CH 3
After Karasuba charged off to go find Tsukune, Uzume decided to go see Chiho. Much had happened, and she hadn't seen her friend in a few days. Initially, Uzume had wanted Chiho to be her Ashikabi, but Chiho had refused, knowing she was sick and didn't have long to live. Uzume hated going into the hospital. Not because of Chiho, but because of Higa, who knew she was a Sekerie. As she suspected a couple of Higa's Sekerie met her just inside the door.
"Higa Izumi wants to see you," a red head stated.
"Of course," Uzume grumbled.
Uzume was led up to the scoundrel's office and shown inside.
Higa was leaned back in his chair, Sekerie on either side of him. "Ahh, Uzume! I've been waiting for you. I have a small job that needs to be done."
Uzume tightened her fists. This man was ensuring Chiho got her medicine to contain her blood disease. If she didn't do as Higa said, he strongly hinted that Chiho was going to 'slip away' one night. Chiho's life depended on Uzume doing as he said. She hated it, but she loved Chiho. "Who do you want me to kill?" she asked, monotone.
"But your last target you didn't kill," he reminded her. Leaning forward he said, "Don't worry, I know who stopped you. His name is Aono Tsukune. I know with your sexy little body, you should be quite compelling." He handed one of his Sekerie a scrap of paper. The Sekerie brought it to Uzume.
"Get Aono to this warehouse tomorrow night. I don't care if you plead with him, bang his brains out, whatever it takes. Just be sure he's there."
Uzume looked up at him in shock. To hide what Tsukune was to her, she said, "Why will he listen to me? You do know Karasuba, number four, is his Sekerie."
Higa sported a brief smile. "So much the better. That will be another annoyance out of my way. You know, it will be a shame if Chiho's expensive medicine doesn't arrive on time. If Aono is there, I'm sure her medicine will arrive like it should."
Uzume snapped the paper out of the other Sekerie's hand. She turned and walked out. Her head was spinning, a knot formed in her gut. She was suppose to lead her own Ashikabi into a trap? She'd been killing for Higa to keep Chiho alive. What was she suppose to do now? She knew if she said anything to anyone, they would know she was a traitor. But to stab her own Ashikabi in the back?
Uzume stopped at the intersection. To the left was Chiho's room. She knew Chiho was always happy to see her. To the right was the exit, but then what? If she visited Chiho. Guilt might make something slip. Something might happen to Chiho anyway. She turned right. Her Ashikabi was strong. Maybe he would kill her. That was fine as long as she could get him to promise he'd watch out for Chiho.
.
Tsukune was glad that Karasuba finally let go of him. Being led down the street was embarrassing.
"Did I miss any good fights?" Karasuba asked crisply.
Tsukune eyed her and said, "There is more to life than fighting."
Karasuba let out a snort and asked, "Like what?"
Tsukune walked in thought, then said, "There must be something you enjoy."
"There is," Karasuba agreed. "Vanquishing a challenging foe. To battle an opponent and crush them. To have your enemy laid out at your feet, defeated," she said with a smile.
Lifting his arms to let them flop down, he asked, "What about having friends? Companions? People who like to see you?" he asked.
Cracking a grin, she said, "I have the most powerful Ashikabi. That is all I need."
"No, you don't." he said with a huff. "The most powerful one died."
"If they died, they couldn't have been that powerful,"
Tsukune stopped short, ready to belt her again. Seeing this, she asked, "Was it something I said?"
"Are you trying to provoke me?" Tsukune growled.
"I am not. I merely stated a fact. I can't help it if it is a fact you don't like."
"What makes you think you're unbeatable?" Tsukune asked heavily.
Karasuba cast him an even gaze and said, "I'm not. You proved that. What I am, is willing to fight and do my very best to vanquish any foe you choose. I know you want to go after MBI, and I will fight for you to my dying breath. What I will not do, is sit on the sidelines and allow you to fight by yourself. That would be dishonorable for BOTH of us. I will protect you whether you like it or not."
"The last woman who did that, is dead," Tsukune stated heavily.
"I'm not Moka!" Karasuba stated, "I do know that Moka would not want me to let you face dangers alone. You know that too, so quit fighting me."
Tsukune gritted his teeth at her mentioning Moka's name. Forcing himself to stay somewhat calm, he said, "You're right. You're not Moka, and you never will be." He then marched away towards the Inn they were finally coming to.
"Tsukune,"
The cold feel of the voice sending a chill up his spine told Tsukune immediately who it was. He turned to look, Karasuba drew her sword and stepped in front of him, searching for a target.
"Stop it," Tsukune said. Putting a foot behind hers, he pulled Karasuba back and tripped her flat.
Mizore peeked out from the Inn's fence then vaulted over it to cast him a satisfied smile.
"Mizore... how did you get here?" Tsukune asked.
Mizore hugged him and said, "Me and boob woman have been looking for you."
"Who is this?" Karasuba demanded as she came close and cast Mizore a hateful look. Mizore touched Karasuba's arm. Karasuba froze solid. Mizore flicked her on the nose and Krasuba tipped. Luckily, Tsukune caught her and lowered her to the ground.
Instead of trying to fight it, Tsukune asked, "Where is Kurumu?"
"Tsukune!" came a cry from above. Kurumu dropped down to embrace Tsukune in a breast smothering hug and knocked him flat.
"We've been so worried!" Kurumu cried. She was then hit with a block of ice from above.
"Don't smother him," Mizore stated.
Tsukune realized they were pulling their stunts in broad daylight in the human world. He pushed Kurumu up off him. "OK, OK! Glad to see you too!" Tsukune cried. "We need to get Karasuba up an get off the street!"
.
A short while later, Karasuba was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and shivering as she cast Mizore a hostile stare. Tsukune sat on the floor between Karasuba and Mizore, facing his two school friends across the low table from him.
"Tsukune why did you leave us?" Kurumu asked in a pleading voice.
"I didn't leave. Issa Shuzen threw me through a portal," he explained. "I'm sure he has some scheme going. I just have no idea what."
Mizore pointed at the angry Karasuba and asked, "Who's the Popsicle?"
With a huff, Tsukune explained. "That's Karasuba. Please don't freeze her again. She's a Sekerie ..."
"Your Sekerie," Karsuba said firmly.
Kurumu frowned a her, then at Tsukune. "You're my Destined one, Tsukune. What do you need her for?"
"My Mate of Fate," Mizore said, pointing at Tsukune.
"I really need to explain this," Tsukune told them.
"Well?" Kurumu asked.
The best he could, Tsukune explained what Sekerie were and this battle game the MBI made up. As he stumbled through, Karasuba kept filling in details as she glared at Mizore.
.
"So, I guess that's it," Tsukune concluded. "Minaka wants all Sekerie to fight each other just for fun."
"To win the prize for our Ashikabi," Karasuba said, correcting him.
"For his amusement," Tsukune stated heavily. "I want it stopped, It's bad enough people fight when they have to. Making a game out of hurting and killing people is wrong."
"Um," Mizore said with a nod. "I'll go freeze him."
"It won't be that easy. He runs the city," Tsukune explained. "We'll end up hurting innocents. Before we move, we need a plan."
"Good!" Karasuba stated. "At least now you're acting like an Ashikabi."
Tsukune ignored her statement. He knew nothing was going to be done unless he started it. Looking at his two friends, he said, "This is going to be dangerous."
Mizore shrugged.
"When is it not dangerous?" Kurumu asked. Laying a hand over his, she said, "Tsukune, we fight for what's right, don't we? I know you're having a hard time since Moka died. She died for what she believed in as any of us will do. If you truly honor Moka's memory, you will do what you know is right."
"And give me a baby," Mizore added.
"Fu fu fu," Miya chuckled as she appeared from the side. In a musical tone she said, "Not indecent acts at the Masion Izumo."A dark purple mask floated over her. Kurumu gaped at her.
"Scary," Mizore mono toned with her blank face.
"We won't, honest Miya," Tsukune told her.
"Not here. Hotel room," Mizore added.
"Mizore, you're not helping," Tsukune said evenly.
"You're not helping me either," Mizore replied.
"Can't you think of anything besides freezing people and BABIES!" Karasuba yelled as she glared at Mizore.
With a shake of her head, Mizore replied, "Um um."
.
Tsukune's room filled up fast. Neither Kurumu nor Mizore would allow Karasuba to sleep in his room without them. When asking about Uzume's room, Miya assured him she still had it, though now since Tsukune was her Ashakibi, he had to pay for that one also, even though Uzume had moved her futon into his room.
Karasuba and Uzume had put their futons on either side of Tsukune. As they got their bedding set for the night, Kurumu and Mizore edged in on either side of Tsukune, their pillows right against his. Karasuba frowned and poked Mizore.
"What's the big idea?" Karasuba asked.
"Like you want it," Mizore stated.
"What?"
"You protect Tsukune, right?" Mizore asked.
"I do!" Karasuba stated.
"Good, you protect, I make the babies. What's your problem?"
Karasuba opened her mouth to come back at her, but her mind was blank. She'd just admitted Mizore was right.
.
If Tsukune's own troubles weren't enough, Minato began seeing a young girl in the tree outside. No one else saw her, but Minato insisted she was there. Tsukune wondered if maybe he was getting oxygen deprived sleeping with Musubi. She did have an enormous set of jugs on her. That was a potentially fatal breast smothering for sure.
He also met more Sekerie. The sisters Hikari and Hibiki wore only basically dark blue / purple bras and short-shorts. Their Ashikabi, Seo who wore only a white T-shirt and work pants was not Miya's most favorite person. She called him a freeloader to his face. His girls bowed and apologized profusely on his behalf and tried to help Miya while the man did nothing himself.
Tsukune also got to meet the mysterious Kagari, who lived here and worked at a 'hosting' place. The slim man seemed kind of effeminate to Tsukune. Then again, who was Tsukune to judge.
Uzume came in after dinner. Upon seeing Uzume and noting her large chest, Kurumu pulled her shoulders back and chest out as she wiggled closer to Tsukune. Nope, no sense of competition there. Although Uzume greeted everyone, there was no bounce in her step or smile on her face. Tsukune felt there was something wrong with her. It was nothing he could identify, except for a deep sadness he felt from her. Tsukune watched as she got a drink and waved off an offer for Miya to make her something to eat.
For some reason, the TV was drawing a large crowd. Focused on Uzume, Tsukune didn't pay much attention to the report of the overgrown forest in the park. He tapped Uzume on the leg to get her attention. "Something happen today with Chiho?" he asked.
"What?" Uzume asked, looking surprised. Recovering, she said, "Ah, Chiho is fine. The medicine is still working," she assured him.
"What are you hiding?" Mizore asked from over her shoulder.
Uzume spun, surprised Mizore was behind her. "Chiho is fine," Uzume repeated.
This time, Tsukune got it. There was something important Uzume wasn't saying. He looked at Mizore. "Go to my room, I'll meet you there." he said in a soft voice. "Kurumu, you too."
Kurumu cast him a sly look. "In your room?" she asked, growing a grin.
"Please."
"Yaa-hoo," Kurumu sang and got up. Tsukune watched them both leave.
"Ashikabi?" Uzume asked.
Tsukune motioned her to sit beside him. She did. He put an arm around her and held her close. Into her ear, he softly said, "Kurumu can read minds. Facts, fears, desires. Everything. I know something is not right with you. You can tell me here, or I'll take you up to my room and Kurumu will dig everything out of that pretty head of yours."
Uzume cast him a horrified look. Tsukune only nodded and said, "Choose."
While the conversation around the TV was going on about a 'Green Girl', Uzume kept from crying as she told him what Higa was making her do. She'd no more than finished when Minato yelled out, "It's her. We've got to go save her!"
Karasuba was on her feet in an instant, looking at Tsukune.
"Minato! Where? Who are we saving?" Tsukune asked.
Minato turned to Tsukune and pointed to the TV. "That little girl, MBI is after her. She's in the park!"
Uzume's troubles could wait. "Uzume, go get Mizore and Kurumu. Tell them to hurry. Karasuba, you ready to rock?" Tsukune said.
"Say the word, Ashikabi!" Karasuba announced as she stood tall.
"I must go to my room," Kagari announced and walked away.
Tsukune had no idea what that was about, that guy was just plain weird. To Minato, he said, "We'll help you go get her and run interference for you."
"Thank you."
Uzume ran in with Kurumu and Mizore. Tsukune said, "Kurumu, take Minato to where he has to go then keep a watch on us from above, Mizore, guard our rear. Come on let's go!"
.
Outside, Sekerie poured through the door. Kurumu grabbed Minato around his middle and launched herself into the air with a "Yaa-Hoooo!" Minato just screamed and flailed as Kurumu flew away.
"He'll be safe!" Tsukune told everyone. Tsukune bounced over the rooftops with the Sekerie. Seo was carried along by his two Sekerie.
"Where in the park is she?" Tsukune asked as they raced for their destination.
"Don't know! Minato needs to find her," Kagari shouted back.
"Kagari?" Tsukune asked. The boy was wearing a black outfit and a face mask now.
"No! I'm Homura."
"If you say so."
"I AM Homura!"
"Whatever you say, let's get there."
Jumping on to the last row of buildings, they looked down on the park and the MBI guards standing behind barriers. Tsukune also saw Sekerie, or someone with weapons coming from the side. The MBI men looked up to see Kurumu winging into the park, holding a flailing Minato.
"Seo! Get your girls to take those guards out. Kagari..."
"It's HOMURA!" Homura yelled.
"FINE! Follow them and don't let anyone who's not us in that park," Tukune commanded. "Uzume, Karasuba, see those ones coming? Stop them! Mizore?"
"Um." Mizore said from right behind him.
Tsukune felt the chill behind him. He wished she'd stop doing that. "Help whoever needs it. GO!"
Seo's twins lit up the park entrance with lightning, blowing up vehicles and sending men tumbling. Homura ran in to light fires that sent the men running. He then stood, blocking the entrance a So and his girls ran into he park.
As they all jumped down, Tsukune noticed a flaw in his plan. Although Karasuba and Uzume had the right hand side blocked, he was by himself on the left. A pair of Sekerie were running towards him. One girl had an ax, the other bore a massive hammer.
'Oh great, another Kokoa,' Tsukune thought. Seeing someone standing back by a car as if to wait for the outcome, Tsukune knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight. He'd have to give it his all. He took his Holy Lock off and pocketed it. His yokai flared up, the black veins grew on his skin. His hair grew silver as his eyes turned red and became cat-shaped.
.
The three Sekerie stopped a respectful distance in front of Uzume and Karasuba.
"Karasuba?" the strong number five Sekerie named Mutsu asked. "What are you doing here?"
Karasuba grinned. "Well well, Mutsu, you can try to get past me, or turn your tail and run. If you wish a challenge, I accept."
Mutsu said, "Yomi, go get the green girl. Juuza, take the one on the right. I'll keep Karasuba busy."
"You hope," Karasuba said, her eyes shining with battle lust. Both sides charged. The fight was on.
.
"STOP OR DIE!" Tukune bellowed at the pair running at him. They stopped.
"What is he?" the girl with the ax asked in a whisper.
"How would I know?" the girl with the hammer asked. She called to Tsukune. "We need to go in the park. You're not a Sekerie, so step aside!"
"GO or I will hurt you," Tsukune replied heavily.
"Take his left, I'll get his right," the Ax girl said. Both zipped off to the sides.
Tsukune flashed to his right. The girl swung her ax. He ducked under it and kicked her in the stomach to send her flying through the air and come down on the roof of the car. He spun to meet the other girl letting out a battle cry as she swung her mighty hammer down. Tsukune let out a roar of rage and punched the head of the hammer. The hammer went flying out of the girl's hands and buried itself in a building.
While the girl was stunned by her hammer flying away, Tsukune raced up, turned her around and sunk his fangs into her neck. He drank a bit as she flailed and screamed. He then threw her back at the car. She landed to indent the hood.
Sitting up, the girl held a hand to her neck, pointed at him and cried, "He BIT me!"
The Ax girl got up and came at him, cocking back to swing. Tsukune raced at her and hit her open palmed in the center of her chest. She flew back to hit the other girl who was getting up.
The man stepped away from the car and pulled a pistol.
Tsukune ran at him dodging from side to side. The man shot twice, missing both times. An Ice javelin came down to strike directly in front of him. The man stepped back and looked up for where it came from. Tsukune got behind him and flung him into the side of his car. The car rocked, the man fell limp. He hadn't been a Sekerie. The impact broke his neck.
"Ashikabi!" both girls cried. They crowded around him, then with a final wail of agony, both fell dead.
Huh?
Tsukune checked the girls. No heartbeat, no breath. They had suddenly died for no reason. How did THAT happen? Tsukune thought maybe he'd hit them too hard. No, they were both fine a moment ago. He found no reason for them to just flop down dead. At least he hadn't killed them.
From above, Mizore yelled, "Minato's coming! He's carrying a girl!"
Tsukune had to sort out what happened later. Uzume was fighting a girl with a pole arm, Karasuba was fighting another swordsman who barely looked to be holding his own, and Homura was struggling against another Ice woman.
It was time to leave. Tsukune pulled his Holy Lock out. He wanted to put it on, but his body resisted the movement. The streets were full of nice, ripe and hot bodies to drink from. Hearts beating hard and pumping blood like a tasty fountain, just for him.
Concentrate! You have will, use it!
Tsukune blinked. He swore Moka had just shouted in his ear. He did as she ordered. Forcing himself, he put his Holy Lock back on. The fast retraction of his yokai made him stumble. He had to help Minato!
Tsukune flung the bodies away from the car and looked in. Keys, good. He got in and drove at the ice woman, lights on and blowing the horn. That distracted her. He turned quickly away in a drift as Homura hit her with a fireball and knocked her down. Sliding to a stop, Tsukune saw Minato, Seo Musubi and the Twins racing at him.
"Get in the car!" he yelled, and raced over to help his Sekerie finish their fight.
The Pole arm woman had her full attention on Uzume. She never heard him coming. He raced up and punched her in the back of the head, knocking her cold. The Mutsu guy was on the loosing end. Karasuba was hacking away in lightning fast strokes, backing him up. He noted Homura didn't look the best, wobbling in place.
Tsukune paused. "Uzume! Get Homura and meet me on the roof!"
Uzume nodded and ran for the stumbling Homura.
Tsukune wanted to end Karasuba's fight, but for how fast they were moving, it might be dangerous for her if he interfered. He did see someone trying to sneak around behind Karasuba. Racing around the fight, he saw a pink haired girl in a ripped Kimono. Seeing him, she braced herself and punched out. The punch was a shock wave. Tsukune jumped over it and came down in front of her. He slapped her hard, knocking her to the ground.
"GO before I eat you!" Tsukune growled, radiating as much yokai as possible.
The girl jumped up, fists ready, though she was shaking. "Stop by order of the discipline squad!" she barked.
A male cry of pain sounded out. Then Karasuba announced, "This is the blade of my pledge. Exterminate the sworn enemies of my Ashikabi!"
A large round ball of ice hit the pink haired girl in the side of the head. She stumbled. Tsukune raced up, grabbed her by her slim hips from behind and spun around twice before throwing her up in the air, screaming into the night sky. Seeing Karasuba standing over her vanquished foe, Tsukune called. "Minato's got her, Let's go."
Despite leaving a car running, door opened so they could escape, They ran down an alley. Tsukune shook his head and followed. Why had he bothered?
A long piece of helicopter blade fell from the sky to drive into the pavement. Not long after, the blade-less helicopter crashed, exploding in flames.
From above, Kurumu called, "Tsukune, they are bringing more guns on helicopters!"
"We're heading back to the Inn. Get down here and stay low."
Collecting everyone together, they ran for home.
.
A happy tired was what most of the people were when they returned to the Maison Izumo. Tsukune wasn't one of them. Yes, they had ensured that Minato saved the green girl, but he had other things on his mind. Uzume tried to slip off, but he caught her elbow. "Wait," he said firmly. He then turned to the group. "Can I have your attention please?"
Once everyone was looking at him, Tsukune said. "Minato, I'm glad we could help. Now, I need some of your help. The Higa guy that runs the hospital were Uzume's friend Chiho is being treated, has been threatening to stop providing Chiho with her medicine unless Uzume does what HE orders her to do. If he does that, Chiho will not have very long to live. This … scum bag also wants to lure me into someplace to be captured or whatever, and planned on using Uzume to do it."
Karasuba's response was immediate. "You would betray our Ashikabi!" she asked in a screech. Her hand went to her sword.
"NO, Uzume would not!" Tsukune stated, staring back at her. "That is why she told me what is happening. I want to set up our own trap for these thugs. We're going to give them a taste of their own medicine and I promise, that man will pay for blackmailing Uzume with her friend's life!"
Karasuba nodded. "I am at your side, My Ashikabi!" she announced.
"I trust you, My Ashikabi," Uzume said in a meeker tone.
"Tsukune, tell us what we need to do," Minato stated.
Tsukune sat Uzume down and had her tell him about Higa and all his Sekerie.