Contrary to the expectations that had been set after his first week, Tsukune enjoyed a full two months of peace at Yokai Academy. It was an openly pleasant time that he spent with Moka and Kurumu.
His days had fallen into something of a routine now. He awoke early dressed in athletic clothing and began his run. Though, perhaps run wasn't a strong enough word. Ninja-style par core would be closer. But he digressed. After that, he would shower and change into his uniform. Then he meet Moka and Kurumu, where Moka would want breakfast, something he didn't even feel weird about now due to its regularity, and Kurumu would clutch his head to her chest. Something he was also becoming accustomed to. Then they would attend classes, eat lunch, finish the school day out, and finally attend club. It was a good routine, he felt. Especially when it started with this.
Tsukune grinned as he experienced the high of leaping through trees and branches at maximum speed. The increase in his DEX, and STR made him nimble and fast. In fact, toward the beginning, he had planted his face into trees and dirt quite regularly. Leading to actually needing his shower afterward, rather than just taking one for pleasure.
But now, it was all he could do not to woop as he somersaulted off one branch and grabbed another with the hook of his knees. Using his forward momentum to swing himself upright onto the branch.
He landed in a perch, grinning to himself. This never got old, moving like this. It was the thrill of being able to move in a way that was passed human limits. Not by much, but enough that he could tell he wouldn't be defenseless anymore.
That was the primary reason he had focused on his physical stats. Because while he did put a point into INT, mostly for his studies, Tsukune was at a point where he could cast as many Embers as he could ever want. Additionally, now his Health regenerated faster than Smolder could damage him. Meaning so long as he avoided being hit too much, he could keep it up indefinitely.
It was a nice conference boost that had him over the moon. He could finally protect himself! And Moka and Kurumu too! Still, where did that leave the silver-haired Moka? He could only assume that she would remain asleep. And while that did bother Tsukune some, he justified it with the thought that he was sure at some point he would need her help again. The fight with Gin may have been an anomaly, one that they had tepidly forgiven him for, but Tsukune was sure other strong monsters went to this school. And while he didn't want conflict, his WIS stat was too high not to expect it.
The only real problem with these months of peace was that Tsukune hadn't gotten a quest the entire time. Which meant no XP. He still remained at level 8. And was keeping 5 points in reserve in case he needed a sudden power-up.
8 wasn't a high number, he was aware. He didn't know when his level capped off though, and in his experience usually, game characters maxed out at level 100. He had been able to use his higher marks in classes, as well as the fact this was a boarding school to convince his parents to send him an old Gameboy, as well as a few generic RPGs. Those games gave him the basics of what his system was doing. In all of those games, Level 8 was barely out of the tutorial. And while it may be foolish to expect life to act like a game just because his power did, he couldn't shake the feeling of trepidation. Certainly, it couldn't hurt to raise his level.
In any major way, anyway. He was having difficulties adjusting to his new STR. Nothing too bad, but he had picked up the habit of carrying multiple pencils through his classes. All it took was a missed second of concentration, and the damn thing would snap in half within his grip. Frustrating, but not life-ending. Thankfully, this was an extremely common occurrence in Yokai Academy. So nobody batted an eye when it happened.
Yesterday he and everyone else in the school had taken the Mid-term tests. Being a freshman, he and the girls were attempting to see through the gathered crowd where they scored in terms of rank. There were shouts of excitement and horror abound.
These scores were part of an official record. Any company that wanted to employ students could view them. And they likely would seeing as the entire point of this school was to integrate Yokai into the mundane world.
Tsukune spotted Moka's score first because he had started from first to , last. "Wow, Moka! You got 13th place in the whole freshmen year. Congratulations!" He said to her pointing at her name.
Moka smiled Abashed. "Oh, thank you! I just tried my best. What about you Tsukune?"
Tsukune scanned the board further. "Hold on, I'm still looking. Ah, I found it! 43rd place! Not bad, not bad at all." it was true, his name was in the first horizontal column. About midway through. Moka nodded in encouragement. Then he noticed they were missing someone. "I wonder where Kurumu is? Wasn't she just here?" He was curious what the girl had scored.
They looked around but didn't see her. Breaking away from the crowd, they were distracted from their search by some kind of commotion. A girl in a witch had and cape was being bullied by three freshmen.
"I despise people who stick out!" the clear leader shouted as he shoved the girl. She cried out as her butt struck the dirt. The boys laughed at her fall, and Tsukune clenched his fists. He didn't know who they were, or what relationship they had, but shoving what looked like an eleven-year-old to the ground wasn't acceptable in any circumstance.
The leader, sporting an armband that denoted him as a class president, leaned in and whispered something to the girl. She glared, and Tsukune spied a rock rise off of the ground and strike the boy in the head.
Knowing this would turn violent, and not wanting a little girl to be caught up in a fight, Tsukune moved to intercept. But Moka was quicker. Dashing ahead to place her arms out in front of the girl.
The boy had been in the process of rearing up to strike her when he was forced to stop at Moka's intervention.
"I'm sorry if I don't understand the circumstances, but I won't let you hit a little girl. Not in front of me." Moka said with conviction. Tsukune moved into a position where he could support if this turned violent. A crowd formed around them all, and Tsukune could hear them whisper about what would happen next.
Thankfully, the boys realized how bad it would look to attack Moka Akashiya, and an unknown little girl seemingly unprovoked. The leader sneered, spit on the ground, and left. The crowd dispersed after that, disappointed at not seeing the supposed legendary Vampire fight.
The three had retreated to lunch, and all sat at a table. Kurumu was still missing.
"Oh, thank you so much for saving me!" the girl proclaimed happily. "My name is Yukari Sendo, by the way!"
Tsukune and Moka smiled at the introduction, and gave their own names. Yukari seemed much more interested in Moka than himself, but Tsukune reasoned that Moka was pretty special.
"Wait! I've heard of you!" Moka said suddenly. "Your the girl who got to skip several grades due to her intelligence! You even scored 1st in our year, right!"
"Oh wow! The Moka Akashiya knows about me! I could die of excitement right now!" Yukari gushed happily.
Moka nodded in reply. "Well it's not everyday that someone skips enough grades that they can attend high school at age eleven." She admired. "And your outfit is so cool!"
Tsukune would admit her outfit was high quality. Though, cool wouldn't be the word he'd use.
Yukari stutted to get out a response to Moka's infective waves of positivity.
"Well, your the cool one Moka." She said after collecting herself. "Your so pretty, and sweet, and I really…really…" Yukari jumped up and dive tackled Moka in a hug. Tsukune sat up in alarm as Moka was knocked out of her seat by the eleven-year-old self-propelled cannonball. "I love you!" Yukari proclaimed. Much to the shock and embarrassment of Moka as students stared on. "Everytime I saw you, I fell for you more and more, and after you saved me, my heart throbs for us to be together! Please! Go out with me?" She begged desperately.
Moka just sat up, unsure of how to respond. She looked at Tsukune for some idea of how to proceed, but he was just as confused by the situation as she was.
Yukari looked up at Moka with open admiration. "Is it bad, dating someone like me?" She asked with puppy eyes.
"Alright." Moka caved. "But only as a friend." She said placing boundaries.
"Yay!" Yukari said while prancing about. What followed was a day in which Yukari continuously broke those boundaries set by Moka. From blatantly looking up Moka's skirt, to sniffing strands of her hair. Yukari made a nuisance of herself. It all culminated when Yukari was blatantly fondling Moka's breasts in the school hallway.
"So soft!" She cooed. "They're even bigger and firmer than I thought!"
Tsukune blushed and buried the pang of jelousy he felt. He was only a man after all. When Moka begged for her to stop however, Tsukune felt it was time to intervene. He hadn't before due to Moka being intent on ignoring the girls habits until she stopped. He respected Moka's decision to handle it on her own, but there was a line. And Yukari had just crossed it.
He expertly snatched Yukari's hat off her head, making the girl stop immediately.
"Hey! Give that back!" She screamed in protest, but Tsukune was unmoved. "Give it back right now or suffer the consequences!"
He shook his head. "No. Not until you apologize to Moka. What you just did was not only inappropriate, but completely unacceptable. Apologize and I'll give it back." He didn't feel his terms were unfair. The opposite in fact. Yet Yukari only looked at him with spite.
Her hands clenched at her sides, she frowned harshly before relaxing with an amused smile.
"You should stop while you're ahead." She warned. "Don't get in my way, Tsukune Aono." He raised his brow at her knowing his name. It wasn't exactly a secret. Though, he didn't remember introducing himself after the confession. "That's right, I know all about you. Slightly higher than average grades. Athletic ability only slightly higher than a human, and if rumor serves, minor pyrokenetic abilities. No hobbies outside morning runs, and no known achievements aside from being the editor for the Newspaper club. All in all, your not even average at this school.
Nowhere near good enough for my Moka! The one I love will only be brought down by the likes of you!"
She pulled what looked like a wand from sailor moon out from her cloak. Despite its appearance, Tsukune became on guard. "I'll make it so you never come near Moka again!" She flicked her wand, and then nothing happened. Tsukune thought her spell had misfired, until a broom closet on the side opened and he was attacked by brooms and mops.
"Gah! What the heck?" He shouted as he was attacked with cleaning items. They didn't hurt, but they were extremely annoying! He snatched one out of the air only to have a empty steel bucket go over his head.
Something wooden, probably a handle of some sort, hit the bucket hard. The rattling hurt Tsukune's ears something fierce. He stepped back and tripped over another handle that caught the back of his ankle. Unfortunately for Tsukune, all of this had happened by the stairs for the second floor. Meaning he took a long and bumpy trip downward.
When he reached the bottom, he saw he had lost 10HP. Students laughed at him when he took the bucket off his head. Upstairs, neither Moka nor Yukari could be found.
They must have run off. Or, more likely, Yukari had dragged Moka off. On top of that, he had dropped the Hat.
"Wow, talk about a tumble. Are you alright, Tsukune?" A familiar voice asked.
When Tsukune craned his head up, he saw his line of site went up a girls skirt. Long socks made way for graceful legs, ending in the pleasant site of Red hearted panties. "Are you enjoying the view, Tsukune." A familiar voice asked. He blinked trying to focus. Under his HUD was an icon of a head with a swirl in it. He could vaguely recall that meant he had suffered a concussion. Odd, he didn't feel like he had a concussion. Wasn't his head suppose to hurt.
Kurumu, who had been idly letting Tsukune stare up her skirt this whole time in clear view of everyone in the hallway, smiled perversely. She knelt down so that her panties was no longer easily seen by her destined one. He knees rested on either side of his head as he looked at her face with hazy eyes. He smiled up at her, and that perverse smile became one of endearment. "Come on, Tsukune. Let's find somewhere more private so you can recover."
His response was a thumbs up, because he didn't trust himself to speak. Dragging him by one arm, Kurumu thought briefly that this would be the perfect chance to seduce Tsukune. While he was not able to resist. But that thought made her gut twist with disgust and self-loathing, so she simply led him away.
They found an empty classroom, and gradually, Tsukune came back to his senses. He was fully himself when the Concussion Icon faded away. He shook his head and gained awareness of where he was. Currently, Kurumu was playing nurse with him.
His head had been wrapped with a bandage and the scuff on his cheek had been gauss patched. He didn't comment on the futility of Kurumu's actions because she was having fun. Humming to herself as she checked his temperature. Her eyes met his, and she smiled. Then he remembered his previous actions at the base of the steps.
"I should apologize." He said softly. She quirked her head at him confused. "Earlier, I had hit my head and was a bit confused. I looked up your skirt. I'm sorry." He said bowing his head.
Kurumu giggled. She was backward in a chair to face him at the desk he was sitting. "You don't need to be sorry! Like I said way back, you can look all you want. I don't mind, as long as it's you. If you want, you can even touch." She said in a sultry tone while pushing her chest up for him. Inviting him to fondle her if he so wished. It was a struggle not to say yes. But he held back on account the fact he didn' want to ruin their friendship. And also, he had developed something of a crush on Moka.
He turned away blushing. "T-thats alright, Kurumu. Um, thank you?" He said hesitantly. It didnt feel like the correct thing to say, but correctness escaped him currently. "Um, kurumu?" He asked. The girl smiled.
"Yes?" She responded cheerfully.
"Do you know anything about a Yukari Sendou?" He asked curious. Kurumu frowned and rolled her eyes, but allowed the subject change.
"Yukari Sendou? Hmm, she sounds familiar." Kurumu hummed. "Why do you ask?"
Tsukune played with the unnecessary head bandages. His HP was full, so he knew his wounds were healed. "Moka saved her from some bullies, and the girl has totally latched onto her. She attacked me with cleaning supplies when I tried to make her stop bothering Moka. That's actually how I ended up at the bottom of the stairs.
Now I don't know where either she or Moka is.
I was wondering what you knew."
Kurumu drummed her fingers on the desk while leaning her head on her other hand. Then she snapped her finger. "Oh, right! Yukari Sendou! I've heard of her, now that I think about it.
Mostly rumors of course. But every rumor has a nugget of truth. Anyway, apparently, she's a genius, having skipped several grades to get here. But even if she's got the brain of a college student, her mentality matches her age. I've heard from other students she can be pretty petty and selfish. And that she likes to play pranks on people she doesn't like." Tsukune nodded. That confirmed some of what he knew, but it only contextualized it. It didn't explain what her motivations were with Moka.
"That's pretty interesting." He said while he thought. Up under his HUD, a puppet icon appeared and flashed red. He didn't even have time to question it before his fist rammed into his face full force. With his current strength, it audibly broke his nose. Kurumu gasped as he bled for a moment. Thankfully, it healed almost immediately. But then his fist tried to do it again. He grabbed it with his other hand and struggled with it as if it had a life of it's own. "Damn it! What's happening?! It's moving on it's own!" He said as he fought with himself. Then the sensation passed, and he was able to relax his arms. Kurumu looked at him confused before handing him something to clean his face. Opening the wet wipe package, he explained. "That was so weird. It was like someone was controlling my arm."
"Very weird." Kurumu agreed. "Do you need help with your nose?" She asked concerned. She would help him reset it if needed. But thankfully, he shook his head in the negative.
"No, it's already healed. I heal fast, in case you didnt notice." He explained while showing her his nose was already in the correct orientation. Kurumu moved closer to examine.
That's when the icon flashed again and his arms moved on their own. They lifted up to firmly grasp at Kurumu's breasts. She moaned audibly at the action, pressing herself into his hands as they massaged and kneaded.
Tsukune was once again robbed of his ability to comprehend what was happening, because at that moment, Moka opened the door to the room. She froze when she saw him. He looked at her, she looked at him. There was only awkward silence. Then his fingers tweaked Kurumu's nipple, and she visibly shuttered.
"This isn't what it looks like!" He screamed high-pitched. Moka just looked on in shock, and his hand slipped under Kurumu's skirt and tweaked something small and round through her panties. This time she moaned loudly. Tsukune was on the peak of an aneurysm from the stress and shame this was causing him. Moka was just too stunned that he had done that to move, and Kurumu, well, Kurumu was dangerously close to losing control of herself. So much so she would probably be needing new underwear.
Then from outside the open classroom window, childish giggling could be heard. At once he gained control of his arms back and he pulled them away from Kurumu as if she had burned him. The girl let out the most pathetic sound of disappointment he had ever heard, but Tsukune intently ignored her as he marched to the window sill. He threw it open to see Yukari giggling with a straw doll in her hands. Then she saw him, and her smile froze.
He glared with all the fury he could muster. The girl got control of herself suddenly, hit him with her wand, then jumped through the window, running past him in the process. Tsukune made an uncharacteristic snarlling noise as he whirled around to see the girl hiding behind Moka's legs.
Tsukune wasn't normally one to choose violence as the first response to a problem. But in this case, he just wasn't thinking clearly. This girl had assaulted him, used witchcraft to force him to molest a close friend, and now she had the nerve to hide behind the person who had protected her against her bullies? He stepped forward with every intention of giving Yukari a well-deserved spanking. The girl even had the nerve to spit her tongue out at him. But he was stopped by, of all people, Moka. She put her arms out in front of Yukari protectively.
"Wait, Tsukune! Please. Let's calm down." He frowned and stopped. Willing to hear Moka out. Moka walked away from Yukari and got closer to Tsukune. Until she filled his view instead of the bratty little girl. "She's not so bad Tsukune. She just doesn't understand. I've talked with her some, and she just needs a friend."
Tsukune frowned. "Assaulting people, and pulling pranks is no way to earn friends, Moka. All that does is push people away. If she wanted friends, she wouldn't have assaulted me, or forced me to molest Kurumu. I mean look at her!" They turned off to the side where Kurumu had her tongue out several inches beyond what would be human. Tsukune might have found the scene arousing if not for the guilt of causing it. "We could have been her friends through you. But instead, she did this."
Moka shook her head sadly. "She just has some bad habits, Tsukune."
Tsukune looked at the blushing sweaty mess that was Kurumu, and grit his teeth. Just because the girl was a succubus didn't mean she had wanted to be molested. At the very least, HE hadn't wanted to molest her. Kurumu was someone he valued greatly.
And while they did have moments he might describe as romantic, he valued their friendship much more than any potential romantic relationship. That's what Yukari had put in jeopardy. She would have no way of knowing Kurumu's race, or their relationship status. The timing of the event heavily suggested that this had all been done with the intention of hurting the friendship between him and Moka. Kurumu would have just been collateral damage.
"Bad habits don't justify the violation of myself and Kurumu." He said gravely. "Bad habits don't make a person sabotage the friendship between people. And bad habits most certainly do NOT make a person preform an action with the specific purpose of hurting the one ' Friend' they supposedly have.
If Yukari has a bad habit, she should work to correct it. Otherwise, she will remain alone." His voice was filled with an ominous grit. Moka's eyes were cast down as she tried to think of a way to defend Yukari. It was admirable. But in this case, Yukari was fully and unequivocally in the wrong.
But the tense moment broke when said little girl started…giggling. She held her hand in front of her mouth and giggled. She giggled and giggled, struggling to stop. When she did, her smile looked forced. "I don't mind." Yukari said smugly. "I am a genius. Why should I have friends so below me." Then her demeanor changed. It was somber, and her bat hid her eyes. "Besides…I've always been alone." Everyone stopped. The sheer loneliness in those words was staggering. Tsukune was about to apologize until, of all things, a golden wash Tub slammed into his skull.
Yukari ran off then. Tsukune was about to chase after her and enact retribution, but was stopped once more by Moka. "Wait! Tsukune! You can't just attack little girls!" She chastised. When Tsukune glared, she wilted slightly. "Well, maybe we should go after her." She acknowledged. "For her own good."
It was a triall not to roll his eyes. "Right. For her own good. Are you coming Kurumu? Do you feel well enough to follow with us, or would you like to stay here?" He asked the heaving girl.
She just waved her hand, motioning for them to go. Content to regain control of herself in the empty classroom.
They shut the door behind them to allow Kurumu some privacy to collect herself. Her Succubus heritage must make it difficult in some situations, Tsukune reasoned as he followed Moka in her pursuit of the young witch. All the while, he kept alert in the air above him. Just in case.
Yukari meanwhile was running. The high of hitting that blockhead was making her smile with glee as she ran. That'll show him! She didn't mind being alone. Not one bit!
"Ugfh!" She said as she ran around a corner and collided with something heavy. Her hat brim obstructed her vision, so she had to raise her head to see who hit her. "Arg! Why don't you watch where your going! Stupid!"
"You're the one who bumped into me, Little Yukari." A familiar slimy voice stated. Her eyes widened when she saw it was the class president from this morning. As well as his two goons!
"How rude! You damn shame on this school!" He accused. "And after you embarrassed me and my boys this morning, well, We've been waiting to catch you alone."
Yukari shook in feat as she was dragged up to my feet by her under arms.
"Where are you taking me?" She demanded to know as she struggled to escape. She tried to pull out her wand, but the boy to her left grabbed her hand, laughed, and tossed it to the ground. Yukari was begining to panic now. She kicked and thrashed, but their grips were strong. She was lead towards the woods, away from campus. "Wait. No! Wait! Help!" She screamed. "Help!"
But they didn't wait. And none could hear her screams.
Back with Tsukune, Moka was explaining why Yukari was struggling so much to fit in. "So let me get this straight, Monsters don't like humans. And Witches, mages, and Omnyoji are considered human. Or, at least half human. Do I have that right?"
Moka nodded as they searched the area. "It's true. In fact, half-breeds, or mixed races face a lot of prejudice from a lot of factions. And some are treated worse than others. Monstrals are by far the worst off. Their parents often have incompatible genes. Rendering them sterile in the same way a horse and a donkey might make a mule, but a mule can't have offspring.
Most are harmless, of course. But some join gangs and do mercinary work. And they give a bad name to the whole.
Next are Hanyou. They are the offspring of certain yokai and humans. Only certain species though. As there are several yokai that have children with humans intentionally. Things for them have improved in the last century, due almost entirely to the warrior general of the western territories.
Finally, and specific to this case, are magically inclined humans. They are seen as boardering the fantasmal and material worlds. So, in some areas, they get a lot of flak.
That's what I was talking about with Yukari. Did you know she hasn't had any friends since elementary school? She was always too smart for them. She couldn't connect with them. Because of that, she doesn't know how to make friends. That resonated with me. I understand what she'sgling through.
She acts out for attention. Because otherwise she would only be known for her brain, not herself."
Tsukune nodded. He could see how that might make sense. Maybe. But something bothered him. "Hold on, one of the guys in my dorm is a sentient umbrella. As in, he was an umbrella that sat in a closet for so long, he decided he should get up and move around. Great guy honestly. Let me borrow his chemistry notes.
How is he more acceptable than a human who does magic?"
Moka's unfullfilling response was to just shrug.
"Right. So how long until-"
"Tsukune, come look at this!" Moka interrupted him. She pointed at a pink object on the ground outside the window. Frowning, Tsukune opened the window and hopped through, assisting Moka from his side. After a brief look, they discovered that the object was Yukari's heart shaped wand. As well as a path torn through the brush that lead deeper into the woods.
"Oh no! What could have happened? I know she wouldn't go anywhere without this!" Moka worried holding the wand to her chest.
Quest alert! Save Yukari Sendou!
REWARD!:
200XP
50 affection with Yukari Sendou!
SKILL!: Tracking
FAILURE:
The death of Yukari Sendou.
He frowned. He would have saved her anyway. Just because she was a brat, didn't mean he wanted her dead.
Tsukune looked at the scuff marks on the otherwise flat ground. Narrowing his eyes, he saw they led to a disturbed path through the woods. Taking the initiative, he followed the obvious trail.
Thankfully, the trail was obvious. Broken branches, long drag marks, and several footprints. They heard Yukari screaming up ahead. Moka was even faster than Tsukune as she burst into the clearing. Tsukune was right behind her.
"What do you think you're doing? Get your hands off her!" Moka demanded to the boys who had ripped off Yukari's cape and left sleeve. They had the girl pinned to a tree, and her face was terrified. The boys themselves had shifted into some form of a bipedal lizard.
"This bitch again?!" The leader snarled. "Moka Akashiya! You're so bothersome!"
"Moka! Save yourself! Please! Just run!" Yukari begged from the arms of the lizard who held her. Moka looked at Yukari and shook her head.
"No. I won't. Your my friend Yukari. Even if we haven't been for long. So, I'll put myself on the line for you." Her smile was genuine. And it made Yukari tear up.
"But why!? I was so mean to you! I tried to hurt you by controlling Aono and Kurono! How could you still think I'm worth putting your life in danger." Yukari was crying now.
"Because that's what friends are. And Tsukune and Kurumu would be your friends as well, if you only asked. Be honest with yourself. That's what you really want, right? So stop acting out! And we can all be together!" Tsukune nodded at Moka's words. "I understand what you've been through Yukari. It was tough being so alone, wasn't it. But you don't have to be alone! The chance for friendship is here! You just have to grasp it! Just ask! Ask and we'll be your friends!"
"All be…together?" Yukari's face was shocked. She had never had someone willing to put their life on the line for her. She had never had someone so willing to be around her. Her tears turned to sobs. "Y-yes! Yes, please! Please, I don't want to be alone anymore!" Moka smiled, knowing she had finally gotten through to the intelligent, but stubborn girl.
"What is this sob story shit?!" The class president demanded. "Then, his eyes flashed and he smiled cruelly. "Oh well, I suppose it doesn't matter. You must know Akashiya, we can't let you leave here. No witnesses I guess we'll just have to eat you too. And that guy skulking in the shadows!" He pointed his finger at Moka, and one of the two behind him darted out to grab her.
He didn't make it far however because Tsukune had jumped in front of her and punched the Lizardman straight in the snout. He cried out and grabbed his face. Several bloody teeth fell to the dirt.
"You bastard!" the lizard man screamed. "How the fuck will I eat without my front teeth."
Tsukune wasn't done however, because he followed it up with a volly of Embers. The student was knocked back screaming as his clothes ignited. The boy had to dart into a nearby lake to extinguish himself.
He was about to send another volly at the class President, but stopped when he saw that the slimy punk had placed Yukari in front of himself. A knife like claw placed against her neck. "Stop right there. One more step further, and I'll slit her throat! We lizard men prefer to eat our prey alive, but we can always make an exception."
Tsukune didnt move. "Good. Now, send over the girl! No funny business! We Lizard men have strong noses, and eyes made to detect even the slightest movement. So I see you move even an inch forward, and this little girl gets a new crimson colored shirt."
Moka began walking toward him from behind Tsukune. "Moka!" he Whispered. "What are you doing?"
Moka paused by him. "Trust me." She said. But he was still worried.
"At least let me remove your rosary! Let other Moka take care of it." he urged.
Moka shook her head. "No time." She said again.
"Stop exchanging final words and get your ass over here!" The punk demanded.
"Trust me." She said again as she approached.
He stood frozen, unsure of what to do. None of his skills could help him here, and unsealing Moka would take a few seconds. In that time, he would slit Yukari's throat. He ground his teeth but resigned to putting his faith in Moka.
When she got close, the leader kept a hand on Yukari's neck. He extended his other hand out to cherish Moka's face.
"Well now, you are a pretty one. Aren't you. It'd be a shame to just eat you. Maybe me and the boys will just eat your limbs. Keep the rest of you around for our enjoyment." The boy to his side hissed excitedly.
Meanwhile, Tsukune glanced Moka carefully putting Yukari's wand in her hands. The girl looked shocked, but Moka didn't react.
Moka leaned into the clawed palm. "I suppose there are worse fates." She whispered somewhat seductively.
The leaders eyes widened and his tail thumped in excitement. "Oho! You are one kinky bitch! We're gonna have fun with you!" He said practically buzzing. That was when Yukari flicked her wand and the hand around her neck was covered in large Spiders.
"Oh! What the fuck!" The boy said as he released his grip on Yukari and pulled away. Brushing his arm off frantically. That was all the opening Tsukune needed as he burst forward. His fist broke through the boys teeth and jammed down into the lizards throat. Tsukune used the leverage of control over him to slam him into the other boy, and then kicked the president in the gut, firmly dislodging his arm from the Lizards throat.
It was over in just a few seconds. Two out of three lizard men had lost their front teeth, and the last had been knocked unconscious.
Quest complete! Save Yukari Sendou!
REWARD!: 200Xp
50 Affection with Yukari Sendou!
Skill!(Tracking) You are a predator. And like all Predators, you must know how to track your pray. From following footprints, to seeking out disturbances in the area, you always find your man. (Passive skill)
Tsukune dismissed the notifications in order to focus on the small girl sobbing into Moka's front.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She balled. Tsukune sighed. Yes, it was wrong for her to use her control of him to molest Kurumu. But she was just a little girl. And that showed now more than ever.
"Yukari." He said softly from the side. She looked up at him with red eyes and some snot falling down her nose. "Are you still looking for some friends?" He asked her.
The girls fragile control over her emotions shattered as she nodded emphatically. "Yes! Yes I do! Please be my friend!" He smiled genuinely.
He offered her a hand, but she hugged him instead. He patted her head as she soiled his shirt with her tears. "You promise to be my friend?" Yukari asked while looking up at him. He was going to assure her, but someone else beat him to it.
"Damn right we'll be your friend!" It was Kurumu, and she was on a war path. She dropped right in front of the startled girl, crouching so they were eye to eye as her wings pulled back in. "Just so long as you never, ever, do that again." Yukari looked ashamed and a promise not to was on her lips. "Without telling me about it first."
Three separate people made a noise of abrupt confusion. Kurumu grinned at Yukari with a light in her eyes. "If I had known about it beforehand, I would have been prepared! Then I could have seduced Tsukune for sure!"
If this was an anime, both Moka and Tsukune would have face vaulted. Instead, both came down with a case of eye twitching. Classic Kurumu.
They chatted as they walked back to their dorms. Making sure to invite Yukari to join the newspaper club. She gave Tsukune an extra long hug before departing with Moka and Kurumu. Tsukune waved goodbye and headed to the boy's dorm to start his nightly routine.
The next day Tsukune found out that Yukari had gone around and apologized to all the students she had pulled pranks on. At least, if Kurumu was to be believed. And it was an awkward moment when Yukari proudly proclaimed that she loved him in front of all the students. His ears went red as he heard people whisper about how cute Yukari was with a crush on her 'Senpai'.
Tsukune endeavored to just eat his food and not acknowledge them. Inadvertently signaling to Yukari that her crush was not rejected. And if his brain actively edited out the part when a twelve-year-old happily explained exactly what she would do if he and Moka were in the same bed as her, he could be forgiven.
It was around a week later when something of note happened. Tsukune had been in a bright mood due to his approaching birthday. He wasn't a very materialistic person, so he didn't mind not getting gifts from family. But it was his hope that he might ask Moka to spend a bit of time with him.
Perhaps it was her demeanor, or maybe the fact he shared such close physical contact with her every morning. But what had started as just seeing Moka as beautiful and a friend had turned into a full on crush.
Of course, he knew Kurumu also had a crush on him. But at the moment, he viewed her as just a friend. Something Yukari had taken to teasing her about. 'Friend zoned again, huh' She would tease. Then Kurumu would dive at her, and Yukari would conjure a wash tub. He had been worried the first time the interaction had happened. Those wash tubs hurt after all! But this had been going on for a few days, and Kurumu showed no sign of any brain damage. Aside from acting the part of a bimbo on occasion.
Plus, there was the fact that even if he wanted to pursue a relationship with Kurumu, one kiss and he would become a slave. He didn't know if the Gamer System would protect him from that fate, but he guess that at his level it wasn't likely.
"Tsukune, head out of the clouds. We have something important to discuss today. Hurry up and get to club." Gin said as he passed Tsukune in the hallway. Tsukune shook his head and did just that. Seeing that Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari were already seated, he picked a chair and paid attention.
Gin was standing at the front with print outs.
"What are these, Gin?" Moka asked as she leafed through her set of papers.
Gin's face was surprisingly stern. "Recently, a number of girls have gone missing on campus. They all vary in high, hair colors, and physique. But what they do have in common is all of them could be considered beautiful. As the newspaper club, it's our job to investigate, and get to the bottom of this." His stern face slacked a bit. "Having said that, I'm sure all you lady's should be extra careful! Being so fine as all you are." The reactions of Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari were mixed. Moka looked away and coughed awkwardly, Kurumu openly scowled, and Yukari got a mischievous glean in her eyes.
A swish of her wand and Gin was fleeing the room, followed by several boxes of chalk, an eraser, two chairs, one broom and dustpan, and finally a pencil sharpener. While the other objects seemed content to only beat at Gin, the Pencil sharpener seemed to continuously aim for Gin's groin. Something he put priority into avoiding.
Taking that as their dismissal, Tsukune got up to ask Moka if they could hang out on his birthday. But he was stopped when she spoke first. "Ah, Tsukune! Before I forget. I won't be in club for a week. Or available after classes. See, the thing is, I'm doing something. Can you tell Gin?"
Tsukune blinked. "Ah. Ok, I guess. Sure. Um, what's so important?"
Moka smiled and shook her head. "Mmhmm. Nope. It's a secret to everyone!" She said cheerfully.
Tsukune was put down, but he understood. Moka was just doing something for herself. Nothing wrong with that. He would just ask her another time. "Oh, Tsukune!" Moka said as if she had forgotten something. Hope grew within him. Maybe should could make some time! "Can I suck your blood?"
That hope shattered like a glass pane thrown off a skyscraper. He nodded, smiling stiffly. She drew in, and he felt the pricks of her fangs.
-4HP
-4HP
-4HP
-4HP
He was somewhat sure she had been taking more than she needed recently. It used to only be 1HP. But now it was always 4. It didn't really matter. He had well over a thousand. 16HP wasn't even a drop in the bucket. It had regenerated before she had even pulled away. He shattered when she licked the non existentant wound clean.
Perhaps she had to take more just to keep the wound open? He didn't know. What he did know was now she was leaving. And he didn't know what to do with himself.
The next few days went as normal. Gin brought up more information about the missing girls, and Tsukune even got a quest.
Quest Alert! Eternal beauty!
Objective!: Find out what's happening to the missing female students!
REWARD!: 200XP
FAILURE: The Girls are never found.
Death of Moka!(Sealed)
Death of Moka(Unsealed)
Failure of Life-Quest!: Welcome to the family.
He frowned harshly. This now had his full attention. Somehow, this had something to do with Moka. And if he didn't intervene, she would die.
He began his investigation by speaking with students close to the missing girls. Unfortunately, it seemed that the predator behind this crime knew how to pick victims. Because despite all the missing girl's beauty, almost none of them had any close friends.
It was while he was crossing campus in search of a lead that he spotted Moka. He was going to say hello, but the art teacher from the club day approached her first.
"Sorry to keep you waiting miss Ishigami!" Moka said as she followed behind the braided woman.
"It's no trouble, young miss Akashiya. None at all. I'm the one who should be thanking you. When I see someone with your level of Beauty, I just feel this urge to add you to my collection."
Moka blushed and waved the woman off. They continued in the direction of the art building as their voices faded out of hearing.
So that was what Moka was doing. She was attending an art class. Tsukune could see that being fun to do. He smiled at the idea that Moka was doing something she enjoyed. Even if she had forgotten about his birthday.
To be fair, he had only mentioned it once. All the way back at the start of term. It was perfectly understandable. It just sucked he could't do what he wanted and spend time with her on it. But, the mystery of the missing students needed him, and he was on the case. So he got back to it. Unfortunately, he made little progress that day. The only thing he had so far learned was that a student in the basket weaving club had transferred out suddenly before her disappearance. One Momo Yaoyorozu. According to casual aquatances, she had been a minor spirit of creation. Looking at her picture, Tsukune could see you was very pretty. Black hair, sharp eyes. She was a traditional beauty. Though, any traditional Japanese family would demand she smooth out the spiciness of her hair. Even with her beauty however, people reported she had few friends. Describing her as socially awkward. He made a point to visit the few friends she had tomorrow.
Giving up for the day, Tsukune headed back to his dorms to sleep on it all. The next day went as normal up until Moka left for her art classes. She had forgotten a book on her desk in her haste to leave. Not wanting it to be stolen, Tsukune grabbed it with the intention of returning it to her.
It was simple curiosity that caused him to open it. Nothing more. He chose a page at random and looked at it. Then slammed it shut out of shock. Blinked then cracked it open. His face went red when he saw it was a girl sitting in pose with her breasts out. He closed it again. Then flipped to another page. This time it was a different girl. It depicted her bare back as she sat on a stool. Her smile was serene. But she was crying.
Looking around to make sure nobody else had seen, Tsukune wondered why on this green earth Moka had a book filled with nude women. But it all made sense when he closed it and looked at the cover.
Medusa's Garden By Ishigami Hitomi
A classical look at poses in the modeling art form.
Oh, it was an art book. The publish date was just a few days ago, making it brand new. Sniffing it slightly, he could smell the ink. It must be fresh off the press. Now that he had context, he opened it up to that first page he had seen. He found that the model was not fully exposed. A ribbon drifted tastefully in front of her nipples in the frame, and her crotch was concealed by her calf, which was pulled against her stomach and crossed against her waist. It looked natural, even if it had to have been difficult to get the perspective on the ribbon correct. On the back was some basic information about who was the model, when the photo was taken, and what techniques were used.
Hmm, so this was art. Aside from his male reaction to the feminine body, he could see how much work was put into this picture. The lighting was soft and cast slight shadows over her skin. And the pose itself looked staged, but at the same time comfortable. According to the technique section, the ribbon had a thin wire running along the back of it. Allowing the artist to stage it however they pleased. It was very informative. No doubt written as a guide and example booklet. Ishigami must be very passionate about teaching her craft.
He thought it was interesting. Placing it in his bag, he decided he would leaf through it tonight and give it back to Moka tomorrow.
In the meantime, he intended to speak with Momo Yaoyorozu's few friends.
She had two as far as he knew. Both homeroom classmates and second year's.
Spotting one as they left the building, he approached. "Excuse me." Tsukune said approaching the Green-haired boy. "Do you have a moment to speak? It's for the Newspaper." The boy paused. Behind him was another boy with square glasses. The other friend. According to sources, their names were Izuku Midoriya, and Tenya Iida. A forest spirit and a cheetah Yokai respectively.
"I'm sorry, but we can't help you right now." Tenya said pushing Izuku forward.
"It's about Momo Yaoyorozu." Tsukune said. He had to jump back to avoid Tenya Iida's attempt to grab him. He landed in a crouch, and saw that Izuku was holding Iida back.
"Hold on Iida! He hasn't said anything yet!" Izuku urged.
Tenya struggled to escape the body grab he was being held in. Tsukune put up his hands in a sign of de-escalation. "I wanted to ask you about her. Like I said. I'm from the newspaper club. We're investigating the disappearance of several missing girls."
Tenya stopped struggling and Izuku let him go. Huffing, he elaborated on the reason for his behavior. "Well, at least someone is. We've tried investigating ourselves, but we haven't found anything. We tried going to the PSC, but they demanded we pay them. And we did! We gave them everything we had! But they just laughed and told us they'd look into it.
That was two weeks ago. And Momo has been missing for three!" Tenya clenched his fists so hard his palms began to bleed.
"Please, if you can help, we're desperate." Said Izuku while looking down.
Tsukune empathized with them. If it had been Moka, or Kurumu, or even Yukari missing, he was sure he would be going frantic. "Let's start with the last place you saw her." He gently prodded.
"It was after class. She hadn't been staying with us afterwards. She was being secretive about it." Said Iida while he bandaged his hand with a strip of cloth her pulled out of his pocket.
Tsukune nodded while taking notes. "Any idea what she was being secretive about?"
Izuku spoke this time. "She was helping with the art class I think. But we checked all around that area. We even asked miss Ishigami. She said that Momo hadn't shown up the day she disappeared. Something must have happened to her on her way there. "
Tsukune nodded. "Thank you. Rest assured, we at the news paper club are looking into this. If you by chance find your friend, or any of the other girls. Please, let us know."
Izuku nodded and led Iida away. So, the last place the girl had been was on her way to the art class. He should investigate that area next. The art building was located a bit away from the main campus. In truth, it was its own complex. With multiple rooms and a main office.
Tsukune could find nothing unusual about the surrounding area. It was a well-walked path with plenty of open space. On top of that, it was in full view of several classrooms inside the school itself. It was extremely unlikely Yaoyorozu could be attacked here and no one have seen anything.
Investigating the side of the building, Tsukune saw a student was speaking to a classroom from outside an open window. Apparently, she had skipped gym to be here. She spoke well of Miss Ishigami at the very least.
Finding nothing of note, he headed back to his dorm. This time frustrated at his lack of progress.
Tsukune fully intended to give Moka her Modeling book back today. As well as ask her about the subject in general since he was curious. As usual, she was quick to leave class. He rushed out to grab her attention. "Mok-Guh." He coughed out as someone slammed into him from around a corner of the doorway.
"Oof! Ow! Hey, watch where your- Oh! Tsukune!" It was Kurumu. They had both fallen over after colliding.
"Oh, hey Kurumu. Sorry for bumping into you. I was trying to give Moka her book back. Are you on you're way to Club meeting?" She nodded. He got up and offered her a hand up off the ground.
"Yeah. I think I have a lead with one girl. According to gossip, she had been fighting with her boyfriend. And he was known for violent outbursts." Kurumu explained.
Tsukune nodded. That did sound like a promising lead. He went to pick up the fallen art book and froze. There, on the open page was an image of Momo Yaoyorozu. Tsukune picked it up and examined it. The girl was posed in such a way that a sheet was draped over her. Much like a toga. Additionally, she seemed to have tears running down her serene face.
Keeping his finger on the page, Tsukune examined the date listed on the back. It was there along with some basic information. But the thing was, the date was listed as just under two and a half weeks ago. A full three days after the girls disappearance.
"Tsukune, is something wrong?" Kurumu asked concerned.
Tsukune looked up at her gravely. "Kurumu, we need to go to the art building. Now."
The two made haste to the art building complex. Tsukune was the first to notice. It was too quiet. Approaching the main entrance, a sign was posted on the door.
All classes and clubs have been canceled today. Private modeling season's are in progress. Please respect the Models privacy and remain quiet on the grounds. Thank you.
Ishigami Hitomi
Something fishy was going on. At the very least, Moka would be safe. Seeing as she would be sent away with everyone else.
"Tsukune, come over here. I think I can hear crying." Kurumu said from around the corner of the building. Kurumu lead him to the side of the building. There weren't any windows back here, just brick and concrete walls, and a steel door.
Indeed, when Tsukune placed his ear against the blue steel door, he could hear a girl sobbing.
The door was of course locked, and while Tsukune could try to rip it off, even with his enhanced strength he wasn't sure he could do damage the reinforced steel door. At least not in any way that wouldn't alert the whole school to his presence. He was debating slowly melting through the door when Kurumu walked up to the Knob, shoved her index talon in the key hole, and simply cut through the lesser metals that made the lock work.
With nothing preventing it, she grinned as the door was easily open. "Good job Kurumu." He complamented. She beamed at his praise.
The interior was lit by a single light bulb hanging over head. It was a storage room of sorts. Large packages of clay and cans of paint lined the shelves as they quietly shuffled through. In the back was a large locker shut with a pad lock. The sobbing could clearly be heard from the locker. Once again Kurumu proved her worth by sheering through the simple pad lock.
Inside were two statues. Tsukune recognized both. One was the girl he had seen yesterday. She had been skipling class. The other was Momo Yaoyorozu. Both had tears that ran down their nude forms and created a puddle at their feet.
"Oh Satans, who would do something like this!" Kurumu said softly while examining them. Their flesh was completely turned to stone. And their eyes held no life. While Momo was trapped in a pose that looked just like her cover image, the girl with braids was trapped in a pose that looked like she had been fleeing injured.
"Ssssomeone who appreciatessss true art, perhapssss?" A smooth voice said behind them. It was pure luck that allowed Tsukune to dodge the snake that shot out at his neck. It's jaw snapped at where he had been as Tsukune blew out a cloud of Smoke-screen.
He grabbed Kurumu's and bolted out of the room. He pulled her at a full sprint until they were a safe distance away. Nearly on the other side of campus.
Tsukune's stamina was down a fourth, and Kurumu was panting heavily. "Not that I (Huff) am not (Huff) grateful. (Huff) But could you (Huff) have not given me some warning?" Kurumu whined as she slumped down on the ground.
Tsukune offered her a hand to help her up. "Sorry Kurumu. I acted on instinct. Did you get a good look at whoever that woman was." Kurumu shook her head in the negative.
"No, sorry. One second I was looking at the statues, the next you had blown smoke and we were running." Tsukune frowned. At the very least, they now knew this had something to do with the art club.
"We have to go back." He affirmed. "Those girls needed help."
Kurumu sighed, but nodded. Their approach this time was full stealth. The sun had began to set casting the landscape in shadows. Kurumu used the fact that twilight was neither overcast by the sun or moon to remain in the air without casting a shadow on the ground.
Tsukune was as quiet as possible in his steps.
They got back to the storage room to discover the two girls had been moved. Searching the complex, Tsukune used his Tracking skill to follow the drag marks the statues had made to the front entrance. Unfortunately, the chain on the doors here was so thick even Kurumu couldn't cut through them.
Sighing, but content in the fact that something was here, they left for the night. Tomorrow, they would go directly to Miss Ishigami. Reasoning someone so passionate about art wouldn't want her facilities sullied by these evil doers.
Telling the faculty was the next logical step of course.
The next day, Moka was missing from class. Tsukune checked his notification to see he hadn't failed this quest, so he reasoned she was fine. But something was nagging at him.
With Kurumu in toll, they headed directly to the art building. Once again, a note stated that Modeling was taking place and that classes were cancelled. Tsukune rapt on the doors anyway.
"Hello! Miss Ishigami! We need to speak with you! It's important!" He called. Something shuffled inside, and he heard cursing. That was when he heard her.
"Tsukune! Help!" Moka's voice called. He needed no other prompt. Tsukune violently smashed through the solid oak doors. He landed in a hallway that led to multiple classrooms. One light was on about half way down the hall. Springing towards it, he kicked the door open to see Moka in a terrible state.
Moka's Pov
She had been attending this class with the hope of creating a portrait for Tsukune. It was his birthday coming up, and she thought it might be a good gesture.
Unfortunately, with what little time she had to practice, she wasn't at a level she felt would be enough. She was saddened by this until Miss Ishigami offered to give her private lessons.
She was ecstatic! With those and the masterful guidance of Miss Ishigami, she would be skilled enough to create a portrait in no time. The only thing Ishigami wanted in return for her extra tutoring was what she had wanted on club day. She wanted to use Moka as a model. More specifically, a nude model.
Moka was so embarrassed, wanting to say no immediately! But miss Ishigami had been understanding of her hesitance. Going as far as to offer Moka a free copy of her freshly printed example book. The book itself was full of useful information on light levels and skin tones, depths of fields and techniques. It looked like a college textbook rather than something for high schoolers. Moka was sure it was quite expensive to produce. But Miss Ishigami gave it to her anyway in hopes of persuading her.
After leafing through the book and understanding that it would be used only for Miss Ishigami's personal portfolio, Moka agreed.
The first day had gone fine, up until Miss Ishigami stopped the session abruptly. Telling her that it was getting late, that Moka should dress, and then leave. She agreed, put her clothes on, and them left. Only to remember she had misplaced her modeling book. Assuming it had fallen out at the studio, she headed back.
Now back inside the art building she had gone to the modeling studio. When she entered however, she saw two statues that hadn't been there before. They both wept quietly. Moka was backing out when something hit her in the back of the head.
Moka had woken up in an uncomfortable position. She was standing upright, but also restrained. She tried to move only to hear a metallic clicking noise. Something was holding her, forcing her to stand in an upright pose. It had wires the grabbed at her ankles, knees, waist, elbows, and wrists. She struggled to move again. This time with a bit more force, and that's when she heard a voice from behind her.
"I'd be careful of that. My pose skeletons made of a titanium alloy. It's resistant to strong girls like yourself. Additionally, if you try to change into your true form, the wires that tie you to it will carve off your limbs."
Moka struggled to turn her head and look back behind her. She was totally exposed, without a shred of cloth to cover her body. She shivered in the chill of the room. "Please. I don't know who you are, or what you want. But please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone. Please" Her last plee came out as a whisper as her mind imagined the depraved acts that could be done to her like this. While she was totally helpless.
"Don't cry. I won't hurt you. I just want your help." The woman said from behind her.
"My help?" Moka asked whimpering.
"Yesssss. You and me, we shall make ART! " The woman stepped into view and it was Miss Ishigami! Stepping into Moka's personal space, the woman dragged a hand up Moka's hip. It trailed along the outer edge of her bust until it landed on her face. "You wanted to make art with me, right Miss Akashiya?"
Moka shuttered. Then the woman grabbed her chin, and ever so softly turned Moka's head. Moka couldn't move at all, but with this contraption, she could pose Moka as she willed. She moved Moka around like a doll before finding a pose she liked. Then she stepped away from Moka. Moka tried to keep her eyes on Miss Ishigami, but her head was locked in a position where the woman was slightly out of view.
After some time changing light levels, Moka saw a camera flash and heard a loud click. She was taking pictures of her! Ishigami disappeared for a while after that. Leaving Moka to cramp in the uncomfortable position. Some time later, Ishigami came back. She complained about those photos not having what she wanted. And the process started again.
This went on for hours. Several minutes of posing Moka, followed by adjusting the light levels, followed by taking a photo, followed by Ishigami leaving the room to develope the film.
Sometimes the changes were small and minute. Her arm would be moved a few inches. Maybe her head would be tilted. Other times Ishigami decided she didn't like the pose and started over.
Moka was exhausted by the time Ishigami came into the room smiling happily. "Good news Akashiya! I think we've finally found the pose that will make you look like true art!"
Despite herself, Moka allowed herself to hope that meant she would be released soon. "All that's left is for you to close your eyes and smile! Smile as if you've found true peace! As if you've found what makes you happy! Then, and only then will I unshackle you from my pose skeleton. Doesn't that sound nice?" It did sound nice. She was so stiff and sore from being stuck in one position for so long. She smiled. She thought of happy things. Of ice cream, and strawberries. Of Tsukune's blood. Of Tsukune. "Yes! Yes! Just like that! Stay just like that. Jussssst like that."
Moka whimpered as something slithered up her body. Multiple somethings. She kept her eyes closed and tried to stay in her happy place. She could feel the ropes around her coil and become ready to strike. And then!
"Hello! Miss Ishigami! We need to speak with you! It's important!" Called a voice from down the hall.
It was Tsukune! "Tsukune! Help!" She cried out. The snakes ripped off her with such speed she thought she might have rug burn. She opened her eyes hopefully to see Miss Ishigami had snakes surrounding her. They originated all from her head. Her serpentine eyes seethed with rage.
A loud boom echoed out as Moka watched the front door fly passed the classroom they were in through the glass door panel. Not even a second later, Tsukune was kicking the door open. His eyes widened when he saw her nude form, but he couldn't have focused on it even if he wanted to. Because he was leaping back to avoid a full rush of snakes.
"You've ruined my art, boy!" Tsukune showed when he looked at her. Then a look of realization entered his face.
"It was you in the storage room yesterday." He jumped back again to avoid the fast strikes of Ishigami's snakes. He was in the hallway now, with Ishigami fast on his heel. She could hear crashing and the woosh of fire down the hallway, but couldn't see any of it. Eventually, it moved far enough away should thought they must have moved outside.
Moka struggled to move again, but once more found it was useless. The frame of the Skeleton that laid metal beams against the back of her body, and bound her at the joints didn't move at all.
Something knocked on the window of the classroom. Moka strained her eyes to see who it was. She saw the smallest flash of blue. "Kurumu?" she called out hoping it was her. Kurumu moved to another window that Moka could see.
She saw Moka standing in pose and waved. She tried to open the window, but it was locked. Kurumu looked thoughtful for a second, then placed her hand palm down on the glass. Her Talons extended and dug gently into the pane. By rotating her hand, she was able to carve out a circle. Pushing her hand forward, the glass fell out and shattered on the ground.
"Oops." Said Kurumu as she reached in and unlacthed the window lock. Now unlocked, she opened the window and stalled through. "Hey Moka. Tsukune is fighting that crazy teacher. So I thought I would keep him from saving you, and avoid a damsel in distress moment between the two of you. Especially when you're in your birthday suit."
Moka rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Please, just get me out of this. I'm cramping so bad!" She tried to move only to be kept still by the wire shackles.
Kurumu examined the contraption. "Oh, I see. Girl problems, huh? I think I have a pad stuffed in my bra if you need it. Speaking of, I didn't know vampires did that. Isn't losing blood counter-productive to your whole thing? Also, why are you naked?" She asked while trying to slip a talon between Moka's wrist and the wire. Kurumu frowned when it didn't cut.
"Kurumu! Not that kind of cramp! She put me in this weird puppet device. It let's her move me however she wants. But I can't move at all! I don't have clothes because she took them?" Moka was mortified at the implication that Tsukune could have seen her doing that. And vampires did do that. Just not very often. Once every few years, starting at puberty. It was linked to their lifespan and low fertility. "Please, just let me out!"
Kurumu kept sawing at the wire, but found it had no give. "Hey, no need to be embarrassed. We're both girls here. Things happen. But unfortunately, whatever this is made of, it isn't cutting. If it was steel, something this small, I should be able to cut. But I'm only leaving small scratches. I'm ruining my nails over here."
Moka didn't care. She just wanted to stretch out. And put her clothes back on. She was cold. "Ishigami was able to move me even if I couldn't."
Kurumu hummed in thought, then got an idea. "Oh, I know!" then she yanked at Moka's rosary. And yanked again. And again. And again.
"Kurumu stop! That hurts!" Moka complained. It hurt less than all of her muscles cramping, but it still hurt.
Kurumu kept yanking. "Why! Won't! This! Come! Off?!" But no matter how hard she tired, the rosary wouldn't budge. Eventually, Kurumu gave up.
"It's probably for the best." Moka dismissed. "Miss Ishigami said that it was designed to cut into whoever was inside of this if they tried to enter their true form."
Kurumu was confused. "Why should that matter?"
Moka went a bit pink. "Ah, well. I've been told I…ahem… mature a bit…when I transform." Kurumu looked confused before looking down at Moka's exposed breasts. Her eyes widened slightly in realization. Then she giggled. "Kurumu! This is no laughing matter!"
Kurumu struggled to get ahold of herself as she held a hand over her mouth. Moka just glared. Kurumu made a 'What-can-you-do gesture. "Right, so, no big boobied scary Moka. Got it!" Moka made a sound of annoyance.
Kurumu circled around back where Moka couldn't see. "Hmm, there's a keyhole on the back part. It looks like a segmented spine. Oh, and some kind of latch. I wonder what happens when I-" Something clicked and Moka collapsed to the floor. Face first
"Ow," Moka whined. Thankfully, her vampiric anatomy was stronger than mere masonry. So the tile cracked rather than breaking her nose.
"Sorry!" Kurumu apologized. "Can you move?" Moka tried, but the best she could do was wiggle her fingers and toes. She made a sad grunting noise from the floor. "Right. Ok, uh. Let me think." Kurumu walked around the room, looking for anything to use to transport Moka. She opened a door to the side of the classroom, and Moka could hear multiple women sobbing. "Oh, Lucifer. Moka, I found the other missing girls."
Moka was still laying face down.
"Jeez, how many of you are in here?"
Moka was beginning to get annoyed.
"Ah, here we go! Don't worry everyone, we'll be back for you soon." Kurumu promised as she rolled something heavy out of the room. Shuting the door behind her, Kurumu saw Moka was still nude. "Oh, right. Uh, here Moka!" A large rough cloth was thrown over Moka before Kurumu started to manhandle her up onto a pallet used for transporting pottery. Though, in this case, it was probably used to transport petrified girls. The cloth itself was covered in paint stains, making Moka believe that it had been used to keep the floor clean. She was grateful for the stained tarp regardless. "Geez Moka. Why are you so heavy!" Kurumu complained as she struggled to get Moka up onto the pallet. Ok, now she was a bit less grateful.
"I'm going to ignore that you just called me fat." Moka growled. Kurumu just shrugged and started rolling them out.
"Well with how much blood you drink…" Kurumu said off handedly.
"You are the worst savior ever!" Moka complained. From the sound of silence outside is would be a safe bet to say the fighting had stopped.
The came upon Tsukune sitting on the ground panting. Across from his laid an unconscious Hitomi Ishigami. Her scalp and front were covered in tthird-degreeburns.
"Aw, we missed the fight." Kurumu said disappointed.
Tsukune's Pov, a few minutes ago.
It was a massive pain to fight the art teacher in the hallway. In this enclosed space, she held the advantage. Her snakes flew at him from every possible vector. Meanwhile he jumped off the walls and ceiling to avoid the Gorgon's venomous vipers.
Seeing this as a losing battle, Tsukune decided to give ground. He retreated through a mess of acrobatics, while she followed. Her Snakes lashing out like a storm in front of her. Eventually, he landed from a backflip out the door into a long skid.
Ishigami immerged from the building like a nightmare. Her snakes writhed at the entrance like the bobbing heads of a Hydra. "You've ruined my art!" She screamed at him as she stepped outside into the moonlight. "I'll cast you in stone, and smash you to bits!" And the dance was began anew. But this time, Tsukune was not trapped in an enclosed space. Forced to advance or retreat.
He spun in the air and fired multiple Embers at the mass of vipers. For what felt like the first time in forever, they were extremely effective. Ishigami screamed in agony as a portion of her snakes were turned to char and fell off.
Unfortunately for him, that Hydra comparison was closer than he realized. Because from the stumps of each head grew two more snakes. "Know your betters boy!" She screeched as a huge mass rushed towards him. He blew out a Smoke-screen and did a arm vault to the left. Her response was to twist her hair in a massive circular motion. Effectively creating a fan to disperse the smoke.
"Right, that isn't working." He muttered. Another mass flew towards him, and he decided to stop playing nice.
He activated Smolder and kept it up. Every snake that tried to latch onto him was burned away to cinders. And any new snakes that formed along the wound met the same fate.
Seeing the effectiveness of this caused Tsukune to smile. "I've never been in a fight where my fire was so effective. This is kind of fun." He said as he leapt I to the air and fired a volly of Embers. Landing on his feet, he saw Ishigami thrashing wildly. All signs of reason gone.
Not worried about his HP since he hadn't taken any damage yet, he charged forward with Smolder still active. Ishigami's eyes widened when his flaming form broke through her wall of serpents. Her front ignited and she screamed silently while he grabbed her by the scalp. Effective cauterizing the snakes in her hair. When she stopped twitching, he released Smolder. She was still breathing. Slightly.
While she was a vile, evil woman, he didn't want to kill her. In fact, he didn't want to kill anyone. Still, now he was exhausted. Collapsing on the ground, he looked up to the beautiful moon above.
The ground around him was scorched, and ash was all over the place. He sneezed as some went into his nose.
"Gross. I just breathed dead snakes." He complained to nobody.
"Tsukune!" Moka said from the entrance. He was up in an instant.
"Moka! Are you hurt? What happened. Where…are your clothes?" He asked the nude girl wrapped in a painter's tarp. She blushed something fierce.
"It's…a long story. But listen! I can't get this thing off me! And if I don't get it off me, I can't transform! She had a key I think, can you search her?" Moka begged.
Tsukune looked back to the charred body of Ishigami Hitomi. "Uh…i think if she had it on her, it's probably melted. Maybe she had a backup?" Left with no other choice, they headed back inside to look for a space key to the contraption.
The first room they searched was of course the room Moka had been held in. Kurumu searched through the drawers while Moka feebly drank from Tsukue to regain some strength.
Sitting on the edge of the pallet while she drank, Tsukune tried not to think about what was pressing into his back.
If he had a nickel for every time Moka had drank from the back of his neck topless, well. He'd have two nickels. Which wasn't a lot. But it was weird it had happened twice.
"Thank you, Tsukune. For your blood. And for rescuing me."
He smiled as he stared forward. "It's no problem Moka. You're a precious person to me." She let go of him and wrapped herself in the tarp. Turning to her, the smoke on her face was radiant. "Now, lets see about finding that key." Tsukune said as he got up and decided to search.
"So Moka, I gotta ask." Kurumu addressed. "Do you have to buy new bras after every transformation?"
Moka threw something at Kurumu.
He noticed a room off to the side and opened the door.
The next half hour was spent trying to explain to all the nude, traumatized, emotionally fragile girls why it wouldn't be a good idea to kill the boy who had stumbled upon them. If not for Kurumu, who had said to them in their certified state that she would be back, Tsukune feared for his safety.
It was decided that it would be best of he left and brought back hospital staff. As well as a few of their security guards for Miss Ishigami. But when Tsukune returned, he found she was missing entirely. He was asurred that the Board chairman would be informed on the situation, and that his guard detail would look into it. It was late evening when he was allowed to enter his dorm room. They had all been written notes allowing them to skip the next day, and Tsukune was grateful. Just because he always awoke being well related didn't mean the mental exhaustion went away.
When he was finally, Finally, in his bed, he opened his notifications.
Quest complete! Eternal beauty!
Objective!: Find out what's happening to the missing female students!
REWARD!: 200XP
Level up!
Name: Tsukune Aono
Class(Damned Infernal)
Lvl:9
XP:25/500
HP:1872/1872
SP:2484/2484
MP:1386/1386
STR: 12
DEX: 23
VIT: 16
INT: 11
WIS: 14
CHAR: 22
END: 13
He ended up dumping the previous five points into DEX, because he enjoyed being fast and nimble. The five he gained from the level up, he put into VIT, just so his health was raised. Tsukune believed in the philosophy that he couldn't have too much HP.
Progression Alert! For reaching 20 in DEX you may choose a mutation trait!
Mutation traits come from reaching a landmark in your stat progression, and are related to your race. You may choose only one progression trait per stat.
Please choose from the list of options.
(Infernal Flight)
Gain wings at will and fly as the devil's do. Cost 20SP Per second.
(Whip-lash tail)
Gain a spined tail to whip amd lash out at your enemies. Cost 60 MP per use.
While a pleasant surprise, Tsukune had a hard time seeing a world where having a tail was better than having wings. He couldn't wait to try them out. Even if 20 SP per second meant he could only fly for around a little over two minutes.
He selected Infernal flight amd felt a shift in how his back muscles moved. He could just feel that if he shifted in just the right way they would pop out. Seeing as he was laying in bed, he decided to examine them in the morning on his run.
(Whip-lash Tail) Now permanently locked.
Progression Alert! For reaching 20 in Char you gain a Mutation Trait!
Trait gained! Devilish charm!
Once a day, you may apply Devilish charm to a member of the opposite sex in order to persuade them into doing something they usually wouldn't.
Tsukune found that…somewhat useful. He wasnt sure what he would do with it. But it was useful.
That week the newspaper club ran a story on the missing girls and Hitomi Ishigami. They got multiple interviews, including one from Momo Yoayorozu. Her friends came to thank the newspaper club personally.
All in all, it felt nice to help people. And, if Tsukune had seen an entire room filled to the brim with nude, beautiful girls. Well, that was just a perk of doing the right thing.