My Devotion

by Ravenhale1

This is the third installment in the AU recreation of Rosario Vampire told through Kurumu's POV. This story starts around midterms and continues through the following month (June 4th - July 9th, 2005) to cover first season's Chapters 13-28 (though 18&19 happen first). Not strictly canon.

5. Study Break

"There's no way you can convince your parents to let you stay?"

Kinzoku smiled softly while resting her chin in her palm. Her other hand absently thumbed the study sheet Mr. Hakuru had provided at the start of the hour. Seeing little reason to repeat what was written on the sheet in regards to their lab exam, the teacher had excused himself, leaving the class in Ichida's care. The class rep had decided to sit down behind the teacher's desk and declare the hour a study hall. A few of the students actually were.

"They put in my transfer to Hisoshi the day after I told them what really happened. I was surprised that they could do that."

"Yea, but you're still here."

"Only because I asked to stay for midterms out of concern for Hinoko. She was already upset with that Senjo girl transferring out with almost no warning."

Kurumu was seated on top of Madosuki's desk. The black haired girl with the short, pigtail horns was the Yasuko girl that the younger Hineri was paired up with. She understood Madosuki was also from Myoko and had met Hiboshi's group of friends during Junior High.

"She's still going to be upset."

"It's out of my hands, Ms. Kurono. If your mother suddenly decided to enroll you in a different school, there wouldn't be much you could do either."

Kurumu sighed, regarding Satsuki whom was turned about in her seat and leaning over the back of her chair. Her legs were spread wide though it hardly mattered with her wearing the school slacks.

"Did you mention you made a few friends?"

The silver haired Kinzoku made a short laugh.

"I have friends in Hisoshi. It's only about a half hour from home. My mother was opposed to the idea of me coming to Yokai."

"How did you get them to enroll you in Yokai?"

"I convinced my father it would be better if I lived away from home."

"What about asking him?"

"I tried but he can't deal with Mother right now. It's a matter of my safety."

"Is Hisoshi any safer?"

Hineri huffed, leaning back in her seat.

"Yokai has the worst reputation of the Niigata schools. The other two schools don't have monstrel attacks as heavily documented."

Kurumu shrugged, not feeling the mood to discuss how much Kuyo's racism played into that.

"Mother will see me every day, so I guess it will feel safer to her."

"Ugh, I don't envy you in the slightest. I can't stand being around my mother."

Kurumu glanced over her shoulder at the perturbed Madosuki. The girl was slightly taller than Satsuki and had fiery orange eyes. She was leaned back in her seat with her arms crossed below her modest bosom. Excluding herself and Hazumi, Madosuki was the most endowed which said a lot about the rest of these young girls.

"Was there a reason why you went missing?"

Kinzoku frowned at Satsuki. She glanced at Kurumu.

"Am I allowed to talk about it?"

Kurumu shrugged, turning her attention to Juri whom was halfway turned in her chair to face them.

"Have you said anything about it?"

"I haven't, but I'm sure Miho has blabbed to more than our club. That girl can't keep secrets."

"Did Miho say why some of the girls were picked?"

The brunette pursed her thin lips.

"Miho thinks it was about showing too much interest in boys."

"I can't imagine Kinzoku talking a lot about guys."

"I did mention that my elective was shop and that it was nice to be surrounded by a bunch of guys."

Satsuki frowned.

"You don't strike me as the flirty type."

"I'm not. But I'm tall so it was special to be in a class where I was actually short compared to most."

"I could see that being why you were picked. It's obvious why the Unabara twins were selected. She was hounding Ms. Kurono for weeks about getting guys to show up at the swimming pool."

Kurumu smiled at Juri.

"That explains the chatty one. I guess her sister just got mixed up as part of the deal."

"I wonder why Nerume got picked. It's not like she talks about boys with anyone."

Satsuki was unaware that the disappearances had anything to do with the former art teacher, Ms. Ishigami. With art being Nerume's elective, it was possible Nerume had said something that caught the unstable art teacher's interest.

"Nerume is the girl you eat lunch with?"

"Yes, the dark haired girl with the left side ponytail."

"Nerume acts like she slept through the whole thing. Is that possible?"

"Maybe. I was asking Miho and the cousins about it, and it sounds like your body functions slow down dramatically in that state. If she was dozing off, she could have slept through it. She was only missing for like half a week."

Kurumu smiled, aware that made no sense to most these girls. It was not public knowledge that the girls were turned to stone.

"I'm thinking I should bring this up to Kana, since she was one of the first two girls that disappeared. The only interest she seems to have in boys is with them kissing each other."

Hineri and Juri both made displeased faces while Satsuki chuckled.

"She's one of those?"

"What is one of those?"

Juri shrugged.

"Yaoi girls. They tend to have a thing for feminine guys being hit on by masculine guys. I don't get it, but they seem to adore it."

"That's a type of yaoi girl. There are others that like both parties gruff and tough. I think it's an obsession with domination."

Satsuki grinned at Hineri.

"Are you secretly a yaoi girl?"

"As if. A Jorougumo by nature is not interested in submitting to a male. And I certainly don't find submissive boys as anything but weaklings lapping at the heels of a mistress. That's more in line with what a succubus would want."

"Are you being snooty at me?"

Hineri glanced at Yukari before addressing Kurumu.

"I said a succubus. If I wanted to mean you, I would have said your name."

"I got dibs on her seat when she leaves."

Kurumu smirked at Endo whom had got up from her desk and was lingering behind Juri. While the black haired girl had her neck under control, she had an awkward way of cocking her head at unnatural angles due to her flexibility.

"What's wrong with yours?"

"I'd rather have a window seat."

"It's going to suck when you're gone. I'll be the only girl in shop class."

"Why did you take shop anyways?"

Satsuki shrugged.

"I like making things."

"You make things in home ec and art."

"That's girly shit."

"I wouldn't say making food is girly. Even guys have to make food."

"It's called a microwave."

Kurumu chuckled along with Juri and Madosuki.

"I'm serious. Anybody can figure out how to make a meal or scribble something that could pass as art. It's different when you're trying to make a chair, mailbox or repair something. Feels more useful."

"Are you thinking of pursuing a career in that?"

"I don't know. I suppose making furniture for a living could be fun."

"Your clientele will be very small if you remain in monster communities. Do you plan to live with the humans?"

"I plan to marry a human someday. Kind of hard to meet one if I stick around in villages like Mononoke."

"What about you, Hineri? Don't jorougumo mate with humans?"

Hineri blushed at Kurumu's inquiry. Scowling she turned away with a huff.

"I haven't decided if I want to have kids."

Yukari snorted, turning a smug look at the younger Hineri.

"It's attitudes like that which cause your species to be on the decline."

"But it's hard for jorougumo to have children. They say Hineri's mother might never walk again."

Hineri scowled at Madosuki.

"That was her fault. Yaisoku's mother is fine because she took the proper steps when you try to have babies so close in age."

"I was only curious if you thought about marrying a human and living among them. It's not like I was interested in knowing if you wanted to make babies."

"I… haven't."

"Kumiko's never shown any interest in guys. If she loves anyone, it's her sister."

"And you don't fawn over your younger brothers?"

Madosuki shrugged.

"Sometimes. If you had a younger sibling, you would understand it can be exhausting."

"You two are lucky. I don't have any siblings."

Kurumu smiled at Endo.

"Neither do I. Satsuki has an older brother. What about you, Kinzoku?"

"I'm a middle child. My older brother's in college and my little brother will start junior high next year."

Juri laughed.

"I have a little brother but he's way younger than me. It's like my mom realized I was no longer a baby when I started junior high so she suddenly wanted another one."

Hineri smirked, gesturing at the track girl whom had been quietly writing in a personal notebook.

"Nobody will have Hazumi beat on siblings. What are you at? Five or six?"

The charcoal haired girl glanced up. She frowned inquisitively at Hineri.

"We're talking siblings. I know you have two little brothers but is it three or four sisters?"

Hazumi closed her notebook.

"Four. Why are we talking about siblings?"

Kurumu shrugged.

"Just because. Are all your siblings younger?"

"Yea, but it's not strange. Haruhi is also an oldest child. She has two sisters and three brothers."

Kurumu had not expected Irewata to be a big sister, let alone have that many siblings.

"Do all gyokuto have large families?"

Hineri smirked.

"Of course. It's about the only thing gyokuto are good at."

Kurumu regarded Hazumi and felt flush with the thought that this girl would probably have five or six children and think nothing of it. Having one child would be more than enough for Kurumu.

"Ms. Kurono. I heard this morning that you were flying around topless with your mistress yesterday."

Kurumu promptly wagged her finger at the girl.

"Moka is not my mistress and I was not topless. I was wearing a bra."

"Flying around like an idiot."

Kurumu sighed. After a half hour of flying around the campus, Kurumu had been too exhausted to continue looking for Tsukune and Yukari. It had taken another half hour of fruitless searching before Moka could finally convince an emotionally drained Kurumu to return to school. She had cried so much, scared and frustrated. If Moka had not had that voice of reason in her head, they probably would have continued searching until Yukari calmed enough to look for them.

"You should have waited for us."

"I handled the situation fine without you."

When they had returned to the classroom, Yukari had been fast asleep on a desk while Tsukune was chatting with Nerume and Satsuki. None of them understood what had happened. According to Tsukune, Yukari had swooped in and brutally attacked Mizore. It had taken less than a minute for the witch to subdue the surprised Shirayuki, encasing her in a prison of flames with threats to incinerate her if she ever came close to any of her precious friends again. Shirayuki quickly acquiesced to Yukari's demands. Tsukune had tried to offer Shirayuki an escort back to her suite, but Yukari had broken down in a fit of tears that forced him to attend to her instead.

They had told the three about Yukari misunderstanding a threat Mizore had made upon Moka that had set her off. Tsukune had admitted he had mixed feelings about the whole thing, since Mizore had done some unsettling things on their outing. On top of showing him a marked up copy of the newspaper with her commentary, she had asked if he would run away with her. Her remark had been in such a flat tone that he could not tell if she was joking. She had been visibly agitated that Moka would prevent him from doing such a thing, saying that he could never be anyone's boyfriend while embracing his destiny.

"Sure, if you count being carried unconscious into class as a victory."

"I was exhausted."

Satsuki smirked.

"You're lucky Aono is such a gentleman. You might be young but some guys operate on a policy of if there is grass on the field, the game can be played."

"Where did you hear that?"

"One of the benefits of being in shop class is you get to hear all the crude stuff guys think about girls. I swear those boys forget I'm there half the time."

Kurumu shook her head, knowing some of those boys. Burumoto would say something like that to her face, if only to see her reaction. She glanced at Yukari and smirked.

"Knowing Yukari, she would not mind if Tsukune did play a little in her field."

Kurumu could tell by the look on her face that Hineri wanted to say something. The way she glowered in silence meant it was something that she was worried Yukari would punish her for.

"Tsukune barely plays in your field."

"Has he played in your field?"

Kurumu blushed, aware that some of the nearby boys had taken interest in the conversation.

"Can we talk about that tonight, Satsuki?"

Satsuki grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry. I was just surprised that she said barely when last I heard the two of you hadn't done anything."

"Yea…"

"So what situation did Ms. Sendou handle that had you flying around in your underwear?"

Kurumu smirked at Juri.

"I still was wearing a skirt."

"You know what I meant."

Kurumu pursed her lips, wondering how she should mention this. She had talked briefly about this subject with Yukari this morning.

"There was a little misunderstanding between Shirayuki and us about Tsukune."

Yukari snorted.

"Sure. She misunderstood that being a friend doesn't mean steal away someone's boyfriend."

"Hold up. She made a pass at Tsukune?"

Satsuki chuckled.

"Yea, it's so weird, right? For a normal guy, these strange girls keep fawning over him. I just learned about some other girl that likes Aono simply because he has a girlfriend."

Juri sighed, shaking her head.

"Homewreckers. I'm surprised with Shirayuki though. Wasn't she crushing on Coach Kotsubo just a week ago? Seems pretty quick to switch guys."

"Mizore is confused right now. She thought Kotsubo was serious when he was only flirting with her the same way he does with any girl. I encouraged Tsukune to be nice to her since she doesn't have a whole lot of friends, but she must have taken that as a sign of him being interested in her."

"Sounds like a mess."

"I know. I want to help her but she's so socially awkward. I had to leave her schoolbag at her doorstep because she either wasn't home or was refusing to the answer the door."

"You're a shit ton nicer than Shirayuki."

"What makes you say that?"

"When that girl asked you about redeeming qualities. I could tell you were thinking you were no better than Shirayuki but you're a hell of a lot friendlier."

Kurumu shrugged.

"I guess. All I'm doing is talking. There's nothing special about this."

"Maybe it's because she's a succubus."

Kurumu glanced at Hazumi.

"I don't think so. I was much different in Junior High."

Hazumi frowned, fidgeting with her mechanical pencil.

"Well… if a succubus is a creature of lust and desire, it would only be natural that you would be sociable."

"Yea, but that doesn't make her sociable with other girls. Her body craves the attention of men."

"That sounds dirty, Ms. Unari."

Satsuki smirked at Madosuki.

"I didn't say it was physical attention. She's like a sponge for perverted thoughts."

"Wow. Thanks for that comparison."

"What is it like, Ms. Kurono?"

"Yea, I've only heard a few things about succubuses. Or is it succubi?"

"Pretty sure it's succubi."

Kurumu chuckled as Satsuki confirmed that for Madosuki.

"If anything, I'd say being a succubus is annoying. Because of my charm, I can't make direct eye contact with any guys."

"You mean like never?"

Kurumu smiled at Juri.

"Yea. I don't know if it's because I don't know how to control it or if it will always be this way. I honestly never thought to ask my mother if she could control hers."

"That sounds like that should have been an important conversation."

"I was being difficult in Junior High. I was raised to think I was a human girl up until my dumb wings sprouted from my back, so the communication between us was never happy."

"My wings came in my fourth grade year."

"You have wings?"

Juri smiled at her.

"Yea, but I always knew I would get them. I can imagine the shock of suddenly having wings you weren't told about. I take it your mother never showed her true form to you."

"She still hasn't. She tried to tell me how to suppress my true form, but it was difficult for her to explain and it took me more than a year to do it reflexively."

"You've never made eye contact with Mr. Aono?"

Kurumu glanced over her shoulder at Madosuki.

"I have, but I try not to."

"That sounds difficult."

She paused, thinking of how she could describe her charm.

"Making eye contact would be like grabbing a guy by the sleeve to get his attention. Then he waits for you to tell him what you want, which can be whatever thought happens to pop in your head."

"That sounds romantic to be able to communicate without words."

"It's not communication. It's more like hypnosis."

The bell sounded the end of third period. Smiling, Kurumu slipped off Madosuki's desk.

"Most of the time I avert my gaze quickly to break the charm. It will leave guys momentarily dazed and confused, since they were ready to do my bidding and I asked nothing from them. It's just annoying."

"And that's just her charm. She also can't kiss anyone because of some chemical in her spit that will rot your brains out."

Hazumi grimaced.

"That makes no sense. How can a creature of desire have such horrible attributes?"

"It doesn't rot your brains out. It makes a person very needy of me. Like they would fall in love with kissing me and want to keep kissing me because it feels good. I don't get the impression that it's bad enough to never kiss Tsukune, but it's not something I should do regularly."

"That's sad. When I saw you in home ec trying to be nice to Shirayuki even after what she did, I knew you had such a big heart full of love."

"If you accept that the core of her being is having and keeping the attention of men, these charms and chemicals would allow her to do so."

Hineri crossed her arms about her chest as she glared at the girl.

"Not every creature complies with this silly human concept that love is required for mating. Thousands of species in nature survive without love."

"That's a well stated observation, Ms. Hineri. Perhaps you are not as boorish as I thought."

Hineri scowled at Yukari as Kurumu slipped by Juri's desk to sit in her chair.

"I see similarities in her situation that apply to my kind. We are predators with men as our prey. Love is counterproductive to our survival."

Kurumu frowned, wondering if that was true. She knew there was a difference between charmed desire and natural, but that was clearly a preference. She could live off charmed desire like a person could live off microwavable cups of ramen noodles. She was thinking she should say something but simply smiled when Ms. Nekonome walked through the front door, intent on the podium.

"I wonder how it works if the guy is the prey."

Kurumu smirked, thinking Hazumi should stop with the whole predator prey fascination she had.

---

"You need to come with me."

Kurumu frowned at Tora whom was hovering near Nerume's desk.

"But Yukari made lunch for me."

"Tsukune could eat yours. That boy could use a bit more meat on his bones."

Satsuki stepped around Kurumu to place a hand on Nerume's shoulder. The girl was napping as usual.

"Hey, could we come with? I'm planning to be part of the PSC anyways."

"Is there something wrong, Ms. Nazohashi?"

Tora smiled at the girls about Kurumu.

"You should focus on your studies, Ms. Unari. And nothing is wrong, Ms. Sendou. I need to speak with Kurumu about something which concerns the PSC. There's no reason to trouble the rest of you."

"Come on, be a friend and spare me the lunch line."

"I'm sorry but I can't. The most I'm allowed is two friends. I can't do three."

Satsuki frowned, absently rubbing Nerume's shoulder.

"Maybe we should ditch her today."

"That would be cruel."

"She can have the lunch Sendou made for you."

"Nerume eats a hell of a lot more than I do."

Satsuki sighed.

"Fine. But I'm going to make it into the PSC. Eighty percent shouldn't be that hard to do."

"I'll be sure to let Mr. Koike know about your interest."

Kurumu smiled.

"How are their recruitment efforts going?"

"Dismal. Other than Mr. Kitajima, I think Ms. Unari is the only one whom has shown any interest in joining their ranks."

"Maybe I can convince Nerume to join the PSC."

"And do what? Ms. Genzouyaki can't seem to stay awake through class. She's hardly the sort of role model we want to represent the PSC."

Yukari gestured to Moka. Tsukune was in the process of arranging the desks.

"I'm going to join Moka. I'll see everyone later."

"Bye, Yukari."

Satsuki grinned as she tousled Nerume's hair aggressively. The girl made a slight whimper as she lifted a hand to bat the girl away. Frowning, Nerume lifted her head while absently rubbing her head.

"She's so much nicer than she used to be."

"Yukari? I guess."

"Have you slept in your room yet, or are you still sleeping in her bed?"

Kurumu smiled. Last night had been so unproductive. Yukari had not been in a mood to do anything but sleep, skipping dinner and not washing her sheets. Kurumu had tried to start the rough draft of her archery article, but was too exhausted to write anything coherent. Half asleep, she crawled in bed with the witch, promptly passing out.

"It's more comfortable in her bed."

"She's not as defensive as she used to be."

"I don't know about that. From what Moka said this morning, it sounds like Ms. Sendou is still quite aggressive. I'm worried Ms. Shirayuki is too frightened to come to class."

"How is Mizore?"

"Absent. Which is troublesome with midterms tomorrow. If she skips those, I don't see how they won't expel her."

"Good riddance."

"Satsuki."

"Sendou's right about this girl. You don't try to steal away the guy from a girl whom is trying so hard to be your friend. That's really underhanded."

While Kurumu had no reason to doubt Tsukune's words, she really wished Mizore had explained herself. She could not fathom why Mizore would hate her. There had to be a good reason for her to suggest Tsukune run away with her, or maybe Tsukune had misunderstood something.

"Be that as it may, I'm not thrilled with the idea of losing a science lab partner. I would prefer Ms. Shirayuki to continue attending class."

Kurumu chuckled at the notion that this was Tora's motivation. Surely that girl could handle the science lab on her own like Yukari did.

"We should probably head to the cafeteria."

Nerume got up out of her desk and promptly wrapped her arms about Kurumu's torso. The girl sighed, nuzzling her cheek against the swell of Kurumu's bosom. Reflexively Kurumu timidly held the girl.

"Nerume?"

"You're so soft."

Satsuki chuckled, shaking her head. She grabbed Nerume by the shoulder, tugging on the smaller girl.

"Come on, let Kurumu go."

"She's like a pillow. I want to sleep with her again."

Kurumu smirked, recalling having to move to the floor the last time that happened.

"You don't lie still when you sleep."

"You have to hold me tighter."

"I can't do that unconsciously."

Tora tugged on her sleeve. She gestured to the door.

"I know."

Kurumu shifted in Nerume's grip and made a deliberate effort to walk for the door. The girl quickly adapted to the movement, relaxing her hold to walk while pressed up against Kurumu's left side. It felt a little awkward, but she knew it would interest the boys which was a nice side effect of having clingy friends like Hinoko. That girl's behavior in gym had the boys very interested in Kurumu's basic skill tests.

It was always difficult to say which path was the fastest way to the end of the lunch line. Depending on how long the line was, it could be better to take one of the stairs by class five or it might be best to take the stairway by class three that faced the main entrance. Allowing the others to make that decision, they walked slowly in the direction to the stairs by class five.

"How are you feeling, Nerume?"

"Tired."

"Other than that."

"Worried."

"About what?"

"Midterms tomorrow."

"If you're worried, Ms. Genzouyaki, I would suggest staying awake for the lectures."

"I try but none of the classes are engaging."

"You should try to engage yourself by asking questions."

"That would be disruptive."

"Naturally you would do so when it makes sense."

Nerume sighed.

"Do you need help with that cheerleader article?"

"Do you want to help?"

"Maybe. I'm curious what this cheerleader outfit looks like."

"Why?"

"Because the boys keep making it sound great."

"I've already agreed to help and I think Moka will be with us. There's no need for her to join."

Kurumu smiled as they reached the intersecting balcony that connected the two sides of the hall. On her left was a flight of steps in the direction of the cafeteria while the stairs on her right was towards the main entrance. Tora started down the steps on the left with Satsuki a half step behind. Rubbing Nerume's back, Kurumu guided the girl to follow after their friends.

"I don't mind if she's with us."

"I'm curious what the boys in the club are like."

"There's only three and you know one of them."

"I hope the other two aren't as small as Mr. Tomisaki."

"He did say they were taller than the girls."

Satsuki shrugged.

"It's not really about height. They just need to be bigger."

"How do you mean?"

"Well… what's the name of that other guy from yesterday?"

"Mr. Yamabato?"

"Yea, him. He's got broader shoulders. A small girl like Nerume could probably sit on his shoulder without shaking like a leaf."

"This is true. Ms. Hanetsume did look rather precarious on Mr. Tomisaki's shoulder."

"Yea, he tried to make it sound like she was moving but there was nowhere for her to move. He's just not big enough and she's not what I'd call a big girl."

"Ms. Hanetsume is a little stocky."

"Not any more than I am."

"Nerume would have been better for him to pick up."

"Why me?"

"Because you have a tiny butt."

"I'm compact."

Kurumu chuckled as they reached the bottom of the stairs. The line was fairly long, but not past the home ec classroom as it often was. She tugged Nerume closer in a side hug, which did not get much notice from the male bystanders.

"I'll see you two later."

"Okay."

Nerume released Kurumu to walk up next to Satsuki whom had already angled off in the direction of the end of the line. Kurumu took a couple quick steps to catch up to Tora and made a slight wave at Satsuki. The girl nodded back as she placed a hand on Nerume's shoulder. Nerume smiled up at her friend, absently touching the side of Satsuki's jacket but keeping some space between them.

They walked down the hall for a short while in silence. Kurumu was curious what exactly Tora wanted to talk about that could not be brought up in front of the others, but had a feeling the sphinx would not respond if asked directly prior to reaching their destination.

"So how are things going with Ginei?"

"As usual. He had not mentioned the pool party to Ms. Sangi, so it was a good thing I brought Kamitsuku with me. Ginei thinks he can do this swim club article on his own, but I know he'll get distracted talking to one of the girls. It would be best to have a few more cameras and guys involved."

"How big are we going to make this party?"

"They are letting us use the pool for Tsukune's birthday party, but they wanted some guys to help them out with their… issues. Kamitsuku said he would see about bringing some of the guys from Tsukune's floor, letting them know what to expect."

Kurumu frowned as they reached the end of the hall and turned slightly to angle towards the serving area. After all her dodging Unabara's request for her to bring some boys to the pool, it looked like it would happen thanks to Ginei's meddling. Still it would be fun to go swimming with Tsukune and not have to worry about the mermaids pestering him.

"That's like four, five guys from the film club and another three or so from Tsukune's floor. How many girls are we thinking?"

"I was hoping it could just be our club, but I understand if you want to bring along Ms. Genzouyaki and Ms. Unari. They are both aware of the pool party."

"What about the girls helping you fly?"

"I feel I have to extend the invitation, since two of them know about it. I'm relying on Ms. Hanetsume and Ms. Dangai to not be interested."

"In other words, keep it small. I can do that. It's not like I need to invite Asuka and Tokori."

"That would be sensible. It's Tsukune's party so we should only invite those that he has reasonable interaction with."

Tora walked through a door on her left, holding it open for Kurumu. They walked down a small hallway into a receiving area for the kitchen. They promptly turned down the corridor on the right that would take them to where the meals were prepared.

Nobody stopped them, perhaps familiar with Tora by now. Tora walked straight for a cart laden with prepared meals marked with labels for the clubs that had requested them. It was her understanding that both the baseball and basketball teams had this done.

Tora paused near the cart, catching the woman's attention whom was minding the cart. The woman gruffly grabbed up a pair of trays and handed one to each of them. Walking to the door at the end of the kitchen at the right, they slipped out into the cafeteria for a moment before stepping through the double doors into the large gymnasium.

"You want more guys to attend this, right?"

"I believe the swim club would prefer that over more girls."

"What about Ushio and Tamaishi?"

"I suppose you could ask them, though I don't know if I would call them Tsukune's friends."

"I was hoping you would ask them since you sit by them."

"I could ask him for you but I would have to be discreet about it."

"The soccer club is having practice after school every day this week. They have games… oh nevermind. They have away games so they will be off campus this weekend."

Tora laughed.

"Good thing you remembered that because I had no idea. I can't think of any other guys I could ask other than Tomisaki and I doubt he would come."

"Why not?"

Tora smiled.

"I think we are good with the numbers we have. Remember we are sharing this pool with like fifteen or so mermaid girls."

They reached the stage and headed down the small aisle between the stage and the storage rooms. Tora opened a door on her left for Kurumu, allowing her to enter first. The small room was the same as always with props and stuff pushed up against every bit of wall space. In the center of the room was a low table at which familiar faces were seated.

"And what is the occasion that graces us with Ms. Kurono's presence?"

Kurumu smiled at the tawny haired young man that was in charge of the first years. Koike Kousuke was the sort of broad shouldered guy that even Tora with her plump derriere could sit on. The former classmate of Ginei grinned toothily at her, the rows of his fangs betraying his race.

"I need her to speak with Mr. Umizake."

Kurumu frowned, slightly turning to regard Tora. The girl smiled walking around her to take a seat between Deshi and Tokori. With all three dressed in the same garb, it was surprisingly cute.

"About what?"

Umizake Aoi barely spoke during these lunches. The tall boy had a tangled mess of inky black locks that sometimes hung down across his steel blue eyes. Despite the question, he was paying more attention to the bowl of teriyaki noodles in his hand.

"I'll leave that up to her."

Kurumu sighed, guessing there was one major thing she should clear up with this guy.

"Gee, thanks."

Realizing she would have to sit on Tokori's other side, she wandered about the table to the open corner and knelt down next to Umizake. Being the only one in a skirt, she could not sit cross-legged like the others. Setting the tray between her and the boy, she grabbed the cup of soup first. Peeling back the lid, she blew across the steaming contents.

"I don't know how comfortable you are with the subject of your fiancée. Do you want to talk now or would you rather wait till after lunch?"

He shrugged, stuffing a helping of noodles in his mouth.

"Did you get her permission to talk with me?"

"I… well… are we talking about the same girl?"

"Most likely. I have no issue talking about her. These two are your friends and Mr. Koike is not the sort to spread gossip about a girl he knows nothing about."

"Quite true. I leave gossip to the newspaper club."

Holding the cup of soup in both hands, she took a small sip while regarding the young men. They both looked so serious in the dour black suits of the PSC despite Koike's grin and Umizake's aloofness.

"How do you feel about your fiancée?"

"It's an arranged marriage. My feelings are irrelevant."

Kurumu smiled, feeling emboldened with her suspicions that this was the young man Mizore was engaged to. Taking another sip, she studied his reactions.

"Are you saying you have no feelings for her?"

"What sort of feelings do you expect me to have?"

"I would assume you would be angry with her, considering her recent actions."

"Ms. Kurono. For as long as she has known about this engagement, she has hated the thought of me. Why should I be angry over things she has done these past two months?"

"If you don't want to marry her, why don't you call it off?"

"Because they would just pick someone else to marry her. If someone has to be the villain, it may as well be me. I'm content with that."

"You care for her."

"Not really."

"Then why force yourself to stick with it?"

"Would you wish this role on anyone else?"

Kurumu paused. It was so difficult to read this guy.

"I think it's easier to believe you would do this for her than for some complete stranger."

"You must not like yourself."

Umizake lifted his head to regard Tokori.

"I mean, regardless of whom you are doing this for, if you believe this is a losing scenario, the only reason to do it is because you don't value yourself."

He shrugged.

"What if I said she was cute? Remember I end up with this girl if she doesn't somehow figure a way out of this on her own."

Deshi giggled as Tokori shook her head.

"That would make you a creepy villain."

"How would you feel about me suggesting her to join the PSC?"

Kurumu frowned at Tora.

"Why would you do that?"

"The PSC needs more recruits. Even if Ms. Unari and Mr. Kitajima join us, it would be nice to have two or three more."

"Who is Ms. Unari?"

Kurumu smiled at Koike.

"She's a friend of mine, desperate to get out of her Poetry club."

"As much as I'm enjoying our increase in female numbers, guys tend to have more presence."

"She's a tomboy if that helps."

"We also need the numbers so we can't be picky."

"You know she might be aware that Umizake is part of the PSC. There's no way she would join."

"I'm worried that she will get kicked out of her current club."

"So. It's not like they would kick her out of school for not having a club."

Koike chuckled.

"Actually they can. That's why some kids will randomly make up clubs to avoid the boot."

"I was under the impression that Inui was blacklisted from clubs."

"Clubs with girls. I'm pretty sure that cad is still registered with the chess club."

Kurumu sighed, supposing that made sense. She had figured he was bouncing from club to club but that thought had originated back when she assumed students would only be in one club.

"I don't mind you trying to recruit her to the PSC, but I don't think she'll do it."

"I suppose we could take her in our club."

Kurumu sighed. That might have been an option yesterday, but she had doubts now.

"Yukari would lose her mind if we did that."

"Just have her fill out a club form. It's not like she needs to attend our meetings and there's no reason for Ginei to kick her out."

"Why don't you do it? You see her more than I do."

"You know her better than I do."

"Um… if you don't mind me asking, but who are we talking about?"

"Have guess but not say. Very amusing."

"It's got to be a girl from class three but it can't be Ms. Akashiya. Right?"

Kurumu laughed, supposing that was a reasonable conclusion to make. Sipping down the last of her soup, she regarded Umizake.

"Do you care if we tell her?"

He only offered a shrug before returning his attention to his meal.

---

Despite the thought that they would use both suites for the study session, the lack of furnishings in Kurumu's apartment convinced everyone to stay in Yukari's suite. Her low table, bed and desk was enough surface area for everyone to study comfortably. It would have only been an issue if they had tried spending the night.

With home ec, gym and eighth period all being study halls for her, Kurumu had left at the end of Mr. Nagamushi's lecture. She had stopped by class three and class one to see whom all could walk with her to her suite. Apparently art was also having the period free, so Moka and Tsukune were both sticking around for Kana and Tora to finish their sixth periods. Kana had Ms. Komeshita's lecture while Tora was with Yukari in that computer class.

Kurumu ended up with half of the group within fifteen minutes. Asuka and Taijin had the same schedule as her while the lack of art and shop class freed up Nerume, Kakeru and Satsuki. Goto also joined them since she had art after gym which was essentially the same freedom her friends had. Most of the talk during the stroll to her suite had been Asuka familiarizing herself with Goto and the fashion club. If Goto had brought club applications, the impulsive raiji would have signed herself and Taijin up.

It had been difficult to keep Asuka entertained in her empty suite. She had pulled out her bedding and hung it over the rail, hoping a few hours would be enough time to air out her futon. Kurumu had known for weeks about Asuka's strong sense of smell. She was really good at telling when things were finished in an oven. Smirking, the raiji had pulled her aside to tease her about having too much fun in her sheets.

They had not bothered breaking open the textbooks that first forty or so minutes before Yukari had joined them. After opening up the magical door between the suites, Yukari had pulled out the low table and had taken Kurumu with her to the commissary to select foods to prepare for dinner. Asuka had joined them under the premise of helping them carry stuff, though she clearly just wanted to explore the commissary. Asuka had been miffed that the clerks had not allowed her to buy anything with her regular ID card, but had coughed up cash to add a whole bunch of snacks that Yukari would have never considered due to questionable nutritional content and her limited budget.

Demanding Taijin's company, Asuka had headed back to school to help her Tengu friends find the suites. Not that it would have been difficult to find the suites on their own, but Asuka was not in the mood to study and was not allowed to help Yukari in her kitchen. Kurumu understood that three of the girls could have come at the same time as Yukari. Actually Dangai could have come with her, since the girl had the combination of gym followed by home ec, but all three had decided at lunch to stick around and wait for Honda whom had computer class seventh period. The only other girl that actually had a seventh period lecture was Tokori.

With everyone finally gathered they had studied the first couple hours while Yukari worked on preparing the meal. They had tried to seat everyone about the low table, but that was a tight space to work about. Tokori immediately abandoned the group, seizing up Yukari's desk before anyone could thing to claim it. As it was the only chair and it was not comfortable to kneel or stand by the desk, she was spending most of her time studying alone and was vocally content with that.

The rest of them had randomly decided if they wanted to be around the low table or on the bed. It was not like the apartment was huge enough that a person by the bed could not chat with someone at the table, so it really did not matter. Kurumu had spent her initial study time next to Nerume and Satsuki seated beside the bed, since Satsuki worried that she might contaminate Yukari's sheets with her fur. While Satsuki had meant to be sarcastic, Yukari had genuinely thanked Satsuki for showing such consideration for her allergies.

Having little reason to close the doorway between the suites, they had left it open. This had proven useful for bathroom breaks and it also gave Yukari access to two dishwashers. While serving dinner she had instructed them to leave their dishes in Kurumu's sink while she attended to the cookware in hers. After she had finished loading up her dishwasher and cleaning her counters and sink, she had moved over to Kurumu's kitchen to attend to the dishes they had left for her. The girls had praised Yukari's domestic abilities with comments ranging from genuine compliments to playful marriage proposals.

Things had calmed down after the meal. Asuka and Hatoko were no longer trying to prove which one of them was the most obnoxious. The other girls had wisely separated the two at opposite ends of the low table. Hatoko had Suzume and Dangai about her while Asuka had Honda and Taijin. Naturally Honda was sitting by Suzume, favoring her childhood friend over her classmate.

Goto and Kakeru were stretched out over Yukari's bed, leaving no room for anyone else. Goto paid a lot of attention to her friend, quickly helping any time she sensed Kakeru was struggling. She understood that Kakeru was too shy to ask for help and would silently distress over problems. Goto admitted she was not that much smarter, but knew it made Kakeru feel better to be acknowledged.

Hoping to make better use of her study time, Kurumu had decided to hang out next to Yukari at the kitchen counter instead of sitting with her two friends next to the bed. With all the dishes done, the witch had broken out the third volume of that teacher manga and was reading it while leaned up against the counter. She was quite engaged and did not always respond when Kurumu tried to get help.

"We should probably send everyone home at eleven."

Kurumu frowned, glancing at her wrist. It was a quarter after ten. While she could not claim she had studied the whole time, she had genuinely put in about four hours today. She sighed, doubting this would be enough. She had not even opened her English textbook since that test was on Friday. Hopefully tomorrow night would be enough study time to get her at least a passing grade.

"Can we stop now? My brain is melting."

Taijin chuckled at the blonde's distress.

"Are you wanting to go home?"

"I'm wanting to talk. This is boring. We should be talking about boys or something."

"But you don't have a boyfriend."

"It doesn't have to be boyfriends. We could talk about guys we're interested in."

"But you don't have any of those either."

"Just because I don't have anyone doesn't mean everyone else here has a bleak love life. Kurumu has a boyfriend."

Hanetsume snorted.

"Doubts anyone here wants hear bouts that scrawny thing. No offense."

Kurumu shrugged, closing her history book. While that test was also on Friday for her, she had tired herself out on Algebra and Japanese.

"You don't have to be interested in Mr. Aono to talk about him. It's what's going on in the relationship that's important."

"I don't know about you guys, but I've heard enough about Aono. The next thing I want to hear out of Kurumu is how they've actually done something."

Kurumu chuckled at Satsuki's remark. Grinning, she gestured at Tobuyoku.

"What about your boyfriend?"

"What about him?"

"Well… do you have any plans to do anything with him over summer break?"

"Like what?"

"Like romantic plans."

"Not really. I'm sure if I set up something so we can be alone together he would just seize that opportunity to try taking my clothes off."

"He was much nicer before he went to high school."

Kurumu smiled at Honda.

"I understand you had a crush on him."

"I… not really."

Tobuyoku chuckled, leaning against Honda.

"It's no big deal. I'm the one that told them."

"But I don't know if you could call it a crush. It's… comfortable."

"Comfortable?"

"Well, Shuiro was in love with Suzume. I can talk with him knowing he would remain civil with me since his interest was with someone else."

"So that's why you like hanging around Tsukune?"

Honda smiled softly.

"Yes. He reminds me of how Shuiro used to be. He's polite, kind and lets me do things at my pace."

"Things like flirting?"

"Do you think I'm flirting with Mr. Aono?"

"Kiki, you are. It's not always about words. It's about proximity and expressions."

"I'm sorry."

Kurumu noted the apology was for Tobuyoku.

"I know this might be wrong, but did Shuiro do something with Honda?"

"Nothing happened."

Tobuyoku giggled.

"But he tried. He took her out on a date without telling me."

Satsuki frowned.

"Wait. That's cheating. Why are you still dating this guy?"

"I'm not going to break up with him because he failed to convince Kiki into sating his sexual appetite. He sort of apologized for it."

"Sort of?"

"He implied it was partially my fault for not taking care of him better."

Hanetsume snorted.

"That's bullshit. Yer not married so not yer job to keep his beak wet."

"He felt guilty enough to tell me about it."

"Prolly figured yer friend would out his sorry ass. Did he say she came onto him?"

"No, he admitted it was him."

Hanetsume huffed.

"Should leave him."

"Too much pride, Hatoko. Ya know how hard it is to find a guy willing to nest."

"Is he? Sounds like he willing to plow whatever field is open."

"It's just a phase he's going through. Father said he will grow out of it."

"Yall being too optimistic."

"You don't know him, Hatoko. We grew up with him. Kiki can attest that he's not himself right now. If I refuse to be his anchor, there's no telling what he might end up doing."

"Yer a fucking doormat like my mother. Letting bullshit slide to protect the reputation of some small man that can't keep his pecker in his pants."

"Easy, hon. Yer mum be in a fine relationship now."

"Hardly changes what happened before."

"Does it matter?"

"Does to me."

"Why? Not like ya remember those first four years."

"Fuck ya."

Dangai smirked.

"Ignoring her pride, I am worried with this boy. Ya sure he won't find someone else?"

"I care about him but I'm not going to fight over him. If he has someone else, then maybe we could go back to being friends."

"Why? So when he gets miffed with his new chick, he still has someone to come home to?"

"Damn Hatoko, shut the fuck up. Just because you don't know how to be friends with a guy doesn't mean the rest of us are socially retarded."

"It would be nice if he settled down with another girl."

"Come on, Kiki. You know my mother would be pissed about that."

"But you would be relieved."

"Maybe."

Asuka chuckled, her eyes sparkling.

"Well this has been rather fun. Do you love this guy?"

"Yea. I know dating him was not my idea, but I have been with him for so long that it's hard to imagine a future without him. This past year has made me very aware that I could be married if I wanted to be."

Tobuyoku took a deep breath.

"But I want to complete high school. I know that may sound stupid and unimportant if ultimately I will marry Shuiro and become a housewife."

"Have you thought about having sex with him?"

Tobuyoku laughed at Asuka's remark.

"Hard not to think about it with how much he's pressured me. But we can't."

"But it's like a long distance relationship. You would only be able to on the school breaks so it's not like you would be doing it all the time."

"You must not be aware how we make babies. It's pretty easy to successfully fertilize our eggs."

Honda tugged on Tobuyoku's shoulder.

"She's not meaning mating. She's meaning mammal sex. Like right after you pass an egg."

Tobuyoku's eyes widened.

"Oh. Oh. Uh… I… wow. But that's so unreliable. You fuck up the timing and you could kill yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Well… you don't really want to have your eggs fertilized inside you. That makes them really hard to pass and the stress could kill you."

Dangai chuckled.

"It won't but ya wish ya would. Hurts bad enough for some of us. Unfertilized have some give. Think of it like the difference between passing a sponge and a rock."

"Timing is easier when we get older and have more reliable cycles. Right now, my eggs cycle between eight and twelve weeks."

Nerume giggled.

"So why not use a condom?"

The reaction from the girls surprised Kurumu.

"What the fuck's a condom?"

"I think that's some human thing that increases sexual desire."

"Why would boys need that?"

"You two are such hicks."

"Fuck ya, fat pigeon."

"I'm not fat."

Tobuyoku chuckled.

"A condom is a sack guys put on their thing to catch their seed."

"How the fuck does that work?"

Honda sighed.

"Just… don't say anything. It's embarrassing."

Kurumu smiled, surprised that Dangai being so smart did not know what a condom was.

"But you two know what we're talking about. So why was that not an option?"

"Well… what if it doesn't work out?"

"Isn't that always a risk?"

"I can't speak for Suzume, but the concept of having mammal sex has never been that appealing. The thought of having a man's… thing inside me sounds unsanitary."

Yukari snickered, glancing up from her manga.

"So have your man bathe first. It's not any less sanitary than the environment inside you."

"It's unnecessary. A man wishing to have a child with a woman needs only to be by her side, holding and comforting her as she passes her egg. Then he fertilizes her labor of love, like a blessing."

"I'm quite aware of the traditional mating process of the Tengu. It's surprisingly impersonal."

"That is your opinion, Ms. Sendou. I regard it as pure and romantic."

"Don't agree much with this peacock, but that's the right way to make a child. Tengu boys try too hard to be mammals."

"Is passing an egg a sexy experience?"

"Fuck no. Like be saying giving birth a right ole fun time."

"A man could make it better if he feathers you while it happens."

"I could see that."

"You should try it with your next egg. It makes it better."

"It usually hurts so much that it never crossed my mind to try that."

"My mother suggested it. Works even better in a warm bath."

"Well that's true even when you're not passing an egg."

"I miss having a bath. Showers are so… disappointing."

Kurumu glanced about, noting everyone but the four Tengu girls were confused at this.

"Um… what do you mean by feathers? Is this like a massage you do to yourself?"

Tobuyoku grinned.

"You could say that. What do they normally call it? Spanking yourself?"

"I think that's for men."

"Whatever. Same idea but for girls."

Kurumu chuckled.

"So it's playing with yourself. I assume it's down there."

"Oh yea."

"Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy sex?"

"I don't know. I assume you would get used to it, but feathering is enough for me."

"I bet Hatoko would be nicer if she feathered herself."

"Yall don't seem nicer for it so I reckon my abstinence is unrelated."

"For the sake of comparison, how often do you guys do this?"

Honda bit her lower lip and glanced at Tobuyoku whom shrugged.

"Twice a week. Maybe more if in a mood."

"That much, Kiki? I've only done it like twice since coming to Yokai. I'm worried someone will hear me."

Asuka brightened up, wagging her finger at Tobuyoku.

"I know. I haven't done it once because there's nowhere private to do it."

"You can do it in your room."

"Not the way I enjoy it."

Asuka held up two fingers and a blue spark crackled for a moment.

"Wouldn't that hurt yourself?"

"I'm a Raiji. This feels awesome if I do it right. Like wet yourself and curl up into a ball of pleasure insanity. My mother freaked out when she caught me doing this so I couldn't do it much at home."

Satsuki chuckled.

"Well as one of your neighbors, I grant you permission to shock yourself silly."

"Uh… I'm really loud. Like you might call the authorities thinking someone was killing me."

"How did you ever do it at home?"

"I'd do it in the wee hours of the night."

"… … … that sounds like you planned out masturbation."

"I had to."

"That's crazy. Mine's always been spur of the moment. Half the time I stop realizing I'm just bored and had nothing better to do."

Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head at Satsuki.

"I'm surprised you're so spontaneous."

"Do you plan out your pleasure sessions?"

"I suppose I don't. It's often a matter of how hot and bothered I am when I wake up."

"I used to be like that. Feathering each night fore turning in stops that."

"Shit, Michiko. Ya feather that much?"

"Why not?"

"Ya perv."

"Bah. Helps me sleep."

Satsuki snickered, shaking her head.

"Anyways, I was thinking to ask you about something Sendou said. What does she mean by squirt?"

"Ejaculation. Kurumu gushes sexual fluids upon orgasm. I suspect it is due to her being a succubus."

Kurumu blushed as she felt a sickly sweet sensation. Nerume regarded her with wide eyes.

"That is so fucking hot. Is there a trick to doing that?"

"It's kind of an urban myth but I know it happens. I saw my mother do it once with my father."

A lot of attention found its way to Yukari.

"You watched your parents have sex?"

"Kurumu, I've know how to turn invisible since I was six. They had no idea I was watching."

"Obviously. No parent would have sex with their kid watching."

Yukari rolled her eyes.

"I'm not going to make my parents stop loving each other because I got scared and wanted to crawl in bed with them. It was only polite of me to wait for them to finish before making my presence known."

"You're a strange little girl."

"Says the girl that admitted she uses electricity to stimulate her libido."

Asuka smirked.

"I would freak out if I saw my parents having sex. What about you guys?"

Honda frowned.

"Well… we're Tengu. It's not the same thing."

"My parents sex the mammal way. Being the oldest, seen them at it. Can't say I have an opinion on it."

"How many siblings you have?"

"Two brothers and a sister. My pa graduated from Yokai and married my ma when she was fourteen. They moved to the Onan district after my youngest brother was born, wanting a quieter community to raise us chicks in."

"Holy shit, I thought Nerume's sister was batty for having a kid at sixteen."

"Hatoko has me beat. Her ma was twelve."

Satsuki frowned.

"How does a twelve year old girl become a mother?"

"Kind of easy. Some of us start having our eggs as early as ten. If you don't dispose of them, any guy could technically make you a mother."

Yukari snorted.

"Nonsense. Even a fertilized egg would die without given proper care."

"Yea and babies die if you abandon them in dumpsters."

There was an awkward pause as Yukari covered her mouth, glancing aside. She must have set her manga aside at some point as it was on the counter behind her.

"Kiki, she didn't mean it like that."

"I hate being Tengu. It's like I'm in this sick cycle of giving birth to stillborn babies."

"They're not babies. They're eggs."

"Fertilized and cared for they hatch in four to five months."

Sighing, Tobuyoku leaned against her friend, draping her arm around the taller girl.

"That's an important step, Kiki. Let's talk about something else."

Satsuki forced a chuckle.

"Yea, let's get back to the squirting succubus."

"Oh, why me?"

"Because I'd rather not ask about the sexual activity of an eleven year old."

"She'd volunteer it. Yukari isn't bashful."

"I dither myself three or four times a week."

"Dither?"

"It's the word my mother used when trying to discourage my enjoyment of my body."

"So you're parents are aware that you do this."

"I wasn't aware that it was a bad thing."

"So is there some trick to squirting?"

Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head at Satsuki.

"It's messy."

"It's sexy. If a guy is going to make a mess of me, I want to make a mess of him."

Tobuyoku giggled, gesturing at Kurumu.

"How often do you feather?"

"Once or twice a month before dating Tsukune. Now I'm dithering two or three times a week."

That did sound like a nice word. She had no idea what it actually meant, but it was smoother.

"And you squirt every time?"

Kurumu smirked at Satsuki's continued interest.

"Most of the time."

"If you figure it out, could you teach me?"

"You guys are so silly. It's not fun soaking your sheets."

Glancing up, she smiled at Goto. The grayish brown haired girl had her locks shaved about her right ear with much longer hair on her left side. The bared right ear was decked with rows of gold and silver rings.

"You two okay? Care to add anything?"

Goto laughed.

"There's no way Chisa would add anything to this conversation. It's too strange for her."

"What about you?"

"I agree with the tall Tengu chick. Sorry, don't remember the name."

"Dangai."

"Right. It's a good sleep aid. I'm not an every nighter, but if I'm having trouble sleeping, it works nicely."

"Ya have to be tired though. Otherwise ya make yerself horny."

Goto chuckled.

"That's true. But in other news, Chisa got asked out on a date yesterday."

Nerume perked up. She turned about and knelt up to rest her elbows on the bed.

"Do you really have a date, Chisa?"

The tall girl with the short silver hair shied away from her friend. Biting her lower lip, she nodded.

"You didn't say anything at breakfast today."

"Who asked her out?"

"Some senior from the baseball team. He's from class 3-2 and he left a letter in Chisa's shoe cubby asking her to meet him on the track field at five yesterday."

Kurumu grinned, wondering if Abe from her class had anything to do with this. Half the soccer boys from Tokamachi were kirin and had been made aware of Goto and Kakeru. They had mentioned passing word along to their friends in baseball and basketball, and Abe would know Kakeru from their shared art class.

"Do you know anything about him?"

"He's tall and intimidating. He felt like a good fit for Chisa."

"How do you figure?"

"They are not many guys that can make this girl look small. I was glad I dragged her out to meet him."

"How do you feel about it, Kakeru?"

"I don't know. I've never been asked out before."

"At least not by a guy."

Kakeru blushed, glancing aside.

"Did you get a name?"

"He didn't write it on his request and I don't recall him saying it."

"Have you ever had a boyfriend before?"

Kakeru shook her head, causing Kurumu to chuckle.

"You know you can talk with us."

"Chisa's never been able to talk about boys or sex stuff. I think if she ever did have sex she'd probably do it with her eyes closed or blindfolded."

"Sensory deprivation is a recognized fetish. Considering how you've crippled your charm with your eyesight, you should consider using a blindfold."

Kurumu shivered at the suggestion.

"I'm trying to include the other girls here, Yukari. I doubt everyone wants to hear about how little progress I've made with my boyfriend in two months."

"You're still a virgin, right?"

Kurumu smiled at Asuka.

"Yea."

"Is there anyone here who isn't?"

Kurumu chuckled at Goto's inquiry.

"I'd be surprised to hear if anyone wasn't. Suzume is the only other girl that has a boyfriend."

"I had a boyfriend before coming to Yokai. Didn't have sex but we experimented a little with kissing."

Nerume pouted.

"You never mentioned that. I asked if you had a boyfriend."

"And I said that I didn't."

"You should have told me, Chisa."

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it was important."

Satsuki chuckled.

"So why did you break up with this guy?"

"Because I hated the idea of a long distance relationship. If I'm going to have a boyfriend at Yokai, I'd rather him be attending Yokai."

Kurumu smiled at Tobuyoku.

"I think you could have made it work if you wanted it to."

"He was a bad kisser. You would think a guy would figure that out in sixteen months."

"That's a long time to be with someone you dropped like nothing."

"It's not like we were messing with each other on a daily basis. We mostly hung out on Sundays because he lived on campus during the school week. I probably should have mentioned this guy is two years older than me, so he was attending Houjun High."

"Well that sounds like you were in a long distance relationship."

"Houjun is only about two hours from our community. Too much for a daily commute, but not what I would call long distance. And unlike Yokai, you have the option to go home on the weekends."

"I bet he was disappointed you didn't attend Houjun for his senior year."

Goto chuckled at Kurumu.

"He bawled his eyes out. For months he had been talking up how great it would be when I went to school with him and we would see each other all the time. I was so relieved that my parents let me come with Chisa to Yokai."

"When did you break up with him?"

"A couple days before coming here."

"But that means you spent your spring break with him."

"It would have been much worse if I had broken up with him earlier than that."

"Did you lie to him about attending school with him?"

"I let him think what he wanted and told my parents not to say anything to him. And before you ask, my parents didn't like him and had wanted me to break up with this guy within the first month. He's not the smartest cookie in the jar."

Kurumu frowned, supposing the lack of parental approval would cripple any young relationship.

"Still seems wrong the way you handled that."

"Some people are too stupid to deal with maturely. I don't think that boy ever loved me. He was crying because his ticket out of virginhood was leaving him."

"He loved you."

Goto favored Tobuyoku a dubious look.

"You really are an optimistic girl. The only thing that boy wanted from me over spring break was to hold my ankles behind my head."

Blushing, Tobuyoku glanced aside.

"That's difficult but it doesn't mean he had no love for you."

"Whatever, girl. I didn't love him and I'm not going to keep him simply because I could have. Maybe I'll feel differently about the next guy, but right now my plan is to graduate Yokai and get into Yamano Beauty College in Tokyo."

"Beauty college? Is that like a fashion design school?"

"It's for cosmetology. I want to be a hair stylist and I'm hoping to get Manako in on this. It would be awesome if the two of us could go to Yamano together."

"Manako?"

Honda smiled.

"Ms. Zenpyou. She's a pixie haired girl that sits by Ms. Goto in our class."

Kurumu grinned, recalling the girl with the orchid locks.

"That's the girl that fixed up my hair. Well… what was left of it."

"When is Chisa's date?"

"Sunday afternoon. I told the guy I would have to tag along for her sake so he said he'd bring a friend for me to make it a double date."

"You agreed to that?"

"Why not? It's just a date and I knew Chisa would be too scared to go by herself."

"I wonder if this baseball guy is from the kirin community in Tokamachi."

Goto cocked her head, intrigued.

"Wait, this guy is a kirin?"

Kurumu chuckled.

"Most likely. We told the soccer boys about you two and they have friends in the baseball team."

"I only knew he was tall and good looking."

"And you had Kakeru agree to date him based on that alone?"

"It's just one date. It did not cross my mind that it would ever be more than that."

Goto frowned.

"Well fuck. Now I'm worried."

"Is it a problem?"

Goto sighed, slouching her shoulders as she sunk deeper against the mattress.

"Short of cheating on a girlfriend, he might be serious. Like marriage serious."

"It's just one date."

"Yea… I'm thinking too much on this."

"I wish I could go with you guys, but I know Kurumu has something planned Sunday."

"Like what?"

Kurumu smiled.

"Something with Tsukune. It's his birthday but we're trying to not make a big fuss of it. These four are invited since they usually hang out with us on Sundays."

Honda perked up.

"You don't mind? It is his birthday after all."

"Technically this is something our club president planned. The only thing Tora was worried about was if the venue was too small for a large crowd."

"Can I come?"

Kurumu frowned at Asuka.

"Why would you want to?"

"It would be fun to hang out with everyone."

"I'll hang out with ya."

"You're not going?"

"Naw. I know what they have in mind and doesn't interest me."

"I don't think I would want to intrude on a birthday party for a guy I barely know."

Kurumu smiled at Taijin.

"Yea… I figured you and Tokori wouldn't be comfortable coming so I didn't ask. Speaking of which, you two have been very quiet about everything."

Taijin shrugged.

"Not much to add. I don't feather, dither or whatever you guys feel like calling it."

"Yuu's father would beat her silly if she thought of having fun with herself."

"Don't lie. My dad isn't abusive. You're just scared of him."

"Have you tried?"

"Maybe. I don't know. It's supposed to feel good and it never seems to."

Satsuki chuckled.

"It's not something you can force. You kind of have to be in the mood."

"What about you, Tokori?"

The girl glanced at them. Shaking her head she returned her attention to her English book.

"Ever have a boyfriend?"

"No. I don't understand why you all are talking about playing with yourselves. It's weird."

"Because only two girls here have boyfriends. Masturbation is a sexual activity most of us have experienced and can comment upon."

"Why is the eleven year old answering me?"

"Is that a problem, Ms. Meirowasa?"

"I suppose it bothers me that you have as much experience as I have."

Kurumu chuckled.

"Now you're sounding like Satsuki. This isn't a competition."

Satsuki huffed.

"You say that because you're in the lead."

"I don't mind if we want to stop studying and talk, but I'd rather it not be about sex and boys."

"You could tell us about your family."

Tokori sighed, closing her textbook.

"That's even worse. Besides, some of you already know all there is to know about my family."

Kurumu smiled, supposing Tokori was no stranger to half the group. She regarded the other girls, wondering how much she knew about their respective families. She did not know much about Kakeru or Goto, but felt she had pestered them enough for now. She had a feeling asking more about Hanetsume was the same as stepping about a minefield.

"Do you have any siblings, Suzume?"

"I'm a middle child. My older sister is four years older than me. She no longer lives with us, since she got married instead of going to high school. My little brother is three years younger."

"What's with all the Tengu girls getting married so young?"

Tobuyoku shrugged.

"I guess it sounds that way. My mother was seventeen when she had my older sister."

"My mother was twenty two when she had my older brother, if that makes you feel any better about our species. I'm sure if you talked with some of the Tengu from Tainai and Aga, you would realize not ever Tengu drops out of high school."

"My mother was thirty when she had me."

"I didn't realize your mother was that much older than her sister."

"Yea, she's almost a whole twelve years older than Aunt Shizuka."

Kurumu smiled, turning her attention back to Honda.

"Do you have any younger siblings?"

"Father died before I hatched and Mother did not feel like remarrying. We lived with her parents till she had enough money to move to the village where we live now."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for. My brother was still too young to have any memories of him."

Tobuyoku grinned, rubbing Honda's back.

"It's why she won't introduce him to her new friends. She's worried one of them will steal her brother away from her."

"Aww, that's cute having a thing for your brother."

Taijin snorted at Asuka.

"You're one to talk."

"I think introductions would be pointless. My brother would never be interested in such uncivilized women."

"Not like I'd be interested in meeting yer boy. If ya be any example, he still not know how to fly like a real man."

"My point proven already. She has no manners."

"Well I be up for it if ya want. Could be fun to tease ya about yer taboo love."

Honda sighed, shaking her head.

"If I were to introduce you, it would have to be on a school day. There's no way I would have you meet him on a weekend."

"Why's that?"

"Because you dress like your homeless."

"I dress comfortably."

"You might as well be showing up in your pajamas."

"My family is big and poor, taking advantage of the alumni discount since it be cheaper than the local big school. Not have fancy clothes for weekends."

"So wear your school uniform. At least you would be presentable."

"You okay with that, Michiko?"

"I spose."

Honda sighed.

"I wish there was more girls in my club. The only other girl is Ms. Madosuki and she spends most her time flirting with Mr. Tawamuru."

"You mean Madosuki Yasuko from class two?"

"Kurumu, there is only one Madosuki in our grade."

"I didn't memorize the names of every first year, Yukari."

"What is the likelihood that there would be another Madosuki?"

"She could have an older sister. Honda didn't say this Madosuki was a first year."

"She is a first year. I'm sorry I don't remember her first name or class."

"Does your club do anything? Half the time you're reading a book up in the bleachers, waiting on us to finish track practice."

"It's a leisure club. The only thing we do together is play tabletop and card games. If Yasashiro is busy, there is no point for me to hang around."

"How many people are in the club?"

Honda paused.

"Ten. Half of us are first years. One of the first years is a younger brother to one of our seniors. They're both Tengu boys from Tainai."

Tobuyoku smiled.

"I get it now. You're self conscious."

"I'm not. I've already turned the older Tenkai brother down."

"As in refused to date or refused to do something with him?"

"Essentially the same things."

"Did he ask you to go on a date?"

"I saw no reason to go to the school store alone with him."

"You're so silly. I'll tell you what. Since I know Hatoko would only be annoyed, Michiko and I will hang out with you during one of your club meetings next week. You can introduce her to your brother and we can chat a little with these Tengu boys you think are obsessing over you."

Honda frowned.

"You don't understand. It's not just the Tenkai brothers. Three other boys are also from the same Tainai community. It's unsettling to be in there if my brother steps out for any reason."

"I've noticed that. A lot of clubs are formed by friends from the same community. I'm surprised your brother ended up club president."

"The other two seniors weren't interested in such a responsibility."

"It's a leisure club. How difficult could it be to run it?"

"It's more involved than they care to be."

Tobuyoku chuckled.

"Okay we can scratch out the two seniors. Clearly too lazy to be good dating material."

"Ya sure Honda's brother didn't take it before they could?"

"I suppose. I have a boyfriend though, so I was thinking these things for you."

"No mind me. I can handle a few boys."

Kurumu giggled.

"Yes, you handled Morioka's interest in you remarkably well."

Dangai blushed.

"That be different. Yer senior was relentless."

"I'm curious, but do you know if your brother is into your little fantasy way of having babies?"

Tobuyoku snorted.

"Doubtful. Even my little brother thinks you would have to have a strange egg fetish to prefer that over directly seeding the girl."

"That not be a subject for lil brothers."

"He talked at me about it. I didn't start it."

"That must have been dreadful. I would be embarrassed if my brother spoke of his preferences to me."

Kurumu chuckled.

"Maybe if your brother is relentless, Dangai will be your sister soon."

Honda glanced down at her fingers.

"If he wants her, I would approve of it."

"But ya fussed over it."

"Over your presentation. I know you are book smart and athletic."

Hanetsume chuckled.

"Boys don't care about smarts. Prefer dumb chicks. They finds out Michiko smarter than they are and they dump her like a hot rock."

"With your educational prowess, I assume you will have no problem keeping a man."

"Fuck ya, peacock."

Honda sighed as Tobuyoku chuckled.

"Must be getting past her bedtime as she is grouchy as a magpie."

Hanetsume rubbed her eye.

"I am tired. We should go."

Taijin glanced at her wrist and nodded.

"Yea, it is getting to be that time."

Hanetsume got up first with Dangai and Taijin following suit. Asuka left her books on the table as she staggered up on her feet.

"Wait! We can talk a bit longer. There's no reason to run home yet."

Honda picked up Dangai's books and handed them up to the girl before getting to her feet. Tobuyoku gestured to the table.

"You want me to help put this away."

"If you would be so kind, Ms. Tobuyoku."

"It's almost eleven, Asuka. We need to turn in before midnight."

"It's not like we'll turn into pumpkins if we're not in our rooms by then."

"Move it, Sparky. I ain't sticking round for more nonsense chatter."

Hanetsume walked about Asuka to Yukari's foyer where the four Tengu girls and Tokori had left their shoes and schoolbags. Everyone else had left their things in Kurumu's foyer. Taijin had already slipped through the magic door into her suite, probably intent on bringing Asuka's and her things to this door.

"Well, wait, I just wanted to ask something of Kurumu but the conversation kept running away in all directions and it never came up."

Dangai chuckled, clapping a hand on Asuka's shoulder before moving on to join Hanetsume. With Satsuki's and Nerume's help, Tobuyoku stuffed the table beneath the bed while Goto and Kakeru slipped off the bed. Kakeru made a beeline for the bathroom while Goto ducked through the magic door.

"Then ask her."

"Well… uh… okay. I've been thinking about this for a couple days now, about how Hazumi thinks you're Akashiya's handmaiden-"

"I'm not."

Asuka nodded.

"Yea, fine. But I'm curious. Do you love Akashiya?"

Kurumu smiled.

"Of course."

"No. I mean like… love love."

Kurumu frowned. While she had some passing, sexual fancies about Moka, it had never been a subject to dwell on. Trying to think about it now simply made her aware of how difficult it would be with that angry Moka inside her.

"I know Moka has some feelings for me, but the situation is kind of complicated."

"But you admit Akashiya is in love with your boyfriend, Aono."

"Yes."

"And you have made no progress with your boyfriend in two months."

"Suzume has had a boyfriend for over two years and hasn't had sex."

"That's different because of how young she was those two years. You're going to be able to legally marry him at the end of first term."

"Yes and no. While Kurumu could marry at sixteen with her mother's permission, Tsukune would have to wait till he turns eighteen and would need his parents' permission."

"Okay, smarty girl, my point was Kurumu is much older than Suzume was. Is. You're still fifteen, right?"

"I'm six or so weeks younger than Kurumu."

"Anyways, so what if your lack of progress is because you're not really interested."

"What?"

"Like you don't really want him, but you want Akashiya instead."

Kurumu chuckled.

"You're being silly."

"We're heading out, Kurumu. Thank you for having us, Ms. Sendou. You were a wonderful hostess."

Yukari grinned at Tobuyoku's compliment as she walked over to the foyer. Hanetsume had opened the door and was already out on the landing waiting for the others. Dangai was out next while Honda slipped on her shoes next to Tobuyoku.

"It was interesting having everyone over."

"Maybe we could do this again, though in smaller numbers."

Yukari nodded at Honda.

"That would be nicer. Clearly the concept escapes Kurumu, but smaller groups allow for better conversations."

"You do feel compelled to stay quiet while others are talking in such a small environment."

"Could the two of ya stop yapping and get yer wings out here."

Honda sighed, favoring Yukari with a smile.

"It was a pleasure."

"Good night, Ms. Honda and Ms. Tobuyoku."

The two girls waved at Kurumu before slipping out the front door. As Yukari shut the door, Taijin handed over Asuka's things. Kakeru slipped out of the bathroom as Goto returned through the magic door with their things.

"Did you get our bags?"

"You can get your own stuff, kitten."

Satsuki scowled, padding off towards the magic door. Kakeru smiled as she slung her schoolbag over her head and took her shoes from Goto. The tall pair started for the door.

"You coming with us, Nerume?"

"I'll walk with Satsuki."

"Maybe we could spend the night?"

"Asuka."

"Come on. I barely got to spend any time with Tokori."

The monstrel girl whom was still seated at Yukari's desk, glanced up from her textbook.

"It was a study session."

"Yea, but we could make it a sleepover."

Goto chuckled as she slipped her shoes on in the small foyer.

"We're heading out. It was nice to meet everyone."

"Yea… it was nice meeting you, Ms. Goto. You could stop by our practices and keep Kiki company if you ever get bored of your fashion club."

Goto grinned as she opened the door to let Kakeru out.

"I'll keep that in mind. Have a good night, Ms. Sendou. You did fabulous tonight."

Yukari was glowing as much as she had when everyone had complimented her on the meal. For a couple minutes the witch had tried to retain an apathetic composure but she quickly succumbed to the stroking of her ego. Having refused all help in the preparation and cleanup under the premise that they needed to maximize their study time, it was hard not to praise the girl for successfully doing it all.

"Do you have spare bedding, Ms. Sendou?"

"Why?"

"This place is big enough for seven girls to spend the night."

Yukari bit her lower lip.

"Um… if we bring Kurumu's bedding we might be able to do five more comfortably than we have been doing in the past."

Kurumu paused, sheepishly smiling.

"Oh, I still have to bring that in. I left it hanging over the rail since before dinner."

Yukari grimaced.

"I hope bugs didn't find it a compelling surface to nest in."

Worried, Kurumu darted through the magic door, nearly colliding with Satsuki.

"We should go, Asuka."

"What's up?"

"Forgot something."

Stepping around her friend, she quickly crossed the room. She turned back the deadbolt and pulled open the door. Thankfully her futon was still slung over the railing. She grabbed it up and waddled back through the open door, promptly greeted with Satsuki's chuckle.

"At least it's aired out."

Kurumu paused to lock up the door. She took in a deep breath, noting her aroma still lingered upon it but at least it was not as overbearing as it had been when she moved it to her room last weekend.

"I hope Tokori doesn't think it smells off."

"Squirting in your sheets?"

"Yea…"

"Did Akashiya say she had feelings for you?"

Kurumu frowned as they walked slowly towards the magic door. She was thinking she should bring her futon over to Yukari's room regardless of what was decided, not seeing much reason to have anyone sleep in her empty suite for the night. They could open the magic door in the morning so they could have two bathrooms.

"You know I'm in love with Tsukune."

"Yea, but you said you know Akashiya has feelings for you."

"Well… yea. That doesn't mean I'm thinking of having a sexual relationship with her."

They crossed into Yukari's suite. Kurumu was surprised that the blonde and Taijin were still present, though they were lingering at the foyer. Taijin was ready to go, her hand lingering on the door while Asuka had her arms about her chest stoically regarding the magic door. Her eyes brightened up with their return.

"I told you I'm not leaving until I say good night to her."

Kurumu dropped her futon unceremoniously upon the floor. Satsuki angled off to hand Nerume her schoolbag and shoes. Unburdened, the girl turned and regarded her with a smile.

"I do want to talk about that before we go."

"Talk about what?"

"It's nothing. You two can go."

"You live next to me. You may as well walk with us."

"It's a sensitive topic."

"It's a related topic, Satsuki. I don't mind."

Yukari frowned.

"What are we talking about?"

"Just a little thing that I've noticed. I think everyone knows that I can feel it when a guy is thinking about me. This can be a strong, satisfying feeling depending on the level of desire the man directs at me. Satsuki asked what I meant by Moka having feelings and I admit I have felt something similar from her."

Yukari regarded her dubiously.

"Are you claiming my Moka desires your body?"

"I don't know what it is I'm feeling. But it's a strong emotion that comes from her. I've also felt this from you, Tora and Nerume."

Nerume and Yukari exchanged furtive looks. With a huff, Yukari turned her nose up.

"You are sexy, Kurumu. Of course, I am interested in your sexual prowess, but I don't love you. Moka is the only one I love."

"I find you attractive, Kurumu. But I don't mean it like I want you. More like I wish I was you."

"You don't feel anything weird from me, right?"

Kurumu grinned at Satsuki.

"Yea, it's only from a few girls."

"Aw, why don't you feel anything from me? I think you're sexy."

"Probably because you have the attention span of a gnat. Kurumu said it was a strong feeling, which I have my doubts you have the patience to put forth."

Asuka pouted, bowing her head as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. She had her shoes on and was clearly ready to leave.

"What if I kiss her?"

"Kurumu has told you about the chemical in her saliva, Asuka."

"I want her to feel something from me."

Despite all this talk, Kurumu felt nothing from Asuka. Whatever this girl wanted, it was not a strong emotion directed at her. Smiling, Kurumu stepped in closer and hugged the girl.

"You should go. It's been fun. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."

Asuka sighed, relaxing and returning the hug.

"Are you sure you don't feel anything from me?"

Kurumu giggled, backing up to caress the sides of the girls face and shoulders.

"I didn't say it was something I liked."

Kurumu touched her breast.

"Think of the feelings I receive as a meal. Boys give me all sorts of entrees. Some are really good. Some are forgettable. Girls seem to be a different category. Like dessert. It's this sweet sensation that really doesn't work well on its own."

Asuka frowned.

"Maybe you should ask to be Akashiya's handmaiden. Then you would have both."

Kurumu grinned, tousling the girl's jagged locks.

"I'm not going to be anyone's handmaiden. Good night, Asuka."

Taijin took that as the cue to open the door. The tall girl slipped out and gestured for Asuka to join her. The blonde sighed and slowly retreated out of the room.

"We have to wait for them anyways. Nerume doesn't have her shoes on yet."

Kurumu flinched as a small hand touched the small of her back. Nerume stepped in beside her and leaned into her, wrapping her arms about her torso.

"I'm going to stay."

Satsuki chuckled, slipping on her shoes.

"You don't have any clothes."

"I will sleep naked with her."

"Suit yourself. I'm going home."

"Why is she getting to stay?"

"Oh stop pouting, child."

Taijin started down the stairs, her hands tucked in the pockets of her green jacket.

"Hey, Sendou. Really nice job tonight."

Yukari huffed.

"Your presence was tolerable, Unari."

"See you tomorrow."

With a final nod, Satsuki stepped out of the apartment to join the pouting Asuka. Yukari shut the door, this time drawing the deadbolt. The witch turned away from the door as Nerume moved to set her schoolbag and shoes down in the emptied foyer.

"So how do we want to do the sleeping arrangements?"

"Nerume moves a lot in her sleep. Anybody paired with her will have a rough night."

"I have spare bedding. We could put her on the floor by herself and I can share the bed with you."

Nerume squeezed her about the waist. She was giving off that faint, sweet sensation again.

"I don't want to wake up alone. Just hold me tighter."

"Why don't you try holding me instead?"

Nerume nuzzled up against her side.

"Do you have a tank top or something I could wear?"

"Not sleeping au naturel?"

"Only if you do."

Tokori made a loud sigh. She forced a smile, shaking her head as she closed her textbook.

"Let me leave the room before you do any weird yuri stuff. I'm fine with sleeping in Kurumu's suite by myself if I have to."