(Well, here's 25. Good news is I've already done a bit of work on 26 and it's shaping up to be a 10,000 word chap. This one isn't, but I hope you still enjoy anyway. As for the similarities between this and Take What is Yours, I apologize for that, but I try to avoid any phrases that might make the stories similar, but there are only so many ways to say something. Anyway, thank you as usual for the reviews and once again thanks go out to Xarkun's Shadow for the beta. ENJOY) -DarkSwordMage
Chapter 25: You Really Love Her
Smelling lilacs Aono Tsukune slowly sits up, groggily opening his eyes. When he'd gotten back from his dinner with Ria, Kurumu had been on stage. He'd watched her finish her performance and then immediately gone upstairs, using a bottle of mouthwash and cleaning his face. If Kurumu saw him with Ria's lipsticks on his face…
She'd be pissed. I haven't told her that I'm going to that birthday party with her. I can't even begin to imagine how Kurumu is going to react when I tell her. She's going to think that I actually have feelings for Ria…
Looking around Tsukune inhales through his nose, a familiar scent that has no business being in the room with him filling his nostrils. Smelling it Tsukune is reminded of the night before he left Castle Akashiya, the night he slept with Akasha…
Standing near the bed, dressed in her normal red Victorian style dress stands the Hades Lord herself, her hands folded in front of her, her golden Rosario around her neck. Seeing her Tsukune nearly jumps through the roof in surprise. The door is closed and barred; the windows are all shut and locked. No one other than Kurumu and him should be in this room.
"Akasha-sama…!" Tsukune mumbles half coherently, blinking several times the Aono vampire goes from being half asleep to completely awake in a moment. "What're you doing here?"
Standing there the pink haired Hades Lord's lips turn down in a slight frown. She never wanted to be made a ruler, but when Alucard had threatened the world the first time she'd done what she could to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. After defeating him along with the other two soon to be Hades Lords the rest of monster society had put her up on that pedestal, she'd never asked for it, never wanted it…
"Good morning Tsukune." Akasha smiles at him, ignoring his question; her tone light and friendly.
Next to him Kurumu begins to move. Mumbling tiredly the blue haired succubus opens her eyes, sitting up and tiredly rubbing at her eyes to clear them. Unlike Tsukune she's completely nude, Tsukune choosing instead to sleep in his underwear. Seeing her Akasha feels a pang of jealousy. The succubus has been frolicking with one of her kind, staying with him and being with him as though she is worthy of him.
Taking in the Hades Lord standing near the bed Kurumu reaches out, wrapping her arms around her destined one's shoulders. Tsukune told her about the night he shared with Akasha, and how she must be interested in him. For her, the fear of losing to Ria is a tertiary concern; Tsukune himself has said repeatedly that he despises Ria and would only choose to be with her if he had no other option. With Akasha on the other hand…
Seeing the Succubus with her arms around him holding onto him for all she's worth Akasha forces herself not to scowl. While she isn't like the other so called 'Elders' who believe that 'vampires should only be with vampires' she does happen to believe in monogamous relationships, and most Succubi are the farthest thing from monogamous that a creature can be.
"I am here because of Ria." Akasha continues lightly. "She disappeared from the castle several days ago and no one has been able to locate her. Has she been here?"
Hearing her Tsukune nods solemnly. The second Akasha mentioned Ria Tsukune knew that Issa's eldest daughter must've come here without 'official' permission or without telling anyone where she was going.
"She's here." Tsukune confirms for the Hades Lord. "I went out to dinner with her last night; she tried to convince me to be mated to her."
Hearing his admission Kurumu clutches on to him just a little tighter. She figured that Ria would ask Tsukune to be mated to her, and she knows that Tsukune won't just agree to a lifelong relationship with her without a damn good reason.
"Did you?" Akasha asks inquisitively, the Aono vampire shaking his head no.
"No, I didn't." Tsukune answers her, looking into her green eyes with his dark ones. "Though she did remind me of something and I'm glad you came."
Sitting there Tsukune looks toward Kurumu.
"Bloodriver Akasha, I'd like to introduce you to Kurono Kurumu." Tsukune introduces the two women in the room with him, looking from Akasha to Kurumu and then back again.
Smiling Akasha bows her head politely to the naked Succubus clutching onto her destined one like he's going to spontaneously disappear. Akasha is no stranger to jealousy, possessiveness and fear; and looking at the incarnation of lust next to Tsukune Akasha can see that the girl is incredibly afraid of her. However, unlike most creatures that are afraid of her fear of bodily harm is not what drives the young Succubus, but fear of theft; that Akasha is going to take her destined one from her and Kurumu will never see Tsukune again.
Such…devotion…Is this girl truly a Succubus? I've never seen one of them act so clingy before.
All of Akasha's previous dealings with Kurumu's race normally involve her Aunt Shade and her former mate Issa. Since emerging from Alucard Akasha has spent the majority of her time in a self-imposed exile. Only a handful of creatures knew that she still lived, and she felt that it was best that way. However, there were times when she wanted to know what was transpiring in her daughter's life, so she was forced to visit her former mate…
On no less than seven occasions Akasha came to visit him to find him in bed with Shade wrapped around his waist. The horrible part was she'd actually been surprised that first time; seeing him being intimate with a lower creature, it shocked a part of her. Of course Issa had been as slick as a snake oil salesman, taking her sudden and unexpected arrival like it was nothing. When she'd demanded to know what he was doing, he very calmly told her that he was enjoying Caro Shade, and proceeded to ask her what business brought her back to the castle.
Needless to say she would not stand there and have a conversation with him whilst he plowed a Succubus. She'd told him to finish up and come to his study; she would be waiting there, one of the few times she's called herself the Hades Lord. An hour later Issa arrived at his study dressed and presentable. When she'd asked him why it took so long Issa said that he wanted to finish enjoying her, reminding her that their bond was long ago absolved by Akasha's own decree and that she no longer has any connection to him beyond his service as her herald.
It had been a sobering experience, one that further solidified her opinion that Issa would never be the man she'd thought he could be and that she'd been correct in breaking their bond those many years prior. After that, Akasha hadn't been surprised when she'd walked in on him with Shade, or any other woman for that matter. After a while Issa began to keep a small envelope with the latest events of Moka and Tsukune's life written in it, and when Akasha would arrive Issa would point her to it. At some point he offered to just send her an update message anytime something major happened, but Akasha had declined.
She'd been bored, living the life of a hermit alone and isolated from any other living soul was taxing for her. As much as she would loathe to admit it Akasha had begun to enjoy her trips to the castle to hear about her daughter. She would see other creatures, smell them, feel them, for a while she wouldn't be alone, both figuratively and literally. Then she'd gotten the message that something very bad had transpired between Tsukune and Moka, something to force Tsukune to call Ria and willingly seek out Issa alone. In that message Issa had been sure that something horrible had transpired between his daughter and her chosen mate, and Akasha wasn't going to sit in seclusion while her daughter's marriage fell apart.
It had been that loneliness, the desire for intimacy from another creature that had been ignored for so long that spurned her actions that night she'd been with Tsukune. In the moment she'd felt incredible joyous rapture, been satisfied by her daughter's husband in a way that she would never admit, but she'd been desperate. The morning after they'd both agreed to not think about it and while the word 'mistake' had never been uttered between them Akasha has never once thought of it as such. Since that night she's felt better than she has since she left Issa.
"…Kurumu-chan, say hello." Tsukune awkwardly prods Kurumu, the succubus still staring at the pink haired Hades Lord standing near the bed.
"It's nice meeting you." Kurumu says stiffly, clutching onto Tsukune just a little tighter.
Desperate didn't begin to describe how she feels at that exact moment. Here, in front of her not two feet away is the woman Tsukune admitted to sleeping with the night after Moka cheated on him. While he's said that there is nothing romantic going on between him and Akasha, Kurumu can tell that the pink haired woman bears some feeling for him. She's seen it before, felt it before and is scared for her very life because of it. Here is a woman who looks like the pink haired 'angel' that hit Tsukune that first day of their tenure at Yokai Academy, the part of Moka that Tsukune fell in love with at first sight, the innocent loveable girl that Tsukune wanted to protect and shield from a world filled with violence and cruelty.
Then she'd turned him into a vampire and it seemed more and more like Kurumu was going to lose her battle for her destined one. All she'd wanted was a place in his heart, but his heart had been filled with another, and when it came down to it she wasn't willing to share.
Unlike Kurumu Akasha is an S class monster, arguably the most powerful vampire to ever walk and capable of ripping Kurumu apart like a rag doll. Should Akasha truly view her as an obstacle to her relationship with Tsukune the pink haired Hades Lord could easily remove her Rosario and challenge Kurumu to a fight. Tsukune probably wouldn't like it, and that is probably the only reason that keeps Akasha in check. Should she attack and kill Kurumu it would drive Tsukune away from her rather than closer to her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Akasha returns the greeting cordially. "Would you permit me to speak to Tsukune alone for a few minutes?"
Sitting there Kurumu's knee jerk reaction is to say no. She doesn't want Tsukune spending any time alone with Akasha or any other vampire woman out of the simple fear that they'll try and take the happiness that she's just finally achieved. Worse, Akasha might want another round with him, and Kurumu isn't going to stand outside in the hall while Tsukune makes love to another woman. She isn't going to allow him to forget about her and let another woman weasel her way into his heart.
Her arms tightening around him Tsukune can feel the succubus next to him press her body against his, Kurumu shaking her head no, clutching onto him, her blue eyes filled with fear and insecurity.
Reaching up Tsukune grasps her by the shoulders, slowly twisting his upper body in her embrace so that his body faces hers. Seeing this her eyes meet his, and he disarmingly smiles at his busty blue haired lover, his hands smoothly and gently traveling up the crook of her neck, his fingers sliding tenderly against her cheeks, cupping her face in his hands and looking at her with a genuine happy smile on his features.
"I'll be all right Kurumu-chan." Tsukune assures her looking into her eyes, her own aqua orbs filled with fear. "Go get a shower and I'll talk to Akasha-sama. I promise I'm not going anywhere and she isn't going to try anything with me."
Opening her mouth to say something Akasha is the next to speak, drawing the attention of both the vampire and succubus.
"I would never do something like that." Akasha assures the succubus. "I came to talk, nothing more, nothing less."
Tsukune's hands still on her cheeks Kurumu's eyes lock onto her destined one's, her mouth opening to say that whatever Akasha has to say, she can say it in front of her, when her destined one speaks.
"Just go get a shower Kurumu-chan." Tsukune continues, soft and insistent. "I'll be right here and I promise you that I'm not going anywhere."
Sitting there Kurumu silently closes her mouth, the succubus just looking into his eyes, seeing the love and caring he holds for her in his dark gaze.
"You promise?" Kurumu whispers, and Tsukune nods, pulling himself toward her and hugging her, wrapping his strong arms around her and holding her tight.
"I promise." His words are absolute, and Kurumu reaches around him, her hands finding his shoulder blades, her forehead coming to rest against his broad, scarred chest.
He's shielding me. He doesn't want me involved with her or with other vampires and he's trying to protect me…
Standing there Akasha watches the entire scene silently. Seeing the two of them being so intimate the Hades Lord wonders whether or not Kurumu has any idea just how lucky she is. Tsukune is a vampire, an S class monster whose only equals are among his own kind. He has a heart filled with compassion and an honest desire to help those who can't help themselves. Among vampires that trait is unheard of. Even among other second born vampires that were once human, Tsukune is unique. When he'd been changed his soul had remained untainted. Normally when a human is successfully turned they feel some lingering resentment for losing their humanity; or they learn how hedonistic vampire society is and what they can get away with and any vestiges of their former human morals disappear.
She probably has no idea…
Exhaling a deep breath Kurumu slowly nods, the young succubus slowly pulling away from her vampire destined one. Carefully Tsukune opens his arms, keeping his hands on her as she slowly sits upright, her eyes filled with fear, her expression one of solemn acceptance.
"All right." Kurumu whispers, a part of her still deathly afraid that Tsukune isn't going to be here when she finishes.
Leaning forward Kurumu presses her lips to his, kissing her destined one for all she's worth, pressing her lips to his with all the passion and desire she feels for the dark haired vampire on the bed next to her.
She's immensely relieved to feel him return the kiss, to feel his own lips pressing back against hers. After a blissful moment Kurumu pulls back, looking into his eyes she wants nothing more than to pounce on him and make love to him again, to express to him how she feels in the best way she knows how.
"I love you." Kurumu whispers to him, both Tsukune and Akasha hearing the solemn declaration.
Cupping her chin Tsukune smiles at her, feeling a surge of warmth at Kurumu's words.
"I love you too." He whispers, kissing her on the cheek one final time.
Smiling Kurumu turns her gaze toward Akasha, the pink haired vampiress' jade gaze unreadable, her face set in an impassive mask. Nodding to herself Kurumu slips off the bed from beneath the blankets, bending down to pick up the pile of clothing next to the bed, not caring in the least that both Tsukune and Akasha can see every part of her.
The two of them watch as Kurumu retrieves her clothes, heading for the door without a thread of clothing on her the succubus opens the door, sending one last look of longing back toward Tsukune before she walks through the door and closes it behind her. Once the door is closed and the two of them alone Tsukune turns his full attention to the Hades Lord in the room with him, his chocolate eyes meeting her Jade green ones.
"Do you really love her?" Akasha asks calmly, her voice betraying nothing as Tsukune swallows the saliva in his mouth.
"I feel like I can truly relax around her." Tsukune answers Akasha's question. "She loves me and would bend over backwards for me. I can't even fathom how I could've compared her feelings for me to what Moka felt, because there was no comparison."
Hearing that answer Akasha inwardly nods. Tsukune is a man who just two weeks ago was betrayed by the woman he loved more than anyone. At that moment his definition of what it means to love someone is practically non-existent, because deep down the Aono vampire doesn't really know anymore.
"You were in love." Akasha offers easily. "I know from experience that love is blind. However, I have to admit that my daughter has missed you since you left the castle, and she truly does wish to mend things between you."
Hearing that the Aono vampire's face contorts in a scowl.
"Me going back to her would be like a blind man who can suddenly see choosing to give up his sight just for laughs." Tsukune comments dryly.
Heaving a heavy sigh the Hades Lord shakes her head slowly.
"My daughter has changed since you last her saw her Tsukune." Akasha reminds him matter of factly, the Aono vampire scoffing in disgust.
"Sure she changed, it only took me leaving her and telling her I never want to see her again for it to happen."
Drawing in a breath Akasha reaches up and rubs at her jade eyes absently. How can she possibly convey the truth to Tsukune? Anything she tells him will naturally seem like a mother saying whatever she has to in order for her daughter to be happy. The truth is if Tsukune truly doesn't want to be with Moka anymore than there's nothing she can say or do to try and bring him back to her. She could bring up the existence of the child growing in Moka's womb, but in her eyes children should NEVER be used as tools by their parents, regardless of the reason. If two people get together and remain together solely for the sake of the child then they are bound to be miserable, and Tsukune is too good a vampire to be stuck into an endless relationship with a woman that he doesn't want to be with solely for the sake of a child that he would sooner rather not have.
If he believes the child is his and loves it he will be involved in its life, even if he isn't with the child's mother he will do whatever he can to ensure that the child knows that it is loved. That's all I that can be asked of him.
"I would sooner drink one hundred gallons of holy water."
"You're aware that would probably kill you right?" Akasha needlessly reminds him, Tsukune exhaling a weary breath.
"My point exactly."
Hearing that Akasha closes her eyes, slowly shaking her head, her pink hair gently swaying back and forth behind her.
That does not bode well for the child in Moka's womb…
"Ria-san is staying at the Bellagio Hotel in the penthouse." Tsukune changes the subject. "If you want my help dragging her out of there I will."
"Taking Issa's eldest daughter back to the castle isn't my purpose here." Akasha clarifies. "I came here to warn you about her."
"Thank you Akasha, but I'm not going to fall for her." Tsukune assures the Hades Lord.
In truth the Aono vampire doesn't know what he feels about his dark father's eldest daughter. A part of him hates her for what she did not only to him but to his father as well. However in light of recent events Tsukune has to admit that a part of him wishes that he'd listened to her. Before they'd sworn the blood rites Ria had told him that their relationship would never work, that he was in love with a charade and the woman he should have been in love with was the silver haired 'Inner' Moka. Instead Tsukune hadn't listened and he'd gone through with it anyway. In the end it had been at 'Inner' Moka's behest that the pink haired woman he'd fallen in love with called Gin and ruined their marriage. Now Ria has shown a genuine desire not to hurt him and that she actually respects him unlike Moka.
When he saw the hostess at the restaurant ogling her like a piece of meat he'd felt jealous. Then when she'd kissed him he didn't feel as disgusted as he'd thought he would've been. Now he's agreed to go on a second date with her. A part of him knows that he shouldn't want anything to do with her, but after what Moka did he's willing to admit that maybe that kind of relationship can't work amongst vampires. Moka had certainly been the most 'humane' of any vampire he'd ever met, and yet she is just as cruel as Ria and the rest of them. With Akasha it seems like things could be different, but after what happened with Moka Tsukune just doesn't know, and he isn't going to go jumping into a relationship again without making absolutely sure that things are going to be good between them.
"You shouldn't have any problem fighting her off in your current state." Akasha comments matter of factly and the hairs on Tsukune's neck rise in surprise.
She knows!
His head spinning around Tsukune's dark eyes meet her jade green ones, Akasha's gaze holding his and not looking away, the Hades Lord completely serious.
"You know about my wings?" Tsukune half asks and Akasha solemnly nods.
"I've been keeping an eye on you since the night we were intimate." Akasha explains for him. "When were together we exchanged so much blood, and I was worried that something might happen. When you removed your Rosario in that hotel room I felt your aura and I knew that you were like me. I'm sorry Tsukune, I gave you so much of my blood and I drank so much of yours that you changed."
"You…you have the wings too?" Tsukune whispers, the Aono vampire truly clueless as to what Akasha looks like in her true form. Every time she's appeared before him she's always been wearing her Rosario. When he'd seen her wearing her Rosario in the castle he'd assumed she was in her sealed state because she preferred being that way, it never occurred to him that she might choose to be that way because it's easier to get around without a pair of six foot long wings sticking out of your back.
"Yes Tsukune." Akasha confirms for him. "Ever since I emerged from Alucard I've had them."
"Alucard?" Tsukune mumbles curiously. "What are you talking about?"
"I'll explain that later." Akasha says quickly, dismissing his question.
"Ok…Did you have any idea this would happen to me?"
"No Tsukune." Akasha answers him. "I had no idea how my blood would react to another vampire and I never even thought about it when we were together. Unfortunately I was caught up in the moment."
Remembering that night Tsukune's cheeks flush lightly. Unlike with Shade Tsukune can clearly remember everything he and Akasha did, how angry he'd been, how she'd howled his name, how he'd moaned as he felt her body clinging to his, how he'd finished inside of her over and over again.
He was getting revenge on Moka, pure and simple. He was doing everything with her mother that she'd done with Gin, and when he'd woken up that next morning he hadn't felt any better. He'd thought he would've felt vindicated, fulfilled, but instead all he could think about was her betrayal and how much it hurt him, even though he'd done the same thing to her.
"We were both caught in the moment." Tsukune agrees, carefully choosing his words.
"You must have questions…" Akasha begins, walking toward the bed and sitting down next to him, careful not to sit too close.
Nodding Tsukune slowly inhales, exhaling slowly, the vampire doing his best to sort out the questions in his mind.
"What am I?"
"You're a Shinso, like me." Akasha answers him.
"Vampires don't have wings." Tsukune counters and Akasha shrugs her shoulders.
"The wings are a mutation brought on by my extended presence inside Alucard. You really don't have anything to worry about. As long as you feed like normal you'll be fine. You should be much stronger than you were before and if you want I can teach you to fly."
"I've…I've been having dreams." Tsukune changes the subject. "I think they're your memories like what happened with you and Hayate."
Hearing Tsukune say the name of the vampire who gave his life to turn her Akasha's lips curl in a slight smile. She's only ever told that story to one other person and to her it's amazing that Tsukune would remember it nearly two weeks after she'd told him.
"I expected as much." Akasha says with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry Tsukune, if I knew then I never would've…"
"It's fine Akasha." Tsukune cuts her off before she can apologize. "You're a good person and you didn't mean for this to happen, so there's no reason for me to hold a grudge against you."
"Thank you Tsukune." Akasha smiles at him pleased that the man doesn't harbor any animosity toward her. In truth Akasha is responsible for him being a Shinso like her and if he ever removes his Rosario in front of other vampires they'll likely treat him differently than they did before.
"What is it you wanted from me Tsukune?" Akasha asks curiously, changing the subject.
"I'd like you to take me back to Japan for a day so I can speak to my parents."
Akasha's jade green gaze slowly looks him up and down, the Hades Lord's curiosity piqued by Tsukune's question.
"What do you want to talk to your parents about?"
"I just want to sit down with them and tell them face to face that I'm divorcing Moka and that she cheated on me."
Looking at him Akasha slowly turns her gaze toward the wall in front of them.
"You do realize that a phone call could just as easily do that, don't you?"
"I would rather do this face to face." Tsukune counters. "It's been a while since I've spoken to them and I just really feel like this is something I need to do."
Nodding Akasha looks back at him, her green eyes meeting his brown gaze, the Hades Lord slowly nodding toward the vampire sitting on the bed next to her.
"I'll get you there and accompany you during the visit." Akasha informs him, and Tsukune's dark eyes go wide in surprise.
She wants to come with me? Oh no, no way! If my parents meet her who knows what they'll think?
"You don't have to accompany me Akasha; I can do it just fine on my own." Tsukune assures her quickly, and Akasha slowly shakes her head no.
"I want to go with you Tsukune." Akasha offers easily. "I'd like to meet the people that brought you into this world and I've heard so much about."
Sitting there the Aono vampire exhales a heavy sigh.
"There isn't anything I can say to change your mind is there?" Tsukune asks curiously, and Akasha shakes her head no.
"I am Lord Tsukune." Akasha says with a smile. "You'll just have to deal with it."
"What will we tell my parents?" Tsukune asks curiously. "You look so much like Moka and if I told them the truth that you were Moka's mother they'd think I was insane since you look so young."
"You can tell them I'm Moka's older sister." Akasha says with a dismissive shrug. "You can say that you called me after Moka cheated on you and I've been looking out for you since then."
"Do you honestly think that will work?"
"The resemblance should be enough; your parents hardly know anything about our family."
Yeah, they don't know anything because I'm afraid to have Issa spend any length of time around them because they'll figure out that something is very different with him and the rest of his brood.
"Yeah, the only time they ever met him was during the rehearsal dinner and during the actual wedding and reception."
Sitting there another thought comes to Akasha's mind, a very important question coming along with it, one that she feels she must ask.
"Do you honestly think you can be happy with Kurumu Tsukune?" Akasha asks.
"You're talking about the fact that I'm going to outlive her aren't you?" Tsukune asks intuitively, the Hades Lord nodding her agreement. "All that matters is how we feel about one another."
"Do you feel the same way with her that you did with Moka?"
Opening his mouth a moment Tsukune silently closes it, the Aono vampire contemplating the answer to Akasha's question.
"No." Tsukune finally answers her after a moment. "With Akashiya-san it was like the world fell away. I would've done anything for her but she didn't feel that way about me."
"And what do you feel about me?"
"You…are a very good woman Akasha." Tsukune begins slowly. "If I had to take another vampire mate tomorrow it would be you."
"Because I am the Hades Lord and the one who can bring you the most power?" Akasha asks knowingly, and Tsukune slowly shakes his head no.
"Not at all, I just feel like you're the only vampire I know that I can relax around."
"And my daughter?" Akasha asks curiously, a scowl coming to Tsukune's features at the mention of Moka.
In his mind Tsukune can clearly see that video he saw on the internet, watching as Gin thrusts into her and the woman he loved with all his heart and soul crying out in ecstasy to another man.
"Every time I think about her I keep remembering that goddamn sex video and I'm disgusted." Tsukune answers her. "She did what she did solely to hurt me and compel me to obey her when I'm not and I never will be her servant."
"She has realized her mistake Tsukune." Akasha counters evenly.
She has to try and at least get him talking to her. Moka is going to give birth to his child and barring a massive shift in her personality Akasha believes Moka is going to choose to keep the child and accept sterility. If she does that she's sacrificing her ability to have a family solely for that child. If she sacrifices all of that and Tsukune won't even talk to her…
"Too little, too late." Tsukune responds heartlessly. "How would YOU feel if Issa suddenly came to you and told you that he was willing to be faithful to you?"
"That will never happen." Akasha responds absolutely.
"Humor me."
Sitting there the pink haired Hades Lord takes a moment to think about that, just how would she respond if Issa came to her and told her he was willing to change to suit her? She tried for so many years to get him to change but every time he always went behind her back to be with another woman.
"I…I would want to know what caused this change and why it took twenty five years for it to happen." Akasha finally responds, and Tsukune nods solemnly.
"Would you take him back, even though he cheated on you so much when you were together?"
"I would at least try." Akasha offers and Tsukune shrugs his shoulders.
"Then you're a better person than I am." Tsukune admits tiredly. "She threw her infidelity right in my face. How would you have felt if Issa had taken another woman to his bed right in front of you knowing full well that you were in the next room and you could everything? It's like she slapped me in my face and told me that she doesn't respect me even a little, instead she threw me aside like a piece of trash so she could fuck that son of a bitch."
"She says that she thought you would stop her, that you wouldn't let her go through with her threat."
"Why?" Tsukune asks curiously, his eyes drifting up to the ceiling. "If she really wanted a child from another man she would have ample time to do it, what would myself beating the crap out of him that one time solve? I wasn't going to give in to her so she would just cheat behind my back and we would be right back to square one."
Talking about it Tsukune clenches his hands into fists feeling familiar anger begin to pound through his veins. Just by speaking about it it's like he can remember everything clearly, as much as the Aono vampire doesn't want to think about it Akasha seems insistent on bringing it up again and again.
"I'm sorry Tsukune." Akasha apologizes. "I didn't mean to reopen old wounds…"
Opening his fist the Aono vampire inhales a calming breath, slowly letting it out.
"It isn't your fault." Tsukune dismisses her apology.
"I know how it feels to have someone betray you. I've had decades to deal with what Issa did to me but for you it's hardly been two weeks."
Turning his gaze toward her Tsukune's voice is hard.
"If that's true then how can you possibly suggest that I take her back?"
"She is my daughter Tsukune." Akasha admits with a shrug. "I want her to be happy."
"If all you're going to do is talk about her you can just go and don't come back." Tsukune dismisses her. "I'll find someone else to take me back to Japan and you don't have to worry about checking on me either. I'll have Ria-san take me back to the castle in two weeks for the arranged meetings."
"That isn't necessary." Akasha assures him. "I only wanted to confirm how you felt about Moka, I do know how it feels to be in your position and I'm not going to force you to go back to her. However I also promised that I wouldn't actively pursue you, so if you wish to be with me you have to be the one to instigate things between us."
"Akashiya-san means a lot to you doesn't she?" Tsukune asks, and Akasha solemnly nods.
"She is my daughter, I want her to be happy and well, right now she is miserable and afraid."
Afraid? Moka isn't afraid of anything.
"Afraid?" Tsukune asks sarcastically. "Akashiya-san isn't afraid of anything."
"She's afraid of being alone." Akasha explains quietly. "She's afraid that you're set in your desire to be rid of her and she's going to wind up all alone."
"What about that son of bitch werewolf?"
"He is dead." Akasha informs him stoically. "Issa had him killed for posting that video."
Hearing that Gin is dead Tsukune doesn't feel a great burst of sadness or joy. Tsukune swore that the next time he saw Gin Tsukune was going to kill the werewolf himself. Now hearing that he's dead already the Aono vampires feels a slight twinge of jealousy. Thinking about running his hand through Gin's chest and ripping the werewolf's heart out is one of the few thoughts that has consistently brought a smile to his face since that horrible night.
"Akashiya-san should've thought about that before she decided to fuck him with me in the next room." Tsukune responds coldly. "Because that night she made it abundantly clear that she didn't want anything from him beyond his sperm in the first place."
"You're correct Tsukune." Akasha agrees with him. "My daughter made a foolish choice and now has to deal with the consequences of her actions."
Even if those consequences are going to affect her for the rest of her life…
The door opens then, and both Tsukune and Akasha look to see Kurumu standing in the doorway. The succubus is dressed in a pair of dark shorts and a blue tank top, the top loose against her abundant bosoms and showing a lot of flesh.
"I'm done in the bathroom Tsukune." Kurumu says softly as she enters the room.
Sitting down on the bed Kurumu smiles awkwardly at her destined one, Tsukune returning the gesture to the blue haired succubus.
"Thank you Kurumu-chan." Tsukune turning his attention toward the Hades Lord. "Is there anything else Akasha-san?"
"When would you like me to take you back to Japan Tsukune?" Akasha asks curiously, standing up as she talks.
Hearing those words Kurumu's heart stops mid beat. All her fears about Tsukune leaving her come crashing down on her shoulders like a ton of bricks, the succubus sucking in sharp breath of surprise.
"Why are you going back to Japan?" The succubus turns her attention solely to him, wrapping him in her arms desperately, latching onto him with no intention of ever letting him go.
"I'm just going back to talk to my parents Kurumu-chan." Tsukune assures her, raising his own arms and wrapping the fearful succubus with them. "I'll be gone a day at most and then I'll be back, nothing to worry about, I promise."
Feeling his arms around her and hearing the sincerity in his voice Kurumu turns her attention toward the Hades Lord Bloodriver Akasha. The pink haired Hades Lord is still in the room, still looking at the both of them.
The look in her eyes is one of suspicion and distrust. She doesn't trust Akasha as far as she could throw her, and Kurumu is sure that Akasha is going to do something to try and steal Tsukune away from her.
"You really have nothing to worry about Kurumu-chan." Tsukune assures her. "Akasha is only just taking me to Japan and making sure I get back, nothing more."
"Okaa-san and auntie both know how to work the tunnel system." Kurumu argues. "One of them would be happy to take you."
Chuckling lightly the Aono vampire hugs her just a little tighter for a moment, his voice relaxed light.
"I don't think my parents are quite ready to meet to your mother, much less your aunt Kurumu-chan." Tsukune assures her. "Honestly, you have nothing to worry about, I'm just going to go talk to them and once I'm done I'll come back and everything will be fine."
Slowly nodding Kurumu swallows the saliva in her mouth. She doesn't really have much choice other than to accept Tsukune's assurances that everything will be fine. She could have him followed, but if Tsukune or Akasha sees someone following him it will only cause friction between them.
"When do you want me to take you to see your parents Tsukune?" Akasha asks again, and Tsukune turns his gaze back to the Hades Lord.
"Tomorrow will be good." Tsukune informs her, Akasha's pink haired head bobbing in agreement.
"All right, I will return tomorrow morning then."
With that the Hades Lord steps away from the bed, speaking a few words before black flames surround her body, veiling the Hades Lord in flame a moment before the flames vanish, taking Akasha with them.
"Show off…" Kurumu mumbles, burying her head in her destined one's chest.
With her gone Kurumu is relieved to finally be alone with him, on the other hand she is still every bit afraid that Tsukune is going to disappear to Japan and never return.
"I don't want you to go Tsukune…" Kurumu whispers and Tsukune smiles down at the crown of Kurumu's blue haired head.
"I'll be fine Kurumu-chan." Tsukune assures her. "Akasha isn't going to do anything to me, I'm sure."
"But she's a vampire, just like Ria." Kurumu insists and Tsukune smiles at the succubus in his arms.
"Not all vampires are the same Kurumu-chan." Tsukune counters easily. "That's like saying you'll sleep with any guy just because your aunt and mother do."
Hearing that the Succubus is quiet a moment. Tsukune's logic is sound and there's no real way she could argue that without looking like a hypocrite.
"…I'll miss you…" The young succubus mumbles, not knowing what else to say in response to Tsukune's argument.
"I know." Tsukune whispers quietly. "But I'm going to be here all day and I'm not going anywhere."
Looking up Kurumu's aqua gaze meets his chocolate eyes, the succubus incredibly happy just being held in her destined one's arms. Leaning toward his face Kurumu parts her lips to kiss him when the door opens, the sound of the hinges squeaking surprising both the vampire and succubus, the two lovers looking toward the door to see Kurono Ageha standing there, dressed in her normal almost obscene dress Ageha smiles disarmingly.
"Tsukune, would you come downstairs? You've got a guest."