Chapter 4

Tezuka was waiting... waiting for many things.. but for one thing he was done waiting. Ryoma. The pair were sat in the parlour of the grand house the silence thick and awkward. Ryoma fidgeted while Tezuka sat stock still. A servant came in with a tray, containing tea and a few snacks meant for Tezuka, although there was a jelly pot that was spiked with blood for Ryoma to make it bearable along with a tall glass of synthetic watered down blood. Neither were particularly appetising but where necessary to appear normal to guests. Ryoma poured for Tezuka and reached for the Jelly pot mind flashing to the incident with Momo he paused before picking it up and placing a small mouth full on his tongue and trying not to grimace at the dull taste.

Tezuka who was innately aware of what Ryoma was felt something in the pit of his stomach, guilt or anger. Guilt for not announcing that he knew what Ryoma was and that he needn't force himself to eat the doctored food and make himself uncomfortable and anger that this was really necessary as Ryoma had to hide himself from everyone he trusted and knew other than his brother. Making a split second decision to alleviate Ryoma of the human costume.

"You need not make yourself uncomfortable on my behalf Ryoma." He spoke clearly in tone but his words were cryptic. Ryoma cocked his head to the side and arranged his face into a suitably confused expression. "Boucho? What ever do you mean?" Tezuka nodded to the food. "I am well aware that you shouldn't be eating human food even doctored human food." Waving over a servant asked them to bring Ryoma a fresh measure of his usual diet. Ryoma was just staring at him.

How did he know? Had his fangs dropped in school was it his eyes? Tezuka kept his trade mark stone face on. "How? I made sure to hide everything I could." Tezuka nodded to Ryoma "I must say you did a splendid job, but I am one of the Enlightened and Protector. You are aware of what that means right?"

A Protector OR Enlightened One

This referred to the people, human or not quite all human who were aware of the supernatural world and saw it for what it was they often were not aware of what they were and were declared mad by others when they stared seeing these thing but there were families that kept the old ways, of teaching the children to See. The families were generally attached to and supernatural family by way of blood debt or bond and would protect the members of the family in any way they could.

Ryoma let it sink in. A Protector, that explained the calmness and safety he felt around his captain but not the shear hunger for his blood. "How long have you been aware of my heritage?" It was a superfluous question but he just wanted to see the skill of the Protector.

"The second I met your brother really" Ryoma nodded the maid walked back in with a wine glass, the dark liquid made Ryomas stomach rumble. Tipping and sipping from the glass he waited for Tezuka to carry on.

"He has a certain air around him and well... my family are well versed in the old ways. They still teach the family lineages and hereditary." nodding and placing the glass back on the table it made sense at the moment.

Hey, I am currently waiting on some chaps from my beta so updates are un predictable. I will post unbetaed until then.