Disclaimer: I don't own Rosario + Vampire
Author's note: Sorry about the long hiatus. I hit a bit of a writer's block with this chapter as I was writing it.
To explain, there are writers who think about their story in words. And then there are the writers who first picture the scene in their head (like a manga page or a scene from an anime) and then use words to describe it. I'm the second type, and at times I feel like my writing skill is not enough to translate how I would picture a scene (and my drawing suck too so there's no way I can make this an actual fan comic).
While I'm still not 100% happy with the result, I feel like I wasted enough time. I might as well just cut my loss and just power through this part so I can get the rest of the show on the road. Apologies if this chapter (or any other) isn't enjoyable for you who read it.
"Your big plan is having me beat them all up?" Tsukune Aono's voice shakes with skepticism. His eyes open wide. He's having a hard time accepting what comes out of Yukari's mouth. His hand clenches together tight. Fingers dig deep into his palms. He loses his grip, and then tightens it again.
"Don't make it sounds so savage. You need to give tough love once in a while." Yukari bonks Tsukune's head with her wand. Her voice sounds chirpy. Unusually so, now that Ruby thinks about it.
She should talk with Yukari last week. During that disastrous 'reunion'. But she's too busy trying to deal with her own problems. And to the older Witch's shame, Ruby choose to leave Yukari to her own devices.
Just like what she's been doing for the past ten years. Even when Yukari is the one of them who needs the most help from Tsukune's departure.
"I, just thought you can find some non-violent way." The vampire scratches the back of his head. His face remains the same from ten years ago. With that same clueless expression. Even if his body is taller and shoulders broader.
'Yukari was always the cheerful one ten years ago. She still is for the past ten years whenever we get together. But she tends to spend more time stare at nothing more and more. Especially when we meet back here in Yokai Academy. '
'She only goes back to her cheeky self. When one of the girls shakes her out of her stupor.'
'Yet right now she is acting just like her old self from ten years ago.'
Yukari rolls her eyes at Tsukune. "We are dealing with hyperactive teenagers with raging hormones. Simple and to the point is the best solution."
"Why do I feel there's something you aren't telling me." The vampire leans back into the back of the couch.
'She hasn't get over that clueless human boy in Yokai Academy from ten years ago. It's almost sweet she's the one who finds him again after all these years.'
"I don't like it. Beating other people down feels like what bullies do. Like Saizo, or Kuyo."
'She doesn't yet realize. At the end, Tsukune Aono will reject Yukari Sendou just like he rejected all of us ten years ago. His passion has no space for anyone who isn't Moka Akashiya.'
"I'll do it." Tsukune lets out a resigned sigh. The vampire stands up from the couch. Holding his head up and body straight. "Least I can do for Ruby."
'What?'
"That's the spirit! Go help Ruby, like an anime fan on prom night! And if we end up getting a new family... that's a bonus!" Yukari hops her way to Tsukune's side. She grips Tsukune's shoulder with a firm shake. Happily leading him out of the headmaster's office.
"I didn't need to know the last part."
'What are you thinking Tsukune Aono? Coming back and decide to help me after ten long years has already passed...'
'Maybe he isn't thinking at all. He's just being the same as ten years ago. Helping those in front of him because he can.'
"We are idiots, all of us."
Ruby gives long, hard look at her reflection in the teacup. She sits back into her chair and closes her eyes.
Light Pink Lover
Chapter 9 Old VS New
Yukari watches Tsukune stretches his legs on the gravel. The salary man vampire has the same look from ten years ago.
The one he has when he foolishly jumps into fight way out of his league to help his friends.
Good thing he's ready to play the big league this time around.
"You almost caused a riot. Good job." Yukari pokes Tsukune's forehead with a stern look.
"Sorry. It was a stupid." The vampire hangs his head low upon hearing this. His eyes avert Yukari's gaze.
"Ah, don't worry about it, you Spoony Boy." Yukari's ice-cold facade melt down into a warm smile. She closes her hands on Tsukune's face. Moving his head back to look her right in the eyes. "I'd be angry if you did nothing. You hit that stupid boy because he insulted Ruby."
"I still made a huge mess. If you didn't calm them down..." Yukari puts her index finger right on Tsukune's lips to close them tight. Stopping the vampire from despising himself.
"We all make mistakes. We are 'human', after all." Yukari winks at Tsukune while emphasizing the term human. She moves close till she practically joins Tsukune with their face. The young Witch whispers into the vampire's ear. "No matter how big of a mess you make. I'll always be there to wipe your ass."
Tsukune's face glows red like a traffic sign. He stammers a bunch of nothing from his mouth. Good thing he's saved from his embarrassment by Shippon.
"That was a bold declaration, Mr. Aono. Is the headmaster aware of this?" The Yoko's expression look more like a sniffer dog than a fox.
"Ruby knows." Yukari gives the head of PSC a reassuring wink.
"It's shameful we need to rely on alumni to solve this. But things will only get worse if PSC goes in guns blazing." The fox demon lets out a loud sign. His shoulders slump in defeat.
Shippon only shows one moment of his weakness as he puts a hand on Tsukune's shoulder. "Don't underestimate Maximoff. She may look like a spoiled brat, but she's an S class vampire like Moka Akashiya."
Tsukune's brown pupil visibly dilate the moment he hears Moka's name. He stands up straight while stretching his arms. "I can't lose."
Yukari takes a long step. She once again whispers into Tsukune's ear. The coldness in her voice surprises even her. "You have to destroy them, instead of just beat them. You need to shatter Maximoff's pride in opposing Ruby and the student's reverence in her."
Tsukune gives a long stare at Yukari. His brow twist together. Ultimately he gives Yukari a nod before marching into his battlefield. With that rare show of determined confidence rather than his usual timid uncertainty.
The Witch looks further towards Tsukune's opponent. This new generation of Yokai Academy's newspaper club.
Three girls march out to meet the salary man vampire in the middle.
One of them is an extremely short girl with short black double braid. And an Ainu headband similar to Mizore's husband. Maximoff already looks like she belongs in middle school. This girl practically just comes out of the grade school like Yukari ten years ago. With a slight chubby baby face to boot. She has that same uncertain look on her face like Tsukune usually does. Rimuru, a snow earth spirit lives with Ainu tribes.
The second girl has her golden blond hair freely flow down her expressionless face. Two small horns poke out of her hair on top of her head. She drags a steel ball shackle behind on each of her limb. Rena, from an Oni tribe who has a history of being a school delinquent. Almost like a female counterpart to Saizo minus sexual assault rumors.
The last one has her brown hair tied in a ponytail. Similar to the one PSC's very own fox demon leader. She has a confident smirk on her face similar to their vampire leader. She also holds sheathed katana in her crossed arm. Yukari sees a faint purple glow surrounding her weapon. A cursed sword named Murasama.
So, an Earth spirit, an Oni and a cursed sword. Like a bad joke missing the punch line.
Although she admits that's a good team mix for a battle. With a long range controller, a hard-hitting brute, and a fast skirmisher.
Behind those three, the tiny redhead vampire girl stands out. Like a swan among a flock of ducklings.
Demetra Maximoff is the pride of House Maximoff like Moka is the pride of House Shuzen. Although not a Shinso like Moka, the little vampire princess is born with a large amount of Yoki even for vampire standard.
Yukari can't help but feel a sense of familiarity. Or perhaps nostalgia when looking at the girl. The little red head looks less like Moka (both her kind but clueless human persona or her strong and prideful vampire persona), and more like a peacock beating its chest. The little vampire princess is more like Yukari Sendou back ten years ago. An adoring fan trying to imitate the real thing.
Cute, if she doesn't harass Ruby constantly. A lesson of humility through tough love will be good for her.
The young Witch looks further. Sitting at a desk with her head right on it is another blond girl. She has a pair of the elf-like pointy ear and a delicately beautiful face. Although that look is somewhat ruined by that trail of saliva running down the corner of her mouth as she naps.
'So, that's the real big boss. I wonder if Tsukune notices it... Ah, who am I kidding. This is Spoony boy I'm thinking about.'
"Noticed Himawari?" Shippon walks right beside Yukari. "Maximoff may be the one running the show. But she's the third year head of newspaper club."
"The only senior in the club?" Yukari gives a side frown to Shippon. The fox demon nods in affirmation. "Like Gin from our time. You didn't kill off the other senior members, did you?"
Shippon looks like someone shoves a rice ball of freshly produced fecal matter in his mouth. "I'm not my brother! I don't believe in excessive violence or might make right!"
The fox takes a long and deep breath. After realizing his high pitch voice is drawing attention. "That girl is trouble. All the senior in her club drops out of school after their break. Rumor has it: those dropped out students are eaten by her."
A PSC member standing in the middle of the yard starts to make the announcement. "This is a duel by vampire's tradition. Yokai Academy dropout Tsukune Aono against the newspaper club. The winner will be declared when the other side either yield or unable to continue fighting."
"So, before we start. People aren't going to say I'm some kind of bottom feeding scum of the Earth if I punch a girl. Right?" Tsukune raises left hand. His right hand is holding onto his left foot behind his hip.
"You can always yield and crawl in a hole." The cursed sword snickers at the salary man vampire.
"Both side ready? BE~GIN~" The PSC member immediately turn behind. He disappears into the crowd faster than a speeding bullet.
The tiny earth spirit begins by blowing a white blizzard into Tsukune's face. He puts both of his arms in front of his face. Trying to keep his balance on one foot against the mighty wind.
Murasama dashes at him low. Using the blizzard as a perfect cover and makes a quick slice at his feet.
Tsukune chooses that exact moment to lose his balance. He falls backward into the bed of snow. Dodging a sword slice in the process.
The salary man vampire rolls back onto his feet. Avoiding a ground shaking punch in the nick of time. He seems to have trouble keeping his balance on the snow. Constantly tripping over his feet while dodging assault against him.
When the blizzard clears everyone sees the midget earth spirit is wrapped in a giant armor of solid snow. It makes her look more like a giant monster who lives in snow land. Like sasquatch or wendigo.
'A controller who can act as a second brute? A bothersome combination. One fast and sharp. The other lumbering but hit like a truck. What about the third one?'
Yukari shifts her focus away from the earth spirit throwing punches and kicks. Or the cursed sword trying to cut Tsukune with her real body. She looks at the Oni who remains silent.
'This doesn't make any sense. Oni isn't known for being calm during a fight. Especially for a delinquent. She should be charging at Tsukune like that bloodthirsty cursed sword.'
Rena stands motionless in front of Demetra. The only movement being her eyeballs following Tsukune's movement.
The Oni picks up one of her iron ball in her hand. She takes aim at Tsukune's head. Throws it with all her strength at Tsukune's face. When the salary man vampire is distracted by another blizzard to his face.
Yukari finally sees a metal screw on her neck as her long hair flutters.
'A Frankenstein's monster made with an Oni's body?'
The iron ball across the distance in a blink of an eye. Tsukune falls face first into snow as it connects with the back of his head. Loud roaring explodes from both side of the spectators for a different reason.
Yukari runs her left hand under her chin. How this fight is going look fishy to her. Tsukune shouldn't have this much difficulty in the battle. Judging how easily he deals with those lizard goons.
True, those girls from newspaper club have some surprises under their sleeves. In fact, Yukari would even say those girls are stronger than her own friends back in freshman year. Moka notwithstanding.
They are still a bunch of teenagers, though. Nowhere as skilled as the professional killers from Fairytale.
"Is Tsukune Aono that much above their level?"
Shippon's word gives Yukari a thought. The only reasonable explanation is Tsukune is playing around with them. Why would he do that? Is it out of an uncharacteristic cockiness? Or is he planning something?
"Ouch, that was a good throw. You girls got me good." Tsukune rubs the back of his head as he slowly gets up. He takes a look at his palm. There's a small smear of red on his fingers.
That girl manages to draw blood. Even when he throws himself towards the ground before impact. He underestimated the strength of that girl.
He didn't realize her real form is a Frankenstein's monster.
The hit is light all things considered. Nowhere near Moka's roundhouse kick TM. Especially with his enhanced vampire healing ability.
"Please, yield Mr. Aono." The gigantic snow armor crumbles around the Earth Spirit. The girl is looking at Tsukune with a hand in her own mouth. Her eyes almost pleading Tsukune to simply give up the fight. "Before Rena or Murasama really hurts you!"
"You should listen to Rimuru." The girl with long ponytail returns the katana back to its sheath. She hugs the sword with both of her arms in front of her chest. "I don't know what's this 'Shinso' nonsense, but it's hard to control myself when I smell blood. I really, really want to cut you into little bits now..."
The girl starts to mumble to herself. Her body trembles. Her eyes glitter with a maniac shine. The myth of cursed sword is something Tsukune reads even before coming to Yokai Academy. It is said they have an insatiable thirst for human blood.
Kind of ironic for a vampire to fight another bloodthirsty monster.
"Ah! Please control yourself Murasama. We'll get into trouble if we kill headmaster's guest." Rimuru tries her best at holding back Murasama. An uphill battle considers she has the body of a grade school student.
"I can still continue. Just need some warm up to shake loose my old joints." Tsukune stands up to his full height. He swings his arm around a bit. Almost like he's proving his point. "They get cranky, at my age."
"This time, it's the full treatment." Murasama breaks Rimuru's hold. Taking Tsukune's gesture as a signal. With her sword still in its sheath.
Tsukune waits for the attack. Taking a step back in the last second when Murasama draws out her blade. He stumbles on his feet. Falls backward toward the ground once again.
Although this time he kicks his right foot forward. Hitting Murasama's hand and knocks the sword flying into the sky. For a split second, the girl's face seems to have a confused look instead of that crazed grin.
'A possession type instead of materializing type... her body is human. Can't hit her too hard.'
The salary man vampire rolls back on the snow. Holding out his hand to catch another iron ball throws at him. His feet skid on the slippery snow. Tsukune gives into the motion and rolls back. Making a shallow trench on the white field.
Two done, two more to go. He'll just have to hold out for another two surprise throw attack.
At least that's his plan. Before a large shadow rapidly descend on him. He quickly hops back to dodge two crashing iron balls crashing towards his head.
So the Frankenstein's monster jumps into the fray. Rather than using her last two shots try to nail himself again. Tsukune cross both of his arms in front to shield himself from another blizzard attack. He lets the strong wind carry him back. Away from the attack range of Rena.
Two iron balls rapidly enlarge in his eyes. He quickly pulls his arms up to his face. Bumping them away. He shakes both of his hands while a single drop of tear freezes besides his eyes.
That really hurts. Block two metal balls that go over 90 miles per hour with his freezing hands is definitely one of his dumber ideas.
Tsukune has no time to regret his quick decision. As Rena charges at him at blinding speed. By losing those four shackles her speed almost matches Gin. At the current state, there's no way Tsukune can outrun the little Frankenstein's monster.
So he doesn't try to.
Tsukune suddenly stops his quick backpedal. He put one of his feet forward. The vampire's toe feels like a bug sting as a shadow screeches past his head. A few loud and simultaneous loud scream from the crowd announces the success of his plan.
'Wasn't sure if tripping her over would work. That was lucky.'
Tsukune takes a quick glance behind his back. Rena quickly pulls herself up from the three students she knocks over. The Frankenstein's monster turns around and faces him again with a fluid motion. But she remains still instead of charge in like a moment ago.
Tsukune turns his head back to look at the other two girls. Murasama already picks her sword up. The cursed sword stands to Tsukune's left as
'Waiting for her friends to get into position?'
The salary man quickly looks at Maximoff. The tiny vampire girl still stands on the same spot. With her arms fold in front of her chest and a smirk on her face. Either she's completely confident in her underling's ability, or she doesn't care about them at all.
For some reason, Tsukune feels it's more of the lateral than the former. Regardless, the heiress of Maximoff family doesn't look like she'll jump into the fight.
'Now I know all their tricks. Guess it's time for some counter attack.'