Chapter 28: Newspaper Club's Second Annual Field Trip

Natalie's P.O.V.

It had been two weeks since Mizore and the others had gotten back from their trip, and I was very worried by this point. Nathan had been in bad shape when they returned, so bad that the chairman took it upon himself to see to Nathan's recovery. No one had seen him since. All we had was our knowledge of how stubborn he can be, and the chairman giving vague updates to Nick and Neal, who had the most access to him. I was distracted from my worries by Ginei and Nekonome-sensei finally arriving to the clubroom.

"Good news guys!" Nekonome began eagerly. Everyone was present, I had already had suspicions when I noticed that. Usually Ethan and Mason had assignments before even arriving. But they were both here. "The chairman has given us permission to go to the human world!" Tsukune, Moka, Kurumu, Yukari, and Mizore all reacted rather predictably, a combination of excitement and disbelief. "So I've made arrangements for us to visit your senpai who graduated a couple years ago." Nekonome concluded with an excited clap and hop. We were then told to go pack for a few days, with Ginei reminding us to bring our "sexiest bikinis" since we will be on the beach. I admit to wishing that either I was a guy or one of the others were in this club. There was a perfect moment to cause Ginei to become flustered, I couldn't make the joke since I actually had use for a bikini, and Ethan and Mason weren't the type to make the joke. Nathan or the others would have I'm sure but they aren't here. Instead we just left with Kurumu calling Ginei a pervert.

When we arrived on the beach, Ginei and Nekonome left to get a rental car for us to use, and we were left to explore on our own. We were discussing where we should go first when something small crashed into Tsukune from behind. It turned out to be a little girl, she appeared about ten, with a notebook. She quickly wrote a message then turned it around. 'Sorry for running into you.'

"Oh, it's ok." Tsukune replied in his usual sheepish manner. I was focused on the girl, something about her seemed familiar. I was snapped from my thoughts when she revealed a new message. 'Please help me.' Moka was about to ask what with when we received our answer. Three grown men, yakuza by the way they dressed and carried themselves, walked up to us. Before saying anything, Tsukune stepped in front of the girl and was knocked out by a quick strike from the butt of the pistol one of the men held. I made eye contact with Ethan and Mason knowing I was the most prepared for close combat without using monster forms. I stepped up to where Tsukune had been.

"Is there something we can help you boys with?" I asked in a flirtatious tone. The men leered at me.

"Our boss wants the girl, hand her over and we'll let the boys go unharmed. The rest of you will be treated well if you come work for us quietly." I hid a grimace, I knew what kind of work they had in mind. Putting on a sweet smile I stepped forward, invading the personal space of the middle man, who had been the one to speak, and getting the other two in easy reach. I rested my hands on the thugs chest and propped myself up on the tips of my toes and whispered in his ear.

"Sorry, I don't do quiet." The three men exchanged excited looks, and Kurumu was declaring me insane. When the men stepped closer and the one I had whispered to, grabbed himself a handful of my rear, I smirked wickedly. Lifting a knee swiftly into his hardening crotch, I created just enough distance to knock all three men out with quick precise strikes, which may have had a little extra power to them. "You shouldn't grab a girl without permission." I drawled sweetly as the last one fell to the ground. I turned around and saw the stunned looks on the faces of everyone who isn't a 'traveler'. "What?"

"That's what we want to know." Mizore said, finding her voice first. The others nodded dumbly while Mason smirked behind them and Ethan looked over the unconscious fools behind me.

"Oh, did you have a better way to take all three of them down without either using your monster forms or drawing a crowd?" I asked, crossing my arms and shifting my hips to one side in a classic 'I'm waiting' pose.

"Um… no… not really." Moka said as a blush took over her features.

"Still though, you made yourself look like a slut." Kurumu exclaimed with something akin to righteous fury. I quirked an eyebrow.

"Jealous?" She stammered and stared blankly. "Are you, the succubus, jealous that I can grab a man's attention in ways that make you squirm and blush?" I asked in a teasing tone. I then stepped up to her and placed my hand on her chest. "I guess having excessive 'assets' isn't as beneficial as you thought?" I teased, giving a light squeeze before stepping back and laughing. Whatever she was trying to say, her blush and how flustered she was making it difficult, was cut off by Ginei and Nekonome returning.

"Just who do you think you're dragging into trouble?" Ginei demanded as he stepped over and looked at the downed men in disgust.

"Well if you're calling those trouble, then we were the ones dragged in." Ethan replied calmly. When Ginei turned to look at him he continued. "They were chasing her." He pointed at the girl with us. "Tsukune tried to stand up to them and got knocked out. Aiko took care of it from there though. I'm sure you would have liked her method." The look Ginei gave me was not as lecherous as I'd have suspected. Instead it seemed to be a look of gratitude, one that he also graced Tsukune with. Before anyone could comment on that though, Nekonome stepped up.

"Well it looks like you've already met, but introductions are still my job." Nekonome hopped excitedly into the middle of the group wrapping her arms around the girl's shoulders. "Newspaper Club, this is Otonashi Sun, a graduate of Yokai Academy!" I will be the first to deny that I was as shocked as the rest at that revelation. Mason may argue and Ethan may provide proof to the contrary, but I wasn't I tell you. I would find out later that Ethan and Mason had it figured out when we met the girl because Nathan had told them we would meet a Siren who was a newspaper club alumni, and they noticed she was a siren by the similarities in her aura and mine. The ride to the hostel where Sun worked and lived was a pleasant one and we arrived without incident, unless one counts Ginei's driving, a bit faster than was necessary and a few corners were taken on two wheels, but overall I enjoyed myself. When we arrived the apparent manager was raising a fuss over Sun's return claiming she had disappeared four days ago, between Ginei and myself getting in his face and the real boss, a slightly older woman who appeared drunk, setting him straight, he found he had no choice and decided to slink away. He got in Sun's face again screaming at her this time without the façade of professionalism, and then left, apparently emptying the safe on his way out. The next morning the police began their investigation and Kurumu declared 'we' would go out and catch him ourselves, until Yukari managed to calm her. Once Kurumu was calmed we began to discuss what could be done to help save the Hostel since the place was now broke and making no profit. I noticed Ethan and Mason slip out and decided to follow them.

"You have a way to save the place don't you?" I asked when Ethan pulled a cellphone out of his pocket.

"I believe I may, however it will require me to disappear for a few days. Mason has forbidden me from going alone so he shall accompany me. You however should remain here, they will need your strength." He then walked out of the building, Mason followed offering a small wave as he did.

"Fine, I didn't want to know what your secret plan was anyway. See if I care about your secret adventure." I huffed before walking back into the room I left the others in, finding them all helping with the cleaning. They were also trying to think of other ways to help. Cocoa had just complained about being hungry when I stepped in to help wash a window. Kurumu suddenly grabbed me and spun me around.

"That's it!" She declared. "That's how we'll help!" When we all looked at her confusedly she elaborated. "What weapons do we have that can help draw in business?" She sighed like it should be obvious. When still nobody commented, I was trying to figure out if she meant what I thought she meant, she wrapped her arms around me grabbing my chest. "Our bikinis! We get all sexy'd up and go outside with a sign and draw in some business!" She cheered inadvertently opening my shirt causing Tsukune, and oddly Cocoa, to turn away quickly to hide blushes, and in Cocoa's case a nosebleed. I just shrugged and took my shirt off the rest of the way before going to our room to finish changing. When Moka and the other girls joined me I was lectured about modesty, and the benefits of bowing to it.

Kurumu's plan was a rousing success causing the Hostel to completely sell out of everything. While we celebrated we heard the tale of how Marin, the owner of the hostel, lost her husband to a monster attack. While we heard the tale I heard the sound of the bell and went up front to see if I could help. Little did I know what I was walking in on.

"You, you're the one from back then!?" Marin said, absolute terror in her voice. I looked at the man in the doorway. He was, well, gorgeous, there is no other way to describe him. However he was a little too pretty for my tastes. Also I could feel his power and could see the evil in his eyes. As I stepped into the room I heard a sound that confirmed he was dangerous. I sped between them saving Marin from the sound that would have made her pass out. "Aiko-chan, what are you…?"

"Never mind that right now." I snapped cutting her off. "Get the others and get out of here."

"But, he's dangerous Aiko-chan, I can't leave you alone with him." I took a moment before answering her to kick Pretty-boy in the face.

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing." I said, giving her a slight shove to get her going. Once she was gone from the room I finished my thought. "I hope." I turned my full attention on the Siren before me, readying myself for the most troubling fight I'd ever had. I could practically hear Neal whining about how annoying it was to fight that spider monster last year, echoing in my head. The main difference is that I know I have only barely started to discover what can be done with my powers.

"You little…. Do you have any Idea who I am? I am the leader of Fairy Tale's Seventh Branch, Kamiya "God" Kanade! You dare defy me!?" His wings burst from his back as he rushed forward slamming a fist into my face. Before I hit the ground I pulled out my own wings and began my song just in time to counter his song.

"Heh, so you are a siren as well? No matter, your song shows your youth and inexperience! It can't match my Death Melody!"

"Maybe not, but it will stall you long enough for the others to escape." I was going to die. I could already see it, this was my end. All I could hope for was that somehow Ethan and Mason would get back in time to save the others and would be strong enough to take this false god down. After nearly twenty minutes of singing I felt my voice start to break. 'Times up.' I thought bleakly to myself. I stopped my song and closed my eyes, ready for the end, but it never came. I opened my eyes to see an awakened Moka literally kicking the spit out of Pretty-boy. I looked up as Tsukune crouched next to me with Marin. "I don't understand." Was all I could say, before Tsukune helped me up and Marin helped hold me up since my legs were weak.

"We told Marin-san everything. We had to so she would let us help you." I smacked Tsukune in the back of the head.

"I didn't want your help, I wanted you all to run. Pretty-boy over there is too…." I was cut off by Sun flying into the room singing a defensive song, which I noticed had an offensive overtone. I watched in awe as Sun, who I now realized was a siren as well which is why she seemed familiar, took Pretty-boy apart. He even switched to a song that allowed him to summon his allies to fight with him. I have to say, having seen mermaids, and now meeting mermen, I prefer the mermaids. Moka, Kurumu, Mizore, and Cocoa made short work of the Mermen, though he just kept summoning more, while Sun kept the song from doing anything more than summoning. Eventually Pretty-boy revealed another transformation that sirens can apparently do. Truthfully to me at least it looked kind of like a dragon with feathery wings, though his feather daggers thing was pretty cool. Once he transformed it became clear that Sun was overwhelmed trying to counter his song while damaging him with her own. I pushed the humans off me and went to stand by Sun. After listening closely for a few seconds I was able to join the song, the defensive line at least, allowing Sun to adjust how she distributed her power. I may have been on the last dregs of my strength but it was enough to win the fight.

When the fight was over we rested and recovered, Ginei and Haiji showed up covered in blood and were accused of fighting each other. I suspected they were busy elsewhere when they accepted the reprimand so readily. Two days later Marin received a call from some massive corporation that wanted to help her Hostel become the best place on the whole seaside. When it was announced they wanted nothing in return and it was their CEO that made the decision I suspected that was where Ethan had gone. Ginei had 'found' Marin's bank book that had been stolen by her former employee and it seemed as though everything would turn out alright for the hostel. Ethan and Mason returned just in time to catch the bus and Sun and Marin unrolled a massive banner saying 'Thank you, Come stay again' as we pulled away. I hope I can come back here at some point, it really does seem like a nice place.

~A/N~

Wednesday, so I must once again say that I don't own Rosario + Vampire or any other series in this story.

So, Natalie has some fun tormenting people, and even when we watch it from her perspective I still don't know if she would follow through or not... Oh well. Ethan having a corporation in the Human World is something I believe Is within the realm of possibilities since he is just that freaking smart, he could have taken over some from the shadows and rule through a patsy. Mason electing to go with him to put his plan into motion is simple, this group has a tendency to get themselves into trouble, Ethan would be alone, while Natalie would have the support of the rest of the group if trouble cropped up, also Natalie is a bit more well rounded when it comes to combat proficiency.

Anyway, as always, drop a review if there is something you don't quite understand, or if there is any other specific feedback you want to leave. Follows and/or Favorites are another great way to show you enjoy the story and to keep tabs on any updates to the story.

See you Friday!