Tokyo, Japan: 22nd June 2004
Tyson sighed wearily as Hillary threw another strop at the dress designer.
"Oh come on Hillary, would it really be so bad to step away from tradition?"
"I am having a white wedding, which naturally means wearing a white dress, what the hell good is cream!" She threw up her hands in despair.
"Calm down it'll be fine" Tyson put his feet up on the couch and began scanning through the TV guide.
"The big day is in less than two weeks! How am I supposed to have everything perfect when the god damn designer is practically colour- blind?!" By now, Hillary was practically steaming from the ears.
"Why don't we call it a day for now?" Tyson suggested.
"Huh?" Hillary spun around, her face instantly all smiles as her eyes came to rest on Tyson.
"It's getting pretty late." He pointed out, gazing through the window into the dark blue night.
"Well I guess..." Hillary paused mid-rant to consider. "I want you back at nine a.m. precisely!" She rounded on the woman again.
"Y-y-yes ma'am." The woman simpered, grabbing blindly for her portfolios.
While Hillary was getting changed Tyson slipped a soluble sleeping pill into her cup of hot chocolate; he was sure that all the stress was getting to her, and he assumed this was for the best. She was asleep within minutes, and he practically fell onto his own bed just down the corridor. Too exhausted to get undressed he let himself fall asleep over the covers.
Outside, hidden amongst the foliage, the creature crept silently towards its' prey. An almost human smile crept onto its lips, baring sharp fangs that glinted in the unnaturally bright moonlight; glass windows bore no barrier to its power.
Tokyo, Japan: 23rd June 2004
Tyson yawned loudly when he woke up. His eyes widened painfully when he checked the clock; why had none of the servants woken him? He stepped into the corridor hesitantly, and was almost knocked off his feet as a blur that vaguely resembled Dr. Kenny Wakefield.
"Woah! Slow down dude!"
"Can't stop! Urgent!" Kenny was around the corner before Tyson could blink, much less think of a reply. Tyson smoothed down his clothes before heading in the direction Kenny had disappeared to. He peeked round the door cautiously.
Both Kenny and Max were crowded anxiously round Hillary's bed, which surprised him, as he'd thought Max wouldn't be back for at least another week.
While he stood uncertainly at the door, Max caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye, and gazed at him pleadingly.
"Why didn't you protect her?" His cerulean blue eyes welled up.
"What're you talking about? I made sure she was tucked up warm and locked her French windows like I always do."
"Well it wasn't enough!" Max snapped, and Tyson was taken aback by the look of panic in his face.
"Wait a minute...what's going on?"
"What the hell do you think's going on?!" Max exploded, grabbing Tyson by his shirt. "I left Hillary in your care and now look at her!" He stabbed a finger in the direction of her bed, using the hand attached to Tyson's collar to shove him in the specified direction.
Tyson looked uncertainly at Kenny, who merely shrugged and gestured for him to move closer. When he was finally in a position to see Hillary for his self he paled instantly.
"She wasn't like this when I left her!" He stared at his friend in disbelief.
Her skin had paled to a state of almost translucency, her chocolate brown eyes were shadows of their former mischievous glory, and her breath came in short wheezing gasps.
"My only guess is anaemia." Kenny finally spoke, his voice sounding as baffled as his expression looked. "But I've never seen a case develop at such an accelerated rate. It's like it struck overnight."
"I hate to point out the obvious, but it has." Tyson looked at Max as he spoke, who looked completely outraged. "She was hyper as a chibi when I left her last night."
"All I can suggest is a blood transfusion as a temporary measure." Kenny looked defeated, which Tyson knew, bit deeply at his pride.
"What do you mean 'temporary'?" Max looked at him suspiciously.
"Somehow, she's lost a lot of blood, and her deteriorating health suggests she's losing more." Kenny's shoulders sagged desolately.
"O.K then." Max promptly took charge. "You say she needs blood, I have blood." He held out his arm and rolled up his sleeve.
"You know guys, I'm kinda squeamish so I'm gonna sit this one out." Tyson made for the door.
"Tyson wait!" Kenny called out quickly.
Tyson spun on his heel, eyes wide.
"Could you go into the city and get some iron supplements for her? In the meantime I'm afraid I'm going to have to call for a specialist." Kenny was prepping the transfusion apparatus as he spoke.
"Uh...yeah sure dude, no problem." Tyson turned to the door again, but not fast enough to avoid catching sight of the needle being pushed into the crook of Max's arm and the first drops of blood being fed into the tube.
Tyson bolted, fumbling blindly along the corridor for the nearest bathroom door. Once inside he flung himself across the floor to the toilet basin, held back his hair, and wretched his guts until they cramped.
Tyson cautiously twisted his head to look behind him; he had a strange feeling that he was being followed. A second later he shrugged and stepped across the thresh hold into the herbal medicine store; he'd already bought the iron supplements Kenny had requested, but as he felt responsible for what happened to Hillary, he decided to buy some lavender incense as a present for her.
Outside the shop, a smile spread across the pale youth's handsome face.
At last, I've found you!
He stared intently through the window at his target, not caring for the strange looks he received from people who noticed he cast no reflection in the window.
He was directly outside the door when Tyson made his way out, and with his eyes bent to the floor Tyson did not notice the obstacle until he walked into him nose first. He landed roughly on his behind, but was more concerned with rubbing his nose.
He looked up to give the perpetrator a piece of his mind, but stopped short with his mouth gaping in awe.
"I'm sorry I didn't see you there." The stranger offered a hand to help him up, which Tyson took without a word, still gawping.
As soon as he let go, Tyson recovered his senses.
"Well maybe you should look where you're going pal!" He snapped before turning on his heel and heading for the bus station.
"Creep!" He muttered as he rounded a corner, and almost collided with someone again. He was about to apologise when he realised it was the same guy.
"You it's not nice to follow complete strangers." Tyson pouted childishly.
"I just wanted to apologise, I didn't know I'd offended you." The stranger bowed his head as he spoke.
"You sure do talk and act funny." Tyson remarked, taking in another good look at him.
Two-tone greyish blue and silver hair, deep red eyes, pale skin, well developed physique from what he could see and smart looking clothes. What stood out most were the tattooed blue triangles on both cheeks.
"I'm new to Japan."
Curious now, Tyson was anxious to learn more about the newcomer.
"Where are you from?"
"Russia, I'm the last of my family."
"Oh..." Tyson let the sentence trail off, realising he'd probably hit a sore subject.
"Anyway, my name is Kai, what's yours?"
"Tyson."
"So what is there to do around here? It seems you need money for anything entertaining." Kai was looking around at the shops and stalls distastefully.
"The museums are free, and the cinemas are fairly cheap." Tyson offered.
"Indeed?" Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Would you like me to show you?" Tyson was almost melting under his probing gaze.
"I'd like that." His eyes glittered warmly as his smile reached them.
When the bus arrived at the stop nearest his house, Tyson was almost unwilling to get off.
"Is something wrong?" Kai looked concerned.
"No, I had a great time today." Tyson smiled brightly.
"Perhaps we should do it again another time then."
Tyson's heart skipped a beat.
"Yes." He replied without hesitation.
"Eight p.m. Saturday at the Red Dragon?"
"I'll see you then." Tyson promised.
"See you." Kai sat back in his seat as the bus set off again into the night.
Tyson stood at the gate for a few moments, reliving the day in his mind. Then he turned at ran towards the house, eager to tell Hillary. That thought brought him to a stop, and his smile instantly disappeared.
What's wrong with her?
He made his way slowly to the house, a smile creeping back onto the corners of his lips as he thought of his date with Kai.
...somebody, somebody, somebody,
let it die,
but it still becomes a new disease...
Tyson sighed wearily as Hillary threw another strop at the dress designer.
"Oh come on Hillary, would it really be so bad to step away from tradition?"
"I am having a white wedding, which naturally means wearing a white dress, what the hell good is cream!" She threw up her hands in despair.
"Calm down it'll be fine" Tyson put his feet up on the couch and began scanning through the TV guide.
"The big day is in less than two weeks! How am I supposed to have everything perfect when the god damn designer is practically colour- blind?!" By now, Hillary was practically steaming from the ears.
"Why don't we call it a day for now?" Tyson suggested.
"Huh?" Hillary spun around, her face instantly all smiles as her eyes came to rest on Tyson.
"It's getting pretty late." He pointed out, gazing through the window into the dark blue night.
"Well I guess..." Hillary paused mid-rant to consider. "I want you back at nine a.m. precisely!" She rounded on the woman again.
"Y-y-yes ma'am." The woman simpered, grabbing blindly for her portfolios.
While Hillary was getting changed Tyson slipped a soluble sleeping pill into her cup of hot chocolate; he was sure that all the stress was getting to her, and he assumed this was for the best. She was asleep within minutes, and he practically fell onto his own bed just down the corridor. Too exhausted to get undressed he let himself fall asleep over the covers.
Outside, hidden amongst the foliage, the creature crept silently towards its' prey. An almost human smile crept onto its lips, baring sharp fangs that glinted in the unnaturally bright moonlight; glass windows bore no barrier to its power.
Tokyo, Japan: 23rd June 2004
Tyson yawned loudly when he woke up. His eyes widened painfully when he checked the clock; why had none of the servants woken him? He stepped into the corridor hesitantly, and was almost knocked off his feet as a blur that vaguely resembled Dr. Kenny Wakefield.
"Woah! Slow down dude!"
"Can't stop! Urgent!" Kenny was around the corner before Tyson could blink, much less think of a reply. Tyson smoothed down his clothes before heading in the direction Kenny had disappeared to. He peeked round the door cautiously.
Both Kenny and Max were crowded anxiously round Hillary's bed, which surprised him, as he'd thought Max wouldn't be back for at least another week.
While he stood uncertainly at the door, Max caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye, and gazed at him pleadingly.
"Why didn't you protect her?" His cerulean blue eyes welled up.
"What're you talking about? I made sure she was tucked up warm and locked her French windows like I always do."
"Well it wasn't enough!" Max snapped, and Tyson was taken aback by the look of panic in his face.
"Wait a minute...what's going on?"
"What the hell do you think's going on?!" Max exploded, grabbing Tyson by his shirt. "I left Hillary in your care and now look at her!" He stabbed a finger in the direction of her bed, using the hand attached to Tyson's collar to shove him in the specified direction.
Tyson looked uncertainly at Kenny, who merely shrugged and gestured for him to move closer. When he was finally in a position to see Hillary for his self he paled instantly.
"She wasn't like this when I left her!" He stared at his friend in disbelief.
Her skin had paled to a state of almost translucency, her chocolate brown eyes were shadows of their former mischievous glory, and her breath came in short wheezing gasps.
"My only guess is anaemia." Kenny finally spoke, his voice sounding as baffled as his expression looked. "But I've never seen a case develop at such an accelerated rate. It's like it struck overnight."
"I hate to point out the obvious, but it has." Tyson looked at Max as he spoke, who looked completely outraged. "She was hyper as a chibi when I left her last night."
"All I can suggest is a blood transfusion as a temporary measure." Kenny looked defeated, which Tyson knew, bit deeply at his pride.
"What do you mean 'temporary'?" Max looked at him suspiciously.
"Somehow, she's lost a lot of blood, and her deteriorating health suggests she's losing more." Kenny's shoulders sagged desolately.
"O.K then." Max promptly took charge. "You say she needs blood, I have blood." He held out his arm and rolled up his sleeve.
"You know guys, I'm kinda squeamish so I'm gonna sit this one out." Tyson made for the door.
"Tyson wait!" Kenny called out quickly.
Tyson spun on his heel, eyes wide.
"Could you go into the city and get some iron supplements for her? In the meantime I'm afraid I'm going to have to call for a specialist." Kenny was prepping the transfusion apparatus as he spoke.
"Uh...yeah sure dude, no problem." Tyson turned to the door again, but not fast enough to avoid catching sight of the needle being pushed into the crook of Max's arm and the first drops of blood being fed into the tube.
Tyson bolted, fumbling blindly along the corridor for the nearest bathroom door. Once inside he flung himself across the floor to the toilet basin, held back his hair, and wretched his guts until they cramped.
Tyson cautiously twisted his head to look behind him; he had a strange feeling that he was being followed. A second later he shrugged and stepped across the thresh hold into the herbal medicine store; he'd already bought the iron supplements Kenny had requested, but as he felt responsible for what happened to Hillary, he decided to buy some lavender incense as a present for her.
Outside the shop, a smile spread across the pale youth's handsome face.
At last, I've found you!
He stared intently through the window at his target, not caring for the strange looks he received from people who noticed he cast no reflection in the window.
He was directly outside the door when Tyson made his way out, and with his eyes bent to the floor Tyson did not notice the obstacle until he walked into him nose first. He landed roughly on his behind, but was more concerned with rubbing his nose.
He looked up to give the perpetrator a piece of his mind, but stopped short with his mouth gaping in awe.
"I'm sorry I didn't see you there." The stranger offered a hand to help him up, which Tyson took without a word, still gawping.
As soon as he let go, Tyson recovered his senses.
"Well maybe you should look where you're going pal!" He snapped before turning on his heel and heading for the bus station.
"Creep!" He muttered as he rounded a corner, and almost collided with someone again. He was about to apologise when he realised it was the same guy.
"You it's not nice to follow complete strangers." Tyson pouted childishly.
"I just wanted to apologise, I didn't know I'd offended you." The stranger bowed his head as he spoke.
"You sure do talk and act funny." Tyson remarked, taking in another good look at him.
Two-tone greyish blue and silver hair, deep red eyes, pale skin, well developed physique from what he could see and smart looking clothes. What stood out most were the tattooed blue triangles on both cheeks.
"I'm new to Japan."
Curious now, Tyson was anxious to learn more about the newcomer.
"Where are you from?"
"Russia, I'm the last of my family."
"Oh..." Tyson let the sentence trail off, realising he'd probably hit a sore subject.
"Anyway, my name is Kai, what's yours?"
"Tyson."
"So what is there to do around here? It seems you need money for anything entertaining." Kai was looking around at the shops and stalls distastefully.
"The museums are free, and the cinemas are fairly cheap." Tyson offered.
"Indeed?" Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Would you like me to show you?" Tyson was almost melting under his probing gaze.
"I'd like that." His eyes glittered warmly as his smile reached them.
When the bus arrived at the stop nearest his house, Tyson was almost unwilling to get off.
"Is something wrong?" Kai looked concerned.
"No, I had a great time today." Tyson smiled brightly.
"Perhaps we should do it again another time then."
Tyson's heart skipped a beat.
"Yes." He replied without hesitation.
"Eight p.m. Saturday at the Red Dragon?"
"I'll see you then." Tyson promised.
"See you." Kai sat back in his seat as the bus set off again into the night.
Tyson stood at the gate for a few moments, reliving the day in his mind. Then he turned at ran towards the house, eager to tell Hillary. That thought brought him to a stop, and his smile instantly disappeared.
What's wrong with her?
He made his way slowly to the house, a smile creeping back onto the corners of his lips as he thought of his date with Kai.
...somebody, somebody, somebody,
let it die,
but it still becomes a new disease...