My Trip Abroad

by Ravenhale1

This is the tenth installment of the AU recreation of Rosario Vampire told through Kurumu's POV. This story covers the events over winter break (December 16th - January 1st, 2006 & January 6th, 2006), including the trip to China which is second season's Chapters 27-42 and a modified version of Chapters 47-49. Not strictly canon.

3. Hijacked Flight

Kurumu felt Tsukune's eyes upon her. She looked up from her complimentary breakfast to see him step up into the raised room. He was dressed in a faded green tee shirt and a pair of khaki pants. He dropped his black duffle bag in the corner next to the rest of the luggage.

Rubi was garbed in a navy stewardess uniform with white trim and shiny brass buttons. A matching skirt hugged her hips with the fabric ending shy of her knees. She held the silver handle of a white suitcase which she dragged behind her on its rollers.

"Did you two enjoy your honeymoon?"

"It's not like that!"

Kurumu smirked at his response to Mizore's flat inquiry. The snow girl was wearing a pastel blue, long sleeved dress which was patterned with white dots. The fabric cinched about her waist and flared out as a ruffled skirt which ended shy of her knees. Her striped leggings complimented the dress.

Mizore was seated on Kurumu's right in one of these decorative chairs flanking the varnished wooden tables which matched the wooden flooring. The circular seats had a wicker weave wrapped over the wood framing. The front two legs were one piece which was warped over to hold up the front of the seat while the back two legs came up all the way to the top of the back of the chair, curving towards the center with the shape of a heart. Another oval weave was worked into the backs of these chairs.

"You can fetch your breakfast in the next room."

Ms. Hitori gestured to a room on the other side of the glass panes stretching up from the wooden half walls that hemmed in this raised room. The teacher was seated across the table from Mizore and was garbed in a white blouse with puffy short sleeves and a low collar threatening to display her cleavage. Black slacks completed the teacher's attire.

"That outfit turned out nice, Ms. Toujou."

Rubi smiled brightly at the dark haired man seated beside Ms. Hitori. The foreign phoenix had on a black dress shirt and khaki slacks.

"Thank you, Mr. Huang."

The older witch bowed before hurrying after Tsukune whom had left to fetch his breakfast. There was a counter in that room which was littered with numerous entrées to select from.

Kurumu returned her attention to her meal of daikon takikomi gouhan and miso soup. The morning light streamed in through the wall of windows on her right, making these dangling triangular overhead lights superfluous. Three older gentlemen were seated at the tables in white folding chairs, looking out these windows facing the street.

"Are there any other cosplay projects you are helping her out with?"

Ms. Hitori chuckled at the brother's question, picking at her own meal. The Huang siblings sat at the other row of tables, wearing the same attire as always. Both were finished with their breakfast.

"Ms. Toujou has many ideas. I helped her focus on one."

"You should have made yourself one."

The teacher huffed at Mr. Huang's suggestion.

"I have no interest in catering to your depravity."

Knowing it would be cold this December morning, Kurumu had put on her long sleeved, indigo blouse which snapped together in the front. She had borrowed a pair of Mizore's striped leggings to cover the stretch of legs this knee length, ruffled black skirt exposed. Her feet were nestled inside her furry gray booties which zipped up on the sides.

She was sipping down the last vestiges of her soup when Tsukune and Rubi returned. Ms. Huang stood up and held a hand out to Tsukune, stopping him.

"I would like to turn in your key to the front desk."

"You'll need to say that in Japanese, Sister."

The young woman laughed, repeating her request with a charm to her lips. Tsukune nodded with a wide smile, placing his tray on the table before fumbling in the pockets of his slacks to pull out the key. Ms. Huang took it with a nod, stalking off as Tsukune and Rubi took their seats across from her brother.

"Were the two of you able to do it last night?"

Rubi glanced over her shoulder, smiling apologetically.

"We tried, but Mr. Aono couldn't perform."

"Isn't he too young to be suffering from impotence?"

Kurumu snickered at Mr. Huang's comment as Tsukune choked on his first mouthful.

"I was trying to take her blood!"

"Mr. Aono. Mind your environment."

Tsukune blushed at Ms. Hitori's mild reprimand. The three older gentlemen were looking over their shoulders with confused expressions.

"Don't mind him. Honeymoon jitters. His wife is a virgin."

"Kurumu!"

Kurumu grinned at him, knowing there was no way he could correct.

"I tried offering my body to him this morning but he was worried about the time."

Tsukune shivered with his ears burning red.

"Rubi. Not helping."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what more I can do to aid you."

"Maybe you could try sucking on him to get him into the mood."

Ms. Hitori wagged a chopstick at Kurumu.

"Enough teasing the young man. Let him finish his meal."

Kurumu smirked, glancing at Mizore's meal. The snow girl had taken the same portions that Kurumu had and was surprisingly eating it all. She reached over and ran her fingers through Mizore's hair.

"Is your stomach feeling better?"

"The rice helped."

Having little else to do, Kurumu reached down to grab her purse by the strap. She pulled it up, resting the strap on her shoulder but keeping hold of it. She scooted her chair back slightly, ready to leave. In less than two minutes, Ms. Huang returned.

"We are all checked out. We can depart as soon as Mr. Aono and his companion are ready."

"Sister. You're forgetting your charm again."

The young woman chuckled, grabbing her purse which was resting by her seat.

"I'm sure that Mr. Aono understands. And our other guests learned Cantonese from Ms. Kiyomizu."

Kurumu stood up, sauntering over to where she had left her luggage. Before the cultural festival, she had been allowed to bring Mizore into Ms. Kiyomizu's mind to help the snow girl learn how to regulate her temperature better. Their teacher had spent one of her former lives as a snow girl, so the experience had helped Mizore immensely. But Kurumu had wandered off during the lesson with Mizore in tow, allowing them to experience a year as a young kappa boy growing up in Hong Kong.

"Mr. Huang. Could you carry Mizore's luggage for her?"

"Are we heading out to the cars now?"

"Can we?"

Ms. Hitori sighed dramatically, pushing back her chair and getting up.

"I suppose we can though I don't know where I'm going."

"I thought you said that you rented the cars."

"The place we're dropping them off at is not the same as where we picked them up."

"No worries. I'm sure we will be out soon."

Ms. Hitori nodded at Ms. Huang, stepping down from the raised room into the open corridor beyond.

"Follow me then."

On the other side of that corridor had been a bench with three tiny tables in front of it. Kurumu hefted her schoolbag up over her head, letting the strap settle before letting go of it. Then she grabbed her travel suitcase and stepped aside so that the phoenix could get Mizore's things.

"Thanks for that."

The phoenix chuckled, waving a dismissive hand as he grabbed a large knapsack which contained all of his and Ms. Hitori's belongings. Mizore touched her arm, causing Kurumu to smile. With a nod, she stepped down from the room with the snow girl at her side.

They walked to the right into an open lobby area with some couches and chairs around small tables. A short corridor on their left was for a bathroom. Further along the wall on the left was a sales counter while the checkout counter was across the room on the far wall next to the elevator. A column flanked by a display holding calendars and travel brochures stood near the end of the sales counter with enough space to allow people to walk on either side of this column.

Walking by the column on her left, Kurumu noted that the clock mounted to it was reporting the time as twelve minutes before eight. To the right on the other side of the column was a circular glass vestibule which opened the moment it sensed them. They stepped into the small tiled space which prompted the other circular glass doors to slide open.

Kurumu shivered as the brisk morning air struck her, though it was not like this was worse than sleeping next to a snow girl. They walked into the street, turning left to follow Ms. Hitori.

It was a short walk down the street to reach the parking lot on the left. They caught up to their teacher as she popped open the trunk of a silver sedan. Kurumu promptly parted with her travel suitcase and schoolbag. Her CD player and five CDs were crammed inside her purse in case she needed it.

The teacher slipped into the driver's seat, closing her door. Kurumu drifted over to the door behind the driver's seat, opening it and gesturing for Mizore to get inside. Kurumu smiled at the phoenix as he loaded up Mizore's suitcase while the snow girl crawled into the car.

"Are you looking forward to going back to Hong Kong?"

The phoenix chuckled with a shake of his head. He slipped off the knapsack, stuffing it into the trunk.

"Not in the slightest bit. But Miko doesn't want me bumming around her home."

Kurumu snickered, getting into the car as he closed the trunk. She shut her door and took in a deep breath. In seconds the phoenix tugged open the passenger side front door and slipped into the car.

This hotel was fairly close to the Niigata Station. She had seen the station last night when they had been coming from the restaurant and knew it was only a block or two from here. But she could not see it now since all of these surrounding buildings were tall and close to each other.

"Have you ever flown on a plane before?"

"Nope. This will also be Miko's first time on a plane."

"Because it's a horrible concept."

"But you love to fly."

"Planes don't fly. It's basically a rock with a propulsion system."

"You must admit that humans come up with the most interesting things."

"If it's all the same to you, I plan to sleep through this trip."

"Oh? Did I keep you up too late last night?"

"I can sleep whenever and wherever I want to."

"How about in my lap in the cockpit?"

"Why are you going to be in the cockpit?"

"I want to see how this flying contraption works."

"Don't bother the pilots."

"I'd rather bother you."

"Why don't you make yourself useful and patrol the plane for saboteurs?"

"That's no fun."

"Mrs. Shuzen said there was a chance this plane does land safely if we all stay alert."

"And yet you boast of your plan to sleep."

"Just don't be the reason why this plane crashes."

Kurumu smiled upon seeing the Huang siblings enter the parking lot with Tsukune and Rubi following on their heels. The group made their way over to a black sedan, loading up their luggage. Seconds later, the black sedan eased out of its spot, prompting Ms. Hitori to start the engine. The teacher drifted their car back, shifting gears once clear of the other vehicles. They followed the black sedan to the gated exit.

They exited the parking lot, turning left onto the street. They passed by a five story, red brick building on the left and a shopping center on their right before coming to the first stoplight which was in their favor. They coasted through the intersection, passing by a white tiled building with a sign declaring it was a cooking vocational school on the left.

The building on the right was a very tall parking garage. Kurumu turned in her seat as they passed by it, counting at least ten floors before losing interest. The next building on the right across the intersection was a five story apartment building.

They crossed another intersection and Kurumu spied a McDonalds on the left. A sign bragged that the establishment was open twenty four hours. Kurumu was familiar with the fast food chain but could not recall ever being inside one of those restaurants during her childhood years living among humans. Their car stopped by the restaurant at the intersection, waiting for the light to turn green.

After a few seconds passed, Ms. Hitori turned left, following the black sedan down the wider road. They approached a white building on the right which was nine or ten stories tall. There was almost no break between it and the nearby four story building which had a sign indicating it was the Niigata Park Hotel. As the arched entryway for the hotel was near the tall building, Kurumu wondered if these two were connected somewhere on the inside.

A huge ten or twelve story building stood behind the hotel as they coasted through another intersection. They were moving quickly down this street so there was no real time to register every building. They passed by a DS pachinko club on the right before crossing another intersection with a stoplight in their favor. There were not many vehicles on the road this Sunday morning.

They coasted through another intersection with a green light, passing by a four story building with Mitsui Home in western letters at the top facing the street on the right side. After that was a single story, red building for Joysound. Beyond that was a blue sign which showed an intersection with 7 coming up. They had to stop at the next light. The small building on the left had a sign indicating it was a driving school.

The black sedan ahead of them turned left when the light allowed for it. Ms. Hitori followed the sedan, cruising down this six lane highway and speeding up. She drifted over to the right most lane to match the black sedan's movements. The buildings to the right seemed further away as if there was something on the other side of those three other three lanes.

They passed through an intersection with stoplights, rapidly approaching a series of three bridges this highway went under. Kurumu was fairly certain that one of those was for the trains if not two. They came out on the other side and Kurumu saw a blue sign up ahead on the left side of the road. It revealed that 464 for the Niigata Airport was straight ahead while 7 turned to the left and 3 turned to the right.

There was nothing special about most of these buildings lining the highway. A white, single story building on the right side had the image of a blue key on it. They reached another intersection with stoplights in their favor. They passed by another pachinko parlor on the right side.

A trio of blue signs were suspended on a steel bar spanning the three lanes of northbound traffic. The sign over their lane indicated a right turn on 3 for the Taihei Bridge coming up. The black sedan ignored the new turning lane as they came to a stop at the light of the next intersection.

Further up the road on the right was a tall building with a green NCS printed on it. On the left was some Herber House building which had a curved glass front facing the intersecting street. She wondered if that was some fancy apartment building. That huge white structure behind these buildings on the left was definitely an apartment building. It had to at least be six or seven stories.

The light changed and they continued down the road at a brisk pace. In seconds they were beyond that NCS building. On the left were a bunch of two story homes. She yawned as they quickly passed through another intersection with stoplights, driving by more two story homes and short apartment buildings on either side of this six lane road. Nothing in particular caught her eye.

Blowing by another stoplight intersection, Kurumu spied a six story apartment building coming up on the right. Further down the road on that side was a tall building with a huge N-1 mounted to the side of it. There was another intersection near that six story but the lights were green. She saw the sign over the door to the six story identified the place as Asahiplaza Kurinoki in western letters.

Kurumu sighed, leaning against the car window as they closed in on that N-1 building. Upon reaching it, she saw more western lettering declaring Parking Out. While her English was not great, she knew what parking was. The blue sign over their lane showed a right turn on 113 would take them to the airport. They slowed to a stop behind the black sedan, waiting for the light to change to green.

Kurumu regarded the blue panel building on the right hand corner, curious what it was. Since it had a huge parking garage, it was probably a convention center of sorts. She yawned again.

The car rolled into motion, following the black sedan on a long right hand turn onto the new road, favoring the far left lane. The first structure on the left was a tan metal warehouse for the Wada Group which had a symbol of a red arch hooked with a white arch. Not long after that was a gas station on the left. The right side buildings outside of Kurumu's window were not as appealing.

They passed through an intersection with green lights for them. A three story, pale blue, apartment building with a pitched black roof caught Kurumu's attention on the right. To the left was a dark blue, two story residence. Beyond that was a blue sign with a left hand arrow to the central pier on 464. She noted the sign for the dark blue building as they passed it, realizing it was also a barber shop.

There was a pedestrian walkway bridge preceding the next intersection, holding their green light. They drove under it and across the intersection, speeding by parking lots. She saw a sign for a seven eleven on the left side of the road which they soon passed. After that it was a bunch of boring warehouses. A pair of silos stood up on the left with the lettering for UBE Mitsubishi Cement.

When they reached the bridge, Kurumu realized that this was a three lane road with the far right line for oncoming traffic. On the other side of the bridge, a blue sign had the straight line continuing to Kodo. The left on 113 would take them to the airport.

As they closed in on the intersection which had another gas station on the right, Kurumu felt like some of these buildings were residences. She wondered how close they were to the airport since the airports in Sendai and Kumamoto had been pretty far away from residences.

The light was in their favor so they only slowed down enough to make the left turn. Ms. Hitori followed the black sedan down this new street which was lined with a mix of two story businesses and apartment buildings. Nothing felt as interesting as the blue sign up ahead on the left. They passed through an intersection with a green light before she could read the sign.

Kurumu sighed, realizing that the sign just showed the path to the airport was straight. They passed by a sign for the World Buffet which had a white face with a feather inside a red circle. Another blue road sign was much further down the road. So was a tall, brown brick building on the right.

Though the light turned yellow, Ms. Hitori continued through the intersection to keep up with the black sedan. The blue sign up ahead showed that a right turn would keep them on 113 which went to the airport. They drifted over to the middle lane of this four lane road. That tall, brown brick building was a five story apartment. They stopped at the next intersection, waiting for the light to protect their turn.

After what felt like a whole minute, the light changed and they followed the black sedan in a wide right turn to clear a patch of grass dividing the intersecting road. They passed by a parking lot before the road came together in two lanes. Moments later they passed by a Shimizu grocery store on the right. They rolled to a stop at the next intersection, waiting for another green light.

They eased through the light, passing by more forgettable buildings with another stoplight not too far ahead. A trio of vending machines stood outside of a shop which was next to a hair stylist and a Kumon learning center. Many of these two story shops probably had living quarters on the upper level.

They cruised through another green light which had a little accessory shop shortly after it. Seconds later they passed over an old abandoned railroad track with a cream and beige tiled building on the right side of the road. They drove by more residences and apartment buildings, slowing to a stop at the next light which had a shell gas station on the left.

They resumed their drive, passing by a single story karate dojo on their right. They cruised by several homes on both sides of the road, reaching a 7 eleven on the left in front of another intersection with stoplights. Thankfully they were able to drive through without slowing. More little shops and businesses littered the road. It felt so crowded.

There was an Eneos gas station on the right and several rundown office buildings. Kurumu perked up when she saw a blue sign further up the road. In a few seconds she knew that the road would intersect with 4 which went to the Niitagata Minato tunnel that had been mentioned on several other signs. The airport remained straight ahead.

They had to stop for another light. A series of tall metal spires stood on the left, supporting power lines. Several barren trees stood around them on the other side of a white fence. On the right side of the road, the residences continued.

After an agonizing minute, they followed the black sedan through the intersection. Not that interested in the buildings, Kurumu regarded the trees on the left side. She could see buildings beyond them but not the ocean. But she knew the ocean had to be close.

The trees gave way and they passed by a fire station with a gas station after that. Another blue sign declared that the left on 4 at the next intersection would take them to Funaecho.

They rolled through the intersection without slowing. On the left was a Kururi no Aoki which looked like it was a grocery store. A couple of buildings after that was a Nissan dealer with some open land on the right. She sighed again, seeing little of interest. The upcoming six story apartment building only caught her eye since it was much taller than these other buildings.

They passed by another Eneos gas station by a green light. On the other side of the intersection was one of those Hotto Motto lunch box places she had seen in Okinawa. She yawned as they steadily progressed down this street, crossing another intersection with stoplights. A large white sign with a red circle about the image of a person wearing a helmet had the lettering for Athena beneath it. She had no idea what that was as they drove by it, wondering if it was a gym. It had a large parking lot in front of it.

Another one of those DS club buildings was up ahead. Unfortunately the light for the intersection after it turned red so they had to slow down to a stop near the parking garage behind the DS building.

They rolled through the intersection once the light turned green, passing by another Shimizu grocery store on the left. Seconds later there was suddenly nothing but an open field on the left. They drove up the slight incline, passing by another row of trees blocking the view of that open field. Buildings stood on the other side of that field along a different road.

The view was short lived as they passed by two residences. A five story apartment building stood on the left with another stoplight up ahead. They rolled through this one without having to slow down. Several small residences and shops lined the street on the other side of the intersection.

Their luck with lights continued as they passed through another one with a 7 eleven on the right side of the road. To the left was an elevated hill of undeveloped land shored up with zigzag concrete tiles. It was not much to look at but the shops on the right side of the road were no more impressive. The tops of white apartment buildings stretched into view over the dirt hill.

They passed through a light and the buildings on both sides of the road resumed. There was a blue road sign up ahead. After a few seconds, Kurumu could see that the airport was to the left of them. They rolled by a Nippon car rental before following the black sedan with a left turn at the next stoplight.

There was not much to see after making the turn. Both sides of the road were shored up with dirt and trees. This lasted a good stretch before a few red roofed homes appeared on the left side of the road. The trees ended on the right with a fence continuing alongside the road. An open field was beyond the fence with many white buildings in the distance.

"This must be it."

Kurumu frowned at Ms. Hitori's announcement. The black sedan pulled into a parking lot up ahead on the left. She saw a white sign with green lettering declaring the Toyota rental place. Her heart fluttered upon realizing that they were already here.

Moka and Yukari stood in front of some white fencing which divided the covered parking lot from the few parking spaces flanking the rental building. The vampire had on that tan turtleneck while Yukari was wearing that long sleeved, white blouse which could pass as school attire. Moka had squeezed into her tight, black jeans with her beige, canvas sneakers. Yukari was sporting her blue denim jeans and her black sneakers with the bright white laces.

Ms. Hitori coasted by the pair, turning into the parking lot. The others were already retrieving luggage from the trunk as the teacher eased into one of the spaces beneath the metal deck. She turned the car off and popped the trunk. Kurumu opened her door and hopped out, pausing a moment for Mizore. But the snow girl opened her own door, so Kurumu closed hers.

"Moka! Where is your mother?"

"On her flight. It took off at eight ten."

Kurumu frowned, drifting over to the back of the car to grab her schoolbag first.

"She just left you out here?"

"It's not even eight thirty, Kurumu."

"Mrs. Shuzen checked my future this morning."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's remark, hanging her schoolbag on her other shoulder. She hauled her suitcase out, hugging it to her chest as she followed Ms. Hitori. Tsukune, Rubi and Huang had already joined Moka and Yukari. Ms. Huang was over by the rental building, opening the door.

"Did she see anything better for us?"

"Nope. I need all of you to hand over your luggage."

Yukari grabbed the strap of a yellow tote off her shoulder, setting it on the ground as Kurumu arrived though Ms. Hitori continued walking by them. Kurumu had not seen this yellow tote before.

"What for?"

"I was told to put everything of value in my pocket dimension."

"I doubt their luggage can fit in your tiny purse."

"I know a spell that can diminish the size of inanimate objects."

"That is truly amazing, Ms. Sendou."

Yukari huffed at Huang's praise as Ms. Hitori headed inside the rental building.

"Effortless for a genius like myself. Shirayuki! Bring your suitcase over here."

Mizore lingered by the parking lot entrance, caressing her belly.

"I can't strain myself."

The phoenix snickered, closing up the trunk. He strolled into view, wearing the knapsack and pulling Mizore's suitcase behind him.

"You are milking your pregnancy, honey."

Mizore followed him over to their group, cupping her breasts.

"When will I start lactating?"

"Stop touching your tits."

Mizore ignored Moka's command, brazenly squeezing her mammaries.

"Does that happen after the baby is born?"

Kurumu eased her suitcase onto the pavement at her feet.

"The harpies said that it could start halfway through the pregnancy for some girls."

"And you're only six weeks so stop that."

The phoenix chuckled, parking Mizore's suitcase next to Kurumu's.

"I have no complaints if a girl wants to grope herself."

"Are you going to wear that knapsack the whole flight or do you want me to put it in my dimension?"

"What sort of question is that?"

"Mrs. Shuzen said that we will lose all of our luggage if I don't put everything in this tote."

"Won't we lose everything if something happens to that tote?"

Yukari snorted at the phoenix.

"The pocket dimension isn't inside the tote. I can access it from any container with a simple spell."

"Sounds useful but I think I'll keep my things on me. I don't care much for alternate dimensions."

"Suit yourself. I'll need your schoolbag and purse too."

Kurumu frowned at Yukari's remark.

"Are you serious?"

"It's everything of value. It's not like you need your phone or your laptop while we are flying."

"Maybe not, but I'd like my CD player."

"Don't worry, Ms. Kurono. Our private jet has plenty of things for your entertainment needs."

Kurumu favored the enthusiastic Huang a doubtful look as she hauled her schoolbag strap back over her head. She set the bag down beside her travel suitcase.

"I worry what you might think is entertainment."

"Does Mrs. Shuzen still predict the plane crashing?"

Yukari nodded as Tsukune parted with his duffle bag.

"Yes. Is your plane equipped with parachutes?"

"I don't know. I'd have to ask my sister."

"Make sure you bring enough for everyone."

"My sister called the security last night and they did a clean sweep of the plane. We will make another round before we take off to ensure that there aren't any bombs on the plane."

"There is still a high probability that the plane crashes into the ocean. That's why both sisters couldn't come. Neither of them can swim."

"Does everyone survive?"

"She's not going to tell us the truth about that, Kurumu."

Kurumu sighed at Moka's stiff declaration. She knelt by her schoolbag, opening it up to stuff her purse inside. She shook her head as she closed her bag up.

"And there is no reason for her to send us on this trip if we're just going to die."

"Can you all form a circle around me? We don't want any humans witnessing my magic."

They all murmured an acknowledgment, forming a half circle about the witch as there was no need to stand between Yukari and the fence. Huang took the spot between Kurumu and Moka with Mizore to Kurumu's left and the phoenix on Mizore's other side. Tsukune stood between Rubi and Moka.

The only obvious human around was this guy standing at the gate through the fencing which flanked the blue building. This dark haired man had a moustache and goatee and was wearing an orange vest over a blue shirt and blue pants. Kurumu felt the hum of energy drawn from the environment the moment Yukari cast the first spell.

"Aono. Have you taken Rubi's blood yet?"

"I haven't been able to figure that out."

"It's not something to figure out. You just do it."

"But you said that it would take months for my fangs to develop."

"That was before you took blood from Mizore. Your physical vampire traits don't just regress."

"But I was a ghoul when I did that."

"That doesn't matter. Your fangs are able to do it. Right now this is a mental block. Not a physical one."

Kurumu glanced over her shoulder at the sensation of another draw of power. Mizore's suitcase was already gone as the witch picked up a small version of Kurumu's travel suitcase and held it over her tote. Another surge tickled Kurumu's senses before the witch stuffed the hand sized luggage into the void within the yellow tote. The witch then turned her attention to Kurumu's schoolbag.

"Maybe we can try again after the trip."

"This doesn't take long. You only need like a minute."

"I hope he needs me longer than that."

"You can't have high expectations for a virgin, Ms. Toujou."

Tsukune blushed at the comment from the smirking phoenix.

"This isn't about that!"

"As soon as Yukari is finished, we'll have you two try it again."

"Right now?! Out here?!"

"Taking blood isn't as strange as shrinking luggage. Humans won't think anything about it."

As Yukari scaled down the dimensions of Tsukune's duffle bag, Ms. Hitori exited the rental building. She stalked over to them as the witch picked up the bag and cast her final spell. Yukari had stowed it away by the time the teacher arrived.

"I hope you realize that I could feel you casting your magic inside the building."

"Unavoidable. I don't have enough spiritual energy to cast this spell without tapping the environment."

"That's a pretty, tote. When did you get it?"

Yukari shrugged at Rubi as she pulled the yellow tote up by its strap to rest on her shoulder.

"Ms. Ohno bought it for me on Friday when I mentioned not having one. According to her, every girl is supposed to have one."

"Rubi. Give Aono your hand."

Rubi blushed, cupping her cheeks.

"He can have my whole body."

Moka snickered, stepping around Tsukune to snatch the witch's left hand off her cheek.

"Your hand will be enough."

Moka tugged Rubi over to Tsukune, holding the witch's hand out.

"I need you to bite her hand like you mean it."

"Her hand? I thought I was supposed to do her neck."

"You're never going to be able to seriously bite into her neck because you know that could kill someone. Once you're more comfortable taking blood, you can try for her neck."

"Wasn't Tsukune your first?"

Moka's cheeks became flush at Kurumu's innocent question.

"I had years of mental preparation for that moment. Since he is just taking blood, he can sink his fangs into any part of Rubi which he is comfortable with."

"So he could bite her arms or legs?"

Yukari snickered at Kurumu's uncertain response.

"Or her ass since she likes those spankings."

"I'm not doing that!"

Tsukune was scarlet as Rubi giggled nervously.

"I shouldn't take off my skirt in public."

"We're not going there!"

"Calm down, Mr. Aono. You're making a scene."

The teacher gestured across the street to the dark haired man whom was regarding them with a blank expression. Kurumu giggled sheepishly, waving at the man. He was content with ignoring them though her act did spark a moment of appreciation for her looks.

"Where do you feel safe biting her? Think of a spot that you know wouldn't kill her even if you bit down with all of your might."

Tsukune grimaced at Moka's coaching. He reached behind him to rub the back of his neck.

"I don't know. Maybe the shoulder?"

"Okay. Let me take this off."

Rubi slipped the buttons through the narrow slits in the uniform, folding the flap over to reveal a black zipper at a collar which was much lower than Kurumu had expected. The witch grabbed the zipper which was at the apex of her bosom, drawing it down to expose the black tube top she had on beneath the thick fabric. She unhooked the zipper at her waist and slipped out of the stiff sleeves. With a smile, Rubi handed the garment over to Moka.

"Will I bleed if he does this wrong?"

"No. If he bites down hard enough to draw blood, his fangs will emerge and automatically secrete fluids which will heal any wounds caused by the bite."

Rubi smiled, turning upon Tsukune.

"Although it is our first time, I won't ask you to be gentle."

"Don't make this more awkward than it has to be."

Rubi sucked in a deep breath when he stepped closer. She closed her eyes as he placed his hands upon her upper arms.

"I'm mentally prepared for you to be inside me."

"Could you not say anything? Please. I'm begging you."

Kurumu smirked at his discomfort when the witch dutifully nodded. He leaned in, timidly opening his mouth over Rubi's shoulder.

"Now we know why the school has a rule against teachers having their shoulders bared. You boys and your shoulder fetishes."

"This isn't a fetish!"

"Stop stalling, Aono. Just do it before that guy over there gets the wrong impression."

Tsukune sighed at Moka's reprimand. He breathed in deep and lowered his lips to Rubi's shoulders. He opened his mouth and Rubi made a soft, delighted sound.

"That's it. Harder!"

Tsukune immediately lifted his head at her rasped out demands.

"Do I have to gag you?"

Rubi blushed, touching her cheek.

"If you want to."

"You're never going to avenge your father at this rate."

Tsukune shivered at Moka's cold statement. He looked at the vampire whom cocked her head with a firm expression, daring him to deny it. Tsukune nodded, placing his mouth upon Rubi's shoulder once again.

Rubi sighed after a long moment, touching her hand against the back of his head.

"Tsukune. Trust me. And yourself."

Rubi gasped, stiffening up. She bit her lower lip as she pushed the back of his head firmly to her. She made slight whimpers and mewls which bothered Kurumu.

"Did he bite that nerve which causes pleasure?"

"No. I'm sure that's just Rubi being a masochist."

This continued for a long moment which left Kurumu feeling jealous and lonely. While she had done a little kissing and cuddling with Mizore last night, it was not like they had tried for orgasms. That would have been cheating on their respective partners.

The glass door to the car rental place opened and Ms. Huang strolled out. Before she arrived, Tsukune forced his head up from Rubi's shoulder with a gasp. The older witch stumbled against him, pressing her head to his chest. He had a dazed look as he absently caressed the trembling woman in his arms.

"That was good."

Rubi lifted her head up and pressed her lips against Tsukune's. Kurumu's heart ached when Tsukune hastily pushed the witch back to arms' length. The witch staggered, grabbing his arms for support.

"What was that for?"

Rubi made a soft sound and her eyes focused on him. She smiled lazily.

"Is there anywhere else you'd like to take me?"

Tsukune laughed sheepishly. The bite marks on Rubi's shoulder were already fading.

"No. I think I took enough of your blood."

"Now that Mr. Aono has claimed his woman, we should head to the plane."

Tsukune frowned at Ms. Huang.

"What did she say?"

Kurumu smirked despite the ached of her heart, gesturing across the street.

"She said that she turned in the vehicles and that we should head to the plane."

"What about Rubi?"

The phoenix snickered, stepping over to grab Rubi and tug the unsteady witch against his side.

"Leave her with me, kid. I'll wait with her until your bus driver arrives."

"We will wait with her. The Headmaster told me that Mr. Nurari would be here at nine."

Ms. Huang nodded at Ms. Hitori.

"It will take time to prepare the plane for flight. We won't leave without you."

"You really need to speak with your charm, Sister."

"Goodbye, Rubi."

"Don't let that Headmaster work you to death."

They finished their farewells, leaving the older witch in the care of the phoenix couple. Holding Mizore's hand, Kurumu crossed the street on the heels of the Ms. Huang. The foreigner walked directly to the man tending the gate, whipping out a charm which she pressed to her lips.

"I am Huang Ling. We have a private jet on the premises."

The man huffed, holding out his hand.

"Identification."

Ms. Huang reached into her ample bosom, pulling out a black card with a crimson dragon coiled across it. The man glanced it over and huffed again.

"An actual identification with your picture, Ma'am."

"And you worry about the security."

Yukari huffed at the grinning brother.

"An intruder won't bother asking for permission to enter."

Ms. Huang giggled, handing another card with her picture on it which she had procured from the depths of her bosom. The man looked it over and nodded.

"You must be the lady whom warned us about someone tampering with your plane."

The man handed back both of her cards.

"We checked your hangar this morning and found no signs of sabotage."

"We will require you to check it again and fuel up our plane."

"You can discuss that with the man in charge of your hangar. My post is at this gate."

Ms. Huang smiled, tucking both cards back into her bosom.

"Of course. May we enter?"

"You and your party may pass."

"The couple across the street are also in our party."

The man huffed, opening the gate which was wide enough to allow the passage of a vehicle. He kept it mostly closed, gesturing for them to pass through.

"You can come back for them later. I'm not letting anyone without proper identification from your family onto the premises."

Squeezing Mizore's hand, Kurumu followed Ms. Huang through the gate. Much of this open area was paved as they made their way towards the row of white buildings.

"Are we in the airport?"

"More or less, Ms. Kurono. This is where they store private jets and helicopters."

"And we don't have to go through security?"

"You're with me, Ms. Kurono. I told you that we had ways of getting you out of the country even if you lacked passports."

Huang grinned at his sister's explanation. He gestured to the wide open space to their right.

"Sister will drive our family jet out onto that runway."

"Your sister will?"

"Yes. Sister is our pilot."

Kurumu gasped and Mizore perked up.

"That's kind of cool."

"Your sister is amazing."

Yukari huffed at Tsukune's compliment.

"Unlike her useless brother."

"I'm not useless!"

"For the record, I only have a private pilot license. Our flight here last summer was the first time I had ever flown our jet this far. I was worried we would not make it."

"What is she saying?"

Kurumu smiled at Yukari.

"She's admitting that she doesn't have much flight experience."

"And she's humble."

Yukari nodded at Mizore's comment.

"Unlike her useless brother."

"Why do you all openly praise my sister?"

Ms. Huang chuckled as they walked into the shadows cast by the hangars.

"You don't understand. Our jet has a range limit of three thousand kilometers. This flight from Niigata to Hong Kong actually exceeds that. We were literally landing on fumes."

Kurumu grimaced at the admission, sharing a look with Mizore as Ms. Huang opened a small door which flanked a huge door.

"That's not comforting."

"We were told this plane wouldn't make it."

They entered a huge open room. A white jet was parked in this space with one engine mounted under the wing on this side. A row of a dozen small windows lined the top of a blue stripe which went from the front of the plane to the back. The fin of the plane had a black diamond with the yellow kanji for yellow imprinted within it.

"It will take about five hours to fly from here to Hong Kong but they are an hour behind us. If we can leave before ten, we should arrive around two. I hope nobody minds a late lunch."

"Can I let them onto the plane, Sister?"

Ms. Huang nodded as she paused at the door to an office. There was a window in the wall which allowed Kurumu to see the dour looking gentleman within.

"Go ahead. I must speak to this man about preparing our plane."

As Ms. Huang ducked into the office, her brother hurried over to a set of steel stairs. He grabbed it by a handle, dragging it on its black wheels over to the side of the plane.

"You will love this. The Huang family spared no expense with this jet."

"It's annoying that I have no idea what Ms. Huang is saying most of the time."

Kurumu smiled apologetically at Moka.

"She forgets to use her charm."

"She's a moron. If she can use a charm to translate, she could put that enchantment on the bell of that collar she is always wearing. The fact that it hasn't crossed her mind in the four months that she's been teaching at Yokai Academy is disappointing."

"Yukari. What you think is an obvious solution isn't going to be obvious to everyone. It didn't even cross my mind that she could enchant her bell."

"You're not a witch, Kurumu."

"Maybe she doesn't know how to make enchantments."

Yukari paused at Tsukune's comment.

"Doubtful if she made that charm. However I didn't consider the possibility that the charm is something that was given her. I just assumed that she could cast magic since her brother can."

"Over here! The stair is secure!"

Kurumu grinned as Huang enthusiastically waved at them from the top of the stairs. He had opened the side door of the plane.

"Are we ready to get on this plane which is most likely to crash?"

"Everyone shouldn't get too relaxed. There is a chance that we make it if we catch the intruder."

Kurumu nodded at Moka's declaration. Still holding Mizore's hand, Kurumu tugged the snow girl along with her towards the stair.

"We aren't going to find this intruder inside the hangar. We may as well check out the plane."

Kurumu reached the stairs first, letting go of Mizore's hand and starting up the stairs.

"Not going to carry me?"

"You are not that pregnant, brat."

The snow girl laughed softly, following her up. Huang grinned broadly, gesturing through the door as Kurumu passed by him.

"Our family jet comes with a karaoke machine, a personal theater and a full service bar. I promise that none of you will be disappointed."

Kurumu noted a short corridor to the cockpit to the left. There was a door on either side of this short passageway with one clearly marked as a bathroom.

"You better ask your sister about those parachutes before we take off."

"Of course, Ms. Sendou. The seating area and theater are on the other side of the bar."

Kurumu nodded, passing through the bar area. It was basically a counter with three stools mounted to the floor in front of it on the right side of this walkway to the back. To the left was a pair of tables which were also mounted to the floor. These tables were flanked by booth like seats which were made of the same wood as the table top. It was like a dining area.

"Can you cook on this plane?"

"There is a microwave and hot plates beneath the counter. What do you think, Mr. Aono? These luxuries could all be yours if you-"

"Pass."

Kurumu snickered at Tsukune's prompt rejection, opening a flimsy door at the end of this compartment. On the other side were six rows of tan leather seats facing the front of the plane. The aisle cut down the middle with two seats on each side. Black seat belts rested upon the thick cushions of these wide seats. A window looked out of the plane at the end of each row.

"I can see now why he was so desperate to keep our guest list down."

Kurumu frowned at Yukari's remark as she wandered further into this space. At the far end was a huge flat screen mounted to the back wall. A couch lined the side of the left side of the plane while the right side was not as deep due to the plane having a second bathroom. In front of the bathroom was a counter with a built in karaoke machine with speakers.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because he only has twenty four seat belts. I'm honestly surprised that he agreed to thirty."

"We could have managed an extra six if we had to."

Kurumu wandered over to the karaoke machine, opening up a cabinet. Plastic CD cases rested within the black slots built into this storage space. She pulled one of the CDs out, unfamiliar with the artist.

"What kind of music do you have?"

The young man's chest puffed up in pride.

"Every album from every popular artist to have graced the radio of Hong Kong these past twenty years."

"Oh. So nobody I would know."

Huang was crestfallen when she put the CD back.

"Let me guess. Your movie selection is only a bunch of Hong Kong films."

The young man gasped, clutching his chest.

"Not just any Hong Kong films. I personally oversaw the acquisition of every movie Jackie Chan has ever starred in. Some were only available on VHS so we have both devices on board to entertain you."

"That's quite impressive."

Kurumu frowned at Tsukune's remark.

"Who is Jackie Chan?"

Huang gasped again with wide eyes. Tsukune chuckled, shaking his head.

"You don't need to tease him over that."

Kurumu continued to frown, glancing at Yukari.

"Don't look at me. My parents don't have television."

"You can't seriously not know about Jackie Chan."

Kurumu bit her lip at Mizore's calm statement.

"Is he that famous?"

Moka huffed indifferently.

"Don't fret over it, Kurumu. He's just a movie star that does a bunch of choreographed fight scenes."

"But she must know about him. I've seen several of his movies and she's seen whole years of my life."

Kurumu laughed sheepishly at Tsukune's protest.

"Then I probably know him but the name just isn't bringing up any memories. I'd remember it if either of us had watched a big movie by this actor during that time."

Tsukune paused with a thoughtful expression.

"Now that you mention it, I can't say that I've ever seen one of his movies at a theater. We rented Rush Hour but it wasn't as good as his older stuff."

Huang grunted, nodding his head in agreement with his arms crossed.

"His older works are superior. If nobody objects, we should watch his best work, Drunken Master, after we are safely up in the air."

"That might be cool. I don't remember if I've seen that but I have seen the sequel."

"Don't be stupid. We need to stay alert for any signs of intruders. We can't be goofing off with movies."

"I wouldn't mind watching a movie with you."

Moka balked at Yukari's statement.

"I'm fine watching the movie. My little brothers find Jackie Chan hilarious."

"Come on, Moka. You should lighten up and have some fun with us."

"Are you all stupid? Mother told us that this plane will crash."

"But we need to go on this trip even if it is dangerous. I know that you must enjoy your freedom but I thought that this was what you wanted."

"Tsukune. The rosary must be repaired so that Fujisaki can't use me to awaken Alucard. This has nothing to do with what I want."

"Would you prefer things staying like this?"

Moka paused, touching the shape of the rosary which was visible through the wool of her turtleneck.

"What if repairing the rosary doesn't bring Hatsue back?"

Tsukune grimaced, clutching his chest.

"That would be horrible!"

The moment of softness in Moka's eyes fled. She lowered her hand from the rosary.

"That's what I thought."

"But you don't want Hatsue to disappear either. I know that you are looking for a way to find a body for her so that you both can be free."

"I'm already free, Aono. What happens when Hatsue has a new body? Where do you stand with me?"

"I will always cherish you as a friend, Moka."

Moka scowled, turning her back on him. She stalked away.

"Huang. What all do you have in that bar of yours?"

Huang chuckled, following the vampire out of the compartment.

"I, uh, don't actually know myself."

As the door was closed, Kurumu felt her heart sink with guilt. She glanced at Mizore and then at Yukari, suspecting they both felt the same. Their secret about Hatsue's fate could not be kept much longer.

---

Kurumu laughed, shaking her head as the actor bungled his way through the fight sequence. She had recognized Jackie Chan almost immediately when the first film had started playing. She had never seen that movie before, but it had been enjoyable.

Since they had nothing better to do, they had allowed Huang to put in the sequel. This movie Kurumu was familiar with, having seen it as a child. It was as hilarious and enjoyable as it had been back then.

They were all seated on the couch, facing the screen. Yukari was between Kurumu and Mizore while Tsukune sat on the other side of Huang. They had not seen much of Moka or the phoenix couple after the plane had leveled off in the sky.

"It's so strange hearing him talk in a different voice."

Huang laughed merrily, gesturing at the unfolding scene on the large screen.

"That is his true voice, Ms. Kurono."

"I know that. But my memories of him are with a different voice."

"Could the two of you not chat in Cantonese?"

"But a smart girl like you should figure it out."

Yukari glared at Mizore.

"I can tell by your tone that you're mocking me."

"I am envious of you two. This movie would be more enjoyable if I knew what they were talking about."

"My apologies, Mr. Aono. It did not cross my mind to acquire these movies with Japanese subtitles."

"It's okay. I remember the general plot of this movie."

"My family has the best tutors. If you join-"

"I don't need to know Cantonese that badly."

"I could teach you the language the same way I learned it."

Yukari nodded at Kurumu's offer.

"I was thinking I would ask you for that once we land."

"Or crash."

Yukari snickered at Mizore's quip.

"The reason I didn't suggest it earlier. My Moka is already annoyed that we started a second movie. Could you imagine how peeved she would be if I was getting Cantonese lessons from Kurumu?"

There was no way of knowing how long it would take to teach Cantonese to Yukari. And they would be helpless the entire time Kurumu escorted Yukari through a year's worth of memories.

"Well once we are off the plane, I will teach you the joy of being a kappa toddler."

"It can't be any worse than being in Huang's body for a day."

A loud thud struck the door. Kurumu frowned, getting up on her feet as the door was drawn aside. Moka stumbled into their compartment, grabbing the back of the first chair.

"Wach out!"

Tsukune hopped to his feet, hurrying down the aisle towards the vampire.

"What's wrong, Moka?"

"Waz wron? Tell ya waz wron. Were creeter chu chu on dor. Ran dis way."

Kurumu frowned, walking slowly over to the altercation.

"Are you drunk?"

Moka swatted at Tsukune's hands, whirling about and ending up in the seat. The vampire huffed.

"Doon toch. No wan me."

"Perhaps you should lie down."

"No. Fine creeter. Bad creeter. Hitori saw firs."

Kurumu slipped around Tsukune, drifting into the adjacent room. The teacher was sprawled over the counter with an empty glass resting by her elbow. Kurumu drifted over to the woman, placing her hand on the teacher's back and giving a gentle shake.

"Ms. Hitori?"

The phoenix mumbled incoherently, nuzzling her cheek against the counter. The scent of alcohol hung thickly upon the air. Seven white bottles with red labels were stacked upon the counter with their red caps setting aside. Kurumu picked one up, noting that this five hundred milliliter bottle was empty. The label declared it was Kweichouw Moutai and that it was fifty three percent volume.

"Ms. Hitori is taking a nap."

"Maybe you were seeing things."

"No! Nassie creeter. Blood thurssie aura. Kill kill."

"So this is what we can expect when Mr. Aono rejects Moka."

"I didn't do anything!"

"Urasai Shirayuukiki. No nuthin."

"I didn't know a vampire could get drunk. What kind of alcohol is this?"

Huang grinned broadly, pounding his chest.

"It's my Father's favorite brand, guaranteed to put a dragon under a table."

"Well it looks like they went through seven of them."

"Ten. Drop sum behin bar."

"Damn Moka. Will you be able to eat lunch?"

Kurumu shivered as a surge of lust assaulted her from behind. She turned at the disturbance and was greeting by a heavy weight striking her chest. She staggered back with a startled cry, confused as lewd fantasies of violating her body flooded into her core.

"Kurumu?!"

The furry critter attached to her tits started rubbing its head hard against her shirt, causing one of the snaps to undo. Realizing its antics would cause her shirt to pop open, Kurumu balled her hand into a fist. She slammed her fist down on top of the lecher, knocking it free of her bosom. It hit the floor with enough force to cause it to crack.

"Sheesh, Kurumu. Are you trying to put a hole in the plane?"

Kurumu blushed at Yukari's reproach, quickly redoing the snap the creature had undone.

"I didn't have time to think about it."

"See! Were creeter. Nassie creeter. Chu chu on dor."

"Where did it come from?"

Kurumu shrugged at Mizore's inquiry, hunkering down by the twitching creature. This ball of white fluff had long ears, big feet and a long tail which ended in a spade. She rolled it over, revealing a dopey face which had a pink nose with long white whiskers. It had short arms and a bright pink appendage standing proudly out of a tuft of fur between its hind legs. Kurumu blushed as she glanced up at Huang.

"Do you guys have a pet?"

"No. It must have somehow got on board."

"Intooder. Nassie creeter. Kill kill."

Kurumu frowned at the drunken vampire.

"I suppose it could be. Weird that it would jump into my tits."

"Yea. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

Mizore drifted behind Kurumu, placing her hands on Kurumu's shoulders.

"Is it dead?"

"I don't think so. What kind of creature is this?"

Yukari shrugged at Kurumu before getting down on her knees on the other side of the opening.

"It sort of looks like a rabbit. Maybe it's a gyokuto."

"There is no way gyokuto are this small."

"Have you seen any of them in their true forms?"

Kurumu grabbed the dazed creature by the scruff of its neck, hauling it up.

"This thing has to be smaller than a gnome. Are you telling me that those buxom gyokuto girls aren't much bigger than the volleyball they smack around?"

"Maybe it's a baby?"

"Its pecker is harder than our last English exam."

The critter suddenly snapped out of its daze. It writhed in Kurumu's grip, latching onto her breasts again.

"See. I told you."

Kurumu blushed, struggling to keep the thing from rubbing its head too hard against her bosom. She had failed to notice it earlier but she definitely could feel its hard mating rod poking her belly.

"It's not a baby!"

"It sees big boobs and thinks supper time."

"I'll have you know that grown men think the same thing!"

Tsukune chuckled nervously, turning back to Moka.

"That thing doesn't look like a threat to me. We need to do something about Moka."

"No need. Doon cry if nassie creeter crash plane."

She wobbled but batted his hands away when he tried to grab her.

"Leff me lone. All you. Go way."

Yukari pouted, getting up and out of Moka's path. Kurumu wisely did the same as the vampire staggered back into the room. Moka glanced at the counter and then shuffled over to one of the tables, sitting heavily down into the booth.

"This is your fault, Mr. Aono."

Tsukune frowned at Mizore.

"What did I do?"

"We should leave her be for now."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's suggestion, following Mizore out of the compartment.

"Yea. We need to figure out what we should do about this perverted fella."

"Close dor."

"My hands are busy with an overly amorous rodent."

"I got it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Moka grunted at his offer. Tsukune sighed, closing the door. Kurumu echoed that feeling though it was because this lecher attached to her was probably a few thrusts away from making a mess on her.

"Look, buddy. You better stop dry humping me."

"He is rather persistent with your breasts."

Kurumu stumbled forward when the critter suddenly released her breasts, dropping out of her grasp. Before she regained her footing, she felt its head smash into her groin, sending a jolting mix of pleasure and pain up her body. She fell back hard onto her ass as the creature started nuzzling into her panties.

"Get it out!"

Yukari was at her side immediately, yanking her skirt up as Kurumu's senses reeled. It was licking her and had every intention of impregnating her. Both boys witnessing this were having similar thoughts which only made her body behave worse. She was getting wet with the anticipation of being violated.

She gasped in relief when Mizore hauled the critter away by its hind leg. She draped an arm over her eyes, panting heavily as her groin throbbed from the rough stimulation. She felt Yukari fixing her skirt.

"Are you okay?"

Kurumu took in a deep breath to calm her rapidly beating heart. Both boys were still aroused by what had happened which was not helping her recovery. Oddly she felt nothing from the beast. She lowered her arm, noting that Mizore had frozen the critter's legs and offending pink member in a block of ice.

"Yea. Kill that thing."

Mizore chuckled, hefting the restrained beast by the scruff of its neck.

"Are you sure you don't want your vibrator back?"

"This isn't funny, Mizore."

"I know. Do you still think this thing is a baby?"

"I don't know what it is but it could very well be the intruder we were warned about."

"Kurumu. Do you want to hold this guy to read his thoughts?"

"No way. My body can't take more of his lechery."

Huang laughed merrily, rubbing a trickle of drool off his chin.

"Well I'm just glad that nobody got hurt."

"No thanks to you. You just stood there leering at the situation."

"I was not leering! I was surprised!"

Kurumu sat up, feeling wholly in agreement with Yukari.

"No point lying, Huang. I could feel your interest. And yours."

Tsukune smiled apologetically with flush cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Kurumu. It happened so quickly."

"I'm telling Chiyu about you cheating on her."

Huang gasped at Yukari's threat.

"I didn't put a hand on Ms. Kurono!"

"What is going on back there?"

Kurumu looked up at a speaker which was mounted to the ceiling. Huang laughed nervously, moving over to the door and pressing a button. He spoke into a perforated panel next to the button.

"It's nothing, Sister."

"You are all pretty noisy for nothing. Are you doing your Jackie Chan impressions again?"

Mizore snickered which made Kurumu giggle. Huang blushed furiously as he pressed the button.

"No, Sister. We found a creature on the plane but it's just some harmless rabbit looking thing."

Yukari sighed heavily.

"And now he's talking in Cantonese too. It's annoying not knowing what is being said."

"She's asking if he still wants to be an actor."

Huang's eyes widened at Mizore's explanation. He shook his head fiercely.

"She said no such thing!"

"I don't know what you found but nothing should be considered harmless. Kill it."

Mizore nodded at Ms. Huang's statement. She looked at Yukari.

"Shall we make this thing talk before I kill it?"

"Assuming it can talk."

"Hold up! Why are you killing it?"

Mizore frowned at Tsukune, cocking her head.

"Because Ms. Huang told us to."

"But we don't know if this is the intruder Mrs. Shuzen warned us about."

"That thing just attempted to rape Kurumu in front of you!"

Tsukune flinched from Yukari's ire.

"But it didn't try to kill her."

"Not yet."

Kurumu shuddered upon feeling a sudden, immense desire to kill. The beast suddenly swelled up in size, shattering the ice containing its lower half and breaking free of Mizore's grip. Mizore staggered back into the nearest seat as the beast continued to grow, nearly taking up the whole aisle.

"Yukari!"

The witch made quick hand gestures but suddenly the beast exploded. Several smaller versions of the critter flooded the room, scampering to the edges of the plane.

"What just happened?"

Yukari frowned, lowering her hands as Kurumu picked herself up from the floor.

"I don't know. I didn't finish my spell."

Kurumu willed her fingers out into talons, taking a defensive posture. Tsukune and Huang were also prepared for a fight but none of the critters were closing in on them. The dozens of beasts seemed content to bury their faces against the corners of the room.

"What are they doing?"

They all shared confused looks as Mizore got back on her feet. Huang suddenly gasped.

"They are eating the plane!"

"They can do that?!"

Yukari shivered as she leveled a finger at one of the critters.

"We have to stop them. If they puncture the hull, we're done for."

Mizore slashed out at the nearest rabbit perched on the back of a nearby seat. Her fingers became icy daggers, passing clean through the critter. Before the halves reached the floor, both had reformed into smaller bunnies.

"Oh. That's cute."

"This is no time to appreciate that!"

Mizore shrugged at Kurumu, bending over to pick up a smaller critter. It started munching on her icy dagger as she presented it to them.

"These things are like my ice clones. Even if we destroy them, the original can make more."

"How can the original control so many of them?"

Yukari huffed, gesturing at the critters.

"It's simple if he only instructs them to eat the plane. We have to figure out which one of them is real."

"How do we do that?"

"I don't know. He was sweet on you so maybe if you do a strip tease-"

"And get sexually assaulted by thirty rabbits?! No thanks!"

Yukari snickered at her displeasure.

"I suppose that could happen. But we'll never be able to tell the host from the copies if they all are doing the same thing."

"Can't you use magic?"

"No. I realized in the middle of my spell that I would have to tap the energy from the plane itself since the outside environment is changing too quickly. We don't want to be robbing the plane of energy."

The door behind them was thrown open and Moka stumbled through.

"Nassie creeters in the bar. Make mor when punch."

Tsukune immediately rushed over to grab Moka.

"It's not safe in here, Moka. Go back in there."

"Doon toch!"

Moka turned about and stalked back into the room. There was a loud crack and Tsukune cried out in alarm. He darted after Moka, pushing her forward as a glass cabinet suddenly fell down into the aisle, smashing onto his head and back.

"Tsukune!"

Kurumu and Yukari grabbed hold of the cabinet on this side as Tsukune tried to get his feet back under him. Shards of glass were everywhere and there were flecks of his blood. Moka cried on the other side while seated on her ass.

"Dummy! Not need rescue from cabinet."

Tsukune chuckled, grabbing the cabinet and helping them lift it up.

"Sorry. Just reacted."

Moka whined, crawling onto her feet to get the other end. They heaved the cabinet up, pushing it back into its place. Moka tore a stool off from its mount in front of the counter, propping the cabinet up.

"Doon do gan."

There was a hiss followed by a loud rumble as the air within the plane suddenly was sucked out. Kurumu staggered towards the door, grabbing hold of Yukari. She could feel the pull of pressure towards some spot near the karaoke machine as a bunch of masks fell out of the compartments above the seats.

"We've lost cabin pressure! I have to drop the plane!"

Kurumu doubted she would have heard that message over the intercom if she had not been right next to it. Suddenly the plane dove down and it felt like her feet might leave the floor. Huang gripped a chair in the front row with wide eyes. His other hand pressed against his stomach.

"I think my breakfast might be coming up."

Moka puked against the side of the cabinet as they continued the rapid descent. Tsukune grabbed hold of the vampire as she stumbled down onto her knees into the broken glass. She puked again on his shoes as he gathered her hair up onto her back.

The putrid air became wispy and Kurumu felt light headed as they steadily plummeted. Mizore was hugging a chair in the other aisle with her face pressed to the cushion.

It felt like forever but the plane finally leveled out. The air was no longer being pulled out of the plane. Her ears were ringing and she had a massive headache. The loud rumble of wind continued to drown out most other sounds as Kurumu hugged Yukari tight to her bosom.

"- escape!"

Kurumu peered down at Yukari, seeing the terror in the witch's eyes.

"I could fly a short distance but I can't carry us all."

"What?!"

"I can only carry one person!"

Yukari nodded with a grimace.

"- feather fall! - don't - spirit - others!"

Kurumu hoped that meant Yukari would be fine. But what about the others.

"Huang! Parachutes!"

Huang nodded, stumbling onto his feet.

"- cockpit!"

Kurumu steered Yukari along with her as they started through the bar area. Tsukune was hovering over Moka protectively and Ms. Hitori was sprawled out on the floor. They stepped over the unconscious teacher, making their way to the front of the plane.

Before they reached the small corridor, the door to the cockpit opened. The male phoenix swatted a critter off his knapsack before strolling out to them.

"Gremlins. Annoying pests."

Kurumu was mildly surprised she could hear him clearly despite the roar of the wind behind them.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting off this plane. What happened to Suzaku?"

"Drank too much."

The phoenix chuckled, slipping around them to tend to the teacher. Kurumu smiled at Huang as the young man stumbled over to them. She steered Yukari down the corridor to the cockpit.

"Ms. Huang! Can we keep flying?"

The woman turned slightly, gesturing at a rodent chewing on her controls.

"Doubtful! Even if they don't get to the engines, we won't make it!"

"The parachutes are-"

Huang swore as he looked into the small room across from the bathroom.

"They ate the parachutes!"

Ms. Huang laughed at his distress though it was barely audible in the cacophony about them.

"Bad idea to jump out of a jet! Might hit the tail or wing!"

Yukari looked up at Kurumu with wide eyes.

"What do we do?! Mrs. Shuzen promised that we'd all live even if we crashed!"

"We're not thinking of something."

Huang pounded his fist into his palm.

"I can summon Long!"

"Long?"

"My dragon! He can fly and carry us all!"

Kurumu laughed despite the dire situation.

"You named your dragon, Dragon?"

"It's a good name!"

"Summon him!"

"But I can't summon him inside the plane! It would destroy it!"

"You're not saving this plane at this point!"

"Won't this assassin try to stop me if I start casting my summon?!"

Yukari nodded thoughtfully.

"Huang! You have to jump out of the plane!"

Huang cried pitifully with actual tears in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Sendou! I didn't mean to fall in love with another girl!"

"I'm not telling you to kill yourself! Moron! Idiot! Dummy!"

"But I can't summon my dragon when I'm falling to my death!"

"Kurumu will fly you out of the plane!"

Kurumu gasped, realizing that could work.

"I can do that! How do we get off the plane?!"

"We could try the door!"

They followed Huang back into the bar compartment where the phoenix had managed to get their teacher up into one of the wooden seats. He was patting her cheek as Yukari hurried to the door and started tugging on the latch.

"What are you kids doing?!"

"We're getting off the plane!"

"You'll die if you jump out!"

"It won't budge!"

"Step aside, Ms. Sendou. This is work for a man."

Huang grabbed the handles and struggled no differently than Yukari had.

"Are you planning on leaving the rest of your friends behind?"

Kurumu managed a smile as the phoenix came over to join them.

"Long will come back for them!"

"Sounds like a decent plan."

Huang panted heavily, leaning against the door.

"I need a breather."

"Allow me."

The phoenix leveled his hand and a gout of flame spewed out, burning a hole through the side of the plane. Somehow the roar of the wind became even more deafening.

Yukari poked Kurumu's side to get her attention, tugging her zipper up and down. Kurumu nodded with understanding, undoing the snaps of her blouse. The phoenix smirked with lustful appreciation as she bared her cornflower blue, lacy bra. She stuck her tongue out at him, slipping her arms out of the long sleeves before handing the garment over to Yukari.

"- tote!"

Kurumu nodded at Yukari as the witch hurried off. She gestured at Huang whom was as red as a cherry. He had all sorts of naughty thoughts and was not getting the hint to come over. Shaking her head, she slipped around behind him and wrapped her arms about his torso.

"You need to get ready to cast your summon!"

"- my sword out!"

"You better be talking about the one made of coins!"

She doubted he had heard her despite them being so close. Kurumu shuffled back towards the opening, feeling the strong wind current.

Kurumu whipped her wings out, hoping the enemy would not have any time to stop her. Tucking her wings to her side, she hauled Huang off his feet and jumped through the hole. The wind current yanked them dangerously close to the tail, causing Kurumu's heart to flutter in terror. They were moving so fast.

She opened up her wings and immediately realized her mistake. Her scream caught in her throat as she was yanked end over end, losing hold of Huang in the process. She lost sense of up and down for the next few seconds which lasted an eternity. She flailed her limbs, struggling to tuck her wings back in.

Finally her efforts were successful, allowing her body to naturally fall. She was moving so fast with her skirt whipping violently against her knees. She was thankful she had not worn her purple lace ribbon in her hair as she would have lost it for sure.

She angled her body with the descent, trying to locate Huang. The sky was so vast but he was the only screaming idiot in the nearby vicinity. He was flailing about which slowed his descent. Thankfully he still had hold of his coin sword. She counted heartbeats as she zipped towards him, taking less than thirty.

She swung wide and leveled out, hitting him from behind. He cried out as her arms wrapped about him. They were still moving far too fast for her to consider using her wings even for gliding. She would try that again when they were much closer to the water.

"Huang! I got you!"

"I know! I'm so happy!"

"Calm down! Summon your dragon!"

The young man reached to his side and pulled out a talisman which he stabbed into his sword.

"Come forth!"

A roar echoed beside them as a serpentine dragon slithered into existence. The flying dragon zoomed alongside them, tilting its head.

"Long! You have to catch-"

Huang gasped.

"Where is the plane?!"

"It moves much faster than us!"

"Long! Catch the nearest plane ahead of us! Save everyone on board!"

There was a hum of energy and the dragon suddenly shot forward like a missile.

"Huang! Sometimes you can be amazing!"

"Thank you! That means so much to me!"

Kurumu laughed at his response, clutching him closer to her torso. She felt him entertaining naughty thoughts because her breasts were pushing against his back.

"I can still drop you if you get weird on me!"

"Please don't!"

Kurumu smiled, closing her eyes. The wind felt so nice.

---

A bald man came down the hallway with the hostess Ms. Huang had spoken with moments ago. This man was dressed in a black shirt with a mandarin collar and glossy black buttons down the front. The hem of the garment hung over smooth black slacks. The dark haired hostess was garbed in a similar shirt though she wore a knee length skirt instead of slacks.

"What is it that you require?"

Ms. Huang pulled the black card out of her bosom, presenting it to the manager.

"My father speaks highly of your establishment, Mr. Yan. I know how late it is, but we have been on the road for over six hours and my guests would like a quality meal before we retire for the evening."

The man looked over the card. He looked up at Ms. Huang, returning the card with a nod.

"Are you Ms. Huang Ling?"

"Yes. Would you like my license as proof?"

"No need. Your reputation precedes you. I shall see what the kitchen can do for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Yan."

"Seat them in the back guest room, Ms. Chen."

The short haired hostess frowned as the manager stalked away. She managed a thin smile, gesturing for them to follow.

"This way."

Kurumu squeezed Mizore's hand before she followed on the heels of the Huang siblings. They walked through an open dining area which was mostly vacant, turning into a short corridor. The signs for the bathrooms were at the end of this hall. The hostess walked by a door and turned about. She drew it open and gestured inside.

"Someone will come to take your order."

Ms. Huang nodded at the hostess, stepping into the small room. Like many of the private rooms Kurumu had been in, there was a low table in the center of the room. Rose paper lanterns hung down from the ceiling. The room lacked windows, making these lanterns the only source of light in the room.

Ms. Huang sat down at the center of the table, facing the door. Her brother took the spot on her left as Kurumu and Mizore sat across from them.

"Sit with me, Mr. Aono."

Tsukune hesitated to take Ms. Huang's invitation, glancing at Moka. The vampire huffed, sitting down next to Kurumu. Yukari claimed the other side of Moka. With a defeated look, Tsukune wandered around the table to fulfill Ms. Huang's wishes.

"Looks like that black card came in handy."

Ms. Huang smiled at Kurumu, nodding.

"If only it had as much influence in Xiamen."

"The Huang family has many ties in Shenzhen. Here you will be treated like royalty."

"How much further to Hong Kong?"

Huang grinned broadly at Tsukune's inquiry.

"Across the river on the south side of this city. I promise that you'll enjoy your stay."

"I'm just tired and wanting to sleep."

Ms. Huang laughed, pressing a charm to her lips.

"We won't be continuing our drive tonight, Mr. Aono."

"Oh? Is it that much farther?"

"It's late. We shall stay in a hotel tonight."

"Which will also be free, compliments of the Huang family. If you join-"

"How many times must I refuse you?"

Kurumu giggled at his exasperated response.

"I'm a little surprised that we stopped for a meal with it being after nine."

"I'm not. I'm starving!"

Moka nodded in agreement with Yukari.

"I doubt that I could sleep without putting something into my stomach."

"But you slept most of the drive."

Moka huffed at Kurumu.

"That doesn't mean I'm not hungry."

"That wasn't my point. But I'm glad that you are feeling better."

The bald man cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"My chef assures me that we can make anything on the menu."

"Very good, Mr. Yan. I would like five orders of Bird's Nest for our guests."

Mr. Yan flinched before bowing stiffly.

"If you don't mind the wait."

"This is a special occasion. I would also like seven orders of your kung pao chicken with egg fried rice."

"And your drinks?"

"Your finest baijiu-"

"I doubt we want to trouble Moka with more alcohol today."

Ms. Huang smiled at Kurumu, nodding.

"Pearl milk tea for everyone."

"I will put your order in with the chef."

"Please give me a receipt of the bill, Mr. Yan. I will make certain that my father covers the expense."

The bald man bowed stiffly once again.

"It is always a pleasure serving the Huang family."

Mr. Yan retreated from view.

"It's so much better understanding what people are saying now."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari's statement.

"Flaunting your Cantonese superiority over Moka and Tsukune already?"

"It was your decision not to enlighten Tsukune."

Kurumu glanced at Tsukune whom regarded them curiously.

"Some of us needed to be awake."

"What are you two talking about?"

"Yukari is just excited over knowing what that man was saying."

"I see. I was a little worried that we'd get to Hong Kong before you two snapped out of it."

Kurumu smiled, mildly disappointed that she had missed all of the scenery. They had started the session less than a half hour into the drive and had finished about a half hour before arriving here.

"I'm just hoping that Ms. Hitori will be okay."

"We can't worry about that, Ms. Kurono. Mr. Huang knows where our family headquarters is and can bring your teacher to us when he is able to."

"He better show up. I'm not taking the entire blame for him blowing up the plane."

"Nobody will blame you, Brother."

"You know how our Uncle is. Huang is my summon and was supposed to be under my control."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully at the exchange made in Cantonese.

"I never asked, but why did the Miao family try to kill us?"

Ms. Huang smiled softly as her brother sighed.

"The Huang and Miao families have been at war since both were founded a hundred forty years ago. As far as anyone can tell, the only reason why this war has persisted was because the founder of the Miao family has something against Touhou Fuhai."

"Whom is the founder of the Miao family?"

"Nobody really knows. But this war was supposed to have ended with the marriage of Fang's parents."

"Don't you mean your parents?"

Ms. Huang smiled at Kurumu, shaking her head.

"My mother died giving birth to me. That's not to say that I don't appreciate his mother's role in my life. But I was almost eight years old when I first met Tian."

"Why would the war end with the marriage of his parents?"

"Because my mother is an important member of the Miao family. They are like a modern day Romeo and Juliet and I was a symbol of peace."

Ms. Huang nodded at her brother's declaration.

"But Xia Long took over the family at the start of the new year in 98, ending the peace which had been shared between our families for four years."

"There have been multiple attempts on my life since then."

"That must have been awful for you."

Yukari huffed, crossing her arms below her slight bosom.

"That depends on if this Xia Long is a girl."

Huang looked at Yukari in bewilderment.

"Why would that even matter?"

"Because you are an intolerable jerk. Most girls would declare war on you."

Ms. Huang laughed as her brother frowned.

"Don't think so poorly of my brother."

"Xia Long is not a girl. We actually became friends after my sixth birthday and played together almost every weekend. I don't understand why he broke the truce."

"Because he was obviously not in control of the Miao family. The role was forced upon that young man before he was even twelve years old."

"I know that. This is all the fault of the Masked King."

Kurumu looked at Huang with wide eyes. She glanced at Yukari whom nodded.

"We are fairly sure that the Masked King is Lord Fujisaki."

"Isn't that the man whom wants Ms. Akashiya's blood to revive Alucard? Strange that he would allow an assassination attempt on my brother which could potentially kill Ms. Akashiya."

"Perhaps Xia Long is unaware of her importance?"

"We can only speculate. I will call Father tomorrow morning to see what his thoughts are concerning this attack. We also will require an escort and someone to take the van back to Xiamen."

"What do we need an escort for?"

"I've done more than enough driving for this trip. We are fortunate that Father had me acquire a Chinese driver's license two years ago. We would have never been allowed to rent that vehicle without it."

"How many licenses do you have tucked away in your tits?"

Ms. Huang smirked at Kurumu.

"We will cross the bridge to Lo Wu station tomorrow morning. If there is time, I may even be able to fulfill an old dream of mine."

"What kind of dream?"

"You shall see."

A waitress strolled into the room with a tray of drinks. She placed a black porcelain glass in front of all of the girls before moving to the other side of the table.

"I don't know if you realized, but the four of you have been speaking Cantonese for several minutes."

Kurumu laughed at Moka's remark. She smiled, waiting for the waitress to leave.

"We were just talking about their troubles with the Miao family."

"Yea. It sounds like Lord Fujisaki might have more influence over them than what we thought."

"If that's true, then why did they try crashing our plane?"

"We don't know, Ms. Akashiya. Sister will speak with Father tomorrow to get his opinion on this."

"I still can't believe you jumped out of the plane."

Moka blushed at Tsukune's grin.

"You should have stopped me."

"You clobbered him for looking at you after you took off your shirt."

Moka blushed even darker at Yukari's addition.

"I was drunk. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"You're lucky that the critters had damaged the plane enough that the tail broke off instead of cutting you in half."

Moka wagged her finger at Yukari.

"You jumped out too!"

"Because I can fly and have a feather fall enchantment. I was trying to rescue you."

"You knocked yourself out. You're just as lucky as I am that his dragon arrived before we hit the water."

"I misjudged our speed. There was no time to avoid debris."

Tsukune chuckled, patting his hands on the table.

"It would have been cool if it had worked. You see guys crawling out of speeding vehicles and trains all of the time in movies."

"It's a plane, Tsukune. It moves way faster than cars and trains."

Kurumu smiled, sucking in a deep breath.

"I'm just glad that everyone is safe."

Mizore nodded, brandishing Yukari's yellow tote.

"And we still have our luggage."

They could all laugh at that sentiment.