Mia woke early a few days later. She kissed Isao's cheek before heading to the kitchen to start breakfast. Today was the day she was going to go start a war with the Sano's.
Kaito was sitting at the table, hands clenched around a cup. "I'm going to kick your ass."
"Mine?"
"Yeah, yours. Are you insane going after Tojo's clan?"
"If we don't, they'll end up massing more and starting issues with the humans. This way we at least have a chance to stay hidden."
"He'll slaughter you with a smile. He's had his eye on the throne for centuries."
"That's my issue to deal with."
"I don't want to bury your urn dammit!"
"Just try to put some trust in me, okay? I know I'm still young but I'm not completely useless!"
"He killed my father! The man who had ruled seven centuries! It has nothing to do with age!"
"Would you rather us not do anything then have a war with the humans?"
The hybrid hung his head. "No. I just don't want to lose anyone.."
She sighed and went to him. "Just try to trust me. I'm going to do my best to stay alive and to keep the others alive too."
"I want to help.." He sounded miserable.
"If the fighting goes outside the kingdom, you can. But until then, you're staying here and staying safe."
He started to argue, then reconsidered after looking at her. He took a drink from the cup, his hand shaking slightly.
She sighed and gave him a quiet hug before going back to making breakfast.
She paused when the doorbell rang. She went and found a package sitting outside. She cautiously opened it, then smiled as she read the small note from her father. She looked in the box and found a new outfit.
She headed to her room and quickly changed into it, smiling at the red shirt and black pants in the mirror. She then went out and finished breakfast, sliding Kaito a plate before sitting down with her own.
"Snazzy outfit. Special occasion?"
She looked down and shrugged, "Dad sent it for me."
"Happy birthday, Mia." Ryusei said quietly as he handed her a gift. "And don't try to deny it."
She sighed, "Thank you." She then opened the gift.
The newest hardcover in her favorite series stared back at her.
She smiled up at him, "Thanks. I can't wait to start reading it."
He chuckled. "You're quite welcome."
She went back to quietly eating, trying not to get nervous about what the day held.
"Morning, beautiful angel." Isao whispered in her ear as he kissed her temple. "And happy birthday."
She frowned, "How did you guys find out?"
"Proper client research." He grinned as he got some food. "I didn't get you a gift because I went broke with the ring. Besides, you have me already." He teased with a laugh.
"Return him for a refund." Kaito retorted. "Although you may only get half of what you paid for him, you can go clubbing."
"Not going clubbing after the last time.."
"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to use the money for something." Kaito's eyes twinkled as Isao threw a napkin at him.
Mia chuckled softly before finishing her food. She got up and started the dishes, trying to calm her nerves.
The front door opened, the twins entering the house quietly.
She frowned, "Everything alright? You're not usually so quiet.."
"Just got back from the kingdom. Sano is trying to get the other clan leaders to revolt." Ryon answered as Yamae looked troubled.
"Anything else?"
"Another human family was massacred last night in bed. It's the twelfth one in two months. Detectives are getting suspicious."
"Alright.. I'll take care of the Sano problem. You guys do some investigating into the massacres."
"None needed. It's them, trying to push the Prime Minister to declare war on us." Yamae ate a piece of toast. "He wants us hunted, the bastard."
"Alright, well, taking care of the Sano problem should help then." She sighed and glanced at the time.
"You have a plan? Or are you just going to turn Tojo into ash?" Isao leaned back in his chair and studied her.
"I'm thinking of gathering the clan leaders, telling them why we need to stop the Sano's from massing. Let Sano argue a few minutes, then I plan to take him out and start the war against them. Hopefully I'll get enough clans on our side, but either way, I have to try to stop them."
"Are you intending to wipe the entire clan out?" Ryusei asked quietly.
"I'd prefer not to. I'd like to make arrangements with the next clan leader, but I know some will still want to fight and I'm going to have to take care of them somehow."
"If the new leader agrees, it might be a real short war." Ryon said thoughtfully.
"Well, we can hope for the best but I have to plan for the worst."
"You'll do fine." Ryusei smiled at her. "I'm glad you're on my side. If Tojo was smart, he'd be shaking in his boots."
She chuckled slightly and glanced at the time again. "I better get going."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" His voice was quiet.
"It'll be alright. If things turn into a shit show I'll need you safe to be able to fix things," she chuckled slightly.
He winced, then nodded. "Understood. Good luck."
"Thanks." She kissed Isao's cheek before heading out the front door.
She arrived at the palace, looking at Shiro, "Morning. Are you ready?"
"As ready as possible. The clan leaders are already assembled and Tojo is already out for your head."
"Of course. Let's get this over with."
He opened the doors to the throne room, positioning himself on her left side.
Tojo sneered. "How nice you've torn yourself away from the abomination to grace us with your presence."
Otoya hissed.
She sat down and looked at them, then addressed Tojo, "I've heard your clan has continued massing. I've also been informed of incidents of your clan members murdering humans in their sleep. What do you have to say about all of this?"
"We're allowed to assemble, correct? And you have no proof. But I have proof of your unfitness to rule." He grinned at Otoya. "We have all heard about her protecting the abomination in the human world. But there is one in this very court! And she knows and does nothing!"
The room erupted in whispering as Otoya paled and gave her a terrified look.
"People cannot change what they are born or the circumstances that happen to them. It is in no way their fault they are what they are. Same as I am a halfling. There's nothing I can do to change how I was born. No one should be punished for being born or being turned a hybrid." Mia stated plainly, staying abnormally calm. "And though you are allowed to assemble, we've discussed previously that if you assemble too many, it's more likely we'll get caught by humans. Also, if your clan has not been in charge of these murders, I would ask your cooperation to find who is behind them."
"Why would we help you?"
"To prove your innocence, of course."
"We do not care about what the humans believe. They are food, nothing more."
"Remember that whole 'It's not your fault what you're born' thing I just discussed? It's not their fault they were born human. There's ways to get blood without killing them. But if these murders keep happening, we'll have a war with the humans on our hands. We don't need to lose any of our lives over something that could have been prevented."
"Let them try. We are superior and should be ruling the sheep! You desire us to remain hidden forever, skulking like rats in sewers. I refuse to acknowledge your claim to the throne."
"I would like to work with the humans so we don't have to hide as much, but that can't happen if we keep having people like you who see them as lesser beings."
He hissed at her, a flame beginning to dance in his palm.
"You dare raise flame to the Queen?" Shiro's voice was like ice, his eyes glowing bright.
Mia watched quietly for a moment before closing her eyes and focusing on Tojo. When she opened them, she raised a hand, yellow light shooting into him before he collapsed on the ground.
Otoya watched with a small smile.
There was a shout of outrage from the Sano clan second in command, then a flash of red light.
Shiro was thrown behind the throne and out of sight.
The second bared his fangs and aimed his light at her. "Die!"
An idea soon crossed her mind. She focused on him for a moment before red light began pulling out of him.
He screamed, his skin erupting into flame.
She watched quietly until it went silent. She looked around the room for a moment before asking, "Anyone else going to try to kill me?"
The assembled leaders were silent.
The Sano's shrank back in fear, muttering amongst themselves.
"The Sano's need to quit assembling such large groups. And the murders need to stop. If they continue, we will have a problem, understood?" She looked at the group. She then looked at the other clan leaders, "Is there any other business you would like to discuss?"
Everyone shook their heads, retreating out of the room.
"Quite a spectacle you just made." Otoya admonished when they were alone.
She sighed, "I was expecting an all out war, so it went a bit better than expected." She stood as she remembered Shiro. She went and found him, pulling him over to a seat and checking him over.
He lay lifeless, his skin already cooling.
Mia focused her yellow light into him, pouring her energy out.
His skin slowly rewarmed, a cough soon following. His eyes blinked in confusion.
"Hey," she gave him a small smile.
"You saved me… Why?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"There are other aides. I am not important enough."
"You're important to Ryu and I."
He swallowed, then nodded quietly.
Otoya frowned. "What are you going to do? Pretty sure the Sano's aren't going to let this go."
"I'll fight them if I have to. Even if I'm fighting them by myself. But I'm going to wait and see what their next move is."
"You will not be alone. My clan will fight for you." Otoya promised.
"Thank you." She sighed. "I know some members of my own clan are mad about the whole Kaito thing.. so I don't know if they're still fully on my side."
"Let me deal with them." Shiro shakily stood, then exited.
"If you need me, call." Otoya bowed and followed.
Mia sat down and let her mind wander for a few minutes before standing and heading home. She entered the house quietly.
Ryusei looked up from a book, giving a sigh of relief.
She gave him a small smile, "Well, I pissed off the Sano's... but we aren't in a full out war yet."
"How bad is it?" He got up and approached her.
"Well, they're mad about the Kaito thing. They also found out about Otoya.. but then I may have killed Tojo and his second.."
"A great improvement if I may say so. Is Otoya in danger?"
"I think for now he's alright. Though Tojo looked at him, he didn't outright say his name."
"Okay.." Ryusei pursed his lips thoughtfully. "So, two Sano's down. They'll no doubt bicker for a while before appointing a new leader. Might give us time to figure things out. What does Shiro think?"
"He was a little out of it when he left. I had to heal him..." she sighed. "But, he's going to make sure our clan is still on my side after the other night."
"If anyone can smooth things over, it's him. He's alright though?"
"He should be now," she nodded.
"Then relax. The danger is contained for now."
She nodded, "I seriously thought we were going to have a mini war right there in the throne room.."
"If Tojo had had his way, you would have. But I am relieved it did not happen." He gave her a soft smile. "There is cake in the fridge."
She chuckled softly and went to get a piece.