Ryusei hurt.
His arms were tied painfully behind a pipe, his knees on the floor. His stomach and face burned from repeated beatings and he was freezing.
The abandoned building was run down, the windows gone. A cold wind blew straight on him constantly and he suspected he'd be dealing with the flu when he finally escaped.
If he escaped.
He had no idea how long he'd been here, awakening after being drugged in the position he was in now. Aside from the beatings, there had been no communication from his kidnappers.
He closed his eyes, losing consciousness.
Mia paced quietly, finally sighing, "I have no idea how to be Queen.."
Shiro shrugged. "Ever do any mediation? Ninety percent of the job is that."
She nodded slightly, "Alright. Tell me what I need to know."
"The Sano's are the biggest problem. They believe we should rule humanity." Shiro shook his head. "They see no need for us to be friendly."
She nodded, "They're the ones that took me, aren't they?"
He nodded.
"Okay, so what else do I need to know. Are there any good vampires who want peace?"
"The Toriyamas. Our clan, the Nakamuras. The Kanzaki's are hesitantly with us."
She nodded once again, "Alright. I guess let's see what we can do.."
Shiro smiled. "You'll do fine. You can't do worse than Ryusei did on his first day."
"What did he do?"
"Insulted the head of the Kanzaki's by comparing him to Quinn." Shiro laughed.
She chuckled before frowning a moment, "Most people don't like halflings.. What if they don't listen to me?"
"That's what you have me for." He gave her a small smile. "I can be quite persuasive." His eyes glinted dangerously.
She sighed, "Okay. Let's get on with this then."
He dipped his head, then opened the door to the throne room. He emerged, announcing her presence to the four vampires assembled. Then he turned and nodded to her.
She entered slowly, looking around carefully.
A tall male, his eyes calculating, watched her closely. Another male scoffed at her while a petite female smiled at her.
Mia sat down, and watched them for a moment before looking at Shiro.
"I present Aoi Nakamura, Otoya Kenzaki and Tojo Sano."
She nodded, "Nice to meet you all. I hear we have some problems to discuss?"
Aoi dipped her head. "The Sano's are massing. You must do something before they break the agreement with the humans."
She nodded and looked at Tojo, "And what is your explanation for this?"
"Merely a clan reunion. Something wrong with that?" He sneered.
"A reunion with guns?" Kenzaki raised an eyebrow.
She looked at Aoi, "What is the exact agreement with the humans?"
"We do not rampage. We turn only those who have applied to the Prime Minister and been accepted. We stay hidden as much as possible." Shiro answered quietly.
"It sounds like a large reunion would make it hard to stay hidden," she assessed.
"Who are you to say, halfling?" Tojo's eyes flashed.
"As my mother was Queen, I'm pretty sure that makes me Queen, whether I'm a halfling or not. It's not my fault I was born like this."
Tojo sneered again, spinning on his heel and leaving the room.
Mia sighed and shook her head.
Shiro looked at her, his face dark. "I will speak to him." He followed the clan leader out.
Mia looked at the remaining two and gave them a small smile, "Other than stopping them, are there any other problems to be aware of?"
Aoi shook her head. "We have none. If you will excuse me?"
Mia nodded.
The vampire bowed her head to Kenzaki, then glided out.
He remained, watching her intently.
She looked at him and gently asked, "Can I help you with anything?"
"You're really a halfling?"
She nodded, "My mother fell for a human."
He exhaled slowly, then lifted a hand. It burst into blue flame and he watched her reaction.
She raised an eyebrow, "You're a halfling too?"
He closed his fist and nodded slowly. "It is not known."
She smiled softly, "Your secret is safe with me."
"Since you know Ryusei, do you know Quinn as well?"
She nodded.
"I.." He stopped and shook his head. "Nevermind. It is too dangerous."
"I know we just met, but you can trust me. I won't tell anyone."
"I want to see him. But I can't. He's happy, right?" Kenzaki asked softly.
"Yeah, he's happy," she gave him a small smile.
The vampire nodded, his lips tight. "I'm glad."
"You know.. if you ever have an issue.. I'm sure Shiro could tell you where we all live and you could visit. You know, for issues sake.."
He chuckled tearily. "If only..My agreement doesn't allow me to leave the kingdom."
She sighed sadly, "I'm sorry. Do you want to send a letter at least?"
He wiped his eyes. "Perhaps. I must go before I am missed. Thank you." He turned and hurried out.
Mia sat there for a bit, wondering what his relation to Quinn actually was. She eventually pushed it from her mind and began worrying about what the Sano clan was planning.
Shiro returned, wiping his mouth. "Everything alright?"
She nodded, "Are you okay?"
"I am fine. I believe the Sano's will cooperate for the time being. No need to worry."
"Thank you." She looked around, "So what now?"
"You wish to go home?" He shrugged. "There is nothing else that needs your attention."
She nodded, "Alright." She stood and walked toward him.
"What's wrong? Other than all this."
She shook her head, "It's nothing."
He bent his head, then looked up through his bangs at her. "Kenzaki, right?"
She nodded.
"He revealed himself." Shiro smirked slightly. "Yeah, that's a touchy situation."
"Seems like," she assessed.
"Wanna help me?" His eyes lit up mischievously.
"Okay?"
"I think his agreement is horrible. And I'm going to scrap it. With your permission, of course."
She smiled, "Of course."
"Good. Here's the story. Otoya was born ill. We offered to help. The Fae agreed, but saddled him with the restrictions of never contacting another Fae in his life and being confined permanently to the kingdom. This was before our relationship with the Fae was discontinued."
"So, since we aren't connected to the Fae, if we rewrite his agreement, we can scrap their restrictions?"
"I don't see why not. It's been almost a hundred years."
She nodded, "Alright, so what should his agreement say now?"
"Same as ours. Don't rampage, etc. And then we drag his ass to the mansion." Shiro grinned.
She smiled, "Sounds good."
"I'll go get him." Shiro ran for the door.
Mia sat back down, her mind going to Ryusei and wondering where he was.
He coughed as the fist slammed into him again. Opening his unswollen eye, the vampire glared at his assailant.
"Not so kingly now are you?" The man smirked.
"Fuck you." The words were weak sounding. "And go to hell."
"You first." The man withdrew a large blade and approached.
Kenzaki entered the throne room slowly, confusion in his eyes. "Your Highness?"
"It's been brought to my attention the terms of your agreement. After discussing it, we don't see a point in keeping it the same since we no longer have a relationship with the Fae, so we are changing it."
"I see. A new clan leader will need to be appointed. I will pack my belongings immediately and report to exile."
"You misunderstand. We are simply changing your agreement to be like that of the vampires. No rampaging, try to stay hidden, etc. You are still clan leader and you are not being exiled."
Shiro steadied him as his knees buckled.
"I'm no longer confined?"
"Correct." She smiled softly.
He swayed in shock.
She approached him and gently put a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright."
"Can..I?" His eyes looked hopeful.
She nodded.
His lips trembled as he fought tears.
She smiled softly, "Let's go."
Shiro gave her a thumbs up as they left.
She was quiet on the way, wishing Ryusei was there. Even if she had to be Queen, she wanted her brother. They got to the mansion and she looked over at them.
"What if he doesn't want to see me?" Otoya's voice was hesitant, his hands clenched.
"I'm sure he does." She smiled and pulled him up to the door before opening it.
"You're back? That was.." Quinn's face went pale as he saw Otoya.
The vampire flinched, then tried to bolt out the door.
Mia stood in the way, giving him a soft smile.
Otoya yelped in surprise as Quinn wrapped his arms around him.
"I thought I'd never see you again.." The Fae clung to him.
Mia grinned as she watched.
After a minute, Quinn looked up at her. "I'm guessing you had something to do with this?"
"Shiro and I decided to rewrite his agreement."
Quinn laughed. "You are going to drive everyone insane." He released Otoya. "Come on, little brother. You're thinner than my boyfriends."
Otoya shrugged and followed Quinn to the kitchen.
Mia looked at Shiro, "Thank you."
"No problem." He sighed. "Now if we could only find our idiot."
She nodded, "I miss him.."
The door flew open, Isao rushing in. "Where's Quinn?"
"Kitchen. What's up?"
"We found him."