CH 16
Tsukune walked into his office in the MBI building. Chiho was already there at her secretary desk in the outer office. He also felt someone was already in his office. Stopping near her desk, he asked, "Chiho, did someone come to see me?"
Chiho shook her head. "Not since I arrived. Is there something wrong? Should I get security?"
Tsukune waved away the idea. "Not yet," he said. He opened his door to see a man in the visitor's chair slouched down, his feet up on Tsukune's desk. The man was tall and thin and wore black pants showing under a dark overcoat that looked like it was full length. His face looked kind of eastern European, maybe a bit of Asian in the corners of his eyes.
"Can I help you?" Tsukune asked.
The man looked over at him and smiled. "Aono Tsukune I presume?"
"I am. What did you want?" Tsukune asked and shut his door.
In a musing tone, the man said, "I just had to see if what I've been hearing is true. It's never good to trust human news and rumors." In a thoughtful tone, he asked, "Do you really think that you can get all species living together? That is, without any bloodshed?"
"I believe it's possible if everyone works together," Tsukune said firmly.
The man raised his eyebrows. "That is a very big assumption. I have yet to see that happen with humans."
"You don't believe people can work together?" Tsukune asked as he went to his chair.
"Short term, yes. Otherwise, there would be no such thing as wars. I'm talking long term. Any group will work together as long as it fits the goals of the individuals," the man explained. "In the long term, things like greed, jealousy and just plain wanting to cause trouble tend to get in the way. Things change, alliances change. You've made big changes here for the good. How long do you think its going to last?"
"It will as long as I have anything to say about it," Tsukune said firmly. "You know, humans are tending to be accepting, even curious about yokai."
The man chuckled. "Oh yes, that famous human curiosity!" he said and spread his arms out. "Something new and shiny to talk about and gaze upon. Tell me, Tsukune, after the 'new' wears off and humans find that things like vampires, werewolves, dragons and mermaids are here and are not going away but live close by and taking up space, what do you think will happen then?"
"Why should anything happen?" Tsukune countered. "Humanity isn't what it was 500 years ago."
"You're right," the man agreed. "They have learned to be much more devious now. They have developed more powerful weapons. Instead of burning witches, they find more … legal ways to harass them until they screw up or leave. If you think basic humanity has changed, think again."
"I'm talking about attitudes. Humans as a race have become much more open in their thinking," Tsukune said.
The man let out a sigh. He eyed Tsukune for a moment, then said, "You used to be human, weren't you?"
"I was. What does that have to do with anything?" Tsukune asked.
The man frowned at him. "Because you think like one," he said flatly. "You have the ideal of what the world should be in your head, and you want to spread that far and wide and expect everyone to be happy in your new world."
Tsukune returned his frown. "I do want what's best for everyone. You make it sound like that's a bad thing."
The man nodded. "It is a bad thing. Tell me, what do you know of history?"
"I had history classes in school," Tsukune stated.
"They didn't do you any good," the man replied flatly. "Either that or you just learned facts and never thought much about any of the lessons. Tell me, what are the lessons of the Satsuma rebellion?"
Tsukune looked at him. He'd learned it happened, but that was all he remembered.
"It happened right here in Japan, don't even tell me you never heard of it," the man coaxed.
Tsukune let out a sigh. "I take it there is an important lesson there, somewhere."
The man cast him a quick smile. "You're still young, a child basically, so I'll forgive your ignorance. There are several lessons in that rebellion you need to learn. I'm sure you can discover them on your own." he then got up and walked slowly to the door.
"Excuse me, I didn't get your name," Tsukune called to him.
The man gripped the doorknob, turned and cast Tsukune another brief smile. "I didn't give it." He then walked out and shut the door behind him.
Tsukune followed him. Opening the door he stepped into the outer office. The man was gone. "Chiho, did you see the man who just left?"
Chiho looked up and shook her head. "Tsukune, no one's been here except us."
.
The mystery man in his office bothered Tsukune for the rest of the day. He'd obviously somehow shielded himself or hypnotized Chiho so she wouldn't remember him. How he got in wasn't the question. Why the man had come to talk to him was. That man did hold power, Tsukune felt that much. He hadn't acted aggressive at all. Tsukune didn't think he was an enemy. Then again, he refused to give his name, which meant he wasn't a friend either.
The man had mentioned the Satsuma rebellion. All Tsukune remembered about it was it happened when Japan 'modernized', and it was the end of the Samurai warrior. It also bothered him that he didn't know much about it.
After his day's work was done, Tsukune went to the library and looked the rebellion up. Reading about it, he learned it was a modern transformation of Japan's military. Japan was changing from a class of individual warriors to a more modern style of groups of soldiers who were conscripted to fight. That left the Samurai without jobs and income. Obviously the Samurai were upset. Their work was going away and their dedication and honor was going away with it. They viewed the conscripted soldiers as inferior replacements to them. Only a few years after this military transformation, thousands of dishonored Samurai got together under one man and returned the Satsuma area back to the old way. Troops were sent to reclaim the area and the fighting began. It started small, but quickly grew. 15000 Samurai warriors clashed with a hundred thousand conscript soldiers with guns. The Generals pleaded with them to give up. They refused. All 15000 Samurai were killed as was 25000 troops. Even back then when it happened, the whole nation thought that rebellion was a very sad state of affairs.
Sitting back at the computer terminal, Tsukune stared at the screen. He also though that that whole affair was sad. Those had been honorable men who died, trying to keep their honor. The government needed more modern troops and teied but failed to placate them.
"Find anything useful?"
Tsukune looked away from the screen to find his visitor eyeing him, his arms on the table. "You followed me?" he asked.
The man offered one of his brief smiles. "I didn't have to. You're young but you are not a Baka. You do try to learn and improve yourself. I knew you'd look it up if you didn't know what I was talking about. Tell me, what have you learned here?"
"Change is hard, and if not done carefully, can cause great trouble," Tsukune said. "I can see why this rebellion happened. The Samurai were just tossed out of their jobs and status. Their honor was taken away from them. The government also needed a more effective army. Times were changing."
The man nodded. "Do you see any parallel to what you're doing now?"
"Not really."
"THINK boy!" the man coached. "Forget the military part, forget it was long ago. What was the basic cause of that rebellion?"
"The Samurai's honor was taken from them," Tsukune replied.
"That and," the man said, waving a hand to coax him on.
Tsukune thought. The man had said a few lessons were to be learned from that rebellion. "They also lost their work, and their status."
"They did. And once one loses their way of life…" the man coaxed.
"They become angry."
The man dropped his head on the table, then looked back up and Tsukune. "If the powers that be in the yokai world decided that you no longer were a Dark Lord, and somehow made you just a common human again, what would you do? How would you support the harem you have acquired?"
Tsukune got it. "They were made into poor people."
The man nodded. "Yes, no more servants, and many had to sell their homes because they could no longer afford them. Their families had to work as well, which caused them even greater shame."
Tsukune wanted to say his wives worked, but he knew the man wasn't talking about his situation directly. He was talking about the yokai/human interactions now. "We're not taking jobs away from anyone," he offered.
The man shrugged. "Are you sure? Have yokai been hired to do jobs humans usually do anywhere? Has any human business lost money from your activities?"
"No. Many humans work at MBI and in Moka's construction company. The construction company is only rebuilding after a typhoon wiped out our town and people need their homes back."
"At the moment, what you say is true," the man agreed. "It may not be so in the future. It's not only jobs, it's a range of things you will have to be very careful about. Like I said before, right now yokai are a shiny new addition to the world as far as humans are concerned. Once the newness wears off, they will begin to see problems that weren't there before, or overlooked. Humans will begin to see yokai as invaders who are taking over. Even if it is not true. It will happen, Tsukune, unless you have something planned to prevent it. A human uprising will be a very nasty thing to deal with. It will also be much more devastating that the Satsuma rebellion. Instead of thousands dying, it will be millions. Everyone, human and yokai, will be blaming you for it."
"I know," Tsukune said softly. "Will you help me?"
"I have, warning you of what could be," the man replied.
"You have come and warned me, so you don't want this to go bad either," Tsukune told him.
"I don't want to see the chaos you might bring if you slip up. I've tried to warn people of making… previous big mistakes. Their ego was too large to listen. Something to remember. That is also a lesson from the Satsume rebellion. Sometimes pride must be swallowed for the good of all. Otherwise, many deaths will follow." The man got up and walked out, leaving Tsukune to think.
.
Tsukune got back to the Tokyo mansion to find Kahlua, Karasuba and Uzume, along with Kurumu planning what they were going to do for a dance concert.
"But I don't know how to do ballet," Kurumu complained.
With an evil grin, Karasuba said, "We'll teach you."
"We will!" Kahlua confirmed brightly.
Tsukune slinked away from the girl party. He felt a little sorry for Kurumu, leaving her in Kahlua's hands, but he needed some rest.
Going into the lounge, Tsukune grabbed himself a drink to sit in front of the fireplace. He lit the fire with a bit of magic and relaxed.
"I'm sorry, but I have a job for you."
Tsukune sat up and snapped his head to the side. The man who refused to give his name had settled into the chair beside his. "What are you doing here!" Tsukune said, not pleased the man had invaded his home.
Unfazed by Tuskune's anger, the man shrugged and said in an apologetic tone, "You have done so well, that you've been selected to help straighten out a little problem."
Frowning at the man, Tsukune said evenly. "I have been patient with you, Mr. Nameless. I listened to you and have not taken offense to you barging in, until now. Kindly remove yourself from my home, or I will HELP you leave!"
The man sat up with a smile. "I am happy you are eager to get started!" he said, and snapped his fingers.
The world around Tsukune changed. He found himself in a city, and still in the sitting position, and fell to land on a sidewalk. The man was somehow standing upright. It was dark.
"This city is Boston, in the United States," the man announced. "They are having trouble here with second born vampires. Your job, whether or not you want to accept it, is to cure the problem however you see fit. I trust your judgment."
Tsukune got up to glare at the man. Before he got to his feet, the man was gone. "Get back here!" Tsukune growled. It was then he noticed the only one a few meters away was a dark haired woman in a dress.
The woman turned around to face him. "Excuse me?" she asked in a hard tone.
She'd spoken in English. Tsukune raised his hands up in surrender and replied in his best English, "Ahhh, not you Ma'am."
She eyed him briefly then continued walking away.
Great. Tsukune got his phone out and punched in Ruby's number so she could get him back home. It rang for a while then he got an automated message.
"This number is not in service. Please hang up and dial again."
He tried to call Moka. He got the same message. Kurumu, Uzume, Kahlua, he couldn't get through to anyone. "Wonderful," he grumbled n a breath.
Tsukune took in the apartment buildings and store fronts around him. How was he suppose to find vampires when he didn't know where he was?
While Tsukune fumed in place wondering what to do, he heard someone walking towards him. A tall, man with short dark hair wearing a sweater and dark pants was coming towards him, eyeing him. Tsukune felt his yokai. He was a vampire.
Coming closer, then man asked, "You one of Bishop's boys?"
"No. I'm Tsukune Aono."
The man relaxed a bit. "Aiden," he said and stuck his hand out.
Tsukune shook it. "Can you tell me where I am, besides Boston?"
"A block from the hospital," Aiden replied and nodded the way he was going. "I got the early shift." He paused and added, "I've never seen you around before."
Tsukune let out a snort. "Someone dropped me here. I take it you know the local vampires?"
Aiden frowned. "Yes, they are lead by Bishop. He's pretending to be a cop. He's also a nasty piece of work. As soon as he knows you're around, he'll try to recruit you. It will be join him or die."
Tsukune cracked a crooked grin. "Sounds like he'll be easy to find. Know where he lives?"
Aiden shook his head. "Sorry, I don't want to get involved. I got a job at the hospital so I can get my blood, and no one is hurt or the wiser. Bishop can ruin that for me."
This guy wasn't a problem. He was getting his blood discretely and not hurting anyone. "If you can, just tell him I want to see him. That is, as soon as I find a place to stay," Tsukune said and looked around.
"You're going to cause trouble, aren't you?" Aiden asked unhappily.
"That depends upon Bishop," Tsukune replied.
Aiden sighed. "I'll tell him I saw you and you want to see him. I have to get to work." He went on his way.
Well, at least that guy was sort of friendly. Tsukune dug in his pocket. He had Yen, but no American money. He went searching for a bank. Whoever that was who'd dropped him here most likely worked for Shuzen or Mikogami. He swore they would be manipulating him for his whole life.
Walking a couple blocks, he found a bank with an ATM. He put in his MBI card, and not sure how much to get out, he got out $500. Of course, there was a $3 dollar fee for the ATM and a $15 dollar fee for the exchange rate. As least he had some cash now, he could get a place to stay. That was, as soon as he found a hotel.
Continuing on, he tried calling Moka again. Still nothing. He tried his parents. Zip. He noted more people were coming out to start the day. The sky was lightening into early morning. He passed by people who ignore him. Feeling another yokai presence, he noticed a young man coming towards him that stopped.
Tsukune waved to him. The man stood stock still as Tsukune approached.
"Excuse me," Tsukune asked as he got close. "Can you tell me where a decent hotel is? I'm lost."
The man swallowed and pointed behind him and across the street. "There's one two blocks down and around the corner," he said, looking nervous.
"Thank you for your help," Tsukune said with a small bow. He went on his way and crossed the street to head for the hotel.
.
Josh got to the hospital. Right after he changed, he went to find Aiden. Seeing the orderly, he got Aiden's attention and nodded to a store room. He went in, Aiden followed.
"Did you see an Asian looking vampire on your way in?" he asked.
"I did," Aiden said. "Stay away from that guy. He felt funny to me, and he's looking for Bishop. I don't think this guy is going make friends with him, either."
"I felt him coming from half a block away," Josh said. "He seemed scary, but he was decent to me. He only wanted to find a hotel. He didn't seem to care what I was."
Aiden frowned. "He also looked a little young. Like I said, stay clear of him. Say nothing to Bishop if he asks. You don't want to be part of whatever's going to happen."
"Yeah, I'll stay clear all right," Josh agreed. They left separately and went their own ways.
.
Tsukune got a room. It wasn't anything grand, but it was a place to sleep. He went to a store and got a large bottle of tomato juice. Looking over the pre-made foods, there were no bentos, so he got a pre-made sub from the deli.
Although it was mid-morning, it felt like midnight to Tsukune. He went back to his room ate his sandwich and guzzled some tomato juice then took a long nap.
The moment Tsukune woke up, he concentrated on Uzume, wanting to feel her. He did get the impression she and Karasuba were worried about him, as were his wives and Kurumu. He tried to send to her the fact he was safe, but far away. He didn't know if he succeeded, but her concern didn't feel as great.
Late afternoon, Tsukune went down to a gas station and got a breakfast sandwich that was cold, but edible. He had gotten some information so far. The leader of the vampires here was named Bishop, and he was a cop, which complicated things. Finding a park, he took a seat and puzzled out how to talk to this Bishop.
He then felt another yokai presence. Looking in the direction of the presence he saw a man in a long coat and wide brimmed hat walking towards him. The vampire eyed him as he got closer. In a quiet voice, he asked, "Who made you, kid?"
"You know Bishop?" Tsukune asked in return.
"Everyone does. Answer my question," the vampire said firmly.
"Where is Bishop's home, lair, whatever he calls it?" Tsukune asked.
"Look kid," the vampire spat, showing his red eyes. "You will tell me now, who turned you. Speak up or you are going to be in great pain!"
Tuskune looked around. They were alone. In a flash, he jumped up and punched the vampire in the face. The vampire's hat flew off as he flew to land on his back. "You are the one who will answer me, or you will suffer," Tsukune said calmly. "Where is Bishop?"
The vampire scowled at Tsukune, showed his fangs in a hiss and shot back to her feet. He charged. Tsukune kicked him into a tree hard enough to make the tree shake. The vampire tried to rush away. Tsukune was faster. He flashed up and kicked the man's legs out from under him. Letting his yokai free, Tsukune flipping the vampire on his back and showed him his own red eyes as he glared at the vampire.
"WHERE IS BISHOP!" Tsukune snapped in a heavy growl.
"What are you?" the vampire asked, fear showing in his face.
"THE ONE WHO WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER UNLESS YOU ANSWER ME!" Tsukune growled, then lifted him up and slammed him into the ground.
"Stop! I will take you there," the vampire said.
Tsukune hauled the vampire to his feet, turned him around and said, "Walk! If you try to flee, you will be very sorry!" He pulled his yokai back in.
The vampire turned to glance at him and walked. Tsukune followed.
The vampire led Tsukune down a street and into an alley. Getting deep into the alley and into a back alley, the vampire suddenly grabbed a trash can and swung around to hit Tsukune. Being ready for any tricks, Tsukune jumped up and let his yokai run free. He roared as he bulked up, his veins turned black and his wings came out. The vampire tried to flee. Tsukune dove on him. This time he punched the vampire with punches so fast his fists were a blur. He pounded the vampire up against the wall. Every punch, Tsukune cracked the brick behind the vampire who was recoiling from the blows. The vampire sagged down and turned to dust.
Damn, Tsukune thought this guy was stronger than that. He sure had enough attitude. Tsukune went to walk away and saw a woman standing near the end of the alley, stock still and gaping at him wide-eyed and open faced. The bag of groceries she had were scattered in front of her.
Tsukune held his hands palm up to her. "Calm down," he coaxed gently. "Please, let me explain."
The blonde only backed up into the wall. A dark stain grew in the crotch of her jeans. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She fell limp, passed out.
Awww, hell. He went over and collected her groceries back into her bag. In her purse he found her ID and her address. He then realized he hadn't pulled in his yokai. Right, she'd just watched him kill someone in his yokai form. He got her laid down flat and lightly tapped her cheek.
"Miss, miss?" he asked gently.
It took her a few minutes, but she opened her eyes, saw him and belted out a scream.
"It's OK!' he cried a he backed away, hands up. "Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?" he asked.
The woman scooped back to sit against a wall as she glanced about frantically. "I … I saw a monster!" she cried.
"There's no one else here. I saw you lying back here," Tsukune explained. "Did someone attack you?"
Casting him a frightened look, she shook her head. "It wasn't a man, it was a monster with long wings. It … killed another man." Pointing, she cried, "Right over there! The man crumbled into dust! His clothes are sill there!"
Tsukune looked back at the remains where the vampire had been. "Ahh, OK. What can I do to help you?" he asked.
She looked at him and scrambled to her feet. "It might come after us. That was the most frightening thing I've ever seen! It was a real monster!"
"Maybe I should walk you home?" Tsukune asked. He picked up her groceries.
Still shaking from her fright, she nodded. "I live here, I was headed to see my mother … The food is for her. I'm afraid that thing is still around. People have disappeared. I don't want to die!"
"Perhaps you need to sit down for a while?" he asked.
She looked at him and nodded. "Yes…. sit," she said vacantly. She tried to get her keys out. Her hands were shaking so bad, she dropped them.
Tsukune picked them up for her. "Just show me where you live," he coaxed.
She pointed to a door. Tsukune found the right key, opened the door and motioned her into a hallway. She went up the stairs, Tsukune followed behind her just in case she tripped and fell. Getting to her apartment door, he opened that for her and gave her the keys back.
"Please, go in and calm down before you try to go anywhere," he told her. He tried to hand her the bag.
Meekly, she asked, "Could you come in just for a moment?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Tsukune followed her in. She went over and collapsed onto the couch. Seeing the small kitchen, he put the bag on the counter. The only furniture in the living area was the couch with a coffee table in front of it. She sat hugging herself. Tsukune went over and sat on the other end of the couch.
"Are you all right? Can I get you something?" he asked.
She let out an insane sounding giggle. "I just saw a thing from ….hell. I am far from all right." She looked at him and asked, "Did you see it?"
"I did not," he told her. "I hear what sounded like a scream, so I went into the alley to see what it was. The only one I saw was you. I was afraid you were hurt. I didn't see any blood, and you were passed out."
She rubbed her face and wiped a few tears away. "It was horrible! I never dreamed that things like that existed. Monsters are suppose to be fairy tales and fantasy! Not right here on the streets! It didn't just kill that man, it destroyed him!"
"Whatever it was, it's gone now," he assured her. "If you want, I can deliver the groceries to your mother so you don't have to go back out."
She nodded. "Yes, please do that. I don't have the nerve to go back out there."
Tsukune got the bag and had her write the address on the bag, then give him directions. He picked the bag up and asked, "Can I get you anything at all before I go?"
She shrugged then asked, "Could you come back, say with some brandy? Strawberry if you can? I really need a drink."
Tsukune smiled. "I bet you do. Lock the door after I leave. I'll be back soon. OK?"
The woman handed him her keys. "The front door buzzer doesn't work, just come in the back, and keep a watch out for that thing."
Tsukune nodded. "Calm down, you're safe here," he assured her. He left to go deliver the groceries.
.
In Tokyo, Tsukune's harem was in a near panic mode until Ruby confirmed Tsukune was alive and well, on the other side of the planet. They tried to call him, but the call wouldn't go through. Ruby made a magic circle to find him. Kurumu got the bowl of water so Ruby could scry and make a portal.
.
Tsukune found the mother's apartment and knocked. An old woman with a came answered the door with a "Yes?"
He bowed and said, "I have groceries for you from your daughter. She is a bit shaken up due to a recent unfortunate event, and asked me to deliver them."
The old woman looked in the bag and nodded. "Yes, Katrina always gets me the good things I can't afford. Please, bring them in."
Tsukune went in and put the bag down where the woman wanted them.
"Is Katrina all right?" the old woman asked.
"Yes, she's unhurt, just a bit shaken up," he assured her.
"Tell her she can come stay with me if she wants. If I had a phone, I'd call her."
"I'll tell her. Good day, Ma'am." Tsukune said and left.
On his way down to the lobby, Moka appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"Tsukune, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"A job that needs to be done," he told her. "I tried calling, but I couldn't reach anyone." Thankfully, he noted Moka was wearing her 'pink self'. "I'll explain while we walk."
Going back to the woman's apartment, Tsukune explained the mysterious man who dumped him off here. "I never seen this guy before. Honestly, I think he's trying to help me, but he's damned irritating! Having me look up the Satsuma rebellion, I can understand. I suppose this is another lesson."
"Ruby, we're going to be a while," Moka stated as they turned into an alley.
Ruby's disembodied voice replied, "I will monitor you. Master, Kahlua, Karasuba and Uzume are standing by eagerly to come assist you. They are ready to fight."
"Keep them there until I need them," Tsukune told her.
"Yes, Master."
Coming to the ash dusted clothes, Tsukune pointed them out. "That's all that's left of the one I killed. He just crumbled into dust."
Moka picked up the clothes. "Ruby, I have something for you to examine," she said.
"Portal's open," Ruby replied.
Moka told Tsukune, "Be careful." She took a couple steps and disappeared.
Going up to the woman's apartment, Tsukune knocked. The door opened a crack to show one blue eye. She then opened the door for him, a large knife in one hand.
Tsukune couldn't help but smile. Like that knife would do anything to him. He held out her keys. "Groceries delivered. These are yours."
She grabbed his wrist and pulled in in, then shut and locked the door. Her hair was wet and she wore a white flower-speckled print house robe. Please stay," she asked.
By the look on her face, she was still nervous. "Katrina," he said gently, "I do have things to do, I can't stay. You will be safe here."
Wringing her hands together, she said, "I am studying hard in college, I don't have many friends, or a boyfriend … and right now I'm scared to be alone. Could you maybe … come back later?"
Tsukune let out a sigh. "I really can't. How about if I have someone stay with you? Say, another woman?"
She nodded vigorously.
"I'll be right back," he said and stepped into the hall and shut the door. "Ruby, did you hear?" he asked.
"Yes, Master."
A moment later Moka reappeared. "I'll stay with her. Yukari is examining the clothes. It was a second born you eliminated. You need to find them so we can get rid of them."
Tsukune was feeling the same. He knocked on the door again. Katina opened it. She looked at him, then at Moka.
Tsukune introduced them. "Moka, this is Katrina. Katrina, this is Moka, she will stay with you."
"Thank you so much!" Katrina gushed.
Moka smiled and said, "Stop worrying," and went in. Tsukune went on his way.
.
In the hospital courtyard Aiden sat on a bench beside Bishop, who was in his uniform. The burly blond cop eyed Aiden. "So who is this guy?" he asked.
"Said hi s name's Aono… something. He came to talk to you."
"He's one of us?" Bishop asked.
Aiden winced. "Kind of felt like it, yeah." He raised his hands up and added, "I said I'd pass the message. Whatever this is about, I want no part of it."
"He came just to talk to me?"
"That's what he said."
Bishop nodded slowly. "Must be important. I'll have my boys go find him." He got up and left.
.
Walking down the street, Tsukune headed for this hospital on the hope that Bishop was there. He felt someone drive by. Up ahead, they stopped. Two more men in long coats and wearing big floppy hats got out to stand by the car. As he got closer, they moved to block the sidewalk. It was two more vampires.
The closest one to the car opened the back door. "Get in," he intoned.
Tsukune stopped. "Do you to know where I can find Bishop?" he asked.
"We're taking you to him." the other intoned.
"Good, the last guy wasn't as cooperative," he said and got in the car. The door slammed shut. The men got in.
A glance in the rear view mirror and the driver asked, "Who turned you, kid?"
Tsukune grew a crooked grin and said, "First of all, I'm older than I look. I just age very slowly. Second of all, it's really none of your business. Your concern is getting me to Bishop."
"Don't talk back unless you want to be in pain!" the other one barked.
Tsukune was really not liking these guys. "You're a second born, so keep a civil tongue in your head. I'm the Dark Lord, Tsukune Aono."
They both chuckled. "So we're suppose to be afraid of you?" the passenger asked.
"Yes," Tsukune stated. He cast Ruby's water spell and hit the passenger in the back of his neck with a stream of water.
The vampire in the passenger seat flailed and screamed as his neck smoked. The driver also got water burns on his cheeks and howled. He also lost control of the car. They sideswiped a car in the other lane, then bounced to hit a parked car. The driver tumbled out and ran. The other one was still screaming and flailing as smoke rolled off him. Tsukune knocked his door open and got out. Traffic behind them was piling up. He decided to run before the cops showed up.
Unfortunately, the driver had ran off to the other side of the street and down around a corner. Maybe he would pass the message that he wanted to see Bishop.
The passenger let out one final cry of agony and crumbled to dust.
.
Moka sat quietly on the couch, listening to Katrina's story about the horrible monster she'd seen.
" … thankfully after that, your friend found me and brought me up to my apartment."
"Tsukune is my husband and blood mate," Moka said calmly, correcting her.
Katrina eyed her. "What do you mean by blood mate?"
"We do our best for each other, forever. Once blood mates, always blood mates," Moka told her.
"Oh, I suppose that's like blood brothers? No matter what, friends forever?"
"That's right. If I need something, Tsukune makes sure I get it. I do the same, like now. I'll stay with you as long as I need to, because Tsukune wants to see you kept safe," Moka explained.
"That's so awesome!" Katrina gushed. "So the fact he's your husband is almost secondary to being blood mates."
Moka grinned. "Yes, you could say that. We have vowed to take care of each other."
Katrina smiled. "Such dedication! It there some kind of ceremony you went through to be blood mates?" she asked.
Moka returned her smile in remembrance of that time. "Yes, I drank his blood, he drank mine. It was a wonderful feeling," she said hugging herself. "To know I will be with Tsukune forever."
Katrina's face went blank. "You …. drank each other's blood? Like … vampires?" she asked weakly.
Moka laughed and waved a hand. "We are vampires, Katrina. The blood bond is stronger than any marriage vow. I was very nervous on how Father was going to take that news."
When Moka laughed, her fangs showed. Katrina paled.
Moka's eyes lit up as she said, "And you should have seen how hard Tsukune fought for me! For him it truly was win or die to get my hand. It made me feel so proud he did whatever he had to do to ensure we were together. Some of it, I knew he wasn't comfortable with, but he did it anyway to ensure we were together..." Moka paused as she noted Katrina was staring at her. "Are you all right?"
"You're real vampires?" Katrina asked weakly.
"We are. Don't worry, we only go after the bad guys. The ones who make trouble."
"So, Tsukune is after things like that monster in the alley?"
Moka smirked at her. "It looks like you've has enough shock for the day. We should talk about something else."
A disembodied voice said, "Moka, Tsukune was just in a car accident."
Moka looked at nothing and asked, "Is he all right?"
"Yes, he got out unharmed. He did kill another second born, the other one ran away."
"Thank you, Ruby. Watch Tsukune closely."
"I will."
Katrina heard the voice but didn't see anyone. "Who was that?"
"That was Ruby. She's our Witch and Tsukune's slave. She does good work and is dedicated to us," Moka explained.
"You have a slave? If she's a Witch, can't she, like run away or something?" Katrina asked, confused.
"No, you see, Ruby gave herself to Tsukune. She wants to be his slave," Moka said with a roll of her eyes. "Ruby is a good, hard working woman, she just takes some getting use to."
"Monsters are real," Kartina said vacantly.
"Dear," Moka said firmly. "Just like humans, what you call monsters, are yokai, and yes we are everywhere. Tsukune is after some in this city that are causing problems."
"Like that monster in the alley I saw?"
"Kartina, that monster you saw was Tsukune. He killed a bad vampire," Moka told her. "We normally keep what we truly look like hidden to keep from scaring people."
"So, this isn't what you really look like?" Katrina asked.
Moka shook her head. "No. I keep my natural form hidden so I don't scare people."
Katrina blinked. "So, Tsukune IS the monster? He looked terrifying!"
"He is awesome," Moka agreed. "Just remember, neither he nor I would ever hurt innocents."
Katrina whispered to herself, "I think I'm going to have nightmares."
"Very possible. Today, your whole world view has been shattered."
"It has."