Chinatown Vampires 2
By Crystalquirt
for Sanura
With Sanura's OC San. TobeyxSan. Mild language, violence
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Tobey woke up early. Very early considering how late San went home the night before. The light of dawn had not even appeared on the horizon. Nana was up all night researching. When she heard his early alarm go off she poked her head into his room and told him to leave Tobey and Sid alone. She wanted them to sleep as long as they wanted to after the day they had. Calvin grumbled about it being a Saturday not a holiday, but agreed.
When Tobey got up, he knew better than to let Mr. Wu see that he was up already. He would put him to work if he saw him and Tobey definitely didn't get up early just so he could start de-veining shrimp or something just as boring. He got up because he was worried about his bike.
Driven to act, even with his extremely sore muscles, Tobey climbed out the window that San had used the night before. Once he was outside he went up instead of down to the street like she did. Like a cross between monkey, cat and ninja he went over the roof to the garden. His bike was lying where the cab driver left it when he unloaded it for Mei Hua. Tobey realized that Mei Hua would have tipped the driver very well for his help and he made a mental note to remember to thank her.
"My poor bike," he whispered when he saw it in the dim light. The garden wall blocked out most of the light from the nearest streetlight in the alley, but Tobey didn't dare turn on the lights in the garden. Mr. Wu would see he was out there for sure.
Taking tools out of his pockets, he started taking the bent spokes out of the front wheel. It only took him a few minutes and once that was done he stood up and assessed the rest of the damage. The cover and stuffing had been torn off the seat; the bar behind the seat was bent and the handlebars had a cockeyed look to them.
Tobey took all the damaged parts off. The bar that went behind the seat wasn't bent too badly. He took it over by the koi pond and used large rocks to bend it back almost straight. "Straight enough," he whispered, pleased with himself.
Tobey would be watching the clock until the bike shop opened. He hoped he could sneak away from Mr. Wu's list of Saturday morning chores so he could go get new spokes, or probably a new wheel. The wheel was 'out of round' and he doubted even the guys at the bike shop could make it round again.
While he was lost in thought about his bike and where he would get the money to get it all fixed, hands suddenly covered his eyes from behind. It scared him, but he remained silent and still. With cat like precision, Tobey grabbed his assailant's wrists and spun around, twisting his assailant around as well to get a good hold on them from behind. San laughed softly and licked her lips. "You are good . . . Tobey!"
"Shhhhh! Hey, I really don't want Mr. Wu to hear us and put me to work before dawn. How are you feeling?"
"Stronger than ever . . . You?"
"I'm okay except my neck is sore where you bit me – what was up with that?"
"It was fun - you tasted really good."
"It wasn't fun for me. It was gross – and it hurt. Don't do it again, huh?"
"You have nothing to say about it."
"What?" Tobey was shocked at her reply – she had been so nice and worried about his feelings until now. He was equally shocked at her next statement.
"I mean, if I seriously wanted to bite you again, I could and you could do nothing about it." San took a step into him and made him back into the wall. "I could bite you anytime and anywhere on you're sweet body that I want to."
"Whoa! " Tobey cried softly. San was on him and had him pinned to the ground in an instant. He struggled a little, but didn't want to hurt her. Nana had warned him about reacting without thinking and he was trying not to do that.
San was trying to get access to the softest skin under his jaw, but he squirmed around just enough she hadn't bitten him yet. When it became obvious that San wasn't going to listen to him at all, he got his foot in her stomach and pushed her off. Tobey started to roll to the side to get up, but she landed on his back and flattened him down again. "Now you're pinned on your stomach - you can't kick me again, my love."
"Grrrrrr . . . GET OFF!" Tobey hissed, "Mr. Wu will hear us!"
"Let him. We don't have to do anything he says. I want to taste your blood again and I know I can take him down if he tries to interfere."
"Taste my blood? - That's gross! And yeah we kinda do have to do what he says – he's my boss! – and you need to do what I'm telling you! GET OFF OF ME!" Tobey twisted and grabbed San's wrist with his opposite arm across his chest. He elbowed her same arm to break her hold on him and using leverage made her roll off. He rolled with her and wound up on his back, on top of her. Instead of trying to get out from under him, San hugged him tightly and he could feel her teeth scratching his neck.
"I said NO!" Tobey elbowed her in the ribs and got up. Right away he apologized. "Sorry San – I didn't want to have to hurt you, but I won't let you bite me again!"
San laughed, "You couldn't hurt me if you tried!"
She got up and ran at him – he blocked her punch and stepped to the side. San tripped as she went by and slammed into the back door with a loud thud. San's black and turquoise hair fell around her shoulders as though in slow motion as she stood up. "You're only delaying the inevitable Tobey."
Just then the door flew open and hit San from behind. She fell to the side, hidden behind the door. Tobey cried. "Mr. Wu - No!" he was afraid San might do something to Mr. Wu, but she stayed behind the door out of sight.
"What is all the noise Tobey? Never mind - Since you're up anyway - get in here and start chopping the onions."
"Aw, but Mr. Wu – I hate onions!"
"Get over it. Barney needs you so we can be ready on time for once!"
Mr. Wu backed up before he turned around like he wanted Tobey to know he was going to watch him. Tobey hung his head and started to follow him, but stopped near San on his way by.
"San – I think something bad happened to you last night. Please stick around here today so we can try to figure out what it was."
She laughed softly and made a grab for him. Tobey blocked with a downwards chop and she tried again to grab him without even taking a breath. Tobey let her catch his wrist that time.
"You think this is all a big game don't you San?" he took a deep breath and tried to relax and accept the fact that she was restraining him again and he didn't like it.
"Sure is – a great game! . . . Play with me!" She yanked him to her, flipping him around like they were dancing and she was leading him. She stopped when she got him in position to hold him from behind. "San, please – don't! . . . If I thought this was the real you, I would make you leave. Please tell me it isn't. Don't do this."
"Don't what? Hurt you? It'll only hurt a minute." She barred her fangs, but she was behind him and he couldn't see how much she had really changed.
"I know there is something wrong with you and I'm going to find out what it is! - I promise San, I will save you!" Before she could sink her fangs into him, Tobey twisted out of her grip with one swift, smooth move. "Will you stay to help us? You promised you would."
"Sure, I'm not leaving 'til I get what I came for."
"What did you come for San?"
"You."
"Well until know I was sure you had me, I really like you San."
"Then what's the problem? Stop fighting me."
"I won't let you hurt me or my family – but I find out what's making you act this way." Tobey held the door for San and motioned for her to go in first. He didn't want her behind him. They got to the kitchen just as Mr. Wu started yelling again.
"The onions will grow new skins waiting for you to get to them Tobey!"
"I'm here Mr. Wu – have you seen Nana come down yet?"
"She was up before I got up, but I haven't seen her since then."
Tobey picked up the basket of onions and a small peeling knife and gave them to San without realizing how dangerous what he just did really was. She smiled and took the onions and knife from him, slowly. "San, lets go down to the store room to cut these up."
Tobey made San go first again. When they got down to the storeroom door, Tobey reached around her to open the door since she was carrying all the onions – and the knife. She took a step back to get out of his way and without even realizing exactly how, he had made a really bad error. He turned the doorknob. His mistake? Tobey had let San get behind him - with a knife in her hands.
He unlocked the door and opened it. Surprised to see Nana inside, he paused. "Hey Nana." Tobey smiled. Nana cried, "Tobey, look out!"
San was going to wait until they got into the store room, but seeing Nana, she panicked. She grabbed Tobey from behind and put the knife to his neck. The onions bounced and rolled in different directions at their feet.
"Now hold still sweet thing." Tobey could feel San's hot breath on his neck as well as the cold, sharp tip of the small knife under his jaw near his ear. He held his hands out front, fingers spread so she could see he wasn't going to try to fight her.
Nana growled in frustration that she couldn't see any way to help Tobey. "San- stop – why do you want to hurt Tobey?"
"I don't want to hurt him." San hissed.
"Then why are you doing this?"
"I want to share my new found power with him and introduce him to our new master."
"You're master? Who is that?" Nana suspected she already knew, but San didn't answer her. There was no name that she had heard during her encounter with Kong Li that she could repeat.
"As I suspected – Tobey hold very still . . ."
"No problem Nana." Tobey's voice shook when he answered her; his teeth clenched together and his eyes squeezed shut.
"San listen to me. I suspect a very bad person used something on you, a recipe – no something more like a drug, that made you very sick. I think I know the antidote, but you have to let Tobey go so I can help you."
"No I can't let him go. Those were not my instructions."
"San you're sick honey – you don't ever have to follow instructions from anyone that will make you hurt someone. You've been poisoned and its making you think and act differently than you ordinarily would. Don't hurt Tobey, you like Tobey don't you?"
"I said, I don't want to hurt him. I love Tobey and I want to bite Tobey – the master says so!"
"But biting Tobey will hurt him . . . the knife you're holding could hurt him too. Put the knife down and let Tobey go so I can help you."
"Help me? No – you're confusing me!" with Tobey held tightly in front of her, San had backed herself into the corner at the bottom of the stairs, and just outside the storeroom door.
Sue came down the steps looking for Nana and froze when she saw what was going on. When San saw her, she turned with Tobey like she was using him as a shield.
"No – Tobey! San what are you doing?" Sue cried.
"Easy Sue, I'll handle this," Nana said just loud enough for Sue to hear her. Nana knew it would be bad to have others around to take her attention away from her. San heard her order to Sue and took offense, "I'm doing what I was told to, I won't let you stop me from doing what my master wants!"
Sue reluctantly stayed still, but didn't leave. "There's no way I'm letting you hurt him you bitch." Sue growled softly. The tension in the air between the two girls was so intense you could almost see it dancing like static electricity in the air between them. Nana tried to bring San's attention back to her. "Put the knife down San. I am your master now – you must do as I command."
"No – my master commanded me to bite Tobey!"
"Then, do you need the knife to bite him? You have fangs now right? Your masters didn't tell you to use a knife. Drop the knife - you don't need it."
"My Master . . . My Masters?" Some part of San was trying to understand what was wrong. "I only have one master – you can't be my master."
Tobey could feel San's muscles tighten even more and she started to shake. The tip of the shaky knife cut his skin and he could feel a trickle of his warm, wet blood running down his neck. San saw and smelled his blood and it excited her. Nana tried again to keep San's attention, "San – I, your master told you to drop the knife. You have to turn Tobey around to look into his eyes so you can bite him properly."
"Nana – don't tell her to bite me properly – how about not biting me at all?"
"Just go with it Tobey. Stay calm."
San wasn't calm. "No! What is properly? All I have to do it bite him! Poised inches from Tobey's neck San opened her mouth wide. Sue got ready to jump on her even if she had to squish Tobey on the way over him.
Sid appeared at the top of the steps and froze, feeling the tension, but not understanding the situation until he saw the light from the storeroom glisten off of the bloody knife pressed against Tobey's throat.
Nana ordered in a very loud voice, "San! Turn him around and look at him! Look into his eyes – NOW!"
Tobey didn't really understand what Nana's plan was, but at least if San even started to turn him around, he could overpower her and hold her until they could help him hold her without hurting her. Tobey opened his eyes and saw Sid and Sue waiting on the stairs; both very determined to help him if they had to take San down to do it. Somehow that didn't make him feel better. It only increased the chances of someone he cared about getting hurt.
San paused for a moment, distracted by the smell of Tobey's blood. Then she actually licked the blood off his neck. "Eweee!" Tobey had great trouble holding still. "San please stop! . . . Its okay - I'll make an exception to my 'one bath a week' rule and wash it off myself."
Seeing that she had lost San's attention again, Nana loudly ordered, "San – are you ignoring you're master? Drop the knife and let him go!"
San screamed "No! You're confusing me! Master wants me to bite – master wants Tobey!" She dropped the knife to use both hands to hold him while she sank her fangs into his skin. Tobey screamed and arched his back trying to twist away, but she had his arms pinned with his hands up between his shoulder blades. He kicked backwards at her legs, but she was so strong now – it had no effect.
Sid and Sue were there in an instant. Sue pulled Tobey away from San and literally from between her teeth. Tobey screamed when he felt her teeth tear his skin even more before Sue got him away. He fell to his knees. Sue kept dragging him farther away from San. Sid face-palmed San to make her stay back when she turned to go after Tobey again. San completely freaked out then. She screamed angrily at the top of her lungs. "HE BELONGS TO ME!"
Mr Wu stomped on the floor from the kitchen above them and yelled, "That doesn't sound like onions being chopped up!"
Confused by the conflicting commands, San was completely hysterical now. Now her aggression was aimed at the one closest to her, who, at the moment was Sid.
San braced herself against the wall and shoved Sid with all of her artificially - increased strength in the narrow space at the bottom of the stairs. Sid hit the wall behind him so hard his back broke through the plasterboard. He frowned and pushed back trying to restrain her. San turned a little and sank her fangs into his arm. He threw his head back and yelled, "Ow! Ahhhhh!"
Sue saw what was happening to her brother and let go of Tobey. He sank down, intending to sit on the floor. Nana caught him and had him lean against the table. "Here Tobey, not on the floor stay up- I have to stop the bleeding." Nana quickly pressed a clean cloth over the lacerations on his neck. Tobey was having a very hard time staying awake and Nana had to continued holding onto him.
The small space at the bottom of the stairs seemed even smaller with three teenagers fighting there and it was loud besides. Knees, elbows and heads bounced against the walls and Sue's head even hit the ceiling once after a very strong shove from San. Nana stood in the doorway instructing her two, "Don't hurt her, but get her restrained!"
"Don't hurt her? OW!" Sid even tried holding her nose to make her let go of his arm, but even that didn't work. "Sue ~ help me! It feels like her teeth are scraping bone!" Desperate, Sue body-slammed San and laid her out on the stairs. She still didn't let go of Sid's arm with her teeth and dragged him down with her. "Dammit! - Ow! Knock her out Sue – or knock me out – It hurts so bad I can't stand it!"
"But Sid - Nana said not to hurt her – but . . ." Before Sue could do anything else, Nana yelled at San, "You aren't following you're master's instructions – You ARE biting the wrong person!" San froze with the sudden realization that this master was right. Her only movement after that was her mouth falling open to release Sid's arm. Then she fell, groaning, "Not my master! Not my master!" until she passed out.
Sid rolled away and got up, leaning against the wall, obviously dizzy. Nana motioned for him to come to her while Sue made sure San was down for a while anyway. Sue checked her pulse and patted her cheek. She even looked into her eyes and saw her pupils were dilated so large that her eyes didn't even look human any more.
When she was sure San would give it a rest for even a few minutes, Sue followed Sid. She almost got to him in time to catch him when he fell. On his knees, he held his bleeding arm out toward Nana. Sue kneeled next to him with her arm behind him to hold him up. Sid moaned, "Nana I think I'm gonna pass . . . nnnn."
"Pass out." Sue finished his sentence, "Sid? Nana - what's wrong with him? The bite doesn't look that bad."
"Probably shock from the pain. A human bite is very painful, and this human had fangs and she held on to his arm for a long time I can't even imagine how badly that must have hurt. He'll be okay Sue - I think . . . help Tobey – help him bandage his neck. I'll take over with Sid."
They traded places. Sue helped Tobey sit in a chair and started gently cleaning his neck. Sue thought his eyes looked wetter than usual and thought he must be hurting as badly as Sid. "Sorry Tobey, I'll try not to make it hurt worse."
"I don't think you can." Tobey wasn't just thinking of the physical pain San caused him.
Nana put Sid out flat to clean his wound. While the fight went on, she had been holding a stinky, purple slime to Tobey's wound. Hoping her concoction would be the antidote for what Kong Li gave San, she held a cloth soaked in the same purple slime over Sid's arm now. It covered an area well above and below where he was bitten.
"I'm not sure sure Sue, but I thought I recognized most of the ingredients for the Lu Breen Control recipe from San's saliva last night. I was up all night researching and thought I had it figured out, but her symptoms aren't quite right for that recipe, but still – if it is, this antidote should work."
"What does the Lu Breen Control recipe do Nana?"
"It's a nasty recipe, but mostly harmless. When cooked correctly, as it was written hundreds of years ago, it gives a person temporary vampire-like tendencies. But it should only be temporary and the vampire usually knows who they are and what they're doing. They aren't supposed to exhibit such strange-out of character behavior."
Sue argued angrily, "How do we know this isn't out of character for her? We don't know her."
Tobey suddenly became more alert, "Sue - I know her - she isn't like this – why don't you like her?"
"Nevermind."
Nana interrupted them anyway. "Come on kids, focus. I'm sure Kong Li did something to this relatively harmless recipe when he cooked it. He must have altered the ingredients somehow. We have to figure out what changes he made so we can find the antidote."
With Tobey alert now, and standing on his own. Sue went to check on Sid. "Oh Sid, I'm so relieved you woke up already!" He moaned as she helped him sit up. "Thanks Mei Mei – still hurts – wish I could have stayed out a while yet. What is all the purple color?" Sid was looking at his arm. Tobey had the same purple around his neck and down his chest in the front. It stained the shoulder on his white tank top too.
"The purple is from what I hope is the antidote."
Sue gently bandaged Sid's forearm. He winced. "Sorry Sid."
"You know – I don't think anything that's ever happened to me has hurt as bad as this does."
"I hope the pain passes soon – maybe after it's bandaged Nana's purple salve will help." Sue put on one more piece of tape before she pronounced the bandage complete. "There Sid, but you still look weak; are you dizzy at all?"
"I think I'm alright, Mei Mei." Sue watched her brother's eyes when he answered to try and see if he might be lying to her about how he felt. She knew he would always be one to act tough and say he was okay when he wasn't. Once she was satisfied Sid was as okay as possible for what had happened, She glared at Tobey while she asked Nana a question that was on everyone's minds.
"Will anything happen to Sid or Tobey because of being bitten? I mean – if her condition was caused by that recipe – you said it produced vampire like symptoms and Kong Li changed it somehow; will it infect them now?"
"We will have to watch them. When the recipe is cooked as it is written from our master's cookbook. People who are bitten are also affected, but we don't know what Kong Li has changed. I doubt even Kong Li knows all the problems his tampering may have caused. Sid - Tobey, if either of you feel strange at all or have any strange thoughts I want you to tell us. Tell us if you experience anything strange."
"Okay Nana."
Tobey had been standing near the door where he could watch his family care for each other and also see San in case she woke up. But blaming himself for what happened to Sid, he walked away from the door, "Sorry Sid, I know this isn't San's fault – please don't be angry with her. I should have been more careful around her."
"I'm not angry at her Tobey – or you. This is Kong Li's fault. I just feel bad that San got in the middle of it."
Tobey was a little relieved to hear that Sid wasn't angry, but Sue was still very angry. Tobey couldn't recall ever hearing Sue say the B word before.
Sue wasn't even sure what was making her so angry, or at least she didn't want to admit that she was jealous of San being so close to Tobey. Tobey gave her some space. No need to ask or even discuss it when he was pretty sure that he already knew how she felt.
When Tobey went back to the doorway to check on San he cried softly, "Damn, she's gone."
"What Tobey?"
"San's gone. I turned my back just for a second."
"Only a second of lost awareness is often all that is needed for something to go awry." Nana joined Tobey and put her arm around him.
"Well that's just great!" Sue growled.
"Kids - you three have to find her and bring her back. If Kong Li gets his hands on her again, I am sure he will make things worse for her - and for us in the end. Here – you each should take one." Nana handed them each a fortune cookie from the jar.
"What do these do Nana?"
"They each will affect time, I hope the same way – slowing or stopping the passing of time. I really hope I didn't get them mixed up and give you anything that speeds up or reverses time. They should help if you encounter San or Kong Li and need to get a better handle on time to win, but don't use any of them unless there are no other options."
They all agreed and put the cookies in their loosest fitting pockets so they wouldn't crush them. Nana led the way, moving quickly to go back upstairs. Sid followed next with Sue hovering close by in case he would be unsteady on his feet and need her. Tobey came upstairs last, lost in thought. Going past the kitchen he heard Mr. Wu yell "ONIONS!" but he couldn't bring himself to care about onions.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
The three left to look for San. Sue wanted to stay together, but Tobey insisted they could save time if they split up and it would be worth it. "We'll keep our GPS turned on and stay in touch."
Worried, Sue didn't spend as much time looking for San as she did watching Sid and Tobey's GPS signals.
Sid rode slowly. He still felt a little dizzy if he went too fast and his arm was throbbing under the bandage. It hurt the most when he put that hand on the handlebars so he sat up using no hands and held his arm over his head as often as he could.
Tobey headed for the wharf since that was the most common area to find Kong Li. The way San talked about the master, he was sure she was going to meet him.
As Sue went, watching the boys signals on her phone she suddenly smelled something foul. "Ew, that's nasty. She looked up from the little screen she had been staring at and only riding a few more feet, the smell got stronger. "It's foul and I've smelled it before . . . San! – That's how she smelled last night and this morning when we fought. It must be the recipe. Otherwise she smells as bad as Tobey when he skips two bath nights."
Sue looked up, and sure enough from the sixth floor of the building she had stopped by, there was a brown cloud forming outside a window. Sue jumped up, with her feet on her bike seat and jumped off of it to the fire escape. Her bike fell over in the alley. She ran up the squeaky old fire escape.
Standing on the ledge near the open window, the smell of Kong Li's altered vampire recipe cooking made her eyes water. "Nasty. For the first time I feel sorry for San, being made to drink that."
Sue looked inside cautiously, hoping no one heard the squeaky fire escape. She saw San in a cage with iron bars like they put the lions at the circus in to transport them. San was panting and looking wilder-eyed than any lion or tiger she had ever seen.
The Sue's eyes fell on Kong Li! The villain was stirring the foul recipe in the slow-cooker, experimenting with it again. "Oh man, I'm gonna need help!" Sue mouthed silently. She went back down as quickly as she had gone up.
When she was back down on the ground and sure Kong Li wouldn't hear her, she called Sid to get him thinking of a plan while he gathered up Tobey and came to help her. Afraid Tobey would act only with emotion and try to run in without a plan, or without finding Sid first, she thought things would go smoother if she talked with Sid.
After many rings, Sid had not picked up. "Sid . . . come on! Answer!" She took the phone from her ear and looked for his signal again. Both boys' signals were together in an alley near Orchid Street. She tried calling Tobey and he didn't answer either. "What's going on with them? They can both be such dorks sometimes!" Sue hurried off to find them.
While Sid was looking for San on Orchid Street, he started feeling very dizzy again. After turning the corner into the alley he stopped next to the wall to lean on it. Holding his head, he leaned over his handlebars too. "Ow, maybe I should call Sue or Nana. Nana said to tell her if we felt bad. I wonder how Tobey's feeling."
Sid got his answer, Tobey came running down the alley without his bike. His clothes were dirty and torn like he had already been in a fight. "Tobey! What happened?"
Tobey growled as an answer and ran right at Sid, "Oh crap! Tobey stop!" Sid dropped his phone and held his hands out to protect himself. With his arm hurting, he couldn't even get off his bike in time to fend off Tobey's attack.
Tobey jumped up and kicked him in the head. Then he kicked back off the wall over Sid's head and kicked him again in the back before he landed. Sid and his bike fell over. Tobey immediately turned to attack Sid again. Sid kicked his bike away and got up holding his head with one hand. "Tobey! Stop – Darn you – I already had a headache – but thanks!"
Tobey didn't stop. He didn't even pause. He fought Sid ferociously; part Kung Fu - part wild animal. Fueled by Kong Li's recipe in his blood. Under the influence of pain, Sid's own instinct took over and soon he wasn't aware of exactly what was happening anymore. After a fall, Sid shook his head, blinked and to him it seemed like the scene was changing, like in a movie.
His thoughts and feelings were no longer clear and his best friend suddenly looked like the enemy. Sid felt such strong rage he didn't know what to do with it, except attack Tobey in return.
Sid scratched Tobey's arm trying to grab him to throw him. Tobey twisted out of Sid's hold and kicked him. As he fell back Tobey landed on top of him grabbing at Sid's shirt to hold him while he punched. Sid's shirt tore across the chest and as Tobey pulled harder, the neck tore open and the right sleeve came all the way off. Seeing skin, Tobey was driven to bite it. Tobey showed his own pair of very sharp long canine teeth at Sid and when Sid screamed angrily at him, his own fangs were obvious.
Sue rode up to them and jumped off her bike. "Can't I leave you two alone for a minute? What are you guys doing?"
Both boys looked up at Sue and uttered screams and shrieks that sounded less human and more animal. "Oh shit! Sid - Tobey - its me – stop!" Sue walked backwards to try to get back on her bike. "I have no chance to out run you Tobey! - I know someday, you'll both regret eating me. Stop and look at me! You know me – I'm Sue!"
Forgetting about each other when new prey arrived, together Sid and Tobey jumped at her. Sid went low and slammed into her legs, Tobey went high connecting with her shoulder. As she fell back, she reached into her pocket and crushed the magic cookie.
In the blink of an eye, Sid and Tobey looked to be frozen in time. Really, they were still in normal time. The cookie magically sped up time for Sue – not what Nana wanted, but fortunately it worked. Sue was able to get out from under them by moving so fast, it looked like they were frozen. She reached into each of their pockets and took the cookies Nana gave them.
Sue called Nana, but because of the cookie, spoke so fast that Nana couldn't understand her. Sue worried about the effect, but broke the next cookie anyway. Sue put her arms up in defense, in case this time Tobey and Sid were the ones to speed up. She was very relieved when she saw there was no need to defend herself.
The boy's time slowed to a stop and looked like they really were frozen this time. Sue tried again to talk to Nana on her phone. "Nana you have to come - Sid and Tobey have gone crazy – its like they're animals - fighting each other and me! Kinda like San was when she attacked us, only worse!"
"I'll be right there Sue - I see you on GPS. I've been cooking and think I found the antidote this time."
"Good Nana . . . how long with the cookies affect time?"
"I have no idea - be ready for anything."
Hearing that, Sue quickly closed her phone and pulled the rest of Sid's torn yellow biking shirt of over his head since his arms were still up like they were reaching for her. She easily ripped the yellow material into strips. Working quickly, but in real time, Sue pushed Sid down and tied his wrists behind his back with the strips of cloth.
Before she did anything to Tobey she paused just to look at him. He was rarely this still . . . or quiet even when he was asleep. Sue took Tobey's helmet off of his head and brushed his hair back off of his face. Then she thoughtfully touched his cheek with her palm. There was no way she could resist giving Tobey a light kiss on the lips while he hung in mid air. His mouth was open and his long vampire fangs barred, he looked very ferocious, not like Tobey at all. Still, she did the best she could with a light peck on his lower lip and a slightly longer kiss near the corner of his mouth.
"I'm sorry I didn't see you sooner Tobey . . . I guess it's too late now." She pushed him to the ground gently and tied his hands behind his back just like she had Sid's. Sue pulled Tobey closer to Sid so she could sit on both of them. Her butt on her brother's lower back and her legs across Tobey's back. "Now boys - hold still until Nana gets here."
To the boys, it seemed like everything Sue did happened in a flash. Way too fast to even see her. To them, one second they were in the air, leaping at her and the next they were on the ground on their stomachs with their hands tied behind their backs. Tobey experienced a very brief strange feeling, but overcome with what the recipe and the magic cookie was doing to him, he couldn't identify what seemed to press on his lips for an instant.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Nana arrived and saw how Sue had the two boys under control. The time cookie's effect had warn off. Tobey was hissing and struggling under Sue's legs, and her brother was growling at her. "Good Job Sue! Amazing job of restraining them."
"I couldn't have done it without you're cookies, Nana – they were worse than wild animals. They were fighting each other for no apparent reason – and when they saw me they attacked me like they didn't know who I was."
"How did you stop them?"
"I used two of the cookies. One sped me up so I could get away from them, the next slowed them down so I could get them under control."
"That's fine Sue, I'm glad the magic cookies helped. I was concerned they might make the situation worse." Nana hurried to give Sid and Tobey the latest version of the antidote. She watched them anxiously with Sue to see if it would work.
"Nana – what would Kong Li gain by making them, or anyone else like crazed animals?"
"I don't know really – except without you're help I wouldn't be able to protect the cookbook. I don't think he meant for this to be the effect though. He still thinks he needs Tobey to help him fulfill the prophesy. Tobey can't help him do that if he's chewing on his ankle like a mad dog."
First Tobey stopped hissing and growling. He blinked as he focused on Sue. She could see in his eyes that he recognized her and the kind- warm-hearted kid that he was, had returned. Sue hurried and released his hands just as he started to whine a little about being tied up.
"What happened? Why was I tied up? . . . Kong Li?" He didn't give anyone time to answer him after he saw Sid. "Oh no – what happened to him? He's all scratched up – wait – so am I – what's going on Sue?"
"Tobey-you're okay!" Overcome with relief, Sue grabbed him for a hug. Nana kneeled next to Sid and untied his hands. Recognition washed across his face when he sat up slowly and looked around.
"Both of you were affected by Kong Li's recipe after San bit you. I am sure this time, I have discovered the antidote. Lets go find San and save her."
Tobey jumped up "What are we waiting for – come on!"
Sue interrupted, "Wait Tobey, I know where San and Kong Li are. I was trying to find you two to get you're help to rescue her when you decided you wanted me for you're diner."
"Ew Sue, don't be gross."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Kong Li went to get San out of the cage. She started trying to explain herself and pleading with him. "Master - I did as you told me – I bit Tobey twice and he still fought me. For some reason he is unwilling to cooperate. Please don't hurt me – I will try again."
"Yes, you will try again girl. Drink this. Lets see if the next time you bite him that he doesn't become more agreeable."
"But now he won't trust me, how will I get close to him?"
"My son is a forgiving, unsuspecting weakling. If you say you're sorry and give him a cookie, he'll trust you again."
This time San willingly drank from the vial Kong Li gave her. Blue magical energy flashed in her eyes when she took the vial from her lips. "Now - Go girl-child – bring me my son!"
San didn't even make it out of the building before she started to loose control again. Holding her head, she went to her knees. "Ow – Rowlll!" her cries of pain turned into wild growling and howling.
She took off in under a minute. Her strength and all of her senses heightened. She had already found Tobey's s scent. Kong Li watched her from the fire escape outside his apartment.
"Oops, looks like that wasn't the right combination of ingredients either. She shouldn't have gone so wild – must have been the ginseng. Oh well, back to the drawing board."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Tobey heard San growling and howling as she ran through the dark streets and alley's of Chinatown. Tobey caught up to her and followed, out of sight for almost a block. He went high, jumping from rooftop to rooftop and got in front of her.
She stopped when he landed blocking her path. "Tobey!" She growled. "My prey!"
"What did you're master order you to do this time San?"
"What master? – I have no master – I am wild and free – and hungry!" San stretched her fingers out straight, and her nails grew red, long and sharp like a cat's claws.
"San – no – what did Kong Li do to you?"
"I don't know any Kong Loser!"
"Hahaha – that's funny San – that's what I call him!"
Tobey got serious again when San charged him snarling like a wildcat – her fangs barred and long nails extended. When she attacked he jumped over her. Confused, she looked around and finding him behind her, she ran at him again.
Tobey challenged, "You'll never catch me! - Ooof!" As he jumped away, she caught his pants leg with her long claws. The material tore as he hit the ground. "I gotta quit saying 'never' . . . San please stop – remember who I am? – Remember who you are – okay?"
Completely ignoring what Tobey said, San dug her claws into his leg and started to drag him away to the shadows where she could eat in peace. He screamed and then cried, "San! No!" as he tried to reach the hand she used to pull him along. Giving up trying to reach with his hand, Tobey gritted his teeth and kicked his leg away. He scrambled to his feet and before she could grab him again leapt up to catch the bottom rung of a fire-escape ladder.
"Well this feels familiar." Tobey thought back to when he accidentally brought a toy tiger to life and it chased him up a fire escape, before Sid and Sue could get there with the antidote. Only this wasn't a toy, this time it was a living, thinking very smart and really angry girl after him.
A little out of control and very possibly the most dangerous girl he had ever met. San jumped up and swiped her claws at him - he brought his legs up higher and she barely missed him.
San snarled and jumped up again, this time her claws dug into Tobey's side. He couldn't hold on with the pain and her added weight. Her claws left long cuts from his left abdomen and around his side just above his hip as she dropped back down. She moved out of the way as he fell and let him hit the pavement.
He panted, "Please San - I know you don't want to do this! - I don't want you to do this – its hard on a relationship when one tries to eat the other."
San crouched forward, flexing her claws, her muscles in her legs and butt twitching in anticipation of making the kill. Tobey was holding his side, blood seeping between his fingers as he slowly got up. "San – try to see whats really going on here!"
San only growled as she jumped at Tobey. Sid and Sue ran into the alley only a few precious yards away. Sue yelled, "HERE Tobey!" and tossed a vial to him.
Tobey caught the vial as San pushed him down. She turned her head sideways and bit across his throat like a lioness suffocating a gazelle. All Tobey could manage was an odd, whining sound as the pain from her fangs sunk in again. In desperation, Tobey hit her in the head with the hand that caught the vial so hard that the vial broke, sending the antidote into San's hair and ear.
San's fangs retraced back into normal teeth and Tobey felt her release his neck he tried to push more of the liquid from the vial into her ear with his finger. "Score one - Wet Willy!" Tobey groaned. San fell limp on top of him, having passed out. Tobey closed his eyes and hugged her instead of pushing her off.
Sid and Sue ran up to them. Sue kneeled down, "Tobey? You look terrible-why did you let her bite you again?"
"I didn't have much choice." Tobey looked at his hands they were full of antidote and blood from the claw marks down his side. Sid kneeled down too, "Hold on Tobey. Nana's on her way."
"I'm okay. How's San?"
"That was the antidote I threw you – maybe enough got into her bloodstream when you hit her in the ear with it to have cured her. Her claws are gone."
Tobey added, "Her teeth returned to normal, while they were still in my skin and clamping down on my windpipe."
Nana walked up behind the kids. "I think San will be fine. Lets get her home. I have to take care of you to – Tobey, again."
As if on cue, a cab pulled into the alley and stopped near them. Sid picked San up so Tobey could get up. For the first time, they saw Tobey's clawed side. "Tobey – she hurt you again - besides the neck bite!"
"Yeah – she did a little – love hurts!" Tobey's neck and even chest was splattered with blood and he held his side while he got up with Sid's help.
"Love . . . phish." Sue mumbled.
Tobey got in the back seat and Sid handed San to him so he could hold her on his lap. The driver looked back at them. Nana sat up front. "Take us to Wu's Garden, please."
"Okay - you sure are the roughest looking bunch I've picked up in a while. What's wrong with that one." he meant San.
"Teenage love." was all Nana offered as explanation.
Sue sighed loudly again and stared out the window, refusing to even look at them.
They got inside the restaurant and upstairs without Mr Wu or Barney seeing them. Tobey winced and almost dropped San when he tried to carry her up the stairs. Sid took her up for him. Nana ran in front of them, "Sid, put her in my bed. I will give her some more of the antidote just to be sure. It's not something you can have too much of – I'll be right back." Nana went to the store room refrigerator to get what she already had prepared and warm it up a little.
Tobey sat on the bed next to San just in time for her to moan and open her eyes. "Oooh – I feel awful!"
"You're safe now San."
"Tobey – you sound exhausted." she carefully sat up and hugged him.
"Being your boyfriend is a little exhausting."
San smiled and put her head on his shoulder. She spoke into his ear, "I had the most awful dream Tobey! You were a pork chop – and I hurt you terribly."
"Partly true." Tobey smiled when he looked into her eyes. 'What do you mean? Which part?"
"I wasn't a pork chop."
"Oh – I didn't mean to hurt you – I'm so sorry Tobey."
Sue huffed out loud as she exhaled and left the room. Sid stepped out too, but stood just outside the door in case San went nuts again before Nana gave her more antidote. Sid wasn't convinced this whole mess was over.
Tobey decided San wasn't comfortable. He guided her down with her head on the pillow and stood up. San stared at Tobey. Tobey took her shoes off for her and covered her with Nana's quilt from the chair in the corner. San saw Tobey's bloody side and sat up again. "Tobey! You really are hurt - physically hurt! I thought you meant I hurt you emotionally or something. How did that happen?"
"Just a second." Tobey ran across the hall, got a roll of toilet paper and ran back to be with San. "What is that for?"
Tobey didn't answer her, he pulled up his ripped shirt and started wrapping wrap after wrap of toilet paper around his middle so it covered the cuts.
"Is that sanitary?" San asked . . . her eyebrow raised.
"Don't worry about it, rest. Nana will be back with something to make you feel better."
"Don't worry about it? Then my dream? I never would have hurt you if I had known! I can't believe . . . oh, Tobey!" Tears welled up in San's eyes as she realized the pain she caused him. She just couldn't remember exactly what went on. "Tobey - you saved me – even though I hurt you so terribly. I don't know what to say – thanks isn't enough."
"It's fine San, I'll be okay. And I will be there any time you need me. You weren't really the one who hurt me anyway." Tobey was thinking of Kong Li. His father was the one who hurt him – again. Kong Li hurt him first when he 'banished' his mother. Tobey had realized what 'banished' really meant soon after he found out that Kong Li was his father. He turned his head so San couldn't see the tears in his eyes.
"Oh Tobey. You're in pain!" She cried, "Can I do anything to help?"
Tobey turned back to her, still trying to hid his face, he hugged San tightly. "Not unless you can bring my mother back."
"Tobey? Your mother? Where did this come from? Of course I would if I could. Where did you're mother go?"
"Never-mind." Tobey was so choked up he couldn't speak anymore without San knowing for sure that he was crying. He didn't realize it was already too late - San knew. "I'm so sorry Tobey. I will do anything I can to help you feel better, but I don't even know what's going on."
"Its okay San, I think I just need a hug."
Still watching from outside the door, Sid would have thought Tobey was just being 'smooth' with a girl – but he knew Tobey better than that. He genuinely needed a hug. Sid leaned against the wall across from Nana's doorway where he was still close enough to help if he heard something, but he couldn't see them anymore. Sid was really happy for them. Tobey seemed happy when he was around San, before all this started anyway. He was sure they could patch up any bad feelings left over from what had happened.
Sue came back upstairs and stood quietly by Sid, she had seen Tobey and San hugging on her way by. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "I waited too long."
"Don't worry Mei Mei, there's still hope for Barney right? Tobey's like you're brother after all. I think it would be a little creepy to see you two together romantically. I'm not sure I could stand it."
Sue remembered to keep her voice down. "Well no, it would be fine. He isn't my brother - you are my brother. I could never love him the same as I do you, bro, but sometimes couples who grew up together get married someday. He is so sweet and kind - and seems so vulnerable since the Spirit Festival. He needs someone."
"I think he found someone – try to be happy for him instead of sad for yourself."
Sid put his arm around Sue and walked away with her. They passed Nana in the hallway on her way back with more antidote. "Are they okay?"
"They will be." Sid answered. Nana knocked on her own door when she saw Tobey and San hugging and crying on each others shoulder's. "Here kids, I wouldn't interrupt, but I think this is important."
"Its fine Nana." Tobey startled and tried to look happy, wiping his cheeks on his sleeve. Nana gave a small. jelly jar with about an inch' worth of antidote in it to San and told her to drink. She gave some more to Tobey in a vial too since he had been bitten again since the last dose.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Nana watched them drink to make sure they drank all of what she gave them. She smiled at them and gathered the jar and vial to take them back down to be washed.
San brushed Tobey's bangs out of his face so she could see both of his eyes. He wouldn't look up at her because he knew his eyes were red.
"I know something happened, and maybe several somethings are still going on that you're finding hard to deal with Tobey . . . I can tell – even the pigeons on the wire outside can tell. I'll be here if you want to talk." San threw the quilt off and swung her legs around to sit up next to him.
"Thanks San."
Tobey still didn't look at her so she put her finger under his chin. He let her raise his face up enough to see her. She looked into his eyes without judgment. "I love you Tobey."
"Really? Why?"
"Wrong answer."
"Oh, I know sorry. I really can be such a dork."
"I love dorks I guess . . . Well – do you love me?"
"I love girls with blue in their hair."
"You are sooo not good at this – and its turquoise."
"Looks blue to me."
San tilted her head and softened her lips except for a light smile, just in the corners of her mouth. Tobey took a deep breath and relaxed. San realized she would have to lead this time too if she wanted to get anything done. She turned with her knee up on the bed and guided Tobey's chin again to bring his lips close. She nibbled on his lower lip before she really kissed him.
Tobey finally let go thinking about all the bad stuff and realized he had goosebumps running up his arms. He and kissed San back passionately until she started pressing down on him and kissing his jaw. Suddenly feeling trapped Tobey cried out softly and tensed.
"Sorry Tobey, I should have been able to tell you weren't in the mood."
"I'm in the mood. I'm always in the mood, I'm sorry. Its just that I felt trapped there for a second. I mean the last several times we kissed, you wound up biting me."
"Oh no, I don't remember that. But you could have taken me down – why did you let me do that to you?"
"I didn't want to hurt you. I thought at first you might have been liking it or something."
"No way Tobey – never let me or anyone else hurt you – or do anything you don't like just to spare their feelings. I would rather you had gone Kung Fu all over me, than let me do something you didn't enjoy."
"Actually I did try defend myself a little. You're harder to beat than you think."
". . . and you're not giving yourself enough credit. Do you want to just talk or go for a walk until you can forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive San. I love you. My reaction just then surprised me too; I won't react like that again now that I know."
This time Tobey kissed San. Enjoying it, San had her fingers in Tobey's hair on the back of his head. She wound up exerting a little extra pressure on his arms to hold onto him that scared him. This time, Tobey told himself everything was fine and tried to force himself to relax and enjoy what San was doing. San still knew she was upsetting him and released him gently.
"Tobey, I can tell - you're trying too hard. I scared you again didn't I."
"No – you didn't."
"Don't lie . . . you're trembling."
"I'm sorry San, I guess I just need a little time. Did you know I was a little claustrophobic?"
"No I didn't but isn't that being afraid of small spaces?"
"Its afraid of being trapped in small spaces, or trapped at all. I don't even like my wrists being held or being pinned during Kung Fu practice – but I had been able to cope. I thought that fear was about gone actually."
"What you've just been through must have intensified you're fear. Don't worry, I'm sure we can find things to do that don't make you nervous. Don't let me do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, okay?"
"Okay San, but I hate that you're having to be careful with me - like I'm fragile or something."
"Not fragile, everyone has their own fears and worries. I have some of my own, but I'm sure they will pass, yours will too."
Tobey had an overwhelming urge to kiss San again. He moved closer, she knew what he wanted. She sat still while he moved in for the kiss. She let him do it all; leaving her hands off of him and letting him lead. He pushed her back a little and she let herself lie back. There they were, on Nana's bed kissing already and Tobey wasn't afraid at all. San left her hands lie relaxed at her sides on the bed.
She did nothing to trigger his fear. He ended the kiss and still leaning over her said, "Wow, that was nice."
"Yes it was."
"You are really beautiful, and smart. How did I get so lucky?
"I was just wondering how I got so lucky to have found you, Tobey."
"I have an idea! Lets go out in the Garden and see if I can pin you."
"Okay," San agreed, not thinking that wrestling practice was really what Tobey wanted to do. But yeah she agreed. He changed his clothes and they met in the garden. Once San figured out that 'pin' wasn't Tobey's code word for more kissing, she let him pin her pretty quick. "Is this helping you overcome you're fear again Tob?"
"I don't know, I guess so – either way it's fun don't you think?"
"Of course, I love spending time with you no matter what we're doing. When will it be time for me to pin you?"
"Just try it!"
They stood up and faced each other again. Just before they attacked each other in practice, shivers ran up both of there backs.
"DELIVERIES!" Mr Wu yelled out the back door.
"Oh Darn. Just when I was gonna wipe the ground with you." San teased.
"Its fine, come with me on deliveries. I want a rematch for that race that got interrupted and after I get a couple of tips, I'll take you for ice cream!"
"Awesome, San agreed."
Sue and Sid were on their way back from a delivery when they passed San and Tobey on their way out. Riding side by side, holding hands and looking at each other with doe-eyes, San and Tobey didn't even see the siblings. Sue frowned. "I'm glad their both feeling okay. At least Tobey changed his shirt."
"Still jealous?"
"No, I'm glad he's happy. Lets get back to Wu's. I have something I need to tell Barney."
Sue stood up and rode away quickly. Sid stopped. Sue was on a mission of love. He could still see Tobey and San as they rode together down the street behind him.
"This is sooo not fair. I wonder what Tiffany's doing?"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
END