Chapter 3: Last moments until collapse

The little café on the outskirts of the town wasn`t very popular and had very few visitors every day. It was infamous for its terrible coffee and stale cakes. But for two middle-aged men it was a perfect place: after all they came there not for a cup of coffee.

"What do you want?" asked middle-aged waitress in tempting, seductive voice. One might think she was pretty in her young age but now the waitress definitely tried to hide her worn appearance with make-up.

"A cup of tea" grimaced a dark-haired man. He didn`t look very well: his shirt was wrinkled and his face was tired. Aono Koji surely wasn`t in his best shape.

"Cappuccino, please" Koji`s companion smiled charmingly. He was complete opposite of Aono – blonde hair combed with neatness, elegant and expensive clothes and confident attitude. The waitress`s heart melted as she whispered:

"As you wish…" and she withdrew.

"Man, that kind of women is too predictable" yawned blonde man. "As soon as they see an outstanding person they begin to seduce him even if they`re ugly like a hell".

Koji looked at him grimly:

"We`ve come here not to discuss women, Hajime".

"Don`t be so mad, Koji" Hajime laughed. "I only tried to begin conversation. For somebody who vanished nearly eighteen years ago to call me… Of course, I was surprised that you were asking me for meeting. And today… Well, I was shocked when I saw you. I even didn`t recognize you at first! Who would think that the genius Koji would someday turn into average salary man? Man, I fail to understand you! You abandoned everything you had for some stupid reason. You could have everything – money, power, influence, the love of most beautiful women – and yet you left to live plain live with boring job and average family! Well, I somehow can understand your wish of having own family but to give up such a perfect live… It`s too much, you know?"

Hajime`s voice was extremely friendly and cheerful, but Koji knew him too well to fall for it. That blonde man was incredibly good actor who had deceived so many people. He was a fake, a rotten hypocrite without any shame. Now Hajime was playing a role of old friend with some success. Only his cold grey eyes betrayed him showing deep hatred for his companion. Koji saw it clearly. It was always like that: arrogant and selfish Hajime couldn`t stand anybody better then himself but always concealed that fact with sweet hypocritical smile. Now he got a great chance to humiliate his old rival.

"It doesn`t matter at all" said Koji with some disgust – he never liked Hajime too. "You`ve already known why I was looking for meeting with you".

"Yeah, it`s because you`re scared to death" Hajime stopped pretending and smirked arrogantly. "You`re afraid to meet your master and…"

"Nonsense!" Koji suddenly lost his cool striking his hand fiercely on the table. "He`s never been my master! And will never be! The only master I had died many years ago!"

"What a temper!" chuckled blonde man mockingly. "But I`m pretty surprised that you called your best friend your master as he would never approve it. Still, you were raised well to know your own position. You knew that friendship between master and servant is something impossible. Now I recognize old Koji!"

The dark-haired man stayed silent then said grimly:

"I`ve decided to return. But if any of you dare to lay your filthy hands on my family you`ll regret that you`ve born".

"So it`s true that your wife knows only some facts about your past and your son is still oblivious" Hajime smirked. Koji frowned at his words: his old acquaintance accidently blurted that his family was observed. So Aono really hadn`t any other choice than to leave.

"They have nothing to do with that" he grimaced.

"I doubt it" smiled Hajime. "Especially about your son. Don`t you want a successor?" he wanted to add something but noticed Koji`s furious face and decided to change the theme: "Anyway, about your request… You see, you can`t return like this…"

"I need to get some job done, I suppose?" hissed Koji through his teeth.

Hajime threw him a folder instead of answer. His companion took out some pictures and examined them thoroughly. Then he muttered:

"A monstrel, a troll, a mermaid and two vampires? It`s not as easy, especially vampires. I haven`t done this job for ages…"

"Don`t even try to underrate your own abilities" growled Hajime. "Or you assumed that our clan would leave you in peace if you lost them? By the way it`s ridiculously easy job. Even vampires are only low-rank scum which has nothing to do with really powerful high-ranked nobility. So I advice you not to try deceive us otherwise I personally force your son to make this job instead of you!"

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Newspaper Club tried their best to complete their important task but they work didn`t have any joy at all now. At least, before they all were really interested in making that special issue despite of colossal efforts. And now everything somehow lost its importance.

After Tsukune learned about his father's leaving the mood in their company changed drastically. The girls were afraid that he would be depressed but it seemed they were wrong. Instead their friend got angry. He didn`t believe in his mother`s story at all and wanted to find the truth himself. The teenager even told that to Kyoko that day but she hadn`t agreed with him.

"And where will you go? You haven`t even slightest clue! Besides, how much time will you spend in your search? Or you decided to drop out of school after all that arguments to stay in that hellish place? Do you really want to throw away your own life for your father who maybe doesn`t deserve your trust at all? I beg you to stay away from this. If it's stupid misunderstanding or something like that your father will simply return home. And if not… Let it be".

Tsukune stopped his argument with cousin that time but all girls clearly understood that he hadn`t abandon his idea.

Kurumu sighed looking with a deep sorrow at Tsukune. He gaze was distant as if he wasn`t in room at all. When somebody asked human teenager about something he didn`t reacted immediately so girls decided leave him alone. Mizore was sitting between Yukari and Kurumu. Any other day those three would surely end up fighting because of their love interest but now they were sharing each other feeling of worry and concern. Neither of them even hadn`t complain about Moka sitting beside Tsukune. The girls were secretly hoping that their cheerful pink-haired friend somehow would manage to revive his spirit to some extent.

But Moka herself didn`t even know what to say to her first friend. She could understand his feelings: after all her mother had left without any explanations too. On other hand vampire girl seriously doubted whether she had a right to compare those two situations. After all nobody had accused Akasha of something indecent. Moka was sure that she would be surely broken if somebody tried to shake her truth in mother. She even envied Tsukune`s will. How could he decide to find a truth instead of falling into despair? Despite of his shock Tsukune quickly overcome his depression and now was definitely thinking about possible ways to solve entire situation. The pink-haired vampire would never think her first friend was such a person.

Suddenly the door burst open revealing Gin with the widest and silliest smile on his face.

"How are you guys? Have you missed me?" he exclaimed. Everybody raised their heads and then silently returned to work.

Gin`s smile vanished: "Come on, guys! What`s happened with the mood here?"

"Maybe you will tell us where you were all this time, won`t you?" asked Kurumu with no real interest. Some days ago she was going to beat the perverted sempai to pulp when he returned. But now succubus had no time to be mad at Gin.

"What does it mean?" the werewolf was greatly surprised. "I asked Headmaster for the permission to visit Sun. Haven`t anybody told you that? Anyway, Sun helped me greatly with some material. She had to write many articles about alumni while studying here…"

"Stop!" cried Yukari forgetting about previous grimly mood. "Don`t tell me that you`re really working at special issue all this time!"

Gin nodded proudly. Now everybody looked at him with shock. Then Mizore stated solemnly:

"If even that lazy pervert is working than apocalypse is surely drawing near. We`re doomed".

Suddenly everybody burst out laughing for a moment forgetting about all worries and problems. Gin-sempai without any intention managed to change the atmosphere completely…

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A tan beautiful woman with short blonde hair decorated with a rosary was sitting in the luxurious arm-chair waiting for the meeting. Shuzen Gyokuro, the Head of mighty Shuzen vampire clan, couldn`t hide her confident triumphant smile. At last all her efforts would be paid off. Otherwise, why should the great Vampire Council send her a private letter? From today Shuzen clan would have as much authority as Gyokuro desired.

The female vampire glanced at the wall studying the world map hanging there. It was hand-made and decorated with jewels. All continents were divided into five parts, colored in black, silver, deep blue, red and purple. Gyokuro found the Japan easily and for some time stared on the border between red and purple there.

'It`s my win, Akasha. You can`t do anything now. Besides, Bloodriver clan never has had real authority here, in Japan' she thought with nearly insane look. 'Today, I`ll take your place in the Council'.

Gyokuro smirked. It was a perfect opportunity. The Vampire Council consisted of the heads of five most powerful and influential vampire clans. But now two seats were empty which caused some misbalance in vampire society. Moreover, Shuzen clan gained much more influence lately.

A young servant approached the vampire female:

"Gyokuro-sama, the Council is waiting for you".

The blonde woman followed the servant and entered grandiose hall lighten by torches and decorated with crimson hangings and drapes. There was a huge round table in the middle and five chairs.

Gyokuro bowed greeting the Council members and then stayed waiting for their response. She examined them attentively. The man opposite her was a handsome raven-haired vampire with black rosary decorated by amethysts on his chest. His black eyes reminded Gyokuro of abyss as they were cold and merciless. His name was Souma and he was considered as one of most dangerous youkai in the world because of his infinite hatred and disgust of humankind. Besides, his beliefs were completely opposite of Akasha`s who was only one to balance his violent nature in the Vampire Council. Otherwise he would start the war with humanity long time ago. Gyokuro seriously considered that male her main ally.

On the left sat a young guy with curly blonde hair and extremely innocent look. He wore a plain white shirt and dark pants and had a thick chain with a big golden rosary decorated with three sapphires hanging from his neck. Gyokuro saw that male first time but as she knew he was a new head of Habicht clan who had succeed to his father some months ago. The vampire female couldn`t even imagine what that youngster would do but was pretty sure he wouldn`t be too cocky to disagree with other two. So young vampire wasn`t a problem at all.

And the last one was Stanislav, an old eccentric vampire from Eastern Europe. Despite his age he looked pretty young. Stanislav had long grey hair and wore nearly ridiculous black cape and all-fashioned shirt. He had three silver rosaries with strange symbols. The old vampire seemed indifferent and always said he didn`t care about human race. But that statement never prevented Stanislav from getting into trouble with monster law as he was infamous for creating ghouls from unfortunate human tourists and keeping them as watch dogs. That council member was unpredictable but Gyokuro never considered him a real threat to her plans.

Souma stated lazily:

"As we all know, some weeks ago we had got a request from Shuzen Gyokuro, the head of Shuzen vampire clan to hold an emergency meeting. So we all are very interesting in the reasons of such a request".

Gyokuro nodded beginning her explanation choosing the words carefully. She started with a hard situation in monster society, reminded about lose of ancient authority of vampire race in last two centuries then about deep connections between Shuzen clan and the great Alucard. After that female proceeded to description of her organization, Fairy Tale. Gyokuro didn`t even try to hide its true objective. After all she spoke not to the human-loving Great Monster Council but to the Vampire Council where as she knew wasn`t any fan of that foolish coexistence idea. The vampire female ended her speech with a formal request to let her join the Council.

During her speech all three males showed different attitude. The young head of Habicht looked confused, shocked and even somehow horrified. Stanislav seemed completely uninterested. And Souma showed no emotions at all until he heard her request. For a moment he smirked evilly but immediately switched to more neutral expression.

"So you want to be a part of the Council?" asked raven-haired vampire raising from his seat and approaching Gyokuro. "Do you know that you need at least three votes for that? As we have some members missing, you have to convince us all. If even one of us don`t give you his approval we`ll reject your request".

"I know it" stated tan female firmly.

"Do you?" Souma suddenly faked a great surprise. "And still have some nerve to come here? Don`t you see these two empty seats? One of them belonged to Alucard, who was considered vampire god. Another one is Akasha`s… I know that with that sealing crap we have indefinite situation, I`ve read the report. Can we consider them alive or are they dead? But don`t forget: we had the same situation for 170 years not long ago and managed to make decisions even with only three members. So why must we change something now? Do you consider yourself much better than Alucard and Akasha?"

"I thought you hated Akasha!" snapped Gyokuro. She didn`t like his tone at all.

"I don`t remember saying that I like her" spoke raven-haired vampire coldly. "Moreover, her insane ideas of peaceful live drove me nuts. We always were complete opposites in our beliefs. But I would never disrespect Akasha Bloodriver. She was intelligent, beautiful, powerful, with nearly royal attitude… A perfect rival for me… Without her everything became too boring. And here you are… I dare say I like your ideas and plans. BUT YOU ARE NOT AKASHA! I will never approve somebody like you".

"Me too" added Stanislav indifferently. "It will be disrespect towards Akasha and her honorable father, my old friend Raven Bloodriver".

Gyokuro looked at him with poorly concealed irritation. But finishing blow was made not by old vampire as young head of Habicht clan smiled and said:

"Besides we are trying to coexist with humans. Gyokuro-san, your actions with that organization are surely break a law…"

Gyokuro clenched her teeth and left the hall without waiting of hear more.

'These bastards! How dare they to humiliate me so much? That arrogant crap Souma and even that Habicht brat! They will pay, I swear! They will definitely regret their words!' she thought furiously as she passed the rooms of great mansion. Some servants sidestepped with horror seeing her face. 'Akasha! Akasha! Why is everybody so obsessed with this bitch? Curses on you, Akasha! You`re still stealing everything from me! Damn you!'

"What a temper!" whistled Stanislav as he watched Gyokuro`s leaving. "Maybe we were too harsh, weren`t we?"

Souma looked at him grimly and hissed:

"I`m sick and tired of all that clan heads who don`t know their place. No one of them has any right and they still send us endless petitions… Moreover, that old geezer Raven Bloodriver with his complains and ridiculous plans to restore old fame of his clan… Who will come here next? Some low-ranked vampire whose mother were Alucard`s mistress? Really, we must stop this immediately!"

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Tenmei Mikogami, the Headmaster of Youkai Gakuen was sitting in his office examining the envelope, which he had got some hours before, with some curiosity. Then he opened it and read the letter several times. The content made him smirked for a moment.

'So they decided to participate in this game too' thought Mikogami. 'Even if their chances to win are incredibly low. It seems that peaceful days will end sooner than I expected'.

"Ruby, call here Akashiya Moka" asked the Exorcist his assistant.

"Right now?" the young witch were surprised. "It`s already late".

"I have important information for her. And, by the way, make sure that she will come alone, without any of her friends"

Author`s notes: I can`t believe I`ve finished this chapter. I had huge dilemma considering this story as I had a need in supportive characters and canon manga hadn`t enough characters who would be fitting for my ideas. I suddenly understood that only vampires in canon are Moka`s relatives and Alucard. And so on.

So I wrote a chapter with some OC. I`m really hoping that I hadn`t created any Mary Sue. Till the next time!