They were standing at the top end of the board looking at the results for the exams, Yukari was hugged with first place secured, Tsukune and Moka were looking at each other with a smile, third equal, and Kurumu was an ecstatic twelfth.

"Here you are" Shizuka Nekonome's cheerful voice came from behind "We need to talk about the trip for the newspaper club tomorrow"

"You said we weren't having one yesterday" Tsukune looked at the others for confirmation

"That was yesterday, today we have a trip" her voice quietened "And a mystery to explore" her tail was hyperactive, not a good sign "It's near the beach so there'll be lots of fresh fish"

"Once a polly tighto Happiness Stan did ploddy ploddy forward into the deep thundermold" Tsukune looked at Yukari and she burst out laughing

"Oh deep joy Truly magibold" she quipped in reply

Moka looked at the two as confused as the rest, this was the second time at least they'd shared a private joke. "Tsukune I think I'm going to have to monitor just what Yukari is teaching you"

oOoOo

Tsukune looked across the field where the bus had dropped them. Slowly he realised that there was something here that wasn't right, he knelt down and put his hand into the soil. "Where's Yukari" he said as he pulled it back out with a grimace "The soil hates, it hates people" his head shook "The plants are killers"

"She went that way to look around" Moka pointed along the path. Three blurs flew down the path following Yukari.

.

Yukari stopped at the voice and looked around bewildered until she looked down the small slope and saw the girl pulling at something amidst the stems of the sunflowers.

"Help please something's got my sempai I can't get her out" she was panting with the effort of holding the arm, her eyes were terrified.

Yukari scampered down the slight bank and moved her hand amongst the stems to grab the clothing. As her hand touched the girl a sucker stuck to her arm then vined and wrapped around it. Yukari stared at it in amazement. She recognised it in an instant but what was a Garigarious doing in the human world. She didn't have time to think as she was lifted up towards a gaping maw. Glad that she now had a prepared zone she altered it and it quickly covered her body leaving only the space where the vine came through to hold her. Once in place it was a ward, she smiled as all the practice came instantly to mind. Now the Garigarious needed to be dealt with; she started the stun spell that young witches were taught in need, glad she didn't have to hold her wand to cast it. Offensive spells were only learnt in the late twenties, and then not by all. There had to be a long evaluation after the request to ensure suitability. As she cast the spell she felt huge power flow into her from Tsukune's irate mother. The monster holding her evaporated and the others coming for the meal also vanished. As she fell she saw the others run around the corner of the path. Tsukune caught her easily well before she landed, hugging her tight.

.

"Air, need air" Yukari managed to say, squashed in between Tsukune, Moka and Kurumu there was little room for even her tiny frame. Realising they hadn't heard she expanded the zone slightly moving them away enough to breath.

"Clever girl" Tsukune said and relaxed his hold, transferring it to the two still hugging "She had her zone and used a ward just as she's been taught" he said to the two "Now let her tell us what happened"

Gradually the other two released Yukari

"Just that daddy, just as mama Moka's been teaching me, protect evaluate prioritize. I used the zone and changed it into a ward, it would have to let go to eat me and then if I needed I could expand it so I was safe. I used stun on the one holding me, but with mother being a little enthusiastic it got them all"

"A little more than stun" Tsukune's eyes took in the two now sitting on the bank scared and more than a little hysterical at what had just happened. "Kurumu do you think that they should remember falling down the bank and we just helped them up"

"That's a very good idea" Kurumu left and went over to the two still sat staring and crying.

.

"It was a young witch and the mother helped her"

"Nonsense Ruby, she's just powerful the mother does not exist in that form, otherwise she'd help us" Sat in her chair she looked sternly at her charge "Go and find that witch she can help us"

Sat in her chair as Ruby went out she continued to deny what she had felt until she finally believed it again. There was No Mother, No mother, no mother, left us alone no mother.

.

Walking with the two charmed girls they heard the stories about the local area, including the belief that a witch protected the area. The girls were more than a little annoyed of the reports that a waste tip was to be built on the fields of sunflowers, and that was why they had come here, they loved to look at flowers. They stopped by the small car under the grove and the girls turned and waved their arms to show the magnificent view. Following their movements Tsukune and the others also turned and saw the fields open up before them. They looked beautiful, only Tsukune shuddered, he remembered the soil.

oOoOo

Standing where the girls had dropped them caused Tsukune more than a little disorientation. There was nothing that he could feel here; it took him some time to regain the earth. The others two had taken a similarly shocked Yukari to look around, they caused little attention but Yukari was more than a little frightened of the crowds pressing around them. Tsukune smiled as he went and held Yukari's hand, his tenuous connection helped to steady her. The feel of Tsukune's hand in hers also helped far more than he realised.

"Thanks daddy"

"I felt lost. I'm the human and the worse effected" he smiled at her

"There's nothing to feel, I can't feel the earth" Yukari's quiet voice quivered

"It's deep Yukari, you have to go through the surface, but it's there" he shut his eyes and tried to show her in his mind.

Yukari could see what he was doing and finally with his help managed to get the connection on her own, she sighed in relief squeezing his hand in thanks. Although she didn't need to any more she kept hold, the mass of people scared her.

"Can we sit down" Yukari had spied a bench next to some large square blocks holding flowers. Tsukune nodded understandingly and they went to the bench. Yukari immediately placed her hand on the soil there and sighed. "We're being followed by a witch" she said after a while

"Any idea what she wants?"

"Me, she wants me to join her" Yukari frowned and shook her head "It's as if she's never learnt to control her thoughts. She must have grown up outside the enclaves"

"You know I don't know if the chairman is using us or teaching us. Perhaps a little of both" Tsukune mused

"It would be nice if he gave us a little warning" Yukari was still thinking about the witch "She's conflicted about what to do"

"I think the fact that we had no warning was the warning" he looked at Moka and Kurumu looking at the shop windows "For all Moka hated being in the human world she knows what to do and blends in, Kurumu is the same"

"Well they both hunt in the human world if we're being honest"

"What about you, feel better?"

"Lots, I'm glad we also read some modern fiction, it helps with understanding all this" her hand waved "Chopper would be challenging the cars when they hit him because he just walked into the road"

They both laughed "I think that this adventure is for us, you with the witch and me the land"

"What about mother?"

"I'd say that she's given you a little freedom with what happened in the fields. Don't go overboard though; she'll react like your mothers if you're in real danger and not let you out of sight for a while"

"That's good. The witch wants to separate me from you and take me back to the fields" Yukari gasped "She's got a master"

"Let's get this show on the road shall we" Tsukune looked at Moka and raised his head slightly.

.

When they came back Tsukune explained what they'd talked about and the witch following them wanting to take Yukari.

Both Moka and Kurumu immediately closed in "That's not happening" Moka was stern

"Moka she's not going to come to harm, mother won't let that happen. But she's got to talk to the witch otherwise we're never going to find out what's going on here"

Moka glared at him "I don't like it" Kurumu looked daggers at Tsukune echoing Moka's comment with her eyes.

"You think I do, but Yukari has to have a little freedom sometimes" he let his senses roam and smiled slightly "We're working for the Chairman in this"

"Who" Moka's question was instant

"I don't know, but I've felt him watching Yukari before" he looked Moka and Kurumu "There is no way he'd even mention what's going on to Sora. She'd be so close to Yukari whilst we were here that we wouldn't even know Yukari was with us" there was a slight frown "Isn't Sora at her parents or something"

Moka groaned "She asked for time off to go and see her parents. The Chairman gave her permission immediately; she left yesterday morning the day the results came out"

"Well that answers that" Tsukune sighed "Akasha's in her realm sorting a problem for a few days"

Moka smiled and shook her head. Tsukune knew where all the members of his house were, even if he pretended he didn't so that she could reassure herself. "Yes Tsukune she is" she said quietly. Then turned to Yukari "Are you sure about this?" at Yukari's firm nod "Then do not put yourself in a situation beyond your capabilities, if in doubt use your zone and call for help understand"

"Yes mama I'll be very careful" she hugged Moka and then Kurumu.

oOoOo

High above Ruby watched; she knew that the little witch was totally disorientated initially and that the two girls with her hadn't noticed and just dragged her away. Her heart went out to her as she wished she could help but there were too many people around. When the boy man took her hand Ruby was confused, she could see that the girl calmed immediately and then she found a connection. Something that Ruby herself found difficult in this urban sprawl even though she was used to it. She watched as she sat on the bench and talked to the boy man, now totally relaxed. She had to get the little girl away from them somehow; her master had ordered her to. Frustration found its way into her emotions as the two girls joined them and then hid the girl from view in hugs. Ruby was relieved as they let go and talked, then smiled as they walked from the centre and finally turned down a small service alley between two blocks of shops. There were no windows and no people she called her crows and extended her wings.

.

Yukari watched as the woman stood at the other end of the roof looking over the city. She was shapely but her clothing was ragged, clean but obviously salvaged and cleaned. The only item she was wearing that Yukari could see that wasn't either holed or torn was a black tee shirt. Her hair stuck out in two, pony tails wasn't right, handlebars would be a better description as they were at right angles to her head. Yukari blushed as she wondered who was supposed to use them. She quickly suppressed the thought and continued her evaluation. Dangerous yes the girl was powerful as a witch, there was no allowing her guard down here. She held a wand and flower in her hands, and her crows flew around her. Yukari's lessons with Moka saw the tactical error in giving away her position. Even without the other means they had her parents would be nearby already, the flight hadn't been long. Yukari watched her turn and saw the face; she was very pretty with gorgeous eyes.

Ruby finished her study of the streets; she couldn't see the two girls or the boy man but they would be looking on the ground not here high in the open, in the sun. She turned to the little witch with a smile, surprised to see her regarding her intently.

"You're awake, I saw you down there and my heart went out, it's terrible in a city and I could see that you couldn't feel the earth" she looked around and waved her arm "The only thing you can feel here is human ego and selfishness, the only way to describe it is pity" she saw Yukari flinch as a crow landed close and cawed, looking at her intently as it turned it's head from side to side "Don't worry the crows are my friends, they only want to be friendly, they helped me get you away from those humans"

"Who are you" Yukari could feel her parents near.

"My name's Ruby, I saw you in the fields we call it the 'Witches Ranch', I followed you so that we could be friends and you wouldn't be alone" she smiled "What's your name"

"Yukari"

"Humans are our enemy Yukari, they know nothing but greed hate and how to destroy" she sighed "I hate them, they plan to destroy our fields and my home will you help us to save them please Yukari"

"To save the fields and your home, yes I'll help you Ruby"

"If that's what you want Yukari" Tsukune said as he sat watching on the low wall with Moka and Kurumu

"Humans" Hissed Ruby "How did you get here"

"Well if you want to hide I'd suggest that a flock of crows draws attention; especially when they helped you to kidnap Yukari" he stood and went towards Yukari extending his hand with a smile

As she went forwards to take his hand Yukari saw a flash of black and Tsukune slashed from his shoulder to his chest. She screamed as he staggered back.

"There's no need to feel anything for him. Humans are our enemy Yukari, we have to kill them to keep our secret" Ruby had her wings out again and smiled at her but her eyes were full of hate.

"I won't forgive you if you hurt my family" Yukari turned to Ruby

"They're humans Yukari I'll make it quick"

"Don't Ruby, they're my family"

"You'd forsake a witch to protect humans" Ruby shook her head "I can't, no I can't I can't allow that" her voice got louder until she screamed the last

"It's ok Yukari, the Chairman will have to buy me some more clothes that's all" Tsukune was standing none the worse physically, although his clothes needed replacing as they were sliced and covered in blood.

"How is it you're still alive. I sliced you to your heart what are you"

"Well you didn't get my heart, but it wouldn't have mattered even if you did, but I'm a human"

"Then you'll die" Ruby screamed at him

"Moka or Kurumu could you please control her and calm her down, I don't like hurting women" Tsukune stood waiting as Ruby advanced on him. From the corner of his eye he saw Moka's flat hand and Kurumu's fist. "Oh well"

Moka looked at the woman, flicked off her Rosario and hit her hard, trying not to let instinct take over and kill her, first in the stomach then the head "She's controlled and calm now" she stuttered in rage as she looked at the unconscious form at her feet. "What now"

"We take her back, we need to talk to her and find out what's happening at the fields, and I think that Yukari is meant to bring her to the academy"

"Ok then lets go" she picked up Ruby and slung her over her shoulder and turned to look at Tsukune "No Tsukune I'll carry her. I'm letting enough go as far as house rules go at the moment. I don't need your chivalrous human nature trying to carry her for me. I won't have her scent on you or her anywhere near you"

"Thank you Moka, just be gentle she didn't hurt me"

Moka growl was echoed by Kurumu "She tried to kill you" she was controlling herself with difficulty.

Tsukune went and hugged her hard until she groaned "I'm fine" he did the same to Kurumu, pulling them together "I'll show you both later when Yukari's asleep if you're quiet" he whispered in the quiet voice they used when they needed to talk so that Yukari couldn't hear.

"Let's go then" Moka was all business, with a slight flush on her pale cheeks

"First mama" Yukari actually used her wand and touched Ruby's head "We need her alive to talk later, I need to heal her, quite quickly"

oOoOo

Ruby was dreaming, reliving the time her parents were killed by the drunk driver. The pain in her face reminding her of the injuries she sustained in the 'accident'. Her parents had been so sure that they could live with humans. The first day here with the hated humans they'd killed them. She woke with a start looking around and wondering where she was. She was lying on a futon, covered by a light blanket and surrounded by humans. She tried to jump up but stopped as dizziness overcame her with the sudden movement; the pain in her stomach doubled her over.

"Where am I who are you" her voice was a rasp from the pain

"We're in a motel that had been booked for our trip" the boy man replied "My name's Aono Tsukune I'm a human"

"Impossible I cut you, no human could survive that" she looked at Moka "No human could hit me like that either" she forced her voice to become stronger.

"Well I am truly a human, Moka is a vampire and Kurumu is a succubus" Tsukune indicated each as he introduced them "Yukari you know already is a witch"

"Impossible humans can't mix with Youkai they kill them" She moved to grab Tsukune to find her hand held painfully by Moka.

"Touch my husband again and I really will hurt you understand" Moka's eyes flashed in anger "I've been lenient with your actions so far, but they'd better improve"

"Mama she's still hurt" Yukari said as she came and rested a hand on Moka's arm. Moka relaxed her grip. "Thank you mama" Yukari turned to Ruby and handed her a small glass "Drink this potion it will help you recover" Yukari took the glass back when Ruby had finished "I healed you but the potion's better for reinstating the organs after they've been healed. You really upset mama Moka and mama Kurumu when you tried to kill daddy she hit you a little harder than she should have"

Ruby looked at her in shock "Mama and daddy, married?" Yukari nodded and Ruby fainted.

.

Ruby woke up feeling a lot better, the pain wasn't gone but she could move, and she smelt food. Sitting up Ruby saw the group were setting a small table with breakfast.

"Just in time" Tsukune said "I was going to wake you but Yukari said leave you until you woke naturally"

"Where is Yukari" Ruby was concerned

"She went to get some shopping, it's the first time she's been in the human world and she wants to try and learn as quickly as possible. Buying a few things will help her don't you think" Tsukune was watching closely to see if Yukari had been right about her never living in the enclaves

"What do you mean human world"

"I thought so, you've never heard of the Youkai realms have you" her open mouth was the answer "Yukari said that it was unlikely that you'd been raised in a witches enclave"

Ruby sat still until Yukari came back beaming with her success "I went to a little supermarket and got us all drinks as daddy suggested" she undid the cloth on the table and five drinks were exposed. Still smiling she started to hand them out; then she looked at Ruby.

Ruby was sat still thinking of the enclave, at Yukari's entrance she was about to ask her when she mentioned that Tsukune was her daddy. Her mind went back to the last night when she had woken before "Wives" she whispered. The quiet word was loud enough for the three to hear and turn towards Ruby. "How can you have wives it's illegal for humans" she almost hurled herself at Tsukune "That must be a disguise" her hand went towards his face to be stopped by a cold tube. She blinked and recognised a can of orange.

"Breakfast" he asked "You need to keep up your strength if you're going to heal properly"

"Morning Ruby" Yukari called cheerfully to defuse the tension that had erupted "Now you're awake I've got the next potion for you, but it's best not to take it with all those chemicals" Yukari pointed to the can of orange in her hand.

"It's also best for your continued recovery that you remember that word you whispered" Moka added, her voice shaking as Yukari went to get the potion.

.

"Breakfast for you after this, then back to bed, you really can't be moving too much otherwise you'll take longer to heal" Yukari handed her the glass and watched her drink with a nod. "You can talk lying down you know"

"Why is it taking so long after you healed me?"

"Mama Moka's punch had a lot of yoki, it destroyed your liver, kidneys spleen and gallbladder. That's not to mention those aspects that are involved in reproduction and the general damage" Yukari sat with the empty glass "Healing spells are effective in keeping you alive, but with that much damage you put things back together and then use potions to re-establish the functions. You'll pee out a lot of blood for the first couple of times and need to eat lightly, your stomach as well" Yukari smiled "You shouldn't have headaches now, the cracked skull and swelling to your brain was the first thing I did just after mama picked you up" she waited until Ruby had caught up. "Before everything else there are two things you should know about" she drew a breath "First in a household all members will attack if their child is threatened" Yukari's thumb touched her chest "Second and more important for you at the moment, all wives will do the same for the head of house" she indicated to Tsukune "It's not a conscious thing it's instinctive, both mama Moka and Ku are having a difficult time controlling themselves every time you jump at daddy" She watch Ruby really look at Moka and Kurumu and register the tension in their bodies and the barely controlled rage in their eyes.

When Ruby looked back at Yukari she nodded slowly "I understand"

"Good" Grinned Yukari "The injuries were so bad because mama Moka was trying not to kill you. Now let's have breakfast then we can talk"

oOoOo

They sat looking at Ruby as she slept, her tale had taken a long time and dusk was approaching. Both Moka and Kurumu had been moved to tears at the final almost incomprehensible ramblings that was the story of her parents death, and the terror of loss that Ruby had felt. Yukari's potions had included a narcotic to relax her and allow them to question Ruby without her obvious temper flaring up and attacking Tsukune again.

"She's not going to be happy with you when she realises what you did" Moka finally said to Yukari

"She'll be alive to be unhappy. I think that she'd have attacked daddy when she started thinking of her parents again"

"I think you're right" Moka sighed and looked at Tsukune "What now?"

"We have to talk to her master" Tsukune looked at the dusk "Better now than tomorrow. I was thinking what we should do when she was telling us about the ranch" he waited and looked down "I need mother's help" he said quietly then looked back up "We need to remove the 'plants' she's grown under the sunflowers and then hopefully we can get her back into one of the witches enclaves"

"She'll fight, from what Ruby said she's insane" Kurumu watched the two

"That's why I need you Ku"

"Why" Moka was frowning "I'm better in a fight"

"Yes but Ku is better at keeping everyone away with her charms. That's why I was going to go as soon as it gets dark. None of us need light to see, and there is less likelihood of the locals being there"

"I don't like it" Moka's face pouted slightly

"You just don't want to miss a fight" Tsukune joked "But hopefully there won't be one, also" he paused "With mother there your Rosario will be in danger and you need to be there to control Ruby if she wakes up"

"There, where"

"I was thinking that we should get the guards to take you Yukari and Ruby back if things degenerate at the ranch. There is a connection between master and apprentice she knows that Ruby's alive, but if she fights then Ruby will feel her when she dies, I'd not want her to feel that after all she's been through"

"If we're not there how will I know?"

"Moka you'll feel it" he watched her "Won't you"

"Yes" she admitted grudgingly "That's why I don't want to leave"

"I'll be alright; Ku and mother will be with me"

Yukari was listening "Daddy if you do fight then remember that she'll need a wand to cast her spells"

Tsukune's eyes opened "If her wand's destroyed will she be alright?"

Yukari shook her head "No she's had that wand forever from what Ruby said. It's as much her as she's it now. It doesn't happen in the realms because we're careful and have at least two we rotate every so often. Mummy and daddy have four each that I know of. The stronger you are the more often you need to rotate and let the wand rest. If she dies before her time the wand will release all her power, if the wand's destroyed the same will happen to her. But if you can get her wand from her it might help to control her a little. Just think of it as a vampire child and you know what she'll be feeling so don't threaten to harm it"

"Thanks Yukari, hopefully it won't come to that" he stood and went to the door to call the Chairman's guard and arrange things.

oOoOo

The guard was waiting with them, with the little information they had managed to elicit from him he was new. That he'd heard stories could be seen from the way he carefully did not look at Kurumu anywhere but her eyes, and then only as much as he could without being offensive, having passed rude some time ago.

"It's time" he said

Tsukune looked at the watch "You don't need to go too far, we'll give you a couple of minutes" he took off the seal as Kurumu did the same and handed it to the guard. "Sorry, I haven't been able to loose any for the last couple of days" he pulled the yoki in and noticed that the shaking hand had gone. Looking up he was walking as fast as he could without running. Tsukune looked at Kurumu "Is it that bad?"

"Not bad, just a lot of it when the seal came off" she looked across the fields and smiled as she felt a jolt to her mind "Hello mother" she looked at Tsukune who was standing with his eyes closed first in conversation then concentration.

"She's coming to see who's in her fields" he took Kurumu's hand and walked down the path.

.

"Well who are you to come into my home stinking of yoki, Youkai" a dark cloaked figure stood in the path

"Good evening Mistress Yukata?" Tsukune said politely

"Know my name, you are the ones who defeated Ruby and stopped her getting that little witch"

"Yes. My name is Tsukune and this is Kurumu. The girl is Yukari my adopted daughter, I'll not allow anyone to harm her or take her against her will. But as you know Ruby is alive and recovering"

"So what are you, what do you want here" she looked closely "You've removed your seals and are to fight. For or against"

"Hopefully neither, I dislike fighting intensely. Most times there are other ways to settle disputes"

"Well you don't show much, are you a coward afraid to stand for your beliefs, rely on the girl beside you for protection" she fixed Kurumu with a stare "What are you?" She barked at them; and before Kurumu had time to react the spell struck them.

"Succubus" Kurumu replied under the spell

Yukata's eyes turned to Tsukune "You remain silent what are you"

"Allergic to pain, it brings me out in cuts and bruises" Tsukune smiled and extended his yoki to cover Kurumu and release her from the spell. "But I will fight if I have to, I just prefer not to"

Yukata barked a laugh. "Use your tongue like a human, do you keep your word"

"I have so far, I don't lie. I might not be able to do so in the future I don't know what it holds but I will try"

"You are careful with your words, you know I can tell deceit"

"Yes to both. A wrong word might inflame a situation that could have been settled amicably"

"You think this can" she hissed at him "What do you know"

"Little, which is why I came to talk, Kurumu came to protect those who shouldn't see what they might. She's not here to protect me"

"You give me half truth's"

"I do I will tell you truths and where I'm hiding things if you would do the same"

"I will. What are you, who protects you"

"What I am I'll not tell you yet, as to who protects me, you know you've felt her when Yukari was attacked" he paused "Let's not get in to who's got the biggest or the best. We came to talk in the first instance"

"You talk of the Mother" she scoffed "She's an illusion"

"Then I'm defenceless. Tell me of the land"

"Tell me what you see young Tsukune"

"What I see are beautiful fields. Yes I see them and they need to be protected" he slowly crouched down and dug his hand into the soil holding it in his hand "What I feel is the love of many years" he looked at her "Now soiled with hate" he let the soil fall and stood "First tell me of the love"

"Show you" she opened the book she's been holding and the fields changed. It was daylight and there were groups living in shelters and simple houses. Children ran around as the women cooked. "This ranch was a shelter for all who'd been driven out. Here we lived in harmony with nature and at peace with each other humans and Youkai" She smiled at the memories and watched.

"The memories here are good, what drove them here wasn't" Tsukune quietly said "The fear is still fresh in some of the children" he watched as the scenes played through "Eventually it almost goes"

Yukata stopped the memories "You see clearly and you say what you see Tsukune"

"I told you I don't lie" he looked across the fields "You were a good mother to them. What happened to drive the hate into your heart?"

"Humans happened Tsukune" she pointed to the city "That was a small town and we lived in peace. Humans breed like rats, and like rats they swarmed cutting the woods and taking land they had no use for. Spoiling it so that we couldn't use it; they killed the animals destroyed the crops so the ones who'd taken shelter here, grown up here, were forced out of their last haven or killed" She drew a deep breath "Only I remained they were too scared to come on the ranch itself" her voice was getting louder "Cowardly scum. Now they want to take my land and turn it into a tip, despoil my home of over a hundred years with their filth. I'll kill them all" she shouted then looked at Tsukune "I will kill them little Tsukune" she said in a more normal voice "Are you going to tell me that I can't"

"There is no apology for what they have done, and yes it is the nature of some to destroy but not all. You would cause the death of those as well, the deaths of innocents"

"You oppose me Tsukune"

"In this I must, I'm sorry" he held a hand up "You'd reveal the Youkai to the world when they have forgotten; you'd start another genocide Yukata. There might be another way for you to live in peace and the fields to remain as they were"

"Live in peace, what have I got to live for. They have killed or driven off my children. And you, you still hold Ruby"

"Not as hostage. She's still recovering; my wife was very angry and hurt her badly after she attacked me"

"Where is she?"

Tsukune drew a deep breath and sighed "She's by a portal that leads to a witch's enclave with Yukari and my wife. You ask why, because I'd prefer not to fight, but if we do then I'll not subject her to feeling your death if that were the outcome. I'd prefer you went with her"

"You think you can oppose me Tsukune, I'll kill you first if you want"

"There is time enough for that if you want. Let me ask you why do you reject Mother she feels your denial; she wants the fields to be as they should be, without your Hanabake hiding in the soil. She wants her daughter back"

"She deserted us when we were in need. She deserted us"

"Mother knows that once things have grown, they must start to die. It is the cycle of life and death"

"Platitudes from a child; what do you know of life, better yet death"

"Well I have died, and my wives would prefer that I not to do so again soon"

"What are you Tsukune, you stand there unafraid, tell me things that not even Ruby knows. You look and sound weak, you even speak as if you have knowledge of living like a human, you offer a fantasy and then you say you'll defeat me"

"I offer a good end to a good life, in company of other witches. I can't promise that the fields will remain, but I'll do my best to make it so, can you not accept that, must you have revenge and start the cycle of hate again"

"They will die I'll destroy that city as they've destroyed my life and tried to destroy my home" her eyes glared "and you Tsukune can be first" her yoki flared and the jewel on her book glowed "Where's Ruby"

"You decided to fight Yukata, my wife has taken her so she can't be hurt again by feeling a loved one die, just as I said" his hand moved and the emerging Hanabake fell back and dissolved into soil. "I can't let you kill thousands of humans or be the cause of the death of thousands of Youkai. I'm sorry Yukata"

The jewel flared in anger at the display "You deserted me" she screamed at Tsukune "I could have saved them with your help, I could have saved her" she sobbed.

"You're coming with us Yukata" Tsukune extended his yoki and took the book from her hands holding it closely and carefully "You're coming to see Yusako's grand-daughter. I didn't know until you finally spoke to mother, I'm sorry. Yusako was found with some of the others and taken to the realms. She had a daughter, her daughter had a girl she called Fujiko" He smiled and stroked the book gently "She had a daughter she called Yukari" He extended his hand "Come to your family Yukata, come to their new home"

"You lie"

"You know I don't. I'm holding your wand you can feel my feelings. Come home and recover, then you can come with them and show Fujiko where her grandmother was born"

"I can't"

"You can and you will" he walked forwards and took her hand "Let's go home" he looked at the fields and felt them change under his feet "They'll all be here when you come back"