Rosario Vampire: Magical Encounters

by AverageGamer1

All his life, despite being not like his own kind, Elijah Everett dreamed of bringing peace between the worlds of humans and monsters. Life at Yokai Academy is not exactly easy, but with the help of his new friends, just maybe he can make that dream a reality. Maybe even find some love on the side? Who knows?

30. Volume 30: So Far Gone

The Next Morning...

"Close?! The whole school?! AGAIN?!"

Tsukune couldn't hold in his frustration like I could. Don't get me wrong, I'm furious that Yokai Academy has to be shut down...again. Reports have shown us that no one was killed in the ensuing rampage but a lot of people were injured, at least there were no children harmed. Thank goodness. Some parents and other returning former students of Yokai Academy were furious with how everyone just 'lost their minds' and attacked everyone. Still, once the Headmaster made public about Lilith's Mirror, people were shocked at this revelation and were surprisingly forbearing of the situation. Lilith's Mirror is a well-known artifact that most Monsters and Yokai have equal fear of, it has the potential to make even the kindest of monsters reveal the darkest part of themselves. Hell, it even got a hold of me for a second when I nearly uttered that curse.

Maybe this is what Merlin meant when he said the darker side of his abilities often tempted him. I never want to allow myself to give in to that side of myself, it's that kind of power that corrupts.

We all decided to meet in the Newspaper Club room to hear what the Headmaster had planned for the remainder of the festival.

"At least no one was seriously hurt, right?" Moka decides to look on the brighter side of things. "If it weren't for all of us, who knows how much worse it would've gotten."

"Yeah," I agree. "Still, this sucks."

"During the school closure," Tsukune continued reading from the Headmaster's newsletter. "Students will return to their homes and refrain from any unauthorized activity."

"...Shit," It's crazy how I've been back for over a month now and it still feels like I only just got here...and now I'm going away again.

"Does this mean you have to go back to the human world, Tsukune?" Kurumu inquired, her face clearly showing sadness and annoyance. She then looks over to me with the same expression. "You too, Elijah?"

"..." I really don't want to leave, mostly because I have nowhere else to go. I don't want to risk putting my parents in danger.

"...Maybe this can be a good thing," Tsukune says. "I haven't been home in over six months, I'll bet my parents will be glad to see me." I know how he feels, but then again... "Here," My friend starts writing down on a few slips of paper. "This is my address, you guys can write to me whenever you like. I'll be sure to respond to everyone in no time," Tsukune hands each and every one of us a slip with a smile. Moka is clearly the most emotional out of all of us but she refrains from speaking up.

"Hey, dude?" I pull him to the side and out of earshot from the girls. "Look, I need a favor and I know it's last minute..."

"What is it, man?"

"...I can't go home right now."

"What do you mean?"

"Some...'recent developments' in the world of my kind are causing my folks to take some extra precautions, and me being the Blessed Child, I don't think going home is the right move."

"each, I guess that makes sense, but what kind of developments do you mean?"

"I don't know. My mom told me that reports of dark wizards and warlocks alike have just...stopped. And all possible explanations lead back to the Blessed Child, A.K.A., me. So..."

"So, what?"

"...Do you think it's possible I can crash with you until we come back to Yokai Academy? I know it's a lot to ask but I think it would be safer that way. The last place they would look is out in the open in the human world. I know your folks will probably not be entirely on board with it but I won't be a burden. I can help around the house, cook, whatever you guys-"

"Whoa, whoa, chill out, man," Tsukune stops me from listing ways I could help out. "You don't even have to ask, you're more than welcome to stay. Plus, it just means more guy time, right?" He jabs me in my arm, making me laugh.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Tsukune and I have barely had any time for ourselves and just...have fun. So this could be good for us.

---

It wasn't exactly easy for all of us to say goodbye. Moka looked like she wanted to say so much more, Kurumu could barely even utter the words, it took at least three people to pry Mizore off of me, and even Yukari found herself not wanting to leave. Since Ruby has nowhere to go, she told us that she would stay at Yokai Academy to assist the Headmaster. As for Archimedes, I told him that he could stay in his birdhouse in my dorm room but he insisted that he would accompany me to Tsukune's home. The human agreed but only after I laid down some ground rules; No speaking English and that he would stay outside in a nearby tree.

But in the end, we said our goodbyes and promised to see each other the first day Yokai Academy was reopened again. I estimated that it would take about a week or so since that's how long it took the last time it was damaged. I didn't tell the other girls that I'd be staying with Tsukune since I felt like it wasn't really necessary to, we'll all see each other in the same amount of time anyway. Plus, I didn't want to worry any of them about what was going on with my family.

The buses weren't so bad, crowded as hell though. But at least Tsukune and I weren't completely uncomfortable. Archimedes didn't enjoy it one bit, he complained about the constant 'fiddle-faddle' between all the other people on the bus. It didn't take us long to get to Tsukune's hometown and it took even less time to get to his house, it looks like a quaint little place and not that much smaller than my own. I just hope Tsukune's folks don't mind my intrusion, I wouldn't want to trouble them.

Hoo! Hoo!

"This is quite a humble abode you have here, human boy!"

"Uh...thank you?"

"What did I tell you about speaking out loud, Archimedes?"

The Pygmy owl puffs out his chest feathers and flutters his wings in annoyance. "Yes, yes, I'm aware of the agreement, Young Everett. I shall shelter myself in a nearby tree but keep a close eye on you boys, I still have to look after you, after all!"

"Well, thank you, Archimedes," Tsukune nods his head gratefully to the owl. "We'll be sure not to get into trouble."

"What he said," I add before he flies off around the corner of the house, letting out a small hoo as he does. "Well," I turn back to my brother, feeling an uneasy pit forming in my stomach. "Here goes nothing, right?"

"Yeah," Tsukune chuckles, raising his hand to the doorbell of his home. "Here goes nothing."

Ding-Dong!

"Coming!" The deep voice of an older woman comes from inside, I assume it belongs to Tsukune's mother. In seconds, she opens the front door and smiles. "Yes? How can I...huh?" Mrs. Aono is slightly surprised by seeing her own son at the door, not to mention me. "Tsukune?"

"Hey, Mom," The boy smiles. "I'm home."

She returns Tsukune's smile with one of her own. Wow, Tsukune takes a lot after his mom, just like me too... "Then welcome home. And who's this?" Mrs. Aono turns her head towards me with curiosity.

"This is my best friend, Elijah."

"Elijah?" She spoke as if she recognized that name.

I nod. "Yes, Ma'am," I slightly bow my head. "It's nice to meet you."

"...My, my," She giggled. "I was wondering when I get to meet one of Tsukune's friends. My son has told me so much about you and the newspaper club you're in."

---

It didn't take long for Tsukune and me to explain our situation. Of course, we had to keep the details of a rampage and us nearly getting hurt out of the story but Mrs. Aono seems to understand. She was also kind enough to serve us some warm jasmine tea, I was internally opposed to it but she seemed to insist upon it.

"I see, so the school is temporarily closing,"

"Yes, Ma'am," I nod.

"Oh, dear," Mrs. Aono turns to her son. "I do wish you had given me and your father a heads up, Tsukune," He was about to explain but his mother continued on. "Kyo said she saw you at your school festival, she stopped by last night to tell us all about it," This comment makes me Tsukune widen our eyes.

Shit, just be cool, man...

"She said she had a lot of fun!"

"Oh! R-Really? Good!"

I sigh in relief, at least we know she wasn't lying about keeping that secret safe with her. Mrs. Aono turns her attention to the hissing of the tea kettle. "Oh, sounds like the tea is almost ready."

"Mom, you really didn't have to do that. I'm not a guest."

"But we do have one," She motions her head towards me.

"It's alright ma'am, I wouldn't want to impose."

"Don't be ridiculous, man," Tsukune stands up from the kitchen table and goes to grab the kettle from the stove. "I can pour the tea, Mom. You sit down." He pours the Jasmine tea for me and his mother, she looks up to him with a prideful smile.

"You're a little different, Tsukune?"

"Huh?" He tilted his head after setting back down the tea kettle. "What do you mean?"

"Remember when you first got to your new school? You called home all the time as soon as you were able to," Mrs. Aono chuckles at the memory. "But lately, we've hardly heard from you."

"Oh, yeah..." Tsukune frowns sadly. "I'm sorry, Mom."

"To tell the truth, I was starting to worry. I thought maybe you'd changed. But I guess this is what happens when your child leaves the nest," Mrs. Aono smiles, her light brown eyes glistening with pride. "You have grown up so much, Tsukune."

"Mom..."

"But enough about that, your mother just gets lost in her head sometimes. It really is nice to meet one of your friends, Tsukune."

"..." Okay, here goes what I've really been dreading all this time. "So, here's the thing, Mrs. Aono," She tilts her head at me after taking another sip of her tea. "With Yokai Academy closing for the time being, I have nowhere to go."

"Hmm? What about your parents?"

"They're on a major business trip and they weren't able to come and get me from the school...and won't be home for a while," A little truth mixed in with a lie, I know it's not ideal, but it's only to protect Tsukune's family. "So...I was hoping that I could possibly stay here, but just until Yokai Academy re-opens again. I promise I won't take up much space, I can even help around the house if you need me to," I know I'm sounding desperate, but I kind of feel that way. "I can cook, clean, whatever you-"

"That won't be necessary," Mrs. Aono cuts me off with a smile. "You are more than welcome to stay, Elijah. Any friend of Tsukune's is a friend of mine."

I sigh in relief and so does Tsukune. "Thank you, Mrs. Aono." I think her and my mom

Ding Dong!

"Huh?" Tsukune's mother turns her head to the front door. "I wonder who that is?" She sets down her tea, stands from the kitchen table, and heads out. "Coming!"

I set down my own cup and look at Tsukune. "You're mom's really cool, man." Not to mention pretty, but I'm just gonna keep that to myself.

"See?" He smiles at me. "Told you you had nothing to worry about."

"AAAHHH!"

I nearly choke on my tea after hearing Mrs. Aono scream. Tsukune and I rush out of the dining room and straight to the front door. "Mom! What's wrong?" Tsukune finds his mother fallen onto the floor and he kneels next to her in concern. "Why'd you scream?"

"This gorgeous girl says she's here to see you..." She points at said gorgeous girl...and my jaw drops to the floor when my eyes meet a familiar shade of green.

"Moka?" Tsukune was equally as shocked.

"I guess my visit is a bit of a surprise," She smiles sweetly. "There were a lot of buses coming this way so I'd thought I'd stop by and say hello. But why are you here, Elijah?"

"..." Well, this is awkward...

---

Tsukune...

"Oh, wow!" Moka spins around happily, Tsukune had brought her up to his bedroom while his Mother and Elijah offered to make tea downstairs. "So this is your bedroom, huh, Tsukune?" She continued to look around in amazement while the human boy had a blushing scowl on his face. "It's a lot bigger than I thought!"

I can't believe this... Moka's not only in my house but also in my bedroom! I'm already worried about Elijah staying here, I don't want my Mom to feel like she has a lot on her plate. Did she really have to follow me here?! Wait...does that mean-

"You okay, Tsukune?"

Crap! "Oh, I just..." Tsukune tries to come up with a good excuse. "I'm really flattered you decided to come see me before you went home, you didn't have to do that."

"Well, I have been wanting to meet your parents for a while now," Moka admits.

"My mom," Tsukune chcukles. "You sure surprised her."

"Oh, no. I'm not imposing, am I?" Moka bears a worrying frown. "That might explain the way she reacted."

"No, she was just surprised at how beautiful you were, that's all!" Tsukune spoke without thinking, causing Moka to widen her eyes for a second at the sudden compliment.

She looks away with a small blush rising to her cheeks, but an even smaller smile forms at the corner of her lips. "You're just being nice. But...I'll be honest with you," Moka looks back at Tsukune with a sad smile. "I was worried that if I let you come back to the human world all by yourself...I might never see you again."

"What, why? You know I'd never do that to-" Tsukune took a step closer to Moka, causing her to take a small step backward but her legs hit the edge of Tsukune's bed.

"Whoa!"

"Augh!"

As she fell back, Moka instinctively grabbed onto Tsukune's uniform tie, pulling him down onto the bed with the Vampire Girl. They meet each other's gaze immediately realizing the position they have literally fallen into...but neither of them moves. Tsukune could feel and hear his own heartbeat pounding in his eardrums, Moka's own heart skipped a beat when she felt TSukune's leg in between her thighs. Again...neither of them moved. In fact, they found themselves moving closer to each other, their hearts seemingly now beating as one.

"Tsukune..."

"Moka..." Moka closes her eyes in anticipation, waiting for Tsukune to finally make the first move. They knew their feelings for each other, and now...they were entirely alone. Tsukune places his right hand beside Moka's head on his bed...but something feels off about it. "Huh?"

"Oh, Tsukune..." Moka didn't notice the boy's slight confusion.

"What is this?" He muttered, squeezing the surprisingly squishy spot on his bed. Wait...this feels like a-

"Ow..." A voice calls out from underneath the sheets, it soon comes out as a young girl with sky-blue hair. "I fell asleep, didn't I?" It was Kurumu, she had been hiding in Tsukune's bed. "Sorry about that," She nervously giggled. "It's just so comfy."

"Kurumu, do you mind telling me just what the hell you're doing hiding in my bed?!" Tsukune was not happy with her sudden appearance. Wait...was I just touching her-

"Look, look!" Kurumu responds by covering the young man's mouth to keep him from shouting even more. "You gave me your address and I decided to come here and finally just get to talk to you. Now that everyone else is out of the way, I have you all to myself. I know you're probably not happy to see me but we just need to talk, thank God the others didn't think of this...huh?" The succubus stops her ranting after feeling three taps on her shoulder, she looks and finds herself eye-to-eye with a nervously smiling Vampire as she waved her hand.

"Hi, Kurumu..."

SLAM!

Tsukune's closet suddenly opens...and a young Snow Fairy rubs the tiredness from her eyes. "This sucks, I must've fallen asleep while hiding in here. Hey, Tsukune, I saw Elijah leave your bus with you and-" Mizore stops talking the moment she sees Moka and Kurumu in the bedroom with Tsukune, causing her lollipop to fall from her mouth.

SLAM!

Now the door leading to the balcony opens, and a young witch pops in. She hung her head low as she panted heavily. "Tsukune...the girls...they followed you here and..." Yukari looks up, her eyes widening as she sees she was too late to warn the human. "...Damn my bad timing."

What is happening?

---

Elijah...

"Here, let me help you with that, Mrs. Aono," I take the kettle from the stove and start pouring the tea into a few cups on a tray.

"Oh, it's quite alright. But...thank you," She offers her gratitude...but she's shaking like a leaf. I can understand that, her mind must be going at a thousand miles an hour now with Moka here.

"Are you alright, ma'am?"

"Mmm," She nods. "I'm quite alright, it's just...do you know that girl as well, Elijah?"

"Yes, ma'am," I nod. "She's a good friend of ours, well..."

"Well?"

I chuckle. "Let's just say that those two are more than friends, not official just yet, but we all know."

"...Is she kind?"

I nod. "One of the sweetest girls I know."

I could see her sigh in relief and her eyes seemed to resonate with remembrance...I wonder why. But never mind that. Mrs. Aono searches the cupboard for some sugar, I smile to myself as I look out the window...but it fades away as I see my owl companion fluttering outside. He seemed panicked about something as he pointed upwards with his wings.

"Shoo! Scram! Get out!" I shout in a whisper and wave my hands in dismissal, Archimedes just rolls his eyes and flies up. If it was really that important, he wouldn't have flown away.

"Is something the matter, Elijah?" Mrs. Aono asks me with her tea tray in her hand.

"No ma'am," I shake my head. Both of us head upstairs, on the way, I notice that Mrs. Aono is still shaking a little but not as much as before. "I wouldn't worry so much, Mrs. Aono," I try to reassure her as soon as we reach Tsukune's bedroom door. "Moka is a nice girl, she's actually been wanting to meet you too."

"Moka?"

I reached for the doorknob and opened it. "Hey, guys, we brought some tea-"

"I can't believe you guys!"

"You sneaky bitch,"

"You're one to talk, stalker!"

"I can't believe all three of you are here!"

"Why are you even here, Yukari!"

"..." Why am I even surprised? I watch, dumbfounded as the girls argue as my best friend was equally as annoyed with their arrival. I understand Moka wanting to be here but why are the others here? They don't even notice my or Mrs. Aono's arrival.

THUMP!

But they did notice her passing out on the floor, Tsukune most of all. "Oh, no, Mom!"

"Oh, shit..."

"Elijah? You're here too?"

"Shut up!" I shout out of habit. "I'll deal with the four of you later, Tsukune and I will take care of her." He joins me as soon as I say that and I slam the bedroom door shut.

---

Moka...

"Would you care to explain why there are four different girls in your room?!" Tsukune's mother can be heard shouting from the other side of the door. "And who are they?!"

"Mom, mom! Calm down! They're just some friends from my school, that's all!"

Some 'friends'?

"Yes, Mrs. Aono," Elijah's voice can be heard as well. "We didn't know they would come here!"

As they continued, Moka felt a pang of guilt in her chest. Since Tsukune's a human attending a school for monsters, he's probably never told his family about it...or us for that matter. He must've been keeping it a secret all this time because he knew the news would freak them out... "Guys, we put Tsukune in a really bad spot," Moka voices her thoughts. "Elijah too."

"..." The others went quiet from the fact that came from the Vampire's lips.

"You know, guys...I don't think we should've come here," Moka admits in a disheartened tone. Before anyone could voice their own opinion on the matter, Elijah came back into the room, gently closing the door behind him. "Elijah, is Mrs. Aono okay-"

"Shut it, all of you," He said, his face scrunching up in anger as he took a seat in Tsukune's computer chair. "Alright, we've calmed her down, and she's willing to let you guys stay here for the time being until you all go home. But if that's gonna happen, I'm laying down the rules right now." The girls didn't need to hear Elijha repeat himself, his angered and slightly annoyed tone told them that. "This isn't Yokai Academy, we can't go around acting like it is. We can't make any slip-ups like we did on our summer trip, this is Tsukune's home and his family is here. That means no washtubs, no freezing people, no flying, no magic, no sucking blood, and no tearing off that Rosary. As far as we're concerned, we are normal humans and Tsukune's friends. Do I make myself clear?"

---

Elijah...

I sigh as I feel the warm water overtake my body, I never liked baths but I needed this one. The others should be downstairs talking to Mrs. Aono and telling themselves exactly who they are, hopefully they can put her mind at ease. Speaking of those girls...

I wasn't exactly nice to them when I laid down the law for them, I don't know why I was like that, I wonder if it's the after-effects of Lilith's Mirror getting in my head. Maybe it's just all my stress getting to me, I don't know. I look to my left...cringing at the reminder I had to share the bathroom with Tsukune. I'll admit it, though, the dude looks badass with some of his scars. Especially that x-shaped one over his torso.

"You know, this isn't what I imagined when you said 'guy time', bro." I know it's a cultural thing, but still.

"You and me both, brother," Tsukune sighed as he sat in a shower chair, letting the water of the showerhead rinse him off. "Everyone just barged in all at once, I can't blame my Mom for freaking out like that. It wasn't so bad with just you here."

"Yeah, sorry about this man...but do you think I was a little harsh on them?"

"Just a little, you're lucky my mom didn't hear you from outside the door like I did."

"Dammit..." I slam my fist into the water, making a small splash.

"Don't worry, man. At a time like this, we just gotta keep our heads on straight. We have to just chill out and think about things calmly," Tsukune turns off the showerhead, guess it's almost my turn to rinse myself off.

"Yeah, you're right," I say before submerging myself in the water to rinse off my hair. Then out of the corner of my eye, I see a small yellow duck. I take it in my hands and out of curiosity, I squeeze it. I find myself slightly surprised by the high-pitched squeaking sound it makes. "...What is this thing?" I held out the little trinket in my hand so Tsukune could see.

"Oh, that's just a rubber ducky." He responded with a glance at the item.

"'Rubber...ducky'?" I fiddle with it in my hand, I've never seen anything like this before. "What purpose does it serve?"

"It's just...a toy for kids in the bath, I'm surprised it's still here."

"Fascinating..."

You never had one before?"

I shake my head. "No, my Mom would just entertain me with certain water spells. But this... This is fascinating."

"Really? It's just a simple-"

Tsukune stops talking the moment the bathroom door opens. We turn to see who it is...and my jaw drops to the floor for the second time today. But it wasn't for Moka this time...oh, no, it was definitely not Moka. It was Kurumu, and the only thing she was wearing was a light pink towel that was tightly wrapped around her body. My hands immediately went to cover my eyes.

"Kurumu!"

"I'm taking a shower and my Mom's down- MMFF! MMM!" I can only guess that Kurumu had covered Tsukune's mouth thanks to his muffled screams.

"Hey, calm down! There's just something I need to speak to you about and I knew that this was the only place where we could get some privacy!"

"Flaw in your plan," I say in a huff. "I'm here too!"

"You know you don't have to cover your eyes, you've seen me in a swimsuit, dummy."

"Not the same thing!" I reluctantly let my hands fall back into the water. Focus, Elijah...focus! Do not fall into temptation.

Kurumu lets her hands fall, allowing Tsukune to breathe. She looks to me, her violet Irises practically begging. "Elijah, could you give me and Tsukune a minute alone?"

"And how do you expect me to do...about..."

My words trail off as I feel the water around my body gets colder, but what made my heart practically stop is when I see bubbles forming at the opposite end of the tub. Something...lavender-colored arises from the water, she wears a dark navy blue one-piece swimsuit. The rubber duck sits upon a snow fairy's head now completely frozen in a block of ice.

"It's about time things cooled down in here..."

"Mizore?!"

My hands immediately slam down into the water to cover my privates. "How did you get here?! And how long were you here?!"

"I should've expected something like this from you, Kurumu," Mizore ignores my question and stands up straight in the tub. Thank Christ she's wearing that swimsuit. "But you made a big mistake thinking you could get the drop on me in a place where there's water." The snow fairy steps out of the tub, waving her hand and encasing Tsukune and Kurumu in ice...and she freezes the water in the bathtub as well. "Not to mention that I'm a girl that will stop at nothing when it comes to love."

"Hey!"

"M-Mizore!"

"MY TENDERS!" Oh god, that's fucking cold! This is way worse than the Frozen Pond incident! "Mizore! C-C-C-Can't feel my-"

"Sorry to put you in a deep freeze too, Elijah," She ignores my plea and just gets closer to my face, taking her lollipop out of her mouth. "But I can't pull my punches if I'm going to win you over."

Seriously?! Did she not listen to me?!

"You two stop it right now!" Thank god, you're here, Yukari! I sigh in relief at the arriving Young Witch. "Waugh!"

But she found herself slipping on a bar of soap...grabbing onto the back of Kurumu's towel in the process. I try to cover my eyes but I can't due to them being frozen. It was only for a second...but I did in fact see Kurumu's nipples before clamping my eyes shut. I could feel my face practically burning up as I heard Kurumu's scream.

"No! Don't look!"

"I'm not!"

"I didn't see anything!" Oh, god...It won't leave my head!

"Why you!" I can hear the girls leave the bathroom, slamming the door shut. I open my eyes and find Yukari pulling Tsukune out of his ice prison.

"Guys, stop it!" He rushes out of the bathroom, putting his underwear on as he does.

"Tsukune! At least put some pants on!" Yukari chases after him with Tsukune's clothes in hand, leaving me all alone.

"Hey! What about me?!" Dammit, did they really just leave me? I know I'm not supposed to do magic, but... Oh, fuck it! "Fists of Fire!" I feel the heed rising in my hands, blasting the ice and freeing myself in the process. I step out of the tub and put on my underwear and jeans. "Ah, still can't feel my balls..." I fumble out of the bathroom and I slip on my socks, shoes, and my black top...causing me to tumble down the stairs and onto the hardwood floor of the first floor. "Ah! Fuck!"

"One of them is running around in her swimsuit!" I look up from the floor and see Mrs. Aono on the phone, Mizore just ran past her.

"Get back here!" I see Kurumu calling out from the living room, chasing Mizore. "It's all your fault they saw me naked!" She crosses my path and I see that she now has on a bra and panties with an unbuttoned white shirt. At least she's clothed.

This comment didn't help Mrs. Aono one bit, she gasped in shock. "Honey, get home now!"

"Stop running around, you two!" Tsukune follows them both out of the front door, zipping up his pants and buttoning up his shirt. Yukari follows close behind him out of the door.

"Tsukune! Hold on a second!"

"What the fuck is going on?!" I get to my feet, only to find that Mrs. Aono has passed out again.

"Mrs. Aono!" Moka, the only sane one right now rushes over to her.

"What's with all this racket?" Oh, great! Who is it this time?! I look to the door, feeling my blood begin to boil. I am so done with this constant bullshit, but my anger subsides slightly when I see that it's only Kyoko coming inside. "Anyone wanna explain why Tsuki is chasing a naked Kurumu and Mizore and why Auntie is passed out on the floor?"

"Just..help Moka with her!" I point at Mrs. Aono before making my way to the front door. "I'll go take care of them!" I rush down the street, following Yukair who's following Tsukune. "Guys! Stop!"

"I'm so sick and tired of you always getting in my way!" I hear Kurumu down the street, soon followed by an annoyed Mizore's voice.

"Whatever. If I beat you, then you'll finally stop getting in my way. Sound fair, big tits?" I arrive just in time to see her hands forming into ice claws...and Kurumu responds by extending her sharp nails.

"Fine, bring it on, Frosty."

"Guys! No!"

"Stop it!"

They ignore Tsukuen and me, starting their fight and damaging the area around us as it continues down the street. For fuck's sake, did they forget they're in the human world?! I specifically told them to not-

"Look out!" Tsukune pushes me out of the way of a falling telephone pole, I get back up on my feet and nod.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"You guys gotta admit, this is a pretty cool fight!"

"You're not helping, Yukari!"

BOOM!

CRASH!

Their fight eventually led us to a nearby playground, I could hear Kurumu laugh as the three of us arrived. "Well, damn, Snow Skank. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to kill me back there. Look at that, you even drew blood."

"I'll draw a whole lot more!" Mizore goes in to slash Kurumu, only for her to doge and hit a nearby bench instead, destroying it.

"Guys, seriously, stop!" Tsukune yells.

"You're destroying the whole neighborhood!" I add.

"I'll stop them!" Yukari happily jumps into the fray with her wand in hand.

"Yukari, no!"

"You'll only make things worse!"

"Magic wand, golden washtub! Magic wand, golden washtub! Abra cada-"

"Move it!" Kurumu pushes Yuakri out of the way right into Mizore, and she responds by kicking her in the stomach.

"Stay out of our way, brat!"

"You two dumb tramps..." Yukari rises to her feet, her wand trembling in her angry hands. "Now I'm mad!" Now the three of them are fighting, adding only more destruction to the playground. "Die! Die! Die! Die!"

"You little... Haven't you had enough!"

"Bitch! Try this on for size!"

"Things are only getting worse!"

"Okay, I know this isn't good parenting but if you all stop now, we'll go get McDonalds!"

HOO! HOO!

"I say!" Archimedes flies in, most likely thanks to the loud crashing of the fight. "W-What's with all this ruckus nonsense?!"

"..." I can feel myself getting angrier... Why aren't they listening to us?

---

Kasumi Aono...

Mrs. Aono found herself waking up on the floor of her living room, her eyes immediately met with the green Irises of Moka Akashiya. She rubs the tiredness from her eyes out of habit. "W-What?"

"Mrs. Aono!"

"Auntie!"

"Are you alright? Is everything okay?"

Kasumi looks around for her son. "Where's Tsukune?"

"He and Elijah went to go get the other girls," Moka admits before bowing her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry! We all barged in unannounced and caused you nothing but trouble since we got here... I swear, ma'am, I never intended for any of this. We only wanted to say hello."

"...Who are you girls, really?" Kasumi's voice is firmer, now demanding an answer from the young girl.

"We're all in the newspaper club," Moka answers but doesn't raise her head. "the same one Tsukune and Elijah are in. We're all really close and... Oh! But please don't take that the wrong way! It's all perfectly wholesome and there's nothing indecent! But I wouldn't be lying if I said that there are some feelings involved..." The Vampire cuts herself off, internally embarrassed at the sound of her own rambling. "But we're all friends, just friends! And...and...and..."

"...The newspaper club?"

"Huh?"

"And tell me, is your name...Moka?"

The Vampire Girl looks up at the right guess of her name. "Y-Yes. How did you know?"

Kasumi smiles. "Tsukune has been raving for months about a friend whose name is Moka, he says you're a great fighter but it never occurred to me that you'd be a girl. I'm so glad to finally get to meet you because Tsukune talks about you all the time. Every time he calls home, you're the first one mentioned." Kasumi thinks back to one of Tsukune's first calls from Yokai Academy.

"I've made some really great friends here at school, one of them has become really important to me."

"You know, at first, it really surprised me. I've never heard him like that before, he sounded like the happiest he's ever been in his life."

"Mom, I really hope you can meet them one of these days."

"..." Moka could feel her tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

"I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to meeting you, Moka," Kasumi smiles even more at the girl. "He also didn't mention how cute and kind you were." Moka gasped in slight shock as Kasumi remembered...another conversation with her son.

"This girl must be pretty special to you. Tell me, is she cute?" Tsukune nods. "Is she kind?" Another nod. "Well, that's good. Anyone you love this much would definitely be kind."

"So, you think I really love her?"

"That's actually completely up to you. but it does sound like it."

"I guess so...it's still so confusing though."

"First loves often are. I think I have an idea of who it is, but I won't force you to tell me. Just know that your father and I are here to talk about it whenever you want."

"Thanks, Mom."

Kasumi smiled at the memory. I knew I had a feeling... It's finally nice to meet the girl my little boy loves. "He told me that you were his best friend in the world...and that you make him so happy." Moka covers her mouth with both hands in, her tears slowly falling down her face as Kasumi bows. "Thank you for coming to visit, Moka. And thank you for being in Tsukune's life."

"..." After a few soft sobs, Moka wipes her tears away and rises to her feet. A look of determination and fearlessness roses over her face. "I'll go get the others, Mrs. Aono."

Kasumi nods. "Well, alright, dear. Be sure not to stay out too long, I'll treat everyone to dinner when you all get back."

"Thank you, ma'am," Moka nods before heading to the front door, but she stops when she hears Mrs. Aono again.

"Please, you can call me Kasumi."

"...Thank you," Moka smiles and rushes out the door.

"What'd I tell ya, Auntie?" Kyoko laughs. "They're a strange bunch."

"Haha," Kasumi giggles at her niece's remark. "Yes, they are. But if Tsukune trusts them all, then they're family in my book."

---

Elijah...

They haven't stopped, no matter what we say...they just...won't...stop. Most of the park has been completely demolished, Tsukune and I have nearly been hit by the debris of all the chaos, and...I have just about had enough of this bullshit. I don't want to hurt them, but I'm done just sitting here and letting them destroy everything. I step forward, now having a chance to get between them all now that they stopped to take a breath.

"Dude, be careful!"

"What the human said, Young Everett!"

I listen to their warnings but offer no response in return. Instead, I only march forward. I don't care what it takes, they're going to listen...one way or another. I get close enough to hear Mizore's words.

"Lately, I've been thinking that this friendship is a little too close for comfort."

"I agree."

"With friends like you two, who needs enemies?"

"Guys, you need to stop," I say, placing a hand on Mizore's shoulder since she was the closest one. "Nothing good will- AUGH!" I recoil back after the Snow Fairy's left ice claw strikes me in the face. I cover my face out of reaction to the pain in my cheek.

"You stay out of this...Elijah?!"

"What the hell was that for, you dumb Snow Skank?!"

"Jeez, Mizore!"

"I'm-I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was-"

"Shut up..." I take my hand off my face...finding a drop of blood in my palm. "...All of you just shut the fuck up..." I look back to the girls...and I feel the wind around me come to a halt as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The darkened park is now illuminated by an ethereal blue glow thanks to my irises.

"Oh, dear," I overheard my owl companion sigh. "Now they've done it."

"E-Elijah, I-I didn't mean to-"

"Silence."

My voice boomed...but it wasn't by my own will. No, this was something I hadn't felt in a long time...or rather...someone. The next thing that my body does out of his will is raise my arms, the blue glow never leaves my hands. In seconds, Mizore's body is ensnared in roots that came from right underneath her, Yukari is pinned down by a tree branch that had picked her up, and Kurumu hands her bound behind her back thanks to the chains from the broken swingset that sprung to life.

"There. Now that I have your attention, Younglings..."

"H-Hey!"

"Ow! That hurts!"

"...Oh my gosh," Seems like Yukari was the first to recognize who was really in control here. "...M-Merlin?!"

I felt my face contort into a cheeky grin. "Ah, quite right you are, young Yukari. But I'm afraid that I'm not here for a social call. For once, I felt like I had to speak my own mind on the matter. Well, what would've been in the real Merlin's mind if he was here," My body lets out a chuckle while my mind lets out a sigh. I keep forgetting that this is only a part of Merlin that lives in me, but the power is all here.

"It's none of your business, old man!" Mizore shouts now that she knows who he's speaking to. "This bitch keeps-'

"Oh, but I'm afraid it is my business, Snow Fairy," I leaned down to Mizore's face, my own scowls with Merlin's annoyance combined with my own. "You see, you, the Succubus, and the Witch completely disregarded the young man's words and caused nothing but trouble. Look around you! Such utter and unnecessary destruction, and for what?!"

"..." Mizore finally takes a look around the area...her face falling at the sight of the remains of their fight. "...But she keeps-"

"How long do you wish to keep wasting time over your petty squabbles, Mizore Shirayuki? Because let me tell you, Elijah's mind is just filled to the brim with stress! I mean, honestly! I'm shocked the young man has kept his patience for this long!"

Gee, thanks, Merlin! Just keep telling them what's going on in my head!

"And you, Yukari Sendo," My body hovers off the ground and over to the Young Witch, she looks down on me as she hangs from the tree branch. "You claim to be a mature young woman, wanting to be treated like such as well, but here you are... Acting the very way that you fear everyone will always see you as, a child." Yukari flinches at my...or rather, Merlin's words. And I wouldn't be lying if I said that he has a point.

"I-I just-"

"If you're going to offer me an excuse rather than a logical explanation for your behavior, you'd be better off playing with your golden washtubs," My body once again moves on its own, hovering over my best friend kneeling on the dirt ground. "And you, Kurumu Kurono."

"..." She could only look to the ground, shaking at what Merlin could possibly have to say to her.

"...I really expected more from you, young lady, and so did he. Next time, I would advise you to think before you act. In fact, all of you could benefit from this simple lesson. The Vampire Girl and Human Boy know this very well!"

"...Yes, sir," Kurumu sighed in defeat, not even offering a simple look up at me.

"Now then," My hands clasp together. "Let's fix this place up, shall we?" Hands out, the blue glow even brighter than before, the destruction around us seemed to be fixing itself as if it never happened. I know this spell, it's- "Mendo!" Merlin takes the word right out of my head as a flash of white light blinds my friends. In only a matter of minutes, the damage is completely undone, and the three girls who caused it all are freed from their temporary prisons. "Now with that out of the way, I expect you all to do better from here on out. Not just for the young man's sake, but for your own as well."

HOO! HOO!

"I say, you never fail to amaze me, old friend."

"Ah, Archimedes," The owl hovers in front of me, no, in front of his old master. "So good to see you, my friend. I expect you are looking after the boy rather well?"

"As best as I can, you old fool. I'll tell you," Archimedes chuckles. "He and his associates aren't making it easy for me."

"Haha... I can imagine so. Keep up the good work, Archimedes."

"Of course, Merlin," The Pygmy Owl nods, flying over to Tsukune and I feel the energy in my body begin to subside. I can even feel my own will come back to me, I'm in control once again. But Merlin had one last thing to say.

And you as well, Elijah Everett. I know you'll do what's right for these wonderful friends of yours... The voice of Merlin echoed through my head as I returned to my normal state.

...That's easy for you to say, Merlin. I didn't even do anything this time...I don't think I ever have.

"Elijah, are you alright?" Mizore comes closer to me...but she stops when I raise my hand out at her, silencing her.

"Not another word, Mizore. Not from you, not from Yukari, not from Kurumu, not from any of you. As far as I'm concerned at this moment, I am very disappointed in all of you," I point back in the direction of Tsukune's home. "All of you. Back to the house. Now!"

---

Tsukune...

"Holy shit..."

The human boy hadn't spoken a word since Mizore had accidentally struck his friend and made him go into...that state. I don't think you've ever been this angry before, man. And this was at our friends... I guess the stress really got to him this time, I don't blame him, honestly. I was this close to stepping in myself. Tsukune watched as Yukari, Mizore, and Kurumu walked back to the house with their heads hanging low, none of them ever offered the human boy a looking glance.

The next he sees is his best friend. Tsukune wants to say something to his best friend, but any words that come to his mind only end badly with him thinking it'll upset him even more. But even so, he cares deeply about Elijah and doesn't want to leave him in such a bad state.

"...You alright man?" Tsukune offers a gentle hand upon Elijah's shoulder.

"...Let's just get back to the house, alright, man?" The Wizard only offered a sighed response before he followed the other girls.

"..." I really hope he's okay, I feel like crap not doing anything about the situation. The human sighs before he sits on the newly repaired bench, setting his face in his hands. That's all I've been lately, just the guy who always needs saving or the one who can't do anything when the others are already on the front lines.

"Tsukune?"

"Moka?" The pleasant voice of the Vampire brings Tsukune's face away from his hands.

"I...saw the others heading back to the house, Elijah's fixing any damage they caused with his magic. He seems...angry," Moka hesitantly takes a seat next to Tsukune, her eyes glistening in the rising moon. "Tsukune, what happened?"

Tsukune sighs, he knows that Moka probably will be shocked by the events that went down while she was looking after his mother. "Well, long story short, things got really out of hand. Mizore and Kurumu wouldn't stop fighting, Yukari tried to 'stop it' but she only joined in the fight, Elijah tried to step in but Mizore ended up hitting him on accident...that's when Merlin showed up."

"Merlin?"

"Yeah," Tsukune nods. "You remember how Elijah told us that a part of Merlin lives inside of him since he's the Blessed Child?" Moka nods. "Looks like he had something to say about all of that happened here, he stopped the fight and fixed up the place in no time."

"Well, that's good, I guess. Your mom is alright, by the way, Kyoko is looking after her now."

"Kyoko's at the house?" Tsukune tilted his head and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Mhm," Moka nods. "She was...kinda concerned by all the racket we were making," The Vampire girl let out a nervous chuckle, causing the same reaction from the Human.

"Yeah, I would imagine so. Sorry for making you worry, Moka."

"No, it's not your fault. If anything we're the ones who should be sorry for coming here out of nowhere."

"You guys just wanted to see us, I can't blame you for that," Tsukune smiles at Moka. "If anything, I'm honestly glad. I really was hoping that all of you could meet my folks one day. Sure, it didn't go exactly as I hoped," He chuckled. "but I'm happy it happened anyway."

The boy's words cause the Vampire girl to blush, the heat practically radiates from her cheeks. "Tsukune..."

He happily smiled back at her, returning her own sentiment with a single word. "Moka..."

The pair of teenagers found themselves inching their way closer, only focusing on each other at the moment rather than the moment itself. Tsukune always told himself that he could spend forever getting lost in Moka's emerald-green eyes, her beautiful pools of mystery. Just when Tsukune thought that this would be the perfect moment, Moka stopped herself, looking off to the side.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Moka? What's wrong?"

"Hang on," Moka brushes him off momentarily and looks away once more. "Yeah...uh-huh... Are you sure?"

What is she doing?

"Well, okay then!" Moka pays attention to Tsukune once more, bearing a small smile on her face. "Inner Me wants to talk to you, Tsukune."

"To me?" The young human tilts his head in confusion. "Why?" To answer his question, Moka simply grabbed Tsukune's hand and guided it to the silver Rosary around her neck. Once he takes hold of the trinket, Moka makes Tsukune tear it away in one swift motion. "M-Moka?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Moka says with a warm smile as her outer self slowly changes into her true form in a flash of light. Tsukune is blinded for a moment, raising his hand over his eyes to shield them before lowering them so his eyes can meet the glowing red irises of the True Vampire. Inner Moka smirks at him once she sees the slightly shocked expression on the boy's face.

"Thought you would've gotten used to that by now."

"Yeah," Tsukune chuckled as he scratched the back of his head out of nervousness. "I guess you still surprise me is all."

"Wow," Inner Moka shook her head and scoffed. "That was so cheesy I can actually smell it."

Tsukune found himself laughing at Moka's remark. "What did you want to talk to me about, anyway?"

"There are two things, actually," Inner Moka sighs. "...It's everyone's indecisiveness that brought this about, you're aware of that, right?" Tsukune stayed silent so Moka could explain what she meant. "And that's okay for the time being. But one of these days you and Elijah are going to have to make a decision and be clear with what you both want. And that time is getting closer than you think."

"...What kind of decision?" Tsukune already feels like he knows the answer, but he wants to hear it from her just to be sure.

"The one about who you take on as your partner, and whether you're willing to leave the human world based on that decision. There will be a time when you have to come up with those decisions on your own, so don't forget that, Tsukune."

"...Well, you already know what I feel for you."

Tsukune earned himself another sigh from the vampire. "That's the other thing. It's simply foolish if you think you could possibly love two entirely different people. Besides, you may have won over my pseudo-self, but not me.

"...That's the thing, Moka. I think you two are a lot more similar than you think, so I don't see you as two different people."

Moka rolls her eyes at this. "That's ridiculous. What could possibly-"

"Well, you show it in an entirely different way than she does, but you care just as much about all of us. You wouldn't fight as hard as you do otherwise..."

"That's just-"

"And the other Moka may not be as strong, but she has your willpower to not give up even when faced with the impossible odds."

"That's hardly-"

"And underneath that cold exterior, there's a kind and caring heart that I know that wants to be expressed. The same goes for the other Moka, there's just a strong-willed fighter underneath that kind and loving smile."

"Watch it there, you-"

"And one other thing I've noticed," Tsukune smiles, now feeling more confident than he has with himself in God knows how long, he found himself reaching out to gently stroke Moka's cheek and brush a lock of hair out of her face and behind her ear. "You both blush the same way whenever I compliment you. Especially when I say how beautiful you are."

"Tch!" The Vampire looks away from the Human...doing her best to hide the rising blush on her cheeks. "You're getting real cocky there with yourself, Tsukune Aono. Don't push your luck."

Tsukune only softly laughs in response and leans back into the park bench. I honestly don't even know where that confidence came from, but I'm glad it did. I got to see this side of the Inner Moka...and that makes me happy. The young man is brought out of his inner thoughts when he feels a sudden weight on his right shoulder. When he steals a glance down, his eyes are met with the sight of Moka leaning her head against him. This action almost steals all his confidence and leaves his heart a pounding mess.

"M-Moka?"

"Try not to think about it so much. This doesn't mean that you've won me over, just think of this as me apologizing for being such a bitch about Lilith's Mirror. And it's nice to be brought out and not fight for a change, Elijah did well."

"..."

"...But we can stay like this for a little longer to suit your needs, then we can go back to your home," Moka didn't even realize she was showing it, but the young Vampire was smiling. "...You have a one-of-a-kind mother, Tsukune, you should be happy to have her. I like her."

Tsukune simply smiles at this, a faint blush flushing his face. I wonder what she and Moka talked about while we handled the others... I just hope she didn't say anything too embarrassing. The Human shook off any rising worries and just looked up at the night sky, his right shoulder taken by the head of the Vampire. They sit there for who knows how long. Tsukune didn't say it out loud, but he knew for a fact...he wanted to stay there forever.

---

A few hours later...

Elijah...

"What a night..."

I sighed to myself as I rested my head in my hands. I came back to the park where the brawl had taken place and took a seat on the bench that Mizore destroyed, I'm still surprised how easily I...well, Merlin fixed it. I know I fixed the damage away from the park but... I groan for what feels like the millionth time today.

I know everything's calmed down since the fight stopped, but I still can't help but feel like a major asshole for losing myself like that. I don't care that it wasn't exactly me doing it, I was still responsible for how it was dealt with. I still can't believe that Mizore hit me like that, I know it was an accident and I kinda had it coming but still... Even so, this wouldn't have happened if they had just listened to me in the first place. I gave them clear instructions and they knew the risks and yet they still didn't listen. They're just lucky that it wasn't anyone else that took care of the problem.

Kurumu and Mizore had never fought like that before, not even to that extent. It's like we're all the way back to square one...like we're back to them just fighting over Tsukune. Why did they even start a fight in the first place? At least it's over now. But it wasn't easy coming up with a logical explanation for Mrs. Aono about why they ran out of the house like that...and it definitely wasn't easy coming up with a reason why we accidentally saw Kurumu naked. I still can't get it out of my head, I don't want to think about her like that...at least not yet.

After that whole mess, Mrs. Aono took us out and treated us to a nice supper. Well, I think most people consider McDonald's mediocre, but it honestly fits with how I felt with today's events. I offered to pay for everything since we caused so much trouble, but Mrs. Aono insisted it was no trouble for her. I still feel bad, but she at least found a way comfort to my nerves. And I'll admit, watching Moka chow down on an American-style cheeseburger was kind of funny.

"...Hey." I sighed again, I didn't even need to look up to see who it was. "Everyone's getting ready to sleep, Mrs. Aono was nice enough to let us take the living room as a temporary sleeping space."

"..." I could hear Kurumu walk over and sit down next to me on the bench, she stayed silent for a moment. but If I know her like the best friend that I am, I know that she definitely has something to say to me. "If you're going to apologize, then you better make it a good one."

"...I'm not the only one who should apologize, you know?" I rolled my eyes at that, damn her stubbornness. I wonder if she picked it up from me...no, she was like this before I met her. "Mizore's the one that started it."

"And you sure as shit fueled the fire, Kurumu."

"...Okay, fine," She pouts, her lips curling up in slight anger and annoyance. "Yes, I didn't make things better, but you have to agree that this was mostly Mizore's fault."

"It doesn't matter!" I stand and look down at her, my anger is there but I keep it in check. "you guys could've destroyed a lot more if I hadn't stepped in, it's like you all completely forgot that we're in the human world now!"

Kurumu flinches a little from my yelling, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment with how I'm practically scolding her like a child. "...I'm sorry," She spoke so lowly that I could barely hear her apology.

"...First, all of you come here, unannounced, might I add. Then you all insist on staying here for a visit when Mrs. Aono already has a lot on her plate with just me having to stay here, then you just barge in the bathroom practically naked while Tsukune and I were in there because you were too impatient to have your 'talk' with him. Mizore takes it upon herself to invade the bathtub and freeze my balls off, and to add the cherry on top...you guys get into a full-fledged fight and smash everything in your path! Even Yukari joined in for no fucking reason! It's like you guys didn't even hear a fucking word I said!"

"..." Kurumu had kept her head hung low and her eyes closed as I listed off every one of their shenanigans from today, she couldn't even bring herself to look at me once I was done. "I'm sorry, Elijah. I really am...I'm so sorry."

"..." I let out an exhausted sigh as I sat back down on the bench beside her. "What were all of you thinking? I expected it from Mizore, maybe even from Yukari, but you? I really thought you would've at least listened to me of all people."

"...I don't know, okay?" Kurumu lifts her head, looking up to the night sky. "With everything that's happened, especially in the last few days with the festival and all, I guess all the stress just got to me when Mizore got in my way again. I know that's just another excuse, but it's what happened."

"..."

"...Do you hate me now?"

"What?"

"It's just...with everything that happened, I can't help but feel like you hate me right now."

"...I could never hate you, Kuru, any of you. You know that. But...I was angry at you guys."

"..." Kurumu looks away from me again, sighing dissappointedly to herself. "I'm really sorry, Elijah."

"...I should be saying that too," I look down at my feet, and Kurumu eyes me down with a confused look in her eyes.

"Why should you?"

"...After Mizore...hit me, I lost control and well..." I sigh, not sure how I want to put my thoughts into words. "I'm sorry Merlin had to treat you guys like that, especially how he scolded you guys...and I did the same thing right after I was me again."

"No," Kurumu shakes her head and rests her hand on my shoulder. "you don't have to apologize for that. We were the ones acting like idiots and letting things get out of control. You had every right to be upset at us."

"Still, I don't normally get that way, especially around you guys and I don't want it to become a thing. And most of all, I don't want to rely on...him to solve every problem I have."

"What do you mean?"

I bring myself to look back over at Kurumu. "That was the first time that Merlin had ever come out in that state since I left Hong Kong, I've been meditating and trying to speak to him every now and then...but there's only silence. It makes me feel like I'm just letting him down, especially with how he had to step in and take care of things."

"Elijah..."

I look away once again...and I wonder if I should bring up this topic with her. I mean, she's my best friend, I tell her everything... "Kurumu?"

"What's wrong?" She notices how uneasy I'm getting, looks like I'm doing this.

"Look, I've been thinking lately. Every time that I use Merlin's Might, it's a turning point in every fight that happens, right?" Kurumu nods. "But...after every fight, every single time I return to my normal self, there's just this itch in the back of my head, gnawing at my brain. A permanent reminder that this...power within me is not even my own. It's like someone else has just given me the keys and I just keep fucking up."

"Don't say that about-"

"It's true, Kurumu," I cut her off, her grip on my shoulder tightens a little. "First, It wasn't even me that took down Kuyo, it was thanks to Merlin that I'm even alive right now. While I was away, I accidentally hurt a lot of people in Hong Kong, then I practically assaulted my master, I came back and did nothing to stop Moka from hurting Tsukune. After that, I couldn't even stop Hokuto from nearly destroying the school all because I was holding back. I hate to sound like a broken record, but...it's times like this where I think I don't deserve-"

Kurumu shuts me up the only way she knew how, hugging me tightly and gently stroking the back of my head. I reluctantly hug her back, wrapping my arms around her waist. We stay like this for God knows how long before she pulls away slightly, her arms remain around my neck and mine stay around her waist.

"You really need to stop doing that to yourself, dummy. All that moping and brooding adds wrinkles to your face."

That actually breaks a small chuckle out of me before I break away from her. "Sorry, guess I still have a problem with that, huh?"

"Yeah, you do. But then again, you've always been a pretty brooding individual, haven't you?" Kurumu said, a teasing tone in her voice as she poked my cheek.

I laugh again. "So that's the first impression you had of me when we first met?"

"Oh, don't act all coy and innocent now. When I first met you, you were just this cute guy who played with his magical cards. The look on your face when I first tried to use my charm you..." Kurumu giggles at the memory. "I still have no idea how you weren't affected."

"Yeah. But I'm glad I got to know the real you, you know?"

"Yeah," She nods. "Me too. I know I can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."

"But that's not who you are."

Kurumu smiled a bit at the way I said that. "You're really too nice for your own good sometimes, you know that?"

"Sometimes," I nod. "But then again, that's not such a bad thing."

"Not at all," Kurumu shakes her head. I'm glad she can still find a way to make me feel better, even after being a pain.

"...Oh, shit," I just remembered, and this could be a perfect time.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"I almost forgot, and since I won't see you for a while after tomorrow…" I reach for my pocket, pulling out a small wrapped item. I didn't have any actual wrapping paper so I just used some of the leftover newspaper from one of our old issues. "Here…"

Kurumu looked at the small wrapped makeshift present with a puzzled expression. Her eyes went from the little gift and then back up to me with an arched eyebrow.

"What's this?"

"I was gonna give it to you after…the festival, but since that went down the drains I think it's best to give it to you now. Go ahead, open it."

"Well, alright," Kurumu carefully began to unwrap the small gift from the paper, being careful not to rip it while she opened it. When the paper was gone, she held a small black device in her hands. Kurumu, confused by the item she held, looks at me. "Huh? isn't this…your phone?"

"Nope," I shook my head with a grin on my face. "It's yours."

"Huh?" Kurumu was puzzled by my wording. "How is it mine?"

"I've been working on a specific type of spell that allows me to duplicate any item I choose. Look, I'll show you," I pick up a nearby leaf from the ground and set it on the bench. Using my left hand, I hover it over the leaf and close my eyes. "Duplicaro!"

Kurumu watches with rapt attention as the leaf from the ground duplicated itself in a flash of light red. When she saw the perfect copy, her eyes widened in shock, disbelief, and just a hint of amazement.

"Whoa…"

"Yeah," I pick up the leaves with my fingers, chuckling at how simple that was. "but it's a lot easier to do it with a leaf than a phone. You have no idea how long it took me to get a right copy of that thing."

"Elijah..."

"I even did a whole factory reset for you, too. Gave it your own number, gave you a cool wallpaper, and I even signed you in on my Spotify account so you can listen to my playlist whenever you want now."

The look on Kurumu's face went from one of shock and awe to one of complete surprise. "But…why?"

"Well, Tsukune and I are the only ones who have phones since we grew up in the human world. So I thought that getting you girls phones could be a great way we can all keep in touch when we're not together. Tsukune and I couldn't possibly afford a lot of phones on our own so I just used my magic."

"...You did all this just so all of us could be able to keep in touch?"

"Yep," I nod proudly. "Well, I wanted you to be able to experience any new music you find like I do, that played a big part too. But I thought it would be nice to be able to talk to each other when were not together, you know? I already got the other's phones set up and ready. Hell, I even made Gin a phone too I even started a group chat for all of us too and it's completely ready to go."

"...You did it...for me?"

"..." There goes my heart again. Even after a day like today, she still has this effect on me. Well, at first, yeah. You're my best friend, Kuru."

Kurumu held a surprised look on her face...almost as if she couldn't believe the effort I put in for her. A wide smile appeared on her face as she spoke in a soft, emotional tone, clutching her new phone close to her chest. "I…I don't know what to say. I…I don't even know how I can thank you enough…"

"...I know how you can." She doesn't really need to, but I don't want to ignore the idea that just popped into my head.

Kurumu tilted her head, a curious and perplexed expression on her face. "How?"

I stand from the bench, picking up my phone and scrolling through my playlist until I find the perfect song. I smile as I see the title of the song and the name of the band. "I've been wanting to show you these guys for a while now." I hit the play button and my ears are immediately met with the harmonic sound of the acoustic guitar. As the music began to play, I turned the volume all the way up before putting my phone back in my pocket. I turned back around and smiled down at my best friend, holding out a hand to her in hopes that she would take it. "We never had our dance."

Her gaze falls to my extended hand before looking up at me, a small blush forms on her cheeks as she realizes what I was asking her. Kurumu smiles and takes my hand with slight hesitation, her fingers intertwining with my own. "I guess we didn't."

I know they say that the space between...

Can make it stronger than we've ever seen.

They might be right, but I disagree...

'Cause I've never felt stronger than when You're with me.

I lead her to a nearby streetlamp, taking our place underneath the glowing light. The small fog forming in the night only adds more strange beauty to the light as each little droplet seems to create a sort of halo around the glow of the streetlamp. At this time, it's almost as if it looks like the light's dancing around the air as it refracts through the fog. It's as if the lights are spirits, burning out their life forces like fireflies...showing that not all of the world is darkness. I wonder if they're helping me guide Kurumu here, urging me to take that step...to join them in their ethereal dance with this amazing woman.

And that's exactly what I'm gonna do.

Sometimes I wonder why you even care...

'Cause even when I leave You're always there with me.

And like a candle makes a brighter place...

This mark You've made on me can't be erased.

I'll admit, I have the faintest idea of what I'm supposed to do here. All I know is that I'm supposed to have my hands around her waist…but that's about it. It doesn't help that her oversized chest is practically right up against mine.

Thankfully, Kurumu noticed my hesitancy with the situation as well, she decided to take the initiative for both of us and placed my hands on her waist. She had a small blush of embarrassment at the intimate touch and a small shiver went through her body as my hands felt her waist and her chest pushed against yours. Once I got situated, she placed her own hands on my shoulders and she looked deep into my eyes as we swayed in place under the glow of the streetlamp.

"Thanks, I say, chuckling. "I wouldn't really know what to do."

Kurumu smiled at me. "You know, not knowing how to dance doesn't make you a desirable dance partner," Her voice snuck in just a hint of teasing, making me chuckle.

"You said yes to me if I remember correctly."

Kurumu giggled at my sarcasm, smirking at me as we took each step together with the rhythm of the song. "Well, I never said that I regret saying yes."

"...I'm just sorry that it didn't go as planned." A pang of guilt rises to my chest.

"Don't worry," Kurumu shook her head at me, bringing her arms from my shoulders to around my neck and pulling herself closer to me. Her chest presses up against mine...and I can feel her rapid heartbeat in sync with my own. "this is much better than any other dance we could've had."

"...Really?"

Kurumu nods, a warm smile spreading across her face. The feeling of her warm and soft body against my own makes me shiver a bit but in a more pleasant way. "Really really..."

"..."

I wanna be so far gone in You.

So far nothing else will ever do.

I wanna be so far gone...in You.

In You.

This is perfect… The moment, the timing, the way we are right now, just…her. It's perfect. We simply swayed to the beat of the music as I got lost in her eyes, her beautiful pools of violet. So mysterious, so enticing... The faint scent of the misty air and cherry shampoo permeates my nose, filling me with a feeling that's as pleasant as the sight in front of me. It feels like I'm floating away with her...

Wait a minute... I looked down, seeing that we were in fact floating in the air. It didn't take me long to realize that my wings had come out of my back, Kurumu's too. "...Huh, look at that."

She looks down as well, her eyes widening with the realization of the precarious situation we have found ourselves in. Once she got over the initial shock, Kurumu started smiling once more. "Looks like you do know how to sweep a girl off her feet."

I feel myself blush from that comment, but it quickly goes away when an idea pops into my head. "...Wanna race?"

Kurumu was slightly confused by my proposal, but it soon turned into a cheeky grin when she looked up at the cloudy night sky. No one will be able to see us from all the way up there. "Oh, you're on. Just don't be a baby when you lose."

"I won't," Kruumu smirks at me again...and I realized how I worded that. "Lose, I won't lose."

"Too late, already messed that up!" She takes flight straight up, I laugh as I feel the gust of wind from the flapping of her wings.

"Oh, it's on!"

Using my wings, I follow after her into the night sky. I hear her chuckle as she rises higher and higher into the clouds and I enjoy the air rushing past my face. "Give it up, slowpoke!" I hear her smug attitude as I slowly catch up, I can barely see her through the dark clouds but I know I'm right behind her. "You can't keep up with me!"

"We'll see about that!" The sound of the rushing wind overpowers our voices as I continue going up...and then I stop once I break through the clouds and my eyes are met with the ethereal glow of the full moon. I don't even bother with our initial race anymore, I'm finding myself entranced by the natural beauty of the moon, hovering above the clouds with more stars in the sky than I can count.

"Gotcha!"

"Waugh!"

I cried out in slight pain as I was tackled from behind, nearly losing my balance on my flight path. Thankfully, Kurumu keeps me afloat as she lets out a hearty laugh, almost in a fit of giggles. I do the same as I refind my balance in the air. When I do...Kurumu fully comes into my view with the moon right behind her. For a moment, I seemed to forget everything else as I saw the way the moon illuminated her. The soft glow of the lunar rock bathed her in its light, casting a stunning, almost angelic glow on her fair skin.

"...Beautiful." My brain couldn't catch up to my mouth before that word escaped from my lips. Oh, god. She didn't hear me, did she?

"Huh?" Much to my dismay, Kurumu's sharp ears were able to pick up the muttering of my voice. "Did you say something?"

"Oh, the uh... The moon," I point it out, making her turn around and notice it too. I hover over to her side...feeling only one sentence coming to mind. "It's beautiful...isn't it?" I look at her out of the corner of my eye, seeing the small smile and faint blush on her cheeks.

"Yeah...it sure is."

After she agrees, I hear Kurumu let out the cutest yawn I've ever heard from her. She has had a long day, had some good food, and the thin air up here isn't helping that either. She doesn't even bother trying to hide the fact that she is getting tired. Instead, she hovers over to me with a smile on her face, mumbling before planting her face on my shoulder.

"Tired..."

"I can tell," Once her wings stop flapping and retract, I hold her up so she won't fall. "Must've been that food you ate."

"It's all your fault," Kurumu muffled against me. "You got me hooked on those chicken nuggets."

---

It didn't take me too long to fly us both back to the house, I made sure that no wandering humans saw us as well. Kurumu honestly felt like a little kid in my arms as I reached the front door of Tsukune's home, she had her eyes half-lidded the entire time and now she was sound asleep. Kurumu rested her head into the crook of my neck as well, her long, exhausted, and warm breaths sent a slight tingle down my spine.

I sigh in relief as I realize that everyone else inside has gone to sleep, I really hoped that I didn't have to explain why I was carrying Kurumu in the middle of the night. From what I can see, Moka and Mizore have made themselves a pair of makeshift beds in the living room and Yukari was curled up on one end of the couch. As carefully as I could and to be sure to not wake the others, I gently placed Kurumu on the opposite end of the couch.

Kurumu didn't put up much of a fight as I put her down on the couch, not like she could since she was sound asleep. In her slumber, Kurumu cuddles herself on the couch. Her body sunk deep into the couch and she snuggled into it, a content and cozy sigh escaping her lips.

Wow... Even when she's asleep, she's the most beautiful girl in the world.

I decide not to leave her side just yet, sitting down on the floor next to the couch. My hand unconsciously moves to her hair...and I gently play with it. Damn, I forget how soft it is sometimes... My gentle hand against her head was enough to bring a small, content smile on Kurumu's sleeping face, her body seemed to relax as I continued ruffling her sky-blue hair. An audible hum of contentment escaped her lips as I felt each strand of her hair through my fingers.

"...I really wanted to tell you," I allow my thoughts to form into a gentle whisper, knowing that Kurumu and no one else will hear me. "I had it all planned out, too. I would ask you to the dance just like I did, we would enjoy the festival, we would go to the dance and just enjoy each other's company. Then when it was all over, I would take you to where we first met, the little pond just outside of Yokai Academy. It's quiet...we'd be alone...so I would take you by the hand, look you in the eye...and say that you, Kurumu Kurono, are the most beautiful, kind, wonderful, loving, funniest, badass, and most awesomest girl that I've ever met in my entire life."

As much as I knew Kurumu couldn't hear me, her face seemed to relax and smile a little more at my soft-spoken words. It's almost as if even in her sleep, Kurumu could just sense how much I cared for her. She snuggled her face deeper into the couch cushion and let out another deep and contented sigh.

"The truth is, Kurumu...I love you. I love you more than anything in the whole world. And I think I've felt this way for a long time, probably since the day we met...It just took me way too long to realize it since...you're the first person that's ever made me feel this way."

Kurumu almost looked like an angel as she slept, a peaceful and calm expression covered her face as she kept herself curled up on the couch. I slowly lean myself down to her, feeling the need to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"...Mmm," But I stop as I hear her mumble in her sleep...followed by a gentle whisper coming from her rosy lips. "I love you...Tsukune."

"..." All at once, my mind and heart felt as if I had been struck by a lightning bolt, shock and hurt coursed through every part of my body as heard her mutter that name. "No..."

"When a Succubus proclaims another as their Destined One, it's set in stone until their death. There are no 'not being sure' or 'second guesses'. Once a Succubus proclaims their love for one soul, it's for life."

My mind is plagued by the words of Ageha Kurono, mocking me. No, it's not true...

"Oh come on! You remember how I said I was looking for my destined one. Well, I have! And it's you!"

"...I'm sorry, what now?" I ask dumbfoundedly

"You risked your life to save mine, Tsukune! I think I'm in love!"

I found myself crawling backward as my head was just being flooded with memories of the past.

"Okay, let's get-" Kurumu suddenly shifts so she would be in physical contact while she sits next to me. This brings a multitude of responses that offered themselves in my head. What is she doing? Should I say something? Should I...take it further? No! Maybe just enjoy the attention? Or just get back to work? I opted for a whisper. "Uh, Kurumu, what are you-"

"Shh! Just play along."

"What do you...oh." I figured it out. Kurumu is just trying to get Tsukune jealous or simply making herself look more appealing compared to a more polite and focused Moka.

That's not who she is anymore...

"You're not like her, do you hear me?"

"We are," Kurumu insisted. "We use charms to bend men to our will... We can enter someone's mind... And if we kiss a man...we can enslave them and feed upon them until they die. I...was planning on doing that to Tsukune when I first met him...even you."

"But you're not like that," I state. "You're my best friend, and you...love him," I say that last part flatly.

"...I honestly don't know anymore," Kurumu confessed, taking me by surprise.

"What...What do you mean?"

"...Can I...be honest with you, Elijah?" The Succubus looks up at me, the look in her eye... They tell me that I'm the one person she can count on right now.

"Always."

"...Lately, I've been thinking that..." She looks away and blushes. "Maybe Tsukune...isn't my Destined One."

"..." This confession throws me for a loop. The fact that she's telling me such a thing is making my head spin.

"Look, I'm not stupid," She continued. "I know that Moka has a thing for him...and I can't deny the way he looks at her sometimes. It's a look that he never gave me. And...there's also the fact that I never even asked who he likes, or how he even feels about me in the first place. I've just been...throwing myself all over him in hopes that he'll see me the way he sees...her." Kurumu says that last part as she grits her teeth but she soon calms herself down. "I just...need to figure this out on my own, I guess. I'll continue to protect him, but as far as love goes... I just don't know anymore."

That's what she told me, she's not like most of her kind, she...

"Tsukune..." Kurumu goes up to him, a rising blush flushing her cheeks. "...Tell me you love me."

"What?!"

"WHAT?!" I shout in equal shock. The Mirror...

"Please, just say it to me. I need to know..."

Lilith's mirror shows not only our true inner selves...but our deepest and darkest desires. But...I managed to stop myself, surely-

"Tsukune...just tell me, please. Maybe this will help..."

"Please, just say it once. I need to know."

"...I love you...Tsukune..."

"No..."

I couldn't stand it anymore, all of these memories were bringing nothing but a feeling of both fear and dread with them. My heart is pounding against my chest and my stomach is clenching with anxiety. I get up from the floor and storm towards the front door of the house. It's not fair... How can this-

"Elijah?" I stopped before I could turn the doorknob, turning to the sound of my friend, Tsukune. It looks like he's come downstairs from his bedroom...and he caught me as I was about to leave the house. "You okay, man?"

"...I need some air," I turn back to the door and open it.

"Dude, you seem upset," Tsukune's words stop me from leaving for a moment. "What's wrong?"

"...Why do you care? It's always been you anyway, hasn't it?" I let my anger get the best of me as my eyes darted back at my friends. "It was always you."

Tsukune flinches at my aggressive tone, his face turning into one of surprise and mild confusion. "W-What do you-"

I don't even bother hearing what he has to say, so I just leave the house and I don't stop marching away until I think I've gone far enough. Once I was outside, not caring which direction I was going, my thoughts filled with too many conflicting emotions raced through my mind. I can still hear the condescending voice of Kurumu's mother as the conversation I had with her rings in my head. No matter how far I walk, no matter where I'm going...I just can't get it out of my head. Then...the memories stop as I remember Ageha's words.

"That's a sweet thought, boy. But let me give you another lesson. This time, a reality check. A Succubus is a Monster that lives for love, being with our Destined Ones means everything, it's the very source of our power," She releases me, and I fall back into my chair. "Do you know what happens if a Succubi's Destined One falls for let alone ends up with someone else?" I was about to speak, but she went on without hearing what I had to say. "A Succubus with a broken heart is an empty shell, their arms and legs will feel like gelatin, their hearts beat unevenly, and their body temperatures drop below freezing. Do you understand now, Tsukune Aono? If Kurumu doesn't end up with the one she chose, she will die of a broken heart."

"Her death would be on your hands."

Those last words stabbed me straight through the heart as I kept going, ignoring all the sounds around me. Not like I had much choice, anyway...I can't hear anything other than these damn voices and thoughts.

"Hey!" I accidentally bumped into a human man and he wasn't happy about it. "Watch where you're going, you little punk!"

"Watch yourself, asshole!"

I shouted back at him as I kept storming away, flipping him off without even looking back. The man's voice fades into the distance as I keep going into the dark, not caring about the consequences. But I finally found myself stopping in my tracks...but the waterfall of emotions just kept flooding my mind, bringing me to my knees. I feel the slightly damp ground soaking through my jeans.

"...She doesn't love me," Those words, simple as they are, feel worse than any injury I've ever endured. And I've been turned into a living kabob. My mind and heart were in turmoil, and my stomach was twisted into such a knot I felt like I was going to be sick. "I...I thought I could change it, I really thought I could change fate, that her story doesn't have to go the way others have told her...that I could be the one she was destined for...but I'm still as powerless as ever. She never saw me as anything more than just a tool in her master plan..."

Anger, frustration, bitterness, and above all else...pain. That's all I feel in this moment.

I look up to the sky, letting out my spiraling emotions into a loud, primal, guttural scream of pain. "AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!" It echoes through the night air and even sends a chill down my spine. I didn't even realize that I'd gone so far from the house that I ended up in the woods just outside of town. The trees seemed to be towering over me, some of them were twisted and gnarled while others were straight and tall, casting long and dark shadows around me. Not even the moon is providing much light, it's merely a dull glow compared to the one I saw in the sky with...her.

"...Pull yourself together, Elijah," I pick myself from off the ground, trying to get a grip and calm my breathing and slow my heart rate. The thoughts and memories are still there...but I'm starting to think a lot more clearer than before. "...She's not like that, you know this for a fact."

"That, my succubus, is rock 'n' roll. I can gladly show you more."

The blue-haired succubus giggles. "I hope so. You know...we should do this more often."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah! Just take a break from everything, you show me more of your songs."

I showed her the beauty in music...

I got too cocky this time. I know she cares, but I never knew it was to this extent. But what even happened? All I remember is blacking out when I got pulled in. I look over to the mermaid's mangled body, she's alive, but only just about. Who fucked her up? Moka's go-to thing is a roundhouse kick, but she's covered in scratch marks... Wait a minute... "Kurumu..."

She pulls back from her hug, but keeps her arms around my neck. "Hmm?"

"...You saved me?"

The girl's eyes widened in shock, stepping back as a faint blush went to her cheeks. "Uh...yeah! You bet I did! Don't you forget it either, mister!"

"Aww! I didn't scare you, did I?"

This woman. "Sure, Kuru, I'm shaking in my boots. Well, school shoes."

She raises an eyebrow. "'Kuru'?"

"That's my nickname for you, gotta problem?"

She looks at me like I'm stupid. "You do know that means 'tremble in fear', right?"

"Yeah?"

"Then why are you calling me that?"

"Well, after seeing what you did to Tamao, you know...after you saved my life?" I scratch the back of my head.

"I told you, you don't have to keep-"

"I know. But I saw a new part of you I've never seen before. You're a total badass! You made that fish your bitch! I'd be dead if it wasn't for you. In fact, when the other mermaids saw what you did, they quickly went back to their human forms and ran away! You made them tremble in fear!"

Kurumu saved my life, she cares about me more than most people I've ever met...

"...Alright, I'm gonna tell you something I've never really told...anyone... I'm not comfortable with my body..."

"What do you mean?"

"...I used to be...overweight as a kid. I've toned down...like a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm still not ashamed. And...I'm not exactly the most attractive-looking guy, so... Seeing myself in an outfit that's so...revealing, it just reminds me of how...hideous I was all those years ago."

"You're really handsome, Elijah!"

"W-What?"

"...You are not ugly, Elijah. I'm not just saying that because you're my friend, I'm saying this because you are a kind, caring, smart, funny, and strong person. You've done so much in your short time, and... You...mean a lot to me."

"...Kuru."

"...Elijah."

I trusted her with parts of myself that I've never told anyone...and she told me how wrong I was for not liking how I looked. She wants me to see myself the way she sees me...

"...Kuru...mu..." I manage to say...my vision getting weaker by the second. I don't know how long I exactly got, but I'm making every moment count. Kurumu looks back down at me, seeing my smile. With what little strength that I have left, I raise my left hand to her cheek. The Succubus is shocked by this gesture. "...Everything...is gonna be...okay..."

"Elijah..."

I stroke her cheek with my thumb, her tears rolling over it. "You saved me...many times... I was just returning the favor..."

I saved her life just like she did for me, and if that didn't speak volumes... And Tsukune would never intentionally go after her like that, not with how much he loves Moka. More of my negative thoughts try to flood my head and counter all my good memories, but no matter how loud they shout, they can never take away the fact that Tsukune is my best friend. A kind, understanding, brave, and true brother.

"...Who knows what Kurumu really saw in her head?" Yes, I know that I heard her words perfectly. 'I love you, Tsukune'. But what did she really mean? "...That's it," I stand back to my feet, my heart now pounding with a newfound purpose. "I need to tell her how I feel right now." I wipe my eyes, only now realizing that I've been crying for a while now. It doesn't matter, I can't just sit here and mope and feel sorry for myself. "She has to know, right now."

I turned and began to walk the path I came from, my steps resolute and firm as I made my way back to the house...but I stop when I feel a sudden coldness down my spine, goosebumps going up and down my arms...and I can't help but feel like someone, no, something is watching me. The only audible noise taking over the ambiance of the forest around us was the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my eardrums. I could feel its presence...the coldness...the dreadfulness...the pure evil...

"I know you're out there, show yourself!" My voice rang out into the forest, demanding whatever was there to show themselves. After a beat of silence, I hear the rustling of leaves coming from the trees ahead of me. "Luxo," I mutter my spell, and a ball of light forms in my hand, illuminating the area around me...but there's nothing. "Luxo...Maximus!" More light forms in the palm of my hand, enough to drive back the shadows of the forests and reveal every tree and bush within a fifteen-foot radius of me...but there's still nothing there. "I know you're out there!"

"...Finally." My eyes dark around the area, trying to find the source of...that voice. It's so faint, but it sounded guttural...and almost demonic. "The Blessed Child...you will do...nicely!"

"MMPH!"

Just as I was about to pinpoint where the voice was coming from, a black, oozing, and slimy substance wrapped itself around my face, blocking my eyes and mouth. I fall on my back as I desperately try to rip off...whatever it was that grabbed a hold of me. Whatever it was...I could feel it latching onto the rest of my body, covering me in this black matter. Its cold, sticky, and damp consistency moved all around me in an almost liquid-like way, spreading all across my body...and I was falling into unconsciousness. As my body went limp...the last thing I heard was the demonic voice creeping into my ear again.

"Blessed Child. You. Are. Mine."

---

Tsukune...the next morning...

YAWN...

Tsukune found himself waking up in his old bed, something that he hadn't done in a while, not since the last time that Yokai Academy was closed. The young human lets out a loud and obnoxious yawn as he stretches his arms over his head and sits up in his bed, feeling relief as a few of his joints pop. After the few days that he's had, including yesterday, he's glad that he got to sleep like a rock for once. He looks over into the corner of the room, finding the makeshift bed he laid out for his best friend...finding it completely empty gives him a pang of guilt in his stomach, knowing that he wouldn't be doing his morning PT.

"He didn't come back..." Tsukune remembers his last conversation with Elijah, hearing his pained and angered words at him.

"Why do you care? It's always been you anyway, hasn't it? It was always you..."

"..." Those words...they sounded so harsh and bitter as if they had just had a fight. And Tsukune doesn't even know why he's upset. "I hope you're alright, man..."

Tsukune swings his legs out of bed and stands, heading out of his bedroom and downstairs. Everyone else was wide awake and sitting around the kitchen table, Tsukune's mother was in the kitchen cooking breakfast and Moka was giving her a hand. The room was filled with the wonderful fragrance of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. The only thing missing...was the presence of Tsukune's best friend. Not wanting to worry everyone else, the young human sneaks off to the front door in hopes of finding his friend somewhere outside. He normally likes the morning sun, so he's bound to be out there, right? Tsukune wanted to at least check before he would worry the others about Elijah's absence.

Once he's at the front door of his home, Tsukune peers outside...and he finds his friend fast asleep against the wall on the front porch. His eyes widen in surprise but also lets out a heavy breath of relief.

"Well, at least he's still here," Tsukune fully steps outside, closing the door behind him before he looks over his sleeping best friend. He takes in the sight of Elijah's messy locks of hair and slightly disheveled clothes. "Hey, man..." Tsukune carefully shakes Elijah by the shoulder.

"Ngh..." Elijah groans and opens his eyes, slowly looking around and taking in his surroundings. "Where the hell... Tsukune?"

"You okay?"

"...What the heck happened last night?"

Tsukune hesitates for a moment before offering a response. "You don't remember?"

"No," Elijah shook his head. "not really. But...why does it feel like I had the best sleep of my life?" He finishes his sentence with a wide grin.

"..." Okay, this is strange. 'Best sleep of his life'? "...I...guess you were really tired."

"Guess so," Elijah shrugged. "Everyone else still here?"

"Yeah...Mom insisted that she would make them breakfast before they would leave. But...what all do you remember from last night?" Tsukune felt a pit in his stomach the moment he finished that question.

"Hmm... Well, I broke up the fight between Kurumu, Mizore, and Yukari, we went to eat, and then we came home."

"...That's it?"

"Yeah, why?"

"...Do you even know when you went to sleep?"

"...Huh, I don't actually. Weird..." Elijah tilted his head, his eyes filled with slight confusion. "I don't even know how I got here..."

"...What about-"

"Oh, well!" Elijah cuts Tsukune off and stands to his feet. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," He sniffs the air and soon smiles. "Man...what is that awesome smell?" He heads straight inside without even giving Tsukune a second glance, leaving the human with nothing but the feeling of confusion.

"...What's going on with him?"

---

Tsukune did his best to enjoy a nice breakfast with his family and friends, but the uneasiness in the bottom of his stomach nearly made it impossible. Especially with how quiet Elijah was the entire time. He didn't even look in anyone's direction as he chowed down on his eggs and bacon, he seemed a little too hungry too...

But now with breakfast over, it was time for Tsukune and Elijah to say goodbye to their friends. Before the bus arrived, Elijah gifted everyone else phones so that everyone could stay in touch while they waited for Yokai Academy to re-open. Everyone was ecstatic about receiving their new device but were slightly confused by why Kurumu already had her own...even Elijah, but the Wizard just brushed it off. The Bus Driver waited patiently as everyone exchanged their goodbyes. Ruby had come along as well, it turned out that even though the girls were already willing to go home on their own accord, the Headmaster caught wind of their behavior and the destruction they caused and demanded that they return home at once.

"You all need to hurry this along!" The Wicth was running out of patience despite having a wide smile on her face.

"We will, Ruby!" The younger Witch responds before turning to Mrs. Aono and bowing. "Thank you for everything, ma'am."

"It was my pleasure, Yukari."

"I can call you anytime I want, right?" Kurumu looked up at her best friend, her eyes sparkling as she smiled. "And you won't mind?"

"And you'll answer my calls too, right?" Mizore chimed in.

"Guys, guys," Elijah placed his hands on their shoulders. "I'll answer, you don't have to worry about disturbing me. I promise."

"Don't worry, guys," Tsukune decided to speak up to the rest of the girls. "We'll all be back together before we know it. You can count on it!" The girls smile before they head onto the bus, Moka stays behind and offers one last smile at Tsukune.

"...Bye Tsukune," Before Tsukune could say it back, he was taken aback as Moka swiftly planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. She pulls away, an immediate bush on her cheeks as she backs away onto the bus. "I'll see you soon!"

"..." Holy shit... Tsukune could barely believe what had happened as the bus slowly dove away, he waved with his free hand as his other one lightly grazed the spot where Moka had kissed him. The presence of her lips was still there along with the warmth that came with it.

"Well, well," Elijah rests his arm around Tsukune's shoulder, smirking at him. "You sure seem happy, buddy."

"Yeah...I sure am," Tsukune smiles before turning back to the house. "Come on, let's see if we can enjoy some quality guy time for once."

Elijah chuckled. "Couldn't agree more."

They reached Tsukune's home and headed straight for the living room, Tsukune wanted to see if he could get one of his old gaming consoles working again bu he stopped when he saw what was already on the television. It was a news channel reporting...right in the middle of Tsukune's hometown.

"Dude, check this out," Tsukune called Elijah over. From what they can see, a local convenience store had been nearly demolished after what the Newsline calls a 'gang attack'.

"In further reports," The news anchor continued on. "Locals are calling this a blessing in disguise. The suspects in question are responsible for a number of past assaults, robbing, and larceny and the locals are seemingly happy with the events that happened last night. We now go live at the scene with reporter, Aoi Takahashi. Aoi?" The television cuts to a young woman with a microphone in front of a wrecked store.

"Thank you," She nods. "From what I and the local law enforcement can see, the cause of this damage was done by normal means. One of the perps in question has offered to give some insight into the events that occurred here last night," The news reporter walked over to a policeman holding onto a handcuffed man, Tsukune's eyes widened in shock when he saw the terrified look in his eyes. "What can you tell me about what occurred here?"

"It...it was a fucking Monster!" The man cried out in fear. "Never seen anything like it in my life... Teeth as sharp as knives and...his eyes...they were glowing green!"

"Oh, shit..." Tsukune muttered to himself. "Dude, what do you think-" He cut himself off when he saw the look on Elijah's face. He wasn't distraught or even shocked by what happened...he was smiling. It was no ordinary smile, he looked somehow...satisfied.

What the heck is going on with him? Did he...? No. Tsukune shook away that thought immediately, there was no way that Elijah would do something like this...could he?