Chapter Three: Plebes

The bus from the human realm came to a stop in front of the welcoming committee and began the laborious process of disgorging its contents. Excited First Years, a small group of Second Years and a smattering of Third Years all gaily chattering amongst themselves, gathering luggage, exchanging contact info and generally causing disarray. The last to step off the bus was a petite young girl, Caucasian and not yet reaching puberty by the look of her with white hair low-lighted in pale blue undertones and bright violet eyes. As she stepped off the bus, the rest of the passengers made a point of segregating themselves from her.

"Alright everyone," Moka spoke in a bright, cheerful tone. "We need you all to separate into groups based on academic year."

"All third year students to me," Mizore called out, holding her hand aloft.

"Second years over here," Kurumu waved them over enthusiastically.

"All first year students are with us," Moka gestured to Tsukune and herself.

After another half hour of half-hearted segregation, the respective groups were to their assigned leaders. The petit-blond made her way warily towards Moka and Tsukune, passing Mizore and Kurumu as she went. Mizore instantly perked up, recognizing a snow demon's presence. Kurumu shivered as she felt the air temperature drop ten degrees C. Both she and Mizore glanced at each other, Mizore grinning contentedly at the seeming presence of one of her own, Kurumu shivering and frowning. The two girls began leading their respective groups toward the Academy campus, leaving Moka, Tsukune and the First Years at the gathering place.

"Alright," Moka began. "My name is Moka Akashiya and this is Tsukune Aono. We are your upper-classmen representatives and tour guides for the next week before term starts. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask."

A dark haired girl with pale yellow eyes and somewhat emaciated look about her raised her hand.

"I have a question," she said in pronounced New England accent.

"Go right ahead," Tsukune replied.

"Is it true that the students and faculty here are not allowed to reveal their true selves while on campus?" the girl asked.

"Yes, it is true" Tsukune replied. "The idea is that we are trying to prepare you to live and function within human society."

"Couldn't we just march out and take over?" a young Scottish man asked, grinning sadistically while fidgeting with a red baseball cap.

"You could try," Moka interjected, "but I guarantee you that before any of you got too far, the humans would have you surrounded and destroyed." The look in Moka's eyes was one of stern resolve as well as of seeming experience.

"We could all join forces," another young girl spoke, a Russian accent thick on her tongue.

A general murmur of agreement went up within the crowd.

"Rather than try and plot ways to take over the world," Tsukune interjected, "it is much easier to live in peace."

"A human may be easy to deal with, but many humans and their technology would easily overpower any coalition you could assemble." The voice issued calmly from the petit-blond standing slightly behind and to the left of the main body of students. "This violent outlook of yours is the very attitude that has earned you…us…the epithet 'Monster'."

Aghast, the group to a one stared at the petit-blond. Moka clapped her hands sharply to regain their attention.

"Well said, Miss…uh."

"Rehael," the petit-blond spoke calmly. "Aja Rehael."

"Thank you again, Miss Rehael," Moka smiled. "Now then, on to the next topic at hand."

As she continued with the history and purpose of Youkai Academy, the Russian, American and Scot gathered together and began whispering furiously among themselves.

"Who the hell does she think she is?" the American spat contemptuously.

"Some sort of goody-goody," the Scottish lad spoke.

"Seriously," the American replied. "All this 'we should respect the humans BS'. Feh!"

"I wonder where this worldliness comes from," the Russian said. "It is almost as if she were afraid of the humans."

"Some monster she is then," Anna replied. "Afraid of humans."

Aja slipped to within earshot of the three completely unnoticed.

"Were it not for them, this world would still belong to us in its pure state," the American continued. "Instead they ruin it for themselves and the generations to follow."

"My great ancestor Baba Yaga spoke of a time when humans were few and easily cowed." The Russian added.

"And she perished with the rest trying to stop them," Aja spoke quietly. "And hell is a rather apt term for who I think I am."

Startled, the three students leapt from their places and caused a small uproar within the crowd.

"Holy shit, you scared the crap out of me!" the American cried out.

Aja looked intently upon the ground.

"Did I?" she asked out of genuine curiosity, sniffing at the same time. "I do not see it upon the ground. Perhaps it is lodged in your undergarments…"

The Scot leaned in to take a swing at Aja, but his clumsy attack was easily evaded.

"People!" Moka shouted. "There is to be no fighting! If you do not stop, you will be sent up for disciplinary action!"

Slowly the crowd wound down as discipline was re-instated. Moka and Tsukune led the group toward the campus. Aja trailed behind, receiving dirty looks from the others, the American in particular.

"Okay, people," Moka called out. "I want you all to walk on ahead of us and meet at the front gate to the Academy. Stay on the path and wait for us there."

Moka pulled Tsukune to the side as the group wandered toward campus. Aja, bringing up the rear, bowed slightly, but politely to the two of them and continued toward the main gate. They smiled at her and watched her go, shivering slightly as she passed.

"Something about that Rehael girl," Moka whispered into Tsukune's ear. "Inner Moka has been buzzing in my head since she got off the bus. It's like she is not really a monster, but something…else"

It seemed to Moka as though Aja paused briefly and cocked her head slightly at the mention of her name, but Moka convinced herself it was only her imagination as Aja continued on without further pause.

"It is only natural that someone like her should come," Tsukune reassured Moka. "We do attend an academy for monsters, after all."

"Still, we should keep an eye on her," Moka continued.

"I am more worried about those three foreign students," Tsukune replied. "They look to be the sort to cause no end of mischief."

Moka grimaced slightly, but allowed herself to be swayed by Tsukune's argument. The two resumed their walk behind the First Years and met up with them at the main gates.

A/N: if you care to know, the name Rehael is from the Kabalic tradition of Angelic names and roughly translates to Angel of Respect. This angel inspires us to respect the wisdom from our elders; those who came before us. As demons and their like are not referred to directly in the Rosario universe, I took some liberties with their powers, names and the like. Baba Yaga is a figure from Slavic folklore and is alternately referred to as a vile child-killer or unwitting assistant to travelers and a wise woman. If the other two don't make sense yet, they will. Patience. BTW, a Plebe is an incoming freshman at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. Please read and review. Constructive criticism is always welcome.