Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation nor Blade.
Shuichi merely watched after his declaration to the day-walker, the humans accompanying him easier to read than the coal-skinned man himself. They were shocked, naturally. It probably struck them as odd. Shuichi was considered to be one of the ancient vampires, one who kept his youthful appearance by drinking the blood of others. In controlling his bloodlust, he should have at least looked older. There was also the way the human male kept looking at him, as if he had seen Shuichi from somewhere else. Finally, after a moment's silence, Blade gave him an answer.
"I don't care if you know how to control your bloodlust or not, suck-head. To me, the only good vampire is a dead vampire. You're only trying to buy time for yourself."
The humans behind Blade hesitated for a moment then nodded their agreement with the day-walker. They were vampire hunters. It was to be expected.
"Hardly," Shuichi murmured, a small smile touching his lips. "Then again, I'm not here to change your mind. I'm just keeping my nephew's dream alive. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Your nephew?" the human male echoed. "You mean you have human family members?"
"Of course, I do. I was born to a human family, after all. Does that surprise you?"
When he got no response, Shuichi continued.
"As long as I am alive, no vampire may touch my family. No vampire may touch a human with the talisman. You should know that day-walker. Or did your mentor neglect to mention that to you?"
"Whistler told me everything he knew about vampires," Blade replied coolly. "Talismans were not among them."
"But you do know about them, yes?"
"Yeah. I know about them."
The day-walker reached into his pocket and pulled out something that had been soaked in blood. Shuichi's senses immediately cringed and reeled as he recognized the scent. Blade tossed it at his feet.
"I know it marked this young man for death."
Shuichi's eyes fell on the talisman. He knew that design. It had been one he had used for centuries, often sneaking into the homes of his family members as they slept to put the charms around their necks. The design was meant to keep his family safe from other vampires, and it had kept his family safe. It was an unspoken rule among vampires. Those who wore the talismans were not to be touched for anything by other vampires. If they were, the vampire protecting said person had the right to declare revenge. This should not have happened. His nephew should not have been touched.
"You're lying, day-walker. It's protection . . ."
"Not from Talos," the human male stated. "I know what she did to this young man. It wasn't pretty."
Everything started to click into place. His nephew's disappearance and why Shuichi's servants had never been able to find the teen. The young man had been taken to America. To American vampires. A cold rage formed in the pit of his belly, and he raised his head to look at the three vampire hunters.
"Where is Talos now?"
She had much to answer for, and Shuichi would make her pay. All he had to do was get to her, and he knew he could get to the female vampire. Tohma knew what he and Ryuichi were. The blonde was now one of them, and he also owed Shuichi a favour.
Revenge for his nephew's death would be his.
