Disclaimer: "Rosario+Vampire" and "Dungeons and Dragons" belong to somebody else. Also, no money is being made of this, so please don't sue. If requested, I will remove this from ffdotnet. No beta-reader, except those created by my pathology of multiple personalities.

"Talking"

Thinking

Taking the last step down and a few away from the bus, Tsukune lowers his bag and looks around, noting with some dismay that the darkness of night isn't letting him see much in the horizon other than a few scarce lights at the far academy. In fact, perhaps due to the cover of the night to which the new moon isn't helping, it seems that the school is a bit more than a mile away from where the bus has dropped him. Shaking his head, he realizes that it might be best to follow the clear path by the cliff, preferably at the side farthest from the edge, just in case. He looks back at the bus just in time to see his only companion get near him. Which is a human adult skeleton. Scratching the back of his head nervously, he still doesn't know how will the students and teachers react to the presence of an undead naked skeleton accompanying him everywhere.

"You know, boy" - Tsukune leans his head to the side to better see the driver of the bus, a man smoking a cigar and with bright white glowing eyes - "it might be a good idea for you to leave this summon guarding your room."

Seeing the door of the bus close and the vehicle slowly return to the tunnel, Tsukune ponders about it. The skeleton isn't armed, and it has no clothing of any kind covering its yellowish bones, so it's not immediately presenting itself as a potential threat; however, considering his location for the next three years, assuming he survives that much time, most of the students are likely to be easily provoked to a fight. True, him attending classes without the skeleton protecting him would be terrifying, but maybe he could get some luck and pass unnoticed.

The only clothes that he possesses might help, as he is wearing a faded, stained and lightly torn black t-shirt, simple black trousers with only the front pockets at the waist, even though one of them is ripped open, while the knees are very worn down. His sandals are quite worn out as well, with almost all the straps having being repaired several times and the sole of his right one having a small hole. His physique wasn't attractive either, with him being thin, sickly pale, a shaved head and blue-dark marked skin beneath his brown eyes.

Grimacing about the slim chances of him being ignored by everyone and likely being catalogued as cannon fodder, a sack of meat to grind, Tsukune shoulders his bag and starts walking in the direction of the school, following the left side of the path, closer to the forest than the sea. As he walks, he tries to keep himself alert to any suspicious sound, since seeing any potential attack from the woods is nearly impossible to a simple boy like him. Well, he has a way of creating light, but it wouldn't last long enough to reach the buildings. Gazing over his shoulder to the skeleton following him just two steps back, he remembers the fact that all undead creature can see fairly well in the dark, so if something or someone attacks him, at least the creature would see his opponent better than him.

As he walks, he picks up a peculiar rustling sound, coming from the woods. Squinting, he tries but can't see anything; glancing sideways, he notes that the skeleton is still. Then again, it's a skeleton, how's one supposed to tell for any sign of agitation or alertness? A new sound, rustling of leaves, stones, and was that a woohish moan?

Gulping, Tsukune looks at the ground and spots a branch; picking it up and holding it in his left hand, the scared boy takes a deep breath and starts speaking words apparently without any coherence. A minute later, he stops talking and the branch starts shining, projecting a greenish light, allowing him to see for twenty feet around him; Tsukune, relieved that at least he can see what is about to hurt him or maybe even kill him, takes a step off the path leading to the academy.

As he walks deeper into the woods, Tsukune tries his hardest to hear or see anything that could have caused those sounds; he also registers almost unconsciously how quickly he became used to the sound of bones rattling, due, to be sure, in no small part thanks to his upbringing. Glancing back, Tsukune is really glad to have a walking skeleton to protect him, even if it's unarmed. Looking about as he walks, he sees strange stone ruins, like pillars and walls worn down by time. He also sees some headstones without any kind of graving or anything else that identifies the buried bodies. Desperately hoping that his m-

"HOLD! Who goes there?"

Jumping back and bumping his silent companion, Tsukune frantically looks everywhere for the speaker. Seeing nothing, he looks even further back, noting with some consternation that he walked too far off the path; if he started running, it would be only by blind luck that he could find his way back. Turning to the most likely place of where the shout and question came from, Tsukune tries again to see whoever it is speaking to him.

"I repeat, who goes there?"

Still unable to visualize the inquirer, Tsukune, shaking, replies

"H-h-hello, I'm a-a-a-a new stu-u-u-dent. I" - boggled, he really wasn't sure of how to assure the person addressing him that he was harmless - "I am only here to study."

Suddenly hearing the dead trees surrounding him rustling, he looks at the arms only to see them all trembling against each other. Then, he hears stones rumbling, some small ones even levitating from the ground, as well as a whirlpool of dry leaves forming in front of him. Terrified beyond comparison, Tsukune falls to his knees bowed with his eyes shut and screams

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE! PLEASE, DON'T HURT ME!"

Babbling please over and over again, it takes some time to Tsukune note that it all calmed down. Looking up, he nearly loses control of his bladder, for right there in front of him is an incorporeal white-bluish form. No feet, indeed beneath its waist his form seemed to end up in an indistinct amalgam of... whatever it is ghosts are made of, all the way down to a thin tail which didn't touch the ground. Arms bare and lightly muscled, the torso has a torn armour made of small rectangular leather pieces holding barely together thanks to a few strings still strong. The face of the ghost doesn't have any distinguishable traces, being as generic as it goes, without any vestige of hair or beard. In fact, the ghost has an absolutely impassive expression on his face.

A minute passes, with Tsukune still on his knees and eyes bugged out and the ghost dead...er to the world. And another minute. And another. Hearing the skeleton behind him shift its weight from one bony feet to another, too bedazzled with the creature in front of him to understand that such an apparently unimportant act could become one with potential to obliterate all of the conventions regarding the state of undeath, the young boy tries to think of the safest thing to do to a ghost, which kept its current state of dead...est to everything surrounding it, despite its early questions. Trying his luck, Tsukune addressed the ghost

"Is... Is there something you need?" - not getting any kind of response, he tried again - "Sir?"

The ghost, suddenly opening its eyes, looked at the downed boy and eerily spoke

"I am Isamu Minamoto, a great warrior. I was a central figure, a commanding officer in many battles; indeed, my cunningness and bravery inspired thousands and terrorized countless more who dared to face me."

Tsukune, scared that the ghost would want to fight him and prove his superiority, asked in the most humble manner possible

"Mina... Great general Minamoto, may you tell me why such an incredible man... ghost is doing in these lands? Is this where you fell? Are you condemned to haunt this spot?"

Acutely noticing that the ghost seemed to straighten its posture, assuming what it no doubt believed to be a more regal standing, the ghost answered in a more haughty tone

"I do not remember the exact location of where I perished; know only that it was during a battle of astonishing proportions, the greatest for little more than a century before others rivalled it, that I was cut down, surrounded by dozens of coward soldiers seeking to curry favour with their lord. Unfortunately, my death broke the morale of my army and the battle was lost, although we still incurred a most severe blow to the enemy, which ultimately was the main cause of losing the war they had started. Buried, my grave was revered and honoured for centuries until time took the memory of my deeds from the new generations."

Hearing nothing else, Tsukune wondered if the ghost was expecting some manner of adulation. Minamoto, Minamoto... Why did that surname sounded a bit familiar? Looking as discreetly as possible over his shoulder, he observed that the skeleton was in the same place, arms down. It was probably expecting a command from the boy. Hearing the ghost talking again, he faces forward, trying to keep too much of his fear to show.

"As to what you can do for me, it seems that there is indeed something. That skeleton, do you need it?"

Confused, Tsukune tried quickly to think of what could the ghost want it for. His own personal guard? Shaking his head, he tries explaining its purpose formally

"This is my Skeletal Minion, I raised it to serve and protect me until death. A-a-again."

Embarrassed by his slip, the boy hoped that the ghost had nothing too extravagant planned, as he is still to weak, too much of a novice, to defeat such a powerful undead. Seeing the ghost leave its place, it starts floating around the skeleton, which is still standing passively.

"You see, young one, I was thinking that I could possess this skeleton and use it to insert myself better in the world of both the living and the unliving. Since I exist, I might as well make the best of it. Besides" - maybe it was just a misunderstanding, but it seemed that the ghost was adopting a facial expression more... perverted? - "I could perhaps in time find women that would recognize the immortal honour of serving this... immortal warrior of grand prestige."

Feeling his chin hit the floor, Tsukune racked his mind trying to think of what could an animated skeleton want female servants for. Then he stopped thinking about it, considering that there are secrets in the universe that must not be discovered or deciphered for the good of his own sanity. Clearing his throat, which has sucked a lot of the dirt so far, he tells the ghost

"Oh great Minamoto, since I summoned this creature, I may dismiss it. Or any spell caster, especially if they're more powerful than me. So this one may be too weak for a... such an inspiring spirit."

The ghost, ethereally rubbing his chin, replied

"That may be so, but know that you are the first to attend this school with your own undead minion. Others have raised the dead, or tried and failed and increased the number of neighbours for me, but never have I observed such a prime candidate to receive the unique blessing of being possessed by my outstanding being. No, boy, I really want it and I'm taking it!"

Immediately after saying that, the ghost dove into the ghost, making it glow. In fact, its glow was steadily increasing. Freaked out, Tsukune jumped away and, sitting on the ground nearly eight feet away and facing it, he sees the glow start to fade away, leaving only the skeleton standing unchanged, except for the fact that its bones now seem a bit more whitish instead of a dull and bleached yellow. Then, the skeleton starts moving its limbs and walking in a circle and... was he trying a military march? Stopping sideways, the skeleton turns only its skull to Tsukune, points a finger at the cowering boy, and shouts

"Be impressed, boy, for now you have one of the best samurai that have ever existed protecting you!" - the skeleton, seeing that the boy was still freaked, continued - "I need to know your full name as well as what is your stand in the royal court. Have you ever been summoned to the Imperial Palace?"

Tsukune, gulping, answered

"My name is Tsukune Aono. Like I've said earlier, I'm a new student here. I" - hesitating, he nods to himself and gets up before asking his new protector to follow him back to the path, and that while they head to the school grounds, Tsukune will tell Isamu what he has permission to speak of. Noting that the light emanating from the enchanted branch is disappearing, Tsukune asks Isamu if he can take him to the academy, to which the skeleton replies affirmatively.

Passing the school gates and loosing some of his gloom, Tsukune takes a moment regaining his breath, trying to guess the most likely building where to find an employee that can give him instructions. Analysing the somewhat Gothic and definitely creepy edifices, he decides to try the biggest one that just happens to be right in front of him, while thinking that the administration should place some directional plaques indicating which is what. However, before taking a step, he sees a white sheet of paper floating down in front of him. Bewildered, he first looks up and sees nothing but the clear sky full of stars; then he tries reading it, but the lack of light nearby prevents him. Luckily, his companion snatches the sheet from his hands and reads it. Tsukune, somewhat confounded while thinking that it was supposed to ask for permission first but still too afraid to point that out, as he can't be sure if the possessed skeleton is bound by spell or it is protecting him out of pity for the boy.

"My lord, know that this paper welcomes you to the Youkai Academy, and that that building over there" - the skeleton points to another building off to the side - " is the dormitory for the male and male-inclined students. It also says that the number of your room is the 113th. Your uniforms are there, along with mandatory rules and the agenda for tomorrow. It's signed by the headmaster himself..."

Isamu, looking down at his new young lord, wonders for a moment if he should inform him of who is the headmaster of this academy. Then he dismisses it; a student capable of raising skeletons is surely aware of such things already...

As for Tsukune, glad that his partner – Partner? - has cleared that out, asks

"Then... we should go there? Or perhaps it would be better to first get authorization?"

How was he supposed to know, his stay at the academy was starting out terribly, first with the spooky encounter in the woods surrounding the school, and now having to decide whether it's okay to immediately take his assigned room or if he should find somebody who works here and could give him clearance to use the facilities, or maybe he should just find a soft spot of ground and sleep there until morning and clear everything out.

The animated skeleton wasn't helping either, just silently looking down at him. Taking a deep breath, Tsukune, hesitatingly at first, heads in the direction of the still extended bony finger. He also starts thinking that maybe Isaum was keeping his finger pointing the direction of the dormitory as his own way of telling the boy what he was supposed to do. Reaching the building and entering it through the double doors, he sees himself standing at a front hall, with stairs going up on either side of the room. Checking a crude map posted on one of the headboards, and realizing that his room number means that it's the thirteenth on the first floor and on the right side of the building, he climbs the stairs on the right side and walks along the corridor, noting that, above each door, lies a Roman numeral. Finding the XIII, he tries the handle, finding it unlocked; door opened, he scrapped his hands on either wall inside looking for the switch, hoping that there is such. Finding it, he turns the light on, which flickers on and off periodically. The inside isn't a surprise for Tsukune: nearly 17 feet long and around 13,5 feet wide, the walls and ceiling are painted in a dull and somewhat-weathered white, a worn though clean wooden floor, with a simple bed and a small trunk at the feet board on one side of the wall, with the opposing one having a common closet and desk with a plain chair, as well as a single window in the middle of the wall opposing the door and one light bulb attached to the middle of the ceiling. The room really is Spartan, cheap, but at least he has a bed, which is a lot better than sleeping on the floor with only one blanket covering his body. His companion, however, doesn't agree with such accommodations and indignantly states so

"I cannot believe this, Sir. Certainly, there must be a mistake. This can't be the room assigned to one of your role. It's absolu-" before he can continue, though, Tsukune interrupts him, tiredly reminding Isamu of just what exactly his role in life is. The skeleton says nothing more, brooding over the unfairness of fate. Closing the door, Tsukune lays his bag on the floor and opens his closet; within, he sees that he has three class and two sport uniforms, plus a jacket with the symbol of the academy over one of the breast pockets. No underwear or socks or footwear, though drawers and empty spaces for such exist. Checking his desk, he sees several papers with the rules and routines of the academy, explaining the works and what his life will be for the next three years. Assuming, once again, that he can survive. Taking a deep breath and looking around the room again, memorizing every detail, Tsukune grabs his bag and starts rummaging the contents; first he takes a scroll case, then he finds a small velvet pouch, he lays them on the desk and takes a piece of white chalk from one of the side pockets of his backpack. Scratching his head, he starts scribbling, drawing, and writing undecipherable runes on the middle of the floor, ending with a circle with words in several languages and mysterious symbols. Gulping, he then stands, wipes his hands on his trousers and grabs the pouch, unties the cord and turns it upside down, dropping a black gem to his left palm. Twirling it in his fingers, he meditates for a moment, then looks at his companion who has remained silent and unmoving during the whole procedure.

"P-p-please don't say anything or move, all right? I... I'd really like it if he doesn't know about you, Mr. Minamoto. About y-you taking pos-s-ssession of the skeleton, okay?"

Isamu, looking at his master without proffering a word, nodded and took a few steps back, positioning himself by the door. Tsukune, first placing the gem in the middle of the drawn out circle, kneels just outside the outermost circle; he then takes the only scroll from the case and starts reading it, waving his arms and making weird signs with his hands while monotonously saying incomplete and senseless words...

To be continued...

AN: I know I'm not the first to try something like this – check "Diplomatic Relations" by Stormedge – and I'm aware that it may not even seem at first all that different, but alas there is nothing that I can do about it. It will be different, as far as background goes, which will be progressively revealed in the next chapters. Also, there was a reason for not introducing Moka or any other girl. I've early decided to include a companion to Tsukune right from the start, but wasn't sure if a familiar would be adequate. Or proper to the circumstances, if you will. Then, as I wrote a draft of the opening, I started thinking "why not a Skeletal Minion instead of a Summon Familiar?" As I delved deeper into that, I realized that it would be not only perfect for the situation, it could also be the added bonus of comical relief, thus the inspiration from "Bleach" with the character "Kon". He will be a plus in all aspects, methinks.

Which leads me next to state this: I'm adapting the manga (won't be using sources from the anime, only the manga, sorry if that disappoints readers) to Dungeons and Dragons 3.5. Not 4.0, no way! Don't even think about it, yuch! Knowledge of the rules of DnD isn't necessary, as I'll try my best to explain and describe anything that comes from that universe; also only Tsukune and Isamu will be full DnD'ed, and I might (not sure yet) adapt the girls and other characters, like giving Moka some or even all of the Vampire powers of the template in DnD. Before I forget, I've removed the need for material components for the spells, since Yukari only waves her wand around for her own magic; Verbal and Somatic remains, much like every other detail pertaining DnD spells, like casting time and duration and etc.

Expect a retelling of RV with its own up moments of humour and romance (Author snorts, thinking of what he has prepared) and friendship and adventure, as well as its down moments; I'll try indeed not to be too bleak or depressing or downright negative with those themes, as I prefer to keep this with a little push more toward the Good and Light than the Neutral or Evil slash Darkness. For that matter, I may as well tell now that the main plot and a bunch of secondary plots are already mapped out, and I have a very very very rough draft of the final chapter. I also plan on posting the character sheet for Tsukune in the epilogue. That being said, I'm sure that any suggestions can be squeezed into what I already have, so feel free to do so, if so inclined.

I guess that's it, for now. I'll try keeping this in a monthly update with a minimum of 1500 words, and any questions or critics regarding either RV or DnD, please, don't hesitate to pm or review. Hope everyone who reads this has a good time doing so. Until next time...

P.S.: Uploaded revised version. Thanks goes to StigmaReborn for pointing out the (rather obvious) issues in characterization (don't know how that slipped, really). Thank you again for the honest review.