Title: Golden Dragon 2
Author: BELOVEDbyWAR
Rating: PG (gen)
TV verse: Blood Ties
Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money.
AN: Thanks to luvinmike for beta-reading!
Wc: 1096


Golden Dragon 2:

"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

Her scream was the only warning Mike got before Kim attacked him with a quickness he had almost forgotten she possessed.

He instinctively lifted his blade just in time to deflect her blow. Afterwards all seemed to merge into one fluent, deadly dance. Moves he had forgotten flowed in remembrance and before he knew it, an hour had passed.

Attack. Counterattack. Fall back, but never completely retreat. He was like water: persistent, yet patient, and completely one with his blade. How had he ever been able to stop doing this?

A kick to his kneecap quickly brought him out of his trance.

Ah,yes. That's why.

He could see her playful grin even through the protective material of her mask, and he couldn't help but answer it. It was so good to see her again. Just when he felt old beyond his years, this little sunshine had emerged and banished the clouds.

He remembered how she had always been able to lighten his mood and calm his temper. Well, not always… Some memories were rather painful, but there was never light without some dark, right?

Another attack. This time she came at him with her sword held high above her head ready to strike downward, but he stayed in place until the last moment. Then he feigned to the side and brought his blade up to rest at the base of her neck, just when her own was on the downswing.

"Do you yield?"

"Hai!"

They lowered their swords and bowed to each other.

A sudden clapping of hands caught Mike off guard. He hadn't sensed anyone watching the match, but a small, old man emerged from the entrance to the training area.

"Wonderful technique for a Gai-Jin," he smirked.

As he saw Kim bow, he mimicked her motion.

"Mike, this is my grandfather, Tanaka Yoshio. Grandfather, this is Michael Celluci."

Mike bowed.

"Konnichi wa, Tanaka-san."

In answer, the man also bowed and smiled broadly.

"I see you know our customs, Celluci-san."

Mike smiled back.

"Well, just a little."

The approving glance that followed made Mike a little nervous. He somehow felt like a prize bull being inspected for purchase.

"Well, it was very nice meeting you."

He bowed again and glanced at Kim. But before he could utter another word, he saw over her shoulder a familiar shadow tiptoeing away. But her regal companion still stood there, eyeing the old man suspiciously, which ruined Vicki's escape plan. The vampire wouldn't budge, not even as her hand tugged at his arm.

Mike's first reaction to the duo's antics was a small, humorous smile. But when he saw the vampire's mistrustful expression, he slowly moved away from the two Japanese, saying:

"Please, excuse me for moment," and walked calmly toward the vampire.

Henry only looked away from the pair when Mike murmured.

"What's your problem, Fitzroy?"

The smaller man took a calming breath before he whispered:

"The man, there is something 'different' about him. I don't trust him. Neither should you."

He abruptly turned and strode away, fully expecting to be followed. Angered by his snobbish attitude, Mike growled:

"What is that supposed to mean?"

But the royal bastard didn't answer.

From behind him, he heard Kim coming toward him, so he quickly put on a smile before turning.

"Kim, I-," her heart-breaking, expectant look nearly changed his mind, but for once the vampire's and his instincts were on the same wavelength and he had learned that it was better to heed his gut.

"Something has come up. Rain check?"

She looked a little disappointed, but seemed understanding enough.

"Alright. Tomorrow? Dinner?"

"Sounds great." He gave her a quick kiss. "Can I drive you home?"

She simply chuckled. "Not necessary, I can catch a ride. Go."

"OK. See ya tomorrow."

He bowed once more at the older man before he quickly collected his things and followed his friends.

***

He finally caught up with the duo in the parking lot. They were already seated in Henry's car ready to leave when he knocked impatiently on the driver's window until it was finally lowered.

"Hey, what the hell was that back there?"

He got no answer.

"Fitzroy, damn it!" he growled in frustration.

"Not here. Follow us."

With these words, the window closed again.

Mike quickly got in his car and followed them back to Vicki's office.

Once safely inside, Mike unloaded.

"Now would one of you PLEASE tell me what the hell you were doing at the dojo?"

"Nothing," Vicki answered way too quickly, but her jealous actions didn't interest the blond in the least. It was the bloodsucker's reaction that had made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and that really frightened him.

"Vicki, we both know you were spying on Kim and me and I don't care. However, what does interest me is our Lordship's strange behavior there."

He now turned his full attention to Henry.

"Okay, Fitzroy. You said not there and we aren't there anymore. So spill. What got your knickers so in a twist you nearly dropped your fangs?"

Henry glowered at him, but eventually replied:

"That man. He didn't smell right."

Mike looked stunned before he laughed humorlessly.

"Oh, he didn't smell right. Could you be anymore vague, please?"

"Something isn't right about him," Henry stated, his frustration obvious, which was the only thing that kept Mike's temper in check. He was disappointed that his night with Kim had been so abruptly interrupted, but he also realized that Fitzroy actually was concerned, which was both strangely touching and frightening because there had to be something seriously wrong to upset the vampire.

"Well, I won't meet him again. Problem solved! Everyone happy now?"

"Detective, don't dismiss this matter so hastily. There was a powerful aura surrounding the man and even though that is not necessarily a bad thing, you should be cautious. I strongly urge you to be wary should you ever meet again."

"Very well," Mike raised two fingers to his forehead, "I promise to be careful around the man if I ever see him again."

"Good." Henry nodded approvingly.

"Great! Am I excused now or is there something else?"

"Here's your file back." Vicki said sheepishly, with a look that clearly begged for Mike's forgiveness.

Rolling his eyes, he took it from her and left the building.

On his way home, he reviewed the evening's events and could almost find humor in the whole situation if it weren't for the foreboding feeling that lay heavily in his stomach and made him dread the future.

***

tbc