Disclaimer: I don't own Rosario + Vampire
Author's note: Sorry for disappearing for over three month. I was feeling progressively burned out as I'm moving this story forward, so I took a long vacation playing video games on weekend rather than working on this.
But yes, despite me having more or less planned out this story, I do feel very nervous with some chapters I planned. This one being one of them. I didn't spell out the whole thing, but I took a lots of creative liberty with Yukari's backstory, and I have essentially remade her relationship with Moka and Tsukune for this story. Honestly, I'm still not sure what I planned for is actually smart writing, or complete hack writing. But I'd rather try something different and fall flat on my face rather than make the kind of story everyone makes. I guess in the end, the readers of this story will judge if what I wrote is good or not.
Hope you guys enjoy this late update.
Moka watches with a cold expression as the other vampire hit the dirt with a loud thud. She looks around and sees only the faces of fear instead of defiance.
A group of young vampires who banded together to live outside the rules of the great clans. A group of upstarters who think they are invincible because of their natural born strength.
Pathetic.
"Please, have mercy."
Moka's mind wanders back to her time at Yokai Academy. These upstarters can easily tear her (formerly human) mate apart ten years ago, yet they cower in fear or beg for mercy at first sign of trouble.
Not her mate. He is always there trying to help her at great peril.
The Shinso vampire almost wants to walk away and let these upstarters to wallow in their pity. She can almost hear the voice of her mate telling her to let those young vampires go. They aren't a threat to her.
Moka feels an icy hand resting on her shoulder. It belongs to her sister Aqua, no doubt. Moka ignores Kokoa's frantic stare as the Assassin's whisper rings in her ears. "You aren't thinking about letting this fool go, are you? My dear sister. What would other great clans think of Shuzen clan, if we let any common rabble challenge us without any punishment? Not to mention, what would they think the daughter of the late Dark Lord Akashiya Bloodriver?"
Moka slowly feels her blood begins to boil. The voice of her mate slowly turns into the voice of her mother in her head. It feels like snake venom slowly sipping into her ears, her head. With one swift motion, she sweeps her feet forward, leaving the begging vampire a bloody stump where his head used to be.
Moka would not let herself become another weak failure like her mother.
"Your leader is dead. Submit yourself to Shuzen clan, or die with him." The young vampires kneel down around her while shaking. They look more like a group of sheep rather than S class monster. Moka turns to face Kokoa, not wanting to spare them another glance. "Kokoa!"
"Yes, sister." The youngest Shuzen sister instinctively straightens herself at Moka's command.
"Beat those pathetic pretenders into shape. If they are going to be part of Shuzen clan, they need to act the part."
"Yes, sister. I will turn them into worthy members of our clan." Kokoa gives Moka an affirmative nod as she transforms her bat into a halberd. But she keeps on staring at Moka afterward. The Shinso vampire begins to feel a bit irritated at her younger sister's behavior.
"If you have anything you want to say, say it out loud."
"No! I'm going now!" Kokoa seems to wake up with a violent shake as she runs past Moka and yells at the young vampires. "All right you maggots! You better work yourself to the bone if you want to stay in our clan..."
"Good execution. I don't have to worry about you going soft after all." Aqua gives Moka a smirk and a nod as she turns away.
"I'm the true heir of Shuzen clan, don't you dare to forget it." Moka lets out a scoff as she walks in the opposite direction as her elder sister. Despite her bravado, she can't help but hear the voice of her mate in her ear over and over again.
You can only kick people away, not kicking people back to you.
Light Pink Lovers
Chapter 24: Things I want to find again
Light shimmers behind the stained wooden door. She can hear a muffled sound behind the door.
"I can't take it anymore! What did I do to deserve this?!" The voice of a woman shrieks between sobs. "It's not enough your dumb brother has to marry that spook and got his stupid ass killed. He just has to leave his little hellspawn with us!"
"Ssshh... quiet. You'll wake up Yukari." The voice of a man tries to calm the woman down. "Yeah, I know Yukari is a handful. But think about it for a second. She's only in grade one, but she solves advanced algebra. She's going to get into a good school, and then a good job for sure. Do you think she'll forget us for raising her after that?"
"...Do you think so?"
"Yeah, we'll be set for life after Yukari get a good job. Just bear with her a few years, she'll get more mature."
That was the conversation I heard from uncle and aunt when I was six. They aren't bad people. Not really. They never abused me, and I never go hungry under their roof. But I'm just their investment, not their family.
She turns away from the door to walk back into pitch black nothingness. Sparkles of shimmering light begin to appear in front of her till the only darkness in front forms into multiple silhouettes. They walk away together, chatting trivial matter and laughing together. It brings a nostalgic smile to Yukari's face.
It was the first time where she feels like she belonged.
But those days don't last forever. And when I wake up, I'm all alone by myself again.
"Yukari, you are awake. Do you want some water?"
It takes a few moments for the Witch to realize who the person in front of her is. She turns her head and realizes the light shining through the curtain. "Kaya? How long have I been out?"
The book-loving student leans back. She looks up at the clock on the wall. "It's six in the morning."
"Only half a day? I impress myself. Last time I was out for the whole day." Yukari sniggers to herself as she slowly sits up from the bed. The witch takes a look at the table beside Kaya Kudo, noticing its curiously clear surface. "You must be bored to tears. You didn't even bring a book with you!"
"He's the one you been looking for all this time, isn't he? I should have figured it out when you started acting weird. One slap was too good for that fool." Kaya added the last sentence under her breath.
"You slapped Tsukune? That's not very nice." Yukari giggles at her friend's muttering. "Or you know. Maybe I have been weird all this time I know you. And I'm just back to my normal self now."
The student gives Yukari a long hard stare with unblinking eyes. "Don't lower yourself, Yukari. You are better than this. He IS the one you been searching for all this time, isn't he?"
Yukari gives her friend a good long look before letting out a sigh. "You are still in high school, Kaya. When did you get to be the mature one?"
"When you decide to act like a clown instead of yourself." The book lover hands Yukari a glass of water. The witch graciously accepts it and takes a sip. "Is he worth it?"
Yukari closes her eyes and thinks back to the days of Yokai Academy. There are bad times of course, such as the life of her friends or herself is threatened.
But there are also moment she wouldn't trade for anything else. Moments, such as when they study for the exam together, when they stay late in their club room to finish the school paper article before a deadline. And of course, pulling a prank on Kuromu. Those never get old.
"You didn't go through everything we went through together, Kaya. I'm willing to give anything just to have all my friends back again."
"Yet, he didn't want the same thing. Or else he would never have left you behind." Kaya's words cut into Yukari's heart like knives. "You deserves someone better. Someone who will put you first."
"Maybe I do." Yukari lies down on the pillow. The Witch does admit she hasn't been busy trying to meet other guys in the last ten years. "But, they aren't Tsukune Aono."
The high schooler squeezes her bridge in frustration. "This obsession is unhealthy for you."
"What about you? Is this why you prefer books over real people? Because you are afraid to get hurt? And people's action isn't set in stone like a finished script." Yukari looks at her friend. The book lover simply stares down at her hand looking thoughtful at Yukari's question. "I think it is a bit sad to not taking a step and try. I'd rather feel pain than feeling nothing."
The two of them sit in silence for a while before Kaya finally breaks it. "Do you truly believe that Yukari? Why are you afraid to let him go then?"
Yukari opens her mouth but can't say anything. She realizes she can't answer Kaya's question.
"I need to get some rest." The high schooler forces down a yawn. She gives Yukari one last look before standing up. "I think we both need to think it over. Don't be too hard on yourself, Yukari."
"Same to you, Kaya." The Witch mutters under her breath as she watches her friend leave.
Am I afraid to let Tsukune go? Yes, I suppose Kaya is right.
Yukari walks out of the beach house after a quick breakfast to quell her protesting stomach. She sees Tsukune on the beach kicking sand toward the waves.
The first thing Yukari notices from this angle is how short Tsukune looks on the beach. He has the height that gives the man of their country the nickname little Japs. Not the imposing height one associate with a blood-sucking monster.
The witch smiles to herself as she rests her arm on the fence.
He's growna bit taller, but his face is the same as ten years ago. He even acts like a child, kicking sand on the beach.
The salaryman turns around and looks up, his body freezes when their eyes meet. The two of them stays still for a few minutes before Yukari finally breaks the silence. "You are having fun, mind I join you?"
Yukari takes the wooden staff out of her hat. She jumps over the fence while stepping on the staff, a bundle of small branches grows out of the wooden tip like a broomstick. The witch slowly rides her flying broomstick down on the beach. She gives Tsukune a wink and a smile. "Do you like my magic trick? Learned it from my teacher, Ms. Abigail."
"That's pretty neat." Tsukune scratches his tilted head. "No wonder you are using a wooden staff now."
"I can do it with this old toy too." Yukari chuckles at Tsukune's response. She pulls her old heart shaped wand out of her hat and gives it a twirl in her hand. The wand extends to the same length as her staff, and a pair of wings sprout out of the side of the heart-shaped gem. She winks at Tsukune again while sticking her tongue out. "I'm just too old for this Magical Girl shtick."
It's funny, now that I think about it. I wasn't friendly with Tsukune when we meet. I just want him to get lost so I can have Moka all to myself. What is this useless loser doing around someone like Moka? I used to think. He's just a dumb, and weak idiot who has no right to take Moka's time.
Tsukune smiles at her childish antique. The salaryman vampire begins to shake as if remember something funny suddenly.
"What's so funny? Do you think I won't notice if you put yourself in vibration mode?" Yukari pouts at Tsukune as she puts her hands on her waist.
"Sorry, it's a very dumb and very dirty joke for guys."
"Well? I don't have all day. Spit it out."
"Oh. I thought it funny if someone calls you a Magical Vir..." Yukari smacks the salaryman vampire's head before he can finish his sentence. "Ouch."
"Oh, did I hurt the big bad vampire? What did you expect to get for such a dirty joke, you spoony boy? A kiss on the cheek?" Yukari laughs at Tsukune rubbing his head. She gets closer and whispers into his ears. "Besides, who told you I never been with another guy before?"
"Did you?" Tsukune blinks his eyes before asking with a more serious tone. Yukari laughs at his mood change.
"I'm not telling you!" The Witch runs ahead on the beach. Each step she takes to kick up a small splash of sand. "This morning breeze is nice. Take a walk with me, will you?"
"Alright." Tsukune nods to Yukari as he picks up the pace. The two of them walks side by side in silence. Tsukune on the sand while Yukari kicks up small splashes in the water.
Then he jumps to my defense after I been mean to him all that time. That was when I first realized how wrong I was. He may not be strong or have a special ability like all the other alpha male wannabes in Yokai Academy. But he has special kind of strength no other monsters in Yokai Academy has.
"Yukari?" Tsukune's voice breaks the Witch's train of thought. She looks up and sees the vampire looking at her with a worried expression. "Is something wrong? You are spacing out a little."
"Who do you think you are talking to?" Yukari gives a mischevious smile. She kicks some water towards Tsukune, makes him yelp and fumble while dodging the surprise attack. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"It's good to see you full of energy." Tsukune scratches the back of his head. He looks away at the ocean, towards the horizon for a while. "I'm sorry. I should have trusted you yesterday."
I begin to rely on him just as much as Moka. I thought our lives would remain the same forever. I was foolish. Maybe I could have changed things for the better, and we wouldn't be like we are now. How can he trust me, when I was nothing but a burden ten years ago?
"Yes, you should." Yukari walks toward the vampire. The Witch slides her hand into his grasp. "It's not too late now."
Tsukune turns to look at Yukari in the eyes. He moves his free hand and brushes a lock of hair away from Yukari's eyes. "I'm scared, Yukari. More so than ten years ago, when I was a human surrounded by monsters. Back then, I know everything will be fine as long as I can take off Moka's seal. Now..."
The vampire looks down and slowly balls up his free hand into a fist. He opens it up and stares into his palm. "I'm as strong as Moka was ten years ago. But it's still not enough. I'm afraid I'll hurt someone like my family, or you."
I'm scared too. I don't want to lose you again after I finally find you.
I know how you feel, Tsukune. I was useless ten years ago because I didn't take my magic training seriously. You showed me how to be strong when you became Moka's strength ten years ago. I want to become your strength now like Moka was ten years ago.
But I can't even make you believe in me. You'd rather jump in and kill yourself than depends on me.
"That's why you don't go at it alone." Yukari holds onto both of Tsukune's hands. She waves her arms left and right while looking at the vampire. "I may be a Witch, but I'm not a fragile one that'll melt in water. I'll be a Witch who rides on a white horse. Or a Witch in shining armor. You just have to let me."
Tsukune looks straight into Yukari's eyes. The Witch briefly wonders if he is going to pull her into a kiss, but he gives her a tight embrace instead. "Thank you."
"You are welcome, you spoony boy." Yukari closes her eyes as she rests herself on Tsukune's shoulder.
"Tsuki~! You IDIOT~!" An ear-piercing screech makes them jump apart. They turn their head and sees Kyoko running down from San's beach house. "What were you thinking!? Why did you blow yourself up in water!? Do you think we don't worry enough about you!? I'm telling mom and dad!"
"Please, don't do anything rash. Kyoko." Youichi runs after Tsukune's enraged cousin. The poor man looks out of breath. His shirt is inside out with buttons in the wrong space.
"NO! Please!" Tsukune quickly begins to wave his hands in front of him. He looks like a child caught cheating a test in Yukari's eyes. "They don't need to know it! I don't want to give them more grey hair than I already have!"
"Well, think about mom and dad more before you get into a fight the next time." Kyoko stops in front of Tsukune. She pokes her finger at Tsukune's nose. "How do you think they'll feel if you got yourself killed?"
Yukari turns around and tries to tiptoe away. Unfortunately, Kyoko grabs her by the shoulder. "And you! Why did you put me to sleep yesterday? Do you think how scared I was this morning? I had to learn from someone I barely know that my cousin is still alive!"
The Witch sticks her tongue out at Tsukune's inquisitive gaze. "Damn, I'm caught red handed."
Youichi finally manages to catch up to Kyoko. He pulls the beserk looking girl back while giving both Tsukune and Yukari an apologetic smile. "Please, calm down Kyoko. You were so emotional yesterday you would have gone into shock. Yukari was trying to help you."
"No! Don't you dare to calm down Kyoko, me! I'll be as emotional as I like when my cousin almost died!" Kyoko waves her fist in the air while shouting in her boyfriend's arm.
"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I screwed up big time." Tsukune's shoulders slump down as he looks down on the sand. "Gin was right. I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I did was worry people who care about me."
"You idiot, Tsuki. You big, big idiot." Kyoko's voice begins to break as tears stream down her cheek. She begins weeping quietly in her boyfriend's arm.
You screw up big time, but never because you want to hurt others. I can never fault you for that. Not when my screw ups are worse, more malicious.
Kaya was right. I can't let him go.