Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Rosario + Vampire anime/manga. All I own are my characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 4 – Frosted Silver

Tsukune groaned quietly, as he rested his head on his desk. Mizore deciding to train him was definitely something he could have gone without. It took Tsukune a while to realise, but Mizore wasn't actually trying to hit him, which is the only reason he hadn't been injured.

'If you can sense my attack and dodge it, even if it isn't aimed to kill, you should be able to dodge the attacks of other monsters.' Said Mizore.

Tsukune could understand what Mizore had said and he did appreciate her trying to help him, but his endurance, stamina and agility were all average and even Mizore going easy on him still felt as though he was being hunted by a wolf or something.

'So that is why starting today, you're all going to take up club activities.' Finished Shizuka.

'Eh?' Muttered Tsukune, lifting his head off his desk, as Shizuka explained the need for clubs.

'Everyone, please visit a lot of groups and decide which one you want to enter! Be sure to visit the Newspaper Club that I'm the advisor for, ok!' Finished Shizuka, getting Tsukune to groan again.

'What's wrong Tsukune?' Asked Mizore, her lollipop rolling to the left.

'Why do we have to join clubs? That's just one more thing that will make me stand out. I bet all the clubs are monster clubs too and I won't be able to fit in to any of them.' Lamented Tsukune.

'There is the Newspaper Club Nekonome-sensei shamelessly plugged.' Pointed out Mizore.

'Yeah… I guess that shouldn't be too bad.' Agreed Tsukune.

'In the meantime, we can use this chance to train a bit more.' Said Mizore, causing Tsukune to pale.

'Uh, or we could do something else, maybe just wander around or something.' Suggested Tsukune.

'Well, I could show you something if you'd like. I found it a little bit ago.' Said Mizore, tilting her head to the side in thought.

'Sounds good.' Said Tsukune.

'Tsukune, what are you moping about for, let's go and look for a club to join, together.' Said Kurumu, as she walked over to the human.

'Why are you here?' Asked Mizore, clearly annoyed.

'What? It only makes sense that I would want to spend time with my Destined One.' Explained Kurumu.

'Tsukune is not your Destined One.' Said Mizore coldly.

'You can try to deny it, but we all know the truth, don't we, Tsukune?' Said Kurumu, batting her eyelashes at the uncomfortable human.

Tsukune settled for groaning and putting his head back on the table.

"How is this even happening to me? I spent years going through school being basically unnoticed by girls and now they are fighting over me… that is too different! What am I supposed to do? Plus, they are monsters. Monster girls. Monster girls are after me… I just bet one of them will want to eat me at some point too… ok, I need to stay away from any monster that eats humans… that shouldn't be too hard… right?" Thought Tsukune, before groaning again.

'Have you decided on what club to join, Tsukune?' Asked Moka, approaching the three.

'Another one.' Grumbled Mizore, nibbling on the stick of her lollipop slightly.

'How rude of you Moka, can't you see I am trying to spend time with my beloved? You are interrupting!' Declared Kurumu, causing Moka to take a step back.

'But you just joined him and Mizore now.' Protested Moka weakly.

'Can't we all just get along.' Groaned Tsukune.

Mizore and Kurumu both glanced to Tsukune, before locking eyes with each other.

'Of course.' Said both girls, before lowering their voices.

'Not.' Finished the Succubus and Snow Woman.

'Well, would you like to go and check out what clubs there are out there?' Asked Moka, digging her foot into the ground.

'Actually, we've decided to join the Newspaper Club, for obvious reasons.' Interjected Mizore.

'That sounds like fun.' Said Moka.

'You can tell me the truth, Tsukune, you don't really want to join the Newspaper Club, do you, you just want to be able to spend many long nights with me. Maybe a desk too, that one of us can bend over.' Purred Kurumu, getting Tsukune to blush hotly.

'W-what? I never thought of anything like that before.' Protested Tsukune.

'Before? Oh, so now you are thinking about it, aren't you, Tsukune?' Teased Kurumu, causing Tsukune to sink into his seat in embarrassment.

'It's nothing to be embarrassed about, I'll take it easy on you, since you're human after all.' Whispered Kurumu, getting closer and closer to Tsukune, only for a kunai of ice to strike her in the head.

'That's close enough.' Decided Mizore.

'Stop doing that when I get close to Tsukune!' Yelped Kurumu, as a bit of blood trickled down her head.

'No.' Said Mizore simply, before raising Tsukune out of his seat.

'Come on Tsukune, let's go for a walk.' Said Mizore, before leading the boy out of the classroom.

'A-are you okay Kurumu?' Asked Moka.

'Don't try and lower my guard by acting nice to me, I know you are after Tsukune as well.' Said Kurumu, whirling on the pink haired girl.

'But I'm not, really! I just feel bad about what I did to him.' Admitted Moka, holding her arms in front of her body.

'Hmm, what did you do?' Asked Kurumu, her interest piqued.

'Well, I kind of got him attacked by Saizou on the first day. I also judged him before getting to know him and thought he was like all the other humans I knew before who made fun of me.' Explained Moka.

'Well, I guess that means you are the bad one here then.' Said Kurumu in amusement, getting Moka to frown and look off to the side.

'I mean, I meant what I said… but Tsukune, he's different… I just want to try and become his friend, so I can properly apologise to him.' Continued Moka.

'Well, just for a moment, I will say something not as a rival for Tsukune's affections, but as a person, okay?' Said Kurumu, getting Moka to nod.

'Tsukune is clearly not interested in you as a person, nor as a friend. The fact that you made a bad first impression on him also makes things worse. However, since it seems like you don't know how to act around others in the first place, I'll give you a little bit of advice. Now that you have been treated badly and treated someone else just as bad, it is up to you to make things right, by doing for Tsukune, what you would have wanted someone to do for you.' Said Kurumu, getting an awed looked from Moka.

'Thank you Kurumu, you're really smart, aren't you?' Praised Moka.

'Hehe, I have my moments.' Said Kurumu bashfully.

'Let's go find Tsukune now then!' Exclaimed Moka, before grabbing Kurumu and dragging her with her.

'Hey! Don't start acting so friendly with me now!' Protested the shorter and more stacked girl, only to be ignored, by the cheerful vampire.

-line break-

Mizore led Tsukune further and further away from the academy, until they reached a cliff. The cliff jutted out over the water and curled in on itself and there was a strong wind blowing.

'Where are we Mizore?' Asked Tsukune.

'I found this place after you headed back to your dormitory before. It is peaceful.' Said Mizore, as she sat down on the grass.

Tsukune stood there for a moment, before joining her on the ground.

'Tsukune, are you worried to be here as a human?' Asked Mizore, getting Tsukune to face her.

'Well yeah, I mean, everyone here is so strong and could probably kill me if they wanted to.' Admitted Tsukune.

'Even if I promise to protect you?' Inquired Mizore.

'… I… I don't know what to say to that.' Said Tsukune, after a moment of thought.

'I don't want you to get hurt, Tsukune. I can tell, you're a loner like me. You have a lonely soul. You can't keep hanging around with people like Moka Akashiya and Kurumu Kurono. They will both drag you into trouble. You should only stay with me. I will protect you. They both wanted to do you harm at one point, but I've always wanted you to be safe.' Said Mizore.

'W-well, I can't say that they have been as nice to me as you have… but it isn't fair to judge them this quickly I think… shouldn't people get at least a chance to try and right their wrongs. I don't think they are bad people after all.' Replied Tsukune, scratching the side of his face in thought.

'Is it because they are girls? If you are lonely Tsukune, you have me. Snow Woman need to have children within a short amount of time, as we are not fertile very long.' Inquired Mizore.

'T-T-That has nothing to do with it… I mean, I know they are pretty… er, I mean, that isn't why I want to be friends with them… I just never had that many friends before and I figured it is better to have more people on my side than against me, if I'm going to try and survive this place. I don't want to leave you behind either, since I can tell you don't have a lot of friends either… but this place is dangerous for me.' Explained Tsukune.

'You are my only friend. If you leave, I will be alone again… I don't want to be alone…' Admitted Mizore.

'Then do you think maybe we can try and be friends with them too?' Asked Tsukune.

'I will let them try.' Said Mizore, before grasping Tsukune's hand, causing his heart to race slightly, only for it to freeze a moment later.

'But I won't let anyone take you from me Tsukune, you are mine.' Said Mizore, her impassive gaze boring into Tsukune's.

"I… might be in trouble here." Thought Tsukune nervously, forcing a smile on his face.

'T-thanks Mizore. We should get back though; we need to get ready for our club after all.' Said Tsukune, forcing a few nervous laughs out in the process.

'Okay Tsukune, let's go.' Said Mizore, lifting Tsukune up and clinging to his arm, as they walked away.

-line break-

'There you two are!' Exclaimed Moka, once she spotted Mizore and Tsukune returning to the academy.

'Yeah, there they are, now stop pulling.' Huffed Kurumu, breaking Moka's hold on her.

'How are you, Tsukune?' Asked Moka, confusing the boy.

'I'm… fine.' Said Tsukune, an eyebrow quirked in confusion.

'I'm glad. If you ever want to come and talk to me about anything, I'd be happy to listen.' Said Moka, beaming at the confused human.

'Thanks.' Replied Tsukune after a moment.

'You're overdoing it, Moka.' Critiqued Kurumu.

'Overdoing what?' Asked Mizore suspiciously.

'Moka is trying to apologise for getting Tsukune in trouble on the first day and for judging him.' Explained Kurumu, as Moka poked her index fingers together in embarrassment.

'W-well I mean I really am sorry, I'm just not sure how to express it properly, since I never really had friends before.' Admitted Moka.

'Oh… in that case, I forgive you Moka… just try not to do something like that again. Saizou wasn't exactly a push over.' Said Tsukune.

'You mean you forgive me for being so mean to you?' Asked Moka hopefully, only for Tsukune to nod with a small smile on his face.

'I'm so happy, thank you Tsukune!' Cheered Moka, only to feel a chill run up her spine.

'But I'm still watching you.' Hissed Mizore, her gaze as cold as ice, getting a nervous nod from Moka.

-line break-

'Okay, let's begin the club activities for the Youkai Academy Newspaper Club.' Said Shizuka, staring across from her desk, at the quartet joining her club.

'W-what, we're the only members?' Spluttered Tsukune in shock.

'Don't be silly.' Said Shizuka.

'Excuse me, sorry I'm late.' Said a masculine voice, getting Shizuka to beam.

'See, here he comes, the only other member.' Said Shizuka.

'Greetings, I'm the President of the Newspaper Club, Ginei Morioka, pleased to meet ya!' Said the man who had just entered the room.

The man who had just introduced himself possessed light green eyes and black hair, which he kept back with a white headband. His attire was also modified, lacking the customary tie and his shirt was open slightly, revealing a small pendant resting on his chest.

'Oh! Sensei told me about you, what a beautiful club member you are!' Exclaimed Gin, looking between the three girls and handing them each a bouquet of red roses.

Moka looked confused at Gin's actions, while Kurumu looked slightly put off. Mizore on the other hand, looked at the bouquet as though it was something foul. The bouquet of roses froze in her hands, before she dropped them to the floor, shattering on impact like glass.

'So cold.' Cried Gin, placing a hand over his chest and giving a sigh.

'Anyway, Gin is the only second year club member. Just ask Gin anything you don't know about this club, ok?' Introduced Shizuka.

'Heh, you can always count on me.' Grinned Gin.

'Well, I have to go to a staff meeting now, so take care of the rest of the club proceedings, Gin.' Said Shizuka, as she made to leave.

'Okay, leave it to me.' Said Gin.

Tsukune didn't appreciate this recent turn of events and stared at Gin's back nervously. The President turned around and gave a smile, before walking over to the desk Shizuka had been standing behind before.

'Okay, how about I give you the explanation of what it is the Newspaper Club does. Our goal, is to publish the school newspaper. Most of your activity will be reporting on all kinds of things within the academy and putting them in the newspaper. We'll be put into dangerous situations time after time for the sake of reporting! I'll tell you right now, this won't be a walk in the park. Once you've joined, you should prepare yourself.' Said Gin, staring at the group intensely, before his grin widened.

'Just messing with ya! Let's have some fun without all the strict talk. This is our poster advertisement, let's put it up on the back wall.' Instructed Gin.

-line break-

Kurumu and Moka were now standing on chairs, trying to reach higher at Gin's instructions, to stick their poster up. Tsukune looked at Gin with a bemused expression.

"Some times he's flirty and other times serious. I wonder just what kind of a person Gin-Senpai is…" Thought Tsukune, before noticing he was peeping under their skirts, squatting down to get a better look.

Just before Tsukune could interject and no doubt make a fool of himself, Mizore placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, causing the teen to pause. Mizore then froze Gin in place, leaving his head free.

'Why are you peeping at Kurumu and Moka, Gin?' Questioned Mizore, causing the two girls to look down and spot the frozen peeper.

'Heh, nonsense, there is no way I'm that kind of guy who'd do something so lame.' Denied Gin, even as he was frozen in the act.

Moka and Kurumu both blushed crimson, before slapping Gin across the face, causing his head to whip to the left and then to the right, as his body was still frozen in place. After that, Moka stormed out of the room, while Kurumu walked over to Tsukune.

'Tsukune, you didn't really let him peep on me, did you?' Pouted Kurumu.

'Actually, it was Tsukune who noticed it first, I just made sure Gin was caught red-handed.' Said Mizore, letting the ice holding Gin in place melt.

'I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding.' Said Gin, plastering a charming smile on his face.

'I don't like you.' Said Mizore bluntly, causing Gin's grin to falter, before returning a moment later.

'I see, you've rushed to judge me after a simple mistake. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be clear once you know me better.' Said Gin.

Gin's gaze then swivelled onto Tsukune and in that moment, Tsukune swore he saw a wolf gazing at him in hunger.

-line break-

'I don't trust that guy.' Admitted Tsukune, once he, Mizore and Kurumu left the clubroom.

'I don't either. He is a pervert.' Agreed Mizore.

'Well, at least Tsukune was there to protect me.' Cheered Kurumu, latching on to Tsukune's arm, causing Mizore to glare at her.

'No, that isn't what I meant… he feels dangerous, like he is up to something and is acting like that to try and lull us into a false sense of security.' Explained Tsukune, even as a growing blush formed on his face, thanks to Kurumu burying Tsukune's arm into her chest.

'What makes you say that?' Asked Mizore, even as she flicked a kunai made of ice into Kurumu's head.

'When he looked at me… I felt like I was being hunted and it was way stronger than with Saizou. That guy is bad news.' Elaborated Tsukune.

'Well then, we will just have to be extra careful. I won't let anyone hurt you, Tsukune.' Said Kurumu, latching back on to Tsukune's arm, much to Mizore's chagrin.

'But there is something I want to know, are you really a human, Tsukune?' Asked Kurumu quietly, but also seriously, getting Tsukune to stop walking and Mizore to tense up in anticipation.

Tsukune paused for a moment, mulling his choices over. The truth, which could end with him dead or lie, which could hurt Kurumu's feelings and also get him killed later on down the track. Deciding to choose the immediate threat, with Mizore at his side, Tsukune took a deep breath before answering.

'Yes.' Said Tsukune, feeling Kurumu's grip tighten around his arm.

Mizore noticed this and tensed up further, preparing to attack, should Kurumu attempt something, only to be thoroughly confused by what happened next.

'I see, thank you for being honest with me Tsukune. I'll make sure to protect you, after all, I can't let my Destined One get hurt.' Said Kurumu, giving Tsukune a small kiss on the cheek, causing Tsukune to blush and Mizore to fume.

'T-thanks, Kurumu.' Said Tsukune.

'Of course. I'll be there for you, forever.' Said Kurumu tenderly, only for the moment to be broken, by another ice kunai slamming into the Succubus' head.

'Let's go Tsukune, time to train.' Said Mizore, causing Tsukune to pale.

Kurumu rushed off after the two, with none of them noticing the man who had been listening in on them.

"Human, huh?" Thought Gin, as he stepped out of the shadows and watched Tsukune disappear, both girls hanging off his arms.