Chapter 8 Moonlit Dance
I do not own Rosario + Vampire in any way shape or form.
Mikogami walked into the room, holding his script. "So...this is a joke right?"
What's a joke?
Scowling and bringing up his one page script. "It's one page!"
...So?
Mikogami looked ready to burst, his face reddening. "Why is it only one page!? Even miss. Shirayuki has more than that!"
Mizore popped her out of the air vent, looking at Mikogami casually. "He has to write down all my hiding spots that I could use."
Mikogami's eyes bugged out as he threw his paper into the trash bin beside the door. "You haven't even been introduced yet!"
Mizore simply rolled her eyes, moving back into the darkness as Mikogami stormed out the room and down the hall.
SOMETIME IN THE NIGHT
Moka jolted up, looking around her to see nothing but blackness. Even with her enhanced sight, Moka could barely see her hand in front of her face. Her red eyes glowing in the darkness of the cave. This was now the fifth time that she had fallen asleep and had awoke merely seconds later.
Ugh why can't I sleep!? Bet it's this ground…I need to walk around for a bit.
Getting up and using the wall beside her to track her way back towards the entrance. More light becoming present the more she headed towards it. Finally coming to a point at which she could see without needing the wall to make sure she wouldn't run into it.
I'm surprised it gets so dark in here…
Coming around the bend that led into the waterfall, much more light coming to the surface. The moon light casting off the shimmering waterfall onto the cave floor and the walls. Looking over to where Tsukune had been sitting when she had gone off further into the cave to discover the white raps laying there, a little blood coated on them.
Why are his wraps already off? He couldn't have already recovered. And also where is he? I never heard him come down into the cave during the night.
Moka walked to the edge of the water that was fed from the waterfall into the cave, separating her from the waterfall. Kneeling down to swirl the water with her finger, drawing circles and letting the ripples fade away.
What's with the water? I didn't smell any herbs on the rag, and I don't see if there's anything different about it versus normal water. Hmm no one's around…
Moka stepped back, untying her shoes. Setting her shoes, and socks off to the side. Moka took one last look behind her to see that no one had followed her. Unbuttoning her top, Moka slid it off folding and laying it on the shoes, doing the same for her skirt. It was just the standard school uniform without the green jacket. So it wasn't really important if it got dirty, she could just grab another set later. Leaving her in just her bra and panties.
This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy, oh this is so fucking crazy
Stepping into the water edge, putting her feet underneath the warmish water. Hesitating to move any further.
Come on, you're a vampire! Are you just going to let a puddle of water beat you!? Time to show this puddle whose boss!
Moka took another step deeper into the water, putting her knee deep in it. Stopping and staring at the water in front of her, hesitating yet again.
Ok maybe this wasn't such a…shut up! You're a vampire! Nothing can defeat you!
Wading her way deeper into the water towards the waterfall, now waist deep.
Eeeeehhhhh…
Continuing in her descent, Moka walked further into the water. Only two feet from the actual waterfall, now chest deep.
Almost there…I'm running out of room to stand…Ok…well here goes nothing…
Moka walked further down, putting the water just below her chin. She was still a foot from the waterfall.
Come on, Come on just a little more.
Moka tried to keep herself up, kicking her feet and flailing her arms around her under the water. Edging ever so slowly under the waterfall. Moving through the waterfall, letting the water run over her head as she went by. Trying her hardest to stay up as there was no longer a floor she could stand on. Now out in the moon light shining down on the springs.
I'm…I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm swimming! YES! TAKE THAT WATER! FEAR MOKA AKASHIYA THE VAMPIRE!
As soon as she finished her thoughts, she realized something. She was sinking. The water coming ever closer to her mouth.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no I'm sorry water! I didn't mean anything by it! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! I'm sinking! I'm…sinking?
Looking around her dumbfounded, she wasn't flailing around and she wasn't sinking anymore. She wasn't standing, nor was she floating. Someone was holding her up behind her.
Looking behind her, Moka saw Tsukune's face with a smirk on it barely keeping in his laughter. "Tsukune!?"
Upon seeing him behind her randomly caused Moka to fall forward without realizing it. Putting herself out of his hold. Only doing this caused her to start sinking again rapidly. Looking towards Tsukune for help, she found he wasn't even there this time.
Struggling to keep herself above the water, looking around franticly. "Tsukune!? Tsukune help!"
Before she could realize what was happening, she was in the air, sitting on Tsukune's shoulders as he started laughing. "Shut up! It's not funny!"
Upon only sitting on his shoulder's Moka started to fall back, to compensate she grasped onto Tsukune's head for dear life. "Going for a midnight swim?"
Blushing as she continued clutching Tsukune's head for balance. "Maybe…"
Hearing her quiet reply brought more laughter from Tsukune as he started to tip front ways over. "AHH! TSUKUNE THAT'S NOT FUNNY!"
Leaning back up right. "I don't know, seemed pretty funny to me. I'm going to let you back down into the water now, ok?"
Hearing this Moka clung to his head tighter. "No! No! No! I like it in the air better!"
Tsukune stopped his descent back into the water, sighing. "What, are you planning on just staying up there for the night?"
Moka looked down at his face, considering the option. "Can I?"
Biting back his laughter from her response. "No, I'm letting you down now, ok?"
Moka sighed as she knew he would do it anyway. "Fine…just…don't let go."
Tsukune smiled to himself as he started sinking back down. "I won't, I promise."
Moka felt the water creep up her body. As Tsukune lowered her back down, moving out from under her legs. Letting go of her for a split second as panic invaded Moka's mind before immediately grabbing her again by the waist. Tsukune came back up, breaking the surface of the water in front of her.
Smiling at the nervous wreck of the vampire that sat in a bowl of water. "See? I didn't let go."
Moka narrowed her eyes at him, still afraid of drowning. "You did too you liar!"
Tsukune only laughed back, slightly turning around. "Grab on."
Moka grasped onto his shoulders, as he let go of her waist. "What are you do…Tsukune…oh no…please not in the deeper section…please!?"
Tsukune continued swimming on ignoring her pleas as she clung to his back. "You'll be ok, I promise I won't let anything happen to you."
Moka watched Tsukune's movement through the water as he swam around, and started to mimic his actions. Letting go of one of his shoulders, she started to use her arm in a similar fashion.
Catching the attention of Tsukune as he looked back at her. "What happened to the girl who didn't want to go into the deep end?"
Moka stopped her practice, blushing and looking away as Tsukune continued pulling her. "Shut up."
Tsukune just smiled back at her until looking over to the shore and start swimming over to it. "How about you try on your own?"
Snapping her head back to the front, looking at Tsukune as if he was crazy. "No! I'll drown!"
Tsukune stopped swimming, coming to a halt in a shallower area. "Don't worry I'll save you before you do, just do what you were doing back there but stay in place.
Moka cast Tsukune a curious glance, narrowing her eyebrows. "What do you mean, stay in place how am I supposed to do that? Aren't you supposed to always be moving or something?"
Turning around causing Moka to regrab his shoulders from the front so they were facing each other. "Like what I'm doing right now, see my arms? How their helping me keep myself up? You already are doing the leg movement just fine."
Looking down at herself she found that her legs were moving on their own, slowly moving back and forth smoothly. "See? You're a natural, you just have to start using your arms to help you and you'll be swimming on your own in no time."
Not looking so sure of his opinion, but she did have to eventually let go after all. "Fine…just promise me that you won't let me go below."
Tsukune held her at her waist, keeping her up while she removed her hands and started the arm movements. "I've already told you I won't let anything happen to you. If you start sinking don't panic, just relax and increase how hard you're using your legs to keep you up. I'm right here if you need me. I'm letting go now, ok?"
Tsukune let go of her once she nodded back, drifting back a few feet to give her more room to work with. Struggling to keep herself up at first, but Tsukune wouldn't budge from his position. Kicking hard below her, trying to keep herself up. After a few moments, she was keeping herself up. Of course it was quite tiring, and a bit sloppy. But she was doing it nonetheless.
Swimming back over in front of her, she grabbed onto him as soon as he got close. "Told you, you could do it."
Catching her breath from the mini exercise she just did. "It's not supposed to be that tiring is it?"
Tsukune started to drag Moka over towards the shoreline, moving close enough to feel the floor. "It will get better as you get more experience."
Crossing her arms and huffing. "What more experience? It's not like I can do this in the real world."
Thinking for a moment, gazing down at her. "I don't know about that…I have a few theories. I'll talk to Mikogami about them."
Raising an eyebrow at this, as Tsukune was hinting at immunity to water as a vampire. "Oh? And just what are those theories?"
Tsukune smirked back at her. "Those are my secrets for now, if I believe they'll work. I'll let you in on it, it won't be long before I can determine if it's possible or not."
Moka seemed unsatisfied with the answer, but she lost her train of thought when something shimmered behind Tsukune.
What the…!?
Moka grabbed onto Tsukune, pulling as hard as she could backwards. "Tsukune move!"
Tsukune and Moka plunged into the water below, the silver short sword slicing the tip of Tsukune's hair. Tsukune held Moka below him under the water, kicking off the ground into the air. Landing further up the shore to knee length waters. Holding Moka close to him as they starred at the black figure who started walking towards them. Splashing the water as he went.
Tsukune barred his fangs, moving around Moka to put himself in front of her. "Such a lucky dodge, it won't happen again."
He must have heard us and tracked us. Damn I should have been more alert…it could have been over then.
The figure stopped walking towards them, halting a few feet away. "Moka get back."
Feeling underdressed for the occasion, Moka felt even more nervous at the gaze from the figure, watching her. "Hmm…"
The figure disappeared from sight, Moka's eyes rapidly checking her surroundings. Tsukune looking ahead, at the spot that he was just standing. Gathering his Youki across his body.
Moka could feel the wind rushing past her, begging her to turn around. Looking behind her she found the figure in the middle of his swing towards her. Tsukune not reacting.
Don't think you can beat me.
Raising her leg up, about to side kick him until he appeared again to her other side in the middle of another swing.
What!? But he!?
Looking back over at the first figure as it faded from view. The new figure, even closer in his swing. The sword mere inches from her neck.
Tsukune turned around towards the figure quickly delivering a fast jab to his chin to stagger him and make the sword miss Moka. Once the sword was clear of Moka, Tsukune came back with an uppercut.
Barely sidestepping the uppercut, the figure caught Tsukune's next straight in his hand. "So feisty, do you really value this girl's life so much?"
Tsukune narrowed his eyes at the figure as he clenched his teeth, pulling the figure towards him with his caught punch and delivering another cross into his face. "Shut the hell up! If you want a fight fine! But leave her out of this!"
The surroundings now seemed to catch up with the action, sending water flying in all directions. Moka pivoted her foot making her side kick turn towards the newer figure. Kicking out, missing the figure's head as he dodged left. Letting go of Tsukune's fist running around Moka.
You're not escaping this time!
Moka swung her missed kick around her, hitting the back of the figure while he was going around her. Falling and going into a roll up the shore, splashing more water around. Stopping at the shore line, kneeling down as he starred at Moka. His sword fading away as he stood up. Taking a few steps back, further in land.
Moka started to walk towards him until Tsukune stopped her, moving in front of her. "This is my fight, stay back."
Moka narrowed her eyes at back of Tsukune's head, growing a tick-mark on her forehead. "Like hell I'll stay back! I won't sit on the sidelines and watch you fight!"
The figure gave a hearty laugh as he gazed at the two in front of him. "Oh please, you're just a little girl who doesn't understand the possibilities of your true power."
Tsukune narrowed his eyes walking towards the figure out of the water while Moka raised an eyebrow. "True power? What would you know of a Vampire's true power? You're just a representation of the venom from the blood I injected into Tsukune to save him."
The figure grew a devilish smile as he stared at her, ignoring Tsukune who was now only a few feet away. "Such ignorance, you could be so much..."
He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence before receiving multiple punches to his front and side. Each punch flowing into another breaking his ribs as Tsukune went, punching him as if he was a punching bag. Delivering a powerful sucker punch to his gut, doubling him over. Tsukune brought up his knee, hitting the figure in the nose. Smashing it as the figure staggered back, scrambling to get his footing. But it was too late, bringing his face in contact with a powerful haymaker. Spinning around as Tsukune kicked him in his side. Bending him sideways from the force. Pulling back his fist while the figure regained his focus to see another straight coming for him. Hitting him in the face as he got sent flying into the forest crashing trees.
Taking a few steps in front of him to spread out the weight that he had put into the punch. "Ignore him, focus on the here and now."
Moka brought down her axe kick to hit Tsukune in the back of the head, putting him face first into the ground. "Don't order me around as if you own me. Know your place!"
Tsukune got back out of the ground, rubbing the spot of where Moka had kicked him. "I don't care what you think of my combat ability here. I'm not going to just sit on the sidelines and watch. I'm a vampire and I will crush those that go against me."
Ow...she didn't bother to pull the kick either...
Sighing as he looked beside him at the fuming Moka. "Then don't make me regret this."
Moka simply gave him a smirk back before looking over at the forest, waiting for the figure.
Even though I've landed a few hits, I still have to recognize the power gap between us. If I keep some Youki in my eyes I can follow his movements. But my kicks won't be as effective...I don't have a choice. If I don't then he'll just move behind me and I won't be able to react fast enough.
Tsukune Raised his arms up slightly, and started to lightly bob back and forth on his feet making Moka raise an eyebrow. "Tsukune what are you..."
Cutting her off as he went closer to the forest, putting some distance between them. "Let me at least get his main attention before you jump in. I would rather him be focused on me than you."
Moka never got a chance to respond before the figure was already attacking Tsukune. Throwing quick punches and kicks. Tsukune weaving under every strike before snapping his fist into the figure's side. Going back to weaving his head back and forth through the relentless attacks of the figure. Striking back after every few dodges, landing a quick hard hits on him. Looking slightly over at Moka for a split second.
Moka understood his meaning. Moving behind the figure, raising her foot to kick him in the back of the head. The figure had forgotten of Moka at this point. But had felt the change in Youki behind him. It was too late to react before Moka landed a solid hit on the back of his head. Forcing him tumbling forward, struggling to keep conscious. Taking the advantage, Tsukune started his assault. Launching quick powerful punches to his front and side. Making sure he broke every rib before moving to the figure's arms. Moka during this time had jumped into the air, bring her foot down towards the figure's head for another heavy hitter. As Tsukune pulled slightly back he gave the figure the slightest of openings. His fist shot out, hitting Tsukune in the neck. Forcing him to back off as he dodged Moka's kick before rushing back into the forest. Moka was about to give pursuit until she saw Tsukune on one knee wheezing for breath.
Mentally cursing herself that she wasn't faster with her kick before moving over to kneel beside Tsukune. "Tsukune are you alright?"
Tsukune grunted as he stood back up rubbing his throat. "I'm fine just a lucky hit."
This isn't good, if he can keep retreating then we'll just duke it out till one of us gets tired. I know him and I can go for a few hours like this but how long can Moka? I've never seen her fight seriously for long periods of time. On another note she doesn't really like to hold back to preserve her energy either. I have to put an end to this soon.
Moka clenched her fists as she yelled at Tsukune. "Tsukune! Are you even listening to me!?"
Tsukune raised his eyebrows in surprise, he hadn't heard anything that she was just saying. "Hmm? Oh sorry Moka I was thinking."
Sighing annoyingly as she tried to calm herself down. "How are we supposed to beat this guy if he can just escape and heal each time? You've been fighting him for almost a week straight. You must have some idea how to bypass his regeneration."
Furrowing his eyebrows as he gazed over towards where the figure had retreated into the forest. "If I did do you really think I would still have been fighting him for this long?"
Giving off an un-lady like grunt as she started pacing back and forth. "There has to be some way. No one is invincible...say aren't you supposed to be equals? I mean he is a part of you." Moka asked looking back over at Tsukune.
Tsukune looked over at Moka, before looking at the ground sighing. "Just because he is a part of me doesn't make us equals...and there's still more to this than meets the eye."
Narrowing her eyebrows at Tsukune considering his words. "What do you mean?"
Clenching his teeth as he mentally cursed himself as saying something. "Tsukune?...What...no...who is he?"
Shit why did I have to open my damn mouth...She's going to find out soon enough anyways from Mikogami, might as well tell her now.
Looking back over to the forest, checking for any movement. "What do you remember of your mother?"
Widening her eyes slightly becoming very interested in the explanation she just asked for. "My mother disappeared when I was a child. I don't remember..."
She was cut off as Tsukune roughly shoved her away, taking the place where she stood. "Ow! What the hel..."
Looking up at where Tsukune was to see that he no longer stood there and the figure was at the edge of the forest, leaned over slightly. "Sorry you won't be getting off that anytime soon. So get comfortable over there."
Moka followed the figure's eyes to behind her where Tsukune was clenching his teeth. Trying to pull out a spear that was holding him up against the rocks. Piercing his right shoulder, letting blood flow down his body from the wound.
The figure turned his attention to Moka as she got up from the ground, eyeing him analyzing any openings in his posture. "Now girl, how about we have a little fun?"
Dipping his center of gravity, he raised his arms slightly up and started to bob on his feet a little. His stance resembling Tsukune's from before. Lowering her own center of gravity, raising up her arms and leaning slightly back.
This isn't good...I can feel the Youki radiating off of the spear. But even if he cut off most of his Youki what are his physical attributes? How fast is he even without his Youki? I have to tread carefully here...I can't underestimate him...but who is he? And what does he have to do with my mother?
Moka didn't have time to think anymore before the figure jumped into the fray. Weaving back and forth as he launched quick jabs and feints towards Moka. Backing her up towards the water.
He's still fast...but I can see him clearly now...What's with the stance though? It looks more western than anything else.
Moving some of the collected Youki from her eyes till the figure started to blur. Bringing the Youki down to her legs. Her speed moving to meet his. As she started to gain more maneuver room. Turning them so they were parallel with the water. Looking down at his feet for a split second seeing an opening in his movement. Shooting her leg out in front of her towards the figure's stomach. The figure moved to block her foot. But Moka changed course heading for the back of his ankle, swiping his feet out from under him and tripping him. Twirling around to deliver a back kick to his head while he was falling. But only to be surprised once she noticed he had already recovered moving out of range from her kick. Coming back around her leg throwing a haymaker towards her head. Dropping to the floor, letting the fist go sailing over her head. Flipping herself onto her hands and curling her legs. Pushing off the ground towards the figure. Locking the figure's head in-between her legs. Twisting herself around and bringing them closer to the ground. Throwing the figure by the head over her using her arms for leverage on the grass.
Tsukune watched as Moka fought the figure, continuously tugging at the spear embedded through his shoulder.
I can't get it out! Damn this fucking hurts! Moka might be holding her own right now, but how long will it last?
The figure rolled after landing on the ground stopping on one knee. Looking around to see Moka's axe kick coming down on him. Bring his arms above his head to block the leg. Moka didn't care, crushing through the block. Breaking both of the figure's forearms and shattering his left shoulder. The figure scrambling back to his feet, widening his eyes as half his upper body slouched downward. Unable to move his left arm. Rushing his position, spinning around for another kick to his head this time. The figure tried to dive back, but his right shoulder ended up taking the hit. Moka's kick shattering his right shoulder but keeping her foot away from his head as both arms fell to his sides. Delivering a quick side quick to his chest pushing him back next to a tree.
Moka stopped for a moment, moving all her Youki to her left leg. "You were too overconfident, know your place!"
Swinging her left leg up in an arc as the figure watched stunned. The leg making contact with the side of his head. Pushing his head into the tree as it continued its journey. Ripping through his head as it cleaved through, smashing the tree in half as it went. Moka twirling around from the weight, bring it down her leg. Looking slightly behind her at the figure's body as it slumped to the ground. The top of his head, falling to the ground with widened eyes. A splash caught her attention, looking over to where Tsukune was. Widening her own eyes as she quickly walked towards the shore, ignoring the pain in her leg. Leaving the body on the ground, leaning up against the stump of the tree.
Tsukune walked through the water, splashing it as he went. The wound in his shoulder closing itself. Blood staining his front leaving trails from the now closed wound.
Walking up the shore, rushing to catch Moka as she fell forwards. "You know you probably shouldn't walk on a broken leg."
Scrunching her eyebrows as she looked down at her left leg to see it mangled. "Shit, he had one fucking hard skull. I should have braced it more."
Scooping her up into his arms, as he walked over to a part of the forest that wasn't destroyed. "Doesn't matter anymore...we'll just have to wait until it heals. I've already sent Mikogami back."
Crossing her arms, and sighing as she relaxed. The leg already beginning its healing. Linking back together the dangling muscle.
Something occurring to her as a light bulb formed above her head. "Say what happened to the bus driver? Now that I think about it I never once saw him after we got into the cave."
Tsukune smirked thinking back at when the bus driver took his leave. "Oh he left on his own account. Guess he got bored or something."
Setting her down on a thick tree branch as she leaned up against the trunk. "So he was able to just come and go as he pleased. But the chairman and I were stuck? How does that work out?"
Sitting down beside her, leaning forward and intertwining his fingers. "He has his ways."
Frowning and looking over at Tsukune. "So what affiliation does he have with my mother?"
Tsukune sighed, scratching the back of his head as he considered how he was going to answer the question. He was not going to enjoy this.
IN THE INFIMIRARY
Mikogami opened his eyes, looking around him seeing the infirmary around him. Moka standing next to him, still looking down at the crystal ball while Tsukune lay asleep on the bed. The bus driver gone.
A purple bruise on Moka's leg catching his attention as he looked down. "Seems I missed all the fun. Well if I'm back I doubt they will be far behind me."
Yawning as he looked out the window into the darkness that covered the school grounds. "Hmm...I'll question him later on this. I'm going back to bed."
Turning around Mikogami left the room, holding the crystal ball in his hands. Leaving Moka in place as he made his way to his office.
Stopping for a moment to think to himself. "I really need to stop talking to myself." Mikgoami said before continuing on his route.
...rawr?