Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creator's vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, than you should not read this.

Chapter 168

Aiko had woken up Saturday morning feeling good and looking forward to her weekend. Tsukune had sent her an email prior to the weekend that contained a plan that was going to be a big help to her. The school festival project had started out with a burst of excitement. After a lot of disorganized brain storming, Aiko had managed to pull together something that looked like a reliable committee to help get the festival together. The next step had been to get ideas at least a little organized. The committee had put together a form for idea suggestions for every class and club, and a set of rules that the headmistress had approved. The forms had been handed out and then collected. The committee was then left to try to figure out what to do next. Aiko had gone over the forms with the rest of the committee, officially to review them and to decide what kinds of things to approve. Unofficially, she was stalling, hoping for some inspiration to strike. Fortunately the stalling had given the committee time to thin out the number of maid cafes, plays, and other repetitive themes that the classes had wanted to use. Then Tsukune's email had reached her.

Tsukune had pointed out that since it was her school's first festival, Aiko was going to have to get some things figured out. Things like booths and signs would need wood and paint. While a lot of these things could be recycled year after year, if they were taken care of, for the first festival it was going to cost somebody a noticeable bit of money. Thursday, right after class, Aiko had gone into town and had found a store that sold what she thought would be needed. She asked for the store manager and explained to the man what she was after. The manager spent some time talking with her, and then walked the store with her while making lists. Aiko had returned to school with four prices. The manager had explained that the prices were not absolute, but just his best guess. Aiko had a price for a single food booth, a game booth, for a small stage set-up, and a price for just a simple set of sign boards. All she needed to do was find out how many of each would be needed and do a little math. After that would come the job of finding the money to buy all the materials.

Friday afternoon, Aiko had taken her information to the Festival Committee. The committee members had been excited and appreciative of Aiko's work. All they needed to do was to get the different classes and clubs to make a final decision. Going into the weekend, Aiko felt a sense of confidence.

By supper time Saturday Aiko's sense of confidence was sinking fast. It turned out that a school full of girls from rich families that had enjoyed sheltered lives had very limited imaginations. Plays were good, as long as they didn't overlap. The same was true with other performances. It seemed as if a hundred different girls had all secretly hoped to become an actress or singing star, and now they were all trying to put together acting troupes and bands. And each and every one of them wanted their own stage. They kept coming to Aiko hoping to get her approval and support. Also seeking Aiko out were girls looking for ideas. A game booth, for example, sounded like a good idea, until somebody had to decide what kind of game to set up and what kind of prizes to offer.

Aiko thought back to her Summer trip as she got ready for bed Saturday night. She didn't think about how Tsukune had put his Test of Courage together, because it was clear that he just had a natural talent for meeting challenges. What Aiko reflected on was her trips to historical sites. The Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion had been calm and serene. It had been a place of simple, quiet elegance. She tried to find some of that same calm withing her self.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Daijoo felt his entire body trembling. He had watched two of his companions be skinned alive and then butchered. The third companion had told the twisted human everything he knew about Fairy Tail. The human had even gone so far as to take notes. When it was clear that there was nothing else to learn from that particular prisoner, Brone had pulled out a long knife and drove it through the youkai's eye and out the back of its head, killing it instantly. He then took the body from the restraining frame, letting it fall onto a cart, and took it away. When the human returned some time later, Daijoo could smell burnt meat. The next two also opted for the easy death. And then it was Daijoo's turn to face the butcher.

"Why kill us if we give you what you wanted?" Daijoo demanded.

"Because Fairy Tail is a disease," Brone said. "It will destroy everyone for its own selfishness. It is like a cancer. Do you know how cancer is treated? If there is a tumor we can find, we cut it out. Other than that we use radiation and chemicals to get rid of it. Whatever method we use, it is the same thing. We need to kill every infected cell to make sure it is gone."

Brone picked up the skinning knife and tested its edge. He had used it twice without sharpening it. Once he was satisfied that it was still up to the task at hand, he turned his attention back to the prisoner.

"You are one of the infected," Brone said. "If I let you go, you would spread your disease. You may not go running back to Fairy Tail, but you would still be full of hate and fear, and you would let that control you."

"If you are going to kill us, why the butchering?" Gaijoo questioned. "I can understand torture, but even after they were dead, why did you keep cutting them apart? You even collected their bones."

"Because I can use them," Brone said. "I can use every part of you. From your fear and pain to your flesh and bones and blood. Your flesh isn't as powerful as a true demon's, but I can still make things out of it."

"Make things?" Daijoo was feeling horrified, but he couldn't stop himself from asking. "Like what?"

"The simplest stuff I can make are potions," Brone shrugged. He headed over to his tool cart. "Poisons, antidotes, potions that give people special powers, or even drugs." He opened a lower drawer and pulled out a silk wrapped bundle. He unwrapped it as he returned to Daijoo. "But I am a master artificer," Brone said with a confident smile. From the bundle he pulled out a large knife, almost a short sword. "This was once a part of somebody that tried to poach in may territory."

Daijoo looked at the knife and felt a new kind of fear. The blade was not the bleached white of old bones, but the waxy yellow-white of a bone from a fresh kill. The cross guards were made from fangs. The grip was made of muscle tendons wrapped around the tang. For a pommel was an eyeball. The whole thing looked wet, as if the flesh was still alive. Brone touched the tip of the blade lightly against Daijoo's chest.

"Kill it. Make it die. To live is to kill," A harsh whispering voice filled Daijoo's ears. "Wet blood. Hot flesh. To kill is to live. Living is dieing. Kill it. Let me kill it. Soft skin. Hard bones. Beating heart. Take the heart. Drink the blood. Take the life. Kill to..."

"Get it away," Daijoo thrashed in his frame to break the contact with the tainted thing.

"I'm saving this," Brone said as he re-wrapped the sick knife. If I am lucky, I will be able to give it to the head of Fair Tail." He made a small, trusting gesture. Brone put the knife away. When he returned to the prisoner her took up the skinning knife and the long bladed stiletto he had used to deliver quick deaths to the others.

"So, what will it be?" Brone asked in a business like manner.

"In the name of Susanoo!" Daijoo cried out. "Let me go!"

"Well damn," Brone said with a short sigh. "Fine. Be that way bout it." He set to the task of cleaning up his tools.

Daijoo blinked in confusion. The human had not killed him, and wasn't skinning him. As fear started to drain away, Daijoo realize that he was going to live.

"Why?" Daijoo asked.

"Because you invoked the name of your god," Brone said. "I may be a sick and twisted man, but I still like to think of myself as one of the good guys." From the tool chest he pulled out a silver stylet. "So here is what I am going to do." He pulled out a small jar next. "I am going to mark you, and then I am going to turn you lose. Do you want to go back to Japan?"

"Yes," Daijoo agreed, feeling hope rise.

"Alright," Brone agreed. "Just as soon as I am done with your new tattoo."

"Why tattoo me?" Daijoo asked.

"To make sure you can never rejoin Fairy Tail," Brone said as he set up. "Or do anything like them ever again."

"If you release me," Daijoo said. "I swear I won't."

"I know," Brone said. "By the way, this is going to hurt a lot. If you really want to go free, hold on to your faith."

Brone dipped the stylet into the jar of black dye before holding it in front of Daijoo's chest. The prisoner looked down at the human nervously. Then the stylet poked into his hide and a fire spread through his body. Daijoo screamed.

XxxXxxXxxX

It was still very early when Tsukune woke up. He wasn't sure if it even counted as Monday yet when he felt Ruby sneaking into his room. She knew what she was doing. Ruby was just checking to make sure he was safe and sound where she could find him. From the moment he had returned home Thursday afternoon Ruby had been hyper attentive. His study date with Moka, more date than studying, had been a little spoiled by the way Ruby kept hovering about. When Tsukune had gone out on his errand Saturday, Ruby had failed to hide her anxiety. When he got back she had almost mugged him to help him take his jacket off, she wanted to make sure he was alright so badly.

"Ruby," Tsukune's voice sounded like a deep growl.

"Wha..." Ruby gasped in surprise.

"Come here," Tsukune ordered as he lifted the bedding in invitation.

"Master?" Ruby questioned, surprised by her good luck.

"Every time you poke your head in to check on me," Tsukune grumbled his explanation. "You wake me up."

"I'm sorry," Ruby bowed her head.

"Shut up and get in bed," Tsukune snapped. "We'll both sleep better that way."

"Thank you master," Ruby said quickly as she crossed the bedroom. She let her house robe fall to the floor and climbed into bed. She cuddled up to Tsukune with a smile.

XxxX

A few short hours later Tsukune was awake and feeling grumpy. It was definitely Monday now, he knew, and trouble could not be far behind. Last Monday's trouble had taken days to recover from. Tsukune imagined all the Mondays of the year getting together at some point to talk about what they had done to him. It was a gloomy thought.

Tsukune gave himself a shake. If Monday was going to bring trouble, he might as well face it like a man and get it over with. He had his school bag in hand as he took a deep breath and smoothed back his hair.

"It is time for school," Tsukune declared as he opened the door.

It turned out that trouble had woken up early and was waiting for Tsukune. Moka and Kurumu were in front of Tsukune's door, each one with a grip on the others hair. The pair froze when the door opened, and blushed when they saw Tsukune, looking less than happy as he looked at them.

"Tsukune..." Moka started to greet him as she tried to appear calm.

"Tsu-Kunee," Kurumu pushed Moka away from her hard. "Moka's being mean to me." She reached for Tsukune even as Moka fell over backwards from being pushed.

Tsukune turned so Kurumu ran into his shoulder. He moved to help Moka up, making sure she wasn't hurt. Moka accepted his help with a smile.

"Tsukune," Kurumu protested at being ignored.

"Kurumu!" Tsukune snapped at her.

"Tsukune," Moka put her hand on Tsukune's chest as she tried to sooth him. She wasn't sure what was going on, but if Tsukune was ready to lose his temper, she knew things could get ugly.

"Moka are you alright?" Tsukune asked, sounding more irritated than caring.

"I am fine, Tsukune," Moka said. "No harm done."

"That's good," Tsukune said before turning his attention to Kurumu.

Kurumu was mad and it showed. She arms and legs were stiff. Her shoulders were up as if she was trying to arch her back like an angry cat. To top it off her face was red and her cheeks were puffed out.

"Tsukune," Kurumu grumbled once she saw that she had his attention.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said to her in a firm voice. "Please be a little more thoughtful of others."

"But Tsukune..." Kurumu argued.

"No buts," Tsukune cut her off.

"You.. You..." Kurumu was so frustrated she couldn't thinks straight.

"Kurumu," Tsukune grumbled. "You're cute enough as it is. Quit pouting."

Kurumu's mouth dropped open and here eyes wide. Something was wrong with Tsukune. He was paying attention to her, and was even calling her cute, but was doing it in a weird way.

"Shall we go to school?" Moka said as she took Tsukune's hand. She was careful not to show it on her face, but she was very happy right then. She was careful to watch Tsukun, because he wasn't quite his usual self, but that wasn't enough to keep her from wanting to gloat. Tsukune had just shown more concern for her than the other woman.

Xx

Mizore appeared beside Tsukune a few steps away from the manor. Yukari caught up with them as they passed her house. Kokoa and Inari met up with Tsukune and the others at the usual place. It appeared to be just another morning, at least at first.

Tsukune was tense. He knew his muscles were tight and he was feeling a little wound up. He wasn't sure if it was because he was waiting for Monday to strike or a lack of sleep. Tsukune did not know that his tension was showing in his face and body language.

Moka and Mizore watched Tsukune and gave each other small, worried looks. The pair were watching for signs of Tsukune having what he called a 'youki attack.' He had recovered from his fight a week before, but they could not ignore the possibility of him not healing as well as everybody had thought. They knew that if he did have any problems controlling his youki, he would be thankful for helping to keep him from hurting anybody.

Kurumu kept frowning at Tsukune. He had been cold to her and she didn't like that. It reminded her too much of the one day he had not spoken to her. That had been one of the worst days of her life. She shot Tsukune dark looks because her feelings had been hurt, but she was also worried about him. Kurumu would have thought he had gotten into a fight with Moka from the way he was acting so cold and up tight, except that she looked as worried as Kurumu felt.

Yukari had taken a little while to notice, but the way her friends were acting finally got through to her. Something was bothering them, and that something was the way Tsukune was acting. Yukari didn't know what was going on, so she had to settle for watching and waiting. Yukari hated waiting.

Inari knew something was off as soon as she saw Tsukune and his companions. He wasn't walking, he was marching. When he saw Inari and Kokoa he had given them a smile that was empty of feeling. Inari saw the worried looks from Tsukue's closest friends and started to worry herself.

Kokoa could tell that everybody's mood was off. She wanted to know what was going on, but her sister had spent the past week being so worried over Tsukune that Kokoa didn't want to give Moka the impression she cared now. She just walked along with the others, scowling.

XxxXxxX

Tsukune was not having a good day. As the morning wore on, little things kept intruding on his thoughts. He was sharply aware of Kurumu's feelings. As much as he wanted to make things up to her, he wanted her to take a little more responsibility in her daily life. Meanwhile, there was one light bulb in the classroom that was starting to go. It flickered just enough to make Tsukune aware of it, without it bothering the teachers.

Tsukune was looking forward to the lunch break. He was feeling restless sitting in class, and he was hungry. He also wanted a chance to talk with Kurumu. He knew he would be risking a problem with Moka if he went off alone with Kurumu, but he needed to do something. Kurumu's emotions were like having a rock in is shoe. It was a source of irritation Tsukune just didn't need.

When the bell sounded for the lunch break, Tsukune was almost ready to run for the door. Unfortunately most of the class was thinking the same thing. Tsukune tried to remain while the other students crowded together to press through the door. He used the time to approach Kurumu.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said in a low voice as he came up to her. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

"Maybe later," Kurumu sniffed. "I need to use the restroom." She didn't bother to even look in Tsukune's direction as she gathered herself and made her way from the class room.

Tsukune watched her go. The knot of emotions he could feel from her were impossible to figure out. He only knew that she was upset. With a frustrated sigh he started to follow her. He took one step towards the door and was stopped by a wall of Moka.

"Moka," Tsukune blinked.

"No Tsukune," Moka said. "You're having lunch with me."

"But..." Tsukune tried to argue.

"No buts," Moka cut him off. "You are going to come with me. I don't care if they follow you, but you are not chasing after anybody else." She poked a finger against his chest. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," Tsukune grumbled.

"Good," Moka grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

As they made their way to the patio for lunch, Tsukune noticed the looks they were getting. He remembered back in his first term at the academy, when he and Moka would go around holding hands, the boys all gave him angry and jealous looks. He had gotten used that that a long time ago. What caught Tsukune's attention was how girls were now directing dirty looks at Moka, as if they were jealous of her. That seemed ridiculous to Tsukune. Why would they be jealous of Moka when he was the lucky one. He remembered how excited he had been when she had first taken him by the hand and pulled him along.

Tsukune tightened his hold of Moka's hand just a bit before coming to a dead stop. Moka stumbled as her lower half tried to keep going while her upper half was held back. She turned questioning eyes to Tsukune.

"Moka," Tsukune said as he took a step forward. "I am more than happy to go to lunch with you." He let go of her hand and offered her his arm.

"Awww, Tsukune," Moka accepted the offered arm, holding Tsukune close to her side as they resumed walking.

Tsukune tried to smile as he walked with Moka. The dark looks had not gone away, but that wasn't really important. He had remembered happy he had been the first time he had held Moka's hand. There was no reason he shouldn't still be happy to be with her. In truth, he was happy. He was happy to be with Moka, and he was happy that she wanted to be with him.

XxX

The lunch break was a strange time for Tsukune. He was with Moka and the others. Kurumu arrived and sat down about half way through the break, but she was still upset and not looking at Tsukune. He tried to keep his composure, but her emotions were still a source of irritation. He found himself pulling at his collar and cuffs as if he was feeling hot. He tugged at his tie to loosen it. For some reason he just couldn't get comfortable. He accepted his daily mail delivery with a smile that made the twins flinch for some reason. By the end of the break, Tsukune's frustration was tempting him to skip out on whatever Human World exercise that was scheduled for the afternoon.

XxX

The school gymnasium had been redecorated for the exercise. Sixty tables were set up with service for four. The purpose of the exercise was to get the students to think about how to act in human world situations. The students were going to set at the tables as if they were out to dinner at a restaurant. Seating was assigned by random draw, in order to get them to interact out side of their comfort zones. While the students were supposed to be trying to act as human as possible, they were told to watch each other for mistakes. There would be a review period at the end of the exercise.

Tsukune understood the reason for the exercise, even if he felt like it was a waste of his time. After drawing a number from a basket, fifteen, Tsukune went to his assigned table. Already there was a girl he didn't know and his class mate Ryu. While Tsukune was still settling into his chair, he felt a spike of white-hot anger and jealousy from Kurumu. Tsukune turned to look in her direction and saw Inari coming his way.

Inari approached the table with a big smile on her face, holding her ticket with the number fifteen on it with both hands. Tsukune suppressed a sigh as he did the gentlemanly thing and stood to hold the chair for her.

"Thank you, Captain,' Inari said as she sat down.

"Alright everyone," Nekonome Sensei called out to the seated students. "Open your menus and follow the directions you find there."

Tsukune picked up the menu from his table and opened it. It contained a description of the scene he and the others were supposed to use for their exercise. He read through the directions once just to make sure he understood them.

"Congratulations," Tsukune read the instructions aloud to the others at the table. "You are all newly employed at a large baking and investment company. After spending a day together for new-hire orientation, somebody decided that it would be a good idea to go out for a celebratory dinner. Because you did not have a reason to refuse the invitation you have agreed to join the others. Each person is to use their own background stories to talk about who they are and what they will be doing for the company."

Tsukune closed the menu and held it out to the others. It was passed around the table once and then an awkward silence arose.

"Um..." The girl Tsukune had not known spoke up. "My name is Grace. I was just hired in the mail room. I look forward to working with you." She was blushing brightly as she bowed in her seat.

"It is nice to meet you, Grace," Ryu spoke up next. "I'm Ryu. I've just joined the Customer Service section."

"I'm Tsukune," Tsukune introduced himself. "I will be working in security. It is a pleasure to know you.

"I've just joined the secretarial staff," Inari said with a small bow. "My name is Inari. I hope we can all work together."

The silence was broken and the four students started talking. They shared their prepared background stories. Tsukune noticed a common theme. His three companions all talked about growing up somewhere rural. He realized that it made for a good background even if it was made up, because it would let a person get away with not knowing about recent popular trends or news stories. Tsukune knew he could use his real background for the most part, but had to make a little change when talking about high school. For that he used the public high school near his home that he had failed to get in to.

"I started out at the bottom of my class," Tsukune said. "But I kept working at it. I was in the Going Home club so I had time to study." He gave a shrug. "In my second year I joined the Campus Safety Committee, just so I would be doing something. That is where I got started in my interest in security and police work."

Time passed quickly. Tsukune tried to remember the things his father had said about office work and the common things he would complain about. From there he found ideas to talk about with his 'coworkers' of the moment. Ryu added to the conversation by complaining about an imaginary break room that didn't have a single vending machine. Grace lamented about the mail room being stuffy, but added that she looked forward to delivering the mail because she would be able to see more of the building.

XxxXXx

Kurumu kept shooting dark glances over at Tsukune. Her own group were all females. The setting was a group of newly hired and trained flight attendants celebrating before their first official trip over seas. After the introductions, the conversation was all about boyfriends, travel, and shopping, in no specific order. One of the girls was even talking about juggling boyfriends in different cities. Kurumu didn't need to keep her full attention on the conversation to keep up, so she kept checking on Tsukune.

Watching Tsukune filled Kurumu with mixed emotions. She was happy that he had recovered from his most recent injuries. She was hurt at how he had been so cold to her. He had even sounded cold when he tried to talk to at lunch. She had blown him off then because she had not wanted to reminded, again, that Moka came first in his heart. To add insult to injury, she was close enough to see Tsukune, but it was that small chested, innocent acting, little Inari that was sitting with him. While she always wanted Tsukune to be happy, Kurumu felt a dark sense of satisfaction when she saw that he was not relaxed and enjoying himself with that other woman. Tsukune was sitting up in his chair, looking tense as if he was on guard for something to happen, and that worried her. A part of her hoped that the reason he had been so cold to her was because something had already been bothering him. At the same time she worried about why Tsukune would be so bothered in the first place.

XxxXxxX

The exercise finally came to an end. The students were told to help each other identify any mistakes they had made. Once they were dismissed, the students started to gather in their normal social groups as they headed for the exits. Inari followed Tsukune as he went to join Moka and the others. Kurumu gave her a dirty look but didn't say anything. Moka glided in beside Tsukune, putting herself between him and Inari. Mizore slipped in and took Tsukune's free arm. Inari was left to watch from a distance as she followed along.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Inari said when her path parted from the others.

"See you tomorrow," Tsukune answered with a look and a nod.

Inari felt a chill touch her heart. She didn't know why or what, but something was wrong with Tsukune. As she returned to her dorm room she cursed her luck. Because she had been so late in falling in love with her captain, she was too far from him to truly understand what he might be going through. All she could do was wait and watch, and hope an answer showed itself.

XxxxXxxxX

Tsukune returned the village feeling more worked up than he had in the morning. He really wanted to get out of his uniform and try to relax. He parted ways with his friends and returned to the manor, trying to think of what he should do. He didn't have much to get done for the next day, he had caught up on his emails and even written a letter home over the last few days. While Ruby welcomed him home and helped him with his jacket, Tsukune felt restless.

Tsukune tried to get his school work out of the way first. He manged to scribble out a rough of of what would be due the next day, but he had a hard time sitting still long enough to do it. His muscles felt tense and he kept tapping his feet. Finally decided he had enough of trying to study.

Tsukune went to his closet and pulled out an old pair of sweat pants and matched them up with a stained and mended jersy. He was going to have a little workout and try to burn off his nervous energy. After that, a good bath and some meditation, and he should be back to himself. After slipping out the back door, Tsukune stretched out a little then set out for a jog. Once he was in motion his body seemed to calm down. His legs and arms found an easy rhythm and pumped away. He crossed over the ground at an easy pace that most track team members back home would have envied.

It was a mindless activity. Tsukune just kept going, letting the steady rhythm flow through his body. His running, his breathing, his heart beat, and the ebb and flow of his youki all balanced out. Tsukune felt his mind becoming more clear as his worries just fell behind, unable to keep up. Before long, all he wanted to do was just keep running. He crested on hill, and then another. The slope of the ground guided him to the coast. A strange glow seemed to illuminate the world, but Tsukune just kept on running.

XxxOOxxX

Kurumu was starting to feel miserable. When she got back to her house she settled in to start doing her school work. It wasn't out of some desire to excel, but part of a plot. Tsukune had tried to talk to her at lunch time. He was so loving and kindhearted that she knew it would only be a mater of time before would try again. If things went well, he would arrive in time to see her diligently applying herself, and he would be proud of her. Even when she finished, the fact that is was all done would still make Tsukune proud of her, and it would mean that they would have more time to spend 'talking.' But she had finished her school work, fixed and eaten her dinner, and even pack an obento for her her and Tsukune to share the next day, and Tsukune had still not shown up. Doubt crept into her thoughts and touched her heart.

A terrible thought came to Kurumu. Tsukune had been bothered by something, and when he had tried to talk to her she had shut him out. She had to wonder if Tsukune had been trying to tell her something important. What if it was something serious and he was going to leave for some reason?

Kurumu closed her eyes and concentrated on her bond with Tsukune. Her awareness of him became her whole world. His heart was beating strong and he was breathing heavily. She could tell in which direction he was, and was surprised by how far away he had gone, and was still going. But there was something else she as feeling. There was a strange... Kurumu didn't know how to describe it. It was like Lust or Hunger, a sense of something like a primal drive, but that was not exactly right ether. There was an edge to it she couldn't figure out. As Kurumu tried to concentrate on that something fear gripped her heart. What ever that something was it was dark, and a part of her was feeling pulled to it even as she wanted to go and hide from it. That dark 'something' was inside of Tsukune and he was going further and further away from her by the moment.