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Distorted Fairy Tale	By : Xagzan Category: Manga M to R > Rosario + Vampire (Rozario to Banpaia) > Rosario + Vampire (Rozario to Banpaia) Views: 7181 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Rosario + Vampire or make money from it, and all its goodness belongs to Akihisa Ikeda

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Sorry for the wait folks, busy schedule and everything. Anyway, thanks for the feedback and hope you enjoy!

For Want of Composure, Pt. 2

Slow dawn began to creep in through the boy’s windows. Enveloped in soft warmth, he felt the first prickling of waking throughout his body. Prying his lids apart with effort, Tsukune groaned and rolled onto his back. He didn’t want to get up. The sweet stupor of sleep still lingered about his limbs. His mind was far too hazy even to recall where he was or why. What was he supposed to do today? Oh well, it didn’t matter. Whatever it was, it could wait a few more minutes. Or ten, or twenty. He was sure Moka would understand.

Wait...

Moka!

Everything suddenly came rushing back, flooding his brain with a bombardment of memories of the previous day’s events. And with them, an oppressive dread sank in his stomach. He remembered what transpired, from the arrival in Yomotsu, to his and Kahlua’s shameful misdeeds, to Amane’s gory destruction. And Moka, she was hurt. She was shocked, she was enraged. She…

…wasn’t here.

Indeed, Tsukune was presently reminded that he was the sole occupant of this room. Scarlet draperies hung low from the windows, bathing the walls with a soft glow. In fact, he hadn’t paid it much thought last night, but now that he looked around, the designer of this place really favored this color. Even the heart-shaped pillow and velvet sheets beneath him were varying shades of red. A noise gradually worked its way into the boy’s consciousness, as well – having been confined to the hum of the sterile airship for the past several days, Tsukune hadn’t woken to the sound of birds chirping in some time.

They have birds in this subterranean city?

He swung his legs over the bed and slid to the floor, yawning. The surroundings really did make it clear he was in a hotel room of sorts. Staring down at himself, he lamented his absence of a change of clothes, still wearing his outfit from yesterday. Pushing aside his discomfort at the itch brought about by that and by lack of a shower, he meandered drowsily over to the door.

The quiet, empty hallway was his only greeter. Not knowing what to do next, Tsukune stopped to think. The others were here, also, but in which rooms? He couldn’t remember. The ones right next to his, right? Tsukune was unsure he wanted to knock on a stranger’s door in an ayashi city, lest he meet some foul-tempered killer.

Then again, that’s probably no different than stumbling upon Akuha’s room.

Despite that thought, to be honest and to his complete astonishment, Akuha of all people was the only one of their group he didn’t feel nervous about encountering at the moment. Kahlua—after what happened between them—was definitely on his avoid list for the time being, even if it hadn’t been her fault.

And Moka…well, he personally might not have had any objections to seeing her, but who knew if she felt the same? After everything she’d endured, and fainting on top of that, he wouldn’t be surprised if she was in a mood to rip his head off right now.

However, his worries were quickly made inconsequential as a voice echoed down the corridor.

“Tsukune?”

Thus addressed, the boy turned. There was standing the silver-maned girl herself, her poise dignified, her face expressionless but for the hint of red smudged just underneath her eyes. This did not escape Tsukune’s notice.

Was she…crying?

He found himself unable to form a response. A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Moka spoke again, nerves faintly breaking through her stony façade.

“Good morning, Tsukune.”

Clearly, Tsukune appreciated, she was trying to be cordial. Reaching deep within himself for courage, he fought to find his voice.

“G-good morning, Moka,” he croaked, his throat suddenly begging for a drink. When she nodded silently, he went on, clearing his throat first. “How—how are you today?”

Narrowing her eyes at him, she spoke. “Forget about that, Tsukune. Tell me, what’s going on? Where are we? What happened?”

“Moka, what do you mean?” he replied.

“I mean I have no idea where we are, or how we got here, or why. The last thing I remember is…” She trailed off, visibly uncomfortable and unable to go on.

Tsukune picked up quickly. “Ahh, yeah. You see, you kind of fainted after everything. We were all really worried, and Akuha even postponed her meeting with the Succubus Matron. That girl Yuki took us to this hotel to spend the night, and we put you to bed. Akuha said depending on your condition today, she would try to reschedule the meeting.”

“I see… I do remember everything before that,” she confessed, rubbing at her eye briefly, “but the rest was a complete blank.” Tsukune swallowed and nodded. “So Akuha-neesan was inconvenienced by me. I can’t say I’m too sorry about that,” she mused aloud.

Tsukune laughed quietly before getting serious again. “Moka, listen. About yesterday—

He was abruptly cut off by Moka’s hand, raised to silence him. “Not now, Tsukune,” she said softly, looking to the floor. “I’d rather not think about that at the moment.”

“I understand,” he muttered.

Scratching her head absently, Moka glanced around the hall. “You know, I’ve been awake for a few hours,” she began. “I was walking around earlier and this place has a nice wide open space outside.”

“Oh, you’ve been up? Did you see Akuha or Kahlua yet?”

Moka shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Maybe they’re still in their rooms. But that’s not my point. As I was saying, there’s a spot outside that I think is just perfect. It’s secluded, within a bunch of trees. There’s nobody there, and we shouldn’t be disturbing anyone. It should work fine.”

“Work fine?” Tsukune cocked his head. “For what?”

“Tell me, Tsukune.” She looked him square in his still sleepy eyes. “When was the last time we sparred together?”

“…Huh?”

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

As it so happened, Akuha and Kahlua had awoken before Moka, before the artificial sun of Yomotsu had even begun its course along the mural sky. The eldest had been up first, and quickly left her room to go on a short walk outside before it was time for the noisy day to thrust her numerous responsibilities back upon her. An irritating twinge occupied her chest for reasons she did not know; she hoped this walk would help. She had unexpectedly met Kahlua in the hotel’s lobby, the dark-skinned girl having the same idea as her sister, and both had decided to accompany each other on a quiet stroll.

And there they were, now making their way through the wooded area surrounding the building. Currently they walked in a tiny glade, tall trees around them shielding them from the pale dawn light, leaves whispering heavily in the breeze. The two young women plodded on slowly, savoring what little pleasure they could get from this time away from the world. They passed a pair of lumbering incubi silently raking the leaves from the path; the creatures left the girls unacknowledged as they walked.

Yet, peaceful as their surroundings were, inside Kahlua was no less than a disturbed surge of bitter emotions. Not forgotten were the events of yesterday to her, either, a dull pain resting uninvited in her heart. She had hoped a nice walk in the brisk morning calm would prove a balm to her soul, but so far, it was a fruitless effort. Nothing she could think of would make her betrayal of Moka—unintended as it had been—go away so easily.

Despite the girl’s attempt to keep the harsh guilt to herself, it seeped onto her features enough for her older sister to take note. Halting in her march, she chewed on her lip, glancing at the blonde assassin. “You know, Kahlua,” she said, her soft tone still cutting the stillness of the air. “You always were the most gentle of us. Even I, the sister who lived with you least, could see that.”

Her mulling trance broken, Kahlua looked at her. “A-Akuha?”

Keeping even pace, Akuha smiled. “I always found it quite endearing, for someone strong as you to have such a soft heart.”

“What can I say?” Kahlua replied. “I am who I am.”

“Nothing wrong with that. But, keep in mind, Kahlua,” at that her voice grew serious, “Such emotion is often a liability for people in our line of work. It’s not just me saying that, either. Father also thought you needed to be a bit tougher when it came to your feelings.”

“A-Akuha!” A look of fright suddenly crossed onto Kahlua’s face. “You’re not supposed to—

Her sister stared at her. “Hm? Oh, that. Please, dear sister, there’s no reason to worry about that here. But come, don’t get off topic.”

“I’m not,” she insisted. “But, are you sure you’re one to talk about this, Miss Googly-Eyes-For-Moka?”

“Th-th-that is completely beside the point!” Kahlua smirked softly at how flustered she could make her sister. “This is not about me. Whatever I may feel about Moka, I’d never let it get in the way of my mission. In the way of what must be done.”

Silence met her sputtering outburst, and Kahlua simply stared at her, as if examining her sister carefully. Before long, Akuha grew impatient. “What? What is it?”

“Nothing,” Kahlua said plainly. “I’ll be fine, though. Don’t worry about it. I’m not going to suddenly leave my duties unfulfilled.”

Akuha narrowed her eyes and paused at a wooden bench beside the path. “I hope not. Say, remember back when we were little, and you broke your mother’s glass sculpture?”

“Y-yes, I think so?”

“Do you remember how mad she got at you? She yelled and yelled, but she eventually forgave you. Remember? So, I’m sure Moka will too, eventually.”

“Yes, but,” she raised her eyebrow, “you were the one who dared me in the first place to do cartwheels across the room blindfolded, Akuha.”

The older girl blinked, then laughed lightly. “Oh, right, I forgot about that! Ok, bad analogy. Never mind, never mind, haha!” She paused, wiping her eyes at the memory under Kahlua’s irked expression. “Hey,” she started again, “What you said before about me and Moka. How about you? Are you saying you don’t care for her?”

A melancholy laugh escaped Kahlua’s lungs in answer. “If that were true, I wouldn’t be feeling the way I am now. I wouldn’t care what I had done to her, or to Tsukune. Whether it was my will or not.” She sighed heavily. “But for better or worse, that’s not how it is. I can’t ignore it so easily, Akuha. I can’t be cold like that, I can’t be like—

She hushed up abruptly, swallowing the remainder of her sentence. Tossing a glance towards the brunette, she turned red in embarrassment.

“What, like me?” Akuha raised her eyebrow.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean that,” Kahlua apologized sheepishly. “It was an improper thing to say.”

“Don’t worry about it. Yeah, I know I’m tougher than you,” Akuha teased. Picking out an agreeable spot on the bench, she sat down. “But really, you don’t have to pretend to ignore it. Somehow, even though we were raised in the same type of environment, our personalities turned out pretty different.”

Kahlua stood before her sister, not feeling like sitting. “Nevertheless, I was lucky enough to have Moka, and Kokoa, even Akasha. I was truly fortunate for them to be in my life. But, didn’t you once say the relatives who raised you were…not the nicest people?”

The older girl shrugged indifferently. “That’s just the way it was back then. Ultimately, I was there to serve as a weapon for them, and that’s how I was treated. It was nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that, Akuha.”

Akuha shook her head dismissively. “It’s no big deal. You don’t have to feel sorry for me, or pretend I’m the nicest person there is. Like you said, I am who I am, right?” A distant smile ghosted her face, but quickly disappeared in the blink of an eye. “But, hey! How did we get onto me? I was trying to get you over your problems, not the other way around!”

Kahlua’s shoulders slumped wearily. “I don’t think I can get past it so quickly, Akuha. I did something that hurt Moka deeply, with the man she loves.” She ignored the sour look Akuha got at the ‘man she loves’ part. “Speaking of which, I also hurt him, too, by my actions.”

“Well, him I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over,” she scoffed. “He’s just a human, after all.”

“Oh?” Kahlua pursed her lips; again to her sister’s annoyance she was scanning her face. “Are you sure you can say that so lightly?”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmm, I do wonder,” she tapped her chin thoughtfully.

“What? What is it?”

“Well, it’s simply that you seem to be awfully hard on Tsukune. More so than with most people I’ve ever seen you with.”

“Of course. He is human, Kahlua, or have you forgotten? He’s not fit to even be in our presence, yet I grant him that much. He should be groveling before us.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t find him so bad,” Kahlua confessed, smiling fondly. “And surely you can see how much he means to Moka. I’ve never seen her with anyone else the way she is with him.”

All this talk of Tsukune was quickly ruining Akuha’s mood. “Don’t remind me,” she growled. “I still hope to help her get over that bad habit.”

“Akuha.” Kahlua’s tone was chastening. “Come on, don’t say things like that. But anyway, what I was getting at was, do you really hate him as much as you let on?”

“Absolutely. No question about it,” she replied, fiddling with her hair.

“Then, why are you still keeping him prisoner?” Kahlua asked, confusion audible in her voice. “You take him aboard your ship, keep him there for days, you even had sexual relations with him for crying out loud! Twice, if I recall correctly, and willingly! I have severe doubts that you actually despise as much as you claim to.”

“I-I never said there wasn’t a certain attractiveness to him, for a human,” Akuha stammered. “As for why I’m keeping him, I think it is good to watch him and make sure he doesn’t have a negative influence on our sister. Also, we need her cooperation, and he can be used to persuade her if necessary. ” She paused. “Plus, don’t tell anybody, but his blood was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. It’s almost dangerously addictive. But it was simply carnal, Kahlua, that’s all.”

“Perhaps,” mused the other girl. “You may say that, but I’ve known you a long time, Akuha. And I’ve never sensed in you such a strong desire to return to a lover after being with them once.”

The turn the conversation had taken was giving Akuha over to uncomfortable fidgeting. “What? You make it sound like I’m some type of slut who takes anyone she pleases to bed,” she said.

Kahlua shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean. Even with just the few you’ve told me about, it’s always been the case that once you were done, you were done. No lingering attachments or anything. They were out of your lives and you never saw them again. Never even thought of them again.”

“Who says I have any such attachments with Tsukune?” Akuha demanded.

“Maybe you don’t, I can’t say. But truth be told, I think you were personally bothered by what happened yesterday, weren’t you? Not just for Moka’s sake, but because it was Tsukune who Amane made me attack. You may have done the same thing of course, but you didn’t like it when someone else did.”

“That’s absurd. I’m not confessing to anything, Kahlua,” Akuha said, crossing her arms. “You’re being awfully chatty about this. What is your point here?”

“My point is, maybe you’re not being completely honest with yourself. I have a strong suspicion that if it had been somebody other than him you’d captured, especially someone who fancied Moka, he would be dead by now. No matter how ‘tasty’ he was, or even how good he might be for leverage.” She watched Akuha for any reaction. “Not to mention, I can’t remember the last time I heard you ask anyone if they were alright, like you did yesterday.” Her sister’s glare did not slow her down. “I don’t know what it is about him specifically, but I don’t believe you mind having him around.”

“Hmph. Don’t say such blatantly stupid things…” the girl muttered, turning away from her sister. “You’re lucky I’m still tired, or I’d kick your ass for talking to me that way.”

“Be nice,” Kahlua scolded. “I’m just trying to help you.”

“Well, what do you want me to say? Alright, he’s cute in a certain way, yes. Happy? You get that much out of me. But I’m not going to admit anything more.” Rising from the bench, she resumed her stroll several paces ahead of Kahlua. Grumbling, she called back, “Let’s head back, now that you’ve spoiled the pleasant mood here. Come, we have to prepare for things today. Gah, can’t believe you shifted our talk back to me again.”

Nodding dutifully, Kahlua followed in the older girl’s footsteps. “Always so stubborn,” she mumbled. The faux sun had slid a little higher onto the arching dome above them, the painted rock gradually changing hue from dark night to early morning. Akuha ambled on, the discomfort in her chest having only increased by Kahlua’s persistent questions. Why was she feeling this way? She most certainly hadn’t known Tsukune long enough to become, at minimum, comfortable with him, and even if she had, he was still a human. The very thought made her want to wretch, but at the same time…it didn’t. Of course the former feeling was fiercely dominant, but the other was still there, nagging, a small speck of doubt and recent uncertainty. She squashed it as best she could, as she had the last couple of days. But so far it kept returning, and she suspected it would again.

No, she hadn’t liked what happened yesterday. But that was only because Moka had been hurt, right? Yes, she asked the boy if he was alright, but that was simply because…because…wait, why had she done that? It wasn’t like she cared to know, it had just slipped out, almost subconsciously. Remembering it now unnerved her, for it threatened to disturb her perfect confidence and pride as a vampire. If that were to happen, she thought, she’d risk distraction from her mission, just like Kahlua was over yesterday’s incident. An unacceptable outcome. She couldn’t let doubts or uncertainties infect her now, at this point in her life.

But then, why did Kahlua’s words bother her so?

In any case, there was one thing she was sure of. Her sister’s ears picked up her words as she spoke. “I’ll tell you something else, Kahlua. I’m glad I arrived when I did, yesterday.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I hadn’t, then Moka would’ve slaughtered that succubus. And…” She trailed off, biting her lip, her brow furrowed, unable to finish the sentence.

Kahlua blinked, but quickly came to understand. Akuha didn’t need to finish. She herself had often shared the thought, and now that Akuha brought it up, she realized she was glad for it, too. “I know,” she replied, just loud enough to be heard. It was almost tangible, this shared wish of theirs – another thing they had in common. That their beloved sister would never start down the same dark, blood-soaked road they knew so well.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Damn, she is on fire today!

Sweat clung to Tsukune’s entire body, dampening his clothes, his heart pounding harshly in his ears. Panting, he was quickly forced down to the ground to duck a solid kick from Moka. Her foot caught air, her body twisting to land upright as she returned to earth. Tsukune cursed his weak arms; even with all his training, he no longer had the strength to block Moka’s blows. He had managed to stop several kicks before his limbs had turned to jelly, leaving him to dodge and evade her attacks, all the while vigilant for an opening in her defenses. So far, no luck on that front, however.

He had thought it strange when Moka brought up sparring and led him to this spot outside. He thought it strange when, here, in the middle of all places, she told him she felt it had been too long since their last practice, and that she didn’t want him getting soft. But, he wasn’t about to refuse her anything today, and so the challenge began.

He was starting to regret his decision.

No sooner did he dodge the most recent blow than Moka was on him again, boosting off the ground into another roundhouse kick. Tsukune dropped back down, leaving the tree behind him wide open to attack. With a shout, Moka connected her leg with the bark; to Tsukune’s awe, it quickly gave way before her, the wood splintering and cracking and tumbling to the ground with a heavy groan. The crash rang in Tsukune’s eardrums, so much he almost didn’t catch the opportunity presented him: a gap in Moka’s guard!

Balancing himself on his rear foot, he sprang up, fist extended and aimed square at the girl’s gut. Not too hard, though, for he still couldn’t bring himself to hit her full force, strong as she was. Moka’s eyes widened as she spotted the incoming bullet; she was still in midair, she wouldn’t have time to shift her position or the leverage to block!

But, wait! The broken tree was still falling to the ground. Time slowed down in Moka’s mind, her perception honing in on the airborne log beside her. There it was. If she could just twist that way, get her leg just right—there!

Bracing herself what little she could, she shot forward with a powerful front kick. Only quick reflexes and a bit of luck saved Tsukune from taking it right in the gut; feinting slightly sideways mid-punch, he raised his other arm and caught Moka’s leg with a block before jumping back hastily.

Her attack foiled, Moka landed on the ground with a thud. Growling, she pounced, assaulting Tsukune with a barrage of fists and feet. Thanks to their training, Tsukune was able to dodge most of the blows. Every few seconds, however, a hit would connect, glancing off his chest or shoulders. Pain shot through his body then, his lungs working in a mad rush to pump oxygen.

Moka advanced firmly, seemingly everywhere to Tsukune, her speed and power overwhelming him. Close as they were, he could see how flushed her cheeks were, matching his own. Ferocious passion clouded her eyes; sweat clung to her flesh, matting her hair to her face, her heady scent filling Tsukune’s senses as she closed in. Catching him off guard, at last her foot struck his stomach solidly, sending the boy flying back into a pile of leaves.

Thankfully his landing was softer thanks to this, but the hit still took the wind from him. He could feel a dull throb in the scar he had received from Akuha. Panting, he stared ahead as Moka approached him. She squatted before him, her own chest heaving from exertion, examining Tsukune’s condition.

“Uncle! I give up! I surrender!” he cried. “You win, Moka.”

“Already?” She cocked her head. “I know you have more in you than that, Tsukune.”

“N-no more. Please. You got me.”

“Come on,” she insisted. “You need to be strong enough to take on Fairy Tail. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

She’s right. Taking a deep breath, Tsukune closed his eyes, gathering himself together. Readying the muscles in his legs, he struck, catching Moka suddenly with a leg sweep. Down she fell with a sharp yelp, but put her arm out to cushion her drop. She landed heavily, wincing at the impact.

“Moka!” Tsukune jumped up to help her. “I’m sorry, that was too much, wasn’t it?”

“What are you talking about?” Gently, Moka brushed away his proffered hand. She flexed around the wrist she had landed on. “That was good, Tsukune. You kept your wits about you, even when you were begging for mercy—though I wouldn’t recommend doing that part too often. And don’t worry about me. You don’t think I’m some fragile doll, do you?”

“Of course not,” Tsukune said. “But I still don’t like attacking you.”

A tiny smile spread across Moka’s lips. “Thank you, but I’m alright.” Rising, she dusted herself off. “You’re getting stronger, Tsukune. That’s a very good thing. And also, I needed this, too. It helped me vent some…frustrations.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment. Tsukune knew what she meant. Yesterday’s events still had to be gnawing at her heart, no matter how much of a front she put on. Reaching out tentatively, he laid a tender hand on her knee; he was relieved when she didn’t pull away. “I really am sorry.”

She let the apology linger for a minute. A sigh left her lips. “I know. I told you already, I think, but I don’t blame you. Or even Kahlua. It wasn’t her fault.” She grimaced. “But, even so, it doesn’t just disappear. And I didn’t even get to kill that woman.”

“I’m kind of glad you didn’t,” Tsukune said, running his fingers along her toned leg. “You’re not the type to kill someone out of anger, Moka.”

She glanced at him, frowning. “You don’t think she deserved it? She wanted you dead, Tsukune, and me—she was a horrible criminal! You can’t think—

“Moka,” he interrupted, “Relax, I’m not talking about whether she was guilty or not. Either way, to slaughter like that in a rage, Moka…I think it’s beneath you. It’s not who you are.”

“But I would have! If Akuha-neesan hadn’t shown up, I probably wouldn’t have stopped until she was dead.” She looked down, strands of silver hanging over her face. “Then what would you think of me…?”

Seeing Moka so troubled tugged at Tsukune’s heartstrings, guilt washing over him perceiving himself at fault for it. Scooting closer to her, he slid his arm tenderly around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his body; once more, she did not resist. “Moka, you’re the person I respect most in the world. Yeah, I’m glad it wasn’t you who killed her, but if you had…well, I don’t know. I’d probably be more worried for you in that case. Wouldn’t you feel the same about me, if our positions were reversed?”

“Yes, I suppose,” she replied. A faint shade of scarlet had tinged her cheeks at the close contact between their damp bodies, though her expression remained stoic. “I did feel that way back when you first transformed into a ghoul, and went on the warpath against that Mido guy. It didn’t help that your condition was my fault.”

Tsukune laughed. “I know what you mean there. I feel like I could’ve done something to stop yesterday, too.”

“I told you, I don’t blame you for that, Tsukune.”

“And I don’t blame you for this,” he said, turning to face her with his hand held up, the holy lock on his wrist plainly visible. “I don’t regret having your blood inside me, Moka, no matter what you may think.”

“I guess we’re just a couple of guilt-ridden people then, huh?” She turned her head as well, smirking faintly.

“Looks like it,” he agreed. “Maybe we should be easier on ourselves. You really are the person I respect most of all, Moka. And…the person I love most, too.”

Both of their faces turned an equally fierce red. Moka blinked and glanced down nervously at her lap. “D-don’t say such sappy things,” she mumbled. “B-but, you’re right. And I guess we should be glad Akuha-neesan arrived when she did.” She paused, before slowly rising and dusting herself off. “Anyway, thanks, Tsukune. I feel a little better. And you really are getting stronger. If we have to fight Fairy Tale all out, that will be a good thing. Especially, if necessary, it comes to the point where we have to fight…my sisters,” she finished quietly.

“Speaking of which,” he started, “I’m still not happy that we’re here to help them. But you told me to trust you, Moka. And I do, but I wish you would tell me what’s going on.”

Moka shook her head. “I think it’s better if you don’t know yet, Tsukune. Please, continue to trust me. I won’t help Fairy Tale if I can help it.” The silver-haired girl exhaled deeply, inhaling the fresh morning air; the day’s full light was now upon them, which meant Akuha would be coming to gather them soon. It was probably time for them to head back inside. Extending her hand down, Moka grasped Tsukune by the wrist and helped him up, the boy groaning as his now sore muscles were stretched. “Let’s go,” she said. Before she started walking, however, she paused, biting her lip and staring Tsukune in the eye. “Oh, and for the record…you’re the person I love most, too,” she mumbled. “And, you’re mine.”

At that, Moka leaned in close to Tsukune. He gulped, suddenly aware of the extreme proximity of her moist, pink lips, her delicately flushed cheeks, her heavy eyelids. He couldn’t help but incline his head towards her as well, inching closer…closer, letting his own eyelids drop…

And a sudden sting on his neck shot his eyes wide open. He gasped, Moka’s silver mane right under his nose as she tenderly nipped at the flesh, drawing the smallest amount of blood onto her tongue. God, she smelled good.

Gulping it down, she pulled back, a sheepish smile pulling at her mouth. “Sorry,” she said. “But, it’s been a while since either of me has tasted you.”

Emboldened and cheered by their intimate act, Tsukune grabbed Moka by the shoulders as she made to leave and planted a soft kiss upon her lips. Caught off guard, Moka gasped into his mouth, before slowly accepting the kiss and pressing her own lips firmly against his.

A cleared throat ended the moment in an instant. Breaking off the kiss, they turned to see a seemingly irritated Akuha and a slightly amused Kahlua approaching where the path opened into the clearing. “If you two don’t mind,” the eldest began, “It’s time for us to get going. It was pure luck I got another audience with the Matron after canceling on her last minute, and there is no way we are going to miss it this time.”

“S-sorry,” Tsukune blushed, scratching his head nervously. Turning to Moka, he quickly muttered, “Hey, what you said before about ‘either of you.’ …How is she?”

“She’s fine,” Moka returned without pause. “Don’t worry.” Turning back to the hotel, she began her walk back. A tightness gripped at her breast; she didn’t want to worry Tsukune, especially when she was uncertain of things herself. To be sure, Omote was ok the last time she checked, which was the day before. However, since then, she had been too apprehensive to peek inside her soul as she usually did. All because of that vision. That memory. Was it a memory? It wasn’t the first time she had seen these images, of Akuha and her mother together. But yesterday, during the moment she lost control completely…the feelings of hate, of anguish, of the thirst for blood and the deepest darkness imaginable rapidly devouring the entire world around her… What was that? Had they been…fighting? None of it made sense.

It was fuzzy now, but fear had taken hold in her heart, fear of looking within and being engulfed in that endless black sea once more. Being lost in the chaos and confusion. Or, maybe worse, catching a glimpse behind the darkness instead. What could be the source of this scratching sensation she had felt recently? Almost like a rat scraping its claws along the cold, hard stone of a back alley wall.

But, she couldn’t be distracted by that now. There were other matters to worry about. Tsukune’s safety, for one. And as she started back, Akuha made her way over to the smitten boy. Peering up at him, she narrowed her gaze, pricking her lip with her fang. She poked a surprisingly strong finger into his chest. “I’m watching you,” she said. “Behave yourself, got it?”

And off she went, trailing behind Moka. Confused, Tsukune glanced around. His eyes finding Kahlua, the two of them blushed heavily, and the blonde vampiress scurried off after her sisters without a word. The boy blinked, unsure of what just happened.

Eh? Did Akuha seem like she was trying not to get too close to me?

To be continued…
- 6
- 7
- 8
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Distorted Fairy Tale