Rosario + Ruby's Tuesday CH 51
Early in the morning, Ruby was awakened by someone shaking her shoulder. It was still dark outside. The form over her looked like Kurumu. Kurumu put a finger to her lips and waved for her to follow. Ruby slipped out from under Hosoi's arm and went with her.
Sitting down in the kitchen with a single candle heating the teapot for light, Ruby sat long enough to come to her senses for the day as they sipped their tea. She noted Kurumu seemed pre-occupied. "I'm awake enough to talk," Ruby offered.
Kuumu nodded. She let out a heavy breath and said, "This is my fault. I saw cute little Mariko and knew what a horrid life she had, so I have done everything I could to make it better for her. It was like she needed me, you know? I feel ... very happy that she sees me as her mother, but that is causing problems for you."
Ruby tipped her head. "Mariko did mention that," she noted.
Looking into her cup, Kurumu winced and said, "Mariko ... is very set on me being her mother."
"How set?" Ruby asked, knowing Kurumu would not be getting up at this hour unless this was very important.
With a huff, Kurumu said, "Last night, she asked me if it would be better to kill Tsukune or you, so I could marry her Papa."
Ruby eyed Kurumu and said, "I do hope you set her straight."
"I told her we are all family, and it is wrong for any of us to hurt one another. I told her you will be a very good mother, and I will always be her friend," Kurumu explained. "Although she said she understood, I didn't feel that from her. Mariko is very strong and with all those invisible arms, she is quite capable of killing anyone she wants to. I think we need to watch Mariko very closely."
Ruby rubbed her forehead. "I need to spend a lot more time with her," she said with a sigh.
"Not by yourself, please," Kurumu asked. "I'll skip some classes, whatever it takes..."
Ruby shook her head. "No. If I'm going to get Mariko to accept me, I have to do it," she said firmly. Sporting a crooked grin, she added, "Besides, you seem to enjoy looking for ways to get out of class."
"Ruby, this is serious!" Kurumu stated.
"Yes, it is," Ruby agreed. "And if I am to be her mother, I have to deal with it. Where is Mariko?"
"Sleeping in my room."
Ruby nodded. It figured. The more she thought about it, the more she realized than it was Kurumu who put the smile on Mariko's face. The girl lit up whenever Kurumu was around. "As usual," Ruby said. She thought for a moment, then said, "Well, don't pull away from her, but let me start spending time with her. We'll start there."
"I'm sorry I caused you trouble," Kurumu offered.
Ruby laid a hand over Kurumu's. Softer, she said, "Don't be sorry. No one knew Hosoi and I were going to fall in love. You became the friend Mariko desperately needed. You made that little girl happy."
"What if she does try to kill Tsukune?" Kurumu asked.
"I'll work on a solution," Ruby assured her.
.
Since Kurumu was already up, Ruby asked her to get the day started for the 'morning crowd'. Ruby went down to her lab and worked at finding a way to control Mariko's powers. Knowing Mariko's mind was the source of abilities, that narrowed down her research. Looking through a couple scrolls, she soon had the answer.
Ruby made breakfast in time to sit down between Hosoi and Mariko, who had her attention on Kurumu. "Morning everyone," she said as she took her seat. She kissed Hosoi.
"Busy morning?" he asked.
Ruby nodded. "Yes, and today is going to be a full one," she said with a huff.
Moka announced, "Oh, this afternoon, we're going to go with Kasumi-sama to find out the gender of our babies."
"I'm hoping we have girls," Kurumu added wistfully.
"I'll settle for healthy babies," Tsukune said.
"I wish I could go with you," Yukari said in a pout. She flicked her eyes at Mariko.
"How about this," Ruby said cheerfully. "Mariko can spend the day with me. Hosoi, I would really appreciate it if you would check on the supplies for Mr. Aono, and Yukari you'll be able to go with Tsukune, Moka and Kurumu after school."
"Thanks, Ruby!"
Hosoi raised an eyebrow. "Will that be fine?" he asked.
"Certainly!" Ruby assured him. "Besides, Mariko hasn't seen hardly anything besides the house and the hill since she got here." Offering Mariko a smile, she asked, "Would you like having a day out with me?"
Mariko gave her a not very enthusiastic nod.
"We're all set then!"
.
Once breakfast was over, Ruby made it a point to give Kurumu time to get Mariko dressed for the day. Once she was ready, Ruby took Mariko's hand and walked out onto the porch.
Looking at the school down toward the bottom of the hill, Mariko asked in a dull tone, "We have to walk all that way?"
"You can if you want. I'm going to fly," Ruby told her. She then waved her wand and sprouted her eight black dragonfly-like wings.
Mariko gapped at her. "You can fly like Ku-mama?" she asked.
"Up and on," Ruby said, and helped Mariko up onto her back. Ruby took off and flew down to the school to settle down on the terrace outside her office.
The secretary wasn't in yet. Ruby scribbled her a quick note, then led Mariko into her private office. Mariko stood looking at the medieval style wall hangings, then pointed to the crows lined up on the long perch as the birds eyed her.
"Why don't those birds fly away?" Mariko asked.
Ruby looked up as she got her papers together. "Those are my messengers and guards. They tell me if anyone comes around looking for trouble, and if I want to send someone a message, they deliver it for me. Like this.."
Ruby lifted her arm up horizontally and let out a 'caw'. One crow flew over to land on her arm. She took a small cylinder and put it around his neck. "Take this to Mr. Matsumoto. Wait for him to give me a reply, then return with it."
The crow let out a caw, then took to the air and flew out the open window.
"Wow," Mariko said with an amazed look.
Ruby frowned at Mariko. "Mariko, dear, your hair is getting all mussed up from flying. What do you say we go buy you a cute head band?"
"Are we going to fly?" Mariko asked.
"Is there any other way to travel?" Ruby asked in return.
.
On the way to the mall, Ruby flew high over the city so Mariko could get a good view. The mall she was going to had built a small room on the roof with a patio and door, so 'fliers' could just land on the roof and walk down the stairs into the mall. Ruby landed, and on the way down the stairs, she reinforced to Mariko to not mess with the humans here. Mariko promised to let her take care of any problems.
As they walked through the mall, Ruby swore Mariko's mouth never shut as she took in the bright store signs and colorful displays. The people that eyed them warily, Mariko ignored.
At a sports shop where a nervous counter girl waited on them, Ruby bought a light pink sweat-band. Sitting Mariko on the counter so she could see herself in the mirror there, Ruby mussed, "That is cute, but it needs a little ... something."
"I like this one," Mariko assured her.
Ruby itched her chin, then snapped her fingers. "I know!" she said, and pulled a light purple gem from her pocket. She held it up to the headband over Mariko's forehead. "How about this?"
"That's pretty!" Mariko said, all smiles.
Ruby said a few low words as she waved her wand over Mariko's head. She then let go, and the gem stayed in place on the head band. "It's yours now."
"Thank you, Ruby-san!" Mariko chirped.
Ruby wished Mariko had called her 'mother', but she knew she had a long way to go before she earned that title. "I'm glad you like it." Ruby paid the the headband. Mariko eagerly swung up onto Ruby's shoulders as they walked out.
Ruby took Mariko on a tour through the rest of the mall. On the way, a pair of women stopped Ruby.
"Miss Toujo?" a woman asked tentatively.
"Yes?" Ruby replied pleasantly.
The woman in the yellow dress said, "I am Mrs. Iwasaka, my son Akira goes to your school."
"Well, hello Mrs. Iwasaka, is everything well?"
Folding her hands together nervously, Mrs. Iwasaka said, "Miss Toujo, I am sorry to disturb you, but my husband and I are very concerned about that attack on the school. I mean, to hear about all those men with guns was frightening! Will Akira be safe there?"
From Ruby's shoulders, Mariko announced, "Guns don't scare me, I can stop bullets!"
Ruby glanced up at her. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Iwasaka, this is Mariko. Please, be rest assured that I have taken steps to ensure no one who is has no reason to be at the school, will be allowed there."
"May I ask what precautions those are?" Mrs. Iwasaka asked.
Ruby could see this woman was nervous, so she explained, "Have you seen the large planters that line the road inside the gates up to the turn around? I put carnivorous plants in all of them. Those plants know the scent of the students and faculty. If they sense someone who shouldn't be there, or upon command, they will eat whoever attempts to get past them. I also have crows watching the entrances as well as the police have a station across the road from the gates. If someone should happen to get past all of that, then the gargoyles that line the roof will descend upon the intruders. If any of these are activated, I will know immediately." Ruby's face then took on a hard look. "Woe be it to the fool who comes to my school looking for trouble."
Mrs. Iwasaka gapped at Ruby. "You are a real witch, aren't you?" she asked, as if finally realizing the truth.
"Yes, and that school and everyone there is under my protection. I am also quite confident that Moka-san and the rest of my friends would help protect the students. So please, be assured that I will let nothing happen to your son."
"Akashiya Moka?" the woman asked.
"Her name is Aono Moka now, she is married," Ruby told her.
Mrs. Iwasaka flushed. "OK," she said vacantly. "Thank you for your time, Miss Toujo."
"You are quite welcome. And please, if you wish to visit our school, let me know in advance," Ruby said.
"I will," Mrs. Iwasaka assured her, knowing what would happen to someone who just wandered in.
.
Ruby next took Mariko for a fly over the beach as they headed back to Witch Hill. She came down at the construction site of the new Aono house. Tsukune's father had a large group of very handsome men clearing the pit for the foundation down to bedrock.
Seeing the fifty men clearing and digging by hand, Ruby asked him, "Can we afford all these workers?"
Koji shrugged and said, "They all came and volunteered. I don't understand it, but they insisted on helping out. I'm going to pay for their meals, but they don't want any money. They said they want to stay and help until it's finished."
"Why?"
"Don't know," Koji said, then mussed, "Kurmu's mother, Ageha, did say she was going to ask a few guys to help out. But this is a lot more than a few."
"Well, keep them well fed, and don't forget plenty of drinks," Ruby told him, and flew back to her office.
.
Coming into the outer office, Ruby noted Tsukune's cousin, Kyoko was sitting in a chair, not looking happy. Ruby greeted her secretary, then asked, "Is there a problem?"
"Miss Aono would like to talk to you when you have the time."
Ruby motioned Kyoko into her office, "Come in, please."
Going in, Ruby had Mariko feed the crows by hand, which seemed to make her happy.
Sitting down with Kyoko, Ruby asked, "What is it?"
Scowling off at nothing, Kyoko spat, "My parents are idiots, and total ... bigots!"
"Excuse me?" Ruby asked, wide eyed. She had been expecting trouble with one of the students, not a family quarrel.
Wearing a stricken face, Kyoko explained. "Mom and Dad hate Kouta, and Dad says he refuses to pay for my tuition here. He wants me to go to Mid-City high. Ruby, all my friends are here! I want to stay, but I don't have any money to live on, let alone pay for school. Is there anything I can do to work for my tuition?"
Caught off balance by the conversation, Ruby shook her head. "I really don't know. Kyoko, maybe you can talk to him?"
"In his words, I'm on my own now," Kyoko said as a tear dripped from her anguished face. "Please, Ruby, there must be something I can do. I've got no where else to go."
Ruby patted her leg. "We'll think of something, dear," she said gently. "Go on back to class and try not to worry about it. Make up with your parents if you can, but know you can continue to go to school here no matter what, OK?"
"Thank you," Kyoko said quietly, then she quickly added, "I want to pay my own way."
"We'll work on that later. First things' first. Calm down, focus on your school work. I would hate to see your grades suffer on top of everything else."
Ruby saw Kyoko to the door. Giggling got her attention. Mariko had a crow on each shoulder as she held the food cup for them. She smiled at the scene. At least someone was having a good day.
.
By the end of the day, two girls had been pulled out of school, and three boys and another two girls had defied their parents, refusing to leave Witch Hill. All because of that attack. Ruby let Kurumu take Mariko back home as Ruby herself met with upset parents who wanted their children to leave, and the students who didn't want to.
What it came down to was that the five who refused to leave (six with Kyoko), were of age now, so they had a right to stay if they wanted to. Of course, like Kyoko's parents, all of the parents tried to use non payment as a means to make Ruby kick them out of school. Like with Kyoko, Ruby informed the parents that if those children wanted an education here, she was not going to deny them.
Two of the fathers and a mother, the police had to escort away.
While Ruby was firm in her stance, which made her popular with the students, she also became worried. The school's finances were already thin, and this was going to put them in the hole. Ruby sent a letter off via crow to ask for additional funding from the council.
.
Ruby was a wreck by the time she got home. The only saving grace for the day was hearing Mariko go on about the wonderful time she'd had to Kurumu and Yukari. Burying herself in Hosoi's arms, Ruby just wanted to be commanded, and not have to think about how to solve problems. Thankfully, Hosoi did command her into a bath, then some luxurious play time. By the time he brought her a late dinner, she was more than ready for bed.
Drifting off to sleep, Ruby noted the light came on and woke up. Hosoi was up, sitting at the desk in their room.
"Master, aren't you coming to bed?" she asked.
Hosoi looked over at her. He adjusted his glasses and said firmly, "I am working on designing a student loan program. Close your eyes and get some sleep."
"Yes, Master," she said gratefully.
