Chapter 15: Mystery
Tsukune was happy with himself- not only had he got a high mark in his tests (especially maths), but it also meant that he could spend summer with his friends. The coalition had no reservations on him staying at the school for a few more months, so he was all good. Man, it's been four months since I started here- a lot of stuff has happened between then and now, really makes you wonder… it sure does, so keep your wits about and do not fall prey to temptations, his thought process was interrupted by his inner self, who had been talking to him mentally quite frequently now. But, this inner self was very helpful, as it had helped him many times in his fights.
Prancing around like a lion, Tsukune was waiting for the rest of his friends, even though he had arrived thirty minutes earlier than they had decided on. Out of boredom, he just sat on the cliff edge, waiting and waiting; he was startled when another person sat next to him. It was Moka.
"You're early Tsukune… but so am I as well I guess. First day of our vacation as well- vacation will be fun!" Moka declared with a smile as she turned to face Tsukune.
"Camping out in the human world though- never expected Nekonome-sensei to tell us that," Moka continued as both of them recounted their teacher telling them a few days ago. Apparently, it was for the purpose of: 'research'.
"I feel a bit worried considering all that's happened before in the human middle schools… it makes my heart race a bit… but, as long as I'm with you, Tsukune, my expectations will be higher than my fears… I'll be counting on you" Moka said with a blush as she put her arms up.
It was almost an intimate moment for both of them; however, the sound of arguing disrupted this.
"I don't want to go to the stupid human world after all," Yukari's frustrated voice could be heard as Tsukune jumped up from the cliff side.
"Hey guys, what's the matter?" Tsukune asked curiously.
"Yukari-chan suddenly started to whine about not wanting to go to the human world…" Kurumu shrugged then smiled.
"…Just as I thought, she's wimping out because she's never been there before… she is just a baby after all."
"Someone with only one cell for their brain would not understand!" Yukari shouted in anger.
"What did you say, you flat-ches-"
"Oh look, our bus has arrived," Tsukune said as he put on a cheesy smile to change the subject. The doors opened, and they all entered, with Nekonome-sensei already being on the bus.
"Hehe boy, you sure have been through a lot since we last saw eachother: upperclassmen, the Public Safety Commission- have you had your fill of this academy yet?" the driver asked as he got a cigarette out.
"Wow, wow, how do you know all of that?" Tsukune asked, surprised. Then as he gazed closer, he realised that it was the bus driver from earlier. I still can't figure this guy out- even after all that's happened, Tsukune thought with a sigh.
"Don't act so worried. This tunnel's connected with many places in the real world- you always wonder why mysterious things happen in tunnels, well, this is your answer…" he said as they entered the tunnel, and waited for the other side.
Bright light filled their view as they came out the other side, appearing in a hilly area; through their ride, they saw many different places. It makes me feel nostalgic just coming to here after a while, Tsukune though with his hands behind his head. What was even more interesting was how his non-human friends were just looking at people outside with curiosity; if only we could put our differences aside, Tsukune thought with his head bowed. As they carried on travelling, they started to go further up a mountainous region, and also passed a 'no trespassing sign'. Uhhh, seems like road signs don't apply for Youkai, Tsukune shrugged. No sooner, they had arrived outside a massive sunflower garden, the shimmering golden-yellow petals swaying slightly in the slight breeze.
"Wow, is this where we're going to stay- it's amazing!" Kurumu said excitedly. Moka nodding in agreement, Tsukune turned to face the bus driver and Nekonome-sensei.
"This is interesting…" Tsukune started with his arms crossed.
"I thought we should stop at this point- it is a point of interest for people in the human world," the bus driver explained as his eyes dimmed slightly.
"Since, it's you I'm hearing this from, I'm going to guess that it isn't a point of interest for a good reason, right?" Tsukune asked, expecting something bad.
"Heh, yes, one after another, people have disappeared from here- it is quite fascinating, wouldn't you say so? Check this newspaper for more detail," the bus driver said as he handed Tsukune a newspaper before stepping back into the bus.
"Soooo, instead of explaining it in a non-poetic fashion, you decide to give me a very ambiguous description of the place and hand me a newspaper, thus giving no reason for you to tell me anything at all," Tsukune stated as he looked at the bus driver through the glass. As he started to read the newspaper, the bus left with the driver and Nekonome-sensei, causing the girls to panic.
Amidst the panic and complaints, Tsukune sensed a presence within the sunflower garden- he knew there was something weird about the garden… something really unnatural and eerie about it. Tsukune, this place has supernatural energy written all over it… you should get to a safe place… this environment is dangerous when you don't know what you're up against, his inner self warned him as well as reinforcing his earlier thoughts about the place.
"Guys, let's move from here, there's something in there and it's watching us- over there! That cabin will be a good place to hide in," Tsukune pointed out to small house fifty metres away.
Shutting the door behind them, they all sat down; obviously, there was something supernatural here behind the disappearances.
"Tsukune, what does the newspaper that bus driver-san gave you say?" Moka asked as they all gathered around Tsukune to see the newspaper. The headline read: 'In Okabanachou, Fujimi City, eighteen sightseers have disappeared, one after another'. There were also mentions about a witch living on the hill and possibly being behind it all; this unfortunately caused more arguments between Yukari and Kurumu.
"I don't think, it's coincidence that we've been left here to camp- could sensei be trying to get us to do something?" Moka spoke up as the others turned around.
"That is an annoying plan- it's like she's testing us. So, we should just figure this 'spiriting away' business ourselves then," Kurumu responded with her hands on her chin.
"What are you talking about?! All of this is too dangerous! Even my tarot cards say that this vacation is ill-fated," Yukari shouted exasperated, causing Kurumu's eyebrows to narrow slightly.
"I've had enough of you, Yukari-chan! You've been complaining all day, and just trying to run away from anything mildly dangerous. How long are you going to try and hide under your bed?! You really are a baby, so if you're really that worried, then just go home by yourself!" Kurumu stated with an annoyed expression.
"Don't be stupid- I'm not afraid of anything!" Yukari shouted as she ran out of the cabin.
"Uhh, we better go get her back right?" Tsukune asked as he looked outside at Yukari's running figure.
"Guys, I think I hear a scream that way, plus there's a strong supernatural concentration in that direction," Tsukune announced as he pointed to the sunflower garden.
As they saw a flash of light, and heard the sound of movement, they came to an opening and saw the remains of many plants, some of them, which looked like carnivorous plants. Oh man, these Garigarious plants just look so weird- like mutated Venus flytraps, Tsukune observed as he kicked some of the remains.
"Wow, Yukari-chan beat all of these things- why was she even fighting them?" Moka asked out of curiosity as she gave a quick glance to all the plant remains.
As they picked a sleeping Yukari up, Kurumu gently said to her: "You're not weak at all, Yukari-chan… I'm sorry for saying all those mean things earlier".
Yukari had managed to save two people who had nearly been 'spirited away' by these flowers, and these two people were really thankful: "Thank you so much! I guess there really are witches. I'm touched that she saved our lives!" they said with a smile.
Tsukune smiled then turned quickly as he sensed a presence within the sunflower, one, which was different to that of the flowers. He saw the shadow recede into the sunflowers as he started into its reddish-pink eyes. Seems like there's some more unnatural presences present here, he thought as he lightly gripped his katana hilt.
So yeah, here's another chapter guys. Things are beginning to build up and it will get even more interesting now. Have fun reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review if you can and thanks for all the support!