ROSARIO+KIVA
Episode 21: Feel the Same
So much had changed between Moka and Wataru. After the kiss shared between their alter-egos, their relationship had become quite an interesting one. At least it showed that deep down they had feelings for each other.
Wataru couldn't look Moka in the eye after he had been told what had happened. Every time he tried he would turn red and look away. He had wanted to just lock himself in his room, but Taiga pulled him out stating that he had to deal with it sooner or later. It would be better if he just got it over with now rather than draw it out.
Not that Moka was having an easier time with it. She could barely speak to Wataru much less look him in the eye. Her face was a constant shade of red whenever Wataru was around and she always had an excuse to get away quickly. Kurumu and Mizore weren't making her life easier, being miffed that she had snagged Wataru's first kiss rather than one of them. She had been receiving glares from them for days now.
What made it worse was that Gin had gotten it on film. Without any of his fellow club members knowing, he wrote up an article about the vampiric beauty Moka-sama staking her claim on the golden knight Kiva. A front page article with the two fighters kissing met the students' eyes when the newest issue was published. People were calling Moka and Wataru the King and Queen of Youkai Academy. They were the picture perfect couple who everyone would talk about. Girls Moka had never met before would congratulate her on snagging Kiva while Wataru would get asked questions about Moka-sama by the boys. Usually both sides were asking perverted questions half the time.
Wataru's time hasn't been made any easier by his blood. It had gotten worse since that day. He was starting to fantasize about Miss Nekonome and the other female teachers, but his most frequent one was where he would tear off Moka's rosario and 'show Moka-sama her place'.
Meanwhile, Mizore and Kurumu were becoming even more forward in their attempts for his attention. Kurumu was as physical as ever and Mizore was making liberal use of her abilities to keep Moka and Wataru separate. Their hope was to trigger his Fangire blood again and let Kiva mate with them. Fortunately, Yukari, Kivat, and Tatsulot were there to help stop them.
Taiga himself was jealous of what Kiva had accomplished. Still, he knew that Moka-sama liked men who were strong enough to match her. She hadn't fought him too many times as of yet so she had yet to see his power as King. Taiga merely contented himself on knowing that he still had a chance. Besides, where was the fun in hunting when it was too easy?
Trying to rehearse with Moka was proving difficult for Wataru, so Taiga decided to help by rehearsing the scenes that required both himself and Moka to be on stage at the same time. Wataru could do the other scenes but this wasn't helping much either. There was emotional baggage and it was going to get heavier.
"Your mother's coming?" Wataru blinked as Kurumu informed him of the news.
"On the first night of the festival," Kurumu added. "She's really looking forward to meeting you."
"Why?" asked Wataru curiously.
"Well…I kinda told her that you and I were…" Kurumu played with her fingers shyly. "Engaged."
THUD!
"Wataru?" Kurumu looked down at Wataru who'd just fainted after hearing the word 'engaged'. "Oh…" She knelt down and grinned. "Well, maybe it's time for some TLC and CPR." She leaned in close until their lips were inches apart before an ice kunai impaled her forehead with a 'thunk'. She was thrown backwards with a bleeding forehead as Mizore moved from her hiding place.
"It's a good thing I hid myself," said Mizore. She grabbed hold of Wataru's arms and dragged him away to a private spot she knew. Then, he would father her children.
Wataru woke up and found himself under a tree near the lake where Mizore had taken him after their first meeting. "Huh?"
"I'm glad you're awake, Wataru-san," Mizore said gently. His head was in her lap and she was stroking his hair.
"Mizore-san? Where's Kurumu-san?" he asked, confused.
"Oh, she had an appointment in the infirmary," Mizore said. "Wataru-san, my mother will be coming and she can't wait to finally meet you."
"Your mother too?"
"That's right," Mizore smiled. "And I told her that you're my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend!"
"Yes," Mizore nodded, still smiling. "She is very excited to meet you. I was hoping that we could take a day at the festival to meet her. It would mean a lot to me if you did."
"Well…" Wataru mumbled. This was a fine mess he was in now. One girl told her mother he had proposed and another had told her mother that he was her boyfriend.
"This is a pretty serious situation, Wataru-kun," Taiga snickered.
"It isn't funny, Nii-san," Wataru frowned. "Kurumu-san and Mizore-san's mothers are going to be expecting me to be in a relationship with their daughters. What do I do?"
"Well, I'd say pray to God and hope He is merciful," Taiga shrugged. "Or, you could beg to those ladies for mercy and hope they feel like listening. Mothers do like to hear that their daughters are in good relationships."
"That means they'll be judging me the first moment we meet," Wataru groaned. "I didn't need this on top of what happened with Moka-san."
"So I see," Taiga sighed. "You really need to talk to her. She's just as embarrassed about what happened as you are. She thinks you might be upset with her in some way."
"But I'm the one who couldn't control my blood," Wataru frowned. "Why would Moka-san think I'm upset with her? She should be upset with me."
"That's how forgiving she is," Taiga pointed out. "And, I think her inner self isn't at all offended by what you did and neither is her usual self. Don't you remember the kiss?"
Wataru in fact did remember the kiss. Well, it was actually a kiss shared between Moka-sama and Kiva but still it'd affected both of them dramatically. "What does that mean?"
"It means that at some level Moka-san has claimed you as hers," Taiga said with a frown. "And you've claimed her as well by the way you marked her as she'd marked you."
"Oh…god…" groaned Wataru. "Can this get any worse?"
"Well, there is a solution," said Taiga. "Because you're my brother, you can…" Taiga hesitated. Should he tell Wataru or would that just make things worse?
"I can what?" Wataru asked hopefully. He wanted a way to fix things.
"You can marry one of them and take the others as mistresses or marry all of them. Fangire royalty are allowed to be polygamists," said Taiga bluntly.
Wataru blushed and his left eye twitched before he fainted.
"OK…maybe that was too much for him," said Taiga with a sigh. Sometimes Taiga just couldn't believe Wataru was a threat at all to the Fangires by his behavior. It just didn't add up at all since Wataru would faint like this.
Taiga had dutifully brought Wataru back to Castle Doran. He was still unwelcome there, but since Wataru had given him permission, he was allowed to stay. Ruby had dutifully brought Wataru to his room to rest while Taiga explained what was going on to the other three.
"So Mizore-neechan and Kurumu-neechan told their mamas that Wataru-sama was with them?" Ramon chuckled. "Then how come Wataru-sama didn't tell us?"
"Because they lied," Jiro growled. "Jeez. How can some girls be so desperate?
"Competition," Riki shrugged. "They want to win. They think this is the best way to do so. What better what to do it then appeal to parents?"
Taiga chuckled slightly. He found the three to be good company when they weren't exuding resentment towards him or his clan. Wolfen, Merman, and Franken were also Mazoku and Taiga had nothing but respect for them. He wasn't his father, who would kill anyone who had a remote chance of becoming a threat or just because they got him upset. The three retainers of his brother were Mazoku and they deserved the respect that went with the name. More so since they were the last of their clans and had survived for as long as they had.
"And, what about this?" said Jiro as he showed Taiga the front page of the Yokai Academy's school newspaper's latest issue. Wataru always had a copy of it sent to Castle Doran so his retainers didn't feel left out. On it was the picture of Moka-sama and Kiva making out with the caption "The King and Queen of Yokai Academy".
"That's a result of Wataru-kun's Fangire blood waking up," stated Taiga. "He's already chosen a mate, it seems."
"And Wataru-sama doesn't know how to deal with it," Jiro guessed. "Honestly, he's timid and meek. It's a surprise he can fight Fangires being the way he is."
"I get the feeling whenever I see him. I still can't believe that he's Kiva."
"Your mother did choose him," Riki said with a frown. "She had her reasons. She sensed Wataru-sama was the perfect candidate."
"Anyway, you all are going to come to the festival, right?" asked Taiga. "Wataru-kun would want you to be there."
"Maybe not on the first day since we'll be busy but we will attend," said Jiro.
"Oh, good. I wouldn't want Wataru-kun to feel lonely without you," said Taiga.
Moka was feeling absolutely miserable as she lay on her futon. Things just hadn't been the same since that incident on the stage. Wataru wouldn't look her in the eye, but Moka hadn't really been doing the same. She was just too embarrassed.
She recalled what happened on the stage, which was embarrassing enough, but her inner self was bragging about it. She kept going on about how she had claimed what was hers. It was the closest to a giggling schoolgirl that she had ever heard of her inner self.
The article which came out left her mortified. Now everyone knew what had happened. Girls kept saying how lucky she was to snag Wataru or were asking if she could share or let them borrow him. It was just too much! Moka had never had a boyfriend her entire life, much less a boy who liked her. She had no idea what to do in a relationship!
She just wished that things would go back to normal. Unfortunately, that would not be going to happen anytime soon.
"Why are you moping about?" her inner self asked from the rosario. "We've publicly stated our claim and Kiva has claimed us as his mate. You should be happy. In a way you got your wish. You get Wataru Kurenai and I get Kiva. We both win."
"But you kissed him, in public, and it's on the newspaper!" Moka cried with a red flush on her face.
"Don't you like Wataru Kurenai?" asked Moka-sama.
"Of course I do!" answered Moka. "But he's also my precious friend and I don't want that to change!"
"You can't lie to me. I'm you," Moka-sama reminded. "Just go over and tell him how you feel."
But could Moka do that? Could she face him again?
"What's the problem?" asked Kurenai as Wataru paced in front of the mirror. "You get the girl. Heck, you even made out with her on stage. You should be happy."
"The problem is that now Moka-san and I can't speak to each other without being reminded of what happened," replied Wataru. "She's my best friend and yet we can't be in the same room without blushing and getting tongue-tied."
"Such is the challenge of love," said Kurenai. "And well, Nii-sama has the right idea. Why not marry one and take the others as mistresses? Heck, why not just marry them all?"
"Because I'm not sure who I want!" Wataru cried. The girls were each wonderful in their own way. They made him feel accepted and no longer alone. The competition he could do without. The door opened and Ruby entered.
"Goshujin-sama, were you talking to someone?" asked Ruby as she brought in some tea and biscuits.
"No," Wataru sighed. "Just trying to get my thoughts straight."
Moka sighed, trying to concentrate on her schoolwork. It was just too hard to concentrate on anything at the moment. Still, she needed to get her work done or else she was going to let her grades slip.
Tap-Tap!
"Huh?" Moka blinked. She turned to face her window and saw that Kivat was outside. "Kivat-san?"
Moka went to her window and opened it, allowing the metal bat into her room. Kivat rested on her table to rest for a moment before he faced Moka.
"I'm here to help clear the air," Kivat announced. "Wataru wants to meet you at Castle Doran. He wants to clear things up."
"Oh!" Moka gasped. She started blushing at the thought. "Um…"
"No getting shy now!" Kivat called. "Hurry up! Ikuze!"
He flapped his wings and flew to the door, beckoning the pink haired vampire to follow. After a moment of hesitation, she followed after Wataru's partner. She knew this had to be done but was she ready?
Within his workshop, Wataru played on his violin to help get his thoughts straight. He hadn't played much as of late because of school work and preparations for the play but now was a good time as any to play on the Bloody Rose. Somehow, playing on it made him feel better.
In his mind, he pictured the first day he met Moka-san, befriending her, and also how they'd once been alone before coming to this school. A lot had changed since that first day. Both of them had made many new friends thought in Wataru's case the girls he'd befriended wanted to pursue romantic relationships which he was unsure if he was ready for. In which case, he pictured on how he'd befriended the girls. At first, Mizore and Kurumu had attempted to force him to love them and even nearly killed him but he forgave them. Yukari herself had even tried to pull him away from his friends, which wasn't very successful. After the conflict had been settled, it was obvious that they had fallen for him but he'd been oblivious in the early stages. Not anymore, though.
Moka, however, never tried to seduce him like Kurumu, never stalked him like Mizore, nor did she ever try to glomp him like Yukari. Moka was just being herself and being his friends but even so she did hide her true self within her. The silver-haired and red eyed Moka-sama was the vampire's true self and Wataru wondered what would happen to the Moka he'd befriended if the seal was gone for good.
Of course, Wataru himself had another side to him. He was Kiva, the warrior who fought against Fangires. At first glance, nobody would even believe Wataru was capable of wielding such power but in a place like Yokai Academy, looks could be deceiving. He himself had defeated Kuyou with Kiva's full power.
With several plucks of the string, Wataru finished playing and that was when he heard the sound of applause behind him. He turned around, expecting it to be Ruby who enjoyed listening to him play, when he gasped. There was Moka.
"M-Moka-san!" he exclaimed, his cheeks pink.
"Sugoi, Wataru-kun," smiled Moka. "That was amazing."
"Moka-san, what are you doing here?" he asked. He couldn't move. He was just transfixed on his friend. She walked towards him.
"I missed you," she confessed. "Ever since that incident during rehearsal, we've been avoiding each other." She frowned. "I wish…I really wish things would go back to the way they were."
"Me too," he agreed. She closed the gap between them and hugged him. He stiffened for a second before he relaxed in her gentle grasp and wrapped his arms around her back. "I wish that I never lost control of my blood. I wish that I never bit you. I also wish that…"
"We never kissed?" Moka guessed. A part of her had enjoyed that part and she wondered if Wataru had too, even in his Fangire blood controlled state.
"The kiss felt nice," he confessed and Moka blushed. "Too bad I stole your first kiss."
'Wataru-kun, if I ever wanted to kiss anyone, it would've been you the whole time,' Moka thought but she could never express it in words. She had actually fallen in love with Wataru. Ever since their first meeting, she had fallen for him. He had become her first real friend and she didn't want to lose that. That was why she never told him her feelings. She didn't want to feel rejected. But it hurt so much whenever the other girls tried to claim him. 'I love you, Wataru-kun.'
Wataru also had started to fall in love but he was still confused about his own feelings. He'd never felt like this before. Being alone for a long time with only his guardians as company left Wataru with emotional immaturity. His only contact in the real world had been a girl named Shizuka but she didn't know the truth about him. She would freak out if she did. Now, Wataru was enjoying the hug and his blood hadn't reacted. The urge to bite Moka hadn't come since it'd been sated that night. There was still the danger that it may return but not right now. He didn't want to lose this feeling of holding his Moka.
"Wataru-kun, would you like to spend time at the festival with me?" she asked.
"I'd like that," he told her. "I'd like that a lot."
"And…" She looked away shyly. "May I…"
Wataru sighed. "Of course."
"Thank you," Moka smiled before pulling herself up to Wataru and then biting his neck.
CHU!
29th October, 1st Day/Night of the Yokai Academy Festival
The first day of the three-day festival had arrived and all the students were enjoying it with gusto. The parents of the students were also coming to see their kids and spend time with them after being apart for so long. Yokai Academy was filled with hustle and bustle. So much so that one would forget that it was a school for monsters.
Wataru knew he'd promised to meet with Moka but as soon as he'd left his dorm room, he was dragged by the arm by Kurumu. "Come on, Wataru, it's time you met my mother like you promised."
"But, Kurumu-san, I don't want to lie to her," said Wataru pleadingly. Kurumu had told her mother that Wataru was her fiancé and Wataru himself wasn't sure if it was right to lie to Kurumu's mother like that.
"Don't worry. My mama will believe anything I tell her," said Kurumu confidently. "Now, come on, she's gonna arrive soon."
Moka, herself, was in a beautiful green kimono, waiting for Wataru. This was to be a date and they were going to be spending time together during the festival. She'd been looking forward to this. This time she was going to tell Wataru how she felt for him and hope that he reciprocated. Now wasn't the time to be a coward anymore. There were a lot of people who came visiting, mostly former students, and they'd gone to the stalls and booths. Moka tried to find Wataru within the crowd but that was proving difficult. She frowned. "Wataru-kun, where are you?" she asked. She felt a tap on her shoulder and a hopeful look crossed her face. She spun around immediately and…
"There she is!" Kurumu pointed and Wataru tried to look. They had been searching around the main gate for a couple of minutes. Part of Wataru had hoped they wouldn't find Kurumu's mother so he could go see Moka, but that didn't seem to be happening. Kurumu was determined judging by the grip she had on him.
"Where?" Wataru asked. Kurumu was keeping a grip on his hand.
"Oh, over there! Mama!" Kurumu shouted.
Wataru could then see a woman approach them, being followed by love struck boys. Wataru noticed the blue hair and that she was wearing a short red dress under a brown fur coat. Also, she had bigger…um…she was bigger than Kurumu. If this wasn't Kurumu's mother, then she had to be some other relation. The two looked so similar so they just had to be related.
"Oh, my little girl," Kurumu's mother swept her daughter into her arms so tightly that their breasts were crushed together. "It's been so long! I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, mama," Kurumu returned the hug. She always loved being hugged by her mother. The two succubae let go and Mrs. Kurono took notice of Wataru.
"Ah, so this is the young man who's claimed your heart," said Mrs. Kurono. "Wataru, right?"
"My fiancé!" Kurumu hugged his arm to her chest. Wataru gave a weak smile and wave.
"Hm…" Mrs. Kurono smiled flirtatiously as she went over to Wataru. "It's good to finally meet you, Wataru-kun. My daughter has told me a lot about you. My name is Ageha Kurono."
"Konbanwa, Kurono-san," Wataru greeted.
"Oh, it's alright for you to call me Ageha. We will be family soon, after all." This made him gulp but then she suddenly grabbed his head and pressed his face against her breasts. He ended up trapped between her cleavage, face flushed and losing breath. "And I bet I can teach you how to please a woman as well."
"Mama!" Kurumu pulled Wataru away so he could breathe. "You're suffocating him!" She wasn't lying either. Wataru was gasping for air and had thought he was about to pass out. Not a bad way to go though.
"Oh, but he's just so adorable!" Ageha laughed. "Now, what is your surname? Kurumu never mentioned it."
"Oh, it's-" Wataru began when he felt a cold chill and Mizore snaked her arms around his neck.
"Wa-ta-ru-san," she said slowly. "My mother is here."
Ageha blinked and asked Kurumu, "Who's that?"
Kurumu frowned, "Just some stalker."
"Oh, so your fiancé is a popular one," Ageha joked. Normally a mother would have been concerned about poachers, but Ageha wasn't most mothers. She had complete confidence in her daughter's womanly charms. After all, any succubus worth her looks could seduce any man they wanted.
"Mizore-san," Wataru blinked. "Where is she?" Mizore pointed to a nearby tree and a head poked out from behind. She was definitely Mizore's mother but her hair had been done up and it was a lighter shade than Mizore's. Also, she wore a beautiful snow white kimono. 'Definitely her mother.' The resemblance in appearance and behavior was uncanny. The woman glided over towards Wataru with a smile. Like Mizore, she too had a lollipop in her mouth which Wataru understood was a way for yuki onna to keep cool. If Wataru hadn't known better, he would've thought that Mizore and her mother were sisters.
"Greetings, Wataru-san," the woman bowed in greeting. Wataru bowed back. "I am Tsurara Shirayuki."
"It's good to meet you, Shirayuki-san," Wataru said politely.
"Please, call me Tsurara. You and my daughter are dating so that means you'll be part of the family soon," Tsurara laughed.
"Tsurara!" Ageha hissed. Tsurara glared back with narrowed eyes.
Tsurara turned her attention to Wataru, whose arms were now within Kurumu and Mizore's grasp. "So, tell me, what's your surname? Mizore never told me."
"It's Kurenai. My full name is Wataru Kurenai," Wataru answered.
"Taiga-san!" Moka gasped. She'd been hoping for Wataru, not his older half-brother.
"Good evening, Moka-san," smiled Taiga. "Roses?" He held a bouquet to her. She accepted them politely. "You look lovely tonight."
"Thank you. I was waiting for Wataru-kun. Have you seen him?" asked Moka.
"He was supposed to meet me in front of the dorms but he never showed up," shrugged Taiga. "Maybe he got held up by something."
"Oh." Now Moka looked down. She'd been looking forward to spending some time with Wataru.
"Hey, cheer up, it's a festival," Taiga smiled. "Come on, let's look around. I bet I can put a smile on your face."
"Kurenai?" Ageha murmured. Now that was a name that she hadn't heard for along time.
"Was your father named Otoya Kurenai?" questioned Tsurara carefully.
"You knew my father?" asked Wataru. Ageha and Tsurara exchanged glares. Was it possible for anyone else to have known his father? This might've been the connection he'd been looking for.
"Mother, you knew Wataru-san's father?" asked Mizore.
"Mama, did you know him?" asked Kurumu.
"It was a long time ago…" began Ageha.
"Back when I was just a teenager," Tsurara interrupted. Ageha glared at the older yuki onna.
The Yokai Academy bus had stopped at a city in the human world several years ago. While the students were exploring, a younger Tsurara who'd worn her hair down and in her uniform was walking alongside a younger Ageha who wore her hair up in a ponytail and wore the uniform without the jacket and bow. Back then, they'd been friends.
"Tsurara, stop hiding yourself and let's look around," Ageha pulled.
"I'm sorry," mumbled Tsurara.
Then, the two heard the most beautiful music being played and they followed it to a park. There they saw a young man in a sharp blue suit and playing on a violin. He had chin length black hair and a handsome face. Both young women were entranced by it.
"Who's that?" asked Tsurara.
"I don't know," smiled Ageha. "But he sure is attractive, for a human."
The young man took notice of the two school girls and smiled as he continued to play. He pretended not to notice them as they came closer and closer. Now that they were within his 'trap', he finished playing by plucking the strings. The two girls applauded. "Thank you! Thank you!"
"That was amazing," complimented Tsurara.
"How did you learn to play like that?" asked Ageha.
"Oh, I would tell you but the great Otoya Kurenai never divulges his secrets. However, I would like to spend the day with two lovely ladies," he flirted. This made them swoon. "How about it, ladies?"
The two girls couldn't deny the offer.
Unfortunately, this had also strained their friendship since they kept fighting over Otoya. When they'd left to return to the Academy, two friends had become rivals. Whenever there was a chance to go to the human world, they would take it, just to go meet with Otoya again and fighting over him. Of course, he just disappeared one day, never to be seen again.
"He was my first love," sighed Tsurara.
"No, he was mine, you stalker!" Ageha snapped.
"You tried to steal him away, you big breasted whore!" Tsurara shot back.
"It's not my fault he found me attractive!"
Kurumu and Mizore just couldn't believe it. It was like looking at a mirror. Their mothers had been love rivals for Wataru's father and now they were doing the same. Wataru couldn't understand what was going on but he knew it was going to be troublesome…VERY troublesome.
Taiga accompanied Moka but couldn't get her to smile. Sure, she smiled briefly but he knew she'd wanted to spend time at the festival with Wataru. That was why Taiga envied his brother. Wataru could find love without effort while Taiga himself had to struggle because of the expectations thrust upon him.
"You don't seem to be having fun," Taiga observed.
"Oh, I am, it's just…" Moka began.
"You much rather be with Wataru-kun," Taiga finished.
"Oh, it's not that. It's just-" Moka tried to deny.
"Moka-sama! Moka-sama!" Yukari waved at them. With her were her parents. It wasn't hard to tell since her mother wore a hat like hers too. "I want you to meet my Mama-san and Papa-san!"
"OK!" Moka waved back. Taiga frowned. He'd hoped for some privacy. With Yukari around that didn't seem like it was going to happen.
Back with Wataru, it felt like he was standing between a rock and a hard place. Ageha and Tsurara were glaring at each other as old rivalries came to light. Since neither of them had been able to claim his father Otoya, it stood to reason that they were laying claim for their daughters in order to snatch Wataru.
"He's Mizore's boyfriend!" Tsurara insisted, grabbing Wataru's arm. "He should spend time with her."
Ageha laughed and grabbed the other harm. "Oh, no you don't! He's my Kurumu's fiancé so he should be spending time with her. After all, they are going to be married."
"But he's also chosen my Mizore so clearly he is having second thoughts," said Tsurara as she gave a strong (and cold) tug.
"Don't try and steal him away like you tried to steal away my Otoya!" snapped Ageha.
"Your Otoya? He enjoyed my company more you big breasted whore!" growled Tsurara.
"Better a whore than a chilly bitch like you!" hissed Ageha. "At least I wouldn't be too shy to do anything he wanted! He would have had the wildest night of his life if it weren't for you!"
"You were the one who ruined my chances!"
"Can you please let go of me?" Wataru pleaded.
At the front gates, a man with jeans and a leather jacket was walking onto the grounds. He looked around and didn't see anything too interesting. Everyone looked more or less the same in their regular clothes or school uniforms. How was he supposed to find who he was looking for like this?
"Hey, did you see that babe?" asked one boy. "Her boobs were huge!"
"What about that pale lady in the kimono?" asked another. "She was pretty hot too. You know what they say about women in kimonos…"
"Gimme girls with big boobs any day," the first student shrugged. "Besides, I heard that lady was Kurumu Kurono's mother. Bet you anything she's a succubus too!"
"Well I know for a fact that the kimono lady was a yuki onna," the second student smirked. "I saw her use her ice powers to freeze a guy who grabbed her butt. That's what I call a woman!"
The man stopped listening after that. Now that was interesting. Monsters did disguise themselves as humans here. It would be challenging to try and find a certain kind of monster. After all, the monsters looked like humans.
"Succubus and yuki onna," the man smirked as he brought up his watch and set it. "Double Time Play!"
"Hide in here!" Ageha pulled herself and Tsurara behind some crates. That scary man had been chasing them and she knew that he wanted to kill them. They were in a warehouse and trying to hide.
"Ageha, I'm scared," Tsurara shivered, causing the air to turn cold.
"It's okay," Ageha comforted her best friend. "I'm not going to let him hurt you."
Rook came into the warehouse and said, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" He aimed his fingers at several crates and shot his claw bullets at them, blowing them up. The two girls had to resist the urge to shriek. "I can hear you!" He kicked and tossed several crates away and found the cowering girls. "Found you!" He produced his Life Sucking Fangs. "Now, die!"
"Hold on!" Otoya said as he entered the scene. Rook glared at him in recognition. "Fancy meeting you here, Rook."
"You damn human," roared Rook as he assumed his true form. He hated when someone interrupted his Time Plays. Right now he was hunting girls wearing school uniforms. "I'm going to send you to Hell!"
"You first," said Otoya as he pressed the IXA Knuckle against his palm.
"READY!" the Knuckle responded.
"Henshin!" Otoya called out before snapping the IXA Knuckle to the belt.
"FIST ON!"
The bronze cross flew off the belt and produced the suit which solidified once it bonded to Otoya. The succubus and yuki onna gasped.
"Sorry, but you're not hurting Tsurara-chan and Ageha-chan," IXA said before he dashed towards Rook.
Meanwhile, at the festival, Kivat, Tatsulot and Sagark weren't idle either. The three beings were actually enjoying themselves. They had snatched some treats from the vendors without being caught.
"You know, this is the most fun I've had in a long time," said Kivat.
"So, where do we hit next?" asked Tatsulot.
"Gjggsdhehhshsh," suggested Sagark.
"Sounds good!" snickered Kivat. "Let's go!"
Taiga and Moka were now on the Academy rooftop. From there they could see the entire school grounds. If Moka wanted to find Wataru, this was the only way she knew how. She would try to look for him from above.
Taiga used this as a chance to be alone with Moka. "Moka-san, there's something I want to tell you," said Taiga.
"What is it, Taiga-san?" she asked.
"I love you."
"You know, Wataru-kun," Ageha spoke up as she and Tsurara 'walked' with him around the festival with their arms locked with his. Their daughters were walking behind them, feeling a little put out that they couldn't do the same with Wataru. "I'm a little sorry to say this but my Kurumu is a little inexperienced about things intimate. You've been learning such things from each other I hope? Would you like some pointers?"
"Mama!" Kurumu cried loudly, blushing a little. "If you're going to come onto him at least do it when no one is around!"
"Why would he want your daughter when he could have an elegant lady like my Mizore?" asked Tsurara with a frown.
"Are you saying my daughter isn't a lady?" asked Ageha with a dangerous growl.
"Well, she is YOUR daughter," Tsurara shrugged. "Besides, the son of my white knight deserves a true lady to be his bride."
"He deserves a woman who will tend to his needs!" Ageha retorted. "Who better than my little girl? Your frigid daughter probably doesn't even know how to please a man!"
"She does so!" Tsurara growled. "Yuki onna make wonderful wives. All your daughter would do is keep him in bed. What kind of wife is that?"
"HEY!" both daughters cried as they heard their mothers make comments against each other and them.
"Delicious," said Rook as he licked the ice cream cone. He loved to treat himself to ice cream but usually after Time Plays. Of course, he'd been craving the stuff for a while now and needed to be satisfied. This could just be considered a pre-victory reward.
Rook's eyes then fell upon a group of people he recognized. He saw the one who inherited Kiva's power being flanked by a pair of women who he could sense were a succubus and yuki onna. The younger girls were the same as well. Rook swallowed the entire ice cream cone and crushed it between his teeth before swallowing. "Now, the Time Play starts!"
"You…you….you…" Moka gaped. Taiga had just bluntly confessed his feelings to her. It completely blew her mind to hear it coming from him. "Since…when?"
"Well," Taiga sighed. "It was since I first saw you reach full power. I am attracted to powerful women. Seeing you and finding both power and beauty, I couldn't help but become smitten with you."
"But…" Moka tried to sputter out. Her mind was whirling from the revelation.
"I know you have feelings for Wataru-kun. Anyone would have to be blind not to by this point," Taiga chuckled. "Still, I just had to say it now. Holding it in will just create more regrets for me. So here I am saying it. I am in love with you, Moka Akashiya. I wish to be your boyfriend and hope you would become my queen."
"I…I…" Moka stammered.
"You don't have to answer me today," Taiga reassured her. "Just get your feelings in order first. When you are sure of what you want, then give me your answer. I only ask is that if your answer is no that we may remain friends regardless."
"O…okay," Moka nodded dumbly, still stunned.
Wataru could hear the Bloody Rose suddenly begin singing and when he did it meant trouble. Once the notes reached his ears and told him where trouble was approaching, he panicked. He searched the crowds for any sign that there was a Fangire around. Of course, unless they gave the visible signs, he wouldn't be able to tell. He looked forward and that's when the crowds parted enough for him to see a familiar face. His eyes went wide when he saw Rook approaching. "Rook!" he shouted.
"ROOK!" shouted Mizore and Kurumu.
"Rook?" both Ageha and Tsurara blinked.
Rook grinned, it seemed he would be able to wrap up some old Time Plays today. "Kill the yuki onna and succubus Time Play starts," grinned Rook. Both Ageha and Tsurara gasped when they saw the man. It was that psycho that had chased them in the past to kill them but Otoya had saved them.
"IXA KNUCKLE: RISE UP!"
IXA executed the Broken Fang finished but before it could connect, Rook grabbed his wrist and then bashed his chest with his fist before tossing him into several crates. The IXA suit deactivated and vanished and Otoya groaned. Tsurara and Ageha watched as Rook approached Otoya to finish him off. It was then that they leapt into action, assuming their true forms.
Wings spread out from Ageha's back as her nails lengthened while Tsurara's hands became ice claws. "Keep away from him!" shouted Ageha.
"He's mine!" Tsurara added. They attacked but Rook managed to defend himself from their assaults before grabbing their throats. His grip tightened dangerously close to breaking bones when a beeping noise echoed through the building. Snarling, the Lion Fangire tossed the two girls to the ground. He then reassumed his human form and looked to his watch.
"Time Play's over," Rook growled. "I must punish myself."
With that, he left, leaving the three teens to lick their wounds.
Screams and yells could be heard coming from below. Curious, Taiga and Moka looked down to see what was going on. From their position, they could see a man in black clothes fighting Wataru, who was still in his human form.
"Rook?" Taiga blinked. "What is he doing here?"
"Rook?" Moka gasped. "Oh no! Wataru-kun!"
"Let's go. He won't stop unless I tell him to," Taiga frowned. Both he and Moka quickly made tracks for the stairs. They thanked their genetics for allowing them to be so fast. The adrenaline running through them just allowed them to run that much quicker.
Bursting through the front doors, they ran to the fight. Wataru was getting pummeled as he protected Kurumu, Mizore and their mothers from Rook's attacks. He wasn't even trying to transform yet. He didn't have the time since Rook was punching him so hard. The wind kept getting knocked out of his lungs.
"Wataru-kun!" Moka cried as she ran forward.
"Rook, stop!" Taiga ordered as he ran towards the fight behind Moka.
"King! Why!" shouted Rook in confusion.
"Sorry, Rook, but you're not welcomed here," said Taiga coldly. "I order you to leave. It is my order as King!"
Rook sneered. "It's because of them, isn't it? You've gone soft, King-sama…" he then growled, looking over at the common friends of Kiva and Taiga. "Then Bishop was right to send me here."
"Bishop?" Taiga looked surprise.
"Looks like you're not acting like a Fangire King should," Rook said as his stained glass markings appeared, "Then I shall execute the unfit King!" He changed into his Lion Fangire form and roared.
"Wataru-kun, are you ready?" asked Taiga as Wataru stood by his side.
"Hai, Nii-san," nodded Wataru. Sagark and Kivat swooped down. Taiga's partner fastened himself to his master's waist as Kivat bit down on Wataru's hand.
"Henshin!" the two brothers called out as they activated their transformations. Quicksilver coated their bodies before shattering to reveal their armored forms of Kiva and Saga.
Ageha and Tsurara gasped as the two boys transformed. Their daughters, on the other hand, were dragging them away to take cover.
Moka arrived to watch her friends battle with the Lion Fangire. Though Saga was King, it appeared he was having trouble fighting Rook, even with Kiva's help. She gasped in fright as she watched Rook fire his claw bullets at Kiva. "Wataru-kun!" she shouted as she ran to him. Kiva picked himself up and saw Moka coming. Saga had Rook restrained with his whip but Rook was struggling against his bonds.
"Moka-san!" shouted Saga as Rook thrashed. "Take cover elsewhere! Let us handle this!"
"No," Moka protested. She raised Kiva's hand to her rosario. "I am going to fight!"
Clink!
The rosario was now in Kiva's hand and off the chain. Kiva then witnessed as Moka's change occurred. Her pink hair color faded into silver as her eyes narrowed and turned sharp. Her irises became blood red as her pupils became narrow slits. Her figure also began to mature as she filled out in all the right places. Even in the kimono she was sporting, she looked dangerous.
"Hm, Rook again," Moka-sama frowned. "Good." She looked at herself and scowled. "I can't fight in this." She then tossed her kimono off her body, revealing a black sports bra and shorts. "Ah, that's better."
Saga gawked at Moka's sexy figure as Kiva blushed under his helmet. Rook finally broke free and bashed Saga in the head, sending his former King staggering backwards.
Moka-sama rushed into battle and began throwing her fists into Rook's gut, chest and face. She was going to pay him back for the humiliation he'd dealt her months ago. Kiva soon joined in and the two vampiric beings started to kick Rook's butt.
Kurumu and Mizore frowned before walking out of their hiding places. There was no way they would allow Moka-sama to one up them. Giving their mothers apologetic looks, the two girls assumed their true forms and ran into the fight.
Rook sent Kiva and Moka-sama flying with his punches but then Kurumu swooped in and slashed the Lion Fangire across the chest with her claws. She started to fly far from his reach and dodged his claw bullets before swooping in again to slash at him again. Sparks ripped off Rook's body as Kurumu attacked relentlessly. Rook grabbed her tail and tossed her to the ground. Before he could stomp her flat, ice spikes smashed into him, courtesy of Mizore. She then went in and slashed Rook in the chest with her ice claws before Kiva came in and kicked him away.
Kiva helped Kurumu back to her feet. After inspecting her, he eyed Rook who was busy trying to hold off both Moka-sama and Saga. He knew what he had to do. Kiva reached behind his back and pulled out the Tatsulot Fuestle before sliding it into Kivat's mouth.
"TATSULOT!" Kivat called.
"Pyun! Pyun!" Tatsulot cheered as he arrived. He'd been with Yukari the whole time but now he was here to help. "Good evening! And now TENSION FORTISSIMO!"
He connected to Kiva's left forearm and Kiva's body flashed gold as the transformation to Emperor Form occurred instantaneously. Tsurara and Ageha gaped as they saw Wataru's second transformation and were making plans.
Kiva, Moka and Saga attacked hard and fast. Kiva slammed a palm into Rook's chest and then Moka used an uppercut. Saga slashed at Rook repeatedly, causing the Lion Fangire to roar in pain. When Saga stabbed at Rook's right shoulder, he noticed something wrong with that spot but was unable to contemplate as Rook grabbed his throat.
"Damn you! That hurts!" Rook roared. He was going to snap Saga's neck but was forced to let go when several flying cards exploded against his back. When several items began raining down from the sky, Saga, Moka and Kiva took cover. First it was several buckets, followed by kitchen sinks and then finally a piano fell on top of Rook. To top it off, a boulder crashed down on top of the piano that was on Rook.
"Hi!" Yukari waved as she showed up.
"Now the whole gang is here," smirked Saga. "Wataru-kun, what do you think?"
"I think it's time to finish him off," suggested Kiva.
"Agreed," nodded Moka-sama.
Rook threw the boulder off him and roared but once again he was ensnared by Saga's whip which pinned his arms to his sides. Mizore skated towards him as Kurumu flew straight at him. Both girls slashed him with their claws, causing the maniacal Fangire to scream in pain. Saga tugged his Jacorder whip and then gave a pull which pulled Rook into the air. Saga swung and Rook went sailing towards Moka.
"Know your place!" she shouted as she threw a kick at Rook. Rook flew into the air but Saga tugged on the whip repeatedly so Moka could kick him again, and again, and again.
Saga withdrew his whip and then said to them, "Aim for his right shoulder!" Rook looked horrified. That old wound inflicted on him by that woman.
The others didn't question him. Yukari used her cards to strike at the target as Mizore fired ice spikes. They struck at the shoulder and Rook screamed in pain. Cracks began to spread from his right shoulder as he growled.
"Time to finish this," said Saga as he pulled out his Fuestle and put it in Sagark's mouth.
"Wake Up!" Sagark announced as he blew into the device. Saga then began to charge up his Jacorder as the disk on Sagark's head spun rapidly.
Kiva reached up to Tatsulot's head and gave a tug. "WAKE UP FEVER!" the golden dragon called out as the mark of Kiva appeared under his feet with an aura rising around him. Moka had her knees bent, ready to jump and execute her most powerful attack.
"Hyah!" Saga exclaimed as he thrust his Jacorder into Rook's shoulder, the thin rod piercing right through after extending across the ground. He then jumped up into the formed Kiva emblem in the sky and went through it before coming back down from it. Rook hung off the ground, trying to get himself loose but it was too late.
"HAH!" Kiva and Moka shouted as they jumped up and then plummeted towards Rook. The kicks both smashed into Rook and at the instant they did, Rook let out a roar before his entire body exploded and shattered into multicolored glass shards. No soul remained.
Saga withdrew his Jacorder and watched as Rook's remains littered the ground. He sighed and shook his head. So much power, such a waste!
"I do not appreciate betrayal," Saga growled. "I will be speaking to Bishop about this."
"Be sure you do," Moka-sama commented coolly. She was clearly smiling though, enjoying her victory over Rook and rectifying the humiliation suffered during the summer.
"Mizore!"
"Kurumu!"
Ageha and Tsurara were already on the scene and hugging their daughters tightly. Kurumu was buried in her mother's cleavage while Tsurara was caressing her child's face in deep concern.
"Mama!" Kurumu gasped for air.
"I am fine, mother," Mizore smiled.
"We did it, everyone!" Yukari cheered with her arms in the air.
"Yukari!" a strict female voice snapped.
"Uh-oh," Yukari gulped. "Mama-san, Papa-san, I can explain!"
Running up to the scene of the fight were two older people. One was a woman who seemed to be Yukari's mother and was dressed like a witch. It was pretty obvious that she was Yukari's mother. Well, that and the uncanny resemblance. The man looked to be a scholar who was holding a thick tome and had glasses with a moustache. Logic dictated that he was Yukari's father. Both were looking less than pleased with their daughter.
"I should hope so!" Mrs. Sendou frowned sternly. "You run off to fight against an honest to goodness Fangire! Don't you know how dangerous they are?"
"Yes," Yukari mumbled.
"One of the Checkmate Four no less!" Mr. Sendou frowned. "I'm thanking the gods you are still alive!"
Kiva, Moka-sama and Saga watched the families fawning over each other. It did make them feel a little lonely knowing that their own families weren't present. But at least they had each other.
"Oh, Moka-san, here," said Kiva as he handed back Moka-sama her rosario.
"And your kimono too," said Saga as he brought Moka's kimono to her. She put her clothes back on and then tied the obi on. She would have preferred to leave it off, but it would have embarrassed her weaker side and she couldn't have that. No matter how much she liked having Kiva's eyes trained on her and only her.
"Thank you," she said to both Riders before snapping the rosario back to the chain. She then reverted to her sealed state as Taiga and Wataru reverted back to human form when their partners detached from them. Wataru caught Moka as she fell forward, much to Taiga's jealousy.
"That was intense," Moka panted, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "But we managed to defeat him."
Wataru and Taiga then explained to the parents their situation. When Taiga revealed that he was the King of Fangires and Wataru was his half brother, both born by the previous Queen of Fangires, Ageha and Tsurara immediately snatched Wataru by the arms.
"He's to be my daughter's husband! She deserves a prince like him!" Tsurara insisted.
"No way! It's my Kurumu who will be his wife!" Ageha called back.
"Hey, how about we talk about this at dinner?" Taiga suggested, trying to calm the situation down. Now the women's attention was shifted and they let go of Wataru.
"OK!" the two women agreed while casting each other glares.
"How did I get talked into this?" asked Wataru as Kivat flapped by his side.
"You can't resist their feminine charms," Kivat reminded. The girls had somehow talked Wataru into treating them and their parents to dinner…in Castle Doran. At some point, Kurumu and Mizore had mentioned that Wataru lived in a castle and the mothers wanted to see it for themselves.
Wataru dug into his pocket and pulled out the Doran Fuestle which he tossed into the air for Kivat to catch. Kivat blew into the Fuestle, releasing a horn-like note while calling out, "CASTLE DORAN!"
The ground shook and Mrs. Sendou panicked while holding her hat, "Is it an earthquake!"
"No, it's Wataru-sama's home!" Yukari informed.
The ground exploded and when the dust settled, standing before the group was the magnificent and terrifying former fortress of the Checkmate Four. It spread out its wings and let out a roar with the light of the moon shining above it. It was safe to say that the parents were gawking with eyes wide. Tsurara's lollipop nearly dropped from her mouth, mirroring her daughter's reaction when she too had first laid eyes on Castle Doran.
"Let's go in," said Wataru as a transport orb came out from Castle Doran's mouth to carry them inside.
"Welcome home, Goshujin-sama," Riki, Ramon, Jiro and Ruby bowed as Wataru entered. This was the usual welcome for the master of the castle.
"They look familiar," Ageha frowned as she eyed the three men. "Where have I seen them before?"
"Huh?" Ramon blinked. He then gasped in realization. "Hey, aren't you two those girls who would stalk Otoya back in the day?"
A/N: Ten-Faced Paladin: And Rook is down for good. The mothers have a history with Otoya. Does anyone else wonder how much they know about him?
ZK Chromedragozoid: Wow, Wataru finds another connection to his father. Wonder where this will lead. All I know is that Wataru is gonna be forced to choose plus Taiga told Moka his feelings.