A Little Twist

Twenty-One

After a while, Kanato takes one apple pie with him to his room.

Risa shakes her head with a smile. I do have to treat you like I'm a mother, don't I? The baby is in his playpen sound asleep as she starts doing the dishes.

'You're on your feet again and you bake?'

She turns to a surprised Subaru. 'Well, I missed it. Do you want a slice? Kanato has his pie and took it upstairs. I made this one for the rest of us.'

Subaru spots the baby close to her. 'How can someone so small produce such an ear-piercing noise?' He mumbles and looks in the box. 'Are you good to your mother?' He reaches inside and pets his cheek. So soft. That's when he sees the mouth move. 'Maybe he's getting hungry?'

'No, he's not hungry.' She knows.

'Really? How can you tell?' Subaru lifts his head at her.

She points at the small open hand. 'His hand,' she chuckles when the baby moves a bit. 'If he's hungry his hand would be a fist. And he would be more active and move his mouth more. Almost as if he's looking for me.' She catches him turning his head. 'It's the most natural thing in the world, Subaru. Although it differs when you were little.' She cuts a slice of the pie and gives it to him.

Silently, he takes a bite. You're good at this. He devours the slice. 'I heard you say that he will cry almost every three hours for at least a month?'

'Something like that, yes,' she answers. 'But he will slowly sleep more. It might also be because of a different rhythm. After a few weeks, I have to try to keep him awake during the night and let him sleep during the day. Both me and him might be humans, but you are not.' I look up to that because the baby expects to be awake during the day instead of the night. He's human and needs sunshine and building an immune system.

Subaru finishes when Reiji enters the kitchen. Not in the mood to talk to his brother, he vanishes.

'Do you want a slice?' She offers while cleaning the plate. 'Maybe along with a cup of tea?'

'Maybe later,' he follows her cleaning up. 'Do you intend on waking up earlier?'

Without hesitation, she nods. 'Yes, both the baby and I are human. We need sunlight or we get sick. Besides, it's good for him to build up his immune system. I guess a few hours earlier.'

'Very well,' Reiji understands that he can't stop her. 'Don't go too far from the mansion. As much as I hate it, there is another family of vampires. The Mukami and they are with four. Although I haven't seen them in quite a while.'

Risa cleans the table. 'I'll be careful.' She glances at the baby and notices he's more active. Moving his body and hands, which are slightly clenched into a fist. 'He's getting hungry. Would you mind, Reiji?' She lifts him in from the box in her arms.

He puts his hand on her shoulder and teleports them three to her bedroom. 'Take your time, I'll finish up in the kitchen.'

'Thank you.' I wanted to ask you but you offering it is better. She sits on the chair with the pillow and waits for him to leave.

***

Awoken a fourth time, Subaru leaves his room and heads straight outside. 'How can anyone get some sleep like this,' he mutters while stopping in front of the roses. The roses don't calm him down as usual and he continues his path further into the garden. Much farther, he spots the small building. He gets closer and hears music. Music that he's all too familiar with. Entering the porch he sees Shu. Surprisingly, he noticed the music book in his hands.

Shu heard someone and lifts his head.

Subaru shakes his head and lays down on a bench. Far from the mansion, he can't hear the baby. Only the calming sounds coming from Shu's MP3 player.