Arya woke, glancing over at Tomoya with a smile.

He returned it, bending down and kissing her softly. "Morning."

"Morning," she yawned before pushing herself out of bed. She got dressed and was about to leave their room when her phone pinged. She checked it and noticed an email from an unknown sender. She opened it and noticed a video file.

"What's up?" Tomoya looked up from his book.

She frowned, "I got a video from an unknown sender." She pressed play and instantly froze when she noticed who was in it.

"Princess?" Tomoya climbed out of bed and moved to her side. His face darkened as he caught sight of Shouma being whipped unmercifully.

The file ended on a close up of the boy's unconscious face.

Her eyes blazed and the lights began flickering.

"It's fake. He's in his room. Someone's messing with you." Tomoya's voice was low and angry. Then he looked at her. "Right?"

She went out and glanced at the kitchen and living room while passing. She got to Shouma's room and opened the door quickly.

It was empty, the bed still unmade.

"Arya, he went to the store. Said he'd be back later." Haru told her as he headed for the kitchen.

She dialed up Shouma's number.

"How did you enjoy the video?" A mocking voice asked. "He's quite a screamer. Don't worry, I'll send you more videos when he wakes." The line clicked in her ear.

She growled when she recognized the voice, the lights flickering once again.

"Arya? Tell me he's asleep on his keyboard again from playing fortnite all night." Tomoya's voice pleaded as he arrived beside her.

"Madrelan has him," she said darkly, letting out another growl.

"Oh my god.." He whispered before he hit a button on the wall beside the door. An alarm started wailing, causing everyone to open their door in confusion.

Arya moved to the living room, pacing the floor angrily.

"I swear it wasn't me, whatever happened." Kimito raised his hands in surrender.

Hitoshi elbowed him in the ribs as he shook his head. "What's wrong, Toya?"

"Madrelan has Shouma."

There was a thump as someone hit the floor.

Arya looked up from her pacing at the noise.

"Ryusei passed out." Tomoya called. "He looks bad."

He hurriedly gave orders for a search and looked up as she approached. "Is it just me or does he look like he's a few pints low?"

She knelt beside Ryusei and looked him over before nodding.

Tomoya scowled, starting to lift him. He stopped, staring down at his bloody hand. "What the hell?"

Arya shook her head, getting him to the couch before cleaning Tomoya's hand up and analyzing it.

"It's not mine. It's his." Tomoya got up and carefully turned Ryusei onto his stomach. He went white as evidence of severe whipping was revealed.

Arya looked confused but quickly worked on healing him up.

"I share a link with Shouma. We look different ages but we are actually from the same globe.." Ryusei said slowly as his eyes opened.

"So you're twins, basically?" she said quietly. "We need to find Shouma fast." She looked thoughtful before glancing at Tomoya, "Is there any way they can track the email address? Even though it's unknown, there has to be some kind of linking information, right?"

"Already done." Kimito and Haru appeared, looking upset. "It is linked to a shell company run by the Otas."

"So does that mean there's no way to find his location?"

"Means it will take a few hours." Kimito grimaced.

"No way is Madrelan linked to the Otas. He hates the vampires with a passion." Ryusei pushed himself up shakily.

"Is there any way you can sense where he's at?" Arya asked.

"I will try." Ryusei took a deep breath, closing his eyes before going still. He stayed like that for several minutes, then cried out as a slash appeared on his chest. He arched his back as more slashes appeared. Blood ran down in a steady stream until his whole chest was covered. He toppled forward as the slashes stopped appearing.

Arya caught him, cradling him close as she healed his wounds. She moved him back to the couch after checking him over once again, then started pacing angrily.

Tomoya's eyes went gold and he growled. "I'm going to turn him into a bloody smear."

"Not if I get to him first."

Her phone pinged with an email.

She took a deep breath before opening it and clicking play.

There was no audio but Shouma was obviously screaming as long slashes were torn in his chest. Once again, the video paused when he lost consciousness.

A text crawl appeared, 'Enjoying this? Part 3 coming soon' before the screen went dark.

She threw her phone at a chair, wind blowing around her as she struggled to control her anger.

Tomoya remained quiet.

"I will try again." Ryusei attempted to sit up, his eyes dazed.

She looked over at him worriedly.

"I..must hurry." The boy closed his eyes and focused, beginning to glow slightly. Moments later, his eyes flew open. "9962 Chamberlin. Shouma saw the address when Madrelan thought he was unconscious."

Arya nodded before running out the door.

Tomoya grabbed Haru. "Here's the address. I've already texted Toshi and Kaien. Go back her up. End this and bring Shouma home. I'm staying with blondie."

Arya put the car in drive and rushed toward the address. She didn't care what she had to do, she was going to save her brother.

She pulled up and parked, quickly grabbing her pistol and running toward the building. She kicked the door open and looked around for Madrelan or Shouma.

"Couldn't wait for part three?" Madrelan's voice asked. "You'd rather see it live?"

Kaien touched her shoulder, Toshi and Haru beside him. "Let's get him."

Arya started firing at Madrelan as wind began whipping around the room.

Kaien shifted, lunging for the rogue Fae as Haru's fangs extended. He sped toward Shouma's spread eagle chained body.

Madrelan dodged Arya's bullets, backhanding Kaien.

The wolf pinwheeled into a wall, letting out a howl before going silent.

Haru skidded to a stop as the Fae suddenly appeared before him. He cried out as a stake slammed into his chest, then crumpled.

Toshi grabbed Madrelan's arm, but the Fae simply laughed and pitched him out the window.

"I have enjoyed this, but I'm growing bored." Madrelan sent eight throwing knives flying toward the semi conscious Shouma.

Arya ran quickly, standing in front of Shouma to protect him.

Madrelan grinned. "So heroic." He allowed four to hit her, veering the others around to impale the boy. Blood began to gush as Madrelan pulled them out, quickly turning to gold as Shouma shook.

Arya ignored the knives in her as she shot lightning out at Madrelan.

The rogue Fae wasn't paying attention, letting out a scream as it connected. His shirt caught fire, then he began to burn. With a snarl, he grabbed hold of Shouma.

Shouma screamed, writhing desperately in his chains.

Arya focused, heavy wind beginning to push Madrelan away from Shouma.

As the fire went out, what was left of Madrelan crumbled to ash.

Arya rushed to Shouma and gently released him from the chains. She cradled him close, running a hand through his hair before coating him in pink light. She focused for quite a while before deeming him safe. She moved to Haru and removed the stake and worked to heal him up then checked on Kaien.

He'd reverted, his eyes staring sightlessly, his neck snapped at an impossible angle.

Arya focused on him, laying his head straight before working to heal the neck. She then focused more energy into him, praying to help him.

A few minutes later, the wolf coughed. His eyes blinked open slowly. "Arya?"

"Just rest," she said softly before going to find Hitoshi.

He lay in the parking lot, blood pooling around his broken body. He struggled to speak.

"Just relax," she focused pink light onto him, closing up wounds and healing any broken bones she found. When she was done, she carried him to the car. She went to get the others and stuck them in the backseats before driving home. She entered the house and went to check on Ryusei. Blood was soaking her shirt but she still hadn't removed the knives, knowing it would bleed faster once she did.

Tomoya sat by the couch, blankly staring at his gold drenched hands. He slowly met her eyes. "I-I couldn't stop the blood…"

Arya nodded and bent down by Ryusei. She closed her eyes to focus before coating him in pink light. Slowly the wounds closed. She continued to focus, praying she could bring him back. She knew he needed a transfusion but hoped she could revive him before that.

It took several minutes before his heart slowly began beating.

Tomoya gave no indication he heard it, continuing to stare at his hands.

"He should be alright now but he really needs a transfusion. Do you have supplies for that?"

He didn't answer, his eyes distant.

"Toya," she shook his shoulder. "You in there?"

Eventually, he blinked and looked at her. "You're hurt!"

"Ryu needs a transfusion. Do you have supplies?"

He nodded. "Converted.. the study into medical. Everything's there."

She nodded and took Ryusei into the medical room. She set up a transfusion before sitting down and beginning to remove the knives. She hissed at the pain.

A shaky blue light began to cover her.

"Save your strength," Arya ordered. "You need to rest."

"You took those for me.." An exhausted Shouma leaned on the wall. "I'll rest when you're healed."

Five minutes later, the light winked out as he crumpled to the floor.

Arya moved to lift him into a bed before checking over her wounds. There was just one left which she worked on stitching closed.

Nori slowly entered the room, his eyes wide. "What happened? Why is Toya staring at the wall outside?"

"Madrelan happened. Shouma was taken. Toya couldn't stop Ryu from bleeding to death. Don't worry, everyone is alright now. I'll go talk to Toya."

"I will watch over them." Nori positioned a chair between the beds and sat down.

Arya went out to Tomoya, "You alright?"

He didn't answer, his gaze fixed once more on his hands. Tears streamed down his face, but he didn't acknowledge them.

Arya knelt beside him, "Toya?"

"He was trying to tell me something...then his eyes just went out. Like a snuffed candle. The blood wouldn't stop shining..Why didn't it stop like his eyes did? My parents didn't shine..their blood stayed dark.." He rambled wildly.

She wrapped her arms around him, "I'm sorry. Ryu should be alright now though."

"His heart's too quiet..I can't hear it. I tried to make it beat louder..but it stopped. It's not like a music box, you can't wind it more..Okaa-san, why won't it wind anymore?"

She held him close for a few minutes before pulling him up. She led him to the medical room and showed him Ryu's heartbeat, hoping it might snap him out of whatever was going on.

He was still for a moment, then raised confused eyes. Seconds later, he fell into her arms.

She held him tightly as she worried about him.

Yuuto entered, kneeling beside them. "Kaien called. Said Tomoya was losing it. Is he okay?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted, gently running a hand through Tomoya's hair.

The teacher grimaced at the drying blood on his brother's hands. "Stupid question. He flashed back, didn't he?"

She nodded, "I think so."

"Dammit. I kept telling him if he didn't deal with it, it was going to cause trouble." He looked at her. "Can I take you somewhere?"

"Alright," she stood and gently moved Tomoya into a bed.

Yuuto led her downstairs into the storage area. "Kaien told you about the night our parents died?"

"Yeah."

"Probably the sanitized version right? Gunshots in the middle of the night and a fire?"

She nodded.

"There were gunshots. And a fire. There were also a pack of wolf shifters. Came in during Toya's bedtime routine with Mother." He unlocked a small case and handed her a bent and broken music box. "He was obsessed with this. It grew to be a routine, even at age fifteen. She would keep winding it until he fell asleep. After the attack, he was dying. My mother, bleeding out, kept winding this to calm him. Until she couldn't anymore. It was crushed by the firemen rescuing us."

She nodded slowly, "He did mention a music box."

"I have to confess something to you. Your father.."

She took a deep breath and nodded, "Tell me."

"He tried to stop the attack. He tried to save our parents. He tried to save Toya. He shot Toya by accident when he was aiming at the wolves. After everything calmed down, he visited me. He told me what happened, but swore me to secrecy. He said it was his fault, because he had brought the shifters to speak to my father. He said it was better that Toya hate him, so he could move on and do something good with his life."

She wiped at the tears in her eyes before giving him a small smile. "Thank you for telling me."

He nodded. "I should have told you when we first met, but you hated your family and I was afraid."

"I didn't hate them.. I had my issues with them, but I did love them. Watching my parents die is one of my worst memories."

He shuddered. "I was thankfully spared that. But I'd gladly take the memory to rid Toya of the guilt he feels about not being able to save them. You've seen his scars?"

She nodded.

"Ever notice the claw marks on his abdomen? His constant reminder, along with the bullet wounds."

She nodded again, "I know that feeling. Mine are a reminder too, not just of their death but over a month of torture afterward."

Yuuto silently locked the music box away. "How did you escape?"

"Aniki rescued me. I tried to escape the first week or so, but after that I lost the hope and energy to keep fighting."

"Is that why you didn't cut ties completely?"

"Part of it. And we had so many good memories growing up. Things didn't really become a problem with him until I decided I wanted to be a cop."

"He must have been furious." Yuuto led her back up the stairs.

"Definitely. He just kept wanting to marry me off instead."

"He should have told you the truth. Or a version of it. You would have been more prepared." Ryusei spoke quietly from the landing.

"Yeah, but I also understand why he didn't."

"You were very brave." He let them by, trailing behind her near silently.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am fine. Shouma is still sleeping." He stopped and dropped his eyes. "I fear Toya's mental state is my fault."

"You couldn't help it," she said softly as she turned back to him.

"Maybe not, but he is now locked in the horror of his mind. I would understand if you wanted nothing to do with me after this."

She rolled her eyes and moved to hug him, "Hun, it's not your fault. I wouldn't get rid of you for something that isn't your fault."

"So if something is my fault, you'll throw me back to Court?" He had a tiny smile on his face.

"You'd have to do quite a lot of bad things for me to send you back there."

"I shall strive to stay on the straight and narrow then."

She smiled at him as she pulled away.

"Okaa-san!" Tomoya began screaming.

Arya quickly ran to his side, seeing what the situation was.

Nori was trying to hold him down as he thrashed on the bed. "I had to remove the surgical tools. He attempted to attack me with them. I debated biting him, but did not want to cause more pain."

Arya went and gently ran a hand through Tomoya's hair. "Toya? Calm down now. Everything is alright."

"Okaa-san? Play the music box? I passed algebra finally." His voice was pleading.

Arya sighed, "Toya, I need you to wake up now."

"I swear I didn't take the car. It was Yuuto. He wanted to see that girl he's sweet for."

Yuuto let out a strangled laugh. "So much for keeping that secret, bro."

"Toya, wake up and come back to us."

He pouted for a moment, then brightened as he began humming to himself. Seconds later, he was kicking at Nori violently. "Get away from her! Okaa-san!"

She gently shook him, "Toya, stop now. Everything is alright."

He went still under her hand. "You promise? No more monsters?"

"Promise. But you need to wake up."

He nodded, then blinked his eyes open. He looked around confusedly, then caught sight of Ryusei. "You- you died!"

"He's not the only person I've brought back from the dead.." Arya said quietly.

He stilled for a moment. "I freaked out, didn't I?"

"Only a little. It's alright though," she said softly.

He turned red and buried his face in her hand. "I'm so embarrassed right now."

She wrapped her arms around him, "It's okay."

"Tomoya?" Ryusei's voice was quiet.

"What?" He raised his eyes to look at him.

"I'm..I'm sorry!" The Fae turned and bolted from the room.

Arya shook her head.

"Shouldn't I be saying that to him?" Tomoya stared at her.

"He is upset that he caused you to freak out."

"Like he could stop Madrelan from killing him or something?" The hunter facepalmed.

"I tried to tell him that. Maybe he'll listen to you though."

"His room? Or do you think he ran farther?" Tomoya swung his legs off the bed.

"Check his room first."

Tomoya made his way out of the room as Yuuto sighed.

"He's repressing it again."

"What can I do to help him?"

"I wish I knew."

Tomoya finally located Ryusei hiding in the branches of a tall tree. "I'm not climbing that."

Ryusei chuckled softly, then leapt down. He faced Tomoya with a curious look. "What did you want?"

"To kick your ass for starters. Why the hell are you apologizing to me? It's not like you were in control of the situation. You should be asking me for one. I couldn't do anything but watch."

Ryusei shuddered. "I wanted to spare you that. I tried to tell you to look away, but the words wouldn't come out." He hugged himself tightly. "I caused you to flashback to a horror and I can never make up for it."

Tomoya embraced him. "Look blondie, I chose to stay. No one should suffer alone. I have issues but they aren't your fault. So quit flagellating yourself. It's cold out here and I need a beer."

Ryusei chuckled. "If you don't mind, I wish to stay out here a little while longer. But I will not feel guilty any longer. You have made your point."

Tomoya let him go. "Better not or I will kick your ass. Later."

The hunter headed back inside, grabbing a beer and taking a large swallow. The kitchen suddenly flashed to a gore strewn room, then reverted. He took a deep breath, willing his hands to stop shaking before finishing the beer and heading to his and Arya's room.