I DO NOT OWN Rosario + Vampire!
In the woods, surrounding Yokai academy, was a cabin hidden deep within the brush. Inside the wooden interior sat a very confused, frustrated, and curious witch hunched over a piece of paper. Heaving a heavy sigh, the young witch dropped the pencil in her hand and slammed her head against the wooden desk.
"I don't know. I just can't figure it out! Kokoa seems like a person that's fairly easy to read with her impulsive attitude, but in reality, she's as mysterious as her sister." Yukari slightly lifted her head to glance over at the piece of paper on the desk she had been working on for the past week.
After the incident in the empty classroom Yukari went into hiding. If Kokoa was getting bold enough to grab her out of her classroom that could cause problems. For one, Yukari would have to explain the situation to Moka and the others if they got suspicious. That wouldn't do. It would ruin her original plan for Tsukune and Moka to take the potion themselves. Lastly, but more importantly, Kokoa would be hunting the young witch down with the annoying persistence she's displayed since her first day at school. Especially as the days go didn't want to worry about that, so she made a plan.
Yukari asked if she could do a week of self-study due to the 'strain of a public setting' distracting her studies. With midterms coming up gladly obliged sending Yukari off with a packet of work and study guides. All of which were completed and reviewed within the first day. When the week comes to its end the potion should have taken almost eighty percent of Kokoa's powers. The slightest thing that can trigger her inner desire will have her will breaking like a toothpick, leaving the potion to completely take over her system.
It's been five days since the classroom incident. The end of the week is quickly approaching. In that time frame Yukari spent the days pondering over what Kokoa's desire could be. Once she figures it out blackmailing her will be easy. Unfortunately, Yukari hasn't made much progress.
Lifting her head completely off the desk Yukari looked over the paper where she jotted down potential desires Kokoa may have. The first was primal hunger linking it to blood, however Kokoa has never went berserk when exposed to it. If that were the case Kokoa would have drained much more of Yukari's blood than she already has.
Second on the list was revenge linking that to Moka. That too was questionable. In the classroom Kokoa could have easily caught Moka off guard with her so focused on Yukari's bite wound, but instead she dragged Yukari away. That day Kokoa was desperately fighting to stay sane under the potions control so the opportunity would have been too great to pass up in her condition.
Lastly on the page was one simple word that Yukari still has yet to find a link to.
"Love?" Yukari mumbled to herself. "If that were the case who would it be? I can't get over this nagging feeling that the answer is right in front of me. There's no way it's Tsukune because Kokoa absolutely abhors him. That's the only guy she ever associates with though." Groaning Yukari pounded the heel of her palm against her head in frustration.
Suddenly, as if a lightbulb went off, an idea sprung into the young witch's mind. Grabbing the discarded pencil off the side of the desk Yukari wrote something under the word 'Love'.
"Girl? I mean it's not entirely impossible." Yukari felt a bit of relief at the breakthrough, but one problem still stands. "Who would she be in love with?" Yukari dug through her mind of all the females Kokoa associates with and who could be potential candidates.
"She hangs out with our group and it is basically all females. Who has she been acting differently around though?" As that last thought crossed her mind the nagging feeling came back. It was as if something inside her was shouting at her that the answer was so easy but Yukari just couldn't pinpoint it. Yukari began to absentmindedly tap her pencil against the paper as she thought deeply about this new possibility.
The tapping soon turned into unconscious doodling. A simple wrist motion she was accustomed to doing since the first day she picked up a pencil. Opening her eyes, oblivious to what she wrote, Yukari's name was scribbled underneath the word 'Girl'.
Time stopped. The pencil fell from her hand. She stopped breathing. Yukari sat in this frozen state as her mind stopped to process everything. The echoing sound of the pencil hitting the floor acted as the trigger for time to resume flowing.
A bomb went off in Yukari's head. Jumping from her seat so fast her chair slammed into the floor. Yukari began to pace, fidget, mumble, and groan. "All the connections are there. She bit me. She dragged me away. She's been struggling with the potion around me. The answer wasn't right in front of me. I am the answer." Although the who was discovered, it still left the what, when, why, and how.
So many questions were flowing through Yukari's mind she didn't even pay attention to certain details. Them both being women, Yukari a human, and the fact that she was the blackmail she spent days looking for.
Yukari stopped her pacing when she felt the floor beneath her shake followed by a loud boom in the distance. Considering it was a monster academy that tended to often have fights Yukari didn't pay much mind to the commotion. That was until she felt a familiar shift in the wind that only one monster could cause.
"Moka! The seals been undone! I have to go!" Yukari grabbed her wand and rushed towards the rising smoke. Concern for her friends overriding all senses of caution with action. Yukari would later realize thinking things through could have prevented so much from happening.
When she finally made it, she stood shocked at the battle before her. A towering lizard man was batting away at a flying Kurumu as she clawed at its scaled face. On the ground fighting was Mizore and Moka attacking the beasts legs in a futile attempt to get it to lose its footing. Yukari's main focus was the young Vampire kneeling on the sidelines yelling at Tsukune.
Suddenly, the beasts' eyes shifted onto Yukari and locked onto the frozen witch
"I said mind your own fucking business you piece of shit! I'm fine!" Kokoa snarled as she swiped at Tsukune. The poor boy sprawled onto the ground. Kokoa took this opportunity to try and stand again but her legs gave out and she was sent to her knees once more.
"Miss Kokoa! Please I really think you should stay still." Kou said as he worriedly watched his master try to stand again from his perch on her trembling shoulder.
"Kokoa! Stop being such a stubborn child and stay back with Tsukune! You're in no condition to fight!" Moka shouted as she dodged one of Mizore's ice shards.
"But I want to fight! I can fight!" Kokoa shouted to her sister who scoffed in return.
"Like hell you can! You can't even stand!" Moka was barely able to block the tail in time with her hands. The impact still sent her skidding across the ground towards Kokoa. Tsukune, who had recovered from Kokoa's blow, stopped Moka's momentum as he grabbed her from behind.
Shooting him a thankful smile Moka looked down at her trembling sister. "Listen. I can barely feel your monster energy anymore. It's almost indistinguishable from a human at this point. Please just stay here. I can't fight if I'm constantly worrying about you." Moka jumped back into the fray before Kokoa could protest. Kokoa watched the hopeless battle between the others and the lizard man.
Kurumu's nails didn't even leave a scratch on the thick scaly armor that covered the monster. Mizore's ice shards shattering on impact with the monster's skin proving infective as well. Moka was occupied with the beasts' swift tail as it kept knocking her off course when she tried to deal a direct hit.
"Damnit! Why me? Why now?" Kokoa glared at the monster that had ambushed her and her sister during their search for the young witch. For the past few days it was as if she had disappeared. When Moka asked about Yukari's disappearance she told them she was doing a week of self-studies to prepare for exams. Unfortunately didn't know where Yukari was doing these studies.
Kokoa couldn't even track her scent. The annoying pull she felt tugging her in the direction of Yukari isn't working either. In the middle of the days search the beast attacked both of the Vampire sister's. Even when the others came to help all they managed to do was back it towards the cliff near the water's edge.
Kokoa perked up. The wind carried a scent with it. An all too familiar scent that Kokoa could never forget. Turning in the direction of the smell of herbs and cinnamon Kokoa's eyes widened. There, in the distance, stood Yukari. The young Vampires mind screamed at her to run towards the frozen girl and do unthinkable things, however her body was in no state to do so.
The Lizard man suddenly charged at Yukari. Kokoa watched helplessly as the monster got closer to the petrified girl. "No! No no no! Move dammit! Stupid piece of shit body move!" Kokoa stood. Her knees buckled and Kokoa fell face first into the floor.
"Miss Kokoa!" Kou tried to lift Kokoa back up but the little bat wasn't strong enough. Kokoa could only watch helplessly as the rest of the events unfolded. Tsukune ran and tried to help Yukari himself but was sent flying into a tree by the beasts' tail.
The beast raised its clawed hand, speaking for the first time he's made contact with the group of students. "Die you embarrassment to the monster world!" Yukari turned to run, but it was too late. She wasn't fast enough. Swiftly the razor like claws swiped at Yukari.
"Know your place you overgrown lizard!" Moka shouted. The lizard turned just in time to be met with a kick to the face sending it stumbling back. Feeling the strength in her legs again Kokoa hobbled over to her sister and Yukari.
"Thanks for the save. What's going on?" Yukari pulled out her wand and sent her cards to help Kurumu and Mizore distract the monster.
"That's not important. For now, fix whatever you did to Kokoa." Yukari looked at Moka shocked. "Don't try to deny anything or lie your way through this because it isn't the damn time for that. I'm sure it was harmless and unintentional so just give her the antidote or tell her how to fix it." Yukari completely discarded her original plans. The safety of her friends came first before any petty revenge.
"I don't have an antidote to the potion on me, but there is a way to stop its effects." Kokoa groaned as her body began to throb with pain the more she fought against the urge to pounce on the young witch.
"Hurry up and tell us then! I… I can't…" The confession made its way to the young Vampires lips. Kokoa bit her tongue to stop herself from speaking. She howled in pain when her head felt like it was on fire. Kou rushed to his master's side once more trying desperately to help.
"Stop fighting it! You're going to hurt yourself if you keep doing that!" Kokoa collapsed to the floor breathing shakily as her powers seeped from her body. "The potions purpose was to have someone act upon or voice their innermost desire. Once it's properly conveyed the potion will stop working. Just stop fighting it and give in."
Kokoa dug her hands into the ground and growled out her next words. "There… is no way… in hell… that I'd ever reveal my secret!" Moka's eyes seemed to turn a deeper shade of red as she shook with rage.
"Kokoa you insolent, stubborn, ignorant fool! Now is not the time for this childish nonsense!" Kokoas rebuttal was cut off when she saw the scaled tail wrap around her sister's waist and throw her into the water.
"Big sister!" The monster looked down at the two young girls and went in for another attack. To their luck, and surprise, vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around the Lizard man. He struggled against the bindings but they wouldn't give way.
"Sorry for being late. It's a long story." Ruby said touching down on the ground as the wings on her back disappeared. "What's going on?"
"That bastard attacked us out of nowhere!" Kokoa grumbled standing shakily to her feet.
"Hmm seems like this student wants to be punished. It is strictly forbidden to reveal your monster form. I'll make sure he learns that when-" With a roar the Lizard man broke free of the vines. "What! How did he get loose? Those are the strongest vines in the Academy." Sprouting her wings Ruby took flight. "Oh well. I'll just have to deal with this the hard way." While Ruby was on a direct course towards the monsters face it opened it jaws.
"Is it trying to eat her?" Kokoa said as she watched the fight supporting herself with the bat that Kou transformed into. Something glowed in the beasts gaping maw.
"Ruby no!" Yukari shouted moments before flames spewed from the Lizard man's mouth engulfing Ruby in the flames. Ruby's body was sent flying, landing in a smoking heap a few feet from the girls.
"D-Damn…" Ruby coughed out. Kokoa turned her attention back to the enraged Lizard man. "I didn't even know they could do that!" Mizore and Kurumu continued to fight with everything they had to keep the monster at bay. Mizore tried to completely encase the monster's legs in ice to keep it from moving, but that only irritated him. The Lizard man released another torrent of flames at the snow woman. Mizore screamed in agony and was kicked into the forest.
"Mizore! That's it asshole! I'm going to skin you and turn you into boots!" Kurumu stupidly attacked in a blind lizard man bit down on one of Kurumu's wings. Kurumu also screamed in agony as the monster crushed and tore her wing with its teeth like a dog with a chew toy. After Kurumu stopped screaming the Lizard dropped and batted her off in the same direction as Mizore.
Kokoa watched as the situation became direr by the second. Everyone was either out for the count, or too injured to keep going. "Shit. What are we going to do?" Suddenly,Yukari ran towards Ruby's injured body. The Lizard man took notice of this and went to strike Yukari with its claws again. "Oh shit! Goddamnit what is she doing?" Gathering all the strength she had left Kokoa dashed in front of the clawed hand.
"Yukari!" The young witch stopped and turned just as Kokoa smashed the hand away with her bat. "Pay more attention damnit! You could have been-" Kokoa was shoved to the side. Time seemed to stop as Kokoa watched Yukari become impaled by the monster's tail. Kokoa got a brief look of the determined gleam in the young witch's eyes before they dulled. "Yukari!"
Not wanting the monster to take advantage of the moment, Ruby summoned her crows to claw at the eyes of the beast. Kokoa stumbled to catch Yukari's body when it slid off the tail. "No. God no! You idiot! Why did you do that? Why didn't you let me take the hit? What the hell were you thinking?" Yukari let out a choked chuckle causing more blood to trail from her crimson tinged lips onto her already blood-soaked clothing. Kokoa took off Yukari's cape and placed it over the open wound applying pressure.
"That's the thing. I wasn't." Kokoa gripped the young witches body tighter.
"Why the hell not? Aren't you supposed to be some fucking genius! Why didn't you think this time? Why…" Her last word came out in a whimper.
"I knew you'd be at your limit by now… your monster energy should be almost gone. And yet, you… jumped in front of that attack for me." Yukari started to cough. Her breathing quickly became more strained. "Remember when... you saved me from that ogre?" Kokoa nodded ignoring the stinging of her eyes as she desperately held back tears. "Back then…you were right. I am weak on my own...but at least like this… I can be strong. Not everyone has the strength to jump in front of death." Kokoa shook her head.
"No! Stop talking like you're gonna die! You'll make it! Just stay with me, please!" Yukari smiled weakly at Kokoa.
"I'm glad you… were there then… and now. This time though… I got to save you and... show you how strong I am." Kokoa shook. A choked sob made its way past her lips.
"I said stop talking like that! You didn't have to prove shit to me! You're plenty strong already!" Tears slid down Kokoa's face and dripped onto Yukari's. "I've never met someone who had resolve like yours. I'm envious of your self-confidence. Your damn smile is so blinding it annoys me, and I can never hear enough of your laugh."
"Kokoa…" Yukari started to cough violently becoming even paler than before. "Why… are you saying… all of this? I don't deserve… such praise."
"I'm not saying it just to praise you idiot! I'm saying it because… because…" Kokoa stopped fighting against the potion and let her emotions flow through her trembling lips. "I love you Yukari." Kokoa watched as Yukari's last breath left her lungs, body going limp in her arms, and the light completely disappearing from the youthful eyes. Silent tears streamed down Kokoa's face. The sound of laughing made her turn her head towards the monster.
"She's dead? Finally! This is one of the best jobs I've been assigned. The monster world doesn't need to be tainted with her kind. I feel dirty just having her blood on me, but as the old saying goes 'ding dong the witch is dead!'" The monster continued to laugh jovially at Yukari's death. Kokoa watched the monster guffaw with mirth while she held the dead body of the most important person in her life. Something snapped. The negative emotions surged in Kokoa's body and combined itself with her rejuvenated powers. A scream, full of sorrow and hate, tore itself from Kokoa's throat, and unleashed all the pent-up rage Kokoa had stored in her body for years.