"I can do this myself."

Kurumu smiled as Yukari pushed her hands away. The witch huffed, slipping the black toggles inside the black loops stitched in the jagged black hem of this unique, marigold blouse. The front zipper of this blouse was hidden beneath the jagged black flap on the right which had the toggles. Like she had on their trip to Kofu, Yukari was wearing this with a tight, black mini skirt which hugged her hips. She had lacy black lingerie beneath this outfit and a pair of yellow stockings clipped to a hidden garter belt.

This time Kurumu did not feel so out of place. While her front clasp bra was of a boring cream color, she was wearing it beneath that fancy blouse with the ruffled lace collar and shoulders. She had pulled the black ribbon into a drooping bow perfectly centered upon her bosom. The checkered black and pink cotton shorts felt nice buttoned up over her old white briefs. She had decided to wear the black fishnet stockings, figuring her hair was going to get her branded a delinquent regardless of what she wore.

"I need to shop shoes."

Kurumu sighed at the laces of her usual black flats worn to school. It had not crossed her mind to empty her gym locker, which would have added a sports bra to her summer bra rotation and some running shoes. Not that those shoes would have looked any better with this outfit. Black or some other dark color might work, but her gym shoes were white. While these flats were the right color, they looked almost as formal as the pair without laces she had borrowed from her mother.

"There's nothing wrong with your shoes."

"We should get heels."

Yukari snorted, finished with her task.

"I doubt you have any more experience walking in heels than I do. Could you imagine walking from your home to the train station in heels?"

Kurumu smirked, thinking that would be a miserable experience. She tousled Yukari's dark locks, eliciting a pout from the witch.

"I was thinking it would be nice to be taller."

"I'll get taller. Mother says I'm a late bloomer and that I'll have a growth spurt soon."

"Oh? How tall do you think you'll get?"

"I'll be as tall and as endowed as my beloved Moka."

Kurumu doubted that. She had met Yukari's parents. Her mother had not been that much taller than Satsuki and her father was Tsukune's height at best. And as far as breasts were concerned, Yukari must be hoping she would take after someone on her father's side.

"How tall were you last year?"

Yukari pouted, glancing aside.

"It's slow but steady. I was one hundred twenty five centimeters on my eighth birthday and have grown four centimeters every year since. My last checkup had me at one hundred thirty eight."

"I wonder what the average height a girl your age is."

"For an eleven year old human girl, it's about one hundred forty four."

"How would you know this?"

Yukari shrugged indifferently as she started for the door, prompting Kurumu to follow.

"I use the internet at the Oguni High School."

Kurumu pondered over that revelation as they crossed the small living room. The rest of the household were seated about the dining table, eating the breakfast they had been called to a few minutes ago.

"I thought you said you use the internet at your father's workplace."

"My father is a teacher there."

Kurumu stopped in shock. Her mind tumbled over the fact that she had not known this. Tsukune's mother whom had been seated with her back to them, got up and smiled at Yukari. The mother was wearing the same apron from yesterday, though the blouse beneath was periwinkle today.

"Your father is a teacher? Where does he work?"

"At the Oguni High School."

Tsukune stared at the witch in similar shock, his chopsticks frozen in the act of transporting a sausage from his plate to his open mouth. He was wearing his short sleeved, black dress shirt which was not tucked in his navy blue jeans. He had buttoned up all but the last two near the collar.

"So you're from our prefecture. That's nice. I'll bring your plates."

Mrs. Aono smiled pleasantly as she wandered off into the kitchen. There was no division between the two rooms with only a half wall built at the start of the counters. There was a two panel window above a two compartment sink next to the dishwasher. The stove was the last appliance along the exterior wall with the refrigerator pushed in the corner of the other wall.

Kurumu wandered over to the vacant chairs which faced the front bay window. Yukari tugged back the chair closer to Mr. Aono, taking a seat across from Mizore whom was wearing the same thing as always. With a polite smile, Kurumu sat down across from Tsukune.

Mr. Aono was dressed in a black suit and tie over a white dress shirt. His back was to a depression which stored the household phone, a radio and a couple organizers which probably had all sorts of odds and ends in them. There was a clock above the depression showing the time was almost eight and a colorful calendar posted beside the depression.

"That's amazing. I understand you also attend Yokai Academy. Any reason why you didn't go to Oguni to be with your father?"

"My mother went to Yokai Academy."

"Truly fascinating. Are there any other students your age in the Academy?"

A plate of sausage, eggs and rice was set down rather sharply in front of Yukari before another was placed before Kurumu.

"Shouldn't you be heading to work?"

Mr. Aono grinned at his wife's smile. He waved his hand dismissively as Mrs. Aono took her seat.

"You know how disorganized my office is. I could be an hour late and would get no less work done."

Kurumu smiled politely, seizing up the first sausage link.

"Tsukune said you work for an insurance company."

"I've worked for AXA for the past ten years. A grueling and tedious experience, but the salary is sufficient enough to keep my beloved unemployed without a care in the world."

Mrs. Aono cocked her head aside with the same smile.

"That salary is why you still have a home to return to."

Mr. Aono chuckled, gesturing at Kurumu with his chopsticks. He had already finished his meal.

"So what do your parents do?"

Kurumu smiled nervously, swallowing down her first bite. She sensed something had been going on before they walked in.

"Well… my father passed away a long time ago. I guess you could say my mother is in sales."

"What does she sell?"

Kurumu glanced at Yukari whom continued with her breakfast unaware of Kurumu's distress.

"Uh… well… it's sales. You know you sell yourself more than the product."

"So very true."

Kurumu blushed as she stuffed her mouth with sausage, hoping they would not continue this topic.

"And what about you, Ms. Shirayuki?"

"Kouji. The time."

Mizore had not touched the breakfast set before her. She also lacked the usual white stick in her mouth.

"My father helps run a ski lodge with his brothers in Hokkaido."

"Hokkaido? That is very far away."

"Perhaps you can sell insurance in her village."

"It was a jest. How else should I respond to a question about my fertility?"

"Something more appropriate to say to a young lady."

Mr. Aono sighed dramatically, turning his gaze on Mizore.

"Were you the least bit offended with my offer for you to find out yourself?"

"I didn't laugh."

"I deeply apologize for my failure to amuse you."

"It's disturbing that she would bring this topic up at the breakfast table."

Mizore cocked her head, regarding Yukari.

"It is relevant to someone wishing to pursue a future with a man."

Kurumu was fairly confident in Tsukune's ability to produce a child but realized there was no way she could properly voice that. Shaking her head, she continued with her meal.

"I sometimes wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling, but Mom had it rough with me."

Mrs. Aono sighed, picking at what was left of her breakfast.

"It was never an issue with fertility. Someone was overreacting."

"I think my reaction was correct."

"That aside, I would appreciate it, Ms. Shirayuki, if you refrained from making statements that suggest you want a relationship with my son. It is difficult enough for me to accept he is engaged in an intimate relationship with Ms. Kurono. Please allow me to retain my image of a good child whom would be loyal to the woman he has chosen."

"But I don't have much time."

Mr. Aono chuckled heartily.

"Time? For what?"

"I have to have a baby before my birthday."

"That's ridiculous. Even if you've been held back a year or two, a high school student doesn't need to have a baby."

Kurumu sighed after swallowing down the last of her sausages.

"Not for Mizore. Her village pushes the girls to marry young and start families before they graduate high school. This pressure got her involved with one of the teachers at the Academy."

Kurumu felt the temperature dip and she dropped her chopsticks and waved her hands frantically.

"Not that anything bad happened! The teacher resigned, but only because he had done more with a different girl years ago and the faculty didn't want another scandal. It really wasn't Mizore's fault."

"That's right! Kurumu and I have been trying to help her get along with other classmates because rumors like that can really make people avoid you."

"I know we agreed to take her in for the summer, but I think we should call her parents."

Mizore glanced up from the table, turning her gaze upon the phone.

"We don't have a phone."

Mr. Aono laughed with a shake of his head.

"I suppose that should not be surprising. I can't imagine any modern day villages insisting to marry off their kids fresh out of junior high. Things haven't been like that for decades."

Yukari snorted as she speared a sausage, having polished off her eggs.

"Her parents are under the impression she's spending the summer with her fiancé."

The dip in the temperature was even more drastic than the first, causing both of Tsukune's parents to frown in confusion while Tsukune flinched with concern. Mizore stood up with enough force to knock the chair over. She leveled an angry glare at Yukari, whom continued with her meal indifferent to Mizore.

"Excuse me."

Mizore stalked out of the room before Mrs. Aono could get up.

"Ms. Shirayuki?"

Mrs. Aono could only reach the open door to the living room before Mizore was out the front door. Tsukune got up from his seat.

"I should go after her."

"No. She needs time alone to calm her feelings."

Tsukune frowned at Yukari.

"We can't just let her roam about the city by herself. What if she passes out from the heat?"

"Speaking of that, do we need to call someone for the air conditioner? I've never felt it behave so odd."

Shaking her head at her husband's comment, Mrs. Aono held up a hand as Tsukune neared her.

"Don't chase after her. Today is Ms. Kurono's birthday. I will speak with Ms. Shirayuki when she returns, as I'm certain she isn't going far without her belongings."

Tsukune sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"But I'm serious about her being sensitive to the heat. You agree with me, Kurumu."

Kurumu had her mouth stuffed at the moment, unsure what they should do. While he was right about Mizore being vulnerable, she also disliked the idea of spending a good part of the day searching the neighborhood for a girl whom was selfishly imposing herself upon Tsukune's parents. Holding up her chopsticks, she nodded her head.

"I can certainly look about for her as I go to work. I'll be sure to send her back home."

"I will call your office within the hour to confirm your arrival."

Mr. Aono grinned as he picked up a briefcase which had been hidden beneath the table. He started towards his wife whom had her arms crossed as she stood in the doorway to the living room.

"Take this advice, my boy. Never marry a jealous woman."

"And take my advice not to chase after other girls when you have one patiently putting up with you."

Tsukune laughed nervously as his father came over to join them.

"Shall I buy the birthday girl a present?"

"Please don't trouble yourselves. Letting me stay here is more than enough."

"Nonsense. I feel like we could give you something but I confess not knowing what would be an appropriate gift to give a young woman."

Mrs. Aono huffed, shaking her head.

"You can't possibly be that dense."

"Well… for the past decade the only woman I've given a gift to is you, and I'm sure you don't want me bringing home something of that nature."

Tsukune had a perplexed look as his mother blushed deeply. Mr. Aono chuckled again, stepping in to caress his wife's cheek. Mrs. Aono made a slight sound of distress, stepping back into the living room and snatching up his hand.

"Go to work, you fool."

Mr. Aono laughed as he allowed his wife to pull him to the door.

"Of course, of course. We can discuss it over text."

Tsukune chuckled nervously as he wandered back over to the table, looking in the direction of the door.

"I'm sorry about my father. I don't recall him being so…"

Kurumu smirked, pushing what was left of her breakfast into a small pile.

"Like Ginei."

"Now that's an unfair comparison. I know my father has never laid hands on another woman."

Yukari set her chopsticks down and scooted back her chair.

"Do we take our plates to the sink?"

"Uh… I don't know what my mom expects."

"Do you have any plans for Kurumu's birthday?"

"Not really. I spent most of yesterday out of the house with Mizore. She fainted on me twice."

Kurumu picked up her plate to scrape the last pile of breakfast into her mouth.

"I bought her a birthday present. It's in my closet."

"I see the honeymoon continues."

Kurumu set the plate down, glancing in the direction of the door. Mr. Aono chuckled at a girl's remark.

"Some women need to be reassured."

"Does this have anything to do with that girl I saw running down the street?"

"Why yes it-"

"Go to work!"

Mr. Aono laughed heartily, his voice becoming distance.

"I swear, that man will drive me into an early grave."

"So… who was the girl?"

"One of Tsukune's classmates. Come inside. We just finished breakfast but I could make you something."

"No worries, Auntie. I ate before coming."

Kurumu stood up from her seat, feeling her heart flutter once again. She managed a smile as Mrs. Aono appeared on the other side of the living room with a black haired girl whom had a blue barrette pinning her bangs back. Her rugged hair was not as long as Mrs. Aono's. The girl whom was wearing a red jacket over a dark blue blouse stopped in her tracks upon seeing Kurumu, blinking her blue eyes a couple times.

"Why is there a gal in your dining room?"

Mrs. Aono grinned, gesturing for the girl to continue into the room.

"I think it would be proper if you made the introductions, Tsukune."

Tsukune nervously scratched his head, forcing a smile upon the confused girl.

"Well… uh… this is my cousin, Aono Kyoko. And this is my girlfriend, Kurono Kurumu, and our classmate, Sendou Yukari."

Kyoko blinked again.

"No way."

"It's true, Kyoko. These two attend the boarding school in Niigata with Tsukune. The girl that ran out earlier is another classmate whom is having difficulty dealing with her family. She got upset when we suggested contacting her parents."

Kurumu smiled, feeling that was somewhat accurate. And then she felt something sugary which she had not felt in a few days. Aware that this was the sensation she got when a girl took interest in her, Kurumu brought her hands together at her navel and glanced aside.

"No way."

Tsukune laughed nervously.

"What are you not believing here?"

"All of it."

"I know it might be difficult to believe, but I have known about these two girls for over a month. Three more girls are in his club whom are thankfully absent as we lack the room for so many guests."

Kyoko pouted, tearing her gaze from Kurumu.

"I guess I can believe they go to the same school, but girlfriend?! How? I mean… she's so pretty."

Yukari grinned, crossing her arms about her chest.

"And so is Moka. Both placed in the top five of our recent beauty pageant."

"Your school had a beauty pageant?"

"Well… sort of. I also finished in the top ten."

Kyoko's eyes widened.

"Top ten?! How do you finish in the top ten?!"

"That's… hard to explain. The club is kind of popular. Isn't that right, Kurumu? Yukari was nominated."

Kurumu smiled brightly, nodding at the confused looks of Mrs. Aono and Kyoko.

"That is correct. Tora was also nominated, but she stepped down to write the article on the pageant. Our senior whom runs the club also finished in the top five for the guys."

Kyoko let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Oh! That's different. I was about to wonder what your school standards are if someone as normal as Tsuki gets ranked as a hot guy."

"My son is very handsome."

"Yes. I thinks he's very cute and attractive and…"

Kurumu blushed as she realized they were looking at her. She realized Kyoko was wearing one of those false denim skirts as the slit on the side of her leg was high enough to betray the hem of a hidden short.

"Well… Tsuki is cute but none of us have ever said he's attractive. I mean… he's Tsuki."

"I don't understand it either, but I could only turn her away so many times."

"Well yea. Look at her."

Mrs. Aono sighed heavily.

"And unfortunately it seems that they are having sex."

Tsukune looked up sharply, immediately shaking his head as Kyoko gasped.

"That's not true. I mean… I've thought about it, but we're not doing anything like that."

Kurumu blushed, lowering her head. She could feel Mrs. Aono's eyes upon her, daring her to deny it.

"She knows, Tsukune."

"What?!"

"I guess there was a stain on the back of my skirt even after we washed up. Your mother told me about it before we turned in, discouraging me from sneaking into your room at night."

Tsukune blanched at his mother's calm glare. Stiffening up, he bowed reverently.

"I am deeply sorry."

"I suspected the moment I saw her in person. I wanted to believe I could give you ten minutes alone with her in your room, but you eagerly confirmed my suspicions."

"Well… she is a gal. They're not as hesitant about sex as normal girls."

"What's a gal?"

"Seriously?"

Tsukune laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

"She normally doesn't dress like this."

"Okay, but what's with the blue hair?"

"Oh. Yea…"

Kurumu sighed with a deep breath.

"Maybe you should text your husband to buy me black hair dye for my birthday."

"Oh, wow. It's that bad that you need to dye it back to black."

Kurumu smiled apologetically as Yukari giggled next to her.

"I can certainly text my husband with that request."

"Thank you. I have been meaning to fix my hair but my summer break has been rather busy."

"I bet you get in all sorts of trouble with your teachers."

Kurumu smirked at Kyoko, unable to deny or elaborate on that sentiment.

"Is it okay if I go upstairs and get her present?"

"You may."

Tsukune took a step before Kyoko grabbed him by the upper arm.

"Present? What for?"

Tsukune grinned at his cousin.

"It's Kurumu's birthday. I'll be right back."

Tsukune effortlessly broke free of Kyoko's grip, hustling through the living room and down the hall. The perplexed cousin turned to regard Kurumu.

"You're the same age as him, right? Sixteen?"

Kyoko grinned brightly at Kurumu's polite nod.

"Well this will work out. Papa dumped four tickets to Lina World on me. I worried about my chances of convincing my friends to come with me, since the place really isn't geared towards high schoolers."

Kurumu frowned, glancing at Yukari.

"What is Lina World?"

"Why would I know?"

"What rock did you two crawl out from under? Lina World has been around forever."

"Ms. Kurono might not be that familiar with Yamagata. Remember the school Tsukune is attending is a boarding school in Niigata which takes in students from all over Japan. I understand she lived in Tottori before her mother moved to Niigata."

"That's pretty far away. Well... Lina World is an amusement park. It's got a few cool rides, but we've kind of outgrown it. It's more a thing for kids about her size."

"I'm not a kid."

Kyoko waved a hand apologetically.

"I'm not saying you were. It's just, you're kind of short for a high school student."

"From what I heard this morning, she's short for an eleven year old."

"Whoa! You must be super smart."

Yukari puffed up her chest, turning her nose up.

"Of course. I'm a genius."

"I'm surprised your father gave you tickets. What does he expect a girl your age to do with them?"

Kyoko sighed dramatically.

"Maybe he wants me to relive my youth or something since I'm going to graduate this year."

"You're a third year? For some reason I always got the impression you weren't that much older."

"I'm not. I was born on the first of March, so I happen to be two grades ahead of him. But all of my friends are older than me, so asking them to do stuff like this gets me teased."

"Were you going to ask your friends?"

"Well… I was thinking if I asked them using Tsukune as leverage, they might say yes. It might be our last outing together."

"Oh, I don't want to ruin any of your plans."

"You're not. Besides... I think it would be more fun to take two people whom have never been to Lina World than drag a bunch of reluctant friends there."

Kyoko turned at the sound of Tsukune's approach. He was crossing the living room with a black plastic bag in hand.

"Hey, I got some tickets for Lina World. It sounds like your friends have never been there."

Tsukune chuckled as he walked by Kyoko, coming to a stop next to Kurumu.

"I doubt they would find that place interesting."

"I wouldn't mind going to an amusement park. What about you?"

"I suppose I could entertain this outing."

"What about Mizore?"

Yukari huffed.

"Even more reason why I will tolerate being out in the city."

"Your friend will be fine. Go and have fun with your cousin and girlfriend."

"Come on, Tsuki. Do you really want that last time to be the last time?"

Tsukune sighed, smiling in resignation at his cousin's expectant expression.

"If Kurumu wants to go, I have to go."

"Well… I guess that's cool."

Tsukune chuckled at her disappointment, holding the plastic bag out to Kurumu.

"I thought we had wrapping paper at home, but we didn't. It was too late last night to go running out for some, so I hope you don't mind."

Kurumu grinned as she reached into the bag, thinking he was being silly. She could not recall the last time she had a present wrapped, mommy never prioritizing it. She pulled out a rectangular sheet of plastic which had a CD player nestled inside it. There was a piece of cardboard also inside the plastic behind the depression for the CD player which stated it was a Sony D-EJ360. Realizing there was still weight to the bag, Kurumu pulled out another small rectangle. It was a single collection CD for Utada Hikaru. The name was familiar.

"Looks like I'll have to get used to buying batteries."

"I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure if that was an artist you would like, but I couldn't give you any of the CDs Mizore recommended."

Kurumu smirked, wondering what bands that girl would suggest. She turned the CD player over.

"Oh. This has a cord you can plug in the wall."

"Lot of good that will do you in your log cabin in the middle of nowhere."

Dropping both presents back in the bag, Kurumu reached over to tousle Yukari's locks.

"My new home has outlets."

"That doesn't mean they work."

"We should head to the station to catch a bus. Lina World opens at ten and with it being summer break, I'm sure there will be a line."

Yukari's face darkened as she bowed her head.

"I am already regretting this."

Kurumu hopped down the white, metal stairs with a wide grin. Hitting the pavement, she turned about and waved at Yukari whom shuffled down the stairs holding the handrail. The witch shook her head with a sour expression.

"Come on, Yukari. That was fun. We all heard you squeal."

"There was nothing super about that ride. False advertisement."

Tsukune chuckled as he started down the stairs with Kyoko in his wake.

"It was worth the wait."

"The only thing super was the amount of time wasted in line for that. What is it with humans?"

Kurumu laughed, turning about and sidestepping the random tree near the exit of this ride. The park had several trees like this which were randomly in the black paved walkways. Yukari suspected the walkways had been dirt at one time, but the humans had excavated around the trees and placed this lifeless black cap upon the earth as it was easier to maintain. It made sense since the trees were in elevated patches of dirt and grass hemmed in with decorative stone barriers.

"What should we do next?"

Tsukune glanced at the squat, nearby building which declared itself 4D in large red letters. The circular scrawl above it was in English which Kurumu lacked the knowledge or care to decipher. He gestured ahead of them at a verdant hillside with a watery track disappearing off into the forest.

"We can do the log ride."

Kurumu nodded, noting some seated humans were drifting underneath the bridge on their left. The kid in the front was drenched.

"Are we going to get wet?"

Kyoko hurried over to Kurumu's side, grabbing up her hand and tugging her towards the small line leading up into a circular pavilion held up by white columns. The boards at the roof between the columns alternated paint colors, half being yellow while the others were a sickly green.

"It will be fine. Come on."

It was not far to reach the end of the line which started at the bridge spanning over the ride's watery path. The stairs up to the bridge were inset with yellow square tiles while the lip was a polished white stone. A waist high metal fence divided the stairs from the foliage which flanked the water channel defined by a white wall topped with a yellow bumper.

The amusement park was not nearly as busy as Kyoko had feared. While it was summer break, many parents still had work so there were not many families milling about. They had spent more time waiting for the park to open than they had at any given line for a ride. The morning bus which Kyoko had been so adamant to catch had left them at their destination more than a half hour early.

As Kyoko had predicted, most of the people in the park were young. There were the occasional couple whom might be old enough for college, but a majority of the groups were either single parents with their kids or bored junior high students with nothing better to do. This made things easier for Kurumu to enjoy the place, since there were not any creepy guys molesting her in their fantasies.

"Flying is much more thrilling than any ride this park has to offer."

Kurumu laughed at Yukari's pout.

"Don't be like that. This is fun."

"The goal of these rides is to create gravity situations which accelerate your heart rate. The only benefit these rides have over flying is the complete lack of control on how these forces assault your body."

"What in the world is she talking about?"

"It's Yukari being Yukari. Don't worry about it."

Kyoko pouted at Tsukune.

"I guess. And here I thought she was the most likely to enjoy this."

"I'm sure she enjoys it, but she's a perfectionist. She's forgetting that these rides are geared towards a younger crowd whom can't handle as much stress."

"Are young humans that frail?"

Kurumu grinned, poking at Yukari's cheek as they slowly wandered to the right with the line.

"I tend to recall several squeaks from this mouth today."

Yukari blushed, turning her head and crossing her arms.

"That's the surprise factor caused by the lack of control, built up anticipation and overestimating the experience. None of these rides would get the same reaction if I went a second time."

"She's special."

"I'm a genius."

Kurumu smiled, knowing the other two rides which had broken Yukari's composed demeanor. The first time had been the first ride, since Kyoko insisted they do the Discovery coaster before more people arrived at the park. Having been among the first ones in the park, they had been near the front of the line. Yukari had actually panicked at the top of the first ascent, suddenly worried about the structural integrity. After the ride, Yukari had spent a good five to ten minutes explaining how poorly designed the coaster was while Kurumu had teased her over her reaction.

"What's up with her calling other people humans all the time?"

"Is there something inaccurate about that?"

Kyoko frowned at Yukari.

"I guess not. You remember when Sayaka was like that, Tsuki? For over a year she would address us as earthlings and that she was some emissary of love sent from another dimension to save us from the agents of darkness."

Tsukune smirked.

"Was it a whole year? I knew she did it for a few months but I didn't think it was that long."

"Yea… I wish she still hung out with us."

"So is this Sayaka one of Kyoko's friends whom you used to hang out with?"

"She was always Kobayashi to me, though she had everyone calling her Love Princess for a months. Mostly because Love Princess wouldn't respond to her given name."

"It was even worse in school. That idiot would have gotten herself shunned if Ena hadn't played along. I won't pretend that it wasn't fun, but it did keep the four of us from having a normal junior high life."

Kurumu smiled at another unfamiliar name. There was so much more to Tsukune which she knew nothing about. She had barely scratched the surface of his childhood.

"Do you think we could meet your friends?"

Kyoko sighed as they neared the metal stairs.

"I don't know. Maybe. I'm sure we could get Ena but Kaori's softball team is very active over summer break and she's a starter. I'll call her and see if she's free tomorrow."

Kurumu wondered if that was how things would end up for them. It was not like her mother had kept in contact with any of her high school friends.

"We should get lunch after this."

"No way, Tsuki. I'm not spending more money to eat here. There's only a few other things worth doing here since we're not stopping by the waterpark."

Kurumu smirked at Kyoko, recalling how disappointed the girl had been over Kurumu not packing her swimsuit. Kurumu had apologized for her oversight, blaming the lack of a pool at Moka's place to have thrown her off. Tsukune had been dismissive, thinking a public pool would only cause trouble for Kurumu anyways. It was not like Kyoko had brought her swimsuit, having not planned to do this trip today.

"What time is it?"

Kurumu glanced at her watch.

"About a quarter before one."

Kyoko laughed, ceasing her efforts to free her phone from her back pocket.

"Forgot you had a watch. Seriously can't believe the two of you don't own cellphones. That's like an essential accessory for every high school girl."

Kurumu smiled, absently reaching over to rest her hand on Yukari's shoulder. Despite all her sulking and pompous responses, the witch seemed in higher spirits than she had been back in Kofu. Then again, the amusement park was full of pretty landscaping. It was nicer than the zoo they had visited.

After the first coaster, they had went over to the Go Karts, which had been a thorough disappointment. They were strongly discouraged from deliberately crashing into each other. The silly things were not even that fast, so it was not like they would be that damaged from some friendly bumping. For some crazy reason, Yukari had proved to be the most skilled driver of their group after she figured out the controls. While the rest of them were having fun being bad at driving, that girl was putting in laps like a veteran.

Eventually the line became too long for them to keep doing the Go Karts, so they had moved on to some ride which shot them up into the air. The first launch up had startled Yukari, whom had blushed over her reaction. The witch had kept her head down in shame for the rest of the ride and had stayed on the ground with Kyoko while Kurumu and Tsukune did a ride for couples which was basically a cart mounted to an elevated rail which moved by using bicycle pedals. They had taken it slow as every other couple was doing, holding hands and talking about his family, Mizore and Yukari. Kyoko had teased them about kissing, which had saddened Kurumu a little.

They had boarded a boat which did nothing but swing back and forth. She agreed with Yukari that it would have been cooler if the swing had gone all the way up and over, but it only went high enough to give them a momentary sense of weightlessness. Tsukune explained to them that the ride lacked the safety mechanisms to put people upside down.

The only other ride they had been on before the second coaster had been some carousel type ride with an uneven floor. It had been under a pavilion much the same as this one but the seating had been in cars mounted to the floor. The ride had sped them backwards in a fixed circle up and down the uneven floor. It had not taken long before Tsukune had been pushed up against her side due to the centrifugal forces. Yukari had practically been in Kyoko's lap.

The park did have a section dedicated to Hello Kitty but they had skipped it because it was geared for kids under a hundred centimeters. That had brought them to the second coaster around the time when many other groups were heading off for lunch.

"They can put all four of us in one log. Any preferences?"

Kurumu stepped up on the first of the metal stairs, regarding the attendant as he guided people into a log. The attendant looked about the same age as the guys that had offered her a free meal at the aquarium. He was wearing a red polo shirt and khakis. He also had a walkie talkie secured to his belt.

"We should throw Yukari in front. That way she won't be surprised by the drop."

Kyoko smirked at Tsukune.

"Are you trying to get that little girl soaked?"

"Not really. Do you want to ride with anyone between your legs, Yukari?"

"Of course not!"

"Then she goes in front."

"I suppose most people do put the smallest one in front."

Kurumu smiled, patting Yukari's head.

"I'll sit behind her."

"And I'll be behind you."

"A position you two are familiar with."

Kurumu and Kyoko both blushed at Yukari's huffed remark. Tsukune chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked away.

"There's a divider in the logs, Yukari. I doubt I could sit in the front with you and Kurumu."

"I could ride with her if you would rather be in the back with your girlfriend."

"You can sit in the back with me like we used to."

Kyoko nervously fidgeted with her hands as she stepped up onto the platform.

"Well… you have a girlfriend now. It wouldn't feel right if I sat between your legs."

"You're being weird. I'm sure Yukari is more comfortable with Kurumu."

"I could care less."

Kurumu smiled, thinking she would enjoy the ride more without Tsukune's arms about her waist.

"I know I'd be more comfortable with Yukari."

"Since you both insist, I can sit with Tsuki. You know… if we do get the gang back together, it's going to break poor Kaori's heart."

"When did Masuda get a heart?"

"Do you honestly think none of my friends didn't harbor a small crush on you?"

"Didn't you question the standards of my school this morning since I placed in the top ten guys?"

"That's different. There should be no reason for a bunch of strangers to find you attractive. Childhood friends don't crush on each other because of physical reasons."

"The only thing Kaori liked about me was that I wouldn't argue with her. It was easier to do what she asked than deal with her pestering."

Kyoko laughed as she started after the group ahead of them. Kurumu took the cue to follow, strolling along the metal catwalk which spanned over the watery track. White railing was built into the catwalk sides. The path ended with a flight of stairs down to the station where the attendant waited.

"Yea, she loved you for that. But she is going to take this pretty hard. Ena won't mind, though she'll wonder what dirt you have on this girl to make her your plaything."

"Now you're speaking for yourself."

"I'm sure Sayaka would be surprised too, assuming we can ever pull her away from her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? When did this happen?"

Kyoko sighed dramatically.

"I guess she's been dating for months. Sayaka started attending a college prep cram school after our last cultural festival. She stopped hanging out with us on weeknights because of her studies. Shortly after we became seniors, she wouldn't even hang out with us on the weekends. I haven't even met this guy since we didn't find out about her dating him until Kaori caught her at a diner after practice a couple weeks before exams. Our princess was kissing this guy and you know Kaori. She demanded answers."

"So… is she serious about this guy?"

"I have no idea, Tsuki. Kaori is the only one of us to have met him, and Sayaka isn't in any of my classes this year. Short of going to her cram school, the only way I can talk to her is on the phone. And I don't want to talk to her over the phone about something like this."

"But you still talk with her, right?"

"Yea, but not about anything serious. Ena is in her homeroom, but with the timing of this she decided studying for exams was more important. Kaori is the real problem, grumbling about betrayal and how it's Sayaka's fault that none of us have boyfriends to begin with."

Tsukune chuckled as the next group was let through the gate. Kyoko gestured for Kurumu and Yukari to slip ahead of her onto the stairs. Kurumu smiled, realizing they would be after the next group.

"Sounds like it won't be fun meeting up with Masuda."

"I'm sure after talking with Ms. Kurono that Kaori will manage to curb her disappointment. You coming back with a girlfriend is not on the same level as ditching your friends for months to secretly date a guy."

"Maybe she felt guilty. I know I always feel a little sad about Tsukune and I being the only couple in our group. I keep thinking it would be more fun if the others got boyfriends."

"Denied. The only person Moka is allowed to date is me."

Kurumu snorted, tousling the witch's locks.

"Moka could date anyone if her parents let her."

"I wonder if Kobayashi's parents are cool with her dating."

"Who knows? Those two are about as strange as Sayaka."

"What other rides are we doing here?"

Kurumu shrugged, glancing at Kyoko. The girl cupped her chin thoughtfully.

"Well… there's a haunted house. Tsuki broke down in tears in there."

"That was years ago and not long after Grandma's passed away. Masuda had me convinced Grandma was angry at me for stealing her slippers and would torment me inside."

"You stole your Grandma's slippers?"

"Kaori asked me to get them for something Sayaka was doing. Her friends ditched me in there and then tried to scare me silly."

Kyoko laughed heartily, slapping his shoulder.

"This guy peed himself."

Tsukune gagged, looking away with a fierce blush.

"I told you I had to go before we went inside."

"I had to give him my jacket. We then came to this ride so he could get soaked to cover his booboo."

"It was humiliating. I'm probably the only third grader I know to have an accident like that."

"Can't argue with that. And here I thought I could stop hiding your accidents when you started school."

"You caused that."

"How many?"

Kurumu looked up, realizing that the other group were already drifting along the way. She smiled at the attendant, holding up four fingers and giving Yukari a slight nudge forward. The young man waved them through the gate.

They walked out onto the yellow circle before stepping down onto the moving wooden flooring. The attendant accompanied them out to the yellow edge, pointing at the log. Kurumu gingerly stepped into the log first, turning and holding her hands out to help Yukari in. She settled down in the seat, which was not as wet as she had expected while Tsukune and Kyoko took their seats behind her.

The wheel kept turning, pushing the boat around till the track straightened out. They were forced out of the shade of the pavilion and started to drift around a lazy circle towards a rock face. Kurumu saw there was a black belt further down the track which would pull them up the hillside.

"So what other things do you plan to do? Are you going to do the Ferris wheel?"

"Do you want to do the Ferris wheel?"

"No. That's something for couples."

Kurumu shrugged, glancing back at Tsukune. Kyoko was blushing between Tsukune's knees.

"Do you want to go on the Ferris wheel with me? I don't think I've ever been on one."

"Sure."

"What other rides do they have?"

Kyoko managed a smile.

"They have a freezer, but we might skip that if we're wet."

"Why is a freezer an attraction?"

"I don't know. They also have a carousel and those spinning tea cups. Other than that, we might spend a little time in the gift shop before heading out."

They hit the end of their drift, the bottom of the log striking against the conveyer belt. The log lurched upwards, causing Yukari and Kyoko to press firmly against their respective partners. As they started a steady climb into the forested hillside, the flush Kyoko chuckled nervously.

"So. Uh. Yea. Have you decided on what you want to do, Tsuki?"

"What do you mean?"

"For a living. You have a girlfriend. You should start thinking about life. Stop wasting all of your free time on video games."

"I'm still unsure what I can do. One of our newspaper club friends, Kana, seems to think I could make a living off of drawing if I get the hang of digital. But she's like leagues ahead of me."

Kyoko sighed.

"Don't think like that. There will always be people out there whom are better at doing the stuff you like. It doesn't mean you can't do it too. If everyone had your defeatist attitude, there would only be one artist in the world."

They reached the summit at which point the log pitched back down into a drift. Kurumu had a lax grip about Yukari though her attention was on Kyoko as they meandered about a circle through the woods.

"Well… we're both first years so we've got time to figure that out. What about you?"

"I shall be an agent of justice."

"Seriously?"

"She's joking."

"I am being serious. I think it would be an honor to serve the community as a policewoman."

"Is one of your parents a police officer?"

"As if. My mother works as a teller at the Mizuho Bank. My father has been working at Oriental Carpet Mills since he graduated high school. My dad is actually younger than uncle by a couple years."

"Then why do you want to be an officer?"

"Because all I have to do is pass the national exam. I don't have to bother my parents with college. It only takes a year of training before I'd be able to work."

"You might want to face forward, Kurumu."

Kurumu turned her head at Yukari's suggestion. A small open cabin with wooden railing was on their right while to the left was a good view of the whole park. The drifted down the last stretch of chute, making a slight turn to face the open view. The log dipped forward, careening towards the large puddle beneath the bridge. It was not terribly fast, but hitting that puddle sloshed water up and over the front and sides, soaking her shorts and any part of her blouse not protected by Yukari's shadow.

Tsukune and Kyoko were laughing as the log bobbed and drifted before starting the final lazy glide about the hillside towards the pavilion. Kurumu shivered, pulling the dripping Yukari back against her.

"You are soaked."

"Will black show through my shirt?"

Kurumu frowned, having never worn a black bra under a yellow shirt.

"Do you know if her black bra will show through her blouse?"

"Why is she wearing a black bra?"

"Please answer the embarrassing question!"

Kyoko chuckled at Yukari's demand.

"That fancy blouse of hers is too dark for it to show through. But seriously why does she have a black bra? I couldn't get my mother to buy something like that for me until I was in high school."

"I am in high school."

Kyoko laughed as they slowly drifted about to cross under the bridge again.

"Right. My bad. I'm still surprised you would have one."

"Yukari has a friend in school about the same height whom shopped with her. It's not something her parents bought for her."

"When did this happen?"

"I think we've already established that you don't need to concern yourself with Yukari's lingerie."

"Can we talk about something else?"

Kurumu grinned, squeezing Yukari against her as the drifted back under the shade of the pavilion. The log got caught up on the wheel and started to turn with it.

"Time to go."

Realizing they needed to exit, Kurumu released Yukari and waited for the witch to clamber up onto the left side with Tsukune's assistance. She followed the witch's example, keeping his hand captive before they walked out onto the path behind the others.

"Everything else is near the Ferris wheel. We'll cross the bridge."

Kurumu nodded, walking alongside Tsukune. Their fingers were intertwined as they started up the stairs to the bridge a couple paces behind the others. She noted that he was fairly dry in comparison to her, though his jeans had a wet outline from sitting in the log. Kurumu knew her panties were soaked due to the fabric of these shorts being so thin.

"Aren't the two of you cute?"

Kurumu blushed at Kyoko's comment but squeezed his hand when he tried to pull away.

"It's obnoxious if you ask me. My parents show more restraint."

"I think it's sweet. Auntie and Uncle always share a kiss before he heads off to work. I wish my parents at least pretended to like each other."

"Is it bad?"

Kyoko sighed with a shrug as she started up the trail on the other side. To the right was a carefully sculpted row of bushes while on the left was a bunch of wooden logs pressed together to make a fence. A handrail had been mounted in the paved path.

"It's not like they argue in front of me. It's more like they don't talk to each other unless they have to. Like I swear the last time we all had a decent conversation together was when I turned seventeen."

"Talking a lot doesn't mean two people care for each other. The true language of love is physical. My parents have sex at least twice a week."

Kyoko blushed at Yukari's declaration.

"I'd rather not think about my parents having sex."

Kurumu chuckled as they walked by that cabin they had seen before the drop. It had a porch and several vending machines.

"How about you, Ms. Kurono? Are your parents happily married?"

"My father passed away when I was young so it's just been my mother for as long as I can remember."

"Oh? She never remarried?"

Kurumu shivered as they dipped back into the shade of the trees. She grinned at Kyoko.

"Let's say my mother is even more a delinquent than I am."

"We are never going to get dry."

"Don't be silly. It's not like you have to worry about anything showing."

Yukari glared back at her.

"You should worry because yours are standing out."

Kurumu frowned, doubting her cream bra would show through her shirt. But when she looked down, she realized her nipples had decided to push her worn bra out. Kurumu laughed sheepishly, lifting her free hand to cover her breast.

"These things have a mind of their own."

She shivered again, though this time it was from Tsukune's interest. She glanced at him, shaking her head as she let go of his hand to cover her other breast. She rubbed them gently, hoping that some warmth would get the silly things back to where they belonged.

"That looks remarkably lewd."

"What else can I do about it?"

"I forgot they had this thing."

Kyoko had a healthy blush as she pointed to a pastel monstrosity nestled in the forest off to their right. Five soft blue arms each held up a ring of four carts shaped like tiny boats of soft blue, pink and yellow. These arms lifted up and down and spun about a central axis with a figure sculpted at the top. The ring of boats were connected to a spindle attached to the end of each arm. This spindle also spun about, rotating the boats. While it looked rather dizzying, the speed was nothing outrageous to worry about.

"There's barely a line if you guys are up for it."

Kurumu shrugged having no opinion. She glanced at Yukari, whom sighed dramatically.

"Fine. I'll ride your baby boats if it means I don't have to watch her rub her tits."

Kurumu headed back into the laundry room carrying her clothes she had worn for the day. She was wearing the black tank top and gray cotton shorts Moka had bought her. She smiled at Mrs. Aono, bowing her head slightly as she handed over the clothes.

"I really do appreciate this. I didn't think you would wash my clothes while we were out."

"It's no problem, Ms. Kurono. I remembered you asked about it last night after helping Ms. Shirayuki with her laundry. I do have a small question about the maid uniform."

Kurumu blushed as Mrs. Aono tossed her clothes into the washer.

"I… uh… that's not something either of us bought."

Mrs. Aono politely smiled upon her.

"You're both so young. And I'm still too young to be worrying about becoming a grandmother."

Kurumu bowed deeply.

"I'm really sorry. I'll try to do better."

Kurumu flinched at the touch of Mrs. Aono's hand upon her head. The woman patted her head softly.

"All I ask is that you be more patient with life. Give yourself and my son some time to decide what you want to do with your lives before bringing another one into this world."

Kurumu lifted her head up the moment Mrs. Aono moved her hand aside. She smiled apologetically.

"Yes, Mrs. Aono."

"I also hope you can excuse my husband's behavior. He still hasn't adjusted to the idea of Tsukune having a girlfriend. I knew if I showed him the pictures Ms. Nazohashi sent to me that he would only cause me more grief. It was hard enough to deal with how little Tsukune responded to my letters after your trip."

Kurumu smiled softly. She had not realized Tsukune had clammed up to his parents about school life after the ghoul incident until dinner today. He had sent only one letter after the assembly when he had been pardoned from his crimes. Since that had only been a couple weeks ago and mail was only picked up and delivered on Fridays at Yokai, Tsukune had not felt a reason to send a second letter.

"I'm sorry. I guess Mizore showing up was a big surprise."

"Very much so. He had never mentioned the girl at all. If he had brought Ms. Akashiya or Ms. Nazohashi with him, I would have been more prepared. Even Ms. Zukkutani would have been welcome."

"Please don't think poorly of Mizore. She is a good girl."

"She is a difficult girl. I'm worried for her health. She has yet to anything I serve for her."

Kurumu sighed, well aware of how much of a picky eater Mizore was. She was hesitant to suggest Mrs. Aono buy ice cream for the girl.

"Is she still in her room?"

"I believe so. I think the AC must be acting up. Our guest room is much cooler than it should be. The poor girl must be freezing."

Kurumu smirked at that sentiment.

"I guess it would have been nice to spend my birthday with Moka or Tora. I guess Kana too, though she is kind of in her own world all the time."

"I got that impression from Tsukune. He used to write every week about his club up to his birthday. He said you were the energy of the group while Ms. Nazohashi was the discipline and Ms. Sendou was the intelligence."

"What did he have to say about Moka?"

"He spoke of Ms. Akashiya as being the glue that kept you all together. That without her, there would have never been a club."

Mrs. Aono pouted.

"Though he never said that you were all a bunch of beautiful girls."

Kurumu laughed, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.

"Well… he said that would worry you. Trust me, I wasn't happy about his silence either."

"I hope you had a good birthday despite Kyoko's accident. She's never blacked out before."

Kurumu chuckled nervously, thinking about how the rest of their trip at the amusement park went. Most of it had been tame after the water ride. The haunted house had been silly which had Kurumu poking all sorts of fun at Tsukune for ever being scared by it. He had agreed with her, declaring his first week in his dorm had been much more frightening than anything he saw in there, which had Kyoko laughing about him being such a wuss. Yukari had also been unimpressed, wondering why humans had this weird fascination about vengeful spirits lingering after death. She guessed most of these horror tales were based on spirits trying to drive off the pesky humans whom had invaded their territory.

They had skipped the icebox since Kurumu had not been interested in nipping out again. Despite Yukari's protests, they all had ridden the Ferris wheel together in which they had talked more with Kyoko about the other members of their club. Kyoko had been surprised to hear Tsukune was involved with a bunch of girls and that he had shopped lingerie with them. Being a brat, Yukari had shared the fact that Tsukune had slept with most of them which resulted in Tsukune stumbling over unintelligible words. Kurumu cleared up any misunderstandings his blushing cousin might have had.

The incident Mrs. Aono mentioned was the last ride they had done after the carousel, which had been remarkably boring but at least Kurumu could now say she had ridden one. They had all squeezed into a Hello Kitty tea cup which had a central disc which allowed the occupants to spin their cup. Kyoko had started things off, teasing Tsukune about him not being able to handle her technique in the past. Tsukune had assured her he could do better and proceeded to do that after Kyoko had egged him on.

Kurumu had thought it hilarious fun since the rest of the rides had been rather tame up to this point. She would have helped him spin it faster, but Yukari had screamed at them to slow it down before their seat achieved liftoff. By the time the ride had stopped, Kyoko was unconscious and the attendants hurried over to their cup to make sure it had not malfunctioned. Tsukune had to carry his cousin off to the gift shop while Kurumu and Yukari staggered in a wavy line after him. The poor girl had been out a whole half hour before coming to, completely confused over what had happened.

"It was fun, though I would have liked to do more."

It had been almost four when they had finally left Lina World, ending any hopes for lunch. They had stopped in the souvenir store at Yamagata Station to pick out some plums for mommy. Kurumu had been pleasantly surprised to see another decorative cup like the one mommy had bought for her at Niigata Station. Of course that one had the Niigata flag and other designs likely related to the prefecture. This one had Yamagata stuff so she coughed up the fifteen hundred yen.

Mrs. Aono turned on the water to the washer.

"Did Ms. Sendou bring a second bag? I didn't see the outfit she wore yesterday among your things and her bag was empty."

Kurumu laughed nervously.

"Yea… she has her clothes hidden away somewhere else."

"Have her bring her clothes to me. There's no reason to send her home with a bunch of dirty laundry."

"Yes, Mrs. Aono."

Mrs. Aono smiled warmly, reaching over to touch a dangling strand of hair by Kurumu's ear.

"And also fetch your dye. You should fix this tonight."

Kurumu frowned, glancing over at the sliding door which opened into the toilet room.

"You mean after Tsukune finishes with his bath?"

"I suppose if you hurry you might catch him before he finishes."

"Is that okay?"

"I'm granting you permission to dye your hair with him. Don't let things get carried away."

Kurumu nodded, turning on her heel and hurrying out through the open door into the hall. It was not that far of a walk to reach their room, Kurumu knocking before sliding the door open. She flashed Yukari a smile as she quickly crossed the room to her suitcase, kneeling down in front of it. The witch had already dressed down for bed in a white and black tee with matching sleep pants. The girl was sprawled out on her stomach, holding a mechanical pencil above her summer worksheets.

"Are you actually doing your summer homework?"

"What else would I be doing?"

Kurumu sighed, shaking her head as she grabbed the box of hair dye Mr. Aono had given her at dinner.

"Mrs. Aono would like you to surrender your dirty laundry to her. She has no idea where you are getting your clothes from, so I told her you have a second bag hidden somewhere."

"Hmm. I guess I should set all my clothes out in the open to prevent further confusion."

"She's asking for them now, so come with me."

"What are you doing?"

Kurumu grinned, waving the box of hair dye at Yukari.

"I have permission to have Tsukune's help with this in the bath."

Yukari sighed, getting up to kneel over her bag. She pulled out the clothes she had worn today.

"Are you sure that's wise? If you fuck Tsukune every chance you get, his mother isn't going to bless your relationship."

"I'm not going to have sex with him."

"You should bathe with me. I can do your hair."

Kurumu smiled as Yukari finished withdrawing clothes from her bag. She knew the witch was right. It was smarter to avoid the situation than to prove she could behave. She shrugged, getting back up on her feet and starting for the door while Yukari gathered up her clothes in her arms.

"He's probably done with his bath anyways."

Kurumu waved at Mr. Aono whom was seated behind the low table facing the television. The father failed to notice the gesture, caught up in whatever it was he was watching. Kurumu chuckled softly, walking back into the laundry room while fidgeting with the box in her hands.

"I forgot to suggest you wear those slips you own for bed. They are more modest than your tank tops."

Kurumu frowned, moving aside as Yukari came into the room.

"I thought they were too sexy."

"Trust me when I say your current attire is more visually stimulating. Leave those with me before you head into the bath. I'll fetch one of your gowns."

Kurumu smiled sheepishly as Mrs. Aono reached down to relieve Yukari of her load.

"Wouldn't it be better if I helped Kurumu dye her hair?"

Kurumu wandered closer to them as she grabbed the hem of her tank top and hauled it up over her head. She absently handed it over as she tugged her shorts down.

"You are more than welcome to join them."

"Absolutely not, Mrs. Aono. I may look young, but I'm a high school girl at heart. I have no business being naked in the same room as a high school boy."

"I was not suggesting for you to remove your clothing, Ms. Sendou. I'll be sure to leave your clothes next to your futon in the morning."

Kurumu chuckled as Mrs. Aono relieved her of her shorts in exchange for a towel. Feeling flush over her naked state, she pranced over to the bathroom door, clutching the dingy white fabric against her breasts.

"Try not to get dye on the towel. I know they're old but all the same."

"Maybe Yukari could stand guard in case Mizore has to use the restroom."

Kurumu tentatively slipped open the bathroom door. Yukari sighed, following after her.

"I do have to pee."

There was not much to the bathroom. There was a sink built into the vanity in one corner of the room. A cup with Tsukune's and Yukari's toothbrushes rested near the faucets. Kurumu had forgot to pack hers. In the other corner was a toilet with a blue padded seat. The only other thing in this room was the sliding door which opened into the adjacent compartment. The glass was fogged over from the steam wafting off the bathwater. Kurumu paused in front of the door, taking in a deep breath to calm her heart.

"Thanks, Yukari."

Yukari tugged her sleep pants down to her ankles and pushed the seat up.

"Whatever. Don't think I won't check on you if I hear anything funny."

Kurumu smiled as the girl settled down on the ring. Turning her attention back to the door, she knocked on the glass twice.

"Tsukune? I'm coming in."

She heard agitated sloshing and she grinned. She tugged the door open and stepped inside, expecting to see him in the bath. The water was shaking and there seemed to be chunks of white drifting about, but Tsukune was actually seated at the stool beneath the showerhead. He had a towel drawn over his crotch, which was not hiding his reaction to her being present.

"You shouldn't be in here!"

She grinned at his hissed protest, noting the scars slashed across his chest. He had received those during Saizou's attack. There was also the other slash down his front which he had received from Rubi. So many close brushes with death which he had only survived because of Moka's blood.

"Don't worry, Tsukune. Your mother knows I'm in here."

Tsukune gasped, glancing nervously at the tub as he scooted back from her. She guessed he might have been scolded about doing things with her. Feeling it would be fun to tease him, she dropped her towel to increase his interest in her. Approaching him sensually because it made his desires lick over her in a satisfying way, she knelt down between his knees and waved the box in his face.

"She says you can help me dye my hair."

"Uh… maybe later?"

Kurumu frowned, setting the box down on the floor. She cocked her head and grabbed his hand, noting the holy lock about his wrist which he was always careful with. This device subdued his vampire blood but was not on the same level of magic as Moka's rosary. It was enough to keep him in control so he would not become a ghoul, but his innate power to break magical devices made this arrangement risky.

"Don't you want to color my hair?"

"Maybe with more clothes on."

Her body tingled with his sexual desire. She brought his hand closer, licking his index finger.

"We can't have sex, but maybe we could do something else to fix this?"

There was a huge slosh of water which drew Kurumu's attention to the tub on her right. Mizore gasped, water dripping down her bared torso. She shook her head as her sapphire eyes looked them over.

"I can't, Tsukune. I'm at my limit."

"What is she doing in here?"

Tsukune snatched his hand out of her grasp, clapping it together with his other palm as he bowed his head to her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't notice she was in here when I came inside. We didn't know what to do and it sounded like you were in the other room with my mother."

Mizore stood up in the bath, touching the wall with her left hand while the other pressed to her temple. The girl was stark naked, with a wild mess of purple curls below her navel.

"Why is she naked?"

Mizore looked at her, confused and wobbly.

"Isn't that normal for a bath?"

"I called out to my mother to bring me some clothes, but she said she would get them later. I had no idea she was about to send you in here."

Kurumu glanced back to the door which she had reflexively closed when she had entered. She wondered if Mrs. Aono was off to do that now.

"Don't you have clothes?"

Mizore nodded, pressing up against the wall.

"In the laundry room."

Kurumu doubted those were still there. When she had been talking with Mrs. Aono, there had been no spare clothes lying about. The housewife had probably tossed them in with the wash.

"We couldn't send Mizore out. Who knows what mother would think if she came out before me."

Kurumu sighed dramatically, getting up on her feet.

"So what were the two of you doing?"

There was an uncomfortable pause as Tsukune looked at Mizore. The heavy panting of Mizore had Kurumu concerned that it was not only from the heat.

"What were you doing, Tsukune?"

He looked to the floor.

"Is it true that I hurt you so bad that you can't have children anymore?"

A sudden whirlwind of emotions tore through her. She stumbled back against the wall, regarding Mizore. It hurt. She was angry, distraught and confused. She could not tell if it made more sense to lash out or to curl up and cry. Her eyes quickly threatened to spill tears.

"Why?"

"It's not right, Kurumu."

"But that's not fair."

"You can't keep lying to him."

"But I can be fixed."

Mizore shook her head, the temperature dipping.

"Don't. You know that isn't true."

"I can."

"I heard what that doctor said."

"I can be fixed."

"Stop lying! You've always known your kiss was dangerous. And now you can't have kids. What kind of future is that?"

"But that's not true. He can become immune to my kiss."

Mizore eyes were filled with wavering emotions.

"Because of Akashiya's blood? Don't you realize how wrong that is? You can fuck Tsukune all you like but it won't ever fix you."

"I'm not doing that, Mizore."

"I know you don't love me, Tsukune, but at least you could have a future with me."

The door slid open. Kurumu turned her tear filled eyes upon Yukari whom walked through the door. The witch chucked some clothes into Mizore's torso. Mizore clutched the garments against her breast, looking down at the floor.

"Get the fuck out."

Kurumu had seen that dark look on Yukari's face before. She shook her head, not wanting things to turn out like this. This was not how it should happen. Kurumu reached for Mizore as the girl exited the bath.

"No. Don't go."

Mizore pushed her hand aside and bolted out of the room. Kurumu shook her head, crying in frustration. She started towards the door but Yukari stepped in her way with arms crossed.

"You are supposed to be dyeing your hair."

Mrs. Aono stepped into the laundry room from the hall with a confused expression.

"Did Ms. Shirayuki run out the front door naked?"

"She has clothes, Mrs. Aono."

"Okay… but what happened?"

"Just another fight over Tsukune. That girl is hopeless."

Mrs. Aono sighed heavily, walking over to the door for the toilet room.

"We really must have a talk with that girl's parents. I brought clothes for you, Tsukune. I also brought your black nightgown, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu nodded, unable to formulate words at the moment. She was sobbing too much and did not realize Tsukune's presence until he was pressed up against her, draping his arms about her shoulders.

"Thank you, mom."

"Hold her till she calms down and don't do anything improper. I'll go look for Ms. Shirayuki. We can't let that girl run around the neighborhood naked."

Yukari sighed dramatically, walking away from them.

"I can find her if you insist."

"You can? That would be most helpful."

Mrs. Aono smiled, holding a hand out to Yukari. The witch took her hand and they headed out of the laundry room, closing the door behind them.

Kurumu shivered as she felt lips press against the side of her neck, turning sobs into whimpers.

"Don't."

"I don't care if you can't have a baby. All this time I was thinking you were masturbating to avoid going crazy on the other girls."

Kurumu laughed despite her tears. If he had not busted her baby organ and considering how much unprotected sex they had been having, she would have needed to do something to avoid repeating that embarrassing day when she had begged for permission to impregnate Moka. She whimpered as she relaxed against his torso, aware of his erection poking the small of her back.

"How are you still hard after all that?"

"Because you're naked and we're alone."

Kurumu rubbed her eyes, pouting.

"But you were hard when I came in the room."

"Yea… well… Mizore was naked."

"So any naked girl would make you hard?"

He sighed heavily.

"I hope that isn't true for Yukari."

Kurumu laughed again, shaking her head.

"Silly boy. We should dye my hair."

He gave her a squeeze.

"Shall we do all of it?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't we?"

He lowered one of his hands below her navel, petting her curls.

"This too?"

She smirked, wondering why he would think to ruin her lovely blue patch which only he would see.

"Don't be an idiot."