Note: I do not own Rosario+Vampire (such is my disgrace). I only own the original characters I created one night at a friend's house while table-top role play gaming (White Wolf universe, if you are curious). I am such a nerd.
Chapter One: It Begins
"If I must…" the petite girl groaned to her elders. "But why must I travel to the human realms?"
"Because, you were chosen to be our representative there, Aja," the center figure spoke, with an air of weariness. This conversation was becoming tiresome and he grew impatient with Aja's constant questioning and second-guessing.
A second voice to the right spoke this time. "There will be no more discussion. It has been decided. We will venture forth once more into the Earth-realm and you are chosen to go."
Aja had heard all the arguments before but was secretly intrigued and excited by the assignment. She held out simply to give the appearance of apprehension. What the Council did not know was that Aja had been ready to go the minute her name came up.
"You are the most skilled, the most experienced and, frankly, the strongest among us…that we can spare," a third, feminine voice was heard. "My dearest daughter, if anyone could be entrusted with this, it is you."
Aja cast her eyes to the floor, and then returned them to the dais. In the dim lighting of the hall, she could make out the forms of her mother to the left, her father to the right and the Council Elder in the center, all looking upon the diminutive figure standing before them.
"How long will I be away from Sheol, mother?"
"As long as will be needed," Aja's mother responded. "Though, I will be in contact with you through your familiar."
"Father, what will be expected of me?"
"You are to assume the guise of a high school transfer student," her father replied. "The arrangements are in place for you to enroll at an Earth-realm academy called Youkai. Appropriately enough, this academy was begun as a place for Earth-realm monsters and other non-humans to attend school in safety…theirs and the safety of the human world."
"What is my cover story?" Aja asked. "What sort of 'monster' am I to play?"
The council elder spoke this time. "You will assume the guise of a morrigan," the Elder replied. "I trust you still retain your knowledge of Shadow-crafting and shape-shifting?"
"Yes m'lord" Aja replied. Her skills had in no way deteriorated. Aja, with no trace of false pride, could claim to be the top master in shadow-crafting. The fact that she had been able to best, consume then completely assimilate the shadow daemons infesting the fringes of Sheol only increased her capabilities exponentially. To forge illusions with shadows was one thing. To become shadow and to use it as a weapon was altogether something different. As for shape-shifting, any newborn demon could assume whatever form it set its mind to.
"What of the ice daemon you battled some time past?" her father asked.
"Bested and assimilated," Aja replied calmly. It was not as simple as Aja made it seem, nor entirely truthful. While the snow daemon could be considered bested and consumed, the assimilation did not go smoothly….or completely. The Yuki-onna left her mark on Aja as evidenced by her pure white mid-back length hair, violet eyes and propensity to chill the air as she passed. To this day, the daemon would still communicate subconsciously to Aja in her dreams, but had long ago abandoned her dreams of liberation. Instead, she worked in tandem with Aja, in a symbiotic relationship with her.
"Then, my sweet child, you will have two weeks to prepare for departure," her mother announced. "The new term begins shortly thereafter and we cannot have you arrive late."
Aja's eyes shone with barely concealed excitement.
"One more thing, before you go," the Elder spoke with an admonishing tone." You are there to observe and report. We are well aware of your prowess in armed and unarmed combat. Please do not do anything that would cause your expulsion or destruction."
Aja bowed respectfully.
"I will not provoke any hostility, m'lord."
"See to it you do not," the Elder spoke curtly. "We are adjourned. Kael, Aun, make your farewells and see to it Aja is as ready as we can make her." The Elder swept out of the Council chamber and left the family to themselves.
Aun rushed forward and embraced her daughter in a very un-Demon-like way. Kael stood slightly off to the side, covered his mouth and quietly cleared his throat.
"Come come, Aun, what would the Council say about this display of human-like emotions?"
"She is your daughter as well, Kael." Aun said tersely. "Would it pain you so much to at least show a little affection toward our only child?"
Kael cleared his throat again, moved closer to Aja, gave her a quick hug and stepped away immediately.
"Right," he said. "We have two weeks, let us make them count."
A/N: A little back story set-up to introduce one of my OCs. Now that it is out of the way, on with the show!
