Yoyogi Park,
Midnight;
Ataru finally stopped resisting once he and the gang were well clear of the club Red Moon and down the street entering Yoyogi Park. As they walked, Lum recounted her conversation with the strange man who had danced with her and the warning he gave. Except for Benten, they all were silent taking in what she said. Finally, Shu stopped.
�You kept something like that from us?� he said to Lum.
�Hey, don�t get so defensive,� answered Benten, rising to Lum�s defense. �She was scared, okay.�
�Yeah, but that�s something you should not be keeping from us,� said Shinobu.
�She right,� added Chibi. �And how do we know this guy is not the one we should be worried about.�
�Might be a set up for all we know,� said Megane.
Lum thought a moment, shaking her head. �I did not� I did not feel he wanted to hurt us.�
�But I�ll bet you felt something else!� said Ataru, pumping his hips back and forth.
Megane kicked him in the rear. �Get your mind out of the gutter!�
�My mind is not in the gutter, and Lum is just overreacting!�
�All right!� shouted Shu. �We�ve left so that�s that. Let�s get down to the station and go home.�
�Mendou�s right for a change,� said Ataru. �Follow me I know the way.� Ataru started walking down the road again.
�Ataru, are you sure you know where you�re going?� asked Megane. �It�s kind�a dark, and we can get lost out here.�
�Nah, don�t be so afraid of the dark. Sheesh! With �Ataru the Navigator�, you will get home no problem.�
�Why don�t we just send Lum up ahead to point the way?� suggested Chibi.
�What, so whatever it is that�s threatening us can get her,� countered Benten.
Lum latched onto Ataru�s arm. �No, I want to stay here with Darling,� she said.
�And there�s no need for her to fly off anyway,� said Ataru. �Nothings going to happen to us at all��
* * * * *
Digging franticly through a small cloth bag she hid earlier in a near by tree, Grace grumbled uncountable curses for not have the sense to bring a change of clothes. Chasing after a group of youngsters was not in her plans for the night, but even a perfect plan can develop a wrinkle. Bad enough she had to dodge that vampire, and speaking of which, who the hell was that foreign vampire anyway?
Her hands finally came across the item she was searching for. Grace pulled out a pistol-sized crossbow. She quickly pulled back the bowstring, found the rack of bolts, strapping them around the thigh of her left leg.
�I�ll have to modify this dress again,� she said. A sturdy pull ripped a short slit up the side allowing her much more legroom to maneuver. She kicked off her heels, throwing them into the bag and zipped it shut.
�I�ll have to worry about that other guy later. Those people are probably going to need an escort.�
Slinging her bag across her back, Grace dashed off into the night.
* * * * *
By the time Blade managed to get outside, the blonde he�d been chasing was nowhere in sight. �Damn!� he growled, slamming a fist into a palm. She was good that much he had to admit. Wonder if she�s one of Rimialdi�s people?
No time to ponder that now, he�d seen that marked woman and her friends depart a short time before, followed there after by that goon who had been attempting to get her the entire evening. There was a new bouncer at the door; Eric quickly asked him if he�d seen which way they had gone.
The Bouncer pointed up the street towards the park.
�Ah hell,� muttered Blade, running off in pursuit�
* * * * *
The large shrine situated at the far end of the open courtyard quickly told the gang that they had inadvertently entered the heart of the park. They all stared up at the locked doors, and then slowly cast dark glowers upon Ataru.
He felt their ire, laughing innocently while scratching the top of his head. �Well, at least we don�t have too pay to see this,� he said.
�You idiot!� roared Shu. �You got us lost! You got us lost in one of the biggest parks in the city!�
Ataru waived him off. �Bah! How can we get lost with a city all around us? Where do you think we are? Gilligan�s Island?�
�You got us lost, Ataru!� Megane screamed, literally up into his face. �This is the Meiji Inner Garden and that�s the shrine, you fool!�
�So?�
�So?� said Chibi. He held up his arm reading the time on his watch. �It�s half past midnight, Ataru. The trains will start running longer now.�
�And that means we will get home later too,� added Parma.
�Well don�t go blaming me for leaving and not calling Mendou�s limo. Lum and Benten are the ones who suggested this!�
�Nah! Don�t you try and stick us with the blame, Moroboshi!� said Benten. �Oh, follow me, follow me, I�m �Ataru the Navigator�. I can�t get lost.�
�I want to go home!� cried Shinobu. �Besides, I have to go to the bathroom anyway.�
�You see, Moroboshi!,� said Shu. �Your goof now has Shinobu in discomfort.�
�Will you guys stop!� Ataru pointed out into the darkened trees. �All we have to do is walk right though there and poof, civilization. Simple as that.�
�I�m not ruining my dress,� commented Benten.
Ataru paused. �Dress? I thought that was one of your biker outfits.�
Fortunately for him, Megane stood between them.
As the arguing continued, Kakaguri, standing off near one of the park lamps, sighed in frustration. �Oh this is going to get us nowhere,� he said to himself, leaning nonchalantly against the pole. �Why can�t we have one day where nothing goes wrong?� He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. �No, this is Ataru Moroboshi, bad luck extraordinaire. At least it�s quiet and�.�
Something caught his attention in the surrounding trees. He blinked his eyes catching sight of a dim glow in the darkness. Too small to be light bugs, the color was red, blood red to be exact, set evenly apart like some animal.
A dog perhaps?
Kakaguri�s eyes drifted slowly around, spotting more and more of the beady light dotting the surrounding darkness. Fear cut off his voice, and he began breathing hard as he backed away towards his friends.
�You know there has been murders going on around Tokyo lately, don�t you?� Megane said.
�Why did you have too bring that up,� said Lum, inching closer to Ataru.
�Because he�s a big jerk, that�s why,� said Ataru.
�Jerk! Why you�.�
Kakaguri began tugging franticly on Megane�s sleeve, trying to draw his attention.
Megane swatted his hand away. �Stop it, Kakaguri! Can�t you see I�m getting ready to pound Moroboshi?�
�Oh, you want a piece of me?� Ataru said. �Bring that ass on!�
�We all want a piece of you, Moroboshi!� growled Shu. Kakaguri started tugging on his sleeve then.
�What is it, man? And why are you white as a sheet?�
That quickly stopped them all.
�Kakaguri, what�s wrong?� asked Megane.
�Weeahupupupupupup!� stammered Kakaguri, pointing out at the trees.
Shu took him up by his lapels, shaking Kakaguri hard. �Get a hold of yourself, man! What�s wrong with you?�
He was blubbering now, words incoherent, sentences coming out in mere jumbles of moans and whimpers.
�Something�s got him spooked,� said Parma.
�Uh, I-I don�t suppose it�s because of that guy standing at the head of the road by small chance?� said Chibi.
Everyone looked to see a tall man standing silhouetted beneath the light at the side of the road leading back out of the courtyard. He stood motionless for a moment then started walking towards them with even, timed steps.
�Shu,� whined Shinobu, pressing up behind Mendou.
�Hey!� Ataru let out, starling them. �I know this guy!�
The stranger stopped.
�You do?� asked Megane.
�Yeah! That�s the guy who tried to cut in on me and Lum while we were dancing.�
Lum squinted her eyes and realized that Ataru was right.
�Wow,� gasped Parma. �Talk about love struck suitors.�
Obviously, Parma�s comment humored the man, his laugh cutting the night air. Taking a few more steps closer too allow them to see his features, Abe looked down upon them with an intimidating stare. An audible gulp sounded form the group.
�You want to dance with Lum now, guy?� said Ataru. He started pushing Lum out in his direction. �Sorry we can�t help you with music, unless you want us to sing.�
�Darling!� exclaimed Lum, clawing her way back around behind him. �You are supposed to be my protector!�
�Well who�s going to protect me?�
A sturdy kick to the rear brought a satisfying yelp from Moroboshi.
�I don�t want too dance,� said Abe.
�You don�t?� replied Ataru. �Well what else could you want?�
Another kick to the rear staggered him.
�You idiot!� shouted Shu. �He wants Lum!�
�Oh. Lum, dear?�
�Yes, Darling?�
�Uh, drop me a note with your new address and I�ll send you your things.�
Megane and Benten throttled Ataru as they pulled him back. Shu stepped up, taking a commanding stance.
�Be gone, you miscreant! Miss Lum will not be leaving with you!� he said.
Abe smirked.
�Don�t make this hard for us.� He pointed menacingly at Lum. �Get over here, woman.�
�No,� said Lum, hugging Ataru tight.
Shinobu started crying along with Parma, Kakaguri, and Chibi.
�What a bunch of cowards!� shouted Shu.
Parma pointed over at the far side of the courtyard. There were several groups of people walking out from the trees, a glance to the other side found the same thing. Steps sounded from behind them as more people walked down the steps of the shrine, cutting off any escape.
�Who are you guys!� shouted Benten. �Why do you want Lum?�
�Does it matter,� cried Ataru. �Lum, go with him!�
�No, Darling, No!�
�Lum�s going nowhere!� said Shu. �You there! Do you know who I am?�
�Shutaro Mendou,� answered Abe.
�Boy he just cut that one right off at the knees,� said Chibi, making a low chopping motion with a hand.
Benten bravely stepped up in front of Lum and Ataru.
�If you�re coming after Lum, you�ve got to go through us!� she said.
�And that will not be an easy thing to do, my friend,� added Megane.
This started to annoy Abe, not used to have humans defy him so. He crossed his arms; frown drawing deeper on his face.
�Will you stop with this silliness,� he said to them. �Lum will be coming with me, and they will be satisfying their hungers.�
�You know that �hungers� word does not fit in that sentence,� said Kakaguri.
A grin slowly appeared on Abe�s face. �For us it does,� he said, proudly displaying his set of fanged teeth. The rest of his followers did likewise, and the gang shuddered together in terror.
�He, he, he, has fa, fa, fa, fangs!� stammered Chibi.
The fight completely left Benten and Shutaro now realizing what they were up against.
�Vampires!� gasped Shu.
�At your service,� replied Abe, bowing.
Benten retreated behind Megane, hunkering low. �Do something, Megane!� she said.
Megane could only shake with fear.
�We�re going to die!� cried Shinobu.
Abe�s patience finally ran out. He pointed at the cowering band, ordering those closest to him to retrieve Lum. The ring of vampires started moving in, the cries from the group rising up into the night. Suddenly, another cry cut the air, a hideous shriek from a vampire to the left of Nashimaru. He clutched the bloodied tip of a crossbow bolt that had entered though the back of his head.
The vampire pitched over sprawling out dead on the courtyard and everyone stopped.
Ziiizzzzzzzz!
Something hummed through the air, brief flashes catching metal as vampire after vampire abruptly disintegrated into bones and rotting flesh, their heads sliced clean from their bodies. Abe went prone as a dark figure somersaulted over him, landing in the middle of the courtyard.
Blade effortlessly caught his charka in his left hand, making a pulling motion with his right as the last unfortunate vampire hit the ground.
�Got�cha!� he said in triumph.
�It�s him!� exclaimed Lum.
�Yeah, that bump and grind guy from the club,� said Ataru with a sneer.
Looking up, Abe growled at the sight of the man who had caused him so much trouble this night. �Kill him!� he ordered.
Vampires surged towards Blade and he was swiftly into action. His arms and legs were a blur, powerful kicks slamming into bodies, blocking swipes, dodging tackles with ease. A flick of the wrist, a spread of silver straight blade shurikens streaked out, vampires crumbling into nothing. Equal expressions of shock covered the gang and vampire�s faces. A healthy respect was gained for Blade and they gave him a wide berth.
He laughed, eyeing them as he walked back towards their intended victims. �Get out of here,� he called back over his shoulder.
�Get out of here?� replied Ataru. �We�re surrounded! Which way do you expect us to go?�
�Small detail,� answered Blade. His double bladed charka flashed cutting a swath through the vampires blocking the road, scattering them. �Satisfied?�
Ataru nodded slowly.
�Good. Now get moving.�
Not a hesitant step followed as Ataru led the way for the gap created in the vampires� ranks. A furious screech from Abe cut the air and several of them attempted to cut their fleeing quarry off before they escaped. A hiss from another bolt was the only notice anyone had before it imbedded itself in the middle of the closet vampire�s forehead. As she fell, the gang stopped and looked around at the woman standing near the edge of the trees.
�Don�t stop!� Grace Kimball screamed, spurring them on. She ushered them past, reloading her crossbow all in one smooth move, drilling another vampire before following after them.
Eric paused just long enough to frown at Kimball then sprang back into action. His speed allowed him to reach the road, cutting down more vampires with rapid slashes and swipes.
�Okay, people. You can forget about them. This parties over!�
Abe shot to his feet moving up to the head of the vampires arrayed before Blade.
�You think you can stop all of us?� he said.
Blade laughed, brows beetling as he twirled his charka around in his fingers. �I�m not doing too bad now, am I, hm?�
That angered the vampires and they started to rush him, but Abe held out his arms holding them back. This job was finished, the interference from both these two enough to disrupt everything he had planned. No, it was time to go, but before they left there was one thing he wanted to know.
�You got a name, pal?�
�Blade.�
Abe grinned. He waved his fellow vampires off signaling an end of the conflict for now.
�That�s plenty. We�ll meet again, Blade. Things will be different, trust me.�
�Oh I�m sure about that,� answered Blade. �Looking forward to stripping that skin off your ass.�
�Right. Ciao, Blade.�
Abe backed away fading off into the night.
Silence returned and Eric relaxed, but just for a moment remembering the reason why he was there in the first place.
And there was still the question of that blonde to deal with�
* * * * *
Terrified screams echoed through Yoyogi Park as Ataru and his friends fled down the road not caring where they turned out. Somehow they all managed to stay together in the darkness, and only upon reaching the next corner did they pause to catch their breath.
�(Huh, huh) Where, where the hell are we?� gasped Shu.
�Looks like� looks like were at the other end of the park,� answered Parma.
They heard the sound of a train, Ataru peering through the trees spotting the platform of a station just past the fence line.
�Hey!� he cried. �Civilization!�
�Darling, I think I�m going to fly home and meet you all there,� said Lum.
�No you don�t!� Moroboshi grab hold of an arm, pulling Lum back down before she could gain altitude. �You heard that creep back there. They want you, and I�m not about too take the fall just so you can keep on living at our expense!�
Somebody slapped Ataru sharply across the back of the head and he spun around. �Hey! Don�t be hitting� huh?�
A familiar tall blonde-haired woman stood there frowning down at him. Immediately, all Ataru�s fears faded away and he dropped to his knees, fawning up against one of her bare legs.
�It�s the babe from the club,� he said with a lecherous snicker.
�Get off me, you fool,� Grace said, kicking him away. She wiped away the driblets of drool left behind by the attack and sneered at Ataru.
�Sad, just sad.�
�Excuse me,� called Benten. Grace looked up. �Uh, who are you and what connection do you have with those vampires back there?�
�I don�t have a connection with those vampires back there, honey,� she replied. �I�m only here to find out what it is that they are up too.�
Grace felt a warm sensation on her leg and glanced down to find Ataru kissing her thigh repeatedly.
�Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving my life,� he said, rubbing his cheek against her skin.
�Will you get off me!� she shouted, kicking him away again.
�Darling!� cried Lum, rushing to his side. She held him in her arms. �Darling are you okay?�
�Lum. Lum is that you?� replied Ataru.
�Yes, Darling.�
�I thought you were going to fly home?�
Lum dropped him and he let out a yelp rubbing the back of his head.
�Is this lout for real?� asked Kimball.
�Yep, that�s Ataru,� answered Parma. �Master idiot and womanizer all rolled into one.�
Grace could not believe this strange girl could be so hooked on such a man like this. �He must be something to gain such devotion from you, young lady.�
�Darling has this disease that makes him think strangely,� said Lum.
�Disease, or just perpetually horny?�
�Okay!� exclaimed Megane. �We�re loosing sight on what the real issue is here. Who are you, and why did those vampires want Lum?�
�Ooo, a thinker,� Grace commented with a light laugh. �All I can tell you is that your �Lum� here has been claimed by a very powerful vampire. He was at that club, and obviously finds her desirable.�
�Was it that man I was dancing with?� asked Lum.
�I don�t know. I thought maybe one of you could enlighten me on him.�
�I�ll save them the trouble,� came a voice from the darkness.
A curved blade pressed up under Grace Kimball�s throat, a strong grip pinning her arms behind her, forcing the crossbow pistol from her hand. �Shit!� snarled Grace as Blade pulled her close to him.
�Hey, what are you doing?� shouted Ataru, coming to his feet.
�Shut up! She�s also a vampire.�
�Wha-huh?�
�Why don�t you show them, my dear?� Eric said to her.
Grace remained silent, cutting her eyes back at him with a dark sneer.
The edge of the blade turned up slightly threatening to severe her head from her body.
�I said smile, woman,� commanded Blade.
She did as instructed, slowly exposing her fangs with a grin.
Shinobu pressed her hands up to her mouth, letting out a muffled moan as they caught sight of the canines. The rest of the gang reared back in fear, inching slowly away from them.
�Oh this night is really gone sour!� cried Chibi.
�She�s a vampire!� exclaimed Ataru. He started to spit; attempting to wipe his lips clean after all the cooing he�d done.
�That makes two of us then,� said Blade. He barred his fangs and that was enough for the gang.
�It�s time ta�go!� cried Benten.
They spun quickly on their heels, dashing for the open street.
�FREEZE!� roared Blade and the group came to an abrupt halt standing ridged in fear.
Grace tried to take advantage of the distraction, but he felt her shift pressing the blade closer to her throat.
�Let�s not be cute,� he told her. She relaxed and Blade continued.
�Okay, I kind�a liked that question I heard. Who are you, and what do you want from these kids?�
�I don�t want anything from them,� she answered. �My name is Kimball. Grace Kimball.�
�Never heard of you.�
�Well if you had, you�d probably be running away in terror right about now.�
�Really? I don�t scare easy.�
�Gee, I couldn�t tell.�
Blade smirked then chuckled at her comment. �So why are you in Japan?�
�If I said touring you�d probably wouldn�t believe it.�
�Knock off the comedy.�
The blade turned a bit more and Grace swallowed. �I�m investigating the murders happening around Tokyo. Trying to find out why the vampires of this city have increased their activities.�
�So you�re searching for Rimialdi too?�
�Who?�
�Malenkov Rimialdi. An Old Blood.�
Grace was lost. �I haven�t the foggiest idea of whom you are talking about,� she told him.
The pressure against her throat eased slightly. �You�ve never heard of Old Bloods? That seems quite amazing to�.�
Eric paused, picking up the slight step Benten made trying to sneak her way from this trap.
�Don�t make me have to come after you!� shouted Eric, pointing at her with the charka. �You won�t like it when I catch you!�
Benten immediately snapped back into position, tapping a foot angrily as she crossed her arms. There was no time for Grace to react either as the blade quickly returned up against her throat.
�Now like I was saying, I find that strange you don�t know about the Old Bloods.�
�I�ve seen stranger things. Look, whoever you are, it�s clear that in a roundabout way you and I are after the same thing. Why don�t you get this knife away from my throat and let�s work together, okay?�
Blade thought about the proposal for a moment then slowly lowered his arm, releasing her.
�Thank you,� said Grace. She started to reach down for her weapon, but Eric interposed himself between it.
�What? Still don�t trust me?�
�Not totally.�
�Well you better start. Because if tonight is anything like what�s going to happen in the future, you�re going to need all the help you can get to protect our friends over there.�
That much was true and Blade had to admit it. He stepped aside, much to Grace�s relief, holstering his weapon.
�Blade,� he said.
�Huh?� questioned Grace.
�My name is Eric Blade, and since you didn�t run when we first met, I can assume you�ve never heard of me either.�
Grace smiled at him. �Not very often I meet a fellow vampire in the same line of work.�
�I�m not quite like you, Grace Kimball.�
�Hm. Let�s trade bragging rights later. I think we need to get these kids off the street and to safety before we�re attacked again.�
�Right.�
Together they walked over to the group, eyeing each one as they went to the front. Blade came around standing before Ataru, finding him whimpering in fits with his head hung down.
�What the hell are you crying for?� he asked.
Ataru did not answer right away. �Lum, Lum. Don�t just stand there, zack their ass,� he whined.
But Lum did nothing; Eric and Grace trading confused looks.
�No, Darling,� she said. �I think they are on our side.�
�How can a vampire be on anyone�s side but their own?� grumbled Benten, glaring hotly at Blade.
He glowered at her. �Knock that off,� he said, and she stopped tapping her foot but kept the stare on him.
�I agree with Miss Lum,� said Shu. �This guy�.�
�Blade. Eric Blade.�
�Yes, uhm, Mister Blade and��
�Grace Kimball.�
�Miss Kimball saved our lives from that horde back there. I don�t think they intend us any harm.�
�Not unless they want us all to themselves,� said Megane.
�Yeah,� added Parma. �What�s to say they aren�t getting ready to enjoy a midnight snack� US!�
Shinobu moaned, pressing up against Shu. �Don�t say things like that!�
�Because you�d all be dead right now,� Blade replied.
�Look, kids,� said Grace. �We�re not going to hurt you so you can relax. We�ve got to get you all out of here before the nightly welcoming committee has a renewed sense of bravery, and I only have two bolts left.�
�But who were those guys, and why did they want Lum?� asked Ataru.
�We�ll talk later,� Blade said. �We need a way to get you all back to your homes in a hurry.�
�I�ll summon my limousine,� said Shu, whipping out his cellular phone.
�And while you�re doing that let�s get out into the street. It�ll make it easier to protect you.�
�Hey I�m all for that!� exclaimed Ataru.
He slipped up beside Grace, placing his arm around her waist.
�It is very nice of you to escort us like this,� he said in a suave monotone voice. �Let us enjoy this short stroll and get too know each other a little better.�
�Darling!� shouted Lum.
�Hm, I see Ataru�s gotten over that vampire thing,� commented Kakaguri.
Grace put on a smile, leaning closer to him.
�You better get that paw off my ass, and that arm from around my waist before I take it off at the shoulder.�
A low deep growl and barring of teeth quickly convinced him that it was time to move on.
�Hey uh, Lum,� he said, cowering behind her. �Let�s say we both hustle on along together, huh babe?�
�I should zack you right now,� she replied, taking him forcibly by the arm. �But I�ll wait until I get you home and into some cheaper clothes.�
Grace could only shake her head. �Such a lout.�
�No, no. That�s just typical Ataru Moroboshi,� Benten said.
* * * * *
Mendou�s limo arrived a short time later, and after swinging by to pick up Blade and Grace�s things, they were soon motoring up the highway back to Tomobiki Township. Shinobu would be safe for now at her home, as well as Megane and his three minions. Once they were dropped off the next question was how Blade and Grace were going to keep an eye on Lum with relative safety.
�Well why don�t you stay at my house?� suggested Ataru.
�That rat trap?� exclaimed Shu. �Lum would be better off in my care.�
�But they know where you live,� said Benten.
�And they don�t about him either? Ataru Moroboshi, the most notorious man in the history of this planet?�
Grace suddenly snapped her fingers. �I remember you now!� she said. �The fool who caused the great fuel shortage of �86.�
�I didn�t want that ride. I was forced! Ask Megane!�
Lum cuddled up closer to him. �That was when I moved in with my Darling.�
�Yeah, just before I got turned,� continued Grace. �Had to do triple shifts patrolling the Los Angeles oilfields, and conduct riot control in the city.�
�You were a cop?� asked Blade.
She nodded then sneered at Ataru.
�Why I aught�a�,� she said, ready to strike the man.
�Control yourself, Kimball,� said Blade.
�Ooo, Darling. I don�t think Miss Kimball likes you,� Lum said.
�Nah, she fight�n me. The Moroboshi charisma will eventually break her down.�
Sickening, thought Eric, smirking at Ataru.
�But it�s not a bad idea,� he continued. �It�s a quarter till one, five, six hours before sunrise.�
�And some of us do need our beauty sleep,� added Grace.
�But what about this Rimialdi guy?� asked Shu.
�What about him?�
�He�ll try again, and Moroboshi�s address is in the phone book.�
Blade thought a second. �Yeah, he�ll try again, but how do we know he knows about Moroboshi?�
�It is kind�a hard not too,� answered Shinobu.
Lum smacked Ataru on the side of the head. �You see, Darling! Your bad habits will be the death of you!�
�Death of me how? From them or your continuous zacks!�
�Okay, okay, okay,� Blade cut in before Lum could strike. �We stay at Moroboshi�s place. While the vampires are down, I�ll go and see if I can get a better lead on Rimialdi.�
�Down?� questioned Grace. �You mean during the daytime?�
�Yep. Like I said, I�m not like you, Grace. I�m a Daywalker.�
�A Daywalker,� she said.
�Probably the only one in existence.�
�Oh great!� exclaimed Ataru. �Now we got vampires that can stand sunlight. Whatever happened to tradition?�
The other�s laughed at his unintentional joke; Ataru staring in frustration out the limo window.
�Boy, are my parents going to get a shock out of this.�
�Parents?� said Grace.
�Yeah, my folks. They won�t even begin to try and�.�
�We can�t tell them anything,� Blade said.
�Why not?� asked Benten. �After years living with those two, this should be nothing at all.�
�You think they�re going to handle the fact that they might be attacked by vampires?�
Lum shook her head, knowing that probably would terrify the Moroboshi�s into an early grave.
�We better come up with a cover for both of you,� she said.
�I�ll take care of that,� Ataru told them.
�What are you going to tell them?� Shu asked.
Ataru patted his chest. �You�re forgetting. I�m Ataru Moroboshi, master weaver of the tall-tale. Leave it too me.�
Shu let out a grunt, chuckling. �Yes, the perfect job for you, Ataru.�
Ataru started to thank him, then frowned wondering if that was not an insult or not.
�Oh this aught to be good,� commented Grace. She turned to Blade. �So what if you can�t get a good lead on Rimialdi?
�Oh I�ll get a lead,� he replied. �He�s already made a mistake.�
�How?� Benten asked.
�The Red Moon. Not just anyone harbors a vampire, especially one the likes of him.�
�You�d better be careful,� Shu said. �Going it alone might find you out numbered if you end up in a fight.�
�You ain�t seen what I got in that bag of mine either, Shu.�
�But will it be enough?� Grace said, sending them all into deep, troubled thoughts�
* * * * *
Nursing the newly received cut that ran down the left side of his face, Abe, along with Hiroki and others of their sect, watched as Rimialdi clutched the hapless vampire that brought Grace into the Club Red Moon by the throat. His talon-like fingers squeezed, drawing a throttled gurgle from his hapless servant.
�And you allowed her in like a fool!� Rimialdi growled, increasing the pressure.
The gurgles increased until finally, there came a sharp snap of neck bone and cartilage. The Old Blood let out a cry, flinging the now inert carcass aside, rounding on the rest of his people.
�I have very, very little patience with failures and incompetence, but I have no tolerance for blatant stupidity either!�
His withering stare averted feared looks, and he continued.
�I trust this example will be more than� �Educational� for all of you?�
�Yes, Lord Rimialdi.�
�And I trust we will have no more intrusions or problems?�
�Yes, Lord Rimialdi.�
Malenkov was pleased, easing back down into his chair behind him. He let them stew for a moment then leaned forward pointing menacingly.
�If we are to rule this island, we must not make mistakes like this. Is that clear?�
�Yes, Lord Rimialdi.�
�Good. Hiroki, Abe stay a moment. The rest of you, go! And take this garbage with you.�
The vampires scurried to do Rimialdi�s bidding, dragging out the body and leaving the three men alone. Hiroki felt Rimialdi was waiting for an explanation unfortunately he had none. A tense moment passed then Rimialdi spoke.
�She has not been located?�
�Lum? Unfortunately no, Master,� answered Hiroki.
�Hmm.� Malenkov crossed his fingers, resting his chin on his thumbs. He glanced over at Abe, and the man quickly dropped to one knee.
�I should give you another scar, Nashimaru. However, you still have your uses.�
�Th-Thank you, Master,� Abe said.
Rimialdi paused again. �You said his name was �Blade�?�
�Yes, Master Rimialdi.�
�And he is one of us?�
�Yes, Master.�
�That is strange,� said Malenkov, looking to Hiroki. �Why would a vampire want to kill his own kind?�
�I do not know, milord,� replied Hiroki. �I have my slaves researching him even as we speak.�
�Excellent. I would like to talk with this �Blade� before he dies.�
Abe looked up. �He fights well, Master. As if he�s been trained all his life in the arts.�
A short gesture of a hand from Hiroki silenced his associate before he could anger Rimialdi any further.
�And what of the blonde, Hiroki?� continued Malenkov.
�Nothing. The best we can do is check hotels and see if our slaves have any information.�
�Make it fast. I do not like having two rebellious kin out slaughtering my people.�
�It is already being done, Master.�
Rimialdi nodded. �Now, back to my future queen. How do you propose to relocate Lum?�
Hiroki smiled slightly. �I have what I think is a direct source to Lum, and her whereabouts.�
�So she will be before me shortly?�
�Uh, not quite, Master.�
Rimialdi arched a brow, anger beginning to rise. �When?�
�Once I secure my source, I will say tomorrow evening as the best estimate.�
�I am going to hold you to that, Hiroki.�
Rimialdi sat back eyeing both of them. �As for you, Abe. That is strike two. Your next failure will be your last.�
Abe shuddered fearfully.
�Hiroki, our last problem concerns your little pet that left us. She is causing more attention with her spree of killings. I have heard word that our slaves located her down at the harbor docks?�
�Yes, Master. That is true.�
�Then send Abe and a small force down there to eradicate her.�
�But, Master,� said Abe. �It is five hours till dawn.�
�Then you better get started, Nashimaru.�
The menacing tone in Rimialdi�s voice was more than enough motivation, and Abe quickly set out on his task.
Another long silence passed, Malenkov staring at Hiroki making him feel uneasy. Finally, the Old Blood smiled, beckoning him to come closer. He did, and Rimialdi reached out to stroke his head affectionately.
�Hiroki, you still are my favorite,� said Malenkov.
That set Hiroki at ease, allowing Rimialdi to pull him closer. He gently turned his face up so he could see him, then his eyes narrowed.
�However, I do expect better from you. Your life also is uncertain.�
Hiroki swallowed hard. �I-I will not fail you, M-Master.�
�See that you don�t.�
Rimialdi stood up, guiding Hiroki aside heading for the door and his room. �Now I am going to rest. See to it that I am not disturbed.�
�Rest well, Master.�
Rimialdi reached the door and paused, looking evilly over his shoulder.
�I am expecting a better evening,� he replied, closing the door shut behind him�