-A little shameless mushiness, especially towards the end…. Forgive me, I tried to minimize it, but it seemed to fit with where I wanted to take this couple….-

Chapter 2: (Kurumu's Bid, Day 1! "S-s-so soft!")

It had been almost a week since the day Tsukune had unveiled his "master plan" for solving his unenviable romantic plight. The girls had been, understandably but still frighteningly, almost too enthusiastic about it. With no reservations or thoughts of failure, each girl had set about planning their dream scenarios. Three days seemed like an eternity when they considered the time they'd get to spend with Tsukune, but the allotted 72 hours proved to be a much more restricting time limit when it actually came down to planning the activities.

Tsukune had been very generous with the terms of the dates, in Kurumu's opinion…. The girls effectively had carte blanche to come up with any activities they found suitable. This had led to some very animated conversation between Mizore and, well, everyone else…. In the end, though, the guidelines for the dates were very simple.

The express exclusion of her Charm ability had been a rather bitter pill for Kurumu to swallow. She had lost count of how many times she'd apologized for the incident between herself and Tsukune when they'd first become acquainted. Still, she was determined not to let it distract her from her plans. She had saved up a sizeable account of money in her years, and though her ambitious plans would eat up a large portion of it, she would count every penny well-spent if it netted her Tsukune for her mate.

She looked at the calendar on her refrigerator, with the numbers of three certain days circled with red lipstick hearts. Written on the borders of the calendar were hand-written notes, including such gems as "Make Tsukune-kun Mine!" and "Plan Perfectly! Let's Seduce Tsukune-kun!" and of course a heartfelt "Die Moka Die!" She giggled as she sat down at her computer desk, pulling up descriptions of several different romantic getaway locales.

She mumbled the different descriptions under her breath as she read: "A Wintry Wonderland, come relax with your loved one in your own private cabin, with a wood fireplace, an outdoor Jacuzzi hot tub, an authentic bearskin rug, and scenic mountain views…. Promising, but the thought of all that snow might make him think of Mizore…. Next! Romance Beneath The Waves, enjoy a lavish suite in our fully self-contained undersea resort, with island-style cuisine, scuba diving adventures, live music, and artificial skylines that you'll swear are better than the real thing…. Wow, that sounds like so much fun!" Her eyes scrolled down to the median price for a 3 day, 2 night stay, and proceeded to very nearly bulge out of her head. She crossed her forearms into an 'X' shape in front of her face. "Way too expensive!" She considered for a split-second of asking her mother for a loan, but the all-too-likely scenario in which her mother would likely be waiting for them, or more specifically for Tsukune, in the room quickly closed the lid on that pipe dream.

She desperately scrolled through option after option, her mouse mercilessly clicking each one into oblivion. "Childish… not romantic enough… wow! Too much!" She rapidly closed the window depicting a love hotel bristling with all manner of sex-themed props, which ranged from kinky to bewildering and uncomfortable to contemplate, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "Oh, come on! There has to be something!" Her eyes suddenly focused on one result, narrowing. After a precursory glance at the provided images, she leered at the price and squealed in delight. "Yahoo-hoo! Bingo!" From somewhere in the room, the sound of a cash register cycling rang loudly.

Her eyes greedily scoured over the detailed description of the location's features. "Enjoy pure simple bliss in an apartment-style cabin with full kitchen, the largest grouping of co-ed hot springs for miles around, mud baths, your choice of fine cuisine prepared by local chefs or a nearly limitless store of groceries for your own private preparation and dining, mud baths, and… couples' massage sessions?" Her eyes fluttered, and a light rosy hue spread across her cheeks as her mind wandered to the thoughts of Tsukune's masterful fingers kneading over her oiled flesh, starting at her shoulders and down her back, then down to her calves and up, up, up, up! Her face had become a dangerous shade of crimson and was bordering on purple when she finally breathed, and it came out of her in a puff of white-hot steam. "Now that's more like it! Mrs. Aono Kurumu, get ready for the rest of your life!" She nearly destroyed her mouse, she slammed her finger on the left-click button so hard on the picture of the resort's entrance, fashioned after the gate entrance to a traditional Japanese castle….

A hot springs vacation! Of course, I should have thought of it sooner! It's so perfectly me, it's like fate…. Moka can't get within 100 feet of a hot spring without having to pour enough herbs in it to make it smell like a can of soup, Mizore can't stand anything too warm to store meat in, and…. An evil gleam sparked in her azure eyes. Yukari couldn't hope to hold a candle to my beautiful body in a swimsuit! I'll bring Tsukune to his knees! She bounded over to her closet and pulled out a selection of her most revealing swimsuits, which was really saying something. Some of them she'd had to have shipped, via less-than-entirely-legitimate channels, to a fake name and address, because they were actually outlawed in more than a handful of countries.

Finally, she settled on a royal blue two-piece, whose largest cut of fabric happened to be the bow on the front of the bottom piece. She hugged it to her chest. "It's perfect…!" Her eyes lowered as her mind swam in thought. If I wear this bathing suit, and am able to be alone with Tsukune-kun…. Will he want to… to… to do it? While her maidenhood was still fully intact, the nature of her race was far from lost on the young succubus. Her mother had often chastised her for her reluctance in the sexual department. Indeed, her mother had appraised her as having the body and being of the age to become a succubus of the highest order, with a larger "man-cult" than any succubus in history…. But….

She walked over to the window and gazed thoughtfully at herself, her expression anxious and thoughtful. I guess I am pretty…. And I know Tsukune-kun would never admit it, but… I'm sure I've seen him looking at me. He is a human, after all, and afflicted with all the same thoughts and feelings as all humans. But he's never… shown any particular interest… in that kind of stuff…. She blushed. But if Tsukune-kun does try to… make a move, I… I'll. She smiled a gentle smile. I want to, with you, Tsukune-kun…. You're the only one I want to do that with… my destined one… my Mate of Fate. And without another moment's hesitation, she set to packing a luggage bag.

(The next day….)

The thoughts that had plagued her the day before vanished the moment Tsukune's knock broke the silence of her room. She nearly crashed through the door in her haste to answer it. Tsukune stood on the other side, in a short-sleeved white polo shirt and loose-fitting denim jeans. Kurumu had chosen similarly simple wear, an open long-sleeved white shirt with the sleeves rolled up halfway to the elbows over a pastel pink tank-top, with a slim-fitting black skirt that reached mid-thigh. "Hi, Tsukune-kun!" she exclaimed, her smile broad on her lightly blushing face.

Tsukune's cheeks took on a pink hue as he admired Kurumu. "Kurumu-chan, nice to see you. Are you all ready? I think our shuttle just arrived."

She turned and grabbed her overnight bag and a purse, and motioned she was ready to leave. She slipped an arm under and around one of Tsukune's and laughed. "Let's go!"

Her closeness deepened his blush. "Er, right. You look really nice, by the way!" He was rewarded with a brilliant smile from the young succubus.

The drive to the resort took them through winding country roads, and Tsukune busied himself with pointing out various sights to Kurumu as the drive went on. Their conversation flowed naturally and effortlessly, with Kurumu picking all the right times to make flirty comments and Tsukune responding with a blush and a laugh each time.

Kurumu had initially given Tsukune a reasonable amount of breathing room in the shuttle van, but grew bolder as the long ride continued. She surprised Tsukune and herself when she suddenly reached out and laced her fingers into his, as naturally as if she'd been doing it for years. He'd been in the middle of a sentence, detailing his plans for after high school, and his voice had faltered for a moment. Kurumu winced and waited for him to pull away, but he'd only smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly, and continued on talking as if nothing was amiss. Though Tsukune continued talking, Kurumu could barely hear him over the roaring inside her ears. Her next leap of faith was to slowly slide over closer and closer to him, until eventually she leaned over and put her head on his shoulder, her face again twisted with apprehension at how he would respond. She glanced up at him and noticed the look of nervousness on his face, but was surprised again when he responded with just a smile and another squeeze of her hand. Her anxiety melted away, and she smiled, nuzzling her face against his shoulder. It wouldn't have mattered to her if the van had driven her through every hour of their three days together.

As fate would have it, though, the shuttle did finally arrive at the resort, without incident. She dragged Tsukune out and to the resort front desk, where their check-in was quick and painless. It's almost like it's going too well…! I keep expecting Mizore or Moka to pop out at any moment and ruin everything…. It's really true, then! Tsukune-kun and I, completely isolated from everyone else…!

They were ushered to their "room," an expansive space larger than what Kurumu could have dared hope for. She blushed as she looked at the lone Western-style bed, the enormous room's centerpiece. There was even a pair of matching kimonos folded neatly on its edge. This is where… this is where… Tsukune and I are… going to…. She suddenly realized Tsukune was looking at her worriedly, his lips moving. "What?" she asked, a little too loudly.

Tsukune laughed nervously. "I was saying, why don't we get right to it, Kurumu-chan?"

Her eyes bulged, and her entire body seemed to go awash in glowing crimson. "Tsu-Tsukune-kun!" What had she missed while she'd been daydreaming this whole time? She fidgeted nervously, suddenly unable to look him in the eye. "You mean, now? We only just arrived…!"

Tsukune stretched, grinning. "Yeah, but after that long ride I feel kind of restless and stiff; I think it'd be a good way to get out some of the tension, for both of us! I mean, it is why you brought me all the way out here, isn't it?" He cocked his head in confusion.

Kurumu's heart was pounding at well over 100 beats a minute. She felt light-headed, though that was mostly due to the sudden rush of blood to her face. "W-w-well, you do have a point…. I mean… I thought we might talk a little more first…. Y'know, it's just so sudden…."

Tsukune grinned, seeming more confused. "Sudden? No way, I've been looking forward to this the whole way up here!" Without another word, he lifted his shirt up over his head; unfortunately, he'd forgotten to undo the three buttons at the collar, and suddenly found himself caught with the shirt around his neck and inside-out.

Kurumu was floored. He says it so casually! Well, it's not exactly how I'd planned we'd broach the subject, but…. Oh, Tsukune…! While he fidgeted and fought with his now-inside-out shirt, she slowly stripped, realizing with a little irritation that she was trembling slightly, and her palms were slick with sweat. Oh, stop it, Kurumu! You're a succubus… what would your mother say if she saw you right now? The thought of what her mother would most likely say only made her blush deepen, so she tossed the thought aside. Okay, girl…. You came here to seduce Tsukune; just because he initiated it doesn't mean it's any less special…. It's Tsukune, after all, and he said he's been thinking of it the whole time! Imaginary face paint stripes, fashioned after those worn by football players, suddenly appeared on her cheeks, and fire burned in her eyes, and her mouth was set in a determined grin, while imaginary Japanese characters spelling "Victory" flashed over her head.

Tsukune's world was all-white as he twisted and jerked at his polo shirt. How embarrassing! I wonder what I must look like to Kurumu-chan…? Finally, his fumbling fingers found purchase at the top two buttons, and he managed to undo them. "There, now all I have to do is take off my pants…."

Kurumu had heard all she needed to. She leapt forward, arms outstretched. "Here I come, Tsukune-kun! Take me!"

At that moment, Tsukune had finally peeled his shirt over his head, and the sight he beheld almost KO'd the bewildered teen. "Kuru—wha—AAHHHH!" As her naked body crashed into him, he fell backwards, the force of him hitting his head on the hard floor driving his eyes shut. When he opened them, the image of a very naked and red-faced Kurumu flooded his vision, and his nose leaked red. "Kurumu-chan…! What're you doing!"

Kurumu smiled. "Don't worry, Tsukune…. I know what it is you have been wanting. Let's do it."

Tsukune's eyes were large and round as saucers, and his teeth chattered noisily as he jerked his head left and right. "B-b-b-b-b-but!" he sputtered vehemently.

Kurumu giggled. "Oh, Tsukune-kun, no need to be so bashful! Here, I'll help." She reached down to unbutton his pants, and was shocked at what was underneath. "A… a… a…."

"Bathing suit!" Tsukune screamed, rapidly crawling backwards and out from under Kurumu. She cocked her head to the side, obviously dumbfounded, then a look of horror overtook her face as realization dawned. "I said, why don't we go for a dip in the hot springs! What part of that could you possibly have construed as…!"

She suddenly looked down at herself, then back at Tsukune in his bathing suit and his jeans down around his knees. She screeched, moving to cover herself. Tsukune bolted into a standing position. "I'm sorry, Kurumu-chan!" he shouted as he turned to run into the bathroom, but his jeans tripped him, and he fell face-first into a table, the force of the blow rendering him unconscious.

Kurumu buried her face in her hands. "Oh, no… oh no, oh no, oh NO!"

After that, there were no more major "incidents," but Kurumu couldn't help but feel that there was a barrier between Tsukune and herself that hadn't existed in the shuttle ride up. In the hot spring, she tried to ease her way closer to him, testing the waters as it were, but every time he noticed the space between them disappearing, he seemed to get fidgety and nervous. Inwardly, she beat at her head with clenched fists, shouting, Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot! After the hot spring soak, though, Tsukune seemed to relax.

Kurumu never realized that it wasn't until she had toweled off and draped herself in the kimono that he'd finally been able to slow his labored breathing. That bathing suit…, Tsukune wondered. It was so… revealing, I guess…. I know Kurumu-chan seems to enjoy a more… unique style of clothing than the others, and to be honest I'm not really complaining…. But I just hope she didn't notice. I don't know what I would have done if she'd gotten too close and saw, or… oh God, felt what was going on under the water…! A large bead of sweat sprouted on Tsukune's forehead and rolled down. She would have totally freaked out and called me a pervert or something…! But, what was I supposed to do? Somehow, Kurumu-chan looks even sexier in that bikini than she does naked…. His eyes bulged. What the hell! What am I thinking!

Kurumu snapped him out of his inner monologue. "So, what do you think of my kimono, Tsukune-kun?" She laughed as she twirled and posed in it for him. He could almost make out a hazy pastel background when she did it, she looked so cute.

He was still so flustered over his previous thoughts that he didn't even think before responding, "Wow, Kurumu-chan! It looks so cute on you, and also really kinda sexy in a way-" He tapered off, sputtering suddenly to a stop. Clutching at the sides of his head, Tsukune screamed, "Oh my God! Kurumu-chan, I'm so sorry! I don't know why I said that!" Seeing her confused look, he desperately (foolishly) babbled on, so quickly it seemed to be one long word, "I mean, I do know why I said it, because it really suits you and brings out your natural beauty and…. Oh, crap! I mean, not that I was looking at… you know…. Not that I don't want to, either, but…. Grrkh!" He fell back to the ground, frothing at the mouth as a result of his panic attack-induced faint.

After several hours of lying unconscious on the floor, Tsukune's eyes slowly fluttered open. Is that… smelling salts? No, it actually smells… really good! What could this heavenly scent be? He let his body float towards the smell, his face a mask of the joy of one with a wolfish, ravenous hunger smelling an extravagant meal. The sight in the kitchen stopped him dead in his tracks…. "Kurumu-chan… this… this is!"

Kurumu had donned a form-fitting one-piece bright green dress with frilly white lace at the collar and hem of the skirt, and an apron; the apron was longer than the dress was. Her blue hair was down and tousled, a look Tsukune had never seen before. But almost as attractive as the view of the young succubus was the meal she'd prepared for him. She turned, surprised. "Tsukune-kun! You're finally awake!" She rushed over to him and gave him a lingering hug, though to his surprise she had neglected to either engulf his face in, or press firmly against him with, her breasts. "Sorry, I'm in the middle of finishing this up. I hope you like sukiyaki! I went shopping while you were passed out, and even splurged for a really choice cut of beef!"

Tsukune wandered over to the enormous pot and gazed in. A collage of heavenly smells slammed into his face like a wall. In the pot were thinly-sliced strips of beef, Chinese cabbage, cubes of tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and shirataki noodles. The rich-looking broth was at a low boil. "U-unbelievable, Kurumu-chan! This looks amazing!"

"You haven't even tried it yet, Tsukune-kun," Kurumu said, with a hint of mystery in her voice. Tsukune's brow furrowed.

"Kurumu-chan, you remember you're not supposed to…."

She laughed away his sudden suspicion. "Just kidding, Tsukune-kun! Nothing magic about my food, just try the broth!" She grabbed a bowl of udon noodles steeped in the broth and held it up to his face. He picked up a set of chopsticks from a countertop and tossed a single noodle in his mouth, letting it roll over his tongue, thoughtfully tasting and trying to place the broth.

Suddenly his eyes widened. "Kurumu-chan, this has hon mirin! Is this-?"

Kurumu finished for him, "-prepared in the Kantō style? Of course!"

Tsukune looked dismayed. "But… but… that has alcohol!"

Kurumu nodded, grinning devilishly. "About 14 percent, I believe."

Tsukune's head drooped, his expression of helplessness. "But we're not old enough…." He sighed and continued, "Well, at least it doesn't seem to have any sake in it, too…."

Kurumu's grin widened. "Of course not, silly! If I put the sake in the sukiyaki, what would we drink?" She pointed, and Tsukune anxiously followed the path her finger laid out. There, on the veranda outside, was the dinner placement: a low, dark-red wooden table with plush-looking cushions for the two of them to kneel on, and in the center was an expertly-prepared flower arrangement, and next to it a large alabaster dish of sake, with matching drinking cups and saucers.

Tsukune's eyes bulged. "W-wha…? How are we gonna drink all of that!" he shouted. His eyes began to tear up as he continued, "I never could handle my alcohol…! What if I get sick? What if…?" The feeling of a hand clutching at his shirt stopped him cold. He looked at Kurumu, stunned. "K-Kurumu-chan?"

She looked up at him, her expression desperate and pleading. "Please, Tsukune-kun…. Eat with me, and have some sake with me…. It's all I've been thinking about all night while cooking it for you, the thought of you and me, alone, eating and drinking…. I'm afraid… afraid that I'm not going to be the one to win, and… in case I don't, I want to have a memory that I can carry with me into adulthood, when even things like sake don't hold much special meaning. So won't you… just indulge me, please, tonight? Tsukune…?"

His mouth dropped slightly, and his cheeks took a rosy hue; Kurumu dropping the honorific from the end of his name was far from lost on him. This is what she wants… I have to remember, it's her three days, and I won't deny her. For these three days, Kurumu-chan is my…. He placed a hand under her chin and lifted her downcast face, and smiled brightly. "Of course, Kurumu-chan. I'd love to. It looks delicious, and I'm sure you put a lot of hard work into it. I'll eat every bite, and I'm sure that… that it'll be better than any other sukiyaki I've ever had."

He did, and it was….

Their dinner had gone beautifully; the sake was served hot, and Tsukune had devoured the sukiyaki worshipfully. They had talked and talked and talked, seemingly for hours, and it was indeed into the wee hours of the morning when they finally decided to turn in. Kurumu had again grown apprehensive, but Tsukune didn't seem concerned about what was, inevitably, to come.

They had each packed sleeping garments; Tsukune's was a striped green full pajama set, with a button up long-sleeved top. Kurumu thought he looked adorable. She was dressed in a lacy red nightgown, one of the least sheer sets she owned. It was still rather painfully obvious that she only had black panties on underneath, but again, Tsukune didn't seem to mind. They stood at the foot of the bed, facing each other and standing a mere two short steps apart, laughing nervously as the seconds continued to tick away. Finally, they both started at the same time.

"Well, I guess we should-" "So, it's getting late-"

They looked at each other, surprised, and smiled. Kurumu was about to open her mouth to say, "Go ahead, you first," when Tsukune jerked forward, closing the distance between the two of them, swept her face upward with a hand on the side of her face and another clutching her upper arm, and pressed his mouth to hers.

Her eyes widened and shimmered, then half-closed as she let herself become lost in the kiss. It could have lasted moments, it could have lasted hours or days or weeks; time stood still for the blue-haired succubus, and she didn't dare devote any thoughts towards keeping track of it, and away from her present moment.

Finally, after an eternity, Tsukune slowly pulled back, and Kurumu begrudgingly let him break their contact. She gradually opened her stared at him, her face glowing fuchsia and her expression a silent question.

Tsukune's voice was thick, but not slurred, as he spoke. "That was our first kiss, Kurumu-chan. I wanted to commemorate our first date together, and our first night together as a couple…. Because, whatever happens when this whole thing is over, tonight, and for all of tomorrow and the next day, you are my girlfriend. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for today, and for dinner… Kurumu."

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, but tears leaked out from under the lids despite all her best efforts. "Don't worry, Tsukune…. They're tears of joy…." She stepped forward and enveloped him in her bare arms, her body melting into his. He breathed in her hair and smiled, genuinely happy to have fulfilled her desire.

Eventually, they entered the bed on opposite sides, and when Kurumu sidled closer, Tsukune did not draw away; he lifted his arm to make room for her against his side, and the two fell asleep with her head on his chest.

-Okay, so that's Chapter 2! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten; I did give this story an "M" rating for a reason; it's just not time (yet)! I'm honestly trying to keep these characters as "in character" as possible (I feel very strongly about the source material, and want to honor it as best I can), but it can be difficult during the romance scenes... Next one (Day 2 of "Kurumu's Bid") will have more humor, I promise, and for those of you drooling for lemon, it's inevitable; just be patient! Thanks very much for reading!-

-P.S., Wow! I can't believe so many people have read my first chapter in just 2 days! Thanks so much! And for my one reviewer, Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita! I'll continue writing and updating, and hopefully will deliver a story you can enjoy!-