Ch 17
Bishop arrived at their meeting hall behind the funeral home. One of his vampires he'd sent out after this Aono was sitting down, holding a cloth to the right side of his face. Others were talking among themselves.
"Any word on this Aono yet?" Bishop asked as he strode in.
John, the man holding a cloth to his face said, "He killed Richard!" Taking the cloth down, he showed his blistered face that had a coupe holes in the side of his cheek from the water that got splashed on him. "He sprayed him with water from the back seat, and nearly got me too!"
"I say we should kill him!" Davis, the bulky man with the thick neck stated.
"We may have to," Bishop agreed. "What of Frank and Eddie? They haven't come back yet?"
"We haven't seen them," Davis said. "Maybe this guy got them too."
Bishop eyed his men. "All right, this guy's dangerous. Go looking for him in pairs. NOT side by side, this guy apparently likes his tricks. One leads, the other follows with a crossbow, stake loaded. Get our visitor someplace private and tie him up. The one with the crossbow watches him, the other comes back here and gets me. If he gets violent, by all means, kill him."
They quickly arraigned pairs and went out hunting.
.
Tsukune got to the hospital. Getting thirsty, he found the cafeteria and got a bottle of tomato juice. Sensing a yokai presence, he found a couple sitting at a small table. They noticed him too. He waved and went over to take up a third seat. He also noted the nervous man he'd met earlier.
"Hello," he offered at the pair staring at him. He took the cap off his juice and asked, "Either of you seen Bishop around?"
"We stay away from them," the blonde woman in the nurse uniform stated.
"That's probably best," Tsukune replied. "I just wanted to know if he was here."
Josh said, "He was seen, and he's out looking for you."
"Any idea where I can find him?" Tsukune asked and took a drink.
"Bishop is bad news," Josh stated.
Tsukune grinned briefly. "I'm worse news. I take it this Bishop likes to intimidate others?"
"Who are you?" the blonde asked.
"OH! Please excuse my bad manners, I'm the Dark Lord, Tsukune Aono," he said and offered her his hand.
"Nora," she replied blankly and shook his hand.
"Josh," the man offered.
Tsukune shook his hand. "Please to meet you both. And thank you, Josh, for guiding me to that hotel. I have a room there now, so if you happen to see Bishop before I find him, please let me know." He then pulled out his phone and asked, "Do you have cell phones?"
"Not on us," Nora said.
Tsukune grabbed a napkin and using a bit of writing magic, wrote his phone number down twice. Extending his index fingernail that was as sharp as one of Kurumu's, he cut the napkin in half, retracted the nail and slid the halves to them. "If you see him, please call me and let me know. Don't endanger yourselves doing it. Have a good day." He got up and left.
Nora watched him go, then turned to Josh. "A Dark Lord?"
Josh shrugged. "All I know is he makes me nervous."
"He's like nothing I ever smelled before. What does he want with Bishop?"
"I think whatever it is, we don't want to be in the area when they meet."
.
Tsukune left the hospital and called Moka. She picked up, which he was thankful for.
"Moka Aono."
"It's Tsukune. How's things there?"
Moka chuckled. "Fine as long a Katrina here doesn't faint. She is a bit stunned. Where are you?"
"I just left the hospital. Is she settling down?"
"Sort of. At least she's not screaming and fleeing."
"Tell her I'm on my way to get her brandy. I saw a liquor store on my way here, so I shouldn't be too much longer."
"I'll tell her. Pick up a bottle of red wine while you're at it."
"Will do, sweetheart, see you soon."
"Bye dear."
Tsukune walked to the liquor store and got his purchases. He did note that many of the women he passed smiled and greeted him. He returned their greetings pleasantly. A young woman dressed in scanty, barely legal clothing cast him a broad smile. He nodded to her on his way by. She hurried to walk next to him.
"Hey, handsome, want to party?" she asked brightly.
"Parties are good," he replied. Holding up his bag, he said, "I do have a delivery to make."
"That's fine," she assured him. "I can wait."
Tsukune grinned at her. "I'll have to check with my wife, first."
"She can join in too."
"Miss, I think she'd rip your head off," he said firmly.
"Ohhh! Come on, she doesn't have to know," the girl pouted.
"Trust me, she will." Thinking of a way to get rid of her, he put some hypnotism in his voice as he said, "You should go home and wait for me there. Please?"
She grinned broadly. "OK!" In a sexy, musical tone, she said, "I'll be waiting." She then ran off back the way she came.
Tsukune was glad it worked. He figured he just saved her life.
Getting back to Katrina's apartment, Tsukune knocked on the door. Moka answered it and let him in. Katrina was still in her place on the couch.
Moka went to the kitchen to get glasses. Tsukune went over to the small coffee table and pulled the brandy out. "For you, Katrina."
Katrina ignored the bottle and looked up at him. "You are the monster in the alley?" she asked.
Sincerely, Tsukune said, "I am sorry you saw that. That was a bad man I killed."
"Moka told me. How can you hide … what you are? I mean, you had wings and these big claws, not normal hands. You were also a lot bigger."
Tsukune shrugged. "It's part of what we are. We can look like normal people. We do, most of the time."
"There's more like you around? It could be anyone on the street," Karina said vacantly.
Tsukune got the wine bottle out and sat down in the middle of the couch. "True," he said. "Despite being different than humans, we are like you in many ways. Yokai don't usually look for trouble. We just want to live our lives in peace. There are some who do like to cause trouble. I'm here to correct that."
Moka came back with three glasses. "We are not normally violent," she explained as she filled a glass for Katrina, then handed it to her. "Tsukune runs a business, and so do I. We each employ many humans as well as yokai." She sat down on the table to face Tsukune.
Katrina immediately took a big gulp of brandy. Looking at Moka, Katrina said, "I'm just having a hard time with this."
Moka gave Tsukune a glass of wine then poured one for herself. "That is understandable. Just know we don't tolerate trouble from anyone. Human or yokai."
"This is so strange," Katrina said, and took another big gulp.
.
After Katrina drained her glass, Katrina was more relaxed, and obviously drunk. She asked for a refill. Moka gave her a little more.
"You know," Katrina said pointing her wavering finger at Moka then Tsukune, "If I told anyone I was in my apartment, drinking with vampires, no one would believe me!"
"Here, that's true," Moka agreed.
"But neither of you are like the stories!" Katrina said as firmly as a drunk could. "I mean, you're both nice! Moka, you're so pretty and nice, and Teshkooni, you're like one of those Super heroes in the movies! You even hide your true identity!"
That made Tsukune chuckle.
Focusing on Tsukune, Katina said, "You're so handsome too! And if your wife wasn't right here, I'd coax you in my bedroom and give you a real good thank-you fuck."
Tsukune laughed. "Then it's a good thing Moka's here?" he asked.
Katrina glance at Moka who was eyeing her. "Well…. yes and no."
Using her hypnotic tone, Moka intoned, "Katrina, you are very tired. It's hard to keep your eyes open," as she talked she took Katrina' glass away. "You are going to fall asleep and wake up in the morning, feeling great and that all is right with the world."
Katrina smiled and passed out.
Moka carried Katrina to her bed. Tsukune took the glasses to the kitchen, washed them and put them away. Moka capped the bottles and put the wine bottle back in the store bag. They left, locking the door behind them.
.
It was past midnight when all the searchers returned to their meeting place. Bishop wasn't happy this Aono guy hadn't been found. They couldn't waste any more time looking for him. If they wanted blood, they had to go get some. It was expensive, but Bishop called a pimp who took cash for his more troublesome hookers, and didn't ask any questions.
Three girls came to party and fed the vampire clan. Their bodies were cremated by dawn.
.
Moka liked that she had Tsukune to herself for the night. Ruby eve portaled a few blood packs for Tsukune, so he could feed Moka also. MBI paid well for blood donors, so there was always a good supply.
In the morning, Tsukune figured vampires wouldn't be out until much later in the day. They went to breakfast and strolled around just getting a good grasp of the city.
Randomly wandering, they went down a street where Tsukune felt a yokai presence. He found Josh and Nora sitting on the steps of a house. Recognizing them, he waved.
Walking up, Tsukune made introductions. "Greetings Josh, Nora, this is my lovely wife, Moka."
"Hey guys," Josh said, waving a hand. "What bring you here?"
"Nothing special, we're just taking in the city," Tsukune assured him.
Moka looked at the house and said, "You have a nice house here. Did you know you have a ghost?"
"How do you know that?" Nora asked.
"She's watching from the second floor window," Moka said with a grin. "Does she make her presence known?"
Josh chuckled. "She does. We can see her too. Sally talks with us, but she can't leave the house. We get along pretty good."
"It's nice to know she had friends," Tsukune said. "Most ghosts don't."
"It's even rare event that she has people who aren't afraid of her," Moka added. "Some, you feel sorry for. They can't leave, and no one interacts with them. That must be very lonely."
"Would you like to met Sally?" Nora asked.
Moka nodded. "Yes, that would be nice."
"Then come on in," Nora said and got up.
They all went in to find Sally in the living room, clasping her hands tightly together on her stomach.
"Hello, Sally," Moka offered. "You needn't be nervous."
Sally looked at Tsukune. "What is he?"
Tsukune bowed to her. "I'm Aono Tsukune, this is my lovely wife, Moka."
"Not your name, what ARE you?" Sally asked eyeing him.
"Sally can see things," Nora explained.
Tsukune nodded. "I'm a Dark Lord. We just stopped by for a friendly visit. I met Josh and Nora at the hospital."
Looking at Moka, Sally said, "So, Josh and Nora are safe? You won't try to hurt them?"
Moka raised an eyebrow. "Why would we?"
Sally explained, "Vampires and werewolves usually don't get along."
Tsukune and Moka looked at each other. "Why not?" Tsukune asked.
Moka said, "The president of the newspaper club in the school we went to was a werewolf. Yes, Gin was also a pervert, but we still worked together and got the paper out."
Tsukune chuckled. "Moka, remember when he tried to set me up as the perv, but was caught with all those pictures of naked girls? I think just about every girl in school showed up to kick his ass."
Moka laughed, "They did! He was almost ran out of school. His chances of finding a girlfriend dropped to zero."
"They did that?" Nora asked, wide eyed.
Moka grinned and said, "He deserved it. He was a little more manageable after that. Of course, he needed a new camera after his was broken over his head."
Josh laughed.
"What school did you go to?" Sally asked.
"Yokai academy," Tsukune told her. "It was a school for all yokai to learn how to act as a human in the human world. As such, everyone had to stay in human form, it was against the rules to let others know what you were."
"There are so many humans now, we have to learn how to be able to live in peace," Moka added.
Josh frowned. "Wish I knew about that school. We had to figure it out for ourselves."
"Well, if you have any children, Yokai academy will help them adjust to living with humans," Tsukune told him.
Moka called, "Ruby! Send a information packet of the school here, if you would."
Ruby's disembodied voice replied, "I will get one and send it to them."
"Ruby, one of our Witches, is watching over us," Tsukune explained.
"One of your Witches?" Nora asked.
"We have a big family," Moka told her. "Ruby is very loyal and there's not many who know more about magic than she does."
"Ruby is very talented," Tsukune added.
"And a little pervy herself," Moka added with a smirk.
Tsukune replied, "I think that's a requirement for being a Witch."
Moka chuckled. To Nora, she said, "Yukari is also … shall we say more than a little obsessed with unusual sexual ideas."
Becoming nervous with the subject, Josh asked, "So, how do you like Boston?"
"It's a nice city Tsukune said, then added, "Well, will be once we deal with these second born vampires," he finished with a huff.
"Second born?" Josh asked.
"Vampires who have been turned from being human." Moka explained.
"Is there any other kind?" Nora asked.
"I was born a vampire," Moka told her. "My whole family has been. We look down on second born vampires, they are the one's who cause trouble. We either manage to rein them in. If we can't they are killed."
"Vampires can be born?" Josh asked. "Like, born, born?"
Moka laughed. "Yes, born as coming straight out of the womb from a mother vampire."
"I never met any like those," Josh said.
"We are pretty good at hiding what we are," Moka explained, grinning at him. "This isn't what I really look like."
"That explains it!" Sally said eagerly, pointing a finger at Moka. "I can see what you appear to look like, but both of you have silver hair and red eyes! And he's got a big pair of what look like bat wings. You're both much stronger that you look, too. I mean, Suckooni is a HUNK! Like that guy who played the incredible hulk."
"We've been found out," Tsukune said with a grin.
"Tsukune is a hunk," Moka agreed with a wink and hugged his arm.
Tsukune was ginning at her. Feeling another yokai presence, his grin vanished. He felt it was outside and coming this way. "Please excuse me for a minute," he said. He turned to leave and Moka gripped him tighter. "Excuse us for a moment," she added.
They went out to see Aiden coming. Tsukune quickly clasped Moka's hand. He whispered to her, "I've met this one. He's Ok." he then waved and said, "Hello, Aiden."
Aiden paused on seeing them, then walked closer. "Mr. Aono, this is a surprise."
"We're just visiting," Tsukune said pleasantly. "This Is my wife, Moka."
Coming up onto the steps, Aiden quietly said, "You know Bishop has his boys out looking for you. He thinks you killed a couple of his boys."
"He's right," Tsukune replied. "If he is as rude and combative as they were, then he'll get the same. Is there anything you can tell me about him?"
Aiden looked around then said, "There's a funeral home over on Tenth Ave. you might want to look around there. Please, leave Josh and Nora out of it."
"Never had any plans to include them. Don't worry, once we find him, there will be nothing to worry about," Tsukune assured him.
Sternly, Aiden said, "Bishop is bad news. You'll be safer leaving him alone."
Letting just a bit of Yokai out, Moka stated, "We are worse news, as this Bishop will soon learn. Pleased to meet you. We must go now."
Aiden took a step back, staring at her.
"Nice to see you again," Tsukune offered, then with Moka's hand on his arm, they left.
Aiden went in the house. Seeing Josh, Nora and Sally there, he asked, "They didn't threaten you, did they?"
"Not at all. They were very pleasant," Nora said. "I don't think they are going to be very pleasant to Bishop."
"They are much stronger than they appear to be," Sally added. "And they are born vampires. They weren't turned from being humans."
"They don't seem to like turned humans very much," Josh agreed.
Looking at Sally, Aiden said, "Ahh, yeah. Moka let a bit of … herself surface outside. Briefly, she showed much more power than she appears to hold."
"Well," Josh said with a sigh, "Just be happy you aren't Bishop."
.
Before Tsukune and Moka got to Tenth Avenue, a vampire stepped out onto the sidewalk from an alley as they approached. He tipped his head towards the alley and said, "Aono, we need to talk. Leave your girlfriend out here."
Tsukune sensed another vampire was close by. He replied, "The only thing I want to hear from you is Bishop's location."
"Then follow me," the vampire said and went back in the alley.
"Trap," Moka said quietly.
"Yup," Tsukune agreed. Looking around, there were plenty of people out on the street. Too many to just vault up onto a roof from the street. They were beside an apartment building. Tsukune nodded to it. They went in. Luckily the front door wasn't locked.
They raced up the stairs. Coming to the roof door that was locked, Tsukune pushed it open, breaking the latch. Going out onto the roof, they looked down into the alley.
Standing by a dumpster was the one who invited them in. Behind the dumpster, tucked in the trash piled to the side was another vampire waiting and holding a cocked crossbow.
They pulled back from the edge. Tsukune whispered, "I'll go back down and walk into the trap. You take out the crossbow guy."
Moka nodded.
Racing back down the stairs, Tsukune strode out and around into the alley. "So, where is he?" he asked.
"This way," the vampire said and turned to walk away.
Tsukune followed him until he reached the edge of the dumpster where the other one was hiding. Tsukune let his yokai out, flashed up behind the one leading him gripped his arms tight and turned him to face the one hiding.
Moka dropped down from the roof in her yokai form and kicked straight down on the hiding vampire's head. His head nodded fast. He turned into ash as Moka drove him to the ground. She then glared at the one Tsukune was holding. Walking up to him as he gaped at her red eyed glare, she slapped him hard across the face. Part of his cheek flesh went flying. Tsukune held him to keep him from flying to the side with his lost cheek.
"Take us to Bishop, or you will die painfully!" she intoned.
Tsukune added, "You better do it, she's not happy you tried to ambush me. You can't outrun us either." He released his hold.
The vampire stumbled to the side and held his bleeding face. He stared briefly at each of them, then turned and walked deeper into the alley at a normal pace.
Moka and Tsukune drew their yokai back in as they followed him down the back alley, keenly aware of their surroundings.
"Some coming from the alley ahead," Moka said.
"And from behind," Tsukune added. "Say, six total?"
"Sounds right," Moka agreed. "Which ones do you want?"
"Whichever ones have this Bishop with them."
A police car came into the alley and stopped. Two officers got out. A blonde and a dark haired man. The both went to the front of the car and leaned against the hood. Tsukune could sense another hiding. At least three were in back of them.
"Any you guys know where Bishop is?" Tsukune called.
"That's me!" the blonde man said then met his wounded vampire. He asked the man, "Where's your partner?"
"He's dead," Tsukune supplied. "Seems they had an ambush planned."
Bishop shook his head sadly. He eyed Tsukune and said, "You know, you're not leaving this alley alive."
Moka laughed at him.
"So, Bishop, heard you like to be rough. How many people have you killed?" Tsukune asked.
"Couple every day. We do have to feed. This," Bishop said, indicating the wounded vampire, " and the boys of mine you've killed, tells me you are coming to take over. This is my territory. I really wish your heads would stay intact so I can mound them on poles to warn others away."
"Tsukune, we're wasting time," Moka stated.
Bishop grinned at Moka and said, "Save her for later. We got some fun planned for you, cutie. He then barked, "NOW"
Tsukune and Moka moved in a flash to the sides. Moka raced back, Tsukune raced forward. Wooden bolts ticked off the pavement where they'd been.
Moka had seen the bolt come from down from a second story window. Bring up her yokai, she raced at the two in front of her first. The one on the right, she kicked hard in a straight kick, blasting him into dust. A spin kick and she caught the other one mid back. Bones snapped as he flew against a wall. He hit and turned to dust as he fell. Moka then jumped up to the window the third vampire had been at.
.
Racing at Bishop, Tsukune saw the man push the wounded vampire in front of him. Tsukune pushed the wounded one hard to hit Bishop and drive him back against his car. Long nails out, Tsukune swiped and split the wounded vampire in half. Bishop drew his gun. Another swipe and Tsukune cut his hand and part of Bishop's forearm off. Bishop's partner saw this and fled.
Bishop tried to dodge to the side, Tsukune took his left arm off. Wailing out in pain, Bishop fell. Tsukune stabbed him deep in the chest, and ripped his claws out to the side. Bishop turned to dust. He then looked up at the fire escape. The vampire with a crossbow up there, dropped his weapon and climbed fast.
The wounded vampire cried out. Tsukune grabbed his head, pulled him up then beheaded him. Bringing out his wings, Tsukune jumped up after the fleeing vampire.
.
Moka came through the window to see the door slam shut. She threw it open, wary. The vampire was running down the hallway. She gave chase and caught up to him as he went through a door into the stairwell. A kick sent him flying into the wall. Jumping down, when he hit the floor on his back, she stomped through his chest. He turned to ash.
"Not very strong, are they," she said with a snort. Feeling where Tsukune was, she ran back to join him.
.
The vampire Tsukune was chasing was fleeing for the roof. Tsukune caught up with him two floors below the roof. Flying up beside him, Tsukune grabbed him and tossed him away into the air. Following him down, Tsukune heard him scream until he hit the pavement. Poof, more dust and empty clothes were on the ground. Tsukune landed beside the mess.
Shortly, Moka appeared by his side. "We get them all?" she asked.
"One got away. We'll follow him to wherever he goes."
.
Davis fled back to their meeting place in the crematorium. Five others, two men and three women watched him rush in, slam the door shut and lock it. Wide eyed, he said, "Get the hearse, we gotta get out of here!"
"Is that what Bishop said?" the red head asked.
"Bishop is dead!" Davis spat. "Aono and a woman killed everyone else. They moved too fast, six of us with Bishop didn't even touch them!"
"What are they?" a man asked. "Old ones?"
"All I know is they moved like lightning and wiped everyone else out. We have to run before they get here!"
"Grab stakes, everyone!" the other man shouted.
"NO! We must get out of here!" Davis insisted.
Knocks sounded at the door. They all looked at it. A moment later, three more knocks sounded.
"Who is it?" the red head called out.
"Tsukune Aono. You can open this door and talk to me, or I can bust it down and destroy you like I destroyed Bishop and his buddies. Choose."
The dark haired girl went over and unlocked the door. Davis cried, "Don't let him in!"
She spun to face him and yelled, "I don't want to die! He said he just wants to talk!" She opened the door and stepped back.
Tsukune leaned on the door casing and offered her a smile. "Smart choice, and you are?"
"Cynthia. Why are you killing us?"
"Didn't plan it, but Bishop insisted on sending his men to attack me," he explained and wandered in. Scanning the group, he said, "I came to talk to you about your behavior. I'm not the one who started the violence, but I will finish it. You can put those stakes away. That is, unless you want to be turned into a pile of ash too."
The stakes clattered to the floor.
"Good! I see there's hope for you," Tsukune told them. Waving a hand he said, "Relax, have a seat. This will take a while." He leaned back against Bishop's desk.
Keeping and eye in him, they all found chairs.
"First off, when you kill humans, you give us all a bad name," Tsukune said firmly. "It stops now."
"Then how do we feed?" a man asked.
"Any of you know Aiden? He works at the hospital and drinks blood packs. I own a large medical company. If you can't get blood any other way without killing, I'll supply you until we figure out something else. My wife, Moka, who is a very powerful vampire has never killed anyone for food. Neither have I. Aiden doesn't either. That tells me you can avoid killing also."
The red head said, "I never asked for this! None of us did! Killing to get blood is all we know!"
"I realize that," Tsukune agree. "I'm giving you a chance to change. Bishop wouldn't hear it. I got rid of him. It's not something I enjoy, but must be done."
"What company do you work for?"
"I'm the owner and CEO of MBI."
Davis said, "Yeah I know that company, it's monster! It's also in Japan."
"That's right," Tsukune agreed. "The previous owner thought it was fun to watch women fight each other to the death so we corrected that situation. He liked to enslave others,
so he's my slave now."
"You're going to run our clan?" Cynthia asked.
"No, I am going to watch over you. From meeting him, I think Aiden should run your clan. Look, what I am after is to stop the fear and deaths so everyone can live together. I've spoken to werewolves here also. That's the second thing, make peace with the local werewolves. There's no reason one type of yokai be at war with another type."
"You're asking a lot," Davis said. "You do know they go feral at every full moon."
"I do," Tsukune replied with a smirk. "Gin, the wolf we had as the president in our club, was a real pain in the ass at times, but we did work together. Having a wolf at your side who knows how to control himself can be an advantage if you get yourselves in trouble."
"You know how to do that?" the red head asked.
"I've seen it," he told her. "In one of the toughest battles we had, Gin was right there with us. We won because we all fought together."
"You said you're a dark Lord, are you like the vampire king or something?" Cynthia asked.
Tsukune shook his head, "No. I am second born vampire, like you. I am also … other things as well."
"What's this second born thing?" Davis asked.
"All of us here were turned by other vampires. My wife, Moka, was born a vampire. She comes from a long line of very strong vampires. Much more powerful that any of you, or me. Her older sister, Kahlua, is even more powerful," Tsukune explained. "There's a saying, and it's true. If Kahlua cries, people die, no matter what you are. My point is, to a First born vampire, you are nothing but bad children. Remember that."
Silver haired Moka strolled in, radiating her yokai. The group stared at her. "Tsukune, are we done yet? I'm getting hungry."
"Of course dear." he said. "Need a snack now?"
Wearing a crooked grin, she said, "I want to play some too."
Tsukune called, "Ruby, you there?"
"Here Master." her voice replied.
"Send over…" he looked at the group and added, "Say … seventeen packs of blood."
"Give me a moment, Master. Warmed with straws?"
"Yes, please."
By the looks on their faces, Tsukune was sure they were not going to have any further trouble with these second borns.