The forest thinned as they approached their destination. Kurumu rubbed Yukari's bare shoulder as the witch nuzzled against her side. The witch's left arm was draped behind Kurumu's waist as they slowly progressed down the wide, flat path which connected the school to the dining hall.

Rubi walked solemnly on Yukari's other side, holding a black plastic bag in front of her. The older witch had her dark tresses tied up with white ribbons into side tails while the rest of her mane fell down her back. A black crop top held her bosom in place as her brown, ruffled skirt threatened to touch the dirt with every step she took in her sandals. Garnet studs graced the bottom of her earlobes while silver bands clipped up the remaining curve.

Kurumu had put on that dark green halter dress. The satin top looped behind her neck and came down in two sashes which strained under the curve of her breasts. This smooth fabric was stitched into a stretchy band which hugged her belly and the small of her back. A heavier pleated skirt hung off her hips, stretching down to her knees. Yukari had loaned her a pair of black thigh highs, covering her skin down to the furry booties gracing her feet. Her lavender purse dangled from her left elbow.

A black velvet beret with a white band along the base rested upon Yukari's dark locks. The black straps of her thin dress were stitched to a white hem which ringed about her tiny torso. The top of the garment was loose, betraying her black, strapless bra which matched her lacy panties. The dress transitioned into a pleated skirt at a white band stitched above Yukari's hips. Purple stockings stretched down to her feet nestled in black velvet flats.

"Are you planning to cling to me all morning?"

"You smell so sexy."

Kurumu smirked. She had roused this morning in a bathtub with her juices flowing and an amorous witch lavishing kisses upon her neck. In her agitated state, it had taken much willpower to not surrender to the witch's affections. Calming the squirming girl with hugs, Kurumu had begged for Rubi to make their breakfast this morning.

Having no idea how to turn Yukari's brutal rape around into something good, Kurumu had deviated from Yukari's directions. The last time Kurumu had sex with Tsukune, Yukari had attempted to break things up and had become an unwitting student in an impromptu sexual education course. With access to Yukari's dazed recollection of the event and her own perspective, Kurumu had tweaked the memory into a hands on experience which Yukari could thoroughly enjoy.

Most of the breakfast conversation had been reassurances that the dream had not actually happened. Yukari was a whirlwind of contradicting emotions, wavering from worry to disappointment. Thankfully she was not angry or upset with Kurumu's decision. In a word, Yukari was smitten. She had fallen in love with Tsukune, despite his minimal participation in that dream. It was embarrassing to realize how out of it Tsukune had been during that lovemaking session, not even letting out groans to acknowledge his mental presence in the matter.

"Will you behave yourself around Moka?"

Yukari made a soft sound of acknowledgment as they walked into the large clearing about Kurai dining hall. The front half of the mess hall was half of an elliptical dome comprised of obsidian glass panes held in a silver lattice which curved up sharply for the first few meters before tapering up to a flat, rectangular peak. Several glass double doors were spaced about the perimeter, facing the pathways which trailed off to the different dorms. The back half of the mess hall was a shorter, brownish concrete structure with gray service doors facing the paved drive to the nearest parking lot.

"That's a huge church."

Kurumu frowned at Rubi as they slowly crossed the open area.

"That's the dining hall."

"I thought we were going to the church."

"We are. We're stopping here first to kill some time. Most of the girls we meet up with at the church don't get there until right at the end of the service. They're probably eating right now."

"Oh. Okay."

"Haven't you been to the dining hall before?"

Rubi smiled apologetically.

"I've walked by it but I've never gone in."

"She was only on campus a week, Kurumu. And she doesn't have a school card."

"But they take cash."

"I ate all my meals in our room."

Kurumu felt slightly guilty for not realizing this weeks ago. She shook her head.

"I'll get the door."

Kurumu let go of Yukari's shoulder, lengthening her stride to slip out of Yukari's grasp. She arrived at the nearest door, tugging it open and holding it for the witches. Yukari nodded at her, entering first.

Most of the interior beneath the dark glass panes was littered with white topped, rectangular tables that had benches fixed to their sides. There were a handful of rounded tables with attached rounded chairs and even fewer tables with detached chairs settled about them. All the tables could be folded up and rolled aside, but she had never seen the staff actually do that.

Right about where the building height transitioned started the serving lines. There were two lines which always moved at a reasonable pace while a third was reserved for students whom had special dietary needs. Kurumu had not thought much about how those kids handled the cafeteria at school which was one long line with nothing extraordinary waiting for them. She still struggled to see how the school could serve close to eight hundred students in a one hour lunch period, even with fourth period gym having a ten minute head start. She assumed most seniors brought their own lunches and the school store picked up the rest of the slack.

"Kurumu! Over here!"

Recognizing the voice, Kurumu quickly located Zukkutani Kana. Their club's blond illustrator with baby blue eyes was seated at a table near the exterior doors closest to the narrow path which cut through the woods to the chapel. The dryad from class seven was dressed in denim coveralls and a short sleeved white tee shirt. Her thick yellow locks curled at her shoulders, avoiding contact.

There was no room left on the benches which flanked that table. Kurumu chuckled as she steered the witches over to the group of girls, familiar with all of them. The two tanuki girls beside Kana were the ones she knew the least about.

On Kana's left at the end of that side of the table was Yochimaru Riku from class eight. This girl with amethyst eyes whom had joined the Manga Club was wearing a faded blue tee and was in seventh period art with Moka. Along with Zukkutani, she had been part of the first pair of girls abducted by Ms. Ishigami before the first day of classes. That felt so long ago.

On Kana's right was Itazura Fuyuki, whom was Moka's height and the tallest of these girls from the Fukui Junior High which Kana had attended. Like Yochimaru, she had glossy black hair with a cowlick but her tresses in the back had been pulled together in a long ponytail. The band student from class ten was shy and hesitant to complete sentences. This girl with emerald eyes waved discretely to them. A simple, faded yellow sundress hung from her narrow shoulders.

The last of Kana's junior high friends was Touzoku Ran from class one whom was on the other side of Itazura. Like the other tanuki girls, she had glossy black hair with cowlicks on both sides and sparkling sapphire eyes. She had on a loose pink shirt and was next to Dangai Michiko, whom was at the end of that side. Both girls were members of the gymnastics club. Touzoku was the only girl at this table whom had been nominated for the popularity contest as she was well known for her hyperactive enthusiasm and optimism.

Michiko had thrown on a white tank top. The brunette was from the Onan district of the Shiname prefecture. The tengu girl from class eleven was the smartest of this group, ranking in the top fifty last term exam. Roughly the same height as Tsukune, Michiko was the tallest of these girls whom regularly met up with them on Sundays to fly. Most of her weekend attire could pass as pajamas, Kurumu unable to recall if she had ever seen the girl wear anything other than leggings or sweat pants.

Across the table from Michiko was Hanetsume Hatoko, the only other student from Onan. The track girl had on a white, sleeveless shirt which was torn up in the back for when she let out her wings. Seated on this side of the table, Kurumu could see that the tengu girl had on blue track pants with a white line down the side. The chestnut haired girl had her bangs pushed back with a black hairband and had tied her long tresses up into a high ponytail with a blue ribbon. She was in Ms. Nekonome's homeroom, class three, with the girl seated beside her.

Or at least Suzume had been seated. Tobuyoku Suzume quickly extracted herself from her wedged in place on the bench, apologizing to Kiki. The track girl had her long, obsidian hair braided down her back with her tresses ending at a golden ring hovering against her rump. She was sporting khaki capris which Kurumu had never seen her wear before with a hot pink top which tied about her neck. The girl bounded over to Kurumu's side, startling her with a sudden embrace.

"Suzume?"

The tengu girl sighed, resting her head on Kurumu's shoulder. Suzume was about the same height as Kana which made her the shortest of the tengu girls. She was still much taller than Kurumu.

"Suzume?"

Kurumu glanced at Honda Kiki, Suzume's childhood friend and most recent addition to their Newspaper Club. The tengu girl from class eleven had her russet tresses fixed up in five different tails. The two front tails pulled her bangs aside in cute braids which framed her freckled face while two tails in the back were fluffed and folded to hang past her shoulders. The last tail down her back was a narrow swath of darker hair which she had been growing since birth and threatened to touch the floor.

"She was upset not getting to see you yesterday."

Kiki smiled apologetically as Kurumu returned the embrace. Kiki was also wearing a sleeveless halter dress, though her layered black fabric was thinner. The skirt portion which flared out at her hips was fluffed and ruffled while the open back dove down to the small of her back with her cute dimples peeking out over the hemline. Kiki usually was the fanciest dressed of these girls.

The last two at the table were track girls from Hateshinai and were in Kurumu's sixth period home economics class. Both of these tengu girls were about the same height as Michiko. Since Ms. Sunao's homeroom, class two, was partnered with class four in seventh period gym, Kurumu was more familiar with Nomura Airi, the fair haired one sitting on the end. Her pale blond tresses rested on her ample bosom defined in that sky blue polo with all the buttons left undone. A pair of white denim jeans hugged her hips and legs, tapering down to the white socks covering her ankles. Unlike the rest of these tengu girls whom had golden eyes, Nomura's had a silvery hue.

The other girl with long, jet black twin tails was Kazehana Tsubaki from class five. She had a faded pink racerback shirt which gathered loosely at the hem of her olive cargo shorts.

"You smell nice."

Kurumu laughed, giving Suzume a squeeze.

"I've been hearing that a lot lately."

"Did you change your shampoo?"

Kurumu smirked at Kiki's inquiry. She absently rubbed Suzume's back and the girl nuzzled in closer with a soft sigh. While her grip relaxed, she remained pressed close to Kurumu with no signs of pulling away.

"Is something wrong with Ms. Tobuyoku?"

"Boy of hers dumped her."

"That was rude, Hatoko."

"Stuff it, ya peacock. No points beating round bush."

"That's no excuse to be inconsiderate of her feelings."

Kurumu squeezed Suzume again, taking in a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry."

Suzume sighed, her hot breath tickling Kurumu's neck.

"It's okay. I think my mother took it worse than I did."

"Bah! Better off without that cheat."

"I agree. While I had hopes that we could all be friends once again, Shuiro thoroughly disappointed me."

"Ya dumb. Boys only want ta put their pecker in ya."

"With your mouth, I doubt you will ever have to worry about that."

"Fuck ya, dumb twit. Go wag yer twat more fer that Shuiro bastard."

"Ease off, Hatoko."

"Ya stay out of it."

"Oh, calm the fuck down, Hanetsume."

"Don't ya start."

Kazehana snickered, shaking her head.

"This is why we don't eat lunch with your dumb ass. All you do is squawk, squawk, squawk. I don't know how Tobuyoku puts up with you."

"Personally I don't disagree with Ms. Hanetsume. Boys are more obsessed over sex than girls."

Kurumu smirked at Nomura's comment.

"I don't think that's true."

"Ya not one to talk."

"I don't think Ms. Kurumu is entirely wrong."

"Yall be messed by her influence. She bad news."

"I'm confident that we don't talk about sex as much as guys do. You'll never hear a girl brag about having a one night stand or even wanting one."

"Unless she's a harpy."

Nomura turned a displeased expression upon the grinning Kazehana. She brought her hand up and flicked the mischievous girl's forehead, eliciting a startled yelp.

"Most girls desire relationships. Boys put up with relationships if it means they will get sex."

"I don't think Tsukune was putting up with me for the sake of sex."

Kana laughed, shaking her head.

"More like the other way around. Clearly you're the top in that relationship."

Kurumu pouted as she absently caressed the girl lingering in her arms.

"I brought your GTO volumes."

"You didn't have to do that. You should come over tonight. I got some other titles you might like."

"I'll think about it. Rubi. You should remember Ms. Zukkutani. Give her back her books."

Rubi nodded with a slight smile, walking around the table and handing out the black bag. Kana grinned, setting aside her chopsticks to relieve the witch of her burden.

"I guess I can hold onto it for now. So how have you been, Ms. Toujou?"

"I've been doing well."

"I heard from Moka that you tagged along with Ms. Sendou for the wedding and their trip to Okinawa. I bet these past weeks have been much different than living in the forest."

"Oh yes. Ever since Ms. Sendou's parents took me in, my life has been full of new experiences."

Kana smiled, setting the bag in Yochimaru's lap.

"I don't believe you've ever met my friends. This one is Yochimaru Riku. She likes to chase boys."

Yochimaru huffed, picking up the bag and setting it on the floor near her feet.

"No. I like to catch boys. Chasing is a frustrating and miserable experience."

"My tall friend is Itazura Fuyutsuki. She likes to avoid boys."

"Well… single… is safer."

"At our age, it's also smarter."

"Though boring. I wouldn't mind a boyfriend."

Nomura rolled her eyes at Kazehana.

"You should spend that free time on your studies."

"How is that not boring?"

"She didn't have any of her summer work done when we came back to school."

"I wasn't the only one."

Kurumu smirked, glancing at Hatoko.

"Not me. Did mine with Michiko that first week. She talking bouts other girls on the team."

"Back to introductions, my last friend is Touzoku Ran. She likes to think she's a boy."

"When have I ever thought that?"

"I'm pleased to meet you all. I'm Toujou Rubi."

"So you're like Sendou's servant or something?"

"Her parents asked me to watch over her."

"Which I find annoying. This girl whom spoke to you is Kazehana Tsubaki and the young lady next to her is Nomura Airi."

"Strange. I don't believe we've ever met, Ms. Sendou."

"Isn't she in your gym class?"

"I've never seen her attend gym."

"I spend my gym hour in the library. But I know whom both of you are. Kurumu did the article for your track team. I recognize both of you from your photos."

Nomura shared a glance with Kazehana.

"I didn't think those pictures were any good."

"Yea. They were group shots."

"You're much prettier in person."

"Oh? Thank you."

"These other four girls studied for their midterms in my old apartment. The clingy one with Kurumu is Tobuyoku Suzume. The man hater is Hanetsume Hatoko. Those two are in Tsukune's homeroom."

Hatoko waved her chopsticks dismissively, picking off the last of her meal instead of commenting.

"The polite one in the dress is Honda Kiki while the quiet one is Dangai Michiko. Those two are in the class my Moka transferred into."

Kurumu grinned as pleasantries were exchanged.

"I wasn't aware that your friends knew these other girls."

Touzoku laughed brightly.

"Of course I knew Dangai. And Tobuyoku and Hanetsume are both active in our gym group. It's these other three I don't really know."

Yochimaru huffed.

"Unlike you, some of us don't know other students outside of our homeroom."

"You have gym with us."

"No. I have fourth period gym with Coach Kibashiro. I barely see you or Ms. Kazehana."

Kana smiled sheepishly.

"Sometimes Coach Hoshineru allows our groups to interact."

Kurumu smirked, aware how seldom that was. The blond volleyball coach whom was in charge of the odd numbered classes was far stricter than the track coach. That had been an unexpected benefit when she had switched from class three to class two in a misguided effort to give Mizore space.

"You know I never asked, but whom did you pick up as your gym partner for stretches?"

"There was a group of three so Naratoki partnered with me because she is closest to my size."

Kurumu laughed at Yochimaru's quick answer.

"I was actually asking Kana."

Yochimaru blushed as Kana laughed, shaking her head.

"I paired up with a girl in class five. Kisurusu Miho. Very chatty girl."

Kurumu nodded, recalling the blond friend of Juri whom had also been among Ishigami's victims.

"That girl is a trip. She came back to class like nothing had happened. She talks a lot to Izumi and Kirizumi since they both sit by her. She also hangs out by my desk to talk with Furiwake, some guy she went to junior high with. I get dragged into the weirdest of conversations."

"Which Tsubaki enjoys."

"Of course. I'm stuck by the dumb window with a guy in front of me and a girl behind me whom both don't talk. The guy whom sat next to me got killed the first week of school so it sucks. I hope Ms. Zaiten lets us pick new seats because I can't stand feeling isolated all damn day."

"Why are you sitting there then?"

"Because Ms. Zaiten decided to assign our seats alphabetically. I try talking with Meirowasa but she's so standoffish. In gym she sticks with two girls from class seven."

"That's Ms. Wanibuchi and Ms. Kubo. Two of my partners for science lab."

"Hopefully of no relation to our Wanibuchi."

Kurumu chuckled at Yukari's remark.

"Tokori told me about a Wanibuchi girl whom she grew up with. I didn't think about her sharing gym class with her. I assumed she was a loner."

"She is in class. I don't pay that much attention to how she behaves in gym."

Kurumu nodded, patting Suzume's back.

"Are you going to finish your meal?"

"I'm not hungry."

Kurumu took in a deep breath, enjoying the warmth of Suzume's body.

"He didn't sleep with you before breaking up, right?"

Suzume groaned as a couple girls chuckled at the table.

"While I abhor violence, if such a thing had happened, I would have asked my brother to discipline Shuiro as painfully as possible."

"Surprised he held back with her willing to put out."

"Shut up, Hatoko."

"Took her on a date. Must have banged his other girlfriend first to say no to seconds."

Suzume sighed heavily.

"It was a mistake telling Hatoko anything."

"I told ya weeks ago to dump his ass. Yer fault fer doormatting yerself."

"Blah, blah, blah. It's my fault for pushing for a date he was obviously hesitant about."

"No. He should have broken up with you right away instead of avoiding you for the week."

"Yea. Shuiro had been with this other girl for more than a month. He could have written us a letter."

"I don't know. I'd hate getting a break up letter."

Kana poked Yochimaru.

"You would need a boyfriend first."

"I do. I can't wait for our club to resume meetings. I miss seeing my beloved."

Touzoku groaned, shaking her head.

"Oh please don't start that again."

"I can't help it. I know Mr. Heiya will fall for me if I can find an excuse for us to be alone together."

Kurumu chuckled, recalling this was one of the older guys in the manga club.

"Do you know when your manga club will meet?"

"Who knows? With the current rumors, we might end up meeting on campus if we meet at all."

Kurumu frowned, glancing at Yukari.

"Is this about those girls whom went missing this week?"

Touzoku nodded emphatically.

"I heard things have gotten real bad in Mononoke. Michiko and a couple other girls whom were in town thought to drop in on Ms. Rin for our usual Thursday practice. She scolded them."

"Mhm. We be meeting in her lab until she finds a safer place for us."

"I heard from Coach Kibashiro that the bank got robbed the week before we started practice. And Kakeru mentioned the other day that PSC friend of hers started a safety walk for the local kids."

"Is this why you decided not to go shopping in Mononoke last night?"

Kurumu smiled at Rubi, nodding.

"When we visited the Headmaster yesterday, we bumped into Ms. Yoshino. She let us know about all the bad things going on and wanted us to write some caution articles in our next paper."

"What ya visit the Headmaster fer?"

"Kurumu's apartment was broken into. We were concerned."

Kana snapped her fingers, wagging a hand at them.

"I knew something was up. Kurumu was like on another planet during lunch yesterday."

Kiki nodded.

"She was extremely distracted."

"But what about getting your laptop?"

Kana laughed, shaking her head.

"I'm sure Ms. Tensai is still coming to school. She can bring it to me whenever."

Kurumu took in a deep breath, noting most of the girls had finished their meals.

"So is everyone coming with us to the chapel?"

"Fuyutsuki might bail on us, but the rest of us are good."

"But… you won't… abandon… me, right?"

"It will be fine, Ms. Itazura. The chapel is a shorter walk than going to the school."

"That tulip field we flys in not some short walk."

Kiki smiled at Michiko.

"True, but it's not like we are walking to the town."

"Will we all be flying today?"

Nomura laughed softly at Yukari's inquiry, shaking her head.

"I am in no condition for flying."

"Or wearing the right stuff."

"That too."

"I don't think any of Kana's group can fly, right?"

Kana grinned at Kurumu's remark.

"None of us have wings, if that's what you're asking."

"Well… sylphs can fly without wings."

"They don't have wings?"

"Sylphs are masters of the air. They can summon wind to propel them so wings would be superfluous."

Kana nodded at Yukari's explanation.

"That's crazy. I thought they would have wings."

"Don't vampires have wings?"

Kurumu laughed at Touzoku, shaking her head.

"No. Moka doesn't have wings."

"I thought powerful vampire lords have wings."

Kurumu shrugged, casting a glance at Yukari.

"Vampires can develop wings if they drink enough blood from a winged monster. But I have no idea how much blood that would take."

"So if Moka keeps drinking Kurumu's blood she'll get wings?"

"Maybe. That could take years though."

Kana grinned, glancing at her friends.

"You guys don't mind hanging out with Moka while the others fly, right?"

"I'm cool with that."

Kurumu chuckled at Touzoku's prompt response.

"Don't worry. Kiki and I can't fly that long and I have no idea how much stamina Rubi and Yukari have."

"Not much. My wings draw on my own power so this will wipe me out. I'm hoping my Moka will take good care of me while I nap in her arms."

"I'll also be on the ground with you. Even if I was dressed for the occasion, my body is still recovering."

Kurumu frowned at Nomura.

"Are you not feeling well?"

Kazehana giggled, slapping her friend's shoulder.

"Airi had the honor of passing three eggs. She was out all week."

Kurumu's eyes lit up. She gave Suzume a squeeze.

"Oh?! Did you finally passed your egg?"

"Life is a cruel joke."

"No shit. So much fer coming back to school early fer practice when eggs floored us."

"I was one of the first ones out with mine starting on Tuesday."

"Airi was out with you. Both Hatoko and I were out the day after. Honda started hers too."

"Passed my egg Thursday. Glad only one."

Kana looked about in confusion.

"Passing eggs?"

"These six are Tengu girls. They don't have periods."

Touzoku grinned at Yukari.

"Neither do we. Kana is the only one having to deal with monthly bleeding."

"That's right. Tanuki have heat cycles."

Kana's trio of friends regarded Kurumu in unison. Two of them blushed while Touzoku giggled.

"Yea. But we're all so young that there's not much regularity with that. I've only had three in five years."

"So… embarrassing. I've had… four."

"Riku is in permanent heat cycle."

"Am not."

"You're in heat for Mr. Heiya."

"I don't need to be in heat to want a boyfriend."

Suzume sighed again, nuzzling against Kurumu's shoulder.

"Even the seniors went down. How did we synchronize with girls we don't live with?"

"That is curious. Are any of them from your home villages?"

Kiki shook her head as Kazehana glanced at Nomura.

"Miyauchi is the only older Tengu girl from Hateshinai. She went down the same day I did."

"I'll have to take your word on it. I've been out all week."

"Well… both seniors and both juniors from Aga were out yesterday. They all started theirs on Thursday."

"That is so crazy. Did Ms. Kiyohara go down too?"

Kazehana nodded at Kana's inquiry.

"Yup. Same day as me."

"Don't girls with heat cycles synchronize? I would swear that all the okami girls go at the same time."

Touzoku shrugged.

"I don't think we have that issue. Then again, I only have older brothers. I don't know what is normal."

"I'm an… only child."

"I have a little sister and I doubt I'll ever talk about going in heat with her."

Several girls chuckled as there was a short break in the conversation. Kurumu took in a deep breath, giving Suzume a squeeze.

"If everyone is done, we probably should head out."

There was a murmured agreement as all of the girls started to get up. Kurumu drifted her hands down, giving Suzume's rump a pat as she turned her shoulder slightly.

"Come on. We can't walk like this."

Suzume groaned, loosening her grip to allow Kurumu to turn about. As Kurumu adjusted the strap of her lavender purse on her elbow, Suzume snatched up her hand before they started walking towards the nearest door.

"So other than breaking up and having a crummy week back at school, how has your summer been?"

"Terrible. We didn't do anything fun."

"Because you spent most of it cooped up in your room crying."

Suzume pouted at Kiki whom quickly caught up to them.

"It wasn't that bad."

Kazehana pounced ahead to get the door, pushing it open and holding it ajar with her back. With an exaggerated sweeping gesture, the grinning girl prompted them to proceed.

"Don't worry. There are plenty of nice guys at Yokai for you to date."

"She be fine without a man."

They walked out into the warm morning with Hatoko and Michiko on their heels. Without a word, the group drifted slightly to the right, intent on the narrow trail to the chapel which started at the nearby line of trees encircling the dining hall.

"How have things been with Mr. Noboru?"

"She be feathering over him every night."

"So whats if I am?"

Kurumu grinned, glancing back at the two. Yukari was walking between Rubi and Kana while Kana's three friends were behind them. Nomura and Kazehana brought up the rear.

"Are you two dating?"

"Mays well be."

"Bah. Too early to tell. Only saw him twice last week."

"Ya ate with him last night."

"We ate with him. Not that fun with yall round."

"Never fun eating with boys whom think ya on the menu."

Suzume sighed as they reached the line of the forest.

"It's not losing Shuiro that bothers me so much. It's losing my view of the future."

Kurumu frowned as the girl drifted away to arm's length. The girl sighed again as her shoulders relaxed. A pair of obsidian protrusions pushed out from her shoulder blades. With a soft groan, the black wings eased out enough for the girl to fluff them with a flex of her shoulders. In a couple more steps, Suzume was able to spread her wings fully.

"There isn't room on the trail for our wings."

Suzume pouted at Kiki as she folded her wings back against her torso.

"You can tuck yours in."

Kurumu smiled, deciding to let her chiropteran wings out. Like Tengu, her wings came out from her shoulder blades, though hers lacked pretty feathers. Earlier this year all these winged girls had molted around the same time as their last egg passing. Even Tora had shed her old feathers.

"I can understand being scared of the future. I keep worrying over Tsukune not being part of mine."

"Is something wrong between you and Mr. Aono?"

Kurumu laughed softly at Kiki's inquiry. She flexed her wings once before tucking them in at her sides.

"There's always the issue of my addictive kiss. That's why my mother had to leave my father."

"It's frustrating. I was resigned to this thought I would end up Shuiro's wife and now it's over. I've never let myself think about a future without him."

"You could chase after that charming vice president."

Suzume clutched her breast, closing her eyes.

"Sir Utsutei would never notice an ugly duckling like me. I'm as flat as the horizon."

"You're very pretty."

"Oh, stop. I'm the ugliest girl around. Having a boyfriend was the only thing I had going for me."

"Thinks she should focus on her studies and track. We ran good yesterday."

"Yea. It was good to be outside. Though I'm still miffed about not seeing Kurumu yesterday."

"You were too eager to get to a practice that didn't start until one."

Kurumu grinned, glancing back at Hatoko. Both Onan girls had eased their wings out. It seemed like the feathers always matched the hair color for Tengu.

"I should write a small update for the track team. You guys have a meet this next weekend."

"Rights. Hosting it here."

"Which school is coming here?"

"Schools. Sekisei High and Toutoi Tech."

"Yea! We are attending that."

Touzoku grinned brightly at Kana's declaration.

"Most definitely! It'll be cool to see some of our junior high friends there!"

"We also host our last meet on the twenty fourth against Ishou Academy and Katame Institute."

"And regionals are the following weekend on the first. That's the one which really matters."

Kurumu nodded, recalling that the other meets were more like competitive practice. She frowned, thinking the four schools mentioned were all of the smaller ones for their region.

"So we don't host either of the big schools?"

"I heard that Shimote Tech and Imoshinai Institute always host two meets with their first one at home. There was no way we could host either of them this coming weekend."

"Rights. But we gots them both on the seventeenth."

"Yea. That's the second one Shimote hosts. The seniors say that meet will give us a good idea of how the regionals will go."

"Hey, Kana. Isn't Toutoi Tech the school for Yamanashi near Kofu?"

"Mhm. Where we rescued Ms. Toujou from."

Yochimaru's eyes sparkled.

"Oh! She's that witch you guys mentioned in the article. The one protecting her sunflower field."

"And now all she does is cause trouble for everyone."

Rubi pouted at Yukari.

"That's not true. Mr. Aono said I was of great service to him this summer."

Kana smirked.

"I would swear Kurumu was the one handling all of his needs."

"This was a particular matter which only a woman of my talents could satisfy."

"I could have handled it but my hands were full with the other guy."

Touzoku laughed at Yukari's comment.

"Where was Ms. Kurono in this orgy?"

"These jokes write themselves."

"Yall bunch deviants dragging a kid into yer debauchery."

Kurumu sighed, squeezing Suzume's hand.

"I don't have the energy to straighten that out."

"You smell very nice. Don't you think so, Kiki?"

"I must not be close enough to notice."

"Here. Take her hand."

Suzume let go of Kurumu's hand, slipping behind Kurumu and nudging her over to Kiki. Kurumu laughed sheepishly as she let Suzume guide her. Kiki smiled nervously, tentatively reaching for Kurumu's hand.

"How about I do this instead?"

Kurumu stepped in, slipping her right arm behind Kiki to rest her hand on Kiki's waist. She tugged the girl closer, resting her head on Kiki's shoulder. Kiki timidly reciprocated the hand placement, slowing her walk to accommodate the embrace. Kiki took in a deep breath.

"That is nice. Are you sure it isn't new shampoo?"

"I bathed with Yukari this morning."

"What kind of shampoo do you use, Ms. Sendou? This fragrance is wonderful."

"I didn't wash my hair."

"Bodywash then?"

"That's Kurumu's pheromones."

"Pheromones? Isn't that sexual?"

Yukari huffed at Kana's remark.

"Not at all. Pheromones are any secretion meant to influence others. Some creatures use pheromones to calm prey, making it easier to eat them."

Hatoko snickered as Kiki frowned.

"That's not the explanation I was hoping for."

"Yukari's being silly."

"No, I'm being serious. Tora was correct that you have the ability to set a mood. I think you learned this from one of the succubi you met this summer."

Kurumu frowned, knowing none of the women had explicitly taught her anything about pheromones. If anything, Ms. Juunan had made her overly worried about influencing people.

"Ms. Kiyoshi was the only one whom tried teaching me anything."

"It's soothing and sometimes arousing. Like I could sleep in your arms."

Kiki took in another deep breath.

"I don't know about arousing, but this is surprisingly relaxing."

The trail came out of the woods onto a smooth, wide path. This was the jogging path. Not far down to the left was where Saizou had attacked Kurumu that first weekend when she had been with Tora and Moka. This narrow dirt trail to the chapel continued on the other side.

"Yall walking too slow. Move side if ya going to make out with that dumb peacock."

Kurumu glanced back at Hatoko whom quickly walked around them.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize to her."

"Ya want to start something?"

"Kurumu should hug this brat."

"Fuck off."

Kurumu chuckled as they dipped back into the woods. Michiko appeared content to walk slowly in their shadows while the rest of the group was not far behind.

"Hey, Suzume. Were Asuka and Taijin at practice with you guys yesterday?"

"I'm pretty sure everyone on the team is back."

Kurumu nodded at Kazehana's comment.

"Did Asuka mention anything about me meeting her Uncle?"

"That's news to me."

"I'm sure that spaz would have said something if she knew about it."

The bells for the chapel sounded out, announcing the conclusion of services. Aware that they were only about half of the way to the chapel, Kurumu loosened her grip on Kiki.

"You should let your wings out."

Kiki followed the suggestion, glancing back to ensure she would not troubling anyone. With a sigh, she eased her russet wings out, flexing them carefully.

"I trust everyone had a safe summer. Nobody lost any family, right?"

Several girls frowned at her.

"That's an odd question, Ms. Kurono."

"Yea. Why would you ask that?"

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Well… you know Moka's mother is the president of Fairy Tale. I heard there was this massive attack on the organization that first week of summer break with a lot of people dying."

Nomura frowned, glancing at Kazehana whom shrugged.

"I hadn't heard anything about that."

Touzoku nodded emphatically.

"Nor did we. I heard Ms. Akashiya is from the south so maybe it was a southern thing."

Kurumu slowed her step as she contemplated that. It was Ms. Aimai whom had fussed over the attack the most and the Kansai region was sort of south. But she was also certain Ms. Kiyoshi had to hurry back to deal with problems in the Tohoku region.

"No. It was across the whole nation. But maybe it was worse in the south?"

None of the girls looked capable to confirm anything.

"It's sweet that you worried over that, but I don't think anyone had that sort of drama this summer."

"The only thing that died was my future. I'm going to have a miserable birthday."

"Don't say that. When is that?"

"Ms. Tobuyoku will be turning sixteen on the nineteenth."

Suzume glanced back with a wide grin.

"Ms. Sendou's memory is excellent. She'll make a fine wife."

"Have you made any plans for the special date?"

"We were thinking of doing a double birthday after our track meet."

"Is that because Ms. Kazehana's birthday is on the twentieth?"

"That is so freaky that you know mine. But yea. Both of our birthdays fall during the week so we were toying with the idea of doing something on Sunday. We just haven't decided on what we want to do."

"Yea. Kind of hard to plan something with that mess in Mononoke going on."

"We can worry over that when it gets closer to the date."

The girls all made sounds of agreement to Nomura's proposal. In the silence that fell over them, Kurumu struggled to recall if there were any other important birthdays in September. She knew both Kamitsuku and Aku from Tsukune's floor had September birthdays since Kamitsuku had fussed over being younger than most of the girls. Nobody else came to mind.

"When's your birthday, Nomura?"

"November twenty sixth. Why?"

"I was wondering if anyone else had a birthday in September and couldn't recall when yours was."

"I bet Ms. Sendou could tell you the names of everyone born in September."

"I can if it was published in our paper or I overheard it."

"She's like a walking reference book."

Kurumu smiled, not wanting to bother Yukari with the generic questions she had in mind. It was not long before she could see the bell tower in the front of the church through the thinning woods. The red brick structure jutted up with a steep, black tile roof.

The trail ended in a small clearing about the chapel. A smooth path flanked the line of the forest. This new path skirted by the cemetery and eventually ended at the main school path off to the left. It crossed the jogging path some ways off to the right before it ended at a parking lot for the church. A road which winded around all of Mononoke and Yokai cut by this lot before it ended at the dining hall.

Four figures stood on the wide landing near the double doors to the rectangular building. Moka waved enthusiastically at them, clutching her crimson purse in her other hand. The vampire was wearing her frilly lilac gown with the lacy white hem. The dress fell halfway down her thighs which were swathed in white leggings that matched her creamy white flats with tan soles. A matching long sleeved jacket was cinched at her bosom with a single white button.

"Oh, my love."

Yukari hurried around them, darting up the small flight of steps which preceded the paved mingling space. Moka turned to catch Yukari's embrace, laughing as the witch wrapped her arms about the vampire and proceeded to snuggle her cheek against Moka's bosom.

"Why are there so many here?"

Kurumu chuckled at Tora's comment. The sphinx stood beside Moka, shaking her head as she glanced over the group of arriving girls. A satin, black halter top hung off Tora's tanned shoulders while her curvy hips and rump were stuffed tightly in a pair of khaki capris which had been shredded from the knees down. Tora had torn up this pair of pants in her efforts to learn how to land and take off. Unlike Kurumu and the Tengu girls whom could take off vertically, Tora found it easier to use a running start.

"I'm guessing Kazehana wants in on this flying fun. The others have nothing better to do."

"It's intimidating to see a bunch of winged girls walk out of the woods like that."

Kurumu regarded the boy whom chuckled at his own comment. The young man wore a dark green, dress shirt with pockets which was tucked in gray slacks. He had short, glossy black hair with a left side part. He was slightly taller than Moka and had a strong resemblance to the girl beside him whom was wearing a dark green sundress and black leggings. This girl whom was slightly shorter than Moka had glossy black hair which was trimmed across her eyebrows while the back tresses were tied into a prim ponytail which fell down to the nape of her neck in a curve like the handle of a cup. The girl's amber eyes lit up as she waved at their approach.

"Oh, hello! Ms. Itazura."

"Ms. Tebayai?"

The girl tugged the strap of her white purse up onto her narrow shoulder, gesturing with both hands at the shy tanuki girl. Reluctantly Itazura stepped up the stairs to give a quick hug.

"You didn't mention you were friends with the newspaper club."

Itazura frowned at the boy, nervously glancing back at Kurumu. She flinched at Kana's smirk.

"I… um… with Kana."

"Are you going to introduce us to your friends?"

Itazura fidgeted under Touzoku's inquiry. She glanced at the pair and then her friends.

"Uh… my band seniors. Tebayai Hayami. Tebayai Itsuki."

Kurumu perked up.

"Twins?"

The boy chuckled heartily.

"No. I am but a humble second year. Hayami is my older sister. I heard that the infamous Ms. Kurono had plans to do our band club next."

Kurumu smiled softly, noting that the sister hovered close to Itazura.

"Where did you hear that?"

"I share homeroom with Ms. Namie. She mentioned it on the day after exams."

"I've seen these two in mass before but we've never spoken."

The older girl meekly smiled at Moka as she clung to Itazura.

"My apologies, Ms. Akashiya. Your reputation is intimidating."

"I hope you weren't insulted that we spoke with your friend first."

Moka shook her head as she caressed Yukari's shoulders.

"Not at all."

"Though confusing. I've never been asked to mediate a greeting."

Kurumu grinned at Tora's comment.

"If you two aren't busy, you're more than welcome to hang out with us while we fly."

"I have no objections to hanging out with Ms. Itazura and her friends."

Kana smirked at Yochimaru's hopeful expression.

"I bet Riku is all for it."

"Cool! Are you going to interview us since you're doing both our clubs?"

Kurumu laughed at Touzoku's eager inquiry. She shook her head.

"No. I didn't bring my notebook for that."

"You could always use Sendou as your notebook. She seems to memorize everything."

"Are yall gonna keep squawking? I'm heading out."

Hatoko huffed as she stalked down the path towards the parking lot.

"Yea! I'm ready to fly. Let's go!"

Kazehana hurried off, quickly passing by Hatoko.

"Ya even know where we going?"

"Make me!"

Kurumu laughed as the two tore down the trail.

"We should go before those two get kidnapped."

"Who would want to kidnap Hatoko?"

"I doubt kidnappers get to know their victims before they grab them."

Suzume sighed at Kiki's prompt response.

"Yea. I'll try to keep those dorks in sight."

"I'll trot with you."

Suzume nodded at Touzoku's thumbs up. The pair settled in a lively jog down the trail while Nomura and Michiko followed with their longer stride. Everyone else walked towards the road at their leisure.

"So… Mr. Tebayai. Where are you from?"

"Aserutani. I understand you're from Tatekanai."

Yochimaru blushed.

"Yea. Not Kana but the rest of us are."

"Poor Mr. Heiya. Already cast aside."

"I was just asking a question."

Kurumu grinned as Kana giggled over teasing her friend.


Kurumu bent down to wiggle the zipper of her right bootie. She could probably slip out of these things without loosening them if she tried, but she worried that might ruin them. Tugging it down as far as it would go, she lifted her foot and pried the bootie off.

It was one thirty. They were at school early but had little else to do before their club meeting. After their fun in the tulip field, they had went to the dining hall for lunch. Kurumu had spied the two nekomusume girls whom lived in suite 319, encouraging Yukari to eat with their neighbors instead of the large group they walked in with. The two juniors were cousins from Yonezawa in the Yamagata prefecture. Hiyoshi Itsuko was one of the track girls while Hidarimeki Tsuri was on the softball team.

The cousins had been eating with Dakiashi Tabi, a senior on the softball team whom was from Yonezawa, and Asobitani Irouji, her boyfriend from the baseball team. He was a senior from Aserutani and knew the Tebayai siblings. Both teams had just got back from their away games at Imoshinai Institute. Both teams had lost, though she understood this was the only loss the boys had suffered this season. The girls had lost three of their last four games, ending the season with five wins and three losses.

Regionals for both sports was being held on the tenth and eleventh at Nakamune Center, the prefectural school of Gifu. It was a single elimination tournament in which the last seeded team did not participate and the top two seeded teams were placed in opposing brackets. This meant the boys did not have to worry about facing Imoshinai until the regional finals, assuming both teams kept winning.

Finished with her task, Kurumu grabbed her slippers out of her cubby before stowing her booties away. The large genkan at the front of the school was divided up into nine aisles of shoe cubbies with three aisles devoted to each grade. Being first years in class two, Kurumu and Yukari were in the aisle closest to the teachers' lounge. Tora was in class three so she was on the other side of the aisle, closer to the front doors. Kana was alone in the next aisle while Moka and Kiki were in the aisle after that.

"I'm so nervous."

Kurumu smiled at Yukari before putting on her slippers.

"Tsukune's slippers are still in his cubby. What if that incompetent driver forgot to pick him up?"

Kurumu shook her head as Tora stalked over to them.

"I doubt that happened. He probably went to his dorm room first to unpack."

"Are we talking about Tsukune?"

"My heart is beating so fast at the thought of seeing him. It feels like my panties are soaked."

"Please behave yourself, Ms. Sendou."

"I don't know how I can talk to him."

"You'll be fine as long as you don't say anything suggestive or sexual."

"Maybe I should go home. I should work on that fragrance for Moka."

"You'll be fine, Yukari. Just… hang in there."

As Yukari clutched her head, agonizing over the impending encounter, Tora glared at Kurumu.

"You have only yourself to blame for this."

Kurumu smiled apologetically as she started walking to the end of the genkan. Before flying, Kurumu had explained how she had addressed Yukari's issue to Moka and Tora. Neither approved of her methods.

"Yea. I realize I made a mistake."

Tora shook her head as she stepped up into the grand foyer. A huge chandelier dangled in the center of the cavernous chamber. Fluted columns held up the second floor balcony which ringed the rooms over the school store, front genkan and teachers' lounge. A winding staircase with black railing provided passage to the upper level. Moka and the others were waiting at the foot of the staircase.

On Kurumu's right was one of the doors for the teachers' lounge. Beyond that was an opening in the wall for some bathrooms which Kurumu could not recall ever using. Even further behind the staircase was the wide hallway which connected the two school wings. On the left side of this main foyer was a pair of glass doors etched with the school insignia above a silver bar which served as its handle. This opened into the school store by the front counter.

"Hey Kana. You have a phone."

Kana laughed as they joined the trio.

"Yea, but I'm not silly enough to carry it around on campus."

"I can't believe you took pictures of us flying."

Kurumu waved her hand dismissively as they started up the stairs.

"It's not like I know any humans to send compromising pictures to."

"You have nothing to worry about, Ms. Honda. The only shots that came out nice are stationary. People would chalk that up to cosplay before thinking those girls had real wings."

Kurumu smiled, aware that her camera sucked at taking pictures of moving objects.

"I was wondering if you had some thingie to get my photos off my phone and onto my laptop."

"I do have one of those. Though it's back in my dorm room."

"That's not an issue. These two have laptops so you could bring that converter over to our sleepover after we fold up papers."

"What are you trying to do?"

Kurumu grinned at Kiki's concern.

"I promised to print out some pictures and send them to Nerume."

"Oh! I suppose that's acceptable. I doubt our mail system can be compromised."

"Do you know of any places where I could print my photos?"

Tora shrugged as they neared the top of the staircase.

"If you have it on a thumb drive, you can print your photos out on any printer hooked to a computer. You could print photos here. We do it for our paper all the time."

"Yea, but that's black and white."

"Those booklets the manga club did for the contest were in color."

Tora shook her head, wagging her hand at Kana.

"That's off campus. I doubt Ms. Sano will open the studio so we can print photos."

The top of the staircase brought them into the wide hallway which connected the upper floors of the two wings. Off to their left was the broadcasting room. Its door faced the hallway instead of the foyer. Next to the broadcasting room was the stairway leading up to the Headmaster's office. The room on the other side of the staircase with the door facing the foyer was the printing room where they made their school papers. As far as Kurumu knew, the rest of the rooms up here were for club storage.

"I would also like to print out my photos."

Kurumu smiled at Moka as the group veered to the right. There was a stair down at the end of this wide hall after it intersected with the elective hallway. She understood the senior and elective wing had been built in the early nineties after mommy had graduated.

"Is there someone you plan to send your photos to?"

"No. But I would like to frame a few of the ones I took."

"Well… if you have about a hundred thousand yen to spare, you could buy yourself an inkjet printer."

"I don't think that's necessary, Ms. Zukkutani."

"She bought herself a laptop. A printer is cheaper than that."

"While that might be true, there are additional costs with a printer. You have toner and ink cartridges to consider. And you have to buy paper. You would have to use that printer a lot to justify buying one over taking it to a place that will print photos out for you."

"But she's rich. She can afford the convenience of having one."

"I'll talk with Kokoa if she thinks that's a good idea."

They reached the elective hall which stretched off to the left. Railings lined the openings to the senior hall below. Balconies flanked these openings with doors opening into classrooms on either side. After every pair of classrooms a crossover connected the balconies with a stair leading down. Their group drifted over to the balcony on the far side, walking by class 4-1 first.

It had taken most of the first term, but Kurumu had picked up that these first three classes were for the business program. Class 4-1 was for Mr. Shirakawa's first year portion of the program. Mr. Shirakawa happened to be the Arcade club's advisor. Class 4-2 was for Mr. Yokoyama, whom had been one of the three teachers reviewing the case to expel Tsukune for killing those monstrel boys when he went berserk. Class 4-3 was for Mr. Agano whom was the advisor for the music club whom had performed at Kiki's birthday party and at the popularity contest.

"Are you sure Tsukune will come?"

"We have a thumb drive with Ms. Shirayuki's and his articles on it. It's not that big of a deal if the bus driver is late bringing them back."

"Is late even a concept for that guy? I swear that bus of his can time travel."

Kurumu smiled as they walked by the first crossover at the back doors for classes 4-2 and 4-3. The stair down at the first crossover faced the front foyer. The next one at the back doors for classes 4-4 and 4-5 had stairs in both directions while the last two stairs further down this hall faced the cafeteria.

Class 4-4 which was coming up was for the health and wellness course which was primarily taken by seniors. The school nurse, Ms. Tsumugi, was presently teaching that elective while Ms. Uchikawa, the cheering squad advisor, had taken over a second year science class. The infirmary which the nurse operated was in place of class 4-6 while class 4-5 served as the disciplinary room. The six classes 4-7 through 4-12 on the other side of the hall were vacant and usually locked up, though she heard clubs could petition to use these rooms if they lacked space.

Kurumu had nothing to talk about at the moment. She already knew Tora had not made contact with Satsuki, Tokori or even Deshi, whom was still not at school. Kurumu was mildly curious if Akua's friend would resume her ruse of student now that Moka, Yukari and Tora all knew about her true goals. She would be mildly disappointed if the girl stayed in China.

After the bathrooms which flanked the infirmary was class 4-13. This was Mr. Karatsuki's computer lab which he held for the first years in the computer program. Classes 4-14 and 4-15 were computer labs for the other grades. She had no idea what class 4-16 was for.

In her silent musings, they reached their destination. Kana slid open the back door to the computer lab, prompting Tora and Kiki to enter first. With the lights on, the lab was much brighter than the hallway.

"You're all here early."

"Afternoon, Mr. Morioka."

The computer lab consisted of twelve workstations evenly spaced about the room. Nine of the stations were mounted with three computer screens and flanked by three school chairs. The front three stations had chairs but lacked computers. A large, cushioned chair reserved for the teacher was rolled up against the center station on the other side, facing the rest of the class.

Ginei was tapping away at the keyboard at station three. The werewolf was wearing a simple white tee for a change. He was using Sangi's old profile from last year to access their publishing software. Sangi Mitsuki was Ginei's former classmate and the current film club president.

"What have I told you about polite name usage, Kiki?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Morioka."

"Take a seat anywhere."

Ginei paused his typing to favor them a grin as they approached.

"And I do mean anywhere."

Tora smirked as Kiki stopped in the aisle between stations five and six to wring her hands. Shaking her head, Tora walked over to him and held out two thumb drives.

"These are the articles Ms. Honda and Ms. Zukkutani have worked on over the summer."

Ginei regarded the offering. A slight smile touched the corner of his lips.

"Any reason why they couldn't deliver those themselves?"

Kana giggled, pouncing over to Tora's side and draping her arms over Tora's shoulders.

"We've been warned about your naughty ways."

"I'm sure there must be programs that can help you, Mr. Morioka. It's not too late."

"What have you been telling these girls?"

Moka smiled as she came up behind Kiki, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"We only shared your training methods and they drew their own conclusions."

"Well… if either of you ladies are interested in honing your reflexes-"

"I'll be at my computer if you need me."

Kiki bowed sharply before turning on her heel. She quickly retreated to station eight in the middle back row. As a participant of the computer program, she had been assigned one of those computers. The two girls whom shared her station for the seventh period class were Akegawa Hikari, one of Kokoa's special girls, and Mizumi Aoi. Kiki knew that Mizumi was missing but they had decided against letting her know about Mizumi's demise.

Ginei sighed and gestured to the counter. Two thumb drives rested between the keyboards.

"Leave those here and you can take these back. I've already copied the articles over to the main drive."

Tora shrugged, stepping over to swap the drives in her hand with the other ones.

"Did you have any suggestions?"

Ginei glanced the sphinx over before turning his attention back to the screen.

"It looks like either you or the brat looked over these articles for all the grammatical and spelling errors."

"That's normal. We've never relied on you for those sort of mistakes."

Ginei chuckled, shaking his head.

"Well I can't say that I'm inspired enough to suggest any changes in the presentation. Your articles are bland and boring as always."

"I'm spreading awareness of a deviant club which tampered with the votes of the popularity contest to get Ms. Chouda into the finalists. There's nothing flashy about it."

"I'm not saying that I've received complaints. It's fine enough that I'm not going to hold you hostage."

"Hold me hostage?"

"I don't see a reason for you to stick around."

"But you're the one whom called this meeting."

Ginei shrugged at Tora's indignation.

"Don't take it personally. I'm not singling you out or anything. Kurumu's articles have improved, although they still follow the same monotonous format. But I don't have the time or even an idea how to make her articles better before we release our paper for Tuesday's assembly."

"You know about the assembly on Tuesday?"

"Of course I know. Ms. Yoshino happened to drop in the computer lab yesterday. She let me know about your little visit to the Headmaster and the expectations they have for our club."

Tora frowned, handing over one of the drives to Moka.

"I was asked to write a generic article for caution."

"I've already handled that."

"What about the bank robbery and the two girls?"

Ginei waved a hand dismissively.

"There's not enough information available for us to do articles on those things right now. I am naming both girls as missing, because I want people to know this isn't some random caution nonsense. Beyond that, any information we get on these two subjects will be covered in our next paper."

"Which I assume you plan to write."

"Naturally. Now, Kana. I know how raunchy your humor can be. Did you leave me options to pick from?"

Kana chuckled, nodding.

"I have three different scenarios."

"Good. You better have one we can use. I doubt we have time for you to draw a new one from scratch."

"Are you sending us home?"

Ginei turned a smile on Moka.

"I'm sorry, but there isn't much that I can offer for half of you. Your articles always get praise so I'm hard pressed to come up with ways to improve them. I do have some things in mind for Tsukune's articles, but I already gave my input on Mizore's piece. She made the changes and I have nothing more to say. And our little mascot didn't have any articles assigned to her."

"I'm not a mascot!"

Ginei chuckled, resuming his typing.

"I'm serious. The only ones I need to stick around are Tsukune and Kiki. The rest of you can go."

Tora frowned as she pocketed the thumb drive which presumably was hers. The sphinx cast a glance to the back where Kiki was waiting at her computer.

"I don't know if I feel comfortable leaving Kiki alone with you."

"You make it sound like I can't be trusted."

"Trust is reserved when there is a lack of contradicting evidence."

"Shouldn't you be reporting in with Mr. Sabaku? He's in room 106 next to mine."

"I'm not going to visit a young man in his dorm room."

"Why not? I understand you spent the night with Tsukune."

Tora paused with a frown.

"That was a long time ago. I was also with Kurumu."

Ginei eyed Tora with a mischievous glint.

"Are you seriously that concerned that I will molest Kiki if you're not here?"

Kurumu smiled in the silence that followed.

"Well… I'm not leaving. I have to write a quick article to update the progress of the baseball and softball teams as well as announce the start of the season for the track team."

"Yea. I only came up here so I could see Tsukune."

"What is that about?"

"You don't want to know."

Ginei smiled at Tora's resigned comment.

"I don't mind if you two hang around for that."

"But I usually handle the layout."

"I'll let the brat do it. She hasn't done anything else."

"Yukari could have done an article if you had given her one."

"Yea, yea. She can do the layout and help folding papers tomorrow. I'm sure the council will approve what we submit since the Headmaster wants this ready for Tuesday morning's assembly."

Tora sighed, drifting back over to Kana's side.

"I suppose I'll see you tomorrow after school."

"I don't need your help folding papers tomorrow."

Tora's expression hardened.

"Why not?"

"Because it's a small space and the printer only works so fast. We only need about four sets of hands to handle things."

"I can help folding papers."

"Yea. We always do a little sleepover after these things. I was going to help these two download their photos from their phones onto their laptops."

Ginei frowned at Kana. He shook his head.

"I'm fine if you three are helping me and the brat tomorrow. But Tora has PSC stuff to work on. I want you participating in that safety walk Ms. Yoshino told me about."

Tora hesitated to respond. She blinked.

"Oh. Right. I guess that makes sense."

"Take Kana with you if you're that worried about meeting up with Mr. Sabaku in his room."

"I can check in with him tomorrow. Let me look over your articles or something."

"Are you that desperate to hang out with me?"

Tora glared at him. She promptly stalked away.

"Let's go, Kana. Are you coming, Moka?"

"I'll think I will stay for Tsukune."

"Later then."

Kurumu cringed as Tora exited the room at a brisk pace with Kana hurrying behind her. The dryad paused at the door, offering a quick wave before stepping out into the hall and closing the door for them.

"That was bad, Ginei."

"I don't think I said anything horrible."

Kurumu sighed, taking the drive Moka presented her. She drifted back behind station five, taking the middle seat. She reached below the desk to push the button which brought Yukari's assigned computer to life. The screen flickered as the computer chugged through its startup routine.

"You chased her out the door."

Ginei shrugged as he grabbed one of the thumb drives and bent below the desk to plug it in.

"Tora has bigger things to tackle right now. Hopefully when we have these kidnappers and bank robbers caught, Tora will have worked out whatever issue she has with me."

Yukari hopped into the seat on Kurumu's left while Moka took the one on her right.

"How is she going to do that if she's busy with other things?"

"It's called giving someone space, Kurumu. Like you are doing with Tsukune."

Kurumu frowned as she regarded the startup screen.

"That's an entirely different matter."

"It's how you treat her and other girls which bothers her, Mr. Morioka."

"Then minimizing the time we have to spend together is the right move. I'm not about to change how I behave for a girl infatuated with me."

"You should respect her feelings."

Ginei laughed at Kiki's remark.

"Yes. Because her feelings are the only ones that matter here."

Kurumu frowned.

"What do you have to be upset about?"

"What is it that you want from me? Tora said she would quit if I ever touched her again."

"It's not that hard to avoid touching someone."

"Where's the fun in that?"

Kurumu soured at his flippant attitude.

"How is molesting someone fun?"

"I don't think a girl whom rubs her body all over a boy she charmed into a relationship has room to talk about the evils of molesting someone."

Kurumu grimaced, looking away. Moka placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Kurumu didn't know her charm worked like that."

"She charged forward because she believed Tsukune liked her. How is that any different than what I do?"

"I get it, Ginei. We've practically broken up over this so I don't need you grinding it in my face."

"You've broken up with Mr. Aono?"

Kurumu threw a smile at the confused Kiki.

"Not really. At least I don't think so."

She had no idea how things turned out between Tsukune and the other Moka that last night in Okinawa. As far as she knew, he had not asked this Moka out. And he had frantically denied kissing Moka when Mrs. Kawamoto called him out on it.

"I like flirting with girls. Sometimes that translates to touching. It's not molesting. That's some silly word girls came up with because they don't want to admit they like it."

Kurumu scowled at his declaration.

"I didn't enjoy you feeling me up in our training sessions."

"Molesting and foreplay are the exact same thing to a guy. The only difference is if the girl likes it."

Yukari huffed.

"That's like claiming rape and sex are the same thing."

"I hope we never get to the point of defining rape as a woman being unhappy with a man's performance in bed. Not saying I have anything to worry about, but I'm surrounded by dishonest women."

Kurumu sighed at his amusement.

"You should be more serious when you're flirting with girls."

"I have no intentions of becoming my father. Flirting should be fun and if the girl continues to respond favorably to it, it will translate to passionate intercourse."

Kurumu blushed at his remarks. She hoped all his flirting with her was not some misguided hope for sex.

"You should want a relationship."

"I'm fine with a relationship which happens naturally from flirting. But I'm not going to sit down with a girl and respectfully bring up the subject like I want a partner for opening up a business."

"Mr. Morioka. I think loyalty is important to every girl."

Ginei snorted.

"You mean like Tsukune has been loyal to Kurumu?"

Kurumu winced. She noted the computer was waiting for her to put in Yukari's password. She typed in the simple phrase, hitting enter which prompted the computer to go through the final motions.

"I don't fully understand the situation with Mr. Aono, but he has never flirted with any of the women whom admire him."

"It won't change a thing if I stopped flirting with every girl I know. That isn't going to make Tora happy."

"It might help."

Ginei sighed heavily.

"You heard her, Kurumu. She accused me of not caring about her."

"She didn't say that."

"Admit it. The only thing I am to Tora is a thrilling prospect of a relationship. She doesn't have genuine feelings for me as a person. I'm supposed to be her respectable senior Morioka."

"I don't think that's true."

"You don't hand out ultimatums like that to someone you are loyal to. If I don't behave like the person she wants me to be, she's quitting. Do you understand that? Don't bark about loyalty when you can't see the issue here."

"I don't think she'll quit."

"Maybe you should talk with her."

Ginei waved a hand dismissively at Moka.

"I'm not going to apologize for flirting with her or anyone else. I'll keep our time together minimal until she calms down and gives me a solid reason to believe she won't quit if I smack her butt on a whim."

"Can't you keep your hands to yourself?"

"Feeling myself up isn't my favorite hobby."

Kurumu groaned, rolling her eyes. Shaking her head, Kurumu opened the publishing software. She prompted to start a new document.

"That wasn't what I meant."

"Mr. Morioka. I understand that you peeped on the girls while they were naked."

"That was an accident. I walked in their room and they all had their bare asses facing the door. Any poor guy would have seen the same thing."

Kurumu smirked as Moka blushed.

"Why were you in their room?"

"Kiki. If you walked into a room full of boys, would you expect to see a bunch of dicks?"

"Uh… no."

"Precisely. I was up early and thought to tease the girls a little. I did not expect the vision that greeted me, nor do I regret my good fortune."

"At least he didn't take pictures."

"No need for that. That image shall be burned forever in my loins."

"You saw an eleven year old's pussy."

Ginei sighed dramatically.

"We can't have everything perfect. I'm still confused as to why Tora was sleeping with her glorious rump bared and her sleep shorts in her hand."

Kurumu frowned.

"But Tora told us she wasn't bared like the rest of us."

"I have no idea what she might have told you. Maybe she was embarrassed that I bopped her bottom with my foot and told her to get her silly derriere off the floor."

"Maybe she used the restroom at night and was too tired to put them back on."

"You've done that too?"

Kurumu nodded at Yukari.

"Yea. I've left my panties in the bathroom several times. Luckily never happened on campus, but was like at least once a week when I lived in Kengamine."

"I didn't know girls did that."

"I didn't live with any men so it wasn't that big of a deal if I slept naked."

"My daddy is the only man in our house."

"I've never considered sleeping without my boxers on. There's no way I'd want my mother seeing my morning wood."

"Morning wood?"

"He means his erection."

Kurumu blushed over being informed of this by Yukari.

"Anyways. What I want all of you to understand is that I'm not being cruel towards Tora here. If you wish to enlighten her about my position, that's up to you. But right now, I'm more concerned with fulfilling some promises I made last term."

"Like what?"

"You'll find out."

There was a knock on the back door before it was slid open. Tsukune poked his head inside. He was wearing a yellow tee shirt with two tilted black plus signs below his nipples and a black line across his chest beneath that. The hem of the shirt hung over his khakis.

"Sorry. We're a little late."

Mizore hovered in his shadow. The snow girl wore her peach, long sleeved blouse with the crimped collar and cuffs. The sheer fabric betrayed her black bra beneath. The blouse was tucked into her pleated white skirt with the pair of purple stripes along the bottom hem.

"It's about time you got here. I can't handle your harem."

Tsukune gagged, lingering at the door. Kurumu chuckled as Yukari sprung from her seat. Sharing a smile with Moka, they both got up as the witch bounded over to greet Tsukune first.

"Tsukune. Am I pretty today?"

Mizore cocked her head, favoring them a frown as the witch clasped her hands at her navel and peered up at Tsukune.

"Uh… yes?"

Yukari laughed nervously, fidgeting with her hands.

"How would you feel about dating younger women?"

Kurumu pounced over to Yukari, slapping her hand over the girl's mouth before the witch said anything she would regret.


"Scoot."

Fukai Ishiko glanced up at Kurumu with caramel eyes. The gnome girl from class eleven had on a black tee and pink shorts. A pair of thick goggles hung from her neck against her chest. Her oily black hair was a wild stringy mess of thick, short locks. The girl nodded, shifting to her right to make space for Kurumu on the pink sofa in Moka's suite.

Turning about, Kurumu squeezed onto the couch beside her former neighbor whom was among the few girls on campus shorter than her. She smoothed out her silky black chemise, regarding the screen which was playing the House of Flying Daggers. Kurumu had not seen this or the Hero film Kokoa had brought back with her from her collection at the Shuzen Estate until today.

Shuzen Kokoa rested on the other end of this couch with her left arm about Akegawa Hikari. The vampire had her reddish hair down for the evening. A satin nightgown with a white floral sash was wrapped about her lithe torso. She leaned over to place a small kiss on top of Akegawa's head.

Akegawa Hikari was the tallest girl on the couch but probably shorter than Suzume. The salamander's curly, cherry locks brushed against her shoulders. A black velvet camisole hung loosely upon her slender shoulders. A matching short bared most of her creamy thighs.

On a whim, Kurumu reached over to pull Fukai to her side. The gnome made no protest, resting her temple against the swell of Kurumu's bosom. She supposed this day had ended close to how she had expected it would. As she was sworn to serve Kokoa, she had suspected that she would be spending the night with Moka so that she could make Kokoa's breakfast tomorrow. As it was nearly ten, Moka was already passed out in the bed. The older sister had barely made it through the first two hour movie.

She had not spent as much time with Tsukune as she had hoped. She had struggled to explain Yukari's newfound adoration for him, admitting she had altered a memory for Yukari to make the witch feel better about sex. They had then enjoyed a half hour of uncomfortable silence as Tsukune tried to focus on his revisions under Yukari's longing gaze.

When Mizore called her out, Yukari had played up her innocence before asking Moka to take her home. She had declared rather loudly that she would spend the remainder of the day with the one she loved most. Mizore had followed them, stating they were acting suspicious.

They had wrapped up their articles by four which had been too early to head for the dining hall. Even with Kurai serving dinner a half hour earlier on the weekends, the twenty to thirty minute walk from school to Kurai would have left them a whole hour to kill. Kurumu had suggested hanging out with the boys on Tsukune's floor, but Kiki had declined participating in such activity. Tsukune had also insisted that he at least have a chance to greet the guys this new term without any girls hanging around him.

Having nothing better to do, Kurumu had stopped by Yukari's suite to rescue Moka. She had swung by her own suite to fetch school clothes, maid uniforms and sleepwear before taking her sheets to the commissary to wash up. She had hung out with Moka while her laundry finished.

When they finally went to dinner, they crossed paths with Kokoa and her friends. Taniguchi Nagisa, the undine girl in Kokoa's entourage whom was on the tennis team and was Mizumi's friend, had not been with them. Kokoa had already stopped by the suite and unpacked while Kurumu had been doing laundry.

Antai Hotaru had been with them at the time. Antai was a sylph from Hateshinai whom wore her beige hair in an updo similar to Kurumu's. Both Antai and Akegawa were in class eight and on the gymnastics team, so Kurumu had shared the news about Ms. Rin putting their practices on hold because of the kidnapping. They had dropped the subject after that, aware that Mrs. Shuzen had asked Kokoa not to get mixed up in a developing situation which was probably this.

They had talked about their respective vacations, Fukai and Kokoa showing all the pictures they had taken with their phones. Moka and Kurumu had done the same while bringing up how they handled a Fairy Tale uprising and killed the rogue Fairy Tale commander over the Kyushu region. Upon the conclusion of dinner, Antai had excused herself, playfully warning Kokoa to behave herself tonight.

Of the four girls Kokoa drew blood from to become powerful, Akegawa was her favorite. The timid salamander whom lived in the shadow of a popular older brother on the kendo team had become smitten with Kokoa's pursuit of her blood. Perhaps it was her innocent adoration of Kokoa which resonated with Kokoa's heart, resulting in this show of affection.

"You smell nice."

"You're like the fifth person to say that today."

"Are you seducing my friends?"

Kurumu smirked, rubbing Fukai's shoulder.

"Maybe I am."

"Such a wicked servant. You didn't even get me a souvenir."

"You didn't get me one."

"Such audacity to think you deserve a souvenir from your Lady."

Akegawa sighed softly, nuzzling against Kokoa.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Kurono. I only got souvenirs for my brother, Ms. Kaimura and Ms. Akiyama."

Kaimura Yuko and Akiyama Ume were both girls from class eight whom ate lunch with Antai and Akegawa. This small lunch group which was held in class eight now included Kokoa and Fukai.

Kaimura was a salamander from Moegara while Akegawa was from the other salamander village of Tochimoeru. There was another salamander village where the lead guitarist of the music club and a couple seniors on the softball team came from, but that was in the Fukushima prefecture.

Akiyama had gone to the junior high in Machinise with Suzume and Kiki. Since she had been invited to the outing Coach Yaisoku had planned over the summer, Kurumu guessed the girl was something similar to a jorougumo. Having an older brother ruled that out, but Akiyama could be an oomukade like Ms. Yumeito or some other insect type monster.

"I'm only teasing since Milady didn't buy souvenirs for anyone. At least we were kind enough to pick things out for some of our friends."

"I sent Moka a postcard."

"You sent her a challenge."

"It's still a souvenir."

Kurumu sighed as she regarded the screen. The problem with watching a subtitled movie was it demanded so much attention. She sort of understood what was going on but she was tired and her thoughts kept wandering.

"I hope Taniguchi will be okay."

"Yea. I hope they find Ms. Mizumi soon."

Kurumu forced a smile, wishing she could share more than the rumors.

"I'm sure her friends know Mizumi is missing and let Taniguchi know. We only found out yesterday because we had to talk to the Headmaster about someone breaking into my room."

"Someone broke into your room?"

"Yea. They didn't take anything. Just left a threat on the wall."

"Even more reason for you to spend your nights here. I swear that man posing as my father is right about this school being dangerous."

"Your sister wrote that man a letter to see if he'll attend the school festivals."

"As if I want him here."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"I'm spending tomorrow night with Yukari. We usually sleep at her place after folding papers."

"That's right. You'll be too busy that morning for breakfast. Maybe I'll spend the night with Hikari."

"I wouldn't mind."

Kokoa paused, letting out another deep breath.

"So… has my sister been drinking any blood these past two weeks?"

Kurumu chuckled, giving Fukai a squeeze.

"At least once from me and once from Tsukune."

"I'm fighting her this week. I want to see how much stronger I've become."

Kurumu grimaced, recalling the brutal fight between Kahlua and Kokoa.

"I don't think Moka can fight you as she is."

"Obviously I want to fight her without her limiter. It's pointless fighting this weak version of her."

"You should have a better reason to fight than that."

Kokoa sighed dramatically, lifting her hand from Akegawa's shoulder to toy with her cherry locks.

"Only a couple more hours."

Akegawa lifted her head up. There was a softness in her pistachio eyes as she took note of Kurumu. She turned her gaze on Kokoa, reaching up to press a finger on Kokoa's lower lip.

"You should wait for morning."

"I want you now."

"I doubt your mother meant for you to take me the moment the clock struck midnight."

"But it would be the first day."

"Can we kiss?"

Kokoa looked over the salamander with hungry emerald eyes.

"I want more than that."

Akegawa pressed in close, tilting her head slightly to touch her lips against Kokoa's. The vampire made a slight sound, wrapping her arms about the taller girl. Their heads moved slightly as the two made soft moans. Kurumu felt envious, wishing she could kiss Tsukune like that.

"I think you two should go to sleep."

Kokoa broke off the kiss, resting her chin on Akegawa's shoulder. She panted softly, rubbing the side of her head against Akegawa's.

"I think you should mind your own business."

"I just want Milady to follow her mother's instructions."

Akegawa pulled back. She scooted off the couch, stumbling to her feet.

"She's right. If we sleep, the morning will come faster."

Kokoa groaned, catching Akegawa's hands in hers. She allowed the salamander to pull her upright.

"I guess. You'll have to hold me though. I doubt I could resist you in my arms."

"Okay."

Akegawa clambered up onto the bed while keeping hold of Kokoa's hands. The vampire crawled up to join her. In moments the pair were tucked in the sheets with Moka.

As Kurumu turned her attention back to the movie, she wished she was still loved like that.