Mia woke, looking up at Isao with a small smile. She suddenly got the urge to check on Ryusei, kissing Isao's cheek before standing and heading toward her brother's room.

His eyes blinked open as she opened the door, confusion on his face.

She smiled, "Good to see you awake."

"How?" His voice was shaky and fearful. "This isn't a dream?"

"This isn't a dream. You were rescued," she said softly as she approached him.

His eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I was so scared I was going to die. Never see any of you again.."

She wrapped her arms around him, "I missed you, Aniki."

He chuckled and returned the hug tightly. "I missed you too."

"Do you need me to get you anything? Snacks? Blood bags?"

"In a minute. I just need this right now." He didn't let go, his voice soft. After several minutes he asked "Everyone alright?"

"Yeah. Ryon had a bad bite, but I healed it up... Everyone else is okay."

He nodded, then finally released her.

She gave him a soft smile, "If you're up for it, we're going to be having movie night in a bit."

"Oh boy...cheesy B flicks. Can my heart stand it?" He gave her a slow smile. "Is this just relaxation or a special occasion?"

"Apparently it's Isao's re-birthday," she shrugged.

"Bet he's grumpy. He hates celebrating either of his birthdays." Ryusei laughed, then winced.

"I'll go get you some pain meds and stuff," she smiled.

"You sure you're alright?" Ryusei's eyes were troubled.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You feel..different." He shook his head. "I'm probably still woozy. Nevermind."

She sighed, "I healed Ryon earlier, maybe it has something to do with that?" She said quietly before slipping out the door.

Several minutes later, she came back, arms filled with snacks, blood bags, and pain meds.

Ryusei was dozing fitfully, one hand outstretched in the air. "Mia! Don't go!" He cried restlessly, tears streaking his face.

"Shh, Ryu. I'm right here," she said gently.

He calmed, dropping his hand. His eyes blinked open, focusing on her. "I'm really here.."

"Yeah, you're really here." She handed him the pain meds.

He gave her a small smile as he took them. "Sorry."

"Don't be."

"They told me I'd never be free. That I was going to die and then they were going to use you until they were tired.." He shuddered as he remembered.

"I'm sorry. You're safe now though."

He nodded firmly. "Safe with you."

She gave him a small smile before handing him the food and blood.

"Is Shiro frustrated yet?" He bit into a blood bag.

"About what?"

"You being in charge. The clan reactions."

She shrugged, "Things have been going alright. The Sano's are assholes and I just want to kill them all.. But other than that, it's been fine."

He laughed, then choked and coughed. "Assholes is being kind. Did you meet Kenzaki?"

She smiled, "Yeah."

"Ideas on the situation? I want to do something, but I'm afraid of repercussions." He stared at the half empty bag with a sigh.

"Do you mean Kenzaki's situation or the Sano's being stupid situation?"

"Both. The Sano's scare me."

"Well, Shiro and I helped Kenzaki out. He also talked to Sano after he stormed out. Doesn't like the fact I'm a halfling.. Part of me wants to say let's just fight the Sano's, but I know they're such a big clan, it might not work out in our favor.."

"They crossed the line this time. I could wait before since they hadn't done anything I could prove. This..they almost killed me and threatened you. Unforgivable." He clenched a fist.

"We're looking at a war no matter what we do.."

"Yeah. On one side, the Sano's. That we may or may not win. On the other side, an enemy I know we can't win against."

"So, we need to gather people together to take down the Sano's."

He nodded, then looked at her. "I'm sorry you're involved. Maybe you shouldn't be."

She shook her head, "This is where I need to be right now."

"I can't change your mind? I want you to be safe. Definitely not in the kingdom."

"I know, and I want you to be safe too.. But we need to take care of this before things get more out of hand."

He sighed heavily. "I know."

"Maybe you and the others should go somewhere safe? Stay away from the fighting?"

"I can't. I have to lead. I am King. How can I ask others to fight if I do not?"

"I'll lead them."

His eyes darkened. "You should not have to. I am alive and able, why be forced into a war? You do not deserve it."

"You don't deserve it either."

"I am King. I was raised to lead, raised to keep the agreement. You were safe.." He dropped his head, his shoulders trembling. "I ruined everything.." His voice was guilt ridden.

"It's not your fault," she wrapped her arms around him. "And I might only be half vampire, but I was born into this life too. I didn't grow up knowing it, but it's part of who I am. I may be quite a few years younger and have less experience, but that doesn't mean I can't do the job."

"I don't mean it like that. But I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose any of you. But if we don't stop the Sano's...we'll be doomed."

"I don't want to lose you either. That's why I want you and the others to stay somewhere safe.." She sighed.

"Not possible." Yamae's voice was quiet from the doorway. "We are vampires. We are Ryu's allies. I must fight as does Ryon. You and the others in our family do not have to."

"I'm going to help," she declared.

"Fine." Ryusei finished the blood with a heavy sigh. "But I'm not dealing with Iz."

She nodded, "Let's just take tonight to relax, then tomorrow we'll start taking care of business."

"Tinkerbell's picking up Feathers as we speak." Yamae chuckled.

She nodded before asking, "How's Ryon doing? Is he still alright?"

"Snoring like an earthquake."

She chuckled, "Good."

"Iz said he had an errand to run and would be back later."

Mia looked thoughtful before sighing, "Alright."

"So who wants to run the betting pool tonight?" Yamae's grin was mischievous.

Mia rolled her eyes and looked at Ryusei quietly.

"He'll kill you." The vampire said around a mouthful of sweetbread.

Yamae laughed. "Before or after he plucks Feathers and cooks him like a turkey?"

Mia chuckled quietly before getting up and silently moving toward the door.

Yamae looked at her. "You okay?"

She nodded and gave him a small smile, "Yeah, I'm fine." She moved around him and headed down the hall.

Yamae frowned as he watched her go, then shook his head.

Mia sat down on her bed, losing herself in thought. She wished Ryusei would back down and not fight. She could handle things on her own, and keep him safe.. And how did she heal Ryon? Was it really impossible to heal shifter bites? Her mind kept wandering, losing track of the time.

Isao rose as the secretary emerged.

"The mayor will see you now, Detective."

The mayor looked up, "How can I help you? Is there something wrong?"

"Is there a way to send Mia out of the country?" Isao didn't sit down, his voice serious.

"You know as well as I, if she doesn't want to go, she won't."

"She works for you. Can't you transfer her? Work experience abroad?"

The mayor sighed, "I can try talking to her about it, but I doubt she'd agree."

Isao slammed a fist into his other hand. "She has to be kept safe."

"If you don't mind me asking, what is happening?"

"The Sano clan kidnapped and almost killed Ryusei. Now they have their sights set on attacking the humans. In force."

The mayor frowned, "So there's likely to be a war of the vampire clans.."

Isao sighed. "Yes. And she.."

He sighed as well, "She'll want to fight, I'm sure. I can talk to her, but I can't make any promises."

"I understand. There's one more thing you should know."

"Okay?"

"I know why she was targeted. She has the ancient healing."

The mayor looked thoughtful, "That would make sense."

"She healed Ryon Takano of a shifter bite."frrrrrrrrrt

He sighed again, "Alright. I'll try talking to her, but prepare yourself to deal with her when she chooses to fight."

Isao snorted softly. "Maybe I should save the trouble and throw her on a plane myself? After drugging her, of course."

"If you want to be on her bad side," The mayor chuckled softly.

"I'll already be there once she finds out I came here."

The mayor gave a small smile before admitting, "I knew once she found out about the vampire world that she wouldn't be around much. She belongs there, and I think she believes that too."

"How can you say that!? Your wife hid her to keep her safe! If that damn shifter hadn't found her.." Isao slumped dejectedly into one of the chairs.

"She hid her to keep her safe until she was old enough. I'd have told her eventually, I was just biding my time with her." He sighed. "Though she always hoped Ryusei would be alive still, she knew there was a chance Mia would become Queen. She wanted her to know the good in the human world so she could make a difference to the vampire world."

Isao stared at him, his eyes wide. "This..was planned?"

"To some extent, yes." He admitted.

"That's why you got us assigned permanently.."

"Well, that and she seemed pretty attached to you guys already."

"I feel like a damn pawn." Isao scowled.

"I'm sorry, I never meant for that to happen," the mayor sighed.

Isao waved a hand in surrender. "It's done, so forget it. I should probably get back. Don't tell her I came, alright?"

He nodded, "Alright."

Isao rose and bowed. "Thank you." He straightened and left the office, his eyes troubled.

He was unlocking the car door when he felt someone behind him. Turning, his eyes widened. Then the world went black.