Shouma sang along with the radio as Ryon drove. They were just relaxing, going nowhere in particular. The shifter was overly exuberant and the vampire laughed to himself at the antics.
He groaned as he saw police lights behind them, pulling to the side of the road and reaching for his wallet. He rolled down the window, asking "Was I speeding, officer?"
There was no reply, just a bolt of white hot pain, then darkness.
Isao scowled, tapping his foot on the floor as he waited for the call to connect. After five minutes, he punched the disconnect button angrily. "I'm going to kick their asses."
"Phones off again?" Yamae asked from the couch where he was playing cards with Ryusei.
"No. Just not answering." Isao sank into a chair. "They know better."
Mia glanced up from the book she was reading, "Where were they going?"
"Don't know. All Ryon said was they were going for a drive." Ryusei laughed in triumph as he laid his cards down, eliciting a groan from Yamae. "You now owe me half a million yen."
"Deduct it from my giant paycheck." Yamae stuck his tongue out and sat back.
The door swung open slowly and Shouma staggered in. His face was bruised and bloody, his clothing ripped. "Help…" He toppled to the floor as the room froze.
Mia was the first to get up, going to his side and lifting him gently. She moved him to the couch and went to get the first aid kit.
"Knew there was something wrong!" Isao checked the shifter's pulse, finding it slower than he liked but steady. "What did you two get yourself into?"
"Cops..took Ryon. Said he was a blood bank with feet.."
Yamae cursed angrily. "Bastards!"
Isao's face became a mask of rage. His eyes began flashing and Ryusei touched his arm.
"Don't lose control."
Mia bandaged up Shouma before looking at the others, "So how do we find him?"
Yamae took a deep breath before tapping his head. "Twin link. I can find him at the bottom of the ocean. Slight problem with that though."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Just one?" Ryusei muttered before turning to her. "He's not lying. He could find Ryon buried under fifty thousand tons of concrete. Problem is, it puts him in a semi comatose state and opens him up to empathetic sharing."
She nodded slowly.
"What he means is I'll be able to feel everything Ryon is going through. Pain, pleasure.."
Isao interrupted. "Death. And if that happens, we lose both of them."
"There has to be another way to find Ryon."
"Doubtful. If he was taken for his ability, then they won't ask for ransom. He'll just disappear. Maybe he'll turn up a husk decades from now." Isao stood and began to pace.
Mia sighed as she watched him.
"It's our only chance and you know it!" Yamae stood. "I'm not letting those assholes keep him, even if it kills me. Now I'm doing this whether you come or not."
Mia nodded, "I'll help."
Isao growled, then grabbed his gun and the keys to his car. He grabbed Yamae's shirt. "Don't you dare die on me. Either of you."
Yamae nodded, then headed for the door.
"I'll stay. Keep Kitty here company." Ryusei cradled Shouma possessively.
Mia gave him a small smile, "Have fun." She followed Yamae outside.
Isao had the engine running, his eyes worried.
"Hope you don't mind." Yamae laid his head in her lap in the backseat. "This will help keep me grounded so I don't drown in his feelings."
She smiled softly, "Let's find him."
Yamae took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. His eyes went unfocused, then began to glow a bright pink. "Towards the isolated field where Shouma shifts." His voice was monotone.
Isao pulled out and drove as fast as he could, keeping his eyes alternating between the road and rear mirror.
Mia watched Yamae quietly and after a couple minutes, gently ran a hand through his hair.
He gave a faint smile before flinching. "Damn needles.."
Mia frowned but continued to rub his hair.
"Found the van." Isao drove slowly by the empty vehicle. "Where to?"
"Give me a second..he's not entirely conscious right now." Yamae's words were slightly slurred and he blinked a few times before speaking again. "Left fork of the road. An abandoned factory. Ouch! Sadists." He growled softly.
Mia prayed they'd get to Ryon in time as Isao continued to drive.
"You..were right, Iz. They're harvesting as much blood as they can.." Yamae's breathing was slowing. "They're rushing it.."
Isao stepped on the gas, speeding down the road as his eyes flashed repeatedly.
Mia growled slightly, "What do they want all the blood for?"
"They dose it with drugs. Sells for a lot in the vampire clubs." Isao's voice was tight. "Most vampires only have a few pints more than the average human. Every once in a while, one is born with the ability to rapidly replenish lost blood. Most of them work as healers since they can donate quite a bit of blood. In fact, Ryon's blood is what we drink in our bags."
She nodded, "There's vampire clubs?"
"Lures for mortals. Quite a few younglings chafe at the strictures we're under. So they lure mortals in and sometimes drain them." Yamae was struggling to focus. "Too fast, too fast..Getting weak.."
"Shh, it'll be alright," she said softly. "We'll find him soon."
Isao pulled in front of the factory. "Are you coming or staying with him?"
"Where would I be of more use?"
"Probably here. Keep him talking if possible." Isao climbed out and headed stealthily for a door facing the car.
"So, has it always been just you and Ryon or did you have other siblings?"
"Just us..don't remember our parents." He took slow deep breaths to counteract the dizziness he felt.
"That sucks. I wish I remembered more about mom." She said quietly. "So what kinds of things have you done before? Always been cops?"
"Military for awhile. Where we met Izzy.. And before you ask, yeah he's always been uptight." A faint smile flitted across his face.
She chuckled before admitting, "I'm glad we're friends. Never thought a group of vampires would become my family."
"We're glad too.. Best thing.. that ever happened.." Yamae's voice faded, the pink glow disappearing from his eyes.
"Yamae? Stay with me." She said quickly.
"Sorry..so tired.." He blinked once, then went still.
She quickly began pouring yellow light out, hoping to help him.
His eyes stared into the distance, giving no reaction.
She let out a small sob but continued to try to help.
Gunshots rang out rapidly from the factory, then everything went silent.
She waited in the car, still focusing on Yamae but watching the door to the building.