CHAPTER 19

REUNION

Tsukune signed his name at the bottom of the paper, putting down his pencil as he scanned the letter. He smiled in satisfaction when he found nothing wrong with his work. The previous day, he had asked one of the doctors for some paper and pens; it had been a long time since he had contacted his family, and the only news that he had heard from town was off-hand gossip form the messengers. Since he figured he was going to be in the infirmary for a while, he might as well be somewhat productive. Tsukune stared at the note and frowned at the noticeable omission of two key facts. The first fact that Tsukune had left out was that he had gotten a rather high-class girlfriend. Although he understood why he couldn't tell anybody about his and Princess Moka's relationship, he still wished that he could tell his family; after all, didn't they deserve to know? Oh well, it was best not to dwell on things like that.

The other dirty little secret Tsukune was keeping was not for safety reasons, but because he didn't want his family to worry. His injury at Corma's hands had gotten better over the weeks, but you can't just get back onto your feet after being stabbed with something, regardless of what it was. Luckily, Tsukune would be back on his feet soon enough, but he was getting restless. He looked out the window to his left and let his mind wander. Or, at least, he would have, if there hadn't been a knock on the door.

"Come in." Tsukune said without looking. The door opened, and he was suddenly overwhelmed by a very powerful monstrous aura. Tsukune knew of only two monsters that would have an aura that strong: Moka and Kokoa. Since Moka kept her aura tightly reined in, it meant that Kokoa was in the infirmary. Tsukune turned to greet the princess, but suddenly his eyes bugged out, and he was unable to speak save to utter out one word. "C-Corma."

"Oh, you remember me! I'm so happy!" Corma exclaimed happily. "But, then again, I made it hard to forget me, didn't I?" Tsukune was too stunned to respond. His mind had gone into flashback mode, and he was remembering the pain when Corma's hand had pierced his body, how long he has spent in the infirmary… Tsukune looked at Corma again, and realized that he looked a lot different than the last time he had seen him. He looked like a prince, with his brown leather jacket that was studded with gold buttons down the front and on the cuffs that matched the gold chain braided down his chest. A ruby-encrusted leather belt held up his pants, and both his pants and shirt were embroidered with elegant patterns. Tsukune didn't care; he could still see that it was the same old Corma, the one that had hurt him, and more importantly, the one that had heard Moka. He opened his mouth.

"HE-" Tsukune's cry for help was cut short when Corma, using his vampire-speed, dashed forward and pulled a chloroform drugged handkerchief from his pocket. He shoved it into Tsukune's face and saw him go limp as the drug kicked in. Corma grabbed Tsukune and slung him over his shoulder. "Almost too easy." He muttered to himself as he leapt out the window.

XXXXXX

Tsukune groaned as he came to, his body aching all over and his head full of cotton, and the fact that someone had a firm grip on his hair didn't make finding his bearings any easier.

SMACK. "Wake up." SMACK. "I said wake up!" Tsukune reluctantly opened his eyes and did his best to focus on the situation in front of him. His vision was groggy, but he could make out a tall, lanky man with glasses and black hair standing directly in front of him. Tsukune guessed that this was the man pulling on his hair, and a sharp tug from his scalp confirmed his suspicions.

"Where am I?" Tsukune asked. His answer was a smack to the face.

"Shut up!" The man snarled. "I'm the one asking questions here!"

Oh great. Tsukune thought. What have I gotten myself into now?

XXXXXX

Yukari skipped eagerly up the hill to the castle, as chipper as ever at the prospect of once again seeing her beloved big brother. Her parents and Mizore followed close behind, less open but no less eager to see Tsukune. They had each brought something fir the boy: Yukari had brought some short stories that she had written, Mrs. Aono had packed a lunch, Mr. Aono had bought his son the book 1001 Ways to Woo a Girl, and Mizore had brought…well, no one knew what Tsukune's best friend had brought, and they weren't about to ask, so they let the girl stay in character with her silent stalking routine. Arriving at the Castle door, Yukari knocked, knocked, and kept on knocking until one of the servants opened the door.

"Yes?" the servant asked. Yukari didn't answer; she was too busy smiling. So, her mother stepped in.

"Um, yes, we're the Aono's. We're here to see Tsukune?" The servant looked at the party skeptically, so Mrs. Aono quickly spoke up once more. "You can ask Princess Moka, if you like." The servant raised an eyebrow, but stepped aside and gestured inside.

"Wait here."

XXXXXX

Moka was in her personal training room, as she was every day, when the servant came and informed her that Tsukune's posse was here for a visit. Moka did her best to hide her surprise as she processed the information.

His family, huh? Well, I wish that they had given some sort of warning… but then again, I did tell them that they could visit…but what are we going to tell them about Tsukune in the infirmary? I'll ask him... it will give him a heads up too.

Moka opened the door to the infirmary and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the empty bed and sheets all askew across the mattress. Moka dashed forward and clutched the edge of the bed so hard she bent it.

"Tsukune?" She cried frantically as she searched the room for her boyfriend. "Tsukune? Tsukune! TSUKUNE!"