Red West II.

Chapter eleven - Whispers in the dark

The atmosphere around the cheerful fire was quite gloomy. The Black Riders' members were drinking their beers, which had its source in the cellar under the veranda of Oswald's house, and shared a big bottle of whiskey.

No one was very talkative, either because they were in no mood, or because they did not want to disturb their young leader. Leo was the most silent of all, staring at the flames, his face very serious. They knew him long enough to realize that he was trying to figure out a way to deal with their situation now. And Jin knew even better; he expected the younger one to get up from the log and retreat to privacy sooner or later, as he needed to decide about what to do undisturbed.

Leo confirmed his brother's assumption, when Jane and Kame finally appeared, with Esler breathing on the young man's back. All eyes focused on the newcomer, whose face was clean now, but his expression more than careful.

"Hey, that's my shirt!" Jack complained once Kame, completely dressed in black, stepped into the light.

Surprisingly, Jane leant over Kame's shoulder nonchalantly, smiling at the youngest Rider: "It was the closest to his size," she informed Jack, before Kame could start apologizing, which he was definitely about to do. "His own clothes are pretty torn and bloody, and I doubt you would like our guest to sit here in them, right?"

Jack pouted unsatisfied, but realized quickly, what was the reason for Kame's need to change in the first place.

"Uhm, yeah... Right. It's fine then," he murmured a little guiltily.

"See? I told you they're good guys," Jane stated amused and patted a little anxious Kame on his shoulder. "Have fun," she parted with him then, following Leo, who had already left his spot at the fire without any word, back into the house.

Jin gestured at the free space next to him on the log and Kazuya seated himself there gratefully. He wanted to offer the younger one his beer, but there was already Koki handing him over the full tankard.

"I saved this for you," the blonde one informed Kame proudly. "Those selfish misers would not leave you a drop."

"Hey! You're the one talking, Koki! You drink the most of us all!" Ryo scolded him.

"Overreacting, my friend," Koki snorted. "I was just thirsty. Cheers, Kame."

"Thanks, Koki," Kame clung with his glass to the other one's with a grateful nod.

"You're welcome, handsome. I can't let you die from thirst, right?"

"Playing a merciful sister again," Ryo suppressed an amused laughter unsuccessfully.

"Be careful not to choke with your drink, buddy," Koki turned to him with an ironic smile.

"You behave as if you fell in love with him," the other one paid him a smirk back.

Koki didn't let himself be offended and used it against his companion instead: "Would you be so surprised? He definitely looks more handsome than any of you," he reacted haughtily.

Kame was the one almost choking on his beer, while Jin's tankard somewhat lost its good taste. The laughter of everyone else gave both of them some time to cover their reactions, while Ryo just rolled his eyes, considering Koki's answer childish.

"Well... Kame, since you're going to stick with us for a while now, I guess it would be nice for you to know who you're dealing with," Ryo was also the one to speak then, ignoring Koki's victorious grin. "This is Jack. Todd. Patrick. And Carl."

Each one of mentioned men nodded their head in greeting.

"You already know Koki..." Ryo waved toward the annoying blonde one.