Silence hung in the air, only the wind and the rustling of leaves could be heard within the estate garden Kazama and his children had lived in for a while now. The cold autumn breeze gently caressed Kuze's cheeks as he and his foster sister stood in front of their foster "mother" in his glamorous glory.

Kazama's chestnut-colored hair danced gently with the breeze as Tenshii's confused stare burned holes in the glamour-obsessed man's coat. How odd for him to call them out on a chilly morning like this. "Children, do you two know what Mama's job is?" Kazama's kind smile was quite out of place with the tension in the air.

"A God Eater." Kuze's voice, calm and composed like the wind sharply cut through the pressuring silence. One could notice the wary edge beneath his tone. He does know the nature of this world, and that job of course.

The glamourous god eater nodded and smiled, pride radiating in his eyes over Kuze's answer. But despite the kindness and warmth in his smile, he only heightened the pressure in the air instead of giving comfort to his children. "Kuze is correct. Mama is a God Eater. Now then, what do we specifically do?" he eyed the meeker sibling who was also alert like her brother.

"Slay Aragami" a chillingly soft answer rang out from Tenshii, whose dark eyes were glistening with innocence as they stared meekly at her foster parent. Despite her soft voice, and innocent stature. She knew the meaning of those words perfectly.

God eaters kill aragami. And aragami kill god eaters.

"You're quite correct, Tenshii. But it's missing something." This time, Kazama's smile was fatherly unlike the previous one that can send chills into one's spine. "God Eaters slay aragami. But! God Eaters protect everyone too. Including the both of you." The chestnut haired veteran walked towards his children and gave them a pat on their heads.

"Protect...?" The word seemed foreign to the children, as they tilted their heads, trying their best to comprehend their parent's words. "Yes. Protect. God eaters protect the den, y'know? they kill aragami to protect us all. They die for us too." the veteran gunner kept his children close as the autumn winds passed them by merrily.

"....We don't want Mama to die..." Tenshii grasped her skirt tightly, her little fists curling up on the soft fabric. "...I don't want to die too." Kazama patted Tenshii's head, the way he did had looked quite apologetic in one's eyes. As if apologizing that his job involves dancing with death everytime he goes out of the door.

But it was this job that lead him to these two children.

And soon, this job would soon take them away from him..

Or take him away from them.

Whichever comes first, Kazama does not like any of the choices, and neither do his children. The very thought of each made them equally nauseous.

"..Mama can't protect you two always.." Kazama's apologetic smile made the two children pale. They didn't want their mother to die out there. In the jaws of the aragami. "Which is why, you two would need to protect each other. Always. And Mama's here to teach you how." the melancholic atmosphere had disappeared and was replaced by warmth.
"Teach us what, Mama?" Kuze's head tipped to the side, slightly confused of the sudden change. "Teach you two how to fight, of course. Physically and verbally." a sly smile crossed on Kazama's pale red lips.

God knows what he has in store for them. The two siblings looked at each other, as if telepathically communicating in what they should do while a tranquil breeze passed by, making the grass sway obediently to its whim.

"We're ready, Mama." Never did Kazama hear his daughter speak with that much determination ever since the day they had crossed paths.

It made him chuckle a bit.

"I won't go easy on you two." the loving parent chuckled.
"Bring it on, Mom." Kuze smirked, eager for the challenge.

* E x t r a *

A few weeks later, training was starting to be an everyday event to the family of three.

"Steady now, Tenshii!" Kazama deflected each of Tenshii's blows with his wooden shortsword. With each passing day, his children had grown visibly stronger.

Although the first weeks were extremely grueling for the children, Kazama never faltered in teaching them the art of eloquence, and the art of warfare.

Of course, it is paying off very, very well.

"Great job, Kuze!" Kazama glowed with pride as Kuze successfully knocked off the training dummy they propped on their backyard.

They even named it "DumDum." out of affection for the inanimate training dummy.

"Alright kids. Break time!" Kazama smiled gently, handing a bottle of water to each of the children, proud of how quick they had learned from him.

God really loves him to be given such wonderful children.

and Kazama hopes he can protect them from the dangers of this world.

"Mama, Did we do well?" Tenshii's meek eyes glistened softly, seeking recognition from her parent's eyes.

"You two are the most glamorously awesome children one could have." Kazama ruffled her hair, hoping that these peaceful days of theirs last long despite the bubbling feeling of imminent danger in his head.

God eater or not, he is a parent. God knows what he'll do to protect his children from danger.

"and I'll protect the both of you from danger." Kazama's eyes glinted dangerously as he watched Kuze and Tenshii doze off under the tree.

***

* I did not expect that Kazama's personality would develop into.. something.. Yangire-ish...