Arya and Tomoya drove around, issuing the citations the Council ordered. She pulled into a parking lot for a small restaurant and climbed out, "I'm starving." She waited for Tomoya to follow before entering the restaurant. They sat down at a table and started chatting when her phone suddenly rang. She pulled it out and answered, "Hello?"
"I never took you for the motherly type." A woman's voice answered. "Although, they are quite charming. Well, the dark one is, anyway."
Arya's eyes darkened and the lights started flashing, "What have you done to them?"
"Not much. Had to teach the older one to show respect, but it wasn't much of an issue after the first ten slaps." She laughed. "He does have some tenacity, coming after me with that tiny blade."
Tomoya watched Arya with alarm.
"What do you want?"
"So impatient. I'll tell you on the next call." There was a shriek of pain, another laugh and then the line went dead.
Arya growled and the lights went dark.
There were shouts from the frightened patrons, then Tomoya dragged her outside. "Arya, what the hell?"
"THAT BITCH!" She growled.
He cupped her face, bringing her eyes to his. "Calm down. Now, who are you talking about?"
"I don't know how she's alive..." she answered.
He gave her a perplexed look. "Who? What is going on?"
"Yashiro... She has the kids."
He paled. "Yuuto was watching them. Today's test day."
Arya scowled, "We have to find them. She said she'd call again, but I can't wait while she has our kids!"
"Deep breaths. Get control back." He pulled out his phone and dialed. "I need you to find the location for the last call that Arya received. I need it now, Akira. The boys have been taken."
After listening for a few minutes, he replied. "Text as soon as you get it." He hung up and pushed her to the car. "Did she say anything else? Like if Yuuto was with them?"
She shook her head, "Just that Ryon tried to go after her with his knife. Not sure about Yuuto. I guess we should go check the house."
"Are you calm enough to drive?"
She took a deep breath and nodded, "Sorry for losing it."
"Forgiven. Let's go."
She climbed in and started the car. As she drove, she finally said, "I swear she was dead... This time I'm going to set her on fire."
"Should have been done in the first place. Arya, she isn't human."
"Well at the time I didn't know there were non-humans!"
"I know." He ran a trembling hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Arya. I thought one of my brothers had taken care of her. I put everyone in danger because I didn't tell you what she was."
"It's not like you really could have told me.." Arya answered. "I don't blame you."
He stared at the floor in despair. "If something happens to them..I won't be able to forgive myself."
"It's alright," she reached over and squeezed his hand.
"No, it's not." He froze as the splintered front door came into sight.
She pulled up and parked before running into the house.
Yuuto lay on the kitchen floor, slashed almost to shreds. His blood stained the test papers laying beside him a deep red.
Arya knelt beside him and began pouring energy into him. Slowly the wounds closed up.
"Sa..save.." His words were halting as he shakily clutched her hand. His eyes were unfocused, his breathing weak.
"Shh, just relax," she said softly. When he was healed enough, she moved him to the medical room and set up a transfusion before pouring more energy into him. After a little while, she pulled away and sat down. Soon, her phone rang again.
"You like my artwork? I find blood so artistic, don't you?" Yashiro laughed.
"Get to the point. What do you want?"
"To make you suffer."
"Leave her alone, you bitch!" Ryon yelled in the background before he yelped and went quiet.
"Quiet, you little shit or I'll take more of that pretty gold blood." Yashiro answered before returning to the phone. "Which one will hurt you more? The brave older one or the tiny one?"
"Let them go!" Arya growled.
"Why should I? They're fun to play with."
She stayed quiet for a moment before offering, "I'll trade you. Let them go and you can have me."
"Tempting.. But I'm not done with you yet. I'll give you a gift though. Come to where you shot me. He'll be waiting." The line clicked.
Arya quickly ran toward the car.
"Arya, wait! You have to stay calm." Tomoya grabbed her arm.
Tears filled her eyes, "But she has our babies.."
"You can't help them if you lose control. Now deep breath. Where are we going?"
"She said go to the location I shot her."
"Alright, let's go."
Arya sped toward the location, pulling up and getting out quickly.
Tomoya ran ahead and disappeared. A minute later he reappeared, grabbing and pushing her away from the building. "Stop. Go back to the car. Let me take care of this."
She stared at him a moment, "What is it?"
He shook his head slowly, fighting tears. "Just go back. Please."
"Toya..." she sighed, "If someone is hurt, I can help them more than you can."
"You shouldn't see this…" The words were strangled.
She ignored his words and moved around him to enter the building.
The walls shimmered, liquid gold seeping into the cracked plaster. More covered the floor, coating her shoes.
She took a deep breath and continued to look around.
Yamae was pinned to the far wall. His head was on his chest, his arms stretched apart as far as they could go and impaled with small knives. Blood covered him, multiple shallow slashes on his arms and throat, placed to maximize pain and terror.
Arya carefully removed him, tears in her eyes. She cradled him close, pouring her energy into him as she held him.
He lay cold and unresponsive, his eyes closed.
She continued to give him energy as she stared at him numbly.
"Arya, let me take him." Tomoya knelt beside her.
She shook her head, "I need to help him."
Tomoya hung his head. "I'm so fucking sorry."
"It's not your fault. It's hers."
"If I had taken care of her…" He trailed off, gently resting a hand on Yamae's head.
She continued to focus quietly.
The wounds were gone, his appearance unmarred.
Tomoya tried to fool himself, tried to say Yamae had just fallen asleep in her lap after one of their many Disney marathons. But he couldn't, finally letting a sob escape.
Arya held Yamae close, still covering him in pink light. She closed her eyes and tried to control her energy into a big burst.
Yamae jerked violently, his lungs sucking in air. His eyes flew open, and he screamed in terror.
"Shh, baby. You're safe now."
He clung to her in desperation, his body trembling uncontrollably. "Don't hurt them. Please don't hurt them. Do whatever you want to me, but don't hurt them. I don't want her to cry anymore…"
"Shh.." she held him tightly.
He slowly calmed, his eyes fluttering closed as Tomoya tried not to rage.
She gently carried Yamae to the car and set him in the back.
There was a howl from the building as Tomoya lost control.
She was quiet as she waited for him.
Ten minutes later, he stumbled out of the building. He shakily put his coat on, then stopped and closed his eyes.
"Hey, it's alright," she said softly. "We're going to find her and get Yamae back."
"How could I have ever loved her? Am I that fucked up?"
"She hid things from you. You couldn't have known the truth."
"No excuse for stupidity." He glanced toward the car. "Take him home. I'm going to end this."
"Please don't do anything stupid.. I really should go with you."
His phone rang. He answered, listening intently. Finally, his shoulders slumped and he nodded. "Thanks, Akira." He hung up, whirled, and slammed a fist into the wall.
"What's wrong?"
"Akira traced her location here. Now she's disappeared."
Arya nodded slowly, "Let's get Yamae home.."
He turned back to her. "I will find Ryon. I swear it. Even if it kills me, I will find him and stop her."
She kissed him quickly, "Please don't get hurt."
He gave her a soft look. "Just take care of everyone. Yuuto is going to be blaming himself."
She nodded, "I love you."
He crushed his lips to hers. When they parted, he whispered "Love you more. You're the best damn thing that's ever happened to me. Remember that, okay?" He turned and ran away from her, pulling out his phone.
She took a deep breath and got in the car, driving home. She carried Yamae inside, set him down gently before sitting down beside him. Tears filled her eyes as she sat there watching him.
He tossed his head back and forth silently, his eyes squeezed shut. He began trembling, his face beginning to pale. A whimper escaped his throat as he clenched his fists.
Silver light shone over him, then Ryusei was there. He pulled a bag off his hip and rapidly searched through it.
She watched him quietly, wiping at her eyes.
He produced two syringes, administering them with a grave look.
"What are you giving him?"
"Arvis and lethananiel juice. May I ask how he managed to get poisoned with turinal here? It only grows at Court."
She shook her head, "Yashiro took him."
His eyes glittered angrily. "The witch still lives?"
"Well, I thought I killed her, but I didn't know non-humans existed at the time."
He struggled to control his anger, rising to his feet and pacing the floor. "Mother should have killed her…"
Arya raised an eyebrow.
He glanced at her, then sighed. "Mother banished her after she was caught. She is a witch who loves targeting children. Those she doesn't kill, she twists into killers and then releases."
Arya sighed and looked back at Yamae.
"Where is Ryon?"
"She still has him.."
He hung his head in sorrow. "I am sorry. He will be mourned."
Arya's eyes filled with tears again, "I shouldn't have brought them here.. We have too many enemies." She was quiet for a moment before adding, "I couldn't keep them safe... I don't deserve to be their mom."
"You stop that right now!" Ryusei shook her violently. "They would have died, scared and alone without you. Thrown away and treated like garbage, unmourned and forgotten. You saved them. You gave them love and treated them as people. Don't ever say you don't deserve to be their mom. You are the best mom they could have ever had. What do you think Ryon would do if he heard you say that?"
She nodded slowly. "I just.. I feel like I failed. I'm supposed to keep them safe.."
"I'm the one who failed." Yuuto's soft voice spoke from the doorway.
She shook her head, "It's not your job to fight."
"I was the one here. Arya, I never told you this, but I haven't always been a teacher. I used to be a Hunter. I lost my nerve after my girlfriend was killed in front of me. I ran away. I'm sorry I didn't protect the boys better. If anyone doesn't deserve to be here, it's me." He crossed the room, staring down at Yamae as silent tears streaked his face. A moment later, he was flinging the front door open and running out.
Arya quickly followed him. "Yuuto.. Please don't go. I don't blame you for any of this."
He froze, answering without turning. "Will you still say that when Ryon has to be killed because his mind is twisted by her magic? Or will you wish I had died in his place, like her parents do?"
"I care about you. I won't ever blame you for this, no matter what happens."
He laughed bitterly. "Lousy hunter. Lousy protector. I should have finished what the shifter didn't all those years ago.."
"Shut up," Arya growled. "You did your best. I don't know exactly what happened in your past, but I know you deserve to live and be happy. I don't blame you for the boys being taken. You got hurt trying to protect them and I'm thankful for you having been here."
He shook his head, his shoulders shaking as he rigidly stood in the driveway.
She moved closer and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"I couldn't do anything...I'd left them in the kitchen so I could grade their tests in peace. I heard Yamae screaming and Ryon yelling, but when I arrived…" He trembled under her fingers, his voice haunted.
"It's alright. I don't blame you."
"How?" He turned to look at her. "If I hadn't left…"
"You can't keep your eyes on them every second of the day. It's impossible."
He nodded, then blinked rapidly and swayed.
"Come on," she led him inside and sat him down. "Just rest."
Ryusei was cradling Yamae, who was sobbing "mommy" repeatedly.
Arya moved to him, gently taking him into her arms. "Shh, I'm here baby."
"Mean woman hurt Ryon..then she hurt me..why did she hurt us?" His voice was puzzled.
"Some people are just bad. They find hurting others fun. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you better. We're looking for Ryon still, but we are going to try our best to find him."
He nodded sleepily, snuggling against her and closing his eyes.
She held him close for a while before placing him on the bed. She moved away, pulling her phone out to try calling Tomoya. She walked toward the door but stumbled, crashing into it instead. She straightened herself, a confused look on her face. She shook her head and left the room, dialing Tomoya's number.
"Arya." Daigo's voice was quiet. "I will be returning with your son soon."
"Where are you? Where is Toya?"
"We found Yashiro. She has been defeated. Ryon is safe. I will answer the rest of your questions when we return." He hung up.
Arya paced for a while, only pausing when she noticed her hand trembling.
The front door opened, Kimito slowly entering. There was blood covering his clothes and his eyes were distant. He didn't say a word, opening his door and collapsing onto the floor of his room.
Arya sighed, "Are you alright?"
"Not mine." His voice was sounded raw, as if he'd screamed himself hoarse. He stayed curled on the floor.
Arya left him alone, deciding not to ask. She had a feeling something bad had happened.
"Arya?" Daigo's voice spoke behind her. "May I get some help?"
She nodded and followed him.
Ryon was scrunched into a corner of the room Daigo and Hitoshi shared. He was blood soaked, his body shaking with terror as his eyes stared blankly at the floor.
"He is physically unharmed. The blood is not his. His mind, however.. I fear I was too slow in freeing him from her spell."
She crouched down in front of Ryon, "Baby? Are you there?"
His eyes darted wildly until they landed on her. He recoiled, his shaking growing more violent. "I'm sorry! I didn't want to! I don't want to go back! Don't send me back! I'm sorry...sorry..I hurt him.."
She took a deep breath, "Baby, it's alright. Whatever you did wasn't your fault. You aren't going anywhere."
He shook his head. "You're going to hate me..you're going to send me back to the guards..please don't send me back. Kill me instead.." He suddenly produced a syringe of purple fluid and jammed it into his arm. He cried out as he injected it, then sagged against the wall. "Better this way..you can forgive me.."
Arya quickly rushed to his side, lifting him and carrying him to the medical room. She injected an antidote, "Baby, I love you and care about you. What you did wasn't your fault."
"I don't deserve to be loved..I tried to fight but couldn't stop..he looked so sad…" The boy let out a heart rending sob.
"I'm so sorry you went through that. I should have protected you better.."
"I'm not worthy to be your son.." He sobbed as he tried to slide off the bed. "I am yamalen and deserve to die in the street. I will not sully your home any further."
She grabbed him and held him tightly, "You are not yamalen. You are my son and I love you no matter what."
He sobbed harder, melting into her arms.
She held him close, whispering softly, "I love you and what you did wasn't your fault."
He slumped onto her shoulder in exhaustion.
She continued to hold him for a while before placing him on the bed. She then left the room.
Daigo looked at her sympathetically. "I am returning to the battle location. Will you have arrangements ready when I return?"
"I'm going with you."
"Are you sure?" He looked down at the floor.
"Yeah."
"As you wish. Hold tight to me."
She did as instructed.
He began to murmur under his breath, then wind rushed around them. When it ceased, they were in a wide underground chamber.
Arya looked around quietly.
There were several bodies scattered around, one of them still burning. Daigo clenched his jaw, kneeling beside Hitoshi as tears began streaming down his face. He brushed his hair back gently before kissing his lips.
Arya looked at all the bodies, checking them over to see who she recognized.
Haru lay crumpled, his white jacket stained with blood.
Then she saw Tomoya.
His arms and legs were bound in vines, his chest and abdomen a mass of shredded skin and blood. Ryon's knife was still embedded inside. His face was obscured by his hair as his head hung limp.
Arya moved closer, gently removing the knife and then brushed his hair from his face.
"I am sorry, Arya." Daigo said softly before extending a hand and dissolving the vines. "Yashiro was stronger than I expected and I failed to break the spell quickly enough."
She shook her head, tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes for a moment to try to reign in her emotions, but when she opened her eyes, they were glowing a soft pink. Light suddenly shot out from her into her friends and made the room light up brightly.
Daigo watched quietly, still cradling Hitoshi. He looked down in disbelief as his lover twitched and opened his eyes.
Haru blinked dazed eyes open and pushed himself sitting, eyes drifting around the room.
The other bodies stayed still, the burnt one finally out.
Arya focused for a moment, then a massive charge of pink light flew at Tomoya. She swayed a moment before falling to the floor.
"Ryon..he's hurting. Save him.." Tomoya's voice was almost inaudible.
Arya struggled to open her eyes back up, "He's home."
Daigo murmured under his breath and waved a hand. The three men vanished and he moved to her side. "Let me send you back."
She nodded, struggling to get back on her feet.
He touched her and she heard the wind again. The quiet beeping of medical equipment was heard and she felt arms holding her up.
Ryusei's voice spoke softly in her ear. "Sleep, Arya."
She nodded slowly, her eyes already closing.
When she woke, she sat up quickly and looked around the room.
Haru sat dozing beside Tomoya's bed. Ryon was curled into Tomoya's side, both sleeping.
Hitoshi entered, giving her a fleeting smile. "Glad to see you awake."
"You too."
He chuckled softly, then began rummaging through vials with a frown.
"What's wrong?"
"Daigo won't stop crying. He keeps asking for you. I think he needs to rest, but he's refusing."
She pushed herself off the bed, "I'll go talk to him."
"He's in the magic building. Least he was when I left." Hitoshi sighed and ruffled his hair.
Arya nodded and headed out toward the magic building. She entered and looked Daigo over carefully, "Heard you wanted me for something?"
He forced himself calm, then nodded. "May I have your permission to bury in an isolated spot of the property?"
She frowned, "Who are you burying?"
"Yashiro's victims. They deserve it and I can not return them home."
"Why can't you return them home?" She looked thoughtful a moment, "Should I try reviving them?"
"Your people will not allow it. They have been tainted twice, once by being anchis born and again by her magic." He struggled for composure. "It is only right that since I could not save them, I do the only thing left and make sure they are remembered."
Arya growled, "It's not their fault they were anchis born or that she took them. My people are a bunch of cruel idiots."
He gave her a shaky smile. "Then you do not object?"
"Of course I don't object. We'll make sure they are remembered."
He bowed. "I am almost done preparing them. Would you help me finish? I fear my grief will cause me to break down again."
"Of course. What do you need?"
"Healing of their injuries. I wish them to be unmarred. They deserve to be free of her viciousness." He led her to another room where four sheeted figures lay. One of them was smaller than Yamae. "I have completed the older ones. But the younger ones caused me to lose focus."
Arya nodded, slowly uncovering the younger ones. Her eyes filled with tears but she focused pouring her energy into them.
Their wounds disappeared, giving the illusion of peaceful sleep.
Daigo bowed his head. "I thank you for your kindness. I will trouble you about this no more."
Arya sighed as she stared at the young kids. The youngest was a small girl and Arya hated seeing someone that young hurt. "Since they are anchis born, do they not have families?"
"All orphans. Why Yashiro could take them and no cry be raised." Daigo answered as he began wrapping a shroud around the oldest, a boy appearing to be sixteen or seventeen. "They would be buried unmarked if the humans found them. At least they will have their names this way."
Arya was quiet a moment before pouring more energy into the four children.
Daigo jumped back in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Helping them."
"You are weak. It is not wise."
"I don't care."
The little girl's eyes snapped open and she stared at Arya in confusion.
Arya gave her a friendly smile before continuing to push energy into the other three.
Two of them opened their eyes, looking around in wonderment.
The oldest revived with a yell of defiance, his hands ripping away the shroud and scrabbling for a weapon.
"You're all safe now. She can't hurt you anymore."
He stopped, his purple eyes meeting hers. "Who are you?" He jumped up and stood defensively in front of the younger children. "You leave my siblings alone."
She bowed her head slightly, "I'm Arya."
"Where are we? And where is that devil spawned bitch?" He watched Daigo warily, the girl shuffling up and grabbing the boy's hand.
"You are in one of the buildings I own. You are safe here. She is dead, you don't have to worry." She glanced at Daigo before looking at them with a smile "We're going to build an orphanage."
Daigo laughed. "I can do it in a few hours."
The second youngest tugged on the boy's robe. "I'm hungry."
The boy gave him a sad smile. "I know you are, Kenji. I'll find something once we're free."
"You'll be able to eat whatever you want at the orphanage," Arya informed. "I'm going to make sure you and all the other Fae orphans are taken good care of."
"Why would you do that?" The teen asked suspiciously. He tensed as the door behind her opened.
"Mommy, I can't find Olaf." Yamae came in with a pout. "And Ryon won't help me find him."
"Alright, baby. I'm a little busy with important things, but as soon as I'm done I'll help you look."
He beamed at her, then noticed the children. "Are they playmates?"
"Maybe. You know how I helped you and Ryon? They don't have family either. I'm going to make a home for all the Fae kids without parents, so they are taken care of."
"You're the best mommy ever. Can I show them my room?"
"Give us just a couple more minutes, then they can see it if they want to." She wrapped an arm around him before looking back at the others. "I want to help because I care and I'm in a position to help."
The little girl smiled at her shyly, then dropped the teen's hand and stretched her arms out toward Arya.
Arya knelt down and hugged the girl gently.
She received a kiss on the cheek and a soft giggle.
The teen deflated and sat down. "I hope we can trust you."
"Have you heard about the Queen who gave anchis borns rights?" Arya asked quietly.
"What Queen?" His eyes narrowed.