The water rushed up around Kurumu, soaking her white dress. It stopped upon reaching her bosom, retreating down her legs and bare feet. She sighed, looking up at the clear blue sky with her hands resting on her belly. The wet sand of the beach clung to her dress and skin.
"You really love the ocean."
She glanced to her right. Gyokuro stood there, wearing a pristine white kimono. The vampire turned her crimson eyes upon Kurumu and smiled. The wave came rushing up around Kurumu, failing to reach her shoulders. As the water receded, Gyokuro looked back to the horizon. And then she was gone.
Kurumu wept softly, staring up at the sky. She had possessed so much hope that Mrs. Shuzen could have saved them. That there was a way for this situation to be resolved without putting Tsukune and everyone that she cared about in danger. And now that was gone. She was so scared. Lost.
The waves continued their ebb and flow. A part of her wished the water would take her away. But she remained on the shore, surrounded by the sound of the ocean. It was peaceful.
"How long are you going to stay here?"
Ageha plopped down in the sand beside her. Mommy was wearing that pink sarong with the green hem and black seed pattern to mimic a watermelon slice. A pink bikini top barely held her bosom.
Kurumu felt fresh tears as her lips turned in grief.
"I don't know what to do."
"Do what you were told to do."
"I can't. I don't know how."
She felt mommy brush the bangs upon her forehead.
"Kokoa needs you now. They all do."
"She's gone, Mommy. I can't do anything for Kokoa. And Moka. What do even tell her?"
Her mother cooed softly, continuing to caress her hair.
"The truth. You have a gift. You can show her exactly how it happened."
Kurumu nodded with a sniffle. She owed Moka that much. There was no telling what Fujisaki would say. He might not even tell her at all. And she had no way of knowing if Akua had understood the situation.
Mommy leaned over, placing a gentle kiss upon Kurumu's forehead. Mommy stood up with a smile.
"You need to wake up now. Your friends will worry if you keep sleeping."
Kurumu whimpered, feeling slightly better. She let her hands slip to her sides, pushing up against the grimy sand. She sat up with a sniffle, watching the wave rush up over her toes to reach her fingers.
"I don't want to lose you."
Mommy grinned, holding a hand down to her.
"We never lose our mothers. We carry them forever in our hearts."
Kurumu frowned, taking mommy's hand. She staggered up onto her feet.
"You barely remember your mother. You were only three when she died."
Mommy laughed brightly, pulling her close for an embrace. Kurumu relaxed, returning the hug.
"True. But I always loved her."
Kurumu sighed, breathing her mother in. Such a vibrant, flowery scent. Almost real.
"This is a dream."
Mommy chuckled, stepping back to arms' length.
"Yes. You aren't here. And hopefully you aren't still in Lord Ruben's backyard."
Kurumu sniffled, forcing a smile as she looked into her mother's lavender eyes.
"Yea. I'm either on a futon upstairs or in a hospital bed."
"Open your eyes."
Kurumu took in a deep breath as she forced her mind out of this comfortable place. Her eyes fluttered open as the ocean view vanished in a heartbeat. White ceiling tiles greeted her.
Kurumu swallowed thickly as she became aware of a nearby machine chirping in unison with the beat of her heart. Her right arm felt sore and uncomfortable. She was garbed in a flimsy, short sleeved white gown with a blue floral pattern. A cream sheet had been pulled up to her bosom.
A needle had been jabbed into her arm near her elbow and was held in place with tape and gauze. A tube trailed out the back end of the needle, falling over the side of the gray hospital bed. This tube connected to a splitter which then ran up to the two packets hanging from a steel rack by the bed.
Her index finger was clamped in a beige device which also had a cord hanging over the side of the bed. This cord was hooked to the machine that was making the chirps. The display showed a green line which jumped up with each heartbeat. One of the numbers on the display was her heart rate.
The soft sound of video game music caught her attention. She frowned with a thick swallow, turning her head towards the source. She rasped out a dry, hushed laugh upon spying the dark haired girl seated in a teal cushioned armchair in the corner of the room. Daylight streamed through the partially open blinds covering the only window.
"Where is your mother?"
Sakurai Kabuki glanced up at Kurumu's croaked inquiry with sea green eyes. The young girl's indigo, wavy locks touched her narrow shoulders. She pushed a button on her portable, causing the music to cease.
"You awake, huh?"
"Yes. And thirsty."
Kabuki set aside her portable gaming device before hopping out of the armchair. The young girl had on a long sleeved, black sweater and a pair of black jeans. The sweater had a blooming sakura tree graphic in the center. Kabuki pranced around the bottom of the bed to come up on Kurumu's right side.
"I don't know where to get you water, huh? But they have vending machines downstairs in the waiting room, huh? Do you want me to get that, huh?"
Kurumu laughed weakly at the unnecessary extra syllable.
"Isn't there a nurse call button somewhere?"
"Probably one of these, huh?"
Kabuki started pushing something on the side of the bed. A motor whirred, causing the section of the bed with her feet to lower. Then the section holding her head up lowered slightly.
"Maybe look before pressing."
Kabuki cackled, reaching over to pat Kurumu's belly.
"No worries, huh? Probably the red one with the bell, huh?"
Kurumu smiled. Her throat felt so dry. She reached over with her left hand, placing it atop the girl's hand.
"Where's your mother?"
"She ran off to Tottori with Mayu to visit Momma Ontai, huh?"
"You didn't go with them?"
"I wouldn't get to see you if I did, huh? You were in the hospital when we stopped by on Monday, huh?"
Kurumu nodded, surmising she must have passed out in the middle of her grief. Her last memory was in the backyard, holding Kokoa tightly.
"Are they coming back for you?"
"Nope. I'm going to Yokai Academy to stay with Big Sis until this craziness is over, huh?"
"Are you staying with Lord Ruben?"
"Mhm. He swings by to pick me up for dinner and drops me off after breakfast, huh?"
Kurumu frowned at the casual statement, wondering how long she has been here.
"Looks like someone is awake."
A dark haired woman wearing a white blouse and slacks entered the room. A nurse hat was nestled in her dark locks which were twisted in a bun and pinned in place. The nurse slipped around Kabuki to regard the machines, holding a clipboard.
"I would like some water."
"Certainly. But first I need to record your numbers."
Kurumu's stomach growled. She blushed as Kabuki giggled.
"I think Big Sis would also like a meal, huh?"
The woman chuckled, jotting down information and checking on the bags.
"I imagine she would be. Her stomach hasn't had a solid meal all week."
"Week? What day is it?"
The woman turned to face her, holding the clipboard against her subtle bosom.
"Friday, young miss. I'll be back with some water."
Kurumu shivered as the woman retreated from the room. The New Year party had been Sunday.
"It's the sixth, right?"
Kabuki giggled, freeing her hand. She tapped her finger in the valley between Kurumu's breasts.
"That's right. They fixed up your heart, huh?"
Kurumu gasped at those words. When the girl pulled her finger away, Kurumu grabbed the hem of the gown, dragging it down as far as it would go. There was a straight scar down her sternum.
"They said it was normal for you not to wake up, huh? Most girls are out three to six days, huh?"
Kurumu laughed. She had almost forgotten about the procedure on Monday. She was surprised that they had done it, having no memory of coming here or authorizing it. Then again, this had been arranged by Mrs. Shuzen whom had a way of getting what she wanted.
"That's a pretty wicked scar, huh? They say it heals up fast, huh?"
Kurumu let go of the hem, drifting her hand back to her belly. This was just like getting her passport. Something very important had happened and yet she felt no different from before.
"Does your mother have a scar?"
"Momma hasn't had the operation, huh? Says she has us to keep her heart strong and healthy, huh? I think she's just scared, huh?"
Kurumu frowned at the revelation.
"But I thought your sister is going to get it done."
"Momma says she'll do it with Jona, huh? Says it would be easier then, huh?"
Kurumu smiled, remembering that Jona was going to have this done after high school. That was at least three years away. She had a feeling that Ms. Sakurai would push Jona to have this done after her college graduation. That way if anything went wrong, Kabuki and her little sister would be much older.
"You don't have to worry about it now, huh?"
Kurumu frowned at Kabuki, cocking her head.
"Crying. Momma always warned us that we couldn't cry too hard."
Kabuki lifted her small hand to pat the spot between Kurumu's breasts.
"But it's fixed now. You can cry all you want."
It was like a flood washing over her. An ocean of tears fell from her eyes as she finally felt the freedom to grieve. Her heart ached but the pressure pains she had known for so many years was gone. There was no hand strangling her heart as she let loose years of frustration and sorrow out.
She wept for mommy. For not appreciating her more. For withholding love out of stubborn pride. She wept for a father she had never known. For so many missed opportunities. For a normal family life.
She wept for her lost love with Tsukune. For a simple future with him. For the loss of his father.
And she wept for the hardships of her friends. All of the sympathy she could not show. For Moka and Kokoa whom had lost their mothers. For Tora's loss of her father. For Satsuki. For Mizore.
"You are going to need more than one cup of water."
Kurumu choked up a laugh, realizing the woman had returned. She held her left hand out, muttering apologies. The woman surrendered a Styrofoam cup to her.
"Don't fret over it. Every succubi we've done this for reacts the same way."
Kurumu nodded, pursing her lips about the edge of the cup. She sniffled as she lifted it up, feeling the cold liquid against her upper lip. She opened her mouth as the water rushed in. She swallowed hard, gulping down the contents in seconds.
"How often do you do this, huh?"
"Ms. Kurono is the seventh in my nine years here. There aren't many of your kind."
Kurumu sniffled again, handing back the cup with a murmur of thanks.
"Would you like another cup?"
Kurumu nodded and the woman smiled. She promptly retreated from the room as Kurumu continued to sniffle and rub the tears from her cheeks.
"Are you feeling better, huh?"
Kurumu nodded, swallowing thickly. She glanced at the bags hanging from the stand, noting that their contents had diminished substantially. She must have pulled the fluids from them to fuel her tears.
"Yea. Where is Kokoa?"
"Mrs. Shuzen's daughter, huh? She's at Lord Ruben's place. Doesn't talk much, huh?"
"Yukari?"
"The witch girl, huh? She left Wednesday night. Something about a dental appointment, huh?"
"Did she say when she'd come back?"
"She didn't tell me, huh? But Lord Ruben might know, huh?"
Kurumu sighed, doubting this girl would know anything about her friends in Hong Kong. It was Friday. Many third years were returning to Yokai Academy to prepare for the national college entrance exam. Not many of her friends would be on campus.
"Is Kokoa okay?"
Kabuki drawled out a thoughtful sound.
"Hard to say, huh? She was in the hospital, but we took her home the night before the witch girl left. She hasn't said anything, huh? Just stares out the window, huh?"
"She won't speak?"
Kabuki shrugged, reaching down to squeeze Kurumu's hand.
"Doctor says she's fine, huh? But she's like a doll now. They have to spoon feed her, huh? They had to buy diapers for her because she won't go to the bathroom on her own, huh?"
Kurumu grimaced, disliking the sound of that.
"I have to take care of her. I promised her mother."
Kabuki sighed, regarding her with those lovely eyes.
"She's dead, huh? Mayu took her mother's body to Arukasa. Lord Ruben says that scary Fujisaki guy will control Fairy Tale once he gets permission from the High Court, huh?"
"Sounds right. Things could get dangerous soon."
"Momma told me that, huh? But it sounds like it doesn't matter where I go if that scary guy starts a war with the humans, huh? And Mayu said there would be a two powerful succubi at Yokai Academy, huh?"
Kurumu laughed, supposing that was true.
"Have you met Ms. Aimai?"
"Nope. The witch girl said she was super sexual, huh?"
Kurumu snickered, doubting she could contradict Yukari. Their escort for the Okinawa trip had been very indiscriminate in regards to whom she had sex with.
Kurumu looked up as the nurse returned with a cup of water and new IV bags. The woman grinned, setting the bags on the bed before presenting her with the cup. Kurumu graciously took the container.
"I hope you won't burn through these fluids as fast as the others."
Kurumu smiled apologetically, sipping from the cup as the nurse set about the task of changing the bags.
"Sorry. Part undine."
"So we were told."
"When can I go home?"
"The doctor has to see you first."
"I don't have to wait twenty four hours, right?"
The nurse chuckled, hanging up the first bag after ensuring no air was trapped in the tube.
"That is up to the doctor. We were surprised that you didn't wake up yesterday with how good your vital signs have been since Wednesday."
Kurumu sighed, hoping that she would not be trapped here all weekend. She knew how troublesome hospital stays were back in Mononoke.
"I need to look after Kokoa."
"I bet Big Sis wants her first meal to be something better than hospital cafeteria food, huh?"
The nurse laughed as she switched out the lines of the second bag.
"Sounds like you are trying to avoid having lunch here, little lady."
"Obviously. It's worse than school food, huh?"
"It's not that bad."
"It's borderline torture."
Kurumu brightened up at the remark. Yukari stepped through the open door a heartbeat later, sporting that black dress with the thick white hem gracing the top of her slight bosom. Thin black straps rested upon her creamy shoulders, suggesting the lack of a bra but Kurumu knew better. The witch owned a black strapless which she always wore with this outfit.
"Hey, Yukari."
"What's up, huh?"
Yukari paused, regarding Kurumu for a moment. The witch had her yellow tote in hand and the velvet, black beret with white hem resting upon her dark locks. That dress had a middle white hem about her thin waist before it transitioned into a pleated skirt, falling halfway down her creamy thighs.
Yukari decisively stalked around the bottom of the bed, coming up on the left side. Before Kurumu could let go of Kabuki's hand, the witch leaned in and hugged her about her shoulders. Kurumu laughed softly, unable to return the gesture.
"I guess someone missed me."
Yukari sighed, settling back on her feet. She dragged her left hand over to Kurumu's left shoulder.
"The doctor wasn't sure you were going to live those first two days."
"Which is always the case."
The nurse had finished her task and was clutching the depleted bags against her bosom.
"Succubi are mysterious in that regard. Even if we follow the procedure to the letter, some die."
"Since you didn't die in the first forty eight hours after the operation it meant that you would live. They just didn't know when you would wake up."
Kurumu chuckled at Yukari's gruff tone.
"How did your dental appointment go?"
Yukari sighed heavily, slouching her shoulders. She favored Kurumu one of her cheesy smiles, making it obvious that her braces were still present.
"When will you get those removed?"
"Don't know. My teeth were so messed up that they originally said I would need them for the rest of my life. But that's because they think I'm human. Now they are saying it might be four or five years."
Kurumu snickered, releasing Kabuki's hand to brush the back of hers against Yukari's.
"Maybe you'll have them out before graduation."
"I hope so. I don't want every high school picture of me to be Ms. Metal Mouth."
The nurse chuckled, retreating to the doorway.
"If you need anything else, just push the nurse call button."
"I'd like to leave."
"I've told the doctor about you being awake. He will see you soon."
Kurumu gave her thanks which the other girls echoed as the woman disappeared into the hall. Yukari sighed heavily, taking Kurumu's hand in hers and giving it a squeeze.
"I called Rubi yesterday. They're still in Hong Kong."
"Do they know about Mrs. Shuzen?"
"Yes. It's big news, Kurumu. Some nonsense about the Shuzen family declaring war on Fairy Tale and Mrs. Shuzen getting killed in the mix."
"Nobody actually believes that, right?"
"I have no idea what people believe. It might not even matter. But Fujisaki doesn't have the power to wake up Alucard yet. So his next move will be going after Tsukune or his mother."
Yoshii was supposed to meet up with Kaneshiro this week to check on his progress with the task of killing Tsukune's mother. That meeting may have already taken place.
"We have to go back to Mononoke."
"We can't. Mr. Nurari said he would come pick us up Monday night from Lord Ruben's home."
"You spoke with Mr. Nurari?"
Yukari sighed dramatically.
"Yes, Kurumu. He brought me here while delivering the mail. I guess he's too busy to ferry us back to Mononoke when he has a bunch of third years to pick up and so much mail to deliver."
"But you could always make a magic door back to Mononoke, right?"
Yukari paused, withdrawing her hand from Kurumu's grasp.
"I don't know. Unless Kokoa has gotten much better in my absence, we should just wait for the bus."
"But Tsukune's mother-"
"Won't be in any less danger if we show up, Kurumu. The Headmaster, Lady Hineri and Mr. Sabaku all know about Mr. Kaneshiro's situation. We can only hope that they have the situation under control."
Kurumu grimaced, knowing that was true. Rushing back was unlikely to change anything.
"When are the others coming back from Hong Kong?"
"Rubi and Ms. Hitori will be returning to Mononoke Sunday evening. I have no idea about the others."
"But Tsukune-"
"Is wanted by the High Court. We can't rush this, Kurumu. If they find out that Tsukune is back in Japan, they will arrest him. Mr. Nurari made that very clear."
Kurumu shivered, feeling like everything was spiraling out of control now that Mrs. Shuzen was gone.
"Then what do we do?"
"We wait for Fujisaki to make his next move."
There was a tense moment of silence.
"I don't know about you two, but my next move is to a place with real food, huh?"
Kurumu and Yukari had to laugh at that.
"Sorry again that we couldn't get you earlier."
Lord Ruben pulled the sedan beneath the covered drive, parking alongside the glossy dark red vehicle. He turned off the engine.
"I'm just glad to be out."
"Yes. One of the perks of my position is forcing people to obey me."
Kurumu smirked, opening her car door seconds after he did. She shivered at the chilly air as it brushed across her. Yukari had brought her powder blue, corduroy tank top and navy shorts. It was not the best attire for winter but she would not be outside for long. She left her door open, allowing the witch to hop out before closing it.
"I can't believe they were going to hold you all weekend."
"Doctors are doctors, I guess."
They followed Lord Ruben across his front yard to the bricked path leading to the recessed entryway. The porch light had been left on.
It had been a long, boring day. After the doctor's visit, she had been allowed to walk around the hospital but that had not been useful. Sadly Lord Ruben did not stop by until the end of his work day. That meant he had to hunt down a doctor whom had already gone home for the weekend. Seeing no reason for all of them to suffer, Yukari and Kabuki had been taken home to enjoy a proper dinner. It had been almost nine when Kurumu had finally checked out of the hospital.
Lord Ruben unlocked his door, pulling it out.
"Do you want tea? Snacks?"
Kurumu tiptoed barefoot into the house.
"I think I'm going straight to bed."
"Are you sure you don't require anything?"
"I'm going to require a hearty breakfast tomorrow."
Lord Ruben chuckled, entering his home on the heels of Yukari. As the witch stepped out of her velvet black flats, he closed and locked the door.
"I'll be sure to let Ayaka know."
Kurumu drifted over to the base of the stairs, waiting for Yukari to join her. Once the witch was at her side, they started up the stairs at a trot.
"Just so you know. She's not any better. She still won't make eye contact with anyone."
Kurumu nodded as they reached the top of the stairs. She grabbed the railing and turned about, walking briskly down the hall. She reached the closed door in seconds, stopping to knock.
"Kabuki? Are you two decent?"
"Yea, yea. Come in, huh?"
Before she could react, the door was tugged open. Kabuki grinned on the other side, wearing a white tee shirt and black shorts. She gestured inside.
"Welcome to my love nest, huh?"
Kurumu snickered, strolling inside. She saw that the two futons had already been spread out on the floor. Her suitcase and schoolbag were over by the closet door with Yukari's and Kokoa's suitcase. Her heart fluttered, realizing the other suitcase belonged to Mrs. Shuzen.
"She's over there."
Knowing Yukari's meaning, Kurumu glanced to the window. Kokoa was seated in the bay window, staring out at the street. She had been visible from outside. The vampire was garbed in that pink sundress with the white dots. It looked shorter on her. Her curves were far more mature than Kurumu remembered. And her unbound hair was a shiny silver, threatening to touch the perch she was seated upon.
"She looks… older."
"She drank the last drop, Kurumu."
"The doctor said she grew eight centimeters in the two days she was there. Amazing, huh?"
Kurumu took a hesitant step towards Kokoa, hearing Yukari shut the door behind her.
"Kokoa? Are you okay?"
Kurumu eased closer as the vampire continued to stare out at the world. She turned about, sitting in the small space beside Kokoa. The girl was holding her mother's diamond encrusted, golden cross barrette in her hands. That bosom pushing against the thin fabric was definitely not one that required padding to fill A cup bras. Poor Miyamoto would cry.
"Can I have your hand?"
Kurumu held her palm out. But for several long seconds, Kokoa continued to stare at the night.
"They said eight centimeters. You should be taller than me now."
Kurumu shivered when the vampire refused to acknowledge her. She scooted closer, placing her hand on Kokoa's partially exposed left thigh.
"I'm sorry. Losing your mother. None of us expected that."
Still no response. Kurumu closed her eyes and pushed her awareness out. But she was immediately assailed by a wall of grief. Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she scooted in closer.
"I'm so sorry, Kokoa. There was nothing we could do."
Kurumu grabbed the girl and forced Kokoa's mature body against hers. She heard the barrette clatter on the floor as Kokoa remained limp in her embrace. She squeezed Kokoa tighter, knowing that Mrs. Shuzen had entrusted Kokoa to her. She had to do something.
Ms. Kiyoshi.
Closing her eyes, Kurumu imagined the warmth of a loving embrace. The feeling of being enveloped in love. Protected. Safe. Cherished. She took every memory of those comforting sensations that she had experienced with her mother and funneled those feelings into Kokoa's presence.
Tears dropped on her left shoulder. They were not hers. She squeezed Kokoa tighter.
"I will protect you. I promise."
"Why? Why did she do it?"
Kurumu relaxed her grip, scooting away from the window onto her feet as she helped Kokoa onto hers. The vampire's eyes were averted but the tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
"Your mother had her reasons. She wanted this for you."
Kokoa lifted her crimson eyes and Kurumu shivered. She felt like she was being drawn in. Just like those times when she had looked deeply into Mrs. Shuzen's eyes. Kokoa was seeing multiple futures.
"I didn't want this."
Kurumu fought back that crimson tide. She reached up to caress Kokoa's cheek.
"She gave you this power. You can do this."
Kokoa tore her gaze aside, sparing Kurumu that overwhelming feeling.
"Death. It's everywhere."
She stepped in, hugging Kokoa fiercely. She pushed those comforting sensations into the trembling girl.
"It will be okay. You will find the way. Just like your mother. We will beat Fujisaki and save your sisters."
Kurumu shivered as the girl went limp in her embrace once again. She was cut off with only this thick barrier of sorrow between their minds. She swallowed thickly, relaxing her grip.
"Kokoa?"
The girl firmly pushed Kurumu away, startling her into losing her hold. Kokoa turned her back, stooping over to pick up her mother's barrette. She clutched it to her bosom, sitting back in her spot.
"So… do we go to sleep or play some games, huh?"
"Haven't you been playing games all day long?"
"Video games don't count, huh?"
"Where is the logic in that?"
Kurumu chuckled, turning to regard the two.
"I think we should go to sleep. We can save the play for tomorrow. Go shopping with that money Mrs. Shuzen left Kokoa. She's going to need new lingerie."
"I'm sleeping with Big Sis, huh?"
Kurumu laughed, shaking her head.
"Sorry. I have to spend this first night cuddling a stubbornly depressed vampire."
"Is that her problem?"
Kurumu nodded at Yukari, thumbing at Kokoa.
"Yea. Her mind doesn't know how to process her new power. Seeing so many probable deaths is making her overly emotional."
Yukari huffed, stalking over to her suitcase.
"She's always been overly emotional. I would prefer that to what she's doing now."
Kabuki sighed dramatically, sitting down on a futon.
"But I really wanted to sleep with Big Sis, huh?"
"Maybe tomorrow night."
"Just promise you won't smother her. In her current state, she might not prevent her own death."
Kurumu snickered, knowing Yukari had escaped her clutches the other night. Then she realized that had been almost a week ago. She sighed, turning about to grab Kokoa by the arm.
"Could you pick something out for Milady to wear to bed?"
"What's wrong with her sleeping in that, huh?"
"I can get you something simple to put on her. And you should check her diaper."
Kurumu grimaced, tugging the despondent girl up on her feet. Kokoa made no sound or indication of protest, yielding to her efforts. Kurumu steered the vampire over to where Yukari was kneeling.
"I know it's hard, Kokoa. Seeing people dying in thousands of ways can't be easy. But it's not all real."
The witch had set aside a silky, cream chemise and matching pant for herself and was now rummaging through Kokoa's suitcase. As they came to a stop, Yukari pulled out Kokoa's satin nightgown with the floral sash. The witch glanced up at Kurumu and thrust the nightgown at Kurumu's free hand.
"I swear that if she doesn't start acting normal, I will resort to drastic measures."
Kurumu took the garment as she released Kokoa's hand.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
Yukari grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it up over her head, revealing that she did have that black, strapless bra on and lacy black panties too. The witch preceded to part with her lingerie.
"Anything to provoke a reaction. Maybe tickle her tits or play with her pussy."
"I hope that you're joking."
"I hope that she'd stop it. It's freaky seeing her like this. She hasn't called me a brat since this happened."
Kurumu smirked as the nude witch pulled on her cream chemise. She turned her back to the witch, draping the nightgown over her shoulder.
"It took Mrs. Shuzen weeks to get used to this power. She needs time."
"She isn't going to be useful to us if she doesn't figure this out soon. Fujisaki won't wait forever."
Kurumu sighed. They could not rush things but they also could not be caught unprepared. She stepped up to Kokoa, grabbing the fabric of the sundress.
"I'm taking this off now, Kokoa. Lift your hands for me."
The vampire listlessly raised her arms with a hand still clutching the barrette. Kurumu tugged the fabric, pulling it up over the girl's head. The nightgown slipped off her shoulder, falling to the floor before she completed her task. She chuckled, dropping the sundress aside. They had been serious about putting Kokoa in a diaper.
"Please tell me I don't have to change this."
Kurumu hooked her finger in the crimped, elastic band of the white disposable briefs. She tugged it forward as she glanced down. She saw Kokoa's silver curls but no obvious signs of use. Kurumu stooped over, picking up the nightgown before wandering around the girl. She hooked the band at the crack of the girl's butt, tugging it out to confirm no mess was there.
"Kokoa. You know that you're too big to be a baby."
"Says someone whom was also wearing a diaper today."
Kurumu pouted as she shook out the nightgown.
"I was unconscious."
"I'm surprised that you didn't want to take a bath. They were only sponge cleaning you."
Kurumu sighed as she guided Kokoa's arms through the sleeves of the nightgown.
"Maybe I will bathe with Milady in the morning."
"Are you wanting to hurt yourself? I'm pretty sure that she's still water intolerant."
"I honestly don't know if water was her weakness. It's not like Moka and Kokoa share the same mother."
"True. But my Moka got blood from Mrs. Shuzen for years. She may have acquired that weakness."
Kurumu smiled, slipping back around to Kokoa's front. The girl's eyes were still averted and she still held her mother's barrette. Kurumu sighed, reaching up to caress Kokoa's cheek.
"Did your mother have a weakness to water, Kokoa?"
When Kokoa failed to give a response, Kurumu surrendered to an impulse. She stepped in, pressing her lips against Kokoa's. She forced her tongue into the girl's mouth, massaging Kokoa's tongue. Kokoa made a soft sound of protest with her hands coming up to push on Kurumu's shoulders. Kurumu tried leaning in to deepen the kiss but Kokoa pushed her back firmly to arms' length, ending their kiss.
"Big Sis kissing girls again, huh?"
Kurumu chuckled, stepping back from Kokoa at the sound of Kabuki's giggles. Kokoa retreated a step further with flush cheeks. The vampire meekly pulled the flaps of her nightgown together.
"Just seeing if Yukari's drastic measures would be needed."
"So she can be embarrassed. Now if only that translates to her using the restroom on her own accord."
Kurumu snickered, stepping back in. She helped the vampire tie the sash about her waist.
"In time, Yukari. We all just need time."