Mia froze, "You found Ryu?"
Isao nodded, rubbing a hand over his face. His clothes were saturated with blood, his other hand stained.
"Where is he?"
"Van."
She rushed outside, looking into the van worriedly.
Ryon was desperately trying to stop the blood pouring from Ryusei's chest.
The vampire lay near death, his body and face covered in cuts and bruises. His wrists were rubbed raw, rope burns around his throat as well.
Mia took a deep breath before deciding to help. She cut into her wrist and placed it over his mouth.
His fangs slowly bit in, movements jerky and uncoordinated.
Quinn knelt beside her, his blue light flaring to life.
She continued to sit beside Ryusei, letting him drink for a while as she watched Quinn work.
After an hour, Quinn sat back in exhaustion. "He needs to rest. But he'll live. I think."
Mia nodded and carried Ryusei inside, laying him down gently.
Quinn moved past her and laid down beside the vampire, falling asleep instantly.
Mia watched Ryusei for a few minutes before heading out of the room.
Ryon sat on the couch, his eyes closed as Yamae spoke to Shiro and Otoya quietly.
Mia sat down silently, unconsciously rubbing at the scars on her throat, a habit she hadn't realized she'd picked up.
"Quit that." Ryon opened one eye.
She raised an eyebrow before realizing what she was doing and putting her hand down. "Sorry."
"You okay?"
She nodded, "Just worried about Ryu."
He nodded, then glanced at Otoya. "Who is he?"
"He's head of the Kenzaki clan."
"The one that never leaves the kingdom?" Ryon sat up.
"Secret truth is he's a halfling and wasn't allowed to leave the kingdom until Shiro and I changed his agreement. He's Quinn's brother, which is why we brought him here."
"He's what?!
She chuckled softly, "But all of this stays between us. We don't want anyone in the kingdom knowing this."
"Scout's honor. Did Tinkerbell freak?" Ryon grinned.
"Yeah," she chuckled.
He laid his head back and laughed. "Wish I'd seen it."
She smiled but stayed quiet.
He closed his eyes, shifting with a wince. "At least Ryu's safe."
"Are you alright?"
"Since you've taken over, are you against scorched earth against the Sano's?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"They had him. Also apparently responsible for the attack on Quinn too." He raised his head to meet her eyes. "They're planning something, I just can't prove it." The vampire sighed, slowly sitting up. One side of his shirt rode up slightly, revealing a set of bite marks on his lower ribcage, still oozing blood. "They're going to cause the Prime Minister to retract the agreement. We'll be slaughtered."
She sighed, "How bad would it be to just.. civil war and take them out..?"
"They are one of the larger clans. Mostly because they ignore the agreement every chance they get. It's been suspected they're turning people against their will, but no evidence." Ryon's lips tightened as he pulled his shirt down. "Up to you and Ryu what to do. I'm just a warrior, my clan isn't big enough to be represented."
She sighed, "I wish we could just order them down and have them actually listen.."
"Ryu's been trying. I think it's impossible." Ryon stood and headed for the hall. "I trust you two. You'll be able to figure it out."
She nodded slowly, "I hope so."
He passed Isao, giving him a strained smile and disappearing into his room.
Isao frowned, sitting down next to her. "He looks like he just got told he's being audited."
"I think he's just worried about stuff."
"He get that bite fixed?" Isao brushed a hand through her hair with a small smile.
"I was going to heal it for him but we were talking, then he left," she sighed.
Isao cursed. "Should I drag him back?"
She sighed again, "Just let him rest for now."
"Alright." He kissed her softly. "You need to unwind."
She chuckled, "Any ideas?"
His eyes twinkled. "One or two…"
She laughed lightly, "Okay, whatever you want to do."
He captured her lips, kissing deeply. Then he took her hand and led her down the hall.