Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Rosario+Vampire portrayed within.

Tsukune got out of bed and stretched himself. He had gotten back to Yokai academy only last night after all.

He thought to himself, 'Junior year. Who knew I'd last this long. Oh I hope I'm in the same class as Moka…' as he thought of Moka, unbeknownst to him, his face went all starry-eyed and he started to drool.

His happy thoughts were shattered by a knock on his door, accompanied by a very high-pitched voice, "Tsukune! You're going to be late!"

He hung his head and opened the door… and was promptly tackled by Yukari Sendou, "I missed you Tsukune!!!!!!"

His eyes bugged out of his head as Yukari began to rub herself against him, "Yukari-san! This is the boys dormitory, why are you in here!?!"

Yukari flashed him a huge smile, "I wanted to be the first one to welcome you back, and no one even noticed me sneak in here!"

There was a voice from the hall, "Hey! Tsukune has a girl in his room!"

There was a stamped of footsteps before practically the entire boy's dorm was staring into his room.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Tsukune, you pedophile!"

He tried to push Yukari off of him; his mouth was blabbering, "NO!!!! IT"S NOT LIKE THAT!!!!"

He managed to tear Yukari off of him long enough to slam the door. He leaned against it while panting with panic, 'it just never ends…'

Yukari threw him his school uniform, "Change quickly Tsukune!"

He froze for a moment before shrieking, "I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE WITH YOU RIGHT THERE!!!"

He grabbed Yukari by the shoulder and pushed her, with her protesting, into the closet. He moved as quickly as he could, struggling into the uniform.

As he was putting his pants on there was a giggle from the closet, he shouted, "STOP LOOKING!!!"

When he was finished he opened the closet and was promptly tackled again, "Tsukune is funny, I didn't see anything."

He dragged himself up and, with Yukari hanging from his neck, trudged out the door. Passing through a sea of furious faces from his dorm mates.

He got out the door and heard an enraged shout from a blue-haired girl, Kurumu Kurono, "Yukari! Why were you in Tsukune's dorm?"

Yukari dropped off of his back and began to circle around him, chanting, "I saw Tsukune first, I saw Tsukune first…"

Kurumu grabbed Yukari by the shirt and shook, "You little…!"

He tried to break up the fight before it started, "Kurumu-san, please don't…"

Kurumu ignored him and continued to shake Yukari, speaking too quickly for him to understand any of what she was saying.

He tried to slowly edge his way by the arguing girls… a monotone voice came from behind him, "Tsukune…"

He nearly jumped out of his own skin, "Mizore-chan, please don't do that!"

Mizore held up a small bowl, "Shaved ice?"

He glanced back to where Kurumu was finishing her argument with Yukari, "Ah... now really isn't a good time..."

Kurumu's voice rang, "Tsukune!"

Before he could run, Kurumu had grabbed his head and shoved it between her breasts. His arms flailed wildly, but there really wasn't anything he could do. He really couldn't hear anything either.

Kurumu let go and he pulled his head out, he could have sworn that there was a small sucking sound when his head got clear, "Look, I really have to get to class and..."

Kurumu grabbed his arm, "That's ok, I'll walk you there."

The other two began to protest and he made good on his opportunity to escape.

Yukari was the first to notice his fleeing figure, "Tsukune, wait for me!"

He knew that he really didn't have that good of a chance of outrunning all three of them... least of all Kurumu, who could fly. He shot a look over his shoulder and started to push himself to run faster... the side of his face hit something as unyielding as a mountain.

Kurumu wasn't exactly sure what had just happened, but Tsukune was lying on the ground, unconscious, and the larger boy was calmly walking away. All she could see from this distance was that whoever it was had a shaggy head of silver hair.

She shouted at the retreating figure, "Hey! What did you do to Tsukune?!?"

The boy stopped and turned, "I beg your pardon, but do what to whom?"

Kurumu paused for only a moment at the sheer size of the boy speaking, he literally towered over her… and he looked like he had been chiseled out of a mountain, "Tsukune is lying on the ground, bleeding, and unconscious. There is no one else around but you."

The giant in front of her scratched his head for a moment, "… I think I would remember knocking someone out…"

She extended her claws, "Tell me, or else."

One of the boy's eyebrows shot up, "I really would advise against that."

She lunged forward, "And I would advise you to start talking."

The boy didn't even try to get out of the way. She had only intended to scare him, get him to talk, but her nails hit the boy directly in the side… and snapped off. She looked down at her hand for a full three seconds before the pain hit.

The boy watched her dancing around in pain, entirely passive, "I would like to point out that this was not my doing."

Mizore spoke in monotone, "…He is right…"

She whined, "Doesn't matter!"

The boy waited until she was done whining, "Look, I'll make you a deal. I'll get Tsukune to class, and you can check up on him later… like after you head to the infirmary yourself."

She bit her tongue on the verbal barb that she had ready, it would do her no good at all.

Yukari yelled, "You're not taking Tsukune anywhere without me!"

The boy gave the little witch a curious look, "Are you in the same class as him?"

Yukari whined, "How would I know?!"

The boy pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket, "I can check if you like… let's see… you are?"

Yukari spoke her name, "Yukari Sendou."

The boy ran his finger down the paper, "Let's see… Yukari Sendou… Tsukune Ano… ah, and there is my name on the other side. It would appear that I am not going to be one of your classmates."

She muttered to herself, "This brute is in our school? Why?!?"

The "brute" currently had slung Tsukune's unconscious body over one shoulder and was walking in the direction of the school. With both Yukari and Mizore close behind.

She realized that she was getting left behind, "Hey! Wait for me!"

Tsukune felt something cold being pressed to the side of his face. His eyes snapped open, then squinted against the glare from the lights.

He heard the voice of an angel, "Tsukune?"

He forced himself into a seated position, ignoring the stinging sensation in the side of his face, "Moka-san? Where am I?"

Moka toyed with the Rosario on her chest, "A large boy brought you in. He didn't say how you became unconscious but, he did seem kind enough."

Another voice he knew chimed in, "I could answer the "why"."

He turned towards the other voice, expecting what he saw. Ruby Toujou was wearing a nurse's outfit and holding a clipboard.

He couldn't help but ask, "Ruby-san? You're the nurse now?"

Ruby got a rather distant look in her eyes, and spoke a line that he had heard quite a few times, "Yes... many, many things have happened. After it was discovered that the old nurse was taking advantage of the students she was fired. I'm filling in until the chairman can find a replacement."

Tsukune couldn't help but smirk, he muttered "And how long is it going to last I wonder…"

Ruby flicked her hair back, "If you'll excuse me, I have other students to attend to."

Moka waited until Ruby was gone until she spoke, "Tsukune...? Did you have a good summer?"

He smiled, "Of course! Mother was asking about you all the time, if I had spoken with you, when we would be meeting again…" he trailed off.

Moka took his hand and held it between both of her own, "I'm so glad that you're back, Tsukune."

He found himself staring, "...Moka-san..."

A small tear was in the corner of Moka's eye, "...Tsukune..."

Slowly, ever so slowly, Moka started to move her face towards his own. She wasn't aiming for his neck either!!! Maybe he could finally...

There was a crash from the door and Kurumu appeared, ruining the moment, "Tsukune...!" She noticed how Moka had frozen, "Hey! Moka, were you trying to drink from him!?!"

Moka waved her hands in front of her, "Ah, no, nothing like that. I was just ah... checking the bruise on his face."

Kurumu put her hands on her hips, "A likely story!"

He stood, interrupting anything that might have happened "Look, I'm fine. Do you know which class I'm in?"

Kurumu's attitude shifted instantly, she spoke in a sing-song voice, "Yes, I do! Tsukune is in the same class as me! Yahoo!!!"

Moka spoke hesitantly, "Ah... what about me?"

Kurumu frowned, "...Yes..."

Moka hugged him, "I'm so happy!"

After school:

Tsukune watched and listened to Ginei Morioka launch into a long speech about how "this year's paper should be the best ever!"

He muttered to himself, "If Gin-senpi could stop being a pervert for ten seconds then the paper might improve that much…"

There was a knock on the door, and a large crack appeared in the door, the head of a much larger boy stuck into the room after the door had been pushed open, "Sorry about that… is this the newspaper club?"

Kurumu sprang to her feet, "You! Why are you here?"

The other boy gave Kurumu a blank look, "One simple reason, I would like to join this club if at all possible."

Ginei sprang to his feet, "Then I would like to welcome you! I'm Ginei Morioka, the student in charge here."

The other boy shook the offered hand, "Onyx" the boy's gaze went up and down Ginei quickly, "Werewolf?"

Ginei looked stunned for a moment, "Uh… how… how do you…?"

Onyx tapped the necklace around Ginei's neck, "If you want to keep your type a secret, wearing a medallion that proclaims it for all to see really isn't a wise choice. As for me… I prefer giving people that hint." At this, Onyx slightly lifted a metal cube that was hung on a cord from his neck.

A long moment passed in silence.

Onyx looked around, "Really? None of you get it?"

They collectively shook their heads.

Onyx shrugged, "Oh well. If I may guess at the rest… Yukari, obviously a witch. Mizore……. Snow woman?"

Mizore nodded blankly.

Onyx turned his gaze to him, "And as for you… human."

His face drained of blood completely, "Ah… no, of course not."

Onyx set his head in hand, "Really? Than what are you?"

All at once the girls each said the following:

Kurumu, "demon."

Moka, "vampire"

Yukari, "wizard."

Mizore, "yeti."

Onyx gave all of them a look, "You know, I really couldn't care less if he were human or not, and all of your varying responses just reinforce my statement. Next time, if you try to blatantly lie, make sure you all have the same story."

Onyx continued ignoring the previous conversation entirely, "I'm guessing that the pink-haired one, judging from the Rosario, is a vampire. And the noisy, blue-haired one…"

Kurumu stood and shouted at Onyx, "Who are you calling noisy?!?"

Onyx smirked, "Point made. I'm guessing succubus, on the simple observation that you are not wearing a bra."

The room went dead silent… until Yukari started laughing hysterically.

Ginei started to chuckle slightly, "Well… that would explain a lot of… movement…"

Kurumu's face turned beet red and she started to stammer, but no recognizable words came out.

Onyx smirked and leaned in close to Kurumu's ear, "Oh don't fret about it, I think we all get that it's just part of your nature. Even if it is VERY trashy."

Kurumu's face deadpanned, and she began to yell in Onyx's face, "You're calling ME trashy?!? Do you have ANY idea what the rest of them," she gestured at Moka, Mizore, and Yukari, "have done.?!?!"

Onyx stood and shook his head, 'Ah… young women these days… Well I've had my fun. Gin-senpi, unless you need me for anything…?"

Ginei dismissed Onyx with a wave of his hand, "Of course not, just keep your eyes peeled. The first issue comes out next week!"

With a curt nod to each of them, Onyx left the room, this time being much more delicate with the door.

Kurumu felt the eyes of everyone in the room upon her, normally she would have enjoyed it… but as the glares were from the other girls…

Yukari was the first to speak, "No bra? Kurumu-san, what are you trying to pull?!?"

The little witch dove through the air at her.

She caught Yukari by the front of her blouse, "Something that you couldn't even begin to attempt, A-cup." She threw Yukari back towards the window, where the little witch stuck and slowly slid down with a pronounced squeaking sound.

She turned to Tsukune and got in his face, "But Tsukune doesn't mind, does he?"

Tsukune tried to back away, but he was already against a wall, "K, Kurumu-chan, please…"

Yukari shrieked from the window, "Look!"

Everyone turned to look at the little witch, who was pointing to something outside the window.

Yukari continued to speak, "The public safety committee is confronting Onyx-san!"

She pouted, "The brute can take care of himself."

Ginei stood and threw a fist in the air, "Either way, it's a story and I, as the head of the newspaper club, will document this from here!"

They all stared at Ginei, deadpanned.

The werewolf laughed, "What I mean to say is that someone will need to get his statement no matter what happens, and it is best to do that immediately after the event… whatever that is going to be. Moka-san, Tsukune-san, get his statement immediately afterwards, go!"

Onyx stood in the center of a ring of three people; all three were wearing matching insignia and had each a similar haughty attitude.

The one directly in front of him began to speak, "So, I hear that you were joining the newspaper club."

He replied, "Then you heard correctly. Is there a problem with me doing that?"

The same person responded, "I would just advise that you withdraw your membership as soon as possible."

One of his eyebrows shot up, "And… how strong would this "advice" be?"

All three of them spoke at once, "VERY strong."

He chuckled, "I see… well, I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request."

The one in front of him gave him a look devoid of understanding.

He smirked, "Means no."

There was a red gleam in the leader's eyes, "You'll regret your glibness when you're lying at our feet, begging for mercy."

His right arm rotated at the shoulder, bringing his fist up to bash the face that was attempting to bite his neck, the blow made a sound like a person being hit with a frying pan, "Most unwise." He glanced behind him at the large spider that was now in place of the girl, "transformation? Isn't that against the rules?"

The boy in front laughed, "Not when you're one of us it isn't, we MAKE the rules."

He glared at the two now in front of him, "Well then, that will make this all the more satisfying."

Tsukune ran to keep up with Moka as they both ran outside to where Onyx was being accosted. It took, at most, two minutes, but the situation had already changed dramatically. One of the public safety committee was flat on the ground, out cold, and the other two were standing in front of Onyx having a stare down.

Onyx saw the both of them and acknowledged their presence, "Ah, there you are. I was wondering when Gin-senpi would get around to noticing the commotion. Here to take my statement after this is over?"

He nodded, "And to help if we can."

Onyx smiled, "Oh, I don't think that will be necessary. This will be over before you know it." He turned his gaze back to the public safety committee members, "And as for you…remember that you brought this on yourselves."

There was a flash of light that forced him to cover his eyes, when he looked again… something ten feet tall and, as difficult as it was to believe, built literally like a tank.

The leader spoke, "Transforming is just going to make things worse for you in the end."

Onyx now spoke with a heavy, metallic grate, "I think I'll take my chances."

Both members of the public safety committee still standing transformed, one into a burning bird, and the other into a huge stone statue.

Onyx laughed, "A phoenix and a statue, nothing higher ranking than a B. Ah well, at least I'll be able to have a decent slugging match with the statue… maybe. Come on then!"

The two did as bidden, launching a dual-offensive with fire flowing from the phoenix and the statue raining huge stone fists upon Onyx.

Onyx raised a hand and caught the falling fist of the statue, "Typical, exceedingly weak. For future reference, never try to destroy steel with stone." Onyx swung one wreaking-ball sized fist from right to left, only once, and put the statue on the ground, out cold, with a huge crack running through the entire thing.

The phoenix flew about twenty feet off the ground, "You might have been able to beat him down, but you can't hit what you can't reach." The bird started to laugh.

Onyx looked skyward for only a moment before grabbing the fallen statue and hurling it underhand at the flying phoenix like it was a baseball. The bird let out a very undignified squawk when it was struck and the tangled mass of stone and feathers continued off into the distance.

Onyx waved at the flying mass, "Say hello to the horizon for me!" He turned back to them, "I suppose I have some explanations to make."

He was momentarily awestruck by the display of power, "Ah… yeah…"

Onyx reverted to his human form, "It would be easier to discuss this only once, I say we go back to the club room, hm?"

Onyx began to walk back and left him alone with Moka, "…Moka-san… I don't think the other you is the strongest monster on campus anymore…"

Kurumu turned away from the window and sat down to sulk, the fact that she had attacked a monster that had just demolished three members of the public safety committee single-handedly, without so much as a bruise to show for it, was not registering.

The door opened and Onyx entered, "I'm guessing that everyone here is wondering what happened?"

Everyone present, except her, nodded vigorously.

Onyx nodded, "Very well, I'll start with the basics then… I'm a golem. One of the few that were made of steel. To my knowledge there is no force in man, magic, or nature that can harm me. I am immune to mental manipulation, torture, and bribery… although that last one is personal. And…… really I can't think of anything else off the top of my head."

She was the one to ask, "So… you're invincible?"

Onyx shrugged, "Pretty much, yes… and I know how much that annoys you."

Tsukune spoke up, "Then… why are you here?"

Onyx opened his mouth… and shut it, "…Not that I wouldn't like to discuss that… really I would but… I can't."

She got in Onyx's face, "Can't, or won't?"

The golem's eyes narrowed, "Can't… and I resent the accusation."

She shot back, "And I resent your snappy comments."

The golem stood, "As much as I would enjoy arguing into the late hours of the night… I have a curfew to obey. I bid all of you… most of you, a good night."

Onyx left, rather quickly.

Ginei remarked, "Well, that was sudden."

Mizore finished the thought, "…Weird…"

She spoke, "And you're one to talk, stalker freak."

Next day: all school physical education class

Tsukune watched the teacher stride out onto the track. He was rather curious to learn why the whole school was out on the field at the same time. There was barely room for half the school, let alone all of them.

The teacher shouted, "Ok class, I'm sure you're wondering why all of you are out here at the same time. Last year there was a student petition for group physical education classes, and over half of the student body signed. So, here we are. I haven't quite had the time to create a comprehensive lesson plan yet so… boys, run on the track. When you can't run anymore you can join the girls for some stretches. Move!"

There was a collective groan of dismay from the boys, oddly though; the one that voiced the most disproval was Onyx (it was easy to see him because he towered over most of the other boys). He couldn't figure out why though, as much as he ran, Onyx ran three laps for every one that he completed.

He stumbled to a stop, panting, "Ha… ha… no… more…"

There was a loud voice from behind him, accompanied by the sound of very heavy footfalls, "Gang way!!!"

He turned around just in time to see Onyx club him out of the way and continue running. His head hit the side of something hard, and he blacked out.

Something cold was being pressed against the back of his head, there was also a monotone voice, "…Tsukune?"

His eyes fluttered open. Mizore had propped his head up in her lap.

Mizore asked, "Tsukune? Are you ok?"

He shoved himself up, "Of course I'm… AH!!!" When he pushed himself up, his face came within a centimeter of Moka's Rosario, "I'm sorry!"

Moka blushed profusely, "I… it's ok Tsukune…"

He was stunned momentarily, "Huh? Really?" He shot a look over his shoulder to where Mizore was giving him a blank stare, "Ah…………………. Where's Kurumu-san and Yukari-san?"

Mizore pointed behind Moka, "Over there, chasing the golem."

He followed Mizore's finger to where Onyx was still running, with Kurumu and Yukari close behind; both of them throwing things at the golem. He was unable to determine whether or not Onyx was just running because he wasn't tired yet… or if he was running away from the two girls. Considering that a brass pot had deformed itself around Onyx's head and he didn't even seem to notice gave evidence to the former.

He asked, more voicing a thought than anything else, "How long was I out?"

Moka answered, "About an hour, I was starting to get worried."

He thought about his schedule for a moment, "Then… school is over for the day……"

Mizore hauled him up, "Then we can walk Tsukune back to his dorm."

Moka grabbed his other arm… at least it was her instead of Kurumu, "Ah… ok."

Just before they got off the field there was a shout from the track, "HEY! Don't you dare try to sneak off with Tsukune!!!"

He whispered to Moka, "Run!"

He made a break for it through the trees, a convenient route that he used when he REALLY needed to get away from the other girls, only now Moka was coming along for the ride.

He broke out of the woods near his dorm, "Are you ok Moka-san?"

Moka replied, "Of course."

He let out a sigh of relief, "Oh, good." He turned around to look at Moka, "Moka-san I… good night."

Moka smiled up at him… he saw her nose start to twitch.

He smiled and pulled back his collar, "Go ahead."

Moka appeared overjoyed, "Thank you Tsukune!"

Kapuchu.

Next day: walking to class.

Tsukune got up early the next morning, got dressed, and snuck out of his dorm. He really didn't want to get jumped by the girls today, maybe if he could just get to the main building without attracting attention…

As he started past the track he heard something, something that sounded like someone with very heavy feet running. He walked out to the track and saw Onyx, running.

The golem saw him, "Hello there, could you do me a favor?"

He looked down at the track, there were defined footsteps pounded into the dirt, "Have you been running here all night???"

Onyx's pace took him over to the other side of the track, "………Yes I have……… and I'll gladly explain it……… if you find a teacher……… to tell me to stop running!"

He shouted to Onyx, "I'll be right back! Don't go anywhere!"

The golem dryly remarked, "Oh you can count on that…"

He ran to the main building, stopping long enough to sneak past Kurumu. The succubus was staring attentively down the path towards his dorm, no doubt waiting to jump him the instant he came within sight.

He sprinted behind Yukari, who was doing the exact same thing from a ledge (he could not figure out how she had gotten up there) and closed the door to the school behind him, "Ha… ha… ha… made it."

A voice came from behind him, "…Tsukune…"

He felt his heart skip several beats out of terror, "AHHHH!!! Mizore-chan, don't do that!"

Mizore cocked her head at him, "Why are you sneaking around?"

He paused for a moment before deciding to tell the truth, "Ah… Onyx-san needs help. He's been stuck on the track, running, all night."

Mizore gave him a blank look, "Why?"

He shrugged, "He said that he'd tell me if I found a teacher to tell him to stop running, I don't know why though."

Mizore stayed silent for a moment, "…ok…"

He breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you Mizore-chan."

He turned around and raced towards the classroom, Mizore was close behind.

He burst into the room, "Nekonome-sensei…!"

The room was empty.

Mizore spoke, "…Now what?"

He was silent for a second, "I don't know…"

There was a voice behind him, one that instantly sent a chill down his spine, "Oh? Tsukune-san, Shizuka is out for today."

He turned around slowly, praying that his guess was wrong… it wasn't, "R…Ririko-sensei, what is wrong with Nekonome-sensei?"

Kagome Ririko, the satanic math teacher, rolled her eyes, "She had a poorly cooked piece of fish and took ill."

Infirmary:

Shizuka Nekonome vomited into a bucket, "But WHY?!? It tasted so good… meow…"

Tsukune:

Ririko smiled innocently, "That means I'm teaching your class today!"

His face deadpans, "Eh……………………………………" He remembers why exactly he had been looking for a teacher, "Oh! Ririko-sensei, I have a friend that needs your help."

Ririko's eyes lit up, "Really!?!?! Who are they?"

He had a bad feeling that Ririko-sensei was getting the wrong idea, "Onyx-san."

Ririko's mood shifted dramatically, "Oh… him. Someone gave him an open-ended order again did they?"

The mood swing caught him off guard, "Ah… yes."

Ririko shook her head, "Where is he?"

He answers, "Out on the track."

Ririko turned around and began to walk away, "Come along if you like."

He shot a look over at Mizore; she shrugged and started to follow.

He shook his head, "Why does that evil woman keep showing up???"

Then his curiosity got the better of him, and he started to follow.

Kurumu stared intently down the path that Tsukune would be taking from his dorm to the school.

She muttered to herself, "Why hasn't he shown up yet? He's going to be late."

She heard the doors open far behind her. She turned around and... it was Ririko-sensei, and behind her... Tsukune and Mizore!!! What was he doing, alone, with Mizore?

She ignored the thought and started to run over, "Tsuku..." She was cut off by a large brass pot falling on her head.

Yukari hopped down from her ledge, landing on the unconscious Kurumu to soften the fall, and began to run over to Tsukune.

She sang, "Tsukune!"

Tsukune started to turn towards her, "Yukari-chan...!"

She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Tsukune's chest, "Good morning Tsukune!"

At the noise, Ririko paused and turned around, "Aww… how cute."

She exclaimed, "Did you hear that Tsukune!?! We make a cute couple!"

Mizore commented, "She was referring to your reaction."

She snapped, "No one asked you."

Tsukune's voice sounded strained, "Yukari-chan… please let go. You're crushing me."

She let go and smiled up at him, "Where are you going?"

Tsukune started rubbing his arms, "Onyx-san was stuck on the track all night. He said he needed a teacher to tell him to stop running."

She was confused, "Why?'

Ririko cut her off, "I'm sure that the boy will be happy to explain himself to you once we get there. Now if you would..."

She took out her wand and toyed with it as she followed the other three towards the track. When they all got near the track... she could hear the thumping sound from about twenty meters off.

When they got near, Onyx noticed them and spoke, fading in and out with his progress around the track, "Hello again......... found Ririko-sensei I see.......... I hope the animosity isn't going to get in the way."

Ririko shouted one word, "Stop."

Onyx stopped dead, right in front of all of them.

The golem smiled, "Thank you Ririko-sensei, and you to Tsukune."

Ririko smirked, "Just remember this next time you think about slacking off in class."

Onyx laughed, "Really Ririko-sensei? I'm the top student, if only out of the desire to not attend your "extra" lessons."

Ririko smiled, "Just make sure it stays that way." She waved her finger slowly back and forth in time with the syllables, "Diligence."

Onyx inclined his head out of respect, "Of course."

Ririko nodded, "Do as usual."

Tension visibly flowed out of the standing golem. Onyx immediately knelt down to examine the tattered remains of his running shoes.

Ririko smiled at the rest of them, "I expect all of you to be in class promptly."

Once Ririko was out of earshot Onyx let out a short laugh, "Just my luck that you'd find her. I'm just about the only one in my class not taking extra lessons with her."

Tsukune asked, "So, why DID you need a teacher to get you to stop?"

Onyx stood, "Because one of them ordered me to run until I no longer could. I'm a golem so... that would have been the end of time."

Tsukune pressed, "Yes, but why did that happen in the first place?"

Onyx frowned, "...I didn't tell you last time because of one of the terms in the contract... but I can tell you now because you've witnessed it firsthand..." Onyx took a deep breath, "As a golem I have... obligations... to the living being that wears the ring my contract was made into. My contract was originally a large sheet of metal but... my current master took that sheet and had it made into a ring. Now... I am forced to obey anything that he says, and anyone that he delegates authority to while he is not present. I don't even want to think about the number of times that I've been stuck doing some stupid thing following orders like, "Golem, break down that wall" or, "Golem, move my things from this store to the one several miles down the road" and let's not forget, "Golem, pick me up, I tire of walking."

She asked, "What contract?"

Onyx tore off his ruined running shoes, "As I understand it, I used to be a human. My life was extracted from my old body and placed into this current one. Thing is, I cannot remember anything about myself until my current master activated me. I hope that if I am ever released that I would remember who I was but... the odds of that ball of slime removing the ring for even a fraction of a second... I'm likely doomed to serve this creature until he dies of old age. But more likely than not, he'll pass the ring on before he dies."

Tsukune's mouth hung open, "That's horrible..."

Onyx nodded, "I know." A smirk spread over his face, "But hey, my master should be coming to visit on the same day that your parents are. Maybe you could convince him to free me, unlikely as it may be." Onyx began to walk away, back towards the dorms, but paused, "…I just had a terrible thought… Kurumu's mother is going to show up isn't she?"

Tsukune looked like he had been punched, his eyes went wide, "Oh no…"

Onyx laughed, "That bad huh? Well, like mother like daughter. Gives you a good idea of what the noisy one is gonna look like in a few years though…"

In her mind she imagined Kurumu those several years down the line, "It's not fair!!!"

She noticed suddenly that everyone, including Onyx, was now staring at her.

Onyx smiled, "Wow… someone has body image issues."

She pointed her wand at the golem, "I do not!"

Onyx shook his head, "Sure you don't… I'll be seeing you all soon. Hopefully with my stupid master in tow."

She turned to Tsukune after Onyx was gone, "You think I'm pretty, right?"

Tsukune's face went blank, "Ah… Well um………yes?"

She jumped on him, "Yay!!! Tsukune likes me!"

Tsukune was shouting, "I didn't say that!"

Family day:

Kurumu walked into the school, ignoring the other boys that were watching her. Her mother was going to show up today… and Mizore's was likely to show up as well. She HAD to keep her mother away from Mizore's; else they would start fighting and cause a huge mess.

She saw Mizore waiting by the door, in the bushes, and ran over, "Hey, stalker freak, you keep your mother away from mine, got it?"

Mizore didn't even look at her, "Same to you."

She got annoyed, "At least my mother didn't set up a school field trip just so you could sleep with Tsukune."

Mizore still didn't turn around, "Right, your mother tried to seduce Tsukune for you, and failed."

She gave up, "You are impossible!"

Mizore ignored her completely. She positioned herself in front of Mizore so as to obscure the snow woman's view.

Mizore spoke, "…move…"

This time, she ignored Mizore, "Make me."

There was a cracking sound as a trail of ice appeared out of nowhere, but none of the ice was under her.

She laughed, "Ha! You missed!"

Mizore didn't say anything. There was however a shout of panic from the other end of the ice path. She turned just in time to be bowled over by a random boy. Consequently, she was out of Mizore's view.

She slapped the boy in the face, "Get off of me you pervert!!!"

The freshman started to whine, while running away with a huge, red hand print across his face, "I didn't DO anything!"

She got up, dusted herself off, and looked down the path again. There was Tsukune… and Moka. The crafty blood-sucker had probably been waiting at Tsukune's dorm... and Moka got angry... if you could call her protesting loudly but not much else angry... if she and Mizore did the same thing. She started to run out to greet Tsukune... but something else caught her attention coming down the path from the left of school...

She gasped with dread, "Mother!"

She started to run out towards her mother. Mizore broke from the bushes and began to run the other way. She met Mizore in the middle of the courtyard, wordlessly shot a look over her shoulder to see Mizore's mother, Tsurara Shirayuki, was coming from the other direction.

She spoke to Mizore, "You take your mother that way, and I'll take mine this way."

Mizore nodded, "Right." And began to run towards Tsurara.

She started to run, already coming up with the lie she would use to get her mother to wander around WITHOUT going to her classroom and harassing Tsukune. Somehow though, she had a bad feeling that today was only going to get worse.

Onyx slowly wandered in the vague direction of his first class. He was bound to show up on time, but that was still about an hour off. And he couldn't have a hobby because of that stupid contract… "took too much time" Amuro had said. If he could have been free of the ring's command for three seconds when Amuro was around… He shut his eyes and fantasized about crushing his gremlin master into a fine paste. His book bag snagged on the corner of a locker and brought him out of the daydream.

He knelt to gather his things, "Of all the stupid things to happen…"

Something, or rather, someone caught his eye. Tsukune was pressing himself against the door of Nekonome-sensei's classroom, which was still locked, while both Kurumu and Mizore approached from opposite ends of the hallway. Judging by the difference in height, the older women with each of them were undoubtedly their mothers. He could only imagine how much crap that Tsukune would have to go through if both mothers dug their claws into him at the same time, subtly… or maybe not so subtly in the case of Kurumu's mother… trying to set Tsukune up with their daughters. Tsukune was a friend of his now, and he really couldn't just stand by and watch while a friend was in need. But… how to get both… or at least one of the mothers, away from Tsukune? He knew next to nothing about snow women except for how to recognize them… on the other hand… he knew full well how to distract a succubus.

He rearranged his silver hair into something more stylish, "I know I'm probably going to regret this but… here goes nothing."

Ageha Kurono strutted down the hall towards Tsukune's classroom. After her last disastrous attempt to hook Tsukune for Kurumu she was eager to try again; she still couldn't figure out why Kurumu wouldn't let her help…

A deep, strong voice came from behind her, "Pardon me madam…"

She paused and turned her head to look at the speaker, "Yes?"

The speaker was a man… and she really couldn't tell how old he was, "I couldn't help but notice what a fine dress you were wearing, Dolce and Gabbana?"

That got her attention, and she turned to face the man completely, "Very good… I've never met a man that knows anything about high fashion, and you?"

The man smirked, "Well, as you can see, I'm rather stuck with the school uniform at the moment. But if I had my choice it would be an Armani or Gucci suit."

She hesitated for a moment to actually look at the boy and realized that he was indeed wearing the school uniform, "Wait… you're a student?"

The boy continued to smirk, "What? I don't act like a high school student?"

She laughed slightly, "Not really. But tell me… If you recognized Dolce and Gabbana… then you must surely recognize these?"

Onyx watched the woman prop one of her legs up against a locker, ignoring the fact that the silk of her dress slid up the entire length of her thigh, "…Prada."

A flash of genuine interest appeared in the woman's eye… which was both good and bad depending on how he wanted to look at it, "You ARE good. Your name?"

He extended his hand, "Onyx, and you?"

The woman shook the offered hand, "Ageha Kurono."

He feigned surprise, "Kurono? Any relationship to a Kurumu Kurono?"

Ageha smiled with pride, "Yes, she's my daughter. I trust the two of you have met?"

He followed the ruse, "Once or twice, she seems very… spirited, I'll say."

Ageha continued smiling, which was starting to get rather unnerving, "Very, what would you say is the best thing about her?"

He replied honestly, "You know, I've only met her twice and I really haven't had the opportunity to talk, so I'm rather at a loss to pick one."

A devious glint appeared in Ageha's eyes, "And… what about me?" She struck a pose, "What do you think?"

He hesitated for a moment, "Well…"

Ageha commented, "102 centimeters and still growing."

It took him a second to figure it out, "…Oh, I get it. The twins."

Ageha smiled at him, "Oh? That's what I call them. You read my mind."

Something odd happened in Ageha's eyes.

He waited for a few seconds before asking, "Is there… something wrong with your eye?"

Ageha blinked for a few seconds… the same thing happened again.

He was at a loss of what to say, "Ah… Can I help you… in some way?"

Ageha stood up straight, a mischievous smile now appearing, "That is a first… a man that I am unable to charm… I like you."

He was speechless, "Ah……………" A familiar tugging sensation caught his attention, "Oh crap…"

It was as if he were being dragged at warp speed backwards through anything in the way, walls, students, teachers…

He sighed to himself, "Just my lucky day…"

Ageha watched Onyx practically fly backwards, crashing through every wall in the way, after a moment of stunned silence she waved, "…Bye…"

Tsukune kept his head on a swivel, anticipating the moment that Kurumu's mother would arrive and make his school life hell… Tsurara Shirayuki staring at him from the back of the class was bad enough. The building began to shake.

He found himself standing, ready to do something. Namely, rushing over to Moka and removing the Rosario.

Onyx crashed through the wall, flying backwards like he had either been punched or was being drawn. The monster students separating him from the flying golem were fast enough to get out of the way… he wasn't entirely. While he did manage to keep Onyx's flying bulk from pulping him, one of Onyx's trailing arms clubbed him upside the head. He staggered backwards from the blow… and out the hole Onyx had created in the wall.

Onyx lay, flat on his back, while he watched Tsukune fall out of the new window he had put in the third floor. The human fell the entire distance and landed squarely atop his chest with a heavy 'thunk', and a cry of pain.

A voice he hated spoke, "Oh? You brought me a snack to, good slave!"

He muttered, loud enough to be heard, "I hate you…"

His master, Amuro Ray, laughed, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

He replied, "I don't. I hate you because you are ugly, arrogant, petty, and out of my simple desire to be free of you."

Amuro laughed more, "How very eloquent. Now… stand so I can get a look at this boy."

He stood; despite being the obvious thing to do he would have rather stayed on the ground just to be defiant, "Happy?"

Amuro picked up Tsukune's hand and nibbled on the thumb, "Oooh, they are so good when they are young!"

There was a shout that he recognized, and was surprisingly relieved to hear, "Leave Tsukune alone!"

Kurumu lunged at Amuro, claws extended.

Amuro shrieked, "Golem! Defend me!"

Tsukune covered his eyes against the flash of light as Onyx transformed and swatted Kurumu away like she were a rag doll.

The gremlin spoke, "Now, use that boy as a projectile, throw him at them."

Onyx scooped him up and whispered in his ear, "I'm going to throw you by Moka, just stick your arm out and I'll do the rest."

Before he had a chance to say anything to the positive or the negative, Onyx threw him like a javelin. He stuck out his arm as bidden and was surprised when his outstretched arm did indeed grasp the Rosario… and then Moka's left breast… before flying past and skidding to a stop against the building.

There was a flash of red light as vampire Moka awoke.

Vampire Moka stretched a bit, "About time, I've been sealed off for two whole months."

A hysterical voice shrieked, "I told you to throw the boy AT them. Not slightly to the side!"

A heavy metallic grate followed, sarcastically replying, "It still gives me a sick sense of pleasure to do exactly as you say, not what you mean."

She turned to look at the two foot high creature that was screaming at the golem, "And I'm sure you remember how I deal with that! Punch yourself in the face, right now!"

There was a loud clang as Onyx did as he was told.

She spoke, "Hey! I was summoned to deal with you? Is this some kind of joke?"

The gremlin turned to look at her, "Not me, you get to deal with my slave!"

She looked back and forth between the ten foot tall, invincible golem, and the two foot high, pathetic, gremlin, "I think I'd rather just teach you a lesson in humility."

She dashed forward and began to throw a kick at the gremlin.

The gremlin shouted, "Aura!"

Onyx's fists smashed together, creating a large, blue sphere of light that made her feel an almost overwhelming sense of fatigue. Her kick missed entirely.

The gremlin laughed and clambered up the side of the golem, settling in behind Onyx's head, "Now that you are weakened… golem, attack!"

Onyx felt violated by the presence of Amuro, right behind his head, sheltered by the high ridge of steel that formed his shoulders. He reluctantly began to do as told, swinging his right fist high, and wide so that Vampire Moka might have a chance to get out of the way… she didn't. His fist connected and sent the vampire skipping across the ground for a good thirty meters.

A small weight landed on his back and started to climb up, Amuro shrieked, "Golem, get rid of the thing on your back, it threatens me."

He remained still, "And how do you propose I do that?"

Amuro said what he knew the gremlin would say, "Fall on your back, hard. Crush that insipid fool."

He hesitated only for a second before he realized the chance that he had been given, "…As you wish."

He jumped backwards, landing on his back with enough force to jar Amuro loose from the gremlin's perch and send it rolling across the ground towards the school… where there were three angry girls waiting.

He shouted, while remaining on the ground, "Get the ring off of his finger! That's the only way to stop me!"

To his delight, he could hear Amuro begging with the girls and shrieking for him to get over to him as soon as possible. He did stand, and he did begin to rush over, but just as his fist was coming down to crush Yukari… Kurumu tore the ring off of Amuro's finger.

His fist stopped an inch from Yukari's head, he withdrew the fist and stood, examining himself to see if there had been any change, "…Well… that was rather anti-climactic…"

He turned to glare at Amuro, who was attempting to jump up and grab the ring away from Kurumu, who was holding it just out of the gremlin's reach.

He took the ring from Kurumu and held it within his hand, "…Never again will I be commanded." He closed his fist, crushing the ring into dust.

Amuro started to back away slowly, "Now Onyx, let's be reasonable here…"

He started to walk after the gremlin, "Oh? You remember my name now? Well, too little too late, you pretentious bug."

He brought both fists down at once and crushed Amuro with a satisfying squishing sound.

Yukari gasped, "You didn't…"

He flicked some of the slime off of his fists, "No, he's still alive. He'll just be in pain for about a few hundred days. Not that I'm sympathetic in any…"

He was cut off by Vampire Moka leaping through the air and landing a flying kick to the side of his face. The vampire then spun on her heel upon landing and attempted to do the same thing from the other side.

He had other ideas, he caught Vampire Moka by the leg and hung her head in front of his own, "Need some way to vent your frustrations I suppose?"

The vampire nodded, "If you don't mind."

He let go and the vampire landed on her feet, "Not really."

Vampire Moka leaped back and forth about ten times before he got annoyed, "Look, should I just lean over to make this easier on you? I really don't feel like standing here all night just so you can vent."

The vampire paused, finally revealing a trace of fatigue, "…If you must."

He leaned over until his face was within reach of her legs from the ground and things continued on like that for about three minutes.

After about the fiftieth kick he commented, "…You do realize that you are flashing me every time you do that… right?"

Vampire Moka glared at him, "I am kicking you in the face… and you notice THAT?"

He bluntly replied, "When my face neither moves nor feels pain I tend to notice things that others tend to ignore."

Vampire Moka scoffed and turned away from him, looking around, she paused, "…Where's Tsukune?"

He had a thought, "…It… wasn't one of you that jumped onto my back… was it?"

They all shot him a look… and sprinted towards the crater he had made with his own body. At the bottom, pressed into the dirt, still clutching Moka's Rosario, was Tsukune.

He found himself laughing, "Had a "hero moment" didn't he?"

Vampire Moka just glared at him.

There was a shrill cry from behind him. "I'll help you one-sama!!!"

He turned just in time to see a red headed girl swing a huge tree at him; reflexively, he blocked the blow with his arm.

He glared at the sticky tree sap that was now covering his burnished metal skin, "…You little cretin… I just buffed that this morning!!!" His fist swung up, catching the red head on the chin.

The girl shouted as she flew to the horizon, "I love you one-sama!!!" Before disappearing into the distance.

The others all stared at him; Kurumu spoke, "You seriously buff your skin?"

He shrugged, "What? I can't have one vanity?"

There was silence.

Next day:

Tsukune walked to class, there was now a huge bandage wrapped around both his head and his left hand. Onyx had literally fallen on him.

He sighed, "Why me?"

There was a shout, "Tsukune!"

He turned to see Onyx striding up the path behind him. The golem was no longer wearing the school uniform, but something else.

He asked the obvious question, "What are you wearing?"

Onyx smiled and laughed, "Well, since I'm now free I thought I'd be a bit rebellious for a little bit. Besides, I don't think any of the teachers are going to object to me wearing an Armani suit. As for where… I liberated it from my former master; let's just say that I took what was owed."

He smiled, "So, you're free now?"

Onyx nodded, still smiling, "Yes I am, and I owe you for it."

He paused, "But… I didn't do anything."

Onyx chuckled, "Not quite, you gave me the opportunity to get Amuro off of my back, literally. And besides..." Onyx leaned in, "Would you really want to owe Kurumu, Mizore, or Yukari anything?"

He laughed uneasily, "Ha, ha ha… yeah…"

Onyx gave him a good natured pat on the shoulder, which made him sink a few inches into the ground, "You see the point, good. As it is, I think I know the exact way that I'm going to repay you."

He gave the golem a confused look, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Onyx gave him a look, "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you really only want to be with Moka, right?"

He shot a panicked stare around everywhere before quickly nodding, "Yes…"

Onyx smirked, "And I'm guessing that the only reason that you haven't told the others this is that you don't want to break their hearts?"

He felt uneasy, "Yes…"

Onyx stared off into space, "But then of course there is the fact that you never seem to have the guts to just come out and say it either… whatever. Well, that is where I come in; I have some friends that just might be able to… what's a polite word… "Distract" the other girls from you."

He ignored the sleight and stood, open mouthed at what he was hearing, "You're going to set them up with other guys???"

Onyx grinned, "Yes I am. But don't worry; I'll make sure each of them are quite happy."

Unbidden, a day dream of just him and Moka, alone, floated into his mind…"

Onyx spoke slowly, "…Tsukune? You still awake?"

He snapped out of it, "Ah! Yes, of course!"

Onyx chuckled and offered his hand, "Of course. So? What do you think? You up for it?"

He shot another quick glance around before shaking the offered hand, "Yes."

Onyx started to walk away and paused, "…I just had a thought… If polygamy had been offered, would you have accepted it?"

He freaked out, "Of course not!!!"

Onyx laughed, "Right. Just leave it to me."

That evening:

Onyx walked back into the dorm about an hour after his old curfew, freedom was beautiful.

The boy at the front desk shouted to him, "Onyx! There's a package for you!"

He paused, "What? A package from who?"

The boy shrugged, "Doesn't say, just has the letters AK written on the tag."

He took the package and walked back to his dorm room, which he shared with one of the prospects for his scheme.

Ryu Shinobi saw the box in his hand, "…Who's the box from?"

He replied, "You think I know?"

He sat down on his bed, and opened the box. There was a bundle of photographs with a letter covering the first one.

He took the letter and opened it, it read:

Onyx, I hope you enjoy these. Know that if I'm ever around that I'll be dropping by.

Kiss, Ageha.

He blinked a few times… and looked at the first picture, "... oh hell no!!!!!" And threw the bundle away from him.

Ryu picked it up and shuffled through a few of them passively, "…Please tell me you didn't make a move on a teacher on your first day of freedom."

He narrowed his eyes at his roommate, "Shut up."

Episode one, end.