"Are you feeling any better," Moka asked as Yukari finished another vomiting spell.
"Does dying count as feeling any better, then yes. If not, no. Either way I think that it's over for the moment. I had a reason I called you over here, and it wasn't to tell you that I was knocked up," the witch really wasn't happy with her condition.
"Oh, that's right. I got a little distracted and didn't think to ask. What was it that you wanted to talk about?"
Yukari pulled herself in her chair, "I was looking into surgical interventions to help restore viability of pregnancy. It wasn't directly related to you, just something that I ran on to randomly looking through some medical journals, but then I got down a rabbit hole, and couldn't get myself out of it. Do you remember why I was so concerned after I was able to examine you the first time after you had Tekeshi?"
"You said that it was a miracle that I was even able to carry a child of his size due to my womb being smaller than normal. What does that have to do with anything though?"
"Because your womb is so small, and how long you were in labor, instead of healing perfectly and instantly like they should have, you had multiple ruptures on the interior of your uterus, around the cervical opening. Tekeshi was a very large baby, and it tore the inside of you up because of the size of his head. That may be easier to understand."
"You've explained that before, and it isn't anything I am unaware of. Why are you rehashing this,"Moka was a little confused.
Yukari took a breath, "Because when I used the camera to examine the interior of your uterus, I found evidence," she took another deep breath, hating what she was about to say, "that you have had two pregnancies that tried to take hold in the area of scarring. The umbilical cords partially formed, but the scarring prevented it from developing properly, and they failed. Most likely within days."
"So, I'm not infertile, it's due to scar tissue completely. What does that have to do with surgical intervention? Is there something you found that," Moka didn't know how to finish her question.
"Maybe, two possibilities, and some others I want to investigate more. The first idea is harvesting an egg, fertilizing it, and implanting it above the scarred area. It is fairly safe, and it isn't a new technology. The issue is that it doesn't help improve the conditions so that you could conceive naturally in the future. Any future children would require you to undergo the same procedure again."
"And the second?"
"It, is a newer idea that hasn't actually had any human testing as of yet. It has only been used on large animals for development. The success rate is only around twenty one percent over about three hundred procedures. The only reason I am considering it is how rapidly you are capable of healing."
Moka frowned, "What is it."
"Laser Uterine Scar Removal, A.K.A. LUSR. It was based on a similar idea that used a mono-filiment wire to remove scar tissue, small amounts as to not form new scar tissue. To explain the procedure, a camera similar to the one used in a colonoscopy, rather than the one I used that only had a light and an imaging head, would be inserted into your vagina. Your cervix would be dilated to allow entry, and with the laser emitter any located scarring would be burned away. The issue is that on the animals it has been tested with and succeeded, it took over two years to remove enough scarring to achieve a viable pregnancy. The only reason I am considering it with you, is the healing factor you possess."
"What are the risks," the vampiress held her breath.
"Possible total infertility in your case. If you were human, I would say there would be a high risk of death. I don't want this to be 'the option'. I want you to discuss it with Tsukune so that if it looks like it will be the path forward, you are both aware of the risks."
Moka turned her head a little, "I haven't even told him about the scarring."
"Moka, I'm not saying this as your doctor. I am saying this as someone who loves you dearly, you need to talk to him. Why are you so hesitant about it?"
"Yukari, I don't know if you have had to deal with any other women that have the same issue, but, I feel less."
Yukari frowned, "Moka, not being able to have a child doesn't make you any less of a woman. Besides, you are a mother. If you had anything to prove, you proved it with Tekeshi. Honestly, and I am saying this as one of them, most women feel like they are less next to you. Just being in your presence. Don't put yourself down over this."
"But what about what Tsukune would think," Moka said, tears starting to form.
"I would think that, no matter what, you are the beautiful mother of my child, and that no matter how much I would love for us to have another, nothing would ever change how much I love you."
The two women whipped their head toward the door to see Tsukune standing there. If there was one thing that had never changed about him, it was his heart. He always poured endless amounts of love out for those he cared for, and never said anything to hurt them.
"Tsukune, I...," he stepped over and stopped her.
"Moka, I kinda of expected that something like this was the case. Are you willing to take the risk? If you are, I will support you, but don't do it because of me, and what you think that I want. What I want more than anything, is to never lose you. Mentally, physically, or emotionally. Yukari, if she did this, what would you think the chance is of it succeeding." He looked over with a serious look on his face.
"I can't say. Laser dermal scar removal has only been around for about a decade. I haven't performed many procedures, and none on a vampire, especially not a shinso. What I am hoping is that the excised tissue will close over with healthy tissue almost instantly. The amount of calculations I will have to do just to calibrate the laser so I don't accidentally do a c-section from inside is staggering. That's why I want this to be the last resort."
Tsukune took a breath as he processed, "If she were limited to almost human, and then the limiter removed after the tissue was removed, would it help?"
"I don't want to do that. The chance of the scar tissue reforming would be much higher. I have honestly considered whether having a grenade shred her lower body and it reforming naturally would be likely to have a higher chance of success. Even having done so many examinations on her, of so many types, I still don't have a good understanding of how radical the difference between a shinso's body, and a regular vampires is. Until something happens, it is almost like there isn't a difference."
Moka spoke, "Yukari, I think this is the best option. Healing through injury isn't that uncommon for a vampire, if something doesn't heal right, sometimes it works. Other times it doesn't. But if there is a chance that removing the scar tissue will allow healthy tissue that will allow me to carry a child, I want to do it."
"Moka, are you sure. Don't you want to think about it, at least let her look into some other alternatives."
"If she can find anything within a month that seems more likely, then we go that route. If not, then we do LUSR thing. Is there anything that could be done to prevent a repeat of what happened with Tekeshi's birth so I wouldn't have to deal with anything like this again?"
Yukari bit her bottom lip as she thought, "I don't know off the top of my head. I will look into it as well, but I really wish you would give me longer to look into alternatives, or at least let the technology develop more and go into human trials."
Moka shook her head, "How long would that take, and is there any guarantee that it would. While I am not wild about using the same process they use on a cow, I am willing to take the risk if it means that I get something back that is so integral to me."
"Yukari, it is her decision. She made it, and I am going to stand behind her. If nothing else seems promising, have any costs for equipment deducted from our personal accounts. If she will need to go into a hospital for it, make all the arrangements, and let us know. Now, Moka, I kinda need you to come with me to address a, very interesting issue that has cropped up. Very interesting," Tsukune had a, strained smile on his face as he finished speaking.
"They knocked out a Minotaur, crippled a Kappa, traumatized two Mermaids, and destroyed the self esteem of multiple succubi. All this within an hour of being on this campus," Ruby relayed the account to the three vampires, the youngest of which had a hand over his eyes, and was putting pressure on his temples.
"I want to ask how, I really do. The fact of the matter is, it is them. I do want to know how they got here though. Just how," Tekeshi was not sure quite how he was feeling.
"Are you sure you don't have any idea," Tsukune asked his son sternly.
"Pops, as much as I love them, and consider them like family, I don't want them here. There is enough chaos as there is. At least it doesn't look like we have to worry for their general safety. We do need to get them back where they belong though."
Moka was a little shocked at the carnage, "Are you absolutely sure they aren't yokai?"
"Not that I have ever been able to tell. I have to question it right now though, of course I am actually surprised that it wasn't worse. They do kind of belong to me though," he still refused to look up.
"What stopped them," Tsukune asked.
Ruby chuckled lightly, "One of the succubi in that group was Harumi. After she got over her shock at them being there, she proceeded to beat her mortal nemesis over the head with a tree branch."
Tekeshi finally looked up and sighed, "Isn't that a big surprise. So, I guess they're my responsibility?"
"That would seem to be the case," his mother replied.
"Yay. Well let me go in there and get this over with."
Tekeshi stood up to his full height and took a breath as he turned and approached the door going into a larger room. He really didn't know what to say, or do in the situation. He also wasn't sure that he wasn't about to die from an aneurysm.
Opening the door he was greeted by a deep voice with a distinct accent, "'Ey Boss. Hows it been."
"Heavy, what in the utter hell, are all of you doing here? And has Akoni woke up yet," he was doing his best not to yell.
"Nah, he is still out cold as could be. Harumi there is still a spitfire, and she acts like she has been practicing her baseball swing. He deserved it though. As to why we are here, weeell, we were told that you, might be, in, mortal peril," sitting on the table the Russian giant was able to look Tekeshi in the eyes.
"Tekeshi, yahoo, it's good to see you," Chun-hee grabbed him in a hug before he could address anything else.
"Hey Chunie, it's good to see you too. Right now though, I want to know how all of you got here. There are things going on here that you are better off not knowing about, and we need to get you back to Phoenix," he petted the girl on the head, hoping that she was going to release him at some point.
"That micht be an issue, th' dickheed that dropped us aff dipped as soon as he did. We dinnae even ken whaur we actually ur, except that it looks lik' th' setting o' a 1950s horror movie. Bit aye, efter thay dropped us aff, hings gaed tae hell," Dehlia's accent was as thick as ever.
Lorelei, however was easier to understand, "By the way, why did the gobshite that picked a fight with 'Eavy turn into a god damned bull. That ain't normal, 'n' ah dinnae lik' it. Juist whit th' hell is this steid."
"Ah, well, that... That is... It kinda is... Of for the love of god, this is a school for monsters, ok," Tekeshi couldn't see a point in beating around the bush.
"You said monsters. Then why are you here, except for the whole hatred of half of humanity and sheer sadism you posses. The last I remember, you don't grow horns," Black was as reserved as usual.
"Because I am a monster. For the most part, it isn't something I just wanted out in the open, cause you know... Monsters scare most people. While all of you have about the same capacity for fear as a piece of granite, not everyone does, and most of you aren't the greatest about keeping things contained," he glanced at the unconscious form of Akoni laying in a corner.
"Thankfully most people think he is completely stoned all the time so they don't believe him. Still Boss, what is going on. If you're a monster, then what are ya. At least give us that since we are here," It was obvious that Heavy was skeptical about the whole thing.
The room seemed to darken slightly as the ring left Tekeshi's finger, and his appearance changed, "I am a vampire."
"Tekeshi is a vampire? How does that work, and how did you do that trick," Chun-hee was front and center, and still didn't believe it.
Dehlia started cackling, "Awright Lorelei, did ye hear that? He said he is Dracula's nephew. Howfur lang 'til he starts th' hail, 'i wantae sook yer blood', spiel."
"Screw you, bitch. I wouldn't drink your blood if you were the last choice I had. By the way, what the hell happened for all of you to leave a path of destruction ten miles wide behind you? Have none of you ever heard that discretion is the better part of valor?"
"That soonds lik' sassenach blether, dinnae forgoat Lorelei 'n' masell ur scots ." she replied with a grin.
Heavy shot her a look and turned back to Tekeshi, "We got here, and then this dude made a pass at Chunie. Black and Me stepped in front of her to head off any trouble, he threw a fist at me, and I put him on the ground. He got back up, was standing eye to eye with me, looked like a longhorn, and I gave him God's uppercut. His buddy went after Black, and we all know how that tends to go when he thinks he is protecting Chunie. Apparently these two chicks weren't happy they stopped flirting with them, and tried to go to town on her as well, the redheaded girly pricks here decided to show them a couple of full moons. Around that time a large gaggle of girls that were built like Harumi showed up, we didn't notice her there, and Akoni couldn't keep his mouth shut. Thus, his imitation of a corpse."
Tekehsi let out another sigh, "Who told you I was in danger? In the entire time you have known me, have I ever been in any danger that I didn't put my self in."
"Ye traivelt oot fernent a Western Starn," Dehlia offered.
"You know, in hindsight we should have found him surviving that somewhat suspicious. Still though, you are a vampire, how are you able to walk around in the sun? Isn't that supposed to at least make you sparkle," Black said.
"Stephanie Myers belongs in Hell. No, we don't sparkle or turn to dust. We aren't the living dead, we have a heartbeat. The whole water and silver things are kinda true. Not important, who told you I was in danger?"
"Some guy walked up tae us sportin' a full on plague doctor claes, 'n' said that the one we missed th' maist was facing perils we cuid nae imagine. Then he offered tae bring us tae thaim, 'n' we didnae use any common sense," Lorelei explained.
"That sounds about right. You didn't find... lack of common sense, right. Ok, priority needs to be on getting you out of here," Tekeshi was reaching his wits end.
"Whit if we dinnae wantae lea. We haven't seen ye in months, we wantae ken whit's up wi' ye noo. Ye cannae juist kick us oot juist lik' that. Aren't we aye yer mukkers, 'n' haud speirins that cuid leid tae yer prosecution?," Dehlia cried.
"Lorelei, could you translate a little?"
"She, lik' maist o' us, dinnae wantae leave without hingin aroond wi' ye fur a while, 'n' she was going tae huv blackmail," the response was deadpanned.
"Dehlia, I, as of the moment, don't know If I will visit you when you end up in a federal penitentiary. There are things at play beyond the hostility of the student body that preclude you staying here. There have only ever been three humans here for any length of time that didn't end up pulling a Jean de Arc. One of those almost did, I wouldn't be if he had. There is actually a school law that calls for the execution of humans if they are found. This isn't a game, trust me, I spend too much time in the infirmary to think it was."
"Wait, you get your ass kicked here? Boss, you are the single biggest... You know, the whole vampire thing is starting to make a lot more sense now. Wait, if you are a vampire, then what are your Aunt, Uncle, and Mach?"
Tekeshi rolled his eyes, "Aunt Yukari is a witch, no wart or anything like that. Uncle Fangfang is a yasha. Machiko is for the most part a witch, though she doesn't like people knowing that she is also a yasha. She doesn't like the whole third eye deal. My parents are both vampires, as are both my blood related aunts. Aunt Mizore, and Yusa and Asusa, are what are known Yuki-onna, A.K.A. Snow women. Aunt Kurumu and Harumi are succubi, explaining the god awful levels of sex appeal coming off them. Any other questions?"
"So what is Chick," Tekeshi was not buying the sweet and innocent act from Chun-hee one bit even at the moment.
"Chick is a bloodhound. Chick is not a monster, unless you have bacon."