Disclaimer. I don't own Rosario + Vampire. If I did, the manga wouldn't have ended with any loose ends.
Author's Notes: This is a bit unexpected, because most of you probably didn't expect me to publish a Rosario + Vampire fanfic. Since this is my first fanfic in a new fandom, I'm nervous about it. I would like to thank Wolfpackersson09 and Tyrant Overlord Killidia for with their constructive criticism on the previews I gave them. I would also like to credit Wolfpackersson09 with his suggestions in our private discussion that focused on this idea, which I conceived sometime in June, 2023. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
*Unknown city in Japan, 04/01/2014, 7:30 AM*
A bus was driving across a desolate road, while it only carried two passengers, who were a boy and girl. The boy had short messy black hair, while the girl had short black hair. The boy had brown eyes, in addition to light skin, while the girl had aqua eyes, and fair skin. The boy was 5'7", while weighing 128 lbs. In terms of height and weight, the girl too was 5'7", while weighing 118 lbs.
The boy was 15-years-old, while the girl was 18-years-old. The boy wore a teal long-sleeved shirt, white undershirt, red tie, light brown slacks, short white socks and brown shoes. As for the girl, she also adorned a white undershirt, teal long-sleeved shirt and brown dress shoes. Unlike the boy, the girl wore a light brown short skirt and knee length dark blue socks. The girl also had four silver hair clips, which were divided into two on each bang.
The name of the boy was Tsukune Aono, and he was the younger cousin of the girl, whose name was Kyōko Aono. The bus driver wore the standard blue attire and cap of his occupation, while sporting a mustache, in addition to having glowing yellow eyes. Kyōko clenched her fists, while she spoke, "So, it's come to this. After ten years of fighting between yōkai and humans, a ceasefire had been declared, before the tense negotiations had begun. The leaders of both sides eventually came to an agreement, which resulted in a peaceful exchange program. While a couple of yokai were sent to enroll in a human school, the names of two humans were drawn from the lot, and we're the unlucky humans going to a school full of monsters, which makes me question what we did in our past lives to deserve this."
Tsukune frantically clutched his head, while he freaked out, "I know, Kyō. They'll immediately hate us, because we're humans, which is something we have no control over, and it's not fair. Compared to yōkai, we human beings are bugs for them to squash, especially since they have supernatural abilities, but humanity's only advantage is their advanced technology. Because our technology is technically superior to the supernatural, capabilities of the yōkai, humans have forced them into some stalemates in the war."
Kyōko glanced at Tsukune, while she replied, "Indeed, Tsuki. I can't get over how unpleasant the war was, especially since we had to live in the ruins of cities, in addition to many yōkai and humans killing each other. Among the lives lost in the war were most of our relatives, and we still have your parents, who are all that's left of our family."
Tsukune looked at Kyōko, while he frantically responded, "Yeah, and the program isn't going to be enough to stop the yōkai from treating us like crap, because the tension is still strong, which makes me question how long we're going to even last. After all, we were lucky enough to survive the terror of monsters, because our respective parents fought tooth and nail to keep us safe. Without any weapons, I fear we're as good as dead, and we could die in an isolated area, which the monsters would take advantage of."
Kyōko placed her her hand on Tsukune's hand, while he stared in confusion at his cousin, who soothingly replied, "You need to calm down, because we have to make peace at the school itself, which will play a key role in our survival, and the war between both worlds could eventually be resolved. We just need to make a good impression on the yōkai, while forming some alliances at the academy, because you're a first year student, and I'm a third year student. After all, I won't be there to look out for you in the following year. Because you're precious to me, I won't dare allow any harm to befall you."
Tsukune calmed down a bit, before he sighed, "You're right. I can depend on you, because you're caring, in addition to you being smarter and more athletic than me. Whenever I felt down, you were there to help me pick up the pieces, and you never once belittled me, while you made sure I felt appreciated. Despite the fact I was a target for bullies, you never hesitated to step in, before humiliating those gutter trash, and then you would smile at me. I'll never forget what you've done for me, and I'll be sure to return the favor at the academy, which hopefully doesn't land me in trouble, especially with the possibility of me getting expelled from the academy."
With a smile, Kyōko responded, "True, and I'll never stop protecting you. As much as I'd like to see you defend me, I cannot stomach the idea of you getting roughed up by some yōkai, because they're leagues above human bullies, and I'd never forgive myself. I also believe it would be best for us to stick together, because we could watch each other's backs. Okay, Tsuki?"
Tsukune too smiled, while he replied, "Sounds good, Kyō. For the time being, we could enjoy our bus ride, especially since the scenery is beautiful, and this will be the last time we ever see the human world for a while."
Kyōko kept smiling, while she uttered, "Yeah, and I'm going to miss it, because we're going to set foot into a new world, which will be our new home."
Tsukune nodded, before Kyōko and him heard a chuckle, which caught their attention. Kyōko and Tsukune turned to stare at the bus driver, who spoke, "You two are certainly lucky, because humans normally aren't allowed in the monster world, but you're special cases, especially since the fate of both worlds hinge on your success at the academy."
Tsukune and Kyōko frowned, while the bus driver continued, "You should watch yourselves, because yōkai are still uneasy around humans, and you two will stick out like sore thumbs, especially after they ask what yokai you are. Normally yōkai are forbidden from revealing their true nature at the academy, because they are at the academy to learn how to blend in with humans, but the fall of the masquerade has discarded this rule, which now allows yōkai to reveal their true forms without any consequences. The yōkai are also forbidden from starting anything violent, because they are learning to leave peacefully in human society, which is very difficult, but there's still hope."
Kyōko and Tsukune opened their mouths to say something, while the bus stopped at the entrance of a tunnel, where they noticed armed members of the JSDF standing guard outside. Tsukune and Kyōko closed their mouths, while the bus driver pulled out his ID, which he handed to one of the soldiers. The soldier carefully looked at the ID, before he returned it to the bus driver, and the bus driver resumed his drive, while the soldiers caught a glimpse of their fellow humans on board. The soldiers frowned, while the bus drove past them, and it entered the tunnel, which was pitch black. The bus driver cackled, while the Aono cousins felt a chill go up their spines, and they noticed a bright light up ahead, before the bus exited the tunnel.
Kyōko and Tsukune stared in awe, while they noticed the gothic atmosphere. The bus came to a halt, before its doors slid opened, and the Aono cousins got out of their seats, while they grabbed their briefcases. Tsukune and Kyōko approached the doorway, before they stepped off the bus. The Aono cousins took in their surroundings, before they turned to face the bus driver, while he spoke, "Here's a friendly word of advice. Despite most of the academy already being against you two, some of the staff will go out of their way to protect you, but you shouldn't become too reliant on them, because there will be instances of having to defend yourselves. The board chairman and Ms. Nekonome are your best allies, especially since they believe in peace between both worlds."
Kyōko and Tsukune frowned, while the bus driver added, "The board chairman is an exorcist, who wields tremendous power, and he's one of the three dark lords that created the barrier surrounding Yōkai Academy. As for who Ms. Nekonome is, she's one of the teachers, and she's a bit quirky, because she's a nekomusume. Do you have any questions?"
Kyōko narrowed her eyes, while she questioned the bus driver, "Just who or what are you? How do you know so much about the academy?"
The bus driver chuckled, before he answered, "I'm just a simple bus driver, and it's my job to bring the students to the yōkai world. I wish you luck, because you're going to need a lot of it to survive in a scary place like this."
The bus driver shut the doors, before the bus resumed its drive. Tsukune and Kyōko watched the bus leave, before they began their trek, while the former commented, "He certainly is creepy, Kyō."
Without turning to face her cousin, Kyōko shuddered, "I know, Tsuki. For the time being, let's focus on getting to the academy."
Tsukune forcibly smiled, while he responded, "Alright then. I'll lead the way."
Kyōko shook her head, before she sighed, and then she smiled, while Tsukune walked ahead of her. Kyōko followed Tsukune, while they walked past a scarecrow, which had a pumpkin for a head, and there was a board on it. On the board was the kanji for "Private School: Yōkai Academy", which were painted in yellow. The scarecrow also had green gloves, along with a black and red cape. Kyōko and Tsukune shuddered, while he remarked, "To the average being, it would seem like it's another world on the other side of the tunnel, but we both know this is literally another world, which we need to proceed with caution in."
With a frown, Kyōko replied, "Indeed, and thankfully our stay here isn't permanent. After all, we have one year to protect each other, before I graduate, and whatever allies we make will watch your back during my absence."
Tsukune too frowned, while he responded, "Yeah, and hopefully they're strong enough to scare off most of the students. Anyway, I think I see the academy up ahead, and it's sure going to be a long walk."
Kyōko looked past Tsukune, before she noticed a large building in the distance, which gave off a creepy vibe, and she sighed, "I see. I don't know why the bus driver didn't bother to drop us off any closer to the academy, especially since there's no clear path to follow. I'll admit I enjoy exercising, but this is ridiculous."
Tsukune shook his head, before he replied, "True, and complaining about it won't get us any closer. Once we arrive at the school grounds, we can stop to catch our breath."
Kyōko smiled, while she responded, "You're right. As usual, you never cease to amaze me."
Tsukune chuckled, while Kyōko and him continued walking alongside a cliff, which was above red water. Tsukune and Kyōko eventually set foot in a forest, which had dead trees, in addition to red eyed crows perched on the branches. The was a bit of mist close to the treetops, which somewhat prevented the Aono cousins from seeing the top, but a bit of sunlight had made it past the treetops, while revealing a graveyard up head. Kyōko and Tsukune shuddered, while he commented, "I hope we're going the right way."
Kyōko frowned, while she remarked, "I hope so too, especially since the universe doesn't seem to like us right now."
Right on cue, a swarm of bats flew past Tsukune and Kyōko, which startled them enough to jump back. Kyōko and Tsukune tried to calm down, while they heard a strange sound, which made them feel uneasy. The Aono cousins booked it, while the younger cousin thought, 'Whatever it is, it's getting closer.'
Kyōko felt fearful, while she thought, 'I hope it's friendly.'
Tsukune and Kyōko continued running, while he kept wondering, 'Oh, no! What the hell is following us.'
With a frown, Kyōko thought, 'If anything bad happens, I'll step in to protect, Tsuki.'
Kyōko and Tsukune halted near a slope on the right side, while they turned to look up at an odd looking bat, which squeaked, "Just me. A bat. Whee!"
Tsukune and Kyōko turned their backs to the slope, while the former sighed in relief, "Aw man! It was just a ba-"
"Watch out," A fair skinned, pink haired girl on a bike called out, while she crashed into Tsukune, which caused him to fly, and Kyōko sputtered, "Tsuki."
The girl flew off her bike, before Tsukune and her landed next to one another on the ground, while her bicycle skid across the ground. The girl was 5'5", while weighing in at 104 lbs. In terms of attire, the girl wore the same uniform as Kyōko, and she had a rosary, which had a red gem in the center. Tsukune struggled to get back up, while he groaned in pain, "Ow! That hurt."
Tsukune accidentally placed his right hand on the pinkette's right thigh, which caused her to moan. Tsukune blushed, while Kyōko dropped her jaw, and the pinkette too blushed, in addition to her moaning, "Oh, I'm sorry. I just suddenly got all dizzy."
The pinkette brushed her hair out of her face, before she opened her eyes, which were revealed to be green, and Tsukune was stunned by her beauty. Kyōko and Tsukune also noticed a cross necklace, which caused the older cousin to ponder, 'A cross? Is she a Christian? That can't be, because she's wearing the same uniform as I am, which means she's a yōkai, and Tsuki had better be careful.'
Tsukune stared at the pinkette, while he thought, 'She's gorgeous.'
Tsukune and the pinkette kept staring at each other, while the girl immediately covered her panties with her hands, which caused Tsukune's right hand to be moved over to her left thigh. With a blush on her face, the pinkette stuttered, "I… I, uh."
Tsukune immediately removed his right hand from the pinkette's left leg, before he raised his right hand above his head, while he shook his left hand, and he had too blushed. Tsukune jumped back, which caused him to land on his buttocks, before he crawled away, and he stopped. Tsukune frantically waved his arms, while he sputtered, "It's not what you think. I'm sorry."
Kyōko facepalmed, before she mentally groaned, 'Really, Tsuki? Way to make an impression on a cute girl.'
Tsukune felt a bit of blood trickle out of his nose, which dropped onto his left hand, and he stared at his hand out of concern, while the pinkette gasped, "Oh, you're bleeding."
The pinkette reached into her pocket, before she pulled out a handkerchief, which shrugged brought close to Tsukune's face, but she halted. Tsukune blushed, while the girl was in a trance, which concerned Kyōko, and the pinkette said, "I can't."
The girl brought her left hand close to her cross, before she continued, "I shouldn't, but that smell."
Tsukune looked at the girl, while he uttered, "Huh? Smell?"
Tsukune took a whiff of the pinkette's hair, which made him smile, and he blushed, while he thought, "Ahhh! Her hair smells so good."
Kyōko shook her head, while she too thought, 'Seriously? How did my cousin suddenly forget his manners. If my obasan and ojisan saw him right now, they'd be ashamed. Hold on a bit. She said something about a smell, which makes me wonder what she's referring to.'
The girl grabbed onto Tsukune's face, before she apologized, "Sorry. I can't help it, because I'm a vampire."
Tsukune started to process what he just heard, while Kyōko raised her voice, "Tsuki, get away from her."
Before Tsukune could heed the warning, the pinkette opened her mouth, which revealed her fangs, and she closed her eyes. The vampire sunk her teeth into Tsukune's neck, which caused him to cry out in pain, while blood was being drained from his body, and the vampire sucked his blood. Kyōko watched the scene in a combination of shock and horror, while the vampire opened her eyes, before she gasped. The vampire removed her fangs from Tsukune's neck, before she jumped back, and she raised her hands defensively, while she apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Tsukune clutched his neck, which had blood squirting from his puncture wounds, while he felt wobbly, and he cried out, "You bit me."
Kyōko clutched her head, before she shouted, "Oh, crap! Tsuki, I need to get you to the nurse's office."
Kyōko quickly slung her cousin's right arm over her shoulder, before she started helping escort him away from the vampire, who noticed his form application, which she picked up, and she questioned them, "Are you two going to Yokai Academy?"
With a frown, Tsukune answered, "Yeah, it's my first year."
The vampire put the form application back into the bag, which she shut, before she beamed, and she remarked, "That's great. This is my first year too."
Kyōko too frowned, while she sighed, "That's good for you, and I'm a third year, despite this being my first time at Yōkai Academy, which is thanks to me having been homeschooled for years in the human world."
The vampire looked at Kyōko in confusion, while she questioned her senior, "Huh? As a yōkai, why would you wait a couple of years to enroll at Yōkai Academy?"
Kyōko continued carrying Tsukune, while she answered, "Sorry, but that answer will have to wait, because my cousin needs a blood transfusion, which is thanks to you sucking out some of his blood."
The vampire felt a pang of guilt, while she apologized, "I'm sorry. Could you two at least tell me your names?"
Kyōko and Tsukune continued walking, while he answered, "My name is Aono Tsukune, and the name of my older cousin is Aono Kyōko."
The vampire smiled, while she replied, "My name is Akashiya Moka, and I hope we can be friends."
Some more blood squirted out of Tsukune's neck, which caused him to stumble, and he gurgled, while Kyōko raised her voice, "Save your strength, and don't try to speak, you idiot."
Moka giggled, while she thought, 'They're quite peculiar.'
Moka slung the bag over her shoulders, before she repositioned her bike on the ground, and she began walking, while she followed the Aono cousins. Tsukune and Kyōko noticed Moka tailing them, while the older human questioned her, "Why are you following us?"
With a smile, Moka answered, "Your cousin dropped his bag, and I could carry it for him, which is the least I can do, especially as a means to show how sorry I am. Because all three of us are heading to the academy, I figured we could walk there together."
Tsukune smiled, while Kyōko narrowed her eyes. Kyoko sighed, before she responded, "Very well. If you try to suck my cousin's blood again, I'll be forced to stand up to you."
Moka kept smiling, while she commented, "Excellent, and I understand. I have an important question."
Moka paused, while the Aono cousins listened to her. Moka took a deep breath, before she resumed speaking, "What do you think about vampires?"
Kyōko and Tsukune frowned, while the latter spoke, "They're fine by me. I don't have a problem with vampires in the slightest."
Moka beamed, while she expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Tsukune-san."
Tsukune kept frowning, while he replied, "You're welcome, Moka-san."
Moka looked at Kyōko, who uttered, "I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of vampires, but I'm willing to tolerate you, Moka-san."
Moka continued beaming, while she responded, "That's wonderful, Kyōko-san. If that's the case, then maybe we could be friends. What do you and Tsukune-san think?"
With the same frown on his face, Tsukune answered, "Yeah… sure."
Kyōko also continued frowning, while she uttered, "It's possible, but we need to get to know each other first."
Moka didn't stop smiling, while she replied, "Oh, fantastic, and that's true. I was nervous, because I didn't have any friends here."
With a smile forming on his face, Tsukune thought, 'I can't believe I get to go to school with a girl this cute, and I don't even care that she's a yōkai. This is my lucky day.'
Kyōko shook her head, before she thought, 'What has gotten into my cousin? Is he falling for her?'
Kyōko continued helping Tsukune walk, while she questioned Moka, "While we're on the topic of opinions, why don't you tell us how you feel about humans?"
Moka froze, while she questioned Kyōko, "Why would you ask me such a thing?"
Tsukune frowned, while his cousin answered, "You might or might not know this, but an exchange program was created by the leaders of both major factions, which is to bring peace to both worlds. The leaders of the monster world have agreed to have two human exchange students attend Yōkai Academy, while allowing a couple of yōkai students to attend a school in the human world."
Moka resumed following Tsukune and Kyōko, while the latter continued, "If you were to reveal to us your stance on the matter, it would tell us whether or not you support peace between the two races."
With a frown on her face, Moka responded, "I'll admit I don't care for much for humans, because I was ostracized by them, which forced me to hide my vampiric nature from the more vengeful ones, but my otousan said something that stunned me."
Kyōko and Tsukune listened, while Moka resumed speaking, "My otousan told me it's wrong to hate an entire race, especially for the actions of a few individuals, which confused me, and he told me had a dream. Like my kaasan, my otousan wants peace for all monsters. He also supported my kaasan's dream of peace between humans and ayashi, which I don't understand. I still have yet to meet any humans that don't care I'm a vampire, but my otousan told me to never give up hope, before he said I will one day find friends amongst both worlds, which might be sooner than I realized."
Tsukune smiled, while he remarked, "Your otousan sounds like a great person, because he prefers peace, which is what both the monster world and human world need. Because a male human and female human going to the academy, kind monsters like you could be friends with them, while having to protect them from the more aggressive students. Knowing your otousan, he'd be proud of the peaceful program made between both races."
Moka beamed, while she replied, "Indeed, and I hope to see him again someday, especially since he went missing, which my keibo probably had some involvement with."
Tsukune frowned again, while he apologized, "I'm sorry, Moka-san. I hope you reunite with him again someday."
Moka kept smiling, while she responded, "It's okay, Tsukune-san. I'll admit I'm not too lonely, because I still have my imouto, who is being tutored back home at our castle."
Tsukune smiled again, while Kyoko questioned Moka, "So, what is your imouto like?"
Moka continued smiling, while she answered, "She's a tsundere, and she can be rude at times. Despite her aggressive nature, she is rather affectionate to me, and she adored my my kaasan, because she was kind to her. As for her name, she's known as Shuzen Kokoa. When it comes to her relationship with my keibo, Kokoa's own kaasan treats her like garbage."
Tsukune and Kyōko frowned, while Moka kept speaking, "As for her relationship with the rest of our family, Kahlua-nee is affable to Kokoa, despite my imouto being afraid of her, and Akua-nee is affectionate to her. In turn, Kokoa is also polite to Akua-nee. As for how Kokoa and our otousan treat each other, she respects him, while he cares about her."
Kyōko and Tsukune smiled, while the latter commented, "Your imouto certainly has a mostly positive, but mixed relationship with the rest of your family. I certainly wouldn't mind meeting her someday."
Moka didn't stop smiling, while she replied, "I'm pleased to hear that. Would you mind telling me what your relationships with your own family are like?"
Tsukune and Kyōko frowned again, while the latter bitterly answered, "The only living relatives we have left are my ojisan and obasan, because our other kin were killed in the Yōkai-Human War, which orphaned me."
Moka covered her mouth in shame, while she apologized, "I'm so sorry. I should have never brought up such a sensitive subject."
The Aono cousins kept frowning, while the younger of the cousins responded, "There's nothing to be sorry for, because you didn't know. Anyway, my kaasan and otousan are quite nurturing to me, in addition to being lenient with me, which I greatly appreciate. As a result of all they've done for me, I respect them. When it comes to Kyō, I treat her like my onee-san, which was the result of our respective birth parents living nearby, and her being taken in by my parents. As for how to explain our relationship, Kyō's very protective of me, which I found to be annoying, but I've learned to accept her as my protector over time."
Moka smiled again, while she remarked, "That's great, Tsukune-san. What about you, Kyōko-san?"
Kyōko forced herself to smile, while she responded, "When my parents died, my ojisan and obasan became my new otousan and kaasan, which resulted in Tsuki becoming even more like an otouto to me. I'll admit I was still grieving over the deaths of my parents, but my legal guardians did everything they could to comfort me, while I grew closer to them, which has played a role in me becoming protective of my otouto. As for how they treat me, my new kaasan and otousan are very protective of me, which I've gotten used to."
Moka and Tsukune frowned again, while Kyōko continued, "In turn, I'm polite to my ojisan and obasan, especially since I was brought up to be respectful. When it comes to Tsuki, he's dear to me, and I would be devastated if anything bad ever happened to him, because I've had to bury most of our kin. As for the other details of my relationship with him, Tsuki looks up to me, while I do my best to act as both a role model and onee-san for him."
Moka beamed, while she commented, "Your family sounds great, Kyōko-san. I can't deny yōkai like you and your cousin are wonderful beings."
Kyōko and Tsukune frowned, while the latter replied, "Yeah. We're wonderful individuals. Anyway, I think I see an exit up ahead."
Moka and Kyōko looked ahead, while they spotted a bright light on the other side of the forest, before the former spoke, "Oh, Tsukune-san is right. We're probably close to the academy."
Kyōko smiled, while she uttered, "It's about time, because this has been a long walk, which is good for some exercise, but the bus stop definitely should be moved closer to the academy."
Moka giggled, while Tsukune smiled at Moka, and Kyōko sighed, in addition to her focusing on the exit. Kyōko, Moka and Tsukune kept walking, while they got closer to the bright light, before they exited the forest. The vampire and humans were greeted to the sight of a large gothic building, which had a tall fence surrounding the perimeter. Moka, Kyōko and Tsukune stared in awe, while they noticed a lot of students walking through the gate, which made the latter two nervous. Moka beamed, while she remarked, "Wonderful. This is going to be a great year for all of us."
Tsukune frowned, while he thought, 'Yeah. Being the minority in a school full of monsters that will hate you sure sounds great.'
Kyōko frowned, while she thought, 'This girl is too cheery.'
Moka got closer to Kyōko and Tsukune, while she handed the bag to Kyōko, who expressed her appreciation, "Thanks, Moka-san."
Moka smiled, while she responded, "You're welcome, Kyōko-san. I'll see you and your cousin later."
Moka walked past Tsukune and Kyōko, while the latter looked at her cousin. Kyōko noticed her cousin's puncture wounds were closed up, which stunned her, while Tsukune noticed her gawking, and he questioned her, "Hey, Kyō. What's wrong?"
Kyōko closed her mouth, before she answered, "Nothing's wrong, Tsuki. Your puncture wounds have mostly healed, but there's bruises in place of where Moka bit you."
Tsukune blinked, while he questioned Kyōko, "Huh? Are you sure you're not imagining things?"
Kyōko frowned, while she dug through her own bag, before she pulled out a mirror, and she handed it to her cousin. Tsukune stared at his cousin, while she said, "Use this."
Tsukune looked into the mirror, before he realized Kyōko wasn't wrong, which caused him to drop his jaw, and he commented, "Holy cow! That's amazing. I guess it's true that vampire saliva have healing properties, which really can prevent the prey of vampires from bleeding out."
Kyōko smiled, while she replied, "Indeed, and now we know."
Tsukune handed the mirror back to Kyōko, while he expressed his gratitude, "Thanks."
Kyōko kept smiling, while she responded, "It's no problem, because I'm more than happy to help out my favorite cousin."
Kyōko put her mirror back in her bag, while Tsukune bluntly remarked, "I'm your only cousin, Kyō."
Kyōko shut her bag, before she replied, "True, and that's what makes you special. Anyway, we should focus on getting to the entrance ceremony, Tsuki."
Tsukune sighed, before he responded, "Yeah, and I think it's up ahead. Before we head any further, you'll need your bag."
Kyōko returned Tsukune's bag to him, before he expressed his appreciation, "Thank you."
Kyōko smiled, while she replied, "You're welcome."
Kyōko and Tsukune walked into a large crowd, while they walked past the gates. The Aono cousins followed their peers, while they noticed a podium up ahead, and they came to a halt, before a hooded man in clerical robes stepped onto the podium. The hooded man stopped at the center of the stage, before he spoke, "Greetings, students. My name is Mikogami Tenmei. I'm the headmaster of Yōkai Academy, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to this school. As some of you know, there is a barrier, which protects the academy from the human world, and there were three major rules. Those three major rules have now been limited to one, which is no violence may be permitted on academy grounds. The first of the previous major rules is students are forbidden from telling anyone what kind of monster they are, and the second rule is students are forbidden from revealing their true forms on campus. The changes to the rules are for the sake of of monsters learning to coexist with humans, which will play a role in our survival."
Some of the students began murmuring amongst themselves, before Tenmei cleared his throat, which silenced them, and he continued, "Because the masquerade of Yōkai Academy fell ten years ago, the Yōkai-Human War began, which resulted in millions of casualties, and a ceasefire was recently called for. In order to prevent future wars between both monsters and humans, the leaders of both sides have agreed to an exchange program, which has resulted in a couple of yokai of opposite genders going to a human school in Japan. Normally humans aren't allowed at the academy, and any humans found here in the past would have been killed, which is about to change, especially since these are perilous times."
Tsukune and Kyōko shuddered, while Tenmei added, "As a show of good faith, it has been decided that two humans of both genders are allowed to attend Yōkai Academy. Like their monster counterparts in Japan, their success and survival in this peaceful exchange program will play a pivotal role in preventing future wars by enlightening both sides. Before we continue, are there any questions?"
A male student raised his hand, while he gave off the aura of someone that didn't care what others thought of him. He was a delinquent, who had piercings, slick-back brown hair and brown eyes. As for clothing, he wore the standard Yōkai Academy male uniform. With a smirk, the delinquent uttered, "As a monster, I should be allowed to eat the man, and I should be allowed to molest the woman too, which is my right. Because we monsters are superior to humans, what's to stop me from having my way with these lesser beings?"
Kyōko and Tsukune felt the color drain from their faces, while they stared at the delinquent, whose question had caused quite a few students to feel uncomfortable. Among the crowd of students, a male student whispered, "That's Komiya Saizou. I heard he stirred up trouble in the human world by sexually assaulting some women, which got him into serious trouble with an anti-monster faction."
A female student shuddered, while she quietly questioned the situation, "Why are they allowing an inconsiderate brute like him to attend the same academy as decent monsters like us?"
As the crowd of students kept murmuring, Tenmei cleared his throat again, which silenced the students for the second time, and he calmly answered Saizou's question, "Mr. Komiya, despite your crudeness, you brought up a good point. Your horrific actions will have consequences that not only negatively affect yourself, but others too. The humans have superior technology that we also use, and the results of the war resuming would be mutually assured destruction. Should you go through with inflicting grievous harm upon these humans, I will have no choice but to expel you, and then I'll see to it that you are transferred to a special prison, which you'll never escape from."
Most of the students stared in shock, while Saizou narrowed his eyes at Tenmei, who added, "This new prison is being built to replace the old dungeon, which went out of use years ago, because it fell into ruin, and the prisoners were violent Yōkai that attacked others in both worlds. Thanks to the state of the art security system, we should be able to contain the most dangerous of yokai, and that could serve as proof of how stable the prison is. This prison isn't easy to construct, because the price of the construction process is high, and the materials are difficult to acquire, which hasn't prevented Japan's government from generously helping us with this project."
The students listened, while Tenmei resumed speaking, "It doesn't matter if the attackers are students or teachers, because any lethal acts of aggression against the human exchange students will not be tolerated. Unlike the students, the teachers will be fired. Both students and teachers released from the prison will have a criminal record, which will make finding any legal work impossible for them. Anyway, does anyone else have anymore questions?"
A female student raised her hand, before she questioned the headmaster, "Because violence is forbidden on campus grounds, does that also apply to self-defense?"
Tenmei smiled, while he answered, "An excellent point. Even though violence is forbidden on academic grounds, self-defense is an exception, because everyone has the right to defend themselves, but you'll have to prove you didn't start the fight. Anyway, are there anymore questions?"
The students remained silent, while none of them raised their hands. Tenmei looked amongst the crowd, and he continued speaking, "Since that's out to the way, we can move onto the next order of business. The two humans will step forward and join me on the podium, where they'll introduce themselves."
Tsukune and Kyoko felt like their hearts dropped into their stomachs, while they dreadfully thought, 'We're going to die.'
Most of the students stared in shock, before they began looking around themselves. Kyōko and Tsukune, walked through the crowd, before they exited the large group of students, which directed everyone's attention upon them. Amongst the crowd, Moka covered her mouth, while she trembled, and she pondered, 'I-it can't be. Tsukune and Kyōko are humans? T-this has to be a nightmare. Humans have brought misery to me, but these two being genuinely kind to me. Did they lie to me? Is it even possible for us to really be friends?'
Kyōko and Tsukune approached the podium, before they stepped onto it. Tsukune and Kyōko halted next to the headmaster, while the Aono cousins bowed, before the younger of the two humans timidly introduced himself, "H-hello. My name is Aono Tsukune, and I hope we can get along."
Kyōko nervously gulped, before she introduced herself, "Hello. I'm Aono Kyōko, and it's a pleasure to meet you."
Many of the students glared at the Aono cousins, while a female student whispered, "I can't believe they're allowing humans to attend this academy. Isn't this place supposed to be a sanctuary for monsters like us?"
Amongst the crowd, a male student whispered, "If the bigwigs think I'll mingle with humans, then they have lost their damn minds. After all the horrible things their kind has done to my friends and family, I will never forgive them."
Kyōko and Tsukune felt uncomfortable, while the headmaster raised his hand, which silenced the crowd. Tenmei kept his eyes forward, while he addressed the crowd again, "I know many of you are still suffering from emotional wounds, which the Yōkai-Human War is the cause of, but I ask you to at least give these two a chance, because pain will begot hatred. In turn, hatred shall bring about violence, which will give rise to revenge, and I cannot allow this vicious cycle to continue. For the sake of breaking the chains of revenge, please do not blame these humans, because they were children during the war, which makes them no different than you. If you can't avoid assaulting them for this reason, then please think about your own loved ones, who could potentially become more casualties in a continuation of the war."
Moka stared at the headmaster, while she was reminded of what her father had told her, which made her feel safe, and a smiled formed on her face. Moka tuned the board chairman out, while she thought, 'Maybe it's possible for me to befriend Tsukune and Kyōko. I mean they didn't react with disgust at my vampiric nature, which proves not all humans are bad. When the time comes, I should make an effort to reach out to them.'
While Moka continued pondering, Tenmei concluded his speech, "By the end of your third year, you might walk out of this academy as either failures or winners, which are determined by your choices. This year will be as different from the previous semesters, and I wish you the best of luck. Dismissed."
Kyōko and Tsukune followed the headmaster off the podium, while the students dispersed. With a smile on her face, Kyōko spoke, "I have to go to find my homeroom teacher, Tsuki. I'll see you later."
Tsukune smiled back at Kyōko, while he responded, "Right back at ya, Kyō."
Tsukune and Kyōko parted ways, while he wandered around the school grounds. Tsukune ignored the glares and grimaces directed at him, while he thought, 'Kyō and I haven't been here for one day, and they already hate us. Can't my cousin and I catch a break?'
As if Tsukune's complaint had been heard by a cosmic entity, a female voice caught his attention, "Yoo-hoo! Over here Aono-kun."
Tsukune turned around to see a short sandy blonde haired woman waving him over, while he noticed she had her eyes closed, in addition to blonde cat ears and a blonde cat tail. She was 5'3", while weighing 101 lbs. In terms of clothing, she adorned a pink and white stripped tank-top, blue short skirt and pink sandals. The cat girl smiled, while revealing her canines as she spoke, "Ah, I'm pleased to meet you, Aono-kun. You may call me Nekonome sensei, and I am thrilled to have someone like you as one of my students, because humans like you are rare, especially since some of the ones I encountered in my true form were bigots. Please get in line, and follow me."
With a smile on his face, Tsukune thought, 'I'm sure glad she's my homeroom teacher.'
Close to Nekonome were her other students, who noticed Tsukune, while most of them grimaced at him, and he sighed. Tsukune got in line with the rest of the students, while a few of them bumped against him, but they didn't even bother to apologize to him, which he remarked about in a hushed whisper, "Now that's just rude, but I suppose I can't expect any good manners from bigots. I might as well make the best of my dilemma, because our peers won't make life for Kyō and me easy, which means we'll need to seize whatever opportunities are given to us."
Tsukune sighed, before he stared straight ahead. Amongst Nekome's class was Saizou Komiya, who was aggressively eyeing Tsukune. There was also a purple eyed girl, who had light ocean blue hair, which was tied into a ponytail with a purple maid headband. The girl was 5'0", while weighing 93 lbs. She also wore the standard Yōkai Academy female uniform, in addition to a tan sweater, red ribbon and long, baggy white socks.
The girl leered at Tsukune, while she licked her lips. Tsukune's class eventually reached the steps of the front entrance, before they set foot in the main hall of Yokai Academy, and they walked past various yokai, who were in their human forms, which made him feel nervous. Tsukune didn't panic, because he knew he had to survive, especially since he was now alone in a sea of monsters, and he kept his guard up. Ms. Nekonome's group eventually stopped in front a doorway, which had the numbers "1-3" above it. Ms. Nekonome grabbed the door, which she slid open, before her students walked in, and she followed them into the classroom.
Nekonome held onto the door, while she halted, and she slid the door shut, before she released her grip on it, and she approached her desk. Nekonome stopped right beside her desk, while each of her students began sitting in their seats. Tsukune sat close to the back of the room, while he noticed most of his peers glaring at him, which made him feel uncomfortable, and they redirected their attention to the front of the room. Next to Tsukune was Saizo, who too glared at him, while the human nervously gulped, and he pulled a book out of his bag. Tsukune tried to ignore the scrutinizing stare of Saizou, while he shot out his long tongue, which caused the human to yelp, and the delinquent pulled back into his mouth.
Tsukune focused on his book, while Saizou continued glaring at him, before he redirected his attention to the front of the class, and he expressed his disdain, "Tch! What a waste of space. The only thing he's good for is nutrition, but not being allowed to devour him is irritating."
Tsukune nervously sweated, while he thought, 'Yikes. Because I'm having trouble with my peers, Kyō's more than likely not much better off than I am. I just hope she's okay.'
The clock ticked, which went on for minutes, and class started, immediately before Ms. Nekonome spoke, "Good morning, class. As you already know, my name is Nekonome Shizuka, and I'm your homeroom teacher, which won't prevent me from covering various subjects in this classroom. Even though this is a school for monsters, I will be treating the human students with the same level of respect, which I can already tell most of you don't agree with, but don't think for a moment that I won't hesitate to step in to defend them. Anyway, let's try to be reas-"
"I'm sorry for being late," Moka apologized, while she slid the door open, and she stepped into the room, before she came to a halt. Moka slid the door shut, before she released it, and she bowed, while she continued, "After the entrance ceremony ended, I got lost in the large halls."
Ms. Nekonome smiled, while she warmly replied, "It's fine. Please take a seat."
Moka smiled, while the males in the class stared at her. With a blush, one male questioned about her, "Who is she?"
Another male nervously sweated, while he commented, "S…such flowing hair, and big eyes."
A third male nervously gulped, before he remarked, "Woah, she's beautiful."
A fourth male drooled, while he uttered, "Even if it's just her transformation, there isn't anyone else who could transform into such a beautiful girl."
A fifth male felt his blood pressure rise, while he raised his voice, "Hot. She's too hot."
A six male felt excited, while he shouted, "I'm so happy to be in the same class as this girl."
From behind Saizou, the girl with light ocean blue hair glared at Moka, while she clenched her fists, and she resisted the urge to lunge at her. Moka looked for an empty seat, before she found one, which was behind Tsukune, who stared at her, and she stared back. Tsukune blushed, while he awkwardly spoke, "Uh, hi, Moka-san."
Moka gave Tsukune a small smile, while she responded, "Hello, Tsukune-san. I'm glad we're in the same class."
Tsukune smiled back at Moka, while he replied, "Yeah. Me too."
The male students glared at Tsukune out of jealously and hatred, while one male questioned the situation, "Why the hell is that cute girl acting friendly to a disgusting human?"
Another male grimaced, while he commented, "It's unnatural for humans and monsters to be together."
A third male sneered, while he remarked, "I'm sure she's just using him, before she tosses him aside like the piece of garbage he is."
Tsukune quickly frowned, while Moka saw the pain in his eyes, and she put her hand on her chest, before she softly said, "Tsukune-san, they don't know anything, so please ignore them. I don't mind that you're a human, because you were nice to me. Including Kyōko-san, I want to socialize with you too."
Tsukune smiled at Moka's kind words, while he nodded his head. The purple eyed girl kept glaring at Moka, while Saizou scowled at Tsukune, who the delinquent muttered about, "There's no way I'm losing to a weakling like that, especially since he doesn't deserve a babe like her."
*Nearly two-hundred and thirty minutes later*
Within the cafeteria, Tsukune stood in line, and he noticed a woman with reddish-brown hair, which was tied up into a bun. She wore a bright white bandana, which covered the front of her hair. She also adorned a pink long sleeved shirt, in addition to matching pink pants, both of which were covered by a bright white apron. As for the rest of her clothing, she has on a pair of brown geta. From behind the counter, she was serving lunch to the other students, while she smiled, and the student in front of Tsukune walked away with his tray.
When the woman saw Tsukune, she immediately frowned, while she placed a bowl of tomago gohan and a bottle of green tea onto his tray. Tsukune frowned, while the woman said, "Just take your lunch and go."
Tsukune walked away with his meal, before he sighed, "That could have been worse, but thankfully it wasn't."
Tsukune walked past various tables, which had Yōkai eating and socializing with one another. When the Yōkai noticed Tsukune, they glared and grimaced at him, while a male student said, "You can't sit here."
Tsukune ignored the male student, while he walked past the table, and he saw another group of monsters at the next table, which had only one seat left. One of the female students inched closer to the empty seat, while she snarled, "Don't you dare think about sitting here."
Tsukune also ignored the female student, while he kept walked past the table. As Tsukune continued looking for somewhere to eat, Moka called out to him, "You can sit and eat with me, Tsukune-san."
Tsukune stopped and smiled, while he saw Moka sitting at another table. Tsukune approached the table, before he sat beside Moka, who smiled at him, which brightened his day, and he failed to notice Kyōko taking a seat beside him. Tsukune smiled lovingly at Moka, while Kyō frowned as she thought, 'It's official. My favorite cousin is falling for Moka. Tsuki just met her, and he's already acting like a lovestruck moron, which isn't good, because he's rushing through this. I guess I'll have to make sure he doesn't make a fool out of himself, even if he gets annoyed at me.'
Tsukune and Moka smiled at each other, while Kyōko poked the left arm of the former, which he ignored. Kyōko's frown grew, before she poked Tsukune's arm again, and he still kept focusing on Moka, which caused Kyōko's eyes to narrow. Kyōko poked Tsukune's left arm for the third time, while he kept his attention directed to Moka. Kyōko gritted her teeth, before she pinched her cousin's arm, which caused him to yelp, and he turned his head in the opposite direction. Tsukune noticed Kyōko giving him an irritated expression, while Moka stared at the Aono cousins oddly. Tsukune nervously smiled, while he spoke, "Oh, hey, Kyō. When did you get here?"
Kyōko shook her head, while Tsukune confusedly stared at his cousin, who answered, "Ten seconds after you took a seat next to Moka, I arrived at this spot, Tsuki. When I poked your left arm three times you failed to notice me."
In response to his cousin's words, Tsukune sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, while he nervously chuckled, and Kyōko continued expressing her irritation at her adoptive brother. Moka tilted her head in confusion at the Aono cousins, while Tsukune apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm just glad to have met someone like Moka-san, because she's so angelic."
Kyōko calmed down a bit, while she responded, "I know she's kind, but you're rushing through this."
Tsukune confusedly stared at Kyōko, while he questioned her, "Huh? What am I rushing through?"
Kyōko gave her cousin an annoyed expression, while she motioned for Tsukune to come closer, and he leaned closer, before she whispered, "I know she's pretty too, but you shouldn't act like lovesick around someone you just met."
With a blush, Tsukune whispered back, "What? Don't be ridiculous, Kyō. I happen to enjoy spending time with Moka-san, because she's made me feel welcome at the academy."
Kyōko sighed, before she quietly uttered, "Fine. I won't press the issue, but you should know this. I'm just trying to prevent you from embarrassing yourself, Tsuki, because I care about you."
Tsukune frowned, while he opened his mouth. Before Tsukune cold utter a word, Moka cut him off, "What are you two whispering about?"
Tsukune immediately pulled away from Kyōko, before he answered, "Nothing important. Anyway, Kyō and I should get to know you, Moka-san."
Moka beamed, while she clasped her hands. Kyōko stared at Moka, while the vampire replied, "Oh, I couldn't agree more, Tsukune-san. What are your hobbies and favorite meals?"
Kyōko and Tsukune pondered for a bit, while Saizou approached their table, which startled the younger Aono. Moka and Kyōko gave the yōkai confused looks, while they noticed he wasn't carrying a tray. Without warning, Saizou grabbed Tsukune by his neck, before he lifted him into the air, and the human's eyes widened. Tsukune placed both of his hands on Saizou's right arm, while Kyōko and Moka stared in shock. Saizou kept his attention on Tsukune, while Moka and Kyōko shouted, "Tsukune-san/Tsuki."
While his feet dangled, Tsukune struggled, which caused Saizou to smirk, and the monster said, "With my monstrous strength, it would be so easy to snap you like a toothpick, and none of these students would cry over your death, which would be fitting for an outcast like you."
Kyōko glared at Saizou, who she raised her voice at, "Drop my cousin, you meathead."
Saizou turned to glare at Kyōko, while he snarled, "Stay out of this, hussy."
Saizou raised his hand, while he prepared to strike Kyōko. Tsukune, Moka and Kyōko stared in horror, while Saizou brought his left hand down, before someone quickly grabbed ahold of his arm. Saizou turned to see a male student with short black hair, green eyes and tanned skin. In terms of height and weight, he was 6'0, while weighing 150 lbs. As for his age, he was 17-years-old.
When it came to his clothing, he wore the standard yōkai academy male uniform, but he lacked the red tie, while having his shirt slightly unbuttoned. The tall male also had a wolf head pendant around his neck, in addition to a white headband tied around his forehead. Kyōko, Moka and Tsukune stared in shock, while Saizou snarled, "Just who the hell do you think you are, punk?"
The second year student frowned, while he answered, "My name is Morioka Ginei, and I'm a member of the Newspaper Club."
Saizou glared, while he questioned Ginei, "Why the hell are you standing up for these pieces of trash?"
Ginei glared at Saizou, while he responded, "I'll admit I don't care for humans, but I cannot allow any harm to befall these two. If you were smart, you would let him go. After all, we have an audience."
Saizou kept glaring at Ginei, while the former noticed the entire cafeteria staring at them. Saizou balled his left hand into a fist, while he expressed his irritation, "Tch! Looks like I don't have much of a choice."
Saizou tossed Tsukune aside, before he slammed against a vending machine, which busted it, and various canned drinks fell onto the floor. Ginei released Saizou, while Kyōko and Moka quickly rushed over to Tsukune, who groaned, "Ow! That jerk has some serious issues."
Moka frowned, while she questioned Tsukune, "Are you okay, Tsukune-san?"
With a smile, Tsukune replied, "I'll be okay, because I've survived worse."
Moka smiled a bit, while Kyōko sighed, "It's true, Moka-san, because he endured worse in the war."
Moka immediately frowned, while Kyōko questioned her cousin, "Can you stand, Tsuki?"
Tsukune struggled to get up, while he responded, "I think so, Kyō."
Tsukune managed to get back on his feet, which put Moka and Kyōko and ease, while Saizou growled, "This isn't over, trash. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
Saizou angrily walked back to his seat, while Ginei, Kyōko, Moka and Tsukune glared at him, before the latter three turned to the second year student. Moka Kyōko and Tsukune smiled, while the former expressed her appreciation, "Thank you, Ginei-san. If you hadn't stepped in, something worse could have happened to, Tsukune-san."
Ginei continued frowning, while he replied, "You're welcome, Moka-san. Indeed, but you have the wrong idea of why I saved those two humans. It wasn't for the sake of ethicality, but pragmatism is my motivation."
Tsukune, Kyōko and Moka frowned, while Ginei resumed speaking, "I don't intend to see the Yōkai-Human War continue, because I've buried too many members of my family, whose deaths can be blamed on both humans and monsters. Should I lose the rest of my relatives, I don't know if even my two friends will be able to help me continue living."
Ginei returned to his seat, which was right behind the table that Moka, Tsukune and Kyōko had sat at. Kyoko, Tsukune and Moka stared at Ginei, before the two humans returned to their seats, while the vampire grabbed a can of Kagome Tomato Juice. Moka returned to her seat, where Kyōko, Tsukune and her closed their eyes. The vampire and humans clasped their hands, while they said, "Thank you for the meal."
Tsukune, Kyōko and Moka reopened their eyes, while they unclasped their hands. The vampire and humans grabbed their chopsticks, which they pulled apart, before they dug them into their eggs. Moka and the Aono cousins continued stirring the egg yolk, which enhanced the flavor of their rice. Moka, Tsukune and his adoptive sister stopped stirring their egg yolk, before they clamped their chopsticks against lumps of rice, which they shoved into their mouths. Moka, Kyoko and Tsukune shoved their food into their mouths, which they savored the taste of.
Kyōko, Tsukune and Moka removed their chopsticks from their mouths, before they took bites out of their lunch, which they took their time with. Kyōko, Moka and Tsukune finished chewing their food, before they placed their chopsticks on the tray. The humans grasped their cups, while Moka reached into her pocket, which she removed a strange can opener from. Moka used the device to puncture two holes in the lid of the can, before she pocketed her can opener, while Kyōko and her adoptive brother stared at her. Moka noticed Kyōko and Tsukune staring at her, before the vampire spoke, "Despite being a vampire, I'm able to drink tomato juice, which is a cheap substitution for blood, but it can't satisfy my cravings like blood can."
Tsukune smiled, while he commented on, "That's a surprisingly neat fact. As long you have enough blood, you won't have to drink that tomato juice, Moka-san."
With a smile, Moka responded, "Indeed. I wouldn't mind drinking more of your blood, because it's so yummy, Tsukune-san."
Tsukune immediately frowned, while he replied, "On second thought, you could just stick to drinking your tomato juice for a while."
Moka frowned, while she tilted her head in confusion, and Kyōko pinched the bridge of her nose, before the human sighed, "If you're okay with it, you could drink my blood too."
Moka stared at Kyōko out of surprise, while Tsukune stared at his cousin like she was crazy, and he pressed his hands against the table, before he sputtered, "Kyō, what are you doing?"
Kyōko frowned, while she uttered, "Since you're hesitant to offer your blood to Moka-san, I could give her my blood in your place, Tsuki. If one of us loses too much blood, the other could take over for feeding time."
Moka clasped her hands, while she beamed, and she closed her eyes, before she remarked, "Oh, that's so wonderful, Kyōko-san. I think I'll take you up on your offer. Thank you."
Kyōko smiled a bit, while she replied, "Don't mention it. Anyway, we should resume eating our lunch, otherwise the clock will run out, and we'll have to attend the rest of our classes with empty stomachs."
Moka opened her eyes, while she responded, "That's unfortunate, but you have a good point."
Tsukune dejectedly hung his head, before he stated, "Just when things were getting better."
*Nearly one-hundred and forty minutes later*
Tsukune walked in the courtyard, while he ignored the glares and nasty whispers from his peers. Tsukune frowned, while he thought, 'Aside from some of the teachers and most of the students not bothering to hide their disdain for me, today wasn't too bad, because Moka made it worthwhile. I can't wait to see her again.'
As Tsukune kept thinking, a fist slammed against the wall above his head, which cracked the wall, and he was brought him back him back to reality. Tsukune felt the color drain from his face, while his eyes widened, and he shuddered, because Saizou towered over him. Tsukune nervously gulped, before he greeted his peer, "Oh, hey there, Komiya-san. Is there something I can help you with?"
Saizou glared at Tsukune, while he snarled, "Shut your trap, and listen here, trash. As much as I would rather eat you alive, I'm willing to cut a deal with you."
Tsukune didn't say a word, while Saizou resumed speaking, "Stay away from Akashiya-san, and I won't make your life a living hell. You got that?"
Tsukune pressed his back against the wall, while he squeaked. The other students stared at the commotion, while they gathered around, which annoyed Saizou, and a male student whispered, "Check it out. Komiya-san is at it again."
From amongst the crowd of students, a female student too whispered, "He's certainly a brazen one."
Among the crowd, another male student whispered, "I don't feel sorry for the human, but it would be better if Komiya-San ate him in an isolated area."
Amongst the crowd, a second female student whispered, "Careful. Don't let the headmaster catch you saying that."
Saizou glared at Tsukune, while the delinquent spat, "Well, say something, stupid."
Saizou pulled his fist back, before he stopped, and he thrusted his fist toward his Tsukune's face, while the delinquent felt something strike the back of his head. Saizou clutched the back of his head in pain, while his right fist struck the wall left of Tsukune's face, which stunned the human and the crowd. Tsukune and the crowd noticed a pebble land behind Saizou, who growled, "Whoever did that is dead meat."
Saizou furiously turned around, before he saw Kyōko stepping out of the crowd, and she bounced another pebble in her right hand, while she glared at him. The crowd of students turned pale, while Kyōko coldly spoke, "Leave Tsuki alone."
Tsukune felt like his heart drop into his stomach, while he sputtered, "Kyō?"
Saizou removed his right from the wall, before he began approaching Kyōko, who he growled at, "You really need to be taught who your betters are, hussy."
Kyōko froze, while she thought, 'I don't care what happens to me, because Tsuki's safety is more important than my own.'
Saizou stopped in front of Kyōko, before he pulled back his right fist, which he immediately thrusted forward, and Kyōko grit her teeth. As Saizou's fist got closer to Kyōko, a male voice emitted from behind the crowd, "Hold it."
Saizou's fist stopped inches away from Kyōko's face, while her cousin and her were stunned. The crowd of students parted, while a male yōkai walked into the clearing. The male monster had long blonde hair, gold eyes, polka eyebrows and long pointed ears. As for his age, he was 20-years-old. When it came to his attire, he wore an unbuttoned black jacket with white trimmings, which covered a matching shirt and a pair of black pants.
As for the rest of his clothing, the male had a pair of black dress shoes, and a white armband, which was around his left arm. The armband had a gold circular emblem and a purple kanji, which could be read as "security". The man's presence caused the students to tremble in fear, while Tsukune wondered, 'Who is this guy? Why are my peers afraid of him?'
With a frown, Kyōko thought, 'Whoever this yōkai is, he's giving off a dangerous vibe.'
Not feeling impressed, Saizou growled, "Who the hell are you? Can't you see I'm busy?"
The students gasped, while Kyōko and Tsukune felt the tension in the air. With a frown, the male introduced himself, "My name is Kuyō, and I'm the head of the Public Safety Commission."
Kuyō glanced at Tsukune and Kyōko, who he glared at, before he redirected his attention to Saizou. With a sneer forming on his face, Kuyō resumed speaking, "I can clearly see a brute like you is in the middle of threatening these insects, which even the weakest of yōkai should have no problems with."
Saizou raised a brow, while he questioned Kuyō again, "What's a big shot like you doing here?"
In a professional tone, Kuyō replied, "I need to speak with you in private, because there's something important that I need to tell you."
Saizou smirked, while he snidely questioned Kuyō yet again, "What if I don't want to hear you out?"
In a cold tone of voice, Kuyō responded, "If you don't come with me, I'll report you to the director, who will go through with his threat of expelling and imprisoning you. If you agree to come with me, I'll turn a blind eye to the rule you were breaking. As a bonus, I'll even pretend you didn't disrespect me. How does that sound?"
Saizou glared at Kuyō, while the delinquent uttered, "Let me guess. It's my word against yours?"
Feeling unfazed by the glare, Kuyō replied, "That is correct. Do we have a deal?"
Saizou unclenched his right fist, while he expressed his irritation, "Fine. I'll hear whatever it is you have to say."
With a smirk, Kuyō responded, "There's a good student. Please follow me."
Kuyō turned around, before he walked forward, while Saizou trudged in his direction, and they exited the crowd. Once Kuyō and Saizou were out of sight, the crowd of students quickly dispersed. Tsukune clutched his chest, before he sighed in relief, "Oh, thank heavens. I thought things would have ended badly for us, Kyō."
Kyōko too sighed, before she uttered, "I know, but I'm glad you're okay, Tsuki."
With a frown, Tsukune replied, "I appreciate the fact you stood up for me, but that was too reckless."
Kyōko frowned, while she questioned Tsukune, "Are you telling me how to rescue you?"
Tsukune stood his ground, while he responded, "Of course not. It's just that I was concerned for your safety, and I could have lost you."
Kyōko then smiled, while she commented, "Thank you for being a good otouto, but I won't stop putting my life on the line for you, Tsuki."
Tsukune sighed, before he replied, "I see. You're welcome, Kyō."
Kyōko turned around, before Tsukune and her walked away from the scene of the attack. The Aono cousins continued walking, while they spotted Moka on a stroll, and her presence caused the male students to blush, in addition to the female students glaring out of jealousy at her. Tsukune blushed, while Kyōko shook her head, and Moka spotted them, before she eagerly approached them. Moka smiled, while she spoke, "Good afternoon, Tsukune-san. Good afterrnoon, Kyōko-san."
Tsukune and Kyōko smiled, while they simultaneously responded, "Good afternoon, Moka-san."
Moka continued smiling, while she remarked, "This sure was an eventful day today."
Tsukune kept smiling, while he replied, "Indeed. Aside from the threats Kyōko and I endured, it was more pleasant than I expected, because I'm glad we were able to spend time with you."
With the same smile on her face, Moka responded, "I'm glad you feel that way, Tsukune-san."
Moka redirected her attention to the other Aono sibling, before the vampire questioned her, "What about you, Kyōko-san?"
Kyōko frowned a bit, while she replied, "My classmates were cold to me, and my homeroom teacher didn't bother hiding his disdain towards me. The only time I felt any happiness was at lunch, because Tsuki and you were present."
Moka started to frown, while she responded, "I'm sure the negative situation you and your cousin are in will improve over time."
With the same frown on her face, Kyōko uttered, "Yeah. I'm sure it will."
Kyōko and Tsukune noticed the other students glaring at them, while they whispered to one another, which the Aono cousins had no doubt was something negative about them. Tsukune frown, while Kyōko questioned the vampire, "Hey, Moka-san. Do you mind if the three of us continue our private conversation elsewhere?"
Moka tilted her head in confusion, before she replied, "Well, I suppose we could."
Tsukune clenched his fists, while he uttered, "That works out just fine, because there's something I need to get off my chest."
Kyōko smiled a bit, while she responded, "Good. I'll lead the way."
Kyōko walked ahead, while Tsukune and Moka followed her. Kyōko, Tsukune and Moka walked on campus, while they walked past their peers, who whispered maliciously, which the three of them ignored. Moka, Tsukune and Kyōko approached the woods, which they set foot into. Moka, Kyōko and Tsukune navigated their way around the forest, before they reached the cemetery, where they came to a halt. Kyōko turned around to face Moka and Tsukune, before the older Aono said, "This looks a good spot. Anyway, I brought us here, because I don't want any of the students to overhear our conversation, and I can't stand the fact they've been treating us like crap."
Tsukune frowned, while he replied, "Kyō, it's fine. As long as Moka is present, I could care less about how they treat me."
Kyōko gave Tsukune an irritated expression, while he continued, "I do take issue with the mistreatment you've had to endure, and you deserve better."
Kyōko hung her head, before she sighed, "You're definitely something else. Because you too stick out, my concern for you should also matter."
Tsukune narrowed his eyes, while he responded, "You think I don't know that. I don't mind you having to continuously watch out for me, but I'm tired of being helpless. From here on out, I'll protect you."
Kyōko frowned at her cousin, who she replied to, "You just don't get it. It's the older sibling's job to protect the younger sibling, not the other way around."
Tsukune stepped closer to his cousin, before he uttered, "There's just no point in arguing with a dummy like you, which means I'll have to show you."
Kyōko pouted at Tsukune, while they had a stare off, which Moka interrupted, "Stop it, you two. Family should never fight, because the bonds you have are precious, and you should treasure every moment together, otherwise you'll have regrets for the rest of your lives."
Tsukune and Kyōko kept their eyes on one another, while they simultaneously uttered, "Fine."
Kyōko and Tsukune turned around, before they crossed their arms, while they expressed their annoyance, "Hmph!"
Moka sighed, before she questioned the older Aono, "Anyway, is there another reason why you brought us out here, Kyōko-san?"
Kyōko glanced at Moka, while the human responded, "I brought you here with us, because this place is isolated, which would be the perfect spot to kill my cousin and I."
Moka and Tsukune frowned, while Kyōko resumed speaking, "You could think of this place as some testing grounds, but that's been rendered moot. After all, if you wanted to kill us, you would have done that already, which proves you don't hate us for being humans."
Moka and Tsukune glanced at Kyōko, while their eyes softened. Tsukune uncrossed his arms, before Moka and him thought, 'Kyōko-san/Kyō.'
From behind a tree, a familiar voice emitted, "That naïveté is weak, and it will be your undoing."
Tsukune, Moka and Kyōko turned in the direction of the voice, before Saizou stepped out from behind the tree. The vampire and humans took defensive stances, while they simultaneously raised their voices, "Komiya-san?"
Moka frowned, while she questioned Saizou, "What are you doing here?"
Saizou smirked, while he replied, "I'm glad you asked, Akashiya-san. I came here to kill the two humans, and to make you my woman."
Tsukune, Moka, and Kyōko felt like their hearts dropped into their stomachs, while Saizou continued, "Before I kill the girl, I'll be sure to molest her first, which will break the boy, and then I will devour him."
Kyōko and Moka stepped away from Saizou, while Tsukune spoke, "Kyō, get behind me."
As Moka and Kyōko continued stepping back, the former questioned her cousin, "What are you doing, Tsuki?"
Tsukune nervously gulped, before he responded, "I'm about to return the favor."
Kyōko and Moka frowned, while Tsukune grabbed a branch, which he lifted into the air. Saizou smirked, while he chuckled. This unnerved the vampire and humans, while Saizou stopped, before he started groaning. Saizou's muscles began expanding, which ripped his shirt, pants and shoes. Every single one of his teeth became sharp, while his shirt and shoes were completely shredded, along with the lower half of his pants having been torn apart.
As a result, this exposed his muscular physique. He grew taller, while bony protrusions began forming on his feet, arms and torso, which created a spiky armor. Saizou was now more than a head taller than the vampire and humans, while he stopped groaning. Saizou exhaled, before he questioned his prey, "So, what do you think of my true form, trash? It's frightening isn't it?"
Tsukune trembled, while he replied, "I won't deny I'm scared of you, but I refuse to run away. After all, I won't let you hurt my cousin, nor will I allow you to defile, Moka-san, who is my friend."
With a blush, Kyōko thought, 'Tsuki.'
Saizou grinned, while he uttered, "Oh, I'm definitely going to enjoy making you suffer. Right after I'm done with your cousin, I'll be sure to tenderize you."
Moka placed her hand on her chest, while she wondered, 'Did I hear Tsukune-san correctly? Did he just refer to me as a friend?.'
Saizou slowly approached Tsukune, while the latter rushed at the former. Tsukune screamed, while he raised the branch, and he raised his makeshift club, which Saizou didn't flinch at. Moka and Kyōko stared at the scene playing out right before their eyes, while the latter wondered, 'When did Tsuki become so macho?'
Tsukune and Saizou closed the distance, before the former swung his branch diagonally, which the latter blocked with his right arm. The branch snapped against the impact of the the muscle and bones, which stunned Tsukune, Moka and Kyōko, while the former remarked, "Bad idea."
Saizou pulled his right hand close to his chest, before he quickly swung it at Tsukune, and the back of his hand struck his face, which sent the human flying. Blood flew from Tsukune's mouth, while Kyōko and Moka covered their own mouths in horror. Tsukune landed onto the ground with a thud, while Moka and Kyōko simultaneously screamed, "Tsukune-san/Tsuki."
Tsukune skidded across the ground, before he stopped, and Saizou sneered, while he questioned his prey, "What's wrong, trash? Is that all you got?"
Saizou trudged over to Tsukune, before he raised his right foot, and he prepared to bring it down, while a rock hit him on the side of his head. Saizou narrowed his eyes, while he turned to his left, before he saw Kyōko holding another rock, and she was glaring at him. Moka too glared at Saizou, who growled, "I did say I would molest her, but I'll have to teach her a lesson first."
Kyōko stepped back, while she responded, "You can do whatever you want to me, but leave my cousin and our friend alone, you big butthead."
Moka felt her heart jump for joy, while she thought, 'Kyōko-san feels the same away about me, and I'm glad to call her my friend too.'
With a glare, Saizou replied to Kyōko, "You've really ticked me off, hussy. I'll make you and your cousin regret setting foot in this academy, but I need to get some trash out of the way first."
Kyōko kept her guard up, while Tsukune groaned as he struggled to get back up on his feet, and Moka rushed over to him, before she halted. Moka offered to help Tsukune, before he declined her help. Tsukune barely managed to stand on his own, while he clutched the right side of his face, which had blood trickling from the wound, and he commented, "I feel like got hit by a car. Just what the heck is he made of?"
Saizou planted his foot beside Tsukune, who froze, while Kyōko trembled, and she also shouted, "Run, Tsuki."
Saizou thrusted his arm at Tsukune, while Moka pushed the human out of the way. With a look of shock etched onto his face, Tsukune flew, while Moka smiled, and she apologized, "I'm sorry, Tsukune-san. Because Kyōko-san and you are my first real friends, I don't want either of you to get hurt."
Tsukune landed on the soft soil, while Saizou unintentionally grabbed Moka by her arms, before he tossed her aside, and she flew in Tsukune's direction. Moka landed beside Tsukune, who struggled to get up, while he coughed up some blood. Tsukune struggled to get up, while he noticed Moka, who was in pain, which filled him shock, and he weakly uttered, "Moka-san."
Saizou approached Moka and Tsukune, while Kyōko threw another stone at the delinquent, which struck him from behind. Like the first stone, it only annoyed Saizou, but he ignored Kyōko. As Saizou approached Moka and Tsukune, Kyōko rushed ahead of the delinquent, before she stopped in front of him. Kyōko extended her arms, while she stood her ground, which stunned the vampire and her cousin. Tsukune approached Kyōko, while he stumbled, before he collapsed close to Moka, and his his right hand touched her rosary.
Tsukune clenched his fists, which tightened his grip on Moka's rosary, while he looked on helplessly, and he mentally cursed, 'Damn it! Why am I so weak? When I tried to defend Kyō and Moka-san, I got battered by this jerk, who is advancing towards us. If I had the power to protect them, we wouldn't be in this mess.'
Saizou came to a halt, while Kyōko frowned as she thought, 'If I were to die here, my only regrets are I won't get to see Tsuki graduate, and I never had a boyfriend.'
Kyōko braced herself, while Saizou pulled his fist back, which he readied, and Tsukune mustered the strength to get back up. Saizou thrusted his fist, while Kyōko refused to run away. Out of fear for his cousin's life, Tsukune muttered, "Kyō."
Tsukune got back onto his feet, while he accidentally removed Moka's rosary, which caused a pink light to emit from her, and a pink sphere began surrounding them. Saizou halted his attack, while he exclaimed, "Huh? What the hell?!"
Kyō turned head her head to stare at Tsukune, while she questioned, "What's going on?"
The sphere's rays of light expanded, which replaced the orange light of the forest with a red light, while a swarm of bats flew towards Moka, and they surrounded her. Tsukune, Kyōko and Saizou stared in awe, while Moka's eyes had closed. Her hips, waist and breasts grew bigger, while her pink hair turned silver. Moka's reopened her eyes, which were no longer green, but red, along with her round pupils having become slits. One-by-one, the bats flew away from Moka, which allowed Saizou, Kyōko and Tsukune to see the results of Moka's physical transformation.
The sphere and rays of light died down, while Moka's expression was more harsh than kind. Saizou trembled, while Tsukune stepped away from Moka, who quickly got back on her feet. Saizou's eyes widened, while he commented, "She looks different and scary."
With a frown, Tsukune questioned the situation, "What happened to Moka-san? Is this her true form?"
Kyōko nervously gulped, before she remarked, "Moka-san seems like a completely different being."
Saizou kept trembling, while he uttered, "The legends are true. The red eyes, silver hair and overwhelming energy. She's an S-class monster. A real vampire."
Moka flicked a strand of hair out of her face, before she turned to Tsukune, who she spoke to, "So, then, I suppose the one who woke me up was you, huh?"
Tsukune and Kyōko were at a loss for words, while Moka redirected her attention to Saizou. As Saizou continued trembling, he questioned the situation, "What's wrong with me? I mean she's only staring at me, but I can't stop shaking."
Moka stretched her arms, while Kyōko and Tsukune stepped away from Moka, before the humans halted right next to one another. Saizou clenched his fists, while he stopped shaking as he resumed speaking, "This isn't right."
Saizou forcibly smiled, while he continued, "I have to pull it together. If I took down a vampire, my reputation as a monstrel would skyrocket."
Moka yawned, before she spoke, "It's time for you to know your place."
Saizou raised a brow, while he uttered, "Huh?"
Before Saizou could continue processing the situation, Moka delivered a swift kick to his head, which sent him flying, and he screamed. Saizou flew through some trees, which tore them apart, and he skidded across the ground, while dust flew around him. Saizou stopped skidding and screaming, while the dust cleared around him, which revealed a large dirt trail. Saizou groaned, while struggled to get up, before he collapsed in pain, and Moka looked at him with disdain. Moka turned to Tsukune and Kyōko, who were gawking, while her expression became stern.
Moka approached them, while she spoke, "For a couple of humans, you two are certainly interesting."
Kyōko and Tsukune listened, while Moka stopped in front of them. With the same stern expression on her face, Moka continued, "Both of you fought bravely, but you should leave the fighting to me. I'm trusting the two of you to keep my other half safe."
Tsukune and Kyōko stared at Moka, while the former thought, 'Other half?'
Kyōko frowned, while she wondered, 'What does Moka-san mean?'
Moka took the rosary from Tsukune, before she reattached it, which caused her to pass out, and the red light of the forest went back to being orange. Moka's silver hair became pink again, while her breasts, waist and hips were reduced to their previous measurements. Tsukune quickly caught Moka, while Kyōko and him stared at her out concern, before he grimaced in pain. Kyōko stared at Tsukune, while he too collapsed, which worried her, but she barely managed to catch him. Kyōko held tightly onto Tsukune, while she shouted, "Help."
When Kyōko received no response, she shouted again, "Please help us."
When Kyōko received no response again, she broke down, while she trembled, and her eyes watered. Kyōko's tears dripped onto Moka and Tsukune, while she sobbed, "Don't leave me, Tsuki."
Kyōko kept crying, while shouted yet again, "My cousin, our friend and I are in need of some help."
As if the universe heard her cries, a male voice emitted from beyond the trees, "There they are. Aono-san needs medical attention. Get the stretcher ready."
Kyōko watched a group of sharply dressed monsters coming out of the tree lines, which caused her tear ducts to start drying up. The monsters separated Tsukune from Moka and Kyōko, before the sharply dressed yōkai loaded Tsukune onto a stretcher, while Tenmei watched them from beyond the tree lines. With a smile, Tenmei spoke, "She's definitely your daughter, Akāsha-san. Like myself, you would be pleased to see your dream is on the verge of becoming a reality."
From the other end of the tree lines, Kuyō glared at the humans, while he trembled in anger, and he vehemently spat, "I should have never have made a deal with that incompetent brute. Because he failed to kill the humans, he can forget about having Akashiya-san. When I present my progress to my associates, they're going to be furious at me, and I won't have any excuses for my failure, which means they'll see me as incompetent. For making a fool out of me, I swear I'll make that monstrel suffer pain he could never even imagine."
Sitting on one of the trees' branches, the light ocean blue haired girl from Tsukune's homeroom frowned, while she stared at Moka, and she commented, "So, this is the power of a vampire. Now I know I won't be able to beat her in a fight. If I'm to defeat her, I'll just have to outsmart her, while using my beauty, which shouldn't be a problem for a succubus like myself."
