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Rosario + Vampire: Angel of Death
Chapter 10
Youkai Academy Entrance. Morning.
Tsukune couldn't believe where he was now.
It had been four months since he, Moka, and Haru enrolled into Youkai Academy. Four long months of troubles and adventures, and now, summer break had happened. Tsukune was still shaken about earlier, when Nekonome-sensei announced that the Newspaper Club was going to the human world for two days. Tsukune felt overjoyed, mainly because at long last he was going back to his world, but this time with a vampire, an angel, a succubus, and a witch in tow. But that didn't matter to him. All that mattered was that he would be back where many would believe he'd belong.
He had arrived at the entrance to Youkai almost thirty minutes before the bus taking them to the human world arrived, and as he paced back and forth with impatience, he was graced with Moka's presence, seeing the beautiful vampire wearing a frilly dress that made her shine brighter than the sun itself. She and Tsukune sat on a branch that was hanging close to the ground, as the talked about how going to the human world would be fun. Moka admitted her fears due to how the humans treated her in the past, but snuggled up to Tsukune as if she knew he would keep her safe. Tsukune blushed at that point, and slowly reached towards her, almost in kissing range.
But neither Tsukune nor Moka would have the chance, as they suddenly heard a woosh, then a loud bang as someone landed near them, making them jump. The looked up to see Haru, dressed in jeans, a grey shirt, and a light jacket, with his wings outstretched once again.. He carried with him his sheathed sword, along with a backpack and what seemed to be a media player in his hands. He looked at the two, pulled out the earphones that played loud rock music, and asked if something was wrong.
Moka and Tsukune shook their heads, blushing from ear to ear.
Haru shrugged, folding his wings. "If I scared you, then I apologize." he said. "I woke up late today and kind of rushed to get here. Guess there was no need, huh?"
Tsukune looked at Haru. He remembered Haru confessing his love for Moka, and that it was a secret between the two friends. What else would've explained him appearing just when Moka and he were about to…
Moka blushed. "I-It's okay, Haru-san." she told him. "We kind of got here just now too."
Haru grunted. "Well, don't expect the peace to last. I think I saw Yukari and Kurumu walking over here. I think I can see them now."
He looked behind the two, as Tsukune turned around.
He saw Kurumu, dressed in the women's summer outfit, and Yukari, still dressed as a witch. Yukari seemed worried over something, and Kurumu was her usual self.
"I don't wanna go to the stupid human world after all!" Yukari cried out. Kurumu looked at her, half curious and half annoyed.
As they got closer to Tsukune, Haru, and Moka, Tsukune asked what was wrong.
Kurumu smiled. "Good morning, Tsukune. Well, I just met Yukari-chan on the way here, and she started whining about how she doesn't want to go…"
Yukari looked down, still sad.
Tsukune looked at her. "Why not, Yukari-chan?" he asked.
Yukari did not respond. Kurumu giggled. "Maybe she's wimping out because she's never been there before? She is just a baby after all…"
Yukari looked up, raised her wand, and a bedpan crashed onto Kurumu's head.
"Someone with only one brain cell like you wouldn't understand!" Yukari shouted.
Kurumu lunged at Yukari, prompting Moka to hold her back. "Who has only one brain cell you little…?!"
Tsukune blushed. "Well," he said to Haru, "Look's like there's gonna be some problems."
Haru shrugged. "When isn't there any?"
Tsukune smiled. "At least I don't have to worry about things like what happened the other day…"
Haru looked at Tsukune. "How many times must I tell you? I don't want to know anymore about your unfortunate and idiotic experience with Ririko-sensei. If I hear one more thing about your bad luck with women, I swear I'll throw myself off a cliff and not fly away."
Tsukune rubbed his head. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry." he said.
Just a few days ago, Tsukune and many others were preparing for the exams that would allow them a chance for summer break. Ririko-sensei, a math teacher, tried to help him with his problems with the upcoming math exam that he had problems with by using her seductive lamia powers on Tsukune. It was thanks to the girls that Tsukune didn't turn into her slave, and after the event Tsukune still managed to pass. He tried to tell Haru about it, but Haru tried not to listen, showing that even stories that would seem strange to others, would give a head-splitting migraine to those who tried to block off what they called 'moronic tripe.'
Thankfully, Haru and Tsukune noticed the bus appearing from the woods leading to the gate separating the two worlds from each other. As it stopped near the girls, it opened to reveal that Nekonome-sensei and the bus driver from when Tsukune thought of leaving Youkai were inside, as Nekonome-sensei welcomed the members inside.
Tsukune looked around, noticing something missing. "Where's Gin-sempai?" he asked.
Kurumu smiled. "He said something about getting too many questions wrong on the semester test and that he can't come because of summer school. Too bad, eh?"
Yukari looked at her. "If that's so, then why are you he-." She couldn't finish as Kurumu covered her mouth and laughed hesitantly. Haru rolled his eyes, not surprised of what the facts were.
Tsukune and Moka sat next to each other, as Kurumu and Yukari tried to get close to the two. Haru sat on the opposite side from where the four were, placing his earphones in his ears and looking out the window.
He was still thinking about earlier, when Rikiishi failed to keep Moka away from Tsukune, resulting in Tsukune receiving more vampire blood from the vampire. Haru realized before that he seemed to be slacking at trying to kill Moka, possibly because he felt that he was not ready yet. He fought off impatience since then, and was actually glad to be on the trip. Should he be given the chance, Moka could be dead, and it would be blamed on some human psychopath of sorts. He knew that was too good to be true, but he still hoped to keep the attention off of himself until at the right moment. He just needed patience. Nothing more, nothing less.
The bus driver closed the doors, and drove off into the gate, and into the human world.
As they drove through the gate and through pure blackness, the driver explained to Tsukune and the rest about the gate itself. How it was connected to various locations in the human world, how it was probable cause for many strange things that could occur near the tunnels in the human world, how at the moment they were headed to Japan, and how for a while, the monster world would be gone for only a while.
Tsukune looked on, Moka and Kurumu followed suit, but Yukari seemed to be sweating as if something bad would happen if she made it to the human world. Whatever her problem was, she didn't seem to want to share with the rest.
At last, a glimpse of light appeared, and got bigger when the bus got closer, until finally, they had made it.
Tsukune Aono, with his monster friends, had made it back to the human world.
Tsukune and the girls looked around in awe. Yukari mentioned that there were a lot of humans around, which made Kurumu remark that it made sense seeing as how they were now in the human world. Tsukune mentioned something about the weather, as he continued looking at all the humans they passed by. Tears began to form in his eyes, as he knew in his heart, that he was finally home.
The bus continued on for a while, driving through freeways and highways, past intersections leading into human cities, until at last they stopped at a strange place that looked like a park. The only strange thing about the place was that a giant sign that said 'Planned Construction Area: No Trespassing' It didn't take long for everyone to notice where they were, and began questioning their location.
Haru heard the bus driver laughing, as he opened the doors.
Leaving the bus, the five looked around to see a beautiful garden of sunflowers. The girls were in awe by the place's beauty. Even Moka was impressed by how everything was around her.
Nekonome-sensei was confused. "Isn't this a totally different spot than where we originally planned?" she asked the bus driver.
He laughed, and placed a cigar in his mouth "Well, I thought we should try stopping by this spot for a bit. Currently, this is quite a well known spot in the human world." he said.
Tsukune caught on to the conversation, and joined in. "Is that because of the sunflowers?" he asked.
The driver blew out a puff of smoke. "No," he said, "it's because it's a mysterious spot where one human after another has been spirited away."
Tsukune's face deadpanned. Wha…?
The driver smiled. "Don't you think that in this day and age that spiriting away is quite poetic?"
Tsukune freaked. "That's why you brought us here!?" he shouted.
The driver paid no mind, yet handed a newspaper to Tsukune. "You'd best read the local newspaper for details." he said. He then walked back to the bus. "Well, you guys had better be plenty careful not to get spirited away, too."
Tsukune started to say something, but the driver didn't give him a chance. He mentioned something about fish to Nekonome-sensei, who seemed very interested, as the two got in the bus and left the five students behind.
Tsukune's jaw dropped. "Are you serious!?" he shouted. "They just LEFT us!?"
Yukari looked back in fear. "Oh God, oh god, oh god."
Moka looked at her, and patted her head. "Don't worry, Yukari-chan." she said, "nothing bad will happen. I'm sure of it."
Haru looked at the sunflower garden, gripping his hidden masamune tightly. Why does this place give off a bad aura? Why can't I shake off the feeling that something bad is about to happen again?
His thoughts were interrupted by the succubus' words. "I can't believe it!" Kurumu shouted. "What was that bus driver thinking?! We've been deserted deep in the mountains!"
Yukari waved her arms in the air. "What're we gonna do now? I don't like this! I wanna go home right now!"
Kurumu poked at Yukari's cheek. "What's wrong with you? We only just got here, and you're already crying! I'll really give you something to cry about if you don't stop!"
Yukari lunged at Kurumu, as she and Yukari got into a tussle, prompting Moka to try and break it up.
It had only been a few minutes since Tsukune, Haru, Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari were left behind in the human world by the bus driver and Nekonome-sensei. As Kurumu started her whining, followed by Yukari, Tsukune and Haru just stood nearby, Tsukune feeling shy about the situation, Haru seemingly paying no attention, only fixated on the sunflower garden next to them.
Suddenly, Tsukune looked behind him, surprise on his face.
He saw some flowers move, but only a little, but was too random to be considered normal.
Kurumu, in the midst of the chaos, noticed Tsukune's expression. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Tsukune didn't look back. "I-I'm not sure. but I think I just saw… something in the flowers…"
Yukari freaked. "What?"
Haru grunted. "He may be right." Everyone looked at him. "Ever since we arrived here, I felt something about this place, something… evil."
Kurumu walked up to Haru, clapped her hands, and bowed, saying, "And what else do your ninja instincts say, O Haru-san?"
Haru looked at her, showing the same, angry expression on his face. Kurumu rubbed her head, apologizing.
"But to answer your question," he replied, "I do feel a presence somewhat similar to the countless auras I've seen in Youkai. Perhaps…" he looked out to the stretch of land before him. "we're not entirely alone…"
All of a sudden, a loud roar bellowed from the garden, scaring Tsukune and the girls.
"W-what was that!?" Moka said, terrified.
Tsukune looked at the others. "We need to get out of here!" he said. He looked around the area, noticing a small cabin sitting in the midst of a grassy plain. "Over there! We can hide there! C'mon!"
The five ran away from the field, Haru in the back, Tsukune leading, as they reached for the desolate cabin, hiding within.
Tsukune and the girls rested, trying to catch their breath. "Wh-what was that?" Tsukune said, "This is the human world, right? Don't you think that was weird?"
Kurumu and Yukari looked away. Haru raised his shoulders, moving his hidden blade. "Like I said before, whatever that was gave off an aura much like any monster from our world. If it is a monster, who knows what it wants?"
Moka looked at Haru, then realized something. "Spiriting away…" she said.
Tsukune and Haru looked at her. "What?"
Moka looked at the others. "What if what's been going on here has to do with whatever's on that newspaper the driver gave us? Maybe we should take a look…"
Tsukune nodded, and drew out the newspaper, opening it to read its contents.
The article that they found interesting was about the place, known as Okabanachou, how eighteen sightseers have disappeared one after another, how rumors of witches based on a legend possibly being the cause of the missing people, and how it all started not long after construction was announced on the hill, resulting in its beautiful landscape being demolished.
Tsukune blushed. Not just because of the article, but because Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari huddled up next to him to read the paper. Haru rolled his eyes when he noticed Tsukune's face turning red.
Kurumu smiled, and looked at Yukari. "A witch? What, so this spiriting away business is all because of a witch? Isn't it your kind that kidnaps humans and does awful things to them?"
Yukari blushed, a vein popping in her face. "You really are simpleminded if you believe everything you read in the newspaper, Kurumu-chan."
Kurumu smiled. "Well, truth be told, I don't like witches to begin with."
Yukari raised her wand sending another bedpan crashing onto Kurumu's head. "Well, I don't like talking blow-up dolls like you, either!"
Kurumu and Yukari resumed their fight, as Moka tried to separate them. Haru and Tsukune kept reading the paper in search for more answers.
Tsukune's eyes widened. "This prefecture…" he said.
Haru looked at him. "What about it?"
"I live near there." Tsukune said. "It's famous for having that radical governor who has all those ambitious projects."
Haru looked at him, and then back at the paper. "You're right," he said. "I think I've heard about that guy before. Apparently he's trying all this crap just so he could save face. Sounds like a real politician to me."
Tsukune looked at Haru, confused. "What makes you think that?"
Haru didn't budge. "My father," he said, "he's kind of a famous figure in Japan. Ever hear of Shiro Uematsu? That's my father."
Tsukune blinked. "Really?" he said, "so, alongside being an angel, he's also one of the most powerful men in the country? Sounds tough…"
Haru looked away. "It's more complicated than that…" he said.
Tsukune looked at him, confused.
Moka, in the midst of the struggle, had another thought. "Hey guys," she said, catching everyone's attention, "Do you think it's more than a coincidence that we're just stranded here? I mean, It is supposed to be camp for the Newspaper Club after all. What if Nekonome-sensei is trying to get us to do something here?"
Kurumu looked at Moka. "What kind of plan is that? If that's true, then that means she's testing us. How annoying! But, if that IS the case, maybe we should figure out who or what's been doing the spiriting away ourselves?"
Tsukune looked at her. "No way!" he said. Haru crossed his arms calmly.
Yukari grew worried. "Are you crazy?" she said, pulling out tarot cards, "It's too dangerous! What if something really does happen? This IS the human world! Even my tarot cards say this vacation's ill-fated!"
Kurumu finally snapped, walking up to Yukari. "I've had enough of you, Yukari-chan."
Yukari looked at her. Kurumu continued. "Tarot cards are worthless anyway! And ever since we started this trip, you've been complaining nonstop all day! You're such a wimp! How long are you going to try and hide under your bed?" Kurumu gave Yukari a mean look. "You really are just a baby. If you're so worried, then why don't you just go home by yourself already?"
Yukari lowered her head, quivering with rage. "Why you…" She jumped at Kurumu, sending a metal tarot card to stick between Kurumu's eyes, bleeding slightly. Yukari ran away, claiming to be not afraid of anything.
Moka ran to the door. "That was going too far, Kurumu! Come on! She's running up the mountain! We need to follow her!" She ran off, Tsukune and Kurumu standing still.
Haru cursed under his breath, walking to the doorway. "You two, stay here. Try not to hurt yourselves." He ran off, trying to catch up with Moka.
It wasn't long until Haru caught up with Moka, who didn't seem to want to give up at looking for Yukari.
"Moka!" Haru said, catching her attention. "What the hell are you thinking?"
Moka lowered her head. "I… I can't just leave her alone." she said. "She… she's like a sister to me. I can't help but try to be there for her…"
Haru placed his hands on her shoulders. "I guess I can understand. But you need to be careful. Whatever's out here could be dangerous, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
Moka blushed. "Hmm… I guess I ran off without thinking, huh?" She looked behind him. "Where's Tsukune and Kurumu?"
Haru lowered his hands. "I told them to stay behind. I thought it would be a good idea, should Yukari decide to return while we look for her."
Moka looked at him, then nodded. "You're right."
As the two walked off, they looked around, searching for Yukari.
"Hey, Haru-san," Moka said, "Why are you so calm? Aren't you worried about Yukari?"
Haru looked at her. "I am," he said, "I just don't go overboard with it all the time. If you really believe that someone will be fine, then there's no point in worrying."
Moka lowered her head. "I see." she said. She looked back at him. "You know, acting like that, it's probably no wonder people are afraid of you a lot."
Haru grunted. "But not you?"
Moka shook her head. "No. You seem to be one of those guys who are tough on the outside, but sweet on the inside. You just need to be a bit less meaner, so that others could want to get to know you more."
Haru kept walking. "You make it sound like you trust me." he said.
Moka looked away. "I do." she said.
Haru looked back at her. "Really?" he said. "why?"
Moka blushed. "You seem to be that guy others could depend on. Like I said before, you just need to lighten up a bit. Maybe then others can trust you, even in tough situations."
Haru didn't show any change in expression. "Perhaps you're right." He slowly walked behind Moka. "Changing the subject, what do you think is causing those disappearances here? Maybe something supernatural, or…?"
Moka shrugged. "I don't know. But right now, we should concentrate on Yukari. Once we find her, we can worry about the rest later."
Haru lowered his bag, slowly unzipping it so that Moka could not hear. "Maybe we should keep an open mind. You never know what horrors may lurk here. Perhaps a pure killer of no remorse, or a beast of pure evil."
Moka didn't look behind her, but kept walking. "Well, if anything should happen, at least you'll keep everyone save."
Haru reached for his sword, gripping the handle and planning where to cut Moka's collar off. I couldn't agree any more, he thought.
But before he could, a loud scream broke the silence. Moka and Haru looked at the direction, as Moka ran towards the scream, Haru cursing himself for not trying earlier.
Yukari was shocked.
Not long after she ran off from Kurumu and the rest, she walked around the forest, thinking about her kind's past history with humans; how the witches were hunted down throughout the years, persecuted without relent.
Suddenly, she heard a loud scream coming from the sunflower garden. She ran to find two female humans in the garden, one trying to pull her friend away from the garden, which apparently was trying to feed on the girl.
Suddenly, a monster sprang from the sunflowers, lunging at Yukari. She then realized what it was; a Garigarious. A plant-like monster said to be carnivorous.
Yukari threw dozens of metal tarots at the beast, which landed on the beast's upper torso, allowing Yukari to cause pain at the beast. But apparently, it did no actual damage, as Yukari realized that there was more than just that one monster. Others sprang around her, sending energy-draining vines around Yukari's arms and legs, trapping her between the beasts.
One of them began to bite down on her, causing her to bleed. It threw her around the garden, sending the other monsters to try and eat her.
Yukari's mind raced with thoughts of fear. She thought about someone coming to save her, coming to free her from the monsters. She then remembered, in the midst of being eaten, what Kurumu said. How she was a baby, and how powerless she was.
Suddenly, a giant blast of energy erupted from the beast, causing it to free Yukari, who landed nearby the wounded plant. "I can't believe I'd have to think of someone like her at a time like this. I can't stand it. I won't let her make fun of me again…"
The monsters lunged at her, full of rage.
Yukari raised her wand, concentrating her magic on her tarot cards, causing them to grow wings, sending them at the overcrowding beasts. Her powers grew, as each monster was destroyed by each attack.
In just a second, the beasts that scared her before turned to a bloody mess. As each body fell, Yukari saw her cards turn back to normal. She then began to feel drowsy, and fell to the ground.
She saw, out of the corner of her eye, that a sole monster seemingly survived, and lunged at her.
But before it could reach her, a series of slashes sliced the beast to pieces. Yukari saw that Haru and the rest managed to appear at last. She smiled, happy to see her friends again.
Tsukune couldn't believe what he saw.
Sometime after Haru and Moka left, he and Kurumu heard the screams from the garden, as they ran off to its direction. As they caught up with Haru and Moka, they ran to Yukari, who seemed to just then destroy all the monsters around her. As she fainted, Haru could see one of the monsters rise from the corpses and attack Yukari. Haru drew his masamune, and ran up close, chopping the beast to pieces.
As it fell, Tsukune ran to Yukari's side, holding her in his arms.
Moka looked around. "Plant monsters?" she said. "Yukari-chan actually beat up all these things!? My God…"
Tsukune looked at Moka. "But why? Why was she fighting these beasts?"
Haru looked at the humans nearby. "Perhaps it's because of them." he said, pointing at the two women. Tsukune freaked when one of them mentioned something about her being a witch, revealing that they saw everything.
As Haru, Tsukune and Moka brought Yukari to the humans, Kurumu noticed Yukari's hat sitting on a sunflower. "Wow." she said to herself. "You really did fight without running away. I guess you're the type that can't stand losing…" She walked to Yukari, placing her hat back on Yukari's head. "I guess you're not weak at all, Yukari-chan. I'm truly sorry for saying those awful things to you before…"
Tsukune smiled, happy to see things mended between the two.
Haru looked back at the garden, sheathing his blade. "Curious…" he said, catching Tsukune's attention. "These things are monsters, yet this is the human world. What the hell is going on in this damned mountain?"
Tsukune walked to him. "Well, whatever the reason is, we should be glad that Yukari's safe."
Haru shrugged. "Hmph. You're right."
* * * * * *.
A few hours later, Haru and Tsukune walked throughout the forest, each holding a bucket of water in each hand.
Ever since the attack on Yukari by the strange plant-like beasts, the young witch remained unconscious, still alive by giving out slight breaths and mumbling to herself whilst dreaming. The boys left to fetch water from a nearby stream, while Moka and Kurumu watched over Yukari.
As they walked back to the temporary camp, Tsukune wiped off some sweat from his brow.
"Man, it's so hot here." Tsukune said.
Haru grunted. "Well, this IS the human world, remember? It has its seasons. How can you forget after being gone for almost half a year?"
Tsukune smiled. "I guess I got used to Youkai's climate." He looked at Haru. "How come you don't seem affected by the weather, Haru-san?"
Haru kept walking. "Well, once you live as long as I do, you kind of get used to it." he said.
Tsukune smiled. "Ah."
Finally, they reached the area that the girls were. Yukari still didn't wake up, as Moka cradled her in her arms.
The boys let down the buckets of water. "Is she okay, Moka-san?" Tsukune asked.
Moka looked at him, then at Yukari. "Well, she doesn't have any serious injuries, but she's exhausted from using too much of her power from the battle."
Tsukune sighed. Haru crossed his arms. "Truth be told, I'm actually impressed." he said. Tsukune and Moka looked at him. "I mean, at first I thought she only knew some parlor tricks, or medial magic that didn't seem useful outside of healing someone. But, seeing her use all that power, it's something unexpected. I mean, I've seen magic before, but, nothing THAT powerful…"
Tsukune looked at Yukari, peacefully sleeping. "I thought witches have unlimited power." he said. "How come using that much magic made her unconscious?"
Haru picked up his sword-concealing bag. "It's because all magic, or power, comes at a price." he said. "When a magic-user like Yukari casts magic, it takes some of her energy away. Had she used any powerful spells that held great power, but she couldn't pay the price, well, I don't think she'd be here right now." He crouched down next to Moka. "It's like the small amount of vampire blood that Moka gave you. When you use the power it gives you, it takes the strength of said blood away, making it only useful one time."
"Wow," Moka said, impressed. "I didn't know you knew so much, Haru-san."
Haru shrugged. "You can't be a part of a race of eternal beings without knowing some things about the other races. It's kind of mandatory to know."
Tsukune looked at Haru, taking a rag to a bucket of water and ringing it out. "So, what happens if someone is given too much monster blood? Do they become the monster that gave them the blood in the first place?"
Haru looked down, shadows covering his eyes. "Something like that." he said.
Kurumu looked at one of the tarot cards Yukari used before. "I wonder if she's okay…" she said.
Tsukune and the rest looked at her. Kurumu continued. "I was so surprised at first, I had no idea that so much power was inside her. But, if she's so strong, why is she scared of the human world?" She looked back at the corpses of the dead plant beasts. "I guess there are many things about her that we don't know. That includes witches, since they're the hybrid of human and ayashi…"
Haru looked at her. "Kurumu, you just answered your own question." He said.
Kurumu looked at him. "What?"
Haru went on. "We know that witches are called 'boundary beings' for a reason. They've been close to human since the beginning, which explains the hatred of some if not all witches from humans and monster alike. They're different from normal, and are therefore, outcasts. Especially in the human world, thanks to centuries of 'witch-burnings' by the humans."
Kurumu looked down. "Yeah, that's right."
Suddenly, the human females that Yukari saved returned. The one who was attacked seemed to have regained her full strength, as they made their way to the group.
"How is Yukari-chan?" one of them, a girl with a ball cap, asked. "Is she awake?"
Moka shook her head. "No."
After some conversation and introducing themselves as college students from Fujimi City, they asked if Yukari was one of the witches living in the place they called "Witch Hill."
"No, she's not," Tsukune said. "We just arrived here because of our research trip."
The ball cap girl looked sad. "So, I was wrong?"
Tsukune looked at her, confused.
The girl explained. "I was wondering because this area has a legend that a witch live here. Especially at that ranch," she pointed at a faraway ranch high on the hill. "We call it the 'witch's ranch' because there's a rumor that a witch live there. But recently, there was a decision to build a new factory around this area. Since then, there have been people missing. That's why people are scared. They think that those missing people are factory managers that angered the witch and met the 'Divine Punisher'."
Suddenly, Yukari, having awakened and hearing the woman's story, slowly got up. "You guys don't have any proof, so please do not randomly blame witches. Humans can never understand witches."
Tsukune, Kurumu, and Haru, who got up earlier when the humans appeared, turned around as they saw Yukari slowly get to her feet. Kurumu went up to her, happy to see her awake, but Yukari giving her the cold shoulder reminded the succubus about the fight they had earlier.
The woman blushed, and turned back to the others. "Well, anyway, if this area really is dangerous, then we should probably leave a soon as possible."
Moka smiled, and pulled out a travel book she got earlier from Nekonome-sensei. "Then shall we leave and go to town where our motel is located? We might even be able to meet up with our sensei. We should probably tell her about this incident…"
The ball-capped woman nodded. "We can probably give you guys a ride, even though there are seven of us… We're pretty close to town."
As Tsukune and the rest walked up to the human's car, Yukari turned around, thinking she saw something.
Moka looked at her, and asked what was wrong. Yukari said it was nothing and headed off.
Fujimi City. Afternoon.
The ride felt long and nerve wracking for Haru and Tsukune. Because there were too many people to get in the car, Yukari had to sit between the boys, while Kurumu sat on Tsukune's lap, and Moka sitting on Haru's. Not a word was said from the two boys, as each man tried their hardest not to make things weird.
Finally, they reached a bus stop near to the motel they were to stay in. The five got out of the car, waved good-bye to the human females, and stood there as they left, looking around at the big city.
Tsukune was happy. Now that he was back in the big city, he felt truly at home. Moka and Kurumu were amazed at what they saw, while Yukari resumed her fear of the human world.
Tsukune, noticing it, reassured Yukari. "Don't worry, Yukari-chan. It's not like this is a dangerous place."
Yukari still looked scared. Tsukune then reminded himself of how scared she was when they arrived for the first time. With the exception of himself and Haru, seeing as how angels don't necessarily count as monsters, everyone else is a Youkai. As a human, he thought, I have to show them around this place. I want Moka-san and the others to like this world. He felt himself smiling at the thought.
Suddenly he heard Haru groan, and as he turned around he saw him cover the part of his face that wasn't hidden by the big black bang with his hand. "Oh God, I was worried this would happen…"
Tsukune looked around, and noticed some humans having seen Moka and Kurumu, noting how beautiful they both were. How Moka looked like the perfect woman, and how Kurumu had a perfect set of breasts, which added to her beauty. Many wondered if they were models, here for some showing of sorts. Even some girls nearby took notice of Haru and Tsukune, saying how they both looked cute, Tsukune looking like the kind and sweet type, and Haru looking like the strong and silent type.
Yukari, scared at the growing crowds around them, backed away to the bus stop bench. She heard someone behind her, and turned to see a bunch of nerds next to her, wondering if what she was wearing was some sort of cosplay, and how cute she looked.
Yukari felt smothered by the growing amount of people amazed at her outfit. So smothered that she accidentally raised her wand, causing the lights above her to shatter.
Tsukune noticed this, and rushed to Yukari's aid. He grabbed her hand, and with Moka, Haru, and Kurumu, ran all the way to an alley far from the humans.
As they stopped to check if the coast was clear, Tsukune turned to Yukari, who was still shaken by the ordeal. "Yukari-chan," he said. "you know better than to use magic near humans! Don't you remember?"
Yukari slumped to the ground, and hit her fists on the pavement. "I'm sick of this!" she said. "I'm scared of both humans and their world!"
Tsukune was taken aback. Haru rubbed his head, Damn crowds, he thought. Should've known better than to act like idiots.
Tsukune kneeled next to her. "It's okay, Yukari-chan. I know how you feel. I'm sure you'll get-."
"Stop lying!" Yukari shouted. "You don't understand my feelings at all. It's impossible for you to understand." Tears began to form under her eyes. "There's too much difference between my world and the human world. No one will ever understand!"
Kurumu, angry, held Yukari up by the collar, chastising her for talking to Tsukune like that, making him feel bad.
Out of nowhere, a crow attack Kurumu, causing her skirt to reveal (not to the boys) her panties. She brought down her skirt in shame.
"W-what was that?" she said. "Did that bird just attack us?"
Suddenly, more crows joined the one that attacked her, and proceeded to attack everyone there.
"No way!" Kurumu said, covering her head. "Why are all these crows attacking us here? Why are they so offensive!?"
Haru shielded his eyes, as he shooed the birds away from everyone with his bag.
As the birds flew away, Moka noticed something was wrong: Yukari was missing.
"Yukari-chan!?" she called out. "Where are you?"
Tsukune looked around. "What? Where's Yukari-chan?"
Kurumu and Haru looked around. No way, Haru thought. She's gone!
* * * * * *
Haru looked around, searching for any trace of Yukari.
Only a few minutes had passed since he, Tsukune, Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari arrived in the human world. And since this morning, they came across a hill rumored to be home to a witch, a sunflower garden with hidden monsters within, and now, a murder of crows that somehow caused Yukari's disappearance.
Haru clenched his fists. Dammit, he thought, of all the stupid things to happen, why do they happen now? First the hill, then the monsters, then Yukari, now this. What in the hell is going on here?!
He rushed back to the alleyway, after searching a small part of an area next to it for Yukari, to check back on the rest, who split up to find her.
"Did you find her?" Moka asked, returning with Kurumu and Tsukune.
Haru shook his head. "Not even anything resembling her. You?"
Moka and the others shook there heads too.
Haru put a hand to his forehead. "Where could she be?" he muttered.
Tsukune, still down about the incident from earlier, spoke up. "I thought she was scared of the city? Where could she be?"
Kurumu grew worried. "Oh, oh, oh." she said.
"Wait." Haru said, Everyone looked at him. "Let me see if I can see her aura from here…" He closed his eyes after asking for some room to concentrate, as Tsukune and the girls kept talking from afar.
"I can't believe we can't find her." Moka said. "Where did she go?"
"If only those birds didn't attack us." Kurumu said, "Maybe then we'd still have her here."
Tsukune looked down. "What if…" he said. Moka and Kurumu looked at him. "Yukari –chan was right? I mean, we are her friends, but maybe we don't understand her feelings at all…:
Kurumu turned away. Moka grasped her arms. "Everybody feels the same way." she said a worried smile appearing. "That's why we have to find her as soon as possible. We have to let her know that we consider her feelings this time. So that she knows she's not alone."
Tsukune nodded, as well as Kurumu.
Suddenly, Haru appeared, pointing behind them. "There!" he said.
Tsukune looked at the direction he was pointing, and saw a group of crows flying around the rooftop of a building. "Are those the same crows from before?" he asked.
"I think so." Haru said. "It's faint, but I can see her distinct aura on that rooftop."
Kurumu rushed to Haru's side. "Then what are we waiting for?" she asked.
Haru stopped her with an outstretched arm. "She's not alone." he said. "I can sense another aura close to her. It's similar to hers, but stronger."
Tsukune looked at him. "Is it another monster?" he asked.
Haru shook his head. "No. Whoever it is, it's giving off a bad aura." He picked up his sword-bag, and unzipped the area where the handle was located. "Be ready."
Yukari was shocked.
Sometime during the crow attack, someone snatched her away from the others, bringing her to the rooftop nearby. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by a woman in a ragged dress, carrying a strange wand. The woman introduced herself as Rubi, a fellow witch who came from the Witch's Hill. She sat next to Yukari, explaining that to her, humans were creatures who knew nothing but destruction. That they were not meant to live with such creatures, and that witches are better than them. All that time, Yukari kept thinking about the others. How Kurumu treated her like a girl, how Tsukune kept trying to smother her, and how Moka seemed uninterested in the young witch. All that brought tears to her eyes, painfully reminding herself of what she is.
"Those humans that fill us with hate," Rubi continued. "are planning to destroy the sunflower patch that we call home. That is why, Yukari-chan," she handed Yukari a sunflower, stalk and all, "in order to fight against humans, we need all the help we can get."
Yukari looked at the sunflower, taking in the witches' words.
"So then," Rubi asked. "will you help us?"
Yukari, very slowly, nodded.
This made Rubi very happy, as she embraced Yukari very tightly. "Yay! Now that you are one of us, let's be friends!"
Yukari was surprised by the outburst, as she had Rubi pegged as someone whose cruelty reached to those that weren't friend.
Suddenly, the door leading downstairs burst open, revealing Tsukune, Haru, Moka, and Kurumu falling flat on the ground. Tsukune groaned as he felt Haru's knee on his back.
"Haru-san," he asked, straining to be free, "could you get off me? This is embarrassing…"
Haru grunted. "Consider yourself lucky." he said. Moka and Kurumu had fallen on top of the angel, and now he could feel the succubus's breasts pressing on his back. So, he thought out of nowhere, that's what it feels like…
Yukari jumped to her feet. "Tsukune?" she said.
Rubi got up. "Humans?" she said. "How?!"
Kurumu got up, still sitting on Haru. "You should've sent your crows elsewhere. They led us here like a smoke signal." she said. "By the way, we couldn't help but overhear your little chat."
They all got up, brushing off the dust from their clothes. Tsukune looked at Yukari, who was scared, and expected a scolding.
"Yukari-chan," Tsukune said, "are you actually serious?"
She looked up to see that Tsukune was not mad at her, rather worried, holding out a hand towards her. "We were all worried, Yukari-chan. I'm so sorry about earlier. If I had known how you truly felt, I would've understood you better. How about we leave this place, and go back to Youkai Academy?"
Yukari, standing there surprised, started to cry again.
"Let's just forget about that report," Tsukune continued, "and go home. Does that sound good?"
Tears ran down her face, as Yukari reached for his hand.
Suddenly, blood erupted from Tsukune's shoulders, as Rubi sent bladed feathers from the wings she grew to attack him. Yukari cried out to him.
"Yukari," Rubi said, spreading her wings. "You mustn't fall into their trap. Like I said before, humans are the enemy, We must kill all of our enemies without any hesitation. Understand?"
Moka and Kurumu covered their mouths in shock. Haru, cursing at the witch, drew out his blade and pointed it at Rubi.
"Yukari-chan!" Haru said. "Get over here and help Tsukune! He needs you!"
Yukari tried to get to him, but Rubi blocked her way with a bladed wing. "You don't have to look like your suffering, Yukari-chan. They are merely human, besides, I will be your friend as of today. They never understood your feelings in the first place and gave you trouble, didn't they!?"
Kurumu, angered, lunged at Rubi, who countered with sending her wings at the succubus, making her fall far from Tsukune. The witch then turned her attention to Moka, who stood there in fear. "I'll make this quick so that you will not suffer anymore!" She sent her blades at Moka, as Haru rushed to block the attack.
Suddenly, Yukari shouted at Rubi to stop, throwing herself in front of the attack, taking it full force. She fell to the ground, bleeding from her face and body.
Rubi was shocked, and ran to her side. "Why?" she asked. "Why would you…?"
Yukari looked at her. "I cannot… forgive you…" she said, "These are my friends and the mean a lot to me. Even if a fellow witch lays a hand on them, I cannot forgive them."
Haru ran to Tsukune, crouched down, and felt his pulse. Crap, he thought, Tsukune's fading. I have to try something to save him! If Yukari can't make it, then-.
He then had a thought, then looked at Moka. No! If she gives him any more of her blood, Tsukune will be closer to becoming… He looked at Tsukune again, whose blood continued to leak out from his body. But, if I don't save Tsukune, then I will have failed my promise. Dammit!
He turned to Moka. "Moka-san," he said to her, who looked at him. "You know what to do."
As Rubi clenched her fists, unable to accept Yukari's words, Haru lunged at her, swinging his sword at her. Rubi blocked it with her wings, but the force of the assault was strong enough to break her block, until Haru attacked some more.
Blades crossed, Haru got close to Rubi. "You will pay for hurting him, bitch!" he said.
Rubi laughed. "As if a human could ever defeat me!" She forced Haru back, and swung her wings at him. He block each sharp blow, and followed up with a similar attack he used on Keito, where he charged at the witch, swung his sword in the air, forcing her off the ground, and jumped close to send her crashing back. She managed to block it successfully, as she landed on the ground, Haru next to her.
He pointed his blade at the witch. "Hmph. That's the first time anyone's ever blocked that move…" he said. "Too bad it's not my strongest attack!"
He swung his blade some more, causing Rubi to only block and leaving no room to attack.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light erupted from behind the two, as they turned to see Tsukune, once again with vampire blood in his veins, rise from Moka's arms.
"W-what!?" Rubi said. "But I sliced a vital organ! It should've killed him! How can a human still stand after a hit like that!?"
Haru grunted. "You still don't get it, do you? We're not like humans. We're different, like you and Yukari!"
Rubi looked at him, then at Tsukune, who completed his transformation. Rubi lunged at him. "What are you!? How can you still live!? What kind of human are you really!?"
Tsukune didn't answer, only dodged her attack, and sent a powerful punch to het gut, causing her to cough up a lot of blood. The force was so powerful, that when she hit the ground, she was already unconscious.
H-How can this be? Rubi thought as she slipped into unconsciousness, her magical wings fading away. We witches are an honorable race. What are these guys…?
As she landed on the ground, Tsukune slumped to his knees, the power of the vampire fading from his body.
As Tsukune returned to his normal form, and everyone got together, Yukari came up to them and apologized for her actions earlier. Tsukune, Kurumu, and Moka patted her on the back, saying that there was no harm done to any of them. Haru still said nothing, but when they began to leave, and for some reason bring the unconscious Rubi with them, Haru said that he would be right there, and as the door to the stairway closed, he jumped off to a nearby rooftop, kept going for a little bit, and when he was far away from the others, and from anyone else's range of hearing, Haru threw down his sword in rage, and proceeded to demolish some nearby walls with his fists.
"Dammit all to hell, Haru!" he shouted, punching the walls as they began to form imprints upon the surfaces. "You're trying to save Tsukune, an idiot for a human, from the one thing that could kill him, that murderous bitch Moka, from certain death, and in a moment where he could've died, you chose a path that would lead him to a fate far worse than death! Damn you! Damn you to hell and back!" The imprints began to form giant holes on the walls, as each of Haru's attacks crumbled the walls to mere rubble, as he proceeded to punch the ground he stood on. "How can you save him and this world from all evil when you yourself send him closer to his death?! How can you do that, you stupid, ignorant son of a bitch!" His final punch was so powerful, that the ground below him crumbled into a crater, sending him a few feet below from where he kneeled. He stood up, took a deep breath, and picked up his sword, as he made his way back to the rooftop where the others left not long ago.
Haru looked at his knuckles, which slowly turned from a bloody mess, to a fully healed hand. "It's not over yet," he said. "I still have time to enact my vengeance upon those damned vampires. But the clock's running out, and if I don't act soon, Tsukune is as good as dead."
He took another deep breath, picked up his bag, stored his sword, and walked out through the doorway.
Nighttime.
The streets were bright and packed with cars trying from get to one place to another. And the five found themselves in another bus stop, lost in the big city.
"I can't believe how dark it's gotten." Moka said. "We can't find our motel, we're split from Nekonome-sensei, even though we can't go back to the academy by ourselves," she looked at Rubi, who was still sleeping from the attack. "and we can't just leave this girl in the middle of nowhere…"
Kurumu looked up in the night sky. "You can't even see the stars in the city at night here… That's so sad. What do you think is going to happen to us now?"
Yukari walked towards the others, full of confidence. "No worries," she said, "As long as we're together, I'm all set." She leaned on Tsukune, holding on to his arm. "I'm so sorry. I was really mean back there, Even if you don't understand me, I really like everybody here!"
Tsukune blushed. Yukari-chan…
Haru looked at Yukari. "It's good to see that you know what's important, Yukari-chan. As long as you hold the best interest of your friends close to home, then you'll always be in the right. Trust me."
Yukari looked at him, and smiled. Moka even smiled, thinking that Haru was finally warming up to the others.
All of a sudden, someone called out to them, as they turned to see Nekonome-sensei herself walking out of a store, bags in her arms. "Guys?" she said. "What are you all doing here?" From behind her, the bus driver emerged, lighting up another cigar.
Everyone stood there, jaws dropped. "Sensei!?"
Nekonome-sensei jumped. "Ah! What are you doing here so far away from the hills?"
"Heh heh heh." The driver said. "Looks like you all made it out in one piece…"
Tsukune and the girls clung to Nekonome-sensei, as Haru stood nearby, Rubi in his arms.
To be continued…