Disclaimer: I do not own R+V.

Chapter 26

The rumors led them to an abandoned district of Tokyo. Since the start of the war, many cities had been abandoned in favor of mountainous and valley based villages. Many people had even left Japan entirely and travelled to some of the more peaceful countries (mainly the United States and Canada). It was quite clear that Japan was only the first movement as the war continued to intensify, but that wasn't the reason for the trio's visit.

"So, Kokoa's here somewhere?" Yukari asked as she followed closely behind Tsukune and Ruby.

"If that rumor has any basis in truth, then yeah, this is where she should be" Tsukune answered, his mind continuing to hope for the best.

Ruby remained silent as she walked behind Tsukune. She couldn't bear to tell him that the truth was starting to be revealed by Issa Shuzen himself. Right now, she knew they were walking into a trap, but she just couldn't destroy Tsukune's hope. If she did that, then he would be lost to them.

Yukari on the other hand, was starting to get nervous. Something was following them, watching them. It felt different than all the times they had been attacked before. This time if felt like someone was trying to force a set of events.

"Tsukune, do you feel anyone following us?" the little witch finally asked.

Stopping momentarily, Tsukune managed to fall into step beside Yukari. Leaning over to her he whispered.

"Yeah, I don't know what it is, but we'll have to be very careful."

Yukari only nodded her head as the two continued onwards. Ruby on the other hand was busier attempting to figure out where the trap would be sprung. If she could figure it out then maybe they did have a chance of encountering Kokoa. After all, she had become just as valuable as Moka to Count Shuzen, though Tsukune wouldn't like what had happened to her. No, he wouldn't like that one bit.

The trap was sprung without warning. Before Tsukune, Yukari or Ruby could react they had been surrounded by a horde of vampires, true blood vampires. Scowling at this luck, Tsukune drew one of his two blades and prepared to fight. Yukari and Ruby followed suit afterwards as they readied themselves to fight.

"Hold on. We must not attack one of our own. He may be a half-blood, but he should at least be presented to Lord Shuzen and Lord Tepes before anything else" a male vampire stated as Tsukune was just about to attack.

The scowl on Tsukune's face did not leave as he signaled for Ruby and Yukari to stand down. Following behind the vampires, the trio were mentally preparing themselves for whatever they would find.

Having been above ground in the middle of the city originally, Tsukune was not sure what to think when he discovered that the vampires had made their base beneath the earth. Shrugging off the feeling of unease he was receiving, the dhampir decided that their only choice was to follow the vampires below. As he moved, the package that he always carried with him shifted slightly, reminding him that it was there.

'Going down into hell, and my mind immediately goes to this package' Tsukune thought angrily.

Ruby could feel Tsukune's anxiety and made her way closer to his side. If her suspicions were correct, then he'd need someone there when they reached the lords. A couple of the vampires noticed this, and she could see that they had sinister smiles spread upon their faces.

'They know who he is' she thought immediately. 'They're trying to break him.' These thoughts raced through Ruby's mind as she followed Tsukune.

Once they reached the main hall, the trio was forced into bowing positions as four sets of footsteps entered. Tsukune was feeling very angry at this moment. First, they had been trapped. Then they were forced to come down here, and now they were being forced to bow towards their foes. As he was thinking this, Tsukune once again began to hear Ezekiel's words. However this time, they were words of warning.

'Tsukune, you shall be forced to fight. Remember, you fought me to a standstill. Do not hold back any longer. You and the three with you shall survive this fight, only if you do as I have stated' Ezekiel's voice continued to warn him.

Tsukune nodded absentmindedly, earning himself a kick to the head and a rushed demand to show respect. For some reason, as this was said, Tsukune couldn't help himself as a smirk spread across his face.

"Rise, may the intruders rest their eyes upon the wonderful sights of Lord and Lady Shuzen as well as Lord and Lady Tepes" an unseen vampire demanded.

Tsukune felt himself being forced back up roughly. Upon reaching a standing position he noticed exactly why he had lost his connection to Kokoa. Sitting before him beside the vampire known as Lord Tepes, was Kokoa. Dressed elegantly in Victorian era dress, Kokoa sat regally and almost ethereally. How she had transcended Moka would remain beyond Tsukune for hours (he figured it out upon closer inspection later on).

"K...Kokoa" Tsukune gasped out before being struck in the head again.

"Quiet filth that is no way to speak to the Lady Tepes" one of the vampires stated in an angry whisper.

Ruby stepped closer to Tsukune as the vampire prepared to strike him again. Grabbing Tsukune's arm, she pulled him right beside her and helped him stand tall.

"Keep your confidence" she whispered in his ear. "We'll find out the truth, I promise you that."

Tsukune nodded in understanding. The truth was exactly what he wanted right now. Everything had seemed to blow up in his face, especially at that exact moment.

Kokoa on the other hand, was deeply troubled. Tsukune had shown up for the first time in three years. All the fighting that had been going on, she had actually believed that he had died amidst it (he was powerful as a dhampir, hell he was powerful as a human, but nonetheless a normal anything shouldn't have survived the onslaughts of ghouls). She had never forgotten the love she held for him, but as per vampire culture, she had been married off as soon as she was of age.

As she watched Tsukune, she noticed the eye patch covering his right eye. Curiosity almost got the better of her, but the glare from her father warned her about asking any questions.

"You three have been a real nuisance for all of us" Shuzen began. "Your constant appearances at our major operations have become very infuriating. For that reason, I must request that you either allow yourselves to be killed, or turn your skills to our service."

Kokoa could see it from the way that Yukari cowered slightly behind Tsukune and Ruby, that the little witch was not fond of either idea. She could also see that the two older ones were glaring daggers at her father. A wave or sorrow washed over her as she watched. In the time she had stayed away from Tsukune, he had inevitably grown closer to Ruby. It may not be a romantic relationship, but it was quite clear that the witch understood Tsukune a whole lot more than anyone else did.

"May I speak father?" Kokoa asked, determined to confront Tsukune in some method.

"Permission granted Lady Tepes" Shuzen stated, allowing his daughter to speak.

"I can clearly see that these three would rather not take part in either of the options presented" Kokoa began.

In the three years since she had separated from Tsukune, she had learned a great deal about public speaking. It was the primary reason she was not on the battlefield as her words were inspiration for many other vampires.

"For that reason, I suggest that we give them a chance to leave" she continued. "We should allow one of them to face one of our top warriors in a plea for their lives."

Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the gathered vampires. The idea was sound, and they had no doubt that their top warrior would be able to face a worthless dhampir. Kokoa could clearly see that Tsukune looked less than pleased at that moment, but was silently being calmed down by Ruby.

A wave of jealousy burst through Kokoa. Even after three years (and being married herself) she had never gotten over her feelings for Tsukune. She had always hoped he would show up again, but when her father started discussing marriage, things changed. Her marriage was swift and without any interruption or complaint (asides from her). Seeing Tsukune now just forced her to face the consequences of her actions. She could have resisted, she could have run away and found him a long time ago, but she hadn't and that was why she was now facing him as an enemy and as a married woman.

"I'd have to say I don't really like that idea either" Tsukune's voice broke Kokoa out of her thoughts. "I propose another option. You let each of us leave here, and we'll make sure that none of you are killed, at least for today."

A mass group of hissing became audible from many of the gathered vampires. How could a dhampir willingly stand up to so many of them at once? This was especially true since his only backup were two witches. The thought infuriated them.

The reaction though, it was exactly what Tsukune wanted. It was clear in his eyes that this was exactly how everything was supposed to proceed. Watching those eyes, Kokoa felt another pang of sadness wash over her. Tsukune was no longer hers. Even if she abandoned her duty and attempted to join them, he was lost to her at this moment.

"Attack them" her husband called out. "We cannot allow them to leave this place alive."

The command was immediately obeyed as the guards holding onto the three started to attack.

Ruby and Tsukune shared a knowing look as the vampires attacked. A smirk spread across the young man's face as he elbowed the vampire who was holding onto him (luckily he was very slow on the uptake). Once free, his left hand shot up into the air and a wave of pink blossoms rained down on their approaching foes.

Screams of pain burst from the vampires' throats as they were sliced to pieces by the intense onslaught. A collective gasp burst from the vampires as the blossoms dissipated, leaving only the sight of corpses on the ground.

"Anyone else wish to attack?" Tsukune taunted, anger in his tone, yet nothing, but calmness on his face.

"Tsukune, don't taunt them too much" Ruby said coyly. "We wouldn't want to eliminate their entire species in a single moment."

Tsukune's expression didn't change, but the anger had clearly calmed somewhat. Ruby however was pulling on gloves, preparing herself for a brutal fight.

"Keep fighting. That attack took youki, he wouldn't be able to keep it up for long" Lord Tepes screamed out.

Obliging to their lord's wishes, the vampires attacked. Taking advantage of her momentary invisibility, Yukari rushed off to gather Tsukune's weapons. Finding where all their stuff had been put, the witch grabbed as much as she could carry. Rushing back towards her friends, she felt a pulsing from the odd package Tsukune always carried.

"I was told that this would be important when the time came" Tsukune's answer when she had asked about the package.

Remembering that, Yukari pulled it out before the rest of the gear and called out Tsukune's name. When she saw that he was facing her, Yukari threw the package to him.

The package had disappeared by the time it should've reached Tsukune. Instead he felt an odd metal crash into him, essentially melding itself to him. During this moment of shock, he had been tackled to the ground by a group of vampires. As they tried to tear him apart, Tsukune could tell that something was different.

His body was not feeling any pressure. He was not feeling any of the attacks and he was not feeling as if he was tiring. With a single push he managed to clear many of the vampires off of him. Able to take a look at himself, Tsukune could barely hide the gasp. Covering his body were scales. To be more precise, they were Dragon Scales.

As the scales finished covering him, everything that he had been told by Ezekiel returned. Taking this new knowledge with him, Tsukune managed to clear away another wave of vampires. Making his way backwards until he was back to back with Ruby, the young man could feel energy bursting through him. A cocky smile spread across his face as this occurred.

"Ruby, let's get Yukari and get out of here" Tsukune stated, for some reason his voice bore a relaxed tone.

"Alright" Ruby replied, confused by Tsukune's actions.

However, when she glanced back at him, she could see the scales that had spread across his body, covering it in the form of armor. She could also feel the calmness radiating from him. He wasn't stressed out by what he had discovered. His mind was clear and his vision focused. There was currently nothing that could stop them from getting out of there.

Soon enough Yukari was standing alongside them as well. All their gear gathered in her arms. Reaching back, Tsukune whipped out one of his blades as the vampires prepared another assault.

"Are you two ready?" he asked as his eyes scanned over the approaching entities, purposefully avoiding coming into contact with the Lord and Lady Tepes.

"Yes" the two witches answered simultaneously.

With that said, they made their escape. It wasn't without bloodshed as Tsukune and Ruby were forced to kill many of the vampires. However it was quite easy for them to get to the entrance. In perfect synch Tsukune and Ruby got Yukari out into the open. Ruby followed soon after, leaving only Tsukune standing before the group of vampires.

"You know, this could have all been avoided if you never used that book" he said with a shrug.

As he said that, he was rushed by numerous of the remaining vampires. Sighing, Tsukune leapt backwards and managed to return to the surface. Yukari was waiting for his exit with her wand at the ready. Upon seeing him surface, she cast a spell that effectively blocked the vampires from reaching them.

"Good, now let's get going" Ruby said as she grabbed Tsukune's hand, gripping tightly.

Tsukune only nodded as he allowed himself and Yukari to be lead away.

A good distance away from the city center where they were caught, Ruby finally collapsed. Breathing heavily, Tsukune followed suit. However instead of feeling relieved, he felt strongly hurt and betrayed.

"Tsukune, are you alright?" Yukari asked, noticing her friend's state.

"No, no I'm not alright" Tsukune growled as his hand immediately went up to his eye-patch.

Ruby noticed that, and was quite sure that what he saw had destroyed him.

"You put up a brave face in that place" Ruby said. "I want you to know that Yukari and I will make sure that you don't have to face that again."

Tsukune was still in a state of shock at this point. His hand remained over the eye-patch, his vision becoming clouded and dark.

'She left. She died. I don't know who she is anymore. The rumors were true' ran through Tsukune's mind as he began to break down.

End Chapter 26

A/N: Okay so I just finished chapter 26 and am coming to a close on Dragon's history. The next two or three chapters will hopefully clear up any confusion. Anyways, I don't really want to discuss the fact that Kokoa is married to another vampire at this point and don't freak out, this is Dragon's history. I can assure you that this will not happen to Tsukune and Kokoa...at least not right now. I've enjoyed writing this story, however hard it may have been at times, and hope you enjoyed this chapter. The story is truly coming closer and closer to its finale, things will be tying up soon and the stage will be set for the sequel. Thanks to all those who have read this and favourited/story alert. I really appreciate the reception and hope to continue to please all of my readers. Until next time,

Nanashi Wanderer

P.S. I have a couple of story ideas brewing and hopefully they will be up to be viewed and commented on within the week. I would appreciate input on any new stories I write so I know whether to continue them or not.