Disclaimer: I do not own R+V at all.

Chapter 10

"Kokoa wake up" Tsukune called out excitedly. "I know what we have to do to complete this game."

Kokoa stirred at Tsukune's voice and looked up at him.

"What do you mean? We can actually get out of here?" Kokoa inquired sleepily.

"Yes, but we have to return to the surface to gather some things from Ruby's room" Tsukune said. "I believe she has a map of these tunnels that we need right away."

Excitedly Tsukune clutched the package he was carrying tightly and began to walk back towards the chamber with the water. Kokoa picked herself up quickly and followed him closely.

They made it out of the caverns only to discover that it was night time.

"Tsukune what's put you into such a good mood" Kokoa asked as she watched Tsukune (who was radiating happiness).

"No one's dead Kokoa. No one's dead" Tsukune told her with a grin. "And now I know how to beat this game."

Kokoa's eyes lit up when she heard that. No one had died (which was a huge relief to her) and they were soon going to be able to rejoin the others. Yet at the back of her mind Kokoa knew that something would change if she didn't try talking to Tsukune now.

However that chance had still not come as the two entered the chairman's office again.

"Ruby's room is somewhere in here. She told me that when while exploring the caverns we were just in. To be honest I have no idea why she told me, but I'm now grateful she did" Tsukune said.

Kokoa groaned slightly. Despite Tsukune becoming a dhampir he still held onto his naivety towards women.

"Okay then let's just check as many of the rooms as possible" Kokoa said as she began walking up to the doors and opening them one by one.

Tsukune followed suit until he opened a one door and closed it immediately afterwards.

"I think I found Ruby's room" Tsukune said as his face went deathly white.

Kokoa rushed over and her face went even paler than usual as well. Ruby's room was filled to the brim with bizarre torture devices and magical tomes.

"We should probably be careful in here" Kokoa stated as she began walking towards the desk situated at the far end of the room.

Tsukune followed closely after her, eyeing each and every one of the bizarre instruments. When he finally reached Kokoa at the desk Tsukune leaned over her and grabbed a red cover book.

"This is it" Tsukune told her. "We'll need to return to the empty crypt."

Quickly making his way out of the room he didn't see Kokoa's satisfied smirk. She knew that there was one other point in her favour at this moment.

Despite the fact that it was night the two were not attacked at all on their way back to the crypt and easily returned to where they had rested earlier in the day.

"Tsukune I need to talk with you" Kokoa began, she was nervous and it was clearly evident in everything she was currently doing.

"Sure, what do you need to talk about?" Tsukune questioned as he sat down on the cold floor of the chamber.

"Well...I've...well...been experiencing certain feelings for you lately" Kokoa stammered out. Her nervousness was almost a beacon at this point and was hampering her usually confident attitude.

Tsukune could only sit there letting her comment sink into him.

"Tsukune...?" Kokoa asked. When he continued to be unresponsive she immediately got up and ran from the chamber.

"Kokoa wait" Tsukune finally managed to say.

Kokoa had already disappeared at this point and Tsukune knew what he needed to do. There was no way he was letting her go. He had been dealing with emotions that were probably similar to Kokoa's for a while now and it was time he acted on it.

Getting up he ran after the vampire. Crossing through each of the chambers he found her as she was just about to leave the crypt entirely.

Rushing up to her Tsukune placed his hands over her shoulders and kissed her without a single hint of hesitation.

"That's how I feel about you" he told her once they parted.

Kokoa's smile was all the response he needed as he pulled her into a tight hug.

"Chairman have you figured out what happened to them?" Ruby asked as she paced back and forth outside of the path to the school.

"Somewhat" the chairman replied as he continued to mutter spells and write runes across the ground.

"Should we get anyone else to help you?" Ruby asked again.

"I think he's doing just fine Ruby" Kurumu said angrily as she stamped her feet into the ground.

"We should be patient. There's no telling what could happen to Tsukune if the spell is rushed" Yukari added as she gripped Moka's hand tightly.

"I agree. We need to be patient and allow the chairman to get both Tsukune and Kokoa out of there safely" Moka finished as they remained gathered around the chairman.

Mizore stood to the back, her breath hitching as she felt her youki fluctuate wildly. Something had happened to her before all of this had started and it was now negatively affecting her.

Something had to be done to get Tsukune back because all Mizore knew was that there was some connection between everything that had gone on. Now all they could do was wait for the chairman to solve this problem.

In the background the bus driver walked up as he readjusted his hat and settled down on the nearest bench, a smirk on his face.

End Chapter 10

A/N: Okay I know this was the shortest chapter I've written for this story, but I hoped you enjoyed it anyway. Also I know that the relationship has moved forwards between Tsukune and Kokoa, but it is a necessary step. Things won't change drastically between them yet and there are many challenges left for them in this story. Please review though and enjoy the next chapters. Until next time,

Nanashi Wanderer