Arya and Tomoya stepped through the portal. She looked around for a moment before taking his hand and leading him toward the market.
His eyes scanned the crowds warily. "Is this really a good idea?"
"We're just here to get some flowers. It won't take long."
"I just don't want to be the cause of any trouble."
"If people have issues with you, I'll take care of it."
He squeezed her hand in answer.
She led him to a stand and started looking through the items. Soon, her eyes strayed to another stand and she stared at a beautiful dress.
He followed her gaze. "Wow…"
"It's so pretty.."
"Get it. I want to see you in it."
She smiled softly and nodded, heading to the stand and paying for it. It was bagged up and she took it, heading back to Tomoya. She suddenly swayed, almost falling.
"Arya!" Tomoya grabbed her, his eyes narrowing. "You should rest at home. We can get the flowers another time."
She nodded slowly, moving to a bench for a moment, "Sorry. I guess I'm not as energetic today as I thought I was."
He gave her a small smile. "Just rest. When you're ready, we'll go back."
She nodded, closing her eyes for a moment. Soon, she put her hand on her belly, trying to scan it over with a weak pink light. She froze for a moment before letting out a small cry, "Something is wrong.. she's not moving."
Tomoya's face darkened, then he swept her into his arms and strode through the portal. "Ryusei, get Keisuke. Something's wrong with the baby."
Her brother paled, then rapidly spoke into his crystal. "He'll be here in five."
Arya closed her eyes, "I feel so weak and tired.."
"Don't quit on me..We'll get this fixed." Tomoya held her tight as Keisuke appeared.
The doctor quickly checked her over, then gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm going to talk to Toya. I'll be right back."
She nodded slowly and closed her eyes again.
Keisuke drew the hunter aside. "Someone is trying to kill her and the baby."
Tomoya clenched his teeth. "Any idea who?"
"I suspect someone in Court. These are symptoms of rapid energy stealing."
Ryusei began sending energy into her as he listened. "There are many who are unhappy about her changes. Having a half shifter baby has only worsened the anger."
Keisuke nodded, his eyes narrowing as Tomoya strode through the portal. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to find the bastard and remove his energy. See how he likes it."
Arya pushed herself up and opened her eyes. "You can't go alone."
"You have to stay still." Tomoya turned to her. "I will not lose either of you."
"I'm feeling a bit better thanks to Ryu. You don't know your way around Court and if they find you alone, who knows what they'll do."
There was a war of emotion in his eyes. "If they manage to finish the job…"
She slowly pushed herself up and toward the portal. She went through and took his hand gently. "Just let me try to help.."
He bit back the argument he wanted to make, instead simply squeezing her hand and nodding.
She looked thoughtful for a moment, "We can use me as bait, lure out the person." She gave him a small smile, "Why don't we head toward my place. I can show you my tree."
"Tree?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You'll love it." She started leading him toward it.
He kept one eye on the crowd, one eye on her. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm a little tired but better than I had been."
"When I find the bastard, you may need to restrain me from making an incident."
She chuckled, "Another reason I came with." She headed down another hall, leaving the crowd and leading him toward her quarters.
He gave a wry chuckle as he followed. "Worried I'll be a bad influence yet?"
She chuckled again, "You've been a good influence to the other kids, I'm sure you'll continue that."
"You sure? Zal put in a petition to be trained as a Hunter last week."
She sighed, "Coming from a cop in a mob family, I know kids will do what they set their mind to. I worry about his safety, but it's better having the rest of us to keep an eye on him than he be out on his own."
"I guess. He at least won't be arrested for anything illegal. I was worried he'd become a boytoy."
She nodded, "True." A door opened and she led him through a final hallway before opening the door to her room.
He stopped, his eyes widening. "You weren't kidding.."
"I wish we could transplant the tree to our house. It's so nice, but no one wants to live at Court."
"Maybe Daigo can do it." He chuckled as he examined the room. "So far so good."
She sat down on the bed with a small sigh.
"What's the plan now?" He sat down softly beside her.
"Not sure. There's the gardens I could show you, but more people are likely to be there. We could rest here a few minutes, then make a decision?"
"I could always wander around alone? See if anyone acts suspicious besides gossiping?"
"Maybe, I just don't want you on your own.."
"Now who's being overprotective?" He retorted with a chuckle.
She smiled slightly, "I just worry."
"I know. But I'd rather be attacked than you. This was already too close." He held her hand and sighed.
She nodded, "I wish this baby would be born, then I could do more and not have to worry as much."
"You just want to beat people up again." He teased.
"Is that such a bad thing?" She laughed.
"As long as it's not me, nope."
She smiled then yawned, "I guess I'll stay here for a bit while you go look around. Be careful though." She kissed him softly.
"I'll go get you some of those sweets you like. And I'll be fine." He kissed her back, then left the room.
She laid down, her eyes quickly closing.
Tomoya wandered the market, browsing various stalls and making purchases. He nibbled on a green fruit as he leaned against a wall and watched the crowd.
Arya woke when she heard the door open, "Toya?"
There was no answer.
She sat up quickly and looked around the room.
A tall man was grinning sadistically at her. "Look who I found all alone."
"Who are you?"
"A patriot. I'm going to cleanse our Court once and for all of your taint."
She stood, preparing herself to fight.
He extended a hand, a black light shooting toward her.
She managed to barely dodge it, raising a shaky hand and shooting lightning toward the man.
He laughed. "You can't possibly believe you can defeat me."
She growled, vines growing and starting to whip at the man.
He grabbed them, ripping them from the ground. "Nice try." The light shot from his hand again.
She didn't dodge fast enough, it striking her in the chest.
He smiled wider as her pink light began to be ripped from her.
Her mind started to grow fuzzy and she thought of Tomoya. She prayed he was alright, but knew with their link, if she went down, he would too. Another thought crossed her mind and she focused on her youngest brother, "Shouma...if Toya and I don't make it, please care for the kids..." He could tell how weak she sounded.
Seconds later, a portal opened and he flung himself at her attacker. He knocked him to the floor, breaking the assailant's wrist. The light evaporated as Shouma slammed a fist into the man's face and knocked him out.
"Arya!" Her brother scrambled to her side, his blue light already flaring to life.
"Find...Toya." She said as she managed to push herself to the bed, collapsing on it.
"When you're out of danger." He turned as Ryusei appeared, followed by Zal. "She's weak, but alive."
Ryusei knelt beside her, adding his light to Shouma's. "Where is Toya?"
"Market.." she whispered. "Sorry I wasn't strong enough.."
"Hush, Arya. Most people attacked by a light stealer die in seconds." Shouma answered softly.
"We will return with Toya. You rest." Ryusei rose and headed for the door, Zal following with his jaw clenched.
She slowly relaxed into the mattress, hoping both Toya and the baby were alright.
Shouma ran a hand through her hair as his light vanished.
An hour later, her door was thrown open as the two men returned with an unconscious and beaten Tomoya carried between them.
Arya blinked her eyes open, trying to focus on them.
"He's alive, although he needs more healing." Ryusei gently laid Tomoya down and enveloped him in silver light. "It appears he collapsed during your attack and others took advantage. They have been dealt with."
Zal cleaned his knife with a stony expression, then sat down beside Tomoya.
"You okay?" She asked him softly.
After a minute, he nodded. "Are you?"
"I think so. Just tired," she pushed herself into a sitting position.
The teen glanced at the unconscious attacker. "Can I kill him?"
"You know, killing isn't the only option. But I doubt there's a Fae jail, so go ahead." She sighed.
"No. He will stand trial." Ryusei shot Zal a disapproving look.
Zal growled, then stood and summoned the portal. He disappeared into the light.
"What is trial like for the Q'tan?" Arya asked.
"Similar to human trials. He will be allowed to speak after being accused, then the Court will render a verdict." Ryusei shrugged as he allowed his light to vanish.
"The Court doesn't like me much.. they'll probably let him go."
"They may not like you, but openly attacking you like this can not be tolerated. It is anathema to us. We have never tolerated a coup in this way. If the Court wished, they could impeach you."
She nodded slowly before sighing and putting her hand on her belly. She looked around a moment before asking, "I keep forgetting to bring it up, but what was our mom's name?"
He smiled softly. "Elysia."
She smiled, "That's pretty." She then looked thoughtful, "Wonder what Toya will like better: Elysia Mayako or Mayako Elysia? We could call her Ely or Maya for short."
"The first one…" His voice was soft.
She smiled, "Alright."
"Are you okay? I could feel your pain.." He tried to rise, but fell back with a gasp.
"I'm just tired. Why don't we go home and rest?"
"Perfect idea." Ryusei summoned the portal, hefting Tomoya to his feet as Shouma picked Arya up. The four disappeared from sight.