The group sat listening to Eric as he detailed more information on vampires. Much of what he told them brought more doubts about their chances of defeating them, especially when they not only had to fight them, but their own kind as well.
�Blade,� said Shu, stopping him for a moment. �How many of these slaves can a vampire control?�
�Depends upon his influence. Vampires use a variety of lures and promises to hook a person.�
�You mean like money, stature, power,� said Benten.
�That, and other things like hypnosis, drug induced trances. More recently, vampires have been infiltrating into the Goth hype that�s been spreading amongst the younger crowd.�
�Seems that the idea of being dead is the �in� thing now,� added Grace. �Tells me that parental upbringing isn�t what is used to be.�
�Oh, I don�t know,� said Ataru. �I kind�a like the kinky fashions. Tight dresses, spiked heels, bare mid�.�
A flurry of pillows buried him.
�Such a fool,� snarled Benten. �You were saying?�
�Yes.� Eric continued, �Slaves are usually branded by their owner with a tattoo. Nothing conspicuous, a minor thing easily concealable.�
�So if I want too find out who in my organization is really working for a vampire, all I do is check them for extra birthmarks,� said Shu.
Grace laughed at the description. �Great idea, but it�s not a hard thing to find.� She turned around, lifting the back of her hair. �Here. Right at the base of their neck.�
�Once branded, you become immune from attacks, but you are expected to serve without question,� said Eric.
Blade stopped and stared at Ataru.
�What? What!� cried Ataru, suddenly feeling guilty.
�I�m waiting for you to say something stupid.�
Ataru flinched, sitting back. �Hey, come on give me some credit.� He paused and his lecherous deviant face came on. �But boy what a babe harem I would have if I was a vampire.�
�Lum.�
ZACK!
AAAAAIIIEEEE!
Moroboshi smoldered on the floor, Grace Kimball�s laugh filling the room. He sat up, rounding on Lum, but before a word could be uttered, Jariten gave him a burst of flame to the backside. Ataru screamed dropping to a roll to douse the flames.
�And you deserved that too,� shouted Jariten.
�I see you�re beginning to understand the Moroboshi mentality there, Blade,� said Parma.
Grace�s laughs subsided and she sat back up. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she briefly smiled at Ataru before continuing on with their conversation.
�All humor aside, kids. If the slaves are ordered to kill you, they will. Not to mention they�d probably collect the blood and deliver it as a show of allegiance.�
Shu thought back to the life he took last night. �That is sad,� he said.
�Speaking of which,� said Megane. �Miss Kimball, if you don�t mind me asking, what�s your story?�
�My story?�
�Yeah. We know Blade�s, but what about you? Why are you hunting down your own kind?�
�Hm, a good question,� Eric said.
Grace�s tone went somber and they could see that her past was something she did not like to dwell upon. Megane thought he had gone out of his bounds and apologized, but she shook her head.
�No, you guys should know a little about me,� she said. Taking a deep breath, Grace told them about her murder, the infection and resurrection that brought her back.
�I guess you could say once a cop, always a cop. I was� still is, my job to protect others from this plague that�s threatening to engulf the world.�
�Well that�s very noble of you, Grace,� said Lum.
�Yes, but it�s a lonely life. I really do miss seeing the sun from time to time.�
�I�ll bet your family misses you too,� said Benten.
Kimball smiled. �I�ve no family really to speak of. My father was a bureaucrat, my godfather just as power-hungry as him.� She stopped and for a brief moment it looked like Grace was about to cry. She drew in another long breath.
�He murdered my husband.�
�You were married?� said an astonished Blade.
She chuckled a bit. �I like to think that. He was my lover. You might have heard of him. Greg Tonell?�
�No!� they all exclaimed.
She drew back. �Wow, I didn�t expect such a response.�
�You�re married to Greg Tonell!� said Chibi.
�He�s one of the best action stars on film!� Shu said.
�And such a hunk too,� added Benten.
Grace smiled. She�d never known Gregg had such a worldwide reputation. The quizzical look from Blade caught her attention.
�Can�t picture it?� she said to him.
�Greg Tonell is a vampire?�
�Not� not at first.�
�So a vampire got to him,� said Kakaguri.
�Yes� me.�
�What!� came another cry from her friends.
Blade looked around. �Where�s my gun? Somebody get me my gun.�
�Hold on, Blade,� said Megane. �I�m sure there�s a good explanation for it. You do have an explanation, Grace?�
She shrugged. �He wanted to do it. All because he loved me.�
�Hold on,� Ataru suddenly said. He stood up, thinking for a moment. �I recall Tonell was on the run from the law for killing somebody.�
�Rupert Michaels,� Parma said.
�Right! Becoming a vampire is a good way to stay ahead of the law.�
�He didn�t do it because he was on the run!� shouted Grace.
Ataru reared back and it grew quite.
�S-sorry,� apologized Grace. �Greg loved me, but I was stupid and I tried to block him out. I just could not admit I loved him.�
They all could feel her sadness and pain. Jariten slowly moved up and placed his arms around her trying to comfort the woman. Grace took him up in her arms, hugging the child tight.
�I didn�t mean to get him killed. I wanted him, but could not accept it. To damn stubborn, cold as ice bitch, who ended up needing his love.�
�Goes to show how much we all need another person in their lives, doesn�t it, Darling,� said Lum.
Ataru pretended not to hear her, whistling lightly up to the ceiling.
�That, and the fact that I was going to have his baby,� said Grace.
�You were pregnant!� exclaimed Blade. He shot to his feet. �What the hell kind of vampire are you?�
�I don�t know, Eric!� she replied. �It happened, we don�t know how, but it happened.�
�And the baby?� asked Benten.
�Aborted when I was my godfather�s brief prisoner.�
�Oh this is too much,� said Megane. �Vampires having children.�
�You said it,� said Ataru. �Don�t they know Japan is already overcrowded as it is?�
Several smirks and annoyed glares locked on him. He grimaced, slinking slowly back down to the floor. Suddenly, Eric snapped his fingers.
�Wait a minute, Moroboshi. You might be on to something.�
�Really?�
�Yeah.� Blade rubbed his chin, thinking a moment. He did not like the picture forming in his mind, but everything he had discovered so far about Rimialdi and his intentions pointed towards it. Looking down at Lum, Eric shook his head.
�You, little lady, are in some big trouble.�
�Eric, what are you talking about?� Grace said.
�Rimialdi.�
�And?�
He cut his eyes down at Jariten. �Children.�
A gasp from Benten echoed the shock that they all suddenly felt as Eric�s suggestion hit home. Lum suddenly let out a cry, flying over behind Ataru.
�No! I only want to have Darling�s children!� she said, sobbing into his back.
�So what�s the lesser of the two evils?� asked Chibi, gaining a slap across the head from Kakaguri.
Grace set Jariten down and stood up.
�Eric, you don�t think Rimialdi wants Lum to bear his children?�
�After what you told me, and everything that has happened so far, I�d say yes he does.�
�Grief, if Lum�s chromosomes and Rimialdi�s twisted genes get mixed together, we�ll end up with super-vampires running this country,� said Shu.
�Then things will get bad,� replied Eric. He glanced over at Lum and Ataru again not liking their situation at all.
�Really bad��
* * * * *
Rimialdi was having disturbing thoughts of his own at that very same moment. The human subjects under Hiroki finally tracked down some information on Blade, and it was not very pleasing news at all. Several times he and Hiroki would pause from the documents spread on the desk and trade worried looks.
�He destroyed the entire cult network in New York City?� questioned Malenkov.
�The ruling clan of senior vampires, Master,� answered Hiroki. �Old Bloods, turned humans with creditable background, a complete annihilation coupled with an odd rebellion by another of our kind.�
�No doubt some young whelp thinking he could rule everything without regard of position or values. Lord Dracula would have smite him down without effort.�
It was the first time Hiroki heard reference to the grand vampire of the world. Coming from his master�s lips he knew Rimialdi�s moves had been carefully thought out so not to upset him in anyway. Taking up another sheet of paper, Hiroki read it over and suddenly sat back with surprise.
�Now this is interesting,� he said. �It seems that our Eric Blade is also a Daywalker.�
�A Daywalker?�
�Yes, Master. Surprising, isn�t it?�
Malenkov snatched the paper from Hiroki�s hands and read it. He let out an angry growl, crumpling it up into a small wad dashing it to the floor.
�I want him found and killed tonight, Hiroki!�
�He�s probably guarding Lum, Master.�
�I do not care! Get me Lum, and kill any opposition that will stand in my way!�
Hiroki gulped, stepping back slightly. �Y-Yes, Master.�
�Now what about this Kimball?�
�We have found nothing on her yet.�
�And Moroboshi?�
�We do have an address. He�s a very popular man with the law enforcement and government agencies in Japan.�
�Meaning?�
Hiroki raised a brow, smiling thoughtfully. �Tonight, Ataru Moroboshi will die I guarantee it.�
* * * * *
With Ran and Shinobu�s arrival, Blade and Grace turned their attentions on forming a plan to hunt down Rimialdi before he could strike against them and take Lum. On the floor was spread a map of Tokyo, Grace marking murder sites on it just as she did to locate Miko the night prior.
�There,� she finally said, sitting back on her knees. �That�s the last one.�
They all looked it over, searching for a clue that would give them an idea where Rimialdi might be hiding.
�I think the docks are out,� said Megane. �The police are combing the area after all of the recent deaths there.�
�I think we�re looking for someplace where blood can be stored safely,� suggested Chibi.
Eric nodded, agreeing with him. �Rimialdi would need a lot of blood to keep up his strength.�
�Maybe a warehouse?� said Benten.
�It would have to be chilled to keep the blood from spoiling,� added Grace.
�The Blood Bank maybe?� Ataru guessed.
�No, he might have connections there, but changes in their supply would not go unnoticed.�
Parma knelt down, staring at the dot marking the club Red Moon�s location. �Hey, gang. Let�s take this slower. This Rimialdi surfaces here at the Red Moon. That�s step one.�
Shu, with his ever-present magnifying glass, traced the series of dots marking the kills made from two weeks hence. The pattern they made seemed to centralize in and around the lower half of Tokyo, moving from the harbor area inland.
�My guess is he came in by boat,� said Shu. �Two weeks give or take a day. Look here.�
They all knelt closer, listening close as Shu laid out his theory.
�Before this super vampire arrived, the killings were on the outskirts of the city, nothing close to the central parts. My guess is that they were still gathering and preparations were being made for his arrival.� His glass moved down towards the inner harbor.
�Now we have people being drained, killings suddenly restricted. I would say Rimialdi�s hiding somewhere down here.�
�Hm, That leaves out the Red Moon,� said Grace.
�So what do we do?� asked Chibi. �Search all of this area by ourselves, with no clue where to start?�
�No,� answered Blade. �Our first move is finding this Hiroki Motoabe.�
Out of eyeshot, Ran started slightly at the mention of the name. She was listening close to their plans; waiting until an opportunity arose to make a phone call that would alert her new master to all that was transpiring. Now they knew his name, and that meant trouble no matter what the case.
�Gee, if we only know what he looked like,� said Lum.
Shinobu could not believe her ears. �You�re kidding me?� she said to them.
�You know who this guy is?� replied Megane.
Her eyes went wide. �Ataru, does your mother have any fashion magazines?�
�Sure, down in the living room. Why?�
She held up a finger, giving them a quick wink as she ran out the room.
�What�s gotten into her?� asked Benten.
The phone in Shu�s pocket suddenly rang. He answered it, moving to one side. While he was occupied, Shinobu returned carrying a copy of Vogue in her hands. Spreading the magazine open on the floor, she pointed to a black and white photograph.
�That is Hiroki Motoabe,� she said.
You bitch, thought Ran. I knew I should have killed you before we got here.
Eric stared at the features of Motoabe, studying his next target as if he were trying to read his very soul.
�Not a bad looking gentleman,� commented Grace.
�He�s one of the top photographers in Japan,� continued Shinobu. �His pictures have won awards all over the world, and he has his own fashion line too.�
�And he�s also a vampire,� said Ataru. �Pretty busy man I�d say!�
�Well let�s all go back down to the Red Moon, catch this Moto dude in his bed, and force him to take us to Rimjob,� said Kakaguri.
�We need weapons first, idiot!� snapped Megane.
�And we�ll have them shortly,� answered Shu. That was my armory. Our gear is ready to be picked up.�
�Good,� said Blade. �Let�s get over there and�.�
�Hold on, Eric,� Grace interrupted. �We all should not go.�
�Why not?�
�One, my leg is still mending. Two, the Moroboshi�s and Jariten will all be left here defenseless.�
�But it�s still daylight outside, Grace,� Benten said.
�Their slaves aren�t affected by that. What�s to say that the Moroboshi�s won�t be kidnapped while we�re gone?�
�Those bastards wouldn�t dare!�
�Yes they would,� replied Megane. �That would force us to trade you and Lum for their lives. You, no problem; Lum, no way.�
�Oh thanks a lot!�
Eric suppressed his laughs as best he could. �Okay, okay� heh heh heh heh� Kimball�s right. So I�ll take the guys with me and we�ll bring everything back. Grace, think you can cover things here?�
Kimball nodded her head. �Leave your firepower with us and we should do fine.�
�Right. Shu leave your cell number here with�.�
�I�ve got it,� said Shinobu.
��uh, yeah. The rest of us, that includes you too, Moroboshi, will hustle over to Mendou�s estate and pick up our things. By then, Grace should be healed enough to move around.�
�And then we go and kick some vampire ass?� asked Parma.
Blade reached into his coat pocket, pulling out his shades. A quick sharp snap opened them, and he put them on.
�You damn right we will.�
* * * * *
Once the guys departed, Lum, Shinobu, Benten, and Ran helped Grace down to the family room once more. They carefully shut blinds and drew the curtains just enough to shade off a portion of the room for her to sit in relative safety from the sun. Meanwhile, Jariten hovered protectively near the patio doors watching for any signs of intruders.
Such devotion, thought Grace observing how the younger Oni was ready to fight for his cousin. She felt the longing for children of her own, fighting back the dull pain that ached in her heart. Talking about Greg had reopened emotional wounds, wounds she knew she could not heal anytime, or anyway for that matter. It was best to try and live with them, but her fight for self-control kept getting weaker and weaker as time passed.
Oh to just be rid of this curse, thought Grace. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes trying to ignore the strife battling in her mind. When she reopened them, Mrs. Moroboshi sat close by staring at her.
�Were you trying to meditate, Miss Kimball?� asked Mrs. Moroboshi.
�Uh, no. I was trying to work a knot out of my neck,� replied Grace.
�Oh. So how is your leg?�
Grace paused. �My leg?�
�Yes. Ataru told me about your little accident while demonstrating a move for the girls. Very unfortunate.�
�Oh, uh, yes. I�m such a klutz. All of these years and I have to go and make a mistake like that.�
They both laughed for a moment.
�Well I am just about done fixing lunch. I�ll bring you some and spare you the trouble of any further discomfort.�
�Thank you, Mrs. Moroboshi.�
Ataru�s mother headed off to the kitchen and Grace let out a relieved sigh. �At least Ataru has some sort of skill, be it not a great one. I wonder what side of the family it came from.�
Her eyes caught the brief stare from Ataru�s father, reading the paper across the room. He quickly pulled the paper up pretending not to be interested. She smirked lightly.
�Just don�t know how she could have had him,� muttered Grace, reaching over to picked up the issue of Vogue next to her.
Studying the picture of Motoabe, Grace felt something wrong about it. She spread it out on the floor and stared at it closely, but it failed to come to her.
�Girls,� called Grace, beckoning for them to come over.
�What�s up?� asked Benten.
�You tell me.� She turned the magazine around towards them. �What�s wrong with that picture?�
The four women looked it over.
It was a black and white park scene, seven exotically dressed women and men standing beneath several cherry blossom trees, white petals reflecting brightly beneath the afternoon sun. In the middle of the group stood Hiroki Motoabe, smiling cheerfully as he hefted a fashion award in his upheld hand.
Lum shrugged. �Those girls could be wearing more clothes?� she said.
�No,� said Ran. �They need a new hair stylist.�
�Not the fashions, girls!� Grace said. �Motoabe!�
�I don�t see anything,� commented Shinobu. She peered closer at the picture and grinned a timid grin. �You�re right though, he is cute.�
�This is no time to be hunk watching,� snapped Benten.
Grace turned the magazine back around. �Okay, okay. Nobody sees anything.� She shook her head, frustrated. �Its bothering me, and I can�t seem to figure it out.�
Mrs. Moroboshi poked her head around the corner. �Girls, can I get your help setting up the table?�
�I�ll help,� said Lum flying off.
�I better go to,� said Shinobu. �Lum�s will have extra spice in everything.�
Benten leaned over and looked at the picture one last time. �Sorry we couldn�t help,� she said.
�It�ll come to me,� replied Grace.
Ran stood up. �That reminds me,� she said. �I�ve got to go and call my, uh, friend, and tell them I won�t be meeting them for lunch this afternoon.�
�Oh, so you did get lucky at the Red Moon,� teased Benten.
Ran eyed her and then smiled.
�You just don�t know how much I did��
* * * * *
Arriving at the massive Mendou estate, Shutaro took no chances ordering all guards along their route removed. An electric motor cart was left at the gate, and they were soon whisking along the path towards the underground complex. Eric marveled at the site, amazed that one family could have such power and wealth.
�I�m very impressed, Shu,� he said.
�Nah, this is minor. I prefer our family estate of Tsushima.�
�Your family has a home on Tsushima?�
�My family owns Tsushima.�
Turning onto a road that lead underground, Mendou finally brought the cart to a stop at a pair of double door. He opened an electronic keypad, tapping in a few codes and they parted.
�This is Mendou Private Training Range,� said Shu.
Astonished looks accompanied low gasp as they were treated to an immense underground firing range complete with obstacles, firing booths, moving targets, and other required items. At one of the loading tables stood the Mendou Gunsmith, an average sized man wearing a white lab coat.
�Young Master!� he shouted, bowing curtly.
Blade spread out his arms stopping them. �Get him away from the table,� he told Shu.
�Step aside!� commanded Shu.
The gunsmith did, and they went to the table.
There arrayed before them were the latest models of auto and semi-auto machine pistols, automatic shotguns, and pistols of all kinds not to mention an assortment of swords, daggers and throwing stars.
�Now this is cool,� said Ataru, reaching out to pick one up.
Shu slapped him on the hand, knocking it away. �Are these loaded?� he asked his gunsmith.
�No, Young Master! All the ammunition is in the boxes underneath the table.�
Shu nodded. �Okay, Moroboshi, you can touch now.�
Ataru smirked at him as he picked up one of the Uzi�s�. �Such faithlessness.�
Megane, checking out one of the newer Tactical Machine Pistols, knelt down and pulled one of the ammo boxes up. Opening it, he found several clips full of silver coated bullets.
�There must be a fortune here,� he said.
Blade picked up a TMP, grabbed one of the clips and loaded it. Flicking the safety off, he turned aiming it down range and let off a burst raking several of the targets. Satisfied, he twirled it smoothly into his hip holster.
�Excellent,� said Blade with a smile.
�Great!� exclaimed Ataru. �Now that we�re armed, lets go get the girls and�.�
�Wait, Moroboshi,� said Shu. �We still need to familiarize the rest of you on how to operate these guns. That�s why we�re here.�
�How hard is it to point and shoot?� asked Parma.
�It�s not as long as you know how to, and have the safety off. Would suck if you tried to shoot and got nothing but a click.�
�Shu�s right,� said Eric. �We have enough time to teach you how to use these.�
�And I have some other things we will need too.�
�Well lets get started,� Ataru said.
�Hold on a minute,� said Blade. �Shu, your man over there safe?�
Shu�s eyes narrowed speculatively, raising a brow in a questioning slant. He ordered his man to kneel and walked behind him. �Lower your head,� ordered Shu.
The gunsmith obeyed, exposing the back of his neck. It was bare.
�He�s clean,� said Shu.
�Alright, let�s give these gentlemen a crash course in weapons handling.�
Picking up one of the shotguns, Eric began pointing out its features to Ataru and the others�
* * * * *
[Are you certain of this, Ran?]
Ran�s hurried voice repeated the information she had to Hiroki over the phone. He paused, thinking about what to do as Rimialdi and Abe stood behind him.
�This is interesting,� he said turning to face them. �It seems that Eric Blade is forming up a team to hunt you down, Master.�
Rimialdi�s face turned down in a dark mask of hate, one corner of his lip curling up with a vicious snarl. �I will see him beheaded and his treacherous hide flailed before me.�
�He also is aware of me, Master. That might be an advantage we are looking for.�
Abe winced, scratching one side of his head. �You want him to know about you?�
Hiroki grinned as his mind developed a plan that would land Blade into their hands, along with Moroboshi and Lum.
�Blade still thinks I�m roosting at the Red Moon, Abe. We�re going to allow him to continue thinking that.�
�Why?�
�Because that is where Eric Blade will die. Thanks to you of course.�
Hiroki spoke into the telephone again. [Ran darling, stay close to Lum. When the moment arises, bring her to the studio. Can you do this? Good. See you soon.]
Hanging up, Hiroki pressed his palms together tapping his bottom lip expectantly.
�What are you up to, Hiroki?� asked Rimialdi.
�I�m up to setting a trap, Master,� he replied. �Abe, gather your people. Go to the club and prepare to greet Blade, and I suspect his motley band of would-be vampire hunters.�
�You want I should bring them to the Master?�
�No,� growled Malenkov. �Kill them all.�
A surge of joy rushed through Abe. He nodded, all to happy to carry out his orders.
Hiroki checked his watch, noting the time. Still a few hours before anyone could move freely, this would require considerable timing if it were to succeed.
�Master, I must go,� he said, taking his coat from the back of his chair.
�And where are you headed?�
Motoabe stopped at the door for a minute.
�To the Moroboshi residence. After all, a trap needs bait, and I think I am the perfect lure for this.�
* * * * *
Ataru winced sharply as he shrugged his arms into a black trench coat similar to the one Blade wore. Handling guns was something not everyone in Japan had the privilege of doing, shooting high-powered ones an even rarer occasion. Unaccustomed to the various kicks, he knew it was going to take several long soaks in the hot tub to remove the bruises sure to form.
�Say, Mendou,� called Ataru as he buckled up the coat. �Why the costumes?�
Shu finished strapping on the lightweight bulletproof vest, letting out a short guffaw. �These are not costumes, Moroboshi. The vest is for your protection, the boots and coats are also made for combat situations.�
�In short, Ataru,� Megane said in words he could understand, �its to keep you from getting killed.�
Ataru blanched, the blood rushing from his face. �K-Killed!�
�Yeah, like in the fight we�re about to get into,� said Blade.
�Hey don�t start getting chicken on us, Ataru,� added Parma, noting the way he shook.
�But I�m a lover, not a fighter! You guys are supposed to be protecting me!�
�Listen to you,� Blade said, sneering at him. �One minute all gruff and tough, next moment weak as a wet noodle.�
Eric slid his sword into the scabbard on his back and looked around. �Everyone ready?�
�Where�s Chibi?� asked Shu.
The runt of the bunch had abruptly disappeared causing concern to flow though them.
�Maybe he got lost going to the restroom?� suggested Kakaguri.
�Maybe he got smart and went home like we should be doing,� suggested Ataru.
Through a door across the range Chibi appeared and slung over one shoulder he carried a small backpack.
�Where did you go?� shouted Megane as he arrived.
�I had to find the kitchen!�
�What? You went to eat and didn�t take me along!� shouted Ataru. Megane smacked him upside the head.
�This is no time to be worrying about stuffing your face,� said Eric.
�I didn�t eat. I put together a little something for our vampire friends.�
�You fixed them dinner?� said Shu.
�No. Let�s just say it�s a little surprise.�
Realizing they had better be getting back to Grace and the girls, Eric ended any further debate and asked Shu if he had some sort of transportation waiting. Shu smiled, motioning for them to follow as he headed to the doors. They walked down another corridor, coming out into a large garage. In a long neat row were several sleek silver and black motorcycles all ready to be taken out on the road.
�Acceptable?� Shu asked Blade.
�Yeah,� he replied cheerfully.
�Wow this is great,� said Ataru. �Dressed like bang-gangers and armed to boot, boy this is going to be hard to explain down at police headquarters.�
�Will you stop being such a pessimist?� Megane shouted at him.
Shu let out a sigh, rolling his eyes up to the sky. �We need to go,� he said, mounting the nearest motorcycle.
�Hey guys, this is just like an American Western,� Parma said. �The sheriff and his deputies riding out to bring in the bad guys!�
�Yeah, okay, Hoss,� replied Ataru. �What do we call ourselves? The �Blood Runners�?� He drew back protectively as Blade raised a hand threatening to smack him.
Still frowning at Ataru, Eric started the bike up. Blood Runners he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Parma�s description of them did hold true to an existent. He laughed as he looked around at his team.
�Alright people. It�s time to get serious from here on out. You�re part of my posse now, and we don�t stop until we get our man. Clear?�
�Right!� they all cried, raising their fist high into the air.
Eric gripped the handlebars and gunned the engine before leading them out down the concourse�
* * * * *
It was starting to get late, Grace looking at her watch again as her worries increased. Back up in the guest room, she lay stretched out on the floor allowing her body to finish repairing her knee, and to drink down more blood to reduce her craving. Four bags left. Four bags that might not last if they did not end this affair soon.
Across the room Jariten sat playing with a game boy, Lum, Ran, and Shinobu reading magazines to bide their time. A light knock at the door, Benten coming in to sit next to her.
�Not a sign,� Benten said.
�I hope they did not run into any trouble,� said Grace.
Shinobu looked up from her magazine. �I can call them,� she said.
�Why don�t you.�
Shinobu left and Benten leaned back against the wall letting out a tired sigh. �If they are in trouble, there�s really nothing we can do to help them,� she said.
�I would go and save my Darling,� said Lum.
�And probably fly right into a trap,� replied Benten.
�I could go with her,� Ran said.
Grace shook her head. �If they can get Blade, Shu, and your friends, it means it is to late to save them. We�re better off staying here.�
�Would not be much of a loss anyway,� commented Jariten. �Loosing Ataru would be the best thing for us.�
�Jariten!� exclaimed Lum.
Their argument was cut off by a knock on the door. Mrs. Moroboshi peeked in.
�Miss Kimball?�
�Yes, Mrs. Moroboshi?�
�You have a visitor downstairs.�
Benten sat upright joining the rest of the girls as they stared at Mrs. Moroboshi in stunned silence. Grace finally blinked, breaking out of her stupor.
�I do?�
�Yes. A gentleman who asked for you by name and said he�s an old friend of yours and Mister Blades.�
�Did he say who he was?�
Mrs. Moroboshi blushed, �He said you know him from last night.�
Lum moved up next to Grace and then traded worried looks.
�I�ll be right down,� answered Grace.
When they were alone, the women gathered together.
�Can�t be a vampire. One of Motoabe�s slaves?� asked Benten.
�Maybe, but we did not meet anyone human yesterday. I�m just as lost as you,� Kimball replied.
�Then who�s downstairs asking for you by name?� Lum frantically said.
Her panic threatened to spread, and that was something they did not need right now. Grace drew her pistol and pulled back the slide. With Benten�s help she stood up, putting weight on her leg to test her knee. It held, slightly weak, but strong enough for her to walk. Tucking the pistol into the front of her pants, Grace pulled her shirt down over it and grabbed the doorknob.
�Lets see who wants me,� she said heading out the door�
* * * * *
The rumble of motorcycles carried up the street as Blade and the guys rolled into the Moroboshi driveway. Dismounting, they gathered their gear and went inside, briefly stopping to remove their boots. Shu happened to look out and noticed a dark sedan parked just up the road. The driver stood up against it smoking a cigarette with his hat down low, and that immediately sent warning bells off in his head.
�Blade,� he called, gesturing towards the car.
Eric arched a brow, staring at the car over the top of his shades. �Let�s get inside, quick,� he said, and the guys rapidly moved through the door.
�They�ve marked us,� said Megane. �Just waiting for dusk to set in and attack.�
�Well we�re ready for them,� said Kakaguri. �We�ve got enough stuff here to flatten any assault.�
�We don�t want a fight in this neighborhood,� Eric told them. �We�ve got to get Lum and�.�
He stopped abruptly, running into Ataru. �Moroboshi, do you mind getting out of the way?�
But Ataru, Parma, and Chibi remained still, staring with shocked expressions on their faces at something just around the corner.
Blade looked and immediately did a double take. There, seated at the low table in the dining room sat Mr. And Mrs. Moroboshi laughing hardily at something said from their new guest; Hiroki Motoabe.
�He�s here,� gasped Ataru in a timid voice.
Blade snatched off his shades and stormed around the corner. �What the hell�.�
�Eric!�
In a shaded portion of the room, Grace sat with a pillow on her lap, Lum and Shinobu besides her staring terrified at Motoabe. The closed shutters gave her limited room to move, but she gently lifted one edge of the pillow, showing him the pistol underneath.
�Blade!� cried Hiroki waving cheerfully as he stood up. �Long time no see you son of a gun!�
Barely was Eric able to keep his fury down as Motoabe grabbed his hand, shaking it.
�You�re taking a big chance coming here,� he hissed low beneath his breath.
Motoabe never missed a beat. �I�m so glad I caught up with you!�
Behind them, Benten shifted into view, her eyes mere slits conveying the anger inside. She moved back from her covering position next to the Moroboshi�s; Jariten flying over to land next to Ran sitting by the patio doors. At least Hiroki had no opportunity to do anything before they returned, thought Blade.
�Wasn�t expecting to see you� here, Motoabe.�
�Well, well I just found out you were in town and thought I�d drop in and pay you a little visit. Surprised?�
�Very,� said Shu in a cool tone.
Hiroki cut his eyes over at Shu then placed an arm around Blade�s shoulders, guiding him to the table. �You know, Blade, you should have let me know you were coming. We don�t get to see people like us often.�
�Yeah, I�ll bet.�
�Man I tell you. It�s been so long, I almost forgot what you looked like.�
�Mister Motoabe is here to award you and Lum your prize for winning the dance competition,� said Mrs. Moroboshi.
�I wonder what that could be?� said Ataru.
�Why, it�s a free all expenses paid night at the Red Moon! You, and Gracie since she and Ataru here took second place, are my honored guest for the evening.�
�Uh, thanks, but I think we�ll be busy tonight,� Lum said.
�Oh I know you will be, Miss Lum,� Hiroki replied, beaming brightly at her. �We all will.�
She drew back, inching further behind Kimball.
�Hey,� said Blade. �How did you track us down?�
�Luck, and the fact that Gracie�s dance partner has such a well known reputation.�
Stepping back, Motoabe faced Eric, sizing him up for a moment. He grinned an evil grin and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
�Yes, it is fortunate that I came here when I did,� he said. �We have so much to discuss� Eric.�
Eric sneered, taking a step closer to Motoabe. The tension in the room increased, and Blade felt Kimball�s eyes on his back, warning him to remain calm.
�We sure do,� he replied, grinning back. �In fact, we can go upstairs and do a lot of talking.�
�Oh, no, no, no, no,� said Hiroki. �I�ve got to get back to my club and make sure everything is set for the evening.�
�Are there going to be babes there?� asked Ataru, receiving a sharp kick to the rear from Megane.
�There will be plenty of my friends there,� answered Hiroki. �But if you can�t make it down, I�ll be sure once things are going smooth, to return. We can talk in more depth then. Isn�t that right, Blade?�
�Right,� trailed Eric.
Motoabe drew in a breath. �Well I must be going,� he said cheerfully. �Thank you for the tea, Mr. And Mrs. Moroboshi.�
�Let us show you to the door,� said Mrs. Moroboshi.
�No!� cried the others, startling her.
�I mean, let me do it, Mom,� Ataru quickly said. �I�ve got to walk off this bruise on my ass anyway.�
�That�s not necessary,� said Hiroki.
Eric took Motoabe roughly by one arm, herding him towards the door along with the guys. �No problem at all,� he said. �Can�t have you getting lost.�
Hiroki calmly pulled his arm from the grip around his elbow. �Would be a bad thing. My employees would do some strange things if I don�t show up.�
They disappeared around the corner, Grace telling Lum to stay where she was as she followed as close as she could possibly go without getting burned by the sun.
Motoabe�s innuendo did not go unnoticed by Eric. He allowed him to put his shoes back on, glaring at the man as he turned to face them all one last time.
�Enjoyed my visit, and I�m looking forward to seeing you all again.�
�You better walk while you can, Motoabe,� snarled Blade low.
�Then it�s a date.� Motoabe kissed the ends of his fore and index finger. �Ciao, Blade,� he finished, running them rudely down Blade�s lips.
�(Pfphth) Why you mother fu�!�
�Eric!� called Grace; the guys barely able to prevent him from drawing his pistol.
Hiroki�s laugh carried through the air as he walked to the gate where his sedan sat waiting. A short twirl under the afternoon sun, Motoabe waved once again before getting inside. The sedan sped off down the street.
Blade seethed with rage.
�Upstairs. Everybody!� he ordered.
There was no argument from anyone as they retreated back inside.
* * * * *
A tense silence filled Ataru�s room, all eyes watching Eric Blade pace angrily back and forth across the room. His gloved hands flexed with each step, a dark mask of fury on his face.
�I should have shot his ass,� he said. �I should have cut his heart right out of his body and feed it to him.�
�Now what good would that have done?� asked Grace.
He rounded on her. �It would have eliminated him from marking us!�
�And it would have also eliminated our only lead to Rimialdi!�
Grace�s observation made Eric pause. She was right and ranting would do nothing to improve their situation. He tried to settle down, taking a seat on the floor.
�Who would have suspected Hiroki Motoabe was a Daywalker.�
Grace opened the copy of Vogue in her hands. �We should have. This picture gave it away.�
Looking over the picture, Eric let out a deep sigh and hung his head.
�Now that you�ve settle a bit, we can think about our next move,� said Grace.
�What do you mean think about our next move!� shouted Ataru. �We should be thinking about vacating this house and heading for the hills!�
�What about your parents?� asked Chibi.
�We tell them what�s going on. Once they know they�ll be more than happy to do anything we ask!�
�We can�t just go running out of here and allow Rimialdi to complete his takeover,� replied Megane. �What happens then once he�s got control?�
�We leave the country,� answered Ataru.
�It�s not going to me that simple, Ataru,� said Grace. �And it�s not fair to the rest of the people of Japan.�
Benten let out a growl, shooting to her feet. �All this sitting around is doing us no good! What are we going to do?�
Blade looked up. �I�ll tell you what we�re going to do,� he said. �We�re going to fight. This is a battle that has to be fought and won tonight.�
�Okay, so when Motoabe and his vampire goons return, we�ll just cut them down and force him to take us to Rimialdi,� said Parma.
Shu laughed. �Great idea, but you must not have heard the threat Motoabe passed along in his comments.�
�What threat?� asked Shinobu.
�He called us out,� answered Grace. �He wants us to go back down to the Red Moon.�
�That�s crazy!� cried Ataru.
�If we don�t, he�s not coming back here just for us. He�s coming back here to slaughter everyone in this neighborhood and possibly other innocent people as well,� said Shu.
�We have to go,� finished Grace.
�No, not all of us,� Eric told them. �Rimialdi still wants Lum, and her going down there will give him that much more of a chance of getting her.�
Lum pressed up closer to Ataru. He wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulders, pulling her close. �Not unless he goes through me first!� he cried defiantly.
�Oh, Darling.�
Megane gagged. �Yuck. No you don�t, Ataru. You�re coming with us! It�s Lum their after!�
�But they want me too, isn�t that right, Blade?�
�Yeah, but they want you dead. So if you have to go, might as well go fighting like a knight in shining armor should.�
�Uh, well what if I just stay here and make up the mobile reserve?�
�Don�t get cute on me.�
Ran spoke up. �So, so who�s going to stay behind?� she asked.
�Same team as before.�
�No!� exclaimed Benten. �I want a piece of this action too!�
�We�re going to get some,� replied Grace. �If I read Blade right, he knows Motoabe will not be stupid. We can expect visitors.�
�And the best part is Lum will not be here either,� added Blade.
�So where is she going to go?� asked Ran.
It was a good question that needed a good answer. Unfortunately, nobody could provide them with one.
�I don�t want to leave my Darling,� said Lum above the ensuing silence.
�You�ve got too, Lum,� said Shu. �Ataru will be in good hands.�
Lum knew she could take Shu at his word. She sighed, resting her head against Ataru�s chest.
�I guess I could go up to my UFO.�
Grace and Eric both looked over at her.
�Your what?� asked Eric.
�She has this UFO in orbit above Earth,� Parma explained to them. �Sort of a second home away from home.�
�Lum, dear. I thought you said you didn�t have anymore surprises for us,� Grace said.
�I didn�t.�
�That falls under that category.�
�If we had known this sooner, you�d have been gone long time ago,� Blade said.
She shrugged. �I really didn�t think of it until now. I was worried more about Ataru.�
�Forget him!� shouted Shu. �You are more important, and the Moroboshi luck will protect him.�
�Hey!� yelled Ataru.
Blade cut of their impending dispute. �Alright, alright! Lum can you call this UFO down here?�
�Yes.�
A sense of urgency filled Ran, alarmed by the decision. If Lum did manage to get off Earth, Hiroki, and the Master, would surely be angry. Death, no doubt hers, would be their reaction. �That might not be a good idea,� she said to them.
�Why not?� asked Grace.
Think fast girl!
�Uh, someone might see the ship and alert Hiroki.�
�Hiroki?� said Kakaguri skeptically, furrowing a brow.
�Uh� you know what I mean!�
�You have a point,� said Grace with a hint of suspicion in her voice. �Hiroki�s network is bound to see the ship. Lum leaves and we�re going to have a vampire riot.�
�I can see the hostages now,� assumed Megane.
�We can sneak out the back and fly over to my place,� continued Ran. �No one would suspect a thing, and Lum can call her ship down with no worries.�
It sounded good to Blade. �Okay, take Jariten with you. Between her zacks and his hot breath, you should have no problems fending off any vampires.�
�And the Moroboshi�s?� asked Shu.
�I�ll take care of them,� replied Benten.
�How?� asked Ataru.
She smiled. �Trust me.�
That did not sound reassuring, but Ataru shrugged knowing it would be useless to press the issue.
Blade stood up again. �Okay. Lum, Ran, Jariten, you better get going. Shu, you and Moroboshi go down and get the rest of the stuff from the bikes and bring it up here. Once we get Grace fixed up, the posse is going to ride.�
Parma giggled with excitement. �This is great! It�s the Seven Samurai all over again.�
Megane rolled his eyes. �You and your damn movies.�
�Ah, I guess you could say I do favor Toshiro Mifune,� said Ataru.
�In your dreams!� said Shu, jerking him up by his collar.
Lum delicate call turned him around. Before he could find out what she wanted, Lum was in his arms kissing him passionately. Startled, and envious eyes, stared at the couple in disbelief.
Megane let out a long blubber, dropping to his knees. �Why can�t I, Megane; leader of the Executive Members of Lum�s Stormtroopers, enjoy such pleasures that loser Ataru enjoys?� He hung his head, sobbing lightly into his arms. �It�s not fair I tell you. It�s not fair!�
Parma patted him lightly on the shoulders to comfort him.
�I just don�t see what she sees in him,� said Grace shaking her head.
�Nah, I think its temporary insanity,� commented Benten.
They parted, staring deep into each other�s eyes.
�Be careful, Darling,� said Lum, backing away towards the door.
�Uh, yeah, right, uh� Lum?�
Blade laughed at Ataru�s reaction, nearly doubling over unable to control himself.
�Come on, Jariten,� called Lum.
The Oni child hovered over into Ataru�s face. He sneered and then said, �Loser,� before flying off to follow Lum and Ran out the room.
�If you are you quite finished, Moroboshi,� said Shu, �we have work to do.�
�We do?�
Mendou dragged Ataru along to get the rest of their equipment�