Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creators vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, then you should not read this.
Chapter 56
Tsukune had know it was going to be a long week. He was glad he was able to set the record straight with Moka, but he felt that had been the only thing to go right. The rumors were still thick in the air about the events of Monday, and the preceding weekend. Mizore and Yukari knew something had gone on in Tsukune's house Tuesday evening, but they had been left out. Mizore was being more attentive to Tsukune, trying to notice every detail in order to piece togthered what she had missed out on. Yukari's response was to cling closer you Moka and Tsukune while repeatedly attempting to ask leading questions. While trying, Tsukune could have accepted that level of added stress. But that had not been all.
Tsukune had been on his way to Lunch with his friends when he was summoned to the Board Chairman's office. Tsukune had to go through an intensive magical evaluation performed by the Board Chairman, with Ruby taking notes the whole time. When he was finished with that, he had just enough time to return to class. Except that he saw a trio of first year boys sneaking into a girls' restroom.
Tsukune was conflicted. He didn't have anybody with him, or see anybody else that might have witnessed the boys activities. Tsukune did not want to just barge into the restroom, in case it caused a miss understanding. Tsukune decided to wait a few minutes to see if he could catch the boys coming back out. Just as he reached his decision, a pair of girls came around a corner, headed for the restroom. Suppressing a sigh, Tsukune revised his plan. He went for the heavy handed approach.
Tsukune summoned up his youki had headed for the door to the girls' toilet. He had a frown of concentration that looked like an angry scowl on his face as he concentrated his thoughts and energy. Tsukune concentrated on the idea that he was on the hunt and ready to draw blood. He wanted to project the feeling that he was a dangerous threat. He concentrated is thoughts and youki on the girls' restroom as he stalked towards it.
The approaching pair of girls saw Tsukune and froze, picking up on her dark aura. Tsukune was aware of them, but kept his attention on his plan. He was still three meters from the door to the restroom when he saw the effect of his efforts. The three boys came running out of the restroom, white as sheets, only to stumble to a halt as the saw Tsukune approaching them. Three seconds behind them came a female student. The girl had a very pretty face, and an attractive figure, and was just as frightened as the boys. She was just as eager to escape the approaching danger she felt as the boys had been. She ran into the rear most boy without slowing. This caused a domino effect, dumping the boys in a pile, and sending a small camera sliding free across the floor towards the captain of the Student Police.
If the boys had been frightened before, they were terrified now. Tsukune picked up the camera without taking his eyes off of the boys. Remembering the trouble a peeper had caused for Tsukune and his friends in his first year, even though it had turned out to be Gin, gave some real heat to the anger that he was projecting. A quick glance told Tsukune that the camera, a sophisticated looking device, contained exposed film.
With his youki already running hot, it was easy for him to channel some of it to his hand. He crushed the camera, breaking it in to pieces that tumbled to the floor. Tsukune remembered the fate that had ultimately befallen Gin for peeping, and smiled.
"Ladies," Tsukune said with a small nod of his head, still smiling. He turned and started to walk away. As soon as he was out of sight of the other students, Tsukune banished his summoned youki. He was around the corner and two steps down the corridor when he heard the yelling start.
At the end of the school day, as Tsukune and his friends were leaving the school, he found a double handful of girls waiting for him. They were clustered around the school gates. Mostly first years, with a trio of second years, and a third year girl in the mix as well. Tsukune's friends shot him accusing looks that seamed to say 'What did you do now?'
Moka, Mizore, and Kurumu made a wedge in front of Tsukune. He could tell Moka had stiffened up with displeasure by the set of her shoulders. The vampire stood tall and ran a hand through her long hair, her face calm and confident. Kurumu thrust out her chest and wore a smirk on her face. From her Tsukune could feel pride radiating from the little succubus, which confused him to no end. Mizore projected an air of serenity and indifference. Yukari, trailing behind Moka, but ahead of Tsukune tried to copy the others, but only managed to appear stiff and agitated.
Fighting his own sense of embarrassment, Tsukune kept his face as calm as he could. Careful to keep his eyes forward, he followed his friends. The girls at the gate parted for the procession to pass, with several of them bowing. Tsukune's manners got the better of him. He bowed his head once as he passed. That seamed to satisfy the assembled girls.
Once through the obstacle, Tsukune's escort changed formation. Moka and Mizore each grabbed one of Tsukune's arms, while Yukari and Kurumu pushed in close, one on each side, and put an arm around Tsukune's waist. It made walking awkward for Tsukune, but he endured it. What the girls at the gate couldn't see were the four scowls aimed at him.
Tsukune finally found the time to read the letter Lord Gray had given him concerning Hiru. The creature's name, Tsukune learned was a contraction from the words for 'Flying Dragon.' That made Tsukune wonder about Hiru's full abilities. Hiru had been, according to the letter, constructed specifically for Tsukune so he would be able to travel through and between both the Youkai and Human worlds. The wording of the letter implied that Hiru could do more then just turn into a motorcycle to carry Tsukune, and whoever else, but that it would be up to Tsukune to bring Hiru's talents out. Tsukune made it a point to memorize and understand the instructions for Hiru's care and feeding, and was very glad that the creature was house broken.
By Thusday morning the latest tale of Tsukune's abilities and actions were sparking romantic speculation among the females, and concealed resentment among the males. While Tsukune's harem, by association with him, had a hard time hearing some of the rumors and speculations, Kokoa was bombarded by them. She made it a point of having lunch with her sister so she could get away from the people that wanted to pump her for information.
The relationship between her sister and 'that boy' bothered Kokoa enough as it was. She did not like being reminded of it by class mates who were looking for any information about Tsukune that Moka might have shared with her sister. Kokoa was tired of being in detention for fighting, so she opted to escape the probing, for a while at least.
"How have you been doing in your classes?" Tsukune had innocently asked Kokoa as she sat down between him and her sister. Tsukune had asked the question very deliberately, intentionally keeping his voice warm and light. He did not want to deal with any fighting between his friends. By showing an acceptance of the little vampire's presence he helped keep the atmosphere at the table friendly.
Moka had been surprised by her sister's action. Kokoa, when she spent time with the group, usually sat well away form Tsukune. She had been about to protest her sister's pushy choice of seats, but had been surprised by Tsukune's friendly acceptance of it. Moka realized what he was doing and flashed him a thankful and loving smile.
Kurumu had been taken off guard by Tsukune's friendly question. She had answered him out of courtesy, even if her tone was a little sharp. But before she realized it, Kokoa was holding a conversation with the one boy in school that irritated her most. She found herself relating many of the rumors about him she had been hearing, finding strange pleasure in watching Tsukune's face as he listened. Tsukune frowned and flinched as the little vampire chatted away.
After classes, Tsukune parted with his friends for a while. He had a shift with the Student Police to cover. Tsukune was glad that problems around the school were few. The pressure of the coming finals had most students focusing on their studies. What trouble the Student Police did find required very little of Tsukune's attention. Akira admitted that he had been able to attend to some of his own studying while supervising the day shift at the Student Police headquarters, before he and Sheezu left, holding hands, "To go study together."
At midnight, when the night lieutenant arrived, with a wide grin, Tsukune was more then ready to call it a night. But first he had to impart advice on how to romance a girl. Tsukune wanted to pull his hair out. His night lieutenant had been confessed to by an underclassman. Or at least he thought it might have been a confession. Because he was a wild youkai, and a nocturnal one at that, Lieutenant Kinto had never been successful with girls in the past. Now that he thought he might have a shot at something, ha sought the advice of someone he respected and whose success with girls he envied.
Tsukune had thought, briefly, about giving some bad advice, hoping the whole thing would blow up horribly in Kinto's face, making people realizes that Tsukune was not someone qualified to give advice on romance. Instead, Tsukune listed to what his lieutenant had to say and helped him think the situation through. In the end, Kinto made his own decisions, while Tsukune had just been a calm and supportive friend.
After his shift, Tsukune was ready for find his bed. He called for Hiru and instructed the creature to carry him, quietly, back to the village. It was a smooth and uneventful ride. Once he reached his bed, Tsukune was asleep in minutes.
By the weekend, Tsukune was feeling run down. Long hours studying had to be fitted into his disorganized life. His friends had already blocked out a schedule for sharing Tsukune's time, to make sure he got enough time to study and rest. More members of the Student Police were asking for time off to study. There enough people to keep up patrols, but Tsukune and his lieutenants still had to go over the schedules to make sure everything was balanced out. Just to help keep Tsukune on edge, the flow of emotions from Kurumu continued, frequently pushing against his awareness enough to fray his concentration..
It was not all bad, Tsukune was willing to admit. While he was still feeling bothered about his moment of weakness with Ruby, the witch had been in high spirits ever since. So much so that Tsukune had a hard time feeling guilty over it. Mizore had not told Tsukune anything, but her smile had been a little more frequent, implying that she was happy about how something was going. And a happy friend is always a good thing in Tsukune's book. Moka, relieved that Tsukune was all right after all, and still wanted to be with her, shared many bright smiles that warmed his heart and brightened his days.
Once, just as he was stepping out the door Friday morning, Tsukune had been hit by a wash of warm feelings through his bond with Kurumu. The warmth and happiness in that moment, even though it had come from outside of himself, had felt good. Be fore he realized it he saw Kurumu, the source of those warm feelings approaching from across the street, and sent he a warm smile of his own. He had been instantly hit by such a wave of love and joy that Tsukune had felt an impulse to hug and kiss the succubus. He realized what was running though his head, and felt his heart beat a little faster and his face blush with embarrassment. For some reason he suddenly felt even more happiness from Kurumu.
Tsukune had another afternoon to night shift with the Student Police Friday. As the Student Police captain, Tsukune felt that it was only right that he pull his share of desk duty. He had just been walking up to the Student Police Station when someone came running in. It was the fox youkai girl that Tsukune had seen before.
She came running in on all fours in her monster form. Her coat and tails, three of them, were redish-brown, Tsukune noticed, taking careful not of her form for the first time. The fur of her face made a golden-blonde mask that carried down her front to her chest and the insides of her forelegs. Tsukune saw how fluidly she moved, bounding over the ground, and then sliding to a stop in front of Tsukune.
"Aono sempai!" The girl said, her voice changing from a high pitched yelp to a normal tone as she shifted to her half-human form. "There is a problem at the dorms…" She cut off suddenly as if she remembered something. Her face grew pained.
"What is it?" Tsukune asked, all business, his mind racing.
"Forgive me, Senpai," The girl bowed. "I will ask some of the others to help me. There is no need for you to get involved."
Tsukune heard the tone in the girl's voice and thought that it sounded like what he would say if he wanted to keep his friends from knowing he was about to do something foolish.
"Let's go," Tsukune said, turning to the dorms. He reached for his youki and focused on his legs as he set off at a trot.
Tsukune had gone five steps before the girl, in full youkai form again, took off at a run for the dorms, looking like she was desperate to get there. Five more steps and Hiru was at Tsukune's side with a look of hope/excitement on her face. Tsukune considered his options for three more steps before making a small leap. He landed on Hiru's saddle smoothly.
This time Hiru's transformation was more subtle then becoming a motorcycle. She had shifted into what could only be described as a larger version of her animal form. Her normally blurred out body became larger and clearly defined. Toned muscles rippled under a pearly hide of blue-black scales. Her long legs carried her over the ground with enough speed that she was noticeable gaining on the fox youkai.
The fox girl was focused on reaching her destination, and did not realize pursuit was close on her tail(s). Once she was close to the girl's dorms, hardly breaking stride, she transformed into her half-human form. As she reached a door to the ground floor of the dorm building she yelled out.
"He's coming," She said with a note of panic in her voice.
"Inari?" A voice within answered. "Who's…" The second voice died off as a girl Tsukune didn't recognize appeared in the doorway.
Inari saw her companion freeze like a dear in headlights, staring at something behind the fox spirit. She looked over her shoulder and saw Tsukune dismounting from something that looked disturbingly a lot like an asian dragon. All the strength drained out of her and Inari dropped to her haunches and let her head hang low. A feeling of despair suddenly hit her like a landslide.
"What is going on?" Tsukune said. He was not aware of how he sounded at that moment. He was on edge from the long week. He was holding on to his youki, to be ready for trouble, and was feeling foolish because of his flashy entrance.
Hiru pulled a disappearing act as soon as Tsukune stepped away from her. She reduced to her form, blurring her appearance, and moved to the closest shadow. She quickly blended into the shadow, concealed from view.
Tsukune had not noticed Hiru's disappearing act. His attention was on what was in front of him, and on the lookout for any threats. Without an answer from the fix spirit Tsukune knew where he needed to go. He could detect the boiling youki of a problem within the building. A part of him had regretted getting involved as he realized too late that he was committed into going into the female student's dorm.
"Kohia," Tsukune said curtly as he walked up to Inari. "Lead the way."
Inari stood slowly and turned to enter the building. It was a hallway that Tsukune had never been down before. He quickly realized why. The hall was populated by females in varying states of dress, or undress, carrying bundles of clothes or bathing supplies. His appearance brought shouts and cries of alarm and surprise.
"I.. I…," Inari tried to talk. "Sempai… I have to tell you something." She stopped in the middle of the hallway with her back to her captain, momentarily blocking him. Her head was still hanging, and her tails were limp. She knew where the trouble was. She had to distract him She needed to find a way to get his attention off of the reason that had brought him to the dorms.
"What it is?" Tsukune questioned, his voice automatically becoming soft as he read the distress in her body language. "Inari…?"
"Aono Senpai," Inari turned about and closed with her captain. She grabbed the front of his jacket and pressed her face to his chest. "Sempai…" She spoke sounding like she was terrified.
Tsukune felt awkward. The girl had pressed herself against him and was shaking like a leaf in a high wind. He thought that whatever the problem was she must be truly bothered by it. Tsukune knew that vampires had a weakness to water, and that other youkai had similar vulnerabilities. He had also had a friend in school that would go off in a panic if a bee flew anywhere close to him. Oblivious to how the fox girl had poked her nose under his jacket and was sniffing him, Tsukune tried to comfort what he though was just someone dealing with something they feared.
Inari felt her body trembling with fear and excitement. She had never been this close to her captain before. His body was strong and his youki was so primal it made her fur ripple. She couldn't help but smell him. She sniffed at him lightly, savoring his distinct musk. She could smell others on him as well, but was able to distinguish the scent of her captain from the vixens that clustered about him. She knew that if he continued on that any chance of happiness for her would be gone forever. She needed to distract him, to stall him until somebody thought to carry a warning ahead. Only one thing came to her mind, If she was going to lose her chance anyway, then she had to take a gamble now. While she tried to work up her courage to confess her feelings for her captain, she felt his hand touch her head lightly.
"Don't worry," Tsukune said soothingly. "Just stay with me, and I will protect you. Alright?"
Inari felt her legs go weak. She had been so shocked that her captain was touching her that his first words didn't register. She realized he was talking and heard him tell her to stay with him. He offered her his protection. Inari's heart leapt in her chest. Could he be accepting her feelings?
Tsukune gave the girl a moment to compose herself. Whatever the disturbance was it was getting sharper to his youki awareness. He put his hands on Inari's shoulders and held her in place as he took a small step back. She was still holding on to his blazer lightly and looked up into his face, hoping for some sign of affection, of acceptance. He flashed a warm, sympathetic smile.
"We have work to do," Tsukune said, his voice growing firm again.
Inari gave a small nod and let go of is jacket. Her emotions were a mess and her mind was filled with uncertainty. Part of the reason she had confessed, or had tried to, what because she knew what lay ahead was going to be so embarrassing that she might never be able to look Tsukune in the face again. She followed in her captain's wake down the hall as she tried to understand where she stood with him.
Tsukune headed down the hall, following his youki awareness. He tried to ignore the females that appeared to be gathering to watch him. He tried to ignore how immodest some of them were being. He almost missed what he was looking for.
It was a narrow door set in the back of closet. Tsukune could tell that the trouble was someplace below him, but it was through that narrow door that he had to go. Tsukune had felt a spike of energy from all around him as he passed the open closet, and a larger spike when he paused and looked about. A glance at the assembled females showed them all to suddenly be very nervous about something.
As Tsukune took a step towards the open closet the hallway erupted with excited shouts. A wave of partially undressed females suddenly descended upon Tsukune from all sides. Hands started to grab for him, pushing and pulling in all directions. As he felt himself starting to lose his balance, someone trod painfully on Inari. She let out a pained yelp.
That yelp, so much like a scream, reached Tsukune. Already on edge, and feeling threatened by the mass of female hands on his body, hearing his kohai being hurt put Tsukune past his limit. Instincts roared awake though him. 'Fight or Flight' was augmented with the determination and desire to protect. Tsukune felt his youki rise up in a rush.
Tsukune felt like he was wrestling with his youkai self. He had to grab hold of his youki and dominate it with his will to stay in control. As the demon energy flooded through him, and washed over those close to him, Tsukune was forced to clench down, mentally and physically, to retain control over his body and mind.
"Stop!" Tsukune commanded. His voice was hard and demanded to be heard.
The effect was profound. The females closest to Tsukune staggered back as if pushed, and cries went up all down the hallway. An open space formed around Tsukune, and was widening slowly as female students backed away. He didn't say anything at first. He just glared around him to make sure the assault was over.
"Inari," Tsukune spoke with a voice that sounded like a rolling bucket filled with gravel. "Come with me."
Tsukune entered the closet and opened the narrow door. He saw at once that it had been meant as an access way to service the pluming that ran through the walls. The space was confined, with a set of stars leading down.
Tsukune suspected he would find some kind of in-school gang that had gone unnoticed previously. Maybe some leftovers from the Public Safety Commission or the Outcast Ayashi that had set up a base under the dorms. As he progressed forward and down, Tsukune's youki pressed upon the awareness of whoever was ahead.
The stairs did a single switch back, ending in a short, cramped hallway. At the end of the hallway was a room with only a beaded drape across the doorway. By the time Tsukune reached the doorway the youki within the room had dwindled to almost nothing. He passed though the hanging beads and found a partition, from floor to ceiling, that blocked his view of the space ahead. A step to ether side was enough let a person see beyond the barrier. Tsukune went to his right, tense and ready for a fight.
As shocked as Tsukune was to see what was in the room, it was outmatched by the shock he gave to the occupants of that place. Pained and panicked cried erupted as over a half dozen girls saw Tsukune appear. Tsukune could tell at a glance that the girls had been fighting. He saw a split lip, bruised faces, torn clothes, and two bleeding scalp wounds. A quick look around the room told Tsukune that he did not want to know what the fighting was about, or even who was at fault.
"Look at you," Tsunune growled. "Have you no sense of restraint?" His eyes swept over the stricken girls. "Where are your manners? Look around you," Tsukune said, trying hard to ignore the room himself. "Somebody put a lot of effort into this place; a lot of their feelings. This place is the work of more then one person. If you have no respect for yourself, then show some respect for your friends and classmates and the others around you. This is not a place to be fighting like wild animals. I am disappointed in all of you."
Tsukune turned about on the spot, pushed past Inari, and stalked from the room. He held on to his youki as he made his way out of the dorms until he was out of sight in the woods. That basement room had been the most disturbing thing he had ever seen.