There were three men in the library. One of them growled at her, only to be quietly hushed by the others.
She pointed the pistol at them, "What are you doing here?"
"Forgive us. We merely wanted to see what our sister looked like." A short haired blond answered formally.
A taller dark haired one waved a hand at the third man. "Don't mind Nori. He's overprotective."
"Sister..?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Dammit, Ryu. Now you've scared her." The dark haired one sighed.
The blonde shrugged. "Explains more than 'Hi. We felt your power and decided to stare at you'."
She slowly lowered her pistol, "So.. you're Fae?"
The dark haired one nodded, then hesitated, "It was you we felt, right?"
She nodded slowly, "I just found out I'm Fae. Hadn't really heard about them until an hour or so ago, so forgive me if I'm clueless."
The blond stared at her in disbelief. "You didn't know?"
She shook her head.
"We thought..you'd just decided to live as a human." The two exchanged shocked glances as Nori looked exasperated.
"Only living as a human because I thought I was one."
The blond cursed in an unfamiliar language.
Nori took a step forward. "You've seen her. Can we leave now? It's not safe."
"I don't want to keep you if you have places to go," Arya said quietly. "But if you wanted to stay, I'd like to hear more about Fae and who I am.."
"Relax, Nori. We're safe enough." The dark haired one smiled at her. "I am Shouma. That is Ryusei."
"I'm Arya."
"You look like our mother." Ryusei kept looking at her.
"How old are you two?"
"I am twenty, in human terms. Shouma is eighteen." Ryusei sat down and sighed.
"And you're my brothers?"
"Yes. Are you disappointed?"
"No, why would I be?"
"We're not cuter?" Shouma laughed as he watched her.
She gave a small chuckle. "So.. what are our parents like? Or are they not around anymore?"
All three men winced and Nori turned away.
"No, they're gone. A long time ago." Ryusei finally answered quietly.
"I'm sorry."
"So are we." Shouma leaned against the wall and gave a slight grimace. He quickly shifted position when he caught her look. "So what do you want to know?"
She was quiet for a moment before answering, "What are the Fae like? You're the only ones I've met."
Ryusei looked startled. "I thought you knew Keisuke Kubota?"
She sighed, "Okay. Well I didn't know he was one."
Nori growled again and smacked Ryusei's head.
The blond winced and murmured an apology.
"Okay.. so what should I know about the Fae in general? I was told we can heal but that's about it."
"That's it honestly." Shouma absently rubbed the back of his neck. "And we're at war."
"Oh.. Against?"
"Trolls. And their allies, the shifters." Ryusei shot an annoyed look at his brother. "We're supposed to be in hiding, but genius couldn't wait to see you."
"Why are you in hiding instead of fighting?"
"Because we will not risk the Princes' lives." Nori finally spoke.
"Princes?"
Both boys facepalmed.
"Now who's blurting stuff out?" Ryusei shook his head.
"Wait..does that make me a Princess?" Arya looked thoughtful.
"Yeah. Well actually Queen, but let's not get technical." Shouma slid down the wall wearily.
"I'm supposed to be the Queen?" She shook her head in disbelief.
"You're the oldest." Ryusei rose to kneel beside his brother, a weak light emanating from his hands.
Arya moved to his side, putting her hands out and focusing her own light at Shouma.
"Thanks. We ran into a scouting party on our way here and I wasn't strong enough to heal him fully due to my own injuries."
She nodded and continued for a few minutes, "How are you feeling now?"
Shouma gave her a bright smile. "Much better. Mind if I sleep for awhile?"
"I'll show you to a guest room," she stood and held out a hand.
He took it, rising slowly. "You need to sleep too, Ryu."
"I have two guest rooms," Arya smiled.
"I'll stay with him. We're used to it." Ryusei exchanged looks with Nori, who nodded silently.
Arya showed them to a room, "Let me know if you need anything."
They both nodded before climbing into the bed and immediately passing out.
Arya smiled as she watched them, then went out to the living room.
"I apologize for their intrusion." Nori stood at the balcony, facing the city.
Arya went out, "It's alright. It's nice to learn more."
"You will now be a target."
"Because I'm Fae or because I'm supposed to be the Queen?"
"You were hidden for a reason. The trolls believed you dead."
She nodded slowly, "So, did my parents, the Hanamotos, know I was Fae?"
"Yes. Our coven is allied with the Fae."
"Coven?"
He smiled at her, revealing fangs.
"Vampires?"
He inclined his head. "You were to be protected. Sadly, we failed."
"Okay, so the Hanamotos, my brother included, are vampires? Are the Otas?"
He sighed and nodded. "They allied themselves with the trolls and shifters."
"So.. the mob I grew up with and the one I've been fighting are just fronts for vampire covens?" She shook her head.
"To blend into the human world." Nori looked exhausted and pale.
"Why don't you get some rest? I'll be up a while and will keep an eye on things."
"I can not leave the Princes or you unprotected."
"I'll be fine watching over things."
He appeared to want to argue, but suddenly swayed and she saw a slash in his shirt.
She held her hands out and healed him up before wrapping an arm around him and helping him to the other guest room.
"You are much too kind.." His eyes were quickly closing.
"Just rest," she said softly before going back out to the living room. She locked up the balcony door and sat down, turning on the television to take her mind off of everything.
It was quiet for several hours, then her cell rang.
"Hello?"
"Toya told us he confessed everything." Kaien's voice was quiet. "How angry are you at us?"
"Not angry at all. Just a little hurt. But apparently everyone in my life has been keeping secrets and my whole life is a lie so it's fine."
She could hear the wince in his voice. "Sorry. You're home, right?"
"Yeah. I have a couple visitors over, but they are friendly," she admitted.
"I won't bother you then."
She frowned, "Is something wrong?"
The answer was slow in coming. "Got sloppy. But it's okay." His breaths were rapid and short.
"Do you want to come over?"
"You have visitors. I don't want to intrude." The last word was followed by a whimper.
"Just come on over anyway. They're currently sleeping."
"I'm in the parking lot actually. But don't worry about me."
"Just come inside. I'll help you."
"Don't think.." His voice trailed off and there was a clatter, then silence.
Arya cursed and went outside, finding him and starting to heal him.
"Not..safe. Leave me.."
She shook her head, lifting him gently and carrying him inside. She got him up to the apartment and set him on the couch before checking the guest rooms were still okay. She then went back to healing him.
He had what appeared to be both fang and claw marks on his torso. His skin was hot to the touch and he whimpered like a hurt puppy.
Arya healed the marks up before getting a cold compress for him to help cool him off.
His eyes fluttered open, now a deep gold. "I need to leave.."
"Why?"
"Your guests..they'll kill me if the virus doesn't."
"Virus?"
"Vampirism." Nori's voice spoke behind her.
"Okay, so you're turning into a vampire?" Arya looked at Kaien.
"His kind cannot." The words were cold.
"What do you mean by his kind?"
"He is a shifter. I'm guessing ten years now, correct?" Ryusei knelt beside the couch.
Kaien took a deep breath. "Give or take. Make it quick."
"They aren't going to kill you. If they try, we're going to have problems." Arya stated before sighing, "Okay, I have to ask, though. You guys are hunters. And you are a shifter. Is there anything else you guys are keeping from me?"
Kaien gave a weak laugh. "Aside from Haru's stash of schoolgirl porn? No. And before you ask, my brothers are human. I was too, once."
"Okay," she nodded.
Nori hissed something unintelligible to Ryusei, whose eyes hardened. Ryusei spat something back causing Nori to growl and move away.
"Something I should know?" Arya raised an eyebrow at them.
"He is close to you?" Ryusei watched Kaien close his eyes tiredly.
"He's almost like a brother."
"I see. You wish to save him?"
"Of course."
"I warn you, if I do this he will be forever linked to me." Ryusei removed a silver dagger from his coat.
"What do you mean? And what are you going to do?"
"He needs to be healed internally. Our blood can do this, but it creates a link of life force. If something ever happens to me, he will die immediately."
She nodded slowly, "Alright, if it's the only way to save him."
"It is. Nori disapproves because of what he is." He looked at her. "Do you have a cup I can use?"
She nodded and went to the kitchen, coming back with one and holding it out.
He gave her a grateful nod, then quickly slashed his wrist and let the cup fill. He murmured something and the cut vanished. He raised Kaien's head and forced him to drink, then sat back. "It will be a few hours."
"Thank you."
He inclined his head, then swayed.
"Take it easy. Just rest for a while."
He nodded, unsteadily rising and returning to the bedroom.
Nori growled quietly. "That was foolish."
Arya rolled her eyes before moving to sit down.
"He has no loyalty to us. He is a Hunter."
"He's my friend. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him."
"There is life-debt between you?" Nori's eyes went wide.
"I don't know what life-debt is exactly.. but he's saved my life at least once."
"Forgive me. I did not know. I have been unnecessarily cruel. I will submit to punishment." He kneeled at her side and bowed his head.
"I'm not punishing you. Just accept that I'm friends with, and dating, a hunter. Not Kaien, here, but I'm with his brother." She rambled a bit. "Anyway, I'm not punishing you."
"Get up you idiot." Shouma exited the bedroom, glaring at Nori. "She's brand new to this." He turned to her. "In our world, he just committed a grievous error. By insulting and denying aid to him, it's the same as turning his back on us. You would not be above killing him for treason."
"I don't care what world I'm in, I'd not kill someone over something like that."
Shouma chuckled and nodded. "Mercy is a good trait in a Queen."
She smiled before glancing at the time, "Do you guys want me to make breakfast?"
Both men looked startled.
"What?"
"You would cook for us?" Nori's voice was awestruck.
"Why is this so surprising?"
"You are Queen.." The vampire looked up at her.
"Okay? But I'm still a person who needs food, and we are at my house, so human courtesy says, I cook." She went into the kitchen and began pulling things from the fridge.
Shouma laughed and followed her. "Nori's really uptight about formality. It wasn't until last year we got him to start using relaxed language."
Arya chuckled, "I'm used to normal human formality, not royal Fae formality."
"It's so stuffy. I hate it." Shouma watched her, then looked over as there was a panicked knock on her door.
She grabbed her pistol and cracked open the door.
Tomoya was pacing her hall, his eyes wild.
"Hey. Kaien should be fine in a bit, he's in here if that's what you're panicking about."
Tomoya stilled. "He's here? Thank god. Can I come in?"
"Yeah. I have guests over though, so just ignore them if you want. Breakfast will be done soon."
He began to enter, then froze. "Fae.. and a vampire? What the hell?"
"Yeah. Long story.. Just come in."
"You sure?" He swallowed hard. "Hunters aren't liked real well."
"Shouma and Ryu seem fine, and just ignore Nori."
"You're on a first name basis already?" He followed her in and moved to Kaien's side. "What happened?"
"Uh, well apparently he got bit and had the virus but Ryu saved him. And thanks for telling me he was a shifter, by the way."
Tomoya winced. "Sorry. It never really came up."
She nodded and went to finish breakfast. She gave Shouma a smile before moving everything to the table.
"You are Kaien's brother? My sister's protector?" Shouma asked.
Tomoya froze, then squeaked "Sister?"
Arya chuckled, "Apparently Shouma and Ryu are my brothers. And yes, this is Tomoya."
"You have our undying thanks for protecting her."
Tomoya grimaced. "I'm a lousy protector. She's been in the hospital because of me one too many times."
"We're partners, we protect each other." Arya smiled softly. "And don't blame yourself for all that."
"Can't help it. It's what I'm good at." He sat down beside Kaien. "I was terrified when he didn't come home."
"Sorry, I didn't know you didn't know where he was or I'd have called."
"You were obviously busy."
She nodded and got herself a plate full before sitting on the recliner.
The bedroom door opened and Ryu shuffled out. He barely blinked at Tomoya's presence, merely resting a hand on Kaien's cheek. "The fever has broken. He should wake soon."
"Good. Do you want some food or are you going back to bed?" Arya asked softly.
"I will eat, if it's no trouble." He made himself a plate, then leaned on the balcony door. He watched Tomoya quietly as he ate.
Arya glanced around, "How's the food?"
"Amazing." Shouma answered, his mouth full.
"Quite good." Ryusei shook his head at his brother. "Hunter, do you wish answers to your questions?"
Arya raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tomoya.
The hunter nodded. "I'm guessing you are of the Court, which makes Arya royalty. Her saving my life yesterday alerted you, am I correct?"
Ryusei gave him a nod.
"I guess my main questions now are is my brother alright and is Arya disappearing with you?"
Arya rolled her eyes, "I better hope not. No offense, I just like it here, danger and all."
"You are Queen. You have the choice." Ryusei looked at Tomoya squarely. "Your brother shares a life link with me now. He is safe as long as I am."
Arya watched Tomoya quietly.
"I understand. Guess I just have another person to protect. No pressure." Tomoya glanced at Nori. "Though I may have to ask forgiveness because I'm going to kill fangs if he doesn't stop eyeing my neck."
Arya chuckled before asking, "Oh, and did you know my Aniki is apparently a vampire?"
"All Hanamoto's are, partner."
"Could have mentioned that yesterday too."
"Would you have believed me?"
"I believed them and they just randomly showed up to my house," Arya chuckled again.
"I'm sure his pearly whites had nothing to do with it, right?"
"Well, maybe," she smiled before taking her plate into the kitchen.
Shouma laughed as he joined her. "Nori won't eat him..I think."
She chuckled, "I'm sure Toya can fight for himself if Nori tried."
"True." He turned and eyed the scene.
Nori was grumbling as Tomoya waved a stake at him, Ryusei watching with an air of boredom.
The moment was broken by Kaien's groan.
Arya finished up the dishes she was cleaning before going out and eyeing Kaien.
"I'm alive?"
"Yeah." Arya smiled.
"I feel..different." Kaien eyed Ryusei suspiciously.
"At least you're alive, though, right?" Arya asked quietly.
"There is that. I don't mean to be rude." He pushed himself to sit up. "I was sure I was a dead wolf."
Ryusei approached him. "I healed you. You now have increased stamina and agility."
"What's the downside?" Kaien regarded the Fae without blinking.
"If I am killed, you will die as well." Ryusei's voice was matter of fact.
"A life link then? Never thought that would happen." Kaien shrugged and looked at Arya. "Is breakfast still available?"
"Yeah," she smiled and made him a plate with the leftovers.
He inhaled it quickly, then looked at Tomoya. "Hitoshi showed up before you were released. Says to call him asap."
Tomoya sighed and nodded. "I should go."
Arya sighed, "Will you come back later?"
"If I can." He moved to her side and kissed her. "Love you."
"Love you too."
He gave her a grin, then left the apartment.
"You are worried." Ryusei watched her expression.
"I worry about him a lot," Arya admitted.
"The Tomita clan are strong hunters. You should relax." He placed his plate in the sink and frowned. "I am not worried about you, but I am about us."
"Where have you guys been staying?"
"The woods north of town. But the attack last night has ruined that place of safety."
"Why don't you stay here with me?"
His eyes widened. "You would do that? You would be in great danger."
She shrugged, "I always seem to be in some kind of danger."
"Danger you know. This is different."
"Well, I have all of you guys to teach me everything I need to know, right?"
Ryusei chuckled as Shouma grinned. "If it is not a bother, then we accept your hospitality."
"Do you guys need stuff? We can go shopping for extra clothes and things?"
"You are not required to." He suddenly buckled, Nori catching him with an exasperated look.
Shouma quieted, his face growing concerned.
Kaien was silent.
Arya looked him over, "Get some more rest. Hopefully you'll be feeling better when you wake again and we can go out then."
"He is ill. I will go with you." Nori helped him into the bedroom, then returned and looked at Kaien. "Are you on duty today?"
The wolf shook his head. "Day off. I'll watch him."
Arya frowned, "Is there anything we can do to help him?"
Shouma shook his head. "The wasting disease is fatal. He does not have long."
"There has to be something we can do. Especially if losing him also means losing Kaien. I refuse to lose either."
"Kaien will be unaffected. The life link only activates in battle." Nori sighed. "Our healers were unable to save your mother. Luckily neither you or Shouma have developed any symptoms."
She nodded slowly, "There still has to be something.."
"If there was, we have been unable to discover it for three centuries." The vampire dropped his eyes. "If you wish us to leave, we will."
"Why would I want you to leave?"
"You would allow an ill person to stay?"
Shouma shook his head. "Not her world, Nori."
"Of course I would." She answered quickly. "Let me try healing him a bit to see if I can get him feeling better, even if it's temporary."
"You are a merciful woman." Nori bowed to her. He moved onto the balcony without another word.
She went into the bedroom, kneeling beside Ryusei and beginning to push her pink energy into him.
"You should banish me." His eyes were sad as they met hers. "It is your duty."
"That's ridiculous. You're my brother, I'm going to help you, not banish you."
"You just met me. Why would you do this? It is not our way."
"I know I have a lot to learn about your way of life, but I don't think I agree with some things." She sighed. "I joined the police to help people I've never even met before. Just because I just met you, doesn't mean I don't care."
"I am unfit to be a Q'tan."
"Q'tan?"
"Fae. I have always been sickly. It was hoped I would grow out of it, but it got worse. Another reason I am in hiding."
"Being sick doesn't make you weak or less of a person. You're still worthy of everything. It might not be the way of the Fae, but it's my way." She continued to push energy into him.
"You are going to cause quite a stir at Court." He gave a quiet chuckle.
"Well, it's what happens when our parents want me raised with vampires and humans."
He laughed, then began to cough. When he had recovered, he looked at her. "Shouldn't you focus on Shouma? He still has a chance."
"I have plenty of time to spend with him. I want to spend it now with you though. Is this helping at all?" She sighed.
"I do feel stronger, but I fear it is only a matter of time. You should forget about me."
"I'm not going to forget about you." She closed her eyes and focused, pushing more energy into him.
He closed his eyes, falling asleep quietly.
She continued to push energy into him for a long while until she finally started feeling weaker. She watched him quietly before finally slipping out of the room.
Nori had his fangs in Shouma's wrist as the boy rested his head on the vampire's shoulder.
Arya raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
After a minute, Nori gently released him and carried him into the bedroom When he returned, he avoided her eyes. "I apologize that you saw that. If it weren't for the Prince, I would turn feral from not hunting."
Arya nodded slowly, "Did you want to go with me to get them stuff? You probably know their clothes sizes."
"I will accompany you." He slipped Ryusei's jacket over his torn shirt. "Lead the way."
Kaien gave her a wave from in front of the tv.
Arya went out and went to her car, slipping in the driver's seat and waiting for him to get in.
He sat down quietly. "This must be a lot to grasp. If you need time.."
"It's alright. Everything being dumped on me at once is a lot, but I'm managing." She pulled out and started toward the shopping mall.
"You are doing quite well considering." He gave her the first smile she'd seen from him.
She smiled before asking, "What were our parents like? Did you know them?"
"I did. Your mother was kind, like father was strong and brave. He gave you to the Hanamoto's for two reasons." He looked out the window at the traffic.
"Why?"
"To protect you mainly. But also because he hated to see a woman cry. Your adoptive mother had miscarried privately and was deep in grief. He wanted to see her happy again."
"Did they miss me..?" She asked quietly, still looking at the road.
"Your mother did. Your father died the night he handed you over." Nori grimaced at her expression. "I am sorry."
"Who killed him?"
"A shifter in the employ of the Otas."
"Damn Otas killing all my parents.." she mumbled as she turned into the parking lot of the mall.
"I am not very pleasant to be around, am I?"
"You're not that bad," she answered. "And you've been really helpful with information."
He chuckled softly. "I am quite helpful. My one virtue. Where should we go first?"
"Let's start at one end and go down to the other. We'll stop anywhere that looks interesting." She shrugged.
"As you wish." He climbed out and waited for her.
She locked the car then headed inside. "So how long have you watched them?"
"Since they gained sentience. Your mother gave me guardianship before she died."