Amity to vampire

chapter 5: façade

Tsukune stood at the bus stop outside of the Gakuen Academy. It was the end of the next day. The day felt as if it had dragged on forever. He spent as much time with the others as he could. Laughing and being attacked by overly excited hugs. In particularly he had spoke little to Moka. If he was going to leave he would miss her the most, and did his best that day, little by little, to slowly detach himself from the girls. As the day started he was happy and social amongst his friends, but as it dragged on, he spoke less and less and eventually ended up leaving before club started to the bus stop. He looked toward the old, gothic structure that seemed to glow an eerie hue in the setting sun. He hears the bus pull up to the stop. He releases a breath he didn't know he was holding and looks to the vehicle as the doors open. Tsukune bent down to lift his bags up.

"How boring, already kid?"

Bus Driver said in his dark voice. Tsukune climbs up the bus' steps and smiles to the older man.

"I don't think I've given up, besides, they're all okay with it."

Tsukune said as he walked to the back of the bus. Bus Driver adjusted his rear-view mirror and glanced back at the boy.

"You really sure about this aren't you…I gotta say I'll miss the excitement…"

Bus Driver chuckled darkly as he closed the doors. Tsukune sat, leaning back against his seat.

"I don't want to go, but I can't behave like it bothers me…I'll regret it."

He thought as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

"What do you mean he's gone already?!"

Kurumu yelled as she gripped young Yukari by her cape's collar, shaking the loli-witch furiously.

"I-it's what Ruby-san told mee!"

The witch exclaimed as she was violently rattled about.

"Why are you so worked up about it? Don't humans belong in human schools? You said it yourself it's his choice."

Kokoa called as she stood up against the wall of the clubroom, just beside the door, with her arms crossed over her chest. Kou mimicked Kokoa as she nodded her head. Suddenly the door slammed open, hitting Kokoa in the face.

"Nyan! Is it true?!"

Nekonome-sensei cried out as she looked to the girls. Gin stood from his seat and sighed.

"Man I think I lost all respect for him! To think I was going to take him under my wing and teach him about the deeper aspects of photography!"

Before Gin knew a desk was thrown at him with enough force to send the werewolf into the blackboard. Kurumu panted angrily as she straightened herself up from the attack.

"It's Moka's fault! She should have told him to stay!"

"Why?"

Mizore softly questioned Kurumu. The Succubus jumps a bit at Mizore's closeness, but turns to the yuki onna, the succubus' cheeks flushed pink.

"B-because!"

She struggled to reason.

"In the end it was his decision, why did he bother to ask us? He knows how we feel about it."

The yuki onna explained as she turned to face the others. They frowned at the thought. Nekonome folded her arms infront of her, her dejected expression only accentuated by her flat-pressed ears. Kokoa slams the door closed and peels herself from the indentation in the wall.

"You can't blame onee-chan for Tsukune's choice!"

The red-headed vampire yelled out, Kou squeaking at them, attempting to assist his master.

"There, there Kou, they're just idiots!"

She patted the bat's head. Yukari stood up and fixed her witch's hat and looked around the room.

"Wait desu…where is Moka-san?"

The realization dawns upon the occupants of the room.

"I haven't seen her since classes ended…"

Kurumu remarked.

Tsukune awoke with a start when the bus came to a sudden stop. He looked around and was graced wit the familiar scenery of his home region. He could see by the Sakura trees that they were just about ready to bloom. The thought brought a smile to his face.

"Well kid, I suppose this is good-bye than."

But Driver grinned as Tsukune stood and took his bags in hand. Tsukune disembarked the bus and set his bags down. He turned to face Bus Driver. He deeply bowed.

"Thank you for taking care of me!"

Bus Driver grinned, his teeth gripping tightly against his cigar.

"Don't you go and forget us kid."

Tsukune rose, and smiled as the bus doors closed. When the bus drove away Tsukune was left with a cheerless passion hiding deep in his eyes, behind his smiling face. He picked up his bags and made his way down the noisy streets of the area. It was rather loud than what he had been used to on campus. Cars wee roaring down the road and the chattering sounds of families could be heard breaking against the calls of vendors and their fresh produce and goods. He had a strange feeling, that he was unable to shake off, but for now it didn't matter, he was simply too overwhelmed with the nostalgic sights of returning home.

"Tadaima!"

Tsukune's voice called across the halls of his home. He stepped into the genkan of his home and began to slip off his shoes while attempting to balance his two, heavy, bags.

"Tsukune!"

His mother called as she walked into the area and peered over to her son with love.

"Okaeri!"

She cried as he stepped his socks onto the wooden floor. She wipes her hands on her apron and runs over to embrace him. He didn't even stagger back, as he has gotten so used to more powerful shows of affection. Tsukune smiled warmly, feeling a tinge of regret tug at his heart.

"Tsukune what's wrong?"

He heard his mother ask. He looks down at her and drops his bags, hugging her back.

"Nothing okkasan…I just missed you."

"Oh Tsukune, such a sweet boy."

She smiled looking up at him. She frowned a bit as she ran her hand along his cheek.

"Look at you, you've grown so much!"

She gave a warm smile. Tsukune blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment.

"I know I'll make you some onigiri. You must be tired so why don't you go wash up and take a rest!"

Tsukune nodded as she released him from the embrace. Tsukune picked up his bags and went upstairs to his room. After gathering a few supplies from his bag he went to the bathing room.

Sitting on the small plastic stool Tsukune washed off his body. It felt so good to clean himself off from the day. He sighed deeply as he poured some shampoo into his hair, and began to lather it up. His mind drifted off to thoughts of Moka and the others.

Although he had put up such a calm farce, he couldn't help but feel as if he made a wrong decision.

After a few minutes of relaxing in the furo, Tsukune dried and dressed himself in a pair of comfortable pants and a white shirt which he left unbuttoned. As he passed the mirror he could se the X-shaped scar over his chest. The cross would be a permanent memory etched into his skin, of his time in Gakuen.

Deeply sighing, the young boy dropped himself against his futon his mother had laid out for him while he was in the bath. The soft sheets of the futon smelled clean. He soon drifted off to sleep.

"Moka-san…"

Were the last uttered words on his lips.

There was a knock at Tsukune's front door just minutes later. His mother went to the door, and slipped on her shoes as she made her way to the entrance.

"Hello?"

She said with a bright smile.