Getting into Trouble

[Demeter]

Dream didn't unpack her belongings. She figured that as soon as things calmed down, Marrus would insist that she move into Rhystic's rooms. She lay on the bed, arms flopped over her head. She wondered what Rhystic was doing to his second general. It was just odd to her that his two generals would, with the possiblity of them ever finding out, be adversaries. Didn't seem like a smart idea to her.

Dream rolled over onto her stomach. She reached for the phone on her bedside table and picked up the reciever. The very least she could do was call her sister's house and talk to her nephew. Rhystic actually liked Hawk, even with the angel blood in his veins. Dream sprawled on her bed, head dropped over the edge as if she was going to have a casual conversation with her sister instead of speaking to Hawk about Kura going off.

Dion picked up after the fourth ring. When she discovered that it was Dream calling, she squealed and wanted to know everything that had happened in Hawaii. Her father had obviously told everyone he knew that his daughter had gone and eloped on him. "Later, Dion. I need to talk to Hawk."

"What do you want to talk to him for?"

"Just something. Put him on the phone or I'll withhold information." Dion sighed and held the phone away from her mouth while yelling for her son to get his ass on the phone and talk to his aunt.

[Shinigami]

Hawk was out sitting on the back steps, smoking and staring up at the sky and simply enjoying the nice day. He was barefoot and in a t-shirt, despite the chill in the air, but the cold never bothered him. He heard his mother yelling his name from inside the house, something about the phone. Sighing and taking two last puffs, he stood and snuffed his cigarette out in an ashtray he had brought out with him. He brought it back in the house with him as he wandered back into the house, mumbling under his breath and wondering who the hell would call him on the house phone.

As Hawk walked into the living room and plopped the ashtray down on the coffee table he huffed back at Dion. "What the hell are you yelling about the phone? No one I know calls the house for me..." When he heard that it was his Aunt Dream he was even more confused. When his mother practically forced the phone on him he answered. "Aunt Dream? What are you looking for me for?"

***

Kuraku hissed to herself as she ended up turned down yet another street she didn't know. She had worked as a bounty hunter from time to time, before she had been given the position of General. She should know the streets, and she had for the most part, until she started wandering out of the city and into the more suburban areas. And why the hell where their streets so confusing anyway?! Kura had calmed down a great deal, but she was still jumpy and she was still having vivid flashbacks of when she was a little girl. They would send her into mini panic attacks that left her cowering in allies until she got herself under temporary control.

She was looking for the one person on Earth that she knew she could go to for trusted shelter - her cousin Hawk. He had stayed in Hell for some time back when they were younger, and they had both become friends. He was the only other male she had let physically close to her since she was 9. Only, she didn't know where he lived exactly. Kuraku knew the town he lived in and that he lived in the suburbs, but other than that, she was lost. Hopelessly lost.

***

Rhystic had calmed down significantly. Though, in the process he had thrown a lamp and had knocked over a small end table or two... he had thrown a few books, too. He had let himself yell and get as much of his frustration out as he could, because that was mostly what he felt. Rhy was frustrated that his daughter was missing, and he had no idea where she was or where to start looking. Once he calmed he was able to think rationally about it all.

Kuraku wouldn't stay in Hell, because Caspian was in Hell. But she would never even entertain the idea of going near Heaven. That left Earth, and while there was a small chance she -had- stayed in Hell, it was most likely she went to the most neutral of the three realms. Now that he had somewhere to start, he needed people to help him look. Hawk was definitely on the list. He was the only male -and- half Angel that Kuraku had ever let near her. Rhystic sighed, deciding to go talk to Dream. He had to apologize anyway, and then after that he'd call his nephew.

((ooc - Kura got her own little blurb this time ^^. Soon Ambresk might get tossed in... which reminds me... I have her bio floating around somewhere...))

[Demeter]

Dream rolled her eyes at the tone Hawk used. It was hard to remember that he was only a few years younger then her. "Listen, you know Rhystic's daughter, Kuraku, right?" When Hawk said that he knew and liked the girl, Dream sat up, twining the old-fashioned curled up phone cord around her fingers. "Well, Kuraku has gone missing. I don't know how much of Kura's past you know but it turns out that Caspian and she knew each other, sorta, and not in a good way."

"Anyways, to make a long story short, she's gone missing and Rhystic muttered something about calling you." When a knock sounded at her door, Dream groaned. "hold on a minute, Hawk." Dream set the phone down on the mattress and bounced over to the door. "Oh, it's you." she said when Rhystic appeared in the doorway. "Hawk's on the phone. I figured, with you mood, it would be easier for me to call, considering your mood, in case someone other then Hawk answered."

She waved a hand at the phone still on the bed. "He's still on the line. You'll probably want to give him all the details." She offered Rhystic a friendly smile and backed away before turning and walking into her bathroom.

[Shinigami]

Rhystic knocked on Dream's door, wondering for a brief moment how long it will take his father to insist they share a room, and was greeted with Dream on the phone. He raised a brow, wondering if she was already contacting the Reapers she works with, but when she informed him it was Hawk he simply blinked. He was greatful she called, but he smirked a little bit. He had Hawk's cell phone number, so he wouldn't have had to speak with anyone else if he hadn't wanted to, but it was still good of her to do.

He walked into the room as Dream disappeared into the bathroom, picking up the phone on her bed and answering. "Hawk? How much has Dream managed to tell you so far? Alright, well, Caspian spooked her really good. I think she fled to Earth. Does she know where you live? Damn it.. can you..? Thank you." Rhy hung the phone up, but he waited until around until Dream came out of the bathroom.

"Dream, thank you... for calling Hawk. I needed some time to calm down before I did anything stupid." He took a breath... he really wasn't good with apologizing. "I didn't mean to... explode earlier. I just... I don't want Kura to freak out even more. She does carry poison tipped blades, after all..."

***

Hawk was shocked to hear his cousin was missing. He had known the whole story, part of it coming from his uncle and grandfather, and the other part coming from Kuraku herself once she deemed him trustworthy enough. When he heard his uncle had said something about calling him, he had understood why his aunt called. Rhystic was probably having a cow. Hawk was a bit annoyed that Dream put the phone down to go do something, but he heard talking. Soon another voice answered the phone.

"Hey, Uncle Rhy? She told me Kura is missing, mentioned something about Caspian. Did he find out? Damn.. no. She knows what town, but not where the house is. Don't worry, I'm headed out to look for her now. I'll check in soon." Hawk hung the phone up and took off up the stairs, pulling on the pair of steel-toed boots he wore to work and grabbing a coat. He decided against taking his sword. He didn't want to freak Kuraku out anymore. He left a note on his bed for Ayda saying what he was doing.

One he had his things together he bolted right back down the stairs and out the door, ignoring his mother yelling at him to go back and tell her what was going on. He headed towards the city first to see a few contacts he had.

[Demeter]

Ayda stared at the note in her hand. A stalk of peanut butter covered Celery dangled from her mouth, her teeth gnawing on the stringy ends. So, Hawk had gone out relative-hunting. She shrugged and then flopped on what she now considered her side of the bed. They'd been together for a while now and she considered part of his bed to hers. Ayda chewed on the celery, wondering what this relative was like.

Cannon asked why did she even care. Hawk was hers not the relative. "That's not what I'm concerned about, silly kitty. The only relatives I've met are the ones who continually waltz in and out of this house. I don't think I've met this Kura person."

Cannon, confused by many of the things her human did, including the love of eating plants rather then good, old-fashioned meat, sighed. "Strange human."

Ayda shrugged and licked at the peanut butter. "Strange feline."

***

Dream grinned at being reminded about Kura's daggers. "Yeah, she does have those." Dream sat down on the bed and looked up at Rhystic. "So, now what do we do? Wait around like worried parents for the phone to ring?"

Dream flopped backwards, arms tossed over her head. "Well, our vacation was fun, while it lasted, and we got to annoying our respective fathers. I understand about needing to calm down." Dream, never one to sit still for long, rolled off the bed and stood next to Rhystic. She reached up and rested a hand on Rhystic's shoulders. "We'll find her, Rhystic. Whatever I may saw about Kuraku, she's a smart girl with a solid head on her shoulders."

[Shinigami]

Hawk's contacts hadn't given him much. They knew a female Custos had come through the gates and into the city, and the only other thing they knew was that she hadn't stayed in the city. He had feared as much, but searching the suburbs surrounding the densely populated city was going to be harder. There would be less people to see her, and the area was larger with less buildings. He only hoped his cousin looked enough like a stranger that the locals would gossip. One thing was for certain, though... Hawk was going to need -help- if she was to be found anytime soon.

His cell phone was out and he was dialing numbers he knew off of the top of his head. Family mostly, trying to get a hold of his brother and sisters. Tempest seemed harmless, and was a healer, and his sisters would be less threatening to Kuraku as they were female. He even contemplated calling Saiyuri, or even Ayda, though he was worried Kura's training would be too much for the woman he cared so much about. Hawk dialed his uncle's number, too.

"Uncle Rhy, I'm almost positive you were right. A female Custos came through the gates in the city, but fled out towards the suburbs. I need to call for help... I figured I'd keep it in the family, if you know what I mean."

***

Rhystic was a little taken aback when Dream said 'parents'... plural. He understood that she was his wife now, and technically Kuraku's step-mother, but he hadn't expected her to acknowledge it out loud. He sighed, running his hand over his face before replying. "I have no idea... She'd never done this before. The last time she was this scared she was a little girl... my father freaked because she had gone missing, but had run to the training fields to find -me-."

He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulders. He hadn't even noticed her get up, much less walk up to him. Rhy gave a weak smile, a silent thank you to Dream for her words of comfort. "I'm just worried that she isn't so level-headed right now..."

The ringing of his cell phone drew his attention. He flipped the thing open without checking the caller ID, his voice sounding anxious and hopeful. "Hello? Hawk?" He frowned. "Alright, then I'll help you as well. I need to do something." He looked to Dream as he flipped the phone shut and tucked it in his pocket. "Hawk confirmed Kuraku is on earth, but he needs help looking for her. Will you join me?"

[Demeter]

Rayne happily bounced out of the Vet clinic where she was the tech-in-training. She was happy to be away for the day. The ditz receptionest was in. When weighed, hunting down Kura rated over dealing with the girl when she squealed in disgust over the 'samples' clients brought in. That and she hated the girl's perky sun-yellow bug with it's happy little daffidals in it's cute little vase.

Rayne patted the gun-metal gray primer and candy apple red patched mustange that was her baby. She crooned to the 65 mustang and slid behind the wheel. She scowled at the little bug parked next to her. She hated the girl. Rayne reved up the car and shot out of the parking lot. She called up her brother. "Hey, weirdo, I'll drive around and see what I can find. Meet you at the little coffee stop on 5th in an hour or so and we'll regroup and what not. She can't have wandered far, could she?"

Rayne hung up on her brother after confirming the meeting point and slowed down to ten under the limit. She didn't care if the people behind her would be pissed off. She was looking for her cousin.

***

Dream tilted her head to the side. "I have considerable knowledge about the back alleys and corners of the suburbs. I'll help you look. Just let me change." Dream scooted away from Rhystic and rooted through her drawers. She pulled out a pair of jeans, some socks, and a tanktop. She went back into the bathroom to change. She came out a minute later, hair up in a high ponytail. She grabbed up a hooded sweatshirt that declared when the state of montana had been founded and stuffed her feet into some worn-out cross-trainer shoes. She looked up at Rhystic. "Let's go."

[Shinigami]

Tempest and Hawk had never been terribly close, but they had always had an understanding. They were brothers, no matter what, and if one needed the other's help, they would do whatever they could. So when Temp got a call from a rushed and concerned sounding Hawk, he worried. He was glad to hear Hawk wasn't in any trouble, or hurt, but was more than a little surprised to know he had a cousin around their age that he hadn't previously known about. Despite the surprise, Tempest made sure he had all of the proper first aid supplies and put a fellow doctor and friend at the hospital on stand-by. Just in case.

Once that was settled, he informed Faith he'd be going out to help in the search, but sticking close to the house in case any medical attention was needed.

***

There were fewer and fewer shops, and the houses were getting larger and further apart the more she wandered. Kuraku was going deeper into the suburbs with no idea if she was even heading in the right direction. It was also getting darker the longer she walked. She had gained a few strange looks from residents as she wandered, hugging her arms around her body and most likely looking like a junkie. She was shivering and breathing harshly, and she was getting increasingly paranoid at passing shadows and people.

In one house Kura could feel the auras of the inhabitants, an Angel family, and the realization caused to to panic. She ended up huddled in a dark corner behind a large, yet abandoned school of some sort. Kuraku stayed there for a bit, until she could gain more control over herself.

***

Hawk had weaved his way through the streets, being careful to check the darker, more shadowed hiding places thoroughly. He was nearing the coffee shop he was supposed to meet with Rayne at, and he was getting increasingly worried about not having found his cousin yet. It was getting dark, which would make it harder to search, and he didn't want to have to give up for the night. Maybe they could set up shifts...

The coffee shop came into view and he looked down at his cell phone to check the time. It had been about an hour, so either Rayne was already there, or she was on her way. Hawk walked in to see his sister just getting settled at a table and walked over, practically dropping into the chair across from her. "No luck?"

***

Rhystic had changed clothes after his little temper tantrum, so he was all ready to go in his boots, jeans, and a button down shirt. He was glad for Dream's expertise of the layout of the suburbs. He certainly hadn't wandered them enough to know much. Only how to get to his brother's house and then back to the nearest gate back to Hell, which was actually pretty close. Though, it seemed Kura had gone to a different gate. Rhy nodded towards Dream as she indicated that she was ready to go, and led the way out of the house.

He turned to his new wife as they made their way away from the house. "Which of the gates do you think is best? Hawk was still closer to the city when he called, but if the others are involved they probably left from the house..."

((ooc - Dear gods! My characters abandoned my head for so long, and then they all come pouring back in and want out! They'll be the death of me one day... ))

[Demeter]

Rayne looked at her brother as he flopped in the chair opposite her. "Nothing what-so-ever." she twirled the pink and green straws in the chai tea around. "I take it you didn't have any luck either. Why doesn't that girl have a cell phone or something with her?" Rayne slouched down.

She looked at her brother. "Who else do you have working on this? Tempest? Has anyone started looking in the quieter areas?"

***

Dream carried an unadorned staff. Gods knew what sort of trouble Kura could get up to on Earth and she'd prefer to be prepared. "Take the gate that leads to the suburbs. Comes out in a small, somewhat abandoned park."

They popped through to the park and Dream looked around. The area was quiet and the sky was steadily getting darker. "Which way do you want to go? We can split up, look around on our own. I can take the alleys and more public places, if you like. Useful trait of blending in or being invisiable, if you want to get fancy, for reapers when we go chasing fallens through backyards. I wouldn't spook her if I found her but be able to trail her until someone showed up."

Dream laid a hand of Rhystic's arm. "We'll find her, Rhystic, even if it takes calling out the entire family to canvas the entire region. Where would she go? What would she look for in order to feel safe?"

[Shinigami]

Hawk let out a frustrated sigh as Rayne confirmed what he had suspected. He shook his head when she commented on his luck. "Normally she does have a phone on her, but from the sounds of it she was cornered, and by Caspian of all people. He's violent enough, but now that he knows who Kuraku really is..."

A waitress had come up to ask if he had wanted anything, but he just shook his head and waved her off. Hawk was certain he was being rude, but he didn't much care at the moment. "Tempest is starting from the house and moving out from there, but he won't go far. Not in case we need his medical skills. Uncle Rhy is joining the search, and probably Aunt Dream, too, but I don't know where they're going to be. Aunt Dream will probably think to cover the trickier areas, she's used to having to hunt down Fallens anyway. Think I should call Saiyuri? Her cat senses might help us. Though she might hurt Uncle Rhy if she saw him, regardless of the situation."

He was way out of his element, and he just prayed to Gaia that they could find Kura soon. Hopefully before she got herself hurt or managed to hurt anyone else. Hawk hissed, suddenly remembering something very important. "Shit... I forgot about Kura's little habit of carrying poison tipped daggers."

***

Tempest was making sure to search thoroughly, especially since he didn't know this girl at all, let alone what she would do and where she would hide when scared. He was also worried that she'd be violent, if only out of fear. The only weapon he had on him was a pocket knife, though so long as she wasn't armed he could probably subdue her on his own.

He prayed it wouldn't have to come to that. Temp wasn't much into fighting, but he had been trained well enough to hold his own in order to protect himself and others.

***

Rhystic surveyed the park as they came out of the gate. It had plenty of dark corners and looked abandoned as Dream said. Unfortunately he didn't sense Kuraku there, and he knew their search wouldn't be that simple. He had a very uneasy feeling about all of this, though Dream seemed to be trying to best to keep him calm. Rhy gave a weak smile as a show of gratitude, though his face was still marred with worry.

That was one thing he could think on. Where would Kuraku feel safe? He'd like to think he knew his daughter well enough, but he found himself hoping he was right. "Since she doesn't know where the house is, and I can only assume she hasn't run into anyone she can trust or that's looking for her yet, then she would find somewhere to hide for night. Probably where she could hunker down in the shadows but still have a clear view of the area around her. A park, like this one, or a playground maybe."

***

Kuraku began working herself way from all of the houses. There were too many Angel families in the area, and she couldn't find somewhere to hide that was far enough away from them. She found herself by yet another school, though she could tell this one was probably used on a regular basis. It would be empty enough for the night, and had a large field behind it.

The school had to have been for younger kids, elementary maybe, because she spotted the large play structure. It would provide her with enough cover to hide from unwanted eyes, so she crept quickly across the field like a wounded animal being followed by a predator. Kura began circling the structure to look for the best place to hide when someone snatched her forearm and held onto it tightly. She let out a shriek of surprise, panic starting over take her when her eyes fell on the Angel woman that had grabbed her.

The woman had been tucked underneath one of the slides, hidden in the shadows. She looked stark-raving mad as it appeared her brown hair had all but completely come unraveled from the braid it was once in and had leaves and small sticks stuck in its tangled length. Her pale green eyes were open wide and her skin was smeared with dirt, making her look like a wild thing. As Kuraku tried to pull herself away from the mad woman she began questioning her.

"Who are you?! They sent you for me, didn't they? Sent you to kill me and my child!" Ambresk saw the strangers features, her black hair and fair skin. She looked like that woman! Like young Rhystic's mother! "No no no... you should be dead!" That sent Kura into another fit of panic, pulling frantically at the woman to try and get loose. "Those Angels took you, killed you, left beautiful Marrus all alone, you did. He's mine now! Mine!"

((ooc: okay... so, just about all of my characters are itching to do something, lol))

[Demeter]

Dream thought for a moment. "Parks. Playgrounds. Both come with things that people can hide in or under. So, we focus on the suburbs and the elementry schools. More likely to come with those things. I think..." Dream walked as she talked, "I think there is a elementry school to the left a few blocks and a park with a playground to the right." She glanced over her shoulder at Rhystic. "Why don't you call Hawk, tell him what areas should be focused on. He's probably dragged his siblings into the mix by now. The more people who are looking for her, the quicker we will find her."

Dream glanced around the area while Rhystic spoke with her nephew. It was quiet. Mostly angel and some mortal families in this area of town. Cedar Valley was a hotspot for the paranormal, she mused. The pards, kindles, and wolven would all live around each other and most Custoss either resided in hell or lived closer to the center of town. If Kura came out in this area, she'd more then likely have tried to go the ground quickly.

When Rhystic rejoined her, she nodded. "So, which way do we go? Left or Right?"

***

Rayne cringed. Ish, poisoned daggers. "Yeah, and, get this, Aunt Dream gave her some of Aunt Bella's specialty poison. I was in the room with Bella told Mom. Probably should call Saiyuri. She can get into all sorts of places and, ya know, smell her out. It sucks that we don't have superiour smelling abilities." Rayne sank down in her seat for a momentary sulk. She stayed that way when Hawk's phone rang. He seemed to be talking to Uncle Rhystic about something.

She could only imagine the sort of panic that her uncle was going through. His daughter, and that's what Kura was despite the whole adopted thing, was missing. Dream was probably being the calm cause, ya know, Dream never paniced. Rayne often wondered if her youngest Aunt ever had a racing thought or a moment of being scared. Probably, once. But now? Dream was the ice-cool one of the family. She'd probably be the one to take charge of this whole thing.

When Hawk snapped his phone shut, she sat up. "Well? What did he say?"

***

The guard schlumped along the corridor of the pit. This was where all the fallens who'd lost their sanity stayed. No deity wanted them and they weren't sane enough to live on their own. And he was paid well to make sure all those nasty, insane fallens stayed in their cells. Not that he really cared.

He checked one cell after another. Fallen, Fallen, Fallen. When he reached the cell that the Fallen Ambresk was assigned to, the guard's stomach fell to his feet. She wasn't in it. He quickly jiggled through his keys until he found the right one and opened the door. She wasn't hiding in the corners as some did. The window through, the window that was nailed shut and had bars was open...

She'd sawn through the bars. He wasn't sure how she'd managed it but she had. After cursing up a storm and kicking the bed, the guard did what he had to do. He called his superior. Who called his superior. Who called Carmine Valerio. Who Told Darius DeLomre, overlord of this layer, who made the rather difficult call to Marrius Deluge. It wasn't easy telling his oldest friend that his former lover, Ambresk, the mother of Tobin, was an insane fallen on his level of hell and that she'd escaped.

(occ: Yeah...know the feeling. Dream, Nerissa, Lysander...they won't shut up)

[Maira]

((ooc: let Saiyuri come out and play!!! she'll try to be good if she sees Rhystic, honest she will! *wiggles* please?))

[Shinigami]

((ooc: Haha, alright. You've managed to convince me ^_~. I wouldn't have complained either way, love, I think all of my characters agree the more the merrier ^^ ))

Rhystic nodded and followed Dream as she talked and walked. He was listening, but he was also intently scanning the area to see any signs of her having come through that area as well as if he could sense any trace of her aura. He found none, so when Dream suggested that he call Hawk, he readily agreed. He wanted updates from his nephew anyway.

The phone call was fairly short. Neither Hawk nor Rayne had seen any sign of her, and they hadn't gotten an update from Tempest yet. They would start focusing on schools and parks with playgrounds or other similar structures and let Tempest know to do the same, but they also informed him they were calling in Saiyuri. Rhy wasn't sure if he should be relieved or worried for his physical safety after hearing Saiyuri would be joining the search party, but he shortly found that he didn't give a damn if she killed him, so long as they found Kuraku.

One he was off the phone he turned his attention back to his.. well, his new wife. It was odd to think of Dream that way, but he was already finding himself at ease with it, especially with how understanding she was being about Kuraku's disappearance. Rhystic sighed as he contemplated the merits of each direction they could go in their search. He would hate for them to go in one direction and find that Kura had been nearby, only in the opposite direction... though there were two of them. Rhy frowned when he thought about them splitting up, but he posed the option anyway. "Well, there are two of us. We could split up, though I don't know the suburbs here very well, so once I get past either the park or the school I would have to improvise."

***

When Hawk saw it was his uncle calling he was quick to answer the phone, hoping that they had managed to find Kura. His expression fell as Rhy informed him that they hadn't, but he was glad they were able to give them a direction to look in. It would be much easier to do a thorough search now that they had narrowed down her possible hiding places for the night. He let Rhystic know what was going on with them and who was in on the search. And he would most definitely be calling Saiyuri.

Hawk looked up at Rayne once he snapped his phone shut. "They haven't found anything, but Uncle Rhy says to focus on areas like school and parks with playgrounds or other structures like that. Apparently Kuraku would gravitate towards those as good places to hide, but also to be able to have a clear view of anyone who approaches. And if you find her, remember to keep her at arms length... especially if she's tipped this set of knives with Aunt Bella's poison..."

Before they left the coffee shop he called the oldest of Dion's children. "Hey, Saiyuri. We really need your help right now. You see... Uncle Rhy has a daughter..." He gave the very abridged version of who Kuraku was and why they needed to find her as soon as possible, as well as who else was looking and where to focus. Just after he bid Rayne a happy hunting, he called Temp to fill him in. Before the night was over, he was certain the whole family would be involved in this.

***

Kuraku started to hyperventilate as Ambresk kept a strong grip on her arm. How had this woman known that the Angels had taken her? Was she part of that family? Did she know them? She couldn't stop the questions from racing through her mind, and once she heard the woman speak of her grandfather, Marrus, she was further convinced this woman would try to harm her, or family.

Ambresk yanked particularly hard on the dark haired woman's arm, wanting her answers. "Tell me! Why didn't they kill you? Or did they? You should be dead! You can't have Marrus now, not now. He's mine now!" She ended her rant in a shout, and it was enough to startle Kura into defending herself. She had given a startled yelp and quickly drew one of her many daggers, using all of her weight to try and yank her arm free. At the sight of the dagger, Ambresk abruptly released Kuraku's arm, which ended with her tumbling backwards into the dirt. She scurried back a bit and raised up into a crouch, pulling a second dagger. Neither woman would take their eyes off of the other, not wanting to be taken by surprise.

***

Marrus was pacing his office, making Caspian increasingly worried. He still hadn't been taken to be put in a cell somewhere, nor had he been truly tortured. He did, however, have a broken hand, a few broken ribs, and a cracked collar bone. He probably had a concussion, too. That was the least of his problems if his Lord kept up his furious pacing. Soon he would lose his patience and get serious about his punishment.

He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding when the phone rang and distracted his captor. Cas' relief was short-lived, thinking his life was about to end. Marrus had picked up the phone, only to hear the voice of his closest friend, Darius, but what he had to say wasn't good. Ambresk had fallen, and furthermore lost the fragile sanity she had when he had left her. Now, she had gotten out of her cell. She was roaming free while his terrified granddaughter was missing. He had to tell his sons.

[Maira]

((ooc: *cackles with glee* Thank you!!!))

Saiyuri had been spending the day with her father and her Pard side of the family when her cell phone went off. It wasn't the tone she had for Thiery or his twin boys, nor was it the one for her mother or Tobin. It was the one she had set for her mass of siblings on Dion's side of the family. As almost none of them ever called her, she was very curious just who would be calling and why.

Leaving Lani with Katsu, Saiyuri slipped out onto the front porch and took the call. It was her younger brother Hawk, and he seemed less his slightly moody self than normal. As he relayed just why he was calling she understood why. A family member, in some weird backward way through Tobin and Rhystic, was in trouble. Apparently, she was also very good at being sneaky so having feline senses would be incredibly helpful in finding her.

Even though Saiyuri had very un-fond memories of Rhystic, she didn't even hesitate to answer Hawk. "Tell me where to go and I'll be there as soon as I can be. I'll need something of the girl's to smell if I'm to know what I"m looking for so send me to somebody who will have something." Once she got directions, Saiyuri said goodbye and went in to see to her daughter's care for the evening while she went hunting.

Of course her father was more than happy to watch the little terror, err, his grand-daughter. Saiyuri insisted on calling Thiery, her fiance, to let him know what she was up to and where Lani would be staying for the night. If he wanted to come get the little girl later he could but if he'd rather have a night alone just him and the boys, she told him Lani would be just fine at Katsu's. Thiery protested a bit at her going off in her current "state" but Saiyuri just ignored him, told him she loved him, and hung up.

In only a matter of moments, Saiyuri found herself in her father's backyard stripping out of her clothes and letting her pard form overtake her. The pain it caused was brief and over quickly, and caused no harm to the baby she was carrying. She was just about ready to slip out the back gate when she heard the sliding door open and her brother Kiyo joined her on the back patio.

*What do you think you're doing, Brother,* she asked the only way she could as a leopard, through the telepathic connection all Pard shared when in their leopard form. Kiyo grinned at his older sister and stripped. Once he too was changed into his leopard form, nearly identical to hers but a smidge larger, Kiyo answered, *What does it look like I'm doing?*

Saiyuri silently snarled at her brother but didn't object otherwise. She knew it was likely her father, or her fiance, that had asked Kiyo to go along to look after her so what would be the point in getting upset at him? Once Kiyo walked up beside her to signal he was ready, Saiyuri flipped the latch on the gate with her nose and slipped out.

Luckily night was coming on, and the shadows at dusk helped the two leopards keep out of view of anybody who might panic at seeing two leopards running about a suburban neighborhood loose. It didn't take the pair long to reach their destination and Saiyuri smelled the familiar scent of her aunt, and the vaguely remembered scent of Rhystic, long before they reached them.

The pair seemed to be discussing their options on just what to do when Saiyuri and Kiyo reached them. Knowing that Dream would at least hear her, if not be able to respond in kind, Saiyuri greeted her aunt telepathically, *Hawk said you needed a nose to sniff out Rhystic's daughter?* As she and Kiyo padded up to the other pair, Saiyuri took a good look at Rhystic. The last time she'd seen him she'd nearly castrated him with her own claws, this time she strangely felt the urge to hug the man and tell him they'd find his daughter and everything would be alright. Of course, she wasn't sure if it was her maternal instincts making her feel sympathy for the man, or if she was just having a "soft" moment induced by pregnancy hormones... Either way, she just nodded at the man and gave him a look filled with as much understanding as she could muster while in leopard form before turning her attention to Dream.

Kiyo, not quite used to the other half of Saiyuri's very odd, very large family, bristled slightly in the presence of the man. He knew that some of Saiyuri's family was Custos, that Saiyuri herself was part Custos, but actually meeting a full blooded Custos for the first time was a bit disconcerting. He'd heard stories about Saiyuri's first meeting with this man in particular and he couldn't blame her for the reaction she'd had to him. Well, not totally anyway. Sure she'd probably over-reacted due to her hormones and the stress she'd been dealing with at the time, but the man still put Kiyo on edge and he was a -very- laid back kitty. Despite the feelings the man elicited from his feline side, Kiyo too nodded at the man and tried to show some sympathy. All the while he conveniently placed himself between the man and Saiyuri. Just in case.

[Demeter]

Dream absently stroked Saiyuri's head as they walked down the sidewalk to the nearby park. Kiyo and Rhystic were headed for the school. She'd taken Saiyuri with her to keep the girl from maiming Rhystic. "Now, remember, she's scared, most likely, and doesn't really like me. She may not like you. And she's my new husband's daughter." She mostly likely looked like a fool for talking to a leopard but she needed to vent. "Just, move slowly around Kura."

***

Faith plopped herself down on the couch and licked some rocky road ice cream from the spoon she held in her hand. She had the bowl balanced on her stomach. At seven months pregnant, she was able to use her belly as a table. Since she was on phone duty while everyone else was out Kura-hunting, Faith took the time to indulge in a little late night ice cream.

She'd wanted to go out Kura-Hunting but that idea had been shouted down by Tempest and Dion. So, she was waiting by the phone if anyone called. When the phone rang, Faith reached over her head and grabbed the cordless phone on the arm of the couch. "Hello. Deluge residence. Faith speaking. Oh, hi Carmine. No, Tobin isn't in right now. Really?"

Faith shot up, well, she shot up as much as her seven month belly and a bowl of ice cream could allow. "His mother is..." Faith trailed off and listened to Carmine speak. "Yeah, I'll him." Like hell she'd be the one to tell Tobin his mother was an insane fallen angel. After hanging up the phone, Faith shouted up the stairs for Dion.

Her mother-in-law hurried down the stairs. "What? What's wrong? Is it the baby?"

"Nope, Carmine just called. Apparently an Fallen Angel named Ambresk has broke out of hell and she's Tobin's mother. And She's insane." Faith popped another spoonfull of ice cream into her mouth while Dion stared at her.

"That's it? You make me run down the stairs for that?"

Faith shrugged. "Well, yeah. You're married to Tobin. You'll be able to tell him easier then I would."

Dion stared at Faith before shaking her head and heading towards the stairs. Tobin was out with Tempest, prowling the neighborhood around the house. How the hell was she supposed to tell her husband that his mother was an insane fallen angel.

Upstairs, in her home office, Dion contemplated her phone. She knew Tobin's cell number by heart. All she had to do was punch in the numbers and wait for the man to answer. And then tell him his mother was an insane fallen angel and loose on earth. As if they didn't have enough problems at the moment.

She picked up the cordless phone and punched in the numbers. Holding the phone between ear and shoulder, Dion listned to it ring. When Tobin picked up, Dion smiled. Even in times of crisis she loved the sound of her husband's voice. "Hey, you haven't, by any chance, heard from your father tonight, have you?"

***

Rayne followed Hawk down the road. They were in the center of town and had to move outword in order to find anywhere Kura might hide. And driving a car might cause them to miss Kura. She'd just have to make someone drive her back to her car later on. "So, where are the others covering?"