Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creators vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, then you should not read this.
Chapter 53
The students left the office as quickly as decorum allowed. Tsukune could feel his relief echoed in Kurumu when the door to the inner office closed behind them. Now they just had to face Ageha.
Kurono Ageha and Ruby were standing in the outer office exchanging pleasantries when the two students came out. The woman turned to face them and Tsukune noticed a sharp look in her eyes. He felt a stab of panic in his chest. Ageha was talking with Ruby… Who had been at Tsukune's house late Friday evening.
"You are quiet the remarkable young man," Ageha said in a voice thick with nuances. "My daughter is going to have an interesting life with you."
"Mother…" Kurumu tried to will her mother to behave.
"Don't be such a prude," Ageha scolded her daughter. "You want your husband to be vigorous. It makes being with him al the more fun if you have to be a little creative. Besides," She smiled in a way that made Tsukune's neck itch. "You will like knowing that he is with you because he chooses to be, not just because he doesn't have any other choice."
"Well…" Kurumu blushed and had a hard time meeting her mother's eyes.
Tsukune could tell that Kurumu was embarrassed by what her mother was saying. Unfortunately, because of what had happened, he could tell that the embarrassment was very superficial. The Young Succubus was rather happy at the moment. Being so aware of Kurumu in that situation seamed kind of like peeking in her diary. Tsukune felt himself starting to blush a little.
"You see?" Ageha said, noticing Tsukune's reaction and misreading it. "He's thinking about what you will have to do to keep him interested."
"Mother," Kurumu protested again, moving to grab Tsukune's arm and hug it to her breast. "My Tsukune isn't like that."
"I am sorry you did to get to go shopping with your daughter," Tsukune said suddenly.
"Oh?" Ageha was surprised. She looked at Tsukune with a critical eye.
Tsukune was feeling a little frayed around the edges at the moment. He had been through an informative and complex meeting and he really wanted a chance to think it all through carefully. Ageha saw Tsukune as a young man, in his school uniform, with his Student Police arm band, standing beside her daughter. She didn't know how on edge he felt, or that he was hungry and eager for supper. She saw him as a young man with rank and standing among the students. He was standing up straight with his eyes open and clear, instead of absorbed in himself or his own thoughts. Ageha also noticed the way he reacted to her daughter holding his arm.
The woman knew that Tsukune had to feel the younger succubus' breasts against his arm. He wasn't resisting or acting uncomfortable about it, as he had in the past. He also wasn't moving or tensing his arm in an attempt to get an extra feel of those breasts.
"I am sure we will have plenty of time to go shopping when the term is over," Ageha said in a calm, friendly voice. "I hope that you will be able to come visit her during the break. I think it would good for you to spend some time together away from school."
"I would like that, Obba-san," Tsukune said with a small nod. Tsukune felt that he had said the right thing. He felt a wave of happiness come from Kurumu, and notice a small twitch of Ageha's lips.
"Walk with me to the school entrance," Ageha extended her hand to her daughter. "I want to say goodbye before I go home."
"Alright," Kurumu agreed. "I'll see you in later Tsukune," She bumped her hip against him before letting go of his arm.
Tsukune watched the two Succubi leave together. After they were out of sight he slowly counted to ten. It was only then that he let himself relax and blow out a heavy sigh. With them gone for the moment he as able to think a little clearer. He turned towards Ruby.
"How are you doing?" Tsukune said to keep the outer office from being too quiet.
"I am well," Ruby answered with a smile. "How was your meeting?"
"Different," Tsukune said. He held up the envelope he had been holding and frowned at it. "I never know what I should expect when I go in there."
"What is that?" Ruby asked, honestly curious.
"A reward," Tsukune said, moving over to Ruby's desk. He opened the envelope and examined the contents. In the envelope was a folded letter, a set of official documents, a key on a silver chain, and an official driver's license, with full motorcycle endorsement. Tsukune was surprised, and a little alarmed to see his picture on the license. He looked at the documents and saw that they were ownership papers and proof of insurance for a motorcycle. Tsukune had never heard of 'Hardly Davidson' before. He guessed it was an American brand.
"What is the key for?" Ruby asked, seeing it dangling on its chain from Tsukune's fingers.
"Hmmm?" Tsukune looked at the key, puzzled. He considered the contents of the envelope for a moment. The light of understanding suddenly shown forth. "I understand," He said aloud. He looked about for a moment, with his eyes as well as his youki awareness.
Tsukune located Hiro more by feel then by sight. The creature was waiting quietly in a corner of the outer office, blending into the shadows. As Tsukune looked, Hiru became noticeable as a thicker patch of darkness.
"I guess that you really are meant to be mine," Tsukune said to the creature. Tsukune felt strange talking to an animal as if he expected it to understand him. Then again, he realized he should be used to stranger things. Tsukune thought for a moment about all that he had learned about youkai. He even considered what he had observed and learned when dealing with familiars and youkai bonds and relationships.
When dealing with animals, Tsukune had been taught while growing up, you have to act confident. Tsukune borrowed his attitude for dealing with the Student Police. He summoned up his youkai and drew a breath.
"Hiru," Tsukune called. "Come."
Tsukune was immediately rewarded by seeing the creature uncurl itself and approach. It was like watching a shadow become three dimensional and move on it's own. The fact that it cast it's own shadow seamed like a defiance of logic.
"Here," Tsukune held out his hand waist high, palm forward as the creature came closer. He concentrated his youki in his hand. He was hoping that he was offering it in a way the creature would accept as a friendly gesture.
Hiru move across the outer office almost soundlessly. There was a soft ticking sound from her talons on the hard floor. When she reached Tsukune, Hiru sniffed at his hand. Nether Hiru or Tsukune knew that a sample of his blood, collected after one of his many injuries, had been included in her creation. Hiru just recognized Tsukune as being her master. Finally, she pressed her head against his hand, rubbing herself against it and absorbing the energy he offered, purring.
"Good girl," Tsukune said as the creature seamed to accept him. He heard it purr and tried scratching it behind its ear. "Heh."
Hiru purred a little louder as Tsukune scratched it behind the ear. The sound was a low rumble mixed with a soft hissing. It was a brief bonding moment between Master and Familiar.
"What is that?" Ruby asked nervously. She had never seen anything like it before. At least, nothing that large. In her experience a Shadow Construct was little more then a carefully shaped cloud of smoke that was meant for spying or carrying messages.
"This is Hiru," Tsukune looked over his shoulder towards Ruby to explain. "She is a reward from the Board Chairman."
Ruby didn't say anything out loud. Her face spoke volumes however. Tsukune could read the thoughts in her expression and agreed with them. Foremost was the look of worry in her eyes. If the Board Chairman was giving Tsukune something that could be considered useful in any way, it was probably because he was expecting Tsukune to use it as The Board Chairman wanted. That strange man was notorious for self serving actions.
"How much longer do you have to work?" Tsukune asked Ruby as he returned the things in his hand to the envelope.
Hiru, unsatisfied by her short ear scratching butted her head against Tsukune's hip.
"I should wait until Lord Gray has departed," Ruby sour face. She wanted to go home with Tsukune and take care of his needs.
"I will see you at home," Tsukune said. "Please do not work too hard."
"Yes," Ruby said with a small bow.
Xxx xxx xxX
Tsukune found Kurumu waiting for him on the front steps of the school. There wasn't another person in sight as Tsukune exited the building. Feeling awkward after all that had happened, Tsukune was unsure what to do next. Before he could be immobilized by indecision, Hiru shot past him.
Tsukune was surprised to see Hiru running ahead. The creature ran down the steps and out onto the walkway where it chased its tail though a figure eight a couple of time. Then it stopped and looked up at Tsukune with wide eyes glowing a silver-blue. Her entire body was tense, ready to move, waiting for directions.
"I'm just going back to the village," Tsukune said to Hiru.
He wasn't sure if the creature understood him or not. It's long, indistinct body shot through another figure eight then it stopped and looked at Tsukune again. It reminded Tsukune of the pet dog one of his friends had had. It would get excited and watch its owner whenever he picked up a ball. Tsukune realized that Hiru, like Lord Gray's Reaver, was capable of carrying him. The papers and key made sense if Hiru could transform into a motorcycle.
Tsukune had never ridden a motorcycle in his life. He knew he would have to learn now that he had Hiru, but he wasn't ready for that just yet. Unfortunately, Hiru was still expecting something from Tsukune.
"I want to talk with Kurumu," Tsukune said, using the first excuse that came to mind. "Um.. So I'll walk for now."
Hiru ran though another figure eight, and then ran in a circle around Kurumu and Tsukune, stopping in front of them.
"It's all right," Tsukune tried to sooth the creature. "It's only a short distance to the village."
Hiru ran towards the school gates for a few meters then came back.
"Um," Tsukune questioned. "Do you know where the village is?"
Hiru repeated her run towards the gate and back.
"Go ahead," Tsukune said. "We'll be along."
Tsukune though he recognized some measure of playfulness in Hiru's face before she took off at a run. Her long, dark body was little more then a shadow as it rushed forward. In seconds it disappeared from view. Nervous, Tsukune closed his eyes and tried to locate Hiru's aura.
Tsukune was instantly aware of Kurumu, and all of her emotions, at his side. He was also able to detect Hiru much the same way. Not as bright of a presence as Kurumu, or as easy to read, Hiru was running happily in a wide circle in the woods just beyond the school gates.
"Tsukune?" Kurumu said in a soft voice, breaking his concentration. "Did you mean what you said?"
"What?" Tsukune opened his eyes and looked at her. He could feel her happiness and nervousness.
"When you said you wanted to talk to me," Kurumu reminded him.
"Of course," Tsukune assured her with a warm smile. "I've been wanting to talk to you all day." Tsukune was just thinking about the questions he had been thinking on since being discharged from the hospital, much of which had been cleared up in the meeting with the Board Chairman. He also wanted a chance to know what she thought about what had happened between them; this new connection they had. He was unprepared for the blast of excited happiness that came from Kurumu at his words.
"Shall we go?" Kurumu said.
She had a blush to her cheeks and was looking off to one side. From what Tsukune was feeling from her, he would have expected Kurumu to be jumping and shouting. Instead, the young succubus was acting modest and a little shy. He couldn't help but notice how she looked incredibly cute right then.
"Let's go," Tsukune said in a soft voice.
Kurumu had all the invitation she needed. She hurried to embrace Tsukune's arm and hold it close. Together they walked from the school building.
"What did you want to talk about?" Kurumu asked as they reached the school gates.
"Well," Tsukune said as he gathered his thoughts. "I was wondering what you thought about everything."
"Tsukune?"
"I mean about what happened between us," Tsukune clarified. "This weekend I mean." Now that he was started, the words came easy to him. "I spoke to Ruby last night. I didn't tell her anything, but I asked her about True Names and what they were. I know what I have now. And today I learned that I have a piece of your soul too." Tsukune glanced down at Kurumu, but all he could see was the top of her head. He could feel her emotions as a confused fog of mixed feelings.
"Kurumu," Tsukune tried to keep his voice gentle and steady. "Are you all right with this?"
"Yes, Tsukune," Kurumu said without looking up. "I… It all happened so fast. What I remember…" Feelings of shame and guilt rushed through her, quickly displaced by feelings of fear, embarrassment, and uncertainty. "When I was… in that room. I was frightened and alone. I thought…" She shuddered as she was filled with memories and feelings. "And then you were there. Tsukune, you know I have nothing to hide from you…" She looked up into his face for a moment, before looking down again, feeling herself blushing.
Kurumu had seen Tsukune's handsome face so close to hers. His warm eyes were filled with concern. Tsukune was paying attention to her, not as just one of his friends, but as herself, as a single, unique person. She had longed for that kind of attention for so long, and had done everything she could to get even a little of that attention from him. Her heart was a storm of nervousness, doubt, and fear. But at the same time she was so filled with love and desire that she though her chest would burst. Determined, she pressed on.
"You know I want to share all of me with you," Kurumu could not believe how hard to was to say that to the once person she really wanted to know all about her, and had even seen her naked before. "But when you found me, I was so ashamed. I'm sorry…" She sniffed.
"I don't understand," Tsukune said gently.
"I always try to be strong," Kurumu explained. "To be someone you can proud to be with. You know how much I want to be free to choose my own life… But when I was there… in that place… I had been turned into a thing." Kurumu's voice nearly oozed venom as she labeled herself.
"I had been captured," Kurumu went on. "I had been stripped of everything. My clothes, my freedom, my self control. It was like being in hell, but I wasn't dead. When he told me what he wanted to do, I wished I could die. And then you were there…"
Kurumu walked along in silence for a minute. Tsukune just let her set her own pace, waiting for her to speak. He could tell, from her feelings and the way she was breathing, that Kurumu was on the edge of crying.
"I was so ashamed," Kurumu said in a tiny voice. "You had come to rescue me. I should have been happy about that. I think that maybe I was, but when I saw you, how strong and confident you have become, while I had been… I had been… Tsukune I was so ashamed of what you must think of me to have let myself be…" She sniffed once and stopped walking. That is when the tears came.
Kurumu let go of Tsukune then. She sank slowly to the ground as she started to cry. Tsukune could only watch as his friend struggled with her memories and emotions.
"When you came to rescue me," Kurumu choked out between quiet sobs. "I was ashamed of what I had been turned into. And then I was forced to attack you."
"Kurumu," Tsukune said. "No…"
"No!" Kurumu cut him off sharply. "I know what you are going to say. I know it wasn't my fault. I know I was being controlled. I was too weak to keep it from happening to me. Tsukune," Kurumu cried. "I hurt you. I love you and I tried to kill you." She was crying freely now.
"Now you ask me how I feel," Kurumu continued to sob. "You want to know what I think?" Anger and frustration flared to life. "I have wanted your attention for more then a year. I wanted you to notice how I felt about you. I wanted you to know everything about me, and I still do." She was looking at Tsukune with her face as unreadable as her storm of emotions.
"Tsukune," Kurumu cried out. "I love you." She climbed to her feet and threw her book bag aside. "I like you, Tsukune. I love you, and I hate myself." She turned away and started to run.
"Kurumu," Tsukune called after her.
Kurumu didn't stop. Instead she transformed and leaped into the air. Her wings pumped hard, taking her higher. She started to fly away. Tsukune saw that she was not headed towards the village. She also wasn't headed for the school, the dorms, or the shopping district. He could feel her storm of emotions turning darker. He had to go after her.
Tsukune called out his youki and started running. It was a hard way to chase somebody, he learned. He had to look up, to make sure he was still following her, so he couldn't watch his footing. Also he felt his body straining. His back and lungs, and even his arms started to burn with pain. Tsukune felt a stab of fear. What if his body had not recovered from what had happened recently. But his concerns for himself were pushed down by his worrying about his friend. He needed to go faster.
Tsukune was suddenly aware of Hiru. The creature was running though the woods, following him. He felt a ray of hope.
"Hiru," Tsukune called. "Let's go after Kurumu."
Hiru streamed out of the woods and started running beside Tsukune. Tsukune broke stride and jumped to straddle his new familiar. When Tsukune came down he landed on the saddle of a motorcycle. Its engine sang to life with a sound like Hiru's purr amplified a dozen times.
"Yes!" Tsukune cheered. Suddenly he was no longer having any trouble keeping up with the flying succubus. Letting Hiru worry about carrying them forward left Tsukune free to watch where Kurumu was flying.
Kurumu was filled with dark emotions. She as so ashamed of herself. She had been too weak to protect herself. She had been too weak resist being taken and enslaved. Now she was too weak to even face Tsukune. Tsukune, who she loved… Tsukune, who she had tried to kill because she was too weak. She just wanted to get away. She wanted to disappear. Beneath her storm of emotions she could still feel Tsukune. She was still aware of him. He was following her. Stubbornly, Kurumu flew where she knew Tsukune would be unable to go.
Tsukune watched Kurumu fly. He saw her change directions. It was a little like riding a bicycle, Tsukune thought as he leaned, intuitively directing Hiru which way to go. He watched Kurumu flying above the trees as he became more familiar with this new way of travel. He could feel the way Hiru moved over the terrain. The rough ground made smoother by her speed and agility.
Suddenly Tsukune was tracking Kurumu through open sky. The trees had been left behind and Hiru was running in a straight line. Wind whipped past Tsukune as he continued smoothly forward. He could smell the sea in the air.
The smell of the sea jolted Tsukune's attention back to his physical location. He looked ahead and saw the cliffs overlooking the sea ahead. Hiru was carrying him directly towards the edge, obediently following Kurumu without hesitation. In the seconds it took for Tsukune to process all of this the edge of cliff rushed closer.
"Hi.. Hiru," Tsukune choked out. "Stop!"
Hiru, in mid transformation between motorcycle and beast, dug her claws into the ground. The urgency of Tsukue's command made her react in kind. She came to a hard, abrupt stop. Tsukune was launched forward by the momentum of his body.
Tsukune felt Hiru breaking. For a moment he thought everything would be all right. He spared a look towards the sky to try to tack Kurumu. And then the world slid away from him.
Tsukune was aware of the lack of contact with anything first. He managed to see the world around him slide way from his field of vision as he continued forward. The ground beneath him was coming closer as he fell. Tsukune anticipated his impact with the ground ready to grab at every bit of brush and every protrusion of rock to catch himself from sliding off the edge. He watched the ground coming closer and reached for it. And then it wasn't there.
Tsukune saw the sea where it collided with the rocks far below. He was falling towards that sea, those rocks. Fear tried to raise up in his chest, but had to fight against the depression and anger he was also feeling. Tsukune saw an ugly end awaiting him and felt sad that he would never see Moka again. By dieing like this he would be abandoning her and leaving her alone again. The idea of somehow hurting Moka made Tsukune angry with himself. In his most selfish and primal parts of his mind, Tsukune refused to fail. He would not fail Moka. He would not fail his friends. He would not fail the people that had put their faith and confidence in him. He would not fail himself.
With a primal scream, Tsukune called forth his Youki. There was no hesitation. Pain burned though his body. Tsukune did not care. He did not care about what had happened. He did not care about what had been done to him, or how it might have changed him. Pain is proof of life, and Tsukune refused to die today. He embraced the pain and unleashed his youki. The pain exploded and his youki expanded.
Instinct gripped Tsukune and his transformed body strained to save itself. Tsukune was aware of himself, but in a distant way. He could feel his body in the same way he could feel his youki. He did not know all the details, but he understood that what had happened was a result of what had been done to him. He also knew that he was alive. Driven by instinct, thrilling at the joy of being alive, Tsukune climbed into the sky. His newly formed wings carried him higher.
Tsukune was thrilled by his new power and freedom. His primal, youkai self wanted to celebrate. The awareness that was Tsukune the person echoed the joy and excitement. This was something wonderful to share with his friends.
It was that thought that brought Tsukune back to conscious awareness once again. His friends. Moka, whom he loved. Kurumu, who he needed to help. Tsukune flew with clumsy wing beats that threatened to drop him from the sky until he found the balance between instinct and conscious thought. He just had to focus on what he wanted to do, not how he was doing it.
First he had to find Kurumu. Tsukune prioritized his thought. He had to help her. Then he would go back to the village. He would have to talk to Ruby and Moka. But that was for later. He searched for Kurumu. He cast about with his Awareness.
Kurumu was flying out over the sea. Tsukune could see her. She was a quick and agile flyer, but she was unused to flying far distances. Tsukune could see that she was already tiring. If he chased her down she might not have the strength to get back to land. And Tsukune was not sure if I could fly very far ether. He was far from tired, but he could feel his body and youki working hard to adapt to this new situation.
Tsukune cold also see that Kurumu was too far away to hear him if he called to her. She would ignore him even if she did hear him yelling. Tsukune reached a decision, and hoped that Kurumu would forgive him.
"Rumunoko," Tsukune said in a normal tone, while concentrating on his friend. "Rumunoko. Please."
Rumunoko Tsukune's voice rang through Kurumu's being. It called to her.
Rumunoko His voice pulled at her. It was impossible to ignore. Please
"Tsukune," Kurumu sobbed, turning back to look in his direction. "Tsu… Kune…"
Kurumu was confused. She could sense Tsukune's youki. She could tell that he was far closer then she had expected. But when she turned around she had been shocked.
Tsukune was flying. He hovered in the sky above the sea cliffs. His broad wings flapped to keep him there, while his youki shined from him. Even from more then a hundred meters away, Kurumu could feel his eyes on her. She could feel the beating of his heart. She could tell that he was ready to chase her down if he had to. Looking up at him, seeing all that he was willing to suffer through for her sake, Kurumu suddenly wondered why she would ever want to run from Tsukune. With a happy cry, Kurumu started for the shore.
xxxxxxxxx
Tsukune lay on the ground as his body recovered. Once Kurumu had flown back to him, together they had returned to top of the cliffs. Tsukune's landing had been rough enough to draw a giggle out of Kurumu. Like the succubus, his wings disappeared once he no longer needed them. He was glad about that. He had been afraid that he would have somehow been stuck with them. But now that he knew he had the potential, Tsukune knew he would have to train himself to use this new level of ability.
Unlike Kurumu, Tsukune's uniform did not recover from the sudden transformation. As Tsukune lay face down on the ground where he had landed, Kurumu sat beside him running her fingers over the bare skin of his back where it was exposed through the long rips in his uniform.
"Tsukune," Kurumu said softly.
"Hmmm?"
"Thank you for coming after me," Kurumu said. "Not just today. Thank you for saving me before."
"It's nothing," Tsukune said modestly.
"It's not nothing," Kurumu argued gently. "It is important to me that you were willing to come after me. Thank you. And to answer your question. I am very happy about what has happened."
"What?" Tsukune questioned. He rolled over and sat to face her.
"I know I sound selfish," Kurumu blushed, tears coming to her eyes. Happy tears. "Please understand. You carry a piece of my soul within you. It may not last very long, but it is a connection that only you and I share. For as long as it lasts, you will know what I am feeling when I am with you. You also know my True Name. You know a secret part of me I did not even know I had. What I went though was worse then I had ever imagine, but I happy with how it came out."
"Are you going to be alright now?" Tsukune asked gently. He reached out and touched her cheek lightly.
"Yes," Kurumu nodded. She caught hold of Tsukune's hand and held it firmly to the side of her face. After a moment of enjoying her touch she let go of his hand with a sigh.
"I guess we better get back to the village," Kurumu said. "It is getting late."
Tsukune gave a snort of amusement. The sky had grown dark and there was no trace of the sunset remaining. Ruby would be waiting for him, and likely Moka was worried sick. Tsukune knew he would have to have a long conversation with her about all of this. But he needed to make sure he understood what was going on in side of himself before he tried to explain it to anybody else.
Tsukune climbed to his feet and brushed himself off. Kurumu copied his actions at first, then she froze with a look on concern on her face.
"My bag…" She suddenly remembered.
"We can look for it on the way back," Tsukune said.
"But it is already late," Kurumu argued. "It is after curfew."
"Hiru," Tsukune called.
"Tsukune…" Kurumu pleaded.
"You need to read the rules better, Kurumu," Tsukune teased her. "There is no curfew for the village. Besides," He grinned broadly. "I don't think the Student Police will bother us."
Kurumu's eyes went wide was she realized how foolish she had sounded. Tsukune could feel her rush of embarrassment. He suppressed a chuckle as Hiru butted her head against him.
"Hiru," Tsukune asked as he scratched her behind the ear. "Can you find Kurumu's bag for us?"
Hiru's answer was a contented purr.
"Alright," Tsukune said. He lifted a leg over Hiru's back, once again coming to a rest on the saddle of a motorcycle. "You ready?" Tsukune asked, looked to Kurumu over his shoulder.
"Hai," Kurumu gave a small, excited cry and leapt on the seat behind Tsukune. She folded her arms around his waist and pressed herself against his strong back.
Hiru's purr grew louder and they headed back together.
