Black Blood Brothers: Mimiko's Vacation (Sequel to Shadows From the Past)

Chapter 6: Shot guns and Roller Skates

Mimiko rolled over with a groan. Light shown in through the thin walls of the tent and she threw one hand over her eyes to try and keep it out, but it had done her job and she was waking up. "What time is it," she groaned, wishing there was an actual roof over her head.

Lucienne rolled over to find her watch. She squinted at the numbers. "Eight." She put the watch down and rolled back over. "Way too early to be up."

Suddenly, clanging sounds came from outside.

"Rise and shine! Time to be up! Breakfast's cooking! Or should I say lunch?"

The whole tent full of girls groaned and pillows were thrown, even though they didn't make it past the zipped up door. "It's too early!"

The clanging got closer as one of the boys banged a skillet with a wooden spoon. "Up and at em or we'll eat all the eggs and you won't get any!"

Karri groaned. "We're coming. We're coming. Greedy people!"

It took another ten minutes for the girls to tumble out of their tent, by which time the boys already had brunch pretty much ready. The sun was almost mid-sky as they came over. It didn't take long for the eggs, bacon, hash browns, and sausage to be devoured.

Karri glanced over at the tents. "All right, who wants to wash dishes and who wants to help take down tents," she asked, taking charge.

Zelman raised his hand to volunteer for dishes. Water didn't really bother him. Jiro volunteered to help with tents, as did the other boys. The girls helped pick everything up, Kotaro aiding Zelman.

Jiro had to hide under the shade of the van after only a few minutes as the sun beat down on him. Mimiko took pity on him and handed over his umbrella as he tried not to melt against the van.

"Hey, you weren't kidding when you said the sun wasn't good for you," Damian commented as he saw the little whiffs of steam coming off the vampire. He wondered how water would affect the Black Blood.

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An hour later found the group on the road again, heading a bit north to a makeshift firing range. It certainly wasn't like any Jiro had seen before, not indoors, and only mounds of dirt separating each lane, with random signs and posts set at different intervals for targets.

To be nice, the girls set up one of the tents so that Jiro didn't have to hide in the van to stay out of the sun but still be able to keep an eye on things while everyone else took out a couple .22's and shotguns.

Mimiko watched the guys handle the guns with ease. She found it absolutely amazing how familiar they were with the weapons, making sure they were ready for firing, loading the ammunition, while the other girls went to set up their own targets.

Zelman stood, leaning against the van as he lit a cigarette. Kotaro zoomed around, being sure to keep clear of the guns. Jiro had already given him a stern warning to stay clear of them.

Scott set up a small card table, where'd put the guns they'd been loading, along with an assortment of earplugs and noise canceling headphones. "Okay, we're all ready here. Everyone, make sure you grab a set of earplugs. These suckers get loud. Pick a partner while you're at it."

Zelman smirked as he tossed his half smoked cigarette and made it evaporate with a snap of his fingers. "I could show you loud."

Mimiko and the girls, however, took Scott's advice and picked up earplugs. They didn't entirely cancel out all noise, but Mimiko hoped they'd helped. Kotaro grabbed for a set of earplugs as well, but Mimiko had to help him put them in.