Distorted Fairy Tale

by Xagzan

Tsukune has been captured by Akuha, Moka's eldest sister and member of the ominous Fairy Tale. Waking in a quiet, dark room, what awaits Tsukune within the sinister vampiress' clutches? Just what are her intentions? TsukunexAkuha, rated M for a reason. Some graphic content.

12. For Want of a Friend

(A/N, just a reminder, all future notes, updates, etc, go on my profile page, so even if you don't see any here in the chapter pages, there might still be some relevant info on my page. I had a couple emails relating to that, so that's an fyi)

For Want of a Friend

The trip to Fairy Tale's headquarters had been brief, and uneventful. Hayate had returned a few minutes after Tsukune was forced from Akuha's room, visibly drained from whatever ordeal he had undergone with the maintenance crew, and stupefied by the scene now before him. After bringing the unconscious guards to the medical bay and extracting an explanation from Tsukune as to what had transpired, a shocked and amused Hayate had given the boy his own quarters to rest in while waiting for their arrival at the Floating Gardens, while the servant himself went about his other duties. He assured him, too, that he would inform Akuha where she could find the human when ready.

The time seemed to fly by for Tsukune, miraculously; he had always thought apprehension dragged out its passage interminably. He had managed to finally doze off, the smooth rumble of the engines felt through the bed easing him into slumber, but he couldn't have been asleep more than a few minutes when Akuha came rapping loudly at the door, announcing through it that they had arrived and it was time to disembark. Upon joining her, Tsukune realized she had apparently bathed during the flight, as evidenced by her much more appealing scent, though from her still haggard face, he guessed she had not caught any new sleep these past few hours. She wore her usual frown—her ivory cheeks curiously tinged with a dwindling flush, as if she had been exercising—and had thrown on her customary black coat; catching his eye for an instant, she sharply, almost violently, turned heel and, her back to him, commanded him to come.

Tsukune was still groggy as he followed the Shuzen assassin down and out of the airship, through the hangar and to the boarding ramp. Nevertheless, even through smoky vision, the sight that greeted him outside overwhelmed even the majesty of Yomotsu back when he had first glimpsed the succubus city.

The Floating Gardens were aptly named, he quickly decided. He had never really spent much time wondering about what Fairy Tale's home base might look like, but now that he saw it, it felt perfectly appropriate. There, up in the sky, between puffy sea of white and deep, vaulted azure, tinted purple now, and red, by the slowly descending sun, the airborne isle loomed over the world below, the world of humans it sought to destroy, like a deadly hammer waiting to strike. Not that one could see the world below from this perch; so high was the altitude, and so thick the cloud layer, that the planet's surface might as well have been the ocean floor.

As for the island itself, try as he might, Tsukune was unable to grasp its full scope in his mind. The colossal floating island and the fortress that capped it dwarfed all imagination, and the narrow, direct path along which he now walked robbed Tsukune of the chance to get a view of the enormous station in its entirety. From his angle, all that was visible were the small wooded groves off to the sides, in which several Fairy Talers seemed to be relaxing or passing by; the great courtyard and terrace coming into sight before them, through which were accessed a daunting flight of stone steps that crept up the natural incline of the rock and led to the main fortress, jutting from the towering slope; and the stark, ominous mountains themselves off in the distance, the central of which housed the stronghold. This structure, it occurred to Tsukune in a flash of memory, reminded him of the Shuzen family castle he had visited in Moka's inner world, in what felt like a lifetime ago.

He followed Akuha, taking deep breaths in the thin air, as she led him past various checkpoints guarded by uniformed soldiers, moving them along with ease. Clearly, he noted, the young woman was well-known and respected around here. Every soldier they passed gave a sharp salute at her mere approach, stepping aside from the path before she even uttered a word. She swept through the courtyard, shooting off customary greetings to several individuals they encountered—officers, presumably, with several gold stars emblazoned across the chest of their uniforms—before moving forward, Tsukune on her heels, ignoring the others loitering about. Everyone shrank before the vampire like grass giving way to a gust.

Even with their path unobstructed, the island was massive beyond compare, and it was no small hike straight from the ship to the top of the long stairs. At last, however, they had passed through the great gate and into the citadel. From this point on, they were guided by another Fairy Tale officer – a formality, surely, as Akuha walked side by the side with the man, obviously needing no guidance. Tsukune caught bits and pieces of their conversation, distracted as he was by nerves at being in the lion's den, hearing a "—such short notice" here, a "—won't be happy about this" there. The rest of their speech fell upon deaf ears. Akuha had told Tsukune, as they made to depart the airship, just what the plan was – this time, with Moka's life perhaps at stake, he felt she would not deceive him. And in any case, it didn't matter: she informed him they were simply going to visit the very leader of all Fairy Tale, a person who had the ability to provide assistance in this matter. She told him nothing else, leaving his mind to wander all sorts of places imagining what this leader was like. A monstrous being, no doubt, he mused as they passed through one side of a colonnade enclosing an open garden and into a tower near the center of the fortress. Someone who loathed humans and sought the destruction of their world even more than Akuha, if that was possible. Someone who would be able to sniff him out as a human instantly, despite the vampire blood running through his body. He began to imagine a terrible beast of gargantuan proportions, tentacles and shadows stretching and seething from a bloated mass, endless rows of human-sized fangs lining a gaping maw; in short, something along the lines of the Shinso Alucard in Moka's memory, fitting, he felt, for Fairy Tale's commander.

Whatever the truth was, he was about to find out. They had ascended a significant portion of the tower and now, their guide taking his leave, were left standing outside what Tsukune assumed were the leader's chambers. The gold dragon head emblazoned above the archway, staring straight ahead with beady eyes of black crystal, certainly suggested as much. His nerves even more afire, he was reminded of when they had stood just outside the Matron's hall back in Yomotsu. Hope this goes better than that did.

"We're here," Akuha said then, glancing at him with bags still shadowing her eyes. "Remember, you're the one who thought this would work. I tried to tell you otherwise, so don't be surprised when this little idea comes crashing down around you. And it will."

"Still pessimistic?" He frowned. "I thought I told you, Akuha, whatever the chance, this is our only—"

She cut him off with a frustrated wave, shaking her head. "You don't know…We won't find any help here. Not when it comes to Moka. At least, not without a price. And the price is always steep."

"What do you mean? What is the price?"

She shrugged. "This time? Don't know. It's not like it's set in stone or anything. All I know is, something will be demanded of you in return, and you probably won't like it. That's been my experience anyway." A pause, then, she knocked on the gate firmly; it slowly slid open a moment later. "Well, you'll find out soon enough. Go on."

At last, they were inside. Immediately, Tsukune had to shield his eyes; the preceding passages had been comfortably lit, but this room was far brighter than he'd have expected. Thinking the ceiling perhaps to be made of glass, as in the Hall of Innocence, he raised his head to look at it. Nothing but cold stone. The light, it seemed, was artificial, blazing forth blue from harsh braziers set along the room's back wall and corners, casting light and shadow intertwined along the floor and the voluminous bookshelves off to the sides. At the very back of the room, up towards the ceiling, a huge screen hung, blank with static at the moment.

A chill began to creep along Tsukune's neck. He did not know why. Behind the wide wooden desk in front of them, bestrewn with papers and a few potted plants, before which sat two extra seats, no one sat in the high-backed chair; aside from the two of them, the room appeared unoccupied. And yet, something pricked at his subconscious, something he might have described as a faint warning of danger. The stones below his feet felt cold even through his shoes, and he almost felt as if the floor would suddenly open wide and swallow him alive in the gaping darkness.

His mind thus occupied, he almost did not notice the distant footsteps approaching from...Where? They did not come from the hall outside, but almost, he believed, from within the walls themselves. A minute later, and one of the bookshelves began to rumble and rotate laboriously, grinding open to reveal a hidden passage, filled with shadow.

"She's here," Akuha stated.

Tsukune blinked. "She?"

A voice droned out, warm as honey and as smooth as a serpent's scales: "Akuha, sweetheart, welcome. I see you brought your pet to me after all. How delightful."

The owner of the voice entered the room, and as she stepped into the light, Tsukune felt his heart skip a beat. Everything he had pictured about what the leader of Fairy Tale would look like—the tentacles, the teeth, the sheer ugliness of a bestial monstrosity—had been far removed from the reality. What he saw now, moving to take her seat behind the desk, was a stunning female of unbelievable beauty. A heavy overcoat with thick gold shoulder straps hung loose around her, making her appear larger than life; beneath it, a simple black dress covering her surprisingly small frame, high sleeves running up her forearms and an extravagant necklace that hung down almost between her breasts. Short blonde tresses framed a heart-shaped face and eyes as red as fresh blood, and Tsukune was alarmed to see what looked like Moka and Kahlua's seals being used as a hairclip. What caught his attention most, however, was the unique, exotic shade of her flawless skin, one that looked strikingly familiar…

"Well, aren't you going to introduce us, dear?" The woman had seated herself, crossing her toned legs and resting her chin upon a fist. "Please, sit."

"Akuha, what's going on?" Tsukune demanded to know. "This…this is the leader of Fairy Tale? Who is she? And why does she look like Kahlua?"

The woman's soft brow rose. "Kahlua, you say? How do you know my daughter?"

"Y-your daughter…" Tsukune's eyes flung open. A memory triggered in him then, his own but not his own, something he had seen, or heard maybe, during his time in Moka's soul. "But, that means, you're—!"

The black-haired girl exhaled exhaustedly, as if her remaining energy was draining simply by being in this place. "Yes, this is Gyokuro Shuzen, the leader of Fairy Tale." Her voice held a palpable edge to it, one that was not lost on Tsukune; she then formally introduced him to her superior.

"Ah, that's right." Gyokuro snapped her fingers, having ignored the boy's outburst and introductions to continue with her own train of thought. "The Snow Village, now I remember. You must have met her there." She smiled warmly. "She's a beautiful girl, is she not? Tell me, has she overcome her little stumbling problem? I haven't seen her in a while, but in times past, well, let's just say she was quite accident-prone. I would even have to pad rooms for her own safety. Her, a top class assassin of the noble Shuzen family." This with a chuckle.

Overwhelmed, Tsukune could only flop down into the chair behind him, stuttering: "You're Kahlua's mom…But wait, how do you know about what happened in the village?"

Another laugh, one that strangely set the hairs on Tsukune's neck on end. This time she answered him, a finger trailing absently along her cheek. "Shouldn't I know what my own subordinates are up to? That was quite the little incident, you know. They told me all about it, including the presence of you and your little interloping friends. Well, regardless, I'm so thankful Miyabi had the sense to call off my daughter before it was too late. With all my captains and all their schemes, it can be troublesome for me to personally keep track of every single movement; it is good to know I can rely on them to make good judgment calls when necessary."

"What are you talking about, called her off?" Tsukune growled, feeling the familiar spark of anger crackle in his heart. "You could've had all of us dead. Why would that Miyabi make Kahlua retreat when she was right on the verge of finishing us off? That's how you guys operate, isn't it, destroy anyone who stands against you?"

Gyokuro's smile hadn't faded; past her spread lips, pink and moist, Tsukune caught glimpse of the elongated fangs, gleaming whitely and ending in needle points. He shuddered at the thought of the damage those blades could do. "I believe," she began slowly, as if weighing her words, "the answer to that question leads us to why you've come to me."

"Moka?" The name was out of Tsukune's mouth before he could realize it.

"Yes, her. Akuha," she turned to the girl, shaking her head dejectedly, "I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Begging for my help at the first sign of trouble. Were you not entrusted with our valuable gem? How could you go and lose it so easily?"

Gyokuro's words, still gently spoken as before, but now with a conspicuous dampening to them, ruffled Tsukune. 'It'? Is she referring to Moka? he wondered angrily, turning to the young woman beside him. He was somewhat surprised to see a dour glare adorning Akuha's face; he could practically feel the discontent emanating from her body. Why did she seem so upset (well, more than usual)? Was it because of Moka? No...Her eyes were fixed firmly on the woman before them. Was there some bad blood between her and her superior and, presumably, step-mother?

Having also now taken a seat, Akuha spoke stiffly: "I didn't lose her, she just…she just…" She couldn't find the words to finish.

"You told me over the radio you do not know where she is, correct? Is that not what it means to lose something, Akuha?" Gyokuro's eyes had narrowed, and a tightness crept into her tone.

"Yes, you're right," she grunted through gritted teeth. Then, forcing it out: "I take full responsibility for any setbacks it's caused."

Casting a sideways glance at her, Tsukune noticed her hands were balled into tight fists on her knees; for some reason, he found he had half a mind to reach out and try to calm her with a comforting hand on her shoulder, but then decided against it, imagining she wouldn't appreciate such casual contact. Nevertheless, he was a little surprised that Akuha was not throwing the blame for the incident on him this time, and was also interested to see her address someone with such deference and respect; especially, as was obvious by her strained words and tense form, when it came only with extreme difficulty and marked displeasure. She had had no issue with playing this part when they had met with the Matron, and yet now it seemed she lacked the confidence and authoritative sureness she had possessed at that prior meeting. If this was true, her pride must once again be suffering a hit, he mused. Not responding for a minute, Gyokuro leaned forward in her seat, as if mulling something over. By contrast, whatever Akuha currently lacked in her usual grace and poise, Gyokuro Shuzen was definitely making up for it, her every movement fluid, her countenance collected, and her eyes piercing and examining. Absent-mindedly, she suddenly stretched out a hand and, with the back of a knuckle, gently stroked one of the plants on her desk. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the bright blaze of the torches, Tsukune was now afforded a better look at the object of her interest: it appeared to be a frightfully large carnivorous plant, violet and white petals jutting out around the head, the mouth lined with ugly, needly teeth. It looked like no plant he had seen before, no ordinary plant certainly. It was a hideous thing, and yet, there was something almost…appealing about it. Something that caused the softest of warm sensations to hum throughout his body. Gyokuro spoke again: "In any case, what's done is done, unfortunately. Now tell me, Akuha, what do you plan to do to find her?"

Again, respect came to Akuha with audible discomfort. "I…I don't have any plans yet. Nothing I tried has worked out so far, but—"

"And so you came crawling here expecting me to solve your problems? Aren't you a little too old to come asking your mother for help?"

Akuha threw a cold look her way, her temper getting the better of her. "You're not my mother, Gyokuro. She died a long time ago. You and me, we're not that close."

"Come now, don't say such hurtful things," Gyokuro crooned, placing a delicate looking hand over her chest as if wounded; from her expression, Tsukune wouldn't have vouched for her sincerity. "Who's looked after you all these years, hm? Ever since you left that house? It certainly wasn't…" She paused; a visible flash of agitation suddenly coursed through her face, but it was gone as soon as she blinked again. "You should be a bit more appreciative, Akuha, in any case. I've done a great deal for you. Why, if not for me, who knows where you'd be now? Some lonely, desolate cave perhaps? Maybe on the streets of some human city, a pitiful urchin covered in rags begging for her food?"

"That's enough," Akuha replied stonily. She didn't have time for that nonsense, not now. She jabbed her thumb in Tsukune's direction. "He's the one who wanted to come, anyway. I mentioned the possibility that you could help in passing, but I also told him not to hold his breath. He insisted, and without any better ideas, I obliged."

"Oh?" The silken voice sounded genuinely curious now, the focus of her attention having switched. Then, to Tsukune, her crimson eyes flashing: "Such a brave boy, aren't you? Even with that warning, you chose to risk your life to come seek my assistance. What a brave little human."

Tsukune later supposed he shouldn't have been shocked the leader of all Fairy Tale had known his secret just like that—he had half expected it, after all—but in that moment his stomach sank like a stone. He had been hoping that subject would not come to light at this meeting. "S-so you knew …? How?"

Gyokuro stared at him, not saying a word, just giving him a look like a parent might give a child who asks an endearingly naïve question. Then she said dryly: "Oh, of course. Why would the leader of all Fairy Tale know exactly who her visitors were? It's not like I have any competence or intelligence whatsoever." She sighed. "Well, if you must know, again I will direct you to the reason you've come here."

Tsukune blinked, eyes drawn again to the unusual flora on the desk. It faced him, blankly and inert, and yet, still there was something inviting about it, something making him almost unwilling to look away. "I don't understand," he said.

Watching him carefully, as if studying the human boy, Gyokuro had caught his curious eye. Crooking a thin finger, she beckoned him towards her, her own eyes quietly dancing over his features, taking in everything she saw. Beside Tsukune, Akuha sat still and silent as stone, brows drawn down in a perpetual scowl, eyes darting between the two. "Come here," said Gyokuro, "and let me get a good look at you, little one. You are interested in this, are you not?" She gestured towards the potted plant. Her face broke into a cool smile. "It's quite the intriguing specimen. I can tell you think so, too. Want to know the neat thing about it? It will never die. A truly immortal life form. This one's already survived countless eons. Nothing else in the world has this unique gift. And if you try to destroy it, well, watch." Then, taking a firm hold halfway up the stem, she gave a sharp tug, ripping it clean in two, and tossed the top half of the toothy flower back onto her desk. A moment passed, when suddenly, right where Gyokuro had torn the shoot in two, a tiny green slime had appeared, bubbling and oozing its way up, inch by inch until its trail abruptly widened, expanding in a bulbous formation. Rapidly, then, the substance began to solidify, the green hardening into a firm shape, petals jutting out once more near the top; at last, rows of teeth quickly growing, a completely new plant sat before them, identical to the old one, with no sign of having ever been destroyed. Seeing Tsukune's confused look, Gyokuro reached out to stroke the fuzzy reborn mouth once more. The plant almost seemed to purr contently under her touch. "See? Instant regeneration. That, and it does keep this place free of bugs." She chuckled. "Oh, but don't try putting your finger in there; you will lose it."

But her words were only half reaching Tsukune's ears. The humming had grown stronger, especially as he had watched the strange plant's resurrection, the stem and flowers and hideous mouth surging back to life. In that moment and since, the indefinable attraction had been at its greatest, a sort of pull drawing him in, all the while the hum vibrating louder in his veins.

"Gyokuro." Akuha's voice suddenly reminded Tsukune that she was still in the room. "What is the point here? We don't have time for this."

"Point? There is no point," Gyokuro responded amicably enough to the girl's cross objection. "But your pet certainly seemed curious about it, don't you think?" She flashed an amused grin.

"I'm not her pet," Tsukune declared, shaken out of his trance. He forced his eyes away from the plant, although the powerful gaze of Gyokuro Shuzen was not exactly an appealing alternative.

"Oh? My mistake. Then should I call you her friend?"

Before Tsukune could answer, Akuha let out a sharp laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. He's my prisoner, that's all. If he can help return Moka to me, though, then I will use him."

Ignoring her, Tsukune shook his head. "Anyway, she's right. That's twice now you've mentioned the reason we've come. Why? Obviously you know we're going to ask your help in finding Moka and Kahlua. What's that got to do with how you knew I was human? Or why you're glad Kahlua didn't finish the job back in the Snow Village?"

"To answer your second question—oh, come in," this in response to the knock at the door, "I just meant I was grateful that my officer made the decision he did. We couldn't have Kahlua cutting short that girl's life. She's very important to us."

"Wait, Moka is? What do you mean?" Tsukune flung a startled look at Akuha, then back to Gyokuro. A ominous fear took hold of his gut. A man had entered the room and, bowing, made his way over to the large desk; walking behind it now, he bent down to mutter something in his leader's ear, then handed her the sealed letter he was carrying. With another small bow, he departed quickly.

"I mean she's important to us. To Fairy Tale. More than that I won't be telling you," Gyokuro said warningly, beginning to open the message.

The dread increased. Moka was important to Fairy Tale? This was the first he was hearing of it. All he knew of the organization's plans so far had been what Kahlua had revealed back when she had first arrived. But wait, could that mean…? "Does it have anything to do with those eggs!"

Two pairs of extremely shocked eyes swerved his way at that. Akuha was the first to open her mouth to speak, but after a second it seemed she would have to be content with just letting her jaw hang slack. Gyokuro, however, found words easily, halting her reading of the delivered letter's contents. Her tone was once again unfriendly. "Why do you know about that? Akuha. Did you reveal classified information to this human?"

The girl looked like she'd been slapped in the face. Her eyes darted between the boy and her superior, her face turning a slightly paler shade than normal – in fact, she could have easily passed as a ghost, thought Tsukune. She stammered: "N-no—well, yes, but—"

"Why?"

"What? B-but what's the harm? We had already delivered the last eggs to their target site; I didn't figure there was any problem, since he can't do anything about it."

"Actually," Tsukune interjected, "Kahlua's the one who told me." As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted it a little. He didn't want to get the sweet-hearted, if destructive, girl in trouble. Gyokuro didn't seem like the type to suffer mistakes lightly, even with her own daughters.

"I see," the woman replied, her mouth forming a thin line. "Well then, I'll have to have a talk with her when she's found. But thank you, Akuha, for informing me that you, too, went around carelessly discussing our organization's secrets, and to a human, no less. Boy, what did she tell you?"

Tsukune swallowed, flickering a nervous glance over to Akuha; she was not looking at him, but had cast her gaze to the floor, loose locks of hair blocking her eyes from his sight. "U-um," he stuttered, struggling to find the words. He could not. Fear had gripped him; fear of what Gyokuro might do to him if he did not answer; fear of what Akuha would do if he did.

"I see," the older woman simply repeated, knowingly, as if she had pulled the memory from his mind. "Well, we can discuss this gross break of protocol later." She leveled a cold look at her subordinate, whose own glare was still turned to the floor, her lower lip unconsciously taken between her teeth. There was silence for a moment, and when it became clear Akuha wasn't going to defend herself further, Gyokuro turned her attention back to the letter, clicking her tongue in disappointment.

Tsukune was unsure what was going on, although apparently Akuha had overstepped in sharing some of Fairy Tale's plans with him. The girl sat perfectly still, arms and legs pulled in close to her body, an indignant flush glowing in her cheeks; if he didn't know any better, Tsukune would've said she had the demeanor of a child who had just been scolded.

Whatever more Gyokuro had to say about the matter, she did not indicate, but finished reading the note in her hands, her brows drawing closer together in thinly veiled displeasure as she reached its end. She almost looked worried.

"So," Tsukune ventured warily, trying to steer things back on course, "you say Moka is important to you guys. To whatever your plans are. And of course, Kahlua, well, she is your daughter. Does that mean…you'll help us then?"

Putting the letter down on her desk, Gyokuro began scratching at her arm through the long sleeve running up to her elbow, staring at the letter distractedly. She said curtly: "Will I help my negligent officer and her human pet? Why should I?"

"I told you, I'm not her pet! And you just said that Moka was important, didn't you?"

Her nails dug deeper into the fabric, leaving unseen marks in the skin beneath. "Indeed she is," she nodded. "Thankfully, she is alive, and safe, so there is no cause for me to worry."

Tsukune felt like he had just been struck with a bolt of lightning, and, judging by the stunned expression mirrored on Akuha's face, the same went for her. "Wait," he practically shouted, before realizing it and lowering his voice as best he could. "Moka's alive? Are you serious? How? Where? How do you know?"

"You sensed it then!" This desperate question was Akuha's. She had lunged forward from her chair at the news, grabbing the edge of the desk tightly. Another nod was her reply. She felt her heart skip a beat; surely this was too good to be true, right? "Where? What's her location, Gyokuro?"

"Hold on, sensed what?" Tsukune's pending sense of relief was tempered by confusion. "What're you talking about?"

"I didn't think she'd already done it," Akuha gasped, half to herself, half to Tsukune. She flashed the boy an urgent look. "It was the reason I bothered mentioning this to you in the first place. But I never thought she'd use it to help us. She has the ability to detect a monster's aura or life force within an extraordinary range. If she sensed something from Moka, then…" She trailed off, as if daring to say the words would be like trying to hold on to a dream, only to have it drift apart into oblivion.

Little did Akuha know, but the exact same relief she had just felt now washed over Tsukune in a powerful surge. He turned back to Gyokuro; she was watching them both with evident amusement. "Please, tell us where she is," he insisted.

"Yes, come on, Gyokuro! If you know where she is don't try to hide it!" Akuha's request sounded more like an order.

The cinnamon-skinned woman didn't respond right away, simply staring at the pair with a piercing, summing gaze, and, as her eyes came over Tsukune once again, a look which, while he couldn't quite place it, made his stomach churn nervously. If he didn't know any better, he would've thought he had seen it before, in Akuha's own eyes: in the way she had looked at him on certain occasions. At length she spoke again, saying: "You know, Akuha, I just told you the girl is alive and well. Are you saying you don't trust me?"

"I need to see her for myself. I have to protect her! If any harm were to come to her…" As she trailed off, something seemed to well up behind her eyes, a strained horror as unwanted thoughts seized hold of her mind. She shook her head fiercely to banish them, and stood her ground, staring down her superior, face aglow with obstinate determination. "Now that we're here, I'm not leaving until you tell us what you know!"

Gyokuro said nothing. But Tsukune, having been soaring at the heart-fluttering prospect of finding Moka, at the knowledge that at the very least, she was safe, felt a cold draft waft through the room, pricking at his bare arms and the back of his neck, making the hair stand on end. He couldn't be sure where it was coming from, as there were no open windows or doors or even cracks in the wall that he could see, but he had a feeling the icy glare Gyokuro now wore wasn't helping matters. He felt the tension in the room rising rapidly, both women growing increasingly contemptuous; if he didn't diffuse the situation somehow, he feared a bloodbath would be imminent, with him caught in the crossfire. On the other hand, he couldn't disregard his own surfacing misgivings. In the end, he decided to give voice to them. He spoke softly, trying to appear meek and non-threatening: "Um, excuse me." He couldn't help but think Gyokuro's features grew softer, though not necessarily kinder, as she turned her attention to him. "You say you can feel her presence, but, that's no guarantee that she's alright, or not in danger this very moment, is it? Don't you think we should find her so we can know for sure? I know she can defend herself, but still…" He paused, then: "Aren't you worried yourself? I mean, Kahlua is your daughter. And Moka, well, she's Miss Akasha's, but you and her are still kind of like—"

Even without Akuha's sudden intake of breath, he realized immediately he had made a mistake. Another memory had been triggered at that very moment, a continuation of the previous one, of a conversation witnessed between Akasha herself and Issa Shuzen, there in one of the high towers of the Shuzen manor all those years ago, just the other day. If he had been trying to sway Gyokuro to the idea of helping them find the girls by appealing to her sentiments as a mother, he now found it had backfired. No longer did the vampire appraise him with a sort of whimsical, curious interest; her gaze now hurled bloody daggers that he could almost feel whistling through the air and piercing his flesh, scarlet orbs filled with more venom and loathing than he had ever seen, even from Akuha. Her voice, too, shook with boiling rage as she spoke.

"Never say that name in my presence again, you disgusting wretch! You speak of Akasha Bloodriver. I should have you locked up on the spot for such an offense. What, what were you going to say, hmm? That she's still like my daughter! How dare you! What do you know of—" she accidentally nicked her lip with her fang as she seethed, drawing a speck of blood and cutting her rant short. She scowled, licking the drop back behind her lips, staining them with red; then, taking a shuddering breath, took a moment to try to compose herself. She stood, slowly, securing the heavy coat over her shoulders and taking measured steps out from behind the desk. "No, she is nothing to me, make no mistake," she said lowly. "She is Issa's daughter, not mine. His spawn with that…whore." She spit the word out, eyes flashing at Tsukune; he thought, for a moment, he heard a touch of bitterness in her voice. "Akuha here may worship the ground that girl walks on, but she is not my family. So don't try to play that card with me, human. It won't work. Do you have any ideawhat—" She cut herself off then, thinking better of it, teeth grit tightly as she cast a tremulous gaze downwards. Tsukune glanced over at Akuha as she spoke; he had half been prepared to see vicious fury equally plastered on her face after that little tirade, but was merely met with her common scowl. Well, it wasn't Moka she called a whore, I guess.

Leaning back against the front of the desk before her guests, Gyokuro took some more calming breaths, eventually feeling the tightness in her stomach dissipate. She clasped her fingers together, holding them at her waist. "I apologize, that wasn't very seemly of me. I won't punish you this time; I suppose you didn't know any better, and Akuha must not have warned you. If you repeat that mistake, however….In any case, that is neither here nor there. What concerns me at present is you two. I still haven't heard a good reason why I should help you."

Tsukune, now aware how not to broach the subject with this woman, was nevertheless confused. "Reason? I don't get it. Ok, so whatever you may think about Moka, you already admitted before that Fairy Tale needs her. Why wouldn't you help us bring her back?"

"Ah, I see now," Gyokuro said. "You were misunderstanding me. I'm not asking simply why I should retrieve the girl, but why I should deliver her back into your care."

This seemed more directed at Akuha than Tsukune, and the younger Shuzen took notice. Her frown being overtaken by a look of genuine surprise, she blinked and leaned forward in her seat. "What are you talking about, Gyokuro?"

"It's just that guarding Moka was your responsibility Akuha, was it not? I allowed her to remain in your care, in preparation for the next phase of your plan, and yet you were thoughtless and stupidly lost her. I may have the relief of knowing she is alive and unharmed this time, but what if it should happen again? Why should I give you my trust once more, when you've just proven yourself less than worthy of it?"

Back on the airship, when Tsukune had angrily, in an attempt to hurt her, suggested to Akuha that Moka had left of her own volition, she had looked as if she had been struck with a solid blow. That reaction once again leapt onto her face at Gyokuro's question. "D-don't be ridiculous! How dare you doubt my competence, Gyokuro! One mishap aside, no one is more qualified for this assignment than me. You know that!"

Tapping her nails together, Gyokuro smiled; it bordered on a sneer. "I forget, Akuha, that sometimes you can be such a child." Cutting off the girl's sharp retort with a wave of her hand, she glanced once more at her human guest; the boy's fists were grasped tightly on his knees, and she could sense the firm courage he was trying to muster.

"Please," he said suddenly, "won't you reconsider? There must be something we could do to get you to change your mind? Something you need?" He watched her carefully, trying to gauge her mood, wanting to carefully avoid saying anything that might slam the door completely on this opportunity. At his question, she turned that odd gaze upon him once more, folding her arms over her chest, gently pushing on her breasts beneath her top which heaved as she sighed; her legs crossing one over the other, causing her dress to rise just slightly higher along smooth, full hips. If she had any idea what kind of effect this posture had on an adolescent male, she did not give indication. Creases formed along her smooth brow as she thought, tilting her head to the side to look at the letter she had left on the desk.

After a few moments, she sighed, shaking her head wearily. She turned back to them. "I suppose there is a small task that needs doing. As reluctant as I am about letting Moka be returned to Division Zero's care, this is an urgent matter, even more than I'd previously thought, and I am unable to spare any other top-level agents." She frowned, keeping her step-daughter in her gaze; the girl was watching her carefully, as if trying to examine the other woman's intentions, and brace herself accordingly. Tsukune saw this as he glanced at her, and her earlier warning echoed in his head. "And the price is always steep." What could Gyokuro desire from them? Her and her organization being what they were, it couldn't be anything good. More importantly though…could he do it? What would he be willing to do, to feel Moka again in his arms? How steep a price was that worth?

Gyokuro was talking again, teeth marks left on her lower lip from where she had been chewing. "I guess I have no choice but to assign it to you, Akuha. Well, at least it's simple enough that you won't fumble this one, too"—Akuha's knuckles turned whiter on her knees at the slight—"And in return for doing me this favor, I will grant your request and retrieve Moka Akashiya, regardless of my opinion. I mean, I am somewhat boxed into a corner here. So, do we have a deal?"

Tsukune swallowed nervously; looking at Akuha, she nodded and motioned for him to respond. Obviously, she was already on board. Again, however, doubt coated his mind forebodingly. What was he prepared to give? A small voice whispered then, unbidden, in his head: Anything. He wondered if that was true. He asked, carefully: "What is it you want?"

An appreciative smile tugged at Gyokuro's mouth. "It's very simple. There is a certain item I need you to pick up and deliver to me. That is all I require."

"What's the catch?" Tsukune didn't want to beat around the bush. Simple though this sounded, he couldn't the knot in his chest unravel just yet. Akuha had said Gyokuro's deals came at heavy cost – he needed to see what it was, now.

"Catch? There's no catch. Although, you could say there might be one for Akuha here." The girl perked up at that, looking questioningly at her commander. "The person I'm having put this little package together…well, she's an eccentric one, let's put it that way. For whatever reason, the old crone decided to live among humans in one of their own cities. That is where you must go. Which means, yes, that's right, Akuha, you'll be surrounded by a sea of them. Oh, don't make that face. You'll survive." Then, eyes narrowing sternly: "And so better had they. I don't want any disturbances, rampages, or anything of the sort. I know it's difficult for you to be around humans—well, perhaps not as much as I thought," she qualified, glancing at Tsukune quizzically, "but still, restrain yourself, dear. No matter how much their presence may upset you." She paused. "That is, obviously, if you choose to accept this task."

Akuha had felt the beginnings of a low throbbing in her skull as Gyokuro spoke. A mission in a human city. Why, why, why did it have to be humans? As if her growing weariness from lack of sleep hadn't been enough to bear already. She had been right in her earlier admonishment – this was indeed a steep price. Why would Gyokuro ask this of her of all people in exchange for finding Moka? She didn't have anyone else suited for the job? Or was this some sort of punishment, she asked herself, for her failure in the first place? Torture for letting Moka out of their grasp. She shivered. Just the thought of entering one of those diseased, rotten human jungles, with probably (she thought with horror) millions of the little creatures scurrying about like vermin, was enough to set her on edge. Worse, she was being forbidden from defending herself should one of those filthy insects get too close. She flung a distraught glance at Tsukune; the boy didn't bat an eyelash. Of course, she thought grimly. Surely, her human companion didn't have any objection to this at all. He was probably relishing the prospect of returning to his own plague-ridden kind after so long, and seeing her squirm under these imposed restrictions. This was one of her worst nightmares, no matter what Gyokuro ignorantly implied about her sudden tolerance for humans. And what was she getting at, anyway? Akuha hadn't missed the quick look Gyokuro had cast in Tsukune's direction as she said that; was she trying to say that Akuha actually didn't mind the boy's company? Tolerated it, even? Just because earlier she had…well, that was another story, she thought, but to think she liked having the human around? "Absurd!" Her sudden outburst drew silence and confusion from the room's other occupants. She blinked, awkwardly, her throat suddenly dry, then said forcefully: "I mean, it's absurd that you think I have so little control over myself, Gyokuro."

Her step-mother smiled, walking over and ruffling the girl's messy hair, almost petting her; Akuha did not appreciate this little gesture, but remained silent and red-faced. The woman spoke: "Then what was that business in Yomotsu, I wonder? You should thank your lucky stars everything went according to plan, but regardless, payment for the damages will be coming out of your salary."

"Like I would ever pay those creatures," Akuha snorted, surprisingly hoarse. She cleared her throat. "Succubi may not be humans, but they're little better, as far as I care. I'm surprised you don't sympathize with me, Gyokuro. Where's your vampire pride?"

"Careful, child," her superior warned, shaking her head. "You are really starting to baffle me. Where's my cunning, intelligent captain, hm? Is this how you become when Moka Akashiya slips through your fingers? Look at you. Have you even slept once these past few nights? I'm not sure you're up to a task as simple as this, now that I see how dulled your mind has become."

"Dulled?" Akuha hissed incredulously.

"Yes, dulled." Gyokuro's tone was impatient. "Or have you forgotten what our situation would be if you'd failed to get those eggs in place, and you'd been discovered? Your advantage would be gone, and we would, in fact, need to rely upon other races like the succubi. In any case, you cannot go around putting on such uncontrolled, violent displays. It does nothing but smear our reputation. We have an image to maintain, both as an organization and as a family, and it is not one of childish outbursts. You talk of pride, Akuha – I wouldn't have thought I'd need to remind you, a Shuzen for heaven's sake, the importance of our name and reputation. What do you think made the Shuzen household the most respected in all the land? Do you think it was just our strength? That is important, to be sure, when it comes to defending ourselves and defeating enemies, but you have to realize that without word of our strength being spread to every corner of the ayashi world, our family name wouldn't command the fear and respect its bare mention does today. And then where would we be, hm? If we were to show any sign of weakness or ineptitude—and that includes one of our own throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of a well-populated ayashi city—our allies and potential allies would desert us, our support would dry up, and that would be the end of it. Oh, yes, we could try to force some of them back in line, but ultimately that is a losing battle, and we would be on our own, before long. We're strong, Akuha, but we can't carry out Fairy Tale's mission alone, unfortunately. Our image must not waver or show any cracks. I didn't think I needed to explain this to you."

"You don't, I know all that, but—!" Akuha shot back, gesturing frustratedly with her hand. She planned on other retorts for her step-mother, but her mind refused the words access. Tsukune, meanwhile, interrupted with other concerns.

"You sound like you place a lot of stock in your reputation. What about the Snow Village, then? You sure didn't seem to mind Fairy Tale antagonizing the yuki-onna that time. Besides, talk about violent tantrums, you had Kahlua there to go berserk on the place. Didn't that smear your reputation? You might have planted those weird eggs of yours, but if ended up damaging your image, could you still call that a success?"

Circling back around the chairs to her desk, Gyokuro sat once more upon the wood top, cocking an eyebrow at the human beneath her. "Clever boy," she drawled; then, to Akuha, "It seems your powers of insight may have found a new host. I'll tell you then, Tsukune, was it? Oh, ignore her, she's just grumpy. About the Snow Village, I'll thank you to recall our dealings with those people were nothing short of diplomatic; it was only when you and your…group," she said the word with some distaste, "interfered that we had to take a more drastic approach. That's on your shoulders, little one."

Silence trailed her words. Tsukune made to defend his and his friends' actions that time, but Gyokuro raised a hand to stop him, clearly uninterested. After a few moments of tension, the woman suddenly exhaled loudly, her jewels jingling against her chest as she deflated, shoulders slumped, though she still appeared imposing thanks to her thick overcoat. "Well, never mind all that. It's not important now, anyway. All I want to know is, will you take on my request in exchange for Moka's safe return?"

Interestingly, Tsukune thought, Gyokuro's insinuations aside, Akuha hadn't jumped to accept the mission even by this point. Looking at her now, he began to wonder just how present she actually was in the meeting at this very moment. Indeed, if the heavy lids, drooping involuntarily every few moments, were any sign, she was fighting simply to stay awake. He steeled himself inwardly; he had to take charge here. "Just tell us where to go," he said finally. Glancing between him and her worn out step-daughter—who now nodded in agreement—Gyokuro beamed, although the expression didn't quite convey a normal sense of joy, in Tsukune's opinion.

"Excellent," she purred. Then, reaching for a piece of paper on the desk behind her, she quickly wrote down the location as well as instructions for the pair. As she made to give it to Tsukune, he swore he felt her hand brush and linger against his for a few moments longer than necessary; her skin was surprisingly soft, and warm. He could smell her light perfume as she leaned in close, allowing him a fleeting, guilty glimpse down her dress at full, dark breasts; he blushed heavily, placing her instructions in his shirt pocket, then winced as the vampire pinched his cheek without warning. She grinned at him, her face a foot apart from his, squeezing the flesh between her nails; in fact, she might have pinched a little too hard, as a droplet of blood quickly seeped forth from a new wound, clinging to the pads of Gyokuro's fingers. She withdrew wordlessly, leaving Tsukune to wipe gingerly at his face, while bringing her own digits up to her mouth and flicking the small pink tongue out past her lips to collect the warm fluid. The red heat in Tsukune's cheeks flared stronger at this odd gesture. "How tasty. I can see why you keep him around, after all," she said to Akuha, whose jaw hung slack in amazement; the girl's pale face whitened further, as if she'd seen a ghost. And as the boy's heart settled back into a calmer rhythm, he found his own voice in an unexpectedly parched throat, a brief word of thanks stumbling out, too nerve-wracked to say much else. Before he could even try, however, Gyokuro spoke again. "You will stay the night, won't you? Akuha, your chambers are already prepared, and I'm sure we can find somewhere for your guest, as well." She smirked, her mischievous smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer sharing."

Tsukune and Akuha blanched simultaneously. "W-what? Sharing?" he stammered.

The Fairy Tale commander sauntered over to the seated, wide-eyed pair, standing between them and patting their shoulders casually. "Don't try to hide it. It's faint, I can still sense remnants of your auras on each other. It's how I knew you were human, and how I know you have the blood of the Shinso running through you. Not nearly enough for my plans, fear not, but enough to make you the most interesting human I've ever met, Tsukune Aono." The smile never left her face, and her voice lilted with enjoyment. "So, out with it. I want to hear all the juicy details. It's not every day my Akuha lies with a human. Come, tell me, when did it happen?"

Akuha, meanwhile, was mortified, even as she found her voice to object. "Gyokuro! It's not like—"

"The night she captured me," Tsukune said meekly, earning another horrified glance from the Shuzen girl. "What?" he told her. "She obviously knows anyway." Then, to Gyokuro again: "But it was no big deal, really. Right, Akuha?"

Still stunned, the girl gaped at him for a few seconds more. Her exhaustion was clearing taking its toll, and she looked more disheveled than ever. She said nothing. Then, after a prominent pause, she said with finality: "W-we don't have time for this. If you don't mind, Gyokuro, we will be on our way now. I want to leave as soon as possible."

Gyokuro looked slightly disappointed, but thankfully, they were not pressed any further. Tsukune was already feeling the familiar, yet still unusual combination of guilt and arousal in the pit of his stomach, though slightly less potent than in previous instances.

"Ah, well, if you insist," the woman said. "But next time, I'll still be curious to hear more." Before they could protest, she moved to the door with great speed and casually ushered them forth from the chamber, a servant mysteriously appearing as if silently summoned that very moment. "Well," the vampire said as they parted, Tsukune and Akuha rising from their seats to exit, "that concludes our business for now. Take care you follow my instructions to the letter. When you've done what I've asked, you shall receive your reward. Maybe even a bonus." She paused, and then: "Oh, yes, and please give this to the old hag when you see her. She'll know what to do with it." With that, she handed Tsukune the letter she had been reading earlier, first placing it back in the envelope and resealing it with her tongue, this time placing it in his breast pocket herself. "I'm guessing I don't have to say it," she said warningly, "but do not read this. Both of you. My instructions are obviously for your eyes only, but this letter is off limits. Understand?" Then, catching Tsukune's eye as he nodded, dark skin half shadowed from the torches against the back wall, fingers ghosting softly across a small mouth half-open like a flower, her expression softened, and her voice flowed out huskily: "I will eagerly await your successful return. And Akuha, dear, you had better shape up." The boy made to reply, but Akuha's firm grip had suddenly trapped his wrist, and, her face hidden from him, he was whisked away from the dimly lit quarters.

And that was that. Stumbling at first to keep pace with the unexpectedly energized vampire, Tsukune let himself be led back through the fortress, his mind still on what had just occurred. Truly, he was, on the one hand, relieved; they had actually procured Gyokuro's help, in spite of Akuha's doubts, and with one simple retrieval mission, he could soon have his radiant Moka back by his side. He would finally be able to see her again, to take in the fragrant scent of her hair, the warmth of her skin, the moisture that would cling to her smooth lips just before they melded with his own….On the other, what they were to deliver to Gyokuro, that had not been included in the details he had been handed; it could easily be some weapon to use against the war on humans, couldn't it? And here he was, about to place whatever it was right in Fairy Tale's hands, all for Moka's sake. He knew he was navigating through dangerous, rocky waters, narrow and with little room to maneuver – if he didn't tread cautiously from here on, he would break upon one of those rocks in the space of a breath.

On top of that, he now had to additionally concern himself with Gyokuro's unsettling behavior around him. Had she actually lapped his blood off her finger? He was not given too much time to dwell on this, however, as he almost tripped descending the flight of stairs leading back to the main floor. It was then he realized his wrist was still imprisoned. "Geez, have a little grace," Akuha grumbled as the boy freed his hand, she letting it go without objection. "What the hell was that anyway?"

"Sorry, I wasn't watching my step."

"No, not that. That little tête-à-tête with you and Gyokuro there. Don't think I didn't see you sneaking a peek, you little perv. Ugh, I almost puked watching you."

"I wasn't doing anything like that! And who are you of all people calling a perv? Like you're some pure, innocent flower," he scoffed, though silently chastising his loutish ogling. "You could give any succubus a run for her money, you know that? Besides, why do you even care? Just because you got scolded like a small child doesn't mean you can lash out at me!"

Having descended the stairs and now exiting the tower back into the colonnade, coming into sight of the open sky once more, now painted with deep blues and blacks and the piercing pale of silver shining from the low moon, Akuha shot a shocked glare over her back. "Don't you dare talk to me like that! You have some guts, little Tsukune. Or could it be the scars I gave you are getting lonely? I can always give them some new friends, if you'd like," she taunted, a frightening gleam in her eye, her fingers giving a short twitch, unconsciously, as if excited to get started with carving. The skin on Tsukune's chest ached at the threatening reminder. She turned back, then, voice sullen again, said: "And I don't care, for your information. What a stupid thing to say. Hey, if you want to fuck that old bat, be my guest. Then at least you could stop interfering with me and Moka." Her voice cracked a little, and she cleared her throat quietly.

Tsukune gawked, flabbergasted. "Are you kidding? I swear, I don't even know how to respond to you sometimes! I don't—No! I wasn't thinking anything like that." These were his own words, however, he could not deny his reaction to Gyokuro's beauty. Pushing joyful thoughts of Moka to the fore of his mind could not fully erase the memories: a tender brush of skin against skin, wet, peach colored lips that turned upwards as she had leaned in close, a single puff of warm breath breaking delicately upon his cheek, allowing him the stolen look at firm sumptuous globes hanging beneath her clothes; even in the darkness, he had almost even seen the faintest pink of—

"Well, whatever." It was one of those times he was glad to hear Akuha's voice; she always seemed able to draw him out of his involuntary fantasies with her derisive candor. She sighed wearily, lacking the energy for another prolonged argument. "And here I thought you would have to pay the price for her help, but I'm the one who ends up with the bill. A human city. Just perfect," she grumbled, partly to herself. Then, to Tsukune again: "I'm warning you, though, don't get too chummy with her. She may think your blood is tasty, but she still hates humans as much as I do. That's the reason she founded Fairy Tale in the first place, she's always said. I'm telling you this for your own good. If you screw up with her, well, let's just say, she's not as merciful as I am."

The fact that she said this absent the barest trace of irony caused Tsukune to snicker inwardly. "I think I'll be fine. I've survived you, after all." Akuha made no response. In the silence that trailed his words, Tsukune cursed himself for indulging in unbidden erotic memories. Here I am, giving everything I've got to save Moka, and that, of all things, is what I'm thinking about. Sex. Wrong sex. With our enemy's leader, for crying out loud. I'm a terrible person. He glanced ahead; they were coming upon the towering gate to the citadel itself. Akuha walked in front, her back to him, her coat catching a strong wind in its tails, exposing a pale thigh underneath, loose strands of dark hair whipping about her face; irritably, she smoothed a hand through the mess, trying to hold it down. Tsukune caught up to her as the ponderous gate groaned open before them. They now stood shoulder to shoulder. Ugh, maybe she's right. Maybe I am a…perv. It was not a comforting idea, and one not helped by standing next to yet another gorgeous member of the Shuzen clan, one who had just recently taken a long overdue bath and now smelled fresh of lavender and sandalwood and whatever herbs vampires used to make safe their water. As they descended the grand staircase back down to the main plaza in silence, he actively fought his own urges to sneak a glance as Akuha's thigh was revealed with every other step. He sobbed inwardly. What is happening to me? This can't be normal.

With effort, he fought to expunge the swirling, ugly needs from his attention, and in his desperate bid to think about anything else, began reviewing in his head other aspects of the meeting that had just ended. Specifically, his mind came to rest upon the unknown sensations he had experienced in that dim, torchlit office. The near hypnotic plants atop Gyokuro's desk, the sight of them gently tugging him into an inexplicable trance, the ominous hum that reverberated throughout his entire being; but, even this feeling was a mere whisper of the danger he had felt almost immediately upon entry, the brewing, stormy dark, deep below the stone floor, tranquil for now, yet still sending haunting chills shooting straight up Tsukune's spine, like death's cold touch. Even now he could nearly taste the acrid residue of the hate that had flooded his veins, prompting him, for the briefest of moments, to feel the swelling want, the need, for blood and murder.

He shivered at the memory. Next to him, striding at a newly purposeful pace, was the girl who had almost been the target of that need. In the sharp moonlight, her pale skin seemed to glow with an almost unearthly hue. He could see her features clearly, from the smooth plain of her forehead, largely free now of the worried creases it had shown the past few days, the delicate curve of her cheekbones, the twitch of her nose as she caught whiff of some smell or other, her small, pink mouth, lips pursed gently in quiet contemplation and tenacity. The same way, he realized, Moka's would. Emotion welled up in him suddenly at the thought of the silver-haired girl, and before he realized it, he had quietly muttered her name aloud.

Few waves of sound went undetected by Akuha's ears. "What was that?" she said, turning to him expectantly.

"Oh, uh, I just said…I wonder where Moka is right now, that's all."

There were the creases again. "With any luck," she said, shooting him a quick glance, "we'll have that answer soon enough."

Tsukune nodded tacitly, wondering silently just when she'd begun using the word 'we.' "Well," he ventured hesitantly, not wishing to walk in awkward silence, "Miss Gyokuro certainly doesn't seem to care much for Moka. Or her mother. She got really angry when I mentioned them."

"Yes, not that it's any of your business, but Gyokuro is—well, she's never been fond of either of them. From the moment Moka was born, actually, she's held a fierce grudge."

"A grudge against Moka? Why?"

"Against Moka, maybe against Akasha. I can't say for sure. If I had to guess, I'd say she feels Akasha robbed her of what she thought was rightfully hers."

"Robbed her? It sounds like you're talking about your father."

"I am. Well, partly at least."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't your trip into Moka's memory tell you?" Tsukune had almost forgotten she knew about that. "Gyokuro was my father's first wife. Before Akasha came along."

Tsukune blinked at this revelation. He had known from Moka's memory that Akasha was not Issa's only 'partner', but he never guessed to what extent. In fact, he hadn't even been sure Akasha and Issa had been married until now. "But wait," he said, "you're the eldest, Akuha. So how was she—?"

"My mother was a one night stand for father," she said, guessing the conclusion of his thought. "They were never wed."

"Oh…I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't be." She waved a hand dismissively. "The nature of their relationship never mattered much to me. But, because of it, I was considered the illegitimate child, and was sent off to relatives shortly after I was born."

"And your mom…"

"Was already dead."

Again, with genuine sympathy: "Oh, I'm sorry."

"I just said don't be." Her voice was slightly louder this time. "Anyway, when I finally came back to Japan, I started hearing more about Gyokuro and Akasha."

"So, your dad was married to Gyokuro? He must have divorced her at some point if he married Akasha."

She nodded. "Gyokuro was none too pleased about it, from what I overheard. They did make arrangements, for her and Akasha to take alternate periods of residence at the mansion, and she did keep the Shuzen name, but Gyokuro never really forgave them for what they did."

"I wouldn't imagine she had. That's got to be something that's really hard to deal with." His mind quickly wandered to the look of bitter anger in Gyokuro's eyes at the mention of Akasha and Moka, and Issa, as well, before moving back to Moka, and, this time, his other female friends. Moka had brought to his attention the feelings they all had for him: he found himself wondering if he could ever be like Issa, keeping multiple partners while staying married to one. However, for Kurumu or Mizore or any of them to develop such intense animosity as Gyokuro had for her former husband and his main partner…He could not stand to think of it.

Akuha was talking again. "Not only that, but I always used to hear that before Akasha came along, she had certain plans for our family. Big ideas, they said. But after everything that happened, she suddenly seemed to just toss them aside. I assume that, too, had something to do with Akasha, and she's hated both her and Moka ever since." Which is why I have to keep Moka close to me, she thought silently. In case Gyokuro tries anything funny.

"But, isn't it kind of strange? Miss Akasha is sealed in Alucard. Why would Miss Gyokuro still hate her? Why doesn't she try to take your father as her husband again? Come to think of it, neither you or Moka or Kokoa have ever really talked about him – where is he, anyway? Is he…you know?" He realized this might an insensitive question and could not finish it.

"No, he's not dead. He is…unwell." She paused, chewing her lower lip, leaving marks on the pink flesh. She realized she had already said too much. "Let's just say, I doubt that's in the cards for them. But that's all I'm telling you."

Hearing the finality in her tone, Tsukune's attention was suddenly alerted to something new. They were now nearing the beginning of the path out of the plaza that would return them to the airship. The crowds of the day had thinned somewhat under the sky's dark canvas, the lack of chattering voices leaving only the sound of the swirling grey wind of their high altitude, as well as the sudden alien noises that Tsukune soon placed as belonging to the seemingly nocturnal ayashi that had emerged to roam and skitter about. While on the way in, the members of Fairy Tale had appeared perfectly comfortable in human form, these strange beasts were eager to forego their meaty masks; eyes of beady white, glowing red and wide yellow peered devilishly at Tsukune as he passed, and here and there through the flickering candlelight illuminating parts of the courtyard, insectoid, wolfish and reptilian shapes were discernible in the gloom; he had no doubt they were only refraining from swarming him due to Akuha's presence. He might not have been afraid of fighting a group of average monsters, where there was light and he had full vision, but here, in the near pitch dark, the tall trees around them blocking the moonlight, with an unknown number of ravenous enemies, his confidence was not quite as brimming. Seeking to distract his nerves, he cleared his throat and, coming back to a concern he had yet to get off his chest, said: "I see. Um, listen, Akuha, there's something I want to know. When we first went in to see Miss Gyokuro before, there was…Well, it felt like there was something else there, beneath us, maybe. Something dark, and cold, almost like pure malice, if that makes sense. Tell me, was that—"

The rest of his question was abruptly cut off by something he did not expect. As he spoke, he had heard in the darkness a distant commotion, as if someone was running at high speed, followed by some muffled shouting. In just a few seconds' time, however, the thuds of darting footsteps grew louder, and closer, until at last Tsukune's brain began to register that something was approaching. A second later, what dim light danced in his periphery, the licking flames of the candles and the shining eyes alike, was extinguished, and everything went black. That was, of course, the least of his concerns at that moment, considering the sudden total darkness was accompanied by a voice shouting his name and a heavy force barreling into him, covering his face and robbing his lungs of what little oxygen the air held, and sending him toppling flat on his back (thankfully, he thought, onto the soft grass beside the path).

"Tsukune!" the voice called a second time. "It's really you!" From what the boy could register in his dazed state, a weight covered his body, as if sitting atop him, while a not unpleasant softness pressed insistently against his cheeks. His name was called again, loudly ringing in his ears, and suddenly the weight felt like it was being forcibly removed, against its will. "Let go of me!" came the cry. Coming more to his senses, able to breathe again, Tsukune blinked several times, shaking his head roughly. His vision returned, limited as the night allowed, and he saw the figure being lifted away, legs thrashing violently, loudly protesting and demanding to see Tsukune. His mind raced. I—I know that voice!

As realization dawned, he was blinded once more, this time by an overwhelming flood of light. Groaning in frustration, and pain from the fall, he put up a hand to his eyes, squinting through the striking beams of the flashlights held by what looked to be other Fairy Talers, one of whom was struggling to get a grip on the flailing figure. A figure who looked just like…

"Kurumu, is that you?" His vision had almost completely cleared. Before him, violet eyes shimmering with tears, was the young succubus, stilled suddenly in her guard's hold by Tsukune's choked recognition. Behind them, lit less prominently but now coming into focus as well: "Mizore? Yukari? F-Fong Fong!" In front of him stood his friends, looks of joy, though these Tsukune could not see, adorning their faces. So, I was right, he thought with cathartic relief as he glimpsed the sole male friend of the group. "Guys, what are you all doing here?"

"Oh, you know." Mizore's cool, amused intonation flowed into his ears. "Fighting Fairy Tale, stalking you, the usual."

Kurumu sniffed loudly and gave a small laugh before answering him: "What do you mean, what are we doing here, you big goof? I could ask you the same thing. Do you know how worried sick we've all been about you guys since you disappeared?" She sounded like she was on the verge of crying, though Tsukune knew her tears were a mixture of sorrow and relief. "You were kidnapped by Fairy Tale back at Fong Fong's home, remember? We thought you'd be killed for sure. I thought…I-I thought I…might never…" Her voice broke, and she fought to restrain the emotions flooding her heart at far too rapid a gush for the young succubus. She made to speak again, but suddenly stopped short, for into her vision walked a terrible sight, bringing a hateful glare to the girl's normally sweet, smiling face. "Akuha Shuzen!" she shouted angrily. The vampire had sauntered into the light, standing beside the fallen Tsukune, making herself known to all there. Her own expression, the boy noticed, as she scanned the newcomers, was one of shock. Kurumu yelled again, a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead: "Get away from Tsukune, right now! Don't you lay a finger on him! Tsukune, what are you doing? Hurry up and run!"

"Wait a second," Akuha said then, addressing the guards who were attempting to bring the group back to the path. "You…" she then murmured, "You're alive? But how?" This was not to Kurumu. She had clearly not heard a thing the succubus had said, and was instead peering past her, astonished, at the group of young ayashi at her back. Specifically, the young heir to the Wong Family, who now grinned despite being a bound prisoner – indeed, Tsukune could now see that all his friends' wrists were tightly shackled in steel clasps.

"Thought you'd killed me, eh?" the boy quipped. "Nope, sis and I are fine. Especially her, and if she were here, I'm sure she'd say 'it's because I'm already dead' or something. Sorry to disappoint! But, well, we had Touhou Fuhai with us, see, and with youjutsu like his it was no trouble to heal the wounds you gave us."

"I knew it," replied Tsukune, relieved his hope had not been misplaced.

"What do you mean, you knew it?" Akuha demanded, rounding on him.

"Well, no, I didn't like, know it for certain. You told me you'd struck down the two of them, so naturally at first I was worried. But then I remembered Touhou Fuhai was with them, and that with his power, he would be sure to save them. I tried not to dwell on it too much after that. Sorry," he said sheepishly to the young heir.

"Hey, don't worry about it!" Fong Fong made to move his hands in friendly gesture, but then remembered they were imprisoned; the smile remained upon his lips, regardless. "I bet you had your hands full, being this nutso lady's prisoner and all."

"But it's so good to see you're safe, Tsukune!" Yukari chimed in. The tiny witch's head turned from side to side, the hat atop her head flopping around with the motion. "So, where's Moka? Isn't she with you? And what are you doing with…with…" She gulped nervously, nodding in Akuha's direction. The Shuzen girl still stood by Tsukune, arms folded across her chest, her face cloaked in shadow: even without seeing her, Tsukune could practically feel her wince at the question. He was hesitant to answer it himself.

"That's right, I don't see her anywhere," Mizore echoed.

Tsukune could feel the heat of shame rise up in his cheeks; with the flashlights shining on him, his friends would easily be able to see his turmoil. He couldn't hide this from them, much as he wanted to. He stood, trying to force the words out. "Um, Moka isn't here, exactly…."

A pause, as they waited for him to continue. Upon his silence, however, Kurumu spoke. Tsukune saw her eyes darting about nervously, watching the lurking beasts strolling through the black night. "What are you talking about, Tsukune? She was taken along with you. I remember when I woke up at the Wong mansion, Touhou Fuhai was there, and he said you both were kidnapped by that one there." She nodded in Akuha's direction, venom in her voice. Then, addressing her directly: "What have you done with her? Got her locked up somewhere in a dungeon on this blasted rock? Torturing your own sister, perhaps? I bet you get a sick kick out of that. Tell us where you've taken her!"

Akuha blinked, stunned by the implication, then a murderous look hardened her features. "You accuse me of hurting Moka? Who do you think you are, you little harlot, to speak to me in such a way? I'll show you what real torture is!"

As she strode forward, Tsukune called out in protest, but in vain. Her black cloak swirled behind her as she stood face to face with the succubus, fingertips suddenly at the wide-eyed girl's slender neck. A gasp slipped from Kurumu's throat as Akuha began to press, and a cut began to thinly break along the flesh.

"AKUHA, STOP!"

Tsukune's shout hung in the dark, cool air. Nobody moved a muscle, including, to his honest surprise, Akuha. She had halted at the sound of his voice, though her fingertips were still unnervingly close to Kurumu's throat. "Don't hurt her," he spoke again, firmly. Although he said this, Akuha did not withdraw her hand; before her, the young succubus glared defiantly at her attacker, trying to mask the terror in her expression. "Go on," she challenged bravely, "do it."

"Don't think I won't," came the low warning in reply, the vampire reapplying a bit of pressure on the skin. "I could end you right here easily, make no mistake."

Tsukune called out in protest once more, and was joined by Yukari and the others' shouts as well. One of the guards, meanwhile, who had been escorting the group, was glancing between Akuha and Kurumu with visible unease through thick locks of the silvery hair that hung over his eyes, as if he was under compulsion to say something but feared what the consequences might mean for his own safety. "U-um, Captain Shuzen," he muttered, trying to be discrete, though he was still audible to everyone present, "I'm sorry, but these guys are kind of our prisoners, and we're under or—under orders to deliver them to the dungeon without fail. So," he paused, swallowing, "if you could, maybe…not kill them, I—I mean, we—we would greatly appreciate it, ma—ma'am."

The girl did not respond right away, leaving the poor soul to wallow in his own fear for a few seconds more, before at last stepping away from her target and dropping her arm to her side; the collective breath of relief was easily heard. "Very well," Akuha said, nodding. "As you were, then."

His tension dissolved, Tsukune said to his friends: "What happened to you guys? Why did they take you?"

Mizore shrugged calmly; even in chains, Tsukune thought, she was a hard girl to rattle. "We left Touhou Fuhai and Fong Fong's sister a couple of days ago, and were on our way home, but our flight was intercepted by Fairy Tale. We were outnumbered, so they knocked us out and the next thing you know, we were on our way to their headquarters. On the bright side, getting into Fairy Tale's base turned out to be way easier than we thought."

Ignoring the joke, Tsukune asked her again: "But why? What are they planning to do with you?"

It was the guard who answered this time. "That's not for you to know, kid. Or us, actually; we're simply to bring them to where they're supposed to be. Weren't told anything else."

"Oh." It was all Tsukune could say. But Kurumu had not been satisfied.

"Akuha still hasn't told us where they've taken Moka," she exclaimed. "Tsukune, do you know?"

The innocent, worried question cut him like a knife. Perhaps somewhere, deep down, he knew it was an irrational feeling, but this could not soothe him. The sudden guilt ran straight through; it was not the first time the thought had occurred to him these past few days, but it was never more than a barely tangible prick at his conscience. With his friend's inquiry now, however, it roared to life deep in his stomach. How could he tell them? How could he admit that he had allowed something like this to happen to their friend? And that now, on top of that….He could only slowly mumble in reply: "She's not here."

"What'd he say?" he heard Yukari whisper to Fong Fong, "I didn't hear him."

"I said she's not here." This time he was clear. The cat out of the bag, he spilled what had happened, including the part about now going to assist Fairy Tale's leader so she might help them in return. By the time he had finished, looks of shock and sorrow had been struck upon his friends' features, especially Kurumu's. Once more, tears threatened to flood her eyes. Her voice was small. "Is she…dead?"

A glance between Tsukune and Akuha, and he answered: "No, she's alive, for now. It looks like she and Kahlua might have been taken by someone, but we're just not sure. I'm really sorry, Kurumu."

"And now you're going to get her back, right?"

"Yes, and I'd like to get this over with as soon as possible," Akuha interrupted curtly, peering under low, knit brows. "Tsukune, let's go. We're wasting time."

At that statement, Kurumu threw a sharp glance between the pair, her brow furrowing in confusion. But it was Mizore who gave voice to the same question she had. "Oh, you're going together?" Her tone was not accusatory, but not merely surprised either. Tsukune nodded uncertainly. "Yeah. I am kind of her captive, after all. Don't have much say in the matter. And she is the one with the airship." His friends eyed him uneasily. "It'll be fine, trust me," he tried to reassure them, but, though he couldn't figure out why, it seemed with limited success. The four of them were glancing nervously among themselves, as if sharing a silent secret to which Tsukune was not cognizant, and trying to find a way to break it to him.

At length Kurumu spoke again. "But…what exactly is this mission they're having you do?"

"We just have to bring something back. I don't know what it is, though."

Again the furtive glances. Then: "A-are you sure you should be doing that? Tsukune, you don't know what Fairy Tale wants you to give them. What if it's…you know, dangerous? What if it's something that could make wiping out the human world that much easier?"

So that was it, the boy realized, they had had the same misgivings upon hearing his story. The small whisper echoed again in his head, and again he tried to ignore it. He didn't know how true it spoke, that he would do anything to get Moka back, but in all honesty the mere prospect unnerved him too much to even spare it thought. He would cross that bridge when he came to it, but for now, what choice did he have but to plunge forward, head low and resolve firm? He muttered helplessly: "But…it's Moka, Kurumu. I have to do something."

"I know that," the succubus replied, sympathy evident in her eyes. "I want to find her, too. It's just, who knows how this might help Fairy Tale? I'm not sure you should do it this way. You don't want to get in bed with these people, you know that."

"It's not like I'm joining them," he protested, desperate. "But there is no other way than this."

"Sure there is! I know you think we've run out of options, but we don't need them. C'mon, Tsukune, let's bust out of here and we can go find Moka ourselves! We don't need to work with the likes of them," she said, narrowing her eyes at Akuha. The officer who had by this time brought Kurumu back in line with the others and now guided them by their chains grunted softly, as if in reminder of their situation. Tsukune pointed it out, as well: "Ah, Kurumu, there might be a little problem with that, don't you think?" Kurumu threw a quick glance at her companions and captors and shrugged. "This is nothing. These clowns can't hold us for long. Just wait a bit for us to break free and then we can ditch this place and find Moka together! Please, just don't help them."

Amid the whispers of one guard to the other ("She can see us standing here, right?"), Tsukune could only stand there in confused silence. Akuha, looking at him, felt a pang of frustration strike at her breast; seeing the human growing so conflicted evaporated the surprising amount of patience she had shown in allowing this little reunion scene, especially with such a disrespectful succubus. But now it was over. "Alright, enough of this," she announced. "Gentlemen, please escort these prisoners to their predestined spot." Then bluntly, to Tsukune, snapping her fingers at him: "You. Come. We're going." And without another word, she was off, brushing past Kurumu and the others.

Tsukune had not yet moved to follow her. He had been overwhelmed: the joyous reunion with beloved friends, the relief at their relative safety, then the hot, wrenching shame over Moka's disappearance and having to be the one to deliver the news, and now his friend's desperate plea that he not take the only option he could see to find her, all led to his confliction. Looking at their faces, he could see the truth plainly: Kurumu was not alone in her objections. Even Fong Fong's grin had faded, the thin line of his mouth set solemnly. "Guys, I…" Tsukune could not convey his turmoil to them. Couldn't they see the position in which he had been placed? His options had been limited to one; waiting and hoping to break free from Akuha's grasp was a fool's hope, he knew that much from their time together. Not only that, but…how could he explain it to them….He did not know when it had begun, but deep in his gut, against every vehement protest with which his mind had assaulted him, he had come to believe that more than anyone else, Akuha Shuzen would move heaven and earth to find her sister. Of course, they had already confirmed Moka's safety, and it was now a matter of courting Gyokuro's aid, but that changed nothing. He still believed his best chance would be at Akuha's side, until Moka had been returned to his. He didn't want to upset the others, but he had to go with her. He exhaled heavily, and continued: "I have to go. Please, trust me. You don't have to worry, everything will be fine. I'll make sure of it. When I come back, it will be with Moka." And with her, we can definitely break out of here, he added silently.

Kurumu shook her head fiercely, voice catching in her throat. "Don't do it, don't give them what they want! We've been fighting against them this whole time, we can't just give up now and help them! Even…even if it is for Moka. I mean, do you think she would be okay with this? If it destroys what we've been fighting for, do you really think she'd want you to make a deal with Fairy Tale, even for her sake?"

That question cut even deeper. To his dismay, he realized that amid all his others fears and doubts, he hadn't even considered what Moka's own opinion might be, if she could see what had just transpired. Flashes of her ferocious eyes, aglow with scalding outrage, danced intensely behind his vision, as if in silent admission. But then, with a great exertion of his will, they were suppressed, shut away from his mind's eye once more as he pushed them back with a violent mental shove, a pained grimace hardening his features. He could not let such thoughts sway him from purpose, he told himself. Whatever Moka might say, he had to go after her with every ounce of effort he could spare – he could not accept any less. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, just loud enough for them to hear. "I'll be back soon. I promise." With that, he walked forward, following in Akuha's footsteps, laying a reassuring hand on Kurumu and Yukari's shoulders as he passed, wishing he could somehow deafen his ears to the succubus and small witch's choked cries and pleas, before they pierced his own heart.

Ahead, Akuha had not paused to wait, and, gritting his teeth in sharp frustration, Tsukune hurried after her.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Ah, that girl is so troublesome..."

Shaking her head in bewilderment, Gyokuro moved back to her desk, having now finished tidying up her office. Sinking into her chair, she took a much appreciated breath, although even this was less than ideal in the stuffy air of the cramped quarters. "I really should get some windows in here..." she mused. "Honestly, though, I always wonder what's going through her head. Well, I suppose there's no breaking her from that strange attachment she has to the girl. And now, with this human...It seems I was not wrong, after all."

A moment passed in silence, just the way she liked it. After the headache of all the official business of the day, she thanked the ancestors for this moment of respite.

A moment that was rudely interrupted by a buzz from the screen behind her as it was powered on automatically. A voice crackled through: "Commander, Miyabi Fujisaki is requesting you. Shall I patch him through?"

Gyokuro's head jerked up in surprise, and a grin slowly tugged at her delicate lips. "Is he now? Yes, go ahead, thank you."

A few seconds later, and Miyabi's nonchalant visage appeared on the screen. Swiveling around in her seat, the commander of Fairy Tale crossed her legs and gave her subordinate a charming smile. "Miyabi, how lovely to see you. What can I do for you today? I take it you have some news for me?"

To be continued…