd like to have a cup of black coffee then, pretty please."

"I'm not your servant, man," Ryo snickered.

"I've asked nicely," his companion reacted indignantly, walking around the fire. "You could appreciate that, at least."

Ryo just shook his head, while Koki continued toward the trees, probably to relieve himself, when he suddenly stopped.

"Hey! Hey!" the blonde Rider lowered his voice and started to wave at him.

"What is it now?" Ryo eyed his sudden excitement confusedly.

"Come and see for yourself!" the other one whispered, pointing down at the lines of two bodies under the blankets. "And be quiet! Don't wake them up!"

Frowning, and having no idea what could be so interesting about sleeping Kame and Jin, Ryo stood up and approached the spot bordered by two boulders, which those two chose for the night, to see what Koki did.

The older one was lying on his back, his lips parted a little and one of his arms was circled around the younger's body, as Kame was nestled with his head resting on Jin's chest, probably also hugging him under the blanket. They were sound asleep, not being aware of their surroundings at all.

"They're so cuuute!" Koki was grinning from ear to ear.

Ryo just had to smile as well; the two probably snuggled together sometimes during the night unconsciously, to warm themselves up. However, it was unusual they didn't woke up each other; they had to be really tired.

"Jane! Perfect timing! Give me some of it!" the blonde one rushed to meet the brunette, who had just returned with all their bottles full.

"What? Why?" Jane observed the Rider uncomprehendingly, as he pulled one of the flasks from her grip.

"Ssh!" Koki hushed her and tiptoed back to the sleeping 'couple'.

Jane followed him, frowning a little, until she approached close enough to see Jin with Kame and then she understood the blonde one's intention right away: "Oh, come on! How old are you, Tanaka?"