Mia smiled as she entered her father's house. It had been a while since she'd been there, but she was finally able to come visit him. She entered his office slowly, sneaking up behind him and wrapping her arms around him.

"Mia! I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, dad."

He glanced at the time, "Why don't we go make some lunch?"

She nodded and moved away from him, heading toward the kitchen. She was sitting at the table when she heard a noise from the front room. She stood, moving closer and trying to see what made the noise.

A young woman stood from where she crouched. "You're supposed to count to ten." She scolded, a wide smile on her face.

Mia frowned, "Who are you?"

"You mean Sao hasn't mentioned me at all? And after all we meant to each other, too. It would break my heart..if I had one still."

"N.. Naori?"

"He does remember! How sweet.." Her eyes flashed as she bared her fangs. "Wonder if he'll remember you?"

She backed up against the wall, wondering what exactly was happening. Wasn't Naori dead?

Naori advanced on her, the smile growing as her eyes locked with Mia's. "You don't want to run. We're old friends just catching up over a treat, aren't we?" Her eyes swirled red, boring into the other's.

Mia stared at her for a few moments before baring her own fangs and preparing to fight.

"How cute. You look like a little girl showing off her new shoes." Naori slammed into her. In an instant, there were fangs buried deep in Mia's neck.

Mia tried to fight back but was starting to weaken quickly.

Naori pulled back, placing a phone to Mia's ear.

"Mia!" Isao's voice was panicked. "Answer me please."

"I..sao.." she focused, "Naori.."

The other vampire smiled, then took the phone back. "Dear Sao-kun. I'm going to put this on speaker so you can hear." She pressed a button, then ripped Mia's throat open. "Can you hear that? Those lovely gurgles?"

Mia tried to stay conscious but soon collapsed to the floor.

"Pity. She didn't last as long as I thought she would. Oh well. Bye Sao-kun. We'll see each other soon." Naori disconnected the call, dropping the phone beside Mia and walking out.

Mia's father entered and froze. He bent down, trying to put pressure on her throat as he made a few calls for help.

Isao raced through the hospital hall, his heart pounding with fear. Finally, he found the room Mia was in and entered. His heart sank as he saw her.

Her vitals were low, transfusion bags hooked up as well as multiple machines which were keeping her alive.

Isao shakily cupped her cheek, tears streaking his cheeks. "I'm sorry..Mia, don't leave me.." He clasped her hand tight.

Mia's father entered and looked at Isao, "You shouldn't be here."

"Why not? She's practically my wife."

Her father took a deep breath and just shook his head. "I know.."

Isao narrowed his eyes. "What's going on?"

He shook his head again, "Just be glad I know how much she loves you."

Isao straightened. "I've been declared a renegade, haven't I? Because I sired Naori."

"It's crossed my mind, but not yet."

"Not yet. Meaning what?"

He sighed, "I want to blame you.. but I know she wouldn't want me to."

Isao nodded sadly. He softly kissed Mia's forehead before looking at her father. "I understand. Please take care of her." He forced an impassive mask onto his features, turning and leaving the room.

He managed to get to the car before breaking down and sobbing into his hands. He always screwed the good things up. After several minutes, he raised his eyes to Mia's hospital window. "I swear I'll stop her. On my love for you. Even if it kills me." He started the car and left the lot. His eyes were dry as he ran through a list of possible hideouts.

Mia woke slowly, looking around the hospital room quietly. She was surprised that Isao wasn't there.

When her father entered, she questioned him about it. She growled at his response, trying to stand and storm out of the room.

"Rest more."

"I need to find Isao."

"After you rest."

Mia tried to argue but was feeling really weak the longer she stood. Sitting back down, she grabbed her phone and tried texting Isao. "Hey. Are you okay?"

Isao read the message, his chest tightening. Then he resolutely placed the phone in the glove compartment, climbing out of the car and heading for an abandoned boardwalk.

Mia waited a while for a response before trying Ryusei, asking if he'd seen Isao.

"He never came back from visiting you. He hasn't answered any calls or texts."

"Can we track his phone?"

"Not unless it's on. He's off grid. Probably because your dad threatened to label him a renegade because of his past with Naori."

"Can we try just in case it is on?"

"Give me five." He put the phone down and tapped some keys. He came back almost breathless. "It's at Naoko Boardwalk."

"I'm heading there.." she said quietly before standing again.

"Is that wise?"

"No, but that's not going to stop me."

Her brother gave a small laugh. "At least you're honest. I'm sending Quinn as well, just in case. Be careful."

"Love you."

"Love you too." The call disconnected.

Mia snuck out of the hospital, unfurling her wings and flying high up in the sky. She flew toward the boardwalk, landing carefully beside Isao's car. She looked around for him worriedly.

"You bastard!" The scream came from just inside the boardwalk entrance.

Mia rushed toward the noise.

She could hear Isao's choked laughter as she got closer.

Naori stood with her hands to her face. They were starting to dissolve into ash as she cursed at Isao.

"Go to hell. Save me a seat." Isao trembled from where he lay bleeding out.

Mia rushed in, kneeling beside Isao.

His eyes went soft as he saw her. "You're awake..but you shouldn't be here." He coughed, blood trickling from his lips.

She began pushing yellow light into him, not caring that she was already weak to begin with.

He watched as Naori disintegrated with a distant look in his eyes. "It ends where it started." He winced as his hand began to turn to ash.