Chapter 2: White Veil + Vampire

The sunlit sky had begun to set and the sun dimmed as if being devoured by an unknown entity. The black sky filled with dark grey clouds that were filled to brim with massive amounts of precipitation waiting to fall from the heavens and onto Gaia. The rule to moon took precedence in the sun's place to watch over the land of mortals thus keeping their paths bright with its silvery light. They shined through the clear windows of Maison Izumo, watching the many residents that lived there. Through those windows the stars would greet any to gaze upon that black sea. They were like small beacons of hope and a promise that the sun would indeed return. As the cycle would show the moon will eventually rise and consequently fall back into a vast slumber for another twelve hours.

Night, before cursed by the ghoul, was just that; the time where things got dark and frightening at odd corners. Now though Tsukune found the shadows that enveloped the world to bring him a sense of safety. The moon even shined mystically through clouds. Where the shine of the sun could be studded by the clouds the moonlight rays aren't so easily halted. The night was… beautiful in his eyes to the point they he felt he could stand in it for hours and never get sick of it. Though the call for food to come was more than capable of pulling him away from the hypnotic rays taunting him outside the window.

"Itadakimasu," Tsukune took hold of his eating utensils and started eating with childlike delight as the landlady's cooking danced on his taste buds. Every so often he'd pause as a new flavor hit his taste buds to savor it before large tears streamed out of his eyes. "This is so delicious, Miya-san!" He cried incapable of stopping the tears from falling down his cheeks. Never before has he eaten anything that tasted so heavenly. It brought of memories of Mizore's ice cold dish when times were much simpler.

The landlady known as Miya hid her giggling elegantly behind her kimono sleeve. His childlike demeanor toward her cooking reminded her of the young woman earlier that arrived with his supposed cousin. As he ate with much fervor, his brown eyes wandered over to Miya's form as she giggled quietly at his antics. She was unaware of his careful examination of her form. Her elegance and her beauty equaled few women he's seen in this world. Before, the most beautiful woman he ever met had been the inner self of Akashyia Moka. Inner Moka had the grace and looks of a goddess even with her stern red eyes.

It wasn't just her body that attracted him, but the way she carried herself. Moka was calm, rarely lost her composure over anything, and was extremely confident, bordering on arrogance. It was a majestic sight that never ceased to amaze him.

This woman, if possible, oozed off more of the same qualities than Moka ever did.

Miya's body is slender but shapely. She's almost perfect in form. Her form doesn't appear capable of fits of inhuman strength, and yet he felt this was far from the truth. Her body's features didn't look or move outlandishly like it sometimes did on Kurumu but balanced like a mixture of Moka and Kurumu together. Her waist length purple hair wading wavy but straight like a razor but appeared softer than cotton. He'd be surprised if it wasn't the softest thing he'd ever touch in his life.

While the bodily features did capture his eyes, it wasn't any of these things that spawned the same attraction he held for Moka within him.

It was her eyes.

Not many things could escape his notice and whether or not she realized it. He's a firm believer that the eyes are the window to the soul. On the outside her brown orbs that were much like his. They held a warmness and kindness that's hard founded nowadays. It wasn't very hard to see why many would probably covet her. But on the inside he saw a woman as dangerous as she is beautiful. Working with Inner Moka had taught him that not everything should be taken as face value. Moka's eyes were usually very calm, showing no hint of what she was feeling, but anyone looking into them knew better. There was a fire inside Moka that burned for battle. That flame, while dimmed by time, was evidently there within the landlady.

Tsukune entertained the idea that Miya was possibly Yokai, but he quickly dismissed it. He would've felt the distinct monster energies this close to her. Although, he does feel something resting within her. To describe it he'd compare it to being in the presence of some kind of Shinto goddess. One kind enough to take care of him, maybe. He's unsure if it's kindness or a since a duty. She has the air of a warrior that was all he could tell, and kindness within a warrior is seldom seen.

Despite being this close he felt confident that she wasn't a threat to him. She was gifting him with generous conversation, allowing him to stay in her home when she could have simply kicked his out, and him offered him food. 'Probably just over thinking it,' Tsukune thought before getting back to his food.

Miya's giggled halted and she opened her lip to say, "Oh, why thank you, Tsukune-san. Your words are deeply appreciated." She said this with a smile but masked what she was really doing. What the young brunette was doing before Miya reflected in kind. She had taken notice of him the moment he stopped outside of Maison Izumo. It wasn't all that difficult to notice him with the force that seems to ebb and flow around him. She suspected that Kagari had sensed him as well, but simply chose not to mention it.

As he ate, she watched his movements and the way his body would physically relax the longer he ate in her quiet home when before he was tense and vigilant.

The way he greeted her to his stance when standing gave her some indication that he had been in combat before. Despite how mediocre that stance was he appeared ready and willing to jump into the next conflict. From a master's viewpoint it reminded her of an over eager student who went rōnin and chose not to complete his teachings.

To Miya this boy is naïve and very young on the outside. She could tell from his lively brown eyes alone that while he's suffered in ways she can only guess, he holds on to a hope that's unfounded in most. His eyes held a weight to them as well. She almost pitied the young man for holding this much on his shoulders, but he had accepted it to stand alone. Such led him to becoming wiser than most probably gave him credit for. He's much older than he looks because of his trials and yet understand the suffering of others enough to provide an almost adorable assistance instead of helping himself.

He's that much of an open book much like his cousin. Their similarities are almost amusing including their selfishness pertaining to their burdens. They suffer torment by themselves so not to inconvenience others.

Miya couldn't understand what made this boy so much more different than his cousin, outside of the obvious case of different parentage that is. Minato's eyes were tired, but happy revealing the innocence he holds within his heart and soul. There was a cowardly essence within them on top of that. Miya could see that Minato is weak towards hostility. This is especially true when he's pressured by those of female persuasion. His nerve needed to be taken care of for him to grow into a ripe and solid man. Minato also seemed rather sheltered to hatred. He's never been on the receiving end of animosity from anyone. If someone told her that he's never been bullied in his entire life Miya wouldn't be surprised.

This boy, Tsukune, was everything that his cousin wasn't. His stance, his pressure, his eyes, how he speaks, the manner in which he smiles, being almost forced, painted a picture that Miya wasn't sure she could appreciate. His body held markings as well with one that indented along his shirt leading from his left shoulder towards the innermost folds of his back.

It's evident to her that this boy is mentally and physically scarred by his past with raging emotions he's barely containing, if just. Miya briefly considered the possibility that he was dangerous and what the proper course of action should be. She asked herself what Takehito would do if thrust in the same predicament she's in. She shook her head at this almost ignorant question that plagued her thoughts. The answer was obvious which she concluded just from looking into this young man. He's hurt and damaged in a manner she's wary of, but he has done nothing to deserve her mistrust or her ire. Takehito, of course, would've done everything in his power to help heal his tormented soul and recover his sanity in hope of this boy gaining back the future he lost.

Miya smiled but it wasn't originating from joy or any form of happiness. It's because of the long journey this boy has before him; one so young as well. It's almost akin to that of 107 other lost children within this city.

Tsukune rubbed his stomach happily unaware of the mental confliction his host was facing. A slight bulge under his shirt was symbolizing his accomplishment of filling the hole that is his stomach. "That was delicious, Miya-san." Brown eyes landed brightly on his savior from his hunger with an smile on his lips. "Thank you for feeding me," he bowed his head respectfully towards this culinary master the defied all expectation. The rice, the fish, hell everything that Miya had made for him was absolutely delicious. It put his culinary skills to shame. It made him feel he had no skills to begin with in comparison.

Miya giggled softly. "You are very welcome. I usually don't have too many tenants to feed so it's a welcoming change." That fact brought out an old and unwelcomed emotion from the pit of her being. If only her husband was alive to see how lively it was now. He would've been so happy, maybe even proud of her. Takehito may have not been her destined one, but he was the closest thing to a lover she had. He held the weight of hundreds even thousands on his shoulders. This boy and Takehito aren't too different. Even that smile they both have is alike; reveals kindness within their hearts but pained souls.

"You remind me a lot of my husband," she spoke her mind suddenly. "He had the same reaction whenever I would cook for him. Whether normally or for a special occasion he'd always had that same look you do," Miya reminisced such simpler times before his… game.

Tsukune raised an eyebrow at Miya's sudden revelation and comparison. "He sounds like the type of person I would love to meet," Tsukune said earnestly though unsure of how to take this. He sipped some water from his cup before continuing. "Is he around or at work?" He asked and regretted asking the moment the words left his lips. He knew he had made a mistake when purple haired woman's brown eyes had darkened. The grief within them was faint, and it quickly left her eyes the second it appeared. He knew that look and those reactions more than anyone. It reminded him of certain kind woman he had seen donning a black veil that visited a tombstone every year on the same day. It was a constant cycle of repeated loss and grief that they couldn't break away from no matter how hard they tried.

It was the look of a widow. A woman whose lost their lover.

Miya twirled a purple lock idly around her finger. Her eyes were closed for a moment. "My husband passed away some time ago, Tsukune." She gave him a melancholy smile. "But, if he were alive he would've loved to meet you." She confessed nearly taking the air out of Tsukune's lungs. He realized that Miya wasn't done yet and waited for her to continue. "In the hours you've been here you've come to remind me of him in many ways."

"I-I see," the brunette's eyes softened at they dropped to the table. "I'm sorry if I remind you of your husband. I had no intention of bringing my future caretaker any pain." Tsukune wanted to berate himself for his luck and timing. He asked himself how they ended up on a sore subject like that. Ignorance is as dangerous as it is bliss, but in this regard, he might have screwed up any good relations he hoped to have with his landlady.

Brown, nearing hazel, eyes studied him full of curiosity. 'Such an interesting boy,' she giggled a bit at her inner comment. This wasn't lost on Tsukune for it surprised him which was quickly replaced by relief. She didn't take any offense and she didn't hold any animosity towards him. "You did nothing wrong, Tsukune-san," she supplemented this fact before continuing. "But I do appreciate your concern." The beautiful landlady stood up from her pillow and brushed off her kimono. "I have a futon set up for you in one of my available rooms. If you'd like you may take that one." The young man nodded accepting her unspoken wishes swiftly. "Your cousin went home a couple hours ago and will be arriving in the morning." Miya picked up on one last look of unease from the young man and shook her head. "You have done nothing wrong, Tsukune-san." She smiled down upon him. "Now come, let's get you to your room."

"Ah, yes ma'am." Tsukune swiftly stacked his dishes together for ease of pick up later then shot to his feet to follow the kind landlady. He's relieved how this ended but confused by her confession. He reminds her of her husband? Whether or not this is positive remains to be seen. He's never been mistaken in such a way to anyone much less a widow's husband before so he's not sure what to think.

'I guess I'll see in time,' Tsukune thought as his eyes followed the landlady as she left.

Without hesitation his body propelled itself forward to keep up. He followed her through the hallway studying her behavior and movements still perhaps out of habit of being surrounded by monsters of unknown strength for so long. He took note that sometimes she'd look one way or another to a dead end, a corner of the room, or one of the more occupied rooms, he assumed. He could predict where her looked by the very subtle way her hair swayed. It was nearly stationary somehow when she walked but swayed when her chin shifted even a centimeter left or right. She sent a strange look towards a couple places he found strange. It's as if she knew something he didn't, which was most likely true in hindsight. This was her inn, so anything could be hidden here.

The vampire touched young man shook his head. 'I'm thinking too hard on this and need to relax.' This had to be something all girls did. Moka and the girls always knew something he didn't with a bad case of wandering eyes. He's letting his senses get the better of him keeping him paranoid and tense instead unwinding. He was only human and needs to hold back these instincts to get better.

"Here we are." Tsukune blinked at the sudden interruption pulling him out his thoughts. During all of his observing he hadn't realized they had arrived to the room. "This is where you'll be staying. I finished cleaning this room yesterday so you're lucky." She offered him a small smile before leaving.

Tsukune watched her go before shrugging. It's possible he might' ve offended her, and he didn't want to be a bother anymore than he was. "Watching her like that," he shook his head at this. He knew better, especially since women always knew when they are being watched.

Tsukune rubbed his head before finding himself resting in the confines of his futon to rest. He had a small blanket wrapped around him tightly to shield his body from the cold and his eyes glaring at the ceiling. He counted the marks and cracks above at first before he got bored after then 47th repetition. He looked towards his lock next. With his hand extended out above him he witnessed the golden holy lock shining in the moonlight.

"I can't sleep," he whispered, wide awake from a strange feeling he's been feeling in the back of his neck. "What should I do?"

He had arrived here under the assumptions that this would be a completely normal and relaxing vacation away from the monster filled society that is his school. Yokai Academy was a place where chaos built up from the evil energies surrounding some of the students. That chaos had affected Tsukune more than any would know and allow to know. He saw himself as a gentle soul with no desire to hurt anything. The sees this no more within him though. Staying in a violent school, surrounded by violent monsters, and violently pushed to the edge repeatedly for so long had the result of changing his morals when it pertained to certain subjects.

Mercy is one of these subjects.

Hokuto had unleashed the beast within him and unbound the chains that prevented Tsukune from being ruthless on the battlefield. More often than not didn't he wish to destroy his enemies. He felt no desire to break them and shatter their wills. He had given them a chance, and they didn't take it, so he handled it. His gentle nature would stall the newly acquired bloodlust for so long before the chains would break again. But now he was once again residing within the human world.

What could possibly happen here that would affect the holy lock holding back his ghoulish nature?

He asked himself and came up with nothing pertaining to monsters.

Not like the ones at school.

He, unlike most humans, is far more perceptive and aware of his surroundings than some would believe. Yokai Academy had made him mistrustful and ever attentive, whether or not he wanted to believe too. At Minato's old apartment he felt normal like he could relax and let his guard down. He hadn't even felt anything strange around Minato's home the day before. That changed when he arrived at Maison Izumo however. His instincts have been honed and sharpened finely to pick up the smallest disturbance. He could sense when something was amiss. He trusted his instincts proving that not all was as it seemed here at Maison Izumo.

Tsukune sighed and let his hand drop down to tuck back into the covers. Maybe, just maybe, he was over thinking things. Maybe the academy had finally done its number on him. Making him see ghosts where there was only air. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Shinto Teito than meets the eye. There was more to this inn and much more to the landlady then he could possibly fathom.

Tsukune let his stare at the ceiling finally break to wander around. As his eyes roamed the nice, if simple, room afforded to him, he couldn't help but compare it with the globally known MBI apartments he'd seen on advertisements. He thought of the changes MBI has done and its origins. What started off as a pharmaceutical company had turned into an empire in nearly a years' time. Tsukune remembered as a child the many traditional buildings and houses the city held like the inn he was living in. Now, they were scarce because of MBI's intervention. It was a major change for him.

Its just like how he had never appreciated the traditional and rather gloomy appearance that Yokai Academy had. At first, it had scared him tremendously, but now, looking at all the buildings surrounding him, he ached for the simplicity of the academy. The dark cobwebs and the whispers of the creatures of the night had become a part of him. The evidence of such truths resided in his bloodstream, and the black marks that would spread across his neck when he lost control of who he was.

As comfortable as he was here, did he truly belong to the human world still? Maybe the world of monsters was better suited for him now despite how weak he looked or felt. Maybe he couldn't have a place to call home in both worlds. Maybe he'll be nothing but a creature akin to a border being like Ruby and Yukari. These uncertainties plagued his mind bring with it an unnatural fear he'll have to confront soon.

Before he could continue down the long list of worries in his thoughts, a shadow cast itself near his window. He stiffened his body forcing his normal breaths to run still until they become noiseless. The shadow stood there for several minutes almost as if it couldn't sense him. The owner of this shadow seemed to be keeping its eyes on the moon. That's a window if he's ever seen one before.

Tsukune reached for his pack. He could feel some type of energy emanating from the shadow and wasn't about to risk a conflict as he was. He dug around anxiously, ensuring not to create needless noise, until the tips of his fingers found Belmont. His brown eyes burned red hot, like a hot iron placed on the core of his brown orbs, until red was all he saw. His hair felt a bit different but not like when it turned white. It's still brown for he doesn't need to go that far, yet.

The dark shadows around him began to fill with color and form. His natural night vision turned super sensitive enough to see as clear as day. Tsukune raised an eyebrow. He caught sight of white fabric fluttering by his window, but that just seems crazy. His eyes narrowed to examine this fabric more closely, before he could the shadow disappeared. The white cladded figure shot out away from Izumo Inn, and Tsukune instantly sprang from the futon in response. He rushed to window just in time to catch the sight of a figure traversing across the rooftops of other homes in the night. Something in the back of his mind urged him to follow and his vampire instincts thirsted for battle.

If he was sure of one thing whoever that person was, they were a resident of Maison Izumo. He felt that energy in the inn before but regarded it loosely. That landlady also didn't seem the sort to have strangers clad in white robes to occupy her roof. That person wasn't human as well. No normal human can hop those rooftops being at least a ten-foot jump from edge to edge alone. They're leaping from one summit of the roof to the next nearly doubling that distance. That's a lot of distance even he'd struggle to maintain unlike this white-clad figure.

"My instincts were right," he growled as his blood simmered. Tsukune unlatched his window and slid it open first. He turned back to get his clothes on he discarded before. He was in his boxers and a white T-shirt right now and can't run around like this. He grabbed Belmont and wrapped it tightly around his waist as a makeshift belt for his pants and snagged some socks. He grabbed a pair of shoes he had as extra in his pack last then looked over Belmont one last time. He wouldn't be able to fight right with it in his hands, so this will have to do. He made sure it was secure for if he dropped it, he'd be powerless if one of the links to the lock broke. With that in mind, he allowed his Yōki to push into his leg muscles and leapt from his windowsill onto the roof of a nearby home.

The headmaster might kill him for this.

Moka might kill him for this.

His family's morbid curiosity might kill him for this.

Despite these reasons Tsukune knew one thing; He can't stand idly by as some unknown wanders the streets without knowing its true intentions. His landing was surprisingly quiet with the only evidence indicating of his landing being his small indents in the roof. He swiftly moved with the queer scent of this inhuman thing as his guide. His eyes scanned the rooftops with every landing he wasn't disappointed when he found his target. His mystery person made it maybe eleven blocks away before his eyes spotted them and still moving at a brisk pace. He would've laughed at how simple tracking this person was if not for how serious the situation was. Who would've have thought that the average, normal, and weak Aono Tsukune would one day patrol the rooftops like a predator of the night? If only the girls could see him now. He didn't think he'd survive the scolding.

The vampire touched man glided across the buildings with ease. The wind almost seemed to carry him as the moon light flowed in waving against him. He noticed after the last five jumps that he started landing in the shadows of the roof tops in a crouch, almost akin to a literal predator. Belmont was proving to be quite the medium between his powers and his body's functions. His landings were okay, but he overestimated his jumps several times. He lost his footing into a stumble wasting time once or twice. That's as many as he'd admit to himself. He nearly lost sight of the white veiled intruder because of this, but Regardless of his fumbling, he pressed on.

"I need to be careful," the red eyed predator warned himself. He knew the possibility of him dying was rather high. While this veiled intruder was an unknown to him its strength is evident in its jumps. They do it with ease and land almost perfectly without rest between jumps. Such endurance is impressive. That's two factors against him already that could play towards his death. "Death," he scoffed a bit. That single word spawns so much fear but did nothing to hinder the young ghoul's pursuit of his mystery person. The word death was just that, a word. Maybe when he first attended Yokai the word would've sent a string of fear into his heart, but now it was just five letters brought together. It's like a word he might use casually in a conversation without hesitation.

Tsukune has seen people die, beaten to near death, and he himself had experienced both. He remembers well when death became just a word to him. It was when he exchanged his life for Moka's and took the fire meant to kill her. After that he truly didn't fear death, or maybe he just stopped caring about his life. Tsukune glanced down as he seemingly flew over large gaps in between buildings. One misstep over the edge was all he needed to fall back into the sweet and cold embrace that death had offered him once. He almost welcomed the inevitable embrace of the reaper. But he does refuse it in one instance.

"The reaper can't have them," he promised himself almost every day.

What he feared was the death of his friends but unsure if stems from either selflessness or self-preservation. If his friends died, he'd be alone in this world. He'd fall into despair and his ghoul would finally overtake him. If his friends died, he'd slaughter their murderers and hang them on hooks like pigs. If his friends died, the world wouldn't be allowed to be happy. If his friends died, the world would burn with him. The lives of everyone around him hung in the balance. He didn't know what he would do if he lost his anchors, but the consequences and collateral would be devastating.

Leaving these thoughts behind, the ghoul focused more on the task at hand; following his soon to be adversary. He came to realize he was unconsciously using his Yōki detector when he felt an energy spike coming from the white-clad person's direction. There were one, two, no three in total. Two were clearly very powerful and, if Tsukune had to guess, B-rank in terms of monster class. The last is far weaker than him in terms of power. By the scent that assault his nose its nothing more than an average human. Tsukune focused on the two inhuman beings then back to the human. From the energy spikes alone he deduced that the two larger energies were battling one another. The two opposing forces felt very similar but held their own piece of uniqueness that differentiated them.

The human with them was like a fly between two opposing fires. He then wondered if this is what other monsters felt when comparing his energy to Moka's. This discovery only served to reveal to him just useless he was before his turning. And how dangerous he became after.

He didn't wish to alert them of an incoming threat and so slowed his movements a bit to take to the shadows instead. He was getting closer and the sounds of battle became apparent to his ears. He heard the pleading screams of a human male. He's begging the two warriors opposing each other to stop their conflict seemingly falling only on Tsukune's ears.

The heat in his eyes grew as crimson within them darkened. The center most portion of his eye felt cold, opposing the heat, as his round pupils morphed into their slit counterparts. They became almost reptilian in appearance. He drew upon his power with no innate skill needed but instead only instinct. It was his desire to gain control of his dark powers, but for now, his instincts were the only thing he needed.

He looked toward the night sky. Dark clouds were easily visible, even in the darkness and it felt as if the heavens were weeping for the battle that would surely come. He could smell the moister saturating the air. "It's going to rain soon," he murmured. It was at that time that Tsukune praised his human state. Had he been a vampire, tonight could've proved fatal to him. The bloodlust would've taken him had this been a beautiful night to dance beneath the full moon.

His eyes had finally landed on the scene of the battle and almost suffered a stuttering step of epic proportions at what he saw. His face and the surface he would've landed on almost got too intimate. Still, his jaw dropped and felt a familiar warmth in certain areas. "Man, I'm such a pervert." Tsukune rubbed his head to break his dream, but it was very real.

The area was a small shopping district that had been wrecked severely from the clash between of the titans below him. Leaning against a car was a rather shapely raven-haired woman with short hair and a blond haired man desperately trying to steady her. Knives were scattered across the street and probably belonged to her. His perverted nature had made itself known when he caught sight of the rips and tears on her top that displayed lots of her chest to him. His eyes shamelessly examined those areas more than they should've. He should be used to this by now from the massive amount of glomping he endured at school.

He swiftly shook this reaction aside when he caught how worried the blond male was about her. Suddenly, a near intoxicating aroma slammed into him. The scent of blood was absolutely everywhere causing the burn of his eyes to grow and spine to tingle. His eyes trailed down the raven-haired woman's form at every bleeding mark. Her arms were heavily damaged and torn. Blood seeped from her wounds like a small delicious river. Worse of all was the small hole in her stomach the woman struggled to cover so to hold back the waterfall to come. If she didn't receive medical attention this woman would die today.

His ears pricked slightly as he picked up their conversation. "Takashi… you need to go." The woman hissed, clutching her side in agony. More blood spilled from her wounds, coating the sidewalk in her red essence. "This Sekirei assassin will kill you…"

Tsukune leaned in a bit more from the edge of the rooftop at that. An assassin was after them. An assassin somehow connected to the inn and thus the landlady. This stemmed a large array of questions but first and foremost was what manner of assassin was this person? What was a Sekirei? 'A group or maybe a race if assassins are sent after them,' Tsukune thought at first but stopped to focus on listening in.

The blond haired man shook his head vehemently. Tsukune almost smiled at the affection he showed the woman. "No!" he refused. "I am your Ashikabi. I-I don't care if I die! I just want to be with you!" Tears spilt from his eyes like the river Nile. "You're the first person to ever love me. I can't abandon you, Natsu."

Red eyes gazed jealously at the obviously intimate pair. There was no denying the love between the two. It's in their eyes more than the words they spoke. Even in the current situation they held on to it. It was something Tsukune envied, it was something he wanted, but It wasn't something he deserved.

The woman's eyes softened. "Takashi… you're such an idiot. You don't know how much I love you right now." She admitted quietly. "If that is what you want my love, then let's die together." This Natsu hissed in pain and dropped to the ground. Takashi catch her before she fell. Suddenly, the woman's eyes narrowed. "Takashi, get behind me."

Tsukune didn't have to wait long for what had caught her off guard form his overhead position. A white cloth he recognized fluttered in the winds towards them. Tsukune growled quietly. The white-clad warrior was a woman, just like Natsu was. The brunette bit off his perverted tendencies quickly to analyze his soon to be opponent if things were going the way he thought they were. Brown hair spilled down her creamy shoulders that were covered in small cuts and bruises with blood leaking down her leg and mouth. It didn't take a scientist to know that the woman she attacked didn't take it too kindly to being attacked. This white outfit of hers covered the most crucial of areas with a large veil over her head and a hood shadowing her face from view.

The veiled assassin shifted into a fighting stance and Natsu cringed in pain. She moved desperately to get up and protect her lover. Only Tsukune caught the words that spilled from the veiled female's lips. "I'm sorry." With that, she leapt forward with blinding speed, her arm poised to deliver the final blow. Takashi flinched but wrapped his arms around his Sekirei and held her tightly. Natsu gave him a strange look before placing her hand on his cheek and leaning her head on his chest. This would be their final hour together. The whistle of the veiled woman's arms extending rang in their ears and they hugged each other one final last time…

CRACK

The earth buckled in front of them and the duo were pushed aside by rushing winds. They hit the ground with a loud smack with Takashi taking most of the blow to prevent further harm to Natsu. The woman's eye snapped open and she looked around in wonderment. Takashi weakly smiled at her. They were alive? The veiled woman's attack should have ended them but didn't. It was then that the duo heard the grunt of exertion in front of them.

Words were unnecessary because they couldn't readily describe what they were seeing. The veiled woman's eyes had widened tremendously and found that she could push her arm no further. An intimidating male had prevented their untimely demise. His brown hair fluttered gently in the breeze that had come with his arrival, and his skin was as pale as snow reflecting the moonlight.

The veiled woman gasped softly as she took in his disturbingly face and hellishly crimson eyes. His eyes were narrowed and filled with a madness one could only associate from battle and war. His mouth had two long fangs poking out from the corners of his upper lips and rows of square teeth had sharpened to a dangerous point. The Veiled assassin was speechless by this untimely interruption. Right when she was so close too. The thoughts of her target faded as her eyes took in this young man's form. Her chest erupted in strange agonizingly beautiful warmth and her eyes wavered from his form. Crimson eyes stared back at her angrily as their owner's arm shook. His brown of his hair suddenly melted away leaving a white, snow white, that carried a mystic aura to it. It was almost as frightening as it was stunning.

Tsukune's hand wrapped tightly around her fist at her slip of attention. Tsukune clenched his teeth painfully, blood seeping from his lips as his fangs pierced them with no remorse. He turned his head around and gave a heated glare to the duo behind him. "Leave." He hissed in a guttural tone. His control on his Yōki was waning quickly. Already the voice inside was piercing his ears telling him to rip such weak prey apart. His power was doing a number on his body, but the pain helped keep his will focused on why he's here. "There's a hospital nearly four blocks away that's run by MBI. I'll deal with this woman." They didn't move, far too entranced and frightened by his charm that seemingly grip their soul. They snapped out of it when a fiery inferno erupted in his eyes. "LEAVE NOW BEFORE I LOSE WHAT LITTLE SENSE OF CONTROL I HAVE LEFT!"

Takashi was the first to react when he scooped up Natsu with ease. "O-Okay," he stuttered and despite his injuries. "Th-Thank you Onigami-sama," he bowed thus wasting a bit more time. Before Natsu could even react, he sped off with her in his arms.

Tsukune blinked. 'Just what in the hell did he just call me?' This questioned faded once his danger senses went off. He narrowly evaded a sharp kick aimed for the side of his head. One that could've taken it off had it hit him. Tsukune caught the veiled assassin's ankle with his left hand and twisted around using his enhanced strength to throw the woman across the street into a car. He winced lightly when she collided with the cold metal and the car alarm began to blare loudly. "That had to hurt," he grimaced at the caved in car and the body in the center. He thought that maybe he overdid it again.

Suddenly, thunder cracked across the sky shaking the land and on queue the rain forcefully fell down from the sky upon them. "What irony." The red eyed vampiric protector chuckled a bit. The heavens knew what's to come and weeps for them now. Tsukune wiped his white hair that stuck to his forehead to the side as he watched the veiled sekirei assassin climb out the car. She brushed the deep cut in her side as the only proof of his attack. 'Her body is stronger than any human's, because that would've killed one for sure,' he surmised. This meant he didn't need to hold back if his hand if forced. He felt sick for coming to this conclusion but buried it for later. The veiled assassin shook violently, and her skin was turning bright red in color despite the rain washing over them both. It wasn't from blood for that'd be washed away in the downpour. She gripped her chest a bit for some reason.

Tsukune raised an eyebrow at her actions. "What was going on with her?" She looked to be in pain. Maybe internal damage was done. If so, she'll need help soon as well. He didn't wish her harm despite what he saw before. Suddenly a fire stirring in his chest. He gripped close to the same area mirroring the veiled assassin and caught a lamppost near him when his legs all of a sudden felt weak. He gritted his teeth and straightened his legs forcibly. He's not sure what this is but whatever was happening to her was also affecting him.

Rapidly, glowing brown eyes glared hatefully at the young intervener's ones. "You let them escape!" The bastard leapt away as the sheets of white flown to attack him. She was going to see him writhe in paid due to his intervention. The whispers in her mind told her he did it for the right reasons, but she didn't care. If she didn't succeed in her mission she would suffer. The cost was too high, and this had to end quickly. "Teni No Mai (天衣の舞, Dance of the Heavenly Garment)" The sheets crashed into, whatever this man was, and wrapped around him tightly. Unexpectedly, her new foe swiftly ripped right through her attack like it was paper. The fact that he caught her kick before proved without a doubt he wasn't human. "What number are you, Sekirei?" She demanded. If she was going to fight his guy, she needed a name or at least the number for later. This one was dangerous and a threat she wouldn't want to suffer later.

Tsukune's confused red eyes glazed at this silk using woman's question. "What are you talking about? What's a Sekirei?" The veils attacked him again and any thought of her answering his question was out of question. Still, he persisted. "Why did you attack those people?"

"It's none of your concern." The Veiled assassin shot back then continued her assault, but this man would not be put down so casually. Their battle resumed with one side having the advantage due to her ignorance to what he was and injuries from her fight with Natsu. After getting down the pattern of his movements and evasions she saw her window to entrap him, finally. Her silky stands slashed at him like whips landing on his chest, back, and sides. The veiled assassin found herself almost impressed with this man's pain tolerance from that assault and drive to fight on. Whatever number of sekirei he is she will soon find out once he's deactivated.

Tsukune found himself cringing in pain as those whips shredded his new shirt and tore into his skin. Her speed was remarkable, and he almost believed this woman could give Gin a run for his money. His hands connected with a part of the veil and without warning, pulled hard. The woman yelped in surprise as she was sent barreling toward him. His fist landed under her jaw in a perfect uppercut forcing her upwards. He leapt up into a spinning kick landing right in her chest sending her spiraling back into the streets again. The moment she hit the pavement his hands reached for the deep, burning wounds on his back. He felt that two diagonal cuts stretched down from his shoulder to his lower back. Had he been a normal human he would've been ripped apart or died from the shock at least. He gave a look to the struggling veil woman. She was obviously on her last leg. He held nothing back in his attacks for he didn't know how to. But Tsukune knows he could kill a normal man with a finger let alone an uppercut to jaw and kick to the chest. "Listen, I don't want to fight you." He spoke in hope to calm her down.

"Shut up." she hissed at him. The veiled assassin would have none of that. As she got up to her feet she fell right back down. A feeling of intense heat spread through her body coupled from the damage of those attack had her collapse onto the pavement. 'God, how hard did he hit me? I can barely breathe,' she panted before desperately trying to move again. Her vision was swimming even as she climbed up to her feet.

Tsukune frowned at what he saw from his foe. These were the signs that she has reached her limit. "Look, I don't want to fight you. If anything, I just want to understand what's going on. You didn't want to kill them," he persisted on as he approached her. He reached out in an attempt to aid her, but instead he grabbed his chest as that warm feeling overtook him once more. He felt things that made no sense to him. The strongest of them was a crippling mixture of pain and sorrow that almost made him plead to make it stop. "I-I don't want to fight you," he cried as his hands hit the ground. "Please… don't make me hurt you anymore," the young ghoul begged quietly. He didn't regret saving that young couple, but he did regret whatever was happening to his body. It was starting to become difficult to think clearly.

"I said SHUT UP!" She sprung forward with alarming speed at her downed opponent. With crushing might, she tackled him viciously and smashed him into a truck nearby. It tipped to the side from the force with her still on top of him. The man coughed with his eyes widen in shock. Practically trying to ram a hole in his chest, she rained punch after punch upon him as the rain fell upon them. The pain unknowingly shared between them forced these blows to become like a double-edged sword. It hurt her to become an assassin against her will. The cost of saving her loved one pained her. It shamed her that she resulted to these merciless actions. And the warmth in her chest grew to near excruciating levels. Everything that could've gone wrong did and this man is to blame. 'He must pay,' she roared with his retribution raining down upon him.

Pain exploded as Tsukune took blow after blow in his attempts to block and parry this woman's assault. 'Strong,' he thought. Tsukune hacked as her fist rammed into his chest with unexpected force that got through. The metallic taste of blood was hot on his tongue as it dribbled down his lips, but still he refused to fight back. He was feeling so much that it left him confused but assured that this has to stop. 'This can't go on.' Tsukune didn't know why but felt this to be the gravest mistake in his life. He caught both fists before they could do anymore damage once he saw the opening and squeezed down tight, stopping her cold. "Stop fighting me," he warned as he glared into chocolate brown eyes. She was close being on top of him enough to make out her face. It was beautiful and full of as much pain as it was rage. "This isn't something you want to do." He pressed on.

The veiled assassin refused to answer. Instead she struggled viciously and managed to flip them the truck into a mess of limbs. She landed on top of him once more and smashed his back into the ground. She wanted him to pay. She wanted him to feel everything she felt. She wanted this man dead. She attacked once more but was blocked or thwarted every time which fueled her efforts all the more.

Tsukune had come to realize that this wasn't no longer a fight. It was akin to restraining a wild animal trapped in a corner. This Veiled assassin who hated herself and her actions flailed on top him, mad with anger, sorrow, and hopelessness that staggered even his will to kill. Lightning flashed across the night skies suddenly causing a shift. Tsukune felt the telltales of mass killing intent centered on him. It was then that his own blood lust returned. He would die here and now if he didn't stop her. Talking didn't work but action will.

Without an inkling of rational thought, he rammed his fist into her gut in the same area of his kick before lifting her up a bit off of him enough to shrimp out a leg. She gasped in pain and blood and spit spilled from her lips onto his face. He rose his foot and kicked her in the center of her torso flinging her further off of him to her feet, stunned and open. He rushed to take advantage and punched again and again at her face, sides, and stomach. The voice came back and with it a rush of energy forcing him forward. Her retaliation waned so in one last attack. With a loud roar, he performed a thrust kick into the center of her torso sending her flying into the side of the nearest building. Tsukune lost his footing from the overextended kick mixed with the oily and wet pavement beneath him. As he fell to his back once more, he noticed how the brick easily cracked from the force of impact once his foe slammed into the wall. She also appeared to be too stunned to retaliate. "This ends here," he declared as his climbed up to his feet. That heat in his chest was forgotten, consumed by the coming finality.

Slowly, the veiled assassin slid down onto the ground. Her blood painting the stone sides of the building leaving trail as she fell. Her vision was beginning to darken and her body running cold. She couldn't move for his retaliation rattled her entire body. No human could do that. If anything, only a monster could perform such fits of brutality and injury to a sekirei of her caliber. Those red eyes belonged to a monster that she couldn't defeat. A beast that will spell her end and the end of the one she was trying to protect. Without wanting it tears began to spill down her cheeks. She had failed and with her gone there was nothing that would prevent her employer from finishing off her friend. Her body ran cold and yet that intense heat from before only grew hotter. It spread form her chest down to her loins. The shame of this flooded her being threatening to consume her as well. Sitting her with her back to the wall and body limp, she was at this approaching man's mercy. Sobbing having to lost everything from her pride to her loved one. He had taken it.

Tsukune grunted in pain and his chest heaved in exertion. Belmont slipped from around his waist onto the street without a sound in the midst of his approach. The brunette was too tired to care as his vampiric energies resided back into his body. The fading fire in his eyes symbolized their reversion to normal brown. Even his hair darkened to its original color once the lightning left it. Still, he could feel the vampire regeneration healing the wounds on his body.

As he drew closer that hot feeling in chest flared like the sun. It was a reminder that he had an unknown condition. One that returned with a vengeance and twice the force that staggered him forward. Quiet sobs reached his ears and he gave the woman he beat into a pulp a sad glance. He knew this wasn't something she wanted. Without any care for his well-being, he slowly trudged forward. The pain in his chest grew closer but also the heat. The emotions that swirled within him as well made him desire to hug this woman to grant her some reprieve to the sorrow he tasted in the air. "Oh no," the regret of his actions reared its ugly head. "What have I done?"

The veiled woman's tears refused to stop, no matter how much she inwardly protested. She wanted to hold onto what pride she could before the end, but they didn't stop regardless. She had gone through so much together with her cherished one, and now she couldn't even save herself. She was the only person that had earned her love, despite rejecting it due to her disease, and now she was going to die here and now in a dark, rainy alleyway. Once the man was standing over her, she closed her eyes for the coming blow to finish this. She nearly jumped in surprise when a warm, soft hand, tilted her chin upward. He aims to insult her now with a false sense of comfort. She wouldn't by into it. Suddenly she felt her cheeks cupped gently and her head turned left and right. He was looking her over and he mumbled something he could barely hear.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. Her eyes shot open and two sets of brown eyes met each other. To the veiled woman's shock, the man's features had changed to a softer degree. His weren't crimson as they were before filled with the conceded desire to destroy her. What replaced it was an amber brown filled with kindness, not pity like she expected, or that terrifying rage they housed before. His eyes weren't as narrowed nor his face as stern. He looked so gentle and amazing in her eyes. Like a switch was flipped turning him from a ruthless monster into a gentle and loving young man.

Tsukune smiled gently as his adversary opened her own eyes. That pain from before he felt dulled and she didn't appear to be in life threatening condition. He's pretty sure she threw most of the punches in their scrap. Still though she could use some help. "Let's get you to a hospital," he declared. Without warning, he carefully picked her up bridal style. She's not a bad person. If she was, he'd be more hesitant to help her. In those eyes he saw nothing evil or corrupt about her but more desperation than anything. It reminded him of the look in the girls' eyes as school and they weren't bad. Just misunderstood.

The veiled woman's eyes widened in shock as he began to walk in the direction that her targets had went. Questions crossed her mind like why hadn't he killed her? She had attacked him with the intent to kill him, and yet this man wasn't showing hate or spite, merely kindness. He hadn't wanted to fight with her, only help her. She thought back to his words before and realized her condition wasn't his fault. She had forced his hand and chose mercy out of compassion and worried for her. This man was good, and she almost felt comfortable in his arms despite the ache from her wounds.

Suddenly she felt that fire again. 'What is this feeling?' Her body felt unnaturally hot, and a strong heat overtook her cheeks, and with it a strong desire to claim him as hers. The more she looked at his kind visage the more she was drawn to him. Her brown eyes widened in recognition of her reaction and the warmth only increased. 'Think of Chiho.' The veiled sekirei desperately repeated and pleaded. She didn't want to betray her loved one. She didn't wish to turn from feelings just because of this reaction. Try as she might and despite those pleas, the veiled woman's resistance crumbled the minute his gentle eyes looked into hers. She had never thought this day would come again. She had reacted to Chiho and was rejected by her selflessness. She wondered that after everything she's been through now how could this happen again? How could this man, this boy, affect her so much?

"Ahh," she cried. Her heart ached as the reaction spread across her entire body. She could resist the call of nature or the reaction. She had met her true destined one and whether she liked it or not she had to accept it. Fear shook her heart at being rejected but warmth smothered it with ease. Nothing was left to hinder what's to come. She turned her eyes towards his and gripped his shoulders. Her panting grew and her need followed. 'I need him,' was all she could think before her mind went blank.

Tsukune gave the veiled woman a worried look. "Uh, are you okay miss. I hmm…" That was as far as he got before it happened. This woman clasped her weakened arms behind his neck and connected her lips to his with more force than should be available for her body. Her tongue trailed the insides of his mouth wildly while he was too stunned to react. Her tongue slipped caressed the walls of his mouth and her body was pressed tightly against his. That heat from before… it was too much to bare for him. He felt his mind calm and go blank. He couldn't resist her and the whispers of what she offered. He gave himself into the kiss with his eyes closing like the woman's did almost simultaneously. That warm feeling in his chest expanded strongly without hindrance now at his acquiescence. He felt a wave of emotions like before but far more potent than before. Sadness, confusion, shame, elation, happiness, and contentment; he felt all of this and knew it was from her.

Suddenly he noticed a brightness before him and opened his eyes. To his surprise, a glowing golden white light sprout from her back in the shape of wings. Tsukune felt something change within him and it felt… good. Like a part of him was founded and he'd reach completion in ways he never experienced before.

He broke to kiss as something tied them both together. Her brown eyes met his, pleadingly and wanting. His thoughts turned empty once more and found himself unable to resist her. He recaptured her lips once more with only one thought going through his mind. 'Dear god, my first kiss was given to a girl who beat the living hell out of me, and I don't care. This is amazing, and I want, need more… No wait, what are they going to think? I just got my first kiss from a girl that wasn't any of the girls at Yokai Academy. Oh no Moka-san's going to kill me! She… she…' That thought ended as foreign sensations encased him in pleasure. Pleasure this woman felt and he experienced with her.

The veil sekirei was in a state of ecstasy. Despite the feelings of betrayal wedged into her mind, she couldn't help but give herself to him. The less she thought about the one she believed she abandoned and tighter this boy's arms seemed to wrap warmly around her cold body. His response to her was almost perfect and his reaction just as great. She wanted to feel more.

The young man couldn't explain the warm feeling that flowed through his body, or why he was responding to an unknown woman's affections. In his mind, he felt as if he was betraying Moka, but in his heart, this moment felt right. The more he embraced this the easier it became. Free of the pain and guilt for now. As he let go her body molded to his enhancing the heat and light that pushed away the dark. It was… something he couldn't explain with words.

The veiled woman gently pulled away suddenly, panting harshly. Her chest rose and fell with each tired breath, but he wasn't faring better then her. His breath was literally taken away by their shared kiss. A thin line of saliva connected from their lips served as proof of their action. Her turmoil filled brown eyes softened to an emotion Tsukune had only seen once before and oddly enough it was from a succubus. She rested her soft hand against his cheek and smiled mystically at him. Tsukune unconsciously nuzzled into her touch. "Uzume… Number 10… You are my Ashikabi… now and forever."

This woman's head lolled to the side and she passed out in his arms. Tsukune just stared at her face speechless. The veil had fallen away, revealing her milk chocolatey brown hair and a beautiful face that belonged to a goddess. He felt what had taken her consciousness flow into him. A feeling that came without warning causing his legs to give out from beneath him. He stumbled to the side and landed on his back with her to top to prevent the unconscious woman on his chest from receiving further damage.

"W-What?" Tsukune questioned within his pants. "Just… happened?" His vision darkened as everything finally caught up with him at once. His heart beat was loud in his ears and his breathing was shallow. The fatigue was too much. His eyes grew heavy and began to close, but before darkness took him, he saw a figure garbed in black land directly in front of him. The stranger had familiar silver hair. "Kagari?" He mumbled before his head hit the pavement.

His eyes rolled back and slumped into the darkness following his Veiled Sekirei into the abyss.

The morning sun invaded the room through the open windows within it. Light shined on Tsukune's prone form pulling him from the bliss of sleep. He moaned pitifully as dull aches moved throughout his body. His back throbbed with lingering effects of what had transpired before. He wondered if he could turn around would he see new scars to add to his collection. When he was a fully human, he had come to terms with how fragile his body was but know it has to take something drastic to leave a mark. He'd have to check later that's for sure.

Tsukune's thoughts went from him to the cause of this ache. "They can't be human," he muttered to himself. The two women and probably the landlady as well can't be human. He had suspected that the two women to be Yokai, but what manner of Yokai could so much damage to him in human state. He felt like Inner Moka had kicked him across the school yard. What was the connect between… Uzume. That's the name her gave her before passing out. What could the connection between Uzume and the landlady be?

"Ah man," he groaned. The accursed sun shined into his eyes blinding him. Tsukune closed them tightly. "Stupid sun," he muttered, grabbing the nearest thing and pulled it over his eyes. He blinked at what he saw. Bedding of all things. That meant he wasn't lying on the street pavement from the night before, but the softness of a futon. This is his futon he left a mess at the inn if the light tears on the bedding and cracks he counted in the ceiling said anything.

The night from before rushed back to him once that sun was thwarted. His eyes snapped open in alarm and nearly jumped out of his futon. Why wasn't he on the streets in a bloody mess? Who the hell could've brought him back here? These questions needed answers. His eyes scanned the room around him and he realized that this was indeed his room back at Izumo Inn. At first, he tried to chock last night up as a dream but couldn't. The pain and ache of his muscles are evidence of last night's conflict. Even the Yoki exhaustion was pressuring his body. Last night someone brought him back, but who?

He felt something touching his face possessively. He turned his head slightly to the left and he stared quietly at the soft hand touching his face. His eyes followed the hand to the arm and to a chest. His cheeks flamed up and strained his eyes upward. He's in bed with a woman. A very much well-endowed woman with soft hands and… 'No! I refuse to become Gin!'

Tsukune took a breath before letting his eyes drop once more. "You," he muttered.

"He-heh. Me." The woman chuckled.

The same brown eyes from the night gazed into his own. Her eyes brought back the events from earlier. It all came back. He remembered the fight clearly, and the feeling of soft lips upon his own. Unknowingly, the alarm left his eyes and they softened. His body calmed down and soaked in the presence in the room with him. "Uzume," he murmured quietly. That name is practically engraved into his heart and mind. The name itself sounded nice and if the small smile on her lips were of any concern, she approved that he remembered. "That fight?" He had to question. The fight was over since the girl in his futon isn't beating the hell out of him right now.

"You won," she answered quietly, her hand never leaving his face. Her expression was troubled just being inches away.

For some reason this made him feel bad.

Tsukune couldn't help but feel she was a bit shy. Either that or the situation was awkward for her, considering she was in his futon and in her nightwear and him half naked. He wasn't the least bit uncomfortable in the slightest and that in itself was slightly nerve wracking.

"You saved those people and now you're my Ashikabi, Tsukune-kun." Uzume caressed his cheek almost lovingly.

Tsukune sent her a bewildered look. "There's that word again… and how do you know my name?" Takashi was one of these things if what Natsu had said was actually true.

Uzume scooted back slightly to give him some space. She climbed out of the futon and sat down next to him. Tsukune missed her touch but quickly swallowed that down before following after her. Once he was sat down in front of her, she continued. "I know who you are because we both live under the same roof." That made sense to him and what he compiled from last night. "I was going to introduce myself, but I was busy and had to leave." She admitted, her brown eyes purposely avoiding his. Busy with assassinating sekirei and humans but Tsukune held no ill will without reasoning. "As for your other question… maybe it would be better I explained it from the beginning. You see…"

Tsukune's cell phone rung loudly in his room. He spied it near his futon and rolled onto his side to grab it. He raised an eyebrow. "This is an MBI number." Before he could even hit the talk button his screen came to life and the image of a familiar white-haired man came into view, Hiroto Minaka: CEO of MBI

"Congratulations, Aono Tsukune. You've recently become the Ashikabi of that Sekirei with you." The president of MBI sat patiently in his chair as Tsukune's eyes widened in shock while Uzume averted her eyes from the phone guiltily.

"How do you know who I am?" He questioned.

Minaka grinned. "Ah, Number 10, you're looking well. How are you doing this fine evening." Tsukune ended up ignored and the woman with him became more nervous. Minaka cackled internally at her reaction and the boy's frown. She had a reason to be, but he wasn't a man to hold grudges. After all, she just made the game more interesting.

Uzume smiled nervously seeing that the attention was focused on her. "I am well, Professor."

Tsukune spun around. "You know the president of MBI?" He stated more than asked in surprise.

The woman scooted closer to him before he could react. She placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. "The Professor was one of my caretakers before I found you." She answered truthfully. "He'll explain everything to you. Okay?" She was tense and obviously nervous surfing her explanation.

Minaka seemed amused. "So, Number 10 didn't tell you what she brought you into, or what she is." Minaka chuckled. "I shall explain it to you then. A long time ago, Gods lived in a place called the Origins of Heaven."

"Gods," Tsukune repeated skeptically. 'Is that guy playing a joke on me?' He thought with his eyes narrowed from the absurdity.

"Yes, Gods." Minaka glared almost childishly. "One day, a ship carrying their treasures descended from the heavens onto Earth. It was called the Amenoiwa. Before you ask, no one found out about the ship because I was the first to discover it. On that ship were one hundred and eight alien lifeforms we deemed Sekirei. That's including Uzume there next to you."

Tsukune had spent a long time reshaping his beliefs so he could truly believe that Yokai were around him at every corner in his school career. He could probably believe that any fairy-tale most likely had some truth to it. While he could acknowledge the fact that monsters did indeed exist this man was telling him that apparently so did aliens. He was telling him that the beautiful woman next to him was one of these aliens. He turned his head toward Uzume and she nodded her head in agreement. She was confirming that she wasn't from this world then. This is… Insane and that's something coming from him.

"These Sekirei must do battle to survive." Minaka went on, snapping Tsukune out of his thoughts. "These Sekirei must fight for the Ashikabi they chose, and the last Ashikabi standing will win the game that you are now a participant of. Once chosen by one you are in this game whether you want to be or not with my city as your arena. When the last of the Ashikabi ascends, they will hold the very fate of the world in their hands. The game that you are now a part of is called the Sekirei Plan and I am its game master."

Tsukune's frown deepened. He was taking this rather calmly. Last year, he probably would've ran around like a chicken with its head cut off, but he was still hesitant to accept everything without clarification. "So, you're telling me that I'm a part of a battle royal that will decide the fate of the world?"

"Correct," Minaka answered with a disgustingly smug grin.

"And it's because she chose me to become an ashikabi and her my sekirei," Tsukune continued calmly. The game master just grinned. That was a confirmation if he ever saw one. Man, it feels like I stepped out of a monster manga and into super busty power girl one.

Minaka laughed. "Now, before I forget." Uzume winced when the game master looked at her.

"Number 10, in light of your current situation your past transgressions have been forgiven. You were only an accessory for the actual thief. Feel free to visit MBI at any time. As for you, Aono-kun. The Sekirei plan is a highly confidential secret project that can only be known by MBI and those associated with us. If you attempt to inform anyone who is not an Ashikabi or MBI official, leaving the confines of the chosen arena, or conspire against the core rules of my game MBI will hunt you down," Minaka grinned again but this one made a shiver run up the ghoul's spine. The child-like innocence the coupled it only served to unnerve the boy. "Welp I got stuff to do. Bye-bye!"

With that rather ominous message, the screen turned black and the room was silent again. Tsukune's sigh broke that silence Uzume thankfully gave him to take all of this in. "Okay, was everything he told me the truth or the ravings of a mad man? Am I really a part of this Sekirei game?" He asked the other occupant of his room.

Uzume spoke. "Yes. Everything Minaka told you is true. I'm your Sekirei and you are my Ashikabi. An Ashikabi is considered our destined one, the only person that we can truly love and be with."

Tsukune's face was blank as he stared at her, but inside, he was groaning terribly. It was like Kurumu all over again only this one actually got that kiss she wanted.

Ignorant of her ashikabi's distress Uzume continued. "Our Ashikabi is the person we will dedicate our whole lives to, and who we will spend our time with forever."

"Why do you need an Ashikabi?" He asked quickly. His tone was emotionless like his expression, only a hint of curiosity escaping him. He was still trying to take it all in without freaking out. "What's the actual relationship between us and can you get another one? Is there a way I can get out of this game?"

Uzume winced painfully at her ashikabi's words. This sounded like a rejection of more than just the game. "A-An Ashikabi is the only person that can love us and only we can love in return. When a Sekirei kisses his or her Ashikabi a life bond is formed between them. We can read each other's emotions and the Sekireis power will increase dramatically."

"Okay," he nodded. It could explain his reactions last night and this sense of nervousness he feels now. She had forcibly created a bond between them. One he didn't want or ask for. She mentioned a life bond as well which didn't bode well with him possibly answered his other questioned. Tsukune kept his assumptions to himself and said, "Anything else?"

"The relationship between a Sekirei and an Ashikabi is up for us both to decide. The Sekirei has an undying loyalty to their Ashikabi and will give everything they have, even their life, to protect their beloved."

Tsukune's eye twitched. "You didn't tell me if you could get another one or not," he stressed. The presence of the bond became more apparent when he felt a spike of pain from her end. It felt as if someone's heart was breaking. With that though the threat it posed grew in his mind as well.

Her throat hitched. "N-no. I cannot receive another Ashikabi. When my current Ashikabi dies… I will die."

He deduced it was like that but that didn't stop his skin from paling dramatically from her admission. Any anger he may have felt toward the woman disappeared and transformed into horror. Their lives were forever entwined to the level that his death spelled hers. They can feel and effect each other's' emotions as well. If he lost control and someone killed the ghoul this woman, he knew nothing about, would die as well. If he was hurting or in pain, she'd experience his pain as well. That feeling of completion he remembers gained a new and terrible meaning. She became a part of his life and her his in which one can't live without the other. She forced the impossible on him that made his blood run cold.

"Why…?" he asked quietly. His hot hatred for this complicated situation nearly taking him.

Uzume voice cracked. "W-What?"

Tsukune slammed his hand onto the floor. "Why would you choose me?" He demanded glaring down on this woman that seal his and her fate. "I'm average, no one of importance! An Ashikabi is supposed to be someone important. You don't even know me! Why would you pick me as your life partner when you know the process is irreversible? Do you know what you've done to us both!? Do you know what you've done to me!? How could you be so…" The rest of his words locked in his throat. He felt the heart wreaking pain on the other side of the bond swelling in his chest. It was like someone impaled him with a holy sword made of silver and gashed the wound open adding insult to injury. He thought back to his past. 'This was like the girls back at school.' Tsukune screamed in his mind. It was impossible to balance his own horror and Uzume's sorrow. Why did THIS have to happen to him? What did he do to deserve this fate?

"I-I'm sorry." Uzume snort and turned her head away. Every word that left she ashikabi's lips were like red hot daggers piercing her soul. Her soul wept, and hot tears raced down her cheeks in response. "Maybe I should just leave…" she said softly, pure emotion dripping from her words, but has never felt so empty in her life.

"I…" Tsukune looked down in horror. He gripped his heart and gasped. "Wait, Uzume I…"

"I shouldn't have just barged into your life," she blamed herself for the hatred her ashikabi felt. She's the cause of this. "I should've known better," she sodded with a forced and ugly smile on her lips. "I'm an idiot for doing this to you especially after we were fighting. For all I know, you have a girl back home and I didn't even ask you if you wanted to be my Ashikabi." Uzume shouldn't be surprised. She tried to kill him and she forced herself on him. If this happened to her she'd be angry as well. The pain was worse than anything she ever felt, but if she's a bother, "It would be better if I just left huh?" She concluded with her red and puffy eyes meeting his as wide as dinner plates.

Tsukune stood utterly speechless as what he's witnessing. Uzume climbed up to her feet silently, broken in pieces. Her eyes lost their luster and her chin down so not to look at him anymore. He caused this with his insensitive rant. It's not just him that's in pain from this and he's the source of hers. He can't accept that.

Strong arms pulled Uzume into a hard chest and wrapped around her in a comforting embrace before she could take a single step away. "W-what are you doing?" She gripped his shoulders in astonishment and confusion.

"Stop crying," he pleaded gently, rubbing small circles on her back. "You're feeling so much pain right now and I… I don't like it," he gasped. His legs grew weak and they both slowly dropped to their knees. "I want you to be happy. I want you to be safe. I want… I want to never hurt you again."

"B-but -"

He hugged her tighter. "Hush, Uzume." He commanded quietly. "I would like it if my Sekirei stopped acting like she was just going to walk out my life. You're stuck with me."

Uzume was bewildered. "Tsukune-kun, I-I…" Warm lips pressed to her own and her eyes widened in shock. For several moments, she didn't respond. When she finally realized what had happened, golden white light burst from her back in the shape of wings. The pure euphoria that followed erased the discomfort. She eagerly returned the kiss with tears falling down her cheeks rapidly. She embraced her askikabi so relieved he accepted her. He wouldn't abandon her or reject her. He would stand with her.

Tsukune didn't know what he was doing. He collapsed onto his back in moments. His arms wrapped tightly around Uzume's waist until his hands rested on her lower back. Uzume wrapped her arms around his neck both of them entrapping the other eagerly. Tsukune couldn't believe what he was doing. He was kissing a girl that wasn't Moka, and he was completely okay with it. All he knew was that this girl loved him more than anything in the world and he was hurting her. The girls would kill him when he got back to school, that much was certain, but he would deal with the consequences later. He felt guilty for betraying Moka but in his heart there was room for both Uzume and Moka.

Uzume was his priority right here and now. She was his Sekirei and he her Ashikabi. She was destined to be with him and be at his side. He would've been content with a friendly relationship with her, but she wanted more, and he couldn't deny her that. It was those thoughts that sealed the bond. He will accept this fate. He will give his all to the woman in his arms more than willing to do the same for him.

Uzume pulled away panting. "Why?" She questioned her ashikabi. 'Why would he do this?' She wondered as their eyes met. She probably ruined his whole life and here he goes, kissing her. It didn't make any sense to her. He wasn't angry or depressed like he was before but smiling gently at her. It made it feel like everything was going to be okay. She calmed down a bit as the distance between their heart grew narrower.

"An Ashikabi has to stand by his Sekirei, right?" Tsukune stated. "Then that's what I'll do." He took a look at his phone and read the time. It was six in the morning. Far too early to be up. He was in the Inn, so it wasn't like he had to go anywhere. He offered a small grin. "It's too early to be up right now and I really don't have the patience to any further into this right now."

"Bedtime?" She guessed.

"Bedtime," He confirmed.

With that said, he snuggled back under the blankets, expecting her to leave and go back to her room. What he didn't expect was for her to snuggle into his chest and wrap her arms around him. 'Huge,' crossed his mind as her large chest pressed onto his. It's so soft…

Bad Tsukune, Bad!

He stiffened for a moment. This was highly inappropriate. He gave her a concerned look, but she was already asleep, soft snores escaping her prone form. How many times had he dreamed of doing this with Moka? He shook his head. It was bad to think about other girls when he had one in his arms. There was no use freaking out about it as well. Compared to the rest of his life, this was considerably tame. When in Rome, do as the Romans.

He pulled her form closer to his body and reveled in its warmth. His eyes closed and soon, he joined her in the realm of dreams, memories of his friends dancing in his dreams, and now… the smiling visage of a brunette hugging him happily.

A/N: Well this took a minute and I added a good bit of dialogue and extra content I think brought the story together a little more than the original second chapter of this story. Tell me how the read was because I'd like to get this story right in its revision.

Thanks for reading and please review. I accept the good, the bad, and the absurd.