CH 12
Besides the destruction people had to face due to the super typhoon, most had lost their jobs. The economy was destroyed in Tsukune's home town. Aide was coming in to feed people and give them emergency shelter, but their income as well as everything else they had was lost.
The Aono Construction company was making headway, but not fast enough. Moka and Tsukune had to make a decision on what to do. To go any faster would be dangerous, for humans might well learn yokai existed. Then again, from the Alucard battle, Tsukune was pretty sure many people had already found that out.
Getting ready to go out for another night of building houses, Yukari asked, "Moka, we can work faster if my parents help."
"We will need more workers also. That would mean hiring humans," Moka stated.
There to see them off, Tsukune though hard about that. "They do need jobs," he said in a musing tone. "And let's face it, they already have a good idea yokai are real anyway."
"Tsukune," Moka said evenly. "That is a big risk. Human help may be beneficial at the moment, but exposing ourselves like that will be dangerous in the long run."
"And if all they know about yokai is they fight and causing trouble?" Tsukune asked her. "Won't that be more dangerous to us? I don't think we have a choice. We need to show humanity we can be helpful also. We need to show them we can be beneficial."
Moka frowned. "You take a big risk, my Blood Mate. One that will affect everyone for centuries to come and many will not agree with your actions."
Tsukune nodded. "That is true, but like I said, we have no choice in the matter."
"Very well," Moka said and hugged him. "Let's hope for the best."
.
Jessica got dressed for work and was ready when Moka and her crew arrived. "I've got to go," she announced. She hugged Kasumi then Koji, adding a kiss as he held her. She grabbed her lunch box, folded her ears and clapped her hard hat on.
Instead of marching out the door, Moka stopped them. "Tonight, we're changing our plans," she announced. "Yukari, make more signs, saw horses and yellow caution tape. We're going to close off this section of the street and finish it. After this block is done, we'll move on to the next one. Jessica and Josette, take the truck and the items Yukari makes and put up the road blocks at the intersections to close off this street. Betty you will be at one road block to caution people away, Tanya, you'll be at the other. Ruby, Yukari, get this block rebuilt whether we have a contract to make the building or not."
"We will, Moka," Ruby said firmly.
Jessica drove to the right side intersection first. They put up the roadblock and left Betty there with her 'Warning, construction in progress' sign, they drove to the other end and put up the road block there. They were finishing as a news van rolled up to stop on the other side of their block.
.
Moka had a list of the places they had done, and the ones they didn't have contracts for yet. She made sure she got the addresses for the ones they were doing tonight, as Yukari began on one side of the street, an Ruby on the other. Starting at one intersection, they worked their way to the other casing spells that flung houses back together.
Jessica sped up to Moka and pointed back the way she came. "Moka! There's a news van and reporters with a camera! What do we do?"
"Go back, tell them I'll be right there to speak to them." Moka replied.
.
Satori got an early morning phone call at home to say one of his investigators had vital news and to come in as soon as possible. Satori did, thinking his man had found something important.
Getting to his office, Satori noted a fax had come in. Picking up the single page that was an offer for employment, he read :
Aono Construction company needs workers
Labor for cleanup and disposal, drivers with trucks, traffic directors, radio communication operators desperately needed. Also looking for talented Witches - Witches must be approved by Aono Moka and Tojou Ruby.
Pay at standard rates for the position filled, paid daily at the end of the work day. Apply at the corner of Cherry blossom and 4th in the temporary yellow building on the corner. Work clothes supplied as needed, lunches free.
Satori's mouth dropped open. Below the announcement was a written note, this was posted at the downtown shelter.
Aono Construction was hiring workers and Witches? Why advertise for Witches?
A secretary stuck her head in and said, "Sir! The news is on, you have to see this!"
Satori ran to the lounge where everyone else was gathered, glued to the large TV. The scene was night time, the camera was focused on a silver haired women with red cat's pupil eyes, her arms folded across her chest. She wore workmen's clothes and a red hardhat. He recognized her. This was the one being carried by a young man in a photo.
" … Yes, we are yokai." The woman said. "And this town has been destroyed by a natural disaster. I discovered that by normal methods, the people here will be homeless for many months. Even after they regain their homes, they will not be the same as what people left them. The rebuilds will be cheaper and they still will not have any of their personal items they once had. My husband and I think that is a rotten shame, so we made Aono Construction to give people back what they had."
Behind the woman a maelstrom of materials flew in the air. When the mini cyclone did stop swirling, a house now stood there, perfectly intact.
"Ma'am…" the woman with the mike asked, "Do you plan to reconstruct the entire town?"
"Every place we can get the contract for. My name is Aono Moka, by the way." Moka told her.
"This is utterly amazing! Do you know anything about that alleged monster battle that happened a few months ago?"
Moka cracked a grin and said, "I should, I was in the middle of it …"
A man in the room stood up, recognizing her. "Yes, She was in one of the photos!" he cried.
"SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!" the people behind him barked. He sat.
" … and yes, we did stop those who planned on destroying humanity," Moka explained. "We do not usually make ourselves known, but the sheer size of that battle, and this tragedy demanded we reveal ourselves. The scale of destruction here is so large, we need help to get things back in order."
"Do you think human contractors will be upset that you are taking their jobs?" the reporter asked.
Moka let out a snort and said, "If they were so concerned, where are they? I have not seen any sign of them. Two badly ruined towns, and not a single one had even looked at these places let alone move equipment in! These people here need their homes back, and those human contractors have only begun to offer bids! I have heard it will be months before they even get started. We have not made a large impact yet, but at least we are here, trying to get people back into their homes. And any local people who want a job, are welcome to work for us. As I said, we need more help."
"But, they need to get contracts, permits and arrange inspections." the reported explained.
"So do we," Moka stated. "I got all the official paperwork right after the winds settled. We saw the destruction, and we acted. I already got the forms to apply for the building inspections for these places we are finishing tonight. The same with the insurance paperwork. It's not hard if you work diligently at it. I know if my home was destroyed, I would want it back as soon as possible. To lose ones home is a very traumatic experience. Would you not agree?"
In the scene behind them, another whirlwind of lumber and other materials turned into a house.
"Yes … do you plan to rebuild this entire town?"
"We don't have the resources," Moka replied. "We will do all we can, but there are thousands of homes here. Even with extra help, we may be able to do a quarter of the town, at best. I am hoping local people will apply, most have lost their jobs and businesses. The economy here is shattered. That needs to be reconstructed also."
Another whirlwind on the other side of the street came together in a house. The reporter said, "Since we've been talking, six more houses have been rebuild. I take it this is magic?"
"It is, we have talented witches, but we need more," Moka told her.
"Insurance companies pay for houses to be rebuilt with magic?"
"They better pay up," Moka stated. "They contracted with homeowners and took their money for the premiums. They owe it to the homeowners to honor their contracts."
"But, you aren't spending any money to rebuilt."
"We are. Not in normal materials, but magic is not free. Neither is cleaning the place up," Moka explained. "Our form of rebuilding is not that same, but we do spend much time and money on other items we need to do it. We also do not price gouge, as others are known to do. We only take what the insurance company promised to pay the homeowner. It's a matter of honor."
The reporter chuckled. "I must say, what we've seen here tonight is incredible! Is there any reason you work at night?"
Moka shrugged and said, "Mainly, to keep people from becoming nervous, and to stay out of the way of their daily affairs. Plus we have other things to do as well."
The reporter bowed and said, "Aono Moka, thank you so much for talking with me and the best of luck on your efforts!"
Moka returned her bow. "You are welcome. I must get back to work now. Have a good evening."
The rest was the reporter talking to her anchor. Satori was shocked that Aono Moka told everything on live TV. When she was talking, he'd noticed the fangs in her mouth. There were real yokai, and they were here! He quickly went back to his office to pass this information on. This was earth shattering news!
.
Tsukune was at an MBI board meeting listening to their progress on recent projects. Donations to the places ravaged by the typhoon were helping with food and shelter for displaced people, and two other construction companies and electric companies were at work in the coastal areas cleaning up and restoring power with the help of MBI money. The MBI hospital had many storm victims, as the local hospitals were filled to capacity.
The damage done by the storm was huge, but recovery was in progress.
With all the donations MBI was giving out, the company was still making a slim profit. Sales of new equipment to Australia, New Zealand, the US, England and Europe was mostly paying for the storm assistance. Even keeping many victims in the hospital free of charge was not putting a large dent in the on site medical profits. Takami and Minato were handling the affairs of MBI well.
A couple long time members were not happy they were not making six billion yen a day, but people needed to be helped. The high profits would return once this disaster was taken care of.
At the end of the meeting, Chiho came in and told Tsukune, "There's a man from the Emperor's Palace here to see you."
"Have him wait in my office," Tsukune told her.
"He's right outside. I think it's urgent," Chiho explained.
"Lead the way," Tsukune told her and followed her out.
.
The woman Satoshi talked to came out of the meeting room with a fairly normal looking young man. Satoshi recognized him immediately. "Aono Tsukune?" he asked.
Tsukune bowed and said, "Yes, I am Aono Tsukune. Come with me to my office, please. You are?"
"Yes, sorry. I am Arita Satoshi. I am the director of paranormal affairs for the Emperor," Satoshi said, embarrassed that he hadn't introduced himself.
"So, we are being noticed," Tsukune said absently.
"I came to verify some rumors and find out what that big battle a short while back was about," Satoshi told him.
Coming to his office, Tsukune led him and Chiho in. Tsukune opened the door to his inner office to find his chair was facing the window. The chair spun around to show Kurumu in a pink edged black 'sleeper' kimono that looked incredibly sexy. The top was open with enough to show a good portion of her breasts.
"Tsukune!" Kurumu cried happily, then seeing a man behind him she squeaked out an "Eeek!" and quickly slid behind the desk, out of sight.
With a sigh, Tsukune stopped and said, "Kurumu, I am at work now."
Kurumu got herself tighter and closed up her clothes. Getting up with a blush on her face, she smiled sheepishly. "I'll see you at home," she said and hurried out past the men. She shut the door as she left.
"That was Kurumu. Please, have a seat," Tsukune told Satoshi.
"A friend of yours?" Satoshi asked as he sat down.
"My mistress," Tsukune replied. "Kurumu is wonderful, but at times she doesn't think things through before she acts." He took his seat and asked, "So what can I do for you?"
"There has been trouble with … unknown forces battling in Japan, causing injuries and property damage. You are one of those who I have identified as being mixed up in it." Satoshi explained. "The Emperor is very worried that our people are in danger."
Tsukune nodded and said, "He is right to be worried, but now, the danger is past. I suppose you know by now that yokai are real?"
"There is much proof of such, yes. Are you a yokai?"
"My whole family is, except for Chiho, who escorted you to see me," Tsukune replied. "The big battle you are referring to was us, stopping evil yokai from coming to destroy humanity. They thought of humans as worthless and were jealous that you take up most of every land mass. Yes, there was damage done, but it would have been much, much worse if we hadn't stopped them. Even here, the former CEO was using a yokai called Sekerei to battle against each other in the city. He thought it was great fun to watch women fight and kill each other. Again, we stopped him. MBI no longer does experiments young women, nor promotes fighting for the demented pleasure of that individual. I don't tolerate cruelty."
"There are good and bad yokai, that's what you're saying?" Satoshi asked.
"There are good and bad humans as well, are there not?" Tsukune asked.
"There are," Satoshi agreed. "I am surprised you are so straight forward. I was expecting denials of what we suspect."
"Why?" Tsukune asked. "I will tell you that due to human fear, most yokai do not let themselves be known as such. Fear causes hate, which causes big trouble. Witch burnings, killing any known yokai humans are capable of killing. They have good reason to hide. That battle you speak of, we had no choice but to expose ourselves to humans, if humans were to survive. Believe me, many yokai are not happy that happened. Humans know we're here now. That is making them very nervous. Many expect humans to lash out at whoever they even suspect is a yokai."
"There are many yokai?" Satoshi asked. "Here?"
Tsukune let out a snort and said, "Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they aren't around. Yes, there's many, everywhere. The vast majority walk the streets and have their jobs and families just like humans do. The only difference is they have to hide what they are, so others don't scream in fear and try to hurt them. In the high school I went to, one of the classes that was required to do well in was how to act human. How to hide yourself so no one notices you. You saw Moka on the news, didn't you?"
"I did. She looked rather… strange. I also saw house just putting themselves together," Satoshi said. "You are related to Aono Moka?"
"She's my wife," Tsukune stated. "She runs our construction company that we made so people can have their homes back faster than many months."
"What is she?" Satoshi asked.
"Powerful, beautiful and brave," Tsukune told him. "I owe her everything, she is the best person I have ever met."
"Are your parents yokai also?"
Tsukune grinned. "No, I was turned and telling them about it was … let's said Mom kept fainting and Dad refused to believe it until I showed him. Mom has accepted Moka and the others, even though she's not very pleased. Mom does understand that even though Moka can be scary at times, she has a big heart and is loyal to her family."
The intercom spoke. "Tsukune, Musubi is here. She wants to know where your girls have been. They are real crowd pleasers in the sparing contests."
Tsukune keyed his intercom, "Chiho, tell Musibi we've been very busy. Once things calm down, I'm sure they will be participating again. Right now, we have a huge workload."
A giggle sounded then, "Musubi says she understands."
Tsukune suddenly had an idea. "Chiho, could you send Musubi in, please?" he asked.
The door swung open, Musubi entered with her bouncy walk, making her oversized breasts jiggle. "Tsukune! Are you overworking all your women?" she asked with a frown.
"There are people without homes, they are working to rebuild an entire town," Tsukune told her. He motioned to Satoshi and asked, "Could you show Satoshi here your sparing arena?" To Satoshi, he said, "Musubi made a place where woman can spar for fun and exercise."
"It's popular too!" Musubi announced with her fists up. "Everyone loves to see Moka and Karasuba go at it! They move soo fast and no one else can even touch them!" she said in an excited voice.
Satoshi had to return the excited girl's smile. "Yes, I would like that," he said.
"Then come on!" Musubi said and pulled him up out of the chair. "Tsukune you should come too! Minato's coming."
Tsukune got up. He figured he should monitor Satoshi anyway. He followed them out.
On the way, Satoshi asked, "Tsukune, I have to ask, what does Moka think about these 'girls' of yours and your mistress?"
Tsukune grinned and said, "There's a difference here between human and yokai. Human men ask a woman to marry them. Yokai women tell the man he will be their mate. Yes, Moka is my wife and Blood Mate. Her older sister Kahula is my wife, I am also Mizore's winter husband, Kurumu's Destined One, and Karasuba and Uzume's Ashikabi, as well as Ruby's Master. Moka decreed Kurumu is my mistress because Kurumu will not take no for an answer, and Moka decided not to kill her. Believe it or not, they all get along fairly well. They haven't even gotten into a big fight with each other since high school. That's where we all met, and just … stayed together. You see, different species of yokai have different names for their mate, but all those names mean the same thing. Once a yokai girl decides you're the one for her, that's it. It's accept her or one of you dies."
"They kill to get their mate?" Satoshi asked, surprised by this.
"If they have to, or they might die if rejected," Tsukune explained. "Kahlua was to the point, I win and marry her, or I die. Period."
"What do you mean win?"
"Just what I said. She came at me, blades swinging. I beat her and take her as a wife, or she was going to chop me into sushi," Tsukune stated. "She desperately wanted to live with us."
"That is a pretty violent method of mating," Satoshi noted.
"It is. Yokai women want their men strong, so they can protect their family." Tsukune told him.
Satoshi asked Musubi, "You you have a mate you share?"
With a beaming smile, Musubi announced, "I do! Minato is my Ashikabi. Matsu, Kusano, Tsukiumi, Kazehanna, and Homura are Minato's Sekerei as well."
.
Satoshi's head spun from the things he was being told. He was also surprised at the 'sparing arena' in the park. The long bleachers were roughly half full, with only a third of the couple hundred people here being men. Tsukune took a seat, Musubi strode out to the edge of the large circle of the sparing area. The crowd applauded at seeing her. She raised her fists over her head.
Miya announced, "Benisubasa, Musubi's here!"
A thin smaller girl in at torn up kimono ran out onto the field. "Come on, Musibi, let's do it!"
Musubi ran out to face her across a small circle in the middle, fists up.
"Ready!" Miya called out, then blew her whistle.
Sitting by Tsukune, Satoshi watched the girls charge each other fast, punching and blocking. To him, it looked like a frantic fight. He could hear the wind from their rapid movements, and when one connected with a punch to knock the other away, he heard the impact. He swore each blow had to be devastating, but they shot back up and charged in again to keep at it.
It ended when the Benisubasa girl missed a hard swing at Musubi's head, and Musubi hit her with an uppercut the knocked Benisubasa in the air to land outside the outer boundary circle.
Miya blew her whistle and announced. "Benisubasa, out of bounds, match over."
A cheer went up for Musubi. Benisubasa got up and grumbled her way back to the bleachers. For how intense they had been fighting, neither girl seemed hurt at all. Except for a grumble from Benisubasa, hey were even in good spirits.
Satori sat with Tsukune and watched a few more matches. "They look like they should be hurting each other," he said vacantly.
"This is play for them," Tsukune told him. "A real fight wound be much more devastating, believe me. Remember, they are not human." As Tsukune spoke, he noticed Kahlua, Uzume and Karasuba come up to Miya, all three wearing ballet tights which caused the men to cheer. Tsukune let out a sigh. "It figures," he said.
Kahlua talked with Miya, gesturing to the other two white tu-tu wearing women. Satori saw Tsukune watching them with a frown, and asked, "You now those women?"
"The one with the tiera is Kahlua, Moka's sister. The blond is Karasuba, then brunette is Uzume. This should be interesting," Tsukune replied.
"Who wishes to practice with Uzume?" Kiya asked.
A few girls got up to come over. Miya picked Haihane, the girl with the torn up clothes and her body wrapped up in bandages. Going to stand on either side of the small white circle in the middle, Uzume and Haihane bowed to each other and set themselves to fight. Haihane took an aggressive pose, Uzume cross her arms over her head, slightly bent, and one leg behind the other in a dance pose.
Miya blew the whistle.
Haihane rushed in, Uzume spun in place. The spin knocked Haihane's fist aside, Uzume then kicked Haihane half way to Miya. Irritated, Haihane got up and charged again.
In graceful dance movements, Uzume spun and leaped, knocking Haihane away every time she tried to attack. Both were fast, but Uzume moved with smoothness and grace. Haihane charged in again and again, and flew away every time. The last time, Haihane charged in with a blur of speed. Uzume bent backwards to avoid the hard punch and lifted one leg to contact Haihane's chest. The kick and Haihane's own momentum catapulted Haihane in the air to go flying out of the circle. Uzume finished her back flip to land on her feet, legs bent slightly in a dance pose.
Tsukune laughed and clapped with the crowd. "Good job, Uzume!" he called.
Uzume beamed him a smile and bowed. "It WORKS!" Uzume cried happily in a bounce with her arms in the air.
Seeing Karasuba go out, Musibi went out to be he sparring partner. Not being one to rush in, Musubi lasted much longer. Although Musubi could not land a punch on Karasuba in her fast dance moved, she did manage to avoid some blows and blocked a few, only getting knocked back ten or fifteen feet. This match went on for a quite a while until Musubi dropped back to lie down panting from exhaustion.
Miya blew her whistle.
Karasuba offered Musubi a hand up. Musubi took it and got up. "That is a very different style for you," she told Karasuba.
"Yes, Kahlua is teaching me," she beamed.
"That was so graceful! Can I learn too?" Musubi happily asked.
"We can go ask."
Tsukune and Satori went down to see them as Msubi ran up to Kahlua and begged to learn this new fighting style.
"Tsukune, Musubi want to learn too!" Kahlua said, all smiles. Uzume and Karasuba are coming along well."
"They are. That means you are a good teacher," he told her. Kahlua hugged him in joy. Hugging her back, Tsukune noted she was going for his neck. He went for hers. They sipped from each other, holding each other tight as Satori stared. He noted Kahlua's red eyes flutter in joy as they drank from each other.
Licking each other's neck clean, Kahlua pulled back enough to lay a hand on Tsukune's chest as she smiled broadly at him. "Husband, you are tempting, but I must continue their training."
"Of course, my dear. You, and they are doing well. Keep up the good work," Tsukune told her. "I also have to get back to work."
Kahlua beaming him a smile the spun to Karasuba. "Now, Karasuba, let's go out there and show me what you learned!"
Tsukune left at the 'fight of the century', as far as the spectators knew, began.
"She's a vampire," Satori stated on their way out.
"Kahlu is," Tsukune agreed. "I have also found Kahlua is a good person. She was pretty lonely, and she has her quirks, but she does her best. Just don't ever get her angry. Kahlua is terrifying when she's angry."
"She is very strong I take it?"
"Yes, but also very fast and skilled." Tsukune grinned and added, "If Kahlua cries, people die. I do my best to keep her happy."
"I bet," Satori said.
.
By the time Tsukune saw Satori out, then man had much information on yokai, and Tsukune's family. He was floored by some of the things he'd found out. There were more races and numbers of yokai all over Japan that anyone could have guessed. They had their lives and their own cultures, even their own schools and forms of sports. Anyone he passed on the street could be a yokai. That also went for anyone he worked with may be a beast in hiding. For all the strangeness he'd seen here, he realized that Tsukune was right, yokai were just like normal people - only with strange and amazing powers.
He had to get back and give his report.