All Tsukune could see around him was darkness. It was like he was floating in nothingness, an empty void with no light or sound. He looked around, unsure of what he was seeing or where he was. He would strain to see anything, yet couldn't even make out the nose on his face. There was no sound to be heard other than his own breathing. It was cold, not the kind that he had grown used to from Mizore being around him daily, but rather a dark feeling. He tried to move yet couldn't budge in any direction. It was as if he was enveloped in a shroud of nothing, floating aimlessly with no way to tell where he was.

No way, until he heard a voice.

Tsukune slowly opened his eyes, the light seeming to blind him at first. Slowly he opened them and adjusted to seeing again. He blinked a few times to regain his sight then looked around in a daze. He was again in the infirmary at Yokai Academy. He only had to see it for a moment to recognize exactly what bed, what wing in the infirmary, and who might even be his nurse in this station. He had been here who knows how many times, and had come to know the area well. He was once again in the bed nearest the window, his personal favorite if he had to pick one. The sunlight kept the bed warm and comfortable, and it was nice to look out and see the sky. It was cloudy and creepy, but he had come to appreciate the sight. He tried to sit up but groaned and laid back down, feeling sore and tired, like he had no energy. He shook his head a bit to regain his senses. He could hear the fan above him turning slowly, a gentle creak to it. He heard voices outside in the halls, always somebody getting treated for something here in this school. And he heard a gasp next to him then an excited girl calling out his name.

"Tsukune! You're awake!" Moka cried out as she leaned over and looked into the tired eyes of her boyfriend. Her green eyes shined brightly and her pink hair fell partially around her, a few strands waving near his nose. Her scent made the boy smile all the more as he looked up at the girl he loved.

"Moka," he said weakly. He blinked and smiled softly at the girl.

"Tsukune, I was getting so worried," she said with a nervous expression. He looked at her curiously.

"What… what happened?" he said as he tried to sit back up slowly.

"Don't push yourself, just relax," Kokoa said gently from his other side. Tsukune looked back and forth, seeing both vampire sisters on either side of his bed, and both were looking at him with gentle smiles.

"Kokoa? You're here too?" he asked with a bit of surprise. He wasn't used to seeing her nearby, and certainly not ever smiling at him.

"Of course, who do you think brought you here?" she said with a wink. The boy blinked and looked at her curiously.

"Brought me here?" he asked confused. He shook his head again to clear his vision and sat up. He rubbed his head gently and looked out the window.

"Daytime… did I oversleep?" he asked the redhead.

"I'll say, it's been a week," she said with a nod. The boy looked at her wide eyed.

"A week?" he yelled out.

"Hey, keep it down," Kurumu's voice called out. He turned to look towards the girl's voice. He saw next to his bed were two other beds, both occupied. In the one nearest to him Rason was lying there unconscious, bandages around his head and chest, and a worried looking succubus sitting on his bed looking at him with gentle eyes. She glanced over to Tsukune and smiled softly.

"Glad you're ok, but please be quiet. He needs his rest," she said as she looked back to Rason with loving eyes. Tsukune looked at him curiously.

"What… happened to him?" he asked. He glanced over to the other bed next to Rason. Dark was lying there, bandages on his chest, and Mizore sitting on his bed as well while keeping her eyes on her demon. She had a worried expression and didn't look up at the other's voices.

"What's going on? Why are they hurt?" Tsukune asked worriedly. He tried to move then felt that he was held down. He looked to his waist and saw that a strong coupling belt was tied over his lap, keeping him secured to the bed. He looked at it puzzled then to Moka.

"What's going on?" he asked worriedly.

"Tsukune…" Moka said softly before looking down. Her expression changed from happy to sorrowful very quickly.

"There's a lot we need to tell you," Kokoa said with a sad look.

"What is it? What happened?" Tsukune asked the two vampires. Before he could get an answer the door to the room opened and two girls walked in. Tsukune looked over and recognized them instantly.

"Yukari. Ruby," he said as they walked over to him. Ruby was looking at him with a cautious eye while Yukari looked like she had been crying recently, her expression of sorrow.

"What's wrong? Why won't anybody tell me what is going on?" he asked concerned.

"Tsukune…" Moka said before looking at him with sad eyes.

"There was an… incident," Ruby said softly. The boy looked at her then to his friends.

"What? Tell me please," he said worriedly.

"Tsukune… do you remember anything from that night?" Ruby asked gently. The boy thought for a moment then held his head with one hand.

"I remember… pieces of it…" he said. He saw flashes of him in Moka's room. He was sitting on her bed while she was bowing before him in a French maid uniform.

"I… don't know…" he said as he strained to remember. His mind seemed to be blocking something.

"Tsukune, there was a problem with your vampire blood," Ruby said as she sat next to him on his bed. He looked at her puzzled.

"With my… blood?" he asked. He tried to remember anything else, but only drew a blank. After a pause he looked down.

"Wait… that voice," he said as he remembered the voice that was taunting him that day.

"Do you remember what it said to you?" Ruby asked curiously. Tsukune strained to remember, but couldn't piece together anything.

"No…" he said as he looked down.

"Well…" Ruby started before looking down as well, struggling to tell the boy what happened.

"Please tell me… what happened that night?" he asked the witch with urgency.

"Tsukune… your vampire power went berserk. You… turned into a ghoul," Kokoa said as she looked at him with remorse.

"A… ghoul?" he asked

"Yes," Moka said looking up with tears starting to form. Tsukune looked to her as she was struggling to hold back her tears.

"When a vampire injects blood into a person, one of three things can occur," she started with Tsukune fearing where this was heading.

"One, the person dies right away from the foreign blood," Ruby said.

"Two, the person becomes part vampire, and is gifted with strength and power," Kokoa continued.

"Or three…" Moka said taking the boy's hand into her own gently. He looked at her curiously.

"Three… the person changes into a ghoul, a creature of horrible rage and bloodlust. They only live to kill and slaughter all those around them," she said softly. Tsukune's eyes widened as he feared which option happened to him.

"Wait… you mean…" he said as he started to shake a bit. Moka looked at him with regret and nodded.

"Yes… you changed, right before my eyes. I'm sorry Tsukune, I thought I knew what was bothering you that day, but I was wrong. I'm so sorry," she said before starting to cry softly. Tsukune looked at her then to Ruby.

"Did I… did I hurt anyone?" he asked. He then gasped and looked over to Dark and Rason. Kurumu and Mizore were looking at him with sorrowful expressions.

"No… I… tell me I didn't," he said in shock. They looked to their boyfriends sadly, neither speaking a word. Tsukune looked down and shut his eyes, unable to believe he was capable of that. He had hurt his friends, and by the looks of it pretty badly.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember… I'm sorry, I never wanted to do such a thing," he said as he tried to control his frustration.

"Tsukune, there's more," Ruby said softly, afraid to tell the boy anymore. He looked to her with growing fear.

"More?" he said weakly. Ruby nodded and looked down with a sorrowful expression as well.

"Tsukune… that ghoul… he…" she started before fighting back tears.

"What… what else did it do?" he asked afraid to know the answer. There was a long pause before Kokoa spoke up.

"Apoch and Astreal, he killed them," she said softly. Tsukune looked at her with horror and shock from hearing that.

"What?" he cried out. He looked to the others, praying he didn't hear right. All eyes were on him now, looking at him with remorseful expressions.

"No… no… it can't be…" he said as he started to tremble. Everybody looked down, remembering the witches' final moments at the hand of the ghoul.

"I'm sorry Tsukune…" Ruby said softly.

"No… no!" he cried out as he buried his face into his hands. He started to tremble in the bed as he fought back his tears. Kokoa and Moka looked at him with sorrow, both wishing he didn't have to hear those words. The boy shook violently in the bed and struggled not to scream out.

'NO! WHAT HAVE I DONE?'

"Tsukune, it wasn't your fault, it was that thing's. He did that, he was the murderer," Kokoa said as she put her arm on the boy's back to comfort him.

"Yes, please don't blame yourself. You weren't in control, it wasn't your fault," Moka said worriedly. He shook his head and screamed out into his hands.

"What have I done? I killed them, I killed my friends!" he cried out as he trembled in horror and complete shock of what he had done.

"Tsukune, they're right, it wasn't your fault." Ruby said worriedly. She was grief-stricken about the loss of the sisters still, but knew Tsukune never meant for any of this to happen.

"No… NO!" he yelled out. A sudden surge of vampiric energy swept through the room causing everybody to jump a bit and look at him with surprise. The aura surged violently then quickly disappeared. Tsukune shook his head in his hands and cried out.

"Tsukune…" Moka said with wide eyes. Ruby stood up and pointed her wand at him.

"Tsukune stop right now," she said in a commanding voice. He shook a bit then looked up to her.

"Ruby?" he said softly.

"Keep your power in check, or else I'll be forced to take action," she said as she lowered her wand. He looked at her curiously, then down to the belt that was fastened around him to the bed.

"You see, the headmaster is concerned about your… condition," Ruby said cautiously as she sat back down on the bed.

"What do you mean?" he asked softly.

"The headmaster is worried about another incident. Ghouls are never taken lightly in the monster world. The rule about them is they are to be killed on sight," she said eyeing him closely. His eyes widened at hearing that.

"Wait… what are you saying?" he said nervously.

"It's only because of the fact that you changed and managed to bring yourself back that the headmaster has spared you… so far," she said looking to the belt. He looked down to the belt that had him fastened to the bed as Ruby nodded slowly.

"You are under observation, to make sure you are in control and that we are safe," she said softly. Tsukune looked at the belt for a moment then closed his eyes in sorrow.

"I killed my friends, I'm not in control," he said weakly. Kokoa and Moka looked at him with worried eyes then to each other.

"If you cannot be trusted, then there is only one course of action we will take. You would be executed," Ruby said with regret. Tsukune looked to her then to Moka. He feared what might happen if his power went haywire again, she could be next. The girl he loved more than anything was in constant danger just being around him.

"Maybe that would be best," he said as he looked back down. The girls gasped at hearing that.

"Tsukune…" Moka said covering her mouth.

"Don't talk like that," Kokoa said sternly.

"Yeah Tsukune, I can't bear to lose you too," Yukari spoke up with tears in her eyes.

"Please don't give up. Please Tsukune," Ruby said with a begging tone. Mizore and Kurumu looked to each other than to the grief-stricken boy.

"Tsukune, you can't just give up like that," Kurumu said as she walked over to him. He looked up at her with a pained expression.

"I killed my two friends, and put both of your boyfriends in the emergency room. I'm a danger to all those around me. Why would I want keep going like this?" he said with tears starting to form. Kurumu looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Don't give up Tsukune. You can overcome this," Mizore said as she walked over.

"Yes, that's why I'm here," Ruby said, bringing all eyes to her.

"What?" he asked curiously.

"The headmaster wants you to resume your training-" she started before the boy yelled out.

"What? Is he crazy? That's how this whole thing got started, from me trying to get stronger in the first place! Why on earth would I want to do that again?" he yelled out. Ruby blinked at him and backed up slightly frightened, then after a moment continued.

"As I was saying, you need to keep up your training so you can fully control your power. That way you won't lose control again," she said with a gentle smile.

"But… that will only make this worse. Next time I lose control I could kill you all!" he cried out in fear.

"But Tsukune…" Moka said with tears in her eyes. He looked to her with a fearful expression.

"Please, don't leave me," she said worriedly.

"Moka?" he asked softly.

"I got you back. I just got you back. I thought you were gone forever when that ghoul took over, but you came back. You did the impossible and returned to your normal self. Please don't leave me again!" she cried out as she pulled the boy into a hug. She cried while holding him as Tsukune looked ahead while taking in the words of his girlfriend.

"Please! I love you Tsukune, don't give up, please!" she begged as she sobbed in the embrace. Tsukune closed his eyes and held his girl close to him.

"Moka… I love you too. I just don't want anything to happen to you," he said softly.

"We can get through this together, I know we can. Please, let us help you," she said as she pulled away and gazed into his eyes. He looked at her with wonder, his perfect girlfriend, the only one he would ever love with all his heart. As it stood now he was a constant threat to her, a ticking time bomb. If he lost control again she would likely die. But if he could only manage to control that power within, he could save her and still be with her.

"Moka… ok. For you, I'll train to get control," he said with a gentle smile. She smiled brightly and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Thank you Tsukune…" she said, then hugged him again, holding the boy close to her as she sighed in relief.

The door opened and a nurse walked in. She looked at the group and smiled softly.

"Don't mind me, just checking on our patients," she said with a smile.

"How are they doing?" Ruby asked as she looked to Dark and Rason.

"Well physically their injuries seemed to be healed. Just have to wait for them to wake up now," the woman said as she walked over to Dark.

"Well that's good," Tsukune said with relief. Mizore walked over to the nurse as she examined Dark.

"Is he really going to be ok?" she asked worriedly. The nurse smiled at her then resumed looking at the boy.

"Yes dear, the body has healed; the mind just has to find its way back. Don't worry, I'm sure they will be awake any time now," she said as she lifted his hand up. His wrist had healed thanks to the doctor's magic and he looked as good as new.

"Just need to check the pulse," she said as she put two fingers on his wrist. Instantly his hand grabbed her and he shot up at blinding speed. The nurse just stared wide eyed as the boy glared at her, his other hand poised back ready to strike. After a pause he blinked and leaned back, releasing the startled nurse.

"Um… you're awake…" she squeaked out.

"Don't touch me," he said flatly. The nurse looked at him with surprise still as she caught her breath.

"Sorry, just checking… for your vitals," she said softly. The boy looked at her with his usual expression, then over to his snow girl who had a big smile on her face.

"My little snow bunny," he said with a soft smile. Mizore tossed her lollipop off to the side and jumped on top of the boy, pulling him into a fierce kiss. The nurse just blinked and backed up.

"Um… he might still need some rest," she said as she watched the couple kiss on the bed.

"Nah, I think he's just fine," Kokoa said with a smirk.

Next to them Rason started groaning and moving slightly. Kurumu looked to him with worried eyes as his hand moved slightly.

"Rason?" she asked softly. The angel sat up slowly and shook his head, then opened his eyes and blinked to clear his vision.

"Wow… where am I?" he asked in a daze. A mere second later he was slammed back into the bed by the happy succubus's lunge.

"RASON! YOU'RE ALIVE! I was so worried about you, I thought I lost you! Don't ever leave me! Please Rason! Promise me you'll always stay with me, no matter what! Please Rason, I love you much!" she cried out as tears of joy started to flow down her face.

"Kurumu…" the group said dryly. She smothered the boy for a moment longer then looked down. The angel was once again passed out as her breasts had cut off his oxygen supply. She screamed then jumped to the side of the bed and started shaking the boy.

"Rason! I'm so sorry! Please don't die! Please don't die!" she cried out in fear.

"Poor angel," Yukari said softly. The others merely nodded in agreement.

Mizore finished her kiss with her boyfriend, smiling at her demon with loving eyes.

"I was so worried about you," she said softly. He smiled gently and brushed the hair away from her face around her ear, causing her to blush once again.

"I'll never leave you," he said gently. The snow maiden sighed happily and rested her head on his chest while she lay on top of him.

Rason shot up with a surprised look and shook his head, once again coming to again.

"Um… what just happened?" he asked confused.

"Kurumu nearly killed you again, as usual," Yukari said with a snicker. Kurumu glared at her with a loud growl.

"I was only expressing my love for my boyfriend you little brat!" she yelled out.

"Every time you do you nearly kill him!" the witch barked back.

"At least I have a boyfriend to show my love to, who do you have? Oh that's right, nobody!" Kurumu snapped out. A moment later she was sent to the ground from a washtub slamming down onto her skull.

"Serves you right," Yukari said with a huff.

"Now now, let's not fight. Not here," Moka said with a weak smile.

"Yeah, everybody's finally awake now. Calm down," Ruby said as she looked at the group. Everybody's eyes turned to Tsukune again as he looked around the room. He glanced around at his friends then looked down saddened. He feared what they might say or do about his recent outburst.

"You guys… I'm-" he started before looking up. Dark had gotten up and walked over to his bedside, the silent boy just looking down at him with narrowed eyes.

"Um…" Tsukune said softly. He didn't know what to say, but was slightly afraid of what Dark might do. The group looked at Dark curiously, waiting to see the demon would do or say.

"Dark… did you know about Tsukune's condition?" Ruby asked curiously. After a moment the boy nodded.

"I had a feeling. I've seen it before," he said simply, still keeping his eyes locked onto Tsukune.

"You've seen that before?" Rason said standing up. He looked from Dark to Tsukune with curious eyes.

"Have you fought a ghoul before?" Ruby asked.

"No," Dark said shaking his head.

"Then… how…" Ruby said wondering how he had seen it before.

"You're lucky," Dark said coldly. Tsukune tilted his head in wonder.

"I would have killed you when you displayed the first symptom. I would have snapped your neck," Dark continued withy. The group looked at him with wide eyes.

"A ghoul needs to be killed on sight, they don't deserve mercy or pity," Dark said as he glared at Tsukune.

"But… then why didn't you…" Tsukune started nervously.

"She would have been sad if I was mistaken," Dark said calmly, his eyes returning to normal.

"She?" Tsukune asked.

"My Mizore," the demon replied softly as he looked to her. She was watching him curiously as she pulled out another lollipop from her sweater.

"She wouldn't have forgiven me for killing wrongly, especially if it was you," Dark said looking back to Tsukune.

"But… if you had, they might still be alive…" Tsukune said softly looking down. Dark glanced to Ruby with a questioning eye.

"Wait… what is he talking about?" Rason asked worriedly.

"That ghoul, it killed Apoch and Astreal," Ruby said softly. Dark and Rason looked to her with surprise, even Dark's eyes widened at hearing that.

"What?" Rason cried out.

"Apoch," Dark said softly as he looked down.

"It's true, that ghoul was too strong. He broke through Apoch's shield and survived a pointblank shot from Astreal, twice," Kokoa said sadly.

"Astreal… Apoch…" Rason said looking down and closing his eyes.

"It's my fault… I should have had better control. I just… I couldn't stop it. I didn't even know it was happening," Tsukune said as he hung his head down in sorrow. Dark looked at him and narrowed his eyes again.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't…" Tsukune choked out as he fought back tears. He didn't know that when he saw those two in gym class that day, it would be the last time he ever saw them.

"Tsukune…" Moka started as she looked at him with sorrow.

"I'm a murderer, there's no denying it. I'm… a horrible…" he said as he cried out a few tears.

"Stop it," Dark said simply. All eyes turned to him with surprise as Tsukune looked up to him. Dark held out his hand and glared at Tsukune.

"My hands are tainted. The blood of an innocent young girl will never wash off," he said as he kept his focus on the boy. Tsukune looked to his hand then back to his eyes.

"I wasn't in control, yet her death came because I existed," he said as he returned his hand to his side.

"But… Dark…" Tsukune said as he remembered Apoch and Astreal's smiles they always had.

"Our hands may be stained, but our souls are not," Dark said calmly. Tsukune looked at him curiously as did the rest of the group.

"But… what can I do now?" Tsukune asked, unsure of how to react.

"Control it. Own it. That dark power in you is pure evil, I know how that feels," Dark said as he held his hand on his chest. He was a demon made from hatred and fear itself, pretty close to a ghoul's existence.

"Own it?" Tsukune asked

"Yes. Use that power for the right cause. Arial may have died by my hand, but I will not let my power go to waste, whether it be good or evil in nature. I promised that girl I would use this life wisely, I will not go back on my word," Dark stated with confidence.

"But…" Tsukune replied looking down.

"Apoch and Astreal would bear no grudge against you, you weren't in control. However…" Dark continued, getting the boy's attention.

"However, they would not forgive you for giving up so easily," he said looking over to Moka. She looked at Dark then over to her boyfriend as Tsukune turned his eyes to her. He had Moka Akashiya as his girlfriend, the girl he loved and adored for so long. Dark was right, he had to protect her. He had to stand by her side. He may have a dark power inside of him, but it was still his power, his to do with as he saw fit.

"You're… you're right," Tsukune said looking down to his own hand. He knew he had to get control over his power; he couldn't just give up now. He had a reason to push on, a reason to fight.

"Thank you. That's just what I needed to hear," he said looking up to his demon friend. Dark smiled briefly then resumed his normal expression. He then reached down and grabbed the belt holding Tsukune down, then effortlessly snapped it off.

"Like this was going to keep him down anyway," he said with a glance to Ruby.

"I told them it was silly, but the nurses here spook easily," she said with a shrug. Mizore giggled at that, remembering how Dark terrified one a few minutes ago. Tsukune stood up and looked around at his friends.

"I guess I need to get back to training again soon," he said with renewed confidence.

"Yes, and we'll help you, every step of the way," Moka said with a smile as she attached herself to his arm. She looked to him with loving eyes, so glad her boyfriend was back with her.

"Count me in too," Kokoa said with a wink to Tsukune, the boy a bit surprised that she was acting so friendly with him now.

"I think I could use a bit more practice. The last fight I was in didn't end so well," Rason said with a chuckle.

"Me too, I need to get my strength up to speed as well," Kurumu said with a smirk. Mizore nodded to that and looked at her boyfriend.

"Mine also, I need to protect my future husband after all," she said with a soft smile.

"If you all are doing that then so am I!" Yukari cheered out. She was determined to stay by her friends and be stronger for them as well, and especially determined to stay by Tsukune and Moka's side. Ruby smiled at them then looked to Tsukune.

'I hope the headmaster is right about him. If he can learn to control that much raw power…'

Tsukune smiled at his friends, seeing they were all still willing to stand by his side after everything his darker side did.

'Oh how sweet, so touching…'

Tsukune gasped and looked ahead with wide eyes, with everybody then turning to him curiously.

"Tsukune? What's wrong?" Moka asked.

'When I get free again they won't be so lucky.'

Tsukune narrowed his eyes with a focused expression. He knew this voice wasn't just going to go away, but he was done being weak. He was done being vulnerable. And he was done with dealing with this side of himself.

"You're hearing it again, aren't you?" Ruby asked cautiously.

"Yeah… but this time he's not going to get to me," Tsukune said as he listened to the voice in his mind.

'Kill them… slaughter them all… rip them to-'

'Are you done yet? I pulled you back into that black void before, I can do it again.'

'Haha, you think you can just make me go away? I told you, I AM you. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Neither am I. Get comfortable back in your dark hole, you're going to be there for a long time. Oh, and by the way, just for the record, you are not me. You're a disease, and I will find the cure for you.'

'So delusional, you can't get rid of me. We are one and the same. I'll gain control again, and when I do-'

'Again, shut the fuck up. I won't be weak like I was that night. And speaking of which…'

"Hey Kurumu?" Tsukune asked the blue haired girl with a sly smile.

"Um… yes?" she asked confused by his sudden smile.

"That movie you showed us that night…" he started. She tilted her head in wonder.

"Mind if I borrow it? I was looking forward to seeing how it turned out," he said with a chuckle.

'What…'

"Um, sure I guess. I thought you guys didn't like it though," Kurumu said with a laugh.

"Oh no, my other side loves it," Tsukune said with a wink. The others looked at him curiously then laughed a bit.

"Oh he does?" Kurumu said with a sly smile. The other girls looked to each other with smirks.

"Well then, I have many more like it," she said with a chuckle. Tsukune laughed a bit at hearing that, and hearing his inner self talk to him again.

'I fucking hate you…'

'The feeling is mutual. You hurt my girlfriend and killed my friends. I will never let you free again. And I will do everything in my power to torture you as you did to me.'

'I'm going to make you regret this…'

Tsukune chuckled at the hollow threat from the inner voice. He knew he had to get control over his power. Whether this voice ever went away or not, he now had a goal; to become stronger, both physically and mentally, to protect his friends and his girlfriend. He vowed to honor Apoch and Astreal, and their sacrifice to try to save the others from his darker self.

"Tsukune, if I may ask, I had a question about that fight with the ghoul," Kokoa asked curiously. Everybody looked to her.

"Well, I don't really remember the fight," he said rubbing the back of his head.

"But how did you manage to fight the ghoul? What was it like?" she asked with eyes of wonder.

"Yes, I'm curious as well. What was it like to fight for your own body?" Moka asked her boyfriend. Tsukune thought about it as he looked up. Thinking for a moment he started to recall what happened.

Floating around in the empty void Tsukune struggled to regain himself. He knew that evil voice had done something, he could feel it. He just couldn't see anything around him. He couldn't move around in the darkness. He couldn't hear a sound.

"What's going on… what's happened to me?" he asked as he struggled to focus his mind. He could feel his body shifting around, almost like he was moving. He tried to move it himself, but couldn't budge it.

"Why can't I… why can't I move?" he said as he tried to move again, the body not responding. He grew afraid of what was happening, scared of what might happen to his friends.

"I need to wake up. I need to wake up!" he cried out. He then heard it, a voice. It was faint, but he heard it.

"Wait… is that…" he said softly as he strained to listen. Again he heard a voice in his mind, a girl's voice. A girl he knew very well.

"It… it is…" he said as he focused on the voice. He struggled to move with all his might, he could feel his arm starting to budge. His head started to ache but he pressed on, he had to gain control, he had to wake up from whatever nightmare this was. And this voice, it acted as a beacon. He focused on it with all his might.

"I can hear her…" he said as he strained his body. Slowly his body started to tremble. He could feel something fighting back, trying to push his mind back out. He struggled and focused with all his might. He had to regain himself. He had to for his friends. He had to for those he cared about.

"Tsukune," the voice called out again. It sounded close, almost like it was all around him.

"C'mon, wake up!" Tsukune yelled out as he used more of his strength to move. Her voice called again and again, fueling him with the energy to push forward. He heard her voice in his ear as if she was next to him. And she saw her face clear as day; her smile, her green eyes, her fangs, and her hair just as he had remembered it.

"Tsukune," she called again. He saw her flash before his eyes, then felt his power surge around him. He could feel himself pushing the force out of his head, his whole world shaking around him fiercely. In his mind only one thing echoed out before he felt his world erupt in a bright glow and a deafening roar.

"Kokoa."