114I do not own Rosario + Vampire
Two things inspired me to write this story. First, the excellent written but extreme dark and tragic story 'Get What You Wanted' by MistressWinowyll. And 'Careful What You Wish For' by 'lord of the land of fire'. Both are stories written by much better author than I am. And I'm pretty convinced they are better than I'll ever be. But the story are just... so dark and tragic, especially 'Careful What You Wish For'.
And second, the lack of Tsukune & Yukari pairing stories. I know the reason is 1. Yukari is underage, and 2. she's arguably the worst character in the main cast there to fill the lolicon quota. Pretty much her whole shtick is she's a loli who acts like a Master Roshi like old pervert.
I like the idea of a story starting out with Tsukune and Moka have a huge fight and breaks up. But I want to take the story in a bit more cheerful and bittersweet direction. Not nose dive into dark and tragedy. As a result, I decide to give my own spin on the story (Just a warning as it still go pretty dark at time).
Also a huge thanks to fellow writer on FFN AM-Krillin. You give me so many good ideas during our brainstorming chat. You introduced me the awesome song 'Usubeni/Light Pink'. It fits the mood of this story (or at least this chapter) like a glove. Wish you best of luck with your story.
Without further ado: a 'Get What You Wanted/Careful What You Wish For' re-imagined.
Written by a total hack.
Light Pink Lover
Prologue: Know your place
It was just like a fairy tale in real life.
The thought echoes in the head of Tsukune Aono. To think an absolute average person. A professional wallflower like him would catch the attention of a high born vampire. It's like the modern story of a stable boy who manages to catch the eyes of a princess due to his tenacity.
The first time he meets those beautiful green eyes he wants to be together with the girl whose hair was light pink like cherry blossom. Even if her beauty made him self-conscious. Living together with her in Yokai has also proven to be a health hazard again and again.
He's beaten, drowned, burned, turned to stone... many times over. There's also the more mundane threat to his own well being. Such as die due to blood lose because the vampire can't control her feeding instinct. Still he endures them all just for a chance to be with her and she does the same for him.
It was not like the vampire princess was the only one cared for the him for some weird reason. He also received passionate affection from an alluring succubus. A mysterious ice maiden. A witch.
He doesn't want to hurt any of the girls. In the end he'd finally gain the courage to push them all aside for the chance with his vampire princess.
That's how a fairy tale should end isn't it? A stable boy going through a gauntlet of trials to win the heart of his beautiful princess. Then they live happily ever after in their castle.
Except the fairy tale never tells you the 'ever after' part.
In hindsight he should have seen all the signs from miles away. Then again he's never the perceptive or sensible type for that matter. It starts out with the little things: how you stand, how you sit, how you walk, how you eat, how you speak. You need to carry the dignity befitting the stature of your spouse. For an easier way to understand, it's like living with a stick up your behind. They may be small things. But constant annoyance build up till your frustration is about to explode.
She watches with apathy in her cold blood red eyes as her silky silver hair flutter in the breeze. How he suffers everyday under that etiquette instructor. He'd ask her for help like all the time he was that helpless human boy threatened by monsters. Except he knows well what she'll say to that.
Know your place.
He is an outsider to her noble family. He wants to join with her hand for almost an eternity than he'd have to find a way to fit into her way of living. Not the other way around.
So he had to endure. If that's the price he'd have to pay to stay with her so be it. He's good at making compromises and being agreeable even at his own extreme discomfort. That's how he lives his life since before and even after his time in Yokai Academy.
But everything has a limit...
"What do you mean Moka!?" Tsukune Aono slams his fist right onto the table startling a few passing servant.
"Last time I checked you still had ears." The vampire princess stands tall, not even spare a glance at her chosen mate. In Tsukune's eyes she is like a vainglorious sun shining bright in the middle of the night.
"I heard you perfectly the first time." Tsukune fights hard to swallow that furious growl he wants to let out. "What do you mean I can't visit my family? I'm okay with living with you in this castle, but I thought I could at least visit my parents and cousin once in a while."
"You never bothered to ask." Her voice is cold with the usual apathy in them like she's saying the sky is blue or sun raises from the east. Despite, or because of it every syllable explodes on Tsukune's head. Like a sledgehammer to the face wielded by Moka herself with her inhumane strength. Quite fitting consider the source. "They were your family, your human family. You are a vampire now, your place and your family is right here with us. Be grateful I still let you have letters with them."
"What's wrong with trying to connect with my human family!?" Tsukune jumps up from the red wood chair with a swing of his hand. His force is enhanced by his rage. The chair flies into the wall and shatters into million pieces. "I AM HUMAN!"
For all his effort Tsukune manages to make Moka look at him and get an emotion in her uncaring eyes. Contempt... that's the only way he can describe it. Moka looks at him like she's looking at a little retarded child. A child who just said he wants to plant the sun into soil and harvest a million sun.
"Know. Your. Place."
Those words finally makes all his frustration he swallows into his stomach explode out like flood out of a broken dam.
"Tell me. Just where is my DAMN PLACE!? Is it always underneath you? Like a shadow you keeps around, never bother to spare a thought? What do I mean to you Moka!?"
"How long do you plan to keep this farce? Say you are a human all you want. You are a vampire and you need to live like one." Moka slowly walks towards Tsukune. Like a snake slithering towards a shivering rat before devouring him. She reaches her hand out to hold Tsukune's chin. Her dark red eyes stare into Tsukune's chocolate orbs. "You are my mate. Act like one."
Tsukune bats her hands away. For a second Moka looks down on her own hand. She looks like she has a hard time believing the boy has enough backbone to stand up to her now. She narrows her eyes as she glares at the one who she chose as her mate. "If you refuse to accept it... maybe you aren't the right one after all. What is more important to you? Your human family, who might still be around for fifty or sixty years? Or me who will be here to spend eternity with you."
Something seems to shatter in that moment but neither Moka nor Tsukune pays it any attention.
Tsukune digs his nail into his palm as he grits his teeth. To have Moka admit maybe he wasn't the right man after all they been through. All for what? To not let him visit his family because they are human and he's a vampire? They are still his family and he won't let them go till the end. Haven't Moka realize that's the man he is by this point?
It's so tempting to removes his seal and starts lashing out at everyone and everything. But even if Tsukune manages to overpower everyone here in the castle what would he prove? That he is one of them?
It is over for him isn't it?
He thought Moka would understand. It's all an illusion like the moon's reflection in a serene pound.
At that moment all his anger, all his strength seems to disappear. Like morning dew evaporate under the glorious incandescent sun. His arms hang limb alone his sides. All he can do is mutter in utter defeat. "Even after all we went through... you still don't understand me at all do you Moka Akashiya."
Without spare a glance at Moka he turns around and walks toward the hallway. "Same for me. I'm an idiot to fall for someone who never existed."
He walks out of the hallway in silence. The boy pretending he doesn't see Kokoa who ducks behind a suit of armor to hide from him. He ignores the murmurs of the servants as he steps out of the gate of the castle.
It was a nice dream while it lasted... but one needs to awaken from the bliss. In the end the stable boy is still a stable boy, caring horses in his old rags. The princess is still in her castle. Dreaming the day where her prince charming carries her away on a white horse.
Tsukune can't help but look back. In the distance Moka is looking down at him on the balcony. He tries to find that glimpse of flower petal like light pink. All he sees is glittering silver like the blessed moon staring him from the heaven above.
As he turns around he can't help but remember an old tale, the story which says cherry blossom used to be blue. The reason it has a shade of light pink is because people would bury corpse underneath cherry tree. The flowers are dyed crimson by the blood of dead.
When Tsukune arrives at home it's three in the morning. His mother is holding a broom and his father a golf club. They look at Tsukune with their eyes stare wide and mouth open. "Tsukune? What happened? We thought you are going to see us next Saturday."
"Mom, dad... Everything's... alright." Tsukune lets out a tired chuckle as he wobbles into his home. He manages to walk to the dinner table before collapse into a chair. Tsukune knows both his parents are looking at him with concern in their eyes. Why shouldn't they? His hair is a like chicken nest, his expression solemn, and his cloth is full of folds and small tears through the journey back home. It's a small miracle they manages to recognize him instead of mistaken him for some homeless beggar.
"Things didn't work out with that girl huh?" Kasumi runs her hand through Tsukune's hair. His father sits down on the opposite side of the table.
"...It's over. Moka told me I can't meet you in person. She made me chose you, or her." Tsukune cross both of his arms on the table. His head slowly sinks into his arms. "I thought she would understand."
"It can't be helped... She's some old noble family from west right? No wonder she doesn't want to associate with us commoners." Tsukune's father lets out a bitter chuckle. He reaches out and firmly grips Tsukune's shoulder. "Not all first love work out son. Your mom and I both know it well... you'll get through this, I know it."
"Wasn't there other girls who visited our home last year? Maybe your friends will help you through it..."
"NO!" Tsukune feels her mother let go her head. He looks up and sees his father has just leaped out of his chair like he's dodging a live grenade. "Sorry to yell at you... but I don't want to have anything to do with Yokai Academy anymore."
"Do you mean... you want to drop out your high school?" Kasumi lets out a gasp. She looks at Tsukune's father in an almost pleading way. "Dear... please say something."
"Do you know what you are talking about Tsukune? You never completed your high school. If you don't go back... it'll be very hard for you to find another High School, let alone work." Tsukune's father reaches out with both of his arms. He grabs onto both of Tsukune's shoulder and looks into his son's eyes. "It'll be hard to support yourself."
"I'm sorry for being such a disgrace, mom, dad..." Tsukune can't help but chocks on his own sob. "...but I can't go back and face Yokai Academy anymore... I don't care if I have to be a farmer in Hokkaido. I want to disappear..."
"Oh, Tsukune dear... you never disappointed us..." Kasumi brings Tsukune's head to her chest, giving him a tight but comforting hug. "We know you always do your best, in your own way."
"I'll talk to all my friends and see what I can do for you son..." Tsukune's father shakes his son's should one last time. "...don't worry. You are home now."
The heart broken boy finally breaks into tears.
Know my place... my place is right here, with my real family...