Utsuki sat silently as a restrained Tekeshi was given another bag of blood to suck down. She knew that she should feel somewhat disgusted by the sight, but she couldn't. Tekeshi was her best friend, since school had started he had been there every time some guy had decided that he needed to talk his way into her pants. She had felt bad that it had to be him running interference for her all the time, but he was the one that had so much power. It made her feel like the china doll everyone said she looked like.
She hadn't missed the look of surprise in Moka's eyes when she had latched on to him. It was the counter intuitive thing to do, but it was the first thing to come to her mind to do. Even after seeing Fauru's broken corpse, she didn't feel any pity for him to be honest, her first thought was that something was wrong with Tekeshi and she had to help him snap out of it. Regardless of the personal danger. She didn't quite understand it herself, but she definitely didn't regret it.
Tekeshi felt his control returning with every mouthful of that delicious life giving fluid. He had heard of hunger rampages, but the vampire usually remained partially in control of his or her mind, he hadn't. It was like some baser form of himself had taken over and wanted nothing more than to drain Utsuki and do who knows what with her remains. He slightly shuddered at the images that went through his head, none of them were pleasant, and some nearly made him return the force fed meal.
He was her protector, yet merely minutes ago he had nearly become her murderer. It had been such a short time ago they hadn't removed the Orc's corpse yet. It still lay broken across the nurses' station, the living being more important than the dead. More than likely he would end up just another grave in the massive schoolyard, or maybe even be returned to his family, if they would take him. It was hard to tell what a yokai family would do with their dead. Even within species it wasn't constant, orcs generally left the dead out in a pile if they died inside, or where they fell if outside. More noble and civilized species such as Vampires buried their dead inside elaborate tombs and caskets, leading to the popular myth of vampires sleeping in coffins during the day. If only people had known that he was an actual vampire instead of human Bram Stoker would have never achieved as much fame with "Dracula" as he did.
One thing was bothering him. He had killed another student. It wasn't the act though, it was the consequences of the act. Usually the acts were hidden and kept quiet, this one was not only in the presence of another student that was uninvolved in the murder, but it occurred in front of a faculty member. Even if the headmaster was his father, and the witness his mother there would be very dire consequences. He could be facing anything from expulsion to execution. It wasn't like he could deny that he was guilty, there was blood and torn flesh from the sledgehammer left he had delivered into the orcs torso covering his ring. He had no doubt that he would be restrained until the Public Safety Commission came to take him to a cell until he could be brought before his father for his crime.
"Hello Teki-kun, how are feeling now that you've had something to drink," he heard a very excited feminine voice say before the individual entered the room.
"Aunt Yukari, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back in Arizona," he asked as soon as he saw her.
"Did you really think that your mother would leave care of her only child in the hands of some third rate school quack? Especially when she could call in the world famous Huang Yukari to treat him for no cost at all?"
Tekeshi deadpanned, "She wanted to get an opinion over the phone, and you came over here because you were worried about me, and so you could sneak looks at her ass when you thought no one was looking."
"You won't tell anyone about that last part under penalty of a very painful death, you got that," she said menacingly, well as menacingly as any 5' 3" tall woman could muster.
The years had been very kind to her. While she wasn't the tallest among the former Harlot Squad, she was no longer what one would call a loli. 5' 3", smooth tanned skin, an hour-glass figure, and rather generous breast that she was more than a little proud of. So proud of them that she was well known in and around the area of Phoenix, Arizona for her low cut tops.
"How has Uncle Fong-Fong been since I've been gone? And how is Machiko doing without her favorite cousin there with her?"
"Actually her school forced her to take the test to advance to high school, but Central High won't take her because she is three years younger than anyone else in the school. So she is coming here early. Please watch out for her or your Uncle Fong-Fong, who is doing quite well as a matter of fact, will tear you into little pieces because his little girl got so much as a scraped knee," the woman said in such a way he wasn't sure that it was actually his aunt, but he was going to call the bluff.
"Uncle Fong-Fong isn't going to tear me into pieces if she scrapes her knee, because even he would not be able to know that it happened because Machiko is twice as tough as he is and won't even acknowledge the fact that she hurt herself. If I remember right she became rather notorious around Capitol Elementary School for nearly sending a boy to the hospital for flipping her skirt. Besides why am I being treated like an unliked boyfriend rather than her cousin? I know that we aren't related by blood, but still she is like a little sister to me, the same as Harumi, and the same as the Twins."
"He has you there Yukari, half the time you seem more of a man than Fong-Fong," Tsukune said from the door, "now would you give me a few minutes alone with him?"
After she had left Tsukune came in and took a seat next to the bed Tekeshi was secured to, "I have to ask you some questions, and if you have ever been honest in your life it needs to be now. It will determine if you leave this room free, or surrounded by men with guns. The school board has decided that if you are proved liable you will face trial by them, and if found guilty you will be executed. Were you capable of understanding your actions during the attack of one Shiraishi Utsuki, and one Aono Moka? Yes or no? No answers such as vaguely or distantly, either of those would count as yes."
Tekeshi didn't blink, "Yes."
"Were these actions of your own free will, or were they beyond your control?"
"They were beyond my direct control."
"Were you of sound mind and body during the attack?"
"I was not of sound mind or body during the attack."
"Are you capable of understanding the reason behind this line of questioning, and are you willing to accept any charges or judgment levied against you by a special court of the Yokai Academy school board?"
"I Aono Tekeshi state that I am capable of understanding and accepting any charges or judgment levied against my person by a special court of the Yokai Academy school board."
A click was heard as Tekeshi's father stood, "This conversation was recorded. I can't do anything to help you. I know the condition you were in just before the attack, and I know that you wouldn't willingly start a fight unless you had no other choice. I have to take recorded depositions from your Mother and Miss Shiraishi. Hopefully their testimony will prevent you from even facing trial. I will also be taking depositions from your Aunt Yukari and the head nurse regarding your condition over the last few days. Until either dismissal or trial you are restricted to this room under armed guard and under restraint."
Tekeshi said nothing as his father turned and left. Nothing needed to be said. Neither could have foreseen the school board making such a judgment. It was most likely because his father was the headmaster. He was a high profile individual, and they wanted to ensure that neutrality was maintained before the trial. He didn't blame his father for the terseness he displayed. He either acted like the Headmaster or he would break down, and as a vampire of his level of power he couldn't afford to do anything that could possibly show any weakness or favoritism in such a matter.
His door was closed shortly after and the light was shutoff. It didn't bother him, he was a vampire, the night was his natural element. The only thing that he wished was that he wasn't dressed in a hospital gown. Other than that he had nothing to complain about, that had passed when he lost control of himself when he woke up. He couldn't understand why he had lost control, unless it was related to how far into his mind he had been during the comatose state. It was up to the testimony his mother and aunt gave at this point. Being a student closely associated with him would lend little weight to Utsuki's testimony, and the head nurse would just be corroboration for his aunt. He didn't hold out much hope for his acquittal.
"Mr. Aono, we appreciate that you feel that this was your responsibility due to your station, but you had no right, nor instruction to take depositions or statements from any involved party. However, due to your upstanding reputation for impartiality and fairness we are willing to accept these recordings into our initial evidence. Depending on the content of these statements, and the interrogation of Aono Tekeshi, the accused and your son, we will make our judgment on whether or not to proceed with the trial or clear him of any charges. However due to her nature as a human and her close relationship with the accused we declare the testimony of Shiraishi Utsuki inadmissible in our findings. We will review these tapes and deliver our decision within the day. We understand that you have placed Aono Tekeshi under armed guard until such time as a consensus is reached and we approve and order indefinite continuation on this."
"I understand and will comply with your findings," Tsukune said addressing the cowled figures.
"We held great respect for your predecessor, Mikogami Tenmei, however we were not pleased when the decision of who would take his place was made without our input. If you interfere with this investigation in anyway that tries to swing the judgment in favor of your son's acquittal or being charged with murder, you will be removed from your post. Remember, just because you are the most powerful being alive does not mean that we will bow to you. Power is but a fleeting thing, and far from makes you untouchable or immortal. You are dismissed, we will notify you by runner when we have made our decision."
As he left he clenched his fists hard. He knew that he was unpopular among the school board since he could not be manipulated, and they had hoped to place someone that could be used as a pawn after Mikogami left. His appointment was a slap in the face, and may have partially been to level one final arrow at their authority. However he did not appreciate the threats to not only his position, but his life that they had made. Despite his power Tsukune made himself humble, if not for those around him, but for memory of his heritage.
There was one thing that he did know. He needed to tell Tekeshi the truth if he was found innocent. If doomed to die, it was better for him to go to his grave with questions rather than hatred. Would it make him look weak to let his family go to the gallows without fighting, and shedding blood if it came down to it?
"Giri no musuko," the voice from the shadows was harsh.
"Gifu, You have heard," Tekshi replied.
"Yes. I can imagine how hard this is for you, but how is she taking it?"
"She hasn't ceased crying since she heard that he might be tried. This was unexpected and may completely derail the plan."
Shuzen Issa stepped from the shadows. He wasn't the same proud looking man that had trained Tsukune in the matters of combat, diplomacy, and administration. Rather he looked like a tired middle aged man. Tsukune didn't know where it was he went to, and he didn't ask, but he had done as he promised and told no one of their meetings.
"The trial must be sabotaged in his favor if it occurs. You however cannot be connected to it. It leaves us with a problem that will be hard to overcome."
"Tekeshi will be entitled to a defense if it goes to trial. There is no law stating that the defense cannot be from outside the school, nor from outside the country, only that they must be yokai. This can work to our advantage, Study your contacts and see if there is not an attorney whom you would trust with your grandson's very soul. Preferably a vampire, the more experienced the better, send him a request in my name for a meeting at my base of operations in Okinawa. We must lose the first pieces to win the game, unless the game is won before it begins," Tsukune said firmly.
"I believe you are finally understanding the finer points of leadership I worked to drill into you, just remember what the man said, power does not mean you are safe, and I have long given up my fear of death," with that his father in law shrunk back into the shadows and disappeared.
There were many names that Tsukune would love to use to refer to the man, but he knew better than to say them out loud. He didn't know the exact reason that his wife's father decided to take to the shadows, but he knew that he could easily take his life without a second thought, and without leaving a single clue as to the perpetrator.
Tekshi's breath was deep and steady as he slept, almost as if there was nothing wrong. It may have seemed strange for a sixteen year old boy to have such a calm attitude in the face of possible execution for an act he wasn't able to control. For a vampire though, to show anything but calm in such a situation would have been degrading. Arrogance may have been the biggest fault of his race, what made them so strongly disliked by so many other races.
At the foot of his bed Akasha studied her grandchild. She didn't understand why she had been attached to him in this way, or how she could be. When the annihilation spell was triggered it should have erased any trace of her, Alucard, Fuhai, and Tenmei from existence. How it hadn't was beyond reason. Annihilation was supposed to be complete, with only memories left. She could feel though, smell, taste the very air around her, but not interact with anyone but Tekeshi. There had to be a reason.
In all honesty she had a gap in her memory from when the spell detonated until eight years earlier. It was in small back alley shopping center in Namba ward when the first showings of the Shinso blood in Tekeshi's veins woke up. Assassins had attacked Tsukune and Moka, and while they were able to stop them with little trouble just by flaring their auras, that flash interacted with Tekeshi's power. The assassins were very weak yokai and the sudden burst of the child's aura burned them from within, and almost knocked his parents unconscious. She woke in that moment and said a simply sentence that seemed to spring from within her body as the power started to overwhelm his body: The time has not yet come.
She did not understand how he could hold such power within himself without being consumed, but hearing Tsukune say something about a seal that seemed to be breaking down explained it. The majority of her grandson's power had been sealed to prevent such an occurrence from taking place again. She had to agree that it was the best solution available, but only if a seal strong enough to contain the power was crafted. With as much power as Tekeshi had she didn't know if such a seal could be created that would be able to act as a permanent solution.
"I wish that I could understand this situation. I do not know what I truly am now, an afterimage, a shadow, or even an echo of power left on this plane. I do not regret it since it has allowed me to see those that I care about once more, even if they cannot see me. All that I can hope is that my purpose here is revealed in due course," the ageless woman said as she faded into the darkness that encompassed the hospital room.
A/N: I had to rewrite this chapter from what it originally was. It stared me in the face unfinished for so long because I could not go anywhere with it. It originally introduced a facet of Tekeshi and Utsuki that may be delayed for a filler chapter later in the story. Please enjoy.