The room was enshadowed by all the artificial darkness that could be 
manufactured by pulling all the curtains across the windows and turning off 
the lights.  It wasn't the actual darkness of midnight, but it was a 
reasonable imitation for the early afternoon.  The wavering flames of the 
candelabra in the centre of the table did their best to add some sort of 
ambiance, but did little, as there was only so much ambiance that an empty 
seminar room could offer.

      However, it was a setting that the young woman at the head of the table 
had worked very hard to create.  She surveyed her makeshift chamber of darkness, 
and she concluded that it had turned out quite to her liking.

     She nodded to herself one last time and then cleared her throat.  "My 
fellow Council members," she began, addressing the others seated around the 
table.  "I call this meeting to order.  For those of you who don't know, I'm 
Kuroko, the club council President.  Now, are there any new faces faces today?  
Did someone who isn't on the council bother to show up?"  Kuroko turned and 
noticed the figure furthest from her chair, who was waving in a semi-enthused 
manner.  She frowned.  "No, Junko,_you're_ on the council; you're the kitsune 
representative."  

    Junko stopped waving, and played with the end of one of her fluffy tails.  
"I know, Kuroko-sempai, I just wanted to make sure you knew it was me."

    "Yes, Junko, I knew it was you."  Kuroko sighed.  "As I was saying, are 
there any new... attendees here today?"  No one said anything.  She sighed.  
"All right, fine, Akumu, you're taking this all down, right?"

     A boy, who had previously been staring intently at the ceiling, turned 
his attention on her.  "I forgot my notepad," Akumu replied, shaking his head.  
"All I have is my art supplies.  I'll write it down later, Kuroko-chan."
     
    Kuroko sighed.  "You'll write it down later...  Akumu, you're suppose to 
take the meeting notes _during_ the meetings.  I believe we discussed how you 
needed to take your duties as secretary more seriously."  She shook her head.  
"At least tell me that you've read tonight's cleanup schedule."
    
   He nodded, but hesitantly tugged at his shirt collar. "Yeah, I did...  
But..."

     Kuroko sighed.  "But what, Akumu?"

    "Well, I'm suppose to be on tonight, but I have this art project due 
and I really need the time to finish it.  So... could we make an exception 
for tonight?"
    
    Kuroko gave him an annoyed glare.  "Listen, Akumu, we don't make 
exceptions unless there's a very good reason.  Thus far, I don't feel 
that this is one of those reasons, especially since I know that assignment 
was given out a week ago.  We *need* as large a clean-up crew as possible 
tonight because it's a full moon.  You'll be on that crew. Do I make myself 
clear?"

     "Hai, crystal, Kuroko-chan."

     "Good, now onto more important matters.  Has anyone come up new ideas 
on what to do about the Mystery Club?"  She looked around the table and the 
others immediately looked away or coughed a little.  "Anyone.  Anyone at all...  
Yes, Junko, did you have something to say?"
     
   "Akumu's kicking me," Junko whined.  "Tell him to stop, Kuroko-sempai!"
   
   Kuroko put her head in her hands.  "Akumu, stop kicking Junko."
 
  "She started it," Akumu protested.  "Now, look, you got me in trouble."

  "I did not, you got yourself in trouble by kicking me.  Buu!" Junko stuck 
out her tongue.

    Kuroko clenched her fists, counted to four and then smiled.  "Okay, 
everyone, back to the Mystery Club problem.  Any ideas?"

     "Why don't we just stay out of their way?" Akumu suggested.  "You know, 
just leave them alone?"

     "Leave them alone," Kuroko repeated, and her lips drew back in a sneer, 
revealing slender fangs.  "I suppose next you'll suggest that we go and tell 
them that we're all Supernaturals."  She tapped her fingers on the table.  
"Need I remind you, Akumu, what it is that the Mystery Club stands for?"
     
   "Um... studying Supernaturals?"
   
   "Baka!  The Mystery Club does more than just study, it destroys!  We are 
going to put a stop to it.  That," she seethed, "is the whole purpose of the 
Supernatural Club.  Yohko... Yohko was the last straw," she continued, eyes 
tearing.  "They destroyed Yohko before we could even welcome her to our world.  
After all the time that I waited... The first chance I get I'm going to make 
them pay for what they did to--"  She broke off and wiped at her eyes.  "All 
right, everyone, Meeting is adjourned for today.  Remember your clean up teams 
for tonight, and anyone who doesn't show up for an assignment will have to 
answer to this council at tomorrow's meeting."
 
    The room emptied very quickly.  Junko did pause at the door to "bu" Akumu 
one last time before disappearing into the hallway.

    Kuroko looked at Akumu, who had returned to staring at the ceiling.  
"Well, that went very well, don't you think?" She remarked.  "Just you wait and 
see, Akumu, everyone is going to realize what a brilliant idea this club is.  
We'll have an inter-species relations department that would make anyone proud.  
Of course, only those in the club will actually get to know that, but..."  She 
trailed off.

   "I give this two more weeks until you find something else to channel your 
neurotic energy into," he replied.  "Or till no one bothers to come anymore."

   She wasn't listening.  "Oh, sure, there are still some little kinks to 
work out, but next meeting will be even better."

   "If anyone bothers to show up for that."

   Kuroko stopped gathering up her books and pouted.  "You know, Akumu-kun, 
there are times when I wonder why I keep you around.  You're a very negative 
creature sometimes."

    Akumu shrugged.  "I'm the only who puts up with you, Kuroko-chan.  Now, 
can we please go to class?" 

~*~

Mystery Club: Part 3
"We Cannot Help Those Who Refuse to Allow Us to"

Hosted @ improfanfic.com
Created by: Epsilon
Part 3 by: Chandra Rooney

~*~
 

     (Art class will be the death of me,) Setsuna grumbled as she made her way 
down the hallways towards the studio.  (If I didn't need the credits to graduate, 
I'd drop it and take something useful.  Like probability.)  She eased into the 
classroom, and everyone looked up at her with a puzzled frown.  Feeling her 
cheeks begin to flush, Setsuna hurried to find a seat.  Unfortunately, the only 
unoccupied ones were right up at the front.

      The professor looked up, spotted Setsuna and smiled kindly.  "You must be 
Setsuna-san," she said.  "I'm Akaikawa-sensei.  I understand that you've lost 
someone close to you recently, and I want you to know that I completely accept 
this as the reason that you've missed so many classes.  I am very glad to see 
you're feeling well enough to join us today."

     Setsuna smiled weakly back; she didn't bother to correct the professor as 
to the reason that she had been missing the class.  However, she couldn't help 
but be a little confused by the over-familiar way the teacher had addressed her.

     Professor Akaikawa walked over to her desk and placed a bowl of blossoms on 
it.  "This, everyone, is foxglove.  For today's assignment you're to somehow 
incorporate foxglove into your drawing.  Gambatte, minnasan!"

    Setsuna blinked in confusion as the class en mass opened their sketchbooks 
and began working.  She looked dumbly from the blank sheet before her to the 
bowl of somewhat uninteresting flowers on the desk before her.  "Sumemasen, 
Sensei..."

    Professor Akaikawa walked over to Setsuna's desk.  "Yes, Setsuna-san?  What 
can I help you with?"

    "We're to draw those flowers?"

    The professor shook her head.  "No, no, Setsuna-san, you're to incorporate 
them into your drawing.  Express what you feel about the flowers.  What do they 
mean to you?  What do they make you think of?"

    Setsuna floundered.  "Uh..."

    A knock at the door drew the professor's attention away from her.  Two late 
students walked into the class.  The girl was tall, with long, henna-died hair 
and eyes so brown they appeared to be black.  She pushed past Setsuna towards a 
desk at the back.  The boy was shorter, perhaps an inch or two taller than 
Setsuna.  He had spiky black hair that fell in his face and matched the color of 
his clothing.  He started to follow the girl, but stopped when he saw Setsuna.  

   He walked over to her desk.  "Hi," he said, smiling.  "So we meet again."

   Setsuna stared up into his bright blue eyes... and drew a complete blank.  
"I'm sorry," she said looking down, "but I--"

   "Don't remember me?" he asked.  "Yesterday.  You fell and I helped you up.  
You were in an awful hurry to get somewhere."

   "Oh..." Setsuna replied, slowly recalling the incident.  "I... yes.  I 
remember now."

   "I didn't know you were in this class," he continued.  "I'm Akumu."

   "I'm Setsuna."

   "A pleasure.  Are you a freshman?"  She nodded.  "Really?  Me too," he 
smiled again.  "Say, Setsuna, I don't suppose you could tell me what today's 
assignment is, seeing how I appear to be a little late for class."

    "Um, we're supposed to... incorporate those flowers into a drawing," she 
gestured to the bowl on Professor Akaikawa's desk.

    "Really?  Well, would you look at that.  Foxglove, how appropriate."

    She looked up again, meeting those eyes briefly.  "How's that?"

    "Well, it is a full moon."

    "And...?"

    He paused, the bright smile vanishing.  "Oh..." he trailed off.  "My 
mistake.  I thought you might know."  He ahemed.  "Nice to see you again, 
Setsuna-san, if you need someone to help you up again don't hesitate to ask."  
He smiled again, not quite as brightly as before, and walked back to sit down 
beside the girl he'd followed in.

    Setsuna blinked and then shook her head.  (I see there really is a reason 
why they keep the fine arts department separated from the rest of the school...)
    
~*~

     "What was that all about?" Kuroko demanded as Akumu slid into the seat next 
to her.

     "Nothing," he replied, opening his sketchbook and pulling out a pencil.  "I 
helped her up when she tripped yesterday.  That's all."

     "That's all?" Kuroko repeated, her voice rising.  A few students in the row 
before them turned around and she quickly smiled.  As soon as they were facing 
forward, she lowered her voice and turned on Akumu.  "You told me that you 
couldn't take any dreams from her.  If that's the same girl then--"

     "Relax," Akumu hissed, looking around to ensure that no one was listening 
in.  "She's just an anomaly."

     "What's that supposed to mean?" Kuroko demanded, hotly.  "Don't play your 
little games with me, Akumu."

     "It means nothing," he repeated.  "I ran a simple verbal test, and she 
failed."

     "What sort of test?"

     "Look on Professor Akaikawa's desk," he instructed and began sketching the 
basic shape of a human.  "I asked Setsuna about the foxglove.  She didn't know 
what they meant."

     "Did you say 'Setsuna'?"

     "Yeah, what about it?"

     "Setsuna... you idiot, is the name of the little ditz that got Yohko 
killed," she hissed.

     He shrugged.  "There are probably a lot of Setsuna's on campus." 

     Kuroko ignored him.  "So..." she glared at Setsuna over the heads of the 
other students.  "She doesn't know about foxglove..."

     Akumu stopped sketching, as he recognized the tone in Kuroko's voice.  
"Hey, yeah, what's up with Professor Akaikawa?" he asked, rapidly trying to 
change the subject.  "I mean, could she be any more obvious?  The council 
should really talk to her about that... Uh, don't you think so, Kuroko-chan?"

     "So little Setsuna wants to know about the foxglove, does she?" Kuroko 
asked, smiling coldly.  "Well, we'll just have to teach her a lesson, won't we?"

     "..."

     Kuroko turned on him, her pupils momentarily transformed into cat-like 
slits.  "I said... won't *we*, Akumu?"

     He gulped.  "Hai, Kuroko."
    
~*~

     Setsuna wasn't sure how to react when Professor Akaikawa signaled dismissal.  
Most of her was simply ecstatic at the prospect of getting as far away from the 
art department as possible, but part of her was still trying to comprehend just 
what exactly she was supposed to have completed for tomorrow.

     She dully began packing her sketchbook into her bag.  Someone cleared their 
throat and she stopped, jumping.  She looked up to see the girl who had come in 
late standing in front of her desk.  Akumu was standing behind her, looking 
worried.

    "Setsuna?" the girl asked.  She nodded.  "I'm Kuroko, I'm in the Nature 
Club.  I am--er, was one of Yohko's very close friends."

    "Oh..." Setsuna replied, as memories of Yohko stabbed fresh pain into her 
already overtaxed heart.  "I'm sorry... I don't know Yohko's Nature Club 
friends.  But it's nice to meet you, Kuroko."

    "You and Yohko were close," Kuroko said.  "She was always talking about you.  
It's so... nice to finally get to meet you, Setsuna."  She stopped.  "I'm sure 
Yohko would have wanted us to be friends."  Akumu snorted.  Kuroko smiled 
tensely.  "Akumu-kun, be a dear and go discuss that... concern you had with 
Professor Akaikawa."

    "Uh, sure thing, Kuroko-chan," Akumu replied, not really sounding like he 
meant it.  He walked away.

    Kuroko smiled at Setsuna.  A tingly feeling crept across the back of 
Setsuna's neck, an unpleasant feeling of foreboding.  (I don't think I want to 
be her friend,) she thought, looking at Kuroko.

    "I suppose you're wondering why I'm bringing up Yohko-chan," Kuroko's smiled 
faded, turning into a more somber expression.  "Well, since Yohko was so popular 
amongst the Nature Club members, we had a little bit of a... get-together a few 
nights ago to remember her.  I just thought that it was such a shame that we 
didn't run into each before, you could have come.  Since Yohko was so very fond 
of you, I'm sure that she would have wanted you there, too."

    Setsuna blanched slightly as the memory of her bedroom wall behind her and 
Yohko writhing in front of her flashed through her mind.  "I... it was nice of 
you to think of me, Kuroko." She replied, feeling stupid.

    "But just because you missed our little get-together doesn't mean that you 
and I can't get-together," Kuroko smiled.  "How about tonight?  We'll have 
coffee and get to know each a little better.  Yohko would have liked that, her 
two best friends being friends, don't you think so?"

    "I... I don't know, Kuroko," Setsuna stammered, fighting off the fluttering 
butterflies in her stomach.  "I have to study and finish my art and..." she 
trailed off.  (And Professor Mirumoto wanted us all to meet in his office 
tonight...) she added silently.

    "Oh... well..." Kuroko looked disappointed.  "That's really too bad, Setsuna.  
I really did want to get to know you better.  Oh well, I suppose Akumu and I 
will have to just work on our art projects alone.  Maybe we'll see you in the 
library."

    Setsuna chewed her lip.  (She does sound really sincere,) she thought.  
(Maybe I should give her a chance...  I mean, I do nothing but spend time with 
Mitsurugi and Ibuki now... not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's 
be really nice to have some _normal_ not Mystery Club connected friends and...)  
She looked up.  "Um, Kuroko?  Maybe since I'll be at the library anyway... we 
could, um, work on the art project for a little bit.  I could... meet you and 
Akumu there around eightish?"

    "I heard my name," Akumu appeared back at Kuroko's side.  "What's going on?"

    "We're going to meet Setsuna at eight in the library," Kuroko replied, 
smiling at him.  "To work on our art assignments."

    "Having trouble?" Akumu asked.

    Setsuna relaxed.  The butterflies were still dancing about in her stomach, 
but they seemed to calm just slightly with him there.  "I have no idea what I'm 
doing," she replied, honestly.

    He chuckled.  "Well, we'll see if we can't point you in the right 
direction."

    "Oh look at the time," Kuroko looked at her watch.  "Akumu and I have to be 
going now, Setsuna.  We'll see you in the library around eight.  Let's meet in 
the history section near the big windows, okay?"

    Setsuna nodded.  "Sure."

    "Nice meeting you," Akumu called over his shoulder as Kuroko dragged him 
away.

    The butterflies stopped dancing, and their fluttering was replaced by a sort 
of warm, fuzzy feeling.  Setsuna smiled to herself.  (Yes, that's what I need... 
some nice, _completely_ normal friends.)  She stopped smiling when she looked up 
at the clock.  "Ah!  I'm late for the meeting!" She grabbed her books and ran 
out the doorway, hopping that Professor Mirumoto didn't take her aside to make a 
"friendly inquiry" as to way she was late again.

~*~

   "Werewolves," Professor Mirumoto was saying as Setsuna stumbled his office.  
"Most of the vampires consider them to be a lower species in the Supernatural's 
world.  There are various theories on the appearance of a werewolf.  Some state 
they are wolves who appear to be humans sometimes and can transform at any period.  
Others state that the werewolf can only transform during the days of the full moon.  
It's believed that the werewolf's transformation is triggered by feelings of rage or 
lust."  He nodded to himself.  "As with any Supernatural species, the werewolf has 
many legends surrounding it.  It would make a fascinating subject, don't you think?"

   "Forget the background," Ibuki remarked, sounding bored.  "Just tell us the 
important things."

   Mitsurugi Taro frowned a little as Setsuna slid into an empty chair near Ibuki, 
but didn't say anything.  "I've heard that some legends say the way to cure a 
werewolf is to cut off one of its appendages.  Others says that the werewolf 
must eat the heart of the creature that made it one of them, and in doing so 
will be freed of the curse."

    "There might be different sub-species of werewolves," Mirumoto suggested.  
"As there are sub-species of vampires.  The research I did allowed me to compile 
a basic description of the beast--"

    "Helpful," Mitsurugi said quietly.

    "Uh, I bet it looks like a wolf.  They resembled big dogs with lots of sharp 
teeth, Mitsu-chan."  Ibuki yawned.  "Is there anything else we should know?"

    "Werewolves do not have tails," Mirumoto told her.  "Well, at least some of 
the sources said that, some of them disagreed.  To kill one you need to use 
silver."

    "I've equipped my crossbow with the silver arrowheads that you crafted 
for us, Mirumoto-sensei," Mitsurugi reported, "as you asked."

    "I don't suppose I con convince you to take a camera?" Professor Mirumoto 
asked.  "No, no, I suppose the creatures probably move too fast.  Still I'd 
really like to get some pictures, and maybe a DNA sample.  I've always 
wondered whether it would resemble more canine or human DNA." He shook his head.  
"Please, be careful, legends say that werewolves are quite vicious."  He looked at 
Ibuki... and looked... and looked until she punched him.  "Er, yes.  Um, I assume 
you have the silver blade I gave you, Ibuki?"

    Ibuki patted a sheath at the waist of her latest tight jumpsuit.  "Right 
here, you old lech."

    Setsuna ahemed.  "What's going on?"

    "It's the night of the full moon," Mitsurugi replied, "so we've prepared to 
go on a werewolf search tonight."

    "I'm sure she got that impression," Ibuki muttered.  

    "Oh, tonight?" Setsuna blinked.  "Do you want me to come?  I... I have these 
people I'm meeting in the library tonight to work on my art project..."

    "It's not necessary for you to come," Mitsurugi replied.  "I'm sure you'll 
be safer in the library.  The legends seem to indicate that werewolves prefer 
forests."

    Setsuna frowned, something tickling at the back of her mind.  "Someone said 
something odd to me in Art class...  Something about it being appropriate for 
Professor Akaikawa to have foxglove on the night of the full moon."  She looked 
at Mitsurugi.  "He seemed to think I should know why."

    He shrugged.  "Foxglove are one of the symbols of werewolves," Professor 
Mirumoto remarked.  "I wonder if this fellow..."  He trailed off.  "Professor 
Akaikawa, you say?" he asked, rubbing his chin.  "She's a lovely woman, isn't she?  
Very nice legs and her--"

    Ibuki hit him again.  "Get to the point, old man."

    "Yes, er," he cleared his throat.  "I just happened to recall that she's 
often on sick leave once a month.  Coincidentally right around the time of the 
full moon."

    Mitsurugi looked at Ibuki.  "I've never met Professor Akaikawa... but it 
might be worth looking into.  It's at least a place to start."

    "I think I might have run into her once or twice.  I wonder if she'll be a 
little more reasonable than these vampires..." Ibuki trailed off.

    "Probably not if she's a werewolf."

    Ibuki smiled faintly.  "No, I suppose not.  Well, we'd better have the 
silver on hand."  She added more to herself, "let's hope we don't have to use 
it."

    Setsuna rubbed her head.  (Oh, sure, I can sit here and listen to them talk 
about my art teacher being a werewolf, but I can't even draw one little 
picture...)

    "Setsuna," Professor Mirumoto repeated, interrupting her thoughts.  "It 
would be wise for you to take this with you tonight.  Just to be safe."  He 
handed her a slender metallic knife.  "Try to bring it back to me tomorrow."

    "Relax, old man," Ibuki muttered, "nothing's going to happen.  Mitsu-chan 
said that werewolves like to stick to the forests.  Setsuna's not going to be 
anyway near a forest."

~*~

     Setsuna went to the library early, planning to do a little studying before 
she met Kuroko and Akumu.  Her chemistry textbook was spread before her, open to 
the section on calculating reaction rates.  It was review stuff, really simple, 
but she still wanted to make sure that she'd gone over the questions.  The 
professor liked to give pop quizzes.

    She yawned and turned the page, for some reason she was really tired today.  
It probably had something to do with all her late nights with the Mystery Club.  
She stifled another yawn and propped her chin up in her hands.

    (Focus,) she told herself.  (This isn't the time to be taking a nap...)

~*~

    It was the art class, but it was dark.  Pale moonlight slipped into the 
darkened room from between the slits in the blinds.  Professor Akaikawa stood up 
at the front of the class holding the bowl of foxglove blossoms.  "It's 
important that you incorporate these into your work, Setsuna," she said.

    "But I don't know how," Setsuna protested.

    "You're an intuitive girl," the professor told her.  "Trust those instincts.  
Instincts are very important, Setsuna.  What do your instincts tell you?"

    "I don't understand," Setsuna told her.  "What do you mean, use my 
instincts?"

    "Understand your instincts, harness their power," Professor Akaikawa 
replied.  "Like this."  Her form shaped and melted.  One moment she was standing 
there, the next a dark brown wolf had taken her place.  "It's easy, Setsuna," 
the wolf said.  "You try it."

    "Yeah, Setsuna, try it," Kuroko said, appearing.  She smiled, revealing a 
set of sharp, pointy teeth.  "It's so easy."
    
   "Yeah, try it, Setsuna-chan," Yohko implored, appearing beside Kuroko.  "Why 
don't you want to try to be Kuroko's friend, Setsuna?  It would make me so 
happy."  She smiled and her features flowed into those of her Kuei-jin form.  
"Can't you at least try to make me happy, Setsuna?"
    
   Kuroko and Yohko reached out for her.  She backed away, but their arms 
extended and grabbed a hold of her.  "Make me happy," Yohko begged, a hungry 
look in her cat-like eyes.  "You can make me so happy, Setsuna-chan."
    
   "Try it, Setsuna," Kuroko added, the same hungry look in her eyes.  "It's so 
easy..."
   
    "Use your instincts," the wolf-professor repeated, advancing on Setsuna.  
Setsuna squirmed, but Kuroko and Yohko held her tight.  The wolf came closer and 
closer, it's gapping maw dripping salvia as its hot, moist breath rolled over 
Setsuna's face.  She tried to break free, but she couldn't.  Setsuna looked up 
and saw Treasa laughing gleefully as she sat on the professor's desk and toyed 
with the bowl of foxgloves.  Setsuna's eyes widened in horror as Treasa was 
blocked from sight by the very head of the werewolf that was sinking its jaws 
into her throat...


~*~


    Setsuna leapt up from her seat at the library table, backing right into the 
person standing behind her.  They both tumbled to the floor.

    "You seem to spend a lot of time on the ground, Setsuna-san," Akumu said as 
he tried to get out from under her.

    Setsuna felt a blush spread all over her body as she hastily scrambled to 
get off of him and stand up.  He got up and casually brushed himself off.

    "Are you all right?" he asked.

    "I... yes, I am." she said, dumbly.  "I'm so sorry, Akumu."

    "It's all right," he smiled.  "As long as you're all right.  You aren't all 
right, though, I can tell.  Something's frightened you, Setsuna."

    "I must have fallen asleep...  I had a bad dream, that's all," she assured 
him.  (I'm going to have to tell Mitsurugi and Professor Mirumoto that I saw 
Treasa in my dreams again.)

    "A bad dream?" his eyebrows raised.  "You don't say.  Well, tonight's your 
lucky night, Setsuna.  I happen to be very good with dreams.  Especially when it 
comes to making the bad ones go away."  He helped her right her overturned chair 
and ushered her into it before taking a seat in the one next to her.  "Why don't 
you tell me all about it?"

    The warm fuzzy feeling had returned, but Setsuna tried to fight past it.  
"Uh, where's Kuroko?"

    "Oh," he frowned in a moment of concentration.  "I don't know.  Off 
organizing a bake sale or something, I imagine.  Why?"

    Setsuna eased back in the chair.  "I..."  she paused.  "Are you and Kuroko 
good friends?"

    "Well, best friends, or as close to it as I've got."  He gave her a confused 
look and then laughed.  "But don't worry, she's not my girlfriend if that's what 
you're wondering."

    She blushed again.  "No, that's not really what I meant..."  she trailed 
off.  "She's just... a bit--"

    "Of an overpowering megalomaniac?" he suggested.  "So you noticed, or do you 
just have a good intuition?"

    Her nightmare danced back through Setsuna's conscious mind and she flinched.

    "So... a bad dream," Akumu began again.  "Judging from how pale you were, it 
must have been a rather nasty one."

    "It was... scary," she agreed.

    "Most nightmares are."  He leaned in close, and placed a hand on her 
shoulder.  A gentle, light touch completely unlike Professor Mirumoto's way of 
touching, Setsuna noted.  The butterflies fluttered again, but in a pleasant way 
this time.  The warm fuzzy feeling returned and she eased back further into the 
chair.  "Share your nightmare with me," he suggested.  "I promise I can make it 
go away, Setsuna."

    Akumu's hand had strayed from her shoulder to the back of her neck, and he 
was gently massaging the nape of her neck.  He'd brought his chair closer so now 
his face was just inches away, and Setsuna could hear him breathing softly.  His 
bright blue eyes stared into hers.  Setsuna felt him draw her closer and she 
allowed him to. His lips moved over hers... and kept moving.

    Akumu sat back, a frustrated look on his face.  "I don't believe this... 
once again I'm not getting _anything_ from you!"

    Setsuna fell off her chair.  "What?" she asked, the warm fuzzy feeling 
vanished.

    "Not a trace," he muttered, rubbing his face with his hands.  "Not even a 
hint of some tiny little lingering fragment!"  He looked at her.  "What are you, 
Setsuna?"

    She blinked, beginning to suspect that Akumu hadn't been about to kiss her.  
"What am I?  What do you mean?  What are you talking about?"

    "Your nightmare," he repeated.

    Setsuna blinked again.  (Weird, he's got some sort of strange fixation on my 
bad dream.)  "What about my nightmare?" she asked, confused.

    "I was trying to eat it," he said matter-of-factly.  "But something is 
preventing me from getting it."  She stared, open-mouthed.  "So, what's going 
on?" he asked her.  "Are you some sort of baku, too?  Because we don't have bad 
dreams of our own."

    "Baku?" Setsuna repeated.

    "Setsuna, there you are," Mitsurugi called, as he entered the library.  "I 
was passing by and thought I felt something--" he stopped and fixed his gaze on 
Akumu.

    Akumu looked from Mitsurugi to Setsuna.  "You're a member of the Mystery 
Club?"  he groaned.  "Of course.  I should have known."

    "Akumu." Mitsurugi frowned.  "What are you doing here?"

    "What's going on?" Setsuna asked.

    "This," Mitsurugi gestured to Akumu, "is a Supernatural species called the 
'baku' here in Japan.  They... eat bad dreams."  He paused.  "I was under the 
impression that one had to write their name or draw their picture on a piece of 
paper and place it under your pillow to call on their assistance."

    "Apparently so," Akumu shrugged.  "I suppose that could be why it didn't 
work.  Setsuna had a bad dream, I offered to get take it off her hands."

    "Wait a minute, just hold on," Setsuna looked from Mitsurugi to Akumu.  
"Akumu's," she pointed to Akumu, "a Supernatural dream eater and everyone's okay 
with that?"

    "Baku are relatively harmless," Mitsurugi explained.  "Their powers relate 
to dreams.  The Mystery Club only terminates Supernaturals that threaten 
humans."  He paused, and then added.  "Akumu assisted me with a little problem a 
few months ago."  Setsuna gave him a blank look, but he didn't say any more.

    "Mitsurugi has been kind enough to keep my secret in return," Akumu told 
Setsuna.  He looked back at Mitsurugi.  "I couldn't get a thing from her."

    "Setsuna appears to have an immunity to hypnotic powers."

    Akumu gave Setsuna an impressed look.  "She's got something all right," he 
said.
    
   Mitsurugi frowned.  "Are you two alone?"

    "Why do you ask?" Setsuna wanted to know.

    The glass shattered.  "That would be why," Akumu concluded, as the wolfen 
creature on the floor before them shook the debris and glass from its dark brown 
coat.  It raised its head and sniffed the air before growling and focusing its 
eyes on the three of them.

    Setsuna screamed.  Akumu swallowed, "I think we should do something..."

    "Run," Mitsurugi told them.

~*~

   As she stood on the ground outside, Kuroko glared at the three of them 
through the broken window.  Her golden eyes flashed and narrowed as they 
reached Akumu who was grabbing Setsuna by the arm.

   "Traitor," she hissed, a feral sound rising in her throat.  "You... you 
helped one of them?!"  

    Professor Akaikawa lifted her head and howled, but the sound brought no joy 
to Kuroko.  The possibility of seeing Setsuna ripped to shreds by the werewolf 
looked like it wasn't going to become a reality.  The feeling of betrayal that 
she felt at seeing Akumu _helping_ Setsuna escape bit deep into her.  

   "First she takes Yohko from me... and now she's trying to take Akumu!"  
Kuroko snarled, baring her fangs at the night.  "Well, I won't have it!  I'll 
kill you myself, Setsuna."

~*~

   Akumu and Setsuna crashed out of the library doors, and it was only after 
Akumu was certain that the werewolf wasn't right behind them that he stopped.  
He bent over, panting.  "We... should... get... help..." he wheezed, and cast a 
sideways glance at Setsuna.  "I've heard about Taro's skills, but that's a full-
grown werewolf he's facing... and she looked _hungry_."

  Setsuna giggled.  "I don't think Mitsurugi has any doggie snacks with him."
She continued giggling, both hands clamped over her mouth.

  Akumu grabbed her by the shoulders.  "Setsuna, snap out of it!"  He shook her 
a little.  "This is no time to lose it!"  She continued to giggle hysterically, 
unable to speak.  "Listen to me, Setsuna," he began softly, "you need to calm 
down and just try to hold it together.  I don't think that werewolf didn't just 
happened to be passing by and decided to jump through the library window.  I 
think someone brought it there."  She continued to giggle hysterically.  Akumu 
slapped her, not very hard but hard enough to bring her out of it.

   She shrieked.  "No, no, get away from me!"

   "I'm not going to hurt you."  He tried to hold her still. "It's okay, 
Setsuna, I'm your friend, remember?"

   She squirmed, thrashing her arms and kicking.  "So was Yohko!"  She stopped 
suddenly, all her will to fight dying.  "Yohko was my friend, too," she 
repeated.  "I never thought she'd hurt me..." she trailed off, tears welling in 
her eyes.

    Akumu pulled her into his arms, and let her sob into his shoulder.  "It's 
okay, Setsuna," he told her.  "You're safe with me, I promise."

    "Oh, Akumu-chan, you really shouldn't lie to your _friends_," Kuroko said 
sweetly and she seemed to materialize in the shadows before the two of them.  
Her golden cat eyes were narrowed, and her lips were drawn back in a look of 
revulsion that also served to display her fangs.  "However, you seem to have 
forgotten just who exactly your friends are."  She glared at Setsuna.

   Akumu slowly pulled the smaller girl behind him.  "Is this your little 
lesson, Kuroko?" he asked, scornfully.  "Well, good, great.  You've had your fun 
and given both Setsuna and I a good scare.  Mission accomplished."

   "Wrong," Kuroko snapped.  "Mission isn't accomplished until _she'_ dead."

   "I didn't do anything to you!" Setsuna managed to blurt out.

   "You didn't do anything?!" Kuroko exclaimed.  "You sure as hell did!  You 
stole Yohko from me!  You got Yohko killed!"

   Setsuna's eyes widened.  "You and Yohko were... that kind of friends?"

   "We could have been if it hadn't been for you!"

   "Stop this, Kuroko!" Akumu demanded.  "You're being even more stupid than 
usual.  Yohko is gone and killing Setsuna isn't going to bring her back.  Just 
let everyone walk away from this.  We'll pretend it didn't happen, right, 
Setsuna?"

   Setsuna did nothing and he gave her a little nudge with his elbow.  "Oh, 
yes!" She nodded frantically.

   "No, we won't," Kuroko intoned.  She advanced towards Setsuna.  "I'm not 
going to sit around and talk about this like a stupid human!  We're going to settle 
it _my_ way!"  She glared at Akumu.  "_You_ know how it works in our world, Akumu."

   "You're being unreasonable, Kuroko," he replied, evenly.  "I'm trying to keep 
you from making a very big mistake."

    "If you don't move, Akumu, I will _make_ you move."

    "Kuroko, please, listen to me.  I'm your best friend--"

    Kuroko screamed in rage and swatted him to the ground with her hand.  "My 
best friend?" She screamed, towering above him with fury turning her eyes into 
two brilliant gold flames.  "You sell out to the Mystery Club," she snapped, 
"and stand there with your arms around a girl that you know I hate and then you 
try to tell me that you're my best friend?"  She shook her head.  "That doesn't 
sound like something a friend would do!"

    Akumu stared up at her from the ground, something dark and ugly tainting the 
color of his eyes until they became indigo.  "You know, Kuroko," he began, his 
voice cold as ice, "I put with so much crap from you.  You wanted to form a club of 
Supernaturals, so it's my job to get people to come.  You have some crackhead 
scheme you want to pull off, so it's my job to help you carry it out."  He shook 
his head.  "I try and stop you from doing something stupid and hurting an 
innocent person and you... _hit_ me.  No more, Kuroko, I'm not cleaning up 
anymore of your messes or taking care of you."  He set his mouth in a tight.  
"If you want Setsuna then you'll have to go through me."

    "My pleasure, traitor," she spat.

    A couple things happened next, but Setsuna barely registered any of them.  
Akumu did nothing as Kuroko lunged at him, pinning him to the ground.  As the 
vampiress open her mouth and prepared to sink her fangs into his neck, a green 
blur slammed into Kuroko and someone screamed.  Kuroko was knocked off of Akumu 
and she turned, trying to see who had stopped her.  The green blur was back and 
Kuroko tried futilely to avoid it.  There was the sound of a wet sort of splosh 
and Kuroko screamed and fell over backwards.  A large wooden stake had pierced 
her heart and was protruding through her back.

    Ibuki turned to Setsuna and gave her a reassuring smile.  "Mitsu-chan said 
you came this way and that you might be needing some help."  She looked over at Akumu.  
"You all right over there?"

    Akumu slowly crawled over to Kuroko and touched her face.  "She's... you 
killed her," he said softly, pain drenching each syllable.  "You killed Kuroko.  
She's dead."

    Ibuki gave him a sympathetic look.  "Well, I'm sorry but I didn't really have a 
choice.  She was trying to kill you."

    Akumu shook his head.  "Oh, Kuroko..."

    Setsuna felt as if she was in a daze as she slowly walked up to stand behind 
him.  "Akumu..."

    He looked up at her, eyes moist.  "I lied to you Setsuna."

    "Wha... what?"

    "I told you that Baku don't have nightmares."  He smiled sadly.  A small tear fell 
from one of his eyes and ran down his cheek.  "It's true that I've never had a bad 
dream, but I've always had something that scared me.  Something that disturbed as much 
as I assumed nightmares disturbed other creatures." He moved Kuroko into his arms and 
stood.  "This was it."  He walked away carrying Kuroko's still form.

    "Akumu..." Setsuna repeated, dumbly and started to go after him.  A hand 
held her back.  She looked up and saw Ibuki shaking her head.  "Ibuki, let go, I 
want to go after him."

    "No, Setsuna," Ibuki said simply.  "This is one of those times when you just 
have to let them walk away."

~*~

    Mitsurugi was beginning to wish that he hadn't sent Ibuki off after Setsuna.  
He had thought he'd sensed another Supernatural beyond the werewolf nearby, but 
that could have just been Akumu... he hoped.  Setsuna did have a tendency to 
attract Supernaturals for some reason.  He shook out of his musings and 
refocused on the Supernatural before him, as dealing with the werewolf demanded 
all of his concentration.

    The lupine creature was fast and vicious, but he was more concerned with the 
consequences of being bitten by the creature.  (I've seen it happen already,) he 
thought vehemently, (I don't want to see it happen to me.)  

    He placed another arrow on his crossbow, aimed and then fired.  The silver-
tipped arrow flew through the air... and grazed the werewolf's shoulder as it 
dropped to avoid it.  A thin stream of blood began to trail down from the 
surface wound and the creature growled in pain.  Mitsurugi reached for another 
arrow, but simply held his crossbow ready.

   "Stop this," Mitsurugi ordered.  "Do you really want to attack me, Professor 
Akaikawa?"

   The werewolf paused at the sound of its name.  Very slowly it appeared to 
calm as it rested back on its haunches.  "You know who I am," it said.  The 
voice was distorted by the shape of the wolf's muzzle, but it was vaguely 
recognizable as female.

   "We suspected.  Come with me, Professor Akaikawa, we can help you if you let 
us.  Stop you from harming anyone, and maybe even cure you."

   "We?"

   "Yes, the Mystery Club."

   The wolf leapt back to its feet, snarling.  "The Mystery Club could only help 
Supernaturals," the werewolf crouched, "by ceasing to exist!"  She pounced, coming at him 
fast with her jaws open, ready to snap his neck.

   Mitsurugi didn't give the creature a chance.  He raised his crossbow and 
fired.  He didn't aim; it wasn't necessary at such a short distance.  The 
arrow's silver tip pierced Professor Akaikawa's lupine heart and she howled in 
pain as she tumbled to the ground.  Lying there, limbs contorting in pain... she 
began the transformation back to human.  Mitsurugi looked up at the still bright 
moon, and knew that this transformation signaled that she was dying.

   "You should have allowed us to help you," he said softly.  "If we could only 
understand what--"

   "The Mystery Club exists only to terminate us," the woman croaked, clutching 
at her bleeding chest.  She struggled to breathe.  "Those who are hunted are 
never understood.  Ignorance breeds hatred and hatred is what destroys us all in 
the end."  She collapsed, a spasm passed through her body as she coughed up 
blood, and then all was still.

   "Yes.  It is."  Mitsurugi sighed as he took off his cloak and spread it 
across Professor Akaikawa's naked corpse.  "We cannot help those who refuse to 
allow us to."

~*~

Not sure quite how I feel about this.  I thought that approaching it from this 
angle and bringing in another character was a good idea.  I could have been 
wrong.  *shrug*  Alas, it could have been better.  I would have liked it to 
haven been.  Oh well.  [Oh yes, and the blame for the last scene has to fall 
completely on me as it was a last minute addition so prereaders didn't get a 
chance to see it.  :( ]  The whole title thing was *not* easy, but I think I 
managed to continue it.

The werewolf information came from the "criMson" comic sourcebook, a excerpt 
entitled "How to Recognize a Werewolf" by Ian Woodward, and the general 
mythology created by L.J. Smith's "Night World" books (specifically the flower 
symbol of the werewolf being a foxglove). 

The baku myth... well, I couldn't find a lot on it. They are dream eating 
monsters, and the myth did come to Japan from China.  Also, the way Mitsurugi 
describes is how the book said you can call on a baku's assistance.  Oh, I was 
told to add that some people believe having your dreams eaten has negative effects 
(thanks, Phil.)  I left it opened ended so people use Akumu again or you can 
kill him off if you like.  (I like him... but that's just me.)  I personally 
think he's got a little bit of a crush on Setsuna.  I also left the "Monster 
Club" dangling so it could be used later if it's appropriate.

Thanks to Lawrence Chu, Assassin, and Myth for their prereading.  An extra big 
thank you to David Siegel, Philip Barkow and Epsilon for their prereading and 
additional suggestions.  (This would have really sucked without their help.  
^^;)

Back by popular demand:  Learn Japanese with Inu!  (okay, so there wasn't any 
demand for it... it's just a courtesy)

Akumu: bad dream, nightmare

Kuroko: Child of (the) Dark.  (Thank you, Espilon.)

Junko: I don't know.  I have a Japanese friend with this name.  ^^;

Kitsune: A short of fox spirit/demon.  They can create illusions and maybe 
change their actual forms.  (I'm not entirely sure... the only kitsune I'm 
really familiar with is Shippou from Inuyasha... ^^;;)

Baku: a type of Japanese monster (possibly Chinese in origin) that eats bad 
dreams.

Gambatte: Sometimes translated as "good luck"... but used in the classroom 
setting it also conveys the message of "do your best".

Sumemasen: "Excuse me", at least in this usage.  (Thanks to Assassin for
catching the spelling error.)

Lady Chaos
5.7.00