Kurumu waited patiently for Tsukune in the lobby with their bags. He had returned back upstairs to retrieve something important. Meanwhile Fong-Fong had come out to say goodbye to Kurumu as well.
"So how is everything going?" Kurumu asked Fong-Fong about his preparation for the upcoming war.
"Good, we have volunteers who want to be on the 'winning side' or the side with Tsukune Aono, the Silent Reaper and the Queen of Darkness." he told her casually.
"Queen of Darkness?" Kurumu looked at him puzzled, she had not heard of anyone by that name.
"Ya apparently she took out six vampires in a matter of seconds. Even the ones not brutally wounded went insane." Fong-Fong told her and looked up at the confused Kurumu.
"Wait! That was me! They are calling me the 'Queen of Darkness'?" Kurumu asked in disbelief.
Fong-Fong nodded slowly and Kurumu collapsed into a chair.
"They are not very original with names are they?" Fong-Fong asked her.
"I. . .I like it." Kurumu said.
Fong-Fong smiled at her and she whispered the name to herself. She thought it was a very fitting name since succubus were creatures of the night. Also because her heart and soul had been lost in the darkness for so long and now that she had conquered that darkness. Not that she didn't have help from a little light now growing inside of her. Tsukune returned back down the stairs with nothing in his hands but Kurumu did not ask. Fong-Fong and Kurumu said their goodbyes and Tsukune repeated his.
Tsukune and Kurumu boarded the the Wong families private jet, that would take them to Japan. Sun and Haiji had already been boarded on the plane, since they needed a way back to Japan also. When Tsukune and Kurumu noticed them, they paused momentarily. The only one who did not make eye contact with each other was Sun. She had kept her head down and her eyes focused on the ground. Tsukune gave a quick glance towards Sun, causing Haiji to put an arm around her protectively.
Kurumu was the first to make a move as she sat down across from Sun. Tsukune followed her, sitting across from Haiji. The engines of the plane began to start up and before long they began to move down the runway. No one said a single word as the plane began to take off. They all knew what had to happen next if they were going to repair their friendship. The silence stretched on and the plane finally leveled off.
"Tsukune, lets go get a drink." Haiji said breaking the silence.
". . .sure. Would you girls care for anything? They have non-alcoholic drinks also." Tsukune said, looking between Sun and Kurumu.
Sun shook her head slowly still looking down.
"Water please." Kurumu said with a smile.
The two walked into the bar and closed the door behind them. Haiji walked behind the counter and browsed through the contents of the cabinets.
"Thanks. . .I thought it would be easier for her to apologize to you two, one at a time." Haiji said sifting through some bottles.
"She doesn't need to apologize to me. I know how she feels." Tsukune said.
Haiji nodded and pulled out a bottle of his liking.
"She is sorry you know." Haiji told him now placing ice in the cups.
He then filled the glasses halfway with imported whiskey.
"Getting married huh?" Haiji asked.
Tsukune nodded, taking the glass from Haiji.
"We'll that's something to drink to I suppose. Cheers!" Haiji said proudly.
They nicked glasses and took a long drought each.
"You're going to be dad!" Haiji added loudly.
They raised their glasses again and cheered then Haiji refilled the glasses. The drink burned all the way down, causing Tsukune to grimace a little.
"To Sun." Tsukune said.
"To Kurumu." Haiji said and they cheered for a third time.
"To our lost friends." Tsukune said much more reverent.
Haiji stood still for a moment with his eyes closed, giving their lost friends a moment of silence.
"May they rest in peace." Haiji said solemnly and both of them finished off their glasses.
Haiji slammed his glass down in an accidental slip of anger. They both stared down at their own glasses deep in thought.
"I think we have given them enough time, they should be good." Haiji said and threw Tsukune a bottle of water.
"And us, are we good?" Tsukune asked him.
Haiji was silent and expressionless as he stared off into nothing.
"We are still friends." he said finally.
Tsukune nodded and followed him out. As they entered the other room they were both happy to see Sun and Kurumu talking and smiling, sitting next to each other. Kurumu relinquished Haiji's seat and returned to her own. Tsukune handed her the bottle of water and she snuggled up to him.
Tsukune noticed that Sun began giving him nervous glances before returning her gaze back to the floor. When Tsukune caught her eye he gave her a warm smile and a quick nod. Sun visually relaxed and gave him a soft smile and her eyes began to moisten with tears. Haiji placed his arm around her and she laid against him. Sun was happy that her friends were so forgiving.
[~][~][~]
The flight to Japan was not a long one and they enjoyed themselves with small talk. They separated at the airport with promises of reunion. Tsukune and Kurumu were now boarded on a train back to Tsukune's parents house. They watched to scenery flow by, from city to country and then back to city. Tsukune began noticing unusually many ayashi everywhere they went. Many of the ones they got close to looked like they were looking for something. While others looked like they where hiding, but all of them looked afraid. As they were getting off of the train Kurumu also noticed.
"Tsukune, what's going on?" she asked.
"I don't know, let's keep moving." he told her.
They exited the station and made their way to his parent's house in a cab. The farther away from the train station the less ayashi they began to sense. While Tsukune had been focusing on the ayashi Kurumu's attention was drawn to more urgent matters. She was sitting next to Tsukune in the cab, focusing on her own clasped hands. She was dreading the fact that any moment they would be at his parents house.
"What would they think? Why would they say? What would they do?" Kurumu asked herself.
"What are we going to do!? What are we going to say!?" Kurumu continued to think, swirling up huge amounts of anxiety.
The cab soon pulled up to the house. They paid the driver and and exited the cab, but Tsukune's attention was drawn elsewhere. Tsukune barley sensed four ayashi in the immediate vicinity and assumed that they were the Headmaster's men sent to guard his family. Tsukune only realize that they were standing awkwardly in front of the door, when Kurumu tugged on his shirt. She stood behind Tsukune trying to hide herself as much as possible. Tsukune's anxiety also began to build as he focused on the door. He knocked three times, which was followed by the sounds of patient footsteps coming to answer the door.
"Hello. . .?" Tsukune's mother Kasumi said as she opened the door.
A short silence occurred, followed by Kurumu's slight fidgeting behind Tsukune.
"Hello mom. . .it is me, Tsukune." Tsukune said.
"Tsukune? Oh Tsukune!" Kasumi said happily.
His mother jumped forward and and hugged Tsukune tightly.
"It has been so long, you don't call and you look so different!" Kasumi said with tears forming in her eyes.
"I know mom, I'm sorry." Tsukune said and embraced his mother.
"It's okay, you can tell me all about it." she said happily.
It was then that Kasumi noticed Kurumu standing behind Tsukune.
"Mom, you remember Kurumu right?" Tsukune asked motioning towards her.
"Hello Mrs. Aono, it is nice to meet you again." Kurumu said politely with an edge of nervousness.
"Kurumu. . .yes of corse. You were with the others last time Tsukune visited." Kasumi said clearly remembering the awful incident involving her poor, innocent son.
"Are the others here as well and what about Ms. Akashiya?" she asked a little worried and curious.
Kurumu's held her breath as she watched Tsukune's reaction. As far as she could tell he did not even flinch when Moka was mentioned. Kasumi stared at Tsukune's expressionless face and she realized why he looked so different. His eyes, they did not shine, they did not look happy not like they used to. They just looked cold, dark and lifeless.
"Tsukune. . .is everything alright?" Kasumi asked very worried after the moment of silence.
"Everything is fine, as a matter of fact. . .everything is great." Tsukune said happily and pulled Kurumu to his side.
Kasumi smiled at the good news and relived to see him happy, but those eyes were still there.
"We'll come in, you can tell me all about it." Kasumi said and ushered them in.
They sat down in the living room and Kasumi went to make them some tea.
"Kurumu what's wrong?" Tsukune asked, having noticed her uneasiness.
"It's just. . .what are we going to tell them? We are getting married , I am pregnant not to mention the fact that I am a succubus. Your family doesn't even know me! What would they think of me?" she said in a whisper.
"Everything will be fine, I am sure they will understand. I won't tell them anything you don't want me to, but they will find out eventually." Tsukune told her gently.
"Thanks Tsukune." she said and leaned against him.
It wasn't long until Kasumi returned with some tea for them to enjoy. Kasumi did not miss the fact that the two of them were acting so comfortable around each other. He looked happy, but something was wrong, he was not the same Tsukune she had raised not so long ago.
"Your father will be here any moment. I'm sure he will be happy to see you." she told them.
"Why don't you fill me in on what's happened. Those letters you sent me were very vague and all of mine got returned." Kasumi said with a frown.
"Ya, security around the school has been very tight after some. . .incidents. Nothing to worry about though." Tsukune lied.
"What about you two? Are you. . ." his mother asked, leaving her question open.
"Well um, we're. . ." he paused looking to Kurumu, who nodded slightly.
"We are pretty serious." he told her.
"I don't understand. How serious can you be? You are both still so young." his mother said confused.
Before Tsukune could answer the front door opened. Their attention turned towards Kyoko as she walked into the living room.
"Hi Auntie!" Kyoko said cheerfully.
She then looked towards Tsukune and Kurumu and beamed brightly.
"Tsuki! Kurumu! I didn't expect to see you so soon!" she said as she rushed the two and gave them each a very heartfelt hug.
"Well we were passing through and I thought we should stop by." Tsukune told her after she was done hugging him.
"Oh I forgot. Kyoko won the whole family a trip to Hawaii, isn't that great!" Kasumi said.
"Wow, really? That is great!" Tsukune said feigning surprise.
Kyoko gave him a quick wink and Tsukune smiled. His mother began going on and on about all of the activities she had planed and all the fun they were going to have. It was nice for Tsukune to know that his family was still the same and that they were happy.
"What about you Tsukune? Kyoko said you had school but you are on break right? So I am sure you can come too." his mother said happily.
"It would be nice, but we already have plans." he told her.
Kasumi looked back and fourth between Tsukune and Kurumu.
"Oh. . .well I'm sure Kurumu could also. . .um, how serious are you two?" she asked remembering her previous question.
"Auntie. . .I already told you that he was head over heels for her." Kyoko told her and gave Tsukune another wink.
Tsukune nodded in thanks, even now she was still trying to take care of him.
"I'm just surprised he hasn't asked her to marry him yet." Kyoko said with a laugh.
"Don't be silly they are much to young." Kasumi said joining in on the fun.
Kurumu was frozen in fear and she could not say or do anything but squeeze Tsukune's hand very tightly. Tsukune remained silent as he tried to figure out what Kurumu wanted him to do. Suddenly Kasumi's motherly intuition kicked in and she focused on the two very awkward looking couple sitting across from her.
"I mean, I want to be an auntie someday too, but I can wait a couple years for that, right Tsukune?" Kyoko said not noticing the sudden transition.
Kurumu tightened up even more and feebly tried to escape Kasumi's gaze behind Tsukune.
"She knows! She knows everything!" Kurumu thought frantically.
"If she knows I'm pregnant and that we are engaged, then she knows that I have done things to Tsukune. She probably knows that I was the one who forged those letters, of course she would recognize that it wasn't his handwriting on the letters! That means she thinks something is going on at the school and that I am. . .a succubus!" she thought frenzied and hysterically.
Many different scenarios passed though her he'd about how she would be feared or rejected by Tsukune's family if they found out she was an ayashi.
"What's going on?" Kyoko asked, looking between Kasumi, Tsukune and Kurumu who was slightly shaking.
Tsukune gave up on trying to communicate with Kurumu and faced his mother and cousin. He took a deep breath about what was causing the happiness to overflow inside of him.
"Well Kyoko. . .mom. I want you to know that everything is going to be alright and I don't regret anything." he said as much for Kurumu as for them.
Tsukune put a comforting hand around Kurumu.
"I am going to be a dad." Tsukune told them.
"You mean your. . ." Kyoko asked Kurumu, who nodded in affirmation.
The thought about being a dad was still new to Tsukune, but thinking about it made him happy. Meanwhile Kasumi's was spinning very fast and she was left speechless. She knew something was not right but she could not figure it out. Everyone's attention was turned towards her. She did not know how to react, she was not angry or disappointed. She was just afraid for them.
All of her worry began to wash away when she saw how happy Tsukune looked. She was not going to burden them with all of her worry, Kurumu just looked to scared. She was just going to have to trust in her son.
"Tsukune dear, could you go and make us some more tea?" Kasumi asked.
"Um, ya sure." Tsukune said slightly caught off guard.
Kurumu helplessly watched Twukune walk away. She tried not to fidget under Kasumi's unrelenting gaze.
"So, do you love Tsukune?" Kasumi asked Kurumu.
Kurumu was shocked and offended that she was asked such a question.
"Yes of course I do! I love him more than anything! He is my destined one and I would do anything for him!" Kurumu told her sincerely.
Kasumi smiled catching Kurumu off guard.
"How far along are you?" Kyoko asked.
"We just found out." Kurumu said.
"Are you scared?" Kasumi asked Kurumu.
"I. . .no. It wasn't exactly planned. . .but I want this and so does Tsukune." Kurumu told them.
Her words touched Kasumi's heart. They sounded very sincere and Kasumi believed her.
"So how did you two get so close?" Kasumi asked her.
"Well, we have always been there for each other, through the good times. . .and the bad." Kurumu said, barley whispering the last part.
"Are there anymore surprises I should know about?" Kasumi asked with a smile trying to bring up the mood.
They were distracted by the ringing of the phone in the other room. Kasumi excused herself and went to answer the phone. Kyoko immediately moved to seat herself next to Kurumu.
"First of all, congratulations!" Kyoko said and hugged Kurumu.
"Secondly, your not going to tell them you are a succubus, are you?" Kyoko whispered to her.
"What am I supposed to tell his parents? They are going to find out when the see that the baby is a succubus." Kurumu whispered back.
"Even though Tsukune is human?" Kyoko asked.
"Yes, it could be an incubi, but that is very uncommon. So everyone always assumes that it is a girl." Kurumu told her quietly.
"So I am going to be getting a niece?" Kyoko asked happily.
"Yes, but what am I supposed to do?" Kurumu asked.
"I'm sure everything will be fine." Kyoko said comfortingly.
Kurumu definitely did not feel like everything was going to be alright.
Kasumi had gotten the phone call from Koji, saying that he would not be back till late at night. Kasumi did not know what to do, everything was happening so fast. It made it a little easier seeing that Kyoko fully accepted Kurumu. She would have thought Kyoko would have been the biggest protester in Tsukune getting involved with anyone. Kyoko was always so protective of Tsukune. As much as Kasumi should have been worried, the thought of having a grandchild filled her with joyous thoughts. She would wait for Koji so that she could talk to him about all of the things that worried her.
[~][~][~]
Tsukune was taking a walk down the street, not far from the house. He had asked Kyoko to distract Kurumu while he went to get some fresh air. He sat down at the nearby bus stop and waited. It did not take long for one of the Headmaster's guard to show up and take a seat next to him.
"Any threats?" Tsukune asked without really acknowledging the man in the suit.
"Nothing we can't handle." said the guard, Tsukune vaguely noticed that it was the same man from the airport.
"There is one peculiar problem." he told Tsukune.
"Just before you showed up an ayashi arrived. She seems to be waiting for something, for you most likely, but she is keeping her distance." the guard said.
"You just protect my family. I will protect Kurumu and myself." Tsukune said.
The guard nodded in understanding. Tsukune could sense the ayashi in the vicinity and one of them did feel familiar. It was quite possible that she was watching them right now.
"The Headmaster has another request for you." the man continued.
"I am already fighting his war, we are even." Tsukune said.
"Yes, but the Headmaster thought you would like to make a request of your own." he said.
Tsukune took a moment to respond, he knew what he had to do to keep their child safe. He did not make the same promise with their child as he did with Kurumu.
"If. . .if I cannot protect her. . .if I lose control. . .you will take her as far away from me as you can and keep her and the baby safe." Tsukune told him clearly.
He would break his promise with Kurumu again to keep their child safe, especially if Kurumu would also be safe. She would hate him and probable never forgive him, but it was better than the alternative. Hopefully it would not come down to that.
"Agreed, and in return the Headmaster just wants some of you blood." the man said.
"It's not really my blood is it?" Tsukune said, wondering what the Headmaster could want with the blood.
"Agreed." Tsukune said, a small price to pay for the protection of the people he cared about.
The man pulled out two small vials and a needle and began drawing his blood. The man pocketed the vials and stood to leave.
"If I lose Kurumu. . .I will willingly give it control." Tsukune told the man in a low warning tone.
"That possible outcome has already been calculated." the guard said and walked away.
[~][~][~]
Kurumu could not get away from Kyoko to see what Tsukune was up to. When he returned she kept her suspicions to herself. She did notice a faint lingering sent on him, that she did her best to memorize. After Tsukune left, Kasumi, Kyoko and Kurumu began having a polite conversation, mostly just getting to know each other better. Kurumu was incredibly relieved and happy that Kasumi was being so nice and understanding.
The day passed by quickly and soon everyone was in their rooms preparing to go to sleep. Kurumu waited for Tsukune to fall asleep, she always knew the exact moment he fell asleep. As quietly as she could she got out of the bed. Kurumu then slipped out of the window wearing some of Tsukune's pajamas. She painfully used her wings to lower herself to the ground silently. She straightened up and took a deep breath of the cool night air. She immediately picked up the sent that she smelled earlier on Tsukune. She followed it, slightly getting more potent.
She stopped in front of a large tree that was just a short walk down the street. Stepping out from behind the tree was the man she had been waiting for. Seeing the man only confirmed her suspicions. She easily put the clues together and rightly assumed that he was one of the Headmaster's men.
"Kurumu Kurono, priority number one." the man said and introduced himself.
"How did you find me?" he asked her.
"Lately I have had a heightened sense of smell, and your sent was not hard to follow." Kurumu explained.
"Ah, how may I help you?" he asked.
"Tsukune does his best to keep secrets from me, believing that he is keeping me safe, but I can read him like an open book. Also being a succubus I can feel the worries that weigh down on his heart and being able to look into his memories doesn't hurt either." Kurumu told him and he waited patiently for her to continue.
"Even without my succubus abilities, I know what he asked of you. I do not blame him. I know he would have kept our promise, but our child changes everything. I have come to offer a counter proposal." Kurumu told him.
"Tsukune has already bargained with the Headmaster. What could you possibly offer?" the man said seriously.
"How about you life?" Kurumu said making the man stiffen slightly.
"Our lives were forfeit long ago." he told her calmly.
"Then I will take your freedom." Kurumu said slowly.
Before the man could look away from her, her was already trapped under her charm. The man swayed slightly before falling to his knees.
"I will not let our daughter grow up without a father." Kurumu said and lowered herself down to his level.
"Now tell me. . .why am I priority number one?"
Ten chapters in, is the story getting interesting for you? I think I left some pretty nice cliffhangers in there for you to enjoy. Hopefully you all liked this chapter as well. It was a little difficult writing and explaining Kasumi's reactions and emotions. I will probably elaborate on that more in the next chapter.
Now I don't know a lot about pregnancy since I'm a guy(is that a viable excuse? I don't know.), but I know that women get a heightened sense of smell when they are pregnant, so I used that. I also know it is to early to tell if it is a boy or a girl, but they assume it is a girl because it is more likely.
Anyways sorry the update took so long. I had to make sure it was as perfect as I could make it. I also might have broken my hand, (I'm not sure) so it took longer than I wanted it to.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it and look forward to what you think.