CH 2
Embarrassed that he was angry at that woman for making him continue to live with Moka's death, Tsukune wandered around and found his way back to the Maison Izumo just in time for breakfast. Coming in with sliced up clothes and spots and streaks of blood on him, he wasn't looking forward to seeing anyone.
Of course, Minato was right there at the table to gape at him. "Tsukune, what happened to you?" he asked in a wail.
Tsukune eyed him lazily. "Nothing important. Just wrong place at the wrong time," he grumbled.
"Nothing important? You're all cut up! Look at you!"
Tsukune shrugged. In a grumble, he said, "No big deal. I'll go get washed now."
Seeing his cousin walk away looking beaten, Minato asked, "Does this have anything to do with Moka?"
"We're still separated," Tsukune said in a dull tone.
Tsukune trudged up the stairs. He'd have to buy new clothes now, he was still wearing the ones he'd came in, and they were ruined.
"Ashikabi?" came a happy squeak from in front of him.
Tsukune looked up at the pretty brunette wearing nothing but a towel as she stared at him. Her long, bare legs were perfection. By the rise of her chest and her very pretty face, he doubted there was a greater beauty anywhere. It took him a few seconds, but he recognized her from last night. He dropped his head back down. "Sorry," he offered, "I … you didn't deserve … you had to go to the hospital because of me."
He then got ran into by the towel wearing woman. "You're here! I can't believe it! I'm sorry we fought, but you were awesome! Please, let me make it up to you any way I can." Pulling back, she brightly said, "I know, I'll go buy you new clothes!"
"You don't have to do that," he told her, confused that she was so happy to see him after he'd beaten on her.
Fingering a rip in his shirt, she said, "I do." She then looked into the rip. "You're healed?"
"Yeah. I just need to go clean up," he explained in a dull tone.
"Then let be take your clothes to match your size," she said, and led him to the bathroom by an arm. I'm Uzume, what is your name anyway?"
With a huff, he said, "Tsukune. Aono Tsukune, and you don't have do to anything but please, let's not fight any more."
"I'll never fight my Ashikabi!" Uzume beamed. Taking on a more serious look, she added, "I know something is bothering you. Please, share it with me."
Suddenly her running of to get him new clothes seemed like a good idea. It would get her mouth away from him. He gave her some money and escaped to the bath. Or thought he did. Uzume came in shortly after and insisted on running his bath water. She was then going to wash him. He had to insist on washing himself. Uzume agreed only because she had to go get clothes so he had something to wear.
.
Miya knew something was off with Aono Tsukune. When he'd screamed that name last night, it had woken her up. She heard him leave. It sounded like he had a nightmare. Sleeping lightly, she heard Uzume come home. It wasn't until she was making breakfast that Tsukune wandered in, bloody and his clothes sliced up. Minato had greeting him. Tsukune acted like whatever happened to him was nothing. Minato was more worried about his appearance than he was.
Miya knew a warrior when she saw one. Tuskune bore the vacant gaze of someone who'd seen many battles and lost dear friends. His skin and clothes being sliced up didn't bother him at all. For one so young to be that hard was a pity. She also had the strong feeling he was hiding something.
Once Tuskune was upstairs in the bath, and a happy Uzume was on her way out with Tsukune's ripped up clothes, Miya went to the closest person she knew to get information on Tsukune.
Minato was on the porch, Musubi kneeling right next to him. Miya sneaked up behind them and in a musical tone asked, "What are we doing?"
Minato shot up and faced her. Hands up in surrender, he said, "Nothing, honest! Just sitting here talking."
Musubi bounced up and said with a smile, "I'd like to spar with you."
"A little later, dear," Miya said. "Right now, I need to talk with Minato. Could you please get the used sheets, dear?"
"I will!" Musubi said and left to fulfill Miya's request.
Miya had to smile at the girls exuberance. Seeing Minato looking nervous, she said, "Please, sit down with me. Tell me who this Moka is ..."
.
Wandering back and forth through the city, Karasuba was aching to find her Ashikabi. How could anyone be so hard to find? She had not spotted him, or even got a good feel for where he was. Although she was not able to hurt him, she was going to do a little rough sparing with him once she found him! Then again, he had owned her in the only way she was able to accept. He'd beaten her with skill and speed. His power was awesome! Only now he was making her hunt for him. Yes, a good, solid sparing session is what he needed.
Karasuba's phone rang. It was Minaka.
"What do you want?" she asked curtly.
"Have you found this mystery man who winged you?" he asked firmly.
"If I did, do you think I'd still be out looking?" she snapped.
"Careful, number four," he warned, "Just let me know when you've found him."
Karasuba closed up her phone. She hated that idiot! As if to get away from him she headed north. As she did, her Ashikabi felt closer. She went with the feeling, bouncing off rooftops to go find him. The feeling grew. Following it, Karasuba went far north and into the forbidden zone. Getting a location on him, she stood in the street and stared. She knew this Inn. It was the home of the number one Sekerie who had laid her sword down years ago.
A crooked grin came to Karasuba's face. "This is going to be awkward," she said in a musing tone.
.
Minato confirmed part of what Miya thought about Tsukune. He'd lost the love of his life in some sort of big fight, and it was hitting him hard. Being in high school, that shouldn't have happened. Minato knew little about this school, Tsukune had dodged every question Mintao had asked about it. All Minato knew was that this school was rough. Miya wondered where the teachers and staff were that allowed such things to happen.
Minato went off to work. Miya figured Uzume would be back soon with Tsukune's clothes. She hoped Tsukune would open up to her a bit more about his life.
Miya then got a strong, bad feeling. There was a knock at the door. Even as she went to it, she knew who it was. Walking to the door blank faced, she eyed her guest and asked, "Kasaruba, what do you want?"
Karasuba firmly replied, "Miya, my Ashikabi is here. I demand to see him."
Miya raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought your Ashikabi was one of those MBI goons."
Karasuba let out a snort. "Do you really think I'd lower myself with one of those idiots? NO! My Ashikabi is strong and fast. He's the greatest Ashikabi ever. "
Miya didn't have to puzzle hard at who she was talking about. Minato was a nice young man, but he was not battle hardened. There was only one other male in the Inn it could possibly be. Miya opened the door farther and said, "I will tell him you are here. Some tea while you wait?"
.
Tsukune had put on a robe while he waited for Uzume to return. Sitting on the floor of his room and gazing off at the sky, he remembered waking up to Kurumu and Mizore wrapping him tight. Unlike their previous habits of constantly coming on to him, they had held him and cried out the loss of their friend together. They were doing their best to comfort him. The only way they knew how. If he had a chance, he would thank them for their compassion. Unfortunately, he'd been thrown here without even a cell phone.
"Tsukune, can you please come down? There is someone here to see you," Miya said through the door.
"Yeah, sure," he replied. He got up hoping it was Shuzen,or maybe one of his lackeys to tell him it was all right go go home now. Then again, if he went home, what was he going to do then? He still wasn't in control of his yokai, and he'd nearly killed two women. If they would have been human, he would have killed them. He didn't dare go home. He had to stay away until he was able to control himself. It figured, he could abuse women but wasn't able to protect his love. Issa had most likely done the right thing in throwing him away.
Descending the stairs into the common room, Tsukune noted the gray haired woman smiling at him. He stopped and left out a huff. "What do you want?" he asked in a defeated tone. "Look I'm sorry..."
She the ran up and hugged him. "I finally found you!" she cried. Pulling back to arms' length, she said in an angrier tone, "I've been looking for you! How dare you hide on me!"
Taken aback, Tsukune frowned at her. "Looking for me? Why?" he asked, confused.
"You're my Ashikabi!" she said beaming him a smile.
"I've heard that before, and I have no idea what it means," Tsukune replied.
"Didn't anyone here tell you?" Karasuba asked, glancing at Miya, "It means I am your Sekerie forever, to love and protect you. We will win many great battles together," Karasuba said with a wide smile.
Feeling lost, Tsukune asked, "What's a Sekerie?"
"I'll let the Idiot explain it to you" Karasuba said. She pulled out her phone and punched in a number. "Get me Minaka," she demanded. After a short pause, she said, "I found him … he's right here." She then thrust the phone at him.
Tsukune took the phone."Yes?"
A man's voice happily proclaimed, "Ahh at long last! You are the proud recipient of your very own Sekerie!"
Becoming irritated, Tsukune asked, "WHAT is a Sekerie?"
"A Sekerie is the girl standing in front of you. Now, you have won the right to battle for love and glory in the Sekerie plan!" Minaka said cheerfully. "Upon winning,..."
"I don't plan to fight anyone," Tsukune stated.
"If you will let me explain! You don't do the fighting, your Sekerie do. They fight for you! Participation is not optional, and we will be watching you, so ..."
"Making girls fight? Not happening," Tsukune said firmly. He wasn't going to force anyone to fight for him.
"If you tell anyone or do not participate, you could be the one to die," Minaka said ominously.
"Are you threatening me?" Tsukune asked as he felt his anger rise.
"You will participate or someone will be coming for you!"
"Fine!" Tsukune spat. "I'll be out in the north park. Come take your best shot. Then, it's MY TURN!" He crushed the phone and threw it down.
Karasuba gazed in wonder at iron will of her Ashikabi. "I'm ready to fight beside you!" she announced.
"No!" Tsukune snapped, glaring at her. He eyed the door, then turned his gaze back to Kasaruba. "You stay here, guard this place. As soon as Uzume comes back with my clothes, I'll go meet them."
"I'm your Sekerie," Karasuba stated. "Against another Sekerie, MBI or whoever. I stand with you!"
"No. You, Don't," Tsukune said eyeing her dangerously. "Do you think I want to see another woman die in front of me?" he asked in a grating voice as he stared her down. "I have fought worse things than you can possibly comprehend! Can you take on the devil himself? Have you fought a mass of monsters? You. Are. Staying. Here. Or do I have to beat you again?"
Karasuba was at a loss for words. Her Ashikabi was strong enough to fight things like that? Swelling with pride for her Ashikabi, she knew she did not want to be left behind for that fight! "I am going with you," she stated.
POW
Bringing up his yokai, Tsukune hit her in the cheek with a right hook, then as she recoiled, he punched her hard a second time. Karasuba was driven to the floor, out cold. Calming himself, he turned to a stunned Miya. He bowed to her. "Please forgive me. It was for her own good."
"You are going out to fight MBI?" Miya asked, shocked he had put Karasuba down that fast.
"I will not let some … maniac make a game out of forcing women to fight each other," Tsukune said firmly. "If you will excuse me, I'll be going now."
"You are only wearing a house robe," Miya pointed out.
In a meeker tone, he explained."I do not want anyone coming here to make trouble for you."
"Yet, you seek out justice no matter the odds against you?" Miya asked watching him closely.
"I can't let it go," he said.
Luckily, Uzume came in looking worried. Tsukune took his new clothes and pointed to Karasuba. "Please, watch out for her,"
Uzume looked at the prone woman. "That's Karasuba!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, well, please make her as comfortable as you can." Tsukune then took his clothes and got dressed in the downstairs bath.
.
Uzume did as her Ashikabi asked. She and Miya got Kasaruba on the couch and Uzume got her an ice pack. "What happened to her?" Uzume asked.
"Your Ashikabi knocked her out," Miya said, the laughed a "'Fu fu fu," behind her hand and said, "She is one of Tsukune's Sekerie also. Things may get very interesting around here."
.
Anger boiled in Tsukune's blood as he strode to the park. Uzume had gotten him several sets of clothes. He picked a black t-shirt and jeans. After all, he figured these clothes would be ruined soon. All the battles he'd fought in school and that final battle against Alucard. Fighting was not a game! He didn't know for sure if it was a sadistic bastard manipulating these fights for his own amusement as he imagined it was, but it was going to stop now!
Striding into the park, Tsukune passed a large black van with MBI on it. He walked in and sat, hands folded in his lap. A few policemen were wandering around. Seeing him, a pair walked over to him.
"Sir what is your name?" one asked.
Tsukune looked up at them. "Aono Tsukune. Are you here for Minaka?"
They looked at each other. "Sir, do you have a Sekerie?"
"Her name is Karasuba," he replied with a nod.
"You need to come with us," the other said firmly and reached for him. Tsukune grabbed the man's wrist as he shot up off the seat. He spun the policeman around, hitting the other one with the flying body. They both tumbled away with yelps.
"Anyone else?" Tsukune asked loudly.
" DON'T MOVE!" another policeman yelled, pointing his gun at Tsukune. Tsukune saw three others approaching him, guns drawn.
"ON THE GROUND! HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!" the man yelled.
Tsukune judged the distance. He shot over to one pair in a blur. Dropping low he punched each in the knee, breaking the joints to fold backwards. The men screamed and fell. By the time they hit the ground, Tsukune was behind the other two. He grabbed them and knocked their heads together. They both dropped.
The two he'd knocked over were scrambling up and drawing their guns. Tsukune raced over, grabbed their guns and wrenched them out of the men's hands. He threw the guns away as he eyed the frightened looks aimed at him.
"Tell me where this Minaka is," Tsukune said in his firmest commanding tone as he glared at them.
"The MBI Building," one officer said.
"The tallest building in the city," The other offered.
"Thank you. Now, run away, I don't want to kill you unless I have to," Tsukune stated.
The men hurried back to their car.
It wasn't hard to find the MBI building. Tsukune picked a place across the street and down half a block to watch the tall skyscraper. Although it was tempting to barge in and search for this Minaka, he knew that was foolish. Already, police and SAT teams were being deployed around the building. People coming and going were being stopped for ID. He needed intel. Looking up at the top floor of the building, he imagined a pompous sadist like this Minaka would keep the top floors for himself. Then again, it was very possible he was hiding in a safe bunker until someone caught him. He had to make a plan. Perhaps to draw Minaka out so all those people wouldn't get in the line of fire and get hurt. First he had to find out more about this guy.
.
Miya had never seen anyone move so fast. When Tsukune had floored Karasuba, it had looked like a single, incredibly fast punch. It had been two by the bruises Karasuba grew while she rested unconscious.
Tending to Karasuba, Uzume asked, "Miya? Where did Tsukune go?"
Miya grew a crooked grin. "I do think your Ashikabi was not pleased with Minaka's demand that he be involved with his Sekerie plan. I wound not chase after him if I were you. Kasrasuba tried. Look where she is."
"Yes, my Ashikabi is very strong," Uzume said and grew a smile. She then frown and added, "But we are suppose to fight for him."
"According to Minaka, yes," Miya said. "Before you become upset with Tsukune. Let's get Kasasuba awake. I'll then tell you both about a girl named Moka..."
.
Kurumu and Mizore were frantic. Tsukune was gone and they could not find him anywhere. All his clothes, school books and personal items were still in his room, He'd just disappeared. He wasn't on campus and a call to his house proved he hadn't gone back to the human world like they feared, either.
Knowing Tsukune was deeply depressed by Moka's death, Kurumu flew around the base of the cliffs searching for signs of him, afraid he might have tried to kill himself. Mizore searched around through the woods, expecting to find him in a deep depression someplace.
Meeting back in his dorm room after another full day of searching for him, Kurumu sat on Tsukune's bed, gripping her head in frustration. "He has to be someplace!" she cried.
"Not on campus, not in the woods. The Director doesn't know, he's in the hospital," Mizore said in her monotone voice. "We may have lost him." She then sniffled.
"What about Ruby? Maybe she knows," Kurumu asked.
"Um um," Mizore said, shaking her head. "Ruby is looking for him too."
"We can't loose him too, we just can't!" Kurumu said, tears welling in her eyes.
Mizore stared at Kurumu, then said, "Use your ability."
"What?" Kurumu asked.
Mizore cocked her head and asked."Don't you know where your Destined One is?"
"Not until we mate," Kurumu said in a grumble.
The door burst open. "Are you in here?" Yukari asked.
"We are," Mizore confirmed as they both looked at Yukari.
Yukari was still wearing the black veil for Moka's being taken from them. She waved her wand and a printout appeared. Showing to them, she said, "Tsukune is wanted by the police in Shinto Tinto, the new name for Tokyo. It says he attacked six policemen."
Frowning at her, Kurumu asked, "Where did you get that?"
"I summoned it up from a newspaper dummy! I dreamed Moka's spirit told me how to find Tsukune!" Blushing, she added, "And I had well, other dreams about Moka too."
"Get packed, bring money," Mizore stated.
.
Minaka, Takami, and Benisubasa watched the satellite video of this Aono Tsukune wiping out police in the park.
"So, this is Karasuba's Ashikabi," Minaka said with a grin. "What is he, a lost Sekerie? His movements are only blurs."
"This is worrying," Takami stated as she watched the screen. "He beat Karasuba in a one-on-one fight. She wasn't able to tell me how. Minaka, this guy is dangerous."
"Ohh, ho ho, yes he is!" Minaka grinned broadly. "That is why I will offer a Jinki to anyone who can put him down!"
Benisubasa folded her arms across her chest. "If he can beat Karasuba, who is there to beat him? Not to mention that Karasuba will be there fighting for him as well."
"It will be a grand fight to the finish!" Minaka stated happily.
"Let him go," Takami stated. "Find him, give him transport, money, anything, just get him out of the city."
Minaka eyed her. "Why give up this chance to bring the Sekerie plan forward?" he asked.
Takami let out a huff. "Look, he's an unknown. A very aggressive unknown. He has shown himself to be all but a Sekerie in ability. By what he did to Karasuba, maybe he's even stronger than any Sekerie. Karasuba hates humans, yet she immediately clung onto this Aono. Her phone is crushed, so we can't track her. With their speed, they could be anywhere! This may well lead to disaster!"
Holding up a finger, Minaka said, "Not if we do it right. There is a very good chance Uzume is also one of his Sekerie, correct? Doesn't she have a friend in the hospital?"
Eyeing him, Takami asked, "What are you getting at?"
"The Ashikabi of the East has her, I believe," Minaka said in a musing tone. "I'm sure he can persuade Uzume to help set up an ambush to keep her friend alive. We capture this Aono and analyze him. Maybe we can use him to help our Sekerie become stronger."
"Minaka! That's … despicable!"
"But effective," he said with a grin.
.
Tsukune didn't go back to the Inn right away. He walked the streets, got some tomato juice and waited for more MBI to find him. Seeing a police car down the street, he walked towards it. The car pulled away in the other direction.
"Hey! I know who you are! You're Aono Tsukune!" a blond girl stated as she pointed at him.
The motorcycle boy with her grew a grin. "He is. Take him, he's worth a Jinki!"
The blond who couldn't have been more than fifteen, charged Tsukune with a wild light in her eyes. Running up, she threw a punch at him. Tsukune caught her wrist and bent low, throwing her over his back. Holding on, he slammed her to the sidewalk. He then pulled her up and tossed her back at the man. Wide-eyed, the man caught her. They both tumbled into the street.
Tsukune walked over, eyeing them dangerously as they got up. "Do you really want her dead?" he asked in a grating tone.
"We'll get him together," the man whispered. The blond nodded.
The blond lunged again. Tsukune kicked her into the motorcycle. While she tumbled with the bike, Tsukune punched the man in the gut. Obviously not a fighter, he folded. Tsukune grabbed his collar and pulled him upright. The girl, who scrambled up, froze in place.
"No! I'm your opponent!" she yelled. "Let my Ashikabi go!"
"Come get him," Tsukune said flatly. The girl moved to get behind Tsukune. He let her move, then when she charged in, he put the man in front of her. She stopped, wide eyed.
Frustrated, she yelled, "Fight fair!"
"Fair?" Tsukune asked her. "Let me tell you what that means to me. "First, I kill this guy, then come after you..."
"No, please! Don't hurt him!" the girl wailed.
The man moved and tried to free himself. He swung a punch intp Tsukune's stomach then yelped and shook his hurting hand. Tsukune locked the man's arms behind his back. In the man's ear, he asked, "So you want her to die too?"
"Stop!" the girl cried with a horror stricken look.
The man swallowed heavily and said, "You got me, just let her go."
Tsukune pushed the man into the girl. She caught him. Somehow they managed to keep their feet. Holding each other, they stared at Tsukune.
Tsukune glanced at the motorcycle on it's side that now had a broken headlight and mirror. "Maybe you two should forget this stupid Sekerie plan, and just ride out of town before one of you dies."
"We can't," the man said. "Minaka said if we try, we'll both be killed."
Tsukune let out a snort. "And let me guess, he also offered a reward if you could take me down, right?"
"He did," the man stated. "With everyone looking for you, I'm sure someone will."
"I'm sure someone will die trying," Tsukune replied and walked away. He got four steps and Karasuba landed in his way. Besides the fading purple on her face, she was livid. Behind him, the girl gasped.
Karasuba glanced at the girl and barked, "Go away!" To Tsukune she said, "Ashikabi, we need to have a discussion."
"I thought I told you I didn't need you out here?" Tsukune asked.
"Too bad. You need to know how this works," Karasuba said sternly.
"I will not participate in girls fighting each other," Tsukune stated.
"That is what we do!" Karasuba snapped back. Stabbing a finger behind him at the couple watching them, she said, "THAT Sekerie is to fight for her Ashikabi! He is to support her and pick the best battles he can. That is how it works for them, AND for us! You need to know where your place is in this!"
Know your place. Karasuba's words that crept up his spine were just a little too close to Moka's. Tsukune's anger flared. His yokai radiated out and before he knew he meant to, he blasted Karasuba with an uppercut, lifting her off her feet and up against the second story wall of a building. Karasuba managed to control her fall with flips and land on her feet.
Glaring at him, she yelled, "No matter how many times you hit me, the facts remain the same!"
Tsukune glared back at her briefly, hating her for spouting the words that had rung in his ears all this time from Moka. "You have NO RIGHT to say that!" He bellowed in a vice so powerful it shattered the windows around them.
Karasuba was shaken, but didn't give up. "I will say what I wish. If you want to shut me up, you'll have to kill me!"
Tsukune took a step towards her to do just that. He then paused.
What am I doing? Am I going to kill her for speaking?
That was what monsters did. Tsukune's rage dimmed. His yokai faded. His face contorted in anger relaxed. "Whatever," he said in a breath and turned to walk away.
He hadn't gotten far when he was tackled from behind. Tsukune found himself flipped over, Karasuba was sitting over him gripping his shoulders. Her angry face was over him.
"You are the WORST Ashikabi EVER!" she yelled as she picked up his head and bashed it into the sidewalk. "You are a selfish idiot! We fight for YOU! Get that through your thick head! I don't care who we fight, I don't care HOW! But I WILL be there to fight for you, and you can't stop me!"
Tsukune stared at Karasuba, her hair bracketing her angry face. For some reason, all his anger was gone. "I won't make girls fight each other," he said.
"Then give me the target you want to fight," Karasuba said firmly.
The snap of a camera and suddenly, Karasuba realized they were lying the sidewalk in a very suggestive position. She got up and hauled Tsukune to his feet. "We will continue this at home," she said curtly. She turned Tsukune and walked away gripping his collar.
"Let go," Tsukune complained.
"I do, and you run off by yourself."
"Why don't you go pick on someone else?"
"Why don't you grow a brain?"
"Why don't you mind your own business?"
"You are my business."
"WHY are you following me around?" Tsukune asked in a wail.
"I'm your Sekerie, Deal with it!"
Tsukune spun and ripped Karasuba's hand loose, tearing off portion of his shift. "Get off me will ya?" he snapped.
Karasuba grabbed the shoulder of his shirt "NO! You are going to listen to me!"
He slapped her hand off. She went to grab him again. He ducked then scooped her up over his shoulder.
She flipped over him and got behind him again. "You will listen to me!" she yelled.
The few onlookers, including the motorcycle man and his blond watched them walk away, arguing.
Although there was a Jinki to be won, Motorcycle man decided it was not worth the risk.
