Chapter 34
Careless Whisper
Dawn was not Ria's favorite time of the day; found it hard to handle mornings well. The crisp, clean feel it gave after the night had faded always felt like nature's cruel way of washing away the previous evening's activities she'd enjoyed, creating this feeling of being cleansed without her consent. And, as an unrepentant deviant, she didn't need to feel any kind of shame to begin with. She didn't want anyone judging her, she liked being dirty, it was honest and pure and ultimately satisfying; she did not do well during mornings.
Her dark sunglasses showed a woman who craved the sins of the dark rather than someone eager to be out and about on a bright, sunny day which always left a bad taste in her mouth and dampened the mood, something that the family's underlings have come to recognize, and yet as she sat in the conference room of one of their Fairy Tale branch offices clad in skin tight, fully covered black dress suit, shapely legs crossed impatiently, Ria wondered what was so important for this nervous, little peasant whom typed furiously on a laptop to dare bother his superiors, now.
"Goodness," she sighed, her leather gloved hand tenderly massaging the sides of her temples as though trying in vain to calm a massive hangover, when in reality she was trying to fight back the urge to bodily and violently harm this man.
"I know you don't like being here at this time and hour," he said, nervously.
"Why am I here, what are you doing? I had to drive all night just to see something you so far haven't shown me…What am I looking at?"
He hands her the lap top, showing her a myriad of pie charts and columns that served to be more perplexing than she realized, but what was clear was that something on this web page warranted attention.
"These figures, Ma'am show a sudden drop in the organization's finances; it just happened last night without warning."
"So, it's another rodent trying to pilfer some of our merchandise," Ria simply deduced. "Ascertain what it was and I'll sniff out the rat!"
"But, mistress that's just it, nothing was stolen."
"What?" She asked, removing the glasses now that her interest has been piqued.
"Um, yes that's the strange part, my mistress. I've checked inventory from branches all over the globe and not one thing has been missing. It seems that, someone has hacked our systems and dipped into the account."
"A hacker? That's impossible, our fire walls are the best in the world, the moment anyone tried to breach it, we'd be on them before they knew what hit them!"
"I couldn't agree more, but somehow…it just looks as though they knew all of security and bypassed the firewall."
"How?"
"…Um…"
"Well?" Ria demanded, growing angry. "Spit it out, little man."
"…It, um…appears they used one of your passwords."
"….What?"
"I don't know how they found out, but that's what I was able to discover, mistress. Perhaps during one of your, um, trysts you may have accidentally…"
"How bad is it, fool?"
"How bad is what?"
A glare from her caused him to instantly get her meaning.
"Oh, um, I-I know from the looks of things what they took seems small, but trust me they made off with a hefty sum."
"…How much of a 'hefty sum' are we talking about?"
"…About…11,000 yen…ma'am."
Her mouth didn't drop nor did she utter a scream or react out of surprise; however, by judging her robust bosom alone, which he occasionally glanced at under careful discretion, where he noticed how it's methodical movements of up and down suddenly stopped momentarily after those figures were read, he could tell she was just as nervous about this as himself.
"…Who else knows about this?" She finally asked, a question that he was keen to pick up as not being an easy one to answer, especially with the people he worked for. An underling he may be, but one who hadn't gotten to where he is by being stupid, either.
"…I can assure you," he replied, "this information is in good hands, and will continue so, so help me."
She looked up at him with enormous brown eyes, eyes that while beautiful, made him feel like little red riding hood staring at the big bad wolf; and yet, he would not be so stupid as to say anything that might harm him.
"Duffy," he replied with a modest grin. "Ewynn Duffy."
"Mr. Duffy, I am placing my trust in you; see that you guard it with your life."
"Y-Yes ma'am. As if my life depended on it."
"Good man," she said, and prepares to leave. "Keep me informed if anything else develops."
"Yes ma'am," he says after her, and the moment she leaves, lets out a giant, nervous sigh of relief.
As Ria steps into her limo, she remains oblivious to the leering, shadowy figure staring down from its perch high on top of the building. The mysterious Akua eyed her adversary stoically like a falcon, one who had already set into motion actions that will help make the planned kill, but upon seeing Ria in the flesh after so, the first since being literally stabbed in the back four years ago, stirred up feelings of love and hate she had long thought buried. Hatred, definitely, but the love wasn't any kind of sisterly bonding she felt for Moka, but rather the love a cat has for its favorite plaything, and it was so strong that it forced her to relive a moment in their shared past.
It was many years ago, when as a mere teen circumstances had sent her to live with her father and to serve as one of his lethal assassins. She proved her worth effortlessly the moment she crossed his threshold by soundly and quite violently defeating Kahlua, the eldest of his legitimate daughters and one of his strongest, so far. As she stood in his throne room, hovering coldly over her sister's prone form, bleeding, twitching in agony, and crying out of pain and shame, their father proudly proclaimed:
"Congratulations; you have proven yourself to this family."
"Thank you, father," she said, humbly bowing.
With a loud clap from him, a door opened and in glided a tall, shapely dark haired woman in a fully covered, form fitting black dress.
"Oh me, oh my," the woman said, her gloved fingers cradling against her pale cheeks in mock surprise as she surveyed the carnage. "I take it she passed the test, my Lord?"
"Ria, you are to escort your sister to her quarters," he ordered. "Make her feel at home; she'll be serving opposite Kahlua as one of my top enforcers."
"How overjoyed we all are, my Lord," she said, though with hardly any enthusiasm, and then she looks Akua over as though this little girl from the orient was worth being in their presence.
"Go; I must tend to Kahlua."
"As you wish, my Lord," Ria said with false obedience, which Akua was too keen to pick up. "Come, I'll see that you are well taken care of, Mrs…?"
"Akua."
"Akua; well, follow me."
The little girl shadowed this buxom, curvaceous woman whose round bottom and hips swayed almost mockingly before the slim and short girl, who saw such attributes as cumbersome, especially in battle, only serving to be for mere show in a rather cheap display. She was a fat pig, squeezed into Ceram wrap with the long hair of a concubine trailing behind; an unimpressive appearance. Yet, as skanky and stuck up as this woman was, Akua noticed how frightened all the servants, even the men, were in her presence, which seemed to be more than the standard respect someone of her station should receive; this gave Akua the impression that this smug, older sister of hers who exuded a fake beauty and a concealed ugliness also conveyed great power, power worth the taking, though she kept quiet her ambitions.
"In here," Ria demanded, leading the girl into her private chambers and up to a small table. "Before we begin the tour, lets you and me have a little fun. Tell me, do you play games?
"On occasion," she quietly replied.
"Pull up a seat. Have you played chess?"
"Chess?"
"Yes; surely you've heard of chess where you from?"
Akua could help, but notice a hint of racism and xenophobia from her elder, half-sister; yet, nevertheless she continued to play it cool like a snake biding its time.
"I've seen it played."
"How often?" Ria asked as she sets up the board.
"On occasion," came Akua's curt reply, but Ria either hadn't notice it or was too preoccupied in setting up the pieces to care.
"I like playing chess; I feel it allows one to learn a lot about the other. Take for instance the black pieces, my favorite, and imagine these pieces represent this family, with father as the black king and me, his vaunted Right Hand as his black queen. It's the job of the queen, you see, to guard her king; she is the most powerful piece on the board, she has to be if she's to be of any use to him and succeed in eliminating all threats without fail. You cannot help, but find some parallel to the natural stations life gives us, wouldn't you agree?"
"…Sure, why not?" Akua asked and quietly takes her place opposite Ria.
"I'll go first."
Akua had never bothered playing chess, and her inexperience with it was evident on her elder sister as she moved her black pieces with the expert precision of one who viewed such a game as learning material. However, as Akua put on a show of being consumed by the game and strategizing, she was actually studying the player, itself. She had been trained her entire life for one thing and one thing only, to read people like a book and like a predator, ascertain their weaknesses.
"So, Akua is it?" Ria asked. "I must admit this is the first I've heard of you. I don't mean to pry, but when did father encounter your mother?"
"She used to stay here, but later moved years ago," she responded.
"Oh me, oh my, what a shame. And, now you're here, wanting to serve father as one of his top assassins?"
"Yes."
"…I see. As my lord and master's humble Right Hand, I take my position deadly serious, as you must already know. I am very proficient at what I do for him; I hope the same can be said of you."
"I am good at what I do."
"I trust you are. He trusts you; you defeating Kahlua impressed him greatly, there are few alive who could do what you've done."
"Are you one of those few?"
"…Of course," Ria said with a dry chuckle. "Your gaming skills leave much to be desired, though."
"They do?"
"I guess they never taught you how important chess is in life; I like chess. It teaches you about strategy and to predict your enemy. Check."
Akua saw Ria's queen had already gotten within striking distance of her king, her next move will determine the game.
"If you'd like, I'd be happy to teach you while you live with us; your move?" Ria offered, but Akua declined.
"No. I don't like chess, chess is a fool's game."
"A fool's game?" Ria asked. "How so?"
"Chess only reinforces the delusion that war is neat and orderly," Akua replies, who then picks up her queen and plants it right next to Ria's king, in the now vacant spot where Ria's black queen had been. "When in reality, victory has always gone to the bold opportunists."
The two lock eyes, with Ria's cockiness all but evaporated at the blatant, audacious act this little girl committed, who maintained her cool, icy demeanor.
"…That's not how it's played," Ria calmly pointed out.
"I know," Akua said.
"Oh me, oh my, it looks as if we have a problem."
"I don't think so. Tsun Shu teaches that if one plays to their opponent's desires, then they will never gain the advantage, you see. That is something you agree, don't you sister?"
"Tzun Shu?"
"Surely, you've heard of him…where you're from?"
"...Cute child. I look forward to getting to know more about you."
"Good," Akua said, her icy face finally breaking into a small smirk.
That was years ago for the both fiends, and yet as Akua looked down she harbored no ill will towards the conniving sister. Instead, her emotions were like that of an over eager General eyeing a worthy adversary, an adversary she longed to see the look of abject surprise and crushing defeat upon her mascara lined face.
"I can't believe you had me bring me you here for this!" Said Ling Ling, the zombie sister of Fang Fang and one time sparring partner, slash enemy of Akua, but when it came to their mutual enmity towards Issa's two vampire sluts, especially after recently, they once again found commonality. "What is this, playing corporate espionage? That's small potatoes, even for you, Akua."
"Oh, ye of little faith," she replied. "Besides, why else would you volunteer to help me if this is so beneath you?"
"That's a good question. I admit, I had my reservations about working with you, but after what you told me, and how I feel about those two vamp-skanks I had to take part, even if it meant working with the likes of you. You sure this will work?"
"Oh yes. Mr. Ewynn Duffy is a weasel, but he's my kind of weasel; smart enough, cunning enough and reliable enough if properly compensated to have finalized everything the way we wanted. Is your family's business ready to cooperate?"
"Yes, we're ready. I hope this works."
"It will; my plans never fail."
"Cocky, as usual. You're always so confident, Akua; but tell me this, how sure are you that everything you heard is what it seems. What if your darling little sis simply isn't as perfect as she appears?"
Ling-Ling's words, as vindictive as they may have been, did appear to have a hint of truth to Akua, and though she tried to hide it, even with her old enemy, her eyes betrayed some deep thought.
"My Lady," said a Chinese operative standing next to a chopper. "We must go."
"We'll be right there!" Ling Ling announced. "Let's go!"
"No!"
"What?"
"You go back to your family, let them know I appreciated their cooperation; there's something I must do first, before I return to the States."
"...If you insist," Ling-Ling said, and as she flies away in her family's helicopter, watches Akua dark, shadowy figure grow smaller, worried about what may come from all of this.
XXX
Dawn was always Mizore's favorite time of the day, the sun's rays shining brilliantly at its brightest, illuminating the frozen darkness in a way that felt refreshing compared to the ugliness of yesterday, but nowhere was it most apparent than in her cold home, where frozen icicles would radiate with beautiful, pristine iridescence. It was one of the few things in her somber life that brought the snow woman great joy, even in a busy atmosphere at this, in which most of their visitors were still sleeping. As she roamed the lightly crowded abode, wondering how long the calm will last, she enters the kitchen expecting solitude to get breakfast going only to be startled by Tsukune's presence sitting alone at the table, holding a cup of tea he'd made.
"Tsukune?" She said, startled.
"…Huh? Oh, sorry Mizore, I…I must've…what time is it?"
She noticed the clothes he was wearing being the same from last night; in fact she remembered walking by his room and in her morning haze blindly failed to notice that his bed had not been slept in.
Was he out all night? She wondered.
"It's six in the morning," Mizore answered.
"Six," he replied in a soft, almost haze like state as though conversing with himself; the shock of having been sitting there since returning late last night never registering, his mind effected by what he experienced with Igraine, her husband Lotharius, and the events that transpired afterward.
Last night…
The coliseum was jam-packed as before, only now it had even more people than the last time, so much so that he had to stand near the entrance of one seating row as hundreds of spectators crowded in to see tonight's main event. Below, the icy ring shone brilliantly like a sheet of glass, while above the sky was a crimson red as if some ill omen of what was to come. Tsukune looked at pamphlet he was given that showed tonight's roster of competing champions and saw that the final one, but with top billing would be the elven warrior, Prince Lotharius, which made him eager to see what he was all about, especially after his run in. After much waiting around, the anxious crowd was on the verge of restlessness, eagerly awaiting for the first match to begin when Jack Frost finally relieved them of their stress.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" He announced. "FOR OUR FIRST MATCH, WE GREET OUR WARRIOR, HAILING FROM THE FROZEN WASTES OF NORTH EASTERN SIBERIA: ALMASTAE!"
Emerging from underneath Tsukune's end came a lumbering behemoth of hair and muscle, a veritable abominable snow creature that could rival Mizore's dad. Armed with only a club, the creature appeared to have everything set for his opponent on the other side, who was fully armored and brandishing two mighty axes.
"HIS OPPONENT; A MONSTER THAT NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION, FROM THE LAND OF ICY LAKES AND VIKING SHORES: GRUN, THE DESTROYER!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as this stocky, shorter, but red eyed brute with a massive face and a low brow boldly walked up to his towering foe with nary a look of hesitation on his face.
"You all know the rules, victory comes to the last man standing; anything goes! Now, without further ado, LET THE FIGHTING BEGIN!"
And so it was, one grueling match after another as these gladiators duked it out, their very blood staining the once pristine white ice as they literally fought to the death, while the crowd itself was ecstatic and blood lusted; cheering and jeering every time one got the better of the other, or collectively gasped whenever someone narrowly escaped death. Tsukune felt indifferent about who to root for, but was absorbed in the spectacle all around him, at how brutal and surreal this supposedly more peaceful than humans monster race had suddenly become on this strange occasion, reminding him of those Roman gladiator movies.
Is this the vaunted monster race she was talking about? Tsukune thought in anger.
Match after match was like this, until finally, after much waiting came the contest he had been waiting for, the one that was being touted as some main event.
"FROM THE FARTHEST CORNERS OF ASGARD, RESPECTED BY THE BRAVEST WARRIORS OF VALHALLA ITSELF, AN ELVEN NOBLE OF COURAGE AND TENACITY: LOTHARIUS THE JUST!"
The 'just'? Tsukune thought as the elf stepped out from under his end, where he could see how decked out he was in Germanic chain-mail armor, masked helmet, sword and shield, all shining brilliantly like silver when compared to all the left over gore all around.
The crowd all marveled over him, but Tsukune could only sense an aura of arrogance.
I'd like to see who he's up against, Tsukune thought bitterly.
"FROM THE FROZEN DEPTHS OF HELLA'S DUNGEONS, A CREATURE OF BRUTE STRENGTH FEARED BY ALL: BERSERKER THE INDOMITABLE!"
Out came this massive, ogre of a man far taller than anyone he'd seen so far, with bulging muscles underneath dark skin and scraggily hair covered in black soot, with massive hands carrying what appeared to be two, gigantic jaw bones as swords, stepping bare foot into the ring without the slightest concern about the cold. Though he was on the other side, Tsukune could feel the rage this creature emitted from his beady, black eyes that sank into the very depths of his tortured soul, and hear the creature grunting deeply that was unlike anything on earth.
"FIGHT!" Jack Frost yelled, and not soon had he done so than this Berserker creature launched into a lightning fast attack that would have caught even Moka by total surprise.
However, Lotharius was quick himself, immediately jumping out of the way of his opponent's devastating blow, and while in midair did something that just barely escaped Tsukune's notice right before landing. For a while, it looked as though both were taking a breather, as neither one moved nor faced the other, yet remained locked in the positions they landed in. Berserker, crouched after his strike, his massive arm still in the crater he had made with his one blow, meant for Lotharious, who was also crouched from having leapt over the beast, but was hardly breaking a sweat. Suddenly, the bestial giant lets out a roar, a roar that was not of rage or blood lust, but of sheering pain as blood gushes out of his shoulder blade, causing him to collapse.
It was then that Tsukune realized that as Lotharius had leapt over his opponent's head, he simultaneously, in the blink of an eye whipped out one of his swords and slashed a vital vein in the shoulder with surgical precision; such a move would have been impressive even for a werewolf or a vampire, but the elf wasn't done yet. The Indomitable Berserker, unable to close off the flow of blood, crumbled to his knees and was in poor shape to defend himself, which didn't slow down Lotharius. Tsukune watched as he, in another flash, sliced open the brute's back and lopped off his arm in one clean move, causing immeasurable pain for Berserker until before long his opponent was in a fetal position, lying in a pathetic mess on the floor, and at the mercy of Lotharius whom stood over like God.
The crowd, even his adoring fans, wanted to see blood and made their intentions known, while a few, very few cried out for mercy, including Tsukune. His voice was tiny and small, but whatever left was still human, wanted to jump down into the arena stop this madness right then and there, to show mercy even for a big monster like that, to end this barbaric nightmare once and for all and yet, he remembered Moka, remembered all that had happened, everything she did and all the crap she used to justify it all because of his humanity and his unwillingness to kill that part of him, to distance them from the cruel, malicious human world and accept this noble, superior existence that was before him. His confusion caused him to remain still and silent as Lotharius cruelly takes off Berserker's head with one, deliberately visible stroke of the blade, and held it up as a trophy for the adulation of his adoring public.
"The winner, LOTHARIUS THE MAGNIFICENT!" Jack Frost shouted.
In all, the match lasted barely two minutes, and as the elf prince proudly showed his victory prize, the look on his face showed he hadn't cared at all at what he'd done, and paraded the foul deed like it was sport; and the crowd nonetheless cheered like it was a job well done, showering him with praise, while some cursed because they lost a bet. Tsukune wasn't sure how to feel about any of it, but instead chose to take it all in stoically on the outside, despite the bitter taste.
Is this what it means to be a monster? He wondered. Is this better than what humans are like, Moka? It must be, you cheated on me to prove it so.
To make this even worse, Tsukune saw the elf's own entourage step out into the arena to congratulate their prince, where amongst them was his former human, turned elven wife Igraine, whose braided, silky blonde hair stood out, more so than ever against the ice caked in blood. He saw her hug him, saw her smile and gaze wide eyed at the severed head Lotharius held overhead as though he wanted its blood to fall on her in some macabre, ritualistic show of carnal rapture.
As the stadium began to empty out, Tsukune found it difficult to get any further away than he wanted in this mass of people, forcing him to endure their callous comments about what happened and their praise of Lotharius.
"Wasn't he exquisite?" Some of the women asked.
"I knew it was going to be over when he stepped out on the ice," said one portly fellow next to Tsukune said to his friends, who then suddenly asked him. "Hey, what'd you think? The guy was some cool as ice shit, wasn't he?"
"Yeah," he replied brusquely, eager to get out of the conversation, only to hear more cheers erupt and looked up to see Lotharius and his entourage walk out with Igraine following behind.
Though the people adored him, he looked like he could hardly care as the prince literally marched on through as his companions pushed everyone out of his way. It was only when some attractive women threw some article of clothing his way did he pause and indulge them with a glance, allowing them privilege of taking pictures with him. It was then that Tsukune and Igraine locked eyes with each other, and he could see a slight, pinkish bruise on her nose, like she'd ran into the wall and broke it; she then looked away in embarrassment. It was obvious to him what had happened, who the culprit was even as he neglected his wife to mingle with other women; all in all it was sickening. But, a most perplexing sight happened: the prince draped his massive arm around Igraine and kissed her passionately, in which she kissed him back, lovingly.
Was it love or a show, Tsukune didn't know, but regardless it didn't ease the pain and confusion roiling on within him, or the mounting depression taking control of his common sense. He needed to spend some more time in the night, needed more time to think and allow himself to become consumed by the darkness; it was the only thing that made sense, now.
Now
If that was what it meant to be of their kind, Tsukune rationalized, if that was the first step to transcending his ignorant humanity, then so be it.
"You know, Mizore, I feel fine," he lied to her.
"Really?" She asked, unconvinced. "But, you haven't slept at all last night."
"I don't know what to tell you; I've never felt better. Don't be so human, Mizore; I can handle lack of sleep just like the next vampire."
"Don't be so human?" She asked, more to herself than to him as the phrase deeply concerned her.
"You heard the great and powerful vampire," Hiba said, appearing behind her with an armful of wooden furniture. "He doesn't need a nurse maid."
"You're up early," Tsukune said.
"Well, we have a house full of guests that aren't going to care for themselves. My wife and I need to get started for the day."
"…R-Right, I should get breakfast started; would you like anything, Tsukune?"
"…Coffee would be nice."
"Coffee? Okay, coffee it is. Oh, by the way, the family and I…we were planning to see the sled races today; would you like to come?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Good…that's great, I mean it'll be great!"
Mizore has always been one to mask her emotions well beneath an icy countenance as was the norm amongst her people, but looking back at the once "human" friend sitting at the kitchen table as she prepared breakfast, if he had bothered to look up just once, he would have seen great pain etched indelibly across her opaque eyes.
What is happening? She wondered fearfully, not just for herself, but for her friend. Something is wrong. He isn't acting himself. I must help him, but how?
At around high noon everyone was fully awake and fed, their expectations heightened to behold today's events with Tsukune in tow once again, who noticed the surrounding having taken on a new appearance and feel. It was a family atmosphere once more, but now all around him kids were wearing some sort of racing paraphernalia, while their parents carried little flags with racer's team names on, all of it reminding him of those NASCAR races he'd seen on American TV.
"My husband has worked hard to prepare his sled for this year's event," Tsurara boasted. "He's gotten the finest parts in all the snow kingdoms; there is no way he'd come in last like last time!"
"You really think father will be safe?" Mizore asked.
"Of course, you need not worry."
"I only wish honorable father would let me help," Hiba lamented. "But, if he's confident on doing it alone, then so be it."
"I hate these races," Mizore said. "I always feel on edge when he goes out on the ice; you know how fast these things go."
"He is too old," Hiba added. "It would take a younger man with faster reflexes to participate!"
By the way they were talking, Tsukune concluded that this event was no less dangerous than the others, but after everything that has happened, who was he to complain.
"Now, stop this, both of you and show your support!" Tsurara scolded.
"Oooh, oooooh!" Yuki went, pointing excitedly at some novelty balloons. "Momma, momma! Gimme!"
"Not now, Yuki, we're almost there."
"But, I wanna balloon!"
"Yuki, you heard your mother!" Hiba scolded. "Besides, what happened the last time we bought you a balloon?"
"I promise I won't let it goooo!" She whined.
Tsukune noticed a booth with a bunch of large, stuffed dolls that had a polar bear amongst them that was as large as the kids themselves, and thought it would be a good way to sedate her.
"Hey, why don't I get you a stuffed toy, instead?" He asked, kindly. "Would that be better?"
"W-Will it be a big toy?"
"The biggest!"
"We don't have time to get any toys," Hiba expressed.
"What would it hurt to take a few minutes to win the kids a stuffed animal? It is normal here, right?"
"Why, of course it is," Tsurara agreed. "Mizore, Hiba lets go win the little snow flurries a stuffed animal, your father isn't going to get his ride going anytime soon, anyway; trust me."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt," Mizore said, but Hiba grumbled his discontent, feeling outnumbered while this interloper swoons his family.
"Let's see what we have here," Tsukune said upon reaching the booth, which was a ball throwing game where six icicles stacked upside down on each other were the targets.
"Want to try your luck?" Asked the jolly looking, bearded carny. "You get three throws per try for ten yen."
"Ten yen!" Hiba exclaimed.
"Yep, ten yen for three throws; your call."
"Oh daddy, please!" Yuki pleaded. "I want the polar bear one!"
"I don't care," Setsura said nonchalantly, her head in another video game.
"I got some money I can lo…," Tsukune offered, but Hiba cut him off flat out.
"I don't need any loans! I got enough to do this."
"So, who's stepping up to the plate?"
"…Me," Hiba said with an exasperated sigh and firmly planting ten yen before the showman. "For one try!
"You get three chances," the man warned.
"Fine."
Hiba is presented with three snowballs packed so tightly that they felt hard, and with a strong windup pitches each ball flying past their intended targets.
"Aw, better luck next time, Mr."
"…Let's go," Hiba grumbled, frustrated and humiliated.
"AWW, but I want a stuffed animal!" Yuki whined.
"Daddy tried, dear; we'll just have to buy you one we go home," Mizore tried to placate.
"What about me?" Tsukune offered. "Maybe I can give it try?"
"Ooh, oooh, can he daddy, please, please, pleeeeease!" Yuki pleaded on Tsukune's behalf.
"Hm, let's see if the outsider can succeed where others failed!" The carny loudly boasted, his declaration drawing a few curious eyes his way. Tsukune, a little embarrassed, but hardly showing it in deference of his monstrous peers, nonetheless gives him ten yen, determined to win the doll and perhaps prove himself to everyone.
"Put me down for three," Tsukune said.
"Show us what you're made of, stranger," said the carny.
"Yes Aono, let's all see what you can do," Hiba echoed.
With on snowball in hand, Tsukune narrowed his eyes and focused on the target as if analyzing the very structure, checking for any faults in its design or for any inconsistencies that would suggest a con.
I see, he thought, spying the ruse.
It was an optical illusion, one where the tower of icicles seemed closer than they really were, causing many a pitcher like Hiba to over throw and thus miss the target; it was clever, but not good enough to deceive him.
"Don't mean to rush ya, but," the carny said, "sometime before Christmas."
With a dry smirk, Tsukune leans forward, careful to hide the ball behind his back from the carny's prying eyes where he infused a bit of his own vampire powers into it, wound up for the pitch and, like a canon shot, flung the ball with enough force that, thought missing the tower completely, created a strong enough gust of wind to cause the tower to collapse anyway. Baffled at what just happened, the carny declared:
"…Uh, uh, th-that doesn't count!"
"The object of the game is one throw, knock the icicles over and win a prize," Tsukune argued. "I knocked the icicles down, you owe me a prize."
"You have to be able to hit the target son, not cause it to fall over, accidentally!"
"Where does it say that?" Tsurara jumped in.
"It doesn't have to be written anywhere, it's my booth and my rules, lady, and I say you have to hit the target!"
"Mighty difficult to do when you have the ice positioned too far away to hit," Tsukune pointed out.
"Wait, what!" Hiba exclaimed. "You mean, I could have made those shots if it wasn't for you; I want my money back!"
"Take it easy, your friend here don't know what he's talking about!" The carny argued.
"And, in a way I did hit the ice," Tsukune said. "The force from the ball is what caused it to fall over; quit being a sore loser, Santa, and give me my prize!"
The comment caused the jolly cheater to chafe, but he seemed unwilling to budge.
"N-No way, you have two more tries, you either take them or leave!"
"You old cheat!" Tsurara accused.
"I want a stuffed toy!" Yuki whined again, this time on the verge of crying, which made Tsukune's blood boil and he felt like reaching over and strangling the life out of the guy.
Perhaps I should, he thought darkly. Why not? Get what you want is the way for us to live, right Moka?
"Very well, then I guess we'll have no choice but to take our complaint to the Snow Priestess," Mizore nonchalantly warned, intervening before things got out of hand.
"Excuse me!" The fat operator asked.
"You don't know who we are? I am Mizore Hibagon, formerly of Shirayuki and on good terms with the Priestess."
"S-Shirayuki?"
"And, the man you're trying to rip off is Tsukune Aono, vampire lord and son of Issa Shuzen; neither of them would like knowing that you, a guest in our village, was trying to rip either of us off!"
Mizore smiled as the fat man began to sweat and consider his options.
"Wow, look at the size of it!" Yuki yelled as she carried her massive stuffed polar bear toy through the crowds.
"What do we say?" Mizore asked.
"Thank you, uncle Tsukune!"
"It's no trouble, really," he replied.
"It was sure nice of that man to offer us a full refund to cement our win," Tsurara jovially pointed out.
Hiba grumbled his approval, whereas Tsukune came away with a sense of exhilaration having just used his powers to get what he wanted. He felt there was no game, corrupt or otherwise that could stand up to his might; it was a feeling that had never dawned on him before.
At last they arrived at the racing arena, an icy strip for a track that curved and wound around the snow field, and to the side were a number of pit crews working on an odd assortment of vehicles that were to participate. It was here, next to what looked like a high powered sleigh that Mizore's hulking, yeti of a father worked on his ride's engines, his normally white fur stained with dark grease and soot.
"GRANDPA!" Yuki squealed as she joyously ran up to him, whom greeted her with a happy grunt and hoists her up with his big, hairy arms like a toy doll.
"Oh husband, still having problems with the engine?" Tsurara mused. "Honestly, you should have gotten a new one."
"Honorable father," Hiba courtesy acknowledged.
"Father, you remember Tsukune?" Mizore introduced.
"It's a…pleasure to see you again," Tsukune greeted.
"Grrrr," her father greeted, which by now Tsukune has come to accurately interpret the patriarch's growls from pleasant to hostile as well as the family, though the hefty handshake would have left little doubt that he was glad to see him, much to Hiba's annoyance.
"Grr, grrr, grrrrr?" He whispered in his wife's ear.
"I'm not sure if he will…It's a bit touchy, but we'll see," she responded.
"Problem with your…ride?" Tsukune asked, examining it.
"Grrr."
"Father says the engine keeps flooding," Mizore replied. "It is old; he's used it since he was in high school, but he's confident he'll get it up and running before the race starts."
"Father, I beg you to please allow me to aid you in this endeavor," Hiba offered. "I can work on your crew, maybe even drive the sleigh as an alternate; I assure you I will bring honor to your family."
It was clearly evident that Hiba desperately wanted to participate in this race both to live up to his father-in-law's expectations and to show off for his family, but the response given and the look on his face told Tsukune that the answer wasn't what he was hoping for.
"Grrrr, grrrr, grr, grr, grrr, grrrrr."
"What did he say?" Tsukune asked.
"He said that since we're all here, we can help clear the area while Hiba goes for some fuel cleaner," Mizore said.
"Come children," Tsurara said, putting Yuki down next to her sister and grabbing a couple of large push brooms, "we can smooth the ice around the sleigh so grandpa can get ready to pull out, in no time!"
"Okay!" Yuki cheerfully complied, standing like a soldier ready to do her duty.
"M'kay," Setsura simply replied.
"You need me to do anything, sir?" Tsukune asked.
"Yes, he wants you to pick up any tools or parts lying around that might obstruct his path," Tsurara explained.
"I think I'll help him do that," Mizore volunteered. "Show him what goes where."
"What?" Hiba asked, stunned.
"Good idea," her mother replied with a pleased smile.
"Hiba," said Mizore, indicating that he should do his part, however there appeared on his face the unmistakable look of bitter, gut punching betrayal that Tsukune was all too keen on. But, why feel this way over a simple errand, he could not figure out.
"He really needs all of this for a sleigh?" Tsukune muttered to himself as he picked up bolts, oil soaked pipes and what looked to be a part from an air filter.
"Yes," Mizore replied, nearly startling him as she stood close behind him. "Up here, our sleighs are highly advanced and can travel faster than reindeer can fly."
"Uhh, okay."
"…Tsukune, now that we're alone, I think we need to talk."
He kind of sensed what it would be about, but made no effort to stop her; if she was going to pry, then she was going to pry, he reasoned.
"You know," he started to say. "I never felt so alive than when we were at that booth, shaking that piece of shit down with our power."
"That's what I want to talk to you about. You haven't been yourself ever since you first showed up here, it's like you're a different person and I'm worried about you. You don't eat, you've hardly slept, and you look terrible…and…"
"Hey Mizore, could you hand me that wrench?"
"…And, you don't even seem to care. You're…you're not the person I once knew; you've changed."
"I just know, if anyone tries to cheat me again like that fat carny," he warned, his voice edgier, "I'll put him in his…Whatever."
"I know she hurt you, Tsukune."
The sentence caused him to slow his busy pace and though Tsukune hid his face from view, Mizore sensed she had found a sensitive area, but rationalized that it had to be breached, so as to come to the very heart of the problem.
"Moka hurt all of us."
"Don't," he warned, without looking up at her.
"What she did…no words can describe the betrayal we all felt, because she betrayed all of us, betrayed everything we believed in her, but I imagine it must've felt much, much worse for you to be there when…when it happened. I keep thinking, if things had been different between you and me, if we had known sooner…"
"Isn't that just like a monster? Thinking about what you want and not considering other people."
"No!" Mizore says, realizing he must think she was referring to her and him marrying instead of the paths they'd chosen, thereby resulting in her two daughters never having been born. "That isn't what I meant at all! I meant, if there was anything I could have done to keep you from marrying her, I…"
"Well you couldn't, because there was nothing; all of it was my responsibility, not yours. I was weak, and stupid, a hapless boy blinded by foolish, human emotions; that's not going to happen again."
"…You're not some boy. Don't let her make you see yourself as that."
"Or?"
"Or? I'm not trying to give you an ultimatum; that's not what you do if you truly care about someone. I'm your friend Tsukune, I only want to…"
"Well, look at this shabby spectacle!" He heard a familiar voice boast loudly, drawing his attention to the last figure he wanted to see.
"Lord Lotharius, what an honor it is to have you participating in this event," said one of the women from the village.
"Will you be racing today?" Another asked.
"No; I'll leave that to one of my subordinates," he said with an air of smug indifference. "I'll be watching from the VIP section, I only wanted to a closer look at this…'race course'. Excuse me."
Tsukune didn't see Igraine with him, and it started to worry him.
"Forget about me, Mizore," he told her.
"What?"
"There's something I gotta see," he said and left a baffled, but no less troubled Mizore to watch him trail the towering elfish warrior, till they came to some frozen steps that led up in to an icy turret built into a cliff face looking over the race track.
The VIP section, he thought.
A pair of guards stood vigilantly at the entrance to the stairs, only allowing certain, well off people entry, causing him to worry that he wouldn't get in and looked desperately for a way to sneak on by.
Come on, there's got to be something!
It was just by luck that he happened to spot a catering vehicle parked nearby, it's rear doors opened to a most welcoming sight of silver trays full of cold edibles, each being periodically carried up the staircase by caterers. There was always someone nearby to make sure the food was properly guarded, but occasionally it would be abandoned, which gave Tsukune an idea.
Sneaking up to the vehicle, but careful to keep out of sight, he timed each person going in and out with the food until it was safe long enough to steal aboard and grab a tray to carry out and mascaraed as one of the staff. But, just as he was about to turn around, confident he'd gotten away with it, a voice behind him yelled:
"Hey!"
The gig was up, and Tsukune knew he'd have no way of explaining this or avoiding prosecution, though he hardly cared what happened to him. It was the shame of being caught in the act that affected him, the bitter realization that he lacked the daring someone like Gin or Moka has; it was the all too human sensation of shame that made this unbearable.
"…Look," he said, turning around to face the music. "I can explain…"
"Weren't you supposed to be upstairs already dealing with that ice sculpture?" The lead caterer asked, and it was then that Tsukune realized that they all wore outfits nearly identical to his own.
He must think I work for him? Tsukune reasoned, realizing he didn't need to carry any trays at all to slip on by.
"I could've sworn I sent you up to the café just a minute ago; what in frozen hell are you doing down here, dicking around for?"
"…Uhh, I realized that…I forgot to bring up some sandwiches to put around the sculptor; yeah."
"That's Hibiki's job, numbnuts; now, get back up there and do what I pay you for!" The supervisor berated. "While you're here, take the keg up there with ya!"
"Um, yes boss!" Tsukune said and grabbed it without hesitation, relieved he was able to pull this off.
"Hold it!" The Supervisor stopped him.
"Y-Yes, sir?" Tsukune asked, careful not to look directly into his eyes, worried he might come to his senses and realize he isn't an employee.
"Where's your tag?"
"My tag?"
"Your name tag!"
"I…lost it, sir. Sorry."
"It's coming out of your pay; now get on up there!" The supervisor barked. "Damn part timers."
Now passed the hard part, he casually walks past the guardsmen and heads up into the VIP building. Once inside, Tsukune was greeted with what some might consider an ice covered wonderland of fabulously dressed people and icy decorations, with all the debauchery of upper level snow people hobnobbing like the rich and famous. Women wore elaborate gowns adorned with diamonds or other clear looking crystals that could pass off as ice, their alabaster skin radiating within this frozen palace. Their male escorts were adorned like princes in full, royal splendor, making him seem extremely out of place, while tables full of fine dishes and cool wine were on full display for their indulgence.
What the hell am I doing here? Tsukune wondered bitterly. I don't belong with these people.
He was all set to abandon this endeavor when he happened to spy a flash of light blonde hair from the corner of his eye and finally saw Igraine wrapped around Lotharius' arm like arm candy as he chats with two women. Uncertain of what to do next, Tsukune at last resolves himself to talk to her one more time, even if it was for a moment, to convince her of how foolish it is to remain with that guy and cautiously saunters closer with the keg hiding his face from view. From his vantage point he could see how beautiful she looked in her elegant, sleeveless white flowing gown that showcased her slender shoulders, and hair done up in a magnificent long braid, while matching white gloves were draped all along Igraine's thin arms; Tsukune could not help, but admit some level of sexual infatuation deep inside, enough to spur him forward. It was a fool's errand though, as long as that bastard prince remained firmly attached to her; Tsukune realized he had to separate the two, somehow. However, with his loins overcoming reason, he was determined to be a little risky and as he came by, lightly taps her svelte backside, hoping it would grab the woman's attention.
Hope it worked, he silently prayed.
As he glanced back from behind the keg, he was relieved to see her looking over at him with Lotharius being none the wiser. There was a look of surprise on her face he was keen to pick up on and nods his head toward the ice sculpture to signal that he wanted to speak with her alone.
So far, so good.
There was a look of fear and reluctance on her face, like a kid who knew she shouldn't do something she was told not to do and for a while it looked as though his efforts would be in vain, but reluctantly she timidly said something to Lotharius, who appeared to be disinterested either way, that lets her go free.
Come on! Tsukune silently coached. Come on, this way!
He didn't wave to her, knowing how risky this was, but stuck his head out just enough for her to see him, while she warily looks over her shoulders constantly at her husband. Nevertheless, a smile came to Tsukune's face when she was finally within reach of him, a smile which quickly faded when he saw the pinkish bruise about her right eye.
"H-He do that to you?" Tsukune asked upon grabbing a hold of her arms.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered.
"Did…he…do that to you?"
She gingerly tried hiding the bruise, as if more humiliated that it was so visible rather mortified by it.
"Its punishment, that's all," she explained.
"Punishment!?"
"You shouldn't be here! If my beloved finds me talking to you…!"
"Then come away with me, I'll keep you safe," he said with a confident smirk.
"…Why are you here?"
"Isn't it obvious? To see you."
"Me; why? There's nothing to talk about?"
"But, there is a reason to see you. Igraine, come spend the night with me. From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew I had to make you mine."
"Tsukune? Y-You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I? Come away with me Igraine, and I'll…"
"No."
"No?"
"That's right! I love my husband; I would never do anything to jeopardize my marriage, not for anyone!"
"You call that love?" He asked, pointing to the bruise.
"I do. Do you want to know why he did what he did? It was because I kept talking about you!"
"That's his excuse for hitting you; because we had a little conversation? Igraine…!"
"Can you blame him, he thinks I'm cheating with you! Of course he's going to be mad!"
"For god sake he's abusing you, can't you see that?"
"My beloved made it clear that it was a onetime deal; so long as I remember my place, it will not happen again."
"Yes it will, if it's not over me then it'll be over something else! Come with me, you'll be safe and happy, I promise; you deserve to be happy. I can give anything you want; anything for the greatest woman in the world."
He couldn't put his finger on it, but Tsukune could swear he heard those words before. In fact, if not for his libido doing the thinking, it would dawn on him that he, himself was playing the home wrecker trying to woo someone else's wife.
"What is it that you deserve, Tsukune? Am I the happiness you seek or is your infatuation over me nothing more than a passing fancy?"
"Huh?"
"I've heard of your troubles; of your failing marriage! How do you know I'm not some quick rebound or indulgence? I have no desire of being some vampire's conquest. I, however have made my choice, and that is to be with the mate I swore to honor, for bad or for worse, and if my beloved said it's a onetime thing done out of punishment, then I have every reason to continue following him."
"You're only fooling yourself," Tsukune argued. "This ain't love; and what if my feelings are just for a moment, you deserve better than this! Look at your 'beloved', he's talking to other women right now; you think he gives a damn about you?"
"I have to go," she says, trying to leave before they are discovered. "Please, don't cross paths with me, again."
"No!" He says, forcefully keeping her from leaving.
"Tsukune, please! You have to let me go, before…!"
"I'm not letting you go," Tsukune said, his very nature becoming more possessive and more aggressive.
"YOU!" A voice from across the room suddenly bellowed, distracting the amorous Tsukune as it drew both their eyes and drained the color from Igraine's fair skinned face. "I thought I smelled a vole in the premises; unhand my wife!"
"Oh no," she gasped as she watched in horror of the tall elf marching furiously towards them through the crowd.
"Get behind me," Tsukune ordered, ready to meet him head on. "I won't let him hurt…"
"Beloved!" Igraine wrenches herself free and rushes over to humbly greet her beloved, submissively bowing her head to avoid any conflict, much to Tsukune's confusion. "Forgive me and this man; w-we were only…"
"SILENCE!" He barked, his furious, icy eyes all the while staring daggers at Tsukune.
"Don't talk to her like that!" Tsukune yelled back. "You ever hit her again, and I swear I'll do worse to you!"
"Will you really, boy! Normally, I'd take up that challenge, but a scraggily looking vampire whose own wife made a fool of him would be beneath my station!"
The room erupted into giggles and chuckles at Tsukune, enflaming his inner rage even more.
"However, I catch you attempting to take my wife again, and you'll know horrors far worse than your species can imagine! GUARDS! Remove this trash!"
"Forgive us, our Lordship," the guards say as they advanced. "We don't know how he got passed us!"
"Stay back!" Tsukune warned, the very aura of his vampiric energy rising over him like fire while the guard surrounded him as though he was a rabid dog that had somehow wondered into the dining room. All the while he heard hushed whispers from the VIP guests about his now already widely known reputation and shame, their words like daggers poking and prodding an already agitated animal:
"Is that really him?"
"Look at him!"
"I heard the man she slept with was supposed to be this stud in the sack."
"Probably a much better looking specimen, too."
Enraged beyond reasoning, Tsukune grabbed the nearest thing he could find, the wine table, and hoisted over his head ready to hurl it at the first person to anger him, with wine bottles falling all around his pants.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He roared, then looked at Igraine. "Igraine! Igraine, come with me!"
But, Igraine would not budge and looked up at him as if he was more dangerous than the man she claimed to love. Nevertheless, with a hard kick by Lotharius, Tsukune was sent flying across the other room, table and all.
"Honestly, was it that hard?" Lotharius asked, casually cleaning the shoe he used to touch Tsukune and then looked down at his beloved wife before adding: "This hand might still be reserved for you."
"Beloved, please…"
"I'm not done yet," Tsukune growled as he struggled to get up.
"Oh no?" Lotharius asked, ready to deliver more humiliation to this obstinate intruder. "Guards!"
"That will be enough," said the Snow Priestess, whose elegant form entered the room like some merciful angel. "This is a get together and celebration, not the arena! Mr. Aono, it's been awhile; of course you've changed a great deal, I regret we hadn't met again under better circumstances."
"You normally allow your old acquaintances to crash your parties for your honored guests and to try to steal his wife?" Lotharius accused.
"Is this charge true?" She asked Tsukune, who doesn't respond and whose silence only left her in a difficult position.
"Well?" Lotharius asked.
"No, no I don't; leave him to me, my Lord. I will see to it he is removed immediately from your presence."
"Here are your parts and supplies, father," Hiba humbly proclaims after returning from his arduous and somewhat demeaning task of running errands when their pit receives an unexpected visit.
"Priestess!" Tsurara cried and bowed before her and her escort guard. "This is an honor to have you grace us with your presence!"
"Unfortunately, this is not a cordial visit, I'm afraid," she explained and then nods for one of the guard to roughly bring Tsukune forth.
"Hands off!" He snapped, violently.
"Tsukune?" Tsurara asked, stunned as was everyone else.
"Tsukune, what's going on?" Mizore asked.
"Nothing," was his response.
"Mr. Aono had broken into the VIP lounge, and caused a disturbance," the Priestess explained. "There were accusations placed on by one of the visiting dignitaries from the west, Lord Lotharius, that he was trying to seduce his wife."
Everyone looked at him, their faces stunned even whiter than usual, but none more so than Mizore.
"Grrr-rrrr-rr-rr," said the father.
"I agree; we're all sure those are baseless accusations," Tsurara said. "We know how elves are; stuck up and prone to overacting. But, we know Tsukune and he would never, even on his worst day attempt to…"
"It's true," Tsukune said.
"…It is?" Mizore asked.
"Except the part about me seducing his wife; she wanted to come with me and get away from him, but she was too brainwashed to see it!"
Tsurara and Mizore looked at their respective husbands, and they looked back, both unsure of what was becoming of their guest.
"Did uncle Tsukune get in a fight?" Yuki asked excitedly.
"No, little one, there was no fight," the Priestess responded.
"That's too bad, I bet he could beat that elf and take his woman!"
"Yuki!" Mizore scolded.
"Well, that's what we…"
"Enough! We thank you for bringing him back to us, Priestess."
"Mm, yes," she said and leaves.
For a while there was stunned silence, but then Mizore's father lets out a grunt, in which Tsurara declares:
"Alright, folks lets help get this sleigh out onto the ice, our star racer isn't going to win this on foot!"
"We'll be right there, mother!" Mizore calls back.
"Mizore!" Hiba said.
"Husband…"
Mizore casts a meaningful glance at him as she was never one to disobey her husband, and yet something had to be said to Tsukune about his odd behavior, which Hiba begrudgingly had to concede lest there be more trouble made later on.
Hiba wanted to say something, but his glare at Tsukune said more than enough. At last alone, Mizore didn't waste time getting to the heart of the matter.
"What's gotten into you?"
"It's nothing."
"Nothing? Tsukune, you were trying to steal another man's wife; on top of your recent, destructive behavior!"
"I wasn't trying to steal anyone; you gonna believe them over me?"
"She said…"
"Igraine doesn't know what she wants! Well, I'll fix that, I'll make her mine in no time and she'll realize what she's been missing!"
"But, Tsukune…she's a married woman! Are you telling me you intend to sleep with a married woman and destroy a marriage?"
"Maybe; why is that so wrong? Look around! We're not humans, we're monsters, and monsters get what they want! I'm on a break and I intend to have someone to enjoy it with, maybe even have a mistress or two!"
Mizore was flabbergasted at what was coming out of his mouth of this strange man standing before her whose brown eyes showed not one ounce of remorse or regret; it was not the man who, just a few years ago taught her cold heart what warmth felt like.
"Who are you kidding? This isn't you, Tsukune and you know it."
"Maybe I'm just now finding my true self, Mizore; just took a while is all."
"Your true self? No, you're turning into him. You starting to act and sound like Gin because right now you're willing to do to someone else what he did to you! Is that what you want? Huh?"
"MAYBE HE WAS RIGHT!" Tsukune suddenly snapped. "Maybe, I want to be just like him; it never occurred to you? He was the man, the big man all along and now…it's time I manned up. We through?"
"…He isn't a real man, you are…at least you were. Don't remember, everything you taught us, everything that made you a good person? Your words, your actions and all that was you, because they were good; you gave each of us a reason to live, and there was more to than base desires."
"Well, I was wrong, Mizore. Sorry I screwed with your head all those years ago; we done?"
Without waiting for a response from the distraught Mizore, Tsukune goes to join the rest of the family with nary a sign of distress in his posture.
All of a sudden everything around Mizore's snow white environment felt so very cold.
That's not true, she kept thinking to herself. It's not, you're lying to yourself, and you don't want this I know you don't!
X X X
Late that night, Gin Morokei was at his bachelor pad drying his wet hair after having just washed away his disastrous date with Moka Aono; half naked with only a few drying towels for cover, looking forward to chilling and getting drunk. The night was still young, though and he figured afterward he could call up some hookers to polish off his cock, hoping they would help him forget Moka. Just then, he hears the familiar tone of his computer signaling an impending vid chat, and realizing no one but one person in particular would web chat with him, the jingle itself almost a special signal he had come to recognize, it put abruptly halted his evening's plans.
That's odd, he thought, realizing the time and day was all wrong. She's early.
Getting fixed up as best he could, he parks himself before the computer and before opening up his chat window, put on the very best smile for his one and only girl.
"Sun, this is unexpected," he warmly greeted. "We don't normally chat until later; is something wrong?"
Gin noticed something was indeed off when he greeted his usually cheerful, blue haired angel as not only was there nary a smile beaming back at him, but it had appeared she'd been crying.
"What's wrong?" He asked, genuine concern rich in his voice. "Someone hurt you?"
She silently nodded.
"Who was it? If they did anything to you, I swear I'll…Talk to me Sun, please! Who hurt you?"
Gin recalled when they first met, how a past trauma had prevented her from talking and it was only recently that he and some friends were able to help her overcome it. Now, it worried him that someone might have done something so terrible to her that it might have reversed all of that.
"Sun, please…you have to talk to me, so I can take care of it. You know I love you, I would never want to see you miserable."
For some reason, those words of encouragement appeared to cut Sun even deeper than the harshest of insults, but instead of talking, she sent him an IM vid attachment for him to open.
"You…you want me to open it?" He asked, in which she nodded, and when he did the color in his face drained, and it was his turn to be on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
"Hey, hey, it's the Wolfman, coming to you live!" The podcast said, his podcast, and though he was too transfixed to notice the date and time of its broadcast, he soon realized it was a very, very recent one.
He understood his podcasts always had footage of his sexual conquests, but it was this particular one, where he boasted of his conquest over Tsukune Aono and as icing on the cake showed footage of his threesome with Moka, that was so damning to watch.
Delete, dammit, delete! He thought, frantically trying to close the vid, but with little luck as it was an attachment.
"Oh Tsukune, Tsukune, Tsukune," heard himself mock, "if only you'd man up and gave your wife what she wanted, then she wouldn't be where she was now: on my di…"
Mercifully, Sun closed the attachment before Gin had to hear anymore, which he stupidly believed the worst was over and he can explain himself to her.
"Sun, let me explain."
"Why?" Her tiny, frail voice suddenly asked. "Just tell me why."
"Sun, it…it isn't how it looked!"
"…Was I not enough for you?"
"Of course you were, are, are, you are enough for me! It's just that, what had happened...none of them meant anything to me, she didn't mean a thing to me, not like you!"
"I just couldn't give you what you want?"
"Listen!" He said angrily. "Okay, all of this was not my fault, okay? First of all, I was only trying to help out Moka, b-because dumbass Tsukune refused to help her out with something! If anything, he's to blame for all of this!"
"And, why is that, Gin?" Maron asked, appearing out of nowhere.
"Maron?"
"Tell me Gin, what was he so reluctant to do that you had to step in and fix? Helping her figure out how to sleep around behind his back like some dime store, novel slut?"
"Maron; look, can't I talk to Sun alone, please?"
"You're a piece of shit, you know that?"
"Maron, please!"
"Did you know what happened after she found out; do you? She wouldn't talk for hours! I only just got her to confront you! This girl has waited and waited patiently for you and she never lost hope that you would one day come live with us or fell out of love for you; but, now?"
"It's not my fault, I told you!" He repeated. "This was to help out Moka because of Tsukune; he threatened to expose their children around humans or something, she only wanted to teach him a lesson! We only meant to scare him into compliance, and when the idiot wouldn't budge…we had to do what was necessary! I-I'm the good guy here?"
"What children?" Maron asked. "They don't have any kids? And, even if they did, are…Are you telling me she slept with you because the two of you hate humans?"
"NO!"
"So, you got a problem with me? Is that right? You cheated on Maron because I'm with her?"
"I'm not saying that?"
"Sun, do you have a problem with me?"
"No," Sun quietly replied, never taking her hurt eyes away from him.
"Look, it's complicated."
"So, that's why you did this?" Sun solemnly asked. "That's why you gloated on the internet about what you did? That's why you made fun of him and embarrassed him, and me, by showing you having sex with Moka; to punish Tsukune and Maron?"
"Look, it was their deal man, I was just…"
"Did you forget, Gin?"
"Huh?"
"Tsukune helped save the both of us, me and Maron! Did you really forget eight years ago?"
Now that Gin thought about it, his sex addled mind did manage to recall how Tsukune went out of his way to help him rescue both women from Fairy Tale's forces when he hardly knew the two; that's just the kind of standup guy he is. This revelation made the wayward wolf growl, as it made this situation even worse.
"I even told him to his face that he'd earned my respect, and this is how YOU SHOWED IT!" Sun suddenly let out a shrill scream, the Siren's wail very nearly shuddering his very soul.
"Ahh!" Maron gasped, almost startled by the cry, but forgave her surrogate daughter; for the real enemy was the wolf in front of them.
"You not only made me look like a fool and liar to everyone!" She added.
"Look…th-this was all just a joke," he chuckled nervously. "That's all; there's no hard feelings between me and him, you'll see! Its guy stuff, plain and simple; and besides Moka and me broke it off, it was a onetime thing and I bet they patched things up, by now like we should, huh?"
"They're getting a divorce, Gin," Maron revealed. "We heard from Ms. Ling-Ling; everybody from Yokai Academy to the Snow Village knows all about 'joke'."
"They what?" He asked in disbelief.
Gin never imagined things would get this out of hand, nor did he believe that Tsukune would actually go ahead and break it off with Moka; the two were inseparable.
"Way to go, Wolfman," Maron added. "You're a real hero."
"Look…this is all one big misunderstanding. Sun, you have to believe…I never would have let any of this get this far out of hand if I knew ahead of time, please you have to…!"
"You cheated on me," Sun said without having listened to a word he said. "You broke me, and now you insulted me to everyone I know, including the man I owe my life to."
"I helped you to, don't forget."
"And now, you've hurt me!"
"No I didn't, look just let me fix all of this, okay? I'll explain to everyone we know if I have to, talk to Tsukune, let him know there were no hard feelings, help him get back with his woman, and then maybe, just maybe I can finally prove to you that I'm not the bad guy you think! I love you, Sun! You're the only girl for me, you always have."
"It's over, Gin."
"…W-What?"
"I can't ever trust you after this; I'm sorry."
"You don't have apologize to him, baby," Maron whispered in her ear.
"You can't mean that? Sun, you're upset; baby, you don't need to take things this far."
"I've met someone else," she told him flat out, a revelation that hurt Gin more than any punch to the face.
"You…S-Sun, what? How…How could you do that?"
"Because, I won't be your doormat any longer, Gin. I finally see you for what you are, for what everyone tried to show me, but was too blind, deaf and dumb; I found someone who can take care of me."
"I never treated as I doormat, Sun! I always bought you things, chatted with you, and…Who is he? What can he give you that I can't; tell me!?"
"Funny you should ask, Wolf-boy," said a familiar voice as the monitor panned over to show an eerily, familiar face from their school past: Haji Miyamoto, former Captain of Yokai's Karate Club, obsessed pervert of diminutive people that bordered on pedophilia, and because of Sun's 5ft. frame, was Gin's romantic rival; and with his blond hair well-groomed and a devilish smile it didn't bode well having him next to Sun.
"Haji," Gin muttered under his breath.
"Moriokei!" The grinning pervert responded. "Seriously, you had the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world waiting right here for you, and threw her away for some desperate housewife? That's a bitch move!"
"Sun, you shouldn't trust…"
"But, I have to thank you for selling yourself cheap," Haji continued, "if you hadn't, Sun never would have seen you for the trash that you are…"
"Sun, listen to me."
"And finally got to taste of a real man, one who can protect such a tiny, delicate flower," Haji said, tenderly kissing Sun's hand, whom permitted him to do so, right in front of Gin's devastated eyes as he realized that two had already fucked.
"Sun…you and him?" He asked.
"Yes," came her reply, both cold and a bit mocking. "I allowed him to do whatever he wanted, and I have to say it felt great."
"…How could you?" Gin asked.
"You of all people know how easy it is."
"If you're doing this to get back at me, then you picked the wrong person to do it!"
"Has she?" Haji asked, mockingly.
"You know what kind of…deviant, sick son of a bitch he really is! All he cares about is that you resemble some child, because that's what he's into!"
"You don't know shit about me!"
"Oh yes I do, that's why I always kept you away from her! Sun, listen to me; I know him, he doesn't love you like…"
"Like who, Gin?" She asked. "You? Haji came…when I needed someone to hold me, he came when you wouldn't!"
"And when I did, I made her come," Haji boasted.
"Sun, I'm sorry; I know I screwed up, I just…"
"HEY!" Haji snapped. "Can it, mad dog!"
"…Mad dog," she muttered. "That is what they called you in school, before we met, remember Gin?"
"Yeah, I remember," he muttered in response.
"You were this reckless, violent student who always picked fights, just so you could prove something! But, I always stood up for you, believed in you, trusted in you; told everybody that you were a kind, thoughtful, and reliable man who provided the Newspaper Club with all kinds of secrets Kuyo had hidden….I was your champion, but now I see I was wrong. You really are nothing, but a Mad Dog."
His heart felt like it had been violently stabbed. To hear her, of all people, the one girl out of many he ever had any true feelings for, call him by that name was the worst kind of pain any creature on earth could give to him. She had succeeded in hurting him; he was beaten to a pulp.
"…Sun," he whispered.
"Goodbye, Gin," she said, with nary a tear or choked up emotion in her voice, while Haji gives him a salute.
"Sun, please," he begged as his hand instinctively reached for the screen only for it to be too late, the vid chat had ended and all of his repeated attempts to reestablish a connection, to mend their relationship right this instant was met with futile silence. "Fucking bitch…FUCKING BITCH! FUCKING MOKA AND YOUR STUPID CRAZY, SHIT!"
In a fit of rage, he trashes his computer, knocks over lamps and kicked at chairs.
"Never should have got mixed up with her in the first place!"
He flops down in his chair and is left to mull over these unforeseen events plaguing him, when came a knock at his door.
"Go away!" He yelled, but the knocking persisted. "I said FUCK OFF!"
But, the knocking continued, louder and more disruptive as though someone on the other end was mocking him at their own peril. This werewolf was in no mood to play around with anyone, and he figured putting some low level whore or irate husband in their place would be the kind of thing to calm him down.
She thinks I'm a mad dog, huh? He thought bitterly. Fine, I'll show her a mad dog!
Getting up and literally flings the door open to confront his foolish visitor, he was instead greeted by a straight and sudden punch so powerful that it felt like Semi had him. When he comes to, Gin finds himself tied up, sitting on a deserted bus parked in some dark, abandoned parking lot.
"W-Where the hell am I?" He asked, his face on fire and mind heavily disoriented.
"Oh good, you're awake," said the mysterious bus driver, his back partially turned away and lighting a cigarette with a dark smile plastered on his face.
"…I know you."
"And, I know you," said a familiar voice and a flash of stinging pain erupted across his face as a heavy hand strikes him again, fully awakening Gin.
"Okay, who the fuck…?"
Gin nearly lost his voice when standing over him, an evil smile plastered on his narrow face was none other than Kuyo.
"K-Kuyo," Gin muttered.
"Hello, Gin," Kuyo greeted. "My, my you've been a busy little puppy, haven't we?"
"What's the meaning of this; what do you two want?"
"Did you know that dear Tsukune Aono paid the school a visit while you were humping his whore of a wife?" Kuyo asked.
"H-He did?"
That's where he went, Gin thought.
"That's right," the Bus Driver responded. "And, well a lot's happened lately; you've went and stirred up a hornet's nest of shit, and all just so you could get what you want, right?"
"Which brings us to here," said Kuyo.
"Guys, listen. There's been a huge, huge misunderstanding; okay. It's not my fault; Moka tricked me into going along with her crazy plan, she's the one who should be under interrogation, not me!"
"Oh, she'll be dealt with, don't worry," Kuyo says to him, then his smile turned ice cold as he leaned forward. "But, there is a little matter concerning you."
"W-What do you mean?"
"You ever wondered how we found you." The Bus Driver asked. "Paid a visit to dear mother."
"M-My mom?"
"That's right; we informed her what happened and showed her your little podcast, she even caught the recent interaction between you and the, former Mrs. Aono's that your former cohort in unbridled acquisitions apparently took the liberty to record it, presumably to put you in your place or something. Needless to say mommy was none too pleased, and gave up your location so we could 'discipline' you."
"I…I-I don't believe it!"
"Believe it," Kuyo said. "And, you know what else?"
"What?"
"She was adamant that I, myself personally saw to it. Imagine that, momma said knock you out."
"You can't…"
"Get what you want? Oh, but those are the perks our kind enjoys, isn't that right wolfman?"
"Hey, bus driver, you're not gonna let him do this, are you? You really siding with him, you don't know what an evil bastard he is!"
"Maybe I do or maybe I don't," came his cryptic reply. "Maybe I just don't care. I do know that, old Meat bag…he was good kid; I hate it when folks hurt good kids, especially if one was my friend."
The Bus Driver opens the door and calmly walks out, leaving Gin alone on the darkened bus as Kuyo's shadow loomed ever more, a grin freezing the werewolf's very heart as it seemed the world was closing in on him.
"Uh-oh, Gin," Kuyo whispered. "It looks like no one's got your back, anymore."