I had two ideas about how to turn the Knight Sabers into vampires so I
wrote them both. I posted �Little Girl Lost� earlier, but I couldn�t bring
myself to delete this one.
And yes, I used a couple of the same ideas in this one.

A Bubblegum Crisis/ Forever Knight crossover

Blood Ties
-----------------
By She-Hulk (brobinso@neocomm.net)

	Nene shut off her computer with a small sigh and leaned back in her chair.
The noise level was dropping in the station room and she could hear herself
think again. The day had stretched out as long as possible, but it was
finally over. Nene wondered if the boomers had all decided that today was
the day to fritz out. Over two hundred calls of boomer malfunctions had
filtered through the office today, causing Nene to whine loudly at one
point, �What are we, Genom�s customer service?� The outburst had not gone
over well with the captain and Nene had found herself in his office. 

	She saw Naoko approaching and groaned. She had her �matchmaking gleam� and
Nene
was very much afraid of what that meant.

	�Nene! Want to go with me to a new club? I hear that this place is Hot!�
Naoko winked at her as she perched on the side of Nene�s desk. �Come on
Nene, gorgeous guys and wonderful music. What more could a girl ask for?�

	�Food. Sleep.� Naoko waved her comments aside.

	�You can sleep anytime! This club can�t wait!�

	�Are they about to close down?�
	
	�Nene! I�m serious!�
	
	�So am I! Seriously tired! Not tonight, Naoko. I really need to get some
sleep. Maybe later?�

	Naoka wasn�t giving up. �I�ll pay.� Nene hesitated and Naoko moved in for
the kill. �I�ll buy you dinner, too.�

	Nene sighed deeply and found herself nodding. �All right. Let me get my
stuff together What�s the name of this place, anyway?�

	�The Raven.�




	Jeanette viewed the crowded club with a skilled eye. The few vampires that
were mixed in with the humans stood out only to her and she nodded in
approval. It wouldn�t do for anyone to notice the �special� regulars. She
began to make her way to the raised bar in the center of the room, pausing
as a hand touched her arm. Jeanette met the gaze of the young vampire and
arched an elegant brow. Her cold look had the man�s hand dropping away and
he slipped back into the crowd quickly. 

	The slightest of smiles crossed her features. �Foolish youngsters.�

	The bartender placed a glass in front of Jeanette and began to run a towel
over the spotless counter. An automatic action, timeless in it�s constancy.
Jeanette sipped her �burgundy� and watched the motions of the other woman.
�You will rub away the lacquer, my friend.� 

	Michaela smiled, but didn�t stop. �Then I�ll rub the wood below until it
needs no
lacquer.� Even after two hundred years her voice still retained it�s
lilting Irish brogue. Which added a rather interesting edge to the Japanese
she was speaking.  Jeanette�s features drew into a frown as she noticed
Michaela�s eyes. �You are disturbed by something. What is it?�

	Michaela tossed her head, letting her long red braid swing behind her.
Jeanette followed the direction of her head. The corner of the club wasn�t
any different than the others, but something was definitely out of place.
Jeanette�s eye�s narrowed as she spotted the group that was bothering
Michaela. Two men were clustered around someone and as they rose she saw
the object of her attention. The girl was young and Jeanette wondered how
she had gotten past the bouncer. She was giggling and she weaved unsteadily
as she stood up. A table full of empty glasses was more than enough
explanation for Jeanette. The men each took an arm and began to escort her
from the club. 

	They had reached the street before Jeanette could intercept them and had
disappeared. She heard a shout from beside her and moved.


	Nene had been sitting alone when the two men had approached her and she
had become
flustered by their sudden appearance. Naoko had disappeared into the crush
of dancers and Nene scanned the crowd for her as one of the men offered to
buy her a drink. She had thanked him, but refused, stating that her friend
would be returning soon and then they would be leaving. They had ordered
her a drink anyway and she�d played with the straw nervously as they
continued to talk to her. Nene wasn�t aware of taking the first sip, nor
the one after. The men were suddenly funny and Nene found herself laughing
as they ordered her another drink. She had very little experience with
strong drinks, preferring wine. 

	As they left the club, a small warning bell was ringing in the back of
Nene�s mind. When she realized that the men had taken her into the alley
beside the club a wave of anxiety shot through her. She may have been
drunk, but the combat skills Silia had drilled into the team had become
instinctive.

	Nene ground her heel into the foot of the man on her right and then
brought her knee up sharply as the other guy turned. It landed in his groin
with a solid sound and he groaned as he fell to the pavement. A sudden
movement behind her had her turning, but her alcohol fogged reflexes were
to slow to block the fist that connected with her head. She fell back and
tripped over the man she�d kneed. As she hit the ground she felt someone
move over her. The flash of silver didn�t register until the hot pain
exploded in her chest. Nene gasped and stared into the eyes of the man
who�d just killed her. 

	He was gone an instant later and she heard a loud crashing sound.
Blackness closed in around her and she was afraid. �No...I don�t....want
to...die....� As she slipped further away she felt herself being lifted
from the cold pavement. The smell of perfume surrounded her. Softly spoken
words drifted to her.

	�No little warrior. You will not die. You will live...forever.�



	Nene gasped and the arms that were holding her tightened. She looked
wildly around
and realized that she was no longer in the alley. The bedroom was a stark
white world with dramatic points of color. Red cushions were carelessly
tossed onto a white stuffed chair and the windows were covered in white
lace curtains. Nene could see the night sky. Her attention was drawn to the
large painting that hung over a creamy marble fireplace. The abstract
consisted of bold splashes of red thrown across the canvas. Nene stared at
the crimson stains and felt something uncurl deep inside of her. The hunger
caught her off guard and she moaned as she sat up. 

	Jeanette placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice sympathetic. �The first
hunger is always the hardest, my little friend.� 

	Nene stared at the woman sitting beside of her and memories of last night
filled her mind. The alley and the knife. The feeling of cold blackness and
then the smell of sweet perfume. This woman�s perfume. This woman�s voice,
promising her she would not die. �Who are you?� 

	�My name is Jeanette DuCharme. I own the Raven.� She brushed back the hair
from
Nene�s face and smiled.

	�You saved me?� Nene frowned as she touched her chest lightly. She looked
down and
saw the dried blood on the front of her blouse. The clawing hunger surged
over her again, refusing to be ignored any longer. She clutched her stomach
and looked at Jeanette in confusion.

	 Jeanette made a tsking noise and chided herself. �What am I doing? You
are hungry
and I am sitting here chatting over things that can be explained later.�
She stood as she spoke and helped Nene from the bed. �Come my little
warrior, I have a special surprise for you in the other room.�

	Nene stared at the bound man in confusion. He was sitting in a chair, his
hands tied behind him. She gasped as she recognized him. It was the man
who�d tried to kill her. Anger surged through her and increased the gnawing
that was consuming her. She watched Jeanette as she moved to stand behind
the man. Slender hands pulled his head back, baring his throat. Nene
focused on the pulse in his throat and realized that she could hear his
heartbeat from across the room. The sound reverberated through her and she
lost herself in the sound. 

	Jeanette looked at Nene and smiled as she realized what had happened. She
let the man go and crossed to Nene. �Come now. I know it is difficult, but
you must feed. You can explore your new senses after.� Nene nodded absently
and let herself be drawn forward. Jeanette raised the man�s head again and
brought Nene�s hand to his throat. �Here. You see? The vein is the easiest
to reach and to drink from.�

	Nene didn�t hear the man�s strangled scream as she bite into his throat.
The sound of his heart and the sweet taste of his blood had blinded her.
Hot blood spilled down her throat as she drank and Nene moaned at the
intense pleasure it brought.

	Jeanette watched her new �daughter� with a pleased smile.


	Jeanette shook her head and frowned. �It�s not possible. You have left
your other life behind. To seek your friends would bring disaster upon you.
They would not understand, my little friend. Better that you make a clean
break and let them get on with their lives.�

	Nene felt tears sliding down her face and dashed them away quickly. The
red smears on her fingers reinforced the truth of what she had become. She
had been surprised at her lack of guilt over her first kill. She had killed
her attacker, had drunken every last drop of blood from him and had only
wanted more. Nene knew now that this was  normal for vampires. Jeanette had
explained that she had now become a predator, with a predator�s conscious.
She had explained many other things as well. The weaknesses and  the
strengths that Nene now possessed. Nene tried to imagine flying across the
sky and shook her head. These things didn�t change the fact that she would
have to lose her family. 

	The phone rang and Jeanette excused herself to answer it. She returned a
few moments later, her expression troubled. �I must go to the club. There
seems to be several police officers searching for you.� She touched Nene�s
cheek. �You were well loved by your friends and
co-workers. Be happy with knowing that and go on, ojoosan.�  She left and
Nene stood without moving as she thought about what she�d said.

	Nene knew that Jeanette was probably right, but she needed to see them one
more time. She looked down at her ruined clothes and knew that a trip to
her apartment would be in order. She opened the window and wondered how
hard it was to fly.


                                        + + + + +



	Nene landed on her terrace with a loud thump. She got to her feet and
looked back over the city. It had taken her several tries and a great deal
of crashing, but she�d finally managed to stay up long enough to reach her
apartment. She rubbed her elbow and muttered. �I need to work on those
landings though.�

	She tossed her clothes into the laundry basket and stepped under the hot
spray with a heartfelt sigh. The water washed away the last traces of her
ordeal and she began to plan. She washed her hair and tried to figure out
how to see the others without them seeing her. Linna and Priss would be
easy. It was Silia that worried her. She had always seemed to know when
Nene was around and she wondered if she would be able to now. The water
turned cold and Nene stepped out quickly. She wrapped a towel around her
hair and herself in another, then padded into the bedroom. It was the faint
tingle that caught her attention and she looked at the horizon in horror.
The faintest glimmer could be seen and she realized that the sun was
rising. A sense of urgency filled her and she knew that she would not be
able to return to Jeanette�s in time. 

	Nene finished securing the heavy blanket over the window and turned to the
bed. She discarded the towel and slid naked under the covers. As the sun
crested and she wondered if Jeanette would be angry.


	Jeanette wasn�t angry. She was furious. �The fool! She�ll be killed!� She
stormed across the room and  tossed her cape onto the couch. �I cannot
believe she would endanger herself so. I warned her of the that she could
not go back!� She watched the sun rise on the video monitor that sat in one
corner of the room. �I hope she had the sense to find refuge. What am I
saying? I know where she went. The young fool went home!� Jeanette knew she
could do nothing until dark and retired to her bedroom. But when the
darkness fell....... 

	She would bring Nene back.


                                  + + + + +


	Linna let herself into Nene�s apartment and shut the door behind her. The
police still hadn�t found anything and even Silia was coming up blank.
Depression settled over Linna as she stared at the empty apartment. She
didn�t know why she�d come here. After work  Linna had been feeling
restless and worried and a half a dozen other things that wouldn�t be
shoved aside. Memories of Nene were haunting her and she cursed herself for
acting as if Nene were dead. She wasn�t dead! She couldn�t be. 

	Linna picked up a cup from the coffee table and carried into the kitchen.
She rinsed it out and set it in the drain to dry. That action started
another and soon Linna was cleaning Nene�s apartment with a determined
zeal. Nene would be back. 

	Linna pushed open the bathroom door and froze as she spotted the clothes
piled in the basket. She pulled Nene�s favorite jacket out and stared at
the streaks of dirt. Nene�s friend, Naoko, had given the police a
description of what she�d been wearing that night. The pale blue cloth
seemed to heat in her hand and she clenched her fist around it. Linna
walked out of the bathroom and looked at Nene�s bedroom door. It had been
closed when she�d arrived and she hadn�t bothered to open it. She did so
now and stepped into the darkened room.

	Nene was curled around her pillow, her red hair spread out over her. Linna
didn�t feel the tears that ran in slow trails down her face as she
approached the bed. She reached out and touched Nene�s shoulder. Her skin
was very cool and Linna gasped. She shook her gently.
�Nene?�

	Nene heard the sound of her name and the sound of a human heartbeat. She
felt her
hunger stir to life and opened her eyes. Linna was standing beside her.
Nene gasped and sat up quickly. �Linna!�

	Linna sank onto the bed and hugged her hard. �My God, Nene! We�ve been so
worried!
Silia�s had the whole city searching for you! And Priss has been smashing
heads right and left! "Where have you been?�

	Nene smelled the sweet scent of Linna�s skin and forced herself to ignore
the sound of her heart. She continued to hold Linna, not ready to face her.
She had no idea of what to say to her. Nene felt Linna�s tears drip onto
her bare back and realized that she was naked. She pulled away and got up,
reaching for her robe. 
	
	Linna was still waiting to hear Nene�s answer. �Nene?�
	
	�I�m all right, Linna. I....got lost.� Nene winced at the lame excuse and
turned to the window. She pulled the blanket back cautiously and was
relieved to find only the light of dusk. She heard the rapid flutter of
Linna�s pulse and felt her teeth descending.

	�Nene, you know you can tell me anything.� Linna was growing concerned by
Nene�s
behavior. �What happened?� Her voice was low. �Were you attacked?�

	Nene flinched and a sob escaped her. Linna heard and moved to stand behind
her. She wrapped her arms around her from behind and Nene stiffened.
�Don�t. Please leave. Before
I......before I hurt you.�

	Linna hugged her tighter and spoke firmly. �Nene. You won�t hurt me. I
just wish you�d let me help you. We�re all so worried about you. Talk to me
Nene. You know you can trust me.� She hesitated, then plunged ahead. �Were
you raped?�

	Nene gasped. �Linna...please. Just go away. I�ll hurt you.� She pulled
Linna�s arms away and moved closer to the window. 

	Linna frowned, but didn�t leave. �We love you Nene. Nothing that has
happened to you can change that.� Nene laughed wildly and turned. Linna saw
the bloody tears and involuntarily stepped back. 

	�Do you love me, Linna? Can you love a vampire?� Linna took another step
back and
the predator reacted. Hunger exploded through her and she was across the
small distance in a second. Linna flinched as she found herself face to
face with Nene. She felt her grip her arms and tried to back away. She
couldn�t break free. Linna 

	Nene whispered softly in her ear. �I can�t stop it. It�s eating me alive.
I hear every beat of your heart. Every swish of your blood as it moves
though your veins. I�ve tasted it, Linna. It�s so sweet! It rushes through
me and I live.� She kissed the side of Linna�s neck. �I�m sorry. I tried to
stop it, but you wouldn�t let go.� 

	Linna was shaking. She felt the brush of Nene�s lips and flinched as her
tongue
followed. Horror swept over her as she realized that Nene was tasting her,
like a favorite desert. Suddenly she was falling, landing on the bed behind
her. Nene was crouched over her, her eyes inhuman. Linna gasped when she
saw her teeth. Nene gripped the top of Linna�s blouse and tore it away. The
cloth shredded like paper and fluttered to the floor. Linna tried to buck
her off, but Nene was incredibly strong. She held Linna down lowered
herself over her body, pressing her into the mattress.

	 Linna opened her mouth to scream, but Nene silenced her with her lips.
The kiss took her by surprise and she felt the probing advance of Nene�s
tongue in shock.  Nene explored her slowly, letting her teeth scrap over
Linna�s lips. The sharp prick of Nene�s fangs brought Linna back to reality
and she began to struggle again. Nene broke the kiss and stared down into
Linna�s eyes. Linna watched blankly as Nene bent to her throat. The sharp
pain jolted her back to awareness, but she could do nothing against what
she was feeling. Linna wrapped her arms around Nene and pulled her closer
as she fed.

	Jeanette stared down at the pair and sighed. �You would not listen, would
you?� She tilted her head and listened to the fading heart. Soon she would
be beyond revival. Jeanette shook her head and pulled Nene away from the
other girl. Nene turned on her with a snarl, but Jeanette merely
back-handed her across the room. She landed hard against the wall staggered
to her feet. Jeanette pointed to Linna�s body and Nene gasped.

	�No! Oh no, Linna!� She knelt beside her on the bed and looked at
Jeanette. All traces of the predator were gone. �Have I killed her?�
	
	�Yes and no. She will die, but she could yet be brought across. Do you
wish your friend to join you?� Jeanette did not like this complication, but
she felt how much Nene cared for this girl. 

	Nene stared down at Linna and wondered if she had the right to make that
decision for her. But then, she had not had the right to kill her either.
�Bring her across. At least she�ll have the chance to decide.�

	�Oh no, ojoosan. You shall bring her across. It is something that you must
learn.�
Jeanette lifted Nene�s wrist and bit it. �Feed her, Nene.� 

	Linna tasted the warm, salty liquid and drank deeply. She opened her eyes
and saw
Nene over her. The blood spilled onto her tongue and she shivered at the
changes she felt occurring within her. Nene�s eyes were apologetic as she
held her wrist to Linna�s mouth. Linna closed her eyes and sank into sleep.


                                    + + + + +

	Priss halted her motorcycle behind Linna�s car and shut the engine down.
She should have known Linna would be here. Silia had freaked when Linna
hadn�t shown up tonight. Priss shivered as she remembered Silia�s
expression and hoped that she was there to watch when they found out who
had taken Nene. She swung off the motorcycle and headed for the apartment.
She had no illusions about what had happened. No matter how hopeful Linna
was. Priss knew that they would be lucky if they ever saw Nene again.

	So it was with some surprise that Priss saw Nene emerge from her apartment
building. She stopped dead in her tracks and had started to call out when
she saw the others. Priss ducked down behind a car and watched Nene and a
gaijin woman carry an unconscious Linna to a black limo waiting at the
curb. They had gotten her into the car and were speeding away as Priss
raced for her bike. 
	
	Priss swerved around a corner and spotted the limo ahead. Every nerve
Priss had was on edge and she couldn�t figure out what was happening. �What
the hell is going on?� Simple explanations and wild ideas ran through her
head, but nothing seemed to match. The limo didn�t appear to be trying to
lose her and Priss followed it easily as it glided along the city streets. 

	The limo signaled to turn and Priss was right behind it as headed into the
rich part of the city. It pulled through a pair of iron gates and Priss
stopped across the road as they slid shut again. A few lights from the
house were visible from the road and Priss judged their distance at about
four hundred yards. The high stone wall that encircled the wall sported
security cameras every ten yards and Priss drove away, out of their range.

	She parked the bike behind a thick, rounded bush and began to make her way
back to
the wall. It never occurred to her to call Silia.
	

                                     + + + + +

	Priss hit the floor of the small cellar room and groaned as her bruised
ribs connected. The door slammed shut and she looked around her without
interest. It had taken her all night to work her way through the multiple
levels of security surrounding the house. The guards who had finally
stopped her were boomers and Priss wondered if she�d broken her hand
finding that out. The fingers were stiff and she could feel blood dying on
her knuckles. They moved though and she took comfort in that small fact.
Priss stared down at the broken watch that had contained her emergency
tracer and sighed. Silia was going to kill her.


                                         + + + + +

	Silia terminated the link to Priss� trailer and sat quietly for a moment.
As her hand exploded across the top of the desk and sent it�s contents
flying, she idly wondered if her enemy had finally discovered the
identities of the Knight Sabers. Had Genom taken the others? 

	She rose and crossed to the small radio unit. It sat silently, but Silia
knew it was working perfectly. She�d taken it apart and checked it after
Nene had disappeared. Silia adjusted the volume, fiddled with the tuning
and tried not to panic. 

	Her team was gone. She had gone out to Nene�s apartment today and had
found Nene�s
clothes and what looked like the pieces of Linna�s shirt. Silia�s hand
slipped into her pocket and she pulled out a small piece of cloth. The
black monogram was distinctive and Silia again wondered if she was being
sent a message. The shirt and clothes had not frightened her as much as the
small drops of dried blood she�d found on the bed. Analysis had matched it
to Linna�s.

	Silia knew they were dead and she hoped that their killer would come for
her next. She was ready.



	Silia stood on the rooftop and stared down at the city. Night had fallen
and she
wondered if it would ever be light again. The sound of someone clearing
their throat caused her to whirl. A tall gaijin was standing behind her and
she leveled her gun at his chest. �Who are you?�

	�I am, whether you choose to believe it or not, a friend.� He stepped
closer and Silia saw his eyes, glowing faintly in the shadows. �You are
searching for the same enemy as I, Silia Stingray. I believe we can be of
some assistance to each other.� He bowed deeply and introduced himself.

	�I am Lucian LaCroix.�

	Silia kept her gun trained on his heart. �And that�s supposed to impress me?�

	He smiled slowly. �Do you know where your children are tonight?� Silia�s
finger
tightened on the trigger. �Are they safe in their beds, riding the clouds
of sweet elyssium? Or are they feeding the beasts that roam the darkest
sewers of the night? DO you know where your children are, Silia Stingray?�

	He walked to the edge of the roof and looked out into the dark. �Do you
care?�

	�Yes.� She stepped behind him and placed the barrel against his head. �Do
You know
where my �children� are?�

	He laughed. the sound sent shivers of unease over Silia. �Yes. I do.� He
turned slowly, careful not to startle her. �They have fallen victim to the
beasts, they have been taken from the world of light and thrust into the
darkest depths of the night. They cannot be brought back, Silia Stingray.
They have passed beyond redemption.� 

	She met his gaze steadily and waited, knowing that he wasn�t finished.
�They have been taken by a woman. A vampire.� Silia didn�t react to his
statement. �They have fed her bloodlust and she turned them into creatures
like herself. Servants she controls with her force of will. Your children
are trapped in a nightmare.�

	�Why should I listen to you? What you are is rather obvious.� She moved
back, out of reach. �Why should I believe a vampire?�

	LaCroix laughed and clapped slowly. �Excellent! I knew you were a woman of
remarkable talents, but this is beyond everything that I�d hoped for.� He
strolled to the edge of the pool and watched the reflection of the stars
ripple in the water. �Why should you believe me? You shouldn�t. I am here
to offer you a deal of sorts.� He turned to face her and his expression was
serious. �Your friends are lost. There is no cure for vampirism and so they
will remain as creatures of dark. However they do not have to live in
servitude to the woman who took them, as they are now.�

	�How can I free them?�

	�By helping me destroy her.� He swept his and out toward the city. �Life
is a fleeting moment for mortals. They are gone in the blink of a vampire�s
eye. Struggling to achieve their place in a moments history and then
they....die. You could shape history, Silia Stingray. I know a little of
your goals and I know that with enough time, you could accomplish all that
you desire and more.�

	�You want to make me a vampire?� Her tone was derisive, but her eyes
betrayed her.
LaCroix knew he had her.

	�To bring you across would give you the power you will need to free the
others. They will live forever if you do not. Forever in bondage, never
free, never safe. It will also give you the power to help me stop this
woman before she can strike again.�

	�How do I know you won�t just kill me?�

	LaCroix smiled slowly. �You don�t.�

	Silia watched the lights of the city and drew a deep breath. �All right.�



                                         + + + + +


	Jeanette scowled at the woman on the video screen and turned to the guard
who�d
captured her. �She had gotten into the house?� The boomer nodded and she
resisted the urge to crush him into the tin can he was. Sometimes she
doubted the wisdom of trusting these machines. 

	She looked back at the woman who was trying to kick down the steel door.
Still, it did solve one problem. Linna would arise soon and she needed to
make her first kill. �Bring her upstairs. If you can manage that?�



	Linna woke and listened to the sound of the shower in the next room.
Actually she could hear each drop of water as it hit the shower wall and
Linna wondered distantly how this was possible. A low thump reached her and
she felt herself focus intently on the sound. Thump, thump. Thump, thump.
The surge of hunger swept through her and she gasped. She shoved the covers
away and got up, swaying as need made her weak. The door opened and she
felt her teeth sharpen. A growl escaped from her lips as the sound of the
heartbeat came closer.

	Jeanette met Linna�s animal gaze and nodded. �I thought you might be ready
for
something. Bring her in.� The boomer dragged a struggling Priss into the
room. 

	Priss cursed the boomer and looked up. She saw Linna and froze.

	Linna stared at her, hearing nothing but the rush of blood. She moved
closer to Priss and pushed her head back, her gaze fixed on the steady
throb of her jugular. Priss saw the fangs a split second before she lunged
and screamed as Linna pierced her flesh. Priss was lost with a whisper.
�Linna.�

	Nene heard the scream and raced into the bedroom, her robe flapping around
her. She stared at the scene before her and tried to make some sense of
what she was seeing. Jeanette caught her as she ran forward and held her
while Linna fed. �Easy, ojoosan. Linna needs the nourishment. Have you
forgotten your own hunger so quickly?�

	Nene broke loose and pulled Linna away from her victim. Linna growled at
her, but
Nene was ready. She knocked her down and turned to Priss. �You don�t
understand. This is
Priss. She�s our friend, our team mate.� Nene ordered the boomer to release
her, but it was Jeanette�s nod that it answered. Nene caught Priss and
carried her to the bed. She could hear the dying heartbeat and bit into her
own wrist. Jeanette grabbed it as she tried to feed Priss.

	�What are you doing? Think, Nene! You cannot keep doing this.�

	Nene jerked her hand away and faced the woman who had saved her life. And
ended it. �I can�t let her die! She�s saved my life too many times! I owe
her, don�t you see?� She brought her bleeding wrist to Priss� lips. �We
were a family. We have fought together and been friends for years. I
trusted them to watch my back in battle and they trusted me to do the same.
If I let her die then I�ve failed her.� She stroked Priss� face as she
drank. �Don�t you understand? They�re my sisters.�

	Jeanette sighed helped Linna to her feet. The shock of the hunger and the
attack had faded and Linna was staring at Nene in confusion. �Nene?
What..?� Jeanette slipped an arm around her and guided her a chair in the
corner. She ordered the boomer to bring more blood and watched Nene bring
her second �daughter across�. �I am to young to be a grandmother.�

	
                                 + + + + +


	Silia watched the body fall to the ground in front of her as sanity slowly
returned. LaCroix stood in the shadows. She stared down at the man she�d
just killed, no let�s be truthful, she had just fed upon and wondered why
she didn�t feel guilty. 

	LaCroix glided forward and answered her unspoken question. �He is the
hunted and you are the hunter. And a what a beautifully deadly hunter you
are. You surprise me really. I had not expected such...enthusiasm.� 

	Silia brushed away a drop of blood from her lips and touched it to her
tongue. She ignored LaCroix as she let her senses reach out into the
darkness around them. People rushed by on the street beyond the alley. Cars
roared past and Silia could here snatches of conversation from inside of
them. Her voice was low. �When do we rescue the others?�

	�Soon. You need to learn more about yourself, now. Then we will free your
friends.� 


                                 + + + +


	Priss stared at the crimson liquid in her glass and listened to Nene with
a half an ear. She hadn�t believed them at first, when they�d told her what
she was now. It had taken the hunger to convince her. The hunger and the
taste of the blood they had provided. She drained her glass and set back on
the table with a sharp snap. The glass shattered and she looked up into
Linna�s concerned gaze. Priss curled her hands into fists and resisted the
urge to attack her team mate. Memories of what she had done crowded her
mind and she got to her feet quickly, moving to the window. It was her
second night as a vampire and she was less than impressed. 

	Nene stood behind Priss and hugged her. Priss allowed the gesture. She
couldn�t blame Nene for what had happened. In truth she was happy that her
friend hadn�t died. She just wished it hadn�t happened this way. She would
have like to have a choice in the matter. 

	Linna sighed, knowing that Priss was still upset with her. �Look Priss, I
can only apologize so many times. I wasn�t rational, you know what the
first hunger is like.� Indeed, Priss did know and that was the only thing
that kept her from striking out at Linna. 

	�I know.� She turned and Nene stepped back, watching her carefully. She
was a little worried that Linna and Priss might come to blows. 

	Priss reached for her cigarettes and laughed as she lit one. �At least I
don�t have to worry about these things killing me.�

	Jeanette appeared beside her and extinguished the match between two gloved
fingers. �No? Do not forget the dangers of fire, Priss. It is still a most
hazardous habit to pursue.� Priss scowled at her as Jeanette walked to the
table and poured herself a glass. 

	Jeanette saw the shattered glass and looked at Nene with a raised brow.
�Have I missed something?�

	Priss ignored her question. �We need to see Silia. We�re going tonight.�

	Jeanette�s expression was grim. They had been arguing about this since
Priss had awakened. �You know that is impossible. Why do you persist in
this foolishness?�

	�Because we owe Silia the truth. She won�t expose us, or you for that
matter. She was so worried when Nene disappeared. And then we lost contact
with Linna. I have never seen her so upset. Silia is usually a blank slate,
but when that happened.... I don�t want to think about what she must be
feeling now.� Priss pulled on her jacket and stared at the others, asking a
silent question. Linna stood and reached for her own coat as Nene did the
same.

	Linna spoke softly, worry clouding her features. � I don�t want to think
about what she might do. I don�t think you realize, Jeanette, how ruthless
Silia can be. She won�t stop until she�s found out what happened to us.
Silia doesn�t like to lose.�

	Nene turned to Jeanette. �Come with us. I know you don�t understand, but I
know that if you met Silia you would. She�s....an original.� 

	Jeanette shook her head slightly. �I shouldn�t, but I will. Just to keep
you from bringing her across as well.�

                              + + + + +	


	LaCroix stiffened as he sensed the presence of vampires. Well, well. He
hadn�t expected this. Silia watched him in puzzlement. �What�s wrong?�

	�Your friends are here. I believe Jeanette had decided to go on the
offensive. They are under her control and have most likely come to take you
across with them. I am afraid that our plan must now change from one of
rescue to one of survival.� He slid into the shadows and whispered. �Be my
stalking horse, Silia. I will take care of the rest.�

	Silia stood in the center of the room and watched the front door swing
open. Her heart clenched as she saw Nene enter. Priss and Linna were right
behind her, followed by the woman Silia wanted to kill more than she�d ever
wanted anything. She didn�t move as the came closer, nor did she speak.

	Nene smiled at her, but it died at Silia�s cold look. �Silia? What�s wrong?� 

	Jeanette gasped and stared at the other woman. �She is a vampire!�

	A shadow broke away from the others and caught Jeanette, hurling her
across the room. LaCroix smiled down at his daughter as she recovered herself.

	Jeanette couldn�t believe what she was seeing. �LaCroix! How did you..?�

	LaCroix was regal. �How did I find you, my wayward child? It was simply a
matter of time. Did you really think you could stay hidden?� He began to
stalk towards her.

	Silia was confused. She felt a hand on her arm and looked down into Nene�s
worried face. �Silia? How did this happen?� Silia shook her head. Priss and
Linna were looking at her in concern and Silia suddenly realized that she
had been tricked. �I�m afraid I underestimated my opponent.�

	The sound of an enraged growl filled the room and drew their attention.
LaCroix had Jeanette backed into a corner. Nene gasped and charged him. He
knocked her aside casually, but Linna and Priss managed to force him away
from Jeanette. 

	LaCroix thrust them away and turned to find Silia bearing down on him, a
broken chair leg gripped tightly between her hands. LaCroix hissed and
barely avoided the sharpened edge. Jeanette shoved him and he crashed
through the window. The battle moved outside to the roof and LaCroix idly
picked shards of glass from his face as he faced the others. �So you have
turned on me so quickly, Silia?�

	Silia splintered a large wooden planter and began to toss shards to the
others. �You lied to me, so that I would become a pawn in your game. I
don�t like being lied to.� She felt her team around her and smiled. �Let�s
try an alpha run without the cover fire.�

	Priss laughed and raced toward LaCroix. His arm swept out to knock her
away, but she was already flipping up and over him. She touched down on the
rail that ran along the edge of the roof and balanced there, waiting. 

	Linna and Nene swept in from the sides, slashing at him as they passed.
LaCroix roared as the wood tore at his sides. Priss moved and thrust the
wooden shaft into his back. He had moved though and she missed his heart.
Silia called out another battle plan and Jeanette watched in amazement as
she began to flip across the roof toward LaCroix. Her makeshift weapon
opened the side of his throat and he fell back.

	Nene dropped in from above, her aim true. As the wood pierced the flesh
over LaCroix� heart, a hand caught her arm, stopping her. She looked up at
Jeanette in confusion. �Why?�

	Jeanette shook her head and stared down at the man who�d saved her so many
centuries ago. �As I made you, ojoosan, he made me.� She turned to LaCroix.
�Leave Japan, LaCroix. Do not return or I will allow them to finish what
they so capably started.�

	LaCroix  gasped as she pulled the stake from his back. �You take the sport
from my games, Jeanette. Would you really deprive me of the pleasure of
your company?�

	Priss placed the tip her stake to his throat. �Yeah, she would. Now scram
before I remember that I don�t follow orders!� 

	LaCroix seemed to vanish and they heard his last words as he departed. �I
will return, Jeanette. I eagerly await our next meeting, Sabers of the Night!�

	Silia dropped the bloody piece of wood and turned to the others. Nene ran
forward and hugged her. Silia returned the hug and shot Jeanette a
questioning look. If she had forced Nene...

	Jeanette was amused by Silia�s threatening glare, but now knew that she
could back it up. �I believe there is a great deal to discuss, Ms.
Stingray.� She glanced at Nene. �I understand your concerns now. She is
an...original.�

	

Three months later.....


	The Raven was more crowded than usual. Jeanette watched the woman stride
across the small stage and smiled at the energy she projected. Her words
were compelling as well and Jeanette took a quick sip from her glass.

	Priss tried to convey every bit of the wildness she felt into the song.
She had found the old song, almost by accident and had been amazed at the
lyrics. Priss knew that it must have been written by a vampire.


	Close your eyes 
	and walk the endless night to sleep


	Nene tapped her finger against her glass and looked at her watch. They
were late and she was starting to worry that something had gone wrong.
Maybe that hadn�t been able to get the papers? She saw Silia come in and
waved as she stopped at the bar to chat with Michaela.


	No good-byes
	And no more promises to keep

	
	Linna made her way to the bar and leaned against it next to Silia. �Hi,
Michaela. Can I get a glass?� The bartender slid the glass in front of her
and nodded toward Nene�s table. �You�re both late. She was getting worried.�


	It ends tonight
	And fills the emptiness in me

	You must give in
	You must give in


	Nene scowled at them as they approached. �Don�t you two own watches?�


	A game that you can�t win
	The hunger
	

	Silia laughed and tossed a folder on the table in front of her. �Sorry. It
took a little longer than we expected. Here it is. A complete medical
report, detailing your new �condition� in depth. You should have no trouble
getting transferred to the night shift now.�


	The music plays
	The fire burns
	The soul departs
	The fever breaks
	
	

	Linna watched Priss and spoke absently. �She�s really getting into this,
isn�t she?�


	You can�t turn back
	You can�t turn back

	
	Nene was studying the papers that confirmed her allergy to sunlight.
�These are great!�


	The night bleeds in black
	The hunger
	

	Jeanette joined them. She saw the folder and sighed. �So. You are
determined to go through with this?� Nene just smiled. �I do not understand
this need to play the �normal� person! You should embrace your new life,
not cling to the old one!� She waved a hand at Priss. �There is someone who
truly understands what it means to be a vampire!�

	You must give in
	You must give in
	

	The sudden laughter that surrounded Jeanette made her frown. �You find
something amusing?�

	Silia wondered how to explain that Priss was just being Priss.
		

	A game that you can�t win
	The hunger

	The hunger


	

shimai
"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow."
                             -Ivanova, Babylon 5