Ren watched Dr. Takemi hover a black mug of black liquid near her lips. Her eyes were underlined by dark rings, but she still seemed alert. The drink might be coffee, in part, but with a large amount of chicory- a more common and affordable variant of the fancy stimulant. Whatever it might be, Takemi took long, noisy sips of it while she stared at the unconscious form of Shiho.

The young woman seemed to be breathing easier. Her color was improved. Ren placed his left hand on Shiho's upper-arm. One of the few uninjured places on her body.

*The pressure on the brain is gone. The fractured bones are all set.* said Morgana into Ren's mind. *Her life force seems on an upward trajectory.*

Will she recover?

*She may. It's up to her now.*

Can you use your persona?

*On a human? It would be too intense. It will burn her up.*

Don't try and make her whole again. But can you… boost her own healing?

*Interesting. I can try.*

Do it.

Ren felt a draw on his lifeforce. It was like those moments when he was extremely sleepy, his eyes close and his head falls forward, that movement jerking him back awake. Morgana used some of Ren's energy for whatever spell he just attempted, and Ren felt that surge of sleepiness travel through him briefly. Shiho did not seem to react, and whatever Morgana did, the girl seemed unchanged.

*I think it's working. Cellular reproduction is way up. She's healing.*

Excellent.

"Well?" said Takemi. "What does your cat-hand say?"

*I'm not a cat!*

Ren ignored Morgana. "He confirmed that the head pressure is gone and the bones are all set. There seems nothing left to do but let her heal."

Takemi sighed and set her black mug down. "A relief. I've never tried that on a live person before."

"What?"

"I don't get many patients. None of us do. People prefer prayer over physicians."

Ren considered that. So much of human society was ingrained in tradition. Then again… so much of his mother's was, too. And far, far older. "The beliefs of one's parents are difficult to throw aside."

"But you don't know how much-" Takemi looked at Ren. "Actually, I suppose you know better than me."

Ren didn't respond. He looked back at Shiho. The girl had a pretty, angular face. Nice bone structure. If Ren was any judge, males of both races would find her a wonder. But for now, she was slowly climbing up from death's door, just as the sun was slowly climbing its way back around the land. It would not be long before dawn arrived. Ren could feel it in his bones.

He'd gotten a good number of hours under the cellar soil yesterday. He should be able to operate in daylight today if he were careful with his hat and cloak. But a few seconds of sun on his bare flesh and he wouldn't be able to make it to sunset. He would need to sleep again. Actually, what he really needed was a good week in the dark, no day travel, and get his reserves back up. But he just didn't have time. People were in danger. Shiho here already suffered from his delays. No more Shihos.

Speaking of Shihos… Ren remembered there was another schoolgirl in the clinic that would be relieved by the news: the blond girl. Having a firm ally in the school would be useful. The brother seemed a fool, but an ally on the town guard would be equally useful. They would both appreciate some news of Shiho.

And then there was the matter of the school and the girl's parents. Right. Familial connections. Social hierarchies. Ren didn't fully understand that, but the Niijima woman. Niijima Makoto. She said she would be returning before dawn, and she would understand those matters better than he. Ren had spent quite a bit of time in human settlements and cities in the south, but the city-states all seemed to be a bit different.

"I'm going to tell-" said Ren, but he stopped as he looked at Takemi. The woman was asleep in her chair, her head bowed forward towards her chest. Ren turned from her and opened the door to the clinic. It was still dark here. The two children were asleep. What were their names? Saka-something. Sakamoto. That was it.

It was the female one that was most concerned over the Shiho girl. Ren walked towards where she slept on a small couch. He stayed five steps away and looked at the female Sakamoto. Two blonde pigtails, a vivacious figure, with stunning limbs emerging from her uniform shirt and skirt. Virgin and delicious- or that's what humans would think Ren was thinking. So… he couldn't exactly lean over the girl and wake her up. She'd look at him and scream. Her brother would wake up, alarmed and protective... and things would escalate from there.

Wait. That was it. Her brother. Ren turned to the male Sakamoto who was sprawled over some chair cushions spread on the hardwood floor. He was young but muscular. Stringy with lean, corded power. A pronounced chin and a strong but narrow nose. Ren walked over to the young man and kicked him softly in the gut, then took three steps back so he would not be looming.

"Oooof!" said the male Sakamoto. His eyes shot open, then narrowed on Ren. "Asshole!"

"The physician believes she was successful. Perhaps your sister would like to see her friend?"

The anger vanished from the boy's face instantly. "For real? That's great!" He rolled over and crawled across the floor to where his sister was sleeping on the couch. "Hey, Ann! Ann! Wake up, Ann!"

"Mm, what? Ryuji?"

Ren memorized those names. Ann and Ryuji. Ann and Ryuji.

"Ann, the dhampir says you can see Shiho. She's better!"

"Really!" Ann shot up on the couch.

"Not healed," said Ren, angry at Ryuji for his poor word choice. "But improved. Dr. Takemi set to rights what was broken, but it will still take some time for Shiho to heal. She is still sleeping, but you can come see her if you like."

"Yes!" Ann shot to her feet.

Ren led them to the door to the rear of the clinic. "The physician is asleep, so remain quiet. And Shiho is sleeping, too. She will probably sleep for a long time, perhaps several days."

"Okay," said Ann, a little more subdued and worried now.

Ren stepped aside and she entered with Ryuji behind her. Ren followed them in, just to make sure they didn't get too excited. Ann had nearly attacked Takemi yesterday in her panic.

"Oh.. Shiho…" Ann stepped forward and hovered over her friend on the operating table. Thankfully, Takemi had cleaned up the patient and all the instruments, so there was no gore to be seen.

"Can I touch her?"

"Gently, I think," said Ren. "Just avoid the bandaged areas. And don't move her limbs. Most of them have broken bones. Especially, her head."

Ann nodded and then tentatively touched Shiho's unbandaged hand. She was facing away from Ren, but he could hear Ann inhale a shuddering breath. She was breaking down again. Ann bent over and kissed the top of Shiho's hand gingerly. Ren could see tears glistening and falling down her face.

As Ann drooped to her knees and laid her face on Ann's hand, Ryuji turned to Ren with a painful frown on his face: "I hate seeing her cry. Let's leave her alone. She won't do anything to hurt Shiho."

Ren didn't have any disagreement with that, so the men backed out of the exam room- leaving Ann with the sleeping Shiho and Takemi. They closed the door behind them. Ryuji lit a lamp to add a bit of light to the dark waiting room. Ren watched him.

"Your sister and Shiho… they are more than friends, aren't they?"

Ryuji turned on him slowly, face grim, shoulders tensing, hackles rising. "Yeah, so? Got something to say about that?"

"Only that I especially hope Shiho gets well- for your sister's sake."

"Yeah?" Ryuji's shoulders slowly relaxed. "What's your name again?"

"Amamiya."

"Amamiya… right."

They looked at one another in silence. Neither had anything to say- nor anything in particular to do. It seemed like a relief to them both when the sound of a horse approached and the hoof clopping stopped outside the clinic.

"Oh, that must be Ms. Niijima," said Ryuji.

The horse snickered quietly as someone dismounted. No. It was a real horse. It probably wasn't Makoto. But who else knew they were here? Bootsteps climbed the short wooden steps to the clinic front door. The curtains were drawn. Ryuji and Ren watched the front door tensely.

Someone knocked.

"Hello?" said a young male voice. "Is the doctor in? I'm seeking Suzui Shiho."

Ryuji and Ren shared a look.

"Maybe it's family!" said Ryuji, then he mumbled to himself: "Speaking of that, our mom is probably worried sick, too." He walked to the door and opened it before Ren could consider all the options. But Ren and Ryuji should be able to handle a worried family member without any notable trouble.

"Hey, man- Oh! Good morning, sir!" Ryuji shot to attention and saluted someone outside the door.

"Who are you?"

"Private Sakamoto, sir. East Gate Guard."

"Okay, private. I'm looking for Ms. Shiho. Is she here?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'd like to see her. Please stand aside."

Ryuji hesitated for a second, but then stood aside. Then a young, sinewy man in a white military-style uniform entered. He had near shoulder-length brown hair, handsome features, and piercing brown eyes. His shoulders featured gold epaulets and on his hip a long cavalry-style saber. The young man's hand shot to the hilt of the sword as soon as he set his eyes on Ren, standing quietly in the center of the room.

"A dhampir!"

The man looked ready to attack. Ren started moving his hand slowly under the folds of his long cloak. His long knife was waiting for him on his left hip.

"A citizen," said Ren, seeking to distract the man from the subtle movement of his hands.

It didn't work. The white uniformed man's eyes narrowed slightly. Ren knew the sign. He abandoned subtlety and jerked his hand to the hilt of his own weapon.

"Sir! He's an ally!" said Ryuji.

The man didn't seem to hear- or didn't care. He walked forward a few steps toward Ren. His shoulder dropped. That was it!

In a lightning burst of speed, the man drew his sword and slashed with it in the same motion. Ren drew his long knife and caught the slash on the deeply serrated swordbreaker side of his weapon. Ren twisted the swordbreaker, trapping the man's blade in a serration. He wrenched the enemy sword away, sending it flying behind him to, presumably, embed in the far wall. It made an audible, woody thunk.

Ren stepped forward to press the advantage, but the young man was already backing away and laughing. "I'm not disappointed! So you are the Vampire Hunter J!"

Ren paused. This fool was playing games. Ren felt anger simmer up from the back of his mind, but Ren stifled it and let his weapon-hand drop slowly to his side. This man was obviously a member of the military in this city. It would not be a good idea to harm him- even in self-defense. But how did the man know Ren's hunter name? Ah. Of course.

"And you are Mr. Akechi Goro."

"Quick of body and of mind! Though that isn't that big of a leap, is it? How many people would know your name way up here in the north?" Akechi flashed a white smile and laughed.

Ren glowered at him. Anger transforming into annoyance. If this was his mystery employer, he hoped the didn't have to interact with this obnoxious fop very often.

"You attacked him as a test?" said Ryuji.

Both Akechi and Ren turned to the forgotten teenager. He was still standing near the door, his mouth somewhat ajar.

"Go stand outside, private."

"Uh-"

"That's an order!"

"Yessir!"

Ryuji left the room and closed the door behind him. Akechi turned his attention back to Ren.

"I knew you arrived in the city, but I didn't expect to find you here. What are you doing, Jay? Can I call you Jay?"

"Fine."

"Very well, Jay. Then you can call me Goro. We are both vampire hunters, after all. Comrades in arms."

"Why are you here, Mr. Akechi?"

Akechi's grin twitched slightly. "My father received word from a partisan about an injured girl being abducted from his school and taken to a physician. A trifle. But politics are politics. The girl's parents are being rather noisy. The school community is in mild uproar. So my father sent me to solve the mystery. I didn't expect to run into you. I'm paying you to stop schoolgirls from being abducted, not to abduct them yourself."

Ren ignored the joke. But Akechi's story seemed plausible. More plausible than this goof of a man trailing him around like Makoto. Ren would have noticed him easier than her. But still, how did Akechi know Shiho was here? Ren watched for people following them from the school, but saw no one. Yet in the wee hours of the morning, Akechi rode right up to the clinic like he knew ahead of time that it was the right one.

"How did you know the girl was at this clinic?"

Akechi's smile shrank ever so slightly, then rebloomed to its full size. "There are few physicians in Tock-Yo, Jay. And this is both the closest to the school and probably the only one with the school's horse-cart parked in front of it."

Ah, the cart. Well… that did make sense. "I see. The girl is here but gravely wounded. She seems likely to recover."

Akechi's eyes grew a bit wider. "Truly?" A pause. "Thats- that's wonderful! I heard she fell from the rooftop. I thought her dead for sure."

Ren didn't have anything to say about what Akechi thought. The man's face moved strangely. So reactive, but subtly so. Minor fluctuations. Minor twitches and tweaks. Ren sensed a snake. He'd seen the like before.

They stared at each other in the moment of silence. Ren kept his face carefully impassive. Akechi with a smile frozen stiffly to his mouth. Akechi seemed to be unsure of what to say, and Ren didn't particularly care to help him.

More hoofbeats broke the moment. This hoof pattern Ren recognized. It was his horse. Niijima Makoto was returning, as promised.

"Expecting someone?" asked Akechi.

Ren simply looked at him. Watching Akechi's smile fade to consideration. Meanwhile, the horse stopped. Someone dismounted. There was a jangle of armor. The subtle slap of a holster on a hip.

"Ryuji? What are you doing out here?" asked Makoto's voice.

"Ms. Niijima! I was ordered to stand out here!"

Akechi darted a look at Ren, then looked back at the door.. He seemed eager. Excited. He ran his hands through his hair and adjusted his collar.

"Ordered? By Mr. Amamiya?"

Akechi strode toward the door.

"By Mr.-"

Ren watched Akechi open the door and stand in full view of the outside, toothy smile flashing. "By me, Ms. Niijima."

"Mr. A- Akechi?!"

Akechi stepped outside, out of Ren's field of vision.

"By me, Ms. Niijima," said a male voice from the clinic door. Makoto recognized the voice. It had been a while, but she'd spent enough time at high-society events to know what Akechi Goro sounded like. She turned to see him in the doorway, standing prim and upright in his white Council Guardsman uniform. Her eyes traveled over his form- he was as he ever was. Dazzling smile, confident gaze, subtly muscular under the tunic, broad between his golden epaulets. But his sword was missing. That was odd.

"Mr. A- Akechi?!" Makoto felt her cheeks heat up. She hadn't expected him of all people, and now she was stuttering in front of him.

"Surprised to see me?" Akechi advanced down the clinic steps. Grin never wavering.

"Yes!"

"Well, I'm not surprised to see you."

Makoto's mind began to recover from the surprise. Not surprised to see her? Why not? Oh… this was because of her little name drop at Shujin Girls Academy. Her use of the Niijima name.

"You heard about the girl," said Makoto.

"Sharp as ever. And I heard the name Niijima was involved. So I had to come see for myself." Akechi tipped his head to the side. Makoto followed the movement and saw the parked school cart. Ah, of course. And there were few physicians in the city, as it was. But- still... what did he mean?

"See for yourself?"

"You! I wanted to see you!"

Makoto felt her cheeks go red again. Akechi Goro, the veritable prince of Tock-Yo, wanted to see her? There was a time not too long ago that she'd idly fantasized about such a thing- just like all the whispering girls at the galas and balls, watching from the sidelines as Akechi danced with the current social star of the moment.

"Me? Wh- whatever for?"

Akechi stepped closer. His chest less than a foot away from her face. She had to look up at him now. He beamed down at her in the dim pre-dawn light, teeth a lighter grey than the overcast sky above. "You always seemed such a pushover schoolgirl, Ms. Niijima. But now you're the one doing the pushing. I thought that was interesting."

Makoto took a half-step back. That was a convoluted compliment. If he intended it as a compliment. Were her actions something he approved or disapproved?... Wait. Why did she even care? And Makoto didn't believe that her body was appealing to men, much less her personality. There had to be another reason he was here.

"Why are you really here?"

"That is really why I am here."

"Then why else are you here?"

Akechi's grin finally faded a little. Then he sighed dramatically. "Ah, you have me there. The principal of the school is a partisan of my father's. The man is making a big stink because the Shiho girl's parents are making a ruckus. My dad wanted me to find the girl and calm everything down."

That seemed realistic enough. Politics were politics, after all. And the Akechi men, both young and old, were certainly political creatures. Makoto had seen Akechi ply the trade amongst the other debutantes plenty of times.

"And so? You've found her," she asked him. "What are you going to do now?"

"Take her to her parents, of course. They want a priest to see her. That will calm everything down."

So- Akechi didn't really care about the girl, either. He was like all the rest. Worse even. He really was just an errand boy on a mission. Makoto's opinion of the man sank suddenly and drastically.

"No. That will kill her. Bring her parents here."

"What?"

"She's recovering. She'll live. If you bring her parents here, I will make them understand. That will solve your problem."

"The Suzui family won't come sleezing down in a neighborhood like this."

He was starting to make her angry now. 'Just do it, Akechi! She's involved with the vampire I'm hunting!"

Akechi blinked. His smile faded from his face for the first time since he walked out the clinic door. "You know about the vampire?"

"Everyone knows about the vampire. It's in the papers."

"Oh. Oh! Right! That vampire! The girl is involved? How?"

"No. It's my hunt! Stay out of this. Tell the parents to come here for their daughter and I'll solve your father's problem. In return, stay out of my business."

"Your business?" Akechi's smile looked strained now. "What about Vampire Hunter J, back in the clinic there?"

"An ally. And your mercenary, as I understand it. If you hired him, you're obviously too busy to hunt a vampire in the city, Mr. Akechi, the vampire slayer."

Akechi's smile finally vanished for a moment. Then it returned, but smaller: "I can't take all the business, you know. I could wrap this up in a few days. But fine. Let's see how little pushover Makoto handles this one."

Makoto's jaw went tight at the sound him using her first name so nonchalantly. She actually daydreamed about this prick? "Where's your sword, Goro?"

Akechi's hand instinctively traveled to his sword hilt but found nothing. He frowned. "Ah. I left it inside."

He turned and walked up the stairs into the clinic. Makoto followed him. Both of them passing a bug-eyed Ryuji who was doing his best to stand so still he became invisible.

Makoto entered to find Mr. Amamiya standing quietly in the center of the waiting room. His eyes were on Akechi who was walking across the room, then past Amamiya, to grab hold of his sword, which was sticking out of the back wall.

"How did your sword get in the wall, Goro?" said Makoto, not actually intending to taunt the man.

But then Amamiya said: "It slipped from his grasp."

Akechi yanked the blade free. Sheathed it. Turned and fought to put a smile on his face. "Well, I see I'm not welcome. I'll go tell the girl's parents and make my problem your problem."

He walked back through the room, eyes avoiding them both, and out the door. Ren and Makoto looked at the empty doorway as they heard the sound of a horse being mounted.

"Have a good morning, sir!"

"Shut the fuck up."

And a horse galloped off.