A Little Twist

Twenty-Three

Laito lifts his head a bit when he hears soft footsteps moving away. 'Why go so far by pointing fingers? The baby is born and almost all of us have accepted the baby,' he tells them with his eyes on the door, 'besides, you fail to see that Risa heard us. She was right behind the door. I'm sure that it's unfair to her for not voicing her opinion because we are talking about her and the baby.'

As one man, they look up when they hear a door close and soft cries are audible.

'Did you know she was listening, Shu? Is that why you provoked Reiji?' Laito eyes his oldest brother.

Reiji closes his eyes. 'Why you would suggest that?' He considers it but dejects it. 'It is up to me to decide if and when I'm ready for a family. Aside from that, I will not abandon the boy upstairs because he is my nephew. At least she could rely on me.'

'Not anymore.' Kanato hugs Teddy tight.

'You went so far to destroy that little bit of trust between Risa and me.' Reiji gets up from his chair. 'Don't do that again, unless you're willing to step up and take responsibility for caring for both of them. If not, stay passive and spineless, like you always have been.' He leaves for Risa's bedroom but not before noticing his brother's emotionless face and closed eyes.

***

Risa finds out that the baby wants her attention every three hours. Something she sets her alarm for so no one would wake up from the baby. It is very simple, either something smells or not. There is not much he wants from me other than two things. When Reiji came to her door, she sent him away. In fact, she was in no mood to see anyone. What do I do with them? One of them is your father and I have no idea who it could be. She plays with his little hand and feels him grabbing her pink. When is it safe for him for a DNA test? She places the baby in her arm and heads for the kitchen. Where she puts him in the playpen.

'You're back on your feet and you want to bake?' Laito thought it was Reiji with Kanato.

'Why not? I'm a sweet tooth and baking helps me relax,' she answers while crushing the vanilla, 'and don't forget that I'm not the only one with a favorite for sweets. Ouch.' She punctures her finger with the tip of the knife.

Laito smells the blood but watches as she waves with her hand and puts her finger in her mouth. 'Such a waste.' He goes closer to inspect her finger. 'How could I pass on an opportunity like this?' The others can smell it. I have to be fast. He treasures the taste of her blood while closing the small wound. 'You need to be careful...'

'Then stop appearing out of nowhere. If there's something I can't get used to it's your teleporting ability. Just walk or knock, and I won't have these small accidents.' She pulls her hand back and sees no trace of the injury.

'Laito, I specifically said not to bite her...'

'I didn't bite her. She cut herself because I teleported into the kitchen,' Laito cuts Reiji off.

Risa nods. 'If he would bite me the smell of blood would draw all of you here. It's nothing, really.'

To prevent accidents, I need to talk to everyone. Laito winks at Risa and takes his brother away. 'Since it's not wise to bite Risa because of the baby you might have to arrange someone else to come here. I wouldn't want to hurt her or the baby.'

He has a point. Even a drop of blood could cause trouble. Reiji holds his chin for a moment. 'I guess I have no choice but to arrange...'

'I prefer today rather than tomorrow,' reacts Kanato. 'I don't think I can take it for much longer. We're vampires and drink straight from the vein.'