First Love… Final Love…

Part One: Flavour of Life

Tyki Mikk was sprawled on a field of rich green grass. He had set his gaze upon the light blue sky that was artistically painted with clouds of all sizes. He had left the Noah house a few days ago to set out on a new adventure until he had to return to assist the Millennium Earl in his fight against God.

“Sometimes I wonder where my heart stands?” He sighed closing his eyes and inhaling the fresh scent of the fields around him. How can I keep my sanity from being consumed by my savage side? I wonder… What I really want in this life… His thoughts drifted off in a direction he dared not follow. He didn’t want to be confused about such minor things; he was a Noah, a chosen one.

He opened his eyes again but frowned when he realized that the beautiful painting he was gazing upon a few minutes earlier was distorted by the face of a person he did not want to see at this moment of his peaceful rest.

“Are you spying on me Earl?” He asked looking sideways, somewhat annoyed, for the interruption.

The Earl laughed with that horrible laughter of his. “You left again Tyki,” he said in his overbearing singsong voice. “Just don’t go far astray off your course.” He vanished into thin air leaving a bewildered Tyki behind.

Tyki sat up and rubbed a hand through his hair, annoyed. Damn that Earl for ruining my day like this, he thought as he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pant’s back pocket. I need to leave this place and go find my friends; he lit his cigarette with that thought in mind and smiled to him self, pleased.

After he finished with his cigarette, he got up from the place he was resting and descended from the hill to the road below. He had starting to feel hungry so he made his way to the next town walking along the country road enjoying the scenery before his eyes. He enjoyed living among the humans and spending his time playing poker with his three friends, but life wasn’t always fun for him. Not when I have to change into my Noah form, he thought as he strolled happily on the road. I am afraid to lose them, he sighed again this time inwardly. Am I being weak? He questioned himself but regretted it the same moment. He didn’t want to be in conflict with his self; he didn’t want to go astray.

He approached the small town of Seelow and passed through the gates as if he belonged in that place. He made his way down the lanes that were crowded with people at this time of day. He approached a bench when he arrived at the market and bought himself a bag full of apples. 

He could never explain his love for that particular fruit, but he never pondered as much on the thought either. In my case its better not to think about complicated feelings and needs, he thought as he bit into one of the juicy apples he had pulled out of the bag. Just follow my instinct… That sounds so beastly; he exhaled, annoyed. Today his mind didn’t want to obey his will and was striding off onto dangerous paths.

He left the town behind him as he left through the Southern gate and walked on the road towards Berlin. He was going to take a train from there to reach the Northern parts of Spain so he could go meet his three friends in the mines of Asturias.

He didn’t know how long he was walking down the countryside road but the sky started darkening rapidly and he had to find shelter soon. He looked up to the sky and he saw the beautiful colours that played along the clouds as the sun sat behind the mountains. He smiled at the scene in front of his eyes; he was a simple man with simple desires and simple needs. That was his resolution for the day; he continued walking until he came to a halt.

Something was invading his nostrils and distracted him from his current course. It was a beautiful warm scent; someone was cooking apples. He was sure it was apples; he would never fail in recognizing that beautiful scent. But that someone wasn’t just cooking the apples, they were baking them. He left the path that led to the city of Berlin and climbed the small hill that was between him and his conquest.

At the end of the day he was just a simple person, with simple desires. He made his way to the small cottage house that came to site as he reached the peek of the hill. He still was carrying the small bag with only a couple of apples left in it. He looked at the bag and scratched the back of his head. I guess I can’t offer something in return if I ask for a place to stay, he thought wryly.

“Never mind, I’ll go anyway,” he said aloud and made his way down the hill and towards the cottage. As he approached the small house, he heard a woman’s voice swear out loud. He couldn’t make what she was talking about but she sounded angry.

He opened the front gate slowly, hesitantly even. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to get himself into trouble over baked apples; but decided to try anyway. He walked up to the open window where he could feel the strong smell of a delicious baked apple pie. As he approached the window slowly, he suddenly felt a pain growing in his head. He looked at his feet and saw it was a rotten apple that had hit him.

He scratched his head perplexed and noticed that another apple flew out the window; then another and then another and another. Is the woman crazy? He thought as he looked at the apples emerging from the window and falling on the ground outside the small house.

He sighed and moved backwards to leave, but the moment he turned his back the front door opened and a woman came out. Tyki looked at her surprised. He had thought that the woman would be an old grouch, but what his eyes where looking upon would hardly come close to that description.

In front of him stood a beautiful young woman; her eyes were a dark deep green colour and they were looking, stunned, at Tyki. Her hair was long but framed her face gracefully; the dark black colour of her hair was contrasting against her green eyes, thus making the colour of her eyes stand out.

He was mesmerized by those eyes; he thought he was losing the ground beneath his feet. Then she spoke; a beautiful voice rang in his ears but he couldn’t grasp what she was saying. He looked at her and pulled himself together.

“Are you okay? You spaced out.” The young woman asked a little concerned. She pulled the shawl tighter around her as the day drifted into darkness slowly and the chill of the night made its presence.

Tyki smiled, embarrassed. “I am sorry. I was just about to ask if I could spend the night here, when an apple attacked me.” He scratched his jaw. You just made a fool of yourself, he kicked himself mentally.

The woman’s eyes widened slightly; she covered her mouth with one hand and apologized. “I am very sorry. I… I didn’t know that there would be someone outside my window. Are you alright?” She asked, trying to hold down a chuckle.

Tyki said nothing more; he just stood there looking at her with a grin on his face. After a few seconds that seemed like days he composed himself. “Were you going somewhere miss…” he trailed off wanting to hear her name, but couldn’t ask directly for it.

“Oh! I am sorry,” she chuckled sweetly. “My name is . Tiedoll. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” She bowed her head slightly.

“The pleasure is mine.” The gentleman of the Noah clan answered with a small bow. “My name is Tyki,” he said simply.

’s eyes were glued on the tall man in front of her. She was stunned when she stepped out of her house and stumbled upon him. His gorgeous face had imprinted itself in her heart and was currently beating so fast that she could hear the drumming in her ears. Tyki; his name rang in her ears harmoniously. She smiled warmly to youth in front of her and moved to the side as she gestured and invited him inside.

Tyki walked into the house and felt warmth hugging his whole existence. Not even in the Noah household he’d never felt such warmth, as if he was a part of something greater than him.

made her way to the kitchen and Tyki followed her quietly. She took off her shawl and placed it on a chair near the table. She moved to the stove and pulled out a steaming pan. She pierced through the pie with a fork and placed it in the oven again.

“It’s not ready yet,” she said as she pulled the glove off. “Are you hungry?” She asked her unexpected guest.

“Well to be honest, I was brought here by the scent of your baked pie,” he answered truthfully. He never was a man to lie about anything, but sometimes he had no other choice but to do so.

chuckled sheepishly. “I see.” She pulled another pan from the stove on the other side. “This was done an hour ago, but it’s still warm.” She sliced a piece and placed it on a plate; then she made her way to the table and left the plate in front of Tyki. She gestured for him to sit and proceeded to make a cup of hot coffee for him.

Tyki pulled out a chair; he sat down and picked up the fork; he cut a piece of the pie and ate it. It tasted like the pagan Gods ambrosia. A bite of Heaven; he looked at his plate, the piece of pie that was waiting for him to eat it. He was amazed beyond words. I don’t think I will find anything to match this taste, he thought as his gaze remained on the plate.

returned with a cup of hot black coffee in her hands and left it on the table. She looked at him and smiled. He likes it, she thought happily. “You don’t like the pie?” She asked sweetly as she sat herself on the chair opposite him.

Tyki looked up at the girl with a puzzling look. “It’s delicious. I’ve never eaten anything like it in my entire life,” he answered truthfully and ate another bite. He chewed on it slowly, to savour the taste after he was done.

“Thank you for the coffee,” he said after eating the rest of the pie.

had placed her hands on the table; her right hand was holding her head under chin for support. She was looking at Tyki amused. He is so handsome. “I am glad you liked the pie,” she said. “My father used to say that I make the best apple pies in the world.”

He sipped on his coffee slowly. “Well, I must admit that he was right.” He stretched his hands above his head and then placed his elbow on the table resting his chin on his hand imitating ’s posture. “I was wondering for a while now; why were you throwing the apples out the window?” He looked at her and raised his eyebrows when she started laughing.

“I am sorry… but I just remembered that you said you was attacked by an apple.” She explained trying to look serious enough.

Tyki laughed too. “I guess I did.”

“I make apple pies for a living. Here in Germany they’re very popular,” she said with a smile. “I am very proud to say that my pies are the best in the whole area,” she laughed happily. “I threw the apples out because they were rotten. The man I buy them from didn’t come today so I went to town to get some. But the market man gave me all the rotten apples he had and I only noticed when I came back home.”

“I see.”

poured some water for herself and sipped a bit. “I don’t have my father’s temper.” She joked.

“Do you live alone?” He was more than curious to find out more about the woman sitting in front of him. “You said you make a living by selling the pies.”

nodded. “I live alone since my father left me. My mother died when I was very little, so it was me and my father up to 2 years ago.” She sipped on her water. “My father is a General and left to fight a war. He never told me the details so I don’t have much knowledge about the matter.” She got up from the chair and moved to the stove; she took out the pan and placed it near the window, which was now closed but a small opening on the side. She left the pie to cool down and returned to the table after having served another piece for Tyki and herself.

“I will cook in a bit so eat this until then,” she said as she placed another piece in front of him. She sat down on her chair and started nibbling on the pie.

Tyki thanked her and started munching. “There is no war going on in the world you know.”

“I know,” she answered sighing. “It’s a different kind of war, but as I said I don’t know much.” She placed the fork on the plate as she finished eating her portion and wiped her mouth with a tissue. “Are you a traveller?” She asked, wanting to change the subject.

He looked deep into her eyes. He knew she was avoiding the conversation but obliged to her will. “I was on my way to Frankfurt. I was going to get a train down to the North of Spain. I have three friends waiting for me in the mines of [name].” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “I work there.”

“I see,” she chuckled. “I distracted you with ‘Flavour of life’.”

“Flavour of life?”

stopped laughing and looked at him. “Oh! I am sorry,” she apologized placing her hand on her mouth. “My father used to call my pie ‘Flavour of life’. He had this whole story that explained why he called it like that.” She laughed. “It’s funny. I might tell it to you some other time.”

Tyki’s lips formed the sweetest smile when he saw the laughing girl’s face. She was so purely happy and beautiful. He couldn’t believe that there could be such beauty within a human being. He felt entranced by her whole existence. He fell in love for her at plain sight. He could feel his heart beat increasing when their eyes met. Her voice was soothing his previous worries and made him want to stay there forever.

Flavour of life… It echoed through his mind; his heart; his soul. What a weird name for someone to give to a pie, he thought but decided that it was just the perfect name for it. His most favourite food was apples and made into a pie by her lovely hands. Yes, it’s like tasting life… But he was a Noah and had no right to fall in love with a human.

According to the Millennium Earl all humans will die and only Akuma will live on earth along with the Noah clan as their masters. He didn’t like that aspect very much because of his own human friends. Neither of his forms did come to terms with the Earl’s plans but he had to follow them either way. His mind was so confused; he wanted to scream out his frustration but that was not a trait of his character.

He fell a warm hand touch his shoulder and averted his eyes to look upon the person that was beside him. He was brought back to reality when he saw her concerned look. “I am sorry. I spaced out for a moment,” he said and got up from the chair. “Could I wash my face somewhere please,” he asked politely.

nodded and showed him to the bathroom, she gave him a pair of old cloths that her father had left behind and a couple of towels. She walked out and closed the door behind her. He is so… anyway, he is just a stranger; go back to work, she thought and walked back to the kitchen to finish with her pies.

Tyki decided to have a shower since he was in the bathroom. He took off his clothes and entered the shower. He turned on the warm water and stood underneath the running clear liquid. He felt his worries and anxieties begin to drift away with the water as it ran down his body. He decided to stay for a few days with her; to learn more about her; to taste more of her ‘flavour of life’; he smiled at that thought and lowered his head as he placed his hands on the harsh wall.

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Somewhere near the Borders of France

“I can’t believe I took this mission.” complained as she walked with her hands behind her head.

“You aren’t alone you know. We all took this mission together.”

looked behind to the boy who was following her. “Allen-kun, it was your mission, I just tagged along,” she explained.

Allen sighed shaking his head. “Then don’t complain. Let’s just go find somewhere to spend the night and tomorrow we will get the first train to Berlin,” he said and walked past with Timcampy following him.

“Hmph… I wonder what is so special about this girl that we have to go get her,” she sighed annoyed but increased her speed to reach Allen.

Allen Walker and McKites were exorcists looking for other possible exorcists that were around the European terrain. It had become a necessity to find new members that would become exorcists so they could fight in the upcoming war against the Millennium Earl and the Noah clan.

Allen had taken the mission with great passion but had to go alone unless someone would volunteer to go with him. No one did volunteer except for . Allen had been in the order for only five months but had become very popular from day one when the Gatekeeper had mistaken him for an Akuma and was almost killed by Kanda; but he mostly was known for his eating habits. People were usually amazed at the amounts of food a kid like Allen could eat.

Supervisor Komui Lee had ordered Allen to go on a mission regarding a person that could possibly be an accommodator for Innocence. He had also asked Kanda to accompany Allen but he refused, saying something like ‘the bean-sprout should be able to handle a simple mission like that on his own!’. Well, Komui had little choice since all his exorcists where on other missions but to let Allen go alone.

Fortunately for both, volunteered to accompany him on his mission. It was known to all that Allen’s last mission, although a success, had a severe effect on his and Lenalee’s health since they were both brutally injured by someone from the Noah clan.

had been in the Order from a very young age; being born with a rare and dangerous parasitic type of Innocence, the Order had taken her away from her home at the age of eight. She was the only person Lenalee had become attached to before her brother’s arrival at the Order.

loved both Allen and Lenalee very much and was deeply saddened when she heard about the outcome of the ‘rewinding city’ mission. Since that day, she had vowed to never leave either of the two to go anywhere without her.

After the Krory mission, Komui gave Allen his current mission so asked to go with him as she didn’t want him to go alone. She acted more like an elder sister than anything else.

And so they started from the Black Order’s HQ and were currently somewhere near the French – German borders. They were standing outside of an inn trying to figure out what to do.

“Why are we standing outside?” asked looking perplexed at Allen.

Allen looked at her and smiled. “No reason I guess. Let’s go inside. I am hungry,” he said and walked towards the door.

He opened the door and entered the inn with following right behind him. They made their way to the receptionist and booked two rooms. Then they went upstairs to leave their bags and have a shower or change. They met at the restaurant area of the inn after thirty minutes.

They sat across from each other and ordered something to eat. “, you know, I have been thinking that you remind me of my master. General Cross,” Allen said out of the blue. “Do you know him?”

“Nope. And I don’t want to,” she smiled mischievously. “From everything you said about that man, I don’t think I would like to even be in the same room together with him.”

Allen laughed embarrassed. “I guess I would too,” he mumbled. “So why is this person so important for us to find?” He asked as they waited for their order to be brought.

looked at him and scratch the back of her head. “I don’t really know but I heard that she is the daughter of one of the Generals so she is already a candidate for the Innocence,” she said thoughtfully. “I also heard that she might already have Innocence, like that Miranda girl, but she probably doesn’t know it.”

“Who is her father?” Allen asked curious to know more about the girl they were trying to find.

“Umm… I think they said her father was General Tiedoll, but I am not too sure,” she answered. She looked around to see if their food was coming but no luck. She sighed annoyed. “I am hungry, where is the food?” She pouted crossing her hands.

Allen smiled nervously. “Where is the General now?” he asked to lighten up ’s mood. can be such a grouch sometimes, he thought as a bead of sweat formed on his forehead.

He loved very much; she had made him feel like he belonged somewhere. She was funny, caring and kind; but she had some bad aspects too. She reminded him so much of his former master, the colour of her hair, her carefree character; she even liked to play poker; not only she liked to play but she knew all the cheating tricks he had learn from his master in the years of his training. But the most obvious resemblance was when she was acting like a spoiled kid. Although his master was a lot older than him, he would be difficult as a spoiled kid if he didn’t get what he wanted.

Their food was brought shortly after Allen’s question but answered him anyway; she was not one to ignore someone. “Don’t really know. Kanda and Daisya are supposed to look for him.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

Allen was already on his fourth plate. “I should have asked Lavi to come with us. It would have been a lot more fun and we could find out more information,” he said with his mouth full.

“Who is Lavi? The kid that is always with Bookman?” she asked and drank her water.

Allen stopped eating and looked at her. “Yoo dund noow Laari?”

“Would you care to translate that for me?” She teased, laughing at Allen.

“I said, ‘you don’t know Lavi?’. Don’t laugh at me, I was surprised!” He argued while was laughing her head off.

She sat up trying to compose herself. “I have heard of him but I never met him in person,” she said and stretched her hands above her head. “Allen, have you finished?”

“Yes. How long will it take us to get to Berlin?”

They both got up and walked to the stairway. “Five days.” Was ’s answer as they climbed to the first floor; they bid their goodnights and entered their rooms.

yawned as she sat on her bed thinking about their discussion. One thing that had remained in her mind all the time they were downstairs was Allen’s comment. You remind me of my master. General Cross.

General Cross huh? I wonder what kind of man he really is. With that thought she drifted off to sleep.

--------------------

’s home

The morning arrived quickly and was up as early as usual to pack the pies for the delivery. She had slept late last night since she had fallen back on her time schedule due to her unexpected guest.

She was feeling quite happy this morning for no reason. As she was finishing with the last two pies, she felt a persistent gaze on her. She turned around and saw her guest leaning on the door frame looking at her busying herself with everything.

He wore a beautiful smile on his lips and thought that she was still in bed dreaming. He approached her slowly and took the packs from her hands; he placed them on the table and turned to look at her again.

“Do you have to take these to town?” he asked softly.

nodded and turned to make him some coffee. “I will take them and buy some fresh apples this time,” she said and handed him his coffee with a shy smile.

Tyki took the cup and sipped his coffee quietly. “Is it okay if I come with you?” He asked, looking at her back.

was washing the pans so that she could have them ready for later, but stopped when she heard him ask if she minded him tagging along with her. She wiped her hands and turned around to look at him. “You don’t need to come with me. You can stay here if you like.”

Tyki smiled. “I want to go with you.” He gave her his cup. “I would like to stay for a few more days if that’s alright with you.”

blushed at his request. She nodded without saying a word. She passed by him and picked up one of the packs. “We have to go,” she said and walked out of the kitchen.

Tyki followed her carrying the second pack. He reached her at the door and took her pack from her hand. They both walked close to each other and talked about various things. They reached the town before the shops were open. They strolled down the small lanes and arrived at a sweets shop.

They gave the order to the shop keeper; after got paid she took Tyki’s hand in hers and pulled him along with her. She wanted to buy something special with her money apart from apples and supplies for her pies.

She was smiling brightly and the sunrays where dancing along her silky hair. Tyki was more lost in her existence that ever. He was being hypnotized by her smile; he was smiling like a love struck fool. Something that was so out of character for him but he couldn’t make himself stop.

stopped in front of a flower shop and bought a bouquet of flowers with bright colours. She held the bouquet in her arms and danced around the road they were walking. She was very happy today for a special reason… she had fallen in love with the man that was accompanying her. It was a love at first sight; it felt like a destined love but was it a love that would be responded or not? That thought hit her hard as if she fell into a hole.

Her smile faded gradually; Tyki saw that and wondered what could have made her sad all of a sudden. He moved closer to her and caressed her hair gently. She looked at him with her beautiful green eyes full of emotions he couldn’t interpret. His fingers played with a lock of her silky hair; they were both looking in each other’s eyes.

Suddenly Tyki lifted his hand that held the lock of hair and brought it to his lips. “Your hair is soft,” he said slowly and left slip through his fingers before he moved his hand to cup her cheek. “You should always smile, because your smile makes you look beautiful,” he whispered as he leaned down and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

’s face changed into a thousand shades of red. Her heart was doing flip-flops in excitement but she tried hard not to jump in his arms. He had shown her his affection the moment she thought that maybe her love was one-sided. She wondered if he could read her mind, but said nothing of the sort.

“Thank you,” she said with a sweet smile. “I think the market is open by now.”

This time it was his turn to reach for her hand. He held it tight in his and they walked to the market. They bought the supplies she needed and returned to her house.

“Tyki, can you help me clean the apples?” asked as she washed the fruits in the sink.

Tyki laughed but obliged. He couldn’t say no to her even if he wanted to. He started cutting the apples but he must have been doing something wrong because kept nagging at him. He gave up after peeling three apples.

“I’d rather eat them than clean them ,” he said annoyed.

chuckled. “And you said that I had a bad temper,” she teased him and they both laughed.

After she finished peeling the apples, she put them in a huge pot to boil them. She served Tyki some pie and a cup of tea. She then started busying herself with lunch.

Tyki ate the tasteful pie happily and when he finished, he got up from his chair and walked to the sink to wash the plate and cup he used. He moved closer to and inhaled her scent. It was a scent similar to the scent of an apple. He thought that the scent must have left a permanent stigma on her skin after cleaning and baking so many pies. He would never forget her scent even when he would be miles away from her.

That thought dropped like a hard stone on his stomach, but he couldn’t do anything about it, he had two personalities hidden in one body. But before I leave I will at least show you my love, he thought as he moved his hands to reach out for her waist. They circled around her waist and pulled her into his arms. He rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered something that made her blush.

Her heartbeat was raging and she could feel his hot breath brushing over her cheek. ’s knees felt wobbly but his strong arms prevented her from falling. Everything in her mind was spinning with the speed of light. She had just met him yesterday and now she was in his arms; everything was moving so quickly. She wondered how they could be so much in love with each other when they only met a few hours ago.

She remembered her father telling her a bed-night story when she was little… about two star-crossed lovers that fell in love with each other upon first sight. She had always wished for a love like that but never for their ending. But what was the ending about? She questioned herself inwardly; but her thoughts just vanished when she felt his lips placing kisses along her neck and up to her cheek.

Tyki was so lost in his own little world that he didn’t mind forgetting about his true self. He turned into his arms and cupped her cheek with one hand while with his other he held her close to him by the waist. He looked deep into her eyes; he let himself get swept away by his own feelings.

He leaned his head down and lifted hers slowly. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to feel her, and he wanted to taste her. He closed his eyes as his lips touched hers.

The kiss was hesitant at first but lifted her hands and entwined them around his neck pulling him closer and deepened the kiss. Tyki moved his lips slowly over hers and his tongue played with her lower lip. felt a thrill run down her spine when his tongue traced a line on her lip and she opened her mouth hesitantly.

Tyki felt her mouth move and pushed his tongue into her mouth slowly, gently. He caressed the walls inside her sweet hot mouth and then teased her tongue. She responded to the tease and their tongues danced together in a sensual, yet passionate kiss.

They pulled away when the air was drained from her lungs. opened her eyes slowly and looked at Tyki with glazed eyes. Her emotions were all over the place and she didn’t know how to react anymore.

Tyki felt just as lost as ; he opened his eyes and looked at ’s flustered face. He smiled feeling a surge of happiness fill him. He was responsible for making her feel so beautiful; the emotion of achievement was something he could not compare to anything he ever felt before.

“This was my first kiss,” whispered smiling content.

Tyki kissed her forehead lovingly. “What did it feel like?” he asked her in a low voice that was almost a whisper.

“Like… Flavour of life.”

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A.C.

Edited by Hane - April 07, 2008