Wow… twenty chapters. When I started this little project, I was going to go in a completely different direction (as you can probably tell from the now-outdated summary). However, I am immensely happy with how the story is going and looking back at the first couple chapters is like a time capsule to when my writing was so bad it's embarrassing. Anyway, enjoy!

CHAPTER 20

Suck it up!

Yukari's eyes darted all around the main hall, taking in every foreign object with wide-eyed wonder. Her parents were doing the same, although much more subtle. Mizore just kind of sat and stared. None of them had seen anything so extravagant in their entire lives, which was yet another example of the chasm between the rich and the poor. They soaked in the sights for a few more minutes before Mizore spoke up.

"How long will we be waiting?" She asked to no one in particular. They were all thinking the same thing, but Mizore was the only one who had so little tact that she would actually voice her complaints about the royal family. Nobody answered her.

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Moka was on borderline panic, and despite her best efforts, it was showing. Her hair was a mess her eye was twitchy, and she was so on edge that everyone was afraid to approach her lest they face her wrath. Sadly, this was not helping her get any closer to finding out where Tsukune had disappeared to.

"Should have assigned guards." Moka berated herself under her breath. "Why the hell didn't I?" She asked. Of course, she knew the answer: people might start asking questions about why armed guards were protecting nothing more than a measly servant. That was one of the reasons Moka visited everyday: to discourage attacks. Clearly, that tactic hadn't worked out. Moka was busy going over every possible scenario when somebody clearing his or her throat interrupted her. She spun and saw clearly uncomfortable servant waiting behind her. "What?" She barked in agitation.

"Er, well..s-sorry to disturb you Princess," The servant started, "but you see…the guests are still waiting. Should I send them away or-"

"No." Moka interrupted. As horrible as their timing was, sending away the Aono family would only make them suspicious. But Moka knew she couldn't face them; not without Tsukune safe and sound. She thought a few moments and came to a conclusion. "Give them a tour of the grounds." Moka instructed. "And take as long as you can." The servant nodded and scurried away, leaving Moka alone. She grit her teeth as she kept coming to the same conclusion no matter what scenario she came up with: she had no clue what to do. Moka realized that no matter how much she hated it, no matter how much it pained her, she was going to have to swallow her pride and…ask for help.

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The servant entered the main hall where the Aono family was patiently waiting and got their attention by clapping twice. "I'm sorry," he began, "but the Princess is rather busy at the moment. While she cleans up loose ends, she has requested for you to have a tour of the grounds. Please follow me." The servant started up the stairs without waiting for a response.

"Oh wow, a tour!" Yukari squealed as she bounded up the stairs. Her father followed, chuckling, while his wife brought up the rear. Mrs. Aono looked around.

"Hey," Mrs. Aono noticed. "Where's Mizore?"

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Ruby paused in her potion making as a strange sensation traveled up her spine. The royal witch looked up, alarmed. She had felt that sensation only once before, when she…no, it couldn't be. Ruby shook her head and tried to focus on her potion, but the same thought kept nagging her.

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Moka stared at the wooden door, trying to bring herself to knock. It's for Tsukune, it's for Tsukune Moka kept mentally chanting. It wasn't working. Finally, Moka decided that she had been wasting too much time. She shut her eyes and, fighting her every instinct, Moka brought up her hand and knocked on the door. A few moments later, the room's occupant opened the door.

"Moka!" Gin exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. "Hello!"

"Hello Gin." Moka deadpanned, resisting her natural urge to punch the pervert in the face.

"What brings you here?" Gin asked, genuinely curious; As far as he could tell, Moka was doing all she could to avoid him.

"I take it you've heard about the servant that has gone missing."

"Of course." Gin responded. The news was all over the castle: Moka's personal servant had vanished into thin air.

"We seem to be having some… trouble finding him." Moka accidentally put extra emphasis on the word as she forced it out. Gin's eyebrows shot up. Was Moka asking what he thought she was asking?

"What are you saying?" He goaded, enjoying himself. Moka narrowed her eyes in anger.

"I need your…your…" Moka grew angrier and angrier at Gin as she tried to force out her request. He was clearly enjoying himself. How dare he do this to her vampire pride! "I need your…help!" Moka finally managed to force out. Gin smiled in victory and gestured towards the hospital.

"Is that all? Why didn't you say so earlier? Lead the way!" Moka, fuming, started towards the hospital with Gin in tow while, unbeknownst to either of them, they were shadowed by a silent girl with purple hair...

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Next thing to upload will probably be the winner of the Mornings poll.