Hello all and welcome to another chapter of Destined! I have some surprises for you all in this one, so let me know what you think! This chapter will really get the plot I have created going, and I know some of you have been dying for that to happen already.
Also! I have had to completely reconstruct my plot line, because I finally got caught up on the R+V manga. Oh... My... God... That's all I'm gonna say about that. If you haven't read it you should! In my opinion its so much better than the anime, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion!
Well that'd quite enough of me and I'm sure you all agree with that, so lets get right into this shall we? Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN R+V OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.
Chapter 8: The Beginning and a Vampire
There were four sets of scarlet eyes in the gymnasium. Two of them were very young, seventeen at most, and wide with disbelief, shock, and anger. The remaining two pairs were ancient past their bodies would lead one to believe. They were bright and brimming with excitement at seeing their offspring alive and well, as well as mischievous for reasons unknown to the girl.
Moka allowed her anger to flare and manifest in the form of a pink, swirling aura. 'How dare he show his face to me! After stealing my rosary and vanishing! I'll rip him limb from limb!'
Violent thoughts ran through the girl's head over and over until she felt a strong hand grasp her wrist.
"Moka, it's no use." Tsukune seemed to have gotten over his initial shock. "Do you really think he brought your rosary knowing you were here? Even if he had it with him, you wouldn't be able to take it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" The vampiress spat with anger that was only to mask the blushing of her cheeks and the beating of her heart. 'Damn it! How the hell does he do this to me?'
Tsukune chuckled. "It means he's THAT strong, Moka. Now please calm down, you're making a scene."
The female glanced around her to notice that all students present were staring at her and Tsukune. Moka's blush deepening further, she pulled her hand from the boy's grasp.
"Moka, Tsukune! Good to see you again!" The familiar, friendly, but deep voice of Koji Aono reverberated off of the walls of the gymnasium.
Issa Shuzen, Moka's father spoke next, "Come! Be a part of our presentation!" He was just as enthusiastic, which was very strange to Moka.
Students and faculty parted, creating a narrow path towards the stage where the two fathers stood. Moka kept her eyes on Tsukune as they walked for fear that looking at either man would push her over the edge she was so precariously standing on.
Upon reaching the stage, Tsukune was met quickly by the raven haired noble.
"So you're Koji's boy." The ancient said, studying the boy up and down. "I don't know what you mean by 'different' Koji. He looks to be a normal vampire to me, and his aura isn't strange in any way as far as I can tell."
'Different...?' Moka studied Tsukune (actually she had been 'studying' him the entire time) and had to agree with Issa. Silver hair and red eyes were tell tale signs of vampires, and he had both. Moka remembered his aura feeling slightly off when she first met him, but had not felt it since. 'Perhaps in combat he uses a different energy?' Moka came up with reason after reason before her thoughts were interrupted.
"He is young, Issa. Give him time, you'll see." Issa nodded, and stepped away and glanced towards Moka.
"Moka..." He said cooly
"Father." She didn't spare the man his feelings of remorse or regret. The grudge she held against him was still hot and fresh after six years of the human world.
The silver haired girl turned her attention back to Tsukune as he conversed with his father. "Tsukune, my son, it is good to see you again, and so soon after our reunion!"
Moka's temper flared, but she was able to keep still. She knew that the ancient was well aware of her murderous intent, yet here he was, calm and joyful as ever.
"Father, I'm not saying it's not good to see you but, why are you here?"
The vampiress pushed her anger aside, now eagerly waiting for the answer she too was searching for.
"Ah, yes about that." Tsukune's father ushered him and Moka to the center of the stage. They were then put on top of two, two-foot high cubes. Moka stood to Tsukune's left, and noticed that he looked just as confused as she felt. "Wait here." he said.
Walking in front of the two students, Tsukune's father spread his arms wide, garnering all attention in the room. "Students of Yokai Academy, hear me!" Koji spoke into a microphone provided to him by Issa. "My name is Koji Aono. Though you may not know me by face, I am sure you all have heard my pseudonym. A name given to me many, many years ago."
Murmurs and quiet discussion broke out among the crowd of students. Moka glanced at Tsukune to find he had turned a ghostly pale. All the blood in his body seemed to have left completely and the only color that remained came from his wide, red eyes.
"Tsukune, what's wrong?" Moka could not stop the concern that was obviously etched into her face.
The male teen's expression did not change however as his father continued his speech.
"Yes, you all know me as Rex Monstorum! King of Monsters!"
The vampiress's eyes were wide as saucers as the words came together like a jigsaw puzzle in her mind.
'Ts-Tsukune... is- is a prince?!'
Tsukune sighed deep as the crowd, Issa, the Chairman (who appeared at some point during Koji's speech), and even Moka knelt before the ancient vampire. 'Well now I don't have to tell anyone, I guess.'
"Come now, Tsukune, will you not show respect to me like the rest of your peers?" The boy almost laughed at his father's suggestion.
"You leave me for reasons that still remain secret, show up completely unannounced six years later, steal my best friend's rosary," Try as hard as she might, Tsukune did not miss the keeling vampiress flinch at his words. "And upon your departure, you destroy my room, and NOW you expect me to kneel at your feet? I'm sorry father, but I don't think that 'll be happening." Gasps of astonishment rippled through the students like a disoriented puddle. Even Moka looked skeptically at the teen. Both Koji and Issa had large grins, which only further irritated the vampire. To all of this Tsukune merely rolled his eyes. "I don't believe you've answered my initial question anyways."
By this time the students below the stage were beginning to rise. The armored ancient exploded in a fit of laughter. "Oh my, I didn't know the rebellious stage would be this amusing!"
"Father I'm serious!" Tsukune raised his voice, "It's good to see you, really it is, but why are you here now? And what have you done with Moka's rosary?"
The grin that donned his father's face vanished. Replaced with a serious, knowing stare. "Very well Tsukune, now allow me to continue, and I will answer your question."
Tsukune grunted in acknowledgment, and turned away from his father. He was still standing on the cube he had been earlier, and now Moka was standing up along with the rest of the various monsters present.
Their eyes met. Hers reflected her obvious confusion, and his were full of irritation and exasperation.
Tsukune sighed, 'She's gonna want answers.' he thought.
"Students!" The ancient continued his previous speech. "I come before you today, to present an opportunity."
Shuzen stepped up from where he had been sitting and continued, "Yes, fellow youkai! An opportunity to prove your strength in order to claim a prize grander than any material object!"
"I am sure you all are familiar with your vampire classmates," Koji gestured behind him, towards the two teens. "I am also sure that Moka has not always looked the way she is now."
Issa stepped to stand next to the Monster King. Both of them raised their palms to the ceiling. There was a flash of light, and in each man's possession was Moka's rosary.
Tsukune saw the silver haired female tense, but relaxed when she remained on the block. Directing his attention back towards the elder vampires, Tsukune listened intently.
The vampires both grasped the rosaries. Koji spoke, loud and commanding. "Each of us contains a matching rosary. Both of them can be used to turn Moka back to the way you all know her to be."
"Winning the prize will entail finding, then defeating either of us in combat." Issa continued. "Or at least proving yourself worthy of our children."
Excited chatter broke out among the students of Yokai Academy. The teen vampires flinched. "What?!" They exclaimed in unison.
"Whoever proves themselves to us in combat, shall have the right to wed either Tsukune or Moka! That is the prize for this competition!" Koji had a giant grin as he finished the statement.
Tsukune thought he was going to pass out. His vision blurred in anger and he started seeing red. He was about to launch himself at his father when water shot from small holes in the cube that Tsukune didn't even notice.
Pain shot through his body and he fell to his knees, powerless. Glancing to his left, he noticed Moka was similarly affected.
"I did not think you would be happy about this my son. I knew you wouldn't Moka dear, so I will tell you this. Once you recover, the two of you may also participate in Guretohanto."
Koji turned to address the crowd below him. "There are but two rules in Guretohanto, and theyare as follows. Rule One: You may not, under any circumstances, take the life of another competitor. Rule Two: If you're true form is revealed to any human, you are disqualified. Both Lord Shuzen and myself will be remaining within my own Castle Aono for the duration of the competition."
'Then this'll be no pro-' Tsukune's jubilation was short-lived as Koji turned to the teen.
"It is no longer where you believe it to be Tsukune, so don't think you have an advantage."
"Wh-What?" To say that Tsukune was confused would be an understatement. 'What does he mean by that? You can't move an entire castle!'
Ignoring Tsukune's disbelief the ancient continued. "You may locate my castle by one of two methods."
"The first is the most obvious. Find it yourself!" Issa spoke. "I have deployed a monster who will act as the "Keyholder". He is currently roaming the city of Tokyo. If you find and defeat him, he will lead you straight to Castle Aono. This is method number two."
"Once you reach the castle, you may choose to battle either Lord Issa Shuzen should you desire Moka's hand, or you will fight me in order to win Tsukune's hand. Issa, if you would go and make the preparations."
Issa then turned and left the gymnasium, rosary in hand. He glanced at Moka as he walked by and gave the girl a small smile. She just stared at him in return. Tsukune could almost feel the anger in her eyes.
"Your playing field is the Kanto region of Japan, the Izu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands. Your time limit is three weeks. Now," Tsukune mimicked Moka in that he too glared at his father with an amount of loathing he didn't know he could feel. This was wrong. He was using them as prizes in a game! What was he to him? Tsukune remembered his father being a caring man. Someone who alw- "Let Guretohanto begin!"
As soon as Koji Aono disappeared in a burst of black energy, all hell broke loose. Literally. Students took on their true forms and began to swing tentacle, giant arm, club, and other various appendage at anyone near them. They were savage.
"Tsukune!" The teen turned to see Moka had recovered from the damage done by the water and was now pulling him to his feet. "When we get out of here, you have a lot to explain."
"Y- Yeah." Tsukune replied. His head was still spinning at dangerous speeds.
'Father,' The teen thought to himself. 'Why are you doing this?'
The next several hours consisted of beating back countless monsters in an attempt to find somewhere, anywhere to lay low. At least for a few seconds, as time was not on their side at the moment.
Finally, after eight hours of fighting, running, and fighting some more. The two vampires found a secluded clearing surrounded by tall trees and large rocks. Neither of the vampires were sweating or even winded at the last few hours' skirmishes.
Moka watched as Tsukune sighed deep and leaned back on the thick trunk of a tree.
She crossed her arms and remained standing. "Why didn't you tell me?" Moka broke the silence that fell upon them. She couldn't describe the feelings within her. She wasn't angry with Tsukune, but more... hurt? But why? Why did she care whether he kept secrets from her? She sure as hell didn't trust him, so why would he trus... 'That's not true...' Moka sighed inwardly and hardened her gaze.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a girl? It's just what you are. You were born that way, so you don't feel the need to tell others what you've known about yourself your entire life."
"You're a terrible liar Tsukune." Moka was slightly agitated that he avoided her question without so much as a second thought.
The silver haired male sat forward and looked at Moka. His brow was furrowed, whether in concentration or in confusion, she was unsure.
Tsukune pouted (Moka determined that was the only way to describe his expression) for a while longer, and in that time his cheeks had taken a wonderful ruby color. "Are you going to treat me differently now that you know? Cause if you are then I'm going to go and get your rosary alone." Moka's eyes widened. THIS is why he kept such a secret from her. From HER?
Moka laughed loud and hard. This boy in front of her, he never ceased to amuse and amaze her. "Tsukune you child!" Moka said when her laughter had become manageable.
"Well?! Are you?" Tsukune continued as his voice rose in embarrassment.
Faster than the boy had time to react in his flustered condition, Moka landed a well placed kick to the tree Tsukune had been leaning on. She purposely missed him by mere inches, and smiled when she met his shocked crimson orbs with her own.
Removing her leg from the now split tree, she dropped to her knees, straddling the teen's lap and leaned into him. She gently nipped the boy's earlobe, causing tremors to shake his rigid form.
Supporting herself with hands gripping the teen's shoulders, she whispered, "Don't count on it, Tsukune." His scent drifted into her nostrils and she hummed in anticipation.
"M- Moka..." The male breathed. "Your smell..."
"Go ahead," Moka almost scolded herself. 'No! Don't be weak!' Tsukune shifted beneath her, and brought his mouth to her neck causing any sense and resistance to escape her in the form of one, breathy command. "Drink, Tsukune."
He inched closer, and the teen thought she was going to explode in want. The wait was agonizing, but Moka gasped in surprise when it was his lips, and not his fangs she felt on her skin. Repeatedly, he kissed her neck causing her entire body to stiffen. Strong hands held her sides, trapping Moka in the boy's lap. She gripped his silver hair tightly as she finally felt his fangs glide over her collarbone.
"Tsukune..." She gasped. Normally, Moka would have killed the boy ten times over for doing such things to her body, but she was starting to think that Tsukune was an exception. 'The exception.' Moka corrected herself.
Any thoughts she might have had came to a screeching halt when at last, he sunk his fangs into the vampiress's neck. Blood escaped from the wound, and every drop was licked up by Tsukune's tongue. Every now and then it would flick against her bare skin and cause her to jump in pleasure. He gently drained her of her the red liquid and she could do nothing but moan and sigh in pleasure.
It seemed like an eternity before the teen pulled away, and licked the wound shut. She kept her hands in the boy's hair as they gazed at each other. Both pairs of scarlet orbs were filled with lust, only one's was even more feral than the other's.
"Tsukune..." Cloudy with want, Moka's eyes were half-lidded as she gazed at the boy she so desired at the moment.
"I- I'm sorry I didn't-" Moka ended the boy's apology as she closed the distance between them and captured his mouth in a kiss.
She was ravenous. It was like she was trying to swallow him whole. Her lips pressed against his with force and desire.
Tsukune's eyes were wide with disbelief, but soon closed as the pleasure of the kiss drew him into her embrace.
The grip he had on her sides only tightened and pulled the girl into him even more. He could feel her hands move from his hair to his face and then to his chest. They alternated between the three in no apparent order, but it felt good all the same.
Tsukune swallowed her moans as he became bolder, sliding his tongue out to brush her lip. He was surprised when she responded by parting her lips, and even added her own tongue to the kiss.
They stayed like that, locked in a passion driven battle for dominance, until they were forced to break apart due to lack of oxygen.
Once again, ruby stared into crimson. The feelings of both colors were jumbled beyond comprehension.
Moka rested her head on Tsukune's shoulder. "We'll discuss a plan for this Guretohanto in the morning." She closed her eyes and adjusted her position in the teen's lap until she was comfortable.
"M- Moka?" Tsukune was so confused. 'Di- Did that just happen? And if it did, why?'
"Don't get used to this, Tsukune. Now sleep." In only a matter of minutes, Moka was asleep in his arms.
Tsukune however watched the stars as they moved across the sky. He heard the distant sounds of battle ever now and again, but he did not sleep. He looked down at the girl in his arms. 'I'm not quite sure what happened today. It all happened so fast, and then some parts I'm fairly certain didn't happen.' Tsukune decided that it best to listen to the vampiress, he pushed all the confusing thoughts of the day to the back of his mind. Instead, he focused on the girl that he could not read. The girl who was the subject of most of, if not all of, his questions.
Her silver hair fell down his chest and all the way down to his own lap. He ran a free hand through its length and marveled at its softness. 'You. Moka. I don't know what you're thinking, ever. I don't know about what you like, what you don't like. I barely know you, and... and... I've fallen for you...'
Sighing, whether in confusion or contentment didn't matter, Tsukune let his eyelids drop and drifted into the dark embrace of sleep.
Well? What do you think? Too soon? Too cliche? I thought it was as good a time as any sooooo boom, fluff. I apologize if you didn't like this chapter, and I appreciate all of those who did! Don't forget to R&R, and I will see all of you fine folkses next time!
