Ch 4
Tsukune walked to school with Reiko, who seemed much happier now. A fan of Sailor Moon, Reiko wore her sailor clothes to school (with a longer skirt mandated by Tsukune). Even her new lunch box bore Sailor Moon characters. Her ragged book bag was now a leather case that held everything with nothing spilling out of it. A block from the school, they met a few of Reikos' friends. Tsukune let her run ahead and walk with them. She skipping happily up to them.
'
Tsukune went to his office to find Inspector Nakamura waiting for him.
"Mr. Aono, may we speak for a moment, in the Principal's office, please?" he asked.
"Sure." Tsukune put his briefcase on his desk and followed the inspector.
The Principal was still sporting bruises from the attack. Inspector Nakamura and Tsukune sat on the 'visitors' side of the desk across from the Principal.
Tsukune listened as the inspector informed the principal of Reiko being taken into custody by special services and put in Tsukune's care, and the fact that until further notice, her parents were not allowed to see her.
Tsukune didn't have much to add to the meeting, except his willingness to be responsible for Reiko.
He got Reiko's school information. She was in Miss Kurama's class, and her grades were not the best. She was passing, but barely. With what her life had been, Tsukune was not surprised.
The meeting made him a few minutes late for class, but that was no big deal. The school day went normally. At the end of the day, Tsukune found Reiko inside the main doors, waiting for him.
"You don't have to wait for me," he told her.
Reiko pointed outside and said, "Dad's here."
Tsukune searched and sure enough, half a block from the school sat the man's car. He was watching the kids leave. "Come with me," he said and took her hand.
Stopping by the office, Tsukune let the secretary know the man was out there and to call the police, and that he was leaving out the back with Reiko.
Walking out to the athletic field, Reiko asked, "He won't get me, right?"
"No, he will not, I promise you," Tsukune told her. Taking her to the back corner of the school grounds, where the tall fence was, he picked her up into a bride's carry and said, "Hold onto your things tight to you."
Reiko did. Tsukune jumped over the fence, landing as softly as possible. He put her down. He took her hand and walked to the sidewalk of the next street over to head for home.
"How did you do that?" Reiko asked. "That fence is really tall!"
Tsukune just smiled and put a finger to his lips.
To get back to the right street, they walked through the park. Tsukune kept a sharp eye out for her father. He was sure they had lost him, but he still stayed wary until they got inside the new wall around the yard and shut the gate. Once they were inside Ruby, who now wore more conservative clothing, greeted them with a bow. Tsukune told Ruby, "Reiko's father is out of jail. Make sure we're guarded tonight."
"Yes, Master," Ruby said. Casting Reiko a smile, she said, "Don't worry, sweetie, we will keep you safe."
Tsukune called the police and found out Reiko's father had made bail. They let him know to call if he even saw the man anywhere near the house.
.
Reiko went up and did her homework. She also realized that now, she didn't know where she could hide if her father did sneak in. She got her homework finished, then let Kurumu know she was going outside to play.
Instead of a yard full of junk, there was now a flat lawn with a swing set and jungle gym for her to play on in the back yard. The sides were clear of anything except a couple stone lined planters filled with flowers. Coming around to the front of the house, she could not find anything to hide under or behind. She did notice a new statue by the front door. The stone colored gargoyle sat watching the front gate. The thing was big, and most of those things were made of plastic and hollow. That might be a great place to hide.
Reiko went over and grabbed a paw to lift it. It didn't move. This thing was really heavy. The paws didn't move anyway. Catching motion out of the corner of her eye, she looked to see the gargoyle was now looking at her. It sniffed her.
Reiko recoiled away from it with a surprised yelp, and tripped to sit. The gargoyle turned it's head back to the gate to continue it's vigil.
That thing was alive! Reiko got up and raced around to the kitchen door. She burst in, which made Kurumu look at her.
Pointing, Reiko stuttered out, "Th ...Ther …. there's a monster in the front yard!"
Kurumu raised an eyebrow. "What does this monster look like?"
"It's BIG!, it kinda looks like a stone …. gargoyle thing, but it moved … it looked at me and sniffed me!" Reiko said breathlessly.
Kurumu laughed and waved a hand. "Dear, that is just a guardian. Ruby called it to keep anyone from trying to get in that doesn't belong here. He won't hurt you," she assured the girl. Opening a ceramic jar, Kurumu asked, "Cookie?"
Reiko went over to Kurumu and asked, "A guardian?" Kurumu didn't seem concerned at all that there was a monster big enough to eat people in the front yard.
"Yes, dear. It knows who belongs here and who to watch out for," Kurumu assured her and gave her a cookie. "This is a new recipe, Chocolate chip with just a touch of mint. Tell me if you like it."
Reiko took a bite. She chewed or a moment, then said, "This is really good!"
"Ya-hoo! I knew you'd like it," Kurumu beamed. "How about some of those in your lunch tomorrow?"
"Yes, please!"
Behind Kurumu, a pan burst into flames. Reiko cried, "Fire!"
Kurumu let out a yelp and grabbed the handle and tossed the pan into the sink. It was still burning and she couldn't reach the faucet to turn the water on. Her wings came out. She fanned the flame as she cried at it, "Stop burning!"
Reiko stared at her. Kurumu had wings? All she could do was stare as Kurumu beat at the flames then when they died down some, she hit the faucet with a wing tip to turn it on. The water douses the flames with a hissing sound.
"Ow Ow Oww!" Kurumu complained and flapped her injured wing quickly, kicking up a breeze. She curled up her singed wing up to look at it. She ran the end under the stream of water, then flapped it briefly again. Her wings disappeared into her back as she scowled at nothing.
Returning her attention to Reiko, who was stock still, staring at her, she asked, "Are you OK, dear?"
Reiko nodded absently. "You have wings," she said.
Kurumu motioned her over to a pair of stools and said, "Sit down, dear."
Reiko sat facing Kurumu, not sure what to expect.
Gently Kurumu said, "You saw what you call a monster in the front yard, didn't you."
Reiko nodded.
"Well, dear, we are all monsters here of one kind or another. You see, we went to school to learn how to get along with humans, and we do that pretty well. Unfortunately, humans are afraid and don't want to get along with us. That means we have to hide who we are. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Yukari told me I can't let anyone know she's a witch," Reiko offered.
"That's right, because people would be afraid and become violent. It's the same with all of us. We don't dare let anyone know."
"I've always heard that monsters are mean and nasty, but no one here is," Reiko said. "So, what kind of monster is Tsukune?"
Kurumu grew a grin and said, "A very sweet one, to the people he loves. As for what his kind is called, you really don't want to know."
"What are you?"
"I'm what's called a Succubus. Yes, I have wings, and if needed, I have very sharp talons. I much prefer to live with my Destined One and my friends, have fun and take care of my family."
"Can I see one? Your talons I mean?" Reiko asked.
"I'd prefer not to," Kurumu said and looked at the sink. "I already had one accident today."
Scrunching up her face in thought, Reiko said, "This seems backwards. All of you are so kind, yet people like my father are horrible to me. Maybe someone got it backwards, and we're the monsters."
Kurumu cast Reiko a gentle smile and said, "Dear, there are good and bad people in every race. It's not a matter of what you are, but what you act like. Please remember that."
For some reason Reiko felt like giving Kurumu a hug, so she did. Kurumu hugged her back.
.
The next day at school, Reiko decided to use her library time to find a book on Succubus. She had to look hard, then ask the librarian. The woman suggested one of the books on legendary monsters in the fantasy section. It took a while but Reiko found it. She sat down and looked up Succubus. What she read appalled her.
"What a bunch of garbage!" she said angrily.
Looking over at her, Himari Nishisume said, "Of course it is, that is all fantasy, you know."
With a hiss in her low voice, Reiko said, "But it's just plain wrong! It's all bull crap! Kurumu doesn't go sneaking into people's beds at night, she doesn't suck the souls out of men or eat people! And here it calls her a demon that lives in the abyss. Whoever wrote this should be punished!"
"Quiet please," the librarian reminded her from her desk.
Himari let out a giggle. "It sounds like you know her," she whispered.
Reiko closed the book and whispered back, "I know her a lot better than whoever the Baka was who wrote this book."
Himari perked up as Reiko went to put the book back. She decided to follow Reiko back to the shelves.
Catching up, she asked, "So, what were you looking up?"
Reiko was about to tell her, then remembered Kurumu's warning, as well as Yukari's and Tsukune's. "It was just something I heard, it's not important."
"Then why did you get so mad reading it?" Himari asked.
Reiko wanted to tell her about how happy Kurumu was, the woman who made delicious food and wonderful cookies, who sat and explained things to her. And how this book basically called her a thing to be destroyed on sight. It was so unfair, but she knew she couldn't say anything else. "Just forget I said anything," Reiko grumbled and walked quickly away.
Himari had noted about where Reiko had been looking in that book. She pulled it out and tried to figure out what page she'd been on. It was time to play detective.
.
The library period was over, Tsukune had laid out the homework sheets on each student's desk. The students had twenty minutes upon returning to look over the assignments and ask any questions they might have. The students that had stayed in the classroom were already working on their homework.
The students who had gone to the library trickled in. Miss Nishisume and Miss Uaida stopped in front of his desk, bearing tense looks.
"Yes, girls?" Tsukune asked.
They shifted foot to foot, then Miss Uaida asked, "Mr. Aono sensei, do you know a woman named Kurumu?"
" Many women have that name. Do you have a last name?" he asked.
"Ahhh, no," she said sheepishly.
"Why are you asking?" he prodded.
Quickly, Miss Nishisume said, "We heard she might be famous."
Tsukune shrugged. "Sorry, I don't know any famous people. Your homework assignments are on your desk. You should look them over to see if you have any questions," he told them.
"Yes, Sensei," they chorused, and went to their seats.
Tsukune went back to his work, but he remembered they had head him and the girls talking in the park, saying things they really shouldn't be saying. Mizore had mentioned Kurumu's name. It was fairly obvious those two girls were trying to find out more about him. By how nervous they acted, they already suspected something.
.
Leaving school, Tsukune saw Reiko waiting for him again. He looked out at the street and asked, "Your father again?"
"No, I just feel safer walking home with you."
"That's fine," Tsukune said and opened the door. "Ladies first."
Tsukune walked along keeping a sharp eye and ear out for trouble. In dong this, he noticed someone was following them. By the sounds of the footsteps, it was a couple kids, He heard them talking in low voices. It was Miss Nishisume and Miss Uaida.
"Are you sure that was the book she was looking at?"
"Yes, I saw her put it away."
"And, what monster was she looking at?"
"I don't know, I didn't see what page she was on. The point is, she was looking at MONSTERS!"
"Himari, ever think the was messing with you?"
"No, she was really upset that book had bad things written about this Kurumu. I mean she was mad."
"If Mr. Aono and those women do drink blood, then why is she hanging out with them?"
"I don't know! Aren't you worried about her?"
"Not really, I mean Mr. Aono has done nothing but get rid of those men who came to the school, and now she's living with them since her family is broken up. Aren't those good things?"
"Let's just see where they live, OK?"
"Himari, if you're wrong, we'll get in trouble. If you're right, then we could be in deeper trouble, like disappeared or dead!"
"If you're scared, then go home!"
"Fine."
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Home. See you tomorrow,"
"But, I though you were coming with me?"
"I changed my mind."
"I'm not doing this alone … Hey, wait up!"
Tsukune heard them both walk away. He breathed a sigh of relief.
.
Two days later, Tsukune got another visit at school. Inspector Nakamura came to see him, and again, it was a visit in the principal's office, only this time without the principal.
Inspector Nakamura didn't sit down, so Tsukune stayed standing also.
"This will be brief," the inspector said. "Mr Kume is back in jail, this time for assault with intent to kill. Mrs. Kume has committed suicide, and the judge determined that Reiko is now a ward of the state. Which means she'll be sent to an orphanage. That is unless you'd like to adopt her."
"That woman committed suicide?" Tsukune asked.
"Sleeping pill overdose. Think you want to keep Reiko?"
Tsukune frowned. "Reiko is fitting in well," he mused. "And to throw her into an environment like that just doesn't seem right. This is a big step, can I think about it for a few days?"
"Yes. Tell you what, you think about it and call me when you decide. Either way, her only living relative we can find is her father, and she is not going back to him."
"I agree," Tsukune said. "Thank you for telling me."
"Be in touch soon," the inspector said.
.
Tsukune thought about it the rest of the day. During a break, he called Moka and told her what was up. She immediately said yes, adopt her. She also agreed to ask Kurumu, Yukari and Ruby.
On the way home from school, Tsukune kept quiet about what he'd talked about with the inspector. Reiko was right there, and it was tempting to tell her something. He figured it would be better to wait until they got home.
Upon entering, Kurumu met them. She put an arm around Reiko and showed them into the living room where everyone was waiting for them. By the serious looks on all their faces, Reiko asked, "What's up?"
Reiko was bracketed by Kurumu and Moka. Tsukune sat across from them, Yukari and Ruby to his sides. Leaning forward, elbows on knees pose, Tsukune said in a serious tone, "Reiko, I don't know how to say this gently, so I'll just say it. I talked to the police today. Your mother died. Your father is in jail, this time until his trial at the very least. The man I talked to said there are two options for you. Stay here with us permanently, or go to an orphanage."
"Tsukune, you can't send her to an orphanage!" Kurumu cried.
"I'm not saying I am. We live a … different lifestyle here. In an orphanage, Reiko can be..."
"I want to stay!" Reiko all but yelled. "Please, let me stay." Turning to Kurumu, she pleaded, "Please?"
Kurumu hugged her and asked, "Dear, will you be happy with us?"
"Yes! Kurumu, I want you to be my mom."
"Ohh, that is so sweet of you," Kurumu said as she blushed.
"I'll be your mom too," Moka added.
Reiko turned her head to look at her. "Really? I'll have two moms?"
Moka nodded.
Seeing the question of adoption seemed to be settled, Tsukune said, "I can make the call and start the adoption process then?"
"Yes," everyone replied in a chorus, Reiko the loudest of all.
"Ya-Hoo! I'm going to be a mother!" Kurumu yelled.
"Can I be a mother too?" Yukari asked.
"You aren't mated to Tsukune yet, flat chest," Kurumu told her and stuck her tongue out at her.
"Why you..." Yukari growled.
"STOP! Before it gets started," Moka said sternly. Looking at Reiko, she said, "Hon, before you are eager to become part of this family, there's something you need to know. None of us are human."
"I know," Reiko said with a nod. "You're all monsters. Kurumu … I mean, Mamma Kurumu already told me."
"She did?" Ruby asked, and eyed Kurumu.
"Yes, when the pan caught fire in the kitchen," Reiko explained. "Her wings came out and she put the fire out by hitting the faucet on with her wing." Reiko snorted out a chuckle and said, "She was flapping and ouching because she burned it. After that, she explained to me that we can't tell anyone because they would be afraid and might do bad things to us."
Tsukune noted one important thing, Reiko had said 'us' not 'you'. She was already considering herself one of them.
.
Reiko was sad that her mother died, but only because a person died. And her father in jail, well, she was actually happy about that. Best of all, the life of fear and hiding she knew was over. Sure, she had to be careful what to say in school, but that was for her new family, not because of them. At home now, she felt comfortable. Even though she knew they were all monsters, she wasn't afraid. If anything, from time to time, they were funny. Mother Kurumu liked to tease. Mother Moka did some silly things from time to time, even being so smart. The same with Yukari. Reiko wasn't sure where Yukari fit in the family, but she did. Ruby loved to tease Tsukune by calling him Master. She could tell her new Dad wasn't comfortable with it, but Ruby said it so seriously it was funny. Reiko knew there were no real slaves in Japan.
Her mothers, Kurumu and Moka, both took time with her. Helping with school work. Mostly Mother Moka – Mother Kurumu got a headache from thinking too hard. Teaching her how to do things in the kitchen, that was what Mother Kurumu excelled at. Just sitting down to play a game with one or more of her family was fun too.
Like everyone else, she had her chores to do, but they weren't taxing. She liked helping Mother Kurumu in the kitchen, doing yard work with Ruby and her new Dad, and even when it came time to clean, it was with the family. Someone was nearby and she was never ignored. She really liked that.
When the adoption came through, she was proud to put on her school papers, Aono Reiko. The first time she did it, Miss Kurama called her to the front.
"Reiko, you put down Aono as your last name?" her teacher asked.
Reiko bobbed her head. "Yes, Mr. Aono adopted me."
"Who's your mother?"
"Moka," she replied. For school purposes, they decided Moka would be listed as her mother to keep people from asking questions.
"I see. Are you happy there?"
"Very," Reiko said beaming her a smile. "I feel safe there, and it's fun. We're going to go visit a lady named Mizore during winter break too! She lives waaay up in the mountains."
"That sound interesting. Thank you … Miss Aono." Miss Kurama said. When Reiko walked back to her seat, she couldn't help to see that the girl looked to be walking a bit taller. Apparently, Mr. Aono's family was good for her.
.
Before the winter break was the parent / teachers meetings. Tsukune had to stay late at school to meet with parents, so he couldn't walk Reiko home. Seeing how this made Reiko nervous, Ruby came to walk her home in the afternoons. Although most kids Reiko's age didn't want to be walked home, Reiko felt better with someone near her.
Moka arrived at the school to meet with Miss Kurama. Since Tsukune had to stay, Moka took a late appointment so they could go home together. There was a woman in the classroom with Miss Kurama, Moka waited patiently outside until they were done.
The door opened and the woman left. Miss Kurama came out, looked at Moka, and froze. This was Miss Aono's mother. Tsukune said he wasn't married. She had no idea how to address the pink haired woman.
"Miss Kurama, Reiko's teacher?" Moka asked.
"Yes, please come in," Miss Kurama said pleasantly. "I'm afraid I don't know your name."
"Aono Moka. We recently adopted Reiko," Moka said as they went in.
The bright pink hair and eyebrows threw Miss Kurama. She hadn't expected such wild colored hair on an adult. Moka also didn't look very old. Then again, neither did Mr. Aono. Pushing that aside, she motioned for Moka to have a seat and got Reiko's files. "Mrs. Aono, I have to say, whatever you are doing with Reiko is working. Her grades in the last month had improved considerably. She has gone from just squeaking by, to having a very good grade."
Moka offered her a smile and said, "Reiko had been working hard. She is a wonderful child."
"I have noticed her demeanor has changed for the better. For a young woman, you are performing miracles with her."
Moka giggled and said, "It's not just me, we all are doing our best for her. We saw the miserable life she was leading. We just want her to know we are behind her."
Miss Kurama nodded sadly. "I always suspected Reiko didn't have the best home life. I am pleased she does now. She mentioned you are going on vacation during the winter break?""
"Not really a vacation, we're going to see a friend. It will also give Reiko a chance to see the … mountains," Moka explained. She'd almost said the 'snow fairie village'. That would have been a mistake. She quickly added, "And I'm sure Mizore is eager to see her as well."
"She does indeed," Miss Kurama agreed. "I take it Mizore is a good friend of yours?"
"She is, and we're all eager to see her son, Tsukune Junior," Moka said brightly.
"That's strange, isn't Mr. Aono's name Tsukune?"
Oops. Moka realized she might have let the wrong thing slip. With a giggle, hand over her mouth to be sure her fangs didn't show, she said, "Yes. Quite the coincidence, isn't it? So, is there any areas where Reiko needs to improve?"
"Last quarter, I'd have a laundry list for you," Miss Kurama said, "But now, she seems to be doing well.
You have done wonders with her. I thank you for coming in to speak with me."
"I am happy to meet with you, Miss Kurama," Moka replied.
Miss Kurama showed Moka out then frowned in thought. Mr. Aono had a child with this Mizore, and they were going to see her as a family? Those must be some very good friends!
.
Tsukune's meeting with parents went pretty much like he suspected they would. The only one that didn't was with the Nishisumes. Usually either the father or the mother was too busy to come, so he'd see only one of them, usually the mother. Mr. and Mrs. Nishisume both showed up.
As with all the parents, he went over Himari's grades, which were a little above average, Her social status with the other children, she had a few close friends but seemed to get along with everyone, and the fact she was very inquisitive and paid close attention. He then asked if they had any questions for him.
"Mr. Aono," Mrs. Nishisume said with a concerned look on her face. "We are worried about Himari's obsession with fantasy."
"Yes," Mr. Nishisume agreed. "She keeps going on about monsters in the school. She says she knows they are here, and my wife here found a notebook she's been keeping with all the 'clues' she's found. She has stopped talking to us about it, but we saw a library book she brought home about monsters."
"We are afraid she is loosing touch with reality," Mrs. Nishisume added.
Tsukune nodded slowly. "She's playing detective." he said. "She does that here too. She has come out with some rather odd questions."
"Is that healthy?" Mr. Nishisume asked.
"What I've seen so far, it hasn't affected her grades, or her standing with the other students," Tsukune told them. "I think Himari wants to be a detective when she grows up. I'm sure later, she will shift to more real world things to investigate. Look folks, students her age are playing to be the best at what they want to be. Himari wants to be the one to break that big case. What bigger case can she break, than by proving something everyone else thinks is just fairytails, is real? Honesty, what I've been watching is how much effort she has been putting into her game. The fact she has come to me to ask questions about it and digs for information proves that later in life, she will peruse her chosen goal very hard. That is a good thing."
"Mr. Aono, Himari thinks you are a monster," Mrs. Nishisume said firmly.
Tsukune chuckled and said, "Yes, I know. She has, well, asked some questions along those lines. She thought I was a vampire for a while, that was until one of her friends pointed out that I'm here during the day," he said with a grin. "I'm not taking offense to it. I'm a safe target she can focus on because I won't be offended by her behavior." With a fake sneer he said, "I'm the evil teacher who gives her homework!"
That made the couple laugh.
"So, you think there's nothing to worry about," Mr. Nishisume said.
"I do not. In time, most likely by the end of the year, she will move on to something else. Most kids do," Tsukune told them.
"Thank you, Mr. Aono," Mrs. Nishisume said with a sigh.
"You're quite welcome, Sir and Ma'am."
.
Reiko got her homework done, then went down to the kitchen to help Mother Kurumu. She noticed right away the steaks and all the pans on the stove.
"Hey Mama Kurumu? I learned something really neat in school today," Reiko said.
"Really, Dear?"
"Yes, do we have baking soda?"
Kurumu pointed to a cupboard. "Third shelf up, in the middle."
Reiko got it out and showed it to Kurumu. "Keep it out where it's handy, and open. If you dump it on a fire, it will put the fire out and you won't burn a wing," she said with a grin. "It even says so, right here on the box."
Kurumu took the box with a frown and asked, "How do they know I have wings?"
Reiko laughed. "You're silly, Mama! It does put out fires."
"You are a very smart girl! Thank You!" Kurumu beamed. Not having a knife handy, she extended a nail from her index finger and cut the box top off. She put the open box on the counter by the stove.
"So, is there something I can do?" Reiko asked.
"Hmmm, let's see," Kurumu said and looked around. "Oh yes! The vegetables for the stir-fry. They are in the crock there, The sauce I made is on the second shelf of the refrigerator, clear plastic bowl. Dump the sauce into the crock to warm it up for me wile I slice up the meat."
Reiko put the sauce in, noting is smelled great. She stirred it up and said, "What next?"
"Get the wok out, please."
Reiko did and asked, "Mama, why pre cook everything before you cook it?"
"It's not cooked, Dear." Kurumu said as she transferred the strips of meat into the crock. "Getting everything warm helps the food absorb the sauce before it is cooked, which makes it more flavorful."
Reiko filled away this cooking tip. Mother Kurumu was teaching her all kinds of neat tricks on how to make food taste really good. She wanted to be just like Mama Kurumu … well, she could only dream about the wings.