Rosario + Akatosh's Chosen

Chapter 4

The otherworldly chanting that had been stirring inside of his soul halted as Tsukune raised himself off the floor, with an expression of utter disbelief.

"That?..Wh..What? Who are you? What did you just do to me?"

The black robed man's wide grin morphed into a somewhat mirthfully apologetic expression.

"No need for alarm, young Dragonborn. Hmmm... Well, firstly, my name is Aleksis, and secondly, I have granted unto you a measure of my wisdom, the understanding of the breathe, the Dragontongue."

"Dragonborn? Dragontongue? Dragon, what, kin was it? What on earth are you talking about? Are you telling me I'm some kind of dragon?"

"No, you are a man. I can assure you that you are neither dragon nor mere."

Tsukune released a breathe of relief that he hadn't even been aware of holding. After the utter impossibility of his recent week, his sense of skepticism had been reduced to shreds. Had someone declared him the Queen of England, he'd likely not have questioned it.

"However, as the Chosen of the Dragon God Akatosh, you are no mere common man."

"What?!"

"Have you not tasted this truth on your very lips several times already, and once quite recently at that? You are Dragonborn, Tsukune Aono. And I have come to grant unto you a boon. Tiid is the first word for the Thuum, or shout, Slow Time. I believe that you will find it's effects self-explanatory. As Dragonborn, you will find yourself able to effortlessly absorb not only the understanding of the shout itself, but also the power and wisdom regarding it's use that I now grant to you."

The mysterious Aleksis ended his speech by performing a bow that looked elaborate and somewhat ritualistic to Tsukune's uneducated eyes. Moments later, Tsukune stepped back in shock, his head filling with unexpected memories that were not his own.

After a taking a quick moment to center himself, Tsukune looked at the robed figure with fear and disbelief.

"I still don't understand. Why are you doing all this? What is it that you want from me?"

At this question the black robbed man's wide smile returned.

"Clever boy. The leader of our, hmmm, Organization, wishes to speak to you. Make no mistake, this is a bribe, or, if you prefer, a promise of things to come. If you wish to learn more about your Gifts, about your destiny, then come to throat of the world and climb the ten thousand steps to High Hrothgar."

"B-But that's impossible. I'm just a high school student. I can't just leave the school. Where is this Hrothgar place supposed to be, anyway?"

Aleksis just shook his head.

"It's not my place to influence your decision, at least, not beyond what I have been ordered to. You seem like a bright lad, so I'm sure that you could find a way, if you truly wished it. Bare in mind that this invitation has no time restriction, you may come at your leisure. And as for High Hrothgar, consider finding it's location to be the first of the many tests and trials that await you."

Tsukune shook his head, staring at the floor in bewilderment. An invitation paired with a refusal to provide directions? Madness.

As he looked up once more, Tsukune watched in surprise as Aleksis began to sink into the floor with ghost like intangibility.

"Oh, one more thing, before I go. I couldn't help but notice that the magical enchantments on your blade have waned over time. I took the liberty of renewing them. Breath and focus, young Dragonborn."

And with these final words, the man, if man he had indeed been, disappeared from view, leaving Tsukune to stare in disbelief at the spot where his family sword, the holy Aono blade still sat upon the floor, glowing with a pale white light.

Resolving to put an end to this very strange encounter, Tsukune reached down and plucked up his sword and sheath, sliding them comfortably into place across his back. As the sword left the floor, the glowing runes about the room faded away into nothingness, as swiftly as if someone had removed a light bulb from it's fixture.

Tsukune left, sliding the door to the now empty and dark classroom closed behind him. Preoccupied with the most bizarre event to occur yet in a week filled with bizarre events, Tsukune walked down the stairs only to be greeted by the blue haired Kurumu.

"Hiya, Tsukune! Guess what? I've decided that I'm going to help you go look for your sword. Dragon on the cross guard, right?"

Tsukune felt his face heat up. As he was standing on the steps over her, he had a easy view down the front of her sweater.

"Oh, um, well that's not necessary. I just found it, see?"

Tsukune reached behind him and pulled out the sheathed blade. Kurumu unthinkingly leaned forward to get a better look, accidently giving Tsukune a better look of his own in the process. Kurumu shrugged her shoulders, which Tsukune tried really, really hard not to watch.

"Oh, well that's too bad. And here I was, looking forward to showing you how super awesome I am."

Finally thinking to resolve the embarrassing situation by walking down the stairs and stand next to the petite Succubus, Tsukune flashed a friendly smile.

"I do appreciate the gesture Kurumu. I don't think that we've known each other for very long, but I can already tell that you're a very sweet girl."

As Tsukune continued walking down the stairs, leaving Kurumu behind him, he never turned back and so had no opportunity to watch as her face lost it's fake cute-girl expression, leaving behind something more honest, an expression of equal parts guilt and self-doubt. And maybe just a little blushing.

The morning after his fateful encounter with Aleksis, Tsukune began his day with a cold shower, trying to erase the embarrassing physical effects of yet another erotic dream. Dispute the icy cold water now running down his back, he still felt himself blushing, the memories of burying his face in Kurumu's bare chest refusing to go away.

Having spent much longer in the shower than was his custom, Tsukune almost missed breakfast. He reflected on the strange irony of his life as he sat down at what was swiftly becoming known as Aono's Table.

Tsukune had never been known as a lady-killer. Usually the only type of girls to ever show any interest in him were the kind who wanted a badboy and when they quickly realized that Tsukune's reputation as a delinquent was a mislabel, wasted no time in summarily dumping him.

But now he ate breakfast every morning with a pair of girls that looked like they would have little trouble becoming models. Both looked relieved to see him, clearly concerned with his absence up to this point. Tsukune gave them a swift greeting, but had little time for conversation before the Homeroom bell would ring.

As he quickly started to devour his meal, Tsukune was interrupted by an impatient taping on his shoulder. Turning slightly in his chair, Tsukune looked behind to see who was wasting his valuable breakfast time.

Standing behind him with an extremely insincere looking friendly smile was the ringleader of the Knights of Akashiya, the large and muscular boy with the gold nose ring that had helped to put Tsukune in the Nurse's office.

Tsukune heard the usual cafeteria chatter dim to silence as every eye turned to his table. Calmly easing himself up from his seat, Tsukune looked up at the boy.

"Something I can do for you, Nose-ring?"

The boy's hard stare promised pain, but his fake smile never wavered.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you would care to join me in the gymnasium after school. I've got some friends...friends that want to meet you."

Tsukune was not one to give in to a bully, and he certainly had no intention of doing anything that would make he seem weak in a crowded room full of monsters.

"No problem."

As the boys stared at each other the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. No one was paying any attention to the girls at Tsukune's table. Kurumu turned to Moka and gave her head a slight nod in Tsukune's direction. With a concerned frown, Moka nodded, accepting the silent invitation.

As the hours passed, Tsukune struggled to focus on his classwork, refusing to let his anxiety about the upcoming confrontation get the best of him.

The bell rung, signaling the end of the school day. As he stepped out of the classroom, Tsukune gripped his scabbard and sword firmly. He was reluctant to draw his naked blade when he didn't know what effect the enchantments placed on in would have. Not that he had any intention of using his sword in anything less than a life or death situation.

Tsukune drew a calming breath to center himself as he stood at the threshold of the gymnasium. As he stepped inside the gym, he easily recognized not only the ringleader, but all twelve members of the Knights of Akashiya. As he calmly walked forward to stand before the boy that Tsukune mentally pegged as 'Nose-ring', he found himself completely encircled by the other members.

"You're tough Aono, and you're brave. But you don't listen to good. We told you to stay away from miss Akashiya, but what do you do? A few days after we put you in your place, there you are again, eating breakfast with her! Since it looks like the first lesson didn't stick, we're going to take you down twice as hard this time!"

As if guided by some unseen signal, the Knights all attacked at once. Tsukune smirked as he inhaled.

"Tiid!"

Tsukune marveled as the world around him began to slow. Combined with his experience with martial arts, the effects of Slow Time allowed him to read incoming attacks with ease. Effortlessly dodging the leaders first attack, Tsukune countered with a brutal punch at the temple. Watching Nose-ring crumple in slow motion, Tsukune sweep another member off his feet and darted past him to put an elbow into a third.

The effect of the Shout ended abruptly, and while the Knights were shocked and dismayed with Tsukune's sudden burst of speed, they still had the advantage of numbers and they knew that the lone warrior had to be tiring. Tsukune stood with his back to the wall, as the remaining members fanned out in front of him.

The first wave of attackers began there assault, but before the combat could resume in earnest, a loud sound exploded across the gymnasium as two figures crashed through the roof, their dramatic entrance littering the gym floor with glass and rubble.

It took a few confused moments for Tsukune to recognize them. Moka Akashiya, his pink haired classmate, was armed with a golf club and a determined expression. Kurumu Kurono, on the other hand, had shed her human disguise to fight in her true form.

Her overall figure was surprisingly human looking, especially in comparison to Saizou Komiya, the only other student whose monster form Tsukune had seen. Kurumu now had a pair of large black bat-like wings that spread out of her back and a devil's spade tail trailing out from under her skirt. Unlike Moka, who had a man-made weapon, Kurumu was armed with monstrously long fingernails that were apparently sharp enough to cut through the roof unharmed.

The Knights of Akashiya were not happy with the Succubus's arrival, but Moka's appearance dumbfounded them. Without a clear leader to lead them, they didn't know how to react to this unexpected reversal. The idea of raising their hands against Moka, who was the object of adoration for the gang, was simply unthinkable. After a few moments of confusion, the Knights fled towards the exit, leaving both Tsukune and their unconscious comrades behind.

Tsukune just shook his head in amazement as he stared at his friends.

"Why are you two here?"

After Kurumu transformed back, she answered Tsukune by launching herself at him, hugging his head down into her bosom. Moka watched this with a scowl before answering him.

"You, dummy. We're here to rescue you. Why did you walk blindly into something that was obviously a trap?"

Tsukune had frozen stiff. The obviously enjoyable sensation of having his face pressed against Kurumu's sweater had triggered the memories of his earlier dreams and his body had begun to respond. Kurumu quickly released him with a blush to match his own.

Coming back to himself, Tsukune answered Moka's question.

"You wouldn't understand. Sometime a man's just got to do what a man's got to do. Oh well, at least I think that this is the end of the Knights of Akashiya, one way are another.

Ignoring the girls, who were now rolling their eyes at his stereotypically male logic, Tsukune exited the gym flush with victory.

Over the next few weeks the legend of Tsukune Aono grew. The Knights of Akashiya, much to Tsukune's surprise, instead of disbanding, decided that Tsukune, whom they now referred to as Lord Aono, as Moka's Champion, was off limits. Tsukune refused to attend any of the meetings, dispute the near constant invitations.

Kurumu and Moka continued to join him every morning. Unfortunately the erotic dreams about Kurumu also continued every night, and Tsukune was beginning to suspect that they were supernatural in someway. Unfortunately this subject was so embarrassing for him that he just couldn't bring himself to mention it to anyone.

After a rather normal morning, Tsukune sat in his homeroom chair as his teacher, Ms. Nekonome beamed an excited smile.

"Good Morning Class! I have a special announcement today. As I've said in the past, the purpose of Youkai Academy is help monsters adapt to human society, so with that in mind, starting today you're all going to take up club activities!"

Like the rest of the class, and indeed all the first years, Tsukune and Moka were walking down the hallway looking at all the various colorful club booths and listens to the clubs recruiters shouting out the interests and benefits of joining their assorted club.

Tsukune, like several other male students couldn't help but to be drawn to the clubs with attractive female recruiters. One girl in particular was drawing a crowd of young men in her distinctive swimsuit. Tsukune found himself joining the crowd, but one look at Moka's sour expression changed his mind. It seemed that Moka, who clearly wanted to be in the same club as Tsukune, didn't care much for swimming.

Shrugging his shoulders, Tsukune turned away from the swim club booth. He didn't really have any experience swimming anyway, the only club he had personal experience in his previous school with was the Fire Safely Club, and he had yet to find anything similar thus far.

As the pair continued to walk about Tsukune spotted a blue haired girl in the crowds and called out to her.

"Kurumu? Is that you?"

With a smile and a wave, the Succubus called back.

"Hiya, Tsukune! Hold on, I'll head over to you."

It seemed that Moka wasn't the only one wanting to join the same club as Tsukune. As the trio walked around, Tsukune mentioned his passing interest in the swimming club, which made Kurumu giggle.

"Silly boy, don't you know anything about Vampires? The reason Moka didn't want to join is because water is dangerous for her kind, it weakens them somehow. Oh course, if you still what to join, I'll be happy to sign up too. I think I'd have to pick up a new swimsuit, though.

Tsukune, who was struck dumb by the mental image of Kurumu in a swimsuit, regained his senses just in time to prevent the girls from coming to blows.

"That's O.K., that's O.K. I don't have my heart set on it, or anything. Let's keep looking."

As he scanned the booths again, Tsukune spotted a familiar looking boy. The short boy with a long nose and perpetually blood shot eyes was named Igor and he, along with a handful of other students, had offered to help search for the Aono blade when it had been stolen.

"Greetings, Mister Aono, sir. It is good to see the Holy blade back where it belongs. Have you any interest in joining the Kendo club?"

"Hi, Igor. Kendo club? Like with wooden swords and stuff?"

"Indeed."

Tsukune allowed a grin to spread across his face. "Perfect. Sign me up."

"Excellent, the mistress will be most pleased."

Kurumu pouted. She clearly was not all that crazy about Kendo.

"Hey, don't forget about me. I want to sign up too!"

Moka had no intention of being left behind.

"Me too!"

Igor gave a dark chuckle as the three first years signed the club roster.

"Well, well, well. Three recruits. Aono, a Succubus, and a Vampire. Most pleased, indeed."

Author's Notes: Who can guess what type of monster Igor is? He's very, very short, has a long nose, and a good reason to dislike Succubi. One last hint, he is not an incubus.

Thanks to all who participated in my survey. Do you guys think I should start naming my chapters?