"Get away from me! I'm leaving!" Ryusei's voice was loud and sharp.
Mia woke slightly, her mind trying to process what was happening.
"You're in no shape to be going anywhere." Yamae growled. "Do I have to sedate you again?"
"Go to hell."
"Why are you leaving?" Mia asked quietly after opening her eyes.
"Now look what you did." Yamae moved to her side. "Sorry about this."
Ryusei gave her a panicked look. "I.."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." The answer was a little too quick.
Yamae rolled his eyes, whispering "He's only half healed."
Mia nodded slowly and looked Ryusei over, "You were hurt pretty badly. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to help you."
He sighed. "Not that I'm not grateful, but this is kind of my fault. I'm going to leave and you'll be much safer. Now that Isao put down the shifter after you, I mean." He sat on the edge of the stretcher, his eyes on the floor.
"But why are you leaving?"
"Because you're in more danger with me around." He shakily stood, holding on as the room spun.
"How?"
"The shifters aren't only after you.." He reddened slightly.
She shrugged, "So?"
His head shot up. "Are you serious? Isao made you safe and you want to keep me around? Are you an adrenaline junkie or something?"
She sighed, "Well, you'd probably be safer around more people, right..? Unless you are all planning on leaving..?"
Yamae shook his head with a smile. "We're now your permanent bodyguards. Not going anywhere."
She gave them a small smile then looked back at Ryusei, "So I don't think you have to go anywhere. We'll figure out about the shifters when it comes to it."
"You don't understand!" He swayed, his face going pale. "I'm your.." His eyes closed and he fell forward.
She pushed herself up and moved toward him, gently moving him into a lying position.
Yamae watched her in confusion. "Any clue what that's about?"
She shook her head, looking down at Ryusei carefully.
"Mother..don't go.." His forehead furrowed as he tossed his head back and forth.
She sat down beside him, "Shh, it's alright. Just rest."
Ryon entered, his face grave. "You're awake. Is he still having issues?"
She nodded, "He wanted to leave."
Ryon sighed heavily. "Him as well? This is getting old."
"What happened?"
"Isao has gone to speak to the Chief." The vampire sat down and ran a hand through his hair.
"Dad talked to the Chief earlier," Mia looked thoughtful, "but why does Isao want to talk to him? Not liking the new arrangements?" She chuckled slightly then looked down. "I'm sorry if I messed things up. I just wanted to help you all."
"Said he was going to come clean now that the danger was over. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. He and Sho got in a shouting match and Sho left very angry."
She sighed, "My dad might be able to help if he gets in too much trouble."
"You don't understand. One of the provisions of our continued freedom is that we never drink from a living person unless given permission by a superior. Breaking that order is reason for immediate retraction of our release. Isao won't be returning."
She stayed quiet for a moment before standing and heading away from the others.
Ryon got up and followed her. "What are you planning?"
"Talking to dad and then to the Chief if I have to. I already knew you weren't allowed to drink from a living person, but it's my fault you did, so I should fix this."
"This last time it was allowed. The first time is what the problem is. Izzy not only drank from you, he didn't report the attack."
"I told him not to report it though, so it's still my fault." She answered.
"You're stubborn like Izzy." Ryon smiled slightly.
A sound behind them made the vampire turn, then growl. "Get your ass back in bed."
"Bite me." Ryusei retorted before beginning to walk past them.
Mia caught his arm, "You need to rest."
"I need to get away before you're put in more danger." He took her hand off, slipping something small into it before continuing to walk.
She looked at what was in her hand.
An intricate gold locket, its chain snapped and bloodstained.
She stared at it for a moment before opening it.
A regal woman stared at her from a faded photograph.
She felt drawn to the woman, but wasn't sure why.
"The Queen…" Ryon's voice was hushed in shock.
"Queen?"
"The vampire Queen. She left our world years ago for a mortal. Or so the stories say. Why the hell does he have a picture?"
She frowned and kept staring at it a moment before slipping it in her pocket. She shook her head, "Where's the Chief? Is he still around or did he leave?"
"Command center down the street. He's staying to make sure no other problems arise."
She nodded and headed out. She soon ran into her dad though, wanting to ask him a million questions.
"Dad?"
"Hey, good to see you awake again."
She gave him a small smile before asking, "Tell me the truth about everything. I'm not a kid anymore."
He sighed and leaned against a tree, "You're part vampire, but you've probably figured that out by now. Your mother was a vampire and we fell in love."
She nodded slowly, "Tell me more."
He frowned, "She was an important vampire and had a lot of enemies. That's why we hid the truth from you, keeping you safe."
"She was the Queen, wasn't she?"
He nodded and sighed once again.
"Do I have other siblings?" She looked thoughtful, trying to figure things out.
"A brother, I think. Older than you, only on your mother's side."
She nodded, closing her hand around the locket. She kissed her father's cheek, "Thank you. I need to go save Isao though."
He gave her a small smile, "Go on."
She took a deep breath before heading toward the command center.
The Chief looked up as she was escorted inside. "Is there something wrong, Miss Ishida?"
"I wanted to check on Isao and to let you know what happened was all my fault. He shouldn't get in trouble for what I did."
"I understand the circumstances. He revealed everything. However, his non reporting is a serious crime." The Chief folded his hands on the desk.
"But I told him not to report it.."
"Are you his superior?" The Chief shook his head. "He knew the consequences."
"What are you planning to do?" She asked quietly.
"He's been relieved of command, removed from the force and remanded to Orihara Laboratory."
"Is there nothing my father can do to get you to get him back?"
"This is the provisions of the agreement Toriyama signed. Only the Prime Minister or the head researcher can release him now. I'm sorry."
Her eyes blazed and he thought he saw them go red for a moment. "Thank you." She turned and headed out of the building.
When she got back, she looked at Ryon and Yamae, "We need to find Ryu, but my priority is Isao. I'm not asking you to go with me, just tell me where I can find this fucking lab."
Both vampires chuckled at the cursing before Yamae answered. "First, you don't have to ask. Second, Ryu is already there. We were about to go meet him."
She nodded, "I'm going with. Don't worry about trying to protect me, just worry about getting Isao out safe."
"You're insane. And safe is doubtful. But we will get him out. Problem is, if we attack. You'll be caught in our fight. It wouldn't be fair to involve you any more." Ryon looked at her with a frown.
"Why?"
The twins exchanged looks. "You're the mayor's daughter? We'll be branded domestic terrorists."
"That's fine. Do you have a plan of where to go after getting him out?"
"We were going to disappear." Yamae rubbed his neck with a sigh. "We'll be hunted. Killed on sight if found. Your father will never allow you to get involved."
"And our consciences won't either." Ryon clasped her shoulders. "Believe me, we appreciate your intent. We're grateful for everything you've done and everything you want to do. But this isn't your fight."
"Why can't it be?"
"You're human, although weakly infected. You're in no more danger."
"Apparently, my mom was a vampire," she said quietly. "But I want to help Isao and I need to talk to Ryu."