A chill ran down Moka's spine as she rolled over. She awoke with a start and relaxed as she realized the chill came from the window Kurumu had left open.
"I'm gonna kill her", Moka grumbled as she climbed from the bed and padded across the floor. "How can a place named 'Paradise' have such crazy weather?!"
Just before her hand touched the window she heard strangled sobs coming from the bathroom. She ignored the window, deciding to follow the quiet sounds through the hallway to their source. Her feet slowed to a stop outside the door.
"Mizore, are you okay", she asked as she knocked on the door quietly. Receiving no reply she turned the handle and pushed the door open, a scream ripping from her at the sight before her.
The floor was streaked with a bloody trail leading to the bath tub, the white tiles stained crimson. Shaking violently in the tub lay Mizore, both wrists sporting deep cuts that ran up to her elbows. Slowly her eyes were starting to roll into the back of her head, her skin paling even more than normal.
Without thinking Moka snatched her up into her arms and ran as fast as she could to the nurse's office, crying the entire time. She passed several teachers and students in the hallways, most of which hurried after the pair. Only a few agonizing minutes later she had Mizore in a bed and was shuffled out the door as the medical staff scrambled to save her mate.
"What the hell happened", Kyoko asked as Moka launched herself into her arms and bawled.
"She... slit... her wrists", she said between sobs. "I got up... because the... window... was open... and I... heard... her... crying... so I went... to... check... on her... and that's... how... I found her!"
For nearly an hour they held each other as Moka cried. Gently Kyoko rubbed her back and shushed her, trying her best to comfort her friend. In the distance a door splintered as Kurumu stormed into the medical wing. Seeing Moka covered with blood and crying she was instantly at their side.
"It's Mizore", Kyoko sniffled. "She tried to kill herself and we don't know if they can save her."
Slowly the succubus sank to her knees with tears in her eyes. At that moment the head nurse had exited the room, her head hung in defeat. One by one the other doctors filed out slowly, doing their best to avoid eye contact.
"MIZORE", Moka screamed, fighting against the other two girls to get into the room. "MIZORE, NO! PLEASE GOD, NO!"
Slowly Mizore sat up, the blood soaked sheet sliding off her face to reveal lifeless eyes.
"I thought you loved me", she said in a monotone voice. "I guess not enough."
With a strangled cry Moka bolted upright in bed, her gown drenched in sweat as her hands flew across the bed in search of Mizore. Feeling an empty bed she leapt up and tore down the hallway, throwing the door open.
"Holy hell", Mizore yelled, nearly falling off the toilet as Moka collapsed to the floor sobbing in relief.
-\/-\/-
Dirt clung to Kyoko's hands as she dug around in the garden. Seeing as she rose earlier than either of the three other girls in Paradise she had opted for some early morning gardening. It was good for the soul and provided time to think. Lately, however, her thoughts had drifted from her little witch to the various outfits she had remembered the other girls wearing.
What the hell is wrong with me, she thought. Yukari hasn't been gone a week and I'm fantasizing about other monsters!
Slowly she stood and brushed the dirt from her knees. Sighing heavily she walked into the kitchen and washed the dirt from her hands. As she turned the water off she heard Mizore cry out and rushed toward the sound of her voice.
"What's wrong", she asked loudly as she burst into the bathroom.
" I'm not quite sure", Mizore mumbled as she tried to pull a sobbing Moka off of her. "She keeps saying 'you're alive, you're alive' and crying like crazy."
Slowly Moka calmed down enough to quit crying and told them every detail from her nightmare. The terror in her eyes was matched in intensity by the concern and compassion in her friends' eyes. As Moka began crying again they gathered her into a hug, a slight coloring rising to Kyoko's cheeks as she realized how close her lips were to Mizore's.
With a small hiccup Moka allowed them to lead her to the kitchen, her refusal to release Mizore causing Kyoko to be the one that had to make the tea. As three cups of steaming tea were set on the table Kurumu chose that moment to shuffle in.
"What's for breakfast", she asked around a yawn, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "What?!"
Moka retold the terrible dream as Kurumu stared at her in growing horror. By the end of the recital she had tears in her eyes as well. Silently she wrapped her arms around Moka and Mizore. Soft footsteps in the hallway drew their attention to the unnoticed occupant trying to sneak out. A goofy grin slid across Gin's face as he waved awkwardly and slipped out the door.
"WHAT THE FUCK", Kyoko shouted before the door even closed.
-\/-\/-
Dawn broke over their hiding spot as Ruby absently stroked Tsukune's hair and watched the sun struggle over the horizon. A small groan and muttering issued from Tsukune as he rolled over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. Gently he nuzzled his face into her breasts and sighed contentedly.
"You don't even realize it isn't her", Ruby whispered to herself as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I suppose unconscious affection is better than none at all."
Despite how quietly she had spoken he still woke up, scrambling away from her as he apologized. Slowly she followed him out of the crevice, her shoulders stiff from the cramped quarters. A smile spread across her face as she gazed at him.
"You're so cute and cuddly when you're sleeping", she giggled. "I wish I had the chance to put you to sleep, if you catch my meaning."
A sudden coughing fit overtook him, most likely from the water he just inhaled from his canteen. Ruby laughed as she patted his back, her hand lingering after he stopped coughing. Another smile graced her lips as she accepted the canteen he held out.
"I didn't... you know... did I", he asked.
"No but you did bury your face in these", she laughed as she used her hands to squeeze her breasts together and wink. "Don't worry, I won't tell Moka you fondled me."
Without another word Tsukune turned and headed up the hill they had begun climbing the previous day. Almost immediately she caught up with him and began trying to carry on a conversation while he gave minimal answers to her questions. Slowly, however, he got over his embarrassment and started talking more.
Several times they had to hide from wisps, narrowly avoiding being eaten. The sun continued its trek across the alien sky, eventually slipping low enough on the horizon to force them to find shelter for the night. The first two caves they tried were no good, the first being too small for them both and the second being inhabited by some sort of demonic deer.
The third cave had a bend in the tunnel, perfect for hiding the light of a fire while still allowing "fresh" air in. As Ruby began setting up their sleeping bags Tsukune carefully searched the surrounding area and gathered enough combustible material to build a small fire for warmth and cooking.
In no time the two were sitting by the fire with bowls of steaming soup in their hands. For hours they sat by the fire and talked as the flames died down and were reduced to nothing more than embers. At that time they decided it was time for bed.
"Can I ask you something", Ruby began as she lay facing Tsukune. "Something serious?"
"Please don't let it involve sex", he whispered silently. "Sure, what is it?"
"Why don't you want me", she asked quietly as he groaned. "Is it because I'm not enough of a monster for you?"
"No", he sighed. "It's just that I'm mated to Moka and Mizore and don't want to do anything to hurt them. You're more than enough monster, and if things were different I would be glad to call you mine."
"So then they're the problem", she muttered.
"I guess you could say that."
"But we aren't even in the same fucking dimension as them", Ruby said, her voice beginning to take on a pleading tone. "What happens in hell stays in hell. We don't have to tell them because they'd never know!"
"Maybe you're right", he agreed reluctantly. "But to be honest I don't think it would be a good idea right now."
" Why not", she asked exasperatedly.
" Because we have company."
In one smooth motion he leapt to his feet and transformed, his hair instantly turning silver as he flipped over Ruby to catch a black arrow inches from her face. Before she could gasp he had closed the distance between them and their attacker, grabbing the masked figure by the throat and lifting them from their feet.
A surprisingly female voice came from the folds of cloth covering the creature's face. With one hand around her throat he used the other to rip the cloth away to reveal the most startling pair of violet eyes he had ever seen. For several long seconds he stared into those eyes before they began to close.
"Please", the female choked out.
Right away he loosened his grip enough to allow her to take a few ragged breaths. Slowly she raised empty hands in a display of peace.
"Ruby, check her for weapons", he said as he set her on her feet.
She obeyed right away, eyeing him with a renewed sense of awe. As she searched the woman she took each layer of clothing off, leaving her in a thin shirt and trousers. Finally satisfied that she was unarmed she nodded to Tsukune, who released her. As soon as his hand left her throat she was on her knees, her forehead pressed to the ground in front of his feet.
"I thank you for sparing me", she said hoarsely. "My life and body are yours."
Silence fell over the trio as Tsukune and Ruby stared at each other. Several long seconds passed as Tsukune turned his gaze from Ruby to the other female.
"Ummmm... About the life and body thing", he blushingly muttered.
