Notes: Sorry for the delay, lots of obstacles lately. Seems like the only way for me to preserve formatting anymore is through old school RTF. I can live with it.


Rosario Red

A Karin / Rosario and Vampire Crossover by

Nate Grey (xman0123-at-aol-dot-com)

Part 2: A Handy Trick


"We're going to be late for school, you know."

Karin slowly looked up at her brother from her seat on Moka's bed, unable to decide why he'd said that. "When has that ever bothered you?"

Ren scowled at her. "It doesn't. But in case you hadn't noticed, we've been rather busy since we arrived here, and every moment that we don't have our eyes on these simpletons is another chance for them to royally screw things up."

"I guess," Karin murmured. "But I was thinking about skipping class today. The morning ones, at least."

Ren said nothing as he stared at Karin, and more importantly, the sleeping form of Anju, resting with her head in Karin's lap. They had all expected to be kept busy, but neither of the older siblings had thought that Anju would be doing most of the work, and on the very first day, no less. She'd worn herself out looking after Moka's friends (Ren still firmly thought of them as pawns, much to Karin's distaste).

"You can't skip class," Ren said at last. "Moka would have to stay here to drink your excess blood. And if that icy friend of hers hangs around all day, you'll be overflowing nonstop."

Karin frowned at the reminder. Anju had returned to Moka's dorm room late last night, dragging an inconsolable Mizore with her. Virtually anything that reminded Mizore of Tsukune or Kurumu sent her into a jealous rage, and if Karin hadn't managed to yank Moka's rosario off at the last minute, they might have all been turned into either pin cushions or popsicles. It wouldn't have killed them, but it certainly would've been very uncomfortable. As it was, Moka had been forced to remain in her true form overnight, holding Mizore and whispering comforting words in her ear. Mizore had calmed down, but not to the extent where Moka was ready to leave her alone.

Ren thought it very strange, that even Moka's true form seemed to treasure her friends, and had said as much to her.

Moka's response had been a slight but meaningful reprimand: she'd flicked him in the center of his forehead, soft enough not to send him flying, but hard enough that his normally immaculate face would have a dark bruise for at least a day or two. "Know your place," was all she'd said before turning her attention back to Mizore.

But Ren was right about one thing: Mizore was unhappy enough that Karin was having trouble being around her without spewing blood. Though Karin wanted to stay with Anju, it really would be better to go to class. There were bound to be other unhappy people in class, but probably none so unhappy as Mizore was right now.

"So, what are you going to do?" Ren asked. "You won't help anything by staying here, and Anju is probably going to sleep through the day no matter what you do. You might as well make yourself useful and keep on eye on that idiot boy."

"Tsukune-san," Karin corrected automatically.

"Do I look like I care what his name is?" Ren snapped. "Just watch him!"

Karin sighed, gently lifted Anju's head so that she could stand, and carefully replaced Anju's head on the pillow. "I don't feel right just leaving her like this."

Ren shook his head. "We can always check on Anju between classes. And I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to barge into Moka's room."

Karin was about to protest again when the door opened, revealing Moka, still in her unsealed form, with a supportive arm wrapped around Mizore's waist. Mizore had no visible reaction to their presence, but Moka looked surprised, if only for an instant.

"Why are you both still here?" Moka asked as she helped Mizore over to the bed. "Classes will begin soon."

"I didn't want to leave Anju all by herself," Karin confessed. "I know she doesn't need to be babied anymore, but-"

Moka stopped Karin by gently squeezing her shoulder. "There is no need to explain, Karin. You never have to explain caring for your sister to me. She is precious to me as well, as are each of you. I will stay with Anju today. You two should go to class."

By Moka's tone, it was not an order, but Ren and Karin still took it as one. Moka could easily force them to do as she wished, but in the end, they were under her protection, and disobeying her was not wise. Not that Moka would ever harm them, but it had been her father that placed them with her, and whatever his reasons for that, Lord Akashiya was not at all fond of the Maaka Clan. He and their father, Henry, hated each other and had little in common, yet both had agreed that their children should meet. Despite the obvious tension, Moka had welcomed them warmly, insisting that they were all family.

Ren immediately headed out the door, but Karin hung back, noticing that Mizore had stretched out beside Anju and was staring blankly at the ceiling.

Moka noticed the direction of her gaze. "Don't be concerned. She's far better than she was last night. Ask her yourself."

Karin blinked and hesitantly asked, "Are you feeling any better, Mizore-san?"

Mizore's eyes slowly shifted to her. "A little. For now, I want to stay here and help protect Anju-chan." A grimace briefly flashed across her face. "She's one of the few true friends I have left."

"I'm sure my sister would appreciate that," Karin replied with a warm smile.

Mizore nodded a bit, but her eyes had already returned to staring at the ceiling.

"Moka, if you're going to stay in that form all day," Karin began, only to gasp as Moka abruptly replaced her rosario and returned to her sealed form.

"Yes?" Moka asked sweetly, placing one hand against the wall to steady herself.

"Um, I was going to say you should have a big breakfast," Karin murmured. "You just need to think of something that makes you unhappy first, and then-"

"Okay."

Karin's knees nearly buckled at the wave of unhappiness that instantly rolled over her. Most of the blood in her body surged to her nose, which she quickly clapped her hands over. Not for the first time, she was amazed at just how unhappy a normally cheerful girl like Moka could truly be. Of course, Moka's feelings had never been so potent as they were today. Karin knew it had to be because of Tsukune and Kurumu, and though they were Moka's friends, Karin wished that Moka had never met them. Kurumu in particular was more rival than friend, and Tsukune wasn't vocal enough about what he wanted, especially when it came to Moka. They only seemed to needlessly complicate and interrupt Moka's life, and based on Anju's observations, Moka was only ever genuinely happy among her own kind. Even worse, while Tsukune actually did have the potential to make Moka happy, he would never manage it, due to his indecisiveness.

"Was that enough?" Moka asked, staring at Karin expectantly.

"More than enough," Karin gasped. "What did you think about?"

"Tsukune," Moka admitted quietly.

Karin winced and tilted her head back, still gripping her nose tightly. "Well, whenever you're ready."

Moka carefully slipped her hands beneath Karin's, drawing their faces close together. "Just tap me if I hurt you."

Karin didn't understand why Moka always said that before feeding on her blood. There was no risk of Moka taking too much blood, as Karin's body produced far too much on a daily basis, anyway. It certainly would've been normal for Moka to become too eager around such a plentiful source, but she never had. She was always extremely cautious, and above all, gentle. If not for the fact that the physical act looked so suggestive, Karin would've actually enjoyed the intimacy.

The whole thing was over quickly, because the next thing Karin knew, she was staring straight ahead while Moka gently patted her cheek and called her name.

"Karin? Can you hear me? Karin?"

"O-Oh," Karin stammered, blinking rapidly. "Sorry. I was, um, daydreaming," she lied.

Moka didn't comment on that as she released the slightly smaller girl. "Well, thanks for the meal. If you hurry, you should still be able to catch up to Ren."

Karin made a face, as if to ask why she would want to catch up to her brother, then sighed and hurried out.

Moka sat down on the bed, glancing first at Anju, then Mizore, and finally the doll sitting on Anju's stomach. "Boogie-kun, was there ever a doll you were afraid that Anju might like more than you?"

"Yes, Moka-sama," Boogie replied.

"Really? What happened to it?"

"I did," Boogie replied, waving his knife a little.

"Oh," Moka muttered. "Forget I asked, then."

"Does that mean I can't kill-?"

"Yes, that's what it means, Boogie-kun," Moka interrupted, shaking her head.

"There's no point in having Tsukune killed," Mizore noted dully. "He's been alone with Kurumu for several hours. By now, he's probably been smothered to death."


Although Tsukune would never admit it to anyone, he was terrified of Kurumu's breasts. It was just that they were so soft, so warm, and so sweet-smelling that he feared he might actually let himself be smothered to death by them. Kurumu certainly didn't help matters by throwing them in his face every chance that she got.

But that had been yesterday, before they kissed. Now, Tsukune was still afraid of her breasts, but Kurumu no longer assaulted him with them. Having seen how successful her genuine feelings were, Kurumu was now perfectly honest about everything with Tsukune. He had thought this was a good thing, at first. But Kurumu was honest about things that most people tended to keep to themselves.

For example, she had walked Tsukune back to his dorm that evening, and he had been prepared to say goodbye. But Kurumu had told him quite plainly, "I want to sleep with you, Tsukune."

Tsukune had, of course, declined.

Kurumu had repeated her wish, although far more loudly than Tsukune was comfortable with. Not surprisingly, a few heads poked out of the other rooms, and fearing that Kurumu's presence might start a riot, Tsukune had quickly invited her in. Even then, he was convinced that he could talk her into going back to her own dorm.

But then Kurumu started to take off her clothes, and Tsukune was unable to stop her. He didn't dare touch her bare flesh, for fear of how his own body might react, and simply asking her to stop was just as ineffective. Tsukune at least managed to talk her into wearing one of his shirts to bed, but only on the condition that they both slept in the same bed, together, every night. In turn, he made her promise to always at least wear SOMETHING to bed, which she had pouted over.

"It's almost like you don't want to see me naked, Tsukune!" she'd complained.

"Kurumu-chan, what would you do if you saw ME undressed?" he'd asked.

"I'd undress and join you, so you wouldn't be lonely," Kurumu had replied with a sweet smile.

So Tsukune had woken up the following day the same way he feel asleep: with Kurumu's arm draped over his chest, and her face pressed into his neck. He was just amazed that she'd managed to keep her breasts away from his face all night, and even asked her about it once she woke up.

"Oh, don't be silly, Tsukune," she told him. "That was just a seduction tactic. Now that we're dating, I don't need to do anything so obvious. Of course, if you want me to, feel free to ask anytime!"

Tsukune realized that she was right: she was no longer trying to seduce him. It was just that Kurumu was very physically affectionate, and she never wanted Tsukune to doubt her feelings for him. She didn't mind kissing him in public. In fact, she told him quite simply, she would make love to him in public, if he really wanted her to. Tsukune assured her that it wasn't necessary (that is, once he managed to form complete sentences again).

It was a rather odd thing, to go from a girl with suppressed feelings to one with blatant ones. But it was nice to know exactly how Kurumu felt about him at all times, and that she wanted everyone to know they were a couple.

Unfortunately, Tsukune was pretty sure that Moka, Yukari, and Mizore had heard by now, and he'd wanted to be the first to tell them. Kurumu offered to help him do it, but none of the three girls were in the usual places that day. It worried Tsukune a great deal, but Kurumu told him that they just needed some time to cool off. After all, it was better than all three of them teaming up to try and hunt her down. Tsukune had to admit that was true, but he was still worried.


Youkai Academy hosted a number of rather unique clubs. One of these was the Forest and Agriculture Club. Curiously enough, it had once been known as the Forestry Society, and the Sylvans of Yesterday before that. This was because the club leader clashed with the Student Police Committee on a number of issues, including proper club names. But despite a long history of disagreements between the two, the club had never been permanently disbanded, nor had any of its members received any severe punishments from the school.

The club leader was a small, unassuming senior known only as Pan. He had white hair, an easy smile, and a peculiar skip in his step, but was quick to anger and absolutely ferocious in the protection of his club. It was rumored that the only reason Kuyou hadn't shut down the club for good was because he feared what Pan might do or become afterward.

The club currently met outside in a small, secluded clearing near the music room, where they could easily hear the band practicing.

Pan was in a good mood today. He was concerned about the new vampires, and had said as much, but did not allow that concern to show on his face. Chewing thoughtfully on the bunch of grapes in his hand, he turned to his most dependable follower and spoke.

"Minos. There will be a girl in my forest, later on. Go to her. Warn her. If she resists, you know what to do."

"Yes, Pan-sama," the tall boy said quietly. He took up the sledgehammer resting beside him with no apparent effort, and strode silently and quickly from the clearing.

Pan sighed and leaned back. "Eu-chan, sing something for me."

The girl at his side stiffed at once. She was heavily bandaged from head to toe, and the one eye that was exposed was dull and unmoving. "Me, Pan-sama? Wouldn't you rather have Soma-san sing for you? Her voice is much better than-"

"I didn't ask her, Eu-chan," Pan interrupted. "I asked you. You're the one I want to hear right now. So sing for me."

The girl glanced at Soma, who was as tall and imposing as Minos, but also just as gentle. Soma only nodded and gestured for her to begin.

Sighing, the girl took a deep breath and began to sing. It was not a voice that many humans would appreciate. It was scratchy with disuse, and aside from that, every note was filled with sorrow and pain.

But Soma merely closed her eyes, and Pan tapped his foot along with the twists and turns, obviously enjoying every second. Seeing that her friends were enjoying her song, the girl poured her heart and soul into it, which was all that Pan ever asked of her. Once she was done, she felt his hand lightly patting her head, and her heart soared.

"That was lovely, Eu-chan. I should have you sing more often. You do your fallen sisters proud."


Ren did not like to go around admitting it, but he was a hypocrite at heart. He saw nothing wrong with enchanting vulnerable young women, so long as he was the one doing it. In any other monster, he found it to be a disgusting and deplorable trait.

So when he came across Yukari in the hallway, being cornered by a musclebound idiot who thought she should be hopelessly in love with him, Ren couldn't help the irritation he felt.

"Come now, don't be shy, Yukari-chan," the idiot cooed as Ren approached him from behind. "It's okay to drool. In fact, I'll even let you feel my muscles. See how this one sparkles when the light catches it just right?" He pushed his heavily muscled arm towards her face.

Yukari grimaced and backed up a step. "No, thank you! Just leave me alone!"

"Just a little?"

"The lady isn't interested," Ren growled, grabbing the idiot's shoulder. "Back off." He was not shocked when the idiot turned around, revealing what even Ren had to admit to be a supremely gorgeous face. "Ah. You're an Adonis. That explains it."

"Sorry," the idiot said with a smirk, "but you're not really my type."

"I was just about to say the same to you," Ren replied. "Now get lost. She's spoken for."

Yukari quickly zipped around the Adonis and latched onto Ren's arm, much to his discomfort. "Yes! We're madly in love! He was my first!"

The Adonis frowned. "You're... spoiled?! Why didn't you say that from the start?" He turned away and strolled over to the next nearest girl, pushing his biceps at her.

Ren sighed and shook his arm loose, quite uncomfortable with the way that Yukari was gazing up at him. "What?"

"You... saved me!" Yukari gasped, clasping her hands together. "You're my hero!"

"Don't be silly. I only did it because Moka would expect me to. You are one of her... pets."

Yukari either didn't notice or didn't care about the insult. "You know, if you wanted my precious virginity as a reward, then I could-"

"Don't go there," Ren growled, shuddering slightly as he stalked away.

Giggling softly, Yukari skipped after him, her eyes dancing with delight. "You won't get away from me that easily!"


Karin felt the tension in the classroom the moment she walked through the door. Kurumu was perched on top of Tsukune's desk, swinging her legs as she talked to him. Nearly every other boy in the class was glaring death at Tsukune, but he seemed entirely focused on whatever Kurumu was saying. In fact, Karin could tell that despite his embarrassment, he was genuinely happy. But that did nothing to counter the feelings of all the unhappy people in the room, and seconds later, Karin was unable to prevent the torrent of blood that gushed out of her nose.

All activity in the classroom ground to a halt as the blood coated the floor, some desks, and quite a few students.

Nekonome blinked a few times before murmuring, "Maaka-san number two, perhaps you should go to the nur-"

Karin turned and ran from the room, panicked and embarrassed. Ren hadn't been in class, and even if he had, there was no way he would or could erase the memories of everyone there. They'd already known about her nosebleeds, so there would be no point, in his opinion.

But as she rounded the corner that led to the nearest restroom, Karin was startled to see that Tsukune and Kurumu were chasing after her, for some unknown reason. "Go away!" she cried. "Stop following me!"

Naturally, Tsukune had chosen the worst time to be understanding. "It's okay, Karin-san! You don't have to run away! We just want to help you!"

"Or capture you, if you're up to anything suspicious!" Kurumu added gleefully, which only made Karin run faster.

Karin ducked into the restroom and dove into one of the stalls, just seconds before Kurumu burst in after her. The two girls glared at each other for a moment, before Kurumu laughed nervously and offered Karin a box of tissue.

"Sorry. I guess you really did just have a little nosebleed..."

"There's nothing 'just' or 'little' about them," Karin snapped, wiping the blood from her face.

Kurumu frowned. "I was trying to make you feel better!"

"Then you're doing a really lousy job!"

"SHHH!!!" Kurumu hissed. "Keep it down! Tsukune will know it's not working if you keep shouting! I promised him I'd try to help you!"

Karin blinked, genuinely puzzled. "Why? Yesterday, you hated me."

Kurumu grinned proudly. "That was when I wasn't Tsukune's girlfriend. Now I am."

Karin scowled at her. "Well, great. Now I REALLY don't like you."

"What? Why?!" Kurumu demanded. "I'm being nice here! Unless... you're jealous! You want Tsukune for yourself, don't you?!"

"I don't care about you OR him right now!" Karin shouted. "I care about Moka, who you're both hurting by being together!"

Kurumu actually looked guilty, but only for an instant. "I'm not going to let anyone make me feel bad about that! We all had a fair chance with Tsukune! Moka even had a better shot than the rest of us, but she blew it! Tsukune chose me, so Moka and everyone else will just have to deal with it!"

"You don't even care, do you?" Karin asked softly. "Have you seen Mizore-san today? Of course not, because she's gone into hiding!"

Kurumu opened her mouth to argue, paused, and frowned. "She's ALWAYS going into hiding, though."

"But this time she's doing it while being severely depressed!"

"Okay, but... she likes hiding," Kurumu muttered uncomfortably. "So she's fine, right?"

"No, she isn't! And maybe you don't care, but I bet Tsukune would if he knew."

"That's not true at all," Tsukune said as he stepped into view behind Kurumu. "We both care about her."

"Tsukune!" Kurumu shrieked as she spun around. "H-How long were you there?"

"Since right after I heard Karin-san shout the first time. I thought you two might be fighting, instead of making up."

"I tried!" Kurumu insisted desperately. "She's the one that doesn't want to be friends! She hates me!"

"I know you did," Tsukune replied softly, slipping an arm around Kurumu's waist and squeezing her gently. "But I don't think Karin-san really hates you. I don't think any of Moka-san's friends are really capable of hatred."

"You'd be surprised," Karin muttered under her breath.

Tsukune frowned at her. "It isn't like we tried to hide our relationship, Karin-san. Actually, Kurumu-chan has been telling everyone that will listen about us. I wanted to tell Moka-san and Mizore-chan in person first, but that's impossible now. I'd still like to apologize, though, so if you know where they are, then-"

"I'm not telling you anything!" Karin interrupted. "Unlike you, I protect my friends from things that hurt them!"

"But that's the best time for friends to let other friends know they care!" Tsukune argued.

"I won't give you another chance to hurt a friend of Anju's. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for her to make a real friend? It isn't about how I feel, can't you see that? As Anju's big sister, I have to do everything I can to protect her friends! That includes keeping them away from anything that might drive them to harm themselves!"

Tsukune gaped at her. "Y-You mean... Mizore-chan tried to...?"

"I don't know," Karin admitted. "Moka didn't say. But I can't even take the chance, so just stay away from us! Especially if you really care about Mizore-san!" Karin shoved past them and ran out of the bathroom.

Kurumu started to follow, but Tsukune caught her hand. "Tsukune?" she asked uncertainly.

"I don't think Karin-san was lying," he said quietly. "I know Mizore-chan must be upset right now, and I still want to see her and explain things, but if that would only upset her more right now, it can wait. You know it's hard for her to listen to reason when she's angry. She's been betrayed before."

"A-Are you mad at me?" Kurumu asked nervously.

Tsukune stared at her. "Why would I be?"

"Because I said I'd convince Karin to be our friend, and I didn't. You're not going to break up with me, are you?"

He almost said that the very idea was silly. But Tsukune could see the genuine fear and uncertainty in Kurumu's eyes, and they bothered him a great deal. "No, of course not, Kurumu-chan. Why would you think that? I love you. Even if you did something wrong, I'd most likely just forgive you."

She smiled at him, but it was a small, sad one, and nowhere near as pretty as the one she usually gave him. "I know you love me, Tsukune. But you also love Moka, Mizore, and Yukari. I'm so afraid that you'll change your mind and choose one of them instead. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, and-"

Tsukune leaned forward and kissed her, ending her rant abruptly. Kurumu did not resist, so he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. They stayed like that for several minutes, separating only when Kurumu broke the kiss and buried her face in Tsukune's chest.

"I need you to believe in me, Kurumu-chan. What can I do to convince you that I'd never leave you?"

"Honestly, Tsukune? Nothing. I know how you feel about the girls that are in your heart. You could never deny them anything that they needed, and they all need you, in their own way. I accepted that long before we started dating. I knew it would hurt me, and it does. But being with you is worth it. Still, there is something that would make me feel much better."

"Whatever you need, Kurumu-chan," Tsukune swore without thinking.

Kurumu smiled, reaching up to softly stroke his cheek. "I don't need it, but it's something I really want. I want something no other girl can take from me, or say they had. I want to be your first lover, Tsukune. Let me be your guide into the world of physical pleasure. I promise that you'll never regret it."

Tsukune stared at her, his mouth going dry. He had to admit that he'd thought of Kurumu that way before, thanks largely to the fact that she'd always encouraged him to. And now that Kurumu had asked it of him, he was finding it very hard to refuse. Really, there was no reason to. Kurumu was his girlfriend now, and he did love her. True, it would likely worsen the tension between he and the other girls, but he had no intention of punishing Kurumu for the sake of people outside of their relationship. That was the sort of thinking that had doomed his relationship with Moka on both their parts.

"I-I won't know what to do," he muttered, blushing and lowering his head. "I-I don't-"

"I'll teach you," Kurumu assured him with a smile. "That's half of the fun."

"Then... have you-?"

"No. I've been saving myself for my destined one. But it's a skill set that a succubus learns very early on, Tsukune."

He blinked. "How early, exactly?"

She giggled. "I'll tell you after."

"Why then?"

"Because then, you either won't care, or you won't have enough thought left in your head to take issue with it."


Anju had emerged from her deep slumber shortly after noon, only to find Mizore gradually clawing the bedsheets to shreds. "I lost it," was all she would whimper. The room itself offered no clues, as Mizore had torn it apart in her panic, and Moka was still returning things to their proper places as best she could.

"I don't know what she lost," Moka had admitted when Anju asked. "She won't say anything more."

Anju understood that even the average friend could only do so much, with so little to go on. But Mizore was Anju's only friend, and she was in desperate need. So despite Moka's protests, Anju had retraced her steps into the woods from the previous day, searching for whatever Mizore had lost. She had even left Boogie with Mizore, to offer what little comfort he could (Boogie hadn't liked that one bit, but Mizore found his attempts to escape her grasp somewhat amusing).

Somehow, Anju knew exactly what Mizore had lost the moment she saw it: a key chain with a snowman penlight attached to it, half-hidden in a clump of grass. It almost had to have been a gift from Tsukune, or Mizore wouldn't have cared about it at all.

Anju had just wrapped her fingers around the penlight when a foot came to rest beside her hand. It was a boy's foot, and not an especially large one. Yet there was a certain sense of weight about it, though it took Anju a moment to realize why. The boy's foot was only about six or seven inches long, but the indention in the grass surrounding it was nearly twice that, and strangely round, like a hoof.

"I'm sorry," was all he said, and in a blur of motion, he yanked out an enormous sledgehammer, seemingly out of thin air, and brought it crashing down where Anju had been a moment before.

Anju avoided the strike only because of the cloud of bats that surrounded her and tugged her aside. She did not bother to question who her attacker was, or why he was attacking her. All she knew was that she still hadn't fully recovered her strength, and that trying to handle this alone would be dangerous. She gave one of the bats a meaningful look, and it instantly streaked away, in search of her nearest sibling.

The boy picked up his hammer with one hand, staring at Anju with open curiosity. "If you surrender, I will end this quickly. You will barely feel anything."

Anju's gaze went to the hammer, and she imagined what a successful blow might feel like. "No."

"Very well."

The next strike came so fast and so close that the wind from it opened a small cut on Anju's cheek. It quickly became obvious to her that the first blow had been a warning. There was no other way to explain why his accuracy had improved so abruptly.

Backing away a good distance, Anju closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.

Assuming she had given up, the boy advanced, and very nearly got his head taken off by the ten foot tall teddy bear that suddenly burst from the ground and took a swipe at him with razor-sharp claws.

"Hans-kun, defend," Anju said quietly, and the bear backed up a few steps, placing itself directly in front of her.

"That is an impressive ability," the boy noted. "I suppose I cannot hold back any longer, either." His head bulged grotesquely for an instant, his dark hair thickening and sprouting up all over his face. He grew impossibly tall, until Anju found herself staring up at a minotaur that made her bear look like the toy that it had once been.

"I am Minos, a servant in Pan-sama's domain. I have been sent to destroy you."

"I do not wish to be destroyed," Anju pointed out, clutching at Hans' back.

"Then our battle will contin-"

"ANJU!!!"

All three turned as Karin crashed through the bushes, followed by Anju's bat. She took one look around and glared at the minotaur. "You! Why are you picking on Anju?! Leave her alone!"

Tsukune stumbled out of the bushes behind her. "I tried to tell you, Karin-san, this type of thing happens all the time around here..."

"And I told YOU to STOP FOLLOWING ME!" Karin snapped, stomping her foot.

"But-"

Minos grew annoyed with the interruption and swung his hammer, sending Tsukune and Karin running in opposite directions. Tsukune ended up near Anju, and nearly screamed when he noticed the huge bear looming over them.

"You shouldn't have come, Tsukune-san," Anju told him. "You're in danger here."

Tsukune smiled weakly. "It's okay, I'm used to bullies, so-"

"Not from him," Anju interrupted. "This situation is beyond our capabilities now. I will have to do something drastic." She turned towards Minos, who was advancing on Karin, and said, "Hans-kun, you know what to do."

The enormous bear sprang into action, darting past Minos and scooping up Karin as gently as if she were his cub. He turned and ran back towards Anju, taking a heavy blow from the sledgehammer on his back as he passed Minos, before depositing Karin safely between Anju and Tsukune.

Anju reached up to gently squeeze the bear's paw. "Thank you, Hans-kun. You can sleep now." With that, the bear vanished into thin air.

"Shouldn't you have kept him around?" Tsukune wondered aloud. "I thought he was our best chance at getting out of this unscathed."

Anju ignored him. "Onee-chan. I'll need to remove your rosario."

Tsukune and Karin exchanged matching expressions of worry, though for far different reasons: Tsukune, for fear of what that might mean, and Karin, from knowing exactly what it meant.

"Maybe you shouldn't," Tsukune began to say, his eyes wide with alarm, "if it's really that dangerous, then-"

"We must," Anju interrupted, sounding perfectly calm as she watched Minos stomp towards them. "Moka onee-sama would cry if you were hurt." With that, she reached up and tugged off Karin's red rosario.

The change was instant. Karin's eyes turned blood red, and matching wings burst from her back. With a feral roar, she leaped at Minos, who didn't even blink as he brought his hammer down in a perfect arc to crush Karin's skull. But a single flap of her wings took Karin out of the hammer's path, and straight into the minotaur's throat, which she bit into with a savagery that completely shocked Tsukune, sending blood flying everywhere.

"W-Why is she-?" he murmured.

"Onee-chan isn't like Moka onee-sama. She doesn't have two sides. There is only her, and her overriding instinct to share her blood at any cost. Being inside the school's barrier offers vampires extra protection in many ways, but she has never been quite like the rest of us. The barrier makes her weaker, and her blood reproduces far faster than it normally would. The rosario restrains her primal urge to share blood and reduces the rate at which her blood is reproduced. But removing the rosario automatically sends her into that primal state. Unfortunately, she is ruled by her instinct now, and has almost no control over what she does."

Tsukune swallowed hard as he watched Minos collapse heavily to the ground. The minotaur's body shrunk rapidly, returning to its human form. But Karin didn't let go until several seconds after that.

"Don't worry, he's only unconscious," Anju explained. "Onee-chan has never killed anyone. All she can do is alter their personality for an extended period."

"S-She's looking at us now, and she still looks mad," Tsukune stammered as Karin stalked towards them, making an odd hissing noise in her throat.

"Stay back, Tsukune-san," Anju instructed as she walked to meet Karin. "This is the part that's dangerous for you."

"But you can't possibly stop-"

"Onee-chan would never harm me. You, I'm not so sure about."

Tsukune stopped talking and ducked behind the nearest tree, hoping that Anju was right.

At first, Karin did not seem to recognize her sister, or even know she was there. It was only when she was about to pass Anju that Karin stopped and turned towards her.

"Onee-chan," Anju said quietly, holding out the red rosario. "We should leave now."

Karin blinked before slowly reaching out to take the rosario, attaching it to the chain around her neck. Instantly, her wings melted away, and the red glow faded from her eyes. She threw a guilty look at the former minotaur, and then glanced warily at Tsukune, who was still peeking from behind the tree.

"K-Karin-san?" he asked hesitantly. "Are you... you, again?"

She nodded, not saying a word.

"Go home, Tsukune-san," Anju said, taking her sister's hand and turning to leave.

"W-Wait!" Tsukune cried. "Are you going to see Moka-san and Mizore-chan?"

"Of course. Moka onee-sama is our sponsor, and Mizore-san is with her. But you are not welcome to visit at this time. No one is."

"But I-"

"Remember what I told you," Karin interrupted, shooting him a sharp look.

Anju motioned with her hand, and a small bat flew out of the trees, landing on Tsukune's arm and latching on tightly. "This little one will see you home safely. If you encounter danger, we will know and send help. Once you are back in your dorm, he will return to me."

Tsukune looked helplessly at the bat, which seemed to glower and dig its claws into his arm a little deeper, as punishment for not following Anju's orders. "O-Okay. But... could you at least tell Moka-san and Mizore-chan that whenever they're ready to talk, that I'd be glad to hear from them?"

Karin frowned but nodded. "We'll tell them. Now, please go."

Sighing, Tsukune turned and walked away, wincing as the bat "encouraged" him to walk faster every few steps.

"Anju, should you have done that?" Karin asked with concern. "I know you must still be tired from yesterday."

"It was necessary, for Moka onee-sama's peace of mind." Anju briefly patted her pocket, ensuring that the snowman penlight was still there. "Anyway, whatever happens, I'll be fine. I'm with you, and as long as we're here, you can protect me."

Karin smiled and squeezed her hand. "Yes, you're right. I forgot."

Anju nodded. "You really shouldn't, but I'll always remind you."


Kokoa had not liked the thought of the Maaka siblings staying with her family. They smelled different, they were weak, and worst of all, protecting them took up most of Moka's time. Kokoa was especially jealous of Anju and her closeness to Moka.

The thing was, even in her jealousy, Kokoa was determined to prove that she deserved Moka's affection, not Anju. That meant only doing things that would make Moka happy with her. And nothing would make Moka happier than knowing that Kokoa had sworn to protect the Maaka siblings as well.

Aside from that, Anju did have a few good points. She wasn't noisy, she kept to herself, and had taken to referring to Kokoa as "Kokoa onee-sama," something that gave Kokoa a strange sense of pride. But she didn't actually LIKE Anju or anything, as that would be silly and pointless. But of the three Maaka siblings, Anju was the only one that Kokoa deemed worthy of protection. Karin was too needy, requiring not only Moka constantly draining her blood, but also a specially customized rosario, which weren't easy to make. Ren was a pig, plain and simple.

Kokoa had outright refused to help Moka protect the Maakas. Secretly, though, she had been keeping an eye on Anju alone. Unfortunately, Anju was aware of that, if the bats that regularly dropped blood packets and snacks on Kokoa's head were any indicator.

However, Kokoa had decided that she would step in only if there was no other way for Anju to survive. She had very nearly intervened with the minotaur, but fortunately, Karin had been summoned. Once things were settled, there was no need for action on her part. Anju had purposely left the minotaur's memory unaltered, so he could go back to his leader and admit his failure.

Kokoa had no problem with that, not really. But when the boy began to show signs of waking up, she rushed him and planted an enormous mace in the center of his back. It was quite easy to hear the bones breaking over his screams.

"I don't care about the Maakas, so this isn't revenge," she told him. "But they are under Moka onee-sama's protection, and if they had been killed, it would be a stain on her reputation." Kokoa narrowed her eyes and pressed the mace deeper into the boy's broken back. "That, I can NEVER forgive."

But Kokoa was not completely without mercy. She only raised the mace once more, and the next time she brought it down, it was not meant to extend the boy's screams, but to silence them, for good.


As promised, Anju's bat left Tsukune the instant he was safely inside his room, escaping out of the open window. He was not so distracted by that as to miss the sight of Kurumu on his bed, naked except for the bed sheet wrapped around her body.

"I've been waiting for you, Tsukune. Did you forget what you promised me?"

"N-No, I was a little busy," he stammered. "Um, Kurumu-chan, are you really sure about-"

Kurumu smiled and beckoned him closer. "I don't have any doubts, Tsukune. You're my destined one. The only man worthy of receiving my love, and capable of giving it back in a way that could satisfy me. All I ever needed was you."

Tsukune swallowed hard as she reached out and stroked his arm. "Oh."

She giggled. "It's no fun being naked alone, Tsukune. You won't need those clothes for what I have planned, anyway."


Pan was one with the forest. He knew every event that went on in it, often before they even happened. He was aware of Minos' death the moment it happened, and it unsettled him.

Soma, always sensitive to her master's mood, felt the tension coming off of him at once. "What is it, Pan-sama?"

Sighing, Pan reached up and played with an errant strand of his white hair. "They've killed Minos."

Soma's face went blank for an instant, and then the calm rage descended upon her. "Please allow me to kill them, Pan-sama."

"I don't know if-"

"Please, Pan-sama."

Pan frowned. He intensely disliked being interrupted. It was the very reason he'd ripped out the left eye of the former club treasurer. But he understood that Soma was being consumed by her grief, and that she wasn't aware of her own rudeness. He would let it slide, this time. "Soma-chan," Pan said slowly, "you aren't thinking clearly. I understand that you want to avenge Minos, and I will certainly support you in that, but I must ask you to be patient."

Soma shook her head. "There is no point, Pan-sama. I cannot rest while my lover's blood cries out to me. I will do this now, with or without your support."

Something terrifying and ugly appeared briefly in Pan's eyes, but it passed quickly, and it took everything he had not to leap up and rip her throat out. "Get out," he hissed.

Nodding, Soma turned to leave, her human form melting away to expose her true body: that of a graceful centauress.

"Soma-san, please don't go!"

She paused, closing her eyes as the only other club member present rushed after her. "This is my choice, Euryale. To do anything less is a betrayal of Minos. I will either avenge him or join him. You must stay here, with Pan-sama. He will protect you."

"But-"

"Sit down, Eu-chan," Pan ordered, very nearly out of patience by then. "I want you to sing a song for poor Minos. It is only fitting."

"W-Will you stay, Soma-san? For the song?" Euryale asked hopefully.

Soma touched the smaller girl's shoulder lightly. "Not this time. But if I should die, feel free to sing it again. Any song good enough for Minos is fine for me."


While the rest of her family (immediate and extended, as it was) slept, Anju stared out of the window of Moka's room, going over the day's events.

Moka had not been pleased to learn of the attack on Anju, though she had admitted to being very puzzled over the reason. According to her, the Minos she knew of was a quiet boy with a small group of friends, and so far, they had never come into conflict with Moka, or the Newspaper Club. Minos suddenly wanting to hurt Anju simply made no sense at all. Moka was even more upset to hear that Tsukune had been on the scene, but only for a moment. Then she had ordered both Karin and Anju into bed, insisting that they had to be tired and needed their rest. Karin had fallen asleep at once, drained in every sense of the word. Anju had barely had time to return Mizore's snowman penlight before Moka picked her up and tucked her in beside Karin. The brief but heartfelt squeeze that Mizore gave Anju's hand was enough thanks, though.

Anju had remained awake, far too curious to sleep. Worried that Minos might spread the secret of Karin's rosario, she had eventually sent her bats to observe his movements. Only he hadn't been moving at all when they found him, and while she hadn't seen who had killed Minos, Anju had her suspicions. They only became stronger when her bats returned with one among them that was not under her command. She recognized him, of course, and he her, but neither said a word. He stayed only long enough to confirm that she was safe, and then had flown back into the night, no doubt to keep his mistress informed. Anju made sure to send a few bats after him, each carrying a packet of blood.

She had asked Kokoa more than once to simply admit to Moka that she was interested in their protection, as well. But Kokoa was stubborn and proud in all things, and insisted that Moka wouldn't trust her with the task. Anju understood that, but thought Moka was far more likely to simply be grateful for the help and do nothing. After all, caring for three vampires was a monumental task even for Moka, especially when Ren spent his nights in a random girl's dorm, and Karin's condition required so much extra attention. Anju tried not to be a burden, but knew that Moka worried for her more than the others, simply because of her age. It was almost amusing, since Anju was probably more intelligent than both of her siblings, at least when it came to restraining herself.


Ren liked to think he had a certain amount of control over his women. Nekonome certainly did what he told her, though as a teacher, she tended to ask why quite a bit. He didn't mind that so much, as he preferred a certain level of intelligence in his women, and being able to seduce them in spite of their brains was a credit to his charms.

But Yukari was quickly becoming a major annoyance, partially because she had too much brains, but mostly because Ren didn't even consider her one of his women. The problem came in convincing HER of that.

Ren couldn't seem to get away from her. She followed him around school, put love notes on his desk, and even broke into his locker so that she could leave him little presents. It started with heart-shaped chocolates, but quickly progressed to massage oils and baby clothes. Even worse, Ren couldn't make a clean break of it: he needed to be sure that Yukari's witch powers didn't somehow restore her altered memory, so he had to keep an eye on her, much as he hated doing so. Naturally, Yukari saw that as his being interested in her, and Ren had quickly grown accustomed to prying her off of him.

He finally demanded that Nekonome hide him at her place, which turned out to be an apartment complex located a few minutes from the school. Ren had thought he'd be in for some well deserved, comfortable sleep, as curling up in bed with Nekonome was far more relaxing than he'd first anticipated.

It was so nice, in fact, that when Ren awoke around three in the morning to find Yukari's naked form pressed firmly against his back, he decided to ignore her, pressed his face into Nekonome's hair, and quickly went back to sleep. He did not even make a scene when he woke up the next morning, and found Yukari's hand clamped around his genitals. Instead, he calmly shook Nekonome awake, and instructed her to give Yukari detention for the next century. When Nekonome pointed out that Yukari wouldn't be in school that long, Ren seriously considered turning the little witch into a vampire just so she could serve out the sentence.


Tsukune came awake violently in the middle of the night, half expecting to see a silver-haired Moka glaring at him from the foot of the bed. Instead, there was no one, and all he succeeded in doing was waking up Kurumu.

"Mmm... Tsukune?" Kurumu asked sleepily, tugging him back down beside her. "Can't you sleep?"

"Sorry, Kurumu-chan. I had a nightmare," Tsukune muttered.

"About Moka?" Kurumu sighed.

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to worry about her. I really think Moka will see that this is best for all of us."

"And if she doesn't?"

Kurumu smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "Then you still shouldn't worry. You are my destined one, Tsukune. I would fight to protect you against any threat, even Moka."

"But you've never really beaten her before, Kurumu-chan."

"That doesn't matter. You're my boyfriend now. I can do anything, so long as you want to be with me."

Tsukune thought she was just thinking positive. He tended to forget that Kurumu was a succubus, or at least that she was capable of doing the same things that any other could. He could not really be blamed for this, for part of the lure of a succubus is that they distract from what they truly are. But that in no way changes what they are capable of.

There were many reasons why Kurumu asked to be Tsukune's lover. Among them was the fact that now that they had consummated their relationship, Kurumu was far stronger than she had ever been before. If someone threatened to take her mate, she would only become stronger. If they actually succeeded, then Kurumu wouldn't hesitate to respond with lethal force. That was how much it mattered to a succubus, to keep her mate. But it was also something that Kurumu feared a great deal.

She knew it was within her abilities to kill all of her friends, if it came to that. She knew it was something that Tsukune would never forgive. What she didn't know was whether she'd be able to stop herself.

End of Part 2.


Next Chapter: Soma's Fury

"You will die here," the centauress proclaimed, tightly gripping her spear.

Mizore blinked and glanced at Ren. "Did you dump her or something, after you slept with her?"

Ren bristled and glared at her. "I've never seen her before! I thought she was one of the people that you stalk."

Mizore shook her head. "You've already met all of the people that I stalk."

He snorted. "Perhaps, but it's not as if I pay attention to them."

"Then maybe you dumped a friend of hers?"

"Why are you assuming it's me that she's after?" Ren demanded.

"Well, one of us has a history of preying on and using women. The other one's me. And I feel like killing you half of the time myself, so..."