He didn't want to wake up the next morning. Absolutely nothing about the day made him want to get out of bed. At least he had someone nice in the bed with him. He cracked his eyes open and saw Tezuka lying next to him, propped up on the pillows and reading. He smiled, glad that he had such a nice sight to wake up to. Especially since Tezuka was still naked.

"Maybe I shouldn't go and we can lock ourselves up in your room," Ryoma suggested.

"That sounds good," Tezuka said, not looking up from his book, "I spent all night thinking of ways to have you stay here. Sadly, I couldn't think of one."

"Thanks," Ryoma said, "at least you tried." He stretched and yawned, "how long before I have to get up?"

"You should start thinking about getting dressed."

Ryoma groaned and buried his face in his pillow, "Don't wanna."

"Echizen," Tezuka said sternly, "get up."

Ryoma did as he was told, pulling himself out of bed and gathering his clothes from around the room, slowly pulling them on.

"You need to get breakfast," Tezuka said, "and Oishi needs to take some of your blood."

"You could have bitten me last night," Ryoma said.

"I wanted to show you that I see you as something other than food."

"What do you see me as?"

Tezuka got to his feet and walked over to Ryoma, "I see you as a bratty prince who has had his world turned upside down and is trying as hard as he can to get back on his feet," he cupped Ryoma's face in his hands, "you are very precious to me."

Ryoma smiled and kissed Tezuka.

"What are we going to do if they don't think I'm the real Prince Ryoma?" Ryoma asked. It had been bothering him for a while now. "All they have to do is say I'm a look-a-like and we're all fucked."

Tezuka frowned, "Do you have any proof of your identity?"

Ryoma thought for a while, "They don't make Prince Identity Cards," he said, "and I can't drive or anything… hang on," A thought struck him, "the diamond from the crown jewels! They must know that I took it!"

"I'll come down to the safe with you," Tezuka said, "you should get the key."

"You need to get some clothes on first," Ryoma said, "I like seeing you like this, but I don't want any of the others to."

"Rather possessive, aren't you?"

"And I would have never thought you'd be such an animal in bed," Ryoma replied, picking up Tezuka's shirt and throwing it at him, "vampire instincts?"

"Yes," Tezuka said, "I'm sorry I couldn't hold back."

"Why are you apologising? It was the best sex I've ever had," Ryoma said, not holding back from watching Tezuka get dressed.

"Let's go," Tezuka said as he pulled on a jumped over his shirt, "are you sure you're not going to be cold like that?" he asked, noting Ryoma's thin shirt. "It's cold in the safe."

"It is," Ryoma supposed, "Can I borrow something?"

Tezuka went to his chest of drawers and pulled out a large, grey cardigan.

"Thanks," Ryoma said, pulling it on and rolling up the sleeves.

It was indeed cold down in the vaults. Ryoma wrapped his arms around himself whilst Tezuka unlocked the doors. Once inside the safe, Ryoma went found and the draw with his valuables inside, pulling it out and putting it on the table. He picked out the box with the jewel in and opened it. The diamond twinkled at him and he snapped the box shut.

"Ready?" Tezuka asked.

Ryoma nodded and Tezuka put the draw back, locking it and handing the key back to its owner. They went back up to the kitchen where Oishi was waiting with his medical kit.

"This is just in case you're away for a long time," he explained as he took Ryoma's blood.

"How long do you expect this to take?" Ryoma asked, looking up at Tezuka. He'd thought he'd just be away for a few days, a week at most.

"The least you'll be away is two weeks," Tezuka said, "It'll no doubt be longer."

Ryoma huffed and watched the blood drain out of his arm. He'd be leaving soon, probably once they'd finished taking blood. He didn't want to leave. He felt sick just thinking about it. He squeezed the box in his free hand. Their plan had to work. It had to.

"Echizen," Fuji said, coming into the kitchen, "have you eaten yet? We need to go."

"Not yet," Ryoma replied as the needle was slid out of his arm and a cotton pad pressed onto the spot.

"Toast?" Fuji asked.

"That'll be fine, I guess," Ryoma said. It would take a while for the bread to be toasted, more time that he could spend here.

Fuji set about making toast and put it in front of him. "No butter or jam?" he asked, looking at the plain toast.

"Yes, Your Highness," Fuji said, pulling the butter and jam out and putting them in front of Ryoma.

When he was sure Fuji wasn't going to butter his toast, Ryoma did it himself.

"Your luggage is in your room?" Fuji asked and Ryoma nodded, "okay, I'll get it into the car."

"You should eat quickly," Tezuka said, "it'll be for the best if you leave soon."

"Don't like goodbyes, huh?" Ryoma asked.

"I don't."

"It's not goodbye though," Ryoma said, "I'm coming back."

Tezuka squeezed his shoulder, "you are," he affirmed.

It was with some regret that Ryoma finished his toast. Tezuka and Oishi escorted him to the entrance hall where all the other vampires and Inui were waiting for him.

"Have a safe journey, Shorty," Kikumaru said, pulling Ryoma into a tight hug.

"I can't breath," Ryoma gasped, but hugged Kikumaru back.

Momo was on the verge of tears when he clapped Ryoma on the shoulder and told him to be safe and to come back. Inui told him to take lots of notes about Taranis as he'd never been there before and wanted to know what it was like. Ryoma promised to do so, although he wasn't sure how much he'd get to see on this trip. Oishi shook his hand, like Momo, he looked like he would probably start crying once Ryoma was gone, and gave him a basket full of sweets and snacks for the journey.

Fuji and Kaidoh were waiting by the door for him, both dressed in powder blue military uniforms, but he wanted to say goodbye to Tezuka properly. Tezuka lead him over to the door and Fuji and Kaidoh took that as a cue to go wait in the car.

"Ryoma," Tezuka said, pulling Ryoma off to one side, "Be safe and don't trust anyone but Fuji, Kaidoh and Atobe."

Ryoma nodded and Tezuka cupped his head in his hands and leant down to kiss him.

"You will be missed," he said, "by all of us."

"I'm not going away to die," Ryoma said, hoping what he was saying was true, "I will be back."

"You will," Tezuka said and pressed a small bottle into his hand. "This is some of my blood. If you are in danger, drink it."

"Thank you," Ryoma said, tucking the bottle into the basket.

"I hope it won't come to that," Tezuka said, "but this is the only way I can protect you if something happens."

Ryoma nodded, "I promise I'll come back. This is where I want to live."

Tezuka smiled and straightened up the cardigan that was falling off Ryoma's shoulders. "Take care of this while you're gone. It's one of my favourites."

"I'll see you soon, Kunimitsu," Ryoma said, "This isn't goodbye."

"How very mature," Tezuka smiled, "I'll see you soon."

Ryoma leant up and kissed Tezuka quickly then Tezuka lead him over to the car.

"Good luck," he said once all three of them were sat inside, Ryoma squashed between the two vampires. "Phone us when you get there."

"We will," Fuji promised.

Tezuka shut the door and stood back as the car pulled away. Ryoma looked back and saw the others stood at the doorway, waving, then the car rolled down the driveway and the doorway disappeared.

"I have a present for you," Fuji said as Ryoma turned back around to face the front. He handed Ryoma a suitcase and Ryoma looked at it dubiously. "It doesn't bite."

Ryoma opened the case and found a powder blue military uniform inside, complete with a hat.

"The King has made you a member of his honorary guard," Fuji explained.

"Oh," Ryoma said, "why?"

"To keep you hidden of course. We don't want them to know you're with us until it's advantageous for us."

Ryoma huffed, but did as he was told. "Does Tezuka know about my new rank?"

"Yes and he's not happy about it. He'd rather you hadn't come along with us. He wants you safe with him until all this is over rather than send you into the lion's den, as it were. Now, hurry up and put it on, When we arrive at the train we will most likely be being watched."

Ryoma nodded, he felt bad about putting Tezuka through all this.

"When we're there, keep your head down and don't insult anyone," Fuji told him sternly, "it's not just your life that's on the line here."

"Will we find out what's going on?" Ryoma asked, buttoning up his jacket.

"We'll find out more there than we will staying put," Fuji replied, "besides, we need to keep the peace."

"Even if it means marrying me off?"

"No, we won't allow that to happen," Kaidoh said. He'd been so quiet that Ryoma has almost forgotten he was there.

"That's right," Fuji agreed, "you're Tezuka's mate, we won't let anyone do anything to you against your will."

Ryoma had thought they'd just be going to a train station in Seigaku, but they drove around the town and headed further into the country. He didn't ask where they were going, neither Fuji or Kaidoh seemed nervous by this direction, so Ryoma went with it.

They drove past fields and woods and villages. Ryoma wished he was by a window so that he could look out at the landscape, at the rolling hills and the backdrop of towering, snow capped mountains. Instead, he made do with resting back in his seat and looking out the windscreen, watching the road roll under the car.

Eventually, they reached a small, unassuming market town, made up of shops and houses packed around a few winding streets. On the edge of the town, there was a train station. One platform with a small house on the side where there was a ticket office. Pulled up in the station was a sleek, grey train made up of four or five carriages.

"You're late," A tall vampire drawled as they got out of the car. He wore round glasses and had long blue hair.

"There was traffic," Fuji lied.

"Traffic?" the vampire asked smugly, "I don't know where you would find that." His gaze turned to Ryoma, "is this our cute new recruit?"

Ryoma bristled, but Fuji stepped in before he could say anything. "He is. Echizen, this is Oshitari, one of Atobe's mates."

Ryoma gave him a nod and Oshitari smiled a smile that was almost as creepy as Fuji's.

"There's no sense in standing out here," Oshitari said, "come aboard."

The inside of the train was beautifully decorated in blues and dark woods in a manner that befit a royal train. There were eagle motifs everywhere along with the royal coat of arms (which also heavily included eagles).

They were taken into the luxury sitting room in the middle coach, comfy seats and sofas were scattered around, set out in little sets to allow multiple conversations to happen at once. Three vampires were sat around on the seats, two conversing quietly together and one lying across one fast asleep. In the far corner, overlooking the rest of the seats was a large red throne, upholstered with red velvet and with an eagle with outstretched wings carved on top.

Lounging in the throne was Atobe, a large vampire was standing at his side, his face completely expressionless.

"You finally arrived," Atobe said, springing up and sauntering over to them, "welcome aboard my train. Shishido," he turned to a vampire sat on the sofa, wearing a baseball cap and a surly expression, "bring their luggage on-board then tell the others we're ready to depart and once they're all on please tell the driver to start."

"I know not to leave without the others," Shishido grumbled, but did as he was told.

"I'll go with him," the vampire he'd been talking too, a tall man with silver hair, said, jumping to his feet.

"Your journey went well?" Atobe asked once the two vampires had left.

"They were caught in traffic," Oshitari said, "that's why they're late."

"We had some things to sort out," Ryoma said.

Atobe's piercing gaze turned on him, "you look good in our military uniform."

"Thanks," Ryoma said.

"It took us a while to find one small enough for you."

Fuji stepped in before either Ryoma or Kaidoh could say something stupid. "Where will we be sleeping?" he asked calmly.

"You're in the fourth carriage," Atobe said, "be very thankful, Gakuto didn't want to leave his carriage and stay with Shishido and Ootori."

"I'll be sure to thank him when I next see him," Fuji said.

As they headed towards their carriage the train jerked ever so slightly and then started to pull away. Their carriage was as richly decorated as the lounge car. The front of the carriage had a couple of tables with seats around them, the other half was taken up by two sets of bunk beds, one on either side.

"I wouldn't take the bottom one on the left," Fuji said airily, "That's Gakuto's. I don't want to even think what he and Oshitari have done in it."

"I'll take the top bunk," Kaidoh said.

"Which do you want?" Fuji asked Ryoma, who worked out whether it was safer to sleep above or below Fuji.

"Bottom," He decided eventually. He could run out of a bottom bunk quicker should Fuji try something.

Their luggage had been brought in and put in the racks next to one of the sets of beds. The basket Oishi had given him was on the table, Ryoma went over and check inside, nestled between the snacks was the bottle of Tezuka's blood and the box with the diamond in. He picked out the box and put it in his pocket, he didn't want it to leave his side.

"How long will we be on the train?" Ryoma asked.

"The best part of two days," Fuji replied, "so make yourself at home."

Ryoma doubted he could do that whilst surrounded by Atobe and his mates. He sat down in one of the seats and pulled out a packet of crisps. "There's not going to be any food, is there?"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Fuji said mysteriously.

Ryoma kept himself to himself over the rest of that day. Fuji went to be with the other vampires and Kaidoh went to the gym in one of the carriages. Ryoma stayed in their carriage and read one of the books he'd brought along.
He didn't notice it get dark outside or someone come into the carriage until a plate covered in a cloche was placed in front of him. He looked up at the man who'd brought it in recognised him as the tall vampire who had been standing by Atobe's throne.

"Thank you," Ryoma said. The vampire nodded and left.

Ryoma lifted the cloche and found a steak with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. He dug in. It felt like he hadn't eaten proper food in a year! At the castle he'd been reduced to eating instant meals or warmed up canned food. None of the vampires ate human food and Inui seemed to be more into convenience than taste when it came to food. Ryoma had never thought he was the type to be picky about food, but if this was what he was going to be eating, he was going to enjoy this trip away. At least, the mealtimes of this trip.
Almost as soon as he'd finished, the vampire returned and replaced his dirty plate with an ice cream sundae.

It was delicious.

"Are you still sulking in here?"
Ryoma had just finished his ice cream and had looked forward to lying back and having a rest, but Atobe had decided to come a see him, ruining his good mood.

"I'm not sulking," Ryoma said, glaring at Atobe, "I was reading."

"Really?" Atobe said, looking bored, "I hear you've brought along something to prove your identity."

"I have," Ryoma said, "I didn't think just putting me in front of some nobles and expecting them to recognise me was a fool proof plan."

Atobe ignored the jibe. "Can I see it?"

Ryoma considered telling Atobe to go away (in much ruder words), but Tezuka had told him to trust Atobe and he trusted Tezuka. He dug his hands into his pocket and pulled out the box and opened it, revealing the diamond.

Even Atobe seemed impressed by it. "That is from the crown jewels, isn't it?"

Ryoma nodded, "I stole it before I was sent off to Taranis," he explained, "I was going to sell it."

"Do you know the origins of this diamond?" Atobe asked, taking it out the box and holding it up to the light. Ryoma shook his head. As far as he knew it had always been in the crown of Ensinkil. "It was found in my country," Atobe said, "in the mountains near Seigaku. Its discoverers were on their way to bring it to Koori, but they were robbed one night whilst staying in an inn and the diamond was taken to Ensinkil."

"Of course it was my country's fault," Ryoma grumbled.

"The people who took it to Ensinkil claimed that they were the ones who found it," Atobe said, "either way it's ancient history now. It's probably not even a true story, just the story a stone this size deserves."

"So why tell it?"

"Because that's just the backstory," Atobe said, "not the interesting part."

"What's the interesting part?" Ryoma asked, now bored with talking to Atobe.

"When they cut it, the diamond went cold," Atobe said, "and a mysterious light shone from the centre of the diamond."

"Yeah, it's supposed to be magic," Ryoma said. He'd heard this part of the story, his history tutor had pointed it out every time a picture of the crown came up in their studies. "but that's just an old story for kids."

Atobe smiled, "I'm sure it is," he said patronisingly. "You are aware that magic exists?"

"Existed," Ryoma corrected him, "if anyone magical had been born, my family would have known about them. But magic is gone."

"That's a shame," Atobe said, "magicians made some spectacular fireworks."

Ryoma nodded, he'd heard those stories as well. A long time ago, Ensinkil had been home to most of the magicians in the land, it had been a hive of magical learning and understanding. But over the years less and less magicians were born. The last magician had died over a hundred years ago and since then magic had completely disappeared beyond unconfirmed rumours of magicians in far flung corners of the kingdom.

"Can I have my diamond back?" Ryoma asked, holding out his hand for it. Atobe took one last look at the stone and placed it back in his hand.

"Take good care of it," Atobe said, "It's a very special diamond."

Ryoma put it back in its case as Atobe sauntered to the door.

"We're about to have a strategy meeting," Atobe said, "your presence is required.

He should have just said that at the start, Ryoma thought, getting to his feet and putting the box in his pocket.

The strategy meeting went on long into the night, covering every aspect of the plan and all the back ups. Ryoma didn't like the looks Fuji and Atobe shared during the 'what if there's an assassin?' part of the plan, but let them go.

All of Atobe's mates had been at the meeting. Ryoma didn't particularly like any of them, but at least three of them were quiet (although one was due to him being asleep), so he assumed they were his favourites. Jirou had been sleeping with his head in Atobe's lap and Ryoma had felt a pang of loneliness. He missed Karupin. And Tezuka. He doubted sleeping with his head in Tezuka's lap would be very comfortable, but he wanted to give it a go. One day.

Afterwards, Ryoma went back to the carriage and got ready for bed quickly before Fuji and Kaidoh returned. He considered it for a moment and then pulled on Tezuka's cardigan and climbed into bed. It was comforting to be surrounded by Tezuka's scent. It was cold inside the carriage, but the bed was amazingly comfy and the soft rocking of the train was very soporific. Besides, he was very used to the cold by now.

He was pretty sure neither Fuji nor Kaidoh had slept in the room when he woke the next morning. The curtains were open and he could see the world flashing by outside. He groaned and rolled onto his front to hide his head in the pillow. He'd slept well that night, but he still didn't want to get up, especially since they'd be arriving in Taranis later that day.

When he did, finally, manage to pull himself out of bed, he found a plate of pastries waiting for him on the table. He grabbed the plate and crawled back under the covers with it. He didn't care about crumbs, it wasn't as if he'd be sleeping in it tonight.

"Are you awake?" Fuji asked when he came into the room half an hour or so later.

"Yeah," Ryoma replied, sticking his head out of the covers.

"Atobe says you can wear whatever you want for now, but when we get near the capital you will have to change into the military uniform," Fuji told him.

"Right," Ryoma said, wrapping Tezuka's cardigan around him. It smelt mostly of himself now, but it was still warm.

He changed into a pair of jeans and a shirt and wore the cardigan over the top.
Fuji gave it an amused look when Ryoma walked into the lounge car.

"It's too big for Tezuka as well," he said.

"And yet he still insists on wearing it," Atobe said, "it's horrific."

"I like it," Ryoma said, looking down at the thick grey wool, "it's warm."

"I'm sure you can find clothes that are warm and don't look like you've had an elephant's skin draped over you," Atobe told him.

"But this one was given to me by Tezuka," Ryoma said, "I bet you don't have any of Tezuka's clothes."

Atobe gaped at him and Ryoma smirked. He'd won this round.

He sat down on one the of sofas and opened his book.

"I don't get Tezuka," Shishido said.

"Not now, Shishido," Atobe sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"He's really cold and boring," Shishido continued regardless, "and yet this kid's wildly in love with him."

"Shishido," Ootori said worriedly, "Tezuka is a very good man."

"Tezuka has hidden depths," Ryoma said, a smirk on his face as he remembered the night before he left.

"They must be very hidden," Gakuto snorted, "he even turned down the chance to be one of Atobe's mates."

"That is a matter between Tezuka and myself, Gakuto and not something you should be discussing," Atobe reprimanded him sternly.

"Especially not in front of Tezuka's mate," Oshitari said, placing a hand on Gakuto's shoulder, "it's not the done thing, Gakkun."

Gakuto crossed his arms and pouted.

Ryoma was pleased that Tezuka hadn't joined this group of vampires. If this was how they talked about Tezuka he wondered how they talked about each other behind each other's backs. He was glad Tezuka was surrounded by nice, if weird, vampires back in Seigaku. He clearly made the right choice in leaving.

He turned to gaze out the window. The land had completely flattened out and all there was for miles around was arable land, all bare. In the distance, Ryoma could see large, dark clouds, pouring down rain on the land underneath them. He tuned out the conversation around him and gazed into the landscape, his mind blissfully blank. His eyes started to shut and within minutes he was fast asleep.

Rain was lashing against the windows when he woke up, lying awkwardly on the sofa. It was pitch black outside, but the train was still moving. He sat up and looked out the window, houses illuminated by orange street lights were flashing past.

Opposite him, Fuji smiled at him. He was the only other person in the lounge car with him.

"We'll be arriving soon," Fuji said, "you should get dressed."

Ryoma stretched, his back and waist hurt from sleeping so awkwardly on the sofa. He felt chilly from sleeping without a blanket. He got up and went to the next carriage. Inside, Kaidoh was lying on his bunk, staring at the ceiling.

"Hi," Ryoma said, going to the luggage rack and pulling out the suitcase with his new military uniform in.

It was much more uncomfortable than his normal clothes. A starchy white shirt with a pale blue silk tie (he hated wearing ties) with the crest on the bottom, over the top was the powder blue, woollen jacket, trousers made from the same material and then shiny black boots and the hat.

All together, it looked pretty good on him. He'd worn it in the car to the train, of course, but changing in the car had crumpled the uniform making it look like he'd just rolled out of bed. He looked in the mirror and rearranged his hair slightly so that it looked better poking out from under the hat.

He looked closer at the crest on the pocket of the jacket and saw that the symbol was a green and yellow viper, it's mouth fully open, mid-strike.

"It's the symbol of my regiment," Kaidoh grunted and Ryoma looked up to see him watching. "you are an Officer Cadet."

"What are you?" Ryoma asked.

"Major General," Kaidoh replied.

"So I should salute you then?" Ryoma asked cheekily and saluted him.

"That's the wrong hand," Kaidoh said.

At that moment, Atobe burst into the room, dressed in his full uniform. It was covered in an obscene amount of gold braid and a large amount of medals hung from his chest. A cape hung from golden epaulettes with a lemon yellow lining and a ceremonial sword hung at his side. Ryoma wondered vaguely why he had a sword, surely a vampire had no need for one, but, as it was Atobe, it was probably just for effect.

"Are you ready yet?" He asked, pulling on a pair of white cotton gloves.

"Yes," Ryoma said.

Atobe looked him up and down, and sighed, "your tie is a mess," he said, pulling it out from under Ryoma's jacket and retying it for him. Up close, Atobe really was intimidating, his face was handsome, but his eyes had a cold sharpness to them that warned that this was a vampire who was not to be crossed. The hint of a fang pressing against his lower lip did not help matters.
Ryoma refused to let himself be intimidated by him, he kept his eyes locked on Atobe's, glaring slightly.

"You remind me of Tezuka," Atobe said, "he was never intimidated by me either. No matter how much I tried."

Ryoma snorted in amusement, "why would I be intimidated by you?"

"He was never insolent though," Atobe said, pinching Ryoma's nose, "brat." He turned to leave, "we'll be arriving in a few minutes. Remember, I may put up with your impertinence in private, but once we are in public you are a member of my guard and will do as you're told."

Ryoma crossed his arms, "yes," he sighed. Of course he remembered that, it had been drilled into him the previous night.

"If you step out of line I will not hesitate to punish you," Atobe said. "Do not let anyone know who you are until the right moment. Now, I must speak to the driver."

Ryoma watched him go, simmering in annoyance. He couldn't say that he hated Atobe, but he couldn't be around him for long periods of time without wanting to hit him.

He turned to the mirror and made sure the rest of his uniform was perfect, not wanting to be pounced on by Atobe again. He straightened his tie, not caring that it was perfectly fine before hand.

He heard the door open and shut, but didn't look up until someone poked in the small of his back. He jumped and saw no one behind him in the mirror. Spinning around, he found Fuji standing behind him, grinning. He'd forgotten that vampires has no reflection.

"Here," Fuji said, holding out a chain, on the end of which was the bottle of Tezuka's blood, "wear it around your neck, then you'll always have it with you."

"Thanks," Ryoma said, taking the necklace. He put it on and tucked it under his shirt, the bottle was small enough to fit under without being seen. It felt nice having a bit of Tezuka close to his heart…. even if it was his blood.

He could feel the train was slowing down now as they entered the city, the pressure changes in his ear indicated they were going through a lot of tunnels.
A few minutes later, they were pulling up in the station.

"Leave your luggage here," Fuji told him, "someone will pick it up. But make sure you have the diamond wit-"

"Already have it," Ryoma said, patting his pocket where the diamond was safely stored.

Canopies of glass and ironwork covered the station, held up by ornate pillars. There was no one to meet them off the train, which Ryoma was thankful of, if he had to keep a low profile he didn't want people swarming around him. It was cold outside and he wished he had a pair of gloves like Atobe.

"Of course there's no welcoming party," Atobe said, "Taranisians have no sense of style."

Ryoma took in obscene amount of gold braid on Atobe's uniform, Taranisians weren't the only ones.

He looked around the station at all the trains around them. Their train looked rather out of place surrounded by much plainer ones.

"Here comes someone," Gakuto said and Ryoma looked over to the entrance of station to a small gaggle of people dressed in suits making their way over to them.

"Your Majesty," The leader of the group, a tall, balding man said as he reached them. "I apologise for our lateness."

Ryoma tuned out the conversation between Atobe and the party of greeters, he couldn't be bothered to listen to Atobe being patronising. He shuffled back slightly, so that he was mostly hidden behind Kabaji. He wasn't going to give Atobe the satisfaction of him being the one to ruin the plan by being recognised.

After the greetings were done, they were lead out of the station to the limos waiting outside. Ryoma noticed armed men in the shadows around the edge of the building, standing guard and, by the way Kaidoh stiffened next to him, he'd noticed too.

Memories of being shot at in the night flashed through his mind and he looked down at the floor, forcing them away. He couldn't lose it now.

He felt a lot calmer once he was in the limo with Fuji, Kaidoh, Gakuto and Oishitari (not that Atobe's mates brought him comfort).

"Are you okay?" Fuji asked, squeezing Ryoma's arm.

"Yeah," Ryoma replied, "I just don't like guns."

Fuji nodded understandingly and squeezed his arm again. "Relax, you'll be fine."

They were driven to a hotel near the palace, a Gothic style, towering building made of red and cream brick. Ryoma looked up at the spires and fine ironwork covering the roof as he got out the car, a clock tower at the end of the building informed him that it was past midnight.

"We'll be staying here tonight," Atobe said, "and then we'll be moving to the palace tomorrow."

Ryoma was put in a room with Fuji, which was not something he was particularly happy with. He knew Fuji was just there to protect him and that, as an Officer Cadet he couldn't expect the penthouse suite that Atobe was currently staying in, but still, he could have at least had his own room! Fuji could just stand outside it all night, it wasn't as if he needed to sleep.

He flopped back on his double bed and covered his face with his arms. At least the bed was comfy. The problem was there was only one of them!

"I won't do anything you don't want to do," Fuji said teasingly as he took off his jacket and hung it in the wardrobe.

"Shut up," Ryoma snapped, "I only want to share a bed with Tezuka."

"Aren't you faithful," Fuji said. "Don't worry, I don't want anyone but Takashi."

"Good," Ryoma said, "Kawamura's really nice."

"He is," Fuji agreed.

"Too nice to be dating you."

Fuji just laughed. "You should take your uniform off, it'll get crumpled otherwise."

Ryoma sighed and pulled himself onto his feet, "where's our luggage?"

"It'll be here in a few minutes," Fuji said.

"So you want me to walk around naked?"

Fuji grinned, "I wouldn't complain."

Their luggage arrived a few minutes later and Ryoma changed into his pyjamas, hanging up his uniform as per Fuji's instructions.

"What's the insignia on your uniform?" Ryoma asked as he got into bed. It was some kind of fish, one that Hiyoshi, Oshitari and Gakuto also had on their uniforms.

"It's a pike," Fuji replied from where he was sat on one of the sofas. "It's a predatory fish."

"Right," Ryoma said, snuggling down in the pillows. It was a very nice bed. "You can sleep in the bed if you want," he said, "I trust you."

In a flash, Fuji was sat next to Ryoma in the bed. "Thank you," he said, ruffling Ryoma's hair.

Ryoma fought him off and glared up at him, "stop it!"

"You're very cute."

"I am not!"

"Go to sleep, Echizen," Fuji said, "tomorrow is going to be a very long day."

Echizen nodded, "turn the light off."

"As you wish," Fuji said.