Her eyes filled with tears "I guess that's his choice. It's a stupid choice, but I get it."

Ryusei kicked one of the chairs. "He's scared, Mia. He doesn't want to hurt you. So he's trying to retreat."

"So what should I do?"

"Convince him he's an idiot? That he's not alone? If that doesn't work, kick his ass until his brain reboots?" Ryusei replied.

She chuckled slightly, "I don't know if I'll be good at that, but I guess I can try."

He gave her a small smile. "Just don't kill him. I want to do that."

She smiled slightly before heading toward the room Isao was in.

Isao curled on the bed, his back to the door. He was quiet apart from the strained whimpers falling from his lips.

Mia slowly opened the door, quietly entering and approaching the bed.

"Is she gone?"

"You think I'd go that easily?"

He scrambled to his feet, rapidly scrubbing a hand over his face. "Thought your father was on my side, dammit."

"He's still here, you know. I could still leave. But I wanted to talk to you first."

"Why?" His voice was rough as he crossed his arms and tried to look indifferent.

"I don't know what's worse, thinking you didn't want me here after everything, or knowing you didn't want me to know the truth."

He tried to hide his panic. "Truth?"

"Yeah. Ryu told me. You really thought I could just go home after everything and be happy?"

"Sonofabitch! He swore!" Isao exploded before bending double in agony.

She went to him and put a hand on his back gently. "He said he's more afraid of me than you."

After several minutes, a muttered "Figures" was heard.

"I don't care if you're sick or dying. I want to be here to help you."

He slowly rose, his eyes tormented. "You shouldn't watch me die. You should go home and live your life."

"You have no right to tell me how to live my life. I want to help you. I would rather be here spending as much time together as possible than to not have that time with you. Wouldn't you want that if the roles were reversed? Or does 'I love you' mean something different to you?"

Tears began to streak his face. "I don't want to die..I don't want to lose this. I wasn't ready then and definitely not ready now. But…"

She went to him and wrapped her arms around him. "No one wants to die. But unfortunately, everyone does eventually. I'll be right here with you through everything, okay?"

He clung to her, head buried in her shoulder. "Why am I being punished? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Everyone has to die somehow. You're not being punished, it's just a case of bad luck." She held him tight. "I know you're scared, but I promise everything will be okay. I'll be here for you."

He began to sag in her arms, his tears slowing. "Twice in one lifetime is more than bad luck…"

"I'm sorry." She rubbed his back gently. "So what is wrong exactly?"

"Cancer. I had it before I was turned and we all believed it was gone. But it's not. And it's…" He took a shaky breath.

"That's rough. I'm sorry you have to deal with that. But I'm here for you."

"Mia, you don't understand. I have days at most. It's spread too far too fast." He raised his head, exhaustion on his face. "You shouldn't have to see it."

"Don't tell me I don't understand. And what part of "I'm here for you" don't you get? I don't care if you don't think I should see it, I'd rather be here with you so you aren't alone." She had tears in her eyes. "I love you. Even if I only have a few days to show it."

"Stubborn woman." The statement was soft.

"Why don't you lay back down?" She said gently as she wiped at her eyes.

He gave her a small nod, rising unsteadily to his feet.

She helped him to the bed and wrapped the blanket around him. After kissing his forehead she said, "Sleep. I'm going to talk to dad really quick, then I'll be back."

He gave her a wan smile, then his eyes closed.

She headed out and gave Ryu a small smile.

He gave her a nod, then rolled his eyes as Shiro frowned and shook a finger at him. The aide began to lecture her brother in a quiet voice.

Mia went to her father's side and hugged him. He looked her over as he hugged her back, "You aren't coming with me, are you?"

"Part of me wants to, but I need to stay here for Isao."

He nodded and gave her a knowing smile, "You like him, don't you."

She blushed slightly and nodded, "He's not doing well though."

He sighed, "It's hard losing the one you love."

"That reminds me of a couple questions.." She led him to the couch and sat down, "What is my nightmare actually about?"

"There were a few clans that disapproved of your mother and her choices. They found out about you and tried to take you away from us. She saved you and healed your injuries."

Mia was quiet a moment before asking, "So how did she die? I don't remember much about her."

"Again, enemy clans. She was ambushed and murdered.." He sighed. "You were so young, but maybe it was better that way."

Mia nodded slowly. "Thank you, for telling me everything."

"I knew I'd have to come clean eventually. Just know, you always have a place at home with me if you want it. I know you're grown and have your own things going on now, but you'll always be my daughter."

She smiled softly, "Thanks dad."

"I better get going. Call anytime you need or want anything, even if it's just to talk."

"I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie." He hugged her once again before heading out the front door.

Mia started back toward the room as she thought about what her father had said. She sat down beside Isao and watched him quietly, wishing there was a way to save him. After a while, her mind stuck on something her dad mentioned and she decided she'd ask Ryu about it. She headed back out to find him.

He was sitting at the kitchen table, a scowl plastered on his face as Shouma massaged his shoulders. He looked up at her, forcing a smile. "You alright?"

"Looks like I should be asking you that."

"Just another lecture on how unkingly I'm being. Nothing I haven't heard before. Surprised you didn't leave with your father."

"Thought about it, but I told Isao I'd be here for him no matter what."

The smile faded. "You must be a masochist." He tapped Shouma's hand, the shifter taking the seat beside him quietly.

She sighed, "I'm not just going to leave him, even if it's not an ideal situation."

"Even if it's what he wants?" Shouma's voice was soft.

She looked down, "He shouldn't be alone."

"We know that, but does he?" Ryusei sighed.

"I tried to get through to him, I think I might have," she said quietly.

Shouma gave a small smile. "He thinks teamwork goes only one way. That he's responsible for us, but no one is responsible for him. Stubborn bastard."

She chuckled slightly, "He called me stubborn too."

Ryusei laughed out loud as the phone rang.

Shouma answered it, his face going pale as he listened. "Don't you dare!"

Mia raised an eyebrow before glancing at Ryusei, "I actually came out here to ask something.. but it seems like whatever this is is more important."

"Ask away. It's just Quinn."

She nodded slowly, "Dad was telling me about a few things and at one point he mentioned mom healing me? I didn't think vampires could heal others?"

"Royalty has limited healing abilities. We can heal standard injuries easily. Severe or fatal ones are doable but it drains our own life. We can heal ourselves given time and enough blood as you've seen."

She nodded again, "Anything else we can do?"

"Nothing I know of for sure, but there are lots of stories." He glanced at Shouma who was growling into the phone.

She sighed, "Alright. I better get back to Isao in case he wakes up." She stood and started slowly back to the room.

"You'll be quite a Queen." The words were almost inaudible.

She looked back and raised an eyebrow.

He smiled and waved a hand at her. "Nothing. Go take care of our idiot leader."

She got to the door and took a deep breath before heading inside and sitting down.

Isao was muttering in his sleep, his fists clenched. His hair lay limp on his flushed forehead as he winced repeatedly.

She went and got a cool rag and placed it on his forehead before talking softly, "Everything is alright. Just relax."

"Naori? Naori, I'm sorry." He began to sob, one hand grabbing her sleeve.

"Shh, it's alright."

"You died because I couldn't protect you.."

"It's okay." Mia said gently. "Just relax."

"You forgive me?" His eyes were open, but unfocused.

Mia winced. She doubted anyone would ever blame him in that situation, but she wasn't Naori. She finally just gave a quiet, "Of course. Now rest."

He gave her a relieved smile, his eyes slowly closing. His face relaxed as he sank deeper into sleep.

She watched him, sad that she was going to be losing him but happy that he'd finally be reunited with Naori.

There was a knock at the door.

She went and opened it.

Ryon stood there, his eyes worried. "Where is everyone?"

"Isao is in here. They got a call earlier from Quinn, so maybe they went to help him with something?"

"They left their cells on the table." Yamae reported quietly. "The van keys are here too. And this." He showed them a slip of paper with two words. 'Sorry. Goodbye.'

"You don't think they ran away, do you?"

Ryon shook his head. "I think Tinkerbell got himself in some kind of trouble. We need to talk to Isao."

She winced, "Come in, I'll try to wake him."

Ryon looked at her sharply. "Something's wrong with him."

She nodded and went to Isao's side.

Ryon followed her inside, then froze as he saw the other man. "No.."

She sighed, "Yeah, it's not good."

"Don't wake him. We'll take care of this." Ryon knelt beside the bed and whispered something into Isao's ear, then rose and headed for the door.

"Let me know if you need help." She said before sitting back down.

The two men disappeared as Isao opened his eyes. "Don't..let them go.."

"Why?"

"Shifters.. They'll die.."

She sighed and went to look for the twins. She came back, "They're gone."

Isao growled and sat up. "Why are they all idiots?"

She shrugged, "Just rest and trust them."

He stared at her. "Are you insane?"

"Probably."

He let out a laugh. "Should know better than to ask that." He ran a hand over his face. "Is this my fate? To lose everyone before I die?"

"Just try to trust them. They might be alright."

He sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head,"It's understandable to worry."

"I mean about everything. All you wanted was to protect your father and you got pulled into all this. And I can't even help you because…" He trailed off and dropped his eyes.

"It's not your fault. And if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met you and Ryu."

"I wanted to make you happy..instead you're going to hate me."

"I'd never hate you."

"I'm breaking your heart."

"Not exactly. It's not like you're trying to."

He slowly reached for her hand. "Will you do something?"

"Sure?"

"Go save them. They're going to the docks. I overheard Ryu talking."

She sighed, "Alright. But you better still be here when I get back."

"I'll be here." He gave her a soft smile. "I'll always be here."

She kissed him, "I love you," then headed out the door.

Isao watched her go with a sigh.

Mia went outside and looked around, noting the van was gone. She focused for a moment before a pair of black leather wings appeared on her back. They unfurled and she stared at them in amazement for a moment before getting to her task and lifting off.

She headed toward the docks, unsure what to expect when she got there.

Bodies littered the ground, none moving.

She landed, checking the bodies to see if they were her friends.

They were alive, but injured. Ryusei grabbed her arm, desperation in his voice. "They took Quinn.. Going to sell him.."

"I'll find him." She carefully moved them all to the van before taking off again.

Quinn numbly allowed himself to be chained to the tree, his eyes distant. The shifter finished the job, then kicked him and left. The Fae simply stared at the ground, not uttering a sound.

Mia finally spotted him, landing quickly and working to try to undo the chains.

He made no movement, his body stiff.

After finally getting the chains undone, she looked at him, "Quinn? We need to go."

"What's the point?" The words were heavy with grief. "I have nothing left.. You should leave me."

"Ryu told me to save you. You know they're alive, right?"

He shook his head. "Saw them die."

"They're hurt, but alive. They're safe in the van."

The Fae slowly raised his eyes to hers. "Alive?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Let's go before the shifter comes back."

Quinn hurriedly stood, wrapping a hand over his ribs. "Lead the way."

She led him back to the van and started it up, "Let's get back."

Quinn simply nodded, hands flaring to life as he began to heal the others.

Mia pulled up to the mansion and got out. She helped get the others inside before going back to the room Isao had been in.

It was empty, the bathroom door closed.

She knocked, "Isao?"

There was no answer.

She worked on getting the door open.

Isao lay in the shower, blood swirling down the drain under the spray. The gun was still in his hand.