Disclaimer: Under pain of being on the receiving end of those nasty Shards of Corruption, I do not own Rosario + Vampire, or any of the characters that are native to that universe. I only own the ones that I created specifically for this fanfic, or the ones that I have imported into this from my own 'professional' writing. (Here's looking at you, Dia!)

Rosario + Vampire: Concerto of Shadows

Chapter 27-Revenge is a Dish…

Snow Woman Village. Monster World. Three weeks before.

Mizore Shirayuki sighed loudly with growing frustration while she tried for what felt like the hundredth time to just create a stable icicle. For something that had been so easy for her not so long ago, she found this simple exercise virtually impossible! It turned out always with the same maddening result each and every time! She either shot out half-frozen balls of utterly useless slush, or inky colored slivers of ice that melted quickly into those same useless chunks of slush!

Mizore ground her teeth. Whatever those damn Sentinels had hit her with, it completely ruined her ability to stay with her once beloved Tsukune. She now hated those creatures with as much passion as she had once loved Tsukune Aono. The young Snow Woman clenched her teeth hard enough she broke her cold sucker. She angrily hurled it out into the snow. She figured that he would have visited her by now to see how she was doing. That hybrid asshole hadn't even so much as sent her a letter! Shows how much he really cared about her!

"Mizore? Are you out here, my dear? Dinner will be ready before too much longer. Do come in, dear, please!"

Mizore rolled her eyes as she reached into her pants pocket. She removed another cold pop, and stuffed it into her mouth. These damn things truly weren't necessary since she was back in her native cold. However, they were familiar and friendly, and they strangely gave her some comfort. She sighed loudly and turned toward her home. She brushed off some of the snow that stuck to her kimono. It annoyed her greatly that her mother had taken it upon herself to coddle her young daughter. She was a Snow Woman, for fuck's sake! Not some statue made out of crystal!

"Mizore? I am not going to ask you again!"

Mizore ground her teeth hard enough for her jaw to ache. "Yes, mother. I will be inside in just a moment!" She called loudly. She was a teenager for crying out loud, and her mother still treated her like a child! She tried her best to calm herself before she went inside. It would be ill advised to have another fight with her mother, as her patience was almost as thin as Mizore's these days. With one final inhale and exhale, she then opened the back door and entered her home.

XXX

"That's our target that just went inside that house? Why would Lord Burnhart want that creature? She is merely a worthless child!"

Reaper floated a few feet away from one of the smaller Sentinels. Red eyes gleamed within the hood. "Ours is not to question the command of the Master. If Lord Burnhart wants her, so he shall have her. We merely do as the Master commands."

One of the other Sentinels floated closer. "How much longer must we kotow to the weak vampire, Reaper? Surely, Lord Abel doesn't have any reason to need such a pathetic creature!"

Reaper turned its hooded 'head' toward the rebellious Sentinel. "Our Lord and Creator has ordered it, so shall it be done! Do not question the will of Lord Abel! If he wishes to work with such a weak creature, then it is not our duty to question it. Just be ready, as she was a friend of that hybrid Aono. It is quite possible that they will arrive and try to defend her."

"That is not very likely, Reaper. We have sat here for the better part of a standard month, and there have been no instances of them here. She was obviously not well liked at the academy, as none have come to pay her homage. We should move in while they are otherwise distracted! They will offer minimal resistance if we strike now!"

"Patience, young one. We will move when the time is right. Until then, you will keep silent and continue observation. We are nothing if not patient."

XXX

Dinner tonight had been a very quiet affair. They had been ever since Mizore arrived back home after her time at Raven's Nest. Her mother had at first thought Mizore lied to her about having met the Raven Lords. After all, they didn't normally meddle directly into the affairs of the lesser monsters. Tsurara Shirayuki was a force of nature when she was angered, and the thought that they would have come anywhere near her daughter infuriated her to no end. She had finally calmed down though when Mizore pleaded with her to listen and let her finish the tale.

Once the tale was completed, Tsurara simmered down quite a bit. After all, proof already stared her in the face with her daughter's diminished gifts. It was obviously catastrophic what happened to her, since she couldn't even create a simple snowball without something going wrong. The elder Shirayuki had heard tales as a child of the notorious Oni Sentinels, but had never believed in any of those stories until now. It both angered and frightened her that such creatures truly existed, and that could casually bring down a mighty Snow Woman without much effort. If she ever saw one of those abominations, she would send it to whatever hell had spawned it! No one hurt her daughter and got away with it!

"I am going back outside now, mother."

Tsurara frowned as she gazed down upon Mizore's plate. She had left a good portion of it behind untouched. She had not even touched the frozen custard that was one of her absolute favorites! Her daughter was much thinner these days, and it greatly concerned her. That young boy that she had thought so highly of, Tsukune Aono, hadn't even so much as sent a letter to inquire of her health when she returned!

Her opinion of the boy had gone down quite a bit over these past couple of months. She had half a mind to storm Yokai Academy and drag him back here by the scruff of his neck! He was so ungrateful that her daughter had given him her heart! Such a gift given by a Snow Woman was not to be taken lightly!

Ms. Shirayuki stopped her inner musings and sighed lightly. She gave her daughter a small smile. "Of course, Mizore. Just do be careful, please."

Mizore rolled her eyes. "Sure thing, mother."

XXX

"Look Now! The miserable brat is outside again! So, she is indeed back in our hands again! Quickly, do any of you see any others of her kind milling about outside? Anything?"

"No, Reaper. It appears that she is indeed the only one out here!"

"Excellent! We will move when I say so, and not a moment before. We must strike quickly!"

"Of course, Reaper. We await your command."

XXX

Yokai Academy, Monster World.

Ruby Tojo was greatly relieved when she had finally been cleared to leave the clinic. She loved Lady Shannara greatly, but she was tired of constantly being fussed over by the elder witch. Granted, she had received some injuries from the battle and had quite exhausted herself, but witches always bounced back quickly! Being that Lady Shannara was that much older then Ruby, she should have known that most of all!

When she was finally discharged, Ruby had retired to her room to study and meditate. While she was cooped up, Ruby had learned a lot by studying with Lady Shannara. There had been several old tomes that she had been allowed to glance at, and she wanted more time with them. Those same books she scooped up into her arms on her way out of the clinic actually had Lady Shannara's blessing. Ruby had been so entranced with the tomes that they rarely were left untouched over the last couple of days.

One of the many new skills that she attempted to learn from one of the tomes was the study of Clairvoyance. Even in the monster world, such a powerful gift was truly rarer then even the rarest of abilities. However, Ruby was quite determined to master it. A small part of her wanted to use it to see if somehow she and Tsukune ever connected, but then she shook her head. It was obvious to everyone except maybe Kurumu that Tsukune and Moka were truly meant for each other. Even though that same small piece of her heart wished more than anything to have him at her side…

With a bright flash in her peripheral vision, Ruby's head jerked up. Her eyes went completely blank and unfocused. In her mind, she saw a beautiful valley that was caked in mounds of frosty snow. On one of the many snowy peaks sat a rather familiar looking ski lodge. Recognition dawned on Ruby that it was the same resort they visited a year ago. The image within her mind went fuzzy for a moment, and then it seemed to jump forward jerkily. She now saw into the very heart of the village of the Snow Women!

The young witch was so fascinated with the sight that she couldn't have torn her gaze away if she wanted to! Everything appeared calm and peaceful in the beautiful snow-choked valley, but there was still something sinister that stirred within the still air. Ruby felt her pulse quicken as her heart beat faster now. It was quite tangible; it was something that felt both familiar and dark. Almost like a fresh nightmare felt upon waking from a deep sleep.

The serene image faded yet again, and then it refocused upon a nearby clump of thin skeletal snow-covered trees. If it had been possible for the young witch to do so, the sight that now greeted Ruby would have caused her to recoil in absolute terror! There amongst those cursed looking trees stood a small group of Oni Sentinels! What in the name of hell were they doing there?

Much to Ruby's surprise, a very familiar purple-haired woman came into her view. She looked a lot thinner than Ruby remembered her, but Mizore still carried that same haughty air that she always had. Ruby tried to focus and make out what the young Snow Woman was attempting to do. She seemed quite intent on the creation of an intact icicle. After she witnessed a few failures, Mizore threw her head back and screamed in frustration. The young witch found it heart-wrenching to see her former friend in such pain. Much to her horror, the Sentinels now moved in closer toward Mizore. They were going to attack her! Ruby had to warn her, now!

Before Ruby could so much as blink, the horrible image vanished completely from her mind's eyes. What felt to her like a tremendous tidal wave of extreme pain ripped through her body. Her last thought before darkness reached out and claimed her was that she had to somehow warn Mizore of the danger just behind her!

XXX

Medical Clinic, Yokai Academy

"I think she is finally coming around, Lady Shannara! Is there anything else that Moka or I can do to help you?"

"Thank you, my dear but no. I can take it from here my dears. Though, I recall having told you a long time ago to just call me Shannara, Tsukune. Or, do you wish me to call you 'Lord' Tsukune?"

"Uh, no, Shannara. That is quite all right. I don't deserve the title of 'Lord'."

"I don't know, Tsukune. It makes you sound even more dashing!"

Ruby moaned lightly as she painfully struggled into consciousness. Her body felt terribly weak and limp, as though she had to fight for her very life! Her memories were a complete jumble, and she struggled to sort it quickly. She had to warn everyone of the terrible storm that was coming! The Sentinels were about to be unleashed! Mizore was in grave danger!

Her eyelids finally cracked open into thin slits. The bright light that met her weak eyes instantly made her nauseous. Her stomach hitched and heaved a few times before she finally closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the waiting darkness. She scrunched her eyes, and felt the tears that had gathered behind her closed eyelids. She was so weak! What would her Ladyship of said of her now?

Ruby then felt a blessedly cool washcloth as it placed gently over her closed eyes. A soothing warm hand was placed tenderly upon her arm. The hand gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "Tsukune, do be a dear and hit that light switch over there. It will reduce the ambient lighting in here by about half. I dare say young Ruby here isn't feeling too well after her experience."

"Of course Shannara."

After what seemed an eternity, Ruby attempted to open her eyes again. The light overhead was much weaker now, and it didn't cause her any nausea or pain. The young witch blinked a few times, and her gummy eyes cleared. Shannara sat next to Ruby's bed, a grandmotherly smile upon her lips. "Welcome back to the land of the living, my dear." Her smile faded, worry lines creased her face. "You had us all worried, Ruby. When Tsukune and Moka carried you in a few hours ago, you seemed all but dead!"

Weakly, Ruby attempted to sit up. Shakily, she managed to get herself into a sitting position. Ruby blinked and glanced around the room. She was back in the clinic again, and she saw a worried Tsukune and Moka stood watching her nearby. She gave them a sincere, though weak, smile. "Thank you, both of you."

Tsukune blushed and glanced down at the floor. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "It was nothing, Ruby. You were in trouble, and we happened to be nearby."

Moka chuckled lightly and gently flicked Tsukune's cheek. "Oh, Tsukune, come on! You can stop the whole embarrassed blushing routine by now! We all love you, you know!"

Tsukune turned redder. "I can't help it, Moka. I just helped a dear friend in trouble."

Ruby chuckled. "The thanks are there all the same. I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't come along when you did."

Shannara pursed her lips. "Speaking of which, my dear, what on earth where you doing when this happened? I saw some of the books scattered about that I entrusted you with just earlier. What happened?"

Ruby's eyes widened and she grew serious. "I was reading about the ability to be clairvoyant…"

Shannara sighed heavily. "Sweetie, there hasn't been a witch that was clairvoyant for several centuries. The last one with the gift was driven completely mad."

Ruby shook her head. "I know what it sounds like, Lady Shannara! But I know what I saw, and it is happening right now!"

Tsukune and Moka traded looks. "Ruby? Are you sure that you are okay?" Moka started hesitantly. "You were in pretty bad shape when we found you-"

Despite the pain and nausea it caused, Ruby violently shook her head back and forth. "No! It has nothing to do with how you found me! I know what I saw! Please, you have to believe me! I need you to please get hold of Lord Rylan and Diademonica! Mizore's life may well be at stake!"

Tsukune and Moka's faces both registered shock. They stared at Ruby. "Mizore? Why is she in danger?"

Ruby rocked her head back and forth. "Please! Just get Lord Rylan and Dia!"

Shannara gingerly stood, and scooted her chair out of the way. "Alright, my dear. I will send for them. Please, don't get yourself too excited! You are still recovering from your ordeal! Your body needs time to heal and replenish itself."

Ruby's gaze with Shannara turned pleading. "Lady Shannara, I will do anything that you ask of me, and I will sleep until the next full moon if it is what you request of me! Just please, hurry and get them! Mizore's very life is probably at stake!"

XXX

Lord Rylan and Diademonica raced quickly toward the second floor clinic. The news that Ruby had collapsed was already enough cause for concern, but the possibility that someone's life was on the line was enough to spur them on. They skidded to a stop outside the door, and without any preamble they opened the door and headed on inside.

Tsukune, Moka, Shannara and Ruby waited patiently inside. Ruby still lay propped up upon the soft bed. The stresses of her newly unlocked ability having left its mark upon her pale face. Despite the fatigue and weakness of her body, Ruby's mind was still sharp. Her eyes brightened when Lord Rylan and Dia stepped through the door. She weakly raised her hand toward them. "Please, close the door." She asked quietly.

Since Dia was the last one through the door, she took it upon herself to quietly close the door with a gentle click. She stood directly in front of the door, her violet colored eyes showed traces of concern for the young witch. "Are you okay, Ruby? You look like strained shit."

Ruby weakly chuckled. "Thanks, I certainly feel like it."

Lord Rylan walked forward and laid a strong hand gently upon Ruby's wrist. "Ruby? Are you up to this? While I would have chosen a more polite way of phrasing it," He turned slightly and gave Dia narrowed eyes. He mumbled slightly as she shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. "You do not look very well, my dear." He finished as he turned back to her. "If you need a few moments to get yourself together, we can wait."

Ruby painfully shook her head. "No, Lord Rylan, this can't wait! You must what I have to say! If you don't, I have a feeling something awful is going to happen to Mizore!"

Dia blinked and she crossed her arms under her breasts. An eyebrow rose. "Mizore? That little purple-haired ice queen that was turned into sloppy shit by the Sentinels?"

"Manners, Dia! Manners!" Lord Rylan hissed loudly toward the Cambion. He rose and shook his head. "I swear, Dia, there are times if you had been my daughter I would have slapped you a good one! Wounds from the Shards of Corruption are no laughing matter! What that woman did in helping protect Tsukune should earn our respect and admiration, not our scorn!"

Dia shrugged again. "Not meant as disrespect, bossman. It just is what it is. With those hits she took from those damned shards, Mizore ended up losing her abilities to control and conjure the cold. Thus, she is now worthless to help protect Tsukune. I may be blunt and harsh at times, bossman, but I am not heartless."

"That is quite true, my dear." Shannara started as she shook her head. "However, there are times that it would be rather nice if you could be a little less, edgy, perhaps, with your replies?"

Dia snorted loudly. "No disrespect intended, Shannara, but who the hell has time for it? If this kid is correct, and Mizore is in trouble, does it matter how nice and polite I phrase it? Shouldn't we be more concerned with hearing her out and find out what we are up against? We are defined by our actions, Lady Shannara, not our words."

Lord Rylan sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Dia, this will be a conversation for another time. You are right in one respect, however. We should hear the young lady out." He turned again, and gazed down at Ruby. He gave her a warm smile. "Well, Ruby, you have quite frankly scared the shit out of us. I hope that whatever you have to tell us was worth the anxiety."

Ruby weakly nodded her head. "It is worth it, Lord Rylan. I admit, had I not just been through it, I never would have believed it."

The Cambion coughed. "Well? How about it? Spill it! If there is one thing I know, it is how to fight. Let's hear what we have to deal with!"

XXX

Snow Woman Village, Monster World

"We move now. It is time to collect this girl and be on our way. The longer we dawdle, the more chances we have of discovery. Remember, she is to be taken alive. Failure to keep this command is not an option. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Reaper. By your command."

XXX

Mizore was even grumpier then before she had gone in to dinner. Talking with her mother was almost pointless, since she had no clue what she was going through. As usual, her father was out in his ridiculous yeti costume parading up and down the valley. His attempt to blend into the local wildlife to study was an absolute joke. She tried telling him numerous times that there weren't any local yeti to be found. So, it was pointless to be out in that stupid getup. He wouldn't listen to her, and why should he? She was always a child in his eyes, just like she was in her mother's. Hell, she couldn't even throw a decent snowball at some-

Mizore quickly spun around. Her ears had caught the sound of movement behind her. She narrowed her eyes, and slowly turned as she took in all the details that she could. There were the occasional bird chirps and creature skitters, but this was something else. Something that was quite familiar. She felt nauseous, as though a sickness had emerged and spread from within herself. Her eyes widened in recognition. She had felt this way before! Not long after she received her first wound from one of those damned shards! She whipped her head back and forth. No! They couldn't really be here, could they?

Without understanding why, she hurled herself off the side and rolled away from the spot she stood just moments before. To her surprise, there was a tall, black, transparent cage that encased the area that she had just stood in. The familiar sounds of those whipping winds from the tornadoes that haunted her very dreams now thundered through the valley. There looked to be a dozen! The Snow Woman felt her pulse quicken. They had come for her! Why? She wasn't worth much in a fight anymore! Why the hell couldn't they just leave her to her misery?

"Mizore? Mizore dear! I am sorry that I haven't done more to try to help you. I really don't know how to! I mean, not one of our kind-"

Tsurara Shirayuki stopped mid-sentence at the sight of what was before her. She had come out to apologize, and try to make amends with her only daughter. The normally spectacular view behind their home was now marred with dark shadows and foul winds from the creatures there. Tsurara's eyes widened at the implications of the truth before her. Not only had her daughter told the truth of her encounters, but they now stood before her as proof!

Tsurara's eyes narrowed, and air hissed through her teeth as she inhaled sharply. These creatures were the ones that hurt her little girl! These were the bastards that caused her daughter so much pain and grief! She was NOT going to let those little bastards get away with this! Her eyes brightened as she began to call out to her rather formidable powers. They would face the vengeance of a mother who cared for her wounded child!

Mizore's eyes widened at the change in her mother. No! She couldn't be serious! She was going to face off against these evil creatures? "Mother!" Mizore practically wailed. "Get out of here! They are here for me! Please! You must get out, now!"

Tsurara gave the Sentinels a snarl. "I will not let them harm you, Mizore! By whatever powers our tribe possess, these abominations will not touch you!"

Faster then even Tsurara Shirayuki could fathom, something ominous and black shot forward toward her. The Snow Woman's eyes widened in surprise, and she managed only a small shield wall of ice before the malevolent shape slammed into it. The force of the violent attack shattered her protective wall, and sent the Snow Woman hurling backward into the back wall of her home.

Tsurara Shirayuki slammed with bone crunching force through the back wall of her house. The back door was destroyed with her passage, and she finally skidded to a halt not far from the still open kitchen door. She coughed loudly, spitting up blood in the process. She gasped couple of times, and felt the world darken. Before she lost all consciousness, her last thought was that she had better clean the place before any company came over. It was a mess!