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At the hospital, Ryo was forced to wait in the halls as the nurses and doctors worked on him.One of the nurses came up to him. "Where you with him?" she asked. "Yes." "It's good that you called right away, there was a loss of blood but it's notlife threatening." She sighed into the clipboard, "With all these vampire cults in the city...I don't get it... We may need to keep him over night. He's alright. So why don't you go home, it's late." Ryo looked through the window at the still unconscious Sabyien, "Would it be alright to stay?" he asked the nurse. "I suppose so, we're going to move him up a recovery room." She opened the door, "He's going to be out for awhile....I'll get you a pillow, get some sleep, your brother will be ok." Ryo stood over Sabyien looking down at him as he stood over him. "Sabyien." he whispered sitting down in a chair and began to cry. "Why did you do it you asshole? I told you I'm not worth saving." He sobbed a bit rubbing his eyes. "Why did you do it?" The young nurse walked in carrying a pillow and blanket for ryo. she knelt by him. "Hey there, Don't worry. Its just a little drained blood. He'll be fine in a day or so. buck up babe its ok." she smiled at him. "Hows about you and I go get a drink of tea, calm you down. Don't worry about your brother. from the looks of how he's sleeping he won't be going anywhere. Come on you look like you could use one." She set the blankets and pillow down and held out her hand with a tred smile, ryo hesitantly accepted. "Thank you." Seth was walking the streets deep in thought, The vampire was troubled, he knew that the Temphors would want him to take down the Guardian. But, but...how could he now? He sighed. "You've put me a rough position boy." Sabyien was in the way now, did he have a choice to.....the vampire smiled, Perhaps I can appeal to the Temphors on behalf of the guardian, it may or may not work, but at least it's something. Sabyien didn't awaken when the nurses moved him the third floor recovering room. Ryo came back to sit beside the bed, he didn't want to talk to the nurse, he was stillconfused himself. Curling up as best he can in the chair, he fell asleep. Some time in the morning, Sabyien stirred. 'That damned vampire' was his first coherent thought. He opened his eyes to find himself in a hospital room. Sitting up, he looked around to see Ryo sleeping in a chair nearby. "..........." Has he been with me all this time? Sabyien blinked, looked at the notebook in Ryo's hand and chuckled. "Those questions are not easy to answer." Ryo looked annoyed, "Then tell me what you can..." "Let's just say that you are very special...not many don't know how, I'm guessing that the Temphors think that you'r a threat that must be elimated." "Why am I so special? " Sabyien swung his legs over the edge of the bed, "I'll.....I'll tell you in time Ryo. But right now, I need you to trust me." Ryo looked uncertain, Sabyien felt a little dizzy, he held on the bed as he stood up. "Listen, a lot more people and demons are going to be coming after you, it has been my duty since your birth to protect you from these threats....so will you trust me?" "What about that guy who bit you? Is he really a vampire?" "Yes, His name is Seth Belmont and he's a vampire." Sabyien frowned. "By now he would have told the others what I have done..." "Maybe I should get going..." Ryo said quietly. Theres a place I thnk i can hide..." "'Hide'?" Sabyien looked at him with a small smile. "You can't be serious. Seth has seen you he knows your scent. theres no place you can go now he won't find you. You see? The only one who can protect you is me." "Damn." "How long have I been out?" Sabyien looked out the window, "Uhm, a couple of hours." "We need to get out of here...and soon." Sabyien found his clothes and dressed , throwing the hospital gown way. As they where just about to leave a doctor came in, "Hey what are you doing? you should be resting." the doctor put a hand on Saby's arm to lead him back to the bed. Ryo noticed a needle hidden in the doctor's other hand. "Sabyien! Watch out!" he cried. Sabyien wrenched the hand off and threw a punch into the doctor's face. the man went down, needle clattering across the floor. Sabyien pulled him around and pulled up the hair hiding a tattoo of a cross on base of his head. "A Temphor- knight....Come on Ryo. let's go." Ryo looked a little shaken, "Where to?" "I need to pick a few things up at the hotel. And then we're leaving the country." "The country?!" Ryo cried in suprise as Sabyien lead him to the Parking lot and the forest beyond. Once they were deep enough inside Saby took off his shirt and threw it to Ryo, in a flurry of feathers wings appeared on his back. "Climb on. we can get to the hotel quickest this way." The boy gawked at Sabyien's wings. Ryo pulled back when Sabyien took his hand. "Uh Uhm...coudln't we take a taxi?" Sabyien sighed, "We have to hurry...there isn't a whole lot of time." he scooped up Ryo and jumped into the air, the large white wings took a hold of the wind carrying them up high. Ryo choked down a scream of fright and hid his face. Sabyien could hear Ryo's muttered words through his shirt. "Hate heights hate heights hate heights!" the grip became tight on sabyiens neck he even wrapped his legs around the elder, luckily they were close to the hotel, sabyien set down onto the balcony. "We're here, Open your eyes." Sabyien could feel the boy trembling, "Ryo..." he opened his eyes, Sabyien put him down, or tired to..." Ryo you can let go now." Ryo reluctantly let go of him. Sabyien quickly opened the balcony doors, Ryo followed him in. "We'll take a car to the west coast, Then fly across to the mainland from there. Can you handle that Ryo? We can't risk taking a plane. The Temphors will be watching the airport." "I-I guess so..." Ryo watch as Sabyien get a clean shirt and pants, he threw them to Ryo. "Here put these on, they might be little big, but it's better then sticking out in that school uniform." Taking another clean shirt for himself the wings disappeared into non-existence as he left the bedroom to wait for Ryo to get changed. In the living room, Sabyien wrote down a quick note. No doubt that the Temphors would come here to see if he came back to the hotel. He put on his favorite blue jacket and knocked on the door. "Ryo? are you ready? Time to go." Slowly the door was opened Ryo stepped out. "Sabyien... would you answer one last question... it came to me when we were flying... Have we... met before?" Saby took a breath. Ryo was looking at him with those same big brown eyes he had as a child. it was time to tell him. at least a little. "Yes... I was on the airplane when your parents died. I'm sorry there was nothing I could do to save them." Ryo stepped back his face ashen. "Why..." he swallowed back tears. "Why didn't you try to save them?!" he leaped at Sabyien the guardian fell back against the couch ryo ontop of him the boy was hitting him with all his force but Sabyien felt only light taps. "Why didn't you savre them you bastard! They were right there with me. You should have saved them too! I hate you! I hate you so much!" Ryo collapsed against sabys chest sobbing "I hate you..." "Ryo..." The words echoed in his mind, I hate you "No...please don't say that." That's what they all had said, the other sword-barers. Not that I blame them after what I did to them all. The boy was sobbing into Sabyien's chest. He was whimpering the words "Why...why didn't you?" Why He felt his chest constrict, Saby raised a hand to place it lightly against Ryo's head, unaware of the tears begining to run down his face. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." he felt wretched, what else could he say? After a few minutes more of crying Ryo climbed off him. "There was nothing you could do." He poured himself a glass of water and drank it. the glass dropping from his hand it smashed on the floor. Sabyien stood up. "Let's go Ryo.... there's nothing for you here. You're sisters familly are being kept in hiding. we must get you out of the country, trust me its the only way to protect you." Sabyien took one of the rental cars from the garage, and soon they where on the highway heading out of the city. Ryo spent the whole time looking out the window. Towards mid afternoon, Saby had to stop for gas. The gas station had a small restaurant attached to it. "Ryo? are you hungry?" Ryo got out of the car. "A little..." he reached for his pants pocket. "Dammit I left my wallet back at the hotel." "It's alright I'll cover this." He smiled at Ryo in a way that made him uncomfortable before adding. "You can pay me back for it later." Inside the restaurant, Sabyien ordered some hamburgers and fries for them. They sat across each other eating quietly. The girl from behind the counter smiled at Sabyien, she was leaning rather suggestively over the counter. Ryo noticed this, but Sabyien didn't seem to see her.Ryo looked up at Saby and tilted his head to the woman. "You're getting checked out man..." Sabyien even didn't glance up. "Yeah? " he took another bite from his fries. "You gonna go over?" Ryo smiled. "No." Sabyien swallowed, "I have more important things to do then to flirt with girls." he smiled. "My girl chasing days are over." he picked up his glass of soda. "Aww..." Ryo's leaned in. ".... how come?" An eyebrow twitched, "Because I have a job to do. Which is looking after you" "Oh..." Ryo looked embarrassed. "... You don't have too all the time..." "Really?" Sabyien frowned. "Not to sound arrogant, but it's they who do the chasing....watch." He put his glass down and turned his head to the girl, he gave a slight gesture with his hand. The girl walked over smiling. Sabyien gave her one of his most charismatic smiles. "Could I have a re-fill?" he held out his empty glass. "Of course cutie." She said pouring a glass angling herself into a rather flirtatious pose. Sabyien could easily look down her top. She then walked back behind the counter smiling at him. "Point taken." Ryo said leaning back. Sabyien sipped, a slight blush on his cheeks, he really didn't like leading young women along. He shrugged. "No challenge what so ever." He smiled at Ryo, feeling a little foolish and just a hint of pride. Ryo blushed. "I see..." He took a quiet sip of his drink. "So where are we going now?" "We are going east to the coast...." Saby looked at his watch. "I don't want to attract attention by flying during the day, it's risky. So we'll wait till evening." "Ok." Ryo mused pushing his empty plate away. "So ummm... Sabyien...Is that your real name?" Saby looked up, blinked "Huh? yeah Sabyien is my real name." "Oh. I was just curious..." He smiled. "If your protecting me I wanna know who to trust..." Saby smiled, "Do you want to know all about me?" he traced the dripping water down on his glass. "Ask what ever you want to know about me, I'll answer truthfully...but I reserve the right not to answer one question." "Ok..." Ryo bit his lip. "Where are you from?" "I was born in Lanzender....its a place in england." Sabyien said "Oh, how do you know I'm important? What if I'm the wrong one?" The Guardian lifted his eyes to Ryo's "Since you were a child...I knew that your were somehow special.....I don't know how much until I saw you again on that bus." "Why what's that got to do with anything? How am I special?" "First of all you are a Saint. The Temphors knows this, Thus you are a threat." "A Saint?" Ryo looked confused "You mean like mother Theresa or what?" Sabyien grinned...."Those kinds of saints are those who are out in the open, working with people. No your not that kind of saint. Your mind,heart, body is purer then that. It is said that the blood of true saint can give power to demons." Sabyien leaned forwards. "Maybe that's why they are targeting you." "Oh... What's a sword bearer? Sabyien paused for a long moment. "That's what you are." "So I'm a sword bearer and a saint?" he sat up. "So... Are we..." "Hm?" Sabyien frowned. " Are we what?" Ryo blushed. "...Dating?" He laughed, but he cut it off quickly. "Dating?....is a dinner of fast food and a chat a date to you?" Sabyien gave the boy an amused smile. "Well... Yes..."Ryo was still blushing. "Heh, As you wish...." "Are you serious?" The man shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy....is fine with me." "Ok..." Sabyien leaned back in his chair, looking out the window. Thinking, ' I owe this kid a lot, but would he truly forgive me if I told him the truth?' he sighed, the smile gone from his face. "What are you looking at?" he asked leaning forward and looking out the window also. "Ahh, nothing...." He got up from his chair. "Let's get going." --- The Tokyo headquarters where on the 67th floor. The vampire was talking to one of the leaders over the com. The red haired man in the computer screen was scowling. "You let him run off with the saint-child? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Seth nodded, frowning. "The guardian was too much for me." he lied easily. The man wasn't too pleased. "Seth, you could have used the grail against him." The vampire answered back. "The power of the Holy Grail won't work on him, he is the Guardian of the grail after all. " "Which he entrusted to you." The man pushed up his glasses. "If you ask me, he made a mistake....Listen, the reports say that the demons are converging in Tokyo, I want you to hunt down Sabyien and the Saint-child. The rest of the team, will take care of the demons in the area...Seth, don't fail." The screen went blank. One of the Temphors was smirking at the vampire. "Well, that was a first, I never thought that Their pet would disobey them." Several others laughed. The vampire growled deep in his throat. Suddenly, the building began to sway The alarm went off, the earthquake shook the city. When it ended, Seth and the other Temphors where getting up. The vampire was standing when a winged demon crashed through a window. Impossible! Demons coming out during that day? ------------------- Ryo stood up and walked around with him to the car climbing in. "Do you want me to drive? I Did have my license..." Saby frowned, "There's no need Ryo....." Suddenly the ground shifted under them "An earthquake?" Ryo stumbled, the ground heaving under him, he fell against Sabyien who held him until the shaking stopped. Ryo blushed looking up at Sabyien, noting his calm and cool relaxed stance. 'intense...' he thought. Sabyien was frowning....something had happened but what? He closed his eyes trying to read the vibrations of the earth. "Sabyien...?" Interrupted, Saby looked down to Ryo. "It's just a small shake...." nothing to worry about. he was then aware of Ryo's warmth in his arm. "......" He was curious about this odd feeling... Once the tremor ended Ryo stood up. "So... are we still going or was that enough of an omen for you too?" "Huh? what?" Sabyien was taken from his reverie. "Are we still leaving or was this shake up enough to stop even you." "No." Sabyien unlocked the doors and slid in the seat. He observed Ryo sitting beside him. 'No , he's not like the others, but then the others....' he frowned. 'Never gave me a chance' At Ryo's smile, the guardian felt a weight lift from him, He smiled back. This sword-barer was trusting him, which satisfied him. They drove south for awhile....Sabyien frowned, stopping at a crossroads. Ryo looked up. "Lost?" "Very." Saby groaned. "Herm..." Ryo got out of the car and walked into the middle of the cross roads and looked up at the sky at the sun for a moment then checked his watch, he pointed down the road to his right. and got back in, "That way." The sun was beginning to set when They got to the coast. Sabyien looked out at the wide sea. "This looks like a good place." He had stopped at the edge of a high cliff away from the small fishing villages. Ryo stayed near the car, not wanting to go any closer to the edge. "About time you two got here." Came a voice from further along the ridge Seth stood there hands in his pockets looking out over the ocean. Ryo tensed, Sabyien pushed some hair out of his face. "What do you want Seth you said we had three days..." "To run." "But why are you here Seth?" Sabyien demanded. The vampire looked at Ryo. "To see for myself about the boy....it's true that he's a Saint?" Saby frowned. "You can't have him Seth...Your bound by your oath never to harm humans." The vampire nodded. Ryo slipped back around the side of the car nervously watching. Wondering what was going to happen between those too. "The Tokyo headquarters where attacked by demons...in full daylight." Seth said "What!?" "It true, they are getting stronger..." "But why are you here?" "I'm here to offer my services, Most of the others have died a good death in battle. " "Alright Seth, If you think it'll be that easy think again, How can I be sure I can trust you?" The Vampire smiled, "There are a pair of wolf-beasts on your tail, if you don't get ready now they be on you." Sabyien heard the sound of something crashing through the trees, he just had enough time to draw a long red ribbon in defense as the doglike things sprang at him. He cut one of them in half as the Vampire dispatched the other by ripping it into two with his bare hands. Seth dropped both parts and turned to Saby. "You saved my life once Guardian remember? You can trust me." Sabyien let the ribbon fade, he nodded. "Alright" Seth smiled, "Now....then what is your next plan of action," Saby frowned, Seth was again acting like they where old friends. Where they friends? "You'd better hurry up or more will come." The vampire said impatiently. Sabyien pulled Ryo with him to the edge of the cliff, the boy clenched his hand tightly. "Seth, we are going to fly across to the mainland...after that, seek sanctuary at the monastery." He picked up Ryo in his arms and unfolded his wings. Nodding at his plan, Seth put his arms around firmly around Sabyien's waist. "I pray that you can carry both of us." With a cry of fright from Ryo, they where airborne, Sabyien had to strain to keep in the air. carrying two people was difficult, but they didn't have too far to go. Sabyien flew over the strait to the mainland. he set down gently on the shore. Seth climbed off and sabyien again had to pry himself from ryo's clenched arms. Sabyien turned to seth. "Lets go." His wings fading in the afternoon light. ryo still trembling sarted to walk with them into the forest heading west. "Sabyien..." "Yes Seth?" "I think we broke youre charge." Seth smiled looking down at ryo who as of yet hadn't blinked and was pale. "Ryo? " Sabyien frowned. "Ryo...We're on the ground now." He guessed that the plane crash had still a affect of him. Ryo looked like he was going to be sick or faint. Seth was still grining. "That isn't funny Seth...What if I'd droped you into the water halfs ways.?" The vampires' smile dissapeared. "We may need to stop early and let the Saint recover." Sabyien put hand on the boy's shoulder in comforting way. "Ryo? are you well enough to continue?" Ryo shuddered. "Planes... Hate them... flying is bad..." Sabyien sighed and picked Ryo up and put him over the shoulder. "Seth lets go." "Whatever you say mon capiton." He made a salute and started to march behind the guardian. They stopped some time later the sun was setting and ryo had quieted down. Seth stood over sabyien and the boy a smile on his lips. "Sabyien, you should rest you look tired. He bent and started a small fire to illuminate the campsite. he stood up sniffing. he could smell a hot spring near by. He turned to sabyien. "You rest I'll take watch. I don't need to sleep after all." "Fine." Say muttered yawning, he created a hand full of ribbons and let them diperse to create a barrier around the campsite to protect them from demon attack. A few hours later sabyien awoke from his sleep He could hear seth splashing in the water nearby. "First watch huh?" Annoyed, Sabyien followed the sound to the hotspring near by. Just as he thought, The vampire was bathing in the hot water. Seth saw Sabyien watching him. "Why don't you take a break and come in? The water's fine." Saby looked back towards the sleeping Saint. "I don't think so Seth. Aren't you supposed to be on watch?" "I am, my ears can pick up any slight noise...I just thought since there's a hotspring nearby..." "Seth" Sabyien said warningly. The vampire stood up from the water. "Losen up Guardian...When's the last time you've treated yourself?" The Guardian automaticly looked way from Seth's nude form, the motion was out of courtisy. But....then again the chance to soak away the soreness of lastnight's flight was tempting. Sabyien took one glance back to the clearing where Ryo was sleeping, then started to pull off his clothing.He sighed when he sank into the hotwater. The vampire smiled, he had been watching Saby undress from the corner of his eye trying not to get to excited too early. God even just in his skin he's beautiful, the vampire thought, he drooled at the thought of tasting that perfect lushious tender skin....that body. Sabyien frowned, he noticed the way Seth was looking at him, The pircing jade eyes where making him feel uneasy. Seth walked over to sabyien the water luckilly covering him from the navel down he stood over sabyien able to make ut his nde form through the water. "Sabyien... May I ask a favor?" he smiled. "What is it seth." "Allow me to taste you again." his tounge flicked across his fangs in a feral way. Sabyien backed away as the vampire crouched to him. "What do you say? We were lovers at once. Lets make up for lost time." "Make up lost time? What are you saying? We where never...Seth!" Sabyien cried out when Seth grabed him and pulled him close enough to place a kiss on the guardian's lips. Saby pulled his back, struggling to get free from the vampire's arms, Sabyien could feel Seth's hard-on press against his thighs. "Seth stop it!" The vampire gave a low growl pushing his mouth against the Guardian's throat. Sabyien's body tensed, tighting, feeling the fangs press gently on his neck, he ground his teeth against the his rising ador. He couldn't help it, Seth's lips tounge and fangs felt so good.... "DAMN IT SETH!" Sabyien got an arm free and drove a fist into the vampire's face, Knocking him back. Sabyien stood and turned to leave. Seth touched the place where he was hit. "heh..." his hand shot out and grabed Saby's leg tripping him up. "Don't think you can get away that easily...Come on I know that you like it." Seth crawled on top of the struggling guardian one hand going down to caress the half hard memeber. Sabyien froze once the hand touch him, he choked back the low moan emrging from his throat. "Seth....GET OFF!" "Alright." Seth purred in Sabyiens ear. "I'll get you off." his hands careessd sabyiens thihs before going to rub the guadians member. Ryo slowly awoke and heard the two shouting, peeked through the branches and gasped biting his lip, Seth and sabyien... they were... he backed away grabbing a stick and wrote a note in the dirt. 'Sabyien, Gone ahead. If your done having fun with seth Look me up.' He then stormed off into the woods heading west still. He let out a choked groan as the vampire rubbed him. Somehow he found the strength to throw the vampire off, rolling on top of him pining him down. Seth stopped, he'd never seen the guardian so furious before, he let Sabyien get up grab his clothes and head towards the camp, trying to hide his erection. Seth sat up, frowning. He wasn't going to just give up...he'll have to wait and try again some other time. The vampire shurgged, and reatched for his clothes nearby. Ryo continued to walk through the woods muttering and bitching about sabyien.. "It was probably just some elaborate joke, drag me out of my country and then go off and fuck around with some other guy. God damn you. and yet... why should I care what he does. its his life. Why should I care... Oh fuck... Do I have a thing for him?" "For who?" A sinister voice asked from bhind ryo turned to see a demon with two head smiling at him. "You mean us?" And with a swing of one oh his arms ryo was knocked unconcious. "Ryo?" Sabyien looked around, he wasn't there. Quickly getting dressed, Sabyien called out "RYO!!" Seth appeared behind, also dressed. He pionted to the ground. "He left a note at least." Saby read it, turing he slapped Seth hard across the face. The vampire didn't make a sound. "It's your fault he left." he said. Seth even didn't aknologe the smarting sting, he lifted an eyebrow, "We'll find him...All we got to do is follow his scent." Ryo Awoke. he was standing at the steps of the monestary. he looked around, last he could remember was a two headed demon knocking him out... then nothing. he looke d up to a small child sitting on the steps. "How did I get here?" He asked the child giglled "Silly, you walked." "There's not much of it left." Seth had tracked Ryo's trail to what appeares to be the remains of a demon. "Poor beast. Looks like what ever was herelast was stronger then he was." Sabyien shook his head. "But Ryo...we have to find him quickly." The vampire nodded. "The monestary isn't far from here....the scent seems to go in the right direction." "Let's go then." Ryo walked up the stairs. looking around almost nervously. there was a rumble of distant thunder and it began to rain. He headed inside and looked around. He spotted a familliar face among the elder monks. "Uncle Fadel?" The elder looked at him squinting a bit and smiled. "Well If it isn't my nephew Ryo!" He approached the boy. "How have you been lad? Its been some thirteen years since i saw you last... Shame about your parents." "I know... Um... Would it be alright if I stayed here? Theres People after me and I need a good place to lay low for a while." "Of course of course... What do these people look like?" "Ones a vampire by the name of seth and the others a dark haired man with wings by the name of Sabyien... They claim I have some kind of power..." "...I see..." Fadel shook his head. 'My nephews the bearer... May the gods show us mercy.' Seth felt the first few drops of the rain and stopped. "Troubling." He put his hand on his chin and thought deeply. "Theres something different about the boys scent." "What do you mean?" Sabyien asked but kept walking. "Its basicly the same but... its different. Like he's been transformed into something else." He shook his head and continued on catching a glimpse of sabyiens face. the man was worried. Sabyien himself didn't know what worried him but deep in his mind he felt something click. They walked on, Seth kept bending to the ground to check if they where following the right trail. Eventaly, they came to the monestary, by now it was raining. Sabyien found someone very familier standing by the gates waiting very patinctly. "Fadel!" The monk smiled. "Guardian, I believe I have something that you lost." "The boy, Ryo...Is he here?" Sabyien asked, he was soaked through now."I lost him in the forest..." "Yes, He's safe, but he's very upset. Come inside, get dried up, I'll take you to him." Sabyien followed Fadel through the gate but Fadel Truned to stop the vampire from entering the monestary saying "I'm sorry but you are not allowed in this sactuary." Seth frowned, but nodded, he would wait outside for Sabyien to return. Sabyien turned and spoke to fidel. "I see." The man replied and bowed to seth allowing him to enter. Seth walked past him. "A guardians virtuous influence?" "No." Saby smiled. "I reminded him he owed me a favor." "Same thing." seth pushed some wet hair out of his eyes. "So were is the brat?" "The Saint." Fadel corrected him. "Is in his room. He asked me to keep you two out." "He did?" Sabyien asked mocking suprise. "He said you were after his power." "We are." Sabyien replied walking into the monistary. "Why?" Fadel asked. Sabyien frowned, "For the fate of the world brother Fadel..." Seth snorted."The Guardian believes that he can save the world from destruction." The monk looked at Saby. "Is that true?" Sabyien didn't volenteer any more information. Instead he followed him quietly to the dinning hall where Ryo was eating. Ryo looked up at the others and then back down at his plate laying his utensils down. he got up to leave. fadel hailed him. "Don't go so soon young one. these two have come in search of you. It would shock me to know my sisters son would be so disrespectful as to abandon his friends when they need him." "Then you don't know what happened." Ryo balled his fist, "The man behind you let them die. He was their murderer." Fadel walked over calmly and put a comforting hand on ryo's face then using it slapped him hard. Ryo fell back onto the floor. the monk standing over him angerly. "You Churlish fool of a boy. You do not deserve the parents you were given." he turned back to the others. "I apollogize for my nephews actions." "His actions are justified." The was cool anger in Saby's voice. "I failed to save them....don't ever strike the boy again. I am the one who deserves the punishment." "Then you will be punished Guardian, God does not look in favor of those who fail in thir duty." Fadel said, "So, why do you still protect my nephew?" Thire was long silence, the water dripping on the wood floors collected into puddles under them. "That answer...Is only ment for Ryo's ears only." Sabyien said with grim finalty. Wordlessly Fadel left, he shut a door and muttered. "Youth these days..." Seth turned. "I should go then allow you two to have some quiet chat time. I am rather hungry after all." He slipped out onto the inner garden's walkway. Sabyien turned to Ryo. "I guess it's time to tell you." Sabyien took a seat at the table, Ryo only stood at the other side. looking angery. "Ryo..." he began."The reson why I've protected you was that you are the Sword-barer. The Temphor knights don't know this, I have been keeping this a secret for a long time. " he looked at the boy's face. "I think that the demons know that you are the key to revaling the sword of light, that's why they've targeted you....and they are right, that's why I'm....your Guardian." "Ok." Ryo Still stood. "Um... So... what does that mean?" "Its my job to protect you. To keep you safe for the rest of your life." Ryo slowly sat down. "Saby... Whats a temphor knight?" "They are a secret army, headed by four men. They are God's army, for the most part they keep the vampires and demons from harming people...But they also keep Holy Relics from ever being found." "You mean like the Holy Grail?" "Yes, Your father was a Temhor knight. I sometimes worked with him." "And my mother?" "I was assigned as her bodyguard...." Sabyien hesitated. "...despite being married and having two children, She became rather fond of me. Which your father misunderstood, he was angery, and planed to take you and her away from me." Sabyien's eyes became unfocused, losing himself in his story. "I wanted to stop them, to make him see that what she felt for me was harmless. So I went to the airport to try to talk him out of it....when I got there, they wouldn't let me on the plane..." The memory became difficult, Sabyien closed his eyes. "...I should have tried harder..." Saby looked into Ryo's face, "Please, let me atone for my sin....let me continue to be your guardian, as I'm destined to be." His deep blue eyes held Ryo's, begging the boy for his forgivness. "...I forgive you." his voice was quiet and with held. "Saby... whats so important about this sword? What does it do?" "I can't tell you, At least not right now." "But..." "Please. Don't ask me to tell you, its not the right time. things as they are can't allow it." He reached forward and took Ryo's hand and kissed it. "Forgive me." Ryo after a few minutes of searching Sabyiens face stood up. "I'm going to go lie down... its been a long day." He turned before Sabyien could see the red on his face and carefully walked away. The warm water felt wonderful ryo poured some over himself as he took a bath. Why was he feeling this way, he knew nothing of this man other than the well guarded facts he was told. and yet, Why was his heart pounding like that? did he have a thing for him? Impossible. They were both men, he couldn't actually... love him? Thats stupid. and besides Sabyien had Seth, what would he want him for other than to burden himself with the job of protecting him. that was it. he just needed to protect him. There were demons after this sword thing, that was all. Ryo flashed back to the moment when Sabyien had kissed his hand. wasn't it? He dumped more water over his head, this time cold. While Ryo was gone, Sabyien had time to get his clothing properly dried and to eat something, though he wasn't that hungery. Seth was no-where to be found. The vampire frowned, Seth would like to know that himself but he had wanted to go along for the ride. This mission of Saby's was far more interesting then looking for information. It was truning late, the evening stars were winking on, Sabyien had spent the day schooling serveral of the monestary's martial artists in the ring, Seth watched from under a tree, it had been raining again and it trune the the soft dust of the courtyard into slick mud. After Sabyien had gotten out of the muddy borrowed clothes he went to lead Ryo to the room where he would stay the night. "Ryo, We are going to leave before daybreak, so make sure that you get a goodnight's sleep." Ryo nodded. Opening one the of the wooden doors, Sabyien step over the door-ledge and stired the coals in the large metal brazier, warming up the room. As the coals died down, Ryo sat on the mattress on the floor. Sabyien handed him an extra blanket. "Here, it gets cold around here at night." With that, Saby sat on the high step leaning against the locked door,his jacket wrapped tightly around him. "What are you doing?" Ryo asked. "I'm sleeping here..."Sabyien looked over the upturned collar of his jacket."...Problems?" "No..." Ryo frowned and slipped into the warm covers, but he could not fall asleep right away, he kept glancing towards the figure by the door. Finally Ryo sat up. "Sabyien?" The answer came from across the dimly lighted room, "Yes?" For a moment there was silence then Ryo asked. "Do you want to... Sleep with me?" Sabyien looked up, Ryo was blushing. "I...Don't mean it like that I just meant that theres room enough for two in this bed..." he pulled back the blankets. Sabyien looked away. "I'm fine over here." he pulled the jacket closer. "Go to sleep Ryo." "Alright..." The boy slowly lay down. "If you say so." both shut their eyes. Sabyien awoke a few moments later to find himself wrapped in the blankets with the boy cuddled up against him, the bed abandoned. "Foolish boy." He leaned back against the wall. "Thanks." He pulled the blanket up a little more over Ryo's shoulder and closed his eyes. In his sleep, an arm went around Ryo. Seth found them like that, asleep by the door, creeping over the window sill, the vampire gently woke Sabyien. At the vampire's touch, Sabyien blink awake, suprised to see Seth in the room. "Go away" he whispered and quietly as he could, he didn't want to wake up the sleeping boy. Seth smirked, noting that they both had an arm around eachother. Sabyien blushed, he carfully moved his arm. The vampire gestured to the abandoned bed with a raised eyebrow. The guardian nodded, he slowly moved Ryo to the bed and lay down beside him. Sabyien gave Seth a hard look and pointed out the window. Seth sighed and shrugged, when the vampire left, Saby pulled up that covers around them and fell asleep. In the morning the guardian awoke alone. ryo was gone. he quickly got up from the bed and began to search for him calling everywhere for him. all the rooms of the monestary were empty, he finally found them in the courtyard outside. A grim sight was held. "Uncle fadel!" Ryo sobbed holding the murdered man. wounds similar to the two headed demon on his body. Ryo continued to sob. Seth stood outside the horde of monks an unsettled look on his face. "Sabyien, a demon attack happened last night. Appearantly even here on holy ground we aren't safe. This was obviously a warning of what is to come." "Seth, I want you to scout the area, If there's anythings out there..." "Right!" the vampire nodded and took off into the forest. Sabyien knelt beside Ryo. "Ryo, I need to get you back inside..." The boy didn't move. The other monks where already moving the body to get him ready for burial. Sabyien helped Ryo get up from the ground. The boy didn't seem to notice where he was being lead, Saby opened the door to the main shrine when Seth jumped down from one of the roofs. The Guardian was suprised at his quick return. "Sabyien, there is a small force of demons heading this way." "How long will they be here?" "In a couple of minutes." "Ok, Seth, I need to use the grail-blade. While I handle them, I want you guard Ryo." The vampire nodded and drew out the grail, he filled it with water from a rain barrel. "Are you going to fight them alone?" "Yes" Saby said. Ryo looked up at that. What? Alone? Seth smiled, "Good luck, Guardian." Sabyien dipped a finger into the grail, the water lit up and formed into a hilt which Sabyien grabed and drew the swrod made of water and light. Sabyien would need this stronger weapon to battle the demons. "Wait Sabyien!" Ryo called as Sabyien went with serveral other monks to meet the invasion. The vampire stopped the boy from running after him. "Oh no you don't, your staying right here..." With that, Seth pushed Ryo throught he shrines doors and locked him inside. "Seth!" Ryo shouted pounding on the doors "Let me out!" He continued to try to open the door. he sunk to the floor still trying to open it. Sabyien and several of the stronger monks the blade at the ready. "Don't get in my way." The guardian warned seeing the shadow of seth as he leapt onto the front archway above them incase the guardian should need his aid. |