They were going home.
They had woke up this morning to a downpour and the forecast did not indicate things would clear up until late afternoon. Seeing little point of sticking with the original schedule, Mr. Umatobi had shuffled about room to room with heavy breaths, letting everyone know to pack and eat up as they would be leaving with Mr. Nurari before the bus driver made his mail rounds.
Kurumu was feeling no better than she had yesterday. Her body was hot and her head was swimming in and out of clarity. It was difficult to eat as she could not hold her breath long. She wanted to cuddle and be held. The drowsy vampire was the perfect victim, unable to resist her wants.
Pretty much everyone had dressed for school today, most the boys wearing the school jacket. Ginei and Tamura were the exceptions. Tamura had forgotten to bring his jacket and Ginei had not brought any school uniforms. Their grinning club president was sporting a satin, pink dress shirt that matched Moka's long tresses. He left the short sleeved shirt untucked to match the loose, casual look of his baggy, black corduroy cargos. He wore a white bandana today, claiming it meshed better with his outfit.
Yukari was the only girl not wearing a blouse and skirt. She had on this peach, sleeveless blouse worn beneath a burgundy open vest that zipped up her midriff. A matching, pleated burgundy skirt hugged about her hips. White thigh highs stretched up from her feet tucked in black dress shoes with white collars. White elastic bands clipped to the top of the hose and disappeared beneath the skirt.
"You two need to eat."
Kurumu smiled softly at Tora, whom had yet to put her hair up in braids. Kurumu sighed, pressing her cheek against the side of Moka's head. She had pulled the vampire between her knees about halfway through her meal and had done little since. It was not like Moka had been eating, preferring to sleep against her shoulder. It felt nicer holding Moka like this and Tsukune approved.
Not much had been said about Rubi's escape. Ginei had summarized things as Rubi finding her wand and slipping out while he bathed with Tsukune, Uchiyama and Yamabato. Tora had apologized profusely, admitting she had turned in under the impression Rubi had been asleep. Ms. Nekonome had been mildly disappointed, but none of the film club cared. Most had not even seen the witch.
"My Moka is still weak from giving blood to Tsukune."
"I'll happily give her my blood."
Yukari glared at the grinning werewolf.
"She's not desperate. I would offer mine, but it would be better if she took some from Kurumu or Tora."
Tora frowned, absently lifting a hand to rub her neck.
"How is your neck feeling, Tsukune? The marks look worse than yesterday."
Tsukune touched his neck and winced.
"It's tender. I feel like there's a hot coal tucked against my throat."
"It looks like a hickey."
Sangi smirked, setting aside her empty plate.
"Humans get those things by kissing too hard or too much."
Ginei chuckled.
"I remember one of my former girlfriends was obsessed with leaving her mark. It annoyed her that mine would go away within an hour."
Kurumu smiled, running her fingers through Moka's tresses.
"We should take you to the hospital today to have it looked at. Moka's marks don't normally get worse."
Sangi got up and held her hand down to Chouda. The smaller senior took the offer.
"You should be fine, right? I mean, I get that your body hasn't been acclimated to Moka's blood since it's mostly been her taking blood from you and not the other way around."
Tsukune smiled at the brunette.
"I'll be fine. More rest and less danger."
Kurumu grinned as Moka stirred slightly.
"So how did your film go on the hill?"
Uchiyama and Oyanagi got up. As the tengu boy stretched his arms over his head, the older afro boy gestured at them.
"Kuroishi feels we have enough to piece together a good film."
"Can I see it?"
Kana snatched a sausage off her distracted cousin's plate.
"It's footage. If we can finish it before the end of term, we could give a copy to Ms. Zukkutani for you."
Kana chewed on the pilfered food as she shrugged.
"I don't know if we will be visiting Saedi this break. If you guys could somehow get it on a computer format, maybe I could email it to her."
"It's a Sony DCR-TRV. It might not be the newest camcorder, but it's digital."
"How do you get the film on a computer?"
"You just need a firewire connection. We don't have the flashiest video editing and capture software, but it was good enough for last year's project."
"All right, geek boy. I'm heading to our room to get my stuff."
Uchiyama clapped his hand on Oyanagi's shoulder before stalking off. The stocky boy lingered a moment longer before following after his roommate.
Kamitsuku and the other two boys whom had shared a room with Mr. Umatobi had left breakfast long ago. She had seen Kuroishi carrying down things twice, imagining the older boy was already on the bus waiting with both teachers, since Ms. Nekonome had also been finished up with her meal before they had come down. Their advisor had lingered only a couple minutes while talking with the bus driver before taking their discussion outside.
"We all should get going. It's almost eight."
Tsukune nodded, getting up on his feet. He had nearly cleared his plate.
"It's been a fun trip."
"Really? I was worried the whole time after that first encounter in the sunflowers."
Tsukune chuckled at Sangi's remark.
"That's understandable."
"I kept thinking it could happen again, but I guess since you guys had that crazy girl here, we were safe."
Tora stood up, smoothing out her blouse.
"She did mention an older witch, but I suppose this mentor did not want to act without knowing what had happened to her ward."
Sangi snorted.
"Or she doesn't have a mentor. She might have lied to cover her guilt."
"Whatever the case, we have no reasons to return to the hill."
"Yea, let the humans figure that one out. Those witches have to realize they can't hold their ground forever. Short of having an army of magical beasts, there's no way they could stop that project."
"That's a dreadful thought. Humans don't back down from threats. They'll meet it with a larger force."
Sangi smiled.
"I know. I'm heading up with Chouda. You guys should hurry."
Ginei nodded, getting up and gesturing at Kana.
"Yea, we're finished here. Just have to drag these two up on their feet."
Taking Chouda by the hand, Sangi started off for the opening of the hall by the front counter. The other two boys had already disappeared up the stairs to the upper levels.
Kurumu flinched as Yukari pressed a cool palm against her forehead. She sighed, favoring the witch a soft smile as she regarded the plates before them. Moka had not touched her meal.
"You're worse than yesterday. Moka? Can you hold out till lunch?"
"Kurai doesn't serve lunch, Yukari. I think that's why the original plan was to stay until the afternoon."
Yukari caressed Moka's cheek. The vampire's eyes fluttered open as Moka yawned.
"I could make her lunch."
"I'm going to get my things out of Saedi's room."
Kana was tugging on Saedi's wrist, as she wandered away from the group.
"I'll see you guys on the bus."
Moka groaned, her eyes slowly opening. Kurumu smiled down at the vampire.
"Hey. Yukari says you should drink blood to recover some strength."
"Can I?"
"I meant Kurumu's or Tora's. Tsukune can't handle his blood being taken now."
Moka pouted a moment. She glanced aside and then back. Her eyes softened as she tilted her head and leaned up, her breath tickling across Kurumu's throat.
Kurumu stiffened as teeth sank into her neck. Her breaths came out shallow as she felt her life siphoned firmly from her body. It hurt but not as bad as she recalled the first time. Perhaps being more relaxed helped diminish the discomfort. It still was not as satisfying as Unabara's bite.
"Oh. Well, since that was decided… let's head upstairs, Tsukune."
Kurumu felt how much Tsukune desired this image. She felt this urge to let out her tail and wings, but she could not move. Holding Moka was all she could manage while the vampire drained her. Her eyes felt heavy as her body relaxed. She could slip away like this.
"Moka, that's too much."
Moka pulled back with a gasp. She panted, pushing back to a seated position between Kurumu's thighs. The vampire lifted a hand to touch her chin, her eyes glazed over. A slight smile crossed her lips.
"She tastes like Tsukune today."
Tsukune chuckled, shaking his head as he acquiesced to Tora's tugging on his sleeve.
"We'll be upstairs, Moka. Everybody is packing."
Moka licked her lips as Tsukune retreated with Tora.
"It still has a sweet undertone."
Kurumu smiled, resting against the vampire.
"I thought you would protest more."
"She said I should."
"I'm thirsty."
Ginei laughed, picking up his cup of tea and handing it over to Kurumu. She felt exhausted. She could feel his smoldering desire from what he had witnessed, but this did not give her energy. And now that Tsukune had slipped out of the room, she felt empty and her throat hurt from being so dry.
"Are you going to take it?"
"I can't move."
Yukari pressed the back of her hand against Kurumu's cheek. The witch smiled as she moved her hand about Kurumu's face and forehead.
"It feels like that broke your fever."
"Should I carry you?"
"No. Moka can carry her."
"Ease up, kid. We're all friends here."
Moka groaned as she got to her feet. She stretched her limbs out.
"Give her a couple minutes. She'll recover faster than Tsukune."
"I can wait with her. You two go ahead and get packed."
Yukari regarded him suspiciously.
"Don't you do anything to her."
Ginei smiled, holding his hands up.
"I won't lay a finger on her."
Taking Moka's hand, the pair started off for the front counter. Beyond them, Kurumu saw Kamitsuku and Tamura shuffle out of the hall. Both paused to put on their shoes. Kamitsuku hit the door first, holding it open for his smaller companion. The sound of rain carried into the room, diminishing back to its normal distant patter when the door closed behind them.
"What's it going to take for that kid to ever trust me?"
Kurumu smiled. She pawed at her cup of tea, nearly toppling it. Cradling it in both hands, she lifted it up to her lips and emptied the contents in her mouth. Setting the cup down, she regarded the dishes on the low table that had been set out for them by their hosts. Saedi's parents would come out and gather up everything after everyone left.
Taking a deep breath, Kurumu forced herself to get up. She was unsteady but no longer felt excessively flush. She grabbed Ginei by the shoulder, regarding the floor as she eased out a few more breaths.
"You okay?"
She nodded, noting he had thrust his hands in his pockets. She knew she should start moving. It was not like any of them had that much stuff. Most of them had only a single suitcase or knapsack. If they dallied much longer, one of the teachers was bound to come in and scold them.
"Threat or not, I'm willing to carry you."
Kurumu smirked as she started a slow walk around him and the table. He grinned, falling in step beside her as they made their way across the long main room.
Uchiyama came out of the hall before they reached the front counter. He made a slight salute before grabbing up his shoes and tossing them on the floor. Stepping quickly into them, he pushed the door open which caused the sound of rainfall to intensify. Gripping his knapsack, he hopped out with a quick trot before the door closed behind him.
"Hey, did Uchiyama talk to you about those choir girls from your class?"
Ginei chuckled as they stepped down into the genkan that flanked the front counter. Stepping up through the opening, they turned right and started up the stairs.
"He mentioned an interest in Oso, but I don't know what he thinks I can do for him."
Kurumu smiled as she stumbled up one of the steps before they reached the long hall.
"Don't you mingle with your classmates?"
"Oso and Noboto do sit in front of me. That's why they came with me. It doesn't mean I'm friends with them and I don't think your film club boy understands how girls operate. He's not popular or athletic. He's also a year younger than them."
Kurumu grinned as they started down the hall in front of the second floor guest rooms. She nodded to Kana as the girl stumbled out into the hall with one of her bags and her laptop satchel slung over her shoulder. The blonde had brought another one and she had picked up quite a few things at the Bookoff.
"There's no harm in asking her out."
"In my limited experience, harpies are suspicious about guys trying to ask them out."
"Did you have many harpies in your last homeroom?"
Ginei grinned as Saedi shuffled out into the hall with the rest of Kana's things.
"I wouldn't say that. Most of what I know is from Kamoko and Haiji. Both assured me that harpies make the first move."
Ginei grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her to the side of the hall. Oyanagi was slowly making his way down the hall towards them, his phone pressed to his ear.
"Hey, Kana. Let the teachers know I'll be the last one out."
The blond nodded as she took his gesture as permission to sidle past him. She shuffled down the hall with the suitcase while Saedi slowly followed on her heels. The older cousin flashed Ginei a grin as she passed. Although not a student, she had worn a white blouse and tan skirt to blend in with their group.
Kurumu sighed, leaning against him. She waited for him to move, but he remained still. Oyanagi wandered by, talking amicably with someone. She imagined it had to be family.
"You feel nice."
She peered up at him, though he deftly averted his gaze. Chuckling he pulled away, causing her to stumble a step. Frowning, she continued down the hall after him.
"I had such high hopes for this trip. It's a pity that nothing happened."
"I think a lot happened."
"I meant that I was in a room alone with young women multiple nights and not a thing happened."
Kurumu smirked as they reached the end of the hall.
"What exactly did you think would happen?"
Turning right they started up another set of stairs and landings. She noted Sangi and Chouda were coming down towards them. Chouda had her pink bookbag while Sangi dragged one of her suitcases on wheels behind her with the other slung about her neck. The brunette flashed a grin as she descended.
"Something. Tora and Moka were both wearing nothing beneath those robes. I know that for a fact."
Kurumu snorted, smacking him in the back as she effortlessly kept up with his lazy gait.
"I figured if I slept on my back with my buddy standing tall, one of them might get curious."
Sangi approached with an admonishing look in her eyes.
"Did I hear that right?"
Kurumu sighed as she scooted against the wall to allow the older girl passage. Ginei had done the same.
"Unfortunately."
"What about you, Mitsuki? Did you sleep naked beneath your robes?"
Sangi snorted, pausing on the landing beside them.
"Of course not. I was in a room with two boys."
"And yet my presence did not instill such modesty in the girls with me."
"You're an idiot. Your girls know you're too chicken to make the first move."
"I suppose you must envy the level of trust my club has for each other."
Sangi smirked. Shaking her head, she pulled her suitcase after her as she continued down the stairs. Chouda followed slowly behind, holding the straps of her bag like a small child.
Ginei sighed dramatically.
"I'm disappointed that neither of them were interested in becoming a woman. Last night I was kind of hoping that crazy witch girl would take the bait, but she flew the coup before seeing my glory."
Kurumu snorted as she followed him up the stairs to the third level.
"Moka's unconscious, you dolt. I'm curious how you knew she wasn't wearing panties."
"I know she's not a natural pinkie. Silvery hair is her true color."
Kurumu sighed as they turned right down their hall.
"You know… I don't want to know how you know that. A part of me clings to the belief that you're a good person."
"I'm a perceptive person, Kurumu. Moka moves a bit in her sleep and those sashes loosen quite a bit over the course of a night. That first morning here, Moka was quite the eyeful for a healthy young man. A man with less inhibitions would have succumbed to such temptation."
Tora exited her room as they came to a stop in front of Kurumu's. Like Sangi, her suitcase had rollers, though this was the only luggage the sphinx had brought.
"My consideration for poor Tora was enough to keep my paws at bay."
"What are you talking about?"
Ginei grinned as the tanned girl came over to join them. He placed a hand atop her head, causing her frown to deepen.
"This little tease had her robe wide open the first night."
Tora glanced aside.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"She seems to think I don't know the difference between her sleeping and not."
Tora's cheeks darkened a shade.
"I was almost asleep. Just because I haven't started purring, doesn't mean I'm awake."
"And you conveniently left your robe open."
"I was tired and forgot you would be in our room."
"It was hard to pretend I was sleeping when you checked on me."
Tora slapped his forearm aside to remove his hand from her head. She glanced over her shoulder.
"Moka! I'm heading downstairs."
Shaking her head, the sphinx moved between them. Kurumu waited for Tora to turn at the end of the hall and start down the stairs.
"You started flirting with Saedi after Tora did that."
Ginei shrugged nonchalantly.
"You're a jerk."
Ginei chuckled, leaning back against the exterior wall. He crossed his arms about his chest, grinning.
"Speaking of jerks, have you done anything with that boyfriend of yours?"
Kurumu scowled.
"Tsukune isn't a jerk."
"Really? I guess I see things differently when two gorgeous girls are hung up on a guy that doesn't have the balls to at least admit one is his girlfriend."
Kurumu sighed at his seriousness.
"Most of the people that matter know I'm the girlfriend."
"On your insistence. How many know because of Tsukune?"
The door slid open behind Kurumu. Wearing her hat and cape, Yukari stepped out into the hall between them, crossing her arms below her chest. Her schoolbag of things was slung across her shoulder.
"You two sound like you are having an interesting conversation."
Ginei smirked, gesturing at her bag.
"I'm curious how the hell you got all your clothes in your schoolbag. Magic?"
Yukari rolled her eyes.
"The bus would have disabled any enchantments on my bag. I folded everything tightly. The denim outfit takes up the most space, so I had to put it in first."
Kurumu smiled.
"That is a cute outfit you have."
"Thank you."
"Another gift from Hiboshi?"
"Yes. Tsukune is waiting for you in the room. He wants to talk with you."
Kurumu grinned, stepping in to caress Yukari's cheek.
"How are you feeling?"
Yukari regarded her with a frown.
"Is there something wrong?"
Kurumu smiled, supposing this passing worry about Rubi was unimportant.
"It's nothing."
"I'm more concerned with how you are feeling. You might want to go to the hospital with Tsukune. I suspect your fever is related to you having sex with him."
Kurumu's eyes widened as Ginei's sexual interest reared up.
"Wait, what?"
Yukari wagged a finger at Ginei.
"And you can stop bothering her about this. You're the last to know about it."
Kurumu winced, pulling the silly witch in with a hug.
"Yukari. What are you talking about?"
"I would prefer you not doing it next to me in the future."
Ginei was at a loss, gesturing and making half sounds without forming a word.
"She's joking, Ginei. There's no way we did anything with her and Ms. Nekonome in the same room."
Yukari huffed.
"Don't get any funny thoughts. Moka is mine."
On cue, the vampire shuffled out of the adjacent room with two bags slung over her shoulders and another being tugged on rollers. She looked wide awake as she flashed a smile at them.
"I set your bag aside, Ginei. Tora packed it up for you."
The change of subject helped the baffled Ginei to recover. He managed a smile.
"You girls are too kind to me."
Yukari pushed on Kurumu.
"You need to speak with Tsukune. Moka shall accompany me to the bus."
Kurumu smiled, letting Yukari go and backing away a step as Moka moved over to join them.
"Hey, kid. About the article. I'm cool with you deciding to leave it as a matter of a wild pack of garigari causing trouble. I spoke with the film club, and none of them care if you mention a witch was involved."
"It does not bother me. I will write about a silly girl brought into a life a crime whom decided it was better to continue being stupid than taking her one chance for freedom."
Yukari held her hand up to Moka. The vampire smiled, lifting the bags hanging on her shoulders by the handles. Yukari shrugged, grabbing Moka's forearm and nodding.
"If that's what you want to write, I'm not going to stop you. Just understand that you're a witch talking down about another witch. They will believe you."
"And they should."
The witch and Moka slowly made their way down the hall. Ginei chuckled, shaking his head.
"Well… you go talk with your boyfriend. I'm going to get my stuff and make sure my room is empty."
Kurumu smiled, backing slowly through the open door. She absently grabbed the door, tugging it partially closed before turning about. She noted the room was completely empty. Tsukune was seated at the far corner of the room with the white knapsack he had borrowed from Kamitsuku leaned up against the wall beside him. Her schoolbag rested next to it.
"Could you close and lock it?"
Kurumu frowned, wondering why he would ask that. A thought caused her heart to flutter as she complied with his request. Cautiously keeping her gaze aside, she crossed the room with her hands tucked behind her back.
"Did you want to talk to me about something?"
"Come closer."
Kurumu smiled, feeling his hunger for her. She wandered across the room, curious if he had anything particular in mind.
"Closer."
She smirked, already standing between his legs.
"Any closer and your head will be under my skirt."
He chuckled, timidly touching her knees. He took in a deep breath as his hands slid up her thighs. He pushed the front of her skirt up with his thumbs, his hands pressing to her waist.
"I had a feeling you were wearing these."
She grinned. They had done laundry enough together that he had seen all of her lingerie. She felt her skirt settle back in place as his hands retreated back to her knees.
"Are you wanting me now?"
"We don't have time."
"Sure we do."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"I'm going to spend tonight with you."
She purred at the thought.
"We can have a little fun now."
"I think we've had enough fun on this trip."
"We can have a little more."
"Maybe when we're back home, I can stop worrying about how things went with Rubi."
She pouted.
"You can stop worrying now. There's nothing we can do about it."
"As a human, I feel bad that she is losing her home because of other humans."
"But that's not because of you. You're not responsible for another person's actions."
He sighed, resting his head against the wall.
"I know that. But it also worries me that this other witch has been using Rubi all these years. What Yukari said last night, made so much sense. I don't know how everyone can walk away knowing that this girl will most likely die at the hands of her master."
Kurumu smiled, reaching down to caress the sides of his head. His hair felt so soft and warm.
"You realize we could have finished sex by now."
Tsukune snorted.
"I would have lasted longer than that."
"My experience says otherwise."
He grimaced with a grunt of protest.
"Maybe, but it would not be satisfying for me."
"You don't find sex with me satisfying?"
He sighed heavily, rubbing his hands against the back of her knees.
"You're so cruel."
A firm knock sounded thrice upon the door.
"I'm going to have to stop you, Kurumu. I do have a sharp sense of smell and don't think I want to sit next to Tsukune if you do manage to wear him down."
Kurumu sighed, supposing their president might have overheard some of this. Stepping over Tsukune's leg, she bent down to grab up her schoolbag. She slung it over her head as Tsukune got up from the floor with his knapsack. Sighing again, she crossed the room and flipped the catch securely holding the door. She could feel Ginei's interest before she drew the door open. He had a blue duffle bag hanging on a black strap tucked beneath his right arm.
"Sorry about breaking that up, but we do have people waiting."
Kurumu smirked, stepping by him and lingering in the hall for Tsukune to join. Her boyfriend soon followed, turning the lights off before exiting the room. They started down the hall together with Ginei between them.
"So you're finally a man."
Tsukune chuckled nervously.
"What are you talking about?"
Ginei shook his head, reaching over to tousle Tsukune's hair.
"I understand you finally succumbed to her charms."
"Where did you hear that?"
Kurumu giggled as they reached the end of the hall and turned left down the first flight of stairs.
"Yukari blabbed about it to him."
Tsukune grimaced.
"I hope she doesn't tell anyone else."
"She said I was the last to know."
Tsukune blanched.
"That can't be good. I worry what Moka might think."
Kurumu nodded.
"I'm hoping she was only saying that to bother Ginei."
"It would be better if one of us told her."
Ginei chuckled.
"I always had you pegged for Moka."
"Moka is special to me, but I've grown to love Kurumu. I can't imagine her not being around me."
Ginei grinned as they stepped down the last flight of stairs and turned left down the second floor hall.
"It is best to love the girl that loves you. I just thought you were too stubborn to be sensible."
Tsukune smiled softly as Kurumu grinned mischievously.
"Speaking of stubborn, I'm sure Tora won't be forgiving you any time soon."
Ginei waved a hand dismissively.
"She'll get over it."
"What's this about Tora? Did something happen?"
Ginei chuckled, shaking his head.
"You could say she bared herself to me under the pretense of sleeping. I decided to return the favor."
Kurumu smacked his shoulder with the back of her hand.
"That wasn't nice."
"I thought it hilarious."
Tsukune grimaced.
"You exposed yourself in a room with Moka?"
Ginei waved his hand dismissively.
"That girl is dead to the world in her sleep. I knew Tora was the only one aware of my antics."
"Though you said you hoped Rubi would take interest."
"She was gone before I had a chance to tease her. You can't charge me for a failed attempt."
Kurumu sighed.
"If you weren't such a creep, I'd push harder for you to date her."
"And ruin my chances with Mika? I think I'll pass on fulfilling the whims of a young girl that only finds me charming because she has her life so planned out that I'm an attractive escape."
Kurumu frowned, surprised how easily he dismissed Tora's feelings. She understood his concerns about Tora and him being different races and that she valued her mother's opinion too much to ever have a serious relationship with him. This complaint was new.
"You don't think she wants to be with you?"
"I don't think she knows what she wants and I'm not about to take advantage of her confusion."
"That's very mature of you, Ginei. So who is Mika?"
Kurumu smiled as they reached the end of the hall and turned left down the first flight of stairs.
"She's a girl in the fashion club that asked Ginei out last year but he turned down because he had a human girlfriend at the time."
"You had a girlfriend?"
"Of course I had one. I just haven't had one in about half a year."
"I'm surprised. I thought you would be the sort to never commit to a girl."
"You do realize that I was thinking the same about you. Guy has two gorgeous babes always following him about but he refuses to announce which one he's dating."
"Fair enough. So what are your thoughts about Mika?"
"She's a good girl. About as tall as you but sexier."
Kurumu sighed.
"Then ask her out. That has to be better than leaving things up to chance with that Nakamoto girl."
"Nakamoto?"
"Another girl that asked him out that caused trouble for Koike."
Ginei grimaced.
"Damn. I try forgetting about that since I feel partially responsible."
"Go for it, Ginei. Tora will stop agonizing over you ending up in the hands of some worrisome woman and from what Sangi said, this Mika would even join our newspaper club."
Tsukune chuckled as they walked down the last flight of steps. Being on the inside, he was first to step down in the genkan.
"I think you girls should leave Ginei's love life alone."
"We can't do that if he's going to say yes to the first girl that asks him out."
"I don't see Ginei doing that."
Ginei shrugged as he paused to slip his shoes on.
"Some girls I would be foolish to say no to. Mika is one of them."
"So ask her out."
"Mika might say no to even the score."
Kurumu giggled, shaking her head. She could see that as she grabbed her shoes off the rack and dropped them at her feet. She pushed one foot in, bending down to tug the back out for her heel.
"So ask her out twice. Then you'll know if she's being stubborn or if she's lost interest."
Ginei smirked, tousling her hair.
"Nothing phases you. I can't take advice from someone that spent weeks convincing a guy that he was in a relationship."
Tsukune grinned, holding the door open. The sound of rain was not as overbearing as it had been a few minutes ago.
"It worked."
The three of them walked outside. The small canopy that stretched out from the hotel only protected up to the end of the sidewalk. The bed and breakfast had a tiny parking lot that only could hold six vehicles, one of which belonged to the family. The bus driver had to back in since there was no room to turn the bus about in the lot. Sadly this put the door of the bus on the other side of the lot. Saedi stood at the end of the canopy holding an umbrella. She smiled as they approached.
"I'll walk with you, Mr. Morioka."
"Thanks, Saedi. You shouldn't have."
Kurumu smirked as the older boy walked over and draped an arm over Saedi's shoulder. The girl giggled, holding her white umbrella over them to ward off the rain as they crossed the parking lot.
"He shouldn't have."
Shaking her head, she grabbed Tsukune's hand and tugged him out into the steady drizzle with her. They briskly walked together, passing the older couple. Pathing about the front of the grumbling bus, Kurumu spied the driver leaning next to the door opening, puffing away on a cigar. His eyes caught their approach and the mustached man grinned, tugging the cigar out of his lips to tap the end and cause ashes to drift into the wet puddles at his feet.
"Oh ho? So we're really going to leave things as they are, are we?"
Kurumu frowned as the driver pushed off the bus to bar their entrance.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think that girl will stop killing humans?"
Kurumu sighed. She gestured at the bus.
"We're getting on the bus."
"What do you think we could do?"
"I think you should go to that hill and put a stop to this before the humans do."
Tsukune rubbed the back of his head, glancing over his shoulder as Ginei came around the bus with Saedi. His white shirt was quickly becoming soaked, as was hers.
"What do you think, Ginei? Should we go back to the hill?"
"Absolutely not!"
Yukari came bounding down the stairs, jabbing her finger into the driver's side. The old man chuckled, placing his cigar back in his mouth as he backed off.
"We are on a school trip. We are children under your care. Your responsibility is to safely take us from here to the school. We have no further business on that hill."
The driver grinned as Yukari hopped down the last step to glare up at him.
"I could refuse to take you home. This poor machine has seen better days. It may have broken down."
Yukari's nostrils flared as she balled her hands into fists.
"If the hill is that much of a concern to you, why not have someone else do it?"
"Oh ho? You think I could rally up a stronger group of individuals to handle a couple rogue witches? I'm just a driver that delivers the mail."
"Mr. Nurari, is there a problem?"
Ms. Nekonome stood at the top step with Moka. The vampire held the umbrella Tora had loaned her.
"The problem is this man is forcing minors to do things against their will."
The driver chuckled at Yukari's ire.
"I'm giving these fine, upstanding young citizens the chance to save some lives. The little one here does not seem to appreciate the opportunity."
Yukari scowled.
"You must really hate witches."
The man cackled.
"I think the young lady doesn't realize this will only make things worse for all witches. What will happen when the humans realize witches exist?"
Yukari flinched. Moka frowned, stepping out of the bus and putting up her umbrella. She quickly moved over to touch Yukari's shoulder.
"Mr. Nurari, we should be going. I can report the matter to the Headmaster."
"And what will he do? He has his hands full running that academy and you know Fairy Tale won't lift a finger. They don't care about humans starting up another witch purge. Less witches and less humans."
Yukari bowed her head, trembling.
"What do you expect us to do? Kill some witches for you?"
"I don't know if you have much choice. The younger girl might be reasoned with, but the old one… she's been trouble for centuries."
Yukari lifted her head, her eyes cold.
"So you knew."
"Oh, I've known a witch operates in the area, but she's never caused this much mischief in a single year. The humans must have stumbled onto something big that she's refusing to let go. I did not realize it was her until I saw the young one you brought in."
Yukari frowned.
"Is there something special about her?"
"Not in particular. But I thought it unusual to have another troublesome witch in this area whom clearly wasn't the one I'm familiar with."
"I'm sure there are plenty of witches in the surrounding areas."
"Ms. Nekonome mentioned this morning that this girl has been in this older one's care for fourteen years. A funny thing, that. I recall an incident fourteen years ago with a young, promising warlock whom vanished after murdering his human wife. His daughter was never found."
Yukari sighed.
"If you knew this, you should have spoken with her."
The driver cackled.
"Everyone was worried what I would do with that girl. Heaven forbid I have a little chat with her."
"You shouldn't have been so creepy."
"So how about it, little witch? Don't you want to stop a war between the humans and witches?"
Yukari scowled. Reaching inside her open vest, she pulled out a long thread. She wrapped it about her finger as she shook her head.
"Fine. I can kill a witch for you. Both if I have to."
"Yukari. Maybe we could try reasoning with them."
"Tsukune, get on the bus."
"No, Yukari. I'm not doing that."
"Kurumu. Should Tsukune risk his life for this? Yes or no."
Kurumu cringed. She glanced at the ground.
"No."
"Moka? Should he come?"
The vampire bit her lower lip, glancing at Tsukune. She looked away without a response.
"Ginei?"
"You're asking my opinion?"
"I need you. You can be useful. Tsukune would only be in the way."
Ginei chuckled, shaking his head.
"Yea… sorry, Tsukune, but she's right. You're on rest and recovery till we know that neck mark is good."
The driver chuckled.
"So you plan on doing this with just you and your senior? It's kind of late and I don't have the time to take you to the hill and wait for you to resolve this."
"A moment ago you had all the time in the world when your bus broke down."
"I can drive."
Saedi smiled as attention turned to her.
"I know how to get to the hill. My parents won't mind."
Ginei grinned, holding a thumb up at the girl.
"Glad to have you on board."
Kurumu held her hand up.
"I'm coming too."
"Why?"
"I can fight."
"It's magic, Kurumu. You can't fight magic."
"What about my dream world?"
"If she has more of those garigari, they'll eat you while you're in a stupor. Your dream world will not work against mindless drones."
Kurumu frowned.
"But you'll take Ginei?"
"He's going to be in charge of finding Rubi. This string here is part of her skirt. I placed a dormant charm on this which I didn't want the older witch noticing in case I had to go back because one of you idiots decided to chase after her. It will allow me to locate Rubi."
"The bus didn't cancel that?"
"It's dormant, Kurumu. I didn't want her to know about it and the bus only kills active spells."
Ginei chuckled.
"Okay, but who's going to watch Saedi and the car if I'm running about a field looking for a witch?"
Yukari sighed, gesturing at the driver.
"Can't you take us there and come back eventually? There's no reason to drag more of my friends into danger over something you won't help with."
The driver grinned, leaning in to puff a cloud of smoke in Yukari's smoke.
"Nope. Mail's more important. Are you coming, boy, or are you staying?"
"I'm protecting Saedi."
Kurumu grabbed him by the collar.
"That's not safe, Tsukune. You are getting on the bus and having your neck checked at the hospital, like you promised me. Stay with Tora."
His eyes glazed over and she realized her error. She glanced aside a moment, but quickly reaffirmed her gaze. She took in a deep breath and nodded. She smiled, letting him go.
"I'm not sorry."
The driver laughed as Tsukune dutifully shuffled over to the bus and pulled himself up the rails. The driver hopped up on the bottom stair and gestured to them.
"I will be back for you."
He bounded up the stairs and slouched in his seat. Grabbing a lever, he tugged it and the door closed. With a tip of his hat, he put the bus in gear and it rolled forward onto the narrow, one way road.
Kurumu sighed as the bus pulled out of sight, glancing at Moka whom remained under the umbrella next to Yukari. The witch made a similar sigh, shaking her head as she crossed her arms below her chest.
"That idiot. I only needed one of you to watch Saedi and the car."
Ginei chuckled.
"Well… he was pressed for time."
"It's okay. You're small enough that I can fit three in the back."
Yukari sighed again at Saedi's remark.
"That wasn't the issue. It's raining. Short of this stopping, I don't know what we can hope for Moka to be able to do."
Saedi giggled.
"I guess that means she's staying in the car with me."
Shaking her head, Yukari stalked off towards the white sedan parked at the end of the lot.
The small car turned around the bend of the deserted road that flanked the sunflower field. It was still dark and overcast with the rain coming down at a steady drizzle. Exactly as the forecast had predicted, it showed no signs of lessening.
This backseat had never been meant for three people. Yukari had tried sitting in the small space between them, but had given up before they had left the parking lot. She was content sitting in Moka's lap, having refused Kurumu's offer.
While Saedi had went back inside to fetch the car keys and explain the situation to her parents, Yukari had summarized what she hoped would happen. Moka and Saedi would stay in the car. Kurumu would stand guard next to the car to make sure they were safe. Ginei would find Rubi and convince her she needed to be rescued. Yukari would put the old witch to rest. It was simple.
They had to wait a good two hours to depart because Saedi's mom decided she needed to shop for groceries first, having emptied their pantry for their guests and needing to restock for the weekend. The clock on the car said it was twelve forty, though Saedi admitted her mother had it set fifteen minutes early to keep them from being late.
The others would be at Yokai by now. Kurumu knew her charm would have worn off long ago and hoped Tsukune would not be too upset with her. Hopefully he could accept that there was nothing he could do and was visiting the hospital.
Ginei was mildly curious how the driver would contact them after they saved this witch from her wicked stepmother. While Saedi had a phone, none of them had seen the driver carrying such a device. He had surmised they would have to be back at the inn before their original departure date, figuring the driver would resume his plan of delivering mail before coming back for them.
"You can stop here."
Saedi nodded as she pulled alongside the guardrail that flanked a wooded ravine on their right. Putting the car in park, the older dryad relaxed back in her seat and smiled at them.
Being on the left side, Ginei and Kurumu opened their doors and got out. Kurumu shivered as rain quickly soaked her shoulders. She smiled as a small hand tugged her blouse at the waist as Yukari stepped out of the car.
"You know what you have to do. Keep my Moka safe."
Kurumu smirked as Yukari let go to approach Ginei. The witch unraveled the thread about her index finger and held it out to Ginei. Grinning, the werewolf held his palm out, but Yukari wrapped it about his hand instead of handing it over.
"This will get warmer as you approach the rest of her garment. I need you to find her."
"Don't worry, kid. I got this."
Yukari tugged his hand closer, pressing her lips to his palm. Ginei stiffened, cocking his head in confusion as the witch pulled back to draw a small circle in his palm. Turning her small hands about his, she closed his hand into a fist, peering up at him.
"The spell is active now. I will try to draw the master out before she realizes what we're doing."
Ginei smirked, bringing his fist up to his chest.
"How do you plan to do that?"
"I'm going to set the field on fire."
"Do I get another kiss before I take off?"
Yukari rolled her eyes.
"Don't get caught and stick to the woods as much as you can. When you find her, she has to listen."
Yukari tapped the side of her head above her ear below the brim of her hat.
"Make sure she understands that what she hears will be the truth."
"Whatever, kid. I'm out."
Ginei trotted across the street, ducking into the trees and quickly out of sight.
Yukari stalked towards the flower field. The temperature about her dropped significantly as the rain became chilling. Small tongues of flame flickered into existence about her fists.
"Stay with the car."
This felt wrong. Kurumu had protested this plan for hours along with Moka but Yukari had stubbornly refused alternatives and Ginei had been useless. The only thing Kurumu agreed on was how Moka and Saedi would be unable to help. They had even discussed leaving the vampire at the inn.
Moka had scooted across the backseat to the left side. The vampire regarded the sunflower field with worry. Clutching the umbrella, Moka glanced to the sky before setting a foot out of the car.
"I'm sorry."
Kurumu turned about and leaned over Moka, causing the vampire to settle back. She placed a hand firmly on Moka's shoulder while the other gripped the car's roof.
"What?"
"Moka. I'm going to help her."
"So am I."
"Is that what the other you thinks is best?"
Moka glanced aside.
"Saedi. I want you to drive Moka back down to the resort."
"Huh? I thought I was to stay here."
"No. That's not safe. We're too close to this witch's domain. You need to be further away."
"Kurumu, we're not leaving you."
"Yes, you are."
Moka started a protest but Kurumu let go of the roof to push Moka down across the backseat. The vampire struggled in confusion, getting her hands about Kurumu's waist. Kurumu knew she only had a moment, quickly pressing her lips against Moka's. The vampire whimpered as Kurumu pushed on her toes to scoot the vampire further into the car.
The vampire mewled again as the sweetness of desire swelled up. Moka's eyes closed as her lips parted, allowing Kurumu to push her tongue in. She had to subdue Moka. This was the only way.
"Uh… what are you two doing?"
Kurumu whimpered as Moka pushed her tongue back. Unexpected and not subdued. Moka's hands lingered at her waist, weakly pushing one moment and firmly pulling the next. Frightened with the sweet passion enveloping her, Kurumu moved her hands to caress Moka's face with the hopes of calming the vampire.
"Ms. Kurono? Um…"
Kurumu tore her lips away with a gasp. She regarded the vampire whom was taking a moment to catch her own breath. Moka's fangs were bared as turquoise eyes drifted from Kurumu's face to her neck.
Realizing the intent, Kurumu quickly ducked her head back in to catch Moka's lips. The vampire moaned, her right leg swinging up and over Kurumu's left side. Moka squirmed and tugged on Kurumu's blouse, pulling her down. Her strength was not diminishing and her want burned brighter.
Letting her hands drift back to Moka's shoulders, Kurumu relaxed. This was not like Hiboshi's kiss. The response was too genuine. Unable to bear it, Kurumu broke free of Moka's lips, quickly pressing her head against Moka's neck to protect her own. Moka panted, her hands still firm against Kurumu.
"You're cruel."
Kurumu sighed. She had no idea why Moka would not succumb to her kiss.
"I'm sorry."
"I hate you."
"Guys… the field's on fire."
Kurumu cautiously lifted her head to meet Moka's gaze. The pained look in turquoise eyes tugged upon her heart.
"I'm really sorry."
"Don't leave me."
"You can't fight one handed, Moka. Go with Saedi. We need you to both be safe."
"What the hell is that?!"
Something snaked about Kurumu's ankle and yanked roughly. She squeaked out a cry as her hold on Moka was lost and she was flung out of the car. Her side hit the wet pavement of the road. She rolled on her back, noting a vine was coiled about calf. Glancing up the vine she saw her assailant.
A large lizard like creature pressed low against the road. The front legs had hands dotted with white claws while the back ones were wider and bent like a frog. The beast had a glossy black oval on its head with smaller black circles dotting the sides above its maw. Rows of green fangs lined a lizard mouth that opened up on unhinged jaw. This vine curled about her was the thing's tongue. Its tail curled up behind it, ending in a familiar sunflower.
Flicking her hand out, her fingers became talons and she sliced through the vine. The beast howled, springing at her on its strong hind legs. Swinging her hands, she beheaded the creature. Putrid black blood doused her as the beast collapsed on her lower torso, its body twitching as its fluids emptied upon her. Grimacing, she crawled out as she turned her head and retched up what little breakfast remained in her writhing stomach.
"Kurumu!"
Kurumu shook her head as she gasped, trying to ignore the taste of bile. She glared at the car.
"Saedi, get her out of here! I'll cut you a path."
Fire. So much of it in the field that was writhing. More of these beasts dotted the landscape. There were so many that panic gripped her heart. There was no way to fight those numbers.
The roar of the engine tore her from her fear. She glanced back, noting Moka was fumbling with the umbrella while crawling out the open door.
"Damnit, Moka! Get back in the car!"
"No, I'm going to help."
Seeing two more of those beast springing towards them, Kurumu quickly darted back to the car to shove Moka back through the door. The umbrella fell to the ground, rolling underneath the car.
"That whole field is these things! I couldn't defend this car even with your help. You two need to get out and I need to find the others."
Figuring this blouse was already ruined, Kurumu let her wings slash through the fabric. Flexing them, she turned about as one of the beasts lunged at her. Hopping back a step, she relieved the beast of its left arm. The beast howled, lashing its tongue out only to have it severed.
Moka cried at her, but Kurumu could not argue while the other beast sprung upon her. She darted under its trajectory to slice open its belly, causing its innards to spill all over her. It reeked and caused her stomach to turn. She heard its limp body smash against the back panel of the car.
"Go! Before we all end up walking home!"
Saedi needed no further convincing. The dryad put the car in motion, quickly driving the car over to the other side of the road. The sudden movement closed the door, effectively trapping the vampire for the moment. Switching gears, the car backed up till it faced the correct way.
Kurumu had to escort them. After dispatching the one she had injured, she moved towards the burning field. These things had killing intent, which made their attacks easy to predict and counter. Her antics in the car must have dampened her awareness, since everything these things threw was telegraphed. She cut down two more as Saedi pulled up behind her.
Picking her pace up to trot, Kurumu launched into a trio of beasts that blocked the road. Her wings gave her speed and she cut the center one in two before it could react. Flipping her feet over her head, she twisted about to land deftly on her feet. Touching the wet pavement, she shot out at the left side one as it tried to turn and face her. She took its head off as she twisted in air to land on the hood of the car, causing Saedi to squeal in alarm.
"Keep going!"
Kurumu flashed a victory sign before springing off to meet the last one that dove for the car. She hit the beast with enough force to throw it over the guardrail into the ravine. Landing on the post, she regarded the murky woods, doubting she had killed it. Pumping her wings, she darted up and angled back to the car to prevent any more attacks.
The car was close to the hill now. So much was burning. Yukari had blazed a path through the field, causing many of these creatures to uproot and die. More were pulling themselves out of the dirt before the flames spread to avoid sharing this fate.
There were so many, but the car was moving fast enough that only a few took notice. Kurumu had to kill the ones dallying on the road, which sometimes caught the attention of others. Luckily they were never in groups larger than four, so she could trim their numbers down before she could be overwhelmed.
The road turned across a bridge and away from the hill. There was one last pair of those things milling about the bridge. Saedi gunned it, speeding the car between the monsters. As they turned in response, Kurumu quickly slashed off the hindquarters of one before springing off the twitching beast to behead the other. She grinned at Moka, peering through the back window of the car as it crossed the small bridge and turned left down the road to safety.
Catching her breath, Kurumu turned about to regard the pyre. Somewhere in those flames was Yukari. Firming her resolve, Kurumu pumped her wings to shoot up over the field.
Kurumu grimaced as she flew over the destruction. The heat was annoying but the scent of burning flesh and decay was revolting. She would have retched again if there had been anything left in her stomach. Covering her mouth she scanned the field below for anything that might be her friend.
At the top of the hill two figures stood in a clearing. A woman in white robes holding a tome and a staff stood before Yukari. Dozens of creatures were strewn about Yukari in different states of death. Some were frozen, others burned and some cut into pieces.
"It seems my Rubi was correct. You have allied yourself with monsters."
The old woman's raspy words carried despite the cackling flames and the pouring rain. Yukari glanced over her shoulder to note Kurumu, shaking her head as she turned her attention back to the woman.
"These are my friends. They have trouble following instructions."
The old witch laughed.
"What else can you expect when you befriend those that betrayed us?"
"As if you would understand the troubles of having friends."
The old witch sneered, her weathered face about to break from the strain of making such an expression.
"I understand more than a little girl ever could."
The woman swept out her staff. Lightning flashed out of the sky, piercing Kurumu. Her body exploded in agony as she was thrown to the ground with tremendous force. She groaned into the dirt, unable to move as every bit of her tingled with electricity.
"Perhaps I should have my other friend kill your child."
"You will do no such thing. I am aware that you are using this to track her."
Kurumu lifted her head, grimacing. Beyond the dead bodies, the old witch held up a length of white fabric that glimmered in the firelight. It resembled the ribbon Rubi wore in her hair.
"Do you admit that those people would have died, even if Rubi had not been in your care?"
"What game are you playing now?"
"It's a simple question. Would you have killed those humans without Rubi?"
"What does the lives of a few humans matter? This field was more valuable than any of their pathetic existences. In time, I would have grown enough of these to have overtaken that wretched city. Then the humans would know that witches are not to be trifled with."
"If she is innocent, than I shall spare her."
"Oh, that is rich. Not only do you side with monsters, but now you will judge me for my crimes against the humans? You truly don't understand anything."
"I understand that you aren't good at reading spells."
Yukari made a sharp gesture and the satin ribbon moved. The woman gasped as the ribbon coiled about her wrist. The hand holding the staff was instantly removed as the ribbon streaked over to snake around Yukari's forearm. The staff clattered to the ground as the old woman staggered back, clutching her bleeding stump to her chest.
"You will die and I will destroy all your pets."
The woman scowled thrusting her book at a nearby body. The creature's torso lost shape, becoming fluid as it swirled up into the air. Holding her stump out, the fluid arched over to coalesce into the shape of a new hand, similar to the claws the beasts had.
"Little brat. I will enjoy taking your body."
Yukari smirked, bringing the ribbon up to her lips. Vines struck out at Yukari but they turned to ash as they hit a sphere about her. Kurumu realized Yukari must have summoned a ball of heat about her as not even the rain could touch her. She had only dropped the shield an instant to recover the ribbon.
"Now you listen. Fourteen years ago, you murdered a young warlock because he had the audacity to marry a human. You then stole their daughter and convinced her that humans killed her parents."
The old woman scowled.
"Wrong. He came to stop me because he sensed the magic of my hill. Started blathering about how the world would be better if witches lived among humans. Far too naïve for this world. Much like you."
Kurumu crawled up on her hands and knees, her body still in spasms from the lightning strike. Touching her face, she leaned back on her haunches as she regarded Yukari.
"Rubi is half human. That's why you sent her for me."
The old woman paused. She grinned, bending down to pick up her staff.
"She will not betray me."
"You killed her parents."
"I kill all that stand in my path. Rubi understands this."
Yukari smirked.
"Is there anything else you wish to say before you die?"
The old woman cackled.
"Oh, it has been so long since I've had a good fight. Fourteen years."
"You won't win."
"I admit, it shall be difficult. I am at a disadvantage as I don't want to damage that beautiful body of yours. I do enjoy the thought of continuing my life with Rubi as her little sister."
Yukari gestured at Kurumu, causing an intense heat to envelop her. Kurumu grimaced as everything about her turned to ash, including the beast that pounced at her. The rain stopped reaching her as it hissed and fizzled overhead.
"She does not belong to you."
"Her life is mine. And so shall be your body."
"If you want this body, come get it."
Kurumu watched in helpless annoyance. She could feel the heat about her and she had this feeling that it would not move with her. If she tried to touch this barrier, her hand would meet the same fate as everything else burning around her.
The old witch gestured with her staff and tome, causing walls of dirt to rise up and crash against Yukari's barrier. Yukari held both hands up, stopping the earth before it buried down upon her. Twisting her hands, the dirt shifted and elongated into spires. Waving her hands back, the volley tore through the struggling beasts behind them.
The old witch scowled, slamming her staff down to cause a crack tear through the earth towards Yukari. Ethereal wings swept out from Yukari's sides as the ground fell away. She hovered as she gestured at the sky, turning the rain into falling shards of hail that pummeled the ground about her opponent.
Lightning snaked out again, striking Yukari's shield and turning it a bright blue. The blue cackling energy flashed out the back in a wide arc that leveled several beasts that hobbled about the field.
"You seem intent on destroying everything I've created. Just like the humans."
"You've created nothing but weapons to start a war. How human of you."
The woman's eyes flashed.
"How dare you compare me to them? Do you not understand? The humans only destroy. They will take this land and make it into some sick travesty of nature."
Yukari snorted as she deflected another spell that decimated a dozen straggling beasts.
"These beasts are a sick travesty of nature."
"The land is not theirs to strip clean of every resource, replacing it with lifeless concrete and metal."
"This was going to be a resort. Are you that out of touch to not know what that means?"
"It means they will twist nature to their will."
Yukari paused, cocking her head.
"You mean like we are doing now?"
The woman seethed, slashing at the air with her staff. A large gust of wind tore through the air into Yukari's shield. The small witch held her forearms over her face as the wind knocked her hat off, causing it to incinerate against her barrier behind her.
Stone spears slashed up from the ground towards the hovering girl. Yukari tossed a rock and flickered out of existence as the stones smashed into the spot she had been an instant before. Scowling, Yukari caught the rock as she regarded the pillar of smashed stone.
"That was a gift from my mother."
The butt end of the staff smashed into Yukari's ruby brooch, knocking the small witch back onto the ground. The old witch cackled as she materialized next to Yukari, her other image fading apart in a puff of smoke. She lifted the staff and smashed it into the brooch again, causing it to shatter.
Rain pattered against Kurumu. Flexing her wings, she shot across the field at the old woman.
"Winged rat."
The woman leveled her staff and a block of stone smashed up into Kurumu, knocking her up and over to land hard on her back. Groaning Kurumu got up on her elbows as the staff came down on her gut.
"Die!"
Yukari grabbed the haft of the staff. In an instant the staff crumbled to dust, causing the older woman to gasp. She regarded Yukari in disbelief as the young witch thrust her hand into the woman's midsection, blasting a hole through her center.
Blood splattered everywhere as the woman backed off, clutching her spilling innards with one hand while the other tucked her tome to her chest. Yukari stepped over Kurumu, flipping her cape off her shoulders so it would fall behind her on Kurumu's knees.
"How?"
"Anything can be made into a wand."
Yukari held open her palm, revealing a polished stone from the parking lot of the bed and breakfast.
"Then you leave me no choice."
The woman leveled her tome.
"You will become me!"
Yukari snatched the stone up to her lips. She huffed and threw the stone out. The missile streaked off out of sight like a bullet. Turning, Yukari dove down atop Kurumu, clutching her as they suddenly appeared in the woods. Swinging her hand up, Yukari snatched the stone out of the air.
"What's going on?"
"Assimilation."
"What?"
"That was an absorption spell. I hope the others are a safe distance away."
A large towering beast reared up in the hill, taller than the trees. A huge maw reminiscent of the smaller beast bellowed angrily at the sky as the beast lifted up on its front limbs. On her feet, Kurumu could only stare as the beast swiped a huge hand at the forest, tearing trees down effortlessly.
Yukari huffed indignantly.
"Her hypocrisy amazes me."
"What do we do?"
Yukari sighed as the beast grabbed up trees and stuffed it down its gullet. It grew in size with every bit of life it devoured.
"Well… she won't be trying to take someone's body now. I wonder if the humans can kill her."
"Yukari!"
The witch scowled at her, gesturing at the massive thing.
"I can't kill her. Her tome must have been a backup artifact. Short of destroying that, we have no chance. She'll absorb anything that gets too close, including us."
Kurumu backed away as more of the trees were uprooted and pulled into the creature. Below the maw was a black sphere similar to the smaller monsters. As it lumbered closer, a second maw beneath this came into view. Nestled in this maw with her arms spread wide was the old witch.
"We can't just run away."
"There."
Yukari pointed at a small book melded into the base of the jaw like a tooth.
"If we tell the humans to shoot that book, the spell holding that body together would be broken and she would die."
"I found you!"
The woman cackled as she swiped into the woods, her arm passing through the trees like a sickle through grass. Grabbing Yukari, Kurumu flapped her wings and shot back into the safety of the trees.
"Wait! Stop!"
Kurumu frowned at Yukari's urgency. Buffeting her wings, she swung her feet down to touch on the ground, bouncing a couple steps before letting the witch down.
"Stay away from her!"
"What are you talking about? We just ran away from her."
Yukari thrust her hand to the sky behind them. Hovering in front of the large beast, the six winged Rubi confronted the old woman. Yukari brought the ribbon coiled about her wrist.
"You can't reason with her, Rubi."
"What's going on?"
"I enchanted this. She can hear me. She has heard everything that woman said."
Kurumu's heart twisted, realizing this meant Rubi knew everything.
"Where's Ginei?"
Yukari closed her fist about the rock and brought it up to her lips. She blew into her fist. In seconds, Ginei came sprinting through the woods to join them. He frowned as he slowed.
"I thought that was Moka's whistle."
"I had to send her and Saedi away when those creatures came out of the ground."
Yukari regarded her in disbelief. Shaking her head, she gestured at the sky.
"Can't anybody follow instructions around here? I told you to rescue that girl."
Ginei shrugged.
"I can't physically force a girl to do what I want. She heard what you said about the tome and flew off before I could do anything."
Yukari winced.
"Rubi, don't. Even if you destroy the tome, you will die in the explosion. Let the humans handle this."
There was a bright, blinding light. Kurumu shielded her eyes as she felt an arm snake around her back.
"It's too late. We need to run!"
She was hauled off her feet as Ginei quick stepped over to bend down beside Yukari.
"No! Put me down!"
Ginei ran hard through the woods at such a speed she barely could register trees before they were around them. The ground shook as a large explosion rocked the hillside. Ginei hit the pavement of the road for a second before bounding over the guardrail into the foliage beyond.
"Ginei, please!"
But their senior did not listen to Yukari's cries as he ran down the ravine to safety.
"The bus is in the city. He will be here in about five minutes."
Kurumu nodded at Saedi as the girl set her phone down. The older girl sighed with a glance at Ginei. The werewolf was seated against the wall of the main room of the inn with a snoozing witch pressed up to his side. Yukari sat on his other side, tossing the polished stone absently in her palm.
It was almost six and it had been a long day. Ginei had ran with them all the way out of the forest before setting them down. Kurumu had initially tried to console Yukari, but the girl had promptly declared Rubi being alive. Brandishing the ribbon, she claimed they could track the girl. Supposing they had the time to humor the girl, Ginei had picked them both up and jogged under her direction.
Surprisingly they had found Rubi in a pond of the Lakewood Golf Course. Of course they had trespassed and had to act human while retrieving the unconscious witch, but it proved simple enough. Even though humans had found Rubi first, Kurumu's charm convinced the gentlemen to part ways with the homeless woman. She imagined the whole encounter would be too strange to understand after her charm ended.
Yukari had Kurumu charm another man to borrow his phone and call Saedi. Unsurprisingly the girl did not answer the unknown number so Yukari had her first experience texting. She let Saedi know where they were and to come pick them up. Sadly that failed and they ended up asking for directions. After an hour long walk, they finally met up with the car and Yukari angrily scolded Saedi for being so dense. Strange number or not, someone claiming to be Yukari was probably Yukari and she should respond.
It had been a cramped and awkward drive back to the inn. Draping Rubi in the backseat with Ginei, Yukari had remained in Moka's lap while Kurumu was sent to the front. Kurumu had been unable to make eye contact with Moka, aware that the vampire was still upset with her. Saedi had treated them to lunch at a nearby MOS Burger before taking them back to the inn.
Rubi had roused around four but had been a mess of tears and emotions. When Yukari had destroyed the staff, the spells inhibiting her childhood memories had vanished. She remembered the night her parents had driven up to the hill, her father telling her to stay quiet with her mother while he spoke with a fellow witch about making peace with humans. He never returned and something attacked the car and mauled her mother. Sadly, the car she remembered that hit her parents, was her parents' car.
Oyakata had spent years training Rubi to become a stronger witch, often punishing her for her failures. It made sense now. The witch had tried to make Rubi into a stronger vessel. It hurt to realize she had spent the past fourteen years admiring the murderer of her parents. She had wanted so much to simply die with Oyakata, but that cruel woman had thrown her to safety with a final spell.
After much whimpering and bawling the girl had passed out. It had been difficult to talk about anything else with a hysterical witch whom felt she had lost everything. She had gone on and on about how she should be punished for her sins. Yukari had suggested getting the names of her victims, which some were in the paper, but they had to stop Rubi from trying to cold call these families. For the sake of keeping the existence of witches secret, Ginei concluded they had to bring Rubi along or she'd be liable to turn herself over to the authorities.
Not long after peace had settled over their group, Kana had called her cousin to announce her return to the human world. She was with Ms. Nekonome and the two of them had been helping the driver with the mail all day long. She would have talked longer, but had forgotten to charge her phone last night and figured she would catch them all up in person when they arrived.
"Should we go outside?"
Kurumu nodded at Moka's suggestion, slowly picking herself up.
"At least it stopped raining so we can wait out in the lot."
Moka got up and touched the sleeve of Kurumu's worn blouse she had put on from yesterday. She had pitched the one from this afternoon with it being too torn and bloodied to salvage.
"Hey, kid. Wake this witch up."
Yukari tossed her rock so it bounced audibly off Rubi's skull. Everyone flinched as Rubi groaned, pulling back from Ginei. The older witch rubbed the red welt on the side of her head, a knot already forming.
"My head."
Yukari got up, smoothing out her bloodied outfit as Ginei helped Rubi to her feet. Yukari was first to start towards the genkan where they had left the luggage that had failed to get put on the bus.
"Did you want your rock, Yukari?"
"I can make another one."
Saedi frowned as she walked to the front with them.
"What does she mean by making a rock?"
Kurumu chuckled as she stepped down into the genkan with Moka on her heels. She stepped into her shoes as she grabbed up her schoolbag. Yukari was doing the same.
"How many wands do you have, Yukari?"
"I'm upset she destroyed two of my favorite ones. Do you have any idea how many boxes of cereal I had to go through to get that brooch?"
Moka smiled, slipping in her shoes as Ginei finally joined them with an unsteady Rubi clinging to his torso. He bent down to pick up his duffle bag.
"We can buy you another one in Mononoke."
"I want to get my ears pierced."
Yukari pushed open the door, strolling outside. Moka lingered at the door, holding it open for them.
"Really? I suppose we could do that this weekend."
Kurumu grabbed the strap of her schoolbag and smiled at Moka as she stepped through. The other three were not far behind as they heard the beeps of the bus, backing into the lot.
"Rubi should get her ears pierced too. Earrings are a difficult artifact to break."
Rubi frowned as she clung to Ginei.
"How does that work? Don't you have to gesture with your artifact?"
"No. It helps but you can train yourself to adjust to it. She knew my brooch was an artifact because all my hand motions were centered."
"Couldn't you make clothes into artifacts?"
Both witches laughed at her as the bus came to a stop.
"Fabric is too easy to tear, Ms…?"
"Kurono."
"Yes. You need an object with some durability."
"Exactly, which is why I suggest earrings. Studs or something solid. Nothing flimsy."
"I'm still surprised you were able to best her."
Yukari smirked as the door of the bus pulled open.
"You bested her. I only took advantage of her assumption that my brooch was my only artifact."
Rubi sighed.
"It doesn't feel like I did. I flew in and smashed my wand against her tome. She let me kill her."
Kana hopped out of the bus first and skipped over to Saedi, throwing her arms about her cousin.
"This was cool! This bus can reverse time. No kidding. There's no way we went to so many places today. It's amazing how much mail we delivered."
The driver chuckled as he stepped out of the bus, lighting up a cigar as Ms. Nekonome came down after him. He puffed twice, exhaling a large cloud of smoke.
"Congratulations, little lady. I see that you handled the witch."
Yukari grimaced, glancing aside.
"Yes. This young woman disposed of your witch problem."
The driver regarded Rubi with a wide grin.
"Did she now? I imagine it must be satisfying avenging your parents after all these years."
Rubi clutched Ginei's shirt as she looked down.
"It feels empty, like I've lost the only family I have."
Ms. Nekonome smiled softly.
"My offer still stands. I would welcome you into my home, if you have nowhere else."
Rubi nodded.
"Thank you. I will do whatever you wish of me."
Ginei chuckled.
"A pity I live in a dorm, else I could have made the same offer."
Kurumu smirked, unable to smack him with Rubi clinging to him.
"How is Tsukune, Kana?"
Kana frowned, detaching herself from Saedi.
"I think he's okay. Tora went with him to the hospital. The driver was kind enough to take him straight there and even took us all the way to the dorms. I didn't realize the road wrapped around the campus like that."
"Is he angry with me?"
"He was confused how he got on the bus, but he understands. Nazohashi kept him grounded."
Yukari stalked by the driver and pulled herself up the first big step of the bus.
"We should get going. I want to be out of this filthy city as quickly as possible."
The driver chuckled gesturing at the door as the young witch stepped up into the aisle.
"Yes, we should. It's a long drive back to Yokai and I'm sure none of you want to miss dinner."
That was an understatement. The dining hall stopped serving dinner around eight thirty and it was a good two hour drive back to the tunnel they came through. Kurumu sighed as she walked towards the bus, curious if Yukari would be willing to make dinner for them tonight.
"I'm calling window!"
Kana pushed around her, hopping up the stairs. Grinning, Kurumu grabbed the chrome post and pulled herself up onto the first stair. She stepped up the two tall stairs into the aisle, noting Kana had already taken the window seat behind the driver. She smiled at the blond.
"Sit over there."
Kurumu frowned at Yukari gesturing to the seat across the aisle from her. Shrugging, she took the same seat she had when they had started.
"You will sit with me, Moka."
The vampire shook her head.
"Scoot over, Kurumu."
Kurumu glanced at Moka but complied with the request. The vampire slipped in beside her, causing Yukari to pout. Ginei took the window seat in front of them with Rubi sitting next to him. Their teacher took the vacant aisle spot next to Kana as the driver settled back in his chair, pulling the lever to close up the door. Puffing his cigar, he put the bus in gear.
"I hope everyone had a good time."
Yukari snorted, shaking her head. She gestured at them.
"Can I sit with you two?"
Moka smiled softly.
"You're a big girl, Yukari. You can be by yourself."
Yukari pouted, crossing her arms below her chest. Sulking, she scooted away from the aisle to the window seat as they turned right on the road that would take them back out of the city.
"She could sit with us."
"She's sat in my lap enough for one day."
Kurumu smiled, supposing that was fair enough.
"She could sit in mine."
Moka's hand furtively grabbed hers. The vampire scooted closer, regarding her with soft eyes. She spoke quietly as she leaned in.
"No. I need to talk about what you did."
Kurumu nervously glanced aside as she scooted away to press against the window. Moka's grip was too firm for her to recover her left hand and her retreat only prompted the vampire to move closer. She had kept close to Ginei ever since rejoining the vampire, specifically to avoid this.
"We shouldn't talk about this now."
"I can't let this go."
"I wanted to keep you safe."
"You kissed me. Deeply."
Kurumu stared out the window, watching the buildings pass by as the bus crawled down the narrow street. A hand gripped her chin, firmly tugging her to face the vampire.
"You realize I had your blood this morning."
Moka squeezed her hand as she slipped her fingers up to caress the side of Kurumu's face. She looked into Kurumu's eyes, her gaze glancing down.
"Vampires adapt, Kurumu. With enough of your blood, I might even develop your powers to charm."
Kurumu closed her eyes as she wet her lips. She breathed softly as she felt Moka lean in, warm breath tickling upon her neck.
"I've slept with Tsukune."
Moka laughed softly as she touched her forehead against Kurumu's shoulder.
"Yes. We've all admitted to that."
Kurumu sighed, moving her other hand to run her fingers through the silky tresses about Moka's ear.
"I mean sex, Moka."
Moka lifted her head softly, her breath once again gracing Kurumu's neck.
"Yukari told me yesterday."
The vampire leaned in, pressing her lips against Kurumu's neck. Kurumu shivered in anticipation for the pain of a bite. For several moments, the vampire was content with sucking softly in a manner that made Kurumu squirm.
"Moka?"
The vampire stopped, breathing hotly against her neck.
"I want more."
Kurumu winced as she felt lips press on her neck again. She was about to apologize when she felt the sugary sweetness of desire wafting into her core. It was not only from Moka.
"Moka. She's watching us."
Moka sighed, relaxing against her.
"I can't stop that, Kurumu. She always is. She can scold me all she likes but it won't change the way I feel. I love him. And I want both of you."
Kurumu forced a smile as the bus turned right at an intersecting highway. She recognized this as the road that would take them out of the city, having been up and down this road twice today.
"I meant Yukari."
Moka shifted to regard the witch whom had moved back to the aisle side of her seat. The vampire scooted back and patted her lap, nodding for the witch. Yukari glanced at the front of the bus and hopped the aisle to settle on the vampire's knees.
"Ms. Sendou. Return to your seat."
"I don't mind, Ms. Nekonome."
"Okay, but keep it down. It seems our guest was very tired."
Ginei chuckled.
"She's exhausted. You really did not want to be here when she was awake."
Kurumu smirked.
"You're awfully quiet. Are you eavesdropping?"
"Yes. I find the conversation behind me fascinating."
"Why? What are they talking about?"
Ginei chuckled.
"You're comics are raunchy enough, Kana. You don't need additional source material."
"What?"
"I'm surprised you can hear them over the engine, Mr. Morioka."
"It's not that hard for me, Teacher. It's nothing serious. They're just arguing over Tsukune again."
Kurumu smirked, thankful he was keeping quiet. She leaned back in her seat as the bus crossed the bridge which seemed like the line between the city and countryside. She noted the slight blush on Moka's cheeks as the vampire held the witch close to her. Yukari still had a slight frown as she glanced over her shoulder.
"Is that really what you two were talking about?"
Kurumu smiled at Yukari's inquiry.
"Moka confessed she loves Tsukune."
"Okay, but why did it look like you were kissing Kurumu?"
Moka glanced aside.
"I was returning the favor."
Yukari frowned, turning about in Moka's lap to press her head against Moka's shoulder.
"What favor?"
"She tried to force me to leave by kissing me."
Yukari pouted.
"You kissed my Moka?"
Kurumu sighed, reaching over to toy with Yukari's locks.
"I thought if she calmed down, she would agree to leave with Saedi."
"And dummy here forgot I drank her blood this morning so I was immune to her kiss."
Yukari pursed her lips in contemplation. She shrugged.
"To be fair, there was no reason to suspect you would be immune from drinking her blood once."
"It was painful."
"How could a kiss be painful?"
Moka squeezed her arms about Yukari, causing the girl to make a slight squeak. Moka took in a deep breath as she pressed her cheek against the top of Yukari's head.
"It hurts to be kissed when you know they don't mean it."
Kurumu sighed, scooting in closer to lean against Moka's side.
"I'm really sorry."
"My first two kisses and neither of you want to be with me."
That twisted painfully.
"I will kiss you, Moka."
Moka laughed softly, breaking.
"That's sweet, Yukari. Third time is the charm, right?"
Yukari nodded with a notable blush.
"Yea. Can we now?"
Moka nuzzled her cheek against the top of Yukari's head.
"I can wait for you."
Kurumu gingerly touched Moka's side.
"Moka. You'll be fine. A gorgeous girl like you will be fine."
Moka let out a soft sigh, lifting up so she could drift fingers through Yukari's locks.
"You realize you'll never be able to kiss him like that. Not if he stays human."
Kurumu paused. Sighing, she relaxed against Moka.
"Yea. So… would you say I'm a good kisser?"
She winced as a small palm smacked her in the face. She supposed she deserved that.