Tsukune

"Well? You want to become powerful too, don't you, Tsukune?" Moka smirked with the enchanted whip in her hands, causing Tsukune's heart to flutter in his chest. "After all, who better to teach you than me?"

"I-I mean, I'd love to have private lessons with you, Moka." He admits with a nervous stutter.

"I warn you, my training regiment is strenuous. If you don't stay focused, it might even be...fatal~"

"Uh..." The way Moka was slowly walking towards Tsukune with a little more swaying to her hips made him even more nervous than before; the effect she was having on the Human ultimately made him back up into a tree. "H-Hang on, Moka. I want to be powerful all right, but..."

"Come on, Tsukune." The softness in Moka's voice made him open his eyes once again, only to find her and himself in a king-sized bed. The only source of light in the dimly lit room was a small table lamp on the nightstand, and the only piece of clothing Moka was wearing...was the choker around her neck where the Rosary no longer resides. "Don't you know a joke when you hear one?" Moka whispered, forcing Tsukune to face her by a simple hand on his cheek.

H-Huh?! How did we get here?! Weren't Moka and I just in the Monster's Paradise? When did we get into bed? And where are her clothes?!

"Tsukune..." The Inner Moka snuggled herself closer, her lips only a hair away from Tsukune's neck. "I know this is your first time, so I don't want to rush anything..."

"M-Moka..." The warmth of her breath sent a satisfying chill down Tsukune's body. "When did we even-"

"Shh..." Moka silences him with a slender finger upon his lips, her silver hair draping over her shoulder as she now hovers over him. "Just relax...and let me lead the way~" Tsukune wanted to fight it, to say that this was all too sudden, that this should be a more special moment...but his words could only get caught in his throat. Instead, he slowly allowed himself to finally give in to his deep hearted desires, to finally be with the girl of his dreams. Just when he could feel Moka's rosy lips against his own...

BBBRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGG!

"AAAHHH!" Unfortunately, the blaring ringing coming from Tsukune's alarm clock wakes him up from his fantasy, which he called a dream. The sudden noise from the mechanical device not only woke him up but also made him fall out of his bed. "It was just a dream..." He said, slowly getting off from the floor and making his way to his bathroom.

For the next ten minutes, Tsukune splashed his face with cold water. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He ultimately cursed himself for having such a dream about Moka, especially the Inner one. I gotta pull myself together! I just started training yesterday. I can't believe I could have a dream like that! I know I'm seventeen, but still! I need to get those thoughts out of my head and focus on what's important. Tsukune finished washing his face for what he counted to be the tenth time and then stared at himself in the mirror. "Still, it was...a nice dream- NO!" He smacks himself in the face really hard as those thoughts started coming back. "No more fantascizing, Aono!"

Leaving the bathroom, Tsukune saw that the time was seven thirty. It was only two and a half hours until the time Moka had designated that he would train with her and Elijah. I'm sure Elijah has already gotten a head start with his usual morning PT. Guess that means I better put in all my effort too! Everyone is counting on me to become stronger, and I can't let them down!

It was time. Tsukune hastily made his way to the graveyard where Moka had told him to meet her. Wanting to be more prepared, Tsukune got himself dressed in the dark green tracksuit he usually wears for his eveningwear on the weekends. He's actually kind of glad he can use it for something other than comfort for once. This could be dangerous. He thought. Getting trained personally by Moka, I bet she'll be incredibly hard on Elijah and me. If I let up for even a single minute, I could get hurt or even killed! Tsukune quickly shook away those kinds of negative thoughts. This was not the time to think that way. Pull yourself together, Tsukune. You got this!

"Ha! Hya! Ha!"

As Tsukune got closer to the graveyard, he could hear the sound of Elijah's fighting grunts getting louder. Upon arriving, Tsukune sees his best friend practicing his hand-to-hand combat techniques as well as his footwork on the nearby tombstones and trees. Each swing of his punches and kicks manages to break away a small part of each spot where his hits landed. Tsukune was probably just seeing things, but he swore that he could see steam coming from the ends of his hands. Even the blue glow from his eyes seemed brighter than ever before. And yet...his hair still remains the same. Wow. I haven't seen him this focused in a long time other than yesterday. I need to step up my game.

"Elijah. Hey, dude."

"Huh? Oh..." Elijah wipes a bead of sweat away from his head before greeting his friend. "Hey, man. You ready?"

"Ready is my middle name, brother."

"Haha," Elijah smirks at his friend's confidence. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

"By the way, why aren't you using any magic?"

"Eh," Elijah shrugs. "Since Moka more so uses hand-to-hand combat in her fights, I thought that's what I could focus on when I'm training with her. And when I train with Ruby, I can start using more of my magic abilities. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah," Tsukune nodded. "It does."

"As long as I make progress, I don't really care how intense or mind-boggling it may be. And I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm looking forward to seeing how I fight with Moka." Elijah's words come as a little bit of a shock to Tsukune, but he understands his reasoning. "After all, she's been wanting to spar with me for a long time, and I don't want to disappoint."

"Me neither," Tsukune admits. "I'm gonna give it my all!"

"So, you're already here." Speak of the devil. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Tsukune smiles at the sound of Inner Moka's voice. "Good morning, Moka. Thanks for taking the time to..." His voice trailed off when he got a good look at what Moka was wearing. Instead of casual wear or even her school uniform, Moka wore a crimson red dress that had a skirt that barely reached the very top of her knees. Over her light shoulders was a pure white shawl that complimented her skin. Not only that, but she was wearing makeup as well. While her lips were naturally a light shade of pink, the cherry-red lipstick she had nearly matched the same color of her eyes.

"Right," She said with a smile. "Let's get started then."

"...I'm sorry, what?"

While Elijah was nearly dumbfounded by the Vampire's appearance, Tsukune... He was absolutely astonished. She's so beautiful... Moka's already gorgeous without makeup, but like this... She's lumniscent, practically glowing like sunlight. "But...you're all dressed up, why are you-"

"What about your outfit?" Moka asked Tsukune, sounding almost disheartened. "You knew you were going to be with me today...and you wore a tracksuit? Is that what you tink of me?"

"N-No! Of course not! I just...I thought we were going to be training today."

"I've changed my mind," said Moka with a turn of her heel, her silver hair lightly flapping in the late morning breeze. "We'll do that another time. Today..." Her head tilted back so she could smirk at Tsukune. "You're going to accompany me."

"And what about me?" Elijah asked, sounding more annoyed than curious. "The hell am I supposed to do?"

"I don't really care," Inner Moka shrugged. "Our little sparring session will have to come on another day."

Leaving Tsukune with not much of a choice, he joined the young woman. After a short walk, Moka led Tsukune to Preternatural Street, Yokai Academy's only shopping area. As usual, it was a hustle and bustle of many people out and about doing their own personal things. The air was filled with the sound of many conversations happening at once, but it was not overbearing. In fact, it brought a sense of comfort to the young couple.

"Hmm," Moka hummed as her high heels lightly clicked against the stone paths. "This area looks lively."

"Oh, yeah. I guess this is technically your first time here, isn't it, Moka?" asked Tsukune. "This is Preternatural Street. It's got markets, stores, even a theater."

"Yes. I remember that old film you all watched together. I swear, I never thought a dog could make the other Me cry so much."

"Yeah," Tsukune laughed a little. "This place is always swarming with groups or couples; that's why I rarely come here. But it's still nice."

"Hmm... Not too shappy..." Moka noted, now taking another step further down the street. "Then I guess you won't mind showing me around, Tsukune."

"Huh? But...I'm not dressed properly for-"

"I don't care," Moka said without even looking back at Tsukune. "Just come along."

With a small sigh, Tsukune reluctantly joined Moka as she went further down the street. I mean, this is fun and all, but I'm supposed to be training right now. I even hyped myself up for it and everything... Now I'm on a date with... Tsukune stopped that thought from going any further. Hold yourself, dude. This isn't a date. You're just accompanying her. Not a date... Right? Tsukune cleared his throat before speaking up to Moka. "So, why did you decide to go shopping all of a sudden?"

"Because I got a hold of this..." Moka lifted up the end of her dress a little so Tsukune could see the enchanted whip, Belmont, tied tightly around her left thigh. "The magic-cancelling Belmont. A miraculous whip with the power to nullify my Rosary." Moka allows her skirt to fall back down naturally.

Wow...her legs are so pale.

"Normally," Moka continues. "If you take off the Rosary to come out like usual, I risk weakening the seal if I stay out for too long. No fear of that now! As long as I have this whip, I can stay out to my heart's content!" To Tsukune's slight surprise, Moka sounded more happy than he's ever heard her beofre. "It's a treat to be free for an entire day. I couldn't stand to waste it on training."

"Wow..." Tsukune smiled at how she seemingly wanted to spend time with him. Moka didn't say it out loud, but he wanted to believe that was also another reason for it. "Honestly, I'm surprised that Ruby let you borrow it. She told me it's really valuable."

"Oh, she doesn't know I borrowed it. I didn't see any point in bothering her..." Moka smirked at Tsukune evily. "So I stole it."

"...You what?!"

Elijah

"I can't believe this..." I huffed. "Here I was, all ready to get some real training done, and now Moka is taking Tsukune on some...date." I really don't understand that girl sometimes... Well, if I'm stuck with going solo for today, I might as well spend it in the Paradise Dimension, so I don't have to worry about breaking stuff. Maybe I'll run into Ruby and the others. They said they'd be training with each other as Tsukune and I do the same thing with Inner Moka.

It was a nice walk to the heart of Yokai Academy, even though I still get chills from this place thanks to my last big fight down here. Now that I think about it, that was the last time I think I was ever truly in touch with Merlin's Might.

"Trash like you can't possibly defeat me! I've put my life on the line for this! You don't have my hunger! YOU CAN NEVER DEFEAT ME!"

Moka jumps over his attacks and says, "Of course, we can. You're all alone, right? And the hope that's been entrusted to us by my friends...is more powerful than your hunger! It's over, Hokuto!" Moka kicks him straight in the face. "Know your place!"

Her kick sends Hokuto flying up into the air. "How...how can I lose to you?!"

"It's obvious," I fly into the air with my wings...feeling all the power go into my right arm as it glows bright blue. No more holding back. "You're all alone, we have each other. You never stood a chance against us." As I balled my fist, I caught a glimpse of shock in Hokuto's eyes.

"...You're the Blessed-"

BOOM!

I punch Hokuto straight into the ground, breaking off several of his limbs and creating a crater in the process. I land on the ground, standing in awe of what I just did. I've never felt such...power before. Is this what it was like when Merlin took over when we faced Kuyo? Damn...but It's still a shame.

That was probably the strongest I've ever felt in my life. I didn't think I could pull off such a power move like that before. But here I am again, powerless as ever. No. Shut up about that. You're not powerless. You've just hit a speed bump. I tell myself. I just need to focus on what's important, which is defending the people I love. I step through the gilded door and pass the threshold into the Monster's Paradise. At first, I felt a warm sense of comfort as the warm air came into contact with my body...

"Moka! You big fat liar!" Until I heard the disheartened cries of my friend, Ruby, from across the field. I made haste to where her voice was coming from, and I found that the other girls were with her as well.

"What's wrong, Ruby?" asked Kurumu.

"Well..." Yukari comforted the crying Witch by rubbing a small hand up and down her back. "It turns out that Moka stole the enchanted whip, Belmont."

"WHAT?!" Kurumu shouted. Mizore was equally shocked. "She took Belmont?!"

"She stole it!" Ruby corrected her. "It's one of the headmaster's prized artifacts! It's worth tens of millions on the black market!"

"Ten's of millions?!" That number alone was enough to make my head spin on a dime. I can't believe that we were training with such a valuable artifact only yesterday.

"Elijah?" My friends turn to me, not realizing that I was here with them now. Yukario was the one to address me first. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Tsukune were supposed to be training with Moka today."

"I was." I fold my arms over my chest. "But now she's all dressed up and taking Tsukune out for God knows why."

"...She what?!" Kurumu was angered with what I just told her. "So, instead of training you guys like she's supposed to, she's taking Tsukune out on some kind of date?!"

"Yeah," I shrug. "That's basically teh long and short of it, I guess."

"It doesn't matter," said Ruby, now standing up straight. "The Headmaster entrusted me with it! Moka asked me if she could train solo with it so she could be prepared to train Elijah and Tsukune, but before I knew it, that thief disappeared from Paradise along with the whip!"

Crap... This could be a problem if the Headmaster finds out. "Did you tell the Headmaster about this?"

"No," Ruby shook her head at me. "I haven't said anything to him. But if he finds out... 'You're all expelled!' That's what he said if something ever happened to the whip!"

"WHAT?!" The rest of us collectively shout.

"That's why we must find Inner Moka and get the whip back," said Ruby. She then turned to me. "Elijah, did she say where she was taking Tsukune?"

"No. But I'm sure I have an idea. After all, there's only one place I know where many couples go to get away from Yokai Academy." Sorry, Bro. Looks like your date's coming to a halt. "Let's go get that whip back."

Tsukune

"Ah! This is a cute dress..." The silver-haired Vampire holds out a dress in front of her. Something was fascinating to Moka about how the top of the piece of clothing was a bright red, but it slowly fades into a pure white all the way down the fabric. "The other Moka always buys our clothes, but it's about time I got to choose some. This is...actually kind of fun."

"Yeah... Fun..." Tsukune sighed as he just watched Moka go through the many racks of clothing within the store. "But...what should I do?"

"Well, you're surrounded by clothes, so how about you shop?" Moka suggested like the answer was obvious; she didn't even look back at him. "Just don't talk. You'll distract me."

But these are all women's clothes... I feel so stupid in this tracksuit now. I can't even find some clothes in this store to wear for myself. That's not even what I'm mostly worried about right now. Tsukune looked around, making sure that no one was watching him and Moka. What was Moka thinking?! I can't believe she just took the Headmaster's things without asking him. Well, I can believe it, but it's still a stupid move! I mean, he's probably sent someone after us by now. But Moka's not even trying to keep a low profile, she's just...shopping! What am I supposed to do if-

"Stop fidgeting, Tsukune," Moka told the young man. "Not only do you look suspicious, but you're getting on my nerves."

"But if someone comes-"

"If you want to keep a lookout, use your senses, not your eyes. Don't look, feel."

"'Feel'?"

"Yes," Moka nodded, now turning her body to face Tsukune fully. "Like the way a bat uses ultrasonic waves to detect objects. You have to detect supernatural power and animosity toward you...and react before you see it with your eyes. 'Power Detection', as many call it, is a critical skill in battle, and we Vampires excel at it. More than any monster in the world. My blood flows inside you, Tsukune. So now you have that ability, too."

"..." You've gotta be kidding. Tsukune always thought the new power within him simply meant that he would be stronger physically. He didn't even consider the supernatural capabilities he could have, as well. Power Detection... Tsukune silently repeated those words. Come to think of it, I've seen the others do it, too. But...how am I supposed to? Don't 'look', 'feel', Moka said. Okay... Tsukune closed his eyes, clearing his mind just like the way Elijah taught him whenever they would meditate. Feel... Feel... Hmm... Within the darkness Tsukune surrounded himself in, he felt a small twinge in the front of his mind. What's this? It feels like there's some kind of...glow in front of me. I think I'm doing it, I can feel it! And...it's getting closer. What could it...

Tsukune opens his eyes...only to find that what he was sensing was Moka's hand right in front of his face. "...Be?"

Fwip!

With a flick of her finger, Inner Moka smirked as Tsukune fell for her little game. A small red mark started to appear on the boy's forehead as he sighed in defeat. "You goofball," Moka laughed.

It's no use. Tsukune thought. She's nothing but a tease...

The next hour or so was filled with Tsukune following Moka to wherever store she chose to shop in next. From jewelry stores, trinkets, farmer's markets, or even floral shops, Tsukune couldn't help but notice how much the Inner Moka was smiling the entire time. Wow. Moka sure is full of surprises. I had no idea that this side of her had such an easy-going attitude. She even laughs, practically giggles! I...I love seeing this side of her. Still... Why am I the one paying for all that she's buying?

"You know, Tsukune..." Moka sighed contently after smelling a bundle of roses. "Now that I think about it, this now makes it the second time."

"Huh? Second time...what?"

"Our second time alone together," Moka explained as she smiled back at Tsukune. "It's not a bad way to spend it. Don't you agree? Or shall I have to lean my head on your shoulder to make sure?"

"M-Moka..." Just as if he was talking to the Outer Moka, Tsukune's heart pounded against his chest.

"Tsukune..." Moka's grin grew...but she blushed as she realized she just played right into their 'name-calling' game just like her innocent self would have. "A-Anyway, let's get out of here. I think I've seen enough."

"R-Right..."

Now, with Moka's shopping spree coming to an end, she led Tsukune away from Preternatural Street, away from any peering eyes. "Well," Moka smiled as she looked down at the many bags she had in her hands. "I bought a lot more than I was planning to."

You mean I bought them... Mom's gonna be really mad when she hears that I need more money...

"Well, now seems like a good time," said Moka, now setting her purchased goods on the ground. "After all, no one else is around now."

"What?"

"Tsukune..." Moka leaned in closer, her body only a foot away from Tsukune.

"Uh..." Their close proximity makes him blush. "M-Moka...?"

"I want to hold your hand." The Vampire simply reached out her right hand for Tsukune to take.

"What?!" Of all things for Moka to suggest, that was the last thing Tsukune would expect. Well, there was another, but he knew for a fact that was off the table. "Are...Are you serious?"

"Mhmm," She nodded. "Think of it as my way of saying thanks for today. I mean..." Moka tilted her head, the small frown on her face looking...shy? "Don't you want to hold my hand?"

"I-I mean, it's not that I don't want to, but... You won't kick me when I do, right?"

"Hahahaha!" Moka laughed at the way Tsukune thought of her simple offer. "Don't be afraid, Tsukune. Just try me." Without letting Tsukune think about it, she already had a firm grasp on his right hand. Moka's slender fingers fit nearly perfectly within the human's hand. The Vampire pulled herself closer to the human boy. Even though she was wearing high heels, she was still just a few inches shorter than him.

"Moka..." Tsukune couldn't help but utter her name; he was just that much in love with her. This moment was just perfect for him, and he hoped that Moka felt the same... But not everything is meant to last forever. In the back of Tsukune's head, he felt a small tingling sensation like before. Huh? What is that? It's...a big glow right behind me. Just like when Moka flicked me on the forehead. But...it's coming right at us, and fast! "Look out!"

BOOM!

At just the last second, Tsukune got Moka out of the way of whatever was coming for them both. The sudden force left a huge cloud of dust and smoke, as well as a small crater in the ground. What the?! When all the dust cleared, a very angry Succubus lay with her hand still in the ground. Her wings flapped as she turned her head back at Moka.

"Oh, Moookaaaaaa..."

"K-Kurumu?! What are you-"

"Can it, Tsukune!" Kurumu pulled her hand from the dirt ground so she could face Moka with her rage. "I can't believe you, Moka! While I'm glad you two are finally making some progress in your relationship, it's not worth getting all of us expelled!"

"W-Wait, Kurumu!" Tsukune tried to explain, but Moka simply had a blank expression on her face. "We were just-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Kurumu extended her claws. "Just give the whip back, Moka!"

"...I don't have time for this," Moka sighed with a huff. "Let's get out of here, Tsukune."

After losing the chasing Succubus, Tsukune and Moka hid themselves away in one of the stores further down the path of Preternatural Street. It was a simple convenience store where only a handful of people were going on about their personal shopping. "Did we lose her?" Tsukune asked Moka, nearly out of breath. Damn. I didn't expect Kurumu to be the one to come after the whip. Does that mean that the others are looking for us as well? How did they even... Tsukune sighed; he didn't have to ask how they found him and Moka so fast. Dammit, Elijah...

"I wouldn't worry about it, Tsukune," said Moka, cracking her knuckles by closing her fist. "She'll be sorry if she attacks us again."

"Please, don't do that, Moka."

"Hmph. Well then," The Vampire smoothly slips her arm around Tsukune's. "Why don't you protect me then?"

"H-Huh?"

"After all, you wouldn't want me to hurt our friends, now would you?" Moka squeezed herself more into Tsukune's embrace, purposely making her chest brush up against his arm.

Dammit. Why does she have to get so close right now? We need... Wait. Tsukune could sense another glow in the back of his mind; this time, it was much closer and not coming in fast. What is it now? Tsukune's eyes narrowed to find where the source of the energy was coming from. The glow seems to be coming from the adult section of the magazine...stand? Exactly where Tsukune felt the supernatural presence, it was Mizore that he found hiding herself amongst the variety of adult magazines. Tsukune didn't even have to think twice about taking Moka by teh arm and getting her out of the store before any damage could be caused.

"Moka," Mizore addressed her calmly, her ice claws at the ready once they were outside. "It's time this date of yours came to an end, and you return the whip at once."

"Pass."

"Very well..." Mizore, left with no alternative, threw an entorage of ice kunai at Moka and Tsukune, making them run further away.

"Moka! Can you please just give them the whip back?!"

"Nope."

Being on the run from another one of their friends, Tsukune thought back to both encounters. I think...I finally understand what Moka was trying to tell me. That light I feel every time I'm attacked... That must be the aura of supernatural powers she was talking about! "But I couldn't detect it before," He voiced his thoughts. "Why am I sensing them so clearly all of a sudden?"

"Because I stirred up their feelings," Moka answered him, hearing the mutter of his question. They turned a corner just as Mizore shot out more ice crystals at them. "Love, jealousy, animosity, even annoyance... The more overwrought they are, the stronger their powers become. So much so that even a beginner like you can detect their aura."

"Oh..." So that's the real reason she got so clingy out of nowhere... She was only- "Oof!" The human falls to the floor after accidentally bumping into someone, thanks to him getting lost in his thoughts. When Tsukune brushed himself off, he saw that it was a girl with dark brown hair and blue eyes. "O-Oh! I'm sorry!" He quickly rushes over to help her back on her feet, completely forgetting that he was being chased. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm fine..." She said, her eyes meeting his with a small sparkle. "I'm sorry, I didn't see where I was going."

"It's okay, it was my fault."

"Oh, wow..." The girl found herself getting lost in Tsukune's eyes. "I...don't really say this often, but...you're really cute."

"H-Huh?" Who even is this girl? Have I seen her before? Her eyes look very...familiar.

"Ahem!" Moka, crossing her arms, scowled. "If you're done coddling him," She grabbed Tsukune by the shoulder and started pulling him away, "then you can just go on about-" In a move almost too fast for her to see, Moka narrowly dodges the girl's hand that was coming right for her head. In a much stronger counterattack, Moka grabs the mystery girl by the arm and slams her into the nearby concrete wall.

"Moka! What did you do that for?!"

"I had a feeling that girl wasn't as she seemed... Clever boy."

"What are you...?" Tsukune looked to where the poor girl had been thrown...only she was like Moka said. Or...he wasn't as he seemed. It tunred out that it was only Elijah who had disguised himself as a girl with a simple shapeshiftng spell. "E-Elijah?!"

"Ow..." The young Wizard groaned now that he was upside down and stuck in the concrete wall. "Just give us the whip, Moka... I don't want to be expelled..."

"..." I don't know how I should feel about this.

"Hmph," She huffed before turning away from the boy. "You're going to have to try much harder than that if you're going to get the better of me, Elijah Everett."

After leaving Elijah stuck in a wall, Moka and Tsukune kept running to avoid any more encounters with the others that are still looking for them. Unfortunately, this ultimately led to their downfall. "Shoot..." Tsukune's head dated around the empty alleyway; their only means of escape now was by going back the way they came. "It's a dead end," Tsukune said. "We have to go back, Moka."

"...No," she replied, knowing just exactly what was going on here. "This is a trap."

"Huh?"

"They herded us here," Moka began to explain. "We're being watched. I'm not sure where, but they're all suppressing their supernaturality. Which means they're preparing to launch a surprise attack. Fools..." She smirked. "They might not live to regret this."

"Moka!" Tsukune didn't like where this was headed. "You can't fight-"

"Tsukune." She cuts him off with a firm tone. "I thought I made things clear. You are the one protecting me. Unless...you want me to them after all. If you can't do that, then stay out of my way."

"..." Fighting the Inner Moka would be a nightmare. I can't let her do this, I have to stop her! But how? There's no way out! Tsukune tried to come up with any option at his disposal, to no avail. I have no idea which way the others are going to attack from! What do I do...?

"Hmm," Moka hums, feeling where the other could possibly be and what their movement looks like. "They've raised their power slightly. They're about to attack. Stand back, Tsukune."

"...Wait." A lightbulb lights up in Tsukune's head as he remembers what Moka told him earlier about stirring up their emotions. It might not work, but I have to try. Now, with his plan set in motion, Tsukune approaches Moka from behind.

"Tsukune! Didn't you hear me?" Moka turned her head back, an annoyed frown pulling down on her lips. "You're getting in my way. So stand ba-"

"Sorry, Moka." Without even worrying about her permission, Tsukune wrapped his arms around Moka, effectively hugging her from behind. Thankfully for the Vampire, Tsukune's eyes were closed...and he wouldn't be able to see how much his gesture made her blush. Meanwhile, Tsukune was more focused on sensing where the others were. Just like he had planned, he could feel the glow of their supernatural power. There you guys are. There are three behind us. That must be Kurumu, Mizore, and...Yukari? Wait, where's Elijah? They're also pretty far away, so the attack can't be coming from them. So... The one launching the surprise attack is... Tsukune looked up, finding the last two prescences. Elijah and Ruby flew high in the air with their wings keeping them airborne, and both of them had equally baffled expressions on their faces. Right above us! "Look out, Moka!" Tsukune quickly picked her up in his arms and rushed to escape Elijah's and Ruby's wings as their flight feathers extended out and struck down into the ground.

When the dust clears, Ruby and Elijah groan in frustration as they see that what they grabbed onto was not Moka but a large chunk of concrete ground. "Dammit!" Elijah shouted. "We had her!"

On the ground, Moka winced after her back had hit the concrete. "Tsukune, you idiot... Huh?"

"Ngh..." Tsukune groaned thanks to a few chunks of concrete hitting him, making the boy bleed from his forehead. But he didn't care, he was more concerned about the girl underneath him. "Moka... Are you alright?"

"..." Quickly covering the astonished look in her eyes, Moka smiles. "You used me, didn't you? You only put your arms around me to stir up their feelings so you could detect their positions and dodge the initial surprise attack... You applied what I taught you...just moments ago." She sounds prouder with each sentence. "Congratulations, Tsukune. You pass."

"Pass?" Tsukune winced, feeling the pain of his injury now that the adrenaline had worn off. He wipes some of the blood off of his forehead with his jacket sleeve. "What are you talking about? Was this...my training? It was, wasn't it?! Everything you did today was just to train me!"

"I'll explain, Tsukune. But first..." Annoyed with their position, Moka deadpanned. "Just how long are you going to stay on top of me?"

"O-Oh! Right." Now realizing his position over the girl, Tsukune quickly got off of Moka. "S-Sorry about that..."

"Good. Now, let's get one thing straight..." Moka's anger only grew more as she got back up to her feet. "My holding your hand and linking arms with you is one thing. You, however, will never put your arms around me again!"

"Wh-What? I just-"

"I'll put it simply so you can understand." Moka lifts her leg, she's about to pull off her signature move. "Know. Your. Place!" Moka swiftly roundhouse-kicks at Tsukune...but it was stopped. Not by Elijah, not even by any of the other girls. The one who blocked her powerful kick...was Tsukune. "What...?"

"Come on, Moka," He struggled to keep her foot from making contact with his head. "I saw that coming from a mile away," Tsukune smirked. "You're a pretty good teacher, you know?"

"...Why you-"

"So, let me get this straight." Elijah's voice effectively cuts Moka off before she can tear into Tsukune. He and the other girls have been watching their interaction for the past minute after their plan had failed. "This whole thing was just so you could train Tsukune, Moka?"

"So it would seem," said Yukari. "She took the whip without permission, knowing we'd come after it, all so Tsukune could learn how to detect supernatural power."

"Which makes sense on why she didn't want me to come along since I can already do that."

"Jeez, Moka!" Kuurmu expressed her frustration. "Aren't you overdoing it a little?! What does training have to do with making Tsukune pay for all of your stuff?!"

"She's a villainess," Mizore quipped.

"But a pretty villainess," Yuakri added, which made Elijah sigh.

"Not a valid point, Yukari..."

"It's okay, guys," said Tsukune before turning to Moka with a grateful grin. "Thanks for everything, Moka. I am sorry, though. You hardly ever get any free time like today, and you spent it all on my training."

"...Don't be stupid, Tsukune." Thankfully for him, Moka was facing away from Tsukune, so he couldn't see her face turning pink. "You don't actually think this was proper training, do you?"

"Huh?"

"I just slipped a lesson into my shopping day." Now that her face was no longer flushed, Moka looked back at the Human boy with a sneering grin. "I haven't even started your real training yet."

"..." Oh, God... That can't be a good sign.

"I apologize for tricking you, Ruby." Moka continued. "But thanks to you, I actually had fun today. So let's just forgive and forget everything that happened."

"You expect both of us to forgive and forget?" Ruby folded her arms over her chest. "You really are something, you know that?" She sighed but soon smiled. "I suppose you're going to keep the whip to continue Tsukune's training then?"

"Of course."

"And what about me?" Elijah finally spoke up. "Will I actually be a part of this? You always talk about having me as a sparring partner."

"Oh, I remember that quite well, and yes. Sorry to keep you waiting, even if it'll mean you'll get your ass kicked."

Elijah rolled his eyes as Moka smirked at him. "I guess we'll see."

"Yes, we shall."