Tsukune
"Man...I didn't think it could be this bad." I look at myself in my bathroom mirror, seeing the many bandages wrapped around my torso and neck thanks to those Monstrels yesterday. This is going to leave one helluva scar. Wait, 'helluva'? Great, now I'm starting to sound like him. Guess I'm getting more wreckless like him too. I stretch, raising my arms over my head. I still feel sore but strong enough to get around. I just hope the others won't be too worried about me, or that Moka blames herself for what happened.
I put on my uniform, minus my blazer and tie. I gather my bags and make my way to the Newspaper Club room, ready to help out pass papers this morning. As I walk, I try to recall all the events of yesterday. Let's see... I woke up with Moka's bite mark hurting like hell, I was voted class president despite my annoyance with it, I was insulted by some guy I had never met, then Moka and I were jumped by said guy along with his lackeys... I sigh with a hint of annoyance, but I'm also grateful that Saizou was kind enough to warn us about the Monstrels. I know this won't be the last we see of them, so I need to be ready. I need to keep up my attitude if I don't want the others to worry.
I finally make it to the clubroom, "AAAHHH!" And my morning welcome comes from Kurumu with a high-pitched scream, ringing my eardrums. "Tsukune, what happened?!" The Succubus closes the distance between us, inspecting me closely. "You're all bandaged up, are you hurt?!"
"Oh, these?" I point at my wrapped neck. "Don't worry, Kurumu, it's nothing," So I say, but I know that I shouldn't keep the truth from them. If I don't tell them, then Moka most likely will anyway. "But...I just got jumped by a few Monstrels yesterday. At least we know why they're after me, but I'll be ready next time, I promise I'm fine."
"But your neck..." Kurumu still sounds worried.
"Oh, that wasn't from yesterday's fight, don't worry." I shrug it off, knowing that Kurumu still isn't entirely comfortable with how Moka sucks my blood. "Don't get yourself worked up." I see Moka looking at me with concern all over her face, making me feel bad.
"You mean those Monstrel guys that Saizou told us about?" Yukari asks, tilting her head.
"Yeah," I nod. "But it's okay, Moka gave me her blood again and now I'm right as rain..." I say that last part flatly, scratching the back of my head. "It's no big deal, I'll just-"
"This is a big deal, Tsukune!" Yukari insisted. "Remember, the scary thing about Monstrels is that there are many of them. If they really did form a gang as that guy told us, picking a fight with them is seriously dangerous for your health. Especially with your...'condition'." The young witch says that last part with air quotes.
"I know, but I didn't pick any fight with them, I swear. If anything, they're the ones who have a problem with me."
"Still," Yukari went on. "I've heard that they're getting more troubling now that the security committee is gone. Yes, getting rid of them was the best for the Academy, but they did keep the low thugs in check. These Monstrels consider any purebred as the enemy. So we all need to be careful. They're bound to retaliate."
"..." Just when I thought things couldn't be worse. Okay, just calm down, you can figure something out. I'm not the same useless boy I was when I first came here.
"So, how do we stop them?" Moka breaks the silence with her question. "I never want...what happened...to happen again."
"...What do you mean, 'what happened'?" Looks like Kurumu heard Moka saying that last part under her breath. "Are you hiding something, Moka?" The Succubus gets more instant, planting her hands on Moka's desk and glaring at her.
This made the Vampire girl wince. "Uh..."
"Did something else happen to Tsukune that you're not telling us?"
"..."
"Well..."
"You better tell us!" Kurumu insisted. "If you're hiding something from us, I'm going to be really mad at you! I'm so sick of not knowing things!" The Succubus shouts that last part, her voice echoing through the club room.
I don't exactly know what happened myself. All I know is that I was the one who saved Moka...but she never gave me her blood. At least she explained it to me as best as she could yesterday. Her blood could be...corroding my humanity. That thought alone makes my skin crawl. I don't want that to happen, I'm staying human. But then again...it allowed me to protect Moka. Could I...no, Inner Moka said it herself that it's not that simple to become an S-Class monster. Besides, I'd rather gain my own strength.
"Gaugh!" I'm brought out of my train of thought thanks to Kurumu hugging me and resting her head on my shoulder.
"If anything were to happen to him, I'd never forgive myself. He's my friend too, you know!"
The entire room goes silent... Did Kurumu just call me her friend? I mean, duh, she's my friend, but she's always called me her 'destined one' or just proclaimed her love for me. I look around the clubroom, ignoring the soreness in my body rising from Kurumu's hug. It looks like I'm not the only one surprised by this, even Mizore's lollipop has fallen out of her mouth after her jaw dropped.
"I-I mean," Kurumu notice this too, releasing me and waving her hands in defense. Her face is also growing red by the second. "If anything were to happen to the boy I...love, I'd never forgive myself! Yeah! That's it! Hahaha..."
"..." I don't really know why...but I feel happy for her.
After school, I take my usual walk with Moka back to her dorm. But I can't help but feel like she's holding back how scared she is for me. I know...what happened to me was pretty scary, but I feel fine now. I just wish she wouldn't worry so much. Yet...at the same time, my heart flutters at the thought of how much she cares. Both her and the other Moka. I know her other half can come off as someone cold and uncaring, but the fact that she told me how the vampire blood in my body worked and how it could hurt me just shows she truly cares...in her own way.
"...Tsukune?"
"Yeah?"
"...Tell me the truth," Oh, boy... "Your neck...it still hasn't healed, has it? From when I infused you with my blood?"
I sigh, waving my hand in front of me dismissively. "Not entirely, but I'm fine, Moka. Really, you don't have to-"
"Come on, be honest with me!" Moka insists, calling out my lie. "If it happens again, what am I supposed to tell the others?!" The Vampire takes a breath, calming herself down. "I mean... It's my blood in your veins that's causing your body to undergo...this transformation, right?"
"..." I know she's worried, and she has every right to be, but for once I want her to believe that I can handle it. "Okay, yes, I felt funny yesterday, but I'm fine now, honestly."
"If you're so fine, then show me! Take that bandage off your neck and let me see!" Moka tries to take off the bandages around my neck, I instinctively move back but she keeps up with me. The two of us fumble around as I try to get Moka off of me, and she tries to see my injury for herself.
"Moka! Stop it!"
"Just let me see!"
"I'm fine, just-"
"Hold still!"
"OW!" Moka accidentally grazes my neck a little too hard, causing my injury to swell with pain. My rising annoyance gets the best of me and I push her away, not too hard to make her fall to the ground but enough to get her away for a second. We both take deep, ragged breaths from our little spat. "...Moka...for the last time, I'm fine! It may be your blood, but it's my body! I don't need to be coddled like some helpless child! So just leave me alone!"
"..." Moka's heartbroken expression snaps me out of my annoyed state. Why did I say it like that?
Moka, I'm so s-" She turns around and runs off before I can say another word. What is wrong with me? Why do I have to be so stupid?! I kick a nearby tree in anger...mostly at myself. I can't believe I said that...to the girl I love no less! "...Fuck!"
The Next Day...
I haven't seen Moka since our fight, not even in homeroom. Maybe she'll be with everyone else for lunch, I need to apologize for being such a jerk to her. Unfortunately, my hopes were crushed when I saw only Kurumu, Mizore, and Yukari at our usual table for lunch. They all smile warmly at me when I take my seat. I try to return their expression with a smile of my own, but I really can't right now.
"Hey, guys. Have any of you seen Moka today?"
Kurumu tilts her head in confusion. "We thought she was with you, you don't know either, huh?" I shake my head.
"That's not like her," Yukari added.
"Not to mention how she usually lets us know where she's going," Mizore inquired. "That one is always on top of school stuff, heaven knows why."
"..." I rest my head on my left hand, looking away from them as they continued on. This is because of our fight yesterday, isn't it? I didn't mean to be such a major jerk, I just didn't want her to worry and prove that I don't always have to rely on her. Just for once...I want to be able to have her depend on me, any of my friends to be honest.
"Something wrong, Tsukune?" Kurumu snaps me out of my train of thought, making me jolt in my seat.
"Oh, nothing, I'm fine."
"Hmm... Well, anyways," Kurumu seemed like she had something else to say but she started a different topic. "There was something I wanted to talk to everyone about but Moka's not here, but I figure that we can just tell her when we see her."
"What is it?" Yukari asks. "Are you finally admitting that your boobs are fake?"
"Hey!" Kurumu gets upset at the Young Witch's insult. "I'm being serious about this!"
"What is it that you wanted to say, Kurumu?" I ask to ease the rising tension.
The Succubus takes a breath and clams herself down. "I wanted to know more about the Monstrels, so I went to see Gin to see if he had any information to share. This is what he had to say, 'Monstrels are egotistical. They hate losing more than anything. Some of the most powerful ones have banded together and formed a gang to grind each other's axes. Even the Security Committee had major issues with them before we stepped up.'"
"If you memorized all that, then how is it that you fail when it comes to academics?" Mizore questioned as she began to giggle to herself.
"Shut up, you abominable snow skank! I memorized it all because it's a life or death situation!" Kurumu takes another breath. "I just want us all to be on the lookout, more so than usual. I was going to warn us all when we gathered for lunch but Moka wasn't here. Next time we see her we should...Tsukune?"
"..." A sudden thought finally hit me, making me realize what I've done.
"Tsukune?"
"Huh? Yes, Kurumu?"
"...Did something happen between you and Moka?"
Crap, I hate how easily readable my face can be.
"I can tell. Your mind is a million miles away from here. And yesterday, Moka was acting like she was hiding something." Kurumu steps closer to me, glancing at my wrapped neck. "Does Moka have something to do with your wounds? No, I need to be more specific. Is Moka the one that caused that wound?"
"N-No! That's not-"
"Look," The Succubus interrupts me. "I'll give her the benefit of the doubt since I know she wouldn't hurt you on purpose. Still, if she did cause this..." Kurumu slowly wraps her arms around me, making sure that she doesn't hurt me with how sore my body is. "I just don't want you getting hurt. I almost lost... I don't want to lose you too."
"..." Knowing who exactly she was talking about, I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her back. "I'll be okay, Kurumu. I promise." I feel her shudder when I say that last part. After a few more seconds, we release each other. "I'm gonna go look for her, okay? I won't be too long."
"W-Wait!" Kurumu stops me from leaving by grabbing my wrist. I look back at her, seeing her eyes starting to water. "...When you get the chance, can we...talk? It's really important to me."
Huh? What does she mean? "Is something-"
"Don't worry about it right now, just... I need to talk to you. Just...make it quick, okay?"
I really don't know what she could possibly want to talk to me about, hell, I wouldn't even know where to begin to think. But Kurumu knows that she can talk to me about anything. I smile at her and nod. "Of course, Kurumu."
She smiles back. "Thank you, Tsukune."
Now with that out of the way, I leave the three of them to enjoy their lunch. As I leave, my earlier inquiry comes back to my mind, filling me with even more worry. How could I not see it? If I am really going through this strange transformation, Moka must think it's because of her blood! She's blaming herself for whatever's happening to me! I'm so stupid! How could I say something so awful to her when she was already hurting?!
"...Moka...for the last time, I'm fine! It may be your blood, but it's my body! I don't need to be coddled like some helpless child! So just leave me alone!"
I'm such an idiot! I need to find her and apologize. I keep running in the direction of the women's dorm, hopefully I can find Moka there. "Yo! Where are you rushing off to Tsukune Aono?" I stop in my tracks at the sound of someone calling my name. I turn around to see a guy...no, a few of them actually. I can only guess the bald-headed guy with scars on his face is their leader. Great, just what I need right now. "Perhaps you're...looking for someone?"
"..."
Okay, I definitely didn't like the way he said that. And I'm not too fond of that his lackeys are surrounding me. I count at least eight in total and they all look like they want to pick a fight. Their leader throws something on the ground in front of me...wait... That's Moka's bag! I recognize the little bat keychain that she always has on her bag.
"You won't find what you're looking for in her dorm room, Tsukune Aono."
"..." I feel my anger rising. So...the reason Moka wasn't in school today...was because of these guys. "...If you hurt her..." I mutter under my breath.
"My name's Mido. I'm a Monstrel. That should already tell you my business with you. We have Moka Akashiya." He smirks "If you want her back, then come with us."
"..." I don't trust this one bit, but I think this will be easier if I just keep my cool and do what he says. But I swear if any of them hurt my Moka in the slightest... "...Fine."
"Good."
I follow Mido, his lackeys stay behind me to make sure I don't run off. Not that I could If I wanted to. As I walk, I can't help but feel I'm being watched...like I've felt this before. I shake it off like it's nothing and keep my breathing under control. I'm most likely gonna end up in a fight with these guys, so I need to be on my guard. Eventually, Mido and his lackeys led me to the abandoned school building. A few more of them are already waiting inside. Great, if I were to get into a fight here, the others wouldn't be able to hear me. If I were to be killed here... No, I can't think like that, I just need to focus on saving Moka.
"Tsukune?!" That voice... "Don't come here, Tsukune!" I look in the direction of that scream, seeing Moka chained to a pipe with her hands raised above her head. This sight alone...infuriates me. "Get away from here! Hurry!"
"You son of a-"
BOOM!
Before I could even do anything, I was struck in the face...really hard by Mido, knocking me back into the wall. Damn it! I didn't even see that coming! I get to my knees, seeing Mido smirk at me as if I was some bug for him to stomp on. "Come now... After all the trouble we took to kidnap your girl, do you really think we'd hand her over so easily? If you want her back, you'll have to take her by force!" Mido smiles gleefully. "Come on, Vampire!"
What? Vampire? Is he talking about... "Me? What are you-"
"I hate guys like you," Mido cuts me off, and his monster energy begins to overwhelm me. Not to mention that his right arm is beginning to transform. He's a Monstrel...so who knows what kind he is. With how dangerously huge his arm is starting to grow...I'm not entirely sure. "Rich little brats from your pure bloodlines. Bet you think it's funny to call us 'Monstrels', don't you?" I get a good look at Mido's face now... What the hell? The entire right side of his face is completely disfigured. It's like an amalgamation of multiple monsters into one. I think I even see a mandible poking out of his cheek. I take a few steps back. I'm not ready for this fight, but I won't back down knowing Moka is here because of me. Mido raises his disfigured hand, ready to strike me again, I raise my fists in return, ready to block it. "I won't be holding back on the next blow, Vampire! So you better be ready for it!"
"..." My heartbeat rings out through my ears. I know I don't stand a chance in this fight, not without backup. But I can't just sit here and do nothing. "...I'm not afraid of you..." I mutter, but in truth...I'm terrified.
"Stop! You're making a mistake!" Before Mido could hit me, Moka's voice rang out through the abandoned school building. The Monstrel leader turns back to the chained vampire in annoyance. "Tsukune's not the Vampire you want! I am!
"...What?"
Moka, what are you-
"This whole mess is my fault!" Moka continued. "I'm to blame. So if you want to hurt somebody..." The Vampire begins to cry. "...hurt me!"
"...Moka," How can she say something like that? This whole mess is mine and mine alone.
"Yeah...funny you should say," Mido sneers as he approaches Moka with his hand raised over her. "Saito said something like that."
"No!" I shout before Mido can do anything to Moka. "Moka, you know that's not true! How can this be your fault?!" I grit my teeth in pain as I finally make it to my feet. "How can I blame you for anything? You're the very reason I'm even alive, Moka! You have no idea..." Without thinking, I run toward her with no regard for what Mido might do. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me!"
"Ha! What do you think you're doing coming at me head-on?" Mido mocks me and turns around. "I guess this boy really wants to die for you, Vampire!" Mido goes for another attack with his abnormally large arm. But before he could even begin his strike, I felt an overwhelming yet familiar surge of energy burst through my body. Before I could even think about it, I moved faster than Mido could even react and I was now in front of Moka. "...What?!"
Everyone in the abandoned building was shocked by my sudden swiftness, even Moka. I feel the bandages on my neck starting to get a little wet, I think it's bleeding again. It doesn't matter now, I need to focus on the task at hand. A familiar pain rises in my neck, nearly making me fall to my knees. "Tsukune!" Moka cries out in worry." I manage to stay on my feet, but I can feel my strength beginning to falter. Fortunately, I'm able to raise my hand and swipe Moka's Rosary off. This confuses her at first. "Huh? T-Tsukune?"
I smile at her. "Moka...believe me, no matter what...nothing will change how I feel for you."
"What are you doing? Why aren't you attacking?!" Mido growled, raising his arm to attack again. "Don't act like I'm not even here!"
I feel Moka's hand on my shoulder, she jumps over me and delivers a swift roundhouse kick to the Monstrel's face. This knocks him back into the wall, causing the broken ceiling to break apart even more and fall onto Mido. The other Monstrels don't move mostly out of fear that their leader just got handled like he was nothing.
"Piece of trash... You dare raise your hand against me and the boy?" I know that voice... I smile to myself knowing that Inner Moka is here. "Know your place." She looks back at me, her glowing red eyes make me feel...oddly better. "Tsukune...what you just said...it eased my heart a little. But there's a lot you don't understand."
"What?" I say, confused.
Inner Moka smiles sadly. "I guess now is a good time as any. Do you really want to know, Tsukune? About your wound? What's going to happen to your body?"
"...I..." I unconsciously graze my fingers over my bandaged neck, feeling the fresh blood that came out of the wound.
"Do you want to understand what'll happen if I give you too much? And about what danger you're really in?" I only offer silence as a response, shocked by how sincere she sounds. But...I don't know if it's my mind playing tricks on me, but I can hear just a hint of sadness behind Inner Moka's voice. "Your body...it's starting to break down. If I infuse you with any more of my blood...It'll probably kill you. That's how fragile you really are."
"...H-Huh? What are you talking about?" I feel a bead of sweat fall from my cheek, no...that wasn't sweat. It must've been a leak from the ceiling or something. "'Break down'? What does that mean, Moka? Am I...dying?"
"..." Moka sighs, closing her eyes for a second before looking back into my eyes. "Hear me out, Tsukune. It isn't hopeless. You still have a chance...if you return to the human world right away. That would give your body a chance to heal itself. But you won't be able to come back to Yokai Academy."
"What?!" I yell out.
"You can't ever have anything to do with the world of monsters ever again..."
"..." She can't be serious, she can't be... "Wh-What are you talking about? Moka, you can't be serious!" Even if I did leave, I'd never see any of my friends again. Most of all... "But...I'd never see you again, Moka. I can't just-"
"Yes, I know. But it's not me you'll miss, is it?" Huh? What is she- "It's the 'other Moka'. We both know the truth. Whatever happens between you two...has nothing to do with me."
"..." 'nothing to do with'... Do I...really mean so little to her? No, that can't be...this has to be for some other reason. There's no way she'd want me to leave like I was nothing. "...Moka-"
Rumble!
"...Idiots," The rubble from Moka's previous attack moves...and Mido rises from it. My eyes widen in shock. No way...how is he still standing?! "Idiots...blabbing on like this in the middle of a fight!" The Monstrel leader raises his deformed hand, ready to attack Moka. "Hehe! This is payback for that little kick of yours, Vampire!" Moka manages to block his attack, but I can see her wince a little in pain. Thanks to my training, I can easily see how many openings this guy leaves for himself but even one direct hit from his attacks is enough to bring the toughest of people down.
"Moka!" I run over to them both, more importantly to Moka so I can get her away from Mido. But she looks back at me and sneers as Mido prepares to strike Moka again.
"Stay back, Tsukune!"
BOOM!
Kurumu
"Huh?" The Succubus hears...what could only be a small explosion off into the distance, causing her to look off in that direction and away from Yukari. Kurumu has no idea where Mizore ran off to but she doesn't have time to worry about her right now...well...
"Kurumu, you okay?" Luckily, the Young Witch was able to notice the Succubi's sudden uneasiness.
"Did you...hear something, Yukari? Sorta like a rumbling sound?" She asks her, only for the Young Witch to shake her head in response. I don't want to be negative, but...I can't help but get a bad feeling from this.
"Hey!" A familiar voice catches the attention of the Young Witch and Succubus. This voice belonged to Mizore.
"Where did you go? Wait a minute..." Kurumu gets a little annoyed at her next conclusion. "Were you off stalking Tsukune again?!"
The Snow Fairy shrugs. "So what if I did? Besides, there are more important matters than my hobby." Mizore pops her lollipop out of her mouth. "Tsukune and Moka have been taken by the Monstrels! We have to help them, now!"
"What?!" No! Why now of all times?!
"I was going to do something myself, but there were so many of them. I couldn't face them all by myself, I...need your help. One of them was...really scary. He had some kind of cold, brutal energy. I have no idea what he might do."
"...Well he's gonna find out what exactly I'm gonna do!" The Succubus shouts.
"Hell yeah!" Yukari enthusiastically agrees.
Tsukune
"Hehe...one down."
Damn it, that really hurt. I managed to take the hit for Moka when Mido tried to strike her again. I, along with Moka was knocked back right into the wall. I try to stand, but I feel a sharp ping in my back. I think some debris pierced it, or maybe it's a piece of Mido's arm for all I know. Damn it...
"Tsukune!" Moka shouts in anger. "Why did you do that?!" She grips me by my shoulders and stares daggers into my eyes. "Your body can't take anymore! And I can't heal you with my blood again!"
"...Ngh, Moka, I-"
"Did you really think you were saving me?! Do you actually think I need help from you?!" From me? "You can't even protect yourself! Don't ever do that again!"
"Heh, what's the matter, Vampire?" Mido mocked as he approached, his footsteps echoed through the broken building. "You make it sound like it's Tsukune who's the dead weight. What a loser, and here I was looking forward to fighting him. But after I finish you two off, then that pussy friend of yours can finally reveal himself. If that Wendigo couldn't do that by killing that slut, then killing you two will get the job done."
"..." Moka releases me from her grip, setting me aside to deal with the Monstrel leader. "Just wait here, okay? After I take care of this idiot, I'll get you out of here and fix you up." I try to move, but I'm already in a lot of pain. "Don't move until I come back! I want to get you back to the human world alive!"
"...But Moka," She ignores my plea and turns her back on me to face her opponent. Moka takes out a piece of debris that managed to pierce her upper right arm, this only annoys her even further.
"I've got news for you, this is going to end really quickly for you. I don't have time to play around with a Monstrel." This insult makes Mido grit his teeth, but his annoyed look quickly changes to a smug grin.
"Your power is impressive. If that fool hadn't jumped in, you would've easily dodged my attack," Mido points at me. "Isn't that right? So then, Moka Akashiya, you're the vampire." This revelation makes Mido sneer. "Tell me, what is Tsukune Aono to you? Your food? A pet? Some sort of magical familiar? If that's the case, you sure got stuck with a weak one. If I were you, I'd keep him in a cage!" Mido laughs at the top of his lungs at his own insults towards me.
"...Shut up," In the blink of an eye, Moka disappears, only to reappear and kick Mido straight into his jaw. This temporary distortion causes Mido to fall off balance, giving Moka the chance to slam her fist down onto his head, slamming him into the ground with a loud thud. "Taking hostages, attacking from behind, sending someone else to do your dirty work... You're just a cur who can't win without cheating." Moka walks away from Mido's body, but not before saying one last thing. "You're not even worth my anger, you're just in my way."
Moka walks back over to me as Mido's lackeys cry out in shock and anger at Moka's true display of strength. They're saying something else as well, but I can't make out what they're saying, I can only pay attention to Moka. She kneels down, reaching her hand out to me.
"Can you stand, Tsukune? I'm taking you home...now."
"..." I take her hand...and I don't want to let go of it. "Moka, I-"
HISS!
Wait a minute what's that sound? Looks like I'm not the only one who heard it too, Moka breaks eye contact with me to try and find the source, only to see Mido getting back up on his feet...again. He slowly pulls himself out of the makeshift crater Moka so happily provided for him. Seriously, what the fuck is with this guy?!
"Heh... So it's true what they say about vampires... You can channel your monstrous energy into pure power. A simple, yet horrific talent. Every one of your blows hits as hard as anyone else's special attack." Mido dusts off some of the rubble off of himself. "Still...that's not enough to defeat me."
Moka clicks her tongue in annoyance. "What are you-"
"Vampires aren't just known for having the most strengths...they have the most weaknesses too." What? "Crosses, Silver bullets, Oh yeah, I've done my research." The hissing sound we hear grows louder by the second Mido speaks. Wait, that sounds like...running water. Don't tell me... And by the look on Moka's face, she came to the same conclusion as me. "And yet there's one thing that strips a vampire of all its power, isn't that right, Moka? Is a Vampire truly helpless against, This?!"
SSHH! SSHH!
What?! Water begins to fall from the ceiling. But how is that even possible? There's no way the building's pump system is completely operational! Moka is completely defenseless against this move, even if she were to move away, she'd still be caught by even just a drop of water. "No!"
ZZZTT! ZZZTT!
"AAAHHH!"
Dammit! This is just like that time at the pool and with the security committee! Moka's pained screams make me move to my feet, despite the pain rising in my body.
"I made this especially for you, Moka!" Mido taunted Moka's helplessness. "All it took was rerouting the fire hydrant! What do you think of my shower?! HAHAHAHA!" Moka struggles to stay on her feet thanks to this guy's cheap move, leaving her completely exposed for his upcoming attack. Mido slammed his oversized hand into the right side of Moka's face, causing a little bit of her blood to splatter onto the floor. The Vampire stumbles a few feet back, clenching her fain in pain. "Hahaha! What's the matter, Vampire? Not so arrogant now, are you?!"
"..." He hurt her... He made her bleed... I can feel my blood starting to boil, he needs to pay for what he did. I finally stand up straight, ignoring the pain. It doesn't matter what happens to me. No one...hurts...my Moka! I yell through clenched teeth. "Get away from her, you-"
"NO! Stay back, Tsukune!" Moka shouts at me.
"...Moka, I can't just-"
"How many times do I have to tell you?! I'm not the sappy Moka you care about!" She looks back at me, her forehead bleeding at an alarming rate and she's breathing raggedly. She's completely soaked from the water. "I don't need help! Least of all from you!"
"..." Moka...what the hell? After all we've been through? Is this really how you feel about me? No... I feel an overwhelming ping in my chest...is this supposed to be heartbreak?
"Tch, you're dumber than I thought," Mido mocked. "After what I just did to you, you still want to take me on?! Purebred 'pride'. What a load of crap. That's why you're all going to die!" The Monstrel takes his stance, ready to go in for the kill. "It makes no difference how you fight, nothing matters but winning!"
"..." What I'm feeling doesn't matter, or even what Moka feels about me, all that matters...is that I keep her safe! "MOKA!"
"DIE!"
Moka
The youthful Vampire was prepared to endure another incoming blow from the Monstrel leader...but it never came. When she opened her eyes, they widened at what had happened to her friend. Tsukune...the boy had blocked Moka from Mido's amalgamated arm with his body, the vampire could hear his bones break and smell his blood already spilling out. This action left not only Moka speechless but also Mido.
"...Impossible, how did he...?"
"..." Tsukune, as he was still holding back the Monstrel's attack, his eyes stared down at Moka...glowing bright red. "...M-Moka."
Mido backed away from them both, bewildered by the fact that his attack was merely blocked by someone so...weak in comparison. Tsukune falls to the ground, Moka catches him before any more damage can be done, but she fears that it could already be too late for that. This fact made her furious, more so at the boy. "Tsukune!" No...his entire shoulder is shattered. Idiot... Why? "Why did you do that?! I told you that I don't need your help!"
"...Dummy." Tsukune's voice came out as a weak whisper, but he never lost his smile. "Is it really that hard of a question?"
"...What did you just call-"
"It really hurt...when you told me that you didn't need me." The boy placed his hand on the Vampire's cheek, this act made Moka's eyes slightly widen. "...I...I love you too much for that to be true. You, not just the Outer Moka."
"...W-What did you just-"
"Give me your blood, Moka," Tsukune begged. "Give me the power to keep you safe.
"...No." Moka was speechless. Not only to Tsukune's request...but his confession as well. "That's madness! I told you! It's too dangerous! If I give you my blood now, it could kill you!" As if a cruel sense of irony were looking down on the situation, Tsukune begins to cough up blood at an alarming rate. "Tsukune!" No...he's losing too much blood...and his temperature's dropping. Now the Vampire is met with a conundrum. She knows the risk of giving Tsukune more of her blood, but she knows that he will die if she does nothing. In desperation rather than anger, she grips the boy's shoulders and seals her eyes shut...and small drops of tears begin to form. "Now do you understand? Why I said that? Why I tried to push you away? And why I'm trying to send you back home? It's because..." Moka allows a lone tear to fall down her cheek, along with a silent sob. "...It's because I don't want you to die!"
The Vampire makes her decision...and bites down on the human boy's neck...injecting him with her blood.
Tsukune...please...don't die on me... The Vampire could only give the human so much before she was on the brink of collapsing. It's no use... He's not getting better... Moka could feel herself about to pass out. It's...too late... Her lips broke contact from Tsukune's neck and she began to fall to the ground as her eyelids felt heavy. But her head never makes contact with the floor. No, she was caught at the last second. Moka's eyes slowly opened, seeing exactly who it was who caught her... It was Tsukune. The blood actually worked. The boy rose to his feet...but as Moka got to her knees, she felt something else about Tsukune.
"...Ts-Tsukune?"
When Moka got a better look at the human's face, her eyes grew more concerned. From her bite mark, a black mark was beginning to grow, spreading all across Tsukune's neck and up to his cheeks. His eyes...like before when he was infused with the power of the Vampire, they were glowing bright red. Only now, instead of looking determined, is Tsukune's expression void of emotion. His shirt was soaked from head to toe with water and his own blood. Even the surrounding Monstrels were astonished by the sight of Tsukune Aono.
...There's something different...about his energy...
"Heh," Yet none of that mattered to the Monstrel pack leader. "I don't know what you're thinking, Aono. But I want you to know that I appreciate the entertainment." Mido sneered. "I won't even need any tricks to beat you down."
Tsukune said nothing, only lowering his head. When he does, his arms raise as they begin to shudder. The piece of debris that was still lodged into the back of his right shoulder suddenly pops out, and the blood pours out at an alarming rate...only to be healed in a matter of seconds. This sight catches Mido off guard, so he signals his lackeys to use the water once more. When it falls...Tsukune stands there as if nothing is happening at all.
Moka softly gasps at this, the healing worked...but she knows that this isn't normal. It...worked? But why isn't his body suffering from the effects of my blood? It shouldn't have gone this easily. That's when her mind comes to...a horrifying conclusion to the boy's current condition. Not many people know about this, but there is an unfortunate outcome for a small number of humans who come into contact with Vampire blood too many times. Moka's eyes widen in shock and worry, her voice only coming out as a whisper. "Tsukune... No, it...it can't be!"
"Heh, a Vampire who doesn't mind water, eh?" Mido simply sees this display as a challenge. "Don't know if that means you're weak or strong, pal. But you are entertaining, Tsukune Aono, that's for sure!" The Monstrel throws his oversized arm back behind his head. "Makes me want to beat you down even more!"
Mido...you damn fool!
"And If I kill you, then the purebreds will know... They'll finally see the true power of the Monstrels!" Mido sneered with joy and exhilaration. Finally, an opponent he considered worthy of his cause. "Hahahaha! Chew on this, Tsukune Aono!"
Moka watched carefully as Mido went in for another attack. Tsukune did not move a muscle as the Monstrel pack leader inched ever so closer to him. But what made Moka grow even more concerned for the human...was seeing the rising smirk on his face. "No! Don't attack him now! Tsukune is-"
DOOMN!
KRAKK!
As if it was pure instinct, Tsukune easily dodged Mido's incoming blow and delivered one of his own straight into Mido's abdomen. A loud snapping sound could be heard throughout the abandoned building, that sound...was Mido's spine snapping in two. Mido's body is sent back into the wall, creating a cloud of dust and debris, Tsukune soon follows after, not finished with his opponent. When the room clears, Moka, Mido's lackeys, and even three arriving girls' eyes widen in shock at the sight of Tsukune holding Mido by his throat. Tsukune has Mido hovering off of the ground, his hand clenched the Monstrel's jugular like a vice...and Mido's mouth was pouring with blood. But this display of strength wasn't what was making Moka grow more in terror...it was the boy's look in his eyes.
The eyes...of a killer...
"Tsukune!"
"Kurumu?" Moka is surprised at the sight of the Succubus arriving at the scene, along with the Young Witch and Snow Fairy.
"Moka, what's going on?! Is he okay?! Are you all right?! And what's with all this water coming down?!"
"You don't look so good, either," Mizore added.
"I-I'll go shut it off!" Yukari runs off to find the source.
"...This is a nightmare."
"What?" Kurumu glanced down at Moka.
"My worst fear has come true..."
"Moka, what are you-"
WUK! WAK! KRAKK!
"Hahahaha..."
WUK! WAK! WAK! KRAAK!
"Hahahahaha..."
WAK! KRAK! WUK! WAK!
"HA HA HA HA HA!"
"...T-Tsukune?" Kurumu began to shake as she witnessed Tsukune beat Mido to a bloody, messy pulp, not giving him the slightest chance to defend himself or even get back up. Blood splattered from the Monstrel's face, from his mouth to his nose, decorating the surrounding floor with dark red. "What are you...?"
Tsukune didn't stop, he continued his feral-like onslaught on the Monstrel pack leader. Mido's lackeys began to panic when they saw Mido's unconscious body start to twitch, but they were more concerned that Tsukune was still beating him up even when he was out cold. Each of them went to pull Tsukune away from their leader...only to be caught in Tsukune's rage. One by one, each Monstrel was immobilized by Tsukuen's newfound strength, not a single Monstrel stood a chance.
"...It...It can't be," Kurumu, horrified by her friend, covers her mouth with her hands. "Please tell me...that isn't... Tsukune?"
"His body was so weakened..." Moka softly says as Tsukune continues his slaughter. "that the blood that I infused him with...turned him into that." Moka lifts up her arm, pointing at the boy...no... "Not just physically, ferocity is in our blood... It's in Vampire's nature to be hunters...killers... And now it's in Tsukune's nature." Hoping the water soaking herself would disguise it, Moka allowed one tear to fall down her cheek. "Tsukune has turned into a Ghoul. A killing machine dommed to wander the world in search of human flesh..."
"...No," Kurumu squeaked in disbelief. "Tsukune...a Goul? It can't be."
The water soon stops falling from the ceiling, Yukari must've found the source and shut it off. With this, Moka rises to her feet, wavering away any feelings she may have caught in the sudden changes of circumstances. When she stands, she walks over to Tsukune who is now looking around for his next target to maul, like a wild predator looking for its next prey. He eyes Moka with an expressionless face, and she offers only glaring daggers in return.
"...Why didn't you listen to me, Tsukune? You could've gone back home...you would've healed like normal... And you wouldn't...have to suffer like this." And I wouldn't have to be the one...to kill you. Moka swiftly kicks Tsukune in the face, making him fall to the ground as his face begins to bleed from his forehead. This expectancy shocks the life out of the three girls watching, all of their mouths drop when Moka hurts Tsukune. "Forgive me, Tsukune... I can't save you now. This is the only way. Please...don't hate me, Tsukune."
Tsukune, now more on his guard than before, blocked each and every one of Moka's incoming attacks. In fact, he isn't even phased by Moka's strength. The Vampire tries to strike him with her right arm, but the Ghoul dodges her attack, and her hand goes through a solid sheet of concrete. Dammit... I've lost too much blood...I barely have any strength now. I can move now that the water stopped, but it's damaged me. Tsukune has barely been hurt at all... I'm the one who's going to end up killed if I can't do this quickly.
"Stop!" The Succubus shouts. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Moka?! Are you trying to kill him?! What's wrong with-"
"Yes. I'm killing him."
"...What?" Kurumu couldn't believe her ears.
"No. The truth is... Tsukune is already dead. I'm only sorry that he wasn't blessed with the better fate...true death. Instead of the undead life of a Ghoul. He has nothing like a life now. No soul... No will... He lives only to serve his instinctive lust for blood and flesh. If we leave him be...he'll be killing humans soon." Moka looked back at her friends, Kurumu could only stand there and begin to cry as Moka went on. "You all know that Tsukune would never want this. And the one to blame for making him into this...is me." Moka snaps her attention back on Tsukune, ready to finish what she-
"NO!" Kurumu moves in the way of Moka's march, stopping her in hr tracks. The Succubus spreads out her arms in an attempt to shield Tsukune. Moka still has her hand raised with the intent to kill, she sneers at the Succubus.
"Do you value your life, Kurumu? Move, now."
"...No," Kurumu wipes her eyes and frowns at the Vampire. "Don't act all tough with me, Moka! Your hands are shaking!" Moka glances at her raised arm...seeing that the Succubus is telling the truth. "I see right through you, Moka. You try to make us think you're this cold-hearted person that doesn't have any feelings... But I know... We all know how much you love him!" Kurumu's fists tightened when she finished that sentence. "Still... I won't let you do this to him, Moka. I refuse to lose anyone else. So if you want to kill him..." Yukari and Mizore join the Succubus, both of them taking their stance beside Kurumu, making Moka shocked. "...you'll have to get through us."
"...You... YOU FOOL! I told you to get out of my way!"
"Huh?" Kurumu is confused by Moka's sudden outburst...but she senses something behind her that makes her move out of the way. Tsukune tries to attack Kurumu from behind, only scraping her abdomen, and leaving a noticeable gash. Kurumu falls to her knees and her wound starts bleeding. The Succubus tries to keep pressure on her wound. When she looks up, she sees Tsukune looking down at his left hand...now covered in her blood, some of it even got on his face. "Ts..Tsukune?"
"..." The Ghoul licked the fresh blood from his fingers. "Hahaha...kill..." The Goul...has found new prey. "Hahahaha! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Tsukune!"
Moka wastes no time, she attacks Tsukune again. Each blow is more deadly than the last, she will not stop until the monster is dead. The others could hear Tsukune's bones shatter along with is pained groans ringing throughout the abandoned building. This sight alone was enough to make Kurumu begin to sob. "...Save him..." She tries crawling over to them both, only to be stopped by the Young Witch.
"No, Kurumu! You're hurt! Don't worry, I can-"
"No...not me, save him!" Kurumu clenched her eyes shut, she couldn't bear to watch her friend go through this. "Please... I can't lose him too! Save him... Save Tsukune!"
Tsukune... If this were just about me, I wouldn't let you go no matter what...but... You're the one who would suffer. Killing people...even your friends. Can death really be a crueler fate than life without a soul? I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Tsukune. I'm sorry that I did this to you. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry...that I dreamed so much for...us.
Moka, now with tears in her eyes, readies herself to deliver the killing blow to the boy she cares about. She's going to send her hand straight through his heart. Kurumu could only kneel on the ground and sob while Mizore and Yukari could only watch in horror at Moka's violent display on their friend. But they know if they even try to step in...they'll be killed along with Tsukune.
"TSUKUNE!" Moka cries out.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
"..." But another voice stops her, a familiar voice. One she had not heard in... She turns her head in anger to the source, only to have her face met with a fist. This surprise attack sends her back and knocks her off her feet as she falls to the ground. What?! Who the hell was... Gritting her teeth, she stands back up. "Who in the hell do you think you are?! How dare you get in...my...way?"
When she sees the one who struck her, she can barely even believe it herself. In fact, the other three couldn't believe it themselves. Moka was speechless, Mizore's lollipop fell from her mouth, Yukari could only smile...and Kurumu's lip quivered in shock. Standing before them all, the dark brown-haired boy glares at the Vampire. His fist clenched in anger at the sight of Tsukune beaten to a bloody pulp, his breathing was labored from running but it did not falter.
"E-Elijah?"
"...What do you think you're doing, Moka?" Elijah was too focused on Moka to acknowledge the others right now. The Vampire stands, rubbing her now bloody nose.
"Elijah..." Moka shook off any rising feelings and replaced her shocked expression with an angered sneer. "Get out of my way, don't make me kill you too."
Elijah sneered back at Moka...but this wasn't what made the Vampire's eyes widen in confusion. Just like on the day he left them, Elijah's hair slowly changed from his dark brown to pure white. And his eyes are now glowing blue just like before too. As if it was a weird case of Deja Vu, Moka feels an overwhelming surge of...raw power coming from the boy.
"...I'd like to see you try, Moka." Elijah's voice boomed as he took his fighting stance.
"..." What in the hell is this boy? No...it doesn't matter. He has no idea what Tsukune has become, and he will not stop me... I've always wondered what it would be like if we ever got into a fight, looks like I'm about to find out. Moka raises her fists. "...So be it."
"That won't be necessary," Another voice stops the upcoming brawl between Moka and Elijah. The source...a cloaked individual. No...there were two. They're both wearing white hooded cloaks that hide their faces. Moka sneered at them while Elijah raised his eyebrow in confusion. "After all the trouble we went to, we don't want it to go to waste." The one who first spoke approached Tsukune, who is now on his knees, as they pulled out...a cross? They hold the holy item over their chest as they begin to mutter to themselves. The Vampire and Magic boy couldn't exactly hear what they were saying, but they did at least hear the words 'heavenly father', 'creature', and 'blessed'. The cloaked individual raises the cross high over their head. "...Amen."
They plant the cross on Tsukune's forehead and a surge of light beams from both of them. Upon closer look, the black markings from Tsukune's face seem to fade away, and the boy falls to the ground, unconscious. Moka and Elijah drop their guard and turn to the hooded individuals. The Vampire is the first to speak. "Who are you and what did you do to Tsukune?"
The shorter figure lowered their hood as they giggled. "Don't worry, we're not the enemy. He's an Exorcist, he's here to save Tsukune." They take off their cloak, and everyone's eyes widen at the sight of a familiar face.
"Ruby?"
The Witch smiles and nods. "Long time to see everyone, especially you, Elijah." She says that last part with a faint blush but the boy doesn't notice, he has his priorities set on someone else now that his friend is safe.
"...Kuru."
The Succubus rose to her feet, still clenching her previous injury to stop the bleeding. But she doesn't care. Kurumu slowly reaches out, her fingers graze over Elijah's chest, afraid that if she touches it, he'll just disappear. "...Is it really-" Kurumu is cut off when Elijah pulls her into a warm and tight hug. His left arm wrapped around her waist and his right hand rests behind the Succubi's head. Elijah let out a tear-filled chuckle, his voice only coming out as a whisper. Yet the firmness made it sound as if it was a shout.
"...I missed you so much, dummy."
Kurumu didn't know what to say. Instead, she buried her face in the crook of Elijah's neck, soaking it with her tears but she didn't care. The only thing that she cared about at this moment was that her best friend was finally here with her, hugging her tightly with the intent of never letting go. Kurumu allows her arms to wrap around Elijah's waist. Something felt...different about his body. Kurumu couldn't help but think that Elijah felt...firmer than usual. But that's something that can be discussed at another time. Kurumu mutters a single word from her lips, coming out as a whisper.
"...Elijah."