Arya's cell began to ring insistently.
She answered it quickly. "Hello?"
"Ar..ya…" Nori's voice was faint and shaky.
"Nori? Where are you?"
"Hou..house...Ichi...hurt." Nori coughed softly. "Save..him."
"I'll be right there," she answered quickly, thinking for a moment before opening a portal.
"Princess?" Tomoya watched her worriedly.
"There's trouble at Aniki's house. I'll be back soon."
"I'll come with you. Just in case." He went to her side, tucking his gun into the waistband of his jeans.
She nodded and stepped through the portal.
"It looks like world war three…" Tomoya's voice was hushed as he surveyed the wreckage.
She analyzed the area, looking for her brother and Nori.
A choking sound came from behind an overturned couch.
Arya rushed over to check it out.
Nori was on his back, chest heaving as he fought for air. His chest and throat had been ripped open, a large puddle of blood surrounding him.
Ichigo lay face down and unmoving in another puddle.
Arya knelt beside Nori and let her light pour on him. His wounds slowly healed and she moved him away from the blood puddle and cleaned him up. She then moved to Ichigo, kneeling beside him and checking him over. After a few moments, she forced energy into him, coating him in pink light.
"Think it was the Otas? Or someone else?" Tomoya warily watched out the window. He tensed as he saw movement. "You okay to be alone for a minute?"
"Just be careful," she said softly.
He gave her a half smile before slipping out the front door. A few minutes later, several gunshots went off.
Arya finished helping her brother before rushing outside.
Tomoya was weakly resisting being shoved into the back of a car. He flinched when the man doing it hit his side, then fell into the car.
The man raised his eyes to hers. "Follow and he dies." He climbed in, slamming the door shut as the car raced toward her before swerving and disappearing down the street.
Arya growled and went back inside. She checked on both men, opening a portal and taking them through to the medical room of her house. She gently laid them in beds so they could rest before pacing for a few minutes, trying to think of where they'd have taken her husband.
Tomoya groaned as he was thrown into a dark cell. He could feel the blood coating his hand and side and prayed Arya was safe. His eyes darted wildly as he heard a saw clawed hands and sharp teeth, then screamed once before being jerked into the darkness.
"I'm just trying to help you," a woman's voice spoke softly.
"Get away! Don't eat me!" He tried to scrabble backward, but was too weak. He passed out, laying still.
The woman helped him before moving back away to her corner.
Arya finally thought of a few Ota hideouts to check, so she headed out to her car.
"You okay?" Kaien came up the driveway, wiping his face with a towel.
"Nori and Aniki were attacked. They're in medical. Toya was taken so I'm going to go find him."
"You want company?"
"If you feel like beating up some Otas."
"Always up for that." He climbed into the passenger seat.
She gave him a small smile before taking off. They pulled up to a large warehouse and she stepped out.
"Can you feel him here? Or are we just searching everywhere?" Kaien asked as he moved to her side.
She frowned and closed her eyes for a moment. "If he's not here now, he's been here in the past. I'm getting some vibes but it's weak."
"Good enough for me." He shifted, growling under his breath. He waited for her signal.
She got closer to the door, taking a moment to pull out her pistol before throwing it open and allowing Kaien inside. She followed him, looking around and shooting any Ota's she saw.
The wolf split off, going down one hallway and disappearing.
Arya headed down a different hallway, soon finding herself surrounded by vampires. She shot some down quickly but ended up taking a few bites. One held on tight and refused to let go. She took the rest down before pulling the other off with vines. His teeth ripped a chunk from her arm but she quickly shot him and moved on, ignoring her pain.
A howl rent the air before cutting off abruptly.
She headed to where the sound came from to see what happened.
Several vampires were greedily feeding on Kaien, the wolf having reverted to his human form.
Arya shot them before kneeling beside Kaien and working to close his wounds. She opened a portal and took him to the medical room before closing it and continuing to search for her husband. Blood poured down her arm making her feel weak but she wasn't going to give up.
Soon, she noticed a darkened cell.
"You've been hurt. You need help." A woman's voice spoke from the darkness.
"I'm looking for someone," she answered, shining a light into the cell and spotting Toya. She quickly broke the lock and opened it.
"I healed what I could for him," the woman informed.
"Thank you," Arya checked him over before looking around. She noticed Toya and the woman weren't the only ones there. "Do you guys need a place to go?"
"He's gone, I could not save him." The woman looked sad. "I'll find somewhere though."
"You can come with me. I can help you out," Arya gave her a small smile.
The woman looked at her carefully and nodded.
Arya opened a portal, beginning to lift Toya when the light shone through brighter. She looked at the body of the dead man and froze. She set Tomoya down and scrambled to his side. "What kind of trouble did you get yourself into now?" She whispered before forcing energy into him.
After he finally sucked in air, she carried him through the portal and laid him on a bed. She then went back for Tomoya and nodded for the woman to go through.
After getting her husband on the bed, Arya set up a transfusion for Kimito and wondered how he got taken by the Otas.
"Nori?" The woman asked softly as she looked around the room.
"You know him?"
"He saved me from some shifters. I've been looking for him ever since."
Arya gave her a small smile before remembering, "I'm Arya by the way. This is Tomoya. Welcome to our home."
"I'm Mika. And I better leave before he wakes."
Arya shook her head, "You can stay, you know. We have plenty of extra rooms."
Mika shook her head, "He is afraid of me."
Arya looked her over a second before realizing, "You're a mermaid?"
The other woman nodded.
"He's had some bad experiences with mermaids in the past. He'll see you aren't going to hurt him." Arya assured her as she checked everyone over once again.
"Arya?" Nori's eyes blinked open.
"Hey, hun. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got chewed up and spat out. Ichigo is safe?" He slowly sat up, freezing when he saw Mika.
She gave him a little wave.
"Aniki will be alright," Arya informed. "He just needs more rest."
"I..I should leave." Nori pushed himself off the bed with a panicked look.
"You're not going anywhere," Arya said softly as she caught his arm.
"I am ashamed."
"Why?"
"I ran away like a coward."
Mika shook her head, "You have nothing to be ashamed about."
"I should have stayed to make sure you were alright. Instead, I ran." He stared at the floor.
"It's alright," she smiled softly. "Thank you again for saving me."
He gave her a shy smile. "I'm glad you're okay." His gaze drifted around the room, gasping as he saw Kimito. "Is he alright?"
"He should be now," Arya informed. "Found him locked up with Mika and Toya."
"What? He was supposed to be visiting his mom!" The vampire stilled. "Oh god..it was his blood, wasn't it?"
Arya raised an eyebrow.
"Fae blood is like cocaine to us. Dragon blood was...is like heroin. It's coveted."
Arya nodded slowly. "Okay?"
"What he means is, I was private stock." Kimito blinked hazy eyes open. "They grabbed me on my way home. They drank constantly until I became too weak."
"I'm sorry. I thought you were still with your mom."
He gave her a small smile. "Why are you apologizing? It's not like I have a curfew." He blinked a few times and shook his head slightly.
"Maybe everyone here should have a curfew."
A snort came from Tomoya's bed. "Good luck."
Arya rolled her eyes but chuckled.
"Sorry for -" His words cut off as he saw Mika. His breathing sped up and he scrambled to his feet, pressing his back against the wall.
"Toya, this is Mika. She's not going to hurt you."
"She-she grabbed me...her teeth…." His eyes were wide in terror.
"Mermaid saliva is a healing agent. I was just trying to help you," Mika said quietly. "But if it's really a problem, I'll leave.."
Tomoya stilled, then hung his head. "I'm sorry. You should stay. I'll go." He headed for the door rapidly.
"This is your house, afterall. I'll go so you don't have to worry," she moved past him and quietly slipped out of the room.
"Dammit! I'm a fucking hypocrite… Find her." He turned to Arya, his voice desperate. "She shouldn't be out there alone."
Arya nodded and went to find Mika. The mermaid was outside, looking around like she was lost.
"Mika? You can stay here. Toya feels bad about everything."
Mika looked at her for a moment before slowly nodding, "I just don't want to cause any problems."
"It'll be alright," Arya assured.
Mika took a deep breath before going back to Arya. They then headed inside.
"Thank you," Mika said quietly.
"No problem. We have all kinds of people staying here. We just like helping."
"I like helping people too." Mika admitted.
Tomoya slowly approached them. "Forgive me? I didn't mean to be such an ass."
"I just don't want to be the cause of worry or fear.."
"You won't." He gave her a smile before turning to Arya. "I've got to go get Haru bailed out again."
"What now?" Arya asked with a chuckle.
"Got thrown out of a bar for being belligerent. Ryon called me from the station."
Arya laughed, "Alright. Go get him out of trouble."
He kissed her quickly before heading for the front door and disappearing.
An hour later, there was the sound of arguing outside.
"Stop telling me what to do, Aniki! I'm not ten anymore!"
"Start acting like it then! What the hell possessed you to pull that stunt?"
"Go to hell! I don't need this!"
Arya went outside to see what was going on.
Tomoya was growling as Haru glared at him, one fist raised.
Ryon was shaking in fear, his eyes wide.
"Guys, calm down," Arya said softly.
"Sorry, Nee-chan, but I can't be here right now." Haru dropped his hand and headed for the bikes.
"If you leave, don't bother coming back." Tomoya's voice was cold.
Haru snorted. "Fine." He climbed on, gunned the engine and rode past them without looking back.
"Toya, what the hell?! I don't care what he did, that's no way to treat your brother!"
"He tried to take Ryon to a bar! When he wasn't let in, he assaulted the bartender. Then fought the police. He's out of control and someone has to put their foot down. He's drinking way too much and slacking off his hunter duties." Tomoya spoke between gritted teeth.
Arya shook her head and looked at Ryon, "Are you alright, baby?"
He nodded slowly, then turned and ran into the house.
Arya sighed and shook her head again as she headed inside.
Ryusei gave her a puzzled look. "Is Ryon alright? He just ran past me like he was in trouble."
"I don't know.. Haru and Toya were fighting."
He winced. "That explains much."
"I'm glad we don't fight much." Arya sighed. "I don't know how to help them though."
"I don't think you can." Ryusei shrugged. "Do you wish me to speak to Ryon?"
"Sure," Arya nodded.
Ryusei dipped his head and headed for Ryon's room. Several minutes later he emerged, his eyes angry.
"What's wrong?"
"He threw both this and ice shards at me." Ryusei handed her an empty liquor bottle.
Arya took a deep breath before standing and heading to Ryon's door. "Hun? Can we talk?"
The door opened, Ryon defiantly watching her.
"Talk to me please. What's going on? Why did you throw things at Ryu?"
"So he'd go away." Ryon moved to his bed, shoving a bag aside.
"Have you been drinking a lot lately?" She asked quietly. "I mean, you did throw a liquor bottle at him, so don't say you haven't been drinking at all."
"And if I have?" The teen flopped on his bed, eyes averted. "Who cares?"
"Well, I care. Why do you feel the need to drink?"
He shrugged. "Puts me to sleep. And I can hang out with Haru."
She sighed, "There's other things that can put you to sleep. And you don't need to drink to hang out with him."
"Tried medicine already. Didn't work. And it's what he does a lot." He frowned, tossing a book in the bag before zipping it.
"You know Daigo has sleeping spells, right? And he shouldn't be drinking that much either, but you're not even of age to drink yet." She sighed before looking at his bag, "Are you going somewhere?"
"You know, no one cared about age in the Colony.." He shrugged. "If Dad doesn't want Haru here, he definitely won't want me. I'm the reason Haru got arrested."
"I know no one cared about age in the Colony, but you don't live there now. You live here. Dad doesn't want Haru gone, he was just upset and wants to help Haru like I want to help you. But if you'd really rather leave, I'm not stopping you. I always gave you a choice and you know I'd never force you to stay where you don't want to." She turned away, "I just wish I did more to help you so you wouldn't feel the need to drink." She left the room and disappeared down the hall.
Ryon stared after her for a moment, then began to cry. He ran out of the house and disappeared.
Arya locked herself in her room, tears filling her eyes.
Two hours later, there was a slow knocking at the door.
She got up and answered it.
Tomoya stood there, tears streaming down his face. Gold blood saturated his clothing and he was shaking.
"What happened?"
"I-I hit him...I didn't mean to..he ran out in front of me…" He sank to his knees.
"Where is he?" She asked softly. "It isn't your fault, alright?"
"I don't know. He ran from me.."
Arya nodded slowly, "Go shower and calm yourself down. I'll go looking." She kissed him gently before going out to her car and starting it up. She took a deep breath before pulling out of the driveway and taking off.
Several blocks away, she saw a flash of gold in an abandoned lot.
She pulled into the lot and headed to see what it was.
Pools of gold blood were puddled the length of the lot, then a red haired body appeared.
She rushed over and knelt down beside it, checking him over.
"Sor-sorry Mommy…" He coughed harshly, his breath hitching. One side of his body was mangled, bones sticking through the skin. His eyes were unfocused and fading fast.
"Shh baby, it's alright, just rest." She began forcing pink light into him rapidly.
"I-I made you sad." He tried to pull himself into her arms. "I left you..Tell Dad I'm-" He went limp, his eyes closing.
Arya let out a sob as she continued to try to heal him.
He lay still, the blood drying on his skin.
Arya continued to push her energy into him for a long time. She had no idea how long she'd been there trying to save him but she knew it had to have been a while since she was growing dizzy. She focused the rest of her energy into a large burst and shot it into him before she slumped forward, Ryon still cradled in her arms.
Hands began to pull him away.
Arya regained just enough consciousness to grip tighter on him, refusing to let him go.
"Princess, let go." Tomoya's voice was soft.
She was going to argue but didn't have the strength. She tried to open her eyes and focus but they soon rolled back.
She struggled to wake, trying to remember what happened. It all came crashing back to her and tears began falling from her eyes once again.
"Shhhh." Tomoya wrapped his arms around her.
She let out a small sob and clutched onto him.
"It's alright."
"But.. Ryon.."
"He's alive. He's hurt still, but alive. Just relax."
"Really?" She whispered.
"Would I lie to you? Now go back to sleep."
She nodded slowly and fell asleep again.
"Let me go!"
Arya sat up quickly and looked around at the noise.
Ryusei and Nori were holding down a weakly struggling Ryon.
"Let me go! I have to leave before she wakes up!" The teen tried to get free in vain.
"I'm sorry you want to leave.." she said quietly.
Ryon froze, attempting not to cry. "Mom…"
She was quiet a moment, "I'm sorry I'm not a better parent.. is there something I can do to change and make you want to stay?"
He lost the fight, his sobs shaking his frame. "It's not you...it's me. I'm an awful son. Everyone was right, I'm nothing more than yamalen…" He shook off the men's hands and curled into a ball on the bed.
She slowly got up and wrapped her arms around him. "You're a great son. You just make mistakes sometimes. Everyone does." She whispered softly. "You're not yamalen and you never will be. We love you and just want you to be happy."
"I keep hearing him laugh...keep feeling him..You shouldn't have saved me. I should have died from the wasting sickness." His breathing hitched as he hyperventilated.
"Arya, get him calm. He is still too injured to be moving." Ryusei said sharply.
She gave Ryusei a nod before looking back to Ryon. She began pouring light into him as she continued to hug him. "I know how you feel.. the laughing and the feelings haunting you.. When things like that happen, it sticks with you for life. But it does get easier. I should have gotten you more help after what happened and I'm sorry I didn't. I'm also sorry that I was selfish and wanted you to live. I just feel like you deserve a chance at life instead of it having been cut short.." Tears streaked her face.
He shook his head. "You're not selfish. You loved me. I'm just sorry you don't anymore cause I screwed up. I'll get my bag and you'll never have to see me again. You can forget." He tried to slip out of her arms with a muffled hiss. "Tell Tomoya I'm sorry I messed up the car."
Arya held onto him tightly, "We both still love you. Just because you screwed up doesn't mean we stop loving you. And he was so upset about hurting you. He doesn't care about the car, he cares about you, just like I do. We don't want you to leave.."
"Why? I am worthless. Should of stayed at the Colony and died. Better for everyone. Uncle Haru would be here instead of Tomoya being angry at him. I asked Haru to take me to the bar. He hit the bartender because he picked me up and threw me out. It's all my fault and I don't belong here."
"We love you and you are not worthless. I don't care what ideas you have in your head but to us, you're important. Haru and Toya will figure things out and come to an understanding. Just because you screwed up, doesn't mean you don't belong. And Haru screwed up too. He shouldn't have taken you since you're underage." She sighed. "We love you, you aren't worthless, and you always belong here."
He hiccuped as the sobbing lessened, then began twitching. "I don't feel...good…" The twitching intensified as his skin went cold.
Arya forced energy into him faster and held him tightly. "Shh baby. Everything will be alright. Just relax."
He sagged in her arms a few moments later, the twitching slowing.
She continued to cover him in pink light for a while longer before it vanished. She continued to hold him though, watching him carefully.
Ryusei sighed, running a hand through the boy's hair. "He woke a few hours ago while I was trying to heal him completely. His body was badly injured and complications kept arising."
Arya nodded, "I'm trying my best to help him but I feel like I'm not doing well. He should never think he's worthless. Am I not showing him enough love? Am I not listening enough?" She sighed and shook her head.
"Arya. You are doing the best you can in a difficult situation. When you are told your whole life you are worthless, not fit to exist aside from someone else's pleasure, you believe it. I am honestly amazed how well both he and Zal actually have adjusted. Like you said, making mistakes is normal." Ryusei said softly. "Do you believe he will be alright?"
"Physically, yeah. Emotionally, I hope so."
"Princess?" Tomoya's voice was quiet as he leaned against the door. "Is everything alright?"
"For now." She said quietly. "He said to tell you he's sorry about the car but I told him you care more about him than that."
"The car?" Tomoya's voice became anguished. "I hit him! I..killed him...and he's apologizing for the car?" He struggled not to cry, his hand white knuckled on the doorjamb.
"He's just having some issues right now.." Arya sighed. "Also, he asked Haru to take him and says it's all his fault Haru got arrested."
"He may have contributed to it, but I have a feeling this would have happened sooner or later. Haru had been on the edge since the house was attacked that time." Tomoya sighed, then pushed himself straight. "I have some things to do. I'll be downstairs."
She nodded, "I love you."
"Love you too." He turned and disappeared, leaving a bright red streak on the door.
Arya cursed, "Dammit Toya..." She looked down at Ryon and sighed, hoping Tomoya could handle the wound himself. She'd check on him in a bit and make sure he was okay, but for now, Ryon had her attention as she continued to worry about him.
Ryusei's lips tightened but he didn't say anything.
"Mom..is he mad at me?" The teen slowly blinked his eyes open.
"Not at all. He's upset at himself for hitting you with the car."
"It was my fault. I ran out without looking."
"That doesn't stop him from blaming himself," she sighed. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I'm okay." He sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees. "Sorry I'm such a bother."
"You're not a bother, alright? We love you just how you are."
"There's something wrong with you then." Ryon buried his head in his arms.
"I don't care. We love you no matter what." She wrapped her arms around him and held him close.
Ryusei excused himself, leaving the house. He started attacking the trees in a fit of rage.
Tomoya sat staring at the sheeted figure on the table in front of him. He cursed his temper, knowing everything had happened because of it. He glanced down, noticing the blood puddling under the chair and shrugged. This would be penance. Fitting that he was already in the morgue. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and waited.
After a while, Arya came down and found him, shaking her head and quickly pushing energy into him, "What are you doing, Toya?"
"Penance." He pushed her away. "My temper caused this, so I'll end it. It's not as much as they deserve, but it's all I can give. Just go away."
"They wouldn't want this." She said sternly, still forcing energy into him.
"It's my fault!" He snarled. "I threw him out and now he's dead! I scared Ryon and if not for you, he'd be dead as well! Stop waving away all my mistakes!"
She growled and slapped him hard.
He recoiled in shock, almost falling from the chair. His eyes were wide as he stared at her.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Toya! Plus, not everything is your fault! Just shut up and let me take care of everything." She forced energy into him and the body on the table.
He slowly stood, then bolted out of the morgue.
The body jerked, a cry issuing.
Arya shook her head before checking over Haru.
"Nee-chan? Where?" He was only half conscious, eyes glazed with residual pain.
"Hey, you're safe now."
He squinted at her, then pushed himself shakily up. "Are you mad at me too?" He tried to stand, but his knees buckled.
"No, not mad." She gently caught him.
"Toya hates me. Not that surprising, but still kinda hurts." He sighed and averted his eyes. "I better get out of here before he does what he threatened to."
"Shh, you don't have to go anywhere."
He snorted. "You think you can protect me from Toya? Or are you fed up with me too and want me gone?" He wrapped his arms around himself as he realized where they were. "Why you went to the trouble of reviving me in the first place though…"
"You're not in trouble. Just relax and don't worry."
He went silent, his eyes locked on the floor.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and he tensed.
"You're safe, okay?"
"Unless that's Toya…"
Ryusei appeared, pausing to glance between them. "Everything alright?"
"Toya ran out. I don't think he's in a good place right now mentally. Add in that I slapped him.." she sighed and hung her head.
Ryusei sighed. "That's why he raced past me like Zal had set his ass on fire. Ryon's awake. Do you want me to track Toya?"
"Please?" She nodded before admitting, "I just want to keep everyone together and safe.."
Her brother gave her a nod, then turned and disappeared.
Haru bit his lip. "Runt okay? I know he didn't like us fighting earlier.."
"I think he's doing a little better."
"Good. I shouldn't stay though." Haru straightened, giving her a small smile.
"Yeah you should, you belong here."
"I thought I did..but I messed up pretty bad."
"Everyone makes mistakes, hun. It's part of life."
There was a commotion above them, loud shouts and crashing.
Haru raised an eyebrow. "Think your hands just got overfilled."
She wiped her face, "Just one day.. one calm day. Is that too much to ask for?" She looked at him, "Don't you dare leave this house." She then headed up the stairs.
Haru chuckled slightly, then followed.
"What's going on now?" Arya asked as she got to the top.
"He's being an ass, like usual." Ryusei and Zal were sitting on an incensed Tomoya as the kids laughed.
Arya went and knelt beside him, "You okay?"
"Get them off of me." Tomoya's jaw was clenched, the words gritted out.
She looked thoughtful, "Why should I?"
Tomoya stared daggers at her. "Not funny. They said you sent them. Why?"
"To make sure you weren't doing anything stupid." She shrugged. "It's already been a long day and I'm not dealing with all this. I'll let them get off you once you agree to stay, that everything is alright, and that you don't need to be a grumpy ass. Then you can go get yourself cleaned up and we'll have dinner. If I ever get to finish making it."
He grumbled, pouting as he looked down at the floor. Finally, he nodded. "You win."
"I swear if you do something stupid after this.." she said quietly before waving Ryu and Zal off. She kissed Toya's forehead before standing.
He raised his hands sheepishly. "I'll behave. I don't want to be what you cook."
The other family members began laughing.
Zal cocked his head. "You're a little scrawny to barbeque."
She chuckled and headed to the kitchen.
"Hey! I weigh more than Tinkerbell here!" Tomoya ruffled Ryusei's hair as the Fae mock growled.
"I'm not that skinny!"
Haru tried not to laugh. "Dude, if we ever got a strong breeze, we'd find you halfway across the country."
Ryusei glared at him as Tomoya bent double with laughter.
Arya smiled, glad that things were getting better.
