So, I bet you are all wondering if I'm dead… At this point, the answer is maybe because I've been going through hell for the past few months. Good news is that it is almost over, and I will be able to write again after that. In the meantime, enjoy the chapter.

SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.

Previously:
The group discussed what they thought might have allowed Tsukune to take the rosary off, with the group being unable to come up with a satisfactory explanation that they all agreed on. Afterwards, Moka would go to rest, only to find herself tied up by a strange person upon waking, who introduced themselves as Yukari Sendou. Mizore and Gin would continue to search for the missing girls, while Kurumu and Tsukune would investigate Nagare, after finding a letter from him addressed to Kurumu, with Kurumu swiftly and violently dealing with him after finding out he was in fact the peeping tom and had sick plans for the Newspaper Club. Following this, Tsukune found himself in a dreamlike land, which he couldn't make heads or tails of, before finding himself transfixed by a baby he found inside the house in his mind. Kurumu would then enter Tsukune's mind and explain that he was asleep and dreaming, with this environment being his dreamscape, before the two of them left Tsukune's mind together.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 8 – Stalkers everywhere

Tsukune sat up on his bed with a jolt, spotting Kurumu sitting beside him.

'You better get ready.' Said Kurumu, noticing the clock now showed fifteen minutes until class started.

'I need a shower, the poison gas stuff is still all over me.' Muttered Tsukune, before realising Kurumu was still there.

'I'll meet you in class, Kurumu.' Said Tsukune.

'So I don't get to help you shower? How mean?' Said Kurumu, faking a pout, before grinning.

'No worries, we can do it another time.' Said Kurumu, before leaving a thoroughly embarrassed Tsukune.

-line break-

Arriving to class ten seconds before the bell rung, Tsukune took his seat behind Mizore, sparing a glance behind him to notice Kurumu was also there, but Moka wasn't.

'Now today class, we will be discussing monster immigration laws throughout the world.' Announced Nekonome-sensei, to start the morning class.

Despite the interesting subject matter, Tsukune found he was unable to focus, when almost ten minutes into the class, Moka still hadn't shown up.

As the bell rang to signal a break, Tsukune and Mizore made their way over to Kurumu's desk at the back and quickly caught up on what had happened yesterday.

'So you found the peeper and it wasn't Gin after all.' Commented Mizore in mild surprise.

'Yeah. He shouldn't be a problem anymore.' Said Kurumu.

'What happened with you and Gin, Mizore? Did you find any other clues?' Asked Tsukune.

'We think that whatever is going to happen will happen tomorrow. They usually tend to go missing around the start of the week.' Said Mizore.

'You don't think… they took Moka, do you?' Asked Tsukune, looking at Moka's empty desk.

'I don't think so, as that would mean she went missing over the weekend and that hasn't been the case so far. All the same, we should try and find her, I guess.' Said Mizore.

'Ok, but we need to be in bed early tonight. I have plans with Tsukune.' Said Kurumu, causing Mizore to give her a cold glare.

'What plans?' Asked Mizore.

'I asked Kurumu to help me explore something in my mind. I found something in a dream and it seemed kind of odd to me.' Explained Tsukune, piquing Mizore's curiosity.

'What was it?' Asked Mizore.

'A baby… but it felt familiar somehow.' Said Tsukune, causing Mizore to tilt her head to the side in thought.

'I see, you must be imagining our future children. This is good, it means we can get practical from now on.' Said Mizore, causing Tsukune to stammer.

'N-no, I don't think it is my kid… I don't know, but it feels familiar to the point that I feel like I should be able to figure out what it is, but I can't.' Admitted Tsukune.

'I see… I want to come in too then.' Said Mizore, turning to Kurumu with an expectant gaze.

'I can't do that! That's like asking me to bring along an extra person to go through Tsukune's closest secrets. I'm not even sure I can bring an extra person along.' Protested Kurumu, causing Mizore to huff.

'Then I will supervise.' Declared Mizore, with a tone of finality.

'We'll tell you if we find anything important anyway, I just want to have another look.' Said Tsukune, with a smile.

'Ok so the plan is set, look for Moka in the afternoon and dive into Tsukune's dreams later that night!' Cheered Kurumu, before the bell rang for the next class.

-line break-

Moka didn't come to a single class that day, worrying Tsukune.

'Where do you think Moka could be?' Asked Tsukune.

'Well, the first place to check would be her room. She could still be resting after we broke her seal.' Said Kurumu.

'For two days? Very unlikely for a vampire.' Commented Mizore.

'In that case, I think the two of you need to check without me then, I suppose I could go and see Gin, maybe he has an idea.' Said Tsukune.

'I'm sure his idea would be to check Moka's room too.' Said Kurumu, with narrowed eyes.

'Agreed.' Concurred Mizore.

'Well… then maybe I can tell him about the peeper while you two go check?' Suggested Tsukune.

'Sounds like a good idea to me.' Said Kurumu.

'Okay, see you at the club room.' Said Tsukune, before splitting off from the two girls.

Tsukune made his way to the club room, only to find the door was open and Gin was staring out the window.

'Hello?' Said Tsukune questioningly.

'Oh Tsukune, what brings you here?' Asked Gin.

'Kurumu and I found the person who was peeping on the girls.' Said Tsukune, closing the door behind him.

'Great job. I'm sure Mizore would have probably told you by now, but we did a bit of digging and think that because of the current pattern, someone is going to be kidnapped soon.' Said Gin, to which Tsukune nodded.

'Yeah, that's why we were worried about Moka not showing up today.' Admitted Tsukune.

'Hmm, what's wrong with Moka?' Asked Gin.

'We tried removing the rosary a few days ago and we think it might have made her weak, but with the kidnappings I'm a bit worried.' Said Tsukune.

'I'm sure Moka will be fine, the kidnappings don't happen over the weekend… of course, I could always save her heroically if she has been kidnapped, so either option would be fine.' Said Gin, causing Tsukune to stare at him in disbelief.

'Wow… you sure are something.' Commented Tsukune, before being flattened, as the door slammed into his back.

'You shouldn't kick doors open, you just flashed Gin.' Commented Mizore dryly.

Tsukune clutched his head in pain, before a struggling lump was dropped next to him.

'I think we found the prankster too, only they had Moka tied up to her bed.' Declared Kurumu, as a young girl squirmed fitfully on the ground.

'Hmm, flat… like a child, yep seems like you got the prankster.' Decided Gin, after studying the girl.

'You perverts! Haters of love! How dare you separate me from Moka and demean me in this way!' Shouted the girl, trying to throw a tantrum, but finding the ropes holding her in place too tight.

Finally sitting up, Tsukune noticed the person squirming on the floor in front of him appeared very distinctive.

'So, I'm guessing she's a witch?' Said Tsukune, noticing the pointed hat on her head.

'And a pervert.' Added Mizore.

'She didn't even let Moka go to the bathroom.' Added Kurumu.

'I used a spell!' Shouted the girl defensively.

'I see… and have you kidnapped any other girls recently?' Asked Gin.

'What other girls? I only care about Moka!' Cried the girl indignantly.

'All right, cut her loose, no point in becoming kidnappers ourselves, but we should make sure someone checks on Moka if she doesn't show up again. Right now, we have bigger problems to deal with, no offense tiny.' Said Gin.

'Fine.' Grumbled Kurumu, loosening the ropes slightly and jamming what looked like a magic wand into the girl's arms, before throwing her out the door, slamming it behind her and finally dusting her hands off.

'What a weird girl. Normally it is the little kid who gets abducted, not the one who does the abducting.' Said Kurumu.

'On that note, we still don't have any leads about who is doing the abducting. Considering how careful they are and the fact that they only seem to be going after hot girls, it sounds like we are dealing with a pervert with a brain.' Said Gin.

'So not you… is what you are saying?' Teased Kurumu, only for Gin to huff.

'Aside from that, they all seem to be first years, so tough luck for you two. There is not much else they have in common though, so keep an eye out for any other first years disappearing, or if there are any rumblings going around about who it might be.' Said Gin.

'Anything we should do in the meantime?' Asked Tsukune.

'Just be careful I suppose. We'll get Moka here tomorrow afternoon to debrief properly and then we need to start writing. The deadline is coming up.' Said Gin, getting a nod from the three.

'Great, now scram you three.' Said Gin, shooing the group from the room and closing the door behind them.

-line break-

'Did Gin seem distracted to you two?' Asked Tsukune, as the group walked back to their dorms.

'Not really… what makes you ask?' Asked Kurumu.

'I think Gin is worried about something, but isn't telling us about it.' Said Tsukune, raising his concerns.

'He is a little more serious and a little less perverted… but nothing I'd worry about.' Said Mizore, giving her analysis.

'Yeah, don't worry Tsukune, that's a good thing. We might actually start to think of Gin as a senior, instead of a perverted peeper.' Joked Kurumu.

'I guess… I better go back to my room now, see you later.' Said Tsukune, splitting off from the two as they reached the dorms.

'Well Mizore, now that it is just the two of us, did Gin seem strange to you when you two were searching?' Asked Kurumu, as they entered the female dorms.

'No. Although I think we were being watched. They aren't as good of a stalker as me, but someone was following us for a short time when we were searching.' Said Mizore.

'Do you think we should be worried?' Asked Kurumu.

'Possibly… but if it has Gin worried, I think we should be too.' Said Mizore, after thinking for a minute.

'Tsukune?' Asked Kurumu, to which Mizore nodded.

'Damn, we better be careful then.' Said Kurumu, before the two separated for their rooms.

-line break-

Later that night, as Tsukune prepared to go to bed, there was a tapping at his window.

'Kurumu? I almost thought you weren't coming *yawn* I'm almost about to fall asleep here.' Yawned Tsukune.

'Well, I was trying to find that sneaky Snow Woman, but I couldn't find her!' Huffed Kurumu.

'I'm right here, let's get on with it.' Said Mizore, from under Tsukune's bed, already dressed in her pyjamas.

'Mizore! When did you get here?' Asked Tsukune.

'A woman never reveals her secrets, especially a Snow Woman when it comes to stalking, we are experts.' Said Mizore proudly.

'Um, you know stalking isn't a nice word to use…' Said Tsukune in confusion.

'Why? I am an expert stalker, as are most Snow Woman.' Retorted Mizore in confusion.

'Uh, never mind then. So… are we ready to do this?' Asked Tsukune.

'Yeah, just lie down then I'll enter your mind, it'll put you to sleep as well.' Said Kurumu, transforming so her wings and tail popped out.

'No funny business.' Warned Mizore, crawling out from under the bed and sitting at the foot of it, so she could see both Tsukune and Kurumu, who were sitting at the head of his bed.

'Relax, this is Tsukune's idea.' Said Kurumu.

'Ok, I'm ready.' Said Tsukune, only for Kurumu's tail to open up like a flower and latch on to Tsukune's forehead, before both shut their eyes.

Mizore hummed to herself for a moment, observing the two frozen first years in front of her, before grabbing onto Kurumu's tail.

-line break-

'Okay, we're here.' Said Kurumu to Tsukune.

'This is the playground I started at last time.' Said Tsukune, as he looked around and noticed they were next to the swings.

'It's very quiet.' Said Mizore, causing the two to jump.

'Mizore! How did you even get in here?' Asked Kurumu, both hands on her chest to calm herself.

'I grabbed on to your tail and passed my youkai through it.' Said Mizore casually.

'That's… that's so reckless! You could have done some serious damage to all of us!' Shouted Kurumu.

'It worked, didn't it?' Said Mizore, before noticing Tsukune was walking off.

Mizore quickly moved to follow, causing Kurumu to huff in annoyance, before also following suit.

'So what do you think that house is?' Asked Kurumu.

'Well, there were a few rooms in there that looked like my own house, one of the rooms looked a bit like my bedroom back home, but there were also some things that are definitely not in my house, like the kitchen. It was this massive hi-tech looking kitchen, but the one at my home is a small, simple one.' Explained Tsukune.

'Hmm, well, from my understanding of dreams then, it seems like you are dealing with two worlds, which would make sense considering you've been at Youkai Academy and were previously a normal human.' Said Kurumu.

'I guess, but what about the baby then?' Asked Tsukune.

'Do you want to have kids Tsukune? It seems strange that the only things in your mind are a playground and a house with a baby. I would expect a Snow Woman's mind to be something like that, only for there to be more snow and light, it is dark in here.' Commented Mizore.

'I mean before I came here, I thought I would just have a normal job, normal family, normal household and normal life, so I did think about kids, but none of that other stuff is around. No office buildings. No other houses. The only thing here is the playground and the house which has the baby inside, which seems anything but normal.' Said Tsukune.

'Well, we're here now, might as well take a good look.' Said Kurumu, as they reached the house, which once again opened for Tsukune.

'I guess.' Said Tsukune, allowing the girls in first before following, with the door closing behind him.

The first thing Tsukune did was walk into the kitchen to the left. A brief scan showed a large industrial sized fridge, large stove and sink and a moderately sized pantry. Deciding to check the fridge first, as it was the largest thing in the kitchen, easily taking up a third of all space in the kitchen, Tsukune gave the door handle a harsh tug, only for the fridge to smoothly open. The contents inside the fridge was slightly shocking to Tsukune. His typical diet was largely comprised of soups, rice and fish, largely traditional Japanese foods, but inside the fridge was anything but traditional Japanese food. Massive steaks, racks of numerous animals and organ meats from different animals separated by type.

'Now that's not something I see every day.' Mumbled Tsukune.

'That's a lot of meat Tsukune, this is almost like what a Viking would eat.' Commented Mizore, having silently followed Tsukune.

'Forget what it is, look at how much it is? What kind of thing would have an appetite this huge?' Exclaimed Kurumu in disbelief.

'All I know is this is definitely not what I would see in my own kitchen… this is a kitchen for a completely different person…' Muttered Tsukune, before closing the door.

Leaving the kitchen, Tsukune decided to check the Japanese-style room next. It was largely bare, with the exception of a traditional short-legged table in the centre, with a tea set on top.

'That's more what I would expect to see in my mind. It looks like my grandmother's tea set.' Said Tsukune.

'I don't know Tsukune, that seems kind of odd. If this is your mind and this house and the playground are the only things around, I would expect all the things here to be very close immediate belongings of yours. So far there is nothing here that screams Tsukune to me.' Said Kurumu.

'We could check my room then I guess.' Said Tsukune, before the three headed for the stairs.

Going across to the room that Tsukune thought looked like his room, they noticed there were a few more things around compared to the other rooms. His desk and bookshelf were there, along with his bed, but there was no window or clock.

'I mean it looks kind of like my room, but there is no sense of time… I could sit here for hours and have no idea.' Said Tsukune.

'Hmm, that's not uncommon, but it suggests a sort of detachment, like you're just moving through life without any real purpose or goals.' Said Kurumu.

'Yeah, that does sound like me.' Admitted Tsukune.

'No desk chair.' Pointed out Mizore.

'Yeah, that is a bit strange, almost like even Tsukune isn't here in his own life. Tsukune, do you normally feel like that, like you're just going through the motions of life without any clear path?' Asked Kurumu.

'Um, yeah… if it wasn't for me being scared of a monster killing me, I would have just accepted being in a school for monsters, it wouldn't have really phased me to be honest.' Admitted Tsukune.

'That's dangerous, Tsukune. Just going through life as it comes at you means you only react to things, never actually choosing what you want to do.' Said Mizore.

'What can I say, I never really had any big goals or anything like that…' Said Tsukune thoughtfully, trailing off in thought.

'Ok, I think we should go and check the rooms upstairs before coming back to check on the baby room, it might give us some clues.' Suggested Kurumu, to which Tsukune shrugged.

'If you think so.' Agreed Tsukune easily.

Exiting the room and making their way back to the stairs, the group went up to the top floor, which had three rooms, spread out in a circular manner from them.

'What in the world…' Mumbled Kurumu, at the bizarre state of the rooms.

One room had a dark blue door with a small peephole, which was glowing in a manner to Tsukune's eye, another room had a door completely made out of ice, while the third door was a soft brown and was decorated with a silver moon in the centre.

'I guess we should split up and check the doors.' Suggested Tsukune, with Tsukune heading for the glowing door, Kurumu heading for brown door and Mizore heading for the frozen door.

Tsukune tried to open the door, only to find it was locked shut. A few more unsuccessful attempts of forcing the door open caused Tsukune to abandon his futile attempts and look at the two girls. Kurumu also hadn't manage to open her door, but Mizore had.

'What is it, Mizore?' Asked Tsukune, with Kurumu also turning her attention to Mizore.

'Snow. Lots of snow, it is like a blizzard in there.' Said Mizore, allowing the two to look into the room.

True to Mizore's words, the entire room was a swirling blizzard. If it weren't for the sound of the wind, one might even think it was a completely snowed in room for how much they could see.

'Do you think we should check it out?' Asked Tsukune.

'Well, this is your head and it is the only door that opened while we are here…' Said Kurumu, leaving the final say to Tsukune.

'Let's go then. Mizore, can you guide us through?' Asked Tsukune, only for the Snow Woman to nod.

'Leave it to me.' Said Mizore, before Tsukune grabbed her left hand, with Kurumu grabbing her right.

'Before we go though, how are we going to get back?' Asked Kurumu, only for Mizore's leg to break off and quickly reform, with the ice from her leg forming into a clone of her.

'There, I always know where my clones are.' Said Mizore, to which Kurumu nodded, before the three entered the blizzard.

The group were led by Mizore through the snow, who expertly guided them without any issue. Strangely enough, the snow didn't seem cold, so the group had no trouble with staying warm, but visibility was terrible.

Eventually, the wind faded away, revealing a frozen village.

'What is this place?' Asked Tsukune.

'It is the Snow Village, where all the Snow Woman live… but why is this in your mind, Tsukune?' Replied Mizore.

'This doesn't make any sense! How can something Tsukune has never seen before, be in his mind? It's like he is tapping into your mind Mizore.' Exclaimed Kurumu in shock.

'I'm not sure, but if that is the case, I'd like to show you something.' Said Mizore, before leading the group away from the village.

The group was quickly rendered reliant on Mizore once again, as the blizzard came back with a vengeance, upon leaving the edge of the village. Mizore's cool grip on Kurumu and Tsukune's hands was the only sense of direction the two had, as their eyes were shut against the swirling winds.

'We're here.' Said Mizore, once the snow storm had disappeared again.

Opening their eyes, Kurumu and Tsukune saw a vast field of white flowers. There was a soft breeze wafting through the field, causing the flowers to sway gently back and forth.

'This is the field of Snow Whites. When Snow Woman come of age, we gather these flowers and present them to the temple. I've come here once before when I was much younger.' Said Mizore.

'Why did you want to show us this, Mizore?' Asked Tsukune.

'I will be honest, even if Kurumu is here. One day, I will need to come here. If I do, I would like you to come with me, Tsukune.' Said Mizore.

'What for? We are here now.' Asked Kurumu.

'That's right… we are here now…' Said Mizore, before squatting down and smelling some of the flowers.

'Maybe another time then. We should go back now.' Said Mizore, a light dusting on her cheeks.

Grasping Tsukune's and Kurumu's hands, Mizore felt herself warm slightly.

'Let's go back.' Declared Mizore, before leading the two out of the field, before the snowstorm flared back up.

After a short walk, the group was once again at the frozen door, staring at Mizore's clone. As the three stepped over the threshold, Mizore's clone dissolved. Looking back, the door behind them remained open.

'Why do you think the door is still open?' Asked Tsukune.

'I'm not sure… you could try to close it.' Said Kurumu, only for Tsukune to try and close the door to no avail.

'Weird… it is your mind… maybe Mizore can close it.' Mumbled Kurumu, only for Mizore to then try and also find herself unsuccessful.

'That doesn't make any sense… but it isn't like the snow is coming in, so I guess it is okay to leave it open.' Said Kurumu.

'Let's go downstairs then, we still have one last room to check.' Said Tsukune, getting two nods.

Descending down the stairs, the group noticed the room in question was wide open, unlike before, when it had been previously shut.

Entering the room, there was now one addition. Over the crib, which still housed an infant, was now a baby mobile. Interestingly enough though, it featured two symbols, a love heart and a snowflake, which were slowly rotating around the crib.

'That's new…' Muttered Tsukune, upon spotting the mobile.

'So is this the baby?' Asked Mizore.

'Yeah, but that thing wasn't there last time.' Said Kurumu, pointing to the mobile.

Mizore ignored the mobile in favour for looking at the baby. Mizore stared at the baby for a long time, until eventually, Kurumu also came over and started looking between the two of them.

'Mizore? Are you okay?' Asked Kurumu.

'Look Kurumu, doesn't it feel familiar?' Said Mizore.

Kurumu looked at Mizore funnily, before looking at the baby. Shortly after that, Kurumu was staring at the baby as well. While this was going on, Tsukune was watching the two girls and baby and wasn't seeing what they saw, but he could still sense a familiarity with the infant. Deciding that he wouldn't be getting his answers tonight, Tsukune decided to step in.

'Come on you two, let's go back.' Said Tsukune, snapping the two out of their daze.

'Okay.' Said Mizore.

'Got it. We should go outside first before leaving… your mind is really strange Tsukune. I've never heard or read anything about a mind like yours.' Said Kurumu, as the three left the room.

'Um, thanks?' Said Tsukune, not sure if he should take having his mind called strange an insult.

Exiting the room, the door shut behind them, causing them to turn around momentarily, staring at the door, before heading downstairs and leaving.

'Well, I hope that helped somehow, Tsukune. I have no idea what any of this stuff means. I suppose I could ask my mum… but that might be opening up a can of worms that I really shouldn't.' Said Kurumu.

'Well, whatever you think is best Kurumu, you're the expert in this area I suppose. Thanks for the help, you too Mizore, as I don't think without you, we would have gotten that door open.' Said Tsukune, to which Mizore nodded.

'It was fun.' Said Mizore.

'Even though you technically gate crashed, Mizore, I suppose having you here was useful after all.' Joked Kurumu.

'Okay, let's get out of here then.' Said Tsukune, before Kurumu nodded and the three shimmered out of existence.

-line break-

The group emerged from their trip into Tsukune's mind, only to find not a lot of time had passed, as it was still dark. The group gave a collective yawn, before Tsukune fell asleep, his mind needing rest from the strain of being explored, leaving Kurumu and Mizore the only two awake.

'So, you felt it too, right?' Asked Mizore.

'Yeah… but it wasn't like that before. Tsukune was kind of acting like that, zoning in on the baby, but that didn't happen to me… this time though… it happened to both of us, but not him for some reason.' Said Kurumu.

'Weird…' Commented Mizore, to which Kurumu nodded.

'Yeah… Tsukune must be pretty tired from all that, we should probably go get some sleep ourselves.' Said Kurumu, to which Mizore nodded, before pulling up the covers and sliding in next to Tsukune.

'Mizore! What are you doing?' Hissed Kurumu.

'I won't tell if you don't.' Said Mizore, causing Kurumu to blink in shock, before standing up.

'I guess it is a good thing I wore my pyjamas under this.' Said Kurumu, before stripping down until she was wearing only a black nightgown with white frills at the top and bottom, which hugged her body tightly and came down to just under her bottom.

Kurumu pulled back the covers and slid in on Tsukune's other side.

'So… should we still be here when he wakes up?' Asked Kurumu.

'I haven't decided yet.' Said Mizore, before closing her eyes, as she snuggled up to Tsukune.

'Night Kurumu.' Said Mizore.

'*yawn* Night Mizore.' Said Kurumu, as she also snuggled up to Tsukune.

'Goodnight Tsukune.' Said both girls in unison, before falling asleep.