Chapter 11: Training + Vampire
Disclaimer: I do not own Rosario + Vampire. I twisted the author's storyline into my own imagination.
"You got to be kidding me!" complained Gin as he sat up on the couch. "How did I end up getting beat up by girls for being caught taking pictures and then requested to go some boot camp?"
"All of us are here for an important mission," answered Murotsu, as he took off his school uniform. "Our objective is to rescue the Shuzen family and the Rosario from uncle Yuroku. I know that they are currently detained in uncle Yuroku's keep, which used to be my father's house."
Gin grunted, stretched, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
"So I am here for some rescue mission?" he grunted. "Oh please. I have business with my Newspaper Club in school."
"Please Gin-senpai. We are trying to save Moka's family," said Tsukune.
"Please do that for my father and sisters?" begged Moka.
"Well, if it's for Moka, fine then," submitted Gin.
"Besides, the entire Newspaper club is already here, buddy," Murotsu said. "The headmaster requested you to join us in our mission to save Moka's family."
"Hmmm…he didn't tell me," grunted Gin, crossing his arms.
"The vampire prisoners are the part Shuzen family," Murotsu continued. "They were the only members of the Fairy Tale organization that betrayed the Masked King and Gyokuro in order to protect Moka. The Masked King intended to capture Moka for Yuroku and steal her Rosario to destroy the Youkai Academy, many parts of the monster realm, and the human world. Many of the seals were created to seal her inner form. One of them has been stolen by him."
"Is my Rosario that powerful?" asked Moka, clutching her seal.
"Yes. Your seal was used by four of the dark lords to create a barrier to prevent the monsters and humans to fight against each other," Murotsu answered. "Once Soku is revived, my uncle will use Issa's Rosario to create a weapon powerful enough to destroy the Youkai Academy. The school contains the seal that creates the barrier. Once the seal and the school is destroyed the barrier would weaken and both the monster realm and the human world will fall into the hands of the Soku and his demons."
"This mission is very dangerous," said Nazere, adjusting his glasses. "Yuroku's castle is well guarded and the enemies are not as weak as you think. That is why we need to train and prepare for the worst. According to Murotsu's vision, Soku will finally be freed but we do not know when."
"So what's going on? And who's Soku?" asked Gin, confused.
Tsukune and his friends began to explain what was going on and why the headmaster wants them to go on the journey. Gin listened and slouched on the couch as they talked about the prophecy with the Chosen and Soku. After that, Hiyata opened the elevators to the lower level.
"Let's go to the training room and begin the training," Hiyata said.
The three boys led Tsukune, Gin, Fong, and the six girls to elevators. They went down two levels until they reached a giant fitness room. Tsukune and his friends stared at the room with amazement. It contained a giant dojo, a running track that is about the size as a high school race track around a football field, an open bonsai garden, and a huge area filled with treadmills, tar bells, dumb bells, stretch bands, and jump ropes.
"All right everyone," said Murotsu. "We will start warming with physical fitness."
"Okay," said Tsukune. "That shouldn't be so difficult for me."
"Ah, that's what you think," said Nazere. "Us three are going to push you guys extra hard. We are going to be warming up on physical fitness all day."
"Is there ever going to be break time?" asked Yukari.
"Yes, lunch and we end with dinner," answered Hiyata smiling.
"Is it okay if we can take short breathers?" asked Gin.
"No breathers!" snapped Murotsu pointing his staff at him. "All of you need to develop strength and physical fitness in your human forms. We are going to train you hard til you are fully prepared for the journey."
"Why are we not allowed to be in our monster forms at this point?" asked Kurumu.
"Because," said Murotsu. "Because we can't rely on our own power too much and we have to be able to fight in out human forms. It's a fighting skill that all monsters must have, which father told me. As a matter of fact, we must not waste time on fighting goblins with our true strength. Save it for strong opponents like my uncle, the Masked King, Gyokuro, or any opponent stronger than goblins. This is going to be part of our training. We will learn martial arts tomorrow. The only time we can use our true power is at our greatest need."
"As a matter of fact, I have an idea," said Nazere. He reached into his pocket and picked up a small device and he pressed the red button. There was a red flash.
"What was that?" asked Tsukune.
"What's the big idea!?" questioned Kurumu, angrily.
"Why are you doing this to us?" hissed Mizore.
"I temporarily disabled your powers just like Murotsu did when he fought you," replied Nazere. "I thought that it would be cheating for you guys to take advantage by using your power."
"This is all about training with your physical strength," said Hiyata.
"So in this case you are human until training is over," said Murotsu.
"Hey, dragon boy," said Koumori. "What am I supposed to do, dechuuu?"
Everyone looked up and saw the bat fluttering over Kokoa.
"Oh, I definitely have something for you to do," smiled Hiyata. He reached out his hand and made a quick grab at the little bat. Koumori struggled and tried to bite his fingers but Hiyata squeezed him harder. Hiyata took him to a hamster cage.
"Hey what are you doing? Let go of me, dechu!" cried Koumori.
Hiyata did not respond. He grabbed some duck tape and tied Koumori's wings to his body. In the cage was a large hamster running wheel big enough for a bat to fit in. Hiyata then dropped Koumori in a little hole of the wheel and closed it. He then pressed a small button on the cage and the wheel began to slowly spin. The bat had no choice but to run using his tiny feet.
"There you go," said Hiyata, walking away laughing. "You can train in there for a while."
"Hey!" screamed Koumori. "This is animal abuse! Stop this at once, dechu!"
The hamster wheel began to rotate faster. Koumori ran as fast as he could to keep up his speed. Everyone stared at Koumori with embarrassment.
"Do you think this is necessary for my pet to do that?" asked Kokoa with concern.
"Well he had nothing to do. He will be alright," sighed Murotsu. He then raised his staff and banged it on the ground. "Alright. Let's begin. Push-ups let's go! The boys will get on your knuckles and the girls can do regular ones."
"On our knuckles? " complained Gin.
"Yes, now get down on your knees and all of you need to give me 40 push-ups," ordered Murotsu. "If you don't do any of your push-ups correctly, you will start over and I will double the amount of push-ups you are going to give me. Do that again I will double them again."
"And I will tell you exactly what he meant," said Hiyata. "If you do not get low enough you will start over and he will give you 80. Do that again he will double it to 160 so you-Oww!"
"They get the point Hiyata!" said Nazere.
Everyone groaned and began their push-ups. None of them dared to mess up on one push-up. After twenty-five push-ups everyone began to groan, except Tsukune, Moka, Ruby, and Fong. The four of them seemed to be enjoying them.
"This is torture, desu," whined Yukari.
"I can't keep this up," complained Kurumu. "My arms are sore…"
"Come on Kurumu! You can't fight if you are this out of shape!" yelled Murotsu.
"What do you expect from me?! I am just a succubus!"
"Don't make make excuses and get going!"
"This guy is getting under my nerves right now," whispered Kurumu to herself.
Murotsu knelt down in front of Kurumu.
"If Moka and Tsukune can do them, you can too. Do you want Moka to be the one that will win Tsukune?"
"Murotsu…" Kurumu said in her mind. Her eyes fluttered. She never thought he was trying to help her. She realized that he helped to get Tsukune to make up for her.
Kurumu straightened her arms, held push-up position and continued in a faster pace.
"I won't lose to you, Akashiya Moka!" thought Kurumu as she pressed her body down and up. "I must finish them before Moka."
Murotsu glanced back at Kurumu, keeping up her pace in her push-ups.
"Well what do you know, the moment I said that, she just sprang in action. Impressive," thought Murotsu.
"It looks like you are becoming a bit soft on that succubus, Murotsu. It looks like you actually have a thing for big breasts," said Hiyata, playfully.
"Will you shut up, Hiyata!" Murotsu shouted, smacking him on the head with his staff.
"Ow! Hey what was that for?!" responded Hiyata.
"Do you honestly think I care about that? I have no interest in succubi that are lustful and acting in a perverted manner. My father taught me better than that to look at someone lustfully and that is why big breasts are no interest to me," said Murotsu.
"It is true that succubi are lustful, but it looks like you are giving her encouragement," said Nazere.
"To be honest, I have never seen a succubus that shows care for all of her friends. She is a lot different compared to succubi that I have heard of," Murotsu replied.
"Come to think of it, she seems to be a lot different compared to other succubi than I expected," said Hiyata.
When Mizore and Yukari saw Kurumu, they did the same thing.
"I am not going to lose to Moka, nor that cow," Yukari thought.
"Tsukune will be mine if I keep this up," Mizore said to herself quietly.
"It looks like competition builds motivation in the Chosen's friends," said Nazere.
"I concur," said Hiyata
Everyone has finished their push-ups except for Gin and Kokoa.
"I hate this exercise!" growled Kokoa. "I'm on my twenty-fifth one…"
Gin collapsed on his 30th push-up. Murotsu told him to start over again and made him go 80. Nazere pushed his foot down on his back.
"Come on Gin, big guys like you need a good workout too! They're not supposed to be hard for you!" shouted Hiyata.
"I would appreciate it if it is not on my knuckles. You guys are so cruel!" grunted Gin.
"If you want to become stronger, you got to do it on your knuckles," said Murotsu.
Kokoa held push-up position on her 35th one. She was sweating and gritting her teeth.
"You can do it, sis!" yelled Moka.
"I believe in you, Kokoa," cheered Kurumu.
Everyone else began to cheer for her.
"Hey you guys," groaned Gin, with shaky arms. "What about me?"
"Keep going and get lower or I'll have to give you 160!" yelled Murotsu, banging his staff on the ground. Gin's face turned red and sweat dripped down his face. His knuckles were sore. After Kokoa finished her push-ups, everyone cheered for Gin. About eight minutes later Gin finally did his 80th push-up and collapsed again.
"Is it over?" moaned Gin, gasping for air.
"No, we are about to move straight to the next part of physical training," said Murotsu. Gin groaned the moment he said that. He led all of them to the starting line of the running track. He made a glance at Kourmori who was already spinning in his cage.
"Alright that's enough," said Murotsu to Hiyata. Hiyata ran and turned off the hamster machine. The wheel stopped rotating. Koumori lay on his wings, too dizzy to move.
"And now, we will be running 100 laps around this running track," Mutostu said. "I will test you on your pacing skills and speed."
"I think I heard you wrong," asked Mizore. "I heard you say 100 laps."
"No, you heard me correctly, Mizore," said Murotsu. "You will run 100 laps."
"Wait a minute, dragon boy," said Gin. "Isn't 100 laps too much?"
"How would you feel about 200 laps?" asked Murotsu with a smile on his face.
"Never mind," responded Gin. "Just asking."
"That's what I thought! Let's go wait on the starting line," said Murotsu as he reached in his pocket and grabbed out his whistle. Everyone stepped onto the track and stood in running position. They waited until Murotsu gave his signal.
"On your mark, get set…." He shouted and finally he blew his whistle.
Everyone shot of and dashed along the red running track. So far Hiyata was in front of everyone with Moka right behind him followed. Kurumu, Ruby, Tsukune, Mizore and Fong ran in a group. Behind them were Gin, Yukari, and Kokoa running slowly with Murotsu and Nazere sprint walking right next to them. Both the boys kept pestering them to hustle. Gin's group was lapped five times by Hiyata, three by Moka, and two by Tsukune's group. About forty-nine minutes later, Kurumu ran ahead and finally caught up with Moka on her twenty-eighth lap and the two began to race.
"I must beat Moka, I can't lose to her at all. Soon Tsukune will be mine," Kurumu thought again as she was running. The two girls kept their pace and continued to run. Neither of them let each other to pass the other. Mizore finally caught up with the two girls on her fifty-sixth lap and raced them. Gin's group, Murotsu, and Nazere stared at them with amazement as they were running. Hiyata already finished his 100th lap.
Gin then slowed down and stopped. He was too exhausted and breathed heavily from his mouth. Sweat dripped down his exhausted face and his knees collapsed to the ground. Murotsu and Nazere stopped and ran back toward Gin while Yukari and Kokoa still continued to run.
"Get up, Gin," said Nazere. "It's just 100 laps."
"I can't run," panted Gin. "The cramp is just too painful."
"You're just too out of shape," said Nazere.
"Once you're done with your 100 laps we can have a lunch break, Gin," said Murotsu. "Now com'on."
Both of the boys grabbed him by the wrists and started running. Gin continued to moan as he was forced to run along with them. An hour passed and Gin finished his 100th lap. About an hour and a half later Moka, Kurumu, and Mizore finished their runs and knelt down, exhausted. All three of them tied. Fifteen minutes after that Tsukune, Ruby and Fong reached the finished line on their 100th lap. Ten minutes later, Yukari and Kokoa were done and high fived each other for completing the run. Everyone then waited for Gin who was dragged by the boys on the field.
"Com'on Gin!" said Murotsu as they all crossed the finish line on their 100th lap. At that moment Gin collapsed to the ground panting heavily for air.
"Alright, that was fun. Now it's time for a lunch break." Announced Murotsu as he took off his whistle. Everyone sighed with relief and was glad it was over.
"This is a good work out for me," said Ruby, happily. "I felt refreshed after exercising."
"Since when do you like work out?" exhaled Yukari.
"Ah…many many things had happened," said Ruby, closing her eyes. "I don't remember how…"
"There she goes again," sighed Mizore, sweat-dropping. "I felt like my ice muscles have already melted…"
"We may have tied this round, Akashiya Moka," breathed Kurumu. "But this isn't over yet."
"Why are you two competing against me?" asked Moka.
"I want to win Tsukune's heart. That's all," declared Kurumu.
"We are tired of you getting Tsukune's attention, and it's my turn," said Mizore, grabbing Tsukune's arm.
"No, Mizore he's mine," yelled Kurumu, grabbing his other arm.
"I won't allow you to touch him. He's mine alone," cried Moka, grabbing him.
"Can you three knock it off?" screamed Tsukune. He finally broke free from their grasps. "I'm hungry anyway. I'm going to eat lunch right now."
"It kinda looks like we overdid our physical education course," whispered Hiyata to Murotsu.
"I guess we worked them a bit too hard," Murotsu sighed.
"I noticed that you are going pretty soft on Kurumu," said Nazere.
"What makes you think that?" asked Murotsu.
"Well you seemed to be encouraging her more compared to the others," Nazere said.
"Yeah, I am beginning to notice that," said Hiyata.
"I am actually coaching her. You should be doing the same with the others. I believe they would be able to accomplish their skills if we be more encouraging and less coercive," Murotsu said.
"Well you should of have done that from the beginning," said Hiyata.
"Next time I should do that more often," said Murotsu.
"I need to get Ko-Chan," said Kokoa and she hurried toward the hamster cage.
Koumori lay motionless in the hamster wheel but was breathing heavily. She picked up the wretched bat and carried him to the living room.
After the break the group did a lot of serious weight lifting. Everyone failed except for Moka who had vampiric strength. The training became seriously intense compared to the training before rescuing Moka from the Fairy Tale.
The group was also required to learn martial arts. Fang and Mizore had a good experience in those skills but the others were just getting started. Everyone had to punch bags and learn many basic kicking techniques such as roundhouse, inside/outside crescent, hook, and many others. In the meantime, Tsukune and Murotsu were alone at a bonsai garden to meditate.
"You must be able to control your mind. This meditation will help you regain strength. The power of the Chose lies in your spirit," Murotsu said.
Tsukune closed his eyes and allowed his body to relax.
"The Chosen's spirit is powerful. You must be spirited. You also must have a heart for everyone you care about if you want to save them," he continued.
Later on Tsukune was given two katana swords. Murotsu began his private lessons on kenjutsu for him. After serious training on wooden targets, Murotsu became his practice opponent. Tsukune slashed and swung his katanas. Murotsu swung his giant double-edged blade. Tsukune tried to block it but the giant blade was too powerful that it quickly disarmed Tsukune. Murotsu sank his blade on the ground, grabbed the handle of it and spun kick Tsukune, knocking him off his feet. When Tsukune fell to the ground, Murotsu placed his foot on his chest and pointing his giant blade at his face.
"You can't always defend yourself from my blows, Tsukune. You must learn how to dodge my attacks," Murotsu said, taking his foot off him.
"Yeah but you have a stronger and heavier weapon. It's not fair," grunted Tsukune.
"Which is why you are training with me. The enemy will not play fair and neither should you. Imagine you have to fight a huge troll with a club. You can't always depend on your weapons too much to defend yourself and the club would shatter your katanas," said Murotsu.
"Well, I guess you're right," said Tsukune and continued his training.
The martial arts lessons continued for five days until everyone was able to get their techniques right. They were able to learn and master the extreme martial arts kicks. A few days later, Tsukune's friends also received a different Japanese weapon they can use on their journey.
"These weapons are for you to use when you are in human form," said Murotsu. "Learn how to use it well and defend yourself from your enemies. This will help you to avoid using your true abilities."
After a few more days passed, Tsukune finally improved in his martial arts and swordsmanship abilities and his friends were also able to master their training as well. During the last few days of training they had sparring matches and everyone was allowed to be in their monster forms.
"Only use your monster abilities when you are in danger, especially against tough opponents that are not goblins," said Murotsu. "That power is your true power and should not come to waste against mindless goblins."
Later on Murotsu was with Mizore at the target area.
"The next lesson is to learn how to control your attacks. Your objective is to hit the target without breaking it," said Murotsu.
"Really? How exactly do I do that? What is the purpose behind that?
"As a snow lady, you must know how to fight in stealth mode and doing this exercise will help you control and conserve your power. Allow me to demonstrate."
Murotsu raised his hand. In his hand appeared some ice kunais.
"Woah."
At an instant, Murotsu thrust the ice kunais at the targets and nailed the center.
"Now it is your turn."
Mizore raised her hand and a giant piece of ice appeared in his hand. She then thrust the ice shard and it broke the target in front of her.
Murotsu shook his head.
"I said hit the target, not break it. Control your strength. Now try again!"
A few days later Murotsu was with Kurumu to the training area filled with wooden dummies.
"We will learn two things: First is the use your kusarigama and then your slashing techniques."
"This thing is very hard to control. I might hit myself with that."
"The kusarigama was used by many ninja warriors in the ancient human times and used it to capture their opponents and will make them vulnerable for you to attack. Your weapon can be used to tie up your enemies and can also disarm them. The little sickle in the end can be used for offense and defense."
He showed her several wooden dummies.
"Now I want you to first spin your kusarigama and when you are ready you are going to throw half of your chain at the dummy and make sure the chain is all wrapped up around your enemy."
Kurumu took a deep breath and spun her weapon. After a few spins, she smacked herself with it.
Murotsu smacked his face with his palm.
"Don't be afraid of your weapon. As a matter of fact, you might be spinning too much of your weapon which makes part of it pretty heavy."
A few hours later was teaching Yukari and Ruby a few spells. One of the main ones they struggled to learn was the resurrection spell.
"This is an advanced spell which requires the use of all of your power. You have to focus all of your energy into the person you are intending to resurrect," he said.
Later during the time, he was sparing with Moka in the battle area. While fighting, Moka took some kicks and knocks during their match.
"You have incredible power and monstrous strength. However, do not let mercy be your weakness. You may be merciless in your other form but you can't rely too heavily on that power. That can only be used at your greatest need."
"I really don't like fighting. Even my own stepmother, whom I killed and resurrected. I don't like to attack anyone even though they are my enemies."
"I understand, Moka. But you need to take note that showing mercy to your enemies will get you killed. The more you hesitate fighting your enemies, the more trouble you will get in. Your enemy will not attack you with hesitation and that would be their advantage."
"But..."
"Listen to him Moka. As much as I really hate to say it, he is right. Remember that there may be a time when you couldn't use your seal. Never show mercy to mercy to your enemies especially the ones that try to kill Tsukune. Some refuse to change their wicked ways and are natural evil," said Inner Moka's voice.
"I know...I just never like killing anyone," Moka responded.
"I don't either but sometimes it is necessary to kill someone. Look at it as a way to protect yourself and Tsukune," said Murotsu.
"Alright...I will fight you with everything I got," Moka said, getting into her fighting position.
After a few weeks have passed, everyone was able to to master their training lessons and seemed to be prepared for the journey. When training was officially done, everyone rested before they head out on their journey.
To Be Continued…