Limit Lovers

Chapter 4: Limited And Snow Woman Side A

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: The characters from Rosario + Vampire are the rightful property of Akihisa Ikeda.

"..."-Speech

'...'-Thought

/R+V\

-Dimensional Gateway to the Territory of Snow Woman-The Sparkling Mountains-

\R+V/

"It is strange...it is said the Witches actually let Tsukune the Blood-Edge pass by, and no harm came to them. If that were so..." The cold chill was a discomfort for most, but the Snow Women were one of those rare exceptions. They had heard an actual break in the killings by Tsukune the Blood-Edge from some of the Witches. The Witches could not afford to have the murderous Tsukune the Blood-Edge destroy them for good.

"We know that this will be it...this is our Territory that he will tread to next." The Snow Women were experts in the ways of stealth and stalking. They could sneak up on anything from anywhere if they knew where the target was.

"Our people are in a much similar position as the Witches...we cannot engage in an active fight with Tsukune the Blood-Edge. His power is too great as the rumors tell...if we are to chance upon him, we must avoid him, lest we unleash his fury." All had been in agreement to that.

"Understood...maybe with the coming and going of Tsukune the Blood-Edge, other male visitors will not be so frightened to pass by. We need more males to help increase our numbers once more...somehow..."

/R+V\

-Territory of Snow Woman-Big Blue Lake-

\R+V/

Tsukune was shivering when he came here. It was too bad he was not warned about the area being this cold.

"Damn! It's freezing!" Wisps of condensed air flew out of his mouth as he breathed. Knowing it was too late to do anything about warm weather gear, he did manage to bring a scarf and a pair of travel arm braces of thick cloth with him. Untying the wrap he carried, he took the piece of cloth was a rusty faded red color that was hardly used. He wrapped it around his neck. He soon tied the darkened white braces to his arms. Forming some seals to retain some body heat, he made his way carefully across the frozen lake then came up to the bank and began moving through thick snow. He was nearly knee deep in the slushing white. It wasn't as bad with his barriers to keep his body heated, but it didn't help much. He even concentrated some ki to warm parts of his body up. It was a little ways through that he stopped. He had felt something but could not be sure where it came from because it was gone just as quickly.

'A life force...?' He stretched his senses out, but could not feel anything. Hoping it was his imagination he continued on his way. He had actually felt a presence but it had left just beyond his senses. A blue haired girl leaned against a snow covered pine tree. She was dressed in a small kimono wrap of pure white with a blue obi. Her skin was somewhat pale, but in an attractive way like a pearl, not in a sickish way. She held a delicate hand to her heart.

'A man has come here...a handsome man...' She tried to stop her heart from beating so fast. Her lollipop rolled about in her mouth as she took calming breaths. Good, she had calmed down enough.

'But his eyes...it must be that man...Tsukune the Blood-Edge.' She knew it had been her mother's orders as head of the clan to not engage in any kind of battle with Tsukune the Blood-Edge, however, she could not find it in her to let him pass by as he pleased either. She had to have him by her side. The thought was both giddy yet frightening at the same time. She'd never felt such a lust drive her as it just did this day.

'I will follow him and see what he does...It is rather impressive how he's going through all this snow with so little warm weather equipment to use. And such a strong and well built frame he possesses.' She knew these mountains like the back of her hands, already having crept ahead of him to stare at him with an intensity so great he had to stop again and look around nervously.

'Che...Why do I get this feeling someone is watching me? I can't sense anything out there but...I must be losing it...better find a way to some other Dimensional Gateway...but where? This is almost as bad as the Territory of Witch.' He shrugged and kept treading forward.

'Hmmm...he's perceptive...or just too overly cautious. It is very possible with how many other Youkai wish to kill him, yet so many are too afraid to give chase. Such a handsome face...a bit boyish yet still holding a rugged charm to his feature...ah...' She was sighing dreamily as she peered at him from just over a hill. She wondered just how close she could get to him before he noticed, though knew it could be tough if he could sense her out as well as she thought he might be able. She decided to lay in wait and see just how far as he treaded past another hill and closing in on her location. He stopped once more, and she decided it best to scoot a bit further away. She edged away in a snail like pace, making it hard to discern her that easily with all the white about. Shaking his head, Tsukune headed off. She was about to continue her stalking when a hand came to her shoulder. She twisted free of the hold quickly, hand going behind to grasp at the ninjatou at the back of her obi and drawing it with great speed. It nearly met with another one, but the two stopped, not wanting Tsukune to possible pick up on the sound that would have resounded. It had been another Snow woman who stopped her from pursuing Tsukune.

"Lady Mizore, you know that it had been passed down by your own mother that none shall actively pursue Tsukune the Blood-Edge. Leave him be and return home." The Snow woman said. Mizore scowled, but knew it best to do so. She would have a little talk with her mother about this.

/R+V\

-Territory of Snow Woman-Hidden Castle of the Shirayuki Clan-

\R+V/

"So, Mizore-chan, I hear you were tracking the very person I said was off limits. Tsukune the Blood-Edge is too risky for us to contend with. The Shirayuki clan is the last of the Snow Women. Yeti are bad enough an opponent to face." Mizore's mother, Tsurara, was dressed in a full length formal kimono. Her daughter looked very much like her but had that slightly older look. She was still very beautiful none the less, long hair done up with clips. She swiveled her own lollipop about in her mouth, pacing about as she wondered what to do with her daughter's disobedience. The guards standing within the door were told to leave so she could talk to her daughter in private completely.

"So, tell me dear...how did he look?" Tsurara herself adopted a little knowing smirk as she saw the blush on her daughter's cheeks. Mizore knew her mother well, but hadn't expect the older Snow Woman to sound so pleased.

"What are you trying to get at, mother?" Mizore asked in a low tone.

"How long has it been since my daughter has blushed so rosily? It's too bad it had to be Tsukune the Blood-Edge of all people...but I wonder if I should reconsider it? Hmm..." She looked thoughtful.

"Reconsider it? You mean...? Attack Tsukune the Blood-Edge, mother?" Mizore's eyes were wide as she thought of all the Snow Women trying to gain up on Tsukune and try and seduce and freeze him. Tsurara shook her head.

"No, of course not. Maybe I'll just let you get him...provided you can actually seduce Tsukune the Blood-Edge. It would be marvelous...to have such strong grandchildren. Hmm..." Tsurara sighed in contentment, as she wanted a lot of grandchildren anyway. Mizore was about as red as a tomato now.

"Mother, I..." She wasn't sure what to say. Tsurara looked more thoughtful.

"Mizore-chan, I think it's best I got a chance to see Tsukune the Blood-Edge in person. See if I can evaluate his measure of worth. He must be quite the looker with how red you are." Tsurara was milking her daughter's embarrassment for all it was worth it seemed.

"Mother, please..." Mizore seemed to have gained some self control, but her mother knew her all too well. Tsurara herself calmed herself a bit.

'So then, Mizore-chan, let's go. Let me see Tsukune the Blood-Edge."

/R+V\

-Territory of Snow Woman-The Sparkling Mountains-

\R+V/

Tsurara and Mizore used their cold based powers to create snowboards of pure ice, riding them expertly through the tall slopes as Mizore led the way, remembering where Tsukune was located. He had probably moved a fair bit from the frozen lake since then. They found traces of his legs having disturbed the snow. Trailing it, it was not much longer that they saw Tsukune. He had his arms crossed under his arm pits to preserve some warmth. He had spotted a cave some ways away and decided to use it for shelter as the winds picked up, blasting snow around. A snowstorm was most likely coming. He went into the cave to try escape it as best he could. Both Mizore and her mother looked in a Tsukune from afar. Tsurara gave a slight whistle.

"Oh my...he is quite the looker indeed, why if I wasn't married to your father, I'd..." Tsurara had been elbowed by her daughter in the ribs, making the older Snow Woman almost drop the lollipop in her mouth.

"Mother! Focus! Your getting carried away." She must have spoken a little too loud and the wind carried it to his location. He stormed outside with his nodachi in hand.

"Who's there?!" He called out, trying not to be too loud lest he send an avalanche toppling over him. The two Snow Women were dead silent and still. Tsukune shrugged off his numbness.

'Am I hearing things...? But I'm sure there was a voice...it sounded feminine. Couldn't have been Crimson then...he would not have bothered hiding.' Tsukune tried focusing his senses. He stretched his senses again, catching the two barely just within range.

'There is something here...! Two of them, or is it just me?' He started making his way to them. Mother and daughter panicked as they saw him drawing near. They were by a sole tree, no other place to hide without being caught by Tsukune.

"Well, I guess I'll make myself scarce so you two can get to know one another." Tsurara said, pushing Mizore out into the open. Tsukune tensed up slightly. He relaxed when he saw it was a young woman. She was quite the beauty indeed. He tensed up again, however, when he noted that she was armed.

"Who are you, Ms? A residence here?" He held his weapon firm, still not sure though he did not detect anything except extreme nervousness. Believing she meant no harm despite being armed, he tied his nodachi back across his shoulder.

"I apologize, ms. I mean you no harm. I'm just a simple traveler. I'll go away. Excuse me." He turned away. He was hoping to ask her where a Dimensional Gateway was but decided against it, feeling her nervousness still.

"W...w...wait!" Mizore cast up her courage. He spared her a glance.

"Yes?" He waited patiently, though he was obviously cold.

"Your...Tsukune the Blood-Edge, right?" She asked though was already well aware. He was thinking of the usual response.

"Uh, well..." He wasn't able to finish as Mizore responded in again.

"Is it true that your actually a nice guy? Not a blood thirsty killer?" Getting to see him up close, she was able to see that he was indeed quite the catch.

"Well...yeah." He offered, relaxing a bit more. Perhaps having the Witches not start any kind of conflict with him had put a small crack in the negative reputation he possessed.

"That's good to know. I'll help you out. There's a tiny cottage a few ways out that you can warm up at." She walked a little ways off, and Tsukune noticed that she seemed to be able to walk on the snow easily. She also did not leave even the smallest trace of evidence that she had even walked on the snow.

"What's your name, Ms? Seeing as you know me and all." He stated, following and treading through the snow.

"I'm Mizore. Mizore Shirayuki."

...Con't...

Next=Limited And Snow Woman Side B