Chapter 37

Resting Peace

"Well, this is going to be a problem."

Already, the chopping of the helicopter's rotors was fading into the quiet of the night, and the mountains around the Resting Place had long ago hidden it from sight. Only one person had arrived in time to witness its departure, racing towards it as it had lifted into the sky. Nothing he could have done would have stopped it from escaping; he knew this, but such knowledge was hardly enough to keep him from bitterly wishing he had returned just moments earlier.

Gabriel tore his eyes away from the empty darkness to look around him. He was standing in what had been part of the forest behind the Resting Place, but had recently become a fresh clearing. All around him, trees lay in shattered jumbles, splintered branches and raw wounds decorating those that still stood at the perimeter. It had been here that Tsukune and the others had faced Thanatos for the final time, Gabriel surmised, and it seemed that the wraith had not gone down easily. But… he had lost, and for that the guardian was immensely thankful. In the past weeks, he had become rather attached to those four teens, and he was pleased that they all had survived their encounter with the abomination.

That was the only consolation he could cling to, however, in the face of the fear bubbling up from deep within him. He had been ordered by the Hell-King not to interfere with the battle between Thanatos and the four students, and once he had discovered Michael's prone form he had chosen to rush his partner to safety before returning to watch over the conflict. He had made it to the Coopers' home and back in record time, but by the time he had reached this part of the forest, the students had left the battlefield... as had Thanatos, thanks to the helicopter.

Gabe knew well who was responsible for the villain's escape. He could no longer sense Sam's presence, and the helicopter had most likely come from Fairy Tale. Though he could hardly deduce why, Gabe was beginning to suspect that Thanatos' defeat had played into the traitor's plans. And now, Fairy Tale held both Mori Retsu's phylactery and the wraith… the soul and the body of Death. The guardian shivered as he considered that notion. Surely Fairy Tale wouldn't be stupid enough to try to resurrect a monster that powerful, that uncontrollable… right?

He doubted Fairy Tale would do something so risky. Sam, on the other hand…

Gabriel lowered his gaze to the scarred earth around him, lost in his thoughts. He knew that the Hell-King had reasons for why he and Michael had not been allowed to interfere with the battle: if Thanatos had managed to strike either of them down and devour their powers, he would have become even more of a threat. Still… without their presence, there had been little to impede Sam's plotting. Gabriel had served his master for a very, very long time, and had had very few occasions to doubt the Hell-King's wisdom. Now, however…

The glint of moonlight shining from underneath some of the downed brush caught Gabe's eye, and he instinctively turned towards it. He stepped towards the metallic gleam, struggling to make out the shape in the midst of the fallen branches. Was that- the guardian froze in place as he realized what it was that had drawn his attention, until he hastily stooped to pull it free from the leafy debris.

A moment later, Gabriel straightened, holding his prize aloft. As he stared at his reflection in the pearlescent blade, he could feel the sword tugging at him, trying to draw his essence away from his body. Still, he could resist, at least as long as he held the safer end of the tainted weapon. Memories stirred as his eyes wandered over the ivory death's-head at the cross-guard, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "It's been a while, Charon," he murmured, recalling all of the lives, all of the allies, that had been lost to the blade of Death. He may have failed to capture Thanatos for the Hell-King, but he would not be returning to his master empty-handed.

Still, the guardian paused, staring intently at the blade. Things were about to get very complicated, he knew. Even if they managed to seal away Charon, Thanatos would still pose a definite threat to them, especially with the backing of Fairy Tale. And, if the wraith managed to get his hands on the phylactery… Gabriel's reflection grimaced back at him, and he shook his head. He had seen too many people die already, and things weren't looking up for the near future.

At the least, though, Tsukune and the others were safe, for now. That knowledge made the night feel like less of an utter failure, if only just so. From now on, they would take care of the war against Thanatos and the traitor guardian, and those four students could get back to their normal lives. He wished that they would be able to enjoy some peace and quiet now that the conflict with the wraith was over.

Something, however, told him that such might not be the case.

"Man, it's good to be back!"

Her friends both mumbled assent as Kurumu stretched luxuriously, each of them sprawled across the chairs and couch in the common room of the Resting Place. Even though they were all beyond exhausted, drained by their intense battle with Thanatos and by the struggles they had undergone whilst under his power, they were still too exhilarated to drop into their beds just yet. It had been by silent mutual assent that they had chosen to linger downstairs, though Tsukune had excused himself to go to the restroom some time ago. Soon, each of them would be returning to their rooms to sleep, but for now they were enjoying each other's presence, taking comfort in that which they had nearly lost forever.

"Tell me about it," Mizore commented wryly, chewing on the stick of the sucker hanging from her mouth. "It's been a few days since I've gotten to move around this place. To be honest, I don't even really remember much after he stabbed me with that sword, so everything for the past three days has been a blur."

"Same here, for the last two," Kurumu noted. "I can remember a bit from the first day, but nothing from yesterday." The succubus shivered, wrapping her arms tightly around her midriff. "Except for the feeling of it, anyways. Everything was so empty…" Silence descended on the three girls as unpleasant memories forced themselves to the surface.

"I remember a lot more; maybe it was because I was only gone a day, or because Inner Moka wasn't taken," Moka suggested, trying to change the subject slightly. She glanced down uncomfortably, her eyes lingering on her seal. "I'm sorry that I couldn't…"

"Don't worry about it!" Kurumu scolded her gently, smiling. Her face fell slightly as she turned towards Mizore. "Well, actually, I guess that we both should be apologizing to you, shouldn't we?"

"No, you were right; it wasn't your fault. You couldn't help that Thanatos had erased your memories." The yuki-onna shrugged, but a mirthful smile quickly claimed her face. "Of course, if you want to give me some extra time with Tsukune to make up for it, then I wouldn't refuse. You did get a head start, both of you."

"No way!" Kurumu laughed; she had already begun to consider the best way to celebrate her reunion with Tsukune, once they had all recovered. "Anyways, we spent most of the day before I was attacked doing homework, so you hardly have anything to worry about from me." Her brightening cheeks threatened to expose her lie as she recalled her 'practice' with Tsukune, so she desperately tried to turn the direction of the conversation towards another of her friends. "How about you, Moka? Did anything happen while we were both gone?"

"Ah…" Kurumu was bad at hiding her embarrassment; Moka, on the other hand, failed utterly. Her face a brilliant scarlet, she refused to meet her friends' eyes as the memories raced through her mind: her and Tsukune, alone… her kneeling on his bed, rubbing his shoulders… their limbs intertwined as they kissed, his hand resting on her chest, just below the rosario…

She came back to herself just in time to see the dangerous glance that passed between Mizore and Kurumu. The two stood from the couch, crossing their arms before their chests in brooding disapproval. "Anything you want to tell us, Moka?" Kurumu inquired sharply.

"I… wait, you were blushing earlier, too! I bet you're just as guilty as I am!" Moka shouted, pointing to Kurumu. The succubus' stammering was enough to confirm her suspicions, and suddenly it was Kurumu who was on the receiving end of the dark stares.

The arguing began in earnest at that moment, all three of the girls bringing up the various liberties their rivals had taken in the war for Tsukune. The battle did not last long, however; it was brought to a final silence with the sound of giggling. Freezing in place, Kurumu and Moka turned to face their friend, watching as she began to laugh openly. "Mizore, what's gotten into you?"

"Nothing… it's…" Clutching her side as she continued to laugh, the snow maiden struggled to catch enough of a breath to answer. "It's just that… I never thought the day would come that I would enjoy our bickering like this so much."

This drew the other two girls up short, and they blinked in surprise as they considered Mizore's words. Even though their aggravation was genuine, both Moka and Kurumu could see the snow maiden's point: their fighting had lost some of the edge it had once held. There wasn't the same anger, and fear, behind their battling over Tsukune. They might not want the other girls to get an advantage over them, but they each knew that they would have their own turns soon, by one way or another. If anything now, their rivals' antics only spurred each of them on further, and that certainly wasn't something they minded… considering the recent results.

Still, it couldn't last, right? They would eventually be back at school, back to their normal lives. They would have to leave behind the Resting Place, and the life they had here, and their peace…

But that would be then, and this was now.

"Maybe you do have more to catch up on than I admitted," Kurumu yielded with a chuckle, flopping back onto the couch with a wistful smile.

"But don't think that means we'll be giving you a free chance," Moka teased, taking her seat once more.

"That's fine," Mizore mused, sitting down as she tapped her chin with a contemplative grin. "You don't have to 'give' me a chance, I can make my own opportunities." She beamed at that notion, suddenly recalling the last night before she had been taken away. Perhaps… She closed her eyes and smiled dreamily, snuggling against the couch.

Beside her, both Moka and Kurumu stared at her nervously, imagining what could be running through the snow maiden's mind, and the best way to counter it. They would have to be careful, or else Mizore would go too far… before they could. Of course, they could just try to beat her to the punch. Planning out their own actions would prove considerably more enjoyable, they discovered, and thus Moka and Kurumu joined the yuki-onna in dreaming their next maneuvers to win Tsukune's heart as their exhaustion stealthily claimed them. And so the three friends sat, and plotted, and dozed, as their game rolled on.

It was a sort of peace, and it was good enough for them.

"I don't know what to do!"

Tsukune winced as his hands throbbed, protesting his decision to slam them against the top of the bathroom sink. Still, that pain was hardly enough to distract him from the anguish that had left him with a headache entirely different from the ones that had been plaguing him for the past few days. This was less of a haunting pain, and more of a sharp reminder of reality, the agony of frustration. His body, especially the ankle that had been wrenched during the battle with Thanatos, insisted that he find his way to his bed and collapse onto it, but his mind still raced, unwilling to let him surrender to sleep until he gave it the answer it craved. What was he going to do, what could he do, how could he-?

Tsukune knew that he wouldn't find peace until he made his decision.

And so he stood there, for minutes that felt like hours, or hours that felt like minutes, until he could no longer tell. He stared at his reflection in the mirror above the sink, hoping to find some answer, some hint, something that could save him, but the dark of his eyes revealed nothing but more of the circles his mind keep chasing itself in. So it had been for ages, and yet he felt that tonight had to be different. Tonight, he had to give the girls his decision, make the choice they expected from him.

Could it wait? Could he put it off again, make his mind up on another day when he wasn't so tired, when he hadn't fought for his life just hours before… well, whenever that might be, considering how his life tended to go. They had waited this long; surely they could give him another night. Or two. Or, maybe when they got back to Yokai Academy-

No, he had to make his decision now, or he never would. Tsukune swallowed, tearing his eyes away from his reflection to stare down at the drain below him. That meant he had to listen to what his heart was telling him that it wanted, and yet ignore what it seemed to be saying, since that would be impossible. If only he could figure it all out…

Minutes, or hours, later, Tsukune straightened his head once more to stare dull-eyed into the obstinately-silent mirror. There was nothing he could do here. He had to get back, or the girls would get worried. With that thought spurring him onward, Tsukune lurched towards the door that would lead him out of the bathroom, making his way slowly back to the common room.

There was always tomorrow, he thought, hating himself all the while.

When Tsukune reached the bottom of the stairs the common room was silent. A whisper of dread stirred in his stomach as he limped around the corner, his wounded ankle becoming more vocal in its protesting. He ignored it for the moment, pushing it aside until he was certain that the girls were alright. To his relief, he found all three of them slumped in their seats, their eyes closed and their chests slowly rising as the faint sound of their breathing filled the room.

Tsukune walked up to the table between the couch and the chair that Moka had taken. He had to wake them up and see them to bed; they were at least as tired as he was, and a good night's sleep would help all of them put the horrors they had faced far behind them. Still, something checked his hand and his voice, and he stood silently, his eyes slowly voyaging from one slumbering face to another.

He smiled as he saw that Kurumu had slid sideways towards Mizore, her head resting on the snow maiden's shoulder, though his cheeks brightened as he noticed how her shirt had shifted to expose more than normal. Mizore had let her face turn up towards the ceiling, and the stick of her sucker hung loosely from the corner of her mouth. For the moment, he could slightly understand her voyeuristic tendencies, as he had never seen such a relaxed, unguarded expression on her face, and he enjoyed it immensely. And, just to his left, beside him… He turned to Moka, his smile brightening as he saw that, even in sleep, her lips curled upwards; whatever she was thinking as she had drifted off, it had left its mark upon her even after her consciousness had slipped away. He let his eyes roam over her face, remembering the various expressions he had seen upon it recently… especially some newer ones, like the one she had worn during their time in his room the day before Thanatos had come for her. Passion, anxiety, nervous desire, quiet determination… he wanted to see that again, and so many more expressions that she had not yet shown him. And… his gaze shifted back to the side, to look upon the other two faces once more.

"I just don't know what to do," Tsukune admitted quietly, not quite understanding why he had chosen to speak, but compelled to do so. He could never say this to them directly, but now that they were sleeping, perhaps he could release some of the emotions that had been gaining pressure within his chest. Cautiously keeping his voice just above a whisper, Tsukune allowed the words to pour from him, finally freeing some of the thoughts that had been plaguing him for the past weeks, the ghosts that had been haunting him as he had worked toward the solution that still hung out of his reach.

"I have to choose. I know that." Tsukune sighed, his eyes dropping to the table before him. "None of us will ever have any sort of peace until we do. Once I make my decision, and tell you all, then we can move on. All I have to do is figure out which one of you I love." He chuckled at that, but the sound was all but muted by the emotional exhaustion he felt. Still, a light began to burn in his eyes as he raised his head, resolution dawning upon his face. "That, at least, I already know."

He turned to his left, facing the girl sleeping in the chair beside him. "Moka. You've been with me ever since I first came to the academy. You've saved my life more times than I could count… and you've given me a reason to press on, even when I felt like everything was lost. I've always cared for you, but what I've felt for you… for both of you, has only grown with time. I don't think anything could change that, and I don't think that I could ever answer which side of you I love more. I need you in my life, I need to see your smiling face, or everything would feel so, so very empty."

"Moka Akashiya, I love you."

The silence devoured his words as he stared at her, a sad smile on his lips. Once, not all that long ago, he could have left it at that, could he ever have managed the courage to say it to her face… if this counted as such. Mere weeks ago, he believed that he could have concluded there, and he would have been satisfied.

But not now.

He turned to look at the girl sitting on the far end of the couch, her eyes still closed beneath the spread of her blue hair. He drank in the curves of her cheeks, imagined the deep violet of her eyes. "Kurumu. I've known for a long time how important you are to our group of friends: you've always been the heart of us, keeping us together and giving us the will to keep moving forward. Now, though, I know how important you are to me, personally. You make me enjoy life more than I thought possible, and seeing you smile warms my heart in ways I can't…" Tsukune blushed at that, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment as he thought of the way that Kurumu's eyes lit up when they had kissed. "…once, Kurumu, you asked me to say that I loved you, and I couldn't. Now, I can say it without hesitation or doubt."

"Kurumu Kurono, I love you."

Remembering himself, Tsukune hurriedly glanced around at all three of the girls. Thankfully, they had yet to stir, remaining deep asleep despite all that he had said. That was a relief, he thought to himself, his eyes sliding to the perfectly-still girl just to his right. He wouldn't, couldn't, stop now.

"Mizore. When we first met, you said that we were kindred spirits, that you had felt it in my writing. I didn't understand that then… but I do now. You and I, we were both isolated, and it took our friends to bring us out of that. Even now, though, whenever I feel lonely, you are there to remind me that I am not alone. You thrill me, you entice me, but you make me feel comfortable, all that the same time. I feel like I could talk to you for hours without running out of things to say… and I feel like I could sit with you in silence and never feel uncomfortable. In a lot of ways, you feel like the other half of me, and I realize now how much I need you."

"Mizore Shirayuki, I love you."

With those words said, Tsukune smiled softly, feeling some of the tension that had gripped him leave, if only for the moment. These thoughts had been circling around him ever since they had gone together to the karaoke club, building inside him with every day. Even though he hardly had the courage to say them to the three girls while they were awake, it was an incredible release to be able to utter them now. He turned his head again, scanning each girl in turn, making sure that they were still asleep. As he did, he felt slightly more at peace. After all, it had been nice to be able to find something he was certain of.

"But it isn't that easy, is it?"

Tsukune paused, the words surprising him, even though he had given them voice. He didn't want to delve back into the darkness that had eaten at him before, but it followed at the heels of his feelings, just like always. So many times, he had followed this same road through his thoughts, and even though he knew that, unlike the previous declarations, voicing them would bring him no relief, he couldn't restrain them any longer.

"Choice… how am I supposed to make a choice? I love you all. I am in love with all three of you. How am I…!" His voice trembled, its volume rising, and he struggled to keep it under control before he let himself say anything else. He couldn't wake them up, not now. "I will never be able to choose. Maybe that would have been possible once, but now? After what we went through with that monster… I see now what my life would be like, if even one of you weren't in it. I want us to all stay together, but any decision I make will shatter that!"

He chuckled bitterly, once hand coming up to his face to tightly grip his bangs as he released a ragged breath. "I wish I could say that I choose not to make a choice between you, but… that would hardly be fair to any of you, would it?" Tsukune turned his face towards the ceiling, smiling with sardonic self-loathing as he fought to subdue the urge to pace madly. "I can just imagine how well that would go over. No, no. I, I have to…"

He paused, the wrenching in his chest rising once more to agonizing levels, almost overpowering all thought. "Nothing I can say will be the right answer. Nothing I can do will be perfect." Unconsciously shaking his head, he turned his eyes downward, feeling exhaustion try to overwhelm him. "I don't know what to do. I don't know that I ever will. I…" Tsukune clenched his fists, digging his nails into the skin of his palms, as he felt tears of frustration welling up in his eyes. "I don't know what to do!"

"Then why don't you just ask?"

Tsukune's blood froze in his veins as his muscles locked in place. He had been quiet enough, right? He had been whispering. Maybe Moka had only heard a little, not enough to know, maybe- He turned and glanced at her, unable to hide the horror on his face as he saw the knowing smile on her lips, and could tell from one glimpse of her emerald eyes that she had head enough. He could see sympathy in her eyes, and understanding, but he feared the condemnation that had to lurk behind it.

"We're friends, Tsukune, before anything else. You have to talk to your friends." Tsukune grunted as he heard Mizore's voice behind him, and he turned to face her, seeing not a bit of sleep left on her face. She smirked at him, pleased with his surprise.

"Yeah," Kurumu yawned, her stretching arm passing in front of Mizore's face. She blinked drowsily at Tsukune, but he could tell that even she had heard all too much. "Honesty is the best policy, you know."

It was at that moment that Tsukune realized exactly how stupid he had been. Later, he could try to blame it on how tired he was, how stressed and afraid he had been, or how much these thoughts had been preying on his mind over the past weeks. Now, though, there was only the numbing confirmation that yes, all three girls had heard him bare his heart without defense, and now they knew exactly how contemptible he really was.

"Tsukune… why haven't you said anything to us about this? This has been hurting you. I know it wasn't easy, but…" Moka asked softly, standing from her seat to rest her hand on his shoulder. He flinched at the touch, or from the question; he wasn't sure which.

"I…" That was all Tsukune could manage; his mouth, apparently, had decided it had said enough already.

"You couldn't face us, could you?" Mizore clicked her tongue, but the compassionate look in her eyes took some of the edge from the words. "We're not that scary, are we?"

"Even the stalker is lecturing you on being brave enough to face someone," Kurumu teased, grinning back at Mizore's irked glance. Shaking off the last vestiges of grogginess, the succubus turned back to Tsukune, sudden seriousness in her gaze. "Even though you might not have meant for us to hear it… I'm glad you let us know what you were feeling, Tsukune." The three girls shared looks, the emotion very mutual.

"I had wanted to say it, to let you all know, but…" Tsukune found that the words, which had flowed so easily just moments before, chose now to hang in his throat. "I was just afraid that, after I said that - said anything - it would all change." He swallowed with difficulty; that fear had not yet left him. Those words stole some of the relief from the faces of the three girls. That possibility had not escaped them, either.

"We're friends, Tsukune." Moka was the first of the trio to rally, and the determination in her voice gave strength to the others. "The only way we can make progress is by talking about things like this. We'll figure things out, somehow…" Doubt clouded her face as she uttered the last word, the reality of the situation beginning to resurge.

"More than friends, now," Kurumu corrected Moka, the satisfaction she felt in that fact combating her nervousness.

"But isn't that the problem?" Mizore asked, turning to the succubus as she crossed her arms with a thoughtful frown. "Things have worked out so far, but can we all really carry on like this? And won't we still expect Tsukune to make a choice eventually, even if we decide to continue like this?"

"A choice Tsukune said he will never make," Moka uttered quietly. Tsukune glanced to her, and found her gaze to be utterly inscrutable. Despite the blinding terror he felt, certain he was about to damn himself, Tsukune nodded to her.

"If you want me to choose only one of you that I am in love with… then it's too late. I love you all, and as more than just friends." He nodded briefly to Kurumu, confirming her earlier sentiment. "As for what you asked, Mizore…" He paused, hoping for some sudden inspiration, for a solution to emerge from the silence, but nothing came. "I don't have any answers." He glanced at each of them in turn, knowing that they waited for him to continue. "I know that what I feel isn't… isn't fair to any of you. And I don't know any way to make things right." Shrugging, he turned his eyes downward, feeling his self-recrimination once more threaten to overwhelm him. "If any of you wanted to just give up on me, move on, then I would understand completely-" His voice died as he felt the ominous aura from the trio standing around him.

"Not me," Mizore declared sharply.

"Hunh-uh," Kurumu stated.

"Never," Moka said, softly but without a hint of hesitation.

"Then I have nothing I can say," Tsukune closed his eyes, speaking almost to himself more than the girls. "What can I do?"

"Tell us what you want." Moka's voice pulled him from his inner darkness, and he turned to face her.

"What I want?" Wracked by painful confusion, he stared at her, struck mute for a moment. "I want…" Kurumu and Mizore stepped past him, taking a place at either side of Moka, and all three stared at him expectantly. The thoughts and feelings boiled in his stomach, unable to free themselves, until- "I want you all to be happy. I want to stay friends, like we always have been. But I want to move further, with each of you. I want to go to the movies with Mizore again, and go swimming with Kurumu, and ride the Ferris wheel again with Moka, and play the fair games, even if Inner Moka makes me carry what she wins like last time. I want to see what the future could be like with each of you. I want to make you smile, every day, even if we are fighting for our lives or just taking a test for Mrs. Nekonome, whatever we're doing. I want…" Tsukune trailed off, aware of the hot moisture trailing down his cheeks, the way the air burned in his lungs. "I want to stay with you, all of you." Silence fell upon the room in the wake of that confession, as all four of the teens were buried within their own thoughts. It was Tsukune again who spoke next, the ragged words weighted down with emotion. "I am so, so sorry, for all-"

"Sounds good to me."

Three sets of eyes turned to Kurumu as she stepped forward, proud resolve burning in her eyes. She stepped closer to Tsukune, smiling without reservation, and what he saw in her gaze shocked him. "What you want, that is. I'm not too big on the notion of having to keep splitting up my time with you, and I've never been one to share, but…" She glanced back to her friends, no longer afraid. "Personally, I can live with that, if I get to be with you, Tsukune. And, with you two, as well." She blushed at the uncharacteristic confession. "I mean, the past couple of weeks have been pretty nice, you know?"

Both Mizore and Moka gaped at her, but it was the snow maiden who spoke next. "You know what, Kurumu?" She stepped forward, and her face turned towards Tsukune. "You're right. Maybe it would be annoying, having to keep you two from hogging him, but I can always find a way to get him to myself." She reached out a pale hand, resting it against his chest. "I love you, Tsukune, and if I can have you, I'll pay whatever price I have to." She shrugged. "I think I could be happy, living like this. From now on."

Tsukune stared in staggered awe at the two girls, unable to believe what he was hearing. Were they really- did they think they could- would things work- what should he…? When Kurumu and Mizore pivoted to look back to Moka, he followed suit, still not quite able to hide his surprise. His burgeoning hopes flinched, though, as he realized one of them had yet to speak. He looked to Moka, unable to ask, unwilling to hope too much just yet.

"I made my decision a long time ago. I have never doubted how I feel about you, Tsukune." Moka met his gaze, and there was a warm smile deep within her emerald eyes. "But…" She turned, and the others followed her gaze towards the Belmont, resting beside the chair she had occupied earlier. "I think that she will have her own decision to make."

Tsukune nodded, realizing that the time had finally come. It had been she that had first brought up the inevitability of a choice, and so it would be that the final decision would come down to her. Despite the knowledge that Inner Moka would likely be the first of them to speak against the solution they were on the verge of making, he didn't feel afraid, only ready to see what she would choose. He nodded, and Moka stepped closer to him, reaching out to take his hand and raise it to her seal, the Belmont ignored in favor of their familiar practice.

"Don't worry, Tsukune. It'll be okay," Moka whispered to him as she closed her eyes, and as his fingers slid around the silver cross he wondered if he was the only one she was trying to convince. He smiled in response, and their hands yanked to the side, pulling the seal free from its home.

Even though Tsukune was accustomed to the surge of monstrous power that accompanied Moka's transformation, this time it felt particularly potent, as if Inner Moka came free with unusual vigor. The vampire's hair shimmered, a silver wave cascading from roots to tips, and when she opened her eyes once more they gleamed a brilliant crimson, the narrowed slits instantly spearing into him. Tsukune swallowed loudly, but did not look away; it all depended on this.

"I don't believe this," the vampire remarked coldly, shaking her head as she stared intently at Tsukune.

"Listen, Moka-" Kurumu interjected, but the vampire's sharp glance silenced her instantly. Tsukune raised a hand in silent appeal to the other girls, asking that they leave this, for the moment, to him and Moka. The vampire smirked at the motion, her eyes once more locked upon the boy in front of her.

"Polygamy, again. Are you really so weak that you need an answer like this handed to you?" When Tsukune didn't respond, she chuckled darkly. "Maybe I've been wasting my time with you, after all."

"If you feel that way, then I am sorry," Tsukune replied evenly. "But I don't think it was a waste. I don't regret any of the time we've spent together." For some reason, this statement brought a momentary surge of color in Moka's cheeks, but she quickly shook it off.

"Do you think that this will work, Tsukune?" Crossing her arms before her chest, she scowled at him. "How long would any of us stay happy, forced to share your attention, fighting over scraps while you try to split up your hours among four different girls? Do you believe we will be happy like that?"

"Could it be any worse than how it was before we came here?" Mizore murmured from beside Tsukune, deliberately looking away from the exchange.

"I don't know," Tsukune confessed. "I can't say that this will work. All I can say is that it is the only way that we've found, so far, that we can even have a hope of us all being happy. I can't make you any promises, Moka, other than I will always try my best to make you, and the others, as happy as I can. If you have another way to solve this, then…" The genuine plea in his voice stalled the biting response that had risen to her lips, and she let it fade unsaid.

"And how about you, Tsukune?" she finally continued, peering into his brown eyes. "Can you be satisfied like this? What of peace and quiet? And…" She gestured towards the door, indicating the world that lay beyond the Resting Place. "What of your wish to go back to the human world? A 'solution' like this won't even be widely accepted in the monster world, but in your society it is expressly forbidden. And, considering how much property damage those two tend to cause," she motioned towards Mizore and Kurumu, ignoring their accusing stares, "think of all the questions that could be asked anyways. It would be too risky, Tsukune. You'd never be able to live in the human world normally, if we went ahead with this crazy idea of yours."

"I don't care." Now it was Moka's turn to gape, and Tsukune's expression didn't waver as he met her eyes calmly. "Compared to being with you, compared to our happiness… that doesn't matter. I'll want to see my family every now and then, of course, and we'll have to think of a way to explain some things, but…" He shook his head, utterly certain. "If sacrificing a normal life is the price I have to pay, then I will, without a second thought." He smiled even as all three girls stared at him in shock.

"Wh-what about you two?" Moka stammered a long moment later, still off-guard. "What about taking Tsukune back to your village, Mizore, or bringing him to your people, Kurumu?"

"We can handle our moms," Mizore answered, a dark gleam in her eyes. On Tsukune's other side, Kurumu nodded eagerly.

"So it all works out. I can't believe this," Moka growled, looking away in exasperation.

"No, not quite," Tsukune said quietly. He waited until she turned back towards him before continuing. "This only works if it is what you want. So, tell me, Moka, what it is that you want." He stepped forward, stopping just in front of her, staring into her eyes. "The choice is yours."

"What I want?" She didn't flinch away from his gaze, but still stood in silence as the seconds gave way to a full minute. A short distance away, the other two girls began to fidget, wondering if they should try to convince Moka, or if their efforts would only make things worse. Tsukune, however, showed no such anxiety, matching Moka's stare. Whatever he saw in the depths of her eyes, he didn't turn away either, and finally it was Moka who moved. Her hand passed over his chest as it moved upward, brushing against his neck and circling around. Her fingers slid through the hair at the back of his head before tightening, pulling almost painfully as she drew him even closer. His head resting on her shoulder, Tsukune could feel her warm breath against his ear, making him aware of the piercing sharpness of the fangs that hovered inches from his neck. "I want you, Tsukune."

The vampire glanced over his shoulder at the other two, smirking darkly at the surprise she found on their faces. "I guess I can put up with them… for now." The challenge dancing in her eyes dulled the edge of her words, but her gaze quickly moved to a closer target. "Anyways, where else am I going to find someone with blood that tastes as good as yours?"

Tsukune exposed his neck in smiling surrender, his hands sliding around her back to hold her to him. "It's yours, Moka. Now and forever."

Mizore sighed as Kurumu watched in blushing wonder, the faint sounds of Moka's snacking easily reaching them. "You get his spiritual energy, Kurumu, and she gets his blood. So, what do I get from him? Can I call dibs on-"

"No." The succubus answered Mizore's lascivious grin with a flat stare, which did absolutely nothing to dispel the snow maiden's sudden good humor. A glance back towards the other two managed that, however, as she and Kurumu both discovered that Moka and Tsukune had shifted slightly, her lips now away from the twin puncture wounds at his neck, and instead firmly pressed against his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss. "H-hey, stop that, we're right here!"

They persisted for a moment after the other two girls began to tug them in opposite directions, finally breaking apart with a mutual gasp. Still clinging to each other, Moka and Tsukune gazed one more time into each others' eyes, inordinately pleased with what they found there. "This might not work out in the end," the vampire warned, a wry smile on her lips, "but I suppose we can try it for now."

"That's all I can ask for," Tsukune admitted. When she glanced down at the seal he still held, he nodded and extended it towards her. With a final lingering look at his face, she stepped forward, allowing him to replace the rosario at its usual place at her throat. Even as the transformation began to take hold, still she stared at him, her crimson eyes the last thing to change; one blink later, and she fell forward into Tsukune's arms, Outer Moka once more.

She quickly recovered, beaming up at Tsukune as she allowed him to support her for a few seconds longer than necessary, pride and happiness lighting her expression. She straightened, noticing Mizore and Kurumu take up places at either side of her, but their faces held no malice. Instead, they looked as relieved and satisfied as she felt, and together they turned towards Tsukune, who shared a smile with each of them in turn.

"There's a lot of things we'll need to discuss," Tsukune yielded with a small shrug. "But, it can wait for tomorrow, right?" He chuckled as Kurumu unsuccessfully tried to choke back a yawn, as if the notion of rest had immediately brought back her exhaustion. "It's been a long day for all of us, and we could all use a good night's sleep."

"You're right," Mizore agreed, but her voice was eager instead of resigned. "We'll have all the time we need to talk about this, tomorrow or whenever." This reminder of what they had achieved brought broad smiles to each of their faces, and that warm feeling lasted with them until they parted at the top of the stairs.

As Tsukune made his way down the hall, still wincing each time he placed weight on his wounded ankle, he struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Did this mean that they could all live together like this, or as best they could manage at the academy, from now on? He thought back on all that he had experienced with the girls, and the feelings that had taken root within him; could this really be only the beginning? His idiot grin grew wider and wider as the incredulous glee swelled in his chest, but he didn't care to restrain it. He couldn't remember a time in his life that he had ever been this happy.

Pausing at his door, he turned to glance back down the hall towards the girls' bedrooms. To his surprise, their doors were all slightly open, and as he watched he could see three pairs of eyes watching him across the distance. Even from there, he could sense their lingering desire, the unfulfilled need for a final reassurance or a passionately brief celebration. He laughed under his breath, and forced the tiredness cloaking him away for now. He could rest in a bit; first, to say the night's farewells.

Nearly twenty minutes had passed before he made it back to his bedroom, his brain shutting down even as he crossed into the room and closed the door behind him. He had stopped in all three rooms, sharing an embrace and a goodnight kiss with each of them and exchanging a few words that had let them go to their beds contented. Kurumu had restrained herself, despite her need, but he had known from the moment their lips had touched that her kiss would push him over the edge of fatigue. Still, he didn't regret it, and as he mechanically changed into his nightclothes and fumbled with the edge of his blankets a smile retained its hold on his face.

All of the fighting, the bitter rivalry and tormenting need for an impossible choice; it was over. Now, they could have peace- No, Tsukune corrected himself as the comforting darkness began to descend. There would be no peace, ever again. Tomorrow would bring more clashing, more chaos, laughter and plotting and secret smiles. And so would the next day, and the next. As long as he was with those three girls, the three who held his heart, there never would be peace again.

It was exactly what he wanted.

Author's Note: Some actors believe in method acting, allowing their character to infect their life in order to portray them more effectively. The final pieces of this chapter may be an example of method writing; I now feel exactly as exhausted as my primary protagonist.

Thankfully, this chapter didn't take as long to complete as the one before it. Well, allow me to amend that: thankfully, this chapter didn't get pushed away from the top of my priority list for as long as its predecessor. I would hazard a guess that I spent far longer on it, honestly, especially when I consider how much I've tossed and turned trying to think of a satisfactory way for my protagonists to come to the conclusion that I have sought since I started these stories. I hope that their decision didn't surprise many of you, since I've never really hidden my intent to that regard. If it did, then I pray it doesn't displease you, as, for me, this is a big step for the happy ending that I have wanted for these characters.

Ah, but I get ahead of myself. Now is not the time to speak of endings. It may seem like it, with the heart of the conflict over; next chapter will definitely be falling action and romantic comedy more than strife such as was seen in this installment. Also, that will be the final chapter of Into Dreams, excepting an epilogue similar to the one from the previous tale. However… I am only beginning. There is much yet to be seen, many answers yet unrevealed, far more conflict and battling and romantic tension…

So, those of you who enjoy my work, worry not; I'll be hanging around for some time to come. Four more tales are left before this story arc reaches its true climax (though none will be as long as this one), and I have already been preparing the framework for the next in line. More shall come on that after 'The End' of the next installment, as I will preview the blurb for it there.

Speaking of previews, I've recently taken up a new habit: I have been announcing on my profile when I make significant progress on my stories, in the hopes of averting a disaster like what happened between the release of 35 and 36. I don't know how long I'll keep it up, (especially since I fear people who have me on their Favorite Author list may be getting spammed when I update; I'm not entirely certain if it sends out a message or not, but I pray not) but for now it is a good way to salve any curiosity you may have about how I am progressing on the next chapter.

And, to conclude, so that I may go to bed: Thank you all for reading. Forgive me if I emphatically, though humbly, ask for feedback on this chapter in particular, since it is so important in the grand scheme of things; I would greatly appreciate hearing what you think of it. Beyond that, though, I shall hope to see you all soon, as I return with one last piece of this grand puzzle…

But, between here and there, I must sleep.

~Wynn Pendragon