[Ch.41] The Feral Cat Marks His Territory

Tenma ordered his workers to bring food and drinks as he showed Ryu, Panzram, and Nezu to a private room. The table was only large enough for four, with two on each side. Panzram plopped down first and Ryu sat next to him as if it was natural. Tenma and Nezu naturally had to sit across from the two as a result.

Panzram stared straight ahead at Nezu, glaring at him menacingly. Ryu and Tenma both had carefree smiles on their face, completely unaware of the tense stare-down happening next to them. Nezu could not help but shiver under the feral cat's stare.

When the food arrived, Nezu breathed in a sigh of relief and started eating. However, he realized Panzram had no intention of looking away. Suddenly, Nezu felt like he did not have much of an appetite.

Tenma spoke to Ryu unaware of what was happening next to him, "So Nezu told me you saved him from bandits."

Ryu nodded as he took a bite, "That's right. They were blocking my way, so I had to make them go away."

Tenma chuckled and ruffled Nezu's hair, "My little Nezu has always been a weak sprout. However, he always insists on traveling by himself."

Nezu blushed and swatted at his hands, "Stop it Tenma!"

As Tenma teased Nezu, Ryu leaned over and whispered into Panzram's ear, "You know what the best thing is about knowing people?"

Panzram raised an eyebrow as he glanced over at Ryu.

His ear tickled slightly as Ryu whispered to him, "It is being able to get free meals."

"Heh."

Panzram chuckled once, his face smiling slightly.

Then it instantly grew cold as the other three looked at him in surprise.

Ryu felt his heart thump wildly as he realized he had just seen a rare sight. Did Panzram really just laugh?

Ryu sat back and started nibbling on his food as he looked at Panzram in curiosity. Noticing the others were quiet as well, Ryu felt as if his mouth tasted too much like dirt. He placed his food down with a feeling of dissatisfaction. For a reason unknown to him, he didn't like the fact that they had also witnessed a rare scene from Panzram.

He turned to Tenma to change the subject, "So how do you and Nezu know each other?"

Tenma did not feel awkward and answered casually, "He sells me tea leaves from time to time. When I first saw him, I knew that I had to befriend him because he just looked so weak. I had the overwhelming urge to protect him."

Nezu frowned, "Oi."

Ryu spoke to Nezu, "So is that why you left town and came here?"

Nezu shook his head, "Actually, I came here because I could sense more fire users appearing in the town."

Panzram furrowed his brow, "How could you know that?"

Ryu answered for him, "Nezu is an Earth user."

Panzram nodded in understanding.

Earth users feared fire more than anything; it was their weakness. Thus, whenever a fire user was near, they could feel instinctively. Animals naturally ran away from fire, just as Earth users ran away from Fire users.

Nezu shivered, "I didn't think they would actually set the entire town on fire. Now my beloved tea shop is gone."

Tenma patted his back, "It's okay little Nezu. You still have 16 others."

Panzram nearly choked on his food, "16?!"

Ryu nodded with a smile, "Nezu is a really famous Earth user. His tea shops only produce the highest quality of tea leaves. Everyone wants to visit his shops and buy some."

Nezu puffed out his chest proudly, "My tea leaves rejuvenate the mind and body. More importantly, they are all prepared by me with love and affection."

Tenma chuckled and ruffled his hair, "That's right. Little Nezu is the best at making tea leaves."

Nezu frowned, "Stop treating me like a child."

"But you are a child."

"I am not."

As they argued, Ryu picked up a piece of fried vegetable and nibbled on it just like a rabbit. Panzram watched feeling slightly amused.

No wonder there were so many predators after this little rabbit, he was too adorable.

Ryu noticed his stare and turned to face him. Upon seeing Panzram watching him, he smiled at Panzram with an innocent expression.

Panzram noticed Ryu had a piece of rice stuck to his face. Panzram reached out and calmly picked it up, placing it into his mouth in a fluid motion.

Ryu's pale cheeks flushed at Panzram's nonchalant actions.

Tenma and Nezu's conversation immediately halted.

Tenma spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "Are you sure they are cousins?"

Nezu answered, "I don't think they are."

Ryu looked at them and blushed, "You are misunderstanding!"

Tenma reached out and held his hand with a determined expression, "Do not worry. Even though society will never accept you, Nezu and I will be there to support you."

Nezu smacked his face feeling shame for his friend's idiocy.

Panzram glared at the two holding hands. Ryu noticed his hostility and chuckled lightly. He pulled his hands back, "That is really a misunderstanding. If you just let me explain-"

"Misunderstanding what? Your relationship?" Tenma leaned forward and smirked, "Fine, fine. You're both cousins then. Since you are both cousins, will you be needing separate rooms? Cousins don't usually share a bed together, right?"

Ryu opened his mouth and froze. His brain seemed to be calculating something, but it was obvious to all that it was having a hard time. They could almost hear the gears turning.

Nezu and Panzram both knew that Ryu was not very good at excuses. Panzram sighed as he realized Ryu would be tricked into having separate rooms and decided to help him out.

He spoke, "We do not have much money. One room is fine."

Tenma's smile grew larger, "Nonsense! I will not charge a friend of Nezu's. You both can have your own room."

Panzram's face grew darker, "We would hate to impose."

Tenma did not give in, "It would not trouble me at all. It would be my honor… Unless… You two want to share a room? But we only have one futon per room, so that may be a problem... What would people say about me? They would think I am a terrible host."

Panzram finally gave in, "Two rooms are fine."

Ryu felt as if he had been crushed. But why did he want to share a room with Panzram so much? It was not considered normal for men to share beds together. However, he had gotten so used to Panzram in the room that it felt a bit lonely knowing he would not be there.

Panzram had the same thoughts.

He never liked sharing his space, yet he could not help but feel a bit disappointed he would not be able to share a futon with his little snow rabbit.

Tenma called over a few workers to escort them to their rooms after they finished their meal. After they walked away, Nezu turned to Tenma with an impatient expression. "You are really a shameless person."

Tenma shrugged, "I could not help it. Did you see the look on their faces? They looked so upset and defeated when they learned they would have to be in separate rooms. I feel a little bad."

Nezu sighed, "So why did you do it then?"

He smiled, "I cannot let the man my Little Nezu has a crush on, sleep with another man."

Nezu blushed and looked at Tenma with a troubled expression, "I do not like him!!! Sure, he is beautiful, but I like women! WOMEN!"

Tenma chuckled as he ruffled Nezu's hair, "Sure, sure."

Meanwhile, Ryu and Panzram arrived at their own rooms. Luckily, their rooms were right next to each other so they wouldn't be too far apart. They both stared at each other in silence as they stood in front of their doors.

Finally, Ryu broke the silence with a yawn. He looked at Panzram with a pitiful expression, "Well… Good night."

Panzram nodded, "Good night."

Ryu hesitantly went to open up his door before pausing, "I will see you in the morning."

Panzram nodded, "Yes."