Chapter 9
Summer Break, A Wizard, and A Vampire
Tsukune Aono was at the bus stop, but he was passing back and forth as he looked at his watch. He was waiting for his friends, as they were going off on a field trip to the Human World. His face lit up with happiness as he saw Moka and Yozora walking towards him. To his surprise his friends were actually wearing street clothes instead of their Yokai Academy uniforms. Moka was wearing a yellow dress, with a pink blouse over it short white socks, and a pair of low-heel strap on shoes. Yozora's casual clothes consisted of a black sleeveless shirt with a red V-neck, a black hooded jacket with short sleeves, with a studded crown and emblem on each side, gold buttons and a checkered pattern at the hem, black cropped trousers that were hemmed with the same checkered pattern like his jacket, black fingerless glovelettes, and black high-top boots, while his socks were an ashened gray that were partially hidden underneath the boots. But he still kept his wand in the inside pocket of his jacket.
"It's still a bit early, Tsukune. Moka said that we were supposed to meet at the bus in exactly half an hour," Yozora said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Um, hey Yozora, do you and Tsukune think I look weird in this outfit?" she asked.
"No, of course not. It looks good on you. But you think the outfit Yozora picked seems a bit outlandish?" Tsukune asked.
"What's so outlandish about my outfit? These are actually the clothes I wore when I was in the human world. They kind of helped me blend in with the crowd a bit," the wizard said in his casual tone.
"Oh, right. Sorry about that," Tsukune said with a light chuckle.
"No, it's cool. But to be honest, I look like I could be a bit of a bad influence if I met your parents. But, I'm actually pretty stoked about our summer break today," Yozora said as he turned his head towards the horizon.
"Me too, I'm also looking forward to it. It should be fun," added Moka.
Tsukune nodded his head in agreement as well. He was thrilled to return to the human world after Miss Nekonome said they would all be going on a club trip together. Secretly he was a little satisfied about returning to the human world, with Moka and the rest of the Newspaper club.
"You know, I'm a bit nervous. I told you, about living in the human world up through Jr. High School, and how I hated humans the entire time," Moka said sadly.
"Yeah, that's right. I remember that. Are you concerned about going?" Tsukune asked.
"A little. To be honest, I'm still worried about it. I'm really afraid of what might happen," she replied.
"Yeah, it was pretty tough on both of us. But still we'll be fine as long as Tsukune sticks out for the both of us. I'm also up for another chance of visiting the human world with you," added Yozora.
"You know it," replied Tsukune as he exchanged a fist bump with the wizard.
"That's why together, Moka will be in safe hands," Yozora said as he punched the air above him.
Moka smiled, but she too gave Yozora a fist bump, just as Yukari, Kurumu, and Mizore showed up. Instantly the wizard turned to face them and raised his hand upward to greet them.
"Hey you guys!" called Yukari.
"Uh, yeah. guess you arrived half an hour earlier than we had originally planned," Kurumu said with a look of surprise on her face.
"Well at the very least, I'm actually liking Yozora's human disguise," Mizore said with a hint of admiration in her voice.
Yozora saw that Yukari and Mizore were still in their Yokai Academy uniforms, while Kurumu had switched out her uniform for a short sleeved shirt, a pink pleated skirt, and a pair of loafers. But he turned to see that the bus arrived with Miss Nekonome aboard, as he greeted her as well with his hand raised up to her as she said that their trip was going to be a fun experience for them all.
"Also Gin's not able to make it, since he has to take some remedial classes in order to make up for his previous failures. Can't say that I blame him, but he actually named me acting Alpha," Yozora said.
"And you're doing a splendid job at it as well," piped in Kurumu.
"Yeah, We can see the makings of a great leader in you," added Yukari.
Tsukune couldn't help but chuckle a bit, but he did exchange a high five with Yozora as they all boarded the bus.
"Also, I just wanted to say, thank you for cheering me on in my remedial classes," Kurumu said to her friends.
"You're welcome," replied Mizore, as she and Yozora gave each other a high five as well.
"Well then, all aboard that's going abroad!" announced Yozora.
And off they went, through the tunnel to the human world for a day of adventure. When they had emerged from the tunnel, Tsukune saw that at long last he was back home. He was so excited that he nearly cried tears of joy, which did make Moka a bit worried that he'd reveal he was a human being, but Yozora didn't mind it that much.
"Sounds like someone's excited about visiting the human world," he said.
"Yeah, no kidding. What's that all about?" asked Kurumu.
"Oh, well, let's just say Tsukune lived in the human world for quite a long time," Moka said, making doubly sure that Tsukune's humanity be kept a secret from them.
"Yeah I kind of felt pretty attached about it, or something," he chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I guess that kind of thing can happen to anyone," said Kurumu.
A while later, everyone changed into their swimsuits and were now playing ball on the beach. Tsukune and Yozora were dressed in their swim trunks, while most of the girls had either bikinis or one piece swimsuits.
"So what, you're not afraid of the human world?" asked Yukari.
"No, not really," he replied.
"Yokai Academy might have seemed a bit scary to him, but he actually still calls this place home," added Yozora.
"Wow, you're pretty incredible," said the witchling.
"You really think so?" asked Tsukune.
"Of course, we all do," replied Kurumu.
When Moka saw the ball she quickly hit it back to them, but collapsed onto the sandy ground.
"You good, Moka?" asked Yozora.
"Yeah, I just got sand in my swimsuit," she said nervously.
Tsukune did space out at seeing Moka in her swimsuit, at least until Yozora jumped in the path of the ball, and sent it flying towards one of the other players.
"Phew, nice save Yozora," said Tsukune.
"I guess being in here puts you at ease. That's understandable. We might have had a feeling you'd actually be a-" said Kurumu.
But Yozora gestured for her to stop before she dropped the fact that Tsukune was a human being, which did put Moka and Tsukune at ease.
"Actually, Yozora thinks that it's just a bunch of crazy talk, Kurumu," said Yukari.
"I hear you, Yukari," replied the succubus.
"But in the meantime, let's put all this talk of humans on hold and have some more fun," suggested Moka.
Everyone nodded in agreement. And still continued to play with the ball, until Yozora performed a very complex shot by having it bounce on his head, then performed a powerful kick flip, sending it right towards Mizore.
"Whoa! That was a powerful kick!" gasped Yukari in surprise.
"Yeah, which team did you play for in the human world?" Mizore asked out of curiosity.
"I was captain of the Yokohama FC soccer team. Thankfully I did hide the fact that I was different from the others," Yozora said.
"That's pretty awesome!" grinned Yukari.
Thankfully nobody knew that they were monsters in human disguise. But Yozora did notice Miss Nekonome staring at the fish at a food stall making him shake his head as he had his hands held out in surrender. The ball game ended and soon Yozora, Kurumu, Yukari, and Mizore were all out in the ocean. But they saw that Moka and Tsukune were sitting comfortably on the beach with each other.
"Hey! What are you guys up to?" Yozora called to them.
"Come on and join us!" Yukari called as well.
"Yeah, come on over here and swim with us!" added Kurumu.
"It's okay Tsukune, I'll sit back and let you have fun with the others," said Moka.
But suddenly, Yozora had a brilliant Idea fly into his head.
"Hold on Tsukune, l think I have an idea," he said and raced towards Moka.
He was careful not to let any of the sea-water on his skin land on her as he raised his hand and placed it on her back after drying it off.
"By the will of the elements, I shall grant you immunity from the water you shall walk upon," the wizard said in an audible whisper.
Tsukune was a bit surprised to see that his best friend was helping Moka. He was already aware that vampires didn't like water that much, but he felt relieved that the protection charm Yozoza had placed on Moka would allow her to swim in the water more easily.
"Thank you, Yozora," she said as she slowly stood up.
"Uh, what was that you placed on her?" Tsukune asked curiously.
"It's a special protection spell that can help vampires walk in water more freely. It only lasts until nightfall," he said.
"In other words, that means Moka can have fun with us," Kurumu said proudly.
"Yeah, good planning Yozora!" added Yukari.
Then the three friends rushed forward to the ocean and began having the time of their lives.
"Oh wow, It's almost like I've become human thanks to Yozora's spell!" Moka said excitedly.
"Guess it's all thanks to Yozora's magic, even though we kind of broke one of the school rules about how we shouldn't talk about what type of monster we are," said Tsukune.
"Well, Yozora did tell me that there are some tiny loopholes in the school rules," said Mizore.
"I just hope Miss Nekonome isn't too disappointed in us," Yukari said with a hint of concern in her voice.
But Tsukune suddenly looked up to see sunflowers on a huge cliff in front of him. The five friends decided to check it out.
"No way! I've never seen a sunflower field before," he said.
"Think it's for tourists?" asked Tsukune.
"I can't see anyone in this place," said Mizore.
"Yeah, you're right,' agreed Kurumu.
They didn't know that they were being watched by a strange pair of eyes peeking through the stems. Yozora, however, heard two people in the field with them, saying that it was called the Witch's hill, and that anyone who dared to venture there would disappear from sight. Yukari also heard it as well, when she saw what looked like a luxurious mansion in the distance.
"This is a bit suspicious. People disappearing without a trace on this hill full of sunflowers. I'm starting to sense a great darkness from this place," Yozora said.
"Yeah, me too," shuddered Yukari.
"What are you talking about?" asked Kurumu.
"We just overheard two people talking about this place," answered Yozora.
"They just said that another witch like myself lives here and abducts humans, then makes them disappear with a single trace. Many have dismissed it as rumors," explained Yukari.
"Sort of reminds me of-" Kurumu was about to say, but a washtub suddenly appeared above her head, only to be blasted away by Yozora.
"Stow it! The both of you! If you can't learn to be civilized, our privileges could be revoked!" Yozora said to them like a drill sergeant.
"Sir, yes sir," Kurumu and Yukari said as they snapped to attention.
But neither of them noticed that another girl was watching them from afar.
"That girl. And that boy. There's no doubt about it. I must head back and report this to her ladyship immediately," she said.
Back on the beach, everyone was now setting up camp. Tsukune was pitching up the tent with Kurumu and Mizore, Moka was stoking the fire, Yukari and Yozora had brought fresh firewood for them to keep the flames alive, when Miss Nekonome said that she would bring some fresh food for them to eat later on.
"Yeah, no problem," Yozora said as he set the wood down near Moka.
"I think we should all have fresh fish. I find that fish from the human world is actually the best," she said excitedly.
"Right," muttered Tsukune.
"Yeah, you go and do that, I'll take the first watch," said Yozora, as he watched her rush off.
Up in the mansion on the Witch's Hill, Ruby was talking to a shrouded figure on a rocking chair about what she saw.
"Very good, Ruby. Bring the other witch and the wizard to me. They shall be a great asset. See that it is done," said an elderly woman's voice from behind the veil.
"They will join us, or die, my lady," the younger girl said, who bowed and left.
Down at the campsite, Yukari and Yozora stood watching the ocean in silence, when the witchling looked to see if anyone needed help.
"Hmm… I know you want to help them out Yukari, but there's an old saying you can acknowledge. 'Big people do big things, while little people do little things,'" Yozora assured her.
"Yeah, I guess," Yukari said dejectedly.
He approached Moka, Mizore, Tsukune, and Kurumu and asked if they had everything under control. The four of them nodded and said that they were doing their very best working together, leading to the wizard to give them a thumbs up.
"Hey, let's go up to that sunflower field," suggested Yozora.
"Okay, sure!" agreed Yukari.
Then the sorcerer and his apprentice walked off, but they did leave behind some fresh footprints for them to help them retrace their steps. Yozora could see that Yukari was still a bit saddened by the fact that she couldn't help them.
"I guess it must be hard, being the youngest member of the group," said Yozora.
"Yeah, you're right about that. But I still think I could be a great help to them. But, what did you mean by that saying you told me?" she asked curiously.
"Well, my father once told me a story about a young boy called David who fought against a fierce giant, and I never forgot it. It all began in Israel where David and his brothers were looking after sheep…" Yozora told her.
Despite being a young witch, Yukari was actually a bit curious about that story Yozora was telling her as they walked back to the Witch's hill.
"But one day, things began to change. Dave's father Jesse said that some bad people had come to enslave the people of Israel and take over the land. Now of course, Dave, who was very much like you, wanted to do his part in being a hero, but his father told him to stay with the sheep, while his brothers marched off to deal with the bad people. When they arrived, the two sides agreed that if one of their champions won, the battle would be over, and negotiations would take place to ensure terms of surrender. When the King agreed to that suggestion, Goliath the Giant had emerged demanding to know who would face him in battle. Sadly though, the Israeli army fled in fear, and Goliath decided that he would return the next day in the hopes that he would be ready to square off with one who would be their champion. But after forty days, nobody would dare face the Giant in battle as they were far too wrapped up in their own fears about being defeated by him," continued the wizard.
"That's horrible," gasped Yukari.
"Yeah, it was horrible, but that's when Dave came to the battlefield with fresh food and drinks for his brothers. But they warned him about Goliath who was disappointed that those who were afraid of being opponents were nothing but common cowards. Finally, Dave had enough. He was tired seeing his friends and family being called cowards, so he decided it was time to make a difference. He marched right up to the king and said that he would face Goliath, in mortal combat. The king was shocked at this, but Dave assured him that he would not flee like a coward. Though the king was aware of his height, Dave told him that God was on his side. The young man did indeed have a plan to defeat the giant. He went to a stream, picked up five smooth stones, then returned to the campsite where Goliath was waiting for him. Goliath was confused, but when he saw Dave, he saw that he did indeed have a look of determination in his eyes. With clarity of purpose and strength of heart, Dave told Goliath that god had chosen him to be the hero who would defeat the dreaded juggernaut in battle. The combatants marched towards each other in a high-stakes-winner-take-all contest. Despite their difference in height, Dave knew he had to win, or the bad guys would destroy everything he held dear to him. With a mighty swing, he sent the stones flying towards Goliath, and when they struck him, the giant fell with a loud crash that caused the land to tremble. When the dust had settled, there stood Dave, the hero of Israel. After that, negotiations for surrender took place after the fall of Goliath. When the years had passed, Dave was crowned the new King of Israel, and he ruled the land with kindness and compassion in his heart. And that is the story of 'David and the Giant.'" the wizard said
When Yozora had finished his story, the moon was now behind a cloud as they reached the sunflower field on the Witch's hill. But, Yukari on the other hand, was quite moved by the story she heard.
"Wow, that was actually a great story. And the way you compared Dave to myself actually does make me feel a whole lot better about myself," she said with a smile, as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I'm glad you liked it. Sometimes telling a story about someone who's very much like you can actually make you special. You and David are sort of like kindred spirits," Yozora assured her.
Yukari smiled as she looked at the sunflowers, but then she felt a strong presence nearby. Quickly drawing her wand, she saw the silhouette of a woman who was older than her standing in the shadow of a nearby tree.
"Don't be afraid of me, my new friends," she said to them.
"Who are you!?" Yozora called to her.
The woman stepped forward as the moon shone down upon her. She was wearing a pink corset, a long black skirt with white frills, and black high-heeled shoes. Her hair was light brown and tied in two pony tails on both sides of her head, while she let the rest flow down naturally with some of her bangs resting on her forehead, and had two fringes framing her face. Her eyes were a bright mixture of red, brown, and pink. Yozora saw that she looked quite beautiful in that outfit.
"Hello there. My name is Ruby Tojo. A fellow witch who lives on this hill," she said, as her eyes met Yozora's mismatched eyes.
"Wow, you look beautiful," Yozora said.
"Oh! Why thank you. But more importantly you should know that both Yukari Sendo and I are more alike than you realize," she said to him, while stifling a giggle.
"Okay, how do you know Yukari?" he asked.
"Ah! When she came by this afternoon, I overheard both you and the rest of your friends call her by that name. I've been watching her since then. Never in my entire life would I meet another witch like her. I've come to ask her if she would like to be my friend, if it's all right with her, Yozora Ikeda," explained Ruby.
"You want to be my friend?" Yukari asked hesitantly, but the story of David and Goliath was still fresh in her mind.
"Of course we can! Since we're both witches, I want us to be best friends," Ruby said excitedly as she rushed to her side and hugged her.
Yozora was a bit surprised at first, but he shrugged his shoulders as he looked towards the horizon beyond.
"You okay with me being here?" he asked the other witch.
"Certainly, Yozora," Ruby said as she extended her hand to him.
Yozora smirked as he took Ruby's hand into his own and started shaking it. Back at the campsite, Miss Nekonome had managed to return with fresh food, when the others saw that Yozora and Yukari were not around with them.
"Uh, guys, have you seen Yukari and Yozora?" asked Tsukune.
Kurumu pulled out a flashlight, and pointed it towards the ground.
"I think I have a pretty good Idea where they've gone," Kurumu said nervously.
"Come on! Let's go find them!" said Moka.
In a rush the four friends quickly hurried to the Witch's hill.
Yozora, Yukari, and Ruby were all sitting next to each other as they stared at the sunflowers before them.
"I will say this Ruby, it's a very beautiful place," he said.
"Yes it is, but sadly the humans have done nothing but destroy it for their own selfish gains," replied Ruby.
"I overheard someone on the way here, that they've been working on a development project at this place," Yukari said.
"I'm afraid so, I intend to destroy them for letting their desires get to their head. I don't care if it's for justice or revenge, I just want them to know that witches are not to be trifled with. So I'm asking you to help me, from one mage to another," Ruby said to them.
Yukari didn't know what to say, but Yozora was starting to be a little skeptical about this other witch.
"I understand if you don't have an answer. Everything is in place for my perfect plan. We must ensure that her Ladyship's mission be fulfilled to the best of our abilities. After that, we can spend time together in her home," Ruby said.
"So when you say your ladyship, you're talking about-" Yozora said.
"Mm-hmm, Lady Oyakata. I want you both to meet her. With the four of us together, It'll be a glorious moment for us. So please, come with me," Ruby said as he extended her hand towards them.
Before Yukari and Yozora could decide, Tsukune arrived to see his friends standing near Ruby, who turned to face him with a look of shock and rage twisting her face.
"Tsukune, get back!" shouted Yozora.
"You! You've come to destroy what I hold most dear, accursed human scum!" the older witch said in a fierce tone.
In a flash, the plants on the ground soon began to change into monstrous iterations of venus fly traps. Quickly, Yozora called forth his crystal sword, and began hacking and slashing at the plant monster with ferocious determination which made Ruby more angry than before.
"TRAITOR!" she screamed.
But Yozora didn't flinch at that word, as he signaled Yukari to run for her life and gather reinforcements.
"Kill them! KILL THEM ALL!" she commanded.
"If you want Tsukune, your pals are gonna have to go through me, Tojo!" Yozora said to her.
But Yukari summoned forth a swarm of winged tarot cards which hacked and slashed at them, killing them instantly.
"I'll never join you, Ruby!" she said furiously, as she ran to Yozora and Tsukune's side.
"If you won't join me, then you can die along with them!" Ruby barked back.
"How about you take a rain check, Ruby!? Yukari is more than just mine and Tsukune's friend, she's part of our family! And we won't let you hurt him! Not now! Not ever!" Yozora said to her.
"Family? You ignorant fools! The only family I have left in this world is her Ladyship! Therefore, I'll sever that familial bond you have with them, with my own two hands!" shouted Ruby.
Yozora glared at her, as he pulled out his wand. He fired a full volley of fire spells at the plant monsters burning them to cinders and ashes in an instant.
"Impossible!" gasped the other witch.
"Yukari! With me!" Yozora said to her.
The witchling nodded, her eyes filled with renewed determination.
"Right! Lets go!" she said in agreement, as the connection between them gave them strength.
"Come forth, Ifrit! Lord of the Inferno!" they cried out.
A rift suddenly opened to the underworld, and in an instant, the sky became hellish red. Then a demonic creature emerged and landed with a loud crash. It glared darkly at Ruby who was in shock and awe at what she saw. Ifirit gathered whatever mana was around the area, and sent all the plant monsters scattering about in fear at this demonic presence. Finally, Ifirit leaped into the air and punched the ground hard, causing flames to erupted everywhere. He charged right at Ruby, and the flames began to seriously hurt her, making her scream in unrelenting pain and agony as everything became white around them.
"It's over Ruby!" Yozora said, as Moka, Mizore, and Kurumu arrived just in time to see that the battle was over.
"Oh, guys! You kind of missed some of the action," Tsukune said as he chuckled in embarrassment.
The three girls looked to see Yozora and Yukari standing triumphant over the defeated Ruby. But the wizard carefully picked up his apprentice in his arms and very carefully passed her to Kurumu.
"Even though we needed the other Moka's help, I'm actually proud of her for staying at both mine and Tsukune's side," Yozora assured her.
"I'm glad to hear that," replied Kurumu, and the others agreed with her.
"Why Yozora? Why would Yukari choose to be with this filth?" demanded Ruby.
"That's simple! You're far to blind by your Ladyship's ambitions to destroy humanity. But these three girl's, Tsukune, and I are what you call Yukari's family. Her heart has been telling her that ever since we first met her at Yokai Academy, a school that helps all types of monsters, forge strong social ties with humans. But know this, if you try anything to hurt anyone I have a strong bond with, I will change my mind! So for your sake, don't even think of changing my mind!" Yozora said, with his sword pointed at the other witch.
Everyone was surprised by what Yozora said, as they walked back to the campsite with the now exhausted Yukari in Kurumu's arms.
"Guess that's that then. If Yozora says that he's proud of Yukari for staying by my side, then I'm also proud of her," admitted Tsukune.
"Yeah, me too," agreed Moka.
"Also, when we found out that you hadn't returned, we also got worried about both you, Yukari, and Yozora," added Mizore.
"Well everything's all right now. So let's head back to camp," said Tsukune.
But as he was about to stand up, there came a slashing sound, followed by the sound of blood splattering all over the ground. Everyone turned and saw that Tsukune had been struck down and was in a state of near death.
"Foolishness, Yozora! Foolishness! I will bring Yukari back to my Ladyship, even if it means staining my hands in the blood of innocent humans! So says her ladyship!" Ruby said darkly.
But Yozora smirked at her.
"Sorry Ruby, but I also have another ace hidden up my sleeve," Yozora said confidently.
He raised his wand high up into the air.
"Come forth, Phoenix! Bird of life!" Yozora called to the heavens.
A shining red orb suddenly came down towards them, followed by several beams of light. Everyone stood watching in awe as the orb soon burst into flame. Soon it morphed into a flaming silhouette of what looked like a bird. When the flames died down, they saw a most beautiful sight before them. The Phoenix let out an ear splitting cry that made Ruby collapse to the ground in shock and dismay, as a brilliant white light surged towards the dying Tsukune and healed his wound instantly.
"No! How is this possible?" she asked before she fainted from the pain of the phoenix's cry.
Tsukune blinked in confusion, as Moka, Kurumu, and MIzore hugged him tightly, but Yozora took pity on the unconscious Ruby and picked her up in his arms.
"Let's head back to the campsite," he said.
Everyone nodded, but they were still a bit surprised that the wizard would pick up someone who was their foe. Tsukune understood that Yozora was actually a respectful individual, as Kurumu carefully placed his arm around her, after she passed Yukari over to Moka, so that she could carry her back to the campsite.
"I will admit, I thought this was the end of Tsukune. But your quick thinking actually saved him from death's door," said Mizore who was walking beside him.
"Yeah. Thank you, for watching out for him, Yozora," added Kurumu.
"Without you at our side, We would have lost something most precious to our own hearts," finished Moka.
Even Yukari smiled, as she slowly regained consciousness. But secretly she hoped that Ruby would still have some good within her, as they walked together in silence.