Ataru tossed and turned between the covers of his futon, troubling images playing about his imaginative mind. Lum was the main subject of the dreams, horrifying specters and ghouls pursuing her, dragging Lum helplessly to an ominous figure who�s features were obscured by the darkness.
�Darling,� he could hear Lum say. It sounded so real, as if she were right next to him.
�Darling,� she called again.
Wait a minute�
Slowly, Ataru opened his eyes. They focused, and much to his surprise Lum sat at the side of his futon.
�Lum!� cried Ataru. Before he could sit up, Lum placed her hand on his chest and pinned him down. Instinctively, Ataru tensed expecting one of her zacks, but nothing happened.
�Darling.�
�Lum, what are you doing in my room?�
A sad pout formed, Lum laying down, placing her head on his chest.
�I was scared,� she replied.
�Scared? With that vigilante vampire Kimball with you, plus Benten?�
�They�re gone.�
�What!�
Ataru looked back finally noticing that Blade had also disappeared.
�We got vampires running about the city, and those three decide to leave us? What a bunch of ingrates!�
Lum pressed closer to Ataru. She took his arm and draped it about her shoulders. That stopped Ataru�s ranting, and he looked down at her.
�Darling, will you protect me from these vampires. I mean, will you give up your life for me?�
�Uh.�
Lum turned her face up to his, her deep ocean-blue eyes pleading with him for an answer. He felt his inhibitions fade, is serious gaze setting in his eyes.
�I will protect you, Lum,� he answered her. �No vampire is going to sink their teeth into your pretty neck.�
That cheered Lum up and she gave him a firm squeeze letting out a sigh.
�Darling.�
�Yes, Lum?�
�Tell me you love me.�
�W-what?�
�Even if you don�t mean it, please tell me you love me. It would mean so much to me.�
Ataru made a nervous swallow, unable to form the words. He recalled the earlier conversation he had with Blade, admitting then his devotion for the alien princess. Having her lying next to him, scared and in need of his support made Ataru feel good.
�Lum.�
�Yes, Ataru?�
�I� I lo�.�
A cold breeze drifted across them. Ataru tipped his head back and found himself staring straight up at Eric Blade.
�I hope I�m not interrupting anything,� he said with a smile.
Ataru rolled out from under the covers, shooting to his feet.
�Blade, where did you guys go! Why did Benten and Kimball leave Lum all by herself? Don�t you know there are vampires out after her?�
Blade laughed walking past him. Shu entered and immediately stopped as he caught sight of Lum and Ataru.
�Mendou?� said Ataru.
Lum stood up, placing herself protectively in front of Ataru. �Nothing happened, Shu,� she said. �Ataru and I were just talking that�s all.�
Shu remained oddly silent and he walked in taking a seat on the floor next to Ataru�s desk.
�Shu?� called Lum.
�He�s had a rough night,� said Blade.
�What happened?� asked Ataru.
�I killed a man,� answered Mendou.
�One of Motoabe�s slaves walked in on us and tried to kill Shu. Fortunately, Shu was faster with the sword.�
Lum and Ataru sat back down. �Who�s Motoabe?� Ataru finally said after his shock passed.
Eric pulled a card out from one of his pockets, flicking it over to him.
�Hiroki Motoabe?� said Ataru, frowning. �Never heard of the guy.�
�Well he�s got a big stake in this game,� replied Blade. He told them what he and Shu discovered back at the Red Moon, and of his suspicions about what Rimialdi�s plans were.
�A vampire taking over all of Japan.� Ataru could not believe it, running a nervous hand back through his hair as he breathed out a long sigh. �Boy, there goes my future dating opportunities.�
�Darling!� shouted Lum, swatting him on the shoulder.
�What are you, Moroboshi?� said Eric. �A nymphomaniac or something?�
�Hey a man�s got to keep up his game.�
Lum rose up in the air clearly angered by Ataru�s remark. �Why I�ll zack you!�
�Hey!� came Jariten�s voice from the corner of the room. �Keep it down! Can�t you see I�m trying to sleep here?�
Blade smirked at him. �What was his name? Jariten? Yeah that�s it.� He prodded Jariten�s body with the end of his scabbard. �Yo, little man you might as well wake your small self up. You ain�t going to get anymore sleep this morning.�
Jariten flung back the covers and sat up glaring at Eric.
�My dreams don�t talk to me like that, good or bad!� he said.
�Well then welcome to the real world.�
The reality set in and Jariten pulled the covers up around him in fear.
�Speaking of morning, Blade,� continued Ataru. �Don�t you think Grace should be back? It is starting to get lighter outside.�
�Your right, Moroboshi.� He got up and opened the sliding glass door. �Chibi,� he called out.
Chibi appeared along with Parma.
�What are you guys doing here?� asked Ataru.
�Standing watch over Lum,� answered Parma. He spotted her seated next to Ataru and waved. �Hi, Lum!�
�Isn�t that thoughtful of them,� she said, waving back.
�Chibi, go tell Megane and Kakaguri to come in here. Parma, you�re taller so climb up on the roof and keep an eye out for Benten and Kimball.�
�But it�s cold out there.�
�Quite whining and move it!�
A few minutes after, Megane and Kakaguri appeared. Megane froze in his tracks seeing Lum and Ataru together on the futon.
�Moroboshi,� he hissed, hands clenched in to fist.
�Aw, stop it,� Blade said. �Get in here and quit letting all of the heat out.�
�But, but, but�.�
�Come on, you heard the man!� added Ataru. �Move it, and close the door behind you.�
Reluctantly, Megane came in and sat down across from them still glaring at Ataru. Kakaguri bade Lum good morning and asked what was for breakfast.
�Oh that reminds me. Short Stuff, bring that small bag over here,� Blade told Jariten.
Jariten looked up then over at the bag he was referring to. �Pfthpf! Get it yourself.�
A hairbrush dinged him neatly on the head.
�Ow! Lum-chan?�
�Don�t be rude, Jariten,� she scolded the boy. �Bring Mister Blade his bag.�
�He�s got legs!�
�Jariten!�
Jariten�s lips formed into a pout, and he flew over snatching up the strap of the bag and carried it over to Blade.
�This is the only time this will happen,� he said as he set it down.
�Don�t be so sure about that, tiny.�
The child flew back to his futon; Blade unlocked the clasp and pulled out what appeared to be some sort of hypodermic pistol. They all watched as Eric took a small cartridge from the bag placing it into a holder on the side. Whit a small snap the seal was punctured. Blade grabbed a black mouthpiece, and sat back up against Ataru�s dresser.
�Stay clear, and uh if you�re squeamish, don�t look,� he warned them before putting the mouthpiece in his mouth. Eric placed the pistol to the side of his neck.
�Yo, Blade!� cried Ataru. �Things can�t be that bad that you have to commit suicide, are they?�
Eric paused; briefly cutting his eyes over at him, and pulled the trigger. They jumped as he went into fierce convulsions, quivering with a strained growl as the liquid in the cartridge flowed through him. Lum pressed fearfully up behind Ataru; Shu and the others backing away even further. Finally, the pain Eric felt faded and he relaxed letting out a long sigh.
�What the hell was that?� asked Megane.
Blade sat up and crossed his legs. Sweat ran down the front of his face, and he let the mouthpiece fall from his mouth before answering.
�My breakfast,� he said, looking slowly up.
�Oh is that all,� said Ataru. �Well if you can�t eat a Japanese meal, we could�ve gone out and bought you an American one from one of the hotels.�
Eric sat speechless for a second. �To be more specific, Megane,� he continued, shooting Ataru looks of death, �It�s a vaccine made from garlic and other chemicals designed to keep my craving for blood down.�
�Wow, great way to stay on a diet,� Chibi said.
Kakaguri took him in a tight headlock, smacking the man repeatedly across the head. Suddenly, the balcony door opened and Parma rushed in.
�They�re coming!� he told them.
They went to the balcony, Parma pointing to the distant form of Benten�s rapidly approaching hoverbike. Dawn was just braking across the horizon, and they could clearly see Benten, Grace draped across her back.
�Something�s wrong,� said Blade, eyes narrowing.
�Couldn�t be the sun by small chance, could it?� asked Ataru.
�This is no time for jokes, Moroboshi. Somebody get a blanket, fast!�
Megane dashed back inside.
The whine from Benten�s bike could be heard clearly now, the throttle wide open in a mad race to beat the sun�s rays. Grace still had not moved, but they all could see a light smoky mist curling up from her hands and hair. Megane reappeared with the blanket, and Eric told Shu to grab one end and open it up.
The bike heaved sharply around, Benten skillfully careening it over into a midair slide stopping just short of the railing. Without a word Blade pulled Grace off the back and bundled her into the open blanket, carrying her quickly inside as the sun finally broke.
He set her down and she lay moaning into his chest. �Draw the curtains!� Shu said.
They were closed and Grace lay back, panting hard.
�Ooo, you just don�t know how much that stings!� she said.
Ataru opened a window to let out the smoke and smell of her singed skin. �Is she going to be alright?� he asked.
�Vampires heal faster than humans,� replied Blade. He opened the blanket to check the extent of her injuries, drawing back when he saw the two gunshot wounds on her legs.
�What happened!� he exclaimed.
�Give me� give me a moment, Eric,� she replied. �Lum, I�m going to need my bag.�
Lum shot out of the room, returning seconds later with Graces ditty bag. She literally ripped it open, pulling out one of her packets of blood.
�Sorry, folks. No time for table manners,� she said before popping the plastic seal.
�Deyeh�� trailed Megane, grimacing while Grace sucked the blood out through the top. Portions of it dribbled down the front of her chin and neck, staining her shirt.
�Uh, I�ll get a towel,� said Jariten, quickly flying out.
Up the steps stormed Benten, bursting into Ataru�s room. �Grace!� she cried coming to her side.
Grace pulled down the packet, wiping her lips with the back of her arm. �I�m fine now, Benten. Thanks for get me back here so quick.�
�That was too close. Next time we don�t play around and�� Benten drew back, frowning at the bloody mess on Kimball�s face. �Ew, you look like that Miko girl.�
�And I ask again. What happened, and who is Miko?� Eric repeated.
�We got jumped, Eric,� Grace said.
�Yeah, that asshole from the park was there waiting for us!� added Benten.
�What? How the hell did he know you were coming?�
�I don�t think he knew,� replied Grace. �I think he was hunting Miko.�
�Who�s Miko?� asked Chibi.
Grace sighed, exhaustion sapping her strength. �Hey partner. You want to tell them everything? I�m tired and need some rest.�
�Sure.�
It did not take long for Kimball to drift off, and in minutes she was fast asleep�
* * * * *
Hiroki sat thinking quietly as Abe finished recounting his morning�s work. At least his intended concubine had been disposed off, that still left the unexpected problem of this Grace Kimball and her friends. Blade probably heard about this by now, an order to his slaves to double their vigilance in case he tried to make an unwanted call.
�Abe, did Miko tell Kimball my whereabouts?�
�I do not know, Hiroki. She just briefly mentioned your title and the Master�s name before I had her killed.�
Hiroki stood up moving to the wet bar and poured himself a short glass of warm blood. He could hear Abe�s lips smacking, the desire for blood almost unbearable. Huh, let his suffer a bit more, he thought turning back around.
�This Kimball, are you sure she was the one from the park?�
�It was her, Hiroki.�
�Hm� Then we should inquire through our channels about this gaijin vampire. Certainly she has roots somewhere in America.�
�It will be done.�
Hiroki smiled before taking a swallow from the glass. He could see Abe�s eyes locked on the glass and its contents, the man teetering on edge.
�You�ve done well,� he said, running a finger along the rim of his glass. Hiroki paused, licking his finger slowly clean before finishing.
�You may go. The Master will be pleased I assure you.�
With a quick nod, Abe hurried out the room.
Hiroki reflected upon last night and tried to figure out what his next plan of action would be. The slaves will no doubt turn up an address on Moroboshi, but waiting might be to late with Blade, and this new traitor, unaccounted for in the city. No, I think I have a better idea, one that will garner more immediate results.
He checked the time and smiled.
�And she should be just about here��
* * * * *
Walking cheerfully down the sidewalk, Ran hummed a light tune to herself as she journeyed to make her appointment with Hiroki Motoabe. She was ecstatic; thrilled that at last she would get the jump on Lum and upstage her. This was a dream come true and no power on this planet would prevent it from happening.
Coming to an intersection, Ran pulled out Motoabe�s card and read the address. A short look around found the building she was seeking across the street. It was a long, multi level warehouse that had been converted into some kind of business complex. A dark row of pane windows ran along the upper floors, it�s grayish-white exterior appeared fresh and clean. With a light giggle, Ran crossed the street.
Entering through the two double glass doors, Ran stood in the foyer searching for a receptionist or anyone who could point her in the right direction. There was a small speaker mounted on the wall to her left and she went over, pressing the button below it.
[Hello?]
�Hello, is uh, Mister Motoabe in?�
There was a long pause then the speaker crackled.
[Ran, is that you?]
�Mister Motoabe!�
Hiroki had been watching her ever since she entered the building, careful to keep Ran�s suspicions down. He smiled, admiring her body. Tapping the security guard sitting at the console, Hiroki told him to let her in and headed for the door.
A buzz sounded, Ran starting slightly as one of the doors popped open. Carefully, she walked over and peeked inside.
�Come in� Ran,� Hiroki�s smooth voice called to her from the gloom.
Ran stepped in and the door shut behind her.
It was a small studio with reflecting lights and spot lamps positioned around several photo sets. One of them was lit up, black and white drapes fanned out in alternating positions with a small covered platform squarely in the middle of the set. At a camera positioned on a tripod with his back to her, Hiroki stood adjusting the settings as he readied for the shoot.
�Do you like it?� he asked her.
�Oh it�s great!� she replied.
He looked up and then turned around. �Just great?�
�I mean excellent!� Ran quickly said, not wanting to anger him.
Hiroki laughed lightly, walking over to the woman. �My sets are works of art, Ran,� he told her, placing an arm around her shoulders. �It takes hours, sometimes days, to get things just right. Bringing out the best in both beauty and elegance is something not everyone can do.�
Ran stood mesmerized by Hiroki�s charm. The fire in his words thrilled her even more and she grinned uncontrollably.
�I will not disappoint you, Mister Motoabe.�
�Please, Hiroki. All of my models are� close to me.�
Hiroki snapped his fingers and from out of the darkness appeared two women. There were clad in black skintight bodysuits, skirts made of thin black latex, and spiked heels completing their attire.
�Iesya and Myukai will be helping you change into your clothing during the shoot.�
Ran looked at the two women. They seemed out of it, almost as if drugged staring out into open space.
�Uh, is that really necessary?� she asked.
�Oh yes. Time is a valued commodity in my line of work.�
She looked at them again, and they finally reacted gazing down at her, dark lips stretching into smiles.
�O-O-Okay, Hiroki. If you say so.�
�Excellent.� Hiroki clasped his hands together, rubbing them in anticipation. �Shall we get started?�
Ran fought back her fear as the two women each took an arm guiding her gently away to the changing room�
* * * * *
It was a little after eight and most of the people in the Ataru�s room were fast asleep. Shu lay stretched out near the closet; Megane, Kakaguri and Chibi sprawled about the floor. Benten snored lightly next to the balcony windows with Grace next to her. In the center of the room, Lum, Ataru, Jariten and Parma sat playing another round of Hanifuda. Blade, still seated in his spot against the dresser, listened quietly as he tried to relax.
His mind could not stop thinking about their current situation though. Unbeknownst to Moroboshi and his friends, they did not stand a real chance in hell if Rimialdi decided to unleash his cult of vampires on an assault of this house. The numbers he and Shu saw at the Red Moon told him he was going to need a lot more than the equipment he managed to bring with him.
Grace�s appearance was a lucky thing, but even she could not defeat every last one. Worse thing was, she was also a normal vampire. What if her supply of blood ran out, what then?
�Cheat!� cried Ataru, startling him.
He looked over the top of his shades to see what the accusations were all about. Moroboshi sat up on his knees enduring Lum�s uncontrolled laugh, cards scattered all around him.
�Damn it, Lum! You can�t be winning all the time without cheating!�
Lum leaned back on her arms. �Darling, face it. You will never beat me at Hanifuda.�
�That�s because you�re cheating!� he cried, leaning close to her face.
�No, it just means you�re a bad card player,� said Jariten.
Moroboshi gave him a hard look. He glanced over at Parma, but his friend could only shrug in agreement.
�Bah!� he let out, turning away from them in frustration.
As Lum giggled again, there came a light knock on the door. Mrs. Moroboshi peeked in.
�Ataru?� she called, thinking he still might be asleep.
�Breakfast ready, mom?� answered Ataru.
She paused, squinting her eyes trying to see him clearly in the dim light. �Ataru, when did your friends get here?�
�Early this morning. What�s for breakfast?�
�I was going to ask Mister Blade and Miss Kimball what they wanted to eat.�
�Oh, something rare, tenderized with a little blood flowing from it.�
A kick from Parma drew a yelp from Ataru.
�I�d like whatever you come up with, Mrs. Moroboshi,� Eric told her.
�And Miss Kimball?�
�She�s still asleep. I�m sure whatever you fix will be fine.�
Mrs. Moroboshi squinted again through the gloom. She sighed wondering how much this was going to put a dent in their food budget.
As the door closed, Blade leaned over and grabbed Ataru by the scruff of the neck.
�Tenderized, with a little blood flowing from it. I should shake the sense out of you. What little there is.�
�It would be futile,� Shu said, sitting up from his spot with a long yawn. �Moroboshi is naturally foolish, no matter what you do to him.�
Blade let Ataru go and sat back. �You get enough sleep?� he asked him.
�I can go with less sleep than some other people.�
Megane stirred, and then yawned as he awoke. Sitting up, he turned around checking out his surroundings.
�What time is it?� he asked.
�After eight,� answered Parma.
Megane nodded. �So what are we planning?�
�Planning?� questioned Shu.
�About the vampire situation. We can�t sit here and wait for the evening to arrive.�
�Yeah, that�s true,� added Ataru. �So what do we need to kill vampires?�
�We could get some holy water from Sakura,� suggested Parma. �Hey, maybe a few holy symbols, crosses, some garlic cloves.�
�Why don�t we just order okonomiyaki too? Heavy on the garlic.� said Jariten. �We could lay it out like a door mat so they can�t come in.�
Eric suddenly laughed, gazing around at them. �I see some Vampire 101 is needed here.� He looked over at Grace for a moment. �But we better move it somewhere else so Kimball can rest and fully recover.�
�I�m already awake, Eric,� Grace said. Turning over, she leaned up on an arm.
�How you doing?� asked Eric.
Grace pulled back the quilt and checked over her wounds. The bullet hole on her thigh was almost healed over, but her shattered kneecap still felt tender.
�I should be better by this afternoon.�
Ataru and the rest of the gang stared at her in total amazement.
�That is incredible!� exclaimed Megane.
�Something we vampire folk can do.� She sat back against the wall. �Sorry to steal some of your thunder �Professor�.�
�Not a problem,� replied Blade. �Wake up the others. They�re going to need to hear this too.�
Lum gave Benten a light shake. Her gun hand shot up, pistol clutched in a tight grip.
�Where�s the target and get out of the way!� she said, frantically looking around.
�There�s no trouble,� Lum told her. �We�re about to get a lesson from Mister Blade.�
�What? Hey I�ve graduated from school eons ago.� She started to roll back over. �Wake me when there�s some action.�
�Get your silly butt up!� Blade told her.
Soon everyone was up and seated waiting for Blade to speak.
�Okay. The first thing we�re going to dispel is that notion of �Holy� water and objects.�
�Don�t tell me. They don�t work,� said Shu.
�Right. Some fool back in the middle ages made it all up probably to sooth his fears.�
�Well there goes calling Cherry over to bless the place,� remarked Ataru.
Blade briefly smirked at him. �Now the driving of a stake through the heart has some fact to it. A major loss of blood will kill a vampire in a� heh, heh, heartbeat.�
�So we have to use wooden stakes?� asked Parma.
�Wood, bone, anything sharp to sever the heart. Hand me my bag, Shu.�
Shu reached over and passed Eric his duffel bag. �Best thing to use, and I�m not sure if you know this, Grace, is silver.�
He pulled out three silver spikes and passed them around. Megane examined the surface of one, letting out a long whistle.
�This will make vampire hunting real expensive,� he said.
�Yep. Silver is like the bane of this virus running through our blood. Don�t ask me why, I�m not a doctor.�
�But Grace didn�t have silver in her gun when she bagged a few of them,� said Benten.
�That�s because I hit them in the brain,� answered Grace. �Lead does wonders scrambling the neural systems primary motivator.�
�So this virus feeds off of the nervous system them?� asked Ataru.
�It over stimulates it. Because of the increased activity, the body needs more blood to keep it going.�
�Thus the need for the fangs,� added Blade.
�A-And the bit about sunlight?� asked Shu.
�The virus is hyper-sensitive to sunlight,� explained Grace. �This caries over to the skin, and as we all know veins do exist under the surface of the outer layer. A good dose of UV and it�s roasting time.�
�Mister Blade,� Lum said. �You don�t have that problem.�
Eric paused. �That�s because I�m not like them,� he finally answered her.
�So what�s your story?� Ataru said.
�My story?�
�Yeah. I�m curious, and I�m sure everyone else here is. How did you become so special a vampire?�
It was something that Eric tried to forget in his life. The dark memories of living as a young child in the sewers of New York, feeding off the homeless, running day by day never knowing when his luck would run out. Darker memories returned of having to kill his mother; his very own mother who�d been turned that fateful day. He went silent before deciding they all did deserve an explanation.
�My mother�� he began, �she was carrying me when she was attacked. The doctors pulled me from her womb thinking that she was going to die. Some of the virus got into my blood, and I became a half-breed.�
Silence�
�Wow,� said Ataru lightly. �And your mother�.�
�Dead.�
His tone told them this was a sensitive subject not to be brought up again.
�So,� said Benten, changing the subject. �Is there anything else we have handy that will kill vampires?�
Eric nodded. �You got any garlic?�
�So that�s not a fantasy?� said Jariten. He hit Parma on the side of the arm. �See?�
�Luck,� he replied.
�I can guess Garlic also reacts to infected blood much like silver,� said Shu.
�Only when in a powdered or liquid form.�
�At least it�s cheaper,� commented Chibi.
�But it can�t be shot out of my guns.� Blade pulled out a case and opened it up. Inside lay a sawed off shotgun broken down into its basic parts. He pulled out another case and in it was a heavily modified version of an HK submachine pistol.
�Both of these are designed to fire lead or silver bullets.�
Megane picked the pistol up, testing its weight. �Light, limited moving parts. Anyone wielding this should be able to fan down a whole bunch of vampires with one pass.�
�Yeah, but that�s the problem,� said Eric. �I only brought four clips with me. That ain�t enough.�
�There were a lot of vampires we saw at the Red Moon,� added Shu. �Not to mention� we still have to deal with� their slaves.�
Shutaro pressed his lips tight, shuddering as the image of the man he killed came back to mind. Eric could see that it still bothered him, quickly moving on.
�Grace, how much ammo did you bring with you?�
�Same as you. Four clips. Three and a half now. A crossbow with two bolts left, much of my armament is knives.�
�Yeah, me too.�
�So are we like doomed?� asked Ataru.
�Not doomed, Moroboshi,� he answered. �Put back is a better way of saying it.�
Lum came up behind Ataru and wrapped her arms around him. He shook his head thinking how bleak their chances had become�
* * * * *
Strobes flashed all around her, Ran shifting and posing with every command that Hiroki gave. His camera never seemed to stop, the flashes bright leaving a blue glow that oddly left her feeling weak and tired. Another change, this time switching out of the tight lycra bathing suit she wore, into a long green evening dress with lace frills around her shoulders and wrist.
Hiroki seemed pleased, turning up the speed of the shoot, moving around her barking commands, shouting encouragement. The dizziness Ran was feeling finally caught up with her and she stopped, placing a hand to her forehead.
�Something wrong, Ran?� asked Hiroki.
�The lights. They�re a bit destabilizing. I-I need to sit down.�
Hiroki smiled. �Please do.�
Ran sat on the end of the center platform drawing in a breath.
�Are you enjoying yourself,� continued Hiroki.
�Oh yes, Mister Motoabe.�
�Hiroki.�
�Sorry. I like all of the clothes I�m fashioning. Especially that tight little dance dress three shots back. The heels were a bit high, but I could get used to them.�
�Thank you. Most of them are of my design. Would you like one?�
Ran�s expression brightened. �You�d give me one?�
�Of course. And I know what outfit you�re talking about. You did look ravishing in it.�
�Mister� Hiroki,� said Ran, blushing.
Hiroki grinned at her. He stepped back to another tripod and pushed it up. �While you are taking your break, I�m going to a digital scan of your body, Ran.�
�What�s that?�
�Oh, a special electronic picture I can enter into a computer.� He peered though the sights, making a few adjustments. �Now you�re going to experience a few more flashes, Ran. Nothing damaging, but they will be brighter than what you have experienced so far.�
�Oh, do I have too?�
�Trust me, Ran.�
A small red light came on above the lens. �See this. Without moving your head, I want you to follow it as it runs back and forth. Can you do that for me?�
Ran was nervous, but gave him a slight nod.
�Good. Here we go.�
The red dot started moving slowly at first, picking up after a few sweeps. Suddenly there came a flash, bright making Ran flinch slightly.
�Stay still,� said Hiroki.
�It scared�.�
�Shh!�
Another flash went off, the red light moving faster and fasted. Ran did the best she could to keep up, but soon her mind felt confused, vision distorting and the flashing lights were not helping matters. �Relax,� she could hear Hiroki saying. Things were starting to blur, colors melting together in a dizzying kaleidoscope of motion.
�Don�t fight, Ran.�
�� Ah� No� I� I��
�That�s it. Relax; set your mind at ease. Absorb the light.�
The flashing lights increased into a continuous rhythm, Ran wavering on the platform as she lost all sense of control.
��Relax� absorb� yes� yes,� she mumbled.
Finally, Ran went still staring blindly out into space. Hiroki signaled his two assistants to shut off the strobes, and the lights were turned up. He smiled at Ran, walking over to her. She sat with her mouth gaping open, a strand of drool hanging from her chin. He wiped it away with a handkerchief and sat down beside her.
�Ran. Ran, darling can you hear me?�
Ran slowly nodded.
�Yes. Ran, you want to help me do you not?�
��help you��
�Yes, help me. You want to serve me with undying devotion.�
�� serve you� completely��
�You will be my slave, Ran. Understand?�
�I am your slave��
�And I am your Master, Ran.�
�You are my Master.�
Hiroki stood up, guiding her along with him. He turned the mesmerized woman around to face him, and he stepped back admiring Ran�s loveliness.
�Oh you are a beauty, my dear Ran,� he said. �Much more than Miko was.�
�She certainly is, Hiroki,� said a voice from out of the darkness.
Hiroki�s head snapped around expression filled with surprise as Rimialdi stepped out into the light.
�Master,� he said as the Old Blood walked around Ran.
Malenkov smiled, twirling a finger around several lengths of her hair, smelling the freshness of it. He could see the forlorn look on Hiroki�s face.
�Fear not, my loyal friend,� he said, letting Ran�s hair fall free. �I have no desire to take your woman from you.�
�Thank you, Master.�
�So she is going to bring Lum to me?� he asked.
�Yes, Master.
Rimialdi smiled, leaning close to Ran. �When?�
�I will bring Lum to you� tonight�� said Ran.
He drew back. �Excellent.�
Pleased, Rimialdi headed back towards the darkened surroundings, holding out both arms to allow Hiroki�s two assistants to move up next to him.
�All that will be left now is to finish our plans, eliminate this Blade� oh yes, and kill Ataru Moroboshi.�
�It will be done, Master,� replied Hiroki.
�I�m sure it will be. Come ladies, let us adjourn to �quieter� surroundings.�
They faded off into the gloom, Hiroki stepping behind Ran.
�Before you depart on your task my love, first I must claim you properly.�
Tipping Ran�s head gently forward, Hiroki parted her hair, exposing the smooth skin on the back of her neck�
* * * * *
�What do you mean I�m a target?� Ataru shouted at Grace.
�That creep back in that warehouse specifically mentioned your name as well as Lum�s. �You are a marked man that�s for sure.�
Ataru dropped to his knees at the center of the room, stunned by her words. Lum came up and gently leaned his head against her chest, stroking his face.
�Darling, we won�t let them get you,� she said.
Ataru blubbered incoherently, moaning as he fought to control the panic welling up inside him.
�Both of you will not fall to Rimialdi,� said Blade.
�But you and Grace do not have enough ammunition to stop the vampires,� said Parma.
�Not yet,� Megane suddenly said. He turned to Shu and no words were needed.
A quick flash of a cell phone, Shu connected with his household staff.
[This is Shutaro Mendou. Get me the Armory!]
[Yes, Young Master!]
A short pause, then another voice came on. [Armory.]
�Shu, what are you doing?� asked Blade.
�Getting us armed,� he replied. [Armory, this is Shutaro Mendou, I want the following requisition filled!]
[Standing by, Young Master!]
Shu placed a hand over the receiver. �Blade, what type of rounds do you use for those?�
�Nine Millimeter and Twelve Gage 50.cal slugs.�
�Hey, don�t forget .44 magnum,� added Grace.
[Armory, I want three thousand rounds of .9mm, five hundred rounds Twelve Gage, and five hundred rounds .44 magnum made immediately. All slugs are to be made out of pure silver.]
[S-silver, Young Master?]
[Silver. How long will it take?]
The gunsmith on the other end made a few calculations. [It will take at least an hour to requisition the silver from the Mendou repositories, and an additional three hours to complete production.]
That made it close to four before they could be ready, plenty of time before dusk settled in. He instructed his man to get started along with several more orders that came to mind.
�Now you can say you got lucky, Blade,� said Megane. �It�s is not often anyone hooks up with the son of the richest family in Japan right off the bat.�
�I�ll say,� he replied.
Shu hung up. �Around four we will be able to get our weapons.�
�Our?� questioned Kakaguri.
�Yes, �Our�. You don�t seriously think we�re going to get out of this without a fight?�
Kakaguri gulped. �Fight?�
�Be brave, man!� Megane shouted at him. �You are a Stormtrooper! One of the elite.�
�But, but Megane!�
�No buts!�
Chibi and Parma traded hesitant looks. �We�re about to face vampires, Megane,� said Parma.
Chibi stood up. �I think I hear my mother calling.�
�You can�t leave,� Eric said to them. �None of you can now. That was a pretty risky thing you did, Shu.�
Mendou arched a brow.
�Slaves, remember? And if your organization has been infiltrated, they might catch wind of our plans and try to head it off before dark.�
�I think it is worth the risk, Blade,� he replied. �Lum must be protected.�
�What about me?� asked Ataru.
�You are fighting with us,� answered Eric. He gazed around at the rest of them. �We�re all committed, and we�ve all been seen by the vampires. No doubt they will find out where we are and try to kill us.�
�We�re still going to need a plan, Eric,� said Grace.
That much was true. First thing to do was gather everyone involved with last night�s party together. After that, wait until the extra ammo and weapons were ready, then find this Motoabe and force him to lead them to Rimialdi.
�Lum, go call Shinobu. Tell her she needs to come over ASAP.�
�What about that redhead?� asked Grace.
�Redhead?�
Moroboshi let out a devious giggle. �She�s talking about Ran,� he said.
�She was at the club with us last night. I�m sure the vampires saw her,� said Benten.
�Then she needs to get over here too.�
Ataru let out a yelp of delight. �Oh yes, more babes in my room!�
�Darling!� shouted Lum, rising up into the air. �I�m going to zack you if you say that again!�
Kimball sat up. �Okay, I�ve heard that term one to many times. Lum, what is this zack you keep threatening Moroboshi with?�
�My power.�
�Your what?�
�She has this ability,� Benten started to explain, and then paused. �I think a demonstration would be better here.�
�Oh no!� cried Ataru.
Megane gave him a nudge to the ribs. He was grinning from ear to ear, happy to see Moroboshi squirming with fear.
�Go ahead, Ataru,� he said, brows beetling eagerly.
�No! I didn�t do anything wrong!�
�Stop being such a wimp and show�em!� shouted Benten.
Ataru looked around at the expectant eyes on him. With a sad sigh, he stood up inching closer to Lum.
�Aw, do I have to?�
�Do it!� cried Shu.
Ataru shook his head. �Lum.�
�Yes Darling?�
�Uh� I�m in love with Shinobu.�
CRAZAAAAACCKKKKKK!
AAAIIIEEEEEE!!!!!
Ataru was left smoldering on the floor. Grace and Eric stared at him in surprise, taking occasional glances up at Lum. Eric suddenly burst out into fits of laughter, holding his sides as he fell over on his back. Grace too broke out laughing, covering her face with her hands to muffle her cries.
�That is the best thing I�ve seen all morning!� exclaimed Eric. He managed a deep breath, tipped his head back up for another look at Ataru and continued heaving uncontrollably on the floor.
Grace bit her lips, drawing in several breaths through her nose and managed to calm down. �Oh, Lum. Is there anything else you can do besides fly and barbeque without gas?�
�That�s pretty much it,� she replied.
Ataru let out a moan and sat up. �That�s a good thing too,� he said. �Between her zacks and Jariten�s hot breath it�s a wonder I�ve lived this long.�
Kimball could not hold back any longer breaking out into fits again.
�Okay, I�ve had my jollies for the day,� Eric finally said, sitting back up. �Lum, call Shinobu and this Ran girl. Get them over here.�
�Right.�
Lum flew out the room.
�And while we�re waiting for them, I�ll go over some more things you need to know about vampires.�
�Can�t be much else,� said Ataru. �We know now you guys have a twisted sense of humor.�
Blade paused, then started laughing�
* * * * *
Hiroki smoothed a thin layer of salve over the fresh tattoo etched on Ran�s neck. His hands gently began massaging her shoulder muscles, Ran letting out a pleased moan.
�Yes, Ran. We will have more time to enjoy each other�s company soon. But first you must go and bring Lum back here.�
Ran moaned again. �I will bring her, Master Hiroki,� she said.
He turned her around, planting a light kiss on Ran�s forehead. She gazed up at him, completely enthralled by his deep gaze ready to die for the man if need be.
�You will be a welcome addition to my clan,� said Hiroki. �Now go and do as instructed.�
With a cheerful grin, Ran gathered up her purse and set off to carry out her mission.
* * * * *
Shinobu walked nervously down the street towards Ataru�s home, Lum�s doing nothing to improve her mood after everything she�d experienced last night. If Blade wanted her to come over, it must be important, but why didn�t they have Shu send over a car to pick her up?
This reminded her of a spy movie, only the stakes were real and one wrong move could be the end of her life. A shudder creased her back, Shinobu cutting her eyes from side to side watching the corners, every shadow hiding a potential threat. Her legs shifted into overdrive, Shinobu hurrying along praying that nothing would happen to her.
Something did, but not in the way she expected.
�Yeep!� cried Shinobu as she smacked into someone standing at the corner of the next block. So worried about being jumped, she neglected to pay attention on the way ahead. Both she and the person she hit fell to the sidewalk.
�I�m sorry!� she said, quickly coming up on her hands and knees. Then she got a good look at the person sitting across from her and sighed.
�Oh Ran, it�s only you.�
Ran stared at Shinobu with not a hint of emotion on her face. Her neutral gaze made Shinobu pause.
�Uh, heh, heh� I suppose you are heading to Ataru�s too?� asked Shinobu, feeling uncomfortable beneath the odd stare.
Mentioning Ataru�s name drew a reaction from Ran. She forced a friendly smile on her face and nodded. �Yes. I�m going to meet Lum.�
�Me too.� Shinobu stood up and brushed her skirt free of dirt and dust. �I guess Lum told you about last night then.�
Ran blinked. �No. What happened?�
She stopped, surprised by her answer. �You mean you don�t know about the vampires?�
That was something Ran did not want to talk about here in the open street. Fortunately, Shinobu spared her from any explanation.
�Yes, I forgot. You went home before we had our incident.�
Crisis averted, Ran thought it wise to play dumb and find out more on what was going on. Master Hiroki would surely need to be informed about any plans being made. Ran looked around spotting her purse lying on the sidewalk just behind her. As she leaned over to retrieve it, the back of her hair fell to one side allowing Shinobu a good look at the tattoo on her neck.
Shinobu could not remember Ran ever having such a thing, but then again she was a strange girl much like all of the alien women she had met since Lum�s arrival.
�Here, let me help you up,� she said extending a hand.
With Shinobu�s assistance, Ran stood up and brushed herself off.
�So is this a bad thing?� asked Ran.
�Oh you bet, and from the way Lum was sounding we�d better get over to Ataru�s fast.�
Ran raised one eyebrow giving Shinobu a sideways glance.
�Well let�s go then,� she said, looping an arm around Shinobu�s. �I�m very curious to hear what all of the commotion is about��