A/N: Nothing much, I suppose. Though I feel I should warn you, the next couple of chapters are going to be memory-land. So yes, answers finally start coming to light.

Warnings: Vampirism, BL; there's a brief make-out session in this chapter but nothing too hot-and-heavy.

Special Thanks: To all reviewers, especially to all loyal reviewers (I'm going to list you all at the end of the story, just you wait!), and my dear, darling beta: Asami-chan!

Pairings: Thriil, Golden, Endurance, Imperial

Chapter 8

"As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind-"

- "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" by Emily Dickinson

Kikumaru was a lot more jittery than usual; instead of clinging onto the freshman after he went into the locker room, he immediately changed and just stood there, bouncing from foot to foot. Ryoma was tempted to remark on if the other boy needed to go to the bathroom, but then started wondering if vampires needed to go to the bathroom and then he cut his train of thought off there.

"Ne, Ochibi, do you want to go get some burgers? Oishi will pay!" Kikumaru asked, grabbing an unresisting Oishi as he did so. Ryoma nearly frowned when Momo did not immediately pop in to join them - free food! - but kept his face set in boredom.

"Ah, sorry, Eiji - Ryoma and I have other plans," Fuji interrupted.

Ryoma turned to his boyfriend with a blankly speculative look but didn't bother refuting the claim; it was pointless to resist where Fuji was concerned. He missed Eiji frown worriedly before the redhead latched more permanently onto his partner's arm and practically dragged the fukubuchou out.

Momo left soon afterwards, and Kawamura and the rest of the club were already gone. The clubroom was eerily quiet, not that Ryoma minded. He just hoped Fuji wouldn't try and molest him here, especially with Tezuka still around.

Now that he thought about it, the two were taking an awfully long time just to change. Tezuka was usually the first one done; could this be the stoic boy's way of displaying how distracted he was?

"Echizen."

Ryoma angled his gaze up at his buchou, a vague glimmer of respect in his eyes. Tezuka stared at him for a moment - blocking the locker room doorway in the process - before ruffling the freshman's hair gingerly and leaving.

Ryoma blinked, ghosting a hand over his much-abused mane. How...unlike Buchou. Was the tall teen getting touchy because Ryoma knew he was a vampire? The others had all been acting strange ever since he found out, if he really thought about it...

"Shall we go?" Fuji asked, coming up next to him with a gentle smile. Ryoma nodded distractedly, letting the other boy take hold of his hand and lead him out of the school grounds. He had no idea where he was going but he was in too much inner turmoil to care.

When they reached a road, Ryoma realized the streets were starting to look familiar - they were heading to Fuji's house. Ryoma could understand, as his father always seemed to hang around them whenever Fuji came over to his house. Why was it that his father was a complete pervert where girls were concerned but the second Fuji and Ryoma were left alone, he came barging in like an overprotective madman?

"Ne, Ryoma," Fuji started, shifting a little closer as he did so - Ryoma blushed (discreetly). "For now... I think you should stay away from the others outside of practice." Ryoma turned his gold eyes on the other male, meeting open sapphire.

So, Fuji really was serious.

"It's been awhile since we've told anyone what we are," Fuji added, as if to console him. He must have understood that Ryoma did not take kindly to being told to stay away from the few friends he had. "The others are just trying to adapt, and, well, it's been difficult. Kaidoh was completely against the idea of telling you so that's why he's chosen to avoid you; Inui is keeping him company."

Ryoma certainly agreed that Kaidoh did not seem happy about Ryoma knowing their little secret, but something about that seemed...off. Kaidoh's behavior that night didn't seem to be angry or hateful; it was almost like he was scared. Something about Ryoma knowing - and accepting them - upset him, and Ryoma could not figure out why.

In truth, he never really thought much about his friends' vampirism after accepting the fact. It was more like a change in diet really, as if they had all decided to become vegetarians or something. Most basically, Ryoma didn't really care; as long as they were who they were, Ryoma couldn't care less about their fanged, blood-drinking ways.

Fuji squeezed his hand in comfort. "Don't worry. Just give it time and it will all settle down."

The rest of the walk was spent in silence, and when they reached Fuji's house, it was only then did the older boy confess that no one was home: both 'parents' and his 'sister' were at work. Ryoma was immediately suspicious; he may love Fuji but he wasn't an idiot.

He knew exactly what men liked to do when alone with their partners - and while Ryoma may be a man himself, even he knew who would end up on the bottom in this relationship. Not only was he smaller than the tensai (Stupid milk diet doesn't even work!), he was also only human - he couldn't compete with vampire strength. Call him a prude if you will but he wasn't ready for the relationship to go that far yet.

The notion that he may be Turned wouldn't have occurred to him previously either, but with Kin... it wouldn't be a stretch, would it? Considering something had happened to Kin before he could be Turned, what if Syuusuke believed it was best to Turn Ryoma now before something happened to him as well? It was an unsettling thought, but Ryoma believed Syuusuke had enough self-control not to force him to Turn.

"I won't do anything you don't want me to, Ryoma," Fuji promised, as if he had sensed the other's hesitation.

The tensai half-turned his head to look at the other boy. Ryoma couldn't help but stare- Fuji's eyes were open, sapphire eyes alight with some emotion, and the smile that turned his lips was neither sadistic or fake. Everything about the expression was gentle, and loving, and for the first time in a long time-

Ryoma felt safe.

Fuji had led him up the stairs, one hand holding his the entire time and never letting go. He was drawn into a room that he immediately knew was Fuji's; it was organized and clean, and cacti lined the shelves and window, books put neatly away on shelves. The desk was clear, all writing instruments in a mug on top, and the desk lamp was off but obviously well-used. The bed - just a little bit smaller than a full-sized - was pushed up against the wall furthest from the door, the bedpost a few feet away from the closed closet door.

Fuji set his stuff down near his desk and Ryoma followed suit. Fuji then tugged him over to the bed and Ryoma tensed but followed, allowing himself to be pushed down on top of the dark comforter. Fuji lay down next to him, and the tension ebbed away when the tensai only wound his arms around Ryoma's smaller frame, using the freshman's chest as his pillow.

"You haven't been sleeping well," Fuji stated to his would-be teddy bear, "You can sleep now. I'll wake you later."

Ryoma frowned - was his insomnia that obvious? - but let relaxation wash over him with a sigh. The older boy's weight atop him was warm and comforting, and right now, he was very sleepy.

Fuji smiled to himself as Ryoma's breath settled into the long dregs of sleep.

He would protect Ryoma until it was time. Then...things could go back to the way they were.

Fuji closed his eyes, letting the memories of Kaoru's blood all over his hands flee his mind.

Fuji did wake him up later in the evening, with the usual smile on his face. He led the sleepy boy downstairs, settling him at the table as he went to make them both dinner.

"My parents are actually out of town on a business meeting," -that Fuji had actually organized, but Ryoma didn't need to know that- "And my sister is working late but will probably go out with her friends for awhile. You don't mind being my dinner partner tonight, do you?" Fuji asked cheerfully, already pulling out pans from the cupboards.

Ryoma snorted. "Just as long as I'm not your dinner," he grunted in response.

Fuji stilled and Ryoma stared at him.

"...Sorry," Ryoma quietly apologized.

Fuji shook his head, giving the boy a smile so strained it made Ryoma's chest hurt a little. The freshman rose from his seat, not really knowing how to comfort someone but trying anyway. He grabbed the sleeve of Fuji's shirt, staring up at the older boy with a frown.

"Syuusuke," Ryoma pulled the boy down for a brief, chaste kiss. Fuji's arms came around his shoulders and when they parted, he was pulled forward into an embrace. Ryoma breathed in his boyfriend's scent. While he was, by no means, the cuddling-type, he'd let Syuusuke have his way for now. He really had been out of line with that dinner comment.

Ryoma stood off to the side but always within arms reach of Fuji as the older boy concocted some curry to eat. Fuji appreciated the close proximity, often dropping light kisses on the freshman's face whenever he had to pass him by.

"Pre-cut vegetables, senpai? That's cheap," Ryoma remarked, watching as the tensai pulled out a bag from the freezer.

Fuji chuckled, opening the bag and pouring the contents into the pot. "I promise to make you an entire meal from scratch next time, then."

Ryoma snorted but kept his (most likely smartass) comment to himself when Fuji handed him a grape ponta that he had pulled out from the fridge. Fuji gave him a smug smile before moving over to stir the curry. For a moment, the prodigy wondered why Fuji had ponta in his fridge - he'd never seen the senior drink it - but brushed it off. Who cared, as long as he had some delicious grape-goodness in his hands?

"Ne, Ryoma," Fuji called out, holding out a spoonful of the curry he had cooked up to the boy's face, "How does it taste?"

Ryoma obediently leaned forward to take the spoon in his mouth, taking the bite and eating it. He paused to evaluate before giving Fuji a nod; it was delicious. Fuji really knew how to cook. Ryoma supposed living for centuries gave one some knowledge in all subjects. (Except for maybe Momo and Kikumaru, because as far as Ryoma could tell, their English-speaking skills sucked.)

Eating the meal was quick and Ryoma didn't find Fuji drinking from a tall glass of blood at all disturbing, reaffirming the notion that the freshman was obviously stunted as far as social norms went. Fuji handled the dishes, leaving Ryoma to himself on the couch, staring at the coffee table in front of him with a dull expression.

Fuji had been sweet today; he hadn't teased Ryoma at all or even attempt to molest him at any time (that Ryoma found unsuitable). It was nice, but Ryoma didn't understand the concept of not looking a gift horse in the mouth. A nice Fuji was not something he had ever met - at least, for such a long period as today. Maybe the situation with Kaidoh was even eating away at the immovable tensai?

Ryoma sighed inaudibly, lying down on the couch, feeling relaxed with the sound of the faucet running from the kitchen. He was still tired, despite the hours-long nap today. Luckily enough, he had had no dreams; Fuji must be some kind of magic charm. Ryoma was utterly grateful - it had felt like forever since he had gotten a nice, long rest.

Fuji had probably comforted Kin in the same way, a traitorous thought in his mind whispered. Ryoma moved his gaze to the ceiling, refusing the strange myriad of feelings the trail had prompted: stirrings of jealousy, fear, confusion. Kaidoh had known he was Kin, hadn't he? That meant the others knew he was Kin as well, so by natural inclusion, so would Fuji.

"It won't be long now, love," Syuusuke murmured, pressing a chaste kiss to the side of Kin's neck.

That was a long time ago, was Ryoma's defiant thought. Kin wasn't around anymore, for whatever reason; that boy was long gone and buried. Ryoma was Ryoma, and Fuji loved him now, not some village boy from the feudal era. Besides, from what Ryoma could pull from his dreams, he and Kin were nothing alike: whereas Kin was shy, Ryoma was arrogant; where Kin was demure, Ryoma blatantly challenged; where Kin was sweet, Ryoma was indifferent. It was like their personalities were complete opposites.

"Ryoma?"

Ryoma was recalled from his ruminations by the inquiry. Fuji stood next to him before taking a seat on the edge of the cushion, leaning down so that his face hovered mere inches away from the freshman's. Ryoma stared back unflinchingly before one hand rose up to thread through the light brown locks.

Fuji leaned down, covering Ryoma's lips with his own; the kiss was gentle and dry, merely lip-on-lip contact. Fuji pulled back just enough to look back into Ryoma's eyes, yet their lips still brushed.

"Say it again," Ryoma whispered, so quiet that it could have been just the movement of his lips.

My name. Let it be just me you're seeing...

Fuji cupped his cheek with one hand and Ryoma closed his eyes in a reassuring response.

"Ryoma." A brief kiss. "Ryoma..."

This time, the lips that covered his were unrelenting and Ryoma melted into the touch. Cold hands slipped under his shirt to trace the lines of his body as a surprisingly warm and wet tongue entered his mouth.

Fuji tasted an interesting mix of spice and metallic, a strange combination that Ryoma did not find unpleasant. Fuji's skin was cold, but wherever he touched Ryoma, it felt as if that spot were on fire. The touches, caresses, and kisses were too much, and his body started to quiver with a hungry sort of feeling; Ryoma wrapped his arms around Fuji's neck when the other started to pull away from him.

Fuji chuckled warmly, pecking the scowling freshman's nose. "It's almost eleven, Ryoma. I think I should take you home before your father hunts us down." Ryoma growled but let the older boy go. Fuji kissed him again - passionate but brief - before pulling the younger boy up. Fuji sized him up: Ryoma's clothes were wrinkled and unkempt, his hair was mussed up, and there was a tell-tale flush on his skin. A gleeful smile erupted on Fuji's lips.

"Well, one more kiss couldn't hurt..."

Practice was another grueling session for the Regulars, despite Inui's absence. While the break from the dreadful juices was welcome, Ryoma still felt discomforted by the absence of his senpai and how tight-lipped the other Regulars were. Fuji, Momo, Oishi, and Kikumaru had refused to tell him what was going on - ("Just give it time, Ryoma." "The Viper is just being sulky, don't mind it, Echizen!" "Oh, well, Kaoru and Sadaharu wanted a small break..." "Unyaa, they're just being lazy!") - so he was still clueless. He wouldn't dare ask Tezuka - he was even more tight-lipped than the others, and if he asked Taka-san, he'd probably say something similar to the others, racket or not.

Worst of all, that wasn't even the only problem; lately, it seems as if Fuji was taking up all of his time. While previously they did spend generous amounts of time together, there were still plenty of times the pair went out with the rest of their friends, or at least Ryoma could spend an afternoon at the burger joint with his two loudmouthed senpai. However, now it was like Fuji was actively separating him from the others: always partnering with him at practice, walking him straight home after practice or elsewhere, but always declining any invitations made by the other Regulars (mainly Kikumaru) to have a small outing together.

It had looked like today would be no different, as Fuji stood waiting for him outside to finish changing so they could leave together. Everyone else was already gone: Momo and Kikumaru had left together, while Oishi and Tezuka had student council duties to attend to. Kawamura had left even earlier than usual to help his 'father' with running the sushi shop.

Stepping out of the locker room, Fuji immediately pulled him into a brief kiss. When they pulled apart, Ryoma glared at him; he hated public displays of affection like that and Fuji knew it. The tensai just gave him a blinding, unrepentant smile.

"I have to take care of some files about my life as 'Fuji' - apparently there are naturalization issues - so I'll have to take a rain check on walking you home," Fuji murmured, "Please, just go straight home, Ryoma."

After another kiss goodbye (done entirely by Fuji, much to Ryoma's irritation), Ryoma started home. He reached the front gates before he caught the eyes of a certain catlike acrobat, who bounced up to him with a grin, noticeably alone.

"Ochibi! You're just in time!" he cheered, clinging onto the shorter boy. Ryoma had an expression of long suffering on his face but didn't even try to squirm out of the hold; he knew better by now.

Kikumaru glanced around, an adorably perplexed look on his face. "Eh? Where's Syuusuke?"

"He had paperwork to do." Crime lord.

Kikumaru hugged him tighter. "Well then, as your kind senpai, I will treat you! Free food!" Kikumaru let him go but kept an ironclad grip on his wrist, all but dragging him down the street. "It's the best remedy for missing your boyfriend!"

"I don't miss him," Echizen informed the other, clearly sulking, "I don't need Fuji-senpai around me all the time."

Kikumaru ignored him, chattering at light speed as he tugged the smaller boy along. They followed the familiar route to the burger shop and Ryoma let his mind drift, if only to escape Kikumaru's babbling. He was under the distinct impression that Kikumaru was taking out separation anxiety on him; he should just join Student Council so he could be with Oishi at all times and stop terrorizing his kouhai.

Ryoma blinked when he realized they had passed the burger joint. "Where are we going, Kikumaru-senpai?"

"You can call me Eiji now, Ochibi! There's this yummy place a few blocks away that I've been wanting to go to," Kikumaru answered.

Ryoma shrugged, just hoping they didn't run into Fuji. His boyfriend had wanted him to go straight home... but it was just Kikumaru and Ryoma would never turn down free food. How often would that chance crop up?

Another block walked and the streets turned a little less friendly and a little less populated. Two blocks in and the streets started to resemble downtown New York a little too closely. The third block in, Kikumaru tugged him down an alleyway. Ryoma was a little wary, but hadn't Momo and him found a rather good ramen shop in an alleyway? He'd rather not think about how Kikumaru found the place, but as long as the food was good, Ryoma would keep his complaints to himself.

After they were a good distance away from where they had entered the alleyway and still not seeing any shops, Ryoma really wanted Kikumaru to let go of his wrist now. He had tugged a little as a sort of nonverbal communication but that only seemed to tighten the grip. It was then Ryoma realized that Kikumaru had stopped talking.

"Kikumaru-senpai?"

The doubt must have shown through his voice, as the redhead stopped and turned around. The expression on his face was unsettling: a mix of determined and sad, like a man pushed into something he'd rather not be in but out of desperation will do what must be done.

Ryoma tugged harder at his wrist, alarms going off in his mind. This was not a good situation, even he could tell that - dubious social attitude or not. He was unprepared for Kikumaru to suddenly push forward, bringing Ryoma's back up against the wall, pinning both his wrists together behind his back. With his free hand, he gripped Ryoma's chin, forcing it to the side to leave his neck vulnerable.

"Kikumaru-senpai! Let me go!" Ryoma snapped, equal parts angry and frightened.

Kikumaru frowned, looking almost torn. "I'm sorry, Ochibi, I really am! But-But-Someone has to do this! Everything will be fine once you've been Turned and then things will get back to normal and we can go back to concentrating on winning the Nationals! I'm really sorry it turned out this way but no one was doing anything and Syuusuke- well, this will just settle everything!" the redhead explained, leaving his victim even more confused.

Ryoma struggled, kicking out, but Kikumaru easily countered and forced his legs still by hooking them with one of his own legs.

"I don't understand, senpai! Please let me go!" His shoulders ached - he was being held at a very uncomfortable angle - and now he was shivering. Kikumaru wasn't deliberately cruel but when he thought something needed to be done, he did it without further thought. He never wondered about the results and repercussions of his actions. With him, it was: shoot now, ask questions later.

Ryoma didn't want to be Turned - even if the sentiment was for just right now - and he especially didn't want the redhead being his Turner. For all his hesitations and reserve, he would much prefer his enigmatic boyfriend. The thought of anyone biting him besides the fair-haired tensai just felt wrong.

Kikumaru easily held him down as if his struggling was nothing. Without even the briefest of hesitations, the redhead leaned down, and all Ryoma could feel before it happened was warm, moist breath on his neck; then-

His voice choked; he couldn't even scream. Tears sprung to his eyes and his body quivered and flinched, but the response went ignored by the redhead currently sucking the life out of him.

It hurt, worse than any injury he had gained during sports. It actually felt like he was dying, which shouldn't have been surprising, considering all of his blood was being drained from his body. Still, weren't there stories that depicted vampire bites as sensual, even enjoyable? But this- this was nothing but pure agony. Tears were streaming down his face and his voice couldn't form words, nothing more than barely-audible pained hitches.

Ryoma wanted to thrash. He wanted to scream. He wanted to hide. He wanted to cry. It was unbearable and it felt like centuries had gone and still he could do nothing but remain still and suffer through it. His eyesight was blurry with his tears - and now, probably blood loss - and he felt dreadfully cold. He wanted to go back to Syuusuke's room, just curl up in the tensai's arms and sleep again. He wanted to sleep... and he wanted...

"Syuu..." His voice wavered and he would have been mortified at his weak state if his head was clearer. His eyesight was going blotchy and for a moment, he wondered if he had actually seen the outline of Syuusuke. He wanted to see those eyes, wanted to hold the other again.

A figure neared them, but it was still blurry, but there was a familiarity to it, with fair-colored hair and open, blazing, infuriated-

Sapphire eyes.

Kikumaru was torn away from him and Ryoma slid down the wall, a warm trickle of liquid seeping from the wound in his neck into the collar of his shirt. His vision was hazy but he knew that it was Syuusuke that was practically tearing Kikumaru up.

Ryoma couldn't pull enough strength to stand, much less speak. Luckily, Fuji stopped himself and Ryoma was relieved to note that Kikumaru was still breathing. The redhead's shirt was a bloody mess and the knife Fuji was holding was enough clue as to what had caused the damage; a normal human would have already died from the wounds. As a vampire, Kikumaru would likely have to recuperate for awhile to recover from the rather serious injuries.

Ryoma managed to follow Fuji's movement as the other boy went over to him and gently picked him up, before he let himself fall into unconsciousness.

When Ryoma next woke up, he was lying on his bed, safely ensconced within the blankets. His extremities felt a little chilled but the rest of his body was well-heated. His neck was sore and when he reached up with shaky fingers, he felt along the smooth skin for any inconsistencies. His fingers alighted upon the unmistakable feel of a bandage.

So it hadn't been a dream.

Sitting up, one hand hovering over the bandage, he glanced around his room with disconcerted eyes. Ryoma was not often put in situations where he feared for his own life, if any at all; the fear of injury (Akutsu) and poisoning (Inui Juice) were often enough in his life that he recovered fast, but it wasn't everyday his life was threatened.

By his own friend.

Ryoma wondered if he should feel a little betrayed but the entire encounter merely left him confused. Kikumaru didn't seem to think he was doing anything bad - in fact, by his own half-assed explanations, the redhead was convinced he was helping. Helping who or what, exactly, Ryoma did not know; apparently, though, it was not help Syuusuke liked.

Remembering the sapphire-eyed vampire made it feel like a bucket of ice water was just poured over his head. However angry Ryoma got, he didn't think he could attack a friend with a knife like Syuusuke had. Upon retrospection, it did seem like overkill: Kikumaru didn't appear to be able to hold his own after the first few stabs in his gut. In fact, hadn't Syuusuke also aimed for the face...?

Was it a vampire thing? Ryoma supposed with the knowledge that wounds not delivered by wood would heal almost instantly, multiple injury was just as good as one stab. Still, it seemed painful, and there was so much blood...

What had happened to Kaidoh and Inui? Did Fuji attack the viper-like tennis player as well? It could explain the absence, as well as Inui's. Wouldn't the data player stay by his boyfriend's side if he was injured?

But why was Fuji attacking everyone? He was also trying to force Ryoma away from the others (Ryoma understood why now, though) and he wasn't telling him anything. No one was telling him anything, they were all just acting strangely- hiding. Hiding something, something important enough that Ryoma couldn't know but that they were willing to spill blood over.

"It's a yellow camellia."

"This is the place?" Kin asked, turning to the other with a look of undisguised cheer.

There was a yellow flower, wasn't there?

Ryoma stood, maneuvering around his darkened room and out, walking down the stairs at a sedate pace. The murmurs from the TV were audible as he entered the living room, as well as the sound of his father's snores. Nanako, sitting at the table with a schoolbook, looked up as he passed by.

"Ryoma-kun! Are you alright? Fuji-kun came in carrying you earlier, saying you collapsed at school! Are you sick? Do you want something to eat? I can heat up dinner for you; Auntie is working late tonight so it will be no trouble," Nanako exclaimed, moving over to feel his forehead. Ryoma knew he wasn't feverish; if anything, he looked like death warmed over.

"I was just tired, Nanako-san," Ryoma said, backing away from his concerned cousin, "I need to check something for my homework." Before she could intervene, he continued on placatingly. "If you don't mind, could you heat me up dinner, too? After that, I think I'll take a bath and go to bed."

Nanako had an inner struggle, before with a resigned sigh that was half-exasperation, half-tolerance, she nodded with a warm smile. "Alright, but only thirty minutes. I don't want you collapsing anywhere but in your bed."

She was such a mother-hen. "Uisu."

Nanako went to the kitchen so Ryoma continued on into the study. It was more his mother's personal office at home but it did house the only computer in the Echizen residence.

The internet was a splendid thing. By typing in only 'yellow camellia' he had about one million and a half matching sites. Adding 'Japan' narrowed it down even further and he clicked on the first site that looked to be about location rather than buying the flower.

"They are only found in the Shimane Prefecture."

Matsue City.

Matsue City is the capital city of the Shimane Prefecture. It boasts Matsue Castle; the castle grounds include a winding path through mixed forests of bamboo, shrubs and trees, many of which are older than the castle itself.

The wildlife varies, but among its most remarkable is the yellow camellia. They are highly valued in Japan and elsewhere for their very early flowering, often among the first flowers to appear in the late winter. Late frosts can damage the flowers. In Japan, they are found only in this prefecture; most grow in the grounds of Matsue Castle.

Ryoma turned the computer off as Nanako called him to eat. It was Saturday tomorrow; he could ditch practice and school and buy a ticket to Matsue City to see the castle that boasted that damned flower. He didn't know where he'd go once he reached the place, but he had a feeling it would all start to make sense.

He couldn't put it off any longer. He couldn't act like everything was fine.

END... Chapter 8.

A/N: I wonder if anyone suspected Kikumaru would try something like that. He's cute, though, so I'm sure he'll be forgiven. Yeah. Anyway, it was hard depicting a frightened Ryoma because I find it hard to imagine him so... but he does remind me of someone who gets angry or violent when scared. Luckily I didn't need to do much other than have him fight back a little because he went limp since he was in too much pain. Ah, pain; how I adore you so.

Please review~!