Chapter Five: Research
Mizore slowly opened her eyes. She flinched as she saw the emerald green eyes of Moka staring down at her, the pink haired vampire with a huge grin on her face.
"Good morning, Mizore-chan!" She exclaimed, Mizore about jumping out of her skin as she sat bolt upright, Moka's head slamming into her own.
"Owwww!" Moka whined, pouting as she rubbed her head.
"S-sorry." Mizore said, blushing, seeing Moka's attire, which happened to be a maid costume. "U-uh, Moka-san?"
"Yeah?" Moka grinned, looking absolutely adorable.
"U-uh, why are you wearing a maid costume?" Mizore asked.
"Because I'm gonna take care of you, silly!" Moka said, patting Mizore's head, the pale girl turning a nice shade of red once again. "You got hurt and even though that witch girl healed you, I'm gonna make sure you don't get hurt more! So, think of me as Moka-san, your personal bodyguard/maid."
"O-okay." Mizore blushed.
"Yay!" Moka grinned wider. "I tried to get Tsukune-kun to dress up as a butler, but he said no. I just told him to go get some soup and orange juice for you."
"B-but, I'm not sick." Mizore blushed.
"But, you could be." Moka held up one finger like a professor, trying to sound matter-of-fact, surprisingly looking the part. "It's best not to take chances."
"A-are you normally this protective with Tsukune-kun?" Mizore asked.
"Nope." Moka shrugged, the grin never leaving her face. "Tsukune-kun's never been sick around me before."
"O-oh." Mizore said. "W-well, I think I could use a little soup then."
"You're super cold!" Moka said, putting her gloved hand to her forehead. "You need warmth! Moka-san's got you covered."
Expecting her to pull a hot water bottle from somewhere, Mizore laid down. However, what she got was Moka climbing into the bed with her, wrapping her arms and legs around her in a hug. Mizore turned several shades of crimson before her heart stopped beating so fast, the sudden close contact making her super woozy. She began to ponder it: it was odd she acted this way around Moka, even though it was super close. Could she have stronger feelings for Moka? She pushed the thought away. It wasn't the case. Besides, Moka was hugging her in her own way to warm up her naturally cold body.
"Are you getting warmer?" Moka asked, Mizore nodding slightly as Moka pulled the covers over them, up to their chins.
"This is so cozy." Moka yawned, smacking her lips together cutely. "Imma gonna crash, alright, Mizore-chan?"
"O-okay." Mizore said, wrapping her arms around Moka as the vampire fell asleep, snuggling close. Even though Mizore knew Moka wasn't being flirty, it still caused her heart to beat faster. The close contact with one of her first (and only) friends made her feel good inside, not necessarily romantically (despite the implications one could have from seeing them), but it definitely made her feel good.
"Sweetie, I—" Tsurara peeked into the room, seeing Moka snoring away and holding Mizore, who was just about to drift off. "Oh, never mind. You two look tired. Have fun."
Mizore blushed, feeling the pull of sleep call her back into itself, the two soon sleeping away.
Later
Tsukune walked into the room, holding the things he'd said he was going to get, a confused look on his face as he saw the two sleeping in Mizore's bed.
"Odd." He said to himself. "I thought we were supposed to be making her breakfast. Oh well. I'll just head downstairs then."
Tsukune headed downstairs, seeing Tsurara with her ear outside of Mizore's door, listening in to eavesdrop.
"Uh, Miss Tsurara?" Tsukune asked. "What are you doing?"
"Tryin' to intrude on my daughter's friendships." Tsurara grinned slightly.
"Uhhh, okay." Tsukune said, shrugging. He left to leave her to what she was doing, heading downstairs and making himself a bowl of cereal since Tsurara had told them they were allowed.
Tsukune bit his lower lip when he'd brought Mizore into the house the previous day, nearly unconscious because she hadn't fully recovered from the attack from Kyoko. He'd had the hardest time coming up with a story, but Tsurara didn't seem to be having any of it. She gave Moka a good long stare, intimidating even the normally cheery vampire to a small degree. It had not been fun for either.
Her gaze had lingered particularly long at Moka's rosary. Tsukune had noted her gaze seemed a little analytical… almost as if she knew what it was for and maybe even what Moka was. However, if she did know she didn't let on. She was remarkably good at hiding her true questions, but still giving them reasonable answers. Tsukune was nervous for how much she'd do to learn. Could he trust her if she pried too much? Kyoko was the same way once.
Kyoko… Tsukune sighed as he thought of her, biting his lip as he clenched a fist. He'd never seen this side of her before, ever. He didn't even think she would go this far, even under her self-proclaimed title of his 'protector'. He didn't think she'd become… that. He didn't know what made her like that, but he couldn't shake the quiet nagging fear in his mind. IT terrified him that he'd seen her become a monster. Though, as he thought about it, there was the possibility she was one already and had never snapped like this. Whatever it was, they needed answers.
Unfortunately, he knew the witch girl was unreliable. He didn't know if he could trust her at all, despite the fact he couldn't tell she was bad. He'd always had a slightly better sense of who might be good and who might be bad. It wasn't sure-fire, but it was decent.
The question he had to ask himself was what he was could to do if Kyoko showed up again. He was powerless to fight her, but he didn't want to rely on Moka to do all the work. He decided that if he was going to do something it would be to research what Kyoko had become and see what he could do against it.
"Vampire Moka had called her a hybrid." Tsukune muttered to himself. "Perhaps I should start there. I'll grab Moka and Mizore and we'll head to the library when they wake up. That should be what we need."
"What was that dearie?" Tsurara walked into the room.
"Oh, I was talking to myself." Tsukune said.
"What about?" Tsurara sat down across from him, sipping some coffee.
"N-nothing." Tsukune stuttered.
"You know" Tsurara said. "I'd believe you, but you seem suspicious about it. What are you hiding?"
"N-nothing." Tsukune stuttered again.
"I'll ask this one more time." Tsurara said. "What happened to my daughter?"
"I…" Tsukune gulped. He was backed into a corner here. He knew he couldn't reveal the existence of the monster world to her or there could be problems. On the other hand, she might think he and Moka did something. And, telling her wouldn't put Moka in danger directly.
"Why does she have a strange aura coming from that place on her cheek that looks like a mark?" Tsurara pushed forth a new question. Tsukune's breath hitched. She could sense auras? This could definitely be a problem.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about." He stammered.
"Oh, I see." Tsurara's gaze pierced into him. "you are a pure human. My apologies. I expected you to know about the aura. Moka would."
"What?" Tsukune asked, confused as to what Tsurara was getting at.
"My family is part of a group that used to converse with monsters as allies. We learned to pick up their auras, but we remained pure humans."
"S-so…" Tsukune gulped.
"I am well aware Moka is a vampire." Tsurara said. "Now, tell me what happened to my daughter. I'd hate to have to force it out of you. I do quite like you, Tsukune."
"She was attacked." Tsukune said, sighing. "Moka was attacked by my cousin, who had become what Moka's vampire half had called a "hybrid". Kyoko hit Mizore and that's where the mark came from."
"A hybrid, you say?" Tsurara asked, thinking. "That's a rare thing. Was she a monster previously?"
"I don't know." Tsukune shrugged. "I truly don't. I assumed she was human, but I'm not sure. She did have a severe personality change though. Very violent towards Moka."
"Seems like she's experiencing harsher emotions that she already had." Tsurara said. "It happens in new converts to hybridity."
"What?" Tsukune asked. "How do you become a hybrid?"
"Monster blood." Tsurara said. "You three should research it. I don't know much. It's said to be forbidden, but the monster community hasn't shown itself much in the human world these days. If you want to find them, you'll have to find the entryway. I think you should remain here though. It's dangerous on the other side and I don't want my daughter to get hurt more than she already is."
"Alright, Miss Shirayuki." Tsukune nodded.
"Thank you." Tsurara said. "Now, how about something better than cereal?"
"Huh?" Tsukune asked.
"Well, I was going to make myself something." Tsurara sipped her coffee. "If you want some, I can make you some."
"I'm good, but thanks." Tsukune said.
"Your loss." Tsurara shrugged. "Those two are out like lights."
"I saw." Tsukune said.
"I think you need something to get you started on your research." Tsurara said, exiting the room and returning with a book with an archaic symbol, being about the size of a textbook, setting it down on the table. "This is a compendium of monsters. It tells a lot about them and can give data on hybrids as well. Use this as the basis of your research."
"Uh, thanks." Tsukune said, nodding as he took it.
"You are welcome." Tsurara said, smirking as she entered the kitchen.
Tsukune finished his cereal, heading back up to Mizore's room, sitting down on the floor and cracking open the book, opening to a random page.
"Succubus." He read out loud, but quiet enough to not wake the two girls sleeping. "A monster that feeds off love and lust. These monsters are all female, the male variety being known as an incubus. Note: Mancubus is an incorrect term, being known to be associated with another monster. The succubus is capable of making illusions and exceptionally powerful ones are capable of making their illusions deal real-world damage. A succubus is capable of falling in love, however, this can be a weakness as they will begin to die if their love is not requited. However, their biggest strength is that they can control people with their "Charm" abilities, turning them. The succubus can take control of straight males of any species except their own as well as homosexual and bisexual women of any species save their own. They are also capable of taking control of bi-curious women as well of any species save their own. The reverse is true for incubus. A kiss will cause the one kissed to be a lover or slave to the succubus/incubus permanently, though a succubus/incubus only uses this on one they deem as their "bonded one". If a being has natural feelings for the succubus/incubus outside of the charm, the kiss will only cause them to confess their feelings openly and act upon them with no slavery effect. Succubi/incubi also capable of flight and on average can fly at up to sixty miles per hour in a straight line. However, their fighting skills are lacking, their charms used to disarm their opponents before much damage is done. However, they have claws, which are sharp enough to cut through a solid tree. Caution level is three out of ten."
"Yeesh." Tsukune said. "first entry and I'm already nervous. I'll look this stuff up later… though, I should look up 'hybrid' and 'witch' to see what I can find about those two."
Tsukune flipped the book open to the back, finding that the pages were listed. He opened the book to the page entitled "Witch".
"Witch." Tsukune read out loud. "Monsters/human offspring that come from magic wielding monsters or other witches, witches are skilled in magic. The skill of magic depends on the parent's skills, but is not limited to them. All witches are able to summon monsters, but the more youkai a witch has, the more potent this is. Witches are by nature bisexual, but are typically drawn to a specific gender, which depends on the specific witch. A witch has the same vulnerabilities as a human, but these are slightly less so due to their magic and monster genetics. There are several types of magic a witch is capable of using. Among them are elemental, summoning, light, dark, necromancy, and goddess. Witches are seen as outcasts due to their genetics, however, they are not as scorned as hybrids (see "hybrid"). This is due to the fact that they are truly neither human nor monster. Caution level is three to seven of ten."
Tsukune looked up to see that Moka and Mizore were still sleeping, causing him to delve deeper into the book, flipping to the page marked "Hybrid".
"Hybrid." He read. "Not to be confused with the species Witch or the simple offspring of humans or monsters (see Dichot), hybrids are typically brought about by creation, not birth. The Chimera was originally thought to be a hybrid, but has since been reclassified. A hybrid is the result of a human being infected with monster blood. A hybrid's design is unpredictable and the true form varies depending on the monster or monsters used for the transfusion of blood. The human will still retain a human form, but will transform into a hybrid if the battle forces them to. A hybrid's capabilities are varying due to the many possible combinations of monster blood types that can be a part of the experiment. However, this is not a concern as typically, they are weaker monsters. A hybrid is not to be confused with the being created from a Vampire's transfusion through their fangs to a human (see: Ghoul, see: Dhampir) due to the blood being filtered as it passes through the fangs. A hybrid may have the same weaknesses of the monsters it is created from, though this is not a universal case, due to the varying amounts of blood. Caution level is unknown."
"Interesting." Tsukune said. "That explains Kyoko. But, I have to figure out how to cure her. Though, that was interesting what it said about vampires. I'll just look them up real quick.
Turning to the correct page, Tsukune began to read once again.
"Vampire" he was impressed by the vampire used as a picture. "A being of exceptionally powerful strength. They are capable of becoming mist, mouse, or bat, though depending on their training or their condition, they may not be able to hold the form for long. A vampire drinks blood from living things, particularly humans are their preferred meals due to the taste of blood, though they are not required to do this. There are filters in a vampire's fangs, which removes disease from either direction of blood flow, which keeps a vampire healthy and prevents a human or monster that a Vampire transfuses blood to from becoming diseased by the blood, despite the side effects (see: Ghoul, see: Dhampir). A classification of Vampire known as a Shinso is said to be the gods of Vampires in terms of power, being many multiples of times stronger than a common vampire. However, this race is extinct due to the wars and fights of vampire clans (see: Vampire Wars, see: Alucard). The Vampire is unable to drink the blood of a dead being as the corpse has natural poison in it that not even a Vampire can resist. A stake to the heart is said to be a weakness, but that was dismissed due to it being the weakness of literally every being on the planet. A Vampire has strength many times that of an average human, being able to easily out preform even the strongest humans. Their speed is also impressive, but is not faster than a speed based being such as a Werewolf. Their senses are much greater, being resemblant of the senses of the animals they are capable of becoming. Their reflexes are on par with sound waves in some instances, though not many monsters dare go up against a Vampire alone. The Vampire is rumored to be the strongest of all monsters, though, this has yet to be proven by human or monster. Caution level is six to ten out of ten."
"Wow." Tsukune's eyes widened as he set the book down. He looked at Moka, who began to stir, yawning herself awake as she shook Mizore gently.
"Wake up, Mizore-chan." She whispered. Mizore's eyes blinked open to see Moka looking at her with a grin. She hugged her close, getting out of her bed, stretching her arms and legs.
"I hope you slept well, Mizore-chan!" Moka grinned. "Because we need to go and do some research! We have to find out what we're up against and I'm gonna make sure no one hurts my friends ever again!"
"That's so sweet of you, Moka-san." Mizore said, blushing as she got out of bed. "O-oh, uh, Tsukune-kun. You're back."
"Yeah." Tsukune nodded, standing up. "I was given this book by your mother. It's like a compendium of monsters. I think we should use it too."
"I wondered where she got that." Mizore looked at it. "She said that it was passed down from her mother to her to me one day."
"well, I think we should also look at the library." Tsukune said. "It'd be good for us to get a different perspective as well."
"That's a great idea, Tsukune-kun!" Moka grinned, tackling Tsukune in a hug. "It's so great I could kiss you! But, I'll do the next best thing!"
Moka then bit down on Tsukune's neck, sucking out some of his blood.
"Moka." Tsukune said when she finished, the pink haired vampire wiping her mouth on her sleeve.
"Yeah?" She asked, looking at him and tilting her head like a curious puppy.
"A little warning next time." Tsukune pat her on the head, which caused her to giggle.
"I make no promises!" She grinned, holding up her hand and laughing. "Now, let's get some food!"
"It's odd how you feed off of our blood and still have the room to pack in five times what we eat." Tsukune said. "It's like you have a black hole for a stomach."
"I wish!" Moka said. "Then I could eat all I want and not get any weight… though I suppose I'm a vampire, so I wouldn't anyway… oh well, I'm super hungry!"
"You'd definitely fit in if you were in a manga or anime." Tsukune smirked, Mizore letting out a giggle she hid behind her hand.
"That would be so cool!" Moka said, putting her hands to her cheeks and gasping. "I'd love to be in a story like Fairy Tail or Dragon Ball! Imagine what I'd be able to do there!"
"I wouldn't mind seeing you shoot a Kamehameha myself." Mizore giggled.
"That would be so cool!" Moka grinned, striking the iconic pose to fire the iconic attack. "I'd be all like this and then like this!"
Moka made the pose to "fire" her imaginary Kamehameha, making the sound effects like a child would make when playing with cars.
"I think you'd fit in very nicely." Mizore couldn't holding her giggles as she grabbed her sides, falling to the floor laughing.
"That's the first time I've seen her laugh like that." Tsukune said with a chuckle. "I think it really suits her."
"Yeah!" Moka pumped a fist in the air. "I got Mizore-chan to laugh! This is a great day!"
"You can say that again." Tsukune laughed at the joy of his two best friends, the three of them laughing as they then began to discuss what they planned to do about the Kyoko situation (but not without Moka saying she was "Super Vampire Power Hungry" a few times).
Elsewhere—two weeks later
"Seems you failed." Kurumu said, stroking Kyoko's face as the new hybrid laid her head on the succubus' lap.
"I did, mistress." Kyoko sighed.
"God, I love the sound of that." Kurumu smirked. "But, ya don't gotta call me that. They'll get mad at us."
"Okay, Kurumu." Kyoko sighed again. "I just don't understand how Moka was so powerful."
"Vampire." Kurumu said. "They're extremely powerful. Best not mess with them in human form."
"I didn't have time to transform." Kyoko said, shifting to look up at Kurumu. "She beat me too fast."
"We'll need that Shirayuki girl." Kurumu said. "They said that she's important."
"What for?" Kyoko asked. "Beating Moka?"
"Most likely." Kurumu said. "I guess you need more training for your monster form."
"I do." Kyoko said, sighing again. "It's odd to me that I confide most in you, especially considering how we met."
"Well" Kurumu said. "I don't say this to most people, but you kinda grew on me. You're kinda cute."
A slight blush creeped across Kyoko's face as the smirk on Kurumu's grew larger.
"So, cutie." The succubus said. "You given any thought to my proposal?"
"I would like to." Kyoko said. "But, I am unsure how this will work… I'm only bi-curious after all."
"that's what the charm's for." Kurumu shrugged. "Getcha to feel it a little more."
"Oh." Kyoko said. "Well, what did you call it? That thing you want me to become?"
"Chosen." Kurumu said. "I'll letcha think about it."
"So…" Kyoko asked. "What was Yukari talking about when she said not to trust the people you work for?"
"Well" Kurumu said. "Hellsing is unpredictable. Yukari's paranoid. Thinks they'll turn on us."
"Would they?" Kyoko asked, her eyes widening.
"I wouldn't put it past 'em." Kurumu said. "But, let's not give you any paranoid thoughts, shall we? Last thing the fresh meat needs is a scare."
"O-okay." Kyoko said. "But, what about you? Yukari's ready to run at any second, but what about you?"
"I'm gonna make sure I can get away unscathed." Kurumu said. "Gotta make sure I can escape with everything that's mine, ya know."
"Okay." Kyoko said. "It's odd… I feel this strange burning hatred for Moka, but… I don't know why. It's not like her personality's weird. I just don't like her. Like there's something I don't like and it's not just her being with Tsuki."
"Tsuki?" Kurumu asked, her tone shifting.
"My cousin." Kyoko said. "He's the one I mentioned earlier."
"Oh." Kurumu said. Kyoko noticed her tone sounded… relieved. She counted this odd, considering how the succubus had essentially tried to make her a sex slave to her for the first week of her time there, though there was something that seemed to change after she'd gone after Moka.
"I think I could use some training." Kyoko said.
"Alright, fresh meat." Kurumu smirked. "Let's go."
Kyoko rolled her eyes at the succubus' nickname she'd given her, following her to the training room.
With Mizore—that night
The icy blue haired girl slept soundly in her bed, Moka in the next room over, having alternated sleeping in her friends' houses upon Tsukune's request. She had wanted to sleep in Mizore's room, but Tsurara had insisted she sleep in a different room, claiming that she didn't need to 'get any ideas'. Though, Moka hadn't understood what she meant, it had caused Mizore to blush, despite the fact she knew her mother was teasing.
However, as Mizore slept, she obviously didn't notice the figure enter her room stealthily. She did notice, however, as the figure grabbed her, clamping a hand over her mouth to silence her as she dragged her over to the wall, binding her wrists and tying a cloth around her mouth as well as her eyes. Mizore was trembling with fear, tears coming to her eyes as the figure slung her over their shoulder, carrying her down the stairs.
However, Moka came out of her room, looking down at them. It took her a second to register what she was seeing, but when she did, her protective nature took over.
"Give her back!" She shouted, leaping over the railing, landing on the floor in front of the figure. The figure seemed to disappear into thin air, a cold feeling entering Moka as she ran outside, shouting for the figure to give Mizore back.
Later
Mizore felt herself be slammed down into a chair, being then tied to it. She heard someone approach, the sound of heels clicking on the floor. The tears hadn't stopped coming, but she was close to out of them, her trembling increasing as she tried to also focus on not soiling herself.
"Oh, don't struggle." The feminine, regal sounding voice made her feel even more fear. "Soon you will become what you truly are capable of becoming. Trust in your priestess. You will become what I will make you: a Yuki-Onna."
Oh no! What's going to happen to Mizore?! Will the others be able to find her?! Find out soon!
Oh, and note: Mizore is human.