Chapter 4: A New "Place to Stay" + Vampire
Disclaimer: I do not own Rosario + Vampire. I twisted the author's storyline into my own imagination.
Tsukune and his friends returned to the infirmary to see the challenger. The moment they got there the bed was empty. The nurse was already sitting down at her desk.
"Excuse me, about that...um injured patient. Where is he?" asked Moka.
"Hello, are you guys are looking for the injured boy? He's not here anymore. But he's fine. He was just got exhausted so he took a three hour nap and left when he fully recovered," said the nurse with a smile.
"What? That fast!?" the girls cried.
"Something fishy seems to be going on. He'll be out to jump us," said Kurumu.
"We need to find him now!" cried Mizore.
"There is no need to worry. He was a friend of mine three years ago but he told me not to tell you his name yet. He wants to talk to you at the entrance in person. He will explain everything to you, Tsukune-kun," replied the nurse.
"Alright, thank you," said Tsukune.
The girls and Tsukune began to walk down the hallway. They began to whisper about the mysterious patient.
"I thought that was a bad idea, desu," said Yukari.
"The nurse said he will meet us at the gate. I hope she was right about him. She seemed to be telling the truth," said Moka.
"We'll see we might need to get ready for him in case he attacks us," said Tsukune.
The girls nodded. As they head out of the door they saw the dragon mage standing at the gateway. He was already holding his staff and his weapon was strapped on to his back.
"Alright the nurse told me you want to meet us here! Who are you?" asked Tsukune.
"Are you here for a rematch?" asked Kurumu, showing her claws.
The dragon mage put his staff behind his back and strapped it with his weapon. He and the girls were surprised to see that he did not prepare himself to fight.
"There is no need for a rematch," replied the dragon mage. "I was being uncivil to not introduce myself. My name is Murotsu. Konjuro Murotsu, son of Zukoshi. I have been searching for the Chosen and I found him."
"Chosen?" asked Mizore, not knowing whom he was talking about.
"Yes, you," he answered, pointing at Tsukune.
"Me?" asked Tsukune, not knowing what was going on. The girls frowned at him.
"Hold on. Before you continue, why did you resurrect him when you are trying to kill him?" asked Moka, glaring at Murotsu.
"I am deeply sorry for my unjust action against the Chosen," apologized Murotsu, hanging his head. "I mistook him for an evil ghoul."
"Tsukune is not evil. He is our friend and is very kind to others!" explained Moka.
"I can see that," said Murotsu.
"What is it about Tsukune being the chosen? What is going on here?" asked Kurumu, wanting to know.
"I saw a gold glow on his chest and that means he is a human that was transformed into a ghoul by Akashiya Moka, the vampire," he said, pointing at Moka. "The human is the only one in the Youkai realm that will destroy the evil that will plague this world."
"Wait just a minute. How do you know my name?" asked Moka, surprised that he knew her name too.
Murotsu knelt down and picked up his cloak.
"I know your father Shuzen Issa and your two older sisters," replied Murotsu. "Your father was my comrade's customer for buying our water resistant herb potions and he is a friend of my father."
Moka remembered that her father and mother used them before fighting any water monsters.
"What? You created that?" asked Moka, surprised.
"Yes with my magic, herbs, and the help of a brilliant scientist, yes," he replied.
"If you knew my father, how is he?" asked Moka.
Murotsu hung his head with sorrow. He reached in his pocket and handed her a gold locket. There was a cross on top of it. Moka took the locket and opened it. It contained her baby picture with her real mother and father.
"I hate to tell you this but he and your two older sisters were captured by the forces of darkness, about two days ago. He gave that to me after they got arrested while I was finding the Chosen," answered Murotsu. "I am very sorry. I should have given this to you before I was battling you. I didn't realize you are Moka until I realize that Tsukune is the Chosen human."
Moka became speechless for a moment.
"What happened to them?" she eagerly asked him.
"They were arrested and imprisoned for treason," he sadly said.
"Treason? What crime did they do?" she asked anxiously.
Murotsu hushed her by putting his hand over her mouth. He whirled around through the woods and turned back to Moka.
"We can't be loud," whispered Murotsu. "There are several spies from the old, corrupt Public Safety Commission that worked for the Fairy Tale organization and him."
Tsukune and the girls remembered them from three years ago.
"Public Safety? I thought they were dissolved," said Kurumu.
"No," he said. "Two of the members work under him."
"And who is 'him', desu?" asked Yukari. "Kuyou? I thought Tsukune killed him before Moka's rescue."
"We can't talk now, you kids need to go to school. I will explain to you guys later," he said, dusting off his cloak.
Tsukune and his friends sighed. They had many questions to ask him such as: the forces of darkness, the spies from the Public Safety Commission, and Moka's family.
"I don't have school, I have to work for the headmaster," said Ruby.
"Then you can come with me, Ruby," said Murotsu. "You and I must talk headmaster immediately."
"For what?" she asked.
"Several urgent matters," he said.
"Wait Murotsu! What about my father?" Moka asked.
"I will explain when the time comes. Right now you need to go to class," he said walking away
The group looked at each other, confused about what's going on but they headed forthe Youkai academy. Many students were already at the school, walking into their classrooms. Ruby and Murotsu headed toward Mikogami's office. When they past through the double doors they found headmaster Tenmei Mikogami already standing up from his chair. Also standing next to him was a short elf-like creature wearing a white, bell-sleeved robe with a more decorated black robe, Touhou Fuhai.
"Welcome back, Murotsu. It's been a while and a nice surprise," said the headmaster, shaking his hand.
"It seemed like you have grown up a bit since I was with your father," said Fuhai.
"It's good be back, headmaster and Fuhai-san," replied Murotsu.
"Fuhai-san? I never thought you would be here in the Youkai Academy," said Ruby, surprised to see him.
"I came here to see my old friend, Mikogami," said Fuhai, smoking his pipe.
"How did you guys know Murotsu?" asked Ruby.
"He was a former student a long time ago before he fled from this academy to escape the Public Safety Commission. Right now he serves as our agent that will help us find and assist the Chosen," answered Mikogami.
"Agent of Mikogami? Escape the Public Safety Commission? They were after him too? What the hell is going on?" she thought to herself.
The two dark lords did not answer their question and then turned back to Murotsu.
"So, what brings you here, Murotsu?" Fuhai asked him.
"Great News. I finally found out who the Chosen is," said Murotsu.
The Fuhai looked surprised when he heard that. "The Chosen? Who is the Chosen?"
"Aono Tsukune," Murotsu answered.
The dark lords were speechless for a moment. Mikogami began to scratch his chin.
"Just as I thought," said Mikogami. "He is the only human that would stop the aversion between the humans and monsters as well as the evil in this realm. But he has yet to face the enemy."
"Though he has learned several techniques from me, he still has a lot to learn before the real battle against him," said Fuhai, puffing up a bit of smoke.
"Why did you not tell me this before?" reacted Ruby.
"I kept this a secret for the school's and Tsukune's safety," said Mikogami. "I did not intervene during the brutality of the corrupt Public Safety Commission. Otherwise, hope would be lost when they found out what I was doing. I know that you and your friends are strong enough to protect Tsukune. I also knew Tsukune has such potential."
Ruby was stunned for a moment. "S-So this was all a test?"
Mikogami nodded. His elderly face then turned to Murotsu.
"So what should we do right now since we've found the Chosen?" asked Murotsu.
"I believe the time has finally come for Tsukune. There is one favor that we would like to ask you now that you are here," said Mikogami.
"What is it that I can do for you, masters?" he asked.
"Tsukune is no longer safe in the Youkai Academy," Mikogami said to Murotsu. "There are two spies that are reported to be roaming around the academy were trying to kidnap the Chosen for your uncle Yuroku."
"Have you found them yet?"
"I'm afraid not, Murotsu."
"It seems that your uncle is trying to stop the prophecy from occurring," said Fuhai. "We need find Tsukune a place to stay and he has to be away from the school in order to ensure his safety."
"Don't worry, masters," assured Murotsu. "I will take him to my home. I will also bring his five friends with me as well. They will all be safe with me for a while."
Ruby became speechless when she heard him.
"Very well then," said Fuhai, taking out the pipe out of his mouth and puffing a steam of smoke. "They are under your protection. Be certain of their survival."
"Yes, sir," said Murotsu and walked out of the office. Ruby frowned, confused about what they were talking about.
Mikogami turned to Ruby. "Go do what you must."
"Yes sir," she obeyed.
*********Meanwhile******
Tsukune and his friends were standing at the cafeteria when a loud voice shot through the hallway.
"Hey you guys!" shouted the voice. They all stopped and turned around. It was Ruby that called them.
"I am here to deliver a message to you guys from the headmaster, himself," she said panting for air. "He informed me that you can't go to your dorms this year but he wants you to go with Murotsu to stay in his house in placement for your dorms every night."
"Why?" Moka asked puzzled.
"He said that the dorms are no longer safe," said the witch.
"How come?" asked Mizore.
"Murotsu just talked to the headmaster and the headmaster said that you guys are under Murotsu's protection," said Ruby.
"From who?" asked Tsukune, wanting to know.
"From the spies," she said. "I think Murotsu can explain everything once we get to his house."
"How do you know we can trust this Murotsu?" asked Kurumu.
"I was with Murotsu and the headmaster the entire time. Murotsu was a former student from this school," Ruby answered. "The headmaster revealed that he is their agent for finding the "chosen." I will allow him to take us to his home. If he is lying, us along with the headmaster will make sure he'll be sorry for deceiving us."
Everyone including Ruby had a bit of trouble had difficulty of trusting Murotsu but they realized they had no other choice. They finally agreed and walked downstairs for the exit. Murotsu was waiting for them outside the academy.
"Come," he instructed, motioning them. "We can discuss everything once we get to my home."
"Where are you taking us?" asked Kurumu.
"I am taking you to my home," he said and they all head to the house.
"How far is it, desu? asked Yukari as they were walking. "I'm pretty tired and my legs are hurting."
"It's pretty close." Murotsu replied.
"I'll carry you all the way there, Yukari-chan," Kurumu offered.
"No thanks, I'm fine, desu," said Yukari.
They strolled though the woods as they made their way to Murotsu's home. There were many bats and crows perched on the trees around them. Their beady eyes staring right at them. At last they finally stopped at the cemetery that Tsukune and his friends usually pass by when they go to school.
"We are here," said Murotsu. He tapped at the tombstone. Then suddenly a stone tablet on the ground shifted to the right and slowly opened, which made an entrance. In the entrance were some stairs.
"Wow," said Ruby, impressed. "This must be some kind of secret entrance."
"Yes. Like I said, this is my home. Actually this is my good friend's home. No one knows about this place except for us," said Murotsu. "There are a few friends that I will introduce to you."
They strolled down the curvy stone stairs. The path was a bit dark and spooky. Above the stony wall near the solid staircases were torches lit up on the way down. The pathway almost looked like a dungeon. Tsukune and the girls became a bit skeptical and optimistic about the place so far until they reached a set of double doors. Right near the double doors was a bunch of buttons. Murotsu pressed seven buttons and the doors opened.
"Is this some kind of elevator?" Tsukune asked.
"Yes, it was made by my friend who is a brilliant scientist. He loves technology from the human world," said Murotsu. "I will introduce him to you."
They walked in and descended five stories down. When the doors opened, the group stared with amazement. There was a giant library with almost five million books in its bookcases. The shelves were amazing that there was no dust on them or the books. They passed by a laboratory and a giant hospitality room with three couches and a giant television set. Finally they reached the dining room and saw two boys sitting at a fancy dining table. When they saw Murotsu, they greeted him with several secret handshakes.
"Hey Murotsu, you're back," said one of the boys. "We are just about to serve dinner."
Both of the boys then glanced at Tsukune and the girls behind him.
"I see that you brought six guests," said the other boy. "Five cute girls. Oh! I think it's our lucky day! I want to - Ow! Hey, what was that for, Nazere?"
"Show our guests some respect, Hiyata!" snapped the first boy. "Forgive me and my friend, I have not introduced myself. My name is Himoto Nazere and this guy that I just smacked is Yasuki Hiyata."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," said Tsukune. "I am Aono Tsukune. These are my friends Moka, Kurumu, Mizore, Yukari, and Ruby."
"Tsukune here is the Chosen to stop the evil in this realm," said Murotsu, putting his staff and giant weapon down. At that moment the two boys began to rejoice and ran up to him to shake Tsukune firmly by the hands. Tsukune did not expect them to be that happy all of a sudden.
"It's an honor to meet you!" shouted Hiyata, shaking his hand violently.
"Welcome to our home," said Nazere shaking Tsukune's other hand gently.
"Uh…thank you," said Tsukune, surprised.
"Man, these guys seem to be friendlier than ferocious," said Kurumu, sweat-dropping.
"I am kind of afraid of that Hiyata guy, desu," said Yukari, shivering. "He kinda creeps me out."
"Tsukune, we are about to serve dinner," said Murotsu. "Would you and your friends care to join us?"
"Sure! That is very kind of you," said Tsukune with a polite and hungry look in his face.
"Yahoohoo!" cheered Kurumu. "I'm starving."
"I'm pretty hungry," said Yukari, rubbing her belly. "I haven't eaten anything for a while, desu."
"Hiyata, can you and Nazere grab the food that's in the kitchen?" asked Murotsu.
Hiyata and Nazere hurried off to the kitchen to get the food. Nazere came with nine bowls of rice for everyone. Hiyata brought out a giant platter of food and set it on the table. There was barbequed meat, stir-fired udon, eel, and curry gravy. There was a giant pot of tea in the middle of the table surrounded by nine teacups. Tsukune and his friends stared at the food with amazement.
"Itadakimasu!" Everyone said. They picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
Tsukune and the girls' faces blushed after they tasted the food. Moka, however, could only feed on blood so she can only drink tomato juice.
"Oishii!" cried Tsukune, as he tasted the barbeque meat.
"This is the best food I have ever eaten," said Kurumu, sipping her miso soup. "It's a lot better than the food in the Youkai cafeteria."
"Desu, desu!" said Yukari in agreement.
"This stir-fried udon is good," said Ruby, slurping the noodles. "Who cooked all of this?
"Hiyata did," answered Murotsu. "He is the cook of the house,"
"Thank you, Hiyata," said Tsukune and the girls.
"Oh it was nothing," said Hiyata, blushing. "I was trying to impress you all."
When they all finished their meals, they lay down and drank tea together.
"So Murotsu," said Moka, putting down her can of tomato juice. "You promised us to explain meaning of the Chosen like you promised us?"
"Well, I can tell you who I really am." Said Murotsu, drinking his soup.
To be continued…