Ultrabross's Vision
CHP42: Taking it Easy
Kurumu sat on the sofa beside Moka, resting up for whenever they continued with their journey. The owner of the house was against them leaving and in ways reluctant. They barely knew the man and yet seemed heavily concerned with their safety. Kurumu couldn't quite wrap her fingers around it but something about Kuaiz seemed off. Neither she nor the others felt it at first but quickly became apparent he was an unusual individual, well at least that's the way Kurumu felt. She didn't speak anything of it, knowing Kuaiz was close by. In a quick sigh she stood from the couch stretching, "Going out for a little fresh air, wanna come?"
"Not now…maybe I'll join you later." The vampire replied.
"Ok, I won't be far if you need me and shouldn't be hard to find."
Around the corner Kurumu walked and was out the front entrance used when they first arrived. Something she noticed right away was the sky; it had taken on the color of a bright orange different to the dark purple as the previous night. Kuaiz's home was in good shape compared to some of the other surrounding homes in town. Shattered windows seemed to be the norm whichever direction she looked. It wasn't the prettiest of sights but could be a lot worse. It was likely after the battles that took place in the small town, Kuaiz did some re fixing of his home.
The more she thought it was definitely possible his reason for trying to keep them around was loneliness. He was clearly the only person left of his people that didn't journey off, but even so the three of them couldn't hang around forever. They needed to find Gin and Tsukune and then return to the Yokai realm. One day the whole event could be something they looked back on and laugh, but for the moment first needed to get out of it alive.
Stepping out of the bathroom after washing his face Ichigo made his way down the hall. When arriving in the front room he was a bit thrown off not to see Kurumu. He took another couple steps looking in all directions but still saw no sign of her, "Kurumu-chan went out for some fresh air if that's what you're wondering about."
"Oh ok…" Ichigo looked her way only for a quick moment before crossing his arms.
A long pause of silence followed, Moka glaring directly at Ichigo. She knew something was on his mind; whether he would speak of it or not she was unsure. He leaned against the wall unintentionally staring at the ceiling.
"Moka can I ask you something?" His eyes ventured down to hers.
"Of course, I'm listening." She responded.
Ichigo sighed pacing the carpet back and forth before eventually taking a seat across from her on the other sofa. As before there was a period of silence, neither speaking. Ichigo took a deep breath sitting upright.
"We haven't really talked about what happened last night, all that stuff you said and did. I'm gonna apologize ahead of time, but I'm not exactly great when it comes to expressing or talking about this kind of stuff. Were you being serious or was that something you felt in the moment? I don't want things weird between us." Ichigo had a good feeling what she was thinking, but still wanted to hear it from her.
Her gaze fell upon the carpet moving a strand of hair from her face, in deep thought. Falling back with one leg crossed over the other; a faraway look in her eyes not focused on anything in particular. Ichigo waited patiently for her response knowing she'd speak up when ready. From the moment he agreed to take on the mission involving Yokai Academy he never foresaw it would lead him down the current path he was on. His intention going in was to keep a low profile, complete the mission and never intended to make friends.
One mission ended and the other began, but unfortunately Moka and the others got tangled in it all. Had they not followed him through the vortex he felt certain there was a good chance he'd already be home. Still things already happened the way they did and was no point in complaining seeing there was no way to change anything. It felt as though two minutes passed a stretch in which Moka didn't say a word.
"We're alike in more ways than just one it appears and I believe actions speak for themselves. There's no point in putting it into words or explaining myself when you already know the answer. Do I love you…well I guess that really depends on a person's definition of the word, and is a strong phrase to throw around. It's something I haven't felt often through my life up till now, the only other person that has brought about this feeling is Tsukune."
"Yeah I remember you mentioning that." Ichigo leaned forward.
Moka couldn't believe she was opening up to him in the way she was. In most cases doing something of such would put a damper in her pride but for some reason with him felt comfortable speaking her mind.
"Funny to hear you say these things, not long ago you and everyone else were after my head. Maybe there is a little something between you and me but you would be better off not pursuing this any further. I can't go into details but you're better off and safer not becoming more engaged with me than you already are."
"You and all your secrecy, isn't it about time you open up? I don't have to know and don't want to know everything but couldn't you at least tell me more about yourself. You're a good guy, that much I truly believe but outside of that and your home world know nothing else."
"The dimension you guys followed me into isn't my home world there is a lot about me I just can't share. As I said before the less you know about me the bet…"
"If that's the case than what were you doing there? I get why you might have felt the need to leave the academy with the circumstance at that time. Still if Gotham wasn't your home than how did you have access to that facility or whatever we spent the night in, and why were you there to begin?"
Ichigo scratched at his hair getting the feeling he might have said too much. He sighed knowing he needed to end the conversation or at least change the subject. In that moment he regretted starting the conversation.
"Let's just forget about all this, Tsukune and Gin is out there somewhere that's our focus and should be nothing else. Relationships and whatever else are non important right now, just know that you can trust me. If you feel that you can't then I understand." Ichigo said.
A moment of silence followed but was short lived as Moka stood. She wasted little time walking forward and positioning in front of Ichigo leveling herself, "If you want to keep your life outside of the academy a secret is fine but please do answer me one thing."
"Yeah go right ahead?" Ichigo replied.
"You view me as more than just a friend dontcha…please I want an answer?" She asked with a strange look in her eyes.
"I was on the verge of that last night right before you silenced me with your lips," Ichigo immediately stood making his way passed the vampire. She was quickly on her feet as well following after him, "Look right now is not the best time to talk about this. But I guess that sort of makes me a hypocrite since I brought about this conversation." Ichigo did his best to keep from smiling.
"So that's it, we're just going to leave things as is if not now then when?" Moka questioned.
She got no answer watching as he disappeared down the hall, electing not to chase after him. If he didn't want to talk she saw no point in trying to force him, he'd speak up when ready. Outside the residence Kurumu had made her way clear down the road a couple blocks. Just as the other homes surrounding Kuaiz's they were damaged. She'd barely been around but couldn't help but wonder if the town would ever get rebuilt.
It seemed as though there was war and conflict everywhere, no matter the era or world. Just as she got ready to turn back and head the other way, something caught her attention. For the first couple seconds she had trouble making out what it was but soon realized it was voices, "What's this I thought this place was abandoned!"
The voices drew nearer, Kurumu instantly finding someplace to shield herself from out in the open. Her first thought was enemies of the king or his supporters passing through town and had no idea what they'd do if setting eyes on her. She waited patiently for whoever they were to pass by, no intention of coming face to face with them. Still as they got closer she experienced a strange sensation and several of the voices in the distance sounded very familiar. Kurumu didn't make much of it choosing to stay hidden.
"Look just a little further down this way, we're red hot on the Rosario's trail now. Judging by these readings Moka is not on the move, and if she is isn't traveling fast. We should be by her side in no time!" Ruby exclaimed with excitement in her tone.
"Moka…did one of them just say Moka! Not just that, but whoever that was sounded an awfully lot like Ruby-san! Could it be…" Kurumu thought silently, the possibility their friends were out to find them excited her.
Staying hidden a second longer was no longer an option and had to confirm the suspicion. She popped up from her kneeled position exiting the narrow alleyway. There was no one in sight until after she made her way down what was left of the block turning the corner, "Haiji, Ruby-san, Yukari-chan and Mizore-chan!" Kurumu ran towards them with open arms.
"It's Kurumu-chan!" Yukari called out.
They embraced in a huge group hug, which only lasted a few moments; Kurumu noticing someone off to the side of them.
"What is she doing here," The succubus pointed to Akua, but just as quickly took in the whole situation, "Even better what are all of you doing here, how'd you find this place?"
"The headmaster sent us, and honestly if it weren't for the Rosario we probably wouldn't have been able to get this far. Once he arrived back from a business trip I explained everything that happened involving Ichigo-kun and the whole deception surrounding the entire ordeal. He provided us with this little item, capable of tracking magical items wherever they are and is currently set to track the Rosario." Ruby informed.
It was the most relieved Kurumu felt in quite some time, nothing more satisfying than seeing friends she thought might take forever to see again.
"Save the chit chat for later, you obviously know where nee-chan is so spare us the heart ache of trying to find her ourselves. Let's get a move on we haven't got all day." Akua snapped.
Kurumu only gave the vampire a quick glimpse before looking the other way rolling her eyes. She took off with the rest of the group following close behind, Ruby lowering the tracker. Not long after they stood in front of Kuaiz's home, entering one after another.
"Ichigo, Moka, come quick!" Kurumu shouted.
Moka was the first to the front room and couldn't believe her eyes.
"Nee-chan!" Akua bypassed the group throwing her arms around Moka, "Thank goodness you're ok."
Mizore and Yukari were shocked to see the inner side of Moka instead of her outer counterpart. With that in mind they knew he had to be somewhere nearby, "Where's Tsukune?" Mizore directed at Moka.
Far as they knew he was the only one capable of awakening Moka's other half. Ichigo made his way into the front room from down the hall surprised to see everyone.
"What are all of you doing here?!" He pointed at the group as a whole.
"I speak for us all in saying we're sorry for attacking you the other night, we had no idea Nagirrom-san was setting you up. I hope you can forgive us." Yukari said.
"Between you, Kurumu, Gin, and Moka I've heard enough apologies, I get the idea. Still, how are you guys even here?!" Ichigo again asked.
"Headmaster supplied us with some strange antique geared toward tracking the Rosario in Moka's possession. Yup that's pretty much it, let's just round up Gin and Tsukune and then we can be on our way." Haiji spoke.
"Yeah that's gonna be easier said than done." Ichigo replied.
"How so, are they not here?" Ruby jumped in.
Ichigo positioned both hands behind his head, "Well it's kind'a a long story, in short we got separated and they're out there on their own somewhere. Sadly I have no idea where they are, but we will find them."
Mizore and Yukari's mouths dropped open. Akua broke away from Moka looking to Ichigo, "Who the hell is he?"
Ichigo's arms dropped down to his sides perceiving the comment, and Kurumu couldn't help but snicker, "He's Moka's BF." The succubus giggled.
"BF?" Akua questioned.
"Boy Friend." Kurumu replied with a wide grin.
Moka's face immediately turned red darting off at Kurumu, the succubus running in between Mizore, Ruby and Haiji trying to shield herself. Akua circled around Ichigo giving him a close look, before facing the opposite way, "Moka and her taste for weaklings, I'll never understand it." The vampire crossed her arms.
"Weakling, you look at me for one second and determine I'm a weakling! You don't know anything about me, plus that's rude to say something like that about someone you just met!" Ichigo replied.
"And loud too…" Akua stepped away from him leaving Ichigo wide eyed.
Mizore and Ruby eventually jumped in grabbing at Moka stopping her from continuing her chase of Kurumu. Ichigo leaned against the nearest wall face palming, "Great what could happen next, this whole mission has turned into a mess."
To Be Continued