It was only going to be about two or three more days until the ship was supposed to arrive. He had managed to find the transponder code on it, and was able to hack into the global tracking systems that gave hourly updates on the positions of ocean going trade vessels. He had also hacked into the tracking systems for a few militaries out of boredom, but that was pretty much the only reason. The ship was actually on course, something that he had been worried about given that they did know he was hunting them.
Fairy Tale as a military, had never been impressive. It was obvious that any yokai that had served in a human military avoided them. The orc woman had been an oddity, and wasn't really worth thinking too much on as she had simply been a working stiff as far as her involvement went.
He just couldn't understand how they were this bad. His parents had said that they had become much more professional than when they first came into conflict with them during their school years. That was almost twenty years ago though, and if it wasn't for the sheer resilience of many species of yokai, any human army, hell the national guard of Missouri could could have handled them.
He put the thoughts out of his head as he walked down a sidewalk in Shinjuku. He hadn't spent all that much time in Tokyo in his life. He was from Osaka, and really didn't have that much reason to come all the way there. His grandparents lived Kiyose, and didn't get over into Tokyo proper often themselves.
The city was different. Osaka was a major and modern city, but it had never forgotten what it was in the past. It was, and still embraced being a major economic powerhouse. It maintained the historical areas, but you got into the more urban buildup, and then you saw offices with names in twelve languages on them. Tokyo had gone from a little fishing village, to a true ponderous metropolis. It was still growing out in the modern day. Slowly, but surely.
The people were a little weird to him though. It may have been strange for a Japanese person to find it strange to see Japanese people, but what was weird was only seeing Japanese people. Even if they were seen as outsiders not worthy of being given the time of day, he had always been around foreigners. Osaka had the largest foreign born population in the entire nation, mainly because of the offices of foreign companies that were located there.
Racism was one of those things he never thought about. If he had time to worry about the color of someone's skin, then he probably had better things he could be doing. Yet he really had to admit that the Japanese were among the worst in the world. The few white people he noticed, were given a wide berth, like they were diseased, and the one black woman he saw, was completely unaware at how vile the things people were saying to her were, only because they gave a huge smile while saying it.
Had he been like this as a kid? He knew he hadn't been the nicest person when he was much younger, but when had that changed? During his time in Arizona, when he didn't have the choice but to interact with people who weren't like him. He didn't even want to think about it now.
He let his thoughts bounce between subjects as he walked. Eventually though someone ahead of him fell. He simply reacted and grabbed her before she could hit the ground. She dropped a pair of ballet flats that he managed to catch as well.
"Are you ok," he asked.
"Please don't hurt, please don't hurt. Oh thank god. I didn't twist it. Thank you for catching me. I can't believe that I was almost late because I couldn't find my lucky flats. I still have time to get to the early warm up before my performance," the woman chattered as she was still at an angle to the ground in his arms.
"Uh, you're welcome. I don't mean to be rude or anything, but uh, would you mind getting your feet completely under you before someone gets the wrong idea," he relied.
"What, oh," she got herself standing and bowed in apology, "I'm so sorry. Being in a position like that is so natural to me I didn't even think about it. Please, uh, let me make it up to you. I can take you breakfast in the morning if you are an early riser. I just, my performance is in three hours, I can't do much else right now."
Tekeshi looked at the shoes he held, "You're a ballerina?"
"Yes. Yamaguchi Yui. I'm not famous or anything. I have only been dancing for a few years. Uh, you like ballet?"
"I actually do. Compared to all the ugliness that a person sees in the world, I find it so beautiful. I know how brutal and dedicated the work is behind the scenes, so I won't say peaceful. Uh, let me escort you the rest of the way. People tend to part like the Red Sea when I get moving," he said kindly.
The woman lit up, "Would you? OH thank you, thank you, thank you. I would really appreciate it. Hey, what is with, your teeth? Oh my god, no. Get away from me," at that she took off running.
He watched as she disappeared into the crowd, shoving people away with complaints. He hadn't thought about it, but yokai were mostly out in the open now, even if they didn't just make it obvious. Racism wasn't just skin color it appeared.
Even if he wasn't quite a vampire still, he still looked like one. Vampires were known as vicious monsters who tended to prefer preying on beautiful women. So that must have been what she thought. It, actually hurt, in a much different way.
He looked down at his hand, and saw the flats. She had been so afraid that she had forgotten all about them. He was a little guilty about it.
He pulled his phone out and looked for local ballets, and was surprised when he found that he was only about three hundred yards from the New National Theatre Tokyo. That must have been where she was headed to. Even if he didn't get to see her again, he needed to get the shoes to her.
It only took him a few minutes to reach the theater. Like he had said, people tended to part for someone who stood 6'2". and weighed about two hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle. Once he got there he looked for anyone else that appeared to be arriving to perform. Sadly he didn't seem to notice anyone.
"Uh, I ran into one of the dancers a little earlier and they dropped their shoes. Is there anyway you could get them to her? She said her name was Yamaguchi Yui," he went up to one of the doormen.
"Miss Yamaguchi? She just ran in yelling that a vampire was hunting her. I'm afraid that the pressure of being the understudy for the lead is getting to her," the man said.
"Uh yeah, I am a vampire, but I wasn't hunting her. She fell and I caught her. She noticed my fangs, and I guess she assumed the worst. I really would like to apologize, but I know she needs her shoes more. Especially if she has such an important position. I know how big an impact it could make if she ends up performing," he technically lied to the man, but it was really easier than the truth.
"Oh, I, I, I'm sorry for the rudeness. I'm still getting used to the idea that yokai are real. I haven't met any that I know of, so I, I'm sorry. Please, let me let you in to see the show, and let her know that you are here so you can give her shoes in person," being kind could get you into many places.
"Uh, please, let me at least purchase a ticket if it is possible. I'm not poor, no-," he was intterupted.
"He is with us. Please, let the young lady know to come to my box before the performance," Tekeshi was not thrilled to hear the voice he heard.
He turned around to see a dignified man that while Asian, had some European features, and a beautiful blonde woman that was easily related to him. This was not his night it appeared.
"Hello Grandfather. How have you been," he said after a moment.
"Grandfather? Who is he Daddy," the woman said.
"He is your nephew. I just realized that Moka said to make sure you didn't meet him until you had, calmed down. Tekeshi, it is good to see you. I see that you still have a love for ballet. I myself picked up a love for it during the time I watched over you. Please, join us," Issa Shuzen said, a small smile on his face.
"I don't guess I have an option. Wait, nephew? This isn't, oh. OH, that means you are my Aunt Kahlua. I, was told you were part of Fairy Tale," he suddenly became a little defensive.
"She was a spy, you don't have to become combative. Please, join us. I'm not trying to force you. It would be nice to catch up with you, and for you to get to know Kahlua some," Issa insisted.
Despite his caution, and dislike of the man, he nodded. It was much easier, and he really did like ballet.
The trip to the box was quiet, and Issa, to his credit, didn't try to force conversation. Kahlua didn't either, though she watched him with unconcealed curiosity. Tekeshi himself was a little curious about the woman, but he didn't ask any questions.
When they reached the box they were let in by an usher. It wasn't large, he could see much larger private boxes across from them, but it was rather well appointed. There was also a servant there that poured three chalices full of blood and offered them to the newly arrived attendees.
"I see that you are definitely one for the finer things in life,"Tekeshi said, somewhat derisively, even as he took a drink of some of the best blood that he had ever tasted.
"I was the head of the Shuzen family for over two hundred years. Even without the power of your father, you are royalty as far as things go. Also, that blood is from the donations of a woman's college. It is probably much finer than the more typical blood bank blood that you are used to. Please, have a seat. I believe that Miss Yamaguchi should be arriving shortly," he said, motioning to leather bound armchairs that overlooked the stage.
As he spoke the door opened and the lady Tekeshi had helped earlier stepped in.
"Mr. Shuzen, I am sorry I made you wait. Unfortunately it looks like I will not be able to perform tonight, even should something happen to permit it. OH, no no," she noticed Tekeshi and her eyes went wide.
"Miss Yamaguchi, please, don't be alarmed. You aren't in danger," Issa stepped over and put a reassuring hand on her arm, garnering a puzzled look from Tekeshi and Kahlua both.
"He is a vampire, he, he is hunting me, why else would he be here," fear seemed to freeze her blood.
"He, is, and he isn't. However, I am vampire, as is Kahlua here. We don't typically hunt humans, so you don't have to worry. However you seemed to forget something that he wanted to return to you," Issa continued trying to soothe the woman.
"Yeah, Grandfather, that isn't how you reassure someone. Miss Yamaguchi, my name is Aono Tekeshi. I apologize for scaring you earlier. I know that the last few months hasn't exactly given everyone a good chance to learn much about yokai. Please, I believe these are yours," he held out the ballet flats to her.
"My, flats. You brought them here, to return to me," the woman seemed to relax some.
"Please don't be afraid. Despite stories like Dracula, we do not act like that. I don't even like drinking blood from a person. It can cause problems, and isn't really that sanitary. You know my Grandfather and Aunt," Tekeshi chose his words deliberatly.
Issa nodded, "I happen to be her patron. As I said, I developed a great love of ballet while I watched over you. Please, return to your warm up. If the situ-... what is happening?"
A man with a microphone stepped onto the stage, "I must apologize. Miss Karikara has just had a medical emergency. We will be starting a bit later than intended. The show will now begin in three hours at eight fifteen, rather than eight. We appreciate your patience, and your patronage."
The individuals in the box went wide eyed as they turned to said understudy. This was unexpected, and the mentioned individual immediately started to turn and run, but stopped and gave Tekeshi a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you so much for bringing these to me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I will come see you again after the show Mr. Shuzen," with that she ran out.
"Wow Daddy, she had really good luck tonight. I enjoy watching her practice, I can't wait to see her in a real performance," Kahlua was bouncing with joy.
"It, was really good luck for her. Bizarrely good luck. I'm also the patron for Miss Karikara, and she is almost unnaturally healthy for a human. I hope she isn't too bad off," he said.
"I'm not, just found out I'm pregnant," a woman said, having appeared in the box without warning, "I'm glad she gets to actually perform tonight, she deserves it."
"Emi," Kahlua hugged the woman, "Why are you pregnant?"
The two men exchanged a look.
"Because I apparently don't know how to keep my legs closed for a guy with a motorcycle. So, who's the hunk Mr. Shuzen," Karikara Emi said with a seductive smile.
"He is taken, and my Grandson. Aono Tekeshi. I would really recommend not trying. His girlfriends are rather, passionate about him, and might possibly kill you," Issa said.
"Yeah, I, am, kill," Tekeshi suddenly realized what was said.
"Yes, Miss Shiraishi has gained much in the way of confidence, and aggression since she woke up. She has even taken over the post of Head of the Public Safety Commission at the school."
Tekeshi cocked his head over, "My 'Suki? Not Deesseedra? 'Suki?"
"Wow, he is really cute when he is confused," the ballerina said.
Kahlua giggled, "He actually is. I like him. I've only known him for thirty minutes, but I like him."
"Kahlua, you are such a child, but it's ok, I love you all the same," Emi patted the blonde woman on the head, eliciting a giggle.
"I swear Kahlua, I understand what is wrong with you, and all of it lies with me. Sad were the things that I saw as appropriate during your upbringing. However Miss Karikara, won't this negatively affect your career, not to mention your reputation," Issa turned to the dancer.
"Mr. Shuzen, I'm old. I'm thirty five. It takes me thirty minutes to warm up enough to bend my legs fully. My back feels like it is covered in thorns. This honestly isn't a bad thing. I have been the lead ballerina for three years. I, am actually looking forward to retiring, and if I do it with a kid, I won't be alone. I'm going to call the guy tomorrow, and hopefully he might be interested in more than just sharing a bed. If not, I am fairly wealthy. I haven't wasted my money like a lot of the girls. I have investments, and I purchased government bonds over time. I'm going to be ok. Yui is twenty two, and I think she has the chance to be the lead ballerina for a decade. She is honestly better than I am, and without this, it might have taken years for that to get recognized. I was resentful of her at first, for both taking up your attention, and getting attention from the audience that I thought should have been mine. I have learned though, we all have to make our own place, and then give it up to those who have worked harder. So, yeah, I think I will start teaching once the kid is old enough to do without me for a few hours a day," the woman rambled without realizing.
Her words though, made Tekeshi think about his predecessor. Shinso had been looking for someone that could take his place, and the way the woman spoke, for many of the same reasons. Would he someday do the same? When everyone he loved was gone, would he look for someone that might want it more, or do like Shinso, and find someone that deserved it.